Commencement 2026

Class of 2026

Walking in Purpose. Prepared for Life.

The King’s Academy celebrates thirty-five graduates from ten nations through a meaningful season of Baccalaureate and Commencement, honoring achievement, character, faith, and the relationships that shaped their years at TKA.

35 Graduates

10 Nations Represented

900 Approx. Guests

9 NHS Members

A Milestone Moment

A class worth celebrating.

The King’s Academy celebrated the Class of 2026 as thirty-five seniors received their high school diplomas during Commencement exercises on May 8.

Nearly 900 family members, friends, faculty, and guests filled the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building to mark the conclusion of the seniors’ TKA journey.

For students who had shared classrooms, athletic fields, stages, chapel services, friendships, and countless everyday moments, Commencement represented both a conclusion and a beginning.

The graduating class also reflected one of the qualities that has long distinguished The King’s Academy. Students from East Tennessee shared their high school experience with classmates from around the world.

Different stories. Different hometowns. One graduating class.

Commencement gathering inside the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building — Nearly 900 family members, friends, faculty, and guests gathered in the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building to celebrate the Class of 2026.

A Global TKA Community

Ten nations. One class.

The Class of 2026 brought together students from ten countries. Different cultures, hometowns, and experiences converged on one campus and became part of one another’s story.

Burundi

China

Curaçao

Netherlands

South Korea

South Sudan

Uganda

Ukraine

Vietnam

United States

Academic Distinction

Excellence in the classroom.

Members of the Class of 2026 distinguished themselves academically throughout their time at The King’s Academy.

Summa Cum Laude Graduates

Cum Laude Graduates

National Honor Society Members

Class Leadership

Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Claire Brooks and Rebekah Rector represented the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during Commencement.

Valedictorian

Claire Brooks

Brooks delivered the Student Address as Class Valedictorian during the Commencement ceremony.

Salutatorian

Rebekah Rector

Rector was named Class Salutatorian and shared Scripture and prayer as part of the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Honors

Character, leadership, and service.

Commencement also provided an opportunity to recognize graduates whose character and contributions distinguished them within the TKA community.

Hubert B. Smothers Awards

Colt Glasgow & Riley Daft

Presented to graduating seniors held in highest esteem by fellow students, faculty, and staff.

Mr. & Miss TKA

Alex Fields & Viola Modi

Recognized for demonstrating academic, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual maturity.

Polly Enix Tibbetts Award

Claire Brooks

Brooks received the Polly Enix Tibbetts Award, recognizing persistence through challenging circumstances and qualities reflected in Proverbs 31.

Linton Tibbetts Award

Carson Polk

Recognized for initiative, hard work, leadership, and demonstration of TKA’s Core Values.

Mrs. Sullivan-Connatser presents the Smothers Awards to Riley Daft and Colt Glasgow — Mrs. Sullivan-Connatser presented the Smothers Awards to Riley and Colt.

One Final Week

Traditions that mark the journey.

The celebration of the Class of 2026 began before diplomas were presented. During Baccalaureate on May 3, seniors, families, faculty, and administrators gathered for worship, reflection, and prayer.

Days later, seniors made their final processional as TKA students before entering the Tibbetts Building for Commencement.

Junior Audrianna Hall served as Standard Bearer after earning the highest academic standing in the junior class.

Class of 2026 graduates walking across The King's Academy campus — Seniors make one of their final walks across campus as TKA students.

Bagpiper Tracy Wilson leads the Commencement processional.

Baccalaureate · May 3

Surrounded in prayer.

Before Commencement, the Class of 2026 gathered with families, teachers, and administrators for one of TKA’s most meaningful senior traditions.

Teachers and administrators gather around seniors in prayer during Baccalaureate

Teachers and administrators gathered around the senior class and prayed over them as they prepared to leave TKA and begin the next chapter of their lives.

Bible teacher Rev. Lee Lyon delivered the Baccalaureate message during the May 3 service.

Words for the Journey

A final challenge before what comes next.

Rev. Scott Andrews served as the featured Commencement speaker, offering graduates a final challenge as they prepared to move beyond their years at The King’s Academy.

Rev. Scott Andrews

Worship Pastor, First Baptist Church Sevierville · Chair, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Commencement Moments

More than a ceremony.

Graduation is remembered through awards and speeches, but also through friendships, celebrations, and the people who shared the journey.

Friends celebrating graduation together at The King's Academy — Friendships formed at TKA become part of the story graduates carry forward.

Upper School Principal April Kandel during Commencement — Upper School Principal April Kandel celebrates the Class of 2026.

Class of 2026

35 graduates entered Commencement as students. They left as alumni.

They leave TKA carrying different stories, talents, experiences, friendships, and callings. Some came from East Tennessee. Others traveled thousands of miles to call Seymour home. For a season, those stories became part of one another’s. Now they move forward prepared for lives of faith, service, leadership, and purpose.

Once a Lion. Always a Lion.

A class worth celebrating.

Ten nations. One class.

Excellence in the classroom.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Claire Brooks

Rebekah Rector

Character, leadership, and service.

Colt Glasgow & Riley Daft

Alex Fields & Viola Modi

Claire Brooks

Carson Polk

Traditions that mark the journey.

Surrounded in prayer.

A final challenge before what comes next.

Rev. Scott Andrews

More than a ceremony.

35 graduates entered Commencement as students. They left as alumni.

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