On Wednesday morning, the Harvest Auditorium was transformed into a time traveling musical featuring the second grade classes of Harvest Christian Academy. Based on the popular “Patch the Pirate” program, “The Secrets of America’s Greatness” looks at a number of important events in the history of the United States. As seen through the eyes of Betsy and Dr. Liberty, each event portrays a crucial characteristic and important person from America’s past. Filled with music, the performance is as popular as ever with both the student and their parents and has become an important tradition at Harvest Christian Academy.

Harvest Christian Academy Freshman took to the lower soccer field on Friday, February 17 to battle against one another using a unique device–a trebuchet. As part of the 9th grade Physical Science class, the students applied what they are learning into designing, building, and using the ancient form of weapon. A variety of teams and trebuchets covered the field competing against one another to determine the trebuchet champion. At the end of the event, the winning team was the Delicious Ambitious Vicious KRBI Crew (Isaiah Tydingco, Kent Sucgang, Brandon McAuslen, Ryan Gonzales). Second place was Chabanne’s Babies (Marlon Evans, Justin Johnson, Ariane Chabanne, Misaki Cramer). Third place was Natha and Friends (Luke Gomez, Matthew Replan, Natha Hennegan, Bryanna Paulin).

During this time of year around Valentine’s Day, it is sometimes said that “love is in the air.” But what is really in the air at Harvest Christian Academy during this time of year is music…lots and lots of music! After Friday evening’s incredibly fun display of musical talent by the HCA Faculty and Staff, it was time for the students to take to the stage during a special assembly on Monday morning at HCA. The Tri-M Honor Society includes students who excel in music and academics. The recital on Monday morning was an opportunity for them to perform in front of their peers. Each member participated in at least one musical selection that included vocals, violins, ukuleles, pianos, and more. The students in the audience seemed to be in awe as they watched their classmates perform extremely difficult selections in a remarkable manner. Congratulations to Miss April Briggs, the Tri-M advisor, and all the Tri-M students for a wonderful morning of music.

On Friday evening, people slowly began to fill the Harvest auditorium not entirely sure what to expect but looking forward to a fun-filled evening of music. Unlike the majority of concerts sponsored by Harvest Christian Academy, the evening of music did not feature the HCA students but instead, featured the faculty and staff in a unique and refreshing role–the performer. Students and their parents enjoyed the opportunity to watch as their coaches, teachers, music instructors, and even members of the office and maintenance staff sang, played instruments, and demonstrated the incredible level of talent within the Harvest Ministries employees. All types of music and genres were on display throughout the evening from a men’s a cappella quartet and a song by Rapunzel to pianos, ukuleles and even a drum solo. Although with so many excellent selections to choose from, one of the highlights of the evening was most likely the rendition of “Angry Birds” and the surprising attack on the musicians. Much cheering and laughter followed as another wonderful evening of music at Harvest came to a close.

Seventeen students from 4th-8th grade took the stage on Thursday morning to compete for the Harvest Spelling Bee crown. After a number of rounds and a variety of words, the competition came down to two students: Nirupa Gadi (7th grade) and Andraya Quiambao (8th grade). Both girls went back and forth before Nirupa spelled “guillotine” correctly helping her to emerge as the 2012 HCA Spelling Bee champion. Nirupa will compete with sixty to seventy students from a variety of schools in the Guam Spelling Bee in March. Pictured above with HCA Principal John McGrew are Andraya Quiambao (2nd place) and Nirupa Gadi (first place).

The 2012 Harvest Faculty Recital is scheduled for Friday evening at 7pm in the Harvest Auditorium. However, 7th-12th grade students at HCA were able to enjoy a preview during the final class period of the day on Wednesday afternoon. Students filled the auditorium and watched as their teachers, coaches, music instructors, and principles performed a variety of selections including a snare drum solo by Mr. Dongon (Band Director), piano solos and duets by Mr. McGrew (HCA Principal), Miss Flower (Piano Teacher), Kelly Schlarb (Orchestra Director), and Kristen Carruthers (Yearbook Advisor), and vocal selections by Mr. Pena (Life Skills Instructor), Miss Scott (Elementary Teacher) and much more. The recital on Friday evening is free and everyone is invited to enjoy this wonderful evening of music.

Congratulations to the newest members of the Harvest Christian Academy Junior Beta Club who were inducted during chapel on Wednesday, February 8. Principal John McGrew explained that the mission of the Junior Beta Club is for students to develop a heart for God by promoting the ideals of character, service, and leadership and to reward outstanding academic achievement. Junior Beta Club advisor Dustin Shevy listed the character qualities that club members strive for and then announced the newest members. The new members then joined returned 8th grade members on stage for a time of recognition and photos. Afterwards, students, teachers and family members enjoyed a time of fellowship and snacks.