The Chimes
Page Chimes2
The Chimes
Newsletter of the Hawthorne Christian Academy
•
Summer 2015
Celebrating HCA's Diversity
• It's been a remarkable year! See pages 4-5 •
A Word in Season
HCA
Dear Hawthorne Christian Family and Friends,
The Chimes of Hawthorne Christian
Academy is published three times a year
As our graduating twelfth graders look forward to new
experiences in their college communities we need to also
take time to look back on a year with much to celebrate.
In fact, we have so many reasons to rejoice that this issue
of the Chimes is packed with accomplishments.
H
Our students placed first in competitions in math and
handwriting, garnered Best of Show in art and creative
writing, swept awards in music competitions, and won
numerous field day athletic events. Perhaps our biggest
“first” was our first state sectional championship, courtesy
of our boys’ varsity soccer team and coaches!
David Seidman
Head of School
All of this demonstrates that HCA is a school that is rich in life experiences
outside of the classroom, a place where students can find an avenue to pursue their
interests and gifts.
These accomplishments took place with faculty, coaches and staff on the sidelines
or behind the scenes, their guidance key to our students’ success. This spring the
faculty was honored at our annual banquet with the Building Foundations for Life
Award, a fitting name that accurately depicts their daily role here.
Support from parents and friends of HCA has been outstanding as well. Annual
giving has been up and record numbers attended our annual banquet, the highlight
of which was the announcement of a pledge of one million dollars for the
establishment of an endowment fund for financial aid.
Looking back on this year, one can see how our success has been about the
community coming together to support the mission of HCA. Perhaps this
year’s school theme, chosen by our students, says it best: It’s all about Jesus. This
demonstrates that our young people truly understand who we are as a school. It’s
all about Jesus reflects why an HCA education is distinctive.
Thank you for partnering with us to make this year one to remember. As spring
moves into summer let’s note that there are some things we can continually
celebrate year-round…
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
they are new every morning;
C
awthorne
hristian
2000 Route 208
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
973.423.3331
Academy
Photos by Ellen Pelliccio and the
Yearbook Staff
Head of School
David Seidman
Lower School Principal
Donna Pfeiffer
Assistant to Head of School
Daniel Brown
Director of Guidance
Patricia Davis
Director of Advancement
Tammy Butler
Director of Admissions
Victoria Grant
Director of Athletics
Tyler Van Dyk
Chimes Editor
Barbara Higby
Visit us at hca.org
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/HawthorneChristianAcademy
his mercies never come to an end;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Page 2 │The Chimes
Blessings,
Dave Seidman
Head of School
Hawthorne Christian Academy admits students
of any race, color, national and ethnic origin
to all the rights, privileges, programs, and
activities generally accorded or made available
to the students at the Academy. It does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
and ethnic origin in the administration of
its educational policies, admissions policies,
scholarship and tuition aid programs, and
athletic and other school-administered programs.
International Dinner Celebrates
HCA's Cultural Diversity
Students dressed in national garb and read Scripture in foreign languages.
T
he Middle School International Dinner poignantly
demonstrated the rich cultural diversity found at HCA,
beginning with a processional of national flags.
Students clad in traditional dress carried
the flags, setting the tone for students,
parents and teachers to celebrate
HCA's wide range of cultures.
Mr. Seidman prayed a Hebrew
blessing over the meal and
guests enjoyed a multiethnic
cuisine with samples of food
from around the world.
As students recited John
3:16 in fourteen languages—
Malayalam, Spanish, Taiwanese,
Italian, Mandarin, Hebrew, French,
Arabic, German, Greek, Japanese,
Zulu, Hindi, Korean, Norwegian, and
American Sign—a kaleidoscope of ethnic
backgrounds emerged, united by faith in Christ.
During an especially moving moment, Mr. Lamitola led prayer
for the persecuted church. People huddled together in small
groups throughout the Pavilion to intercede for
Christ's suffering children on foreign soil.
Flags and costumes, food and
games, prayer and music­—
each component orchestrated
to celebrate the rich diversity
found at HCA. According to a
recent report, HCA's ethnicity
rate is 53 percent: 12% African/
American, 20% Asian, 47%
Caucasian and 21% Hispanic/
Latino.
HCA, culturally diverse,
spiritually united—living life as
God intended.
Parents and students unite to pray
for the persecuted church.
The Chimes │Page 3
It's Been a Remarkable Year...
Endowment fund is
established
A
s we look at the benefits of an education at
HCA, many have felt a burden to assist families
who desire to send or keep their children here, but
need tuition aid to do so. A year and a half ago,
with the blessing of Hawthorne Gospel Church, we
established a finance committee. Policies and bylaws
were created, five finance firms were interviewed, and
many prayers were prayed, resulting in the creation of
an endowment fund for tuition aid.
The formation of the Betty
Sue Koeller Endowment
Fund was formally
announced at HCA’s
Annual Banquet on
March 12, followed
by a disclosure that
stunned guests
and glorified
God—the pledge
of one million
dollars from Ken
and Nancy Koeller to
the endowment fund,
Be
r
established in honor of
ll e
tty
Sue Koe
Ken’s late wife, Betty Sue
Koeller. The first installment
of $100,000 was deposited the day of the banquet,
added to generous gifts they previously made.
