Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2023

Enjoy the Bio's of the Representatives of the Classes of 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018

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Daniel Barrett

Class of '93

Daniel has a degree in Biblical Studies and Youth Counseling from Columbia International University. He served as a Youth Pastor for twelve years in South Carolina before moving to Costa Rica as a missionary in 2009. He has aided in multiple church plants and is the founder and pastor of Horizon Church in Jaco, Costa Rica. In partnership with Horizon Church he has helped start a prenatal center, counseling center, christian school and multiple other missions both in Costa Rica and Senegal Africa. Horizon Church hosts multiple mission teams each year including the Grace Academy senior trip.

His greatest achievement is his marriage of twenty years to Sarah, and his three amazing sons who are all involved in the work in Costa Rica.

Tara Summers Lyles

Class of '98

After graduation, Tara attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education and her master’s degree as a Reading Specialist.


Tara and her husband, James, have two children, Chloe, who attends Bryan College and Ethan, a sophomore in high school. Tara proctors standardized testing, directs yearly mock trials, tutors, and teaches the 8th grade class in Classical Conversations of Chattanooga including Latin, Logic, and other core subjects. She has also trained other directors for Classical Conversations.


When Tara isn’t teaching, she is helping her husband, James, run a 580-acre farm in Ringgold, Georgia. They raise poultry, sell beef cattle, maintain hay pastures, and take care of honey bees. In 2015, James and Tara were chosen to represent the state of Georgia as the Farmer of the Year. They work closely with the National Resource Conservation to preserve natural resources around the area.

Tara enjoyed playing volleyball for Grace and continues to play her favorite sport weekly in Chattanooga as well as in occasional tournaments. Tara appreciates the many years at Grace

Baptist Academy, the wonderful teachers, the lifelong friendships, and the memories.

Drew Box

Class of '03

After graduating from Grace, Drew went on to double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.


In the spring of 2009 while attending a Grace baseball game of his little brother, Drew met his future wife, academy teacher Jessica Poppert. They were married less than a year later. They have 2 children - Emma (class of ‘22) and Maggie currently in 6th grade at Grace.

rew currently runs a successful electrical supply company in Cleveland, TN. When not at work, he is committed to continuing to make Grace a great place for all - by building sets for the spring musical where he mentors teenagers in construction techniques. He also spends time announcing for basketball and football games as the Golden Voice of the Golden Eagles and assists his wife with duties related to class sponsorship.

Diana Patrick Pimentel

Class of '08

Diana attended Grace from Kindergarten through her senior year, and then went on to Cedarville University where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, with minors in Bible and Spanish. Her love for the Spanish language and her desire to go to the mission field began during Spanish class at Grace. She served on various mission trips and internships before the Lord led her to full-time medical missions in the Dominican Republic.  It was there that she met her husband, Yensi. He was a teacher and pastor and they served together for many years there and began to raise their family. Diana pioneered a school nursing program at a bilingual school, worked with women at risk, spearheaded a teaching/support group for pregnant and nursing moms, and conducted medical outreaches in the villages.

In 2020, God used a series of circumstances to bring their family back to the States. She now serves alongside her husband as he is the Hispanic Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, and she also recently took a job as the Communications Specialist at the church. This way she can not only design all the print and online materials, but translate them as well so that both English and Spanish speaking members can understand them in their heart language. Both she and Yensi are passionate about building bridges across different cultures and are so grateful for this unique opportunity to reach people from so many different countries for Christ, while being surrounded by a community that has known them for years. Two of their three boys are attending Grace Academy now and it feels like being back home with family.

Lindsay Estes

Class of '13

Lindsey attended Grace Academy for all 12 years. After receiving her bachelor's degree from UTC, she quickly began her teaching career for Hamilton County Schools. Lindsey has been teaching at Ooltewah Elementary for the past 7 years. During her time at Ooltewah Elementary, she was nominated for teacher of the year and is currently going through the LEAD program for aspiring instructional coaches.

Lindsey says that, "my elementary teachers at Grace certainly fostered my love of learning and they are one reason why I am where I am today."

Savannah Barrow
Class of '18

Savannah attended Grace Baptist Academy from 2011-2018. During her time there, she was involved in the Spring Musical, Choir, Golden Voices, Varsity Cheerleading, Chick-fil-a Leader Academy, and Student Government.


Savannah attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education in 2022. Savannah is currently a teacher and team leader of sixth grade Language Arts at Lakeview Middle School in Catoosa County. She has also stayed involved with GBA by serving as an assistant director for the annual spring musical. Even after her final bow with GBA Fine Arts, Savannah has since been performing with groups like The Colonnade Players and Magic Lamp Entertainment.

Savannah will be continuing her education by beginning her Masters of Education program in 2024. Savannah has been extremely blessed by her experience at Grace, and is thankful for the teachers that helped her to become the educator and Christian that she is today.


Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2022

Enjoy the Bio's of the Representatives of the Classes of 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017

Update Alumni Info Here

Dr. Brent Campbell

Class of '92

The Lord has given Dr. Brent Campbell two desires: one for missions and one for medicine. He pursues one at Erlanger Hospital (Hixson) as a Family Practice Physician, where he has been providing primary care for his patients for 15 years. 


In pursuit of missions, Dr. Campbell and his family have traveled to 49 states over the past eight years sharing the message of the Gospel and Jesus's sacrificial love for all people by doing Vacation Missions. 

