Legacy Christian Academy develops strong leaders with biblical convictions who are equipped to succeed in college and beyond.
We accomplish this mission through a balanced approach that honors and upholds:
> Challenging academics
> Robust fine arts
> Competitive athletics
> Positive mentoring relationships
> Covenant partnerships with Christian families
VISION
Legacy Christian Academy will be the school of choice for committed Christian families in North Texas who desire the best Christcentered education for their children.
Board of Trustees
Jeff Owens, Board Chair
Nicole Franks, Vice Chair
Brett Bingham
Lisa Liberis
John Alcala
Ronnie Berry
Brad Brenneman
Dr. Kenneth Chapman, Jr.
Patrick Droesch
Nick Johnson
Brad Struck
Head of School
Kevin Mosley
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Cheryl Crawford
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Neil Childs
ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Creative Team
Shannon Nelson
CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER
Lauren Rodgers
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS
Morgan Martin
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND SPORTS INFORMATION
Janine Boese
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Laura Ehrich
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Jacque Ballent
Photographers
Rick Baze Photography
Giggles Photography
Natalie Catherine Photography
Natalie Roberson Photography
Julie Custer Photography
Design
Proof Design Studios
Copy Editor
Doris Troy
ON THE COVER:
ELC students enjoying a break from playing together in the shade.
Artwork by Amelia Clayton (’26) A Musical Arrangement
is the policy of LCA to maintain a school environment that is
from
and to conduct its educational practices, admissions program, financial aid policies, hiring, and other school-administrative programs on the basis of an individual’s qualifications and abilities. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (unless it is required as a bona fide occupational qualification), sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, unless a particular status protected by federal, state, or local laws contradict the deeply held
LCA.
DEAR FELLOW LEGACY FAMILIES,
From the moment my wife, Irina, and I stepped foot on the LCA campus, almost eight years ago, we felt the love of Christ, and have been blessed by the school’s leadership and faculty ever since. We couldn’t imagine a better institution to educate our two girls, Olivia (’28) and Adele (’32). God is faithful, and we’re excited to see Him continue to move in the lives of our children and yours.
At LCA, our commitment to developing strong leaders with biblical convictions remains at the heart of everything we do. We believe that equipping our students with a strong spiritual foundation, along with a well-rounded education, is the key to their success not only in college but also in life beyond academia.
Many of you have made a lasting impact on our ability to live out our mission through gifts of your time, your talent, and your treasures. LCA’s Impact Magazine highlights and recognizes those who have played a crucial role in raising up the next generation of leaders.
Your unwavering support has empowered us to achieve remarkable strides in various facets of our school’s mission. We have fostered academic excellence, nurturing an environment where students thrive intellectually. Rooted in an unshakable biblical worldview, we have encouraged spiritual growth, helping students develop a deep and resilient faith. Additionally, we have promoted leadership development, preparing our students to become the leaders of tomorrow. Through expanded college readiness programs, we have equipped our students with the skills and knowledge necessary for higher education.
As you turn through these pages, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on God’s faithfulness and the profound impact it has had on our school community. This publication not only serves as an archive of cherished memories but also provides us with a meaningful opportunity to look back on the milestones and achievements of the past year. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and the vital role you play in our ongoing journey towards excellence.
Your support is changing lives to expand God’s Kingdom. We’re committed to carrying out our mission, and we’re enormously grateful for your partnership to leave a legacy so our community will continue to thrive.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jeff Owens LCA Board of Trustees Chair
DEAR LEGACY FAMILY,
We are thrilled to share that Legacy Christian Academy has achieved over $2.5 million in annual fund support, with more than 50% parent participation. This incredible community support has empowered LCA to grow and enhance every aspect of our mission, enabling us to better serve our students.
It is our honor to serve as the Annual Fund Chairs for the 2024-25 school year, and we feel truly blessed to steward this role.
When we first joined Legacy Christian Academy, we recognized this amazing school’s passion for partnering with families. We proudly entrust Legacy to educate and train our children for the world they will one day serve, and we in return are called to give back to the school with our time, spiritual gifts, and finances.
The incredible opportunities at Legacy not only benefit our current students but also pave the way for future generations who will walk these halls. Every dollar contributed helps Legacy expand and further the reach of God’s Kingdom. It is inspiring to see what Legacy has achieved in 24 years, and we are proud to invest in this exceptional school.
Our school is transparent about where your contributions go beyond annual tuition. Tuition covers operational costs, but our robust programs, development, athletics, and building expansion rely on the generosity of our parent partners. It is our duty to support Legacy Christian so our kids, and future generations, can thrive.
Our family is committed to investing in our church, our children’s future, and our family business. We know these investments build into the Kingdom of God, and we proudly commit to donating 10 percent of our tuition cost as our baseline for giving. We encourage you to pray with your family about your core investments and make Legacy Christian Academy a priority.
Together, we can ensure our school remains a beacon of light in this world, where knowledge, wisdom, faith, and safety cohesively reside, enabling our children to grow into the incredible people God has designed them to be. We have the power to make a significant impact on future generations who desperately need Christian education.
We thank you for allowing us to serve you this year and pray that God blesses you abundantly for your generosity.
Continued blessings, Dr. Trevor Huber and Mrs. Stefanie Huber
ANNUAL FUND ENHANCEMENTS
ELC Greenhouse
CAMPUS IMPACT
“With the updated cooling system and window repairs, I can now conduct gardening classes inside the greenhouse, providing students with weekly exposure to an authentic gardening environment. Classes are more intimate and free of playground distractions during recess.
I look forward to using the irrigation system in the coming months to keep plants watered over the weekends and through the winter, as most of our gardening will move inside the greenhouse.”
—Karen Profeta
Comstock Field Scoreboard
CAMPUS IMPACT
“Everyone loves watching instant replays on the football scoreboard, right? Recently, LCA invested in a new video board at Comstock Field that is bigger and more technologically advanced than the previous scoreboard. I’ve had the privilege of learning the new software accompanying our new video board, and it’s great fun! We can now ‘publish’ small video clips such as ‘TOUCHDOWN EAGLES!’ or a spinning LCA logo. Additionally, we can show instant replays, special messages, LCA Homecoming pictures, and sponsorship advertisements throughout the game. Soon, the new video board will also be able to show a live feed from a video camera on the field in real time. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am!”
—Paul Wetzel
Expanded SI Library Collection
CAMPUS IMPACT
“Our Spanish Immersion program has grown each year, and thankfully, we’ve been able to add hundreds of new titles to our library to accommodate this growth. We’ve gone from one bookcase in 2020 to multiple sections of fiction and nonfiction books in varying levels to help our Spanish Immersion students grow in their reading ability. We’ve also added new fiction and nonfiction Spanish books to our ELC library this year. Our goal is to host a Spanish Book Fair in the coming months to provide even more options for our Spanish Immersion students and families.”
—Julie Bratcher
Dyslexia Therapy
CAMPUS IMPACT
“How good is our God! Through the generosity of the Annual fund, our neurodiverse learners can now fully display the breadth of their knowledge. With the assistance of cuttingedge software, doors have been opened, and barriers have been removed. This is truly a blessing to our students. Thank you, donors, for your generosity and belief that God created each of us uniquely. You have provided tools for the students of LCA to shine.”
—Kristina Stockton
Added Security
CAMPUS IMPACT
“As a parent of two children at LCA, one at the North Campus and one at the South Campus, we are pleased with the increased security measures. It has given our family an overall sense of security and peace of mind that we have additional officers patrolling all campuses. Our family has been at LCA for almost 10 years, and we have seen LCA grow and adapt over the years. We feel blessed that LCA has taken thoughtful measures to faithfully show visible improvements in security and has added wonderful, servant-hearted security officers to watch over our precious kids!”
—Gretchen Rivera
MS Locker Rooms
CAMPUS IMPACT
“Thanks to Annual Fund donations, Legacy was able to make wonderful updates to our Middle School Boys and Girls Locker Rooms on the South Campus, including new paint, refinished flooring, and new storage options for athletes. New signs and graphics were also recently added to the walls. We are grateful that our athletes get to experience this refresh every day and can take pride in welcoming visiting schools to beautiful new locker rooms.”
—Tiffani Hall
Project Lead the Way:
Fostering Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Learning
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is revolutionizing the educational experience for students, here at Legacy Christian Academy. This innovative program is designed to encourage collaboration and interdisciplinary learning from a young age, preparing students to tackle real-world problems with a well-rounded, team-based approach.
At the heart of PLTW is a strong emphasis on teamwork. Unlike traditional learning environments where individual work is often the focus, PLTW encourages students to collaborate on projects and activities. This team-based approach allows students to learn from each other’s perspectives, skills, and ideas. By working together, students develop crucial communication and social skills, learning to value and integrate different viewpoints. This collaborative environment not only enhances their educational experience but also prepares them for future professional settings where teamwork is essential.
PLTW seamlessly integrates various subjects into its projects, demonstrating the interconnectedness of different fields of study. For instance, students might use robots to spell words, combining literacy with technology, or employ math skills to write code on a coordinate grid, blending mathematics with computer science. This interdisciplinary approach helps students see the connections between subjects and understand how they can work together to solve complex, real-world problems.
Students participating in PLTW at Legacy Christian Academy have access to an impressive array of resources and facilities. In the Lower School for example, students collaborate in computer science class every six days, working with 1-to-1 iPad capabilities for coding, robot kits for each partner group, and a variety of physical manipulatives such as robot testing fields and unplugged card games for coding. These resources provide a hands-on, interactive learning experience that is both engaging and educational.
