The Eagle cry

2018 Graduates Back to school

Preparing students for lives of impact through Christ-centered education

why DHCA? Alumni highlights

Letter from our Headmaster

Letter from the senior class president

2018-2019 AMBASSADORS

Also Featured inside

teacher highlights

Academic scholars

Academic achievers

Decatur heritage Christian Academy, 2018-2019 1st quarter issue

Our leadership

Mr. Scott Mayo- Headmaster

Mr. Jeremy Jones- K-12 Chief Learning Leader

Mr. Michael Holiday- Assistant Principal

Mr. Ty Patterson- Athletic Director

Mr. Steve Atchley- Facility Manager & Assistant AD

Mrs. Scarlet Bolan- Food Service Director Mrs. Melissa Ross- Guidance Counselor

Mrs. Heather Sasser- Chief Financial Officer

Mrs. Lisa Barnett- Advancement Director

Our administration

Mr. Em Barran

Mrs. Lyn Cook

Mrs. Laura Hellard

Mrs. Tricia Heyward

Mr. John Joseph

Mr. Stratton Orr

Mr. Jeff Parker

Dr. Jay Suggs

Mrs. Patty Annerton- Math & Spanish Mrs. Paula Armstrong- Bible Mrs. Noelle Barron- Kindergarten Mrs. Cathryn Buse- Bible & Math Mrs. Debbie Bishop- Second Grade Mrs. Kathy Coffey- First Grade Mrs. Debbie Crews- Third Grade Mrs. Jennifer Densmore- Science Mrs. Bethany Eze- Music

Mrs. Mindy Guyton– Third Grade Mrs. Teresa Hall- Media Center Mrs. Katherine Helms- English

Mrs. Yvonne Holiday- Physical Education

Ms. Hannah Holloway– Fifth & Sixth Grade

Mrs. Sandra Howard– Science

Mrs. Donna Jarnagin- Math Mrs. Karen Keith- Science Mrs. Becky Linderman- Fourth Grade

Mrs. Kerstin Lynch- Fourth Grade Mr. Jason Marshall- Physical Education

Mrs. Melissa McCulloch-Writing Enhancement Facilitator

Mrs. Julie McGough- English & Health Mr. Steve Meek- Physical Education & History

Mrs. Elise Morrison- Fifth & Sixth Grade

Mrs. Connie Murray- Instructional Enhancement Facilitator

Mrs. Paizley Peebles– First Grade

Mrs. Leah Reid- Fifth & Sixth Grade

Mrs. Cathy Schmid- Math

Mrs. Brenda Smith- Second Grade Mrs. Sandy Stephenson- Kindergarten Mrs. Sylvia Teague- Math Mrs. Angie Teichmiller- History Mrs. Amy Tubbs- Art Mrs. Laura Frasher Tuttle- English and History Mr. David Walker- Band Mrs. Irina Washburn- Russian Mrs. Jenna Wilkerson- Fifth & Sixth Grade Mrs. Barbara Wright- Technology

Our board of trustees

Our faculty

Mrs. Traci Gladish– CFE Aide, Lower School Office

Mrs. Terri Mashburn- Financial Secretary Mrs. Kim Patker– Health Room Facilitator

Ms. Holly Thompson-Advancement/Athletics

Mrs. Melissa Simpson- Food Service Staff

Our support staff

Mrs. Tammy Legg- Food Service Staff

Mrs. Carole Janorschke- Upper School Office

Mrs. Donna Mayo- CFE Aide, Lower School Office

Mr. Blake Temple, Chairman

A letter from our headmaster

Scott Mayo

A letter From our headmaster

Each year, I pick a theme to help guide our thinking and acting at school.

This year, I decided upon “Jesus Christ, Lord of All” with an accompanying passage of Colossians

1:18, “…that in everything he might be preeminent” ESV. In the NIV, it reads, “…that in

everything he might have the supremacy.” As a controlling idea, it is powerful because it is so

comprehensive. The rationale, the foundation, the energy to persevere as a Christian school –

all of these are predicated upon the concept that Jesus is Lord of all things. From our very

founding, Decatur Heritage has been committed to the Lordship of Christ and has worked to

show that to our students, families, and the broader community.

