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Spotlight On: Thomas Blevins, CCES Class of 2023

Kim Gendron, Social Media Coordinator

Christ Church Episcopal School experiences have prepared graduating seniors for whatever comes next and to make a positive difference in the world. Each week, we put the spotlight on a graduating senior from the Class of 2023. We hope you have enjoyed getting to know these amazing CCES students!
 
Thomas Blevins ’23 has always felt a calling to serve in the military one day. He grew up surrounded by individuals who were serving or had served, including his dad. When it came time for the college process, Thomas applied to The Citadel, Clemson, VMI (Virginia Military Institute), and USC, but always had his heart set on West Point, his dad’s alma mater. Once he was accepted, the decision was easy. Thomas plans to pursue either Defense and Strategic Studies or Law and Legal Studies.
 
Once Thomas commits to something, he does not waver. He is a 13-year veteran of CCES, having attending the school since Primer. He started playing football at CCES in 7th grade and played every season since. He has completed eight Advanced Placement courses and has refused to let schedule conflicts get in the way of his pursuit of interesting subject matters. When he couldn’t get AP Computer Science to fit into his sophomore year, he opted to take a course through GOA (Global Online Academy) instead. Thomas lists his favorite AP’s as AP European History, AP Physics, and AP Psychology, demonstrating his commitment to engaging in a wide range of topics in his studies.
 
Thomas describes his experience at CCES as “a good challenge,” and one that has “given me the tools to succeed.” During his four years of high school, Thomas has filled his time with a variety of extracurricular activities – from football and wrestling to drum lessons with the legendary Paul Riddle; participating in YIG (Youth in Government) and serving as a Student Ambassador to a steadfast commitment to outside volunteer work. Through all of his endeavors, there is a common theme of diligence and responsibility.
 
Between the AP classes, the athletic practices and games, the drum lessons, and the volunteering, Thomas was still able to make time for fun in his free time. Some of his favorite memories at CCES include all the various Homecoming and Homegoing events, during which students gather on campus each evening for talent shows, dodgeball tournaments, and cheering on the Cavalier football and basketball teams, to name a few. Speaking of football, Thomas was a part of the State Championship team that won in the fall, another cherished memory.
 
Teachers who have had Thomas in class agree that above all, he is an extremely hard worker. Thomas has elected time and time again to take rigorous curriculums and is committed to doing whatever it takes to exceed all expectations. Thomas’s teachers describe him as thoughtful and engaged, praising his ability to take initiative in his learning process and his willingness to incorporate any given feedback.
 
“Thomas always embodies what it means to be a productive citizen,” says Bartley Sides, Associate Director of College Counseling. Thomas is level-headed and mature, “with care for others as the core of everything he pursues.”
 
As Thomas heads off to West Point, to fulfill a dream and a duty he has felt for a long time, Sides believes Thomas will be “wildly successful” in any and all of his future pursuits. This country is blessed to have someone like Thomas dedicating himself to serving because when Thomas commits to something, he gives it everything he has.
 
Just for fun!
Name something the world could use a lot more of. I think the world could use more understanding of each other, and being willing to sit down with people who share different beliefs than them.
Top 3 bucket list destinations? Hawaii, Europe, and Japan.
If you could create a mandatory class for seniors, what would it be? A practical skills class that would focus on the aspects of adult life that we will experience once we are off to and graduate college.
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Christ Church Episcopal School (“CCES”) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at CCES. CCES does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, scholarship or other programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs and activities.