Gathering Together by Robbie Mason, Head of School GCA Staff and Families,
As we enter into the summer season, I am reminded to be thankful for the religious freedom we have in this country. We shouldn’t take this freedom lightly, as there are many countries around the world where believers are not able to worship freely and definitely do not have the opportunity to send their children to a Christian school. We understand that the last two years have been a difficult season for many because of Covid and various other factors. While there may be temporary reasons why families may not have a church home, we desire each of our families to be in-person at a church worshiping our Lord and Savior. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us of the importance of gathering together to encourage one another and to hold one another accountable. If this season finds you without active church involvement, we hope you’ll reevaluate your circumstances and commit to being actively engaged in a local church. We all need to be devoted to partnering together so we can continue to disciple our students in the ways of the Lord. We have over 73 churches represented within the GCA community and I know our admin team would be willing to help your family find a church home if you need some recommendations of a church in your area. With the partnership of home, church, and family, together we can have an even greater impact in training our young men and women to be world changers for God’s kingdom. GCA just celebrated its largest graduating class of 71 students. We rejoice in their many academic, athletic, and Fine Arts accomplishments, but also trust that the spiritual foundation that has been laid will serve our graduates well as they engage culture. I shared five things with the Class of 2022 at graduation which are good reminders for us as well: 1. Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. 2. Love others unconditionally to develop relationships to open doors to share the Gospel. 3. Be strong in holding firm to the absolute truths found in God’s Word as we battle culture. 4. Be courageous in sharing the Gospel with others (Matthew 28). 5. You have been equipped to impact the world for Jesus Christ. I am truly thankful for your partnership, and I pray that the Lord gives you a wonderful break with your family. Serving Christ, Robbie
June 2018
Dear GCA Families,
We want to give you an update on some exciting developments at the High School regarding the building project. If you have driven up to the High School recently, you may have seen a lot of construction activity and also noticed LOTS of massive rocks. These rocks will be used to construct the retaining wall that is needed to surround the new campus. Provided the weather cooperates, we expect the construction of the retaining walls and the sand filter septic system to start in a couple of weeks. We are also prayerful that we will have the building permits for the High School project in hand soon which would allow us to start construction immediately thereafter. Please join us in prayer that this will all go as scheduled. When the new High School building is completed, our Intermediate and Middle School students will move into the existing building. The new High School has the capacity to accommodate almost 500 students. This will allow us to have a separate area of four classrooms for 8th graders to be able to experience the High School environment. This will also give us breathing room at every level. We are, and will remain, steadfast in our plan to focus on growth continuing to increase through the elementary grade levels and to stay true to our mission as we strive to equip students to impact the world for Jesus Christ. As long as the weather cooperates, building materials arrive on schedule, and funding continues to come in to help us reach our building goal, we could have a new High School building ready for students to begin the 2023-2024 school year! Since last fall, we've intentionally procured hard-to-secure building materials to receive the best pricing and delivery options possible to work towards this proposed opening date. We are excited and hopeful for the future of GCA. We are extremely encouraged that over the last 18 months, 80% of our families have given to our school. This level of support has made it possible to begin the construction of the new High School building. We currently need $3.5 million to be able to complete Phase I. We have funding to complete the academic building portion of the project, but need the additional funds to be able to complete the gymnasium, workout facility, and some additional classroom space. Being able to complete these simultaneously is the most cost-effective for our school, which is why we are striving to raise the additional funds needed to be able to do this. Will you please join us as we fervently pray over the blessings and provisions that the Lord continues to pour out onto Grace Christian Academy? Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit. Serving Christ, Robbie Mason, Head of School Brad Myers, Director of Development
Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man. Psalm 66:5
Our World Impact Week included a week of chapels for our 5th-12th graders and our Elementary students joined us on Friday for an all-school chapel. Our 5th-12th grade students heard from various speakers about how the speaker’s personal story is part of God’s bigger story. It is amazing to see how God uses our strengths, talents, and giftings to impact His kingdom. What an honor
that the Lord allows us to be a part of His work. Our Elementary students raised money for various ministries in different countries. It was a great opportunity for our students to learn about other countries and cultures. At the all-school chapel on Friday, the Elementary classes paraded through the Sanctuary carrying their country’s flag, dressed in their country’s colors, and we all celebrated the money raised which will impact the people of these countries. We pray that through these chapels our students would develop a love for the people of the world. The Lord loves all people and we trust that our students will leave GCA equipped to make an impact for Christ not just here in Tennessee, but all around the world. As some of our guest speakers shared, it’s simply taking one step of obedience at a time. Sometimes that obedience keeps you in Franklin, Tennessee, and sometimes it takes you to Nepal. The most important part is listening to God’s voice and being willing to follow Him and tell others about His awesome deeds. May we always declare, “Come and see what God has done.” He alone is worthy to receive all the glory and honor! What a mighty God we serve!
