CELEBRATINGGRACE
In this issue of
Update from Mr. Mason
Welcome new athletic staff
Meet the cheerleaders
Graduation highlights Upcoming events
Honor Roll
Staff highlights Alumni updates
Update from Robbie Mason
As we reflect on the achievements and improvements of this past school year, it's evident that we are truly blessed to journey together as part of the Grace Christian Academy family. Our shared commitment to academic excellence and Christ-centered values continues to inspire us all.
In response to the question, "What's next for GCA?" our Board of Directors and administration have engaged in prayerful consideration and are delighted to announce several strategic financial initiatives that will shape the future of GCA.
Initiative 1: Elevating Our Faculty and Staff: Our faculty and staff exemplify dedication and excellence in their service to our students, anchoring our educational mission in the teachings of Christ. Recognizing the importance of fair compensation, we aim to align salaries more closely with those offered in neighboring Williamson County schools. Our goal is to achieve parity within the next four years, lifting our educators to 100% of the county standard. Most of our teachers are compensated at 80% of this benchmark. To realize this goal, it will require $2,951,424.00 over a four-year period. $640,960 of this has been raised thanks to a Grandparent wanting to kick off the campaign!
Initiative 2: Financial Stewardship and Debt Reduction: The successful completion of our new high school campus stands as a testament to our collective vision and determination. However, this milestone necessitated borrowing funds, resulting in a remaining debt of $15 million. The good news is we were able to secure that amount with a tax-exempt bond, which holds our rate for seven years at 2.76% interest. What a tremendous blessing! Our second initiative is to pay that piece of debt off in seven years.
Moving forward, we are encouraged by the early commitments from several families. However, we recognize that the collective support of our entire community is essential to achieving our goals. We look forward to speaking to you and we invite each family to prayerfully consider a commitment spanning three to five years, as we work together to advance the mission of Grace Christian Academy.
In Christ, Robbie Mason, Head of School
Brad Myers, Director of Development
Cell: 615-578-3021
Email: bmyers@gcalions.com
This year at GCA we are excited to announce the addition of Girls Varsity Cheerleading!
The time is right for intentionality in the encouragement and celebration of our students. God has blessed our student body with so many gifts in academics, arts, and athletics
Now we have an ideal leadership opportunity for sixteen students to sharpen their gift of encouragement! The mission of GCA Cheer is to joyfully encourage our school community and athletes with excellence while glorifying Jesus Christ. Let’s Go Lions!
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Football 2024 Basketball 2024
Front Row: Miche Nord, Brooklyn Hutcheson, Genevieve Smith, Chloe DuBois, Georgia Ward, Carson Green
Front Row: Miche Nord, Brooklyn
Head Coach: Mrs. Penny Myers | Administrative Sponsor: Mrs. Suzanne Bechman
Back Row: Anthem Nordoff, Caroline Russell, Ellie Harris, Chloe Caldwell, Katelynn Anderson, Ella Grace Brown
Back Row: Anthem Nordoff, Caroline Russell, Katherine Blankenship, Chloe Caldwell, Katelyn Anderson, Piper Jones
Hutcheson, Sophi Stephens, Chloe DuBois, Georgia Ward, Francey Clements
GCA Sports Welcome to the team:
High School Girls Soccer Coach
Shannon hails from Texas and Ohio where she played high school soccer. Shannon played collegiate soccer at Xavier University while she studied Biology, and went on to get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Florida Gulf Coast University. She and husband CJ have 3 children.
Shannon is is dedicated to building a Christ centered program that pursues excellence. She is excited for the opportunity to pour into student-athletes at GCA, fostering not only athletic development on the soccer field, but also instilling values of teamwork, discipline and Christ-like character.
Dr. Shannon Jarvis Crystal Tinnon
High School Girls Basketball Coach
Coach Tinnon has been coaching at GCA for the last seven years and has done a wonderful job at the MS and HS level. Crystal understands our school culture and mission and will do an awesome job leading our girls basketball program. We are also excited that Coach Tinnon will be with us full time as she will be teaching PE in the 2024-25 school year.
