ACS inducted 16 middle school students into the National Junior Honor Society at a March 28 ceremony in the school gymnasium. It was the second largest group of inductees since ACS established its chapter of the NJHS in 2012. Upper School Principal Meg McHale and school counselor Christina Ragland, the chapter advisor, welcomed over 100 family members and guests and congratulated the inductees for their significant achievements.
The 7th and 8th grade students inducted into the National Junior Honor Society were: 8th graders Aiden Cortes, Xavier Johnson, and Gracie Leon, and 7th graders Gabriel Capito, Colton Carney, Matthew Coates, Aiden Costantini, Caelyn Domsic, Liam Larkin, Grace Lushina, Malena Meyer, Antonino Miranda, Raquel Mitchell, Julia Morris, Sophia Rose, and Isabella Saad.
Faculty member Daniel Vasquez, who teaches 7th-9th grade Bible, was the guest speaker and shared a message drawn from Luke 2 and the experience of Jesus at the age of 12 interacting with the Jewish teachers in the temple in Jerusalem. Vasquez noted that at the end of Luke 2 it says that “Jesus grew in wisdom and statue, and in favor with God and men.”
Vasquez encouraged the inductees to emulate the example of Jesus as a young man — to focus on others above self, to be ready to teach and lead others, and to stay on a path of constantly growing and gaining wisdom.
“Today is not the end of your growth, Vasquez said. “Today is really the beginning of your growth.”
The ceremony culminated with Club Advisor Ragland leading the students in the Honor Society pledge and then introducing each inductee, who signed the official chapter registry, lit a votive candle, and were presented with their society membership certificate by McHale.
Senior members of the ACS chapter of the National Junior Honor Society also participated in the ceremony, speaking about the spiritual significance of each of the Honor Society’s four guiding principles. Senior chapter member Josiah Christmon spoke on the principle of scholarship, Kalee Tardif spoke on service, Shelby Tomlinson spoke on leadership, and Kiara Loo spoke on Christian character.
Fifth grader Madelyn Petrinec finished in 3rd place in the South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee on March 25 and represented ACS well as she competed against 19 other top spellers from schools across South Jersey. WHYY-TV, a sponsor of the Bee, recorded the spelling competition and also interviewed Maddie, along with the winner and runner-up, for a program that will air in June on PBS station TV-12 in South Jersey.
Members of the ACS Spelling Team excelled and made their mark at a March 23 South Jersey-Philadelphia spelling bee for 1st to 8th grade students sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). 8th grader Garrett Martin came in 2nd place overall and 5th grader Joey Kinch placed 5th. Seventeen of the twenty-seven students on the ACS team received ribbons for winning 1st to 4th place and six ACS students won 1st place in their grade-level bees.
The 2023 Legacy Gala on May 12, featuring Christian comedian Jeff Allen as the headliner, will also include a Silent Auction and ACS classes from PreK2 to the 8th grade are being asked to create beautiful, themed gift baskets to be put up for bid at the auction. A flyer about the auction gift baskets was sent home to parents the week of March 27.
Registration is now open for our popular, award-winning summer camp programs — “Cougar Camp” for children entering grades 1-7 and “Down the Shore” for children entering PreK4 and kindergarten. The programs will start on Monday, June 26 and conclude on Friday, August 25. Register online now to reserve your child’s spot.
Fifteen middle school students and five high school students will spend part of Easter break in Coatesville, Pennsylvania doing volunteer service for the Bridge Academy, a non-profit that works with inner-city children from preschool to the 8th grade. The ACS missions team will work with the young people in the Academy’s after-school program and also help with cooking, upkeep of the facility, and other hands-on projects at the Camp at Old Mill, which the Academy uses for summer youth camp programs.
Three ACS 12th graders are collecting donations of clothing, book bags, and medical supplies for an orphanage in South Africa as part of their Senior Project and the deadline is Monday, April 3 for school families, faculty, and staff to drop off donations. A collection box is located near the school office entrance. A flyer was sent home to families the week of March 27 describing the project and providing a list of the items that are being collected.
ACS recently received an Automated External Defibrillator from the AtlantiCare Heart Institute, which was presented to school nurse Carrie Jorgenson on March 28. The donation was made possible through a grant from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program.
Students in 7th Grade Honors Science moved their classroom outdoors on March 29 to conduct an ecosystems lab project analyzing living and nonliving things in grassy areas on the ACS campus. Faculty member Kelly Kirchhoff said the warmer weather created the perfect opportunity to do an outdoor lab as the 19 students in the class started a new unit on how living things interact with, and depend on, the other parts of an ecosystem.
Kindergarten students created Easter-themed bird’s nests filled with eggs in their weekly art class taught by faculty member Patti Scardilli. The unique and colorful artwork will be on display at the K-3rd Grade Spring Concert on April 21.
