May 19, 2023
Prince Names Top Award Recipients for the Class of 2023
Prince Avenue Prince Avenue Christian School has named the top award recipients of the Class of 2023.
The 2023 Valedictorian is Wade David. Wade is the son of Ashlie and Clark David and has attended Prince Avenue Christian School for 13 years. Wade is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and Interact Club. He was awarded STAR Student and the Georgia Certificate of Merit by the University of Georgia. Wade was recognized as a Wolverine Academian for having one of the three highest grade point averages in his class during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He was a Governor’s Honors Program semifinalist in biology and has participated in the University of Georgia Young Dawgs research internship where he studied mutations in zebrafish that caused hyperactivity in the brain.
In addition, Wade was the PACS Student Government Association junior class vice president and is a member of the Varsity Academic Team where he was recognized as Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. He is also a member of the varsity cross-country team and has competed in the state cross-country meet. Wade attends Redeemer Presbyterian Church and volunteers at Prince Avenue Baptist Church’s summer camp for children.
Wade plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology to study chemical and biomolecular engineering.
The 2023 Salutatorian is Cooper Capps. Cooper is the son of Whitney and Chad Capps and has attended Prince Avenue Christian School for five years. Cooper is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Thespian Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He was awarded STAR Student and the Georgia Certificate of Merit by the University of Georgia. Cooper was recognized as a Wolverine Academian for having one of the top three grade point averages in his class for all his high school career.
In addition, Cooper is active in fine arts at Prince Avenue having performed in the cast of eight high school productions as well as placed in region and state GHSA literary competitions. He is the co-captain of the student-led improvisation group at Prince, is a member of the Prince Praise Band, and leads the high school Men’s Bible Study.
Cooper is a member of Crosspointe Baptist Church where he is on the praise team and is a camp counselor. He also volunteers at Operation Christmas Child and The Oaks Senior Adult Living Facility.
Cooper plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and major in electrical engineering.
Claire Gann received the 2023 Prince Epistle Award given to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, best represents what Prince values more than anything else – a Christ-like spirit that manifests itself in a desire to grow in the Lord and serve others for the glory of God.
Claire is the daughter of Elizabeth and Parker Gann and has attended Prince for three years. Claire is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Interact Club (president), Tri-M Music Honor Society (vice president), Thespian Society. She has been a Wolverine Academian for having one of the top three grade point averages in her class in her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Clair is also the recipient of the DAR Good Citizenship Award,
Claire has been active in Fine Arts at Prince having performed in six productions and received multiple accolades including the Candy Todd Best Actress Award and the Shuler Hensley Best Leading Actress Honorable Mention. She is a member of the PACS Praise Band and leads Girls’ Bible Study. Claire attends Prince Avenue Baptist Church and is involved in student ministry, worship ministry, and community outreach.
Prince Director of Campus Life Nick Wilbur explains that it is abundantly clear that Claire embodies the Biblical “fruit of the spirit” listed in Galatians 5:22-23. “Claire exemplifies humility and Christlikeness and is exactly the type of person we look for when considering the Epistle Award.”
Claire plans to attend Samford University and major in nursing or human development and family sciences.