Spirit of Volunteerism Thrives at LCS - Lakeland Christian School

Viking
Lakeland Christian School
The
May 2011
Spirit of Volunteerism Thrives at LCS

LCS, A Magnet School?
By Dr. Mike Sligh, Headmaster
Remember the simple childhood toy that included
a cardboard image of a face covered with clear plastic
encasing an abundant supply of metal shavings? When
you manipulated a magnet beneath the cardboard you
could arrange the shavings to simulate an infinite variety
of beards and hair styles. It was an early lesson in magnetic
force as well as an opportunity to express your creativity.
Today the term “magnet” has been attached to a
certain educational model. A magnet school usually has
some unique element of instruction not available in the
traditional school. At the elementary and middle school
level, it usually implies a particular emphasis across the
curriculum. On the high school level, students take the
“The ‘LCS magnet’
has attracted a
gifted collection of
teachers who strive
daily to practice their
profession ‘in the
light of God’s Word.’”
normal subjects required for progress
toward graduation, but their elective
hours have some focus that is unique
to that magnet school. So, you might
say, the “magnet” attracts students who
have an interest in the particular area of
specialization offered.
What’s the “magnet” at LCS? What
unique offerings are available here
that cannot be found elsewhere? What
benefits can families who partner with
LCS hope to receive that they can’t get
anywhere else?
The “magnet” at LCS is the
commitment to biblical truth and to the belief that this
truth should inform every area of thinking and living. This
foundational commitment is reflected in every field of study
and every activity. It is systemic to the educational process.
It shapes every personal relationship within the school. It is
not an elective laminated onto the core curriculum.
Recently the LCS board of directors was engaged in
a stimulating discussion about how we should present
the distinctives of Christian schooling. Following that
discussion, board member Dan DeLange shared some
reflections on this subject. Dan and Sandy are the parents
of four LCS graduates. Here’s what he had to say:
When our children enter Kindergarten, they will
begin thirteen years of daily teaching about the world. To
whom should we entrust our children for this life-forming
task? Who will come alongside us in preparing them for
adulthood? The clear answer is a Christian School. Here
they will discover
the power of God
in nature and His
providence in the
course of history. As
the world is opened
up to them, they
will see it operating
under the control
of the all-powerful
and all-wise God.
Mathematics,
science, language
and philosophy
will all be taught
as part of God’s
comprehensive plan as Creator, and not as the result of chance.
Music and art will be seen as a reflection of His creativity in our
children as His image bearers.
Their examples will be Christian men and women who strive
to be Christ-like in their love for their students. When discipline
is required, our children will learn that they are ultimately
responsible to Christ, who gave Himself for them. In the
classroom, the playgrounds and the sports fields, they will learn
to forgive, as God forgave, and to love others as Christ loved us.
Excellence and diligence will be taught for the right reason; the
glory of God. And, at Lakeland Christian School, each student
will be given plenty of opportunity and encouragement as they
discover their particular gifts and strengths.
As Christian parents, we have the responsibility to use
every means at our disposal to bring up our children in God’s
way. This does require an investment and, for many, a sacrifice.
Newer cars and a nicer home will fade away. But the investment
we make in Christian education for our children will endure
for generations.
Magnets attract some materials, but not others. The “LCS
magnet” has attracted a gifted collection of teachers who strive
daily to practice their profession “in the light of God’s Word.” We
do not do this perfectly (that’s why I use the term “practice”!),
but we are very intentional about continually growing in our
skills to make progress to this end. The “LCS magnet” has also
attracted families who are focused upon the same spiritual and
intellectual goals for their children. There is great power in a school
continued on page 9

Spirit of
Volunteerism
Thrives at LCS
LCS dad Jason Brown serves treats at a kindergarten Mother’s Day Tea.
In the 2001 movie “Pearl Harbor,” Lt. Col. Jimmy
Doolittle said, “There’s nothing stronger than the heart
of a volunteer.” At Lakeland Christian School, this
heart for service beats strongly in our students, our
faculty and staff, our parents and our grandparents.
In 1 Peter 4:10, he writes, “Each of you should
use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as
faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Our families and students have been blessed with an
abundance of gifts that they put to use both on the
Lakeland Christian campus and in the community.
LCS could not function without volunteers. From
the fathers who serve tea at the kindergarten Mother’s
Day event to the faithful concession workers who
hand out pizza and hot dogs in Viking Stadium to the
parents who chaperone field trips to the faithful weekly
classroom workers … every single parent and grandparent
is a valuable resource to Lakeland Christian.
continued on page 2
Volunteerism
in this issue
1-5 ____________________________
Spirit of Volunteerism
6-8 ____________________________
Secondary News
10-12 ____________________________
Elementary News
14-17 ____________________________
Sports
18-19 ____________________________
Alumni
20-22 ____________________________
Fine Arts

Spirit of Volunteerism Thrives continued from page 1
The list of ways our families serve here is
endless. Here are just some examples of what
volunteers do on the campus:
n Classroom readers
n Welcome Wednesday tour guides
n Room Moms
n Elementary centers
n Golf tournament coordinators
n Concessions workers
n Ticket sales at athletic events
n Field trip chaperones
n Auction coordinators
n Grading for teachers
n Decorating bulletin boards
n Helping students with reading
n Hosting AR parties
n Assisting on Grandparent’s Day
n Special event coordination (Jr./Sr. Banquet,
Homecoming, Back to School Bash,
Pre-Grad party, etc.)
n Volunteer assistant coaches
n Odyssey of the Mind coaches
n Lunch monitors
n Boosterthon Fun Run volunteers
n Guest speakers in the classroom and in chapel
n Spring Art Festival helpers
n Heading up Moms in Touch and All-Pro Dads
The faculty, staff and administration of
Lakeland Christian School are thankful for all
of the volunteers who choose to give of their time
and gifts as we educate children in the light of
God’s Word.
If you are looking for ways to get involved,
visit the Parent Resource or Support LCS sections of
the LCS website or contact your child’s teacher or
principal. You can also call the school offices
at 863-688-2771.
About the Cover:
LCS parents regularly
come talk to classes
about their professions.
Mr. Keith Albritton
(left) speaks to an
elementary class about
finance, and Dr. David
Dodd (below) speaks to
a middle school class
about the heart.
Betty Lou Drost, shown on the cover with her
grandson, Alex Drost (left), and his friend, Robby
Riley, demonstrates the spirit of volunteerism that
is so prevalent at LCS – both on campus by our
parents and grandparents and in the community
by our students. Betty Lou has faithfully served as
a classroom volunteer at LCS for the past four years.
Volunteerism
2

Lanzino, Rupert Help
Connect Dads and Kids
Senior Recognized
with Prudential Spirit
of Community Award
Lakeland Christian
School senior Brice Futch
has been honored for
his exemplary volunteer
service with a state-level
Certificate of Excellence
from the 2011 Prudential
Spirit of Community
Awards program.
Presented annually by
the Prudential Financial
in partnership with the
National Association of
Secondary School Principals
(NASSP), The Prudential Spirit
of Community Awards honor
young people across America
for outstanding community
service activities.
Brice initiated the Care
for AIDS Club at Lakeland
Christian School and has
been actively raising money
to fund an AIDS clinic in
Kenya for the past few years.
More than seven years ago, two Lakeland Christian School dads were
individually learning about the All-Pro Dads program through contacts with
Family First, an organization that sponsors programs designed to strengthen
families. Although they can’t remember how they connected with each other,
Lou Lanzino and Mark Rupert joined forces to create the first Lakeland chapter
of All-Pro Dads.
All-Pro Dads is a one-hour monthly breakfast where dads and their kids meet
together at a local restaurant. For the Lakeland Christian School chapter, the group
meets at 6:30 AM on the third Tuesday of every month at the Chick-fil-A on South
Florida Avenue. During the first 30 minutes, the dads and kids just eat breakfast
and talk. During the next 30 minutes, the group is given a topic to discuss. Topics
have included vacations, hobbies and finances (saving and giving). Oftentimes the
fathers talk about their experiences and let the kids ask questions.
For Lou and Mark, they want to reinforce the qualities of integrity, honesty
and character that the kids are learning at LCS. “We feel like if we can confirm
through our program what they’re learning at LCS during the week, that it’s just
one more thing to help build the basics for the future citizens of Lakeland, America
and the world. That’s what we strive to do,” said Mr. Lanzino.
The monthly breakfast is designed to bring dads and kids together and to
encourage the father/child relationship. Since the LCS chapter was formed seven
years ago, the group has brought as many as 110 people for a breakfast event.
Each month those who attend have the opportunity to win door prizes which, in
the past, have included NFL footballs, NBA basketballs and Orlando Magic tickets.
Mark, who owns an IT strategy consulting company, has two sons. Lou has
two daughters at LCS and owns a residential real estate company.
If you have questions about the All-Pro
Dads group, feel free to contact Lou at
863-521-9135 or Mark at 863-205-9531,
rupert@rupertgroup.com. For more information
on the program, visit www.allprodads.com.
(Above) Lou Lanzino and Mark
Rupert implemented the first
Lakeland chapter of All-Pro
Dads, which is wrapping up its
seventh year.
(Left) Fathers and their
kids meet at Chick-fil-A
the third Tuesday
of each month.
3

