Thursday, December 15, 2011

Message to Lower School From Mrs. Matthis


Dear Lower School Parents,

Merry Christmas!

The Lower School had a wonderful time today at the movies.  The students were so very well behaved and enjoyed every minute of our outing.  I truly appreciate Joy Usher planning this event.  She wanted to be sure that our Lower School students were rewarded for their enthusiasm and participation with our new reading program “Building a School of Readers”.  Please encourage your child to read over the Christmas holidays and let’s put reading as a top priority for the year 2012.

I am pleased to announce that our Food and Toy drive went very well!  We collected over 350 food items and over 150 toys.  It was my pleasure on Saturday, December 10, to participate in the distribution of these toys and food to families in our area in desperate need.  As shown in the attached picture, toys for each family were carefully selected, wrapped and placed in large gift bags.  Bags of food were also distributed.  I was able to meet and see first hand the families who received our gifts.  I can assure you, the food and toys were needed.  Thank you for all you do to raise your children in a Christ like manner.  We see the results of this every day.  We are truly blessed at Christmas to reflect on each and every precious child that we teach.
May God bless your family this Christmas.

Mrs. Matthis

It All Happened in Lower School




Lower school students acted, danced, and sang in two stellar performances of the musical, It All Happened in the Country. This was an exciting opportunity for the K-5 students to show off their talents! The show highlighted many fifth graders. Mrs. Margo Bowker worked with students for many weeks to prepare for the show.

The students performed for family and friends on Sunday, December 4, at 2:00 P.M. There were about 500 people in attendance. On Friday, December 9, the students performed for over 200 area preschoolers. The preschoolers even had a chance to enjoy our campus as they had a snack and played on the playground.

Overall the show was a success! Mrs. Paula Matthis, the Lower School Head said it best, “This show helped us all to realize why we celebrate Christmas and emphasized the importance of seeking and accepting a simpler lifestyle.”

In conjunction with the play, lower school students were able to help out extremely poor people in the region by collecting and donating toys and food. “Local schools afforded us the opportunity to help out the most destitute by connecting us to them,” said Matthis. In total, the lower school students collected 350 items of food and 350 gifts. Each needy family received a bag of toys (based on wish lists) and a frozen turkey.

HCA on the Move

All high school students and teachers have completely moved into the new facility. The new addition is connected to the old high school building. It includes many different features that allow for more efficient functioning. Students have access to a state-of-the art technology lab with new computers. The new wing boasts a large administrative/guidance suite and modern science labs.

Christian Peterson, an HCA senior said, “I am excited about the new computer area. It is helpful to have a place to print off things for class.” Mrs. Canady and Mrs. Parker are both ecstatic about the possibilities for the new science lab.

The excitement is also building in middle school as teachers relocate to their new location- the high school building. Students have been helping teachers by moving items and helping in many ways. Many of the students are very excited about the move. Lauren Long, a sixth grader, stated, “This is exciting! I feel like I’m skipping straight to high school!” The move is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the year. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Hannah Buckner Attends National Cheer Competition






Harrells Christian Academy seventh grader, Hannah Bucker, attended a national competition for top cheerleaders. Her cheer team, the Pender County Hurricanes, has had a great year. They placed first in the local and regional competitions.

Her team was invited to attend the National Cheerleading competitions held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Hannah said, "It was fun meeting all the other cheer teams from all over the country. My team got nominated for the spirit award and we won second place."

Hannah's team placed 8th out of 16 teams. "Considering that one of my teammates sprained her ankle during practice, I think we did well," Hannah said. After competition members of the team were able to visit Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and The Magic Kingdom.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

A Christmas Carol

Mr. Joshua Hunter's language arts class is putting on a play for the lower school students. They are putting on the play "A Christmas Carol." This a play about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge who is haunted by is best friend/business partner Jacob Marley. Marley sends three ghosts to haunt Scrooge. They represent the past, the present, and the future. This hopefully helps Scrooge understand that life is not all about money or having it all, it is about love and treating others with kindness.

The main characters are Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley and the three ghost. Ebenezer Scrooge will be played by Billy Prestage. Jacob Marley will be played by Will Huff. The ghost of Christmas past will be played by Marianne Moore. The ghost of Christmas present will be played by Blake Daniel. The ghost of Christmas future will be played by Joseph Lee. These are the main characters of this play. Other characters include: nephew (Holden Quinn), Cratchit (Wilson Escalante), Mrs. Cratchit (Harley Crumpler), and Fezziwig (Luke Burrows.) 

