Eagles_Eye_2008

EAGLE’S EYE C I N C I N N AT I

Spring 2008

H I L L S

C H R I S T I A N

A C A D E M Y

chca

M A G A Z I N E

Volume 10

soaring

chca

soaring today & tomorrow

by Randy Brunk, Head of School

There is something about “soaring” that captures the imagination. I h ave alw ays admired those who fly in gliders, a popular hobby in the mountain states where I grew up. What a thrill to be up so high, buttressed by the sustaining winds, taking in the kind of views that can only be had while floating on air currents. The eagle, our school mascot, embodies that image of reaching and maintaining great height with an air of calm power and strength. As an educational institution, these same skills are key to our success in preparing students for a lifetime of learning.

This was a year of change, improvement and development, all in the interest of furthering Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s mission and securing our place as a Christian educator for decades to come. A new CHCA seal and motto (from “Learn and Serve” to “Learn, Lead and Serve”); revamped mission, vision and core values; new building construction as part of the Promise Campaign - this was a time of renewed focus on what the school stands for and where it’s going. Tying these initiatives together was an over arching theme: CHCA Soaring, which exemplifies the hope and promise that our children have to take flight and achieve great things. When developing this theme, Board of Trustees members Beth Andrews and Michael Kuremsky took into account that true soaring requires three distinct parts:

must be earned. Jesus said it this way: “Those who diligently seek me shall find me.” Our concern as educators and parents in this multi-tasking world is whether our children will be able to focus long enough to set, work toward and achieve goals, a process crucial to intellectual and personal development. It’s no coincidence that our school’s instruction and curriculum are structured to reward success when a student puts forth conscientious effort. In order to soar – whether in academics, the arts, athletics or any pursuit – perseverance, and being able to anticipate the next challenge, will enable our children to reach new heights.

Maintaining altitude. There’s always room for improvement, but at a certain point, you reach your desired level – maybe it’s an “A” in Chemistry, a spot on the Varsity squad, or a seat in the first violin section. Whatever the goal, a good work ethic, effective spiritual and academic discipline, and faith in Jesus become the winds that help maintain that altitude.

Enjoying the view. In our runabout, fastpaced world, it’s easy to forget what we are working so hard for. God wants us to pause to take in the newly gained perspective, to enjoy the fruits of our labor, recognizing the one who makes it all possible. “I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery.” (Colossians 2:2)

is “CHCA soaring

and more importantly, we are teaching our children to soar.

Getting our wings. As parents, teachers, coaches and mentors, we strive to instill in our students the reality that anything of great value

CHCA is soaring and more importantly, we are teaching our children to soar. As you will read in this issue, Cincinnati Hills is a training ground for brilliant leaders and servants, scattered like seeds upon graduation to go and make a difference in communities the world over. Thank you for partnering with us to achieve this great mission.

”

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy is a Christ-centered, non-denominational, college preparatory academy that exists to prepare students intellectually and spiritually for success in higher education and to impact and influence the world according to their unique gifts and talents.

on the inside

CHCA Soaring

Spring 2008

Editor Liz Bronson Stel Kirbabas, Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Judi Alvarado Contributors Liz Bronson Stel Kirbabas Dan Ledbetter Cammie Montgomery Dave Sauve Mona Summers Mardi Weeks Tracy Wolcott

Additional HIghlights 11 Remembering Carol Anne Blessing 12 Soaring and Celebrating at Celebration 2008 16 Armleder Students Say “Thanks, Edyth!”

17 Something to Talk About 19 Take a Picture, It’ll Last Longer!

22 The Color of Money 23 New Director of Advancement Named at CHCA 31 CHCA Bible Quiz Team Brings Home National Title 32 Congratulations to the Class of 2008 34 Seniors Who Served Above and Beyond

Fine Arts

42 CHCA 2007-08 Performances 43 ARTBeat 2008 44 Fine Arts Shining Stars 45 CHCA Goes Off the Charts 46 Going Behind the Scenes with the Tech Team 47 Millie Wins Three Cappies Kevin Bao Plays Carnegie Hall On the front cover:

CHCA junior Darris Sneed leads worship for middle school chapel on Founders’ Day. Photo © 2007 Judi Alvarado.

CHCA SOARING

4 First Founders’ Day Celebration 6 Six Seniors Named 2008 National Merit Finalists 7 CHCA Opens New SoaringStart Preschool 8 Armleder Graduates First 8th Grade Class 10 Look How Far We’ve Come 14 Students Use All Five Senses During Winter Term 2008 18 Destination: Success 21 Bringing Out the BEST in Our Young Athletese 23 Junior Enrolls in Prestigious Naval Academy Summer Program 24 Service Stars 25 First-ever Learn, Lead & Serve Scholarships Awarded 31 CHCA Students Soaring in Academics Recognized

Athletics 35 Wilber Wins World Cup Shannon Ibarra Makes a Splash 36 Metro Basketball League Division Champs Middle School MVC League Champs 37 The Undefeatables 38 High School MVC and Sectional/District Champions 39 Athletes Named to The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City 1st Teams High School Athletes Who Made it to State Finals 40 Longtime Coach Mike Gims Moves on to College Level 41 CHCA Rolls Out Welcome Mat for New Coach

Alumni 48 Alumni Notes 53 Familiar Faces in CHCA’s Spaces 54 Successful Alumni Affect Their World

On the back cover:

CHCA’s Class of 2008, who earned over 30,000 service hours in high school. Photo © 2008 Judi Alvarado.

chca

soaring

First Founders’ Day Celebrates CHCA’s Past, Present and Future

Fourteen families will soon be homeowners for the first time, thanks in part to the sweat and labor of 20 students and 11 adults from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

by Liz Bronson

In October of 1987, some families got together to talk about something that was weighing heavily on their hearts: the lack of Christian, academically excellent education in Cincinnati. These families came from all walks of life and had children of all ages. What came out of that meeting was a plan to fill the need they saw, and just like that, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy was born.

Two years later, in September of 1989, the doors opened for the first students. The school has gone through many changes and growth spurts over the last twenty years, but one thing remains the same: CHCA is still Christ-centered, and it still stands for great education in Cincinnati.

On October 25, 2007, the first Founders’ Day was celebrated, a remembrance of the work, prayer and faith that went into making CHCA a reality. Founders’ Day, which will be celebrated annually, included a reception for the founding families at the middle school (CHCA’s first building, which at one time housed grades K-9 under one roof), plus the re-launch of CHCA’s vision, mission and core values. All campuses were also introduced to CHCA Soaring, a new symbol of the spirit of excellence that is a way of life at Cincinnati Hills. Students learned about our founders and these new initiatives in special chapel assemblies and were treated to a free concert featuring national Christian recording artists Joy Whitlock, Todd Agnew and Rush of Fools.

“Launching the newly enhanced vision, mission and values on Founders’ Day was a natural fit,” says Natalie Pfister, Interim Director of Enrollment at CHCA. “It was a perfect time to reflect on the foundation that got us to this point and to look ahead to the future, keeping in place 4

the mission and values that were so important to our founders and enhancing them to help us soar into the future.”

At the founding families reception, several parents and alumni stood to tell the impressive, heartwarming story of how CHCA came into being. “We knew how we wanted to raise our children, and also realized that they were spending most of their waking hours away from us, so we became committed to starting a school where

of 1995), recently served as a CHCA Board of Trustees member and is father to Chase and Alexis, who will be in the first grade and developmental kindergarten this fall, respectively. Jon started CHCA in the 7th grade. “There wasn’t even supposed to be a 7th grade – it was going to start as a K-6 school but they added 7th at the last minute,” he recalled. “Back then, there were no sports teams, no fine arts, no AP classes and no kids going to Ivy League schools to draw families in.

It was all about a school where God was center, and having the sort of community that reflected that. That’s why kids came, and that’s why kids stayed.”

Founding parent Anthony Munoz talks about the early days of CHCA.

(l-r) Middle school Social Studies teacher Steve McCollum chats with Linda and Paul Trenz, founding parents.

those same values we were teaching would be central,” said Paul Trenz, a former CHCA Dad. “Many families put up family businesses, got second mortgages and made huge sacrifices to start CHCA – it was a lot of risk to do something no one had ever done.”

Jon Adams, the school’s first graduate (Class

Carl Lindner III, whose sons Carl and Christopher were founding students that first year, pointed out the unique mission that tied these founding families together. “Most of us didn’t know each other that well – it wasn’t a group of close friends who decided to start a school,” Lindner noted. “It was really a group of people who came from a variety of backgrounds, different areas of town and different denominations who were drawn together for a common purpose.”

Phyllis and Ron McSwain were CHCA founders too, and remain involved with the school to this day. In a recorded interview played in the high school chapel assembly, Phyllis recalled the reason she and Ron felt passionate about this mission. “We wanted it to be a place where kids could become strong and really know what they believe, so that when they went out into the world, they could hold firmly to those beliefs in the face of challenges,” she said.

Ron echoed that sentiment, adding, “We knew the importance of Christian education and of leaving a legacy.”

