TFA's Kennedy Wilson and Brittany Smith Help Make History for OVA

TFA Eighth graders, Kennedy Wilson and Brittany Smith made history last weekend for the Orlando Volleyball Academy by winning their second national qualifier in the Open division. Kennedy and Brittany play on OVA's 14 Asics volleyball team and the Open division is the most competitive division in club volleyball.  On April 1st -3rd, they competed in the Big South National Qualifier in Atlanta and won for the 3rd time.  This past weekend their team traveled to Kansas City and competed in the "Show Me" National Qualifier where they finished first again.  This is a first for OVA and secures the team a high ranking position going into the USA Volleyball Jr. National Championship in June. Kennedy is the starting outside hitter and Brittany the right side hitter for their team and they hope to use their experience to keep the TFA volleyball legacy strong as they enter high school next year!

THE FIRST ACADEMY JUNIOR TO GET UNIQUE LOOK AT U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) invited a select group of approximately 2,250 young men and women from around the nation and internationally to attend the Naval Academy Summer Seminar program this year.  Summer Seminar is a fast-paced experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school and are considering applying for admission to USNA after graduation

Kennan Miller, a junior at The First Academy, will participate in the 2011 U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar program.  Kennan is the son of Hank and Cheryl Miller of Orlando, FL.

Summer Seminar teaches prospective applicants about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation’s leaders.  Each student will attend a six-day session and experience a part of USNA life.  Students in the program live in Bancroft Hall (the dormitory in which all USNA midshipmen live), eat in the dining hall, participate in academic and leadership workshops and participate in daily physical training involving group runs and conditioning exercises.  They will have an opportunity to see first-hand what the Naval Academy has to offer through its exceptional academic, athletic, extracurricular activities and leadership training programs.

Founded in 1845, the Naval Academy is a highly competitive four-year undergraduate institution that prepares young men and women morally, mentally, and physically to become officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps.  Upon graduation, Naval Academy midshipmen receive a Bachelor of Science degree in one of 22 majors and a commission as ensigns in the U.S. Navy or second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.  In return, these young officers will serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service to our nation.

The First Academy Families Serve in the Dominican Republic

One current TFA Father, Mike Zizmer, and one former TFA Father, Kent Sterchi were the driving force behind our Spring Break mission trip to the Dominican Republic.  As soon as Middle School Principal Carol Grosshans heard of the trip possibility, she was on board.  Unfortunately, the Lord had other plans as Mrs. Grosshans and her daughter Faith were unable to go on the trip due to some health concerns for Mrs. Grosshans.  Mike, Kent, and Carol’s passion for an awesome ministry, Mission Emanuel, was experienced by the group of 29 who traveled to the Dominican Republic from March 28-April 1, 2011. 

The mission team finished a house for a special family, built relationships in the Cielo and Nazaret villages, passed out water cards in the villages, had a special first ever movie and popcorn night, worshipped with the Dominican people, and were able to bless a young men’s discipleship group with their very own Bible’s in Spanish and English.

TFA mom Angela Dempsey describes the discipleship group, “While we were there, we also dedicated men to the first Boy’s Bible Study.  There are 13 young men that have joined.  They meet once a week and study God’s word.  One other day a week they simply play together – baseball, soccer, etc.  Quarterly, they are taken on field trips to see other areas of the country.  These young men have never left their communities.  The goal is to raise a generation of Godly men that will lead their communities and their country. “  Hearing TFA students Vic Thomas and Garrett Williams and many others pray for this group was indescribable.

The team also visited the Mission Emanuel’s water treatment plant and medical clinic.  These ministries have been key in this community where clean water has saved many, many lives and provided healthcare has made a huge difference, especially to many special needs children.   Praise the Lord for this special trip.  The Mission team was very blessed to be able to serve and received a great blessing from the Lord serving alongside the Dominican people.  Kent Sterchi was the trip’s spiritual guide and led the group in studying about living daily how Jesus would live.  “I was blessed and felt the Lord moving me to a deeper relationship with Him while listening to the different people share how God was moving in their hearts,” said Middle School Assistant Principal Chris Mayberry.

Headmaster Steve Whitaker comments ,  “The family mission trip to the Dominican Republic was a powerful experience for Stevie (my son) and me.  Serving the poorest of the poor gave us the opportunity to be the hands of feet of Jesus as we worked alongside other TFA families.”   The First Academy is excited about a continued partnership with Mission Emanuel, stay tuned for more information regarding future trips.  “This is a trip I will never forget,” said TFA Father Alex Vastardis, who attended the trip with his daughter Alysia.

