Foundation Academy Lions celebrate graduation

West Orange Times & Observer
Neighborhood

The Foundation Academy Class of 2019 seniors said goodbye to their high school careers during graduation ceremonies Monday, May 20, in the school’s Leiferman Family Gymnasium.

Valedictorian Felipe Ferraz and salutatorian Jonathan Richardson spoke to fellow classmates, friends and families; and Pastor Tim Grosshans of First Baptist Church Winter Garden gave the commencement address.

Six students were recognized as Legacy Lions, those who attended Foundation Academy for 13 or more years, starting in K3, K4 or kindergarten: Bryson Boast, Michael Miller, Dakota Sirois, Benjamin Smith, Paul Sorchy III and Richardson.

Richardson was presented a framed certificate as the first National Merit Scholar in the school’s history, as well.

The ceremony included a video of the young children in Foundation’s Class of 2032 singing about “big, big dreams.”

Presenting the diplomas were Upper School Principal Lisa Bacon; Foundation President David Buckles; Carol Grosshans, vice president of education; Tim Grosshans; and Vince Higgs, Foundation school board chairman.

Following the presentation of the Class of 2019, the graduates recessed to Imagine Dragons’ “On Top of the World.”

Students in this class will be representing Foundation Academy at 43 different colleges and universities.

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Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.