Engage - Summer 2015

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I N S I D E feature >

LCS INSPIRES A LIFETIME OF WOR SHIP

Alum Brian MacDonald Works Toward Spiritual and Social Renewal for Montgomery

ON THE HORIZON “ONE OF THE GREATEST THEOLOGICAL CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME IS TO MOVE OUR WORSHIP BEYOND SELF-ABSORPTION.” (Kelly Kapic, A Little Book for New Theologians) Part of the fallout of our increasingly individualistic, autonomous culture is the notion that we can rightfully claim the prerogative to define God and how He should be worshiped. But even a cursory level of thought would quickly conclude that worshipping a product of one’s own imagination is a waste of time!

At LCS, we worship the God of the Bible, the One who is the Lord and King of the universe, not one of our own design. This God has revealed himself in Holy Scripture and has not left his creations to define him. He is to be worshipped in “reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28) Kapic goes on to say, “Growing in our knowledge of God changes our view of everything else. It is not that we lose sight of all except God, but rather that we view everything in light of God and through the story of His creation and redemption. The worshipper no longer sees only a fragmented world, but stands before the One who holds all things together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) We want to equip our students to worship the one living and true God. He is to be ascribed the glory due His name (Psalm 96) both in corporate worship in His church and as a way of life whatever our vocational calling.

We are delighted to share with you accounts of some who have learned to worship and to equip others to worship here at home and around the world.

DR. MIKE SLIGH, Headmaster

MAGAZINE Editor Sandy Johnson, Communications Specialist Creative Design Clark/Nikdel/Powell

ADMINISTRATORS: Dr. Mike Sligh | Headmaster Steve Wilson | Director of Advancement Luci O’Byrne | Elementary Principal Nancy Bradley | Assistant Elementary Principal Wayne Shimko | Secondary Principal Darren Copeland | Assistant High School Principal Keith Overholt | Assistant Middle School Principal Julie Rice | Director of Enrollment

WHY Engage ? engage v. to commit; to involve intensely; to begin action The title for the LCS magazine describes – in one word – a great deal about our passion for Christian schooling and the effectual results. This active verb reflects our commitment to fostering lives of vibrant faith, active learning and intentional influence. Teachers engage students, students engage in their studies and co-curricular activities, and children and young people are prepared to engage their culture for the Kingdom. Engage will share encouraging stories of commitments to Christ, engagement in learning and active applications of faith for a lifetime.

Matt Green | Chief Financial Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kevin Knowlton – Chairman Dan Green – Vice-Chairman Beth Patteson - Secretary Payton Albritton

IN THIS ISSUE:

Kristen Bolter

Feature: Brian MacDonald { 6 }

Dan DeLange David Miller Bill Mutz

Side Feature: Andrew Lamb { 12 }

Dean Nederveld

Campusclamor@LCS { 14 }

Cory Petcoff Steve Sligh

Athletic Feature: FCA { 18 }

John Tucker

Expressions@LCS { 20 }

Jim Wilbanks

Sportszone@LCS { 22 } Staff Scoop { 26 } magazine is published quarterly by

Lakeland Christian School and is distributed free

Alumni@LCS { 27 }

of charge to parents, grandparents, alumni and

Faculty Feature: Wendy Carl { 28 }

friends of the school.

Cheerfulgivers@LCS { 30 }

Send correspondence to: Lakeland Christian School Attn: Sandy Johnson 1111 Forest Park Street Lakeland, FL 33803 You may send emails to sjohnson@lcsonline.org.

This magazine is printed by Area Litho, Lakeland, FL.

LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland, Florida 33803 | Phone 863-688-2771 Fax 863-682-5637 | lcsonline.org | facebook.com/LCSVikings | twitter.com/LkldChristian

THE MISSION OF L AKEL AND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

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is to educate students in the light of God’s word to equip them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship.

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F E AT U R E

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‘TO GLORIFY GOD AND TO ENJOY HIM FOREVER’

How Church Planter Brian MacDonald (‘96) Hopes to Transform ‘Rebels’ into Worshippers

“THE STEPS OF A MAN ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE LORD, WHEN HE DELIGHTS IN HIS WAY.” – PSALM 37:23

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E N G A G E F E AT U R E continued

For much of his time at Lakeland Christian School,

grade honors science under his tutelage, surrounded

Brian MacDonald (Class of ’96) thought his life’s

by much more intelligent students. Upon my

goal was to be a physician. Even when his late

answering a question incorrectly, there were several

grandmother, the spiritual matriarch of his family,

times when Mr. Musick ‘threatened’ to kick me out

predicted that he would be a minister one day, his

and send me across the hall to the non-honors class. I

emphatic reply was, “No way, Nana! I could never

made it through the year; however, it was at this point

do that!”

I began to believe that God may not be calling me to

Brian planned on a “safer and more predictable route,” but God had other plans for Brian’s life. Now,

During his years at LCS, Brian was involved in

almost 20 years after he graduated from high school,

soccer, cross country, track and field, the Fellowship

he is a pastor, church planter, husband and father of

of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and

six in Montgomery, Alabama.

yearbook. Some of his fondest memories, however,

HIS YEARS AT LAKELAND CHRISTIAN Brian started at LCS as a first grader and recognizes the impact that his teachers and the gospel story had on him from a young age. He remembers playing with G.I. Joes after school and, as an eight-year-old, asking Jesus to be his Savior.

involved the annual Work-A-Thon.

“I always looked forward to that special chapel when Mr. Myhrer would unveil the diverse prizes we could be awarded if we raised the most money, but most importantly, I loved going out on the day of WorkA-Thon and serving those in the community. It was very impactful to have teachers and LCS staff serve

“Over the years, many teachers and friends helped me

alongside the students in demonstrating the love

own that faith and live it out,” Brian said. “Therefore,

of Christ in deed. I believe this annual event helped

spiritually, God used LCS to act as a conduit of sharing

shape my enjoyment of home and yard renovations

his grace and created a spiritual foundation upon my

and my desire to serve others.”

transition to Baylor.”

Brian credits two particular teachers for influencing his life: Miss Lou Palmer and Mr. Mike Musick.

A SUPERNATURAL CALLING After struggling through honors biology at LCS, Brian questioned his aspirations of becoming a doctor. It

“Miss Palmer impacted my understanding and love

was during his junior year of high school when he felt

for God’s Word in junior high. She passionately and

the call to full-time ministry.

creatively helped me engage the Bible. I will never forget the day she taught our class about the Ebenezer stones of remembrance from the Old Testament. She walked around the classroom and placed upon each desk a small rock with the letter “E” written on it in permanent marker. She encouraged us to keep it and

“I will never forget sitting in church on Sunday morning and, after my pastor finished his sermon, I said to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do with my life!’

