Cross Country Starts Season with Godby Country Challenge

Cougars are 3-1-1

The Grace Cougars took on their toughest opponent yet down in Pensacola, FL as they faced the undefeated East Hill Christian Academy Eagles. Playing in beautiful Escambia County Soccer Stadium on a warm day this showdown lived up to everything it was billed to be. The Eagles found the back of the net first in the 6th minute of the match on a rare defensive breakdown by the Cougars defense at the top of the 18 yard line. However the Eagles lead would be short lived as the persistent pressure by the Cougars on the offensive side of the ball paid dividends when Senior Gavyn Albritton buried a superb shot from 25 yards out. After several missed chances in the first half by the Cougars the score remained 1-1 at half time.

The second half was dominated by the Cougars on both offense and defense; this was without a doubt the best match the team has played by far. Constant possession and great ball movement is what leads to great defense and scoring and that's exactly what the Cougars displayed tonight said coach Mike Albritton. The Cougars took a 2-1 lead in the second half when Gavyn Albritton found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season. Junior Branch Austinson assisted on the goal by Albritton. Although the Eagles had very few chances on the offensive side of the ball they certainly took advantage of them. Playing in front of their home crowd the Eagles looked to tie up the match in the second half on a corner kick and that's exactly what they did. On a solid kick from the corner by the Eagles offense the ball was headed towards the net but was headed out by Senior Corban Walsingham who was covering the back post, only to be headed back in by the Eagles to even the score at 2-2 at the 60 minute of the match. Junior goal keeper DeAndre Rogers made a valiant play on the ball but it was simply out of his reach. I can't speak highly enough of Rogers play in the goal this year, but that is one DeAndre is going to want back Coach Albritton added.

With the score at 2-2 and the Eagles squad seemingly on their heels the entire match, the Cougars looked to take the lead back on a corner kick as well. Senior Seth Jenkins made a run in from midfield and received a short pass from Albritton who was attempting the corner kick. This caught the Eagles defense off guard since they were expecting a pass over the mouth of the goal and it successfully drew two Eagles defenders out of the goal front. Jenkins quickly played the ball back to Albritton who successfully crossed the ball to Austinson who had slipped inside the Eagles goal keeper who missed an opportunity to punch the ball out. Austinson wisely played the ball into the back of the net without too much power and just like that the Cougars took the lead again at 3-2 with ten minutes left in the contest. Sophomore midfielder Jack Holden, Junior Chasen Wood, and Freshman Daniel Jones played key roles in maintaining possession and ending any chance the Eagles had at scoring. The thrilling match had finally come to an end with a final score of 3-2. The Cougars out shot the Eagles 22-3 and were not called for off-sides the entire match.

This was a thrilling win and the biggest of the season by far exclaimed an exhausted but proud coach Albritton. I can't stress to everyone how far this squad has come in such a short time. They are moving the ball so well and the defense is doing an unbelievable job in protecting the den. Junior Shane Kornmeier filled in for several players tonight and his speed and athleticism was evident as he was able to get in their and mix it up on both offense and defense. In soccer speed is everything and Shane definitely has it!

The Cougars are now 3-1-1 on the season and next play on September 1st against Calvary Christian School in Fort Walton Beach.

TerraNova News from ACSI

2017 - 2018 Parent Meetings

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

9TH & 10TH - Wed., Aug. 30th @ 5:15

11th & 12th - Thurs., Aug. 31st @ 5:15

Middle School - Wed., Sept. 6th @ 5:15

4th & 5th - Thurs., Aug. 31st @ 5:15

3rd - Thurs., Sept. 7th @ 5:15 

2nd - Tues., Sept. 12th @ 5:30 p.m.

1st - Tues., Sept. 5th @ 5:15 

GCA host Sherwood in Volleyball

The Lady Cougars Volleyball team hosted Sherwood Christian Academy on Thursday, Aug. 24th.  

The JV girls came away with a win; however, the Varsity girls lost in the 3rd set.

We are thrilled to have our Cougar on the court yesterday keeping our spirits high!

Georgia State Symbols

The 7th and 8th grade students are currently studying some of Georgia's most famous symbols.  Mrs. White asked each student to research their symbol, write a short presentation and do a project.  Here are a few pictures of some of the projects.

