MAGAZINE FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
JULY 2020
CLASS OF 2020
Celebrate the successes of the senior class p. 17
DISTANCE LEARNING FBCA responds to global pandemic p. 27
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THRIVE SPIRITUALLY
THRIVE ACADEMICALLY
THRIVE SOCIALLY
THRIVE PHYSICALLY
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Fort Bend Christian Academy
exists to glorify God through excellence in college-preparatory Christian education. It is the mission of Fort Bend Christian Academy to equip students to thrive spiritually, academically, socially and physically. The FBCA Magazine is published by the Department of Communications and Marketing. Submit content for consideration to krice@fortbendchristian.org.
Administration
Joshua Gettys, Head of School Joel Hazard, Head of Upper School Melisa Carroll, Head of Middle School Margie Meyer, Head of Lower School
Board of Trustees
Simon “Trey� Hendershot III - President Alicia Scala - Vice President Jeff Smith - Secretary Josh LaRocca - Treasurer Bob Page Chris Roberts Jessica Williams
Editors
Kim Rice, Director of Communications & Marketing Zoe Zamora, Communications & Marketing Associate
Photo Credits
Sarah Fiore L Frederick Hinojosa Jenn LaRocca Adam Robison Robert Sanders VYPE Houston
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Margie Meyer Serves FBCA for More than 25 Years For the past 26 years, Margie Meyer has begun her self-prescribed morning regimen at 3:30 a.m. She checked her emails, reviewed her bank and credit cards and then she exercised. “No matter what happens during the day, no matter how south my day goes, I’ve done something start-to-finish every day,” she said. “It has contributed greatly to my health and my well-being.” With the exception of mandatory rest from surgery and when she broke both her arms within two weeks of each other, Meyer fiercely stuck to her routine. “Dr. Orth took the cast off one arm and put it on the other,” she said. Although she started as a teacher in the 70s, Margie transitioned to the business world. She worked in sales for two decades, and learned many of the relational skills that she utilizes today with students. “I was trained to call people by name. When I was a little girl, no one knew my name unless I did something wrong. I know every child and call them by name, especially to praise them.” Margie transitioned back into education as a substitute at the new private pre-k through 8th grade Christian school, Fort Bend Christian Academy (Fort Bend Baptist Academy at the time). The reason she chose the school was personal. Three children she knew, Hannah, Harmony and Gabe, had a special place in her heart, and she took a vested interest in their care. “They were going through a lot, and I wanted to be a stable person in their life.” 3
For Margie, subbing every day at their school meant she could see Hannah, Harmony and Gabe at a time when they needed some consistency. Accepting a full-time position at the school was not without sacrifice. In sales, she was making $81,000 a year, but signing the contract for a teaching position meant accepting a $19,000 salary with no benefits—a $62,000 annual pay cut. “God honored me,” Margie said. “He has shown me I was where I was supposed to be.” She said the community at FBCA is what makes the school like no other. “People are appreciated here,” she said. “The generosity…people bring you lunch or a cup of coffee. I always wanted to be known and feel I could really contribute, and here, you feel known.” Meyer was born and raised Jewish in Houston, which can be hard to imagine considering she has worked in Christian education for so long. “Growing up, I never associated Christ with Christmas,” she said. “But I became a Christian later in life.” That experience reminds Margie that it’s never too late, and you never know how someone will come to faith. “A lot of parents come to Christ through their children,” she said. Whereas some view lower school education as “less than” secondary education, Margie is a firm believer in the importance of a solid foundation. “At the lower school, we have the opportunity to help mold a child,” she said. “We can influence self-confidence and that carries on. If you had self-esteem issues as a child, they often don’t disappear when you get older. We can address it from the start.” Next, Ms. Meyer hopes to serve with another non-profit such as Make-A-Wish or read to children in hospitals and men and women in nursing homes. Happy Retirement, Ms. Meyer!
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“MY BEST MEMORIES OF FBCA REVOLVE AROUND THE FRIENDSHIPS FORMED WHEN I WAS THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL. MARGIE MEYER WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO WELCOME AND BLESS ME IN THAT POSITION. MANY DAYS THERE WERE CARDS FROM HER - FUNNY CARDS, OF COURSE - BUT ALWAYS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE AND BLESS THEIR RECIPIENT! THE STUDENTS ADORED HER, AND SHE LOVED THEM LIKE HER FAMILY, SHOWING EACH OF THEM THE LOVE OF HER SAVIOR. SOME PEOPLE LEAVE INDELIBLE AND POSITIVE MARKS ON ALL WHO KNOW THEM, AND MARGIE IS JUST SUCH A FRIEND. HER MARK ON FBCA IS ALSO STRONG AND NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!” - LESLEY WYSE, FORMER SUPERINTENDENT 2001-2009
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“WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR MS. MEYER. SO GLAD SHE WAS THERE TO INFLUENCE OUR CHILD THE ENTIRE TIME HE WAS IN ELEMENTARY. SHE HAS A TRUE SERVANT’S SOUL WITH THE HEART OF A LION! ALL OUR LOVE TO YOU!” - FBCA PARENT
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FBCA WILL MISS YOU!