Today, the McSwains’ grandchildren – Sean (11t h grade), Cecily (9 th) and Aaron (6 th) Bacon; Jason (2nd) and Anna (kindergarten) McSwain; and Kristopher Carnes (2nd) – are enjoying the fruits of their grandparents’ investment in CHCA.

< Class of 2003 grad Danae Burris stands with CHCA’s first high school principal, Dr. Joan Miracle.

Danae was a preschooler at CHCA when the doors first opened.

< Class of 1997 grad Elizabeth (McVey) Cullen and husband Blake look through photos of CHCA’s early days at the founding families reception.

Elizabeth was one of the first students to enroll at CHCA.

Every founding family, student, board member, teacher, administrator and volunteer that took a chance on CHCA in those early days has left a legacy for those who attend today and for those who will attend for as long as the school exists. Their passion for Christian education lives on in the classrooms, on the athletic fields, on the stages and in the mission fields.

Christian recording artist Joy Whitlock.

Rush of Fools plays for a packed audience.

5

soaring

6

in academics

Six Seniors Named 2008 National Merit Finalists

CHCA High School had one of the highest percentages of National Merit Finalists in Cincinnati this year and set a new school record, with six seniors receiving recognition. To qualify, seniors Jon Adam, Zac Cucinotta, Andy Ferguson, Robert Fogg, Kristin (L-r) Zac Cucinotta, Robert Fogg, Kristin Philip, Jon Adam, Joel Shackson and Andy Ferguson.

Philip and Joel Shackson had to earn PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores high enough for recognition among the 1.4 million nationwide high school entrants. Less than one percent of those entrants – about 15,000 – are named Finalists in the competition, giving them a shot at 8,200 Merit Scholarship ® awards, worth $34 million. Each of the six were named National Merit Scholars (the final step in the competition) and received scholarship money to the college of their choice.

To become a finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier qualifying test performance.

Additionally, seniors Eric Millisor and Emily Miller were named Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. This year, about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they did not continue in the 2008 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top 5% of students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. “We are so proud of this remarkable achievement,” high school Principal Dr. Dean Nicholas said. “In my mind, it denotes extremely bright students who also work carefully and diligently. It also reflects a learning community of excellence where teaching and learning are happening at the highest levels. These students will be examples for our current population and for those who come in the future.”

Secrets of Their Success Kristin Philip Kristin Philip heads to The Ohio State University in the fall where she plans to double major in Biology and English, with a minor in Spanish. Her status as National Merit Scholar and Salutatorian for the Class of 2008 helped her obtain direct entry into OSU’s medical school.

“I believe the biggest factors contributing to my academic success were undoubtedly God, my family, and my teachers. God blessed me with the talents that I have and pulled me through some tough times where I couldn’t have made it on my own strength. My parents were my biggest motivation to study hard and do my best; they always reminded me that I was at school to study and that should be my first priority. Finally, my teachers’ enthusiasm about the subjects they taught really inspired me to learn and become passionate about learning and new subjects.”

Andy Ferguson Andy Ferguson will attend Washington University in St. Louis, embarking on a five-year program that combines an engineering degree with an MBA. “When I think about the reason for my success as a high school student, two words come to mind – my parents. My parents prepared me to succeed in high school, and to succeed in life. Period. As a young child I can remember being strongly encouraged to 6

read books, to work hard in school, and to learn.

Through these practices, and others like them, I have developed a strong work ethic and intelligence.

That’s all there is to it.”

Jon Adam Jon Adam, Class of 2008 Valedictorian will be attending The University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign as a James Scholar, studying Bioengineering.

“Looking back over high school, academic success came from a drive to realize my full potential.

In every assignment, project, or test I strove to do my personal best. The setting of high goals and expectations by both my parents and myself pushed me to work toward academic success, even when it felt strenuous and fruitless. If I didn’t reach for the limits of my academic potential, I would be disappointing myself, my parents, and God. I did not want to short- change my future as a result of any lack of effort during high school.”

Joel Shackson Joel Shackson heads to Case Western Reserve University in the fall on an academic scholarship. He is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering and then will go to medical school.

“I feel that the major factor contributing to my academic success is my particular God-given gifts

and abilities. I also credit my parents, for making me into the type of person who works hard to use my talents. My parents always stressed the importance of academics, which is why they sent me to CHCA. They also set a great example for me to follow, because I saw how academic success and hard work benefit them.”

Zac Cucinotta Zac Cucinotta is heading to Northwestern University’s Honors Program in Medical Education which allows him direct acceptance to their medical school when he completes his undergraduate education in Biomedical Engineering and Cognitive Science.

“I believe the incredible support my parents gave me is the biggest reason. They pushed me to succeed without being demanding and this made me want to make them proud, which led me to work hard throughout school. Also, I think the Religion classes and chapel helped me keep things in perspective and helped me not become discouraged when things did not go my way or give up when it seemed like just too much work.”

Robert Fogg Robert Fogg is heading to the University of Southern California as a Presidential Scholar. He will major in Aero Engineering.

CHCA Opens New SoaringStart Preschool Fall 2008 literacy instruction, mathematical concepts and scientific exploration in their world of play,” Breitholle notes.

(L-r) Mike, Mia, Abby, Anne and Adam Jutt walk through the doors of EBL Elementary, home of CHCA’s new SoaringStart Preschool. Mia will be attending SoaringStart’s 3-year-old program this fall.

They’re short, they love Dora the Explorer, and they’re about to invade CHCA’s campus. This September, Cincinnati Hills will open the doors of its SoaringStart Preschool to three- and fouryear-olds, giving a whole new age group a chance to experience a CHCA education in a fun environment geared just for them.

“The beautiful thing about our SoaringStart Preschool is that it will adopt the same core values, standards and expectations that we already have at CHCA for grades K to 12,” says Sandy Breitholle, SoaringStart Director and EBL Elementary Principal. “This will allow for great continuity in our program and we are very excited about that.

From the very start, we will know exactly what is needed to prepare our students to be successful at CHCA and beyond.”

follow direc tions , share, take turns, and transition from one activity to another, preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. Parents will have the option to enroll their child in before- or after-school care as well.

The SoaringStart curriculum has been as wellresearched and thought out as that of a high school science course. Based on Ohio Early Learning Content Standards, engaging units of study will be presented in the classroom using proven best practices for preschoolers. “Every opportunity will be taken to provide a safe, nurturing, loving, Christ-centered environment for our little ones in which they will be naturally immersed in academically rich experiences, including language development,

Located in the EBL Elementary building, the preschool will consist of two separate programs, one each for threeand four-year-olds. A licensed teacher will t e ach bot h groups – threes in the morning and fours in the afternoon – with help from aides. Threes will get special attention to their developmental needs while expanding le arning through interactions with other children, ensuring a smoot h transition to the fouryear-old group. Fours will gain awareness of Linda Tepfenhart, the world around them SoaringStart Preschool Teacher while learning how to

Interim Director of Enrollment Natalie Pfister sees the new program not only as a way to educate students from start to graduation, but as an answer to a need in our region. “The opening of our preschool is comparable to the situation when CHCA was initially founded, where we were filling a void in Cincinnati’s educational landscape: a Christ-centered, academically enriched school that inspires a lifelong love for learning,” Pfister says. “SoaringStart meets that need for the youngest learners. Other area preschools are either one or the other (Christ-centered or academically enriched), but not both.”

As these newest members of the CHCA family prepare for their first day in September, Breitholle and Pfister will be praying that they find their niche here at CHCA. Breitholle in particular, who has seen many first days in her 14-year career at EBL Elementary, is looking forward to helping the preschoolers feel at home. “We want it to be a place where children love to learn!”

“

I’m excited to teach preschool,” Tepfenhart says.

“I just love their wonder about the world, and how they naturally want to discover. I think that’s how God intended us to see the world, and I want to bring more of that creativity into the classroom.

”

• BS in Elementary Education from the University of New Orleans • Taught second grade in New Orleans for seven years • Assistant Director of the Children’s World Learning Center in Olney, MD for one year • Has been a CHCA K-4 substitute teacher for the last two years • Mom of four children, all of whom attend CHCA (Paul will be a senior next year; Brad, a sophomore; Tyler, a freshman; and Katelyn, a 6th grader)

7

chca

soaring

Growing Up:

<<< Armleder’s first 8th grade class on graduation day.

Front row, l-r Imani Zuberi, Tyshawna Chalk, Kahprice Luchion, Barry Hixon, Michael Tucker, Myles Jackson, Aaron Coleman.

Back row, l-r: Jaihla Ashe, Ge’Ana Ellis, Mark Jones, Dennis Austin, Dontay Fletcher, Malik Zuberi, Earl Daniels.

Armleder Graduates First 8th Grade Class CHCA’s Otto Armleder School achieved an important milestone this year, graduating the first ever 8th grade class in May. The class of 14 students, known for their exuberance in the hallways, enthusiasm in the classroom and close relationships with one another, now moves on to high schools throughout the city, including CHCA. Dwayne DuBois, 8 th grade Math teacher at Armleder, taught this class since they were 7th graders.