 

GCA Soccer Wins 6-0

The Grace Cougars defeated the Open Bible Warriors 6-0 on Tuesday afternoon. This was Grace's first home game of the season and they defended the Cougar Den very well. The Cougars out shot the Warriors 24-3 and was led by forward's Gavyn Albritton and Branch Austinson with 8 shots on goal apiece. Both Albritton and Austinson found the back of the net with two goals apiece. The Cougars dominated the game with possession of the ball and the Warriors never was a threat. This was the first game of the season for the Warriors and they have a good squad; they will be a much tougher opponent the next time we meet. Grace took a 3-0 lead into half time.
The 2nd half of the game saw Sam McRae get his 3rd goal of the season on a beautifully played ball from Freshman Daniel Jones. Jones was also instrumental on another great pass from deep in the left corner that Sophomore Spence Butler put in the back of the net to record his first goal of the season. Senior Collin Woodrum led another spectacular performance from the Cougar defense and DeAndre Rogers played his best game so far of the season at the keeper position. For those who don't know this is DeAndre's first time ever playing keeper and for just having 4 games under his belt he is playing far above his experience level. The 2nd half saw several other chances for Freshman Blake Rykard and Jackson McConnell to score; they will get one before the season is over!
Things got a little chippy in the 2nd half as well and #9 from Open Bible received a yellow card. Other than this infraction the game was played very clean and was well officiated. As the coach I can't be more proud of the team's progress at this point. Obviously this looks like a rebuilding year for Open Bible. We will face a much tougher test on Friday against the East Hill Eagles in Pensacola.
A special thanks to everyone who brought water, volunteered to help at the field, and to our assistant head coach Hector Bautista for all of his hard work. He is the key reason why DeAndre is playing so well at keeper.

Students Traveled to North GA to experience Path of Totality

Several GCA students and their families traveled to north GA to experience the Path of Totality of the Solar Eclipse on Aug. 21st.

Pictured left - Hugh & Susan Lanier with son Jay.

Pictured below - Starla Penela with her daughter Olivia and friends Gabby and Ruth Marie.

GCA Celebrates The Great American Solar Eclipse

GCA had a wonderful day celebrating The Great American Solar Eclipse yesterday - Aug. 21st!  

We are so thankful for Zachary and Karissa Jones, Biomedical Sciences PhD students at FSU College of Medicine and co-founders of SciWorld, for being with us and making the day extra special!  They did hands-on activities with our elementary students and games like "Who wants to Be a Millionaire" with our middle and high school students.  It will be a day that all of our students remember!

 

First Grade Fun....

Show & Tell

Donut Break

Frogs, Frogs & more Frogs

 

1st Grade at Magazine/Cookie Kick Off

 

Computer Fun

Boys Soccer - East/West Challenge

 First Game:  GCA vs Aletheia Christian Academy

Grace Christian Academy opened their 2017 campaign on the road playing in the Panhandle Invitational in Pensacola, FL. match 1 of the tournament had the tournament host team Aletheia Lions vs GCA.

The contest was a good match-up between to defensive minded teams. During the 1st half Senior Seth Jenkins was called for a controversial foul in the box against an Aletheia striker resulting in a penalty shot. Grace keeper DeAndre Rogers playing keeper for the first time missed the block and Aletheia took the lead 1-0 at the end of the 1st half. On a break away opportunity in the 2nd half Sam McRae was deliberately fouled in the box but neither a foul or card was issued. Sam was injured during the play but was able to continue.
Grace dominated the time of possession and shots on goal 15-5.
Branch Austinson led the way with 6 shots on goals with Jack Holden having 4, Gavyn Albritton having 3, with Wyatt Carpenter & Sam McRae having 1 shot each. The Lions keeper made several great saves in the 2nd half to preserve the lead.
The match ended with the Aletheia Lions holding onto a 1-0 lead.

2nd Game:  GCA vs Trinitas Christian School

The 2nd match of the Panhandle Invitational had the GCA Cougars playing the Trinitas Knights from Pensacola, FL.

Once again Grace dominated possession for most of the games and shots on goal, with Grace having 19 shots vs Trinitas only having 3 shots on goal. Grace was able to score their first match of the season and the match with a beautifully played ball from the corner. Senior forward Gavyn Albritton passed the ball from the corner to another Senior, Seth Jenkins, who then turned and crossed the ball to a wide open Wyatt Carpenter who was able to put the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. The play was a twist on a set corner kick play where Jenkins ran up from defense to receive the pass Albritton who normally would cross the ball from the corner. By coming up to receive the ball from the defense instead of the set piece in front of the goal, Jenkins was able to draw three defenders away from the other Grace players in front of the goal which resulted in an easy goal for Carpenter. Wyatt Carpenter playing soccer for his first time ever is also a freshman.
still in the 1st half of the match Seth Jenkins was called again for a controversial foul in the box which resulted in a penalty shot for the Knights which they successfully made evening up the match 1-1 at half time.
The 2nd half saw Grace totally dominate possession of the ball and several shots came up just short. Keeper DeAndre Rogers had another great goal keeping the ball out of the net and the defense led by Senior Collin Woodrum was incredible.
The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 tie.

3rd and Final Game: GCA vs Bayshore Christian School

The 3rd and final match of the Panhandle Invitational had GCA playing against the Bayshore Eagles from Fairhope, AL.

