In the News...
Veritas Christian Academy Seniors Named Merit® Scholarship Winners
Two Veritas Christian Academy seniors have earned National Merit Scholarships. Jessie Callaway has won the National Merit Corporate Scholarship. Callaway is one of approximately 1,000 distinguished high school seniors nationwide to win a National Merit Scholarship award. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice. Jessie will attend Auburn University in Birmingham, Alabama this fall.
Jessie Callaway
July 2010
Andy Chu is one of 2,500 distinguished high school students to win a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship. Andy was chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. These Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Andy will attend Duke University this fall.
Andy Chu
2008 - 2009
2007 - 2008
More than 1.5 million juniors in over 22,000 high schools entered the 2010 National Merit Scholarship competition when they took the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. In September 2009, some 16,000 Semifinalists were designated on a state representational basis, in numbers proportional to each state’s percentage of the nation’s high school graduating seniors. Semifinalists were the highest-scoring program entrants in each state and represented less than one percent of a state’s seniors.
To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists had to fulfill requirements to advance to Finalist standing. Each Semifinalist submitted a detailed scholarship application, which included writing an essay, and providing information about extracurricular activities, awards, and leadership positions. Semifinalists also had to have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a school official, and earn SAT scores that confirmed their qualifying test performance. Some 15,000 Semifinalists met Finalist requirements.
By the conclusion of the 2010 competition, about 8,400 Finalists will be selected to receive National Merit Scholarships totaling over $36 million. Winners are the Finalist candidates judged to have the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
Established in 1955 to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program, NMSC is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. The majority of National Merit Scholarships offered each year are underwritten by some 500 independent corporate and college sponsors that support NMSC’s efforts to honor the nation’s scholastic talent and encourage academic excellence at all levels of education.
Veritas Takes Top Honors in Math Competition
Veritas Christian Academy took first place in the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Southeast Region Math League contest. Twenty-six 7th and 8th grade Pre-Algebra students from Veritas participated, competing against students from ACSI Division II schools throughout Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The objectives of the Math League competition are to stimulate interest in math and to recognize the achievements of students in advanced math classes.
Veritas Christian Academy recognizes two semifinalists named in the 2010 National Merit® Scholarship Program.
Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Two of those semifinalists named are Veritas Christian Academy Seniors Jessie Callaway and Andy Chu. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million, that will be offered next spring. More than 1.5 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Finalists in the program will be announced in February 2010, and scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April 2010.
In addition, Veritas Christian Academy Senior Samuel Caldemeyer has been named Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2010 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2010 competition by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
Andy Chu, Jessie Callaway, and Sam Caldemeyer
Soccer game dedicated to memory of Jessie Garren
On September 8, Brevard High School traveled to Fletcher to play against Veritas Christian Academy in a very special soccer game -- one that honored Jessie Garren, who died September 8, 2008 of a rare form of cancer. Jessie was a senior at Brevard and her brother, Robert, was a freshman, and soccer player, at Veritas. The two schools played each other on the night Jessie passed away, and at this year’s game her life was remembered.
Throughout Jessie’s 2-year battle with cancer, she showed courage and optimism and unabashedly lived her life for God. She served as a positive influence for everyone, of all ages, who came in contact with her. She was always mindful that God had a “greater plan for her life” and lived life to its fullest, glorifying the Lord every day.
In this year’s game dedicated to Jessica’s memory, her brother Robert Garren, now a sophomore at Veritas, again played for the Veritas team as goalie. Although the game was rained out just minutes into the second half and the score was badly one-sided, it was not the weather or really even the game that brought everyone to the field. It was the memory of a very special young lady who touched the lives of so many.
To learn more about Jessie and her faith, you can watch her testimony at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwVT7ITjA-8 .
Jessie Garren
Veritas Lady Warriors win Blue Ridge Classic Championship
The Veritas Christian Academy Varsity Volleyball Team traveled to Johnson City, Tennessee last weekend to compete in the Blue Ridge Classic Tournament hosted by Providence Academy. The tournament hosted eight teams from Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Veritas played six matches over the two-day event winning the championship match against Hampton Park of Greenville, SC 25-23 and 25-18 after defeating the previously reigning champs, Providence Academy, in the semi-finals 25-17 and 25-23.
The All-Tournament team included Senior Elia Storto (13 kills, 43 digs), Junior Allie Russell (19 kills, 35 assists, 24 aces, 39 digs), and Freshman Abby Chu (40 digs). Tournament MVP was awarded to Senior Jessica Reece who finished the weekend with 59 kills, 42 blocks, and 26 digs. Freshman Courtney Hayes also contributed in a major way to the championship by leading the Warriors with 44 assists and 44 digs.
The Veritas Lady Warriors improved their overall season record to 7-5 following the 5-1 weekend.
Left to Right: Abby Chu, Elia Storto,
Courtney Hayes, Hannah Posey,
Jess Reece, Allie Marie Price, Allie Russell, and Hartley Heffner
Veritas Christian Academy gets two new basketball coaches
The Warriors continued to fill out their coaching staff today, announcing the hiring of Tara Saunooke Alexander as the new varsity girls’ basketball coach. Alexander played basketball for Clemson University from 1992-1995 and still holds many career records for the Lady Tigers. She holds all-time 3-point field goal record and is their #7 all-time leading scorers with 1462 career points and 255 career assists. She is also ranked #10 for career steals. Alexander graduated from Clemson in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and a minor in Sports Marketing. She still enjoys playing softball, tennis, and basketball.
Veritas hired Joel Johnston last week to coach the varsity boys’ basketball team. Johnston established the Carolina Kings AAU Basketball Program in 2004 and coached with the Kings from 2004-2009. He also coached at Valley Springs Middle School from 2003-2009. Johnston comes to Veritas with a great passion for the game and excellent recommendations from many in the community. References for Johnston regard him as “the best in the area in coaching” while being a “great role model”.