“There may never be another class that comes through Armleder with as much personality as this class had,” he remarks. “They It was great to see them were definitely special simply for being grow up over their last year the first 8th grade class to graduate from Armleder, but they were also at Armleder. Many of them special for so much more. To see the stepped outside of their usual progress that this class made during roles this year and showed us the time that I had them and to know some of the situations that they had to sides of them that were persevere through makes me proud unexpected and fun, indicatto have been their teacher.”

“

ing that they will rise as

Two 8th grade grads, Dontay Fletcher and Malik Zuberi, have been at Armleder since its inception in August of 2000. Several members of the class of 2012 were active in the OAIS Diversity Group, participated in Reach for the Stars at Xavier University, and volunteered their time as after-school tutors at Armleder.

Susan Miller, Principal at CHCA Armleder, says she sees

leaders in high school.

8

”

many “talented artists, musicians and future attorneys” in this class, a nod to their above-average artistic abilities and debating skills.

Mikka Jackson, Admissions Counselor at Armleder, watched this class grow over the years, maturing from kids to young adults. “This class was so unique because each student was such an individual,” she says. “It was great to see them grow up over their last year at Armleder. Many of them stepped outside of their usual roles this year and showed us sides of them that were unexpected and fun, indicating that they will rise as leaders in high school.”

At graduation, Myles Jackson and Aaron Coleman both received the Eagle Award for excellence in academics (both had the highest GPAs in the class), taking home a trophy and $400 savings bonds from the faculty and staff.

Ge’Ana Ellis received the STAR trophy for excellence in character. About these outstanding students, Susan Miller says, “They are quiet but strong in who they are, and they stay true to what they believe.”

As this class leaves Armleder for high school, Miller reflects on the importance of giving students a consistent academic experience from the early grades through the tough middle school years. “It was important for this class to continue having the opportunity to receive education in a Christ-centered environment,” she says. “I hope we’ve given them a great foundation as they launch into high school. I know they will be successful.”

New Parent Ambassador Program Looks to Connect Families A new resource is now available to CHCA parents seeking answers to questions, needing prayer, or just looking for a friendly voice. It’s the Parent Ambassador Program.

“We have wanted to implement a program like this for a long time, and it is finally a reality,” says Randy Brunk, Head of School.

Every grade has a team of four ambassadors, each of which is a parent with a child in that grade. The role of the Parent Ambassador varies: for inquiring families investigating CHCA as an educational option, the Parent Ambassadors are there to reach out with a personal phone call to answer any questions or to offer a one-on-one tour of the facilities. For current families, the ambassadors are there to pray for and with each family, to serve as a source of information for upcoming campus-wide events, and to check in with every CHCA family twice a year to ensure the school year is going well.

Natalie Pfister, CHCA Interim Director of Enrollment, sees the ambassador program as a great way to make people feel plugged in and part of the Cincinnati Hills family. “We think this new initiative will be a great way to connect families in the CHCA community, from those with their first child in kindergarten to those sending their last child to college.”

The 2007-08 Parent Ambassadors

soaring

as leaders

CHCA students lead service projects, sports teams, student government, clubs and sundry other groups.

This year, they got a chance to lead in a whole new way, thanks to the Leadership Scholars program.

Leadership Scholars pairs up high school juniors and seniors from CHCA, Elder, Summit Country Day, Purcell Marian, Roger Bacon and Seton with inner-city 7th and 8th graders from Corryville Catholic, Holy Family, CHCA Armleder, Prince of Peace, Resurrection of Our Lord, St. Boniface, St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis Seraph and St. Joseph. The hope is that the high school students (the leaders) will develop relationships with the grade school students (the scholars), influencing and encouraging them to stay in school and develop their leadership abilities. Students wanting to serve as leaders apply at the end of their sophomore year and commit to serving for two years to ensure consistency in the mentoring relationship. Scholars are also expected to stay in the program for two years.

Tracy Moore, the Executive Director of Leadership Scholars Inc., says the idea for the program came about when a Cincinnati lawyer took a year off from practicing law to teach 6th grade at St. Francis Seraph in Over-theRhine. He noticed that teachers spent the majority of

<<< Ambassadors are, for kindergarten Katie Adams, Patti Younkin, Kim Paschke and Natalie McSwain; for 1st grade, Anne Jutt, Leslie Spooner, Barbie Rempe and Jennifer Bettinger; for 2nd grade, Sara Milidonis, Gwen Horter, Kim Kopp and Jill Braun; for 3rd grade, Marguerite Brooks, Lesley Price, Audrey Young and Sherri Feldman; for 4 th grade, Jackie Horning, Jennie Schretter, Ginny Feeney and Linda Harker; for 5th grade, Cindy Kuroff, Kay Carter, Laura Ross and Sue Humphrey; for 6th grade, Cindy Coggins, Lori Hogan, Sally Stacy and Audrey Elder; for 7th grade, Vicki Fitzgerald, Becky Love, Kelly Caruso and Mary Jean Blink; for 8 th grade, Dorie Cucinotta, Renae Thiel, Wendy Kuremsky and Lisa Massa; for 9 th grade, Kathleen Canavan, Sandy Avery, Carol Hughes and Michelle Bacon; for 10 th grade, Alicia Gerlinger, Jackie Lake, Peggy Shomaker and Cindy Weaver; for 11th grade, Kathy Evans, Veronica Fuller, Cindy DeVore and Lou Ann Beadle.

Bright Idea: Leadership Scholars Program Comes to CHCA their time bringing most of the students up to grade level, while the few gifted students in the class weren’t being challenged. Bright students needed an outlet where they could learn from good role models and develop their talents, so Leadership Scholars was created to fill the void.

Leaders and scholars go to workshops, venture out on field trips, work on projects, attend high school events (plays, sporting events, etc.) together and generally keep in touch to stay current and involved in one another’s lives.

After just its first year of operation, Moore has seen a difference in both the leaders and the scholars they mentor. “The results show in the relationships between the scholars and the older leaders,” he observes. “Most kids go from being shy and reluctant to open up, to sharing more about their lives. I’ve also noticed the leaders end up taking a more careful look at their lives and the example they set at school when they know they’re impacting someone younger.”

Interested in learning more about the Leadership Scholars program or getting involved next year? Contact Karen Hordinski, CHCA Outreach Director at karen.hordinski@ chca-oh.org.

CHCA juniors Porsha Frazier (left) and Lindsey Evans (right) stand with Leadership Scholars Executive Director Tracy Moore. Porsha and Lindsey are two of the program’s leaders from CHCA High School, as are Sarah Cesler, Chris Powers, Janessa Sambola, Megan Conway and Olivia Perez.

9

Look How Far Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Come

October 2006 MS Fine Arts Expansion completed

June 2007 Endowments funded

After years of much planning and praying, the Promise Campaign was kicked off in 2006 and wrapped up in June of 2007. In the end, $8.5 million was raised to fund six projects, including: > Nearly $3 million for new endowment funds > $550,000 for the new Snider Road Parking Lot > $390,000 for two new enrichment labs at Edyth B. Lindner Elementary > $940,000 for the Middle School Fine Arts Expansion > $2 million for the High School Science and Academic Expansion > $1.27 million for the High School Performing Arts Addition

March 2008 Snider Road Parking Lot completed (at corner of Kemper and Snider Roads)

August 2008 Projected completion date for HS Fine Arts Wing and EBL Science/ Enrichment Labs

10

October 2008 Projected completion date for HS Science and Academic Wing (A preview of the new HS Science and Academic Wing)

October 2007 Completed Promise Pathway, connecting the MS and EBL Elementary

Remembering Carol Anne Blessing:

God Calls His Servant Home

Compassionate teacher. Faith-

or in need. “She used her

ful friend. Quiet servant. Gen-

hands to touch our hearts,”

erous spirit. Positive thinker.

Marsh adds. “Carol Anne

These are a few of the descrip-

loved to bake, so if she sensed

tives used by those who knew and

someone had a bad day, the

loved Carol Anne Blessing, who

next morning there’d be a

died of ovarian cancer on March

freshly baked loaf of bread

24, 2008. She leaves behind her

or something sweet in their

husband, Bill, and their two chil-

teacher mailbox.”

dren, David (class of 1997) and

Carol Anne carried that

Wren (class of 2001).

dedication to those in need

The multitude of people she

through all parts of her life.

touched during her time here

At CHCA, she was instru-

on earth, and how she touched

mental in starting the Penny

them is proof of the profound life she led. To her

Wars at the middle school, benefiting the Tin

students in the middle school’s Resource Room,

Roof Foundation and orphanages in Mexico.

where she served as teacher and Student Services

She volunteered at Ten Thousand Villages, where

Director for eleven years, she was the person who

goods produced by poor countries around the

made it OK to be out of the ordinary. She delib-

world are sold so that proceeds can go back to

erately made sure her students understood why

the villages. She was a member of “Prayer and

they needed her services – not because they were

Package”, a group of six CHCA moms who met

any less intelligent, but because they processed

monthly to pray and send “goodies” to CHCA

information in a unique way.

alumni attending college. “She had this uncanny

The kids were so important to her. Not wanting

ability to analyze a person’s needs and take care

to walk away from them entirely but understanding

of it under the radar,” Marsh notes. “She served

the limitations her illness placed on her energy,

with a humble heart whether to provide free tu-

Carol Anne moved to a part-time position in the

toring, pray with a family, or help cover the cost

EBL Elementary Resource Room. “She didn’t

of an expense for a family in need.”

quit because helping those kids and their families

Carol Anne fought hard against her illness for

was a joy for her as she battled through it,” says

several years, refusing to let cancer dictate how

Elaine Marsh, Director of Resource Services at

she would live her life. She inspired those around

EBL. “Some days she struggled to make it down

her as she prevailed over the pain with nary a

the hallway to get the kids back to their classrooms

complaint and continued to focus on living on her

and would have to send the children back by them-

terms. As Marsh recalls, “Carol Anne once told

selves. I would watch them go and not one time

me, ‘you can’t choose the vessel you go through

did those little kids goof off, but just walked back

life in; God chooses it, so support it the best you

quietly because they loved and respected her.”

can and make the best of it.’”