Maggie Buckley
High School Girls Volleyball Coach
Maggie was born and raised in Franklin, TN and graduated from Franklin High School She played collegiate volleyball in West Tennessee She received her bachelor degree in animal science from MTSU. She has been coaching volleyball the last seven years at the elementary, middle school, high school, and club levels. Not only does she love the sport of volleyball, she has a strong heart for the Lord and felt guided to be a part of the Grace Christian Academy athletic program.
Emily Harris is a lifelong tennis enthusiast. She began competing as a fifth grader on her Kentucky high school team and went on to achieve a high level junior ranking in the USTA Southerns.
Emily completed her competitive career as an all-conference selection at Lipscomb University playing #1 singles and doubles. Much of her time is focused on Team Elevate, a junior program training players with ambitions to be the top on their school teams or play collegiate tennis Above all, her top priority is to train disciples who play tennis Emily joined the GCA staff as a PE teacher in 2020 and is excited to now be the High School Tennis Coach
Emily Harris Amanda Green
Mrs. Amanda Green coached the Middle School Cross Country team and the High School Distance Track team this past school year, and she is very excited to step into coaching the High School Cross Country team this fall!
“I LOVE distance running and I love sharing that with others, both experienced and new runners ” says Coach Green.
Eric Claas
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Eric attended Ball State University He completed a masters degree in Exercise Science at University of Georgia and has been a certified athletic trainer (ATC) for 25+ years. Previously, he held positions at the middle school, high school, clinic, university, and pro levels. He is married to Marcie and they have two boys. Eric enjoys running, cycling, playing golf and ice hockey.
Middle School Cross Country Coach
Athletic Trainer
High School Tennis Coach
Class of 2024
GRADUATION WAS GRAND!
63 GRADUATES (INCLUDING JUDAH)
$8 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS
28 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Manna Lindman, Valedictorian
Georgie Tillman, Salutatorian
Katelyn Anderson
Congratulations to rising senior, Katelyn, on her selection as a 2024 participant at the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts for Dance!
~Girls State~ Student Accomplishments:
Anthem Nordoff
GCA Freshman, Anthem Nordhoff, was recognized by the Points of Light Foundation and AmeriCorps for her 108 hours of volunteer service achieved over the last year The President's Volunteer Service Award is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States It is our Nation’s highest-level award. It recognizes the important role of volunteers in America's strength and national identity. Awarded for: Recognition of outstanding volunteer contributions in community service to the United States.
Juniors, Katelyn Anderson and Caroline Russell were selected to attend Girls State. This is a program of the American Legion Auxiliary for rising senior girls from across the state of Tennessee. The 78th session of Girls State was May 26-June 1. Girls State is centered around leadership, rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and positively impacting the community.
Anthem with Kathleen Flemming, representative of the Points of Light Foundation and High School Principal, Dr. Daniel Spencer.
Important Dates:
Friday, August 2
Spirit Store Open 4:00 - 8:00 PM
9th Grade and all NEW High School student orientation from 1:00 - 3:00 PM
All freshmen and new high school students will have orientation at the high school building, followed by tours of the building and worship. Students can be dropped off at the front of the new high school building and picked up in the same location.
Current 10th -12th Grade students 2:30 PM
Students are invited to join the freshman and new students for a time of worship and fellowship
Yearbook and parking pass pick-up will also be available from 3:00 to 3:30 PM.
Elementary Treats with Teachers from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: Lower Campus Blacktop area
All PreK - 4th grade students are invited to join their classmates for a special treat and the chance to meet their teacher Yearbooks will be available as well
IS/MS Parent Fellowship 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Come meet with other parents while your student attends orientation. Yearbooks can be picked up at this time, and refreshments will be served. This will be held in the IS/MS/HS Cafeteria.
5th - 6th Grade student orientation from 5:00 - 5:45 PM
All students can be dropped off at the front of the IS building (previous HS building) at 5:00 PM and be picked up at the same location at 5:45 PM Students will hear from our administrators and have the opportunity to tour their building and meet some of the Intermediate School teachers.
