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| September 2009 | An On-Line Publication of Mount Juliet Christian Academy | Archive | MJCA Home |
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SEPTEMBER OPENS WITH LONG WEEKEND
MJCA students will enjoy a long break over the first weekend in September. After a month of school, students will celebrate Labor Day and an additional day off as the MJCA faculty complete their second professional development day of the school year. We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend! ____________________________________ MJCA SECONDARY SHOWS SPIRIT WITH BLACK-OUT DAY
The MJCA secondary put on a show of solidarity this Friday (9/11) by dressing in black to support the varsity football team's first home game of the season. The Saints will play Rossville Christian Academy out of the Memphis area. Cheerleaders worked hard to coordinate a 10 minute hallway pep rally at the end of the school day to energize the team, and the students responded with a surge of enthusiasm. Come out and support the Saints this season! ____________________________________ HORTON HAVEN SECONDARY RETREAT POSTPONED Due to the outbreak of flu this fall, the secondary retreat at Horton Haven Christian Camp will be postponed until later in the semester. In an effort to protect our students from unnecessary illness, the decision was made to wait until our student body was at full strength. Mr. David Spence is working to reschedule the event that would have taken place this week (9/16-9/17). Details will follow about new dates and times for this annual retreat! ____________________________________ WILSON A.M. TEACHER OF THE WEEK
MJCA middle school English teacher, Mrs. Runyon, was given a special honor this last week. The Wilson County publication Wilson A.M. named Mrs. Runyon as their Teacher of the Week. Mrs. Runyon, nominated by a parent, has been teaching at MJCA since 1998. Mrs. Runyon's attitude and enthusiasm for her subject matter, along with her relational teaching style make her both well-loved and effective in the classroom. Her students long remember the investment she makes in them each year. She is most certainly an asset to MJCA. Congratulations to Mrs. Runyon on her outstanding achievement! ____________________________________ NATIONAL ELEMENTARY HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION
On Tuesday (9/22), twenty-nine deserving MJCA fourth, fifth and sixth graders were inducted into MJCA's first National Elementary Honor Society. These students were invited to join NEHS in part because of their exemplary school record and cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. In addition, these students represent the four pillars of NEHS: scholarship, responsibility, service and leadership. The program began with the recitation of the pledges and prayer. Mrs. Lundy, elementary band director, led special music for the ceremony. Headmaster Greg Scheck spoke to the inductees and their parents about the significance of service and the importance of NEHS as an embodiment of the MJCA mission statement. Finally, Mrs. Tina Eastin, chapter sponsor, called each student forward to receive their certificate of membership. After the ceremony, the inductees and their families were invited to a reception in their honor. We are so proud of these outstanding young men and women!
The inductees as they prepare for their special recognition.
Mrs. Lundy leads the students in a worship song.
Mrs. Eastin welcomes each inductee.
Mrs. VanVactor congratulates the new members.
The sixth grade members of NEHS enjoy the reception! ____________________________________ |
MJCA 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Last Tuesday (9/1), Mt. Juliet Christian Academy celebrated thirty years of providing Christian education to the Mt. Juliet community. The MJCA gym was packed with over 200 guests as alumni, including several from the first graduating class, former administrators and several of the founders of the school joined to commemorate this milestone. During dinner, the crowd enjoyed a walk down memory lane, watching the Academy grow from three classes with an enrollment of 25 to a fully accredited, pre-school through 12th grade school of approximately 500. Special recognition was given to the founders of the school, Rev. Billie Friel (Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church), Art Schulert and Jenny Bess Hibbett, a former Mayor of Mt. Juliet and long-time faculty member at the Academy. Jennifer Christensen, MJCA’s high school English instructor served as Mistress of Ceremonies entwining humorous anecdotes from the past with recognition of the significant roles the founders played in the history of the school. Speakers included Rev. Friel who recalled the day of his arrival in Mt. Juliet as the new pastor of First Baptist Church in 1976. Under his leadership and with the support of Mrs. Hibbett and Mr. Schulert, the school began classes in the fall of 1979. Frank Webb, who served as the head of the school for 15 years, recalled his days of “firsts” as the school became accredited and started fine arts, science, computer and athletic programs. Current Headmaster, Greg Scheck, expressed appreciation to all the founders, former faculty, parents, grandparents and students who played a part in the growth of the school. In looking toward the future, Mr. Scheck highlighted the school’s plans for building a new athletic facility and revealed a granite cornerstone that will be used in dedicating the new gym/field house upon its completion.
