What's New After The Bell: Trinity's Exciting Club Lineup

What's New After The Bell:

Trinity's Exciting Club Lineup

By Samantha DePriest

Trinity Christian School is excited to announce a variety of after-school clubs designed to inspire and engage lower elementary, upper elementary, and middle school students beyond the classroom. These programs are designed to provide students with enriching opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, or build friendships outside the classroom. Whether it’s sharpening strategy on the chessboard, hitting the track for a run, or stepping into the spotlight on stage, each club offers a unique space for our students to grow and thrive. New clubs are still being announced for this school year, stay tuned for more information in Inside the Pride.

ACADEMIC BOWL TEAM 

Would your middle school student like to compete against other school teams in the areas of math, geography, spelling, essay-writing, and history? We are looking to form teams to compete at the following upcoming competitions:

• Oct 9 (Date Change) = Academic Day

• Jan 16 = Quiz Bowl 

Students will practice during regular school hours (lunch, elective and/or dismissal) to avoid conflict with after school sports as much as possible. 

Grades: Middle School

Cost - $100 per student covers registration costs and a TCS team polo. 

More information - Email Adam Vinson adam.vinson@tcslions.org

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Chess Club

Coach Rodney Lewis and Championship Chess present a systematic, fun way to build chess skills during chess instruction and supervised play. Studies show that chess improves math, reading and problem solving and our methods connect these academic benefits to our classes.

Chess Contact: Rodney Lewis 770-560-1071 rodneylewis33@gmail.com

School Contact: Lisa Railey, 770-251-6770 lisa.railey@tcslions.org

Cost: $199 per child for this session

Day and Time: Thursday after school from 3:00-4:00 pm.

Pre-registration is required, at least 2 days before the first class.

Dates: Fall Session Aug. 28-Oct.30. Parents need to record dates. Chess club will start as scheduled unless you receive a notification.

Grades: Any student in 1st through 5th grade. Younger students accepted only if they know how the pieces move and capture, or if an older sibling is in chess club. There can be 2 groups: Advanced open to all students who know how to play requires at least 10. Beginner class for non-players requires at least 8.

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DANCE Club

The Performing Arts Department is excited to offer Dance Club this year for grades PreK 4 through 12th grade. TCS Dance Club is a girls-only, creative, high-energy group open to students who love to move, perform, and worship through music. Members will learn a variety of dance styles, build teamwork skills, and prepare exciting routines for school events. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, dance club offers a fun, supportive way to improve your technique, make new friends, and use your talent for Christ. Join us to share your passion for dance and be part of an enthusiastic team that inspires others through performance!

Dates:

• Mondays - 1st through 3rd grade (3rd grade option)

• Tuesdays - 3rd through 5th grade (3rd grade option)

• Wednesdays - HS

• Thursdays - PreK 4 and K5

• Fridays - MS

• *All sessions begin at 3:45pm in the HS Spanish Suite (2nd floor) 

Recital Date: Dress rehearsal December 15 // Recital December 16 - Wadsworth Auditorium, Newnan

More information: Contact our Dance Club Director, Tara Christian tara.christian@tcslions.org 

Registration: https://forms.gle/oRvCh6wFyACjji1G8

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ELEMENTARY DRAMA CLUB

WINNIE THE POOH

1st-3rd grade will be presenting WINNIE THE POOH KIDS. We still have FIVE spots left in our 1st-3rd Grade Drama Club Production of Winnie the Pooh Kids!

For information on dates and how to be involved, please explore the following links:

Details   Dates

Registration ---> https://forms.gle/XamCsUjwEjbvY2NP6

More information: Please email Lizzie Perez with any questions - Lizzie Perez

WILLY WONKA JR.

3rd-5th grade will be presenting WILLY WONKA JR and we still have spots left!

For information on dates and how to be involved, please explore the following links: Details Dates

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JUNIOR BETA CLUB

***COMING SOON*** 

We are excited to announce that we will be starting Junior Beta Club for our middle schoolers this year. More information will be coming soon so be on the lookout for qualifications and requirements.

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TCS Running Club

Running Club

Welcome to Running Club for students in grades 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

SCHEDULE: We begin on Wednesday, September 3rd through Wednesday, November 5th.  We meet after school on Wednesdays until 4:00 p.m.

DISMISSAL TO RC:  Coaches will pick your students up from their classrooms and escorted to the Track.

WHAT TO WEAR: Students can wear their school uniforms to run in or bring a change of athletic clothes.  Students will be given time to change before going to the Track.  Water bottle and athletic shoes are a MUST.

STUDENT PICK UP: is at the Track.  Students still at the Track at 4:05 p.m. will be escorted to the Agape after school program and can be picked up by a parent/guardian there.

TCS Running Club

COST: is $100.00 per student which includes a Running Club t-shirt.  Payments can be submitted via personal check (made out to Cassie Richardson) or via Venmo @Cassie-C-Richardson

QUESTIONS: Email at cassie.richardson@tcslions.org

REGISTRATION: Running Club

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VIDEO GAME CLUB

We will be offering the following games initially with the opportunity to grow our offerings throughout the year. 

• Super Mario Kart

• Super Smash Bros. 

• NCAA Football 26

Cost? - $150 for a 12-week session starting the week of September 8. The club will meet after school from 4-5pm 1 day per week and will conclude the week of December 1. Our hope is to build enough interest to eventually create an opportunity for an E-sport team. 

Grades: Middle School

If your child is interested, please complete this form.

TCS students attend National Fine Arts Festival

TCS students attend National Fine Arts Festival

By Stacie Moore and Samantha DePriest

Trinity Fine Arts is comprised of both Middle and High School students who love to use their artistic talents for the Lord. Mrs. Stacie Moore, Trinity Fine Arts Director, shared, “Through a variety of methods, students are equipped to express God’s truth to their generation. We help them discover, develop and deploy their gifts. Trinity FA teams use their gifts in Trinity Church services, TCS chapel services, and other community outreaches.”

Mrs. Moore goes on to share, “This year, the teams included Trinity gospel choir, vocal ensembles, worship teams, percussion and instrumental ensembles, drama, songwriting, short sermon, dramatized quoting, puppets, dance, photography, art, creative writing and more. Trinity’s teams participate and annually attend National Fine Arts Festival. This year, the festival was in Orlando, Florida, along with 11,000 other students. Here the students present their prepared pieces for evaluators and all the other students over 5 days. Students exceeded our expectations with their presentations and they grew closer to Christ in the evening services. Our students earned 9 callbacks, which is an honor to be able to present and be in the top percentage of the presentations from all over the country. One highlight was the worship night where Natalie Grant, along with her daughters, led worship for the Festival. Another highlight was being able to take the artwork in memory of Samantha Malenius. Her Visual Art, Jelly Fish Three-Dimensional earned 6th place. All in all, the team had an amazing time. The last day was spent at Magic Kingdom, where fun was had by all.”

TC Trio, Small Vocal Ensemble: Sophia Selleck, Keira Moore, Riley Cook

“We are incredibly proud to share our Nationals Recap for 2025! This year, 31 students represented our campus with excellence, submitting a total of 52 entries across various categories. Their hard work and dedication paid off with 35 Superior ratings, and 16 entries finishing in the Top 10 nationally. Even more impressively, 8 of those entries placed in the Top 3, with 2 earning First Place Merit honors. What an outstanding showing from our talented students!”

TC Student Keira Moore pictured center with Jason Moore (Dad) and Stacie Moore (Mom)

Top 10

● 1st place - Keira Moore, Songwriting

● 1st place - TC Trio, Small Vocal Ensemble (Riley Cook, Keira Moore, Sophia Selleck)

● 2nd place - Keira Moore, Worship Leading Solo SR

● 2nd place - Fire & Rimstones, Percussion Ensemble Traditional (Sophia Hurt, Vincent

Mullins, Lorelai Selleck, Seth Williams, Hank Woody, Wyatt Woody, Sophie Young)

● 3rd place - Kings Chamber, Instrumental Ensemble, Traditional (Sophia Hurt, Vincent

Mullins, Brie Todhunter, Sophie Young)

● 3rd place - Henry Cook, Musical Theater Solo JR

● 3rd place - Keira Moore, Female Vocal Solo, SR

● 3rd place - Voices of Trinity, Vocal Ensemble, Large (Emma Grace Andrews, Henry Cook,

Riley Cook, Sam Fader, Avery Hoper, Sophia Hurt, Gracie Little, Keira Moore, Sophia Selleck)

● 6th place - Samantha Malenius (in memory), Visual Art Three-Dimensional

● 6th place - Dunked, Drama Ensemble, Large (Emma Grace Andrews, Brandon Edson, Sam

