Cascade Christian Chronicle 2015-16 Issue 2

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Dedicated to Developing Discerning Leaders Don Johnson Superintendent of Schools Tim Kleefeld, CPA Director of Business Rob Mitton Director of Development Susan Crawford Director of Marketing and Communications Kristin Hannus Director of Extended School Dr. Ken Friesen High School Principal Dave Peterson Assistant High School Principal Dr. Glenna Frederick Junior High Principal International Program Director Keith Patefield JH/HS Athletic Director Joyce Blum Director of Student Learning Principal McAlder Campus

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Leach’s Teaching Reflects Her Passions

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Students Share Their Talent with the City

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Girls’ Soccer Goes to State

Terry Broberg Principal Puyallup Elementary Tina deVries Principal Frederickson and Tacoma Campuses Karen Curtiss Director Puyallup Early Learning Center This issue of the Chronicle reported and written by CCS Puyallup Elementary Teacher and CCS Parent, Kristy Bingham. Design and layout by CCS Parent Michelle De Monnin for De Monnin’s Art Studio, Inc. The Chronicle is a publication of Cascade Christian Schools, an interdenominational school district in Pierce County, Washington. On the Cover: CCS Junior High Boys Varsity Basketball Coach and 2010 Alumnus, Jonathan Felczak. Cover photo by: De Monnin’s Photography Additional photography in this issue by Michelle De Monnin, Stuart Rich, Katharine Setterfield and other CCS community members.

For more information about Cascade Christian Schools:

cascadechristian.org | 253-841-1776

Development/Business Partner information: Rob Mitton Story ideas for the Cascade Chronicle: Susan Crawford Cascade Christian Schools Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students Cascade Christian Schools admits students of any race, color, national 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 and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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Excellence: A sustained, dedicated pursuit of God-given potential. These are the words that come to mind as I invite you to look through these pages to see what God is doing at Cascade Christian Schools! As you know, our spiritual theme for 2015-2016 is “PRESS ON! to a Higher Calling”. Not only do we press on to God’s calling on our lives as individuals and as a community, but we press on with excellence. I’m thankful and proud as I read through these articles and notice that, from the littlest Cougar to the Cougar alumni, from the teachers to the volunteers, that pursuit of excellence is a priority. In these pages you’ll find the answer to the question “Why CCS?” Because in this place, we grow, we learn, we excel, and God uses us to make an impact on those around us. At CCS we “transform cultures” for God’s glory, and for the furthering of His Kingdom. And once a Cougar, always a Cougar! May you be blessed and inspired as you read about how God is working at Cascade Christian Schools. Glad that you’re a part of our family!

Don Johnson, Superintendent of Schools

Locations

www.cascadechristian.org District Office | 815 21st Street SE | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-841-1776 Junior High and High School | 811 21st Street SE | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-445-9706 Puyallup Elementary | 601 9th Avenue SE | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-841-2091 Puyallup Early Learning Center | 1818 S Meridian | Puyallup, WA 98371 | 253-848-7165 Frederickson Elementary and ELC | 3425 176th Street E | Tacoma, WA 98445 253-537-9339 McAlder Elementary and ELC | 15502 96th Street E | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-256-4382 Tacoma Elementary and ELC | 1819 E 72nd Street | Tacoma, WA 98404 | 253-473-0590

Core Purpose Transforming cultures through teaching and training people in their purpose before God.

Mission To glorify God by providing quality, Christ-centered education dedicated to developing discerning leaders who are spiritually, personally, and academically prepared to impact their world.

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STAFF PROFILE

The Heart of a Teacher Shows in the Students’ Performance It only takes attendance at one of CCS music teacher Michele Leach’s schoolwide programs to get a glimpse into her heart. The twice-yearly performances are a true reflection of her passion for music education, as well as spreading the message of salvation.

church, and that CCS was looking for someone to teach music to Kindergarten through 2nd grade at Frederickson. She said yes, and eventually was teaching all of the music classes at Fredrickson.