19 students, Mrs. Almon, and Mr. and Mrs. Barnette traveled to Harlingen, TX to work at Way of the Cross ministry during MissionX week. We served in a warehouse and helped with a feeding program, but most importantly, we each got to share the gospel with a group of people. Our group worked hard and took turns in sharing our testimonies and devotions each evening.
The Senior C Eleuthera. We pouring conc mowing, clean much more. W Eleuthera and an oceanfront spending the a
It was an a together. The Bahamian food
A group of 30 juniors and seniors led by M Conference Center in Leesburg, Florida. W one of their buildings by painting it while work days though, the kids had wonderful various other games throughout the week.
Our Local MissionX group served alongside several ministries during the week. The first day, we went to Nashville and helped sort items that several businesses donated to The Bridge, who in turn gives those items to underprivileged youth and adults in the community. On Tuesday, some of us went to One Gen Away and some went to GraceWorks where they helped sort food items to be distributed to people in need. Wednesday and Thursday were more physically demanding days, as we worked outside at Saddle Up and Deer Run. We shoveled, painted, cleaned, laid mulch, packed up loads of cardboard for recycling, and hauled wood. We learned a lot about these local ministries and the needs we have in our local community. It was a blessing to be able to serve alongside each of these organizations.
Class of 2022 spent a week at Camp Bahamas on the island of e helped the camp stay on top of general maintenance by mixing and rete, making concrete pavers, clearing brush with machetes, ning cabins, hauling rocks, sealing wooden decks, painting, and We also had two days of sightseeing, one on the mainland of one on Harbour Island. Two highlights of the trip were relaxing at t resort and restaurant after seeing several local landmarks and afternoon on the pink sand beaches with virgin daiquiris.
amazing week watching the Seniors serve, play, and pray ey worked hard, had positive attitudes, ate many traditional ds,, and explored about two-thirds of the island of Eleuthera! Moments of Hope Church and Hope Farm hosted the students of GCA for MissionX 2022. Sarah and Ryan Musser along with Kevin Shaw and Caroline Levinson were pleased to join the high schoolers in an amazing week on the land, helping renovate it for a future place of ministry. The students helped build porches, paint pews, and build flower beds, while also spending each morning in devotionals outside, and evenings by the campfire. It was an amazing week together!
Mrs. Finch, Coach Jordan, and Ms. Cline went to Lake Yale Baptist While there, part of the group was able to serve the camp by updating the other part helped staff with major cleaning. In the midst of long l devotions around the campfire, numerous volleyball matches, and We ended the week with a fun day at Cocoa Beach.
22 GCA students along with Coach Payne, Alicia Jordan, and Jennifer Dial flew to Las Vegas to serve alongside The Well Church. The church was in the middle of moving from a very small lease building that held 85 people to their own building that holds 450. We were able to canvas some neighborhoods praying over their homes and inviting them to the grand opening of The Well Church’s new campus. We also were able to serve them by landscaping some of their new facility. Great relationships were formed as we served together and were challenged by the head pastor, Steve Witt, to “put our yes on the table” and be open to whatever the Lord desires for our lives.
Coach Smith, Mr. VanDrunen, and Mrs. Hauk took 30 sophomores and juniors to Ridge Haven Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. We assisted the camp staff with property clean up and outdoor maintenance, and enjoyed fellowship and food with each other and the camp staff. Escape rooms, white water rafting, and some crazy zip lines rounded off the trip.
Jen Neilson and Laura Camacho took a group of kids to the Nashville Innercity Ministries facility. This organization offers educational programs for children throughout the week and shares the gospel with those students and their families. They also serve the local community in various ways.
While we were there, we painted rooms in preparation for summer programming, cleaned and organized school supply closets, landscaped, and other things. A few of us went out into the local community with the staff and delivered food boxes and prayed with the elderly who were receiving the boxes.