This was clearly a supernatural call because the mere thought of speaking in front of people frightened me.”

look to it often to remember God’s faithfulness in our

After graduating from Lakeland Christian, Brian

lives. I still have that rock, and I have used

moved to Waco, Texas, to attend Baylor University. He

her illustration many times in my own teaching.

graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in religion.

“The second upper-school teacher who had an incredible impact – albeit unconventionally – upon my life was Mr. Musick. Somehow I was placed in ninth-

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be a physician as I had believed up until this point.”

During his time at Baylor, his Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) campus pastor helped Brian confirm his call to ministry. He also met Dallas native Ella Fergason who would become his wife in May 2000.

While still a student at Baylor, Brian’s RUF pastor

predictable route of working my way up from assistant

recommended him for a youth pastor job at Eastwood

pastor to head pastor one day. Finally after seeking

Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

counsel from my church leadership, I was encouraged

“I was madly in love with my girlfriend and ready to propose but was waiting to land a job before I asked for her hand. Once they offered me the job, I got engaged to my wife. We married two months later and moved to Montgomery within a few weeks. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would live in the Deep South!”

to get assessed by the denomination and see if the Lord had gifted my wife and me for such a call. After we were recommended to pursue church planting, the Lord continued to open doors to see 2Cities planted in downtown Montgomery.”

PLANTING 2CITIES CHURCH Brian planted 2Cities Church in downtown Montgomery

In fact, Brian only planned to stay in Montgomery for

in 2010 as part of the Presbyterian Church in America

three years before moving on to seminary. He ended up

(PCA). His typical duties are what one would expect

staying until 2009 and completing his Master of Divinity

from a pastor: sermon preparation, counseling,

from Birmingham Theological Seminary’s Montgomery

discipleship meetings, Bible studies, leadership

extension while serving in full-time ministry.

development and evangelism. But church planting also

“As I watched my students graduate and as I worked

creates additional responsibilities for Brian.

towards my master’s, the Lord grew within me a love for

“Church planting is unique to the typical pastorate

the city of Montgomery and an interest in seeing a new

in that it requires spending a lot of time creating and

church in her urban core. I never seriously considered

casting vision. Like starting a new business, you have to

church planting before 2007.

know your mission, vision, goals and strategies. I loved

“For some time, I tried to ignore God’s leading me into church planting in exchange for a safer and more

the early stages of church planting when I gathered a small core group to help define our new church DNA.

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ENGAGE FEATURE continued

“Another unique job of church planting is fundraising.

Gospel unite these ‘two cities’ and bring spiritual,

This is rarely the favorite part of the job, but it

social and cultural renewal to Montgomery.

was amazing to see how the Lord provided some $400,000 through generous donors over the early years of our church plant.

the shalom – peace, prosperity, welfare – of our broken early cities (Jeremiah 29:7). Yet at the same

“Finally, as a church planter, you have to evangelize

time, we long for the eternal city, the new heavens

and network. Dozens of studies have shown that

and the new earth, to come quickly and make all

new churches gain most of their new members

things new. Hence, our vision dictated our location.

(60-80 percent) from those who are not plugged

With the city of Montgomery’s commitment to

into a church.”

revitalize downtown, it made sense for the church

THE 2CITIES DIFFERENCE The name “2Cities Church” addresses the history of Montgomery, which was originally two separate cities: New Philadelphia and East Alabama Town. The two merged in December 1819 into the current city of Montgomery. Despite being merged for nearly 200 years, the divisions within Montgomery are still evident.

“At the present time, one can live in Montgomery and easily see that in many ways we are still two cities: racially, economically, socially, academically.

These divisions are disconcerting, and we do not wish to promote them with our church name.

Instead, it is our desire to see the beauty of the { 10 }

“ As a city set on a hill, God calls the Church to seek

to come alongside our city to mutually promote new life.”

According to their website, the mission of 2Cities Church is to “extend the kingdom of God in Montgomery by creating a worshipping community that will declare and demonstrate the love of Christ in word and deed.” They work to accomplish their mission by focusing on four different areas: social renewal, spiritual renewal, cultural renewal and physical renewal.

“Spiritual and social renewal can be easily defined as declaring and demonstrating the love of Christ in both word and deed as Christ explained in the New Commandment,” Brian said. “However, cultural

renewal may be less easy to comprehend at first

“Worship is my personal aim and the mission of 2Cities

blush. When we think of the word ‘culture,’ we often

when we engage in evangelism, for it is our prayer that

think of fine art, the symphony or possibly foreign

rebels would be transformed into worshippers,”

culture. However, if we go back to the book of

Brian said.

Genesis, we see that God defined a life of worship and service for Adam and Eve as creating culture for the glory of Himself.

Worship is also designed to be holistic; it is not designed to be just one aspect of our lives along with hobbies, family, work, etc. Rather, our family, finances,

“He gave our first parents raw resources and

friends and everything else are many manifestations of

commanded them to make something beautiful:

our worship. This very truth destroys the unnecessary

create agriculture, create zoology, create family, create cuisine. Without a doubt, the fall of man has corrupted our ability to create, for many in this world

dichotomy between what is sacred and secular and how we live our worship as giving glory to God in everything we do.”

either promote bad culture or create beauty only

You can read more about the mission and vision of

for their own honor. Yet since God is in the business

2Cities Church in Montgomery, Alabama, by visiting

of making all things new, we care about renewing

http://2cities.org .

culture, which can look like cultivating new art and music, restoring a home or building or starting a new business for the glory of God! “Biblically and historically, the city has always been the hub of cultural activity. Montgomery already has a rich heritage of culture. Imagine the expanding byproducts of redeeming and creating more culture in our effort to craft a new Montgomery!”

ON PERSONAL AND CORPORATE WORSHIP For Brian, the first question of the Westminster Catechism sums up worship: “What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever!”

He believes worship is God-focused, that worship is missional and that worship is holistic.

“God created everything for his glory and praise.

Mankind is uniquely made in his image and created to worship. With the advent of sin into the world, man did not stop worshipping, but shifted the focus from God to everything else. This is idolatry – having

» About Brian MacDonald: 1996 Graduate of Lakeland Christian School 2000 Graduate of Baylor University (B.A. in Religion) 2008 Graduate of Birmingham Theological Seminary (M.Div.)

an inordinate desire for something so much that I

MARRIED TO Ella since May 2000 and has six

love it more than Christ. Our worship is designed to

children: Hudson (11), Henry (10), Nathan (8), Jacob

sanctify us. The Christian life is a continual process of

(6), Oliver (4) and Molly (2)

repenting over the idols of our heart and realigning our worship back upon Christ.”

