VYPE Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy May 2022

LEGACY PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

L E G A C Y P C A . O R G

C R O S S C O U N T R Y , S W I M M I N G , G I R L S H O O P S L E A D T H E W A Y I N ROAR ! H E AR U S

pregame

THE MASTER PLAN

Legacy Prep has seen unprecedented growth over the last few years. Our University-Model appeals to parents who want to be more involved in what their students are learning, and to those who want to make sure their children are fully prepared to be successful in college. Through our model, students learn valuable organizational skills and discipline which ready them for the college or university rigor. As more and more families learn about the success of our students and the loving community, our campus has reached its enrollment max — about 600 students. In 2019, Legacy had conducted a feasibility study and determined it was time to add classroom and gym space to the campus. As we were moving forward with the campaign, COVID hit and we put the fundraising on hold. In 2021, we officially kicked off the “Growing Our Legacy” campaign and realized we would have to mobilize more quickly than we anticipated in order to avoid supply chain delays.

We began building our new wing in December of 2022, and it is expected to be completed in December of 2023. The new wing will house 21 educational classrooms, including a dedicated physical science room and life science room. It will also include a large, multi-purpose space for extra-curricular activities. In addition to the classroom space, Legacy recently added another 125 parking spaces to accommodate the growing number of student drivers and ever-growing need for event parking. Legacy has a master plan that we hope to complete over the next five to ten years. It will include a multi-purpose center and gym, a fieldhouse/weight room, full track and a third wing of additional classes. Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy exists to prepare our students to be college-worthy, character witnesses for Christ. Audra May Head Administrator Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy

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Pregame

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Legacy Prep Christian Academy is seeing a tremendous amount of growth as a school, and we are very excited about it. Our athletic programs continue to grow as well. Around 85% of our students play a sport at Legacy and approximately 80% play multiple sports. Our programs offer something for everybody and our main goal is to make God look good. Our athletics verse is Micah 6:8. Below are some of the highlights from this past school year. For the first time ever, all our varsity sports qualified for the playoffs this past school year including some of our District Championships that include cross country, volleyball, girls basketball and boys golf. Our girls XC and girls swim team both won State Championships, with our girls basketball team finishing as a State Finalist for the second year in a row. Our football team made the playoffs for the sixth-straight year while reaching the Regional Final for the third-straight season. Our boys’ basketball team made the playoffs for the second-straight year and our boys XC team finished on the

podium at State for the third year in a row. Legacy’s cheer team competed for the first time ever at the TAPPS Cheer competition. The baseball team has qualified for the playoffs for the sixth year in a row and looks to make their deepest run into the playoffs since finishing as a Regional Finalist in 2019. Our boys and girls track teams finished second at Regionals and the State Track Meet. Our boys golf team made it to the State Golf Tournament and finished second. We also had several girls that were medalists at District Golf and qualified for the Regional Golf Tournament. Brooke Corley advanced to the State Golf Tournament and finished 13th. As a school, we had seven athletes sign to continue their athletic careers at the next level. We are excited to see what God has planned for the future as we continue to prepare our students to be college-worthy, character witnesses for Christ both on and off the field! Defend The Pride! Clint McDonald

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LEGACY PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

L E G A C Y P C A . O R G

on the cover Photo by Bradley Collier

HEAR US ROAR!: Welcome to the inaugural Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy VYPE 2021-22 Year in Review Magazine. Congratulations to Aubrey Davis, David May, Ross Donaldson, Conner Wilson, Ian McCraray, Mary Katherine Kloessel and Wyatt Francis for gracing the cover.

C R O S S C O U N T R Y , S W I M M I N G , G I R L S H O O P S L E A D T H E W A Y I N ROAR ! H E AR U S

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Prou  Sponso  Of Legacy Prep Christian Academy

The headliners

L I ONS G O L D E N

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h Ph o t o s c o u r t e s y o f TA P P S L P C A R A C E S WA Y T O T AP P S 4 A G I R LS CROSS COUN T RY CROWN

- 14:20.9), Hannah Grace Bryant (24th - 14:31.8), Audrey Sipko (28th - 14:47.3), Layla Faysal (43rd - 15:17.0) and Brooklyn Clark (60th - 15:51.2) rounded out the rest of the Legacy Prep championship crew. All the pieces fell into place in 2021 for the Lions. But what was the secret sauce? “I think it is the culture of the team and what the kids have been able to create and make it a place where people want to come,” Clark said. “When I star ted coaching here eight years ago, we had four kids on the team. “ This year, with middle school and high school , we had 49 runners — 27 in high school. It ’s just a testament to the culture that has been created. It ’s a family atmosphere and the kids love being here … It has fostered great teamwork and a competitive space where they want to win for each other.”