The 5th Annual Dodgeball Tournament held on April 7 consisted of 74 teams ranging in age from Pre-K through adults. Teams were excited to raise funds for former GCA teacher and soccer coach Charles Cranford and his wife Nancy. The Cranfords recently followed God’s call to missions and moved to Malawi. Nancy teaches at an academy, and Charles teaches and coaches soccer at a Christian college. Unlike the college, many of the academy students are not Christians, so the school provides a unique opportunity to share the Gospel with students who otherwise wouldn’t have much desire or opportunity to hear it. Though Malawians are the largest demographic at the school, they have students who are Lebanese, Indian, South African, Burundian, and more. Daily, they have opportunities to minister to Muslims, Hindus, and others who are not hearing the name of Jesus at home. Charles and Nancy have had some encouraging moments with nonbelieving students and trust that the Word of God is being planted in their hearts and that those seeds will someday bear fruit for God’s kingdom. The highlight of Charles’ day is coaching the soccer team. Charles has a real passion for coaching and says his team is built on much more than soccer. Charles hosts team devotions and a breakfast/Bible study once a week and looks forward to seeing his students grow both on and off the field. The Cranfords are well-loved by our students and families here at GCA and of course, greatly missed! We are thankful that this is just one small way where our students and school community can impact the world for Jesus Christ, specifically in Malawi, Africa. We were able to send a check for over $9,000 to the Cranfords! Great job, GCA community! Congratulations to the winning teams of the tournament! Elementary: The Homies IS/MS: Bolt Action Flamingos HS and older: Woof
Grandparents Day by: Vicki White
We had a great day honoring our grandparents with our Annual Grandparents Day Program. The performance featured GCA students from Pre-K to 12th grade showing everyone in attendance what makes GCA so special. The High School worship team began the program with a moving rendition of “How Great Is Our God” that blessed us all. They were followed by the Pre-K classes (adorably dressed as their grandparents) singing and reciting Psalm 71:18. Elementary students recited the books of the Bible, memorized scripture, and sang worship songs. The Intermediate and Middle School students performed soulful renditions of “Lean on Me” and the worship song, “Waymaker.” The 5th Grade Humanities class performed a drama to music called Untitled Hymn. The High School students ended the event with performances from the High School Choir, the High School Theatre program (Ed Sullivan from the musical Bye Bye Birdie), and the High School girls. The final performance was the High School boys reciting “The Fellowship of the Unashamed.” It was delivered with a maturity and strength that certainly inspired pride in the heart of every grandparent. With performances from the Dance Team and beautiful gifts prepared by the students and their art teachers, I can’t help but think all who attended left feeling extra special.
There is nothing sweeter than a morning spent eating doughnuts, especially when it’s a morning with your dad or significant father figure. GCA students, dads, grandfathers, and others enjoyed a morning of doughnuts and coffee together in February. While attending the event, they were blessed to have Matt Cavanaugh start their morning off with a quick devotional and prayer. Matt talked to the men about being a godly leader in
their homes and standing firm for our Christian values within our school and homes. PTF is so thankful for the godly leadership of the men within our GCA families.
PTF was honored to offer Muffins with Mom this year on the Friday before Mother’s Day. GCA students, moms, grandmothers, and significant mother figures enjoyed a morning together while eating muffins, drinking coffee, and visiting a photo booth. After attending the event, they were able to shop at the Book Fair together before the school day started. GCA is blessed with some incredible moms and grandmothers who go above and beyond for their families. We are incredibly thankful for so many women who make a difference in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and families each day.
Our Pre-K classes have had an amazing year! Days have been filled with hands-on learning as well as activities and special celebrations. In addition to learning our ABC’s and 123’s, some of our favorite things to do in Pre-K are learn songs, hear Bible stories, and show our “Fruit of the Spirit” everywhere we go. We may be little, but we’re not too young to shine our lights for Jesus. Rainbow Week was a highlight as we played games, and learned about Noah’s Ark and God’s amazing promises. We even got to dress in our favorite rainbow colors to celebrate! During Dental Week, we had a visit from Dr. Chad Hutchison, who talked to us about taking good
care of our teeth. Thank you, Dr. Chad! Kite Week was another favorite because we got to go outside and fly the special kites we made. We were so excited to play in the sunshine after lots of rainy days. Another highlight was Grandparents Day. It was such a joy to honor our grandparents on
stage. Sharing songs and Scriptures for them was fun, but our favorite part was dressing up. Lots of people told us we “stole the show” but either way, we just wanted our grandparents to feel special. What an exceptional way to show them our love. During our farm unit, we had the opportunity to spend time with Mrs. Myers's 6th grade Science class. The most exciting part was getting to see and hold the baby chicks. They were tiny, fluffy, and so cute! Spending time with the “big kids” was awesome too. That experience prepared us for one of our favorite memories of the year….our field trip to Lucky Ladd Farm. We got to ride the bus, pet lots of farm animals, take a hayride, and slide down their huge slide. It was such a fun day! Even our teachers had a blast. We are all so thankful for GCA and the amazing year we’ve had in Pre-K. We love our school! It’s been a year of tremendous growth, learning, and maturity. We’re smarter, more in love with Jesus, and ready to take on Kindergarten next year! Happy Summer!
