Annual Report - 2021

AAnnnnuuaall RReeppoorrtt 22002211

Welcome Back...

Covid Style!

When we sent students home in mid-March 2020 due
to COVID, we thought it would only be for one week.
Our teachers made plans and adapted accordingly.
When that one week went to the rest of the year, our
teachers again moved heaven and earth to make sure
LCA students would not fall behind in their academics.
The LCA faculty, staff, students, and parents showed
incredible resilience, flexibility, and graciousness
toward each other during the most unprecedented
times in the life of our school.
Due to the many accommodations we made last year,
we were able to hold in-person learning with the
exception of two weeks. Masks were optional for a
large majority of the year, and we spent a lot of time
outside! Lunches were spaced out, extra cleaning
shifts integrated, and students stayed primarily with
their groups.
Now, having had an entire summer to prepare, our
faculty and staff are ready to deliver an excellent
digital learning experience for our students in ’21-‘22
if it becomes necessary to do so again. Many of them
have learned how to master new technology so they
can seamlessly teach in-person and online
simultaneously. We are so excited that we are going to
be able to continue teaching a Biblical worldview to
our students and we can’t wait to see what they do for
the Lord!



here we Grow!

While a “brick and mortar” campus is very important for our growth, remember that
the reason we do what we do is to disciple our students so they can stand firm for
Christ and be Disciple Makers.

We have had a productive year in moving toward the LCA permanent campus!
With the 34 acres secured, our initial plan included removing the ten, 46 year old
trailers from the property. That was accomplished by the end of 2020.

Our Master Facilities Plan includes an LCA Cross Country Trail. This has been
accomplished using volunteers to assist in completing about a one mile course.
It was used for the first time at our spring event, our first annual Fund Run. We have contracted with a civil
engineer to develop a grading plan. That will be completed by the end of the calendar year. That will enable us
to take our next step that is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2022!

What is the next step? Our goal is to be on the property by the fall of 2022. Along with infrastructure, the first
part is to build an academic facility that will allow LCA to continue to grow. The second part of this step is to
construct our athletic field and, we are hoping to be able to have a turf field, which, long-term will save the
school many dollars in maintenance and replacement expense.

The Lord has richly blessed LCA and we give Him all the glory! "Our goal is to be on the
property by the fall of
Al Gainey 2022."
Executive Director
Strategic Giving/Project Development

Student Growth Campus Rendering

This is a conceptual drawing for our future
athletic field. We are working towards
having the field ready by August of '22

We Are LCA

"We want our kids to grow in their
relationships with Jesus and have
Christ-centered voices in their lives."
The Bailey family

"We just finished our family's first year at
Lanier Christian Academy and it is not an
exaggeration to say it was the best school
year ever for our children.
Every single person we met at LCA - faculty,
parents, students, staff - have been
encouraging, engaging, and accommodating.
We had high hopes for LCA and the it
exceeded our expectations." The Ness
family

"We love the idea of being able to partner
with the school as we strive to raise our
kids in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord." The Clark family

Why I enjoy teaching at lca

Two and a half years ago, my family was praying fervently for God to step into our lives in a strong and
powerful way. We were expecting our second biological child, and we were finalizing the adoption of our
oldest daughter, and we had much to celebrate. I was driving a distance to an environment that was not
filling me spiritually, and among our specific prayers, we were praying that God would provide a new job,
simply closer to home.
I interviewed at three schools solely based on proximity to my home, one being Lanier Christian Academy. I
hoped that the nearness to home and my family would alleviate some of the circumstantial difficulties of our
family's day-to-day life. The first school to offer me a job was LCA, and I happily accepted based largely in
part to that criterion alone.
What I found upon coming to teach at LCA was more than I could have ever asked or imagined.
The first thing that stood out to me about LCA and that continues to be the thing that blesses me the most
about teaching here are my coworkers. I have never worked in an environment like this before. Daily, I am
surrounded by people who are doing all in their power to live out Colossians 3:17 "Do everything to the glory
of God". This extends into how they love and encourage me, both in my personal and professional life, how
they love and encourage our students, and how they strive for excellence in their work. After six months
away during the spring and summer of 2020, I was thrilled to return to what I have come to consider my safe
place.
Maybe the most surprising thing that I have come to love about being at LCA is the LCA community. From
coworkers, students, parents, I am now part of something so much bigger and better than I knew I could be
when I "go to work." LCA isn't a job, it is a family, a family that I didn't know I wanted or needed, but that has
become so dear to me. January of this year, we brought our oldest daughter to LCA, and as any parent
knows, seeing people love your child well melts your heart like little else can. This family has loved and
accepted us both so entirely. I truly believe that the ministry our family continues to do outside of "work" in
the world of fostering would never have continued this long without God's providence and provision to move
me to LCA. I am honored and blessed every day to be at Lanier Christian Academy.
Cassie Adams - Upper School History Teacher