Quoting an excerpt from John Piper’s book “Let the Nations Be Glad,” Brian shows the missional focus on worship: “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.

Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces

SPARE TIME: “What’s that?!? As you can imagine with a large family, spare time often involves the whole clan. In addition to watching sports, enjoying the outdoors, wrestling with my boys and spoiling my baby girl, I enjoy exercising, wood working and landscaping projects.”

before the throne of God, missions will be no more.”

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SI DE F EATU R E

PURSUING HIS LIFELONG PASSIONS:

Alum Andrew Lamb Plants Churches, Trains Leaders Around the World For many students, the career goals they have in high school change by the time they graduate from college.

But for 1979 grad Andrew Lamb, his interest in missions and church planting never changed. In the years since he graduated from Lakeland Christian, Andrew has served as a pastor, missionary, church planter, nonprofit board member and now is the Vice President of Emerging Global Opportunities and Leadership Integration for Third Millennium Ministries.

Andrew attended LCS for part of middle school and high school, working at the school to pay his tuition.

He was deeply influenced by the godly examples of faculty including Mr. John Douglass, Dr. Mike Sligh, Mr. Mike Musick and Mrs. Harriet Montgomery.

“All befriended me and mentored me in some way,” Andrew said. “Mrs. Montgomery was also very patient

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with me as I was not a fan of English grammar and literature. I remember well the grace she showed me even as she helped me learn what I did not know I needed to learn.

“Conversations with these teachers were key. I think I went off to college with my Christianity as my own and not just my family’s point of view. I saw people who did not live out their Christian lives, but I also saw people who were very real about who Christ was to them, and I understood the difference and was able to hold on to my faith in difficult times.”

After high school, Andrew received his B.A. in Bible and Missions from Columbia International University.

He knew that he wanted to serve on the mission field, specifically in the area of church planting, which he has done for 28 years.

Andrew worked for Mission to the World for 26 years as a church-planting missionary, Partnership Coordinator and Regional Director over Mexico and Brazil. He also spent four years as a church-planting coach in the Muslim world.

“I learned early on that the church is the main way God ministers to people around the world, and so I developed a heart for the church and starting new works. In our years serving in Mexico and Brazil, we were part of starting or helping to start more than 60 different new churches.”

The goal of Third Millennium Ministries is to supply free theological training and education around the world.

This is done through paper, audio, the Internet, satellite and even a smart phone app. The organization offers curriculum from a high-school level all the way up to an equivalent of a Master’s in Biblical and Theological Studies.

“We are seeking to do this in as many languages as we can. Currently we are focused on five that cover some 42 percent of the world, but we are also working in a total of 21 languages. The five we focus on are Mandarin, English, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. We are used by churches and leaders in every country around the world, and we even have users in Vatican City. Our materials serve people who can agree with the Apostle’s Creed.”

In his current role with Third Millennium Ministries, Andrew has the opportunity to support underresourced pastors and leaders around the world. His responsibilities include recruiting and training the team, working with schools that want to use their curriculum, and helping missionaries and organizations that want to train leaders.

“I seek to move away from what pleases me in worship to what pleases God in worship. I tell people all the time that Heaven’s worship will not be what I want in worship, but what God wants! I try to incorporate different aspects of biblical worship that are not a part of my normal culture and comfort zone. I don’t want to see my culture as right but to see Kingdom culture and to honor God in biblical forms.

“In church planting and missions, we seek not to have people worship in American ways but in ways fitting the culture of the place in light of what Scripture teaches.

We want people to have a deeper understanding of biblical forms and to worship God as he instructs us to, not just how we feel comfortable.”

The biblical world and life view that Andrew received during his time at Lakeland Christian School helped prepare him for a life of service around the world. He is grateful for the teachers and staff who taught him to live out his faith, which he continues to do as he trains pastors and leaders all over the world.

“Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” – Psalm 96:7-9

“To see a pastor who has had none or very little training begin to understand the Bible and theology in a better way is very rewarding. For example, in Cuba, we have more than 4,300 students – some who have been pastoring churches without training for years. When they finally have the opportunity to study for free and better understand God’s word and how to apply it in the lives of the people they serve … that is a good day.”

Andrew’s years at LCS encouraged his heart for service and gave him a model for servant leadership, and they also shaped his ideas of worship that were further cultivated during his seminary education at Reformed Theological Seminary. This concept of biblical worship impacted him during his time in other countries as well.

“I had J.I. Packer for a class in seminary, and I remember when he gave a simple definition of worship: ‘the deliberate lifting of one’s eyes from man and his mistakes to contemplate God and His glory.’ This plays out in many ways.

Rev. Andrew Lamb and his wife Anne have been married for 29 years and have four sons: Drew (wife Rachel, son Liam), Daniel, Michael and Richard (wife Jasmine, daughter Brandie). He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida. For more information on Third Millennium Ministries, visit http://thirdmill.org.

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{ campusclamor@lcs }

The LCS World Language Department recently completed its Fifth Annual Cultural Enrichment Tour with a trip to Costa Rica. The group, led by Spanish teacher Mrs. Denise Fie, enjoyed a week’s worth of activities including zip lining, snorkeling, touring historical sites and a day of ministry to a local daycare center. Shown ready to fly over the trees are (l-r): Lauren Latimer, Jacob Russ, Katelin Russ, Megan Gordon, Denise Fie, Melissa Lamelas, Ellise Jenkins and Stacey Jenkins. Plans are already in the works for next summer’s trip to Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo, Spain. Interested high school students may contact Mrs. Fie at dfie@lcsonline.org

The RISE Institute and Mrs. Jennifer Canady were the recipients of a brand-new portable robotics work table and outdoor work table made by 2015 graduate Will Sutton. Will worked on these two tables as his final Eagle Scout project. The tables were delivered to LCS in mid-June.

for information.

Congratulations to sophomore Julia Canady. She competed against 1700 student researchers from more than 70 countries at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in mid-May. Her project on weed warfare earned her a fourth-place Grand Award, a $500 cash award and a special award for excellence in research and creativity from Monsanto. In addition to being grilled about her research by more than a dozen scientists, Julia had the opportunity to hear from several Nobel laureates.

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The Senior Class of 2015 traveled to Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, Washington, for the annual senior service trip in late May. The group spent two days preparing the camp for the summer. Projects included building picnic tables, landscaping, clearing trails, deep cleaning, building fences and putting up tents. The students also enjoyed some site-seeing time in Seattle with trips to Pike’s Market, a Seattle Sounders soccer game and the Space Needle. For more information on Warm Beach Camp, visit www.warmbeach.com.