PTF was so excited to host our 2nd Annual Mother/Son Nerf War this year at our lower school campus. The practice field was turned into two Nerf War fields full of tires, barriers, barricades, and even a truck. Mothers and sons were divided into platoons and battled each other while playing games such as Capture the Flag, VIP, and Battle Royale. Each platoon also took turns visiting the “Mess Hall” where local food trucks provided a meal for those who worked up an appetite during battle. While the moms put up a tough fight, the sons ultimately came out on top and won the war.
Our 2nd Annual Daddy/Daughter dance was a hit to those who love a good disco. Our disco-themed dance started off at a slower pace while dads and daughters visited the photo booth, ate snacks and grabbed glow necklaces, rings, and bracelets. However, the pace picked up once the lights went down and the disco lights were turned on! After squeals of delight, the girls and their dads began dancing the night away. It was a wonderful evening full of disco-themed music, a dance train, and even some impressive disco attire worn by dads and daughters alike.
5th Grade All A Honor Roll Noah Auer Victoria Danylov Kipton DeGraff Owen Dodd Luke Elrod Jedidiah Fish Jeshua Fish June Gautsche Hudson George Tess Hall Adelaide Harrington Maddie Havens Jill Hilner Brady Hron Keyes Johnson Luke Johnson Kinzie Krehbiel Lucas McCauley Selah McKown Joel McReynolds Addie Nance Alan Porter Anna-Marie Porter Catherine Pratt Carter Pray Hope Pruitt Elliott Sarnacke Kate Simmons Kellen Sloas Holland Stephens Hudson Tenney
6th Grade All A Honor Roll Lillian Brooks Jason Capicik Tate Carver Graison Centers Andrew Clarke Benjamin Collins Peyton Collins Maddox DeLeon Everett Elder Sammy Flagg Summer Foster Hayden Goodman Carson Green Hayes Henderson Isaac Hurst Piper Jones Eli Latta Haven Lindman Ashlynn Millar Kendall Miller Elijah Mize Rider Murphy Macie Murton Brown Nielsen Joy Patrick Graydon Reed Addie Sears Brooklyn Spann Ollie Spoelman Bennett Stevens Colton Stock Emma Umerlik Sara Logan Verner
7th Grade All A Honor Roll Maddie Barnett Maclayne Barton Hutch Blank Sam Brewer Grayson DeGraff Josh Dunn Nadia Erwin David Hauk Jackson Holwerda Brooklyn Hutcheson Hannah Jimenez Austin Johnson Tessa Pate Camryn Pitts Olivia Pitts Virginia Prather Emme Rouse Toby Sarnacke Jade Thrasher John Tillman
8th Grade All A Honor Roll Hope Brooks Jackson Dishon Hudson Gregg Wyatt Hall Griffey Jakes Tristan Main London Norris Heidi Ring Cutler Stephens Madi Tolliver Audrey Underwood Kade Ziemendorf
9th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale) Sofia Carman Audrey George Lani Grasmanis Jenna Huxford Nolan Maloney Madelyn Miller Jonathan Mize Kade Nord Eisley Pankratz Hannah Patrick Mike Smith Slade Spencer Nicole Wright
9th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale) Eva Brooks Addy Castrorao JulieAnne Hart Ellis Mason Lilly Patrick Hunter Wyatt 10th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale) Claire Barnett Hudson Barton Kaler Bennett Jake Breland Thomas Camacho Addison Church Gigi Clements Addy Cook Brynn DeGraff Ella Kate Gill Madelyn Gregg Stellie Higby Ellie Karner McKenzie Kaye
10th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale) Sophie Clarke Natalia Fierz Manna Lindman Anilee Schwieterman Georgie Tillman Rebekah Windland 11th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale) Anna Claire Boster Camden Goddard Ava Granzow Nathan Greene Jonathan Hammett Cole Hyland Jesse Koellein Brendan Koreiba Aubrey Lane Marxie Myers George Steih Brooke Stephens 11th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale) Rylan Blank Melania Fierz Zaine Hutchison Jeremy Walling Jonathan Walling Parker Wright
12th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale) Levi Allen Connor Armstrong Dawson Bechman Dean Bechman Caroline Briley Christian Collins Callie Cook Jude Cox Hubbard Galloway Blythe Hutchison Gracyn LaRocca Moses McDowell Mary Bradley Myers Mark Parker Ruthie Pirtle Bella Scott Bryce Sipkovsky Madison Smith Kaylee Tichenor Elizabeth Vogt Sean Walker 12th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale) Raybecca Calvert Katie Dial Malachi Jones Carter Murphy Anna Claire Riggs Caleb Varner Nate Westmoreland Erin Wojcik
Levi Allen
Sammy Camacho
Jaden Fann
Connor Armstrong
Baker Cash
Leah Fish
Adam Baker
Kade Clarke
Hubbard Galloway
Anna Cate Beachum
Elizabeth Clements
Annelise Hamada
Dawson Bechman
Christian Collins
Gunner Haskins
