The Cross & Shield Spring 2023

Cross Shield PROVIDENCE ACADEMY MAGAZINE | SPRING 2023

CONTENTS / SPRING 2023 04 MR. HOLLAND A Letter of Thankfulness

06 STATE OF THE SCHOOL Finances, Academics, Spiritual, Extra-Curriculars

08 ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER Pete Hegseth, Battle for the American Mind

10 SENIOR THESIS A Look at Our Senior Capstone Rhetorical Exercise

12 - 15 ATHLETICS Season Recaps

16 FINE ARTS Elementary Art, The Music Man

18 STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS Science Fair, Gymnast Kaylyn Hyder, It Happpens Here

20 DEVELOPMENT Mr. Koscak, Sponsors, Gifts In Honor & Memory

22 OVERFLOW Capital Campaign Update

PA BUSINESS DIRECTORY

02 CROSS & SHIELD | CONTENTS

CROSS & SHIELD | CONTENTS 03

Providence Academy partners with parents to equip students to develop spiritual maturity and achieve academic excellence through a biblically-based, Christ-centered, classical education, so they will think and live in a manner which brings glory to God. 04 CROSS & SHIELD | MR. HOLLAND

Dear PA Community, What a year it has been! We have seen God provide in so many ways for our school. As we move forward, we do so only by His grace and provision. We have added new sports, new academic programs, a new building, and soon, new students!

In this issue of the PA Magazine, you will see God's hand of favor on each and every page. We put together a video and print version State of The School 2023 to provide all of our community with the details on our four areas of responsibility here. You can find this information on Finances, Athletics, Spiritual Development, and Academics on the following page, as well as in the video.

Just scan the QR code to view it with your mobile device.

We strive each and every day to stay on mission, and to make sure that God is glorified in our pursuit to train up children who will think and live in a manner that glorifies God. We hope that when you watch the video you can see that God is being faithful to accomplish this mission here at Providence Academy.

Join me in a moment as the school year wraps up to think on and praise God for the many great and immeasurable works HE has accomplished at PA this year. The need for scholarships for our new increased enrollment has been met and exceeded by a more than capable God. The need for our building to be paid for as we enter into the school year this fall continues but we are only $361,000 away from the original goal of $8.5 million in LESS THAN A YEAR. Wow! Our seniors are all graduating with the successful completion of their Thesis Defense! Our sports teams have unprecedented seasons and are still on their way to regional and state competitions!

I am reminded of King David's prayer of thankfulness in 1 Chronicles 16:10-17.

10 Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.

16 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.

Ben Holland Head of School Providence Academy, Johnson City, TN

Scan the QR Code to view the video of our State of the School Address for 2023.

06 CROSS & SHIELD | STATE OF THE SCHOOL

CROSS & SHIELD | STATE OF THE SCHOOL 07

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER

Annual Scholarship Dinner & Silent Auction March 7, 2023 | MeadowView Marriott | Kingsport, TN | 5:00 p.m.

What a great evening our community had celebrating together and raising funds for our Annual Need-Based Scholarship Fund. Whitney Belt, parent and coach at Providence Academy, shares insight on our speaker, Pete Hegseth, and the book he co-authored with David Goodwin. (Due to emergency heart surgery, David Goodwin was unable to join us. He sent VP of Association of Classical Christian Schools, Timothy Dernlan, in his stead.)

I learned so much about classical Christian education (CCE) from reading, Battle for the American Mind. I had heard Pete Hegseth interviewed about his book on a podcast and wanted to read it. However, upon learning that he was to be one of the PA Auction speakers, I knew I wanted to read it in advance of hearing him and Mr. Goodwin speak.

Admittedly, I have described PA to friends and relatives as a “small Christian school,” with little emphasis on the “classical” portion of PA's curriculum. Other than as a rebuttal for why we have to learn Latin, I was ignorant as to the classical components of the classical Christian model and how they integrate subject matter. I love the description of classical Christian education being “more like a web than a chest of drawers” in contrast to government education and common core methodology that offers “narrow silos of knowledge (that) are not interrelated.”

