Editor's Note: This week's Cougar Comment column was submitted by Head of School Robert Brennan.

The new school year at Lehigh Valley Christian High School began right after Labor Day with a half day of orientation for new students, led by Student Council President Reghan O'Brien and her executive committee members. The next day was the first full day of classes for everyone.

We are very excited about all the improvements we have seen, including renovations in the lunchroom and media center and the addition of a new SmartBoard.

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LVCHS welcomes a new administrator and director of technology, Brendan O'Brien. He is a graduate of LVCHS, Class of 1989, and father of senior Reghan O'Brien. He has brought a new enthusiasm to our faculty.

We are also proud of the academic accomplishments of our students. Mercy Jacobs earned a 5 on the AP English Language exam, and Carissa Clift has been selected as a Lehigh University Scholar. Congratulations!

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The athletic program is off and running, literally. Incoming ninth-grader Austin Wiegand already broke the 20-minute barrier at a cross country meet. The girls volleyball team defeated our local rival, the Catasauqua High School Rough Riders, 3-0. The boys soccer team is 2-1 and the girls soccer team has only played one game so far.

The fall pep rally is Friday, Sept. 13, preceding home games that afternoon.

LVCHS is selling advertising banners to be hung in the gym during basketball season. Local businesses are encouraged to inquire at the school office.

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Back to School Night is Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. Parents are expected to attend, and they will get to meet all the teachers. Much important information will be discussed at this event.

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The following Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., a nine-week money-management series will begin. It is called Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. The series will be taught by Pastor David Kochsmeier, our board chairman. Registration is through the school office and there is a cost for materials.

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Our student council is already making plans for the See You At The Pole event on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The is a student-led prayer event asking God to bless our school, our town, our country and our world.

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Members of the LVCHS Choir will be participating in Lehigh County Chorus on Saturday, Sept. 28.

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The theme verse for this school year is Romans 12:2 which says, "... be transformed by the renewing of your mind ..." and dovetails perfectly with our LVCHS mission statement, which states that we exist to "equip students to think biblically and function purposefully in society."