CRUSADERCONNECTION A Publication of Westminster Christian Academy
FOLLOW THE LEADER 2012 2013
Statemen
t of Value
s
The valu making pers that drive our de ocess are cision1. Submis s Authorityion to God as our His inspire, believing the Bibfinal d Word le to be 2. Uncon d truth itional love/uncom promising 3. Hones ty things) and integrity (holi ness in all 4. Partne rs and churchip with the Chris tian home h 5. Faithfu l resourcesstewardship of Go d’s 6. Excelle n glory ce in all things for God’s 7. Humilit y in servic e
A Message from Superintendent, Merida Brooks
A
t the founding of W estminster Christia n Academy the visi “lift little faces to be on was to hold God” with the long-term goal of “r leaders to impact aising up” every arena of our culture for God’s gl ory and His purposes on the eart h. With over 1,000 gr ad uates, we now witness godly men and women leadin g in their homes, churches, governm ent and society he lp in g to preserve our Biblical heritag e and pass it to the next generation. While leadership is defined most often as “influence,” pondering true, Bibl ical leadership cert ainly deepens the discussion. As Believers in Jesus Ch rist, our gaze quickly focuses up on Him as the true m odel of leadership, transformin g leadership into so mething one does to enhance an d draw out the valu e and giftings of those one le ads, rather than an exercise of authority for one’s own ends. John 12:24 states, “Except a grain of wheat falls into the dies, it will abide al ground and one; but if it dies, it brings forth muc will remain a seed h fr ui t.” The seed until it is deposite d in the earth whe literally rots away re th e outer coat releasing the germ of life within. A pl bearing more seed an t springs forth and multiplication takes place. This true Biblical leader is th e essence of ship clearly demon strated by the life of not come to be serv Ch ris t. Jesus did ed, but to serve. H e came to literally di we might have eter e to Himself, that nal life. The Scrip tures tells us that greater than the m th e se rvant is not aster. As servants of the Most High Go to “die to ourselves d, the calling is and to live unto Him for the sake of the called us to serve w ‘o th ers’ He has ithin our homes an d all areas of our liv es . Our titles, positions and roles are the ve hicles through whi portunity to exerci ch we have opse true Biblical lead er ship by investing an around us, helping d serving those them to be all God designed and gifted His glory. Our “in them to be for fluence” is exercise d to lead others to others to walk with Christ, to equip Christ, and to assi st others in growin Christ. The fruit ap g into maturity in pears in service to their families, chur workplaces. ches, and in their This servant-leade rship model is mos t assuredly taught Jesus took up the and lived at WCA. towel and washed feet. As His repres we GET to “take up entatives on earth, the towel” and was h one another’s feet students. We GET and those of our to make life invest ments into one an Stones” at Westmin other. The “Living ster Christian Acad emy follow Christ’s ing His life that dw example in releasells within them, to live for others allow to come through th ing Christ’s love eir lives daily. At W estminster Christia to follow our Leader n Academy, we GET by unashamedly le ading others to Him every single day.
“Follow
my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:1 are what we hope our faculty, staff and students model at Westminster Christian Academy. When the model works and meets up with an extraordinary girl like Class of 2013 Valedictorian, Monique Claiborne, the sky is the limit. How would you describe this year?
What is the next step for you?
This was a year where we [the students] took a lot of initiative. We started a lot of new things — the most obvious is Crusaders for Life, and I was honored to be in the founding group for that. We definitely stretched to new heights this year. We made some changes in Student Council as far as the role of the officers go. Once again, my class was the class that said, “We’re not really fulfilling our roles.” The President needs to actually preside over the meetings; the Secretary needs to take the notes. We definitely improved Student Council by refining the roles.
I applied to ten colleges — Princeton, Harvard, Rice, Vanderbilt, Duke, the University of Chicago, Kings College in New York, Tulane and LSU. I was accepted into nine of the ten colleges. Harvard was the only school that did not accept me; however, I will be attending Princeton in the fall.
For me personally, it’s been, I can’t really think of the words to describe it, but just full of opportunity. I would never have guessed that being at this little school in Opelousas, I would been accepted into some of the top colleges in the country…it’s crazy!
I would definitely say that Westminster has every opportunity that anyone needs. You do not need to go to a big school to find what colleges are looking for, or to find fulfillment. You do not need to go somewhere else for AP courses, dual enrollment, or to find teachers
I would definitely say that Westminster has every opportunity that anyone needs. You do not need to go to a big school to find what colleges are looking for, or to find fulfillment.
