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 Dear WA Community, One of the many blessings of WA, is how God uses His people and school ministry to provide students with a grace-filled loving and learning community. At WA, our students receive heart-felt nurturing and love, and at the same time, they are challenged and inspired to excel by using their gifts in our Christ-centered, biblically-based comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum and co-curricular programs. From academics and fine arts, to athletics and service to others, our students are equipped to excel. They consistently perform at the highest level and achieve significant success in local, regional and state-level competitions. On Monday and Tuesday of this past week, we had our annual Spring Orchestra and Choral Concerts, as well as our annual Juried Art Show. Once again, as we see each year, God uses our our faculty, staff and coaches, along with our co-curricular programs, to inspire students to excel in the arts at WA. At each of these programs, our fine arts students were remarkable. At the Orchestra Concert on Monday, April 30, I was highly impressed with each grade's performances. It is a special blessing to see the excitement that our students have for playing their instrument. It is no small task to get lower and middle school students to learn their music and perform in a concert setting. David Schwartz's patience and grace-filled leadership inspires them to excel with their gifts. During the concert, you could see the fruit of his Christ-honoring instruction in the students' smiles and enthusiasm, and hear it, in their outstanding performances. Topping off the evening, our Concert Orchestra gave a perfect performance. They were remarkable, and Mark Newsom's solo was absolutely exceptional. Personally, I really enjoyed the concert, and I was blessed, to once again see our students enjoy excelling with their gifts in the arts for God's glory at WA. Thank you Mr. Schwartz, and our Orchestra students, for a job well done. Kudos to each of you. :) On Tuesday, May 1, we held our annual Spring Choral Concert. It was the best Choral concert I have ever attended during my 34 years in education. It was a spectacular performance by our students. They were charming, creative, funny and delightful. I was mesmerized by their performances. Mrs. Wilson-WOW! Thank you for all that you do for our choral students, fine arts and WA. Your Christ-honoring leadership is greatly appreciated. A special thank you also goes to Mrs. Turner, Dr. Wilson and Eric Wilson for their remarkable work and encouragement with our choral students and fine arts program. I have said it before, and I will say it again, our high school honors choir is one of the best in the nation. I say this with great confidence and conviction, especially after Tuesday's, Spring Choral Concert. Well done, and kudos to Mrs. Wilson, Dr. Wilson, Mrs. Turner, Mr. Wilson and every student who performed last night. Also, on Tuesday at our Annual Juried Art Show, I was very blessed and thoroughly enjoyed the extraordinary art work that was on display throughout our high school hallway. The art work of our students, especially our seniors, was magnificent. I really enjoyed seeing so many different students engaged in the visual arts at WA. The art work that was on display reflected the many gifts of our students, as well as the outstanding teaching and mentoring of our visual arts teachers, Megan Wells and Peg Madonna. Kudos to Mrs. Wells and Mrs. Madonna, as well as their many talented visual arts students. Well done, and many thanks for your exciting art work. As you make plans for next week, please mark your calendars and plan to attend our Spring Band Concert scheduled for Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 PM in the CRPC Sanctuary. You will be blessed by the many talents of our students. Please also allow me this opportunity to send a special congratulations to our baseball, crew, robotics, softball, tennis, track and water polo teams, for an extraordinary spring sports season. We are very proud of our student-athletes and blessed by their Christ-honor accomplishments this spring season. Please join me in thanking them and their coaches for a job well done this spring sports season. God has been faithful to use the faculty, staff, coaches, volunteers and parents in a mighty way for forty-one years as His covenant school ministry, to educate and equip His children for His divine purposes for His glory. We will publish more information about God's Work, Blessings and Miracles in our students and their accomplishments, later in May. Your grace-filled prayers, Christ-honoring love and Gospel-driven support is a tremendous blessing to our students and school community. We are truly blessed be WA Lions! Praise God for His people, provisions and providential blessings during the 2011-2012 school year at Westminster Academy. Blessings to you and your family in the Name of Jesus Christ, 
Leo Orsino
Headmaster
orsinol@wacad.edu
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National Day of Prayer - May 3, 2012
Dear WA Community,
As you know, yesterday we celebrated National Day of Prayer as a country. Our prayer for the country is the same as President Washington's prayer on April 30, 1789.
Almighty GOD; we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States of America at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of The Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen
- George Washington -
April 30, 1789
May God hear the prayers of His people. May God bless America.
May we, as His devoted disciples of Jesus Christ, called by God to serve Him and shepherd His people at WA, always cherish the privilege, blessing, power, benefits and duty of prayer. May we always live our lives-Coram Deo.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. (Ephesians 6:18)
Praise God for His people, provisions, protection and providential blessings at Westminster Academy.
