Kristen Roth, left, kindergarten teacher at Lakeland Christian Academy Early Learning Academy; and Angie Lambert, ELA director, talk about the ELA program and the curriculum provided to students. Lindsay Gergely, vice chair of the LCA board of directors, moderated the question and answer period on the right.

By Deb Patterson
InklessNews

WINONA LAKE — A celebration celebrating the past, present and future of Lakeland Christian Academy was the highlight of the gala held Friday, Nov. 1.

Next was the announcement of an $8 million construction project along with a $4 million capital construction campaign.

To set the tone of the announcement, stories were heard from athletic director, facilities manager and alumni parent Tim Yocum; Eric Bowling, alumnus and former staff member; John Urschalitz, former/current board member and parent of alumni; Joe Elrod, superintendent and current parent; and Lindsay Gergely, executive vice president, campaign cabinet chair and current parent. Other speakers included Angie Lambert, director of early learning; and pre-kindergarten teacher Kristen Roth.

The announcement was made by board chair and current parent Dr. Made by Nate Bosch; and Gergely.

Bowling, an LCA athlete and later dean of students, spoke about how participating in LCA impacts students socially, physically and spiritually. Her mother was a former manager, she met her husband at LCA and made good friends. “It’s hard to summarize what Lakeland means to me. What I’m talking about is generations of students over 50 years and how Lakeland has impacted them not only socially and spiritually but also spiritually… I’m grateful for Lakeland Christian Academy, I love Lakeland Christian Academy…”

Yocum talked about his journey from upstate New York to LCA as athletic director. He recalled graduating from Grace College, where he met his wife, and moving to upstate New York, where he heard from a friend about how LCA was looking for an athletic director. 25 years old now^This The following year, Yocum said: “That tells you a lot about my love for Lakeland, what I do, the kids, the whole staff and the experience. … It’s been a wonderful thing for my wife and our two children who graduated from Lakeland Christian.”

A video summarized LCA’s history. Started by visionaries, the school saw 42 students in the halls of its first location, Grace Brethren Church. The first graduates were given in 1978. Over the years, the campus has expanded from modular buildings on Wooster Road to the campus at 1093 S. 250E, Winona Lake.

Superintendent Joe Elrod discussed educational opportunities at Lakeland Christian Academy.

Urschalitz, who has been with LCA for 29 years, talked more about the history. By 1996 it was clear that more space was needed. The school currently has grades 7-12. There were 80 students in the classes and new ones will come. The first thought was another building on Wooster Road. “This idea quickly gave way to a bolder vision,” Urschalitz said. Board president Dean Harman received permission from the LCA association to purchase property on CR 250E, and plans for a new building began. Under the direction of chairman Dave Turner, CR 250E’s foundation was broken in 1998. The new building was occupied in November 2000.

Elrod touched on the educational aspect of the school. He noted “Biblical truth in every aspect of our curriculum…from our youngest preschoolers to our graduating seniors.” He said the school encourages critical thinking while nurturing a practical, liveable Christian faith.

He noted that it was during COVID that LCA merged with Warsaw Christian School to become a kindergarten through 12th grade. There are over 90 staff members serving 425 students. He proudly reported that all students at LCA “must not only attempt to earn a Core 40 diploma, but must also complete two years of foreign languages ​​and two years of fine arts.” Movement and cross-body learning are integrated into the curriculum, he added.

Additionally, Elrod stated that the LCA is 17^This Based on average SAT scores, all Indiana college preparatory schools have an AP pass rate of 25%, and more than 60% of their graduates remain in the community.

He briefly talked about the Early Learning Academy, which is not a daycare but an opportunity for students to master advanced concepts and exceed grade-level expectations, where four-year-olds benefit from skills reserved for kindergarten/first grade students. The curriculum was created by LCA staff and is age-appropriate, teaching students to regulate their emotions while integrating the biblical worldview into a format that three- to four-year-olds can grasp and apply, she noted.

Lambert and Roth talked about the ELA program in a question-and-answer session with Gergely. The programs and teaching methods offered to students were mentioned. It has been noted that eight out of 10 ELA students are ready for kindergarten, and ELA students are ahead academically, socially and emotionally.

Bosch announces capital campaign to bring all students on one campus. This is a goal the board has had since 2020. He noted that for the past seven years, students from kindergarten through third grade have wandered the halls of Community Grace Brethren Church. The church recently shared its desire to use the space differently, and its lease with LCA will expire in 2026. This brings with it the need for space for 180 students and 30 teachers.

He drew attention to the importance of the campaign. “The new facility will allow us to partner on a deeper level by providing a variety of services not currently offered…” He also noted the benefit of collaboration between older and younger students and experiences for both generations.

Chairman of the board Dr. Nate Bosch announces capital campaign.

Bosch said the building project will cost $8 million, raised through a capital campaign and prudent borrowing. The new building, designed by DJ İnşaat, will have two floors and 30,000 square meters of educational space. It is designed to accommodate 100 more students than current capacity provides and provide significant growth for the ELA program. The new facility will open at the beginning of the 2026 academic year.

Gergely briefed the crowd on the campaign to raise $4 million. Announced that he received a grant from the K21 Health Foundation to build a playground; a $250,000 grant from the Dekko Foundation; and a $500,000 grant from the Early Learning Initiative and the Eli Lilly Foundation. As of that evening, $3,050,000 had been raised for the actual construction of the facility.