FCA High School Christian Athlete of the Year Ella Kate Sullivan with FCA’s Laura O’Dell and Runner up Framuel Diaz with FCA’s Duvall Young.
photo by Contributed
FCA Middle School Award Winner – Alijah Yancey from Hixson Middle School with FCA Representative Katie Mills.
photo by Contributed
Candidates for FCA High School and Middle School Christian Athlete of the Year with FCA Staff.
photo by Contributed
Silverdale Baptist Academy soccer player, Ella Kate Sullivan, was named the 2025 Chattanooga Area FCA Christian Athlete of the Year. This award was one of several announced at the ministry’s annual Day of Champions held at Ridgedale Baptist Church on Sunday, May 4th. Chattanooga FCA has presented the Area Christian Athlete of the Year Award every year since 1964. Sullivan receives the Gerald Sinkfield Memorial Scholarship which she plans to use at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. FCA Collegiate Director Laura O’Dell who covers SBA stated about Sullivan, “Ella Kate’s leadership allows classmates to examine and grow deeper in their faith.”
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy’s Framuel Diaz was the runner-up and will also receive some scholarship assistance. Diaz hails from the Dominican Republic and has distinguished himself on and off the basketball court for Hamilton Heights. He has not yet committed to college but has several opportunities to play basketball at the next level. About Framuel, FCA Representative Duvall Young stated, “Framuel is so humble and funny. Everyone around can see how much he loves the Lord”.
All seniors nominated by their schools for this award were:
Kaylee Vagts – Central High School Christian Wiechmann – Chattanooga Christian School Anna Chen – Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Jack Spann – Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts Carson Knecht – Grace Baptist Academy Framuel Diaz – Hamilton Heights Christian Academy Thomas Carter – Marion County High School Thomas Francescon – McCallie Cade Richardson– Ooltewah High School Aiden Mills – Red Bank High School Levi Love – Rhea County High School Avery Grant – Sale Creek High School Mia Smith – Sequatchie County High School Caleb Johnson – Sequoyah High School Ella Kate Sullivan – Silverdale Baptist Academy Landon Karr -Soddy Daisy Paris Tucker - Whitwell
Nine eighth graders were nominated for the Judy Fowler Middle School FCA Leader of the Year Award. Cora Stowe – Baylor Callie Wyatt – CSLA Lydia Deal – Dayton City Josiah Johnson-East Hamilton Alijah Yancey – Hixson Kennedy DeBord – Loftis Rhylon Hinton – Ooltewah Elijah Smith – Sale Creek Riley Williams – Soddy Daisy. Alijah Yancey was chosen as the winner and he received a full scholarship to FCA’s Competitors Camp this summer.
Other awards included the Gerry Stephens Influence Award presented annually to an outstanding volunteer who makes a significant difference through FCA. This year’s winner was Silverdale Baptist Church Mission’s Pastor, Gus Hernandez. Gus has been an amazing advocate for FCA for two decades helping FCA’s outreach in the inner city and throughout our region.. The Jim Sattler Leadership Award given annually to a coach who has made a significant impact through FCA was presented to Rhea Middle’s Nila Scoggins. Scoggins has served as the huddle coach for nearly 15 years. The FCA Church Partner of the Year was presented to Cumberland Fellowship – Pikeville Campus who routinely supports FCA huddle ministry and team ministry at Bledsoe County High and Middle School as well as supporting FCA throughout the Sequatchie Valley.