‘I am so grateful I could go to a private Christian school.’ Valedictorians talk about the impact of their faith-based education, future plans 

Unique educational and extra-curricular offerings, strong Christian relationships, and an emphasis on faith are among the most impactful qualities of a Christian education, say three students who graduated at the top of their classes. 

Megan, Lydia and Kianna attended different Christian schools in the Midwest and recently spoke to The Lion about the positive impact of their education and how it has prepared them for the future. 

Megan graduated valedictorian from Grand View Christian School in Des Moines, Iowa in May. 

She credits her high school for giving her many opportunities she might not have had elsewhere. From playing multiple instruments, entering poetry contests, performing in theater, playing in sports to scholarship programs, Megan says she learned the value of both success and failure. 

“I played in ten different honor bands throughout high school, including the Iowa All-State Band in 2022. These abilities have also opened many doors for me to participate in instrumental music in college,” she said. 

“Because my friends, family and teachers pushed me to be the best I could be at everything I was involved in, I gained an academic drive that gave me many amazing academic opportunities in high school and also for college. 

“I was able to meet the governor through the Governor’s Scholar Program, and I also was part of IGHSAU Academic All-State for Volleyball in 2022.” 

Most importantly Megan said she’s learned “to give all glory to the Lord and prioritize him above all else.” 

Megan is looking forward to college and plans to keep the positive relationship and habits she made at her high school. 

“Overall, going to a Christian school helped me develop deep and meaningful relationships that I will maintain in college, and being around such passionate and dedicated students pushed me to grow in my faith and also in my academic habits,” Megan said. “I have gained useful study and life skills at my school that I will be able to use later in my life. I am so grateful I could go to a private Christian school.” 

Lydia, who graduated at the top of her class at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, also values the meaningful relationships her Christian education helped her build, which strengthened her faith. 

“My faith has grown immensely during my years attending a faith-based school,” Conner told The Lion. “I mostly attribute this to the connections I have made with other Christian students who have encouraged me in my walk with Christ.” 

Lydia recalls meeting her closest friend and biggest supporter her first year of high school. 

“During my freshman year, I met a girl who encouraged me to strengthen my relationship with Jesus,” she said. “We met at coffee shops to discuss the Bible and prayed for each other often. I now consider her to be one of my closest friends. It is relationships like these that have encouraged me to strengthen my personal relationship with Christ.” 

This fall, Lydia plans to use her passion for science to eventually help care for others, by majoring in health science at the University of Missouri. 

Kianna graduated valedictorian from Our Savior Christian Academy in Platte City, Missouri in 2020, with a GPA over 4.1.  

Today she is a military police officer in the Missouri Air National Guard while she pursues a psychology degree and works towards becoming an FBI agent.  

She credits her high school for helping her find her purpose. 

“I don’t think I would have chosen this career path if it wasn’t for my school,” Kianna told The Lion. “I knew what I wanted to become my freshman year because I was able to take a criminal justice dual credit class.” The school’s flexibility allowed her to enroll in the the college course few 9th graders could ever take elsewhere. 

“Ultimately that’s what made me want to go into law enforcement,” she said. “Most public schools don’t offer those types of classes, especially not that early.” 

After Kianna found her passion, her high school helped nurture it by providing personalized opportunities. 

“In high school I was able to intern at a sheriff’s office through school connections,” she said. “Since the school is small, everyone knows everyone; parents and staff were always willing to help students.  

“One of the parents of another student was the one that told me about the Missouri Air National Guard. I ended up joining because of her.” 

Now, Kianna is a Senior Airman in the guard, following in her military family’s footsteps.