February 2011 by Lakeland Christian School

Viking February 2011

The

Lakeland Christian School

LCS Traditions Create Rich Heritage

Tradition! By Dr. Mike Sligh, Headmaster As I stood at my 30-yard-line seat, feeling

In the Old Testament

exasperated by the Gators’ lack of offense, I felt the

we see God employing the

arm of the 70+ year old woman to my left suddenly

use of tradition to teach His

draped across my shoulders as she leaned into my

people and to remind them

body and began singing. This total stranger felt

of His faithfulness. They ate

perfectly comfortable invading my personal space

the Passover feast to remind

while belting out, “We are the boys from ol’ Florida!”

them of their deliverance

My friend on my right did the same. What was this

from slavery in Egypt

all about? Tradition!

(Exodus 12). They lived in

For as long as I can remember, and I have

make-shift lean-tos during

labored through over 50 years of being a Gator, the

the feast of booths to recall

Orange and Blue faithful have stood, linked together

their journey on the way

in this fashion, swaying and singing this traditional

to the Promised Land

“Tevye identified tradition as the power by which, ‘everyone of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.’”

song between the third and

(Leviticus 23). They erected

fourth quarters every game. It is

rock piles to commemorate

part of the color and tradition that

their miraculous entry into

makes college football so special

the land (Joshua 4) and God’s faithfulness (I Samuel 7:12).

for so many. Whether the tomahawk

Unfortunately, the rituals and traditions that were to point them to God, became ends in themselves. God’s people were harshly

chop and war cry, the Gator

rebuked for replacing true worship with powerless, empty religious

Chomp, Rocky Top, War Eagle,

practice. By the time Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, the

or whatever your college football

Pharisees had developed a very sophisticated but hollow religion

traditional rite, we all know the

with a low view of God and His Law (Matthew 5-7). Human tradition

emotional connection felt when

was incapable of establishing or sustaining a heart devoted to God.

we engage in our various rituals,

Later the apostle Paul warned of the danger of having our thoughts

sing the alma mater and pull for

“captured by human tradition” (Colossians 2:8).

our favorite team. The m ysterious

In my study and preparation for this issue of The Viking, I have

power of traditional behaviors like these make

recalled many traditions that have been a part of LCS for our 57-year

75,000 total strangers feel connected and give them a

history. Most of these traditions are associated with fun events that

sense of shared identity. Their emotions ebb and flow

engender many positive memories for our students. There are no

for a few hours and shape their moods for hours or

particularly serious or significant meanings behind such customs.

days afterwards.

These kinds of traditions come and go over time, adapting to the

The power of tradition is nowhere more clearly portrayed than in the classic musical, Fiddler on the

taste and enjoyment of the students. One foundational principle that has been a constant at LCS is

Roof. Tevye and the citizens of Anatevka struggle

the hallmark commitment to “Education in the Light of God’s Word.”

against the forces of change that are washing over

From the earliest school literature to the script written in stone in the

their tiny village like an unstoppable tidal wave.

elementary/middle school atrium, this phrase has provided c larity

Tevye muses, “Without our traditions, life would be

of purpose for LCS. The unchanging truth of God’s Word and an

as shaky as… as… as a fiddler on the roof!”

unwavering commitment to explore every area of life and learning

Tevye identified tradition as the power by which, “everyone of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.” Linking our p ersonal identity to tradition is shaky at best. Keeping tradition as a means of earning favor with God is a tragic heresy.

from a biblical perspective remain the top institutional priority. It is not merely a sentimental tradition. It is a driving force. This commitment to the faith not only connects LCS students across the years, but also unites us with the people of God throughout the continued on page 5

4T H

ANNUAL

Proceeds Create M usic Lab, Provide Financial Aid student musicians and vocalists. The

singing a number of fun songs from

musical event continues to satisfy in

student groups included the Senior High

“Mary Poppins.” The professional singers

multiple ways. In addition to featuring

Concert Choir, the Junior High Choir, the

then offered a selection of Christian

an outstanding program of popular

Senior High Chamber Ensemble, the Sixth

classics, including “Take My Hand

Broadway hits, patriotic favorites and

Grade Choir, the Heart of Joy (Grades 4

Precious Lord,” before concluding with

Christian classics, the Musical Harvest

and 5), and the LCS S ymphonic Winds.

three patriotic favorites.

Lakeland Christian’s elegant fall

raises a substantial amount of money for important campus projects.

An audience of more than 300

This special evening of entertainment

enjoyed music from Broadway musicals

is designed each year to raise money for

such as “West Side Story,” “Annie Get

special campus needs, and the 2010 event

Harvest, held in November at Trinity

Your Gun,” “The King and I,” “Les

did not disappoint. More than $50,000

Presbyterian Church, delivered another

Miserables” and “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

was raised and will be used in two

successful program featuring several

After the intermission, the stage and

different, yet important, areas – to create

professional vocalists from across the

steps were filled with LCS students who

a Music Composition Lab and for the

nation, along with more than 150 LCS

delighted the patrons by enthusiastically

school’s Financial Aid Fund.

The fourth edition of the Musical

continued on page 13

in this issue

p1, 13 Musical Harvest

p2 p3-8 Fall Survey Heritage and Traditions

p11-12 p14-17 Fine Arts Sports 1

p21 Alumni News

So What Do the Parents Think? Fall Survey Provides Valuable Feedback Last fall LCS parents were asked

and priorities. The desire for

the same way. Respect for the diversity

to respond to a survey on a variety of

the school to reflect the biblical

of perspectives is an important factor to

topics from academics to overall school

foundations on which the school was

consider in planning.

culture. The LCS a dministration has

founded are reflected once again in

been reviewing survey results as one

this most recent survey.

means of obtaining parents’ perspective.

The spiritual foundation and

This feedback will be valuable in the

mission of LCS has always been the top

current strategic plan development

priority expressed by parents. Equally

process which is designed to focus school

as strong is the expectation of high-

improvement efforts for the next three

quality academics. This is a logical

to five years.

connect. When one clearly grasps the

Responses representing 356

calling to do all to the glory of God,

students were received. This represents

the commitment to the highest level of

35 percent of our student body. P arents

professional educational practice for

were asked to complete individual

our students becomes an imperative.

surveys for each division of the school

Some other themes that emerge

(primary grades, upper elementary,

from the most recent survey include:

middle school, high school) in which

✦ concern for the quality and

they have students enrolled. Over the past 15 years, there have been three major parent s urveys. One of the most dominant themes expressed in each of

quantity of homework assignments ✦ continued commitment to attract

and retain high-quality teachers ✦ the recognition that student-to-

student relationships present

these surveys c ontinues

increasing challenges, particularly

to be the p arents’ con-

from late elementary through

cern that LCS stays true

high school

to its spiritual mission

✦ concern that our students take

advantage of technology in their learning

The survey results confirmed the priority of three initiatives already underway:

administration and faculty are involved in the review and refining of the school mission, vision and core values documents. The goal is to ensure that the biblical foundation of the school be e xpressed with great clarity and focus. This is not about changing the foundational principles. It is about expressing those as clearly as possible in order to keep the main thing the main thing.

22) Funds raised through

Boosterthon, plus a generous gift from a school grandparent, have enabled us to purchase iPad and iTouch technology as well as other equipment that is being deployed at various levels in the school. Teachers and students are exploring new ways to implement these tools to enhance student learning.

A review of survey comments

11) The LCS board of d irectors,

33) A relationship education

initiative has been implemented in grades

presented several areas of paradox.

8-12 to address the areas of r elationships

For e xample, the desire for rigorous

and sexuality. The program will provide

academics was coupled with the

not only the biblical principles involved,

expectation that the study time

but also skills and support to enable our

required by demanding honors and AP

students to apply these concepts in their

courses would not threaten students’

relationships. If students are unprepared

opportunity to participate in the

to meet the challenges in these important

wide variety of co-curricular activities

areas of life, it can lead to damaging

offered. The open-ended responses on

consequences affecting other relationships.

various topics often portrayed opposite

We are grateful for the participation

assessments on the same topic. Perhaps

of our parents in the survey process and

that serves as a healthy reminder that

look forward to utilizing this data in our

all parents don’t see everything in

ongoing efforts to make LCS even better.

