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Academics
Class of 2025
The class of 2025 began the next chapter in their lives after their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2025. Their minds and hearts were full of memories from their time at Cypress Christian School.
The class of 2025 could not be more thankful for the teachers and coaches who have played pivotal roles in shaping them into the individuals they are today. The unwavering guidance and dedication of each coach and teacher, both in the classroom and on the playing field, has helped nurture the character of each of them. These people spent countless hours investing their time and knowledge into them, meticulously developing hard-working and God-fearing men and women. The students are profoundly thankful for the lessons taught to them, which they will one day share with others. Across all sports and subjects, they could not be more grateful for each coach and teacher. With every prayer, every good morning and every blessing, their lives have been forever impacted.
Most importantly, they are grateful to their parents for prioritizing a Christian environment that established in them a strong foundation of faith. They have immense gratitude for the steps their parents have taken to ensure they would leave high school with academics grounded in biblical values. Their parents helped guide them in the Lord’s ways through the ups and downs and stood by them as they contemplated their future and they couldn’t be more thankful.
Footprint Recipients
Students who attended CCS from kindergarten through their senior year were recognized for the footprints they have left on the hearts of those at CCS throughout their K-12 educational career. Those 29 students are: Sasha Farrington, Elyse Harkless, Emily Leamons, Violet Clement, Kacey Trieu, Avery Connelly, Kayla Barfoot (front row l-r), Kyle Leamons, Rowan Smith, Paige Petru, Adler Smith, Kennedy Schwartz, Carson Basham, Brooklyn Kyrish (second row l-r), Matthew Storey, Anya Hull, Warren Haudek, Grayson Petru, Marley Murray, Ryan Fisk, Julian Young, Amanda Taylor (third row l-r), Anna Fernandez, Tristan Fokken, Colton Beckman, Gray Layton, Ian Barrow, Sophia Wanic, Megan Smith (back row l-r).
Valedictorian & Salutatorian
Valedictorian: Audrey Fransen earned the distinguished honor of being named Valedictorian for achieving the highest grade point average in her class, and was awarded the Faculty Scholarship for Academic Excellence. Audrey will attend Texas A&M University in the fall. Her life verse is Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures evermore.
Salutatorian: Zachary Burns earned the title of Salutatorian for achieving the second highest grade point average among his peers. Zachary will attend Southern Methodist University this fall. His life verse is Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Spirit of Paul Scholarship
The Spirit of Paul Scholarship was established to encourage students to develop and display the driving spirit and perseverance of the Apostle Paul, who accomplished much for the early church. The recipient of this award has exhibited that same drive and perseverance. This CCS scholarship is funded by donations given to CCS in memory of loved ones. This year’s scholarship is given to Caleb Burgos. Caleb will attend Wheaton College in the fall. His life verse is Psalm 139:9-10 – If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.
Will Rhodes Athletic Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of CCS Student William David Rhodes. Each year there are two recipients: one male and one female. The recipients of this award are CCS students who make public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, who demonstrate Christ-like behavior to fellow students and athletes, and whose lives are living witnesses to others as they lead their teams and follow their coaches. This year’s recipients are Nicole Santos and Matthew Storey. Nicole will attend Baylor University this fall. Her life verse is Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Matthew will attend the Texas A&M University this fall. His life verse is Colossians 2:6-7 – Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Andrew Gladney ('05) Memorial Heart of Gold Scholarship
The Andrew Gladney Heart of Gold Memorial Scholarship was established to recognize a graduating senior who, much like the alum the scholarship memorializes, has a “Heart of Gold” – loving and accepting all, inside and outside the community of CCS. One who strives to do their very best; participates wholeheartedly in activities to reflect Christian character and sportsmanship; and diligently pursues and excels academically according to their ability. The recipient of this year’s award truly embodies and has continually and faithfully demonstrated each one of these character traits during their time here at CCS. This year, the Andrew Gladney Heart of Gold Memorial Scholarship is presented to Ryan Fisk. Ryan will attend the University of Southern California (USC) in the fall. His life verse is Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from Me, declares the Lord.
