2021 Senior Spotlight

Latham Christian Academy is privileged to have four graduating seniors during the 2020 – 2021 school year.  Half of those in the Class of 2021 have attended LCA for a long time, and all four have become good friends during their time here.  We will be highlighting one of the seniors each month in an article published in our Knightline newsletter.  We complete the series this week with senior Joanie Hadden.

      Joanie is completing her seventh year at LCA after enrolling in sixth grade, joining classmates Caleb Desnoyers and David Arthur in Mrs. Diggs’s class.

Joanie’s father, George Hadden, Jr., grew up in Albany and graduated from Liberty Christian Academy as salutatorian in 1980.  He then went to Baptist Bible College East in Boston, to major in pastoral theology.  After graduating, he served on the pastoral staff at Open Bible Baptist Church in Albany where he was responsible to serve in many ways from custodial to teaching and preaching ministries.  After filling the pulpit at First Bible Baptist Church in West Sand Lake for about two years, George was called to be the senior pastor there and has served the Lord at this church ever since.

Joanie’s mother Sandy also grew up in various places in the Capital District.  She also graduated from Liberty Christian Academy as her class valedictorian.  Sandy also attended Baptist Bible College East where she studied Christian education.  Sandy and George had known each other since high school but did not begin seeing each other until he was serving on the pastoral staff of Open Bible Baptist.

They married in October 2001 at Temple Baptist Church in Halfmoon.  Two years later, Joanie joined the family.  Eventually her sister Emily (10th grade) and her brother Georgie (8th grade) completed the family.

Joanie’s story really goes back further, however, with her grandparents.  Her mother’s parents served at the same church for over fifty years.  The Bible teaches that when a man is faithful, his grandchildren will be evidence of that dedication.  Joanie says, “My grandparents are very important to me.”

Joanie’s family lived in East Greenbush until Joanie was 10 years old.  The family then moved into the church parsonage where they still live today.  Joanie enjoys living in a small town where the best part is that the neighbors all know each other.  They can go get a ball that goes over the fence without getting yelled at!

Joanie remembers coming to LCA and breaking her arm on the second day of school—just after getting medical clearance to resume recess and PE activities.  She also remembers the “nice” kids who were “not out to get you.”  The students were very different than those in her previous school.

Joanie fondly remembers the teaching ministry of Mrs. Walter here at LCA.  Joanie appreciates how much Mrs. Walter cared about her science and math students on a personal level.  Mrs. Walter also put God in His rightful place in science.  Joanie recalls, “I never liked science until I had Mrs. Walter as a teacher.  I couldn’t do math until having her for math.”

Joanie will remember her classmates Caleb and David, the two who have been in her class as long as she has been here.  Once Caleb ripped his pants two days in a row; “It was funny the first time, but the second time. . . .”  Joanie will remember all of the ensemble classes with David’s antics as well!

Joanie has a fond place for LCA graduate Andrew Galinato (Class of 2019) as well.  The two of them would enjoy the “really nerdy” Star Wars discussions—things no one else would have any idea what they were talking about!

Younger sister Emily has always been Joanie’s friend in and out of school, and Joanie will fondly remember getting to play volleyball and going to classes with Emily.

Joanie accepted Christ as her personal Savior when she was 5 years old at home during family prayer time in their living room.  After hearing the message of salvation for many years, she decided “it was time.”  She was baptized by her father about a year later.  Joanie has been very involved in church ministry since she was a child.  She has gone on visits with her father for many years.  Joanie also enjoys making cards for people in her church and works in her church’s music ministry.  (She sang her first special when she was 2 years old!)  Joanie serves in the children’s ministries of her church, helping teach both junior church and Sunday school classes.

Joanie plans to attend New England Baptist College this fall to study music education.  She hopes to teach at a Christian school after her graduation.  Joanie especially enjoys vocal music, but is planning to continue piano lessons at college.  Joanie claims Psalm 16:8 as her life verse, “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Latham Christian Academy is privileged to have four graduating seniors during the 2020 – 2021 school year.  Half of those in the Class of 2021 have attended LCA for a long time, and all four have become good friends during their time here.  We will be highlighting one of the seniors each month in an article published in our Knightline newsletter.  We continue this week with senior Emily Beaudoin.

