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Battle Ground Academy News

BGA Celebrates 134th Graduating Class

Battle Ground Academy held its commencement on Sunday, May 14, celebrating the graduation of 89 students. Jackson Boger, who will attend Loyola University Chicago, and Amelia Cavin, who will attend Clemson University, were the Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively.

"The Class of 2023 endured many disruptions to their high-school career, but what they accomplished in the face of these challenges is nothing short of amazing," said BGA Head of School Will Kesler. 

"From the scholarships they've earned to their performances in the arts and athletics and from the innovation displayed in their Entrepreneurial Leadership pitch competition to the community service they've supported and organized, this class leaves the halls of the Academy ready to navigate the unexpected successfully and as leaders. There is no end to what they can accomplish as they move on to Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, and 49 other colleges and universities across the country," he added.

Highlights of BGA’s 134th graduating class include:

  • The class collectively received more than $8.5 million in scholarship offers, with more than $4.2 million being accepted.
  • Continuing a five-year trend, nearly three out of four (73%) students were accepted to their top college of choice, with 98% being accepted by at least one of their top three choices.
  • Graduates will matriculate to 52 different colleges and universities throughout the U.S., attending universities from coast to coast in 23 different states and Washington, D.C.
  • Fourteen students will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, nine of whom will play NCAA Division I.

In addition to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, other graduates honored included:

  • Ashlyn Patton was awarded the Pinkerton Watch, given to the senior who is the best all-around student, in the judgment of the faculty. 
  • Addison Atkins was presented the Paul Guffee ‘61 Memorial Award, which, by a vote of the faculty, goes to the senior who exhibits leadership in athletics and all other phases of school life.
  • Manling Wang received the Katie Jeter ‘03 Award for Service.
  • Grayson Douglas received the BGA Alumni Association Bill Ross ’72 Award as voted by the student body for helping those in need without the need for recognition.
  • Briana DeLaughter was presented the Robin Leigh Altshuler Award given to the senior who exemplifies a spirit of unconditional service to others and the community.
  • Liz Napier received the Durwood Sies ‘40 Leadership Award.
  • John Douglass received the Helen and Ralph Brown ’49 School Spirit Award.
  • Lorenzo Sgarbi was recognized with the David A. Hernandez ’49 Award for Courage. 

Graduates of the Class of 2023 will venture off to the following colleges and universities in the fall:

Arizona State University
Belmont University
Berry College
Bethany College
Boston College
Brigham Young University
California Polytechnic State University
Clemson University
College of Charleston
Columbia State Community College
Eckerd College
Emory University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida State University
Freed-Hardeman University
Georgetown University
Indiana University
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Lipscomb University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Chicago
Miami University
Middle Tennessee State University
Mississippi State University
Montana State University
Northwestern University
Purdue University
Rhodes College
Saint Louis University
Samford University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Sewanee: The University of the South
Southern Methodist University
University of Alabama
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland
University of Memphis
University of Miami
University of Mississippi
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of Northern Colorado
University of South Carolina
University of Tampa
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Tennessee, Southern
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Tech
Washington and Lee University
Western Kentucky University