G’S ACA KIN D E EM H Y T The Chronicle SPRING / SUMMER 2021 I VOL 60 IN THIS ISSUE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS Steven T. Rasmussen 1 A Word from the President SPIRITUAL LIFE Chair 24 Encounter with an Atheist Eric R. Engstrom 2021 COMMENCEMENT 26 Remembering the Goodness of God Vice Chair 2 50th Commencement Exercises Sheryl L. Masi ’83 3 Class of 2021 Overview Treasurer CAMPUS LIFE 4 Senior Highlights Meg E. Percy 27 Junior Senior Formal - Masquerade 6 Class of 2021 College Acceptances Secretary 28 Senior Girls Luncheon & Boys BBQ Jerry Y. Bell ’73 8 Awards & Scholarships David E. Dreyer THE SMITH FAMILY NON-TRADITIONAL STUDIES Dr. Clyde S. Meckstroth ’77 CONSERVATORY OF THE ARTS 10 International Student of Distinction Randal L. Martin 30 Foundation of Faith President 11 Become a Host Family 32 2021 Spring Season Overview 34 Instrumental Arts ADMINISTRATION ACADEMICS 36 Senior Highlights Randal L. Martin 12 A Christ-Centered Education 37 Visual Arts – Architectural Design President 13 Leaving a Legacy 38 Digital Photography Program Dr. Douglas M. Raines 14 Teachers of Excellence Vice President & Headmaster 16 The King’s Online Academy ATHLETICS Peter N. Wellman ’79 Chief Financial Officer 17 Pre-Medical Program of Distinction 40 Disruption Proved to Be a Catalyst Expands Jeffrey M. Loveland ’75 41 Spring Athletic Season Overview Chief Operating Officer 18 Elementary Overview Jennifer A. Ceppo 20 History Comes Alive in 6th Grade PRESCHOOL MS/HS Principal 46 Building a Solid Foundation James J. Kolar STEWARDSHIP MS/HS Assistant Principal 21 Strengthening Our School Together ALUMNI Terry L. Toulson 47 Alumni Highlight - Greg Perreault ’02 MS/HS Assistant Principal 22 Frank DiMino Student Union 48 Alumni Highlight - The Titus Brothers Adam B. Miller Groundbreaking Ceremony Elementary Principal 49 Alumni Grapevine Dr. Deborah J. Rantin Elementary Assistant Principal 57 Honorary & Memoriam Gifts Jean A. Albert Elementary Dean of Students Rosario G. Larson Director of Development 19 32 41 Tina P. Cromey Business Manager Tina Tutwiler The Chronicle Coordinator, Director of Communications and Alumni Relations Cover: Benjamin Watson Thank you to Jerry Cantave of Infinite MISSION STATEMENT Loop Photography for providing The King’s Academy exists to assist the home and church in their endeavor to “train the cover and many of the content photographs. up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). Its mission is to share salvation through Jesus Christ and to graduate Christian leaders who seek to impact their world The King’s Academy 8401 Belvedere Road, for the King of kings through academic excellence and spiritual vitality. West Palm Beach, FL 33411 561.686.4244 | www.TKA.net The King’s Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded to or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin in administration of its policies, admission policies, scholarship, and loan programs. A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT RANDAL L. MARTIN A Most Unusual School Year pray that you have enjoyed a fantastic summer break. • We are an independent Christian school that This edition of The Chronicle celebrates the miraculous embraces traditional family values. Iconclusion of King’s most unusual school year. Last year, • We value the ideals established in our foundational TKA administrators, faculty, and staff worked hard to American documents, and we teach our students achieve a safe reopening for The King’s Academy and to appreciate the blessings of living in a country that reassured parents and students that we could and would protects our freedoms. successfully do so. Happily, we are now back at full • We recognize that Biblical values are often strength, working hard to provide expanded capacity contrary to cultural norms, but we choose to stand for what seems likely to be a record-sized student body firm on God’s laws. for the 2021-22 school year. We are building the Frank • We continue to hold a high standard for student DiMino Student Union, refreshed our facilities, and added behavior to create a safe environment where all teachers, staff, and classrooms to ensure TKA’s tradition students can learn. of excellence continues. • We believe that God has called us to be a beacon As we look back, I can admit that there were times last of academic excellence, and we continue to train summer when even I had my doubts that we could reopen up students to impact the world for Christ. and had to ask our King to give us fresh, supernatural • We are a place of unity and diversity, that honors ideas and to buoy our faith. He always answered. God’s Word by how we love and treat others more As a result, today we can celebrate the blessings of a highly than ourselves. miraculous, in-person school year that exceeded all • We examine all curriculum to ensure it provides