Post Tagged with: "South Jersey"

Jesus is Alive — ACS Students, Staff Celebrate the Death, Resurrection of Christ in All-School Easter Chapel

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.

“The miraculous events we celebrate at Easter changed mankind forever and gave us the opportunity to receive God’s salvation and be able to spend eternity with Him,” said Elementary School Principal and Early Education Director Gail Alford, as she welcomed some 660 students from preschool to high school and their teachers gathered in the gym for the chapel.

The kindergarten classes opened the chapel singing “We Are the Children of God,” followed by the Elementary Worship Team, comprised of 4th and 5th grade students, who sang and led choreography to “God is Alive” and “Way Maker.”

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.”

Following Lewis, Upper School Principal Meg McHale talked about the joy she feels at Easter. “The root of our joy is that Jesus is alive; He’s not dead,” McHale said. She then introduced the Middle School Worship team that led everyone in singing “My Father’s House” and “The Commission.”

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen talked about the upcoming missions trips to Coatesville, Pennsylvania and North Carolina that middle school and high school students will be taking during Easter break and how they will be sharing the message of a risen Savior with the adults and children they will be serving. She then invited the students to come forward to receive a prayer of blessing and commission.

The High School Worship Team led a final time of worship, singing “Living Hope” and “Reign Above It All” and Upper School Vice Principal Drew Carney closed the chapel in prayer.

 

 

Thirty-Three Students to Serve God on Missions Trips Over Easter Break

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.

During the all-school Easter Chapel on April 14, the members of the two missions teams and their chaperones were introduced and high school Bible teacher Urick Lewis gave a prayer of blessing and commission.

Faculty member and Missions Club Advisor Dave Genter said the high school team will be serving in Columbus County, North Carolina from April 18 to 23.  The students will be building handicapped ramps for low-income families in an area where hurricanes cause flooding. The team is also donating close to 50 tool kits that were donated to the Missions Club for use by local churches in construction or renovation projects.  The trip was organized by Praying Pelican and the team is partnering with Cerro Gordo Baptist Church, the Columbus County Baptist Association, and Facts of Life Church of God.

Genter said that anyone interested in following and praying for the work of the missions team in North Carolina can monitor their efforts on a trip blog.  CLICK HERE to connect to the blog.

The student participants on the high school trip to North Carolina are: Isabell Alford, Destiny Brewer, Jacob DeNick, Maddie DeNick, Samuel Glancey, Emmanuel Johnson, Grace Johnson, Moges Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Hunter Jorgenson, Ryleigh Martin, Luke Mills, Nathan Mills, Paige Noble, Amber Ramos, Haven Sanchez, Jayden Sanchez, Adam Schlundt, Shane Schweppenheiser, Taylor Sutton, and Haley Whedbee. Four chaperones are accompanying the team: Grant and Minelva Miller and Brian and Laura Mills.

Faculty member Sara Coates is leading the middle school missions team that will be volunteering from April 19-22 at The Bridge Academy, an after-school community center, and at The Camp at Old Mill, both in Coatesville, PA. Coates said the team will be doing activities and building relationships with some 40 intercity children who attend The Bridge, including tutoring, arts and crafts,  games, and cooking and serving several meals. At The Camp at Old Mill, the students will serve outdoors doing mulching, landscaping and other tasks to help prepare the facility for its summer Christian youth camp programs.

“During our first day at the center, each student on our team will be sharing what their favorite Bible verse is and then we will do a craft with the children that reinforces the messages in those verses,” Coates said. “We want to reach the hearts of the children in that center and show them God’s love.”

The 6th-8th grade students participating in the trip to Coatesville are: Daniel Accardi-Gonzalez, Lily Boyle, Ethan Brumble, Sophia Capito, Matthew Coates, CJ Delacruz, Gabriella Goodwin, Kylie Jackson, Brandon Jorgenson, Julia Morris, Bezute Ngwabi, and Lexi Wyckoff. Three chaperones will be part of the team: Joe and Sara Coates and Lisa Dye.

 

ACS Inducts Ten Students Into National Honor Society

Ten high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society on March 30.

Ten high school students were recognized for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, character, and service in a March 30 induction ceremony for the National Honor Society held in the ACS gym. The ceremony marked the 10th anniversary of high school students being inducted into the NHS since ACS established its chapter in 2012.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale welcomed some 50 family members, faculty, and guests and congratulated the inductees for their commitment and hard work. For membership in the NHS, students in the 10th-12th grades must have a 3.6 minimum GPA and excel in leadership, Christian character, and service.

