By Jeff Murphy,
May 18, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – Citing factors that include excellent accommodations and great staff
service, Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) has selected the University of Central
Missouri as the site for its 2016 International Student Convention (ISC). The event
takes place Saturday through Thursday, May 21-26, and will bring more than 2,100 students
ages 13-19 from 26 different countries to UCM for a week of fun, educational and competitive
activities.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., ACE is a premier starter of Christian schools,
and provides a curriculum that is used by schools across the globe. It hosts 18 Regional
Conventions that lead up to the premier event, the ISC, which rotates to different
location each year. This will be the fifth time UCM has hosted the event.
At least one adult sponsor for every eight students will also be on campus, and many
of the students will be joined in Warrensburg by their families, many whom will be
staying in local motels and taking advantage of retail and dining opportunities while
visiting the community.
According to Sandy Dawson, who serves as assistant to the convention director, the
event will utilize many of the university’s buildings and grounds. It features about
140 areas of competition designed to help students demonstrate their talents. Students
compete in areas such as academics, athletics, music, platform, and art. They also
participate in Game Zone events, which are open to all participants.
Activities get underway at 10 a.m. Sunday with an orientation and worship service
in the Multipurpose Building. Community residents who are interested are welcome to
attend the grand rally at 6 p.m. Sunday, and additional rallies slated for 6:30 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, and at 6 p.m. Wednesday, in the Multipurpose Building. Awards
will be presented at the same location beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday.
In talking about why ACE continues to select the campus as a convention site, Dawson
said, “We love UCM. It’s a perfect site for us. It has wonderful dorms, wonderful
food – which the students enjoy - but most of all it’s the staff. That’s why we keep
coming back.”
