E-News on the Hill
December 2011

The mission of Thomas Sumter Academy is to develop, in a safe Christian environment, well-rounded individuals who are fully prepared for college and for life.

A Note from Mrs.Nix
Hello Generals!
            We have many wonderful programs at TSA, but one of my very favorites is our Veterans Day Celebration. When active duty and retired military men and women stand as the Roll Call of Heroes is read, it becomes a very visible reminder of the sacrifice being made by so many of our General families.

          This image makes quite an impact on our students when they realize, possibly for the first time, that some of their classmates have a mom or dad on foreign soil protecting our freedom. These parents willingly miss basketball games, spelling bees, class trips, Christmas programs, and all special school events for the rest of us who were in the gym that morning. Every year after this assembly, a greater feeling of gratitude and kindness seems to abound on ‘the Hill’ in the hearts of all Generals and, hopefully, always will.

God’s Peace!  Go Generals!
Debbie

Recognition

Senior Selected for United States Youth Senate Program
        Senior Jared Thompson is one of two students from South Carolina selected to attend the United States Youth Senate Program for 2012.  Jared competed against students from across the state for this opportunity including writing an essay to get this recognition.
        Jared will go to Washington DC for a week during March where he will have the opportunity to hear prominent politicians from various branches of government speak as well as having the opportunity to participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  After attending this week full of events, Jared will also received a $5000 scholarship for college.

Commended Student
      Senior John Eckert has been named as a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.  John earned this recognition based on his score as one of the top 5%of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 PSAT.  John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eckert of Camden

DAR Good Citizen Selected
    Sumter ’s Home Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) annually sponsors the DAR Good Citizen program.  Each high school in Sumter County is encouraged to select one outstanding young person in the senior class that demonstrates the qualities of a good citizen – dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.  This student is also offered an opportunity to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. 
    Connor Roark was chosen as this year’s DAR Good Citizen from Thomas Sumter Academy.  Connor is the son of Russell and Sandi Roark.  Connor currently serves as the President of the Executive Student Council.  He is Vice-President of the National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Headmaster’s Advisory Council, and the Key Club. 

Character Education
October Character Education Recognition
TSA’s character education recognition program continued with students selected who have demonstrated the character trait “learning” being acknowledged at an assembly. They were seniors Becca Boyer and Wes Cannonier; juniors Katelyn Delbocca and Joseph Prewitt; sophomores Mary Margaret Green and Anastasia Patterson; freshmen James Bracewell and Sara Schmitt; eighth graders Elayne Apol and Michael Streeter; seventh graders Kyle Decker and Jaidon Martin; sixth graders Jacob Brown and Jana Marie Faircloth; fifth graders Lee O’Neal and Kenzie MacQueen; fourth graders Joshua Fugate and Joseph Mazurek; third graders Gabriel Harris, Ethan Lisenby, and Conner Martin; second graders Elijah Hale and Sammy Kessinger; first graders Lauren Feeney and Tal Wilkes; kindergarteners Isabella Grudzinski and Alison Stanford; and 4 year olds Wyatt Coppenbarger and Anzleigh LeNoir.

November Character Education Recognition
During TSA’s Veteran’s Day program, upper school students were recognized for the character trait of “humility.” They were Hunter Arrants and Trey Holladay, sixth grade; Aubrey Mitchum and Tabitha Scruggs, seventh grade; Jenna Meadows and Taylor Ray, eighth grade; Jacob Crotts and Sarah Jackson, ninth grade; Ja’Quiel Durant, tenth grade; Joleigh Cadell and Randi McAda, eleventh grade; and Maleeke Gibson and Mark Miller, twelfth grade.

Lower school students were recognized at a chapel for the character trait of “humility.”  They were Laney Caughman and Diego Saucedo, 4 year olds; Levi Balmer and Madison Barnhill, kindergarten; Lauren Feeney and Riley Hyder, first grade; David Hansen and Lilly Matthews, second grade; Laura Ruth Ackerman and Chase Cato, third grade; Jonathan Fike and Antonio Filipiak, fourth grade; and Riley DeLavan and Chris Rembert, fifth grade.