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.”

Guidance counselor Christina Ragland, the NHS chapter advisor, and 12th grader Elizabeth Alford, president of the chapter, led the students through the various parts of the induction ceremony, which included reciting the Honor Society pledge, signing the official chapter registry, and lighting a votive candle. Upper School Principal McHale presented each inductee with their society membership certificate.

Senior members of both ACS chapters also participated in the programs, speaking about the spiritual significance of each of the Honor Society’s four principles. The student participants in the NHS ceremony were: member Moges Johnson; member Cruz Lewis; Reyna Lewis, Chapter Vice President; and Paige Noble, Chapter Secretary.  Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen gave the remarks and gave a prayer of blessing over the students.

The 10th-12th grade students inducted into the National Honor Society were: 10th graders Zachary Fosbenner, Evangelina Kim, Alicia O’Donnell, Vera Huff, Ryleigh Martin, Haven Sanchez, Nathan Stein, Noelle Thompson; 11th grader Allison Schlundt; and 12th grader Amber Ramos.

 

 

 

 

ACS Cheer Team Wins First Place at THE ONE Cheer and Dance Finals in Virginia in Jr. High Intermediate Division

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.

“It was so exciting to compete for the first time in school history at a national level and then to see us win first place was even more thrilling,” said cheer team head coach Morgan Gibson. “When they announced ACS as the first place winner I was in shock and couldn’t move. I was glued to the floor while everyone else was jumping up and down.”

Gibson said she is very grateful to her co-coaches — Kelly Flynn and Michelle Wheeler —  for giving so much of their time and being so encouraging and prayerful.  “Everyone gave 110% to make the team the best it could be and were able to overcome various challenges, including several team members getting ill,” Gibson said.

For the competition, the team performed their routine twice, before two different panels of five judges who were scoring the team in five categories — building, tumbling, dance and creativity, cheer safety, and cheer deductions.

“The team performed its routine with a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and joy,” Gibson said. “Even the judges said they were impressed with their excitement and showmanship.” For winning first place, the team received a championship banner that will be hung in the ACS gym, each cheerleader received a silver medal, and each cheerleader and coach received a championship ring.

Gibson also said the national competition called THE ONE FINALS is not over.  THE ONE FINALS are held in five different locations across the U.S. from March-May. A final, virtual round of competition to select the overall national grand champion in each competition level will be held in June. A video of the ACS Cheer Team competing in Virginia will be reviewed and scored again by a new panel of judges for that final competition.

Gibson said she is looking forward to working with the team next year and expects them to move up into the Varsity Division of competition. This year’s team did not have any students in 11th or 12th grade, which allowed the team to compete in the Junior High Intermediate Division.

Congratulations to the students who participated on the competition cheer team this season:  Ashlee Alford, Isabell Alford, Ava Barberio, Annalena DiMaio, Rebecca DiMaio, April Eaves, Gianna Flynn, Mackenzie Flynn, Makenzie Fresh, Kylie Jackson, Abby Kelley, Rielly Kisielewski, Ava Lombardi, Autumn Loo, Kiera Loo, Ja’Niyah Martin, Jadelyn Maurer, Lydia McCarthy, Tara McCorkle, Heather Milstead, Trieste Musso, Sophia Puglisi, Haven Sanchez, Isabella Santos, and Anyae Welch.

 

 

Cougar Classic Golf Tournament Three Weeks Away With 65 Golfers Registered; Silent Auction after Tournament to Incorporate Mobile Bidding

Our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament is three weeks away and with 65 golfers now registered the entire, beautiful course at Greate Bay Country Club 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 mobile bidding, allowing ACS families and friends to bid on items whether or not they are able to attend the auction in person.

Tickets are also on sale for the post-Tournament Celebration Reception and Dinner, which is open to golfers and non-golfers, so be sure to purchase your tickets by Friday, April 29 for $65 each online or through the school office.

“We are so thankful for the many school families, businesses, and friends in the community who are supporting our spring fundraiser by signing up to golf or be a Sponsor or Silent Auction donor,” said Carole Karabashian, ACS Director of Development and Communication. “We are looking forward to a wonderful day of fun and fellowship on the golf course and are confident we will reach our fundraising goal to benefit our educational programs and scholarships.”