Heritage The

and

L a k e l a n d

Traditions

C h r i s t i a n

S c h o o l

On the Cover: Traditions make up a large part of the fabric of a school. Lakeland Christian’s soccer prowess is a longstanding tradition which has seen the school win six state titles. Multiple generations of studentathletes have worn the royal and white and have been a part of exciting matches on Gordon Field and, now, in Viking Stadium. Pictured on the cover of this issue of The Viking is Girls’ Varsity Coach Jason Streets, Class of 1998 (back left), who played for LCS in the mid 1990s; Boys’ Varsity Coach Grandy Streets, Class of 1987 (back right), who played for LCS in the mid 80s; LCS junior Jordan Green (front left), whose father Mike (Class of 1984) played during the early 80s; and LCS seventh grader Skylar Streets, Grandy’s daughter and Jason’s niece.

Mike Musick Then & Now

LCS Logo Then & Now 3

Homecoming Then & Now

The

Heritage

and

Traditions

A Collection of LCS Traditions, Past, Present and, Perhaps, Future How long must an event or practice continue before it earns the “tradition” label? The following is a collection of LCS traditions – some past, some enduring and some on the horizon. It is by no means complete. For alumni and alumni parents, it will be a “walk down memory lane.” For current students and families, perhaps it is a glimpse of what to look forward to as you experience the variety of events and traditions that will enrich your schooling journey at LCS.

Traditions Past

Emerging Traditions

Work A Thon

Friday Night Football in Viking Stadium

Spirit Week Hallway Decoration Competition

Sports team hoodies

Fun Day

Viking dash

Open House

Fifth Grade Celebration

Sixth Grade Celebration

Hands-on science in the Wonder Room Sixth grade on-campus overnight “retreat”

Traditions That Live On

Future Traditions?

Spirit Week dress-up days (when you can eat Tootsie Roll Pops in class!)

Eighth grade trip to Tallahassee

Fifth Grade Retreat

Boosterthon Fun Run

Fourth Grade St. Augustine Trip

Dodgeball tournaments

Senior Locker Hallway

Seventh grade ropes course day

School musical and play Elementary Olympics Christmas musical Green Meadows Farm Cracker Country

A Never-Ending Tradition: Prayer

Pep band at ball games Homecoming chapel Seniors’ front-row seats in chapel

In addition to the many traditions

Brooms in the band room – for “superior sweeps”

listed above, the primary distinctive

Turtle Town

of LCS is the spiritual component

Senior Nights

to all that is done here. One of the

The bands’ 30+ repetitions of Christmas carol

most meaningful and longstanding

medley in the Christmas parade

traditions is the sending of “I Prayed

Pizza on Fridays

for You” cards to our current students

Senior Trip

and alumni from our faculty and

Rose presentations to parents at Baccalaureate

staff. What an encouragement to

100th day of Kindergarten

know that someone prayed for you!

Juniors’ “S-E-N-I-O-R” decorative letters in May Seniors’ “ten-day count-down letters” in May Senior verses at Commencement First and Second Grade Program

Lakeland Christian School

Why “Vikings?”

By Dr. Mike Sligh, Headmaster “You may ask, how did this tradition get started? I’ll tell you … I don’t know.” Tevye in The Fiddler on the Roof. From time to time I am asked about the tradition behind the school mascot. How did LCS end up

being known as the Vikings? The image of Norse invaders raiding, pillaging and burning lives on in the minds of many. The helmet-clad, pony-tailed stock catalogue image hardly seems appropriate for the Christian school! So how did this happen? I had the privilege of attending LCS from 1958-1964 for 4th through 9th grades. The school had no high school in those years. During my elementary grade years, the teachers were looking for ways to develop student leadership and ownership in our small fledgling Christian school on Chiles Street. The

Viking Then ...

formation of a student council seemed like a good idea. We were charged with the responsibility of electing officers to represent each grade. One day the student council brought us together for a student

government meeting. We met in the portable building that now stands north of Turtle Town. (That “temporary” structure was moved from Chiles Street to the current campus for short-term use in 1962!) In an effort to develop school pride and identity, the student council a nnounced a contest to select a school mascot. The plan was to allow the students to nominate possible mascots to the student council. The potential mascot options were to be reviewed by the student council, and our august leaders would p rovide us with the two finalists from which to select our school mascot. (I think my nominee was “cougars” and I have no idea where that came from!) When we gathered in our portable assembly hall for the big vote, the s tudent council presented us with the two finalists: Ambassadors and Vikings. In my way of

... and Now.

thinking, we were faced with a choice that was no choice! While “Ambassadors” had a somewhat spiritual ring to it (“…for we are Christ’s ambassadors.” 2 Corinthians 5:20) who could e nvision the LCS sports teams we dreamed of having one day being called the ambassadors? Would we wear suits and attack our opponents with attaché cases? I was not crazy about “Vikings” but could not in good conscience vote for the less than inspiring “ambassador” moniker. Evidently, my sentiments were shared by the majority of my peers, and “Vikings” carried the day. In a subsequent election, royal blue and white were selected as our school colors. Vikings may seem like an odd mascot for a Christian school. But perhaps it will make sense to you, now that you know the rest of the story!

Tradition! Continued from page 1 union with Christ (Colossians 2:6) and provides the basis of our

Shared tradition can invoke a sense of enthusiastic connection in

deep shared identity and connection with all believers.

the stadium or a feeling of community and stability in Anatevka.

We must be careful to learn from the history of God’s people

It can be an enjoyable sentiment, but it is no foundation for life.

presented in the scriptures and throughout history (I Corinthians

At LCS, we understand that only by grounding our students

10:6). We must guard against losing focus on the Truth of scripture

in the solid foundation of the Word of God can we raise up a

and the diligent pursuit of the implication and application of this

generation that is not “tossed to and fro with every wind of

Truth into the cultural context that shifts and changes around us.

doctrine”(Ephesians 4:14). We are committed to educating our

Tevye hoped that tradition would keep the residents of

students in the light of the Word of the Eternal One “who does

Anatevka from the instability depicted as a fiddler on the roof.

not change like the shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Alumni Return to Work for Alma Mater Dr. Mike Sligh Headmaster Attended until 1964

(no LCS high school at that time)

Mr. John Douglass Business Manager Attended until 1961

(no LCS high school at that time)

Miss Nancy Snyder Elementary Music Teacher Attended until 1961

(no LCS high school at that time)

How did LCS impact

What are some of

Who were your

your life?

your best memories

favorite teachers

The community of

of LCS?

and why?

families comple

Sitting around the old

Evelyn Wheeler Towler

mented my church

gas classroom stove

– she gave me a love

family and provided

in the morning while

for many subject

many examples of

warming our hands

areas, mainly music

godly adults as role models and biblical

and feet; standing around the flag pole

and geography – the world around us. And

norms for life in many areas. We had to

in the front of the school and reciting the

perhaps my love for travel.

do a great deal of physical work on the

“Pledge of Allegiance;” and playing kick ball on the playground with my friends.

How did LCS impact your life?

building and grounds in those days, and my family had a great deal of “sweat

Why did you come back to work here?

early years of the school have been very

equity” in helping to keep LCS alive in the

Dr. Walter Sligh, Dr. Mike Sligh’s father

significant. I have carried the values of

early days. I saw the commitment of my

and LCS board member, wrote me while I

Christian character learned in my home,

parents to Christian schooling, and it made

was completing my tour in the Navy and

church and school as an elementary and

an indelible imprint on my life.

said there was a need for someone to give

middle school student on to life – even

What are some of the things that haven’t

guidance to the Business Office. I had been

today. I am grateful for the influence

changed from the time you were a

praying for God’s direction and saw this as

spiritually ( I was so encouraged to read

student until now?

an opportunity to serve the Lord in a place

the Word and know Christ daily and

The commitment to education in the light

that had impacted my life.

personally), and make my relationship with

of God’s Word. That has always been the

What are some of the changes you’ve

Christ the most important thing

priority of the board and teachers of LCS.

seen that make LCS even better as the

in life.