LCA students made a clean sweep of the
writing arts category.

Every academic year, the Kiwanis Club in Gainesville hosts the Charles J. Thurmond Youth Art Scholarship
competition. This scholarship is awarded to students in the the writing, performing, and visual arts. For each
category, 3rd place receives a $1,000 scholarship, 2nd place receives $1,500, and 1st place receives $2,500.
In 2021, three Lanier Christian Academy students made a clean sweep of the writing arts category.

Junior Ari Winfrey placed third in the writing arts category with her poem submission.

Second place winner, sophomore Grayson Harris, also submitted a poem. Harris felt validated by her
placement since her poem was personal and revealed her emotions.

Sophomore Lydia Johnson was awarded first place because of her fantasy fan-fiction short story. Johnson said
that she had the ideas in her head for a while, and as the competition demonstrated, they were good ideas.

Student Leadership and Chick-Fil- A
Team up to do service projects in our
community and impact projects on campus.

Chick-Fil-A at Robson Crossing blessed the student leaders of LCA with the opportunity to
participate in the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy this year. Thirty high school students participated in
the program and learned lessons on servant leadership.
In May, these student leaders raised money so they could bless over 400 healthcare workers at
Northeast Georgia Medical Center. A great job by our students and thank you Chick-Fil-A.

First Place for Life

LCA encourages students to practice 1 Timothy 4:12: Do not let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity. LCA
juniors are blessed each year with the opportunity to live out this truth as we partner with the Georgia Right
to Life organization. The juniors participate in an oratory contest, working diligently and extensively in
preparing to testify and proclaim truth for the Right to Life panel of judges. For their hard work, the first
through fourth place winners receive a monetary award, and the first-place winner goes on to compete for
the State of Georgia.

Luke Winkler won first place for the Right to Life Northeast Georgia chapter. Luke presented a powerful
message, bringing the silent audience to soak in each word with chills by his delivery. Luke’s well-deserved
first-place win took him to compete for the State of Georgia competition, where not surprisingly, Luke again
won first-place for the State.

Luke’s journey did not stop there; he was invited to compete in the National competition in Washington,
D.C. this June and again astonished his audience. Luke has constructed a name for himself as a
charismatic speaker that confidently proclaims God’s truth. However, and even more importantly, Luke’s
goodness is not just in front of a crowd. He exemplifies the godly character as an LCA student and as a
servant of Jesus Christ. LCA is proud to have Luke as a model student and Christ-follower for those around
him, and to be a young man of integrity. We are excited to see what God has planned for Luke’s future!

Legacy
Alumni Update

Madeline Clyburn is an LCA alumni who graduated in 2017. One of the greatest joys of teaching is
watching a student find their passion. That is what I got to witness when Madeline saw the blending of
math and science in her Physics class. She has taken the little spark we gave her at LCA, and turned it
into a fire of a Christian young woman in a difficult science field. I am still cheering for her, and cannot
wait to see what she accomplishes says Stephanie Langford upper school math teacher at LCA.
Madeline recently graduated from Berry University and an article was published on her. Read an
excerpt from that article here.
"At Berry, she found the support she needed to reach for the stars. “The physics faculty were amazing
mentors who constantly challenged me and pushed me to my limits of understanding in a risk-free
environment and allowed me to shake off my fears of failure and inability,” she says. “And my fellow
classmates were always there to pick up my slack and provided avenues for me to help them where
they lacked as well.”
Long-term, Madeline sees herself working at a research facility such as NASA or the Laser
Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) or perhaps teaching. She’s already tested the
waters as a research intern at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. In May 2021,
pandemic permitting, she hopes to complete the research internship she was granted at the Albert
Einstein Institute last summer. Grateful for the unwavering support of Berry faculty, she says,
“Without their push and recommendation letters, I would never have been able to have these amazing
opportunities. The classes at Berry provided me with the skills and level of challenge I needed to do
well in a research environment.”"