The descriptions of “virtue” and of classical Christian education’s emphasis on its cultivation as opposed to indoctrination into progressive “values” were thoughtprovoking. I had never heard these ideas contrasted and could not have previously defined virtue as “rooted in the affections of a person as they align to God’s affections.” I also enjoyed learning how virtue shaped our nation’s founding fathers via classical Christian education, and how these virtues have been purposely eroded and are now eliminated from government education.

These virtues produced the founding of our great nation and inspired brilliant literature and art - which CCE unapologetically defines as such. We can be hopeful about the greatly increasing numbers of families choosing CCE for their children and prayerfully optimistic about their future impact.

Thank you for recommending the book and for the chance to hear the authors speak. I’m thankful that the education my kids receive at PA through the CCE model is even more purposeful and all-encompassing than I had known. I will continue to encourage people to learn more about it as I did, and I will pray that our school stays strictly faithful to the classical Christian model.

- Whitney Belt

08 CROSS & SHIELD | SCHOLARSHIP DINNER

PETE HEGSETH was the main speaker at the Annual Scholarship Dinner this March. He shared with us how the progressives began to tear down the fabric of our society from the beginning of the early 1900's by getting rid of a classical Christian education. His and David Goodwin's research is presented in the book, Battle for the American Mind and in the Fox Nation docuseries, The MisEducation of America. We encourage you to check these resources out. They are worth your time!

It is a battle. A war —a war over correct ideas… The classroom is our battlefield, the hearts and minds of our kids the prize. The very survival of the American Republic, and the greatness of Western civilization, are at stake.

CROSS & SHIELD | SCHOLARSHIP DINNER 09

SENIOR THESIS Senior Thesis is the capstone rhetorical exercise of a classical education at Providence Academy. It is the opportunity for a student to take the cumulative knowledge and skills they have acquired, and to become as Quintilian says, “a good man speaking well” for the glory of God. Why do we do this? When did it start? It may have been a part of Providence Academy since day one in 1994, but it really began between 340 and 380 BC, when Aristotle significantly and unequivocally influenced the art of rhetoric. Aristotle defined Rhetoric as “the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.”

He, with the Peripatetic philosophers that followed, developed rhetorical theory that suggested, “eloquence is so potent a force that it embraces the origin and operation and development of all things, all virtues and duties, all natural principles governing the morals and mind and life of mankind.”

Since the classical era, Greeks saw the disciplines of virtue and rhetoric as the tapestry through which we unite knowledge and ethics, thus wisdom and eloquence began to work in tandem. In effect, since true and beautiful expression emerges solely from Truth in the form of Jesus Christ, Providence Academy embraces and exemplifies Senior Thesis as a culminating experience of studies, a project in which Christ is glorified via the restoration of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

THE CAPSTONE RHETORICAL EXERCISE

by Ruth Stevenson & Andrea Loy

In this, students join with the Church, as stated in Ephesians 4:11-16, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body,

joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

The scope of creating and defending a senior thesis is large. Students are intentionally placed on a trajectory that prepares them to display logos (the logical deductions and connections that allow discernment and address fallacy), pathos (the emotional appeal), and ethos (the credibility of sources).

From elementary through high school, students are given opportunities to participate in rhetorical exercises such as: Speech Meet (3rd-5th grade) -developed to help students prepare and deliver a recitation in which they strengthen techniques to speak audibly, articulately, expressively, and with confidence in front of an audience.

Poetic and Bible Recitations (implemented from K-12) -help students appreciate the beauty of language as well as commit biblical Truth to memory; through this, students understand and appreciate the peace associated with practice and preparedness.

Scored Discussions -integrated to assist students in preparing to articulate thoughts regarding book themes, character analysis, worldviews, controversial topics, patterns in society, philosophy, and biblical foundations.