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TEACHER FEATURE
Meet Ms. Rebecca Morgan STEAM Specialist Grades PK-4
Q: How do you celebrate your students? A: I attempt to be very conscious of making sure all my students have a way to show their strengths. I remember the details from their lives that let them know they have worth and are important to me. I thank them for being “risk takers� when they go first in answering or volunteering. I acknowledge them outside of class in the hallways. I make time for them when I am not sure there is enough time; those moments are the ones I see God and His timing in. I go to their extracurricular activities anytime they tell me about them. Q: How do you make sure your students achieve the outcomes you set for them? A: In the classroom I am careful to observe degrees of engagement from my students. I challenge the students to think outside the box. I constantly assess and consider the assessment to be for me to know where I need to fill gaps. The formative assessment allows me to be a better teacher. I state our collective goal before I begin in order to hold myself accountable for the outcome. I also tend towards project-based learning, which
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takes relevant scenarios and allows for the students to learn how to collaborate, problem solve, question their learning, question how they think, and not fear failure but merely see challenges as a step on the way to success. Additionally, project-based learning allows for huge degrees of differentiation so that every child can be met where they are in the learning continuum. Q: What has been one of the most powerful projects you’ve worked on in your classroom? A: I challenged students to design a zoo where all of the animals could have their individual needs met. This was for a third grade class. The engagement was 100% as the students took the tables and completely rearranged them. The tables are dry erase and intended to be written upon. The rearrangement allowed for them to completely configure a schematic and architectural design of the zoo. The design covered ten different tables. The beauty of the project was relevance, differentiation, cross-curricular learning, and collaboration. Real-world skills were at the forefront. The best part of the whole lesson was the students considered it to be for fun and wanted to press themselves further and further by their own volition. Q: What are the milestones in your life that led you to teach at FBCA? A: I have a love of learning. I am led to seek the answers to the question, “Why?”. In some ways it made my journey to salvation take longer because I needed to understand many things. Conversely, it allowed my faith to be rock solid and prepared me for being entirely comfortable teaching in a Christian, Biblebased school. I have taught boys and girls mission classes, two-year old Sunday School, third grade Sunday School, VBS, untold numbers of youth trips, 14 years of eighth grade and twelfth grade Sunday School and many women’s Bible Studies. Additionally, I have facilitated Bible Studies during the summer with our faculty. Teaching and learning go hand-in-hand. When I went to University I was the top graduate for the school of Arts and Science when I graduated with my B.S. in Biology and a teaching certification through the School of Education. While in school I also worked in the lab with cancer research and am a listed contributor of a study on apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. Learning to juggle being the mom of four beautiful children while going to undergraduate and graduate school (for a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction) was a huge lesson in the management of time that one needs to be to be a good teacher. The goal of going to school was two-fold; to satisfy my love of learning and be an even more effective servant of others. Q: What made you realize you wanted to focus on STEAM? A: I have been innately curious all my life. I had two teachers that allowed me to ask, “But, why...?” as many times as I wanted. One was my sixth grade Life Science 10
“A RISK TAKER IS SOMEONE WHO PUTS THEMSELVES OUT THERE BEFORE OTHERS DO. IT’S NOT THE FIRST TO RAISE THEIR HAND. I DELAY RESPONSES SO THAT THOSE CHILDREN THAT NEED TIME TO FORMULATE THEIR THOUGHTS HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. WHEN A CHILD IS WILLING TO GO FIRST THEY ARE PUTTING NOT SIMPLY AN ANSWER OUT THERE. THEY ARE PLACING A BIT OF THEIR SELF-ESTEEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE IF A TEACHER IS NOT GENTLE WITH HOW SHE OR HE HANDLES THEIR ANSWER THE CHILD COULD FEEL BELITTLED OR INSUFFICIENT. THANKING THEM SHOWS I HAVE HIGH REGARD FOR THEIR BRAVERY AND THOUGHTS THAT OFTEN HAVE THREADLIKE CONNECTIONS TO OUR SUBJECT BUT START THE CONVERSATION AND ENCOURAGE MORE STUDENTS TO BE BRAVE.” - MS. REBECCA MORGAN teacher and the other was my high school Biology teacher. Additionally, allowing others to experience the wonder and awe-inspiring beauty of seeing HIM in creation is a joy unlike any other. Q: What are the moments when you think, “I love my job”? A: I once had a student that came from a background that left him angry, questioning God and not trusting. He was only five. Every time I saw him I tried to learn one more thing about him, acknowledge the good choices he made and looked him in the eye so he knew I saw him as valuable. He was making progress but I couldn’t judge whether my efforts were being received by him. To set the stage, this little man was about as tall as halfway up my thigh. One day he and I approached each other in the hallway before school. As he got closer he took three running steps and went from the floor to leaping completely into my arms and giving me a hug that powered my energy flow for days. I was getting through! I definitely thought, “I love my job”! Q: What do you love to do outside of FBCA to celebrate life? A: I like to run (about a dozen marathons and a couple ultramarathons). I read. I spend time with my family. I sit in nature. I dance when I do housework (no one knows that). I cook and bake for the sake of art. I build things. Q: What motivates you to continually improve what you do? A: Being service-minded presses me to seek continual improvement. If I become stagnant in my learning then I believe my teaching will become stagnant too. Colossians 3:23 admonishes me personally “whatever [I] do, work at it with [my] whole being, for the LORD”. I take that charge seriously.
EAGLE WEEK
Every March, Fort Bend Christian Academy upper school students and chaperones participate in Eagle Week, a unique opportunity to serve on mission locally, throughout the U.S. and abroad. This year, local missions teams worked with Friends of North Richmond and The Auberge at Sugar Land Memory Care Community. In the U.S., students traveled to Los Angeles, North Carolina and San Antonio. International mission trips included Jamaica, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Chile, Israel, Spain and Romania.