Dean Bechman
Callie Cook
Luke Hendriks
Kiersten Bennett
Eliana Cooper
Ethan Hill
Grayson Birch
Maddie Cowan
Joseph Hudspeth
Caroline Briley
Jasper Cox
Blythe Hutchison
Charniya Brown
Jude Cox
Faith Jenkins
Connor Brown
Katie Dial
Crawford Johnson
Raybecca Calvert
Nicholas Driskill
Levi Jones
Malachi Jones
Tanner Nelson
Jackson Sleeper
Savana Kuhn
Mark Parker
Madison Smith
Maddux Lambert
Maddie Phillips
James Summers
Gracyn LaRocca
Ruthie Pirtle
Kaylee Tichenor
Alayna Lestarjette
Aiden Pratt
Caleb Varner
Paige Lewis
Anna Purino
Elizabeth Vogt
Lucas Maloney
Elliott Rains
Sean Walker
Moses McDowell
Sam Ray
Nate Westmoreland
Isabella Medina
Anna Claire Riggs
Erin Wojcik
Carter Murphy
Bella Scott
Adyson Wolf
Mary Bradley Myers
Rosalyn Shurden
Parker Wyatt
Kay Nathan
Bryce Sipkovsky
Our High School students have had some fun traditions to close out the school year. Prom was held at Old Natchez Country Club and our junior and senior students looked great and had a wonderful time. Dinner was served at the Country Club, followed by an evening of music, smiles, and lots of dancing. Before the festivities began, seniors were presented to parents in what was the first “Senior Presentation” leading up to the graduation season.
Our High School House system consists of four Houses (Elliot, Lewis, Tyndale, and Wycliffe). High School students are assigned by family groups to a House at the beginning of the year and are members of that House for the duration of their High School time.
A few weeks after Prom was our 2nd Annual House Wars where our High School Houses competed for points to add to the points that had been earned throughout the year. Students competed within the four Houses in games such as Ultimate Frisbee, Cornhole, Pickleball, 9 Square, and many others. We also had an exciting time of Bubble Soccer between the seniors and brave staff members. At the end of House Wars, the House winner was announced for the 2021/2022 school year. For the second year in a row, it was Tyndale House. 9th - 11th grade Tyndale winners are able to wear a special Winner shirt on designated days throughout the year next year and our senior Tyndale members were able to have a special lunch with the House sponsors. We look forward to the 8th graders who will be joining our Houses next fall and continuing the fun traditions that have been built.
Talent Show GCA’s Talent Show was a wonderful showcase of the eclectic talents of the Elementary and IS/MS students. The acts included vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, and a variety of other performers of different genres of music. From auditions to show time, the students devoted their time and energy into bringing the audience a heartwarming show! We are blessed to have exceptionally talented, accomplished students who are using their gifts to glorify the Lord!
Elementary Spring Program Elementary Music had a wonderful time preparing for their spring program entitled Good,Good Father: A musical celebration inspired by the beloved children’s story by Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett. It featured our Kindergarten through 4th grade music classes. The central idea of the story and all of the songs was that God loves and accepts us unconditionally and that the only gift God wants is our hearts. It was told through the viewpoint of a little bear trying to help his friends. The story was accompanied by musical performances from Seeds Family Worship, traditional hymns, and of course, Chris Tomlin’s wonderful worship song, “Good,Good Father.” It was a sweet and memorable evening for everyone. The evening also featured the debut of the Elementary Music Vlog, Music Matters, which reports on the projects happening in the Elementary music classes. In this episode, Rhodes Hampton and Crew McKown talked about the history behind the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and interviewed Assistant Principal of the High School, Dan Spencer, to learn more about hymns in worship.
High School Spring Program This year, we had a spring concert that featured the High School Choir, the Musical Theater class, the Songwriting class, and the new Voices of Grace Ensemble. It was great to hear such a variety of music, from original songs written by our very own GCA students, to classic pieces sung by the choir, to favorite musical pieces, and new renditions of a song sung acapella to showcase the incredible talent of our GCA students! It truly was a night of music that will be remembered.
