Each spring, we ask our seniors a few questions about their experience at Wheaton Academy. This is what students from the Class of 2026 had to say.
Caleb Knapp
“Two years ago, I transferred to Wheaton Academy and walked through the school’s doors for the first time. As a graduate, I am leaving here as a changed person because I found my identity in Christ. Because of Wheaton Academy, I can move on to college with a higher confidence in my calling as a student, leader, servant, and most importantly, man of God.”
Caleb transferred to Wheaton Academy as a junior and found his footing quickly, joining the Worship Team, Pit Orchestra, and a Winterim missions trip to Kenya. He will be attending Baylor University in the fall.
Eden Smith
“Wheaton Academy taught me that faith isn’t just something you talk about, it’s something you live. This lifestyle is so clearly reflected by the people I interact with at school.
I have especially loved being involved in Fine Arts over the past 4 years. From orchestra concerts, to chamber groups, to instrumental tours, I love this community of fellow musicians and the way we are taught to play to the Glory of God. In the Fine Arts department, the teachers have poured into me, prayed for me, and care deeply about me a person beyond my musicianship. What a gift it is to join with creation’s wide anthem of praise for our Creator.”
Eden is involved in multiple choral and instrumental ensembles. Off the stage, she served as an Inclusion Peer Teaching Assistant, supporting students with learning differences. She also writes for The Warrior, leads on the Worship Team, and served on multiple Winterim missions trips. She plans to study Social Work and Spanish at Taylor University.
Forrest Schauer
“The relationships I formed during my time at Wheaton Academy were the most memorable and impactful aspect of my high school experience. I was blessed to be part of a deeply kind community of students and teachers who cared about my personal growth and constantly pointed me towards Christ’s love.“
A National Merit Finalist, Forrest competes in Robotics and Quiz Bowl. He also performs as a saxophonist in the Pit Orchestra and Jazz Band.
Sarah Pyykkonen
“Through traveling on a mission trip to Nicaragua, serving on the Project LEAD Spiritual Life Team, and even preaching a sermon in chapel, Wheaton Academy offered me many opportunities to declare my faith, strengthening my personal walk with Christ, and encourage the people around me.”
Sarah is a member of the Academy by Design cohort where she helped to create the WA Zoo, now home to our Animal Behavior classes. A multi-sport athlete, she competes on the Varsity Tennis team and in Track and Field. She plans to study Illustration at Biola University.
Min Min DiGiacoma
“Wheaton Academy doesn’t force spiritual growth. Instead, this community nurtures spiritual growth through the teachers, community, chapel, and Bible classes. My faith has grown through structured events like Spiritual Life Week and worship nights in the White Chapel. Mainly though, it has grown through the long-lasting friendships I have made. My friends and I have had deep conversations about our faith and what it means to die-to-self daily and place Christ on the throne of our lives.”
A National Merit Finalist, Min Min competes on the Math Team and Robotics team and sings in Choir. She also serves on evangelism teams engaging in local outreach and international missions. She plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Taylor University.
Ben Anliker
“At Wheaton Academy I learned that my faith is not simply one facet of my complex life. A relationship with Jesus Christ is everything. Every part of my life must be seen in light of Him. Sports are no longer independent of God; victory, defeat, and redemption in athletics parallels a life of trials as a follower of Christ. Music is no longer independent of God; the beautiful sounds we create illuminate the overwhelming love of our Creator and can minister to those who most desperately need it.”
Ben is the co-founder and editor of The Warrior, Wheaton Academy’s student magazine. Ben competes as an athlete on the Wrestling team and contributes to our music program, performing in the orchestra, a cappella choir, and as a leader on our Worship Team. Ben will attend Northwestern University.
Annika Vandervelde
“Girls Soccer has been the most amazing experience for me here. I was given the opportunity to be on varsity all 4 years and I’m extremely grateful. The program emphasizes what it means to be a Christian athlete, working hard and doing everything for the Lord both on and off the field. We call ourselves a sisterhood. I’ve been able to grow not only in my skill as an athlete but in my faith and I truly see how God has been working on the team for the past four years.”
Annika has been a four-year member of the Varsity Girls Soccer team and will continue her athletic career playing Soccer at Wheaton College. She also served as a Teaching Assistant in the front office, contributing to the daily life of the school community.
Inspired by these seniors? Help us extend Wheaton Academy's mission through the Warrior Fund.
Because tuition only covers a portion of the cost of a Wheaton Academy student’s experience, your gift to the Warrior Fund is vital! Your generosity sustains expansive and transformative opportunities ranging from the classroom to the stage and the athletic field, so that we are able to remain fully committed to educating the whole person—heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27).
Luke Brock
“It wasn’t even in my plan to come to Wheaton Academy, but God had a different plan for me. Being immersed into the community and performing arts at Wheaton Academy has changed my life, teaching me not to use the gifts that God gave me for my own glory, but to glorify him.
Being a part of Wheaton Academy Theatre has completely changed my perspective on the art form. When I came to Wheaton Academy, I specifically wanted to immerse myself in musical theatre, but with the encouragement of Mrs. Burick and Mr. Visker, I became involved in several other performing arts groups, including improv, choir, and a cappella. I fell in love with honing my craft, and because of their support, I plan to pursue a future in the arts.”
Luke has been involved in the performing arts program across all four years at Wheaton Academy, participating in a cappella choir, Furnace Improv, and four spring musicals, including this year’s production of Les Misérables, where he played the lead role of Jean Valjean. He was nominated for the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award for Best Performer in an Actor Role, one of only 12 male nominees drawn from 94 participating schools. He will be attending Penn State.
Alisha Haywood
“Wheaton Academy rocket-launched my knowledge of the Bible and my faith about who God is. As a freshman, I was new to a personal relationship with the Lord. Now as a senior, I desire to participate in as many Bible-related courses possible.