Socratic Circles -developed to provide open-ended questions that inspire thinking; these questions secure engagement and promote skills in learning, discernment, understanding, and listening.

Harkness Tables -established to allow organic conversation in which only occasional or minimal teacher intervention occurs; the environment breeds an encouraging environment to discuss various topics.

Debate -founded to allow healthy debate between two distinct sides of an argument and bound by rules previously agreed upon; a winning

side is declared to resolve issues and problems.

As developmentally appropriate, PA students gain opportunities to develop understanding via Bible, logic, and apologetics classes. This progression allows for seamless transition into philosophy courses in which secular worldviews are contrasted with a biblical worldview and used to develop recognition and discernment of ageold problems with Modern Era faces.

In our Rhetoric syllabus, the following objective charges students with the task: Write and defend a senior project: selecting a topic, defending the topic’s importance and relevance to a biblical world view and applying biblical truth to the topic, writing an arguable thesis statement, selecting and utilizing a mentor, completing relevant research and an annotated bibliography, completing the written argument in MLA format, and preparing and presenting an oral defense of the thesis before an appropriate professional audience.

This is a big task. This is a necessary task. Senior Thesis affords students the unique opportunity to independently select, research, write, present, and defend a position. It prepares them to meet a world desperately in need of adults who will defend what is true, good, and beautiful. While many classical Christian schools offer this program, each is unique to a degree. Here is an inside look at what a Providence Academy student of rhetoric will accomplish in the process of Senior Thesis: • Junior year, 4th quarter: Select a topic; commence summer research and reading • Senior year, 1st quarter: Daily rhetoric class with instruction, research, and reading • Senior year, 2nd quarter: Complete research and finalize an initial draft • Senior year, 3rd quarter: Constructive commentary as well as written and verbal feedback allow for revising, editing, and multiple drafts • Senior year, 4th quarter: Finalize and publish the written thesis (15 to 25 page document); prepare and present a 15 to 20 minute oral presentation with a digital aid; defend

the work in front of peers; defend the work via Q&A in front of a thesis committee Throughout their senior year, PA students are requested to present on various topics, both prepared and impromptu. Incorporating scored discussions into the class allow students to practice conversation, discernment, and listening skills. With each assignment, feedback provides a path of progress, and the result is a monumental accomplishment for high school students.

Both the faculty and staff, and the board of PA applaud these students for the enormous amount of work, dedication, and character development that are required to present and defend their thesis. School of Rhetoric teacher, Ruth Stevenson enjoys every step of the process. It is truly a gift to guide students through a formative challenge that will equip them for life-long achievement. Seniors often reflect on their sense of success and confidence felt after completing the task. More than that, alumni often remark on how much more prepared they are than their fellow classmates for their collegiate coursework. May the Lord continue to bless PA with graduates who are well prepared to enter a secular culture that they must work hard to live in and fight for the glory of God. Here are some examples of the Class of 2023 Senior Thesis Topics: Ashby Bonin-Artificial Intelligence: Made in the Image of Man John Ingram-Christians Engagement with Social-Political Issues Emma Raines-Fact or Fiction: Man’s Endless Quest for Certainty Holden Reid-A Mass Exodus from Indoctrination Halle Grace Williams-LGBTQInclusive Education: The Dilemma of Social Corruption Jacob Pottinger-The Constitutional Argument for Nullification CROSS & SHIELD | SENIOR THESIS 11

ATHLETICS Knights

SOFTBALL The girl’s softball team played their first season at the high school level this year. This group of girls worked hard not only at practice, but also on their own—after practice and on the weekends.

They were determined to get Providence their first ever win in softball history and they did it. In the fourth game of the season the girls came out strong on offense scoring 18 runs against Johnson County. Our pitcher, Aerin Hicks, had one of her best games. In following games they faced a few challenging pitchers, but came through with two more wins on the season.