The play will be located in the Joseph W. Newkirk auditorium at 1:30 on December 13th, 2011. The play will sure put you in the Christmas spirit so come out and see it!  -by Madison Tart

Lower School Presents Christmas Play

Lower School Students
present

It All Happened in the Country

Sunday, December 4, 2011





Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving at HCA


















Christian Peterson Featured in the Sampson Independent


Christian Peterson has an ambitious but heart-warming goal to earn his Eagle Scout badge. That goal — to collect as many used cell phones as he can in a week so that calling cards can get in the hands of U.S. soldiers and be used phone their loved ones back home.

The 17-year-old Harrells Christian Academy senior said he was inspired by his father and grandfather who served the country in the U.S. Air Force. “I have a pretty large military background,” he stressed. “So, it was important to me to do this. I am just glad that I can help.”

Peterson said he came up with the idea for his Eagle Scout project when he was online.

“I am a big technology person, so when I was thinking about my Eagle project, I knew that the requirements were that it had to be a project that could actually be done and completed,” he explained.

Peterson went online and searched for things to do that involved technology drives and found the non-profit website cellphonesforsoldiers.com. “When I came across their webpage,” he said, “and once I saw it and read what they do, it just hit me — this is what I needed to be doing. Being a big technology person, I have a lot of phones laying around my house. Some are broken and some are fine, just old and not used anymore. I was looking around and I thought, if I have these just laying around, I am sure other kids my age do too. A lot of my friends have two or three phones just laying around that they don’t use. So this project was perfect for me to be involved with.”

In 2004, brother and sister Robbie and Brittany Bergquis, then 12 and a 13 years old, from Norwell, Mass., happened to see a newspaper article about a soldier overseas who ran up a $7,000 cell phone bill and they wanted to try to help. They began collecting cell phones, cell phone accessories, batteries, chargers, pagers, PDA’s, turning them into pre-paid calling cards for troops overseas. From that, Cell Phones for Soldiers was born.

Since then, the non-profit company has raised more than $7 million and provided more than 114 million minutes of free talk time for soldiers. The company has also recycled more than 8.3 million cell phones and mails out approximately 12,000 calling cards to soldiers each week.

“What they do is collect old or used cell phones and they take them to a recycling company that gives them money, in return, they take that money and invest it into purchasing pre-paid phone cards for our solider overseas,” Peterson said. “It is a great thing.”

Peterson, who is currently a Life Scout, which is just one step from being an Eagle Scout, began scouting when he was a young boy.

“Oh yeah, I started way back in the day,” he laughed. “I started out in Cub Scouts and just moved up along the way. I have earned my badges with each accomplishment, and I want this one to be the biggest and best one of all.”

So far, he has already contacted five local businesses in Clinton and one in Harrells for his project, which will officially begin during the last week of November.

“I am hitting up grocery stores and the larger store,s too,” he said. “Right now, I am still working with management to get permission to have a drop box in front of the stores, but I am confident we will get it soon. The stores I have been working with have been really cooperative, it is just getting the official approval from their corporate headquarters.”

Peterson says the easiest way to help is to put your old phones in a box and bring them with you.

“The best way to get involved is to carry your extra phones with you when you go out shopping,” he said. “I have selected stores where there is a high volume of customers, so you will see the drop boxes. Just drop the phones in there. It can be any type of mobile phone, no matter how old or how new. If it has any working parts in there, they can get money for it and send the cards to the troops.”

Although there are already two Cell Phones for Soldiers drop box sites in Clinton (at Go Toyota and Verizon, respectively), Peterson hopes that for one week, locals will donate to help him with his project.

“There are 8,000 people here in Clinton,” he attested, “so I am hoping for at least 4,000. If each person can get at least one thing in there, I will be happy.”

Peterson said after the project, he will go back to finishing his school year, and hopefully get a nod to attend N.C. State University next year.

“Right now I am hoping to study computer science,” he said. “I am hoping that it will come through, but I won’t find out until the end of December if I get accepted. I want to go into computer programming for my future career.”

