The
Chronicle
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THE MAY ISSUE
Lexington Christian Academy (859) 422-5700 www.lexingtonchristian.org
A Message From Mr. Cliff Iler Chair, Board of Directors
IN THIS ISSUE
Dear LCA Families and Friends, As we reflect on the school year, I am reminded of the many faithful people God uses to “train up a child in the way he should go.” At LCA, we are blessed by teachers, coaches, staff, and administrators who are committed to nurturing our students to fulfill God’s calling on their lives through Christ-centered education. I hope, as you begin your summer break, that you take a moment and express your appreciation to this dedicated team. On behalf of the board of directors and administration, I want to thank your family for your continued support, encouragement and prayers. 2018-2019 presented us with many celebrations as well as many opportunities to lock arms, pray and support one another. This year, we witnessed how our family came together and showed its love for our Head of School, Mark Sisk and his family. What a wonderful example Mark has provided us with his steadfast faith in our God and love for this school. How great is his faithfulness! Can I ask you to continue to lift Mark and his family up in prayer as he continues his battle with brain cancer? I know Mark and his family appreciate your prayers and encouragement. As we close out this school year, I will be concluding my term as Chairman of LCA’s Board of Directors. My wife, Robyn, and I appreciate this school and its investment in our boys - Justin who is a graduate from the Class of 2016 and Jason who is a graduate from the Class of 2018. As I leave, I offer you these challenges: First, pray for the school and its leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Pl ease note you wi l l fi nd photos from LCA HAPPENINGS throughout thi s month' s publ i cati on. We hope you enj oy the photos from our May events.
MR. DENNY MCCARDLE' S - 3 RETIREMENT BOARD REPORT - 4 & 5 TEACHER PROFILES - 8 & 10 5TH GRADE AND HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE SENIOR STAFF PROFILE - 12 LISA BACON ALUMNI PROFILE - 14 SETH LAWLESS #LCAIN5 - 20 CONGRATULATIONS - 21 CLASS OF 2019 UPCOMING EVENT - 22 LCA UNIFORM RESALE
Second, re-commit to honoring and upholding our mission of nurturing our students to fulfill God’s calling on their lives through Christ-centered education. Psalm 119:66, “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” Third, volunteer. Schools, like LCA, rely heavily on the support and dedication of our families. It is so inspiring to walk the halls of our school each day and see family members investing in and enriching our students and employees’ lives. 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Together, we can do great things to further this school and the Lord’s Kingdom. I wish you and your family the very best. Have a wonderful summer! Philippians 1:3
PICTURED ON THE COVER The Class of 2019 Baccalaureate photo. Two kindergarten students pose in front of Class of 2031 chalkboard at the kindergarten graduation.
Clifton Iler Cliff Iler Chairman of the Board THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
Mr. Denny McCardle's Retirement
On May 14, the LCA family gathered for a reception to honor Mr. Denny McCardle, who has faithfully served LCA as an elementary school teacher and administrator since 1999. He has provided leadership that has eternally impacted the lives of numerous students, families, faculty and staff, and for that we are so very grateful.
THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
Updates from the May board meeting held on Monday, May 20, 2019.
Advancement/Long-Range Planning Terri Morrical, advancement chairperson, provided an overview of the presentation from Ashley | Rountree. The advancement committee recommended that the school commit to making further investments in staffing as well as a consulting firm to support the school’s advancement efforts.
Athletics Bill Whitaker, the athletics committee chairperson, presented the coaches handbook. In addition, Bill requested approval for a multi-year agreement to purchase football helmets. The agreement was approved.