Blessings to you and your family in the Name of Jesus Christ,
Leo Orsino
Headmaster
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North vs. South All-Star Men's Varsity Soccer Game
On Saturday, April 28, Brandon Herndon, Pablo Espindola and Victor Manroque were invited to a North vs. South All-Star game and showcase in St. Petersburg, FL.
Brandon and Pablo's team won 5-1 with Pablo Espindola scoring one of the goals, and Brandon Herndon playing most of the game. (Victor was unable to attend). Crew Regatta Congratulations to Paul Ferrell! Last weekend at the Crew Regatta in Sarasota, FL-Paul placed 1st, among all the schools in the state!
Coming Soon: Special
Fine Arts E-News
Please look for a special E-News on May 9, that will celebrate God's work in our Fine Arts!
Middle School and Varsity Cheerleading Tryouts Please click here, for information. Upcoming Events: WA Varsity Football Spring Game: WA vs. SF HeatThursday, May 17, 6:00 PM Kickoff at theAthletic Complex. High School Chapel On May 17, we will hold HS chapel in the CRPC Sanctuary. After chapel, the alumni association is hosting a free LaSpada's lunch in Gangway for all seniors! The alumni association board will share a few helpful tips as seniors prepare for college.
Gangway Bahamas Mission Trip June 1-8.
Gangway Student Ministries at CRPC is planning a high school mission trip to Eleuthera, Bahamas. Students will have a community service opportunity through this trip. If you are interested, please click here to register this week, so that plans can be made (no payment is required at this time).
A Special Thank You  The WA community would like to thank AdGraphics for the outstanding work they have done in creating signs and banners for our school this year, and also for donating their time. We appreciate all that they have done! The Student Directory is Available Online! The Student Directory can be found on RenWeb, under "School Information," please click on "Directory."  Every time you use your Target Visa or Target Guest CardŽ at a Target store or at www.target.com, Target will donate to WA. Please see details at target.com. |
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Thank You - Mrs. Wilson!  Dear WA Community, Please allow me this opportunity to share some news about WA fine arts. After much prayer and discussion with her family, Lisa Wilson, our choir director and teacher, has decided to leave WA at the end of the school year to spend more time with her family. Mrs. Wilson has faithfully served God at WA for 14 years. Mrs. Wilson shared this news with our students on Thursday, May 3. She will continue to prepare the WA choirs for their performances at our end-of-school year celebrations. We will truly miss Mrs. Wilson-she is loved and admired by her students and colleagues. During Lisa's tenure at WA, God has used her in a mighty way to impact students for Jesus Christ and excellence. Mrs. Wilson's love for her students and her commitment to excellence, are consistently reflected in the remarkable accomplishments and performances of her students. Please join me in thanking Mrs. Wilson for her outstanding ministry work in the arts at WA. The faculty and staff will have a special recognition for her at our employee brunch on Friday, May 25. We will spend some special fellowship time saying thank you to Lisa Wilson. We will begin a national search for a new choir director and teacher, who will build on the excellence that everyone has come to expect in the choral department at WA. We are extremely grateful for Mrs. Wilson and all that she has done for our students and the arts at WA. We will certainly miss Mrs. Wilson, yet we know that God will continue to use her in a blessed way with her family and at her church for His glory. Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like to meet with me to discuss our choir program. Thank you for your prayers for Mrs. Wilson, our choir students and our fine arts program. Prayerfully In Christ, Leo Orsino Headmaster
orsinol@wacad.edu |
Esther Teh Sings With The Coral Gables Symphony
Esther Teh sang on Channel 17 Friday morning, May 4, 2012, with The Coral Gables Symphony, an organization dedicated to encouraging young musicians to learn and perform classical music selections. Esther performed as part of the symphony's American Ideal VIII. She sang "Panis Angelicus," by Cesar Franck.
We are proud of Esther, as she continues to use her gifts and talents throughout our community.
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Kaid Jaret Olson-Weston On Channel 10 Tonight!
