WINTER 2022
THE WARRIOR
L I T T L E
R O C K
C H R I S T I A N
A C A D E M Y
Publisher Levi Miller
A LETTER FROM
DR. ARNOLD
Editor Heather Bennett Graphic Designer Karen Mitchell Assistant Editors Tracie Allred Sheri Swindler Contributors Debbie Baer Matt Foster Michele Glover June Hendren Elizabeth Hill Bekah Johnson Rachel Maack Photographers Michael Baxley Deanna Brown Shannon Earls Tyler Eatherton Josiah Johnson Levi Miller Karen Mitchell About the Cover These Warrior cover kids share many of the scriptural messages conveyed on campus through this year’s school theme “One Another." Front (L to R)-Aiden Bae, Annaleigh Hilburn, Stephen Robinson Back (L to R)-Sydney Lavender, Victoria Ede, Grayson Raines, Jayvean Dyer-Jones, Georgia Brandt Little Rock Christian Academy Mission Statement To serve families, churches and the community by providing a PK-12th grade education, characterized by excellence in the pursuit of truth from a Christ-centered worldview. Little Rock Christian Academy 19010 Cantrell Road Little Rock, Arkansas 72223 501-868-9822 www.LittleRockChristian.com
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I
I am a sucker for word origins. They call it etymology.
When our Communications Team asked me for a letter for our winter Warrior magazine where children of our alumni and former students would be highlighted (see p. 34), I turned to Wikipedia. Who wouldn't?! It’s not a surprise that the Latin noun alumnus means "foster son" or "pupil". It is derived from another root word meaning grow or nourish, and is closely related to the Latin verb alo, meaning "to nourish". Stay with me. Separate, but from the same root, is the adjective almus "nourishing", found in the phrase Alma Mater, a title for a person's home university. Of course, when we hear the word alumni, we’re not surprised by “pupil.” But, nourishing? That’s a new insight and a great image. Growing students (alumni) returning to their nourishing mother (alma mater). It’s a thrill when our alumni and former students bring their children to us for nourishment. What affirmation! What a partnership! We are also proud of how our alumni are growing in their lives after LRCA. We pray that they are growing “in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) We hope they find nourishment in how we prepared them for college and in our availability to them in the post-secondary and marketplace years. In this issue of The Warrior, marvel at the thought of 2,125 Little Rock Christian alumni who have encountered the Word of God in our school community. The Word does not return void. (Isaiah 55:11) Our graduates have a rock to stand on in stormy times. So many of our alumni are “like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season.” (Psalm 1: 3) Join us in praying for their season of life, that they may bear much fruit for Him.
Gary B. Arnold, Ed.D. President/Head of School @ArnoldDrLRCA
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16 18 ELEMENTARY
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
MIDDLE SCHOOL Creative Discovery
JUNIOR HIGH
Lessons in Life & Leadership
HIGH SCHOOL Senior Captsone
IN THIS ISSUE 4-5
6-7
10-11
24-25
Student Art
26-27
Walkin' on Sunshine: Heidi Brandt, LRCA Director of Admissions 28-29
ALUMNI
Alumni Updates
20
30-31
ALUMNI NEWS Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior
32-33
14-15
ME TOO, Spiritual Journey Leads to Refuge 16-17
Jumping for Joy!
Immersive Art Experience Expression in His Honor
12-13
SPIRITUAL LIFE ADVANCEMENT
FINE ARTS
20-23
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
J-TERM
Across the Country & Close to Home
Fall Sports Review
8-9
COLLEGE GUIDANCE Making the College Connection
ATHLETICS
WARRIOR GENERATIONS Growing Up Green & Blue
25
34-35
18-19
6
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ELEMENTARY
Holly Carlisle's 3rd Grade Reading Groups
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! HOW WARRIORS LEARN TO READ AT LRCA
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By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist
Educational trends in reading instruction ebb and flow over the years with emphasis being placed on one method or another at any given time. Lower school principal, Ann Chami, conveys, “We just want to do the best. We use more of a system and deeper knowledge of why we do what we do. We strive for a balanced approach in vital areas of education. This is what we’ve done. This is who we are.” Mrs. Chami meets weekly with all grade level teachers about reading to check on progress and fine tune an “already great system”. She emphasizes the importance of growing readers every year, meeting them where they are, and considering every step as a building block in their educational foundation. Check out how these elementary teachers develop young reading Warriors in their classrooms: Allison Ridings (PK3 & 4): 4) My approach to reading is making it fun. PK4 classrooms always have kids where reading is starting to click and kids that are not ready yet. I try to make them ALL feel like they are doing it.
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They are always so proud of themselves. We do a "silly sentence" on the board almost every morning. I give each student clues which depend on the child’s individual level. They have so much fun doing this and actually think they’re teaching ME to read! Mitzi Penick (K): (K Teaching reading is a process that looks different for each child. We spend a lot of time learning sight words, using phonemic awareness skills, and teaching different tools to help them with their reading (pointing to words, tracking their reading, using sight words, looking for patterns in books, using picture clues, sounding words out). The challenge is finding the time for individual instruction to meet the needs of each child. What works for one child might not work for another. It is truly a joy to watch it all come together and see them grow as a reader. Dawn Sanders (1st): (1st) We have the pleasure of teaching students through a well-rounded approach. We first teach “bite-size” strategies that scaffold young readers in becoming fluent in decoding words and comprehending texts. Phonics practice continues to strengthen the
ELEMENTARY Reading is a passport to countless adventures. -Mary Pope Osborne, author of
"The Magic Tree House" children’s book series
The more that you read, the more things you’ll know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. -Dr. Seuss
A child who reads will be an adult who thinks. -Unknown
students’ understanding of letter-sound correspondences and their use in reading and spelling. Guided reading provides small groups of students support in reading a text by applying their reading and phonics strategies. Finally, the most important part of the reading instruction block is independent reading. Students are given 15-20 minutes to “try out” their skills/strategies in a collection of books. This is where students soar in their abilities and love for reading. It seems like pure magic! Emily Gentry (2nd): (2nd) I love teaching my students to read! They’re learning to read longer words, use expression and appropriate phrasing. They are also starting to read independently to learn new information. They soak up books, especially graphic novels. My favorite is listening to a student cackle quietly to himself while reading, because he is so engrossed in a book’s humor. I spend the morning teaching a comprehension strategy or a reading skill for the students to practice. I pull small groups for students to practice a specific goal. We read together, go over vocabulary, practice manipulating words, and discuss literal and beyond the text questions. Explicit phonics instruction every day helps students break words down and blend them back together, and how words work to give them confidence when they encounter an unknown word. By working with word parts, vowel teams, and prefixes/suffixes, students realize it’s not such a scary word after all. Throughout the day, we also integrate science or social studies into our reading to learn more about the world around us. Students are like sponges soaking in every word they read!