Leach currently teaches music to students in Kindergarten through sixth grade at both the Cascade Christian Puyallup and McAlder Elementary campuses. When she started teaching at CCS in 2003, it was at the Fredrickson campus. A friend that was working at CCS called her and said she had seen Leach’s music programs at

and McAlder twice a week. With more than 400 students at both campuses combined, Leach knows every single one of their names.

Leach sees every Kindergarten through 6th grade student at Puyallup

“I enjoy being able to teach all the kids at school, and I enjoy watching them grow up,” she said. “I love working at a job that I have passion for. I know I have a lot of students that I teach, but I truly want to make a

connection with each and every child I see.” Some of those connections come from daily conversations with her students, and some center around recognizing God-given talent as she assigns parts for the Christmas and spring musicals.

Leach starts in the summer, trying to find the perfect program for the Christmas performance. The wheels are set in motion for the spring performance immediately after Christmas. “Throughout the year, I am checking to see what has just been published in the kids’ Christian music world,” she explained. “I take a tremendous amount of time looking for the right musical. I expect the

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STAFF PROFILE

musicals that we perform to have great words that have a strong salvation message, or be ones that focus on our Christian walk and our relationship with God.”

I want our performances to spread joy, hope and encouragement; to spread the ‘Good News’,” she said. “Likewise in class, I hope each student leaves knowing we are all created in God’s image, and that I value them.

One of Leach’s favorite Bible verses is Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” It is a verse she learned in the form of a song as a child, and finds that it speaks to her. “I want our performances to spread joy, hope and encouragement; to spread the ‘Good News’,” she said. “Likewise in class, I hope each student leaves knowing we are all created in God’s image, and that I value them.” Puyallup Elementary Principal Terry Broberg said Leach is, “especially

talented at spotting and developing young musicians.” “Every program she leads is full of special parts that draw out the best from the students,” he continued. “Her great desire is to share the good news of Jesus in and through her students.” McAlder Elementary Principal Joyce Blum said, “Everything Michelle does is with excellence, and her classes and the programs she orchestrates are no different. Our Christmas program, even with only a population of 70 students, was done so well, it filled the large auditorium as if there were more than 200 students up on stage. She brings out talent and enthusiasm in the students, and they love to share Jesus in the form of music and worship.”

video of her daughter performing in their school’s Christmas program. I am truly humbled by her words, and it encouraged me to keep daily speaking life into the kids I see.” Leach is quick to point out that God is a permanent presence in her classroom, and she is just a messenger trying to do His work, which is why she holds Colossians 3:17 so dear to her heart. “I feel that God has gifted me in music,” she said. “I cannot imagine doing anything else.” _______________________________ Leach and her husband Glenn have three kids. Their daughter, Raevynn, is a Speech and Language Pathologist and works in Nashville. Their son, Ryan, is finishing college and will be student teaching mathematics in the fall. Their youngest daughter, Raschele, is in her second year of college.

Recently, the parent of a former CCS student reached out to Leach to thank her for giving her child the gift of loving music, which started when she was at CCS. The family had since moved across the country and their daughter is heavily involved in music at the Christian high school she now attends.

I know I have a lot of students that I teach, but I truly want to make a connection with each and every child I see.

“Her mom wanted to let me know that the ‘seeds planted back in our music class were bearing fruit,’” she said. “This past December, I got a

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CCS FAMILY PROFILE

Long-time CCS Parent Values Time Spent at CCS When Beth Tullis was looking for the right school in which to enroll her four children, she moved her family from Snohomish down to the Puyallup area. After visiting with the staff at the Fredrickson campus, Tullis said she felt it was the right place for her family. That was in 2004.

This March, Mckenzie will be graduating from Western Washington University and has started up her own social media marketing company. She will also be pursuing a career in the equestrian community. Mason is attending Utah State University, where he is in his first year of school and is playing football.