Fader, Daniel Freeman, Avery Hopper, Gracie Little, Keira Moore, Faith Mullins, Nate Robinson,

Sophia Selleck)

● 6th place - Hands Held High Puppets (Henry Cook, Brandon Edson, Cameron Fader, Sam

Fader, Sophia Fader, Gracie Little, Faith Mullins, Sophie Young)

● 7th place - girl stawp, Readers Theater (Addison Davis, Emma Grace Andrews, Emberlyn

Wozniak)

● 7th place - BEATS MODE, Percussion, Unconventional (Brandon Edson, Sam Fader,

Sophia Hurt, Gracie LIttle, Keira Moore, Vincent Mullins, Lorelai Seleck, Brie Todhunter, Sophie

Young)

● 7th place - TC Worship, Worship Team, Small (Riley Cook, Keira Moore, Hank Woody)

● 7th place - That’s So Gretch, Drama Ensemble, Small (Emma Grace Andrews, Avery

Hopper, Keira Moore, Lily Wozniak)

● 9th place - HARK! Musical Theater, Ensemble, Small (Henry Cook, Riley Cook, Keira

Moore)

Trinity Fine Arts is open to 6th to 12th grade students. The launch meeting for the 2025-26 season will be held on Sunday, October 19 at 4 p.m. in Building 1, Student Center. Please contact Stacie Moore at stacie.moore@tri-church.com for more information.

Trinity 101: What Every Family Should Know This Fall

Trinity 101: What Every Family Should Know This Fall

By Samantha DePriest

Image by Oscar Camejo

Whether you are new to TCS or a returning family member, you are likely looking for ways to learn all things Trinity as soon as possible. As we embark on a new exciting school year, our goal is that all families have access to the information they need, when they need it. Giving our students and families meaningful opportunities to connect and laying the foundation for relationships that will grow and strengthen in the years to come have always been a top priority. Early connections are essential, whether bonding with classmates, teammates, or teachers. And TCS isn’t just about our students, it is about our parents and grandparents as well. While our Trinity family continues to expand, so do the opportunities to get involved. From extracurricular activities and after-school clubs to service projects and more, there truly is something for everyone at TCS.

Inside the Pride

Inside the Pride, our weekly e-newsletter, is sent to subscribers every Sunday at 6pm. It serves as the main source of communication from the school to families.

Blackbaud

Blackbaud serves as our academic and tuition management system. While in Blackbaud under the Resources tab, you will find tips and tools to help you navigate not only the software but also the Parent Student Handbook, Supply Lists, Nursing Forms, Lunch with your Student sign up (starting after Labor Day), and much more.

Image by Oscar Camejo

School Calendar

To stay up to date on campus events and activities, you may visit our online school calendar.

Social Media

TCS maintains active accounts on Facebook and Instagram to help families stay connected. Trinity Christian School also has a library of videos that cover a variety of topics, including our Table Talk series, school updates, and much more. Click here to visit the channel and subscribe.

PTF

The mission of Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) is to serve our teachers and students by engaging parents in volunteer service to our school community. PTF also focuses on helping grow our school community by hosting events that foster connections with students, parents, grandparents, and staff. The PTF section of Inside the Pride can be found by scrolling down to the bottom of the e-newsletter and clicking on the button. There you will find signups for volunteer opportunities, teacher preference lists for birthday gifts, and much more.

LIONS CLUB

The TCS Lions Club is a passionate community dedicated to empowering our student-athletes at Trinity Christian School. The Lions Club is made up of parents, fans, and community members who help raise funds and provide support to ensure TCS students-athletes have the resources they need to compete at their best. There are many ways to plug in with the Lions Club that can be found on their landing page or in the Lions Club section of Inside the Pride, our weekly e-newsletter.

Image by Oscar Camejo

Whether you are a new or returning family, we encourage you to connect, build relationships, ask questions, seek support, and say “yes” when opportunities to serve arise. The more we connect, the richer our experience becomes.

We are better together.

To learn more about our back to school traditions and all things Trinity for new families, simply click the buttons below.

Our mission is to “prepare today’s student to impact tomorrow's world: by educating minds for cultural engagement, equipping hearts for character development, and empowering hands for compassionate service.”

2025 Cheer Camp Success: A Season to Celebrate!

2025 Cheer Camp Success: A Season to Celebrate!

By Samantha DePriest

Our TCS cheerleading teams made an unforgettable mark at the 2025 Cheer Camp bringing home a collection of top honors and individual accolades that reflect months of hard work, teamwork, and school spirit.

The Varsity squad swept several major categories earning:

• 1st Place in Cheer

• 1st Place in Chant

• 2nd Place in Situational Chant

• Best Tumbling Award

• The Herkie Safety Award recognizing excellence in safe cheer practices

2025 TCS Varsity Cheer Squad

Image submitted by Gale Hickman

Pictured left to right: Emma Grace Hall, Braelyn Hammerstone, and Macayla Ousley.

Image submitted by Gale Hickman

We are especially proud to share that three of our senior cheerleaders — Braelyn Hammerstone, Emma Grace Hall, and Macayla Ousley — were invited to join the prestigious National Cheerleading Association (NCA) staff, a testament to their outstanding skill and leadership.

Additionally, six varsity cheerleaders were named All-American Cheerleaders: Braelyn Hammerstone, Ann Marelle Maples, Katie Seitz, Ally Walker, Ryleigh Pitts, and Emma Conant were each awarded this distinguished honor.

Student-athletes who were nominated for All-American Cheer included Ella Bailey, Abby McBurnett, Kayla Garabaldi, Hailey Gammon, Nolyn Gilley, Grace Hall, Braelyn Hammerstone, Campbell McInvale, Ann Marelle Maples, Macayla Ousley, Mia Oglesby, Ryleigh Pitts, Katie Seitz, Ally Walker, and Adoria Ware.

(pictured left to right) All American Varsity Cheerleaders - Macayla Ousley, Hailey Gammon, Braelyn Hammerstone, Katie Seitz, Abby McBurnett, Emma Grace Hall, and Ann Marelle Maples.

Image submitted by Gale Hickman

Several of our JV cheerleaders were also nominated for All-American Cheer, including Addie Cherry, Miley Couey, Brie Edwards, Virginia Edwards, Audrey Jennings, Mason Jones, Emery Keroack, and Gabbi Phillips. Our JV team had a strong showing — earning 1st Place in one of their divisional categories and celebrating two All-American Cheerleader winners of their own: Emma Conant and Mason Jones. We couldn’t be more proud of all our student-athletes for their spirit, talent, and dedication. This year’s camp results set the tone for what’s sure to be an incredible season ahead!

Stay tuned for more details on a fun new game called “Get Clipped for Spirit,” which our cheer squads will be playing at every Varsity home football game. Student fans in the stands of all ages who show the most school spirit have a chance to get clipped, and the fan with the most clips can turn them in for a gift card at the end of each game.

We are looking forward to our first home football game of the season on Friday, August 22nd, in Lions Stadium against Riverdale High School. Mark your calendars and Let’s Go Lions!

TCS Varsity Cheer Squad

Image submitted by Gale Hickman

TCS JV Cheer Squad

Image submitted by Gale Hickman

Two Trinity Seniors Selected in 2025 MLB Draft

Two Trinity Seniors Selected in 2025 MLB Draft

Sharpsburg, GA — Trinity Christian School is proud to officially recognize and extend heartfelt congratulations to two of its graduating seniors, TJ Ford and Dillon Stiltner, who were selected in the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft on Monday, July 14.

The MLB Draft consists of 615 picks across 20 rounds, drawing from a nationwide pool of high school seniors and draft-eligible collegiate players. Ford and Stiltner, both members of Trinity’s Class of 2025, were drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 14th round and the New York Mets in the 18th round, respectively. Both athletes had previously signed to play collegiate baseball, but now face the rare opportunity to bypass college and pursue a professional baseball career directly out of high school.

Dillon Stiltner

Image by Kayla Duffey

TJ Ford

Image by Kayla Duffey

When asked what Trinity has meant to his journey, Stiltner (who has attended Trinity since eighth grade) shared, “Trinity left an everlasting impact on who I am as a person and a player, on the field and off the field. Whether that be in my faith walk or my coaches pushing me to be a better person and player each and every day. The brotherhood and relationships that I formed are going to leave an impression on me, and I’ll remember those memories and moments forever.”

Ford, who joined the Trinity community in twelfth grade, added, “I came to Trinity to strengthen my relationship and belief in God. That’s exactly what happened, from my classes, to chapel, and in athletics as well. Since I came to Trinity, I have made relationships in all of these places that have drawn mecloser to God and taught me how to walk in faith.”