I am going to be part of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, an undergraduate program at Princeton, in which I will focus on domestic public policy. Following that I will go to law school to further prepare to be involved in the Government.
with Master’s degrees. You do not need to go anywhere else because all of the opportunities are at WCA, plus it also is in the kind of environment that really wants to foster you as an individual — not just to improve the school’s statistics, test scores, GPAs, or the numbers that make the school look good — they like to improve the people here. I have definitely grown as an individual and Westminster has been a huge part of my growth.
Describe a defining moment from this year. I was in AP History this year with Coach Salling, and I really love how he teaches the class. In that class I have learned how to think, not just how to memorize. There is a difference between learning how to think and just regurgitating information. We were talking about Marxism – the rise of Marxism, the philosophy behind it, the politics, the economy, everything. We looked up information to digest it for ourselves which really developed a passion for history in me during this year. I do not think Coach Salling
realizes how much of an impact he has had on me, but I went to my mom that particular night and said, “Mom, we’re learning about Marxism, and it’s amazing! I understand the mentality of Americans today – the conservative mentality, the liberal mentality — how it stems from Marxism. I understand why the North is so much different than the South. I understand why people think so differently.” It was a defining moment because all at once it clicked. History really does give perspective to the present. It was kind of an epiphany, and now I would like to at least minor in history. Prior to that I did not have a minor in mind. It was very defining for me.
Who has been your most influential relationship at WCA? The faculty here is incredible. They are what make the school such a great place to be. That question is so hard! I love so many of my teachers! One person that keeps coming to mind is Mr. Salling. I think part of that is probably because he taught me three out of four years and I have
Crusaders fo r Life (C4L) is a Pro-Life ca founded this mpus group school year w ith the missio ing God by a n of honorctively defen ding life from to natural de conception ath. Studen ts in grades pated in a va 7-12 particiriety of on a nd off-camp promote life us events to . C4L hoste d several sp as well as hig ecial speake hlighted awa rs reness issue and faculty. s to students Activities for the 2012-20 year include 1 3 in d: A Membe augural rship Drive B Festival for L a b y S hower, ife, Pro-Life Chalk Day, B 2012, Ceme e y o n d tery of the In the Vote nocents, St. Walk for Life L a n d ry , and the sch Parish ool year wra Baton Rouge p u p trip to . Students v isited a form clinic-turned e r a b ortion memorial fo r the unborn abortion clin , a c u rrent ic, and the S tate Capitol sonally with to m e e Governor Jin t perdal and othe r officials.
always liked history, but he really shed new light on it for me. I hear about people struggling with history and I always thought, “What’s so hard? It’s just memorizing facts,” but it is not that at all. It is really understanding the past, putting the present into perspective and looking at how we can have a brighter future. Coach Salling showed me how to understand that concept. He has fostered within me a passion for history. This happens in and out of the classroom. He makes himself so available. If you ask for anything, he is there to help you during his off period, after school and through email. Mr. Salling actually helped me as I wrote some essays about the Constitution. I participated in “The Voice of Democracy Competition”, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It is really a national scholarship that starts on the local level, and I advanced to State where I finished fourth.
mendation are part of why I’ve been accepted to so many places. Coach Salling’s letter was heart warming. He has been instrumental in my success.
History is...understanding the past, putting the present into perspective and looking at how we can have a brighter future. Coach Salling showed me how to understand that concept.
I was also participated in “The American Legion Oratorical Contest.” I delivered an eight to ten minute speech about the Constitution and then a three to five minute speech about another aspect of the Constitution the judges chose at random on the spot. I grew so much through that competition, and am very proud of how I performed finishing second at the state level. Some of the judges came to me afterward — they thought that I had won the competition. Coach Salling assisted me with writing that speech. I keep thanking him and he keeps saying, “No, Mo, you did that!” I would not have had a solid starting point without his direction. He helped me with several scholarship applications and letters of recommendation. I know that letters of recom-
What advice would you give to current and prospective students to make the most of their years at WCA?
Do not limit your opportunities. You do not have to know exactly what you want to do with your life in high school. A lot of people who are going to college do not even know what their major will be. Younger kids want to be a fire fighter one day and the next day they want to be a doctor. The beauty of WCA is we offer so many resources to foster anyone’s interests — so just don’t limit your interests.
