2023-2024 Friends of Veritas Newsletter Archives
May 2024 Friends of Veritas
May 2024
Volume VIII • Issue III
friends of veritas academy
Dear Friends,
As we embrace this final stretch of the 2023-2024 school year, it is with great joy that we reconnect to share our semester happenings around Veritas. Since the last newsletter, our winter athletes have been victorious, our students have showcased their fine arts skills, we have served together as a community across Austin, and much more! We invite you to join us for our end of school year events and celebrations. We have a few spring traditions & events over the next couple of weeks, including our Spring Alumni reception, End of School year assembly, and the Class of 2024 Graduation. Hope to see some of you soon!
-Your Veritas Family
Quick Navigation
Spring Alumni Event
WED, MAY 15 @ 12-3PM | LYCEUM
Calling all Veritas Alumni! We are welcoming all alumni who will be returning home from college (and those who are still local) to a reception in the Lyceum TOMORROW Wed, May 15, from 12-3pm. Pizza and drinks will be provided! We are hoping our former students can come reconnect with classmates and teachers and share updates on what they have been doing since graduating. Don't forget to bring an ID and sign in at the 2nd floor reception desk. See y'all there!
Assembly, Cookout, Spring Game, Oh My!
Wed, May 22 @ 11:15am | Meadow
The End-of-Year Assembly will be held at the Meadow by John Diehl Memorial Heritage Tree! After the assembly, some of our Defender Dads will be ready to serve hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausage wraps while the community enjoys time fellowshipping and watching the spring football game together. Lunch will be served at Defender Stadium (donations welcome) with seating available on the hillside, but feel free to bring a blanket if you would like to eat picnic-style.
Class of 2024 Graduation
Wed, May 24 @ 7:15pm | Heritage tree & Meadow
The Class of 2024 is set to walk across the stage as our 13th graduating class next week! We hope you join us as we celebrate the hard work these students have put in during their school careers. The ceremony will begin at 7:15pm and lasts approximately one hour just in time for us to enjoy a beautiful sunset. In the event of bad weather, we will move the ceremony to the Austin Oaks Church Sanctuary. Be in touch with friends and family for updates if bad weather occurs.
PSIA District Results & State Competitors
PSIA is an academic competition for students in Grades 1-8. Teachers may nominate students they want to encourage to participate or students can participate regardless of nomination. Our PSIA students had a wonderful time at Brentwood Christian competing in the PSIA Academic District competition a couple of weeks ago. We had 70 students who competed in over 130 events! Below is a list of our students who placed in the District meet (GS, SL, and SR), the 8 students who moved on to compete in the State PSIA competition, and the results of the State meet.
Grammar School
2nd Grade
Jake McElhannon
4th place Number Sense
4th place Mathematics
3rd Grade
Clara Van Oudenaren
5th place Storytelling
Lucy Condit
5th place Ready Writing
4th Grade
Ian Brugueras
2nd place Mathematics
4th place Number Sense
Jack Ellis
5th place On Site Drawing
Liam Cowen
6th place Listening Skills
Orion Schweitzer
4th place Ready Writing
William Hogan
2nd place Maps, Graphs, and Charts
3rd place Mathematics
3rd place Number Sense
2nd place Science
Lower School of Logic
5th Grade
Brendon Artman
4th place Dictionary Skills
1st place Listening Skills
4th place Number Sense
1st place Science
Lexi Cortez
3rd place Listening Skills
Paige Broughton
6th place Ready Writing
6th Grade
Harper Hood
2nd Place Ready Writing
Laura Ensley
1st Place Vocabulary
Lillian Valdez
5th place On Site Drawing
4th place Spelling
Mary Ann Lensing
1st place On Site Drawing
1st place Ready Writing
Upper School of Logic
7th Grade
Elizabeth Casady
2nd place Impromptu Speaking
3rd place Number Sense
5th place Mathematics
Ellery Broughton
6th place Maps, Graphs, and Charts
6th place Oral Interpretation
Ember Bomar
4th place On Site Drawing
Gracie Wilson
6th place Spelling
Natalie Scanten
6th place Science
8th Grade
Henry Monson
2nd place Art Memory
1st place Maps, Graphs, and Charts
1st place Spelling
2nd place Vocabulary
John Lensing
4th place Maps, Graphs, and Charts
Lorelei Dobbs
3rd place Listening Skills
Mason Wiechman
3rd place Mathematics
3rd place Spelling
Max Prater
4th place Modern Oratory
Reid Russell
6th place Mathematics
Sam Berry
5th place Science
School of Rhetoric Science Fair Competitions
At the end of February, SR students from the Independence Science Research class competed at the Regional Science Fair at the Palmer Events Center. Projects included:
- Allison Prater (Environmental Science: Storage of Water Retaining Agents)
- Kaetlyn Hoffmann (Microbiology: Traditional v. Holistic v. UV Light Disinfectants)
- Kate Regen (Biomedical Science: The Effects of Painkillers on Planaria)
- Julia Rhodes (Physics: Temperature and Time's Impact on Tennis Ball Bounce)
- John Krawzsenek (Environmental Engineering: Eco-Friendly Climate Control)
- Valeria Krasnoriadtsev (Biomedical Science: Diabetes and the Conversion of Sucrose to Glucose)
Students John Krawzsenek and Valeria Krasnoriadtsev received the “Passion for Science” award which is awarded to first-time participants that did creative, exemplary, or above and beyond work. Due to their valiant efforts, John and Valeria advanced to the State Fair at Texas A&M at the end of March.
