High Point erased a double-digit second-half deficit and took its first-ever NCAA Tournament win in just its second appearance. The defining moment came with 11.7 seconds remaining. After Wisconsin missed a go-ahead layup, Rob Martin secured the rebound and delivered a full-court pass to Johnston, who finished a breakaway layup to give High Point an 83–82 lead. Notably, the basket marked Johnston’s first made two-point field goal of the season—an ironic and fitting moment for a player known almost exclusively for his three-point shooting.

After delivering the decisive play, Johnston reflected on the moment through the lens of his faith, “I was just praying, ‘Lord, let us shock the world.’”

High Point’s defense secured the win in the final seconds. Moments after the final buzzer, Johnston pointed not to himself, but to his faith.

“First and foremost, I want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Johnston said. “This team is built on John 15:13—we serve each other, we love each other, and we’d give everything for each other.”

Johnston, a 6-foot-3 graduate guard wearing No. 99, has built his role as a perimeter specialist, climbing to 415 career three-pointers—surpassing Stephen Curry’s total at Davidson and placing him among the top shooters in Division I history.

Johnston’s path to this moment has been marked by perseverance. After hip surgery earlier in his college career, he considered stepping away from basketball before returning with a renewed sense of purpose.

Johnston etched his name into the national record books in 2019, setting a new national high school boys’ record with 546 career three-pointers. Johnston also played a vital role in Westminster Academy basketball program’s sustained success, contributing to their fourth consecutive State Final appearance and securing their third consecutive State Championship in Lakeland, Florida. Westminster Academy is only the second school in Broward County to claim a state championship three-peat.

Reflecting on his time as Johnston’s varsity men’s basketball coach for six years at Westminster Academy, Coach Ehren Wallhoff states, “Chase was an instrumental part of the success of our state run and three state championships during his time here. He is a true competitor and winner who always had a work ethic that couldn’t be matched, which ultimately continued into his collegiate career, where he continues to win and make an impact both on and off the court. I am proud of how he’s continued to live out his faith while competing at the highest level.”

In addition to Johnston, Westminster Academy has two other alumni competing in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: Jaylen Carey, WA class of ’23, playing for the University of Tennessee, and Alex Lloyd, WA class of ’25, playing for the University of Florida.

The Westminster Academy basketball program has long been a cornerstone of the school’s championship athletic tradition. Founded in 1971, WA has developed a reputation for excellence across athletics, combining competitive success with a Christ-centered, biblically-based college preparatory education.

Through programs like men’s basketball, WA continues to develop not only championship athletes, but young men and women prepared to lead and impact the world for Christ.

Highlights of the season included emphatic playoff victories: a commanding 49–26 win over Merritt Island Christian, a 38–14 triumph in the state final against Bradenton Christian, and a consistent showing from both the skill positions and the trenches.

Throughout the year, RLCA’s offense surged, often piling up 300+ rushing yards or combining multiple scoring drives per game, while the defense held firm — limiting opponents and forcing turnovers.

Beyond the numbers, what made the 2025 season special was the character of the team: under pressure, facing adversity, the players stuck together, answered every challenge, and delivered under the brightest lights.

The completion of an undefeated championship run marks not just a high-water mark for RLCA football—it establishes a new standard for the program and sets a legacy that will inspire future generations of Raptors.

“This group has shown incredible heart all season,” said Athletic Director Aaron Skingley. “To go undefeated and reach the state championship speaks to the trust they’ve built, the hours they’ve invested, and the way they’ve lifted each other up through injuries and adversity. I’m proud of our players, our coaches, and the way they’ve represented our school and community.”

School Head Dr. Dawn Engle said: “Real Life Christian Academy is thrilled to celebrate our Varsity Football Team advancing to the State Finals for the first time in school history! We couldn’t be more proud of our players, coaches, and community as we cheer them on in this remarkable achievement.”