CHARLOTTE FREEMAN MAY JUST BE A FRESHMAN AT LEGACY PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BUT SHE DIDN’T RUN LIKE ONE LAST NOVEMBER AT THE TAPPS STATE CROSS COUNTRY MEET. In a TAPPS 4A field that saw three of the top five finishers in the girls race end up being freshmen, Freeman was amongst the group posting a time of 13:21.0 to take four th overall. Her and junior Aubrey Davis (13:35.5), who finished eighth and passed four girls in the last 150 meters, helped lead Legacy Prep to 74 points, which was enough to win the TAPPS 4A State Championship in 2021. “It was an exciting time — stepping back and looking at the beginning of the season and looking forward to what I thought we could do — I felt really confident about it ,” LPCA cross country coach Casey Clark said. “This year was a great team effort .” This marks the second State Championship in program history for the Lions. The previous came in 2018, then as a TAPPS 3A program. This is the first in TAPPS 4A. “Four years of having a program and two State titles, I think it ’s pretty awesome,” Clark said. Morgan Singletary (20th

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I t wa s a n e x c i t i n g t i me — s t e p p i n g b a c k a n d l o o k i n g a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e s e a s o n a n d l o o k i n g f o r wa r d t o wh a t I t h o u g h t we c o u l d d o — I f e l t r e a l l y c o n f i d e n t a b o u t i t . CASEY CLARK , LPCA CROSS COUNTRY COACH

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The headliners

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h Ph o t o s c o u r t e s y o f TA P P S L E GA C Y PR E P G I R LS SW I M N E T S F I RS T -E V E R T E AM S T A T E CROWN O C CAS I ON R I S I N G TO T H E

breaststroke (1:11.26). Other top finishers

400-yard freestyle (4:03.90) to sweep the top of the podium in the relay events. In the individual events, it was a big year for freshmen Janey Leiker and Emily Tomlinson. Taking second in the 200-yard freestyle (2:01.59) and third in the 100-yard butter fly (1:01.42) events was Leiker. Tomlinson finished as the State Runner Up in the 50-yard freestyle (26.29) and 100-yard

you’re so in the moment of trying to do your best . They announced four th, third and second and when you don’ t get announced second you know you just won it . “ The girls were just overjoyed because they had worked so hard. They relished the moment . It was awesome.” The Lady Lions star ted the meet off with a bang by bringing home a State Title in the 200-yard medley (1:58.01). After the initial relay win, Gerwick said they felt the momentum building. “From there, every one of my swimmers slowly star ted taking time off and doing well ,” he said. “You kind of sensed during the middle of the meet that we’re going to win it .” The relay teams went on to win gold in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.67) and the

BILLY GERWICK’S MOTTO ALL SEASON FOR HIS SWIM TEAM WAS “DISCIPLINE”. That discipline was seen in the water, in their technique, how they made turns, their breathing and some of it may have seemed “ tedious at times” according to Gerwick , but the reward for those hours and days of work arrived on a Thursday afternoon in February in the form of gold. The Legacy Prep girls swimming team brought home the TAPPS Division III State Championship with an overall score of 300 points, beating out Logos Preparatory Academy by 26 points. It was their first-ever team State Championship. “It ’s the best feeling in the world,” Gerwick said with a laugh. “It does take a little while to digest because

included State Runners-Up Bryant (100-yard freestyle – 58.89) and Serenity Stepanik (100-yard backstroke – 1:06.33). “Every one of them rose to the occasion,” Gerwick said. “It was a team effor t . Also, the community and the suppor t from the parents of these kids was absolutely wonder ful.”

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I t ’s t h e b e s t f e e l i n g i n t h e wo r l d . I t d o e s t a k e a l i t t l e wh i l e t o d i g e s t b e c a u s e y o u ’ r e s o i n t h e mome n t o f t r y i n g t o d o y o u r b e s t . BILLY GERWICK , LPCA SWIM COACH

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The headliners

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h Ph o t o s c o u r t e s y o f TA P P S L P C A G I R LS HOOP S F I N I SH A S T AP P S 4 A S T A T E RUNN E R-U P S I N 2 02 2 HUNT E RS T R O P H Y

A YEAR AFTER REACHING THE TAPPS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, TH YEAR COACH AUDRA MAY FOUND HERSELF ONCE AGAIN STANDING ON THE SIDELINES WATCHING HER TEAM BATTLE FOR THE CROWN AGAIN IN . Legacy Prep ran through Veritas Academy (58-20), St . Thomas Episcopal (61-47) and then Lutheran High School (49-41) to reach the title game in March. In the end, the Lions fell shor t to Lubbock Christian School to finish as the TAPPS 4A State Runner-Ups for a second-straight season. “We were here last year and lost to the same team, so the girls were dead set on coming back here and — if nothing else — giving

We f o u g h t t h r o u g h i n j u r i e s a l l y e a r l o n g . . . I f e e l l i k e we k i n d o f l i mp e d i n t o t h e f i n a l s , b u t I c o u l d n ’ t b e p r o u d e r o f h ow h a r d t h e y p l a y e d . AUDRA MAY, LPCA GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH

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mom,” May said. “She’s the general of the offense. She has grown so much in the last few years that she has been here. I’m really going to miss her. She’s also a great baker.” As May took the season, the veteran coach said her favorite memory of the year was seeing the freshmen on the squad develop. “ They ’re not afraid, and I love that about them,” she said. “ They ’re fearless. They are fun to watch.” a second to look back on

them a better fight ,” said May following the game. “We fought through injuries all year long... I feel like we kind of limped into the finals, but I couldn’ t be prouder of how hard they played.” The Lions finished the year with a 22-11 overall mark . Legacy Prep was led by senior Maddie Steed’s 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5.8 steals per game this season. Younger sister Molly Steed, just a sophomore, averaged 9.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game. Junior Georgia Freeman averaged 8.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4 blocks, senior Mary Wittmer averaged 7.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists and MK Kloesel chipped in 7.1 points and 2 .7 rebounds per game to help pace the Lions’ offense. “Mary is like the team

