OGE OKOYE AMAKA

Tfs Class Of 2010

When Oge Okoye Amaka and her parents drove from Fayetteville, Georgia to visit the TFS campus in 2006, she “immediately fell in love.” That fall, Amaka moved into the dorms and started her freshman year at TFS. Without skipping a beat, she began to work hard on her academics. “I stayed focused on my grades and I ended up graduating as valedictorian,” said Amaka. She was also STAR Student in 2010 and chose Cyndy Campbell as her STAR teacher. “She was one of those kids that was a true blessing to teach and coach,” said Campbell.

Amaka was also a well-rounded athlete. She played volleyball, basketball and track. “I did a little bit of everything,” she said. Amaka left a lasting impression on her coaches. “In everything she did, she represented herself, her family and TFS with utmost integrity and persistence,” said Athletic Director and coach Scott Neal. “She earned respect and admiration from peers, staff and coaches because of her unwavering commitment.”

After high school, Amaka completed her bachelor’s and PharmD degrees at the University of Georgia before moving to Houston, Texas to complete her pharmacy residency training at Harris Health System in pharmacy leadership and administration.

“My high school education has played a big role in my life because there was an avenue to do a lot of different things, but TFS also provided a lot of structure and they wouldn’t let me fail,” she said. This helped Amaka learn to stay balanced.

Academic Dean Kim Popham had a significant impact on her life. The fact that “she never wavered” spoke volumes to Amaka.

Along with learning balance, Amaka’s time at TFS taught her discipline. “I found that I easily transitioned to college because I had that discipline of study and focus,” she said.

In 2020, she added a Master of Pharmacy Leadership and Administration from the University of Houston to her impressive academic portfolio. She now serves as the Pharmacy Operations Manager with Harris Health System.

She married in 2016, and she and her husband have three girls ages five, two and eight months. “As a mom, there are so many people that depend on me,” said Amaka. “My kids are the biggest motivating factor for me to do my best at work. They help me to stay grounded, to stay true to myself.”

Amaka is most thankful for the relationships that she built during her time at TFS. She remains connected to her classmates. “Whenever we see each other, it is like no time has passed,” said Amaka. “They make me laugh and help keep me grounded.”

2023 Tfs Student Ambassadors

Agroup of 70 students participate in the student ambassadors program as representatives of the upper school student body for the 2022-23 school year. These students serve as role models for their peers and project a positive image of the school on and off campus.

Ambassadors are nominated by the faculty and staff based on leadership, academic performance, participation in athletics, extracurricular activities, and involvement in their communities.

The student ambassadors attended a dinner with President and Head of School Larry Peevy at the Hush Restaurant in Clayton, Georgia on January 20. There, they shared time with fellow ambassadors and talked with Dr. Peevy. “Dr. Peevy values fellowship with students and aims to create connections,” said senior ambassador Mei Hui de Velasco. “The program truly fosters opportunities to grow interpersonal relationships with peers and mentors.”

Seniors: Bralen Allen, Nana Amankwah, Walker Bailey, Sandra Badia Cester, Stasa Beratovic, Canon Brooks, Simeon Conjagic, Mei Hui de Velasco, Anfernee Hanna, Cassidy Hayes, Christy Hulsey, Sarah Jennings, Isabella Jones, Chloe Kahwach, Hannah Lundy, Meredith Morris, Benjamin Okoronkwo, Keelie Parks, Madisyn Ramey, Seungwook (Daniel) Shin, Linda Wang, Florence Jue Wang, Henrry Xiong, Sarah Zhang

Juniors: Anna Reese Akers, Austin Ball, Jenna Chesser, Eli Damron, Nnamdi Ezuni, Lawson Fulbright, Brooke Hayes, Jane Ibemere, Annabelle Jackson, Angelina Kim, Claire Kelly, Addy McCoy, Joseph McGahee, Molly Mitchell, Dani Prince, Henry Rickman, Julianne Shirley, Sivheng (Susie) Sun, Caden Walker, Jake Wehrstein, Ashlyn Yaskiewicz, Skylyn Yaskiewicz

Sophomores: Ade Akisanya, Emma Barron, Timothy Beck, Cole Borchers, Josie Chesser, Jackson Cording, TJ Cox, Madison Dampier, Jovana Dermanovic, Reagan Duncan, Haygen James, Clay Kafsky, Madeline Martin, Jacob Mitchell, KC Respress, Caroline Smith, Victoria VerBerkmoes, Danny Vigille-Grant, Lizzy Wanner

Freshman: Dylan Brooks, Kate Gary, Carsyn Griffis, Kaylin Pickett