Articles by: Carole Karabashian

Classroom Cameo: Students Build Models of Bridges, Rollercoasters, and More in New Middle School STEM Class

The 17 students in Mrs. Melody’s STEM class, a new Middle School elective offered this fall, built models of bridges and rollercoasters in December as they learned the fundamentals of structural engineering.  The students have been working in teams since September, learning how to apply mathematical and scientific concepts to real life, hands-on projects.

“The students have been very excited and engaged in their projects,” Mrs. Melody said. “In our unit on structural engineering, they learned about kinetic and potential energy and the cause and effect when energy is transferred.” Students on one team used a kit to build a suspension bridge. Below at right is a photo of that bridge, with the students who built it, from left: Billy Winkel, Elliott Parker, Josiah Christmon, Raquel Mitchell, and Colton Carney.  Another team, pictured below left, built a roller coaster from the kit. The members of that team, from left, were: Autumn Loo, Liam Larkin, Steven Nixon, and David O’Donnell.

Earlier in the semester, the students worked on several other projects during class. For a unit on robotics, students built a soccer goalkeeper, a forklift, and a printer.  In a unit on programming, the students used a computer to program a virtual rover landing on Mars, using the Gizmo online simulation lab.

Melody said the STEM class, which meets three times a week, will be offered as a Middle School elective next semester.

 

 

Students Learn How to Decorate Cookies for Christmas in Middle School Cooking Class

The students in Mrs. Lewis’ Middle School Cooking Class got a head start on baking for Christmas when they learned how to decorate cookies in their December 16 class.  For Mrs. Lewis, it’s all about sharing her love of cooking with the students and teaching them the fundamentals so they gain confidence and be creative.

During the class, the students crushed candy canes to make peppermint dust, learned how to melt chocolate over a double-boiler, carefully dipped store-bought cookies into the melted chocolate, and then decorated them with sprinkles and the crushed peppermint.

“In this class we learned that sometimes baking can be semi-homemade,” Lewis said. “If you don’t have a lot of time, there are short cuts that you can use and still have a delicious and attractive dessert.”

In addition to decorating Christmas cookies, other cooking class projects have included making gingerbread houses, making pumpkin pie and fancy mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, learning how to cook eggs several ways, and making salads using lettuce, kale, cucumbers, and peppers grown in the ACS school garden.

The Middle School Cooking Class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is a semester-long class. Lewis also teaches a high school elective cooking class.

ACS Alumni Enjoy a Night of Fun, Competitive Basketball at Annual Winter Games on Dec. 20

Alumni, their parents, and friends filled the ACS gym on December 20 for the annual Alumni Basketball Games and fans were treated to some exciting, fast-paced basketball as over two dozen alumni took to the court for some friendly competition.  The Alumni Girls’  Basketball Game, the first game of the evening, featured 14 former players who competed for ACS from 2008-2021. The white team won handily by a score of 57-31. The Alumni Boys’ Basketball Game saw 12 former players from the 2013-2021 graduating classes face off in a game that went down to the wire, with the green team winning 68-66. Dozens of alumni cheered from the bleachers and enjoyed complimentary food provided by the ACS Athletic Department.

The Alumni Girls’ game featured the following 14 players: Kaylee Breunig (2012), Bailey Carney (2016), Olivia Chapman (2021-NG), Maryah Coleman (2011), Lydia Dice (2016), Shelby Einwechter (2021), DJ Hitchner (2017), Emily Kelley (2020), Shannon Murphy (2017), Sydney Pearson (2021), Candice Winkel (2016), Caraline Winkel (2019), Cristen Winkel (2021), and Carly Harper Witherow (2008).

The Alumni Boys’ game featured the following 12 players: Mikai Browne (2019-NG), Ben Chapman (2013), Elijah Chapman (2019, Josh Clark (ACS PE teacher and MS Boys’ Basketball coach), Yamier Cooper (2015), Malachi Green (2021), Jon Hevalow (2016), Ben Noble (2020), Jacob O’Brien (2019), Dan Roland (2020), Jacob Rosie (2021), and Mark Rosie (2020).

Thank you to Athletic Director Pam Hitchner for organizing an enjoyable evening of great basketball and fellowship on and off the court and for gifting each alumni player with a green or white alumni basketball event T-shirt.

 

 

Inaugural One Christmas Night Festival Brings Together ACS Families, Friends for a Joyous Celebration of Christ’s Birth

Over 1,000 ACS families and friends turned out for our first One Christmas Night Festival on December 3 — a heart-warming, joy-filled way to kick off the Christmas season. Thank you for coming and making our One Christmas Night a success! There were a variety of fun activities for adults and children alike to experience, including a live nativity, tractor-pulled hayride, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, Christmas craft making, face painting, Christmas Story Time, and outdoor Christmas movies.

Students from elementary to high school entertained festival-goers with lively band and vocal performances of favorite Christmas songs. There were performances in the gym by the 4th and 5th Grade Bands, the Middle School Band, and the High School Instrumental Ensemble, all under the direction of Band Director Tim Rosie. The Middle School and High School Worship Teams, led by staff member Kelly Flynn, presented 15-minute performances throughout the evening of popular Christmas carols on an outdoor stage in front of the main school building.

We loved seeing all the smiles and watching families come together to warm up near the fire pits or roast marshmallows to make S’mores. There were also opportunities to do some Christmas shopping at the local merchant booths and get some tasty food, hot chocolate, and desserts provided by Stir It Up catering, our Parent Teacher Fellowship, and Chef Steve’s Popcorn.

Hope to see you there next year!

 

CLICK HERE to see our One Christmas Night Photo Gallery on the ACS website.

