Articles by: Carole Karabashian

ACS Cub Scout and 4th Grader Brandon Jorgenson Achieves Arrow of Light Award

ACS 4th grader Brandon Jorgenson was recently recognized for achieving  the Arrow of Light, the highest honor in Cub Scouts, at a cross-over ceremony on February 24 in the ACS Multi-Purpose Room. The cross-over ceremony is akin to a graduation, where Cub Scout Webelos transition to become Boy Scouts.

The ACS ceremony included walking over a wood bridge with planks named after the 12 principles of the Scout Law.  Brandon, pictured above second from left, participated in the ceremony,  along with three other Cub Scouts who attend other schools in the community. The Cub Scouts crossed over the bridge as members of ACS Cub Pack 389 and into the ACS Boy Scout Troop 389.

Brandon was warmly welcomed into the Troop by his older brother, Hunter, an ACS 9th grader. The Jorgenson family is actively involved in the scouting program at ACS. Mike Jorgenson is the Scoutmaster and Carrie Jorgenson is the Cubmaster.

The ACS Scouts — Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts — meet at Atlantic Christian School on Monday nights. The goal of scouting is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, personal fitness, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities and educational programs. Cub Scouts is for boys from 1st -5th grades. Boy Scouts is for boys from 6th grade until 18 years old.

ACS Prepares Remote Teaching Plans, Follows Cleaning Protocols in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACS teachers and staff have been working diligently this week to prepare for a possible closing of the school and the implementation of at-home instruction as well as following cleanliness and disinfection protocols recommended by the health department.

School was closed on Friday, March 13 for a teacher In-Service, with teachers using the time to create virtual lessons to to provide students with course content remotely if needed. Facilities staff and teachers also spent Friday doing a deep cleaning of all Early Ed to high school classrooms, bathrooms, and common areas, including disinfecting walls, door handles, door frames, sinks, mirrors, table and desk tops, toys, and cubbies.  Chromebook surfaces were also cleaned. Oblen said teachers and staff will continue to follow the health department’s guidelines for daily cleaning.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen sent a letter by email to all parents and guardians on March 11 describing the details of the school’s Remote Teaching Plan. Oblen said that under the plan, all students in grades K-12 will use Google Classroom and Zoom for at-home instruction. Students who do not have a computer or tablet at home will be able to borrow a Chromebook from the school. Oblen said another letter will be emailed to parents and guardians with specific instructions on remote instruction in the event that school must be closed.

“Most importantly, we are committed to be in prayer for our school, our families, and our community,” Oblen said. “We are in uncharted waters, but we know the God who is in control of all things and it is His perfect love that casts out all fear.”

Oblen said the NJ Department of Education has approved a written directive that schools are to provide home instructional services to enrolled students if required to close.  In addition, N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9 states that:   Any day in which students impacted by a public health-related closure have access to home instruction services will count as a day of education toward the compliance with the 180-day requirement in accordance with this directive.

If a student does not have a computer or device to use at home, parents and guardians are asked to contact their child’s principal so that a Chromebook can be loaned to you — Upper School Principal mmchale@acseht.org or Elementary Principal galford@acseht.org.

Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team Wins First Place in Division 4B at Nationals Tournament

The ACS Varsity Boys’ Basketball team capped off its championship-winning season in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference (TSCAC) with additional success on March 7, winning first place in Division 4B at the National Christian School Athletic Association’s national tournament in Ohio. The tournament features Christian high school teams from across the U.S. who are the best in their regions.

The Boys’ team lost its first tournament game to Bishop Walsh of Maryland, and then won the next two games, beating Thales Academy from North Carolina and Cumberland Valley from Pennsylvania. Overall, the ACS Boys’ team finished 17th out of the 52 boys’ high school teams that competed.

“As a senior, it was great to go out with a win for our school at Nationals,” said guard Ben Noble, who scored 34 points, had 13 assists, and 6 steals during the tournament. Several other players made strong contributions during the tournament. Mark Rosie, one of 3 seniors on the team, had 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals. Senior forward Dan Roland had 24 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals.  Junior 6′ 8″ center Landon Shivers, who led the team in scoring with 65 points, had 30 rebounds, 9 assists, 10 blocks, and one steal.

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner said college coaches come to Nationals to check out the talent and she was pleased that a college coach from Kansas City spoke with Landon after watching him play at the tournament.

