We are please and godly proud of three youth who are graduates and members of the Bibb County Board of Education Class of 2017!
These three rising stars have grown up in True Faith and have been an integral part of the Youth Department.
On June 18, 2017, during our youth day worship service, Brice Reeves and Iyonna Brown shared their testimonies and advice to the graduates behind them. Erika Hall wasn’t able to speak due to a family emergency.
They passed their written speech on so we could publish it on our website.
Each one used the subject “If It’s Meant to Be, It’s For Me”.
Scroll down to read their story.
BROTHER BRICE REEVES
Brother Brice Reeves is the son of Rajeno and Joyce Reaves. He graduated from Rutland High School and received an award in Fine Arts. He will be attending Clark University and majoring in Forensic Science and his minor will be Music. He is also a drummer for the True Faith Music Department.
Good morning church. Today I will like to speak with you all about my middle/high school experience. Now, high school is a different type of animal when first entering. You don’t know what to expect or even who to expect. You’re not sure if you’re supposed to have butterflies all throughout your stomach or to do back flips all through the halls of school. You can never be too sure. Now, if you were to ask me how I felt about school, I would instantly rant about how
Now, if you were to ask me how I felt about school, I would instantly rant about how much I despised the place. No if, and, or but about it. School was definitely not my cup of tea. Although I can say, if it wasn’t for me thinking about the “What if’s” through school; I wouldn’t appreciate the “What is” of it all. When I was five years old I was diagnosed with Nephrotic
When I was five years old I was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, which is a kidney disease. Now in order for me to not relapse and get sicker, I was placed on a type of steroid and these steroids came with side effects. One of the biggest side effects from this medicine was that the higher the dosage, the more weight I gained. There was this period during the summer entering my 7th-grade year where I once again had a relapse and was immediately admitted to the hospital. With that, came an increase in my medicine. So,
So I remember the first day back to school that year so vividly. I remember receiving these crazy looks from my peers; I remember hearing laughs from ear to ear. I can even remember the dude who came to my face and laughed saying “Dang Brice, you’ve gotten fat.” That’s when all these different emotions start running through my body. I was confused, heartbroken and enraged at the fact there were people who took my sickness for entertainment to them. Even one of my best friends said that I had gotten so fat he didn’t even recognize me. It took me a while
of insecurity and rage to realize that those temporary people were the least of my worries. I just had to stop and realize if it wasn’t for God showing me the “What if’s” of the situation then I couldn’t even thank him for the ‘What is of it all.” What if I had to miss days of school for my
What if I had to miss days of school for my relapse and could have faced the possibilities of me repeating a grade and me not graduating on time? Well I’m standing here today to inform you that I’ve never had to repeat a grade and
that I’m a proud class of 2017 graduate that graduated on time. What if my condition had gotten so bad that my medicine couldn’t even save me and I could be lying in a grave at this moment? My life would have ended at the age of twelve years old. I’m standing here to tell you that I’m well alive, 18 years old with nothing but a bright future ahead of me. So in
So in closing, I say this, students don’t let anyone barricade you from receiving what you want from life and simply being you. Take those obstacles and turn them into advantages. School and the people around you are temporary and they’ll never have your back like God does. God will never laugh at your face and tell you anything to hurt you. With me realizing that all at a young age I can say that I’ve only gotten stronger. You can as well and remember whatever you want, you can have if you pray and believe.
Thank You.
SISTER IYONNA BROWN
Sister Iyonna Brown is the daughter Bro. Kelvin and Pam Brown. She participated in Central High School’s Marching Band and JROTC. She will be attending Albany State University, majoring in Nursing.
Good morning to Pastor & First Lady, the congregation, and especially the class of 2017…we made it! Today I can speak for us all when I say I’m so glad it’s over, throughout my high school experience I can’t begin to tell you how many time the words ” I’m ready to drop out ” came out my mouth not because I didn’t have the motivation or support that I needed but because I didn’t believe in myself. Entering high school my freshman year the new experience got to me, I was all hype because it was something new..being honest I didn’t take it
Entering high school my freshman year, the new experience got to me. I was all hype because it was something new..being honest I didn’t take it seriously not one bit. I played around, didn’t take my work seriously, and hung with the wrong crowd. After my first semester during my freshman year, I saw my grades fall… I had an F on my report card for the first time do Y’all know that killed me??? I used to write encouraging quotes and scriptures on my wall in my room and one scripture that always just popped out to me was Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
The second semester, I realized it was time to tighten up and I had to get it together, now I passed freshman year with Bs and Cs. It wasn’t my best but at least I passed. After that is when I started believing in myself, I started going for what I know. I had to learn that nothing in life is free, I had to EARN what I wanted. As high school graduate, I can honestly say that high school was the best and worst time of my life, it taught me life lessons. Don’t go to school thinking about friends.. them people who your friends now believe me when I say after graduation they not gone be there
As a high school graduate, I can honestly say that high school was the best and worst time of my life, it taught me life lessons. Don’t go to school thinking about friends. Them people who your friends now, believe me when I say after graduation they not gone be there anymore so if you wasting your time trying to depend on them now, later on, you gone be looking crazy. Watch what I’m telling you.
In conclusion, I leave with you in the words of Dr. Eric Thomas; “When you want to succeed, as bad as you want to breathe then you’ll be successful.” The most important thing is this to be able, at any moment to sacrifice what you are, for what you will become Don’t Go To SLEEP Until you Succeed!”
Thank you.
SISTER ERICKA HALL
Sister Ericka Hall is the daughter of Sammy Hall and Shannon and Terry Mathis. She attended Warner Robins High School. She was an honor student. She received these awards: Certificate of Leadership, 2 Service Pins, 3 LGPE. Her accomplishments include several medallions, 2 letters, 2 cords, 1 honor stole, 1 plaque, 1 hoodie for academic excellence, 1 beta club pin, FCCLA for 2 years, National Honor Society for 3 years, Beta Club for 3 years, advanced classes for 4 years. She will be attending Mercer University with a goal set for Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
“If It’s Meant to Be, It’s For Me”
Throughout my 4 years of high school, this was so true. None of my teachers babied me or gave me anything. It was up to me to study, take notes, turn in assignments, and pay attention in class. Now while I had amazing experiences and memories in high school that I’ll always cherish, I also had my most trials and some experiences in high school as well.
My mom was having strokes back to back and her final one left her paralyzed all in the beginning of my junior year of high school. That had to be the worse thing I’d ever been through in my life. I was going to school every other day so I could stay home and take care of her, and when I was at school I wasn’t understanding any of the material. I was failing a college level math with a 30 and I was so upset because an 80 was the lowest average I’d ever had in my school career.
Now I could’ve given up there and either dropped out of school or failed and stayed back a year but I was determined to graduate on time and to not just graduate but have honors and all. And because of prayer, help from my teachers and determination, I not only graduated with honors but I also was awarded academic excellence for 4 years straight and much more.
I stand here to tell you it’s not too late and if you’re doing well to continue because it’s up to you to turn things around for yourself. If you want it bad enough God will give you the grace to make it happen and also when it feels like you’re giving into what’s wrong it’s the easier thing to do. Choose yourself instead because 9 times out of 10 the person who’s gonna suffer the most out of you doing wrong is you.
Joshua 1:8 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
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