Post Tagged with: "8th Grade Blessing Ceremony"

8th Grade Blessing Ceremony — A Time of Thanksgiving and Prayer

ACS celebrated the many achievements of our sixty-six 8th grade students, the largest 8th grade class in the school’s 52-year history, and offered prayers of encouragement and affirmation at a “Blessing Ceremony” on June 13 in the school’s gymnasium. Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen welcomed and thanked the parents and families for choosing a Christian education founded on a Biblical worldview and encouraged the students to strengthen their relationship with the Lord as they move into high school.

“I pray today, and over this summer, that you make up your mind to be steadfast in your relationship with the Lord and with your future education,” Oblen said. “Remember the importance of a strong start, the importance of persevering through, even when it’s hard, and to run the race with endurance and to finish well.”

The ceremony then got underway the way every school day begins — with the reciting of pledges to the American flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible and with prayer. Three 8th graders — Joshua Maxwell, Alexis Shropshire, and Kaylee Tardif — led the pledges and Cylas Finx gave the opening prayer. The Valedictorian of the Class of 2023, Paige Noble, then gave a challenge to the 8th graders —  to use your talents and abilities to glorify God and “to focus on what God thinks about you, and not what your classmates think about you.”

Two middle school teachers participated in the program to give parting words of advice. Social studies teacher Amy Parker and literature teacher Linda Stiteler encouraged the students to seek God’s purpose for their lives and to let Him guide their steps as they move on to high school.

Oblen and Upper School Principal Meg McHale presided over the presentation of scholarships and awards that recognized students for their accomplishments in academics, citizenship, and displaying Christian character. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner presented students with physical fitness awards.

On behalf of the Parent-Teacher Fellowship, PTF President Terry Vogel presented a devotional and a gift card to 16 students in the class who had attended ACS since kindergarten.  Vogel said the gifts were a way of saying thank you to the families who had made a long-term commitment to Christian education. Vogel also announced the winners of the PTF Christian Service Scholarship, an essay-writing contest that focused on the question — what does Jesus say about serving others and what impact has serving others made on your life? She noted that 22 students submitted very well-written essays and the PTF board decided to give each student a $100 credit to apply toward tuition next year.

After the students received their awards and certificates of completion, a quartet of 8th graders from the Middle School Worship Team — Ashlee Alford, Abigail Kelley, Isabella Santos, and Rowynn Shevlin — performed a soulful rendition of “Make Room,” followed by the middle school faculty and staff surrounding the students seated on the stage as faculty member Dan Vasquez offered a prayer of blessing. After remarks from Principal McHale, 8th grader Luke Odell closed the program in prayer.

Following is a list of the special awards and scholarships that were presented to students in the 8th grade class:

  • Highest Overall GPA — Kalee Tardif
  • Academic Subject Awards for Highest Grade Point Average — Lily Boyle and Natalia Flores in Bible; Aiden Cortes in CP Literature; Sophia Capito in Honors Literature, Writing; Garrett Martin in Social Studies; Natalia Flores in Algebra 1; Ryan Utoff in Honors Algebra 1; and Isabella Santos and Shelby Tomlinson in PE.
  • Highest Honors, earning a 3.8 or higher GPA — Lily Boyle, Sophia Capito, Josiah Christmon, Aiden Cortes, Cylas Finx, Natalia Flores, Mackenzie Flynn, Victoria Hines, Tanner Koob, Gracie Leon, Kiara Loo, Garrett Martin, Heather Milstead, Alex Newhall, James Nixon, Luke Odell, Anna Rice, Emilee Richards, Isabella Santos, Rowynn Shevlin, Alexis Shropshire, John Smith, Kalee Tardif, Nathanael Thompson, Paige Uthoff, and Ryan Utoff.
  • High Honors, earning a 3.5-3.79 GPA — Ashlee Alford, Stephanie Ballester, Gabriel Correa, Annalena DiMaio, Zahir Hollis, Lucy Huff, Kylie Jackson, Abigail Kelley, Bryce Mooney, Luca Sullivan, Shelby Tomlinson, and Alexis Uthoff.
  • Citizenship Award (for service to others and to the school) — Sophia Capito and Josiah Christmon
  • COMPASS Award (for consistently displaying the fruits of the Spirit in their personal and spiritual life) — Aiden Cortes and Gracie Leon
  • Cougar Award (given to one boy and one girl who have played at least 2 sports and have demonstrated Christian character, leadership, and responsibility in athletics, who are returning to ACS for 9th grade) — Ethan Costello and Kalee Tardif. ACS will pay the full athletic fee for each student for one Varsity sport.
  • Parent-Teacher Fellowship Christian Service Scholarship — 1st place tie: Annalena DiMaio and Mackenzie Flynn, $400 scholarship; 2nd place: Alex Newhall, $250 scholarship; 3rd place: Jadelyn Ramos, $100 scholarship. Scholarships will be applied to their 9th grade tuition.