To her colleagues, she was the woman who

And she did.

Carol Anne displayed a “demeanor of calmness

regardless of how chaotic or stressful situations could be. She always gave me a sense of security in her leadership and wise counsel.

”

Penny Peters, CHCA High School Resource Room Teacher

“

Mrs. Blessing was one of the first teachers I met. I loved Mrs. Blessing so very much. She was always so nice to me.

”

Ellen Lee, former student and member of Mrs. Blessing’s 8th grade Bible study

“

Her beautiful face radiated her faithfulness to God, drawing teachers, parents and students to her. Carol Anne had an insatiable passion for sharing God’s word with others. Her life’s journey was woven with a deep consciousness of His presence.

Jeri LeMay, close friend and Bible study partner

”

When you were speaking with “ Carol Anne, she constantly moved the conversation off herself, wanting instead to focus on the other person and shine the light back onto them. She was so selfless.

”

Elaine Marsh, colleague

recognized intuitively when others were hurting 11

Soaring

and Celebrating at

Celebration Auction 2008

More than 600 members of the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy community turned out on February 9 to attend and support Celebration 2008, which earned an impressive $286,676 for CHCA’s operating budget. The event, held at the Manor House in Mason, was a great success and included an elegant dinner as well as silent and live auctions. Over 900 items were donated for the event

by CHCA families, students and the community.

Themed “Honoring our heritage…reaching new heights,” Celebration 2008 had the dual purpose of CHCA Founding Parents Phyllis and Ron McSwain enjoy the commemorating the foundevening. Phyllis also served on the Celebration Chair team. ing families who paved the way for the school’s present success, while looking forward to the bright future ahead. More than 40 honored guests were recognized for their role in making CHCA what it is today.

As always, students were involved at every level of the event, from designing the save-the-date cards and invitations (designed by CHCA junior Alec Kirbabas of Mason and CHCA senior Allison Ballard of Montgomery, respec-

On hand to entertain guests at Celebration were members of CHCA’s Encore performing choir, including (l-r) Lindsay Trucksis, Hillary Henize, choir director Sara Potts, Scott Swallen and Darris Sneed.

tively), to providing the evening’s entertainment (CHCA High School’s Electric Strings Group, the Electric Jazz Orchestra, and the Encore performing choir), to serving as volunteers throughout the night.

Instrumental to the success of Celebration 2008 was the Chair team, which included Vicki Fitzgerald, Dana Tongdangjoue and Dawn Byington (Acquisitions team), Jennie Schretter and Alicia Gerlinger (Event Management team), Pamela Bailey (Treasurer), Jane Haslem (Data Management team), Shelley Walchle (Auction Logistics team), Lisa Massa (Borcherding Draw team), Phyllis McSwain (Alumni Parent Advisor), Liz Bronson (Publicity) and Anne Venters (General Chair).

For the first time, CHCA also utilized online auctions to support Celebration. Nearly $10,000 of the overall total was raised online

Celebration 2008 Chair Team, l-r: Anne Venters, Pamela Bailey, Dawn Byington, Jane Haslem, Jennie Schretter, Shelley Walchle, Alicia Gerlinger, Lisa Massa, Vicki Fitzgerald, Liz Bronson and Dana Tongdangjoue. Not pictured: Phyllis McSwain.

12

I bid on the basket of items for a college-bound boy, and won. My nephew is a freshman at Union University in Jackson, TN which was hit by a tornado a couple of weeks [prior to Celebration]. He and six other guys fled to a small bathroom on the ground floor and he jumped in the tub. Praise God they all survived! If you saw the Over 800 items were featured in the silent auction on the night of Celebration, including student artwork, vacation packages, rare sports memorabilia and “Day in the Life” experiences with local professionals.

by way of three separate auctions held in December, January and April. Celebration General Chair Anne Venters was pleased with the results of the online effort, which served as a way to open up Celebration to those alumni and parents who would not be able to attend on February 9. “We were so excited to use this new technology to give everyone a chance to participate in this important event from the comfort of their homes,” says Anne.

The Henize family of West Chester won the Borcherding Draw Grand Prize, one year of CHCA tuition (provided by Borcherding Pontiac Buick GMC). Five other lucky ticket holders won prizes of $1,000 each, including Doug Marcian, Eric Bergh, Ernest and Sharon Doering, Clarissa Rosas and Sean Clifford.

Since 1994, this bi-annual event has generated over $1.8 million for CHCA’s operating budget to relieve the pressure of substantial tuition increases. Equally as important, Celebration provides an opportunity for the CHCA community to come together and “celebrate” our common mission: the education and spiritual growth of our children.

Venters is both proud of the financial results of the evening and grateful for the way the CHCA community comes together in support of such a significant event. “Between donors, the Chair team, our volunteers and attendees, we really enjoy the fellowship, new friendships and collaborative work that comes from this common mission of academic excellence in a Christian environment.”

nothing short of a miracle that no lives were lost. Anyway, his room was on the upper floor and his dorm was so unstable that he could not return to try to salvage anything. As a result, he lost almost everything, including his Xbox, stereo, books, laptop, clothes, etc. My

Special Thanks A special thanks to our Celebration sponsors for helping us soar to new heights – we truly appreciate your generosity!

Borcherding Draw Sponsor Borcherding Pontiac Buick GMC Platinum Level Sponsorship Primerica Financial Services The Huntington National Bank Johnson Investment Counsel Gold Level Sponsors Fifth Third Bank The Coggins Group at Citi Smith Barney Silver Level Sponsors McSwain Carpets and Flooring The Vintage Club/Great Traditions

CHCA Assistant Business Manager Eileen Hall (left) presents Cathy and Eric Henize with one year of CHCA tuition, the Celebration 2008 Borcherding Draw Prize.

devastation, you would know that it is

family presented the lovely and bountiful college basket I won at Celebration to him as a gift from our extended family and he was simply overjoyed. It was a real blessing to him and a perfect start to replacing all the necessary college stuff, and the cookies were an enjoyable bonus. He returned to Union and will be renting a small townhouse with four others for the rest of the school year, so every item in the basket will be put to good use… the Lord used it to bless a young college freshman who just went through a traumatic time. It was perfect!

Lynne Scott, CHCA Mom

1713 9

soaring

in academics

Students Use All Five Senses During

For the past eight Januarys, CHCA High School students have been given the opportunity to spend two weeks taking an in-depth look at their favorite places and subjects. Winter Term (also known as J-Term) is a chance to step out of the classroom for a little while and see, feel, hear, taste (and even smell) cultures, topics and communities. This year, students traveled as far as Japan and as close as downtown Cincinnati. They tasted Indian curry and played soccer with refugees in Thailand. They walked through rainforests in Costa Rica and built a home in Jamaica. Read on to find out about the Winter Term experiences that were new in 2008.

Students pose with Dr. Lipovsky and Ms. Kelly in front of Robert E. Lee’s home in Arlington National Cemetery, one of the stops on their tour of Washington, D.C.

f

to Naples, FL for basketball and community service work. The Lady Eagles played a sanctioned game against Lely High School, then served with Habitat for Humanity, helping to construct walls and nail hurricane strips to the exterior. There were also team building activities, which may have contributed to the team’s historic undefeated season. Junior basketball player Courtney Kust says she would do the trip again in a heartbeat.

“It was an amazing trip,” she says. “From the game we played to working with Habitat, we really got to bond as a team.”

d

Making Sense of College

The college admissions process can be a confusing miasma of essays, applications, scholarships and campus visits. So Tammy Richardson and Molly Roebker, College Counselors in the CHCA Guidance Office, put together this Winter Term experience to help with the perplexing process and empower students to make the best choices for themselves.