The game will be held on Friday, November 21st, with a 1:00pm kickoff at:

The Range
H.G. Morse Stadium
2210 Dr. Randy McDaniel Way
The Villages 34762

Located directly adjacent to Westminster Academy’s main campus on Federal Highway, the property acquisition marks the culmination of a strategic vision shared by the Westminster Academy community. The acquisition was made possible through a unified commitment of prayer, faith, and financial support.

“This is more than a land purchase—it’s a generational investment in the future of Christian education,” said Mr. George Barbar ’98, Chairman of the Westminster Academy School Board. “We are stewarding this opportunity to strengthen the mission of raising up exceptional thinkers, lifelong learners, and influential leaders for Christ.”

With the closing complete, Westminster Academy has initiated the permitting process for demolition of the current structure on the site. Pending city approval, demolition is expected to be completed by year-end, opening the door for expanded parking and green space as an immediate benefit to the school and church communities. The long-term vision for the property includes development to further enhance WA’s commitment to excellence in academics, fine arts, athletics, and spiritual formation.

“This acquisition addresses long-standing needs for campus safety, accessibility, and growth. It reflects our shared belief in the power of Christ-centered education and our readiness to pursue bold steps that will impact generations to come,” said Dr. Joel Satterly, Westminster Academy Headmaster.

Westminster Academy is grateful for the continued support of its families, donors, and community partners. As this new chapter unfolds, Westminster Academy remains committed to transparency, stewardship, and the unwavering pursuit of its mission—for God’s glory alone.

Westminster Academy is a Christ-centered, biblically-based college preparatory school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serving over 1,000 students in PreK 2 through 12th grade, that is dedicated to equipping covenant students to excel by using their gifts and talents for God’s glory.

The championship match proved to be a thrilling conclusion to an already remarkable season. From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, the Westminster Academy Lions displayed unwavering teamwork, strategic execution, and a resolute spirit grounded in their mission to glorify God through excellence in athletics.

With each pass, block, and goal, the Lions demonstrated the fruits of their discipline and unity—qualities cultivated through months of rigorous training and spiritual growth. Though the game remained neck-and-neck, the Lions held their composure in the final moments, sealing a victory now etched into school history.

The 2025 state championship marks another milestone achievement for Westminster Academy’s water polo program and stands as a tribute to the steadfast commitment of its players, coaches, and families. The Lions’ season was characterized by sportsmanship, humility, and a pursuit of excellence rooted in biblical values.

Alex Lloyd and Markeli Jones–Tynes have been honored with this prestigious recognition for their outstanding performance on the court and their leadership as student-athletes. In addition to this historic achievement, both were recently named First Team Broward All-County by the Sun Sentinel and the Miami Herald.

Alex will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Florida, and Markeli will take the next step in her journey at Robert Morris University. We are proud of their accomplishments and the way they have represented Westminster Academy with excellence, humility, and perseverance.

Since 1992, the Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program has recognized over 5,000 of the state’s top athletes and coaches across 30 FHSAA-sanctioned sports. As the longest-running sports awards program in the nation, it is often regarded as the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy in Florida high school athletics.

At Westminster Academy, we celebrate not only the victories on the court but also the growth of character, leadership, and faith in our student-athletes. Congratulations to Alex and Markeli on this incredible honor—to God be the glory!

Of roughly 2,750 nominated students, approximately 30 students world-wide become Jefferson Scholars every year after an extensive interview process, including regional review and final selection.

Emily has not yet committed to UVA, as she is being courted by many top schools in the country, including Duke University and Washington and Lee University, but this scholarship certainly helps!

We are so proud of Emily and her classmates in the class of 2025, set to graduate in two months.

Ed Jones, Director of Development, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the project possible. He shared, “Time and time again, we would have roadblocks, setbacks, but time and time again, God came through. I’m so glad to be a part of what God has done here and what God is going to do.” His words reflected the perseverance and faith that have guided the journey of this new building.

Scott Moore, Bible Department Chair, led the opening prayer, dedicating the building to God and asking for His guidance in shaping the hearts and minds of the students who would walk its halls. His prayer set the tone for the day, as attendees gathered to celebrate the next chapter in the school’s history.

