The Warrior Newsletter Winter 2014

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THE WARRIOR L I T T L E

R O C K

C H R I S T I A N

A C A D E M Y

TABLE of CONTENTS 4-5 J-TERM TRIPS 6 J-TERM 7 FRESHMAN J-TERM

8-9 ATHLETICS 10-11 STUDENT LIFE 12 TANNER BAILEY

13 ANNA MARIS KIRKES 14 HOMECOMING 15 ADVANCEMENT

16-17 FINE ARTS 18-19 EVENTS 20 SPRING PLAY

DR. ARNOLD

RECAPS WINTER 2014

Have you seen me walking across campus with a stuffed emu under my arm? Have you wondered why I’m carrying a stuffed emu to and fro? I’m looking for a Warrior who is pressing on, pushing through and leading us forward. When finding that Warrior who is living out the biblical expression, “Press on,” I present them with the bird for a day. And, it is always a wrestling match to get it back. Our Warriors have fallen in love with the emu.

Why the emu?

The emu is one of God’s creatures that finds it impossible to go backwards. The knee joints of the emu are anatomically created to only go forward, unable to shift in reverse. The emu only knows one direction - forward.

And, so it is with Little Rock Christian. We press on.

We lead forward. We are making every effort to add muscle to our faith and our ability to fulfill our vision to be distinctly Christ-centered, solid in academics, arts and athletics, and an authentic community of joy.

What you find in this seasonal newsletter - stories of academic, artistic, and athletic achievement - illustrates our commitment to press on! The "OK Plateau" that satisfies too many people in this world does not satisfy us. We press on. And, will not rest until the Lord comes.

Viva la emu!

Gary B Arnold President / Head of School

Smart device users, using your phone or other smart device, scan the Quick Response (QR) code to the left to view video about the 2013 Annual Fund “Like” Little Rock Christian Academy on Facebook Students take an in-depth look at the process involved in producing one of the most widely consumed beverages while participating in the J-term course “The Art, Science, and Economy of Coffee.”

Photo by Grant Harrison

Follow us on Twitter at @lrcawarriors THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2014

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J-Term trips “Travel is the key to a rich education and grows a person, mentally, emotionally, and most important, spiritually.

Travel opens up God’s world to us.”

Terri Swedenburg, J-Term Trip Coordinator Two mission trips and two educational trips were offered this year during J-Term. The mission groups headed to warmer climates to help those in need in the Bahamas and in Jamaica while the educational trips bundled up and headed to Europe to explore London and Paris. To read more about these amazing experiences please visit

LITTLEROCKCHRISTIAN.COM/JTERMTRIPS

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J-Term CLASSES and INTERNSHIPS Modeled after the college January term idea, “J-Term” is designed to increase learning opportunities for students.

Over twenty classes were offered for those that did not travel during J-Term. Class categories included Physical Education and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, Science, Media and Journalism, Community Service, Literature and Film, Bible and Discipleship, Outdoor Skills, Social Sciences, Performing and Visual Arts, Academic Prep and Competition and Language and Culture. Students also had the option to participate in the J-Term Internship Program which provides them with a unique opportunity to observe and experience a working professional’s life.

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LIFE CALLING FOR FRESHMEN

The students concluded the life course with a campus wide scavenger hunt after spending an interactive week learning how to use their lives as God intended.

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his year freshmen were required to take part in a new offering titled “Life Calling for Freshmen” during the J-Term semester. Life Calling is a course designed to help each student see where he or she fits in the world, now and in the future. Students learned general principles for following God’s direction, specific personal skills and gained knowledge of the Little Rock Christian programs and resources.

The students participated in a personality inventory assessment called “Hero to Zero – Servants by Design” and in a career survey called “Do What You Are.” Hero to Zero is intended to help the student discover practical applications for spiritual growth and a deeper appreciation for how they have been uniquely created. The Do What You Are survey revealed to them how they process information, make decisions and interact with the world around them. Hopefully, this helped the students discover the perfect career for them through the secrets of their personality type. A four year high school plan was then created based on the information they learned about themselves through the surveys.

Other sessions included lessons on study skills and college preparation. The students were introduced to the college application process of writing essays, requesting recommendations and applying for scholarships. The course concluded with a campus wide scavenger hunt and despite the freezing cold temperatures all the teams had fun completing their mission.