Since no college search process would be complete without seeing dorms, dining halls and classrooms, students also visited local campuses (Xavier, Miami and University of Cincinnati), Columbus-area campuses (Otterbein College and Ohio State) and central Kentucky campuses (Georgetown College and University of Kentucky).

e

Thailand: Come With Nothing, Go Home Rich

The challenge: come with only one carry-on bag containing one change of clothes, necessary hygiene items and no more than five “things” – for example, a camera, book or tape recorder. Upon

Adventures in Washington

This whirlwind 5-day, 4-night trip to our nation’s capital included visits to can’t-miss stops like the Capitol Building, White House, Holocaust Museum, Ford’s Theater, Mount Vernon, National Archives, and the myriad of monuments and memorials to wars (Vietnam, Korean and WWII among them) and presidents (Lincoln, Roosevelt and Jefferson).

The group also visited the D.C. headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati, a group founded by officers in the Revolutionary War and still maintained by their descendants. This was the culmination of Winter Term study of the Roman code exemplified by the great Cincinnatus, who in 458 BC laid down political office in order to return to his farm—giving a model to George Washington and America’s founding generation.

e

Girls’ Basketball

The girls’ basketball team got to do their Winter Term trip together, spending one week in Cincinnati working at a Head Start preschool, then traveling

14

India: Culture and History

Guided by CHCA parents Pasna and Bob Bernet, students traveled to India to learn about the cultural and spiritual facets of the world’s second-most populous country. Traveling via buses, trains, minivans and camel cars, these intrepid trekkers visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Hapur (Pasna’s hometown).

Along the way, they saw the Taj Mahal, royal palaces, Sikh and Hindu temples, monuments to Neheru and Gandhi and participated in various religious and cultural activities unique to this vast subcontinent.

One of the best parts of the trip, says Travis Geiger, was the rickshaw ride they all took through downtown New Delhi. “We really got to experience India in the streets with the people, without a wall of glass between us, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the city.”

d

Arthur Havey (front) and Travis Geiger take an elephant ride in India

f

g Winter Term 2008 arrival, these travelers were given a locally-made backpack and $50 to buy clothing in a Thai market.

To put this in perspective, many families in small villages like the ones they were visiting live on less than $50 a month.

After buying their new wardrobe, students took a tour of Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam; from there, the group journeyed to Mae Sot (on the border with Myanmar) where they got a chance to teach English and play soccer with refugee students. Then

e

(Up front, l-r) Joel Shackson, Jon Adam, David Hughes, Jose Mangual and the rest of the EJO play for congregants in Puerto Rico.

The “Big Boss Monk” (as the villagers call him) ties a piece of yarn around Alec Urquhart’s wrist to wish him a safe journey. This ceremony took place right before the group traveled to the Lisu Village.

it was on to three tiny villages, which were many miles and a few centuries away from city life.

“This was a neat opportunity to go on a trip and help other people without the baggage – literally and figuratively,” says Mariel Beausejour, a freshman who went on the trip. “We got to visit a desolate village that was totally cut off from the rest of the world.

It really showed me how many people there are out there,” she adds. “I came back with an expanded view of the world.”

d

Puerto Rico Musical Tour

It was a Puerto Rican adventure for our resident musicians this January. An ensemble of the Electric Jazz Orchestra, Encore singers and worship team packed up their instruments and headed to the home country of Adjunct Music Instructor José Mangual to play concerts at schools, churches and in communities. The group stopped in San Juan, Carolina (where José went to music school), Dorado, Ponce and Rio Grande. When they weren’t playing music for packed auditoriums and sanctuaries, the students got to do things like tour Old San Juan, eat traditional Puerto

Rican food, visit the beach and hike in a rainforest.

“I was proud to show the students where I was born and for them to meet my family and home church,” Jose says.

When the two cultures met, our students made a great impression and received a warm welcome from audiences like the one at Santisima Trinidad Lutheran Church. “They were amazed how well behaved and respectful our group was and also how their talents were being used to serve God,” Jose remarks.

Journalism

d

Students interested in exploring a career in journalism gathered for this Winter Term course to develop their writing skills and hear from local journalists. “The biggest thing I think the students got out of this course was the realization of how important the media/press is to our society,” says Nick Rosenfeldt, high school English teacher and Journalism course instructor. The class spent a fair amount of time discussing the role of the media, constitutional rights of the press, and the issues journalists encounter on a daily basis. The students got to see how the Enquirer newsroom works, speak directly to professional journalists and watch a live broadcast at Fox 19 News. “The best part for me was getting to go downtown and see the Channel 19 broadcast,” says sophomore Katy Durham. “I took the class because of my passion for writing, and I learned a lot about journalism.”

e

Reality Excites

This Winter Term, students got a chance to take reality television and turn it into…reality. From a dance class a la Dancing with the Stars to a Biggest Loser-inspired exercise day with a personal trainer, these students learned a variety of new skills and hobbies. One day was spent in an Iron Chef-style cooking competition. “The students cooked at Good Shepherd Catholic Church,” says class instructor and CHCA Social Studies teacher Drew Baker. “The menu included mango salsa chicken, balsamic vinegar garlic chicken, lasagna, chicken enchiladas and meatloaf. The chicken enchiladas were definitely the best.”

The course culminated in an “Amazing Race” in New York City, where students got to see the sights and experience the Big Apple.

Elena van den Berg, Ellen Hodges, Julia Lipovsky and Mark Caswell stand proudly next to the chicken enchiladas they made during their “Reality Excites” Winter Term.

15

soaring

in the arts

Armleder Students and Artist-in-Residence Say “Thanks,

Edyth”

Armleder art students apply papier-mâché to the giraffe.

Edyth Lindner has always had a heart for Armleder. Now, Armleder has a heart for Edyth.

Each year, Armleder hosts an artist-in-residence, sponsored by the Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA), who comes to involve students in an art project that transforms a part of the campus. One year, it was a mosaic in a stairwell; last year it was a garden mural next to the Armleder playground. This year, Armleder and FOFA invited sculptor Bonnie Meyer Day to bring her talent for creating beautiful, lifelike animal sculptures to their halls. With help from Art teacher Gail Varner, Day and all Armleder art students created a giant, majestic giraffe that now resides in the Armleder lobby.

Armleder students from each grade stand with Edyth and Carl Lindner, Jr. Front row, l-r: Malik Zuberi, Armand Walker, Dontay Fletcher, Eric Bond, Warren Klusmeyer; second row: Kenatu Habetaslassa, Nayeli Puac, Kevin Walker, J. R. Menifee; third row: Ruth Masuka, Hope Hansee, Janel Bond, MicahDrake Mundy, Torayye Waite, Shelley Menifee, Sydney Menifee; back row: Susan Miller, Carl Lindner, Jr., Edyth Lindner, Ge’Ana Ellis, Gail Varner, Bonnie Meyer Day and Randy Brunk.

Once students started the month-long process of building the giraffe out of wood, tubing, papier-mâché, fabric and paint, the entire Armleder community began discussing what to name it. Day suggested “Edyth” to commemorate the significant contribution the Lindner family has made to the founding and continuation of Armleder.

Now the giraffe stands tall in the lobby, greeting all who enter and watching over all who walk the hallways. On a special heart-shaped spot is the name “Edyth,” a reminder of the love that has been invested in Armleder from day one. At the giraffe’s dedication ceremony, Mrs. Lindner said she was touched and honored by the gesture. “I had tears in my eyes when I heard the heart will be there forever, even after I’m gone,” she said fondly. “This school has come so far, beyond my expectations. I love it when parents come up and tell me how their children are doing here and what they’re learning. It is always such a joy to come here!”

16

Something to Talk About >

by Stel Kirbabas

Girl Gabbers (l-r) Ali Harker, Olivia Essell, Sidney Young and Anna Mirlisena > Adventure 2014 members strategize during a paintball excursion.

Adventure 2014 The brave fathers of Adventure 2014 knew they were

in for a challenge. Having multiple boys of their own, Todd Pfister and Tim Conley realized that keeping the attention and focus of any number of sixth graders for longer than twenty minutes would be like herding cats. Inspired by the possibilities and with an end goal in mind, they forged ahead with a plan.

“Tim and I had been toying with the idea of getting together a group of dads for the purpose of creating a culture among the 6th grade boys where living for God and worshiping Him is not only acceptable, but appealing and fun,” says Todd Pfister, program creator.

“We believed that if these boys could catch and live this vision, the result would be that they would become spiritual leaders of the school and model this to other grades,” he adds. With that goal in mind, in September 2007, Adventure 2014 (the class’s graduation year) was born.

Conley and Pfister, along with five other fathers recruited to help (Steve Moss, Dean Kuroff, Chris Kirbabas, Brian Wells and Brad Osborne) met monthly with 25 boys at the home of one of the leaders. They combined fun activities like skits and games with serious conversations about truth, character, workmanship, fear, right vs. wrong, and friendship.

“Middle school is a critical time in their lives as they begin the transformation of their identity, from being the apple of their parents’ eyes to becoming men,” says Dr. Conley. “It’s at this age that they realize they are not the center of the universe; God is, and He has expectations for them. That can be very scary, and what we do is try to alleviate their fears by letting them know that they are loved no matter what, and helping them through that transformation from child to warrior for God,” he notes. Adds Pfister, “We are not creating a foundation in these boys – they get that at home. We are building on something that is already there.”