Congratulations to the Class of 2015! The 86-member class celebrated Baccalaureate on Sunday, May 31 and Commencement on Monday, June 1. At Baccalaureate, Christian Leadership Award winner Tucker Scruggs and Pastor Drew Bennett (Church of the Redeemer, Winter Haven) both challenged the class from Scripture.

{ campusclamor@lcs }

The following evening, valedictorian Matthew Henderson and salutatorian Colin Dodd encouraged their classmates by sharing memories, advice and personal thoughts. The class chose Mr. Erik Thomas, a member of the secondary faculty, to give the commencement address. The evening concluded with each senior receiving a diploma from

Congratulations to seventh graders Bryce Bagwell, Christian Herman, Hannah Miller and Sean Stoltz on qualifying for state recognition in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). The students were recently honored at a state recognition ceremony where they each received a medal for their accomplishments. According to the Duke TIP website, seventh graders are invited to participate if they receive a qualifying score at or above the 95th percentile on a recent grade-level test. This group of students then takes the ACT or SAT exam and qualifies for state recognition based on earning a certain score. (Not pictured: Hannah Miller)

Dr. Mike Sligh, Headmaster.

The LCS Chess Clubs, coached by Mr. Mark Williams, gave out the school championship tournament awards for both the Novice Chess Club and Advanced Chess Club. Congratulations to the following students on earning awards: ADVANCED CHESS CLUB

NOVICE CLUB

1st: Alan Gordon (8th grade)

1st: Landon Maiuzzo

2nd: Wenjo Lai (4th grade)

(4th grade)

3rd: Joshua Plyler (6th grade)

2nd: Luke Ghaly (3rd grade)

4th: Eli Curls (4th grade)

3rd: Ethan Petcoff (2nd grade)

Most Improved: Dylan Cardosi

4th: Gage Rhoden (2nd grade)

(2nd grade)

4th: Amil Tavares (2nd grade)

Sportsmanship: CJ Miller

6th: Mitchell Rodriguez

(2nd grade)

(3rd grade) 7th: Henry Bolter (2nd grade) 7th: Jaxson Peacock (4th grade) Most Improved: Mitchell Rodriguez (3rd grade) Most Improved, Honorable

Congratulations to the fourth grade Odyssey of the Mind team of Jacob Day, Carys Wiechmann, Harrison Kinney, Neil Dave, Wenjo Lai, Braden Tan and Connor McLoughlin. They became the first team from LCS (and Polk County!) to advance to the World OM tournament.

The team traveled to Michigan State University in May, where they finished 12th out of 60 teams in their division.

The students were coached by Mrs. Darise McLoughlin.

Mention: Harley Hover (1st grade) Sportsmanship: Stuart Norman (1st grade) Landon Maiuzzo with his award.

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{ campusclamor@lcs } In early May, senior Miranda Davis was awarded a coveted Silver Garland Award, presented by The Ledger. Miranda, an accomplished equestrian athlete, has conducted research on genetics and nutrition for horses, searching for local causes of colic and educating local horse owners. She has volunteered with the SPCA and the Surgi-Center for Horses. Miranda created the STEM Forum Club at LCS and was selected by staff to teach University of Florida students about temperature, pulse and respiration techniques. She is the daughter of Brian and Stacy Davis. Miranda plans to attend Mississippi State University.

The Florida State Science and Engineering Fair was held during the week of spring break, and our RISE Institute student researchers were extremely successful as they competed at the fair. Each LCS student who presented received an award. Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding accomplishments:

This spring, eighth-grader Kacey Mewborn received the Young Naturalist Award from New York’s American Museum of Natural History for her science work that tested the use of mango skin extract to repel Asian citrus psyllids, the insects that carry the virus that causes citrus greening. This invasive insect is crippling the Florida citrus industry. Kacey’s results showed that leaves treated with the extract had 91 percent fewer psyllids on them than untreated leaves.

Kacey, the daughter of James and Trena Mewborn, traveled to New York to accept her award. This is the third year in a row that an LCS student has won the Young Naturalist Award. Sophomore Julia Canady received the honor in 2013 and 2014.

Annie Bolter and Rachel DiMezza – $50 special award for excellence in research design and creativity Christian Herman – 4th place in Jr. Engineering Julia Canady – 2nd place in Sr. Botany Kacey Mewborn – 1st place in Jr. Botany and Ying Scholar Best of Fair award

Kacey Mewborn with her award.

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This spring, four LCS students received awards from the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Seventh grader Hannah Miller placed third in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, and seventh grader Emily Branham placed second. Senior Matt Henderson finished third in the Voice of Democracy Speech Contest, and senior Matt Agosti won first place. Congratulations!

{ campusclamor@lcs } Several members of the Class of 2015 received awards and scholarships this spring. Congratulations to the following seniors on their accomplishments: Bailey Family Foundation Scholarships ($20,000 over 4 years) – Abbie Nilius and Karlee Smith

the state of Florida with 3,300 points. They also won first place in the high school division. The middle school team won third place in the state, and the elementary team finished first in their division.

Congratulations to the individual winners:

PEO Scholarship ($2,000) – Skye-Lyn Allen

Coach James Moore – winner of the Coaches’ Challenge

Maxcy Foundation Scholarship ($4,000 over 4 years) – Ashley Middleton

Matthew Henderson – Overall Grand Champion and First Place in the High School Boys’ division with 292 points

Wendy’s High School Heisman School Award Winners – Carson Knox, Katie Smith and Matt Agosti

Cyler McVay – Third Place in the High School Boys’ division with 282 points

National Merit Scholarship Winner – Amanda Fulton

Sean Stoltz – First Place in the Middle School Boys’ division with 282 points

Congressional Classroom Attendee – Amanda Fulton Elk’s Club Most Valuable Student Competition – Abbie Nilius ($1,000), Kayla Mudger ($1,000) and Will Sutton ($1,500) Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award – Matthew Henderson

Evan Parker – First Place in the Elementary Boys’ division with 256 points Jacob Stoltz – Second Place in the Elementary Boys’ division with 250 points Breanna Newberg – First Place in the Elementary Girls’ division with 259 points Taylor Radford – Second Place in the Elementary Girls’ division with 259 points The team traveled to the national NASP tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, in mid May. Twenty-one students competed in the tournament against 12,500 archers from 541 schools. LCS ranked 60th in the high school division. Honorable mention awards went to senior Matt Henderson; juniors Cole Radford, Emily Kennedy, Jessie Andrew, and Cyler McVeigh; seventh grader Sean Stoltz; fifth graders Evan Parker, Breanna Newberg and Taylor Radford; and fourth graders Jacob Stoltz and Emma Parker.