 

2021 Race for Education Raises Record $44,107; Student, Class Prizes Awarded at December Chapels

The final results are in and our 2021 Race for Education raised $44,107 for our Annual Fund, exceeding our goal by 10% and raising over $4,000 more than last year’s Race. Thank you to our 20 Event Sponsors, 30 Classroom Sponsors, and hundreds of other donors, our student and teacher participants, and volunteers for making our 2021 Race for Education fundraiser a super success. Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz congratulated Jenna Howard, in Mrs. Kelley’s PK4A class, as the Student Grand Prize Winner during the December 10 Early Ed/Kindergarten Chapel.

The students and classes from PreK3 to the 12th grade who excelled in their fundraising efforts were recognized during several December chapels and a video capturing the Race highlights was also shown. Student Grand Prize Winner Jenna Howard Jenna raised $1,090 through gifts from her sponsors and will receive a season pass to Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township or to an Ocean City water park as her prize.

Three classes were recognized for winning the Class Grand Prizes. The Early Ed/Elementary Class Grand Prize went to Mrs. Reilly’s kindergarten class, who raised $2,74o. Mrs. Altier’s 6th grade class won the Middle School Class Grand Prize, raising $4,325, and Miss Stonelake’s 9th grade homeroom class won the High School Class Grand Prize, raising $600. The winning classes are receiving the prize of a fun class outing to either the Get Air Trampoline Park in Mays Landing or the Playland Castaway Cove in Ocean City.

Additional prizes and certificates were also awarded for individual student and teacher/staff participation.  Some 100 certificates were given to one boy and one girl from each class (including some ties) who were the top runners, completing the most laps in their class. Ninety-two students from preschool to high school who received three or more donations were awarded a Dress Down Day Pass or a Snack Pass.  Six teachers and staff reached out to friends and family to raise money for the Race and they are receiving Amazon Gift Cards valued at 50% of what they raised to purchase classroom supplies or equipment. Those teachers and staff were Mindy Capito (1A), Sara Coates (6B), Kelly Flynn (Business Office), Kristen Hockenberry (2C), Laura McCartney (1C), and Tim Rosie (Music Department).

Some 610 students from PreK3 to the 12th grade participated in the Race. The student in each class who had the most sponsor donations (in some cases there was a tie) received a $10 Five Below Gift Card.  The 40 top student fundraisers from each class were:

• PK3A – Owen Flanigan
• PK3B – Luke Kulp
• PK3B – Lilyana Flores
• PK3B – Quinn Piotti
• PK4A – Hudson Berges
• PK4A – Jenna Howard
• PK4B – Zoe McNulty
• KA – Felicity Macpherson
• KA – Johannah Wilson
• KB – Roselyn Vega
• 1A – Kayla Dlugosz
• 1B – Nashla Sosa
• 1C – Felicity Macpherson
• 2A – Alba Reed
• 2B – Rachael Eachus
• 2C – Jackelyn Berges
• 3A – Lindsay Eachus
• 3B – Kennedy Jackson
• 3C – Erik Macpherson
• 4A – Stevi Richards
• 4B – Gabrielle DiSciascio
• 4C – Grayson Vice
• 5A – Madison Guthrie
• 5B – Sophia Gomez
• 6A – Christian Pineo
• 6B – Makenzie Fresh
• 7A – Mackenzie Flynn
• 7B – Ethan Costello
• 7C – Connor Settles
• 8A – Gianna Flynn
• 8B – David O’Donnell
• 9A – Aine Dorsey
• 9B – Taylor Sutton
• 10 – Gary Wyckoff
• 10 – Andre Gomez-Rugoff
• 10 – Alicia O’Donnell
• 10 – Kaia Barbour
• 11A – Sophia Hoang
• 11B – Summer Scott
• 12 – Haley Whedbee

High School Teams Head to Delco Tournament in PA as Basketball Season Gets Underway

The ACS Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball teams headed to Pennsylvania on Friday, December 10 to play in the two-day Delco Basketball Tournament, just days before they would face off against Gloucester County Christian School on December 13 in their first Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference games at home in the ACS gym.

“ACS has been participating in the Delco Tournament for 17 years and we always look forward to competing against the Pennsylvania-area schools that have strong basketball programs,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner.  The players and coaches gathered in a circle at the front entrance of the school for prayer and final instructions from Hitchner “to have fun and honor God as you represent our school” before leaving for the tournament, which is sponsored by Delaware County Christian School in Newtown Square, PA. Nearly two dozen members of the ACS Cheerleading Team also traveled to cheer in the opening games of the tournament.

Check the ACS website under the “Athletics” tab for upcoming game schedules. Gate fees at all home games will be $1 for students, $2 for adults, and $5 max for families. All funds collected support the ACS Athletic Department.

The Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ teams opened the season with a non-conference away game on December 1 against Veritas Christian Academy, with the girls’ team losing and the boys’ team chalking up their first win. In their second non-conference game, ACS played Doane Academy at home on December 7. The JV and Varsity Boys’ teams lost their games and the Girls’ team won. On December 9, the Varsity Girls played a scrimmage game at home against St. Joe’s in Hammonton, and no scores were kept.

Athletic Director Hitchner has planned some fun, themed nights for several upcoming home games, as follows:

  • Tuesday, December 21 — Christmas-Themed Games — wear Christmas pajamas and get into the games for free.  ACS vs Absegami – JV Boys at 4 p.m. and Varsity Boys at 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, January 21 — White-Out Games — wear white. ACS vs Pilgrim Academy. JV Girls’ at 3:30 p.m.; JV Boys’ at 4:30 p.m.; Varsity Girls at 6 p.m. and Varsity Boys at 7:30 p.m.

The 18 members of the 2021-2022 ACS Varsity Boys’ Basketball team, led by head coach Drew Carney and assistant coach Ben Chapman, are: Robby Barberio, Charlie Costello, Asher Dawkins, Jake DeNick, Noah Gibbs, Aaron Glancey, Sam Glancey, Eddie Ireland, Manny Johnson, Chase Leach, Cruz Lewis, James Papanikolaou, Evan Pearson, Jayden Sanchez, Adam Schlundt, Josh Schlundt, Devin Tridente, and Caleb Vogel.