Twelve years later, her oldest two are now Cascade Christian High School alumni. Daughter Mckenzie graduated in 2012; her son Mason graduated with the class of 2015. Mia and Madden will graduate in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Mia is currently a junior and participating in Running Start, with plans to attend Central Washington University when she graduates. Madden, a sophomore, is working hard in his classes. Tullis expects in the coming years he will start to more clearly identify the path for himself, although she joked that his path may take him where the weather is perfect and he can bass fish.

As she reflects on the years of attendance, Tullis said the time spent at CCS was important for her family. “I enjoy having the children in smaller class sizes, along with the Christian influence in daily life,” she explained. “It is nice to have the same principles we used at home for daily life to be reinforced at school.”

“I would say that, overall, it has been a great choice for my children,” she concluded. “They have been given great opportunities academically, socially, and spiritually, as well as athletically, at Cascade Christian.”

Tullis added that solid Christian principles, combined with a strong academic foundation, have benefitted her older children greatly as they transitioned to college. She said the study habits formed during their time at CCS were instrumental to their college success. Another key piece to her children’s success has been the staff surrounding them on a daily basis. Tullis said her kids have been blessed with amazing teachers, and fondly remembers Mrs. Berger, who taught at Fredrickson, and Mrs. Findlay, who currently teaches at the Junior High and High School. “They are two delightful souls who my children and myself have been fortunate enough to have long-term relationships with,” she said. “All the staff have been great at developing my kids in and out of the classroom. I have seen them be taught compassion, kindness and care for others throughout their time at Cascade Christian. They have also been held to higher standards with their academic and personal integrity, which I know has paid off for them as they have left CCS and journeyed off into the ‘real’ world.” She explained that one of the things she has enjoyed watching over the years at CCS is how “the path they had begun to travel as young children stays strong.”

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EARLY LEARNING FOCUS

Ballet Bees Dance their Way to New Confidence Once a week at the Puyallup Early Learning Center, Danielle Wester is helping Cascade Christian’s littlest Cougars to discover their inner passion for dance. Since 2010, Wester has been teaching an enrichment ballet class called Ballet Bees to students from three to five years old. This school year, she also became the Assistant Program Supervisor at the PELC. With a background in dance that ranges from the Cornish College of the Arts to the Tacoma City Ballet, Wester said her class focuses on learning the basics of ballet and creative movement. “Movement feels natural to me and is also a challenge to me,” Wester said. “When I am teaching my students, I don’t stress over the small things. The biggest thing I want for them is to enjoy themselves. If they leave with a smile on their face, then it has been a successful class.” She said she enjoys teaching the young students, helping them to find a passion for movement and helping to foster and grow their confidence.

“I feel like God has given me a great talent and I love being able to share that with my students,” she explained. One student in particular, she said, has been fun to watch grow in confidence. Wester explained that not too long ago, there was a little girl who wasn’t sure about the class, so she preferred to sit and watch before she would engage. “Each child has their own personality and this was exactly as God had made her,” she said. “So I was completely fine with letting her observe. As time has progressed, I have watched her become a leader on stage. She is aware of others’ needs and even helps them take off their shoes. Now that she is older, she is encouraging the younger students like she once was.” PELC Director Karen Curtiss said Wester has the right qualities to bring out the best in all her students. “I am so impressed with Danielle’s ability to apply her knowledge of dance and years of experience with comfort, ease and professionalism,” Curtiss said. “That, combined with her patience and consistency with young

children, proves over and over again she is the right person for the job.” Wester said she remembers her first ballet teacher, and thoroughly enjoys being a stepping stone in the students’ lives. “I try to always be aware of the age and development of my students,” she said. “I truly believe in Cascade Christian’s mission to develop tomorrow’s leaders and help them find their God-given purpose.”

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SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Family Chapel Helps Students Grow in Faith and Leadership

As a parent, I was brought to tears, watching my son grow as a mentor and as a Christian. This program is truly about building leadership in our youth through Christ. I am very thankful my son is a student at Cascade Christian.