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feature

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h F A L L WRAP FOOTBALL L E G A C Y P R E P

L E GA C Y PR E P R E A CH E S R E G I ON A L ROUND

LEGACY PREP WENT OVERALL IN , WHILE REACHING THE REGIONAL ROUND OF THE TAPPS DIVISION III PLAYOFFS. The Lions registered a win over John Paul II (28-12) in the Area Round to reach the Regional Final , where they fell shor t to Bay Area Christian (35-21). Senior quar terback Tyler Prazak passed for more than 1,400 yards and nine scores, while rushing for another 489 for the season. Senior Jeremy Brown also paced the run game with more than 400 yards. Senior Luke Sigler, junior Ian McCraray and sophomores Kyle Prazak and David May paced the receivers room, all having more than 350 yards receiving apiece. Sigler led the team with nearly 600 yards on the year. Senior Aidan Bailey paced the defensive side of the ball with 100 tackles for the year, while Chapman Wendell had 67, Jason Freeman with 59 and Ian Picard with 52 . Tyler Prazak also played on defense and led the group with four sacks. Picard, Chandler Elrod and Bishop Moorman had 3.5 apiece. In awards season, Bailey earned second-team, all state honors for his play in

[Back Row]: Cohen Walker, Jackson Perniciaro, Aidan Bailey, Bishop Moorman, Ian Picard, and Jett Reeves; [Middle Row): Ian McCraray, Chapman Wendell and Jeremy Brown; [Front Row]: Luke Sigler, Tyler Prazak and David May

Wendell (LB), Brown (LB), Bailey (S) and Moorman (P) were first teamers. Elias Loughmiller was a

the secondary. On offense, offensive linemen Caden Auger, McCraray and Tyler earned honorable mention, all-state nods. On the all-district squad, Jackson Perniciaro (OL), Daniel Schneider (K), Cohen Walker (RB), Auger (OL), McCraray (WR), Brown (RB) and Tyler (QB) were first teamers and May was named second-team, all-district at receiver. On defense, Picard (DL),

second teamer for his

play in the secondary.

Ian McCraray

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L I ONS R E A CH AR E A ROUND O F P L A YO F F S VOLLEYBALL

Megan McDonald and sophomore Molly Steed were honorable-mention picks. The future looks bright for LPCA with so many pieces returning for the 2022 season and beyond.

— Coleman, Lija and junior Georgia Freeman earned first-team nods. Sophomore Sarah Cassidy, freshman Sydney McNeil and senior Maddie Steed were named second teamers. Senior

Samara Coleman, Baleigh Brown, Berkley Jones, Megan McDonald, Georgia Freeman and Maddie Steed

who was a first-team, all state selection at season’s end. Fellow freshman Emerson Lija was an honorable mention, all-state pick . On the all-district squads

LEGACY PREP WENT OVERALL IN AND REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE TAPPS A PLAYOFFS. THE LIONS WENT A PERFECT IN DISTRICT PLAY. LPCA was paced by freshman Samara Coleman,

Megan McDonald

G I R LS W I N S E COND S T A T E CROWN , BOYS T AK E F OUR T H CROSS COUNTRY

Luke Henson (19:33) finished 30th, 31st and 32nd. Both squads have experience returning for the 2022 season. Put the state on notice, the Lions are here to stay.

placed 21st and 22nd (18:32 .4 and 18:38.9), respectively and senior Brennan Clark took 25th (19:07.4). Sophomore Gage Gerwick (19:20.5), senior Jarred Morgan (19:26.1) and senior

history with five runners finishing in the Top 30 and two in the Top 10. The Lions had 74 points to win the TAPPS 4A State Championship in 2021. Freshman Charlotte Freeman led the group with a four th-place finish, while junior Aubrey Davis finished eighth. Morgan Singletary placed 20th, Hannah Grace Bryant took 24th and Audrey Sipko crossed at 28th. Layla Faysal placed 43rd and Brooklyn Clark finished 60th. On the boys’ side, the Lions finished four th overall with 101 points. Another freshman led the crew as Aidan Rivers finished fifth with a time of 17:42 .2 . Seniors Car ter Hutton and Carson Keys

Aidan Rivers

CASEY CLARK HAS BUILT UP THE LEGACY PREP CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM OVER HIS EIGHT YEARS AT THE HELM AND HAS QUICKLY MADE THE LIONS ONE OF THE MOST FEARED PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. The girls brought home their second State Championship in program

[Back Row]: Hannah Grace Bryant, Aidan Rivers, Audrey Sipko, Luke Henson and Josie Jones; [Front Row]: Carson Keyes, Layla Faysal and Brennan Clark

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photo feature

Carson Keyes

Samara Coleman

Brennan Clark

Cohen Walker

Berkley Jones

L E GA C Y PR E P CHR I S T I AN A C AD EMY H AD A BANN E R S E A SON T H I S F A L L . T H E G I R LS CROSS COUN T RY T E AM WON A T AP P S S T A T E CROWN AND T H E V O L L E Y BA L L AND F OO T BA L L T E AMS R E A CH E D T H E P OS T S E A SON . CH E C K OU T T H E L I ONS ’ F R E SH F A C E S O F T H E F A L L . PR I DE T H E

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photo feature

Jackson Perniciaro

Georgia Freeman

Hannah Grace Bryant

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Josie Jones

David May

Maddie Steed

Chapman Wendell

Baleigh Brown

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See you after the game!

