Celebrating a truly international education in Allegany County
From Houghton Academy,
Houghton Academy held a special Baccalaureate Program on Friday, May 31st and the Commencement Program on Saturday, June 1st for the Class of 2024. The Houghton community celebrated 9 individuals, now alumni: James Adenuga, Houghton, New York; Yichen Chen, Chengdu, China; Wesley Davidson, Houghton New York; Grace Jordan, Houghton, New York; Alexia Piva Vieira, Americana, São Paulo Brazil; Yuelin Qi, Beijing, China; Bella Stevens, Houghton, New York; Christian Valentin, Brooklyn, New York; Marco Zanini Filho, Americana, São Paulo Brazil.
Dr. Toby A. Travis, Head of School, began the Commencement Program with a special welcome to the community, family and friends, followed by an invocation and congregational hymn.
The Houghton Academy 2024 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Bella Stevens and Wesley Davidson, were honored and both gave remarkable and heartfelt speeches during the program. Stevens and Davidson both held the highest GPAs in the class as well as participated in a long list of extracurricular activities their Junior and Senior years.
James Adenuga was awarded the Isaiah 61:3 Scholarship. Houghton Academy is a Private International Christian Boarding School and our students try to model Isaiah 61:3. It states, “To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called trees of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Adenuga gave a special message about being trees of righteousness in the Houghton community. Adenuga was awarded a monetary donation for this honor.
Later in the ceremony, Dr. Travis awarded the diplomas to the 9 graduates with Mr. David Pritchard announcing each student. Marco Zanini Filho, Class President, led his class in the honor of the Tassel turn.
The Houghton Academy Junior Class Marshals were Andrea Peralta and Gavin Martino. The pianists for both the Baccalaureate Service and Commencement Service were Yuanqi Hong and Enli Huang.
Congratulations to the Houghton Academy Class of 2024!