Cascade Christian dad, after observing Family Chapel

Family Chapel is a unique program that takes place at all Cascade Christian elementary campuses. It consist of an average of seven students, representing each grade, including Kindergarten. Students meet monthly and, under the leadership of their sixth grade leader, learn a 30-minute Bible lesson. Lessons are written by teachers and, prior to the day that the Family Chapel groups meet, the principals of each campus meet with their sixth graders to ensure their understanding of the lessons. “I appreciate that our principal, Mr. Broberg, meets with us to discuss solutions to any situation that might come up,” said Puyallup campus sixth grade leader Amanda Bussard. “He offers us ideas to make the lesson fun and interesting, as well as ideas of what to do if we finish early.” Fellow sixth grader Jansyn Pihl agrees. “I like that he meets with us to show us different ways to ask questions, to get the most out of our groups,” she said.

The significance of their leadership position does not escape these sixth graders. “Right before the very first family chapel of this school year, I had

Helping the students learn to unfold spiritual truths to others is a life skill they will always have with them.

Joyce Blum, McAlder Principal goose bumps because I didn’t want to mess up,” said leader Calli Nohr. “The opportunity to train leadership skills into our older elementary students is a joy,” said McAlder Principal Joyce Blum. “They take this responsibility on with great enthusiasm and are eager to work with the younger students.”

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SPIRITUAL FORMATION

I care a lot about making things interesting for my group members. I always keep in mind that some of my group members may not go to church, and this may be their only experience with God. Jansyn Pihl, 6th grader

Both Nohr and Pihl have been at CCS since Kindergarten, while Bussard joined the Cougar community three years ago when she transferred in from a different school. All three agree upon what makes a great family chapel leader. “My favorite leaders have been enthusiastic,” Nohr stated. Pihl and Bussard echoed Nohr’s thoughts. “I can look back at my past leaders and I hope I am as good a leader as they were,” Pihl said. “I care a lot about making things interesting for my group members. I always keep in mind that some of my group members may not go to church, and this may be their only experience with God. I want their time in my group to be a good experience and I want them to think I was a leader who made things fun.” Bussard thinks it is exciting to have teachers and the principals believing in them as sixth grade leaders. “It isn’t every day that you have someone letting you teach the word of God to younger students,” Bussard explained. “It is cool they believe in us that much.”

Puyallup Elementary Principal Terry Broberg said Bussard’s perspective is what the core of Family Chapel is all about. “It is our desire to integrate biblical truth into all aspects of our school,” he said. “Family Chapel is great at doing this because the students learn great lessons from the Bible from each other.”

Family chapel provides wonderful cross-age interaction for our students. The older students learn leadership skills as the younger one see positive role models..

that builds to be the sixth grade leader,” he continued. “Family chapel provides wonderful cross-age interaction for our students. The older students learn leadership skills as the younger one see positive role models.” Blum agrees, “Helping the students learn to unfold spiritual truths to others is a life skill they will always have with them.” Embracing their leadership roles, all three girls say they love teaching the younger students how to pray. “I love helping the younger students learn to pray,” Pihl said. “Often they might say they don’t know what to say and I always tell them to pray and get as far as they can and I will take over after that. I love that our group members are willing to try, and that we get to be there to help them along the way.”

Terry Broberg, Puyallup Principal

“As the students move up through the grades, there is a lot of anticipation

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PERFORMING ARTS

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PERFORMING ARTS

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CREATIVE ARTS

CCHS Students Sharing their Talent with the City of Puyallup The residents of Puyallup will be enjoying the talents of several Cascade Christian student artists on a daily basis for years to come. Under the direction of art and drama teacher Jonathan Engbers, high school students have participated with other local high schools in creating an outdoor series of murals for all to enjoy. The finished mural is being displayed on the Cornforth-Campbell Building, across from 3rd Street Antiques in downtown Puyallup.

