This year’s FPD senior class features 92 graduates who will head off this fall to attend 31 different schools, 18 in-state and 13 out-of-state, in 10 different states. Each year we highlight select members of the graduating class as Senior Spotlights. Below are their thoughts on going off to college and reflections on their time at FPD.

Vivianna Chang

College Choice: Mercer University

Planned Major: Exercise Science

What have you enjoyed most at FPD? 

The people. I love coming to school and seeing and talking to my friends and teachers.  FPD is such a close-knit community and everyone is super friendly, which I love because of the close friendships I have.

How do you feel FPD instilled in you a foundation of faith?

I feel that FPD has instilled a strong foundation of faith in me. Every teacher, no matter the subject they teach, has always been willing to help me and care about my spiritual well-being.

Is there a coach or teacher you would like to thank?

Coach Leslein has always been encouraging both in the water and out of the water. She’s a great swim coach who is always positive and willing to help. Every swim meet, she’s always cheering me on. I couldn’t thank her enough for her love and motivation. Madame Polezhaeva who has encouraged me and helped me to learn to trust the Lord’s plan and timing for me. Lastly, Mrs. Huggins whose sweet prayers have always been a motivation spiritually and a motivation for me to be a better person.

Any advice for underclassmen?

Enjoy and cherish the time you have with your friends, classmates, and teachers, study hard, and do everything for the glory of God.

 

 

Titus Moore

College Choice: Samford University

Planned Major: Communications or Computer Science

What have you enjoyed most at FPD?  

My favorite thing about FPD has always been the nice environment in the student body. You can always find a friend on campus.

Is there a coach or teacher you would like to thank?

Coach Frame, my track and field coach, has impacted my life for the past four years. He taught me how to always approach every day of practice and everyday of life as an opportunity to get better instead of wasting the day away.

Any advice for underclassmen?

The best advice I can give to an underclassman is that there is no substitution for hard work. If you want to be the best at something or want to achieve a goal, you have to be willing to work harder than those around you for it.

 

 

 

 

 

Madisyn Earls

College Choice: Valdosta State University

Planned Major:  English Literature with a minor in American Sign Language

What have you enjoyed most at FPD?

What I have enjoyed the most about FPD is that there is something for everyone here. From art, to sports, to mock trial, to robotics, to theatre, there is a place for everyone to grow in their talents and use their God-given gifts.

How do you feel FPD has prepared you for college?

My experience at FPD has prepared me for college both academically and spiritually. My time here has taught me not to be afraid of challenges and helped me build the confidence I need to face them. Most importantly, my teachers at FPD have instilled in me the desire to do everything for God’s glory. FPD has taught me to put my best into everything that I do from work in the classroom, to teamwork, to community service in order to glorify God above all else.

Any advice for underclassmen?

My advice to underclassman is to be involved. Enjoy your time here with your classmates and teachers! Don’t adopt the “too cool for school attitude.” Value all areas of your education here both academic and extracurricular. Go support your classmates at their games, plays, and band concerts. Don’t miss out on opportunities to spend time with your friends and classmates at events. Soak up the time you spend here because it goes by faster than you could ever imagine.

 

 

Elizabeth Nelson

College Choice: Centre College

Planned Major: Business

How do you feel FPD instilled in you a foundation of faith?

By being an example, FPD’s faculty has shown me what it means to have a foundation of faith in Christ. Through good character, positivity, pursuing the Lord and many other traits, I have learned how to live out and stand up for my faith.

What have you enjoyed most about FPD?

I have enjoyed the atmosphere FPD has provided for me the past thirteen years. I have felt the impact of the close-knit community that is FPD. The support that the students and teachers show for one another is encouraging. Everyone wants to see you do well. The FPD community is truly special and has provided me with friends, opportunities, and a great education.

Why is FPD a great place to be?

FPD offers the students opportunities to explore many different avenues of interests. Whether your interest is in academics, athletics, or fine arts, FPD offers it all. The faculty at FPD push you to not only pursue your interests but excel at them. As I graduate from FPD, I have no doubt in my mind that FPD has given me the chance to explore my interests.

Any advice for underclassmen?

One piece of advice for underclassmen is to start strong and finish strong. To think about the end of your high school career as a freshman can be startling and hard to keep in focus at times. At the end of your senior year, if you have applied yourself to each class and tried your hardest, you will not walk away with regrets.

 

 

Tucker Bryant

College Choice: University of Georgia

Planned Major: Biology, possible minor in business or political science

How do you feel FPD has prepared you for college?  

I feel prepared for college because my teachers have pushed me to be my best in every subject.  My honors and AP classes have been some of my favorites, and their rigor makes me feel very confident in my abilities heading into college.

How do you feel FPD instilled in you a foundation of faith?

The foundation of faith is one of my favorite things about FPD. Having teachers who are willing and able to pray and talk about Christianity every day is a great thing.

What have you enjoyed most about FPD?

I have most enjoyed the camaraderie and close friendships that I have had with many of my classmates.  The small classes and grade sizes have really allowed me to befriend a lot of people.

Is there a coach or teacher you would like to thank?

The teacher who has made the most impact on me is Coach Atkinson. He prepared me for the difficult high school road ahead in ninth grade Honors World History. The study habits and note taking skills that I learned in that class have made me a better student overall and that class, along with AP European history, instilled in me a love of history and the humanities.

Any advice for underclassmen?

I would advise underclassmen not to mess around and let their grades get away from them during their early years.

 

Wilson Andress

College Choice: Georgia Southern University

Planned Major: Civil Engineering or Business

Is there a coach or teacher you would like to thank?

Rev. Veazey has made a large impact on my time at FPD through his classes and personality.  His classes helped give a different perspective on the lives of others, and he is also an incredible person.  When he gets up at the beginning of the year, every year, and gives a speech about the honor council, he sounds intimidating, but he is really one of funniest and most caring people on campus.

Why is FPD a great school?

The reason FPD is such a great school is because it feels like one giant family.  The bond between teachers, students, and families is unlike any other school.  Whenever something happens to someone good or bad they will always have everyone there praying for them and supporting them.  Also, the teachers are willing to help you with anything no matter if it involves school or not.  They all want the best for you, and are willing to go out of their way to help you.

Any advice for underclassmen?

My advice for underclassmen is that they need to stay organized and have a plan.  If they already have an idea on where they want to go to college, then they should go talk to Mr. Thompson to see what it takes to get into the school. It is hard to be successful without any sort of plan.

 

 

Daria Brown

College Choice: Georgia College

Planned Major: Double major in Psychology and French and a minor in Criminal Justice

How do you feel FPD has prepared you for college?

Of course the education has been great, but more than that I think the basic values that are taught at FPD are even more beneficial. I learned that I have to work hard and play an active role in my education. This, along with the rigor of the classes I took, has definitely prepared me for college.

What have you enjoyed most about FPD?

I really enjoyed my extracurricular activities. Mock Trial with Mr. Childs and theater with Dr. Strickland have been among my favorites. At FPD, many of the clubs and sports and other activities become small families. The friendships I’ve made and the memories I’ve had, I will always cherish.

Why is FPD a great place to be?

I think FPD is a great school because of its faculty. They care about each and every student, and they show it. When a teacher is passionate about their subject, it makes students passionate as well. This creates a great environment for creative and analytical minds to prosper and grow. FPD truly follows its mission statement: educating and equipping students to change the world for God’s glory!

Any advice for underclassmen?

Form relationships with teachers and coaches! They are there to help you, and I can’t stress enough how amazing it is to be able to talk to someone who actually gets it.

Click here for the Profile of an FPD Graduate