Will Weatherford, Managing Partner at Weatherford Capital and CCS Parent, shared his deep connection to the school, reflecting on the impact Cambridge has had on his own children and family. He said, “Cambridge has changed my kids’ lives. It’s changed our life just like it has yours, maybe your kids or your grandkids.” His words resonated with the audience, a reminder of the lasting influence the school has on families and future generations.

He went on to describe the building’s significance, emphasizing its role in increasing the number of students Cambridge Christian can serve and send into the community to impact the world for Christ. “Tampa Bay is in desperate need of more Cambridge Christian impact.”

Scott Meister, Chair of the Board of Trustees, reflected on his long history with the school. Having first walked on campus as a second grader 39 years ago, he shared, “When I first joined the board 10 years ago, I was focused on making this school better for my kids. But God has since shown me the greater calling of serving His eternal kingdom rather than my own. Today, I serve your kids, our grandkids, and those who have not yet walked our halls. I encourage you to think about your legacy and how your actions today will impact future generations.”

Shawn Minks, Head of School, shared the school’s renewed commitment to its mission. “We are more committed than ever to our mission, to kingdom education, to partnering with parents, and to the Lancer family, of which everyone here is a member. Cambridge Christian School is Jesus first, and we give Him all the glory for this amazing provision,” he said, expressing gratitude for the support of the community and the opportunity to continue the work God has called the school to do.

Kevin Edmonson, former Chairman of the Board, took the stage with his brother Billy Edmonson. Kevin spoke passionately about the role the school has played in shaping his family’s lives, honoring his parents, Bill & Patrician Edmonson, whose legacy at Cambridge Christian is deeply felt. He shared, “God’s plans were to shape and mold my kids and me. It did so much for me personally. It was just amazing. We get to be the light of Tampa Bay.”

Following Kevin Edmonson’s speech, a balloon drop revealed the striking new signage for Edmonson Hall, marking the next chapter for the high school campus.

The celebration continued with the official ribbon-cutting, symbolizing the opening of the new campus and a bright future ahead for Cambridge Christian School.

Guests were then invited to take a tour of the new building, with instructions provided on how to explore the state-of-the-art facilities.

This new high school campus at Cambridge Christian School stands as a testament to the vision, faith, and dedication of all those who have supported the school’s mission. With the continued guidance of God, the school looks forward to the future and the many lives that will be shaped by the education, values, and community at Cambridge Christian.

The newly-completed facilities include a cutting-edge STEM Lab, a vibrant Art Studio, a dedicated Dance and Exercise Room, and a multi-functional Sports Court. Each space has been thoughtfully designed to provide students with the tools and environment they need to thrive spiritually socially and academically.

This first phase of development reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to its mission: Enriching Minds, Engaging Hearts, and Empowering Leaders to impact the world for Christ. These new facilities are not just buildings—they are a testament to the school’s dedication to nurturing the God-given potential in every student.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was attended by school administrators, board members, church leaders, faculty, students, parents, and community leaders, all of whom gathered to celebrate this exciting new chapter. The joyful event included student performances, prayers of dedication, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude for the many hands that brought this vision to life.

As Spanish River Christian School looks ahead to future phases of construction, this milestone stands as a symbol of growth, faith, and the unwavering commitment to preparing students to make a lasting impact for Christ in the world.

Located at 4950 Communication Avenue in Boca Raton, BRiC’s renowned corridors now feature a vibrant walking art exhibit that showcases a dynamic cross-section of student talent in both visual arts and music. Each piece on display reflects not only the students’ artistic ability but also their dedication to using their gifts for a greater purpose.

At the heart of the exhibition is the school’s mission: Enriching Minds, Engaging Hearts, and Empowering Leaders to impact the world for Christ. This mission is evident in every brushstroke, color choice, and musical performance, as students boldly and beautifully express their God-given creativity to inspire others.

