Five Oaks Christian Academy Class of 2003 consists of three, and they liked it.
By JAN WESNER CHILDS
Published June 6, 2003
PINELLAS PARK - Having a senior class of just three students has its good points and bad, say members of the Five Oaks Christian Academy class of 2003.
"It looks good on your transcript - you graduated in the top three," joked Travis Pearce, 17, just before he walked down the aisle of Good Samaritan Church on Thursday night to collect his diploma.
On the other hand, fellow graduate Tiffany Stephen pointed out, "You don't get prom and all that."
Stephen got something else from the school - her diploma at age 15.
She finished more than five years of coursework in three years, a feat called "phenomenal" by the Rev. Kent Austin, the school's head administrator. Stephen said she didn't set out to graduate early, but realized last year that it was possible.
She joined Pearce and Cory Ellingham, the third member of the class, at the graduation ceremony in front of about 60 friends, teachers and relatives. Five Oaks is a small Christian school on 66th Street North, where students study at their own pace and much of the support work, including cleaning the bathrooms, is done by parent volunteers.
"I can tell every one of you parents, you love your kids, day and night, and I thank you," Austin said during the ceremony, choking back tears.
The three graduates all have different ideas for what they will do next. Pearce is considering the Marine Corps, Ellingham is undecided between the military and college and Stephen will attend St. Petersburg College and hopes to become a doctor.
"I want to hurry up and get an education and start my life," said Stephen.
That will have to wait at least a few years - she's not allowed to leave home until she's 17.
