“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 22:16

Other important ways our elementary students and teachers blessed the community this winter:

• The Food Orchard, a food pantry for families in need, was blessed with donations from the kindergarten classes, three year old classes, and the K4 classes of Mrs.Payne and Mrs. Williams.

• The Salvation Army of Little Rock was supplied with new or gently used towels and twin fitted sheets from Mrs. Holmes’ K4 class.

• Connie’s Home, an orphanage in Thailand, received money collected by the first and fourth graders.

• Our House had a “White Christmas” from Mrs. Rosenthal’s second grade class collection of white goods like paper towels, wipes, Kleenex, and various paper goods.

• Dorcus House received the gift of Christmas carols, spoken scriptures, and handmade Christmas cards from Mrs. Seymour’s second grade class.

• Go Near Ministry received pencils, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and small toys collected by Mrs. Williams’ second grade class.

• Rice Depot was supplied with food items that could be sent home in children’s backpacks from Mrs. Wood’s second grade class.

Our mission statement begins with the words “to serve…” Community Service is an opportunity for our

students to serve and live out the mission of Little Rock Christian Academy.

–Ann Chami, Lower School Principal

• Seven children were adopted and received Christmas gifts thanks to Mrs. Courtney’s third grade class and Mrs. Irvin’s fifth grade class.

• Pulaski County Humane Society received dog and cat food, toys, blankets, and slightly used items from Mrs. Reynolds’ third grade class.

• Feed My Starving Children and Pitza 42 will use $300.13 raised by Ms. Wilkie’s class to provide 1,200 meals to hungry children.

• Project Zero shared wrapped presents for foster boys and girls provided by Mrs. Whitesell’s third grade class.

• Residents at Parkway Village and Valley Ranch Nursing Home enjoyed Christmas carols sung by the fifth grade classes of Mrs. Dilday, Mrs. Duke, Ms. Murphy, Mrs. Walser. The fifth grade classes also delivered handmade Christmas cards that were made with their preschool buddy classes.

• During Community Service Week, the elementary school partnered with Our House in ‘Paper Heart,’ collecting 3,637 paper items to help meet the needs of homeless individuals and families.

THEWARRIORWINTER 2013

ELEMENTARY

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Matthew Buchholtz graduated from Little Rock Christian in 2004. From here, he attended the United States Air Force Academy and pursued Business Management with a four year Bachelor of Science degree. Currently residing in Sherwood, Matthew is classified as an Air Force C-130 ‘Hercules’ Pilot. He tells about his Warrior experience in his own words:

Little Rock Christian completely embraced me in those awkward high school years and made me feel welcome in a way I had never experienced in my other schools. I had the opportunity to participate in the student government along with several other debate clubs and sports during my three years. I was also able to play soccer, football, track, and cross country while attending and loved every minute of it. Our track and cross-country teams were able to make it to state my junior and senior year and we even brought home a few gold medals while we were at it. The coaches turned out to be a major influence in my life. The mental toughness and physical training I acquired during football’s summer two-a-days and those 8 mile jogs up Chenal Mountain in cross country were paramount in my experiences in Air Force

Basic Training, Survival School, and eventually Iraq and Afghanistan. Even after graduation I have found I am still using the work ethic and knowledge gleaned from LRCA. After flight schooI, I began a masters program at the University of Arkansas and have been working toward that the past several years while being home and deployed. It has been proven time and again that the simple skills of writing a research paper, taking notes in a lecture, or just making a works cited page that I learned at LRCA have been useful.