At SRCS, we feel that our students are not just creating art—they are telling stories, reflecting truth, and glorifying God through their talents. It’s an honor to see their work displayed in such a prominent public venue, where it can bless and uplift everyone who walks these halls.

Parents, faculty, and community members gathered for the opening reception to celebrate the students’ achievements and witness firsthand how creativity and faith come together to make a meaningful impact. The exhibit, open to the public for the duration of the year, serves as an ongoing testament to the power of Christian education in developing the whole child—mind, heart, and spirit.

As the school continues to foster a culture of excellence in the arts, events like this reinforce Spanish River Christian School’s commitment to educate students spiritually, socially, and academically under the Lordship of Jesus.

HB 1285 allows schools to operate in any church, synagogue, library, community center, theater, performing arts venue, or museum in the state. The law creates a state-level preemption and requires that a Certificate of Use be issued regardless of local zoning laws. Religious institutions and other organizations can sublease unused space to schools.

A coalition of eduction policy experts, religious leaders and elected officials came together to craft this legislation to encourage new innovative schools to open or expand across Florida.

See the bill’s page at the Florida Senate site.

Since Florida has become the largest provider of public vouchers for private schooling in the country, lawmakers now expect organizations administering this money on the state’s behalf to clarify what parents can spend it on.

Meanwhile, state officials are looking into bringing more scholarship funding organizations to the state. Vouchers are typically worth about $7,700. For students with special needs who are eligible for a “unique abilities scholarship,” that figure can run up to $10,000, according to Step Up for Students, the state’s primary scholarship funding organization.

Also see:

• “Administrators cite ‘complex’ issues with burgeoning Florida school vouchers”
  by Ryan Dailey in the Orlando Sentinel
• “School voucher providers have until year’s end to clarify what parents can purchase”
  by Christian Casale in the Florida Phoenix
• “Gradebook”
  by Jeffrey S. Solochek in the Tampa Bay Times

House Bill 1, the landmark legislation passed earlier this year, raised the cap on enrollment in the state’s Unique Abilities scholarship program and ensured the number of available scholarships would grow more quickly in future years.

State economists pegged the maximum number of scholarships for the current school year at 40,913.

However, that number does not apply to students who previously enrolled in the phased-out McKay Scholarship program, attended public schools the previous year, were adopted, live in foster care, are children of active-duty military or law enforcement, or received specialized services for students with disabilities through the state’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Program.

Those provisions allow tens of thousands more students to receive scholarships.

So far this year, Step Up For Students, has awarded more than 85,000 scholarships under the program, an increase of approximately 17,000 from the previous year.

Despite that major growth, demand for scholarships has outstripped supply. Lawmakers, in town this week for a special session, approved legislation to fix that.

HB 3-C would allow scholarship funding organizations, including Step Up, to work with the Department of Education to determine how many more students qualify for scholarships this school year. Students who apply by Dec. 15 will be able to receive a scholarship.

Funding for the increase in scholarships would be absorbed by a $350 million fiscal cushion that lawmakers have already set aside to help manage the growth of scholarship programs under HB 1.

In subsequent years, the number of available scholarships would continue to increase by 3% of the number of students with disabilities in the state, as the current law allows.

The measure is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk.

“I know so many families at home whose children are going to benefit by this,” said Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers when House approved the bill 111-0 on Tuesday. “They’ve been reaching out, and what can we do and those funds are going to go to great use. As the stepmother of a child with a unique ability, I know firsthand how important every resource is to provide to families.”

Florida already has 1.3 million students who learn full-time in a school of their family’s choosing – larger than the entire K-12 student enrollments of 35 other states. Now law, HB 1 will further cement Florida’s position as the nation’s leader in school choice.

The bill also addresses some issues with teacher certification. It extends the length of a temporary certificate from 3 to 5 years. It also removes the requirement to meet the General Knowledge requirement for teachers who have been in the classroom for 3 years and who have been rated effective or highly effective for each of those 3 years.