The commitment to keep the main thing

years pass?

Why did you come back to work here?

the main thing has remained strong.

From that old frame house on Chiles Street

I prayed, and after teaching for 24 years at

What are some of the changes you’ve

to the wonderful facilities we have today…

two schools in the Washington, DC area,

seen that make LCS even better than in

amazing! My wife likes to remind me that

God led me back to

years past?

when she began teaching at LCS in 1969

LCS to teach. I’ve

The LCS academic program continues to

there was no air conditioning, no custodial

been here 18 years.

get stronger year by year. The quality of

service – you cleaned your own rooms, you

the faculty has improved over the years

taught music,

and has enabled us to provide the level of

physical education,

education that our students need to prepare

etc. and all for $2,500

them for study and for life beyond high

a year. Yes, some

school. The facilities have been the most

things have gotten

noticeable appearance to the community,

better but the mission

but the most essential dimensions of LCS

is still the same.

The impacts of my education at LCS in the

will always be what goes on in the hearts and minds of the teachers and the students and the relationships that are fostered here. The fine arts and athletic programs have grown in quantity and quality

There is a small group of faculty, staff and administrators whose time as students at Lakeland Christian School gave them the desire to return to their alma mater to serve here professionally.

in remarkable ways.

Miss Susan Ellis Secondary Social Studies Teacher Class of 1975

How did LCS impact

Who were your

favorite teachers

your life?

favorite teachers

and why?

My third grade

and why?

Lou Palmer: She was

teacher, Miss Chase,

Mr. Musick was

the coach of all the

led me to the Lord and

my favorite teacher

girls’ sports for a long

the investment all my

because he made

time, and we all spent

teachers put into my

learning fun and

to know each other. I was always aware of her love for the Lord and her love for us. She required us to think and to work ... she didn’t tolerate laziness or wasting time. Derek Keenan: He also made us think, demanded obedience and didn’t tolerate nonsense; but we knew he loved us and wanted us to do well ... and to learn to be lovers of God. Sammy Brooks: He taught us Spanish in our sophomore year ... sometimes it is hard for Southerners to speak Spanish, but he made it fun and helped us learn that it was ok to laugh at ourselves and go on. Cecil Peacock: He loved God and Scripture and wanted us to do the same. He was very patient, but he demanded respect and made us respect Scripture in the classroom ... and in chapel. He was like everyone’s grandfather sort of. He died of a heart on our Senior trip

Mrs. Luci (Ladd) O’Byrne Primary Grades Principal Class of 1988

Who were your

a lot of time together, so it was easy to get

attack while we were

Mrs. Claudia (Lewis) P owell Assistant to the Headmaster and Director of Advancement Class of 1980

life to nurture my spiritual growth. What are some of your best memories of LCS? Playing “Lost in Space” on the monkey bars during recess, Miss Chappell’s science class,

genuinely cared. He knew when to push me or challenge me in the classroom and on the track. He was the example I needed to get through the tough high school years. I still look up to him!

attending the State Soccer Championship

What are some of your best memories

in ’79, Chris Williams’ performance as

of LCS?

Rosanne Rosannadana at our Junior Senior

Some of my best memories: stopping in the

Banquet, and our senior trip to Mexico,

office to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Myhrer.

which aged Mr. and Mrs. Starling at least

Seeing Mrs. Aldridge always brightened

ten years.

my day! I loved serving as a TA with Miss

Why did you come back to work here? To cover the cost of my daughter’s tuition. What are some of the things that haven’t changed from the time you were a student until now? Weekly chapel, daily Bible class, Godly administration, scripture memorization, curriculum that is

Barlow. I will never forget the cross country team taking a trip to the beach; it was a tough workout! I loved the soccer games on our old field and the basketball games in the old gym (which is now the cafeteria). I remember when a group of us on the cross country/track team started an elementary cross country team; over 100 students participated; we competed against Scott

Christ centered, and

Lake Elementary.

Mr. Musick and Mr.

Why did you come back to work here?

Johnson.

I am thankful I have been able to come

to Mexico.

“home” because I love LCS and what we are all about. For years, I yearned to work under Christian administration. I stayed in touch with Dr. Sligh for several years … hoping for the opportunity to teach at LCS. Each time I stopped by to talk to Dr. Sligh, there were no availabilities or opportunities. Finally, in 2006, the Lord opened the

Currently, nearly 20 graduates work at Lakeland Christian School in various capacities. Here are just a few of their memories and perspectives on Lakeland Christian School.

door for my return to LCS. I have served as the Primary Grades Principal for five years and have had the opportunity to complete my Masters Degree at Covenant College.

Alumni Return to Work for Alma Mater, continued Mr. Darren Copeland Assistant High School Principal Class of 1990

Miss Kala Walls Fifth Grade Teacher Class of 1996

Miss Jenny Boulet Sixth Grade Teacher Class of 2003

Who were your

favorite teachers

favorite teachers and

favorite teachers

and why?

why?

and why?

Mr. Musick, Dr. Sligh,

Miss Metzler (Sharon

One of my favorite

Mr. Kirby, and Mr.

Thomas): She made

teachers was Mr.

Johnson because

everything about

Livesay. I had him

they made an

school fun, we were

for Statistics my

intentional effort to invest in my life

always singing and laughing; Mrs. Oncu:

senior year. He had to deal with me AND

and help shape me into a maturing

She was my favorite high school teacher

Rebekah Stargel! I remember how excited

Christian man.

after I started college because I felt prepared

he was about statistics. He loved standard

How did LCS impact your life?

and confident in writing papers for even the

deviations, and I remember thinking, “Who

toughest professors; Mrs. Parrish (piano

loves standard deviations? But hey, he is so

teacher): She was my teacher for 10 years

excited about it, I might as well try.”

and always took the time to talk about my

What are some of the things that haven’t

At LCS I developed a work ethic that has served me well in all areas of my life. I gained essential skills that fostered my growth spiritually, and I learned the

day with me and help me feel better if I was

changed from the time you were a

importance of investing in the lives

having a bad day.

of others.

What are some of your best memories

The mission. LCS is still about educating

Why did you come back to work here?

of LCS?

the students in the light of God’s word.

Senior trip to Venezuela, cheering on the

The heart of the faculty is to partner with

boys/girls soccer teams, Spirit Week games

students and parents to raise kids who will

(it’s amazing how many 7th graders

be Christian leaders. The teachers really

you can stuff in a VW Bug), tug of war

care about the kids at LCS. Being a teacher

at Elementary Olympics, Home Ec with

now, I realize they care about their students

Mrs. Gibson where I actually managed to

a lot more than I even imagined.

complete my first sewing project (and my

What are some of the changes you’ve

Because LCS is a place that I believe in. It was such a positive influence in my life as a young man that I had to be a part of that in the lives of others. LCS is not just a school, it’s an experience. What are some of the things that haven’t changed from the time you were a student until now? The school’s vision for impacting young people’s lives, many of the quality staff, and the sense of community. What are some of the changes you’ve seen that make LCS even better as the years pass? The facilities and fine arts program along with an e xpanded offering of academics and athletics.

student until now?

only sewing project).

seen that make LCS even better as the

What are some of the things that

years pass?

haven’t changed from the time you

LCS has a commitment to excellence. You

were a student until now?

can take one look around the school and

Fiestada pizza on Fridays, Mr. Musick,

see that in the past 10 years, they have

dressing crazy for Spirit Week.

taken that commitment seriously. You can

What are some of the changes you’ve

see the beautiful Elementary/Middle School

seen that make LCS even better as the years pass? Our new facilities that give us the resources and

building and other campus changes. The outward changes are just the beginning. The administration is heavily involved in giving the teachers the tools they need to teach.

space to

We have cutting-edge

enhance our

technology in our class-

teaching.

rooms. We have started to implement the best educational programs in the country into our curriculum.

