Class of 2014 Future Plans - Worthington Christian Schools

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Celebrating 40 Years and 2,300 Alumni
Class of 2014 Future Plans
Todd Alexander Akin................................................... Stetson University........ Physics, PreMed, Biomedical Engineering
Klein Amoafo.......................................................University of Cincinnati..........................................................Finance
Maxwell J. Arena............................................................. Columbus State....................................................Exploration
Alicia Nicole Batterson...........................Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham.......................................... Music and Theater
Andrew Frederick Brown................................... The Ohio State University..................................................... Undecided
Jordan Ray Brown..........................................................Akron University............................................. Exercise Science
Trenton Mark Butterworth.......................................Cedarville University.............................................. Biblical Studies
Cameron Mitchell Byers....................................................... Virginia Tech...........................................Computer Science
Caroline J. Carpenter......................................... The Ohio State University..............................................Health Sciences
Samuel Ray Condon................................................. Otterbein University..............................................Criminal Justice
Margaret E. Cunningham............................................. Malone University......................................................... Nursing
Ann Elyse DeMuch.................................. Concordia University – Irvine, CA...................Theater and Mass Communication
Mikayla Amanda-LaShae Diaz ......................................... Columbus State...................................................... Pharmacy
Alexander Lee Dickinson.................................................DeVry University........................Computer Information Science
Leah Ann Efries............................................................... Columbus State...................................Fashion Merchandising
Hannah Michelle Francis.................................. Olivet Nazarene University...........................English Secondary Education
Natalie Nicole Francis.....................................................Taylor University................................Digital Media Production
Austin Peter French......................................................... Columbus State..................................................... Undecided
Nicholas J. Giammarco..................................................... Columbus State..................................................... Undecided
Emily Lane Griffith.......................................................... Columbus State..................................................... Undecided
Casey Joe Hamrick........................................................ Capital University.........................Business/Sports Management
Grace Elizabeth Harper........................Columbus State/Liberty University....................................................... Education
Jacob Ellis Harrison...................................................... Judson University..................................................... Undecided
Joshua Abraham Hayes............................................... University of Akron.................................... Sports Administration
William J. Hejduk......................Columbus State/The Ohio State University...............................................Music/Business
Jessica Liana Heskett...........................................University of Cincinnati......................................................... Nursing
Mason J. Highman...............................................Arizona State University........................................................ Business
Brooke Janette Hockenberry.................................University of Cincinnati......................................................... Nursing
Tyler Douglas Hood..............................................University of Cincinnati........................................................ Business
Emma Lynn Irwin............................ Moody Bible Institute – Spokane, WA.........................................................Ministry
Ellen O’Neil Jackson.......................................................... Flagler College...........................Communications/Journalism
Samantha Jones...................................................... Otterbein University......................................................... Nursing
Katelyn Elizabeth Kinkead................................. The Ohio State University......................................................... Nursing
Sean Gregory Kirk.................................................... Otterbein University........................................................ Pre-Med
Class of 2014
Taylor Lauren Klass........................................... The Ohio State University....................................................Agriculture
Erin B. Kozar........................................................University of Cincinnati....................................................Psychology
Nicholas J. Learn............................................................. Columbus State........................................... Physical Therapy
Audrey Jane Lewis............................................. The Ohio State University..............................Early Childhood Education
Jennifer Quinn Long........ Missions trip to Nicaragua, then Columbus State.......................................... Special Education
Jarrett Ronald Malone................................................. Malone University........................Business/Sports Management
Robert James Maloney................................................ Malone University................................ Business Administration
Caylah McKenzie May..............................................................Undecided
Molly Elizabeth McIntosh............................................... Wheaton College..........................................English Education
Alec Joseph McLean............................................................ Grace College....................................................... Business
Micaela Marie Miller........................................................ Columbus State......................Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Graham Allen Montgomery.......................................Lipscomb University....................Mechanical Engineering/Spanish
Joel Daniel Montgomery.............................. Indiana Wesleyan University ............................................Exercise Science
John D. Morford...........................................................Auburn University....................................................... Business
Evan Z. Motter.............................................................. Miami University....................................................... Business
Kyle Jeffrey Nowak...................................................... Malone University........................... Education/Sports Ministries
Christopher J. Osborn........................................ The Ohio State University.................................................. Engineering
Luke William Palmateer........................... Bowling Green State University....................................................... Dietetics
Mark Wesley Parsell..................................Columbus State/Life University.................................................. Chiropractic
Luke M. Proxmire ........................................................... Columbus State..........................................Computer Science
Alexander F. Sanders..................................................Ashland University..........................Marketing Management and
Research/Sports Management
Isaac Sayre.......................................................... University of Wisconsin...................................... Nuclear Engineering
Sarah Jane Sharp............................................Carson Newman University..........................Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Emmalee Grace Sima..................................................... Miami University..............................Early Childhood Education
Benjamin D. Smith............................................ The Ohio State University..........................................Computer Science
Spencer M. Smith.........................................................Grove City College...........................Entrepreneurship and Music
Alexandra Elizabeth Spayde................................................Calvin College...................................... Sports Management
Benjamin M. Staysniak............................................. Otterbein University.........................................................Nursing
David Stomps................................................................. Columbus State...................................Business Management
Madeleine Nicole Tjoelker................................... Trinity Christian College......................................................... Biology
Jonathan S. Trainer..................................................Cedarville University.................................Mechanical Engineering
Samuel Richard Trautman........................................Cedarville University...............................................Youth Ministry
Marcelo Andres Villalobos...............................................Taylor University..................... Public Health/ Biology/Pre-Med
Matthew David Watterson............................................. Alfred University....................................................... Ceramics
Michael Scott Wayland................................................. Capital University.........................................................Finance
Kayla Rose Welch....................................... Mt. Carmel College of Nursing
Seth Rush Weygandt....................................................... Word of Life, NY
Janelle Renee Wilcox............................................. Huntington University.................... Communications/Graphic Design
Class Verse
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” Isaiah 41:10.
Teacher of the Year
By Jim Parrish
WCES Principal
WCHS Employee
Wellness Contest
By Lisa Cunningham RN,
LSN, NCSN, School Nurse
Fourteen people from
WCHS and District
Administration
completed the 2014
Employee Wellness
Contest which
consists of diet,
exercise, spiritual
growth, a healthy
recipe, and an overall
health goal. Participants
counted calories, exercised
daily, had devotions, and
submitted a recipe for judging.
They also set an overall health
goal such as weight loss, a
fitness goal, lowered blood
pressure, or inches lost.
The program lasted for the nine
weeks of the third quarter. I am
delighted to report that our 14
participants lost 100 pounds
and exercised for over 13,105
minutes! One participant
logged 100 miles running!
This year’s winner was Kelly
Herbst. Kelly earned 1,015
points and won a $200 cash
prize which she plans to use
toward the fees needed to
send her son Zach to Portugal
with the soccer team’s missions
trip. Congratulations, Kelly!
And congratulations to all the
participants who joined in the
contest and improved your
health!
A special thank you to Brian
Bayless for keeping track of our
points and providing our weekly
updates.
the classroom. Judy has served her Savior
by ministering to students and helping
them grow academically for 42 years, 32
at WCS.
