Class of 2021 Grad Facts
On Sunday, May 23, 54 Central Arkansas Christian high school seniors left Mustang Mountain as graduates after one of the most unusual years on record. This class of students showed perseverance in the face of countless challenges and joy in the face of adversity. We are, and always will be, proud of what they have accomplished.
From competing for multiple state championships and winning multiple conference titles in athletics, to receiving excellent ratings at the Arkansas State Choral Festival, to earning millions of dollars in scholarships, these students have excelled in many notable ways. This year’s graduates will continue their academic careers at 19 colleges in 9 different states. With an average ACT score of 24, this class accepted $1,879,920 in athletic and academic scholarships.
Receiving the class’s highest academic honors were Salutatorian Will Walker and Valedictorian Wilson Walls. Wilson, Walker and Elysia Chang were all honored in Little Rock Soiree’s Head of the Class special section this May.
National Merit Finalist:
Will Walker
Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship Recipients:
Ethan DeMarco
Chloe Minkner
Will Walker
Wilson Walls
Watch the Academic and College Scholarship signing chapel here.
Fall Athletics
Seniors Jackson Richmond, Zac Fry, Hunter Pilgreen, Palmer Gilbrech, Jake Sheehy, Drew Donaghy, Ethan DeMarco, Carlito London, Ty Bahnks, Nathan Kennedy, Cole Shoemaker, Brett Bell, Lance Morris, Jeremiah Wingfield and Wilson Walls led the Mustang football team to compete in the playoffs. In tennis, seniors Reagan Rabb and Katherine Miller both competed in the Conference Tournament, with Rabb making it to the quarterfinals. Senior Ellie Dalby placed first in the bowling conference tournament, while seniors Hunter Pilgreen and Grant Wilson both qualified for state.
Winter Athletics
Seniors Jackson Richmond, Jake Devitt, Zac Fry, Palmer Gilbrech and Karsen Richard led the boy’s basketball team to a win in the state conference for the first time in 12 years. In wrestling, senior Jake Sheehy finished 6th place in the state. Senior Claire Hyatt had a record-breaking season for Mustang swim, finishing 1st in the 100 backstroke and 2nd in the 50 freestyle at the state meet.
Spring Athletics
The varsity track team placed 2nd in the conference with seniors Nora McGill and Natalie Neimeier leading the way. Senior Nathan Kennedy led the boys track team to a 2nd place finish in the state 4x100m relay. The Lady Mustang soccer team, led by seniors Sophie Miller, Reagan Rabb, Ellie Dalby, Sydney Musticchi and Abby Vest, finished as conference champs and competed in the first round of the state tournament. The Mustang soccer team, led by seniors Cole Shoemaker, Ethan DeMarco, Hunter Pilgreen, Jackson Richmond and Zac Fry, also finished as conference champions and grabbed two wins in the state tournament. The Lady Mustang softball team, with the help of seniors Jordan Dallimore, Chase Sellers and Hailey Boyles, ended their season as conference champions and competed in the state tournament as well. Seniors Brett Bell and Karsen Richards took Mustang Baseball to a 3rd place finish in conference and to compete in the state tournament.
Five senior athletes signed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
At the annual Athletics Award chapel, the Scholar Athlete Award was given to Sophie Miller, the Mustang Spirit Awards for outstanding sportsmanship went to Brett Bell and Jordan Dallimore and Cheerleader of the Year went to Katie Dunn. Jackson Richmond and Bethany Dillard were named Athletes of the Year.
Fine Arts
Just like on the field and in the classroom, the Mustangs excelled in Fine Arts as well! Chorus members Will Walker, Lynn Cranford, Jackson Lane, Sydney Musticchi, Grant Wilson led the high school chorus in a beautiful virtual performance, a fantastic spring concert and to receive an overall excellent rating at the state choral festival.
On stage, Chloe Minkner, Will Walker and Alex Knod starred in the spring production of “Power Line: A story of Me, Mario, and Your Mom,” while Hailey Boyles and Elysia Chang made sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.
Mustang Band started out the year focusing on percussion and kicked off the year with an outdoor concert. Seniors Chloe Minkner, Nathan Kennedy, Jeremiah Wingfield, Frederick Beranek, Jack Thomas and Jacob Wheeler led the group to perform multiple concerts, a parade, and an elementary 100th day of school celebration.
Each year, the yearbook staff announces the recipients of the school’s character awards. Ethan DeMarco and Claire Morrow were named Mr. and Ms. CAC, and Bethany Dillard was awarded Outstanding Mustang.
Included in the Mustang Roundup were Wilson Walls, Claire Morrow, Chase Sellers, Chloe Minkner and Will Walker.
As 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “…the greatest of these is love.” Of all these accomplishments, it is this class’s love for each other and those around them that our school takes most pride in.
The accomplishments of this senior class are too numerous to mention, and this list represents just a sampling of its accolades. It is for that reason, and many more, we are proud to call these graduates Mustangs.
Congratulations, Class of 2021!