ROCKWALL – The former girl’s volleyball coach at Rockwall’s Heritage Christian Academy (HCA) is considering legal action against her former employer which fired her last fall after she became pregnant out-of-wedlock.

Cathy Samford, 29, was the girl’s volleyball coach at HCA for three years and also taught middle school science classes for one year.

HCA’s Headmaster, Dr. Ron Taylor, acknowledges firing Samford last fall after the unmarried woman became pregnant but says it was within the private, religious school’s legal right to do so.

“The Supreme Court, as a matter of fact in the last month, ruled 9-to-0 that a Christian school does have that right, because this is a ministry, so we have the right to have standards of conduct,” Dr. Taylor told WFAA-TV News.

Dr. Taylor said Samford violated the morals clause in her contract, and that the school considers its teachers to be ministers since they’re allowed to share their beliefs in the classroom.

Since the dispute remains unresolved and the school refuses to settle, Samford is considering legal action.

“You can’t discriminate against someone who’s pregnant or has a pregnancy-related medical condition. That is both state and federal law,” said her attorney, Colin Walsh.

Walsh and Samford have filed a charge of gender and pregnancy discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and are preparing a lawsuit against the school.

Taylor said HCA was contacted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the firing.

Samford says she is facing financial problems and now may have to give birth without medical insurance. She is due to give birth this month.

She also has two children from a previous marriage who were students at HCA.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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By Jeff Mateer. Rockwall’s Heritage Christian Academy Eagles defeated Watauga’s Harvest Christian Academy 48-0 Saturday, with the game ending at halfway through the 4^th Quarter due to six-man football’s 45-point “Mercy Rule.”

HCA’s defense dominated the game, limiting Harvest to only 30 yards total offense and just one first down (gained on a penalty).

HCA scored first on a blocked punt by sophomore Evan Pettit, which resulted in a safety.

Offensively for HCA, junior Caleb Cathey led the way rushing for 193 yards on 22 carries and scoring two touchdowns.

Senior Travis Arterburn and junior Krys Harber each added rushing touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Austin Pettit connected with seniors Asa Burke and Aaron Mateer for touchdowns through the air.

HCA (6-1, 2-0) is back in action on Friday night to take on district rival Dallas Covenant (6-2, 2-0) at the Rockwall High School practice field on “Senior Night.”

Scoring Summary:

HCA Blocked punt by Evan Pettit for safety

HCA Caleb Cathey 13 run (Aaron Mateer kick)

HCA  Travis Arterburn 5 run (A. Mateer kick)

HCA Krys Harber 3 run (A. Mateer kick)

HCA Asa Burke 48 pass from Austin Pettit (A. Mateer kick)

HCA Caleb Cathey 16 run (A. Mateer kick)

HCA Aaron Mateer 6 pass from A. Pettit

Individual Leaders

Rushing – HCA: Caleb Cathey 22-193, Travis Arterburn 2-11, Asa Burke 1-7, Joe McConnell 1-1, Krys Harber 4- -6, Austin Pettit 2- -6.  WHC: A.J. McCort 8-19, Jacob Bonola 5-12, Cody Callahan 3-0, Austin Gonzales 2- -11.

Passing – HCA: Austin Pettit 6-10-0-98.  WHC: Austin Gonzales 4-7-0-10, A.J. McCort 0-3-1-0.

Receiving – HCA: Asa Burke 2-53, Aaron Mateer 2-24, Evan Pettit 1-16, Quincy Terrell 1-5.  WHC: A.J. McCort 2-7, Jacob Bonola 2-3.

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By Jeff Mateer. In its home opener Friday night, Rockwall’s Heritage Christian Academy Eagles defeated the Fannindel Falcons 60 to 13 with the game ending in the third quarter due to the six-man, 45-point mercy rule.

HCA’s defense dominated the game holding Fannidel to negative 6 yards rushing and creating 5 turnovers. Senior defensive end Austin Pettit led the way with ten tackles and two fumble recoveries. Senior middle linebacker Travis Arterburn contributed five tackles and returned an interception for a TD.

Offensively, HCA was led by junior running back Caleb Cathey, who rushed for 116 yards and 2 TDS.

HCA (2-0) will return home next week against Abilene Christian (1-1) at the Rockwall Heath High School Practice Field, Friday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m.

HCA                                       24           22           14            -              60

Fannindel                           6              7              0             -              13

SCORING SUMMARY

HCA       Krys Harbor 42 run (Aaron Mateer kick)

HCA       Travis Arberburn 1 run (Aaron Mateer kick)

HCA       Austin Pettit 4 pass from Nathan Mateer (Aaron Mateer kick)

HCA       Austin Pettit 15 run (Aaron Mateer kick)

HCA       Evan Pettit 37 run (Aaron Mateer kick)

HCA       Travis Arterburn safety

HCA       Krys Harbor 57 kick return

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing – HCA: Caleb Cathey 13-116, Austin Pettit 5-71, Krys Harbor 7-67, Travis Arterburn 2-25, Evan Pettit 1-4, Nathan Mateer 2- -6. FAN: Jacolby Judkins 11-8, Steven Locke 4-7, Xavier Brown 1-1, Zach Rose 2- -11, Steven Brown 1- -11.

