The King’s Academy juniors Jordan Gableman and Garrett Larson recently graduated from Youth Leadership 2012-13. The county-wide leadership development program selects 45 juniors each year to participate in the eight-month program. Jordan and Garret experienced attended monthly full-day sessions which covered topics such as Palm Beach County’s Business and Development, Local Agriculture, Cultural Diversity, Media, Health & Human Services, The Environment, Marine Industries, Public Safety and Career Exploration. The curriculum presented helps to build foundational leadership skills, awareness of community issues, appreciation of our regional diversity and commitment to community service. Jordan and Garrett also had the opportunity to network and develop mentor relationships with alumni of Leadership Palm Beach County and adult community leaders. The King’s Academy appreciates the collaboration with the Youth Leadership Program in developing young leaders by developing their social awareness. Secondary Principal, Sonya Jones, stated, “Jordan and Garrett are students who are noticed by their fellow classmates and identified as leaders amongst their peers. We are excited that they were afforded an opportunity to foster and grow as informed community leaders through the Youth Leadership Council. The King’s Academy’s mission is to grow Christian leaders that will impact their community, and we continually pursue ways to assist the development of our students in all aspects of academics, athletics, service, and spiritual life.”

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through twelfth grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry Counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. More information about The King’s Academy is available online at http://www.TKA.net.

Introducing The King’s Academy’s 2013-14 Prefect Council
The King’s Academy recently announced the selection of its 2013-14 Prefect Council. The council is made up of senior leaders who possess an uncompromising commitment to the school’s values and ideals. To be considered, students must submit a nomination form, go through an interview, and be selected by a team of administrators and teachers. The Prefect Council helps to oversee all areas of student life and lead the student body with emphasis on service not privilege. Congratulations to these rising seniors:

Clark Aliapoulios, son of Mr. Mark Aliapoulios and Ms. Amy Clark of West Palm Beach, will serve as a Fine Arts Prefect. He has attended The King’s Academy for seven years and has been involved in Varsity Football, His People Honors Choir, TKA Bands, and the Performing Arts musical productions.

Rachel Bassett, daughter of Ben and Rosa Bassett of West Palm Beach, will serve as an Academic Prefect. She has attended King’s for twelve years and has been involved in TKA Dance Program, TKA Ambassadors, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Science National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Varsity Cheerleading, Competitive Cheerleading, Key Club, Student Council, and the Performing Arts musical productions.

Abigail Cornelius, daughter of Reid and Marla Cornelius of Palm Beach Gardens, will serve as a Service Prefect. She has attended The King’s Academy for eleven years and has been involved in Varsity and JV Softball, Basketball, Swim Team, Golf, Choir, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Science Honor Society, Key Club, Soccer, Principal’s List, National Junior Honor Society, TKA Ambassadors, Costa Rica Mission Trip, and Study Abroad College of Spain.

Michela Diddle, daughter of Eric and Christin Diddle of Boynton Beach, will serve as a Spiritual Life Prefect. She has attended TKA for thirteen years and has been involved in Varsity and JV Volleyball, National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, Key Club, Yearbook Staff, His People Honor Choir, and the Performing Arts musical productions of Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables.

Grace Evans, daughter of Craig and Helen Evans of Lake Worth, will serve as a Student Life Prefect. She has attended The King’s Academy for seven years and has been involved in TKA Dance Program, Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, TKA Ambassadors, Choir, and the Performing Arts musical productions.

Matthew Fritz, son of Dave and Karen Fritz of Wellington, will serve as an Academic Prefect. He has attended TKA for twelve years and has been involved in Varsity Basketball, Varsity Swimming, Varsity Track, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, and Student Council.

Alexandra Gantt, daughter of Stuart and Phyllis Gantt of Wellington, will serve as a Service Prefect. She has attended The King’s Academy for one year and has been involved in Varsity Basketball, Debate Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Key Club.

Garrett Larson, son of Richard and Rosario Larson of Lake Worth, will serve as a Spiritual Life Prefect. He has attended TKA for thirteen years and has been involved in TKA Ambassadors (Chair and Representative), Student Council (President and Representative), National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Varsity Football, Varsity Lacrosse, and Varsity Track and Field.