It is so tough to narrow it down to just one coach or teacher in particular because they were an all-star group while I was there. However I will never forget Mrs. Bakke’s creative writing class or how much fun I had in Mrs. Duerkop’s AP History. It was not necessarily the course material but the interaction with the teachers themselves where you found those nuggets of life lessons and bits of truth you would later recall in life. I owe so much thanks to Coach Kramer and Hawkins who both pushed me and made me a better athlete on and off the football field and Coach Swedenburg gave me the opportunity to help lead the soccer team when he made me the team captain. Those were skills they helped me develop that I am still using today as an Air Force officer leading other airmen in combat. Also when Coach Wistrand worked to build the first ever track and cross-country teams he asked me if I would come out and give running a shot. His coaching and running training have kept me running even to this day. The coaching staff was able to set me up for more success than I could have realized. While at the Academy, I graduated ranked number 12 of 1016 cadets in my class athletically. That really is not a reflection of my own abilities but a testimony to the quality of coaches that instilled in me a drive to compete. I am so grateful for their dedication to make me better.

High school gave me the academic, athletic, and spiritual tools to launch into and succeed in the world. I have used so many of the discussions and information that came out of the different Worldview classes (especially my senior year) in different engagements with people of other faiths and backgrounds. What hit me the hardest about going to college out of state was I was removed from the protective bubble of my school and my church. It there I was truly challenged to question what I believed and why I believed it. I did not realize it at the time but the teachers, coaches, and the rest of the staff were all slowly building a foundation, piece by piece, that when I was put to a test I was able to stand on solid ground.

The past two summers Matthew has been deployed with the Air Force in the Middle East. Last summer, in Iraq, he and a fellow pilot helped start a small group Bible study for the other pilots in the squadron. In Afghanistan this past summer, he started a similar group that went through Fellowship Bible Church Men’s Fraternity program with several pilots and soldiers. LRCA is proud of you, Matthew, for serving your country with integrity.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTWhere Are They Now?

Matthew Buchholtz, Alumnus, Class of 2004

If you have any alumni news, please visit www.littlerockchristian.com/alumni

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UpdateCurrent family re-enrollment is now complete!

Open enrollment has begun.

We anticipate full classes in grades 5-12 with limited space in lower elementary grades, so if you have

friends interested in the Little Rock Christian Academy experience please advise them not to delay.

For information regarding tours contact Admissions at (501)868-9822.

It is with complete gratitude and humbleness that we announce the successful completion of our Warrior Hall capital campaign goal. In December 2012, we received enough gifts and future pledges to exceed our completion goal of $500,000. It’s because of hundreds of donors partnering with us that we were able to reach this benchmark. We say a heartfelt thank you!

This marks the second consecutive successful campaign for Little Rock Christian. Our “For Such a Time as This” campaign and the “Warrior Hall” campaign have added nearly 77,000 square feet of educational space to our physical plant. Little Rock Christian is in a very sound fiscal place with the combined support of over $10,000,000 from campaign donors over the past five years and the $2,000,000 debt reduction gift from 2009.

It is now time to transition from years of capital campaigns for campus expansion and improvements into a campus enriching model. In this new model, we will feature the implementation of a variety of endowments, a robust Annual Fund, and a complete giving menu. We are excited about this fundamental switch in our advancement efforts that will strategically move us forward, building on our Blue Ribbon in the areas of academics, arts and athletics.

ADMISSIONS AND ADVANCEMENT

Warrior Hall Update

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His Mission

We are here to build a great football program that represents Little Rock Christian Academy in a way that God will be pleased.

His Coaching Philosophy

I love to work with young men to set goals, work toward reaching those goals, and helping them grow along the way. I believe deep in my heart that if all a young man learns while going through our program is how to block and tackle, then we have failed miserably. But if we use football to teach life lessons they will take them with them forever. Along the way, we work very hard to win as many games as possible.

Our X’s and O’s on the field will be an aggressive brand of ball. Offensively we will operate from a four wide, shotgun formation. We never huddle and change up the pace of play to keep the defense off balance. We are usually very balanced in the run pass ratio. Defensively, we will be multiple so we can match up with all the different offenses we see these days. I believe in being aggressive but simple on defense. We will line up in a sound defense, be good tacklers, and swarm the football. I also put a huge emphasis on special teams. We will work hard at special teams to separate us from our competition.