The Koellers want to see children attend Hawthorne
Christian Academy who otherwise might not be
able to afford the tuition. They view their giving as
returning to God what is already His and give Him
all the glory for enabling them to offer this gift. Ken
and Nancy Koeller invite you, HCA’s friends and
supporters, to come alongside them and prayerfully
consider supporting this worthy cause.
Page 4 │The Chimes
ACSI recognizes excellence
W
hile strong test scores and quality college acceptances indicate
a successful program at HCA, a third party’s evaluation of our
organization can provide critical feedback for future growth. In our case,
two outside organizations assess our effectiveness in an accreditation
process of regular review. This strengthens and improves the effectiveness
of our school and the quality of instruction for our students. The two
organizations that accredit HCA are the Middle States Association of
Colleges and Schools and ACSI, the Association of Christian Schools
International. ACSI’s evaluation is unique as it probes the spiritual aspects
of each component of the school, verifying that all the work done here is
based on a solid philosophy of Christian education.
The process is lengthy, involving several years of collecting data on
the school’s programs and culminating in an accreditation report that
represents the entire community’s self-evaluation. Under the able
leadership of Marcia Rainey, who was recently appointed Upper School
Principal (page 13), the school came together to reflect back and project
ahead on areas of strength and potential growth.
The visiting ACSI team arrived in February to verify the details of
our report and provide their own assessment of HCA's progress,
strengths, and future areas of growth. The team left us with five major
commendations: establishment of an effective security system and a
clearly defined parking lot traffic pattern (which was the biggest concern
from our last accreditation visit seven years ago); development of an
effective Advancement Department to support the school’s mission
through improvements in admissions, fund-raising and increased
community involvement; provision of quality extracurricular activities
that encourage students to use their God-given talents and abilities;
the nurturing of a spiritual culture that promotes spiritual growth,
as developed by a committed faculty and staff; and employment and
retention of faculty members who are dedicated to the teaching of Biblical
truth and spiritual formation—recognition from an outside group for our
faculty, who provide a component of education that makes HCA unique!
The team also made recommendations as HCA moves forward: Develop
an ongoing formal technology plan for faculty, staff, and students;
establish a formal and systematic approach to evaluating and updating
the school’s curriculum and its textbook selection; revamp Employee and
Parent-Student Handbooks; and develop an ongoing plan for professional
development for our faculty, with a focus on student achievement,
technology, and Biblical worldview integration.
The most exciting thing about accreditation is the opportunity to
collaborate on how we will move into the future and grow as a
community, fulfilling our mission by looking at new ways to engage our
students in becoming scholars and fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Soccer team wins sectional championship
Post Season Honors
New Single Season Record: 19-4-2
State Sectional Champions
Post Season Rank #8: all non-public
schools (Soccer Coaches Assn. of NJ)
Post Season Rank #18: North Jersey (the
Record)
Post Season Rank #2: NJIC Conference
(nj.com)
Post Season Rank #10: all non-public
schools in NJ (nj.com)
Three players selected to 1st Team All
County
The varsity boys' soccer team: Nick Alvarez, Justin Augustin, Mike Aust, Andrew Browne, Collin Callahan, David Falcon, DJ Falcon, Clarence Fitchett,
Stephen Gabriele (captain), Frank Generoso, Eric Harley, Caleb Hart (captain), Marcus Jefferson, Caleb Koppenal, Mike Kriesel, Joe Leveroni, Tim
Mastroberti, Aren Mayisoglu, Jonathan Meharg, Kyle Nawyn, Randy New, Tim Odusote, Henry Prinz (captain), Hunter Robertson, Kirk Schmidt,
Christopher Silos, Nate Summerton, Rene White, Jonathan Williams, Josiah Williams and Will Woodfin.
"I
ron sharpens iron," a phrase from Proverbs 27:17, serves as
the theme for the Defenders boys' soccer program and this
year they were certainly sharp, etching their place in HCA's
history books by becoming the State Sectional champions in the
New Jersey State Interscholastic
Athletic Association.
Their dramatic rise to distinction
this season is a culmination for
a number of graduating seniors
who have represented HCA as members of the boys' soccer
program since the sixth grade. During their time as Defenders
they won two Coppa Italia Championships in middle school.
Over their four years in high school they compiled a 63-16-4
record and qualified for the State Tournament all four years,
topping it off with HCA's first State Sectional Championship.
This team, as a whole, distinguished itself truly as "Team First"
and their overall success is a direct result of their attitude and
effort. Through hard work and being blessed with tremendous
skill, three players earned All State awards: Rene White, 1st Team
All State; Will Woodfin, 2nd Team All State; Stephen Gabriele,
3rd Team All State.
In addition to the previously reported All County and All League
awards, the Record awarded junior Rene
White 1st Team All North Jersey and junior
Will Woodfin 2nd Team All North Jersey.
Rene set a new Defenders' record for career
goals with 96 goals, topping Jeff Wesdyk's 75
goals in 1991. The Suburban News named
Rene, Stephen Gabriele and Will Woodfin
1st Team All Area.
Coach Tyler Van Dyk was named NJIC (New
Tyler Van Dyk
Jersey Interscholastic Conference) Patriot
Division Athletic Director of the Year, as well as NJIC Coach
of the Year by North Jersey Media. He also received the Jack
McFadden Memorial Award (Soccer Coach of the Year) from the
Old Timers Athletic Association of Greater Paterson, Inc.
