Joyful We Adore Thee

We LOVE being part of a school community where Jesus is honored as Redeemer, Helper, Counselor, Friend, and King.  What a privilege - and it is so fun to celebrate this central orientation of our school at Christmastime, with our students.  The annual Christmas program is just an expression of our daily desire to walk with the Lord and celebrate the children that the Lord has given us as families, and gives us the privilege to work with every day at school.

This year's Christmas program title was "Joyful We Adore Thee", and we pray that expression will be the hallmark of our lives this Christmas season - that with joy, great joy, we will adore the One who made us and redeems us!  A very Merry Christmas to us all!

Thank you to Mr. Barnes and all our students for a memorable and lovely evening of Christmas celebration!

A few more photos...  video clips are posted at DPCA's Facebook page.

Go Eagles!

More from Mr. Barnes' music class this week... Go Eagles!

Good Reviews from the Subs!

"Miss Kandice" Alkire fills in during Mr. Euler's math class

Substitute teachers don't always have an easy job - it can be a real challenge to step into a classroom full of students you may not know very well, take up another teacher's plans for the day, and ensure that meaningful instruction and activities take place in the regular teacher's absence.

Of course, having a substitute can be challenging for students as well, with changes in routine and perhaps expectations part of the "normal" when a substitute steps into the classroom.

DPCA is blessed with a group of great substitute teachers we call on when a regular teacher is sick or has other personal or professional needs away from the normal classroom schedule. Each time a substitute completes an assignment, he or she fills out a report sheet that includes opportunity for reporting how the day or class went.  Given the challenges of a classroom hour or day with a substitute teacher, one might expect that feedback from "subs" could be filled with angst about the day or about the student's behavior - but reports from substitutes at DPCA are most often filled with great reviews on the students and the atmosphere at school and in the classroom.  Here are typical feedback comments received from our DPCA substitute teachers:

We had an excellent morning. Diligent students - It was fun to discuss the pilgrims and Thanksgiving and prepare for chapel, in addition to regular studies.

I can really feel that the students are getting to know the Lord.  The students help each other and myself by making me feel welcome.

I had a great time. All the students were very respectful.

Encouraging, pleasant school to work in! Christian atmosphere which not only includes Bible class, pledges, prayer time and social issues, but the whole "mood" and culture of the school.

The kids were very respectful.

I had a very fun day! 

We're grateful for a great group of substitutes who make it possible for us to carry on when our teachers need to be absent for a time, and grateful too that the character of our students facilitates productive work and positive relationships when the "subs" come to work!

Cagers Victorious at Hyland

That blur is Keely moving fast on a break...

Sydney and Cailyn keep the pressure on a Lady Cougar

The DPCA Mens and Womens Basketball teams traveled to Westminster on Tuesday the 16^th to take on the Hyland Cougars. The evening began with the Lady Eagles taking the the court first against the Lady Cougars. Both teams got off to a slow start, with many shots taken and just not falling in.  By half-time the Eagles had earned a narrow 22-20 lead. The second half Keely Campbell bombed the Cougars with her long range shooting, paving the way for a commanding lead. Campbell ended the night with a game high 31 points, while Allison Dages scored 10, and Heather Burdges had 6. “ I'm very proud of these ladies for playing with great determination and great attitudes; they just continue to improve at team work,” said Coach Navarrette about his team's victory. A final score of 49-39 put the Lady Eagles at 3-1 for the season.

Noah shoots a lay-up

Nathan putting up his shot against pressure

The men's game also got off to a slow start for the Eagles, but ultimately the DPCA boys  won their match against the Cougars as well.  The game stayed close until the Eagles began pressuring the Cougar's offense, creating multiple turnovers.  Leading the scoring was Nathan Van Deel with 19 points. Noah Ritschard added 15, and Garrett O'Neal had 9 - all crucial three-pointers that each time helped to shift momentum toward the Eagles. The game wrapped up at 49-32, giving the men's team their first win of the season.

Fun in Music Class

Merry Christmas! Mr. Barnes has been having a good time with his music students the last couple of days making some fun musical videos...

Here are a couple of samples:

Eagles Match Up With Park Hill Chargers

The game begins with prayer...

The Darren Patterson Christian Academy Mens Basketball team played a challenging season opener at home December 9^th, against the Park Hill Chargers from Pueblo. The contest was very fast paced, and some first-game jitters showed up for both teams.  Though the Chargers put up an early lead, consistent scoring combined with tough play in the paint and strong rebounds on defense kept the Eagles in the game throughout the evening. 

