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.

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.

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.

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.

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.