S am's Spotlight
Let's celebrate as a CCS family!

Spring/Summer 2016 Recap, Issue 1
Blessings, CCS families!  The purpose of "Sam's Spotlight" is to communicate the noteworthy accomplishments of our students and staff, so we can celebrate as a CCS family.  

If you have praise-worthy news items to share with the Cincinnati Christian Schools family that involve either CCS students and/or staff, please email 
Kim Smith (Public Relations Assistant) at  kim.smith@cincinnatichristian.org.
 
Let's Stop and Look!

Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." 

It has been awhile since the last "Spotlight" article, but the CCS family continued to compete honorably and give generously.  We are an on-the-move school with on-the-move families.  Try to keep up! 

SPECIAL THANKS  
and writing/reporting credits go to Mrs. Carmen Hallbach and Ms. Leah Murphy, without whom the recap issues would not be possible.

 
7th Graders Serve Diligently

Our 7th grade students served together at Matthew 25 Ministries. They helped sort and repackage donated items for international humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Twenty-one students, along with several parents and siblings, worked side by side to sort donated clothing and make personal care kits. Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Edwards, and Mrs. McLaughlin participated as well. Great job to the 7th graders for providing 63 service hours to this organization. And thank you Julie Eshman and Dawn Rogers for coordinating this event! 
 
Band Students Highlighted for Talent

These band students were selected to participate at the 2016 All Star Tri-State Band Symposium at Northern Kentucky University in January:   Maggie Brown- Piccolo/Flute,  Owen Hallbach- Bari Sax, and  Spencer Moore- Alto Sax (not pictured).

They spent two days with other accomplished high school musicians from the region, as well as guest conductors.  Congratulations musicians!  You represented CCS very well!
 
"Sumdog" Ranks High

Mrs. Mellish's 1st grade class came in first in the Butler County  Math Contest for Sumdog back in April. Class 1A had four students in the top 10, out of 1,123 students who played; so congratulations to
Lani, Sarah, Joshua and Tyler! Tyler Dickman answered 951 questions correctly out of 1000, and Joshua Fallat answered 944 correctly to place # 2 & 3 in the contest! Five more first grade students were included in the top 50!
 
Pieces Becoming One 

The 7th grade "Color Theory" art project was unveiled to Mrs.  Barthelemy in June. Mrs. Ashford explained that each student was given o nly one small piece to create using only a few paint colors. When all of the pieces were put together, they created the image beautifully and creatively!  This project is a traditional favorite.

Excellent work, art students!
 
A First in CCS History 

The girls' track team, consisting of Laura Kindell, Nia Everson, Serenity McCardle,
and Mariah Coffee, qualified for state in the 4/100 meter relay and competed in June.  Mr. Gillens shared, "They are  the first girls' track relay team in the history of CCS to go to state and finish 9th over all."  

Matt Floyd qualified for state as well in the 800 meter dash!
 
Elementary and Junior High Speech Meet Winners  

CCS had  49 elementary students participate in the ACSI Speech Meet this year in March. Of those students, 42 received a superior rating and 7 received an excellent rating!  Students: Rylee McWhinnie, 6th grade, Ethan Hill, 4th grade, Jolie Percy, 4th grade and Kylee Arthur, 3rd grade accomplished a perfect 50-50-50 score from the judges! Categories at the meet included: Bible, Poetry, Fables and Patriotic Oration. 
 
From the junior high, 13 students attended their Speech Meet in April. Zach Schlake received first place in his category, "Humorous Reading." Rhyan Pater and Zach Schlake both received blue ribbons.  Red ribbons were received by Tori Byndon, Didi Kanu, Hannah Marcum, David Musson, Chloe Sammonds and Crystal Wilson. Anabella Drury, Kaitlyn Fritz, Miranda Heid, Liberty Koehling and Isaiah Smith all received white ribbons.
 
A Gift of Music 

The Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy 2015-2016 program year culminated with some outstanding and unique Impact Projects. With guidance from their facilitator, Sh ari Parker, CCS students hosted a 1950's inspired event that will make an ongoing impact on elderly residents facing dementia in their community. 

Read how CCS students gave Memory-Assisted Care residents at Doverwood Village the gift of music to trigger memories  here
 
Academic Awards Night 

In May each year, it is CCS tradition to highlight academic leadership and accomplishments.  Special academic awards are given, speeches are made, and National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society students are inducted.  It's a super night!
 
Elementary Art Fair & Grandparents' Day -
Huge Success! 


Each spring, our elementary campus hosts these two highly anticipated events in conjunction with one another. Grandparents are honored and celebrated while getting to view their students' artwork, showcased during the exciting Art Fair venue. Both of these events are CCS traditions and annual favorites! Congrats to all for another wonderful celebration of grandparents and student talent! Go, Cougars! 
 
Senior Sings in Prestigious YAPP

In May, Senior Bernadette Beacham was featured in an opera scenes showcase as
part of the prestigious Young Artists' Preparatory Program based out of the Musical Arts Center. She was 1 of 25 students who were chosen for their intellectual, interpretive and performing abilities, musical skills, maturity and integrity. The 25 participants came from all over the Tri-State area, representing 15 local communities and 14 different high schools. Beacham said, "I never thought I'd be interested in classical music until I learned more about it, and I have fallen in love with it ever since."
 
A Talented Young Voice

A huge congratulations to Tyler Daniels in 6th grade at our Elementary School who performed with the Ohio Choral Directors Association 2016 Children's Honor Choir on June 22nd! Tyler was chosen from the Cincinnati Boychoir, for which he is a member.  While in the Cincinnati Boychoir, Tyler has sung with the Cincinnati Pops, Indiana University Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, the Four Tenors and the American Choral Directors Association Conference in Chicago. Tyler is also in the CCS Elementary Select Choir and plays the trumpet in our 6th grade band. What a privilege and honor Tyler, way to go! 
 
 
 
If you have praise-worthy news items to share with the Cincinnati Christian Schools family that involve either CCS students and/or staff, please email it to
Kim Smith (Public Relations Assistant) at kim.smith@cincinnatichristian.org.