The blue lights on the stage shine down on senior Cassie DeJulia, who asks the high school to stand as she leads chapel worship on the piano. Cassie graduated early from EC at the end of the first semester of her senior year and started college courses online.
Although Cassie may have departed earlier than the rest of the senior class, she has brought many blessings to EC through her relationships and worship.
Cassie is most thankful for the lessons that she’s learned in high school. She says, “I've learned to voice my opinions with both kindness and intelligence as a result of all of the hard work that teachers have poured into me. I've learned to work diligently at what I desire to succeed in, as EC has instilled into me a mindset of determination and passion. Most importantly, I'm so thankful for the countless hours of prayer and worship that have truly shaped me into who I am as a person today. I have learned to rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances, and EC teachers/students were a constant reminder for me to do so. I've especially learned to get back up after failing, and start again with a positive mindset!” She is incredibly proud of the hard work and passion that she has invested into these past four years of high school. Though there have been various trials, she says that she has also been blessed just as much.
I've especially learned to get back up after failing, and start again with a positive mindset!
Beyond spiritual growth, Cassie has learned a few new things along the way by joining extracurricular at EC. “My favorite extracurricular activity was either lacrosse or the school musicals! Lacrosse taught me to work hard at tasks that I wasn't necessarily good at, and always remember to try my best. The musicals taught me to appreciate moments of singing and dancing with people that I loved, and grow in my abilities to act.” Many teachers have made a positive impact on her high school career, but according to Cassie, they inspired her with the passion and care behind the dedication that they pour into each student. “EC has taught me to recognize the relevance of God in all subjects and aspects of life, as He has a place and intention behind everything that He has created!”
In the past four years, Cassie’s faith has grown drastically. She has learned to trust in Him in all areas of her life, and she has also learned that He will always be there for her in all of the areas of her life. She provides advice to those who are willing to follow Jesus similarly: “I hope that, if I have known you or will know you, that I am able to remind you of the great love that Jesus has for you! I strive to display how incredible He is through every aspect of my life, and hope that I have done so in your life!” Cassie states that she has changed very much since freshman year, and has grown in her academic and musical abilities as well as her identity. She recalls, “When I was a freshman, I didn't know where I belonged or what my purpose was in life. Fast forward to now, I know that my identity is permanently in Christ and my purpose is to glorify Him in all that I do!”
“I hope that, if I have known you or will know you, that I am able to remind you of the great love that Jesus has for you! I strive to display how incredible He is through every aspect of my life, and hope that I have done so in your life!”
Cassie is pursuing Music Education and Worship as her major in higher education, however, she prefers to keep her options open while trusting in the Lord to direct her to wherever He intends for her to go. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she stated, “I want to be remembered as the girl who loved the Lord with everything in her. I want people to think of me and say, ‘She truly cared about the Lord and trusted in Him, even when she was struggling with events in her life.’ In all honesty, that is my goal! That people were able to see the love of Jesus through me.”