Wheaton Academy helped reveal the path God had for me and encouraged me to engage with the Lord in all that I do. Attending Wheaton Academy also gave me an outlet to openly worship in school, an opportunity I never thought I would have.”
Alisha has performed in three spring musicals and has been an active member of the instrumental program through Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band. She will be attending The University of Texas at Arlington.
Jackson From
“At Wheaton Academy, we are encouraged to orient our lives towards the Lord, but not by force, guilt, or pressure. It is a great way to set us up for a good life direction, and ultimately it teaches us to be serious about our faith. My time playing for the Baseball program here has been especially memorable and is one of my favorite parts of high school. Every coach cares greatly about winning and about performance, but even more so they deeply care about the men we are growing into.“
A multi-sport athlete, Jackson plays Football and Baseball at Wheaton Academy, and this spring set the school’s all-time career RBI record. As a senior, he enrolled in our Expository Preaching course and delivered a chapel message to the student body. He signed to play baseball at Grove City College.
Anna Dominguez
“The most formative and thought-provoking class I have taken was Topics in Science and Biblical Truth with Dr. Regan. This class taught me to think deeply and compassionately about different perspectives in the spheres of Philosophy and STEM, both of which I am looking to pursue in my future life. Through the dissection of Plato, Descartes, C.S. Lewis, Hume, and various contemporaries alongside the Bible, we discussed the topics of Ontology and Epistemology through an academic, scientific, and Biblical view.”
On campus, Anna organizes regular student prayer meetings and serves as a Peer Teaching Assistant, supporting students with diverse learning needs. She plans to study Biochemistry and English Literature at Wheaton College.
Leah Clark
“I decided to try Production Crew during the second semester of freshman year. After experiencing the small, yet inviting community, I decided to stay. This Crew become a core part of my experience here at Wheaton Academy. I have made so many friends through helping with musicals and chapels. From Mr. Jones, I have learned how to direct others in an understanding and compassionate way, without having the meaning of my words getting lost. He has helped to shape me into not only a tech powerhouse, but a kind and God-centered leader.“
Leah has been involved in Mock Trial, Business and Innovation Club, Choir, and Theatre. At the heart of her Wheaton Academy experience, though, is Production Crew, where she supports the technical production of chapels and performances.
Elliot Poland
“The Wheaton Academy mission is not just words—it is a reality. I am consistently amazed at the level of excellence achieved under teachers and coaches, the depth and variety of relationships between classmates and with faculty, and the servant-hearted attitude of so many of the members of the school. For a normal high school, one or two of these attributes might be present; at Wheaton Academy, all three are flourishing. But the foundation that firmly holds them all together is the most beautiful part. Our foundation is to do everything to glorify and worship the Lord.”
A National Merit Finalist, Elliot competes on the two-time state championship-winning Math Team, plays Varsity Tennis and Golf, and participates in multiple instrumental ensembles.
Nathan Owens
“As a transfer student my Sophomore year, I came in not knowing anything or anyone at Wheaton Academy. Immediately after transferring, students and teachers welcomed me into the community and pushed me to grow not only academically, but through co-curriculars as well. This welcoming and Christ-centered culture at Wheaton Academy is a direct reflection of the school’s mission to nurture growth in students.“
Nathan transferred to Wheaton Academy as a sophomore and has since competed on the Varsity Boys Volleyball team, led on the Worship Team, performed in the Percussion Ensemble, and acted in this year’s production of Les Misérables.
Kate Ollila
“Looking back at my first day as a freshman, I lacked the confidence to step out of my comfort zone, and to lean on God in any given circumstance. Since then, I’ve grown into someone more confident in my identity and my faith. I’ve developed a deeper and more personal relationship with Christ. I would tell my freshman self not to be afraid to step out of my comfort zone and to trust the process of growth. I’d remind myself that it’s ok to not have everything figured out right away. Challenges are a big part of becoming stronger in both my faith and character. Most importantly, I would encourage myself to stay grounded in Christ, because with that firm foundation I will be guided in every area of my life.“
Kate has been deeply involved in the Fine Arts program, performing in Orchestra, multiple choral ensembles, and in four years of spring musicals, including this year’s production of Les Misérables, where she played Eponine. She also leads on the Worship Team. She plans to study Business at Wheaton College.
Cari Techter
“As a freshman, I experienced growth through observing the upperclassmen. I noticed immediately how genuinely welcoming they were to me, not treating me any differently even though I was fresh and new. They were also very open about their beliefs, not straying away from what God’s done in their life. Now, as a senior, I try to mimic their example as best I can through kindness and respect, trying to convey the same messages shared from the kids before me to the kids after me.”
Cari has performed in the spring musical, Furnace Improv, Percussion Ensemble, and Pep Band. She also enrolled in the the Expository Preaching course and delivered a message in chapel.
Anna Treier
“Every teacher I have had at Wheaton Academy has challenged me to grow in different ways. Whether it is through wisdom shared during class, block day devotionals, or conversations in the hallways, the faculty and staff at Wheaton Academy are incredibly caring and intentional about discipling students. I am especially grateful for the opportunity I had to travel to Scotland for Winterim my junior year. Sharing the gospel on a street corner in Edinburgh stretched me and helped me learn to articulate my testimony. I am so grateful to the teachers and fellow students on that trip who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and share my faith with others because it was a very formative experience.”
Anna is involved in Quiz Bowl and chamber music ensembles. She uses her illustration skills to create artwork for our annual Spiritual Life Week. She will be attending Baylor University in the fall as a Getterman Scholar, a prestigious merit award covering full tuition, room and board, books, and study abroad.
Special thanks to Ian Ji ’26 for capturing all of the student portraits featured on this page.