Congratulations future class of 2027! Photo credit: John Loreaux.

 

Blessing Ceremony Celebrates 8th Grade Class, With Prayer for their Future

ACS celebrated the accomplishments of forty-four 8th grade students, the largest 8th grade class in the school’s 51-year history, and prayed for God to guide and direct them as they begin a new chapter in high school at a “Blessing Ceremony” on Tuesday, June 14 in the school’s gymnasium. Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen welcomed and thanked the parents and families for choosing a Christian education founded and based on a Biblical worldview.

Three 8th graders — David O’Donnell, Sophia Costello, and Victoria Dade — led the pledges to the American flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible. Following prayer by Amelia D’Anna, the Valedictorian of the Class of 2022, Elizabeth Alford, gave a challenge to the 8th graders — to honor God in everything they do and to spend time in God’s Word to embolden and deepen their faith.

Two middle school teachers participated in the program to give parting words of advice. Math teacher George Dickson and social studies teacher Amy Parker (whose son, Elliott was also in the class) encouraged the students to seek God’s purpose for their lives and to let Him guide their steps as they move on to high school.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale and Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen presided over the presentation of scholarship and awards that recognized students for their accomplishments in academics, citizenship, community service, and displaying exemplary Christian character. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner also presented a number of students with fitness awards.

On behalf of the Parent Teacher Fellowship, PTF President Terry Vogel presented a devotional and a gift card to 10 students in the class who had attended ACS since kindergarten — Alexis Andujar, Angela Awad, Victoria Dade, Amelia D’Anna, Marley Odell, Caden Kim, Austin Salcedo, Graham Schlemo, Elijah Weiler, and Anyae Welch. Vogel said the gifts were a way of saying thank you to the families who had made a long-term commitment to Christian education. Vogel also announced the winners of the PTF Christian Service Scholarship, an essay-writing contest that focused on the question — what does Jesus say about serving others and what impact has serving others made on your life?  She noted that 15 students submitted very well-written essays and the PTF board was so impressed with every essay that they decided to give every student who participated a small gift.

 

After students received their awards and certificates of completion, members of the Middle School Worship team presented special music, performing “Different,” followed by the faculty and staff surrounding the students seated on the stage for a prayer of blessing. After remarks from Principal McHale, 8th grader Rowlee Murphy closed the program in prayer.

Following is a list of the special awards and scholarships that were presented to students in the 8th grade class:

Gabriella Goodwin, Highest Average GPA

Highest Overall GPA — Gabriella Goodwin
Academic Subject Awards for Highest Average
— Gabriella Goodwin in Bible, Honors Language Arts, Integrated Science, Social Studies, and Honors Algebra 1; Benjamin Smith in CP Language Arts and Algebra 1; Sophia Costello and Jeriko Thomas in PE.
Highest Honors, earning a 3.8 or higher GPA — Justin Basso, Amelia D’Anna, Sonja Elliott, Caden Kim, Gabriella Goodwin, Lydia McCarthy, Rowlee Murphy, Adley Palermo, Elliot Parker, Austin Salcedo, Benjamin Smith, Jeriko Thomas, and Anyae Welsh
High Honors, earning a 3.5-3.79 GPA — Calvin Costello, Marley Odell, David O’Donnell, and Chloe Weyman
Citizenship Award (for service to others and to the school) — Adley Palermo and Elliot Parker
COMPASS Award (for consistently displaying the fruits of the Spirit in their personal and spiritual life) — Lydia McCarthy and Jeriko Thomas
Cougar Award (given to one boy and one girl who have demonstrated Christian character, leadership, and responsibility in athletics, who are returning to ACS for 9th grade) — Gianna Flynn and David O’Donnell. ACS will pay the full athletic fee for each student for one Varsity sport.
Parent-Teacher Fellowship Scholarship — Gabriella Goodwin, 1st place, $400 scholarship; Jeriko Thomas, 2nd place, $250 scholarship; Caden Kim and Benjamin Smith tied for third place, $100 scholarship. Scholarships will be applied to their 9th grade tuition.

CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of the 2022 8th Grade Blessing Ceremony. Photo credit: John Loreaux.

 

 

 

ACS Prays for God’s Direction and Guidance for 8th Grade Students at Blessing Ceremony

ACS celebrated the accomplishments and prayed for God’s direction and guidance for twenty-seven 8th grade students at a “Blessing Ceremony” on Thursday, June 10 in the school’s gymnasium.

The ceremony began with Seth Phillips, Ava Nixon, and Adam Schlundt leading the pledges to the American flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible. Following prayer by Isabell Alford, ACS senior and valedictorian of the Class of 2021, Sydney Pearson, gave a challenge to the class, giving them specific tips on ways they can grower stronger in their Christian faith.

Before the presentation of scholarships and awards by Upper School Principal Meg McHale and Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, middle school math teacher George Dixon and Bible teacher Grant Miller shared advice and heartfelt farewells to the class. A number of students were recognized for their accomplishments in academics, citizenship, community service, and displaying exemplary Christian character. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner presented a number of students with Presidential Fitness Awards.

On behalf of the Parent Teacher Fellowship, PTF President Terry Vogel presented a devotional and a gift card to 4 students who had attended ACS since kindergarten — Rebecca DiMaio, Aine Dorsey, Seth Phillips, and Makayla Tomlinson. Mrs. Vogel said the gifts were a way of saying thank you to the families who had made a long-term commitment to Christian education.

After students received their awards and certificates of completion, a quarter of high school students on the Praise and Worship team delivered a powerful rendition of “The Blessing,” by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Elevation Music.  Members of the Middle School faculty then began a new tradition by coming forward to stand among the students where they were seated on stage to prayer over them and ask for God’s blessing and protection. Faculty member Amy Parker led the faculty prayer of blessing. After remarks from Upper School Principal Meg McHale, 8th grader Rebecca DiMaio closed the ceremony in prayer.

Following is a list of the special awards and scholarships that were presented to students in the 8th grade class:

  • Academic Subject Awards for Highest Average — Isabell Alford in PE and Bible; Charlie Costello in PE; Sophia Johnson in Bible, Honors Language Arts, Integrated Science, Social Studies, and Algebra 1; Justin Schlundt in Language; Taylor Sutton in Bible, Integrated Science, and Social Studies; and Mikayla Tomlinson in Language Arts and Pre Algebra.
  • Highest Honors, earning a 3.8 or higher GPA — Isabell Alford, Alexander Deliivanov, Aine Dorsey, Sophia Johnson, Alek Stein, and Taylor Sutton
  • High Honors, earning a 3.5-3.79 GPA — CJ Ford and Ava Nixon
  • Citizenship Award, for service to others and to the school — Isabell Alford
  • COMPASS Award, in recognition of outstanding character and Christian testimony — Justin Schlundt and Makayla Tomlinson
  • Cougar Award, given to a boy and girl student who has demonstrated Christian character, leadership, and responsibility in athletics — Isabell Alford and Charlie Costello
  • Parent Teacher Fellowship Scholarship, for the best essays on what Jesus says about serving others and how their experiences at ACS have incorporated service — Taylor Sutton, 1st place; Rebecaa DiMaio and Makayla Tomlinson tied for 2nd place

CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of the 8th Grade Blessing Ceremony.

Blessing Ceremony on July 16 Recognizes Accomplishments of 8th Grade Class

ACS celebrated the accomplishments of twenty-two 8th grade students at the 8th Grade Blessing Ceremony on Thursday, July 16 held outdoors on the school campus grounds and also live-streamed on the ACS YouTube channel.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen welcomed family members, staff, and friends to the ceremony and 8th grader Evangelina Kim offered the opening prayer. Oblen thanked parents for recognizing the importance  of a Christian education and encouraged each student to build on the spiritual foundation provided at ACS.

