Since the age of 12, Amir J. Nuñez has been studying at Dr. Dennis Soto Adventist Academy in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Six years later, just weeks before high school graduation in May, his physical education teacher asked him if he had decided to get baptized. Amir immediately answered that yes, he wanted to give his life to Jesus, and requested baptism during his graduation ceremony on May 23, 2024.

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

“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,” said González. “It was such a beautiful moment where Amir was embraced by his classmates as he went into the baptismal pool,” she said.

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

“We could see that his attitude began to change. Spiritual things marked his life in a positive way,” said Gonzalez. “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, added González.

Education officials said teachers are highly committed to sharing the gospel with every student who attends the school.

“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,” said González. It’s all about preparing children and young people for eternal life, she added.

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

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

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.