The new legislation converts FES-EO and FTC into education savings accounts. It expands program eligibility to any student who is a resident of Florida and is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school in Florida.

It establishes scholarship priority based on household income:

1. Renewal students will continue to have first priority
2. Students whose household income level does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level receive the next highest priority
3. Students whose household income level exceeds 185% of the federal poverty level but does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level receive the third highest priority

It expands Authorized Uses of Program Funds under FES-EO and FTC to include:

• Instructional materials
• Curriculum
• Tuition & fees for full-time or part-time enrollment in an eligible postsecondary institution or a program offered by a postsecondary institution
• An approved pre-apprenticeship program
• A private tutoring program
• A virtual program from a Dept. of Education-approved private online provider
• Florida Virtual School as a private pay student
• An approved online course
• Fees for Nationally standardized, norm-referenced achievement tests, Advanced Placement exams, industry certification exams, assessments related to postsecondary education, or other assessments
• Contracted services provided by a public school or school district, including classes (subject to the school’s space and availability)
• Tuition & fees for part-time tutoring services or fees for services provided by a choice navigator

It allows all students who are eligible for FES-EO to use the transportation scholarship.

Parents of students in full-time private schools must agree to have their Scholarship Funding Organization, or “SFO,” commit scholarship funds on behalf of their students for tuition and fees before using ESA funds for other authorized uses of program funds.

The legislation has become fraught with confusion and disagreements over allowing students to attend private schools using taxpayer dollars, and the trajectory of the legislation is now unclear.

“I am concerned with the posture of the bill right now, in terms of what that looks like for being accountable to the taxpayer, and really accountable to the parent, in terms of transparency,” said Sen. Erin Grall, a Republican who sponsored the controversial Parents’ Bill of Rights law in 2021 during her time as a state House representative.

“I think that there is additional transparency that could be included in this bill that would lead to greater accountability, not only on behalf of — really on behalf of us in our fiscal role, but also help the parent navigate complicated systems,” Grall said at a Senate committee meeting Tuesday on PreK-12 education.

Currently, the state’s main scholarships, or vouchers, are designated for specific students: those with disabilities, and those who come from low-income to middle-class families. But legislation proposed in both the Senate and the House would let all K-12 students in Florida be eligible for the vouchers, regardless of income. That would mean the children of millionaire and billionaire families could attend private schools funded by public dollars.

GOP lawmakers have typically approved voucher expansions. Democrats usually don’t. It’s not clear if Gov. Ron DeSantis supports vouchers for children of millionaires and billionaires, according to a report from POLITICO.

Grall has argued that adding transparency provisions would allow parents to have a more informed choice when considering using a voucher program to attend a private school.

“For example, there’s a list of private schools that accept the scholarships on the DOE (Department of Education) website, and there’s a list and whether or not it’s religious, military, what grades they serve, the students they serve, the denomination, whether or not the school is accredited and whether or that school serves specific disabilities,” Grall said.

“We could add the curriculum at this school has, the test that the school has chosen to take as part of the requirement, and what the actual scores were for the school — to make it easy for parents to see how that school has performed, not only among other private schools in their community, but also among the public school options that are available,” she added.

Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, told the Phoenix that the statewide teacher union has been asking for accountability for private schools, as suggested by Grall, for years.

“I think there’s something to be said about those accountability measures and just having those minimum accountability measures in place that allow parents to truly make decisions – I think that’s where Sen. Grall is coming from,” he told the Phoenix. “And I don’t believe she’s alone in that, on either side of the aisle.”

He added: “I’m not a fan of vouchers, but if there are going to be vouchers out there, I think there should be some assurances to the parents, and to the taxpayers, that those schools that are accepting those vouchers maintain certain minimum standards. That’s always been our position and our hope.”

As it stands now, the House has a voucher expansion bill, HB 1, that rolled out earlier and is sponsored by Rep. Kaylee Tuck of South Central Florida and Rep. Susan Plasencia of Central Florida.

