Student Spotlight: Ryan Blalock, Class of 2023
Ryan Blalock is currently a senior and will be a Bulldog graduate in 2023. He has been attending Wake Christian Academy since Kindergarten. His mom is also a 4th grade teacher here. He states, “My experience at WCA has been amazing! I’ve been here my whole life and have grown to know many teachers and my classmates very well. I’ve enjoyed having a close knit friend group where we all enjoy hanging out with each other and growing together. The academics and athletics have been beneficial as I have grown to learn how to be efficient with my time and the importance of working ahead.”
Ryan loves Jesus and is an active member at The Gathering Community Church. He currently interns in the youth program there and helps to set up and run youth events. He also assists in the preparation for Sunday morning church services.
Ryan with his elementary principal, Mrs. Sauls.
He excels academically and won the Morgan Faith Academic Award recently. His class schedule consists mainly of AP classes and he is a member of the Beta Club as well as a member of the Tri-M Honors Society. Ryan is attending North Greenville University in the fall where he has signed with the university to play soccer. He is the recipient of the Trustee scholarship due to his academic ability. When asked what his future goals were, he said, “I’d like to graduate college and play soccer for as long as possible. Then I’d like to coach collegiately or professionally and open up my own athletic facility. No matter what I do, I strive to put God at the focus and center of it all. I want to have a family where I can be the leader of the household and build that family firmly on the foundation of Christ.”
Photo credit to Chuck Warlick Photography
Ryan not only takes his education seriously, but enjoys being involved in extracurricular activities inside and outside of WCA. Within the school, he is the current Executive President of the High School Student Council where he volunteers many hours making a difference in the lives of those both within our community and worldwide. He is Captain of the Varsity Soccer team and is a 4 year letterman. He was also offensive player of the year, three times all conference, and Allstate team of the year. Ryan has been a leader of Wake Christian’s FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), an active participant in the Chick-fil-A leadership Academy, and a previous member of the audition only chorale group. Outside of Wake Christian, he plays for Wake FC on their 04 Blue team. On this specialty soccer team, he competes with students from other areas and schools, where he is able to perform at college showcases and development leagues geared towards producing high level athletes.
Ryan and his family as he signs to play soccer collegiately with North Greenville University.
When asked to share something that was specifically unique about him, Ryan replied, “I have gone through the loss of my father and my grandad back in 2020 and God really showed himself to me during those tough times. Because of these things, I was able to grow in my faith with God. God sometimes uses hard times to grow you. As Paul says in Romans 5:3, ‘Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance.’ When we rejoice during difficulties in life, they are opportunities to grow in Christ.”
Wake Christian Academy is so proud of Ryan’s many accomplishments and can’t wait to see where his hard work, determination, and love for Christ takes him! We pray that God will bless him in all of his future endeavors. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!