This summer, the United States Congress honored 252 young people for excellence in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.  The King’s Academy’s Nicole Provenzano, Dustin Provenzano, and Dylan Provenzano were among the winners of the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal.

The Provenzanos followed unique paths to the award.  Nicole, a 2009 graduate of The King’s Academy, traveled with the People to People program in Japan and volunteered as a summer counselor at a camp for young children.  Dustin, a senior at The King’s Academy, volunteered to feed the needy in Palm Beach County and planned and executed a survival trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Dylan, a senior at The King’s Academy, volunteered hundreds of hours as a summer camp counselor and at local feeding programs and developed the necessary rafting skills to navigate Class IV rapids.  Of the award, he said, “By working through the levels of the Congressional Award program, I have learned how to set goals and develop the discipline required following through with them, while helping others in the process.”

In 1979, the United States Congress established into law the Congressional Award to honor, encourage and inspire America’s youth.  In the ensuing years, Congress has recognized thousands of outstanding young Americans who have earned and deserve recognition.  Through the Congressional Award, Congress challenges young people to challenge themselves.  Youth, ages 14 to 23, may participate in the Congressional Award by setting and achieving individually challenging goals in four program areas:  Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.  The only other medal awarded by the United States Congress in the Medal of Honor.

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 www.TKA.net.

(As reported in The Town-Crier, http://www.thecrier.com/clients/gotowncrier/five-locals-finish-us-navy-basic-training-p21642-76.htm)

Navy Seaman Garrett Wiggs (TKA ’08), recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Wiggs completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety.  An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of Wigg’s boot camp was “Battle Stations.”  This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Wiggs is the son of Brenda and Michael Wiggs of Wellington, and a 2008 graduate of the Kings Academy.

On their last weekend of summer, The King’s Academy’s Prefect Council headed to Lake Placid, Florida for the council’s annual leadership retreat.  The retreat included leadership training, school event planning, and recreation.  The group particularly enjoyed boating and tubing on Lake Placid and bonding with their fellow prefects.

TKA’s Prefect Council is composed of twelve student leaders who have been selected to lead and serve the high school student body.  Prefects must be seniors who have demonstrated leadership and possess a high degree of commitment to The King’s Academy’s values and ideals.  This year’s prefects include:

• Matthew Ahkee and Anastassia Goidina, Academic Prefects, who will oversee King’s peer tutoring program of juniors and seniors assisting other students and will support TKA’s guidance office;
• Andrew Albert and Christina Silva, Athletic Prefects, who will organize a dodge ball tournament for high school students and will provide support for King’s athletic department;
• Matt Michlowitz and Brianna Easterling, Service Prefects, who will organize school-wide community service projects;
• Jon Gryskiewicz and Jessica Perry, Spiritual Life Prefects, who will lead a Bible study that meets before school and will organize TKA’s “See You At The Pole” prayer event;
• Todd Lowen and Emerald Orbeta, Student Life Prefects, who will assist with two junior high events (JH Bash and Triple Play) and will promote the high school’s events such as the Rock the Universe trip; and
• Colin Aliapoulios and Julie Tarno, Unity Prefects, who will support TKA’s fine arts department and will plan the senior class’ ministry opportunity in Italy on their class trip to Europe.

The 2010-11 school year will be a busy one for these select seniors as the Prefect Council serves at school events such as TKA’s Secondary Parent Orientation Night, Graduation Reception, and the President’s Luncheon. They will also travel to area elementary and middle schools to represent King’s and will serve as monthly ambassadors for the Impact Leadership Network, a group for Christian business professionals in South Florida.  Finally, the students have been invited to serve at the “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” conference featuring Dr. John C. Maxwell.

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 www.TKA.net.

David Lodwick, Insurance Office of America’s Senior Vice President, presented The King’s Academy with a $10,000 check to support The Mane Event, TKA’s Annual Dinner & Auction.

This year marks IOA’s tenth year of continued support. Insurance Office of America is amongst the fastest growing Independent Insurance Agencies in the US and is Florida’s largest privately held insurance agency. The Lodwick family has been providing insurance services for The King’s Academy and its families for the past 40 years.

“This is a milestone year, it marks a decade of strong support from IOA.  They have generously supported the auction since its inaugural year,” said Jeff Loveland, TKA President, “IOA’s support of the auction has been instrumental in the event’s success year after year and we greatly appreciate the continued commitment to our school.”

IOA’s sponsorship allows proceeds from the event to directly benefit the growth of students and programs at The King’s Academy. Their financial support assists The King’s Academy in its endeavor to graduate Christian leaders who seek to impact their world for the King of Kings.

The Mane Event, which will have an Italian theme this year, is set for March 5, 2011.  It will feature a live and silent auction, entertainment, and a seated dinner.  For sponsorship or ticket information contact the Development Office of The King’s Academy 561-686-4244 ext 319.

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 www.TKA.net.

No more early morning madhouse routines. No more searching for lunch money. The King’s Academy is excited to announce a new option available for TKA families that allows students to pay for Cafeteria and School Store purchases with a finger scan using B*FaST (Biometric Fingerprint Scanning Technology). Here are the basics on how it works:

• Students register their fingerprint scan at Get Acquainted Day.
• The system operates like a debit account.  Parents deposit money into their family Cafeteria account and/or School Store account in advance of purchases.
• Deposits can be made via check (mailed to the Orlando address), web check payment via RenWeb ($.85 charge per deposit), or in the Business Office.  A minimum balance of $25 for Cafeteria purchases and $10 for School Store purchases is required.
• Deposits can be made anytime (separate payment from tuition is preferred).  Deposits made via RenWeb are posted immediately.  Please note payments as Cafeteria or School Store.
• Parents will be able to track their child’s purchases and account balances through RenWeb.
• Check-out lines will continue to be available for students who choose to pay with cash.

This technology does not store nor transmit the fingerprint across a network.

This is a great way to add extra minutes to your student’s lunch time and simplify your life. Remember to have you child register for the B*FaST Program in the Cafeteria during Get Acquainted Day. Advanced registration is required before students can use this system during lunch.

For questions about our B*Fast program contact the Business Office, call 561-686-4244.

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 www.TKA.net.