Cold air, leaves changing colors and the days getting shorter: for many these are the first signs of Fall. For SMCA, it means Family Fun Night/Bonfire is here! It is the most anticipated and well attended event of the year. This year, SMCA was excited to celebrate 40 years of Christian education in Southern Maryland. As families entered the campus, signs of 40 years and balloons could be seen. A PTF table was placed in front of the flagpoles to welcome the alumni. The alumni highlighted their names in a list of graduates and provided updated information to allow SMCA to keep in touch. They received a SMCA 40 years t-shirt designed by SMCA teacher, Miss Katelyn Young, and IT guy Steven Grinder (‘08) with all the previous Spirit Wear design logos, an SMCA alumni sticker designed by Quality Printers, and a homemade cookie baked by SMCA teacher, Mrs. Amy Wallis.

Thank you to the classes of 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 for representing! Way to show up, Mustangs! The excitement in the air as the graduates came to the PTF table was such a blessing from the Lord. Huge smiles and hugs were the immediate reaction of many. Lively conversations involved the many changes SMCA has experienced over the past 40 years including the school uniforms, lunch options, the gym building and playground equipment (to name a few). There were many smiles and hugs for our Chancellor, Ms. Colleen Gaines, who along with her husband Mr. Stanley Gaines founded SMCA. We even got a picture of a few of the alumni on our new basketball courts to commemorate the night.

The evening began with a victory from our middle school girls’ volleyball team. Secondary students then ran carnival games for the younger students. Inflatables, a dunk tank, food trucks, class fundraisers, face painting, balloon animals, Marty Mustang and a hayride provided much opportunity for fun and fellowship. It was a delight to see families and friends sharing many special memories from over the years.

A family favorite is our Junior Mustangs troupe (students in 1st – 5th grade) who danced on our new basketball courts to include our new Mustang Shuffle. Thank you Sparkle and Sass Company along with Nurse Jenny, Ms. Kemba Williams, Mrs. Larissa Mells and others. Students in 6th – 12th grade created banners which hung on the fence. Homeroom classes 8-01, 8-02, 10-02 and 11-02 tied for first place! The night ended with our huge Bonfire with the help of the LaPlata Fire Department and the Gilroy family. This night would not be possible without our fearless leader, Gru (aka Matt Gaines) and his minions (aka SMCA staff)- see picture from Spirit Week. Thank you all for your hard work!

For the past 40 years, the Lord has allowed our school to be a light into the Southern Maryland community. He has provided growth from two buildings into four with another on the way. The gym building has particularly been a miracle blessing to our athletic department. Our school has been accredited through ACSI and Middle States since 2011. He has increased our student body to capacity this year. Through it all, the Lord has faithfully guided our school. Our prayer is that He continues to do so in this next 40 years.

For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. Deuteronomy 2:7

-Mrs. Candace Crawford, Dean of Academic Affairs