The Lady Cougars, who were seeded in Division 1, lost their first two games to Grace Christian from West Virginia and Calvary Christian from Maryland, and won their third game playing in Division 2 against Grace Christian from Illinois. Hitchner said the Lady Cougars ended in 3rd place in Division 2 and came in 7th overall out of 32 girls’ high school teams that competed.

“We’re very proud of our players and our coaches and for the enthusiastic school spirit of our students and families that carried our teams throughout this memorable season,” Hitchner said.

Legacy Gala Silent Auction – An Opportunity for Local Businesses to Connect With New Customers

Do you own a business or have connections to a business that would like to support Christian education and reach new customers? Our May 1 Legacy Gala — An Evening with Mandisa will include a large Silent Auction that provides a great showcase for local businesses to reach hundreds of new customers.

Everyone who attends the Gala, to be held at the Ocean City Tabernacle, will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious appetizers and bid on items in the Silent Auction during the Welcome Reception from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle’s Narthex. The Legacy Gala Program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle’s large auditorium, which can seat over 900 people.

If you own a store-front or a home-based business and would like to donate to our Gala Silent Auction, please contact Mrs. PJ Santos at psantos@acseht.org. Examples of home-based businesses who have donated to past Silent Auctions include LuLaRoe, Pampered Chef, Rodan & Fields, Tastefully Simple, and Thirty-One Gifts.

Mrs. Santos is also seeking volunteers to help with calling or visiting local businesses to ask them to donate to the Silent Auction. “We want this year’s Silent Auction to be bigger and better than ever and we need your help,” Santos said. All donations are fully tax-deductible and will benefit our school’s educational programs.

To be included in a listing of Silent Auction donors in the Gala Program book, Silent Auction donations must be received by Friday, April 17.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Gala or to buy tickets, be a Sponsor, or an Advertiser.

Batter Up! Baseball/Softball Season Preview

The High School and Middle School Baseball and Softball seasons are getting underway. High School tryouts will be held on Monday, March 9 and Middle School tryouts will be on Monday, March 23. Interested students should sign up in the gym. Check out the ACS website under the “Athletics” table for the game schedules of all our teams. Hope to see you in the stands!

The Varsity Baseball team will play its first game on Friday, March 20 — a non-league home game against Annapolis Area Christian School. The Varsity Baseball team will play its second, non-league game on Friday, March 27 at home against Oakcrest High School. The first Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference games for the Varsity Baseball and Softball teams will be on Tuesday, March 31 at home against Pilgrim Academy.

The Middle School baseball and softball teams will play their first games in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League on Tuesday, April 21 at home against Pilgrim Academy.

The head coaches who will lead our high school and middle school teams this season are:

  • Varsity Boys’ Baseball — Ben Chapman, in his 1st year. Chapman is a 2013 alumnus who was a stand-out baseball player at ACS and went on to be a pitcher on Cairn University’s baseball team;
  • Varsity Girls’ Softball — Dara Kimmerley, in her 6th year, with a strong record of winning seasons, including a TSCAC championship in 2017, a first place regular season finish in 2018, and taking the team to the championship game in 2019.
  • Middle School Boys’ Baseball — Charlie Costello, an ACS parent in his first year as head coach. He assisted former head coach Rob Barberio last year when the team finished in 3rd place in the league.
  • Middle School Girls’ Softball — Rick Jackson, an ACS parent in his first year as head coach. He assisted former head coach Mike Bohs, who led the team to a 1st place finish in the league in 2018 and tied for first in 2019.

See What’s New Around the 37-Acre ACS Campus

Work crews are converting our grass soccer field to an artificial turf field expected to be ready by mid-April.

With spring around the corner, we thank God for providing funding for a number of improvements now underway on our beautiful, spacious 37-acre campus, including new security fencing, an artificial turf soccer field, and a new outdoor toddler playground also covered with artificial turf.

“We are so excited about these new upgrades to some of our outdoor facilities that have been made possible through donations and grants,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Our students from preschool to high school will be benefiting from these improvements for years to come.”

New security fencing will soon surround outdoor play areas, made possible by state security grant funding for non-public schools. Progressive Fence began installing the green support poles for the fencing in January. The height of the fencing will range from 6- to 10-feet high, and will include several lockable gates at entry points to the track. Oblen said additional new fencing is planned for the next school year to go along the property lines near the baseball and softball fields.

Several weeks ago, work crews from Clayton Companies began removing the grass on the main soccer field used by the Varsity Boys’ and Middle School Boys’ soccer field to replace it with artificial turf. The turf field and the labor is being donated by Clayton Companies and is expected to be ready by mid-April. Oblen said the turf field will have better drainage and will be significantly less costly to maintain than the grass field.

