The Good Word from WCA's Superintendent

May 6, 2008

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word."
Psalm 119:9 NAS
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        For many years at the final chapel seniors have been given the opportunity to address an audience comprised of the high school student body, faculty and parents.  This year’s senior class was no exception as senior after senior expressed gratitude, shed tears, shared memories and gave an account of what WCA has meant to them.  It was such a moving time of reflection and candor that only the bus riders exited the gym at the dismissal bell.  Those remaining stayed until the last senior had the opportunity to share their thoughts and hearts.

          In two brief hours the purpose and mission of WCA was realized.   From a new vantage point, the uniform and hair “rules” no longer mattered.  What mattered was that they had been loved, supported, encouraged and challenged at WCA.  Teachers, once thought to have been hard and horrible in their view as freshmen, were proclaimed as “favorite” in their senior year because of the newfound realization that they were prepared for college.   Petty divisions and differences lost their importance in view of an impending separation that could span a lifetime. 

          This new vantage point offered perspective not possible previously.  What has been will be no longer.  With all the remarks and sentiments expressed by our students, one thing is clear ~ we are sending these young people out into the world to be the next generation of adults.  They are the leaders of tomorrow.  May they be able to look back and see the strong desire of those at WCA was to prepare them for the challenges of life.   May the seeds that have been planted by all those “favorite” teachers come to full fruit.  May they never forget or turn away from the Creator of the Universe Who desires to guide them as they traverse the future He has prepared from them. 

In the words of a former superintendent, “May they not make a peace treaty with the enemy of their souls.”  They have been exposed to truth in ways the majority of young people in our public school have been denied.  May they be wise stewards of the gift and opportunity they have been given and go forth to “live life to the full” and impact our world for Christ!

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This Movie is a MUST SEE !! – “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”
“Expelled” is both compelling and entertaining. Ben Stein has created a film that spotlights how the science community has expelled new ideas from the classroom. This film is definitely a must see to every person concerned about the loss of academic freedom in our colleges and universities. There must be the freedom to enter into lively debate about the big questions of life without fear of retribution, discrimination, or harassment. You can visit www.getexpelled.com for updates on the film.

WCA is Looking for....
...a non-faculty girls' volleyball assistant. If you are interested in working with our girls' volleyball team, call Tommy Badon at 948-8607, ext. 127

THANKS AND PRAISE

"Christmas in April"
There is an old appropriate saying that says, "It is more blessed to give than receive." That saying proved to be true again when WCA participated in Christmas in April on Saturday, April 26. Pastors Sam Brooks and Roy Baker, and their wives Merida Brooks , and Myra Baker, along with Todd and Nancy Thompson, Todd and Lisa Rivers, Lynne Baudoin, Pam Huntsman, Teri Cober, and several WCA students participated in this annual community service event. One elderly woman had her home repaired and was blessed with a roast to cook on her new stove; while another lady was overwhelmed when her home was repaired after a fire. This precious woman had lost her husband last month after a battle with cancer. WCA students cleaned this sweet lady's flower beds; and as she viewed their work, she had tears in her eyes. She went on to explain that her son had tried to convince her to give up on her flowers as she had no longer the heart to sit on her deck. She was so happy and blessed as she admired her roses. Those persons who participated in this event received the real blessing and once again realized that "It is more blessed to give than receive."

In the future Assistant Principal Lisa Rivers will be the WCA team leader for Christmas in April; she is making plans for next year. WCA is looking at several local community mission events.

National Day of Prayer
What an honor it was to freely participate on this day on both WCA campuses. We are grateful for each one of our parents who were able to join us for this event. Mark your calendar for next year - the first Thursday in May.

Generations Annual Fund
WCA has raised $52,542.00 in our Generations Annual Fund. Look for the thermometer in the dismissal line in Opelousas . Our goal is $65,000.00. Thank you for helping with this fund.

CONGRATULATIONS!

St. Landry Parish Spelling Bee - WCA takes 1st Place Overall !!
WCA participated in the St. Landry Parish Spelling Bee on Wednesday, April 30th.  Our own 8th grader, Thomas Kemp , was the overall winner of the 7-12th grade Bee. Congratulations, Thomas! Also, Scott Villery placed first in 9th grade and Sean Huddleston placed second in 10th grade!