Brent is married to the former Jennifer Wilson, who is also an alum of Grace Academy Class of '93. They have two boys who are currently at GBA. Ethan is a Senior and Blaine is a Freshman. Brent says, “We daily seek the Lord for the path He would have us take, and we are grateful for His many blessings on our family.”

Dr. Steven Euler

Class of '97

Following his undergraduate work at MidAmerica Nazarene University, Dr. Steven Euler completed medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.


Following an Internal Medicine residency through the U.S. Air Force, and serving back time on active duty, he moved back to Memphis, TN where he currently lives. 

Dr. Euler is engaged in Emergency Room work in his local community hospital. In 2018 he helped start a healthcare company, RADAR EMS, LLC. (Rapid Assessment Decision and Redirection). The company partners with the City of Memphis and the Memphis Fire Department to supply medical providers who respond with their paramedics at the scene of low acuity 911 calls. By providing on scene medical provider assessments, they are able to help connect the majority of patients they see to more appropriate places of care instead of a local emergency room for their current medical concerns.

Montague Beau Hicks
Class of '02

After graduating from UTC with a BS in political science & business management, Montague (formerly known as 'Beau') , began his law enforcement career with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, later transitioning to the Chattanooga Police Department. 


During this time he was able to serve Chattanooga’s citizens and gain a deeper understanding of how public safety officers can have a positive role in helping our community thrive. 

His observations in the community were also instrumental in inspiring his wife’s work in serving single moms in college. 


While it is true that law enforcement officers experience tough and dangerous interactions with the public, Montague truly appreciated the opportunities his career afforded him by allowing connections with kids and families through Read Across America days and other positive community interactions. He will always be thankful for the friendships with his fellow officers and grateful to be able to act as a peacemaker and preserve community safety. 


In 2021, he transitioned from his law enforcement duties into serving people in another capacity. He currently owns and manages Allay Home Assistants, which serves primarily retired folks and busy professionals. Inspired by a dear neighbor who suffered a fall after attempting to take care of her own home management needs. Allay began as a way to help people in the Chattanooga area save time and avoid unnecessary risks by turning to a reliable, regular service provider that feels like family. 

 

Although he loves to serve his community, his favorite role will always be a loving father to his five amazing children and husband to his wonderful wife, Cara. 

 

He is grateful for the Christ centered education he received at Grace Academy, and the many teachers and coaches that helped shape his life. 

Laura O'Dell
Class of '07

After graduation, Laura attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters degree in School Leadership. 


Laura joined the staff of the Chattanooga area Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 2012, where she currently serves as the campus rep for 17 schools at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. 

Through FCA, Laura trains students to lead FCA huddles in their respective schools. She also leads team chapels and small group Bible studies for athletes and coaches. 

Bethany Cowart Reese
Class of '12

Bethany graduated from Grace in 2012 on the softball field after the school’s first TSSAA state championship. She then went on to play 4 years of Division I college softball at ETSU, majoring in exercise science. After finishing my Bachelor’s degree, Bethany was accepted into PT school at UTC and graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2019. 

Shortly after that, Bethany married the love of her life, Jeffrey Reese, a fellow alumni and former teacher at Grace Academy. Since PT school, Bethany has worked in outpatient orthopedics, serving the Northwest Georgia community. She was recently certified as an Orthopedic Specialist in Physical Therapy. 

 

Bethany and Jeff live in Chattanooga and are expecting their first baby in about 4 weeks. As a family, they have attended Grace since her return to Chattanooga for PT school. Bethany says that her walk with the Lord has grown with each passing year. That growth and closeness with God, she says, would not be possible without the foundation laid while attending Grace Academy.

Kayla Bibbs
Class of '17

Kayla attended Grace from Pre-K through her senior year. During her time at Grace, she was an active participant in athletics, clubs, Student Government, Homecoming Court and won the Principal’s Award her senior year. 


Kayla attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (GO VOLS!) where she majored in Food and Agricultural Business with a Law and Policy Concentration and minored in International Agriculture.

During her time at UT, she completed two internships, studied abroad twice, and worked on extensive research projects. After graduating from UT, Kayla moved to Nashville where she works at Cargill as a Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Supervisor. 


Kayla enjoys travel, spending time with family and friends and trying new restaurants!


Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2021

Honored Representatives of the Classes of 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016

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Jonathan & Michelle Hill Class of '91

Carrie Cooper Knecht Class of '96

Taylor Leigh Walker Class of '01

Michaela Estill Rychener Class of '06

Jessie Anne Compton

Class of '11

Erin Cooke

Class of '16


Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2020

Honored Representatives of the Classes of 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015

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Michael Salley
Class of '90

Chris Kellogg
Class of '95


Shane Frazier
Class of '00

Rebecca Beers
Class of '05

Colby Jacocks
Class of '10


Zach Dean
Class of '15


Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2019

Honored Representatives of the Classes of 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2018

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Amy Smith
Class of '89

Mandy Moore Long

Class of '94

Lt. Col. Peter Euler
Class of '99

Drew Daugherty
Class of '04

Jefferson Walker
Class of '09

Noah Alonge
Class of '14

Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2018

Honored Representatives of the Classes of 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013

Update Alumni Info Here

Jenn Wilson Campbell
Class of '93

Jeremey Wallace

Class of '98

Nathaniel Haston
Class of '03

Andrew Ward
Class of '03

Taylor Smith
Class of '08

Breanna Shepherd Harvey
Class of '13

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