Dear HCA Family,

Can you believe it? We are already entering the last quarter of the 2022-2023 school year. One last quarter to make it count. It’s so easy to think we can just slide down the hill now and not pedal; however, the opposite is true. We need to press harder to finish strong, complete what we started, and reach out to God when we are beyond tired. Please join me to continue to ask God for guidance and wisdom.

We are in the middle of securing an updated permit, paperwork is moving now, as the plans for the first phase are being finalized. The first phase includes: redoing the parking lot, with land clearing for additional parking, additional classrooms, and a pavilion. As soon as we are set with the contractor and engineer to move forward, I’ll be sharing more information. I’ll also share the different phases that will take us into the next several years looking into the future.

What wonderful things God is doing at HCA, far above what was anticipated this year. Yes, we have had some bumps in the road like every year; however, we can see God’s hand in everything, guiding us and teaching us along the way. His ways are always perfect and far better than any plan we can make on our own.

When I allow God to drive, and believe me I like to drive and be in control, I feel less pressure. In the end, don’t we all want to give the wheel to God. Afterall, He has the map, and He loves us more than anything and He will never steer us wrong.

“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 (NIV)

God Bless!

March Athletics

The weather is warming, pollen is in the air, sounds of spring birds are chirping. It must mean the start of the baseball and softball season. There have been a lot of crimes in the area; stealing bases, vandalism of baseballs and softballs, breaking in gloves, and cattle rustling in the bull pins. Ms. Amy Samson has begun to learn how to wrestle alligators. (Ask her about it) Please plan to come out and support your spring ball teams.

Coach Smith and her coaching staff have been busy preparing the Lady Lions Softball team for a successful season. The team is young, but highly competitive. Make sure you come out to the back of the school in a most picturesque setting and watch the softball team try and steamroll their competition.

The varsity men's baseball team, piloted by Coach Mikkola, are looking to strike down their competition. Seniors Ethan Higgins, Matthew Biel, and Sam Sanchez are looking to lead the team to the top of the list. The men have been busy gearing up for the season.

You never know what you will see at a middle school baseball game. You may even see coach Kahler standing near first base fearlessly knocking down foul balls. The young men are trying their best to grow into playing at a larger field. The team has been busy practicing with high hopes of a successful season.

The athletic department would like to thank all the volunteers, staff, and many people that make it possible to put together the sports programs at HCA. We could not do it without you. Please get involved and let's improve our athletic community together.

Softball Update
Coach Diane Smith

The Lady Lions softball team got their season started this week with two convincing wins over First Academy of Leesburg. The Lady Lions are a young team this year, but a mighty one. The team has seen much growth and improvement over the years and this year that trend seems to be continuing. Our girls are showing stellar defense in the field and explosive bats at the plate. With a total of 35 runs scored in the first two games combined and allowing only two runs against them, the Lions' offense appears to be the most high-powered it has been in recent years. In these first two games three players have hit home runs; Kaylana Lyons, Addy Slocum, and Rae Easton. With the addition of new players KD Carter (pitcher, 2B) and Katelynn Blethen (catcher, 2B) the Lions have been able to fill skill positions that were vacated by seniors that graduated last year. With such a young team already loaded with talent, our girls are expecting a very successful season and an opportunity to build on that success in the years to come!

The Lady Lions roster consists of the following players: Breely Miller (captain, 11th), Holly Robitaille (captain, 10th), Rae Easton (captain, 8th), Kaylana Lyons (9th), KD Carter (9th), Katelynn Blethen (9th), Maria Bozman (9th), Sarah Matthews (9th), Layla Miller (8th), Rachel Hendricks (7th), Addisyn Slocum (7th), and Angie Isner (7th). The Lady Lions also welcome three new assistant coaches this season. They are Coach Nick Miller, Coach Gregg Robitaille, and HCA Softball Alumni Coach Rebecca McCall.

It's going to be a great season! GO LIONS!!

Elementary News

Some exciting things happening in Elementary! For science class, Mrs. McFarland’s first grade class made igloos. Looks like fun while learning!

In our **5th grade classes**, the Gideon’s presented their Bible ministry. Each student received their own copy of the New Testament!

Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become bolder, prouder, and stronger readers. AND… as always, every book they buy earns rewards for our school.

