Elem. Basketball Camp Photos

Coach Murr hosted an Elementary Basketball camp last week at GCA. Twenty-seven students attended the five-day fundamentals camp. Jared Duke won the week long free-throw shooting contest and Tommy Murr won the one on one tournament.

Soccer Camp - Thomas University

The GCA soccer players had the opportunity to particiapte in a wonderful camp that was held June 13-16 in Thomasville at Thomas University. Six High School teams from around the area took part in the camp and were exposed to wonderful coaches from Darton, Georgia State, TU, and FSU.

Cheerleaders Receive 2nd At FCC Camp

Congratulations to the GCA Cheerleaders for getting 2nd in Camp Championship and Most Achieved at their FCC Camp the first week of June. The squad won numerous ribbons during the week and received a bid to Nationals which will be held Jan. 5-7th in Orlando, FL. Congratulations also to Abbey Smith for being selected as an All-Star Cheerleader....Way to Go Abbey!

McDonald congratulated by Governor Deal

On Saturday, June 4, 2011, Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra hosted a reception honoring 2011 Georgia Valedictorians at the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta, GA.

Taylor Morris McDonald was personally congratulated by Governor Deal and the First Lady for his outstanding accomplishment of academic excellence as Grace Christian Academy's 2011 Valedictorian. The reception was attended by Georgia's 2011 Valedictorians and their guests, Georgia Student Finance Commission, and Georgia Board of Regents Officials and Trustees. During the event, honorees were given the opportunity to tour the grounds, meet other Valedictorians, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, and have their photo with the Governor and First Lady.

In Governor Deal's address to the Valedictorians, he stated, "Through your talent and hard work, you have earned the right to be called Georgia's best and brightest. Your natural gifts and work ethic will play a crucial role in the future prosperity of this state. Take pride in your accoplishments, keep up the good work and seek out ways to use your abilities to benefit your community and this state."

The event was "exceptionally nice", stated Merreann McDonald. "From the moment we arrived on the grounds, Taylor was congratulated as were his dad and I". The staff and hosts did a remarkable job making each student feel special for what they have accomplished. They all went above and beyond to reach out to the students and their parents.

Taylor is the son of Greg and Merreann McDonald of Bainbridge, grandson of James A. and Karen McDonald of Sumner, GA, and the late Earp and Annette Morris of Bainbridge. Taylor will be attending Mercer University Macon in August and majoring in Biology. He hopes one day to return to this area to practice medicine.

Congratulations Taylor!!

Congratulations 2011 Graduates

Congratulations to the 2011 Seniors.....Brock Bailey, Kenneth Burke, T.J. Carlisle, Nolan Freeman, Sidney Harrell, Sara Hodges, Marcus King, Taylor McDonald, Ladson Simmons, Sloane Wiggins and Tad Young.

11 Turn Tassels on May 20th

Grace Christian Academy help commencement excercises for 11 seniors on Friday, May 20th at the Perry Gymnasium. Upper School Principal Steve Murr welcomed everyone followed by an opening prayer from Pastor Russell Carlisle. Special music was performed by senior Sydney Harrell and Jeff Eeningenburg.

Class President Taylor McDonald presented the annual Bob Jones Benaiah Medallion to the 2011 Senior Class President, Christina Greene. A saluatatory address was given by both T.J. Carlisle and Tad Young, followed by the valedictory address from Taylor McDonald.
President and CEO of Ponder of Ponder Enterprises and publisher of The Donalsonville News, Dan Ponder gave the graduation address. Ponder who served in the Georgia House of Representatives for several years and grew up on a farm, said education is a key to unlock many doors. "For many years, I have said that the problems here in Southwest Georgia can only be solved by ourselves and that it could only be done through education. You are part of my hope for the future," Ponder told the graduates.

The presentation of diplomas were given out by Upper School Principal Steve Murr and School Board Chairman Erwin Harrell. A slide-show presentation celebrating each of the seniors was enjoyed by all the family and friends at the end of the ceremony. Closing prayer was given by Pastor Andy McQuaid.

Honors Day at GCA

Bill Reynolds Scholarship

Taylor McDonald

John A. "Toby" and

Marjorie "Katy"

Dowdy STAR Student Scholarship

Tad Young

University of Georgia

Certificate of Merit

Christina Green & Kyle Harris

Highest GPA's for MS & HS

Middle-schoolers with the highest GPA are, from the left, sixth grader - Mikayla Buckhaulter; seventh grade was a tie between Rhaegan Henderson & Kristanna Bowers; eighth grader - Lydia Thompsons. High schoolers with the highest GPA are, ninth grader - Russell King; tenth graders - Bryce McQuaid; eleventh grader - Christina Green and twelfth grader - Taylor McDonald.

President's Award for Academic Excellence

Elementary

Front Row - Ruth Marie Carraway, John York, & Caleb Harris

Middle - Mattie Winburn, Carley Godwin, Pooja Patel, Sam McRae, Olivia Penela, Jerry Greene

Back - Jared Duke, Clay Wells, Luke Thompson, Parker Goodson, & Alex Soden


Middle

Annabelle Smith, Lydia Thompson, Kristanna Bowers, Aaron Carraway, Ansley Stuart, Lindsey Duke, Brent Warr, Merrianna Parker, Josh Carnes, Chase Harris, Jack McRae, Shelby Woodrum, Austin McQuaid, Alex Ward, Mikayla Buckhaulter and Kaitlin Adams.


High School
Front - Abbey Smith, Lauren Carraway, Christina Green, Brandi Register,
Mary Ann Adams & Sara Hodges
Back - Russell King, Daniel Ray, Kyle Harris, Bryce McQuaid, Taylor McDonald & T.J. Carlisle.

Duke Tip Honors

4th & 5th Duke Tip Honors

Front - Sam McRae, Luke Thompson, Caleb Harris, Olivia Penela, Ruth Marie Carraway,

Parker Goodson, Alex Soden, Mason Duke, and John York

Back - Jared Duke, Clay Wells, Pooja Patel, Carley Godwin, Morgan Cannon, Corbin Walsingham, Mattie Winburn, Jeremy Greene, and Nicholas Hodges.

7th Grade Honors

Ansley Stuart, Annabelle Smith, Jack McRae, Kelsey Harrell,

Perra Harrell, and Kristanna Bowers.

Woodmen of the World Honors

Left - Eighth-grade winner is Kaitlin Adams

Below - Fifth-grade winners, Carley Godwin and Clay Wells

GCA's 4-Way Test Winners

The Bainbridge Rotary Club host the 4-Way test project each year with all Decatur County fourth-graders. This project was started several years ago as an opportunity to expose our children to the high, honorable and ethical principals evidenced in the Rotary 4-Way test.
Adopted by Rotary in 1943, the 4-Way test is:
1. Is it the Truth
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
To participate in the contest, students are asked to write no more than one page on how one or all of the principals could be utilized in their own lives. The GCA winners are first place, Ben Thompson; second place, Parker Goodson; and third place, Jeb Smith.

"Happy Trails" K5 Graduation....

Mrs. Williams' Kindergarten class hosted their Graduation Ceremony May 17th in the Gym. This year's theme was "Happy Trails Kindergarten" and the kids did a fantastic job singing several songs and entertaining the crowd with all the "cool" things they learned this year. A wonderful slide show was presented along with the Procession of Graduates adn awarding of the diplomas.