Chargers won the tip

Nathan defending

 Early foul trouble affected the Eagle's aggressive play, and at halftime the Chargers led 45-33. The second half the Chargers came out strong and quickly took the lead with their excellent 3 point shooting. Late in the 3^rd, Eagles Nathan VanDeel and Garret O'Neal added their own 3 point scores to help cut the Chargers lead to 8 points. Consistent play from both teams kept the score advancing until the Chargers ended the game with a final score of 82-70. Eagles Coach Jordan Euler said, “The guys played well the second half, especially in the 4^th quarter. It was a good first game; I'm proud of the effort. We'll keep working on putting 4 quarters together”. The DPCA Eagles were led in scoring by Noah Ritschard with 30 points, followed by Joel Parker with 15, and Hawk White with 12 points.
 
Though they won the second half in scoring, the Eagles couldn't quite pull the victory away from the Chargers, who were last season's runner up at the FRCAA State Championship.

Video highlights of the game, below.  DPCA competes next in the Cotopaxi Invitational, December 12^th and 13th. 

Play Set Auction!

All the kids want for Christmas is... a backyard playset! DPCA has been given a nice wooden playset which we are putting up for auction as a little mini-fundraiser.  

The play set is wooden and in pretty good shape.  It is currently set up on display at DPCA, right out in front.  The set features a slide, small climbing wall, monkey bars, swings, and play area underneath the tower.  To keep things fair for everyone who might want to bid, here's how the auction will work...
 

• Bidding begins Monday, December 8
• The minimum bid is $50.00
• The minimum bid increment is $5.00
• Submit bids to info@dpcaweb.org, or in person at the DPCA office.  The current highest bid will be posted on DPCA's Facebook page.
• Bids are on a first-come basis. All bids will be dated and timed. 
• Bids MUST include a full name and phone number, a statement that the bidder is bidding on the play set, and the amount bid equaling no less that $50.00 or at least a $5.00 increase over the daily high bid listed for the date submitted. Bids that are lower than the current high bid will be discarded.
• Bidding closes at 10:00 AM Friday, December 19.  The winning bid is the highest bid amount received by 10:00 AM on the 19th.

Have fun bidding - and if you're not in the market for a new play set, spread the word to someone else who might be!



 



 
Some Fine but Important Print:
DPCA is selling the play set USED, and strictly AS-IS.  DPCA makes no warranty of any kind concerning the condition of the play set, or its suitability for its intended or any other use. By virtue of submitting a bid, every bidder and the eventual winning bidder agree that Darren Patterson Christian Academy and all officers, staff and volunteers associated with the Academy and all related entities are held entirely harmless and discharged from any and all liability in perpetuity in regard to the condition of the play set or its fitness or suitability for use.  Every bidder, by virtue of submitting a bid, agrees that they have examined the play set to their personal satisfaction prior to bidding and acknowledge this agreement and the USED, AS-IS condition of the play set and all its attachments.  The winning bidder agrees to assume sole responsibility and liability for the play set and any uses thereof upon payment and receipt.

First Quarter Honor Roll

We're proud of the consistent and diligent efforts our  students have put into their academic work so far this year.  Below is the list of 3rd - 12th grade honor roll students (Honor Roll begins in 3rd grade) for the first quarter of the school year:

Honor Roll 

3.00 – 3.49

Students in study hall...

Jacob Baxter                          

Nicole Kale                             

Royal Lundy                           

Lilly Patton                             

Riley Elliott                             

Dillon Angell                         

Jordan Baxter                         

Isaac Bearss                           

Nathan Dages                         

Kevin Elliott                           

Marshal Swarny                     

Sam Austin                             

Ellie Wingo                             

Shelby Phillips                        

Chase MacNab                       

Keely Campbell                      

Jacob Lewis                           

Kate Lundy                           

Jase Staudt                              

Grace Horvath                                    

Mrs. Euler works with Nicole

Joel Parker                               

Teacher’s Honor Roll

3.50 – 3.99

Klayt Staudt                           

Dixie Morgan                          

Malachi Little                          

Ryan O’Neill                           

Lily Mason                              

Sydney Phillips                       

Tori McManamay                    

Alli Dages                              

Grace Mei Parker                  

Heather Burdges                     

Sydney McManamay             

Hard work pays off...

Nathan VanDeel                     

Cailyn Willis                           

Hawk White                            

Principal’s Honor Roll

4.00

Declan O’Neill                        

Misty Burdges                                    

Faythe Baxter                         

Maddie Montera                     

Noah Ritschard              

Congratulations to all our Honor Roll recipients!  Well done!       