Get involved in something. Don’t be the kid who comes to school every day and then just goes home. Maybe you have never played sports before — try a new one. Maybe you are not really well known among your peers, but you have all of these great ideas — run for a
Student Council office. Get elected because you deserve to, not just because you have the most friends. If you like outdoors, or even if you don’t, get involved in Rangers. You might find out that you like it. I would say, especially to the younger students, just try something new because you do not know what you might fall in love with. Don’t feel that you have to know right now and operate only in that area. A truly holistic education is one that teaches you through different avenues.
How has your involvement influenced and shaped you? I think sports are good for anyone to polish their competitive nature because competition is good…it is the driving force of our economy! Friendly competition is a good way for anyone
to grow individually because not everyone is going to win all the time. This teaches you to learn from your losses because you can gain just as much from your mistakes as you do from winning…you actually learn more. Student Council has really helped me. As Student Council president, I have had to do a lot of public speaking before the student body. I am now comfortable in front of a crowd. When I was younger, I did pageants sometimes, or participated in speech competitions, but I would be so nervous and shaking. Stepping into a leadership role, I was stepping outside my comfort zone and now am comfortable before anybody. That has really fostered my speaking skills and stage presence. But again, I would have never known that had I not tried something new.
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oth Haley Gagliano (9th grade) and Abby Sonbuchner (11th grade) cited the Mission Team trip to Chiapas, Mexico, as their best memory of the year. Haley discovered, “You see things that make you realize how spoiled we are. You see all these people that need help, but are just so grateful for what they do have. I am glad we could help the people of Chiapas.” Abby remembers, “People there were really nice and I was able to make lasting relationships. The entire week was great and we got to share the Gospel and build a church for a tribe of people. It is a lasting memory!” Because of her time with them on the trip to Mexico, Haley even named Mr. Alan Myers and Mrs. Lisa Rivers as her most influential relationships this year. “I know if I ever need anything, I can go to them. I went on the mission trip with them and spent time with them and I trust them.”
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raduating Senior, Matt Standiford (affectionately known as “Pork Chop”…or “Chop” for short), told Crusader Connection that he had the “best year” of his life this year. He participated in four sports and five student groups and loved every minute of it. When we asked him to describe this year, he replied, “It was a year full of people caring. The teachers actually care about you and want you to succeed in the classroom, on the field and out in the real world.”
Following the Leader As Matt moves from the halls of Westminster to a bright future at Louisiana College, he dreams of becoming a coach and (hopefully) coming back to WCA to invest in others what has been invested in him. Matt was inspired by his relationship with his own father, (WCA Head Basketball Coach) Grayson Standiford and Coach John Vice (Bible Teacher and Football Coach) among others. However, he was most influenced by Coach Barry Manuel (Head Baseball Coach) and the example that he has
been to WCA students and players. Matt was captivated by Coach Barry’s “unreal work ethic” from the very beginning. His earliest memories of Coach Manuel come from 2002 after Hurricane Lily destroyed the baseball field. Coach Manuel persisted in rebuilding it himself. Coach Manuel’s model of “perseverance” has made a lifelong impact on Matt.
Words of Advice As we wrapped up our time with Matt, we asked for any words of advice for our students as they journey through their years at WCA. Chop’s response had three parts: • Do not believe all the hype, because it is really not as hard as you might think, if you put in the work. • Do everything! Being involved makes all the difference. • Choose your friends wisely because your friends can make or break your year. We could not have said it better ourselves.