When we picked this year’s production, we wanted something FUN and Bye Bye Birdie was just that! Written by Michael Stewart, this beloved comedy was inspired by Elvis Presley, who was famously drafted into the US Army in the late 1950s, with tunes from the score of Lee Adams and Charles Strouse. We were able to do a show that was fun for the students, while also still exposing them to a different time period and style of musical theater. There were lots of laughs, teenage screams, and joy both on stage and in the audience! Fun was had by all. Our show verse was James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God is the same in the beginning, in the 1950s, and even now in 2022. To God Alone Be The Glory!
The cast and crew of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer brought to life a wonderful adaptation of Mark Twain’s beloved American classic in April! The audiences were entertained and inspired by the students’ brilliant performances which would not have been possible without GCA’s generous and gracious parent volunteers. From the period costumes, realistic set, lighting and sound design to the musical tunes reminiscent of life on the Mississippi, the transformation of young Tom brought light to the timeless redemptive message of the story.
We had an amazing number of students participate in this year’s Art Competition. Students put an incredible amount of hard work, passion, and creativity into their artwork. Below are the results of the competition!
Grade Level 1st-3rd Place Winners Kindergarten: 1. “Streams of Living Water” by Mason Pardue 2. “The Holy Bible” by Francie Kate Drennan 3. “Summer” by Brecklee Hawkins First Grade: 1. “Bald Eagle” by Graham Neil 2. “Roby 4,000” by Ethan Hopwood 3. “Love One Another” by Elizabeth Terry Second Grade: 1. “The Warship of God” by Brooks Veach 2. “Volcanic City” by Conner Payne 3. “Peacock” by Liam Davis Third Grade: 1. “Coming in the Clouds” by Violet Wolf 2. “The Countryside” by Owen Pardue 3. “Futon Friday” by Crew McKown Fourth Grade: 1. “Bluebell” by Reese Payne 2. “Love at First Sight” by Lilly May Jakes 3. “30A Sunset” by Amelia Spann Fifth Grade: 1. “Out in the Wilderness” by Christen Hodgson 2. “Cat on Canvas” by Jill Hilner 3. “Me” by Owen Dodd Sixth Grade: 1. “Arizona Sunset” by Carson Green 2. “Flo’s Flowers” by Sara Logan Verner 3. “Day at the Beach” by Summer Foster Seventh Grade: 1. “Travis Kelce” by Ethan Musser 2. “Paradise Sunrise” by John Tillman 3. “Elena the Elephant” by Riley Walsh
Eighth Grade: 1. “Untitled” by Anna Yarbrough 2. “Sunset” by Zion Jones
Ninth Grade: 1. “Galaxy Cat” by Georgia Shirley 2. “Light Angles” by Georgia Shirley Tenth Grade: 1. “A Time To Rest” by Addy Cook 2. “Round and Round It Goes” by Madelyn Gregg 3. “Serenity” by Sophie Clarke
Eleventh Grade: 1. “To See” by Charlie Black 2. “Citrine of the Sea” by Braden Walters 3. “Scratch” by Aubrey Lane Twelfth Grade: 1. “European Manor House” by Elizabeth Vogt 2. “Flourishing” by Kaylee Tichenor 3. “Flora” by Mary Bradley Myers
BEST OF SHOW
Elementary: “Coming in the Clouds” by Violet Wolf Intermediate/Middle School: “Elena the Elephant” by Riley Walsh High School: “European Manor House” by Elizabeth Vogt Honorable Mention Elementary: “May Imagination” by Sarah Mason Intermediate/Middle School: “Dragon Fall” by Graison Centers High School: “Secret Santa” by Paige Lewis
Our Intermediate and Middle School students participated in the traditional trips this spring and made some special memories. These trips are important to us at GCA because they provide opportunities for students to connect and build relationships outside of the classroom. Students are also able to explore God’s glory in His creation and learn about God’s hand historically on our great nation.
Ms. Heath, Mrs. Myers, and several other 6 grade teachers took their students to Cumberland Caverns for an underground look at God’s creation. It was impressive to see parts of our world that some have never seen before. The students were most impressed by the vast expansion of underground caves and that they were able to explore. They even ate lunch in the cave! th
The traditional 7 grade trip is to Kentucky to tour the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum. Students spent the afternoon at the Ark Encounter, where they were able to see a life-sized representation of Noah’s Ark and see biblical history in a new light. The next day, they headed to the Creation Museum where they explored the science of creation. Everyone enjoyed the Planetarium show and some of our students even zip-lined through the exhibits that make the Bible come to life. th
Our 8 grade students were able to return to Washington, DC this year for their traditional trip. They walked the streets th
and saw the buildings where history took place. Students were taught about the Lord’s hand on our great nation and saw exhibits and memorials to commemorate events in our past. We also had four students who had the privilege of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This was a powerful moment and they will carry the experience with them throughout their life! Everything was presented from a biblical perspective and our kids came home with a respect for our nation and it’s history. Our trip season is a fun time for our students and teachers, but it is also a time for our students to have experiences that will lead to a deeper understanding and desire to learn about God and how He is in all things. And it’s a great chance to make memories and connections that last a lifetime!