Each Thanksgiving elementary students hold a food drive for Lighthouse Ministries.
The Books for Kids Club donates new and gently used books to children at the Troxel House.
Students Demonstrate
Lakeland Christian School students balance their course
loads along with extracurricular activities such as music
and athletics. For many students, this balance also includes
reaching out to others in the community. Whether through a
school-sponsored organization, with their church or on their
own, LCS students recognize the importance of being a light
to the world. For instance:
n In 2008 after hearing about those in need in Honduras,
the Kirk children organized a soap drive and collected
more than 800 bars of soap to send to Tegucigalpa.
n When now-seniors Brice Futch and Eric Ebersole heard
about the Care for AIDS ministry to Africa, they decided
to form a club that would raise $18,000 a year to build
an AIDS clinic in Kenya. The club organized bake sales,
pancake breakfasts, dodgeball tournaments and much
more to help raise the money to provide these Kenyans not
only with medical support but also with spiritual support.
n Each year, students donate more than 200 shoeboxes
of toys and other gifts as part of Operation Christmas
Child. They collect food at Thanksgiving for Lighthouse
Volunteerism
Ministries, and they bring in gifts for at-risk teenagers
and those stationed around the world in the military.
Fourth graders sell candy canes each Christmas and
donate the proceeds – sometimes more than $2,000 –
to Parker Street Ministries.
n Last year, fifth graders collected Beanie Babies and
Matchbox Cars for children in Nicaragua.
n The LCS Books for Kids Club collects hundreds of books
to take to the Troxel House where the students also
spend time reading to the young children.
n Students in the Tri-M Music Honor Society volunteer
their time teaching music to the kids who live at the
Florida Baptist Children’s Home. During the holiday
season, members of the choirs visit nursing homes
and assisted living facilities to spread holiday cheer to
the residents.
n The LCS Student Ministries Club sponsors a number of
service projects, including Project Linus through which the
students collected blankets for hospitalized children. The
group also helps coordinate the high school Operation
Christmas Child, Parker Street Toy Drive and more.
n Several students work with Mr. Steve Livesay each week
tutoring and mentoring children that are residents
of Troxel House at Lighthouse Ministry in downtown
4

Last year, fifth grade students collected toys to send to children in Nicaragua.
This year the Sewing Hope Club made stuffed bears for needy kids.
Heart of Service
Lakeland. This year LCS hosted the graduation for men and
women who completed their education program at Lighthouse
and for those receiving their GED or other certificate program.
Five seniors from LCS – Brice Futch, Emily Tan, Angela Douglas,
Nikki Chmura and Michelle Jackson – volunteered to host
the graduation and served as parking attendants, musical
entertainment and program/refreshment coordinators.
Seniors Write Letters to Nursing
Home Patients
Seniors T. Buddy Miller, Olivia Schichtel and Luke
Yrastorza were recently featured by The Ledger and Bay
News 9 for their “You’ve Got Mail” letter writing campaign.
Since the summer of 2009, these students have been
sending handwritten letters to Alzheimer’s patients in
local nursing homes.
The program began when T. Buddy and Olivia started
writing letters to their own grandparents who suffered from
Alzheimer’s disease. They have expanded their writing to
nearly 70 patients whose names they get by distributing
fliers to local nursing homes. The students’ goal is to write
two letters per person each month.
n The Sewing Hope Club, sponsored by Barb Moore
and Sue Gibson, made special teddy bears to
share with children in need.
n Each year, the senior class travels on their annual
missions trip to serve at a camp to help prepare
the grounds for the summer camp season. The
work that the students do over the course of a few
days is a tremendous blessing to the camp staff.
This list of examples of how students serve their
community is certainly not a complete list, but it
gives a picture of the hearts of LCS students. Often,
these students are also serving in their local church
ministries as members of the praise band, youth
ministry leadership and much more. Many spend
their summers serving all over the United States
and the world on mission trips with their churches
and families.
LCS strives to teach everything in the light of
God’s Word, and the spirit of service is certainly a
part of the curriculum of Lakeland Christian.
“Everyone can be great because anyone can serve.
You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You
don’t even have to make your subject and your verb
agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace …
a soul generated by love.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
5

Nicole Chmura Wins Silver Garland Award
Senior Nikki Chmura won the Silver
Garland Award for English.
This past April, Lakeland
Christian senior Nicole Chmura
was the fourth student in LCS history
to win a coveted Silver Garland
Award, presented by The Ledger.
Nikki won the award in the English
category. This award includes a
$1,000 scholarship.
The daughter of Dave and Kathy
Chmura, Nikki has a passion for
sharing her love of reading with the
underprivileged and homeless in
the community. As the president of
the Books for Kids Club at LCS, Nikki
collects and donates books to the
Troxel Family Life Center for Women
and Children.
Sponsored by The Ledger, the
Silver Garland Awards recognize
seniors who volunteer at their schools
and in the community. Awards are
given out in 11 categories, including
art, athletics, citizenship, journalism
and music.
Nikki plans to attend Florida
State University in the fall.
Senior Art Student
Selected for Competition
Senior AP art student Michelle Jackson was chosen by
the Polk Museum of Art to participate in the Creative Youth:
12th Congressional District Competition. This is the 30th
year that members of the U.S. House of Representatives
has recognized the creative spirit of American high school
students with a nationwide art competition.
Michelle’s artwork will be displayed in the year-long
nationwide exhibition in the U.S. Capitol in Washington,
D.C. The national
competition is sponsored
by the Congressional
Arts Caucus and the
office of Congressional
Representative
Dennis Ross.
She was recognized
in March at an awards
reception at the Polk
Museum of Art.
In early March, a group of senior
boys brought pizza into the Discovery
classrooms. After eating with the
young students, the seniors played
basketball and other games with
them out on the playground.
Senior Michelle Jackson’s artwork will be on display in Washington, D.C.
6

Eighth Grader Wins
Patriot’s Pen Contest
LCS eighth grader Matthew Henderson recently entered
and won the VFW Patriot’s Pen essay contest. Open to
students in grades 6-8, the VWF Post 2298 sponsored the
contest with the topic “Does Patriotism Still Matter?”
When Matthew won first place at the local level, his essay
was entered to the District 4 competition. His essay also
won top honors at the district level. Matthew was invited
to an awards banquet where he received a certificate
and cash prize.
Sixth grader Julia Canady placed second in the junior division
Botany category at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair.
Canady Places Second at
State Science Fair
Eighth grader Matthew Henderson won the local and district VWF
Patriot’s Pen essay competition.
Sixth grader Julia Canady represented Lakeland
Christian School well at the annual Florida State
Science and Engineering Fair in March, winning second
place in Botany in the junior division. Julia had the
opportunity to explain her project to more than a
dozen judges. In addition to impressing the judges,
Julia’s project also won a special commendation
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for having a
significant application for agriculture.
Weekly chapel is one of the highlights
of the school week as students gather together for
a time of praise and worship. In mid-April, the
student praise band led secondary chapel students
in a powerful time of worship.
7