Each spring the WCS faculty has the honor
of selecting the recipient for the WCS-PTF
Endowment Teacher of the Year Award.
This year Mrs. Bechtel was selected, and
it was a privilege to honor her with this
award. I hope you were able to take a look
on YouTube as her room was descended
upon to present her with this accolade.
Congratulations, Mrs. Bechtel! Also, thank
you to the PTF Endowment Fund for
providing this annual award.
Mr. O’Neil
Honored
News
It was late August,
2000, my first
fall at WCES, and
on my classroom
desk a grouping of
bananas greeted
me that warm, late
summer morning.
The multi-colored
ribbon tied about
the tops was quite festive, while the note
written on one of the bananas captured
the moment—“Welcome to the Bunch!” it
stated, and welcomed I was indeed.
Community has always been close
to the heart of Judy Bechtel—
whether in the faculty lounge or
the classroom, it does not matter.
You see, it is part of who she is. It
is how the Father has wired her.
Over the years she has delivered
many welcoming banana bunches
to new faculty members as well
as overseen many a retirement
dinner, wedding shower, baby
shower, or year-end brunch. Her
gift of hospitality can be readily seen. Her
strong organizational skills, used to help
create a caring community among WCES
faculty and staff, go into high gear within
Governor John Kasich presents Mike O’Neil with a resolution at
the Middle School Awards Assembly honoring his retirement after
33 years of service to WCS.
IT’S TIME TO set up or
renew your account
with your Kroger Plus
card number. Enter
NPO number 84126 and
designate WCS. Whenever
you make purchases using
your Kroger Plus card, WCS
gets credit!
Academics
We Love Math!
Congratulations to our Mid-America/Ohio
River Valley ACSI Geometry and Algebra
Math League finalists!
Geometry
Sarah Foor ........................1st Place
Barrett Bowen .................... Tie 2nd
Jake Strick .......................... Tie 2nd
Hannah Yoder ........................... 3rd
Zach Hastings ......................Tie 4th
Shay Smith ..........................Tie 4th
Chloe Denorme .........................5th
Algebra II
Kara Godsey .............................. 1st
Christina Hemmingsen ............. 2nd
Joshua Cho ..........................Tie 3rd
Parker Lambert ....................Tie 3rd
Joshua Lozier .......................Tie 3rd
Noah Mallory....................... Tie 3rd
The Geometry and Algebra 2 Teams won FIRST in the entire Ohio River Valley Region of ACSI—that includes Ohio, Kentucky, and West
Virginia. We hope to work with high math teams of other local schools next year and begin work in robotic competitions. If any of you
parents would like to join us for this adventure in robotics, please contact cfischer@worthingtonchristian.com.
An EGGcellent Lab
By Debbie Gilliland
WCMS Science Teacher
of the movement of material
through the cell membrane.
Every year seventh graders
investigate the concepts
of osmosis and diffusion
using eggs. To prepare for
the lab, students carefully
measure and record the
circumference of the raw
egg as well as its mass.
Throughout the ten-day
experiment, they place
the egg in a variety of
substances, continuing
to measure and compare
results with the data obtained at the start
of the experiment.
Students first observe a chemical reaction
occurring between the vinegar and the
calcium carbonate in the egg shell. The
The students continue
the process of recording
measurements after the egg
has been exposed to corn syrup
and then to water. At the end of
the experiment, students form
conclusions based on the data
that has been collected. The
results illustrate the processes of
osmosis and diffusion across a
cell membrane.
bubbles of carbon dioxide that form on the
egg and rise to the surface are evidence
of this reaction. The shell dissolves in the
vinegar and leaves a film on the surface.
However, the membrane remains on the
egg. The size of the egg increases because
For added fun this year, students
were allowed to take the water-filled egg
and celebrate the end of the EGGsperiment
with an egg toss game (pictured here).
Our God is Jehovah-jireh, providing
everything needed for life to exist.
Student Inventors
By Karin Browning
WCES NPSS Tutor/Enrichment Teacher
Academics
Fourth and fifth grade Mind Extension
students presented their inventions at
the annual WCS Invention Convention.
The inventors worked diligently to create
an invention that solved a problem they
encountered in their everyday lives. They
were required to keep a journal throughout
the process and build a prototype of their
invention.
This year’s judges included Joel Walton,
Caleb Stertzer, Rachel Clutz, and Bart
Browning. Each inventor
was interviewed by two of the
judges. Taking first place was
Morgan Lawrence for her
useful laundry basket cover.
Second place went to Micah
Shemenski for inventing an
electro-magnetic refrigerator
door. Jonah Dean took third place with
his “Cubies,” an alternative to chicken feed.
These top winners went on to compete
for scholarships and prizes at the Regional
Invention Convention on May 17 at
Columbus State Community College where
Morgan Lawrence was one of only ten
Superior Winners.
Other student inventors included Madison
Hoffman, Lily Bauman, Will Cain, and
Edward Gamel.
2014–15 Internship
Academy Participants
Announced
Front Row: Martina Holbrook, Meridian Hollister,
Sarah Myers, Natalie Rohrig, Elena Villalobos
Back Row: Jenny Rinehart, Kathryn Ryan, Reed Klass,
Steven Ruane, Jon Burton
By Dawn McMahon
WCHS Science Teacher
On Tuesday, May 6, twenty-seven
new students were inducted into the
WCHS chapter of the National Honor
Society. Admission into this prestigious
organization is based upon four qualifying
characteristics—scholarship, service,
leadership, and character. Students with the
qualifying GPA of 3.75 or above, who also
exemplify service, leadership, and character,
in the opinion of current NHS members,
staff, and administration, are inducted into
NHS.
The class of 2015 has one of the largest
induction classes in recent memory, and this
speaks to the work ethic, focus, and servant
hearts of this class as a whole. As members
of NHS, they will participate in the annual
WCHS Blood Drive project next winter as
well as plan new service opportunities for
2015. We are excited to invite these new
members into the WCHS chapter of National
Honor Society!
Off-Campus Learning
Nutrition Unit Leads to Kroger
By Sharon Dumit
Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten students enjoyed
their tour of Kroger as they
wrapped up a nutrition unit.
Children were encouraged to
choose a healthful variety from
the produce department. At
the meat counter they were
introduced to “Happy Snappy,”
the lobster. The bakery chef
demonstrated his cakedecorating talents and how
they slice bread. At the end of
the tour, each child received
a flower from the floral
department, along with snacks
and other goodies. Kroger has
it “in the bag” as a favorite field
trip!
Student CEOs, DJs, Reporters
to run BizTown after a
competitive studentrun election campaign.