Eagle's Cagers Get Season Started

Fall turns to winter, the clocks get set back, the leaves fall off the trees, and....  basketball season begins!  For many DPCA students, the start of basketball season is a highlight of each year, and the beginning of a season that brings hard work, discipline, and an unbelievable amount of running - but also teamwork, skill development, and just a lot of fun!

The boys junior high team began late last week with a match-up with Cotopaxi, and the teams are all practicing daily to get ready for upcoming games.  The first contest in the Eagles gym will be DPCA Junior High Boys vs. The Denver Eagles at 4:30 and 5:30 PM Friday, November 7.  Schedules for boys junior high, boys JV, and boys varsity, along with girls JV and girls varsity, can be found by clicking over to the DPCA athletics pages, found here.  The girls junior high team will begin play in January after the Christmas break this year.

Check the schedules and come out to sheer on the students as they take it the hoop!  This short video gives you a window into a recent practice for both boys and girls...

Try Your Hand at Physics....

Joel is in the zone...

Our physics students are working on projectile motion and vector analysis this week. Today in class was Joel's turn to demonstrate (successfully!) the solution to one of those problems.  Try your hand at solving the problem:

An airplane is moving at 350 km/hr.  (Must be from WWII?) If a bomb is dropped from the airplane at 1.5 km, a) with what velocity does the bomb strike the earth? b) How long does it take the bomb to fall? 

Aren't we glad that our airmen in WWII could do their physics? Who knows what contributions our current students will make with the things they learn every day... in physics, or in math, or in English, or...

 We are EXCITED about the "good works that God has prepared ahead of time that [they, our students] should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) We don't know where God will call each of our children, but isn't it a great thing to remember that as each one is faithful to his or her studies, He is preparing them for the "good works" that He already has in mind for them to do?

(By the way - Joel can solve the problem!  Go Joel!)

Soccer, Volleyball Wrap at Awards Dinner

Heather with one of her signature sets at the Eagle's gym

 Fall sports wrapped up for DPCA Thursday, October 30 with the Fall Sports Awards Dinner.  Athletes from Girls Junior High, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Volleyball teams, as well as from the Boys Soccer team, were recognized for their commitment, dedication, playing skills, and sportsmanship during the fall athletic season.

Coaches Tom Navarrette and Barb Burdges presented awards and recognition to the girls junior high volleyball team.  Each of the girls was congratulated briefly for their hard work and commitment, then special honors for the season were presented to Charis Mayton for Most Improved Player, and to Halley DeWalt for Most Valuable Player. Both coaches agreed, "We had a great season with just six girls playing, and we regularly beat bigger and older teams. We're proud of these young players, and we're looking forward to a great season next year!"

Becca on the attack at the FRCAA tournament

Coach Ben Little followed with awards for the JV and Varsity Volleyball teams.  "Our girls really came together and played well as a team this season," Mr Little said. "We had really great athleticism and a very talented team, and though all of us would have enjoyed placing higher at the tournament, it was great to get that far, and I'm really proud of these girls." Mr. Little had an affirming message for each of the girls, and then presented Most Improved for Junior Varsity to Sarah Dages.  Varsity honors awards were Keely Campbell with Most Improved, and Heather Burdges and Rebecca Pranger both capturing MVP for their critical and very different roles on the team - Becca as an attacker and all-around team leader, and Heather for her team leadership and superb passing and setting skills that made her teammate's attacks possible.

Garrett, Cole, and Sam move the ball forward vs. the Falcons

Campbell and Pranger were also honored with All Tournament awards, while Pranger and Burdges received All Conference titles.

Noah pours it on

Last on the program for the evening were the boys from DPCA's first ever Men's Soccer Team.  Head coach Kandice Alkire and Assistant Coach Erik Ritschard had some fun with their presentations to the boys, awarding each a 2014 TS (Totally Serious) Soccer Award. Awards ranged from the "Greased Lightning" award commemorating Seth Turner's speed on the field, to the "Most Willing to Just Stand There and Take It" awards shared by goalies Garrett O'Neal and Nathan Van Deel.  "It really takes at least 15 guys to have a soccer team," Mr. Ritschard noted, "and the most we were ever able to bring to a game and put on the pitch was 10. We never had any subs, and in most of the games the other teams put more players on the field than we did. So these guys worked and played with a lot of heart, and we're very proud of them."

Seth with a big clearing kick

Honors presented to the soccer players went to Cole Carroll for Most Improved, and to Noah Ritschard for MVP.  "Noah was all about team leadership and working to the best of his ability all season," Coach Alkire said, "And I'm proud to have worked with him and all these guys this season." The All-Conference title was awarded to Seth Turner, and in presenting the award, Coach Alkire commended him for his team leadership and hard work all through the season also.