Karabashian also said there are some great prizes lined up for the golfer foursomes who come in first, second, or third place, for the golfers who get closest to the pin on a selected hole and hit the longest drive on a selected hole, who win the putting contest, and more.

The deadline is Monday, April 25 to donate to be a Sponsor or Program Book Advertiser and be listed in the Program Book. Ad images must also be submitted by April 25.

CLICK HERE to register to golf, be a Sponsor or Program Book advertiser, or to purchase a Reception/Dinner ticket.

Batters Up! Varsity Baseball, Softball Seasons Get Underway

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 Varsity Girls’ Softball Team finished in second place last year and is looking to be a conference contender again this year.  On April 14, ACS played at home against Pilgrim Academy, who was in first place last season. ACS beat Pilgrim 13-12 in a game that saw every player contribute on offense and defense.

“Our girls will be very competitive this season and I’m excited about the strong contributions from some of our new players, especially freshman pitcher Ava Nixon,” said staff member Dara Kimmerley, in her ninth year as head coach. She is assisted by Kaylee Breunig, Lori Pearson, and Terry Vogel.

Top hitters so far this season are center fielder Maddie DeNick,  shortstop Evangelina Kim, 1st baseman Alli Lushina, 3rd baseman Paige Noble, and catcher Taylor Sutton. The team’s only loss was to Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 10-2, in a non-conference game on April 2. Starting pitcher Ava Nixon is throwing strong from the mound, with six strikeouts in the March 31 game against Kings Christian School, which ACS won 12-2. She had 10 strikeouts in the April 5 game against Cumberland Christian, which ACS won 21-1, and 4 strikeouts in the game against Pilgrim Academy.

The 17 members of the Varsity Softball Team are: Isabell Alford, Kaia Barbour, Sophia Costello, Maddie DeNick, Rebecca DiMaio, Angela Eggie, Vera Huff, Dayeon Jang, Lauren Kent, Evangelina Kim, Alli Lushina, Ava Nixon, Reyna Lewis, Paige Noble, Allison Schlundt, Summer Scott, and Taylor Sutton.

The Varsity Boys’ Baseball Team is led by head Gus Casey, in his second year at the helm. He is assisted by Rob Barberio, Ben Chapman, and Frank Hannum. The Varsity Boys’ team finished in second place last year and Casey has an optimistic outlook for this season, with the overall goal of “building good men of God and a good baseball program that the community gets excited about to come watch.”  ACS won its first game of the season against Cumberland Christian School and lost 8-1 at home on April 14 to Pilgrim Academy.

The 14 members of the Varsity Baseball Team are: Robby Barberio, Charlie Costello, John Hannum, Richie Jackson, Cole Lewis, Cruz Lewis, Nathan Mills, James Papanikolaou, Seth Phillips, Adam Schlundt, Josh Schlundt, Quinn Schrag, Eric VonColln, and Gary Wyckoff.

Check the Athletic Calendar on the ACS website or ACS App for all upcoming game schedules.

Photo Credit: Mia Liggins

 

 

Christian Skate Night – Saturday, May 21

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.

Buy your tickets in advance and save! Tickets can be purchased from the school office, from Mr. Genter, or at the door at the skating center. Skaters’ prices include skate rental.

The advance ticket price for skaters is $15 and at the door will be $17. The advance ticket price for non-skaters is $7 and at the door will be $8.

 

 

Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS – Thursday, May 19 – Register to Donate

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.

All donors will have their temperature checked prior to admittance to the blood drive. ACS has hosted American Red Cross blood drives since 2008 to help meet the urgent needs of patients at hospitals in our community.  According to the Red Cross, current low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants.

CLICK HERE to make an appointment to donate blood on the Red Cross website — RedCrossBlood.org — and enter the sponsor code “atlanticchristiansch” OR call 1-800-REDCROSS.   You can also scan the QR Code on the flyer image below to make an appointment on the Red Cross website. A donor must be 16 years of age or older.

 

Classroom Cameo — Geometry Classes Create Artistic Pythagorean Spirals

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.

Wilson said the 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students in her Honor Geometry and Geometry classes were asked to create a set of right triangles by using the hypotenuse of one triangle as the leg of the next triangle.

