Atlantic Christian School students dressed up in 1970s attire, sang “O Happy Day” and other worship songs made popular in the 1970s, and heard alumni speakers express their gratitude for the teachers and staff who impacted their lives at two chapels held on November 18 to mark the school’s 50th anniversary.

“In this season of gratitude, we are celebrating our 50th year anniversary and we are so thankful for God’s faithfulness to our school over the years and the dedicated Christian teachers and staff who have made a difference in the lives of more than 11,000 students who have attended ACS,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.

Oblen noted that ACS was founded in 1971 as a K-6th grade school with just 18 students and four teachers in temporary classrooms in St. John’s by the Sea Reformed Episcopal Church in Ventnor. Over the years, ACS held classes in eight churches and two public school buildings before moving to its permanent, 37-acre campus in 2004 on Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township, where now over 540 students from 6 months to the 12th grade are enrolled.

Two alumni who attended Atlantic Christian when it operated out of rented classrooms in Ocean City Baptist Church spoke at the two 50th anniversary chapels. David (DJ) Schrag, a 1998 alumnus, talked about the life-long relationships that were formed in high school with both teachers and students in his remarks at the 6th-12th grade chapel. He is pictured below at left, with Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.

“I came to Atlantic Christian in my junior year and that first day I remember meeting Mr. George Quinn, who taught Bible and chemistry,” Schrag said. “That was the beginning of a relationship that I cherish to this day, with Mr. Quinn becoming the best man at my wedding and my wife and I deciding to name our son Quinn, after his last name.” Schrag is a licensed clinical social worker who is the Director of AtlantiCare’s Adult Outpatient Services. His son, Quinn, is in the 11th grade at ACS.

Mrs. Kim Clark Eaves, a 1987 alumnus, spoke at the Elementary Chapel. She is pictured above right, on left in photo, with Elementary Principal Gail Alford.  Eaves is a stay-at-home mom and health and wellness entrepreneur, who has five children, four of whom attend Atlantic Christian. She credited her teachers at Atlantic Christian for showing her God’s love and instilling in her a love of family.

“I went from not knowing God to loving Him and wanting to be used by Him and I started praying for a big family of my own,” Eaves said. Eaves especially thanked her high school gym teacher, Mrs. Pam Hitchner, who is now the ACS Athletic Director, for encouraging her, praying with her, and believing in her. “I’m so thankful for this school and how God used it in my life and now in my children’s lives too,” Eaves said.

During the chapel, students also watched a special 8-minute 50th anniversary video that featured interviews with alumni who now teach at the school and who thanked various teachers and staff who impacted their lives when they were students. Alumni featured in the video included: Kaylee Breunig (’12), Ben Chapman (’13), Karissa Evans Costello (’07), Grant Miller (’07), Amy Vogel Nelson (’09), and Carly Harper Witherow (’08). The video was live-streamed on Atlantic Christian School’s YouTube channel and is available for viewing there.

As part of a fun, 1970s dress-up contest, three students were selected as the “Best Dressed” and received Scholastic Book Fair gift coupons – 2nd grader Logan Dozier, 6th grader Keira Frontino, and 1st grader Callie Gibson.

In addition to the chapels, ACS is marking its 50th anniversary in a variety of ways throughout this school year. A weekly Throwback Thursday Photo Contest is being held through the month of May 2021, with a historic school photo being posted on the school’s Facebook page and monthly prizes given to top point getters. Planning is also underway for a celebration event for ACS families and alumni in spring 2021.

ACS former students and alumni are welcome to share their memories of ACS by sending photos and memorabilia via email or mail to the school office. Please send items to: Atlantic Christian School, 391 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, ATTN: 50th Anniversary Committee. The email address is: office @acseht.org. Please label items if you would like them returned once they have been scanned or copied, or items may be donated to the school’s archives.