During inservice for our teachers, I noted a potential problem with this theme. Because it is so comprehensive in its

claim and because we, as fallen humanity, love to compartmentalize our lives, we fail to actually apply it in areas needing it

most. As teachers, we claim that Jesus is Lord over all that is taught – math, English, history, art, foreign language, computer,

and on and on. However, we struggle when we have to admit that Christ is sovereign over the changing nature of our culture.

No law has been passed, nor election held, nor song or book written that is outside of His rule. Yes, our changing culture

impacts Christian education. However, the same Lord who called the stars by name continues to call families, the right number

with the right mindset, to partner with Christian schools in the education of their children. More so now than ever, that takes

faith and trust and prayer on our part in order to see God’s hand. Christ is Lord over the environment in which Decatur

Heritage operates.

Likewise, during our opening assembly for our Upper School students, I warned them as well. They could agree that

Jesus should be Lord over our efforts in class, our actions in athletics, and how we treat our parents and teachers. The

struggle is real, however, when we claim that Christ is Lord over our peer interactions, especially given the lowered civility and

anonymity of our social media and communication tools. Paul instructed Titus to remind his people “…to slander no one, to

be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility…” because of the kindness and love of God. I reminded the

students that Paul’s words were not limited to times they were face-to-face. God says our hearts and our attitudes control our

actions. Out of the overflow of the heart, our mouths speak or tweet or post or comment. I challenged our students to show

Christ’s Lordship over our interpersonal interactions.

This world is a scary place, filled with much unrest and uncertainty. Our students are tempted in ways we never

would have imagined. They are constantly connected and inundated with feedback, much of it negative. We all struggle in

various ways to make sense of things. Please pray for Decatur Heritage this year as we strive both to teach and to model the

claim that “Jesus Christ, Lord of All” is true at all times and in all areas of life.

“I have no greater joy than to hear

that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4

Staff and faculty were recently recognized for milestones of service at Decatur Heritage. Pictured with Mr. Mayo are

from left to right: Heather Sasser 10 years, Steve Atchley 15 years, Amy Tubbs 15 years, Barbara Wright 20 years,

Kathy Coffey 20 years, Ty Patterson 10 years, Jason Marshall 5 years, Holly Thompson 5 years, and Paizley Peebles 5 years.

Not pictured: Cathy Schmid 20 years, Melissa McCulloch 5 years, and Kim Parker 5 years.

Staff and Faculty highlights

Mrs. Helms received the 2018 Distinguished Faculty Award for the third year in a row.

Upper school

highlight

Mrs. Katherine Helms

Mrs. Debbie Bishop

Mrs. Helms has taught for a total of 10 years, with eight of those being at DHCA. She teaches 8th, 10th, and 12th

grade English classes including English honors and AP Literature. She and her husband Vance have three children:

Maggie (2018 DHCA graduate), Mimi (senior at Hartselle), and Joby (sophomore at DHCA). Her hobbies include

working out with friends and cooking. She is from Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky (“Go

Wildcats!”). Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Thessalonians 2:8 “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased

to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

lower school

highlight

Mrs. Bishop has taught for a total of 14 years, and is entering her 10th year at DHCA. She teaches the 2nd grade

and loves that age group. She enjoys their eagerness to learn and openness of mind. She and her husband Allen

have been married for 26 years and have two children, Josh (2014 DHCA graduate), and Lizzie (DHCA senior). She

loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family and pets. Her favorite Bible verse is Mark 12:30 “Love the

Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

“I know how important it is to prepare my students academically and socially for the next grade, but

I love that I also have the opportunity to guide them in their spiritual growth. I hope I can lead them in learning

important life lessons such as patience, kindness, teamwork, and the need for perseverance because I know God has

a plan for each one of them.”

“My prayer is that I'm reflecting Christ in my teaching- that I'm treating students fairly and holding them

to a high standard but also loving them despite their failings to meet these standards. As we study literature, we

look at the big questions of life that we encounter and evaluate them according to a Biblical worldview. I hope this

prepares students to always sift everything they learn through the discerning eye of Scripture.”

