Inside SCS: Vol. 1, Jan. 2023

Welcome to Inside SCS: an update of happenings at Sarasota Christian School featuring news, special events, and student, faculty and alumni spotlights!

RECORD BREAKING ENROLLMENT AT SCS!

SCS is beginning 2023 with it's largest student enrollment since the 2004-05 school year. With 298 students in lower school, and 264 in upper school, our grand total comes to 562 Blazers!

We are blessed to have each student entrusted to us and seek to equip each and every one with a "love for Christ, passion to learn, courage to lead and commitment to serve."

SIGN(S) OF THE TIMES

SCS facilities looking better than ever is just a SIGN of the times. You may have noticed new directional, classroom and building signs on campus as well as refreshed signage in the front lobby. The gym was also recently treated to new branded wall padding, thanks in part to the SCS Boosters. Our generous Partner Program participants and Booster business supporters are also enjoying new signs both indoors and outdoors, and our fleet is getting a refreshed look as well!

SCS COMMUNITY GENEROSITY IS MAKING HISTORY

This year’s Inspire Gala wasn’t just about a glamorous evening of fundraising - it was also about making history. That’s because this year’s event raised over $443,000* - the largest amount ever in the event’s five year history. Events Manager, Dana Mitchell attributes the overwhelming success to the main focus of the fundraiser. “I really believe our community is behind the need for the new high school building, and that is evident through the generosity that is being shown for this project already.”

That generosity continued as this year’s Giving Tuesday event at SCS also broke records, raising $39,200 in just 24 hours. That figure crushed the previous record making it the largest Giving Tuesday ever at SCS.

In addition, SCS has also welcomed 27 Partner Program sponsors this year, the largest group since the program’s inception in 2018.

Even with all the success the 2022-23 school year has already enjoyed, it is believed that the best is actually yet to come. The SCS Festival & Auction is slated for Feb 18th, 2023. The 64th annual event will bring the community together for live and silent auctions, food and fun. For more information on how you can help with this event, contact Dana Mitchell today.

*gross amount raised

BUILDING DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH

Juniors and seniors are learning more than reading, writing and arithmetic this year, they’re also learning how to defend their faith. SCS upperclassmen are being armed with the necessary tools to support Biblical Christianity by teachers Greta Otto and Deb White in their Apologetics class.

“..it is imperative that we present good argumentation for the reliability of the Scriptures. We desire for our students to be equipped not to just handle the onslaught of antagonism toward historical Biblical Christianity, but that they might also winsomely defend it through a life well lived before an unbelieving world and through thoughtful, articulate conversation.”

- Deb White

The Apologetics students recently hosted a “Gallery Walk” in which they displayed infographics that were designed in response to the prompt, “The Argument for Design." Guests were invited to engage with the students to find out what they have learned that points to God as both our designer and creator.

A COMMITMENT TO SERVE

High School students sorted donations for Hurricane Relief

The PTA's Gobble Give- Back project collected gift cards for families in need

Lower School students made Thanksgiving cards for Sunnyside residents

From meeting the needs Hurricane Ian victims and supporting those battling childhood cancer, to feeding the hungry and even bringing cheer to our elderly neighbors, SCS students, faculty and families united as a “Community of Service” in 2022.

A "Toy Drive" to support children battling cancer was held in honor of Mrs. Thoresen's nephew, Fischer, and resulted in hundreds of donations

Over $1,100 (50% of the proceeds from the middle school winter social) was donated for the purchase of additional toys for All Children's Hospital cancer patients

Mrs. Kovacs' (K) and Mrs. Bryan's (5th) classes made Christmas cards for Sunnyside residents

SCS TEAM APPROACHES THE BENCH

Affidavits, prosecution techniques and defense strategies are all in a day's work for members of the newest competition team at Sarasota Christian School. Eight of our high school students have risen to the challenge of participating in the inaugural SCS Mock Trial Team. Former defense attorney and current SCS parent, Ken Lester is coaching students on the fine points of legal procedures as students prepare for their debut in the Florida High School Mock Trial Competition next month.

The academic championship, which began in 1991, emphasizes legal process, reasoning and analysis as well as critical thinking skills. Hundreds of attorneys and judges volunteer to participate in the circuit and state mock trial competitions each year. State winners go on to compete at the national level.

The SCS team will take the courtroom at the 12th Circuit Court level on February 18th.

COLLEGE BOARD UPDATE

SCS has received approval by the College Board to be one of only 2,500 schools worldwide to offer the AP Capstone Diploma. The specialty program consists of two year-long courses taken consecutively, AP Seminar and AP Research. The diploma program emphasizes critical thinking and collaboration as well as communication and presentation, all skills necessary for success in both college and career settings.

SCS will begin offering AP Seminar this fall.

SCS College and Career Counselor and high school teacher, Dr. Susan Hedgcock, has been selected to serve as an AP Reader for the Educational Testing Service. Dr. Hedgcock will be reading and scoring Advanced Placement Literature essays beginning this summer.

Congratulations to Dr. Hedgcock for being recognized as an expert in her field with this honor.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:

CANDICE HENRY

SCS 2009 alum and valedictorian, Candice Henry will be returning to campus on Jan. 10th to encourage students considering Sarasota Christian at High School Info Night.

Ms. Henry studied Communication and Business at Thomas Edison State University and received her Master's Degree in Executive Leadership from Liberty University. She is a published author and Professor of Leadership for Southeastern University. She is also the co-founder of Aretios along with her sister, Lauren (also an SCS alumnae) where they work as success and influence strategists teaching leadership and personal development to young professionals and entrepreneurs.

Ms. Henry attended SCS from 1st - 12th grades. She took some time recently to reflect on her accomplishments and on her experience as a "Blazer."

Candice Henry

Please share any accomplishments that you are especially proud of.

I’m proud of the incredible strides we have made in our business recently! Through our international podcast tour, we were able to collaborate with influencers around the world and train their communities. We were also invited to guest lecture for several universities in the United States and conduct trainings for non-profit organizations, corporations, and C-suite level business executives. Additionally, I’m proud of the exciting features we’ve received with our articles and content being published in 20+ industry platforms, media outlets, and both Lauren and I were recently named to SRQ Magazine's 35 Under 35 List.

Candice and her sister, Lauren Henry

Co-Founders of ARETIOS

What is your favorite SCS memory?

There are many great memories from my years at Sarasota Christian! A few that come to mind are traveling to music festivals and state competitions with the Touring Choir, acting in theater productions in both middle and high school, working on the yearbook, and all of the fun, annual campus-wide events.

Who from SCS had the biggest impact on your life?

The teachers at SCS had a significant, positive impact on my life, and I am incredibly grateful for their investment into my life and education. As a professor, I now have an even greater appreciation for all they did for me over the years.

How did you feel when asked to speak at the upcoming High School Info Night?

It’s an honor to share with prospective families! SCS made a wonderful impact on my life and education, and I’d love to help others have that same experience!