Prince of Peace Christian School Boys' Varsity Soccer Team State Champs
From Left to Right, Back Row: Assistant Coach Nick Weiss, Jordan Heusinkveld, Sten Stray-Gunderson, Alex Amini, Devon Paul-Wright, Justin Bishop, Elliott Fry, Takuma Sakuma, Charles Reamy, Billy Woodall, Zach Strater, Christof Zaayman, John Davis, Ashton Zitterkopf, Chad Kennington, Hayden Wier and Paul Russ (Assistant Coach)
Front Row: Coach Georges Antoun, Jake Bitting, Jordan Koeppe, Gus Newkirk, Ricky Hofstra, Spencer Fred, Alexander Goessler, Taevin Gove, Kevin Stevens, Patrick Settles, Taylor Nelson and Head Coach Tatu Pecorari
PRINCE OF PEACE CHRISTIAN BOYS' VARSITY SOCCER STATE CHAMPS
POPCS Eagles chalk up 5th state soccer title
Carrollton, Texas – March 3, 2009 – Prince of Peace Christian School’s Boys Varsity soccer team are the 2009-2010 Division III Winter Soccer state champs. POPCS Varsity Boys’ Soccer team has won four previous state championships but this is their first Winter State Championship! The mighty Eagles traveled to San Antonio on February 19 to meet The Highlands School in a re-match of the 2008 regional contest. Freshman Elliott Fry scored first but The Highlands came back. Down 2-1, the Eagles tied the game before halftime on a header by senior Ricky Hofstra. Adding goals in the second half were Alexander Goessler, Devon Paul-Wright and Sten Stray-Gundersen resulting in a 5-2 Eagle victory.
Not only did the team win its first Winter Soccer Championship they started the road to this win on the new POPCS Athletic Field, a multi-purpose synthetic field for soccer and football, an 8-lane running track, and seating for 1,000. The first game played on the new field was the Bi-District qualifying match against Canyon Creek which POPCS won 13-1.
Team Captains Spencer Fred and Alexander Goessler along with Seniors Ricky Hofstra and Taevin Gove led the team to its 5th championship. The graduating captains shared their thoughts about this championship team. "It has been an amazing experience being a member of this team for four years. As a senior I could not be more proud of being a member of a five time State Championship Winning Team", said Senior and Team Co-Captain Spencer Fred. "We were thrilled to progress towards the State Championship with the opportunity to play our Bi-District qualifying match on Prince of Peace's new Athletic Field", said Co-Team Captain Alex Goessler.
The final game was played against The Brook Hill School (Bullard, TX). The Eagles struck first with a goal by Zach Strater off a corner kick. Sten Stray-Gunderson added two more for the Eagles who won 3-1. “The team was very determined to win the state championship. It is a pleasure to coach players who are willing to work hard and play as a team,” said Coach Tatu Pecorari.
Prince of Peace Welcomes New Head Football Coach
New Head Football Coach Larry Thexton
February 4, 2010 - Carrollton, TX – Prince of Peace Christian School and Early Learning Center in Carrollton has announced that Coach Larry Thexton will be joining the Prince of Peace team as the New Head Football Coach. Thexton comes to the school after serving as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Canyon Creek Christian Academy in Richardson. He will officially assume his new position on June 14 after conducting spring football practice.
Over the last seven years at Canyon Creek, Thexton produced one of the most successful private school football programs in the area, winning back-to-back State Championships in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Division IV in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 as well as the National Private Schools Accreditation Alliance (NPSAA) Division II National Championship in 2009-2010. His success at the school marks one of the quickest turnarounds in the football program’s history, leading a team that had not made a playoff appearance in 21 years from a 4-6 finish to a 6-5 record in his first season.
Prior to his career at Canyon Creek, Thexton served as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Bible Baptist College in Springfield, Missouri. He currently serves on the TAPPS Athletic Executive Committee, directs the National Flexbone Football Coaches Association, and is a member of the Texas Association of Private School Coaches. Thexton will complete his B.A. in Christian Education this summer at Louisiana Baptist College. He and his family reside in Wylie.
While Thexton brings a long history of successful coaching to Prince of Peace, he also brings a passion for student athlete ministry.
“While we are incredibly impressed by Coach Thexton’s football knowledge, we are most excited about his ability to connect with kids,” said Prince of Peace Headmaster Chris Hahn. “His leadership on and off the field will bring something special to our students, and we are blessed to have him join Prince of Peace.”
“Coach Thexton will bring immediate excitement to our growing program and we are already looking forward to the upcoming football season to be played in our new on-campus stadium,” said Prince of Peace Athletic Director Earl Garland. “We are thrilled that a coach of his caliber would decide to be a part of our athletic program.”
Thexton is looking forward to new challenges at Prince of Peace and is ready to make the upcoming season even more successful.