2017-2018 4th quarter 2017-2018 4th quarter

Academic achievers

“A student achieving all A's, with no grade below 90

including weighted grades for AP and Honors classes"

"A student achieving all A's and B’s, with no grade below 80 including weighted grades for AP and Honors classes"

Academic Scholars

7th Grade

Ian Eze

Sheryl Garner

Eve Heatherly

Macy Holland

Sara Jones

Owen McAlister

Joshua Murray

Bryant Pitts

Katilyn Viers

Hunter Ward

8th Grade

Charlie Moores

Cole O'Brien

Brooklyn Palmer

Nash Rippen

Saxon Sample

Caroline Thompson

Gabe Wallace

Lydia Williams

Kyleigh Wright

9th Grade

Florence Bowman

Lexi Brown

Sarah Grace Burney

Maddie Eubanks

Joby Helms

Daija Milam

Loryn Miller

Malana Power

Andrew Schmidt

Houston South

Katie Wallace

Sam Waters

10th Grade

Avery Hardy

Kinsley Hill

Jordan Hunter

Shelby Jones

Alex Joseph

Colton Keith

Katie Markham

Garrett Rogers

Stephen Ross

Abby Terry

Preston Terry

11th Grade

Derrick Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop

Heath Bolton

Amelia Byars

Katelyne Garrie

Reagan Gowen

Ethan Hubbard

Aleah Jenkins

Audrey Jett

Grace Haulie Johnson

Will Jones

Ian Metzgar

Margaret South

12th Grade

Rachel Beck

Patrick Cheng

Hunter Dupes

Bailey Founds

Eleanor Hellard

Lily Catherine Holland

Karsyn Lemley

Trace Lentz

Jake Newton

Carson Solley

Mason Terry

11th Grade

Tate Copeland

Justin McCleskey

12th Grade

Morgan Abercrombie

Garret Buckner

Ann Whitney Chappell

Aaron Francis

Maggie Helms

Jeff Hunter

Sam Harrison Mathews

Lida Orr

Brooklyn Parker

Marilyn Sample

Collin Stafford

Merrick Stafford

7th Grade

Mason Baxley

Olivia Bender

Adeline Burney

Isabella Clifton

Allyson Densmore

Charlie Hellard

Caylee Lowery

Gentry Nelson

Willis Orr

Wesley Owens

Bo Solley

Sasha Suggs

Nicholas Telepun

Kinley Terry

Hudson Wallace

Braxton Woodruff

8th Grade

Leland Barnett

Brian Brown

Avery Byars

Tyler Founds

Connor Francis

Aiden Garriss

Conner McDaniel

Katelyn McDaniel

Thomas Ross

Beth Trippany

Alisa Washburn

9th Grade

Michael Cheng

Justin Densmore

Emily Hubbard

Juliana Hudry

Lucy Orr

Clay Smith

Mia Suggs

Maddux Terry

10th Grade

David Brown

Tegwen Buckner

Seaborn Chappell

Chase Clemmons

Cole Garner

Katie Jones

Mason Lentz

Ben Lovelace

Stratton Orr

Marc Pettus

Carter Sample

Ashleigh Vickery

Ethan Wallace

Matthew Sasser attended DHCA for 13 years and graduated in 2013. He has received

degrees in Music and English Literature from Auburn University and will begin a

Master’s degree in Musicology in England at Keble College, University of Oxford in

October. Matthew discovered his passion for music, literature, and philosophy at DHCA

through Mr. Holiday’s apologetics class and Mrs. Holland’s English class. He plans to

pursue a PhD in theology or music and teach at the university level.

Matthew’s encouragement to rising seniors: “DHCA has given me the tools to be

successful in all areas of life...so don’t be afraid to take the next step.”