Katelyn McCoy, daughter of Bill and Connie Tuller of Wellington, will serve as a Unity Prefect. She has attended The King’s Academy for ten years and has been involved in TKA Ambassadors, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Key Club, Tri-M Honor Society, National Honor Society, His People Honor Choir, Steel Magnolias play, and the Performing Arts musical productions of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Jonathan McGrath, son of Donald and LeAnn McGrath of West Palm Beach, will serve as a Fine Arts Prefect. He has attended TKA for nine years and has been involved in Marching Band, Jazz Band, Other TKA Band Programs, and the Performing Arts musical productions.

Christian Rodriguez, son of Miguel and Maria Rodriguez of West Palm Beach, will serve as a Student Life Prefect. He has attended The King’s Academy for nine years and has been involved in Football, Student Council, Homecoming Skits, Powder Puff Coach, and the Performing Arts musical production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Casey Ryan, daughter of Michael and Barbara Ryan of Palm Beach Gardens, will serve as a Unity Prefect. She has attended TKA for thirteen years and has been involved in National Junior Honor Society (Treasurer and Member), Key Club (Treasurer and Member), National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society (Secretary and Member), English National Honor Society (Treasurer and Member), JV and Varsity Cheerleading, Competition Cheerleading, TKA Ambassadors, Powder Puff Cheerleading Coach, TKA Dance, and Performing Arts musical productions.

Jerry (Paul) Schumacher, son of Jerry and Annette Schumacher of North Palm Beach, will serve as an Athletic Prefect. He has attended The King’s Academy for three years and has been involved in JV and Varsity Football, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track and Field, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and His People Honor Choir.

Rachel Spell, daughter of Reverend Scott and Anne Spell of West Palm Beach, will serve as an Athletic Prefect. She has attended TKA for seven years and has been involved in Junior High and JV Volleyball, Varsity Soccer, TKA Ambassadors, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, English National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Yearbook, and Summer Camp Counselor.

Ashley Stack, daughter of Bob and Nancy Stack of Palm Springs, will serve as a Spiritual Life Prefect. She has attended The King’s Academy for thirteen years and has been involved in Volleyball, Dance, Choir, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, TKA Ambassadors, and Student Council.

Sarah Vander Wagen, daughter of John and Terri Vander Wagen of Palm Beach Gardens, will serve as a Service Prefect. She has attended The King’s Academy for seven years and has been involved in TKA Ambassadors, Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Junior High, JV and Varsity Cheerleading, Competition Cheerleading, JV Soccer, Advanced Dance, and the Performing Arts musical productions of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through twelfth grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry Counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. More information about The King’s Academy is available online at http://www.TKA.net.

With the launch of TKA’s Business Program this year, students have shown extraordinary interest in the program and the opportunity to receive a business program distinction on their diplomas upon graduation.  The program requires students to take five specific courses during their high school years with latitude for customization, enabling students to gain a broad business background before college.  TKA is one of the only private schools in the county offering a full business program and will be fundamentally differentiated from other programs through emphasis on Business Ethics.  TKA Secondary Principal Sonya Jones stated, “At The King’s Academy, we want to ensure that our students are equipped for this ever changing job market, and want to do our part in giving our students an edge.”  This innovative program is directed by Mrs. Anne Spell, current secondary math/business teacher, who holds a Master’s Degree in Business and has historically taught the college level Dual Enrollment Introduction to Business course at King’s.  Mrs. Spell also launched TKA’s inaugural Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter this year to supplement the program.  Through this club, Mrs. Spell introduced a Guest Lecture Series, allowing local businessmen to speak to students about their business experiences, their successes, and their lessons learned in the business world.  A couple of the speakers included TKA parent Jeff Waldt who shared lessons he has learned during his rise from a hotel doorman to the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Island Hospitality Management, and TKA parent Ray Titus who coached students on setting goals as he explained how he started a simple sign shop in New York when he was 23 years old and has grown into a franchise innovator with 6 business franchise brands.  Students have benefited from these candid interactions and the detailed question and answer sessions.  Additionally, FBLA members were invited to Lynn University to hear from Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D., one of the world’s leading speakers and an internationally recognized leader in the development of education, creativity and innovation.  Business students and FBLA members also participated in PBAU’s Entrepreneurship High School Challenge this year, with TKA juniors Ashley Stack, Matthew Fritz and Sarah Vander Wagen placing 2nd overall and receiving a $500 award for their Urban Expressions business plan.  The King’s Academy is excited about the innovation and success seen in the Business Program in its inaugural year and is looking forward to continued growth and accomplishment in the future.

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through twelfth grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry Counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. More information about The King’s Academy is available online at http://www.TKA.net.

