FBTministries.org/academy/newspaperPatriot • FairfaxBaptistTempleAcademy PressDEC 2015

The junior and senior high choirs sing “O Holy Night” SCHOOL-WIDE EVENT in the concert finale. Christ the Savior is Born The academy Christmas concert rekindles the meaning of Christmas by Enoch P, sophomore The choirs did several unique things, A not-so-silent night n Dec. 10, the entire school came to- such as the elementary singing a Spanish Jr. and sr. high choirs raise the roof at the Ogether to perform some outstanding Christmas song and the junior high having music at the academy Christmas concert. several soloists. The senior high had both a National Christmas tree at the Ellipse From the preschool all the way up through men’s choir and women’s choir along with by Annie C, senior the seniors, everyone had a role to fill. more a cappella songs being sung. “Singing at the Ellipse is such a great op- Whether it was singing in the choir or play- “We are continuing to sing more a cappel- he academy’s junior and senior high portunity to get out in the community and ing in the orchestra, many great songs were la music, which shows tremendous growth,” Tchoirs sang at the National Christmas do something that is really fun. I always love played and everyone had a joyous time. This said Ms. Peterbark, choir director. Tree in Washington D.C. on Saturday, Dec. taking pictures afterwards with the monu- year’s theme was “Christ the Savior is Born” Overall the atmosphere after the concert 11. The performance that night included ments in the back,” said Alexis, junior, with and the message was carried out very well. was very positive, and both the students and songs featuring the senior high, junior high, a smile. “So much of the time, even within our parents were pleased with the performance. men’s groups, women’s groups, and a spe- After the performance, the students school community, we tend to put so much “The best part of the Christmas concert cial girl’s group singing an arrangement of handed out tracts as they went back to buses. emphasis on decorating for Christmas, in- was everything,” said Evin, freshman. “White Christmas.” After getting through D.C. traffic and arriv- stead of emphasizing the greatest gift of “My favorite part of the concert was “My favorite song was ‘Sing we now of ing back at school, the singers were rewarded God, our savior. So this year for Christmas, when all the guys stood in the aisle, started Christmas’ and I was so excited to have the with hot chocolate and cookies. I picked songs centered around the birth of singing, and made a well-done entrance. But experience,” said Santrell, senior. Even though the weather did not model Christ,” said Ms. Peterbark, choir director. both the guys and girls sounded great!” said Back at the school an hour or so before the ideal winter wonderland, the junior and The program consisted of a variety of mu- Payton, freshman. the performance, students hustled to the senior high choirs still brought the Christmas sic. The elementary, junior, and senior high “The part that stood out most for me was buses, where Mrs. Darby gave each student spirit and true reason for the season to Wash- orchestras played many amazing songs, and when the senior high choir sang Oh Holy a mini candy cane to hold them through un- ington, D.C. the addition of new instruments in the ele- Night because we all sang for the Lord and til after the performance. Once in D.C., the mentary added to the concert. At the end, we sang with our hearts,” said Jacqueline, students and spectators disembarked from the audience sang along with the senior high sophomore. the buses and pushed their way around the orchestra and choir which was fantastic. “Even though I go to the Christmas con- extremely packed space around the National “The orchestras sounded great!” said Mrs. cert every year, I am always blown away by Christmas tree. With the weather so mild, it Castilla, orchestra director. how well they sound,” said Mrs. Dyck, par- was unusually crowded, and singing at the “I liked the loud part in ‘O come, O ent. Ellipse this year was considerably different come,’ when Garrett and Matthew played Everyone did a wonderful job. But more than the past frigid nights that the students [the trumpet]. It was spot on!” said Kristyn, important than the songs is the real reason have sung. sophomore, referring to the trumpets in the for Christmas. Jesus Christ came down to “I thought it was beautiful. I honestly orchestra. earth to save us from our sins. He is the real think it was like we were down in Florida,” “The Christmas Concert sounded good,” reason for Christmas. said Andrew, 7th grade. said Joshua, 8th grade. The warm weather produced a great turn- out at the tree. The overall time of the per- formance was about thirty minutes, includ- ing Ms. Peterbark’s solo of “I Wonder as I Wander.” Ms. Peterbark sang, “I Wonder as I Wander” at the Christmas concert at the Ellipse.

