September 2025
Volume X • Issue I
friends of veritas academy
Dear Friends,
Summer has officially come to a close, and our campus is buzzing once again with excitement and glee as we step into a new school year. On Monday, August 18, we launched the 2025–2026 year, and since then students have been enjoying new campus features, continuing beloved traditions, and filling every space with joy. We’re excited to share some of these moments with you in this first edition of the Friends of Veritas Newsletter, Volume X. Many blessings to you and your family as we begin another wonderful year together—we’re so grateful you’re part of the Veritas community!
-Your Veritas Family
Celebrating Milestones Past, Present, and Future
Celebrating the 2024-2025 School Year
The last day of school and assembly were memorable for many reasons, including a breezy and joyful change of scenery as we moved our annual gathering from the Meadow to the Upper Grammar School Village and stage—nestled under our big, beautiful trees—due to the exciting progress on Carpe Unitas construction.
Our student body was treated to a special final performance by the 2024-2025 Troubadours, who also announced their new quartet for this school year. We had the joy of honoring faculty, staff, and families celebrating milestone anniversaries, recognizing their faithful years of service and lasting impact on our community. We also celebrated our 2024–2025 Most Influential Teachers—exceptional educators who continue to shape the hearts and minds of their students with wisdom, creativity, and care. To conclude our assembly, we awarded the House of Francis the House cup and came together to enjoy some refreshingly tasty popsicles!
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Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony
We wrapped up our 20th year with our Class of 2025 Graduation. Congratulations to the entire 39-student class on their accomplishments at Veritas Academy! To watch how special the evening was, please see a ceremony recording below, with special honors confirmed at the following times:
- Senior Thesis Laureate:
- Finnley Smitheal (14:39)
- National Merit Scholars:
- Caleb Blythe, Will Gengler, Josh Henselman, Finnley Smitheal (17:08)
- Salutatorian:
- Nick Eisenbarth and Will Gengler (18:50)
- Valedictorian:
- Josh Henselman and Isaac Zimel (19:46)
- Veritas Valiant:
- Caleb Blythe (31:27)
We invite you to join us in prayer as they begin this new season!
2025 Veritas Valiant Grant Designated to Ethnos360
Caleb Blythe, the 2025 Veritas Valiant Recipient pictured below with Mr. Cook, designated his grant to Ethnos360, an organization whose mission is to evangelize unreached people groups, translate the Scriptures and see indigenous churches established that glorify God. Caleb chose Ethnos360 because of his experience growing up in the jungles of Indonesia. The missionaries that will be supported by this Valiant Grant designation have sacrificed much to share the gospel with others and have been personal examples to him of trusting God through prayer and service. After prayerful consideration, Caleb has asked to split the award between three translation and literacy projects in the Asia/Pacific (Indonesia) region:
- Nagi tribe.
- Kora tribe
- Elsengg tribe
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2025 Vision Address & Thematic Goal
Due to the exciting campus construction happening over the summer, our annual Paideia Conference took place off-site at Bannockburn Church. There, Head of School Cameron Cook spoke to the entire community of parents and faculty/staff as he cast a vision for the 2025 school year's Thematic Goal: Rooted in Partnership. Family Discipleship. The school-family partnership that is both unique and essential to Veritas is built on parents being primary but not solitary—and specifically, the primary disciplers. This holy calling is something special and sacred so our goal this year is to help equip our parents and families to do and encourage and support them in the ways they are already doing so.
Similarly to how parents must evaluate the current phase of their involvement and where their children are on the path towards growing as a good, wise, and virtuous young man or woman of faith (see the Path & Portrait of a Defender), we have been evaluating how we are creating an environment on campus and in the classroom that supports the same growth. Some of our initiatives have included:
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Technology & On-Campus Devices: In alignment with House Bill 1481, Veritas began prohibit student use of personal devices (including cell phones) during school hours, helping students stay present in academics and friendships while encouraging families to set healthy technology practices at home.
