No homework, no schedules to plan other than travel trips. No 5:30 morning alarm calls and no appointments to keep. Oh, yes, summer is a time for hanging out… with friends, with family. But is that all summer is intended to be?

Growing up as a child, I remember spending some lazy days in my leaving room watching endless hours of TV.  It was my best friend in those days, but then I got older and things changed.

I began going to summer camps, mission trips, and taking different summer classes, exploring new things and activities that I wouldn’t even think about during the school year. I soon learned that summer is the perfect time to get out and discover new hobbies and talents, while serving others along the way.

So, yes, summer is here and with it there are many opportunities to serve, learn, and have fun.  In this issue you will find many options to do one or the other, or if you are incredibly ambitious to find that summer adventure… try them all!

Whatever you do, do it whoheartedly and thank God for it!

Enjoy your summer!

Aileen Alegre, Managing Editor

And now, as I write my final contribution to the paper and count down the days until I walk across the stage on May 28 to receive my high school diploma, I remember alumnus and former staff writer Laura Foreman’s words that preceded our very first edition of our online paper, The Messenger: “The CCA Weekly has come a long way!” From those stapled, pictureless, letterhead handouts to an online, internationally accessible high school paper…this newsroom is not only expanding, but also revolutionizing the legacy of once-boring, “has been” high school papers. Even more impacting is our purpose: “Writing His Message.”

Senior staff writers, Joe Rogers, Rebecca Urrutia, and myself, may be leaving the paper behind, but our identity as His Messengers will remain intact. We have felt the burden of communicating God’s truths to our classmates and have even seen the impact it has made. But as we go off into the next chapter of our lives’ editions, the message of Christ stays with us, and the call to communicate it rings on. We are reminded, as our class verse Philippians 1:20 says, that we “will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Thank you, faithful readers, for your prayers and support and we, as the CCA Weekly Staff, pray that you too will continue to advance His Message wherever you are.

Time after time, Christians have fallen prey to the mundane routine disguised as Christianity, and before he knows it, what was supposed to be a loving, passionate relationship has becomes a stale, lifeless label. This lukewarm Christian, as pastor and author of Crazy Love Francis Chan describes him, is “continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God.”

Oftentimes, these “good kids” who attend church regularly, participate in countless service projects, and are maybe even in the Word daily seem to settle rather than strive toward God’s greatest and best for their lives.

Why would we prefer a passive faith than becoming radical revolutionaries for Christ? Why would we become apathetic toward our daily walks with Him and allow the things of the world to choke up the fruit in our lives? Psalm 34:8 says to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” I question whether we have truly tasted who God is–wouldn’t we be craving more of Him if we had?

Somewhere along the so-called path of following Christ, we have missed the point, and the line once straight, has so many dots we don’t know which way is up…or down. My prayer for you and for all of CCA, is that genuine, sold-out disciples for Jesus would be produced and that many would rediscover the beautiful love He has for each and everyone of us.

Let’s get back to the basics. We can start by repenting of a sin that’s been ignored for too long and then continue by making a decision to fully surrender our lives to the Lord to the point where we are “determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Of course, there will always be times of spiritual dryness, for God does not promise an easy life of mountaintop experiences, but regardless, we must stand firm and walk the true line of faith.

1. Conquer a Fear: don’t have limits just because they have been there for so long. You may think it’s too big of an obstacle to overcome, but you will never know until you try. We are called as Christians to trust in the God our Creator, so why not let go this year?

2. Help Someone Else: but not for the goose bumps or to get a good word in with karma. Besides the indescribable appreciation for your own life you get after helping the needy, you will never see yourself so clearly as when you look beyond the materialistic measurements of this world.

3. Discover a Passion: work as unto the Lord, right? So find to love all that you do. We are each called to a purpose, so find it! A jack-of-all-trades is an ace-of-none, and so many times, multitasking has us so thinly spread that we can’t excel in any one thing. So it’s time to wipe the table clean and focus. Sometimes doing everything keeps us from doing, in reality, anything we sincerely enjoy.

4. Learn Something New: this very well maybe the “read the book” resolution, but it could also mean learning something about yourself. Whether it is tracing ancestors along the family tree and finding a heritage you never knew, or learning that you can run a 5k, build a shelf, or bake a batch of cookies without Betty Crocker by your side, knowledge is power.

5. Find a Friend: the most important people in our lives are undoubtedly the ones we surround ourselves with. They tear us down, build us up, confront us, comfort us—ultimately, they change us.