Whether they choose the collegiate or professional path, we celebrate their remarkable achievements and look forward to cheering them on in the years ahead. We are confident they will continue to use their God-given talents to impact others and further His Kingdom as they begin this exciting new chapter.

Image by Cam Wallace, 2025 TCS grad

Image by Cam Wallace, 2025 TCS grad

Image by Kayla Duffey

Image by Kayla Duffey

TCS Alumni Finishes In Top Ten At Western States 100

TCS Alumni Finishes In Top Ten At Western States 100

By Samantha DePriest

“There are only two races in the world that carry the kind of legacy and weight that Western States 100 does - the other is UTMB in France. Just to be at the starting line at Western States is an honor. To compete is a dream come true.” TCS Class of 2018 alumni Hans Troyer won the golden ticket to compete in the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run on June 27, 2025 in California. It is the world’s oldest 100 mile trail race with the first race held back in 1974 and has become known as one of the most competitive endurance tests on the planet.

In the wee hours of the morning, the race kicks off in Olympic Valley and finishes 100 miles away in Auburn. The trail is not for the faint at heart with climbs over 18,000 feet up relentless hills and through freezing cold streams in the hot summer sun. This ultimate challenge has been on Hans’ bucket list for quite some time. And like most success stories, there are many chapters and various obstacles to overcome. God is writing a beautiful story of hope, faith, and love in Hans’ life with a growing community cheering him on each step of the journey..

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“The Kid”

Official Premiere of “The Kid” at Trinity Christian Sschool on June 13, 2025

Pictured left to right; David Troyer (Hans’ father), Hans Troyer, and TCS Bible Dept Head and Cross Country coach Ryan Tipton at the premiere of “The Kid”.

In the weeks leading up to the Western States 100, Hans hosted a special night back at his alma mater for family and friends. On Friday, June 13th Hans returned home to TCS to host an official premiere of a documentary “The Kid”. Hyperlyte, Hans’ hydration nutrition sponsor, produced the film about his journey to Western States 100. He was so grateful for all of the support and getting a chance to share his story.

TCS cross country coach and Bible teacher Mr. Ryan Tipton and middle school science teacher Mr. Sandefur were excited to catch up with him and his family. Mr. Tipton and Hans enjoyed sharing laughs about his early days of him running with the Lions. Cross country teammates from Augusta University also made the trip to watch the film. Members of the current TCS cross country team joined for the special event and left inspired and eager to hit the trails. Let’s call it “the Hans effect”,.

“The Kid” gives viewers a peak inside the mind and body of Hans Troyer. While the film is not yet rated, it is appropriate for all ages and an inspiring story of determination and grit. Throughout the film, Hans and his family give glory to God through both his achievements and his shortcomings.

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Western States 100: A Day to Remember

As the youngest male in the field of 370 runners, the Western States 100 was a chance for Hans to measure himself against the very best. A star-studded lineup reminded him that this race was truly a championship event.. He went on to share that Western States 100 wasn’t a qualifier race but rather about racing with guts, gratitude, and the belief that anything could happen.

Hans shared, “From the start, the race was fast. I was in a pack of 15 runners that held together tightly. It was thrilling. At mile 30, the race began to fracture. He made his first mistake—not something huge, but enough to feel it. Still, by mile 35, he could see the leaders. He surged forward, took the lead for a mile, even paused for a quick bathroom break.

But the real test came later. Around mile 45–50, we hit the canyons with steep climbs, brutal descents, and a relentless heat that scorched the trail and my quads. It was my lowest point.” Doubt began to creep in. Would he even finish?

“Then came Forest Hill at mile 62. Thousands of people lined the course and among them, his crew. Their cheers and energy lit a fire. Something clicked and I went into "Top 10 mode." This was about fighting for a place at the top and securing an automatic entry into next year.”

The final 25 miles were brutal with overheating, spent quads, exhaustion like he'd never known. The last 15 miles admiteddly included some walking. But he remembered the Black Canyon race where he learned the price of pushing his body to unhealthy limits. He learned from that pain and knew his limits.

By mile 90, his body felt like it was shutting down so he prayed harder with every step he took. And just over 16 hours after starting the race of a lifetime, he crossed the finish line healthy and grateful and in the top 10. Waiting for him were his parents, his little brother, his wife Grace, a friend Kai, his Hyperlyte sponsor team, and Faith, fellow runner from TCS. A crew and family full of love and support. He shared that he couldn’t have done it without them and is already excited to compete next year.

Image by Chris Roberts, Hyperlyte

Image by Chris Roberts, Hyperlyte

Image by Chris Roberts, Hyperlyte

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The Trinity Way

Hans Troyer accompanied by his mom, Peggy Troyer, after placing 8th in the 2025 Western States.

Image from Peggy Troyer.

“TCS believes that having healthy relationships with parents and local churches is paramount to the foundation of an effective Christian school.” When asked how TCS came alongside their family and helped to shape who Hans is today, Hans’ mom Peggy Troyer shared, “We knew we wanted to raise our children to know the Lord and did not want to place them in public school.  TCS reinforced our teaching at home, taught him scripture, and he developed great friendships too.”  

Peggy went on to share, “Hans has a deep desire to be close to God.  He is striving to be the best elite runner which is so demanding of his body’s capability, and he spends hours running.  This allows him to think clearly and talk to God.  Hans knows that God has given him a gift and he wants to give Him the praise for that gift.“ 

“We are so proud of each of our boys and their accomplishments.  It is amazing to see Hans as a young man doing what he loves, allowing his light to shine, and giving God thanks!”  

GO Week 2025: Puerto Rico

GO Week 2025: Puerto Rico

By Samantha DePriest

Earlier this year one of our GO Week mission teams returned to serve the people of Puerto Rico, the smallest island of the Greater Antilles located in the northeastern Caribbean. Puerto Rico is mountainous with beautiful coastal areas in the north and south. Our mission team enjoyed a time of fellowship, nightly devotions, and ministry days with Joshua Expeditions local partners. Students and staff were blessed with a time of serving the people of Puerto Rico while sharing the love of Christ. After multiple days of serving, the mission team toured Old San Juan known for its rich history, old forts, and cobblestone streets. On the final day of the trip, the students and staff were treated to a catamaran ride and snorkeling at the uninhabited little island of Icacos.

Lower School Principal Mrs. Sherry Randolph helped lead the mission trip and shared, “Our high school students had an unforgettable mission trip where they served with heart, humility, and hard work. Partnering with a local Youth With A Mission (YWAM) base in Puerto Rico, students rolled up their sleeves for heavy-duty yard work, painting projects, and preparing the grounds for ministry. They visited a local nursing home, bringing joy, small gifts, and loving companionship to the residents. At a local food pantry, the team packed boxes, stocked shelves, and sorted supplies to help meet the needs of the community. It was a powerful week of service, growth, and making a meaningful difference.”

HS teacher Mr. Mike Towson serving alongside our students.

High School teacher Mike Townson also helped lead the mission team and shared “Go week in Puerto Week was amazing. All of our students did an awesome job of representing TCS. I believe each student's lives were impacted. Our students served with passion and a desire to spread the Gospel.”

High School student Harper Gonzalez serving elders in a nursing home in Puerto Rico.

Rising junior Harper Gonzalez shared that serving in Puerto Rico was a meaningful experience for her. Harper shared, “If I had to choose one word to describe it, it would be ripple. One of the most impactful lessons the Lord taught me during our time there was how powerful a ripple effect can be when we serve others with intentional love.”

“One moment that really stuck with me happened at a nursing home. There was a little girl there named Samantha whose family owned the facility. She didn’t speak much English, but she quickly connected with Peyton and me. As we spent more time with Samantha, we began to notice something special: she was a light to the residents. When she walked up to them, their faces lit up. By simply pouring into her with love and attention, we unknowingly empowered her to pour into others even more deeply. That moment changed the way I view short-term missions. It reminded me that no act of love is too small to make an impact, because God multiplies it.”

High School students Payton Kareoak (front, brown shirt) and Harper Gonzalez (far right) serving elders in a nursing home in Puerto Rico.

When asked how she grew in her faith walk while serving during GO Week, she shared, “The Lord grew my heart in

ways I didn’t expect. One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning to serve without restraint, keeping my eyes fully fixed on Him, not for recognition or personal reward, but simply to reflect His love to those around me. I began to realize that when I serve out of surrender and obedience, He leads me to people who may just need a little extra love and kindness. Through GO Week, God reminded me that when we serve with open hands and open hearts, He uses us in ways far beyond what we can see: starting a ripple that only He can fully measure.”"

High school student Sebastian Yapor connecting with an elder in a nursing home in Puerto Rico.