Holly Carlisle (3rd): (3rd) We try to balance reading fluency with reading comprehension. We also like to go beyond and dive deeper into the texts we read. We study characters, plot, figurative language, text connections, making predictions, using context clues, etc. We do whole group reading lessons, which typically include a mini lesson on our skill for the day, and also pull small groups to read with kiddos on their independent reading levels. We try to connect what we learned in our whole group mini lessons to those small group and independent reading opportunities. We use the Lucy Calkins reading curriculum and read through a variety of texts including: The Chocolate Touch, Because of Winn-Dixie, and The One and Only Ivan. The biggest challenge for us as reading teachers is meeting each child where they are and making sure we can offer them what they need to GROW!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
Having BIG fun while learning to read music in BIG ways! Choir students race to place life sized musical notes where they belong in Treble Clef Relay.
FINE ARTS ROTATION CREATIVE DISCOVERY & GAINING SMARTS WHILE SAMPLING THE ARTS
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By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist
The Journal of Neuroscience published the results of a January 2021 University of Zurich study that found teaching children to play a musical instrument increases skills and brain power. Brains of musicians and non-musicians were scanned showing “musicians’ brains were more structurally and functionally connected than non-musicians.” The musicians’ brains displayed stronger connections in control of higher cognitive functions relating to memory, working memory, and executive functions. The study also relayed that the benefits remain even if they do not continue playing an instrument. Two years ago, similar research among other variables inspired the Fine Arts Department led by Director Lynn Beardsley in collaboration with MS Assistant Principal LeAnn Murry to brainstorm and formulate the MS Fine Arts Rotation program. Fine Arts faculty played vital roles as well in orchestrating meaningful and logistically viable ways to make early exposure to LRCA’s wide array of Arts come to fruition. Each spring semester, 5th grade Warriors have classes in Band, Choir, Theatre, and Visual Arts. They try out different instruments, learn to read music, immerse in various creative media/techniques, and aspects 6 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
of the performing arts. Sixth graders dive into beginning Fine Arts classes where they wish to invest more time and attention. “This is a great opportunity for our 5th graders in particular to explore all fine arts (in developmentally appropriate ways) that many don’t get to try out before they have to make a decision for 6th grade,” Mrs. Murry states. Fifth grader Mary Peeples shares, “It’s really cool, because we get out of our comfort zone and try new things and see our choices. It helps us practice and make decisions for what we want to do later. It feels good to know I’m able to do that.” MS Visual Arts teacher Kimmie Harrison explains, “The 5th grade rotation helps students get a taste of all that is offered in our department. It’s a great approach to help them get a feel for what gifts they want to develop in the coming years. The only bummer is I sure wish I had more time for my students to create more projects! But hopefully that will make them eager to take a Visual Arts class in the future, so that they can develop their skills and create more pieces”
For our parade project, we looked into the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and attempted to create a fun replica of this annual tradition. Students created a colorful background to give a big city feel and then created their own balloon. We added string to help give the appearance of a balloon floating down the streets of mini cities! -Kimmie Harrison, MS Visual Arts
MIDDLE SCHOOL
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JUNIOR HIGH
JUNIOR HIGH HOUSES LESSONS IN LIFE & LEADERSHIP
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By Michele Glover, Creative Journaling / 8th Grade Biblical Worldview
Is there any time in life that is more like a roller coaster than the time spent in junior high school? I would venture to say most adults cringe or groan when they look back on their junior high experience. With that in mind, the faculty and staff who serve families in the LRCA Junior High work to create an educational ecosystem that provides lessons and experiences that develop skills and character growth to carry them far beyond the two years inside the school walls. LRCA’s Junior High House System is a vital part of that development. Finding your place when you are 12, 13, or 14, can be a challenge for even the most confident student. Creating “buy in” on an organized house system can be a challenge for even the most committed educator. After several years of working out the kinks, we have come up with a plan that captures the spirit of our students. Each House is structured around a spiritual symbol and scripture. You can feel the excitement build over the days leading up to our official “sorting ceremony” for the incoming seventh graders. The eighth grade students and House Leaders have worked hard to learn the ropes while
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they were in seventh grade, and can’t wait to see which students will join their house family. As House Leader, Allyson Lank said, “The best part of the House System is the community aspect.” Will they join Bratus, Mare, Petram, Ignis, or Ventus?
JUNIOR HIGH
Following the sorting ceremony, students embark on a series of competitions, spiritual application lessons, and a variety of service opportunities. Some are more knowledge based like the House Jeopardy Challenge and the House Reading Competition. Others are more physically based like the House Soccer Tournament and Tug of War. Service challenges were achieved through our canned food drive and letters written to all our school heroes that provide our meals and take care of our facilities. Other competitions involved small skill challenges like the Marshmallow Toothpick Building Competition and the Cup Stacking Challenge. Our House Leaders led us in devotions and character building lessons, while establishing a mentor/mentee program between the grades. Plus, we couldn’t have a House family without house parties like the Christmas Carol Sing-Off and Christmas party.
Providing an opportunity for everyone to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves is rewarding. House Leader, Madeline Kennedy, summed it up well. She said, “My favorite part is that we all fight for the winning cup, but at the end of the day, we know that we are all part of the House of Enthusiasm!” I couldn’t agree more!
By far, the most popular competition was the Mock Rock Lip Sync Battle. Students picked a song, then created props and choreography to use in the performance before their peers. I asked several of the house leaders why this competition was the best of all. House Leader, Isaac Ortega, said, “It was so much fun to prep the song and see it all come together.” Savannah Shelly said, “It was the most enjoyable competition, because everyone in the House participated in more ways than one.” House Leader, Maggie Connell, said that she “loved the opportunity to see everyone’s creative side come out.”
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HIGH SCHOOL
Mika, Kénold, Frédeline, and Das Angel Célicourt.