The K4 through 3rd grade elementary choir sang beautifully, much to the delight of all of the parents The 3rd-4th grade Orff ensemble had a great opportunity to show parents and visitors the beautiful music who did their best to capture the event with their iPhones and iPads. that they can now create with the new instruments purchased from the Patriot Press funds. Patriot Press Page 2

Mrs. Fea demonstrates the lab experiment JR/SR HIGH to the 8th grade science class. Lab teaches hands-on New teacher spotlight: The new science labs are a hit with the students by Hart Z, freshman Miss Koechig very Thursday, the junior and senior high “My favorite lab was when we got to Estudents go a little further down the left make our own Mr. Potato Heads,” said Sa- FBTA gains a new ray of sunshine hallway of the “Y” to get to the science lab for vannah, 7th grade. The students were able their special lab class taught by Mrs. Fea. Lab to choose different kinds of eyes, hair, and “It’s cool that we have a holiday every- by Hart Z, freshman class is where the students apply what they other features based on the particular DNA day,” said Reem. have been learning in science class to real-life sequence they were given. ue to some teacher reschuffling over “She gives us candy and lets us watch vid- scenarios. “Learning is much more interesting and this past summer, FBTA was in need of eos,” said Jonathan [educational videos, we D “I enjoy doing lab with my classmates be- stimulating when it is hands-on, said Mr. a new 5th grade teacher, and Mr. Bradford are quick to add]. cause it is very hands-on, and it will prepare Bradford, school administrator. “The people hired Miss Koechig to fill that role. She loves Miss Koechig tries to keep the class in- me for future career choices,” said Enoch, who do more hands-on work usually learn teaching and has a passion for kids. teresting by including reading contests and sophomore. the most, and I want the kids to have as “I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, learning fun ways to ascend a staircase. Students have done labs using micro- many opportunities as possible.” and I majored in elementary education at “I also love to inspire students to culti- scopes, Bunsen burners, and scales. Some of The addition of a lab class is one of several Bob Jones University,” said Miss Koechig. vate the love of learning through reading the lessons are measuring the acceleration of improvements the academy has made as a re- “I love to make crafts, play the piano, read by entering the various worlds presented in a rolling ball, burning sugar, getting the salt sult of the increased enrollment this year. The Shakespeare, write, and shop.” books,” said Miss Koechig. out of salt water, seeing onion cells through a administration is still looking into adding an One of the unique activities in Miss Miss Koechig is a great addition to our microscope, and measuring M&M’s. art class at some point in the near future. Koechig’s class is that the 5th grade has a hol- academy staff and has already become very iday every day­—such as cookie day, dog day, involved in the work here at FBTA as well as shooting star day, and baked bread day. in her students’ lives.

