SCA Theatre Department Receives Cappie Nominations

(Lee’s Summit) –Several Summit Christian Academy (SCA) theatre students were recently nominated for a Cappie Award.  The 11^th Annual Cappie Awards Gala for Kansas City will be held on June 1 at Grandview High School and celebrates the best in high school theatre.

The following students from SCA were nominated:

For the Play Comedy of Errors:  Sarah Caruthers & Kylee Schuh for Make-up, Nicki Murff & Taylor Shippy for Choreography, Justus Wagner for Comic Actor in a Play, and The Mimes for Ensemble in a Play.
For the Play Acts of God:  Play was nominated for Best Play, Carolyn Herrera for Featured Actress, Hannah Zizza for Supporting Actress in a Play, Nikki Murff for Lead Actress in a Play, and Easton Parks for Lead Actor in a Play.
Also nominated was Gillian Smith for Female Critic.

SCA is an independent, nondenominational Christian school serving over 660 preschool through high school students.  Established in 1989, the school has distinguished itself as a leader in private Christian education in the Midwest region.  SCA holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

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(Lee’s Summit) – Last year Summit Christian Academy (SCA) hosted fifteen international students from across the world. Host families are needed for the more than 20 international students interested in moving to Lee’s Summit and being part of Summit Christian Academy. 

Hosting an international student is an exciting adventure and has many benefits including the opportunity learn first hand about another culture as well as the opportunity to share American culture and family life.  Some international students come with a monthly stipend for host families. 

Host families open their home and heart to an international student by providing room and board and sharing every day life.  The SCA International Program Director, Kathy Tharp, will provide essential tools and information to help families through the process. 

For more information call Summit Christian Academy at 816-525-1480. 

SCA is an independent, nondenominational Christian school serving over 660 preschool through high school students.  Established in 1989, the school has distinguished itself as a leader in private Christian education in the Midwest region.  SCA holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

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Pictured here from left to right: Integrity Roofing Vice President David Todd, Integrity Scholarship recipient Sarah Lambert and Easton Parks, and Integrity Roofing President Blake Clarkson.

(Lee’s Summit) – Summit Christian Academy (SCA) seniors Easton Parks and Sarah Lambert recently were awarded the second annual “Integrity Scholarship” offered by SCA Business Partner, Integrity Roofing.  Seniors were provided the opportunity to write an essay on what integrity meant to them and how they have acted with integrity in life. 

Lambert described her own struggle with an autoimmune disease, “Often times when your expectations of life are shattered, it’s easy to become bitter and angry. One who has integrity will not be corrupted by circumstances that seem to be unfair or difficult.”

Parkswrote, “A man of integrity keeps his word and stands up for his beliefs in the face of hardship and ridicule.” He continued by explaining how he demonstrates integrity at his workplace, “I strongly believe that consistently working hard even when no one is around to supervise shows integrity.”

SCA is an independent, nondenominational Christian school serving over 660 preschool through high school students.  Established in 1989, the school has distinguished itself as a leader in private Christian education in the Midwest region.  SCA holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

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SCA Secondary Principal Emir Ruiz-Esparza with SCA Student of the Year recipient Luke Hammer.

(Lee’s Summit) – Summit Christian Academy (SCA) recently recognized Senior Luke Hammer as the Student of the Year.  Hammer has attended SCA for 5 years and will be attending Drake University.  Hammer plans to major in Business Management and International Relations.  Hammer is the son of Rodney and Debbie Hammer of Lee’s Summit.

Hammer was very active as a student at SCA.  He was the President of Student Government, the Vice-president of the International   Thespian Society and Cappie winner, the student director and intern for SCA’s international program and GlobalConnect, a student commissioner for the Lee’s Summit Human Relations Commission, a varsity hockey player, an award-winning artist, and a three-time published author.

“It is an honor to present Luke with this award,” said SCA Secondary Principal Emir Ruiz-Esparza.  “He is a young man of  tremendous character who was a leader not only at SCA, but in the community as well.”

Summit Christian Academy (SCA) is an independent, nondenominational Christian school serving over 660 preschool through high school students.  Established in 1989, the school has distinguished itself as a leader in private Christian education in the Midwest region.  SCA is located on a 36-acre campus and holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

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(Lee’s Summit) – Summit Christian Academy (SCA) recently recognized Senior Garrett Gibson as the 2013 Eagle Award Recipient.

“Every year SCA recognizes an outstanding senior athlete that exhibits excellence in athletics, academics and leadership.  This year Garrett Gibson was the recipient of the Eagle Award,” said SCA Athletic Director Jake Kates.  “There were a lot of athletes in the senior class this year, so it was a tough decision.  Garrett excelled in basketball, soccer, football and baseball.  He not only exhibited great character as an athlete on the field and court, but also in the halls and classrooms at SCA. It is an honor to recognize Garrett with the top athletic award at SCA, the Eagle Award.”

