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A last look back
By MICHELE MILLER © St. Petersburg Times, published May 9, 2001 One of the things Rachel Fry is going to miss after graduating as class valedictorian from Fellowship Baptist Academy in New Port Richey is seeing her basketball coach, Dick Burgess. That's who she named as her most inspirational person, and for good reason. "He's 73 years old going on 13," Rachel said. "He runs 5 miles a day. He's a great guy. He's like my grandpa. I love him." Rachel says she has enjoyed attending the small school that will see seven students graduate on May 21. But she's also looking forward to going on to Trinity College in New Port Richey and eventually landing a job as a school guidance counselor. "I'm definitely not in it for the money," said Rachel, who says she will consider working in the public school system. "But I think a lot of kids need that kind of help." Salutatorian Tracy Gordon has been at Fellowship Baptist since way back when. "It was a really small school when I started in the second grade," she said. "We only had seven students then. Now we have about 100 in grades K through 12." Tracy also is planning on a career in education. Since about seventh grade she has wanted to teach in elementary school. "I just have always loved kids," said Tracy, adding that she'll spend her summer working as a counselor at the New Port Richey Recreation Center. After that, it's off to Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville. "It'll be a little bit tough moving away from my family, but that's okay. I'm sure I'll be fine." For co-valedictorians Faith Livermore and Greg Van Bemden, one of the highlights of their years spent at Genesis Preparatory School in New Port Richey is having their athletic numbers -- 11 and 10, respectively -- retired. This year, Faith has been captain of the girls volleyball and basketball teams that won the Sunshine Christian Conference, and Greg has captained the boys basketball team that also won the Sunshine Christian Conference. "They've both been leaders both on and off the court," said coach Mark Beal, who has been working with both students for seven years. "I've never had to check up on their behavior or their grades. They've just been leaders." Besides sharing athletic and academic honors, the two will co-write their speech for the May 19 commencement exercise in which five students will graduate. Sharing the podium is not a problem at all, Greg said. "I think it'll be a little easier to speak with somebody up there with you." After that, Greg, like his grandfather before him, is off to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. "It's the best education you can get for engineering and you can serve your country at the same time," Greg said. Faith said she is looking forward to attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, but will always remember Genesis fondly. "It's been great," Faith said. "You really get to know everyone, it's like a family." "I'm really going to miss my friends," said salutatorian Jennifer Durling, who said she has known some of her classmates forever. Well, at least since she was 3 years old and attending the preschool program at the west campus. It's been a great year for Jennifer. Besides clinching salutatorian status, she also was named most valuable player on the volleyball team, voted senior class president and held the same office for the National Honor Society. "It's been nice being a senior," she said, noting the privileges. "They let you go out to lunch." While these next couple of weeks will be spent looking back over the years, Jennifer said she's ready for the future and heading to Florida State University in Tallahassee. "I'm looking forward to moving away," Jennifer said, "and independence." FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST ACADEMY:Valedictorian: Rachel Fry GPA: 3.6 Future plans: Trinity College in New Port Richey Ideal career: High school counselor Most inspirational person: My basketball coach, Dick Burgess, because he has proven that no matter what your age you can live life to the fullest. Favorite spot on campus: The kitchen Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Clubs and extracurricular activities: Basketball, volleyball Salutatorian:Tracy Gordan GPA: 3.5 Future plans: Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville Favorite spot on campus: break room Favorite book: Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkein Clubs and extracurricular activities: volleyball, basketball.
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