The LCS Archery Team had a successful spring season, with several students earning top awards at the state National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) tournament.

The high school team was named Grand Champion in

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ATHLETIC FEATURE

“For some time, I have had the idea of forming an organization of athletes and coaches in this hero-worshipping nation of ours. If athletes can endorse shaving cream, razor blades and cigarettes, surely they can endorse the Lord, too.”

– Don McClanen, Founder of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (from http://timeline.fca.org) This quote by McClanen is as applicable in today’s culture as it was when he wrote it 60 years ago – back in 1954 when he founded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The vision of FCA has remained the same as well: to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

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CREATING DISCIPLES AND MENTORING LEADERS: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Advances the Mission of LCS

The Lakeland Christian School chapter of FCA meets regularly to encourage our athletes and to be involved in the community. Engage interviewed Mrs. Melissa Henson, one of the leaders of the LCS FCA, to talk about our chapter: Engage: What is the purpose of the LCS Fellowship of Christian Athletes?

Henson: The main purpose of FCA is to present the gospel to our athletes in an effort to create disciples for Christ who glorify him on and off the field or court.

Engage: How often do you meet, and what is a typical meeting?

Henson: Our huddle meetings are on Friday mornings at 7:07 (for Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”). Our core leaders begin by praying together for Christ to be present during this time. There is always the breakfast of champions – donuts and juice!

We play a game and then have a speaker, participate in small group discussions or have students give their testimonies.

Engage: How many students are involved?

HENSON: Around 25 committed attendees.

Engage: What faculty members and volunteers are involved with our FCA? HENSON: Myself, Ruth Boulet, Melanie Peace, Coach Corron Boston and Coach John O’Neal.

Engage: Are there regular speakers? If so, who?

HENSON: We have various speakers throughout the year including principal Darren Copeland, Coach Roger Evans, Coach Wayne Peace, Coach John O’Neal, me and FCA students from Florida Southern College. Usually, the core leadership team decides on a speaker and requests for them to come.

Engage: Are there student leaders and, if so, what do they do?

HENSON: This past year’s core leadership team consisted of senior Carly Knox, juniors Jessie Andrew and Josue Blanco, sophomores Jake Albritton and Anna Lanzino, and freshmen Mary Peace and Logan Mason. They have a lot of responsibility which includes working with the sponsors every Monday to plan Friday

morning’s huddle meeting, gathering for prayer on Thursdays during lunch to pray together with other participants, and enlisting help from others to advertise and coordinate events throughout the year.

Engage: What are the organization’s goals?

HENSON: For the adult leaders, the goal is to mentor and help foster the leadership skills of FCA’s student leaders so they, in turn, will lead the student participants and those on their team to Christ.

Engage: How does the LCS FCA advance the school’s mission statement – to educate students in the light of God’s word to equip them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship?

HENSON: Since this is a student-led organization, all participants are actively leading others on their team by being servants of Christ. This is something that will extend into all aspects of life as they move on from LCS. Engage: Is there an emphasis on learning, leadership, service and worship? How so?

HENSON: There is always an emphasis on learning the scriptures during our huddle meetings, and then taking that and implementing it through leadership and service. Even if a student is not a part of the core leadership team, they are still leaders on their team and in the classroom. We serve the community through the outreach of the “Give and Get” and also the LCS sports teams.

Engage: What are some of the activities that the group does throughout the year?

HENSON: The main event LCS FCA sponsors is the annual ultimate Frisbee tournament where we encourage all students in middle and high school to come out and enjoy an evening of competition. We also sponsor See You at the Pole, a yearly gathering of students worldwide to circle around their school’s flagpole and intentionally pray for their school, administrators, teachers, country and leaders. We sponsor a booth at the Lakeland City Baseball Spring Opener each year. We work with Southwest Middle School and help with the annual “Give and Get” outreach that provides free clothes, toys, books, housewares, furniture, etc. to our surrounding community in need. We also reach out to our LCS community by making goodie bags, giving Gatorade and writing prayer cards to all high school sports teams.

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{ expressions@lcs }

Pictured (l-r): Kara Stacy, Christian Bedwell, and Amanda Fulton

In late March, our high school vocalists and band students performed at their respective State Solo & Ensemble competitions. Congratulations to the following students on their performances:

Choir Excellent Rating: Solo: Christian Bedwell

Choir Superior Rating:

Pictured (l-r): Erica Owen, Katie Jones, Eli Curls, Blake Thompson and Emmylou Varnum

Five elementary students from Lakeland Christian School were chosen to perform with the Polk All-County Elementary Chorus. The vocalists joined other elementary students from schools throughout the county and performed at Florida Southern College in early May.

Solo: Kristen Davis Trio: Amanda Fulton, Kara Stacy and Christian Bedwell Small Ensemble: Amanda Fulton, Kristen Davis, Abigail

Several LCS students auditioned and were selected to

Garrard, Laurel Hesseltine, Caroline Kitchens, Taylor Mills, Kara Stacy

perform with the Polk All-County Bands in mid-April with

Chamber Ensemble: Christian Bedwell, Kristen Davis,

7th and 8th Grade Band: Wesley Capron, Rebecca

Amanda Fulton, Abigail Garrard, Laurel Hesseltine, Caroline Kitchens, Nehemiah McIntosh, Taylor Mills, Nick Norman, Cole Singler, Kara Stacy, Vaviel Verner

Chapman, Amielle Ingalla and Tyler Maloy

Choir Superior with Honors (asked to perform in the Honors Recital): Kristen Davis and Abigail Garrard, Duet Band Superior Rating: Craig Heacox, Trumpet Solo Marybeth Boulerice, Flute Solo Marybeth Boulerice and Kacee Strickland, Flute Duet Brass Choir: Taylor Anderson, Rachel Chapman, Amanda

Fulton, Craig Heacox, Brandon Kaye, Hayden Lee, Joshua Martinez, Evan McLoughlin, Ashley Middleton, Stephen Mutz Band Excellent Rating: Ashley Middleton, Bass Trombone SoloÂ

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other top band students from the county.

9th and 10th Grade Band: Craig Heacox and

Kacee Strickland 11th and 12th Grade Band: Rachel Chapman, Chris Greene

and Ashley Middleton

{ expressions@lcs }

The week after school wrapped up for the year, the LCS Fine Arts department hosted the 13th Annual Summer Music Camp for boys and girls in second through sixth grades. The students had the opportunity to take a variety of classes, play games, complete art projects and audition for the fall musical, Mary Poppins. The camp concluded with a special program for family and friends.