One notable success story from the PLTW program at Legacy Christian Academy involves a 4th-grade unit focused on the input and output of computer systems. To deepen their understanding, students were given the opportunity to dissect computer hardware and build a personal computer from scratch. Over the course of a month, they assembled a fully functional computer, which is now used by students in the Lower School HUB. This project not only enhanced their technical skills but also provided a unique opportunity to draw Biblical connections. Students learned how every
part of a computer works together as a system, mirroring how every person in the body of Christ works together with their different gifts to serve a higher purpose.
Project Lead the Way at Legacy Christian Academy exemplifies how innovative educational programs can foster
collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. By providing students with the tools and opportunities to work together and explore the connections between different fields of study, PLTW is preparing them to become well-rounded, problem-solving individuals ready to face the challenges of the future.
ROCKET MAN Educator Highlight DIRK PREBLE:
WRITTEN BY: JORIE BUIE ’24
As he stands in the doorway to his classroom in the science corridor of the Upper School, let’s take a moment to chat with Mr. Preble, affectionately known as Mr. P, a man respected for his unique teaching approach and adored by his students.
“I don’t view myself as a teacher teaching my subject,” he says. “Rather, I view myself as a vessel sharing God’s truths with His children. God has taught me that loving my students is more important than teaching them. First I love, then I teach,” he says. “And if you look for ways to love, you’ll find the joy Christ meant for you to have.”
Mr. Preble’s path to Legacy is one of faith and destiny. After he prayed for guidance, his daughter Cris unwittingly became the conduit through which he discovered the school: She told her father about an encounter with Jody Capehart, LCA’s founder, and that ultimately led Mr. Preble to its doors.
In his class, physics is a living, breathing entity that manifests in the most mundane of occurrences. One day, for example, the pulley for the blinds malfunctioned. “Hmm,” said Mr. Preble,
his eyes lighting up as he climbed onto the counter. “What we have here, students, is a lesson in . . . physics,” he said with a grin, turning the faulty blinds into an unexpected classroom moment and leaving his students spellbound. It’s this ability to transform ordinary situations into extraordinary learning experiences that makes him special.
One of the most eagerly awaited projects in Mr. Preble’s class is the construction of rockets. During this weeks-long undertaking, he enthusiastically imparts lessons on physics (along with some math). The annual rocket launch is always one his students’ most memorable experiences. While some rockets gracefully ascend into the sky, others falter, barely lifting off. Nevertheless, Mr. Preble maintains everyone’s high spirits, and uncovers positive lessons even in the face of rocket failures.
Mr. Preble’s spirit of devotion is on full display. “We pray every day, in every class, without exception,” he says. “Love is not simply an emotion. It’s an active verb we share. If we want to show people what Jesus is like, we need to love them,” he says.
One memory Mr. Preble holds dear is when a former student, Ronnie Johnson ’23, during the 2023 Senior Softball Game,
recognized in front of all the spectators the impact her teacher had had on her.
Former student Hannah Wilson ’24 describes him as fun loving and down-to-earth: “Mr. Preble made me laugh many, many times in a class I didn’t initially think I’d be laughing in. He has an amazing sense of humor. And he completely changed the way Christ is observed through science. Because of Mr. Preble’s teaching, I can now see Jesus in how all the things of the world work and move,” she says.
So, if you ever find yourself strolling down the science corridor and hear some Elton John, why not listen for a second: it’s the anthem of Legacy’s own Rocket Man. In Mr. Preble’s classroom, rockets are metaphors for boundless possibilities, and Mr. Preble lights the fuse for physics. And with each lesson, he’s showing God’s love through the wonders of science.
Jorie Buie (’24) is a senior at Legacy Christian Academy. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at a local resource center. Following graduation from LCA, Jorie hopes to attend college on the East coast.
SMILING EVERY DAY Educator Highlight MRS. SNIDER:
WRITTEN BY: JORIE BUIE ’24
In the heart of Legacy Christian Academy, where education meets enlightenment, Lower School teacher Heather Snider is an inspiration. For almost 14 years, she has transformed her students’ learning into an experience of faith, love, and dedication to the Lord.
From kindergartners to first-graders and now with secondgraders, she sees it as her mission to shape young minds. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master’s in reading from Arkansas State University, and her credentials are matched by her limitless enthusiasm for teaching.
Legacy, for Mrs. Snider, is not just a school; it’s a family affair. Her oldest son, Blake, now 31, joined the community at the start of his freshman year, in 2006. “If you taught at Legacy, Mom,” he said one day when he returned from school, “you’d smile every day.” In his senior year, she began to teach kindergarten, and smile she did.
“God opened the door for me to teach here,” says Mrs. Snider.
Mrs. Snider and her husband, Pepper, have three other children (all Legacy graduates, too!), Zach ’13, PJ ’16, and Kallie ’23, and are the doting grandparents of a beautiful little girl, Blakely, who just turned one.
Mrs. Snider credits her growth as an educator to her mentors. Kim Slyman, she says, inspired in her a desire to listen closely for the whisper of the Holy Spirit. Colleagues such as Jessica Allsop, Andrew Embry, Anthony Glenn, and Ronnie Littleton have been pillars of support with their loving encouragement. Their influence is evident in her every lesson, in her every smile.
“More than a decade ago,” says Mrs. Allsop, “my connection with Heather began as a teacher–parent dynamic. What unfolded over the years transcended into a wonderful friendship, one that influenced my own teaching career. In the classroom, Heather’s wisdom, mentorship, and support transformed me into the teacher I am today. She’s not just an incredible educator; she embodies love for her students, recognizing and nurturing their unique talents. Heather is a divine gift, and I feel immensely blessed to call her my colleague, friend, and sister in Christ.”
“As I teach these sweet ones,” says Mrs. Snider, “and I’m speaking to them throughout our day about the traits of honorable character and the scripture, they learn of God’s kindness, forgiveness, service, and honesty.” When she teaches, she says, “those same words of Truth apply to me in that moment.” And she gives all the glory to her Savior.
“Each morning, when I sit in my teacher chair and begin our Bible lesson, the children’s questions create in me an immediate prayer — a humbling seeking of God to speak only His Truth as I answer them.”
“As a former student of Mrs. Snider,” says Sophie Nuspl ’24, “I cherish the impact she had on me. Every memory resonates with the love and support she offered in every aspect of my young world. Mrs. Snider is my special confidante, always providing comfort with her attentive listening and kind heart. Her influence transcends the classroom, making her an enduring and beloved presence in my life.”
One parent eloquently captured the essence of Mrs. Snider’s influence: “Somehow,” she told the teacher, “you make every student feel like they’re your favorite.”
Ephesians 1:11–12 reminds Mrs. Snider of the purpose that propels her every action: “In him, we were also chosen,” it says, “having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
Mrs. Snider takes these words to heart to lay the foundation for future leaders grounded in faith and compassion by nurturing a sense of belonging and love in every child — one lesson, one smile, at a time.
Educator Highlight MRS. WATTS:
A LOVE OF TEACHING
LOVE FOR HER STUDENTS
MATH MADE STRESS-FREE
WRITTEN BY: JORIE BUIE ’24
Eighteen years ago, Kathy Watts embarked on her teaching career at Legacy with a sense of purpose. “I knew I was where the Lord had called me,” she says, and it’s a sentiment that has determined her approach to education.
Known affectionately by her students as Mrs. W, she understands the delicate balance required for a child’s education, incorporating family, church, school, friends, and a good, healthy dose of entertainment. “Aligning these areas has enormous importance,” she says. Each child and family holds a unique plan and purpose, she says, making her role in their lives an honor.
Despite her impressive tenure, Mrs. Watts stays on top of the best practices when it comes to encouraging success in the classroom. Aware of the stress math can evoke, she surrounds her students with calming blues and greens, creating an atmosphere to promote optimal learning. Helpful math facts, strategically placed around the room, serve as gentle reminders, encouraging continuous learning.
Always on the move, Mrs. Watts seeks out the next student to guide on the journey to understand, embrace, and master math concepts. This dynamic approach reflects her commitment to ensuring that every child feels supported in the learning process.
Says Candi Loe, a sixth-grade teacher: “Kathy Watts is a ball of positive energy that motivates everyone around her to positive thinking. She instills an ‘I-can’ feeling in those she encounters, which makes her an amazing educator.”
Mrs. Watts is known for providing a “turn-your-frown-upside-down” pep talk that leaves students full of inspiration. Though it’s been five years since he was in her class, Caden Struck ’26 recalls fondly his time with Mrs. Watts. “The way she taught us is what has stayed with me the most,” he says. “Mrs. Watts was very intentional and always made sure we understood the lesson.” Caden’s favorite memory stands out: “After lunch, we would just talk and pray over
each another as a class. I still remember our post-lunch meetings.”
Mrs. Watts holds a special prayer close to her heart: “I pray that God will give my students ears to hear His voice,” she says, as she aims to help her students treasure a relationship with Christ and seek Him daily.
She also expresses gratitude for the impact of teachers on her own children (she and her husband are the proud parents of three LCA graduates — Jacob ’10, Hannah ’12, and Emily ’17 — praising the loving, caring, Christfollowing educators whose values aligned with her own. Her relationship with the Legacy community extends to colleagues, staff, and parents, as well as
her students — those she teaches now and those she taught years ago.
A graduate of Oral Roberts University, Mrs. Watts attributes all her success to the Lord, keeping in the forefront Psalm 34:1 — “I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”
For every child, Mrs. Watts offers a heartfelt prayer: “I pray that the peace that passes understanding will guard their hearts and minds,” she says, “and that nothing will disturb their composure.”
Her message to her fifth-graders: “When you walk into a room, look for someone to be a blessing to.” And isn’t that a message appropriate for all of us?
