Incoming Lamoni Campus Graceland students for Fall 2023 –

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Spectacular

July 15-22, 2023

Graceland University is thrilled to host Spectacular 2023 on our Lamoni campus!

SPEC is an experience like no other! There are so many opportunities to make connections and lasting friendships throughout the week. Along with healthy competition of team and individual sports, a variety of classes and worship services are planned.

See you on July 15-22 as we join “Together” for SPEC ’23.

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About

The mission of SPECTACULAR is to create a safe, Christ-centered community that encourages young women and men to discover God, their inherent worth, and cultivate and express their giftedness.

During SPECTACULAR approximately 1,100 campers and their leaders gather at Graceland University for the largest annual gathering of youth in Community of Christ.

All campers will have opportunities to participate in leadership and  discipleship development, diverse worship, and expression of arts, music, and sports.

During the week campers can look forward to sharing in all avenues of the SPEC  experience – service projects, communication   workshops, basketball, musical  instruction, table tennis, stage production, worship, delegation devotions, volleyball, tie-dying, cotton candy, discussions about dating and relationships, learning more   about our Creator, soccer, and much, much more.

SPECTACULAR is sponsored by Community of Christ and is hosted at Graceland University.

Program

The SPECTACULAR experience is a unique blend of arts, leadership, sports and worship

WORSHIP
Worship experiences are camper-led and happen each day! A daily class is held for campers who want to be involved in the planning and production of those experiences.  We are always looking for musicians, vocalists, dancers, actors, writers, and assorted helpers to join the fun.

SPEC Today
SPEC Today classes give campers the chance to explore and deepen their understanding of the daily theme or focus through Scripture, small group discussions, games, music, spiritual practices, videos and more.

ADVENTURES
A super-wide variety of adventures in leadership development, art, crafts, music, theatre, movies, theology, cooking, books, and much more are available in two sessions each day.

SPORTS
One of the longest-running areas of the SPECTACULAR program, campers can participate at varying skill levels in team and individual sports like volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, raquetball, table tennis, wrestling, track, swimming, and quiz bowl.

PERFORMING ARTS
Each year SPEC Presents produces a full-scale theatre or musical show complete with costumes and sets. Auditions are held and rehearsals happen during Adventure time each day. Another opportunity to showcase the unique talent of our campers is Extravaganza!

SPECIAL EVENTS
Each year several artists, entertainers, and inspirational speakers are invited to join us for the week and share their gifts with SPECTACULAR.

Scholarship Opportunities

Graceland is happy to offer the SPEC scholarship opportunities during this exciting event. To find out more click on the links below, or call your admissions counselor.

  • Wallace B. Smith Leadership, Arts and Sports Grant

    Wallace B. Smith was president of Graceland University’s sponsoring church, Community of Christ, from 1978 to 1996. The scholarships named in his honor go to young men and women who show the promise to make a significant contribution to the Graceland campus by modeling the university’s three core values: learning, wholeness, and community.

    In addition to one $3000 scholarship, Graceland will give additional scholarships ranging from $1000 – $2500, renewable for up to four years, to those who have distinguished themselves within any of the university’s three core values.

    Winners will be announced the first week on July 21 at the Friday Morning Celebration.

     

    APPLICATION PROCEDURE

    1. Complete the application below and include a picture of yourself.
    2. Submit your Graceland University Application for Admission.
    3. Have your high school send your sixth semester transcript (high school transcript request form).
    4. Submit all materials by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18.
    5. Attend the reception on Wednesday, July 19 between 4:30-6:30 p.m. where applicants can meet their potential Graceland classmates and the selection committee.
    6. Attend interview on Thursday, July 20, sign-up at the Admissions Office.

    SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT REQUIREMENTS

    Each year participants will be expected to complete one three-semester-hour religion course through Graceland University, either fall or spring semester, and participate in RELG 1700/3700 Missional Ministry and Leadership Practicum the other semester, a one-semester-hour experience.

    The practicum will focus on the key components of Community of Christ identity, mission, message and beliefs as expressed in Sharing in Community of Christ and other key resources. The focus will be on the church’s mission initiatives, enduring principles, sacraments, theology, and scripture. There will be an emphasis put on new expressions of what it means to be a disciple in Community of Christ in the context of their lives in the world.

    For more information about the practicum, please contact Mike Hoffman, Campus Minister, at mhoffman@graceland.edu or 641.784.5466.

    Upload, mail, email or fax all application materials to:

    Admissions Office, Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140, admissions@graceland.edu, 641.784.5480

    Questions? Please contact the Admissions Office at: 866.472.2352 (866.GRACELAND) or 641.784.5196.

    REMINDER: All materials must be in by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18.

    WALLACE B. SMITH LEADERSHIP, ARTS AND SPORTS GRANT APPLICATION

    "*" indicates required fields

    Contact Information

    Name*
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
    Address*

    Academic Information

    Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, Max. file size: 15 MB.

