Maranatha Christian Academy

We are excited to announce the hiring of Kris Henry as the school’s new Athletic Director.

Kris brings more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership, coaching, and athletic administration to the role. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of leadership positions across Kansas schools, building a reputation for developing strong athletic programs, mentoring coaches, supporting students, and fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the field.

Most recently, Kris has served as Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Santa Fe Trail High School, where he oversees all aspects of high school activities and athletics. His previous experience also includes leadership roles in Tonganoxie, Gardner Edgerton, Larned, Claflin, and Great Bend schools.

Kris holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Fort Hays State University and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Outside of his professional life, Kris enjoys golfing, taking walks with his yellow Lab, Woody, and spending time with family.

Kris and his wife, Christy, are proud of their family: their son, Tyler, and his wife, Hattie, who live in Broken Arrow, and their daughter, Marly, and her husband, Caleb, who live in Spring Hill.

The Henry family is excited for this new opportunity and looks forward to becoming part of the Maranatha Christian Academy community.

MCA Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals — join us for a special networking event at Maranatha Christian Academy in partnership with Unconventional Business Network on Wednesday, June 3 from 8:00–9:30am!

Come connect with like-minded leaders, grow Kingdom impact in the workplace, and learn more about UBN and MCA.

Use coupon code: Maranathaguest

🔗 Link to register here: https://unconventionalbusiness.org/event/kc-networking-event/

Senior Spotlight 🎓 Brody Wright 🎓

Brody Wright has been part of the MCA family for 13 years, attending Maranatha from Kindergarten all the way through his senior year!

During his time at MCA, Brody has been involved in soccer, track, worship team, choir, National Honor Society, student leadership, class officer leadership, Poland mission trips, the Foundry Church tech team, and even the “Best Chicken in KC Club.”

Brody is talented, thoughtful, intelligent, principled, welcoming to others, and musically diverse. He has consistently used his gifts to serve and lead those around him while making a lasting impact on the MCA community.

After graduation, Brody is headed to Manhattan, Kansas where he will attend Kansas State University. Go Wildcats! 💜

Senior Spotlight 🎓 Jalaina Tillman 🎓

Jalaina has attended Maranatha Christian Academy since 5th grade and has made a lasting impact through her dedication, leadership, and strong character.

During her time at MCA, Jalaina played volleyball for four years on both the JV and Varsity Volleyball teams. She earned a Varsity letter and was a member of the 2024 2A State Volleyball Championship team. In addition to school athletics, she also competed in club volleyball for three years throughout the Midwest region.

Academically, Jalaina has excelled as a 3-year member of National Honor Society, will graduate on the Distinguished “A” Honor Roll, and has been dual enrolled with MidAmerica Nazarene University for the past three years.

Jalaina is hardworking, disciplined, and faithful, consistently demonstrating perseverance, integrity, and a heart for growth in all she does.

After graduation, Jalaina plans to attend The University of Texas at Arlington, where she will pursue a degree in Business Management with a focus on Entrepreneurship. She has also earned acceptance into the Honors College.

We are proud of you, Jalaina, and excited to see all God has in store for your future!

Senior Spotlight 🎓 Caleb Cronin 🎓

Caleb has attended MCA for the past four years after transferring in as a freshman. During his time at Maranatha, he has been a dedicated member of the varsity baseball team all four years and is serving as a team captain this season.

Caleb is strong, determined, independent, introspective, logical, and loyal. He also brings plenty of humor and sarcasm that keeps those around him laughing.

After graduation, Caleb plans to enter the trades and is leaning toward becoming an electrician. He will begin a four-year apprenticeship this summer.

Congratulations, Caleb! We are excited to see all that God has ahead for you.

What a month it has been for MCA Athletics! 🔥🏆

From historic firsts to conference championships, our student-athletes continue to represent Maranatha Christian Academy with excellence, determination, and heart!

⛳ Bryce Pinter
🥇 1st Place at the West Franklin Invitational
➡️ Bryce became the FIRST golfer in school history to win a golf invitational!

🥎 MCA Softball
👏 Earned the FIRST win in program history
📍 Defeated Bishop Ward 22-4
What an incredible milestone in the inaugural season of MCA Softball!

⚽ Middle School Girls Soccer
🏅 Finished 3rd in the Kaw Valley Conference Tournament
So proud of the grit and growth shown by this team all season long!

🏃‍♂️ Middle School Boys Track & Field
🏆 Kaw Valley Conference Champions
An outstanding accomplishment and dominant performance by our Eagles!

⚽ Varsity Girls Soccer
🔥 Big 3-2 victory over Christ Prep
Way to battle and come away with a huge win!

We are proud of all our athletes, coaches, and families for the way they continue to build a culture of excellence both on and off the field.
ChristianEducation

Please join us in welcoming the Netolicky family to Maranatha Christian Academy! We are excited to welcome their student to 10th grade this fall and are grateful they are becoming part of the MCA community.

We are praying this year is filled with growth, friendships, and unforgettable experiences as they begin this new chapter. Welcome to the MCA family! 💙💛

Please join us in giving a huge MCA welcome to the Herman family! 🎉

We are so excited to welcome their students to grades 6, 5, 4, and 3 this upcoming school year! We are honored they have chosen to be part of the Maranatha Christian Academy family and cannot wait to see how the Lord works in and through their family this year.

Welcome to the MCA community, Herman family! 💙💛

🏆 Congratulations to MCA’s Ian Castaneda! 🏆

We are incredibly proud of Ian for earning 4th Place in Oration (Public Speaking) at the KSHSAA 3A State Speech & Drama Championship and advancing to the FINALS! 🎤👏

Competing against some of the top speakers in Kansas, Ian represented Maranatha with excellence, confidence, and poise on the state stage. What an incredible accomplishment!

We also want to celebrate our entire Maranatha Debate & Forensics Team for an outstanding State Championship weekend. For the first time in school history, MCA competed at the KSHSAA 3A State Speech & Drama Championship, qualifying in all 5 events entered — a huge achievement! 💙🦅

State Results:
• Johnnie Heddings – Poetry Interpretation Semifinalist & Impromptu Speaking competitor
• DeLaney Montalbano – Prose Interpretation competitor
• Ajuri Ngelale – State qualifier in Oration & Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Emily Aragon – Oration Finalist & 2026 KSHSAA 3A Lincoln-Douglas State Champion 🏆
• Ian Castaneda – 4th Place Oration Finalist 🎤

We are so proud of the way these students represented MCA with excellence, professionalism, and character. The future is bright for MCA Debate & Forensics! MCAEagles

Senior Spotlight 🎓 Gracia O’Brien 🎓

Gracia has attended MCA since kindergarten and has truly soared as an Eagle! Throughout her years at Maranatha, she has been involved in choir, band, theater, dance, volleyball, and cheer. One of her greatest passions is volleyball, and she has been part of the MCA volleyball program since 5th grade, celebrating a State Championship victory with the Varsity Volleyball team in 2025. Gracia has also participated in cheer since middle school and now serves as a captain of the Varsity Cheer Squad.

In addition to athletics and fine arts, Gracia is a member of the National Honor Society and will participate in the Poland mission trip with the Class of 2026. During her high school summers, she has also served on mission trips to Peru with the ministry “Wheels of the World,” using her gifts as both a journalist and Spanish interpreter.

MCA teachers describe Gracia as sweet, compassionate, and someone who stands up for others. Her mom describes her as strong, resilient, disciplined, committed, and loving.

After graduation, Gracia plans to attend Kansas State University to study International Finance and pursue a career in investments.

Congratulations, Gracia! We are excited to see how God continues to use your gifts and talents for His glory!