The 12 members of the 2021-2022 ACS Varsity Girls’ Basketball team, led by head coach Kaylee Breunig and assistant coach Dara Kimmerley, are: Daniella Ajayi, Isabell Alford, Maddie DeNick, Angela Eggie, Sophia Johnson, Becca Kelley, Evangelina Kim, Reyna Lewis, Ava Nixon, Paige Noble, Amber Ramos, and Taylor Sutton.

Largest-Ever Cheerleading Squad Begins Exciting Winter Season, Plans to Enter Spring Cheer Competitions

The winter cheerleading season is underway with 29 middle school and high school students participating, making it the largest cheer squad in school history. The team has ambitious goals, with plans to cheer at both home and away basketball games and to participate in several cheerleading competitions in the spring of 2022. The squad cheered for the first time at the December 7 home Varsity basketball games against Doane Academy and traveled to Pennsylvania on December 10 to cheer for ACS at the Delco Basketball Tournament.

Congratulations to five of the team members, who have already seen competitive cheer success in a local area meet. 7th graders Ashlee Alford, Annalena DiMaio, April Eaves, Mackenzie Flynn, and Abigail Kelley, who are part of the Varsity EHT Eagles Cheerleading Team, won first place in the Varsity Division at the Egg Harbor Township High School Cheer Competition on November 14.

Five members of the ACS Cheer Squad, who are part of the Varsity EHT Eagles Cheerleading Team, won first place in the Varsity Division at the November 14 Egg Harbor Township High School Cheer Competition.

The ACS cheerleading team has been practicing three to four times a week since early November, led by Head Coach Morgan Gibson and Assistant Coach Kelly Flynn.

Gibson said several new training activities have been added for the squad this season.  On November 27, the co-owners of Reign Athletics, a cheer gym in Moorestown, NJ that runs a competitive All-Star cheerleading program, led the ACS cheerleaders in a 7-hour practice to teach them a competition routine to use in the spring cheer meets and to perform at some half-times (see photo above).

“We were so excited and pleased with the way Kayla Price and Tyler Washington from Reign Athletics worked with our squad and helped them move up to the next level,” Gibson said. “They were also impressed with the skill level of our team and categorized our team as a Level 2 cheerleading squad.”

Gibson said the cheerleaders will also be participating in a 6-week program at Blake’s Gymnastics in Northfield, meeting weekly to work with the Blake’s coaches on improving their tumbling skills.

Congratulations to the 29 students who are part of this year’s Cheerleading Team — Ashlee Alford, Ava Barberio, McKenzie Cubbage, Victoria Dade, Annalena DiMaio, Rebecca DiMaio, April Eaves, Mackenzie Flynn, Makenzie Fresh, Kylie Jackson, Grace Johnson, Melody Kane, Abigail Kelley, Rielly Kisielewski, Ava Lombardi, Autumn Loo, Kiara Loo, Ja’Niyah Martin, Jadelyn Maurer, Lydia McCarthy, Tara McCorkle, Heather Milstead, Nadia Pearson, Sophia Puglisi, Chelsie Richards, Haven Sanchez, Isabella Santos, Makayla Tomlinson, and Geanna Ulerio.

 

High School Students Attend Leadership Conference in Washington, DC; Focus on Responding to Injustice in Broken World

Thirty-three ACS high school students attended a leadership conference in Washington, DC from November 21-23 that focused on human suffering around the world and how to respond to that through the lens of God’s Word. The annual conference was sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools International and drew over 650 students from Christian high schools in the Northeast.

The conference activities featured several keynote speakers, worship, presentations and game time led by entertainer Brandon Rushin, performances by illusionist Brett Myers, and a tour of the Holocaust Museum, led by American Christian Tours.  During one of the inter-active game activities, two ACS students — 12th grader Amber Ramos and 11th grade Sam Glancey — joined several other students on stage to participate in the fun.

The students participated in large group sessions where speakers explored five topics — Dignity Through Work; God Loves Justice; Pro-Life Apologetics; Children’s Rights Issues; and Human Trafficking. At the end of each day, the ACS students broke into four small groups to dig deeper into the topics presented.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale, who attended the conference with the students, said the speakers challenged the students to use the inspiration they felt from the conference to take action to address the brokenness and suffering in the world today.

“This was the largest group of students that we have ever taken to this conference and we were the second largest group overall,” McHale said. “We are very excited to see a growing number of our high school students stepping up to become leaders in our school. We have really been praying for that.”

McHale said that in the final small group sessions, ACS students worked on identifying several projects to spearhead at ACS that would bring more awareness to the pressing issues addressed at the conference. She said one group of 9th and 10th grade girls, led by staff member Jessica Martin, decided to organize a fundraiser to raise awareness about human trafficking. Another group of 11th and 12th grade boys chose to start a student-led Bible study on Mondays during lunchtime.

Four adult chaperones who accompanied McHale on the trip and also served as small group facilitators were: staff member Jessica Martin;  Sean Griffith, Pastor of Sojourn Community Church; high school Bible teacher Urick Lewis; and high school faculty member Gina Wilson.

ACS Forms New Mock Trial Team; Seeking High School Students for Four Open Slots

ACS has formed a new Mock Trial Team that began practicing on November 30 and is preparing to compete in the Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition in February 2022. Any high school student can join and the team’s Teacher Coach, Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney, said there are still four open spots for students to serve as lawyers and witnesses. Robin Tolg, Esq. is serving as the Attorney Coach.

By playing the roles of witnesses and lawyers in mock trials, Hahn-Chaney said students will learn firsthand about the American system of justice by trying their cases before judges and attorneys. A team typically consists of 10 contestants plus alternates. The Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition is sponsored in cooperation with the New Jersey State Bar Association and New Jersey’s county bar associations.

