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Academics Festival

Time:
  • January 31, 2026 @ 9am
Location:
  • Mt. Olive Christian School
  • 15349 LA-9, Athens, LA 71003
What is the Academics Festival?
  • The Academics Festival is a single-day event during which schools and homeschool organizations may enter academic teams and projects for competition and adjudication.

Arts Festival

Time:
  • March 14, 2026 @ 9am
Location:
  • Weathersby Fine Arts Building at LCU
  • ​155 College Blvd, Pineville, LA 71360
What is the Arts Festival?
  • The Arts Festival is a single-day event during which schools and homeschool organizations may enter arts events (see below) for competition and live adjudication and comments from experienced performers.
ACEL Academics Fair Handbook 2025-2026

Knowledge Competitions
  • Bible Bowl (team event)
  • Geography Bowl ​(team event)
  • Spelling Bee (Individual event)
Fair Exhibit Competitions
  • Science Exhibit Fair
  • History Exhibit Fair​
  • Literature Exhibit Fair
Vocal and Instrumental Performance Art​
  • Vocal and Instrumental Soloists, Duets, Trios
  • Vocal and Instrumental Small Ensembles
  • Vocal Large ensembles
Speech Performance Art
  • Theatrical Play Cutting (team or individual)
  • Poetry Interpretation 
  • Dramatic Monologue
Visual Art
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Sculpture 
  • Photography ​
Cost and payment procedure:​
  • Individual: $20
    • covers one student in the spelling bee, submitting a fair project, or performing a solo performance
    • If your small ensemble includes 2-3 performers, the individual pricing may apply
  • Bowl Team/Small Ensemble: $75
  • Large Ensemble: $100
  • Pay through website cart or by check:
    • ACEL
      PO Box 8731, Shreveport, La. 71148
How to get involved:
  • In December 2025, come back to this page to register your entrants.
  • Review the guidelines (links listed above) for each event that sparks your interest. 
  • Put together a team of interested students and acquire the proper study materials (listed in links below).
  • For the Literature, History, and Science Fairs, consider assigning the projects as part of your curriculum then nominate the top projects to enter the ACEL Fairs.
  • For the Vocal Ensembles and Speech Performances, talk to your choir directors, theatre teachers or even interested parents!
  • Reach out to parents and advertise-- especially to the parents of students who take private voice or instrumental lessons or who are involved in community theatres.
  • For the team and ensemble events, give your group the study materials, then meet periodically to review and practice.

2025 Academics Festival Results

Bible Bowl
1st - AHAA Team 1
  • Kaison Middleton, James Castillo, Quintin Rutherford, Landry Knotts
2nd - AHAA Team 2
  • Grayson Willis, Jonah Castillo, Siblee Evans, Jude Sharbono
3rd - OBCA
  • Chase McBroom, Kain Lively, Casey Hair, Annabeth Strickland
Geography Bowl
1st - AHAA
  • Jude Sharbono, Landry Knotts, Brady Smith, Quintin Rutherford, (alt) CJ Malley
2nd - OBCA
  • Chase McBroom, Kain Lively, Casey Hair, Annabeth Strickland

Spelling Bee
1st - Casey Hair (OBCA)
2nd - AnnaBeth Strickland (OBCA)
3rd - Kain Lively ​(OBCA)

ACEL Arts & Academics Commissioner

The purpose of ACEL Arts Festival is to provide each student with an opportunity to demonstrate his skills in an enjoyable, competitive environment. We aim to challenge each student as he develops and disciplines his God-given talents and abilities. Using set standards of excellence combined with the subjective opinion of the judges, each student should leave the festivals with a clear picture of his capabilities and progress. Our prayer is for each performer and scholar to continue striving for excellence to better glorify Christ!
Melanie Lawrence, B.S., M.A., M.S.
Mt. Olive Christian School
​[email protected]