STUDENT TAKEOVER

By Senior Brooke Russell

After a year on pause, Charlotte Christian has been filled with joy and excitement as students began participating in their beloved athletic and co-curricular activities. Although continuing to look different with masks and social distancing, nothing stayed in the way of the special and ever-lasting memories being made between students and faculty members. One of this past semester’s highlights was the continued tradition of dedicating one week in September to fun, games and spiritual growth. The lower school spent S.L.A.M. days playing games and hearing a great message, while the middle and upper school took a turn heading up the mountains to Windy Gap, competing in class competitions and hearing the Lord’s message from amazing speakers.

During S.L.A.M. (spiritual life and meaning) lower school students dressed up in their class colors, competed in different activities while cheering on their classmates and listened to a devotion from Lower School Spiritual Life Director Christina Sachtleben. Each day they had fun together and listened to a message on Lamentations 3:22 and God’s great mercy - “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.”

First grade student Ari Williams shared about the fun-filled days. “We got to wear white, but I wish it was pink. I got to do a game where we had to take the teachers a bandaid on a scooter.”

The lower schoolers also participated in the second annual Fall Fun Day. They spent the day bonding with their classmates in the beautiful fall weather. The cupcake walk was a class favorite, as the lower school students had the opportunity to win sweet treats brought in by parents. Although there were a few changes to keep everyone safe and healthy, the lower school students kept their spirits bright and cheerful during this first semester. “I won a cupcake…twice! I never won the cakewalk at Knightsfest so I was so excited to win one at the fall festival,” said fifth grader Mason Ledford.

“Historic” was the word used by seventh grader Kayla Brooks to describe her experience at Windy Gap this year. Despite having to mask up, nothing stayed in the way of the middle schoolers having the time of their lives. This year was more special than most, as it was the first trip up the mountains for both the sixth and seventh graders. During these three days, the students experienced deep emotion with the Lord and watched each other give their life to Christ. The students also participated in healthy competitions among their classmates. They played games like volleyball, ping pong, dodgeball and the unanimous class favorite, synchronized swimming. They racked up points to fight for the best advisory title.

“I found that the speaker’s message was brilliant and that it brought emotion to Windy Gap and everyone in the middle school. It drew a lot of people closer to God and helped them to get on the right path closer to him and heaven,” shared seventh grader Kayla Brooks.

Another bright spot in middle school was the reintroduction of clubs this year. These clubs give the students great opportunities to serve their community, dive deeper into their academic interests or even just doing something fun to hang out with their teachers and classmates. The students were ecstatic to jump back into clubs after over a year off, and have a nice social break during their day. “There are several clubs that focus on putting others before themselves (like Mission Recycle Club and Christian Environmental Club) and learn that it is more beneficial to bring people up.” Throughout the first semester the hallways of the upper school have been buzzing with busyness and the excitement of returning to a new normal. The upper school students also headed to Windy Gap this fall and the seniors went up a day before the underclassmen for extra class bonding time including a worship session around a bonfire and a karaoke night.

Senior and spiritual life prefect, David Ntim, shared his favorite part of his senior Windy Gap experience. “I would say relationship because one of the biggest goals for me during this Windy Gap was to grow closer to God in prayer, and I believe that I was blessed to have that opportunity. I would also say I grew in my relationships with my friends which was a blessing to have, especially because we weren’t able to attend last year.”

The students were also excited to be able to attend home sports events this fall! Friday night football games were a popular event after not being allowed to spectate last year. “Being back in the student section for football games was so much fun to cheer on our friends and come together as a school,” shared junior Connie Kofoed.

But the fan loyalty did not stop there, the student section also traveled to soccer and volleyball games to cheer on their friends. They also showed their support to the theatre department, as a live audience was allowed to attend this year’s musical as both middle and upper school students performed, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. “It was so amazing to perform in front of a live audience again,” said sophomore Karsen Betzhold. “They make the fine arts program what it is through their support. There was a significant boost in everyones’ spirits when we saw how many people came to enjoy the show. Our performance energy became immediately higher and helped us tell the story with new excitement after practicing for so long.”