Amanda Esposito, 17, and her brother Luke Esposito, 15, are two of the youngest members of the Class of 2023. Amanda was the youngest of all graduate degree recipients, completing her Master of Arts in Theological Studies. Luke was the youngest to earn a bachelor’s degree, graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Both of them graduated with honors. They pursued their degrees from their home in Howell, N.J., through Liberty University Online Programs.
Graduating at such a young age requires a remarkable amount of determination, but the pair said being able to study at a Christian school made all the difference.
“We want all the glory to go to God,” Amanda said. “I met a few people while I was on campus (for Commencement) who asked me, ‘How did you do it at 17?’ And I always tell them that if I was studying anything other than God’s Word, I wouldn’t have been able to graduate with distinction and Luke (wouldn’t have) graduated Magna Cum Laude, because the only delight we have is God.”
“It’s such a blessing because all of these people are praying for us,” Luke added. “It’s very biblically based. It’s a really wholesome school. I don’t think that we could find any better school than Liberty.”
In addition to their schoolwork, the siblings also host biweekly Bible studies in their home. Amanda teaches a children’s Sunday School class and Luke assists with media.
A heart for ministry permeates their entire family. The Espositos work with a shut-in ministry at their church and also head up their church’s Operation Christmas Child efforts, the shoebox donation ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
Both Amanda and Luke plan to continue their education at Liberty. Luke recently applied for graduate school to earn his master’s in applied ministry, with the possibility of one day entering law enforcement. Amanda was recently accepted into Liberty’s Master of Divinity program, which will be her third degree with Liberty; she first began classes in Summer 2021 and earned her bachelor’s in religion in one year.
“I am just studying God and knowing more about who He is and soaking it all in. I’m just praying (knowing) that no matter what it is that God wants me to do (as a career), He desires mercy more than sacrifice. So, I’m seeking His will and seeking to be available to Him,” she said.
As the siblings continue at Liberty, their parents, Massimo and Cynthia Esposito, said they can rest easy in the university’s mission of Training Champions for Christ.
“We are very thankful for Liberty,” Cynthia Esposito said. “We’re thankful for the leadership and the prayers they offer up and the vision that they have. We didn’t know anything about Liberty beforehand, but we were very pleased with what we found.”