In the interim, Veritas hosted an in-house Science Fair. With faculty as judges, they learned about the projects that students had presented at Regionals.
Veritas Fair results were as follows:
- 1st place: Kaetlyn Hoffmann
- 2nd place: Valeria Krasnoriadtsev
- 3rd place: John Krawzsenek
Congratulations to these students in showcasing their stupendous, scientific studies.
Click photos to expand.
Project Update: Community Center & Gym
The board and administration of Veritas Academy are enthusiastically moving forward with our plan to add much-needed space for indoor athletics, performing arts, and community collaboration in the heart of campus! Cameron shared several big "leaps" in our fundraising and site plan processes on Feb 9, which included the announcement of Betsy Cromer as our Campaign Manager. Betsy has been previously involved in various fundraising initiatives in political and ministry settings, and she is passionate about how this project can strengthen our community for many generations of impact. Please feel free to reach out to Betsy at any time, and enjoy the update from Cameron.
SR Retreat
Our Student Congress and Student Life teams planned for weeks, and on a gorgeously, sunny Friday in March, the SR student body enjoyed a great SR retreat. The day started with two Veritas alumni, now faculty, leading us in a time of worship and a thoughtful devotional. The students took time to silently reflect on scripture and then enjoyed a Mr. Hanenburg-original, big-outdoor game dubbed the Wizards of Wizenmoore! The house of Augustine won and walked away with big house points! Cabo Bob's tacos sustained our students, and we were graced with Pastor Coley sharing a biblical perspective on participating in community. Students spent the rest of the day enjoying a wide variety of activities, ranging from Pixar shorts and puzzles to competitive connect four and spikeball. It was a day of leisure and fun! What a blessing to be at a school that believes both have a crucial place in education!
Defender Dash Thank You!
Thank you for helping us finish strong for Defender Dash 2024! We had a blast watching our students run the course and enjoying a refreshing cold treat on that warm, April Wenesday. Collectively, over 200 Defenders received support from family and friends to run last week's obstacle course and raised $56,000 for Grammar School classrooms and facilities—what a blessing! Our GS Defenders were supported by 778 family members and friends across 32 states—wow! Please share this video full of smiles, fun, and fortitude with those who generously sponsored your Defender and gave to Veritas. Go Defenders!
Go Texas Day!
Texas celebrated its 188th Texas Independence Day which recognizes the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. In honor of this, Veritas had a Texas-sized celebration with our Go Texas Day. Each year we acknowledge and cherish our Texas heritage by having our students and faculty put on their boots and hats and participate in a variety of Texas-themed activities. Our Grammar School students learned about longhorns and their care, the story behind a cowboy delicacy (beans and saltines), and branded their own wood slab with a Veritas “V”. It was a rootin’ tootin’ way to commemorate the place we live! A special thank you goes to Haylee Ligon and her team of parents volunteers for planning and producing such a wonderful day!