The Mane Event Dinner and Auction was a huge success (see photos below article) thanks to the generosity of so many people who joined in the effort!  On Saturday, March 2, 2013, more than 250 friends and families of The King’s Academy came together for the school’s major fundraising event of the year.  The Mane Event, which raised more than $435,000, was led by co-chairs Teddy Walker and Denise Meers along with an amazing leadership team comprised of Lisa Gerardi, Irelys Pattee, and Cristina Rodriguez.  TKA was blessed with this amazing group of women who volunteered their time and talents to make this event successful.  The evening was a fun and lively culmination of months of dedicated planning by the auction committee, and the results are a tangible blessing to the students and programs of The King’s Academy.

This year’s event, entitled ‘Havana Nights,’ was held at PGA National Resort and Spa.  TKA supporters had the opportunity to show their support by bidding on more than 500 unique silent and live auction items including family getaways, entertainment events, memorabilia and the wildly popular We Love TKA spirit experiences.   During dinner, guests were treated to live entertainment with a Latin flair by the school’s vocal and dance departments under the direction of David Snyder, the school’s Artistic Director.  This year’s special project, Call from the Heart, raised more than $36,000 for TKA’s Focus on Technology initiative.

The annual event has raised nearly $2.7 million over its twelve year history.  All proceeds from the Mane Event support The King’s Academy’s Annual Fund including need based financial assistance, co-curricular programing, faculty development, facilities improvement, and technology.

Special thanks to Presenting Sponsors: Insurance Office of America, Equity Trust Company, Regal Paint Centers, Revan Racing, Inc., The Maguire Family, The Monte Family, The Raese Family, and The Titus Family, as well as Diamond Sponsors: The Aiello Family, and Platinum Sponsors: Braman Honda-The Rodriguez Family, Insurance Express-The Graceffo Family, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and a Friend of TKA.

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through twelfth grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry Counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. More information about The King’s Academy is available online at http://www.TKA.net.

TKA Students Enjoy Learning about Clewiston Landmark

Students from The King’s Academy Clewiston Campus had an opportunity to tour US Sugar’s operations in Clewiston and Belle Glade Thursday. Students witnessed harvesting techniques, toured the mill, and were given a seminar on agricultural research as a part of their experience.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve heard a lot about US Sugar, but this was the first time I’d ever been there,” said TKA 8^th grader, Ashley Roth. “After touring the fields and the mill, my whole concept of what they do has changed. I thought it was mostly machines, but didn’t realize how many people it takes, working as hard as they do, to run the business. The people were really nice. I would definitely like to do it again.”

The tour was organized by VP of Agricultural Operations, Mr. Ken McDuffie, and began with a trip to one of USSC’s newly acquired sugar cane fields in Belle Glade. Here, students witnessed controlled burning and harvesting procedures. Students were given the opportunity to ride various styles of harvesting equipment and interact with the operators.

The group was then taken to lunch at the Dunwoody Ranch, where Mr. Lee Davis conducted a seminar on agricultural research. He stressed the importance of education as he talked to students about how long it takes to develop one productive variety of sugar cane. According to 11^th grade student Dakodah Davis, “Having grown up around the cane business, I am really interested in the research and harvesting operations. I didn’t realize how long it takes to create one successful crop. This really changed my outlook on how complicated the process is.”

The tour concluded with students being taken to the mill in Clewiston where they were able to see, first-hand, the various stages of the refining and packaging process. There was no shortage of wide eyes as the group encountered the incredible scale of the operations being performed. The refinery tour was led in part by Mr. Vernon (Bo) Prevatt, whose grandson Bryce Lawson is a 9^th grade student at TKA. “I thought it was awesome! Going to the field and actually seeing how it’s done, and experiencing riding in their tractor was really cool. It was a great thing to see my grandfather. Hanging out with him, wearing the hard hat, it was like we were working alongside one another,” said Bryce.

TKA freshman Myles Polhill joined the rest of the group in amazement at the grandeur of the process. “The mill tour was my favorite part. Seeing how complex everything was. I enjoyed seeing the machines pouring the sugar and packaging the 5lb bags. Their speed and accuracy were incredible. It was really cool to go through the warehouse and see the raw sugar piled up like a mountain.”

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through twelfth grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry Counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. More information about The King’s Academy is available online at http://www.tkaclewiston.net, http://www.facebook.com/TheKingsAcademyClewiston , or http://www.TKA.net.