MIKA CÉLICOURT GIVES HAITI’S HISTORY A VOICE SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
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By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist
Little Rock Christian Capstone student Mika Célicourt is a treasure in many ways. Beautiful inside and out, she possesses warmth, depth, maturity, and wisdom beyond her years. And Mika is a great storyteller. Listening to her convey every twist and turn of the Haitian Revolution with all of its colorful, courageous characters and details was like reading a book you just can’t put down. Minutes melted into an hour and beyond. I found myself wishing I could listen all day and join her on her journey digging through archives to reveal more fascinating finds. “This work is telling the story of my country – a great subject to learn that a lot of people do not know. The Haitian Revolution is considered one of the largest and most successful revolutions in history. Haiti was the first black nation to gain their independence and more than what people often think of as a poor country or earthquake images. My goal is to create something to use as a curriculum and to be taught,” Mika explains. Born and raised in Haiti, Mika and her family visited the U.S. every summer since she was four. Her older sister attended college here and lives in Arkansas. The last few years, shootings and rioting in Haiti 10 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
worsened so, Mika’s parents felt she needed to move to the United States. They and her grandparents remained in Haiti. “I grew up in a Christian family. My grandfather was a pastor. During the pandemic, I couldn’t see my parents for more than a year. In summer 2021, I was able to go back to Haiti to see my parents and grandparents. It was so amazing to have the opportunity to see all of them. I
HIGH SCHOOL recently lost my grandfather, so that was the last time I saw him. My grandmother had a stroke, so she doesn’t talk like herself or remember things,” shares Mika. The Célicourts were also blessed to reunite this past Christmas in Florida.
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Mika’s Capstone project conveys the story of a people’s determination to overcome differences and obstacles to win their freedom. The Haitian Revolution occurred between 1791 and 1804, but difficulties began hundreds of years before that during the time of Christopher Columbus and Spain’s enslavement of the indigenous population. Diseases, brutality, and death led to importing more slaves from the Caribbean islands and Africa. Spanish control gave way to the French and eventually the Haitian population became fragmented by skin color,
gender, and class from which various revolutionary efforts ensued. The chess game of broken allegiances and power plays inspired new languages such as Creole and strategic planning systems. The relations between various Haitian groups proved complicated, but ultimately strong leaders arose to unite populations to win freedom from France’s control. Mika quotes one of the great Haitian revolutionary leaders, “By capturing me, you think you’ve won the battle, but my roots run deep in the earth.” Check out the rest of the story with Mika and other seniors at the Capstone Fair on May 7, 2022 in Warrior Arena.
SENIOR CAPSTONE MIRRORS COLLEGE-LEVEL ENDEAVORS Senior Capstone is an opportunity for students to independently explore a particular topic of interest to them. The project is modeled after a summative university project or research endeavor. While a Senior Capstone project could resemble a traditional college-level thesis, students may choose to conduct their research within a proposed business model, or pursue work in the fine arts. Research may be in any academic area, but projects must have a goal of innovation in a specific field. The course will involve students working closely with the Senior Capstone Supervisor to learn research methodology, organizational
GROUP VS INDIVIDUAL CAPSTONE PROJECTS Individual - 68.75% (11 Total) Group - 31.25% (5 Total) RESEARCH PAPER Isabella Adeola, Paul Douglass, Mason Mezel
strategies, as well as time management skills. In addition to the course supervisor, all students will be guided by a faculty advisor from the appropriate discipline. Each student will produce a major paper or project by spring and will ultimately present his/her findings before a committee of administration and faculty members. The Capstone Fair will be held in Warrior Arena on May 7, 2022. More details will be provided in upcoming Warrior Weekly and social media communications.
RESEARCH PROJECT Mika Célicourt; Brian Gittens; Summer Cathey, Heather Dunavan and Grace Sexton; Wheatley Welch
BWV Caroline Fuller and Sadie Lewis; Ella Scheer; Katelyn Young ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Ben Brogdon; Ella Marie Davis, Addison Southerland, Emma Thompson; Ethan Graves; William Roach VIDEO & MUSIC PRODUCTION John Isaac Majors, Jett Herington, David Ortega; Jenna Johnson and Mairyn McGilvray THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022 11
COLLEGE GUIDANCE
MAKING THE COLLEGE CONNECTION
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OPENING DOORS-BUILDING SKILLS-FORGING RELATIONSHIPS By Elizabeth Hill, Academic & College Counselor
College travel season is a thrilling and exhausting marathon experience for everyone: from the representatives who spend weeks on the road going to school after school, fair after fair; to the students who begin the travel season bright-eyed and excited to learn about new schools; to the counselors who juggle ever-changing schedules and changing faces. Travel season is brimming with contrasts: the new and the familiar, the constant and the dynamic. It’s a challenge in so many senses, but it’s a happy one at the same time. From September until Thanksgiving, LRCA, like high schools across the nation, opens its doors for high school juniors and seniors to meet with representatives from colleges near and far. In the 2020-2021 school year, all visits were relegated to the virtual world since our campus was closed to visitors. Most colleges kept their staff at home. From the experiences of last year, we hoped to return to face-to-face time with schools, but we also saw the utility in offering some virtual visits that allowed students to interface with schools that either might not be able to travel to Arkansas or may want to visit but not be traveling to our state this year. Throughout this semester, we constantly felt the 12 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
affirmation of this hybrid model in meeting with new schools and reestablishing relationships with others. The essential purpose of these visits is the sharing of information. Institutions share facts and updates about themselves, while students have the opportunity to ask questions and share their contact information. Our office sees a much richer picture though. Rather than simply exchanging information, travel season is a multi-faceted exercise for students, but also for LRCA. Yes, it’s still information, but it’s also about relationships, soft-skill development, and hospitality. For our office, it’s about doing the little things well in a way that gives glory to God. If we, both counselors and students, are faithful in these small things, we have the real and sincere opportunity to extend the grace and value of the Gospel to all those who stop by for a visit. What are these small things? We strive to have students fill the seats in every meeting. First and foremost because this process is for them, so we encourage them to own it, but also because some reps may go to a series of schools and not have students come to their meetings. Knowing
our students allows us to suggest schools that students would benefit from learning about. We encourage students to not miss these opportunities with representatives who they may not ever meet otherwise. Learning about a wide variety of schools helps our students push past preconceived notions about colleges and get a more real understanding of what schools have to offer. We also let the students represent themselves and the school. Each year we get praise and feedback on the way our students attend these meetings, with common refrains that include that they are never on their phones, they listen well, they research schools, they ask questions, and they carry themselves like adults. This intentional soft-skill development is designed to build student confidence ahead of interview season and empower students to take the reins on communicating with colleges. We also encourage students to engage in the practice of handwriting thank you notes to these reps to infuse the practice of business with that of kindness and gratitude. Lastly, we aim to serve the reps well through hospitality. Each rep who visits our campus leaves with a gift from our department. This year we partnered with LRCA alum David Rice ‘00 and Bramble Market to provide a sampling of local goods including Leivas’ coffee, Arkansas honey, a local spice blend, and lip balm from Walnut Valley Honey Company. We hope that this gesture gives them insight into who we are, and that they leave feeling appreciated and refreshed by their time on our campus.
