Responding to God’s goodness towards Holly Grove Christian School, we are excited to share that there will be an exciting change occurring in the near future. 

New Building

In the last 12 years, the footprint of our school has remained unchanged and since our last expansion God has provided additional programs, increases in faculty and staff, and increased student enrollment.  Our current space has yet to reflect this growth adequately. With an unwavering commitment to providing an enriching environment for our students, we are announcing plans for a state-of-the-art, 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose building.  

This new building will include:

• a full-size gymnasium with a unique archery range.

• a versatile 22x50 ft. multi-purpose room for the arts and extracurricular activities.

• two 22x22 ft. adaptable rooms for instruction or possible future vocational-technical use.

• a spacious 32x22 ft. storage room.

• bathrooms that can also be used for outdoor sporting events.

Cost & Fundraising

The preliminary cost of this building project is $800,000. There has been a historical precedent set for our school that a building project will not proceed without full funding first secured.  To date, $400,000 has been procured for this project.  The additional needed funds will be raised through contributions from community stakeholders.  There will be many opportunities to contribute to this project including our annual Race for Education fundraiser, the Athletic Boosters, the Grandparents Association, and through online donations. All contributions are tax-deductible.  It is important to note that tuition funds will not be allocated for this project. 

For a closer look at the plans for the new multi-purpose building, please click here.

Other Improvements

In addition to the expansion of our school, we will also be improving our existing facilities.  Upgrades will start taking place in the summer of 2024 and include replacing our old lockers with brand new lockers, enhancing our science lab, extending the metal roof on a section of our building, and resolving the drainage issue with our playground.  The funding necessary for these upgrades is already available and no additional fundraising will be necessary.

Thank you for your support

By continuing to trust in God’s sovereignty, we embark on this journey together.  As always, the board does not take lightly the responsibility that has been placed on us by Him to guide Holly Grove Christian School.  We deeply appreciate your support and are thankful for the opportunity to partner with you as we build a foundation that will positively impact HGCS in the years to come.  

To direct your gift to this new capital campaign, select “Capital Campaign” under “Reason for Donation” near the bottom of the form.

Race for Education has been a major fund raiser for our school for the past 16 years. Many students don’t see their contribution as important if they don’t win one of the prizes. However, did you know that when all the students from grades K-6 were combined, they walked 986.5 miles? That is further than the distance from here to Disney World in Florida! And that isn’t including the mileage from the 7-12 graders, some of whom run the entire time for RFE. Everyone’s effort is important and appreciated!

The new Holly Grove Christian School archery program took a state title within its first year of existence. 

The Holly Grove Archery team claimed 5 of 6 titles at the Maryland NASP State Championship on Saturday, March 16, 2019 (Photo: Staff Photo by Megan Raymond)

The Holly Grove archery team knew there was a target on its back coming into the season.

Multiple state, national and world championships made the Eagles one of the best archery squads in the nation, using their skills with a bow and faith in God to defeat nearly every team in their path.

But when it came time to compete, Holly Grove didn’t worry about the target other teams had placed on them. Instead, the Eagles only cared about the targets staring them down from across the shooting line. 

Competing in six categories, Holly Grove won five Maryland NASP state championships on Saturday, March 16, coming from the elementary, middle and high school divisions. Each group shot in the bullseye and 3-D competition.

In bullseye, the high school team led the way with 3,238 total points — 50 points more than second place and six-time champions Clear Spring High School. Middle and elementary school each put up 3,194 and 2,842 points, respectively.

In 3-D, high school (1,621 points) and middle school (1,592 points) each won first place, and elementary (1,359) was awarded second.

While elementary and middle school had won a state championship in the past, the victory marked the first time in Holly Grove’s history a high school squad claimed the top spot.

“It was definitely an unforgettable experience,” said Nick McClister who scored a 280 out of 300 in the bullseye. “It shocked me when I added up my scores on the line and figured out that’s what I got. I didn’t really have a way to express it — I was just so happy.”

McClister, a junior, placed first in high school and third overall in the male division. His performance also earned a $750 scholarship he said will certainly help with his future as college looms on the horizon. 

Teammate Charles Horner also performed well, tallying a 276 on the bullseye. Knowing he needed a strong showing to keep Holly Grove in the driver’s seat, the sophomore relied on his experience and calm demeanor to secure a high score.

“We pushed way harder (this year) because we wanted it,” Horner said. “Practice and form really help if you do it a lot. If you can get your form down right, you’ll do good.”

Archers Miranda Makuchal and Abby Webster also helped in the high school team’s overall performance, each tallying more than 270 points. Makuchal shot a personal best of 288.

A Christian school, Holly Grove often looks to prayer and Scripture to help find confidence and courage heading into a competition. Despite the wide range in age throughout the divisions, the Eagles call themselves a family and use friendship to feel more at ease when it comes time to shoot.

One of the team’s favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13 which reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Printed on the back of the Eagles’ shirts, the verse gives Holly Grove the encouragement needed to succeed.

“Without God, this was totally impossible,” Makuchal said. “We had a feeling we could do it, but at the same time, we’re competing against an entire state. It was a lot of pressure, but at the same time it’s super exciting.”   

A member of the Holly Grove archery team competes at the Maryland NASP state championship on Saturday, March 16, 2019. (Photo: Submitted Image: NASP/ IBO 3D Challenge)

The victory marked the final opportunity for Makuchal and four other seniors to win a state title.