Sixth grader Julia Canady will move on to the State Science Fair in March.

Several students participated in the Middle School Science Fair in early November.

Six Middle Schoolers Place at Regional Science Fair After competing in the LCS Middle School Science fair in

McKown went on to earn a second place finish in the

early November, several students went on to compete in the

Microbiology category at the Regional Fair.

Regional Fair on January 29. Six of these middle schoolers

Other Regional winners were Christian Bedwell (3rd

placed at the Regional Fair, and one was selected to represent

place – Behavior), Jacob Allen (3rd place – Earth and Space

Polk County at the State Science Fair in late March.

Science) and Brandon Kaye (4th place – Engineering).

Congratulations to sixth grader Julia Canady, whose first

Other LCS fair winners were Scout Hunt (1st place for

place project in Botany qualified her for the State Fair. At the

6th grade, Einstein Award); Brandon Kaye (2nd place for

LCS fair, she received Reserve Grand Champion and the “Friend

6th grade, Future Scientist Award); Shelby Bedwell (3rd

of Nature” award for having the project with the greatest

place for 6th grade, Out of the Box Award); Jacob Allen

application for environmental protection.

(Bill Nye Award); Kacee Strickland (Special Award from the

Eighth grader MacKenzie Bell, who was the LCS Grand

Cleveland Heights Animal Hospital); Joshua Davis (Future

Champion and winner of the “Future Scientist Award” for being

Power Award); and Christian Bedwell (1st place for 7th

the student most likely to enter a scientific profession, earned

grade, “Future Scientist Award”).

second place in the Engineering category at the Regional Fair.

Mr. Fred Wiechmann (Elementary Principal), Mr.

After earning third place for the sixth grade in the local

Richard Fifer (retired rocket scientist) and LCS Class of

science fair, as well as the “Real-World” award for having

2001 alum Mr. Joel Vogel (engineer) served as judges for

a project with an exciting application for the future, Quinn

the LCS fair.

Yrastorza Wins Second Place in Essay Contest In honor of Polk County Family Week this past November, Mrs. Gaye Lene Hasha had her seventh grade English

competition where he won second place in the 6th-8th grade category. Cole was recognized at the Kick

classes participate in an essay contest on

Off Celebration for Family Week. He

“Why I Love My Family.” After winning top

received a cash prize, read his essay

honors in the LCS contest, Cole Yrastorza’s

publicly, received a certificate and

essay was submitted to the county-wide

had his essay published in The Ledger.

Seventh grader Cole Yrastorza won second place in the Polk County Family Week essay contest. He is the son of Wanda and David Yrastorza (pictured here with him).

Conference Reinforces LCS Science Program By Mrs. Jennifer Canady, Middle School Science Teacher My two roles of wife and middle school science teacher collided recently when I was invited to join my husband for a conference called “Science and the Courts” hosted by George Mason University Center for Law and Economics. Some of the most eminent scientists in the country convened for

Mrs. Jennifer Canady has introduced LCS middle schoolers to some exciting new science programs in the past few years.

a week of seminars designed to help a ppellate-level judges from all across the United States, Canada and Israel understand the complicated scientific issues on which they must rule. Hearing from world-renowned scientists was both humbling and encouraging. As I took detailed notes on many hours of lectures, a r emarkable pattern emerged. Much of what was being presented to judges to help them make sense of the most difficult issues of our time is precisely what we’re teaching our students in middle school science at Lakeland Christian School.

I want nothing short of the best possible

As Dr. James Trefil, the Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason

education for my students (which includes my

University, took us through the scientific method, classification, the history

own daughter). It can be difficult to judge the

of science and the big ideas that shaped the foundations of modern science,

quality of programs – particularly in a field like

the notes I took looked remarkably familiar. As Dr. Marcia Angell, p rofessor

science that is constantly changing – and to

at Harvard Medical School and former editor of the New England Journal of

evaluate what it takes to help middle schoolers

Medicine, discussed the reliability of s cientific studies, I was encouraged to

get a top-flight science education. After hearing

know that my own s tudents could have followed every word. Dr. Bruce Ames,

from some of the most respected researchers in the

an eminent biogeneticist and researcher from Oakland Children’s Hospital,

country, I left the conference encouraged to know

dug deep into the workings of DNA and then took time over lunch

that we’re absolutely on the right track in science

to e ncourage me about the research my own middle schoolers are doing.

education at Lakeland Christian.

Two LCS Students Win Editorial Contest Competing against 181 other middle

Jacob Allen

Jake Albritton

or employment or about near-shore

Sixth graders Blake Bellar and

school students, sixth graders Jacob Allen

oil drilling. Miss Jenny Boulet taught

Triston LaPorte won honorable mention

and Jake Albritton were two of this year’s

the students how to write an editorial

for their editorials.

winners in the middle school division

while Mrs. Jennifer Canady taught the

During the students’ study of oil

of the 32nd Annual Student Editorial

science behind near-shore oil drilling.

drilling, students read op-eds from the New

Writing Contest sponsored by The Ledger.

The teachers then entered 18 students

York Times as well as articles by the Nature

Allen won second place, and Albritton

in the contest.

Conservancy. Canady was able to use a

earned third place. The students each

The finalists were chosen by

grant from the Southwest Florida Water

received a cash prize and had their essay

the Communications Department

Management District (SWFWMD) to host a

and photo published in The Ledger.

at Florida Southern College, and the

two-day “Organic Earth” seminar for sixth

winners were selected by the Editorial

and seventh grade students. Guests from

Board of The Ledger.

The Nature’s Classroom presented an oil

The contest asked middle school students to write an editorial discussing their thoughts on preparing for c ollege

spill simulation to the students.

Johnson Earns Oliver Hobbs Award Middle school band director Kathy Johnson was recently honored with the Oliver Hobbs Award, presented

The LCS Fine Arts Department won the Middle/High School Enrollment Award for having 60% of secondary students enrolled in a music course.

Mrs. Jill Jones (second from right) is joined by her Tri-M officers at the FMEA Conference. Pictured from l-r: Carly Tippel, Angela Douglas, Emily Tan, Courtney Payne, Jones and Andrew Tew.

by the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA). This award recognizes FBA members who have consistently done an exceptional job in the position of band director.

Fine Arts Faculty, Students Attend Annual Conference The annual Florida Music Educator’s Association Annual Clinic/ Conference was held in Tampa in mid-January. M embers of the LCS Fine Arts faculty attended multiple workshops, r ehearsals and concerts related to their individual disciplines. At the conference, Lakeland Christian School received the Middle/High School Enrollment Award presented annually to “middle and/or high school music programs d emonstrating high enrollment in music courses.” Currently, 60 percent of secondary students at LCS are enrolled in music courses. Kathy Johnson was also presented with the Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association (see separate article). Five LCS choir students and three band students were chosen to participate in All-State groups during the FMEA conference. These s tudents were chosen by musicianship, sight-reading and vocal audition, and p articipated with

Each district may nominate one person by secret ballot, and Johnson was selected by the Polk County band directors. The criteria for the award include being an FBA member for at least 15 years, serving as a current band director in Florida, attending district and state meetings on a regular basis, earning Superior ratings at the District MPA competitions, and serving the profession as an officer, committee member or helping with other FBA events. Johnson directs the fifth and sixth grade bands, as well as the middle school band. She also teaches guitar, serves as the assistant high school band director and assists with the pep band.

hundreds of their peers from around the state. Guest conductors from all over the US spent many hours in rehearsal with these students and presented excellent concerts at the culmination of the w eekend. Students r eceiving this honor included: Amanda Fulton, Kara Stacy and Vaviel Verner – All-State Treble Chorus; Johnny Boatwright and Casey Jones – All-State Concert C horus; Christopher Greene – All-State Middle School Band; Justin Middleton and Cameron Underwood – All-State High School Honor Band. Also at the conference, Mrs. Jill Jones, faculty Tri-M advisor, and the Tri-M officers attended the FMEA Student Leadership Workshop. This year’s officers are Emily Tan (President), Angela Douglas (Vice-President), Carly Tippel (Secretary), Andrew Tew (Chaplain) and Courtney Payne (Director of Children’s Choir). The students learned valuable leadership skills from speaker Fran Kick. The speaker used interactive teamwork activities to engage the students in learning lifelong social skills. He stressed the importance of being a leader who gives positive instruction and that actions always speak louder than words. “Being a leader of a group such as Tri-M means to put ideas into action, p articipating with the group and paying careful attention to the needs of others,” said Mrs. Jones. “This leadership workshop was a very fun and beneficial experience for all the Tri-M officers!”