With the start of warmer weather this month, ACS students in toddler preschool classes have come outdoors to explore their new play area, which has been fenced in and covered with artificial turf. “The children were all smiles and the turf is a safe surface that is easy to keep clean,” said Elementary Principal and Early Education Director Gail Alford. Recently completed asphalt-covered walkways along the perimeters of the playgrounds are also providing easier access to the play areas and the track.

ACS Hosts Informative Family Policy Alliance Presentation on Parental Rights in Education

Shawn Hyland, Director of Advocacy for the Family Policy Alliance of NJ, shared important, eye-opening information about public policies and their impact on religious and parental rights for students in New Jersey public schools to over 70 people who attended a presentation at Atlantic Christian School on March 5.

Hyland discussed the new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy in February 2019 that mandates public schools begin incorporating LGBTQ curriculum in this coming school year. He noted that private schools like ACS are not impacted by the legislation. He said New Jersey’s law is the only one in the U.S. that requires an interdisciplinary, cross-curriculum approach to presenting the contributions of members of the LGBTQ community to society, unlike laws in other states that only include this instruction in social studies/history classes. He said that no state funds have been allocated for public schools to implement the curriculum and that school districts are awaiting guidelines from the NJ Department of Education.

Hyland also provided information on new proposed bills in the New Jersey Assembly that involve parental rights and the education their children are receiving in public schools. The bills discussed included:

  • Assembly bill A-3373, which would lower the age of consent from 16 to 13 years old for students in public schools regarding gender dysphoria and parental notification.
  • Assembly bill A-3000, which states that if a public school is teaching materials that a parent considers harmful to their child, then that family should be given a voucher to go to a private school.
  • “The Protecting Parental Involvement in Curriculum Act,” which is awaiting a bill number, would expand the current state opt-out law to allow parents to opt their child out of public school lessons if they object to material or activities because they question, violate, or conflict with their family’s beliefs or practices regarding sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, conscience, ethics, morality, or religion.

Hyland said the Alliance is involved in raising awareness about these issues and encouraged the evangelical Christian community to get involved in the public square by signing petitions, attending local school board meetings, running for positions on the school board, and contacting state legislators and the Education Committees in the Senate and Assembly by phone and mail.

“We need to tell the state — we want our children back,” Hyland said. “We need prayer and we need advocates to go to speak to those in authority. ” A question-and-answer period followed the presentation, with engagement from teachers, pastors, students, and parents in the audience.

The Alliance represents 1,500 churches and pastors across New Jersey. Hyland said the Alliance’s vision is to see a New Jersey where God is honored, religious liberty flourishes, life is cherished, and families thrive. To obtain additional information or to learn about ways to get involved, go to: FamilyPolicyAlliance.com/NewJersey.

Bump, Set, Spike! Students Enjoy Friendly Competition in Annual Volleyball Tournament

It was a challenging night of friendly competition, with plenty of bumps, sets, and spikes as ACS students, joined by a few agile faculty and family members, faced off in the ACS gym on Friday, February 28 for the annual Intramural Volleyball Tournament.

Nearly 70 people showed off their skills as nine high school teams and one middle school team competed for team medals and bragging rights. After three hours of double-elimination games, the high school team named “Rest in Peace” took first place. The members of the winning team, comprised of 5 juniors and 1 sophomore, pictured below (from left) are: Jacob Rosie, Chloe Vogel, Landon Shivers, Sydney Pearson, Aaron Glancey, and Cristen Winkel.

A combined junior/senior team named “One-Sixth Black” placed 2nd, a freshman team, wearing pink T-shirts sporting the name “Chew Blocka” placed 3rd, and the “Cruise Control” team with parent, faculty, and high school student players who wore light blue Sterling Tackle shirts, placed 4th. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner and PE teacher Ben Chapman served as referees during the tournament.

ACS Holds Successful February Blood Drive

Thank you to everyone who donated blood at our American Cross Blood Drive on February 12 and helped make the event a success. The Blood Drive is a service project of the ACS Student Council, overseen by faculty member Dave Genter.

During the five hours of the blood drive, held in the Multi-Purpose Room, volunteers donated 26 units of blood, just shy of the 31 pints collected at our August blood drive. One unit/pint of blood helps save 3 lives and will benefit patients at 78 area hospitals in Atlantic County and across South Jersey.