1st Annual Veritas/Storyglory Book Fair
We are so elated to share with you about our first ever Veritas Book Fair being such a success! We welcomed April with partnering with Storyglory kids to showcase and host a Book Fair that brought engaging and wholesome books for all ages—from PreSchool-12th grade and parents/grandparents as well. We even had a special section dedicated to 2024 Summer Required Reading books. We want to thank those of you who volunteered, purchased a book, and showered our book fair with your prayers! We loved getting to see students and families get their hands on some quality books for their libraries. We can hardly wait for the next one!
10th Grade College Visit Trip
Just a couple months ago, Veritas reinstated the 10th Grade College Visit Trip after three years due to COVID. The purpose of this trip is two-fold: to build community in the grade and to expose students to a variety of colleges and how to visit a university. Thirty-one sophomores explored the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Dallas, and Baylor University. These were chosen so that students could compare a small liberal arts school, a large state university, and a large Christian university. Our students were amazing ambassadors for Veritas through their punctuality, kind manners, and respectful engagement on the tours. We are so excited that we were able to bring this opportunity back for our students.
Grandparents Gathering
We enjoyed having grandparents here in early join us to talk about "What is a Classical Education?" and "What does it mean to attend a Classical, Christian, Collaborative school?". It was wonderful to hear you share your education testimonies and see the connections between similar experiences and the differences. We so appreciate your unwavering support and your enduring presence continues to inspire us as we strive to uphold the legacy of excellence and partnership that define our beloved school.
Class of 2024 Senior Thesis Presentations
Before our seniors could walk the stage for Graduation they had to conquer the stage at our Senior Thesis Presentations. From the Top 16 to the Final Fourum™: A week of fierce competition and brilliant presentations, culminated in the showdown of our top senior thesis students. These four seniors pictured below worked their way through tough competition each night to earn their spot in the Final Fourum™. Selected for eloquence, winsomeness, and depth & breadth of knowledge, these seniors took the stage one last time to compete for the Senior Thesis Laureate and a $2,000 scholarship, with the winner being announced in just a matter of days at graduation. We are so proud of all of seniors for conquering this incredible feat and inspired at the thought of where the skills they learned will take them.
Jonathan Deiss
Kate Brawley
Elizabeth Lensing
Gabrielle Wood
Cake and Commitment
Cake and Commitment Day 2024! Early May marks Cake and Commitment Day which allows our seniors and their families to commemorate the college and career decisions these students have made. We began with a ceremonial signing for our NCAA student athletes Elizabeth Lensing (Soccer, University of Dallas), Philip Cannata (Basketball, University of Dallas), and Joey MacPherson (Soccer, Hendrix College) and ended with a sweet celebration of cupcakes and conversations amongst the students and their families. We cannot wait to see the impact these bright lights will make upon graduating and are delighted at the thought of what awaits them!
What Happened to December and January?
Though there were fewer additions of Friends of Veritas this year we didn't want you think we had forgotten how awesome our end of last semester and beginning of this semester were. Feel free to roam about the tabs below and catch a flash back to some earlier months.
Christmas on Campus
Christmas & New Year's on Campus
December and January are joyous times of year, and they are no different here at Veritas. Our annual Very Veritas Christmas celebrations captured the essence of the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, a hot chocolate bar, card making for police officers, and more as families also enjoyed the Winter Fine Arts Showcase.
The Grandparents Gathering was a sweet time as well, with grandparents connecting with one another and engaging in a discussion on the importance of modeling and pointing our children/grandchildren to service as we embody the spirit of family and community.
The concluding Christmas charge was recorded due to weather, and Mr. Cook virtually helped us prepare our hearts and minds to receive all that the holiday season provides.
Faculty and staff received an extra blessing and encouragement at the start of their break due to the generous donations made during 12 Days of Giving. Thank you for your giving to bless our school & teachers! Your words of encouragement filled their hearts and a bonus check helped to make their season a little brighter!
As we reflect on these cherished moments, we extend our gratitude to all who made this season unforgettable. Your presence, enthusiasm, and commitment to our community truly make Veritas Academy shine bright.
12 Days of Giving
12 Days of Giving
Thank you for your generosity in giving to bless our school & teachers at the end of 2023! Because of you, our teachers started their Christmas break with your words of encouragement filling their hearts and a bonus check to make the season a little brighter—thank you! Because of you, we began the new year able to focus on what we do best: training hearts, minds, and hands for the glory of God. We are grateful for your support and partnership!