Both Hahn-Chaney and Tolg have past experience participating in the New Jersey Mock Trial Competition. Hahn-Chaney participated as a witness and a lawyer as a member of the Crossway Home Learners Mock Trial Team from 2001-2003. Tolg, who is a practicing attorney in Linwood, served as the attorney coach for three years the last time ACS fielded a Mock Trial Team from 2003-2006. Hahn-Chaney has also reached out to Atlantic City Councilman Jesse Kurtz to support the ACS team and give insight in developing the case. Kurtz and Hahn-Chaney both competed together as high schoolers on the Crossway Home Learners Mock Trial Team.

“We’re excited to be fielding a team again and we’re looking forward to building a program that will continue into the future,” Hahn-Chaney said. “The experience of being on a Mock Trial Team gives students an edge in the areas of public speaking and critical thinking and also looks great on a resume.”

The ACS Mock Trial Team practices are on Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. in the school library, on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. in the Computer Lab, and virtually on most Saturdays. The practice schedule is designed to coordinate with the basketball team practices enabling a student to participate in both activities. Hahn-Chaney also plans to offer a mock trial high school elective in January on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide further practice time to prepare for the February competitions.

The dates of first two Mock Trial Competitions, which will be held virtually, are:

  • Thursday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m. — ACS vs Mainland  Regional
  • Thursday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m. — ACS vs Egg Harbor Township

Please contact Hahn-Chaney for additional information and practice times at rhahn-chaney@acseht.org.

Alumni Spotlight: ACS Alumni Making Their Mark in College and Beyond

ACS is pleased to periodically recognize and congratulate several of its alumni who are making their mark in college, in the working world, and in other endeavors, building on the strong educational and spiritual foundation they received during their years at ACS.   The alumni spotlighted this month are:  Tiffiny Butler (’03), Brianna McHale Haltom (’07), Jeff McConnell (’16), Dakota Hitchner (’17), Naomi Glancey Johnson (’18), Lindsey Ash (’19), Jacob O’Brien (’19), Luke Johnson (’19), Suhyun (Danny) Lee (’19), Ben Noble (’20), and Jeremiah Engle (’21).  Profiles of many more ACS alumni can be found on the “Alumni News” page of the ACS website under the “News and Events” category.

The Alumni Women’s Basketball game on December 20 will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the Alumni Men’s Basketball Game will start at 7:00 p.m. A complimentary pizza meal will be provided to all alumni who attend and all players will receive a commemorative event T-shirt. Alumni interested in playing in the games should RSVP to Athletic Director Pam Hitchner by Wednesday, Dec. 15 by sending a text to 609-412-7735.

Dr. Tiffiny Butler (’03) was recently promoted to Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Equity at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.  Tiffiny returned to New Jersey in August 2021 from Worcester, Massachusetts, where she had been a Teaching Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for five years and the Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs for the past two years. Tiffiny earned a BS in Biokinetics in 2007 from Eastern University. She received her MS and Ph.D. in kinesiology from Temple University.

Brianna McHale Haltom (’07) recently received her Doctor of Education degree in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in special education, from Liberty University. For her final project for her Ph.D., Brianna examined professional development and differentiated instruction at ACS. She is now working as a special education teacher in the Resource Room at the Ventnor Middle School. In January 2022, Brianna will also become an adjunct professor at Liberty University. Brianna and her husband Caleb live in Egg Harbor Township and have three children — Brantley and Maverick, who attend ACS, and 1-year-old McKenna.

Jeff McConnell (’16) is serving as a full-time missionary with Circuit Riders, based in Huntington Beach, CA. Circuit Riders is a ministry under the auspices of  Youth With a Mission, focused on reaching young people with the gospel in universities and high schools. Jeff is primarily working in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, doing some preaching and helping organize outreach rallies on various campuses. Jeff earned a BA from Rowan University in 2020, double majoring in business and music. While at Rowan, he served in the student government and carried out a service project at a church in Glassboro, designing a new sound system and providing training on how to use the system.

Dakota (DJ) Hitchner (’17) was named the Colonial States Athletic Conference Player of the Week on November 29 for her outstanding performance as a guard on Cairn University’s Women’s Basketball Team. In Cairn’s November 27 game against Cedar Crest, DJ scored 33 points and helped lead the team to victory. She is now the 3rd highest scoring player in a single women’s basketball game in school history and is just 28 points away from scoring a career 1,000 points in her 3 years on the team. In the fall season, DJ also played midfield on Cairn’s Women’s Soccer team and was named to the 1st team All-Conference. She also holds the record as the 6th All-Time in scoring on the Women’s Soccer Team. DJ will graduate on December 18, 2021 with a BS in physical education.

There were wedding bells this October for two ACS alumni — Naomi Glancey Johnson (’18) and Luke Johnson (’19) — after Luke popped the question in August 2021 at the Tuckahoe Inn.  Luke is taking the necessary steps to become a fireman, planning to serve with the Wildwood Fire Department. They live in Ocean City and are active at Coastal Christian Church in Ocean City.

Lindsey Ash (’19) is making her mark on William Patterson University’s Women’s Soccer Team. A junior this year, she just finished her second season a a midfielder, playing for 84 minutes in four out of 21 matches, with two assists, and scoring a goal in William Patterson’s 4-0 over Pratt in late October 2021. Lindsey is majoring in exercise physiology.

Suhyun (Danny) Lee (’19) is currently serving in the military in South Korea and is applying to attend college after completing his military service.

Jacob O’Brien (’19), and Ben Noble (’20) were strong contributors to the No. 3-seed Cairn University Men’s Soccer Team this fall, which advanced to play in the Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship game on November 6, 2021. Cairn lost to Rosemont College, but it was Cairn’s first CSAC Championship appearance in program history, with the team finishing the season with an 11-4-2 record. Jacob is in his junior year majoring in criminal justice and Ben is a sophomore majoring in health and PE.