High School Track
The boys' and girls' track team had a great state meet on Thursday in Baton Rouge at LSU. Sara Milam won her third consecutive 300 hurdle state title with a school record 46.62.  Rachel Broussard won her first state championship in the pole vault with a winning jump of 9-6. Sara was also second in the 100 hurdles. The 4 x 400 relay of Shelby Bellard , Maggie Panagiotis , Hannah Weinstein , and Sara finished 5th with a new school record of 4:19.10. On the boys' team, Hunter Lapoint was fourth in the discus with yet another school record of 140-4.

OPPORTUNITIES

Road Sale by School Time
There will be a uniform sale in the Opelousas Multi-purpose room on Tuesday, June 17 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. All purchases will be discounted by 10% for the month of June only.

Volleyball Tryouts
Volleyball tryouts/practice will be held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on the following dates in the Opelousas campus gym.
                May 5th - 7th
                May 12th - 14th
Anyone who has not signed up and received a packet may contact Charlotte Graeff @ 948-8607, ext. 126.

FOR SALE

Kindergarten Graduation Videos
The Lafayette and Opelousas Kindergarten Graduations will be video taped. If you would like a copy, payments must be made in advance. Send $20 with your name, address, and phone number to A Grover Production, 135 Kentwood Dr. , Carencro , LA   70520 . If you have questions, contact Debra or Don Grover @ 337-896-4231, or E-mail to advanced@agroverproduction.com .

REMINDERS

Lunch Order Information
The last day to order lunches on the Opelousas campus is May 16. We will inform you of the Lafayette campus last day to order in the next Good Word. Please note for both campuses - lunch tickets may not be used next year, and there will be no reimbursements for lunch tickets. Lunch tickets can be purchased in the exact quantities to finish the year.

Yearbooks
If anyone has photographs to submit for the 2007-2008 yearbook, please send those to
Mr. Thibodeaux at the Opelousas campus. CDs, DVDs, and traditional photographs are welcome. Digital files must be high resolution in order to print acceptably.

COLLEGE ADVISING

Debbie Johnson has returned to work in the afternoons. Phyllis Edwards will work in the mornings.  Parents and students may contact Debbie, or Phyllis, to answer any guidance questions at 948-8607, ext. 119. If you prefer to E-mail, please send your E-mail correspondence to djohnson@wcala.org , or pedwards@wcala.org .

Scholarships

Announcements
Deadline: Due 05/12/2008 - 2008 Juniors and Seniors - The school of Architecture and Department of Interior Design at LSU in Baton Rouge will be offering a one-week career exploration workshop from June 8-14, 2008 . Applications are available in Mrs. Debbie Johnson's office or call, 225-578-6885, or email sarch@lsu.edu .

CALENDAR CHANGES

AP Chemistry Exam
The National AP Chemistry exam will be on Tuesday , May 13 instead of Thursday, May 15.

Last Day of School 11:30 Dismissal
The last day of school, May 22, will have an 11:30 Dismissal for all campuses.
 
CALENDAR EVENTS:

Tuesday, May 6
Senior Exams
6:30 p.m. K3 Program

Wednesday, May 7
Senior Exams

Thursday, May 8
Senior Exams
Senior's Last Day
8:00 a.m. National AP English Literature Exam
6:30 p.m. Spring Athletic Banquet

Friday, May 9
ACT Registration Deadline
12:00 p.m. National AP History Exam
6:30 p.m. Scholars' Banquet

Saturday, May 10
8th Grade Swing Dance

Sunday, May 11
Mother's Day

Monday, May 12
Junior Charge Chapel
9:30 a.m. Lafayette K5 Dress Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. Ranger Meeting ( Opelousas Multipurpose Room)

Tuesday, May 13
8:00 a.m. National AP Chemistry Exam


SUMMER CAMP OPTIONS

Lafayette Campus - Look for information in your child's test packets and next week's Good Word.

Opelousas Campus - Call for more information. Elementary students, watch for information in the test packets.

  His!
Merida Brooks
mbrooks@wcala.org

“For the land you are about to enter to possess it; is a land of hills and valleys
that drinks from the rain of heaven; it is a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord are on it from the beginning even to the end of the year.”   
Deuteronomy 11:11-12 NAS