    Questions

    Please list academic awards honors and awards, AP courses, major research papers or presentations or other academic achievements from your high school years. In 3-4 sentences, select one of the items listed of which you are proud. What did you accomplish in doing it and what did you learn? Aside from the knowledge or skills you learned, share with us why the experience was significant. How did the experience make you grow?
    Graceland encourages students to grow not just through their academic studies but through participation in campus activities and individual interests. Wholeness involves developing social skills, taking care of one’s health and mental outlook, exploring one’s spiritual values, and demonstrating a curiosity in the world around you. List the clubs, organizations, or volunteer activities, you have participated in and give you a feeling of satisfaction. Select one item from the list above. In 3-4 sentences, explain why you participate in it and how it helps you become a well-rounded individual.
    Graceland’s motto is “the Power of Together.” At Graceland, “you belong just because you are here,” and lifelong friendships develop. The university encourages students to find ways to connect with each other, the campus, and beyond to make the world a better place. List projects or organizations you have participated in that have made your school, church, neighborhood, community or world a better place. Select one of those activities. In 3-4 sentences, what was your role, what did you accomplish, and how did it promote a stronger sense of community?
    Each college or university has its own personality and its particular strengths. List 3-4 distinguishing characteristics you are looking for in the college you will attend. What would encourage you to apply? What would discourage you from applying to a particular college?
    Choose something unique about yourself. What would you want the selection committee to know about you that might not have been covered in the previous questions?
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
     

  • InSpire Scholarship

    The Spectacular “InSpire” Scholarship is intended for students who are passionate about the mission of Community of Christ and are committed to continuing that interest while pursuing their education at Graceland University. The Graceland community provides many opportunities to promote the important work of the church’s Mission Initiatives. The InSpire Scholarship is offered in order to encourage Community of Christ students to attend Graceland and pursue those opportunities. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, renewable for 4 years, are awarded on a competitive basis each year at Spectacular.

    ELIGIBILITY

    • Students must be entering their senior year of high school.
    • Students must be a potential Spectacular participant.
    • Students must meet Graceland’s admission requirements.

    APPLICATION PROCEDURE

    All application materials must be received by Graceland’s Admissions Office no later than 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18.  Application materials may be uploaded, mailed, faxed to 641.784.5480,  or sent via email to admissions@graceland.edu.

    Required Materials

    Essay Review

    A panel of judges will read the essays and select applicants to participate in an interview process. The essays will be judged on the following criteria:

    • Level of prior activities related to the Mission Initiatives
    • Depth of responses related to the Doctrine and Covenants 163:4C
    • Completeness of responses
    • The extent to which the essay is clear and well-focused
    • Demonstration of creativity

    Applicant Interviews

    Interviews will be Thursday, July 20. Students will be selected by the judges for interviews. These interviews will be an opportunity for applicants to further discuss and explain their essays at a more personal level.

    Selection of Scholarship Recipients.

    The judges will select the scholarship recipients and they will be announced on July 21 at the Friday Morning Celebration.

    SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT REQUIREMENTS

    Each year participants will be expected to complete one three-semester-hour religion course through Graceland University, either fall or spring semester, and participate in RELG 1700/3700 Missional Ministry and Leadership Practicum the other semester, a one-semester-hour experience.

    The practicum will focus on the key components of Community of Christ identity, mission, message and beliefs as expressed in Sharing in Community of Christ and other key resources. The focus will be on the church’s mission initiatives, enduring principles, sacraments, theology, and scripture. There will be an emphasis put on new expressions of what it means to be a disciple in Community of Christ in the context of their lives in the world.

    For more information about the practicum, please contact Mike Hoffman, Campus Minister, at mhoffman@graceland.edu or 641.784.5466.

    SPECTACULAR “INSPIRE” SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

    Contact Information

    Name(Required)
    Address(Required)

    MM slash DD slash YYYY

    In approximately 1,500 words, address the following questions: (1) What have you done to live out the Mission Initiatives in your home community? (2) How do you see yourself engaging in the call found in Doctrine and Covenants 163:4C? “Let the Educational and community development endeavors of the church equip people of all ages to carry the ethics of Christ’s peace into all arenas of life. Prepare new generations of disciples to bring fresh vision to bear on the perplexing problems of poverty, disease, war, and environmental deterioration. Their contributions will be multiplied if their hearts are focused on God’s will for creation." (3) What opportunities to continue your work with the Mission Initiatives do you foresee as a student at Graceland?
  • Thomas Cochran Scholarship

    For volleyball players entering their senior year. Video auditions accepted through Saturday, July 22 – contact Coach Stew McDole at mcdole@graceland.edu for more information.

Values

SPECTACULAR is an intentional sacred community that values:

God With Us—

We believe in God’s desire to be present in each person’s life. Through the model of Jesus’ life and ministry, SPECTACULAR offers relevant, authentic, grace-filled dialogue and experiences that transform lives.

Relationships—

We value healthy, honest relationships. SPECTACULAR creates opportunities to make and nurture long-lasting friendships with each other, with staff, and with God.

Worth of All People (diversity)—

We uphold the uniqueness of each individual and embrace each one’s giftedness. SPECTACULAR seeks to break down the walls that separate and see each other through the loving, open-minded eyes of Jesus.

Growth & Risk—

We value the chance to grow and change and try new things. SPECTACULAR is a safe place where choices to intentionally step out of a comfort zone can lead to life-changing personal and spiritual growth.

A Safe Place—

We believe in an open place that is welcoming and non-judgemental; a place where people are free to make discoveries and mistakes; a place feels secure and at peace. SPECTACULAR is that place…it is called sanctuary.

Blessing—

We uphold the life-giving assurance of God’s love. SPECTACULAR seeks to affirm that love through opportunities that offer blessing as well as opportunities to accept blessing from others.

The First Step

You need to submit an application to Graceland to be eligible for all of these scholarships!