In Puerto Rico, Student Gets Baptized During His Graduation Ceremony

Amir J. Nuñez began studying at Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy in Ponce, Puerto Rico, when he was 12 years old. Six years later, just weeks before high school graduation in May this year, his physical education teacher asked him if he had decided to get baptized. Amir immediately answered, yes, he wanted to give his life to Jesus and requested baptism during his graduation ceremony on May 23.

“Amir wanted to get baptized on his last day as a student of our school,” Eva González, principal of Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy, a K-12 school, says. It was the first time a baptism has taken place during the graduation ceremony at the school, she adds.

“His senior classmates had been instructed to form an honor guard without knowing exactly why, and they were surprised to see Amir make his way to get baptized,” González says. “It was such a beautiful moment where Amir was embraced by his classmates as he went into the baptismal pool.”

Amir had been studying his Bible not only during his six years at the school, but he also spent time studying on his own with the support of his teachers and school chaplain. Teachers say he read the Bible assiduously and kept it close to him when he slept.

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Amir J. Nuñez is applauded by his classmates after his baptism. [Photo: Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy]

High school graduate Amir J. Nuñez holds his diploma next to school principal Eva González (right) and Héctor Reyes (left), president of the South Puerto Rico Conference. [Photo: Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy]

Amir Nuńez (right) stands next to his teacher and spiritual mentor Eduardo López during the high school graduation ceremony. [Photo: Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy]

“We could see that his attitude began to change, spiritual things marked his life in a positive way,” González says. “His mom noticed Amir’s devotion, and when he surprisingly asked for consent to be baptized, she immediately said yes.”

As a result of the work of teachers and staff, other children and young people have accepted the Adventist faith and are preparing for baptism, González adds.

Teachers are highly committed to the mission of sharing the gospel with every student who attends the school, education officials say.

“Through Adventist education, we look to form balanced and responsible individuals, with a strong moral base and a commitment to their faith and service to the community that can show the love of God,” González says. It’s all about preparing children and young people for eternal life, she added.

Established in 1962, Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy in Ponce is in the southern part of Puerto Rico, and saw an enrollment of 212 students during the most recent school year.

The school is overseen by the Seventh-day Adventist Church on the island, which operates a total of 15 primary and secondary schools, in addition to a university.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.