State of the School Recap
State Of The School Recap
After a few weeks back on Campus from break we kicked off the semester with our State of the School Address (SOTS). State of the School is an annual winter gathering for all parents, SR students, faculty, and staff to come together and hear school-wide updates as part of our partnership with one another. It was a special time as we heard our Head of School, Cameron Cook, deliver his first address as Head of School and share current strengths and opportunities—especially as they relate to this year's defining objectives—while also highlighting potential changes for the 2024-2025 school year. We concluded the evening mini Pie-deia style, with breakout sessions, fellowship, and pie bites. In addition to the State of the School, we also met with our rising 5th Grade students and School of Rhetoric students to prepare for their next step along the Path of a Defender and the Triple C Journey (Classical, Christian, Collaborative Education) here at Veritas. We have included the address below, as well as, a SOTS Recap document as a quick reference for key information and highlights.
MLK Jr. Service Day
10th Annual MLK Jr. Service Day
As the Shines team worked throughout the fall and winter to plan the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day for 2024, they reflected on scripture from Isaiah 58:10 at each meeting; “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Over 500 students, parents, faculty, and staff were signed up to serve on MLK Day, benefitting 21 different organizations in the community. Veritas families were slated to feed the hungry at Harvest Blessings food pantry and Ronald McDonald House and comfort the afflicted by making Linus blankets and jump ropes for children in need. Plans were in place to help an elderly couple with much-needed home repairs through Building Compassion and assist with cleaning and organization projects at Foster Village. Unfortunately, winter weather with temperatures 20 and below prevented the community from serving together on January 15th. It did not, however, put a stop to Veritas students and families serving for very long! In the weeks that followed, many other projects were completed. In fact, one family even made Linus blankets together at their house on MLK Day. Discipleship classes made the remaining Linus blankets and wrote Valentines and decorated treat bags for the formerly-homeless neighbors at Community First! Village. Scholé classes teamed up with a girl’s Discipleship class to make cards and gift bags filled with warm, cozy sock “cupcakes” for the residents of a nursing home. The two classes enjoyed fun and fellowship while serving together. Several classes of School of Logic Latin students assembled Colin’s Hope packets when they had some extra time after a test, and a Grammar school class decorated pet food delivery bags for the Meals on Wheels PALS program. School of Rhetoric Leadership classes jumped in and finished the remaining pet food delivery bags and Colin’s Hope packets. That’s a lot of lights rising in the darkness to share God’s glory, in spite of the unpredictable Central Texas weather!
So Long, Farewell to the Sound of Music!
We said "So Long, Farewell" to The Sound of Music and we would like to thank the community for such outstanding support. With all five scheduled shows sold out after the first performance, the cast and crew agreed to put on an extra sixth show Thursday evening to share this production with as many people as possible. It was so wonderful to see so many families join us and see the delight on their faces after witnessing such beautiful work. We are thankful for the continued support by our Administrators and community for our growing Theatre department!
Charlotte's Web Read Aloud Celebration & Performance
Charlotte’s Web Read Aloud Celebration: The Veritas County Fair spun a web of success and joy. Fry’s Fun Farm brought all sorts animals for all the petting. Think piglets, goats, lambs, oh my! In addition to the petting zoo, we had an assortment of carnival games for students to partake in and a “Best of Show” pie competition. Following our celebration, families joined the SL theatre students in the auditorium as they performed a very special rendition of Charlotte’s Web. It was an exciting day watching our students' reading adventures come to life.
Semester Sports Recap
Swim
State swim success!
We could not ask for anything more from our incredible swim team at State! 22 of 27 Veritas DeFINders represented Veritas by swimming their best at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio, with the girls taking home 4th place as a team and the boys finishing 2nd as a team! See more photos in Take a Look.
For the girls, the highlight performance of the meet was the 3rd place finish of their Medley relay. The relay was led off by sophomore chaplain Kate MacPherson on backstroke, followed by sophomore Julia Rhodes on breaststroke, then sophomore Bailey McGehee on butterfly, and finally anchored by senior captain Gertie Kate Adair. In addition to all four of these athletes earning All-State Honorable Mention, three of them earned additional individual honors:
- Gertie Kate Adair: Academic All-State, Bronze in 500 Free, Top 8 in 200 Free
- Kate MacPherson: Top 8 in 100 Fly and 100 Back
- Julia Rhodes: Top 8 in 200 IM and 100 Breast
Also representing Veritas in the Top 8 200 Free and 400 Free relays were junior Kylie Knutson (Academic All-State), senior chaplain Grace Eilers (Academic All-State), and freshman Jane Thomas. Also contributing to the team’s 4th place state finish were freshman Haddie Dusan, with two individual events, and sophomore Allison Prater, relay alternate.