COLLEGE GUIDANCE SPRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS •
students are invited to attend a college fair at UA Little Rock, hosted by a consortium of Central Arkansas private schools. •
Seniors weigh in on how LRCA’s free resource has impacted their college search and lessons learned through the process. (Scoir is an Irish Gaelic verb that means phase transition.]
Alumni Career Panels will be offered through the spring. LRCA alumni share with current students about jobs in high-interest career fields.
•
April 22 - Junior Workshop Day - This event equips juniors with details about
This spring we look forward to welcoming more representatives back to campus and investing the classes of 2023 and 2024 more fully into the process.
The SCOIR College Admissions Network
March 31 - CAPS College Fair - LRCA
the college application timeline and sets them up for a successful senior year. •
May 2 - Academic Decision Day - The senior class is celebrated at this yearly event in which students share their
Isabella Adeola - “SCOIR provides easily accessible information for every college in the country and some abroad. It provides incredibly large amounts of information and helps me stay organized. You’ll never regret being organized, because the application process can get overwhelming. Utilize every resource you have!”
college decisions.
William Roach - “Success will never make you content or fully happy. There are some people who have everything and are miserable. Others are poor and joyful. The goal of college isn’t to just work, create, and build; it’s to explore God’s creation in whatever way you are called whilst still giving God all your attention, commitment, and love.”
Ella Scheer - “I’ve been really interested in out-of-state schools with great musical theatre programs. SCOIR has definitely helped me stay organized and on top of everything. Some colleges also upload virtual tours on SCOIR which has helped me get a feel for the campuses.”
Academic & College Counselor Matt Foster with UCA Nursing School representative and Warrior alumna Rachael Rainey ('19) and her brother Ryan Rainey ('22)
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J-TERM
J-TERM 2022
The House of Warriors’ annual January Term (J-Term) provides unique growth opportunities for high school students. Outside-the-box educational offerings, internships, and horizon-broadening trips impact their lives and aspirations in deeply meaningful ways. Although lingering pandemic ramifications curtailed excursions beyond U.S. borders, over 100 students took part in three spiritually/ educationally focused trips.
COURSES ACT English and Reading Preparation ACT Math Practice American Movie Classics: The Reel Deal Arkansas Foodbank Service Project Automotive and Internal Combustion Engine Design and Operation College Preparation Workshop: Applications and Personal Statement Dance: Let’s Move! Digital Arts Master Class: Drawing and Painting on iPad Digital Humanities Digital Media Literacy Entomology: The Study of Insects and Why It Matters Equestrian 101 Exploring End Time Prophecy Faith Leadership in Sports Fitness and Nutrition Folklore and Folly: A Survey of Literature’s Greatest and Most Foolhardy Legends Forensics From the Gothic Monster to Modern Man: Who is the real Beast? Habitat for Humanity Service Project Hunter Safety Education Ice Hockey Ice Skating Introduction to Archery Jane Austen in Literature and Film 14 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
J-Term Capstone Independent Study Life Skills: Adulting 101 New Age Worldviews: A Biblical Perspective Our House Local Service Project Outdoor Service Projects Panorama of the Bible Personal Finance Practice of Prayer: Deepening your Experience with God Rube Goldberg Inventions: The Man and His Machines Service Projects Sport Psychology Sports Analytics Baseball Emphasis Star Wars and Science Fiction: A Galaxy Far Far Away Thompson Driving School New Driver Education Class Watercolor Workshop Intensive
ACROSS THE COUNTRY & CLOSE TO HOME By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist
J-TERM TRIPS
Mission Discovery-Daytona Beach Passion Conference-Atlanta, Georgia Washington, D.C.
INTERNSHIPS
INTERNSHIPS Agriculture Animal Care Apparel Merchandising Architecture/Engineering Art Athletic Training/Coaching Business Broadcast Journalism Conservation Contracting/Construction Management Dental/Orthodontics Education Electrical
Equine Management/ Education Fabrication Fashion Financial Management Fire Department Fitness/Nutrition Flight Training Government Consulting: Lobbying and Campaign Management Graphic Design/Advertising IT Journalism Landscaping Law/Law Enforcement Media/Marketing Medical/Therapy/Pharmacy Ministry Non-Profit Occupational/Physical Therapy Politics Real Estate Research Small Business Social Service Speech Pathology Sports and Recreation Veterinarian Web Design Wildlife Management
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SPIRITUAL LIFE
ME TOO
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY LEADS TO REFUGE
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By Rachel Maack, LRCA Junior
Last year was a time of spiritual searching for me. Lots of doubts arose in my heart. I had more questions than ever. It was isolating. I looked around and wondered if there was anyone else like me. All I was looking for was a “me too.” I wondered if I was wrong for questioning everything. Feeling like I was the only one sent me into a downward spiral. I hoped for the friendships C.S. Lewis talks about in his deeply personal autobiography documenting his journey back to faith, titled Surprised by Joy. He said this, “I notice that a man seldom mentioned what had to be his most idiosyncratic sensations without receiving from at least one (often more) of those present the reply, ‘What! Have you felt that too? I always thought I was the only one.’” One of the places I have begun to find this community is in a small group of diverse people that I meet with weekly. We have committed to have an authentic environment and sort of safe haven amongst all of us. The group consists of Isabella Adeola, Summer Cathey, Paul Douglass, Heather Dunavan, Caroline Green, Sophie McFarland, Mason Mezel, and myself. In many ways, our year so far has reflected a drive to create a broader environment that feels the same way. We wanted an environment where students could express what was real, and often hear a “me too.” 16 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
HS Biblical Worldview Teacher Amanda Glenn and HS Spiritual Life Director Sarah Jones One of the biggest events that has sprung out of our group was the continuation of our worship nights, retitled Refuge, and led by Sophie McFarland. Every month, over 100 hungry high school students gather for an entirely student-led night of self-reflection and worship in the community. God began to stir in the hearts of so many of us.
