Baccalaureate

Congratulations Class of 2026! 

Avery McCree

Avery graduated from Airport High School ranked second in her class, with a 5.3 GPA. Along with excelling in her academics, Avery was Concertmaster of her school's Chamber Orchestra, and a part of many theatre productions, including Cinderella this past Spring. Avery was on the Varsity Tennis team for four years and was captain for the last two. She was also an active participant in many clubs, including Beta Club, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Drama Club, French Club, and Wing Mates, a new club in partnership with Special Olympics.

In the fall, she will be attending College of Charleston, and she plans to double major in Theatre and Computing in the Arts.

Laken Robinson

Laken graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Throughout her time at Furman, she remained deeply committed to leadership, service, advocacy, and community engagement both on campus and throughout Greenville.

Laken was actively involved in the Furman Band program, where she served on the executive committee, and she also held executive positions in Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity. Passionate about supporting and encouraging others, she worked as a campus tour guide, summer orientation leader, and peer mentor for 30 first-year students, helping new students find connection and community during their transition to college life.

Her academic and professional experiences reflected her passion for equity, education, healthcare, and social impact. Through her involvement with the Riley Institute in Education Leadership and Policy Making, Laken expanded her understanding of policy-informed advocacy and had the privilege of working alongside influential leaders, including former South Carolina governor Dick Riley. During her time working in the library, she also developed a strong appreciation for the importance of library sciences and equitable access to information as tools for advocacy and community care.

This fall, Laken will attend University of South Carolina to pursue her master’s degree in social work. She hopes to build a career in either medical or school social work, where she can continue serving and advocating for others through compassion, leadership, and meaningful community support.

Jon Simmons

Jon graduated in May 2025 from University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in history. He is currently coaching soccer at Brookland-Cayce High School.

Jon is a tremendous asset to Providence Presbyterian Church. He has been a faithful church member, always willing to help wherever needed. He has served as an elder, runs the livestream every Sunday, assists with communion setup, and is always available for church gatherings and events. This fall, he will begin serving as an elder for the second time.