The Paw Print 3.2 - Mekeel Christian Academy

The Paw Print – Issue 2 – www.mekeel.org
Spring 2014
The
Paw
Print
Volume 3  Issue 2
Spring 2014
MEKEEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Exceptional Education…Distinctively Christian, est. 1976
Page 1 of 4
A+ Lot to Mention
New Academic Program Showing Great Results
This is the third year MCA has offered Winterim for high
school students. This program is a 3 day break from the
traditional academic schedule, where over 20 courses are
offered as electives.
Classes are taken on campus or at off-campus locations
with a variety of different teachers and class options. This
year’s course offerings included: Media Arts, Chemistry &
Cuisine, Sports Business, Photography, Debate, The
Greatest Game Ever Played, Vintage Video Game Design,
and several others.
Students look forward to this program each year where
creative content areas are explored. Teachers also look
forward to the opportunity to teach outside of the traditional
content areas. This year was a great success and MCA is
excited to continue this program next year with the addition
of missions trip options during Winterim.
International Student Program
Mekeel Christian Academy began the International Student
Program in 2014 accepting 3 students. This program will
allow students from China, South America, Africa, and
Europe to apply for admissions to Mekeel. Students stay
with host families for each year of high school. MCA is
very excited for the future of this program. The
International Student Program will bring motivated learners
from across the world to the classrooms at Mekeel and
allow the current students to learn with students from other
cultures.
Missions Opportunity with Christian School in
Dominican Republic
Recently, MCA Head of School Chad Bowman was
able to visit a Christian School called Dominican
Advance in the Dominican Republic. MCA will be able
to partner with this school in the years to come for
missions opportunities for students and teachers.
According to the school, Dominican Advance, “behind
the clean uniforms and bright smiles lies a deep
poverty. The average village family survives on only
US$170 a month, lives in a small cement block house
with no running water and only a few pieces of broken
furniture. But they can yet have a brighter future and
the solid hope that a quality education can provide.”
MCA will be setting up mission trip opportunities to
volunteer at the school as early as next year. Keep
this initiative in prayer as God allows our schools to
work together to grow his Kingdom.
About the Cover Photo
Each year MCA faculty and students celebrate the
impact of missions and opportunity to show God’s
love to others. Each day during Missions awareness
week there is a special emphasis on how to put the
Christian faith into action and there are student
projects that all come together in the Kingdom Day
Celebration. Pictured above, elementary students
recited scripture as part of Kingdom Day.
Annual Event Reflects on School’s Rich Heritage
MCA’s Annual Spring Banquet to benefit Tuition
Assistance is one of the most cherished events of the
school year. This March, nearly 100 people attended the
special evening. The banquet was held at Mekeel Hall
in First Presbyterian Church (Mekeel Hall was once
used for instruction for the early years of the school) and
the keynote speaker was Pastor Dwight Moore (Clifton
Park Assembly of God). This evening celebrated the
history of MCA and raised money for tuition assistance.
This was also the second year of the new scholarship
fund that was created to honor the memory of Yetta
Relyea, a former MCA teacher of thirty years. Yetta and
her husband Barry have been involved with the school
since the inaugural year in 1976 and had two daughters
who graduated from MCA (SCS). This scholarship will
continue to support a generation of students and families
with financial needs.
Champions!
The MCA Varsity Boys Basketball team were the 20132014 Western Athletic Conference Champions. The
boys finished the year with an 18-2 record. Special
accomplishments included Senior Mano Senthil being
named the League MVP and Coach Chad Bowman
earning his 300th win as the coach of the Lions! This
puts Coach Bowman among the top coaches all time in
the area.
The Paw Print – Issue 2 – www.mekeel.org
Spring 2014
Mekeel Christian
Academy
36-38 Sacandaga Road
Scotia, New York 12302
Phone: (518) 370.4272
Fax: (518) 370.4778
Web Site: www.mekeel.org
Guy DeAngelis
Director of Development
Ext. 318
E-Mail: [email protected]
Upcoming Events:
Academic Awards Night - 6/2
Graduation – 6/21
Summer Camp – 7/7 – 8/15
2013 – 2014 Lions Basketball Team
(from page 1)
Dominican Advance Schools
(from page 1)
League MVP Mano Senthil pictured bottom
right. This year’s team was able to reach the
Class B quarterfinals only losing 1 game during
the regular season. The Lions were also the
champions of the Gloversville Holiday
Tournament, and were able to play two games
in Toronto, Canada in non-league games.
Quality education remains as the single most
pressing need in the minds of Dominican
parents today. No other endeavor offers such
hope and prospect for a brighter future as a
quality education! MCA will be partnering to
help!
Accepted!
MCA Seniors Getting into Top Schools
Liberty University, Gordon College, Lafayette
University, University of Kansas, RPI, Siena
College, Holy Cross, Worchester Polytechnical
Institute, and many other schools have accepted
seniors for admissions next fall! Valedictorian,
Tyler Guido (left) will be attending St. Lawrence
University to study Bio-chemical Engineering. The
class of 2014 was able to pile up more than
$1,200,00 in scholarships. Please pray for our
seniors as they plan for their futures.
