Grace Baptist Christian Academy Students Finish First in State Competition

For the second straight year, students in grades 3 through 12 at Grace Baptist Christian Academy placed first overall in the annual Fine Arts & Academic Competition sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools.

          GBCA students outshone competitors from other MACS-affiliated schools in the state during a statewide event Feb. 7 at Open Bible Academy of Burlington. OBS concluded as runners-up and Twin City Christian School of Lunenburg concluded third.

          The Feb. 7 program featured competitions in speech, language arts, Bible teaching and preaching, music, art, creative writing and academic testing. Contestants were divided into one of three divisions – Elementary, Junior High and Senior High.

          Producing first-place individual finishes for GBCA were Cristian Alvarez, Amber Tyrol, Hannah Palmore, Shelby Mendes, Noah Silva, Emily Pappas, Jozua Alvarez, Brenden Mendes, Stephanie Sojka at the Elementary level; Leah Middleton, Jarod Bissonnette, Rachel Nichols, Emmalie Yoakum and Rachael Spader at the Junior High level; and Chelsea Oliveira, Evan Tyrol and Halie Yoakum, at the Senior High level. Also topping the field were GBCA’s Choric Speaking, Large Vocal Ensemble, Handchime Small Ensemble and Handchime Choir groups at the Elementary level; and Sacred Piano and Classical Piano groups at the Senior High level.

          Garnering second-place individual results for GBCA were Stephanie Sojka, Hannah Palmore, Ariana Pare, Emily Pappas at the Elementary Level; Jeremiah Andrade, Jarod Bissonnette, and Ashley Moraes, at the Junior High level; and Emily Barbosa, Nate Corkum and Halie Yoakum at the Senior High level. Also receiving second-place honors were GBCA’s Large Vocal Ensemble, Choral Group and Handchime Small Ensemble groups at the Elementary level; and Large Vocal Ensemble group at the Senior High level.

          Securing third-place individual performances for GBCA were Abigail Silva, Emily Pappas, Jeremiah Oliveira, Cristian Alvarez, Ariana Pare and Amber Tyrol at the Elementary level; Darlene Murray and Jarod Bissonnette, at the Junior High level; and Chelsea Oliveira, Emily Barbosa, Halie Yoakum and Emma Goyette, at the Senior High level.