A hot cup of happiness! NCCS Business Academy entrepreneurship students just launched a steaming hot new business idea this fall! Are you ready??? This September, Higher Grounds Coffee OPENED for business, serving the students, faculty, staff, community, and all NCCS families with a delicious cup of joe! This business is completely student-led and operated — from naming to branding to researching the coffee-making process.
Higher Grounds is beginning as a mobile coffee cart, helping our Business Academy students practice their trade in the coffee industry before launching our on-campus cafe next year in phase two of our Upper School facility.
Earlier this fall, students took an R+D field trip to Apotheos Roastery, one of the business’s official suppliers for coffee grounds and iced coffee. They also built and outfitted their coffee cart.
The students launched with a basic menu and will expand offerings as the business grows. The name “Higher Grounds” was selected as a reference to the business’s mission verse: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).
Business Academy Director Ryan Moore says that his students “just want to uplift others as they start their day or help them recharge for the afternoon by offering high-quality coffee, the best customer service, and an opportunity to enjoy a time of fellowship with others.” We can’t wait to support this new venture … bring on the coffee!
Community Development Networking Breakfast | 10.19.23, 8 a.m.
Calling all business owners, real estate professionals, community leaders, mortgage brokers, lenders, and anyone else interested in learning what's NOW and what's NEXT for Cobb, Cherokee, and Acworth!
NCCS is hosting a networking event + community development panel emceed by Todd Clingman with Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood, Cherokee / Towne Lake Commissioner Corey Ragsdale, and Cobb Commissioner Keli Gambrill in the NCCS Fine Arts Building on Thursday, 10.19, 8 - 9:15 a.m. Breakfast + coffee provided by Jill Stimson, Coldwell Banker Realty.
Breakfast + coffee provided by Jill Stimson, Coldwell Banker Realty.
WHO | Bring your colleagues; this event is open to the public!
WHERE | NCCS Fine Arts Building | 4500 Eagle Drive, Kennesaw 30144
Our varsity girls have a 3 - 0 region record and a 9 - 3 - 1 overall record, boasting a strong 73% winning percentage so far this season. This year, North Cobb Christian School welcomed two new varsity softball coaches to our experienced Eagles coaching staff, who are undoubtedly contributing to the team’s success. Father-daughter dynamic duo John Legere and Rachel LaPrad have brought a fresh energy and expanded potential to Lady Eagles Softball.
John Legere
John Legere is originally from Knoxville but has lived in Cobb County since the 1980s. He graduated from South Cobb High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University. John has been coaching fastpitch softball for 17 years, primarily coaching national-level travel teams. For the past three years, John has coached the 16U Gold team for the East Cobb Bullets organization, finishing in the top 10 at multiple national tournaments. John also served as the varsity softball coach for Pace Academy from 2017-2019. While at Pace, he led the varsity team to a GHSA-AAA Sweet 16 finish in 2019.
John is currently a NFCA 2-Star Master Coach and is continually taking advantage of learning opportunities to help grow his knowledge. Over the years, John has coached over 50 young ladies who have gone on to play softball at the collegiate level.
John has been married to his wife Jennifer for over 25 years; he has a daughter, Rachel, and a son, Ross. He also has one granddaughter, Whitney Alexandra.
Rachel LaPrad
Rachel LaPrad is a Kennesaw native who has been involved in the softball world for 15-plus years. During her playing career, Rachel’s primary positions were first and second base. While earning a varsity letter for softball at Allatoona High School, Rachel also played for the East Cobb Bullets for four years. She competed twice at PGF Nationals in Huntington Beach, CA, and multiple times at the ASA Nationals throughout the country. Rachel previously played collegiate softball for Kennesaw State University while majoring in marketing.
During her professional career, Rachel has served as a coach in both team and private-lesson environments. She gave both hitting and fielding lessons at D-BAT West Cobb for three years while coaching the varsity softball team at Pace Academy for two years. Additionally, Rachel coached at Mount Paran Christian School for the 2020 season, helping guide the team to a GHSA State Championship.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband, Gunter, and her 1-year-old daughter, Whitney.
