Issuu

GRACE

CELEBRATING

A note from GCA Administration:

As we reflect on the first semester of the 2024–2025 school year, one word stands out grateful. The Lord has brought together an incredible team of faculty and staff to fulfill GCA’s mission for this season. We’ve been blessed to witness students accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior, celebrate multiple baptisms, and see clear evidence of their growing faith. We are truly thankful for God’s kindness and goodness in allowing us to experience how He is moving in the lives of our students. Our students are also learning how to serve others and give back to their community. Middle schoolers participated in a serve day, many students shopped for Christmas gifts for families in need, and high schoolers packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for children around the world. Our high school students also dedicated a week to mission work—serving locally, nationally, and internationally. It’s incredible to see how God is using them to make an impact for Christ, not only here in Nashville but across the U.S. and around the world.

At GCA, our vision remains clear: equipping students to impact the world for Jesus Christ. This year, our theme verse is John 15:5, which reminds us that only through abiding in Him can we bear lasting fruit for His Kingdom.

Thank you for partnering with us as we teach, nurture, and build a strong spiritual foundation in our students’ lives. Together, we’re raising a generation who will use their gifts to glorify God and advance His Kingdom.

We must remain steadfast and committed, holding tightly to the path God has set before us. Even when challenges arise or progress feels slow, we cannot grow weary or lose heart. Trusting in His timing and strength, we press on with perseverance, knowing that the work we do is meaningful and will bear fruit in His perfect time.

In Christ, Robbie Mason and the GCA Administration

"I am the vine; you are the branches Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

to these GCA athletes on their commitment to continue their athletic careers and further their education.

Senior, Wesley Stewart Baseball

Senior, Brenner Sipkovsky Golf

Wesley Stewart Is headed to Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky to play baseball

Brenner Sipkovsky is headed to Union University in Jackson, Tennessee to play golf

Wesley Stewart Brenner Sipkovsky

The goal of MissionX is to provide opportunities for students to serve the Lord, grow closer in relationship with each other, and use their gifts and talents to bless others. High school students spend one week with GCA faculty and staff who have prayerfully created engaging experiences that are mission-oriented, while also allowing for some downtime to relax and have fun together.

Our sincere hope is that this time opens the doors for students to spread the hope and love of Jesus in our community, our nation, and our world while acting as His hands and feet. This year included international trips to the Bahamas, Belize, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Domestic trips served in Denver, CO, Utah, south Florida, and Valdosta, GA. There was also a group that stayed local, serving in our home community.

Mexico Guatemala

DominicianRepublic

Ecuador Florida

Colorado Georgia

Important Dates for second semester:

February 2025

27: Men’s Breakfast

28: Daddy/Daughter Country Fair Dance

March 2025

4-6: Book Fair

10-14: No School - Spring Break

20: Men’s Breakfast

21: Mom’s Coffee

20-22: Wizard of Oz

April 2025

4: Grandparents Day, 1/2 Day of School

11: Mother/Son Nerf Wars

12: Jr./Sr. Prom

18: No School - Good Friday

21: No School - Easter Monday

24: Men’s Breakfast

24-26: IS Musical - Annie Jr.

May 2025

6: Dance Recital

8: HS Fine Arts Night

9: HS Awards Ceremony

15: 8th Grade Blessing

16: All School Chapel

18: Graduation

20: IS/MS Awards Ceremony

22: Field Day

23: Last Day of School

June 2025

2: GCA Summer Camps Begin

Student Accomplishments:

Ellie

Sipkovsky,

9th grade

Congratulations to Ellie Sipkovsky, a talented freshman who represented Team USA at an international competition in Ireland this past September! Ellie is a rider with the United States Mounted Games Association (USMGA), and her hard work and dedication led her to compete at a high level with Team USA at the Mounted Games World Championship hosted by the Mounted Games Association of Northern Ireland at Silverwood Arena in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Not only did Ellie have the incredible opportunity to compete on

this international stage, Team USA Under 18, coached by Christian Jones (from England), earned an impressive 3rd place finish in the competition! This accomplishment speaks to Ellie's skill, commitment, and sportsmanship, as well as the teamwork and guidance provided by her coach and teammates

Ellie’s achievement is a testament to her passion for the sport and her ability to excel under pressure. It’s inspiring to see a young athlete representing her country with such pride and talent, and we can’t wait to see what other successes she will have in the future! Congratulations, Ellie!