Brooke Wilsman (3rd place), Courtney Payne (2nd
place) and Makalyee Graves (1st place) were the top
finishers for high school girls.
Coach James Moore joins the middle school winners
as they display their trophies.
Senior Ethan Brannon, who won first place in the
high school boys’ division, takes aim at his target.
The high school boy winners show some love for Mr.
James Moore, the head of the archery program at LCS.
Special thanks to the following
organizations for supporting the archery
team’s trip to the NASP National competition
in Louisville, Kentucky, in May:
Hulbert Homes; Central Florida Drive Shaft;
Hayes Service Center; Raintree Ranch;
LandSouth; Harper Realty; Allen & Company;
Team Hammer; Buildmore; Visionworks
Advertising; Ferguson’s; Hodge Plumbing;
Hughes Supply; Pool Blue, Inc.; Ronnie’s
Carpets, Inc.; A.M. White Construction, Inc.;
Tampa International Airport; Blackwater
Creek Ranch; Ernie White Construction, Inc.
High School Archery Team
Places Third in State Competition
The middle school and high school NASP ® archery teams at LCS
competed with other archery teams across the state in a “virtual” archery
tournament in the LCS gymnasium, on Friday, February 18, 2011. Head
coach Mr. James Moore led the tournament and was assisted by Coach Sue
Wilsman, Coach Jim Boatwright and Coach Todd Radford, with Mrs. Barb
Moore at the scorer’s table.
The National Archery in the Schools Program ® (NASP ® ) is a joint
venture between State Departments of Education and Wildlife. Several
archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners. The
program promotes student education, physical education and participation
in lifelong sport of archery. The program’s focus is to provide internationalstyle
target archery training in physical education classes, grades 4-12.
Students shoot three rounds of five arrows from 10 meters and three
rounds of five arrows from fifteen meters at 80 cm. bulls-eye targets placed
before an arrow curtain in their gymnasium. Equipment used is state-of-theart
and designed to fit every student.
In the high school division, the LCS high school team placed third
in the state with 2910 points. The team needed 2900 to compete in the
National Archery in the School’s Program National tournament in Louisville,
Kentucky. This will be the first time that the high school team has competed
at the national level since archery was introduced at Lakeland Christian.
In the middle school (grades 7-8) and elementary school (6th grade)
divisions, LCS placed tenth for middle school with 2471 and eighth for our
elementary school with 2012 points.
In individual competition, senior Ethan Brannon placed eighth in the
high school boys’ competition, and Makaylee Graves earned third place
against all high school girls in the state.
For the LCS tournament, the results are as follows: High School Boys – Ethan
Brannon (1st/258 points), Garrison Hodge (2nd/255 points), Jamie Aspinwall
(3rd/253 points). High School Girls – Makaylee Graves (1st/254 points),
Courtney Payne (2nd/242 points), Brooke Wilsman (3rd/241 points). Middle
School Boys – Matthew Henderson (1st/245 points), Stephen Mutz (2nd/237
points), Cole Radford (3rd/231 points). Middle School Girls – Allie Frost
(1st/239 points), Jessie Andrew (2nd/205 points), Jen Germany (3rd/194 points).
In overall state individual competition, the results are as follows: High School
Boys (out of 81 shooters) – Ethan Brannon (8th), Garrison Hodge (9th), Jamie
Aspinwall (13th). High School Girls (out of 54 shooters) – Makaylee Graves
(3rd), Courtney Payne (6th), Brooke Wilsman (7th), Courtney Wells (8th).
Middle School Boys (out of 218 shooters) – Matthew Henderson (34th), Stephen
Mutz (49th). Middle School Girls (out of 155 shooters) – Allie Frost (14th),
Jessie Andrew (47th). Elementary Boys (out of 78 shooters) – Jake Albritton
(18th), Ryan Harper (24th), Tyler Horne (29th). Elementary Girls (out of 48
shooters) – Graysen DeLegge (20th), Emily Daniels (21st), Abby Langley (23rd).
8

Odyssey of the Mind Teams Perform
Well at State Competition
After each placing second in the Odyssey of the Mind Regional
competition, two LCS teams – one elementary and one high school
– took their projects to the State competition in early April. The 5th
grade “Extreme Mousemobiles” team finished 4th of 22 in their
division at State, while the high school team “Full Circle” finished
12th of 17.
Coached by Darise McLoughlin, the fifth grade team was
made up of Evan McLoughlin, Brantley Sabat, Brandon Starling,
Wilson Groomes, Logan Mason and Daniel Vila. The team’s
problem was to build a series of “mobiles” powered by mouse traps.
They created a theme-based CSI presentation while the vehicles
performed their tasks.
The high school team was coached by Makaylee Graves, who
was also a part of the team. Other members were Katie Greene,
Ana Rodriguez, Zach Varnum, Luis Sierra, Johnny Boatwright
and Cameron Underwood. This team’s problem was to create a
humorous performance in which something changes form or
appearance three times before undergoing a final change where
it returns to where it started. The team chose the seasons of the
year with a Greek mythology genre.
A third team competed in the Regional competition but did
not make it to the State level. This team was coached by Melanie
Langley and was made up of fifth graders Taylor Langley, Brooke
Hammock, Katie Hulbert, Ashlyn Love and Katie Hannum.
McIntosh Wins
First Place at
Math Olympics
In mid-April Lakeland
Seventh grader Nehemiah
McIntosh placed 1st in
computation.
Christian School took students in grades 3-8 to the
annual Association of Christian Schools International
(ACSI) Math Olympics. Twelve students from LCS won
awards for their skills in computation and reasoning.
Seventh grader Nehemiah McIntosh was the top
winner with a first-place award for computation.
Congratulations to the following students who also
won awards at the event:
Grade 3 – Jace Gravitt (2nd place in reasoning), Emily
Branham (5th place in reasoning). Grade 4 – Alex
Skladanek (3rd place in reasoning), Trent Mason
(5th place in reasoning), Kacy Mewborn (3rd place
in computation), Bryson Yamnitz (4th place in
computation). Grade 5 – Logan Mason (3rd place in
reasoning), Brandon Starling (5th place in
computation). Grade 7 – Nehemiah McIntosh (1st place
in computation), Joseph Peek (4th place in reasoning),
Christian Bedwell (5th place in reasoning). Grade 8 –
Tucker Scruggs (5th place in reasoning).
1 2
1 – The Fifth Grade
“Extreme Mousemobile”
team finished fourth at
the State Odyssey of the
Mind competition.
2 – Members of the high
school team worked on
the “Full Circle” scenario,
earning a second place at
the local competition and
12th place in the State
OM tournament.
Headmaster, Continued from inside front cover
community that embraces shared values as we partner together
to educate our students.
Parents make many decisions that can set the trajectory
of their children’s lives. There are few decisions that carry more
weight that the selection of the school their child will attend. The
spiritual and philosophical foundation of the school will shape
the goals of all who will work with their children.
For those of you who are partners with us in Christian
schooling – thanks for your confidence in LCS. We value your
commitment to Christian schooling, and we want to do
everything we can to serve you well. To those of you who
may be in the throes of deciding on a school for your family,
we invite you to visit LCS. You might just find yourself being
attracted by the “LCS magnet!”
9

Elementary Happenings
When elementary art teacher Mrs.
Bonnie Mosley wanted her students to draw
monkeys, she called on Pastor Richard Piatt
to bring in two very furry models! He spoke
to the students about Bonnie and Clyde,
who entertained the young students as they
cuddled with and groomed Pastor Piatt.
Students in K4-5th grade competed in the annual
Elementary Olympics this past spring. Despite a
rainy start to the week, the classes competed in the
hurdles, long jump, obstacle course, softball throw
and various foot races. The obstacle race, pictured
here, is always a favorite.
Nova Scotia native Elizabeth
Smith delighted elementary students
with a special bagpipe performance
in March. Mrs. Smith showed up in
full Scottish regalia and demonstrated
the instrument in the amphitheater.
She will have the honor of performing
with 600 pipers in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, in July as part of Canada’s
birthday celebration.
Thanks to the generous donation of a school grandparent,
“Freddy the Turtle” is now a feature of the Curls Family Playland.
This piece of playground equipment is a favorite of the young
students who like to crawl and sit on him.
School parent Craig Roth, one of the owners of Sunshine
Growers, visited LCS third graders to talk about how plants
grow as part of the plant science unit. After his talk, he gave
each student a plant to take home and watch grow.
10

Fifth grade teacher Miss Kala Walls
joined the fifth grade students at
their ACSI Spelling Bee. Lee Wall
(far right) won first place out of
all fifth graders and second place
in the championship round.
Young Spellers Perform Well at Annual Bees
The annual Association of Christian Schools
International (ACSI) spelling bees were held this past spring,
and Lakeland Christian School elementary students did a
fantastic job representing the school.
Fifth grade students competed at the ACSI Middle
School Spelling Bee at Bell Shoals Baptist Academy on
February 18. Spelling against 18 other fifth graders from
area ACSI schools, Lee Wall placed first overall out of all
fifth graders, and Hope McGrath placed fourth. Lee then
went on to the championship round against the top two
students from the 5th-8th grade competitions and placed
second. At the State ACSI Spelling Bee, Lee competed against
all students in grades 5-8 and finished 7th in the state.
Other fifth graders who participated in the spelling bee were
Maddie Richert, Tacy Snyder, Sarah Hodge, Ellise Jenkins, Juliana
Miller and Katie Hulbert.
For grades 1-4, 24 students competed in the ACSI Regional
Spelling Bee at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, Florida.
First grader Katherine Miller, a student in Mrs. Marge Palm’s class,
won second place. Third grader Christian Herman placed first and
Sydney Curls finished in second place. Both Christian and Sydney are
students in Mrs. Debbie Stump’s class.
Other students in grades 1-4 who participated were Evan Parker,
Sara Kate Foster, Cheney Curls, Emma Galbraith, Aiden Beaudreault,
Angela Stea, Kerri Salmon, Maci Brown, Jacob Oxendine, Kacey
Hutto, Lauren Cardosi, Savana Hollan, Alan Gordon, Hannah Miller,
Jackson DeLegge, Oakley Holmes, Wil Kirk, Jake Cochran,
Mary Fran Caswell, Ama Fosu and Aimee Reimer.
There is no state spelling bee for grades 1-4.
(Left to right) Christian Herman won first and classmate Sydney Curls
placed second out of all third graders at the ACSI Spelling Bee. First
grader Katherine Miller won second place in her division.
11