ACS is pleased to periodically recognize and congratulate several of its alumni and former students 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 in this article are: Chris Masi (’05), Taylor Hadley (’07), Brianna Butler (’11), Lydia Schalles (’15), Sydney Pearson (’21), and Eric VonColln (’22). Profiles of many more ACS alumni can be found on the “Alumni News” page of the ACS website under “News and Events.”
Chris Masi (’05) and his wife, Becky, are the creators and writers of a new TV series called “RIDE” that debuted on the Hallmark Channel on March 26, 2023. After graduating as Salutatorian of the class of 2005, Chris attended Biola University in Southern California, where he earned his degree in Film, Radio, and Television in 2009. He also met his wife, Becky, at Biola and they were both in the same degree program. Since that time, Chris has been working his way up in Hollywood as writer, working on scripts for various shows including USA’s “White Collar” and “Graceland” and the HBO show “The Newsroom.” In 2021, they were contracted by the Hallmark Channel to create and write a TV series called “Ride” based on a pilot they wrote and pitched to Hallmark. They spent the last year working on the first 10 episodes. The show follows the lives of the McMurray family, part of a rodeo dynasty going back a generation, as they struggle to keep their ranch afloat. The debut episode has received many favorable reviews and the show will continue to air on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday nights at 9 p.m.
Taylor Hadley (’07) works in the Emergency Department at Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May County, NJ as a Physician’s Assistant. After graduating as the valedictorian of the Class of 2007, Taylor continued to excel academically and earned his undergraduate degree from Grove City College, a Christian liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. He then attended PA school, where he graduated with Honors in 2017. Taylor and his wife, Kristen, were married in March 2019 and have two sons, Jude and Ezra. They live in Beesley’s Point and are active members of Ocean City Baptist Church.
Brianna Butler (’11) joined the coaching staff at St. Joseph Academy in Hammonton in the 2022-2023 season in the position of assistant coach of the Varsity Girls Basketball team. During her high school years at ACS, Brianna was a strong, contributing guard on the Lady Cougars basketball team that in 2010 and 2011 won the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Varsity Basketball championship and a national championship. Brianna stopped by the ACS gym in March to watch the girls’ basketball game of the 8th grade South Jersey Future Stars. Brianna is working on her MBA in organizational management from Eastern University, where she also earned her undergraduate degree. She lives in Galloway and will be getting married in September 2023.
Lydia Schalles (’15) is relocating from Washington, DC to Hawaii in July 2023 for her job with the U.S. Department of Defense. After graduating from ACS as valedictorian of the Class of 2015, she attended George Washington University in Washington, DC. She earned a BS in international affairs in 2019, with a concentration in security policy and East Asian studies and a minor in Korean and business administration. In her leisure time, Lydia enjoys running, hiking, and surfing. She ran in the Honolulu Marathon in December 2022 and keeps in shape by running half-marathons, including the Ocean City half marathon in September 2022 and the Philadelphia half marathon in March 2023.
Sydney Pearson (’21) graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 2021 and was admitted to the nursing program at Stockton University. But after completing nearly two years in the program, Sydney has switched to a liberal studies major with a concentration in elementary education. The change in course came after Sydney started substitute teaching in elementary classes at ACS in January 2023. “I just loved it and so I prayed about it and felt God was leading me to pursue a different career,” Sydney said. Sydney has also been serving at ACS this winter as a long-term substitute teacher for high school Algebra II, Geometry, and Personal Finance. “The Lord opened a door for me at ACS to get my feet wet in teaching and I am looking forward to starting my education classes in the fall at Stockton,” Sydney said. During her high school years at ACS, Sydney was a three-sport athlete and she has also been involved in coaching at ACS for the past two years. This spring, she is the head coach of the Middle School Girls Softball Team, after serving as assistant coach last season. She also served as assistant coach of the Middle School Girls Soccer and Basketball Teams in the 2022-2023 school year.
Eric VonColln (’22) is a private in the U.S. Army and since February 2023 has been stationed in Vilseck, Germany. He will serve there for three years, where he has been assigned the role of driving and leading a stryker armored vehicle. Eric came out to watch an ACS basketball game in January 2023, where he visited with Upper School Principal Meg McHale, other faculty and staff, and students. His goal is to become a non-commissioned officer and then to enter one of the airborne divisions. Eric said attending ACS in his senior year made him a better person and taught him to look at the brighter side of things.
ACS is excited to announce two big fundraisers coming this spring — our Legacy Gala: An Evening with Comedian Jeff Allen on May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle and our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament on May 16 at McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor Township. The online site is now open to purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or register to golf. Both events will benefit the ACS Tuition Assistance Grant Fund.
ACS presented the Atlantic City Rescue Mission with a check for $1,517 on March 9 from the proceeds of the February 4 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off to help fund the Mission’s important work meeting the needs of the homeless in Atlantic City and surrounding communities. Accepting the check on behalf of the Rescue Mission were Pastor Bill Warner, Vice President of Biblical Education and Policy, and Sara Franklin, Chair of the Mission’s Board of Trustees.
