14 Nov A Word from Dr. Satterly—November 14, 2024
Dear WA Community,
As the old worship song goes, “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.” This simple yet profound call to gratitude resonates with me, especially each fall.
November also contains my favorite holiday—Thanksgiving! I appreciate Thanksgiving because it is a low-pressure holiday. One doesn’t have to purchase the perfect gift, listen to carols nonstop, and argue about the best Christmas movie. Instead, Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends. It provides an opportunity to eat too much, take a nap, and catch some football. With few expectations, this holiday comes at just the right time. As I often hear from families, Thanksgiving provides a much-needed break from the busy academic schedule—creating time to pause, recharge, and appreciate life’s gifts.
At Westminster Academy, we remind our students to develop hearts of gratitude, recognizing that all blessings come from God. True thankfulness helps us focus less on what we lack and more on the abundance around us. Scripture encourages this perspective: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). By cultivating gratitude, our students learn to see beyond material things and appreciate the deeper gifts of faith, relationships, and community.
Reflecting on recent events at WA, we see many reasons to be thankful. We gathered as a school community to thank and honor our veterans. Our students heard a powerful testimony from WA alumnus David Carter ’14, now serving as a PCA Army Chaplain. We have witnessed and celebrated gifts and talents on the performance stage and the athletic field, including states for our Swim and Cross-Country teams. WA experienced extraordinary generosity during our Annual Fund Week, and Homecoming was such an incredible weekend. God has given us this place, and we give thanks.
As we enter Thanksgiving, let us do so with hearts full of praise. On behalf of our faculty and staff, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your support, commitment, and faith in our mission. May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, peace, and a renewed sense of gratitude as we continue to honor God together at Westminster Academy.
To God be the Glory!
Dr. Joel Satterly
Headmaster