LIFE CALLING IS A COURSE DESIGNED TO HELP EACH STUDENT SEE WHERE HE OR SHE FITS IN THE WORLD, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

Overall the freshmen enjoyed the interactive week spent learning how to use their life as God intended and to be prepared to use the programs and resources at Little Rock Christian in life calling.

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ATHLETICS Basketball

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Senior Warrior Basketball players Photo by Michael Baxley

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Varsity: Season Record 12-13, State Tournament Qualifier 5A Central All Conference – Alex Caroom, Cole Hendrixson Warrior Award – Cole Daniel Junior High: Season Record 17-2, Conference Champions, Conference Tournament Runner-Up Junior High JV: Season Record 10-7 7th Grade: Season Record 9-1

Varsity: Season Record 20-7, 5A Central Conference Champions, State Tournament Qualifier, 5A Central Conference Coach of the Year – Skip Sanford 5A All State – Carlee Earls, Annalee Rhodes 5A Central All Conference – Brooklyn Burks, Rachel Ruddell, Alexus Thomas Warrior Award – Annalee Rhodes Junior High: Season Record 8-13 Junior High JV: Season Record 9-8 7th Grade: Season Record 5-5

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Archery

Cheer

Boys – 5A Central Conference Runner Up, 3rd in 5A State Girls – 5A Central Conference Champion, 5A State Runner Up The team placed 6th in the State tournament which qualifies them for the National Tournament held in Louisville, Kentucky in May. Top individual State tournament shooting honors were awarded to Holden Kurfess, Chris LoRusso, Nathan Cheatham, Blake England, Meagan Edmunds, Emily Vanderford and Natali Hall.

All Americans at Camp – Caroline Davis, London Farrar, Anna Grace Ledbetter, Rebecca Roberts

Wrestling 5th in State 5A All State – Hunter Jones, Aaron Hurlbut, Kevin Knox, Ben Thompson, Joseph Bentley Individual State Champion – Hunter Jones Warrior Award – Ben Thompson

Swim

Boys – 4th in State Girls – 9th in State 5A All State – Alex Clerget South All District – Alex Lacey Warrior Award – Samantha Johnson

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Student Life Highlights from our Winter Quarter – Christmas Programs and Parties, the 100th Day of School, Winter Formal, Now I Lay Me Down To Read Day, Staff Appreciation Week, Chapel, Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, Accelerated Reader Shopping, and Elementary Service Week.

A LUMN I STORY

Tanner Bailey L

ast June Tanner Bailey (2008) saw his dreams become a reality. After a very successful senior baseball season at Ole Miss, and graduating with a Business Management degree, Tanner returned home to Little Rock to wait and see what his future would hold. While visiting with his dad one afternoon he received a call from the Detroit Tigers announcing they had selected him in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball draft. “It was awesome the way it happened, being at home and all”, said Tanner. “It’s a blessing. It’s always been a dream,” he said.

Tanner was originally recruited by the Rebels out of LRCA but after suffering injuries in high school he decided to attend Texarkana Junior College. During his two seasons with the Bulldogs he helped lead them to two conference titles and was selected as an All-Conference player. During his second season he found Ole Miss interested in him again but he was yet again plagued with injuries. This time the injury was going to require surgery. Fortunately, the Ole Miss coaching staff believed in Tanner. “I’m grateful that Coach Bianco and his staff continued to believe in me and encourage me that I could still come to Ole Miss and be successful after such a big surgery.”

Tanner was successful not only on the baseball field but in the classroom as well at Ole Miss. He was a member of the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, Dean’s Honor Roll and University 12

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of Mississippi Athletic Academic Honor Roll. He was also nominated to receive the Brad Davis Southeastern Conference Community Service Post Graduate Scholarship for his work with Elementary students in the Reading and Rebels program.

Tanner’s mother, Tracy Springer, says “Tanner is still the loving caring young man that everyone knew at LRCA and he is still representing those LRCA values to this day. He’s been wearing a bracelet on his left wrist that reads ‘Thank you God – I am grateful’ since his junior year at LRCA. He loves to hand these out to others as he feels compelled to encourage teammates, coaches, opponents and especially young fans.”