For the Senior class who has recently returned from a not-so “Christmasy” trip to Merida, Mexico, this Christmas season has become one in which Christmas wants are no longer made known, and time spent watching repetitive Christmas programs have been productively turned into spreading the love of Christ in the community.

Last week, a few twelfth-graders spent their Saturday passing out “Love Bags” to the homeless and praying in the home of Rebecca Urrutia, thanking and praising God for the many souls that were won and the seeds that were planted while in Mexico. The “Mexico High,” that many of the seniors have been on, has become a genuine lifestyle of service and sacrifice. Rather than drawing up lists of “must-haves” for themselves, they are searching for opportunities to give of themselves for the sake of Christ’s name being resounded through the mission field of Fort Lauderdale this Christmas.

CCA Youth Pastor, Topher Harrison, challenged the high school student body in chapel last Friday to ask themselves who Jesus was to them. Is He merely a picture in your mind of a baby lying in a manger or a man nailed to a cross? The reflection on Christ’s humble entrance into the world for which He came to save sparked a stinging sadness in many students’ hearts and reminded them to place the emphasis on Christ amidst the pagan practices and traditions Christmas has now become. As Christmas Day is rapidly approaching with still several things to be done, keep in mind that the first Christmas was spent in a stable with the King of Kings lying in an eating trough. It doesn’t matter where or how Jesus came, He can be worshiped at any time and desires to be at the top of our Christmas to-do lists.

For many, Christmas is a time for families to reunite after long absences and to cherish the gift of having each other. Whether your family this Christmas is comprised of close-friends, relatives you haven’t seen in years, or a homeless person God has laid on your heart to adopt into your family, we must never forget how blessed we are to have them. Talking with a fellow peer recently, I have been reminded of the unique ministry opportunity many have this Christmas as unsaved family members will be traveling to CCA homes where Jesus is celebrated. Sure, we sing the same Christmas songs of “coming all ye faithful,” and “playing my drum for Him,” but what many who don’t know Christ will see is a reverent worship and meaning behind the overused lyrics.

As we continue to finish up our last bit of Christmas shopping and decorate the final batch of Christmas cookies, will we choose to spread the merriness and cheer of Christ’s birth or simply blend in with the long lines of impatient customers? Amidst the world’s motive of getting more and more this Christmas, we must not allow ourselves to get carried away by the many things that serve as distractions to our dear Savior’s birthday. So just what will you do to ensure that Christ is truly the number one reason for the season?

The CCA Weekly Staff wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.

This week at CCA, classes have resumed and many high school students are getting back into the groove of things, including their test prep routine. Test prep? Well, you don’t have to be a junior or senior to be working on your SAT and ACT scores. Although senior year is the time when high school students are forced to grow up and make big decisions—like which college to attend, other students shouldn’t let their underclassmen status stop them from getting serious about their college career.

College Prep Courses
Here at CCA, we offer Dual Enrollment (earns college credit): Psychology, Western Civilization, World Religions; as well as Advancement Placement (earns college credit with passing score on national exam): English Lit., Calculus, Studio Art-6, Spanish, Music Theory, US History, Chemistry, English Language, and Biology.

“AP classes are essential for application to selective colleges,” says Jeff Perrin, Secondary Assistant Principal. “Earning college credit while in high school saves tuition when in college. We offer both a Dual Enrollment and an AP Diploma for students who meet the qualifications. Our numbers of students in these advanced classes have more than doubled from last year to this year.”

University of Florida freshman Jessica Matthews began taking advanced placement courses (college level courses) early in her high school career and this not only challenged her learning experience in a variety of subjects, but prepared her well when she reached college earlier this year.

 Next year, the Guidance Department plans to host a series of workshops to enhance the college preparation process. Both students and parents will be invited to attend, as this will make their college making decisions a little easier. Stay tuned for updates as draw closer.

Various online college guides also advise high school students to prepare for college through independent study on their own time. This requires the student to take the initiative by continuing their learning process, like taking several college courses at community colleges after school or during their summer breaks.

Aside from taking special courses, nothing prepares a student more for college than good study habits and organizational skills. Some CCA students have found that creating a “To-Do” list to complete tasks works well for them, while others prefer taking good notes in class so they can use them to review later on for studying.

The Plan
An important step in the college preparation process is to put a plan together that explores college majors and universities of interests. The last three graduating classes have shown us that CCA students have determined their future paths quite differently, some choosing to attend a Christian college over a secular one, and vice versa. Those who chose a public or different type of school didn’t do it just for financial reasons.