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a L I ONS CH E E R D E V E LOP I NG CO L L E G E S T ARS CHE E R - U

DURING LEGACY PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ’S RECENT CHEER TRYOUTS, SENIOR CHLOE GONZALEZ GOT THE CALL. Gonzalez was running the Lions’ tryout for the young girls with her senior teammates. Everyone gathered around when the call came. “All the girls saw my reaction and we all started freaking out ,” Gonzalez said. “It was tears of joy and just an overwhelming feeling. All of the sacrifices and hard work had paid off. It was worth it .” So, who was on the other end of the line? A co-captain on the University of Texas cheer team, who congratulated Gonzalez on earning a spot on the 2022-23 Longhorn cheer team. “I really don’ t know what to expect ,” Gonzalez laughed. “I’ve been told there will be cameras everywhere and the energy is indescribable. At games, you just look up and see a sea of fans. I love to per form, so I can’ t wait to soak it all in.” Gonzalez is not the first Lions cheerleader to hit the college sidelines. Caroline Day, whose mom Laura is the Lions’ cheer coach, is a full-fledged Cheerlebrity for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. “It is pretty impressive that a small school like Legacy Prep has some elite cheerleaders representing the Lions in college,” Day said. “You have to be very

be a team player and being a par t of something bigger than yourself. “ There have been so many sacrifices. Our prom was during the weekend I had Texas tryouts. There was no way I was missing those tryouts. I had come too far. I was banged up last year with an ankle injury where I had stress-fractures in my foot . I was in a boot for a little bit , but I had to get back to Woodlands Elite tryouts. A little pain wasn’ t going to keep me from my goals.” While cheerleaders seem to be all smiles and rah-rah, these girls are focused, motivated and mentally tough, and two of the best in the country are proud to call Legacy Prep Christian Academy home.

which is a great thing. It really brought out my out going side. “As a college prep school , Legacy Prep also allowed me to practice more on my cheerleading skills at the competitive level. I was able to travel more to college camps and competitions. Legacy Prep was so flexible.” Gonzalez has cheered competitively for Woodlands Elite since the age of six years old. The time commitment and wear and tear on your body is the price the most elite athletes pay to pursue their passion. “Cheer has taught me so many life lessons and I’ve met so many life-long friends,” Gonzalez said. “It has really shaped me as a person, where I’ve learned to

determined to get to that level and Chloe is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. She’s also a tremendous student .” Being a University Model School has played a huge role in the success of Gonzalez and Day. Legacy Prep offers a traditional high school experience with a full-range of athletics and games which promotes school spirit , but what sets the school apar t is the college model schedule. It allows for more time to do outside activities. “Being able to cheer for your school is so much different than competitive cheer,” Gonzalez said. “You learn to engage the crowd and motivate people. You need to be really peppy,

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photo feature

Bailey Horton

Emma Planos

Emma Planos, Chloe Gonzalez, Alexa Kerr, Charlie Kerr, Bailey Horton and Jordyn Conley

Charlie Kerr

Jordyn Conley

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Alexa Kerr

THE LEGACY PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY LIONS CHEER TEAM BRINGS THE SPIRIT. WHETHER IT BE ON THE HARDCOURT OR ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, THEY ARE THE ULTIMATE HYPE GIRLS. THE CHEER SQUAD ALSO PERFORMED WELL AT THE TAPPS STATE EVENT THIS YEAR . THE LADY LIONS FINISHED FIFTH OVERALL AND EARNED A SUPERIOR RATING. RORY THE LION FINISHED FOURTH IN THE STATE MASCOT COMPETITION. LOOKING TOWARDS THE COLLEGE RANKS FOR NEXT YEAR, LPCA SENIOR CHLOE GONZALEZ MADE THE CHEER SQUAD AT THE UNIVERSIT Y OF TEXAS IN APRIL . L I ONS ! ! ! L E T ’ S G O

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Legacy Prep Christian Academy Growin  Ou  Legac 

WELCOME TO GROWING OUR LEGACY CAMPAIGN In 2 0 1 1 , Legacy P reparatory Christian Academy ( Legacy) Board of Directors and lea- 2 0 1 1 P ( ) dership team successfully kicked off their first capital campaign, Building Our Legacy. God called the families of our then 2 0 0 students to join together and financially invest in the dream of our own campus. That campaign led to the purchase of our existing land and buildings. God called our little school to do something big in 2 0 1 1 , and this community responded, “H ere am I! ” In 2 0 1 4 , we built our Legacy. N ow it’s time to Grow our Legacy! CURRENT STATUS W e are witnessing overwhelming interest in the university-model from our community. P arents are seeing the need for more involvement in their child’s education. W ith this increased growth, entire grade levels are at capacity and space is limited. A majority of Legacy families interviewed supported the need for campus expansion and had the capacity to raise upwards of $ 1 0 million over three years.