Payton Keroack, also a rising junior, shared,, “In my time serving, we got to meet so many people, help build boxes for their communities and more! The Lord worked in so many situations that week. The biggest place that I saw God work in was when we were with the elders. They couldn’t speak any English so it was very hard to communicate with them. When we walked into one of the elderly homes we got to draw, paint their nails, and just sit there with them. Even though we couldn’t communicate with them verbally, the impact of us being there touched them and us more than we could ever know. They would have the biggest smiles on their faces when we would sit beside them.

At this same place we got to meet this little girl named Samantha. She was a big ball of sunshine and everyone around us could see it too. She would follow us around everywhere and teach us how to play the drums, while we would try to teach her some English. The elders adored her and cared for her so much! You could tell how much she loved Christ just by the way she talked about Him and how grateful she was for everything around her.

I grew in my Faith so much though that week. I got to see how beautiful God's creation is and how much He impacts others lives.  I loved serving and helping those learning more about Christ and seeing their faces light up when we talked about Him. Sharing the Gospel with others is such a special experience and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for next year!”

TCS Class of 2016: A Decade of Friendship, Faith, and Growth

TCS Class of 2016: A Decade of Friendship,

Faith, and Growth

By Samantha DePriest

As the TCS Class of 2016 approaches their 10-year reunion, a tight-knit group of alumni continues to cherish the deep friendships and shared faith that began within the walls of their alma mater. What started in classrooms, chapel services, and middle school musicals has blossomed into lifelong connection and a tradition of gathering that has remained strong.

Pictured l to r: back row: Michael Smaltz, Elijah Robinson, Sarah Reams, Alec Labonte.

Pictured l to r front row: Benjamin Peacock, Beth Powell, and Emily Olson.

Benjamin Peacock, known affectionately as the glue of the group, has always prioritized relationships. Whether leading group chats or organizing annual hiking trips from Waynesville, NC to the Great Smoky Mountains Benjamin is a connector. “We love reminiscing and creating new memories,” he says. Over the years, these getaways have become more meaningful, with shared meals, spiritual devotions, and support through life’s changes.” When he is not planning class reunions, he can be found coaching the Cross Country team and substitute teaching at Lakeland Christian School, lifeguarding at the Lakeland Country Club, or serving as the Youth Associate Pastor at Victory Church in Lakeland, Florida.

Michael Smaltz began his journey at TCS in Kindergarten and graduated with a love for the arts. Active in choir, theatre, and visual art, Michael performed in Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, and Mary Poppins, and built an art portfolio that would launch him into a Graphic Design degree at Lee University. Today, he lives in Murfreesboro, TN, working remotely for a print shop, creating artwork for businesses, ministries, and weddings. His passion remains clear: “I love to glorify God through art.”

Selected by their classmates as Mr. and Mrs. Trinity - Ben and Beth.

Beth Powell remembers TCS not just as a school but as a spiritual foundation. As a staff kid who practically lived on campus, she forged her deepest friendships in middle school between lockers and lunch tables. Beth was deeply involved in missions, worship nights, and student ministry, “We weren’t surface-level friends. We truly did life together.” She now works for Chick-fil-A while pursuing a marketing degree at Point University and continues mentoring young girls through Scripture and gratitude journaling. Her dream is to tell stories that reflect Jesus’ heart: “Faithfulness where we’re placed.”

Sarah Reams, who started at TCS in 4th grade, found her favorite class in Scientific Inquiry with Mrs. Cavanah who encouraged curiosity and purpose on a daily basis. Though she started college in business, Sarah shifted to the medical field and now works remotely, helping patients through an At Home Monitoring company. A proud mother of a 4-year-old daughter, she finds joy and contentment in life’s current season. “Trust what the Lord is telling you to do,” she advises. “Even if it doesn’t look like your plan—He has your best interest at heart.”

Emily Olson began her journey at TCS in the 5th grade where she formed a close-knit friend group that has remained strong ever since. She was actively involved in cross country and track, participated in BETA Club, enjoyed art classes and devotionals with her friends. After TCS, she attended Anderson University and earned her degree in Interior Design in 2020. For the past five years, she has worked at an architectural firm locally in Peachtree City focusing on commercial projects including medical facilities and churches. Emily has been part of the annual trips from the very beginning and shared “These adventures offer a chance to reconnect with lifelong friends and make new memories.”

What unites this friend group is a spiritual bond deeply rooted in their TCS experience. From detention for praying too long in Bible study to spontaneous caroling and prayer during Christmas parties, their faith has always been at the core. They gather every December for a Christmas Party complete with white elephant games and saran wrap gifts and summer pool days filled with laughter and nostalgia.

As their 10-year reunion approaches in 2026, one thing is clear: these alumni are not only grateful for the memories they made at TCS, they are still making new ones together. Through every hike, devotion, and group chat, they continue to be the body of Christ to one another.

Pictured l to r: Sarah Reams, Emily Olson, Benjamin Peacock, Beth Powell, and Michael Smaltz.

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Lion For Life

Lion For Life represents family. Each and every student who graduates from Trinity Christian School is a Lion for Life and part of a community that reaches beyond our campus walls. At Trinity, we strive to prepare today’s student to impact tomorrow’s world. Maintaining connections with our alumni gives us opportunities to witness how God is working in their lives after high school and celebrate their accomplishments and achievements for years to come.

Each Fall, TCS hosts an annual Homecoming Alumni Tailgate on the field during the Varsity Homecoming Football game. This special tradition of an Alumni-only gathering serves as an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and TCS Staff. We love staying connected with our students after graduation and look forward to future alumni events.

To share with us exciting milestones and how God is working in your ilife, please fill out the form on the Lion For Life landing page today. We look forward to hearing from you!

TCS Middle School Students Recognized At The Great History Challenge March of Champions

TCS Middle School Students Recognized At The

Great History Challenge March of Champions

By Samantha DePriest

The Great History Challenge is a nationwide academic competition for middle school students, testing their knowledge of history. The challenge aims to recognize and reward students by offering a fun and engaging way to learn about and appreciate history. It not only brings pride to our school community to showcase the academic accomplishments of our students, but also gives students the opportunity to compete for scholarships.

During the school year, students participate in their individual schools through an online, trivia-style format. An estimated 55,000 students complete the assessment in schools across the country. The top students from each school advance to regional competitions, where they compete against students from other schools. Those who finish in the top percentile then move on to the national competition.

The first year the Great History Nationals Challenge was held was in Atlanta, in May 2023. TCS student Caleb Walls, an eighth grader at the time, competed alongside three other TCS students and won as the 8th Grade National Champion. He was joined by classmates Kai Szopa, Mia Pettersson, and Will Lambert at the competition.

The second Great History Nationals Challenge was held in Chicago, Illinois, in May 2024. TCS middle school students Nicholas Litzenberger, Ian Stewart, and Kai Szopa attended. Nicholas placed 14th and Ian placed 28th in the 6th-grade competition.

The third Great History Nationals Challenge took place in Orlando, Florida, in May 2025 over Memorial Day weekend. TCS seventh graders and friends Ian Stewart and Julian Diaz Yapor represented our middle school well. The slower days of summer were the perfect time to catch up with these two academic standouts and learn about their experiences.

TCS Middle School students Ian Stewart, pictured left, and Julian Diaz Yapor, pictured right. at the Great History Challenge in Orlando, Florida.

Ian Stewart, a rising 8th grader, is an avid book lover whose passion for reading began at a very young age. Encouraged by his mom, who teaches Government at Liberty University, and his dad, who often reads with him, Ian developed a deep appreciation for literature. By the age of three, he was memorizing book pages and reading aloud to his younger brother, Connor. He fondly remembers the excitement of visiting local bookstores and exploring the shelves for new books. He enjoys reading the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales graphic novel series and loves learning about ancient history, particularly the era before the Middle Ages.

For as long as he can remember, Ian and his brother have had nightly read-aloud sessions with their parents, enjoying murder mysteries like The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder with his mom and Rings of Fire, a book about Spartan resilience, with his dad. Although he once disliked writing due to his handwriting, he discovered a new love for it after being introduced to Chromebooks in 3rd grade. His favorite classes in middle school include Mr. Veal’s history class and Bible with Mr. Moore and Mr. Higgins. Beyond academics, Ian participates in tennis and cross country. As he shared in his 7th-grade autobiography, he aspires to one day become a veterinarian and a history teacher.

A highlight of his middle school years has been his participation in The Great History Challenge. For the second year in a row, Ian advanced to Regionals in Atlanta. The format included three rounds of 20 buzzer-style questions. Ian achieved the maximum score in every round and earned an invitation to the national competition. Nationals took place over three days, with one day set aside for practice, followed by preliminary testing and then playoffs. Ian had an impressive showing, landing in the top 20 for 7th graders nationwide and placing in the top 0.05% of all participants. “The Great History Challenge is a wonderful way for him to shine, and we are grateful for the opportunity,” shared Melissa Stewart, Ian’s mom.