“After drawing 17 right triangles, the students creatively transformed their figures into an artistic masterpiece of their choice and their really did an excellent job,” Wilson said. The week-long project also required the students to calculate the hypotenuse of each triangle and estimate the length of the hypotenuse of the last triangle based on their calculations.

Several of the students who completed the project posed with Wilson next to the bulletin board. The students, from left, are: Aine Dorsey, Ava Nixon, David O’Donnell, Alek Stein, and Cody Weyman.

 

Take a Bow! – ACS Inducts 10 Students into National Honor Society, 17 Students into National Junior Honor Society

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.

At a March 24 ceremony, ACS inducted 17 middle school students into the National Junior Honor Society, the largest group of inductees since ACS established its chapter of the NHS and 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 commitment to excellence. For membership in the NJHS, students in the 7th and 8th grades  must have a 3.5 minimum GPA requirement and demonstrate outstanding character, leadership, and service.

The 7th and 8th grade students inducted into the National Junior Honor Society were: 7th graders Lily Boyle, Sophia Capito, Josiah Christmon, Gabriel Correa, Natalia Flores, Mackenzie Flynn, Caedyn Hahn-Chaney, Kylie Jackson, Kiara Loo, Garrett Martin, Stephen Nixon, Luke Odell, Isabella Santos, Kalee Tardif, Nathanael Thompson, and Shelby Tomlinson, and 8th grader Rowlee Murphy.

At a March 30 ceremony, ACS inducted 10 high school students into the National Honor Society. Guidance counselor Christina Ragland, the NHS chapter advisor, and 12th grader Elizabeth Alford, president of the chapter, welcomed some 50 family members, guests, and faculty members to the ceremony.

The 10th-12th grade students inducted into the National Honor Society were: 10th graders Zachary Fosbenner, Evangelina Kim, Alicia O’Donnell, Vera Huff, Ryleigh Martin, Haven Sanchez, Nathan Stein, Noelle Thompson; 11th grader Allison Schlundt; and 12th grader Amber Ramos.  For membership in the NHS, students in the 10th-12th grades must have a 3.6 minimum GPA and excel in leadership, service, and Christian character.

At both events, the new inductees recited the Honor Society pledge, signed the official chapter registry, lit a votive candle, and were presented with their society membership certificate by McHale.

Senior members of both ACS chapters also participated in the programs, speaking about the spiritual significance of each of the Honor Society’s principles — scholarship, service, leadership, and Christian character. The student participants in the NJHS ceremony were: Caden Kim, Chapter President; Anyae Welch, Chapter Vice President; Lydia McCarthy, Chapter Secretary; and members Amelia D’Anna and Gabriella Goodwin, and Marley Odell.  The student participants in the NHS ceremony were: member Moges Johnson; member Cruz Lewis; Reyna Lewis, Chapter Vice President; and Paige Noble, Chapter Secretary.

ACS Presents Rescue Mission With $1,732 from Bowls of Hope Benefit; Mrs. Wroniuk’s 4th Graders Win Bowls of Hope Contest

ACS high school students presented the Atlantic City Rescue Mission with a check for $1,732 on March 16 to help fund the Mission’s important work meeting the needs of the homeless in Atlantic City and surrounding communities. The donation came from the proceeds of the school’s February 5 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit. In a separate presentation, Mrs. Wroniuk’s 4th grade class was recognized on March 3 for winning first place in the Bowls of Hope classroom fundraising contest, raising $468 from ticket sales, sponsorships, and sales of the Super Soup Coupon Cards.

At the check presentation for the Rescue Mission, Dara Brown Heston, store manager of the Mission’s Charity Thrift Store in Northfield, accepted the check and thanked the students and the school for their efforts. The students who who participated were from the Student Council and the National Honor Society, and had volunteered at the Bowls of Hope fundraiser and helped sell tickets to the event. Also participating in the check presentation were Upper School Principal Meg McHale and Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz.

After the check presentation, Heston, who is a 2011 ACS alumnus, and two associates from the Mission’s Thrift Store led the students in a mini-workshop on how to transform a T-shirt into a shopping bag, a process she described as “upcyling.” She noted that on May 4 businesses in New Jersey will be prohibited from providing customers with plastic bags, so making a washable, cotton bag made out of a T-shirt, is one good alternative to the plastic bags.