“Mine (choice) was location and degree program,” said Michael Lima, Class of 2008.  “I like being close to home, yet far enough away to be on my own. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)—the best aviation school in the nation—also has an outstanding homeland security program as well as Army ROTC.”

For Samford University freshman Lauren Kostoff, there were many factors that went into finding her ideal college. “Everything ranging from a smaller school in size, to living in a city, to a good journalism department (which is my major),” she said. “But at the end of the day, I decided to go to Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, because when I walked on the campus it just felt right.” For Kostoff, choosing a private Christian college was not necessarily a deal breaker, even though it was the only Christian school she applied to.

Some people may have the misconception that private universities are more expensive than their public counterparts. But that’s not the case, in fact, sometimes you’ll find that they offer more financial aid and work study opportunities simply because they typically have fewer students than the public colleges.

Whatever students choose, preparation for either type of college is essential. Students should prepare to take the entrance exams such as the SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test) and ACT Assessment tests (Assessment College Test) early on. There are practice tests and more information available online at www.collegeboard.com.

High school students should take advantage of CCA’s resources, like our Guidance Counseling Office, which helps students plan out their college careers, and ultimately their future. “My college advisor helped me make a check list of things I was looking for in a college and we formed my list from there,” said Kostoff. “She got me involved with SAT prep classes, and helped me through the application process.”

 According to Josh Sobel, Class of 2008, at the end of the four years of high school, “The quality of the work the seniors put out,” is what makes a big difference in how well prepared students are for college. But whether it’s during the senior or the freshman year that this groundwork begins to take place, one thing’s for sure: students are totally responsible for the task of learning the subjects, techniques, skills and principles—that which they will use in college and throughout their lives.

Anticipating my family’s arrival on Thanksgiving Day, I lovingly gather these colors in the form of fine linens, door hangings, and fresh flowers, and splash them all around my house like you would with a fine brush on a fresh canvas. That colorful but clean palette leads to a transformation that’s just breathtaking. Of all the seasons, I love fall most of all. But as much as I love this season, the one thing I love most about it is that it brings so many opportunities to teach our kids the joy of giving, sharing, gathering and loving.

At Calvary Christian Academy, our kids are learning this lesson well. Elementary and secondary students alike are learning that Thanksgiving is not just a holiday when families and friends reunite to have a fun, family feast and watch NFL football on TV. They’re learning that Thanksgiving is a special day, and in a world that doesn’t like to give much credit to the One responsible for providing each day—especially this one with all the bountiful fanfare it provides—our students are doing their part to keep both “thanks” and “giving” in the Thanksgiving holiday.

There’s been a flurry of “thanks” going on all around CCA this week. The stuff that I call “the smile of thankfulness.” Specific songs, art projects, history projects, writing assignments and more was centered around this theme at the elementary school. They made 34 Thanksgiving baskets, many of which were delivered last weekend by our volunteer room moms to families in need.

The site overwhelmed me this Tuesday, though, as I passed by the Kindergarten classrooms and listened in closely to the tiny voices coming from inside. You could barely see the kids through the windows on their doors, because their heads were bowed down with their hands clasped together in front of their faces in an act of reverence. When I looked closely, I saw their eyes shut tightly as they prayed very hard. One by one, they lifted their small voices to heaven, saying “God, thank you for this beautiful day. We thank you for our school, and for letting us learn about the Holy Spirit. We thank you for letting us learn about you so that when we get to heaven we can be with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

“Thanksgiving is important,” explains Susan Alexander, elementary principal. “It’s important as Christian educators that we model a heart of gratitude for what the Lord has done for us through His gift of salvation and what he continues to provide for us on a daily basis. Contentment is a result of a grateful heart. Academically, it is important for our students to be taught the factual account of the rich heritage of our American History.”

In the secondary school, I saw much “giving.” A kind smile, a student helping another student carry her books because she’d hurt her foot, a high school student holding a door for a teacher as she passed by, and a student saying “thank you” to his teacher for correcting him for something he did wrong. Those are ordinary things; this I know, but oh, how love makes all the difference in the world! Love is not complicated; God never intended it to be. And it’s good to see our students are learning how to love, because the world is watching and maybe they are catching on, at least during this holiday season.

