An Evening of Drama...

What do you get when you mix an eccentric caretaker, a bag lady from the city, some wanna-be detectives, a goofy petty crook, a creaky old hotel, and a few other wacky characters?  You get Tim Kelly's Laffing Room Only, performed by the DPCA drama class Friday, May 9.

Hazel holds Falbo and Vicki up as Donald pats him down.

Putney and Irma discuss life as legendary recluses.

Sophomore Jacob Lewis opened the play in the role of Nick Falbo, a detective-of-sorts from the Vermont district attorney's office who wants to use the decrepit Whispering Pines Hotel for a sting operation to catch some thieves. Eben Putney, the hotel's caretaker and handyman, played by Chase Macnab; and Gloria, the long-suffering owner of the hotel, played by Sarah Dages, are a bit slow to catch on as a strange list of "guests" begin to arrive at their usually-empty hotel.  A wacky tale of petty thievery, foiled plots, and odd relationships unfolds as the other characters join the romp through the Whispering Pines.  In the end, bag lady Irma, played by senior Rebecca Wade, and caretaker Putney have found a way to take possession of the hotel, send Gloria off to "sand, sun, and romance," and start their new lives as Vermont's latest pair of recluses. A sold-out audience enjoyed the Friday evening performance of the family-friendly, two-act comedy.

The drama class students and teachers had a great time preparing for the play.  The cast  performed under the direction of Mr. Jordan Euler and Mrs. Jani Ritschard.  The complete cast in order of appearance were:
Jacob Lewis as Nick Falbo,
Chase Macnab as Eben Putney,
Sarah Dages as Gloria Alexander,
Katie Busch as Hazel, Donald's rather desperate wife,
Marilena Burdick as Vicki, Falbo's partner from the DA's office,
Tanner Culp as Rondo Muldoon, petty thief extraordinaire,
 Seth Turner as Donald Parrish, wanna-be police chief and crazy schemer,
Rebecca Wade as Irma, the bag lady,
Maddie Montera as Wilma Potaine, scary insurance adjuster, and
Kate Lundy as Mrs. Martin, rich socialite and diamond necklace owner.

The cast and crew.

A student crew led by Ms. Kandice Alkire and Mr. Erik Ritschard built sets, prepared sound effects, and worked as stage crew during the production. Students building sets and working sound effects and stage properties were Heather Burdges, Sydney McManamay, Tori McManamay, Joel Parker, Shelby Phillips, Noah Ritschard, Bree Turner, and Hawk White.  Adult help for set building included Mr. Brad Pranger and Mrs. Venus Phillips.  Mrs. Marla Pranger prepared publicity materials.

Special thanks to Mrs. Kathy Akers, Mr. Harvey Brasser, Mr. Justin Willis, the White family, the Phillips family, Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and Rocky Mountain Lumber for help with properties and set materials.


 DPCA's junior and senior high drama class typically performs a play each spring.  Laffing Room Only was performed by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Many more pictures are available at DPCA's Facebook page!

Eagles Soccer: Girls Tie Hyland 1-1

Haley gets ready to send the ball down field while Anna lends support

Hayley gets in position for a shot on goal

The DPCA Eagles girls soccer team opened the season at home today battling against the Lady Cougars from Hyland Christian School in Westminster.  First half play saw the ball more frequently approaching Hyland's net, but the Cougar's defenders were able to keep the Eagles to a single score.  As the game progressed, the Cougars were able to make more plays with the ball on the Eagles' side of the field, but DPCA defense and goalkeeper Keely Campbell stayed consistent and held the Cougars to a single goal as well.  Despite consistent attempts by both teams throughout the remainder of the game, the defense on both sides held fast, and the match ended with the score tied at 1-1.

Warm weather brought out the fans, and the Eagles enjoyed a good crowd in the stands.

Keely sends the ball down field

The Eagles will face Hyland again at Hyland's home field in Westminster on Tuesday, April 15.  Eagles soccer is coached by Perry Ward, Lisa Tattershall, Suzanne Chambers, and Kandice Alkire. 

Fans enjoyed the warm weather!

The Historical Resurrection

With school being out next Friday for the celebration of Good Friday, today's chapel services functioned as DPCA's Easter chapels.  Mr. Erik Ritschard, our school administrator, presented at the elementary chapel and brought a video presentation to the secondary students in the afternoon.

The morning elementary chapel featured a condensed version of C.S. Lewis' story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, specifically focusing on the scene in which Aslan the great Lion dies in place of the traitor, Edmund.  Susan and Lucy, Edmund's sisters, are overjoyed that Edmund is forgiven and rescued, but of course deeply distraught that Aslan must die.  And die he does, surrounded by his enemies and slain by the evil White Witch herself.  When he reappears the next morning, alive and whole, the girls are astonished and their joy overflows.