The Chimes │Page 5
Visual Arts
Festival
Students celebrated their artistic
achievements at the 2015 ACSI
Visual Arts Festival. Students
entered various art forms in the
competition, employing a variety
of media—painting (tempera,
watercolor, acrylic), drawing (color
pastel, colored pencil, marker pen),
clay sculpture, mixed media, collage.
Each of the forty entrants from
HCA received an excellent or
superior rating for their work. The
three students pictured below won
Best of Show.
Sophia Varghese,
grade 2, oil pastels
Joelle Lee, grade 3,
watercolor
Cana Koppenal, grade 5, tempera
Three loved teachers
are leaving this year,
one of whom is our
talented, dedicated
art teacher of 25
years, Janice Lutke.
Ja
We will also miss
n ic e L utk e
lower school librarian,
Susan Ibach, and fifth grade teacher
Erin Schilstra. May God bless each of
them as they pursue new ventures.
Page 6 │The Chimes
Student
News
NNJCSA Math
HCA hosted the 2015 Northern New
Jersey Christian School Association
(NNJCSA) Math Contest on March
30. The competition included students
from grades three through eight from
ten Christian schools. HCA's contestants
practiced after school for four weeks in
preparation for the competition and it
paid off.
HCA placed first in Division I (grades
3-5). Joelle Lee (third grade) and Kayla
Oh (fifth grade) won first place for their
grade levels and Luke Mitchell placed
second for fourth grade.
In Division II (grades 6-8), HCA came in
third place. Emily Oh and Kaylyn Wang
tied for third place in the seventh grade
and Kristina Hickey took third place for
the eighth grade.
HCA's math contestants enjoyed great success at the NNJCSA Mat
are Erik Andersen, Tessa Lee, Joelle Lee, Luke Mitchell and Jonath
Standing are Annie Chang, Kristina Hickey, Faythe Way, Emily Oh,
Kayla Oh and Jessica Rodriguez.
NNJCSA Field Day
Handwriting Contest
Qualifying students from grades
three through eight competed in the
NNJCSA Field Day at Brookdale Park
in Bloomfield. HCA won first place for
Division 2 (grades 6-8).
Good handwriting remains an emphasis
at HCA, even though the
trend in education is
to disregard the skill.
Five of our students
recently qualified
to compete
in the ZanerBloser National
Handwriting
Contest, Sophie
Arrieta (K), Sophia
S
n
op
h i a G u in g o
Guingon (1), Mia
Morales (2), Joelle Lee
(3), and Rachel Guillen (4). Sophia
Guingon won first place for grade one
nationwide.
First place event winners were Alec
Morlote (8), obstacle course; Taylor
Salvigsen (8), obstacle course; JJ Jobson
(7), softball throw, shuttle run, 100 yard
dash, broad jump; Jarec Morlote (7),
obstacle course; Ethan Koo (6), 100 yard
dash, broad jump; Ty Higby (5), softball
throw; and Joshua Dalgetty (4), 50 yard
dash, broad jump. The sixth grade team
came in first for the 4x100 relay: Andrew
Egedy, Ethan Koo, Colleen Moran and
Faythe Way.
Heritage Performance
Festival
Servants of the King, HCA’s select choir,
competed against schools from across the
nation and Canada in the World Strides
Heritage Performance Festival, held in
San Diego, California, on April 25. HCA
swept the competition, winning Overall
Best Choir, the Choral Sweepstakes
Award for the Best Group with two or
more entries, and the Spirit of San Diego
Award for the school that best represents
their school, community and country.
Servants of the King,
HCA's Men’s Ensemble
and HCA's Women’s
Ensemble, each won
gold medals in their
division, under the
leadership of Director
Anne Paynter.
Additionally, all three
groups were invited to
perform at Carnegie
Hall in 2016 as part
of the National Youth
Choir.
the NNJCSA Math Contest. Seated
itchell and Jonathan Yoo.
e Way, Emily Oh, Kaylyn Wang,
Senior Marcus Jefferson
won the Soloist Award
and sophomore Joshua
Butler received the
Ovation Award for
the student who
displays determination,
inspiration and service.
Music in the Parks
Chorale Competition
HCA's Chorale and Servants of the King
both received superior ratings at the Music
in the Parks competition held at Hershey
Park, Pennsylvania, on May 8-9. More
than 20 public and private schools from
across the Northeast participated. Chorale
was the first choir of the day to compete in
the Mixed Choir I category and the judges
gave them a score of 99.25. Servants of
the King followed in the Mixed Choir
II Category and was awarded a score
of 99.5 Both groups won first place in
their division and Servants of the King
was awarded Best Overall Choir for the
weekend.
Servants return from San Diego with trophies and awards won at the Heritage Festival. The award
winning singers in row one are Joshua Butler, Lauren Klas, Rachel Rubio, Olivia White, Mickayla
Sujkowski, Evelyn Park, Sara Torres, Alicia Locker, Christiana McGann and Marcus Jefferson. In
row two are Shelby Tortorello, Julianne Rotella, Grace Meharg, Esther Han, Ashley Hanna, Sophia
Alvarez, Gabriela Romano, Sara Alektiar, Maegan Hoogerhyde, and Miche Aime. In the top row are
Andrew Paynter, Joe Battistella, Nathan Seidman, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Alvarez, Rene White,
Emanuel Acosta, Jonathan Alektiar, Peter Warnet, Jesse Kriesel, Henry Prinz and Luke Polihrom.