Genter said ACS is planning to host the next American Red Cross Blood Drive on August 10 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Mark your calendar to participate. Details will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Give blood. Help save lives.

We’re Hiring! Immediate Opening for Groundskeeper

We’re hiring! ACS is now seeking a qualified individual to fill an immediate opening for a Groundskeeper to maintain the school’s athletic fields, playgrounds, and school grounds, keeping them in good condition.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of our exciting ministry. CLICK HERE for more information about how to apply for this position.

Box Tops Goes Digital, Use Mobile App to Earn Cash for ACS

No more clipping those Box Tops to earn cash for ACS. The Box Tops for Education program has gone digital. Download the “Box Tops for Education” app on your mobile phone, register, and select Atlantic Christian School.  Then just start scanning your grocery store receipts.

If your receipt contains a Box Tops product, the app will record that product and automatically add Box Tops or our school’s earnings online. ACS will earn 10 cents for each Box Tops product purchased. The app will automatically add Box Tops to our school’s earnings online. 

Please note that Box Tops will continue to honor all physical clips until they reach their expiration dates so you can keep clipping regular Box Tops and sending them in to the school as long as you continue to find them on packages.  Box Tops will also allow double dipping during the transition period — so you can clip the physical Box Tops AND scan your receipt. A few brands may not be participating in the double dip. The app will give you a message that they are “clip only” in

Legacy Gala 2020 Ticket Sales Open on Monday, March 2

Tickets to the ACS Legacy Gala 2020 will go on sale next week — on Monday, March 2. The 7th annual Gala will feature Grammy-winning American Idol Season 5 finalist Mandisa as the keynote speaker. She will also perform several of her powerful hit songs, such as “Stronger” and “Overcomer.” The Gala will be held at the Ocean City Tabernacle in Ocean City.

Individuals, businesses, churches, and community organizations can support ACS through the Gala in a variety of ways — by being a Gala Sponsor; by purchasing a Gala Program Book ad or Electronic Screen Ad; by purchasing a VIP Experience ticket; or by purchasing individual Gala Program tickets or discounted group tickets for 10 or more.

Mandisa got her big break as a contestant on American Idol Season 5. With more than 1 million records sold, she has proven to be one of American Idol’s most successful alums and is a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges. She is currently performing across the country with the Christian music supergroup Newsboys as part of their 2020 Greatness of Our God Tour. In 2017, she performed with Toby Mac’s “HITS DEEP Tour.” She was awarded a Grammy in 2013 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her best-selling “Overcomer” album.

Mandisa has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, performing “Stronger” when Robin Roberts returned to the host chair after a battle with breast cancer. She performed the national athem during a Sunday night NFL Network game to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month. Mandisa herself struggled with depression for several years after a close friend lost her battle with cancer.

“Mandisa has drawn upon her faith in God to bring her out of depression and has been an inspiration to thousands of people through her music,” said Chief School Administration Karen Oblen. “We are very excited to be bringing Mandisa for her first appearance in South Jersey and we are looking forward to the uplifting and encouraging message she will be sharing.”

Oblen said supporting the Legacy Gala is an investment in the quality educational programs that ACS provides. She said the Ocean City Tabernacle is a great location for this year’s Gala as it can seat over 900 people to hear Mandisa and enjoy the Gala program. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with a Welcome Reception with appetizers and a Silent Auction. The Legacy Gala Program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle auditorium. A VIP Dessert Reception and Meet-and-Greet with Mandisa for Sponsors and VIP Experience Ticket Holders will begin at 9:00 p.m.

Individual tickets to the Gala Program Only are $55 and $75, which includes a Welcome Reception with appetizers and a Silent Auction. There are discounted group rates for groups of 10 or more. A VIP Experience ticket is $200 per person and includes the Welcome Reception and Silent Auction, a reserved premium Gala program seat in the Tabernacle auditorium, a ticket to a festive VIP Dessert Reception after the Gala program, and a Meet-and-Greet and commemorative photo with Mandisa during the Dessert Reception.

Sponsorship levels range from $1,000-$15,000.  All sponsors will enjoy the Welcome Reception (with appetizers), the Silent Auction, premium reserved seats at the Gala Program, tickets to the VIP Dessert Reception after the Gala Program, a Meet-and-Greet and commemorative photos with Mandisa during the Dessert Reception, reserved parking, Mandisa music CDs, and advertising in the Gala Program book and on electronic screens.

Limited childcare at the Ocean City Tabernacle is available by reservation and for a fee. Please contact PJ Santos at psantos@acseht.org to make your reservation by no later than Monday, April 20.

