Samantha Lightfoot, the speaker at Sunday’s Bainbridge High School’s Baccalaureate Service, compared the graduating class of 2012 to majestic eagles, as described in a Biblical metaphor.

In addition to teaching English literature and composition at Bainbridge High School, Lightfoot is an ordained minister who works with youth.

Lightfoot based her message on the Bible verse found in Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Lightfoot told the students that for most of their lives so far, they have been like baby eaglets, dependent on a mother eagle for food and shelter. She described how the mother eagle uses tough love to teach its babies how to fly on their own.

“Eagles do not just fly, they soar majestically on the wind currents,” Lightfoot said. “The wind is like the Holy Spirit. We can learn to cooperate with Him and let Him lift us closer to Jesus.”

“Class of 2012, you must not wait, mount up, because it’s time to fly!” Lightfoot urged the students at the end of her speech.

Alli Guy said the baccalaureate service was dedicated to Montravious Jones, a classmate who passed away in 2009.

Emily Ward performed a flute solo, “Looking Through the Eyes of Love.”

The BHS Combined Chorus sang the gospel song “I Love the Lord” (written by Richard Smallwood and made famous by Whitney Houston in the film The Preacher’s Wife) and “God Bless the USA,” the classic patriotic song by Lee Greenwood.

Others participating in the baccalaureate service were: Emerald Folsom, invocation; Julian Poole, welcome; Kristen Monson, scripture; Davon Jones, announcements; Alyssa Bardwell, poem; Anthony Hall, introduction of speaker; and Blair Nix, benediction.