“I pray that God’s Word has been firmly rooted in your hearts, that those seeds that have planted here are watered and that God causes them to grow,” Oblen said. “I pray that you remember that God loves you more than anything. That He’s got you back; that He’s your rear guard; that He goes before you and behind you, and that He will never leave you or forsake you.”

The valedictorian of the Class of 2020, Ashleigh Martin, gave a challenge to the students as they move on to high school to cling to God and turn to Him in prayer. “Wherever you go for these next four years, trust in God and His plan for your life and you will prosper in everything you do,” Martin said.

Before the presentation of awards and promotion certificates by Upper School Principal Meg McHale and Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, middle school teachers George Dickson and Lisa Dye (on behalf of Sara Coates who could not attend) shared advice and heartfelt farewells to the class.

A number of students were recognized for their accomplishments in academics, physical fitness, citizenship, Christian character, and leadership. On behalf of the Parent Teacher Fellowship, Upper School Principal McHale recognized three students who had attended ACS since kindergarten — Jackson Gayeski, Michaela Schlemo, and Noelle Thompson — and following the ceremony they were given a devotional and a gift card. Staff members Kelly Flynn and Bill Smallwood performed a vocal duet of  “The Blessing” and 8th grader Noah Gibbs closed the ceremony in prayer.

Following is a list of the special awards and scholarships that were announced for students in the 8th grade class:

  • Academic Awards for Highest GPA in Bible, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education — Evangelina Kim and Noelle Thompson (Bible); Ryleigh Martin (Language Arts, Honors Algebra 1, and Social Studies); Zachary Fosbenner (Pre-Algebra); Noelle Thompson (Science); Ryleigh Martin and Ethan Haynes (Physical Education). Eleven students were recognized for earning Highest Honors on the Honor Roll, achieving a 3.8 or higher GPA, and two students earned High Honors, achieving a 3.5-3.79 GPA.
  • Citizenship Award, for service to others and to the school — Zachary Fosbenner and Lillian VanAcker.
  • COMPASS Award, for displaying the fruits of the spirit in everyday life  — Noah Gibbs and Evangelina Kim.
  • Cougar Award, given to a boy and girl student returning to ACS for high school who has demonstrated Christian character, leadership, responsibility and commitment to athletics ($250 each) — Emmanuel (Manny) Johnson and Rebecca Kelley.
  • Parent-Teacher Fellowship Scholarship, for the best essays on the topic — “How has ACS prepared you for the unusual circumstances we faced over the past few months and how has it prepared you for the future?”  — Rebecca Kelley, 1st place ($400); Ryleigh Martin, 2nd place ($250); and Evangelina Kim, 3rd place ($100).

CLICK HERE to watch the video of the 8th grade ceremony on YouTube.

CLICK HERE for the photo gallery on the ACS website of the 8th grade ceremony. Photo credits: John Loreaux.

ACS to Hold Outdoor Commencement and 8th Grade Blessing Ceremony on School Campus

ACS will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2020 at an outdoor commencement ceremony on the school campus on Wednesday, July 8 and will hold an 8th Grade Blessing Ceremony on Friday, July 10. Both ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. and are ticketed events limited in capacity due to COVID-19 regulations.

“We are so thankful that we are now able to hold in-person ceremonies to recognize and honor our Class of 2020 and our 8th grade students,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We are looking forward to coming together with our ACS families to celebrate and give thanks to God for His faithfulness throughout this extraordinarily challenging school year.”

Seniors are receiving 4 reserved tickets for front section seating and 10 additional tickets for general seating in the parking lot in front of the school building. Eighth grade students are receiving 4 reserved front section tickets and 6 general seating tickets. Chairs will be provided for the 4 front section seats, but guests holding the general seating tickets are asked to bring their own chairs. Only those holding a ticket to the ceremonies will be able to attend, with limited attendance by ACS faculty and staff. Social distancing is expected to be followed throughout these events.

Families can pick up their allotted tickets for these ceremonies in the school office starting on Thursday, July 2. Additional important details about the ceremonies were emailed to parents and guardians by Upper School Principal Meg McHale on June 30.

Those who are unable to attend the ceremonies in person will be able to watch them online. Both ceremonies will be live streamed on the Atlantic Christian School YouTube Channel.  Please click on the links below to watch the ceremonies live on YouTube:

CLICK HERE to watch the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020.

CLICK HERE to watch the 8th Grade Blessing Ceremony.