CLICK HERE to go to the online ticket sales page.  

CLICK HERE for information and the Donor Reply Form for Gala Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities.  

Elementary Students to Participate in Kids Heart Challenge to Benefit American Heart Association

ACS elementary students will be participating in a month-long “Kids Heart Challenge” service project launched this Friday to benefit the American Heart Association (AHA) and to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of your heart.  During Friday’s Elementary Chapel, a representative from the AHA encouraged students to participate in the service project by helping raise funds for the AHA. Kids Heart Challenge fundraising packets are being sent home with students.

PE teacher Ben Chapman, who is overseeing the service project,  said students are being asked to take a challenge for their health by choosing to Move More, Be Kind, and Be Ready. He is also planning a fun and exciting PE event on March 26, the final day of the Kids Heart Challenge campaign. Elementary classes will participate throughout the day in various, cardio-pumping activities in the gym.

Chapman said all donations given to the American Heart Association will go to fund life-saving research and programs that help kids with special hearts. Students can earn thank-you gifts from the AHA for collecting donations from as little as $5 and up to $1,000.  The gifts are described in the fundraising packet.

By holding this Kids Heart Challenge, ACS will qualify to apply for grants from the AHA for PE equipment. Donation checks should be made payable to the American Heart Association, not to Atlantic Christian School. Students can use the AHA Donation Form packet to collect donations and should return their packet by March 26. Students can also have a fundraising page on the AHA website to receive online donations.

CLICK HERE to register and set up you child’s fundraising page.

New Employee Spotlight: Computer Teacher & Library Media Specialist Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney

ACS welcomes new Computer Teacher and Library Media Specialist Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney

Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney is the new face in the ACS first floor computer lab, where she teaches students from kindergarten to high school to master the technology skills necessary to be successful in the classroom, in college, and the workplace. She also welcomes K-5 students to the school library each week, where they are developing a love of reading and are learning library research skills.

Mrs. Hahn-Chaney became the new computer teacher and library media specialist in January after Mrs. Diane Ash relocated with her family to Massachusetts. However, she is no stranger to ACS as she has been a proud and involved parent since 2015. Her son Caedyn is now in 5th grade and her son Gaebriel is in 3rd grade. But her real first day at ACS was in 1993 as a student in Mrs. Cassell’s kindergarten class. She attended ACS for most of her elementary years.

Hahn-Chaney holds a BS from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and is certified in Inbound Marketing and Digital Skills. Prior to coming to ACS, she was a content writer and manager for DotCom Global Media in Somers Point.

Hahn-Chaney, her husband, Marques, and their two sons live in Mays Landing and are active members of Fresh Start Church in Egg Harbor Township. She is currently working on redesigning the church’s website and recently enjoyed serving at Tim Tebow’s “A Night to Shine” event hosted at the church.

Hahn-Chaney takes her role as a teacher very seriously, describing herself as “an entrusted alternate” for the parents and grandparents who work hard so that their children and grandchildren can attend ACS. “I teach new skills, address bad days, give encouragement, inspire a thought process, share the love of Jesus, show a good example, and administer correction, all to the purpose of being an excellent stand-in for my students’ primary caregivers,.” Hahn-Chaney said.

Her favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. “In our world today, there is great emphasis on being really smart and getting more educated, but God is not impressed by academia,” Hahn-Chaney said. “He cares about our hearts. If I trust Him with all of my heart instead of trying to figure it all out, He will teach me what I need to know and show me what I need to do.”

Come to the Middle School Science Fair – Friday, March 6

Is the five-second rule true? What is the effect of microwaves on plant growth? What are the different densities of water? The answers to these and other STEM-focused questions will be explored in middle school science projects at the ACS Science Fair on Friday, March 6 in the gym from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ACS families are invited to attend and tour the 50 science projects that will be on display.

The students began developing their science fair projects in November, which is part of their science grade. The 6th and 7th graders have been working in pairs and 8th graders have created their individual projects.

Middle School science teacher Celine Melody said a panel of judges will examine each of the projects during the Science Fair and select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from each class.

Seven ACS Varsity Basketball Players Recognized for Outstanding Achievement

TSCAC Varsity Girls’ Basketball MVP – junior forward Sydney Pearson

Seven ACS Varsity Basketball players made outstanding contributions to their teams over the past season and were recently recognized for their achievements. Junior forward Sydney Pearson received the highest individual honor given by the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference — the Varsity Girls’ MVP award — and six other players were named TSCAC All-Stars.

