For five FRA seniors, a historic run came to an end on Tuesday at Willowbrook Golf Club for the 2020 TSSAA Div-II Golf State Championships. Once again, both boys and girls teams qualified for State by winning their Region Tournaments. The boys were playing in their third straight State Tournament while the girls were competing in their tenth straight State Tournament. The girls were seeking their fourth straight title and eighth overall.

FRA proudly inducted five students into the International Robotics Honor Society today with a ceremony on the quad. Congratulations to Langston Harold ('23), Ryan Holman ('23), Critter May ('21), William Roberts ('21), and Reilly Robinson ('22). 

The National Honor Society (NHS) was founded 1921 to recognize students who embody the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Every year, FRA invites sophomores, juniors, and seniors who meet the academic and service requirements to apply. Following the application and review process students are selected for membership. New members are charged with a responsibility to continue to demonstrate scholarship, leadership, character, and service. This year we inducted a talented group of 20 students.

Starting this year, our Head of Middle School Ryan Harris will take on the additional responsibility of assistant head of school for external affairs. Ryan will continue to lead our middle school and serve as assistant head this year before completely transitioning into his new role for the 2021-22 school year. Currently in his eighth year at FRA, Ryan holds a master's degree in educational administration and supervision and a bachelor's degree in elementary education and teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University.

We are honored to have so many of our alumni creating a legacy for their families here at Franklin Road Academy. This year, we welcome 17 new legacy students:
 

Ella Grace Beasley (Garrett Beasley '96)
Wyatt and Olivia Cain (Ryan '96 and Courtney Cain '95)
Heath Carpenter (White Carpenter '09)
Charlotte Ann and Lainey Given (Carley Tucker Given '00)
Thomas, Robert and Olivia Lown (Katie Tomlinson '95)
Brown Pewitt (Laing McCullough '01)
Jody Pierce (John '89 and Amber Pierce '90)
Max Robinson (Jeff Robinson)
Waylon and Mire Wiggs (Jon Wiggs '01)
Thomas Woodard (Tom Woodard '79)

We are excited to welcome outstanding new faculty to our community. These exceptional educators bring experience, education, and a passion for FRA's mission to provide a challenging educational experience within an inclusive Christian community.

We are proud to introduce our new board members for the 2020-21 school year. From business operations and strategy to communications and philanthropy, these six individuals bring an incredible amount of experience and expertise to the board. Jared Allen, Jeb Beasley, Victor Berrios, Matthew Denmark, Rosemary Plorin, and Jaimie Robinson will join Board President Clif Tant '94, and members Laura Campbell, Tobi Jane Frankfather, Steve Halas, Daron Hall, Patti Hudgins, Dr. Tamika Hudson, Kimberly Jackson, John S. Larkin II, Michael Lindseth, Jr. ’88, Steve Maggart, R. Dale Mitchell, Andrew Scarlett ’97, and Christy Smith. 

Students in the class of 2020 will likely never forget the events of the final semester of their senior year in high school. Through all of the challenges of COVID-19 and the introduction of remote learning, they led the student body with resilience and grace. The senior class demonstrated the true spirit of FRA by celebrating and supporting one another through this time of uncertainty and change. To our seniors, we are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and encouraged by the creative, caring individuals you have become.

Click here to watch a special graduation video to celebrate and honor the class of 2020.

Prince the Panther formally received a name my freshman year when the older panther suit was retired and the current suit was first worn. Before that, he was just a panther without a name, but he has been around for at least the 15 years I have been at FRA.

There was a senior, Jamie Kendrick, who was Prince the Panther for that year and handed the so-called baton to me as a sophomore. I have been Prince for the last three years.

Prince’s goal when he’s on campus or around students is to spread school spirit and make someone’s day better. Prince brings a lively energy to any room as he always tries to hype people up.