Williamsburg Christian Academy held its annual High School Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 24th 2019. The ceremony serves as both an opportunity to recognize students and seniors, and as the school’s National Honor Society Induction ceremony. The awards ceremony includes awards given for excellence in specific subjects and the Principal’s Award, given to a student that represents Christ-like self-control and a balanced approach to student life, both academic and behavioral. These students are an example of what a school principal would describe as outstanding in their character and self-discipline. The ceremony also awards our seniors the character awards, and conveys the tassels worn over the graduation gown signifying achievements in high-level courses, honor societies membership, and honor student status, and designates the valedictorian and salutatorian for graduation.

This year, six new students were inducted into the National Honor Society: Junior Connor Simmons, and Sophomores Carly Bruck, Nyzaiah Hawkins, Jacob Snawder, Kaitlyn Sullivan, and Faith Witherby.

Hawkins was also honored with juniors Nandi Davis and Dexter Radcliffe as students recognized as ACT-SO scholars by the Williamsburg Chapter of the NAACP.

Sullivan, meanwhile was recognized along with all of those who served in student council this year:

9th Grade Representative – Nicole Zani
10th Grade Representative – Kaitlyn Sullivan
11th Grade Representative – Connor Simmons
12th Grade Representative – Kivinie Johnson
Historian – Carly Bruck
Treasurer – Isabell Comber
Secretary – Lainey Flanagan
Vice President – Kailey Watson
President – Jordan Wright

In the Subject Awards, the following winners were announced:

English: Kailey Watson
Art: Kathryn Bjers
Bible: Carson Henley
Spanish: Laura Reese
Math: Kaitlyn Sullivan
Science: Cameron de la Garza
History: Jacob Snawder
ASL: Lela Butler

The Freshman through Junior Principal’s Awards went to Ian Chen (9th), Kaitlyn Sullivan (10th), and Nandi Davis (11th).

The ceremony saw a new award introduced this year, the Eagle Spirit Award. The new award is given to a student who participates in WCA extra-curricular activities and sports and promotes a positive school spirit. Our first Eagle Spirit Award went to junior Jalen Vaughan.

Next on the agenda was the announcement of this year’s High School Honors Scholars, who had a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.5 in this academic year. This year’s Honors Scholars were:

Freshmen: Ian Chen, Jessie Sizemore and Nicole Zani
Sophomores: Carly Bruck, Nyzaiah Hawkins, Jacob Snawder, Kaitlyn Sullivan, and Faith Witherby
Juniors: Kathryn Bjers, Nandi Davis, Cameron De La Garza, Lainey Flanagan, Carson Henley, Connor Simmons, Laura Reese, Kailey Watson, Franklin West
Seniors: Lela Butler, Svetlana Gonchorova, Ashley Nice, Rebekah Pettus, Dexter Radcliffe, Peter Rodenberg, Shawn Wang and Jordan Wright.

Senior Character Awards:

Jonathan Award: Kivinie Johnson
Caleb Award: Jordan Wright
Soloman Award: Dexter Radcliffe
Miriam Award: Peter Rodenberg
Moses Award: Shawn Wang
Martha Award: Lela Butler
Esther Award: Rebekah Pettus
Deborah Award: Ashley Nice
Ruth Award: Sveta Goncharova

The Eagle Service Award is given to the high school student who contributes both to WCA and the larger Williamsburg community through service. This year’s winner not only plans, coordinates, and serves consistently with our Key Club, she also volunteers at the Humane Society and with Housing Partnership Inc. This year she took on a special project to knit hats for homeless people in Williamsburg. This year’s award went to Ashley Nice.

The Edgar Randall Scholar-Athlete award is named after former WCA Athletic Director Edgar Randall who passed away earlier this year after fighting a tough battle with cancer. He was an incredible example to all of us who knew him of how to follow the Lord and love others. This award is given to a selected student who plays at least one varsity sport and maintains a 3.5 GPA or higher. This year, our winner was someone who gave his all for three years on the basketball court and worked diligently in the classroom. This year’s Edgar Randall Scholar-Athlete was Dexter Radcliffe.

Naming the final Principal’s award, the senior award went to Sveta Goncharova.

In conclusion, Jordan Wright was named as Valedictorian, and Ashley Nice was named salutatorian.

Congrats to all our award recipients and to the new inductees to the National Honor Society!