Ian Stewart proudly displaying his awards after the National Great History Challenge in Orlando, Florida.

Ian Stewart pictured with his family. Pictured left to right, Connor, Allen, Ian, and Melissa Stewart.

Julian Diaz Yapor proudly displaying his awards after the National Great History Challenge in Orlando, Florida.

Julian Diaz Yapor, a rising 8th grader, has had a passion for learning since he was just three years old. Born in Idaho, he attended preschool at the Challenger School, which encouraged independence and curiosity in the classroom at a young age. Like his siblings, Julian began reading early and developed a love for self-directed learning that continues to this day. He especially enjoys Science and History, with a particular interest in 20th-century world history. He shared that he expands his understanding by watching history documentaries on YouTube.

From ages six to eleven, Julian lived in the Dominican Republic before moving to Georgia and joining TCS in 5th grade. The transition was smooth, thanks in part to sharing the same homeroom and lunch table as his friend Ian Stewart. He explored new interests through wrestling in 6th grade and currently plays the viola in the middle school orchestra, where he has found inspiration and encouragement from Mrs. Sharissa Manwaring.

Julian Diaz Yapor enjoying his first time at the Great History Challenge.

This year marked Julian’s first time participating in The Great History Challenge. He advanced through Regionals at Sugar Hill Middle School and went on to compete in Nationals in Orlando. He shared that he really enjoyed competing with over 500 students from around the country (about 150 per grade). Julian found the experience both exciting and motivating. He and Ian supported and pushed each other throughout the process, often practicing and preparing together. Julian is already looking forward to competing again in 8th grade and encourages his friends to engage with history through media and shared learning experiences.

Our school community loves to celebrate and honor our students' accomplishments. We are so proud of Ian and Julian and look forward to what God has in store for them this upcoming school year.

GO Week 2025: Orlando, Florida

GO Week 2025: Orlando, Florida

By Samantha DePriest

With mission teams serving around the country each year, our students often return with stories of being changed and experiencing significant growth in their own Faith walks. TCS GO Week trips offer our students and staff opportunities to directly serve communities together and make an impact on those in need by sharing the gospel and building relationships. One of our mission teams spent time in central Florida this past school year and our leaders shared about their time serving together. .

Their days started early with a team breakfast and preparing their lunches for the day. Each day they spent time serving with different ministries in and around Orlando. Ministry work included handing out food, organizing food and supplies at food pantries, and more. They closed each day with dinner and devotion time. This time was set aside for our students to spend time in prayer, Bible study, and with God. It is our goal at TCS that our students grow in their relationships with God by continually seeking His guidance, acknowledging His love, and striving to live in a way that reflects His values.

TCS GO Week team serving at the WASH Foundation in Orlando.

Dr. Nicholas Yeakley serves as our AP US and World History Teacher as well as the Department Head for our High School Social Studies department. He and our High School Nurse Mrs. Kacey White helped lead our Orlando missions team this year. Dr. Yeakley shared, “The students worked hard and did a great job, but their resilience and flexibility is what really stood out to me.  Toward the end of the week, there was confusion over the travel home due to the inclement weather coming in.  The students were disappointed that they would not get home for the snow. Nevertheless, the students maintained a positive attitude throughout the delay.”

TCS student pictured serving with Mrs. Kacey White at The WASH Foundation.

Mrs. White shared, “Psalm 33:11 states ‘The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations’. The 2025 Orlando GoWeek trip was a trip in which every detail was ordained by the Lord. Our service opportunities included working at "Clean the World", designed  to divert soap and plastics from the hospitality industry to be repurposed for underserved countries through "The WASH Foundation", sorting and organizing food through the "Orlando Food Bank", and serving through the "Christian Service Center" which. supports the homeless community in Orlando.”

Mrs. White went on to share about the tremendous impact made on our students, “Our time together was so special. The benefits of this trip were huge. Our students were the hands and feet of Jesus by blessing this community through their service which was not often fun, was cold and hard work. They came home with a sense of great appreciation for all the blessings they have at home and desire to continue in their service here."

Dr. Yeakley pictured far right serving with TCS students.

Dr. Yeakley went on to share about the blessings that came from their change in travel plans, “The travel delay kept us in Orlando a full day longer than expected.  This meant that God gave us one unplanned extra day of service during which we got to go back to the food service ministry that we had previously been to.  Most of the students ended up saying that that was the best day of the trip. It is great to see God work in unexpected ways.”      

“Outside of service, the students had a great time bonding on outings and evenings at our lodging.  We had some really good devotional times each evening, and many of the students opened up and sincerely shared with everyone.  The students also had fun playing games and exploring different sites in Orlando.”

In summary, our students were able to experience the unexpected blessings that came from plans changing outside of their control. We are eager to see how God uses this experience in our students’ lives and how they apply what they have learned to adversity they may face in the future.

GO Week 2025: Phoenix, Arizona

GO Week 2025: PhoeniX, ARIZONa

By Samantha DePriest

TCS GO Week is a time set aside each year for our high school students and staff to serve together as the hands and feet of Jesus. This past school year, we sent out groups around our state, our country, and the globe. Led by High School Skills Development Math Support Teacher and Student Council Faculty Advisor Mrs. Shannon Bragg, and Department Head, AP Language & Literature Teacher, and BETA Club Faculty Advisor Mr. Duane Theobald, a group of students headed west to experience God’s beautiful creation and explore ways to share His love with others in Arizona. Due to inclement weather expected in Atlanta, the mission trip was unfortunately cut short. Thankfully the team was still given the opportunity to serve the people of Phoenix before flying home ahead of the snow storm.

TCS GO WEEK 2025 Phoenix mIssion team

Upon arrival, the team connected with the Joshua Expeditions team leader, hiked Papago Park and explored the beautiful Sedona area.  After their adventures outside, the team shared a meal and Devotion time before turning in for the night.

Day two and three were scheduled to be days of service in partnership with Grand Canyon University, a private and affordable Christian college located in Phoenix. Our students interacted with GCU college students and helped to lead a VBS style outreach with children at a nearby apartment complex. They were able to make connections through games, crafts, and teaching bible lessons.

In partnership with a local ministry partner at a nearby warehouse, the mission team also assisted in sorting donations making it easier to get items into the hands of those who need it most.  Sadly, the team was unable to serve the second day and returned to the airport to get home safely before the storm closed everything down.

A very valuable lesson our mission team learned was that, “You can only control, what you can control.” Though bad weather may have shortened the duration of their trip, God made a way for our team to still make an impact during their time there.

TRINITY MIKE FITZPATRICK FORD STUDENT

“ATHLETE OF THE WEEK” AWARDS

By Samantha DePriest

Trinity Christian School is honored to have Mike Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Ford in Newnan recognize our student athletes with the “Athlete of the Week” Award. We join Mr. Fitzpatrick in saying that we are wholeheartedly proud of all of our athletes who demonstrate qualities of leadership, character, and determination in their sport and on their teams. Below is our last recipient of the Fitzpatrick “Athlete of the Week Award” for the 2024-2025 school year. Way to go Lions!!

Reese Earl

Golf

Reese was the overall winner of our match versus ELCA and led our team in the Cougar Invitational.  He had a great week.

The Best Is Yet To Come! Congratulations to the Class of 2025

The Best Is Yet To Come!

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

By Samantha DePriest

Congratulations to the 16th graduating class of Trinity Christian School! Since the inception of the school in 1991, we continue our commitment of maintaining a Christ-like culture of excellence that honors God, developing meaningful partnerships with parents and community, and building diversity that mirrors heaven. That’s the Trinity Way!

Invocation by Head of School Dr. Mark Anthony at TCS High School Graduation 2025.

Image by Samantha DePriest

The class of 2025 is 136 students strong with a lifetime of memories from their years at TCS. This year’s senior class was led by Valedictorian RJ Coker who will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and Salutatorian and Student Council President Anderson Embry who will attend Georgia Tech this Fall. We also honor our 23 long-term students known as Golden Lions - a special title for those who attend TCS for 12+ years and graduate. These students embody the heart of our community, having grown both academically and spiritually within the TCS family. This distinction reflects not only their commitment but also the mission of Trinity Christian School to “prepare today’s student to impact tomorrow’s world.”

