International

International eCampus...International Style

SCA eCampus is reaching around the globe to two seniors and one freshman in China. Tony Zhang has been at SCA since his freshman year and was looking forward to being a co-captain on the soccer team. His good friend, Jackson Maruschak, captain of the soccer team, shared with Mrs. Tharp, International Program Director, that he really misses Tony, especially since he is now the only senior on the team. Tony is doing an internship with IT Director Mr. Dan Cockrell and is piloting eCampus on another continent. Tony documents the issues he and the other two students encounter and then finds solutions. “It’s great to remain a part of SCA and contribute by working out the problems we face on eCampus and helping Mr. Cockrell with projects he gives me,” shared Tony. This is Franklin Zhang’s third year at SCA and he certainly never anticipated doing his senior year online in China with a 13-hour time difference. Franklin is staying connected with SCA through video calls to teachers and friends and emails. He showed Mrs. Tharp around his home on the 29th floor of his apartment building, with an amazing view of the city of Fuzhou from his balcony. Franklin is helping the SCA IT Department by making instructional videos and is interning with Chinese teacher Michael Mayor. Franklin is creating videos and materials for SCA’s Chinese class and is happy to stay in touch and connected in creative ways. “Both these young men are very gifted,” commented Mr. Cockrell. “They are helping us create instructional videos for teachers on our YouTube channel and help desk. We are so grateful for their help.” The International Program has certainly been impacted by the global pandemic and, for the first time, graduating international seniors decided to stay in the U.S. during the summer with their host families so they could continue on to college. A decision was made to not accept new students this year but to make sure the current six international students are well cared for. “We were pleasantly surprised to hear from a family that was moving to our area from the U.K. They read about the International Program on our website and applied. We are excited to welcome Olivia GrayHiggins to 9th grade this year and she is the first student to come to SCA from England.” Olivia studied through eCampus while making her journey to SCA. Her family quarantined in Barbados in order to be allowed to enter the U.S. and then quarantined again for 14 days before her first day of class on September 23. Mr. Finch welcomed Olivia with a giant chocolate chip cookie that said, “Welcome to America.”

SCA Core Value: Igniting Leadership

SCA embodies a culture of servant leadership that is sparked by a sense of individual purpose. With competency, credibility, and compassion, we add value to others and influence the marketplace of ideas.