Join me in celebrating the 2011 Spring Break Mission Team:

Vic Thomas, Mike Zizmer, Delaney Zizmer, Carolyn Berger, Lexi Berger, Duane Kuck, Cassi Kuck, Ken Kupp, Kristie Kupp, Kali Kupp, Carson Kupp, Angela Dempsey, John Dempsey, Allie Dempsey, Bryce King, Megan Dempsey, Kaitlyn Dempsey, Alex Vastardis, Alysia Vastardis, Laurin Cash, Hannah Rose Cash, Stephanie Williams, Garrett Williams, Bo Barnes, Kayla Barnes, Kent Sterchi,  Chris Mayberry, Steve Whitaker, and Stevie Whitaker

Story By: Chris Mayberry

Assistant Principal of The First Academy Middle School

Orlando, FL

Good Guys: The First Academy club honors military veterans

Several of the school's athletes, including baseball player Austin Josiah, thank soldiers for their service

April 08, 2011|By Joe Williams, Orlando Sentinel

Austin Josiah always respected military personnel. His father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, then served in the Marines. His grandfather was in the Navy.

Now, as a board member of The First Academy's Wounded Warriors Club, the senior right fielder makes certain each soldier he meets knows how much he appreciates his or her sacrifices.

"I would pass by veterans all the time and not think twice about it," said Josiah, the club treasurer. "But [the club] has made me realize that as Americans, we fail to recognize what they do for us. Now whenever I see someone in uniform, whether it is in a mall or just walking around, I always go up to them, shake their hand and thank them for serving."

The school's Wounded Warriors Club was founded a little more than a year ago by students Andrew Bragg and Mike Rose. Bragg is a golfer and the club's president. Rose is a soccer player and also serves on the board, along with Josiah and volleyball players Abby Mixner and Brianna Harb. It has about 30 students, many of whom are athletes.

The club's members have gone to Orlando International Airport to welcome home the troops. They raised about $500 and put together care packages that they sent overseas. They also have assisted at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Community Living Center.

Club adviser Brian Rose said club members were honored to carry the casket of World War II veteran Frank Borrell, who witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. Borrell, who lived in Orlando, died in November at age 96.

But the club's proudest undertaking is joining with the West Orange Habitat for Humanity's "Home At Last Project." The organization is building a house for Army Sgt. Major Patrick Corcoran, who lost his legs when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. The club plans to go to the home under construction in Oakland and do landscaping. They also attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

"It is just astounding that these folks, these young people, who have no independent reason to do this and nothing to really gain but the satisfaction and gratification of helping people who find themselves in these situations, are so involved," said Corcoran, who is rehabilitating at the V.A. Hospital in Tampa. "I have found them to be a tremendous amount of support." Corcoran was a guest at The First Academy during the club's Veterans Day program. The club will be present when the house is dedicated to Corcoran and his family — wife Becky and sons T.J. and Patrick — on June 4.

Josiah, who hopes to play baseball next year at Pennsylvania, said Corcoran touched him with stories of service and his Veterans Day talk. "He spoke about the day he was wounded and about how proud he was to serve his country," Josiah said. "And he said, even knowing what he knows today, even with his injuries, he said he would do it all again in a heartbeat.  "We take our freedom for granted. We sit at home, and we don't give thanks enough for what the soldiers are doing overseas. We need to spend more time thanking our troops and loving our country."

jrwilliams@tribune.com or 352-742-5921. Read Joe Williams' blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/varsityblog. Sign up for the Varsity sports newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/joinus.

The First Academy Announces Krystal Thomas, TFA '07Alumna, was drafted by the WNBA's Seattle Storm

The First Academy proudly announces the WNBA's Seattle Storm drafted Krystal Thomas, TFA Alumna, in the third round of the 2011 WNBA Draft.  Thomas was Seattle's second pick during the draft.

Krystal Thomas is the daughter of Victor Thomas and the late Natalie Thomas and a beloved member of the Deluzio Family.  Krystal, TFA Student Body President - Class of 2007, has played for the Duke Blue Devils for the past four years.  During her career with The First Academy Royals, Krystal was named the 2007 Gatorade State Player of the Year, the 2007 EA Sports and Parade first team All-American, 2007 McDonald's All-American, and the 2007 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Basketball.  Krystal also led the 2007 USA U19 World Championship Team to a 9-0 record and the gold medal in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Krystal Thomas, at 6'5", played center for Duke, and led in rebounding and blocks during her junior year.  She appeared in 131 games for Duke scoring 793 points during her four years there.  Krystal is known for using her length and quickness to dominate on the boards and block shots.  Krystal is a solid low-post scorer and loves to run the floor.

She will be an amazing asset to the WNBA Seattle Storm organization. We, at The First Academy, celebrate with the Thomas and Deluzio family and honor Krystal's outstanding achievements.