Unwrapping Christmas

“I play in the snow or play with my traditions Christmas presents,” said Kaitlyn, kindergar- by Caleb D, freshman The 4th grade visits the White House and the Washington Monument ten. ELEMENTARY for one of their field trips. any people do something that is spe- “Sometimes I help my mom with the or- Mcial to them every Christmas. Some naments for the tree,” said Sydney, kinder- people visit family, sing songs, hang stock- garten. Fantastic field trips ings, or read the Christmas story to build up “We visit our relatives and have a good Recent elementary field trips the suspense just before opening presents, time with them,” said Enoch, sophomore. but mainly just to remember the reason for “We three kids camp out around the tree by Jason U, senior The 3rd grade took a trip to the Children’s the season. on Christmas Eve, tell stories, and shake our change in the academy that has hap- Science Center, the 5th grade visited the “I like opening presents under the tree,” presents all night trying to guess what they Apened this year is that each class is en- Koshland Museum and the Ford’s Theatre, said Emma, kindergarten. are,” said Connor, freshman. couraged to have at least three field trips. and the 4th grade had a very special Christ- Recently the 6th graders took a field trip to mas tour of the White House and some of is a student-run newspaper of Fairfax Baptist Temple Academy Shenandoah Caverns. the monuments just this week. Patriot Press and is published once a month during the academic year. “My favorite part was the restaurant Spe- When asked about the difference between lunker’s,” said Heath, 6th grade. “We had elementary and junior and senior high field Journalism Advisor Senior Editors Contributing Editors burgers there and we also went and got some trips, Mr. Bradford stated, “The difference Mrs. Deanna Dyck Annie C Millie R Mackenzie H Arianna V frozen custard.” between the two field trips is context. We Newspaper Editor Nathan P Abby S The 2nd grade recently took a trip to are not going to send the high school to the Hope Z Caleb D Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA. pumpkin patch,” said Mr. Bradford jokingly. Jason U Yearbook Editor Carlie M Connor D “My favorite part of the farm field trip It was a wonderful idea to add more field Victoria R Haven Z Hart Z was going to the pumpkin patch,” said Oli- trips to each grade this year. Field trips give Enoch P ver, 2nd grade. “We were able to see a bunch the opportunity for a class to get out of the of differently-shaped gourds. The little every-day school environment and still get a ©2015 by Fairfax Baptist Temple, 6401 Missionary Lane, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 shaped pumpkins were called ‘baby bears.’” great education. The Patriot Press is available electronically on our website at FBTministries.org/Academy/Newspaper. Patriot Press Page 3 Fairfax gets festive Students are buzzing over the Christmas parties on Friday furling the red carpet. Eighth grade is hosting by Victoria R, senior the Fifa world cup tournament right here in hristmas. A word that sets children off Fairfax. Ninth grade is going retro — throw- Cin a tizzy of joy and excitement, puts back to the 50s! Tenth grade is waking up for mothers into an anxiety attack of long hours Christmas morning. Eleventh grade is hang- at the mall, fathers into losing their hair over ing out in a mountain lodge. And twelfth bills, and students stressed with upcoming fi- grade is throwing a sleepover. nals and projects due. “I’m looking forward to our Mountain This may be what rushes through some Lodge theme and to seeing everyone else’s people’s minds, but Christmas is a time of themes. We are going to have a Christmas celebration for the birth of Christ, the reason photo booth in our section so that should be we have hope. Take a breath. The Christmas a lot of fun!” said Carlie, junior. season doesn’t have to be a whirlwind of cra- The student council has made plans to ziness. switch things up a bit this year. There will be Before relatives arrive and the serious so many different activities. baking gets started, enjoy the school-wide “This year, each class is heading up a booth Christmas parties on Dec. 18. After the . . . every twenty minutes, the classes will be Mrs. Boyd and Hope, senior, Christmas chapel, elementary grades will cel- able to switch with another for the chance pose for the camera ebrate with their teachers in their classrooms to play nine-square, take photos in a photo All wrapped up with the two-headed sweater. while the 7th through 12th graders will be booth, or even play classic board games,” said throwing their themed parties in the gymna- Nathan, student council president. The “ugliest” Christmas party sweater yet sium. For all ages there are games and food But who are we kidding? Christmas isn’t and fun. by Nathan, senior all about the presents, the food, or the parties. “It was a lot of fun to take pictures with “Every year I enjoy the Christmas party. Come join the people you know and love for his year’s Christmas party for the teens people in the two-headed sweater,” said I’m sorry I’m going to miss it my senior year, a great time on the last day of school! was one to remember! With activities Mackenzie, senior. “One person would try to but for everyone still going, have a great time T “[It’s] such a great time to be with friends including a white elephant gift exchange, a turn around make the other person fall to the and merry Christmas!” said Mackenzie, se- and laugh,” said Arianna, junior. photo booth with two-headed sweaters, and, ground.” nior. So relax a bit before the holiday break of- of course, plenty of food, the teens were not Bro. Boyd, youth minister, thought that The themes this year promise to be enter- ficially begins. There is something wonderful going to fall asleep during this party. the whole white elephant experience was taining and engaging. Seventh grade is un- for each person. You won’t want to miss out! “The white elephant was really fun, even quite hectic with all of the vicious senior though people kept stealing my iTunes gift high students going after the “good” gifts of card,” said Arianna, junior. “The ugly sweater another. booth was a lot of fun as well! The wigs didn’t “I was really surprised by the variety of fit over my poof which made it even funnier.” gifts and how cutthroat people were in taking Probably the funniest part of the night gifts from the junior high,” Bro. Boyd said, was the photo booth. Mrs. Boyd bought a with a laugh. double-headed sweater that everyone en- With all the laughs and memories made, joyed trying on and posing in for the camera. it was definitely a night to remember. So if Plenty of wigs and other ugly sweaters were you missed it, be sure to come to the next there to accessorize the teen fashions. teen activity that is on the calendar! Putting students to SENIORS the test: A SAT-ire Juniors and seniors take a test worth examination by Abby S, junior a purportedly intense exam, not relieved n scheduled days in November and De- and relaxed. It’s a well-known fact that trau- Ocember, some FBTA students joined matization is the only sure proof of profes- other juniors and seniors across the nation sionalism. Any test that’s truly worth its salt in taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), should be excruciating, not bearable! which is designed to measure students’ readi- SAT scores are renowned (or infamous) ness for college-level academics. for their importance in college admissions; Most people would think that this stan- however, if the test itself is actually fun, how dardized test, lasting almost four hours long, do we know that our students are prepared is nothing to look forward to. But strangely, for college? If we don’t challenge this genera- The crazy white elephant gift exchange became competitive when there were Apple gift cards on the line. the test received glowing reviews. tion to complete even more nerve-wracking “I thought, before I went in, that it was tests, will they really be prepared for their going to be much worse than I expected. But future? Mark my words, any test that doesn’t then I did well,” said David, senior. leave students begging for mercy is not chal- Though the test required students to solve lenging enough. In a few years, students will difficult math problems, analyze literary pas- likely be doing tests like the SAT for fun! sages, and write developed essays – all under What will colleges do then? a tight time limit – it seems that by the end Strangely, the students themselves don’t of the test, students felt more pleased than seem to be resentful about the SAT’s un- pressured. realized potential for heightened difficulty. “It was really nerve-wracking because peo- While surprised, we should applaud them ple make it a big deal and it kind of deter- for such a positive – and downright con- mines if you’ll get into college,” said Millie, tented – outlook. senior. “But once you take it you feel good “I was very satisfied with the scores that about it.” I got,” said Hannah, junior. Hannah, junior, agreed vehemently. “I This kind of optimism may be confusing was so happy when it was over,” she said. to those of us burdened with anxiety about See? Students felt GOOD after taking the the greater issue, but it’s certainly admirable. dreaded test! Whatever the future might hold for these It’s hard not to be suspicious about such students, it seems that one thing is clear: the favorable reactions. After all, we’d expect our SAT may have tested their No. 2 pencils, students to be emotionally scarred after such but it’s no true judge of their potential. Ricky, junior, decides to go solo in the photo booth with the double-headed sweater. Patriot Press Page 4