Congratulations to juniors Vaviel Verner and Kara Stacy.

Each received a cash reward from the Ridge Music Teachers Association for their participation in Piano Student Day. They both earned Highest Honors in Level 11.

One highlight from this week’s camp (pictured below) was the opportunity for students to write special messages on the cafeteria floors, which were scheduled to be replaced

For more than 30 years, Lakeland Christian School has

once the week-long camp was over. Thanks to the fine arts

offered our students private piano lessons. Each spring,

faculty for another great year of camp and to the secondary

these young pianists show off what they’ve learned at

music students who helped out.

two different events. In late March, many of the students participated in the annual Piano Student Day. During the week of April 20, piano students in grades K5-12 performed in the annual end-of-year recitals. Congratulations on all of your hard work this past year!

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{ sportszone@lcs } Taylor O’Byrne, Kristy Smith, Vivian Streets, Ann Portlock, Kalyn Williams – Girls’ Soccer Honorable Mention Taylor Morton – Boys’ Soccer Second Team Jonathan Lehman, Chase Walters, Tanner Molony, Jacob Koretchko – Boys’ Soccer Honorable Mention Jessie Andrew – Girls’ Basketball Third Team Allisan Brown – Girls’ Basketball Honorable Mention Sue Wilsman – Softball Coach of the Year Kristen Beacham – Softball First Team Abby Burton – Softball Second Team Shannon Burke, Amy Burton, Camryn Wineinger, Erica Congratulations to junior pitcher Kristen Beacham on

Stahl, Emily McKinney, Brooke Benton – Softball

being named the Class 3A Pitcher of the Year for the 2015

Honorable Mention

Miracle Sports Softball All-State Team. She was undefeated

Jovanni Canegitta, Connor Sutton, Jake Kinney, Taylor

this season, tallying a perfect 12-0 record with a 1.46 ERA

Morton – Baseball Honorable Mention

for the state champion Vikings. Head Coach Sue Wilsman

Sydney Cabrera – Girls’ Track First Team

was named the 3A Coach of the Year.

Nathalie Saldana, Britain Musick, Scout Hunt – Girls’ Track Honorable Mention

Michael Barcelo – Boys’ Track First Team T. J. Simmons, Jerod Fuller, Trent Mason, Keland White, Dominique Davis – Boys’ Track Honorable Mention Lexy McElligott, Katie Nelson, Taelor Chism, Savannah Griffin – Girls’ Tennis Honorable Mention Sam Moseley, Evan Gonzalez, Sam Mercer, Matt Nelson – Boys’ Tennis Honorable Mention

Kenny Storey – Weightlifting First Team Eric Gallon, T. J. Simmons – Weightlifting Honorable Mention

Mary Peace, Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year

The Ledger has named the All-County teams for the winter and spring athletic seasons. Congratulations to the following players and coach for being honored for their accomplishments:

Mary Peace – Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year Jason Streets – Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year Mary Peace, Bri Folds, Carly Knox, Nathalie Saldana – Girls’ Soccer First Team

Katie Smith – Girls’ Soccer Second Team

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{ sportszone@lcs } Congratulations to our Viking senior athletes who were named to The Ledger’s All-Academic Team for 2014-2015:

Colin Dodd (Basketball and Tennis; Cumulative GPA: 4.45) Tucker Scruggs (Football, Weightlifting and Track; Cumulative GPA: 4.44)

Ann Portlock (Soccer, Tennis and Swimming; Cumulative GPA: 4.39)

Nick Simpson (Basketball; Cumulative GPA: 4.36) Kayla Mudger (Swimming and Softball; Cumulative GPA: 4.33)

Stephen Mutz (Diving and Track; Cumulative GPA: 4.32) Katie Smith (Soccer and Cheerleading; Cumulative GPA: 4.32)

Brent Brenneman (Football and Basketball; Congratulations to seniors Carly Knox, Kayla Mudger,

Cumulative GPA: 4.29)

Ann Portlock, Tucker Scruggs and Reid Reynolds, along with freshman Logan Mason, on being chosen as this year’s “Mighty in Spirit” award winners. These awards are

Several LCS athletes were recognized by the National

given each year by the Athletic Department. Winners are

Christian Schools Athletic Association (NCSAA) for their

selected by their teammates and recognized for having an

outstanding accomplishments this past school year:

exemplary Christian testimony both on and off the playing field.

Bria Aqui – Varsity Volleyball SE Super Regional Team Holly Cameron – Varsity Volleyball SE Super Regional Team Christian Alexander – Varsity Football All-American

After a very successful year for LCS athletes, the Lakeland Christian School Athletic Department received The Ledger’s annual All-Sports Award for the Small Schools Division. LCS tallied 335 points to run away with the title for 2014-2015. McKeel finished second, more than 100 points behind the Vikings. Frostproof High School was third. The Viking athletic program boasted a year that included a state semifinal football team, a state runner-

Offense, SE Super Regional Team

R.B. Marlow – Varsity Football All-American Offense, SE Super Regional Team

Logan Mason – Varsity Football SE Super Regional Team Jessie Andrew – Varsity Girls’ Basketball SE Super Regional Team

Brent Brenneman, Adam Webb – Varsity Boys’ Basketball SE Super Regional Team

up girls’ soccer team and a state champion softball team.

LCS won nine district championship titles this past year: football, volleyball, boys’ cross country, girls’ cross country, girls’ soccer, softball, boys’ track and field, girls’ track and field, and girls’ tennis.

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{ sportszone@lcs } Several LCS seniors signed letters of intent this spring.

Congratulations to the following athletes who will continue their athletic careers at various colleges around the country:

Carson Knox – Swimming Carson-Newman University, Tennessee

Reid Reynolds – Soccer Covenant College, Georgia

Jake Kinney – Baseball Florida Southern College, Florida

Dominic McNish – Football Peru State University, Nebraska

Keland White – Football Coffeyville Community College, Kansas

Kenny Storey – Football Faulkner University, Alabama

Dominique Davis – Football Peru State University, Nebraska

Frank Burgess – Football West Virginia Wesleyan, West Virginia

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{ sportszone@lcs }

Congratulations to Coach Sue Wilsman and the LCS

The LCS girls’ athletic teams were awarded the FHSAA

softball team on winning the first-ever state title in the 20-

Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup All-Sports Award in the Class 3A

year history of the program. The Vikings wrapped up their

Private Schools division. With 55 points, the Vikings edged

25-2 season with a 6-5 win over Westminster Christian

out Maclay of Tallahassee who tallied 51 points. Points

of Miami for the 3A State Softball Championship. Junior

are given out based on how they finish in the state series

pitcher Kristen Beacham completed a perfect 12-0 season,

competition for each sport. Congrats, Lady Vikings!

striking out a combined 19 batters in the State Semifinal and Final games. Eighth grader Caroline Watson tallied three RBIs on two hits in the final game.

