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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Six students will become the first seniors to graduate from an eastern Nebraska school this month.
The Cornerstone Christian School in Bellevue will hold a graduation ceremony for its small senior class on May 24, the Omaha World-Herald (http://bit.ly/1OWMk4E ) reported.
The school, which was established in 1984, isn't tied to a specific church — its staff and students represent more than 65 churches in the area. The school expanded from its K-8 roots by adding a freshman class in 2011. Over the past nine years, the school has seen its enrollment grow from 86 to 270 students.
Starting a high school has meant creating from scratch everything that makes a high school, said Cornerstone's administrator, Teri Lynn Schrag.
"Absolutely everything in high school is brand new," she said. "Every piece has been specifically crafted, from curricula to when to add athletic programs, to establish a culture and to establish a tradition."
Last weekend, the school held its first prom.
The senior class compares their experience with being the oldest child in the family. One of the graduates, Marcus Hilding, joked that their class is the "guinea pig" and the ones who set examples for students in lower grades.
"It's like one big family," he said. "We love each other. We get annoyed with each other. Then we make up and we love each other again."
Hilding plans to attend Judson University in Illinois with an eye toward a career in the music industry. Others are planning to stay in-state by attending Nebraska colleges while one student is headed for the Marine Corps.
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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
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