His Life Philosophy

I believe God expects us to all be the best at what we do in all phases of our life. I strive to be the best Christian, husband, father, son, coach, etc. I come up short of my best way too often. However, the longer I am striving for the best, the better I become at achieving the best. I believe I have a huge responsibility to be a Christian influence on my family, as well as the young people in our school. Hopefully they see me as someone living his life as a walk with God.

His Discipline

We require a huge commitment out of the young men who participate in our program. This commitment requires not only time but also sweat, tears, etc. We teach commitment and responsibility every day through our program. I don’t require notes from home or from the doctor, I simply want a young man to look me in the eye and communicate with

me. We have a few team rules that we deal with on an individual basis from time to time. For the most part we teach the young men to live by the following Warrior football priorities: 1-God/Church 2- Family 3-Academics 4- Football 5-Everything else

When we buy into these priorities we have very few problems.

GETTING TO KNOW WARRIOR FOOTBALL HEAD COACH

Jeff Weaver

ATHLETICS

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Archery: Congratulations to the High School Archery team for qualifying for the Arkansas State Archery Tournament.

Warrior Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Reaches Milestone Coach Skip Sanford reached his 100th win as Warriors Girls’ Basketball Coach. Last month, this milestone was reached as Little Rock Christian defeated Pulaski Academy. Coach Sanford is currently in his fifth year as head coach. During this time, his Lady Warriors have earned state runner-up, state semi-finals and conference titles. He has also been named Conference Coach of the Year.

Boys: HS 4-217th 15-0 8th 10-69th 8-7

5A SW All-Conference:Cole Hendrixson

Winter SPORTS RECAP

Basketball Homecoming

Girls: HS 19-97th 4-108th 13-29th 3-12

2nd in ConferenceState Qualifier

5A All-State:Rachel Ruddell and Carlee Earls

5A All-Conference:Rachel Ruddell, Carlee Earls, and Molli Pugh

4th in District

State Qualifiers South All-District:Caitlyn PowellSydney PowellErin WoodwardShelby Spooner

Warrior Awards:Madison Daughertyand Jess Smith

4th in State

5A All-State:Hunter JonesKevin KnoxBen ThompsonJoseph Bentley

Individual State Champ:Hunter Jones

Warrior Award:Daniel Perez

All Americans:Sarah HutsonMary Claire ThomasLauren Ledbetter

BASKETBALL

SWIMMING

WRESTLINGCHEER

Warrior Awards: Dylan Coney and Rachel Ruddell

Athletic Signings: Dedicated Warriors signed athletic scholarships this winter. Randi Ferguson- Cross Country- University of Oklahoma; Todd Alan McDonald- Golf- Washington and Lee University; Mark Guffin- Track & Field/Shotput- University of Alabama; Markie Schaedig- Volleyball – Arkansas State University

Homecoming Queen 2013: Ashley Fleming

Swimming: Congrats girls 200 free relay for medaling at the state swim meet at UALR and for making it all the way to state in individual events and the 200 medley relay.

Erin Woodward, 9th grade, Caitlyn Powell 11th, Shelby Spooner, 11th, Sydney Powell, 9th

Wrestling: Warrior Wrestlers took 4th overall in state competition. Hunter Jones— Individual State Champion Kevin Knox-- 2nd place; Ben Thompson--2nd; Joseph Bentley--2nd; Aaron Hurlbut--5th; Zack Winston--5th; Tolu Amole--6th

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Dates: April 10th-14thAll shows held in the EAC

Ticket prices: $10 adults; $8 students

Drama This winter, the LRCA Drama Department put on a tremendous show at Robinson Auditorium. In collaboration with Warrior Band, choirs and orchestra, over 200 LRCA Fine Arts students entertained a crowd of over 800 people with their rendition of a 1940’s radio show production of “A Christmas Carol”. The appreciative crowd gave all the performers a rousing standing ovation to show their appreciation of the quality performances by all the fine arts students. The night ended with a spectacular light show and a beautiful version of the Trans Siberian Orchestra.

