Maggie Mace, also serving as the class valedictorian, received her high school diploma from Pastor David Hanks and Covenant Christian Academy this past Saturday. (Photo Courtesy of Katie Bowen, Covenant Christian Academy)

Covenant Christian Academy Holds Second-Ever Graduation By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Clifton Forge, VA (May 19, 2026)— On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Covenant Christian Academy, located in the former Oak Hill Bible Church at 1601 Chestnut Street in Clifton Forge, held its second-ever graduation ceremony for seniors Maggie Mace and Shawn Petty. Covenant Christian Academy, founded by Angela Howdersheldt in 2018, is a private Christian school in Clifton Forge, servicing kindergarten-12th grade. Not limited to Bible studies, the school also offers a Virginia diploma-based curriculum, allowing its students to earn their high school diplomas while maintaining a strong, theological foundation. Saturday's ceremony featured several speakers including Pastor David Hanks, volunteer science teacher and keynote speaker, Dr. William Boyd, and the school's first graduate, Abigail Bush, who has since gone on to Liberty University, recently concluding her second year. The Journal wishes to congratulate Maggie and Shawn for this extraordinary accomplishment and in all their future endeavors. Shawn Petty Jr., the third official graduate of Covenant Christian Academy, was all smiles on Saturday as he received his high school diploma. (Photo Courtesy of Katie Bowen, Covenant Christian Academy) Dr. William Boyd acted as keynote speaker during Saturday's graduation. Boyd is also a volunteer science teacher for the school (Photo Courtesy of Katie Bowen, Covenant Christian Academy) Abigail Bush, the school's first-ever graduate, also gave a speech during Covenant Christian Academy's second graduation ceremony. (Photo Courtesy of Katie Bowen, Covenant Christian Academy)

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