Image by Samantha DePriest

As Dr. Anthony shared in his welcome at Graduation, this class of students is full of potential. “With an average GPA of 3.83, they are prepared for the future. They have outperformed the national average on AP exams with a 65% pass rate for the last three years. These graduates have been pursued by colleges across the state including Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia State, Mercer, Berry, Morehouse, and the Universities of North and West Georgia. They have also received offers from institutions across the nation including Cornell, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Embry-Riddle, UNLV, and Tennessee. Christian colleges and universities have taken notice as well including Point, Truett-McConnell, Samford, Lee, Anderson, Lipscomb, Cedarville, Belmont, and Liberty. They see in you what we already know: a passion for excellence and a heart that beats for Christ.”

This year, two of our graduates have received appointments to United States Service Academies. RJ Coker will attend the United States Air Force Academy and Ryan Melton will attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Dr. Anthony shared “This is no small thing. It is a mark of distinction, discipline, and honor and we celebrate it as a school family.“

TCS High School Teachers and Faculty

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

School Board President Dave Fader, Incoming School Board President Dr. Colette Morgan, and Assistant Head of School Blake Bass congratulating graduate Kaden Hanson.. (pictured left to right)

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

With a stadium full of family and friends, Dr. Anthony went on to encourage our school community by sharing a portrait of a TCS graduate. With over 1,200 TCS alumni serving in communities all around the world, he shared stories of them fulfilling the calling God has placed on their lives. Whether missionaries, fighter pilots, nurses, medical students, engineers, or elite endurance athletes, our students are making an impact in the world. We pray it serves as inspiration for our underclassmen as they pray about what God has in store for their own futures.

High School Principal Mr. James Wheeler

Image by Oscar Camejo

Though he has recently joined the leadership team, our new High School Principal Mr. James Wheeler leaned on scripture to encourage our senior class. He referred to the book of Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” He went on to share, “Your journey doesn’t end here - it moves always forward. This season has closed, but the race continues. This world needs your light, your voice, your faith, and your leadership. Don’t let this moment be the peak. Let it be the launch.”

Once our students graduate from TCS, our goal is to remain as a source of encouragement, prayer, and support. We look forward to staying connected with both our alumni and their families that reaches beyond our campus walls for years to come. Lions, please keep us informed of your accomplishments so we can continue cheering you on. Simply click the link for more information and share all the good news with us in these exciting years to come: Lion For Life.

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Valedictorian RJ Coker

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Salutatorian Anderson Embry

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Image by Brittany Nichole Photography

Encore! TCS Arts Students Celebrate College Commitment At Signing Ceremony

Encore! TCS Arts Students Celebrate

College Commitment At Signing Ceremony

By Samantha DePriest

It comes as no surprise that our Performing Arts department has been in growth mode for quite some time. With the addition of many talented staff members and robust programs, students interested in all aspects of the Arts have a wide variety of classes and clubs to participate in at TCS. This past week, five of our seniors were recognized and honored at the very first Arts signing. Parents, teachers, and friends filled the room to support our students and provide words of encouragement and prayers over these graduates. What a momentous occasion for our students and families to celebrate the Arts at TCS.

Families praying over each of the students.

This Fall, Autumn Chitwood will be attending Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee to major in Music Technology. Chloe Cook will be attending Auburn University in Alabama majoring in Stage Management. Tori Pullin is going to the University of West Georgia to major in Musical Theatre and Nursing.  Lilla Wise will be attending Samford University in Alabama to work towards a BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Acting and Directing. And Lily Wozniak will be attending Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee to major in Theatre and Marketing

Each of these students have been inducted into the International Thespian Society Troope #8184. The credentials to be inducted are they must have accrued over 100 points. These five students have gone above and beyond both at TCS as well as outside theatre, classes, or workshops in accruing over a total of 6,430 hours.

Autumn: Chitwood - 127 pts (1,270 hours)

Chloe: Cook - 105 pts (1,050 hours)

Tori: Pullin - 130.5 pts (1,305 hours)

Lilla Wise :- 140.5 pts (1,405 hours)

Lily: Wozniak - 140 pts (1,400 hours)

Mrs. Lizzie pictured with seniors.

What a gift to the Performing Arts program Mrs. Lizzie Perez is. It is evident that God is using her to cast great vision and accomplish amazing things at TCS. On behalf of all of our students and families, we are so grateful for Mrs. Perez’s willingness to be His vessel and reach for excellence in all she does.

Class of 2025 student Autumn Chitwood pictured center with her family. Autumn is committed to attend Lee University in the Fall and majoring in Music Technology.

Class of 2025 student Chloe Cook pictured center with her family. Chloe is committed to attend Auburn University in the Fall and major in Stage Management.

Class of 2025 student Tori Pullin pictured center with family. Tori is committed to attend the University of West Georgia and major in Musical Theatre and Nursing. 

Class of 2025 student Lilla Wise pictured center with her family. Lilla is committed to attend Samford University in the Fall and major in Theatre with a concentration in Acting and Directing.

Class of 2025 student Lily Wozniak pictured center with her family. Lily is committed to attend Lipscomb University in the Fall and major in Theatre and Marketing.

SUMMERTIME AT TCS

SUMMERTIME AT TCS!

By Samantha DePriest

The final countdown to summer break is upon us. Each summer, Trinity Christian School offers a wide variety of camp options involving Academics, Arts, and Athletics. Our camps are open to the public, unless otherwise noted. The benefits for children attending summer camps are endless. Summer camps give students the ability to explore their individual interests while building friendships and experiencing new things. Summer is a time for play and physical activity. It is a time for learning outside the classroom walls in activities that stimulate their brains and provide opportunities for engagement and teamwork.

TCS summer camps are also a wonderful way for our new students to make new friends, meet some of our teaching/coaching team, and get familiar with our campus. All of this will help make the transition to a new school easier come August. What better way for our students to meet their future best friends and get connected than at camp.

ACADEMICS

One of the best ways to prevent brain drain over the summer is by enriching activities to increase mental activity. Our middle school teachers have teamed up once again to provide their annual Math Camp and Problem Solving Workshops for students headed into grades 3rd through 8th. This is a game changer for students who could use a little extra help in Math or students who want to sharpen their skills. Games and manipulatives are used to help students understand and master concepts for the upcoming school year.

ARTS

Despite the belief that only students in the arts will enjoy performing arts summer camps, these camps are open to all students. This summer TCS is hosting both drama and dance camps for students as young as preschool age all the way up to high school. All of our students will eventually give a presentation in class, what better way to help them prepare than by learning from our Drama Director and her amazing team.

If your student is looking to further develop their voice, learn stage presence, and have some fun making new friends, Mrs. Perez’s drama camps are a win win. They are offered for grades 1st through 12th.

New this year, one of our very own TCS Alumni is hosting an art camp to help our students in middle and high school how to draw and create their own characters like a master cartoonist.

Trinity Church is also hosting their annual Music Camp for Kindergarten through 6th grades. This years them is “Made For A Purpose” and is a one-of-a-kind version of Vacation Bible School with fun station rotations each morning. Opportunities are also available to serve as part of the Music Camp Team and earn community service hours.

ATHLETICS

Each summer, our gym and fields are filled with students working to get stronger, develop a new skill, and make new friends. Fall sports like football, softball, and cheerleading to winter sports like basketball and spring sports like soccer, there is something for everyone.

The Lil’ Lions Cheer Camp fills up fast every summer as our littlest cheerleaders learns TCS cheers and dances. It is led by Mrs. Gale Hickman, Varsity Cheer Coach, and some of her Varsity Squad. The best part is the showcase for families to attend on the last day where the Lil’ Lion Cheerleaders show off what they have learned at the camp.

Coach Lady Grooms is hosting her annual series of basketball camps for students of all ages and abilities. Whether your student athlete is looking to learn the fundamentals of the game or learn how to stand out among the competition come try outs, these camps will help develop players for the season.

New this summer, TCS will host a Lions Sports Performance Camp designed to help young athletes level up their performance across any sport they love. Coach Luke Butler shares, “Our Lions Sports Performance Camp focuses on building proper speed, agility, and explosive moment techniques that translate to game-day success.”

TCS Hosts National Day of Prayer

TCS Hosts National Day of Prayer

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

By Samantha DePriest

The first call to prayer dates all the way back to 1775, however the National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman. It is held annually on the first Thursday in May. This past Thursday afternoon, our entire student body and staff on the main campus gathered in our stadium to lift up our nation and the seven centers of influence: government, military, media, businesses, education, churches, and families in prayer.

TCS Head of School, Dr. Mark Anthony welcomed our students and staff and led the opening prayer. Middle School Principal, Mr. Adam Vinson read the Lord’s Prayer followed by Performing Arts Director, Mr. Tim Hurt who was accompanied by some of our high school worship team in a beautiful rendition of “Firm Foundation“.