Passing – HCA: Nathan Mateer 5-8-0-92.  FAN: Xavier Brown 3-4-0-57, Jacolby Judkins 1-2-0-29, Zach Rose 0-3-1-0.

Receiving – HCA: Austin Pettit 1-39, Aaron Mateer 2-35, Asa Burke 1-11, Caleb Cathey 1-7. FAN: Zach Rose 2-48, Steven Brown 1-32, William Kant 1-6.

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By J.J. Smith. Soon after hearing about the devastating earthquake that leveled much of Haiti in January, two freshmen students who attend Rockwall’s private Christian college prep school Heritage Christian Academy decided to do something to help the millions of people stranded there. They just didn’t know what.

After learning from their HCA art teacher that a water filter could be purchased for $1,200 that would provide sanitary water for drinking and wound care that would ultimately save the lives of hundreds of people, Cate Walker and Molly Devine sprang into action.

“We felt called to do something but we didn’t know what,” said Molly, the daughter of Tom and Valerie Devine of Forney.

“Then Mr. Tully, our art teacher, told us of an opportunity to be involved in the relief efforts,” said Cate, the daughter of Royse City residents Eddie and Sarah Walker.

Matt Tully’s church, Nation’s Church in Dallas, was involved in a program responsible for purchasing water filters and they were told they could help.

The stainless steel, nearly-indestructable filters made by Katadyn Products clean 25,000 gallons of water by hand pump before having to be cleaned with a scrubby and are used regularly by the U.S. military.

Molly and Cate quickly began collecting money to purchase one water filter.

“There were several things we did to collect the money,” explained Cate. We went to the elementary classes after lunch each day and received left-over change. We asked for it in weekly high school chapels. We stayed after HCA events and collected money from parents as they left.”

Molly said she also donated some of her earnings from a concert she gave at a coffee house.

As the two girls were nearing their goal, with guitars in hand they went to Mrs. Aja’s first-grade class at HCA, sang three songs and then told the first-graders how donating to their water filter effort would help save hundreds of lives.

The class had been collecting money for missionary work and placing it in what they called their “Jesus Jar.” After listening to the girls talk about their cause, the first-graders decided to donate their earnings to the relief effort, as well. The $75 from the class pushed Molly and Cate over their goal with a final total of $1243.00.

The two girls said they are very excited to be able to contribute something significant to the relief effort.

“It’s just so great to me that even though we are so young we can still do something significant to save lives,” said Cate.

“Cate and Molly truly exemplify the characteristics of Jesus Christ in their attitudes and actions,” said Kendra Cordero, HCA communications director.

Photo shows Molly, left, and Cate with HCA first graders holding their “Jesus Jar” full of money they donated.

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By J.J. Smith. The Headmaster of Rockwall’s Heritage Christian Academy received a prestigious award from the nation’s premier international professional educational group, Phi Delta Kappa, at the annual banquet of the organization’s Texas A&M University-Commerce chapter May 13.

Dr. Ron Taylor, who has been a PDK group member for 35 years, received the Phi Delta Kappa Service Key award for his long and dedicated educational career in the public and private sectors.

He was presented the award by Dr. Caroline Vornberg (pictured), past president of the Chapter.

Besides serving as HCA’s Headmaster for the past three years, he was a teacher, principal and director of elementary education for the Garland ISD for 34 years.

He has also been an adjunct professor at A&M-Commerce where he earned all three of his degrees.

PDK International was founded in 1906 and the A&M-Commerce chapter is now 53 years old.

Heritage Christian Academy is Rockwall’s only Christian college preparatory school (multi-denominational). Ninety-five percent of its graduates attend college. Founded in 1995, K3-12 enrollment is approximately 250 students, with a faculty of 29 full-time teachers. It is located at 1408 S. Goliad St.

For more information call 972-772-3003 or visit www.heritagechristianacademy.org.

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HCA opened the scoring when freshman quarterback Nathan Mateer connected with junior wide receiver Aaron Mateer on an 18-yard touchdown pass. 

Greenville Christian, however, rolled up the next 54 points led by senior quarterback Jake Schumann, who threw for four touchdowns, and senior Nick Nelson, who caught three touchdown passes.

Despite the loss, HCA (4-5) advances to the first round of the playoffs, where the Eagles will play District Three Champion Summit Christian Academy next Saturday afternoon in Cedar Ridge.

As District Two champion, No. 1 – ranked Greenville Christian (9-1) receives a first round bye in the playoffs.

