“I was focusing on how other people saw me, and I just don’t think I was as healthy as I should have been. This week, I’ve been praying about it and I just had the revelation that I shouldn’t change who I am or try to focus on how people see me. I should just be the person who I think I am. I’ve been a lot happier and I feel like I’ve been able to help other people as well. You shouldn’t offer advice to someone when you’re not your true self. I’m liking this version of Kaysen.” — Kaysen Fredieu, Sr.

“I talked to so many people I’ve never spoken to, hardly ever, just because they weren’t in my group or they were like, different or something, but they’re all so funny. Y’all need to go talk to Turner Smith if you get a chance, or Logan Trusket because they’re really funny.” — Merrick Myers, Fr., on her Freshman O experience

“I think, for me, Christ has shown up in the way that I have felt supported lately. … I’ve had so many friends just support me and tell me, ‘You’re gonna make it,’ ‘You’ll get your grades up.’ Then at the Alumni Dinner, there was this woman named Veola (A woman close to Distinguished Alumni Roy S. Johnson). We were talking as we were about to leave and she told me that I’m going to make it and it was just a really sweet moment and I think that was Christ talking to me. It was really sweet.” — Laura Hughes, Jr. 

“I saw the Lord show up in my week at the Alumni Dinner. I had a rough day, but the Alumni Dinner just made me realize how thankful I am to go to a school like this and have a community like this and see the ways that Holland Hall impacted those alumni. It changed my perspective a lot.” — Ali Hibbard, Sr.

Those reflections came during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on Oct. 2 when Ali asked a group of about 15 students, “How has God shown up in your life this week?”

It’s the type of discussion that takes place each Friday at 7:30 a.m. in the US Library when FCA meets.

“For someone who’s never attended, I would tell them that FCA is a space where anyone is welcome to come and learn about the Lord and how I think he affects our lives as students and outside of school, whether we’re part of a church or not,” Ali said. “Also being able to just be in fellowship with everyone and being able to relate on things that we all kind of go through as high schoolers, which is just really nice and helpful.”

The meetings begin with a Scripture message. During the Oct. 2 meeting, Ali, who leads most of the meetings, read from John 10:1-21 where Jesus uses the image of a shepherd and his sheep to describe his relationship with his followers.

After that, Ali posed the question and offered group members a chance to share their insights.

“For myself, personally, I get a lot of growth out of FCA,” Ali said. “I’m able to put myself out there in my faith and be bold in something I believe in. But more than that, I am able to pour into other people.” 

Ryan Myers and Christy Zahn are the faculty sponsors and attend all meetings.

Even though the word “athletes” is in the title, this club is for everyone. Even Middle School students attend.

Before Laura ended the Oct. 2 meeting with a group prayer, Mr. Myers delivered an important message about next week’s Field Day.

“I hope people enjoy Field Day, but Field Day is not for us,” he said. “It’s for the younger kids … how can we just show up and serve other people and create a cool memory for younger kids?”

To learn more about FCA, see their booth at Field Day, or simply show up at a Friday meeting.