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INTERNATIONAL Romania
In Romania, students interacted with the community through improvement projects, Vacation Bible School (VBS) at churches, door to door evangelism, and the sharing of their testimonies. One day a group of eight students split off and went to a smaller church called Ohaba Lunga. Some of the students prepared worship for the service, and Julian Hood, senior, prepared a message. Taylor Dailey, senior, felt the Lord moving in mighty ways during this service. They sang hymns in Romanian, and the women and children at the church showed so much joy. Towards the end of the service, when Julian had finished his message about looking towards God in the midst of suffering, Taylor felt the Lord calling on her heart. “I asked to share my testimony, and excitingly Sammy [the translator] walked back up the stage to help in translating,” shared Taylor. “I think the coolest thing about that moment was the Lord’s timing and the peace I had in sharing. Instead of feeling nervous, I felt ready, and although I might have said words such as ‘um’ and ‘like,’ I knew God used me at that moment. The gratitude these people had was loving, and I feel blessed to experience my time there, share my testimony, and sing hymns in Romanian.” As part of community evangelism, students were able to go door to door within a community and deliver groceries. This gave them the opportunity to talk to people and open the door for gospel conversation. Kiley Blanchard, senior, felt nervous at first to share her faith with people from another country. However, as she spent more time with them and saw the places where they were living, Kiley felt a wave of emotions and clarity about her Savior. “I was thinking in those moments about how desperate they must be every day just trying to survive,” shared Kiley. “Not worrying about other small things like if I have cool shoes or the best grades. We spoke with a mother and her two daughters. This time was great because we got to ask questions and think about how they felt about what they are going through now. I learned how important our relationship with God is and means to Him. He wants us to go to Him and grow in our faith. I had never really thought about how much God is just waiting for me to go to Him in prayer or just in any situation. It was a complete eye-opener to not just check the boxes of being a Christian but actually growing in a true relationship with the Lord. After sharing some things during that time, I realized I had stepped out of my comfort zone, which I feel I needed to do.” The Romania mission trip was life-changing. The students showed courage, bravery, and a genuine heart while interacting with the people of Romania.
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Overall, this was eye-opening to me,” said Maddox Telschow, senior. “Both in seeing how the Romanian people live and how we are here to show them the true gospel, one that does not oppress those that follow it willingly.”
NATIONAL Los Angeles, California
In Los Angeles, students interacted firsthand with people in the community by partnering with The Dream Center and Joshua Expeditions. Students prepared and handed out care packages and food to homeless and struggling citizens, which created pathways to talk to them about Jesus. Many prayed over these people and built connections with them through the gospel. Some students also prepared donated clothes to hand out to the homeless citizens surrounding the Dream Center.
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Did you know that evangelizing isn’t just about speaking the word but living it?”
One of the partner mission organizations showed this statement in full confidence every day with the students. The students recalled that they were “overwhelmed and impressed with all they offer to the community here in LA, and most importantly, they do it with an unapologetically Christian focus.” Here, they had over 100 bags of simple care kits to pass out to the homeless while serving them on a hot dog truck. The bags are filled with socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and more. One student recalled that “you can tell everyone has a focus on helping others…no matter the job.” On another day, the students spent time wrapping hot dogs, walking and handing out food, snacks and hygiene bags and talking to those living on Skid Row in Los Angeles. One of the sponsors on the trip remembers, “about half of the students spent one-on-one time praying over many people…it was powerful to watch, listen and participate! All of us had amazing conversations with all the people. One of the biggest things the students said was how grateful all these people were as we passed out everything. Grateful despite their circumstances. It was powerful! God is moving here in LA!”
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LOCAL
Friends of North Richmond In the local community, students aided Friends of North Richmond. Projects included a house demolition and clean up at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist cemetary. The students were able to cut down trees and prune bushes while cleaning up areas around headstones. This area has frequent flooding, so the students also reset the headstones. Representatives of the church and cemetery expressed thanks and gratitude to the students while they were there. The students would gather in prayer over the church and cemetery, praying for their efforts to make a difference and impact the community positively. “One of the kids noted that it is good to work here because we are helping the community close to where we live,” shared one of the faculty members. “Amen! What an impact we can make here if we are just willing to get involved!”
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CLASS OF 2020
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CLASS OF 2020
FINAL DESTINATIONS
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Accepted into 80+ universities nationwide Over $7 Million in scholarship funds 3 National Merit Commended Scholars 4 National Hispanic Recognition Scholars 9 Athletes signed to play at collegiate level
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CLASS OF 2020 ROAD TO GRADUATION
Due to distance learning, seniors had to finish their last year from home. Teachers delivered yard signs to encourage and celebrate the Class of 2020. Students and teachers alike worked so hard to make the last few months great!
ATHLETE VIRTUAL SIGNING DAY
On this day, athletes from the Class of 2020 signed their letters of intent to their respective universities via virtual signing day. These students rounded out the total of nine seniors committing to play sports at the collegiate level!
APRIL 2020
DISTANCE LEARNING
MARCH 2020
SPRING TIMELINE
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GRADUATION
On July 18, FBCA seniors were honored one last time during the comencement ceremony alongside their family and friends.
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JULY 2020
Seniors made their final college decisions and celebrated at an honor cord drive-by ceremony and 20:20 PM prayer celebration.
MAY 2020
COLLEGE DECISION DAY & SENIOR CELEBRATIONS
CLASS OF 2020
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CLASS OF 2020
Valedictorian & Salutatorian
Damisi Akinpelu
Damisi Akinpelu has attended FBCA for nine years and has been a member of a wide variety of school organizations, including the Debate Club, the Spanish Club, the Theatre program and the basketball team. He has served as copresident and chaplain of Student Council, vice president of National English Honor Society, secretary of National Honor Society and president of Mu Alpha Theta. Damisi earned recognition for his outstanding performance in his various activities. He is a two-time recipient of the Soaring Eagle Award and a three-time Scholar-Athlete award winner. Akinpelu received the Fine Arts Eagle Award and won Honorable Mention Acting Cast in the 2019 TAPPS One-Act District competition. As part of Eagle Week, a service opportunity each spring in the upper school at FBCA, Damisi served children and youth in Cherokee, North Carolina with Mission to the World, and worked with Providence Place in San Antonio, Texas and the Abraham Project in Costa Rica. He is an active member of his local church, serving on the youth ministry’s worship team.
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Damisi relies on the verse, 1 John 1:9. “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Though Damisi will miss his sister’s breakfast, basketball, spring musicals, and worship Fridays, he is extremely thankful for his community, “Tolu, thanks for always motivating me to be better; Daara, thanks for all the food and taking care of your older brother; Mom, thanks also for the food and for helping me grow into the person I am today; Dad, thanks for working alongside me and helping grow, too. Coach Merrill, Coach Don, and Coach Skooter, thanks for helping me develop as a basketball player and as a person.” After obtaining a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in neurology.