On the boys side, the most exciting moment of the day was a comeback win in the 400 Free relay. Predicted to finish second, nine seconds behind the first seed, the team dropped seven seconds from their Regional time and competed fiercely with every stroke to take the win. After a strong lead-off by senior Tate Lemmer and junior Jack Bruce, senior captain Nathan Lansing closed a large gap on Logos Prep to set the stage for junior chaplain Austin Aitchison to take the lead in the last 50! In addition to all four of these athletes earning First Team All-State honors through this relay win, this team also finished 2nd in the 200 Free relay and three of them earned additional individual honors:
- Austin Aitchison: Academic All-State, Silver in 100 Breast, Top 8 in 50 Free
- Jack Bruce: Academic All-State, Top 8 in 100 Free and 500 Free
- Tate Lemmer: Academic All-State, Top 8 in 200 Free
Two more juniors also earned Academic All-State with their performances - Tate Compton and Ben Thorburn. Additional underclassmen individual event swimmers at state promise a strong upcoming 2025 season: Hudson Boyer, Caleb Eilers, Nathan Kozubek, and Silas Sekula. Relay alternates for the boys included Will Derrick, Jack Robbins, and Carden Van Hoorn.Congratulations to the DeFINders on a phenomenal 2024 season!
SLR Wrestling
wrestling wrap-up
Wrestling season has come to an end, and we're thrilled with the performance of our SLR athletes. They exhibited remarkable progress and developed a strong mindset to confront challenges.
The wrestlers represented themselves as Christian gentlemen while traveling across the state throughout the season. The season concluded with the USA Texas State Championships in Bryan, TX, and the TAPPS State Championship in the Dallas area. Coach Buck and all the coaches are proud of the wrestlers' dedication and hard work.
We would like to express our gratitude to our coach and volunteer staff, including Jeremy Thiel, Mando Marenco, Eli Badger, Adam Gengler, Patrick Luke, and Buck McLamb, for their support of our wrestling team this season. Earning varsity letters in wrestling this season are junior captain Finnley Smitheal; juniors Jacob Govea and Evan Todd; and freshmen Martin Brugueras and River McLamb.
Olympic gold medalist wrestler Dan Gable once said, "Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy." Congratulations to all our wrestlers for a job well done!
Girls Basketball
girls Basketball
Girls basketball had a strong rebuilding year! Apart from senior captain center Ella Shaw (All-District Honorable Mention), all members of the team were underclassmen. Sophomore forward Rose Moore (All-District 2nd Team) and freshman guard Matea Zimel (All-District 2nd Team) led the team in scoring as well as rebounds and steals respectively. Other highlight performances include freshman guard Hannah Windham and sophomore forward Esther Bryan from the three-point line, and freshman center Cadence Henry on the boards. As a team, their hustle was unparalleled, ending the season with over 300 steals and almost 900 rebounds, setting the stage for a strong 2024-25 season!
Boys Basketball
boys basketball
Boys basketball also rebuilt this year after graduating eight seniors following their final 4 run in 2023. In an emotional year with high highs and low lows, senior captain forwards Philip Cannata (All-State Honorable Mention) and Luke Trlica (All-District Honorable Mention) led by example on and off the court. The team that took the court in October was not the same as the one that left it in February. Eight athletes earned their first varsity minutes, including four freshmen, with Perry Kinane receiving All-District Honorable Mention through his unrelenting hustle and confidence. Philip Cannata set the all-time record for scoring at Veritas, with 23 points per game on the season, and is pursuing options to continue his basketball career as a collegiate athlete.
Girls Soccer
girls soccer
Girls soccer finished second in district and advanced to Area Playoffs for the second year in a row, with all three senior captains making All-District 1st Team - forward Kate Brawley (Academic All-State), forward Elizabeth Lensing (Academic All-State), and keeper Ella Shaw. Also making All-District 1st Team were junior defender Anna Badger and sophomore midfielder Julia Rhodes. The following athletes made All-District 2nd Team - junior defender Mary McLatcher (Academic All-State), sophomore midfielder Sydney Brown, and freshman forward Kate Brown. Closing out this highly decorated team with All-District Honorable Mention are junior defender Hannah Cuellar and sophomore midfielder Kate MacPherson.