Coach Legere and Coach LaPrad are supported by a strong roster of softball coaches at NCCS, including Varsity Head Softball Coach / Varsity Head Baseball Coach Jimmy Keane and Varsity Assistant Softball Coach Nate Rupp, as well as Middle School Softball coaches Robert Gnann, Ali Dunn, and Rod Smith.
We are proud of these coaches and their athletes for continually pursuing excellence while seeking God’s glory in all things.
The best is yet to come for NCCS Softball! GO EAGLES!
Coffee With Counselors | 9.9 and 10.26
They say it takes a village, but at NCCS, we say it takes a FAMILY -- OUR Family! And one of the perks of Eagle Family membership is having access to the scores of child-development experts under our roof to help you shepherd your children. This Thursday, September 7, we are hosting our first Coffee with Counselors of the year. Our three amazing school counselors invite all parents, K3 - 12th, plus any friends and neighbors, to the Fine Arts Building from 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. tomorrow morning for a don't-miss session on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with the renowned Dr. Brandi Wells.
Dr. Wells is a licensed, certified school-based psychologist who serves as a child-development expert for national conferences, radio shows, and television programs. Dr. Wells will share critical insights to help parents understand how children and adolescents connect, engage, and relate with others -- from school situations to social media. Walk away equipped to better handle the social and emotional ups and downs of the childhood and teenage years!
WHO | Open to the public! All parents K3 on up are welcome.
WHEN | Thursday 9.7 and 10.26
WHAT TIME | 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.
WHERE | The Fine Arts Building (FAB) off of Eagle Drive.
WHAT | Glean apply-today insights into your child's emotional and social health and safety at our two upcoming parenting workshops, offered by our NCCS Counseling team. Breakfast and coffee are provided by Dogwood Forest Assisted Living and The Holbrook.
NO RSVP necessary - simply come to the Fine Arts Building after carline on Thursday, 9.7, and 10.26 for breakfast and guidance!
WHAT | Glean apply-today insights into your child's emotional and social health and safety at our two upcoming parenting workshops, offered by our NCCS Counseling team. Breakfast and coffee are provided by Dogwood Forest Assisted Living and The Holbrook.
September 7 | Social-Emotional Health | Don't miss this chance to glean parenting wisdom from Dr. Brandi Wells, licensed psychologist and certified school-based psychologist who serves as a child-development expert for national conferences, radio shows, and television programs. Dr. Wells will share about Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), helping parents understand how children and adolescents connect, engage, and relate with others, from school situations to social media engagement.
October 26 | Student Safety Online + In Person | With NCCS's own Officer Amanda | Learn the biggest current threats to your child's safety and security -- both digitally and in person. Officer Amanda will share developmentally appropriate tips on how to protect and educate your children on staying safe. Be informed so you can keep your kids safe.
NO RSVP necessary - simply come to the Fine Arts Building after carline for breakfast and guidance!
Connor and Annie Hughes Commissioned as Missionaries to Scotland
We are always honored to share when one of our own at NCCS accepts the call to be a missionary and share the gospel of Christ -- whether in our own backyard or “across the pond.” Connor Hughes, our Assistant Director of Student Life, and his wife Annie are accepting that call. They will be joining Paul and Angela Richardson as they plant Take Hold Church in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Take Hold Church is a church sent out by West Ridge Church and other local churches. We are sad to see them go, as Connor has had such a positive impact on our students and lacrosse program. However, we are excited to send them out to “live sent.”
The need is great in Scotland, with only 1% claiming that Christ is their Savior. That leaves 99% of the country in need of the hope of the gospel. Many of the youth in Scotland have never even set foot in a church. Connor and Annie are trusting God as they seek to share the “Good News” with this spiritually dark country. Their goal is to be fully funded in time to move to Edinburgh mid-October of this year.
Please watch the videobelow to hear more from Connor and Annie about their call to Scotland.
SUPPORT
Follow along with Connor and Annie’s journey through their personal e-newsletter here. If you feel led to join the mission by financially supporting Connor and Annie, you can click here for their giving page. Learn more about Take Hold Churchhere.
Connor and Annie, we are proud of you and praying for you! Thank you, Connor, for all that you've done to invest in our students. We love you!!
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