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“ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS CLASS IS THAT THEY HAD SUCH A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. THEY LIKED BEING TOGETHER, AND THEY WOULD ALWAYS CELEBRATE EACH OTHERS’ VICTORIES AND ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER.” - MRS. LISA LUCIK, UPPER SCHOOL NURSE
Elizabeth Bernstein
Elizabeth Bernstein has attended FBCA for six years. She has served in various leadership roles, including president of Big Sister Club, vice president of National Honor Society and Student Council, president of National Honor Society, co-president of Student Council and treasurer of Spanish Honor Society. She is also a member of the National English Honor Society, Eagle Ambassadors, Science National Honor Society, the Theatre program and Young Life. Elizabeth competed with the school varsity swim team for four years and swam with the First Colony and Greatwood Gators teams. Her academic and athletic awards include the Kingdom of God Academic Excellence Award, Academic All-State recognition for swimming (four years) and the Scholar-Athlete Award (two years). Elizabeth traveled to La Pintana, Chile, to work with Vision for Children and to Romania to assist the humanitarian aid efforts in the rural area of Susani during the school’s interim week of service, Eagle Week. She also volunteers at her local church and with the Greatwood Gators swim team.
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Daily, Elizabeth would remind herself of Matthew 6:34; “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
“In hindsight, the road was long and challenging,” shared Elizabeth. “But I never looked too far ahead with school work, just at what needed to be accomplished in one day, then did that the best I could that day.” Elizabeth is thankful for many people. Not only her biological family, but her FBCA family too.
“I’m thankful for God, of course, for giving me the strength when I didn’t have it myself, my family for holding me to a high standard, my FBCA friends for never letting me take myself too seriously and never failing to remind me that high school is not just about the grades, my neighborhood friends for keeping me accountable and being there for the past 12 years, the three people who have brought immeasurable joy on my best and worst days, even though they are states away, and Damisi for showing me what it looks like to live like Jesus.” Elizabeth will attend Auburn University and major in Biomedical Science. Her long-term goal is to become a physician’s assistant.
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DISTANCE LEARNING
Responding To A Global Pandemic
One Virtual Classroom At A Time From a traditional learning environment to a distance learning plan, the mission of Fort Bend Christian Academy has been unwavering. Regardless of circumstance, teachers and faculty remained steadfast in equipping students to thrive spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. FBCA, like the entire education system, redesigned what the classroom would look like in a short period of time. In the wake of COVID-19, teachers adapted to a style of teaching and learning that was different and unprecedented. They worked countless hours, including evenings and weekends, to modify their lesson plans to engage students in ways that were productive and beneficial to them. “FBCA remains fully committed to providing a robust, highquality program that equips our students with the critical skills and knowledge base to successfully finish their grade levels, and to continue the excellent progress they have made throughout the year,” said FBCA Head of School, Joshua Gettys. “In all grade levels, our teachers moved forward with the fourth quarter curriculum, using both synchronous and asynchronous methods to effectively engage our students in developmentally and age-appropriate ways. In every class at FBCA, teachers were incorporating live interactive sessions with students into their lesson plans, preserving the special connection between students and teachers that differentiates our school from many other schools around us.” As the closures extended weeks and eventually the rest of the spring semester, FBCA’s teachers remained the bedrock for distance learning. Teachers provided remote offerings that were comprehensive, engaging, and responsive. Suddenly, everything had to change, but the dedication and hard work of the entire FBCA community rose to the challenge. There might be uncertainty about what the future will hold, but without a shadow of a doubt, there is a unique spirit and camaraderie among the FBCA community, and these attributes exemplify our extraordinary resilience and courage. Our God reigns today, tomorrow and forever.
ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT ON CAMPUS, OUR SCHOOL YEAR CONTINUED, AND GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCES WERE HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS.
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DISTANCE LEARNING
Technology In The Virtual Classroom Thinking Outside The Box
In March 2020, COVID-19 turned the education system upside down. In response, FBCA teachers had to become very creative to stay in touch with their students. Our teachers took technological innovation and daily engagement to a whole new level. Mrs. Beth Coalson, Upper School Physics Teacher, believes in constant interaction with her students. In addition to live Zoom classes, Coalson used EdPuzzle, an online platform, to create videos of her lessons. This allowed students to type questions back to her to enable smooth conversation for new material.
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I wanted the students to feel like they were in the classroom with me,” shared Coalson.
