This weekend's commencement at Lancaster Mennonite High School had an international flavor extending far beyond Lancaster County.

There were more Lees than Leamans getting diplomas at Saturday's ceremony, where Bible passages were read in both English and Chinese.

At a class dedication prior to the ceremony, senior Saier Zeng talked about her transition from China to America, and Jason Spicher shared stories of the impoverished Nicaraguans he encountered as a Witness for Peace.

The ceremonies reflected the school's move toward a more diverse student body that now includes pupils from 10 countries, including 44 from China — a number that has quadrupled in two years.

Despite the demographic changes, the ceremony focused on the values that have changed little since Lancaster Mennonite's founding in 1942: faith in Christ and a belief in the power of good works.

"Today, in many ways, is a commission of you to live a life that will transform other lives to change our world," Lancaster Mennonite School Superintendent Richard Thomas told the 182 graduates.

"Our world is a place of beauty, love, goodness and peace. It is also a place of violence, poverty, racism, environmental issues and a lack of humanity," Thomas said from the podium at the school's Fine Arts Center.

Through mission work and their efforts to help others battered by earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters, the graduates have "lived up to the vision of global Christianity," he said.

Their actions are proof of their commitment to "Christ-like love, peacemaking and service," Thomas said.

Commencement speaker Barbara Moses urged the students to rely on "the practical application of God's words, called wisdom," as they face many important decisions in the coming months and years.

The principal of Philadelphia Mennonite High School, Moses credited her strong faith, instilled by her family, with helping her achieve what she has today.

The Philadelphia school was the first Mennonite high school to open in a major city in the United States, Moses said. And on Friday, members of its 12th graduating class — boasting a 100 percent college acceptance rate — will receive their diplomas.

"Nothing in my background would have indicated this was God's plan for me," she said. "But he knew, and I thank him for ordering my steps this way."

Moses pointed out how many people look to experts in the research and business worlds for "wisdom." But real wisdom comes from God, she said.

A popular business book, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, stresses the importance of discipline, core values, teamwork and rigor in the business world, she said. But all of those qualities were expressed thousands of years ago in the Bible, said Moses, who cited specific passages and urged the graduates to use the "good book" as their guide.

"You cannot conceive of the plans God has for you, but you can trust him to carry them out for his glory and your benefit," she said.

"If you seek to prioritize your life and service according to the word of God, he will guide you into all truths."

After receiving their diplomas, the graduates marched onto the front lawn of the campus, joined hands with faculty members in a huge circle and tossed their caps into the air.

"I am so happy," Neslie Benjamin beamed as family and friends snapped pictures of her newly graduated son, Yves Larry Benjamin.

The third and final Benjamin boy to earn a high school diploma, Yves said he loved the atmosphere at LMHS.

"Being here is different than being in a public school. We can worship God any way we feel like," said Yves, whose parents came to the United States from Haiti in 1989.

"You feel more comfortable here. We have so much more diversity."

Saier, who came to Lancaster County from northern China in 2009, agreed.

"It's been a really good experience the past two years. The community is really kind, and they're very accepting to all kinds of cultures," she said.

During the ceremony, Saier's mother, Guangting Sui, read Scripture passages in both English and Chinese.

Saier plans to return to China in the next few days for a month-long visit before enrolling in a pre-med program at Emory University in Atlanta in the fall.

But she said she now considers Lancaster Mennonite her home.

"This was the first community that I really got to know and be part of after my transition from China to the United States, so it will always be home to me," Saier said.

In addition to Saier and Jason Spicher, graduating senior Emily Shank also addressed her fellow students at the class dedication.

bwallace@lnpnews.com