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FWC Cross Country tested itself against one of the deepest fields on its schedule this weekend, turning in a strong performance at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville.

The meet, which is held on the University of Arkansas cross country course, has grown into one of the premier cross country events in the country. The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival regularly draws large high school and collegiate fields from across the region. The 2026 event marked the 38th running of the festival, with athletes competing on the same grounds that have hosted SEC and NCAA championship races.

Against a high level of competition, the Cardinals held their own.

FWC finished 46th out of 137 scoring teams, a solid result in a crowded field that offered the Cardinals an opportunity to measure themselves against programs from well beyond their usual schedule.

Kollin Green once again led the way for Fort Worth Christian, crossing the 5K course in 15:25. The performance moved Green to No. 2 on FWC’s all-time boys cross country list and continued what has already been an impressive season for the Cardinal standout.

Cade Lewis followed with another strong race, finishing in 16:18 to claim the No. 4 spot on the program’s all-time list.

The depth behind them proved just as encouraging.

Alex Van Zanten finished in 17:09, good for the ninth-fastest mark in FWC history, while Isaac Scott came through just two seconds later at 17:11 to move into the No. 10 position. In one meet, the Cardinals placed four runners inside the program’s all-time top 10.

That collection of performances made Fayetteville more than just another stop on the schedule. It gave FWC a chance to compete on a championship-caliber course against a field built to challenge every part of a lineup.

For the Cardinals, the result offered another encouraging sign as the season moves toward its championship stretch. With four runners now occupying spots inside FWC’s all-time top 10 and the team finishing inside the top third of a 137-team field, Fort Worth Christian left Arkansas with both momentum and a clearer picture of what it can accomplish against elite competition.

Fort Worth Christian Cross Country put together a championship-level performance this past weekend, with both the boys varsity and junior varsity teams racing to first-place finishes at the SCS II Invitational.

The Cardinals delivered a complete team effort across both races, combining strong individual performances with the depth needed to finish atop the standings. For the varsity group, the day was highlighted by a pair of performances that also made their mark on the FWC record book.

Kollin Green led the way with a time of 15:53, turning in one of the fastest races in program history. His performance now stands as the second-fastest time by an FWC boys cross country runner.

Cade Lewis added another standout effort, crossing the finish line in 16:48. That time moved Lewis into the No. 4 spot on FWC’s all-time performance list, giving the Cardinals two runners inside the program’s top four in the same meet.

Those individual performances helped set the tone for a varsity lineup that produced the consistency and depth necessary to claim the team championship. Cross country meets are ultimately decided by the strength of the entire scoring group, and FWC’s ability to put runners in position throughout the field proved pivotal.

The success extended beyond the varsity race.

FWC’s junior varsity team also finished atop the standings, completing a sweep of the boys team championships. The first-place result showcased the program’s depth and gave the Cardinals another encouraging sign as they continue progressing through the season.

Winning both divisions made the SCS II Invitational one of the strongest collective performances of the season for FWC. The combination of record-book individual times and championship team finishes reflected a group continuing to make strides as the schedule moves forward.

With Green and Lewis climbing the program’s all-time rankings and both the varsity and JV teams leaving the meet with first-place finishes, the Cardinals return home with plenty of momentum as they continue building toward the championship portion of the season.

At Fort Worth Christian, learning doesn't stop when summer begins. Throughout the summer months, our faculty and staff intentionally pursued professional development opportunities designed to sharpen their expertise, expand their knowledge, and ultimately better serve our students. From Advanced Placement training and graduate coursework to nationally recognized certifications, specialized conferences, and industry-leading workshops, our team has been committed to growing professionally so they can provide the very best Christ-centered education possible. We are grateful for educators who model lifelong learning and continually invest in their calling.

Nic Anderson – History
Mr. Anderson completed specialized training through the Case Method Institute for Education and Democracy, where educators learn to teach history and civics through evidence-based case studies. This instructional approach helps students strengthen critical thinking, engage in meaningful discussion, and develop the skills needed for informed citizenship. Mr. Anderson looks forward to incorporating these strategies into his classroom this year.

Stephen Grant – Fine Arts
Mr. Grant attended the AP Music Theory Summer Institute at Texas Christian University (TCU) in preparation for Fort Worth Christian's first-ever AP Music Theory course. The institute provided curriculum resources, instructional strategies, assessment tools, and best practices for teaching the rigorous AP curriculum. As FWC launches this exciting new course, Stephen is eager to equip students for success in both the classroom and on the AP exam.

Brian Borg – World Languages
Mr. Borg dedicated his summer to expanding both his academic credentials and instructional expertise. He attended the AP Spanish Language and Culture Summer Institute, completed 12 hours of postgraduate Spanish coursework toward a second master's degree, and participated in professional training through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). He also traveled to Mexico and Honduras to strengthen his language fluency and gain authentic cultural experiences that will enrich classroom instruction. This fall, Mr. Borg will also become qualified to teach Dual Credit Spanish courses.