GROWING OUR LEGACY Aside from allowing more students to enroll at Legacy, replacing temporary portable classrooms with permanent classrooms will bring all of our students into the safety of the main facility and reduce operating costs. Each new room will be equipped with smart-boards and other technology enhancements, as well as, providing larger spaces to better accommodate our student/teacher ratios. Our campus will be even more inviting with an added entrance, updated Legacy signage, and campus beautification. Additionally, security fencing around the buildings, surveillance cameras, and other technology upgrades will enhance the safety of our students and faculty.

INVESTING IN OUR LEGACY The Legacy Board of Directors and leadership team are seeking generous donors to support the Growing Our Legacy campaign. Donors are encouraged to “stretch” their giving over a three-year span which will help us adequately resource the building. The faith and commitment of current and past families have brought Legacy to where we are today. And it will be that same FEARLESS faith and commitment going forward that will allow Legacy to grow and impact so many others. Legacy’s Christ-centered and family-based educational experience is badly needed today. If this community has been a blessing to your family, prayerfully join us in Growing Our Legacy.

Feature

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a ROBO T I CS PROGR AM D E V E LOP I NG F U T UR E E NG I N E E RS , PROGR AMME RS SUC C E SS B U I LT F O R

received a grant and it just branched out .” The Lions now field four Robotics high school teams who compete in FIRST Tech Robotics Competitions – a global community preparing young people for the future of the world’s leading youth serving advancing STEM education. LPCA competes against public and private schools across Houston and the State of Texas. The season begins with the challenge, which is the same globally. Then it ’s time for work . The year long process combines the excitement of spor ts under the framework of science and technology.

“IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.” FIELD OF DREAMS Well , Amy Brown of Legacy Prep has done just that . After a career in the computer software industry, Brown star ted a young family. As her three children grew up and entered school , she went back herself… to school. Brown star ted the Robotics program at Legacy Prep and it has flourished under her direction. “We star ted a LEGO Robotics program in middle school and it took off from there,” she said. “ The school wanted to develop a more robust STEM program where I was teaching, then we

Grace Cruthirds

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“ There are so many

life skills going on here,” she said. “You are working together as a team with eight strong personalities, who all have different skill sets. They are working towards one goal by problem-solving and overcoming hurdles. Sometimes they can feel defeated when they hit a road-block , but how are they going to figure it out? Persevering through these challenges together and keeping it going teaches these students life skills beyond robots.” There are team captains and Gantt Char ts, which are ever-changing. “ They plan out their activities by the day, week and month until the project is finished,” she said. “By the time our students are seniors, they have basically been running a small company.” While Brown leads the program, she also gets some help. “We bring in engineering or programming professionals every two weeks to mentor our students,” she said. “ They talk about how they got their star t in their respective jobs and give tips on the kids’ projects. Most of all , they talk about how our students can apply what they are doing now to the real world. It ’s a lot of leadership training as well.” The shor t-term goal is to win the FIRST Robotics Competition, but the long term goal for Legacy Prep students is to pursue a higher education. “We have 10 seniors in our program this year,” she said. “ They all can put Robotics on their applications.

Levi Brown

Grace Cruthirds, Sam Foust, Asher Abrahams and Jackson Perniciaro

Asher Abrahams

Seven of our kids will be studying engineering in college and five have been accepted into Texas A&M’s engineering program.” Forget the trophy, that ’s the biggest win – the success of future Lions.

Caden Auger, Brennan Clark, Courtland Carpenter [Squatting] and Levi Brown

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\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h WI NT ER WRAP BASKETBALL L E G A C Y P R E P L P C A G I R LS R E A CH S T A T E T I T L E GAME , BOYS LOOK I NG T O BU I LD

mention squad to lead the group. Sophomore Dalton White along with Dyniewski were named first-team, all district . Sophomore Brandt Brown and seniors Gregory Merino and Brennan Clark were second-team, all district picks, while Chafic “Alex ” Faysal was an honorable mention selection.

UNDER TH YEAR COACH AUDRA MAY, THE LEGACY PREP GIRLS FOUND THEMSELVES BACK IN THE TAPPS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN MARCH. The Lions fell shor t , another remarkable season. At season’s end, the Lions had five all-state selections. Seniors Mary Wittmer & Madison Steed and sophomore Molly Steed were first-team, all-state picks. Junior Georgia Freeman was a second-team, all-stater and Mary Katherine Kloesel was an honorable-mention selection. The Steeds, Freeman and Kloessel were also selected to the TAPPS State All Tournament team. On the all-district squads, the Steeds, Wittmer, Freeman and Kloesel were all first teamers along with junior Aubrey Davis. Freshmen Charlotte Freeman and Ginger Freeman were second teamers. On the boys’ side, it was a growth year for the Lions. LPCA went 5-18 overall and failed to make it into postseason. Senior Collin Dyniewski was named to the all-state, honorable finishing as the State Runner-Ups, capping