The second one against Tri-Cities Christian 16-8, and the third against Hampton High School 19-10, a team who had beat them just two weeks before. The girls really showed up that night against Hampton stringing together a total of 14 hits to get a win on senior night for our only senior—Emily Barnett. The girls not only made history for the Providence softball program this year, but also developed their character as Christ followers and as an example to the middle school team who look up to them and their hard work.

TENNIS The Providence Academy Tennis Team finished their season on May

8th. With this being the first year in TSSAA, PA Tennis played 10 matches, with 7 of them being in our district. The boys finished 3-4 as a team with the following representing PA in District Doubles Tournament: Evan Dawson/Evan Campbell and Christian Johnson/Lucas White. While the girls finished 4-3 and earned a spot in regionals, with the following representing PA in District Doubles Tournament: Maddie Kyker/Katie Loran and Halle Grace Williams/Ryan Luff.

When asked what the season was like, the team all stated that they had fun, enjoyed the friendships they created through tennis, and were glad to represent Providence, their families, and most importantly Christ to the other teams.

12 CROSS & SHIELD | ATHLETICS

SOCCER Losing 11 seniors and entering the 2023 spring season as a member of TSSAA Division 2, district 1 East Region for the first time, was going to be a challenge for a young Knight’s soccer team. Two goals for this year’s team were: to have a good name (Proverbs 21:1), to Glorify the name of Jesus, and to work to improve every practice and game as we moved through the season. We saw both spiritual and physical growth throughout the year. The Knights finished the regular season 7-8 with 4 of the losses by just one goal. The Knights competed well with top teams in the conference. The team defeated the #3 team in the conference (Berean) 4-3 and just lost to the number 1 team (The Kings Academy) 3-2. In regional play, the Knights found themselves in a 0-0 draw with Silverdale Academy after regulation play, 2 ten-minute overtime periods, and a regulation PK shootout. The game came down to sudden death PK’s where we lost after our first sudden death pk shot carreened off the post and the Silverdale shooter found the back of the net after goalkeeper, Andrew Cunningham, deflected the shot. Head coach, Mike Cash stated that he was proud of how this young team competed throughout the entire year. "We surprised several teams, we improved on the pitch, and in the game of life. What a great work God is doing in the lives of these young men.”

TRACK

Competing in more meets than ever before, the track team had athletes trailblazing new events for PA, such as Myla Johnson in the triple jump and Drew and Chase Ballard in the pole vault. This year, the PA track teams either set or broke fourteen school records, not to mention the host of personal records the athletes set. Individual school records were set by Myla Johnson, Jaydyn Johnston, Riley Kate Grant, Chase Ballard, Drew Ballard, and Estevan Buton. Five relay team records were achieved in the Girls 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x800m, the Boys 4x400, and 4x800. Additionally, Jaydyn Johnston, Olivia Speropulos, Ethan Tuell, Evan Dawson, Chase Ballard, Drew Ballard, the Girls 4x200m team, and the Boys 4x800m team all hit the qualifying marks to participate in the Six Rivers Relays at Science Hill, with Jaydyn Johnston and the Girls 4x200m team being finalists. The PA track team is few in numbers compared to many of the schools we compete against, and we often don’t have athletes in every event. This makes it difficult to score enough points to place highly; however, the middle school girls team became the first PA track team to win a meet, winning their final track meet with a score of 85. The high school track team is still going, competing at Regionals on May 9th and 11th, which will determine if they qualify for state. - Coach Eric Anderson CROSS & SHIELD | ATHLETICS 13

BASEBALL The 2023 PA Baseball season has been nothing short of amazing. We had a

large and talented group of middle school players who worked hard in the off season and were rewarded with a 19-7 record. Ford Bowman led the team with a .469 batting average while Port Conger led the team with 23 RBI's (Runs Batted In). Levi Torbett, Ryan Kastings, and Nash Martinez led a pitching staff that kept opponents batting average to a dismal .229 average.