Creative Writing Festival
Each of the thirteen fourth and fifth grade students who submitted free verse
and rhymed poetry to the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International)
Creative Writing Festival won recognition.
Cana Koppenal, Kaitlan Prioleau, Elijah Warren and Jeselle Wofford earned a superior
for their poems. Rhiannon Atekpe, Jayden Castro, Nathanael Gunawan, Jordan
Hoogerhyde, Luke Mitchell, Kayla Oh and Briellie Schuessler received excellent; Kate
Murtagh and Jonathan Yoo were ranked good. Two award winning poems follow.
My Thoughts
God is Good, God is Fair
by Jayden Castro, grade 4
by Kayla Oh, grade 5
My thoughts are racing and my heart is
Climb a tree
pacing,
Breathe the air
Thinking of the right words to write.
But I promise the right words I will recite,
I will write without fear as my emotions
God is good, God is fair
He made the world, the skies so blue
The clouds so white, all this is true
are near,
I will write about the earth and maybe my
birth.
Should I write about my school and all
the things that are cool?
He made Adam and then Eve
He made all our memories
Why believe in evolution
Know the truth of a solution
God is good, God is fair
And as my thoughts are racing and my
heart is pacing,
I realize I have a poem right here.
So climb a tree
And breathe his air
The Chimes │Page 7
The Class o
H
awthorne Christian Academy’s
twenty-seventh graduating class
received their diplomas on June twelfth.
The graduates are listed with the colleges
they plan to attend.
Row one
*Theodora Mandaro, Gordon College
*Alicia Locker, California Baptist University
*Kayla Goenaga, Montclair State University
**Sara Alektiar, University of Michigan
Lauren Klas, Gordon College
**Christiana McGann, Wheaton College
Janelle Gabriele, Palm Beach Atlantic Univ.
Gabriella Pascarelli, Gordon College
Row two
**Kyle Nawyn, Cedarville University
*Jonathan Meharg, Taylor University
*Sarah Bogerman, Rutgers University,
(New Brunswick), School of
Environmental and Biological Sciences
**Shelby Tortorello, Liberty University
Jessica Barragan, Rockland Comm. College
*Brianna Kudisch, Taylor University
**Elden Lu, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University
**Stephen Gabriele, Spring Arbor University
Page 8 │The Chimes
ss of 2015
Row three
Aren Mayisoglu, Quinnipiac University
**Joseph Battistella, University of Valley
Forge
Jason Awad, Ramapo College
*Alexandra Baels, University of New Haven
Michanda Aime, University of Hartford
*Nathaniel Ocot, Grove City College
**Emanuel Acosta, Wheaton College
*Luke Polihrom, New York University
Row four
**Henry Prinz, Wheaton College
Julianne Rotella, Messiah College
**Andrew Paynter, Savannah College of
Art and Design
*Peter Warnet, Wheaton College
Caleb Hart, Ramapo College
*Nicholas Nuziale, Ramapo College
*Gabriela Romano, Ramapo College
**Marcus Jefferson, Eastman School of
Music at the University of Rochester
**high honors *honors
Photo courtesy of David Chen Photography
The Chimes │Page 9
Senior Reflection and Anticipation
As the class of 2015 leaves the nurturing
classrooms of HCA, valedictorian
Christiana McGann encouraged her peers
to guard against the pressures that are
sure to present themselves. Unless they
are vigilant, they can be duped by tempting
lies and end up replacing God's glory with a
sham.
Salutatorian Sara Alektiar acknowledged
the mixture of melancholy and excitement
present at their graduation, reflecting
on cherished memories and anticipating
life's new adventures. Sara not only
recalled the rigorous competitions, class
Sa
r
jokes, and memorable senior trip, but also
r a A l e k ti a
the opportunities to serve—through Christian
service workdays, witnessing with song, and by setting an
example. Her challenge to her classmates was to not let that stop
when they don't have the opportunities HCA provided.
h
ri s
n
Salutatorian Sara Alektiar
C
Valedictorian Christiana McGann
ti a
na Mc G
an
Christiana quoted Blaise Pascal, who said, "There is a God
shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled
by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known
through Jesus." She went on to say that "anything that distracts
our focus and consumes us more than God... is an effort to
soothe our deep wounds with an insufficient balm."
"Jesus didn't come to fill our lives with religious rules and more
emptiness," Christiana concluded, "He came that we 'may have
life, and have it to the full' ( John 10:10)."
s
e
N
i
o
r
T
r
I
p
Page 10 │The Chimes
ey
Disn
ld
Wor
Concluding her thoughts, Sara said, "Throughout our years at
Hawthorne Christian, we watched Godly models frequently
sacrifice for our good. They have prepared us with everything we
need to go and shine God's glory.... I feel confident that we can
follow the example they set for us.... As we all transfer into new
environments, we must not neglect what we learned here. The
testimony of God must live in our hearts and we must share it
with the world."
Scholarships
Parent-Teacher Fellowship Scholarship
for Academic Excellence
Sara Alektiar
Christiana McGann
Parent-Teacher Fellowship Scholarship
for All-Around Excellence
Karl Henry Prinz
Booster Club Athletic Scholarship
Class Profile
ACSI Distinguished Students
One hundred percent of the graduates
are pursuing higher education.