Our school's Book Fair will take place from **March 27-31.** Class preview day is Monday, March 27, 2023. Shopping begins on Tuesday (, March 28, 2023. **Shopping hours are 7:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.** If you can’t make it to the Fair...
shop at our school’s Online Book Fair: **March 27-April 4. 2023.** All orders ship directly to your home and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school. Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/hcalions

Secondary News

SAT School Day is approaching. We will be administering the SAT on March 1, 2023, March 22, 2023 and April 25, 2023 on campus. If your student is interested in taking the SAT for Tuesday, April 25, 2023, please email Mrs. Raley at braley@hernandochristian.org or have your student come by her office.
Additionally, see Mrs. Raley if you are interested in registering for summer dual enrollment by Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

HCA High School Science Fair

On Friday, February 17, 2023, HCA held a science fair. All of the students did such a great job! Congratulations to our winners!

Overall winners

1st place - Dylan Jackson

2nd place - Elle Szymanski

3rd place - Augustus Rich

Biology

1st place - Dylan Jackson

2nd place - Evan Smith

3rd place - Marya Shuayb

Physical Science

1st place - Madison Ashton

Chemistry

1st place - Elle Szymanski

2nd place - Augustus Rich

3rd place - Samantha McCall

**Math Space Contest!** Mrs. Wheeler entered her **6th grade honors students** in a contest on Math Space. (2023 International Mathematics Growth Challenge). They have been competing with schools in over 80 countries for the last 4 weeks. Hernando Christian Academy placed 4th in the overall challenge. Our 6th grade Honors students have been in the top ten for all of the weeks and were chosen this week to receive a pizza party provided by Math Space. Way to go!

**Help HCA celebrate Pi Day!** Pi Day is celebrated on Tuesday, March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and eat pie.
**We need your help! Pi Day** is for secondary students, teachers and administrators. Pies will be served to students throughout the day during their math classes on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. We need different varieties of pies, with disposable servers. Please see the sign up link below to donate pies. Thank you for your continued support!
HCA SECONDARY PTF: Pi Day (signupgenius.com)

Middle School Dance

There will be a Middle School Dance at HCA which will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. in the HCA Gymnasium. Permissions slips need to be signed and turned in to attend. Please see Ms. Evie in the Secondary office for a form. The cost to attend is $10.00. Volunteers are needed for decorations and set-up on Friday, March 17, 2023. Click on the link to sign up. Thank you. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48AEAF2DA6FAC61-middle

**Tickets are on sale now for Prom!** The date is ***Saturday, April 29, 2023*** at Glen Lakes Country Club, 9000 Glen Lakes Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34613. Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Ticket sales are $50.00 each from February 27 – April 14, 2023. Ticket prices go to $60.00 each from April 17 – April 21, 2023. Permission slips must be turned in and dresses approved before tickets can be purchased.

Students at HCA

This year the Pasco County Fair was held on Monday, February 20, 2023 through Sunday,
February 26, 2023 in Dade City, Florida. We would like to highlight two students that participated in the fair.

Eighth Grader, Camdyn Twardosky submitted two photos into the youth photography competition for ages 12-13 at the Pasco County Fair in Dade City, FL at the end of February. His pictures won the Florida Award for best photos depicting life in Florida. He won a cash prize for his work. Camdyn loves photography and his favorite subject to photograph is nature. Great job!

Junior, Payton Meyers, showed a steer at the Pasco County Fair. This is her seventh year! This year her 1,430 lb. steer named “Bubba,” placed 2nd in his class. He was placed as Heavyweight Reserve. Way to go Payton!

Fundraisers

Our popular fundraiser is back again! Support our Class of 2024!

We are having a Krispy Kreme Fundraiser! The fundraiser will run from Monday, March 13, 2023 – Tuesday, March 28, 2023 and orders will be delivered on Friday, March 31, 2023. Find one of our Junior’s and order a box or two of the original glazed doughnuts. Each box is $13.00 and we will receive half of the cost per box. Please note, the students need to collect the money at the time of order. Cash or a check. If writing a check, make it payable to HCA and in the memo section write Krispy Kreme Fundraiser c/o 2024. Thank you in advance for your support!

Admissions

Enrollment this year has gone well! We feel blessed about what the next year entails for HCA! The following classes are full and are closed for enrollment: preschool, 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th grades. Many open classes are very close to closing.

Looking Ahead

Friday, March 3, 2023 Noon Dismissal
End of Q3

Monday, March 6 – Friday, March 10, 2023 Spring Break
No School

Thursday, March 16, 2023 Spring Pictures
8:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Saturday, March 18, 2023                                                         Middle School Dance
                                                                                                     7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
                                                                                                     HCA Gymnasium

Monday, March 20 – Friday, March 31, 2023 Spring Map Assessment Testing

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Noon Dismissal

Lions Pride March Newsletter