Boys Soccer
Boys Soccer
Boys soccer also finished second in district but was eliminated in the first round of playoffs. The largest team Veritas has fielded to date was led by senior captains Matthew Ard (All-District 2nd Team - Offense, Academic All-State), Brighton Bresemann (All-State Honorable Mention - Offense, Academic All-State), and Joey MacPherson (All-State Honorable Mention - Defense, Academic All-State). Also awarded for their performance this season and promising strong years ahead are junior Ryan Barefield (All-District 2nd Team - Midfield, Academic All-State), sophomore Micah McGinty (All-District 2nd Team - Defense), and freshman Brock Palmer (All-District 2nd Team - Keeper).
Tennis
Tennis Season Highlights
Our varsity tennis teams closed out their season with their district tournament in Boerne. Junior Jack Bruce led the team this year in many ways. His effort, attitude, and eagerness to be coached positively impacted the whole team and also led to Jack playing his best tennis at the end of the season. Playing in a tough draw at District, Jack earned several wins, including two against higher seeded players. In his final district match, he battled through rainy conditions and a multi-day delay to win 5th place (1st alternate to state) in a tiebreak against a player he had lost to earlier in the season.
Other standout tennis performances this year included our girls singles players, junior Kylie Knutson and senior Emalee Jarrett. Each demonstrated grit, winning matches throughout the season in come-from-behind fashion, and both represented Veritas well at the District tournament. Facing difficult draws, each girl came up with strong performances with Kylie finishing 5th in District (1st alternate for state) and Emalee finishing 6th (2nd alternate).
Mixed Doubles at TAPPS State Tennis Tournament
Emalee Jarrett closed out her four year tennis career at the TAPPS State Tennis Tournament in Waco where she teamed with junior Grant Huckabee to compete in the 4A-6A Mixed Doubles. Emalee and Grant represented Veritas well in a tough first round matchup against a talented 6A team.
Track
Record-Setting Regionals
The Veritas track team competed at Regionals in Seguin, setting school records in all four relays raced, with a total margin over the previous records of almost eight seconds. These records are as follows:
- Girls 4x100m Relay: 52.42 - Kate Brawley, Mary McLatcher, Matea Zimel, Anna Badger
- Boys 4x200m Relay: 1:35 - Brighton Bresemann, Joey MacPherson, Caleb Eilers, Jed Fuller
- Girls 4x200m Relay: 1:51 - Kate Brawley, Anna Badger, Julia Rhodes, Mary McLatcher
- Boys 4x400m Relay: 3:46 - Caleb Eilers, Matthew Ard, Joey MacPherson, Jed Fuller
These athletes were served at Regionals by team managers (JV athletes): Shepherd Smitheal and Skylee Stanford. The girls 4x200m relay medaled and competed at state in Waco where they received 6th.
The road to Regional Qualifiers
The SR track team braved some windy weather at their district meet in San Antonio this week as they fought for highly competitive spots to regionals. The largest track team Veritas has fielded to date earned 25 personal or relay season records, 8 qualifying events to regionals, and 4 all-time school records.
SR Throwing Team
Starting the day with field events, this season’s training paid off as freshman throwing captain Bo Touba led our three freshman men’s throwers to each set at least one personal record with William Russell throwing the disc over 94 feet for our first school record of the day. Despite facing a strong headwind in the horizontal jump events, sophomore jumping captain Micah McGinty led our three young men’s jumpers to personal record in triple, and notched a personal best in both the long and the triple jump, making the second farthest triple jump in Veritas history with 37 feet.
Varsity Girls 4x100m
Senior relay captains Kate Brawley and Joey MacPherson led off and anchored our sprint relays respectively, with the following relays putting up impressive times and qualifying for regionals:
- Girls 4x200m, 2nd place, School Record - Kate B, sophomore Julia Rhodes, junior Anna Badger, and junior Mary McLatcher.
- Girls 4x100m, 3rd place, School Record - Kate B, Mary, Anna, and freshman Matea Zimel.
- Boys 4x200m, 4th place - junior Ryan Barefield, sophomore team captain Caleb Eilers, sophomore Jed Fuller, and Joey.