Education Lori Graham, chair of the education committee shared several recommendations. The Board reviewed and approved the following recommendations: Reducing graduation requirements to 25.5 (which represents the removal of College Writing as a graduation requirement.) Specific requirements are as follows:
SUBJECT AREA
LCA REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION
Bible
4 credits
English
4 credits (English 9, 10, 11 and 12)
Communication
0.5 credit of speech
Math
4 credits (must include minimum of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and 1 additional credit)
Science
3 credits (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry) OR (Biology, Chemistry and Science Elective)
Social Studies
3 credits (World Civilizations, US History 11, 1 semester Government and 1 semester Economics)
Health
0.5 credit (1 semester)
Physical Education
0.5 credit (1 semester)
Humanities
1 credit (art, music, digital art/tech classes, Creative Writing)
Foreign Language
2 credits (both years must be the same language)
Electives
3 credits THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
Education (continued) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the 8th grade U.S. History will be taught at the “advanced” level across all classes in the hopes to increase rigor throughout the learning of the content. The class will be highlighted by the use of a variety of techniques such as analyzing primary and secondary sources, developing historical arguments through writing, and developing critical thinking through inquiry based methods. In addition, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the junior high will launch a new program called “SOAR Defense” starting with the rising 7th grade class. With this program, during the 8th grade spring semester, students will present a 'defense' of their work in preparation for high school. The defense will include the student profile, attributes of the graduate profile, and MAP scores. The junior high will share additional details with students and parents at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, Lori shared LCA has secured the dates to administer the PSAT and ACT. Our fall early dismissal day will now be 10/16 (versus 10/9) and our spring early dismissal day will now be 3/24 (versus 2/19.)
Facilities Steven Potts, chair of the facilities committee, shared the school’s plans to repair sections of the roof. In addition, Steven described other facility related projects the school plans to address during the 2019-2020 school year.
Finance Tina Navis, chair of the finance committee, provided an overview of the school’s finances. John Morgan, Director of Finance, took the board through a detailed presentation on the 2019-2020 budget.
Student Life Dr. Rachel Harper, chair of the student life committee, presented the recommendation to add a mission trip for June 2019. The group would serve Five Stones Camp, a residential camp for disadvantaged inner-city youth from all over the state of Indiana. The Five Stones program is a rigorous summer program that rescues troubled, low-income teenage boys, ages 13-18, from the negative influences of gangs, drugs, neglect and domestic violence and helps them become responsible, mature and independent young men through spiritual, educational and vocational training. The LCA mission team would serve the camp from June 16-21. The board approved the addition of the mission trip.
THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
7th grade students completed an activity on chicken embryology. While incubating chicken eggs for 21 days, the students recorded the structures that where developing inside the eggs each day and identified the body system(s) that were represented. This unit aligned with the students learning about the systems of the human body.
Our 5th graders toured the 6th Grade Academy to get ready for the 2019-20 school year. Our 6th Grade Ambassadors led the tour, showing them the classrooms, the Wings Store, gym and other parts of the Rose Campus and also answered their questions. We've had an incredible first year for the 6th Grade Academy and are excited for the future!
Our 6th graders had a blast building and racing CO2 cars. Overall 6th grade winners were Chloe Carroll - 1st place and Colin Deskins - 2nd place.
The month of May is always a busy one for our Junior High.
One of the biggest events for our junior high students was presenting projects during EXPO Day. The 7th grade students completed a cross-curricular project where they created their own countries, designed travel brochures, developed a moral code and more. The 8th grade students evaluated the fabric of American identity through their visit to historic sites in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
CO2 cars
5th Grade Teachers
Rebekah Meredith "I love teaching science and math because it lends itself to hands on activities and shows that children truly do learn best when they are active and involved." Education: Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and National Board Certification in Middle Childhood Teaching Experience: 10 years (3 years at LCA)
Melinda Pettigrew "My favorite LCA memories have been being able to hand my son and daughter their diplomas at LCA graduation! This school is awesome in so many ways!" Education: Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in EducationEarly Childhood Teaching Experience: 13 years (5 years at LCA)
Mary Beth Rickard "Something fun no one knows about me is that I used to work at a summer camp in Missouri and lived in a real tepee with no air conditioning for three months!" Education: Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education Teaching Experience: 3 years at LCA
Sarah Scott "My advice for families is to consider this: LCA is a Christian school, but none of us are yet perfect. Our leaders, teachers, parents, and students - we are all humans in need of grace. We are not each other’s enemies. Satan is our only enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. We are strongest against him when we are unified in Christ. Pray for our leaders to have wisdom and discernment as they seek to govern us in love. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Education: Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education Teaching Experience: 19 years (2 years at LCA) Arianne Johnson (Mrs. Johnson is an elementary music teacher, and her bio was mistakenly left out of the April issue.) "I love teaching music because music speaks to so many. I am able to teach children different styles of music and all the elements that make music, but most importantly I can show them a deeper love for music that they can use to worship our Lord and Savior." Education: Bachelor's Degrees in Music and Bible and a Master's Degree in General Education Teaching Experience: 18 years at LCA
THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
From snack carts to lots of sweets, our teachers were shown just how much we love them during Teacher Appreciation Week!