Jeremiah Engle (’21) graduated from the U.S. Navy’s boot camp in Great Lakes, IL in September 2021. He completed eight weeks of grueling training and passed with special awards. He earned the rank of Mail Petty Officer for his division and also received the prestigious Marksman Award for weapons training accuracy. He is currently in the Apprentice Technical Training portion of his education to be an Electronics Technician.  After completing his schooling, he will be assigned to a ship and sail the globe, which he is very excited about! His job will involve troubleshooting of technical problems, and repairing the computer equipment that will operate all functions aboard his assigned vessel.

ACS Holds Successful Life-Saving December Red Cross Blood Drive

Thank you to everyone who donated blood at our American Cross Blood Drive on December 1 and helped make the life-saving event a success. We collected 21 units of blood — which will provide critical aid for up to 63 area hospital patients.

We plan to hold our next blood drive on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 and two more on May 3 and August 10, 2022.   Please mark your calendar so that you can participate. More details will be posted in upcoming issues of the “Cougar Current,” on our school website, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ACS has been a partner with the American Red Cross as a blood drive sponsor since 2008. The blood drives are organized by the ACS Student Council, overseen by Student Council faculty advisor Dave Genter.

Donate Items for Cougar Den – Earn a Free Season Pass to Basketball Home Games

As the basketball season gets underway, our Cougar Den concession stand in the gym is in need of donations.  Anyone who donates at least 3 large items will receive a season pass for all home basketball games.

Following are the items we need:

  • Large Boxes of Nacho Chips
  • Large Cans of Cheese for Nachos
  • Hot Dogs
  • Hot Dog Rolls

The Athletic Department also welcomes monetary donations given toward the purchase of these items. Please bring all donations to the Athletic Office in the gym.

Thank you.

Intramural Basketball Starts Jan. 8; Registration Closes Friday, Dec. 17

Our popular Intramural Basketball Program for boys and girls in the 2nd to 8th grades will begin on Saturday, January 8, 2022 and Friday, December 17 is the last day to register for the program.

The intramural program will be led by Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach Kaylee Breunig, with assistance from the high school players on the girls’ basketball team. The cost of the 5-week program of Saturday sessions from January 8 to February 19 is $75 and includes a T-shirt.

The Boys’ Intramural Sessions will be held from 9-11 a.m. and the Girls’ Intramural Sessions will be held from 11:15-1:15 p.m. in the ACS gym.

CLICK HERE for the registration form.  Please complete the form and submit it to the school office by Friday, January 15 with your payment of $60.

Colors, Images of Fall Inspire Student Artwork

Students from kindergarten to high school were inspired by the colors and images of fall as they created unique artwork during classes led by Art Teachers Sherry Mirakian and Patti Scardilli in October and November. The artwork, showing skills the students learned using paint, quilling, and mixed media, have been on display for several weeks on bulletin boards in the main hallway near the Multi-Purpose Room.

High school students in a Mixed Media class studied the still life collages of Pablo Picasso and Edith Hillanger and then used a different media, including printed paper, newspaper, cardboard, and chalk to create their own still life collages.

In the Middle School Art Studio class, students learned the art form known as quilling or paper filigree — which involved taking strips of paper and rolling, shaping, and gluing them together to create decorative designs.

Kindergarten students in their twice weekly art class painted pumpkins for fall as part of a lesson on colors. The students learned how to make orange and green from the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue.

Inviting ACS Alumni, Families to Winter Alumni Basketball Event – Monday, Dec. 20

ACS Alumni and their families are invited to our winter alumni event — Alumni Women and Men’s Basketball Games — on Monday, December 20. A complimentary pizza meal will be provided for all alumni and all players will receive an event T-shirt.

Please RSVP by 12/15/21 to Athletic Director Pam Hitchner if you would like to play — send a text to: 609-412-7735.

The Alumni Women’s Game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the Alumni Men’s Game will start at 7:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Thank You for Supporting our Neverland-Themed Scholastic Book Fair — Record Sales Top $10,000

Thank you to the many parents, grandparents, and other family members who supported our Escape to Neverland-themed Scholastic Book Fair held from November 15-23. With over 1,250 books sold, the sales exceeded $10,700, setting a new school record, according to Mrs. Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney, ACS K-12 Computer Teacher, who oversaw the Fair along with faculty member Patti Scardilli.

The Book Fair profits will be used to buy teacher requested books for their classrooms, add books to the school library, and purchase subscriptions to the Scholastic News magazine used in K-5 classrooms. Hahn-Chaney said 105 new books are being added to the ACS library, including picture books, early readers, chapter books, and graphic novels.

As part of the Book Fair, ACS students were able to enter a “Tell Us a Story, Wendy” drawing to win a basket of preschool books valued at $100 and could also spin to win a poster.  In a live drawing held during the Fair on the ACS Facebook page on November 22, 7th grader Zahir Hollis won the basket of books, which he plans to share with his younger cousins.

Students visited the school library from November 15-19 to preview the Book Fair items and create their “wish lists.” A Book Fairy poster in the library also promoted teacher book wishes. Product selection included Scholastic books and stationery items, as well as Bibles, devotionals, and Christian books and gift items supplied by the Truth That Rocks Bookstore in Northfield. In-person family shopping began on November 19 and 20, with opportunities to shop both before and after the Peter Pan JR. musical performances. Family shopping continued the following week, both in person and online.

Hahn-Chaney recognized and thanked a number of parents, grandparents, staff, who volunteered and helped make the fair a success, including: Gail Alford, Katie Boyle, Noriko Dorsey, Heather Kern, Brenda Maurer, Minelva Miller, Karen Oblen, Luke Petrecca, Kelly Petrinec, Sandy Settles, Stephanie Vice, and Allie Wilson.  She also thanked a number of students who gave a helping hand — Aine Dorsey, Caedyn Hahn-Chaney, Keira Frontino, Autumn Henson, Valentina Hines, Joshua Kinch, Gracie Leon, Emma Parker, Rowynn Shevlin, and Chloe Weyman.