When it comes to putting their adolescent fears into words, Conley says that boys are more reticent to do so than girls for fear of being teased by their

Sixth grade boys and girls look at life very differently. While the boys are into roughhousing and impressing friends with their athletic prowess, the girls put more emphasis on body image, friendships and finding their place in the group. Their focus may be different, but during those tough middle school years they share a common thread: the challenges and struggles of adolescence.

Dr. James Dobson, renowned author and founder of Focus on the Family (FOTF), did a study of 1,023 children between the ages of 10 and 13. He discovered that once children reach puberty, a parent’s window of accessibility to discussing the emotional and physical stresses of adolescence is closed. It is then that children either shut down or turn to their peers for answers. Some CHCA parents, troubled by the lack of venues available for preteens to air their concerns and seek answers, conceived the idea of Adventure 2014 and Girl Gab. Along for the ride on the 6th grade emotional rollercoaster are Adventure 2014 program creators Todd Pfister and Dr. Tim Conley, and Girl Gab architects Jenny Essell and Audrey Young. Here are their stories. peers. “They will talk about wounds a little bit, but it’s more comfortable for them to bury their feelings and not expose them,” he observes. “We are trying to get their fears out in the open in a safe environment and build relationships with their peers instead of it always being a competition.”

As for the name of the group, “Life is an adventure with God’s hand there to guide you,” Conley says.

“Sometimes adventures bring you adversity prior to gaining the prize. Our goal as dads is to help the boys deal with that adversity and to teach them to turn to God for answers.”

Adding to the allure of the group was the participation of three popular CHCA High School seniors: Kurt Kersey, Todd Simmons and Alex Rice. “These boys are leaders in the senior class,” Pfister remarks.

“We thought it would be great to have them model the Christian walk for these 6th graders. The seniors attended the meetings, shared their experiences with the boys and also attended some of the younger boys’ extracurricular activities.”

Kersey was happy to be a friend and ally for the younger set. “I was surprised by how open the kids were to random senior guys they really had no prior friendship with being a part of their world, their sporting events and their activities,” he says. “It was amazing how easily they shared their hearts.”

Adventure 2014 closed out the year with a Dads vs. Boys shoot-out at Paintball Country in Hamilton.

Dr. Conley looks forward to starting back up in the fall. “The boys have become close through these meetings and we’ve become close to the boys. We look forward to taking up where we left off, helping these boys as they grow physically, spiritually and emotionally.”

Girl Gab

Most moms would find the prospect of being surrounded by 40 6th grade girls intimidating, but not so for clinical counselors Jenny Essell and Audrey Young, the creators of Girl Gab and mothers of 6th grade girls themselves.

The two moms started Girl Gab to provide a safe place where girls could be heard, guided and supported. Beginning last fall, the group met every other

Friday after school at Montgomery Community Church with an average attendance of 35. “This is not a support group or a Bible study, though the topics are discussed with a Christian emphasis and a focus on family values,” says Young, who holds a Master’s in Education and will be qualified as a licensed school counselor in the fall. Essell holds a Master’s in Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker.

The topics range from friendship and trust to self esteem and healthy snack options. The format of their meetings varied depending upon the topics, but the constants were food, prayer, “Girl Gab Hints for Home,” and sharing time. Before each meeting, the leaders sent an overview of that week’s topic (sprinkled with applicable biblical references) to the parents so they could be prepared for questions their daughters may have as a result of the Girl Gab discussions. The girls were asked to sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure that what was discussed in the group stayed in the group.

While the leaders anticipated some surprises along the way, they got more than expected. “We were overwhelmed by the positive response from the girls and their families, by the compassion the girls showed toward each other, the strength the girls displayed when sharing with each other, their level of understanding at such a young age and their desire to learn and empower themselves, and most of all we were surprised by the unity Girl Gab has elicited in the 6th grade,” Young says.

The girls voted overwhelmingly to continue Girl Gab next year as seventh graders, and Essell and Young have agreed to continue on as its leaders.

“We plan on changing a few things for next year that were suggested by the girls themselves,” Young notes. “For example, they would like to pray at the beginning and end of the meeting—we typically prayed only once. They would like healthier snack choices instead of just pizza, and they want to ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to speak or comment each week.” Based on their specific requests, it appears that the lessons imparted at Girl Gab are sinking in!

If you are interested in getting involved with either Adventure 2014 or Girl Gab, contact Todd Pfister at tpfister8@cinci.rr.com or Audrey Young at tyoung7@ cinci.rr.com.

17

chca

soaring

The Mom Squad

“For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.”

Destination: Success

The Revealers, clockwise from top left: Abby Blink, Jake Koopman, Sam Wyche, Charlotte Lee, Sarah Koopman, Hannah Watkoske, Emily Sarnecki. (Not pictured: coaches Heidi Sarnecki and Mary Jean Blink.)

CHCA’s two Destination ImagiNation teams, called the Revealers and the Jesus Followers, competed at the state level this year, traveling to Akron to prove their problem-solving skills against teams from around Ohio on April 12.

Destination ImagiNation (DI) is an international program dedicated to the enhancement of learning, creative problem-solving, teamwork, sportsmanship and knowledge of students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Teams comprised of seven students choose one of five possible Team Challenges to solve, beginning in September and continuing the project until the regional level of the competition in March. Instant Challenges, performed live at the competitions in fewer than 10 minutes, encourage teams to come up with original solutions to problems they have never seen before. “The focus of the Team Challenge may be theatrical, structural, improvisational, scientific or technical,” says Linda Kallmeyer, Enrichment Coordinator at EBL Elementary. For example, the Jesus Followers team decided to take an old fairy tale and put a new twist on it. They ended up taking “The Gingerbread Man”, setting the fable in China, redubbing it “The Rice Cake Man” and presenting a theatrical performance of the story. “Kids develop lifelong skills like presentation and research skills, how to budget, and how to improvise or think on their feet through the Instant Challenges.”

Team Appraiser and former Team Manager (and mom to two CHCA alumni) Devon Clausing has worked with DI teams for 10 years. “It is my opinion that DI is great preparation for a lot of what happens in ‘real life’,” she says. “When I worked at Procter & Gamble, I was a trainer for Creative Problem Solving. I saw the applications of the skills that children learn in DI at work in the adult corporate world.”

The Jesus Followers, back row (L-r):: Coach Rebecca Graf, Foster Graf Team Manager and CHCA (1st grade), Patrick Bruns (1st grade), Chet Larger (1st grade), Coach mom Rebecca Gr af agrees.

Julie Larger. Front row (L-r): Audrey Cook (2nd grade), Katie McGowan (1st grade), Rachel Haslem (3rd grade), Melissa Pirko (3rd grade).

“Team Challenges provide students the opportunity to engage in a smorgasbord of ideas, thoughts and plans they would not typically experience until their first real job,” she says. “The leadership opportunities are endless. Creating and implementing a plan that has cohesiveness, strategy, well-researched ideas and the ability to convey these ideas to your audience are all part of the DI experience. It is awe inspiring to watch each child’s unique giftedness contribute to the overall solution of the team.”

“Our two teams did a great job, and they had a great time,” says Kallmeyer. Congratulations on a great season, DI teams, and best wishes for next year!

18

In his book Prayer: Does it Make a Difference?, Philip Yancey wrote, “Prayer is cooperation with God, a consent that opens the way for grace to work.” He then goes on to liken the relationship between humans and God to a partnership. “As partners in God’s work on earth, we insist that God’s will be done while at the same Matthew 18:20 time committing ourselves to whatever that may require of us.”

At CHCA, several groups of moms are engaging in that partnership on a weekly basis. Three groups (one each at the high school, middle school and EBL Elementary) meet each week to talk about life and talk to God. They open their hearts and pray for their families, teachers, the school, and for people they don’t even know, sharing joys and concerns alike.

These days, it can be difficult to set aside time to stop everything and be quiet. For Becky Love, co-leader of the middle school Moms in Touch prayer group, prayer has become a priority. “This is one thing that I very seriously commit to doing for my child, our school and families,” says the mom of middle school student Anna.

“Prayer works. It brings results. It keeps us humble and grateful.

Prayer with other believers that commit to this time is very special.”

Jane Glenchur, mom to Amelia (a senior) and Mark (a freshman), has found the dedication to weekly prayer with other high school moms centers her. “The weekly commitment to pray is not difficult because we are experiencing a powerful sense of being in His presence, and this serves as an anchor that holds us in a place of peace, regardless of what our circumstances are,” she remarks.

The groups get together on a designated day each week and pray over a myriad of people and situations. Amy Sauve, mom of first grader Joel, specifically targets a certain group of people at CHCA when she meets with the EBL Moms in Touch. “I enjoy praying for our teachers,” she says. “As a former teacher, I know that they need God’s strength to make it through the day.” Glenchur and the other high school moms enjoy praying for everything from guidance for those making college decisions to help for those who want to feel closer to God. “[Our] prayers tend to focus on intimacy with the Lord, Godly character, and wisdom for all those associated with CHCA,” she says.

