Meadowview Christian seniors extinguish torch in bittersweet goodbye to longtime private school

Meadowview Christian School in Selma held its last symbolic passing of the torch from the senior class to the junior class on May 5.  

In front of a crowd of alumni, parents and grandparents, the torch was ultimately extinguished, a symbol of the school’s closing after 55 years. 

Brian Manley, chairman of the private school’s board, announced this spring that the school was closing because the board concluded “opening in the fall would not be financially or academically viable.” 

The last homecoming queen/valedictorian and others reflected on the ceremony. 

Emily Boswell, who graduated from MCS with a 4.0 grade point average, is daughter of Mark and Melissa Boswelland was also the school’s last homecoming queen. 

Boswell said, “Reality hasn’t hit me yet. Knowing that after this year there will no longer be another MCS valedictorian just seems crazy to me.” 

She said, “I have mixed feelings about the situation. Of course I’m sad. The school that I’ve been going to for the last four years will not exist after May 16. The school building where I’ve made so many new friends and created so many memories will no longer be called Meadowview Christian.”   

Boswell said some of herfavorite class memories were going to the zoo or singing “Just the Two of Us” in Dr. (Raymond) Brown’s class. “Or all the times we spilled our drinks at the lunch table. Or all the senior lunches, where would go out to eat with Ms. (Kim) Testas(or as we like to call her, ‘Nana.’)” 

She remembered prankingMr. (Michael) Perry by showing up to his house dressed as minions. Or more recently when the class went to Six Flags together. 

“I’m really grateful for the class of 2025,” Boswell said. “We’ve made countless memories together, and Meadowview Christian will always have a special place in my heart.” 

She alsosaid, “I am honored to hold the title of the last homecoming queen of Meadowview Christian School. I’m sad that I will not be able to pass the crown along next year, but I’m excited for what is to come.” 

Kenlynn Lawrence, Emily’s best friend since first grade, was voted the MCS prom queen this year. “As the last prom queen of MCS, I feel honored to be the last person to carry on this title,” Lawrence said.  

Co salutatorians of the last class of MCS are Catherine Perry and Alyssa McCloud with grade point averages of 3.9. 

“It’s bittersweet knowing that there will not be another salutatorian following behind me at Meadowview Christian,” McCloud said. “I am so honored to be the last salutatorian of MCS. I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my MCS family.” 

Perry said, “The thought of being the last class to graduate from Meadowview Christian School is somewhat unbelievable. I wish that the school did not have to close, and I am sorry for all of the students it may have affected, especially the rising senior class.” 

She said she was honored to be the last salutatorian at MCS, as well as the last Miss MCS (beauty pageant winner).“Coming to the end of my senior year has been an emotional experience, and being the final class to graduate after 55 years makes it even more so,” Perry said.  

According to MCS, in February of 1970, a group of concerned parents met in the Selma Armory to discuss forming a new private school. Very soon after that, a meeting was held with members of the Meadowview Christian Church, who had the vision to start a Christian school. The merging of the two ideas resulted in the formation of Meadowview Christian School, Inc. 

The school opened on Sept. 7, 1970, with 332 students and 18 faculty members.  

The facilities cover a 24-acre campus, Tiny-Trojan land, elementary and secondary classrooms, an elementary library, a science laboratory, a gym, a lunchroom, and football, baseball and softball fields.  

The 2025 Class of MCS will graduate on Sunday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at the school’s Wasden Field.