West-Mont Christian Academy Wins Wellness Prize

West-Mont Christian Academy Wellness Team Members proudly hold their trophy for placing first in the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation School Checklist Competition. From left to right: Leanne Boyer, Christie Werkheiser, Charis Felton, and Head of School, Anthony Buttacy

Blogger's Note: Written by West-Mont Senior and Advancement Wellness Intern, Hunter G. Fegan.

The Health and Wellness Group of West-Mont Christian Academy got together on a monthly basis to plan wellness related events for the school body and public. 

After a year of faithful dedication, the team took 1st place in the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation School Checklist Competition. 24 area schools competed for the prize of a trophy and additional grant funds to further Wellness efforts on campus.

From the first week of school in September until mid-April, the Health and Wellness team met monthly to discuss and find ways to implement a healthier living style and environment for students and the local community. The team worked together on completing a checklist provided by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. The checklist was broken up into sub categories within Health and Wellness: Getting Started, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Stress Relief, Staff Connections, Sustainability, and a bonus section.

In order to gain points, the team planned events open to the school and the public. Some of the events planned by the Health and Wellness team included a healthy eating workshop, a budgeting workshop, an essential oils class, and several other workshops. Along with that, the team also planned and carried out the school’s annual Bike and Hike on the Schuylkill River Trail.

All in all, West-Mont’s Health and Wellness Team put in countless hours that helped them achieve first place in the competition. The goal of the Health and Wellness Group was not to win necessarily but to implement and strengthen the schools healthy living style and to look for new areas to improve. The Health and Wellness team had a great year and is looking froward to all that can be done in the coming years.

West-Mont Inducts 7 into National Honor Society

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by West-Mont Christian Academy.

The National Honor Society chapter at West-Mont inducted seven new members on Oct. 22.

An induction service was held to celebrate and welcome the students into the National Honor Society.

The National Honor Society is a nationwide service organization led by students.

Earning a place in the organization is based on a student’s academic achievement, leadership, service, and character.

The 2018 West-Mont inductees were Arielle Collins, Jacob Hallman, Lindsey Houck, Kara Newton, Deborah Shurtleff, Olivia Smith, and Isabelle Werkheiser.

West-Mont Christian Academy’s Head of School, Anthony Buttacy, gave a brief message about the importance of service.

The National Honor Society is glad to receive the seven new members and excited to serve the community in the 2018-2019 school year.

For more information about West-Mont call 610-326-7690 or visit www.west-mont.org.

West-Mont Holds Homecoming and Silent Auction

Photos by Ryan Estes

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by West-Mont Christian Academy.

West-Mont’s Homecoming and Silent Auction events on Friday, Oct. 12,  were a success. 

Many alumni attended and participated in the evening’s festivities. Chick-fil-A and flower sale fundraisers were a huge hit. 

The silent auction was bustling with activity as guests placed bids on basket packages, gift certificates, artwork, and many other special items, which also raised money for the school.

In addition to carnival games and face painting, Elementary students enjoyed a moon bounce obstacle course provided by JAMB party rentals. 

All activities were free of charge. West-Mont middle school volleyball, varsity soccer, and varsity volleyball celebrated victories in their games.

Sponsors for the evening included Apex Fabrication And Design, Jiffy Lube, Sanatoga Corp, Hetrick Gardens, Mishock Physical Therapy and  Associates, and Kingston Roots.

For more information about West-Mont and how to get a tour of our campus, call 610-326-7690 or visit www.west-mont.org.

West-Mont Students Lend An 'Amazing' Hand

West-Mont Christian Academy students during the Amazing Service Race event.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by West-Mont Christian Academy

Sixteen groups of West-Mont Christian Academy students were sent into the Pottstown community and completed the exciting challenge of “The Amazing Service Race” on Sept. 26

Middle and high school students from West-Mont Christian Academy eagerly participated in 6 service opportunities. 

The first stop was In Ian’s Boots where shoes were unpackaged, labeled, and organized. Later, the students headed to the Coventry Mall to help with cleaning and other tasks.

