News

Meet the CAK Class of 2026 Valedictorians Michael Bonanno and Cole Piers, and Salutatorian Brooke Atkins! We are very proud of these students.

For the full story, click this link: 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorian

Michael Bonanno, Valedictorian
Michael Bonanno is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Global Seal of Biliteracy recipient. Michael maintained an almost perfect average throughout high school while excelling in a rigorous academic schedule. He served as President of the National English Honor Society and Captain of the Scholars Bowl Team and has invested in others through mentoring and tutoring. Michael plans to pursue biochemistry or biomedical engineering with the goal of attending medical school. We are grateful for the leadership and Christ-centered example he has set at CAK.

Cole Piers, Valedictorian
Cole Piers will graduate with a 4.55 GPA and complete every AP course offered at CAK during his high school career. An AP Scholar with Distinction and Global Seal of Biliteracy recipient, Cole also served as Varsity Basketball Captain and helped lead his team to a region championship during his junior year. His leadership extended beyond the court through mentoring, coaching, and organizing a Capstone fundraiser benefiting East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Cole plans to major in business and looks forward to the next chapter ahead.

Brooke Atkins, Salutatorian
Brooke Atkins is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a two-time ACIS Distinguished Leadership Award recipient. Brooke has led faithfully in nearly every area of school life. She served four years on the Student Senate and currently serves as President. A varsity volleyball captain and dedicated hospital volunteer, Brooke has consistently modeled servant leadership. She plans to major in global finance and international affairs before attending law school. We celebrate her leadership, compassion, and commitment to honoring Christ.

CAK is exploring the launch of two outdoor teams: a Sporting Clays Team (for high school students, with possible participation for experienced 8th graders) and a Fly-Fishing Team (for middle and high school students). An informational meeting for interested parents and students will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the Middle School Library. We will discuss interest levels, expectations, safety considerations, and next steps. If you have questions or cannot attend, please contact Craig Collier at ccollier@cakmail.org or (865) 804-4466.

It’s time for CAK to face off once again against GCA in our annual Battle of the Bottles, raising funds to support Hope Resource Center and the life-changing work they do in our community.

After two tough years, CAK is ready to take back the trophy, but we can’t do it without you! All donations will be made online again this year, making it easy to give and help us make an impact. Every gift supports families in need and brings us one step closer to victory. Let’s show up strong, give generously, and bring that trophy back to CAK where it belongs.

Click to Donate: https://investinghope.com/cak/