After leading her team to the first-ever state championship in LCS softball history, the Florida Athletic Coaches

On their way to the State Championship, the Lady Vikes

Association (FACA) has named varsity softball coach Sue

sailed easily through the district tournament, taking 14-0

Wilsman as the Class 3A Coach of the Year. Eighth-grade

and 11-1 wins over All Saints’ Academy and Fort Meade,

softball player Camryn Wineinger and senior baseball

respectively. In the regional quarterfinal game, the girls

player Jake Kinney were both named to the Class

shut down Bishop McLaughlin Catholic, 19-0. In the

3A-District 13 All-Academic teams.

regional semifinals, the Fort Meade Miners were looking for revenge after losing the district championship, but the Vikings came out on top again with a narrow 2-1 victory.

They won the regional final game with a 5-4 decision over Melbourne Central Catholic. In the state semifinals, the Lady Vikes took a 4-1 win over University Christian.

The Lady Vikings’ successful season earned them the “Female Team of the Year” at the Polk County Amateur Sports Association annual awards banquet held in late June. Congratulations, ladies!

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{ staffscoop@lcs } Faculty service awards were given out at the end-of-

With end of the 2014-2015 school year, Lakeland

year luncheon in early June. Several members of the

Christian School said goodbye to three longtime

LCS faculty and staff were recognized for their years

members of the faculty who retired from teaching.

of service. Five individuals were honored for serving

They were recognized at the end-of-year luncheon

for 20 years or more:

in early June. The LCS family will miss these individuals and wishes them the best!

Jan Frost, Fourth Grade Teacher

Fourth grade teacher Mrs. Betty Duncan taught for

20 years

11 years.

Miss Nancy Snyder has been the elementary music teacher for 22 years.

Mrs. Alexis Livesay taught secondary English for

Diane Klages, Administrative

15 years.

Assistant of Athletics 20 years

Barb Moore, Secondary Computer Teacher 25 years LCS will welcome several new faculty and staff members for the 2015-2016 school year: Jo Anne Aldridge,

Mr. Jordan Burks – Elementary Music

Purchasing Agent

Mrs. Jane Burnette – Fourth Grade

35 years

Mr. Carlos Martinez – Fifth Grade Mrs. Rebecca Robinson – Elementary Special Programs

Mark Kirby,

Mrs. Kristen Hitchcock – Associate Director

Athletic Director

of Advancement

35 years

Mrs. Andrea Haas – Secondary English Mrs. Kelly Green – Middle School Study Hall Supervisor Mrs. Gina Butler – Food Service Miss Alexandria Frantzis – Discovery Program Paraprofessional

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{ alumni@lcs } 2010s

Robyn Radford Pospical

Brooks Wilson (’14)

(’03) has been named the

plays baseball at Stetson

Achievement Academy’s

University in DeLand,

2014-15 “Teacher of the Year.”

Florida. In his freshman

The Achievement Academy

season, Brooks led the

is a pre-kindergarten charter

Atlantic Sun Conference

school in Polk County

with nine wins and was

providing education and

selected to the 2nd Team All-Conference and the conference All-Freshman team.

He was also named to the Louisville Slugger All-American Freshman Team.

therapy services to children with developmental delays/disabilities. She was also awarded First Runner-Up at the Polk County Charter School Teacher of the Year banquet in May.

Anthony Joseph Ciccarello (’11) graduated from the

1990s

University of South Florida

Nicole Sanchez Escowitz

with a Bachelor of Science

(‘97) and her husband Hal

degree in Accounting.

welcomed daughter Isabella

Anthony is a member

Rayleigh to their family on

of Beta Alpha Psi, a nonprofit, international honors

January 18, 2015. Nicole and

organization for accounting and finance students. He

Hal live in Lakeland where

has been accepted to the USF’s Master’s Program.

Hal is a physician at LRMC Emergency Department and

“You have made us SO proud! We love you!”

Nicole is a nurse at LRMC on the Mother/Baby unit ­

– Wanda & Lou Bush

part-time and enjoying her full-time mommy position. Phyllis Daniels Sanchez (also an LCS alum) and her husband Rick are the proud grandparents

2000s

of Isabella.

Monica Rogier Rhodes (’08) married Brett Rhodes in November 2014. Brett works for St. Louis County Highway and Traffic, and Monica is in accounting for a local gym. She is also planning to pursue a law degree in the fall.

» We love to hear from you.

News about you is ­important to us and to your former classmates. Please email Claudia Powell at ­cpowell@lcsonline.org. Planning your class reunion? Claudia can also arrange for use of facilities and will offer other helpful tips.

To view even more alumni updates, please visit www.lcsonline.org/alumni/alum-notes/

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FACULTY FEATURE

At the end of each year’s spring choral concert, all of the LCS choirs join together and sing, “When in our music God is glorified, and adoration leaves no room for pride, it is as though the whole creation cried ‘Alleluia!’ How often, making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound ‘Alleluia!’” (When In Our Music God is Glorified, © 1972 by Hope Publishing Co.)

BEYOND THE MUSIC:

Secondary Choir Director Wendy Carl Deepens Students’ Concept of Worship As the choir director at Lakeland Christian School, Mrs.

University of Pennsylvania (formerly Baptist Bible College).

Wendy Carl focuses on exactly that: using music to glorify

Wendy began teaching in 1992 at Ross Corners Christian

God and challenging her students to do the same.

Academy in New York. From 1999-2007, she taught at Timothy Christian School in New Jersey. At both schools,

Wendy grew up in Owego, New York – a small town on the

she served as the choir director but also taught other music

New York/Pennsylvania border. She has been involved in

classes including middle school general music, music

music from a very young age, both vocal and instrumental.

theory and music history.

“Our family was very involved in music at our church, and

It was during her summer classes for her master’s degree in

there was always music in our home. I have been singing

Pennsylvania when she met Keith and Jen Overholt. Keith,

since childhood, starting in church and then in various

the Assistant Middle School Principal at LCS, was also

choirs from elementary school through college. I started

working on his master’s degree. This connection eventually

piano at the age of five and have also studied organ, flute,

led to the Carl family’s relocation to Florida. Wendy, along

baritone horn and percussion,” Wendy said.

with her husband Mike (an elementary PE teacher at LCS) and their two daughters, Amanda (LCS Class of 2012) and

She specialized in vocal and choral music during her years

Emily (LCS Class of 2014), have been here since 2007.

at The King’s College in New York where she received her

Wendy teaches secondary choral music, which includes

Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. She also has a

the High School Concert Choir, the Chamber Ensemble,

Master’s Degree in Christian School Education from Summit

the Junior High Choir and the Sixth Grade Choir. She also

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teaches private voice and is involved with the student

music, Wendy encourages her students to take a deeper

chapel praise band, the fall musical and the annual

look at what and why they’re singing.

summer music camp.