I loved watching these students learn as they went…

Engbers said that the mural is a commissioned artwork. In the winter of 2015, the Mayor of Puyallup’s office sent an email to High School Principal Dr. Ken Friesen, asking if Engbers would be interested in working on a mural for the city. Engbers agreed and, after a few roadblocks, the project was put on hold until students returned from summer vacation. The original project presented to Engbers was for each of the area high schools to do a 10 by 20 foot mural with a pre-chosen idea. The CCHS panel was originally intended to be a map of the downtown area, showing the front

vision. The new, elevated scope of the project included two panels. “One panel of the mural is now loosely based on a shot from the top of City Hall looking north on Meridian,” Engbers elaborated. “On the other panel, the images inside the letters were chosen by the students as well as myself.” Once the new mural plan was confirmed, Engbers said it took him and his students many hours over a six-week period to complete the new addition to the arts in the Puyallup community. He is proud of his students for diligently working on something the community as a whole can enjoy, and added that, as a teacher, he found a huge satisfaction in their accomplishment. “I loved watching these students learn as they went,” he said. “They got better at making decisions based on the general viewer rather than what they personally wanted. They also learned a new way to paint.” From the student perspective, Junior Greta Hale explained that participating in a project of this scope was a unique experience. “I really enjoyed working on the mural because I got to put my artistic abilities to the test,” Hale reflected. “I had a lot of fun and I’m sad that it’s over.”

of each building. However, knowing the talent of his students, Engbers, over the course of several months, convinced the mayor to alter the

Aware of the time and effort his students put into this project, Engbers said he hopes the residents of Puyallup “like it and appreciate the time and effort put into it by the students.” With a smile he added, “And I hope they think it is better than the ones done by the larger schools. But that’s just me being competitive.”

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CREATIVE ARTS

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ATHLETICS

HS Girls’ Soccer Reaches New Milestone This past fall, for the first time in the Cascade Christian High School Girls’ Soccer history, the team reached the state playoffs. Co-Head Coach Clark Jennings said the girls really learned to persevere to get there. Jennings, who has more than 20 years’ overall coaching experience at the high school and premiere club level, has spent the previous four years coaching the CCHS boys’ soccer program. This was his first year with the girls’ team. Jennings said he could tell that there was playoff potential early on but said, “the girls definitely persevered through some challenges to get there.”

What I love about coaching at CCS is the ability to have prepractice devotionals every day. The players lead some of those throughout the year, and I get to watch the spiritual growth take place throughout the season.

Jennings explained that this year’s team was a very talented group of girls and he expected nothing less out of them. “I think the biggest challenge the girls faced this year was understanding that the high school season is basically every day for three months,” he said. “They had to learn to navigate through that, and work to persevere through the peaks and valleys of the season, both mentally and physically. Finding the positives really helped us toward fulfilling one of our season goals of getting into the state tournament.” Reflecting back on the season, he said they started the season really strong, and then had some challenges with the middle of the season. However, they were able to finish with a strong unified mentality that led them to postseason play. Along the way there were a few standout games that were pivotal for the team. “Definitely our second game of the year

was crucial with Seattle Christian,” he said. “They beat us 1-4 at their place early in the year, and we needed a win against them to solidify our place in the league and position ourselves for the post-season. We beat them 3-0 for the first time in girls’ soccer history at Cascade Christian, with 100% team effort, and proved to ourselves that we can win big games!” Jennings attributed part of the success of this year’s team to an activity at the beginning of the season. “We had the girls write down individual and team goals,” he said. “The common team goal was to reach the state tournament, not just the regional level. I believe that the girls simply had the vision, drive and talent to achieve something that hadn’t been achieved yet.” Another component that added to the successful season was student leaders on the field. “We had a lot of girls who were captains of individual games this year, but one

I think while we collectively attained our goal of getting to the state tournament… it will be very exciting to see what these girls bring to the table next year.

girl, senior center back Hailee DuMars, really stood out as a consistent leader throughout the season,” Jennings said.