Although Kaid Jaret Olson-Weston (KJ) does not have a driver's license, that has not kept this third-grade student from driving. At only eight years old, he is the youngest mini-monster-truck driver in the United States. On Friday, May 4, at 10:00 PM, KJ will be featured on the "Amazing Kids" segment of 20/20, on our local ABC Channel 10. For more information about KJ, please click here. |
Pathway of Excellence Brick Program
 A special way to capture the blessings of your child is through the "Pathway of Excellence Commemorative Brick Program." A brick can be engraved and placed in the front pathway of our school-alumni truly enjoy seeing their names on the Pathway of Excellence. You may have your child's name engraved on it with a favorite Bible verse, special message, etc. You may also want to thank a special teacher, coach or mentor, by engraving a brick for them. A special letter will be sent to the individual(s) you want to recognize. Proceeds from the "Pathway of Excellence" will be used to support our Annual Fund, helping to close the gap between tuition and fees, and what it actually costs to provide a quality, Christ-honoring education at a school of excellence, like WA. As a special gift, parents of a senior will receive 25% off of this pricing! Please ( click here) and complete the form, and return it to Susan Gaines in the Development Office. She can be reached at gainess@wacad.edu, or 954.771.4615, ext. 2672. |
Lamplighter Award Students
Students who read 5-9 Books:
Christian Petrisko, Sophia Carvalho, Caroline Canada, Sofia Camejo-not pictured Haley Glenum
Medal winners: Read all 10 Books
John Zolnowski, Jared Yu, Ethan Hauber, Amanda Amos, Sydney Yu, Abigail Starley
Each year, students, teachers, parents and librarians across the United States select ten middle school level book titles for enduring value, demonstration of positive goals, recognition of good versus evil and more.
Students that have read all five or more books are invited to the voting party (top picture) and those that have read 10 or more books receive a medal. (above)
Congratulations to our 2011/2012 participants!
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Panache Magazine On Sale Now!
Panache, our literary magazine, is currently on sale for $5.00 a copy. The journal contains original writings and art work from our students and faculty. They may be purchased from any member of our creative writing students, or from Mrs. Breslin in Room 205.
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Congratulations To Our Robotics Team!
Please join us as we congratulate our Robotics team for a job well done. We are very proud of them and their outstanding accomplishments this year, under the Christ-honoring leadership of Kent Stolley. A special thank you goes to Mr. Stolley and all of the sponsors, industrial mentors, parents, fans and students for their great work and blessed testimony this year. On April 24 through the 29, the WA Robotics Team traveled to Saint Louis, Missouri to compete in the FIRST Robotics National Championship Event. Our team performed very well through the qualifying rounds, but had an incredibly difficult schedule. During the final rounds, we continued to score the majority of the points for our alliance in many of our games. A season of tremendous effort and many challenges was capped with a near perfect ending. In Saint Louis, we were not only known for their bright ingenuity, but also known as the team that prays. Praise God for our Robotics Team and their extraordinary accomplishments this year for His glory. Thanks to our many sponsors, industrial mentors, and students for the most amazing season in our team's history. Well done, Team 744 Robotics!!!
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2012 Senior College and University
Acceptances We are excited to continue to update you on our seniors' college acceptances for this year. Please view the list here, which is continually being updated.
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Sheridan House Counseling Center Dr. Robert Barnes is the president of Sheridan House Family Ministries.
This week, one of the Sheridan House counselors, Barbara Moody, LMHC, a mother and grandmother, shares the importance of a Christian worldview. "Contrasting Philosophies" may be viewed here.
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Challenge to Recharge Was a Success!
Over 250 students used the week to find alternative activities to watching television. Parents appreciated the peace and quiet in their homes, families enjoyed games and reading together and the high school students appreciated the extra sleep, by going to bed earlier. It was also great to see the many middle school students who were proud of their self-discipline. Great job to all those who participated in the t-shirt design competition and to Alex Berry and Connor Bachan, for their winning design. Funding was raised to help defer the costs of the t-shirts at the first WA Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A, which was a fun community building night for our school families. Congratulations to everyone-ready and recharged to make it to the end of the year and finish strong!
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Growing Great Kids-It Doesn't Happen by Accident
 In her book Growing Great Kids, Kate Battistelli shares with Laura Bishop, how it takes wisdom to raise your children with a strong sense of their destiny in God and a deep knowledge of their gifts and callings.
Kate Battistelli and her husband Mike learned about parenting during the journey of raising their daughter-Dove Award-winning recording artist, Francesca Battistelli. Using anecdotes to illustrate the insights she and her husband gained, this interview provides practical advice including:- How to dream God's big dream for your child
- The value of humility and integrity
- How to interpret God's seasons in a child's life
- The power of a parent's words, and more...
Successful adults don't happen by accident! "Homeroom" can be heard every Thursday evening from 9-10 PM on GRACE FM 90.3 FM, or on www.gracefmradio.com. |
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WA Photos Available
 Current sports and fine arts photos
are available for viewing and purchasing on
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Westminster Academy is a Christ-centered, biblically-based college preparatory school dedicated to equipping covenant students to excel by using their gifts and talents for God's glory.
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