Some of Tanner’s fondest memories at LRCA are “an inseparable brotherhood of guys I spent my high school years with, great teachers, amazing coaches, Friday nights in the student section watching the Warriors, and building a field and a foundation for the baseball program.” Tanner credits LRCA for preparing him for a successful college experience. “Little Rock Christian prepared me for the real world by having a strong faith and Worldview, along with great study habits and skills needed to succeed in academics and sports. LRCA definitely executed their mission with me and my family” said Tanner.

This spring Tanner will join the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Florida for Spring Training where he hopes to see a few more of his dreams become reality.

Photo by Cassidy Carson Lynch

Photo by David Knight

A LUMN I STORY

Anna Maris Kirks

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nna Maris Kirks graduated from LRCA in 2005 and has gone on to pursue a career as a professional dancer and choreographer. Anna recently told us about her experiences at LRCA, her career, and the work she is currently involved in.

LRCA: What were some of your favorite classes, teachers and memories at LRCA? Anna: I remember my 5th grade year as a particularly special one. My teacher made learning come alive for me in an entirely new way! Once a week, we made a "Tuesday Trek" to a location in the city to experience learning in a hands on way—whether churning butter, visiting a cotton gin, or exploring the Toltec Mounds.

LRCA: What impact did LRCA have on your spirituality?

Anna: As 5th graders, we were encouraged to memorize Psalm 18. I remember the sense of accomplishment I felt reciting the Psalm in its entirety. Because of this I continue to cultivate the discipline of storing God’s word in my heart and appreciate how the Spirit brings these Scriptures to mind at just the right time.

The spiritual challenge I found at LRCA continued into my high school years, as I was encouraged by worldview teachers to think deeply about my beliefs and to test those beliefs against other systems of thinking. This exposure to other worldviews, while still grounded in an environment where Christ was lifted up as King, was crucial as I entered into my college years where faith was often attacked as fiction.

Photo by David Knight

Photo by Cassidy Carson Lynch

Photo by David Knight

LRCA: Tell us about life after LRCA. Anna: After graduating with a degree in Dance and Psychology from Centenary College, I moved to Iowa to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at the University of Iowa. During this two-year program, I had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers, to create choreographic work of my own, and to teach dance courses to undergraduate students. After graduating from the MFA program, I returned to Little Rock to dance with Ballet Arkansas. My husband, Justin Kirkes, taught freshman English at LRCA, and I got to revisit old classroom teachers, attend football games, and keep up with how my old alma mater was growing into national recognition!

LRCA: You recently left Little Rock to start a new adventure.

Tell us about it.

Anna: This past summer, Justin and I felt a tug to return to Shreveport where we both attended college. Justin left the classroom to work in Residence Life at Centenary College and I am currently working for Transpersonal Technologies as a writer, editor, and designer. I help develop and promote materials that highlight the connections between our uniquely designed personalities and God’s purpose for our lives! LRCA freshmen recently used our Servants by Design™ material during J-term exploring their identities and life callings. I am also teaching preschool through high school aged students at a local dance studio. I have the privilege to co-teach a dance class for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, an initiative based on an international program called Dance for PD. Building a community of individuals who can share both the daily difficulties of living with Parkinson’s as well as the joy that comes as a result of self-expression through movement is consistently the highlight of my week.

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There’s No Place like Homecoming 2 0 14

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ellow brick roads, rainbows and an emerald city transformed the high school during the Basketball Homecoming week – The Wizard of Oz. The spirit week was filled with dress up days for students including Pajama Day, Barbie vs. GI Joe Day, HoliDAY, Pixar Day and Wizard of Oz Day. The homecoming court was presented during the afternoon pep rally by senior basketball players. Logan Burks, Kate Gladden, Kaitlyn Brown, Jade Mason, Anna Caryl Vanderford, Blakely Kepesky, Reagan Broach, Alexus Thomas and Ella Greer (pictured above from left to right) were chosen as the 2014 homecoming maids.

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The pom and cheer teams performed special “OZ” routines and the basketball team captains encouraged the student body to come out and support their efforts to beat the Sylvan Hills Bears.

That evening the homecoming maids were escorted onto the court by family members and Anna Caryl Vanderford was crowned the 2014 Basketball Homecoming Queen.

The girls and boys basketball teams then put on a show of their own with both teams claiming victory over the Bears.

The Wizard of Oz week was filled with Warrior spirit that left everyone thinking there’s no place like Homecoming 2014!