Creation Care Week
features guest speakers, special centers
The annual Creation Care Week is a favorite of elementary students at Lakeland Christian School. Emphasizing good
stewardship of God’s creation, this week in late March featured special learning centers, activities and numerous guest
speakers. Here are just some of the many activities that took place during the week:
3 “Mrs. Kate” Carpenter – folksinger, songwriter and
storyteller – performed in chapel again this year.
3 In computer class, students in grades K4-2 utilized
an educational website with sections on animals
to learn about habitats, seasons, endangered
animals and more. Students in 3rd-5th grade used
the Great Water Odyssey software provided by the
St. Johns River Water Management District to learn
about the water cycle, water conservation and the
many ways that water is used in everyday life.
Fourth grade
students created
bird feeders out
of milk jugs.
3 Kindergarten students participated in special
centers about the Florida Black Bear.
3 A guest from the water management
district spoke to third graders about
the water cycle and conservation,
and students made terrariums so
they could observe the water cycle.
3 Fourth grade students designed kites
with an American songbird theme,
which they then flew during their
PE classes. Fourth graders also
made bird feeders out of milk jugs.
3 Fifth grade students created pet
carrier boxes in art class that they
gave to the SPCA. The SPCA visited
the fifth grade students with a canine
friend to learn about responsible pet
care. These students also had a guest
bring in several farm animals.
3 Fifth graders also wrote nature-theme
haiku poems. A haiku is a special
form of Japanese poetry that features
17 syllables (five in the first line,
seven in the second and five in
the third).
(Left) In art,
fourth graders
decorated kites with
a creation theme and
then flew the kites
during their PE class.
(Right) This wellbehaved
friend from
the SPCA captured
the hearts of LCS
fifth graders during
Creation Care Week.
(Below) Fifth grade students learned about farm animals including this little lamb shown here,
along with chickens, baby chicks, rabbits and more.

Long-time Teacher Dean Johnson
Wins National Award
Mr. Dean Johnson, former administrator and soccer coach and current teacher of Drafting
and AutoCAD classes at LCS, was recently honored by the National Association of Home Builders
Drafting and AutoCAD teacher
(NAHB) and the AARP as a winner of the fourth annual Livable Communities Award. He is one
Dean Johnson won a national
of five national winners and was the category winner for Remodeler – Single Space for designing
Livable Communities Award.
a bathroom for a disabled war veteran.
When the project started a couple of years ago,
Johnson had several of his CAD students make design
plans for the remodel. Along with his own design,
he submitted all of the different plans to the family.
Although the family picked Johnson’s design, the
students gained valuable real-life experience.
As part of the awards program, the AARP sent
a film crew to interview Johnson, the family whose
bathroom he designed and several of his former LCS
AutoCAD students. Alumni Jared Wynn, Josh Cline
and Daniel Barcelo are shown in the video.
Johnson currently works for Green Construction
Services and teaches two periods each day at LCS.
To view the video, visit
http://www.aarp.org/home-garden/livable-communities/livable_communities_2010/ and click on Lakeland, FLA.
Favorite LCS
cafeteria food?
Least favorite
thing about
summer?
Did you watch the
Royal Wedding?
What sport do
you wish LCS
would offer?
Combined age
of our eight
administrators?
Jordan Green
Junior
Giant enchilada Soccer camp No Hockey 6 billion
Jan Frost
Fourth Grade Teacher
Baked chicken
Having the
summer end!
Only
the kiss
We have many
sports available.
410
Pennye
McCormick
Receptionist
Mashed potatoes
Humidity
Yes I think we have plenty! 418
Lucy Bolter
Second Grader
Bowling
Don’t see my
Cheese pizza Yes 158
friends or teachers
Jacob LaVallee
Piano Teacher
Calzone
YOUR
TURN!
Heat
Part of the Tivo’ed
version with my wife
Lacrosse
400
Correct answer: 420
13

Softball Team Wins District Title
Junior
Whitney Houk
Reaches
Basketball
Milestone
In the final game of the
2010-2011 varsity basketball
season, junior Lady Viking
Whitney Houk reached a
milestone that few players
ever do: 1,000 career points.
Though the team lost the
Regional Semifinal game
to Indian Rocks Christian,
Whitney scored 20 points –
12 of them from three point
range. In the fourth quarter
of the game, Whitney was
fouled while shooting a
three-pointer. She sunk all
three free throws to reach the
1,000-point milestone with
just 1:20 left in the game.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Lady Vikings softball team claimed
the title of District Champion. Finishing their season with a record of 15-6, the
Vikes came up just short of another trip to the 2A State Final Four with a tough
6-5 loss to The Community School of Naples in the Regional Final on May 3.
Coached by Rand Reese, the varsity softball team had a strong r egular
season, with wins over local public schools such as Fort Meade (9-2),
Kathleen (14-3, 7-4) and Winter Haven (9-8). The girls also defeated rival
Santa Fe Catholic twice in the regular season (10-3, 7-3).
The team faced off against Santa Fe for the third time of the season in the
District championship game, and even though they trailed 3-1 going into the
bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Vikings came out on top by the score of
4-3. Capitalizing on Santa Fe’s errors, Zoe Wilson and Ellen Sharpe scored runs
in the bottom of the fifth. A walk-off single by Emily Murphy gave Hannah
Webster the third run of the inning.
In the Regional Quarterfinals, the Vikings ousted Indian Rocks Christian
by a score of 4-3 before moving on to face Bishop McLaughlin in the Semifinal
game. The girls eliminated the Hurricanes for the second year in a row to move
into the Regional Final game. After going to nine innings, the Vikings stranded
12 runners in their loss to The Community School.
The JV softball team, coached by Sue Wilsman, finished their season with
a record of eight wins and four losses. The middle school team wrapped up
their season with a record of 4-2 and was coached by Karla Benton.
14

FHSAA Awards Winter Academic Team Champions, LCS Leads Class 2A
The Florida High School Athletic
Association has named the Academic Team
Champions for the winter sports season, and
the LCS girls’ soccer team has topped the list
for having the highest grade point average
in the state.
With a cumulative team GPA of 3.757,
the girls’ soccer team took top honors in
Class 2A. The girls’ basketball team ranked
second in Class 2A with a team GPA of 3.836. The
boys’ basketball team had a cumulative GPA of 3.339
which earned them the third spot in the Class 2A rankings.
After the winter season the Vikings
remain in the Class 2A lead as the overall
Academic Team Champion with 82 points.
The closest competitor is the First Academy
of Orlando with 69 points. This is the first
year that the FHSAA will award a year-end
overall Academic Team Champion in each
class. The top 10 schools in each category will
receive points. Ten points are awarded for a first-place
finish, nine points for second, etc. The school in each class
with the highest cumulative point total for the school year will
receive a special award.
Varsity Baseball
Team Takes
Down Hawks
for District
Championship
With 12 Viking hits and 10
stranded Santa Fe base runners, the
LCS varsity baseball team easily
handled the Hawks on April 28 to
claim their second straight District title.
In the District title game, the
Vikings tallied 10 runs in four and a
half innings when the game ended by
the mercy rule. Brooks Wilson, Corey
Stump and Tyler Leach each scored in
the first inning, giving the Vikings a
quick lead over the Hawks. Five more
runs in the second inning – including
a three-run homerun by Leach –
extended their lead.
But despite beating Brooks-
Debarolo High School by a score of
8-4 earlier in the season, the Vikings
were not able to get the hits in the
Regional Quarterfinal game on May
3 and ended their season with a 14-1
loss to the Tampa charter school.
Jarrod Cochran scored as a pinch runner
for Williams in the bottom of the fourth
inning to bring in the Viking’s lone run
for the game.
The Vikings are coached by Blane
Fox and finished their season with a
record of 17 wins and nine losses.
The JV team, coached by Roger
Evans and Matt Nipper, finished their
season with six wins, 10 losses and
two ties.
15