“There are so many ways to help the homeless in our community and one way is to make shopping bags out of the T-shirts that you aren’t wearing and donate them to our thrift store to sell to our customers,” Heston said. “Now that you know how to make these bags you can organize a bag-making event and donate the bags to the Thrift Store.” Each of the students made their own shopping bag and a number of them donated their bags to Heston for the Charity Center.

ACS Inducts 17 Middle School Students into National Junior 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.

“We expect to see you continue to grow and mature and be servant leaders, who will reflect the love of Christ and bring glory to Him in all that you do,” McHale said.

The 7th and 8th grade students inducted into the National Junior Honor Society were: 7th graders Lily Boyle, Sophia Capito, Josiah Christmon, Gabriel Correa, Natalia Flores, Mackenzie Flynn, Caedyn Hahn-Chaney, Kylie Jackson, Kiara Loo, Garrett Martin, Stephen Nixon, Luke Odell, Isabella Santos, Kalee Tardif, Nathanael Thompson, and Shelby Tomlinson, and 8th grader Rowlee Murphy.

During the program, ACS parent Lee Martin led a time of praise and worship, followed by high school Bible teacher Urick Lewis, who was the guest speaker. Lewis noted that achieving membership in the NJHS was both an honor and an obligation. He used examples from the life of Moses to advise the inductees that as leaders they need to be faithful, available, and teachable.

The ceremony culminated with Club Advisor Parker 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 principles — scholarship, service, leadership, and Christian character. Those student participants were: Caden Kim, Chapter President; Anyae Welch, Chapter Vice President; Lydia McCarthy, Chapter Secretary; and members Amelia D’Anna and Gabriella Goodwin, and Marley Odell.

 

 

 

 

Butterfly Ball Celebrates the Special Bond of Fathers and Daughters

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.

After a buffet dinner, couples posed in the photo booth, the fathers and other family escorts played musical chairs and Minute-to-Win-It games with prizes, and the young ladies created butterfly-themed arts and crafts. The evening concluded with dancing.

Special thanks to the senior class parents for providing the delicious food for the dinner to help make the senior class fundraiser a big success. The proceeds from the event are going towards the Senior Class trip.

 

 

Two ACS Students Receive $1,000 Scholarships from Carson Scholars Fund

10th grader Evangelina Kim, left, and 6th grader Malena Meyer, right, are proud recipients of $1,000 scholarships this spring from the Carson Scholars Fund.

The Carson Scholars Fund recently announced that two ACS students — 10th grader Evangelina Kim and 6th grader Malena Meyer — have each been chosen to receive $1,000 scholarships for college. The Fund, headquartered in Maryland, was founded by world-renowned Johns Hopkins Pediatric Neurosurgeon Benjamin S. Carson, M.D. and his wife, Candy.

In a letter to ACS, Rachel Brown, the Scholarship Director of the Carson Scholars Fund, said the students were selected “because their academic achievements and community service make them stand out as a future leader.” Students selected are required to have a minimum 3.75 GPA and display humanitarian qualities by being actively involved in community service in school, at home, or in their neighborhood.

For Evangelina, this was her first year to receive a Carson Scholars Fund scholarship. Her nomination was submitted by ACS to the Fund in December and was supported by recommendation letters from teachers and staff members. For Malena, this was her second year to receive the scholarship, based on her continuing record of academic excellence and community service activities. Malena was the first ACS recipient of the scholarship in early 2021.  According to the Fund guidelines, once a student is named a Carson Scholar he or she is eligible to apply for scholar recognition in future years and can receive additional scholarship awards.

10th grader Evangelina Kim was recently selected as a 2022 Carson Scholars Fund and will be eligible to apply for additional annual scholarships until she graduates from high school.

Evangelina and Malena are among more than 10,000 gifted students from across the United States that have been named Carson Scholars since the Fund’s creation in 1994. Evangelina, Malena, and their families have been invited to attend an awards ceremony this May at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. ACS will soon receive a nameplate with Evangelina’s name to place on a Carson Scholars Fund trophy that is on display in the school office, where Malena’s name is already displayed.

Evangelina’s scholarship application described a variety of community service activities, including coaching a basketball program at a kids camp last summer at her church, New Life Assembly of God Church in Egg Harbor Township. A talented singer and pianist, Evangelina has also been part of a youth group worship team for several years at Wellspring Church in Mays Landing and at New Life Assembly. At ACS, Evangelina sings and plays piano in the High School Worship Team that leads worship weekly in Upper School Chapel. She also volunteers each week to share devotions with her classmates during homeroom. She is a Student Council officer and a Varsity member of the girls’ basketball, soccer, and softball teams.