The Impact of your giving

This past year we saw over Two million dollars given to support the mission
and vision for students at LCA. All of that giving allowed us to accomplish
everything outlined below. Thank you to our faithful donors that continue to
bless the students and families of LCA!

Provided over $816,000 in needs-based financial assistance
In-person learning with the option of digital learning for the '20-'21
school year
Three students saved and baptized on campus, and at least seven
students baptized at their home churches
Renovated 13 classroom spaces to accommodate growing enrollment
Enhanced our technology and digital learning capabilities
Graduated 21 students
Developed the Master Facilities Plan for our future campus
Contracted with civil engineer to begin moving dirt
Began site prep by removing trailers on existing property
Thirty high school students completed the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy
Increased enrollment by over 20%
Obtained 34 acres for the future campus

An Honor to Serve

It has been an honor to serve as Head of School during the past year. We certainly have seen challenges but

we also have celebrations! We have kept our focus on Making Disciple Makers and God has blessed our

efforts. Our students have become equipped spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially during the past

year.

Let me take a moment to list some of the celebrations and blessings. "We graduated 21 seniors in

Our chapel programs and discipleship groups continued to have an May to go into the world and

impact spiritually on our students. Many students came to Christ make an impact for Christ! "
through a salvation experience or grew stronger in their faith. We

were blessed to baptize 3 students during a school-wide assembly! Our teachers and students continued to

make great advances in their studies with in-person and digital learning. We graduated 21 seniors in May to

go into the world and make an impact for Christ! COVID brought us many obstacles but we continued to

have many in-person activities. Our athletic teams competed at high levels during the regular season and

several teams went deep into the play-offs. Our drama, music and fine arts students exhibited their talents

by displaying their works and hosting performances. Our students were able to participate in Homecoming

and they enjoyed the prom.

Additionally, our financial position has become stronger with the acquisition of 24 acres of donated land

and the purchase of 12 additional acres with 3 structures. We were able to procure CARES funds to offset

additional cost associated with COVID. We have continued to be wise stewards of available resources while

expanding our vision for the future campus.

We are blessed to have parents, grandparents, family members and donors that continue to partner with

LCA to provide a strong and sustainable Christian worldview education for today and for the future!

Sincerely,
Dwayne Daniels
Head of School

Baptisms

God is changing lives through the discipleship groups at
LCA. Meeting weekly and discussing the book of Acts,
each upper school student has an opportunity to be
mentored by a godly man or woman throughout the year.

This particular year we had several students tell us that
they wanted to be baptized. In most cases we were able
to celebrate with them at their home church, but some
were unable to be baptized in their church due to COVID.

Thankfully, our partners at Chestnut Mountain Church
assisted us with our very first Baptism Day. We had 3
students that wanted to be baptized and their families
decided that it would be great to do it at school as a
testimony to their peers. Pastor Brandon Bridgefarmer
led our ceremony in the CMC auditorium.

Additionally, we were able to celebrate with several of
our LCA families who decided to be baptized throughout
the year because of their involvement with the area
churches. What a blessing to see the Lord working
beyond the walls of LCA in the lives of our coaches and
families.

What a unique privilege and honor to see the Lord
working in the lives of our students!



Lanier Christian Academy hires Legacy
coaches to enhance athletics and
hearts of students.

Welcome coach Bruce Miller to our varsity football program

Hall County Legacy coach Bruce Miller has returned to the sidelines as the head coach for the Lanier Christian
Academy football program. Coach Miller brings over thirty years of experience as a Varsity Head Coach. His teams
have been perennial winners with his most notable success coming at Gainesville High School between 2002-2017.

Coach Miller will bring instant credibility to the Lightning Football program as we seek to establish ourselves as a
consistent and sustainable force to help young men find their identity in Christ while pursuing excellence on the
football field and in the classroom. Growing young men that honor the Lord on and off the field is the goal of the
Lightning football program, and we are blessed to have Coach Miller lead us in that endeavor.

