News

 Union Christian Academy's School Board 
and Administrative Leadership Team
announces the selection of

Mr. Chris Smith as Head Football Coach

Having coached football at Blinn College and Kilgore College, Chris comes to Union with a wealth of knowledge gained both from his degree in Sports Management and from his experience coaching at the nation's top junior college football programs. He is originally from Charleston where his family still resides. Chris has been married to his wife, Mindy, for three years and they are both excited to be moving back home. Coach Smith will be here within the next few weeks - in time to coach spring football practices and oversee this summer's off-season training program.

From Coach Smith...
"This is a dream come true! To be selected as Union's next Head Football Coach is a great honor and responsibility. I will give all I have to prepare and motivate our student athletes to achieve excellence in everything they do. It is my prayer and my passion to see Union's athletes compete with the highest levels of intensity, skill, and honor - all to the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

 In addition his teaching responsibilities, Coach Smith will also serve as Union's Athletic Director and Assistant Baseball Coach. Chris played both football and baseball at Bacone College.

 The School Board and the Administrative Leadership Team wishes to recognize the tremendously positive and difficult work of the coach search committee led by Booster Club President, Dr. Rick Massengale. Their tireless efforts have been incredibly helpful in this process. We are grateful to them for all their work and continued commitment to excellence in Union Athletics.

 

Union Christian Academy's School Board
announces the selection of

Mrs. Andie Plymale as Secondary Campus Principal

Until now, Mrs. Plymale has been serving in an interim capacity.  In their most recent meeting, the School Board voted unanimously to appoint her to the position permanently.

Congratulations Mrs. Plymale!

Resignation of a Beloved Union Faculty Member

To the families of Union Christian Academy:

"It is with a heavy heart I give my resignation to you regarding my position as first grade teacher.  My illness has progressed to a place where I must take care of myself in order to be the mother I need to be for my family.  I will pray for blessings for you, the students, parents, and the new teacher during this time of transition." 

-Casey Wilkinson

We regret the loss of Mrs. Wilkinson in our first grade classroom. We understand and will continue to pray for her health and her family. Dominique Primm, a certified teacher, has been placed in that classroom until a more long-term arrangement can be made. We are working diligently to ensure each student continues to receive quality instruction. I am working toward meeting individually with the parents of each of Mrs. Wilkinson's students during this transition.

- Casey Landry, Elementary Principal

Farrah Shoppach Departing Union's Staff

Having served for the past four years as Union Christian Academy's Director of Public Relations, Farrah Shoppach has felt strongly led to focus on her family and her service at Harvest Time. A few months ago she let me know that after much soul searching she had decided to leave her position at Union at the end of December.

It would be nearly impossible to calculate the positive impact Farrah has made in our community on behalf of Union Christian Academy. Count the number of times Union has been featured on the front page of the Times-Record and you'll get a sense of how much Farrah has accomplished on behalf of our school. She pioneered and led many significant public relations efforts on our behalf and has worked tirelessly to spread the good word about Union.

Understandably, Farrah has been concerned that her departure from Union's staff might lead to the mistaken conclusion that the Shoppach family is leaving or less than enthusiastic supporters of volunteer activities. It is important to Farrah that the entire school family understands that she and Steven remain completely committed to all things Union and that they will remain supportive parents of Union students.

As I have already discovered, there's no need to say "goodbye" to Farrah. She will continue to be the always energetic Union mom that believes in our school's mission as much as ever. Though we are not saying goodbye, as Farrah leaves her role at Union please join me in expressing our deepest appreciation for her and her work as our Public Relations Director.

J.D. Williams
Business Administrator
Union Christian Academy

Coach Bob Hattabaugh Announces
His Upcoming Retirement

  It is with profound appreciation for his faithful service to Union that we wish Coach Bob Hattabaugh well in his upcoming retirement. With more than four decades of coaching and teaching to his credit, Coach Hattabaugh has been a strong positive influence on the lives of countless students across many generations. 

The most heartfelt "Thank You" seems inadequate to express our appreciation to Bob for sharing his many years of experience with the Union Christian Academy family. God has blessed us richly through his faithful service here and his investment in the youth of our region.

 Sometime in May the secondary campus will host a reception to honor Coach Hattabaugh as he retires. Until then, please take a moment to express your appreciation to Bob personally whenever you see him.   

We'll miss you, Coach! May God bless you as much as you have blessed us!

 

Merry Christmas from the Holdens! 

Christmas is so special!  It is about Christ, our faith, our family and our friends - and what a blessing that all those things can be combined at Union Christian Academy. One of the things Carol and I wish we could do is sit down with you personally, drink a cup of coffee, and catch up on what has been happening in your family. Perhaps sometime this coming year we will have that chance.  Hope so! 

In the mean time, we want to share a story with you about our granddaughter Faith's experience at Union. Faith earned merits at Union that could be spent in the school store for anything she wanted. Her choice? To buy a Bible to give to some child that does not have one. An outreach pastor at our church helped us find such a child who received her first copy of God's Word - all because our granddaughter received merits and Godly instruction at Union. In the noise and clamor of the season, Christmas is often best understood when seen through the eyes of a child!

God bless you all,
Pastor Kemp and Carol Holden

 Chris Dorey Headed for the Air National Guard!
   
Jeff Rice and Chris Dorey welcome new colleague Ashley Tankersley to the secondary science lab.
   

   We're very proud to announce that Secondary Science Teacher, Chris Dorey, will soon begin his initial training as a member of the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing. Mr. Dorey will be taking advantage of his science background to serve as a Meteorologist for the A-10 squadron here in Fort Smith.  Because Mr. Dorey will leave for Basic Training on January 24th, Secondary Campus Principal, Andie Plymale, has elected to bring his replacement on board at the beginning of the second semester.

So, allow us to introduce to you our new Secondary Science Teacher, Ashley Tankersley. Mrs. Tankersley comes to us from South Carolina.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Francis Marion University, a Master of Arts in Teaching with Biology Concentration from Converse College, and two years teaching experience at the high school level.  We are excited to have Mrs. Tankersley join our Union family!   

We plan to have a send off party for Mr. Dorey before he leaves for the Air Force. Look for a future e-blast with details! 

Erich Sweet Takes the Reigns in Fourth Grade!

Erich Sweet is introduced to his new class by outgoing teacher Angela McLain

 
We have exciting news! Union Christian Academy Elementary has a new teacher in fourth grade - Erich Sweet. 

Having worked for over four years as an X-Ray Technician and Therapist at Clark Family Chiropractic in Fort Smith, Mr. Sweet felt called to return to school in preparation for a career in education. He recently graduated from UAFS with a certification to teach Kindergarten through 6th grade and is excited to have the opportunity to teach at Union. As a local volunteer children's minister, Mr. Sweet first visited the elementary campus during our recent Pastor's Appreciation Breakfast. He knew then that he would love to teach at Union, and we are delighted that God put that desire in his heart. Mr. Sweet will be taking over for the much beloved Angela McLain.

Be sure to welcome Mr. Sweet to our school family!