The ACS players were recognized and honored during an awards ceremony after the conclusion of the Championship Games on February 22. The ACS basketball players who were named TSCAC All-Stars were — Girls’ team: Olivia Chapman, Shelby Einwechter, Sydney Pearson, and Cristen Winkel; and Boys’ team: Ben Noble, Dan Roland, and Landon Shivers. ACS hosted the TSCAC All-Star Games this past Tuesday and fans had the opportunity to cheer on their favorite players for one last time this season.

ACS players named TSCAC All-Stars — Sydney Pearson, Shelby Einwechter, Olivia Chapman, and Cristen Winkel (from left, at left); and Ben Noble, Landon Shivers, and Dan Roland (from left, at right)

Senior Dan Roland was also honored just days before the championship tournament for pulling down 500 rebounds during his high school career. Roland became the 13th ACS Varsity Basketball player in school history to reach this significant milestone. He was recognized and given a special game ball at the Feb. 20 semi-final playoff game. 

ACS Students Create Valentine’s Day Gift Bags for Children at Ronald McDonald House

Mrs. Parker’s 7th grade class created a craft project

Students from elementary to high school collaborated on a service project this month to decorate and fill 30 Valentine’s Day gift bags with hand-made Valentine’s Day cards, snacks, games, and craft projects for families at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden. This is the third year in a row that ACS students have participated in this Valentine’s Day service project.

The gift bags were delivered on Valentine’s Day by ACS Resource Room Specialist Mrs. Kelly Schlundt, who heads up the project. The gift bags were given to children who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House while they receive treatment at Philadelphia area hospitals.

Mrs. Schlundt said ACS has also been collecting metal soda can tabs in the lunchroom. The tabs collected during the first half of this school year are recycled and the funds help pay for the utility bills at the Ronald McDonald House. “We’ll keep collecting the soda tabs until the end of the school year and will give them to the Ronald McDonald House over the summer or next Valentine’s Day,” Mrs. Schlundt said.

Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team Brings Home TSCAC Championship Trophy; Varsity Girls’ Lose Close Championship Match

The undefeated Varsity Boys’ Basketball team received the TSCAC Championship Trophy at the conclusion of the February 22 Tournament in the ACS gym.

Congratulations to our Varsity Boys’ basketball team for winning the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference championship on February 22, beating the #2-seeded King’s Christian School 47-32. The ACS Boys, under head coach Dan Carney, finished the regular season undefeated in the conference and brought home the championship trophy for the 10th time in school history.

Our Varsity Girls’ basketball team was seeded in first place entering the championship tournament with a 12-0 regular season record. The team lost a hard-fought match in the championship game 45-41 to King’s Christian School. During the Tournament awards ceremony, the Varsity Girls’ team, under head coach Kaylee Breunig, was recognized for its outstanding regular season and received a TSCAC trophy.

The Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team received the TSCAC regular season 1st place trophy.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Championship Tournament in the ACS gym and we are proud of every player on our Boys’ and Girls’ teams who always gave 110% whenever they stepped onto the court,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. At the conclusion of the tournament, each member of the winning Varsity Boys’ team and their coaches climbed up a ladder to cut off a piece of the basketball net as a special keepsake, a tournament tradition.

The Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ teams will travel to Ohio next week to compete in a 3-day national tournament that concludes March 7. The tournament is organized by the National Christian School Athletic Association and features teams from across the U.S. who are the best in their regions.

“We’re very grateful to our school families and friends who filled our stands at home games and during the Championship Tournament, encouraging our athletes to do their best,” Hitchner said. “We also appreciate the parents and other volunteers, led by long-time ACS parent Terry Vogel, who worked in our Cougar Den concession stand throughout the season, helping raise funds for our athletic program.”

Hitchner also thanked and recognized the assistant coaches and team managers for their important contributions to a memorable season — Varsity Girls’ assistant coach Dara Kimmerley; Varsity Boys’ assistant coaches Drew Carney, Ben Chapman, and Paul Jones; and team managers Ashleigh Martin and Alex Wang.

CLICK HERE to read more about the championship games as reported in a February 24 Press of Atlantic City online article.

ACS All-Star Spellers Compete in Feb. 21 Bee, 4th Grader Leila Alobeidy Wins Top Spot

Spelling Bee Winner 4th Grader Leila Alobeidy will represent ACS at the March 21 South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee in Vineland.

