Each year FPD selects several representatives of the senior class to feature as Senior Spotlights. Here is part one of the 2019 Senior Spotlights. We asked them about their favorite FPD memories and plans for the future.
Evan Floyd
College Choice: Mercer University
Planned Major: Biology
How do you feel FPD instilled in you a foundation of faith?
Every class at First Presbyterian has had the same underling principle. God is in each and everything that we learn about. One teacher in particular who has instilled the biggest foundation of faith is Mr. Hopper. He used Latin to show some of the deeper meanings in the Bible, which add understanding to the scriptures exponentially.
How do you feel your experience at FPD has prepared you for college?
Having come from a public high school to FPD my sophomore year, I feel there is a very noticeable difference in quality of college readiness instilled in students at FPD. Teachers are enthusiastic about what they teach and push students to do their absolute best. Holding myself accountable for work and having experience in my own time management I feel has greatly prepared me for college.
Is there a particular teacher who made an impact?
Over my years at FPD, the teacher who made the biggest impact on me is Jonathan Baker. As a member of the marching, concert, jazz, and orchestra bands, I spent a lot of time with Mr. Baker. He instilled a sense of leadership and determination to work hard that will stay with me forever. He showed me how leadership can be best used for the benefit of a group and for God’s glory, even asking me to put together a Bible study during our marching band camp and leading the whole band through it.
Any advice for underclassmen?
Something that I would tell underclassmen is to be sure to not just show up to class and be a body in a seat and wait until it’s time to go home. Plug into a group. Find something that you love and stick to it. School is your life for a long time and it is far better among friends and in a place that you love.
Emily Turner
College Choice: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Planned Major: Mechanical Engineering
How do you feel your experience at FPD has prepared you for college?
I feel that the workload I have had attending FPD helped me be prepared for the amount of work, dedication, and determination that I will need in college. It has helped me improve my time management skills to maintain my grades and still perform well in my extracurricular activities.
Why is FPD a wonderful and special place to be?
It’s a wonderful school because of the opportunities that students are offered here while also incorporating faith in almost everything. It is beneficial to be taught things from a biblical perspective because it helps to prepare you to naturally integrate God in your life, so that when you go off to college and start your own life you will already be predisposed to keeping God present in your mind and life all the time.
Any advice for underclassmen?
Don’t stop challenging yourself when you reach senior year, but don’t overwork yourself either. Try to find a balance. It is also important to try things related to whatever you think you want to study in college while you’re not yet looking for a college. This will help you decide early what you want to study.
Hannah Ferguson
College Choice: University of Georgia
Planned Major: Communication Sciences & Disorders
How do you feel FPD instilled in you a foundation of faith?
Throughout the coursework, no matter the class, each teacher regularly integrates biblical principles and how the subject can relate to life outside of the classroom. The faculty at FPD has helped me to understand how important of a role God has in my life through helping me understand His importance in what seems like the smallest of things.
How do you feel your experience at FPD has prepared you for college?
FPD has prepared me for college both academically and spiritually. I have had many challenging classes where I was pushed to better my studying habits and to think outside of the box. Because of this, I believe that in college I will be prepared to deal with the coursework given to me. Also, since FPD has laid such a firm foundation of faith, I believe that I have been prepared to deal with the challenges of a Christian in college.
Why is FPD a wonderful and special place to be?
FPD is a great school because there are so many different opportunities. Through these opportunities, students have multiple chances to grow and become ready to face college life and the real world. The greatest thing about FPD is the foundation of faith it lays for its students. FPD recognizes that we have to keep God the main thing in our lives.