Pictured here are Garrett Gibson and Summit Christian Academy Athletic Director Jake Kates.

Summit Christian Academy (SCA) is an independent, nondenominational Christian school serving over 660 preschool through high school students.  Established in 1989, the school has distinguished itself as a leader in private Christian education in the Midwest region.  SCA is located on a 36-acre campus and holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

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Hammer has served on the Lee’s Summit Human Relations Commission at SCA this year.  Hammer will be studying Business and a double major in marketing and management.

“Luke has been a strong leader for the student body of SCA as the President of Student Government,” said SCA Principal Emir Ruiz-Esparza.  “He is a strong servant leader.  Any task that you give to him, he will do so with excellence.  Drake University will be truly blessed by his leadership and talents. ”

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Attendees traveled the continents, experienced music, art, games and sampled food from over 30 countries around the world. SCA elementary and secondary students and volunteers from the Mayor’s Ethnic Enrichment Commission presented live entertainment.

“I am so pleased with the success of the first International Festival,” said SCA International Program Director Kathy Tharp.  “It is wonderful to bring the experiences, tastes, and sounds of other countries to Lee’s Summit for the community to experience.  Not only did the International Festival help to educate those who attended, but it united the community world that we live in.”

Summit Christian Academy is an independent, nondenominational Christian school, serving over 685 preschool through high school students.  SCA ministers to all students, with programs for gifted students as well as students who need resource services.  Established in 1989, SCA is located on a 36-acre campus and holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi, Lee’s Summit Human Relations Chairperson and Diversity Trainer, helps with an African game in the Games Around the World room at the SCA International Festival.

A dancer from the Kansas City Mayor’s Ethnic Enrichment Commission performs an Indian Folk Dance at the 1st Annual International Festival held recently at Summit Christian Academy.

(Lee’s Summit) – April is National Poetry Month and the elementary students at Summit Christian Academy (SCA) recently spent time reading, analyzing and writing poetry.  As part of the celebration of this art form, students were able to showcase their work in the school’s 3^rd annual Poetry Café.  During their regular time in the library students explored the fundamentals of poetry composition and discovering their own voice and creativity. 

“Poetry is something that I have taken on because it is important for students to be exposed to more than just prose,” shared SCA Elementary Librarian Director Alethea Beasley.  “Students who delve into understanding poetry, can be challenged to think outside of the box of typical literature and explore the power of words.  As students engage in reading, studying, and composing poetry, they learn the importance of intentionally choosing and arranging words.”

Beasley’s approach to inspiring understanding and creativity begins with a focus on the basic definition of poetry with the lower elementary grades and progresses to exploring poetry devices like alliteration, imagery, and onomatopoeia in the upper grades.

So, consistent with the culture of poets, 1^st through 6^th grade students’ poems were met with the sweet sound of snapping fingers during the Poetry Café.

Summit Christian Academy is an independent, nondenominational Christian school, serving over 685 preschool through high school students.  SCA ministers to all students, with programs for gifted students as well as students who need resource services.  Established in 1989, SCA is located on a 36-acre campus and holds dual accreditation through North Central Association and Association of Christian Schools International.

Photo Caption:  Students at SCA are all snaps at the annual Poetry Café held at the school.

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It was all part of the school’s 10^th annual Service Day dedicated to all-day projects helping local charities, nonprofits, and people in need.  Tasks ranged from planting flowers and clearing debris to packing snack bags for needy children at Harvesters.

SCA students spread out across the city to work at such organizations as Antioch Baptist Church, Beaumont Baptist Church, Birchwood Baptist Church, Community Services League, Crosslines, First Baptist Church of Raytown, Harvesters, Hope Faith Ministries, Hope House, Martin City Baptist Church, My Father’s House, Play to Learn Preschool, Salvation Army Youth Camp, and the Wayside Rest Historic Home.

In the school’s preschool and elementary programs, classes executed their own service projects throughout the week.  Projects ranged from cleaning local parks to heading out to Collier Care Nursing Home and John Knox Village to spend time with residents.  The younger students worked with parents and grandparents to make cuddle pillows for nursing home patients.

Students engage in service throughout the year. It’s a regular part of the school’s mission to cultivate a servant heart in each student.  Service Day gives students a whole day to stop their regular schedules and work shoulder to shoulder, beginning in preschool and continuing into their senior year in high school.

“By the time a student graduates from SCA, they have a long legacy of serving others,” commented Head of School Linda Harrelson.  “We hope that this continues throughout their lives.”

5^th grade students pack snack bags for needy children at Harvesters (left to right) – Noah Ruiz Esparza, Daniel Martin, Kyle Cumberland, Ethan Beitzinger

Kindergarteners make cuddle pillows for nursing home patients as part of SCA’s Service Day

“This is the first time that SCA has had a student on the Debate team named an All-American,” shared SCA Speech and Debate Coach Anne Mussati.  “We are excited for Stephen and this accomplishment.”