SPIRITUAL LIFE What ended up being the most powerful thing we ever did was pray. Watching our students pour out honest prayers over one another brought me to my knees in awe of God’s power. There was an overwhelming response: “This is exactly what we needed.” Refuge became a sanctuary of authenticity. Students got out of the classroom and learned about God in an entirely different way - one that was real and rewarding. Each month, students shared their testimonies of doubt, depression, anxiety, and hardship, and how they were able to see God through it all. There was an almost audible sigh of relief. More and more stories began to arise. Additionally, the comforting response of “me too” reflected a group that was ready to grow. The biblical education at LRCA is one of my favorite parts about our school. This department has flourished. Every year it continues to grow. Especially throughout this past year, the focus on action-oriented education has been particularly impactful. The leadership at our school has grown to empower new students each day to live out the Truth we learn daily. The new Bible studies, morning meetings, and prayer times are just the start of a wave of renewal washing over our students. When I look around at the environment we have now, I see disciples who are eager to love, teach, and learn from one another. I see high levels of passion that overpower darkness and isolation. I see redeemed people who aren’t afraid to admit their struggles. Maybe beyond all of that, I see a unified and compassionate front, often saying to one another with honesty, “me too.” God has sparked a flame bound to spread. And, I’m beyond excited to watch it grow!
Scan here to watch Rachel Maack and her family's beautiful story of spiritual growth and abiding love.
Refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger or distress. Additionally, taking refuge in God means we can find ultimate safety in Him.
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ADVANCEMENT
JUMPING FOR JOY!
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WARRIOR BLITZ 2021 HITS HIGH NOTES OF GIVING AND SERVING By Debbie Baer, Executive Assistant to the Head of School/Advancement
Joy! As a noun it is a “feeling of great pleasure or happiness”, and as a verb, “rejoice”. Warrior Blitz 2021 had the feeling of joy this year. During the weeks of planning and preparation, the Blitz committee experienced great pleasure and happiness. They poured over every detail with joy. The actual week was also filled with a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. But in the end, it was REJOICE! You, the Warriorville family, helped us surpass our goal of $150,000 by leaps and bounds. You gave generously from your heart to support the mission of LRCA. And, we hope you derived a feeling of great pleasure or happiness in your giving. Think back to your youth. Do you remember playing on the playground and running and jumping? When you go to a park and see children running and jumping, you see so much joy in their faces. That joy is graciously given to us through our Lord Jesus. It is because of His joy given to us that we can give back with joy. Thank you for helping us kick off LRCA’s Annual Fund with Warrior Blitz. It is with joy we announce that $219,504.20 was donated to bless this school through Warrior Blitz. Now, that will make you jump for joy! Thank you Lord for your blessings upon Your school. 18 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
Warrior Blitz is also about the joy of serving. Acts of kindness and engaging service projects blanketed the campus during the week’s festivities. Because of corporate sponsors who generously partnered with us, the cost of ALL of the events during Blitz week were covered. Pediatrics Plus has been the Warrior Blitz presenting sponsor for all seven years the fundraiser has been conducted. Additionally, Thrivent Financial and Northshore Golf Range contributed to the week of fun. Blitz Chairperson Megan Garrison, along with PTF President Suzanne Waters, and PTF President-elect Stacey Knoernschild, led the team with deep passion, love and JOY for LRCA.
ADVANCEMENT
Resource Stewardship The Advancement Team/Warrior Blitz Committee are committed to being good stewards of all resources. Much of the annual marketing materials are recycled and repurposed. LRCA’s Fine Arts Department uses the vinyl and foam board signage for class supplies. This year’s were put to beautiful use as paint drop cloths and giant gift tags to be incorporated into “The Gifts of Christmas: An Advent Immersive Art Experience” that was displayed on the grounds in front of the Welcome Center at Christmas time.
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ATHLETICS CHEER State - 4th Place
WARRIOR
CHEER
All-State Cheer Kate Wadsworth
CROSS COUNTRY Boys 5A Central Conference Champions Girls 5A Central Runner Up Coach of the Year - Girls Christy Nipper
5A Central All-Conference Madelyn Baxley Gracie Blocker Abigail Shaw Addison Southerland Joseph Warren David Wood 5A All-State David Wood
WARRIOR CROSS COUNTRY
FOOTBALL 5A State Semifinals All Arkansas Preps Team & SBLive AR AAA All-Star Team Titus Colquitt All-State Team Titus Colquitt Preston Davis 5A All-State Titus Colquitt Eli Cooper Jayvean Dyer-Jones
5A Central All-Conference Holt Chappell Preston Davis George Garner Otto Graham Hezekiah King Ben Ridings Andrew Wadsworth Walker White Slate Wilkerson
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FOOTBALL
ATHLETICS GOLF
Football Golf Volleyball Cross Country Tennis
Boys - 5A Central Conference Champs
5A All-State Ben Brogdon
Girls - 5A Central Conference Champs 5A Central Coach of the Year (Girls & Boys) Caitlin Jones
5A Central Conference Medalists, 5A Central All-Conference Ben Brogdon Lillie St. Pierre
All Arkansas Preps Team, 5A All-State, 5A Central All-Conference Hudson Seago
5A Central All-Conference Georgia Brandt Reid Smith
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GOLF
POM 5A State Champions (4 Years in a Row!) 5A Central Coach of the Year Carrie Long
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POM
All-State Pom Jordan Greenwood
TENNIS Boys & Girls - 5A Central Runners-Up 5A All-State Malcolm Wengel
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TENNIS
5A Central All-Conference Katherine Gilliam Andrew Griffith Peri Mitchell Rainey Ramsey Mackenzie Reddin Caleb Roystuart Jewell Smith J.T. Staggs Malcolm Wengel
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ATHLETICS VOLLEYBALL 5A State Champions 5A Central Conference Champs 5A State Coach of the Year, 5A Central Conference Coach of the Year, All Arkansas Preps Coach of the Year (All Classifications) Lacey Rowan AAA All-Star Team Coach Lacey Rowan Harper Stokes All Arkansas Preps Harper Stokes Romani Thurman
ross Country ennis
5A State Tournament MVP Harper Stokes
5A All-State Hallie Martin Harper Stokes Romani Thurman All-Tournament/State Tournament Team Hallie Martin Romani Thurman 5A Central All-Conference Eden Boles Ashley Dillman Elle Kerfoot Jenna Molleston Jordan Terry All Star Nominees Eden Boles Elle Kerfoot Hallie Martin
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VOLLEYBALL
WARRIOR AWARDS Cross Country Gracie Blocker & Drew Bryant Football - Andrew Wadsworth Golf - Georgia Brandt & Ben Brogdon Tennis - Peri Mitchell & J.T. Staggs Volleyball - Heather Dunavan
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ATHLETICS
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF A CHAMPIONSHIP TREAT By June Hendren, Director of Student Publications
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This past November marked the 10th anniversary of a sweet tradition that started with the school’s cross country teams and has been the secret ingredient for 20 of Little Rock Christian’s state championship titles. It was a brisk Saturday in early November in 2011 and most of the runners were not looking forward to scaling the hills of the Harrison cross country course, much less for the 5A state title. Even though Little Rock Christian boys were the returning state champions and touted the year’s 5A top runner in sophomore Ben Fiser, repeated injuries of his teammates made a backto-back state title unlikely. However, the boys were rested and ready. Training in the hills of the Chenal neighborhoods had given them a restrained confidence, and the homemade, nutrientdense granola bars sent with one of the senior runners by his mom had adequately fueled them for the 5,000 meter run. It was a dramatic finish, but the Warriors ended up narrowly edging out top competitor Greene County Tech to win their second consecutive state title. In an effort to recreate the magic of the unexpected win, the next year both the boys and girls cross country teams requested those same homemade granola bars before the state championship meet. Both teams won the state title that year, and the tradition became solidified. Twenty state championships later, all Little Rock Christian teams advancing to the finals, including the most recent 2021 5A State Champion Volleyball and 2021 5A State Champion Dance teams, as well as many students who take AP exams, receive the offer of the now-dubbed “Championship Granola.” While it may not be the reason for the success, the granola batches made with love and covered in prayer provide the kind of edge the Warriors would rather not do without.
