We are excited to announce the first winner of the CBA Mighty Oaks drawing contest! The mascot for Charleston Bilingual Academy is the Mighty Oak. Why an oak tree? As we look outside, the oak trees of Charleston remind us of why we do what we do. Their branches spread far and wide, bearing fruit, serving others as they provide shelter and shade. Their roots sink deep, absorbing nutrients and water while at the same time anchoring the tree. And the trunk unites the two, carrying the water and nutrients between the roots and crown, giving support over years of growth. The oak is an astounding picture of the individual we want to see our students become, leaders planted deep in Truth, continually growing, and spreading far and wide in serving others. Isaiah 61:3 tells us that “they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.”
Each teacher, staff member, and parent plays an important part in that growth. The rings in the trunk of a tree show years of growth, even through years of drought and years of plenty. When our students are confronted with challenges and tough lessons, we don’t want them to fear or quit. Rather, as Jeremiah 17:7 -8 reminds us, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Partnering together our desire is to see them become men and women of character who are creative thinkers, confident communicators, and courageous leaders.
Our grade 5 and 6 students recently completed a unit about plants. They were continually asking the question, “How do diverse plants increase human flourishing?” They explored how different soils impacted a plant’s growth, how to use composts and worms to revitalize soil, how plants provided healthy food and even oils that benefit man, and spent time seeing God’s beauty in His creation of plants. A field trip to The Angel Oak provided time to sit, observe and draw. From that drawing came our first annual Mighty Oak Drawing Contest. Students had the opportunity to submit their drawing to be judged by CBA faculty and staff. Faculty and staff voted on which picture showed beauty, communicated God’s intricate designing of plants, and gave a pictorial representation of a CBA Mighty Oak. This year’s winner was Anika M. Each year we look forward to seeing a new CBA Mighty Oak winner.
What a delight it will be to look at a CBA graduate and see what once was just little acorn, now flourishing as a mighty oak.
We will soon have Mighty Oak note cards available for purchase if you would like.