“I am so fortunate that my subject matter lends itself to Now going into her ninth year at LCS, Wendy still finds

discussing worship with my students on a daily basis. We

music education rewarding.

are able to analyze the text and go beyond the surface, challenging each student to make the words his or her

“I am able to do what I love and love what I do! Some

own and sing from a heart of true worship.

of the most rewarding things about teaching involve seeing and hearing the finished project after hours of

“Although music itself is not equated with worship, it is a

rehearsal and study, seeing the students’ reactions when

powerful and meaningful tool that God has given us to use

they realize that the group has achieved the goal—

and enjoy for his glory. My goal is to prompt my students

academically, musically and artistically. It’s also rewarding

to think about whether the music we perform and enjoy

to see the evidence that a student or audience member

is music in which God is truly glorified, in its quality, its

has been personally impacted by the text of a particular

content and in the heart motivation of its performance.”

piece of music, and to have the daily opportunity to interact with students on musical, academic, personal

Even with the emphasis that she is able to place on

and spiritual levels.

worship, Wendy feels that what she teaches her students applies to all aspects of the mission statement – a lifetime

[At LCS] I am surrounded by a strong music department

of learning, leadership and service in addition to worship.

faculty who all support one another in our various disciplines; we are truly a team that works together. I also

“I truly believe that every day the students in my

enjoy the strong support of music from the administration

classroom are learning, developing the confidence and

and parents who are actively involved in meeting the

skills necessary to lead, using music to serve their school,

needs of the music department and its students. I enjoy

church and community, and being given daily opportunity

the opportunity that LCS has to be a strong witness in Polk

to worship through the music we rehearse and the words

County, as our students are actively involved in District

that we meditate on.”

and State events.”

Part of the mission statement of Lakeland Christian School is developing students who are committed to a lifetime of

You can reach Wendy Carl by email at wcarl@lcsonline.org.

For a calendar of Fine Arts events, visit www.lcsonline.org/calendar

worship. While a lot of people associate worship with just

“I hope that students will learn how to work with others to achieve a common goal; to learn to lead by action, example and spirit; to set aside the competitive nature of the performance culture we live in and participate in music for its inherent benefits; to be active musicians and not just a consumer of music as entertainment; and, above all, to develop confidence in their ability and their role as lifelong music makers for God and God alone. Soli Deo Gloria!”

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{ cheerfulgivers@lcs } Annual Giving to LCS puts ‘Mission in Motion!’

The wheels on the brand new LCS activity bus will be going

the school community. An excellent Christian school like

round and round, beginning this fall.

LCS counts on regular, faithful support of its annual giving

Thanks to the support of many people in the Lakeland Christian School community, sufficient funds have been raised through the Mission in Motion annual giving effort to move forward with the purchase of the bus. We thank God for this blessing.

The new bus has been purchased and wrapped with the school logo and other branding identifiers. This snazzy school vehicle will be enjoyed by students across all grade levels, since it will be used for field trips and for various school group and athletic team transportation.

This new campus asset is made possible strictly through contributions – with no impact on the school budget. In other words, thanks to generous giving, no tuition dollars were used for this purchase.

And that’s precisely the reason for the school’s annual giving program. Each fall, LCS will announce the special project to be funded by contributions from throughout

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effort to enhance the educational experience for children and young people by funding an opportunity that is beyond the realm of the school budget. The coming year’s project will be announced shortly after the beginning of school this fall.

But, for now, we are grateful for those who participated in this year’s effort and look forward to growing the annual giving fund year by year.

{ cheerfulgivers@lcs } Family Crises Threaten Continuation of LCS Schooling Giving to Special Fund Keeps Children In Their School What could be more of a crisis in the life of a child than to

schooling at LCS. What a blessing it’s been to the number

lose a parent? Or, perhaps a family trauma that turns life

of students who have received tuition assistance through

upside down?

the years from the benevolence of this account.

Even with the expected fear, anxiety, stress and difficult

This critical fund is low and is in need of replenishment

adjustment, one critical facet of a child’s world can remain

for the upcoming school year. LCS is already aware

comfortingly constant – the love and support of the caring

of one family that will need this support. And, sadly,

LCS family.

other situations may occur during the school year. How

When a child’s Christian schooling is in jeopardy due to a family crisis, how encouraging for the family to know their student(s) can remain in their school – with the stability

encouraging it would be to already have money available in the fund to be able to quickly assure a family that their children’s tuition can be funded.

of friends and loving teachers. This constancy is possible

Will you consider an investment in the lives of students

because of the open-hearted support of the LCS Families in

who need the continued support of LCS following a family

Crisis Fund.

tragedy? Contributions should be designated for the

This fund, entirely supported through contributions, was established to enable children and young people facing these types of tragic circumstances to continue their

Families in Crisis Fund and made payable to Lakeland Christian School. You can also donate online at lcsonline. org. Gifts to this fund are tax deductible.

School-Wide ‘60 Miles in 60 Days’ Special Event

Virtual Challenge Culminates Anniversary, Assists Families LCS people around the world joined together during the

made progress – virtually – along a special 60-mile

last 60 days of the school year to participate in an exciting

Lakeland-area course LCS designed for this challenge. The

new special event – all for the sake of fitness and for the

virtual course, complete with street view, began and ended

benefit of families needing financial support to be a part of

at LCS.

Lakeland Christian.

The 60 Miles in 60 Days event was a virtual challenge where participants ran, walked, jogged, biked, etc. 60 miles, at their own pace, over a 60-day period. Mileage was recorded with an activity tracking bracelet or by manual entry on the event website. Participants logged their sixty miles wherever they desired – around their neighborhood, around their favorite lake, etc.

As distance was recorded on the website, each registrant

The event was also the end-of-the-year culmination of the school’s 60th Anniversary.

The best part? Proceeds from this event support the LCS Financial Aid fund. Each year, the family need for financial aid assistance increases. And the requests far exceed the availability of funds. This school year alone, nearly 200 students received financial aid. Without the availability of these funds, many students could not be a part of the LCS “family of families.”

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LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland, Florida 33803

Sharpening Minds and Shepherding Hear ts.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lakeland, FL Permit No. 1