JOURNEY OF FAITH AND SERVICE:
LCA’S IMPACTFUL MISSIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE
By Madi Bixler ’14
SERVANT LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Central to Legacy’s mission is the desire to know God and make Him known. The LCA Journey program seeks to develop students with a deep understanding of God through service. Serving local, domestic, and global communities, Journey has equipped students “hands-on” with compassion and care for others outside of the classroom. But Journey isn’t just for students. “The desire is that this is school-wide,” says program lead Jenny Brady. In 2023, trips to the Dominican Republic, Zambia, and Honduras — on top of local initiatives — provided our students and LCA families with opportunities to develop their gifts and witness God’s goodness in a diverse world.
LCA partners with multiple organizations that already have a presence in these countries, such as the Micah Project and the 25 Project, to best love our brothers and sisters across the globe. By aligning with established groups, LCA is able to love and serve others in orphanages, villages, and hospitals all over the world. With a common passion for service, deep relationships are formed with our world, our community, and one another.
Journey offered seven more national and international trips for 2024, providing students and families a chance to grow their faith and make a difference. “Service is so much more impactful now,” one student said after a trip to the Dominican Republic. “It changes your life!” said another.
In almost every trip Journey took last year, the LCA team agreed that they received much more than they gave. It was a consensus that serving others richly blessed the team — seeing God and self through new eyes had an immeasurable positive influence.
With an exciting year ahead and plenty of areas to serve, Journey’s goal is to ensure that LCA will be a school known for its love through service from Frisco to the four corners of the globe.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Lynn Dupree, Senior Director of Athletics and Activities, has led several groups of LCA students on trips to the Dominican Republic in the last five years. He played a pivotal role in the program, helping unite LCA with 25 Project — a group affiliated with missions in several countries and well received by the Dominican Republic’s government.
“On our first trip, we had 29 students sign up,” says Mr. Dupree. “All of them really fell in love with the kids and adults they met down there.” Most of those 29 students were underclassmen, leading to a hallway buzz of shared experiences. “Then the waiting list for the next trip began to grow,” Mr. Dupree says. As the program started to thrive and the group prepared to leave for Sierra Leone, trip planning came to a halt when COVID-19 shut down most international travel. After three years of rebuilding
and planning, Mr. Dupree led one more group to the Dominican Republic last summer — their first trip since the pandemic.
Students prepared by spearheading supply drives for necessities like shoes — “We had several suitcases full of them,” Mr. Dupree says. On the trip, memories were made and laughter was in abundance. The group recalls a hilarious detour made by their bus driver, due to a large piece of metal blocking the road.
“Long story short,” Mr. Dupree says, “our bus ended up in a pasture trying to get back to the main road,” He shakes his head, chuckling, as he remembers. “It was a great time of bonding for the students.”
But in addition to the laughs, Mr. Dupree says, the trip had its sober moments. “It’s eye-opening,” he says, “when we first walk through a village.” Some LCA students were apprehensive at first but grateful for the challenge of going door to door, simply getting to visit and chat with residents. Mr. Dupree made sure to give students a pep talk: “Listen to comprehend — to hear people’s needs and desires,” he told them.
Partnering with 25 Project, the LCA team hosted a camp for children of the island nation. Children who met certain academic benchmarks had to be selected by the government to attend. “It’s an opportunity they’re really excited about,” says Mr. Dupree. Coming from homes without beds or electricity, campers are fed well and spend most of camp enjoying the luxury of play, such as putting on skits and doing crafts with the LCA team. Translators helped to communicate with the kids and LCA also got to introduce them to swimming in a pool. (Despite living near the ocean, many children don’t know how to swim.) “It’s just amazing to spend time with them,” Mr. Dupree says.
“On the last day of camp, you aren’t going to like me,” Mr. Dupree warned students when they boarded the final bus to leave. “It’s really hard to say goodbye.”
Journey and Mr. Dupree encourage students to step into the space of serving others even after their trip ends. “When we get back, I want to know if they’re still interested in serving,” says Mr. Dupree. He’s pleased to report that they are.
HONDURAS
The LCA Journey team also served the people of Honduras this past year, and in a special way. Rather than being a “studentonly” trip, the mission to Honduras was for LCA families. “We want to be a school that is inspired to serve at all ages,” Journey leader Jenny Brady says. The trip was for parents and their students (sixth grade and older) who came together with the common goal of serving and learning. “It is an amazing experience to be with your child(ren) serving God in an underdeveloped country. The ability to do hard work together broadens our understanding of who God is and makes memories that do not fade.” Mrs. Brady says.
Unique to LCA, trips like the one to Honduras create a new type of bond for our families — one that enables them to see each other in new ways and to grow. “How can we see more of who God is beyond Frisco?” says Mrs. Brady. As part of Journey’s initiative, the trip to Honduras helped LCA cultivate relationships with organizations already present in the country.
Partnering with four Latin America/Honduran-based organizations, Mrs. Brady helped the LCA team discover what
service to God — and servant leadership — looks like. The team was able to spend time at an orphanage, home to 70 children, through HOPE 3:27. “Our team got to show the love of God to the “fatherless” through crafts, games, and allowing the kids to enjoy simply being kids which isn’t always possible if you live in an orphanage.” Mrs. Brady says. “Peanut Butter is not a normal condiment in Honduras but the kids loved the PB&J sandwiches” she says laughing, “so LCA students made a lot of them!”
LCA also worked with Casa David, a home similar to a Ronald McDonald House but with the mission of meeting the needs of the families of the sick through evangelism, warm meals, safe housing, and a place of respite. The team visited the children’s ward of the hospital where Casa David ministers and was able to pray with hurting people as well as gifting them diapers, stuffed animals, and snack bags. “As we were leaving, many asked us to remember them in our prayers. They were so open to the gospel during a very vulnerable moment in their lives,” says Mrs. Brady.
“We went around asking if anyone would like prayer . . . nobody said no,” an LCA alum says. Many trip participants still talk about the impact of seeing the desperate state of those in the hospital and the lack of resources available but the hope people had in God.
With the remaining time in Honduras, LCA families worked with the Micah Project, an organization that helps homeless young men and boys by equipping them with life skills and a place to live. “This organization teaches trades like carpentry and culinary skills, on top of helping boys succeed in academics,” Mrs. Brady says. Meeting a requested need, LCA brought sheets and bedding to the boys and spent time getting to know them. Despite their circumstances, the LCA team recalls how kind the boys were. “Hearing they had lived on the streets with nothing, I was nervous about how they would react to us. They were some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met,” one student says.
Before wrapping up the week, LCA also partnered with a local church ministry, Bethel Central American Ministries, that works to bring God’s word to the Honduran police force as well as 5 local schools. The team walked into the gates of a large school where all 400 students had been dismissed from class and were eager to participate in whatever LCA had planned. Prizes were given, games were played, crafts were made, but most
importantly, the gospel was shared through a story and a skit and relationships were built.
After the trip, the team reflected on God’s provision. “What would it look like to rely on God for everything? For your daily provision of food and shelter, for your protection, for your health, for your education? ” Mrs. Brady asked the team. “We came away with the consensus that the people of Honduras helped us more than we helped them.”
Building on relationships with organizations on the ground helped LCA families offer valuable help to the people of Honduras, and form meaningful relationships in the process.
ZAMBIA
On her second-annual trip to Zambia, Karen Heckman and a group of LCA students partnered with Every Orphans Hope (EOH). A Plano-based organization, EOH cares for orphaned children in Zambia, walking with them from birth until their
flourishing in the workplace. Every Orphans Hope also works closely with LCA as a Professional Schools Program partner. Offering hope in the wake of the 1980s AIDS epidemic, EOH provides orphaned children with loving homes and meals in three residences: Bethel Baby Home (birth to age 5), My Father’s House (5+), and a young adults house that provides lodging as residents attend college and find jobs. “Many of these children are children of those affected by AIDS,” Mrs. Heckman says. “Since it’s a bloodborne disease, it’s passed through generations, leaving some children orphaned.”
The Zambia trip was almost two weeks long — “it’s doable, I promise,” she says, adding that the country is an easy one to visit, as most residents speak English. During the trip, LCA students got to interact with the residents of all three of EOH’s homes. Beginning in Lusaka at Bethel Baby Home, the LCA team ministered to the children (and some mamas!) living there. Taking over cooking and laundry, they freed up the women to sit with the babies and “just be moms.” As much as the LCA group enjoyed serving at the baby home, there were some unexpected challenges. For example, Mrs. Heckman says, “they use washboards and different soap to do laundry.” She laughs. “It was hard work!” The time with the little ones ended with a bounce house: “I think everyone enjoyed this!” she says.
Traveling to Kabwe, the team moved on to My Father’s House, EOH’s home for kids from ages 5 to high school. Family-style, the home is run by widowed “mamas,” providing purpose for Zambia’s widows as well as its orphans. Setting to work, the team helped with construction projects, painting, and cleaning, and even hosted fun activities for the children. “They always have projects for us when we visit,” Mrs. Heckman says. A fully unplugged trip, LCA students were immersed and free to bond with kids with broken families and sad stories. “The kids were such a blessing to us,” students say.
After graduating from high school, children in My Father’s House typically go to university in Lusaka. EOH’s house for young adults gives students the freedom to come and go as their class schedule dictates. The LCA team spent a day there, playing soccer and card games and building relationships with young adults. “We just got to have fellowship with them,” says Mrs. Heckman.
While in Lusaka, LCA got to visit the home church of an EOH partner. “The people there were so joyful while they worshiped,”
LCA students say. Also in EOH’s compound are shops and commercial activity where postgrads can find jobs. From tilapia farms, to a bakery, to the Narrow Road Bike Shop, business in the compound thrives, attracting local shoppers. “It’s our hope to help out the bike shop by doing a bike drive at LCA this year,”
Mrs. Heckman says.
Journey hopes to inspire students into future service to others, and student attendees were unanimously moved by the Zambia trip. Emotional and “life changing,” the trip showed them that when the world is broken, loving others brings joy. “It’s the complete and utter service component that moves participants,”
Mrs. Heckman says.
