Calvary Christian High's first seniors set the trends and the standards for classes yet to come.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published May 31, 2003
CLEARWATER - As the teens headed to the stage to grab their diplomas, childhood pictures of them flashed across television screens, mounted on the walls in the Calvary Baptist Church auditorium.
There was baby Kylie Flanders showing off her pumpkin costume, tiny Joey Kader standing like a soldier in a camouflage outfit and sneakers, and preteen Christy Allen splashing in the pool with her buddies.
Family and friends of the 18 students sat proudly in the front rows at the intimate ceremony.
It could have been the scene at any number of private school graduations. But it was a brand new experience May 23 for Calvary Christian High School.
This was its first crop of graduates since the school opened its doors three years ago.
"We got to be the top the whole way," Joey Kader, 18, said. "We were pioneers. We did everything first."
As the first, they set senior traditions.
They had senior camping trips, a senior retreat and senior dinners at Kobe Japanese Steak House.
They didn't exactly have homecoming. That will have to wait until next school year, when they'll have a traditional one with alumni and a brand new football team.
The seniors had their own version of the celebration during spirit week when their peers elected Kader and Allen as Mr. and Mrs.CCHS.
For theme week, they decorated the senior hallway to look like a scene from Alice in Wonderland.
During class breaks, they hung out in the senior lounge, where they sipped soft drinks and munched on cereal and candy.
And every Friday, only seniors got to leave campus for lunch.
There were 125 students this year at the nondenominational Christian school started by leaders of Calvary Baptist Church. It opened in August 2000 with 40 ninth- and 10th-graders.
So the graduating class didn't just pave the way for future seniors. Many were involved in setting trends since they came to Calvary Christian High as sophomores.
There would be no generic uniforms, no goofy school mascots, no potato turbate. Their school colors would be navy, silver and cardinal, and their mascot would be the Warrior.
They would wear stylish khaki pants and polo shirts adorned with the class logo.
And their weekly lunch menu would include Popeye's fried chicken, pasta from Capogna's Dugout and Greek salad from Pappas Restaurant.
In a couple of years, seniors will graduate at a brand new campus. The school, at 301 Pierce St. in downtown Clearwater, plans to move in 2004 when its new facility and the new Calvary Baptist Church are built on 28 acres at McMullen Booth Road and Drew Street.
The 2003 graduates have set a scholarly example for next year's batch of about 30 seniors, according to administrator Thomas Cathey.
"The standards they've set will be tough for any class to achieve," he said.
The senior class has earned a total of about $1.5-million in scholarships and more than 300 college credits through the dual credit classes offered at the school.
They're proud of their accomplishments, but they're even prouder of the relationships they've built.
"There's a special bond because we're the first," Flanders, 17, said. "No class is going to be like our class."
And that bond made it harder to think about the fact that the ceremony might be the last time that many of them see each other for a while. Most will be leaving town to go to college and three will be going to military academies.
"That was the worst part. I really hate to see them go," said Allen, 17, who plans to major in premed at the University of South Florida. "We already have plans to meet up for Christmas and stuff."