Collectively, the class was offered
$1,817,400 in scholarships. The class of
2015 raises our alumni total to 837.
Stephen Gabriele Theodoro Mandaro
Sara Alektiar Joseph Battistella Stephen Gabriele
Caleb Hart
Marcus Jefferson Christiana McGann
Karl Henry Prinz
National Merit Scholarship Program
Outstanding Performance on PSAT
Christiana McGann
Andrew Paynter
Ronnie and Renee Simon Scholarship
Joseph Battistella
Five graduating seniors attended HCA
since kindergarten, earning them the
Faithful Scholar Award:
Sara Alektiar
Joseph Battistella
Lauren Klas
Andrew Paynter
Peter Warnet
Jacob Egedy Scholarship
Lauren Klas
Nathaniel Ocot
Taylor Scholarship
Brianna Kudisch
Jonathan Meharg
National Achievement Scholarship Program
School Theme
Marcus Jefferson
2014-2015
Wellsprings Counseling Center Scholarship
It's all about
Jesus
Shelby Tortorello
Wilson Scholarship
Christiana McGann
Presidential Award for Academic Excellence
Sara Alektiar
Joseph Battistella
Christiana McGann
Kyle Nawyn
Andrew Paynter
Karl Henry Prinz
Shelby Tortorello
I consider everything a loss because
of the surpassing worth of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord....
Philippians 3:8
The Chimes │Page 11
Banquet Exceeds Expectations
HCA's faculty is Building
Foundations for Life
Past parent Debbie Behnke (P '02, '04, '09) and
present parent Todd Mitchell (P '23, '25) proudly
announce the recipients of the Building Foundations
for Life Award—HCA's faculty.
D
ue to the generosity of time, gifts and talents,
this year’s Annual Banquet and Silent Auction
surpassed goals of previous years, making it the most
successful banquet to date. The primary goals of the
banquet are to glorify God for what He has done and to
provide necessary funds to support the continuation of
HCA’s mission. These goals were achieved and exceeded.
A new venue, the Rockleigh Country Club, provided
a larger space to accommodate the record number of
guests and expanded silent auction. A highlight of the
banquet was awarding the Building Foundations for
Life Award to HCA’s entire faculty, the lifeblood of the
Academy. It was a time to honor the teachers whose
dedication makes a lasting mark on the lives of our
students (more at right).
Steve Wolfe (’98) received the Distinguished Alumni
Award for his work with skateboarding youth through
Solid Foundation Ministry (page 16).
The largest pledge in the Academy's history was
announced—one million dollars pledged by Ken
and Nancy Koeller for our newly established HCA
Endowment Fund (page 4). Their memorial gift, in
honor of Betty Sue Koeller, Ken’s late wife who brought
him to Christ, will impact lives for generations to come.
In her testimony, HCA parent Ingrid Nawyn (P‘12, ’15),
put our purpose, needs and blessings in perspective by
reminding us that “God is a sure and strong foundation.”
HCA is here to Build Foundations for Life that are built
firmly on Jesus Christ.
Page 12 │The Chimes
H
CA's faculty were the honored recipients of the Building
Foundations for Life Award for their dedication to educate
students with devotion and care. Each teacher plays a key part
in a student's road to maturity, teaching them with a Christian
approach and worldview. Their influence in the lives of our
students is immeasurable.
The teachers were given a subscription and stipend for
professional development through ConNEXUS, an ACSI
online program for professional development, but perhaps
the most poignant honor they received were personal notes of
affirmation written by parents.
Our teachers are deeply appreciated as the heart and soul of
HCA.
Good Things are on HCA's Horizon
Marcia Rainey Named
Upper School Principal
Building project
gets green light
T
A
he Academy Committee
announced the appointment
of Mrs. Marcia Rainey as
HCA's Upper School Principal
(overseeing middle and high
school), beginning the 20152016 school year. Mike Jefferson,
Academy Committee member
and head of the search committee,
commended Mrs. Rainey for her
leadership skills, commitment to
continuous learning and growth,
and a demonstrated desire to
collaborate with her colleagues.
Mrs. Rainey is a graduate of
Central Bible College, Springfield,
Missouri, and holds a Master of
Mrs. Marcia Rainey
Education from Bank Street College
of Education in New York City. She is currently enrolled in an educational
specialist post-master's program at Seton Hall University.
Mrs. Rainey has taught middle school at HCA since 2005. Her energetic,
creative approach to teaching has manifested itself in Sukkot booths built
on HCA's field for the Feast of Tabernacles, student prayers written in
chalk on the macadam, hands-on science experiments, and spectacular
International Dinners, as featured in the cover story. She also serves as the
Middle School Curriculum Leader.
Her leadership skills were magnified when Mrs. Rainey headed the ACSI
reaccreditation effort (page 4), leading staff and faculty through the
intense demands of evaluations and reports.
As Upper School Principal, Mrs. Rainey will supervise middle and high
school students, teachers and programs and continue to teach two classes.
Mrs. Rainey says, "I look forward to being part of the good things God
will do as we continue to work together and trust Him for the academic
development and spiritual growth in each student." Mr. Seidman's focus
as Head of School will be on school growth and implementing major
initiatives that include growing HCA's technology program, expanding
the endowment, and building professional development opportunities for
faculty.