Ten high school students were recognized for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, Christian character, and service at a March 16 induction ceremony for the National Honor Society held in the ACS gym. The ceremony marked the 11th anniversary of high school students being inducted into the NHS since ACS established its chapter in 2012.
Over 50 students in the 6th to 12th grades had the opportunity to let their artistic talents shine as they sang, danced, and played musical instruments at the March 15 “Let It Shine” concert.
Congratulations to 8th graders Ethan Costello and Justice Settles, two members of the ACS 2022-2023 Middle School Boys Basketball Team, for recently being named to the 2023 Atlantic County Boys All-Star Team.
A new “Costume Design Workshop” for 4th-12th grade students and “Intro to Sign Language” for 1st-5th grade students kicked off this week — the first offerings in our action-packed and enriching schedule of Spring After-School Classes. A number of other new classes have been added to the schedule that will open in the next several weeks, including Flag Football, the Garden Club, and the Homework Club.
There was lots of bumping, setting, and spiking in the ACS gym on March 8 as over 90 ACS students, faculty, alumni, parents, and friends faced off for a night of friendly competition at our annual Intramural Volleyball Tournament. Fourteen teams competed, the most ever since the tournament was launched in 2005 by Athletic Director Pam Hitchner.
Over 250 students from the 1st to 5th grades showed off their green mustaches on Thursday, March 2 after sampling healthy smoothies during lunch made with fruit and spinach. It was all part of “Green Mustache Day,” a fun annual activity that ACS sponsors as part of its membership in the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program.
Congratulations to 5th grader Madelyn Petrinec for winning our school Spelling Bee on February 16, placing first among 19 students from the 1st to 8th grades after 2 hours and 27 rounds of competition. Maddie, who also won last year’s school Spelling Bee, will move on to represent ACS at the Scripps South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee in Camden on Saturday, March 25.
We love our pastors! Nearly 50 pastors and ministry leaders from churches across South Jersey were treated to breakfast and a student-led chapel for Pastor Appreciation Day on February 16. It was a special time for ACS students to honor and thank their pastors for the important role they play as their spiritual leaders and mentors. Pastors and students spent time together at breakfast, worshipping in chapel, and posing for group photos after chapel.
The ACS Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams are the 2023 Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Champions! Both teams won hard-fought battles on February 25 in their championship games, which were held in the ACS gym. The No. 1-seeded Lady Cougars remained undefeated, beating Gloucester County Christian School 48-43, and the No. 2-seeded Varsity Boys’ Team pulled off an upset, beating No. 1-seeded Pilgrim Academy 54-45, a team that had been undefeated all season. It was a night to celebrate!
Eight ACS players were named TSCAC All-Stars for the 2023 season and were recognized at the end of the championship games. The four Girls’ Varsity All-Stars are — Evangelina Kim and Paige Noble (1st team), Reyna Lewis (2nd team), and Becca Kelley (honorable mention). The four Boys’ Varsity All-Stars are — Noah Stokes (1st team), Caleb Vogel (2nd team), and Charlie Costello and Noah Gibbs (honorable mention).
During this season, Coach Breunig was also honored for earning her 100th win on February 15 when the Lady Cougars defeated Oakcrest 54-24 in a nonconference game. In her 6th year as head coach, Coach Breunig has now led the Lady Cougars to two TSCAC Conference championships and five first place finishes in the regular season. She also received the TSCAC Coach of the Year Award in the 2017-2018 season, her first year as head coach. Coach Breunig is a 2012 ACS alumnus who was a strong varsity player and team leader during her four years on the Lady Cougars.
Congratulations to our top scholars who made the first semester Honor Roll of the 2022-2023 school year. The Honor Roll, finalized in mid-February, recognizes 331 students from the 1st through 12th grades who have excelled in their academic studies, receiving Highest Honors or Honors designation.
Throughout February, ACS students participated in a variety of special activities for Black History Month. Chapel speakers, classroom assignments, bulletin board displays, and a quiz contest helped spotlight the history, culture, and accomplishments of African-Americans.
On February 2, Rev. Vena Noel-Jackson, a pastor with Yeshua’s Living Word Ministries, was the featured speaker in Middle School Chapel, where she highlighted the accomplishments of two African-American athletes — Ida Keeling and James “Jesse” Owens — and emphasized the importance of celebrating our uniqueness by the power and love of Jesus. Using examples from her own accomplishments as a runner, Rev. Jackson reminded the students that despite our differences – age, race, ability, etc. – we can all run for the same prize in following Jesus. An accomplished seamstress, Rev. Jackson also gave away to the students several hand towels with scripture inscribed on them.
On February 9, Upper School students welcomed chapel speaker and ACS parent Christian Ragland, who spoke on the school’s spiritual emphasis theme — God breathed — based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Pile up some pancakes at the ACS Cheer Team’s Flapjack Fundraiser at the Mays Landing Applebee’s on March 25 and help send the team to The One Finals national competition in Virginia Beach on April 1-2.