CAK Announces Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Miss Sydney Woodall has a heart for math, science, and children. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and has been a member of the National Honors Society since her sophomore year. Sydney has been recognized as an AP Scholar with honors and has taken nine AP courses. For her senior capstone, she volunteered for Safe Families for Children and Great Starts of Knoxville. She has attended CAK since 2016 and has many fond memories of being on the homecoming court several times. Sydney’s favorite school memory was the middle school trip to Charleston, SC.

Outside of school, Sydney is a member of the Knoxville Junior Assembly and has served as the treasurer on the board. She attends New Life Gathering and her favorite Bible verse is Romans 6:10-11.

“Our family is incredibly proud of Sydney’s hard work and academic accomplishments and most of all, her kind and genuine heart,” says her mother and father, Kathryn and Nathan. “We are so thankful for the strong faith-based community and the excellent academic instruction she has received from CAK. We are excited to see how God continues to use her gifts and talents in the future!”

“I am tremendously grateful,” says Sydney, “for the Christ-centered education I have received at CAK. It has challenged me to worship God in all aspects of my life, including academics. I have been blessed with the most amazing teachers that have pushed me to become a better student and person, and I will never forget the relationships I’ve developed over the years. My hope and prayer are for Christ to remain at the center of all things as I enter the next stage of life; I’m beyond thankful that I’ve had the practice of incorporating faith into every facet of my life because of CAK.”

After high school, Sydney plans to attend the University of Tennessee where she has been accepted into the honors program. She plans to become a doctor and specialize in women’s health.

Miss Anya Cotten excels not only academically but in many extracurricular activities as well. Anya is a National Merit Commended Scholar and a member of the National Honors Society for three years, also serving as the treasurer. She gives back to her school in many ways. Anya is a senior officer for the student senate and is also a teen advisor. For her senior capstone project, Anya served as a Young Life work crew member at Trail West Lodge in Colorado for a month.

Athletically, Anya has played on the Volleyball team for four years and held the role of captain. She also played tennis for the last three years and went to the State finals in her sophomore year.

Outside of school, Anya is a member of the Knoxville Junior Assembly and is very involved in Young Life. She attends Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church with her family.

“We are thankful for the last 12 years Anya has spent at CAK,” says her mother and father, Darcie and Dan. “Throughout her journey, it has been a blessing to see how teachers, staff, and coaches have poured into her spiritually, academically, and personally. The opportunities that she has been afforded while attending CAK have helped mold her into the woman she is today. We feel she is adequately prepared to enter her next chapter and are excited to see her use her God-given talents in all she does.”

“As I look back on my time at CAK,” says Anya, “I am so thankful. Thankful for the lifelong friends I’ve made, the teachers that have poured into me, and the memories that I have made that will stay with me forever. I am especially thankful for the biblical perspective that has been provided and emphasized through every aspect of my education and time at CAK.”

After graduation, Anya plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in Biology with a medical career in mind. She also plans on getting involved in a sorority, Young Life, and other campus ministries.