Madi Bixler (’14) attended the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating in 2017 with a BS in Supply Chain Management. She is a supply analyst and recently graduated with her Masters at UTD.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
BRIDGING HEARTS: LCA’S SERVICE CLUB CONNECTS COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACTION
By Madi Bixler ’14
For those who are interested in helping others, service opportunities are everywhere. And as God stirs hearts toward service, LCA students respond. Bridge Builders, a club started by five LCA students and championed by Senior Director of Community Engagement, Jenny Brady, was created this year at LCA. Members of Bridge Builders learn about four issues in the community and then apply that learning by serving in DFW. “We don’t believe we can serve well without education on these topics first,” say founders Jada Cesare (’24), Nataline Goh (’24), Rylie Heaton (’24), Callie Johnson (’24), and Kiersten Terrell (’25). “Making connections with people we don’t usually interact with and learning about social justice is not something we do often,” they say. “So, we decided to do something.”
The social issues the team chose to study this year are foster care, criminal justice, trafficking, and disability. The team hold three meetings (“learning sessions”) per topic and then put their knowledge to use. Partnering with four organizations involved with their initiatives, Bridge Builders hosts speakers and discussions to get people talking about biblically based perspectives on issues relevant in our community.
This month, as the team zoomed in on the foster care system, they partnered with Embrace Texas — an organization that serves foster parents and vulnerable children. After their learning sessions, the team woke up early on a Saturday and served Embrace Texas by cleaning flower beds, sanding tables, cleaning out storage, and offering a hand around the facility. They spent time with foster kids and even created bags with essentials for young people aging out of the system.
There were some big takeaways from the experience. “We heard that we shouldn’t take things for granted,” the founders say. “But when I saw that the foster kids were just happy to be with us, I realized how precious life is,” one says. The girls explain how special it is to see life through the lens of the people they serve: “This is more important than just statistics on slides.”
Bridge Builders’ time at Embrace Texas helped open eyes and hearts. “When I met a foster student, I was able to see her,” says a member of the club.
The new program is open to anyone who can commit to attending meetings. “It’s not just about what we do but why we do it,” the founding five agree. Putting faith into practice, Bridge Builders “build bridges” between knowledge of the needs around us and hands-on service.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
FOURTH-GRADE SERVICE: TRANSLATING LETTERS WITH 25 PROJECT
By Madi Bixler ’14
Led by Victor Rodriguez, the class conducts all lessons in Spanish. When the children asked him why it’s important to learn another language, Mr. Rodriguez challenged them with his own question: “How can we use this gift to serve others?” For this group of students, service is a natural extension of their experience. Throughout this year’s first semester, they translated 15 letters from sponsored children to their sponsor families, and more translations are on the way.
This initiative is facilitated by 25 Project, a nonprofit organization collaborating closely with LCA to support children in need. “We saw this as a fantastic opportunity to embody our SERVE theme this year,” says Mr. Rodriguez.
The class is also partnering with the Micah Project to write cards in Spanish to homeless young men living in downtown Tegucigalpa (the capital of Honduras). These heartfelt messages will be attached to blankets, aiming to spread the children’s love for Jesus.
Before they start their translations, Mr. Rodriguez personalizes the experience for his students by showing them photos of the children who wrote the letters. “I want to introduce them to the real faces and names behind these letters,” he says. “It helps our class establish connections to the authors of each letter.” The translation process is efficient: Mr. Rodriguez organizes the class into teams to work together. He gives them a Bible, and provides guidelines to ensure accurate translation of the verses.
The students embraced the task eagerly. Mr. Rodriquez laughs: “I really wasn’t expecting them to be this excited,” he says.
When the translations are finished, Mr. Rodriguez attaches the original letters to the folders containing them. This thoughtful gesture enables sponsor families to read and understand the words of the children they love and support.
By demonstrating their bilingualism, the fourth-graders are ambassadors for the value of service.
GrandEagles & Special Friends’ Day
GrandEagles and Special Friends Day is one of our most treasured celebrations at Legacy Christian Academy! This event provides an opportunity for grandparents and special friends of our Pre-K through 4th grade students to spend quality time with their grandchildren, meet the teachers, and explore the book fair and spirit shop.
1. LCA’s Spirit Shop team and volunteers were ready to help our GrandEagles and special friends find the latest LCA gear.
2. Our little eagles feel all of the love when their grandparents come to campus.
3. Grabbing a picture of our students and their special guests is always a great keepsake from the event.
4. It’s all smiles during one of the most fun days of the year.
5. We are so thankful for the supportive grandparents and special friends that are a part of our Legacy community.
GO EAGLES!
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Robert and Erline Taylor
IN LOVING MEMORY:
Honoring the Faith, Courage, and Southern Spirit of
ERLINE TAYLOR
Southern belle and die-hard Alabama fan, Erline Taylor was a beloved Legacy teacher and mother who went to be with Jesus in May 2022 after a long battle with cancer.
By Madi Bixler ’14
On the eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip, Erline bonded with other LCA moms — a group of women who quickly became a lunch crew marked by their love for one another and their ability to weather life’s challenges together. It wasn’t uncommon for Erline’s family to call the lunch crew, knowing the best way to reach her was through the friends with whom she spent hours.
Described by her close friends as a “picture of faithfulness,” Erline was real, honest, and courageous even in the face of death. Erline was accepting of others, sweet, and spunky, and had an easy smile for those who met her. However kind and loving Erline was, she was equally witty and dry-humored, known for cracking jokes.
Erline Taylor was also no pushover, setting her friends straight and even shouting assertive encouragement at her son’s football games. She was strong, capable, and southern to her core. (Her friends remind us that she did not consider Texas part of the South!) Erline loved shrimp and grits and didn’t have time for social media — she was too present with the people in front of her.
2nd grade field trip to Dallas Arboretum
A mother of four herself, Erline mentored young mothers at her church, First Baptist Frisco, where she led worship on Sunday. Those who worshipped with her recall her singing as moving, often bringing tears to their eyes. As her husband of almost 30 years, Robert, says, “Music was her form of worship.” Erline deeply loved and respected him; friends knew that Dr. Taylor was her rock. She also adored her children — Ivy Adair, Coleman, Olivia, and Emma. The times when she and her family could gather around the table and share laughs were treasured.
Mrs. Taylor (middle right) with her 2nd grade class
An elementary school teacher for many years, she was admired by her students, many of whom came back to visit her years later. Erline’s colleagues agree that even on hard days, she could lighten the burdens of everyone around her just with a joke or a passing smile.
More importantly, Erline knew that faith was simple — to love her Savior and His word and believe in Him. She was confident that God is good, despite the tumultuous circumstances of life around her. Laden with trials, Erline was nonetheless unshakable, fearing nothing even to the day she passed, fully trusting in His perfect plan. Although she is deeply missed, Erline Taylor now has the privilege of seeing Jesus Christ and joining in the angel chorus with her memorably beautiful voice.
Top: Mrs. Taylor celebrating her last cancer treatment
Left: The Taylor family (Robert, Emma, Ivy Adair, Coleman, Erline, and Olivia)
Legacy Night
Legacy Christian Academy’s annual gala, Legacy Night 2023, took place on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the newlyopened Omni PGA Frisco.
The elegant event, attended by 600 guests, celebrated this year’s honorees: Becky and Chris Johnson as the “Legends of Legacy” and Lin Mayberry as the recipient of the “Heart of Service” accolade. The evening began with a pre-function performance by Tristan Roberson ’26 and culminated in a lively after-party with music from the Ray Johnston Band. As the kickoff event for the annual fund, Legacy Night not only spotlighted these exceptional individuals but also served as a special occasion for the LCA community to gather, enjoy each other’s company, and strengthen their bonds through joyful fellowship and shared celebration.
1. Guests were ready to SHINE bright at Legacy Night hosted at the Omni PGA Frisco.
2. Head of School, Kevin Mosley, presents long-time LCA Art teacher, Lin Mayberry, with the Heart of Service award.
3. LCA Board of Trustees Chairman, Jeff Owens, came to the podium during the event to speak.
1. Our Legacy community enjoyed a night of fun and fellowship during the country-chic themed gala.
2. It was all smiles and sparkles this year as our LCA community came together!
3. Ray Johnston Band concluded the night with music and entertainment under the Texas night sky during the After Party event.
Legacy on the Greens: The TJ Tomeny Legacy Classic
The TJ Tomeny Legacy Classic was held on May 6th at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club, marking its 18th year of success. This sold-out golf tournament hosted over 30 teams who gathered for a day filled with food, fellowship, and friendly competition.
This year’s event featured a graciously donated ladies’ brunch followed by a spirited putting competition. Legacy once again partnered with Leaderboard to enhance the excitement through the tournament with putting competitions, super tickets, hole challenges, and prizes, including the chance to win free tuition for a year!
It was a wonderful day with our community, blessed with beautiful weather. All proceeds from the TJ Tomeny Legacy Classic go directly to benefit the Annual Fund at LCA.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
COMMENCEMENT 2024
Top: Legacy Christian Academy proudly graduated 92 seniors in the Class of 2024.
Bottom L-R: (Left) Male Student of the Year, Anderson Abbink, delivers a speech during the Commencement ceremony; (Middle) Upper School Principal, Jeff Veal (left), and Head of School, Kevin Mosley (right), with the Class of 2024 Top 10 Percent; (Right) Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Cate Woodward.
THE CLASS OF 2024 ARE GOING FAR AND WIDE FOR COLLEGE!