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ATHLETICS

“Hailee brought years of experience to this team. Her level of confidence, attitude, level of play, and relationships with her teammates are what you look for as a coaching staff to help guide the team.” Jennings said his love of coaching stems from watching the growth of the players and meeting the challenge of elevating each individual to a different level; then combining those nearly 20 individuals into what is a hopefully successful team. But coaching at CCS, specifically, has an added bonus. “What I love about coaching at CCS is the ability to have pre-practice devotionals every day. The players lead some of those throughout the year, and I get to watch the spiritual growth take place throughout the season,” he said.

we lose two seniors who gave a lot to this team, both on and off the field. However, the good news is we only lose two seniors to graduation,” Jennings explained. “We have a group of incredibly talented juniors that are poised to make their senior season one to remember. We also have a group of amazing sophomores and some great freshman. I think while we collectively attained our goal of getting to the state tournament, we believe we could have gone further, and it will be very exciting to see what these girls bring to the table next year.”

As he looks forward to next season, Jennings said the outlook is bittersweet. “Unfortunately, due to graduation,

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ALUMNI

CCHS Alumni Jonathan Felczak is Paying it Forward With a heart rooted in the integrity of Cascade Christian athletics, class of 2010 alumnus Jonathan Felczak returned this winter for his third year as the Junior High Boys’ Basketball Varsity Head Coach. He is also the High School Boys’ Basketball Junior Varsity Head Coach, and a Varsity Assistant Coach. He coaches alongside fellow CCS alumnus Cody Shackett.

when Williams called one summer and asked if Felczak wanted to come back and coach, he jumped all over the opportunity and accepted. “I have more respect for all of my coaches throughout the years because now I know how much time and effort is put into coaching each day,” he said. “One of the biggest advantages I have is the familiarity of the system. I fully understand the ‘why’ behind what we at Cascade Christian do when it comes to the basketball program. So for me, it’s simple. We teach them what we as Cougars focus on in junior high to ensure that by the time they reach high school, they will be ready to go and not have to learn too much.” “Coach Williams has run a great program, beginning before I started playing for him,” Felczak continued. “It just takes the effort from the players to execute the game play. It is proven that it works too - he has won two state championships as a coach here.” Building off of the excellent coaching role models he has had in his life, Felczak said what he enjoys most about coaching is seeing the improvement in players. “When they ask what can they do to improve, then they go home and work on it, it is cool when you see it the next time in practice,” he said. Besides hard work, another trait Felczak said he values in his players is leadership. “I don’t look for the best players on the team, I look for someone who I know will represent the team and Cascade Christian the best,” he said. “Someone who will lead by example; not boss people around, but lead them.” The Cascade Christian Junior High season started well, with both the Varsity and JV teams going 5-0.

Since graduation, Felczak attended Green River Community College and played football there for a year. After that, he went to umpire school and was fortunate enough to be offered a job by Minor League Baseball as an umpire. Currently, he is in the High Class-A California League trying to work his way up to Double-A. But when baseball season is over, he returns to CCS to help build the basketball program that once gave him so much. Helping foster talent in a program that once fostered him, Felczak said returning to CCS to coach has been a wonderful experience and he fully understands the significance of the role he is in. He said he had amazing coaches during his tenure at CCS, and he loved playing for High School Varsity coach Jerry Williams. So

“I am a perfectionist, so for me there is always something that we can work on and get better at as a team,” he said. “While there is plenty that works like a well-oiled machine,

When they ask what can they do to improve, then they go home and work on it, it is cool when you see it the next time in practice.

there is always something to improve on, and my players know that. I like to praise the good things and I love to work on the areas of opportunity I see to help us become stronger as a team.”

