OCA 2024 grads, top students

Graduation held May 18 for Ozark Catholic Academy

Published: May 31, 2024

By Arkansas Catholic Staff

Carrie Eben, owner of Classical Eben Education Counseling, adjunct instructor for integrated humanities at John Brown University and co-founder of Sager Classical Academy, was the graduation speaker May 18 at Ozark Catholic Academy. The valedictorian was Annalise Stacey. Mary Poe, daughter of Meranda and Joseph Poe, was named the salutatorian. She was accepted into the University of Arkansas’ Honors Engineering Program.

Valedictorian

Annalise Stacey, 17

Parish: St. Joseph Church, Fayetteville

Parents: Drs. Heath and Adriana Stacey

College and major: University of Miami, double major in sport administration and individualized general business

What goals do you want to pursue after college? Although my specific plans may change, I want to pursue my overarching goals of making a difference in my community and living out my faith. Specifically, I plan to either open my own dance studio or pursue a career in law centered on sociology and criminology.

What is your proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment is starting the OCA Sapphires dance team, leading our team to two state championship titles and being awarded All-State honors for three consecutive years.

How will your faith be a part of your future? My faith will always be an integral part of my life. I plan to pursue my faith through college and beyond by being an active participant in the University of Miami's Catholic community as well as continuing to grow my faith life through prayer and adoration.

Scholarships: Isaac Singer Scholarship and Foote Fellowship, full tuition for four years

High school honors and awards: Libertas Award, Scholar Athlete Award, Sapphires Dancer of the Year, Sapphires dance captain, Arkansas All-Star Dance, CLT Regional Scholar, tennis captain, tennis conference runner-up, tennis All-Conference, golf All-Conference, basketball Manager of the Year, House of the Elk president, Corporal Works of Mercy president, Coca-Cola semifinalist, GE-Reagan semifinalist, Theology Award, Philosophy Award, Humane Letter Award, Math Award for three years, Psychology Award, NHS vice president, Celiac Disease Foundation ambassador

Other graduates are:

Matthew Abide

Celena Alvarez

Isabella Antony

Abigayle Bohannan

Sara Ashley Borchert

Avery Carter

Gabrielle Dickinson

Citlali Flores

Peyton Goldschmidt

Christopher Haviland

Hayden Johnson