Mrs. Kathy Johnson, middle school band director, won the Oliver Hobbs Award.

LCS Fine Arts Department Completes Busy Fall

Dorothy and her friends listen carefully to the Wizard of Oz.

Fine Arts Department Presents Largest Musical in School History With two sold-out performances,

Chuck Fulton provided the music for

The “Wizard of Oz” was directed by Teri

the highest attendance at a musical and

all the performances. Three additional

Evans. Wendy Carl and Jill Jones assisted as

the largest cast ever, this year’s “Wizard

students served backstage.

vocal directors. Choreography was taught

of Oz” is one for the record books at

This year’s cast featured Katie

by Amber Salaz, Ashley Thomas and Sheron

Lakeland Christian School. During four

Greene (Dorothy), Brent Adriano

White. Nancy Snyder served as the children’s

performances over three days, the cast

(Scarecrow), Johnny Boatwright

director. Other faculty and staff members

of this beloved musical entertained the

(Tin Man), Jimmy Prescott (Cow-

assisted with backstage help, sound and lights,

crowds in the LCS auditorium.

ardly Lion), Courtney Payne (Wicked

scenic construction, bookkeeping and ticket

This year’s cast consisted of 82

Witch), Amanda Carl (Good Witch),

sales. Amy Maloy headed up the costumes,

students across all ages, including

Andrew Tew (Wizard) and Zach

and the set design was coordinated by Mila

30 elementary students, 26 middle

Varnum (city guard). Other students

Adriano and Jesse Sharpe. Many parents

schoolers and 26 high schoolers. A

played various roles including the

helped with costume and set design. Jonathan

16-member orchestra directed by Mr.

munchkins and flying monkeys.

Masters served as the technical stage manager.

Fourteen Chosen for All-County Chorus

LCS Choirs Reach Out at Christmas

Fourteen LCS students were chosen to p articipate in

During the month of December, the LCS Choirs had many

the 2010 Polk All-County Choruses held in N ovember

opportunities to present the truth of Christmas to members of the

2010, at Florida Southern College. These students

Lakeland community. On Wednesday, December 8, the Jr. High Choir

were chosen by vocal audition and participated in

visited Oakbridge Assisted Living Unit singing Christmas carols and

performance with approximately 100 students per

spending time talking with the residents. On Thursday, D ecember 16,

level chosen from Polk County. The students r eceiving

the 6th Grade Choir visited the Emeritus Lakeland Assisted L iving Unit,

this honor were: Brent Adriano, Amanda Carl,

singing familiar carols. It was exciting to see the r esidents s inging

Makaylee Graves and Courtney Payne (High School

along as we were able to connect them to Christmas music of their

Mixed Chorus); Christopher Greene, Kara Stacy

past. On Friday, December 10, the HS Concert Choir and C hamber

Vaviel Verner and Hannah Warren (7th-8th Grade

Ensemble presented a program to the South Lakeland Rotary Club,

Mixed Chorus); Abigail G arrard, Caroline Kitchens,

held at the Yacht Club on Lake Hollingsworth. The LCS choirs are

Taylor Mills, Paul Mowrer, Cole Singler and Alex

thankful for the opportunities that Christmas gave for s haring the

Vorndran (6th Grade Treble C horus).

truth of the gospel to the Lakeland community through music.

1 — School parents Christina and Greg Sale were two of the vocalists for the Musical Harvest again this year. 2 — Julia Wright Costa and Mark Thomsen perform a song together. 3 — Members of the high school Symphonic Winds performed a number of pieces throughout the evening. 4 — Juniors Emily Sharpe, Molly Rice, Alison Sizemore, Ashley Abbott, Nikki Aspinwall and Ciara Atkinson served as hostesses for the evening.

Musical Harvest

continued from page 1

The composition lab will provide a place for aspiring young songwriters to develop their interests and hone their skills. Through state-of-the-art technology, students will have the opportunity to further

cultivate their musical creativity as they progress from playing the music of others to playing their original compositions. The majority of the money raised through the event has been placed in the LCS Financial Aid Fund. As a result of the country’s economic issues, more and more families are in need of assistance for their c hildren to remain at the school. In fact, last year LCS provided the largest amount of financial aid in the history of the school – almost $500,000. Musical Harvest money was raised through sponsorships and ticket sales. The sponsors and those who purchased Gold Patron tickets attended an a fter-concert reception at the home of Dean and Gina Saunders. The guests enjoyed hors d’ouvres and an encore performance by the professional singers. School parents Greg and Christina Sale once again selected and hosted the national musical talent, as they have from the

inception of the event.

LCS extends appreciation to the following event sponsors: Title Sponsor

Harrell’s Fertilizer Group

Sponsors

Jack & Tina Harrell Horne Construction, Inc. Kevin & Lois Knowlton MIDFLORIDA Credit Union The NCT Group CPAs, LLP OMS Peterson & Myers, P.A. Sale Insurance Philip Sebring

Hosts

Payton & Keith Albritton Bena & Tom Bayless Pat & Ralph Blalock Kim & Bob Cleghorn Barbara Hart Pam & Bennett Hill Danease & Jay Horne Sylvia & Kevin Jones Ansley & Greg Masters Cheri & Todd Maxwell Shannon & Jeff Miles

Jaimi & Corey Miller Adele & Paul Morgan Lisa & Steve Moseley Melissa & Brad Murray Jean & Oz Mutz Pam & Bill Mutz Beth & Lee Patteson Mandy & Cory Petcoff April & Bart Richert Christina & Greg Sale Bonnie & Streamline Sale

Annette & Steve Sligh Laz & James Smith Sherry & Conrad Varnum Amanda & Ed Verner Marcy & Dave Wickenkamp Kim & Jim Wilbanks Susie & Steve Wilson

Boys’ Soccer Team Claims Second Straight District Title For the second year in a row, the Viking

Before the Vikings faced off against the Hawks,

varsity soccer team added some new h ardware

LCS claimed an easy 6-1 victory of Foundation

to the LCS trophy cases as they defeated Santa

Academy in the semifinal game of the tournament.

Fe Catholic, 2-0, in the Class 2A-8 District Championship game.

At press time, the Vikings were preparing to take on First Academy in the Regional

Senior Michael Emert scored the team’s first goal in the first half, and freshman Jake Molony knocked in a penalty kick late in the second half. Senior goalkeeper Ethan M arquis held off the Crimson Hawk o ffense for his fifth shutout of the season. This was the first year that Ethan played soccer.

Quarterfinals. The Vikings are coached by Grandy Streets. After a rough 0-4 start, the team finished the regular season with a record of 15-7-1. The JV boys’ team was coached by Bernardo Blanco and finished with a record of 7-5-2. The middle school team, coached by Sheldon McVay, finished their season with a record of two wins, five losses and two ties. To view a complete summary of the season, visit the Athletic section of the Lakeland Christian School website.

Rachel Munson

FHSAA Awards Fall Academic Team Champions, LCS Leads Class 2A

Senior Swimmer Named Scholastic All American

The Florida High School Athletic Association has named the Academic Team Champions for the fall sports season, and two LCS teams have topped the list for having the highest grade point average in the state.