Mr. Ritschard reminded the students that although the story of Aslan is imaginary, it helps us think about the
very real occurrence of Jesus' death and resurrection.  We can't go visit the stone table in Narnia, but if we wanted to, we could actually go to Jerusalem and walk where Jesus walked.  We can see and smell and hear and experience the places in Jesus' resurrection story still today - because unlike Aslan's story, Jesus' rising from the grave is historical fact in a real place in the real world. 

Secondary chapel followed the same theme, using a video featuring Dr. N.T. Wright to explore the historical realities of the empty tomb and the resurrection of Christ.  Beginning long prior to the birth of Christ, Dr. Wright demonstrates that no comparable concept of resurrection existed prior to Jesus.  In a video rich with scenes from the Middle East, Jerusalem and the surrounding area, Dr. Wright goes on to explore the evidence that the resurrection of Christ occurred as the Bible states.  Just as in the elementary chapel, the secondary students were reminded that the Christian faith is not based on an imaginary story, but on actual historical events in real places in the real world.

As we celebrate the Easter season this year, it is both astonishing and encouraging to remember that those first, early Christians were simply giving testimony of things they had personally seen and experienced.  As we remember that they were reporting on actual events to which they were eyewitnesses, may our confidence in Christ's resurrection power and His work in our lives increase.

Readers wishing to view Dr. Wright's video for themselves may click here.

Aim to Serve Kick-off Party

Many thanks to all our friends and family who came out for the Aim To Serve Kick-off Tuesday evening!  We had a great time eating banana splits, watching some in the audience win some great prizes (congratulations, Sydney!), and learning about our 2nd Annual Aim To Serve fundraising event.

Austina Campbell, board member and Aim to Serve event director, led off with acknowledging our team of board members, staff, and volunteers who are leading the charge for Aim to Serve: Les Stencel, Josh Bearss, Jill Van Deel, Michael Courson, Erik Ritschard, Kent and Beth Mason, Krystal Griswold, Susie Hoppen, Cindy Lewis, Amy Taylor, and Deb Wade.

Beth Mason gave a brief parent testimony regarding why she values a DPCA education for her children, followed by a student testimony from junior Joel Parker. Austina, Erik, Michael,and Josh, along with Truman Abbott from Champion Events, took turns on the stage explaining how the events will work, encouraging faithful participation, giving away prizes, and showing the audience how to sign up to participate.  There are three main components to this year's program:  the Serve Day on May 2nd, the Clay Shoot on May 18th, and the Silent Auction, also on May 18th.  The DPCA school family and friends of the Academy from all around the community are invited to participate in the events and help our school achieve our $45,000 goal.

For further information on DPCA's 2014 Aim to Serve, or to sign up to participate, click here.  To find out more from the school office, please call 719-395-6046 or 1-877-395-DPCA.  Thanks again to all the Kick-off Party attendees, and a special thanks to so many who have signed up to participate to help raise funds toward our goal.  We appreciate you!

One Day at School...

Joel (and Ellen and Becca) working on a Bible study.

Every day at DPCA is filled with a variety of learning, serving, activities, projects - all the elements that make for a dynamic educational environment!  A few pictures from today give a little glimpse into normal life at DPCA...

Mr. Euler guides the 9th and 10th grade English class in studying a play.

Adam, Tori, and Kandice serving lunch to Noah, Addiline, and Mrs. Chambers.

5th and 6th graders with their labeled rocks.  That's Faythe, Jessee, and Misty.  In the background, they're monitoring the "eagle cam" - it's hatching season!

Dean, Alli, and Ryan are working on grammar...

Enthusiastic Singing - and a Reminder to Guard Our Hearts

Palm Sunday and Easter are rapidly approaching, so in chapel today we brought out the tried-and-true (and FUN!) "Shout Hosanna" song by Donut Man Robert C. Evans. As you can see from the short video, the students (the video is K-6, thanks to Mrs. Akers) were having a good time!  (we didn't get any video of the 7-12 students singing the same song - that was great fun also!)

Following the singing in the elementary chapel, Mrs. Julie Little (with help from Mr. Little and a little from Mr. Ritschard) presented a skit designed to help us remember to "guard [our] heart[s] for it is the wellspring of life."  (Proverbs 4:23)  Mrs. Little also used tea bags to help the students and staff think about "what comes out of us when we are in hot water."

The secondary chapel after lunch featured student testimonies from Sarah Dages, Becca Wade, and Keely Campbell.  Each of the young ladies shared some of their personal journey with Christ with the student body and staff.  We're grateful for their courage in sharing, their heartfelt testimonies, and their reminder, each in their own way, that we can "guard our hearts" for the Lord.

Brian Schwartz visits DPCA Chapel

DPCA welcomed Brian Schwartz, the pastor of Renovation Church in Lafayette, Colorado, to the Secondary Chapel on March 14, 2014. Schwartz, a former NFL player, challenged the students to commit to Christ and a counter-cultural lifestyle.