Prayer is powerful, and through it these women are making a difference. “Our time spent in prayer is never ever wasted,” Veronica Fuller, MS Moms in Touch co-leader and mom of Katie (a senior), Jimmy (a junior), John (an 8th grader) and Timmy (a 6th grader), notes. “We get a lot of positive feedback from teachers and families we have prayed for and that encourages us even more.”

Each group encourages new members to join them, and advises anyone who’s interested to watch Campus Connection for meeting times and locations. Julie O’Neill Gregory, mother of kindergartener Garrett, says she was initially reluctant to pray in a group setting. “I tend to be the ‘type A’ personality that has a hard time sitting still and praying. It must be for that very reason the Lord tugged on me to go,” she says. Now Julie, whose family was new to CHCA this year, looks forward to the day each week when she gets together with the rest of the EBL Moms in Touch. “The Lord is settling my spirit during this quiet, prayerful time and I feel connected with Him concerning my children. I also feel united with the other mothers about the purpose and passion of our lives. I value the time and the opportunity the Lord has given me to go and I hope more moms will join us.”

Take a Picture, It’ll Last Longer!

Live pigs, police cruisers and five girls in a freezer.

It must be Polaroid Scavenger Hunt time at the middle school!

Middle school socials are a great time for CHCA 5th—8th graders to come together, have fun, win prizes and build friendships. One of the most popular socials, the Polaroid Scavenger Hunt, will be changing in a big way next year, as the famous instant photos go the way of the typewriter and analog television sets. Polaroid announced it will soon stop manufacturing their trademark film, which prompted middle school socials coordinator Steve McCollum to change the format of the social to utilize digital cameras.

But not before one last hunt.

On April 4th, 280 middle school students and 100 parent volunteers broke into teams and drove out in 60 vehicles. Their mission: to take a photo of their team in various locations doing a variety of activities. The groups canvassed Cincinnati to find a place to take a photo of their team with a pig (real or fake); in the cold; blowing bubbles; showing musical ability; with someone famous; in a sticky situation; building something; in a dream machine; holding baseball bats; and letting their lights shine for Christ (per Matthew 5:16). Teams toted the bulky cameras to the most creative locales possible, each time snapping a shot with the hope of capturing first place. Prizes were awarded to the ten teams who did the best job of capturing each scenario creatively and accurately, as well as honorable mention prizes to the ten best photos overall.

Hamm ing

Ba ke r (f it up - Kane M it te ront) won n (back) was the on f ly one to pir st p lace ove ra ll. and Alec Th h otog rap h w ith live e ir team p ig s.

Groups were captured posing with cardboard cutouts of Zac Efron and LeBron James (someone famous); wrapped head to toe in duct tape and stuffed into police cruisers (sticky situations); making sandwiches for the customers at Subway (building something);; delivering flowers to friends and bringing cookies to the elderly (letting their lights shine for Christ); and a myriad of other zany set ups.

Once they make the switch to digital next year, “it will be easier to take pictures and make mistakes and still get the ten pictures you want,” McCollum says, referring to the limits of the Polaroid film cartridges, which have only ten exposures each, leaving no room for retakes. And while it will be easier to broadly share photos taken during next year’s Photo Hunt 2009, it will be hard to capture the feeling of taking a picture and holding it in your hand seconds later, watching the film develop before your eyes.

But McCollum promises next year will be just as fun as always with trickier shots. “We’re going to expect the creativity to be at an all time high,” McCollum says. “The clues will be more challenging than ever and since the photos will be digital, we hope to have group pictures running on the screen during door prize distribution.”

ne r Kuremsk y n Skog lund, Tanble mention fo r ti us A ? ilk m ra Got received hono and Joe Ter ry ce” milk photo. la p their “cold

Get ting the

s - The team ofchar t ith good new Ri O ve rflow ing wason Simpson and M ichael ounta in J F , le on d ei e ar St e ey yl K re th th e overall. took 6 plac

Sq ua re.

He

cold shoulder creative they can be with a freeShow ing just how zer, Brit tany Southerland, Morg an Massa, Ellie line Kuremsk y, Sera Lee and Case Parker, Caroy Ochs took home the 2nd place prize.

Book ‘e

All is on m, Danno! took h o Hog an, Ale x N The team o f C p olice c no ra ble ment ieme ye r and C a r lee O rne r, io r u ise r p a h o to. n fo r the ir “s t itlin Ta lmadg e ic k y s it uation”

19 19

Longtime English Teacher Trades Grammar Lessons for Grandchildren

In May 2008, Ms. Suella Slemons gave her final grammar test at CHCA. After 16 years as a Language Arts teacher at the middle school, Suella is packing it in and packing up. She is retiring and moving to beautiful Colorado Springs to join her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren who already live there.

Over her years at CHCA, she taught 6 th - 11th grade English, and for the last four of those years was 8th grade Advanced Language Arts teacher. Not content to just teach, Suella had a hand in starting up many of the school’s language-related extracurriculars, especially in the early years. She produced the school’s first yearbook in 1993 which covered the middle school and the high school grades, and continued that effort for nine years. She launched a middle school newspaper called The Eagle’s Nest, which lasted for five years under her tutelage. “We had a little student staff and we’d drive the paper downtown to a printing company who would put it on actual newsprint,” Slemons recalls. For six years

she coached Power of the Pen, a competitive creative writing club, and at one point had five students advance to the state level. Eight years ago, she instituted the middle school’s Heart of Hospitality, a group that provides flowers, gifts and support for staff who are sick, getting married or having babies.

Year before last, Suella began a Bible study for 7th and 8th grade girls with her good friend Nancy Buckman, Assistant Principal at the middle school. “Suella dearly loved the kids and often discipled the young ladies who needed help,” says Buckman. “Sometimes I’d slip into her classroom to watch and listen as she took prayer requests from her students before the start of class and they would pray together about those needs. She did that every day before every class.”

It was her sense of humor that made her so popular with her students. Slemons has lupus, which causes her skin to be discolored and resulted in the amputation of several of her fingertips. To put the kids at ease, she would open up her class at the beginning of the year by telling them that if they ever decided to rob a bank, she was their person. “Nobody could track me because I don’t have fingerprints,” she’d tell the kids jokingly.

In her classroom, Suella made stories and learning come to life. Zac Cucinotta, National Merit Scholar and class of 2008 senior, was a student in Ms. Slemons’ 8th grade Advanced Language Arts class. “To teach us grammar, she made up games like Sentence Monopoly or Sentence Scrabble. She made something that was usually very dry into something really fun,”

says Zac. “It was important to Ms. Slemons that we be independent and learn at our own pace,” he adds. Four out of the six Merit Scholars from this year’s graduating class were in her advanced class that year, including Andy Ferguson, Joel Shackson, Kristin Philip and Cucinotta.

Suella has seen CHCA change and grow in her sixteen years at the school, but it’s the curriculum that has seen the most improvement. “We didn’t have a set curriculum when I first started, but now the expectations that the school has for the kids have increased dramatically,” she says. “Some of my past students came to see me recently and we were laughing about having to read the original version of The Three Musketeers which was 700 pages long – that was before the abridged version was available, but obviously we’ve come a long way as a school with six Merit Scholars this year.”

She leaves CHCA with many fond memories. “I’ve always felt most privileged that God allowed me to teach in one of His schools and that he sent me to CHCA,” she says. “I will miss this faculty which has been like a family to me. I will miss my kids. I sit in the audience at every eighth grade graduation and feel such joy at the progress they’ve made from the time they come into my classroom to the time I get to watch them walk across that stage.”

Idleness does not come naturally to Suella, so she’s already making plans to keep herself busy in retirement. “I’m going to restart my oil painting and I’m going to tutor. There’s a Christian K-8 school down the street from where I’m going to be living and I’d like to tutor kids who can’t afford it,” she says.

We wish her the very best. Happy trails, Suella.

Middle School Students

‘Feel the Love’

on Student Appreciation Day

It comes without warning every year, like a tornado of awesomeness.

Student Appreciation Day at the middle school is a chance to take a normal school day and flip it on its head. The students love the day of non-stop fun, and the teachers love the surprise. “The true date is always a secret!” says Julie Dietrich, MS Physical Education teacher and Student Appreciation Day coordinator.

You have to get up pretty early in the morning – say, before dawn – to start the celebration. Dietrich describes the traditional kick off. “Three or four teachers (usually me, Lance Webel, Mark Salisbury, and anyone else who is willing to meet at the middle school at 4:00 a.m.) collect a bunch of props and arrive at the homes of some unsuspecting students to wake them up for school,” she says. “We use frozen marbles, drums, cymbals, silly string, Hannah Montana posters, you name it, and video the whole thing.” The now legendary Wake-up Video is shown later that day, after the student lip synch contest, complete with costumes and choreography.

Lunch is special too, with kids getting to eat in the gym while watching a movie or playing on the playground if the weather permits. After lunch are class competitions, with all students converging on the gym for relay races, hula hoop games, food games, and more. Student Appreciation Day ends with class parties, and a lot of students feeling very appreciated.