Here is a breakdown for the Class of 2024 attending college:
82% OF SENIORS PARTICIPATED IN CAPSTONE INTERNSHIPS
460 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
46% ATTENDING PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
51% WILL BE ATTENDING SCHOOLS OUT-OF-STATE
28% WILL BE ATTENDING A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
$8,174,000.00 + IN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO 92 SENIORS
35 DIFFERENT COLLEGES ATTENDING
50% ATTENDING PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
45% WILL BE ATTENDING SCHOOLS IN-STATE
4% ATTENDING GAP YEAR PROGRAMS
Top: Jeff Veal and Kevin Mosley with the Students of the Year, Miss Landry Burkhalter (left) and Mister Anderson Abbink (right)
Bottom: (Left) Female Student of the Year, Landry Burkhalter, came to the podium to address the audience during the ceremony; (Right) Rylie Heaton was named the Salutatorian for the LCA Class of 2024.
Bottom: The Class of 2024 celebrated 24 Legacy Founders, students who have attended LCA since first grade.
LCA CLASS OF 20
24 ACCEPTANCES
Abilene Christian University
Amherst College
Arizona Christian University
Arizona State University (Tempe)
Auburn University
Austin College
Bard College
Baylor University
Belmont University
Beloit College
Blinn College
Bluffton University
Carl Albert State College
Cedarville University
Charleston Southern University
Clemson University
Cleveland Institute of Music
Coastal Carolina University
Collin College
Colorado State University (Fort Collins)
Crown College
Dallas Baptist University
East Carolina University
East Texas Baptist University
Elmhurst University
Emmaus Bible College
Florida International University
Fort Hays State University
Gettysburg College
Gordon College
Greenville University
Hardin-Simmons University
Harding University
Hawai’i Pacific University
Hendrix College
High Point University
Hillsdale College
Indiana University (Bloomington)
John Brown University
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas State University
Liberty University
Lipscomb University
Louisiana Tech University
Loyola University Chicago
Lubbock Christian University
Marist College
McMurry University
Mercer University
Miami University (Oxford)
Michigan State University
Mississippi College
Mississippi State University
Montana State University
Montreat College
North Central Texas College
Northeastern University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Oklahoma State University (Main Campus)
Oral Roberts University
Ouachita Baptist University
Penn State University (University Park)
Pepperdine University
Princeton University
Purdue University (Main Campus)
Quinnipiac University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rutgers University (New Brunswick)
Sam Houston State University
Samford University
Santa Clara University
Savannah College of Art and Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Simpson College
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern Christian University
Southwestern University
St Mary’s College of Maryland
Stephen F Austin State University
Sterling College
SUNY at Fredonia
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
The Ohio State University
The University of Alabama
The University of Tampa
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Thiel College
Trinity University
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of California (Davis)
University of Cincinnati (Main Campus)
University of Colorado (Colorado Springs)
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Georgia
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Maine
University of Mary Hardin (Baylor)
University of Miami
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri (Columbia)
University of Missouri (St Louis)
University of New Hampshire (Main Campus)
University of North Texas
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Rhode Island
University of San Diego
University of South Florida (Main Campus)
University of Tulsa
University of Vermont
University of Wyoming
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Wayland Baptist University
Westmont College
Wheaton College - IL
William & Mary Wofford College
Small Steps, Huge Impact!
Our Laps of Love fun run was a tremendous success this year!
Thanks to the generosity of our LCA community, we raised over $100,000 to support both indexed tuition and our Journey Program trips.
Our Eagles from Pre-K 3 to 8th grade ran, walked, and danced around the track throughout the day, led by our partners at Booster, who elevated the excitement with inflatables, songs, and enthusiastic emcees. These are memories that will last a lifetime!
1. Our Eagles are captured here sprinting down the track! Their energy and enthusiasm lighting up the day and they run to make a big impact toward Journey mission trips and Christian education.
2. Eagle parents make our Laps of Love fun run possible and we love the opportunity to come together as a community for this event!
3. In full stride, these young runners were filled with laughs and joy as they rounded each lap
4. Mr. Kevin Mosley, LCA’s Head of School, came out to celebrate and cheer on our Eagles!
5. What a fun day with so many memories made! Thank you to each of you for your generous donations and support for our Laps of Love Fun Run!
LCA HIGHLIGHT
ATHLETIC
Signings
WINTER
Brayden Huber has committed to play football at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX. He was an integral part of the Eagles’ district championship season this past fall. As an offensive lineman, Brayden received 2nd Team All-District honors.
Ardon Mech will be playing soccer for the Hendrix College Warriors in Conway, AR. Ardon started all four years of high school and was named 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-District on defense. He was also named the District Most Valuable Player during his final season with the Eagles.
Hunter Ladd plans to play football as a punter at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. During his senior season, Hunter was named 1st Team All-District as both a punter and running back and received 1st Team All-State honors as a punter.
Jackie Purtell inked her National Letter of Intent to play softball at Oklahoma City University. Jackie started behind the plate her junior and senior seasons with the Lady Eagles and earned 1st Team All-District and All-State awards this season along with the title of District Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Jackie looks forward to continuing her softball career in Oklahoma City.
Sophie Nuspl has signed her National Letter of Intent to cheer at Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma. Sophie will be a member of the Competitive Co-Ed Cheer squad for the Vikings. During her time at Legacy, Sophie was a member of the State Championship team in 2022-2023 and received All-State honors as a senior.
SPRING
Christian de Moor has committed to playing football at Southern Methodist University. Christian started as an offensive lineman for the Eagles during their 2023 district championship season. He received 1st Team honors for both the All-District and All-State teams.
Caleb Johnson will continue his basketball career at Greenville University in Illinois as a fourth-generation GU Tiger. Caleb was a three-year starter and received 1st Team AllDistrict honors during his final season with the Eagles.
Kyle Ganim signed his National Letter of Intent to further his basketball career at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK. Kyle was a member of the Eagles varsity basketball team for three years and was named 2nd Team All-District during his senior season.
Anthony Lu has signed his National Letter of Intent to run track and cross country at Sterling College in Sterling, KS. Anthony began running in his senior year and has made significant strides and improvements, leading to the opportunity to continue his career at the collegiate level.
Lexi Thomas will join the Waves as she has committed to run track at Pepperdine University. In her senior season, Lexi was a state qualifier in both the Girls’ 4x100M Relay and the Girls’ 400M Dash.
2023-2024 EAGLE ATHLETICS
All-District and All-State Awards
Football
1st Team All-District Offense:
Christian de Moor / OL
Harrison Pfister / OL
Ian Pulte / QB
Hunter Ladd / RB
Kyle Morgan / WR
Ryan Wood / WR
1st Team All-District Defense:
Wes Norris / DL
Sam Jones / LB
Jackson Clemmer / LB
Ryan Wood / DB
Rhett Glenn / DB
Hunter Ladd / P
2nd Team All-District Offense:
Brayden Huber / OL
Henry Eluebo / RB Drew Lowery / WR
2nd Team All-District Defense:
Jake Schellsmidt / DL
Will Mello / DL
Noah Bratcher / DL
Garrett Sims / LB
Korrian Gray / DB
Honorable Mention All-District Offense:
Jaxon Dugas / OL
Jaxson Ladd / RB
Honorable Mention All-District Defense:
Aiden Sharp / LB
Andy Abbink / DB
District Suplerative Awards:
District Coach of the Year / Doug Hix
District Defensive MVP : Wes Norris / DE, LB
District Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Ian Pulte / QB
District Defensive Newcomer of the Year: Garrett Sims / LB
1st Team All-State:
Wes Norris / DL
Sam Jones / LB
Ryan Wood / DB
Christian de Moor / OL
Hunter Ladd / P
2nd Team All-State:
Kyle Morgan / WR
Honorable Mention All-State:
Rhett Glenn / DB
Harrison Pfister / OL
Ian Pulte / QB
Volleyball
1st Team All-District:
Harper Hanshaw
Allie Watson
Dakota Richard
Mary Esler
2nd Team All-District:
Lexi Thomas
Logan Burns
Hattie Hanshaw
Honorable Mention All-District:
Avery Godsey
Bella Piland
Sofia Sirgo
TAPPS Academic All-State:
Harper Hanshaw
Lexi Thomas
District Suplerative Awards:
District MVP / Harper Hanshaw
District Offensive MVP / Dakota Richard
District Setter of the Year / Allie Watson
District Coach of the Year / Luiz Lima
Basketball
GIRLS
1st Team All-District:
Harper Hanshaw
2nd Team All-District:
Catelyn de Moor
Brynn Dizon
Kate Peters
Ava Simmons
Honorable Mention All-District:
Kate Dunlap
Courtney Edgemon
Hattie Hanshaw
BOYS
1st Team All-District:
Caleb Johnson
2nd Team All-District:
Kyle Ganim
Brady Griffith
Honorable Mention All-District:
Logan McIntyre
Parker Springer
Soccer
GIRLS
1st Team All-District:
Kinsey Fulks / Keeper
Catelyn de Moor / Offense
Jada Cesare / Midfield
Nataline Goh / Defense
2nd Team All-District:
Camdyn Wechsler / Offense
Libby Roise / Midfield
Hannah Fleiner / Midfield
Livvy Abbink / Defense
Honorable Mention All-District:
Emily Proctor / Defense
Lyla Bardwell / Offense
District Superlative Award:
Freshman Player of the Year / Lyla Bardwell
TAPPS Academic All-State:
Kinsey Fulks
Jada Cesare
Nataline Goh
Camdyn Wechsler
2nd Team All-State:
Jada Cesare / Midfield
Nataline Goh / Defense
BOYS
1st Team All-District:
Ardon Mech / Defense
Rinner Stewart / Kepper
2nd Team All District:
Max Dugan / Offense
Dax Bateman / Defense
Honorable Mention All-District:
Jonathan Frazier / Defense
District Superlative Awards:
District MVP / Ardon Mech
District Freshman Player of the Year / Camden Stewart
TAPPS Academic All-State:
Max Dugan
Ardon Mech
Rinner Stewart
1st Team All-State
Ardon Mech / Defense
Honorable Mention All-State
Rinner Stewart / Keeper
Cheerleading
1st Team All-State:
Abby Bradford
2nd Team All-State:
Landry Burkhalter
Honorable Mention All-State:
Sophie Nuspl
Kaylee Funk
TAPPS Academic All-State:
Abby Bradford
Landry Burkhalter
Sophie Nuspl
Swimming
State Results:
2nd Place - Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Zach Fleiner, Zak Knott, Daniel Ogomo, Cody Coleman
Joe Navarro, known to his social-media followers as @joechristianguy, has been using his time and platform to talk about Jesus in a fun and relatable way.
