December 11, 2025
City Academy 2021
Greater Atlanta Christian School 2027
Tyler Younger’s life took an unexpected turn when his mother accepted a new job opportunity in Atlanta. The move meant leaving City Academy halfway through his fifth-grade year — or so he thought. Due to the shift to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyler was able to finish both his fifth- and sixth-grade years online and graduate with his class.
“Even though we had to move, the teachers were accommodating towards that, and they helped me out throughout the entire process,” Tyler said. “I came back and graduated. I did all the things.” Despite living 500 miles away, he crossed the finish line with classmates he had been with since first grade. Tyler also received the Martin L. Mathews Award in 2021, an honor given to students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, citizenship, and academic integrity.
Even after moving to Atlanta, Tyler has stayed closely connected with the City Academy L.E.A.P. program. He meets with L.E.A.P. Assistant Director Jen Glassmeyer several times a year over Zoom, where they talk through his academic progress, future goals, and ways the school can continue to support him.
Even from a distance, Glassmeyer has seen Tyler remain deeply connected to the City Academy community. She notes that much of that stems from both his own personality and his family’s strong ties to the school. “I think that Tyler is a very thoughtful human and he appreciates City Academy so much,” she says. “Virtual learning wasn’t ideal, but it allowed him to stay and graduate, and I really think he feels like this is his school. He takes every opportunity to experience something new, whether that’s playing in Nike camps, hosting a foreign exchange student, or even doing coding work with WashU. He’s just a very kind, well-rounded young man.”
Tyler has also made a point to reconnect in person. During a summer trip back to St. Louis, where much of his family still lives, he and his mom visited City Academy. There, he reconnected with Don Danforth and fellow Martin L. Mathews Award winner Whitney Gross. “It was an amazing experience going back to City Academy and seeing all the teachers.” Tyler said. “I even got to talk to some of the students, and it was interesting, because I remember going through that same process.”
When asked about his favorite memories, Tyler recalls Mrs. Shalawn Fennoy driving him to school when he didn’t have a ride and an intense chess match with Mr. Erik Taylor — one he still remembers winning. “I just remember having fun in the class and learning at the same time,” he said. His advice to current students? “Trust the process. I know City Academy is not an easy school, but it will pay off. I am still using things I learned at City Academy in my everyday life.”
Now entering his junior year at Greater Atlanta Christian School, Tyler is considering a future in engineering and hopes to play sports at the collegiate level. A three-sport athlete — baseball, basketball, and football — he also belongs to the Beta Club, an organization that recognizes academic achievement, character, service, and leadership.