7th - 8th Grade student orientation from 6:00 - 6:45 PM
All students can be dropped off at the front of the IS building (previous HS building) at 6:00 PM and be picked up at the same location at 6:45 PM. Students will hear from our administrators and have the opportunity to tour their building and meet some of the Middle School teachers
Monday, August 5
Spirit Store Open 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
New Family Welcome Dinner
Location: Lower Campus Cafeteria
5:00 - 6:00 PM
New to GCA Welcome Dinner for families who are new to GCA (invitation to be emailed with details)
Parent Orientation
Location: Grace Chapel Sanctuary
6:00 PM Parent Orientations for All Grades
Parents of all students will start in the Sanctuary at the Lower Campus with a time of worship and school specific information Due to space limitations, we ask that, if at all possible, only adults attend Parent Orientation.
Thursday, August 8: First Day of School
Ginny Grace Bechman
Emma Brown
Luke Butler
Fifi Cottingham
Deacon Crosby
Levi Dennis
Isla Druse
Oliver Eke
Cal Elder
Kaylee Ferreira
Cassie Flagg
Drake Gilvin
Sam Glasser
Weston Gray
Claire Green
Gracie Harmon
Landon Harrington
Colson Harris
Gresh Hayes
Luke Holwerda
Lilliana Jackson
Emmett Jordan
Jacob McCauley
Crew McKown
Owen Pardue
Sarah Patrick
JoJo Rohling
Annistyn Sprague
Rowan Stevens
William Terry
Elle Verner
Luke Wierschke
Hayes Wilson
6th Grade 6th Grade
Sophia Auer
Joey Castrorao
Joselyn DeLeon
Nolan DeShazo
Luke Downen
Stella Goddard
Rhodes Hampton
Colt Headley
Ella Hopwood
Kirby Hurst
Amelia Jones
Tilly Kassinger
Nola Kate Miller
Nealan Maxson
Lilly May Jakes
Charlie McConnell
Reese Payne
Charlie Qualls
Savannah Regenold
Luke Shurden
Barrett Sloas
Amelia Spann
Alia Sprague
Austin Stamper
Jacqueline Stevens
Fennley Veach
Annie Wooten
Hadley Young
Luke Johnson
Moira Kate McConnell
Lucas McCauley
Selah McKown
Greyson McQueen
Vayda Miller
Addie Nance
J.D. Pirtle
Anna-Marie Porter
Alan Porter
Madison Powell
Catherine Pratt
Hope Pruitt
Havilah Rogers
Ellie Salmon
Elliott Sarnacke
Kellen Sloas
Holland Stephens
Hudson Tenney
Violet Ward
Hutch Blank
Sam Brewer
Francey Clements
Josh Dunn
David Hauk
Camryn Pitts
Virginia Prather
Toby Sarnacke
Elizabeth Shipman
John Tillman
Maclayne Barton
Grayson DeGraff
Jackson Holwerda
Brooklyn Hutcheson
Hannah Jimenez
Austin Johnson
Zoe Jones
Olivia Pitts
Sophia Rakhuba
Grace Caroline Steih
Jade Thrasher
Addy Castrorao
Lani Grasmanis
Annabelle Hinson
Hans Jimenez
Isaiah Myers
Hannah Patrick
Lilly Patrick
Nicholas Pellegrino
Slade Spencer
Hunter Wyatt
All-A
Eva Brooks
Ella Grace Brown
Sophia Carman
Cami Carpenter
Warren DeGraff
Audrey George
Samuel Glasel
Jenna Huxford
Savanna Hyland
Nolan Maloney
Ellis Mason
Madelyn Miller
Jonathan Mize
Maddox Potter
Nate Purino
Mike Smith
Sydney Whitehead
H O O N N O O R R R R O O L L L L
10th Grade 10th Grade
Hope Brooks
Ford DeShazo
Hudson Gregg
London Norris
Audrey Underwood
Josiah Coppenger
Kensley Elam
Wyatt Hall
Griffey Jakes
Maggie Landers
McKenna McConnell
Shea Phillips
Heidi Ring
Naomi Rogers
Parker Sloas
Cohen Stammen
Madi Tolliver
Kade Ziemendorf
Jake Breland
Thomas Camacho
Mackenzie Curle
Kyle Davidson
Isabelle DeShong
Eva Gautsche
Ella Gill
Madelyn Gregg
Savannah Griswold
Jacob Dunn
Natalia Fierz
Stellie Higby
Ella Holt
Manna Lindman
Georgie Tillman
Anilee Schwieterman
Rebekah Windland
Ellie Hardwick
Anderson Hurst
Ellie Karner
McKenzie Kaye
Natalie Kaye
Ayla Kratzig
Ashton Mize
Evan Nelson
Emma Grace Underwood
Parker Vanden Oever
Congratulations! Congratulations!
