After graduating 19 seniors in 2014, South Aiken Baptist Church set a new record easily on Friday - awarding diplomas to 28 students.
The first in line, Samuel Acevedo said he would not have wanted to graduate from any other school. For his parents, Samuel and Celia Acevedo, his graduation was overwhelmingly emotional.
There is no way express this day, the elder Acedevo said, only to praise the Lord.
"He is our miracle child," Celia said. "God gave him this life and a purpose. We're rejoicing that today."
Principal Randy Martin is especially proud that all the graduates are expected to attend college in the fall. He and his wife, Cindy, are celebrating personally, as well; their daughter, Lily, was the valedictorian.
During her commencement address, Lily said she will never forget how her parents, her friends and all of the parents and teachers at the school have impacted the students' lives.
"Each one of us has the talent that God has give us toward our own dreams ...," she said. "This is more like a family here."
Two former teachers returned for the commencement, much to the delight of the graduates.
Several of the senior boys gave former teacher Jamie Bodiford a group hug. Along with other subjects, Bodiford taught a Bible class.
"It was a great experience here," he said. "I had great students and love them to death, learning about the Lord with them."
Bodiford was wonderful to the students, said Peyton Faugl, "caring about us ... and teaching us about life."
The guest speaker, Nick O'Berry, is now working in evangelical missions after spending 14 years at South Aiken Baptist. He, too, was greeted warmly by his former students.
Teachers are expected to be professionals with the concept they aren't supposed to be friends with their students, O'Berry said. Yet over the years, as his work at school included sharing his vision of the Holy Spirit with the teenagers, he said he couldn't avoid becoming friends with them.
He encouraged them to hear the voice of Christ without reservations - to have a heart toward others.
Ernesto Barquet enrolled at South Aiken as a sophomore, calling the past three years the best time of his life. In the community, he is active with the Aiken Youth Playhouse. He has taken vocal lessons for many years, and at commencement, he sang "Lead On, O King Eternal." He will pursue pre-medicine at Wofford College and plans to continue his theater work.
"This has been a wonderful experience here," Barquet said. "I have friendships that seem like family. Now I'm excited to have new chapters in my life and new adventures."
William Narrows earned salutatory honors.
The graduates were Samuel Acevedo, Sydney Arsenault, Ernesto Barquet, Jared Birkett, Jacob Borders, Kristen Brantley, Tyrus Carlton, Joseph Costello, Peyton Faugl, Madison Hetu, Blake Johnson, Abigail Jolley, Rebekah Jolley, Joseph Kass, Ashley Leopard, Trevor Lewis, Connor Lockett, Luke Marbert, Lily Martin, Brooklyn McCurley, Mark Pelfrey, Rebekah Proctor, Grace Ruhnky, Kristen Ryan, Daeshnae Staley, Kelly Watson and Brooke Yonce.
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001.