Several students came forward and shared specific scriptures. Lastly, Mr. Ryan Tipton, High School Bible Department Head, led our entire school in a closing prayer. He encouraged our students to pray about everything every single day of their lives today, tomorrow, and always. With hands raised high and voices joined in song, our HS Worship team led us in singing “I Trust In God” to close the special service.

We are reminded on days like these how blessed we are to be able to join thousands of Christians all around the country in prayer for our nation. We believe in the power of prayer and live with hope and anticipation for all that God is going to do in our country and in our world.

HISTORY - David Peavy, Senior, shared the history behind this day with our student body and staff.

“Throughout our nation’s history presidents like George Washington, John Adams, and Abraham Lincoln have called for special days of prayer in response to events taking place in our country. In 1952 men like Billy Graham helped encourage the movement toward a national day of prayer each year. A bill was passed in 1952 and signed by President Harry Truman making this a reality. Under Ronald Reagan’s leadership in 1988, a bill was signed designating the 1st Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer” 

GOVERNMENT - Scripture Reading by Chase Baer, Sophomore, led our school in prayer over our Federal Government - President, Vice President, Cabinet Members, Congressional Representatives, and Supreme Court Justices. Prayer over our State Government - Governor, Executive Leaders, Legislative Leaders, and Judicial Leaders, Prayer over our Local Government - Mayors, City Counsel, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Judges, and County Officials.

• I Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

• Romans 13:1-2: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

MILITARY - Scripture Reading: Timothy Savoy, Middle School, led our school in prayer for perseverance to endure hardship and for protection and support for the families they have left behind. 

• Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

• Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

MEDIA - Scripture Reading: Brody Johnston, Upper Elementary, led our school in prayer over the Christians in media to find favor and be filled with creative ideas that bring kingdom principles and life-giving messages to the public. 

• Philippians 4:8: “...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

BUSINESS - Scripture Reading: Greg Brezina, Junior, led our school in prayer over our Christian workers to display Christ-like humility and service to their co-workers.

• Psalm 90:17: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-  yes, establish the work of our hands.”

• Exodus 31:3-4: “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze.”

EDUCATION - Scripture Reading: Dru Pendley, 3rd grade, led our school in prayer for more and more teachers in our country will come to know Jesus as Savior and instruct their students in the fear, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the Lord. Prayer that more and more students will come to know Jesus as Savior and that their hearts will soften to the Truth of the Gospel and that they will become aware of the lies of Satan that currently influence them. Prayer that the knowledge gained by students in each subject will be used to glorify God throughout their student career and in future workplaces.

• Proverbs 2:3-6: “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

• 2 Peter 3:18: “Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.”

CHURCH - Scripture Reading: Quinn Griffith, 3rd grade, led our school in prayer that the church would find a new zeal and commitment to the mission and purpose of Jesus Christ. Prayer for unity with and among churches that reveal God’s love to the world. Prayer for integrity–that God’s people look and act differently from the world. Prayers that our churches would reflect the goodness, light and truth of Jesus to our communities.

• 1 Peter 2:9-10: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

FAMILY - Scripture Reading: Lucas Loftis, Senior, led our school in prayer for healthy and God-honoring marriages. Prayer for healthy relationships between parents and children. Prayer over the children of our nation will seek to honor their fathers and mothers as the Lord commands. 

• Ephesians 6:1-4; “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:  “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

• Malachi 4:5-6: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet. Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

TCS Boys Soccer Program Is Making History!

TCS Boys Soccer Program Is Making History!

By Samantha DePriest

Three years ago Coach Mike Townson stepped onto our campus with the goal of rebuilding our Trinity Christian School Men’s Soccer program. Since his arrival as the Director of Soccer and Varsity Boys Soccer Coach, the program has experienced significant growth through various development efforts including soccer camps, addition of coaching staff, and the tremendous support of the school community.

Coach Townsons’ first season started in Spring of 2023 when he hit the ground running. He recruited in the hallways and encouraged any student athlete not currently playing a spring sport to come out to play. In just three years, the boys soccer program has grown to over 100 players from middle through high school with almost all of our high school players playing club soccer ball. It was a season to remember as the varsity boys team had their first winning season in 6 seasons with a 7-6-3 record. The team missed the playoffs by one spot. The second season increased their wins to 9-9-0 and missed playoffs due to the tie breaker rule. Forwards Collin Mudge and Sebastian Yapor and defender Colin DePriest were selected to play in the Divarsity All Star Match in 2024 where DePriest was named MVP as a freshmen. The third season has been one for the history books. The team has won the most games in school history with 12 wins so far this season. Keeper AJ Brown has tied all time wins with Josh Taylor (12 wins) and has had the most shutouts with 6 games with clean sheets. This years team has allowed the fewest number of goals than any other season with just 23 goals.

2023 TCS Varsity Boys Soccer team led by Head Coach Mike Townson and Jessica Charman

2024 TCS Varsity Boys Soccer team led by Head Coach Mike Townson, Jessica Charman, Kevin Osse, and Alumni Ty Kopika

Coach Townson celebrated his 200th win this season and while he was excited to celebrate this great achievement, he has focused more on the wins for his players than for himself. Multiple players have been recognized this season as GACA Preseason Allstate players AJ Brown, Collin Mudge, and Jackson Upshaw. Forward Jackson Upshaw was selected as Mike Fitzgeralds Athlete of the Week. And Keeper AJ Brown was selected as Prep Sports Nation Athlete of the Week, Wendy’s Athlete of the Week, and Positive Athlete Nominee.

2025 TCS Varsity Boys Soccer team led by Head Coach Mike Townson, Kevin Osse, Jessica Charman, Nassim Ssimou, Yordany Ledesma, and Ray Giunta.

Our JV boys team has continued to dominate and ended their season with a 7-1-2 record. For the second year in a row, our Middle School boys ended with a 15-2 record, winning 2nd in State.

(pictured l to r) TCS Alumni athletes now playing at LaGrange College: Connor DePriest, Noah Schloegel, and Dylan DePriest

Another goal of Coach Townsons’ was to develop players to compete at the next level, if they so desired. Under his leadership three student athletes have gone on after high school and are all playing soccer at LaGrange College led by Coach Ryan Dickson. Class of 2023 graduate Dylan DePriest, majoring in Exercise Science, has played over 1,000 minutes in his first two seasons and has been selected to serve as Team Captain this Fall for the LaGrange College Panthers. Class of 2024 graduate Connor DePriest, majoring in Sports Managament who led the Lions his junior year with 12 goals and 9 assists and Class of 2024 graduate Noah Schloegel, majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, who led the Lions his junior year with 13 assists both saw game time their Freshman season in college and are looking forward to returning to the pitch this Fall.

TCS Class of 2023 Alumni, Georgia Tech Punter Josh Taylor

Class of 2023 graduate Josh Taylor who played keeper and held the record for most all time wins for the Lions, is now a punter for the football team at Georgia Tech majoring in Civil Engineering. Class of 2025 student Sebastian Yapor, who set a new school record in Spring 2024 with a whopping 5 goals scored in a single game, has committed to play soccer this coming Fall at Toccoa Falls College. Class of 2026 Keeper AJ Brown has already received multiple college offers and hopes to play soccer in college after graduation next May.

Coach Townson shares, “What a great year for our TCS Boys soccer team. It only took three years to build one of the best teams in the state. Our overall record was 12-6 which broke the prior school record for the number of wins as well as most clean sheets. We also shattered personal records, one being the all time scoring record by senior Collin Mudge who has scored 53 goals since his freshman year. Our team also ranked in the top 10 in all 3 polls.”

TCS Class of 2025 Sebastian Yapor committed to play at Toccoa Falls College after graduation.

For the first time in school history, our TCS Boys soccer team hosted playoffs in Lion Stadium. This past Friday night, the boys took on The Weber School in the first round of playoffs and what a game it was. After a long scoreless game, freshman KP Russell scored in final minutes of the game to give the Lions the lead. With just two seconds left in the game, The Weber School scored on a penalty to tie it up. Senior Niko Pagsisihan scored the winning goal in the second half of overtime to propel our boys to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history. It sure was a night these boys won’t soon forget.

Our Varsity Boys Soccer team is set to play Hebron Christian this coming Thursday night at 7:30pm in Dacula in their first Sweet Sixteen appearance in school history. Let’s Go Lions!!

Middle School Apologetics Day: Learning To Defend Our Faith

Middle School Apologetics Day:

Learning To Defend Our Faith

By Samantha DePriest

The week leading up to Easter was the perfect time to host our first Middle School Apologetics Day, a special time set aside for the spiritual development of our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. The word apologetics comes from the Greek word “apología” which directly translates as 'speaking in defense'. It is described as “The religious discipline of defending doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse.” Christian Apologetics is the defense of our faith of why Christianity is true. It helps grow confidence in our Faith and makes us more effective in sharing the Gospel.