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ALUMNI

Alumni Tyler McClung becomes Newest CCS Board Member Cascade Christian Schools’ Board of Directors has added CCS alumnus Tyler McClung (class of 2001) as their newest board member. With the enrollment of Tyler and wife Nicole’s daughter in Kindergarten at the McAlder Campus, he has recently reconnected with the Cougar community. “I was excited to see Superintendent Don Johnson at the orientation for students at the McAlder campus, and we had a conversation about how exciting it was to see so many children of CCS alumni at the campus, and sending their kids to Cascade Christian,” he said. “From there, that led to a few other conversations about alumni involvement. Then in early December, I received an email inviting me to lunch with Don and the Board Chair Tom Walrath. At that point they shared with me some transitions taking place on the board. “ McClung said he had not thought about specifically joining the Board, but was open to the Lord’s leading of how he and his family could develop stronger relationships and become more connected with what he considered his “Cascade family.” Looking ahead, McClung said he is embracing the opportunity to serve in a deeper capacity. “I think Cascade Christian Schools has been blessed with some amazing board members over the years who I have gotten to know personally,” he said. “Greg Sutherland, Tom Absher, and Randy Johnson are parents of some of my close friends. My dad was also a board member for a little over nine years, and I know that their servant leadership provided students like me opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had.” “Their direction helped acquire land, build the building and then finish the

Performing Arts Center 15+ years ago,” he continued. “The Board has, of course, transitioned and there is a new team in place since I was a student, but I am sure that it is filled with quality Christ-loving individuals like those who have served in the past. I am excited to learn from them first, and then be able to bring my perspective as a former student - and now parent of a current student - to the team.” With a board whose members have a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds, McClung said he sees one of his strengths fitting in nicely. Upon graduation from Cascade Christian, he attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, and said his time there proved to be invaluable. “I learned there that there are times to speak up and there are times to listen and follow orders,” he reflected. “I perceive that now as a huge strength for me. I have been put in situations where I have been both a leader and a follower at the same time, and as a board member I think that is exactly what my role will be.” He continued, “My current job is one of leading a team and making important business decisions that are both near and long term. The Board has many of those decisions that they deal with on a regular basis, and so with my background I will look to use the experiences that I have garnered.” “I think bringing a background of a former student will have a great impact in decisions since I was once in a student’s place,” he said. “While I am the only at-large board member with an alumnus perspective, I look forward to working with Jodi (Gerald) Cameron, a fellow ’01 alumna, as she serves in her capacity as a board member.” He said he was blessed by his family that sent him to Cascade Christian,

and leaders that made his time at CCS second to none. “That is the same thing that I want for my kids and I hope to provide for current and future students,” he explained. McClung said he and his wife have been happy to have daughter Natalie enrolled at Cascade Christian. “It has been amazing to see the wonderful Christ-inspired instruction she gets on a daily basis,” he said. “It is also impressive to see what kind of support the parents of her classmates give the school and her class. Parental involvement in a student’s education is vital, and Cascade Christian parents do an amazing job supporting their children’s learning environment.” “My moment of ‘being back’ was when I attended an event prior to a Cascade Christian football game held at Dillanos Coffee Roasters,” he said. “I told Nicole it felt like being back home with all the people that I knew or had connections with in that room. That was the moment I knew our kids were going to be supported in the same environment that I had growing up. Ultimately, it gave me a sense of peace that we made the right decision in coming back to Cascade Christian.”

Not Pictured: Boys Golf, Track and Boys Soccer

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CASCADE FUND

You Are Invited...

to impact a generation.

Presenting Sponsor:

Auction proceeds benefit CCS students with tuition assistance and stronger schools

Saturday, March 5, 2016 at The Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma

buy your tickets at CascadeChristian.org

Save Date the

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Meet the Artists who will bring Christ to our Culture

Tickets available at cascadechristian.org

Live Art, Performances and Gallery

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BUSINESS PARTNERS

Thank you to our 2015-16 Business Partners! More than 30 students will get to stay at CCS because of your generosity.

If you’re interested in supporting Cascade Christian Schools by becoming a 2015-16 Business Partner, please call 253-841-1776.

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NON PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID TEKS SERVICES

District Office 815 21st Street SE Puyallup, WA 98372 253-841-1776

See us on the web! CascadeChristian.org

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