BOOSTER CLUB REMINDER: We want to remind you that one of the Booster Club Scholarship eligibility requirements is that parents of the student be a member of the Booster Club for each high-school year the student attends Faith West Academy. The cut off for 2009 – 2010 membership is February 1, 2010.

You can either print off the form from the FWA Booster Club Spirit website (http://www.videominutes.com/catalog) and drop by the etcetera office or fill out the form and pay online at the same website.

Thank you for supporting our FWA Athletes. If you have any questions, please contact the Booster Club at boosterclub@faithwest.org.

Go EAGLES!!

Calling all Flappers!

Faith West Academy Performing Arts will present the Tony Award-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, with performances at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 15th; and Saturday, January16th; and a special matinee performance at 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 17th at the Faith West Academy Auditorium, 2225 Porter Road.

Travel with Millie, played by sophomore Abby Munton, as she searches for a new life in 1922 New York City. It’s crazy fun, it’s frisky flappers, and it’s Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Tickets are $10 general admission for all performances. For more information call (281) 391-5433 or go to www.faithwest.org.

This past Friday, January 8th, we had our first annual Varsity Fall Sports Celebration and Auction. We had an incredible response and had over 150 individuals in attendance. Thank you so much for your participation and support of our athletes. As a result we were able to raise $9,100 to support our FWA Sports Program.

In efforts to improve this event we ask you to take the time to comment on a few questions. The link attached below is to a FWA Sports Blog page with a few questions. Please help us improve by answering the questions and comments.

SportsBlog (http://www.videominutes.com/fwablog/?page_id=877)

Again, thank you so much.

Your FWA Booster Club

This year is the 1ST year a soccer program has been offered at Faith West. We had 22 students on our first team ever, what a great show of support.

The team’s first home game is this Tuesday (Dec 8th) at 4pm located at the Katy Youth Soccer Field. We are looking forward to offering soccer again next year with an even bigger show of support.

We are amazed as we see God’s blessing on each and every facet of establishing this team.

Go EAGLES!

Stephenie Jordan – Basketball Coach – Stephenie Jordan earned her bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State) with a minor in physical education. There she earned varsity letters in volleyball and track and field and was a two-time Southland Conference Champion in the heptathlon. As of 2009, she is still the school record holder in the event. Before attending SWTSU, she was recruited to Western Illinois University as a freshman pentathlete/heptathlete and earned All-Conference honors in the javelin in the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference. She also earned a varsity letter for volleyball at WIU.During her high school athletic career, Jordan was a varsity letterman in volleyball, basketball, tennis, and track & field at O’Fallon Township High School. She qualified for the state track meet in the discus, 300m hurdles and 1600 m relay, played on the number one doubles team in tennis, and was Athlete of the Year in 1987.

Jordan began her coaching career in the summer of 1991 at Camp Ozark, where she was the head coach for all team competitions and later became the girls’ sports director in 1993. Her first teaching job was at Bellville High School, in Bellville, Texas where she coached 64 girls in the seventh grade. The following two years, she assisted the varsity Bellville High School Brahmanette volleyball team to a 3A state title in 1993 and to the state finals in 1994. Also at Bellville, Stephenie was the JV volleyball coach, the JV basketball coach, an assistant varsity track coach, the JV cheerleading sponsor, and director of the FCA. She was also the tournament director of the 47th Annual Brahmanette Basketball tournament and helped supervised the Little Dribbler’s program.

After her marriage to J.D. in 1994, the both accepted teaching and coaching positions in Arp, Texas. Jordan was the head track coach when 14 of 16 girls qualified beyond the district meet. In addition, she assisted the volleyball team as the advanced to the area finals, coached the JV and freshman volleyball teams, and again sponsored the FCA.

The following year, J.D. became the Defensive Coordinator at Garrison High School, so she and her family moved to Garrison, Texas. There, she became the first softball coach at Garrison High School. After starting the program, the team went 8-4 and played in the first round of the playoffs. She also coached the junior high girls’ basketball teams, assisted the varsity team, was the boy’s and girl’s cross country coach, directed the Little Dribbler’s program for two years, coached two high jumpers to the regional finals, and sponsored the FCA. During her time at Garrison, Stephenie had their first child, Scott, and decided to quit teaching and coaching to be a stay-home-mom.

While at home, she authored five published coaching books entitled Developing a Successful Girls’ and Women’s Basketball Program, Developing a Successful Volleyball Program, Developing a Successful Softball Program, Developing a Successful Soccer Program, and Developing a Successful Cross Country Program.