High school math teacher Gina Wilson described Evangelina in her recommendation letter as “a hard worker, self-motivated, and a leader among her peers.”  She also noted that Evangelina is committed to missions work as a member of the ACS Missions Club and is involved in helping local charities and traveling to help those in need.

ACS Upper School Principal Meg McHale and Elementary Principal Gail Alford headed up the effort to select and nominate Evangelina and two other ACS students for the Carson Scholars Fund scholarship and said they plan to continue nominating ACS students for this annual scholarship program. The Carson Scholars Fund will only select one new student from a school each year.

 

Check Out the 2022 Spring Schedule of After-School Classes

After-school gymnastics classes led by Blake’s Gymnastics for PreK and elementary students kicked off last week — the first offerings in our action-packed and enriching schedule of Spring After-School Classes.  The majority of the classes will start during the first and second weeks of April, with something for students from preschool to high school, including Intramural Cheerleading, Flag Football, Garden Club, Intro to Sign Language, Soccer, Crochet, Private Voice, Band, and Piano Lessons, and more.

The spring schedule, with the description of the classes, start dates, and fees, was sent home last week to students from PreK3 to 6th grade, along with registration forms. The schedule and registration forms are also on the school’s website under the “Programs” tab and are in the school office. Please send payment with the registration form to the school office or bring to the first class.

CLICK HERE to view and download the schedule and registration forms.

ACS Launching New Track Club This Week, Athletes to Compete in Several Meets

A new Track Club for students in grades 6-12 is launching this week, with 45 students expected to gather for the first after-school practice on Wednesday, March 30. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner, who is heading up the club, said ACS athletes will be competing in at least four track meets that are scheduled for this spring, including the Mid-Atlantic Christian School Association track meet on April 26 and 27 at Messiah University in Pennsylvania.

“Our goal is to introduce another sport at ACS and give our students who have gifts and talents in different areas a chance to develop and grow those abilities,” Hitchner said.  PE teacher Josh Clark and faculty member Drew Carney, who has experience as a distance runner, will be assisting Hitchner in training the athletes in the club. ACS parent Harold Scott is also donating a javelin and will be training students for competition.

Hitchner said a new long jump runway and sand pit were installed on the campus this week, relocated to an area parallel to the ACS track, thanks to material and services donated by Ralph Clayton and assistance from ACS staff.  The track club members will also be competing with new ACS track shirts, made possible in part by gifts from several donors.

ACS will host a dual track meet on May 17 against King’s Christian School and plans are in discussion for ACS athletes to compete in meets with schools in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. ACS will also be hosting the annual Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference track meet on May 12 and throwing a javelin will be added to the meet.

There is a $50 athletic fee for participation in the Track Club and practices will be weekly on Wednesdays. Hitchner said students who play on an ACS baseball or softball team can also participate in the Track Club and will not have to choose one or the other.

Cheer Team Heading to National Competition in VA this Weekend, Thankful for Funds Raised from Bowling Night, Popcorn, Food Sales

The ACS Cheerleading Team is heading to THE ONE FINALS cheer competition in Virginia Beach, Virginia to be held April 1-3 and they are grateful to the many school families and friends who participated in King Pin Bowling Night or purchased bags of Chef Steve’s popcorn, baked goods, and walking tacos that helped raise over $5,000 in funds needed to underwrite their competition expenses.

“We are so excited to be representing ACS at this competition and we are blessed to have the support of our school families and friends in the community who have made our fundraisers a success,” said Morgan Gibson, head coach of the 23-member cheerleading squad of middle school and high school students. The cheer team received an invitation to THE ONE FINALS competition after winning first place on February 12 in Toms River at the ImpACT Competition, in the JV Intermediate Division.

Gibson said additional funds to support the team’s expenses will be raised from two after-school intramural cheer classes that will be offered this spring — one for PK3 to 1st grade students on Thursdays from April 7 to May 26, and one for 2nd to 5th grade students on Mondays from April 11 to May 23. The sign-up forms for these classes have been sent home and are on the ACS website.

