Graduates celebrated at Baccalaureate

RITZVILLE – Pianist Amy Galbreath played "Pomp and Circumstance" as 20 graduates wearing robes of red and black walked down the center aisle Thursday, June 1.

The attendees - most of this year's Lind-Ritzville High School graduating class of 25 students - took their seats at the front of the Ritzville Foursquare Church for the annual Baccalaureate service.

"Baccalaureate" was coined in the 1600s to describe a farewell sermon to graduates earning bachelor degrees from colleges in England. Its definition has since broadened to include similar ceremonies for high school students in churches throu...