HISPANIC HERITAGE FIESTA

Xcel was pleased to host a Fiesta to celebrate and commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month on October 17, 2018. Xcel’s Hispanic and Latino parents not only planned the fiesta decorations, but also set the menu and prepared the food. Albert Deleon, a freshman Xcel student, facilitated the evening and events. Sherae Williams, a senior Xcel student, blessed the meal. Odalis Jimenez, a student at Fort Hays State University and former Xcel student class of 2015, spoke to the group about pursuing one’s dreams. We would like to thank the parents and students for all their hard work, which made the entire evening a huge success!

To additionally honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, our ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade Xcel students studied Hispanic and Latino history by using specific reading comprehension strategies. They then competed in a quiz bowl tournament with questions pertaining to Hispanic and Latino history. Congratulations to the team who won - Jacob Deleon, Ebony Moore, Javon Sadler, Thaliah Lopez, and Isaac Clark!

BAPTISM

Danialle Strella and Amaya Svendblad, along with their mentor Christina Cook, chose to be baptized over the summer! Xcel celebrated their decision with a baptism service, where they shared their testimonies.

Danialle graduated in 2018 and is now attending college. Amaya is currently a junior in high school. Christina has worked at The City Teen Center since August 2011.

ST. LOUIS

The Class of 2023, along with students from the Young Life chapter of Topeka, visited St. Louis. Throughout the year, Xcel students have the opportunity to earn a summer trip. This trip is earned by their Xcel attendance and school grades.

While in St. Louis, students visited the Gateway Arch, Harris Stowe State University, City Museum, a Cardinals baseball game, and Dred Scott’s grave. Prior to the trip, students prepared to re-enact the Dred Scott trial at the Old Courthouse. It was in this same courthouse that Dred Scott sued the U.S. government for his freedom in 1847.

YOUNG LIFE 2018

The Class of 2022 and the Class of 2024 attended a Young Life camp in Missouri with other youth from the Wichita and Topeka areas. Students had the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of fun activities, and many made decisions to follow Christ. Many students found this to be the highlight of their summer!

BE OUR HERO

The City and Xcel, along with Salina Burn Track and Field, hosted a race. The theme was "Be Our Hero" and celebrated the everyday heroes in our community. Xcel students were involved in meeting with donors, designing the t-shirts and medals, and setting up for the event.