Coaching Holly Grove since the program’s beginning, Bruce Bowden couldn’t hold back tears when the high school division was announced as champions.

Last year, the Eagles high school team came 72 points away from winning the top prize. Throughout the current season, Bowden put added emphasis on the bullseye category, wanting the group to finally get over the hump.

Along with scriptures, the head coach preached diligence, hoping it would drive the archers to never give up and push forward until they achieve their goals.

And at states, the hard work finally paid off.  

“Every victory is wonderful to me, but this was probably the sweetest because this was the only one we had never clinched before,” Bowden said. “I think that drove them to be the best archers they could be.”

Webster, a freshman, said winning a state championship her first season on the high school level will help her overall development and skills with a bow.

Growing up in an area that specializes in hunting, fishing and many other outdoor activities, Webster said joining the archery team provided an opportunity to meet new people and learn a unique sport.

“I just keep practicing, listen to my coach and say my verses,” she said. “We rely on (God) and know He’ll get us through this no matter what happens.”

With another five titles on the resume, Holly Grove now shifts its focus to the national stage where the team will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, in hopes of calling themselves the best in the nation. The competition is scheduled for May.

Having won nationals before, the Eagles return an experienced lineup, riding even more momentum coming off their state championship.

But Bowden still anticipates intense training to ensure his archers are ready to go for the come competition.

With their skills and faith, the Holly Grove archers are confident they’ll once again hit their target.

“When we’re at the shooting line getting ready to shoot, we know this is not impossible,” Makuchal said. “We have God on our side. We just need to rely on Him and do our best, because no matter what happens, we’re glorifying Him.”

This article originally appeared on DelmarvaNow.

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Hallie Gregory, the longtime athletics director for Holly Grove Christian School and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, died Sunday, Sept. 17, after leaving a major mark on the sports community across Delmarva.

Gregory first came to the Shore in 1989, where he was hired as the top man for UMES athletics.

The Indiana University graduate was responsible for several core decisions dealing with the school, including the creation of the William P. Hytche Athletic Center and the additions of soccer, bowling and tennis.

The Hawks’ athletic director held his position until 2000 and was later inducted into the Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference halls of fame.

“Dr. Gregory was an innovator and a forward thinker, who was concerned about the welfare of student athletes with preparing our student athletes for the future,” current UMES Athletics Director Keith Davidson said in a university press release. “He was a man of integrity and fair play. He was a respected and accomplished figure in the industry of intercollegiate athletics.”

But it wasn’t just his ideas and accomplishments that allowed him to leave a lasting legacy — it was also his character, personality and positive attitude toward everyone he encountered, said those who knew him well.

“He was a man who loved people, loved the kids and served as a mentor for all,” said Shelly Clark, Holly Grove physical education teacher. “He was a father figure, a grandfather figure to a lot of people, and I don’t think there was one person that came in contact with him that didn’t admire and respect him.”

Six years after Gregory left UMES, he returned to Somerset County to take the same position at Holly Grove Christian School, where he also taught physical education and brought multiple sports to the school.

“He wasn’t just an athletic director — he was like a life coach,” Clark said. “He just made everyone feel like they were the most important person when he talked to them. He would always talk to you about life, and he had the most integrity from anyone I’ve ever met.”

According to Clark, one former Holly Grove student who enrolled in the military and is stationed in Hawaii is returning to the Shore for the funeral, displaying the impact Gregory had on the Holly Grove community.

Several students and faculty members took to social media to post tributes, expressing their love for Gregory while recalling memorable experiences they had with the longtime educator.

Clark recalled one former student mentioning she had dropped an AP class just so she could sign up to be Gregory’s student aide at Holly Grove.

“That’s who he was — everyone wanted to be around him,” Clark said. “He had an impact on every person he came in contact with; student, teacher, parent, faculty, whoever. Everyone had a great deal of respect for him.”

Gregory also had ties to Delaware State, Central State University in Ohio and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, leaving a mark throughout the eastern United States.

At all his stops, Gregory always made the most of his time with an organization, building a program that would be competitive and send a positive message to its athletes and individuals.

“It was an adjustment for him when he went from a university to (Holly Grove), but he brought it to a level where he expected quality out of the program,” Clark said. “He loved working with the coaches because of their passion.”

Though his time as athletic figurehead has come to an end, the mark that Gregory left on those he dealt with will live on.

Whether it was his contributions to UMES or leading a Bible study group at Holly Grove, Gregory developed relationships that won’t soon be forgotten.

As Clark walks into the Holly Grove gymnasium every day, she stops and remembers everything Gregory did for athletics and for those he encountered.

“The impact that he had will bring tears to your eyes,” Clark said. “He was just an amazing man with a love for all.”

Holly Grove Christian School began in the fall of 1976 with nineteen students, and today serves over 550 students and their families. For over 40 years, Holly Grove has provided a quality education to families on the Eastern Shore by offering a traditional program for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.

The school is located in a beautiful rural setting on 51 acres in Westover, Maryland. Students travel to our campus every day from as far away as Delaware and Chincoteague, with many families making use of our seven bus routes.

Holly Grove Christian School offers a strong academic program. Our graduates have received millions of dollars in college scholarships over the years.  HGCS is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and ACSI. I invite you to come and enjoy the family atmosphere! 

We are here to serve you, so if you have any questions about Holly Grove Christian School, please contact me directly at sjohnson@hgcsweb.com.

Sincerely,

Stacey Johnson

Head of School