Just after 7:00pm Thursday night, November 21, 2013 Headmaster Jeff McCormick took the stage at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia, Georgia to welcome the hundreds of anticipating family members and friends of 2nd - 5th graders of Vidalia Heritage Academy. With the spotlight on the Headmaster, who was dressed in attire fit for a king, he started his welcome. Just seconds into his introduction, out walked 5th Grader Jacob Thompson, later to be known as the Duke of Fast Foods, who boldly declared that this was his job and he could handle it. As the audience laughed, Thompson turned back to them and introduced the fall performance of King and Queens.
For the next hour, the audience was theatrically transformed from their chairs into a world of fantasy, with a very real theme. As "Brooke" played by Julie Catron, falls asleep during a tour of a medival castle, she dreams that she's back in the times of knights, kings and queens. Through the well written story, Brooke learns from a carpenter, watchers later understand to symbolize Jesus Christ, that the world has many temporal offerings, none of which can bring everlasting joy and peace. She learns that the carpenter's Father has everything anyone could possibly want and need. All they have to do is be willing to follow the carpenter to his father's kingdom.
With outstanding performances of 19 other cast members and an enormous ensemble of vocal talent comprising of the rest of the 2nd - 5th graders, the play was truly a success bringing about the most important story of all, in a fun, exciting and hilarious 60 minute revue. Regardless that the cost of tickets help the school in many ways, the mere $10 was extremely reasonable for parents and family to sit back and allow the Gospel of Christ to be presented out of the mouths of babes.
Weaved seamlessly through the play were fantastic visuals and beautiful music performed by the students. From the reminder that all girls are beautiful to God and that they shouldn't listen to the lies poured out from the world, to the command that we are to love and treat everyone with love and grace, tears could be seen in the eyes of many adults as the reminder of God's grace and love for us inundated the auditorium.
In a day and age where great teachers are hard to come by, Vidalia Heritage Academy has once again proven God's provision by providing their students with an amazing faculty whose love for Christ is evident by their desire to serve the King by serving His children.
Public and private schools across our nation have taken on the unfortunate role of becoming poverty stricken. With teachers from sea to shining sea pouring out their own money into their classrooms, resources becoming limited, and education restrictions become stricter, it's a wonder why teachers take positions at private schools in small communities that can't offer the level of state pay, benefits and retirement that many public schools can. It's a wonder, that is, until you meet the teachers of Vidalia Heritage Academy. Once you do, it won't take long for you to realize that their remuneration comes in the form of more than money and benefits. It comes from knowing that they are free to pour the love of Christ into the lives of children. To be able to step out in faith, and watch the Lord guide your path, keeps these warriors in our classrooms. Thank God for the many blessings that He has made available at Vidalia Heritage Academy.
Another VHA success story and once again my hat must be tipped to the hardworking faculty and staff of the school. To the students that aren't ashamed to love Christ in a world where it's not popular to do so. And to the parents who invest the things of God into their children by supporting VHA.
I didn't just enjoy another performance. I was reminded of how special we are to God, something that we all should be reminded of daily, so we can truly appreciate it. There was a powerful message delivered tonight.....and that sermon, boys and girls, will preach!
C. Proctor
