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New Student First Impressions
New Student First Impressions
By Johanna Merritt
I have interviewed students around school asking their first impressions on the school. I talked to Brantley Adams, Lila Bounds, Peyton from 5th grade, and Virginia White. Brantley said that his first year at first academy was great experience and the relationship and environment was better than at public school. Almost everyone I talked to said the teachers at FA have better relationships with their students and are more involved. Virginia White said that when she moved to private school she began to gain friends and a better relationship with God. Peyton and Lila said that their experience at FA was better than the previous schools they have been to.
After talking to these students I figure out that students’ first impressions on FA have been good. They love the teachers, and they say that overall the environment is better than the school they were at prior to FA. Every student I talked to said that here at FA the teachers try their best to have better relationships with the students. First impressions are a big deal to some people and knowing that students first impressions were good is reassuring to the parents that they pick the right place for their children.
It's a Balance Act
By Reese Fender
For this feature story, I interviewed Avery Clements and Johanna Merritt, who both have amazing ways they balance their faith, school, and activities.
First, Avery Clements said she starts and ends every day by praying. She also always goes to church every Sunday at First Methodist in Douglas, Georgia. Avery also enjoys singing at her church and loves praising the Lord. She then makes time for her schoolwork by making sure she does all of it before she engages in anything else, like her tumbling practice. This is a great way to make sure school stays a top priority in her busy daily schedule.
Next, Johanna Merritt said she balances school, faith, swim, and dance by putting her faith first, as well. She first wakes up and prays, and studies for any tests and quizzes. When she gets home from school, she looks and sees what sports she has for the day and if they overlap. If they both in fact overlap, she will cut them in half and go to both. Before Johanna goes to bed, she does her Bible study and prays. She makes sure that she gets enough sleep to be able to stay focused in school, remember her bBible study, go to dance six times a week, and swim three times a week.
The Origins of Chapel
By Jordyn Moseley
First Academy has a rich history of Bible-based chapel services. Contrary to common beliefs, it did not start with the school. Chapel began when the school had not even been established, but when it had only been a preschool way back in 1973. A few children that attended the preschool later became teachers and staff in today’s faculty.
Then, First Academy was established in 2011; along with a preschool program, kindergarten was added as well. Chapel extended to the kindergarteners, and then the future elementary grades that were instituted in 2013. Later, in 2019, upper school began. This addition caused the middle school and high school to also have their own chapel. So, chapel has always been a key vision for the First Academy founders.
What’s in a Teacher’s Desk?
What’s in a Teacher’s Desk?
By Camden Roundtree
For this story, I interviewed Mrs. Erica and Dr. Wooten. Most people would expect the regular office supplies in a teacher’s desk, or maybe even some books. In Mrs. Erica’s desk, I found Bibles and party supplies. The Bibles are for teaching bible class and the party supplies are for when a student has a party.
In Dr. Wooten’s desk, I found blank playing cards, popsicle sticks with students' names, and a camera. The playing cards are used for making history trading cards for the 9th grade, the popsicle sticks are used to call on the students, and the camera is used by yearbook staff to take pictures for the yearbook and Lions Pen. While some of these objects, such as the Bibles in Mrs. Erica’s desk, are ordinary for a Bible teacher, they are certainly unique from the viewpoint of a regular teacher’s desk. This is what’s in a teacher's desk.
Christian vs. Public
Christian vs. Public
By: Addy Velazquez
We can learn from what the students think about why they enjoy coming to First Academy. When I used to go to public school, I sometimes enjoyed being there, but so much happened that made me not want to go there. I saw so many things that I didn’t want to see in middle school, and I didn’t learn anything about God before I came here to First Academy.
I talked to Ariel about what she thinks about why you should come to First Academy and not a public school. She says you can get a Christian education, and if you go to public school, you will see things and hear things that a child should not be near. We have chapel every Wednesday. Ariel came from another private school, and before she came here, she didn’t know much about God, but now she knows more about the Bible and God. She was saved on December 21, 2024.
Conner went to public school until 3rd Grade. Students were doing things they should not be doing at a young age, and the lunches there were not good to give to kids. The work at public school was a lot easier than work at private school, but there were no fights at private school compared to public school.
Lila also went to a different private school when she was young, but she left to come to First Academy because she was getting bullied there. Her first friend she made here was a girl named Avery, who made her feel welcome, and Lila now knows so much about God and the Bible.
The teachers at public school didn’t really teach much, according to Bentley. When he came to FA, the teacher who made him feel welcome was Mrs. Holliday, and she is still his favorite teacher, and his relationship with God got better when he came to First Academy.
Why First Academy?
Why First Academy?
By: Addi Ray
“Why did students choose a Christian school?” I chose this question out of both curiosity of what my fellow students at First Academy would answer, and the reason my sister and I came here in mind. I sent this question in an email to all of my classmates in the Lion’s Pen class; only a couple responded. The responses I received were both helpful in giving me something to write about and looking into the minds of my peers.
Jordyn Moseley, a fellow high school junior, responded to my email with a few reasons on why she chose a Christian school. She told me that going to a Christian school gives her the opportunity to express her beliefs freely and socialize with others who hold similar beliefs. Jordyn also enjoys the Biblical academics the school offers. She says, “These classes allow me to grow in my faith with rooted, spiritually-mature teachers that allow me to come to my own conclusions about the world… First Academy offers a wonderful Bible-centric worldview and lovely chapel services that share the Word.” Johanna Merritt also shared with me a response similar to Jordyn’s. She enjoys the Bible-centered curriculum like Jordyn does. Johanna states that she chose a Christian school, because unlike public schools you get taught how to grow in your relationship with God. She has attended First Academy for two years now and has seen her relationship with God has grown dramatically.
Graduating Public vs. FA
Graduating Public vs. FA
By Kezney Kashula
Graduation at a Christian school looks different because it celebrates far more than academic success. Rather than only focusing on educational achievements, these Christian school graduations also honor spiritual growth and character. As former student Kenzie Wilson explains, graduation recognizes “not just what students have learned academically and their accomplishments, but who they have become spiritually and morally.” This reflects the mission of Christian education, which focuses on shaping students’ faith, values, and relationship with God alongside their studies. Graduation ceremonies often include prayer, Scripture, worship, and reflections on faith, emphasizing that students are being sent out not only as graduates, but as individuals prepared to live out Christian principles in the next stage of life.
Another reason graduation feels different at Christian schools is the close-knit community and a faith-based environment that students experience throughout their education. Current senior Hannah Mayes shares that because the class size is small, “we’ve all grown really close over the years, and it feels more like a family than just a group of students.” She also notes that being in a Christian environment allows students to live out their faith “without worrying about being judged, made fun of, or attacked for your beliefs,” which creates a more positive and supportive atmosphere. Opportunities like Bible classes, chapel, and faith-centered activities play a major role in students’ growth and make graduation especially meaningful. Even though experiences like cheerleading or school events may look different, Hannah points out that they still “brought us together and created fun memories in its own way,” showing that graduation is the celebration of a shared journey rooted in faith and community.
AI projection. No real students were harmed in the making of this picture.
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