SCORING:

HCA         8       0      0          8

GCS        17     31      6       54

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing – HCA: Austin Pettit 16-31, Evan Pettit 1-8, Joe McConnell 1- -4, Nathan Mateer 2 – -8.  GCS: Tanner Barnes 5-45, Kelton Pitts 1- -1, Andrew Wombacker 1- -2, Jake Schumann 3 -4.

Passing – HCA: Nathan Mateer 3-7-0-49, Austin Pettit 1-2-0-16.  GCS: Jake Schumann 9-16-0-216.

Receiving – HCA: Aaron Mateer 3-42, Sam Prater 1-23. GCS: Nick Nelson 5-123, Andrew Wombacker 2-32, Tanner Barnes 1-32, Kelton Pitts 1-29.

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The game ended with 8:44 to go in the 4th quarter pursuant to six-man football’s 45 point mercy rule. 

HCA’s defense limited Lakehill’s high-powered offense to only 142 total yards, creating 4 turnovers, including interceptions by juniors Austin Pettit and Aaron Mateer. 

Junior Sam Lyon led HCA’s defense with 9 tackles, including 2 sacks and a fumble recovery.

HCA’s offense was led by Pettit, who rushed for 228 yards on 25 carries, scoring 2 touchdowns. 

Freshman quarterback Nathan Mateer also contributed by completing 8 of 10 passes for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

Sophomore running back Caleb Cathey led the receivers with 3 catches for 49 yards, scoring 2 touchdowns. 

HCA returns home next Friday night to play undefeated and top-ranked TAPPS 6-man district foe Dallas Covenant (7-0) at the Rockwall High School Practice Field.

SCORING:

Scoring Summary

HCA         16   16    20   8    60

DLP            8     0      0   7    15

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing – HCA: Austin Pettit 25-228, Eric Bradley 5-18, Evan Pettit 2-7, Asa Burke 1-3, Caleb Cathey 1-1, Nathan Mateer 2 – -11.  LPS: Charles Burch 6-52, Harrison Boyd 3-20, Mac Kelley 11-6, Jimmy LaBrie 1- -17.

Passing – HCA: Nathan Mateer 8-10-1-108, Austin Pettit 1-3-1-4.  LPS: Mac Kelley 7-10-2-81, Jimmy LaBrie 0-2-0-0.

Receiving – HCA: Caleb Cathey 3-49, Asa Burke 2-41,Aaron Mateer 2-11, Sam Prater 1-7, Nathan Mateer 1-4. LPS: Harrison Boyd 4-43, Alex Alfonso 3-38.

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By J.J. Smith. Most and perhaps none of Rockwall County’s public and private schools will be showing President Obama’s controversial live speech to school children in their classes Tuesday morning at 11 a.m (Central Time).

Rockwall ISD will provide ”optional access” at a designated location on each campus.

Royse City ISD and Heritage Christian Academy (HCA)will not.

The Fulton School’s administrators were meeting Friday morning and have not yet decided.

RISD and RCISD will use their websites to make a recording and text of his speech available for students and parents to view at their convenience. 

According to a letter sent home yesterday with children from RISD, “due to the important content and historical nature of President Obama’s address, we will provide all students and their families optional access. ”

“On each campus the president’s address will be available at a designated location.”

“Please contact your campus administrator if you would like your student to view the message as it is broadcast live.”

RISD will also post “the full content of the message” on the RISD website home page” “so all students and their parents and guardians will have access to President Obama’s address at their convenience.”

“Our main goal is to keep the decision in the hands of the parents,” said RISD Director of Communications Sheri Fowler.

According to the RCISD website, ”Royse City ISD will not be attempting to show this event live to our students.”

“ There are too many issues,  including the capability of our technology system to stream a live event to all classrooms, as well as the fact that it will be during the lunch time of many of our students and staff.”

“ However, we will make a recording available to our social studies teachers for them to use at their discretion.  Parents always have the ability to opt their children out of the viewing of any video.  This should be done by contacting the teacher or the principal at the appropriate campus.”

HCA administrators said they had no particular comments to offer.

In a letter last week to the nation’s school principals, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the speech streamed live from the White House website would simply challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning.

But some education experts and parents are criticizing the speech because they say a suggested lesson plan that calls on school kids to write letters to themselves about what they can do to help Pres. Obama  establishes the president as a “superintendent in chief” and may indoctrinate children to support him politically.

Pres. Obama will deliver the national address directly to students on Tuesday, which will be the first day of classes for many children across the country. Most Texas schools have already been in session for two weeks.

“The goal of the speech and the lesson plans is to challenge students to work hard in school, to not drop out and to meet short-term goals like behaving in class, doing their homework and goals that parents and teachers alike can agree are noble,” Tommy Vietor, a White House spokesman, told FOXNews.com. “This isn’t a policy speech. This is a speech designed to encourage kids to stay in school.”

But in advance of the address, the Department of Education has offered educators “classroom activities” to coincide with Obama’s message. 

That’s the main reason for the controversy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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