Senior Rachel Munson, a standout swimmer for LCS, has been named to the 2010

With a cumulative team GPA of 3.876, the girls’ swim and dive team

USA S wimming Scholastic All America Team.

took top honors in Class 1A. For class 2A, the girls’ volleyball team also took

Just one of 39 female swimmers in Florida to

the top honor with a GPA of 3.825. The girls’ cross country team finished in

be r ecognized, Munson was required to meet

second place in 1A, while the football team finished in the number four spot.

minimum time requirements in swimming events

With the first place rankings, the Vikings now lead Class 2A as the

(100-yard breast stroke and 100-yard butterfly)

overall Academic Team Champion with 50 points. This is the first year that

and have a GPA above 4.0. Rachel is the first

the FHSAA will award a year-end overall Academic Team Champion in each

female swimmer at LCS to earn this honor.

class. The top 10 schools in each category will receive points. Ten points are

Rachel currently holds school records in

awarded for a first-place finish, nine points for second, etc. The school in each

several swimming events including the 100 breast-

class with the highest cumulative point total for the school

stroke, 100 b utterfly and 200 individual medley.

year will receive a special award.

She was The Ledger’s 2009 Swimmer of the Year.

Wayne Peace Named Head Football Coach In late January, Lakeland Christian School announced that Wayne Peace has been named Head Football Coach for the Vikings. Peace served as Quarterbacks Coach at LCS for the past four seasons. He replaces Bobby Dan McGlohorn, who resigned following the completion of the 2010 season. Peace, a Lakeland native, is a graduate of Lakeland High School, where he led the Dreadnaughts to the state semifinals in 1979. He went on to be a four-year starting quarterback for the University of Florida, setting school and NCAA records in the process. He was one of the most accurate p assers in NCAA history and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated on September 13, 1982. Following college Peace signed with the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits, before opening a State Farm Insurance agency here in Lakeland. Peace assumes his head coaching responsibilities immediately as he prepares for the 2011 season. He and his wife, Melanie, have two children in college and two who are students at Lakeland Christian.

Lady Vikes Clinch District Title It was a heartbreaking loss last season when Santa Fe Catholic broke a 12-year District Championship winning streak by the Lady Vikings soccer team. Even though LCS got revenge on Santa Fe in the Regional Semifinal game, the District title loss could not be forgotten. This season the Lady Vikings were going to make sure that it didn’t happen again. After easily handling All Saints’ Academy in the semifinal game of the district tournament (6-0), the girls squared off against the Crimson Hawks in the Class 2A-8 District Final. It took a little extra effort, but in a come-from-behind overtime victory, the Vikings reclaimed their trophy again this year. Down 2-0 at halftime, sophomore Kourtney Rea came out strong in the second half, scoring the team’s first goal just a minute in. Senior Shelby Pierce later scored on an indirect kick. In the overtime, senior Hannah Webster scored the game-clinching goal. The Lady Vikings, coached by Jason Streets, finished the regular season with a record of 14-4-2. At the time The Viking went to press, the team was set to square off against Trinity Prep in the Regional Semifinal Game. Visit the Lakeland Christian School website to view complete team results. The JV girls’ team was coached by Rob Terry and finished with a record of 7-7

FACA Honors Basketball Players, Coach The Florida Athletic Coaches

Sophomore Christin Strawbridge

Academic All State Team. First year head coach

Association has named its

was named the 2A Player of the Year for

Timo Strawbridge was chosen as the 2A Girls’

2010-2011 basketball players and

girls’ basketball and was also selected

Basketball Coach of the Year.

coaches award winners, and four

to the 2A All State Team. Teammate

from LCS have earned top honors.

Emily Bolter, a senior, made the 2A All

Girls’ Basketball Team Strong Under New Head Coach

For boys’ basketball, senior Jonathan Wilsman was honored as the 2A Player of the Year.

Viking Hoopsters Rebound from Tough Start

After finishing the 09-10 season as

After a tough 2-7 start to

District Champions but with a record

the regular season before the

of just seven wins and 16 losses,

Christmas break, the Viking

the Lady Vikings were looking

varsity basketball team came

to improve this year. With new

back in January with a winning

head coach Timo Strawbridge,

game plan.

the girls did just that. F inishing

The Vikings, coached by

the regular season with a record

Todd Radford, dropped some

of 15-10, they were facing a

tough games early in the

District title match up against

season, coming up just short

rival Santa Fe Catholic as The

against McKeel Academy (63-61),

Viking went to press.

Frostproof High School (52-49) and

The Lady Vikes started the

Mulberry High School (56-50). After

season out by winning the Pre-

the Christmas break, however,

Season Classic in mid-November,

the team went 8-2 as The Viking

defeating Cambridge School

was going to press. The Vikings

and then Berkeley Prep. D espite

defeated Fort Meade by a score

struggling through early Decem-

of 69-36 to start off the new year.

ber, the girls’ team won their own

The hoopsters then faced cross-

Holiday Hoops Tournament and

town rival Santa Fe Catholic and

then defeated Mulberry High

came up with a 49-41 win. Two

School to end the year.

victories over Sonrise Christian and

After the break, the Lady

another against Fort Meade gave the

Vikings wrapped up the regular

Vikings momentum as they head into

season with big wins over Santa Fe

the District tournament.

(49-22 and 51-32), New Dimensions

The JV team, coached by

(58-17), Lake Region (46-31) and

Frank Lopez, finished the season

Out-of-Door Academy (44-39).

at finished the season at 15-

The middle school girls’

2. The JH-Varsity team was

basketball team was coached by

coached by Jim Boatwright and

Dana Fox and Kelly Lopez. They finished

finished with an outstanding 10-1 record. The

with a record of eight wins and three losses.

JH-JV team went undefeated this season (11-0) and

For complete results, visit the Athletics page on the

was coached by Dwayne McDow.

Lakeland Christian website.

For complete results, visit the LCS website.

The Ledger Names Fall All-County Athletes Congratulations to the following students for being selected as All-County athletes by The Ledger for the fall season: Football: Offensive Honorable Mention – Christian Alexander, Rob Harper, Daniel Smith Defensive Honorable Mention – Blake Averitt, Ethan Marquis, Livingston Boulerice

Senior Corey Stump (center) commits to play baseball for the University of Florida. He is joined here by (l-r) Athletic Director Mark Kirby, LCS Baseball Coach Blane Fox, and his parents Debbie and Duff Stump.

Senior Pitcher Signs with UF Lakeland Christian School senior Corey Stump recently signed a letter of commitment to play baseball for the University of Florida in

Volleyball:

Gainesville. Stump, a left-handed pitcher for the Vikings, finished the

Second Team – Hailee Bennett

2010 season with 78 strikeouts and a 2.14 ERA. He plans to study either

Honorable Mention –

business or marketing at UF.

Meagan Palm, Molly Rice, Alison Sizemore,

He is the son of Duff and Debbie Stump. His brother Jonathan plays baseball for Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

Christin Strawbridge Boys’ Golf: Honorable Mention – Hayden Hill, Blake Crosby, Grant McKown, Brian Staes Girls’ Golf: Honorable Mention –

Alumni, Former LCS Teammates Earn All-American Status

Hannah Webster, Ellen Sharpe Cross Country: First Team – Mark Mutz, Rebecca Eaves Honorable Mention – Taylor Scruggs, Jerod Fuller, Jessica Fuller, Carrie Kirby, Breanna Skladanek

Tim Green and Kyle Crouse were friends and teammates first, then competitors, and now they both find themselves on an exclusive list of college athletes who make up the NCCAA All-American Team. Class of 2007 alumni Green and Crouse played soccer together at LCS for many years under Coach Dean Johnson. After they

Tim Green and Kyle Crouse (shown here as LCS seniors in 2007) were both named to the NCCAA All-American Team.

graduated from Lakeland Christian, Tim went

Swimming:

on to play for Cedarville University (Ohio), and Kyle played for Palm

First Team – Ly Velez

Beach Atlantic University (Florida). Now as college seniors, Tim and

Honorable Mention –

Kyle met in December for the National Christian College Athletic

Stephanie Powers,

Association national championship game in Orlando—the final game

Olivia Schichtel,

of both of their careers. Palm Beach Atlantic came out on top in the

Chloe Wineinger, Tori Green,

national title game, but both players capped off their soccer careers by

Nathan Lain, Luke Yrastorza,

earning a spot on the 2010 NSCAA/Performance Subaru Men’s NCCAA

Dallas Connell

All-America Team. For Tim, this is the third consecutive year to earn the award.