Emert Signs with
Palm Beach
Atlantic
Representing LCS at the Regional tournament were
Emily Tan, Molly Rice, Erica Baker, Mason Bellar, Chelsea Langley and Blake Bellar.
Girls’ Tennis Takes Second at
Districts, Boys Finish Third
Lakeland Christian
School senior Michael
Emert has signed a letter of
commitment to continue his
soccer career at Palm Beach
Atlantic University. He will
play for LCS alum and
soccer standout Jose Gomez.
As a five-year member
of the Viking soccer team,
Emert tallied 107 career
goals and 40 assists. He led
the county this season with
34 goals. Emert has earned
All-County honors in the
past three seasons (2009,
2010 – First Team; 2008 –
Honorable Mention).
Michael is the son
of Ken and Robbie Emert.
He plans to study
sports medicine.
The LCS girls’ tennis team had a good season, finishing with a record of 6-3
and as the District runner-up. The boys’ team claimed a third-place District finish.
The Lady Vikings’ second-place District finish advanced the team to the Regional
tournament for the second year in a row.
Coached by Debbie Stump and Lorrie Bellar, the Lady Vikings
started the season off strong, sweeping Lake Wales High School (7-
0) and McKeel Academy (4-0). The team took narrow 4-3 victories
over both Santa Fe and Bartow High School to finish out the month
of February. Before the county meet, the girls’ swept Tenoroc High
School 7-0. After a fifth-place county finish and two tough 7-0 losses
to George Jenkins and All Saints’ Academy, the Lady Vikings took
another 4-3 win over Santa Fe before the District tournament.
The boys’ team, coached by Joel Helm, finished their season with
a record of three wins and four losses. The Vikings claimed big wins
over Fort Meade (6-1), The Vanguard School (6-1) and Tenoroc
High School (4-2).
Senior Michael Emert, joined by his
parents Robbie and Ken, signed a
letter of intent to play soccer for PBA.
16

Three LCS Athletes Advance to State Track Meet
Lakeland Christian School
was well-represented at the Class
1A State Track and Field Meet with
three athletes traveling to Winter
Park on April 29. Mark Mutz, Daniel
Firmin and Mallory White led the
Viking team to strong District and
Regional finishes.
At the District Meet on April
12, the girls’ team easily won with
143 points. The second place Santa
Fe Hawks tallied only 35. Except for
the 200 meter run, the Lady Vikings
won every running event. Mallory
White won the 800, 1600 and high
jump, and she was also part of the
winning 4x400 relay team. Teammate
Miranda Stewart won the 100,
400 and was on the 4x400 team.
The boys’ team finished second in the
district with 187 points – just two points
behind Santa Fe. Mark Mutz won the 3,200
Mallory White placed first in the district and
second in the region in the high jump.
run with a time of 10:32.31.
Other top finishers were Alex
Sessums (800), Luke Cabrera
(high jump) and Daniel Firmin
(pole vault).
At the Regional Meet on April
21, Mark won the 3,200 with a time
of 10:05.26. Mallory finished second
in the 800 (2:19.02) and second in
the high jump (5’0”). Daniel placed
fourth in the pole vault (12’).
Mark was the top LCS finisher
at the State Meet, with a fourthplace
finish in the 3200 run. His
time of 9:38.48 is a new Lakeland
Christian School record. Mallory
finished fifth in the 800 (2:20.50)
and tied for tenth in the high
jump (4’10”).
FACA Honors Players, Coaches
The Florida Athletic Coaches Association has
named its 2010-2011 winter and spring player
and coach awards, and several from LCS have
earned top honors.
Senior Zoe Wilson was named the 2A Player
of the Year for girls’ soccer and was also selected
to the Class 2A All State Team and to the Senior
All-Star game. Girls’ head coach Jason Streets was
chosen as the 2A Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year.
For boys’ soccer, senior Michael Emert was
honored as the 2A Player of the Year. Grandy
Streets was selected as the 2A Boys’ Soccer
Coach of the Year. Emert, Ethan Marquis and
Jake Molony were named to the Class 2A
All-State Team.
For softball, senior Shelby Pierce was
honored as the 2A Player of the Year, and senior
Zoe Wilson was nominated for the 2A Academic
All-State team. Coach Rand Reese once again
earned the 2A Coach of the Year award.
The Ledger Names Winter
All-County Athletes
Congratulations to the following students for being selected
as All-County athletes by The Ledger for the winter sports season:
Boys’ Basketball: Jonathan Wilsman (Third Team); Trevor
Freeman (Honorable Mention).
Girls’ Basketball: Christin Strawbridge (Third Team);
Whitney Houk (Honorable Mention).
Boys’ Soccer: Michael Emert (Player of the Year); Jake
Molony, Luke Yrastorza (Second Team); Dallas Connell, Jordan
Green, Alex Sessums, Josh Sessums (Honorable Mention).
Girls’ Soccer: Kourtney Rea, Zoe Wilson, Shelby Pierce
(First Team); Sydney Rayborn, Josie Koretchko, Mallory White,
Lydia Cagle (Second Team); Bailee Mathers, Charlie Eaves,
Hannah Webster (Honorable Mention).
CORRECTION TO FALL ALL-COUNTY AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to Sarah Mora for being named to The Ledger’s
list of All-County athletes for the fall season. Sarah earned First
Team for girls’ swim and dive. We apologize for leaving her out of
the list in the February Viking.
17

Alumni News
David Suich
Jaegar Rausch
Samuel Goodman
2000s
Sarah Beth Clement (’07) delivered the charge to her
graduating class at Samford University on May 13. Sarah
Beth is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration in Accounting. On
April 29, the Brock School of Business at Samford University
awarded Sarah Beth the John C. Pittman Award for Outstanding
Achievement, Leadership and Christian Commitment. Sarah
Beth will attend graduate school at The University of Alabama
in the fall.
Leanne Reese (’07) and Tyler Hudson were joined together
in marriage on January 1, 2011, at Covenant Presbyterian
Church in Lakeland. After honeymooning in the Caribbean, the
couple returned to the University of Tennessee where Leanne will
continue her degree in Child and Family Studies and graduate
in May. The couple will reside in Orlando after graduation.
Marris Smith (’07) graduated from the University of
Tampa with a Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree. She is employed at
Moffitt Cancer Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
David Suich (’06) graduated from Davidson College in
May of 2010 and is currently at the University of California,
Berkeley, pursuing a doctorate degree in chemistry.
Toni Charette (’05) and Randall Wilson were married on
July 10, 2009, and were later blessed with their first child, David
James, on December 31, 2010.
Jeanne Nunnallee Rausch (’00) and husband Jeff
welcomed son Jaegar to their family on February 6, 2011. The
family resides in Lilburn, Georgia.
1990s
Mike Hall (’99) and Jennifer Snyder Hall
(’01) welcomed Caleb Michael to the family on
March 19, 2011. He joins big brothers Noah Riley
(3) and Malachi Christian (22 months).
Sarah Sligh Goodman (’96) and family
welcomed Samuel Alexander, on November 9,
2010. He joins big sisters Abby (4) and Gracie
(2). Sam was born with Tetrology of Fallot, a
condition affecting the heart and major vessels
around it. Sam has undergone two heart surgeries
since birth and is a happy, healthy little boy.
Sarah continues to be a busy stay-at-home mom
and James is a scientist at Pfizer doing pre-clinical
studies using MRI.
John Robinson (’92) is in his 18th year of
service to the United States Navy and resides in
Jacksonville, FL
We love to hear from you. News about you is
important to us and to your former classmates. Please
e-mail Claudia Powell at cpowell@lcsonline.org. Planning
your class reunion? Contact Director of Community
Relations Julie Rice, at 863-688-2771, ext. 236, and
she will arrange for use of facilities and will offer other
helpful tips.
Do you see
yourself
here?
Then we want to see you
here for our 20th high
school reunion on
July 23rd and 24th!
If you have questions,
contact Mike Musick, Jr.,
or Luchrysta Caswell
via Facebook.
Class of 1991