ATHLETIC SIGNINGS
Ben Brogdon Baylor University/Golf Ashley Dillman Ouachita Baptist University/Track & Field Madelyn Baxley Ouachita Baptist University/Cross Country Harper Stokes Palm Beach Atlantic University/Volleyball Peyton Whipple Oklahoma Wesleyan University/Softball Ashton Elley University of Alabama Birmingham/Basketball Hannah Hall University of Arkansas/Swim THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022 23
FINE ARTS
ART STUDENTS CREATE ADVENT IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE
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By June Hendren, Director of Student Publications
A unique immersive art experience was held on campus during the month of December as a way for senior portfolio students to guide the Warriorville community into the Christmas season. “The Gifts of Christmas: An Advent Immersive Art Experience” was the vision of seven senior art students enrolled in the advanced art study class. Students, faculty, families, and friends from across the campus were able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas by walking through six oversized, individually constructed boxes filled with the artists’ representations of the gifts of hope, faith, joy, peace, purity, and, ultimately, Christmas. To coincide with the advent season, the experience was held on the front lawn of the Welcome Center December 1-16.
from advanced ceramics and engineering classes. Starting out with a period of ideation, then creating a presentation to seek administrative approval, constructing the boxes and then filling the inside with their creative interpretations, the students spent the bulk of the semester working on their gifts to the Little Rock Christian community. “Our desire is that those who walked through the immersive experience were reminded of the real meaning of Christmas,” instructor Melanie Buchanan said. “In the midst of an often-chaotic world, we hope the creative talents of our students allowed viewers a moment of reflection to refocus their Christmas season towards Christ.” Senior portfolio students from the class of 2022 who created the advent
While students in this class typically work on individual projects that focus on a single thematic concentration, this project required both individual work and collaboration with each other and with students 24 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
art installation were Heidi Funderburk, Sydney Kinnaman, Hallie Martin, Carol Ann McClendon, Mairyn McGilvray, Sydney Schmitt and Lexi Strother.
FINE ARTS
EXPRESSION IN HIS HONOR Warrior Hall, lovingly referred to as the House of Awe, produced displays and performances replete with splendor. Creativity in a myriad of forms covered the campus this fall leading up to Christmas. Warriors, tall to small, engaged in the host of celebrations and concerts!
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STUDENT ART
Ellis Dillard (High School) - Expressionism Tyler Treadway (High School) - Ceramic Fountain
Ethan Kim (Junior High) Negative/Positive Space Drawing
Ava Jeffus (Junior High) - Still Life
Kinze Jones (Middle School) - Adobe Pastel Landscape
STUDENT ART Abby Ferguson HS Fundamentals of Painting
JP McIntire (Elementary) Bald Eagle Project
Collins Gist (Elementary) - Self Protrait Project
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Heidi and Barry renewed their vows and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii with their children.
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WALKIN’ ON SUNSHINE
HEIDI BRANDT, LRCA DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist
During one of my first encounters with Heidi Brandt many years ago, she was dressed as Minnie Mouse and bringing joy and laughter to elementary kiddos. If you’ve never met Heidi, you need to. She effervesces and infuses positive energy into everything she does. Heidi’s heart, character, and enthusiasm, among many other qualities, help make LRCA’s Admissions Office a hub of compassion and spiritual wisdom for new and prospective families. Heidi has led well throughout the pandemic while serving record numbers of students and parents. “Our family moved around a lot when I was growing up, so I was the new kid many times. People who have been new usually have a heart for others who are new. I absolutely love making sure that our new students and parents are getting plugged in to all aspects of LRCA,” Heidi shares. Bennett Describe your childhood. Bennett: Brandt: I was born in Dallas, TX, and then moved to Little Rock, then Brandt Knoxville, TN, then Atlanta, GA, before landing back in Little Rock before I started high school. The company my dad worked for moved their headquarters about every two to three years. I had a wonderful childhood. My parents have loved us so well. My mom, my two siblings, and I all became Christians at a young age. My dad became a believer 28 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
when I was in high school. He dedicated his business to the Lord and led many to Christ. My dad and I have very similar personalities. He has sharp sales skills and a huge sense of adventure and humor. He definitely has helped shape me into the woman that I am today. We almost lost him to cancer 10 years ago. I am thankful for every day that the Lord has given him here on this earth. Our kids absolutely adore him. Bennett What kind of kid were you? Bennett: Brandt: People have a hard time believing that I was a very shy child. I Brandt came out of my shell in high school. My favorite subject in school was PE! I never really liked coursework until I got to college. I highly dislike math! I received a B.S. in Speech Communication from Texas Christian University which prepared me for public speaking and interpersonal communication. Bennett How did you land back in Little Rock after college? Bennett: Brandt: My husband, Barry, and I met at Fellowship Bible Church in Brandt August of 1994, just a few months after I graduated from TCU. My first job out of college was in Ft. Worth, TX. I came home for a friend’s wedding. I caught the bouquet on Saturday night and met Barry at church the next day. He was singing on stage during church and kept staring at me!