For trivia type learning, Coalson used Kahoot, TrivaMaker and Google Classrooms. She wanted to change how students could learn, so she used Google Classrooms to make “escape rooms” for her AP classes. “I set up three individual Google sites. Each site was one room in a three-room, escape room challenge game. I released the first room at a certain time for all. Then as assigned teams, the students had to do three free-response problems in each room, add up the answers to each problem, and type in that “secret code” to see if it unlocked the next room or Google site. If it was the incorrect secret code, then the lock just said ‘try again’ which meant they started looking for their errors and teaching each other as they went. If it was correct, the students received a message that said congratulations and gave them a link for the next room.” Coalson even emailed Starbucks gift cards to the winners! To ensure that she was getting accurate feedback from her students, Coalson used Google Forms to gather information about how her students felt about the lessons, concepts and assignments. “I used Google Forms to receive peer feedback on any team activities and to get class reviews for a general sense of how things were going in my classes and what I could do differently.” Coalson went above and beyond to provide a fun and interactive learning experience for her students. Forms and feedback are essential to teachers, especially to Middle School English Teacher, Mrs. Linda Wright. One student wrote to her, “I know that social distancing is hard, but I just wanted to let you know that we are all praying for you and cannot wait to see you, even if it’s next year.” Wright embraced the challenge and showed her students that distance learning can allow a fresh new space for creativity. Another teacher who showed extraordinary care of her students via a virtual classroom is Upper School History Teacher, Mrs. Rachel Webking. “For World History II, it was important to me to keep as much of a similar format to class as possible,” 29
shared Webking. “I wanted the students to see me and hear me on the screen with the notes like they would in class. Many students need that facial connection with the teacher, so it was important for me to keep that aspect.” She used Screen-Cast-O-Matic to record lecture videos, Blackbaud for discussion posts and notes and Zoom to continue face-to-face teaching with her students. “I used Zoom to connect with various students oneon-one. Connecting with my students one-on-one to privately address educational needs has been my favorite aspect of this platform. I also used Zoom to have Coffee Chats once a week to engage informally with everyone and share announcements and answer questions for the week.” Webking was determined to remain on track with her students via these virtual platforms. Upper School Theology teacher, Mr. Chris Henderson, used a wide variety of technology as well. While Henderson used Zoom and Google Forms to teach and chat with his students, he also implemented his own website to provide lessons to his students. “My website contains vast resources for students and parents to prepare for the various papers and discussions each student will encounter in the fulfillment of the requirements for my class,” shared Henderson. “Students had previously been broken into small groups, and each group was responsible for crafting an essay for a given ethical topic of their choice and then defending their essay to me via a Zoom conference.” Henderson also oversees Middle and Upper School live Chapel technical productions. He employed a whole host of hardware and software solutions, from high-end cameras, SDI switching, audio mixing, matrix routing, broadcast encoding, live stream production, to a vast amount of other established and emerging technologies. Thanks to Henderson, students were able to stay in a routine of experiencing Chapel with their peers and teachers. With distance learning changing how teachers delivered the material to their students just months before AP testing, the Upper School teachers had to get creative. Coalson had students requesting more time to review for their AP tests. So, she began reviews via Zoom on Saturdays and in the evenings. With the Whiteboard platform, Coalson hosted mock AP exams and tried to set it up as close to the real environment as possible. Also, in preparation for May 21 AP testing, Webking used Zoom to get more information out to her 10th-grade students. One of her focuses was on their Document Based Questions, also known as the DBQ. These questions are infamous for their length, causing students to feel fatigued, but Webking was determined to have her students prepared. Despite the newness of virtual classrooms and distance learning, the teachers and students alike found positivity in the uncertainty. Teachers from all divisions found moments of laughter, insight and amazement alongside their students. Middle School English, Theology, and Drama teacher, Mrs. Gabrielle Gripon continually checked in with her students and found that her students were going through the ups and downs just like everyone else. “Weekly, I heard from the students about how much they miss school, each other, their teachers,” shared Gripon. “I kept in contact with them to check on their mental health and pray with them through their anxieties. Our students are dealing with a world where the adults are stressed and don’t always have the answers like they used to.” 30
DISTANCE LEARNING
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Technology In The Virtual Classroom Thinking Outside The Box
Gripon felt blessed to have gotten so much interaction with her students. Her students showed incredible teamwork through breakout sessions via Zoom. They got to discuss worship and novels, not just with Gripon, but also with each other. First-grade teacher, Mrs. Cheri Maples, wanted to bring familiarity home with her students.
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Distance learning has brought a new dimension to the excitement, joy, and challenge of teaching. My first thought when hearing that we would be teaching from a distance was how to keep the personal connection and feelings of a classroom community.” Some highlights for Maples’ students were getting to sleep in later and do school in their pajamas! Maples was thankful to have seen their faces every day while also getting to spend time with her dog. Mrs. Kim Davis, a fourth-grade teacher. also had many highlights in distance learning. Via Zoom, her students presented to her a book about how their lives have changed since the school campus had to close. Davis kept creativity and learning at the forefront of her teaching. Mr. Carlos Roman, Spanish teacher, saw success in his students’ work via his virtual classroom. Through DuoLingo, Zoom, and other technological platforms, Roman stayed connected with his students and their parents, making sure that the whole family remained involved in his students’ learning. He also saw an outpouring of appreciation from his students and their families. One FBCA parent shared, “We are so grateful to you for all you have done for Mackenzie! She could not have done it without you!! Thank you for everything you do during this unbelievable time in our lives. We are so thankful to you! Your love for my child shows! You go above and beyond, and you care so much! The greatest thing we ever did was enroll in Fort Bend Christian.”
REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE, FBCA REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS.
