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

December, 2016
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 praiseworthy 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 .

SPECIAL THANKS to Leah Murphy for her enthusiasm
and help with each issue!
 
(not in order) Mallory Custer,  Josh Lawless,  Kayleb Armstrong,  Olivia Mayleben,  Payton Keiner,  Josh Musson,  Anna Armour,  Tori Byndon,  Jeremiah Hester,  Mitchell Smith,  Mason Cardwell,  Mallory Rosenberg,  Calvin Shaw,  Rhyan Pater,  Merrick Heid
Chick-fil-A Leader Academy Impact Through Action
The Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is a national leadership program which focuses on impact through action. The program engages students with a monthly "Leader Lab," which focuses on teaching them important leadership insights (vision and values, servant leadership, teamwork, communication, innovation and impact), then requires them to put what they learn into action. Throughout each school year, CCS students usually plan and lead two service projects.  

Meetings during November centered around the current work with New Life Baptist Mission, culminating on December 10, with "Do Good December."  The mission of the project was to provide backpacks filled with winter supplies to homeless children.  Fifty backpacks were distributed!  Grade levels at CCS competed for a "free dress code day" by donating s mall fleece blankets, gloves, hats, and socks for points. The Leader Academy students also led a coin drive to raise money in the mornings before school to help purchase more donation items. The 9th graders were the leaders, winning an out-of-dress-code day!

CCS Chick-fil-A program is sponsored by Daryl Nelson, the owner of the Bridgewater Chick-fil-A.   Mrs. Shari Parker (JH/SH Campus Nurse) is the CCS group coordinator.
 
"I Was Hungry, and You Gave Me Something to Eat" 
The National Junior Honor Society served at the Tri-County Assembly (TCA) food pantry this month.  It is the group's goal this year to be a servant of God to others. Some of the  NJHS students and their families  assisted over 85 shoppers with food selection that day.  

The TCA food pantry was also visited recently by Mrs. Rice's 5th grade for their Service Learning Project.  

The TCA food pantry regularly provides food and personal items to the residents of Butler County.  Both student groups  were also able to provide support to the TCA volunteers and staff during this busy holiday season.   Mrs. Barthelemy (junior high science teacher and NJHS mentor) said, " It was a great opportunity for the students to talk to our community neighbors and see how a food pantry is able to reach out and provide assistance to those who need hope restored."
 
JH/SH Campus SLED #2 Touches All 
Mrs. Hauer was very pleased with the results of the second Spiritual Life Emphasis Day, its topic being "Resting in Jesus." 

Junior and senior high students' entire day was a mix of: 
  • praise and worship through music and song
  • learning from staff speakers about their choices for "resting body and mind" (1 Kings 19:1-9)
  • self reflection prompts (Exodus 18:13-23)
  • "challenge to unplug" video (Satan's Meeting) 
  • actual time for the students to choose and practice that "resting" choice (praying, hiking/walking, visual or music artistic expression, reading, writing, playing, etc.)
  • learning how to vacillate daily between rest (abiding in Jesus) and work (bearing fruit)
SLED #3 will take place on Monday, January 30.  Mrs. Hauer hopes to schedule another Parents' SLED Night in tandem.
 
Buddy Field Trip


Several times a year, the 5th and 1st grades "buddy" up for bonding and mentoring activities.  

In October, the "big buddies" and "little buddies" went on a field trip together to Barn-n-Bunk! 

This buddy program is an annual favorite, enjoyed by both grades! 
 
A Race Well Run 

This year's CCS Athletic Boosters Run/Walk drew a crowd of 211 runners, walkers, and volunteers! 

Thanks to the sponsors, donors and participants, the event raised more than $3,500 for CCS athletics. Additionally, $390 of the proceeds went to Project MaƱana and the Serve City Homeless Shelter. 

Congratulations to the six 2016 winners: Katie Ruhlman, Matt Floyd, Justin Sanker, Melissa Wanninger, Brian Hallbach, and Jenny Bertram. ( Click here for race results details and race committee members.)   Tim Speight,  the event committee's head coordinator, is thrilled with the event's success, and is proud of and grateful for the committee's efforts each year!

Special thanks goes to the major sponsors who each gave more than $250 each to the race: anonymous givers, CCS Elementary Running Club, Elite Chiropractic, Explosion Fitness Solutions, Fairfield Optimist Club, Park Avenue Church of Christ, Project 5 2, and U.S. Bank.  
 
