For several weeks, our readers have helped us learn of the accomplishments of those in our church family who are graduating this spring. Now we congratulate all our graduates, known and unknown, on their achievements, and in particular those whom you have brought to our attention:

Tess Addington will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. She is the daughter of Billy and Donna Addington.

Ian Addison will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. He is the son of Jean and Daryl Addison.

Laura Christine Bailey will graduate from the University of Tennessee on May 9 with a bachelor of science degree in animal science. She is the daughter of Cliff and Lisa Bailey.

Patrick Graham Baldau will graduate from the University of Tennessee on May 10 with a bachelor of arts degree in French. He is the grandson of Graham and Sue Barr.

Mason Borsch will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. He is the son of Jennifer Kennedy and Mark Borsch.

Amy Buck will graduate from Taylor University on May 18 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of Kevin and Dyan Buck.

Kendall Carter will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. She is the daughter of Tom and Nancy Carter.

Pearce Galliher will graduate from Tennessee Technological University on May 11 with a bachelor of science degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice. On May 10 he will be commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Pearce is the son of Lee and Betsy Galliher and the grandson of Ann Galliher.

Drew Hove will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. He is the son of Bart and Marsha Hove.

Erin M. Hyde will graduate from the University of Tennesseeon May 10 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. She is the daughter of David and Andrea Hyde.

Laura Keel will graduate from Mt. Brook High School in Birmingham, Alabama. She is the granddaughter of Louise Bowdoin.

Nick LaBar will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. He is the son of Mark and Diana LaBar.

Eric Chase McCall will graduate fromEast Tennessee State University on May 11 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering technology. He is the son of Glenn and Louise McCall and grandson of Ann Galliher.

Gray Gilmer Nicar II will graduate from the University of Memphis Law Schoolon May 12 with a juris doctor degree. He is the grandson of Bob and Peggy Nicar.

Jessica Nicholi Ratliff will graduate from East Tennessee State University on May 11 with a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Sharon Ratliff and the granddaughter of Jane Nickels.

Sherry Ratliff will graduate from King University on May 11 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She is the wife of John Ratliff and the mother of Madison Ratliff.

Kathryn Rowell will graduate from the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the granddaughter of Frances Rowell.

Michael Rowell will graduate from the University Of South Carolina at Columbia. He is the grandson of Frances Rowell.

Andrew Gavin Smith graduated from East Tennessee State Universityin December 2012with a bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering technology. He is the son of Barbara Duncan and the grandson of Karen Boone.

Jake St. Jean will graduate from high school in Charleston, West Virginia.He is the grandson of Herb VanNostrand.

Mitch Stophel will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. He is the son of Jeff and Jenny Stophel.

Jacob Daniel Strang will graduate from King University on May 11 with a degree in digital media and a minor in intercultural studies and music. He is the son of Fred Foy and Cecily Strang.

Kathleen VanNostrand will graduate from Virginia High School on May 24. She is the granddaughter of Herb VanNostrand.

Cory Wallen will graduate from Tennessee High School on May 18. He is the son of Neil and Lynette Wallen.

Justin Wallen will graduate from the University of Tennessee on May 10 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He is the son of Neil and Lynette Wallen.

Kathryn Welch will graduate from Carson-Newman University on May 10 with a bachelor of arts degree in English. She is the daughter of David and Linda Welch.

Our year-to-date financial summary as of March 31 is as follows:

Highlights

• Pledges: Through March 31, our Pledges/Offerings/Reimbursements outpaced budget expectations by roughly $2,000. It is important to point out that no prior-year surplus transfers have been required to meet current year expenses.
• Prior-Year's Transfer: Going into 2013, we anticipated having to utilize $47,094 from prior-year's surplus funds to balance the budget. As noted, none of these funds have been utilized to date.
• Expenses overall have tracked favorably to revenue expectations, coming in for the quarter $4,286 under budget. It should be mentioned, however, that because our budget was not officially passed until March, many of the now "budgeted" expense items will be realized in the coming months. In other words, we should see this positive variance close in the coming months.
• Expense Notes: (1) Interest paid on our Eastman CU capital loan was $10,634, just under budget; (2) utility expenses for the quarter were $16,004, about $154 over budget (but $274 under the same time last year); (3) under Fellowship line items, the Women's Retreat was over budget by roughly $2,000; however, income for the Women's Retreat is similarly over budget.
• Capital Loan: The balance with Eastman CU on March 31 was $1,131,944. We had $113,014 on deposit in reserves for loan principal payments. (In April, we made an additional principal reduction on the loan of $34,577.)--Aaron Brooks, Finance Chair

The Presbyterian Women will have our final meeting of the program year Tuesday, May 14, at the church. Circle will begin at 11:00 a.m., and Bible study with Gordon Turnbull will follow at 11:30, after which we will have lunch together in the parlor. Please make lunch reservations with the church office by calling (423) 764-7176. If you have any stamps for our missionary project, please bring them with you. We look forward to seeing you!

Celebrate the last day of school at Middle School Mania! All sixth through eighth graders are invited to get the summer started at a glow stick dance party on May 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The FPC Youth Wing will be transformed into a blacklight wilderness with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark paint, and more. Wear your craziest neon outfit, grab friends, and get ready to party the night away!