ACS Students Present Soaring Production of Peter Pan JR. Musical on Nov. 19, 20

The 46-member cast of our Peter Pan JR. musical production whisked the audience away to Neverland in their performances on November 19 and 20, where they came face to face with Tiger Lily and her Indian tribe, the Lost Boys, a band of bungling pirates, and, of course, the treacherous Captain Hook. There was laughter, enthusiastic applause and cheers, and even some tears among the hundreds of  parents, family members, and friends who attended the two action-packed shows.

The show featured creative choreography and strong vocal performances by the students playing the lead roles of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, Smee, Tiger Lily, and the Darling Family, including their St. Bernard, Nana, as well as by those in the ensemble groups of the Pirates, Lost Boys, and Brave Girls.

10th grader Kaia Barbour played the role of Peter Pan, who was able to fly, to the surprise and delight of the audience, thanks to the creativity of the backstage crew. The role of Wendy was played by 7th grader Rowynn Shevlin on November 19 and by 8th grader Chloe Weyman on November 20. Captain Hook was dual cast as well, with 10th grader Vera Huff playing the role on November 19 and 11th grader Evan Power on November 20. 12th grader Destiny Brewer played the part of Captain Hook’s loyal first mate, Smee, and 4th grader Megan Connolly was Tiger Lily. For the Darling Family, 12th grader Asher Dawkins played Mr. Darling and Mrs. Darling was played by 12th grader Caeli Barbour on November 19 and by 11th grader Jada Logan on November 20. Wendy’s three siblings — John, Liza, and Michael — were played by 4th grader Anthem Correa, 5th grader Emily Kinch, and 5th grader Brantley Haltom, respectively. 7th grader David Barker played the role of Nana, the Darling family’s dog.

The musical was directed by ACS faculty member Genevieve Huff, who had led rehearsals since early September. She was joined by a talented production team that included ACS Choral and Instrumental Music Director Tim Rosie as Musical Director, ACS faculty member Amy Parker as Choreographer, ACS parent Lee Martin as Technical Director, and ACS parent Mark Huff as Technical Assistant.

Costumes were created by faculty members Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney and Bethany Kiefer. Art Teacher Sherry Mirakian and 7th grader Lucy Huff did make-up for each performance. Mirakian also led a skilled team of eight students who hand-painted all the scenery — Gabe Capito, Sophia Capito, Rebecca DiMaio, Aine Dorsey, Gabriella Goodwin, Lucy Huff, Ryleigh Martin, and Heather Milstead. Set construction of the children’s bedroom of the Darling family, Captain Hook’s pirate ship, and much more was expertly built by ACS parents Tony Boules, Mike Capito, and Mark Huff, assisted by William Cornelius and Travis Shafer. Marilyn Harris assisted with props.

Working hard behind the scenes as backstage managers during both performances were ACS faculty and staff members — Dara Kimmerley, Lauren McCartney, Abby Meza, and Amy Williams. Two ACS students were part of the stage crew — Gabrielle Goodwin and John Smith.

 

 

 

Peter Pan JR. Musical Debuts Friday, Nov. 19, Second Matinee on Saturday, Nov. 20

The 46 students in our Peter Pan JR. cast whisked away the audience to Neverland in their debut performance on Friday, November 19, where they came face to face with Tiger Lily and her Indian tribe, the Lost Boys, a band of bungling pirates, and, of course, the treacherous Captain Hook.  There was laughter, enthusiastic applause and cheers, and even some tears among the audience of some 500 parents, family members, and friends who attended the action-packed show, which will be presented again on Saturday, November 20 at 2 p.m. in the ACS gym. Online ticket sales are now closed, but tickets can be purchased at the door.  Seating is first come, first served.

The show features creative choreography and strong vocal performances by the students playing the lead roles of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, Tiger Lily, and the Darling Family, as well as by those in the ensemble groups of the Pirates, Lost Boys, and Brave Girls.

Tickets prices at the door are $8 for students and $10 for general admission, and proceeds will benefit the ACS Drama Program. Gail Crafton, of AC Photo in Linwood, attended dress rehearsals this week to take professional photos of the show. Digital images of those photos will be available for purchase on Monday, November 22. Mrs. Crafton, an ACS grandparent, is donating her services and all proceeds from the sale of the photos will also benefit the Drama Program. CLICK HERE to purchase photos.

The musical is directed by ACS faculty member Genevieve Huff, who led rehearsals since early September. She is joined by a talented production team that includes ACS Choral and Instrumental Music Director Tim Rosie as Musical Director, ACS faculty member Amy Parker as Choreographer, ACS parent Lee Martin as Technical Director, and ACS parent Mark Huff as Technical Assistant.

Costumes were created by faculty members Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney and Bethany Kiefer. Art Teacher Sherry Mirakian and 7th grader Lucy Huff are doing make-up for each performance. Mirakian also led a skilled team of eight students who hand-painted all the scenery — Gabe Capito, Sophia Capito, Rebecca DiMaio, Aine Dorsey, Gabriella Goodwin, Lucy Huff, Ryleigh Martin, and Heather Milstead. Set construction of the children’s bedroom of the Darling family, Captain Hook’s pirate ship, and much more has been expertly built by ACS parents Tony Boules, Mike Capito, and Mark Huff, assisted by William Cornelius and Travis Shafer. Marilyn Harris assisted with props. The set crew also managed to build a device that allowed Wendy to fly, to the surprise and delight of the audience.

Working hard behind the scenes as backstage managers during both performances are ACS faculty and staff members — Dara Kimmerley, Lauren McCartney, Abby Meza, and Amy Williams. Two ACS students are part of the stage crew — Gabrielle Goodwin and John Smith.