Mary Katherine Kloesel, Zoe Brieger, Molly Steed, Maddie Steed, Georgia Freeman, Mary Wittmer and Aubrey Davis

Collin Dyniewski

Aubrey Davis

[Back Row]: Brennan Clark, Greg Merino, Conner Wilson, Dalton White; [Front Row]: Collin Dyniewski, Cohen Walker and David May

L P C A G I R LS W I N S T A T E T I T L E , G E RW I C K L E ADS BOYS SWIMMI NG

more excited; it was just awesome to see him finish first this time.” As Gerwick looks towards to nex t season, he will have to replace the talents of his son Gavin, Luke Henson, Layla Faysal and Paityn Smith but has a solid core returning for the 2023 season. “I’ve got high expectations for the nex t few years,” Gerwick said.

breaststroke (59.56). The State Championships come after a run of second-place finishes in his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. “ This was his year,” Gerwick said. “He’s worked so hard for four years and he rose to the occasion. He’s never gotten to stand at the top of the podium, and he was just hoping to do it in one event . He couldn’ t be

It was awesome.” On the boys’ side, the team finished four th overall with a score of 170.5 with just five swimmers competing. “All of the boys really stepped up,” Gerwick said. Senior Gavin Gerwick , who is Billy ’s son, led the charge for the boys as he swam to a pair of individual titles. Gavin took gold in the 200-yard individual medley (1:57.13) and the 100-yard

IT WAS A BANNER YEAR IN THE POOL FOR THE LEGACY PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY. The girls brought home their first-ever team State Title, scoring an amazing 300 points in February at the TAPPS State Swimming Meet . “ The girls were just overjoyed because they had worked so hard,” LPCA swim coach Billy Gerwick said. “ They relished the moment .

FULL RESULTS – G I RLS YARD FREESTLYE Janey Leiker (State Runner-Up) – 2:01.59 Layal Faysal (8th) – 2:27.05 Sydney Crane (13th) – 2:35.22 YARD I ND I V I DUAL MEDLE Y Serenity Stepanik (5th) – 2:28.97 Libby Haglin (9th) – 2:59.75 YARD FREEST YLE Emily Tomlinson (State Runner-Up) – 26.29 Paityn Smith (10th) – 29.09 YARD BUT TERFLY Janey Leiker (3rd) – 1:01.42 Hannah Bryant (5th) – 1:05.32 YARD FREEST YLE Hannah Bryant (State Runner-Up) – 58.89 Layla Faysal (8th) – 1:04.41 Paityn Smith (12th) – 1:06.29 YARD BACKSTROKE \ Serenity Stepanik (State Runner-Up) – 1:06.33 Sydney Crane (10th) – 1:18.10 YARD BRE ASTSTROKE Emily Tomlinson (State Runner-Up) – 1:11.26 FULL RESULTS – BOYS YARD BUT TERFLY Gage Gerwick (12th) – 1:11.27 YARD BACKSTROKE Gage Gerwick (14th) – 1:13.04 YARD BRE ASTSTROKE Gavin Gerwick (State Champion) – 59.56

[Back Row]: Gavin Gerwick, Matt Foust, Serenity Stepanik and Gage Gerwick; [Front Row]: Hannah Grace Bryant, Luke Henson, Layla Faysal, Charlie Kerr, Paityn Smith and Malcolm Kerr

Gavin Gerwick

Rowan Stepanik (8th) – 1:14.66 Luke Henson (10th) – 1:16.44

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Paityn Smith

Malcolm Kerr

Charlie Kerr

Brennan Clark

Maddie & Molly Steed

T H E L I ONS T OOK T O T H E SW I MM I NG P OO L AND H ARDWOOD T H I S W I N T E R AND C AME AWA Y W I T H SOME S E R I OUS H ARDWAR E . T H E G I R LS SW I M T E AM WON T AP P S S T A T E AND T H E G I R LS BA S K E T BA L L T E AM ADVANC E D T O T H E S T A T E F I N A L GAME . H E R E AR E T H E H E AD L I N E RS WHO H E A T E D U P T H E L I ON ’ S D E N DUR I NG T H E W I N T E R . I N T HE DEN W I NT E R

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David May

Brennan Clark

Zoe Brieger

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Greg Merino

MK Kloesel

Luke Henson

Georgia Freeman

Conner Wilson

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Gage Gerwick

Serenity Stepanik

Dalton White

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Legacy Prep Christian Academy

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CA L L C U RTA I N

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h L E GA C Y PR E P T H E A T R E PROGR AM BOOM I NG I N S E V E N T H Y E AR

Wonderland in April of 2015 in the gym. “I just kind of posted flyers, bought the rights to the show and attempted to have auditions and cast people,” Evans said. “I was doing my best to get everything done in about two weeks … This mom stepped up and asked if she could costume the show and then my husband and I found some cardboard that we spray painted for backdrops. It was definitely a first production, but the kids

lot like family,” Evans said. “Fellowship is what we’re all about . “I think it is always shocking to people when they see someone who is shy and get up on stage and just own it . When you have someone who goes through years and years of theatre and maybe they do or don’ t have natural talent , but they put in the work , it is really gratifying to see how much someone can grow even over one show.” Along with the students

did an awesome job and it went really well.” Out of that first show, which included 15 cast members and three crew members with one showing, FOIL — Fellowship of Inspired Lions — was birthed. In April , FOIL closed their most recent and 14th show of Getting to Know … Cinderella which had four showings, 41 cast members and 25 crew members. “My favorite par t of all of our shows is the cast and parents star t to feel a

