MS/HS Talent ShowNov. 6 at 7 p.m. Grace Academy Gymnasium Christian Soldiers Club (CSC)Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.Grace Academy Gymnasium *Please note the special time.

MS/HS Christmas ConcertDec. 3 at 7 p.m.Grace Academy Gymnasium

Elementary Christmas ProgramDec. 10 at 7 p.m. Grace Academy Gymnasium

First day of school in 2016!Jan. 4Christmas Break will be from Dec. 18, 2015 - Jan. 3, 2016.

Homecoming WeekendJan. 8 - 9, 2016Grace Academy Gymnasium We welcome our alumni back to campus for our Homecoming basketball games! This year we will also have alumni volleyball and basketball games on Saturday with lunch provided.

Impacting lives internationallyby Kimber Morgan

To see senior Jarrett Choi dribbling the soccer ball down the field and encouraging his teammates, he is confident and communicates with his teammates. People may assume he’s attended Grace Academy his whole life. However, Jarrett moved to Hagerstown all the way from Seoul, South Korea just three years ago through Grace Academy’s International Student Program. “My first month in America was really stressful. I knew barely any English,” Jarrett shared. “I only knew ‘hello,’ ‘how are you?’ and ‘good.’” With the help of his host family, especially his host brother Nick Fuss, Jarrett

Spiritual Retreat impacts students’ lives by Yichang Yang and Kimber Morgan

The annual Spiritual Retreat for Grace Academy high school students took place September 16-18 at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, Maryland. About 111 high school students participated with 12 staff members.

UPCOMINGEVENTS

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photo by Kimber Morgan

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learned to speak English more fluently his first year. He began to feel right at home when he realized he could laugh and joke with his host family and friends. Now as a senior, Jarrett has learned a lot about himself as not only a student but also an athlete. Starting soccer seven years ago, Jarrett said he came to the Grace Academy team thinking he was a perfect player. However, after practicing and playing with his new team and with guidance from his coaches, Jarrett reached a new conclusion. “I needed to be more humble,” Jarrett said. “Before, I’d have temper issues because I thought coach was wrong. I thought my passes were perfect, but I learned that I’m not always a perfect player. I make mistakes, and this year, I’m trying to be more humble.” Taking on the International Student Program in 2009 was completely new for Grace Academy, but it was an undertaking with far greater impact than the board or administration could have imagined. It changed the way the school viewed its mission. “I wish everyone was able to know these international kids like I’m able to,” said international student program coordinator Amy Casto. “In talking with my students about their experience at Grace Academy, the most common response I hear is they feel loved. People are kind to them and help them. Our domestic students and host families show them the love of Christ, and that’s the ultimate fulfillment of our mission.”

DID YOUKNOW? Did you know you can give back to Grace Academy while shopping through Amazon?! It’s simple! Just log on to smile.amazon.com and designate “Grace Academy Inc.” as the organization you support. Then, shop as you normally would on Amazon, but to benefit Grace Academy, you must stay on AmazonSmile.

Any questions? Contact morgank@graceacademyapps.org.

Student field trip to museum enhances in-class learningby Paige Dawson

While looking up at the Madonna and Child by Fra Filippo Lippi, Grace Academy sophomore David Lu could not help but feel amazed by the beauty of the artwork. “The art was so beautiful.” said Lu “I loved looking at it.” On Thursday Oct 1, Ms. Chris Lane’s 10th grade World History class went on a field trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Students were given the opportunity to experience the beauty of Renaissance art first-hand. “The goal was to expose the students to art, enjoy a visit to our nation’s capitol, and expose the students to new culture in the way of food,” Ms. Lane said. “We ate at an Iranian restaurant, and it was very good!”The class participated in a guided tour of the Renaissance Collection where their guide

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS

SUPPORTERS!