Alumni highlights

2 0 1 8 G r A D U A t e S

Morgan Abercrombie Rachel Beck

Anna Blankenship

Garret Buckner Christina Campbell

Ann Whitney Chappell

Bailey Founds

Lily Catherine Holland

Jared Little

Brooklyn Parker

Aaron Francis Julia French

Jeff Hunter

Walker Jones

Cory Long

Sam Harrison Mathews

Jackson Parker

Marilyn Sample

Carson Solley

University of Alabama

University of Alabama University of Alabama

University of Alabama

University of

Alabama

in Huntsville University of Alabama

University of Alabama in Huntsville

University

Samford Washington and lee

University

University of mobile Calhoun community

Calhoun community

Calhoun community

Wallace State community college

Auburn university Mississippi State

Auburn university

Auburn university

university college

college

college

Auburn university

Kristian Bowling

Alexis Brown

Cason Brown

Patrick Cheng Dalton Davis

Hunter Dupes

2 0 1 8 G r A D U A t e S

Olivia Gailey Eleanor Hellard Maggie Helms

Nathan Ladner Karsyn Lemley Trace Lentz

Stratton Miller

Jake Newton

Lida Orr

Collin Stafford

Merrick Stafford

Mason Terry

Seth Thompson

University of Alabama

University of Alabama in Huntsville

in Huntsville University of Alabama Martin Methodist

college Louisiana state

University Samford

University

Auburn university

Calhoun community

Calhoun community

Calhoun community

Calhoun community Calhoun community Furman university

University of North Alabama

Paul Mitchell school Mississippi State

University of Alabama At Birmingham

Murray State University

Southern union state Community college

University

college

college

college

college college

My name is Mindy Guyton,

and I’m joining the DHCA

family this year as a third

grade teacher. I am

happily married with two

grown children. My family

is from Mississippi where I

taught for 12 years in

both public and private

education.

Welcome to the dhca family

Margaret south

A letter from the senior class president

Introducing the 2018-2019 dhca ambassadors

My name is Elise Morrison, and I am a

proud graduate of Decatur Heritage Christian

Academy. I am excited to join the DHCA

family as the 5th and 6th grade math and

history teacher. I received my Bachelor’s

degree in Early Childhood Education from

Shorter University in 2017. I enjoy traveling,

DIY projects, musical theater, anything Disney

related, and taking long naps. My husband

Ryan and I reside in Huntsville with our

puppy, Colby Jack.

1st row, left to right: Malana Power; Lexi Brown; Katie Wallace; Lucy Orr; Maddie Eubanks; Mia Suggs; Juliana Hudry; Grace Haulie Johnson; Reagan

Gowen; Audrey Jett; Amelia Byars; Avery Byars; Alisa Washburn; Leland Barnett; Mary Peyton Propst; Lydia Williams; Beth Trippany; Caroline Thompson

2nd row, left to right: Justin McCleskey; Preston Terry; Cole Garner; Colton Keith; Ethan Hubbard; Tyler Founds; Saxon Sample; William Barnett; Ty Tyson;

Owen Thompson; Luke Tuttle-Frasher; 3rd row, left to right: Joby Helms; Ben Lovelace; Seaborn Chappell; Ian Metzgar; Stephen Ross; Carter Sample;

Lily Holdbrooks; Justin Densmore; Stratton Orr; Clay Smith; Florence Bowman; Katie Jones; Emily Hubbard; Margaret South. Not pictured: Loryn Miller

The Ambassador program is a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to representing DHCA. This group of students in the 9th-12th

grade is selected to represent our school in our community and at school functions with the goal of informing and educating prospective students,

families, and the general public about Decatur Heritage. They are also responsible for assisting with school events and leading school programs.

Parents, students, and alumni, the 2018-2019 school year has started, and we have hit the ground running! As a senior,

it’s my last year at a place that has become a home, and I know it is going to be the best yet. As a student body this

year, I pray that we would have expectant hearts of what the Lord is going to do at Decatur Heritage and through

Decatur Heritage. This is a special place, and the people who fill these halls are fully equipped to do God’s work, so let’s

do it. In the classroom we are in full swing, sports teams are gearing up for their first games of the season, and clubs

have begun to have their first meetings. The atmosphere is full of excitement and expectation, and I have full confidence

in our student body to go above and beyond this year.

