School-Wide Picnic.....Thursday - Aug. 4th

Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend our Third Annual School-Wide Meet & Greet and Family Picnic on Thursday, August 4th. This year we are adding our annual Prayer Walk to the event and it will begin at 4:30 p.m. The "Meet and Greet" will be from 5:00-6:00 and then everyone will head over to the gym for a family style Picnic beginning at 6:00 p.m. Great food, good information and visiting with old friends will be the agenda. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!!

Cheer Camp .... Lots of Fun!!!

Many thanks to the GCA Varsity Cheerleaders for hosting an awesome Cheer Camp this week!
Twenty-two 1st - 4th graders particiapted in the camp and had a great time learning all the new cheers, jumps, stunts, and even a dance routine. Thanks also to Murkerson Dance Academy for for the use of her gym!

GCA Welcomes Bryant and Lambert

The GCA School Board is excited to announce the hiring of two new faculty members, Mrs. Melissa Grubbs Bryant and Ms. Dorinda Lambert. Mrs. Grubbs will be joining our Middle and High School team and Ms. Lambert will be teaching High School Biology and Physics.

Mrs. Bryant is a native of Bainbridge and the 2007 Valedictorian of Bainbridge High School. She has an Associates of Arts Degree from Bainbridge College and went on to receive her B.S. in Secondary Education with a specialty in English from Thomas University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She has field experience with Thomas County Middle School and Bainbridge High School where she spent this last year working with ninth grade Literature and Composition. Ms. Lambert received her Bachelors Degree from the United State Military Academy, Westpoint. She went on to complete her Masters of Science Degree at the University of Delaware. Ms. Lambert currently teaches Health and Wellness at Bainbridge College where she has been a part-time faculty member for the past 12 years. Dorinda has three children; Nathaniel, Hannah and Kelsey.

GCA Cheer Camp - July 21st & 22nd

2011-2012 School Calendar

school Supplies for k3-1st

School Supplies for 2nd - 5th

School Supplies for Middle/High School

Middle/High School - 3 ring binder (2 inches), notebook paper, 1 pk. of dividers for binder, pens (blue or black), pencils (already sharpened), 2 containes of Clorox wipes, 1 regular size book cover, 1 jumbo size book cover, 1 can of Lysol, 1 highlighter, 1 box of tissues, 1 flash drive, 1 pk. of copy paper, 1 small homework assignment notebook/pad.

Individual teachers may request items for their specific subjects. List will be given at the "Meet & Greet" or the first day of school!

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