The match saw Grace totally dominate possession of the ball with really no threat from the Eagles who were without their starting keeper and forward due to injury. Grace had a great opportunity when Senior Corban Walsingham was fouled in the box setting up Gavyn Albritton with an opportunity to give Grace the lead with a penalty shot. Unfortunately Albritton's shot was wide and the score remained 0-0 at half time. Junior Branch Austinson also missed a great opportunity to score with a great shot that sailed over the cross bar.
The 2nd half saw the Cougars continue to dominate with possession and on defense. Sophomore Jack Holden opened the scoring up with a beautiful header coming off a corner kick taken by Branch Austinson. The score was 1-0 at that point but Grace would soon add another goal to go up 2-0 when Sam McRae scored down the middle with the assist coming from Corban Walsingham. McRae would score again on a beautiful assist from Freshman Daniel Jones putting the Cougars up 3-0. The Eagles would also score in the 2nd half on a break away to make the final score 3-1.
This was a great team effort! Grace out shot the opponent 16-5 with Wyatt Carpenter having the most shots on goal with 4. Senior Seth Jenkins picked up another controversial foul in the match bringing him to 3 on the season. Shane Kornmeier, Chasen Wood, Spence butler, Blake Rykard, and Jackson McConnell say several minutes of playing time in the 2nd half of this match and made key contributions. I can't speak enough about the sacrifice made by Senior Collin Woodrum and Junior Jeb Smith on defense! Both of these players, along with Seniors Seth Jenkins & Sam McRae are accustomed to playing up front. But with them on defense it has been almost impossible to score on us unless a penalty shot is awarded. DeAndre Rogers again played a beautiful match and continues to grow into the keeper position.
Grace Cougars win the match with a final score of 3-1.

HS Honor's Trig Class

Mrs. Ulm's Honor Trig Class

GCA Celebrates The Great American Solar Eclipse

On Monday, August 21st a total eclipse will cross the entire country, coast-to-coast, for the first time since 1918.  Weather permitting, the entire continent will have the opportunity to view an eclipse as the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow on Earth's surface.

GCA is excited to have this unique opportunity to educate our children about this amazing event and we are thrilled to have two scientists coming to talk with all of our students and even do a few activities with our elementary.  Zach and Karissa Jones, Biomedical Sciences PhD students at the FSU College of Medicine and co-founders of SciWorld, are no strangers to GCA.   They have hosted our Science Celebration the past two years and they will be with us on Monday afternoon. 

The school has purchased ISO certified viewing glasses from American Paper Optics for all of the students and faculty; however, we will not take our elementary students outside for the viewing.  As a parent, you are welcome to come sign your child out to view here at school or take them home for a family event.  The middle school and high school students will take part in the viewing after meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Jones and review all the safety rules involved with the eclipse. If you do not want your student to participate in the viewing please let us know and we will make arrangements for them to stay in the classroom until dismissal.

Monday, August 21st Agenda

1:00 - 1:20 p.m. - 1st & 2nd grade meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Jones in the OS

1:20 - 1:40 p.m. - 3rd & 4th grade meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Jones in the OS

1:40 - 2:00 pm. - 5th grade meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Jones in the OS

2:00 p.m. - Middle & HS students meet with Mr. and Mrs. Jones in the gym, then they will go outside for viewing.

3:10 p.m. - Elementary Dismissal

3:20 p.m. - MS/HS Dismissal

Note:  As always, student safety is our top concern.  Per NASA, looking at the eclipse without special, certified viewing glasses is unsafe.  At no time during the eclipse should the student/participant remove their glasses and look directly at the sun.  This can lead to permanent eye damage or other unknown effect.  GCA will stress this with students as we prepare them for the event; however, please talk with your child about it at home as well.

Interact Helps with Conclave

GCA and BHS Interact students helped the Bainbridge Rotary Club yesterday with table decorations for this weekends Rotary Conclave

Chromebooks and ILearn....WooHoo!!

Chromebooks and 

ILearn Math make learning fun! 

GCA 1st and 2nd graders are excited about how 

well they are doing!

Southern Leaders - Classes begin Monday, Aug. 21st

Dear parents,

     Monday begins a brand new year with Southern Leaders!  I mailed hard copies out of registration forms.  If you didn't receive one and would like one please let me know!  Remember that we now have a website you can use to register: www.sowegaprotocol.com.  I will have extra forms and schedules at class on Monday.  Elementary-middle schoolers meet from 6-7 and high school is from 7-8.

     It's not too late to register!  Our first semester this year will be business etiquette.  We will cover interview skills, dressing appropriately, electronic etiquette, toasting and working a room (and more!)

     Our new dances will include the cha-cha, cupid shuffle, and Viennese Waltz.  We will even learn the basics of the Scottish reel!  We will review salsa, swing, shag and foxtrot.

     Please give me a call at 706-339-0135, text or email with any questions!

Best regards,

Allyson Whittaker