December Character Education Recognition
Students in grades 6-12 were recognized for the December character trait of “compassion” during the Christmas Chapel this month.  They were sixth graders Rushi Bhagat and Marley McCormick; seventh graders Noah Pierson and Kelsey Williamson; eighth graders Luke Reed and Danielle Young; ninth graders Aubrey Nichols and Drew Stengel; tenth graders Sydney Long and Jordan Smith; eleventh graders Emily Burress and Taylor Byars; and twelfth graders Jasmine Fitzgerald and Jared Thompson.

Lower school students who received this recognition were Wyatt Coppenbarger and Elizabeth Hale, 4 year olds; Connor Claus and Aaliyah Pinkham, kindergarten; Annie Kessinger and Bryson Porter, first grade; Madeleine Britton and Sammy Kessinger, second grade; Clara Burnette and Chase Cato, third grade; Isabella Birkett and Alyssa Law, fourth grade; and Cassidy Brunson and Lindsey Ray, fifth grade.

Honor Roll
Upper School First Semester Honor Roll
1st Semester Headmaster’s Honor Roll
*Class of 2012- Becca Boyer and John Eckert
*Class of 2013-Randi McAda, Ryan Mitchum, Joseph Prewitt and John Luke Schumacher
*Class of 2014- Drake McCormick and Priya Patel
*Class of 2015- Tanner Brunson, Kayla Chappell, Jacob Crotts, Morgan Houde, Sara Jackson,Kaitlyn Pollock, Sara Schmitt, Elizabeth Teague, Christopher White and Noah White
*Class of 2016-Elayne Apol and Paula Patel
*Class of 2017-Matthew Beymer
*Class of 2016-Jonathan Dillon, Allie Lindler, Anna Mock and Carmen Silvester

1st Semester Faculty Honor Roll
*Class of 2012-Rachel Brown, Emily Campbell, Josh McAda, Sara Messier, Mark Miller, Dalton Shipman, Jared Thompson, Taylor Waldrop and Joe Watcher
*Class of 2013- Brandon Apol, Shane Bishop, Amanda Brown, Emily Burress, Joleigh Cadell, Joe Cahill, Katelyn Delbocca, Tallon Graham and Hunter Harwell
*Class of 2014- Kimberly Boswell, Chase Cupp, Mary Margaret Green, Michal Hoge, Julia Law, Sydney Long, Chelsea Pastore and Ann Willetts
*Class of 2015-James Bracewell, Julie Coffey,  Emily DeMonte, Katherine Helms, Hannah Jenkins, Patrick Kuzbary, Brian Prewitt, Christie Shannon, and Carson Turner
*Class of 2016-Audri Bostick, Emma Gaulke, Christian Gulledge, Becca Jenkins, Kylie Kistler, Jenna Meadows, Taylor Ray, Luke Reed, Mary Kathryn Ross, Brenda Shelton, Michael Streeter, Samantha Studer and Sarah Waldrop
*Class of 2017-Ross Campbell, Caroline Dollard, Haley Marie Fike, Makayla Font, Ben Gray, Baileigh Harrelson, Devin Harwell, Ben Janssen, Eric Lisenby, Tabitha Scruggs and Emily Stacey
*Class of 2016-Hunter Arrants, John Bracewell, Jana Faircloth, Zachary Fugate, Lindley Hodge, Trey Holladay, Payton Houser, Eli Kessinger, Ty Litsey, Caetlyn Martin, Marley McCormick, Josie Reed and Ellie White.

Lower School Second Quarter Honor Roll
A Honor Roll
*1st grade: Sam Ackerman, Makayla Canino, Torrie Chapman, Emily Holladay, Riley Hyder, Annie Kessinger, Lillian Lindler, Kassandra Martin, and Landyn Stevens
*2nd grade: Stephanie Carges, Kort Claus, Jacob Crowe, Hailee-Rhodes Eargle, Libby Gore, Elijah Hale, David Hansen, Sammy Kessinger, and Lucy Wiemer
*3rd grade: Caleb Burns, Gabriel Harris, Kailin Hodge, Preston Houser, Ethan Lisenby and Lizzie Silvester
*4th grade: Graham Campbell, Ava Claus, Cameron Dixon, Jonathan Fike, Autumn Gebler, Joshua Fugate, Joseph Mazurek and Madeline Ross
*5th grade: Kayleigh Benenhaley, Isabella Crowe, Riley DeLavan, Kenzie MacQueen, Lee O’Neal and Christopher Rembert