The junior class went to JA Finance Park on April 8, 2022 for a field trip that correlates with the curriculum they use in the Personal Finance class. JA Finance Park is an innovation in experiential education designed to engage students for life and work in the real world. Students covered the realities of life and personal choices when it comes to finances in adulthood. Students connected education and career decisions with income expectations and experienced first-hand what it takes to make it in today’s world. From goal-setting to saving, budgeting, shopping, and bill paying, students experienced what it
really takes to successfully navigate today’s complex economy and they came face-to-face with how their decisions today can impact their future.
Junior Achievement has over 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together they are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work. 60 GCA fifth graders spent several weeks preparing for their trip to Nashville on April 12 and 13 to participate in JA BizTown. Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Lain, and Mrs. Wolf taught financial literacy lessons and interview skills. Preparation for the trip included learning how to keep a checkbook, how to make deposits, how to work with other people in a business, setting prices in the business, going to the bank, shopping in a small town, and learning about taxes, insurance, healthcare, and other concepts from daily life. Before the trip, our students also filled out a resume and spent time in an actual interview process with people from the community who are entrepreneurs. We also had a variety of GCA staff interviewing as well. The students did an awesome job and many said they wished it could last for a week. We are so proud of the hard work our 5th graders put into their preparations and how well behaved they were the two days we were at JA BizTown.
Since I graduated from GCA in 2018, I have been on a journey that I did not expect at all when I was in high school. Coming out of Grace, my aspirations to be a successful college athlete and engineer were the only things that I really desired in life. It wasn’t until after my freshman year of college that I realized that the Lord had a lot more in store for me. That summer in 2019, I got involved with a ministry called Fireplace Nashville, and it changed everything for me. Fireplace is an evangelistic ministry where we train young adults in evangelism, and then take groups down to Broadway in Nashville to share the love of Jesus with people every Friday night. Since I started going that summer I am now one of the leaders of that ministry, and I have had the opportunity to work with multiple ministries and churches in Nashville and across the country training young adults in evangelism (YWAM, Circuit Riders, Rocketown, His House Nashville, Wilco United, and others). I have also had the opportunity to coordinate and partner with different ministries to do mass evangelism outreaches across the city. For two and a half years, I was doing this along with
playing Division I college football. I even switched majors from mechanical engineering to business management to pursue a degree that I believed would help with ministry. In the past three years since the Lord put me on this journey, I realized how much my time at GCA positively affected what I am doing now. The two people that influenced me the most while I was at Grace were Coach Brad Myers and Dr. Amy Hodgson. Coach Myers is so intentional with his players and alumni, and his coaching on and off the field is the most effective I have ever seen, even after playing at the college level. Often I would hear coaches implement different concepts that I learned from Coach Myers years before. I was definitely ahead of the game after playing under Coach Myers. Doc H was so impactful in my development as a student. I had her as a teacher from 7th grade all the way through senior year, and she sparked a passion in me as a writer. College essays and papers were very easy for me after being under Doc H for so many years, and I even enjoy writing now. While I was at GCA, I was saturated in the Word of God and equipped to defend my faith. Although I didn’t realize the importance of it at the time, I now often find myself using different things that I learned at Grace in the daily life of full-time ministry. I also made a lot of amazing memories at GCA. One of my favorite memories was senior year when the football team made it into post-season play for the first time in school history, and we dominated whoever we played in the first round of the playoffs. Something people may not know about me is that I am currently writing a book. The book is about how to develop a secret place with the Lord, and specifically how to cultivate intimacy with Him in seasons of waiting and transition in life. I started writing after I graduated from college in December 2021, and I hope to finish in the next couple of months. I also had the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Israel from May 1 -10 this year. Through some ministry connections, I was given the opportunity to go with a man who is very involved with different ministries and organizations in Israel. We worked with people who serve orphans and widows, and partnered with other Kingdom-minded believers who desire to see God’s people reached with the Gospel. The Lord even provided all of the financial provisions for the trip, so I was able to go 100% free, which is such a blessing.
