2026

GCA

AWARDS

The Thousand Club Awards

1,000 Club – Anthony Burgan

2,000 Club – Roman Herschberger

3,000 Club – Aria Steele

Gary Lawler

4,000 Club – Raven Steele

5,000 Club – Elly Lawler

Oren Lawler

6,000 Club – Lillian Lawler

7,000 Club – Varina Lawler

GPA STATS

72-84

PACEs /student/school year

851

PACEs COMPLETED 2025-26

96.01%

Average PACE Test Score

95-100%

AVG. GPA OF 8 STUDENTS

6

NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE YEARS GCA HAS RECEIVED MODEL STATUS HONOR – 1 OF ONLY 529 OUT OF OVER 6,000 SCHOOLS GLOBALLY

PRAISE GOD

Three Kindergarten completed the ABCs with Ace & Christi Program this school year. They mastered the material and have been working diligently to excel in their core subjects. All have demonstrated mastery of the curriculum and are growing to love learning and reading. Congratulations to Elly Lawler, Oren Lawler and Raven Steele.

CONGRATS KINDERGARTEN GRADS

ELLY LAWLER

OREN LAWLER

RAVEN STEELE

CHARACTER CHALLENGE

A new challenge was set before the students this year.

The BIG FIVE Character Challenge consisted of students writing down their weekly character traits, each PACE Scripture, and reciting their Monthly Scripture weekly. This challenge was definitely not easy – it took hard work, commitment, and diligence to finish it.

Grade levels divided the challenge into two divisions: the Cub of Judah Award for the ABCs Learners, and the Lion of Judah Award for the Upper Learning Center students.

THE CUB OF JUDAH AWARD

Students who rose to the challenge received a stuffed lion, $20 cash, and the Bible Memory Trophy.

Congratulations to Elly Lawler, Oren Lawler, and Raven Steele for earning the Cub of Judah Award!

THE LION OF JUDAH AWARD

The Lion of Judah Award winner received a stuffed lion, $20 cash, 4 zoo tickets, and the Bible Memory Trophy!

Congratulations to Aria Steele, Gary Lawler, Lillian Lawler, and Varina Lawler!

HONOR ROLL

Students recognized for making Honor Roll all four quarters this year! Congratulations: Roman Herschberger, Elly Lawler, Oren Lawler, Varina Lawler, Aria Steele, and Raven Steele

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Lillian Lawler applied herself to her academics, she did not miss one Scripture Challenge, and she grew academically, as well as spiritually and emotionally.

MOST IMPROVED STUDENT

Lillian not only completed the most PACEs — 131; she worked hard to earn all of her 100s on her tests and embraced the challenge to read the Bible in the King James Version!

HARD WORKERS

BLESSINGS & FUNDRAISING

BEING A BLESSING

The BLESS – Basic Literacy Education Saving Souls – program is an outreach ministry of A.C.E. that is dramatically influencing and changing children’s lives in the Philippines, India, and Africa. BLESS helps impoverished children have access to academic and biblical education that would otherwise be unavailable.

During this past year, our students earned a quarter for each 100% they made on a test. They then dropped the quarter in our BLESS jar to help raise funds to sponsor a BLESS center. GCA Students helped establish a BLESS center in the Philippines. with 388 100% on tests that resulted in $97!

Varina Lawler earned the most 100s this year (74), earning the BLESS Elephant mascot, a blue ribbon, and a cash reward equalling half of all the quarters collected from the 100s on tests!

FUNDRAISING FUN

Throughout the year, the school conducts several fundraisers to help underwrite annual expenses. Two students went above and beyond, never missing an opportunity to seize the challenge.

Thank you to Varina Lawler who collected the most Best Choice Labels this year. For every 1,000 labels we submit, GCA receives $30. Varina brought in 100 labels this year. Collectively, the students and staff brought in 1,018 labels this year.

Varina also sold the most clusters this year. She sold 66 pounds of clusters! Well done.

Gary & Varina tied, Big brother Gary matched his sisters efforts, for selling the most Hog Roast tickets this year. They each sold 109 tickets.

Varina also sold the most Isaiah 40:31 bench tickets!

Above & Right: Music Supervisor Mrs. Carol Wangerin, now in her 5th year serving GCA students, made music theory a ringing success.

Below: Mrs. Kulani Lawler helped our GCA littles praise the Lord with song and heart.

DO RE MI FA SOL

Ambria Strohmeier shared her 2026 Ozark Regional Student Convention Vocal Solo selection.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

SACRIFICIAL SUPPORT

Each talent, each minute, each sacrifice, each prayer, and all the love and support our volunteer Supervisors so graciously pour out at Grace Christian Academy are not missed. There are simply no words adequate enough to express our deep gratitude.

L-R: Mrs. Kulani Lawler, Ms. Bonnie Stevens, Mrs. Melody Hoppers, and Mrs. Carol Wangerin.

SERVANT'S HEART RECIPIENTS

They are never out in front leading or cheering, but they always show up to serve humbly. They see a need and just do what needs to be done, then leave without fanfare. They have been involved in Christian education for many years, and they have been a part of Grace Christian Academy from the very beginning.

Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Hoppers for faithful service to Grace Christian Academy. “Well done, good and faithful servants!”

CONTRACTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

Thanks to Mr. Roman Herschberger who stepped up to the plate without reservation to single handedly built new offices to expand our Learning Center for the 2025-26 year. Not only did he agree to build the offices, he donated all of his labor!

PASTOR APPRECIATION

Twice a month, GCA hosts Special Chapel Services followed by a brief time of fellowship. It is an opportunity for our students and visitors to not only hear the Word of God from godly men, but also to provide an opportunity for our students to build relationships with these Pastors.

Two Pastors have faithfully served for the past six years as spiritual advisors – Pastor Alan Black and Pastor Jack Coultas.

Photos: GCA Board President Mrs. Cindy Knight presents certificates and awards of appreciation to Mr. Herschberger (bottom left, Mr. & Mrs. Hoppers (top right) and Bro. Black (bottom right).

GENEROUS DONORS

Mr. Roman Herschberger – Student enrollment merited the need for more student offices for the 2025-26 school year. Mr. Herschberger stepped up to the plate to not only build them, but he donated all of his labor for the task.

Mr. Mickey Moore and Mrs. Kim Steinberg generously donated $20,000 to Grace Christian Academy! Their daughter, and one of our Supervisors, Mrs. Kulani Lawler accepted the plaque of appreciation on their behalf.

Mr. Greg Hooper designed and donated a beautiful metal crafted bench with reference to Isaiah 40:31. Students sold 87 tickets for a drawing for the bench, raising $1,740. The funds will be set aside for our building fund.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW BOARD

Thank you to the current Board of Directors:

Mrs. Cindy Knight – President

Mr. Jared Lawler – Vice-Chair

Mrs. Kulani Lawler – Secretary

Mrs. Paula Rodebaugh – Member

Mrs. Daisy Burgan – Member

Mr. Roman Herschberger – Member

Special thanks to Ms. Bonnie Stevens and Mr. Jon Burke for faithfully and selflessly serving on the Board for six years. Your loyalty to Grace Christian Academy is deeply appreciated.

SOMETHING TO BARK ABOUT

St. Clair County Sherriff Lee Hilty challenged students in each school in the county to suggest a name for his Police pup in training. Aria Steele received a check and certificate for winning the GCA naming contest with her entry “Goliath” now in the running for the final decision.

6th Annual Awards Ceremony