 

 

 

 

ACS Families, Friends Invited to New One Christmas Night Event – Friday, Dec. 3

Our new “One Christmas Night” event for ACS Families and Friends is just a few days away — on Friday, December 3 — from 6:00-9:00 p.m.  Mark your calendar to attend this special event to celebrate the joy and hope of Christmas — with fun indoor and outdoor activities for children and adults, craft and food vendors, and musical performances by our students.  A flyer with a ticket order form was sent home with preschool and elementary students over the past week.

Tickets are not required to attend the event, but will be needed for some activities, including two inflatables, the hayride, the pony ride, a petting zoo, face painting, and Christmas crafts. Tickets can be purchased in the school office or at the event. Tickets options are $2 per ticket and $12 for a pack of 7 tickets.

The Elementary Band, Middle School Band, High School Instrumental Ensemble, Middle School and High School Praise Teams will be performing Christmas music throughout the evening at various locations. Other free activities to enjoy at the event will include a live nativity, a photo booth, fire pits and s’mores, Christmas story time, and Christmas movies shown outdoors under the stars. There will also be several food trucks and vendors selling Christmas crafts and other holiday items.

“We are looking forward to seeing all of our parents, students, and staff come together to celebrate the birth of our Savior and participate in various fun activities, do some Christmas shopping, take a family Christmas photo, enjoy some s’mores and hot chocolate near our fire pits, and much more,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “This is an event you won’t want to miss.”

 

ACS Holding Hat Drive and Toy Drive to Bless Area Children at Christmas

ACS is holding two community service projects to bless the youth in our community during this Christmas season — a Hat Drive for children impacted by cancer and a children’s Toy Drive.  Families with students in kindergarten to the 12th grade are being asked to participate in the Hat Drive and Early Education families are being asked to donate for the toy drive. Both drives will run concurrently for three weeks — from Monday, November 29 to Monday, December 20.  Collection boxes will be located in classrooms and in various school hallways.

The Student Council is overseeing the K-12th grade Hat Drive to benefit the nonprofit, Ellie’s Hats.  Donated hats should be new, with the tag still attached, in sizes ranging from babies to teenagers (infant to 19).

The Early Education Toy Drive is supporting the outreach efforts of the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County, who will distribute the toys to children in the Atlantic City area during a “Three Kings Day” event on January 8.  The toys should be new and unwrapped, for children from infants to 17 years old.  The family of ACS 5th grade teacher, Nadya Lorick,  is involved with the Hispanic Association and asked ACS to support the event.

Student Council Advisor Dave Genter said the student officers chose the Hat Drive as its winter community-service project after learning about ACS kindergarten student Emma Beltran, who underwent cancer treatment for a tumor in her kidney in 2018 and received hats to wear from the Maryland-based Ellie’s Hats, during her treatment.

“The treatments for cancer can be harsh and usually result in the loss of hair, which can be hard for an adult and even more traumatizing for a child,” Genter said. “We hope families will respond to this appeal and help make our Hat Drive a success.”

Emma’s mother, Shanice Beltran, who is also an ACS Early Education teacher’s aide, is now an ambassador for Ellie’s Hats, and will be overseeing the distribution of the hats collected during the Hat Drive.

“Our family has been blessed by Ellie’s Hats and we wanted to find a way to give back,” said Mrs. Beltran. “We’re so happy that the Student Council decided to lead a hat drive to benefit Ellie’s Hats and the important work that they do to help put a smile on the faces of children being treated for cancer.”  Mrs. Beltran said the hats collected by the ACS drive will be given to children undergoing cancer treatment at southern New Jersey clinics and hospitals.

 

 

 

ACS Honors, Thanks Area Veterans with Special Breakfast, Chapel on November 11

ACS celebrated Veterans Day 2021 by treating some 40 area veterans to a special breakfast on Friday, November 15, followed by a chapel program that honored and thanked them for their service and sacrifice. Student Council officers welcomed and joined the veterans for breakfast, spending time in conversation learning about their experiences serving in the military. Special hand-made thank-you cards made by the Servant’s Heart Committee and 7th grade students were also presented to the veterans during the breakfast.

After breakfast, several hundred students from the 6th-12th grades filled the gym for the Veterans Appreciation Chapel, which was also livestreamed to the kindergarten to 5th grade classrooms.  Upper School Principal Meg McHale opened the chapel with prayer.  Members of the ACS Boy Scout Troop and Cub Pack 389 then presented the colors and led the salutes to the American flag and the Christian flag.

7th grader Josiah Christmon was invited to the podium to share his essay that thanked veterans for the important sacrifices that they make to defend our freedoms. His essay was chosen out of dozens that were written by Middle School students as a class assignment at the beginning of November.  Following Christmon, the Middle School Band, directed by faculty member Tim Rosie, presented a medley of patriotic songs entitled “The Freedom Finale” and the 2nd grade students, dressed in red, white, and blue, sang “God Bless America,”  directed by faculty member Julie Zimmer.

A favorite part of the program featured the playing of an “Armed Forces Medley” video. The students cheered and clapped as each service anthem was played and the veterans from each branch stood for their anthem.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Tim Richvalsky, who is also an ACS 2003 alumnus, was the keynote speaker. He has served for 18 years in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed with the 177th Air National Guard Base in Egg Harbor Township. Richvalsky enlisted in the Air Force just two years after the 9-11 attack. “From an early age I felt called to protect and defend those around me,” Richvalsky said. “That terrorist act on 9-11 galvanized my desire to join the military; I wanted to make a difference and help ensure that it would never happen again.”

The chapel program concluded with the 5th Grade Worship Team bringing everyone to their feet to join in singing the lively worship songs “Faithful” and “This Little Light.”  After chapel, students from elementary to high school placed American flags outdoors along the sidewalk on Zion Road in honor of our veterans.