WHEN KATIE EVANS ARRIVED ON CAMPUS AT LEGACY PREP UPON OPENING, SHE CAME TO BE AN ENGLISH AND SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER. As the school grew, Evans saw a need for the students. “I felt divinely inspired to star t a theatre ar ts program,” Evans said. “I went to my principal the nex t day and asked if I could put on a play. She said yes.” Evans, who was in a few shows during high school , decided they would put on a one-act show of Alice in

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every playbill for their shows and hung them in the hallway. “It was the first time I’ve ever seen the whole body of work in one place and that was a really cool feeling,” Evans said. So, what ’s nex t? Evans and the FOIL program plan to do 101 Dalmatians Kids this summer for the first ever FOIL summer camp with 38 campers and 10 older FOIL students as counselors. In Fall of 2022 , they plan to do a murder mystery dinner theater and/or TAPPS One Act Play competition. In the Spring of 2023, it will be Lion King Jr . to close out the year.

who act out on the stage, the crew members play a vital role to the success of the show as well including a creation crew, costume crew, backstage crew and a lights operator. “We have a phenomenal crew,” Evans said. “We star ted out with a handful of kids who would show up on the day of the show helping us prop. We’ve grown.” Over the years, the program has done shows like Bye, Bye Birdie ; High School Musical Jr. ; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe ; The Wizard of Oz and Annie Jr . Following the closing of their 2022 spring show, Evans went and framed

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\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h S PR I NG WRAP TRACK & F I ELD L E G A C Y P R E P MEN AND WOMEN ’S TRACK & F I ELD TEAMS F INI SH AS STATE RUNNER-UPS

The headliner for the boys was Luke Sigler, who competed in the high jump and long jump. Sigler defended his 2021 TAPPS State Championship in the high jump, clearing 6-feet-2 inches. In the long jump he reached 20-feet-7.50-inches to claim bronze. “Luke is just a gamer,” Morrow said. “He worked hard throughout the year.” Car ter Hutton also turned in big per formances in all three distance races for the Lions. Hutton ran his “best race of the year ” in the 800-meter finishing in second with a school record time of 2:00.49. Hutton finished fifth in the 1600-meter (4:41.79) and four th in the 3200-meter (10:23.63). Other key per formances for the boys came from Chase Carrico and Luke Henson, finishing third (15.99) and four th (16.14) in the 110-meter hurdles, respectively. Henson took four th in the 300-meter hurdles (41.61) and Aidan Rivers took six th in the 1600-meter race (4:44.70). In the relays, the boys took fifth in the 4x100 (44.17), six th in the 4x200 (1:33.24) and eighth in the 4x400 (3:38.89).

team in the fall , took home the state crown in the 1600-meter race (5:34.08) and the 3200-meter race (12:16.96). She also took silver in the 400-meter dash (1:01.65). “She’s phenomenal ,” Morrow said. “She’s our team leader.” Another key per formance came from the girls 4x400 meter relay. The combination of Mary Wittmer, Layla Faysal , Molly Steed and Julianne Carr posted a time of 4:12 .15 and finished as State Champions. Other state per formances included Josie Jones taking fifth in the 200-meter dash 300-meter hurdles (54.54), Wittmer taking silver in the 800-meter (2:28.63) and Carr placing four th (2:30.08) in the same race, Steed placing eighth in the long jump (14-feet-10.75-inches) and McNeil taking seventh in the pole vault (9-feet). The girls 4x100-meter relay team took six th (52 .49) and the 4x200 meter squad took four th (1:50.80). On the boys’ side, the second-place finish as a team is the best in program history. (27.46), Sydney McNeil placing eighth in the

“I couldn’ t be prouder

MICHAEL MORROW DOESN’T SUGARCOAT HIS EXPECTATIONS WITH HIS LEGACY PREP TRACK & FIELD TEAMS. After the boys and girls teams each finished fifth overall at the 2021 TAPPS State Track & Field State Meet , Morrow put the pressure on the squads in the offseason and this spring to improve. At the beginning of May, a year ’s wor th of work and “believing in the vision” came to fruition as the Legacy Prep girls team finished as the TAPPS 4A State Runner-Ups with 85 points and the boys did the same with 68 points.

of a group right now,” Morrow said. “It ’s still kind of unbelievable that we did so well. It means so much to me to see the belief and the faith. At the 2022 TAPPS State Track & Field Meet , Legacy Prep added to their record breaking season with seven more school records dropped. In the entirety of the season, the Lions broke school records in every event except for three. For the girls’ side, Charlotte Freeman, who was the best runner on the Legacy Prep State Championship Cross Country