’05 Alum Travels to Cuba to
Film Documentary
Jesse Larson, a 2005 LCS alum, has been
working with Lakeland’s NFocus Visual
Communications to produce “Voices From
Mariel,” a documentary film about the Mariel
Boatlift from Cuba to the United States. As a
producer on the film, Jesse traveled to Cuba
for a week last summer. The documentary
won the Audience Choice Award for Best
Documentary at the Gasparilla Film Festival
and was shown at Lakeland’s Polk Theatre
on April 30. For more information, visit
http://voicesfrommariel.com.
Two LCS Soccer Alums
Honored by NSCAA
Lakeland Christian soccer has a rich tradition
of winning, and former soccer players are often
recognized for their own accomplishments as
they coach in their communities. Earlier this
spring, two LCS soccer alums were honored
by the National Soccer Coaches Association of
America as Coaches of the Year. Jose Gomez
(Class of 1997), the men’s soccer coach at Palm
Beach Atlantic University, was named the
NCCAA Division 1 Men’s Coach of the Year.
Jimmy Weekley (Class of 1987) was named the
High School Girls Private/ Parochial Coach of
the Year. Weekley coaches at The Baylor School
in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Congratulations!
LCS Alum Honored by
TeachersCount and the NBA
Lakeland Christian Class of 1998 alum Chad Fair,
an upper school drama, film and broadcasting teacher at
Charlotte Christian School, was recently chosen by Stephen
Curry to participate in the “Behind Every Famous Person
is a Fabulous Teacher” campaign, a national program of
TeachersCount. A 2006 graduate of Charlotte Christian School,
Curry went on to play basketball at Davidson College and in
2009 joined the NBA’s Golden State Warriors where he finished
second in balloting for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year last season.
In early February, Fair was invited by
Curry and the NBA to the San Francisco
Bay Area for the Warriors home game
against the Chicago Bulls and to
shoot the photo for the posters
which will be released this
spring. The award-winning
TeachersCount program pairs
well-known individuals such as
Laura Bush, Carrie Underwood,
Al Roker and Food Network
star Guy Fieri with their favorite
teachers. Posters are distributed
to schools all over the nation by
Scholastic to help TeachersCount
fulfill their mission of raising the
status of the teaching profession
and providing services for the
teaching community.
Fair shared how humbled he
was to be chosen by Curry for the
honor. “I accepted it on behalf of all
the other people who had made an impact on him,” he
said. “I believe it drives home the incredible impact of an
adult on a student’s life. We’ve lost sight of how much adults
can impact kids in a positive way.”
Chad and his wife Emily live in the Charlotte area with
their three children, Sophia (5), Piper (3) and Malachi (1).
Photo by Keith Barraclough
Alumni: Do You Have a New Baby? Then We Have a Gift!
Alumni, if you have recently had a baby, then we have a gift for you! Start sharing your Viking
pride early with an LCS bib, modeled here by Sam Goodman (son of Dr. James and Mrs. Sarah
(Sligh) Goodman ‘96 and grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Mike Sligh, Headmaster.
19

FINE ARTS STUDENTS
Tri-M Honor Society Inducts Fourteen
At a special induction ceremony and breakfast buffet, the
Tri-M Music Honor Society recently inducted 14 new members
for the 2010-2011 school year.
The new members are senior Brent Adriano; juniors Kyle
Jenko and Jenna Smithson; and sophomores
Livingston Boulerice, Danae Drake, Haley
Maloy, Sarah Mora, Stephanie Powers, Cameron
Row, Kylie Shortt, Christina Sierra, Kara
Szydlowski, CT Thomas and David Verner.
The honor society now stands at 40 members.
Mrs. Jill Jones, the faculty advisor, would
like to thank Dr. Sligh for celebrating the
induction with the students and the music
faculty members who chose to volunteer and
chaperone. Thanks also to the parents who
helped with ministry opportunities, community
service projects, fundraisers and field trips
throughout the school year. Mrs. Jones is also
very thankful for her student officers Em­
ily Tan (president), Angela Douglas (vice-president), Carly
Tippel (secretary), Justin Middleton (treasurer), Andrew Tew
(chaplain) and Courtney Payne (Director of Musical
Activities – Florida Baptist Children’s Home).
New members were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society this spring.
Piano Students Earn Special Honors
Stephanie Powers Justin Middleton
Congratulations to LCS piano student Stephanie
Powers for being awarded $200 by the Ridge Music
Teachers for having the highest grade in Levels 10-12 on
Piano Student Day in early April. This is the second year
that Stephanie has earned this recognition.
Also, congratulations to Emily Tan, Justin Middleton
and Carly Tippel for earning their third gold cups in
the National Federated Music Club’s Junior Festival this
year. “This is a very special honor for LCS that is not
often accomplished,” said Mrs. Lorraine Latham. “The
students have to stick with piano and stick with the
Junior Festival and earn enough points to attain this
lofty goal.”
Emily Tan Carly Tippel
20

EXCEL THIS SPRING
Choirs Perform Numerous Times Throughout Spring
The LCS secondary choirs had a very busy spring as they
performed throughout the community and in competition.
High School Chamber Ensemble and Concert Choir
Perform for the Detroit Tigers
The LCS High School Chamber Ensemble and Concert
Choir were honored with the privilege of performing the
National Anthem on Wednesday, March 2, at Joker
Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. The choirs opened the
spring-training game between the Detroit Tigers and the
Houston Astros. The group of 35 students was very
well-supported by the fans in attendance and was blessed
to have the opportunity to represent LCS in the
Lakeland community.
High School Choir Receives Straight Superior
Ratings at District Festival
The High School Concert Choir received straight Superior
ratings in performance and sight-reading at the District
Festival held at Tenoroc High School on Thursday, March
10. The 35-voice choir performed Emily Crocker’s “Jubilate
Deo” and Tom Porter’s “O Nata Lux.” The Choir earned the
opportunity to move on to the State MPA held at First Baptist
Church in DeLand on Tuesday, April 26.
Students Perform at District Solo and Ensemble
LCS participated in the annual FVA District 12 Solo &
Ensemble Festival held on Saturday, February 5, at Ridge
Community High School. Twenty-seven students participated
in 20 separate solo, duet and ensemble entries with the
following results:
High School Superiors – Solos: Johnny Boatwright, Amanda
Carl, Makaylee Graves, Courtney Payne. Duets: Katie Greene and
Luis Sierra, Caitlin Robb and Cailey Bates, Johnny B oatwright
and Makaylee Graves. Chamber Ensemble: Brent Adriano,
Whitney Andersen, Johnny Boatwright, Amanda Carl, Makaylee
Graves, Kaleel Hayes, Casey Jones, Courtney Payne and
Ana Rodriguez.
High School Excellent ratings – Solos: Whitney Andersen,
Kylie Dunbar, Sarah Kettelkamp.
Junior High Superiors – Solos: Paxton Evans, Amanda
Fulton, Karen Gomez, Christopher Greene, Brittany Lewis.
Duets: Kristen Davis and Rebekah Cline, Karen Gomez and Paige
Watson, Kara Stacy and Vaviel Verner. Quartet: Laurel Hesseltine,
Brittany Lewis, Kara Stacy, Vaviel Verner.
6th Grade Choir Receives Superior Ratings
The LCS 6th Grade Choir received straight Superior
ratings for their performance at the ACSI Choral Festival
held in Clearwater on February 28.
The 21-voice choir performed two pieces
before an audience of judges, parents
and other schools and did an outstanding
job. Congratulations!
Members of the High School Chamber Ensemble and
Concert Choir performed the National Anthem at a
Detroit Tigers spring training game.
Junior High Choir Receives
Superior Ratings
The Jr. High Choir received an overall
Superior rating for stage performance and
a Superior rating in sight-reading at the
2011 FVA District 12 Music Performance
Assessment held at Haines City High
School on Thursday, April 7. A photo of the
31-member choir was highlighted in
The Ledger’s coverage of the event.
21

