An enthusiastic group of 103 golfers turned out on May 5 to participate in the ACS 2022 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point and helped raise nearly $46,000 for the school’s educational programs and scholarships. This year’s event was the school’s 17th golf fundraiser since 1999.
Nestled amidst a week of rainy days, the golfers enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day on the course. The golfers included school parents, grandparents, local pastors, alumni, alumni parents, business owners, and several ACS staff members and high school students. As the golfers got ready for the tournament, school parent Jeff Montemurro donated his services as a physical therapist to provide athletic stretching to prevent injuries. The golfers then went on to compete in several contests at different holes throughout the day, including a very popular putting contest, which resulted in a six-way tie that led to a putt-off.
After the tournament, golfers were joined by family members and friends to enjoy a Cinco-de-Mayo-themed Appetizer Reception, Dinner, and Silent Auction in the clubhouse. The dinner tables were colorfully decorated and featured paintings of flowers, trees, Armenian crosses or khatchkars, and other original artwork created by 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th,and 9th grade students in Mrs. Mirakian’s and Mrs. Scardilli’s art classes.
11th grader Reyna Lewis welcomed everyone to the dinner and gave the invocation. Lewis and four other high school students — Maddie DeNick, Tommy Ellison, Moges Johnson, and Cruz Lewis — served as volunteers at the tournament throughout the day. As dinner got underway, several golfers competed in the putt-off contest as dinner guests looked on and cheered. Beacon Evangelical Free Church senior pastor Pete Nelson took first place and received two tickets to a 2022-2023 Philadelphia 76ers basketball game next season, donated by ACS parents Scott and Michelle Johnson.
After dinner, the guests watched a new video that focused on the school’s spiritual emphasis theme — “Deeply Rooted” — and featured interviews with ACS students and alumni talking about how their educational experience at ACS has enabled them to be rooted in their relationship with Christ and in their knowledge of God’s Word. Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen followed up by talking about the four pillars of a Christian education, which included incorporating a Biblical worldview into every subject taught.
“We thank you for your support and pray that you would consider partnering with us in the future as we continue to educate and train up our students in the Lord,” Oblen said. Board of Directors member George Quinn, who was a high school teacher at ACS for 10 years during the 1980s, spoke about the vital importance of Christian education in training up young people to be a light in their community and encouraged the dinner guests to make a donation to support the school’s ministry.
The Silent Auction, held during the reception and dinner, raised $6,455, slightly more than last year’s auction, according to Silent Auction Committee Chair PJ Santos. “We are very grateful to our school parents who donated to create wonderful gift baskets for the auction and to other volunteers who helped us obtain so many donations from local businesses,” Santos said. ACS Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz recognized and thanked the golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and staff for helping make the Cougar Classic event a success and closed the program in prayer.
CLICK HERE to view a video recap of photos from the Golf Tournament.
Congratulations to the golfers who took home the top prizes:
1st place foursome: Nate Acito, Damien Correa, Josh Kelley, and Duane Nixon
2nd place foursome: Frank Dominici, Mike Reynolds, Larry Ross, and Bob Wihelm
3rd place foursome: Ed Hale, Ed Kozmor, Chris Locatelle, and Dan Mitchell, of the Mitchell Realty Group
4th place foursome: Jeff Bennett, Owen Homeny, Ken Meredith, and Oserdahl
Closest to the Pin, Hole #3: Jen DiMaio and Drew Carney
Longest Drive, Hole #7: Jen DiMaio and Josh Kelley
1st Place, Putting Contest: Pete Nelson
Thank you to our Golfer Prize Donors:
Aaron Bada’s Golf & Sport Performance Club
Avalon Golf Club
Ballamor Golf Club
Greate Bay Country Club
Harbor Pines Golf Club
The Johnson Family
Linwood Country Club
Stone Harbor Golf Club
Twisted Dune Golf Club
CLICK HERE for more photos and information about the May 5 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament.
ACS marked the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5 with a special time of all-school prayer at the start of the school day. Students, teachers, and staff from kindergarten to the 12th grade came out of their classrooms into the first and second floor hallways to stand in unity during the time of prayer and preschool students and teachers gathered in the gym.
The ACS school family is invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Christian School Association on Monday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Light refreshments will be served. The Association is the foundational organization of the school and all K-12 parents who have agreed with the school’s Statement of Faith, as well as faculty and staff, are Association members. Faculty and staff are required to attend.
ACS is offering eight specialized one- and two-week summer camps in July and August in theater arts, STEM, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, and softball for students in grades K-12. Space is limited, so please register early. The cost of each camp ranges from $100 to $200 per camp and a minimum of 5 students must be registered for a camp to be offered. The Camp Schedule was sent home with K-6th grade students and is posted on the ACS website.