Welcome to the dhca family Allison Light, 9th grade

Daughter of Dr. Ben and Diana Light

Alyssa Darnell, 10th grade

Daughter of Charles and Lindsay Darnell

Amelia Haden, Kindergarten

Daughter of Nathan and Rachael Haden

Beau Stevenson, Kindergarten

Son of Dr. Shane and Laura Stevenson

Breeze Victorino, Kindergarten

Daughter of Ashley Hembree and Caleb Victorino

Savannah Samuel, 5th grade

Daughter of Eusebio and Kimberly Samuel

Sam Cochran, 6th grade

Son of Michael and Julie Cochran

Reagan Gargis, 12th grade

Daughter of Kim Gargis and Matt Gargis

Paxton Tarver, 6th grade

Son of Scott and Erin Tarver

Hayden Page, 6th grade

Son of Toby and Jennifer Page

Hudson Jones, Kindergarten

Son of George and Laura Crisler-Jones

Jenna Whaley, Kindergarten

Daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Whaley

Jordan Burks, 9th grade

Son of Vicki Burks

Shelby Figh, Kindergarten

Daughter of Dr. Matthew and Kelly Figh

Tu Minh Tran, 12th grade

Exchange student with Ricky and Hollie Miller

Karis Patterson, Kindergarten

Landon Scott, Kindergarten

Son of Josh and Lori Scott

Leta Temple, Kindergarten

Daughter of Forrest and Cathorine Temple

Lillian Doss, Kindergarten

Daughter of Andrew and Lindsey Doss

Luke Buse, Kindergarten

Son of Kyle and Cathryn Buse

Luke McGee, 6th grade

Son of TJ and Jennifer McGee

Luke Selvidge, 3rd grade

Son of Jordan and Katharine Selvidge

Marissa Adams, 5th grade

Daughter of Lance and Heather Adams

Michelle Chen, Kindergarten

Daughter of Yong gang Chen and Ling hui Zheng

Nora Wright, Kindergarten

Daughter of Clint and Allison Wright

Millia Parker, 4th grade

Daughter of Christie and Charles Pitman

and Matthew Parker

Trenton Casey, Kindergarten

Anna Claire Casey, 3rd grade

Children of Chris and Jennifer Casey

Brynley Burt, 1st grade

Brayson Burt, 6th grade

Children of Brandi and Michael McLeod

and Ralph Burt

Victoria Stansbury, Kindergarten

Ethan Stansbury, 2nd grade

Sophia Stansbury, 4th grade

Children of Paul and Maria Stansbury

Hadley Miner, Kindergarten

Daughter of Jared and Chantelle Miner

Laylah Sparkman, 2nd grade

Ford Sparkman, 5th grade

Bryant Sparkman, 6th grade

Children of Richie and Amanda Sparkman

Cooper Williams, 5th grade

Son of Austin and Crystal Williams

David Hudry, 6th grade

Son of Dr. Wayne and Twila Hudry

Dawson Bowling, Kindergarten

Son of James and Amanda Bowling

Ella Baxley, 6th grade

Daughter of Eric and Cristi Baxley

Emmie Clark, 1st grade

Daughter of Ronald and Janna Clark

Foster Thompson, Kindergarten

Son of Sam and Tara Thompson

Gabriel Parrish, 2nd grade

Son of Janssen and Patience Parrish

Vivi Hanvy, 1st grade

Daughter of Brandon and Lynda Hanvy

Daughter of Ty Patterson

and Leigh Ann and Josh Ozment

Wim Vandiver, 11th grade

Son of William and Lara Vandiver

and Jaqueline Austin

Why dhca? Our God is triune God. We are a triune creation of His. Our children are a triune

creation in our image which is a result of His. As parents, Darren and I see the value

in nurturing our children in all three areas of our being. Spiritual is, of course, the

primary and most important. However, our spiritual selves are influenced and affected

by our mental and physical selves. The education choice for our boys, Eli (11th grade)

and Aiden (8th grade) has had this premise from the beginning.

I homeschooled the children from Eli’s kindergarten year through his fourth-grade year

(Aiden’s second grade year). Our family desired more opportunities in the physical and

mental areas for the children without neglecting a Bible-centric education. We felt

Decatur Heritage was the most quality option (really the only choice we considered)

when we decided to move the children from homeschooling to a school setting.

Heritage has provided daily Biblical instruction as well as numerous opportunities for

physical training (interpreted sports - a male Waldrep pastime). The curriculum not only

covers courses to prepare for college entry, but numerous opportunities exist to prepare

for college entrance exams. Extracurricular options have always been available. I had

the pleasure of working with the Lego robotics team one year. Parents with expertise

mentor graciously to the student body.

The boys have made friends with students from like-minded families. We have made

friends that have supported us through numerous difficult experiences from head injuries

and a broken leg to multiple immediate family deaths in a short period of time. We

were told multiple times when visiting Heritage the school was a family.

We have seen that. Darren, Joy, Aiden, and Eli Waldrep