Cole, MIP; Seth, All Conference; Noah MVP

Other teams and coaches throughout the Front Range Christian Athletic Association recognized the hard work and consistent effort of the DPCA boys as well, voting the Eagles team the Fall 2014 FRCAA Soccer Sportmanship Award.  Athletic Director Tom Navarrette said, "Several of these other Athletic Directors came up to me and mentioned how impressed they were with the way you guys conducted yourselves when you were being outmanned in game after game.  Well done - you maintained your cool and your Christ-like attitudes under pressure, and we are proud of you!"

Coach Navarrette also took the opportunity to thank some of the key volunteers who helped make Fall sports run smoothly - the fall coaching staff; wives Bernadette Navarrette, Jani Ritschard, Julie Little, and husband Kevin Burdges, for their support and encouragement for the the program, coaches, and athletes; Erik and Venus Phillips for helping with game books and general support; Brad and Marla Pranger for team photography and general support; Sherry Turner for snack bags and publicity help; and all the parents who provided rides, clean laundry, and encouragement for their student athletes.

Becca, All Conference, All Tournament, MVP; Keely, All Tournament and MIP; Heather, All Conference and MVP; Sarah, MIP

Volleyballers Finish at 4th

Malachi gets ready to help cheer

In tournament play that can only be described as incredible, the Lady Eagles battled first Beth Eden and then Hyland Christian to end up in 4th place at the Front Range Christian Athletic Association's season finale.  Spectators, coaches, and players alike were all impressed with the competitiveness of each team and the tournament as a whole - every match throughout the day went to five games, and every fifth game was close!

 The Eagles were no exception: in the first match against Beth Eden, DPCA and the Knights scored back and forth in long volleys through a five-game series.  DPCA came out on top in the first game, then Beth Eden surged ahead in the second.  Consistent play won the third game for the Eagles, but Beth Eden refused to give up and fought back to win the 4th.  With the match score tied 2-2, both teams entered the 5th game ready to play hard.  In the end, Beth Eden was able to pull out a narrow victory, and the Eagles dropped to the consolation bracket to play Hyland for 3rd place.

Kate on the attack...

Loyal fans!

The match for 3rd was just as tight, although at first it seemed that the Eagles might not be able to keep up with the Hyland Cougars.  Though the Eagles made many good plays, Hyland put up two wins, and it looked like the match might fall in three.  The Eagles rallied in the third, though, and posted a win over the Cougars, then did a repeat in the 4th game and again brought the match to the 2-2 mark.  The 5th game saw the Eagles playing with persistence through long volleys and attacking well, and the score remained neck and neck to the very end, when the Cougars were finally able to move ahead by two and close the final game 15-13.

Becca's turn to attack.

Heather passing...

The Beth Eden Knights went on to win the tournament in a narrow five-game series against Front Range Baptist, demonstrating that the Eagles, and in fact all four teams present, were strong contenders and well matched.  "I don't think I've ever been at a volleyball tournament where every match went to five games," noted DPCA athletic director Tom Navarrette. "The teams were really evenly matched, and it came down to particular plays and the twists and turns of the action."  "I'm really proud of our girls and the great season they had," he added.  Mr Ben Little, the girls' coach, echoed that: "We were in legitimate contention for first in the league, and sure, it would have been great to achieve that," he said. "But the girls worked really hard and came together really well as a team this season, and I'm proud of them and their efforts." 

And Keely launches one of her blazing spikes!

At the close of the tournament, three DPCA students were recognized for their hard work and quality play in the tournament and throughout the season.  Keely Campbell and Rebecca Pranger received all-tournament honors, while Pranger and Heather Burdges also received all-conference medals. 

Rebecca Pranger, a senior this year, noted,

"Overall, it a really great volleyball season. We had a really amazing and competitive group of girls who came together to play this year. Each of us individually adapted quickly to the rest of the team and entered the rotation without hesitation.

Our main goal this season was to not let our mistakes override our ability to play as a team; to keep our mental focus. There was definite growth in this area, and it was really fun to see us all come together and work towards that goal. This volleyball season was so fun, and I loved playing competitively with my teammates; I will for sure miss not playing next year"

Alli digs in for the pass while Coach Little thinks the game.

Junior Keely Campbell added, "It was a great season - fun to be back in the game and playing with all these wonderful ladies. I'm thankful for the way God has blessed the team this year with a lot of improvement and allowing us to get to the state tournament."