ACS staff member Arzum Sanchez, who has helped organize the cheer team fundraisers, said close to 150 people attended the bowling night on March 18 and while there, they also purchased tasty home-made baked goods. “The bowling alley was packed with ACS families and friends and everyone was laughing and having a great time,” Sanchez said.

Photo credits: PJ Santos.

 

Three 8th Graders Named to Post-Season South Jersey Future Stars Basketball Teams

Three ACS 8th grade basketball players were selected in mid-March to be on the South Jersey Future Stars Teams for Atlantic County. These talented and hard-working athletes — Gianna Flynn, Caden Kim, and Jericho Thomas — played in showcase games on March 19 and were then chosen to be part of a select squad that advanced to play against Future Stars Cape May/Cumberland boys’ and girls’ teams on March 25 in Whitesboro.

“We’re very proud of our players who really represented ACS well and even advanced to the second round of all-star competition,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. The boys’ and girls’ Future Stars basketball games for Atlantic County were hosted at ACS.

“Our three players were leaders on their ACS teams during regular season competition in the Cape Atlantic Junior High League,” Hitchner said. “We can’t wait to see them continue to grow and develop as they move up to play on our ACS high school teams.”

Way to go,  Caden, Gianna, and Jericho!

High Schoolers Receive Self Defense Training in New PE Health Unit

Students in the 11th and 12th grades received hands-on training in self defense using jiu-jitsu as part of a new, two-week PE unit in March on health and safety, led by Stephen McGee, owner of 609 Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness in Egg Harbor Township.

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner set up the special class instruction to introduce students to ways they can defend themselves in different situations, which she feels is an important life skill.

“We have chapters in our health textbook on safety and rather than reading about it, our students are getting hands-on training on how to defend yourself in a threatening situation to be able to run and get away,” Hitchner said.

Hitchner said McGee used the teaching technique of demonstrating a situation and the various ways to react and then overseeing the students as they practiced what they had seen. The students learned different body stances, ways to get out of grips and holds, and the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to be scanning your environment.

“We had 100% participation from our students,” Hitchner said. “They really liked what they learned and understood how valuable it is.” Hitchner said McGee also offered each student one free self defense class at his martial arts studio.

 

 

AtlantiCare Selects 5th Grader Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney as a Winner in Green Mustache Photo Contest

A photo featuring ACS 5th grader Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney sporting a thick green mustache after sampling a healthy fruit and spinach smoothie during lunch in early May was recently selected as a winner in the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children “Green Mustache Day” photo contest. Gaebriel received an award certificate from AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children and a $50 VISA card to be used by his teacher, Ms. Lorick, to support a health and wellness activity for his class.

Gaebriel was presented with his certificate and gift card during class on March 25, after his win was shared with the student body during Morning Announcements.  In the winning photo (pictured below left), Gaebriel posed with two other classmates, Chase Hagel and Gabriel Hudec, and all three also received sporty blue water pouches from AtlantiCare.

Students from the 1st to 6th grades sampled healthy green smoothies as part of “Green Mustache Day” on March 2 and posed for photos taken by ACS staff. Three of the best photos featuring nine students showing off their green mustaches were submitted to the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools Program to be entered into the photo contest.

 

 

Classroom Cameo: 5th Grade Science Poster Project Focuses on Ecosystems

Elementary school students in 5th grade recently researched ecosystems during a science unit taught by faculty member Nadya Lorick and created colorful, hand-drawn posters illustrating the different ways animals can interact within those ecosystems.

The students used a cartoon strip-like format to tell the story of the way animals interact in one of three ecosystems — a savannah, the ocean, and a temperate forest.

The students worked in pairs during class from February 28 to March 4 to research their assigned ecosystem and identify its atmosphere, climate, vegetation, and animal life. The students also learned about three ways animals can interact — by predation, competition, and mutualism — and showed examples of each in their posters.

 

 

Register Now for May 5 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament

Registration is now underway for our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament to be held on Thursday, May 5 at the Greate Bay Country Club, a beautiful private golf course in Somers Point.  Join us for a fun day together on the golf course and help raise funds for our school. If you don’t golf, we welcome ACS families, staff, alumni, and friends to join us in the evening for a Celebration Reception, Awards Dinner, and Silent Auction at the club. There are also Tournament Sponsorship and Advertising options.

“We look forward to seeing our school families and friends in the community at our biggest spring fundraiser, which is an enjoyable time to fellowship and celebrate how God has blessed and grown our school over the past 51 years,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We hope everyone will get involved and help make this fundraiser a success.”