“I am excited to be working with Headmaster Hahn, High School Principal Craig Swanson, and Athletic Director Garland to build a championship level program at Prince of Peace,” said Coach Thexton. “Spring football starts May 10!”
For more information on the football program at Prince of Peace, please call Earl Garland at 972-447-9887, ext. 340, or visit the Web site at .
Cheerleaders show talent at Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Nationals
From Left to Right, Front Row: Valentina DiMarco, Magan Creel, Caitlan-Dallas Fowler
Middle Row: Katie Lonquist, Megan Whisenant, Jenny Jordan, Sydney Fred,
Leah Wright
Back Row: Jordan Patak, Courtney Toombs, Taylor Baker, Samm Gulledge, Eastan Croson, Kati Kassing, and
Amanda Hoffman
Prince of Peace Cheerleaders show talent at
Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Nationals
Varsity Squad takes 6th Place overall in Finals and 1st Place in Competitors Cup
February 17, 2010 - Carrollton, TX – The Cheerleading squad of Prince of Peace Christian School in Carrollton successfully competed in the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Nationals held in Orlando, Florida, at the Shingle Creek Resort and Convention Hotel, December 30 – January 4, 2010.
The all girl squad led by Senior Captain/Chaplain; Taylor Baker and Senior Captain; Eastan Croson showed poise, grace and determination during the 3 days of competition. The team joined over 600 competitors from all over the US to compete for the national title, taking first place in the Competitors Cup – Medium varsity division and going on to take 6th place overall in finals.
Under the direction of coaches Julie Reeves and Megan Cleland this was the sixth year for POPCS cheerleaders to participate in the FCC Nationals. “We are extremely proud of what our girls have accomplished.” The Varsity Squad also placed 2nd in Hip Hop Dance division; while Senior Megan Whisenant placed 3rd in Senior Individuals division.
"The girls were amazing this year! As a coach, what you hope to see - especially in a place of competition - is your team's best. That is what they gave this year. We had an injury the night before we competed so we had to re-do portions of the routine. There was a malfunction with the music, and it did not start on time. The girls remained cool in the situation, they problem solved and ended up holding a stunt for 35 seconds. FCC staff was coming out of the back, the crowd was cheering them on - it was truly their finest moment. People stopped Coach Megan and I and compliment us on how well the girls did. We were, and are, so proud! They really were a wonderful reflection on the school."
Prince of Peace Senior Achieves Perfect ACT Score
Chris Hahn - Headmaster, Ricky Hofstra and Craig Swanson - High School Principal
Prince of Peace Christian School and Early Learning Center in Carrollton is proud to announce that Senior Ricky Hofstra recently achieved a perfect composite score of 36 on his ACT. According to Richard Ferguson, CEO and Chairman of the ACT Board, Hofstra was one of only eight students in the state of Texas and one of 91 students in the nation to achieve a perfect score on his national test date. Hofstra has attended Prince of Peace Christian School since kindergarten and has been involved in numerous extra-curricular activities at school including football, soccer and track. While he did not participate in any test prep courses prior to taking the ACT, he credits his teachers in general for helping him to excel in math and says he is pleased by his score.
“I’m pretty happy with it,” said Hofstra. “I did pretty well on the first one, but when I took it this second time, I couldn’t think of any questions that I had missed. I’ve gotten a lot of congratulations from friends and people I don’t even know. It’s sometimes kind of awkward because you don’t want to brag, but everyone has been really nice about it, and my parents are obviously really happy.”
Hofstra would like to pursue a degree in electrical engineering to capitalize on his particular strengths in science, math, and creative problem solving. While he has not decided on a college yet, he is looking at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Calvin College, Vanderbilt University, and Rice University and would like to participate in intramural sports. He will graduate from Prince of Peace Christian School in May 2010.
“I’m looking forward to everything about college, from the openness of the classes and dorm life to social activities and sports,” said Hofstra.
“We are extremely proud of Ricky’s achievements throughout his academic career at Prince of Peace and were thrilled to receive the news of his perfect ACT composite score,” said Chris Hahn, Headmaster of Prince of Peace Christian School. “From his studies to his skills as an athlete, Ricky has consistently surpassed his goals and is an excellent example of a well-rounded, thoughtful student leader. We wish him the best in his future plans and know he will be an incredible asset to the university that he decides to attend.”
Prince of Peace Teacher Honored during Mavericks Game
Prince of Peace Christian School is proud to announce that Dorothy Noack, a 3rd Grade teacher at the Carrollton private school, was selected as an Outstanding Teacher by The Dallas Mavericks and The UPS Store Teacher Recognition Program.