ACS will be the site of a new Community Farmers Market this summer to be held on Saturday mornings from June 18 to August 27, except for July 2. Farmers, food providers, artists, crafters, and nonprofits are welcome to sign up as vendors. The application to register to be a vendor is online and the fee is $25 for one 10′ x 17′ vendor space.
Now midway into their seasons, the Middle School Boys’ Baseball team is undefeated with a 4-0 record and the Middle School Girls’ Softball team has a strong 5-2 winning record in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. Both teams will play St. Joe’s at home on Monday afternoon. Come on out and cheer our teams to victory.
Students in Mrs. Jackson’s and Mr. Tardif’s 4th grade classes recently built large dioramas depicting the living environments of two people groups in New Jersey in the 1600s – the Lenape Native American tribe and the early European settlers. The dioramas were on display in April on tables in a 1st floor hallway near the school library. History class for students in the 4th grade focuses on the rich history of New Jersey.
Join us for the last ACS Spirit Day of this school year at Texas Roadhouse in Egg Harbor Township on Wednesday, May 25 from 4 p.m. to closing. All proceeds will benefit ACS Athletics.
We love our grandparents! Join us on Friday, May 20 as our students take the opportunity to show their love and appreciation to the special grandparents in their lives. Activities will include a student-led Appreciation Chapel and classroom visits. Invitations were mailed to grandparents in mid-April. To enable our staff and teachers to plan for the event, we are asking that grandparents please RSVP by Monday, May 16 to let us know that you will be attending.
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: John (Tony) Polcini (’89), Byron Nelson (’09), Amy Nelson (’09), Ethan Hoover (’13), Solomon Griffith (’19), and Ashleigh Martin (’20). Profiles of many more ACS alumni can be found on the “Alumni News” page of the ACS website under “News and Events.”
John (Tony) Polcini (’89) is dipping his toe into the political arena for the first time, running for an at-large position on the Ocean City Council in the upcoming May 10, 2022 election. He is running with incumbents Peter Madden and Karen Bergman, and all three have the support of incumbent Mayor Jay Gillian. Tony is a lifelong resident of Ocean City and owner of the former Tony P’s House of Pie on the Ocean City Boardwalk, which closed in 2019. He first learned the pizzeria business working for many years under Frank and Kay Manco of Manco & Manco Pizza. Tony has also worked as a patient advocate at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and is currently a salesman for a paper supply company in Vineland. Tony credits his father, Dominick Polcini, with teaching him the importance of having a strong work ethic. In a March 3, 2022 Ocean City Sentinel article, Tony said he is taking a “family-first approach to community politics” and that he “knows that speaking from the perspective of family values as a voice on council will hopefully help keep the people of Ocean City in the forefront of those who make the decisions.” Tony and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, and have been long-time active members of Mission Point Church in Somers Point.
Byron Nelson (’09) recently completed his third year as the Boys’ Basketball Head Coach at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing with a very successful winning season, finishing 15-9 overall and in 2nd place in the Cape Atlantic League with a 10-5 record. Byron has also continued to teach health and PE at ACIT. He graduated from Kean University in 2016 with a BS in communication recreation administration. Prior to working at ACIT, Byron worked at Winslow Township High School and at ACS, as a fitness trainer and running basketball clinics. In 2019, Byron married ACS classmate Amy Vogel Nelson (’09). Amy earned her BA in elementary education from Stockton University in 2013. She returned to ACS in 2015 to serve as the Extended Care Director and then became an elementary teacher. Amy and Byron reside in Northfield and worship at Coastal Christian in Ocean City. They have one son, Cameron, and are expecting a second son in August 2022.
Ethan Hoover (’13) is the creative director at Coastal Christian in Ocean City, overseeing video and audio production. In January 2022, he launched the “Rechurched” podcast with Coastal Christian teaching pastor Matt Maher. Ethan also just tied the knot on April 29, 2022, marrying Sage Thomas. He graduated from Regent University in 2017 with a BS in business marketing. Ethan and his brother, Blair, are co-owners of Hoover Collective, a company they started in 2018 that offers web design services. In 2018, Ethan also founded Driftr Media LLC, a media company that specializes in creating visuals for social campaigns and brands. Ethan also uses his creative talents working for OverWear, a south Jersey non-profit that creates and distributes an inspirational clothing line.
Solomon Griffith (’19) is a junior at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, majoring in history and education. A stand-out shortstop on the ACS Varsity Baseball team, Solly was the first baseball player in school history to get 100 hits during his high school career, a milestone that is heralded on a school banner that hangs in the ACS gym. Solly received a scholarship in 2019 to attend Ursinus and play on the Men’s Baseball Team. Since his freshman year, Solly has played first base and second base and this year has batted third in the lineup. In this 2022 season, he has had a .340 batting average and had 14 RBIs. Solly starts every game and is a leader on this year’s team, which has a lot of young players. When he returns home to Ocean City this summer, you will likely find Solly working at Dockside Restaurant. Solly worships with his family at First Presbyterian Church in Ocean City.
