The First Academy Class of 2020: Stronger together

By Mackenzie Grimes, Tucker Kemp, McKenzi Neal and Victor Norman 

It is clear The First Academy Class of 2020 is one of the most resilient classes, having lived through a major pandemic during one of the most important times of their lives, but the Class of 2020 is so much more than just resilient.  

Our perseverance, connection and bright future are a few things that make this class stand out. Before the pandemic, we showed how truly resilient the Class of 2020 was, embodying our school year theme of Stronger Together. We worked hard from the start to get to the point where we could say, “I finally did it.” No matter the obstacles, whether it was an athletic injury, mental health or fatigue, this class pushed through and made a name for itself on and off campus and excelled at all levels. Our perseverance and success thrive from how connected we are. Social media has made it incredibly easy for everyone to network with those who are alike in personality, activities and interests all across the world. 

We have withstood the pandemic and the trials it has come with. We thrived before the pandemic began, we have remained tried and true during it, and we will strive to be even better as we come out of it. Seniors from The First Academy will be attending highly prestigious schools across the country, artists following their hearts and creating masterpieces for museums and storybooks, and athletes training and playing in games at Olympic-level difficulty. These are achievements, not only of the students at The First Academy but for the Class of 2020 across the globe.

We are the class who has only known travel after the tragedy of 9/11, the class who went to school after Sandy Hook and Parkland — we know tragedy, and we know resilience. We have worked together to strive to make the world a better place every day. Through setting up donation services through Amazon during the pandemic or working with Dance Marathon to raise more than $65,000 before it began, we have strived to make our community a better place. 

What truly sets apart The First Academy Class of 2020 is those who have impacted our lives.

The First Academy students love the faculty and staff. We have been very fortunate to have them mold our minds with knowledge and perspective. They pour into the lives of students in so many ways: showing us how to live spiritually by practicing what they preach, facilitating friendships by bringing together different people or just being people that you can share a conversation with. This relationship between faculty and students is what makes The First Academy a truly special place.

While the faculty is outstanding, the families are the backbone that make everything we have possible by sacrificing their time and money for us to attend this school. This guarantees we receive the best education and spiritual formation to be formed into the young men and women we were created to be; we could not be more grateful.

As for this pandemic, it has only united our class, our families and our community even more. Seeing what we have accomplished through the years and how we have been supported supports our success. The First Academy Class of 2020 is unique because our future is bright and we have the hands that are going to shape this world for years to come. We are stronger together, and we are building a sound foundation for the Royals behind us as well as the generation after us.