Gifts

T O

L akeland

C hristian

S chool

On behalf of the students we serve, a heartfelt thanks to the following generous persons and companies who have partnered with LCS by providing a gift to the ministry. We were blessed by: Mr. and Mrs. Tom Abramson Dr. and Mrs. Ruben Adriano Mr. and Mrs. Keith Albritton Mr. and Mrs. Joe Aldridge Mr. and Mrs. John Allen Mr. and Mrs. Charles Asbridge, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Attaway Mr. and Mrs. Robert Averitt, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Avery Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bayless Mrs. Tom Bayless Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Berry Mr. and Mrs. Philip Beytell Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Blalock Mr. and Mrs. Jim Boatwright Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bolster Mr. and Mrs. Hal Bolter Dr. and Mrs. David Bowers Mr. and Mrs. Don Bradley Mr. and Mrs. Bill Branham Mrs. Mary Ann Breathitt Pastor and Mrs. Brady Brinson Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Bryant Dr. and Mrs. T. Brzozowski Col. Charles B. Burdette Mr. and Mrs. Clark Buurma Mr. and Mrs. Frank Campano Mr. and Mrs. Charles Canady Mr. and Mrs. Brian Carroll Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cassidy Mr. and Mrs. Bill Chamberlin Mr. and Mrs. Brian Chapman Ms. Kim Cherry Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cleghorn Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cline, Sr. Ms. Pam Cole Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Coleman Mrs. Lucy Anne Collier Mrs. Jackie Davis Mr. and Mrs. Steven Davis Mr. and Mrs. John Douglass Mr. and Mrs. Bill Drost Mr. and Mrs. Glen Duncan Miss Susan Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Perry Evans Rev. and Mrs. Roger Evans Mr. and Mrs. G. Patrick Fagan Ms. Marne Fauber Mrs. Nancy Fisher Mr. and Mrs. Bob Forlaw Dr. and Mrs. Kwame Fosu Mr. and Mrs. Avon Frier Mr. and Mrs. Tim Frost Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Fulton Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Garrard

Mr. and Mrs. Bud Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Guillermo Gonzalez-Torres Mr. and Mrs. Clint Gordon Ms. Ann Grassfield Dr. and Mrs. Graham Greene Mr. and Mrs. Richard Greene Ms. Patsy Ham Mr. and Mrs. Les Harrell, Jr. Mrs. Norma Harrell Ms. Barbara Hart Mr. and Mrs. Donald Heacox Mr. and Mrs. Holland Henderson Mr. and Mrs. Rex Henry Mr. and Mrs. John Herndon Mrs. Robert Hightower Mr. and Mrs. G. Bennett Hill Mr. and Mrs. Keith Hodge Mr. and Mrs. Louie Holmes Mr. and Mrs. Boyce Horne Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Horne Mrs. Debbie Houghton Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Howard Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Huckery Rev. and Mrs. Gary Hull Mr. and Mrs. E. LaMar Hunt Mr. and Mrs. David Hurd Mrs. Mimi Jenko Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnson Mrs. Stephanie Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Joyner Sheriff and Mrs. Grady Judd Dr. and Mrs. Derek Keenan Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kettlekamp Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kirby Mr. and Mrs. Jon Kirk Mr. and Mrs. Curt Kitchens Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Knowlton Mr. Erwin Knowlton Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Knowlton Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kriegbaum Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ladd Mr. and Mrs. Jay Lamelas Dr. and Mrs. Donald Langley Rev. and Mrs. Michael Latham Mr. and Mrs. Robert Latimer Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lopez Mr. and Mrs. Robert Madden Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Madden Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Maloy Mrs. Jeanice Martin

Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Mason Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mason Mr. and Mrs. Greg Masters Mr. and Mrs. Byron Matteson Mr. and Mrs. Todd Maxwell Mr. and Mrs. Robert McBride Mr. and Mrs. Mike McCormick Mr. and Mrs. Keith McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Tom McLaughlin Ms. Barbara Meneely Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Merchant Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Merz Mr. and Mrs. Corey Miller Mr. and Mrs. David Miller Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Miles Ms. Traci Mines Mrs. Norma Moore Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mora, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Morgan Mr. Kevin Morton Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mosley Mr. and Mrs. Eric Mowrer Mr. and Mrs. Birk Mullinax Mrs. Bennie Jo Murray Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Murray Mr. and Mrs. Mike Musick, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. O. U. Mutz Mr. and Mrs. Robert Myhrer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nagy Mr. and Mrs. Alan Naughton Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Nichols Mr. and Mrs. Chris O’Byrne Miss Ellen Oncu Mrs. Judy Oncu Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin Oxendine Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Lee Patteson Mr. and Mrs. Cory Petcoff Mr. and Mrs. Robert Powell, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Powell Mr. and Mrs. James Powers Mr. and Mrs. John Prahl Ms. Angela Register Mr. Ron Riggs Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Robbins Mr. and Mrs. James Roberson Mr. and Mrs. W. Tom Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Rowe Mr. and Mrs. Dale Russell Mr. and Mrs. Jon K. Russell Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ryal Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schichtel Mr. and Mrs. Steve Scruggs Mr. Philip Sebring Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sharpe

Rev. and Mrs. Jesse Sharpe Mr. and Mrs. Chris Shills Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Shimko Mr. and Mrs. David Simpson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Singler Dr. and Mrs. Mike Sligh Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Sligh Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Smith Dr. and Mrs. James Smith Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith Dr. and Mrs. Steve Smith Mr. and Mrs. Steven Smithson Miss Nancy Snyder Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sparkman Mr. and Mrs. Joseph St. John Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Stabler Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stacy Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stanz Mr. and Mrs. John Strazzulla Mr. and Mrs. Dane Streets Rev. and Mrs. Robert Stubblefield Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sutton Mr. and Mrs. John Szydlowski Dr. and Mrs. Bradley Tan Ms. Jana Tombrink Mr. and Mrs. James Tomcho Mr. and Mrs. Eric Torres Mrs. Evelyn Towler Mr. and Mrs. Jim Turlington Mr. and Mrs. Dean Turner Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Varnum Dr. and Mrs. John Verner Mr. and Mrs. Tom Watkins, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Weeks, IV Mr. and Mrs. Ernie White Mr. and Mrs. David Wickenkamp Mrs. Jean Widdowson Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Wiechmann Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wilbanks Mr. and Mrs. James Williams Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wilson Mrs. William A. Wolfe Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Wright Mr. and Mrs. John Zeckler Mr. Floyd Ziegler Burnetti Children’s Foundation, Inc. Harrell’s Fertilizer Group, Inc. Murray Equipment Sales, Inc. Outsource Management Solutions Peterson & Myers, P.A. Sligh Clinic of Chiropractic The Glenn W. and Hazelle Paxson Morrison Foundation Watson Clinic LLP

Living Memorials

Library Donations The Lakeland Christian Library staff

It is a joy to receive gifts that are sent to acknowledge a loved one. We are

appreciates the generosity of those who

grateful for the gifts received from the following:

have provided recent book donations. The library counts on the regular

I n memory of: Mr. Tom Bayless Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Kale Albritton Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Allen Mr. and Mrs. Hunt Berryman Mr. and Mrs. Paul Blalock Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Blalock Mr. and Mrs. William Coscioni Mrs. Norma Harrell Mrs. Peggy Kieffer Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Knowlton Mr. and Mrs. Edward Koren Ms. Patricia Lagoni Mr. and Mrs. George Maguire Mr. and Mrs. Larry Maxwell Mr. C. Parkhill Mays Ms. Gwendolyn McLin Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Miles Mrs. Anthony Miller Mr. and Mrs. O. U. Mutz Mr. and Mrs. Ray Phillips Mrs. Cheryl Philpot Mrs. Sandra Robinson Mr. and Mrs. J Michael Swaine Mr. and Mrs. William Sweat Mr. Robert Tate Mr. and Mrs. M. Wright Turner Mr. Hugh Wallace Mr. and Mrs. John Watkins Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Weeks Ms. Vicki Whitman Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wilson Bank of Central Florida Dixie Jet & Rotor Service, LLC Lakeland Properties & Management, Inc. Lowe’s South Region Construction: Mr. David Deal Mr. Mike Harless Mr. Tony Cook Mr. Shannon Love Sebring High School, Class of ‘52 seeJesus.net, Inc. Wallis, Murphey, Boyington Architects, Inc.

contributions of school families to

In honor of: Mrs. Bena Bayless Given by: Mrs. Norma Harrell

expand their collection for students.