In the spring, the drama department will be performing the all-time favorite, Beauty and the Beast. This cast of over 50 students will be the largest yet to work on Little Rock Christian’s stage. The costumes are authentic, straight from The Repertory Theatre in downtown Little Rock, showcasing the enchanted characters and making the production a genuinely professional presentation.

Wednesday, APRIL 10th

3:00pm*

Thursday, April 11th

7:00pm

Friday, April 12th

7:00pm

Saturday, April 13th

2:00pm and 7:00pm

Sunday, April 14th

2:00pm

* We would like to encourage

parents of young children

to park and come to the

preview show after early

release, Non-driving students

may also extend their day

by attending this afternoon

performance.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS ON-LINE AT www.littlerockchristian.com

FINE ARTS

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All-State Choir Students from all across the state of Arkansas who had obtained chairs in the All Region Choirs gathered near Russellville to take part in the All State Choir auditions. Of these 800 students, 45 students on each voice part were chosen to be in the All State Choir, and two of our Little Rock Christian students were chosen. Congratulations to Emily Jones and Elliot Jones for making the All-State Choir!

Warrior Musician Honored Luke Snyder was named Best in Region for French horn- 1st Band,1st Chair of the Senior High All Region Band.

Warrior Artist Honored Sarah Hutson, senior, was accepted in the 52nd Young Arkansas Artists show sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Center.

Visual Arts students excel in Thea Foundation competitionLittle Rock Christian senior and junior artists who won awards include:

Seniors: Catherine Bostwick (4th place $2,500 scholarship) Sarah Hutson (8th place $2,000 scholarship)

Juniors: Haley Jones (1st place $100 cash prize) Taylor Ferguson (3rd place $100 cash prize), Erin Bell (Honorable Mention)

art by Sarah Hutson

art by Catherine Bostwick art by Sarah Hutson art by Haley Jones

Warrior Band Soars in Scores The Warrior concert band scored a second division- excellent rating during invitational competition.

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J-Term group in front of the Cliffs of Moher on the western coast of Ireland

Dr. and Mrs. Gary Arnold

touring Italy

ACADEMICS

The J-TERM Experience 2013J-Term 2013 was an exciting session of trips, classes and internships.

Students who chose trips traveled for both educational and mission experiences. Educational trips to Italy and Ireland allowed the students to visit museums, observe amazing architecture, and learn about the culture firsthand. Others served on mission trips to the Bahamas and Jamaica helping with construction, working with children, and providing Bible study and worship opportunities as they became the hands and feet of Christ.

For those who did not travel, classes and internships offered a number of choices to students. Internships provide a unique opportunity to observe and experience a working professional’s life allowing students to see the not so obvious parts of particular career choices. These experiences aid in career decisions, and more importantly, provide a great venue for discovering how God has uniquely gifted, equipped, or prepared our students. Still others chose classes such as New Testament Exegesis, Perspectives, Russian Literature and Culture, Scuba Diving, Our House local missions, Geology of Arkansas, Gospel Choir and more.

Bahamas J-Term trip students performed skits and songs with the elementary students at P.A. Gibson Primary School

in Hatchett Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

9

Kristen Curtis – Teaching internship at Pearl Harbor Elementary in Hawaii

Stock Market Game: Economics Arkansas LRCA placed 2nd in region and 3rd in state.

Shelby Spooner – Culinary local baking internship with Sweet Love Bakery

Teacher Mrs. Susie Thompson, Joseph Bentley, Ben Thompson and Nathan Bentley. (Not pictured: William Goodrich)

Quick Facts: Did you know that LRCA has 1,050 graduates? Our students ACT average is 26.5

Blue Ribbon Celebration Little Rock Christian students and administrators on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol

Yearbook Award The Warrior - Best Writing award, Jostens Regional Yearbook Camp; Included in Jostens’ prestigious 2012 Gotcha Covered Look Book celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and creation.

Yearbook Staff

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This was LRCA’s first year to participate in the Future Business Leaders of America competitive events at University of Central Arkansas. Little Rock Christian participated in twelve events at the district level and placed in eight. Our ten winners will go on to compete at the state level in April, with a chance to move on to national competition this June in California.

