Our annual Back-to-School BBQ on September 17 was a great night of fellowship and a time to grow closer together as a school family. It was our biggest BBQ ever as we welcomed over 850 new and returning parents, students, staff, grandparents, and alumni for an enjoyable evening of  good food and lots of games and activities for students of every age.

The favorite activities included the Rock Wall, Ga Ga Ball, 9-Square in the Air, several inflatables, and going to the face-painting table.  The BBQ-goers also enjoyed several new food offerings — Kona Water Ice, Funnel Cake, and Chef Steve’s Kettle Corn Popcorn. Children and families also enjoyed a tractor-pulled wagon ride around the ACS campus, provided by the Pricskett family, whose son, Noah, drove the tractor. The Pricsketts, who are alumni parents and own Sleepy Hollow Family Campground, also provided dozens of picnic tables for seating at the BBQ.

Thank you to the many volunteers, including members of the Board of Directors, faculty, and staff, who were busy at the BBQ grill, serving at the food buffet line, doing face-painting, monitoring the student activities, and helping with set-up and clean-up.

We are also grateful to several businesses, a church, school families, and vendors who donated food, beverages, and equipment to help keep the cost of the BBQ affordable for our families. These donors included: Atlantic City Bread Company, Beacon Evangelical Free Church, Big Time Vending, Bimbo Bakeries, Ralph Clayton, Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar and Joe and Amanda Gregory, Herr Foods, Kris Jacoby, Liberty Coca-Cola, Doug and Lori Pearson, Steve and Alisun Richards, Sysco, and Paul and Terry Vogel.  A special thank-you also to ACS high school students on the Yearbook Staff who took the photos at the BBQ — Vera Huff, Mia Liggins, Amber Ramos, and Summer Scott.