Showing spirit in style

LOOKING out the student body of GACS this week one does not see the typical dress. This week, the student body is honoring the athletes by having Spirit Week, a week where students dress up according to the theme for the day.

The days are different every year, with a few favorites thrown in. This week, students will enjoy wearing camouflage gear (or ninja for those who do not own camo), dressing up as a particular social group, showing peers and faculty what job they want when they grow up, and dressing up as a favorite character from a book, movie, or television show.

The excitement in the student body is unmistakable as students plan what to wear for these fun, unusual days. Along with the dress up days, there will also be a Pep Rally on Friday.

Spirit Week centers around the picking of Mr. and Mrs. Spartan, who are a boy and girl athlete in the school who set an example both on and off the field. This year the nominees for Mr. and Mrs. Spartan are:  seniors Morgan Winston, Alex Mixon, Stephanie Wilding, Blake Foxworthy, Kara Maltby, Lindsay Adams, Chaney Means, Claire Goodson, Lauren Dehnart, Amanda Komisarow, Madeline Barker, Caroline Freeman, Elliot Long, Corey Simmons, Trey Martin, Taylor Bruner, Zac Reidford, Carter Asef, and  Shawn Kane; and juniors Jared Hemmings, Danny Knight, and Jake Montgomery. Congratulations to all the Spartan Spirit nominees.

When Worlds Collide Much Can be Gained

On Thursday, October 29, 2009, chapel at GAC contained a rare mix of topics: the school’s technological advances in addition to Dr. Chi Ekwenye’s personal struggles and the general poverty in Nigeria.

At first glance the juxtaposition of these two topics, a progressive learning environment and the embodiment of humble service, are not in any way compatible. Questions come to mind about these two completely different worlds. How can we reconcile Christ-like humility with the view that we must have the best of the best to stay ahead of everyone else?

From that momentous chapel, the answer, in my mind, is clear. That answer, to paraphrase Dr. Chi, lies in the simple fact that what matters most is not the quantity of what we have but what we choose to do with what we have received. Every person at GAC is extremely blessed with amazing opportunities, and students in grades six through twelve next school year will have the unique opportunity of learning in a Digital Learning Environment.

Rather than using these new tools for selfish gain, we will use them to growing academically and spiritually, preparing us to be “world changers.” Every little thing we do for others makes a huge difference. If we can be challenged with 21st century technology while learning, our growth could possibly put us in a better position to help others after we leave GAC. The time and money required to transition to this new, digital environment next year will be well worth it.