Ashleigh Martin (’20) is a sophomore at Anderson University in South Carolina, majoring in musical theatre. She was recently chosen to work in this summer of 2022 as an actor for Generate by YM360, a ministry organization that runs Christian camps for high school students across the U.S. Ashleigh will be traveling to work at camps on different Christian college campuses in Alabama, Georgia, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Texas. During her first two years at Anderson, Ashleigh has been in the cast of two campus musicals — “Xanadu” and “Guys and Dolls.” Ashleigh also works for the school’s Admissions Department as a college ambassador, giving tours of the Arts Department, and works in the box office in the university’s Rainey Fine Arts Center. During breaks when Ashleigh comes home to Mays Landing, she can be seen back at ACS working as a substitute teacher. Ashleigh received a Presidential Fellows full tuition scholarship to Anderson, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA and made the Dean’s List every semester. She attends New Spring Church in Anderson and is involved as an actor in a church project to create videos for their children’s ministry.
Our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament is six days away and with 99 golfers now registered the entire, beautiful course at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point will be open only to ACS Tournament golfers on May 5. Donations from restaurants, spas, and entertainment venues, and get-away vacation packages will be part of the Golf Tournament Silent Auction and the auction will incorporate online bidding, allowing ACS families and friends to bid on items whether or not they are able to attend the auction in person.
Jesus is Alive! — ACS students and staff gathered on April 14 for an all-school Easter Chapel to celebrate the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the world and rose victorious to bring salvation and eternal life to mankind. Various student groups raised their voices in praise and worship with songs that joyfully told the story of the hope of salvation in Christ.
High school Bible teacher Urick Lewis presented a thoughtful message on the importance of having a humble heart of gratitude for the gift of salvation made by possible by Christ’s death and resurrection. “Christ took our place on the cross and we did not deserve it. He paid the ultimate price for us,” Lewis said. He taught from Luke 23:39-43 and contrasted the attitudes of the criminals who were crucified with Jesus — one who had a spirit of insult and entitlement, and the other who had a spirit of indebtedness. “Entitlement is the trap door to your destruction,” Lewis said, “but indebtedness is the open door to your destiny.”
Thirty-three students will be serving as the hands and feet of Jesus when they participate in two short-term missions trips over the Easter vacation. One group of 21 high school students will be serving in North Carolina and a group of 12 middle school students will be serving in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Please pray that these missions teams will be salt and light as they serve God on these trips and thank you to the family members, friends, and churches who donated to support their volunteer efforts.
High school Bible teacher Christian Delacruz was the guest speaker and focused his message on 2 Peter 1:3-4. He challenged the students to grow in their knowledge of Christ above all else and that “by believing in Christ we are given everything we need for eternal life and to live in a godly way.”
The ACS Cheer Team won first place at THE ONE Cheer and Dance Finals in the Junior High Intermediate Division held April 2-3 in Virginia Beach, Virginia — a victory that made school history and created life-long memories for the middle school and high school cheerleaders on the team and their dedicated coaches.
Over 140 middle school students enjoyed a lively evening of appetizers, desserts, a scavenger hunt, games, and line dancing on April 14 in the ACS Gym. A special candy table, donut wall, cupcake tower, and photo booth made the evening both fun and memorable.
The Varsity Baseball and Softball seasons are underway with the Varsity Softball team winning its first four Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference games and the Varsity Boys’ team posting a 1-1 record in the conference before the Easter break.
The ACS Sophomore Class is hosting a Christian Skate Night skating party on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Young’s Skating Center at 763 Park Road in Mays Landing. ACS families and friends are welcome to attend. All proceeds will benefit the Sophomore Class.
Give the gift of blood and help save a life. Make an appointment to donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Our goal is to collect 47 or more donations. Donors will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and will automatically be entered to win a new travel trailer camper that sleeps eight, courtesy of Suburban Propane.
Students in Mrs. Wilson’s geometry classes recently completed a project applying their knowledge of the Pythagorean Theorem to create spiral artwork that is on display on a second floor bulletin board.
Twenty-seven students from middle school to high school were recognized for outstanding achievement in the areas of scholarship, leadership, Christian character, and service in separate induction ceremonies in March for the National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society.
ACS inducted 17 middle school students into the National Junior Honor Society at a March 24 ceremony in the school gymnasium. It was the largest group of inductees since ACS established its chapter of the NJHS in 2012. Middle school teacher Amy Parker, the chapter advisor, and Upper School Principal Meg McHale welcomed over 100 family members and guests and congratulated the inductees for their significant achievements.
Some 180 fathers and daughters gathered in the ACS gym on March 12 for dinner, dancing, and games at the annual Butterfly Ball. Dressed in gowns and fancy dresses, many color-coordinated with their escorts, girls in kindergarten through 5th grade enjoyed the special evening hosted by the Senior Class and faculty advisors Drew Carney and Gina Wilson.