There are different types of Christian Apologetics, these are just a few of the types covered during Middle School Apologetics Day.

• Historical Apologetics - the case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Archaeological Apologetics - the findings and discoveries to help us realize the Bible can be confirmed.

• Biblical Apologetics - internal and manuscript evidence at the literature and sources.

• Cultural Apologetics - how we take the bible and apply to the culture, how is Christianity defensible when facing hard issues in this day and age.

As you know, there are 1,189 chapters in the Bible broken down into 2 testaments with 66 books in all, 39 books in the old testament and 27 books in the new testament. The Bible was written over a course of about 1,500 years on 3 different continents in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. The first 2 chapters of the Bible is about Creation, chapter 3 is about the Fall, and the rest of Bible talks about our Redeemer and the restoration.

Christian Apologetics helps our students to understand the stories in Bible so they can defend their faith with facts that Christianity is both true and defensible. When they leave TCS to go out into the world one day, they will truly know why they are Christians and can help make Him known.

After much planning and preparation, topics chosen to discuss and help our students gain a better understanding were:

• What is a worldview?

• Is Jesus the only way to heaven?

• How do we know the resurrection really happened?

• What happens when Jesus comes back?

• Did the Ice Age happen and how does that fit into the book of Genesis?

• Can we know if God truly exists?

Middle School Principal Mr. Adam Vinson shared, “We had an awesome day last week equipping our students to defend their faith by talking about the “why” behind so many of our beliefs. Students were treated to speakers from around the nation on topics related to God’s existence, the resurrection of Jesus and the impact of the flood. Hopefully your child was able to relay some of the important truths they were exposed to as a result of the day. A big thank you to our TCS Annual Fund which helped us bring in some of these special speakers!”

In addition to big group sessions, our middle school Bible teachers held small group sessions in classrooms where students rotated with their Discipleship groups to discuss the following topics: Worldview, Beliefs, Resurrection, and the big questions like what happens to people who die and don’t hear about Jesus and what happens when Jesus comes back?

Tripp Almon: “Why Are You A Christian?”

Rob Conti: “Shrouded in Mystery”

Zach Mabry: “Ice, Ice Baby”

Spencer Davis: “Dinos, Dragons, and Demi-Gods Oh My!”

Coach Matt Akey Receives USTA Coach Of The Month Recognition!

Coach Matt Akey Receives

USTA Coach Of The Month Recognition!

By Samantha DePriest

Coach Matt Akey, pictured left, with Staff Coach Janelle Akey, pictured right.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) nominated our very own Coach Matt Akey as “Coach of the Month”. We are so thankful for all of the time and energy he continues to pour into growing our TCS tennis program. This prestigious honor reflects his commitment to excellence and the impact he has on our tennis program.

Coach Akey has been instrumental in bringing in tennis pros to help train our players in clinics, scheduling matches and securing over $600 in free equipment from USTA. Coach Akey has also helped to create full MS, JV, and Varsity teams which is tremendous growth from last season. We are so grateful for his service to our student athletes. Way to go Coach Akey!!

Earlier this year, Coach Matt and Staff Coach Janelle took a trip and traveled down to the Florida USTA Headquarters for Coaching Training and Certification to help them be as best equipped as possible. We are beyond thankful for their continued commitment and going above and beyond to meet the needs of our student athletes.

To learn more about our Tennis program, follow them on Instagram @tcstennis.

Coach Matt Akey encouraging the team.

2025 TCS Tennis Team

TCS Students Shine At District Fine Arts Festival

TCS Students shine at District Fine Arts Festival

By Samantha DePriest

Trinity Fine Arts is a growing group of students who share the gifts and talents that God has given them through various expressions. Depending on the level of difficulty and coaches, some students start practicing during the first semester of the school year. Volunteer coaches help our students to fine tune their performances and submissions made up of Trinity parents, Trinity Church volunteers, and even grandparents. On average students spend an hour per week practicing on Sunday afternoons at Trinity from January to March in preparation for the festival. Performances range from vocal, instrumental, and dance to short sermons and photography.

Students are given the opportunity to choose if they would like to join a group or enter as an individual and how many groups to be a part of. Over 20 churches participate and this year over 250 students from all over Georgia participated. Once selected during the District Fine Arts Festival, students are invited to attend the National Youth Convention where they are joined by 10,000 to 12,000 students from all over the country.

TCS Performing Arts Director Tim Hurt shared, “Here on our Trinity campus the Georgia District Fine Arts Festival hosted hundreds of students from dozens of different churches.  From Trinity we had 61 students participate and they were involved in 74 different entries.  The weekend was a great success!  Congratulations to all on a job well done, and on the ministry and heart with which you presented.  We are proud of you all!!”

Stacie Moore shares, “Of those 74 entries, 63 of them received invites to the National Festival in August. Of those 63 entries, 36 of them were in the top 3 (first, second and third place). Of those 36 entires, 20 of them were merit (first place). We couldn’t be more proud of our students!” Stacie went on to share, “Our Festival was amazing.  The awards ceremony was full of students, parents and families in the Gym on March 22nd.  The district asked for TCS Senior Keira Moore to open the award ceremony with her worship leading solo, which she earned merit in. There were so many top 3 and merit awards, it was so exciting to see the students honored. One of the highlights of the festival was that Sophie Selleck said she got finished with singing with the large ensemble and she felt like worship ministry is something she wants to do the rest of her life.” 

An informational meeting will be held this coming Fall at TCS. Students may also reach out directly to Trinity Church Fine Arts Director Stacie.Moore@tcslions.org about getting involved.

FINE ARTS RESULTS 2025

DIstrict Fine Arts

MERIT GROUPS (first place and advance to Nationals)

● Gospel Choir

● Voices of Trinity - Vocal Ensemble Large

● TC Worship - Worship Team Small

● Fire & Rimstones - Percussion Traditional

● BEATS MODE - Percussion Unconventional

● Dunked -Large Drama

● That’s So Gretch - Small Drama

● Threeo - Instrumental Traditional

● girl stawp - Readers Theater

● Hark! - Small Musical Theater Ensemble (Henry Cook, Riley Cook, Keira Moore)

● Hands Held High - Puppets

● Made New - Worship Dance Small (Emberlynn Wozniak, Sophia Fader, Keira Moore)

MERIT SOLO (first place and advance to Nationals)

● Aria Davison - Musical Theater Solo JR

● Rebecca Savoy - Book Chapter SR

● Sophia Hurt - Piano Solo Classical

● Sophia Fader - American Sign Language Solo

● Keira Moore - Worship Team Leading Solo; Female Vocal SR; Songwriting (3)

● Tori Pullin - Drama Solo

SUPERIOR WITH INVITATION GROUPS AND SOLO

● God In A Box - Drama Small

● Kings Chamber - Instrumental Traditional (top 3)

● The Flowers - Instrumental Traditional (top 3)

● No Strings Attached - Readers Theater (top 3)

● Passing Time - Readers Theater (top 3)

● Open on Sunday - Worship Team Large (top 3)

● SoLo - Musical Theater Small (top 3)

● TC Trio - Vocal Ensemble Small (top 3)

● Aria Davison - Female Vocal JR

● Ayana Palmer - Female Vocal JR

● Elle Jerger - Spoken Word (top 3) and Flash Fiction (top 3)

● Emberlynn Wozniak - Photography Mobile SR, Short Sermon SR, Female Vocal Solo SR and Musical Theater Solo SR

● Emma Grace Andrews - Musical Theater Solo SR

● Henry Cook - Male Vocal Solo JR (top 3), Musical Theater Solo JR (top 3),-and Songwriting

● Jane Jung - Book Chapter JR (top 3)

● Keelin O’Pry - Book Chapter SR and Poetry SR

● Keira Moore - Short Sermon SR and Musical Theater Solo SR (top 3)

● Lila Chitwood - Female Vocal SR and Musical Theater Solo SR

● Lily Wozniak - Short Sermon SR and Female Vocal SR

● Madison Faith - Vocal Solo SR

● Rebecca Savoy - Flash Fiction (top 3)

● Riley Cook - Musical Theater Solo SR and Female Vocal Solo SR

● Sam Fader - Photography Digital SR (top 3), Photography Mobile Device SR, and Visual Art 2-D SR

● Samantha Malenius - Visual Art 2-D Alternative Media, Visual Art 2-D SR and Visual Art 3-D SR

● Sophie Young - Short Sermon SR and Photography Digital SR

● Sophia Hurt - Songwriting

● Sophia Fader - Dramatized Quoting Solo

● Sophia Selleck - Visual Art 2-D SR and Female Vocal Solo SR (top 3)