MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For Central Christian School Superintendent Dr. John Walker, a football game offers more than an opportunity to celebrate a winning season. It provides a place for families to connect, students to grow and the school community to come together.
That spirit will carry through a busy fall calendar, from Friday night football to a festival connecting families across generations and a November dinner supporting the school’s work.
Walker said athletics play an important role in that mission, with lessons extending well beyond the scoreboard.
“It’s not just all about wins and losses, but how are we forming young men and young women?” Walker said during an interview on KWBW’s BW Morning Show.
He credits coaches who invest in students’ lives, helping them develop discipline and work through adversity. A difficult practice, a disappointing play or an unexpected result can become an opportunity to learn.
Those lessons, Walker said, carry into the classroom.
“What sports really teaches you is discipline,” he said.
Walker describes the school’s approach to developing students as a three-legged stool, with parents, churches and the school working together. Each contributes to helping young people mature, whether through instruction, activities, church involvement or guidance at home.
Friday’s football game will bring several parts of that community together. Central Christian will recognize its football seniors and welcome pastors for Pastor Appreciation Night during the 7 p.m. game against Attica-Argonia.
Prospective school families also can attend the game free through the school’s Football and Fellowship event. Information is available under the admissions tab at cougarsccs.com.
The celebration comes as fall sports approach postseason competition. Central Christian will host first-round volleyball regional play Tuesday, Oct. 20. Walker said both the volleyball and football teams have given the school reasons to celebrate this season.
Later this month, the focus shifts from competition to connection.
The school’s second Fall Fest, scheduled for Oct. 26, is organized by its Parent Teacher Fellowship. Plans include food trucks, ax throwing and opportunities for families to spend time together.
For Walker, one of the event’s most valuable features is its ability to bring together families who might otherwise rarely cross paths.
A family with an infant in the early education program may have little everyday contact with parents preparing to watch their youngest child graduate. Fall Fest creates a place for those relationships to begin.
“We don’t have too many events at the school that include both the early education school as well as the whole K-12,” Walker said.
He praised the parent organization for supporting teachers, helping provide classroom materials and creating opportunities for fellowship.
The school’s largest annual fundraiser will follow Nov. 14, when Central Christian hosts its stewardship dinner with a goal of raising $125,000.
Walker said the school has met its fundraising goals each of the past five years.
This year’s dinner will feature choir students in grades one through 12, with catering by Kathy Gerst and her Bakery House team. Former Texas state Rep. Rick Green will speak during the event, which carries an “America 250” theme.
Walker described Green as a speaker whose work focuses on the Constitution, American history and faith.
There is no ticket charge or upfront payment to attend, but reservations are required because attendance is limited to 400 people. Reservations may be made through the school’s website or by calling 620-663-2174.
Across the fall events, Walker sees a shared purpose: bringing people together to support students and strengthen relationships.
Whether families are cheering from the stands, sharing food at Fall Fest or gathering for the stewardship dinner, those connections are part of the education Central Christian hopes to provide.