Calling All Defender Alumni!
If you are a member of the Veritas Alumni Community, we would love to hear what’s new in your life as well as how we can continue to pray for, encourage, and celebrate with you. You can also reach out to Alumni@VeritasAcademy.net directly to connect with us and lead Alumni Coordinator Eli Pickering.
Support 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.
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 the openings we have school-wide and contact HR@VeritasAcademy.net for more details.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see pictures and keep up with events!
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November 2023 Friends of Veritas
November 2023
Volume VIII • Issue II
friends of veritas academy
Dear Friends,
As you enjoy full homes and hearts this week, we are blessed to share highlights from the past couple of months here at Veritas Academy. We are so thankful for our community and all that God has allowed us to create and experience together. The end of the semester isn't too far away, and we hope you will join us to share in upcoming events and traditions alongside the Veritas Family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Your Veritas Family
Quick Navigation
Campus & Community Alumni Spotlight Fine Arts Feature Coaches' Corner You're Invited PICTURES
Football Headed to State Semi-Finals on Fri, Nov 24
Football is included in many family's Thanksgiving festivities, and there's nothing quite like watching a game from the stands! Good news—we have a game for you! The Veritas Defenders will play in the TAPPS 6-Man State Semi-Finals this Friday, November 24, at 2pm against Hill Country Christian at San Marcos Academy (2801 Ranch Road 12 San Marcos, TX 78666). Gate admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students. Go Defenders!
Grandparent Gathering on Fri, Dec 15 @ 8:45am
All Defender Grandparents of current students and alumni (including alumni parents who are now grandparents!), are invited to gather before Christmas break for a time to visit with one another and hear from Family Ministries Ambassador, Ellen Schuknecht. In addition to being pivotal to the Family Ministries department at Veritas and a mentor to other Univeristy-Model Schools across the nation, Ellen is "Oma" to 11 grandchildren and will discuss ways that grandparents can promote service in their families and encourage grandchildren to think of others before themselves. Light refreshments will be provided, and grandparents are also encouraged to use this time to attend any class presentations that their grandchildren may be participating in throughout the morning.
RSVP for grandparent gathering
Fall Roundup Recap
Another tremendously successful Fall Roundup is in the books! We loved seeing our community fill the Meadow on Oct 18, to create the ultimate pre-game event before the Defenders hosted Hill Country Christian on the football field. Roundup would not have been possible without the incredible support and active participation of our students, parents, teachers, and staff members. From engaging games to delicious treats, a captivating live performance to creative crafts, every aspect of the festival showcased the talent and dedication of our community members. The enthusiasm and energy displayed by our students was contagious, creating an atmosphere of pure delight and celebration.
Fire Fighters Visit
As part of our Community Helper Day series, our Grammar School Scholé kids had the opportunity to welcome real-life heroes to Veritas Academy – brave firefighters from our local community! The morning was filled with invaluable experiences as the firefighters graciously gave our students an up-close and personal tour of their fire truck, showcasing their specialized equipment and explaining their various uses. As you can imagine, this was a memorable day for our curious students, and we hope it was equally special for Engine 43.
Veritas Academy Scholars
It is with great pride that we recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist and Classical Learning Test (CLT) Regional Scholars, reflecting their dedication, intelligence, and commitment to academic excellence.
National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist
Our very own Carson Ferris has been named a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist. This prestigious recognition highlights students’ exceptional performance in the PSAT/NMSQT. Carson’s hard work and scholarly achievements have not only brought honor to our school but also demonstrated his unwavering commitment to learning and intellectual growth. Click here to see the full list of Texas recipients and what it takes to move forward in being named a National Merit Scholar.
Classical Learning Test (CLT) Regional Scholars
Additionally, we are thrilled to share that 5 of our remarkable students have been named CLT Regional Scholars, showcasing their proficiency in classical education. Through their mastery of literature, history, philosophy, and language, our students have demonstrated their deep understanding of the classical ideals that form the foundation of our educational philosophy at Veritas Academy. Their success in the CLT underscores our commitment to providing a robust classical education that prepares our students for a lifetime of critical thinking and meaningful contributions to society.
SR Breathe Conference
During our fourth-annual School of Rhetoric Breathe Conference, 9th-12th Grade students had the opportunity to cultivate curiosity outside the classroom by learning several hobbies and life skills from members of the community. These were unique opportunities for everyone, so check our the sessions offered and ALL of the photos!