This past quarter sixth-grade
students had the exciting
After much hard
opportunity to participate
work, the day
in Junior Achievement’s
for the BizTown
BizTown program. This
simulation arrived.
program taught how a city
At the downtown
economy works and then
interactive facility,
provided an interactive
students became
experience of that economy
citizens, business
in an off-site facility.
owners, employees,
and consumers. They
To begin with, sixth graders Joshua Stanfield, Turner Burns, Peter Tsibouris, Ryan Snedecor, Ashley Hall, Mike Luabeya
experienced
first-hand
were required to engage in
According to their skill sets, positions were
everything
it
took
to
start
a
business,
keep
lessons about the circular flow of resources, assigned in 14 different types of businesses
it
running,
earn
an
income,
and
manage
goods, and services within a small city,
from CEO to CFO to reporter, designer,
money. The goal for each business was to
along with financial literacy, workforce
banker, sales manager, DJ, career counselor, pay off their operating loan. Due to some
readiness, and business management. In
stylist, etc. Then students learned to write
amazing teamwork, 13 of the 14 businesses
the process they were required to secure
deposit slips and checks, balance a check
met their goal—a BizTown record for the
a job by participating in an authentic job
register, and create a marketing strategy for year!
interview conducted by parent volunteers.
their business. They even elected a mayor
By Patricia Boyd
WCMS Math Teacher
Art Students Focus
on the Masters
WCHS art students visited the Columbus Museum of Art to see real art and learn
to discern between modern and academic styles. Carter Kravitz, shown here,
was sketching in an attempt to record Gainsborough’s academic style as opposed
to Toulouse Lautrec’s modern style. Caleb Ringer (farther back in the picture),
said that his participation in the field trip gave him a unique chance to focus on
real art in a quiet atmosphere.
Dr. Elliott Rouse Named WCS
Alumnus of the Year 2014
Troy McIntosh
Head of School
Young. Bright. Called.
By Julie Seling
Alumni Coordinator
We are extremely proud of our WCS
graduates! We announce the first
edition of our “30 Under 30” publication,
in which we highlight the educational
and vocational accomplishments of 30
of our younger alumni. Our hope is that
these stories will inspire our current
students to dream bigger dreams
about their future and also to show
prospective students where a WCS
education can lead.
We invite you to visit
worthingtonchristian.com to read
the post-graduation biographies of
30 selected alumni representing a
wide range of fields including higher
education, business, arts, law, medicine,
and ministry, with an emphasis on their
post-graduation accomplishments.
One of the great pleasures of my
position is to watch graduates of WCS
move into their respective fields and
become game changers in them.
Recently, it was my privilege to inform
Dr. Elliott Rouse (Class of 2002) that
our selection committee unanimously
chose him as the WCS Alumnus of the
Year 2014. Elliott joins our four previous
winners—Greg Burgess, Lauren
Schroepfer Evans, Dr. Matthew
Campbell, and Megan Johnson. He,
like the others, are great exemplars of
the award’s criteria—a WCS graduate
who pursues excellence in his sphere
of influence as a way of expressing
kingdom values for the benefit of others.
His work in bionics research is exciting,
innovative, and difference-making in the
larger culture. This is the kind of thing
we want WCS graduates to be prepared
to do, for the glory of God.
Elliott and his wife Rachel traveled
to Ohio to attend Commencement
on June 1. Elliott was recognized
with this award and a gift, and he
addressed the graduating class. Dr.
Buzz Inboden was pleased to have
Elliott present a robotics class to high
school students on June 2. We extend
our congratulations and wishes for
continued success to Dr. Rouse.
Above and Beyond
Coming Back Home
Liz Bookheimer
Alumni Liason
Three decades
ago, much-loved
veteran teacher
Julie Katzeman
began working at
the Worthington
Christian
Elementary School
as an integral part
of the fifth-grade
teaching team. Her
specialty in the
mix was Language
Arts—Reading, English, Writing, and
Spelling.
Julie’s personality and cheery
disposition made her a friend to all staff
and students alike. Fifth grade became
her home away from home and no one
could imagine the Elementary School
without her. In fact Julie’s comment
to me during one
conversation was,
“Retirement is
not even in my
vocabulary.” And
indeed she felt
that way until her
son John became
gravely ill with
lung cancer. God
made it very clear
to Julie that this
was the time to
step aside from
her job and spend
quality time with her son. However,
after his passing, Julie found a need to
fill some of the void in her time with
something productive. She began
to pray for the Lord to lead her to a
ministry. In His time, He did just that; a
position opened up in the after-school
program at WCES. This was just the
ticket!
Julie commented, “I am thrilled to be
back at the elementary school. It was
like ‘coming back home’. The job is
perfect! It is 2 1/2 hours a day and 12
1/2 hours a week. Children energize
me. I love to be with them again. On
average there are about 11 students
involved every day. They range in age
from first grade to fifth grade. This
winter has been more difficult because
of the cold temperatures. The children
are inside all day long, and then they
have to be inside for another two hours.
The boys especially need to get outside
and run. We are working on treating
each other with kindness and respect.
It is also another opportunity in their
lives for them to learn obedience. It has
been fun to get to know the children
and their families. I had prayed for a
ministry, and God answered my prayer
in such a fruitful way.”
Best of Both Worlds
Lydia Smith (2005)
joined the Coast
Guard Auxiliary in
2013. She is working
at the Columbus,
Ohio Coast Guard
Recruiting Office
training to be a
recruiter. The USCG
training and her
other interests have
kept her busy. Lydia recently passed the
exam to become qualified as a Program
Visitor and is now a FSO-PV.
Lydia was not excited about
becoming Crew or Coxswain, but
when she learned about the Program
Visitor Qualification, she thought this
was for her. She is a very personable
and outgoing person. Lydia enjoys
meeting new people and doing
Program Visits was a perfect fit. She
comments, “I hope to be in it for years
to come and one day help to develop
new ways to communicate or aid
Marine Boat Dealers in staying abreast
of the current schedule of all PE courses
and VSC stations.”
Lydia’s goal is to become a District Staff
Officer one day. She not only wants to
volunteer in the Auxiliary component
of the Coast Guard, but one day also to
actually be in the Coast Guard and have
the best of both worlds. She graduated
from Cedarville University in 2009 with
a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Media.
She keeps busy fine tuning her skills as
an Electronic Media Specialist and being
a musician. She has been performing in
different bands for 16 years.
Want to help others receive a WCS education?
The Adopt-A-Student program is an
annual tuition assistance program
organized for those who wish to
participate financially in sponsoring a
portion or all of a student’s tuition for
the school year. All gifts to this fund
assist with student financial
aid. To support a student,
please visit our website:
worthingtonchristian.com/
about/give-to-wcs/
ABC Staff Recognition Program
Looking back on your years at WCS,
was there a teacher who continually
went above and beyond the call of
duty and made your time at WCS
memorable? Was there a faculty
or staff member who had a unique
impact on you? Would you like to
thank them and recognize their
efforts and also help grow the WCS
Foundation? You can!
The WCS Above and Beyond in
Christ was created just for that!
Funds raised will provide continuing
education dollars to faculty and
staff, as well as additional materials,
supplies, and programs that are
beyond the normal funding resources.
You have helped raise almost $28,000!
Please consider giving to grow our
foundation for the future of WCS!
For more info go to worthingtonchristian.
com and click on “Thank A Teacher” under
the Alumni menu, or contact
Stacy Tepper-Graff
614-679-9946
stacy.teppergraff@worthingtonchristian.com
Following James 1:19
Tell us a bit about yourself
and your first few years after
graduating from WCS.