Linwood Brown Memorial Scholarship
Linwood Brown spent most of his adult life faithfully serving in the classroom teaching mathematics. Mr. Brown left a legacy of peace. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, Godliness with contentment is great gain. Therefore, it makes sense to award the Linwood Brown Scholarship to a student who exemplifies that same peace. This student was often observed helping her peers with difficult math problems and participating in class discussions with a quiet fortitude. Her compassion for others was reminiscent of one who knows the Lord. This year, the recipient of the Linwood Brown Scholarship is Paige Petru. Paige will attend Texas A&M University this fall. Her life verse is Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Faculty Scholarship for Academic Excellence
The Faculty Scholarship for Academic Excellence was founded to give the faculty of CCS the opportunity to recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding effort to achieve overall academic excellence.
The recipient of the Faculty Scholarship for 2025 is Audrey Fransen.
Fine Arts Scholarship
Cypress Christian School has a rich heritage of producing students who excel in the areas of music, art and drama. The Fine Arts Scholarship reflects an overall excellence in the arts. This year’s recipients are Micah Humphrey and Katie Schmitt. Micah will attend Sam Houston State University this fall. His life verse is 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Katie will attend Baylor University this fall. Her life verse is 1 Peter 5:6-7 – So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
Elizabeth Buck Memorial Scholarship
The Elizabeth Buck scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates high interest in the area of design and architecture. Elizabeth Buck was awarded a scholarship in 1948 to attend college in Massachusetts for interior design. She decided to follow her heart to marry a man she had known for her entire life and passed away right before their 64th anniversary. Throughout her life she was able to use her skill and knowledge to make each home a place of welcome and friendship. Her granddaughter is a teacher at Cypress Christian School and three of her great grandchildren are currently attending to learn more about making their decisions based on faith and family. The family of Elizabeth hope that through this scholarship her Christian character and love of family and friends will help others use their skill and knowledge to make homes and buildings a place of welcome. This year’s recipient is Jadie Weatherly. Jadie will attend Texas Tech University in the fall. Her life verse is Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Travis Chaffin Memorial Scholarship
Travis Chaffin was a student at Cypress Christian School who loved the Lord with all his heart, and he loved the sport of baseball. To his classmates and teammates, he was an encourager, a leader, a great athlete and a friend. To his teachers, Travis was a gifted student and someone who worked hard to achieve his very best. To everyone he came into contact with, Travis was a shining light for Christ. The scholarship is awarded to a student who shares in these attributes and that has the potential to make an impact on this world with their own Christian walk. This year, we honor Noel Hernandez who exemplifies these attributes. Noel will attend the University of St. Thomas this fall. His life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Tammy Otts Memorial Scholarship
The Tammy Otts Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Tammy Otts and the impact that she had on her many students and families during the 10 plus years that she taught at Cypress Christian School. Mrs. Otts had three children who graduated from CCS. Although we were saddened by her passing on June 14, 2022, we are delighted that she is now in the presence of God. The Tammy Otts Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who will be pursuing a degree in education. This year’s recipient is Hope Hotchkiss. Hope will attend Texas A&M University this fall. Her life verse is Habakkuk 3:19 – God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.
Rebecca (Becky) Obenland Memorial Scholarship
The Rebecca (Becky) Obenland Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Becky Obenland who loved our Lord Jesus Christ and loved teaching at Cypress Christian School for 25 years of her teaching career. She loved her colleagues and her students. The Lord took her home to Heaven on September 10, 2024. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who feels a call of God to become a Christian school teacher, a pastor or a missionary. The Rebecca (Becky) Obenland Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Caleb Burgos and Amy Niemeyer. Amy will attend Texas A&M University this fall. Her life verse is 1 John 4:11-12 – Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.