Bennett Share a little bit about your family. Bennett: Brandt: We have been blessed with three amazing children. Benjamin Brandt (21), is a junior at Oklahoma State University, is a pilot - his major is Aerospace Operations and Administration, Professional Pilot. Sophie (19) is a sophomore at Arkansas State University and is in nursing school. Georgia (18) is a senior at LRCA. She is heading to Samford University in Birmingham next year. And, our miniature Bernedoodle, Moses, is one of the highlights of my life.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT Benjamin, Moses, Georgia, Sophie, Heidi, and Barry Brandt (Thanksgiving 2021)
Bennett What led you to your work at LRCA 10 years ago? Bennett: Brandt: I began as the 6th Grade assistant. Benjamin also started at Brandt LRCA that year. It was so fun watching those kids mature from 6th12th grade. The next summer, I moved into the Assistant Director of Admissions position. Then, a few years later I had the privilege of moving into the Director role. Now, I am expanding my responsibilities to take over some portions of the Advancement/Development department. Bennett Favorite part of the day? Week? Bennett: Brandt: Dinnertime is my favorite part of the day. My husband and I Brandt work very different hours. He gets to come home for dinner most nights of the week. As much as I love my job, my favorite days of the week are Saturday and Sunday, because my husband and I are both home. He doesn’t have to go to work in the evenings, so we have those two nights together. Bennett Favorite food? Bennett: Brandt: MEXICAN!! I would be just fine if I ate Mexican food three meals Brandt a day! Bennett If you could be anything else, what would you be? Bennett: Brandt: I would love to have a singing voice like Carrie Underwood and Brandt be a famous country singer. I just love singing, even though my kids say that I am not very good at it! Bennett Morning person or night owl? Bennett: Brandt: Morning person…I can barely stay awake past 10:00! Brandt Bennett Most challenging part of your job? Bennett: Brandt: Denying an applicant based on academic need. It breaks my Brandt heart to have a conversation with a parent and let them know that we won’t be able to meet their child’s academic needs. I get to know every family through the admissions process, and I desperately want all kids to be able to attend LRCA. Unfortunately, sometimes grade levels and Learner Services are full. I LOVE getting to call parents and let them know their child (who has been on a waiting list) has received a spot. Usually parents cry. I also love getting feedback from parents a few weeks into school about how well their children are doing and adjusting. We truly have a very special school. LRCA is unlike any other school!
Bennett Talents/hobbies? Bennett: Brandt: I have recently started playing tennis. I won’t call that a talent, Brandt because I’m not very good. But I am having the best time meeting new friends and exercising while I meet people. Bennett Favorite color and favorite clothing style? Bennett: Brandt: I love PINK! Wearing bright colors makes me happy. Brandt Bennett How would others describe you? Bennett: Brandt: I think that people say that I have a good sense of humor, and Brandt that I love to have fun. We work very hard in my department, so I do have to stay focused. There is nothing wrong with having lots of fun while you work hard! Bennett What do you want readers to understand about Admissions Bennett: at LRCA? Brandt: I think that people think private schools will accept any Brandt students. We have an extensive admissions process, and we carefully read applications, recommendations, and analyze academic records. We won’t admit students who have behavior records, students who aren’t a strong academic fit, or families who do not value Christian education. All of these are big pieces of the puzzle, and they must all fit together just right. Bennett What’s on your horizon? Bennett: Brandt: WOW! I have no idea. Right now I am just trying to figure out Brandt how I am going to visit three kids at three different colleges in three different states. I am probably going to need to find some more vacation time, so that I can get to all of their parents' weekends and events!
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ALUMNI
2021 MARK WEBB ALUMNI AWARD Congratulations to Josh Briggs ('12), the recipient of the 2021 Mark Webb Alumni Award! Named after alumnus Mark Webb ('06), this award is given each year to an LRCA graduate who exhibits an authentic faith in Christ through serving others, uses his/her education and talents to engage others, and perseveres with a dedication that inspires others. Josh lives in Little Rock with his wife Shelby Medders Briggs ('13) and their three children - daughter Andersen, in LRCA's PK3, and sons Caleb and Brooks. Josh works at Simmons Bank as a mortgage loan officer and is described by his peers as a "hard-working servant leader." Fellow 2012 classmate Connor Van Hemert said about Josh: "He is both a leader and ambassador for Christ. Anyone who knows Josh would tell you the same thing. It’s hard to find a guy who invests in his brothers in Christ more than Josh. From my perspective, it isn’t one thing Josh has done. It’s the consistency in his leadership, service, and pursuit of Christ that makes him well-deserving of this award." Josh was presented with the award on Friday, October 1, during halftime at the homecoming football game.
WARRIOR ALUMNI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP DRIVE February 20-27, 2022
The Warrior Alumni Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of beloved Warrior classmates who have passed away. It is annually awarded to a family who has experienced a recent tragic loss and qualifies for tuition assistance through FACTS. Preference is given to a qualified Legacy family (Warrior parent who is an alumnus of LRCA/WVCA). The scholarship is fully funded by donations and administered/ promoted by the LRCA Advancement Office in partnership with the Alumni Association. www.LittleRockChristian.com/Alumni/ Alumni-Scholarship-Fund
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ALUMNI
ALUMNI HOMECOMING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS October was an exciting month of reunions for LRCA graduates! Classes of 2001, 2010 and 2011 enjoyed reconnecting with classmates at fun locations around town, including Maumelle Park, Good Earth Garden Center, and Hill Station. Alumni of all ages gathered under Warrior Pavilion on Friday, October 1, before the Homecoming football game for a free dinner and catching up with old friends. Thanks to all who attended! Stay tuned for 2022 Alumni Homecoming Weekend details.
SAVE THE DATE ALUMNI FAMILY EASTER EGG HUNT
SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH AT LRCA MORE DETAILS TO COME. THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022 31
ALUMNI NEWS Walks Down the Aisle Alumni updates in The Warrior magazine include current year births and wedding announcements to help fellow Warriors stay in touch. Other alumni news is shared through the LRCA website and social media. Please direct questions or send your Warrior Alumni Updates submissions to Bekah.Johnson@ LittleRockChristian.com.
Tori Alan Allred Avery (Class of 2014) married Caleb Avery on November 27, 2020 at Angelo’s Garden in Mayflower, Arkansas. They make their home in Springdale. Tori Alan’s mother is Tracie Allred who works in LRCA’s Welcome Center.
Samantha Snell Betz (Class of 2016) married Connor Betz on September 18, 2021 at The Brick Room in Conway, Arkansas. Conway is also where the couple resides.
Jeffrey Brantly (Class of 2014) wed Kathryn King on September 6, 2020 at The Venue at Stonebrook Meadows in Bauxite, Arkansas. The couple currently lives in Little Rock.