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DISTANCE LEARNING
Spiritual Life Growing in Faith
I have often heard the expression “bloom where you’re planted” and reflected on this idea being consistent with a biblical faith. Psalm 37 reminds us to trust in the Lord and do good and to dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. The Great Commission reminds us to make disciples as we are going about daily life. Colossians 3 reminds us that whatever we do in word or deed we should do it for Christ. When the fourth quarter started and everyone went to distance learning, I was curious how this idea might play out in the lives of our students, teachers, and parents. How could we as a school encourage the spiritual health of our families while we are away from each other? Many in our school community began to bloom in different ways in order to answer the call. Lower School teachers included Bible lessons and devotional help for their students. Middle School teachers challenged students to make real life applications from the lessons and curriculum adaptations. Upper School teachers encouraged dialogue about spiritual matters while they discussed their content areas. This isn’t anything new or different for these teachers because this was already their practice in the classroom. The challenge of teaching students through distance learning platforms gave teachers opportunities to be creative in content delivery and to also be involved in meaningful conversations about how Christian faith demonstrates itself during a pandemic. The teachers at FBCA lived their faith in uncertain times by leaning into the certainty of Christ and the hope we have in Him. Many of us struggled with the multitude of emotions that accompanied finishing a school year in the most unusual way imaginable, but even in the midst of this we looked to the Author and Perfecter of our faith to be our refuge. As chaplain, I wanted to focus on ways to encourage our school family to look to Jesus for peace and strength while we all tried to juggle new expectations at home with changing schoolwork and job responsibilities. Chaplain Chats became one of the first ways to share hope through social media. Philippians chapter 4 offers so much in the way of reminders about how to have joy and peace in the midst of anxious times that I knew our people
needed. Chris Henderson and I put together the first eight messages at his studio at Hendyamps and set them to go out routinely throughout the quarantine time. The Lord’s timing through the release of each message fit perfectly with circumstances that many were facing in that week. Chapels were another project that looked different for our school family during isolation. Margie Meyer, Sara Sanders and many of the Lower School teaching team provided video content to encourage our younger ones to worship and seek the Lord. Sara Sanders led us in worship through created worship videos using our regular chapel music. Margie Meyer encouraged all of her kids every week with messages of hope that she filmed at home and at school. This was truly a labor of love for our Lower School families. Middle School and Upper School chapels became a livestream experiment that incorporated live worship from junior Ian Aviles and messages from various people along the way. Chris Henderson provided the technical knowledge and his studio for these live experiences, and we figured out how to provide meaningful content in a new way. Every week was an intentional worship time designed to provide a sense of “normal routine” through ongoing chapels. This new approach also gave us an opportunity to celebrate our academic awards through videos provided by every teacher in the MS and US. 33
As each of our teachers in every division worked diligently to create and lead online instruction, I wanted to encourage them as well. Staff devotions were offered on various days throughout the week to provide a way for staff to share prayer requests, hear an encouraging word from Scripture, and to worship together. Lower School teachers also continued their regular habit of gathering as a team for a devotion time on Sundays led by Margie Meyer. The Holy Spirit was using these times and many others to encourage those who needed to know the strength and joy that are found in Christ and Christian community. While this quarter has been one that changed how we have done school, it has not changed the faithfulness of the Lord. He truly is an ever-present help in time of need. This unexpected time continues to teach us that when we are firmly planted and rooted in Christ we can bloom wherever He leads us. - Wes Pogue, FBCA Chaplain
PAUL SAYS, “ I THANK MY GOD EVERY TIME I REMEMBER YOU. IN ALL MY PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOU, I ALWAYS PRAY WITH JOY BECAUSE OF YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW, BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. IT IS RIGHT FOR ME TO FEEL THIS WAY ABOUT ALL OF YOU, SINCE I HAVE YOU IN MY HEART AND, WHETHER I AM IN CHAINS OR DEFENDING AND CONFIRMING THE GOSPEL, ALL OF YOU SHARE IN GOD’S GRACE WITH ME. GOD CAN TESTIFY HOW I LONG FOR ALL OF YOU WITH THE AFFECTION OF CHRIST JESUS.” PHILIPPIANS 1:3-8
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Finishing an AP Art Portfolio from Home
KELIN LONGBOTTOM
Kelin Longbottom is a member of the FBCA Class of 2020 and has talents that go far beyond the classroom. Kelin was always a standout player on the men’s soccer team at FBCA and will continue showcasing his abilities on the field at Schreiner University in the fall. But what is most intriguing about Kelin is his artistic ability. Kelin comes from a family of creative minds and artistic talents, so he has been interested in making his own art since he was young. Drawings and 2D paintings are definitely in his wheelhouse, but during his senior year at FBCA Kelin was able to expand into 3D sculpting. “I did a lot of metalwork outside of school building things,” shared Kelin. “So when I came to FBCA, it was a hobby I could work on at school.” However, during his senior year Kelin and his classmates had to begin distance learning. Of course, this posed a serious challenge to all of the FBCA students. Art students, including Kelin, had to figure out how to finish pieces that they had been working on all year. For Kelin, this would mean turning his garage into an art studio. One of his more significant projects is a chair made entirely out of metal. “I used the chair to create a series of drawings and paintings that were meant to be put on 3D sculptures that showed a contrast between the 2D and 3D world of art,” shared Kelin. “The study of automotive paint layering and color increased the energy and movement of line into the pieces. The power of multiple lines has shown a surface tension that contrasts and compliments the piece’s character.” During distance learning he was able to have his supplies at home to finish this project, which included painting his chair with car paint.
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My favorite moment was being able to sit in my chair that I spent most of the school year working on.”
Mr. Robert Sanders, Director of Fine Arts, and Mr. Ryan Baptiste, Art Teacher, are two of Kelin’s greatest encouragers. “At FBCA, I have had two amazing art teachers that have helped and provided me with a better understanding of what it is to be unique and show character in all of my artwork,” shared Kelin. Mr. Sanders helped Kelin prepare for the end of the year despite not being on campus. Kelin had multiple pieces that he submitted to the College Board for AP credit, and Mr. Sanders was right there for it all. “Kelin Longbottom’s creative quest as an artist this year has been one of the most explosive experiences to watch,” shared Mr. Sanders. “His mark-making process emphasizes a 35
“AT FBCA, I HAVE HAD TWO AMAZING ART TEACHERS THAT HAVE HELPED AND PROVIDED ME WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT IS TO BE UNIQUE AND SHOW CHARACTER IN ALL OF MY ARTWORK.” visual form of metal lines and organic shape. Kelin has an innate ability to absorb 3D concepts that develop into a fascinating visual image of the ambiance. His sculptures and drawings reflect his unique sensibility to natural forms. He has truly found his voice in his searching and probing beneath the surface to discover the state of grace in his art.” Kelin holds the respect of his teachers and peers for being hard-working and dedicated to his craft. The FBCA teachers and staff are excited to see how Kelin uses his gifts during his college career at Schreiner University. 36
Cultivating Leadership
DRUM MAJORS
Under the direction of Mrs. Deirdre Wood, Director of Bands, the Fort Bend Christian Academy marching program is soaring to new heights in only its second year of performing. Rising juniors Davis Jordan and Michael Walker have been selected as the 20202021 FBCA Marching Band Drum Majors. Jordan and Walker completed a lengthy leadership course and audition for the position. Both students were chosen based on their willingness to serve others, and for their commitment to further the FBCA music program. Jordan and Walker will also serve on the Band Council as President and Vice President. Led by the new drum majors, the marching band will have a full field halftime show at fall football games and perform in future marching band competitions.