Mr. and Mrs. Rainey share a strong commitment to Christ. They are the
parents of three daughters, Alyssa ('10) and Rachel ('13), HCA graduates,
and Ava, a seventh grader at the Academy.
fter much prayer and collaboration and many
architect's renderings, the Hawthorne Gospel
Church congregation approved the Paving the
Pathways Building Project on March 22. The project
addresses several needs identified by the church and
the Academy. Expansion to the church building will
include the following:
•
Further security improvements
•
Elevator & additional restrooms
•
•
Additional classroom space
Gathering/connecting space
Please pray for this project as the plans are reviewed
by the town and fund-raising begins.
Three-year-old class
approved
T
he Academy Committee approved the expansion
of our preschool program to include a three-yearold class for the 2015-2016 school year. The class
will meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday, enjoying
the same curriculum as our four year old class, with
activities and crafts adapted for the three-year old
level of development.
HCA's preschool curriculum is theme based,
incorporating discussion and literature to develop
vocabulary and encourage inquisitive minds.
Letters, patterns, numbers, shapes and colors lay the
foundation for language and math development. The
classroom also provides opportunity for socialization
and peer interaction.
Students must be three-years-old by October 1.
For further information or to obtain an application
form, please contact Victoria Grant, Director of
Admissions, at 973 423 3331, extension 206, or at
[email protected].
The Chimes │Page 13
Lower School Scrapbook
Second grade students share Dr. Seuss' books in the Cat in the Hat
Cafe. Kieran Chung (Thing 1) and Eli Higby (Sam I Am) read Green
Eggs and Ham while The Lorax is read by Tim Said (the Lorax),
Ryan Han and Rodney Scherner (Thing 2).
When Mrs. De Vore left on
maternity leave, her second
graders eagerly awaited news
of her baby's birth. Levi Daniel
was born March 12. Mrs. De Vore
returned to her class June first.
Under the Sea, this year's Lower School Project Fair theme, invited students
to explore ocean depths and marine life. In addition to projects displayed
in classrooms, the Art Department employed the students' talents to create
spectacular coverings for the Pavilion windows, pictured.
Children sing,
"Jesus loves the
little children of the
world," but it can
be difficult to grasp
the breadth of those
words. The lower
school celebrated
International
Day to broaden
the students'
appreciation for
worldwide cultures
and celebrate the
diversity found in
our lower school
community.
Kindergarten students display
books and toys for the
Valley Hospital pediatric unit,
purchased with money they
raised by selling lemonade at
HCA's fall Homecoming. The
students delivered the books
to the hospital and received
a tour of the pediatric floor,
including the playroom, and an
explanation of how the hospital
cares for their youngest patients.
Page 14 │The Chimes
Sandy Hook Beachcombers
Moon snails, horseshoe crabs, mussels—the sixth graders found these among other
treasures as they combed the beach at Sandy Hook. Students divided into small groups
to participate in a marsh scavenger hunt, beach sweep (clean-up), seining, fishing,
marine animal identification or a nature walk. The field trip was one of the Student
Summits hosted by Clean Ocean Action, enjoyed by more than 350 middle school
students this year. Above, Bradley New does a beach sweep while a peer from another
school records the type of trash they find, collecting information for public policy uses.
25 Years of Service
Mrs. Faith McGrath came to the
Academy in 1990 as a "part-time" office
administrator­—
twenty-five years
later, she's yet to
see part-time.
She has worked
alongside four
principals/heads
of school and
been the glue and
glitter of HCA as
a stabilizing force
and perceptive
administrator. Her
organizational skills, calming influence,
caring heart and ready laugh will be
missed. She leaves with the respect and
love of all who worked with her.
Headed for High School
The eighth grade celebrates graduation with a trip to Dorney Park. In row one are Chris Mora, Alec Morlote, Sam Yang, Juan Mejia, Jonathan Sanger,
Franklyn Stephens, Alex Reyes-Quiroz, Ben Maura and Samuel Odusote. Standing are Amber Van Wingerden, Bridgette Flucus, Alicia Bocanegra,
Samanta Ramirez, Hayley Farraye, Malorie Rosa, Christine Brower, Rachel Eelman, Annie Chang, Kali Burres, Christine Pelliccio, Lydia Jackson,
Kristina Hickey, Bethany Kudisch, Elizabeth Joseph, Rachel Rypkema, Julia Bavagnoli, Taylor Salvigsen, Kristen Davis, Megan Mastin, Abigail
Rodriguez, Taylor Carter, Jeseny Narvaez and Abigail Palacios.
The Chimes │Page 15
Alumnus Honored
for Excellence
S
teven Wolfe ('98)
received this
year's Distinguished
Alumni Award at
HCA's Annual
Banquet on
March 12. Steven
is the director of
Solid Foundation
Skatepark, a unique
ministry to local
youth.
In his acceptance
speech, Steven talked
about the angst he
felt in high school
during a period of questioning his faith and the value
of the foundation laid by HCA's teachers. In the end,
faith won out and today Steven is in full-time ministry,
speaking hope and faith into the lives of students,
building a foundation like the one that supported him
at their age. Steven lives in Hawthorne with his wife,
Kimberly, and their two daughters, Natalie (7) and
Marcie (4).