The Senate has a similar but not identical bill sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, SB 202, who represents North Florida counties.

The two bills would need to come to a consensus, and lawmakers will likely offer amendments to change how the voucher legislation would function.

But that’s not the only hurdle that lawmakers will need to face to get to the finish line this coming spring session.

Sen. Simon’s bill adds a smattering of topics in the public-school arena, spanning from graduation requirements to teacher certification. The topics are not about vouchers.

Here’s a sample from Simon’s version:

• Allow school districts to use some state funds currently intended to raise starting teacher pay to go towards increasing the salaries of other full-time instructional personnel
• Remove a graduation requirement that forced students to take an online class during their time in high school
• Expand the timeframe of a temporary teaching certificate from three years to five years
• Require the state Board of Education to evaluate and offer revisions or repeals to the current education law in Florida and provide recommendations to the governor and the Florida Legislature in 2024. Some 2.8 million students attend Florida’s public schools.
  

Putting the public-school measures in a voucher expansion bill would likely put pressure on Democrats in the Senate. They would want to approve some of those public-school items, but they wouldn’t want to approve the voucher expansion.

Florida Democrats have quickly denounced the voucher expansion, arguing that the legislation would “defund” public schools and “destroy public schools as we know them.”

Sen. Simon told the Phoenix after the committee meeting Tuesday that: “All parties involved are still looking through ways to make it better, so we’ll continue that line of communication. And as it moves, this bill will get better over time, so I’m excited about having those open lines communication.”

He added: “It’s just gonna take some time, you know…I hate to give definitive statements right now, because things are changing, in that: the process is doing with the process is supposed to do, and so we’re just looking forward to putting the best bill we can possibly get out of the Senate.”

For a national perspective, see “The Two States Now Have Universal School Choice — And Yours Could Be Next” at Discover Institute, where they write about Florida:

Florida is historically a national leader in school choice, with almost half its students learning in an option outside of their assigned traditional public school. Current legislation is calling for universal school choice. With Republican lawmakers holding supermajorities in both the House and Senate, and Governor Ron DeSantis at the helm, it’s only a matter of time.

The meeting, dubbed “A Conversation with Commissioner Diaz,” included representatives from independent, faith-based, charter and virtual schools along with key officials from the Florida Department of Education.

“We are going to keep our foot on the accelerator,” Diaz said. “There is no reason to try to think that we should rest on our laurels.”

Members of the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools who attended the meeting were greatly encouraged by the Commissioner’s remarks. Michael Barrett, Associate for Education at the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, was among those who expressed gratitude.

“Commissioner Diaz was a fantastic advocate for Florida’s education system during his time in the Legislature, and we look forward to continuing to work with him during his time at FLDOE,” Barret said.

Howard Burke, executive director of the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, observed that the meeting signaled Diaz’s desire for further expansion of parental choice for all children.

“The importance of including nonpublic school association leaders and key persons in an introductory meeting on his first day in office was to express his anticipation and assurance we will have a place at the table in fulfilling such goals,” Burke said.

Adam Emerson, newly appointed executive director of the Department’s Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, served as moderator for the webinar. Joining Emerson was Jacob Oliva, Senior Chancellor at the Department, who assisted in facilitating the meeting.

Emerson sought to amplify earlier remarks from Diaz, reminding attendees that he has been “immersed” in the school choice movement for the last dozen or so years.

“The school choice movement as you have just heard is near and dear to my heart,” Emerson said.

He encouraged participants to contact him if they encounter barriers to school choice and student-centered policies.

Daniel Aqua, executive director at Teach Florida, which represents Jewish day schools in Florida, praised Diaz for his longstanding commitment to promoting school choice.

“Commissioner Diaz was the voice for nonpublic school students in the state Legislature for the past decade, and we are ecstatic to have him leading our state’s educational system,” Aqua said. “The fact that he included the nonpublic school coalition on his day one agenda gives us confidence that our children will be considered by the state’s educational infrastructure moving forward.”