Seventh graders pose for a class photo outside of Accurate Printing. Mrs. Rodriguez and the 7th and 8th grade English class visit Accurate Printing Leaving class?!? to see how the church tracts and flyers are printed. Field trips have become a highlight for junior and senior high by Mackenzie, senior, and Hart, freshman On the same day that the juniors and his year, much to the students’ delight, seniors went to the Library of Congress, the TMr. Bradford is implementing more freshmen and sophomores had the opportu- field trips into the students’ schedules, with nity to visit the National Building Museum. each junior and senior high classing taking at “It was a really great opportunity to be least three field trips during the year. able to go to the National Building Muse- “We want learning to be more hands on,” um and get more of a visual about the things said Mr. Bradford, school administrator. “We that we’re learning about in class,” said Julie, live in a great area with many opportunities, freshman. so we want to take advantage of that. We The 7th and 8th grade classes went to Ac- want learning to be from more than just a curate Printing to learn how a printing press book.” operates and how fliers and tracts from FBT The juniors and seniors recently went on are put together, printed, cut, boxed and a field trip to the Library of Congress. shipped. The staff walked them through the “I liked being able to see the history entire process from concept to delivery. behind everything,” said Arjuna, senior. “I “It was great to learn how the company prints and manufactures posters and signs,” heard a lot about it but actually seeing it was Freshmen learn some of the finer points of architecture really cool.” said Holden, 7th grade. by putting together their own structure at the National Building Museum. Some people loved the architecture and “Most people think printing is done by beauty of the building while others were sim- just choosing ‘print’ on your computer,” ply excited to be around thousands of books. said Mrs. Dyck, journalism teacher. “But for “When I entered the room with books 50,000 copies of a flier or newspaper, that that passed hands with Thomas Jefferson, I just wouldn’t be practical. It was good for the was overwhelmed,” said Arianna, junior. “I students to see a press operating on a large- started crying — it was so beautiful!” scale production.” The group in general agreed that their fa- The opportunity to go on more field trips vorite part was probably not what was in the this year has been a wonderful change for all Library of Congress, but below it. of the students. “One really cool thing we got to do that most people don’t get to do is we went into the tunnels under the library,” said Carlie, junior. “A lady that worked with Arjuna’s aunt took us through the tunnels to see plac- es where National Treasure was filmed, the room where atlases are stored, and the orig- inal card catalog for all of the books held in the library.” “I really enjoyed going underground to see the archives and atlases of the Unit- ed States,” said Ricky, junior. “The room Mrs. Murray, former math teacher, and Miss Quinlan, Micha and Amelia, sophomores, and Payton, freshman, stretched all the way from Constitution Ave- English teacher, humorously portray how they might show off their structural engineering works in progress. nue to First Street.” feel after a day-long field trip.

Junior and senior girls pose in front of the giant globe on the tour of the Miss Quinlan, English teacher, and the senior class pose outside the Library of Congress. Library of Congress and surrounding buildings.