Seventy-Two Seniors Awarded Diplomas 40 Years: Reflections by Dr
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Summer 2012 The VikingLakeland Christian School Seventy-Two Seniors Awarded Diplomas 40 Years: Reflections By Dr. Mike Sligh, Headmaster t has been my privilege to serve at LCS for the past forty Joys – The apostle I years. Sustained service in one place allows one to see John wrote, “I have God’s hand at work over the long haul. Perhaps that is the no greater joy than to best perspective from which to view God’s faithfulness to hear that my children His people and to a school. walk in truth.” The Progress – LCS has come a long way since the benefit of being in one three-acre campus in 1972 housing 282 students, school over time affords including the first graduating class (1973) of 10. Today’s the opportunity to see 27-acre campus, 988 students and graduating classes of graduates not only 75-85 students provides a much different experience. walking in truth, but There is no more marked change over the years than influencing others to the strength of the faculty and the academic program do the same. We are provided by the school. Academic delighted to see many opportunities continue to expand of our more recent “I am continually for the wide range of learners graduates exercising served on the LCS campus. Alumni their faith and influence energized by the joyful from those early classes have on a wide variety of challenge of passing their share of engineers, doctors, campuses around the country. Their encouragement and care for on the faith to the lawyers, business leaders, ministers, incoming LCS alums is very gratifying as well. professors and scientists. Today’s Last year Mary and I were privileged to stay in the home of next generation, and graduates are even better prepared Rev. Rusty and Stephanie Savage (both from LCS Class of ‘81) in I marvel at all they for further study. Examples include Platte City, Missouri. Rusty has completed twenty years of ministry Kathryn Kimball, Class of 2005, to that congregation. He and his wife and family have been used are accomplishing! ” who recently graduated #1 in by the Lord to have impact that stretches around the world. her class from law school at the Bruce and Laura (Class of 1988) Edgar serve in church University of Florida. Wes Johnson, leadership training, camp and educational ministry in Honduras, Class of 2002, returns occasionally to LCS to encourage while Rachel Hurley (Class of 2000) serves with Wycliffe in our upper-level math and physics students in his role as Southeast Asia. These are merely a representative sample of a NASA space scientist. those in ministry. The development of the fine arts program has been We rejoice as well in the many LCS graduates who have notable as well. Both the performing and visual arts grasped that whatever their vocational calling, they can advance have flourished under outstanding faculty leadership. God’s kingdom by doing all to the glory of God. They are pursuing The profile of the athletic program has been radically their vocations with redemptive purpose. I regularly cross paths enhanced with the addition of football and Viking with graduates who are not only serving in a variety of careers, Stadium. A growing number of LCS athletes participating but those who are serving their families at home, pouring their on NCAA Division I rosters reveals the rising level of energies into raising children with the goal of seeing young hearts talent and coaching at LCS. bent toward the Savior and equipped to influence others to do The transformation of the campus with the beautiful the same. facilities that have been recently added has provided our There are also many joyful reflections as we consider the wonderful faculty the opportunity to do their best work. opportunities we have had to come along side students and continued on page 8 MISSION STATEMENT — The mission of Lakeland Christian School is to educate students in the light of God’s word to equip them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship. WRAP-UP CAMPAIGN What if: and then... he beautiful and spacious Elementary/Middle School classrooms people gave … and they gave … and they gave. T didn’t exist, and students were crammed in the small rooms in the Through today, 589 people have given 4,547 aging, original campus structures? What if the large parking lot didn’t gifts to make it happen. The contributions have exist, and cars were wedged in any available sliver of space? What if the been large and small. The school has received well-appointed playgrounds weren’t there to provide needed recreation its first-ever seven-figure gifts, seven of them in for the elementary students? all. LCS has also received $5 gifts toward this Hard to imagine, isn’t it? In fact, it’s practically unthinkable. LCS campaign. The widow’s mite, for sure. students and families have been blessed beyond measure with some of The expansion enjoyed by all … the new the finest school facilities in all of West Central Florida. However, with building, parking, new main entrance, Early the expansion completed now for four years, many school families Childhood (K4/K5) Center and Viking Stadium may even take for granted these amazing campus resources. It’s just … totals $23 million of newness for our students. something that happens with the passage of time. It’s a tremendous home away from home, where Take a moment … right now … and consider how these facilities children and young people spend most of their have blessed your family, how the educational process has been waking day. enhanced in that teachers have more than adequate space and resources Now, get this – an amazing $21.3 million to do their very best work. Realize that the ultimate beneficiaries are the has been given. That’s right, the entire capital children and young people who study in these classrooms. expansion, the largest in the school’s 57-year With that now in mind, please understand that this necessary history, has been funded through private giving. expansion was only made possible through the grace of God and the From people like you and me. That also means open-hearted generosity of people – ministry partners who gave to we’re not done asking you to give. But, praise the make it all happen. Lord, we’re down to needing only $1.7 million Realizing the critical need for expansion, the school’s Board of to pay for all that we’re enjoying and, perhaps, Directors enthusiastically moved forward with the Deliver the Dream have come to take for granted. campaign to take LCS where it had never been before. The project was This is the time, heading into the fall of begun well before even half the financing was secured through private 2012, for “all hands to be on deck.” Now, more donations. That’s how convinced the Board was that the school needed than ever, is when we need every school family, to provide for families. grandparent and all those connected to LCS to give toward the wrap-up effort, which we are calling the Dream Come True wrap-up campaign. People gave generously to make it a reality; now, we need to finish paying for it! Please, consider right now your role in making this dream come true. LCS has never been better, and students are immensely blessed by the campus resources they use each day. If you haven’t given, will you step up and join those who gave early on? If you’ve given, will you please give toward the wrap-up? Again, this is a critical proposition for everyone. To discuss your participation, please contact Steve Wilson, LCS Director of Advancement, at [email protected], or by calling 863/688-2771. 1 School Auction Raises Awareness of, Support for Financial Aid Bidders listened with great anticipation The evening concluded with a 16-item live auction, as silent auction winning bids were conducted by LCS Board Member and auctioneer read mid-way through the evening. extraordinaire Jay Mueller. He was assisted by auctioneer The excitement then reached crescendo Mike Garner, who is also a school parent. Attendees during the lively and competitive live competed for hunting trips, sports tickets, the opportunity auction. Many of the more than 400 to spend the day with Sheriff Grady Judd, among other fun attendees went home with fabulous items, hunting and items and excursions. However, the hottest item of the evening fishing expeditions and luxury vacation accommodations. was a football signed by brothers and NFL stars Peyton and Eli However, the real winners on Friday, April 13, were the Manning, both of whom have been Super Bowl MVPs. many families benefitting from financial aid at Lakeland The event also included all-you-can-eat hamburgers and Christian School. The second annual Bids, Burgers & All That hot dogs, with a mashed potato bar, along with homemade Jazz auction raised more than $60,000 for the school’s banana pudding. Background music during the silent auction Financial Aid Fund, which provides tuition assistance for new was provided by a jazz ensemble. The auction is the school’s and current families at the school. Due to the generosity of the primary special event and was enjoyed by parents, students, bidders, many children and young people will be able to be at grandparents and many guests, who were generous in their Lakeland Christian for the 2012-13 school year. support of the school’s financial aid efforts. God’s grace and provision were abundant during this Congratulations to the volunteer auction committee of special evening at Lakeland’s First Presbyterian Church.