      Emily has attended LCA since her sophomore year after transferring from Oakwood Christian School in Troy.  Emily had expected to graduate from OCS before they had to close several years ago.  When Emily graduates from LCA in June, she will join her sister Abby as two of only three LCA graduates to have a parent who also graduated from LCA.

Emily’s father grew up in Troy and attended high school at LCA from seventh through twelfth grades, graduating with the second senior class in LCA’s history.  After graduation, Emily’s father joined the Marines where he served for four years, including in the Persian Gulf War.  As a veteran, he then attended Hudson Valley Community College and studied automotive mechanics.  After completing his studies, he entered that line of work.  Eventually Mr. Beaudoin went into the financial business.  He has also worked for Oakwood Christian and is now a mail carrier in Eagle Bridge where he has worked for the past fourteen years.

Emily’s mother also grew up in the Troy and Waterford area and attended Troy High School.  After graduation, she attended Schenectady Community College where she studied travel and tourism.  Emily’s mother was able to stay home with her daughters when they were young.  Once she went back to work, she served in the lunch program and early care at Oakwood Christian.  She has now worked for three years in a similar capacity at La Salle Institute in Troy.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaudoin met through mutual friends and decided to attend a movie as a group.  Emily’s mother almost didn’t go with her friends but now she is glad she went!  They were married about two years before big sister Abby came along.  Emily joined the family less than two years later.

Emily’s family has lived in the same house in the little town of Speigletown for over 18 years.

Emily draws “a lot” and particularly enjoys cartoons and people, but “I’ll draw whatever,” she reported!  Emily has entered the NYACS state competition in both polychromatic and monochromatic drawing.  Emily has always drawn but really started to get into it in fourth grade.  She hopes to become an artist in her eventual career.

Emily has many fond memories of Oakwood Christian School.  She remembers her old school as “one big family” where she knew all of the students, even the youngest ones.  The classes would often have lunch and recess times together.  Of course, she also remembers all of the fun fundraisers the school would have.  Their annual “Race for Education” was tiring—but fun!

Changing schools in tenth grade was a challenge for Emily, as it would be for any student.  She credits God’s help in making her successful here at her new school.  Emily was also grateful for the one year she could be here with her sister.  Longtime friend and current LCA junior Michael Collins helped Emily have someone to talk to right from the start as well.

Emily remembers her junior Bible class with Pastor Sam last year, using words like fun, enjoyable, and lots of laughs to describe the class, tacking on, “It was educational too!”

Emily has several special friends.  One of them, Mia, has been a special friend since kindergarten, attending Oakwood together for many years.  The two continue to stay in contact.  Like Emily, Mia is also an artist.  Along with another friend named Emily, our Emily enjoyed trying to improve Mia’s art a bit by doodling on her artwork!  Emily remembers, “Those were good times!”  Emily enjoys making jokes with Mia.

Emily has another friend also named Mia.  They attend church together and continue building special memories as good friends.

Emily’s family attended Oakwood Bible Church when Emily was a young girl.  They eventually moved to Brunswick Baptist Church when Emily was about 10 years old.  Emily accepted Christ in Mrs. Hine’s Oakwood second grade classroom and was baptized by immersion when she was 13 at Brunswick Baptist Church along with her mother and sister.

Emily is involved in several important ministries at her church, especially in working with children.  She has helped other women in junior church and has also worked in the church nursery.  Emily has also participated in their church’s major summer event, the annual Family Fun Day.

Emily plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College this fall and begin studying art.  She hopes to become an illustrator or an animator eventually.  Emily claims Psalm 119:105 as a life verse, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Latham Christian Academy is privileged to have four graduating seniors during the 2020 – 2021 school year.  Half of those in the Class of 2021 have attended LCA for a long time, and all four have become good friends during their time here.  We will be highlighting one of the seniors each month in an article published in our Knightline newsletter.  We continue this week with senior David Arthur.

