ALUMNI

Sarah Gray

I attended CCS for 1st and 2nd grades, and then again for 6th and 7th. I graduated from SAIL High School in 2001 and from Flagler College with a degree in Elementary Education in 2007. I taught briefly at Maclay School and Christ Classical Academy before our oldest daughter was born, and hung up my teacher hat to stay home. During those years, I picked up my photography passion. In 2009, a friend from my college photography class was the first client to hire me to take photos of his wife expecting their first son. That was the start of my business, where I now photograph families throughout North Florida, events around Tallahassee, businesses for local publications, and many headshots and happenings of the Legislative Session at the Capitol with the House of Representatives.

Although I wasn't a CCS student for many cumulative years, they were formative and left deep tracks on my childhood and education. I attended with some peers who remain close friends today. As I tell everyone, "Once a part of the CCS family, always a part of the CCS family." In first and second grade, my CCS teachers laid the foundation for high standards of work and conduct. A contrast I recognized even as a young student when I transferred to a wonderful public elementary school. When I was "back" at CCS for middle school in 6th and 7th grades, the dynamics were different. The school had grown a bit, and there were two sections of each grade. I can clearly recall our middle school retreats and the unique experiences they were, allowing for conversations amongst peers that drew us deeper to Christ and to each other. Those were some of my earliest memories of recognition that my faith was MINE... not my parents, but my own to foster and steward. 

We now have our 4 children at CCS in grades K, 5th, 9th, and 11th. It's been a blessing to see them grow through academic challenges, high expectations, loving teachers, and nurturing staff who have come alongside us as we raise them to know God, love Him, and serve Him in whatever capacity He calls them. I have so much more I could say about our wonderful school and our experiences here over the 12 years we've been a part of this community, and I will gladly share when given the opportunity.