Success is the key word for any graduate. What does success mean to you? Wealth? Fame? Respect? The graduating seniors of Italy High School met at First Baptist Church on Sunday evening for Baccalaureate, a time honored tradition in Italy.

Webster defines success as attaining wealth, favor or imminence. Pastor Todd Gray, President of Italy Ministerial Alliance, lectured the graduates instead of preaching, "I just want to talk to you tonight, not preach, Gray said. “Most everyone hungers for success and people’s names pop into your head when you are thinking about it. How about Bill Gates? Is he successful? Will anyone of us be successful? You have to start the journey and all you can be is successful in what God wants you to be.”

Pastor Gray suggested a few things to keep in mind when pondering success, “Success is using what already has been given you. The values in life have already been taught and so has some of the education you have. Use these tools as you go through life.”

“Success is getting back up when you are knocked down from the stones in life and choose to succeed.” Gray suggested the graduates consider life to be a pond and as you go through the pond, the stones stepped on could make someone fall, to get up and pursue, keep going through the pond. The stones will only make you stronger and knowledgeable about the next step in the pond. “Success also requires help along the way,” Gray said.

Pastor Gray said that perhaps people more learned can give suggestions or tips on moving along life’s pond. Use their suggestions, accept the help. “Success is putting in effort and doing what is called of you. God has called you to succeed,” Gray concluded.

The Italy Ministerial Alliance presented the seniors with their own bible. Pastor Bill Morgan concluded the fellowship with the reading of Numbers 6:24-26.

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace._ NIV

CLASS OF 2011
Jasenio Anderson
Ryan Ashcraft
Danyelle Baugher
Chelsea Beets
Rebecca Brashear
Mathew Brummett
Colton Campbell
Jacqualyn Cawley
Heath Clemons, Jr
Kaitlan Davidson
Miguel Enriquez
Maria Estrada
Delma Garcia
Eduardo Garcia
Shelbi Gilley
Tavarus Griffin
Jordan Grimes
Dylan Haight
Mary Haight
Maria Hernandez
Krystal Johnson
Gustavo Landeros-Correa
Jacob Lopez
Maria Luna
Michael Martinez
Amber Mitchell
Lisa Olschewsky
Trevor Patterson
Marisela Perez
Britany Perry
Haley Pittmon
Brittany Preiss
Deandre Rettig
Misty Salcido
Deandre Sephus
Ethan Simon
Melissa Smithey
Robert Sparks
Kevin Suaste
Kyle Wilkins
Bobby Wilson