KNIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
Joshua Suddith - Class of 2026
Joshua became a Hills Academy Knight at the age of nine. He excelled through the middle school curriculum and officially entered high school at just 10 and a half years old. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who began his collegiate journey at the age of 15, Joshua set an ambitious goal—to enroll at Morehouse College before reaching that milestone.
Thanks to Hills Academy’s customized learning approach and its commitment to nurturing students’ passions and personal growth, Joshua was empowered to pursue his aspirations with confidence and purpose.
Through dedication and perseverance, he accomplished his remarkable goal by being accepted into Morehouse College at the age of 13. To date, Joshua has received acceptances from 27 colleges and currently maintains an impressive GPA of 4.082.
Courtney Powell- Middle School Valedictorian, Class of 2024
Courtney attended Hills Academy throughout his entire middle school career, where he consistently maintained a 4.0 GPA. Alongside his academic excellence, he was actively involved in extracurricular activities, including competitive travel soccer, music, Reading Bowl, and Academic Bowl competitions.
During his 7th and 8th grade years, Courtney served as captain of Hills Academy’s Reading Bowl team, leading them to a first-place victory in the district competition. He graduated as the 8th grade valedictorian, demonstrating both academic strength and leadership.
Courtney was accepted into the prestigious Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology. In just his freshman year, he has already been recognized as Student of the Month three times and currently holds an impressive GPA of 4.93.
Israel Palencia – Valedictorian, Class of 2023
During Israel’s time as a Hills Academy Knight, he distinguished himself as a dedicated student leader, serving as both Student Government President and President of Interact Act, our school’s service club.
n addition to his leadership roles, Israel challenged himself academically by enrolling in dual enrollment courses. He was widely recognized by his peers as a role model who exemplified the core values of Hills Academy. His consistent demonstration of character and leadership led to his election to multiple representative positions throughout his academic journey.
Israel now attends William & Mary in Virginia, where he is pursuing a career in business.
Joshua Suddith has been recognized by numerous media outlets for his outstanding academic achievements and exceptional educational journey.