Successful 7

May 14, 2008 12:34 pm

— 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.
Wise decided to accept offers from the University of North Alabama where she will pursue a major in mathematics.
During her high school years, Wise was a member of the Beta Club, played basketball and volleyball, was a cheerleader, on the yearbook staff, and in Drama Club. She became a member of the Faith Christian Academy chapter of the National Honor Society in her sophomore year.

Jordan Curtis Owens
Jordan Curtis Owens of Athens is the son of Keith and Leah Owens. He entered Faith Christian Academy in the tenth grade. He played varsity basketball, was a member of Beta Club, and worked on the yearbook staff. He plans to attend the University of West Alabama, where he has been awarded the Trustee’s Scholarship. He is interested in majoring in athletic training and wants to work as a physical therapist.

Tony Lee Craig
Tony Lee Craig of Athens is the son of Joel and Candace Craig of Harvest. He entered Faith Christian Academy at the beginning of his junior year. His high school activities include, band, choir, basketball, baseball, cross country, yearbook and drama club. He is a member of Beta Club and National Honor Society. He is an Eagle Scout. He plans to attend Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., where he has been awarded a major academic scholarship. Tony wants to become a medical practioneer.

Katie Brooke Pylant
Katie Brooke Pylant of Athens is the daughter of Bobby and Shelia Pylant. She came to Faith Christian in the third grade. Her high school activities have included, Beta club, Bible competition team, Pep Squad, Drama Club and yearbook staff. She was the Girl’s State Representative during her sophomore year at FCA. She is a member of the National Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
Pylant has been offered the following scholarships: the University of Alabama’s Alumni Leadership Scholarship, The Coleman G. and Maggie Ruth Davis Memorial Endowed Scholarship, the University of North Alabama Leadership Scholarship and the University of West Alabama Trustee Scholarship.
Pylant has decided to accept the scholarship offer from the University of North Alabama where she will pursue a major in criminal justice or political science.

J.D. Clem
John David “J.D.” Clem of Harvest is the son of Mike and Jamie Clem. He has been awarded the Principal’s Choice Scholarship at Calhoun Community College where he will study computer graphics in preparation to become as concept artist.
Clem entered Faith Christian Academy in his fifth grade year. He played basketball his entire high school career and baseball in his senior year. He was a member of the school newspaper and yearbook staff.

Jeffrey Alan Wilson
Jeffrey Alan Wilson, of Athens, is the son of Bradley and Theresa Wilson. He entered Faith Christian Academy in the fifth grade. In high school, he played basketball for four years and baseball in his senior year. He was a staffer for the school newspaper and yearbook. He has been admitted to the University of West Alabama, where he plans to major in athletic training. Wilson will be receiving a private scholarship, which will help defray the cost of his education.


Faith Christian Academy was founded in 1997, starting with grades kindergarten through fifth grades. It now offers pre-k through twelfth grade. It graduated its first class of seniors in May of 2004. The school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and ACSI. Three years ago, Faith Christian Academy was also accredited by the prestigious National Council on Private School Accreditation. The private School is now in the process of building a new satellite campus in Madison, planed to open in August 2009.

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