Through it all, LCA Is Stronger Together

It’s fair to say that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. In February, the phrase “social distancing” was nonexistent, but it’s now in the common vernacular. Wearing a mask was limited to medical professionals and those in other specialty fields, and now we take our masks with us everywhere we go. Despite these most unusual and challenging times, the LCA community is stronger together.

We invite you to reflect back to last spring and recognize God’s providence for our community.

March 6: Legacy faculty and staff convened for an in-service meeting, just before Spring Break, when we began to understand the threat COVID-19 could pose to oncampus learning. The coronavirus had just started to gain attention in the United States. LCA families left for Spring Break unfamiliar with the concept of “distance learning,” and little did we know that we wouldn’t get to return to campus until fall. March 13: Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide public health emergency. In light of the governor’s proclamation, many faculty returned to campus early, sacrificing their final weekend of Spring Break, to develop plans for distance learning. Mr. McGee extended Spring Break for our students by one week while our teachers worked tirelessly to ensure that learning would continue. March 14: The school’s executive leadership team convened for an all-day meeting to develop a COVID-19 crisis management plan and distance-learning strategy.

March 15: Two days after Governor Abbott’s declaration, Jena Snyder and Lana Snear, our counseling team, contacted families to let them know that they would continue to receive support during distance learning. The counseling team also launched a video series with resources and messages designed to encourage parents and their children. March 19: Governor Abbott issued an executive order closing schools

March 2020

until at least April 3.

March 25: The number of Texans filing for unemployment jumps a staggering 860 percent. Recognizing the potential impact on our families, the Legacy Board of Trustees immediately prioritized assisting and retaining our current families by redirecting all unrestricted Annual Fund donations to LCA’s Tuition Assistance program and the Benevolence program. March 31: Shelter-in-place proclamations expanded as Governor Abbott mandated that only essential workers could continue in their jobs outside their homes. The state’s economy screeched to a halt, and millions of Americans transitioned to work from home.

Our community mobilized and showed who we really are. Following Joshua 1:9, we instituted a daily prayer time at 1:09 p.m. to pray for our community, our nation, and our world. The administration, Parent Teacher Fellowship, student services, and development office reworked all events and activities to keep connections strong and rally behind our Stronger Together mantra. April 17: Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-16, announcing that public and private school classrooms will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. LCA was already operating within the distance-learning framework, but the governor’s announcement ensured that all Texas students would complete the year using a virtual platform. April 30: LCA dad Bret Coe, joined by Athletic Director Cole Johnson and LCA Head Football Coach Scott Smith, challenged the LCA men to Lead God’s Way. As the COVID-19 crisis set in and the temptation was to look to our own needs, Bret asked the men to follow Christ’s example by being willing to serve others and to elevate their needs above our own.

March April

March 27: To bring the LCA community together, Legacy hosted its first Virtual Town Hall. Board Chairman Brad Brenneman made two appeals to families as he explained the board’s vision:

• If the COVID-19 pandemic has had an economic impact on your family, please apply for tuition assistance.

• If your family is in a position to help those in need, please consider supporting the Annual Fund.

It was a timely message, and our families responded immediately to both requests. April 1: The first of many events to go virtual was Eagle Mama. LCA mom Jerica Olson challenged the LCA women to Glow in the Dark, to not believe that there is only one way for us to shine, to realize that it’s up to us to spotlight ourselves. “God is constantly making His appeal to others through us. Our glow, His glory!” Jena Snyder, Director of Guidance, encouraged moms to remember that children deserve our presence, our patience, and our perspective. April 22:

even in the midst of the pandemic, our The Annual Fund is officially renamed the Stronger Together Fund, recognizing the potential long-term financial impacts of the economic shutdown. Mr. McGee reiterated the importance of drawing on our faith and our community — that we are stronger together.

May 15: Unable to host the 14th-annual TJ Tomeny Golf Classic, the proceeds from which benefit Tuition Assistance, Chief Advancement Officer Shannon Nelson and her team quickly planned a virtual auction. All members of the LCA community provided items to be bid on, ranging from Principal for the Day and honorary cheer captains at a varsity football game to an overnight stay at Beavers Bend and lunch at The Cowboys Club with Darren Woodson. The TJ Tomeny Virtual Auction was a tremendous success, raising more than $35,000 for the Stronger Together Fund.

PTF also coordinated the “Love Our Seniors” week, during which every senior received treats and notes of prayer and encouragement from younger students and their families. Our Legacy community got creative and surprised them with everything from yard signs and door decorations to their favorite Sonic drink.

April

May 15: To help ensure that our families’ needs were being met, the leadership team created the Community Shepherd program: Teachers, coaches, and administrators called every LCA family and asked how the school could help. An appreciative community opened their hearts and shared tears with the Community Shepherds as they adjusted to the new normal.

Perhaps most impressive of all, the Class of 2020 responded to the pandemic with resolute faith and gratitude. Despite seeing one senior tradition after another canceled or altered, they demonstrated wisdom and poise beyond their years, further inspiring the entire LCA community. Wrapping up his last year at Legacy, Ryan Schroeder created an appreciation video for our teachers, combining some 115 encouraging messages from Upper School students. Seniors Lauren Bingham, Ryan Clink, and Mitchell Smith coordinated a 22-part devotional series, showing their love of the Lord and their optimism despite the circumstances. Initially intended for students, their messages resonated with parents and faculty as well.

May

May 22: A graduation unlike any other. LCA was one of the first educational institutions in the state of Texas to hold an in-person graduation ceremony. Our 91 seniors delighted in the opportunity to come together one final time as the Class of 2020, at Toyota Stadium in downtown Frisco. Though they maintained the required six feet of physical distance, that didn’t stop them from together turning their tassels and excitedly tossing their mortarboards high into the air. The ceremony culminated with celebratory fireworks, an unexpected yet marvelous surprise for the graduates and their families.

As the school year drew to a virtual close and questions surrounded the possibilities for the 2020–21 academic year, one thing was crystal clear: We are more than buildings and classrooms, we are more than arts and athletic facilities. We are a tight-knit community bonded by our love for the Lord and our care, compassion, and respect for one another. We are a community undeniably Stronger Together.