Ellie at Grey Abbey (a Cistercian monastery founded in 1193).

Good News! A BAPTISM AT THE CREEK

Easton Wierschke, 2nd grade

We celebrated with the Wierschke family as Easton decided to follow Jesus!

Several weeks prior to his baptism, Easton and his parents approached the school through Mrs. Hurst to see if Easton could be baptized in the river beside the football field. Dr. Spencer met with the family, talked with Easton, and scheduled the baptism for October 21, 2024, after school.

Easton invited his classmates and their families, and Easton’s dad and brother went into the cold river with Easton and Dan Spencer. Dr. Spencer prayed over Easton, spoke over him, and shared—Matthew 19:14— Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Lord, we thank You for Easton, his family, and his life that you are calling him to—to trust you and follow you all the days of his life!

GCA rejoices along with the Wierschke family at Easton's decision to trust Jesus with his life. What a beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness!

The Wierschke family & Dr. Spencer

Listed are our 5th-8th grade students who made the All-A Honor Roll for the 1st semester (an average of 1st and 2nd quarter grades).

6th Grade 6th Grade

Jordan Andrews

Cash Armstrong

Charlotte Auer

Hadley Badstibner

Elizabeth Beard

Mary Charlotte Beard

Gemma Bolan

Lila Collins

Crawford Erwin

Willa Getzlaf

Logan Gilles

Amos Gregory

Jack Hamilton

Simon Harris

Wyatt Harris

Charlotte Havens

Zeke Hayes

Julia Hron

Ava Grace Ingram

Amelia Ivy

Kelsey Johnson

Rae Kirk

Harper Loche

Wyn Mayfield

Whitt McGinnis

Carlee Pacarro

Andrea Reynolds

Ellis Robold

Madeline Sibol

Samuel Stevens

Jack Thomas

Brooks Veach

Lorelei Waring

Sophia Auer

Cate Brostowicz

Beckett Brown

Joey Castrorao

Brody Cavanaugh

Joselyn DeLeon

Luke Downen

Gabe Edmonson

Stella Goddard

Alyssa Hastings

Colt Headley

Ella Hopwood

Kirby Hurst

Amelia Jones

Tilly Kassinger

Nealan Maxson

Charlie McConnell, III

Nola Kate Miller

Jack Nickell

Reese Payne

Charlie Qualls

Savannah Regenold

Barrett Sloas

Amelia Spann

Alia Sprague

Grey St. Clair

Austin Stamper

Jacqueline Stevens

Jack Vaughn

Fennley Veach

Annie Wooten

Hadley Young

Charlotte Ballentine

Ginny Grace Bechman

Emma Brown

Eli Butcher

Fifi Cottingham

Deacon Crosby

Cal Elder

Kaylee Ferreira

Cassie Flagg

Rye Garrett

Georgia Gautsche

Sam Glasser

Weston Gray

Claire Green

Gracie Harmon

Landon Harrington

Colson Harris

Gresham Hayes

Luke Holwerda

Lilliana Jackson

Emmett Jordan

Sarah Mason

Jacob McCauley

Crew McKown

Elise Miller

Drew Pankake

Owen Pardue

Sarah Patrick

Micah Potter

Piper Salinas

Annistyn Sprague

Rowan Stevens

William Terry

Elle Verner

Sophia Weiss

Luke Wierschke

Hayes Wilson

Bri Hastings

Maddie Havens

Luke Johnson

Selah McKown

Vayda Miller

J.D. Pirtle

Madison Powell

Kellen Sloas

Holland Stephens

Violet Ward

10th Grade 10th Grade

Lillian Brooks

Jason Capicik

Hayden Goodman

Isaac Hurst

Elijah Mize

Brown Nielsen

Brooklyn Spann

Emma Umerlik

Ashby Brown

Ella-Rose Castrorao

Ben Collins

Peyton Collins

Sammy Flagg

Carson Green

Eli Latta

Kendall Miller

Macie Murton

Joy Patrick

James Payne

Sara Logan Verner

Hope Brooks

Hudson Gregg

McKenna Grace McConnell

London Norris

Audrey Underwood

