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Walking like a Warrior

Christian Academy of Knoxville senior fulfills 24-hour project

May 20, 2026 by Jake Nichols

In football terms, there is a simple three-letter phrase defining Sawyer Anderson: Swiss Army knife.

Quarterback. Running back. Outside linebacker. Safety.

The Christian Academy of Knoxville junior filled those roles and more for the Warriors last season, becoming an All-Region selection in the process.

Moreover, he did so while battling back from a knee injury he sustained earlier in his career.

But as tough as Anderson has become through the years, he has not faced any challenge like the one he took on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25.

For his senior capstone project at CAK, Sawyer walked around the school’s track for 24 straight hours to raise money and awareness for No Athlete Left Behind.

“Founded by former NFL player Lee Smith, No Athlete Left Behind is a donor-led organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth athletes,” the NALB website reads. “By providing essential resources, mentorship and opportunities, we aim to help young athletes overcome challenges both on and off the field, fostering success and personal growth.”

Sawyer encountered the organization while training at Triple F Elite Sports Training, the gym Smith started after he retired from professional football.

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Anchor Learning Center marks new chapter with faculty changes

May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Anchor Learning Center is embarking on a new journey as founding teacher Tyler Lane departs to launch a new Bible Learning Center and ALC welcomes a Farragut educator, coach and church leader onto ALC’s faculty.

Chris McNeer’s joining ALC marks “an exciting new chapter in the nonprofit Bible learning center’s mission to make disciples through Scripture-based education,” a press release stated.

“McNeer is a well-known and deeply respected figure throughout the greater Knoxville and Farragut community,” it added. “He brings 19 years of experience in education, instructional leadership and coaching to this role.”

Anchor Learning Center is a nonprofit Bible learning center with classes held in Faith Promise Church in West End Center.

“It is a released-time Bible education program,” ALC executive director Sherry Shope said. “Released-time Bible education is a program that’s about 100 years old. It was actually challenged at the U.S. Supreme Court level in the 1950s in a case, Zorach vs Clausen.”

It is “dedicated to equipping students of all ages with a foundation in Scripture and a passion for discipleship,” according to a press release.

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