Mekeel Administrative Team
Meet Our Central Administration
for 2013-2014
Chad Bowman,
Head of School
Years at MCA: 20
Graduates: Dillon ’11, Jacob
‘08
Enrolled Students: 1
Denise Johnston,
Business Manager
Years at MCA: 4
Enrolled Students: 2
Cathy Kahler,
Office Administrator
Years at MCA: 13
Graduates: Courtney ’03,
Ashley ’06, Joshua ‘09
Enrolled Students: 1
Jennifer Smith,
Director of Curriculum &
Instruction
Years at MCA: 1
Enrolled Students: 1
Guy DeAngelis,
Admissions, Development,
Athletics
Years at MCA: 4
History Brought to Life
8th Grade Field Trip Explores American
Heritage in the Northeast.
The 8th graders had a great time exploring several
historical sites like Valley Forge and Gettysburg as
well as the Franklin Science Institute. Students
were able to visit Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Destinations included the home of Edgar Allen Poe,
Camden Yards, the Liberty Bell and of course, a
stop to a cheesesteak stand. The wet weather did
not dampen the fun time we had!
The Paw Print – Issue 2 – www.mekeel.org
Spring 2014
Pictured Above: Students from MCA celebrate and enjoy the Junior/Senior Banquet this May. The Junior class put on a great event, and all of the students
were able to enjoy a fun night together after working diligently throughout the school year. The theme this year was “Under the Sea” and the gymnasium
looked amazing!
Fine Arts Showcase
Two pieces of art work from Mekeel Christian Academy students Noah Gribben and Mary Belle
Pfeiffer were chosen and entered in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition. This was a
nationwide art competition that accepted entries from students across the United States,
providing them with a unique venue to showcase their artistic abilities. Each member of
Congress had the privilege of submitting one piece of artwork from their district to be displayed
for one year in a tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol. The student selected from our Capital District
had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend a ceremony unveiling their artwork in
June of 2014. Congressman Paul Tonko attended Friday night's art show reception where he
revealed the winner and spoke of the magnificent art talent in our capital district, Mekeel’s
students being among them. It is a great honor to have our students’ work on display at the
President's Gallery in the Arts Center, located on 265 River Street, Troy, New York.
Teacher Spotlight
Mr. Matt McCarty (’07): HS Bible, MS History
Matt McCarty, who teaches History and Bible at Mekeel, was able to help lead a missions trip
to Senegal, West Africa during February break. The nation of Senegal is 92% Muslim and
desperate for the good news of Jesus Christ. The missions team - 17 members from Faith
Baptist Church - was able to spend 10 days working alongside local pastors and missionaries,
focusing primarily on evangelism in unreached villages. For example, in the village of
Sessene hundreds of people heard the gospel for the very first time. God is truly at work in
Senegal. Mr. McCarty has also been on several missions trips to Haiti in the last two
years. Feel free to ask Mr. McCarty about the trip to hear more!
The Paw Print – Issue 2 – www.mekeel.org
Spring 2014
Mekeel Students Shine Bright in Spring Production
Tickets sold out for all four shows within weeks of going on sale. The MCA Drama Club put on an unforgettable performance in the spring production of
Annie Jr. The cast and crew consisted of over 30 members and MCA was happy to welcome new program director Kathleen Norton. Mrs. Norton did an
outstanding job of casting, set design, choreography, wardrobe, and production. Her energy and enthusiasm lead the way for the theater department.
Mrs. Norton plans to run a fall play and spring musical next year to continue growing this area of fine arts at Mekeel.
The leading lady was 7th grader Gwen Currie who stole the show as Annie. She gave an incredible performance and captivated the audiences with her
charm and singing ability. Junior Luke Moore was cast as Oliver Warbucks and Senior Jordan Spawn was cast as Grace. Students played various roles
as Molly, Pepper, Duffy, July, Tessie, Kate (orphan girls). Other cast members included: Miss Hannigan (Sophomore, Elissa Johston), “Rooster” Hannigan
(Senior, Patrick Teller), Lily St. Regis (Senior, Chelsie Muller), President Roosevelt (Mr. Saccocio), Drake (6th Grade, Ethan Booth) and Sandy
(Kindergarten, Carson Smith).
Left: Miss Hannigan (Elissa
Johnston) reprimands one of the
orphan girls (Olivia Bowman) for the
disappearance of Annie from the
orphanage.
Right: Oliver Warbucks and Grace
(Luke Moore and Jordan Spawn)
discover the true identity of Annie’s
parents.
Annie (Gwen Currie) is surrounded
by other orphan girls for a Christmas
celebration at the Warbuck Mansion.
To submit student, alumni, or MCA community news, please contact Guy DeAngelis: [email protected].

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