Carter Hutton, Livy Jackson, Layla Faysal, Brennan Clark and Bishop Moorman

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BASEBALL

L P C A MAK E S P L A YO F F S , W I NS F I RS T P L A YO F F GAME S I NC E 2 0 1 9

load of our pitching staff.” Legacy Prep wrapped up the season in the Area Round, falling to Bay Area Christian.

up this year as star ters to eat up some innings to give us a chance in most of our games,” Loria said. “ Those two guys have carried the

players on the 2022 roster. At the dish, the Lions were led by Ross Donaldson, who hit .451 with 28 RBIs on 13 doubles, three triples and two home runs, and Ian McCraray (.433, 16 RBIS, 9 2Bs). Other key contributors included Wyatt Francis (.365, 20 RBIs, 3 HR), Sutton Moyer (.349, 30 RBIs, 6 2Bs), Asher Abrahams (.269, 17 RBIs), Charlie Fray (.298, 16 RBIs) and Aiden Bailey (.241, 13 RBIs). On the mound, Francis was the Lions top pitcher with 61 strikeouts in 43 innings. Donaldson posted a 5-2 mark on the mound with a 3.00 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings. “ They ’ve really stepped

THE LIONS’ BASEBALL TEAM ROARED IN ON THE DIAMOND. Under the tutelage of LPCA first-year coach Thomas Loria, Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy baseball made the TAPPS Division III playoffs. Once there, LPCA defeated San Antonio Lutheran to be crowned Bi-District Champions. “We did it in different ways this season,” Loria said. “We’ve done it with pitching and defense some nights. We’ve done it with offense some nights and with both on some nights. We’ve been consistent .” It was the Lions’ first playoff victory since 2019 despite only carrying 12

Wyatt Francis, Ian McCraray and Ross Donaldson

GOLF

LIONS ADVANCE BOYS’ TEAM, GIRL INDIVIDUAL TO TAPPS STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT

97) and Jackson Edwards hit a 206 (102 , 104) rounded out the LPCA golf team. On the girls’ side, Brooke Corley – who is also a volleyball player and cheerleader at LPCA – had a banner season. Corley finished four th at the Regional golf tournament Corley, who just star ted playing golf competitively in February, shot a 203 (100, 103) to finish 13th overall , which is a remarkable finish after she star ted the year averaging a 130 per round. “She’s got a bright future ahead of her,” McDonald said. “She’s just a competitor.” to punch her ticket to the TAPPS State Golf Tournament .

program history. “Was proud of the way our guys did,” LPCA golf coach Clint McDonald said. “I explained to them that this is the first time the boys team has been to State in Legacy ’s history, so that ’s something to be proud of.” Aiden Wright finished in a tie for first place overall and fell in a two-hole playoff to take silver. Wright shot a 7 1 and 75 for the two-day tournament . “Considering the conditions, I think it was some of the best golf he’s played all year long,” McDonald said. Ben Paylor finished fifth overall (78—74, 152), Mark Wyrick shot a 159 (82 , 77), Isaac Davis shot a 192 (95,

par ticularly outstanding. The Lions drove, putted, and chipped their way to the District Championship in April and then went on to finish second at the TAPPS South Regional golf tournament to punch their ticket to State. At the TAPPS State Golf

Mark Wyrick, Brooke Corley and Berkley Jones

IT WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR THE LEGACY PREP LIONS OUT ON THE LINKS. The boys golf team was

Tournament , the Legacy Prep boys golf squad took second place overall with a score of 649 for the best finish in

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Layla Faysal

Berkley Jones

Mark Wyrick

Wyatt Francis

A T L E GA C Y PR E P , T H E S PR I NG BR I NGS T H E F I N A L S P OR T S O F T H E Y E AR T O F RU I T I ON . W I T H BA S E BA L L , GO L F AND T R A C K AND F I E LD , T H E L I ONS LOOK E D T O C LOS E OU T T H E 2 02 1 -2 02 2 Y E AR W I T H A BANG AND SOME H ARDWAR E ! ME E T T H E S T ARS O F T H E S PR I NG . POWER S P R I N G S TA R

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Berkley Jones & Brooke Corley

Ian McCraray

Carter Hutton

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Ross Donaldson

Brennan Clark

Bishop Moorman

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Livy Jackson & Layla Faysal

Brooke Corley

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Legacy Prep Lions SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CAMP:

WHEN: JUNE 14-16 | WHERE: 9768 RESEARCH FOREST THE WOODLANDS, TX 77354 AGES: 8-10 & 1-13 | REGISTRATION FEE: $125 FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO REGISTER , EMAIL COACH TURNER: ATURNER@LEGACYPA.ORG

& IPSUM

LEGACY PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY FOOTBALL CAMP

WHEN: JUNE 20-23 | WHERE: 9768 RESEARCH FOREST THE WOODLANDS, TX 77354 AGES: INCOMING 4RD-9TH GRADE | REGISTRATION FEE: $100 | TIME: 6PM-8PM

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO LEGACY PREP AND TURN INTO SCHOOL OR MAIL TO CLINT MCDONALD 14223 GLACIERBAY CT. CONROE TEXAS 77384

DEFEND THE PRIDE

www.bc-hou.com

Brayton is proud to RISE UP and partner with LPCA. GO LIONS!