“Do
you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 Following the Leader Across Oceans When Becky Boudreaux, principal of the Lafayette Campus, talks about efforts to make missions a part of the daily life of her students, she practically glows. You cannot help but “catch” the contagious passion that exudes from her. From where does this passion come? It comes from her basic love of Christ and love of people. Mrs. Boudreaux explains, “Everywhere Christ went, He met people’s needs physically, while ministering to them spiritually. That is how we show we are Believers; we walk out our faith by helping others. We are a blessed people and we are blessed to be a blessing.” This belief is bearing fruit on the Lafayette
Campus where each grade has a mission emphasis of some sort — from classes as young as K3 “adopting” an orphanage in Mexico, to individual students feeling inspired to take on projects themselves. For example, a second grade student decided she wanted to create Easter cards for each nursing home resident she had met as a first grade student. (First grade ministers to others by presenting a Christmas program at the nursing home each year). While she was creating these cards, an accident occurred ruining many cards and crushing her spirit. When the students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grade Mission Team heard about the accident and the effort of this one student, they stepped up and pitched in to help her finish enough cards for the nursing home residents. Sometimes God takes a seemingly “small” project to grow and inspire an entire campus. Last year, missionary Eric Wowoh presented a chapel to students and parents about the needs of
children in his homeland of Liberia. The third grade classes wrote letters and made salvation bracelets for other third grade students at the Heart of Grace Christian School in Liberia. Eric took the items and pictures of the students and brought them to Liberia. He also took a video and photographs of the Liberian children receiving these items. When he returned to Lafayette, he was able to share these very tangible moments with our students. In Eric’s update to parents and students this school year, they learned that the students and teachers do not eat all day during school. These Liberian students walk miles to school each day, but do not have food to bring with them. The teachers do not eat in front of the students, who have no food; so they also go without food all day. Our students and parents learned that for only 50 cents a brick, we could help raise funds to build the students a cafeteria so that they may be able to eat at school – potentially the only meal they will have in a day. WCA students began raising money and placing paper “bricks” on the walls of the classrooms to represent the money raised. A big gumbo pot was placed in the multi-purpose room for children to place loose coins and change and to remind them of the food that these children go without each day. In May, Mr. Wowoh returned to Lafayette to give the report that the cafeteria was 80% complete! Only $10,000 remained to bring it to completion. Our students and parents were so inspired that they raised an additional $3,000 after that presentation. They want this project completed! Mrs. Boudreaux will travel to Liberia this fall. Her deepest desire is to be the lunch lady in the newly completed cafeteria! Mrs. Boudreaux concludes, “We live with tunnel vision to our experiences here in our own little area, but God is so big and has so much going on in so many other places. I think the children need to look outside that little
tunnel and see how God is working in other places and to see the needs everywhere. The children need to understand that not everyone has a television and a computer. Our students cannot know that unless we teach them. The students and parents have been so responsive as they begin to understand the needs.”
Upper School Principal, Myr a Baker was an inspiration to all of us as she su ccessfully bat tled cancer this ye ar. At the beg inning of the school year, David H enry, a new K-5 stu dent, was in n eed of a haircut an d he decided he wanted to giv eh Baker. Mrs. Bak is locks to Mrs. e visit to the pre r made a special school to spe ak of the many chil dren and adu lts like her. In o rder to fight th just eir disease, they mu that also cause st take medicine s out. She expla their hair to fall ined that thro ugh the generosity of people like David, organiz ations like Lo cks of Love can cr eate wigs for th ose suffering from hair loss. May we all follow Dav id’s model of generosity and M rs. Baker’s mo del of faith and cou rage.
If
leadership is defined as influence, then the senior class of 2012-13 has set the pace in leading the way for the next generation of WCA athletes. This class raised the bar and set a new standard of excellence for upcoming classes to follow, reaching accomplishments only dreamed of a few years ago. What separated this class were the friendships that bonded the teams together, and the character displayed both in winning and losing. They led the way in establishing and reaching team goals, achieved individual greatness, and influenced younger athletes to help make the 2012-13 athletic year special. One of the goals established 10 years ago within the Athletic Department was to produce success across the board, competing for championships in every sport, in both boys and girls programs. During this past athletic year, every team that participated in a team sport that has a playoff system reached the playoffs. As a group, those teams reached deeper into the playoffs than any other group in Westminster history. The year was punctuated by unparalleled success during the spring season, with the girls track team bringing home WCA’s first-ever State championship, beating two-time defending State champions, Ouachita Christian, 69-60 to claim the 1A title. Alexis Milton, who won both the 100 and 200 meter dashes, and ran legs on the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays, was the meet’s Outstanding Track Performer. Other individual State champions included three-time pole vault titleholder, Emily Waguespack, freshman Courtlyn Ventress in the shot put, and the 4 x 100 relay team — Martina Wright, Hydi Kennerson, Ivy Cains and Ronnie Trahan. All 13 girls scored to help the three seniors end their high school careers on a high note. Two weeks before the State title, the girls team had claimed its 8th consecutive District title followed a week later by its 5th regional crown. The boys track team reclaimed its District title after a one-year hiatus — its 5th District title in the past six years. Not to be outdone, the girls softball team reached