Elementary Running Club Makes Strong Finish

In partnership with Miami University, seven elementary students, grades 4th through 6th, completed the "Just Run Training" program.  This elementary running club prepared the students for our CCS Athletic Boosters' Annual Walk/Run event. 

Mrs. Julie Eshman reports, "The students worked on their running agility, speed, and distance, and were all strong finishers at the big race!  Congratulations to Brandon, Emanuel, Drew, Caleb G., Caleb V., Alex, and Emma.  The club was blessed to have current Miami student and CCS alumna, Melissa Wanninger, as their coach."   Go, Cougars!
 
7th Grade Science Class Combines Physics and Fun

Mrs. Barthelemy's class attended the Cyclone's game on Education Day.  They learned that physics and mathematics connects to hockey, while enjoying a science demonstration from the Imagination Station Group from Toledo, Ohio!
 
CCS Senior Signs with Taylor University!

On November 21, Brady Roberts held his official signing to play golf with Taylor University.

Typically, signing events are held once during each season. However, Brady committed to Taylor University after the official date, and his coach, Scott Osborne, is in Germany for the next 6 months. It was very important to Brady that Coach Osborne be present for the signing.  
 
TCA Field Donation 

Thank you, Tri-County Assembly of God!   Our girls varsity softball team will be playing their games this spring on a brand new field built and loaned by TCA!  The field is located on the TCA property just north and east of the soccer field, and represents an investment of around $80,000 by the church. 

We would like to thank Pastor Brad Rosenberg, who is a CCS alumnus and parent, along with the entire TCA congregation for making such a remarkable facility available to our teams.  They are a wonderfully generous partner in ministry. 
 
As announced earlier, the boys varsity baseball team has reached an agreement to play on a revitalized Crawford Woods Park field. The funding for that renovation came from donations raised by the baseball team and contributions from the city park service. 
 
The baseball and softball programs have been two of our most successful programs for the past decade.  Now, they have home playing fields to match their already-great talent.  Go, Cougars!
 
Volcanic Creations  

In junior high science, the 8th grade students worked on an interdisciplinary unit with the art classes. The students built a 3D model of the three different types of volcanoes: shield, composite and cinder cone. These students competed for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place based upon accuracy, creativity and artistic abilities. Zachary Schlake won 1st place, Carissa Shaw won 2nd and Chloe Sammond won 3rd. Models that were also honored belonged to Crystal Wilson, Alex Bertram and Liberty Koehling. The winning volcanoes will be displayed in the front lobby of the CCS JH/SH campus.
 
A Striking Excursion    

Every year, Lisa Nimmo and Ken Peters take the boys and girls physical education and weight training classes on a bowling field trip to Gilmore Lanes.  They compete for the Best Guy Bowler, Best Girl Bowler, Best Team, and the Goofiest Bowler awards. The students have a great time together, and the event has even helped the CCS bowling team find new bowlers!
 
Basketball Team Shares the Hoop    

This past summer, members of our basketball team  traveled to Jamaica with Center Pointe Christian Church. They conducted a week-long basketball camp for the high school students of Jamaica.  Mark Roberts, Laura Wells, Bob Hesselgesser, and Brian Oates took senior varsity players Sam Wells,  Nick Hesselgesser, Brady Roberts, Josh Oates, and CCS alum basketball player, Jacob Oates. 

Coach Brian Oates said, " There were over 150 kids at the camp, where our boys taught the fundamentals of basketball, shared devotions daily, and had the opportunity to play alongside the campers each night.  On our last day, there were eight high school Jamaican boys that were baptized during our awards celebration as a result of this mission."  Go, God!  Go, Cougars!
 
Staff Engagements Celebrated

Congratulations to Miss Schmitt (our JH history teacher) who is now engaged to Mr. Ralph Brody!  They met online, and Miss Schmitt says, "The Lord brought him into my life as a gift at just the right time."

Congratulations to Miss Leah Murphy (CCS alumna and current CCS performance theatre teacher) who is now engaged to Mr. Carter Perry! The couple met at Taylor University where they performed in multiple theatre shows.

Ask them each about their very special proposal stories. Blessings over both couples! 

 
 
 
If you have praiseworthy 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.