The Golfer Fee is $165 per golfer and $625 for a foursome, and includes lunch, the Celebration Reception, the Awards Dinner, and Silent Suction.  Tickets to just the Celebration Reception, Awards Dinner, and Silent Auction can be purchased separately for $65 each and a donation of $550 sponsors a Dinner Table of 8.  There are also a number of golf sponsorship levels with exciting benefits and advertising opportunities to help raise funds for the school’s Annual Fund, which are described in detail on the Tournament flyer (posted below).

The Tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m., with a scramble format. The Celebration Reception and Silent Auction will open at 6:00 p.m. and the Awards Dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Seating is limited at the dinner, so secure your tickets soon.

The Silent Auction will use mobile bidding with a cell phone, which was successful at last year’s event, and allows people who are unable to attend the Awards Dinner to participate in the Silent Auction. Volunteers are also needed to help contact businesses to obtain donations for the Silent Auction. Please contact PJ Santos, coordinator of the Silent Auction, if you would like to be involved at psantos@acseht.org.

Santos also said that families with children in Kindergarten to the 8th grade will also be asked to donate items linked to a specific theme to create Auction Gift Baskets from each classroom. Information about these Gift Baskets will be sent home next week.

CLICK HERE to register to golf, purchase a sponsorship, purchase an advertisement in the Awards Dinner Program Book, or to purchase tickets to the Celebration Reception, Awards Dinner, and Silent Auction.  Paper sign-up forms have e also being sent home with students and are available in the school office.

Any questions about our Golf Tournament?  Contact Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz at 609-653-1199, ext. 302 or cdelacruz@acseht.org.

Award-Winning Summer Programs Start June 27; Register Now to Reserve Your Child’s Spot

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 from PreK3 to entering kindergarten. The programs will start on Monday, June 27 and conclude on Friday, August 26.  Register online now to reserve your child’s spot.

Over a nine-week period, qualified and trained staff will provide a warm, loving environment with organized activities tied to weekly themes that will combine faith, fun, fellowship, exercise, and education.  Our summer camp programs have been recognized for excellence, winning “Best of the Press” awards since 2017.

CLICK HERE to register your child for one of our summer camp programs. Please note that campers must be signed up to attend four or more weeks and must attend two or more days each week.

The Cougar Camp and Down the Shore program hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Before and After Care available and included in the camp fee.  All participants must bring their own lunch, but every Friday is pizza day (cost is included in fee). Snacks are also provided daily.

Cougar Camp activities will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Favorite activities include STEM projects, playing ga-ga ball in the air-conditioned gymnasium, drawing and painting, hands-on learning in the school garden, cooking healthy snacks, and plenty of outdoor water play activities. Worshiping God through music and Bible story time are also part of the daily program. Weekly field trips include visiting the Atlantic City Aquarium, Birch Grove Park, and the Funny Farm Rescue, and going miniature golfing and bowling.

Children in the Down the Shore summer program must be at least 3 years old by June 1 and be potty-trained. Preschoolers look forward to the weekly “Water Day” where they enjoy playing in inflatable water slides and pools.

For more information on our summer programs, please contact Jessica Martin at 609-653-1199 ext. 314 or at jmartin@acseht.org.

Congratulations to Top Scholars on First Semester Honor Roll for 2021-2022 School Year

Congratulations to our top scholars who made the first semester Honor Roll for the 2021-2022 school year.  The Honor Roll, finalized in early February, recognizes 291 students from the 1st through 12th grades who distinguished themselves in their academic studies, receiving Highest Honors or Honors designation. The Honor Roll was also published online on March 3 in the Currents and Gazettes newspapers.

“We are very proud of these students from elementary through high school who have distinguished themselves in their academic studies and earned a place on the Honor Roll,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We are also thankful for our dedicated and highly qualified faculty who encourage our students to excel academically and to seek to honor God with their lives.”

Elementary students in grades 1-5 who earned a 95% average or higher in every major subject received the Highest Honors designation and students who received an 85%-94% average in every major subject received the Honors designation. Middle School and High School students in grades 6-12 who earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher at the end of the school year received the Highest Honors designation. Students in grades 6-12 who earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5-3.79 received the Honors designation.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of  the students from elementary through high school who achieved Highest Honors or High Honors.