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MJCA SENIOR RECEIVES ART SCHOLARSHIP
Danielle Miller, a senior at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy, was awarded a scholarship from Nossi College of Art for her outstanding photography entries at the 2009 Wilson County Fair. Danielle received several awards for her photography at this year's fair in the 14 to 18-year-old division. Danielle is the daughter of Danny and Sissy Miller of Lebanon, Tennessee. Congratulations to Danielle for her hard work! _____________________________________ MJCA STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL YOUNG SCHOLARS PROGRAM
This summer, high achieving elementary school students took part in the National Young Scholars Program (NYSP). Held at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, NYSP inspires outstanding 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students to explore, invent, learn and think creatively. Two MJCA students, Josiah Scott and Chandler Luper, were selected at attend this program over the summer of 2009. Both of these students had completed their 5th grade year at MJCA before attending. They took part in a forensic science area of study and worked through challenges in a model forensics lab. NYSP is sponsored by the National Center for Early Academic Excellence (NCEAE), an independent educational organization dedicated to identifying, inspiring and honoring the nation's most promising elementary students. We are so proud of these young men and their outstanding accomplishment! _____________________________________ MJCA ELEMENTARY BOOK CLUB The MJCA Book Club is an elementary organization run by volunteers to promote a love of reading among all students, first through fifth grade. Students will meet weekly to discuss chapters of that month's assigned book. Approximately every four weeks, the club will start a new book, aimed at different reading levels. Students can participate in the Book Club every month or attend only when books they are interested in are being discussed. Besides discussing the book, students may also participate in other activities relevant to the book being read (for example--art projects, short skits, etc.). This is a great opportunity to encourage students to read for life! _____________________________________ MJCA RECOGNIZED IN TSSAA SPORTSMANSHIP PROGRAM
TSSAA makes every effort to ensure good sportsmanship at all high school athletic functions, and their "Just Do What's Right!" program has been a reinforcement of those principles. MJCA is being recognized by the TSSAA as member school with no reported incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct during the 2008-2009 school year. The school will receive a certificate for its accomplishment and will be included in the fall issue of TSSAA News. This recognition speaks volumes about the leadership behind the program and the community effort that involves all of our school families. Thanks you for supporting your Saints with integrity, sportsmanship and citizenship! _____________________________________ ELEMENTARY SPOTLIGHT HANNAH MCDOWELL
Hannah McDowell is a second grade student at MJCA with a heart for missions. After hearing the details about a young boy from Haiti that her class was sponsoring, Hannah took it upon herself to begin securing her share of the sponsorship. She ended up with much more than that. Last month, she set up a lemonade stand in her front yard to raise money for this little boy. Our second grade classes can provide this young boy an education and one meal a day for $350 per year. Alone, Hannah raised $130 with her lemonade stand. Her parents commented that Hannah’s heart was moved by how little this young man has, and it was her desire to help him in any way she could. What a wonderful demonstration of God’s love in action! _____________________________________ SEE YOU AT THE POLE 2009
On Wednesday (9/23), students, teachers and parents gathered around the flagpole before school to pray in unison with other student groups all over the country. SYATP is a nation wide program, a student led event held on the fourth Wednesday of every September. It is an opportunity for students all over the country to lift their voices in prayer for their school, teachers, government and nation. Approximately 50 students (both elementary and secondary) gathered this morning at MJCA. This was a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm the privilege we enjoy each day and join our voices with the millions of Christian teenagers around the country.
_____________________________________ CHRISTIAN SERVICE INTIATIVE
Mt. Juliet Christian Academy is concerned with producing students with a heart for others. As a result, the administration of MJCA has approved a Christian Service Learning component for all secondary students. Students will be responsible for completing a specific amount of hours towards graduation. Ms. Holli Dunbar is the Christian Service Coordinator and is currently working to provide a variety of opportunities for our students to serve our community. Last Wednesday (9/23), five of our seniors went with Community Servants, Incorporated of Smyrna to the Wherry Community Housing Project in order to learn about opportunities to assist in the community. This trip is just one of many chances our students will have to learn about ways to put others first. More specific information about the Christian Service Learning Project can be found on Edline. Thanks to Ms. Dunbar for organizing this outstanding opportunity for our students! _____________________________________ |
| Mount Juliet Christian Academy | 735 North Mount Juliet Road | Mount Juliet, Tennessee 37122 | 615-758-2427 (v) | 615-758-3662 (f) |
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