After graduating from LCA (’18) and Texas A&M (’22), Joe felt God’s call to pursue content creation on social media as his career. A TikTok video he made went viral with more than 30,000 views, and, Joe says, “I thought to myself, if I can get this many views on a post, I want to share Jesus.” Now with some 2.1 million followers on TikTok and more than 1 million on Instagram, Joe’s calling has been sustained by God’s provision. Growth has been steady; Joe has been posting every day for almost five years.
“I never really run out of ideas for my videos,” he says.
Joe’s desire to spread the gospel through humor stems from the strength of his own faith. “I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior in third grade in the reading corner with Mrs. Slyman,” he says. Being the youngest child in the Navarro family, Joe overheard talks about the ways God was having an impact on the lives of his siblings and parents: “My dad’s relationship with Jesus was really impactful . . . I saw him every day in his office reading the Word,” he says.
Joe took his faith seriously, spending daily time studying the Bible and surrounding himself with people who encouraged him in his walk with Christ. “Bad company corrupts good morals,” he says. When at Legacy, Joe especially enjoyed Apologetics with Mr. Littleton. “All teachers at LCA have a relationship with Jesus and care about their students’ relationship with him, too,” he says.
After LCA, Joe studied at Texas A&M, graduating with a degree in agricultural economics. “When you get to college, you get to choose if you want to keep pursuing the faith,” he says. “I had a relationship with Jesus and good Christian roommates and was grateful for the older men who mentored me.”
Joe’s accounts have sparked belief and enthusiasm for Christ far and wide.
People who aren’t Christians have told Joe that they love his videos and keep watching them. Students who didn’t go to church began reading the Bible after viewing Joe’s posts. “It’s really special to get to plant that seed and see how God grows it,” Joe says.
The world is rife with persecution, so Joe’s social-media posts have gotten adverse attention, too — “in college, I got rejected by clubs I wanted to participate in due to my strong socialmedia presence,” he remembers. “They considered it a liability.” When he first started his account, Joe says, he received lots of negative feedback, usually from atheists saying that Jesus isn’t real. “I didn’t let these comments bother me,” he says. “They just ended up boosting the algorithm, so my videos got more views.”
When he is not partnering with companies and promoting Christ on social media, Joe enjoys working out and participating in Bible studies with other influencers. “We created our own study,” Joe says. “We’re reading Becoming a King, which is all about how to be a man of God and what biblical masculinity looks like.”
SAYERS COLLINS: FROM SETBACKS TO STRIKEOUTS
Recently named the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) College Division Player of the Year, LCA alumnus Sayers Collins ’19 has broken records in his last two years playing for East Texas Baptist University. He was one of only three recipients of this award, which honors college standouts who set the standard for excellence — both on and off the field.
By Madi Bixler ’14
Producing what East Texas Baptist calls “arguably the top 2023 season and all-time best career showing for ETBU” has led Sayers to think about his time on the diamond with gratitude and humility.
“When I started at ETBU,” he says, “my hope was to just make the travel roster.” Then his first season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and he returned home just four weeks after the season began. “I spent the spring and summer working out with other LCA alums and used that time to get stronger as a player,” he says. Despite his hard work, Sayers didn’t experience immediate success when he returned to ETBU in the fall. “I had a pretty bad season,” he says. “The coaches said I needed to get better. During that Christmas break, I knew I wanted to come back stronger and ready to play.”
The following spring saw an explosion of success for Sayers and the ETBU Tigers. After a teammate’s injury, Sayers appealed to the coaching staff, who offered him a chance to pitch — against a team that hadn’t lost a conference game all year. The outcome was revolutionary: Sayers struck out 11 of the opposing team’s players!
“I’m not sure how I did it,” he says now, with a measure of disbelief. “I mean, I was hitting personal velocity records.” Sayers gives full credit to the Lord for this career moment: “It’s like God was telling me to raise my own bar, because He had so much more in store for me than I did for myself.”
Still, Sayers has experienced humbling moments. “God continues to remind me that, at any moment, success can be taken away,” says Sayers. In light of this, he walks with humility amid great accomplishments and remembers, he says, that “this is just a game.”
Sayers now holds the top spot for single-season strikeouts (135) at ETBU and total ETBU strikeouts (329). He has also set a record for American Southwest Conference (ASC) Pitcher of the Week (11) and has earned back-to-back Pitcher of the Year awards in ’22 and ’23 (ASC, ABCA, Region 10).
Sayers prioritizes character and leadership off the field, too — one of the reasons he earned the SABR award. He makes it a point to mentor freshmen on the team and help them learn how to deal with the inevitable roller coaster of success and failure. “I try to remind myself to be the person I needed when I was a freshman,” he says.
Largely because of LCA’s Bible and government classes — he cites Mr. Littleton and Mrs. Grubb, who, he says, showed him that no matter what he does, he can use his platform to represent Christ — Sayers returned to ETBU this fall to complete his political science degree, and hopes to help the Tigers reach the National Championship. After the spring season, Sayers plans to go on for his master’s in strategic communications and hopes, if the Lord allows, to join Major League Baseball.
FROM IDEA TO IMPACT:
Trenton Balcombe’s ChurchSearch Connects College Students to Churches
By Madi Bixler ’14
University of Texas (UT) student and LCA graduate Trenton Balcombe ’21 has identified an opportunity to use his skills to help college students. His browser app, ChurchSearch, which he launched in Austin this fall, is designed to help students find a Bible-believing church home in the area.
“Finding a church can be overwhelming,” Trenton says. “The idea came to me during my freshman year at UT, when I was looking for a church after moving from Frisco to Austin.”
Drawing from his own extended search, Trenton wanted to leverage a platform to connect students quickly and provide them with information to make their discovery process easier. To make his idea a reality, Trenton joined UT’s entrepreneurship program. “This was a semester-long program of about 20 students all working on their own early-stage projects,” he says. “Most of us just had an idea.” Students in the program were paired with mentors in the business school and the semester ended with a pitch competition. “I was thankful to be one of the finalists,” Trenton says. “I won some money for my project, which I used to get the app started.”
As Trenton began implementing his ideas, the set-up wasn’t as straightforward as one might think. “It’s not just a website with church info on it,” he says. With the help of developers (among them LCA grad Preston Cook ’20), Trenton created a filtering function within the app. “It’s similar to what you might see on Yelp or Airbnb,” he says. Users can filter for things such as preaching style, denomination, and small-group options.
Results populate with churches specific to student preferences and provide detailed information about a church and its pastor. “We noticed that a major pain point in students was the lack of feedback from the in-person experience,” says Trenton, “so one thing we also have is student testimonials for each church.”
Trenton started by gathering names of biblically sound churches in the area from groups who knew which ones enjoyed college populations. “I started checking with student organizations and took recommendations from pastors and friends,” he says. Rather than just pulling information from websites, Trenton built relationships with local churches. “We set up meetings with the churches in person to get a feel for their programs and to create partnership with them,” he says, and the churches responded positively to Trenton’s outreach, resulting in some 40 Austin churches featured on the ChurchSearch tool. The app is regularly updated and maintained and, Trenton says, “we’d eventually like to expand to other college towns.”
Trenton, who plays soccer at UT and recently interned at a private equity firm, says ChurchSearch has helped him become more comfortable speaking about his faith. “Now it’s pretty much second nature to talk about the app with anyone,” he says, and that has fueled his courage to be a disciple.
Alumni Spotlight
BEYOND COLLEGE BOUNDARIES: Whitney Sonju’s Year of Faith and Service
By Madi Bixler ’14
After her LCA graduation, Whitney Sonju ’23 entered an intensive discipleship program in the Adirondack Mountains of New York at Camp of the Woods — a Christian family camp and resort. Founded in 1988 by Whitney’s father, the LIFT program at Camp of the Woods offers 18–25-year-olds a chance to develop as individuals and deepen their faith.
“My dad saw there wasn’t much opportunity for campers to develop past camp,” she says. “He was struggling to find quality young adults who could serve on staff as counselors and realized a formal program was needed.”
Following the family legacy, Whitney herself began the LIFT program in August. “It’s so cool to get to do this thing my dad created,” she says.
When she was a senior at LCA, Whitney never considered a year before college to pursue LIFT. “I thought gap years were for people who were unprepared,” she says. Though she visited several schools, Whitney says, “I just never found one I was excited about . . . it’s a big decision to make, too.” As she deliberated, Whitney realized she needed a break from her hectic schedule and LCA’s academic rigor. “Everyone could benefit from a breather,” she says. Whitney says she wrestled with her decision to take a gap year. “I had several great relationships with LCA teachers,” she says, “and they really helped guide my decision to join LIFT and taught me that strong faith influences every other part of life.”
Free of the pressures that come with attending college, now Whitney spends much of her time outdoors and in service.