Ford DeShazo

Kensley Elam

Wyatt Hall

Griffey Jakes

Knox Lambert

Maggie Landers

Shea Phillips

Levi Ray

Heidi Ring

Parker Sloas

Cohen Stammen

Madi Tolliver

Kade Ziemendorf

O N N O O R R R R O O L L L L

Sam Brewer

Francey Clements

Josh Dunn

Brooklyn Hutcheson

Toby Sarnacke

Elizabeth Shipman

Jade Thrasher

John Tillman

Hutch Blank

Maclayne Barton

Nick Chadwick

Micah Clark

Grayson DeGraff

Jackson Holwerda

Hannah Jimenez

Austin Johnson

Zoe Jones

Camryn Pitts

Grace Caroline Steih

Lily Yates

Katelyn Anderson

Sofia Carman

Linen Carnes

Audrey George

Samuel Glasel

Savanna Hyland

Hans Jimenez

Ellis Mason

Madelyn Miller

Jonathan Mize

Isaiah Myers

Eisley Pankratz

Hannah Patrick

Mike Smith

Slade Spencer

Wesley Stewart

Jacob Thompson

Staff Highlights: Thankyou! Thankyou!

We are very grateful for these amazing, dedicated, and godly staff members who play key roles in our school community, and we celebrate their 10+ years of service at GCA!

Judy Barnette, High School Math Teacher

Mary Henderson, Kindergarten Teacher

Amy Baker, 4th Grade Teacher

Suzy Heath, 5th/6th Grade Math Teacher

Amber Williamson, Bookkeeper

Alicia Jordan, Director of Operations and School Culture

Brad Myers, Director of Development and Head Baseball Coach

Len McKnatt (not pictured), Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach

These individuals are essential members of our school community, each contributing to the success and growth of the students and the school as a whole. Their combined efforts help create a well-rounded educational experience.

Staff Highlights:

Mrs. Barnette’s Birthday Boxes

Do you know Mrs Judy Barnette? She teaches high school math at GCA, has been an educator for 26 years, and is a volunteer logistics coordinator for Operation Christmas Child’s Music City division Mrs Barnette's 65th birthday celebration is truly special as she's using this milestone to give back to others in a meaningful way For her birthday wish, she’s focused on a cause that is close to her heart: Operation Christmas Child, which distributes shoeboxes filled with gifts to children in need around the world to spread the word of Jesus. In honor of turning 65, she aimed to fill 65 shoeboxes, a beautiful goal that celebrates her life and spreads love and kindness to children who might not otherwise receive a gift during the Christmas season. To make this happen, Mrs. Barnette created an Amazon wishlist to help gather the necessary items for the boxes, sharing it with her friends, and quickly meeting the need for supplies. However, there is still an important step left to complete this project: the cost of shipping. Each box requires a $10 shipping fee to reach its destination. To make sure she can send all 65 boxes, Mrs. Barnette is now raising funds specifically for the shipping costs. She is inviting friends and supporters to help contribute by sending donations via Venmo.

Her generosity and commitment to this cause show how much she cares about spreading joy to children in need, and any help from others will bring her closer to fulfilling her birthday wish. If you're interested in supporting her efforts, Mrs. Barnette's Venmo information is available for donations, ensuring every box gets delivered to a child who will benefit from its contents. Venmo: Judy-Barnette-2