FINE ARTS STUDENTS EXCEL THIS SPRING
continued from page 21
Band Students Earn Superior Ratings at District, State Competitions
Members of the LCS band have competed
in both the District and State Solo and Ensemble
competitions this spring. Congratulations to the
following students:
State Solo & Ensemble
Superior rating – Solos: Carly Tippel (flute),
Emily Tan (flute), Zachary Martinez (euphonium),
Justin Middleton (euphonium), Cameron
Underwood (tuba), Andrew Tew (tuba). Flute Trio:
Emily Behrens, Makaylee Graves, Carly Tippel.
Tuba Quartet: Zachary Martinez, Justin Middleton,
Andrew Tew, Cameron Underwood. Woodwind
Quartet: Emily Behrens, Claire Jarvis, Luis Sierra,
Emily Tan.
Excellent rating – Solo: Claire Jarvis
(clarinet).
District Solo & Ensemble
Sixth Grade Band Superior rating –
Solos: Jacob Fuller (alto sax), Laina Strickland
(clarinet), Kacee Strickland (flute), Gloria Tabb
(flute), Maddie Pistoria (flute), Lauren Latimer
(horn), Triston LaPorte (snare drum), Jack Caswell
(trumpet), Quinn McKown (trumpet), Craig
Heacox (trumpet), Hayden Patteson (trumpet),
Chase Palmer (tuba), David Jones (tuba). Brass
Quintet: Craig Heacox, David Jones, Brandon Kaye,
Lauren Latimer, Quinn McKown. Clarinet Duet:
Kaitlin Smith and Laina Strickland. Baritone Duet:
Reece Batterton and Brandon Kaye. Flute Trio:
Maddie Pistoria, Kacee Strickland, Gloria Tabb.
Sixth Grade Band Excellent rating –
Solo: Kaitlin Smith (clarinet).
Seventh and Eighth Grade
Band Superior rating – Solos:
Jordan Meeks (alto sax), Skye
Allen (alto sax), Will Smaha
(alto sax), Amanda Folk (bass
clarinet), Heidi Shelton (clarinet),
Kendra Lehner (clarinet), Emily
Tirado (euphonium), Kaylee
Mills (flute), Marybeth Boulerice
(flute), Chris Greene (horn), Ashley
Middleton (trombone), Rachel
Chapman (trombone), Andrew
Douglas (euphonium), Kristen
Schaedel (trumpet), Stephen
Mutz (trumpet), Reed McKown
(tuba), Amanda Fulton (tuba).
Horn Duet: Chris Greene and
Josh Martinez. Saxophone Trio:
Skye Allen, Jordan Meeks and
Will Smaha. Middle School Brass
Quintet: Amanda Fulton, Chris
Greene, Ashley Middleton, Kristen
Schaedel and Tucker Scruggs. Middle
School Woodwind Choir: Marybeth
Boulerice, Anna Brooks, Amanda
Folk, Jennifer Germany, Stephanie
Hampton, Kendra Lehner, Kaylee
Mills, Heidi Shelton, Alissa Sullivan.
Middle School Brass Choir: Michael
Anderson, Josue Blanco, Rachel
Chapman, Andrew Douglas, Amanda
Fulton, Chris Greene, Joshua
Martinez, Reed McKown, Ashley
Middleton, Stephen Mutz, Kendal
Plunkett, Kristen Schaedel, Tucker
Scruggs, Emily Tirado.
High School Band Superior
rating – Solos: Derek Andersen (alto
sax), Claire Jarvis (clarinet), Danae
Drake (clarinet), Zachary Martinez
(euphonium), Maria Baker (flute),
Carly Tippel (flute), Emily Tan (flute),
Emily Behrens (flute), Justin Middleton
(euphonium), Jonathan Murray
(trumpet), Cameron Underwood
(tuba), Andrew Tew (tuba). Flute Trio:
Emily Behrens, Makaylee Graves,
Carly Tippel. Trumpet Trio: Byron Kelley,
Jonathan Murray, C.T. Thomas. Tuba
Quartet: Zachary Martinez, Justin
Middleton, Andrew Tew, Cameron
Underwood. Woodwind Quartet: Emily
Behrens, Claire Jarvis, Luis Sierra,
Emily Tan. Flute Duet: Maria Baker and
Hannah Scruggs. Clarinet Choir: Audra
Drake, Danae Drake, Kimberly Garcia,
Claire Jarvis, Sarah Mora, Luis Sierra,
Faith Simmons, Zach Varnum.
High School Band Excellent
rating – Solos: Christina Sierra (alto
sax), Hayley Maloy (alto sax),
Cameron Row (bassoon), Audra Drake
(clarinet), Makaylee Graves (flute).
Saxophone Trio: Derek Andersen,
Hayley Maloy, Christina Sierra.
Secondary Band Members Perform with All-County Bands, Orchestra
Congratulations to the following band students who auditioned and
were chosen to participate with the best band students from around Polk
County in the annual concert at Florida Southern College:
11th and 12th Grade Band: Claire Jarvis (clarinet), Zach Martinez
(baritone), Justin Middleton (baritone), Jenna Smithson (French horn),
Emily Tan (flute), Andrew Tew (tuba), Cameron Underwood (tuba).
9th and 10th Grade Band: Danae Drake (bass clarinet).
7th and 8th Grade Band: Amanda Fulton
(tuba), Christopher Greene (French horn), Ashley
Middleton (trombone), Stephen Mutz (trumpet),
Kristen Schaedel (trumpet).
All-County Orchestra: Emily Tan (flute),
Claire Jarvis (clarinet).
22

LCS Saddened by Loss of Teacher
Cathy Asbridge
The LCS community is deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs. Cathy
Asbridge who went home to be with the Lord on March 29. Mrs. Asbridge
was a warm, caring and competent member of the LCS high school science
department. She joined the faculty in 2007
teaching chemistry and AP chemistry until
November of 2010 when she was diagnosed with
cancer. She dearly loved her Lord, her family, LCS
and especially her students. She will be missed
by all who knew her. We sorrow, but not as those
who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Please uphold her husband, Charles, and
their children, Tripp (6th grade), Lauren-Ashley
(4th grade), Anne-Christian (1st grade) and
Christopher (K4).
We are seeking donations to continue to
provide for the children’s education at LCS. Contributions should be made
payable to Lakeland Christian School noting Families in Crisis Scholarship
Fund on the memo line. All donations to this fund are tax deductable.
Library Donations
The Lakeland Christian Library staff appreciates
the generosity of those who have provided recent
book donations. The library counts on the regular
contributions of school families to expand their
collection for students.
Dr. and Dr. Richard Cardosi
Miss Hannah Cotterill
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Elliott
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Forlaw
Mr. and Mrs. Rex Henry
Mary and Anna Lanzino
Mr. and Mrs. Terri McNutt
Ms. Shelley Schaedel
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Scruggs
23

Gifts T
O L a k e l a n d C h r i s t i a n S c h o o l
On behalf of the students we serve, a heartfelt thanks to the following generous persons and companies who have partnered
with LCS by providing a gift to the ministry. We were blessed by:
Dr. and Mrs. Ruben Adriano
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Albritton
Mr. and Mrs. Howard App
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bagwell
Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Barlow, III
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Barlow
Mr. and Mrs. Troy Batterton
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Bean
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bedwell
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Blalock
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Boatwright
Mr. and Mrs. Don Bradley
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bryant
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Busing
Mr. and Mrs. Bradly Byykkonen
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Chamberlin
Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Coleman
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Coleman
Dr. and Mrs. David Cook
Mr. and Mrs. James Crawford, Jr.
Ms. Sue Crosby
Mr. Jeff Curry
Mrs. Jackie Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Michael V. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm De Meza
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Denney
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Duncan
Miss Susan Ellis
Mr. and Mrs. James Evans
Rev. and Mrs. Roger Evans
Mrs. Nancy Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Forlaw
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fulton
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Garner
Mr. and Mrs. Bud Gibson
Mr. and Mrs. Clint Gordon
Ms. Ann Grassfield
Mr. Mark Gross
Ms. Patsy Ham
Mr. and Mrs. Rob Harper, IV
Ms. Virginia C. Harris, P.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Holland Henderson
Mr. and Mrs. Rex Henry
Mrs. Robert Hightower
Dr. Keith Hilliard
Mrs. Debbie Houghton
Rev. and Mrs. Gary Hull
Ms. Lisa Intagliata
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Isler
Mrs. Dial Jackson
Mrs. Mimi Jenko
Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Nels Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Kriss Kaye
Dr. and Mrs. Derek Keenan
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kirby
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kleshinski
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Knowlton
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kriegbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Latham
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Latimer
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Long
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Madden
Mr. and Mrs. George Maguire
Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Mason
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Masters
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mayo
Mr. and Mrs. Mike McCormick
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Miles
Mrs. Norma Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mosley
Mr. and Mrs. Birk Mullinax
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Muir
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Musick, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mutz
Mr. and Mrs. Chris O’Byrne
Miss Ellen Oncu
Mrs. Judy Oncu
Mr. Walter Palmer
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Patteson
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Peace
Mrs. Marlene Pitts
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Powell, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James Powers
Dr. and Mrs. Wilton M. Reavis, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Bart Richert
Mr. and Mrs. James Roberson
Mrs. Sandra Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Rowe
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Russ
Mr. and Mrs. John Sabat
Mr. Philip Sebring
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Settles
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Shimko
Dr. and Mrs. Mike Sligh
Miss Nancy Snyder
Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Stabler
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stacy
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stanz
Dr. and Mrs. Jack W. Stone
Rev. and Mrs. Robert Stubblefield
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Swaine
Mr. and Mrs. William Sweat
Mr. and Mrs. John Szydlowski
Dr. and Mrs. Raul Tallo
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Taylor
Mrs. Evelyn Towler
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Underwood
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Viner
Mr. and Mrs. David Wickenkamp
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wiechmann
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Wright
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Wright
Mr. and Mrs. William Yanney
Mr. and Mrs. John Zeckler
Mr. Floyd Ziegler
Clark/Nikdel/Powell
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Harrell’s Fertilizer Group, Inc.
Kappa Delta Sisters
(see Cathy Asbridge Memorial listing)
Lakeland Automall
Lakeland Vineyard
Land South Group
Lowe’s
(see Tom Bayless Memorial listing)
Oak Grove Church of Christ
Outsource Management Solutions
Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc.
Sale Insurance
Sligh Clinic of Chiropractic
The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Medtronic Foundation
Verner Foundation, Inc.
Wells Fargo Foundation Educational
LCS Appreciates
Lakeland Christian School is the beneficiary of many donated goods and services provided by school
families and other friends. These gifts enable higher levels of excellence campus-wide.
Payton Albritton, Tammy Henderson, Denise
Curls, Becky Russell, Debbie Houghton,
Randy Blalock, Darise McLoughlin, Regina
Harper, Dana Fox, Tammy Scruggs and
Lizette Batterton – For serving as Welcome
Wednesday tour guides.
Alette Aspinwall, Sylvia Baker, Cindy
Beaudreault, Liz Behrens, Rhonda Harris,
Pam Mutz, Judy Sharpe, Sylvia Sizemore,
Deanna Stanz and Catherine Uria – For
volunteering their time to help make the
Junior Class Valentine’s Day Fundraiser a huge
success with more than $600 raised.
Jay Horne – For moving the 800-pound turtle
(playground equipment) into the Curls
Family Playland.
Cathy Hamilton – For helping third
graders prepare for the spelling bee and
math Olympics.
Marsha Hannum – For helping in Mrs. Debbie
Stump’s third grade class each week this year.
Jeff Jones and Duke Jones – For the donation
of wood to the art department (from the estate
of Gene and Judy Jones).
Sandy Gibson, Jennifer Yamnitz and Kim
Bowers – For volunteering their time in Mrs.
Betty Duncan’s fourth grade class on grading
papers and helping students with math.
Pam Carroll – For faithfully coming to LCS
each week to work on reading with K5 and
first grade students.
Mila Adriano, Donald Payne,
Elizabeth Sierra, Robin Sutton and
Pam Szydlowski – For serving as
chaperones for the senior high choir on
their overnight trip to the State Choir
Festival on April 25-26.
Diana and Bob Wilson – For the
donation of a golf cart to
maintenance department.
Everyone who helped with the
Elementary Art Review – Thanks
from Mrs. Mosley for making the
evening a success.
Justin Middleton – For providing piano
music at the Elementary Art Review.
24