The LIFT program is rigorous in its own way, though. The program transforms attendees in six areas: Christian
community, servant leadership, missional outreach, professional development, academics, and outdoor adventure. Between Friday and Sunday each weekend, the LIFT team provides more than 20 hours of service to other campers, helping with food and housekeeping, in addition to attending church on Sunday. On Tuesday and Friday, they attend classes and do outreach in the nearby town. Wednesday is excursion day (complete with 18-mile hikes!). “I think I’m most excited about the excursion day,” Whitney admits. “We get to do crosscountry skiing in winter and even cliff jumping!” For Sabbath (Thursday), Whitney hopes to visit with her grandparents, who live in Upstate New York, and spend additional time in ministry.
Later in the year, the LIFT team will go on a mission trip to Latin America, to serve just as they have in years past, working in healthcare clinics or helping children with disabilities.
Whitney views this year as a chance to strengthen her faith for her post-LCA studies — she’ll pursue a degree in nursing. “College involves lots of decisions and accountability,” she says. “I want to be spiritually strong for those. In my mind, it’s one of the most important things I can do.”
“Nobody who goes through LIFT comes out unchanged,” she says.
Clue: A WHO DONE IT SUCCESS
Judging from the laughter and the gasps and the clapping of hands and the stomping of feet, the audience was thrilled and astonished as they took in the all-school production of Clue.
Legacy Christian Academy’s Upper School theater department showcased their superb talent with a successful run of Clue this past spring, a witty and engaging mystery that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Based on the popular board game and the 1985 classic film, the play brought to life a cast of colorful characters caught up in a whirlwind of suspicion, intrigue, and hilarious misunderstandings. As the story unfolded, each character’s secrets were revealed, drawing the audience deeper into the mystery of who committed the crime– and with what weapon.
Under the direction of our incredible Theater Teacher, Amanda Smith, the LCA theater team embraced the challenge of portraying these iconic roles, delivering performances that were both sharp and hilarious. The cast’s chemistry, combined with the clever script, resulted in an evening full of laughter, surprise twists, and a classic “whodunit” experience that kept everyone guessing until the very end. The production was a memorable highlight of the school year, showcasing the dedication and creativity of our Upper School students.
2023-2024 Fine Art Awards Band LCA HONORS:
2023 TPSMEA State Marching Champions
Class Awards: Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Marching, Outstanding Musical Effect
2023 USBand Southwest Championship: Austin, TX
1st Place Class One Band
Class Awards: Outstanding Percussion, Overall Effect, Music, Visual, Colorguard
TPSMEA Concert and Sight-Reading
Upper School Band / All Superior Concert and Sight-Reading: Sweep Stakes Award
Middle School Band / All Superior Concert and Sight-Reading
Formal Music Festival:
Irvine California
Upper School Band / All Superior Ratings: Gold Medal
Christopher Cleveland / Outstanding Solist
Middle School ATSSB Region Band
Charlotte Garrison / Alto Sax: 2-year member
Jack Chapdelaine / Tuba
Levi Branch / Tenor Sax
Middle School TPSMEA Region Band
Baron Sanders / Trombone
Jack Chapdelaine / Tuba
Levi Branch / Tenor Sax
Josh Harmon / Trumpet
Emilee Gonzales / Flute
TPSMEA High School Region Band
Keira Dunn
ATSSB High School Region Band
Sarah Yoo / Oboe
Hiam Kwon / Oboe
Abby Blackwood / Clarinet
Hannah Wilson / French Horn
Matthew Fortson / Baritone
Christopher Cleveland / Trombone
Noah Yohannan / Trombone
Davey Jordaan / Tuba
Jaxon Dugas / Tuba
Luke Stamboulieh / Percussion
ATSSB Region Jazz Band
Christopher Cleveland / 1st Chair Trombone
ATSSB Area Auditions
Sarah Yoo / Oboe
Hiam Kwon / Oboe
Matthew Fortson / Baritone
Christopher Cleveland / Trombone
Noah Yohannan / Trombone
Davey Jordaan / Tuba
Jaxon Dugas / Tuba
Luke Stamboulieh / Percussion
ATSSB All-State Band
Sarah Yoo / 1st Chair Oboe in the State
Christopher Cleveland / 10th Chair Trombone in the State
Madeleine Hines / 2nd Place When Will This Be Over?
MACS (Metroplex Art of Christian
Schools)
Kate Alexander / Award of Excellence, Medalist
Shades of Beauty, Ink & Gouache
Brooke Barker / Award of Excellence, Medalist
Boston, Watercolor Monotype (printmaking)
Natalia Flood / Award of Excellence, Medalist
A Dog Named Charlie, Collage
Madeleine Hines / Best of Show High School
Division and Award of Excellence, Medalist When Will This Be Over?, Charcoal & chalk on sanded card
Liliana Hinojosa / Award of Excellence, Medalist Power of Strength, painted Paper Collage
Sofia Graham / Award of Excellence Po Long (Dragon), Collage
Keely Greve / Award of Excellence Customized Clutter, Colored Pencil
Gabriel Ingram / Award of Excellence, Medalist Head (with nails), Plaster & Iron
Isabella Polanski / Award of Excellence Bike, Watercolor Pencil
Kyrie Wright / Award of Excellence, Medalist Ties That Bind, Colored Pencil & String
PSAI (Private Schools
Interscholastic Association)
London Rodgers / (6th) 3rd place 6th grade category
Lizzie Freeman / (8th) 3rd place in 8th grade category
Micah Ogomo / (8th) 2nd place in 8th grade category
PSIA District Results
6th Grade On-Site Drawing
6th Place / Asher Birkbeck
9th Place / Graham Tappan
7th Grade On-Site Drawing
1st Place / Ashton Elliot
5th Place / Ellie Alexander
8th Place / McKamy Zuniga
8th Grade On-Site Drawing
10th Place / Ava Lee
PSIA State Results
7th Grade On-Site Drawing
4th Place / Ashton Elliot
MACS (Metroplex Art of Christian Schools)
Micah Ogomo (8th) Award of Excellence Medal and Best in Show Middle School Division
Karis Boekestein (8th) Award of Excellence and Medal
Evie Eubanks (8th) Awards of Excellence Medal
Kaity Cannon (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Ana Wells (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Asher McNamara (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Cami Martinez (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Avery Acker (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Ellie Alexander (7th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Ava Lee (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Lindley Gadd (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Lizzie Freeman (8th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Graham Tappan (6th) Award of Excellence Ribbon
Lilly Emsoff (6th) 2 Award of Excellence Ribbons
Theatre
TAPPS One-Act Play Competition
The Girl in the White Pinafore 3rd Place in District
Individual Awards: Best Actress / Micah Domen
All-Star Cast / Alison Wood
All-Star Cast / Dylon Sloan
Honorable Mention Cast / Nathan Burt
Honorable Mention Cast / Abigail Zapata
All-Star Crew / Abby Paul
Classics One Act Play Festival A Wrinkle in Time
Individual Awards
All-Star Cast / Ellie Reck (8th)
All-Star Cast / Jayden Davis (8th)
All-Star Cast / Drew Coe (8th)
All-Star Cast / Alyssa Bailey (7th)
Choir
TPSMEA Children’s Honor Choir
Adam Rhodes
TPSMEA Middle School Honor Choir
Luke Bramlett
Avery Richardson
TPSMEA All-Region Treble Choir
Mia Rodriguez
Audrie Rostant
Amber Smith
TPSMEA All-Region Mixed Choir
Kinsey Fulks
Get to Know the Board of Trustees
JEFF OWENS, CHAIR
Jeff is a partner with Armanino LLP, a top 25 national accounting and consulting firm. Jeff currently leads Armanino’s Texas audit department and serves as the firm’s Southeast Technology & Emerging Growth Practice leader. Jeff began his career with KPMG in 2001 and joined Armanino in 2008 where he was admitted to the partnership in 2010.
Jeff previously served as a board member for the Alzheimer’s Association of Dallas and Junior Achievement. In addition to his service to the technology industry, Jeff also currently serves as the audit partner to several local and top 100 private schools across the country.
Jeff grew up in Richardson, TX, and attended Southern Methodist University where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting & finance. He met his wife Irina while at SMU and they married in 2005. They have two daughters attending Legacy, Olivia ’28 and Adele ’32. The Owens family has been a part of LCA since Olivia began the second grade. They live in Frisco and are members of Preston Trail Community Church.
NICOLE FRANKS, VICE CHAIR
Nicole is the principal owner of The Strategy Workshop, a product and marketing management consulting firm that influences the direction of education in both the United States and abroad. A native New Yorker, Mrs. Franks graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. She holds an M.Ed. in reading and literacy from Benedictine University and earned her certification as a K–12 reading specialist. Nicole has been involved in education for more than two decades. Though her journey initially started in the classroom, she quickly transitioned to curriculum planning and was even awarded Curriculum Specialist of the Year in 2011. With her visionary skills, she soon carved out a niche for herself in product management and marketing. She has worked with both public and private schools to design and implement infrastructures for digital learning.
Nicole is a volunteer for Frisco Family Services and an instructor for its CHAMPS (Challenging Adult Minds for Personal Success) program. The Franks are members of St. Philips Episcopal Church and say they enjoy all the ways the community makes a positive impact right here in our hometown. Nicole and her husband, Patrick, have two daughters: Siena is in the Spanish Immersion Program at Legacy (Class of ’32), and Sloane is a 2-year-old future Eagle.
BRETT BINGHAM, TREASURER, FINANCE CHAIR
Brett is partner and president of B4 Holdings, LP and BFC Partners, LLC (its GP), where, since 2006, he is responsible for all aspects of a family limited partnership founded to invest in private equity, real estate, and publicly traded securities. Since 1998, Brett has been a partner of Meeting Protocol Worldwide, a family-owned business headquartered in Dallas that services biotech, clinical research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies in the clinical research industry. Since 2007, he has served on the Board of Directors for AccessBank Texas, a community bank headquartered in Denton, Texas. Additionally, Brett serves on the U.S. board of directors for African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM), a non-profit ministry focused on developing leaders, peacebuilding, and reconciliation in central and eastern Africa.