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Student Freedom & Supervision: A new handbook section outlines expectations and age-appropriate freedoms on our 97-acre campus, ensuring students can mature in responsibility while enjoying the gift of our University-Model School environment.
He concluded by reminding our community as they walk in this calling, we are here to support, encourage, and equip each other. No matter what phase of co-teaching, guiding, or mentoring, our involvement and time with your children/family and our students is key to their discipleship and success at Veritas and beyond. We are pressing in this year and continuing to sow those seeds!
The Start of the 2025-2026 School Year
Each new school year at Veritas is another chapter in a story rich with God’s grace and blessings, a story we have been celebrating for many years. While we reflect on the countless ways He has provided for our community, we now return with renewed focus—honing in on timeless truths, encouraging one another, and supporting students and families more fully than ever. Through our collaborative model, which blends professional instruction with parent-mentored study and discipleship, we have the privilege of guiding students to grow in genuine faith, godly character, and excellence in academics and workmanship, all for the glory of Jesus Christ.
For the 2025-2026 school year, we are humbled and honored to have 675 students filling our PreSchool-12th Grade classrooms and 387 families to partner with on this journey. From Paideia Week to Cheers and Tears, to the annual Kindergarten reading of Oh, The Places You'll Go, to fall sports —there is always something special to enjoy. We are grateful to those who paved the way before us, and we celebrate our current Defenders who carry the baton forward—passing on our faith, cherishing family time, and embracing challenges together for the glory of God. We remain richly blessed by the Lord and eagerly anticipate all that He has planned for this school year!
Leadership Additions & Overview
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Carpe Unitas: A Place to Come Together
After much planning and praying—and the exciting progress of sitework this past spring and summer—Veritas is officially launching our community-wide capital campaign for Carpe Unitas: A Place to Come Together on Friday, October 3. We will spend five weeks intentionally learning about and prayerfully considering our gifts to help fulfill the project vision, which aims to create a central gathering place where our community can come together to thrive through collaboration and connection. The full project encompasses a “village” of buildings for indoor athletics, performing arts, and community fellowship, centered around an open agora in the heart of campus. The first building—and focus of our current fundraising—is a gym and event space.
Special Grandparent In-Home Gathering
Hosted by Rebecca and John Donovan
SUN, OCT 5, FROM 2-3:30PM
We have been enjoying the opportunity to connect with many of our families over the last several weeks at in-home gatherings! Our next gathering will be held Sun, Oct 5, at 2pm, and will be specifically for the grandparents in our community. We hope to see them there! If you have any questions, or if you RSVP but are no longer to attend, please contact Betsy Cromer.
Fall Roundup is Friday!
Fri, Oct 3, at 4:30-6:30pm | Heritage Oak & Meadow
We are close to officially “rounding up” our community at our annual Fall Roundup! Plan to bring your picnic blanket/camp chairs and head down to the Meadow for a pre-game event the whole family will love with music, treats, photo ops, booths, and yes—the infamous cakewalk! Think of it as the best way to tailgate before settling in and cheering on our Defenders.
Then, stick around and join us at 7pm at Defender Stadium for the Varsity football game, special performances, and events to include:
- Community-wide launch of Carpe Unitas at 6:30pm in the Meadow. (Cool treat to mark this special occasion!)
- Kick Off at 7pm on Defender Field
- Mini BlueBelles Camp Performance at Halftime on Defender Field
Submit Your Current Contact Info
In an effort to update our contact information for the Friends of Veritas Newsletter and to share future Carpe Unitas opportunities, we are asking our entire alumni and grandparent community to please fill out the form below and enter your name, email, and mailing address.
ZipCast (Our Weekly Veritas Podcast) 2.0 is Here!
text VATX to (833) 409-4823 to sign up today
Our Paideia 2024 Guest Speakers, Davies Owens and Keith McCurdy, launched a podcast that year that combines Veritas with outside tools and resources. We’re elated to say we have kicked off our second year of partnering to keep our Defender community informed and encouraged through this unique platform and have something new and exciting to share! We are now recording our News and Announcements section in-house, so listen out in the coming weeks for some special guest appearances by some of our faculty/staff!
