Generation Peace Academy Graduation

More than 500 people attended the graduation ceremony for the 2012-2013 year of Generation Peace Academy at the Chapel at the Unification Theological Seminary in Barrytown, New York.

The Generation Peace Academy Choir module sang a medley of meaningful songs at their graduation ceremony. They poured out their whole heart while singing to the people in the audience who really made their year possible.

Mika Sasaki gives her heartwarming testimony about her challenges and victories during her 2012-2013

More than five hundred people gathered to celebrate the second graduating class of Generation Peace Academy (GPA), a Unificationist young-adult character education program, on June 29, 2013 in the Chapel of the Unification Theological Seminary at Barrytown, New York. There were 120 first-year participants who graduated from the program, as well as 22 second-year trainees and a select group of five third-year trainees. Generation Peace Academy is the successor to Special Task Force, organized by Jin Hun Park in 1994.

Rev. David Rendell lights the candles atop the celebration cake.

Dr. Michael Balcomb, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in the United States, lifted his voice up into the balcony of the filled Chapel, congratulating the graduates but also extolling them to listen for the voice and calling of God in their lives. He encouraged them to be like Samuel in the Bible, and to not hesitate but to move forward and continue the work of God in their lives. Three participants shared their testimonies of their experience this GPA year, which started so historically in Korea with the Seonghwa ceremony for True Father. Mika Sasaki, a first-year participant shared how she was able to understand the Heart of God, through the Divine Principle, and through applying it in fund-raising and Ocean Challenge education.

After receiving their graduation certificates, many tears were shed as participants greeted and thanked each staff member personally.

No ceremony is officially over until the traditional “Eok Mansei’” has been said. Here is to an absolutely

unforgettable year and our Heavenly Parent and True Parents.

This year, GPA had participants from all over the world. Here are a few pose proudly with their graduation certificates together with Roland Platt, GPA Director, and Dr. Michael and Fumiko Balcomb.

There were tears and also joy as the graduates crossed the stage, received their certificates and moved into the next arena in life, where they can enter college and the professional world with a firm grounding in Unificationist teachings and lifestyle.

From left: Rev. Rendell, Dave Hunter, Roland Platt, Louise Honey and Naokimi Ushiroda gather for the cake cutting ceremony. The exquisite cake was made GPA’s very own staff member; Francis Marsal and several GPA participants.