ACP’s students had a busy first semester from start to finish, packed with academic achievements, athletic successes, school accolades, and memorable school-wide events. To ring in the New Year, let’s take a look back at a few of the events that made semester one unforgettable.

Lift-Off to a New School Year

During the first week, ACP’s seniors coordinated a galaxy-themed introduction to the new school year. The seniors greeted both new and returning students with warmth and positivity, helping everyone feel welcome from the first day onward. At the introductory assembly on the first day, students participated in a metaphorical journey through outer space, tracing ACP’s history from its very beginnings through present day. The closing pep assembly on the first Friday of the school year featured glow-in-the-dark bowling, an intergalactic relay race, and an introduction to all of ACP’s faculty members. After the seniors’ enthusiastic welcome, students were ready to blast off towards a new school year.

Throwback to Old Hollywood – Homecoming

One of the most anticipated events of the first quarter, the Homecoming dance, brought students back to the days of Old Hollywood. Leading up to the big night, students participated in spirit days such as Monochrome Monday (dressing up in shades of black and white), Animated Tuesday (impersonating a favorite animated TV show or movie character), and Red Carpet Friday (coming to school decked-out in all red). Students made magical memories at the dance, taking pictures at a Hollywood-themed photo booth, dancing to classic hits, and spending time with their friends.

Winter Wishes Make-a-Wish Fundraiser Dance

During the second quarter, Student Government sponsored a Make-a-Wish fundraiser to raise money to grant wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses. Proceeds from selling stickers and tickets to the Winter Wishes dance went toward the Make-a-Wish cause. Students had a night to remember at the dance, dancing the night away in a beautifully decorated room.

Athletic Accomplishments

Several of our fall sports teams qualified for State, ending the season on a positive note. The Varsity Football team made an astonishing comeback from last season, making it to playoffs and finishing up the year with a 6-2 win-loss record. The Girls Volleyball team battled their way to State and ended up ranking seventh in the 3A division. The Varsity Swim team reached the qualifying round of the state championship. Girls ended up placing 17th out of 30 teams, and boys placed 12th out of 35 teams.

With the end of fall sports, winter sports are now in full swing at ACP. In November, ACP’s cheer group competed in the USA Regionals competition at Estrella Foothills High School. The Game Day Squad qualified for Nationals by placing first in Situational Sideline, and Varsity Show Cheer qualified by placing third. The Wrestling team started their season off strong; they racked up a series of wins against Benjamin Franklin, San Tan Foothills, Tempe Prep, and Alchesay High School.

Academic Achievements Abound

ACP’s Math Club took home trophies at several regional, state, and even national tournaments last semester! At the Fall Startup Event, a speed-based content, Taman Truong placed 8th in the nation. For Chandler Gilbert Community College’s Excellence in Mathematics Competition, Sunny Vakkalanka placed first in the Level II division, and Taman won seventh place in the Level I division. In November, ACP’s Math Team placed fifteenth in the nation in the National Assessment and Team Scramble, a team-based competition testing both speed and creativity in solving problems. The team is currently fundraising to attend Nationals during the summer. In late November, students hosted the Power in Numbers Car Show, which attracted car enthusiasts across the valley to ACP’s parking lot.

As well, ACP’s Speech and Debate Team racked up a series of wins at their last few tournaments. In September, debaters traveled to Texas to compete at the 31st Annual Grapevine Classic Tournament. Students placed high at many statewide tournaments, including The Maverick Tournament at Desert Ridge and the Mountain View Toro Country Classic.

Students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on Wednesday, October 16th. While juniors will not find out if their scores met the cutoff until September of 2020, these scores serve as a valuable starting point for SAT preparations.

ACP-Erie Earns Blue Ribbon Award

ACP-Erie was one of 362 schools in the United States to earn the National Blue Ribbon School award. After a lengthy application process, the entire school gathered in the gym to watch a video that revealed this year’s Blue Ribbon Schools. Students’ cheers echoed throughout the gym when U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced thatACP-Erie was a 2019 Blue Ribbon School! A few week later, Mr. Bickes traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award with Dr. Hester, Ms. Hester, Ms. Osborn, Mrs. Wilson, Ms. LeFevre, and Mrs. Stout.

Looking Forward

With a new semester under way, students have a lot to look forward to! Coming up this semester, juniors will be taking the ACT in April, and Advanced Placement students will be taking their AP exams in May. This semester, upperclassmen have the option to attend Prom, and all students are invited to MORP. Winter sports are in session, with athletes determined to represent the best of ACP. The first semester had tons of memorable highlights, and the upcoming semester is sure to have much in store for us as well.