Each ZipCast (short ~10-minute podcast) includes:
- School News and Key Announcements
- A Joke of the Day
- Because You Asked - answers to real parent questions
- Word of the Week- texting back the word of the week enters you in a gift card giveaway
- Parenting Tips - practical advice for home life from experts like Keith McCurdy (Paideia 2024 Keynote Speaker)
- Short Scripture - with discussion questions for your kids
There are no apps to download—just text VATX to (833) 409-4823 to sign up and click play when the ZipCast hits your phone every Monday morning.
Join us in Memorizing Scripture
This school year, students are memorizing Psalm 139:7-16, Isaiah 53:1-7, and Ephesians 2:1-10 from the English Standard Version (ESV). The goal of this exercise is to hide God’s word in our hearts, reflect upon these truths, and converse among our families. Join us in this important discipline and opportunity!
National Merit Commended Scholars in the Class of '26
We are proud to announce our National Merit Scholarship Commended Students for the '25-'26 School Year. Congratulations to Abigail Bush, Lucas Erb, and Julia Rhodes for this remarkable achievement. Each year ,high school juniors take the Preliminary PSAT/NMSQT exam in October. This year, 34,000 students in the nation earned the Commended Student Recognition. We want to congratulate our students for achieving this accomplishment.
Classic Learning Test (CLT) 10 National Award Winner
We are also proud to announce that Ezra Blythe is a CLT 10 National Award Winner. Ezra is one of only 50 scholars nationwide to earn this, placing him in the top 1% of students who took the CLT 10 last year. Congratulations on this accomplishment, Ezra!
Athletics Calendars & Tips
Defender Athletes would love to invite you to cheer them on throughout the year! Please see all athletic schedules below and contact your athlete directly for additional game details. General “home game” details are included below. Go Defenders!
JV & Varsity Schedules 5th-8th Grade Schedules
Reminder: We are Cashless so Purchase your Tickets BEFORE the Game!
All ticket and concession sales are cashless. Use the link below to purchase tickets for upcoming home games to prevent longer wait times at the gate!
Purchase Ticket(s) for Upcoming Home Games
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Admission for Football Games: Homes Games @ Defender Field Adults: $6 |
Admission for Volleyball Games: Home Games @ Central Texas Fieldhouse in Buda Adults: $5 |
NEW Rooted Family Pass
In lieu of purchasing tickets for just this game, you can take advantage of our NEW Rooted Family Pass, created for your convenience, giving you admission for all family members to any Veritas home game in the 2025-26 seasons (except for playoff games).
Week 6 Football at Home
The action never stops in athletics! We will follow up Homecoming Week festivities with five home football games in week 6! Come out Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday night of Fall Round Up week to celebrate one of the essential Fall F’s: Football!
- Silver Tackle Football vs San Marcos: Tue, Sep 30, at 5pm
- Silver Flag Football vs St. Theresa’s: Tue, Sep 30, at 6:30pm
- Blue Flag Football vs St. Theresa’s: Tue, Sep 30, at 7:30pm
- Blue Tackle Football vs Summit: Thu, Oct 2, at 6pm
- Varsity Football vs Coram Deo: Fri, Oct 3, at 7pm
Come Work at Veritas!
Would you or someone you know be interested in joining the team? A love of the Lord, a love of children, and support of our mission are a must! Please visit our Employment page to see a complete list of current openings and contact HR@VeritasAcademy.net for more details. (Most openings are part-time!)
Give to Veritas
Veritas is so blessed by those who feel called to donate to our school, and you can give any time using the link below! All donations are tax-deductible and help us fulfill and further the mission and ministry of the entire school. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Development@VeritasAcademy.net.
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