expectations! God protected our health and strengthened the standard of academic rigor we expect and our exceptional faculty and staff. The Lord gave us supports our Biblical convictions. outstanding academic achievements, college acceptances • We work harder than most to ensure that all and scholarships, a full slate of beautiful artistic academic and extracurricular offerings honor our performances, a record number of athletic championships, King with the excellence He deserves; and through a balanced budget as well as very generous donations, and each activity, we point our students to His truth many new Christ-followers whose lives were changed for and salvation. eternity! Please join me in praying daily for God’s guidance and I am often asked why The King’s Academy thrives in wisdom as we navigate the upcoming school year. If our challenging circumstances. The answer is simple but true. King can surprise us in challenging times, how much more We serve a miracle-working King whose ways are higher can He do through us in times of plenty? I hope that you than ours, whose resources cannot be matched, and whose share my gratitude for all that He has done this past year plans exceed even our wildest imaginations. We pray daily and my expectation for the great things that He will do for His continued protection and provision and seek to this school year. After all, our King promises that while honor Him in all we do. Thankfully, year after year, He even “youths may grow tired and weary … those who loves us with His everlasting love! hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar This year, the question has become, “What is attracting on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, new students and families to TKA in record numbers?” they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40:30a, 31. Once again, I believe the answer is simple. For more than a half century, our school has had an unwavering May God bless you richly and continue to guide and commitment to the following ideals: protect The King’s Academy! • We believe in the timeless truths of Holy Scripture, and we seek to follow in the footsteps of Randal L. Martin Christ alone. President TKA.net | 1 G’S AC IN AD K E E M H Y T C L A 1 S 0 2 S O F 2 50th Commencement Exercises he King’s Academy celebrated the graduation of the Class of UNSHAKEABLE T2021 with a ceremony that was God- honoring, inspirational, and filled BENJAMIN WATSON with joy. Keynote speaker Benjamin NFL Legend, family man and notable activist/ Watson gave TKA’s newest alumni speaker, Benjamin takes being an athlete for change to new heights. A first-round draft sage advice about being unshakeable pick and Super Bowl Champion, Benjamin in an increasingly shaken world based Watson was a key playmaker for the on the words of King David in Psalm Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New 16:8-9. Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots. The class was represented on With over 6,000 yards in his 16-year career, the podium with speeches by Benjamin has been a model of consistency Valedictorian Emma Muschett, and talent. Benjamin’s impact goes beyond Salutatorian Callahan Burton, and the field; a dedicated father of seven and National Merit Finalist Pace Edwards. husband, he constantly preaches family Stirring duets were performed by values through his platform. Married for 15 Aubee Billie and Camden Popadic years, Benjamin and Kirsten strive to carry out with Torra Bridges on violin, Olivia the mission God has for their family. Micah Cornett and Olivia Sauerberg, and 6:8 is their family verse, “He has shown you, Brooke Hayes and Olivia Henley. O mortal, what is good, and what does the Following a recap of the year’s Scan to watch Lord require of you? To act justly, to love highlights from MS/HS Principal Benjamin Watson’s Speech mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Ben and his wife are also founders of One Jennifer Ceppo, the seniors were More, a non-profit organization dedicated presented their diplomas and Class to impacting the lives of those in need by President Jonathan Allen led them in providing enrichment opportunities and turning their tassels. Macy Shealy, the Scan to watch the 2021 promoting education through charitable winner of this years Alan Reamsnyder Commencement Ceremony initiatives and partnerships. Award closed in prayer. Class of 2021 2 | THE CHRONICLE JENNIFER CEPPO MS/HS PRINCIPAL he Class of 2021 exemplifies qualified for the Florida Bright Harvard High School Mock Trial tremendous resiliency and Futures Scholarship and collectively Seminars as well as two Business heartT while focused on excellence the Class of 2021 was offered Program of Distinction seniors academically, athletically, artistically, scholarships totaling over 12 million qualified to complete nationally in the and spiritually.