When I started the second grade, my
sister Leslie (1980), and I were among
the very first students at WCS. Classes
met in the basement of the church
(the AC). There were no walls or actual
rooms; large bulletin boards mounted
on wheels served as room dividers. In
the spring of that first year, we were
thrilled when we got to march across the
street to the brand new building—an
actual school, with walls, a cafeteria and
a gym.
After graduating, I unexpectedly ended
up at one of the smallest Christian
colleges I’d never heard of—Judson
College in Elgin, Illinois, just northwest
of Chicago. I studied communications
with an emphasis in mass media which
led to an internship at Christianity Today
and Campus Life magazines. My favorite
memories of college are those of playing
four years of varsity soccer with some
of the best teammates and friends I will
ever know, and also of meeting and
completely falling for Hope Harrison, a
small-town girl from Illinois, who shared
my major and tolerated me sitting near
her as often as I could in classes.
What motivated you to enter the
legal profession?
I suppose the seed was planted when
my parents named me. My greatgrandfather, Orla Harrison, had been
a lawyer in Washington, DC. His law
partners were Mr. Ellis and Mr. Wade.
Those three lawyers’ last names became
my full name, Wade Ellis Harrison.
But more significant was a life-changing
meeting I had with Richard Metcalf,
who, at the time, was Judge of the
Franklin County Probate Court. I was
fresh out of college. I went into the
meeting thinking, “Maybe I’ll go to law
school.” After the meeting, Hope asked
how things went. I answered, “Okay,
here’s the scoop. I am definitely going to
apply to law school, not at OSU because
it doesn’t have an evening program,
but at Capital University because I can
attend classes at night which is going
to be important because the Judge
just offered me a day job as one of his
law clerks, and he said I need to learn
everything I can about probate law.” (I
think I said it all in one breath.) She
was stunned. So was I, frankly. That one
meeting changed the course of my life.
What are some challenges you
have faced in the law profession
as a Christian?
My biggest challenge, at least when
things get adversarial, is following
James 1:19. God tells me that I am to be
quick to listen, slow to speak and slow
to become angry. And my response is
often, “Are you serious, God? Do you
know my job description? Are you seeing
what I have to put up with in this case?”
It’s a struggle, I admit it.
Actually, the entire book of James is
extremely relevant to me as a lawyer.
Maybe that’s why it is my favorite book
in the Bible; it’s just so practical.
What’s your favorite WCS
memory?
To answer this I have to explain the
situation. On November 30, 1982,
my sister was injured in a horrible car
accident. She was in a coma for over a
month. Just like Leslie’s body shut itself
down, my family also halted all nonessential activity. By necessity, I was
pretty much left to fend for myself and
I went into a complete free-fall. I lost
track of schedules, due dates, homework
projects, even text books. I forgot critical
school supplies as well as lunch money
so I borrowed these things almost every
day. I had a knack for visiting friends’
homes at dinner time.
During this bleak period, I was eating
dinner at the home of my good
friend, Doug Bloebaum. Several other
basketball teammates showed up
and then, within a few minutes, I
realized that all three of these buddies
disappeared and left me there. They
totally ditched me and left me there to
hang out with Doug’s parents! Minutes
turned into an hour and a half. Finally,
the three of them returned, all with
big, smiles, and a Christmas tree tied to
the roof of the car. Those big goofs had
gone out on their own and bought a
Christmas tree for my family!
Do you feel that WCS prepared
you for college and what lay
ahead?
Absolutely! When it gets down to it, our
sense of justice and our legal system is
shaped by our worldview of mankind.
According to the secular worldview of
man, our existence is the random result
of a cosmic accident. Accordingly, truth
is not absolute—it is simply left up
to us to define. So who gets to define
truth? Tyrants, despots, and fascists
throughout history have developed their
truths necessary to accomplish their
objectives. When morals are relative,
concepts like right and wrong become
subject to interpretation. On what (or
whose) values can a secular society
develop and enforce its laws?
At WCS an alternative, biblical
worldview was presented—that man
was designed, created, and given
purpose by God. At WCS I was taught
that we have intrinsic value and
dignity—not because man himself
says so, but because God made it so.
Concepts that are at the crux of our
justice system—concepts like freedom,
responsibility, morality, dignity, equality,
fairness, and justice—take on a whole
new significance under a biblical
worldview. Those concepts and values
are not arbitrary, thankfully, but instead
are built on a solid foundation of God’s
truth.
Without the biblical worldview on which
my education was based, I don’t think I
would want to be a lawyer. It would be
pointless. But then again, almost any
profession, even life itself, would be
pretty pointless then too.
Alumni Feature
With over 2,300 graduates WCS is linked
to hundreds of professions the world
over. We would like to follow up with
1984 graduate, Wade Harrison, who
practices law in Columbus.
Alumni Class Notes
Class of 1993
Class of 1999 and 2001
Ben Kanzeg was asked to speak at his alma mater, Cedarville
University, in March 2014. He spoke about his Cedarville
experience in chapel at the Dixon Ministry Center.
Adam (1999) and Jessica (2001) (Michael) Heath
welcomed Ransom Michael Emmaus, born on March 11, 2014.
Class of 1994
Jeff Austin attended WCS from 1983-1991, moving before
graduation. He serves as a US diplomat and lives in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia.
Class of 1996
Andrea and Cory Baugher
welcomed Vienna Mae
Baugher, born on May 2, 2014.
Class of 1997
Beth Vorlicky graduated from
Florida International University
in Miami. She now works as
a dietician in Plantation, FL.
She is pictured here with her
parents, former ES Principal
Bill Vorlicky and his wife
Jacquie. Bill currently serves
as the Elementary School
Principal at Jupiter Christian
School in Florida.
Class of 2002
Jen Myers recently paid a visit
to WCHS. Jen is a meteorologist
for Fox 4 in Dallas, TX. While here,
she gave some pointers to David
Stoll’s journalism class.
Class of 2004
Stephanie Irwin and Jeffery
Anthony were united in marriage
on April 18, 2014.
Class of 1999
Joy (Inboden) Morrissey has
been elected as a local councillor for the borough of Ealing
in London (equivalent to a
city counselor in the US). Joy
joined the Conservative party
in England three years ago
and has risen rapidly within
its ranks to be chosen as a
candidate and now elected
to an important role in local
government. She won by a
wide majority and becomes
one of only a handful of
American citizens to hold such a position. Joy and fellow
councillors from Hanger Hill district: Frank Stafford, Joy, Nigel
Summer.
Class of 2006
Tim Short and Helen Rose
Stockdale were united in
marriage on May 3, 2014.
Class of 2007
Tad Inboden just graduated
from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada with a Master’s
in Theological Studies. His wife Nicole (Tracey) Inboden
(2007) will receive the same degree in July.
Class of 2008
Jordan and Chelsea (LaMonte) Lodge welcomed Jocelyn
Marie Lodge on April 20, 2014.
2011
Andrew Parrish graduated
summa cum laude from Taylor
University with a B.S. in Biology.
He will begin Medical School at the
University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine this fall.
Tim Webb, Bluffton University
senior, has been named Third Team
Academic All-America by CoSida.
Webb, a health and physical
education major with a 3.72 GPA,
was named First Team Academic
All-District which placed him on
the ballot. A four-year starter
behind the plate for the Beavers,
Webb was also a three-time Academic All-HCAC performer.