Our preschool students also enjoyed some sweet treats when Chef Sprinkles made pancakes for them! The preschool classes also had a lot of fun during their fiesta.
CO2 cars
High School Science Jeff Barber (Anatomy, Genetics and Microbiology) "Something fun about me is that I have been to the Disney parks in Florida, California and Shanghai, China." Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology Secondary Education and a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Science Teaching Experience: 46 years (19 years at LCA)
Matt Cross (AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry) "I enjoy chemistry because it is connected to every aspect of life. Everything is made of atoms and molecules and it reminds me of God's power and creativity." Education: Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science and a Master's Degree in Education Teaching Experience: 6 years (2 years at LCA)
Lauren Jarvis (Honors Biology and Physical Science) "My favorite memory is when the students were made aware of Mr. Sisk's illness - I love how our students and families rallied around and supported him. Our school was united in an awesome way!" Education: Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology Teaching Experience: 3 years (2 years at LCA)
Kenna Jasper (Biology and AP Biology) "I love seeing students discover the amazing processes that make living things work, and how the creation points to the Creator. I love working with high school students who want to make a difference in the world and are passionate about important things. Some people worry about the 'next generation,' but I see first-hand how incredible they are. I know they will carry the message of Jesus faithfully in ways we could never imagine." Education: Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Master's Degree in Secondary Science Education Teaching Experience: 16 years (14 years at LCA) Jackie Payne (Physical Science and Chemistry) "Something that people may not know about me is that I have served on the board of directors for the nonprofit, Search. Love. Rescue for the past 13 years." Education: RPh Pharmacy Degree and a Master's in Education Teaching Experience: 10 years (all at LCA)
Pam Watson (Engineering, Statistics and Physics) "The advice that I would give to families is to pray with your children. Pray for their relationships, and challenges." Education: Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Minor in Statistics) Teaching Experience: 11 years (2 years at LCA) THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
May is filled with so many wonderful events including band and chorus concerts, an art show and piano recitals.
Photo courtesy of Mary Wortz
Photo courtesy of Mary Wortz
We invite you to get to know our new Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Lisa Bacon. Lisa will be joining our team in July.
Tell us about you and your family. My husband and I are both graduates of Asbury University, as well as our three daughters and their husbands (my youngest gets married this December), so my love of the Lexington area runs deep! We were called to serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship as a young family. While we were overseas, my husband passed away, and the girls and I returned to Orlando, Florida where God continued to grow my love and passion for Christian education. I am truly enjoying this stage of my life as "Gigi" to the next generation in our family! Lisa with her three daughters.
What is it about LCA that drew you to serve here? Lexington Christian Academy is a school that seeks to educate the whole student. As I walk through classrooms I see teachers who are masters of their content area and also love their students and are genuinely invested in their success. I want to be a part of a school that is passionate about learning and passionate about instilling a deep sense of who we are to be as followers of Christ. The role of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction is a new one. How would you describe it to the LCA community? This role is one that supports teachers and the academic process for our students. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction assists in the development of teachers’ ability to authentically apply a biblical worldview to all instruction and in maintaining alignment between curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as the organization of professional development opportunities for teachers. How can we encourage you as you make this transition? The Orlando area has been my home for over 20 years. A lot of living has happened here! My family was established in Orlando and my girls were raised here. Pray for a smooth transition into a new Church family and that God will allow friendships that will continue to grow me into the person God has designed me to be. My mom will be moving with me after my daughter's wedding. She is soon to be 89, and just recently fell and broke her hip. God has been gracious and she is healing quickly! Pray that she continues to remain strong and is able to be independent until her move to Lexington.
THE CHRONICLE
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MAY 2019
National College Decision Day
The Class of 2019 has received offers of admissions from 96 colleges and universities in the U.S.
CO2 cars
Catching up with Seth Lawless, Class of 2006. Seth was also awarded the 2019 LCA Christianos Distinguished Alumni Award. Tell us a little about yourself and your family. I was born and raised in Lexington, as was my wife Sarah. We met in the nursery at Southland Christian Church and have been close friends ever since. I was homeschooled through middle school, and when I started high school my parents and I made the decision to attend LCA. Sarah attended LCA preschool through first grade. Our first official date was my LCA Senior Homecoming! Sarah and I were married in 2012 and spent the first seven years of our marriage serving in the community and traveling around the world. We just welcomed our son John Henry Lawless on March 28 and couldn’t be more excited to be parents! What have you done since your graduated from LCA? We both attended the University of Kentucky on academic scholarships, where I received a BBA with a double major in Business Management and Finance, and she received her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology. I originally intended to attend law school but interned with a financial advisor through the financial crisis in 2009 and fell in love with the industry. I am now one of two senior partners with the Osborne Weber Lawless & Associates Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch. Sarah works at Baptist Health Lexington as a Speech Language Pathologist.