Alumni News
Births
Kirk De Boer (’01) and his wife, Stephanie, announce the birth of
a daughter, Morgan Joy De Boer, born February 20, 2015. Morgan
joins brother Connor Allen (2). Kirk taught fourth grade at HCA
for nine years and is currently the Assistant Director of Student
Ministries at Hawthorne Gospel Church. The De Boer family lives
in Hawthorne.
Anne (Kenote) Valentine ('02) and her husband, Ben, welcomed
their first child, a daughter, Eden Harper Valentine, on February 22,
2015. The Valentines make their home in Greenwich, CT.
Sarah (Andersen) Hauser (’04) and her husband, Colson, announce
the birth of twins. Isabel Layla and Elijah Axel were born February
28, 2015. The Hauser family lives in Batavia, Illinois.
Jaimee (Merriman) Wenzel (’04) and her husband, Rob, announce
the birth of their third child, Catherine Joanna Wenzel, born June
12, 2015. She joins a sister, Charlotte Joy (4) and brother, Caleb
James (1½). The Wenzels live in Haskell.
Send alumni news to [email protected].
 Like us on Facebook 
Set aside September 19 for HCA's Homecoming.
What a Night!
I
s it possible? Just when you think
you've seen their best performance,
the next Dessert Theatre seems even
better than the year before. Despite a
spring snowfall, A New York Scent of
Mind performed to sold-out crowds on
March 20 and 21.
Fabulous scenery, creative scripting and
well-rehearsed voices thrilled audiences
with popular songs from artists
ranging from Perry Como ("A-You're
Adorable") to Raffi ("Bananaphone")
and numbers from movies and musicals,
such as "Good Morning" (Singing in
the Rain) and "The Impossible Dream"
(Man of La Mancha). At left, the
chorale performs their closing number.
Page 16 │The Chimes
Advancement Update
A
s I reflected on this
year, God consistently
brought one word to
mind—FAMILY. To me, the
Academy demonstrates the
essence of family, sharing a
family’s ups and downs. This
year we celebrated historymaking accomplishments and
achievements, we supported
each other through difficulties
Tammy Butler
(illnesses, the passing of
loved ones, financial stress,
and more), we worked
together to honestly evaluate HCA in the process of
reaccreditation, and we surrounded each other with
prayer, love and grace.
Like a family, we are not perfect but we share the
common bond of lives grounded in Christ and the
common goal of building our families to serve Him
and Him alone. Together we seek His will and His
face to advance His kingdom.
Our extended family includes current families, alumni
and alumni families, grandparents and friends, its
diversity forming a snapshot of how Heaven will
look with people of different nationalities, races,
backgrounds, and economic levels worshiping Christ
together.
Most importantly, we are a FAMILY God
intentionally brought together at HCA. Thank you for
claiming your place in this wonderful HCA Family.
May God our Father continue to bless and cover us.
Upcoming Events
Homecoming
September 19
Golf Outing
October 12
Minisceongo Golf Club
Christian College Fair
October 16, 7-9:00 p.m.
The Campbell Family transitions from California
Due to a job transfer, Brian and Deanne Campbell moved to New
Jersey with their two teenage daughters, Madeline and Sarah. A
new state, new job, new house, new church, new friends and a new
school—a lot of reasons to be afraid, but for the truth of 1 John
4:18. The family's testimony is found in the center of that verse—
"perfect love drives out fear." Rejecting fear, they pressed on.
As they searched for a school, Brian and Deanne wanted their
children in an intimate environment where the Bible was woven
into each day. They were not motivated by a prestigious name,
broad course offerings, or world-class sports. Even if HCA had all
that, what good is it, they reasoned, if a school educates the mind
but loses the soul? Above all, they wanted families and teachers
committed to Christ and a place where the Word would be taught
every day, with a focus on aligning lives with what God values, not
what man values. That was why they chose HCA.
Deanne's immediate challenge was building friendships. How does
HCA become family when one is new? She found the answer in
volunteering. Deanne stuffed envelopes, helped at a Homecoming
stand, attended PTF meetings, prayed on Thursday mornings, and
assisted with Dessert Theatre. She adopted the attitude of family—
you pitch in, take out the trash, help when you can—and God knits
hearts together during the process.
Madeline and Sarah had the same challenge entering a new high
school. Would students talk to them? Sit with them? It helped to
have shadowed peers on their initial visit and to attend the new
family barbecue during the summer. Once school started, Madeline
and Sarah found students to be welcoming and inviting, helping
them with things that were unique to New Jersey. It was clear that
social groups were established, as one would expect in high school,
but they never felt shut out.
"HCA is preparing me both academically and spiritually," Sarah
reflects, "The academics are challenging. I am a good student but
I have to work hard for my grades. Teachers are all really nice and
glad to answer questions."
Madeline, Sarah, Brian and Deanne, welcome to the HCA family!
Would you like to be part of HCA’s mission?
You can support the ongoing ministry of Hawthorne Christian Academy by
sending your gift to Hawthorne Christian Academy at 2000 Route 208,
Hawthorne, NJ 07506.