We extend our sympathy to Rachel Smart and her mom,
Dione, on the death of their father and husband, MS math
teacher, Scott Smart. Scott passed away suddenly on May
11, 2014.
Austin Morgan and Bethany
Homoelle were united in
marriage on May 4, 2014. WCS
members of the wedding party
included Annie Barlow (2011),
Adrianna Quinones (2011),
Courtney (Homoelle) Starkey
(2009), Colleen Homoelle
(2015), Kelsey Morgan (2013),
Tyler Morgan (2009), Andrew
Swetnam (2009), Tom Dreyer (2011), Josh Petrel
(2011), and Matt Fredrick (2011).
An Unforgettable Four Years
By Matt Anglea
Class of 2010
Over the last four years, life has
taken me on quite the roller coaster
ride. As I look back over the last
few years one word comes to my
mind—CHANGE. After graduating
from Worthington Christian in 2010,
I decided to attend Mount Vernon
Nazarene University to pursue
a degree in Middle Childhood
Education with concentrations in
Mathematics and Social Studies. I
was blessed with the opportunity to Matt Anglea and mom Lisa Anglea
play basketball as well for MVNU. I
away. Boy, did it go by fast! But as I think
never could have imagined what all
God had in store for my life over the next of changes in my time here at MVNU,
they started right away. As springtime
four short years.
of my freshman year came around, I
I think not only about how I have
was faced with news that would cause
changed as an individual but also about a major change in my life. My family
everything that has changed in my life
learned that my dad (Tom Anglea,
during my time at MVNU. The changes
High School Principal at Worthington
throughout my four years of college
Christian, 1994–2011) was diagnosed
have impacted and shaped me into the
with brain cancer. This news was quite
man that I am today. As a freshman,
shocking, but my family and I were able
I came into school ready to take on
to embrace this change with hope and
anything. I was excited and ready to
optimism.
go, just like every other freshman. I
remember thinking that these next few Going into my sophomore year, I felt
that I had a good grasp on college life. I
years are going to be great and how
felt that I had made the adjustment well
graduation seemed like an eternity
and that I had learned how to balance
basketball and my academics. As I was
busy with all of my school work and
basketball, my heart and thoughts were
constantly with my family as my dad
was battling cancer. I made frequent
trips home to see my family and dad as
he went through numerous surgeries
and procedures. After one of my dad’s
surgeries, my family was hit with
another big change that would alter
our lives. My dad had a stroke during
his fourth of six brain surgeries which
caused the entire right side of his body
to be paralyzed. My family embraced
this change and adjusted to helping
and caring for my dad as he was now in
a wheelchair. With this change came a
number of adjustments, and with every
one of them, I was able to continue
to grow and mature. As my dad was
battling his cancer and adjusting to life
in his wheelchair, he was still my biggest
fan and supporter. My parents would
still make it up to my basketball games,
and this was a huge encouragement to
me. As I watched my parents’ love for
one another and love for me still grow
as we went through this hardship, it was
evident that God’s hand was at work in
and through our lives.
Unforgettable, continued on back cover
Alumni Class Notes
Class of 2010
The Forgotten Angel of Bastogne
By Liz Bookheimer
Alumni Liaison
Mike Edwards, Class of 1991,
conducted the stateside premier of
his new documentary The Forgotten
Angel of Bastogne at the Strand Theater
in Delaware, Ohio on April 29, 2014.
The original premier had been held in
Bastogne, Belgium on March 21, 2014
after months of research and work by
the film team of Mike’s company The
FiveStonesGroup. As Mike stated at the
Ohio premier, “This story literally fell
into our laps. We had to do it.”
Mike is not a newcomer to the world
of film. He has 18 years experience in
producing and directing documentaries,
short films, and television productions.
He has won nine EMMY Awards
personally, and his company has won
15. Mike has completed projects as
a director for nationally recognized
companies such as Acura, American
Express, Canon, Ford, Google, Intel,
Panasonic, Pepsi, Sony, Walmart, and
Warner Brothers.
In the summer of 2013,
long-time friends of
Mike’s father Jim
Edwards, Mike
O’Neil and Jim
Kraynak embarked
on a journey to
WWII sites in
Europe in honor of
family members who
had fought during that
great war. This was Mike
O’Neil’s second trip, so he was
familiar with what they needed to see
and just who should guide them—a
Scottish historian named Martin King
whom he had met on his previous trip.
King and his family live in the Antwerp
region of Belgium where he has been
researching The Battle of the Bulge
for the past 20 years. A little known
segment of that major battle happened
in Bastogne, a small city of 15,000
that had been invaded by Germany in
1914 and then again in 1944. In fact
the winter of 1944-45 was particularly
brutal and deadly. Hitler had launched
a massive attack on November 16,
1944, a seige that was 75 miles in
width, the largest land battle in Army
history. General Dwight Eisenhower
commanded that the Allies hold the city
of Bastogne at all costs.
While tour guide King was researching
this particular battle, he happened
upon the story of Augusta Chiwy, a
French-speaking black Belgian nurse
who was born on the Ruwandan border
of the Belgian Congo. Little is known
about her mother, but her father was
a white veterinary surgeon who took
Augusta back to Belgium when she was
nine years old. She was educated at the
Sisters of Notre Dame Catholic School
in Bastogne where she was the only
black female student. Augusta went
on to study medicine and became a
registered nurse in 1943.
Augusta Chiwy as a young
Nurse in WWII
On December 16, 1944 Augusta
was making her way from
her job at St. Elizabeth’s
Hospital in Louvain
to Bastogne to visit
her family. Due to
complications created
by the war, the journey
took a long 15 hours.
Almost immediately
Augusta was drawn
into the war effort as a
nurse in her native city and
volunteered in the cellar below
the Sisters of Notre Dame School
with her father and her aunt, who
was also her adoptive mother. Cellars
throughout the area were filled with
wounded soldiers.
Soon an aid station opened in Bastogne,
and Augusta was called to assist
there. The diminutive nurse, 4’ 8”, said
she could actually smell the sick and
wounded soldiers before she stepped
inside. There was no electricity, no
running water, no surgical instruments,
no ether for surgery or accommodations
Alumni Faculty
Spotlight
Leslie (O’Donnell) Hejduk
(1984)
Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Family: Husband Mark (22+ years)
Paige (WCHS ‘12), Will (WCHS ‘14),
Kate (WCHS (‘17)
for it; broken bones and bullet wounds
were fixed as best they could. Augusta
worked side by side with American
Medic Dr. Jack Prior of the US Army 10th
Armored Division. They made a good
team. Amputations were performed
with cognac and a serrated army knife;
Augusta sutured. She also volunteered
to treat soldiers in the snow on the
battle field with bullets flying through
the air. She was quoted as saying, “A
black face in all that white snow was a
pretty easy target. Those Germans must
be terrible marksmen.”
On Christmas Eve, 1944, the Germans
dropped a 500-pound bomb that
scored a direct hit on the aid station,
destroying the building and killing 30
wounded soldiers and some medical
staff inside. Augusta was blown
through a wall but survived and
immediately went on to help at the
101st Airborne Aid Station. Two days
later on December 26, General Patton
arrived. Nineteen thousand people had
been killed in The Battle of the Bulge,
3,000 of them in Bastogne.