We are very proud of Rebekah Williams, our High School songwriting teacher and student worship coordinator. Rebekah is an accomplished Christian singer/songwriter and recently won an award for her song “Rest On Us”. BMI held an awards ceremony in June to honor the top songwriters of 2023, and the top 25 most played and performed songs for Christian music in 2023! Rebekah says she is “honored, blessed, and in tears from God’s goodness, as this living room encounter became a song that traveled the globe. Also - thank you to GCA for continuing to allow me to walk in my calling to write while giving me resources to lead this next generation into learning how to write worship songs from encountering Jesus, and not just throwing words on a page!”
Alicia Jordan is a new grandmother!
Alicia’s oldest son, Stephen, Class of 2016 alum, is a new dad and Alicia has her first grandson. Windsor David Jordan was born June 26th. They are all smitten with this great blessing!
Miss Bechman & Coach Tanner
High School science teacher and class of 2019 alum, Miss Anna Kate Bechman, now Mrs. Tanner, married strength and conditioning coach, Haydn Tanner. The gorgeous wedding was on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Miss Bangs becomes Mrs. Cochran!
First grade teacher, Miss Addison Bangs, is married and is now Mrs. Mason Cochran! Their nuptiuals took place on Friday, June 21, 2024.
Our first PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES!!
We are incredibly proud of our alumni, Malachi and Isaiah Jones, for their outstanding achievements in Major League Soccer.
Malachi's remarkable season with New York City Football Club and Isaiah's success with Nashville Soccer Club are testaments to their dedication, talent, and hard work. Both players were pivotal in their roles while at GCA, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. Malachi earned accolades such as All-District, All-Region, AllState honors, and was named an All-American in his senior year. Isaiah, too, made significant contributions during our 2022 state championship run, demonstrating his faith and perseverance.
However, while we celebrate their on-field accomplishments, we are even more proud of how they embody the true essence of our soccer program and school.
Our culture has never been built on earthly success; championships, accolades, and trophies are enjoyable but do not define us. Malachi and Isaiah are shining examples of prioritizing spiritual things over earthly things. They consistently use their platforms to glorify God, living out their faith with integrity and grace.
Our focus at GCA has always been on partnering with families to raise boys into godly young men, deepening their faith, and equipping them to become future husbands and fathers who will impact God's kingdom. The true measure of our program is not found in victories but in the spiritual growth and Christ-like character that our players develop through their time at GCA soccer.
We are grateful for Malachi and Isaiah's leadership and the legacy they continue to build, both on and off the field.
Play As One For the One, Coach DeFatta
GCA Alumni Alley:
Bike 4 ALZ Bike 4 ALZ
As we mentioned in the last issue, Class of 2022 Alums, Dawson Bechman and Connor Armstrong, were to go on a bike ride from coast to coast.
THEY MADE IT! The group of 12 riders left from San Francisco, CA on May 21st, and they arrived in Virginia Beach, VA on July 28th.
They raised over $100,000 for Alzheimer’s research, WOW!
What an amazing adventure for Connor and Dawson, we are so proud of you!
Connor, Dawson, and the guys from Team 12