Corry Karlen & Savanna Zuniga – Sports Medicine
Coach Karlen and Coach Z attended the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Sports Medicine Symposium in Waco, earning continuing education credits toward their state and national athletic training licenses. The symposium featured expert presentations on concussion care, manual therapy, emergency preparedness, mental health, and the latest evidence-based practices, ensuring our student-athletes continue to receive exceptional care.

Kristin Nelson – Student Support Services
Mrs. Nelson devoted her summer to an extensive series of professional development opportunities focused on supporting the whole child - academically, behaviorally, emotionally, and socially. Her training included current research on fentanyl awareness, hemp and THC education, the impact of stress and trauma on learning, behavior assessment and intervention, school avoidance, and strategies for fostering positive student behaviors. She also attended a multi-day Teaching and Learning Conference featuring nationally recognized educator Marcia Tate, where she explored effective MTSS practices and student support systems. In addition, Mrs. Nelson is completing specialized training through the State of Texas to become an MTSS Trainer of Trainers, equipping her to lead and support the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Her commitment to continuous learning will strengthen the resources and care available to students, teachers, and families across the FWC community.

Melanie Birmingham – Mathematics
Mrs. Birmingham participated in professional development focused on strengthening AP Statistics instruction and expanding project-based learning opportunities. She also completed training on incorporating artificial intelligence into authentic classroom learning experiences, exploring ways to use emerging technology to enhance—not replace—student learning. These opportunities will help create engaging, rigorous lessons that prepare students for success both in AP coursework and beyond.

Brooke Miller – Fine Arts
Ms. Miller completed the Basic and Beginner Levels of the internationally recognized Giordano Dance Chicago Teacher Certification, an elite professional program known throughout the performing arts industry. She also served as an adjudicator and workshop instructor at Magic Fest, collaborating with Broadway professionals while providing feedback and instruction to student performers. These experiences will bring industry-leading techniques, artistry, and professional standards to Fort Worth Christian's performing arts program.

Cade Garcia – Director of Sports Performance
Coach Garcia spent part of his summer working alongside the Texas A&M Football Strength & Conditioning Staff, learning under legendary strength coach Tommy Moffitt. Having previously served on the Texas A&M strength staff before joining Fort Worth Christian, Coach Garcia was invited back to continue developing alongside some of the nation's top performance professionals. He gained fresh insights into elite athlete development and performance programming that he looks forward to bringing back to FWC as he continues to strengthen the Cardinals' sports performance program.

Debi Moore – History
Mrs. Moore completed both the Level 1 and Level 2 Brisk Teaching Professional Development Programs, earning certifications in the innovative AI-powered instructional platform. The training focused on practical strategies for enhancing lesson planning, providing meaningful student feedback, differentiating instruction, and increasing classroom efficiency while maintaining high-quality teaching. Mrs. Moore looks forward to integrating these tools to enrich student learning and engagement throughout the coming school year.

Dr. Terry Rodgers – President & Head of School
Dr. Terry Rodgers attended the Van Lunen Center Leadership Conference, a nationally recognized professional development program for Christian school leaders. The conference brought together heads of school from across the country to explore strategic leadership, organizational health, governance, culture, and mission-driven excellence. Through collaboration with fellow Christian school leaders and nationally respected presenters, Dr. Rodgers gained practical insights into strengthening school leadership, investing in faculty and staff, and advancing Kingdom Education. He looks forward to applying these ideas as Fort Worth Christian continues pursuing its mission of developing students for lives of faith, service, and leadership.

We are proud of our faculty and staff for their commitment to continuous growth. Their investment in professional learning reflects our commitment to providing every Fort Worth Christian student with an exceptional, Christ-centered education rooted in excellence.

Each year, approximately 1.5 million students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Of those, about 34,000 are recognized nationwide as Commended Students for their exceptional academic promise, and another 16,000 earn the distinction of National Merit Semi-Finalist.

This year, we are proud to recognize Emily Dean as FWC’s National Merit Commended Student.

Emily transferred to Fort Worth Christian from Southlake Carroll High School last January. At Carroll, she was an active member of the French National Honor Society, Carroll Medical Academy, French Club, and Key Club, and she also participated in the volleyball program. At FWC, Emily has competed on our Varsity Volleyball team and is a member of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

A true servant leader, Emily volunteered with the Community Enrichment Center last spring, served as a Finance Intern with White’s Chapel Methodist Church, and contributes annually to their Vacation Bible School program. Next March, she will volunteer with Beyond the Known Ministries during Cardinal Service Week.

Upon graduation, Emily will have completed 23 hours of dual credit through Colorado Christian University. Her rigorous academic coursework also includes AP Language, AP Calculus, AP U.S. History, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP World History, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Macroeconomics.

Emily plans to attend Texas A&M University, where she will major in Biomedical Sciences.

Congratulations, Emily Dean!