      David’s father, Reginald, was born in Karachi, Pakistan.  His parents had been educators there, but came to the United States with a desire for a better life.  They moved from Pakistan to Troy when Reginald was 11 years old.  David’s grandmother’s sister, whose sons attended LCA, had married an American and sponsored the family’s move.  David’s father graduated from Troy High and went on to the University at Albany.  After working for several financial institutions, Reginald eventually settled in working for New York State, where is still employed today.

David’s mother, Shana, was also born in Karachi, Pakistan where her mother was a nurse.  Shana and Reginald had known each other for many years through family connections.  They got married in Pakistan and then moved back to Troy.  David’s older brother, Joshua, LCA Class of 2018, came along in 2000, and David joined the family in 2003.  After staying home to raise her boys, Shana went to work as a dialysis technician while she studied nursing.  Today Shana is a Registered ENT Nurse and works through Albany Medical Center.

The family moved to where they live today in Albany in 2003.  A few years later, David started at LCA in kindergarten with Mrs. Mein as his first teacher.  David has been a student at LCA for 13 years!

That same year, David met his classmate and longtime friend Caleb Desnoyers.  Thinking of him, David simply asked, “Where do you start with Caleb?!”

David thinks of Caleb as strong (not just physically but also mentally), a good friend and partner in crime, and a “good person to do dump stuff with”!  They even created a YouTube channel together, “Shamu and Sundu.”  This channel details some of the things the two did together and now has 17 subscribers!  David recommends you check out their “World’s Nastiest Cereal” special!

One time, the two of them were doing some target practice with a BB gun when David decided to hold up a shovel as a target for Caleb.  Fortunately for both of them, David’s father intervened before the shooting could begin!  David also remembers Caleb intentionally running into open lockers for fun, just to see what would happen.  Perhaps the most interesting of his memories was a time Caleb was staying at David’s house and the two of them partially deflated an air mattress and had David sit on one side.  When Caleb jumped onto the other side, David ended up hitting the drop ceiling in their basement!

When asked to think of his teachers at LCA, David told two additional stories.  In Mrs. O’Rourke’s class one time, David ended up eating a dog treat thinking it was beef jerky.  He had been so proud of himself for handling the tough meat until learning what it really was!  David reports that the class did not get any more work done during that class period!

One time, Mrs. Parker asked the class what kind of wax was used in candles and David quickly responded, “Ear wax!”  David reports that no more work got done the rest of the day!

David’s best memory of elementary school was in participating in the NYACS Fine Arts competition when he was in fourth grade.  He entered the preaching competition and ended up with a love for preaching that has only gotten stronger to this day.  When David realized the impact he was able to have on others, he reports, “You just want to keep doing that.”

David keeps very busy today.  He loves his job at Texas Roadhouse, one he has had since the restaurant reopened in June 2020.  He enjoys running trays of food out to his customers and plans to become a server once he is old enough.

In addition, David loves music.  Mrs. Mansfield’s mother instilled a deeper love for music which has been further kindled by two other close friends.  David sees music as a type of therapy and says he is always either thinking of music or making music.  He especially loves Gospel music and prefers instrumental music as he studies the piano and guitar himself.

David’s spiritual testimony is very important to him.  He grew up in a Christian home.  His father had been a preacher when he was younger and his great-grandfather had also been a preacher.  Sometimes his grandmother would play a CD with Gospel music in the car and David would sense a peace with this kind of music.  Eventually he approached Mrs. Walter, his pastor’s wife, and said that he wanted to accept Christ as his Savior.  Mrs. Walter gave David a tract which helped him understand the message of salvation and David was saved when he was 8 years old.  He was baptized by Pastor Walter when he was 11 years old.

