The King’s Academy celebrates a graduating class shaped by achievement, friendship, faith, and a community reaching from East Tennessee around the world.
A Milestone Moment
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.
A Global TKA Community
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.
Academic Distinction
Members of the Class of 2026 distinguished themselves academically throughout their time at TKA.
Summa Cum Laude Graduates
Cum Laude Graduates
National Honor Society Members
Class Leadership
Claire Brooks and Rebekah Rector represented the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during Commencement.
Valedictorian · Polly Enix Tibbetts Award
Brooks delivered the Student Address as Class Valedictorian and also received the Polly Enix Tibbetts Award, recognizing persistence through challenging circumstances and qualities reflected in Proverbs 31.
Salutatorian
Rector was named Class Salutatorian and shared Scripture and prayer as part of the Commencement ceremony.
Commencement Honors
Several members of the Class of 2026 received special recognition for the ways they distinguished themselves within the TKA community.
Hubert B. Smothers Awards
Presented to graduating seniors held in highest esteem by fellow students, faculty, and staff.
Mr. & Miss TKA
Recognized for demonstrating academic, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual maturity.
Linton Tibbetts Award
Recognized for initiative, hard work, leadership, and demonstration of TKA’s Core Values.
One Final Week
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.
Baccalaureate · May 3
Teachers and administrators continued a meaningful TKA tradition by gathering around the senior class and praying over them before graduation.
Words for the Journey
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.
Worship Pastor, First Baptist Church Sevierville · Chair, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board
Commencement Moments
Graduation is remembered through awards and speeches, but also through friendships, celebrations, and the people who shared the journey.
Class of 2026
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 life, leadership, service, and calling.
Once a Lion. Always a Lion.