Stephenie came on staff at FWA after the start of the 2008-2009 school year and teaches Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus. She and her husband, J.D., have a son, Scott, and a daughter, Rebekah, who both attend Faith West Academy.

The cross country Eagle’s Team participated in the TAPPS High School State Championship held in Waco, Texas. Many of our runners started a quest at the beginning of the season wondering what they had gotten themselves into and if they Could finish a race. Well… THEY DID! And they did a GREAT JOB! The course was a tough course and it was something our kids were not use to. This course also had a hills that seem to never stop.

Because to the amount of rain Waco has had TAPPS did not allow us to run the course on Friday. The kids went into the race with a big disadvantage. But you know what, all of these obstacles is what cross country is all about. We had one athlete give us his best time in a 5K, we had two girls run in the 15 minute range, and everyone finished the race. The best part was having our own cheer squad. Our fans/ families are the best. All in all, the kids had FUN!

By FUN, I mean, getting lost for an hour before dinner, finally getting to the restaurant and waiting another hour to eat because of the shortage of plates, stopping in the wrong town for ice cream, seeing my DQ Blizzard fall on the counter when the clerk was holding it upside down, and singing country songs. Life could not get any better.

I look forward to next year with great anticipation and excitement.

Sandy Brown, Cross Country Coach

There are several exciting events going on this week in preparation for Friday Night’s Homecoming Football Game against Galveston O’Connell.  All week long there are special dress days that ALL students can participate in.   The cheerleaders will provide plenty of excitement and spirit.

Thursday, is a special Spirit Rally beginning at 6:00p which will culminate with a bonfire.  Advance reservations can be made for a BBQ Dinner or feel free to bring your own.  The elementary students will be participating in a punt, pass, kick contest.  Also, there will be moonwalks for the elementary age students.

Friday will be the Homecoming game at the Faith West.  A special Homecoming Program is being prepared and you can purchase a “Shoutout” to your special student.  Please complete the form and return to the ETC. no later than this afternoon (10/5).

If you have any questions, please contact a Heather Laird (thelairds05@sbcglobal.net , Cheerleading coach) or one of your Booster Club Officers (boosterclub@faithwest.org).

Come prepare for a very exciting week loaded with Eagle Spirit.

The FWA Homecoming celebration is almost here.  The FWA Cheerleaders have organized a celebration and Eagle Spirit built up all week in preparation for our Homecoming Varsity Football Game against Galveston O’Connell’s Buccaneers.  Each day of Homecoming week students can participate in specific Dress Days.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, beginning at 6:00pm we will have a Spirit Rally complete with tailgating, dinner and a bonfire.  Advance BBQ dinner reservations can be made for $6.00/person.  In the alternative you can bring your own picnic dinner.  There will be games and tons of fun.  We will top of the night with a spirit bonfire.  ALL STUDENTS are welcomed.  Dinner reservations can be made at the ETC office, Eagles Nest or by contacting the Cheerleaders or Booster Club (boosterclub@faithwest.org)

Please join the FWA Cross Country Team and Varsity Cheerleaders by participating in the 2009 Komen Houston Race for the Cure® Saturday, October 3, 2009, Sam Houston Park Downtown.

This will be a time to participate with other students and parents for a great cause and a lot of fun. Details are shown on the attached flyer.

Register online (2009 Komen Race) under the Faith West Team. On line registration ends on September 27th @ 9:00pm.

Hope to see you there!

Faith West Academy, located at 2225 Porter Road in Katy, will host its Annual Community Open House on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Faith West Academy is an accredited, inter-denominational, private Christian school that started educating youth in 1982. Faith West Academy offers a strong core curriculum for Preschool (age 3) through 12th grade. Accelerated courses are offered for 7th -12th grade students.

A competitive athletic program, under TAPPS accreditation, is available for our high school students, as well as performing & visual arts, choir, band, and cheerleading.

For information, please contact FWA at 281-391-5683 x229 or visit our website at www.faithwest.org

Stephenie Jordan – Basketball Coach – Stephenie Jordan earned her bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State) with a minor in physical education. There she earned varsity letters in volleyball and track and field and was a two-time Southland Conference Champion in the heptathlon. As of 2009, she is still the school record holder in the event. Before attending SWTSU, she was recruited to Western Illinois University as a freshman pentathlete/heptathlete and earned All-Conference honors in the javelin in the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference. She also earned a varsity letter for volleyball at WIU.