What is one of your favorite LCA memories? This is such a hard question! I have so many great memories from my time at LCA. I’ll cheat and pick two. The first is when several of my friends and I pooled our money together to buy Mrs. Vanderpool a giant inflatable snow globe. Her reaction was priceless and I think there is still a picture of our math class posing with the globe floating around somewhere! The second memory that still makes me laugh is my senior year when the All A state basketball championship and the 11th Region swimming championship were scheduled for the same weekend at EKU. I had to play a basketball game in the morning and turn around to swim a couple of races in the afternoon. That was a pretty tiring day!
THE CHRONICLE
Any advice to families who are considering LCA for their children? I would focus on the teachers and the administration and the intentional love that they show the students who attend LCA. The vast majority of them work at LCA because they want to provide a Christ-focused education, which you do not find at many other schools. I know the heart of the administration for the students personally, as I grew up with the current middle school Principal Coleman Marshall (he was the co-best man in my wedding with my brother) and I have seen the effort and heart that he pours into the school. The school also provides unique opportunities that help challenge and grow students – I was honored to help chaperone the mission trip to France with Mrs. Baker and Coach Cravens in 2007, and it was a wonderful experience that opened my eyes to the world outside of my bubble.
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MAY 2019
May not only means graduation for our seniors but also the last chapel, pancake breakfast, the annual Sandlot Tournament and the Baccalaureate Ceremony.
On May 13, LCA Athletics held its annual College Signing Ceremony. A total of 16 studentathletes (14% of the graduating class) are going on to compete at the next level! LCA Softball held its annual "#loveBIG Day at the Ballpark" on May 11 to honor the memory of LCA family member Jack Paris.
Congrats to these students who qualified for the 2019 State Track Meet:
Lydia Prince, Alex Horn and the doubles team of Levi Messner/ Ben Philpot all qualified for the state tennis tournament.
Girls (Grades 9-12) Tia Alchurigi Brooke Allison Sydney Colon Sarah Harper Kendall Hayes
Macy Meyer Madeline Pulliam Anna Rupp Sydney Spillman Allison Witaker
Boys (Grades 9-12) Elijah Brand Jacob Brand Xavier Brown Harrison Fraley Lukas Furgason Ethan Gamble Caleb Harper Connor Hayes
Andrew Huff Anthony Johns Frankie Knight Andrew Madden Malcolm Palmer Jeffrey Selby Thomas White
Girls (Middle School) Seniors at the regional track meet held at LCA.
Jordan Moseley, Jackson Tompkins and Spencer Pruden were selected to participate in the KY All-Star Lacrosse game on May 18.
These future Lady Eagles worked hard and improved their game at the recent LCA Girls Basketball Skills Academy.
Abby Bronski Hadley Bronski Sydney Fischer Ava Meyer
Good Luck to all of our student-athletes who will be competing at state!
What a fantastic year for our kindergarten students. They were so excited for their graduation ceremony on May 23. This class will be seniors in 2031!
Congrats to the LCA Middle School Chorus! They competed at the Music in the Parks competition at King's Island and received a Superior rating, the highest rating possible!
These 22 third through fifth grade students read a million or more words this year for Reading Counts!
LCA was featured in a news story on WKYT on Friday, May 10. Sam Dick also did a live interview with Head of School, Mark Sisk and senior, Cate Crosbie. If you missed it, you can view the story online at bit.ly/LCAturns30.
Thanks to Jimmy Van Epps, LCA alum, for speaking at the last High School Leadership Forum of the year. We are always happy to have alumni back on campus!
Congratulations to Lauren Spraggins who received 3rd place in the 4th grade division of KET's Young Writers Contest for her short story, "The Magic Puddle." Lauren's story will be available on the contest webpage at KET.org/writerscontest in the near future along with an audio of her reading it.