I n memory of: Mrs. Doris Gibson Given by: Mrs. Robert Hightower In memory of: Cooper Naughton Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Naughton In memory of: Brad Langston Given by: Mrs. Sybil Swoffo

LCS Appreciates

Miss Danielle Allen Mr. and Mrs. Kent Atkinson Mr. and Mrs. Hal Bolter Mr. and Mrs. David Bowers Mrs. Jan Edgar Mr. and Mrs. Rex Henry Mr. and Mrs. Terry McNutt Ms. Shelly Schaedel Mr. and Mrs. Steve Scruggs Mr. and Mrs. Tom Standifer Mr. and Mrs. John Szydlowski

Lakeland Christian School is the beneficiary of many donated goods and services provided by school families

and other friends. These gifts enable higher levels of e xcellence campus-wide. Rhonda Reynolds and Star Pizza Box – For donating pizza boxes for sixth grade solar ovens. Richard Fifer – For spending many hours organizing science fair p aperwork to enable middle school students to compete in the Polk Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Richard Fifer and Joel Vogel – For judging the middle school science fair. Sherry Herman – For her wonderfully creative cakes that she donated to Mrs. Stump’s third grade class. Cathy Hamilton and Marsha Hannum – For coming in to help in Mrs. Stump’s third grade classroom each week. Judy Carroll – For donating a generous supply of specialty paints and other supplies to the elementary art department. Doug and Deni Burnetti and the Burnetti Children’s Foundation – For f unding the teacher training and purchase of all supplies and props needed for the Relationship Education classes. Betty Miller, Lisa Douglas, Libba Griffin, Tammy Henderson, Deborah Saley and Lisa Turbeville – For volunteering to assemble, organize and prepare all of the supplies and props needed for the Relationship Education classes. Kathy Fulton, Ana Liz Greene, Alice Middleton and Steve Jones – For chaperoning the All-State Band and Choir students in Tampa on J anuary 13-15. Kettlekamp Family and Barbara Hart – For donating crutches to the Lakeland Christian School Athletic Department.

Apple Products Purchased with Boosterthon Funds, Grandparent Gift Thanks to the Boosterthon fundraiser and the generosity of a school grandparent, Lakeland Christian School has been able to offer its students access to leading educational technology. The school has purchased 100 iPads, 50 iPod Touches, four MacBook Pro laptops and 20 iMac computers. Almost all of these devices are mobile and can be used in classrooms all over the school. The acquisition of these Apple devices allows LCS to be in the forefront of technology a vailable today. From graphing algebraic equations to studying the solar system to digitally dissecting frogs, students from kindergarten to twelfth grade can use the products to become more e ngaged in the learning process and to experience many hands-on activities through modern technology.

Blake Averitt Senior

Mary Peace Fifth Grade

Matt Nipper Elementary PE Teacher

Tori Green Seventh Grader

Ellen Oncu Second Grade Teacher

Students in Miss Jenny Boulet’s 6th grade class work together on one of the new iPads.

If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you choose?

By what age do you hope to be married?

If you could only have one piece of technology, which one would you keep?

Grossest thing your parents ever made you eat

If you were picking a new mascot for LCS, what would it be?

Cello

Cell phone

Pickled eggs

The Blakes

Guitar

Phone

Xylophone

By 65 when I retire

Record player

Piano

23-26

Cell phone

Violin

10 years ago

My iPad

YOUR TURN

Brussels sprouts

The Eagles

Broccoli jello

The Anteaters

Green beans

The Gators

Liver and lima beans and beets

The Wolverines

Alumni News 2000s

1990s

Faith Lay Williams (’04) and Christopher are the proud arents of Matthew Vernon, born on February 13, 2009, and p Abbigail Marie, born on May 25, 2010. Brett Register (’01) and Jamie Blair, a make-up artist in Hollywood, are engaged to be married and are planning a wedding sometime in 2012. Tim Britt (’01) and Lanna Daniel Britt (’02) recently celebrated their sixth anniversary. Tim has completed eight years as a Military Police officer in the Army, and Lanna is a news producer who writes for “Special Report with Bret Baier” on the Fox News Channel. They currently reside in Washington D.C. Celeste Frank (’02) graduated in December of 2010 as a Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University and as the Valedictorian of her graduating class. Following graduation, Celeste married Phillip Holstein in Maui, Hawaii. Celeste and Phillip reside in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Mandy Corda Pinto (’99) and her husband Bill were married in April of 2010. Jeremy Secrest (’97) is stationed at Fort Irwin as a Combat T rainer with the Artillery. Jeremy and Jessica Diane have been m arried for five years.

Note to Alumni Parents: If your former student no longer lives in your home but still receives mail from Lakeland Christian at your address, please e-mail Claudia Powell at cpowell@lcsonline.org to update their alumni information.

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Britt

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pinto

We love to hear from you. News about you is important to us and to your former classmates. Please e-mail Claudia Powell at cpowell@lcsonline.org. Planning your class reunion? Contact Director of Community Relations Julie Rice, at 863-688-2771, ext. 236, and she will arrange for use of facilities and will offer other helpful tips.

LCS Unveils New Website The Lakeland Christian School website has a brand new look! After months of work by the web team at Winter Haven’s Clark/Nikdel/Powell, the LCS site is visually appealing, easy to navigate and full of all the information our current and potential families need to know about the school. The new site features: Homepage links to RenWeb, lunch menus and the Faculty/Staff Directory n Scrolling features that highlight and link to the most important information or upcoming events at LCS n Updated news and calendar information n Links to Facebook, Twitter and the most recent photos n Admissions information including forms and tuition brochures n Much, much more! n

Coming soon on the new site: An interactive campus map n Online giving n A brand new sports site with links to schedules, results and much more! n

1111 Forest Park Street • Lakeland, Florida 33803 • 863-688-2771 • www.lcsonline.org Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lakeland, FL Permit No. 133

The Viking is published quarterly by Lakeland Christian School, 1111 Forest Park St., Lakeland, Florida 33803

Welcome Wednesdays Continue This Spring Don’t forget that there are more Welcome Wednesday Admission Open Houses set for this spring. On March 9 and April 13, guests are invited to Lakeland Christian School from 8:30-10:30 a.m. During this time, visitors can tour the campus, meet with school representatives, view the school video and get all of the information they need to enroll their children at Lakeland Christian School. Keep thinking about potential families who might be interested in sending their kids to LCS and invite them to Welcome Wednesdays! Can’t make it to Welcome Wednesdays? LCS tours are also available any day by appointment.

M A R K YO U R C A L E N D A R March 8 Progress Reports

March 28-April 1 Creation Care Week

April 1 End of the Third Quarter

March 14-18 Spring Break

March 31-April 2 Senior Play

April 4-8 Achievement Testing (Grades 1-11)

April 8 Report Cards