The Chimes │Page 17
Track & Field Successes
Se
ni o
a
r Ale
x a n d ra B
e ls
Track and Field Defenders Seated are Sabrina Sanchez, Jenny Jobson, Tiffany Bustamante, Ruthann
Munoz, Kelly Etemadapour, Emily Lamitola and Theo Mandaro; kneeling are Jason Awad, Noelani Rivera,
Kaitlyn Hart, Grace DeBoer, Alexandra Baels, Mike Aust, Gabrielle Trilling, Nate Ocot and David Falcon;
standing are Coach Standford, Janelle Gabriele, Luke Frederiks, Nate Summerton, Stephen Gabriele,
Dennys Falcon, Luke Pelaschier, Caleb Hart, Emily Van Duren and Coach Bober.
Janelle Gabriele, senior
It was another record breaking season for track and field, with nine athletes qualifying for the
Passaic County Championships and the New Jersey State Championships. Individual league
and county awards are listed on the following page.
Alexandra Baels won the league championship in discus and placed third in girls shot put,
becoming the Defenders' first female athlete to finish first in a throwing event at the league
championships. She was the undefeated league champion in girls discus and also placed third
in the league in shot put. Alexandra medaled for the second time at the Passaic County Track
Championships in discus and qualified for the State Meet of Champions for the second
consecutive year in discus. She holds school records in discus and shot put.
Nate Ocot was a State Sectional champion in boys javelin and
qualified to throw in the NJ Meet of Champions for the second
consecutive year.
Theo Mandaro, Janelle Gabriele and Emily Van Duren
dominated the State Sectionals in girls javelin, taking home
medals and the right to throw at the group championships.
Theodora Mandaro, senior
Coaches Alex Bober and Kevin Standford couldn't be prouder
of their track and field athletes. In Coach Bober's words, "Each
one earned the right to say, 'I am an HCA Defender.'"
Nate Ocot, senior
Emily Van Duren, junior
Page 18 │The Chimes
HCA wins 2014-2015
Sportsmanship Award
The North Jersey Interscholastic Conference (NJIC) Patriot
Division awarded HCA the Sportsmanship Award for the fifth
consecutive year. Winners are selected by the vote of league
athletic directors with input from coaches and school personnel.
Go Defenders!
High School
Awards
HCA’s annual Athletic Awards Banquet was
held at the Tides Estate on May 20. Honors
were awarded for athletic achievements
during the 2014-2015 school year.
North Jersey Interscholastic
Conference Sportsmanship Award
Jason Awad
Spring Sports
Spotlight on the Field
Janelle Gabriele
Passaic County Male & Female
Scholar Athletes of the Year
Stephen Gabriele Alexandra Baels
Defender Athletes of the Year
Noelani Rivera
Rene White
Booster Club Scholarship
Stephen Gabriele Theodora Mandaro
Varsity Baseball
Spring Sports Awards
As a young team facing experienced league
competitors, the thirteen freshmen, three juniors
and one senior made their coaches proud with
hard work and perseverance. Two new assistant
coaches joined Head Coach Aaron Van Dyk,
Mark Horn ('10) and Max Harvell (husband of
middle/high school teacher Carrie Harvell).
Jon Williams—Hon. Mention All County
Freshman Chris Silos pitched two
complete games for wins in his first
year playing varsity.
Varsity Softball
The Lady Defenders opened the season big with
an 11-5 win against a tough competitor, Bogota
High School. In her fourth and final season at
HCA, Shelby Tortorello struck out 15 in a game
against Eastside. Softball awards are listed at
right. In addition to her league honor, the team
chose Lynnea Salvigsen for the hustle award.
Katelyn Mastroberti and Noelani Rivera were
cocaptains.
Senior Shelby Tortorello on the mound.
Baseball
Chris Silos—Hon. Mention All League
and All County
Softball
Shelby Tortorello—2nd Team All League
Lynnea Salvigsen—2nd Team All League
Katelyn Mastroberti—2nd Team All League,
Hon. Mention All County
Noelani Rivera—Hon. Mention All League
and All County
Track & Field
Alexandra Baels—1st Team All League,
Hon. Mention All County and All State
Nate Ocot—Hon. Mention All League,
All County and All State
Nathan Summerton—Hon. Mention All
League and All County
Jenny Jobson—Hon. Mention All County
Girls Basketball (awarded since last issue)
Theodora Mandaro—2nd Team All League,
Hon. Mention All County
Janelle Gabriele—Hon. Mention All League
and All County
The Chimes │Page 19
Hawthorne Christian Academy
2000 Route 208
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Address service requested
Non-profit
US Postage
Paid
Permit No. 554
Paramus, NJ
“Train a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he
will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Inside this issue
ACSI Accreditation
4
Advancement Update
17
Alumni News 16
Building Project Launches
13
Class of 2015
8-11
Dessert Theatre
16
Eighth Grade Graduates
15
Endowment Fund
4
Faculty Honored
12
HCA's Annual Banquet 12
International Dinner
3
Lower School Scrapbook
14
Preschool Expands
13
A Remarkable Year
4-5
Sectional Soccer Champs
Kindergartners Salute America
5
Sixth Grade Beachcombers 15
Sports
Student News
18-19
6-7
Upper School Principal Named13
Flags, songs and recitations filled the star-spangled kindergarten program, Salute to America. The red,
white and blue celebration of America included famous characters from history—Betsy Ross, George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Union and Confederate soldiers, and even the
Statue of Liberty. Above, Moriah Ng holds the American flag while students sing "The Star-Spangled
Banner."