Legacy Gala

ACS 6th Annual Legacy Gala Highlights – March 29, 2019

   

Actor Kirk Cameron, the teenage heart-throb Mike Seaver from the ‘80s hit show “Growing Pains” and star of the Left Behind series, Fireproof, and dozens of other TV shows and movies, was the keynote speaker at Atlantic Christian School’s 6th annual Legacy Gala on Friday, March 29 at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel in Atlantic City.

Atlantic Christian Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, joined by several students on stage, presented Cameron with an original painting by 12th grade ACS student Rebekah Darragh of Egg Harbor Township with a plaque congratulating him for his exemplary legacy of faith and service over the past 34 years. “Mr. Cameron has lived his life with a focused and resolute commitment to serving God with the gifts and abilities he has been given,” Oblen said. “Our school family and friends in the community have been inspired and encouraged by his faith story and his passion for spiritual revival in our country.”

Kirk Cameron with the original painting by ACS senior Rebekah Darragh, gifted by ACS and inspired by Cameron’s ministry with Camp Firefly.

The painting gifted to Cameron depicts three young people seated around a campfire in a forest setting with the Bible verse from Matthew 18:20 written in script above – “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 12th grader Solomon Griffith of Ocean City, who introduced Cameron during the Gala, noted that the painting was inspired by Cameron’s important ministry with Camp Firefly, an all-expenses-paid summer camp for terminally ill children and their families located in Georgia.

During his remarks to nearly 300 guests at the Gala, Cameron shared the experiences that led to his conversion from being an atheist to accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age 17, during the height of his “Growing Pains” fame. “I can tell you that of all the things I’ve ever done in my life, of all the people that I’ve met, all the cool places that I’ve been, that there’s nothing in the world that is more important today than the joy of knowing Christ and of being in a right relationship with my maker,” Cameron said.

Cameron spoke to ACS 6th-12th grade students at their Friday afternoon chapel, just hours before the Legacy Gala event.

In addition to sharing his Christian testimony at the Gala, Cameron said he enjoyed having the opportunity to worship with and speak to Atlantic Christian students at their 6th-12th grade chapel earlier that afternoon. “If I lived here, this is the kind of school that I would put my kids in,” said Cameron, who has six children, three of whom are teenagers.

Over the years, Cameron’s faith has inspired him to be involved in documentaries and movies that have given hope and inspiration, shared the message of the gospel, and even provided a historical perspective on the important contributions of the Pilgrims to America, as told in his film “Monumental.”

Cameron spoke passionately about the focus of that film, a little-known, 81-foot-high granite monument located in Massachusetts near Plymouth Rock, known as the “National Monument to the Forefathers.” He described the Pilgrims as “out of the box, free-thinking, trail-blazing Christians” and that their legacy as depicted in the national monument provides the “secret sauce” or roadmap for helping America return to its Biblical, faith-based foundation for morals, laws, and education. “One part of this monument shows that when you educate your children with a Biblical worldview, the product will be liberty and freedom,” Cameron said.

Kirk Cameron presented Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen with a replica of the “National Monument to the Forefathers,” located in Plymouth, MA.

Cameron had 500 replica statues made of the monument and presented Oblen with one of them, thanking her “for your devotion and your passion for educating the next generation.” Cameron said he has also given the monument replica statue, which stands 14 inches high, to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and to other school principals, pastors, and people across America involved in shaping hearts and minds.

In addition to Cameron’s keynote address, the Gala program included oral and musical presentations by ACS students and Board Chair Doug Pearson announced the 2019 Servant’s Heart Award recipients. 12th grader Caraline Winkel of Egg Harbor Township opened the Gala program with prayer. The “Take Note” high school vocal ensemble, led by Choral and Instrumental Music Director Jaron Beadle, gave an uplifting performance of Lauren Daigle’s “Love Like This” and “Better Is One Day” by Matt Redman. The ensemble recently had the memorable experience of performing at Daigle’s sold-out concert in Carnegie Hall as part of a select choir. The ensemble members were: Elizabeth Alford (EHT), Asher Dawkins (Somers Point), Emily Elgersma (Cape May Courhouse), Amy (Hyewon) Ki (Galloway), Rebekah Kimmerley (EHT), Shermia Liggins (Mays Landing), Ashleigh Martin (Mays Landing), Ayolola Oguntuase (EHT), Sydney Pearson (EHT), and Imohimi Unuigbe (EHT).

Seniors Rebekah Darragh and Julia (Jia Wei) Wong presented their winning essays that described a platform, gift, or ability that God has given them to use to impact others for Christ. Rebekah spoke about her abilities as an artist and her career goal to bless others through the field of art therapy. Julia, an international student from Malaysia who resides with a host family in Sea Isle City, talked about how her fluency in different languages, including Malaysian, Mandarin, and English, has given her opportunities to share her faith with others.

ACS seniors participated in the Gala Program. From left: Caraline Winkel, Jia Wei “Julia” Wong, Rebekah Darragh, and Solomon Griffith, who introduced Cameron.
CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of the 2019 Legacy Gala.