Augusta continued to help the
wounded. Records show that she
became nearly mute for several years as
a result of the conditions of war. In fact
one of the other American doctors who
worked closely with her, Dr. Naftulun,
sustained a servere concussion which
rendered him temporarily blind,
Forgotten Angel, continued on back cover
Education: B.S., The Ohio State
University
Subject area: English Education with
Reading Certification
What inspired you to return to
WCS? My experience at WCS was so
positive that I wanted to share from
“the other side of the desk” and we
wanted our kids educated here.
Most memorable moment as
a WCS student: My Government
teacher, Bill George, handed me a
copy of The Inklings to read. He saw
an interest I had and “fanned it into
flame.” He made me feel important.
Most memorable moment as a
WCS teacher: I love when students
come in my room outside class time
to talk. Being trusted with a piece of
their heart is a treasured honor.
What is something that others do
not know about you? I am licensed
to sell insurance in Ohio. I was second
runner up in Miss Teen Columbus
Pageant.
Recent Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians
3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to His power that is
at work within us.”
Do You Remember Your
Class President?
Do you remember who your class president was? Whether you graduated from WCS 30
years ago or just a couple of years ago, we thought it would be fun to list all of the class
presidents in one place! Try to name a few first, and if you must… see below.
1982 Jim Reitzel, 1983 Dan Gregory, 1984 Wade Harrison, 1985 Joel Gegner, 1986 Leza Davis, 1987 Craig Wallace, 1988 Allen McElroy,
1989 Kathryn Hamilton, 1990 Doug Pierce, 1991 Mike Edwards, 1992 Beth Beatty, 1993 Matt Damschroder, 1994 Ben Iten, 1995 Jamie
Cleverly, 1996 Travis Mercer, 1997 Joseph Jerele, 1998 Timothy White, 1999 Justin Ohlinger, 2000 Kevin Mitchell, 2001 Joshua Kennedy,
2002 Alexander Rouse, 2003 David Dittenber, 2004 Joshua Frazier, 2005 Joshua Foor, 2006 Michael Beum, 2007 Nathaniel Mauger, 2008
Seth Trautman, 2009 Courtney Homoelle, 2010 Marsalis Brown, 2011 Austin Morgan, 2012 Brett Muschott, 2013 Quinn Miller, and 2014
Alexander Sanders.
Class of 2009 Reunion
www.facebook.com/events/611955
312214609/612744328802374/?com
ment_id=612786842131456&notif_
t=event_mall_reply
Date: July 26, 2014
Time: 3:00-5:00 at the AC
Light drinks and snacks will be
provided. We are asking people to bring
$5 to help cover the cost. At 5:00 those
interested can head to Buca di Beppo
where a room will be reserved. Alumni
will cover their own dinner expense.
Class of 1984 Reunion
David Lowery is heading up the
plans for your 30th class reunion!
Join the fun at facebook.com/
groups/188275388029667/
We are asking that people RSVP by July
1 on the Facebook page or to cillafaye@
gmail.com (Priscilla Smith).
Is It Time for Your Class to Plan a Reunion?
Class of 1979 – 35 Year Reunion
Class of 1984 – 30 Year Reunion
Class of 1989 – 25 Year Reunion
Class of 1994 – 20 Year Reunion
Class of 1999 – 15 Year Reunion
Class of 2004 – 10 Year Reunion
Class of 2009 – 5 Year Reunion
If you are a class officer planning a
reunion, WCS is happy to provide you
with the classmate information we
have on file to help you plan. We can
also help advertise any reunion in an
issue of Warrior News, as well as the
Alumni Facebook page. Please contact
Julie Seling, Alumni Coordinator
(julie.seling@worthingtonchristian.com)
for more information. Plan now to
celebrate your WCHS days by gathering
with your classmates!
Do YOU h
ave news
to
report? G
o to
goo.gl/w
oPeUH
and send
us your n
ews
and phot
os!
Greek Cruise in 2015
Plans are in the works for a Greek Cruise
May 2015, with arts-focused visits
to Athens, Rhodes, Mykonos, Crete,
and more! We will see the Parthenon,
Ephesus, Patmos, the Acropolis, and
Mars Hill. Alumni and alumni parents,
if you are interested in learning more
about this trip “Fun in the sun with tons
of unbelievable sites and world-class
museums,” please contact Beth Heisey
at bheisy@worthingtonchristian.com
for more information.
We are striving to continue to increase our
alumni Facebook page audience. Will you
take the time to “like” our page today by
visiting goo.gl/Rgd56z? Check us out and
see why so many alumni are keeping up to
date with WCS happenings by viewing the
WCS Alumni Facebook page!
ASS
L
C
S
C
W
NS
REUNIO
ristian.com/
worthingtonchns/
alumni-reunio
Alumni Parents
Class of 2014
Jacob Ellis Harrison
Son of Wade Harrison, Class of 1984
William J. Hejduk
Son of Leslie O’Donnell Hejduk,
Class of 1984
Brooke Janette Hockenberry
Daughter of Jim Hockenberry,
Class of 1992
Tyler Douglas Hood
Son of Courtney Jones Mitchell,
Class of 1988
Samantha Jones
Daughter of Scott Jones, Class of
1987 and Jill Wisniewski Jones,
Class of 1984
Molly Elizabeth McIntosh
Daughter of Julie Schwaderer
McIntosh, Class of 1985
Warrior News
Summer 2014
?
The Worthington Christian High School Alumni Newsletter is a publication of Worthington
Christian Schools. Any alumni or friend of WCS wanting to be on the mailing list or to
submit an alumni news item should go to worthingtonchristian.com and click on the
“alumni” link.
Editor: Hope Harrison
Did you receive this at an old address? PLEASE go to worthingtonchristian.
com/alumni/send-updates/ to provide your current info. We want to be
good stewards of time and money, and having you keep us up to date is a
HUGE help! Thanks so much!
Managing Editor: Julie Seling
Copy Editors: Joan Tsibouris and Liz Bookheimer
Design and Layout: Laura Stepp
worthingtonchristian.com
Continued, Unforgettable
As my junior year rolled around, my
dad’s cancer was getting much worse,
and doctors were not able to control it.
Because of the multiple surgeries that
had already been done, my dad’s brain
and body were not able to handle any
more treatments. Finally, in October
2012 my dad was called home to be
with the Lord. It was extremely difficult
losing my role model, hero, and dad:…
and I don’t know how I would have
made it through had it not been for an
amazing loving God, family, friends,
MVNU, and everyone who poured
encouragement into my life through
this time. I want to personally thank
Worthington Christian for all of their
love and support that they showed to
my family.
As I reflect now as a graduate of
Worthington Christian and Mount
Vernon Nazarene University, I think
about all of the changes that have
happened in these four short years of
college. I cannot help but think how
blessed I am to be loved by a God so big.
I think about all of the things that I have
been through, and it’s amazing to see
how God has used the events of my life
to bring me to the place I am today.