There were unique opportunities for everyone, so check out the sessions offered:
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Our SR students are so grateful for the investment of time and energy that so many in our community made in order to pull off the day. It was such a blessing- enjoy more photos of the other sessions.
breathe conference photos
Veterans Day Flag Retirement and Raising Ceremony
With deep respect and admiration, our school community came together for a special Veteran's Day ceremony, recognizing the sacrifices many have made to safeguard our freedoms. The retirement of worn flags symbolized a sacred act of remembrance, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and respect for those who have selflessly served in defense of our cherished values.
As the new flags were raised, there was a collective sense of unity and pride, a testament to the enduring spirit of our nation. The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the values that bind us together as a community and the debt of gratitude we owe to those who have bravely defended our liberty.
May the memory of this poignant ceremony inspire a continued commitment to honor and support our veterans, embodying the principles of faith, service, and unity that define Veritas Academy.
Join us in Memorizing Scripture for the Spring Semester
Students are memorizing Psalm 103:11-18 and James 3:2-12 from the English Standard Version (ESV) during the Spring 2024 Semester. The goal of this exercise is to hide God’s word in our hearts, reflect upon these truths, and converse among our families. Feel free to join us in this important discipline and opportunity!
12 Days of Giving to Bless our School & Bless our Teachers: Nov 27-Dec 8
Here at Veritas the holiday season includes two weeks to celebrate and collectively Bless Our School & Bless Our Teachers through 12 Days of Giving! Essentially, 12 Days of Giving conveniently wraps together year-end giving and faculty Christmas gifts into one nice and neat package, making it convenient to contribute to one or both of these areas using one simple online form. To participate, please visit our 12 Days of Giving page between Nov 27-Dec 8, and if you have any questions or are interested in learning about additional giving opportunities at Veritas, please reach out to our Advancement Director, Katie Luevano. Thank you in advance for considering how your family can participate.
Give Now to Bless Our School & Bless Our Teachers
Order Spirit Wear for your Favorite Defender
SwagHub offers delivery to your home 2-3 weeks after you place your order, with easy returns if something doesn't work. This is a perfect gift idea for current, future, and past Defenders so that they are geared up and ready for spirit wear days and athletic events! And for the grandparents out there, this is a great way to support your Defender—near or far. Browse the store, and be on the lookout for new items coming soon! We'll announce new designs as they become available.
Homecoming MMXXIII
Homecoming at Veritas is a cherished tradition with creative dress-up days, witty skits, pep rallies, and more that showcase our vibrant school culture. Students love to be creative, have fun, and enjoy making memories together. These values shined brightly during Homecoming MMXXIII with daily themes as unique as our student body!
As fun as the costumes and competitions are though, the real highlight of the week is welcoming alumni to campus and seeing them reconnect with one another! Thank you to all of our Defender alumni who joined the pre-game "tailgate" (which wouldn't have been complete without queso) and stayed to fill the field during halftime. You are welcome home anytime.
Class of 2012 & 2013 Class Reunions!
A couple of weeks ago, alumni from our first graduating classes celebrated their 10 year reunion(s). With the same diligence and resolve they embodied as students, they booked flights, took off from work, arranged for babysitters, and made the time to come out and gather for their reunion. For some of these former students, this was their first time on our new campus, and even though they resonated with the spirit of Veritas that is still alive and well here, they couldn't help but share stories about one of the few physical symbols that remains from "their" Veritas—the Broken Bus. They remember being proud of the bus as one of the first vehicles to bear the Veritas name and logo... and then not being as proud when the bus earned its name and broke down... more than once. Still, it worked well enough to drive them to Houston for the inaugural Veritas Experiencing Europe class trip and to take them to many athletic events and other competitions and sites around the area.
That bus is just one representation of the many memories shared that evening, and we are honored to be a part of keeping those memories alive and ingrained in our community. Soon the Broken Bus will be a hub for coffee and community on campus (until our community center/gym is built), tying us back to our roots and reminding us of God's faithful provision in every season, even with buses that are more than slightly used. Thank you, alumni, for continuing to be a part of the Veritas Academy legacy and for contributing to our school's history and foundation.
P.S. Class of '14, tag—you're it ;)