Advancement The Annual Fund offers the opportunity to support the people and programs which provide a blue-ribbon education for our students. We have set a $625,000 goal for annual giving in 2013-2014 with 100% participation from current families and faculty. To date our board, faculty and staff, parents, grandparents and alumni families have given over $420,000.

We will accomplish our goal when everyone participates.

If you’ve already given, THANK YOU. If you haven’t yet given, please consider a gift today.

Go to www.littlerockchristian.com/giving to see all the ways you can give, including company matching gifts and your Amex points.

The Annual Fund specifically provides financial assistance for qualified families, as well as curriculum and professional development for our teachers, and campus enhancements.

Things that are not covered by your tuition dollars.

Admissions Interest in Warriorville is at an all-time high and space is limited! Over 100 families have toured Little Rock Christian since September, and five to ten students are on campus weekly to enjoy a “shadowing” experience. If you have friends

who are interested in Little Rock Christian, please have them contact Heidi Brandt, our Assistant Director of Admissions, to schedule an individual tour and a shadow date.

Heidi.brandt@littlerockchristian.com or 975-3439.

Register for

Summer Programs t now! t The Little Rock Christian Summer Program brochure is now online! We are excited about the selection of camps and courses that are available to your student this summer.

To register please visit: LITTLEROCKCHRISTIAN.COM/ SUMMERPROGRAMS

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ARTS

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Friends of the Arts Fundraiser

nce again the Friends of the Arts had a sold out crowd at their event headlining Tim Hawkins with a special guest appearance by Jonnie W. Tim and Jonnie are Christian comedicans, songwriters and singers best known for stand up material based on marriage, homeschooling and parenting. Held at Fellowship Bible Church, the two comedians had the over 1400 guests rolling in the aisles and laughing to the point of tears.

The Friends of the Arts sponsors several fundraisers throughout the year with the concert being their most successful. The funds will be used to purchase wish list

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items for the Fine Arts Department at the end of the 20132014 school year.

Friends of the Arts exists for the purpose of fine art enrichment through the involvement of students, their families, faculty and community, and for enhancing the support of student education and activities related to Fine Arts. For information on joining Friends of the Arts please contact Keli Edwards, FOA president, at lrca.foa@gmail.com

F I N E A RT S DE PA RT M E N T BRINGS THE

Christmas Spirit to LRCA

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he high school fine arts department kicked off the Christmas season with a program titled “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis.”

Over three hundred students representing orchestra, band, choir and drama participated in the program. The production portrayed the life of C.S. Lewis, famous British author. Lewis spoke about the significant events and the people that shaped his life. He also reflected on his views of the festive Christmas season. The program left the audience celebrating the fabulous performances by the LRCA actors, musicians and vocalists along with a great author who gave the world the Narnia Chronicles and a Christian legacy.

The junior high and middle school fine arts department brought great joy to campus with their program called “Simply Christmas.” Three hundred and fifty orchestra, band, choir and drama students participated. The performance was broken into four parts: Prophecy, Christ’s Birth, Shepherds and Wise Men and Response. The program portrayed the simplicity of the gospel in artistic form.

AWA R D S Congratulations to the following band and orchestra members on their outstanding accomplishments.

Makezie Day - 4th in State (cello) Geoffry Flemmons - 5th in Midwest Region (percussion) Cooper Lair - 7th in Midwest Region (violin) Peter Keltner - 14th in Midwest Region (trombone)

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GRANDPARENTS DAY Friday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m.

3 year olds – 4th grade students will be performing

“Add 7 things” 2 PETER 1:5-7

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WARRIOR CLUB

GOLF TOURNAMENT Pleasant Valley Country Club May 5, 2014 Sign up in the athletic office (501) 868-9822

Funds raised will go towards uniforms and equipment for the athletic department

e v e i l e B e W Fine Arts Festival

April 28- May 1 Drama Emphasis Week May 5- 9 Choir Emphasis Week May 12-16 Instrumental Emphasis Week

Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Permit #1568 Little Rock, AR

Little Rock Christian Academy 19010 Cantrell Road • Little Rock, AR 72223

Directed by Kay Basham

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Saturday

Sunday

MAY 1

MAY 2

MAY 3

MAY 3

MAY 4

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

2:00 pm

7:00 pm

2:00 pm

ADULTS $10.00 STUDENTS $5.00

All general admission tickets are available at the Warrior Hall reception desk.