Sarah Leab, Class of 2021

Sarah Leab

How long have you been enrolled at GCA?  

I have been at GCA for four years; I started here freshman year.

 

What will you miss most about GCA?

I will miss the teachers and learning environment at GCA the most. It is a stimulating academic atmosphere and the teachers are the number one contributor to that.

 

Was there a GCA teacher or staff member that had a significant impact on your life?  How?

I can’t possibly name just one teacher that had an impact on me during my time at GCA. Dr. Zockoll was one of my first friends when he started teaching my freshman Bible class, and I managed to have a class with him all four years here. His teaching about all the things surrounding the Bible, such as different religions and the lessons we can take from different passages, were enriching and interesting to me. I only had Mr. Starkweather for my sophomore year for chemistry, but the Bible reading plan he has on his Moodle page was one of the catalysts that led me to salvation. Ms. Jackson taught my Spanish 2 and 3 classes and instilled in me a passion for the language so much that I plan to major in Spanish education so I can hopefully be a light in other’s lives just like she was and is in mine. I have taken all three history classes that Ms. Anderson teaches, and she was my second friend here at GCA. She invited me in to her circle and I thrived from there on out. She taught me that it’s okay to be myself and not care what others think, which helped me to make friends among my peers as well.

 

How has GCA helped you grow in your faith and prepared you for the next season in life?

GCA has prepared me for the next season in my life by facilitating my preparation for college and maintaining a strong emphasis on my faith.  Dr. Zockoll and Mrs. Lay have helped in these areas the most. Mrs. Lay helped me to go through the application process for two colleges and kept a constant eye out for opportunities for me, and for that I am more than grateful. Dr. Zockoll gave us “college survival tips” when we had down time in class, and of course taught us about the importance of keeping our faith a priority even when we’re not going to church with our parents. The importance of the local body of believers is something I have learned to appreciate more and more while at GCA.

 

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at GCA?

One of my favorite memories is from sophomore year. It was the last day of school and I was in Spanish 2 in the last period of the day. Down the hall, Dr. Zockoll had two classes duking it out in a last powerpoint-slide game for the win. Someone in my class suggested charging the classroom, and we all, Ms. Jackson included, agreed. We ran down to the room, busted in the door, and joined in the chaos until the last bell rang.

 

What are your plans after graduation from GCA?  

My plans after graduation are to attend Lee University and major in Spanish Education with a minor in Linguistics. I’m also considering a minor in history.