Our JV team ended the season with a 8-6-1 record. Austin Price led all hitters with a .389 batting average, with 6 doubles, 8 RBI's and 12 runs scored. Cole Blanton recorded 8 hits on the season and had a very strong .537 on base percentage. Price, Charlie Walker, Mason Macdonald and Riley Long led a pitching staff that struck out 118 batters and had a team ERA (Earned Run Average) of 2.89.

The PA Varsity team exceeded all expectations in 2023 by tying for the best district regular season lead with a 9-1 record, winning the district tournament to earn the #1 seed for the regional tournament and earning the #2 seed in the East Region for the Division II-A State Tournament. As of May 10th, the team had a 23-7 overall record. For the 3rd year in a row, the offense was led by Nathan Eisfelder. He was the co-district offensive player of the year and led the PA Varsity team in batting average (.416), On Base Percentage (.478), hits (42), doubles (10), home runs (8), runs scored (35), RBI’s (38), and stolen bases (21).

The catalyst of the 2023 team was their pitching staff led by ace Tyner Simpson. Tyner led the team in innings pitched (45), wins (8-0 record), and strikeouts (68). Josh Owens, Lucas Belcher, Aidan Sproles, Merrit Runnels, and Nathan Eisfelder also contributed meaningful innings on the mound. The pitching staff had 6 shutouts and held opponents to 1 run in 5 games and 2 runs in another 3 games.

The defense was led by shortstop Caleb Cross, catcher Rinaldo Matti, and first baseman Tine Bowman.

Cross and Matti shared the district defensive player of the year award.

The team got timely hitting and defense from Manny Leslie, Drew Niebauer, and Levi Hooven.

As of May 10th, the team is still alive for a berth in the TSSAA DII-A State Championship. They will host a best 2 out of 3 series on May 17th and May 18th (if necessary) against either the #2 seed out of the west region or the #4 seed out of the middle region. The winner of that series will advance to the final 4 state tournament.

14 CROSS & SHIELD | ATHLETICS

CROSS & SHIELD | IT HAPPENS HERE 15

FINE ARTS French and Post Impressionism Art teacher, Jamie Burns shares her passion for God's glory though art with children at Providence Academy each day.

"I believe that the visual arts are deeply valued at Providence Academy, and I am so incredibly grateful for that! I appreciate all of the opportunities for growth in the Fine Arts programs that have happened lately! The visual arts program at PA is phenomenal, thanks to the vision from our beloved Mrs. Shannon. The students at PA have the opportunity to grow in their knowledge of truth, beauty, and goodness starting in Pre-K. I didn’t have the opportunity to take an art class until I was a senior in high school. From this perspective, it is truly amazing that our students start learning visual arts weekly in elementary. I get to teach my students the things that I learned about art, only because I chose a visual arts degree.

Our program exemplifies the Classical Christian tradition of education. I get really excited about our program, and I love to share my joy over our program with prospective families, and honestly anyone who will listen! We really do have something special here at PA! I LOVE my job and I LOVE these students. It is my heart to continue to see this program grow and thrive as the school does the same.

When I filled out my application seven years ago for PA, I compared my life’s mission statement with the mission statement of Providence Academy, and I was moved to tears. My statement is: God has called me to “teach and inspire others to bring glory to God through the arts.” I wrote that when I was 19 years old. I am certain that God led me here to PA and has used me to do just that. I am certainly thankful for Providence Academy!"

The elementary art program is set up on a 6 year rotation through different significant time periods in art history.

Prehistoric & Egyptian Greek & Roman Medieval & Renaissance Baroque & American French & Post Impressionism Contemporary & Modern 16 CROSS & SHIELD | FINE ARTS

During classtime, students study the artwork and artists for the art history portion of class. After careful review, students begin creating their own artwork in the same style. Inspiration is gathered from the period artisans, but each project is unique and personal. The same or very similar art mediums are used for their work. In this way, students have the opportunity to try many different mediums such as: drawing, painting, making paints from fruits, veggies, and spices, jewelry, pottery, mosaics, illuminated manuscripts, tapestry weaving, pastels, printmaking and wire sculpture.