the State tournament for the second straight year, reaching the semifinals for the first time in school history before bowing out to defending State champs, Archbishop Hannan. On the way to the State tournament, the team beat the State’s No. 1 seeded team, Cedar Creek, 1-0 in one of the biggest victories of the year. The baseball team also had great year, beating Opelousas Catholic, the State’s No. 3 seed, in a secondround matchup before losing a heartbreaker 4-1 the next week in the quarterfinals. Finally, Jack Tolson won the Regional Golf Tournament which qualified him for State. He finished 7th in the State competition. The fall sports began the run of success. Football finished the year 10-3 and reached the quarterfinals. The senior players set a goal when they were freshment to be the winningest group in Westminster history for a four-year period. They reached that goal with 40-wins in their high school career. Volleyball continued its successful run of playoff appearances, finishing second in District and finishing the year in the second round of State playoffs. The swim team, led by double State champion, Silas Dejean, finished seventh as a team at the State meet. Both boys and girls cross country were top seven teams at the State meet as well. Next came a very successful winter season, highlighted by a 22-win season in boys basketball — the most wins ever recorded in WCA history. The team was eliminated in the second round by defending State champs, White Castle, but that did little to minimize the season accomplishments of the team. A very young soccer team surprised many around the State with another District title and a playoff run to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual State finalist, Newman. The girls basketball team also had a fine season and reached the first round of the playoffs. Individual honors followed the team success. The biggest news came at the very end of the year, when three-sport star Jalen Williams — an
All-State football player, All-District basketball player, and All-State baseball player — signed with the Boston Red Sox organization after being drafted in the 16th round of the Major League first-year player draft. Jalen’s signing marked the first-time a WCA athlete was drafted and signed with a professional baseball team. Earlier in the year Jalen joined a number of his classmates who also signed scholarships with various colleges by inking a football/baseball scholarship with Nicholls State. Jalen’s baseball teammate, Hayden Marze, signed to continue his baseball career at LSU-Eunice. Matt Standiford (football) and Taylor Leger (softball) both signed with Louisiana College, Morgan Dennis (softball) signed with Bossier Community College, and Meaghen Myers signed for volleyball at Mississippi College. Emily Waguespack will continue her pole vault career at UL-Lafayette, and Silas Dejean is set to swim at LSU.
Teaching childre n to follow Chri st, the ultimate the Opelousas Leader, was the Elementary Div goal of ision chapels th entitled “To Be is year. The top Like Jesus” from ic al study, John Piper’s Des led all down a p iring God Minis ath of obedience tries, to the Savior. T mounted as m he beat of exci aterial progress te ment ed from solid th concepts like re eological begin generation and n in gs in conversion, to and sanctificat justification, ad ion. Such deep o ption thinking kept st est. As the twel udents rapt wit ve teachers and h interprincipal, Mr. T in preparing Po hompson swap wer Point prese p ed turns ntations, engag Monday mornin ed students wai g for opportunit te d each ies to be the fu who helped set n “guinea pig” vo the lesson on th lu n teers e path of walkin impact of lesso g in the Way. Im ns such as thes ag in e the e: “Hungering fo ing Like Jesus T r Righteousness, hrough Treasuri ” “B ec omng His Word,” an in Heaven.” Ev d “Storing Up T en the teachers re as ures of the material they would lear could not wait n — concepts lik fo r what e, “Recognizing = Worship.” Th God + Proper re ese transformin sp onse g ideas blessed sought together all with life...ev to follow the ex en as we ample of our tr ue leader...Jesu s!
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Help WCA maintai n and improve hi gh quality learning supporting Gener opportunities by ations Annual Fund . These tax dedu current student bo ctible gifts impact dy as well as thos the e generations to you may consider come. Below are designating your ar eas gifts. • Generations A nnual Fund • Leave a Legacy /Planned Giving • Donation of a Gift-in-Kind (prope rty, automobiles, • Endowment Fu etc.) nds • Memorials/Hon orariums You may mail your donation to Westm inster Christian A Institutional Advan cademy, Attn: cement, 186 Wes tminster Drive, O log onto www.don pelousas, LA 7057 orsense.org and vi 0, or ew our donor prof our affiliation with ile an d do the Community Fo nate through undation of Acadi ana.
Contact Us — www.wcala.org Opelousas Campus 186 Westminster Drive Opelousas, LA 70570 Phone: 337-948-8607 Fax: 337-948-8983
Opelousas Preschool 163 Westminster Drive Opelousas, LA 70570 Phone: 337-942-3288
Lafayette Campus 111 Goshen Lane Lafayette, LA 70508 Phone: 337-988-6489 Fax: 337-988-6340
Westminster Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and acivities generally accorded or made available to students of the organization. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other organization-administered programs.