E-News on the Hill

February/March 2010

Thomas Sumter Academy developing, in a safe Christian environment, well-rounded individuals who are fully prepared for college and for life.

A Note from Mrs.Nix

Dear Generals,

A few weeks ago, my mother and I were caught in an unexpected heavy rain shower. As we found a corner to take refuge, I found it fascinating to watch the reactions of others in the crowd to this sudden deluge. Most people we saw fell into one of the following categories:

  • Relish the moment!  Sing, dance, giggle, and enjoy the liquid sunshine
  • Just let the rain come and keep on walking
  • Complain and pout
  • Put your arm around a friend and share a makeshift cover
  • Improvise with a plastic Walmart bag on your head
  • Always be prepared! Pull out the small folding umbrella that you carry everywhere

It occurs to me that the approach people took to the downpour is most likely the approach they take to problems that arise in their lives. We all have inconveniences in our day-to-day living – some minor, some more serious. Although we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control how we react. It’s easy to see that the gigglers would have an edge on the complainers in dealing with the problem. May we all be so lucky as to share our storms with a friend!

            God’s Peace!   Go Generals!

Debbie Nix

Accreditation

Accreditation Update:  The SAIS/SACS team will be here on March 23-25.  They will be joining the TSA family at Trivia Night on the 23rd.  Come out and join us!!!

General News

Leukemia Campaign – Our Leukemia Campaign kicked-off Wednesday, February 17,   with our traditional Locks of Love hair-cutting assembly. Listed are important dates that go along with the campaign: March 6- 12:00-2:00 – Cornhole Tournament and Chili Cook-Off, with Empire State; March 5th – Dodgeball Tournament and Marathon Day; March 12th – Second Annual Golf Tournament, Beech Creek, Shotgun Start at 8:00 AM.  Registration forms can be picked up at the front office.  Go Generals!

Mark your calendar for March 13!  You don’t want to miss Shenanigans!  It’s our biggest fundraiser.  There will be lots of class projects, baskets, art, jewelry, good food and a silent auction. The order form for the event can be downloaded from Edline. Cost of  tickets is $35. If you would like to purchase a sponsorship or donate items, please contact BJ Reed at bj.reed@thomassumter.org or at 499-3378.  

Relay for Life

Thomas Sumter Academy will once again participate in Sumter County’s Relay for Life, and we want you and everyone in your family to be on our team! It will begin Friday night, May 14 and last through Saturday morning, May 15.  We’d love to have you come for any part of the event or stay all night if you’d like!  Coach Kessinger is our captain and will be sending out more information soon.  Please mark that date on your calendar; we really want you to join us on the Generals Relay team!

TSA Awards Updates:

On February 3, the following students participated at the SCISA Literary Meet: high school - Heath Sharrar, Daniel Kuzbary, Timothy Hayward, Kelsey Teal, Meagan Cain, and Sara Messier; middle school - Christopher White, Anastasia Patterson, Drake McCormick, Kayla Chappell, Michael Hoge, and Sara Schmitt; lower school - Callum O’Rourke, Chris Rembert, Tucker Chapman, Matthew Beymer, Alyssa Law, Kayleigh Benenhaley, Josey Reed, and Hannah Denithorne. We came home with some winners; Michael Hoge won 4th place in the Middle School Extemporaneous Speaking; Drake McCormick won 3rd place in the Middle School Essay; Daniel Kuzbary won 1st place in the High School Essay; and Kelsey Teal won 3rd place in the High School Humorous Oral Interpretation.  Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the meet.

Help for Haiti

What a great reason to buy brownies and cookies!! The school-wide bake sale to raise money to help the people of Haiti was a huge success with a whopping total of $907.26. Many thanks to all of you who baked the goodies to sell, as well as to Betsey Josey for coming up with the idea and seeing it through!

PTO – Lower school field day will be on Thursday, April 1.

Let’s Ring in Our February/March Newcomers! – TSA welcomes to “the Hill” Isabel Vargas, prefirst 3s; Brenda Chelton, sixth-grade;  James Bracewell, seventh grade; Jay Boyle, ninth grade and sophomores Jonathan Mabey and Arielle Boyle. We are so glad your family is now a part of our TSA family.