Brooklyn Kathleen Burks (Class of 2015) married Zachary Ryan Griffin on October 30, 2021 at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. The Griffins live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
John (Jack) Patterson Lee (Class of 2016) married Walker Evans Sanders Lee on June 26, 2021 at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The Lees reside in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Jessica Sadler Maskell (Class of 2011) wed Donovan Maskell on August 28, 2021 in Clarksville, Arkansas. The Maskells make their home in Haskell, Oklahoma.
Riley Roach McDonald (Class of 2017) married Seth McDonald (Class of 2017) on April 24, 2021 at Venue at Oakdale in Sherwood, Arkansas. The McDonalds live in Little Rock.
Rebecah Isabelle Ortega Seymour (Class of 2018) wed Graham Johnson Seymour (Class of 2019) on August 8, 2020 in WaterColor, Florida. The Seymours reside in Boston, Massachusetts.
Erin Norman Thompson (Class of 2014) married Jacob Thompson on June 5, 2021 at Rusty Tractor Vineyards in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Thompsons live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Taylor Ann Allred Tlapek (Class of 2012) married Jack Tlapek on May 29, 2021 at Osage House in Cave Springs, Arkansas. They reside in Nashville, Tennessee. Taylor Ann’s mother is Tracie Allred who works in LRCA’s Welcome Center.
Cooper Ryan Wade (Class of 2013) wed Johanna Caroline Baker on May 21, 2020 at St. John’s Chapel by the Creek in Benton, Arkansas. The Wades live in Little Rock. Cooper is the son of Cara Wade, LRCA Board of Trust member. 32 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
Dr. Kristin Leigh Hathaway Wilkinson (Class of 2011) married James Thomas Wilkinson on May 16, 2021 at An Enchanted Evening in Roland, Arkansas. The Wilkinsons reside in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fred Andrew Wood (Class of 2018) married Grace Elizabeth Mitchell Wood on January 2, 2022 at The Grandeur House in Little Rock. The Woods plan to reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Andrew’s mother Sarah Wood is part of the upper school Learner Services team.
Wedding announcements need to include the bride’s and groom’s full names (including maiden), the graduation year(s), the wedding date and location and where the couple intends to reside. Also, include bride and/or groom parents’ names IF they are current LRCA employees or board members.
ALUMNI NEWS Bundles of Joy Baby announcements need to include both parents’ names (including maiden), the graduation year(s), the baby’s name, weight, birth date, city and state in which the baby was born. Also, include names of grandparents IF they are current LRCA employees or board members.
Hayden Miller Asselta (Class of 2011) gave birth to Luke Michael Asselta (5 pounds, 11 ounces) on March 5, 2021. She and her husband, Michael Asselta currently reside in Rogers, Arkansas.
Hunter Baughman (Class of 2005) and his wife Andrea welcomed their baby girl Kinley Renae Baughman (8 pounds, 11 ounces) on June 4, 2021. The Baughmans live in Judsonia, Arkansas.
Rachel Fruchey Bell (Class of 2004) and her husband Evan Bell welcomed their son, Noah Clemens James Bell (6 pounds, 4.7 ounces) on August 11, 2021. The Bells make their home in Conway, Arkansas .
Christian Biggs (Class of 2011) and Margo Frederick Biggs (Class of 2011) gave birth to Harper Gray Biggs (6 pounds, 9 ounces) on July 15, 2021. The Biggs live in Maumelle, Arkansas. Christian’s mother, Laurie Biggs, teaches high school social studies at LRCA.
Sarah Glenn Crabill (Class of 2008) and her husband Austin Crabill welcomed their baby girl, Charley Ann Crabill (7 pounds, 4 ounces) on September 21, 2021. The Crabills live in Roland, Arkansas. Sarah is the Director of Elementary Operations at LRCA.
Joseph Scott Ford (Class of 2010) and Kelsey Claire Taylor Ford gave birth to Vivienne Taylor Ford (7 pounds, 11 ounces) on August 27, 2021. The Fords live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Joseph Clay Hampton (Class of 2016) and Hannah Kelley Hampton (Class of 2016) welcomed their baby, Ayda Jayne Hampton (7 pounds, 12 ounces) on August 24, 2021. The Hamptons live in Little Rock. Hannah’s mother is Tracy Kelley, LRCA HS Office Support.
John Lepine (Class of 2009) and his wife Katie welcomed their fourth child, Anton James (7 pounds, 15 ounces) on August 28, 2021. The Lepines make their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Markham Roberson and Tara Ashley Allred Roberson (Class of 2010) gave birth to Cadence Ashley Roberson (7 pounds, 12 ounces) on October 7, 2019. The Robersons live in Little Rock. Tara Ashley’s mother is Tracie Allred who works in LRCA’s Welcome Center.
Ashley Stricklin Shearin (Class of 2011) and her husband Brandon Shearin welcomed Sonny James Shearin (9 pounds, 2 ounces) at their home on November 21, 2021. The Shearins live in Dallas, Texas.
Kyle Tarpley (former student) and his wife Beibei gave birth to Phoebe Sue Tarpley on December 26, 2020 in Hangzhou, China where they make their home. Kyle is the son of Heather Tarpley who teaches high school math at LRCA.
Andrew Williams (Class of 2006) and his wife Susan gave birth to Evelyn Marie Williams (4 pounds, 12 ounces) on September 23, 2020. Evelyn eagerly arrived seven weeks early. The Williams live in Jackson, Mississippi.
Stephen Williams (Class of 2010) and his wife Allie welcomed their daughter Jane Katherine Williams (8 pounds, 3 ounces) on April 5, 2021. The Williams family lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.
David Winkler (Class of 2011) and Caroline Winkler gave birth to Harris Clay Winkler (7 pounds, 2 ounces) on March 15, 2021. The Winklers live in Waco, Texas. THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022 33
WARRIOR GENERATIONS
Growing Up Green & Blue
By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist God has richly blessed Little Rock Christian Academy since its early days as Walnut Valley in 1977. Warriorville’s spiritual and physical growth have been truly inspirational. Well over 2,000 alumni have gone beyond LRCA’s gates since the first high school graduation of four seniors in 1997. As time has passed, we have seen more and more Warriors returning to campus as parents! Across these pages we celebrate and highlight the children of alumni and former students who have been entrusted to us for their Christian education. We are truly grateful for this next generation of Warriors! Although every effort was made for accuracy, please email Bekah.Johnson@LittleRockChristian.com if you notice a current student has been inadvertently missed. 34 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022
WARRIOR GENERATIONS
“One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” -Psalm 145:4 THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2022 35
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