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

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!

An Encouraging Word From Romania

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.

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!

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

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!...

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

$8,139,000 RAISED | $361,000 NEEDED