Thirteen All-Star spellers in grades 1-8 competed in the ACS Spelling Bee on February 21 and 4th grader Leila Alobeidy was the last speller left standing and will move on to represent ACS at the South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee on March 21 in Vineland.

Leila won first place in the ACS Bee for the third consecutive year. 8th grader Ryleigh Martin of Mays Landing placed second, Leila’s 3rd grade brother, Adam, placed third, and 7th grader Ruth Oke of Williamstown placed a close fourth.

The All-Star spellers advanced to the school-wide Bee by winning classroom spelling bees over the past month. As fellow students, teachers, and proud parents watched from the audience, the Bee went 60 rounds, the longest of any prior ACS spelling bees.

Spelling Bee winner Leila Alobeidy, right, and runner-up Ryleigh Martin shake hands at the end of the Bee.

Leila and Ryleigh went head to head for the last 23 rounds before Ryleigh misspelled “logistics” and Leila clinched the victory by correctly spelling the 287th word in the bee — “reductive.”

“We’re very proud of every student who competed and we know Leila will do a great job representing our school at the regional bee,” said Mrs. Jessica Martin, the ACS Spelling Club Advisor who oversaw the Bee.

At the conclusion of the Bee, Leila’s 4th grade teachers and classmates cheered and gathered round to give her a hug and congratulate her. The classroom finalists, by grade, were: Khaleesi Nyanankpe and Caitlyn Doucett (1st); Tamara Kulov and Luke Sabulao (2nd); Adam Alobeidy (3rd); Leila Alobeidy and Matthew Coates (4th); Sophia Capito and Thomas Potenski (5th); Joshua Oke (6th); Samuel Lilley and Ruth Oke (7th); and Ryleigh Martin (8th).

All- Star spellers — 1st graders Khalessi Nyanankpe (left) and Caitlyn Doucett (right)
All-Star spellers — 2nd graders Tamara Kulov (left) and Luke Sabulao (right)
All-Star spellers — 3rd grader Adam Alobeidy (left) and 4th grader Matthew Coates (right)
All-Star spellers — 5th grader Thomas Potenski (left) and 6th grader Joshua Oke (right)
All-Star spellers — 7th graders Samuel Lilley (left) and Ruth Oke (right)
All-Star spellers — 8th grader Ryleigh Martin (left) and 5th grader Sophia Capito (right)

ACS Students: We Love Our Pastors

Over 50 pastors and ministry leaders from 30 area churches were the honored guests at Pastor Appreciation Day on Wednesday, February 12. The special day began with a complimentary breakfast for the pastors followed by an all-school chapel program that featured students from preschool to the 12th grade.

Senior Ashleigh Martin shares her faith journey at the Pastor Appreciation Day Chapel.

The students sang and danced to songs of praise and worship and recited Bible verses that incorporated the steps to salvation. 12th grader Ashleigh Martin shared how serving God on ACS missions trips to Houston and the Bahamas helped her grow in her faith.

The program also included a video that featured dozens of students talking about why they love their pastors and church and thanking them for the important role they play in their lives. ACS also presented the pastors with a special ACS mug and handmade valentines created by the students in the Servant’s Heart Club.

During breakfast, Pastor Mike Bult of Mainland Baptist Church, spoke on the challenges facing the church in reaching Generation Z with the gospel. He emphasized the importance of building relationships and using the tools of social media to connect with young people. He also talked about the power of prayer and for pastors to encourage parents to pray regularly with their children.

After chapel, the students had fun taking pictures and talking with their pastors. This week was Spirit Week at ACS and many students were wearing cowboy hats, boots, bandannas, and other Western wear attire to fit the day’s theme.

CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of Pastor Appreciation Day including group photos taken of our students with their pastors.

March 5: Family Policy Alliance of NJ to Speak on Religious & Parental Rights

ACS is hosting a special presentation by the Family Policy Alliance of New Jersey on Thursday, March 5 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. to share information about public policies in the state and their impact on religious and parental rights. Mark your calendar to attend this important meeting and feel free to invite friends in the community.

The featured speaker will be Shawn Hyland, Director of Advocacy for the Alliance. He will present information regarding their organization, the LGBT curriculum in public schools, and parental rights legislation. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

The March 5 presentation is free and is open to parents, staff, and older students. The Alliance represents 1,500 churches and pastors across New Jersey. The Alliance’s vision is to see a New Jersey where God is honored, religious liberty flourishes, life is cherished, and families thrive.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Alliance.

