- May 6, 2024
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Angry at the world because his mother, Sonia Jimenez, transferred him from a school of over 1,500 kids to First Baptist Christian Academy, which only had 15 high schoolers in one hybrid-learning classroom, Matthew Mills attempted almost anything to irritate his teachers. Not willing to give up on him, the FBCA staff didn’t hold back tears, as he thanked them for their patience and mercy, in his speech at the school’s inaugural high school graduation.
“The academy’s been open for eight years, so this was a dream for eight years that this would one day happen, and here we are.”
KEVIN LAUTAR, former FBCA director
Before taking their honorary seats on stage, in front of dozens of family members and noble guests, Mills, and fellow senior, Robin Scott, strolled the academy’s halls for a last time, to the cheers and applauses of the school’s 400-plus students and faculty staff, at the old Bunnell courthouse.
“When we began the high school last year, we knew it wasn’t ideal,” said Kevin Lautar, FBCA’s former director. “But, Because of God’s faithfulness and providence, we were able to provide for them an excellent environment this year that exceeded all we could ask or dream.”
Both Mills and Scott joined the school as juniors, when the academy was still connected with the church. On being a pioneer graduate, Scott said, “I knew I was going to be one of the first, but it’s still surprising, and it feels great.” Scott is well-known for happy-go-lucky, free-spirit character that lights any room she enters.
"I never thought I'd be the first to do anything at FBCA, except get into trouble," Mills added, "but it's definitely an honor. Since we are the firsts, I guess the people will always remember us."
FBCA became an accredited school back in March, so both graduates—and future high school grads—leave with an accredited education.
“These first two graduates are an answer to prayer and the result of hard work and blood, sweat and tears by a lot of people,” Lautar said. “The academy’s been open for eight years, so this was a dream for eight years that this would one day happen, and here we are.”