As I finish this chapter in my book of life
and look forward to what is to come, it
WCS congratulates the
members of the Class of
2010 who graduated from
college in 2014!
is inevitable that we will face changes
of many kinds. Some will be big and
some will be small, some will be bad
and some will be good, but change will
happen. I want to challenge everyone
to take on these changes and be ready
to learn and grow from them. It says in
James 1: 2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my
brothers and sisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, because you know
that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish
its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.”
As I have reflected on the last few
years and see what all God has brought
me through, I am so thankful for the
wonderful plan that He has for my life.
Christ never promised that life would
be easy, but He said that following Him
will give life purpose and meaning. I
have learned that no matter what I may
go through, Christ is always there for
me. I have learned that I must wake up
every day and put my complete trust in
Christ (Luke 23:9). Christ’s plan for my
life is a wonderful plan, and I am excited
to see where God will lead me as He
orchestrates the rest of my life.
Weekly WCHS chapel podcasts are available
via iTunes U. Simply go to our alumni
webpage to access these podcasts. Continued, Forgotten Angel
necessitating his being shipped back
home. These were perhaps early cases
of PTSD with which we are so familiar
today.
As King researched this part of history,
the story of Augusta stole his heart.
He went from one city hall to another
seeking records that might lead him
to her whereabouts. He had to meet
this woman. Finally, he obtained the
address of her home, although she
was not to be found there either. A
neighbor told him that she lived in a
nursing home just around the corner.
“Sometimes you find a gem,” he said,
and so began his friendship with
Augusta.
Mike Edwards with Augusta
Chiwy
Martin knew he had to tell the story
of Augusta and see that she earned
the recognition she deserved. In June
2011 the Belgian Minister of Defense
presented her with the Order of the
Knight (Lady) of the Crown by order
of King Albert II of Belgium. Augusta
also received the Humanitarian Civilian
Award for extraordinary bravery in
WWII. In addition surviving members
of the Tenth Armored Division recently
signed a lettter of appreciation for her
service to them during the battle.
In sharing all this with Jim Edwards in
2013, a spark was lit. Mike Edwards
“just happened” to be in this line
of work. Thus The Forgotten Angel
of Bastogne was born, a masterful
documentary that detailed each
segment of Augusta’s life and The
Battle of the Bulge.
The Symbolic Seder
Big Sis/Little Sis
A Night of “Awesome Fun”
“It was a great night of awesome fun, food, and fellowship! The
worship was my favorite part. All the genuine and heartfelt
praise was so precious—as well as the testimonies. It’s such an
amazing opportunity to get used to the high school building/
atmosphere, and to make TONS of friends.” Hannah Shively
“The juniors helped me feel comfortable and excited about high
school. They treated me like a close friend and relieved all my
fears.” Alyssa Powell
“The testimonies of the junior girls were amazing because they
showed you that even when life gets hard and you want to quit,
God will be right there comforting you.” Emerson Arena
“Big Sis/Little Sis was a great opportunity to get to know and
bond with the juniors. I loved getting to know them in my
“small group,” and they were so helpful, answering all my
questions about high school.” Emma McIntosh
“During the testimonies I think everyone was crying—it was a
great moment of fellowship with everyone! Then you’d hug, and
start crying again. I want to go to high school so bad after that
night!” Ellie Bowers
“Before I went to Big Sis/Little Sis, I was overwhelmed with
nervousness, and now I feel so much better about going to high
school. I hope you never stop doing this for eighth graders.”
Katie Gibson
Events
WCES third-grade students celebrated the beginning of the Jewish holiday of
Passover with a traditional Seder Feast. The Seder involves the retelling of the
story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Seder customs
include eating matza and partaking of symbolic foods placed on the Passover
Seder plate which contains six symbolic foods of special significance to the
retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
Does the Slipper Fit?
By David O’Roark
WCS Drama Teacher
Arts
We closed the curtain once again on
another great year with the WCHS theater
program. We started the year with the
crazy murder mystery But, Why Bump
Off Barnaby? The winter slot was filled
by two one-act plays directed by Annie
DeMuch and Natalie Francis who put
their four years of training to good use and
put on fantastic shows. We finished up
the year with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
Cinderella. Over 1,200 audience
members had the chance to
cross their fingers and hope
that the shoe fit, and they were
not disappointed! We even had
a special day for almost 50 little princesses
to get their picture taken with Cinderella in
the coach and dance with Prince Charming.
This year’s Senior Theater Award went to
Natalie Francis, who spent the last four
years involved in every play in one of many
different capacities from stage manager
to star. So what is on tap for next year? It
looks like a comedy of some sort in the fall
(perhaps with an invisible six-foot rabbit),
Godspell in the winter, and the musical is
down to a short list of things but don’t be
surprised if “the hills are alive.”
58 Seconds to the Top
By Karen Rugg-Klapheke
WCHS Vocal Music Teacher
Choir, band, and strings students
boarded three motor coaches early
Friday morning, May 2, and headed
for Toronto. The first thing we did
when we arrived was go up in the
world’s tallest tower, the CN tower,
on glass elevators that went up to the
observation deck in 58 seconds! That
evening we went to the Medieval
Times Dinner and Tournament where
we went back in time 900 years to a
time when chivalry was more than
a word and the knights performed
daring feats on horses with sword
fighting and jousting.
On Saturday we went to the University
of Toronto and had a clinic with college
professors in which we received instruction
on the repertoire we had brought for
our concerts before performing at the
beautiful Casa Loma. We were blessed to
see The Lion King at the Princess Theatre,
and our final day was spent ministering
in a church and experiencing the
breathtaking Niagara Falls.
The choir has also been blessed by two
very knowledgeable clinicians this
year. Larry Griffin, who recently retired
from a teaching career in vocal music at
Worthington Kilbourne, and Raymond
Wise, a Gospel music specialist, gave us
invaluable instruction that really made
a difference in our vocal technique.
Both sessions were full of energy and
enthusiastic singing!
b
By James Storey
Assistant Athletic Director
The WCMS spring sports season is one
where the weather affects everything
that happens, whether it is a practice or
a game. Our coaches and athletes did a
great job adjusting to the elements as
they participated with great passion and
charisma. They honored the Lord with
their play and how they handled both a
win and a loss.
The highlight of the spring season
was the middle school boys’ track
Athletics
WCMS Spring Sports
WCMS Sports
Wrap-Up
team finishing fourth in a packed Mt.
Gilead Track Invitational. However,
congratulations goes out to all teams as
each one improved and played better and
better as the season went on. Athletics
High School Athletic Highlights
Congratulations to the following
students recognized by the Mid
State League with first-team honors! Grace Harper 4x100 relay
Ashley Belkofer 4x100 relay
Natalee Cole 100m, 400m, 4x100 relay
Courtney Parsell 4x100 relay
Chris Osborn 100m Natalee was also named Most Valuable Runner for the 2014
MSL Championships for three first place and one second place
finishes! Warrior Golf
Outing August 8
Mark your calendar for Friday, August 8, for the Warrior
Golf Outing at Glenross Golf Club! Registration begins
at noon with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. The event
raises funds to support the Worthington Christian
Athletic Department. Last year nearly $15,000 was
raised. We are thankful to the generous support from
all those who participate.