“I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED TO HAVE THESE CHRIST-CENTERED YOUNG MEN LEADING OUR GROUP THIS YEAR. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO INTRODUCING A WHOLE NEW PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE FOR THE BAND STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL. NEXT YEAR IS A TRANSITION FOR THE MARCHING PROGRAM AND WILL INCLUDE MOVEMENT WITH PLAYING, WHICH CAN BE QUITE CHALLENGING, BUT THE STUDENTS ARE ENERGETIC AND WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK. OUR NEW MUSIC WILL BRING AN ADDED LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT AND EAGLE SPIRIT.” - MRS. DEIRDRE WOOD
Michael Walker
Davis Jordan 37
Spirit Program Expands
EMERALD BRIGADE
Fort Bend Christian Academy selected members for the Emerald Brigade dance team, the newest addition to the FBCA Spirit Program. The purpose of this dance team is to promote school spirit, good sportsmanship, school loyalty, and artistic expression in a Christ-centered way. A year-long sport, Emerald Brigade enhances the already prominent athletic program to include those students that excel at dance. Angie Civalero, FBCA Theology teacher, will serve as the Dance Director while Mackenzie Shimek, FBCA parent, will serve as the Assistant Dance Director. The Emerald Brigade inaugural members are Isabella Bartz (‘23), Isabella Deshon (‘23), Payton Dailey (‘22), Erin Kram (‘22), Lauren Ramirez (‘22), Elizabeth Walker (‘21), and Mickey Wood (‘23).
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“I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER TO ANNOUNCE THE INAUGURAL MEMBERS OF EMERALD BRIGADE! THESE GIRLS ARE DEDICATED TO, AND ENTHUSIASTIC FOR, THIS TEAM AND I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THEY CAN PERFORM FOR THE SCHOOL. HAVING BEEN ON MY OWN HIGH SCHOOL’S DANCE TEAM, I KNOW HOW VERY POWERFUL AN OUTLET THIS CAN BE FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND I AM SO PLEASED I GET TO PLAY A PART IN BRINGING THIS PROGRAM TO FBCA.” - COACH ANGIE CIVALERO
Safety Remains First Priority
EAGLES STADIUM
Kelly Carroll, FBCA Director of Athletics, is putting athletes’ safety at the forefront of her department. In time for the 2020-2021 athletic seasons, FBCA installed Brock’s Powerbase Pro, the original shock pad system designed by the leader in the industry of artificial turf fields. This system, designed for elite athletic programs in the NFL and NCAA, is making its break into high school football. With Powerbase Pro the field will now have an ideal balance of shock absorption and field stiffness, creating an extra layer of safety during play. FBCA also installed Brockfill, replacing the crumb rubber infill and making it cooler for the athletes in the Texas heat. Along with that, RootZone 3D3 by Astroturf replaced the old surface, creating a complete state-of-the-art football field.
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Kelly Carroll is on the forefront in the high school sports world,” Amy Champion, Brock USA Gulf Coast States Vice President said.
“We work with the NFL and NCAA football clients across the country. High schools are just starting to understand the importance of our technology, which comes with a price. She did the research and made a very progressive decision. If an organization, district or league wants to cut down on concussions and ACL injuries, that’s where we come in.”
“AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK A PARENT IN THE EYE AND TELL THEM WE CAN KEEP THEIR CHILD AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.” - COACH KELLY CARROLL 39
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From Texas to New Jersey
KADEN KRAM
Kaden Kram has played baseball since he was three years old, so when the opportunity finally came to play baseball for his dream school, it was a no-brainer. Kaden, a Fort Bend Christian Academy Class of 2020 student-athlete and Houston Athletics club baseball player, has had a roller coaster of a college commitment process. He was a dedicated student and a leader among his peers at FBCA for 12 years and has racked up accolades such as Academic All-State, Scholar-Athlete, Team MVP, 1st Team All-District, Honorable Mention All-State and the Soaring Eagle Award. When the news broke that schools would be closing early for the 2020 spring semester due to COVID-19, his final baseball season came to a halt. In this time of at-home workouts and virtual classrooms, Kaden managed to keep a somewhat normal routine. His usual day consists of a workout, some baseball training and then whatever school work he has that day. “It has been a little difficult to put solid workouts together but I have been able to manage with what I have at the house,” shared Kaden. “Sometimes it does get a little unconventional like loading a backpack with heavy things around the house but it gets the job done.” Despite his new normal, Kaden has time to reflect on his time at FBCA. He considers the district seasons and playoff runs as his standout moments for him during high school. “The most standout moment in my four years of high school was during my district-winning sophomore season. We got the opportunity to play against and beat Second Baptist at Minute Maid Park in Houston.” His coaches were also monumental to his successes during his high school career. “I’ve had two head coaches, Coach Jones and Coach Richards, while I’ve been at FBCA and they both meant a whole lot to me and helped me develop as not only a player but also as a person.”
“THE MOST STANDOUT MOMENT IN MY FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL WAS DURING MY DISTRICT-WINNING SOPHOMORE SEASON. WE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AGAINST AND BEAT SECOND BAPTIST AT MINUTE MAID PARK IN HOUSTON.” 41
Fast forward to his senior year, Kaden had options for his post-high school plans. At the center of these plans; baseball. Kaden had multiple offers from Division 3 schools to play baseball at the collegiate level. He also had conversations over the summer before his senior year with his dream program, Princeton University Baseball. However, the coach for that program told him that he didn’t have room for a catcher in the 2024 class. Hearing that, Kaden committed to play for Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. It wasn’t until the middle of March 2020 when Kaden’s post-graduate plans changed. “Apparently admissions was able to open up another spot for the Princeton coach around the middle of March and he called the Trinity coach, asking if he could talk to me and then called me pretty much right away after he got the OK,” explained Kaden. “It was a little bit of a roller coaster from having to pick from several D3 offers to getting an offer to play at my dream school.” So why Princeton? To Kaden, it is the perfect combination of an Ivy League education and competitive Division 1 athletics. From a beautiful campus to an elite program, Kaden is going to get exactly what he was always looking for in a university. “Princeton offers a specific kind of major that combines Operational Research with Financial Engineering,” said Kaden. “Basically computer science mixed with a business course, which is pretty much exactly what I wanted to study.” In terms of getting ready to move miles away from Texas, Kaden has taken it upon himself to research what his new schedule might be. Though he knows his days will be filled with baseball and classes, Kaden wants to focus on bettering himself both on and off the baseball field. On the other hand, his to-do list also includes stocking up on winter clothes for New Jersey’s colder weather. When asked what he thinks about his next steps and the next steps of his fellow seniors, Kaden explained that nerves are to be expected but not feared. “It is a little nerve-racking moving halfway across the country and living away from home but I think that this next chapter of my life will be filled with new and exciting things that will make up for the long trip.” Kaden will begin his journey at Princeton in the fall and FBCA is excited to have him join the alumni community!