LCA Basketball Program gets new
leadership for Varsity Teams!

Welcome Coach Whelchel and Coach Freeman

LCA is excited to welcome our new Head Coaches for Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys Basketball!
Coach Rhonda Whelchel brings a wealth of experience having served under Coach Manson Hill at Gainesville
Middle School and Gainesville High School, and also coached under Brenda Hill-Gilmore at Winder-Barrow High
School before coming to LCA. Coach Whelchel was also mentored by Mike Robertson, former LCA girls varsity
head coach. She also played college basketball at Piedmont College.

Varsity Boys Head Coach, Chris Freeman, most recently served as Varsity Assistant at West Hall High School
under Coach Bobby Pless. Coach Freeman has been coaching basketball since his days in college from youth
basketball all the way up to the Varsity level.

We are thankful to have Coach Whelchel and Coach Freeman joining the LCA family! They both share a consistent
focus and emphasis that Faith and Family will be the driving forces of their programs. Go Lightning!

LCA's Fine Arts performs
"You're a good Man Charlie Brown."

In the spring of 2021, LCA performed You're a Good Man Charlie Brown as our school musical with eighteen
students in grades 8th-12th participating both onstage and offstage. Several Upper School students helped
in creating props, costumes, and wigs for the production. Darrell Morris (LCA parent), along with Ric
Williams and our construction class helped to build the set and stage. Christen Babb's art classes painted
our set and created intricate details that helped bring our Peanuts world to life.

Every student who participates in the Performing Arts at LCA is asked to memorize and recite
1 Peter 4:10-11. It's our prayer these students come to a saving faith in Christ and grow in understanding
that their unique gifts are from Him and for Him as they seek to serve others and glorify God in the Arts.

Thank you Coaches & Congratulations

Thank you Coach Mike Robertson and Coach Greg Hughes for your leadership, consistency, coaching skills and

love you gave the team and the program over the years. Coach Mike has served as Assistant Varsity Girls Coach

since LCA’s inception and became the Head Coach in 2019. Coach Greg has served as the assistant coach for

years. 37-7 as Head Coach- 84% winning percentage

2020-2021 Region Champions

2020-2021Most wins in a season in school history: 20 total wins

Shyla Sheffield did not join the LCA family until her senior year. It was a great fit for Shyla and her family from
the beginning. She was a huge contributor to the Lady Lightning varsity basketball program. Huge
congratulations goes out to Shyla Sheffield as she commits to play basketball at Piedmont University.

2020-2021 GAPPS All-Region Led the team with 11 blocked shots
2020-2021 GAPPS All-State Led the team with 64 steals
Led the team in scoring with over 10 points per game Led the team in 2-point Field Goal % with 61%
Led the team with 159 Rebounds Led the team in Free Throw % with 62.5%

Day of Prayer

This year Covid made it difficult for the students
of LCA to host and participate in our traditional
events. The development team got creative and
decided to combine our annual Lightning Walk of
Faith and our Grandparents' Day into one event
that we called our Day of Prayer. We provided
each grandparent with a book called "Pray for
Me". This book is a resource for how to
strategically pray for young people. This is one of
the many ways LCA partners with families to
disciple their children!

1st Annual Lightning
Flash Fund Run

Lanier Christian Academy hosted an inaugural run
on our new cross country trail on our permanent
campus property. The race happened right after
school and we celebrated with bounce houses,
dinner by parent, Chef Ryan Ramsey and a
Powder Puff game on the field. It was a great
night to be a part of our community.

Let's Take a Look at the Numbers.

Income

Tuition and Fees
$3,223,375.00
Contributions
$179,040.00
Student Activities
$312,825.00
Athletics
$156,900.00
Food
$103,110.00
Merchandise
$50,250.00
Other
$842,020.00

Expenses

Salaries and Benefits
$2,707,145.00
Programs and Operations
$1,200,915.00
Financial Assistance
$816,000.00

You are invited to our
2021-2022 Events

Save the Date

Every Year Lanier Christian Academy
hosts events where we spend intentional
time with our LCA family.
This year we are happy to announce that
we will back to having events and
welcoming our extended LCA family back
on campus to celebrate with us.
Please save the dates on your calendar
and come out and join us and let's have a
wonderful year together.

www.lanierchristianacademy.org

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