October 3, 2024

Hello Steve, Please enjoy our Saints News!

HEAD OF SCHOOL MUSING

I am writing this email from a disaster recovery trailer. Our campus and the surrounding area have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. All our academic buildings flooded and nearly all outdoor athletic facilities were destroyed. While we mourn this destruction, it is our neighbors who have suffered the most. Their homes, cars and belongings are littered across our campus, evidence of what they have lost. Some of our leadership team are evacuating the area due to the anticipated three week water outage, and the rest of us are staying behind with disaster recovery.

This note was written by Jason Putnam, Head of School at Asheville Christian Academy, a school founded in 1958 and today serves close to 800 students. His words made my soul ache, partly because I know Asheville well and could visualize the destruction. I attended boarding school at another school in Asheville during my high school years.

Like VCHS, Asheville Christian Academy is also a Member of Council of a close-knit group in which we belong – Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA). There are 62 schools that make up our council, so when one school hurts, we all hurt with them, especially for their students who just lost their school.

This is but one example of the devastation that Hurricane Helene caused in Florida and throughout the Southeast. For us in the Vail Valley enjoying the beautiful fall colors, it provides perspective that all is not well for everyone across the U.S.

The reason I share all of this is not to draw a spotlight on Asheville Christian Academy per se, it’s to put a spotlight on hope – the hope Christians find through Jesus.

The Head of School ended his note with these words.

But we are not a people without hope. How beautiful it is to be a follower of Jesus. Let us hold loosely to the things of this world, for He is the source of our hope and joy.

This is a reminder to me that whatever you or I may be going through – not matter how challenging or dire – there is hope. Hope is a choice, and I’m convinced hope is the richest when it’s placed in Jesus.

Steve O'Neil

Head of School

SPORTS

Golf

VCHS took 2nd at Regionals Monday, earning us a full team spot at states!

Sam Casey won the Regional championship by 10 strokes with a 73. It was a super difficult course and extremely hot weather!

Eli Adams took 20th, and Wyatt Hansen & Patrick Greer tied for 25th. The four of them will head to states next week in Golden. Way to go Saints!

Football

Saints defeated Rangely 52-30 on Saturday! Way to go Saints!

Click here to read the Vail Daily article

Volleyball

Lady Saints had a program sweep agains VMS (all three teams: C, JV and Varsity, won) Varsity won 3-0!

Lady Saints were featured in the Vail Daily Local Prep Notebook

Click here to read the Vail Daily article

Tennis

Congratulations Boys Tennis for advancing in the State playoffs. They will play Kent Denver School on Saturday morning

Boys Volleyball

Open Gyms at VCHS:

Sundays | October 6th, 13th & 20th | 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Off Campus | Cross Country

Saints, Nate Beuche '27 and Adam Labenski '25 were first (Nate) and third (Adam) place on their BMHS team at the D2 race at the Dave Sanders Invitational at Clement Park in Littleton on Friday.

Click here to read the Vail Daily article

BRAVOS

Musician Spotlight: Introducing Paige Middleton, newly admitted violinist of the Symphony of the Valley.

"With over 11 years of experience playing the violin with Bravo! Vail youth ensemble and the Chamber Orchestra, I appreciate the vitality of change and seek new experiences to improve as a musician. Upon my violin teacher's recommendation, the current concertmaster, I was admitted to become a member of Symphony in The Valley as the only youth string player in the orchestra. This opportunity requires learning triple the amount of music in half the amount of time and attending weekly rehearsals in New Castle. One of my greatest fears as a musician has been performing in front of others, however, playing in the VCHS Chapel Band has helped my stage presence and confidence. I am thrilled about my first performance with Symphony in the Valley on October 17th and 18th in New Castle and Rifle, and aspire to bring moments of happiness to the world." Paige Middleton, Class of 2027

ADMISSIONS NEWS

Saints families,

Our annual Open House is coming up on October 24th at 5:30pm. Please help spread the word and share your VCHS experience with your community. Word of mouth is the number one reason people inquire at our school!

Follow our social media accounts on Facebook & Instagram, and send prospective families my way to find out more about a Vail Christian High School education or to schedule a tour kmaslan@vchsweb.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Vail Christian High School which was named to the 2024 AP School Honor Roll! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP program is delivering results and broadening access for students.

Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing their school’s college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

VCHS had 100% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school, 90% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 60% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams! VCHS has earned Platinum status, the highest AP Honor Roll status.

· 15 AP Courses

· 10 AP Teachers

“VCHS is grateful to our expert faculty who embrace and deliver the academic rigor of AP courses. As Saints, evidence of student growth, effective stewardship of school resources, gratitude for learning opportunities, and student self-advocacy for higher learning opportunities are tied to these results. Our graduates seek to know themselves as scholars and the AP Honor Roll, Platinum status reflects their hard work.” (Anne Verratti, Testing Coordinator).

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COLLEGE COUNSELOR'S NEWS

ALUMNI FEATURE

STUDENT LIFE

HOCO 2024!

REMINDERS

If you would like to contribute to the Community Fruit Bowl please donate here and log in with your credentials. Please contact Sarah Hochtl or Chelsea Rummenie for more information.

Seniors and Parents:

Please check your email for October reminders. The email has a ton of Senior Year information along with all the links that you need! If you did not receive the email, please contact Shannon O'Brien ASAP.

The email has reminders of what was due in the past and the latest deadlines as well. We recommend you and your senior work through the required items together to ensure everything is ready for year end.

How to tell if you have completed the Saints Senior Stuff:

Find your Google Form confirmation email
Choose to edit the form
This will take you back to your form and you will see what you submitted and uploaded
Check with your senior to see if they uploaded anything and do the same with their email
If you are missing any items, you can upload or submit them on the form
Search your email for Jostens to find an order confirmation for cap and gown, yearbook and yearbook student ad
If you don't have a confirmation, you may not have ordered these items.

Recent Reminders:

Student Ads are available to "purchase" and design. There is no cost for the Senior Ad. This is your "Senior Page" in the yearbook. All seniors will have the opportunity to design their own quarter page. Visit Jostens Yearbook to get started!

Cap & Gowns are now available to purchase from Jostens. You are welcome to purchase any package you would like but the only required items to purchase is the Basic Cap & Gown Unit. All of these packages (even the basic) INCLUDE the 2025 stole and tassel.

IF YOU ARE BORROWING A CAP AND/OR GOWN, YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A 2025 STOLE AND/OR TASSEL FROM JOSTENS.

Upload your Slideshow photos today if you have not already!

We need the following:

A senior photo you would like in the slide show and on other senior printed material - hi res if possible
A baby photo (up to 3)
An elementary school photo (no more than 3)
A current candid photo (no more than 3)
Group photos of current classmates

Contact Shannon O'Brien with any questions.