12 Oct A Word From Dr. Satterly—October 12, 2023
Dear WA Community,
Our family has been afforded the opportunity to live in various parts of the county. While we have enjoyed each stop, every location requires adjustment. For example, one doesn’t need to order grits with breakfast or specify what kind of iced tea in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Both are assumed. In Chicago, pizza generally comes one way—as a pie, not thin. One thing we appreciated about Lexington, Kentucky, our hometown, was that the year has all four seasons—fall, winter, spring, and summer. South Florida, on the other hand, has only two—tourist and hurricane.
Perhaps seasons are on my mind because this past weekend, Carol and I traveled to New England to see our son and daughter-in-law. Fall was in full force. There was a morning nip in the air, leaves were turning, and the evenings were crisp. Seemingly, every coffee shop was featuring some sort of pumpkin drink. As a side, I realize that many enjoy the idea of a drink brewed from a gourd, but I personally believe there should be a constitutional amendment banning the use of gourds and vegetables in desserts and such concoctions. Be that as it may, we enjoyed catching a bit of fall.
In the life of a school, fall signals other things more important than flavored coffee and sweaters. It means lots of travel for conferences, and it brings homecoming. Last week, I accompanied three other WA colleagues to Minneapolis for the annual CESA Symposium. This weekend, I’ll be in Pensacola visiting a member school for Christian Schools of Florida (CSF) in preparation to lead its reaccreditation team later this spring. I’ll be in Orlando next week, participating on First Academy’s CESA recertification team while the fall CSF meeting is held across town. Members of our team will be there too. While each of these represents part of Westminster Academy’s responsibility to the advancement of Christian education, each also affords an opportunity for us to learn and get better.
As important as these conferences may be, the most significant fall event for Westminster Academy is homecoming. This year’s event includes much of our tradition—a parade, lots of food, and a football game with all the trimmings. We will induct teams, coaches, and alumni into the Athletic Wall of Honor. Three different classes are holding reunions during homecoming weekend, and many other alumni are coming home because at Westminster Academy, family never graduates. Homecoming is a time to celebrate what God has done, is doing, and will do in our community. It is Westminster Academy in full bloom. Hope to see you there!
To God be the Glory!
Dr. Joel Satterly
Headmaster