The Teacher Recognition Program was created to recognize area teachers who make a difference in the lives of their students. Local students were asked to nominate their teachers and describe why they should be selected as leaders in the field of teaching. One of Noack’s students, Max Rothschiller, nominated her for the award by writing a 150 word essay about her skills as a teacher. Noack was one of only 10 Dallas/Fort Worth teachers to be chosen as an Outstanding Teacher.
“Mrs. Noack is a wonderful teacher and creates many programs on her own time to benefit the students,” said Rothschiller. “Her passion is science and math. She is always doing science related teaching in class. She also developed Space Day for our school and holds a science club for 3rd and 4th Grade students about every 8 weeks. I have done many neat science experiments with her in this club. Mrs. Noack is a great teacher, and I think she deserves this award.”
Noack and her fellow award recipients were recognized by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban along with Jeff Helgeson, Suzy Badger, Mike Neesen and Jon Alspaw from The UPS Store during the second quarter of the Mavs vs. Timberwolves game at American Airlines Center on Monday, April 13, 2009. More than 3,600 nominations were received for the Teacher Recognition Program, and the 2009 winners were: Carrie Breedlove- Kimbrough Middle School in Mesquite; Michael Henry- Grapevine High School; Kathy Kroening- Richardson High School; Dena Leggett- Allen High School; Peter Morrissey- James B. Bonham Elementary School in Dallas; Dorothy Noack- Prince of Peace Christian School in Carrollton; Mary Lou Smith- Kleberg Elementary School in Dallas; Julie Vu- Burleson High School; Kim Waddell- Willie E. Brown Elementary School in Mansfield; and Lisa Wheeler- Oaklawn Elementary in Fort Worth.
In addition to being honored publicly, Noack received $1,000 from The Dallas Mavericks and The UPS Store for her achievements, and Prince of Peace Christian School was also awarded $1,000. Noack and Prince of Peace Christian School would like to thank The Dallas Mavericks, The UPS Store, KRLD News Radio 1080 and 98.7 K-LUV for their support of the Teacher Recognition Program.
Prince of Peace Center On The Rise
Prince of Peace Christian School and Lutheran Church leaders, Joined by community members, Carrollton Mayor Ron Branson and Plano City Council member Lee Dunlap, recently held a celebratory ground breaking for a Fine Arts Center.
The $6.5-milion, 32,000-square-foot center, which will include a 500-seat auditorium, is slated to open in fall of 2009 and will include a state-or-the-art sound, light and technology system and classrooms for art, technology, band choir and drama.
The ceremony included speeches by headmaster Chris Hahn and fine arts chair Greg Matthews and congratulatory words from Branson. Luke Biggs, the head pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, blessed the event. In honor of the occasion the schools choirs and band showcased their talents during the program.
"I am excited because this new facility will allow many students to feel that they belong," Hahn said. "They will feel that their talents are valued and that the school is a place for those gifts to be molded, which will allow students to grow. The new facility will ultimately contribute to the student becoming Christian leaders prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow."
Prince of Peace Opens Early Childhood Program
The Early Learning Center staff members pose for a group photo. Lynn Keckonen, Early Childhood Director; Loden L.; Noah L.; Rita Fathman, Toddler Teacher; Darla Webb, Infant Teacher; Emma Z.; Jackie Sanchez, Two Year Old Teacher and Reese C.
Prince of Peace Christian School made Dallas-Fort Worth history August 25, when it became the first area school to serve students from 6 weeks old through 12th grade. In response to the community’s need for a child care facility for children under three years old, Prince of Peace introduced an Early Learning Center. The program’s popularity was apparent when it reached maximum enrollment before the center opened. To continue to serve the community’s needs, construction has begun to build a new facility which will allow for a 75% increase in enrollment.
Dedicated to upholding the school’s National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence reputation, the school hired Lynn Keckonen almost a year ago to spearhead the Early Learning Center. Prior to working at POPCS, Mrs. Keckonen had thirty years of experience in early childhood education. She also managed the operation of more than fifty schools within a ten-state region.
Mrs. Keckonen has been committed to developing the program to meet the education and spiritual needs of the students and their families. “The Early Learning Center allows us a wonderful opportunity to serve as role models and instill complete acceptance of faith into our students. Our program is modeled around Proverbs 22:6 ‘Train up a child the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.’”
Emma Z. and Teagan P. enjoy a buggy ride
around the campus.
The Early Learning Center’s mission is the same as POPCS’, to provide a Christ-centered exemplary education equipping students and families as disciples and leaders to meet the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. When Headmaster, Chris Hahn, was asked what he hopes the ELC will accomplish, his response was “changing lives by expanding the Gospel to the next generation. I believe we will become a national model for crib to college educational ministry.”
Newspaper Article
"Prince of Peace Opens Early Childhood Program" by Emily PennockDallas Morning News - Carrollton Neighbors 19 September 2008.
