Each 2008 graduating senior at Faith Christian Academy has been admitted to college and all have received scholarships. The seven seniors, Marcus Alexander Garner, Kellie Wise, Jordan Curtis Owens, Tony Lee Craig, Katie Brooke Pylant, John David Clem and Jeffrey Alan Wilson, have earned approximately $365,000 in combined scholarships totals. This continues a trend established by the first graduating class of Faith Christian, 100 percent college admission and 100 percent scholarships.

“Several of out graduates have multiple scholarship offers from several different universities, putting them in the very fortunate position of choosing which university they want to attend,” said administrator Wayne Forsythe. “As far as I know, every graduate, this year, as in the past, have been admitted to the college of his or her choice. Our guidance counselor, Mrs. Valinda Murphy have done a wonderful job in guiding these seniors in the right direction. Our assistant principal, Mrs. Angela Gooch, has also been instrumental in assisting each student in taking the right courses and preparing for college admission.”

Nationwide, about 45 percent of public school graduates attend college, but among Christian school graduates in the United States, that number advances to 88 percent, Forsythe said. Faith Christian’s number so far has hovered at near 100 percent college admission. College scholarships for Faith Christian seniors have averaged over 80 percent.

“Universities recognize our students as students who excel and they actively recruit them. We are blessed to have good students and a good academic reputation,” Forsythe said.

Biographies on the seven seniors are listed below:

Alex Garner

Marcus Alexander “Alex” Garner of Athens is the son of Mark R. Garner and Frankie P. Garner. He entered Faith Christian Academy in the fifth grade. He has participated in National Beta Club, drama club, yearbook staff, the JETS junior engineering program and is a member of Faith Christian’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

Garner has been admitted to five colleges and has been offered scholarships as all five. They include: Georgia Tech, Mercer University, Florida Institute of Technology, the president’s award at the University of Alabama Huntsville and Calhoun Community College.

Garner want to work with military or nuclear technology. He has not yet decided which of the five university offers he will accept.

Kellie Wise

Kellie Wise of Athens is the daughter of Sean and Elizabeth Baxter and Jerry Wise. She entered Faith Christian when she was in the fourth grade.

Wise has been offered scholarships for five colleges. They include, The University of Alabama, The University of North Alabama, The University of Alabama Huntsville, Springhill University, and Calhoun Community College. She also received the Delta Kappa Gamma scholarship.