Varsity Soccer Teams Lose Close Matches in TSCAC Championship Tournament; Nine Players Named Conference All-Stars

The ACS Varsity Soccer Teams fought hard in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Championship tournament on Saturday, November 6, but fell just shy of victory. The Varsity Boys lost 2-1 to Pilgrim Academy in the Boys’ Championship Final, finishing the season in 2nd place. It was the first time since 2012 that the Varsity Boys’ team had advanced to the Championship Game. The Varsity Girls lost their Consolation Game 3-2 to King’s Christian School, ending the season in 4th place.

In the Boys’ Championship game, Pilgrim Academy took an early lead, scoring its two goals in the first 13 minutes of the game. ACS answered in the first half with a goal by 12th grader Aaron Glancey, off an assist from 9th grader Chase Leach. The ACS defense fought hard in the second half, stopping any further goals by Pilgrim. On offense in the second half,  ACS took the upper hand and had numerous shots on goal, but failed to score.

In the Girls’ Consolation Game, ACS was down 3-0 to King’s Christian School at half-time, but came back in the second half to score two goals, by 10th grader Alicia O’Donnell and 11th grader Eden Wilson. Strong defense by ACS in the second half prevented King’s Christian from scoring again, but ACS was unable to score as well.

A large group of enthusiastic fans cheered for our Cougars and showed their appreciation for the hard-working athletes during the tournament closing ceremony. Nine ACS players were named TSCAC All-Stars and received medals for their achievement — Aaron Glancey and Manny Johnson (1st team); Devin Tridente and Chase Leach (2nd team); Maddie DeNick, Paige Noble, and Eden Wilson (1st team); Reyna Lewis and Alicia O’Donnell (2nd team).

We’re proud of every ACS Varsity athlete who competed this fall and for the great memories of an exciting season. Thank you also to Coach Carly Witherow and Coach Andres Tortola for encouraging and training our athletes to do their best and to honor God both on and off the field.

Photo credits: Sue DeNick, Ruby Lewis.

Student Council Officers Recently Elected; Organize Christmas Hat Drive Service Project

Thirty-one students from the 6th-12th grades were recently elected to serve on the 2021-2022 Student Council and the week of November 15 they visited various classrooms to launch their first service project — a Christmas hat drive to collect and donate children’s hats to raise awareness for childhood cancer and benefit the nonprofit, Ellie’s Hats.

Elections for the Student Council were held on September 17 and the officers began meeting with Student Council Advisor Dave Genter on October 8 to plan their community service activities and to identify ways they can enrich the spiritual life of the school.

One leadership activity includes Student Council members offering the prayer during the daily morning announcements. Student Council officers also represented their fellow students at the Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on November 11, welcoming and engaging with the veterans as they sat at various tables and shared breakfast together before the Veterans Chapel.

Genter said the students also plan to lead a school-wide community service project in the spring that will benefit the school. Congratulations to the following Student Council officers:

12th Grade Officers –Angela Eggie, President; Amber Ramos, Vice President; Mia Liggins, Secrectary/Treasurer; Quinn Schrag, Chaplin

11th Grade Officers — Reyna Lewis, President; Allison Schlundt, Vice President; Daniella Ajayi, Secretary/Treasurer; Tommy Ellison, Chaplin

10th Grade Officers — Haven Sanchez, President; Rebecca Kelley, Vice President; Vera Huff, Secretary/Treasurer; Evangelina Kim, Chaplin; Ryleigh Martin, Alicia O’Donnell, Noelle Thompson, Representatives

9th Grade Officers — Autumn Loo, President; Rebecca DiMaio, Vice President; Isabell Alford, Secretary/Treasurer; Sophia Johnson, Chaplin

8th Grade Officers — David O’Donnell, President; Sophia Costello, Vice President; Caden Kim, Secretary/Treasurer; Ava Barberio, Chaplin

7th Grade Officers — Mackenzie Flynn, President; Annalena DiMaio, Vice President; Gerliana Merette, Secretary/Treasurer; Kiara Loo, Chaplin; Lucy Huff, Representative

6th Grade Officers — Matthew Coates, President; Grace Lushina, Vice President; Bezute Ngwabi, Secretary/Treasurer

Instrument Donations Bless ACS Band Program

The ACS Band Program has a received the blessing of a number of instrument donations this fall in response to a recent appeal from Tim Rosie, Director of Choral and Instrumental Music. “We’re very grateful for these donations which have helped ensure that every band student has their own instrument and raised the quality of our band program,”  Rosie said.

ACS experienced significant growth in enrollment this fall, which resulted in more students taking band and the need for additional instruments.  “While all current instrument needs have been met, we can always use additional donations of wind and string instruments to expand the variety of instruments available to our students,” Rosie said. All students in the 4th and 5th grades take Band as their music class.  Band class is also offered to students in middle school and high school.

A number of the newly-donated instruments were being played this week by 4th grade students in Band Class as they were rehearsing for their upcoming performance at the “One Christmas Night” event on December 3.  One of the electronic keyboards is also located in a separate room where students can take private piano lessons after school.

Rosie said the donated instruments included two flutes, two French horns, one trombone, two electronic keyboards, and an acoustic guitar.  Thank you to everyone who has donated — including Carole Karabashian, Sandy O’Brien, Nikki Odell, Tim Rosie, Ryan and Liz Stamm, and Eric Tardif.

 

Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS — Wednesday, Dec. 1 — Register to Donate

Give the gift of blood and help save a life. Make an appointment to donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 1 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. in the ACS Gym. As a special Christmas thank-you gift, all donors who come to give blood at the ACS drive will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email from the American Red Cross.

All donors will have their temperature checked prior to admittance to the blood drive. Since 2008, ACS has hosted American Red Cross blood drives to help meet the urgent needs of patients at hospitals in our community. Our goal for the December 1 blood drive is to collect 40 or more donations.

CLICK HERE to make an appointment to donate blood on the Red Cross website — RedCrossBlood.org — and enter the sponsor code “atlanticchristiansch” OR call 1-800-REDCROSS.   You can also scan the QR Code on the flyer image below to make an appointment on the Red Cross website.