A/B Honor Roll
*1st grade:  Tanlynn Brunson, Lauren Feeney, Alex Goins, Nicholas Huntley, Bryson Porter, Chase Rembert, Evan Stevens, Bryson Watt, and Tal Wilkes
* 2nd grade: Emma Bradley, Madeleine Britton, Landon DeLavan, Daniel Fulwood, Lynda Gainey, Porter Laney,  Jack Pendry, Logan Scruggs and Cameron Turner 
* 3rd grade: LauraRuth Ackerman, Clara Burnette, Chase Cato, Payton Davis, Anna Edens, Rachel Ghandi, Olivia Joyner, Logan Long and Jacqueline Taylor
*4th grade: Jada Allred, Peyton Arrants, Kayla Balmer, Isabella Birket, Michael Conte, Matthew Dailey, Avery Eddins, Ellie Hunter, Mackenzie Hyder, Blake Jayroe, Asia King, Alyssa Law, Kaylee Rose, Lauren Scott and Cassy Suggs
*5th grade: Sydney Baity, Justin Brown, Cassidy Brunson, Joshua Burns, Emily Jackson, Matthew Martin, Ashleigh Meadows, Amethyst Ray, Lindsey Ray, Mason Warren and Valerie Williams

Recognition Rally
Lower School held their first Recognition Rally for the 2011-2012 school year.  All students who were on the A honor roll or the A-B honor roll were recognized.  Five students received the “BUGS” award.  The BUGS award is given to students for “Bringing Up Grades.”  First graders receiving this award were Makayla Canino, Alex Goins, and Tal Wilkes.  Emily Jackson and Valerie Williams in fifth grade were recognized as well.

Being recognized for outstanding citizenship during the first quarter were first graders Mack Eades and Kassandra Martin; second graders Elijah Hale and Sammy Kessinger; third graders, Clara Burnette, Caleb Burns, Chase Cato, and Olivia Joyner; fourth graders Callen Harrelson and Carrington Turner; and fifth grader Ashleigh Meadows.

Lower school librarian, Lucile Watts, recognized the students in each grade who had the highest and second highest Accelerated Reader points for the quarter.  Acknowledgment went to first graders Annie Kessinger (highest) and Kassandra Martin (2nd highest); second graders Sammy Kessinger (highest) and Libby Gore (2nd highest); third graders Gabriel Harris (highest) and Preston Houser (2nd highest); fourth graders Joseph Mazurek (highest) and (2nd highest-tie) with Graham Campbell (2nd highest-tie); and fifth graders Isabella Crowe (highest) and Justin Brown (2nd highest).         

Receiving recognition for outstanding effort in PE were Mack Eades and Kassandra Martin, first grade; Elijah Hale and Logan Scruggs, second grade; Payton Davis and Ethan Lisenby, third grade; Jonathan Fike and Haleigh Trimnal, fourth grade; and Isabella Crowe and Chris Rembert, fifth grade.

Sports

Equestrian Team
On Saturday, Oct 29 at the Dale Thiel Stables, the equestrian team rode in the Camden Equine Circuit Fall Show. TSA Equestrians took home 12 ribbons that day.  The team also participated in the Boykin Christmas Parade with float on which the team members rode.

Region Champions for 5 years; State Playoffs for 2nd year in a Row

The varsity football team earned its fifth regional championship in a row this year and continued on to the state playoffs once again against Hilton Head Prep.  The fans never let the Generals down as they travel to these milestones in TSA's athletic history.

Fall Athletes Recognized
Thomas Sumter Academy held their Fall Sports Banquet on Sunday, November 20, 2011, in the Edens Gymnasium.  Student-athletes along with their parents attended the banquet sponsored by the TSA Booster Club.  TSA players from all varsity and junior varsity teams were recognized by their coaches for outstanding contributions this fall.  

Two varsity athletes were selected in their respective sports as All Region athletes. Junior Emily Burress and Sophomore Mary Margaret Green were selected as All Region for varsity tennis. 