In the meantime, he said smiling, he will do his best to continue to help soldiers call their families for free and, “if all goes well, I should have the badge by the end of this year.”

For more information on Cell Phones for Soldiers, click on to cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Read more: The Sampson Independent

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Lower School Community Service



Happy Thanksgiving, Lower School Parents,

We have officially entered into the holiday season. The excitement is building. Our Lower School halls are filled with beautiful Christmas music. This is a very special time of year. Beginning with Thanksgiving our hearts fill with thankfulness to our Lord and our hands reach out to others in need. Our HCA Mission Statement states “HCA endeavors to help students pursue higher levels of academic and occupational areas, all of which are supported by programs in the arts, athletics, and community service.” This year we want to reach out into our community and make a difference. Our Lower School will be collecting new and “gently” used toys and canned goods during this holiday season. We have names of families who are in desperate need. Between Sampson and Duplin County there are over 200 families who have been identified by the local schools.

Please involve your child in the process of picking out the toys and food. These items will be collected through December 9 and will be given to the families on December 10. Thank you so much for your willingness to help us teach community service and God’s love to our children.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Second Grade Visits Poplar Grove Plantation

HCA Graduate Speaks About Leukemia


Mr. Hunter’s language arts class is reading a book entitled Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. This book, by Jordan Sonnenblick, is about a boy named Steven who finds out that his brother Jeffrey has leukemia. The story chronicles the experiences of Jeffrey and Steven throughout the ordeal.
On Wednesday, November, 16, 2011, Dillon Villegas (son of Emily Villegas) came to speak to the class about leukemia. Dillon was diagnosed with leukemia during his high school career. He enjoys recounting his experiences and inspiring others who are going through difficult times. He is a strong Christian who loves to proclaim how his experiences have strengthened his faith in God.

Dillon shared a lot of information about how he has dealt with the disease. Students were amazed by the number of pills that Dillon had to take. During his presentation, he said, “I did the math on the way here. I have had to take 29,oo0 of these pills,” as he pointed to a green bottle.

 Students were able to ask Dillon questions about leukemia. When a student asked Dillon how he felt about having the disease, Dillon said, “I was angry with God at first and I didn’t understand it, but now I am closer to God than ever and I love to share my testimony with others.”   

Message from HCA Board


Dear HCA Families,
            What an exciting time it is to be a Harrells Christian Academy Crusader!  With our building project nearing completion, our upper school students and teachers are preparing to make the move to their new high school classrooms.  Our new building comes complete with state of the art technology, larger classrooms, and science labs with new equipment. The Activities Center is open for physical education classes and basketball practice.  All of our basketball teams, from middle school to varsity, are enjoying the additional court space.  The final phase of the Activities Center will include the installation of bleachers and completion of locker rooms, concessions, stage, etc.  At the end of the project, we will be proud to have on our campus the HCA Activities Center, a facility not only for athletic events, but also for classrooms, lower school events, middle and upper school banquets, and graduations.

            At our last full board meeting for the year 2011, the Board of Directors stands committed to doing all things possible to ensuring “excellence in education through Christian motivation.”  With this in mind, and recognizing how last year’s large increase may have put a financial strain on many families, the board has voted to not increase tuition for the 2012-2013 school year.  It was a very difficult decision for the board and one we do not take lightly.  The school is faced every year with rising costs and although many needs remain from completion of the capital campaign to doing all we can to retain top quality teachers, everyone at HCA from the board to Dr. Montgomery is committed to providing an affordable quality education in a safe, Christian family environment.  At HCA, we pride ourselves on developing the whole child- academically, socially, artistically, athletically, and most importantly- spiritually.

            I encourage you to continue to stay involved as a parent in the constant changes HCA goes through to continually improve the education that your child is receiving.  You will notice on our website that the school hosts tours every Wednesday at 10:00 am or by appointment.  Check the website daily to see all the good that goes on at HCA and share the news with others.  Please continue to support all of our programs through our Academic and Athletic Boosters and our Capital Campaign.   If you have any questions about how you as a parent can best help the school please don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Montgomery, a teacher, or a board member.  Harrells Christian Academy will be stronger if we all work together!

            Thank you again for your continued support of Harrells Christian Academy.  May your family be blessed this Thanksgiving holiday and may you be reminded each and every day of God’s love and His many blessings

Wendy Murphy
Chair, Board of Directors