A family trait

Brock family celebrates lineage of four valedictorians

Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Being presented with the honor of graduating as a valedictorian is one that many high school students attempt to achieve through hard work, studying and commitment to their education.
On Saturday, May 25, Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) recognized their graduating class of 2019, with valedictorian Emily Brock leading her classmates as the school's valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA.
The daughter of Kirk and Katie Brock, Emily Brock's presence at ACA's graduation ceremony as a star academic for her high school brought Emily Brock along the path of previous family members.
While the experience of leading her graduating class was a new experience for Brock, it was one that her family was familiar with – as Emily Brock's graduation as valedictorian marked the fourth time that a member of the Brock family has graduated from a Jefferson County high school with the honor.
The first member of the Brock family to graduate with the illustrious title of valedictorian was Karen Brock Knox, Emily Brock's aunt, in 1976.
Karen Knox graduated from Aucilla Christian Academy, where she would be followed by her younger brother, Kelly Hans Brock as another ACA valedictorian in 1993.
Exactly 20 years later, the third Brock Family valedictorian would contribute to his family's educational legacy, with Emily Brock's older brother, Jamen Brock graduating from Jefferson County Middle-High School as the valedictorian of his school's 2013 graduating class.
So when Emily Brock graduated in May of 2019 as yet another valedictorian for the Brock family, naturally the event was cause for celebration.
At the May 25 graduation ceremony for the ACA class of 2019, the four valedictorians posed for a photo together, commemorating the moment for their family.
Following their graduation, all four Brock valedictorians have gone on to lead vibrant, successful lives.
Currently, Karen Brock Knox stays passionate about health through her work as a wellness coach as well as a domestic engineer. Knox is an accountant for the family business and is married to Kenny Knox.
Kelly Hans Brock is the deputy public works director and city engineer for the City of Casselberry, located in Central Florida. Kelly Brock stays busy overseeing the improvement of Casselberry's streets, trails, parks, lakes and drainage facilities.
Jamen Brock currently works for Tallahassee's Florida State University, his college alma mater, where he is employed in the Office of Distance Learning.
Having recently graduated, Emily Brock will be attending the University of Georgia, where she will pursue a degree in animal sciences.