Brett is married to Brenda Bingham, who has served in various capacities with the Parent Teacher Fellowship. Brett is the father of daughter Mattison, a 2020 Legacy graduate who attended since Pre-K, and two stepsons, David and Brandon, a 2013 Legacy alumnus.
LISA LIBERIS, SECRETARY
Lisa is a graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelors of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences and a secondary teaching certificate. She first taught high school then moved into the advertising field working for DDB Needham, Tracy Locke, and Rapp Collins. Lisa and her husband James, along with family, opened several New Balance retail stores in the DFW area 16 years ago and currently own and operate seven New Balance stores in Texas.
Over the 15 years the Liberis family has been at LCA, Lisa has volunteered in many capacities including room mom, Parent Teacher Fellowship board member, and Laps for Legacy Co-Chair. In 2011, Lisa introduced Laps for Legacy, an annual fun run for students that raised money for school enhancements such as technology, science labs, library updates, and playground upgrades. With the introduction of the Annual Fund in 2016, Laps for Legacy transitioned into Laps of Love, an outreach event, to love and serve others in need.
Lisa and James have two daughters. Alexandra (’19) and Priscilla (’23). They attend Stonebriar Community Church and enjoy time with family, traveling, and staying active.
JOHN ALCALA, Development Committee Chair
Mr. Acala is the CEO of IT WORKS Global, a health and wellness company. Originally from Midland, Mr. Alcala graduated from UT Permian Basin with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Before taking the helm at IT WORKS Global, he served for ten years as a VP, senior equity trader supporting portfolio managers, analysts, and product specialists.
Mr. Alcala and his wife, SheriLynn, have three children: daughters Josselyn (’30) and Julianna (’31), and son JJ (’37). He is a dedicated family man and cherishes special moments with his wife and children and their friends. He also enjoys coaching Josselyn’s fifth-grade basketball team, who hope one day to be the state champion Legacy Lady Eagles.
RONNIE BERRY
Mr. Berry serves as the Chief Tax Officer at Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 chemical and specialty materials company headquartered in Las Colinas. In this capacity, he oversees all tax advisory, compliance, and reporting matters.
Mr. Berry, his wife Berkley, and their daughter Riley (’30), have been part of the Legacy Christian community since 2017, when Riley enrolled in kindergarten. Actively involved in volunteer roles, Mr. and Mrs. Berry served as Chairs for the Stronger Together Fund in 2023. Mr. Berry is a great asset to the Board of Trustees. The Berrys are active members of Hope Fellowship Church.
BRAD BRENNEMAN
Brad is a Founding Partner of Breck Partners, a private equity firm located here in Frisco, Texas. Prior to establishing Breck Partners, Brad was Co-Managing Partner at Wingate Partners where he had served since 2002. He has served as Chairman of Nekoosa, Dunn Paper and Sunrise Oilfield Supply, as Lead board member for ICS, and as a board member of Binswanger Glass and S&N Communications. Prior to Wingate, Brad was an executive with Entergy Wholesale Operations where he led the development of and acquisition of power generation projects. He joined Entergy from Lufkin Industries where he served as an officer. Previously, Brad was a consultant with Bain & Company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Kansas State University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Brad is also honored to serve as an Elder of Preston Trail Community Church and as an Advisory Board member for ATC, an Indiana-based customer trailer business.
Brad and his wife Leanne have been involved with LCA since 2002. They have three children: Abbi ’17, Jonathan ’20, and Matt ’22.
DR. KENNETH CHAPMAN, JR.
Dr. Chapman has served as an education consultant and higher education administrator and is a member of the instructional faculty at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business. Dr. Chapman has held notable administration positions at Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Dallas College. His unique perspective of the higher education landscape sets him apart.
A frequent speaker at Legacy, addressing both faculty and staff, he presented at a recent PEP Talk as part of our parenting education program. Dr. Chapman also consults with various Christian schools across the country on best practices and gospel-centered work in the area of Kingdom Unity.
Dr. Chapman was born and raised in Del City, a small suburb of Oklahoma City. He received a bachelor’s degree in public relations and mass communications from the University of Central Oklahoma and earned both a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Chapman and his wife, Kimberley, have four sons: Kenneth III, Kole, Karter, and Karson — all under the age of 14. After four boys and many prayers, God blessed them with a daughter, Kenley (’38), the K who completes their family.
The Chapmans are proud members of their church’s Frisco-based LifeChanging Christian Faith Fellowship. As an associate pastor, Dr. Chapman is committed, he says, to showing the love and the word of God to all.
PATRICK DROESCH
Patrick is a hospitality industry senior executive with over 25 years of experience serving as a COO, President, and Executive Vice President at various organizations. His areas of expertise include operations, business strategy, branding, executive leadership, and team development for small and large, publiclytraded and private equity-owned businesses. He most recently served as Executive Vice President at ClubCorp overseeing the Business, Sports & Alumni Club Division. He also serves on the Board of Directors of a private hospitality company and works as a consultant with a number of other hospitality organizations.
Patrick graduated from California State University in Fullerton, California, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 1987. Patrick is married to Julie Droesch, who previously served as the Treasurer of LCA’s Parent Teacher Fellowship, and together they have boy/girl twins, Carson and Kendall, both LCA class of 2022. The Droesch family has been part of LCA since Carson and Kendall began the 2nd grade. They reside in Frisco and attend Christ Church Plano where they are actively involved in the student ministry. Patrick also serves as the public address announcer for LCA Football and Basketball.
NICK JOHNSON
Nick is the owner of Lakes Tennis Academy in Frisco, which has been recognized by the USTA as one of the best private clubs and junior tennis programs in America. Nick’s devotion to tennis developed at a young age and has remained constant throughout much of his life. After spending thousands of hours training on the court, Nick was offered a tennis scholarship to play at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His excitement to play Division I tennis was quashed when he was diagnosed with leukemia during his freshman year. Nick underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant at Baylor Medical Center and just 30 days later, doctors proclaimed he was cured.
Determined to continue his pursuit of a career in tennis, he moved to the University of North Texas where he earned a degree in Club and Resort Management. He spent 8 years as a tennis pro at Northwood Club in Dallas before making his move to Lakes Tennis Academy. Nick has served on the Dallas Professional Tennis Association Board of Directors for 7 years. He also works with the Team Connor Foundation for an annual tennis fundraiser to benefit childhood cancer research. Nick and his wife Salina have been married for 21 years. They have three children; Blake ’22, Callie ’24, and Addy ’26, who have all attended Legacy since Pre-K. Nick enjoys spending time with his family boating, biking, skiing, and taking his dachshund to the weiner dog races! His family has attended Preston Trail Community Church for 14 years.
BRAD STRUCK
Brad is a managing principal at Cresa (previously known as ESRP). He is directly involved with the firm’s vision, growth, and strategy for the Texas region. With over a decade of experience in representing office and industrial occupiers across North America in executing complex site selection, Brad develops data-driven strategies centered around clients’ business, financial and operational goals. His expertise includes transaction advisory, site selection, industrial sales, buildto-suits, sale leasebacks, and portfolio management. In addition to serving clients, Brad leads and brings together Cresa’s Dallas team of advisors. He holds an MBA from the University of Dallas and earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Texas A&M University.
Brad and his wife, Erin, have one son, Caden (’26). The Struck family has always been invested in the LCA community. Brad and Erin served as the 2020-21 LCA Annual Fund Chairs. Erin has served on the Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) as co-chair of the spirit shop for two years and this year, with Caden playing JV basketball, she has assumed the role of team mom. The Struck family attends Hope Fellowship, in Frisco.
SO THEN, BROTHERS, STAND FIRM AND HOLD TO THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU WERE TAUGHT BY US, EITHER BY OUR SPOKEN WORD OR BY OUR LETTER.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15
DEAR EAGLE NATION,
I hope you enjoyed reading this edition of Legacy’s Impact magazine.
In the past two years, we’ve seen two outstanding servants, Mike Hall and Erline Taylor, go home to be with Jesus. We paid tribute to Mike earlier and will feel his loss for a long time. The tribute to Erline in this issue moved me. Erline and her husband, Robert, are precious friends of our family. Their son, Coleman, graduated with my oldest son, Andrew. We attended church and Sunday school together, set up our sons’ shared dorm room, and yelled at the TV while watching Alabama football games. I’m confident that Erline takes in ’Bama games from heaven and is the loudest cheerleader for her team.
Erline loved children and always had a smile on her face. She was full of life, loved to laugh, and saw the best in others. I remember dropping in on her classroom when she was going through chemo to encourage her and finding myself the recipient of her positive attitude. She was a “good and faithful servant” who planted many seeds of faith in the minds and hearts of the children she taught. We miss her, but rejoice for her as she rests in the presence of our Savior.
Jesus came to earth not to rule but to lay down His life as a servant. Throughout His ministry, He modeled putting others
first. He taught the disciples, who expected him to rule, that those who wanted to be great should be, first and foremost, servants. Like the disciples, we struggle to lay down our selfish interests and look first to the needs of others. We must train ourselves and our students to serve those around us with faith and joy.
I hope you’re encouraged by all the great work our students and families do as servants. Through our community initiatives and Journey service trips abroad, LCA honors one of our core values: servant leadership. We’re training servant leaders by providing these opportunities. If you haven’t had the privilege of participating in any of these events, I encourage you to get involved and respond to Jesus’ call to serve others.
As we enter our 25th year, LCA continues to be blessed as the Lord provides for His ministry. Now serving over 1400 students, LCA remains true to its mission and is humbled by the opportunity to teach truth, share the gospel, and train the next generation of strong leaders with biblical convictions.