David plans to serve as a pastoral intern at Electric City Baptist Church this summer until college begins.  He hopes to become a server at Texas Roadhouse to earn money while he attends Northeastern Baptist College in Bennington with either a major in Pastoral Ministry or in Church Planting and Evangelism.  His goal is to attend Dallas Theological Seminary after completing his undergraduate work.  David has a burden to serve as a travelling evangelist, maybe even around the world and would want to host large crusades.

David’s life verse comes from 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  David also loves 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Latham Christian Academy is privileged to have four graduating seniors during the 2020 – 2021 school year.  Half of those in the Class of 2021 have attended LCA for a long time, and all four have become good friends during their time here.  We will be highlighting one of the seniors each month in an article published in our Knightline newsletter.  We begin this week with senior Caleb Desnoyers.

     Caleb has been a student at LCA since K5 with Mrs. Mein.  He and fellow senior David Arthur have been together for nearly 13 years as students here.

Caleb’s family plays a central role in his life.  Caleb’s mother grew up in Stowe, Vermont.  His grandmother was a psychiatric nurse technician who transferred into long term home-providing for special needs individuals.  This desire to care for others was certainly passed along to Caleb’s mother who also worked in hospice care for many years and now serves as the Activities Director at the Warren Center for Rehabilitation.

Caleb’s father grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  (Now we all understand why the family is New England Patriots fans!)  Caleb’s grandfather was a chemist at GE and worked as the head of a large department there.  Caleb’s father was serving on the pastoral staff in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, when he met Caleb’s mother.  They married in 2001.

Caleb has two older siblings.  His brother is a stonemason who lives in Stillwater and his sister works as a supervisor at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont.

Caleb came along in 2003, born in Morrisville, Vermont.  When he was only six months old, his father accepted the pastorate of Highway Tabernacle and moved to this area.  Pastor Desnoyers continues his ministry there and is now the longest serving pastor in the history of this church.

During his years at LCA, Caleb has certainly packed away many special memories.  He especially remembers being in Mrs. Parker’s class, describing her as “flamboyant” and remembering all of the extra-curricular activities and especially her many field trips.  Caleb also remembers classes with Mr. Fry, describing those classes as engaging.

A former classmate of Caleb’s, Xavier Courtwright, also stands out in Caleb’s memory.  He recalls that they got in a lot of trouble together in 6th grade for “stuff” and that they like to wrestle and have healthy scuffles!

Of course, Caleb will always remember classmate David Arthur as well, having been together for nearly 13 years now!  Caleb describes David as a “room brightener,” someone who makes a crowd turn around whenever he enters the room.

Having grown up in a pastor’s home, Caleb always knew of his need for salvation.  He accepted Christ as his Savior in 6th grade after his grandmother passed away.  He remembers, “I had to make sure.”  He was baptized a few months later by his father at Highway Tabernacle.  Caleb has been very involved at his church, working in the sound system for many years and now being involved in community outreach, working in maintenance, and filling in wherever he is needed during a service.  Caleb serves faithfully here at LCA as a prayer group leader, a role he has held since 11th grade.

Caleb has also been very involved in athletics, but baseball and basketball have been his favorites.  Caleb began playing baseball in Little League when he was 6 years old and has played nearly every year since then, usually as first baseman or catcher with some time pitching as well.  Here at LCA, Caleb has played basketball each year since 6th grade and hopes to be able to finish out here this year.

Caleb works hard, working in landscaping for two summers and then as a general laborer and a carpenter’s assistant for Cross-Country Telecommunications last summer.

As Caleb prepares for graduation in a few months, he will look back on many good years at LCA.  The Bible classes have been special, especially starting in 9th grade with Pastor Sam when the big group of senior high boys bonded quickly.  Caleb plans to enlist in the Marines after graduation where he hopes to pursue a career in military intelligence, although he knows he actually will go wherever he is ordered!  He hopes to become an officer in the Marines eventually.

Caleb’s advice to the underclassmen here is to enjoy each year as you have to work harder each year to come.  He has two special Scripture passages.  John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  Caleb also loves the comfort of Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.”