For more information contact Kevin Weakley
(kweakley@worthingtonchristian.com).
Congratulations to senior Joel Montgomery for winning the District
Tennis Tournament and advancing to the State Tournament at the
Ohio State University! He won his first match, advancing to the final
eight in the state. He lost a tough three-set match in the State Quarter
Finals, ending an amazing career at WCS.
Congratulations to
our WCHS boys’ track
team!
4x1 placed fifth at State
Tournament—Jordan
Brown, Jay Trainer,
Mark Parsell, and
Chris Osborn
WCS Says Goodbye to Colleague
NOW, Scott sees face to face—no longer
in a mirror dimly. Now he knows as he is
known—not only in part. And for that we
are so thankful. To Him be the glory for the
great things He has done through our dear
friend and colleague, Scott Smart.”
Debbie Gilliland
“Mr. Smart was a very generous colleague.
He always made himself available if I
needed coverage for my class and would
give me gifts when I covered his class
for him. A common gift that was shared
among us and the other teachers on the
“West Wing” were Krispy Kreme donuts!”
Pam Cain
“Mr. Smart was my Sunday school teacher
when I was in high school. Later I came
to shadow Mr. Smart to see if I would ever
Families
Scott Smart, a 14-year math teacher
at WCMS, passed away unexpectedly on
May 11 following a brief illness. Please
keep wife Dione and daughter Rachel
(sophomore at MVNU) in your prayers.
“When life is tough and daily pressures
sometimes unbearable, the Lord often
sends flesh and blood brothers and sisters
in Christ who give the courage to press
on. Who give opportunity for deep belly
laughs and above all else, who share the
words of Christ to encourage hearts to
carry on in spite of the challenges that are
faced in this sin-encumbered world. Scott
was that brother to many of us at WCMS
—especially those of us on what he called
with endearment—THE WEST WING! He
is sorely missed but we rejoice with him
because he would have us rejoice. For
have an interest in teaching middle school.
Years later the Lord led me to WCMS to
teach in the room next to my Sunday
school teacher. It was an honor partnering
with him each day to try our best to impact
the next generation for Christ. “
Michael Clutz
Cosmic Bowling
By Courtney Flack and Kristen Chambers
WCS Parents
Sequoia Lanes Pro Bowl welcomed 120 WCS mom and son
bowlers on May 4. We gave out
gift cards
to the top bowlers in each grade. The top two highest
scoring moms received a gift card as well.
Both moms almost broke 200. The boys were very excited
about the grand prize which was donated by Will Chambers’
grandmother. We finished the event with some cosmic
bowling which was a hit with the boys and their moms!
Covered in Prayer
By Holly Varian
WCMS Administrative Assistant
“When two of you get together on anything at
all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father
in heaven goes into action. And when two or
three of you are together because of me, you can
be sure that I’ll be there,” Matthew 18:20 (The
Message).
God promises that when two or three of us
pray in His name, He will be there. Each week
at WCMS our teachers take time to pray for a
dozen students specifically by name. After their
prayer time, they spend time writing words of
encouragement to these same students, letting
the student know that they’ve been covered in
prayer. What joy to know that God is in the midst
of prayers for our WCMS students! I can’t wait
to see how He uses the prayers of our staff to
impact our students at the middle school.
Presort Standard
U.S. Postage
Worthington Christian Schools
Mr. Troy McIntosh, Head of School
Administration
6675 Worthington-Galena Road
Worthington, OH 43085
614-431-8215
High School
Dr. Buzz Inboden, Principal
6670 Worthington-Galena Road
Worthington, OH 43085
614-431-8210
Middle School
Mr. Tom Burns, Principal
8225 Worthington-Galena Road
Westerville, OH 43081
614-431-8230
Elementary School
Mr. Jim Parrish, Principal
Assistant Head of School
50 Westview Avenue
Columbus, OH 43214
614-431-8240
Kindergarten
8225 Worthington-Galena Road
Westerville, OH 43081
614-431-8240
Development Office
6675 Worthington-Galena Road
Worthington, OH 43085
614-410-4231
WCHS/WCMS athletic fields are located at
8225 Worthington-Galena Road, Westerville.
the Light
Volume 16/Issue 2 • Summer 2014
The Light is a quarterly publication of Worthington
Christian Schools. To contact us please write to
The Light Editor, 6675 Worthington-Galena Road,
Worthington, OH 43085.
Editor
Hope Harrison
Managing Editor, Design and Layout
Laura Stepp
Copy Editors
Joan Tsibouris, Liz Bookheimer
Photos contributed by Cory Baugher, Liz
Bookheimer, Patricia Boyd, Karin Browning, Erin
Burchwell, Pam Cain, Kristen Chambers, Sharon
Dumit, Cathy Fischer, Debbie Gilliland, Carolyn
Grant, Jess Heath, Beth Heisey, Diane Hevel, Dr.
Buzz Inboden, Rebecca Irwin, Rachel Janssen,
Jim Parrish, Julie Seling, Brian Shindle, Tim
Short, Lisa Siders, Brian Stier, Laura Stepp, Duey
Varian, Anne Marie Weakley, and others.
Mission
Worthington Christian Schools will develop in
students the mind of Christ as they engage in the
intellectual, creative, and physical pursuit of truth.
Worthington Christian Schools is a ministry of
Grace Polaris Church.
PAID
Columbus, Ohio
Permit No. 109
®
Worthington Christian Schools
6675 Worthington-Galena Road
Worthington, OH 43085
Address Service Requested
Debunking Myths About
Higher Education
By Tim Kraynak
Guidance Counselor/Assistant
WCHS Principal
Getting straight As doesn’t
get one to college; however,
being well-educated does.
Grade inflation is a scale
that college admissions
counselors are forced to
re-balance during the
admissions process every
year.
Athleticism won’t bridge the
gap between poor grades
and low standardized test
A group of WCHS students toured college campuses, including OSU.
scores. Roughly two percent
of high school seniors earn
can be formed to prepare the individual
athletic scholarships each year at
for test day. These tests are predictable
NCAA institutions. The reality is that
in nature, and the more preparation
the thousands of dollars we invest in
students have, the more success they
athletic endeavors has very little payoff. should expect. Hard work and great
effort are imperative, and the potential
High stakes testing is important and
we simply can’t accept the fact that our payoff could be staggering!
students “aren’t good test takers.” Much Adversity is a GREAT teacher! We as
like we prepare both in the off-season
parents (myself included) so often
and in-season for the “big game,” habits
want to shield our kids from it,
but we may be stunting their
growth if we constantly pave the
way for them. Think of all the
boring college admissions essays
counselors read, and then imagine
one where a student expounds
upon a trying experience and how
they matured as a result? That’s
stuff worth reading.
Those who have an eye for
interesting things tend to be
interesting. Constant exposure
to community, culture, and
experiences that enrich the lives
of others represent the diversity
that college campuses seek in
prospective students. We as parents
can help our kids identify their spiritual
gift(s) and then foster a passion for
them to use that gift to serve and enrich
the lives of others from all walks of life.
Diversity is a great thing for our kids to
experience.
WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, INC.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Worthington Christian Schools recruits and admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and
activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin
in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics and other school-administered programs.