Thank You to Our Gala Sponsors, Advertisers, and Silent Auction Donors

Gold Sponsors Bob and Mary Jane Dye John and Sue Shirk Silver Sponsors
Adams-Perfect Funeral Home C. Costello Roof & Solar Lisa Dye Glory Road Memorials Gary and Sharon Griffith Peter and Carole Karabashian Tom and Sherri McNulty, Sr.
Bronze Sponsors Atlantic City Electric, an Exelon Company Todd and Sarah Chamberlain Chick-fil-A Fire Road Erco Ceilings and Interiors Hutchinson Mechanical Olympic Physical Therapy Sadia’s Tea and Coffee Xpress Electronic Services, Kemp and Rita Cook Supporters Englewood Company Richard and Janice Garrett Dr. David and Lauren Gayeski Christina Kha Photography John and Shirley Landgraf Chip and Lynn Shotwell, III South Jersey Yacht Sales Tilton Fitness, Galloway and Northfield Advertisers Action Uniform Company – AtlantiCare Health System, Member of Geisinger – Berger Realty, Kevin Halliday – Brayces Orthodontics – Brickworks Dental – Cairn University – Clayton D. Simpson, CPA, – Clayton’s Self Storage – CRA Financial – D’Amato Law Firm – Dixon Associates Engineering – Edward Jones Investments, Jason S. Kiefer Financial Advisor – “Faith on the Field Show,” 610 ESPN Philadelphia, 107.5 Alive – Gentilini Motors – Glenn Insurance – Guthrie Glass and Mirror – Paul Hodson, Mayor, Egg Harbor Township – Integra Realty Resources – Coastal NJ – JC Custom Builder, Jim Cox – John Steelman and Elizabeth Steelman Foundation – Keller Williams Atlantic Shore, Arzum Sanchez – Law Office of Raymond N. Beebe – Law Office of Dennis A. Scardilli –  Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive – LPL Financial, Christian Loeb,  CFP – McHugh’s Primo Pizza – Michael Popadich Tax Preparation – Mill Cabinet Local 252 – Mrs. Hoffman’s Mechanicals – “Music and Message with Deb Moore” Radio Program, LiftFM – New U Life, Michelle Manseau Consultant – Ocean City Tabernacle – Ocean First Bank – Ole Hansen & Sons – Sadia’s Tea and Coffee – Strive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation – Thunderbolt Automotive Restorations & Customs – Wire Wiz Electrician Services – “Your Family Matters” Radio Program, WFYL 1180AM Silent Auction Donors Ain’t She Sweet Candy Shoppe, Cape May Courthouse – Applebee’s Atlantic City Aquarium – Atlantic City Atlantic City Blackjacks AFL Football Team – Barefoot Trading Company – Bennie’s Bread, Ocean City – Borgata Hotel, Casino, & Spa – Atlantic City Boy Scout Troop 389 – CAMFAM Studios, CA – Cape May Whale Watcher, Cape May – Castaway Cove, Ocean City – Chido Burrito, Northfield – Copiers Plus, Northfield – Crab Trap, Northfield – Creation Museum, Petersburg, KY – Curly’s Fries, Ocean City – Dino’s Deli, Egg Harbor Township – DR Mission: Building Houses…Building Relationships – Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE – El Coyote Restaurant, Egg Harbor Township – Enchant Hair Boutique, Linwood – Envy Nail Salon, Egg Harbor Township – Escape At the Shore, Northfield – Esthetica Salon, Northfield – Fai’s Chinese Restaurant, Ocean View – Flyers Skate Zone, Atlantic City – Fudge Kitchen, Ocean City – Gaspare’s Italian Bistro, Egg Harbor Township – Get Air Trampoline Park, Mays Landing – Greate Bay Country Club, Somers Point – Golf Hospital and Driving Range, Northfield – Hammonton Skating Center, Hammonton – Hand Stone Massage & Facial Spa, Somers Point – Harbor Pines Golf Club, Egg Harbor Township – It’s Sugar, Ocean City – Johnson’s Popcorn, Ocean City – Katina’s Kosmos Restaurant & Pub, Galloway – King Pin Bowling, Egg Harbor Township – Klingert Family Chiropractic Center, Egg Harbor Township – La Cucina Ristorante, Northfield – La PizzaTega, Linwood –  Levoy Theater, Millville – Liberty Escape Rooms, Ocean City – Living Well Chiropractic Center, Egg Harbor Township – The Lomangino Family – Longwood Gardens, PA – LuLaRoe — Jennifer Fortucci – McCullough’s Emerald Links, Egg Harbor Township – Melaleuca — Carrie Jorgenson – Micchelli’s Pizza, Egg Harbor Township – Morey’s Piers, Wildwood – Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC – National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA – OC Waterpark, Ocean City – Ocean City Coffee Company, Ocean City – Origami Owl — Lisa Weihbrecht – Paint Happy Studio, Somers Point – Pampered Chef — Karen Noble – Panera Bread – Passion Vines, Egg Harbor Township – Perfectly Posh — Angela Lushina – Philadelphia Soul, Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia Pretzel Factory – Playland’s Castaway Cove, Ocean City – Quick Bites Food Court, Resorts Casino, Atlantic City – Ricciardi Brothers — The Paint People – Ritz Theater Company, Haddon Township – Rodan & Fields — Krisanne Breunig – Sadia’s Tea and Coffee, Egg Harbor Township – Shore Diner, Northfield – Shore Local Newspaper – Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy, Ocean City – Sight and Sound Theater, Lancaster, PA – Soldiers For Faith – Sports Clips, Somers Point – Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Township – Sunset Nails, Tuckerton – Tastefully Simple — Kim Harris – The Pines at Clermont Golf, Cape May Courthouse – Thirty-One Gifts — Jessica Martin – Tilton Fitness, Galloway – Tony Beef, Galloway – Tony P’s House of Pie, Ocean City – Towne and Country Cafe, Egg Harbor Township –  Truth Over Trend – Truth that Rocks Bookstore, Northfield – Varsity Inn, Ocean City – Wawa Foundation – Walt’s Original Primo Pizza, Egg Harbor Township – Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville – Young’s Skating Center, Mays Landing – Younique — Patty Rosie

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