The Varsity Eagles lined up against The Woodlands Warriors Friday night, Oct. 23 in The Woodlands. It was a chilly night, on a rain soaked field. This setting just served to fuel the already eager Eagles. Early into the 1st quarter the Eagles put 7 points on the board with a pass from Clayton Holmes to Bryce Starks. From that point on the Eagles put points on the board every quarter. With clock like precision, Justus Arnsmeyer added 4 points, never missing an extra point kick the entire game. Everything clicked for the Eagles.

At the expiration of time, the Eagles were victorious, with a final score of Eagles 35 – Warriors 18.

Next Game is Saturday, Nov 7 in Beaumont at 2:00pm, when the Eagles will face Beaumont Legacy Christian Academy.

Go EAGLES!

If you were not there to see it, you missed the match of the season!  Monday, October 5, your Lady Eagle Varisty Volleyball team played host to the visiting Rosehill Eagles for a district match.  The Rosehill Eagles had a preseason ranking of 12th for small school statewide.  On Sept 18, FWA won their first match-up.
 
The first set was hard fought with the lead changing back and forth several times.   FWA played well but lost their lead late in the game and lost the first set 24-26.  The second match was a blow-out.  FWA Lady Eagles lost their focus and could not get a rally going at all.  They lost this set 11-25.  A lesser team might have folded but the FWA Lady Eagles came back swinging and were able to win the match in the three remaining sets, 25-19, 26-24, and 15-6.
 
Your FWA Lady Eagles are now 6-0 in district play and in sole possession of first place.  Way to go Eagles!!!
 
Next up for the Lady Eagles – Thursday, October 8 they travel to St. Thomas Episcopal.  Game time 6:00.

On Friday and Saturday, September 25 & 26, The Lady Eagles Varsity Volleyball team participated in the a tournament hosted by Living Stones Christian School in Alvin, Texas.

This is a large tournament and draws teams from all over Texas, many of them large volleyball powerhouses. The Lady Eagles finished first in their pool on Friday, which placed them in the Platinum Bracket, the “Cream of the Crop!” After many hard fought matches, the Lady Eagles finished in 5th place of the entire tournament. Coach Tara Montgomery was pleased that the girls got to face such tough teams, and feels they will be more prepared on their march to State!!

On Tuesday, September 27, the Lady Eagles Varsity Volleyball team competed in a non-district home match against the HCYA Lady Eagles. This friendly match turned out to be really tough and it took the Faith West Lady Eagles 5 sets to take HCYA down, Lady Eagles, winning 3 sets to 2.

On Wednesday, September 28, The Woodlands Christian School traveled to our own gym for a district match. The first set was a struggle, but the Lady Eagles were able to win the entire match in three straight sets; 25-23, 25-15, 25-19. The Faith West Lady Eagles Varsity Volleyball team is now 5-0 in district play!

Next up, the Lady Eagles take on Baytown Christian at home in a non-district match on Thursday, October 1. Game time 5:30. Come and support your Lady Eagles!

Go Eagles.

The Lady Eagles Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Cypress Christian School on Tuesday, September 22.  This was to be their toughest district match to date. The Lady Eagles were pumped and ready to take on the challenge.

In the first set, the Lady Eagles took some time to gain their momentum, but were able to take the lead and win.  The second set was incredibly tough.  Cypress would not go down easily, the Warriors taking the lead several times.  After several set points for both teams, the Lady Eagles came out ahead.  The third set was not a slam dunk.  After losing the lead, the Lady Eagles came back late in the game for another win.

Lady Eagles win in three straight sets; 25-10, 30-28, 25-23.

The Lady Eagles would like to thank all their fans for traveling to the game to cheer them on to victory.  Your support is very important to us!!!

Lady Eagles now 4-0-0 in district play.

Next up for Lady Eagles: Living Stones Tournament Friday and Saturday.

Next week: three home games!!!

Monday v HCYA 6:30
Tuesday v The Woodlands  6:30
Wednesday v Baytown Christian 5:30

Come and cheer for your Lady Eagles!!

Heather Laird – Varsity Cheer Coach

 Heather is a graduate of Georgetown High School. Her senior year as Varsity cheerleader, she was awarded by the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) the All-American Award. Upon graduation, she attended Texas Tech University—GUNS UP!

Heather was a part of the Red Raider Cheer Squad her Junior & Senior years and received NCA Collegiate All-American her senior year. She married her college sweetheart, Trey Laird, in 1994 and graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Exercise Physiology in 1995.

Upon getting her degree, Heather worked in Cardiac Rehab and Exercise Prescription and continued coaching gymnastics in the evenings. After a short time in the real world, she soon found out that her passion was in working with kids not adults.