ACS 11th Grader Jeremiah Engle Makes His Mark on the Ice

ACS 11th grader Jeremiah Engle, plays on the 1st place Atlantic City Sharks.

The Atlantic City Sharks 18U ice hockey team is headed to states in first place and ACS 11th grader Jeremiah Engle, who plays right wing, is proud to be a part of the team and excited for what lies ahead.

The state-level competition will be held in Wayne, NJ from February 21-23. Jeremiah has been making his mark on the ice playing hockey for 11 years and has been with the Sharks for 10 years. The Sharks must win three games next weekend to advance to districts.

Congratulations, Jeremiah. We’re proud of you and your accomplishments both on and off the ice.

Undefeated Varsity Basketball Teams Gearing Up for TSCAC Playoffs Next Week

Our undefeated Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams are heading next week into the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference playoffs. The Boys’ team, with an overall record of 17-9, enters the playoffs in first place after an undefeated (12-0) regular season in the conference. The Varsity Girls, 20-6 overall, also enter the playoffs in first place with a 12-0 record in the TSCAC. Both teams have a bye in the quarter-final round before hosting the semi-final games here at ACS on Thursday, February 20. Come out and cheer for our Cougars!

The Girls’ playoff game on Feb. 20 will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Boys’ game at 6:30 p.m. ACS will be playing the winners of the quarter-final playoff games on Tuesday, February 18. There is a small conference gate fee for the Feb. 20 games – $1 per student, $2 per adult, or $5 per family.

The playoffs will conclude on Saturday, February 22 and ACS is hosting the consolation and championship games. The Girls’ consolation game will be at 1:00 p.m. and the Boys’ consolation game at 3:00 p.m. The Girls’ Championship Game will be at 5:00 p.m. and the Boys’ Championship Game at 7:00 p.m. The gate fees for the final games on Saturday will be $2 per student, $3 per adult, or $10 per family.

Athletes and Family Members Honored at Senior Basketball Night

ACS recognized and honored four senior players on the Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ basketball teams, two team managers, and their parents in a special ceremony on Tuesday, February 11. The ceremony was held between the Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity home games against Gloucester County Christian School.

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner introduced the team members and read notes of special thanks to each player written by Varsity Boys’ Coach Dan Carney and Varsity Girls’ Coach Kaylee Breunig. The following seniors players and managers were honored: Emily Kelley, Ashleigh Martin (Varsity Girls’ team manager), Ben Noble, Dan Roland, Mark Rosie, and Ping-yu (Alex) Wang (Varsity Boys’ team manager).

  • Senior Mark Rosie
  • Senior Dan Roland
  • Senior Emily Kelley
  • Senior Ben Noble
  • Senior Ashleigh Martin

MS Basketball Teams Finish 1st & 2nd in Atlantic Cape Jr. High League

The ACS Middle School Girls’ Basketball team, holding the first place trophy at the Jan. 25 Pilgrim Academy middle school basketball tournament.

The Middle School Girls’ and Boys’ basketball teams wrapped up excellent seasons, with the girls finishing in first and the boys in second place in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. Both teams also took first place in a middle school tournament on January 25 hosted by Pilgrim Academy.

The ACS Middle School Boys’ Basketball team won first place at the Jan. 25 Pilgrim Academy tournament, that featured six area boys’ middle school teams.

The MS Girls’ team, in its second year under head coach and 2007 ACS alumnus Grant Miller, finished 10-3 overall. The MS Boys’ team, under head coach Lee Martin who is also in his 2nd year, also finished 10-3. The final games of the season were played at home against Assumption Regional Catholic School, with the boys winning their game and the girls losing, their only league loss of the season.

“We’re very proud of the way our players worked together and supported each other,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. “The skills of the players steadily improved and they showed exemplary character and sportsmanship throughout the season.”

The 15 members of the MS Girls’ team were: Riley Cook, Sophia Costello, Gianna Flynn, Sophia Johnson, Rebecca Kelley, Evangelina Kim, Ryleigh Martin, Kendall Murphy, Taylor Murphy, Alicia O’Donnell, Ruth Oke, Skyler Shivers, Kayaha Smalls, Taylor Sutton, and Anyae Welch.

The 14 members of the MS Boys’ team were: John Cook, Calvin Costello, Charlie Costello, Judah Dawkins, Jayden Dixon, Jackson Gayeski, Noah Gibbs, Ethan Haynes, Emmanuel Johnson, Caden Kim, Chase Leach, Joseph McCrae, Jayden Sanchez, and Adam Schlundt.