Marcus Conklin
Graduating from Veritas Academy is not an easy task. It is an accomplishment that I am proud of.
Veritas has challenged me in ways I never thought possible. It has pushed me beyond my limits, taught me the importance of discipline and hard work, and thoroughly prepared me for my future. I learned how to think critically, overcome obstacles, and persevere. While Veritas was all that, it also has been a gateway to lasting friendships, great memories, and lots of fun. I will always remember the lessons that I have learned at Veritas as I go forth into the world.
My future plans after graduation include becoming a business owner right out of high school and getting into real estate. I will be opening an in house and mobile detailing business with my brother.
I have been at Veritas Academy for seven years and throughout my time at school, I was able to work through challenging tasks with perseverance, even when it seemed impossible.
One of the things that I appreciate most about Veritas Academy is its emphasis on tradition and community. From beloved events like Pokenberry Falls to cherished occasions like Shrove Tuesday, I have loved being a part of the vibrant and close-knit community at the school. I have also been inspired by the strong relationships between teachers and students, which have fostered a sense of mentorship and support that has been valuable throughout my academic journey and life outside of school.
As I prepare to graduate from Veritas Academy, I am excited to take the lessons I have learned and apply them to my future endeavors as I prepare to launch a business. I am confident that the skills and values I have gained at Veritas Academy will serve me well.
Margaret CoughlanI began attending Veritas Academy in ninth grade, and since then I have made many wonderful memories. From the Line Dance to the Colonial Ball, attending fantastically themed dances with my sister has been wonderful and has created memories I will cherish for years to come. Shrove Tuesday is one of my favorite house events. Go Euler House!
I have been so blessed to participate in the Theatre Department for all four years of high school. The theater experience at Veritas has been enriching and absolutely chaotic. Having the opportunity to participate in both the Secondary School and Grammar School Theatre Departments, I am grateful to have developed friendships across grades and to have helped to put on some amazing shows!
I would like to express the depth of my gratitude to the teachers, faculty, staff, and administration of Veritas Academy. You have truly made my time at Veritas special, and the education I have received over the course of my time here is truly appreciated. From book recommendations to letters of recommendation, even something as seemingly simple as asking how my day has been was so meaningful. I truly cannot imagine my academic journey without the teachers who have guided me along the way and my parents who have always shepherded my path.
In the fall, I will be attending Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. I am looking forward to double-majoring in Medieval and Renaissance Studies and English with a minor in Classical Studies. I am thrilled to embark on the next chapter of my life, and I will forever be grateful for the academic foundation laid during my time at Veritas Academy.
Asher FogieAs part of the last high school class to have Covid affect their year, I have not had a single normal year in my time at Veritas. But then again, does anyone have a normal year here? With more math brackets than march madness, Veritas Academy has challenged me academically, socially, and spiritually, and I’m thankful for the experience it provided and the memories I made.
I’m eternally grateful to the teachers and faculty of Veritas for always pushing me to further myself. But, no matter what the teachers tell you, investing in ChatGPT Plus is a much better investment than Quizlet or Grammarly (not that I know from experience).
From the window jumping, the donut runs, the Swithunry, the constant barking, and the out-of-context C.S. Lewis characters, I gained stories that LitCharts and SparkNotes can’t tell. Stories about Veritas and the kind of people it produces. Stories about my education and the change in aptitude for learning after only a few years. And stories about my class and the people I spent my time here with.
I have learned so much from Veritas. I’ve learned how to analyze, process, and dialogue. I learned how to love, serve, and think. I am planning to take a gap year and see where the Lord directs my path following next spring.
JingKun (Peter) GaoSuppose someone asks me about my highlight reel at Veritas Academy. In that case, it would be a joyful experience to study philosophy and literature in Omnibus classes because of the revelation of knowledge and beauty from the Lord. The school strengthened my Christian faith as well as my critical thinking skills. I could barely speak English as my second language when I first came to the States. However, from Dante’s poetry to Boethius’s philosophy, the classical Christian education has trained me so well to discern truth, beauty, and goodness, meditate about the world, and argue in fluent English.
Thanks to the faculty who have faithfully served me in my learning experience. Next step: a holistic experience of leisure and rest through college liberal arts, “the ‘core curriculum’ or the study of ‘Great Books.’ that helps to form a well-rounded person,” as stated by Bradley Green.
Amaya GoffReflecting on my nine years at Veritas Academy, I am grateful for the experiences and challenges that helped me grow both academically and spiritually.
As a student, I have been fortunate to have exceptional teachers who not only encouraged me throughout my time here but also provided me with the necessary support and guidance to succeed. The school has played a pivotal role in strengthening my worldview and deepening my relationship with God. I believe these spiritual foundations will be crucial as I navigate the challenges and opportunities that await me in college and beyond.
During my time at Veritas, I met some of my best friends, stormed the basketball court on senior night, chased Mr. Etter through the Bible museum, played kickball instead of class, and dressed up as a purple minion on a random Tuesday.
I would like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me in everything I do, my grandma for all her prayers over me, and my uncle for his encouragement throughout my whole academic career. I am eager to see where this next chapter in my life takes me, and I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, and teachers who have helped me reach this point. I am excited to announce that I will be attending The University of Alabama in the fall and will be a part of the Honors College, majoring in Biology on the Pre-Dental track. Roll Tide!
Nia MartinMy time at Veritas has been full of many things - laughter, hard work, tears, friendships, and lots of homework. I have learned so many things that have prepared me for life, such as sin, cos, and tan, that the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, and that Thucydides cared way too much about the Peloponnesian war.
But in reality, the joy of learning and the love for Christ Veritas has helped instill in me is something for which I will forever be grateful. I will never forget the crazy traditions, all the work the teachers put into the students, and the slip and slide during field day each year. My favorite moments at Veritas were all of the long bus rides to Washington, D.C. or New York when my classmates would start handing out gummy bears or lollipops at 5:45 in the morning.
