by Shabaaka Smalls
As the 2025–2026 school year comes to a close, the Georgia Charter Schools Association is proud to continue our tradition of celebrating exceptional seniors from public charter schools across the state. Each year, GCSA invites school leaders, teachers, and members of the charter school community to nominate graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, service, perseverance, and a commitment to their future.
This year’s honorees represent the many ways Georgia’s public charter schools help students discover their strengths, pursue ambitious goals, and prepare for life after graduation.
From future college students and valedictorians to student-athletes, club leaders, writers, volunteers, and community-minded scholars, these seniors reflect the promise of Georgia’s charter school Class of 2026.
Meet the students GCSA is proud to recognize this year!
Lily Padanilam
Atlanta Classical Academy
Lily Padanilam is an intellectually curious student who leads with quiet confidence, creativity, and initiative. She is known for her dedication to learning, her love of literature and poetry, and her ability to pursue her interests with focus and independence.
Outside the classroom, Lily practices fencing four days a week while remaining active in school clubs. She also founded Atlanta Classical Academy’s Culture Club, creating opportunities for students to learn about and celebrate cultures through food and events.
Lily will study classics at Cornell University. Her charter school experience challenged her through great texts while giving her the flexibility to pursue Spanish and Latin throughout high school.
Tyler B. Hayes
Baconton Community Charter School
Tyler B. Hayes is the valedictorian of Baconton Community Charter School’s Class of 2026. He is being recognized for his academic excellence, leadership, strong character, and positive example.
Tyler is described as respectful, intelligent, hardworking, and committed to giving his best effort in everything he does. Through his integrity, work ethic, and involvement in athletics, he has served as a role model for both his peers and younger students.
After graduation, Tyler plans to attend the University of Georgia, where he will major in business and minor in marketing. His charter school experience exposed him to rigorous academics, a diverse student population, athletics, and valuable life lessons.
Talisa Loud
Georgia Cyber Academy
Talisa Loud is the valedictorian of Georgia Cyber Academy’s Class of 2026 and a high-achieving student who made the most of the opportunities available to her. During high school, she successfully completed 38 college courses through dual enrollment.
Talisa also served as FBLA president for the 2025–2026 school year, participated in Middle Georgia State University’s Emerging Leaders/Leadership Academy, and holds the title of Miss Albany Teen 2026.
After graduation, Talisa plans to attend a four-year university and study information technology. Georgia Cyber Academy’s online model gave her the flexibility to pursue dual enrollment at Albany Technical College and Middle Georgia State University while working toward her many goals.
Alyse King
Atlanta Classical Academy
Alyse King is being recognized for her confidence, intelligence, purpose, and excellence across many areas of school life. She has distinguished herself as a student, volleyball player, pianist, debater, and writer.
At Atlanta Classical Academy, Alyse found confidence through major writing projects, including the school’s Western Civilization paper and senior thesis. She also won her grade level in the Laws of Life essay competition, writing about Aesop’s advice: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is wasted.”
Alyse plans to study psychology at Spelman College. Her school community helped her grow as a thinker and writer while developing the confidence to take on challenging academic work.
Kayden Collins
Pataula Charter Academy
Kayden Collins is being recognized for the respect, determination, and strong work ethic they bring to her school community. Described as hardworking and determined, Kayden represents the qualities educators hope to see in their students.
“I honestly never imagined earning such an accomplishment, but to me being valedictorian means more to me than just having the highest GPA. It represents years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. It’s an honor to represent my class, and I’m proud of the growth and dedication that got me here,” Collins remarked to Early County News.
After graduation, Kayden plans to attend University of Georgia. Her experience at Pataula Charter Academy helped push them to work harder, achieve more, and prepare for the next step in their journey.
Michael Siggers
Statesboro STEAM Academy
Michael Siggers is being recognized for his perseverance, growth, and historic academic achievement. After facing social and behavioral challenges earlier in his education, Michael came to Statesboro STEAM Academy at the end of fifth grade and began to thrive.
Through hard work, strong relationships, and a supportive school environment, Michael became the school’s first Black male valedictorian.
Michael plans to attend Georgia Southern University after graduation. His journey reflects the powerful impact that the right school environment can have on a student’s confidence, growth, and future success.
Matison “Mattie” Shiver
Baconton Community Charter School
Matison “Mattie” Shiver is the salutatorian of Baconton Community Charter School’s Class of 2026. She is being recognized as a dedicated scholar, accomplished athlete, young woman of faith, and positive role model for her peers and younger students.
Mattie’s charter school experience helped her build meaningful relationships in a close-knit, family-oriented environment. She also helped establish Baconton Community Charter School’s first Girls Varsity Soccer team and the SERVE Georgia program.
Mattie plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in exercise and sports science, with hopes of pursuing a career in pediatric orthopedics.
Henry Holley
Pataula Charter Academy
Henry Holley is an honor graduate whose accomplishments span academics, athletics, leadership, and service. He participated in dual enrollment through Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College while also staying active in baseball, football, FFA, FCA, Beta Club, and school ambassador work.
Henry has also served his community through hurricane relief efforts, food drives, Operation Christmas Child, Veterans Day programming, school tours, Field Day, Fall Festival, and Grandparents’ Day. On the baseball field, he earned multiple honors, including All-Region recognition, Defensive Player of the Year, and the Coaches Award.
Henry plans to attend Georgia Southern University and major in finance. His time at Pataula Charter Academy helped shape his discipline, responsibility, and work ethic through a school culture rooted in high expectations.
GCSA congratulates each of these outstanding seniors and celebrates the families, educators, and school communities that helped support them along the way. Their stories are a reminder of the promise of Georgia’s public charter schools and the bright futures being built in classrooms across the state.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Shabaaka Smalls
