On Thursday, April 24, seventeen members of Athens Academy’s Class of 2025 were inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society in recognition of their commitment to superior scholastic achievement throughout Upper School. The fourteenth annual Cabaniss Lecture, which preceded the ceremony, was given by Jill Razor Wells, M.D., the fellowship and service director in ocular oncology at Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, and a member of Athens Academy’s Class of 1997.

As the secondary school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, The Cum Laude Society recognizes superior academic achievement and sound character. Congratulations to inductees Siena Avolio, Renee Cargill, Prince-Howard Currie, Maya Davis, Leo Gabara, Vibha Gowda, Lucy Hollingsworth, Read Johnson, Bailey McCurdy, John Maxwell McKillip, Kartik Menke, Yusra Rahman, Avery Roark, Marie Rutledge, Nina Rutledge, Rachel Wicker, and Joshua Xie.

These students represent some of Athens Academy’s best and brightest. They are leaders, athletes, artists, actors, volunteers, and more. This fall they will attend the University of Georgia, Harvard University, Georgia Tech, the University of Virginia, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, Samford University, and more.

“The presence of a Cum Laude chapter at a secondary school is an indication that superior scholastic achievement is honored,” said Head of School John Thorsen. “These students have worked very hard and are deserving of this recognition. They hold themselves to a high standard, and we appreciate their leadership throughout their time at Athens Academy.”

In 1988, Athens Academy became only the seventh school in Georgia to be chartered as a chapter of The Cum Laude Society. There are currently only eleven chapters in the state. An annual highlight at Athens Academy, the induction ceremony is preceded by a lecture on the lifetime pursuit of scholarship and integrity.

In April 2011, the Athens Academy Board of Trustees formally named the Cum Laude lecture The Cabaniss Lecture to honor Dr. Harvey Cabaniss, a longtime supporter and founding trustee. The first Cabaniss Lecture was held on April 27, 2011, where Dr. Cabaniss was recognized for his service to the school.