THE MUSIC MAN

Oh We Got Trouble! Right Here in River City!

Audiences were thrilled and delighted as the middle and high school students performed The Music Man at Providence Academy. Students performed four times March 30-April 3. Senior Holden Reid played the lead role of Harold Hill. Senior Andrea Smith played the part of Marion. The cast list was large and involved students in grades 6-12.

CROSS & SHIELD | FINE ARTS 17

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS Kaylyn Hyder, fourth grade student at Providence Academy, was recently named to the 2023 America’s Top 100 Gymnasts after vaulting her way to a perfect ‘10’ at the Tennessee State Compulsory Meet in Clarksville, Tennessee. Her perfect score on vault also earned her the distinction of being named the #1 gymnast on vault in the Nation at the Excel Gold level. Kaylyn went on to compete in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a Tennessee All Star in the Regionals where only 40 gymnasts earned a spot to compete from the State of Tennessee. She returned from Fort Lauderdale, winning another gold on the vault with a 9.8! Kaylyn's win at both State and Regionals retains her status as number one in the country.

Congratulations to the following students who placed at the Upper East Tennesee Science Fair held at ETSU. These students were awarded ribbons and cash prizes.

5th Grade Physical Science Charlie Van Cott - 1st Place 6th Grade Biological Science Cadence Smith - 1st Place Kayleigh Miller - 2nd Place 8th Grade Grand Prize Alexis Cunningham

Congratulations to these young writers recognized for their narratives in the Delta Kappa Gamma Essay Contest. The essay topic was "closest to your heart."

Emily Stevenson - 2nd Place State of TN Hudson Coates and Rose Holland - Honorable Mention 18 CROSS & SHIELD | STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Addie Wilhoit, eighth grade student at Providence Academy, was recently named to the 2023 TSSAA All State Team in Division II Single A basketball.

Addie scored over 1,000 points this year on the High School Varsity Team as an eighth grader! Getting 1,000 career points is a challenge. Getting there by eighth grade is remarkable! Congratuations to Addie!

CROSS & SHIELD | IT HAPPENS HERE 19

AN ENCOURAGING WORD FROM ROMANIA

Here are some excerpts, from a note Corina shared after her visit:

Recently, Corina Pirvu, the head of Royal Charis Academy in Romania, spoke at our school chapel. The topic was the danger of socialism. She told our students, "Socialism seems so attractive. However, socialism is like fire. If you play with it, you will be burned." One of the goals for her trip to America was to warn everyone that we are in danger of losing our freedoms because we are embracing socialism.

I'd like to thank all of you for the great experience we had while visiting Providence Academy! We have learned so much from you and from your wonderful team! The vision you have (the focus on Faith, Family and Freedom) truly inspired us!...

Corina continued by sharing an analogy. She said, "What if your teacher graded a test and decided to take points from all the A papers, and give those points to the students who received Cs?" In this manner, everyone would get an equal outcome. Everyone would get a B. Of course, this approach of favoring C students with the redistribution of points was not a popular idea among the students, especially the diligent students who were striving for excellence.

Now that Corina had everyone thinking, she asked the next question, "If you sat under this teacher and she averaged your grades on the last test, how many of you would study hard for the next test?" Of course, the answer is no one. Who would study and work hard for an A if they knew that the teacher would take points away from their grade, and give them to someone who didn't study for the test?

As Corina finished her speech, she brought clarity on the impact of socialism when she pointed out: "The first time the teacher took points away from the A students and gave them to the C students, the over-all product of the group was a B average. However, after the second test the teacher found that there weren't any A grades, so she had to take away points from the B students and give them to the D students."