I mean, it’s not just churches and schools that are reaching out to the people in need, giving of their time, talent, and treasures. Corporate America is doing its best to give back to their communities, too. I would like to believe that they too recognize that Thanksgiving is a special time set aside to give thanks and for doing good deeds—and not because it’s trendy, not because there’s a tax write off at the end of the fiscal year, but because there is much good in giving. You read their stories—the result of myriad press releases flanking the Media, who in turn plaster their newspapers with headlines that surprise us with their best “spirit of giving” stories. For a week, at least, they take a break from the standard gloomy fare (“Students Claw their Way to the Top”) to provide a glimpse of mankind’s good side (“Chain Reaction of Good Deeds in Portland, Austin and Beyond”).

But I imagine that it is God who surprises us most of all, by giving us the thought that if we would gather our resources—much like we do with our holiday decorations—and share them in and out of season, well, maybe we would find that we could change the world. In the simple act of giving the best part of ourselves—Christ in us—we find strength in each other, because in our hearts and minds there is nothing we can’t do. Imagine that!

The CCA Weekly Staff would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

Just 90 miles away from the U.S. southeastern shoreline, it was reported that when Cuban workers began to complain about the boring food they received as part of their free lunches, the Cuban government eliminated this job incentive altogether. Workers now have to pay for their own lunches with the 15 pesos (equivalent to 70 cents) that are added to their income—a pretty scarce amount to buy anything off The Grill’s menu, wouldn’t you say? And the quality of the food that they have to choose from can’t even be slightly compared to what is available to us every day as students.

With juniors now being included in the former senior privilege of eating half-off in The Grill, many seniors have complained about lack of space in The Grill and how the crowd may affect the quality of the food. Senior Dan Poeana explains, “We need more room in The Grill, Hub, and cafeteria, and because of that, the food probably isn’t as good.” Adding to this problem is that all of middle and high school now have lunch at the same time, making for one busy lunch period.

Even though the school year has brought some difficult changes and our lunches are far from perfect, we must keep in mind just how tasty and healthy our food is compared to that of public schools in South Florida, not to mention 90 miles away from the Florida Keys, where Cuban workers are served mystery meat. CCA students even have an hour-long lunch to unwind and relax from their busy morning classes. So next time you’re about to order a tower-o-fries, consider the indistinguishable alternatives you could be getting anywhere else.

Only eight years old when he became king of Judah, Josiah feared the Lord with all of his heart and lived righteously throughout his entire reign. When the Book of the Law was found and Josiah heard its words, he tore his robe and in verse 13 told those with him to, “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found.” Josiah’s repentant heart compelled him to seek God with all of his heart and to engage his people to do the same. Likewise, students from every kind of school—private and public—sought God at their school flagpole, and the results were astonishing.

Calvary Christian Academy has taken part in this worldwide event since the school’s inception ten years ago and every time, the Holy Spirit has moved the hearts of high schoolers, parents, middle schoolers, and even elementary students. Whether in rain or shine, nothing has been able to prevent God’s Spirit from speaking. However, on Wednesday, I experienced SYATP in a whole new way than ever before. This year, I decided to leave the Christian school atmosphere and experience what the majority of students did that day on a South Florida public school campus.

The location: Monarch High School. The number of students: around ten. Upon arrival, I found the flagpole in the very front of the school—with no one in sight. It didn’t take long for me to realize just how challenging it can be to stand up for your faith in a place where God is not the center of everything. After waiting a few minutes, some girls from the school’s First Priority club arrived. We circled around the pole that was before us and started offering prayers up to God in a casual popcorn style.

After a long pause of silence, an unfamiliar voice began to pray a passionate, powerful prayer. Peeking my eyes open, I saw a teacher who had come to this flagpole to pray with us and who was willing to do this in front of her colleagues. I also noticed the number standing around the flagpole had gradually grown to include a few more students who were willing to risk the same embarrassment of getting made fun of by their peers. One of my friends who attends Monarch, Sophomore Kala Hennesey, did not care that her unsaved friends would look on and possibly ridicule her. She remarks, “My prayer is to help bring others closer to God by example. So many people had asked me what I was doing that day!” As a part of the First Priority club, Kala’s desire is to share the Lord with others on her campus and to constantly be in prayer for her school so that God will continue to change things there.

My experience at Monarch High School was definitely one that was foreign and unfamiliar to me. Instead of the the Ocean’s Edge band playing worship in the background, profane words were heard coming from students around us. Instead of a microphone, non-amplified, yet still audible voices, filled the circle of students around me. Despite these differences, I recognized the same God-fearing hearts that I see at Calvary and a faith in these students that couldn’t be measured. I left the campus that morning confident and excited about how God was going to move on that campus and on campuses everywhere because of some young, available hearts that were willing to “inquire of the Lord.”