Living Memorials
It is a joy to receive gifts that are sent to acknowledge a loved one. We are
grateful for the gifts received from the following:
In memory of: Mrs. Cathy Asbridge
Given by: Dr. and Mrs. Ruben Adriano
Mr. and Mrs. Howard App
Mr. and Mrs. Troy Batterton
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Bean
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Busing
Mr. and Mrs. James Crawford, Jr.
Ms. Sue Crosby
Mr. and Mrs. Michael V. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm De Meza
Miss Susan Ellis
Mr. and Mrs. James Evans
Mr. Mark Gross
Ms. Virginia C. Harris, P.A.
Dr. Keith Hilliard
Ms. Lisa Intagliata
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Isler
Mr. and Mrs. Nels Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kleshinski
Lakeland Vineyard
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Long
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mayo
Mr. and Mrs. Mike McCormick
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Muir
Oak Grove Church of Christ
Mr. Walter Palmer
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Patteson
Dr. and Mrs. Wilton M. Reavis, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Russ
Dr. and Mrs. Mike Sligh
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stanz
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Stone
Dr. and Mrs. Raul Tallo
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Viner
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Wright
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Wright
Mr. and Mrs. William Yanney
Kappa Delta Sisters:
Jessica Bazley
Julie Beckstein
Lynn Hollis
Alicia Murray
Kristen Ricker
Amy Trogan
Julie Williams
In memory of: Mr. Tom Bayless
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon
Barlow, III
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Barlow
Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Coleman
Mr. and Mrs. Rob Harper, IV
Mrs. Dial Jackson
Lowe’s:
David Deal
Mike Harless
Tony Cook
Shannon Love
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Miles
Mrs. Sandra Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Swaine
Mr. and Mrs. William Sweat
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wilson
In memory of: Mrs. Freddie Fussell Carder
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. John Douglass
In memory of: Mr. Hubert Brooks
Given by: Mrs. Robert Hightower
In memory of: Mrs. Marjorie Bean
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Ray Phillips
In memory of: Miss Ashley Turlington
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Brad Hicks
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Brad Langston
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Mr. Joe Firmin
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Mr. Joe DeRosa
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Garrett Wynn
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Mrs. Vicky Dawson
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
In memory of: Mrs. Faith Waibel
Given by: Ms. Diane Klages
Correction from February Viking:
In memory of: Brad Langston
Given by: Mrs. Sybil Swofford
LCS Appreciates continued from page 24
Karla Moser – For helping with the
Operation Christmas Child shoebox drive.
Karla has helped for the past seven years
by purchasing supplies, keeping a count
and helping Mrs. Kay Henry rubberband
the boxes.
Craig Roth of Sunshine Growers – For
talking to third graders about plants and
giving each student a plant to take home.
Dick Greene, Kevin and Amy Maloy, Brad
and Melissa Murray, Tammy Scruggs and
Jynelle Waymire – For chaperoning the
High School Band on their two-day trip to
the State Music Performance Assessment.
The Southwest Florida Water Management
District – For providing grant funds for
special hands-on science investigations in the
middle school.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
and Lakeland Electric – For providing grant
funds for solar cars and hands-on solar
activities.
Richard Fifer – For editing the Middle School
Science Fair Handbook and for his support of
the middle school science program.
Michelle Kaye, Debbie Houghton and
the other parents – For helping make the
Science Fair Research Team camping trip to
the Everglades such a success.
Don Laing – For facilitating contacts with
missionary pilots and Theresa Caskey for
organizing tram transportation for the
middle school science trip to Sun ‘n Fun.
Ken Emert, Kelly Shortt and Jerry
Prescott – For volunteering as bus drivers
on several occasions.
Betty Lou Drost – For helping in Mrs.
Alesia Stubblefield’s K5 classroom over the
past four years and for loving and being a
role model to the children.
Ken Hutto, Georgiana Whyte and
Jansen Clary – For sponsoring AR parties
to 2nd graders who reach their AR goals
throughout the year.
25

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Sign Up Now for Some Amazing LCS Summer Camps!
Whether your child is an artist, a musician, a chemist or a reader, Lakeland
Christian School has the perfect summer camp opportunities for your student. Check
out some of these great camps and register today! You can view flyers and registration
forms by visiting the school website.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
May 27-June 1
Senior Trip
May 30
Memorial Day Holiday
June 2
Last Day for K4 & K5,
Dismiss at Noon
June 2-7
Final Exams
June 5
Baccalaureate at
Heritage Baptist
Church, 3:00 p.m.
Sports Camps: (grades for the 2011-2012 school year)
Viking Boys’ Basketball Recreational Camp (Gr. 3-5), June 7-10
Viking Boys’ Basketball Advanced Camp (Gr. 6-9), June 7-10
Viking Cheer Camp (Gr. 1-6), June 8-10
Viking Soccer Recreational Camp (Gr. K5-6), June 13-17
Viking Soccer Advanced Camp (Gr. 4-12), June 13-17
Lady Vikings Recreational Basketball Camp (Gr. 2-6), June 20-23
Lady Vikings Advanced Basketball Camp (Gr. 7-12), June 20-23
Viking Middle School Football Camp (Gr. 6-8), June 20-23
Lady Viking Volleyball Camp (Gr. 3-9), June 27-29
Music Camp: (for students who have completed grades 2-6)
The annual LCS Music Camp will be held in the school cafeteria from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. on June 13-17. Students will receive training in voice, drama, choreography,
improvisation and creativity using the iPads and yo-yos. The camp will conclude with
a special program on Friday afternoon. The cost is $100 and covers snacks, drinks
and a camp t-shirt.
Perky Page Productions Camp: (for students going into 3rd or 4th grade)
This is a new summer camp for boys and girls designed to get the excitement
back into books! “Perky Page Productions” combines multiple creative skills to create
biblically-based altered art books that your child will treasure for years to come. Camp
will be at LCS on July 18-21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $70 which includes all
needed crafts and supplies. Students will need to bring a sack lunch
June 6
Commencement, FSC,
7:30 p.m.
June 7
Last Day of School
for Grades 1-11,
Early Dismissal
each day.
Out-of-the-Box Summer Camp:
(for students going into 5th or 6th grade)
Parents, if you have a student going into the fifth or sixth
grade, why not send your child to the “Out of the Box” Summer
Camp? This camp will take place at LCS from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
June 20-24, and students will learn all about creative chemistry and
problem solving. The cost is $100, which includes a field trip, lab
coat, snacks, crafts and supplies.