Humility / Passion / Unity / Servanthood / Gratitude By: Len McKnatt, Athletic Director We want to thank each of you for all the support of our student-athletes throughout this school year. What a great year 2021-2022 was for Athletics. We want to use this article to highlight some outstanding team and individual performances from this spring. HS Softball was led by first year Head Coach Annie Shipman. Shipman, Grace Hooper, and Pete Pirtle did an outstanding job with these young ladies. The Lady Lions finished 5-5 in a tough district, good enough for a tie for third place. For the first time in history, our softball team was a host site for two region tournament games. The future is promising for our softball program. Senior Eliana Cooper will be continuing her softball career at Cedarville University, our first graduate to play college softball. Coach Justin Payne once again led our track program to a great spring. He was assisted by Bob Jordan and Kerry Grasmanis. Our boys team broke several school records. Carter Burk broke the school record in the long jump. Sammy Camacho broke the school record in the 100 meter run. Our boys 4 x 100 team broke a school record (Camacho, Burk, Ethan Hill, and Jonathan Hammett). George Steih broke the school record in the discus. Our girls team once again had a strong showing in the state meet finishing 5th overall. Aubrey Lane repeated as the state pentathlon champion. She also placed 2nd in the state in the high jump and the long jump. Lane also finished 8th in the state in the 100 meter hurdles. Ava Pate placed 4th in the state in the pole vault. Natalie Kaye finished 5th in the state in the 200 meter and 400 meter runs, and she placed 6th in the state in the 100 meter run. McKenzie Kay finished 5th in the state in the 300 meter hurdles. Madison Smith broke the school record for ladies shot put. Coach Brad Herrera and his assistant, Al Herrera, led a very successful spring for our tennis teams. Our boys team had Jake Barton and Ryan Breland finish first in the district and regions for boys doubles. Barton and Breland placed in the top eight in the state for boys doubles. Our girls team advanced to the Final 8 in the state before falling to Lausanne in the state quarterfinals. Myah and Ayla Kratzig advanced to the Final 8 of the girls doubles state tournament. Thanks to Coach Herrera for all of his contributions to GCA and our tennis program. He will be sorely missed. Our HS Baseball team broke several school records. Coach Brad Myers along with his assistant coaches, Jimmy Redovian, Matt Murton, Chase Headley, and Don Cooper, led the Lions to a 37-7 record. The 37 wins are the most in school history. GCA finished 12-0 in district play and swept through the district and region tournament without a blemish. The Lions then defeated FACS 19-2 and 10-2 in State Quarterfinal action, advancing them to the State Final 4. GCA defeated Northpoint 6-2 in the first round of the Final 4. Unfortunately, the bats went silent and the Lions were defeated in back-to-back games by Goodpasture and Northpoint. This eliminated GCA as they finished 3rd in the state. Jordan Carter and Trace Phillips were named Co-MVPs of the district. Jackson Sleeper won District Pitcher of the Year. Dawson Bechman and Cade Fuller were also named to the all-district team. The Lions have four seniors who will continue their baseball careers in college. Sleeper is attending Christian Brothers University. Gunner Haskins is attending Arkansas Monticello, Dean Bechman is attending Indiana Wesleyan, and Parker Wyatt will continue his career at Chattanooga State. The Lions return a strong group again next year and look to make another deep postseason run. Coach David DeFatta and his staff helped the Lions soccer team bring home their second state tournament trophy. Coach DeFatta was assisted by Dan Spencer, Josh White, Eric Ries, Jeff Dial, and Michael Jones. GCA finished the season with a 17-2-2 record. The Lions finished first in the district during regular season play. GCA swept through the region tournament which ended with a 3-1 victory in the championship game against USN. The Lions opened state quarterfinal action against CAK with a 4-1 victory. GCA then defeated a very good St. George’s team 3-1 in the state semifinals. The Lions secured their second state championship with a 3-0 win over Boyd Buchanan. Levi Jones was named District Player of the Year. Connor Armstrong, Isaiah Jones, and Zach Smith were also named to the all-district team. Malachi Jones was named MVP of the region tournament. He was joined on the all-region team by Armstrong, Levi Jones, Moses McDowell, and Logan Williamson. We look forward to watching GCA defend their title next season. We want to give a special thanks to STAR Physical Therapy. Thanks for taking good care of our student-athletes. We appreciate all that Hannah Zingale, Wade Bartlett, and Sel Adams have done.
Mission Statement The mission of Grace Christian Academy is to partner with Christian families in the education of their children by providing them a community that is distinctly Christian, biblically saturated, Christ glorifying, academically excellent, and service and mission oriented.
We exist to cultivate the legacy of Christ's hope in each student and to prepare them to spread that hope along every avenue God provides.
3279 Southall Road Franklin, TN 37064 615-591-3017 www.gcalions.com