Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) held its commencement ceremony on campus on May 18 at the Long Forum. The event brought together family, friends, faculty, and staff to honor the Class of 2024 and commemorate the accomplishments of the graduating class of 134 students.
Ridgeway Price Ridenour of Dunwoody was the class valedictorian. He will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in the fall. He is the son of David and Elizabeth Ridenour.
Akhil Sarikonda of Norcross was the class salutatorian. This fall, he will attend the University of Michigan at the Ross School of Business. He is the son of Ravi Sarikonda and Sushma Wupendram.
You can read more about their accomplishments here.
President Dr. Scott Harsh, brought the community together with a commencement speech, congratulating the graduating class and providing encouragement as the Class of 2024 enters the next stage of life.
Harsh emphasized the importance of aligning graduates’ future endeavors with God’s purpose. With faith, sacrifice, and a renewed mind graduates were encouraged to make a difference in their chosen fields, aiming to serve and impact others positively.
“As you step into university life, no matter your chosen field of study, remember you are pursuing much more than a college degree. God has called you to use the vocation that you have chosen for His purposes, to pursue law – with an eye toward justice, medicine – with a focus on helping to relieve suffering, business – to improve the lives of others, science – to care for God’s creation, film – to highlight stories of redemption, and in every field to answer God’s call in ways that He will put on your heart,” Harsh said during the speech.
“I encourage you to embrace the challenge of being transformed. Be beacons of light in a world that often walks in darkness. Let your actions reflect the love of Christ, your words speak His truth, and your lives be a testimony of His grace. Hold fast to the lessons you’ve learned during your years at GAC. Strive to live out of faith boldly and authentically,” he added.
The GAC Class of 2024 collectively received 600 acceptances to 194 top colleges and universities. What stands out even more is the caliber of schools to which they gained access.
From renowned national and international universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, Howard, Elon, and the American University of Paris, to prestigious local institutions like Georgia Tech, Emory, Spelman, and the University of Georgia, our graduates will be coast to coast.
Several students will be studying at leading Christian Universities next year, including Pepperdine, Baylor, Harding, Texas Christian University, and Houston Christian University.
In addition to the universities they will attend, the Class of 2024 received over $15.86 million in scholarships, a testament to their remarkable accomplishments and character.
Among the graduates are 30 AP Scholars (including nine as an AP Scholar with Honor and seven as an AP Scholar with Distinction), five Commended National Merit Scholars and two National Merit Finalists. Twenty-two students received athletic scholarships, showcasing their achievements both in academics and sports as student-athletes.
GAC’s college counseling staff was instrumental in guiding these students through the college application process. GAC teachers played a crucial role in the acceptances through their dedication and commitment to preparing the students well and providing powerful recommendations on their behalf. The graduating class completed a total of 1,021 applications.
Beyond academic success, the Class of 2024 demonstrated a profound commitment to service and community. They exemplified the scripture from Matthew 5:16, letting their light shine before others and glorifying their Father in heaven.
Throughout high school, they volunteered over 9,300 hours, bringing light and hope to Atlanta and beyond through various projects and mission trips, reaching their impact beyond campus borders.
Greater Atlanta Christian School wishes the Class of 2024 success and fulfillment as they embrace the next chapter of their lives.
