Special to the Sun
“I felt lost at my former high school,” said Emerald Ravenstein, a junior at Canton Academy. Emerald wanted to be somewhere she could make a difference, and she found it in this, her first year at Canton Academy (CA). “I’ve made closer friends, worked on prom committee, and been a part of starting the Outreach Club. I tried out for cheerleader and made it, so now I’m practicing cheer and also joined the softball team.”
Chad Wages, also a junior, has had the same experience. “I like the small, family feeling at CA. I have had the chance to make a difference on the football and baseball teams over my last two and a half years as a Panther.”
Canton Academy runs approximately 330 students grades K-3 - 12 with art, music, computer, PE, library, and pee wee football, cheer, and basketball for lower school students; and computer, yearbook, art, bible, foreign language, soccer, softball, football, cheer, sporting clays, archery, track and field, baseball, basketball, golf, and tennis for upper grades (7-12). With all the things there are to be involved in on campus, there is always something to do.
A new position was added to the staff this year, director of admissions and alumni relations. While the position may be new, though, the person who holds the title is not. Jenny Wadford has been a CA mom and an upper school English teacher for seven years, and has always had a passion for students and helping them find their “place.”
“I never saw the value of a small school until I had children of my own,” said Wadford. “As a student, I was too shy in my big school to join a sport or try anything new in front of such a large audience. That was just the way it was for me, and I didn’t know there were other options out there. I met my husband Jay (CA Class of 1993), and when he talked about high school and being involved in every extracurricular activity and being friends with everyone, I knew that was the experience I wanted for my own children. Canton Academy has been exactly what we needed. This is where my heart for admissions lies – in showing any child there is something for him or her. There are better options than getting lost in the crowd.”
One doesn’t have to be new to CA to see its value, either. Having both parents graduate from CA, Betsy Pace has also been a CA student since first grade. Now 11 years later, her favorite parts of her school experience are her relationships with her teachers and coaches and the lessons she’s learned through sports – for her, cross country, basketball, track and field, and archery. “My teachers care about me as a person, and I feel like I can really talk to them,” Betsy said.
Enrollment is open now for prospective students. Interested families may contact Jenny Wadford at jwadford@cantonacademy.org or 601-859-5131, or visit the website www.CantonAcademy.org for information.
