Seventeen years ago, on a hot autumn day in a kindergarten at San Gabriel Adventist Academy, three little girls set off to conquer the playground, the crayon box and the world. Kimberly Bennett, De Anne Knipschild and Sarah Seaman were full of excitement and anticipation as they left the safety of home and headed for the big world of Mrs. Killebrew’s classroom.

Their teacher fondly remembers all three girls as bright and outgoing with a collective unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Proudly calling them her “babies,” Killebrew said, “I know that they will, indeed, conquer the world.”

All three girls were very active during their high school years, participating in several clubs and activities. Music was their shared passion, and all three were invited to be in San Gabriel Academy’s Chorale, directed by Calvin Knipschild. He remembers the trio with special fondness and introduced them to a life-long love of music. The three friends took to heart SGA’s motto, “Educating for Eternity,” throughout academy and through college years as well.

According to Robert Peeke, San Gabriel Academy principal and religion teacher, Kimberly, De Anne and Sarah were among the graduates in their class to receive a leather-bound Bible in recognition of their having completed all 13 years of their pre-college education at SGA. “About 12-15 receive the Bibles annually. Many remain friends through their adult years, though we do not know how many go on to graduate together from the same college as these three students did,” he added.

When the three young women enrolled at La Sierra University, it became clear, early on, that they were not going to give up their music. Kimberly formed a singing group and the three friends spent many evenings and Sabbaths in rehearsal, performing with their choir.

De Anne became involved in the music ministry at La Sierra University Church, and Sarah was a soloist in the choir.

In June, all three graduates proudly wore their blue and red cords, signifying their 17 years of education and four graduations together. Proud parents, former teachers and friends watched these three seniors march down the aisle at La Sierra, decked in their Department of Education graduation hoods. Their plans for the future are bright. De Anne, Kimberly and Sarah are eager to pursue careers in elementary education, planning to bring to their classrooms a passion for life, a love of learning and a strong commitment to educating children for eternity.