I have loved my experience at Veritas and I cannot wait for this new chapter of my life. I will be attending Regent University and majoring in elementary education.
John Harman McKnightVeritas is weird. This was my first thought as I boarded the plane back to Lexington, South Carolina, to finish my eighth-grade year. I was excited to move to a new area, but I wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as I displayed to my parents. I was unsure as to what the future would bring, and I was unsure if I would even like it. Now, as I look back on this moment four years later, I am one hundred percent certain that every uncertainty or qualm that I possessed has been thoroughly relieved.
Veritas has given me the ability to think critically and have conversations with people who have views contrary to mine without becoming a mouthpiece for my viewpoint. I have enjoyed my teachers, and I appreciate the work they’ve put into my success. Although each day was not like the other, some worse than others and some better, they all shaped me into who I am and taught me the importance of learning and hard work.
In addition to these, there are many fun memories upon which I often reflect. Some of my favorites include: watching how Mr. Stamper’s beard style changed drastically over the past three years and him comparing me to the Confederacy because I’m southern, pretending to understand math concepts with Mrs. Forbes and Mr. Myrick, waiting for Mr. Dennis to start class, staying up all night to work on my senior thesis for Ms. Nixon, not having a clue what a present subjunctive is with Mr. Klazinga, and laughing till I cried with Mr. Etter.
I have learned to appreciate my classmates and enjoy their friendship. I am happy that we have grown closer as a group through our shared experiences.
I plan on attending Ole Miss and majoring in Business Analytics. I want to thank all of my teachers and friends for shaping my high school experiences. Lastly, I’d like to thank Miss Yaw for being the best lunch lady ever. Veritas wouldn’t be the same without her
Alexander MylinLooking back over the past 13 years of my time here at Veritas, I realize how much this school has impacted me. I have grown to value small class sizes, personal connections with teachers, and a broad education.
I would like to thank my teachers and coaches for their influence on my life, my parents for their endless encouragement and support, and my classmates who I am honored to call friends.
Some of my favorite memories were jumping out the window in Mr. Dawson’s class, laughing so hard with Mrs. Kiehl that we cried, the murder mystery dinner with Mrs. Forbes, agriculture with Mr. Lauris, all the field trips, pulling an all nighter
to finish my stats study guide, basketball senior night, going to McDonald’s while on Zoom during covid, and the two-year expired syrup on Shrove Tuesday.
I am excited to announce that I will be attending Florida International University in the fall and major in International Business in the Honors College with a minor in Spanish.
Ana NicholsBefore I go to college I’m taking a gap year to go to YWAM in Maui, Hawaii for a few months, and then heading to Southeast Asia to do mission work for another few months. Mission work is a passion of mine, and something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve others and grow in my faith.
I’m thrilled to be heading to Eastern University’s Templeton Honors College in the fall of 2024 to study nursing. It’s a dream come true for me, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
I’m so grateful for my time at Veritas Academy and for all the people who have helped me along the way. I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful community, and I’ll always cherish the memories I’ve made here. Thank you all for your support and encouragement -
I couldn’t have done it without you!
John SpeadDuring my time at Veritas Academy since fourth grade, I have been blessed to have been poured into by loving teachers, and classmates who care. Veritas Academy has truly been a major deciding factor on shaping me into the man that I am today.
I have had a lot of great memories from Veritas, but my favorite was definitely my senior night in basketball. It was against West Shore, who we had played before and to whom we had lost by 30 points. Expectations and emotions were running high. I hit my 1,000th career point in the second quarter, and our team was winning as we went into half. We barely won against all expectations coming into the game, and it was the happiest I have ever been while playing a sport. The whole student body rushed the floor, and it was the most excited that I have ever seen the Veritas Academy community be over a sports game. I hope that it inspired many families, and that our basketball program grows as a result.
I plan on attending Liberty University to study Computer Engineering in the honors college. I am excited to hopefully compete in the F1 team, and minor in entrepreneurship. Veritas Academy has definitely set me up well for my path ahead in my undergraduate and hopefully graduate studies.
Looking back on my time at Veritas, I have made so many memories and learned many lessons. I am so grateful for the friendships I have made over the years. I will miss my small class next year as we all move on. I am also very thankful for the teachers at Veritas who have pushed us to learn more, strengthened our faith, and taught us important life lessons.
A few of my favorite memories include: the best basketball senior night, many “field trips” to the bakery and Dollar General, skipping class to play kickball, getting kicked out of the lounge multiple times with Mr. Etter, 12-hour field trips to Washington DC, school dances, and endless conversations about Stamper’s friends who all seem to be felons now. These are some things I will never forget.
I would like to thank my parents for supporting and encouraging me during my time at Veritas. Finally, Veritas has provided me with a strong foundation that has allowed me to grow as a student and, more importantly, as a Christian.
In the fall, I plan to attend the honors program at Palm Beach Atlantic University to study business administration. I look forward to the next chapter but will miss my time at Veritas!
Otto WilliamsI have only been at Veritas for four years but have been significantly impacted by my experiences and the friends I have made here.
I have learned to think critically about important topics and form opinions based on my views and values. In addition to these vital skills, I have made lifelong friends and relationships that will support me throughout college and the rest of my life.
Some of my favorite memories from Veritas are playing soccer in Mr. Dawson’s classroom, the murder mystery dinner party, and pretending like our class was learning with Mr. Etter when a school tour walked through.
Although these were all memorable, my fondest memory of this place would have to be the class discussions we would have in the field with Mrs. Forbes in trigonometry class.
In the fall, I will attend the University of Pittsburgh and study biology in the honors college.
