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Front Row : Dewey Benefield , FA Co-Founder ; Delaney Mattox , Class of 2037 ; Catherine Benefield , Class of 2020 | Middle Row : Jim Benefield , Class of 1981 ; Riley Benefield Mattox , Class of 2009 ; Helen Mattox , Class of 2039 ; Dexter Mattox , Class of 2007 | Back Row : Helen Benefield Billings , Class of 1983
Frederica Academy has been an integral part of my family ’ s life for more than five decades . My grandparents , Dewey and Tiggie Benefield , believed a premier PK-12th grade college preparatory school would enhance the vibrant educational landscape in the Golden Isles and worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality as the school ’ s co-founders . My father , Jim Benefield , and my aunt , Helen Benefield Billings were the first two students to enroll in 1970 . During and after I was a student , my father served as the school ’ s Board chair for many years . My sister , Catherine , and our twin brothers , Jack and Harrison , are also FA graduates ; and I met my husband , Dexter Mattox , when we were in school together at Frederica .
Dexter and I recently returned to Saint Simons to raise our own family . Our oldest daughter , Delaney , will start Pre-Kindergarten this August as a member of the Class of 2037 , and her sister , Helen , is eager to follow her two years later . As I visited the school to begin the admission process for Delaney , I was surprised to discover how much FA has grown and evolved in the past few years ; parts of the campus were almost unrecognizable . The new facilities and the plans for future projects are helping the school accommodate its growing enrollment .
It is fascinating to see the beautification and expansion of the campus and its facilities , but I am even more elated about how these investments are truly transforming the student experience for all FA learners . It has enabled the school to expand its academic and extracurricular programming in ways I never imagined possible .
Since my graduation , FA has doubled its AP portfolio and added ten new athletic teams and more than a dozen new clubs . Perhaps the greatest transformation has occurred within the school ’ s fine arts department with a new dedicated fine arts center and a separate music suite , which features a recording studio , a podcast studio , and separate music rooms . These are just a few examples of the new Frederica Academy .
I am so proud of my grandparents and their vision for such an extraordinary school . As our family prepares for our new adventure this August , I invite you to visit fredericaacademy . com to see why we are so excited .
RILEY BENEFIELD MATTOX Frederica Academy Class of 2009