Upperclassmen:

Global business team: 1st place-Nathan Bentley, Ben Thompson, William GoodrichBusiness Calculus: 3rd place-Todd Alan McDonaldPersonal finance: 4th place-Jacob PratherEconomics: 5th place-Kyle BaerAccounting: 5th place-Preston Evans

9th -10th grade events: Intro to Business Communications: Spencer Burton-4th placePublic Speaking: Ashlyn Underwood-5th placeBusiness Math: Cooper Lair-2nd place

Senior, Ariel Blackwood, was recently awarded the Gold Key for the Southwest Region of the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest, enabling her senior portfolio to continue up the ladder to be judged at the national level. Mrs. Teresa Walker, high school English teacher and her sponsor, explained “We will know the results by the middle of March. We ask that you pray for God’s will to be done in the national judging.” Ariel’s works were individually acknowledged with five silver keys and two honorable mentions.

FBLA L to R back to front: Todd Alan McDonald, Kyle Baer, William Goodrich, Nathan Bentley, Preston Evans, Ashlyn Underwood, Jacob Prather, and Spencer Burton

NCTE Staff

ACADEMICS

Jr. High Quiz Bowl Regional Champs 9th grade Cooper Lair and Ragan Hall

NCTE Literary Magazine Competition Fire and Feathers literary magazine received Excellent ratings by the NCTE organization.

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IMPORTANT DATESMarch 18-22 Spring Break- no school 29 Good Friday- no school

April 4 Father-Daughter dance 5 Parent/Teacher conferences (no school for Elementary) 6 Meet Me at the Cross Event 10-14 Spring Musical- Beauty and the Beast 26 Grandparent’s Day- early dismissal for Elementary (no school for Middle School and High School)

Prom 27 Mr. LRCA 29-May 3 Fine Arts Week

May 7 Last day for seniors/Warrior Walk/HS Honors night 24 Last day of school- dismiss 1pm/ Graduation

An evening of promise and purpose benefiting Little Rock Christian AcademyPTF’s First Annual “Meet Me at the Cross” Event

Saturday, April 6, 2013 6-11pm Wildwood Park for the Arts

“Meet Me at the Cross” will be an evening for current families, alumni families and business partners to celebrate our year together and look to what our future. There will be hors’ d’oeuvres, dinner, and live entertainment by Canvas, along with a live and silent auction. Art from local artists, staff, parents and students, will be on display and available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.littlerockchristian.com or contact co-chairs Karen McCarver (heath777@comcast.net) or Beverly Hall (bhall3@sbcglobal.net).

BEST VALUE! Auction Bundle--$70

Bundle includes 2 tickets to event,

one tuition raffle ticket and one free

tuition raffle ticket!

$25 per person Ticket purchase includes dinner, live

music and participation in both our

silent and live auctions

TUITION RAFFLE $20 per ticket or

3 for $50 Minimum of $1500 with maximum of

$8300, Winnings increase with number

of purchases

FEE RAFFLE $5 per ticket or 5 for $20

One lucky winner will be chosen in

elementary and middle schools ($635

value), and one from high School

($690 value).

Ticket Options

Department Direct lines

Admissions 410-1462

Billing 975-3435

Elementary 410-1465

Middle School 975-3425

High School 975-3416

Athletics / Warrior Club 975-3432

PTF 680-2039

Fine Arts 580-2499

Registrar / Records 975-3436

Learner Services 975-3458

Alumni Relations / Giving 975-3430

College Guidance 975-3441

Technology 975-3442

Littlerockchristian.com

Main Line

Website

868-9822

CONTACT US DIRECTLY

SUMMERProgram2013

LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Little Rock Christian Academy19010 Cantrell RoadLittle Rock, AR 72223

Bring the whole family to this LRCA Fine Arts production April 10th-14th. Details page 6

Summer Program Now Availablewww.littlerockchristian.com