LCA preschool and elementary students were recognized with the Bell Ringer of the Year award for raising the most funds (more than $8,500) this past holiday season. Asst. Principal, Jennie Hurst and students, Belle and Brody Watts and Jillian Weaver represented the school at the banquet.
#LCAin5 Follow LCA on Instagram @lca_ky_eagles Each week, we share five photos that capture the week at LCA. Check out some of these recent #LCAin5 photos.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter too! @LexingtonChristianAcademy
@LCAKYEagles
Congratulations CLASS OF 2019
Camden Reed Alcorn Brooke Ann Allison Jake Burton Baldwin Jackson Graham Banks Jack Allen Barron Kaleb Robert Bolton Elijah James Brand Andrew Wesley Branstetter Shelby Meie Brantley Riley Elle Brickey Ashley Paige Broaddrick Baylor Anderson Brown Elijah Robert Campbell Brendan Michael Carter Gretchen E. Casper Sharon Katherine Childers Haidyn Elise Chudy Grace Whitley Combs Hanner Michael Cook Rachel Amanda Cooke Catherine Morgan Crosbie Hannah Rosemary Cruse John Pearce Dalton Lincoln Omar Dragoo Clayton Thomas Eliassen Katherine Grace Elliott Savannah Rose Fields Bailey Alyssa Fry William B. Frye Charlotte Irene Fults Amanda Elizabeth Gault Benjamin Thomas Gerken Millicent Elizabeth German Sarah Emily Goddard Andre David Green Jedidiah Wesley Green Andrew Clay Haas William Stewart Hacker Thomas Aaron Haggard Hannah Grace Hall Richard Russell Hamlin
Blane Miller Hardin Caleb Meade Harper Alicia Renee Harris Conor William Harrison Kendall Lynn Hayes Charles Dawson Hendrickson Kiarah Bre' Anne Higgins Jessica Rose Hill Miles Christopher Houk Madeline Renee Howard Kara Alyse Hucaby Clark Fisher Ramey Trevor Lee Hudson Kyle Robert Rode Grace Marie Jacobs Megan Joycann Rodgers Kaylen Patricia Jasper Caroline Carter Royalty Jack Michael Jenkins The Class of 2019 includes Chase Michael Sacca Matthew Jeffrey Johnson two National Merit Commended Scholars. Griffin Daniel Sahli Jacob A. Jones Jacob Thomas Santrock Chris Danielle Karenbauer Phillip Robert Scott Madalyne Cassady Kinnett Zachary James Scott Elli Maysey Kruger Bethany Marie Selby Jackson Keith LaLonde The Class of 2019 includes Elisabeth Marie Shewmaker Julia Concetta Lawson five Kentucky Governor's Scholars. Lucas Bringel Shorter Malinda Peyton Lemons Sharon Isabella Grace Slatery Michael David Lyle Alexandra Bryn Smith Andrew Wilson Madden Ellen Catherine Smith Hope Elizabeth Marcum Gabriel Martin Smith Samuel Tabor Martin Joshua James Soper Elizabeth G. McCauley More than 25% of the Class of 2019 scored John Thomas Sparks Morgan Renee McGarey higher than 30 on the ACT. Jake Edward Standiford Michael Lewis McKinney Blayne Joseph Strippelhoff Meela Rose Mingua Brooke Nicole Tudor Hannah Kate Mitchell Seth Coburn Turner Tomas Antonio Morehead Abigale Madison Wallen Reagan Leigh Newman The Class of 2019 received offers of admission Molly Kristine Watts Daniella Grace Okhotnikova from 96 colleges and universities in the Mason Brian Wheeler Erin Lindsay Oliver United States. Benjamin Conner Whitman Malcolm Preston Palmer Ella Frances Wilson Timothy Isaiah Prewitt Jonathan Chase Worthington Josephine Leigh Psimer Peyton Renee Wortz Madeline Ashton Pulliam Christopher Anthony Zaccarelli Xiaozhou Qiao
#WeAreLCA
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The Class of 2019 collectively earned more than $6 million in merit-based 4-year college scholarships.
U N I F O R M
R E S A L E
The Win gs Sto re will be open during the res ale!
SAVE THE DATE S A T U R D A Y
J U L Y
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9:00AM-12PM AND 1PM-2:30PM ROSE CAMPUS MAIN GYM This event is for both the buyer and the seller! For more information go to www.lexingtonchristian.org (scroll down to the Parent Resources button).