One favorite activity among students was going to the store and purchasing food for Operation Backpack. The students then dropped the items off at the Operation Backpack headquarters where it will be distributed to children in Pottstown. 

Another part of The Amazing Service Race was a challenge to initiate a random act of kindness. For this, students picked up trash, washed car windows, and helped patrons at the grocery store.

Teachers described The Amazing Service Race as “a major success.” Kelly Estes, a high school English teacher at West-Mont said, “My students had a chance to see many ways to serve; from providing food, to cleaning up a park, to helping out at the mall, as well as local churches.” 

The event was a success among students as well.

Many wanted to continue serving and requested to have another service race in the future.

For more information about West-Mont, call 610-326-7690 or visit www.west-mont.org.

Focus on Healthy Eating at West-Mont Christian

Photos provided by West-Mont Christian Academy

Guest chefs Yvonne Westlake and Eric Myers discuss health eating at a workshop earlier this month at West-Mont Christian Academy.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by West-Mont Christian Academy.

At West-Mont Christian Academy, there is a strong emphasis on healthy lifestyle choices. 

In connection with the schools Wellness Team, a Healthy Eating Workshop was offered to the community on the evening of Feb. 6. 

The healthy eating workshop was well-attended.

The well-attended free event was led by two West-Mont parents who are trained chefs, and currently, work at Wegmans in the seafood department. 

The evening was fully sponsored by Wegmans, and the guest chefs, Yvonne Westlake, and Eric Myers discussed healthy eating options, the myths and realities of organic eating, how to shop intentionally, and ways to sneak more fruits and veggies into your families!

The cooking duo demonstrated three recipes that were then sampled by everyone. 

The school also recently hosted a free Essential Oil Workshop that was a big hit; families are asking for more of the same! 

West-Mont plans to schedule future events to the public that are similar. Keep an eye on www.west-mont.org/health-wellness for future wellness efforts.

West-Mont Project Will Warm Couple's Home

Submitted photo

The students that participated in this project were (left to right back): Logan Westlake, Brooke Bowman, Jasmine Bowman, Kyle Yensan, Josh Maurer, and (front) Rebekah O'Neal.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by West-Mont Christian Academy. 

West-Mont Christian Academy's 8A (8th Grade - Section A) Bible Class recently completed a wood-cutting service project for an older couple from Perkiomenville.

Bob and Lori Meyers have been heating their home for years through the winter months with firewood as their primary source of heat. A few years ago Bob became disabled from a work- related injury and now is no longer able to perform the physical work necessary to prepare the wood for their winter needs.

The 8th Grade class found out about the need Bob and Lori had through their Bible teacher, Phil Bowman, and agreed that they would work together as a class to help this couple in need. 

On Saturday Oct. 28, the students worked from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., splitting, hauling and stacking roughly two cords of wood to help this couple have enough for their winter supply needs.

Most of the kids had never been exposed to cutting wood before and were quick to learn the true meaning of hard work.

One student was heard saying "I've never worked this hard in my life!". The students were impressed with this couple's hardy lifestyle and their sacrifice in trading in modern heating styles, for a more primitive and economical approach.

Bob and Lori Meyers were grateful beyond words for the work the students did for them. Bob explained to the kids at the end of the day that they accomplished way more than he ever expected and he and his wife were extremely thankful for each one of them. 

The work the students did will keep this couple supplied with all the wood they should need for this coming winter.

Even though the students said it was a lot of hard work, they all agreed that it was well worth their time and effort. They had a great time working together to help this couple, and as kids do, still found plenty of opportunities for laughter and fun amidst the labor and sweat they poured into their project.

All Middle Schoolers at West-Mont Christian Academy are required to complete a service project, known as their "James Project" for each of the four semesters during their school year. 

Bowman quoted James 2:14-17 as the purpose for this requirement. "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace;
keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

To learn more about West-Mont Christian Academy, visit www.west-mont.org.