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Principal Michael Cole and lead high school teacher Alex Lehman had planned a blend of outdoor activities and chapel sessions. One of the objectives for the retreat was to further build relationships between staff and students by providing fun activities they could engage in together, such as life-sized foosball, paintball and ziplining. “Pastor Sandell did an excellent job preaching at the retreat,” Principal Cole said. “He taught that faith means leaving your comfort zone and going where God leads you.” Although this year’s Spiritual Retreat brought different challenges for both students and staff, the work God accomplished during their time together cannot be ignored. Brenda Brown was unable to participate in the retreat, but after students returned on Friday, she immediately saw the impact the retreat made in students’ lives. “I felt thrilled and blessed to have one of my students come back excited about the Bible,” said Mrs. Brown. “What warmed my heart the most was that he knew where to turn in the Bible when he wanted to talk about something new he learned: how Jesus was crucified. It opened up a discussion from a class that had been passively receptive up until that point.” The hope for the Spiritual Retreat is that the relationships between staff and students continue to grow throughout the year. “The adage ‘people don’t care what you know until they know that you care’ speaks some truth,” Principal Cole said. “The hope is for the stronger relationships between staff and students, which can open doors for deeper conversations about personal faith in Christ.”

Alumni Perspective: Zack Morgan

“When I graduated from Grace Academy, I never really expected to be back here teaching five years later but had always wanted to coach the soccer team. Being back at Grace as a staff member, God’s given me a great opportunity here to impact these kids’ lives as their P.E. teacher, Bible teacher or soccer coach. It’s cool to walk with them through some of their questions about who God is. Now as a staff member, I see more of the intentional effort from all the teachers to impact these students’ lives. It makes me more thankful for my teachers and coaches at Grace when I was a student and motivates me to be faithful in teaching and coaching well. I do my part and watch God take care of the rest.”

Hannah Colvin recognized for volleyball achievementsby Veronica Bristol

Junior volleyball player Hannah Colvin from Grace Academy received a Player of the Week Award this season by the American Volleyball Association (AVCA). According to the AVCA, the Player of the Week Award is presented to individuals who are recognized for demonstrating outstanding

plays on the court through the week of competition. Colvin feels as if she has accomplished one of her many goals and has made her team proud. “I am just a very competitive person,” Colvin said. “I’m always striving to do my best and win.”Inspired by her neighborhood friends Emily and Tana, Hannah began competing in volleyball when she was in 7th grade. Since then, Hannah feels that she has grown not only physically but also spiritually while competing in the sport. Colvin practices 10 hours a week working towards making First Team All Country this year and for her team to place first this season in the Mason Dixon Christian Conference (MDCC).Colvin said she also hopes to compete at the collegiate level someday.

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photo by Kimber Morgan

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A Peek into TuitionAt Grace Academy, we are very thankful for our families and parents who believe in the value of Christian education. Our staff understand the value of a private education first-hand, as many of our staff members have chosen Grace Academy for their own children. Our board works dilligently for our parents in order to keep tuition costs as affordable as possible. However, even at full tuition per student, there is still a financial “gap.” Filling this gap relies upon the generosity of our donors each year. Please pray for our school as we wait to see how the Lord will continue to provide. Thank you for prayerfully considering how God wants to use you to impact the lives of our students at Grace Academy. Please reach out to our assistant director of marekting & development Kimber Morgan with any questions at morgank@graceacademyapps.org or 301-733-2033.

graceacademyonline.org 301-733-203313321 Cearfoss Pike Hagerstown, MD 21740

Contact

explained the development of the art and the humanistic aspects reflected through it. “In class, we are learning about the Renaissance,” said sophomore Yao Li. “So it makes sense that we would go there.” Along with learning about the art of the Renaissance, the students were also exposed to key Renaissance topics such as the Renaissance man and the humanism movement. Grace Academy students were also able to sample Middle Eastern cuisine which was a common favorite aspect of the trip. “It was the best field trip I have ever done,” said Ms. Lane. “The kids were fantastic. I thought it was a great approach to a world history field trip.”

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS

SUPPORTERS!

Questions about the Knightly News? Contact Kimber Morgan

724-614-0530morgank@graceacademyapps.org

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