After trying socialist principles of redistribution for just one test, the impact on the next test was to reduce the average product of the class by one full grade. The impact of using a socialist approach on just one test reduced diligence, the drive for excellence, and the average group output. Imagine the impact on the group if these socialist principles of redistribution were used in the classroom (or an economy) for a whole semester!

You're teaching them to value the Word of God and their nation, thus shaping a healthy national identity and instilling a sense of belonging to your nation from such an early age….The staff displays such humility in their relationship with the students, and the respect they show to the students and to everyone else is so disarming… They are encouraged to ask questions without the fear of being intimidated or ridiculed. They feel so confident while addressing their questions, and yet they show respect to their teachers! Socialism managed to destroy the identity of our people and took away the courage of voicing our beliefs, so we are working hard at shaping a good identity and instilling courage in our students.

We loved to see the Christian values clearly displayed in the entire building, on the walls, integrated in the content that is being taught… if you continue to teach your children the way you are, there's hope for America to become even greater than it was! The very favor of God, Charis, is really abiding in you and over the whole school! I encourage all of you to guard this treasure, called freedom, while you still have it, to fight for it and most importantly pray that God will heal and deliver your land from the evil influence, called socialism!...Thank you all and we pray God's SHALOM on your families, your work, and the beautiful nation of the USA! Thanks to everyone who helped welcome Corina and her family. Her note helps me to remember that we have many reasons to be thankful!

Mark Koscak

Director of Development Providence Academy, Johnson City, TN 20 CROSS & SHIELD | DEVELOPMENT

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MEMORIAL GIFTS & HONORARIUMS In Loving Memory

In Honor Of

Margaret Cambron Richard Cummings Lt. Col. Jim Thomas Elkins Mary Grizzle Ellen Thompson Debra Whitworth

David, Anna, and Caleb Stephenson John Thurman

CROSS & SHIELD | SPONSORS 21

$8,139,000 RAISED 22 CROSS & SHIELD | OVERFLOW

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$361,000 NEEDED

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE THE VISION BECOMES REALITY Last year we launched a capital campaign of enormous proportions. The community was pounding at our doors. Parents recognized the need for a holistic classical and Christian education for their child. We asked the Lord to provide for the overflow of new students.

He responded by giving us the vision, the donors, and the workers. From the donation of free materials and labor by several generous local companies to the sacrificial giving of our community and every little detail in between, God has provided for us every step of the way.

In August we plan to start school with our new wing open. Our desire is to complete the project debt free and we are on track to do so. With just $361,000 left to raise, we believe that God who called us to meet this need in the community will provide for this need. We ask our community to pray and to give as we are on the home stretch of fundraising for this building.

So far we have been able to give tours of the almost finished facility to many friends, parents, faculty and staff, and our students! They have written verses on the beams and flooring and prayed over this building that it might be a place where God is honored and a new generation is brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Community members share testimonies of the verses they chose to write on our new wing: "We chose Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

This is the verse we chose for our foundation (lucysimpsonfoundation.com). We feel like that’s a guiding verse for life and the community where we live. PA is our community and certainly a place we can carry each other’s burdens, grow and live in Christ together."

-Hunter & Mimi Simpson, PA Parents "This was my Mother’s favorite verse and she kept a small plaque of it on her bedroom dresser.

She was a sweet Christian lady and lived to be 95 years of age. The verse seems to sum up where our trust is and not in ourselves. It also says to give thanks to God in all things and He will direct our paths. We have tried to trust that verse as we raised our two children and now pass it on to our three grand children.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.

Thank you for all your work and leadership at Providence Academy."

May God Bless, Terry & Connie Begley, PA Grandparents

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CROSS & SHIELD | OVERFLOW 23

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2788 Carroll Creek Road Johnson City, TN 37615

MAIN OFFICE: Phone: 423-854-9819 Fax: 423-854-8958

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: padev@providenceacademy.com