Senior Story-Liam Hopkins

My name is Liam Hopkins. I began at New Covenant School in the first grade and have been here ever since. It would be an understatement to describe my education here as simply “college or job prep.” Personally, I have seen it to be an experience that fortifies students for the rest of their lives. New Covenant School has raised me on a strong foundation of faith, deliberately building the deposit from grammar school to high school. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen is the intent and belief in the face of a child in Friday morning chapel as he sings his heart out to “Goodness of God” or “10,000 Reasons.” These students really believe what they sing and I believe that has a lot to do with the way New Covenant School builds true faith in each of the students. I remember my own years in lower school with countless memory periods and exercises in class. I have clearly seen the effects of these in my own life as I am supported by this strong foundation that has been built, block by block, hymn by hymn, catechism by catechism, with intention and care by the faculty at New Covenant. My faith has been reinforced by each and every teacher I’ve had. Yet, we do not stay in memory period forever and we must not let childhood innocence become naiveté. New Covenant also challenges us in upper school with deep questions about the Christian faith and the world in which we live. Questions like “Are all sins equal?”, “Does praying change the future?”, and “What is the Good?” are more appropriate in Omni class instead of first grade. Through the understanding of these and other difficult concepts, the school has taught me how to see the world through the lens of faith. I believe I have been able to make the most of this experience because I have spent my whole life at this school. I am so thankful to God for this opportunity to become the person He created me to be through the instrument of New Covenant. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” With great care and intention, New Covenant pursues the truth of Proverbs 22:6 for each student. While nothing on Earth is perfect and all humans make mistakes, I have seen the best efforts of teachers and staff throughout my years enrolled here. After graduating I plan to go to Anderson University to study biology so that I can go to the Medical University of South Carolina for dentistry. I have always enjoyed my science classes and I’d love to help people while being able to work with my hands. Although I am so thankful for the fulfilling education I have received at New Covenant that will prepare me for university, I am even more thankful for the true faith that has been imparted to me because it will prepare me for the rest of my life.

You may listen to Liam read his senior story here.