NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 30, 2022) — On the evening of Monday, May 30, Valor College Prep will hold a graduation at the Ryman Auditorium for its first-ever senior class.
The graduating class is made up of a diverse group of 174 seniors who come from a variety of backgrounds and neighborhoods in Nashville. The founding senior class represent 12 countries from around the world and speak 10 different languages. Many overcome language barriers through hard work and commitment.
Over 85% of seniors will attend college at 46 unique schools across the globe. Collectively, Valor’s senior class was accepted to 140 schools across the country. 83% of those students will be staying in state, 17% heading out of state and 32% will be attending a private institution, 68% attending public. Wells Renkens earned the honor of valedictorian, Bennett Shaver as salutatorian. Renkens will attend the Honors College at Auburn University and Shaver will attend the University of Arkansas in fall of 2022.
Kundivy Dauda is one of the many of the seniors who started their educational journey with Valor in 5th grade in 2014. Eight years learning together created a bond between them.
“It has been a true honor to be a part of Valor’s inaugural graduating class! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people who have helped me undergo immense growth. I will look back on the memories we made fondly and am looking forward to applying the values I acquired to my future endeavors.”
Dauda will attend Vanderbilt University as a Chancellor’s Scholar in fall of 2022.
Founder & CEO Todd Dickson will give the keynote address to the graduates — “I cannot wait to see what you do with your one wild and precious life. I know you will achieve great things, and contribute important work to the world. But what will bring me the most joy, and I suspect will bring your families the most joy as well, is seeing how well you LOVE the world.”
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ABOUT VALOR COLLEGIATE ACADEMIES
Valor is a charter management organization (CMO) based in Nashville, Tennessee. We currently operate three public charter schools serving grades 5-12 with approximately 1,875 students. Our schools are among the highest performing academic schools in the State of Tennessee, and we currently have the longest charter waitlist in Nashville. Valor is committed to serving a socioeconomically diverse population that reflects the Nashville community at large. Approximately 60% of our scholars come from lower income backgrounds (as defined by qualification for free and reduced lunch). We have no racial majority within our richly racially diverse community of Hispanic/Latino, MENA (Middle Eastern North African), White, African American, and Asian scholars and families.
We envision a world where all children have equitable access to an education that prepares them to live inspired and purposeful lives. We strongly believe that engaging students – and the community that supports them – in comprehensive human development, including attending to their character development, is essential to their, and our collective success. Learn more at https://valorcollegiate.org.