Senior football player Taylor Waldrop received “The General Award” for his outstanding leadership both on and off the field, and for the embodiment of the ideals of the Thomas Sumter motto “Action not Words,” according to Athletic Director Troy Kessinger. Waldrop was also selected to participate in the Shrine Bowl along with Austin Baker and Kris Payne.  Josh McAda, Charles Metcalfe, Dalton Shipman and Wes Cannonier played in the North-South game

JV football coaches recognized Brian Prewitt with the Defensive Award, Drew Stengel with the Offensive Award, and Kevin Lewis with the Coach’s Award.

In the tennis arena, Mary Margaret Green was recognized as the Most Valuable Player for Varsity Girls Tennis. Sara Schmitt was given the Coach’s Award and Hannah Jenkins was awarded the Most Improved Award in varsity tennis. Additionally, the Most Valuable Player Award for JV Girls Tennis was given to Becca Jenkins, the Most Improved Award went to Jenna Edenfield and the Coach’s Award went to Brooke Delbocca.

In swimming, the Coach’s Award went to Thomas Robertson. Hunter Arrants was recognized with the Technique Improvement Award.  The Most Improved Award went to Samantha Studer. 

Volleyball Senior Kristen Suddueth was presented the “I Can Dig It” Award; C.C. Cannonier received the Sweet Hands Award; and Taylor Knudson was presented the Killer Award. Other volleyball awards included JV volleyball recognition given to Ashton Rogers for Best Defensive Player, Josie Reed for Best Offensive Player and Kayla Poston for the Most Improved Award.

Varsity cheerleader Kennedy Font was recognized as the Most Dedicated.  Most Spirited went to Anastasia Patterson, and Sara Jackson was the recipient of the Coach’s Award.  TSA JV cheerleaders were also recognized at the banquet with receiving the Coach’s Award being presented to Courtney Simpson, Haley Marsh, and Hannah Marsh.

Tabitha Scruggs and Brenden Fulda were recognized as the Most Outstanding Female and Male Runners on the Cross Country Team.  Atlanta Haynes and Jared Thompson took home the awards for Most Improved Female and Male Runner.

General News

Trivia Night Huge Success

Thanksgiving Dinner
TSA held its annual Thanksgiving Feast over a three day period.  Family members and friends joined their TSA General on ‘the hill’ for some turkey and dressing along with some wonderful fellowship.  This annual event is always one that helps get everyone in the mood for the holiday season.

Ring Ceremony 

The traditional Junior Ring Ceremony held before Thanksgiving was another milestonein this year’s events. Seniors, selected individually by each junior, placed the ring on the honored junior’s finger and gave the first turn. Parents and guests smiled, cried, and reminisced with their students as letters were read from each parent to the junior receiving the ring.  Some entries were humorous and others very meaningful, but all proved to be heartfelt memories for the individual student. 

Winter Ball
TSA’s Student Council held the first annual Winter Ball on Saturday, December 10.  Along with the all the dancing and fun enjoyed by everyone, the first ever TSA Winter Ball King and Queen were selected along with grade-level Princesses and Princes.  Senior Connor Roark was named the TSA Winter Ball King along with senior Sara Messier as TSA’s Winter Ball Queen.  Representative of the Winter Ball court were Prince Jared Thompson and Princess Becca Boyer for the senior class; Prince Justin DeBrew and Princess Kaitlyn Delbocca for the junior class; Prince Drake McCormick and Princess Meg McFarland for the sophomore class; and Prince Brian Prewitt and Princess Hannah Jenkins for the freshman class.

Cookies for Shaw
Thomas Sumter Academy had a tremendous participation from our families in our "Cookies for Shaw" program.  Through their generous efforts, TSA collected 154 dozen cookies along with numerous homemade cards to send to our brave troops overseas.  This is by far the most cookies ever received!  Those who participated have shown the true spirit of Christmas!

Middle School Helping Hands
The middle school students spent a day away from campus during December. Giving time and effort to the Sumter community with their annual Helping Hands project, eighth graders spent the day at the Croswell Children’s Home raking leaves and cleaning up the grounds.  The seventh and sixth grade classes divided their day between local nursing homes.  They spent some time visiting with the residents, distributing Christmas goodie bags and singing carols.  The students loved being able to share in the Christmas spirit with all those involved.