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“PRINCETON OFFERS A SPECIFIC KIND OF MAJOR THAT COMBINES OPERATIONAL RESEARCH WITH FINANCIAL ENGINEERING. BASICALLY COMPUTER SCIENCE MIXED WITH A BUSINESS COURSE, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO STUDY.”
Alumni Update | Victoria Rigsby, Class of 2013 Victoria Rigsby graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Kinesiology, a concentration in Applied Exercise Physiology and a minor in Business in 2017. She completed the Doctorate in Physical Therapy program at Duke University this past May. Victoria will be starting a sports physical therapy residency at Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Sports Institute in Houston, Texas. Upon her high school graduation, Victoria already knew that she was interested in sports medicine. She had spent a significant amount of time shadowing and observing several professions that all operate in the realm of sports medicine (physicians, physicians assistants, orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers, and physical therapists). During her time at Fort Bend Christian Academy, she had the opportunity to work in the athletic training room and work with athletes in a sports medicine environment. It was those training room experiences and shadowing experiences at Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute that pushed Victoria to pursue a career in sports medicine. During her freshman year at Texas A&M University, she got the opportunity to work for the Aggie Track & Field team as a student athletic trainer. Exposure to highlevel athletes in a sports medicine setting led her to choose Kinesiology with a concentration in Applied Exercise Physiology. It allowed her to understand how the human body functions, moves, and responds to exercise. while also setting her up to succeed in pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy down the road. Victoria fell in love with physical therapy because she learned that she would get the opportunity to establish a relationship with patients and athletes due to the amount of face to face contact that P.T. professionals get with them. “It provides the opportunity to see them through some of their hardest challenges as they are faced with the setbacks of an injury,” shared Victoria. “Also, to see their progression of ups and downs over time, and eventually, getting to see them return to what they love and are passionate about. Helping people achieve their goals and return to what they love doing is what makes this profession so great!” Victoria shared that her time at FBCA prepared her for college and her professional role in many ways. “Being as active and involved as I was at FBCA, it allowed me to function at a pretty high level at Texas A&M because I felt that I had good time management
skills and knew how I studied and learned best,” shared Victoria. “Feeling confident in my abilities in the classroom allowed me to engage in other extracurricular activities, including the athletic training program, intramural sports, being an active member and holding leadership positions in Delta Gamma Fraternity, regularly attend Breakaway, and work for the Texas A&M football team.” Victoria also credits FBCA in developing her spiritually and socially. “I think that establishing a firm foundation of faith during my time at FBCA allowed me to be resilient in a lot of ways when facing challenges,” shared Victoria. “I am grateful for my experiences, memories, and friendships from college because they really shaped me into who I am today.” FBCA is so proud of Victoria and all she has accomplished during her time at FBCA and beyond! 43
Alumni Update | Dusty Dishman, Class of 2009 Dusty Dishman married Adalee Embesi on March 14, 2020, at the Fort Bend County Museum in Richmond, Texas. The couple met online and had an instant connection. “The first time we met in person we hugged as a greeting and all the lights in the restaurant we were in went off and then came back on, a literal spark between us. I knew she was ‘the one’ immediately,” Dishman said. The newlyweds took the wedding celebration a unique one step further, posing for pictures at their favorite go-to pit stop, Buc-ee’s, on the way to their final honeymoon destination. Dishman played baseball at the collegiate level, graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2013. He is a Deputy in Patrol, a Field Training Officer and a SWAT team sniper in the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. “I’ve always loved helping people out and have a strong desire to protect those around me,” he said. Adalee is the Studio Manager at Carlino’s Photography. The couple lives in Needville and enjoys spending time together drinking coffee, making breakfast, binge-watching Criminal Minds and cheering for the Astros.
Alumni Update | Jackie Knake, Class of 2002 After FBCA, Jackie Knake graduated from The University of Mary Hardin Baylor in 2006 with a B.A. in Christian Ministry and Business Administration. Since 2008, she has worked in a healthcare setting and is currently an administrator overseeing 31 ambulatory clinics in Sonora, CA for a Christian-based hospital. “In the middle of this crisis, I can see God’s hand at work with my staff and in our community,” shared Jackie. “People are coming together in this time of need and uncertainty. Homemade masks are being hand stitched, errands run for the elderly, and an overall showing of care and compassion between neighbors and strangers.” Jackie recalls FBCA as a place of growth and guidance. She was able to study a well-rounded curriculum and felt prepared for schooling after FBCA. The encouragement spiritually, emotionally, and academically that she received from some specific teachers while at FBCA helped guide her path in life. “God used them in amazing ways,” shared Jackie. “While I had a good friend group and I was busy with school and sports, high school can be a challenging time emotionally and I had some wonderful mentors that drew me out of some difficult places. They helped me realize that mistakes are mistakes and while they help mold you and help you grow, they do not cap your potential or create a label for the remainder of your life. They showed me how to be willing to be open to those around me and also to reach out to my fellow students that may be low. A kind word can dramatically change someone’s day and even their course in life.”
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