20

Middle school teachers pay tribute to Peter Pan by performing “I can fly” for the Lip-synch Contest. Clockwise from center: as Peter Pan, Mrs. Fite; as the Invisible Stagehand, Mr. Salisbury; sporting fairy wings, Mr. Fite; as human cannon balls, Mrs. Blankenship and Mrs. Outzs; as a flying chicken, Mrs. Terkosky; as Spider-Man, Mr. Webel; and blasting across the stage, Mrs. Dietrich.

8th graders (l-r) Elizabeth Ottenjohn, Alexis Caruso, Josh Thiel, Mallory Massa and Michelle Feeney lip-synch “The Nicest Kids in Town” from the movie Hairspray.

soaring

in athletics

Bringing Out the BEST in Our Young Athletes Next to his father, a coach is often one of the most influential role models in a boy’s life. In the heart of an intense season, athletes may actually spend more time with their coaches than their dads. Wanting to capitalize on this bond, Head Football Coach Mike Gims brought the SportsLeader program to CHCA. SportsLeader is an organization created by former Ohio State football player Joe Lukens, a man rooted in his faith who saw the value of using sports as an avenue for helping kids grow in theirs. The SportsLeader concept makes the most of the natural relationship that develops between coaches and players to instill character and virtue into the young athletes. “Each coach works with about six players, interacting with these young men every other day to stay in touch with them,” says Gims. “Sometimes that is in a group setting and sometimes it’s one on one, or giving them a word of encouragement in the hallway,” he adds.

“The SportsLeader program helps us work together as a team, on and off the field,” says junior Casee Seibert, Varsity Offensive Lineman. “We talk about things with our coaches that we’re struggling with; the coaches give us advice and keep us accountable.”

Noting the success of the high school program, 7th/8th grade football coaches Larry Armstrong and Bob Paola decided to adopt it at the middle school, but utilized a slightly different approach with their players. “The younger guys look up to the older guys, so we expanded our mentoring program to include high school football players who really stood out and who had a desire to work with the younger kids,” explains Coach Armstrong, who adopted the acronym BEST (Be Excellent Succeed Together) for their program.

“As coaches, our role was to provide oversight and guidance to each player/mentor relationship.”

The coaches kicked off the program with the Varsity players working only with the seventh graders, with plans to include the eighth grade players next year. The meetings combined fun activities like cornhole games and basketball with service-oriented projects and small group discussions.

Middle school Principal Rob Hall believes that involving high school students is the right idea. “I can certainly say that there’s nothing more important in the development of middle school boys than surrounding them with positive male role models, and the chance to add hard-working, positive role models that also happen to be high school athletes is even better,” Hall contends.

The ten Varsity players participating in the BEST program – juniors Casee Seibert, Ethan Byrum, Drake Browne, Connor Petersen, Kevin Patton, Elliot Moorehouse and Austin Zekoff, plus sophomores Jake Schomaker, Andrew Perkins and Doyen Harris – expressed surprise by how open the younger boys were. “We had fun hanging with the kids and building relationships with them,” says Drake Browne.

“Many of them don’t have older brothers, so they asked us stuff they’d usually ask their older brothers.”

Seibert signed up for BEST after recalling the impact the older players had on him as a 7th grader. “I used to see the high school players around, but we didn’t talk to them. They were on a pedestal for me, so I figured that’s probably how these young guys see us,” he says. “It’s a real opportunity to talk together just like guys hanging out, and we can encourage them in football and in school.

We can help with their spiritual growth, something not always viewed as the cool thing, and we can make it more appealing to the younger kids,” Seibert adds.

The coaches hope that the relationships forged through the SportsLeader and BEST programs will lead to opportunities to help young men develop and form their character and faith by focusing on charity (helping others), humility (being humble) and courage (doing what’s right).

“Relationships between coaches and players, and between players of all ages will be the best thing to come out of this,” Armstrong says.

Seibert agrees. “I have this sense that we as a CHCA football community have such potential, that by working together our team can accomplish so much, not just on the football field or at CHCA, but in our community at large.”

Eagles Fly with the Bears & Bulls

The 2nd, 7th and 8th place teams from CHCA included (front, l-r) Madison Tongdangjoue, Anna Wyant, Andrew Frank, Cooper Kuethe, (back row, l-r) Connor Faugno, Kedi Hu, Katie Schretter, Chase Murray, Hayden Bily, Morgan Bowen, Ariel McWhorter, Erik Kohlan and Jack Reifenberg.

Math Teacher Outzs Hitting the “Slopes” this Summer Park City, Utah is known for its tough ski slopes, but this July, the only slopes Jennifer Outzs will be hitting are those that are the product of y = mx + b.

Outzs, who teaches 6 t h gr ade mat h at CHCA’s middle school, was selected for the Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) intensive three-week comprehensive professional development program for mathematicians and teachers of mathematics. From July 6 to the 26th, she will attend classes on the application of Algebra and Geometry in teaching, do research related to teaching and learning math, will delve into discrete mathematics, and more.

Any parent who has had a child in one of Outzs’ math classes can attest that she is known for being a great teacher. But that doesn’t mean it was a cakewalk getting into this very exclusive PCMI summer program. “I applied in early January (guess what I did over Christmas break - you got it, filled out a LONG application) and with recommendations from Rob Hall and Karen Smeltzer, I was notified in early March that I was accepted into the program,” she says.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to attend this institute,” Outzs remarks. “It is truly a high quality professional development opportunity that is traditionally very difficult to get accepted into.” The goal of the program is to make her a better math teacher, and Outzs is certain that will be the end result.

If you were to give four elementary school students $100,000 to invest, what would they buy? A rollercoaster? The world’s largest trampoline? Maybe 50,000 candy bars and a waterslide? Not the students in the CHCA Stock Market Club. They used their imaginary $100,000 to invest in a portfolio of stocks - all of their choosing - to see if they could make wise, informed investments and do as well as Wall Street. And they did!

Starting in February, the club met for ten weeks during lunch and recess to learn how to make good investments: what the stock market is, how it works, how to pick and research stocks, when to buy and sell, and more. The seven teams (four students each) received expert guidance from CHCA parents Scott and Jill Braun. In the end, though, it was up to each team, who competed against teams from 64 areas schools, to select the stocks that would make up their portfolios. Teams invested in companies like Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Disney, McDonald’s and some energy companies.

After weeks of research and trading, three of CHCA’s teams came in 2nd, 7th, and 8th place out of the 64 schools. The members of the 2nd place team, the Astros, were Hayden Bily, Morgan Bowen, Andrew Frank and Chase Murray. The members of the 7th place team, the Grizzlies, were Katie Schretter, Madison Tongdangjoue, Anna Wyant, Connor Faugno and Kedi Hu. The members of the 8th place team, the Bearcats, were Erik Kohlan, Cooper Kuethe, Ariel McWhorter and Jack Reifenberg. The rest of the teams included Connor Sheehy, Daniel Stacy, Joe Zabbatino, Alli Horning, Allison Jenkins, Evan Oyster, Josh Debo, Christian Duborg, Caleb Kim, Lily Kovach, Anjali Nelson, Chazz Powell, Matthew Williams, Noah Gardner, Ben Panzeca and Emma Parker.

The Astros were awarded $200 to be divided among the team members, while an additional $175 was divided among the Grizzlies and the Bearcats.

21

The Color of Money

by Stel Kirbabas

The color of money is not always green. I learned that lesson early on in my career as a Contracts Specialist for the United States Air Force.

During my first three years on the job, my largest negotiation and subsequent contract award was for a replacement wing for the F-16 fighter. Then in my fourth year, my level of responsibility increased when I was assigned to a program where I got to purchase actual airplanes, the maintenance of those planes, the spare parts for those planes, and the technical drawings needed to fix them. In the end, that contract had more parts to it than the actual aircraft.

It took me six months of fourteen-hour days to complete the negotiation and write up the contract.

I proudly carted the four binders (each over a foot high) to the office of my Contracting Officer (CO), the person whose name would actually appear on the contract, the person ultimately responsible for ensuring that the contract was legally binding. As I watched him review my files, his face turned ashen when he got to the section identifying the type of money to be used to purchase the various pieces and parts in the contract. “Girl,” he said, “you’ve messed up your colors of money.” Any Contracts Specialist worth their salt understands the implications of that statement.

There are two cardinal sins in my profession that are so egregious that they can land a CO in jail: awarding a contract without adequate funding, or awarding a contract with the wrong color of money.

Here’s why. Congress appropriates or puts money into different pots and assigns each pot a “color”. Its “color” indicates the purpose for which that money was set aside and the money can only be used for that purpose. For example, money set aside to build a bridge in Utah cannot be used instead to provide international aid to China. What my CO discovered is that I had written my contract in such a way that money set aside by Congress to purchase the new airplanes would instead be used to maintain the old planes. I had inadvertently mixed the different pots of money. Big mistake.

So what does this have to do with CHCA? It may surprise you to know that CHCA and the federal government have this color thing in common. About a month ago, I was driving past the high school with a friend of mine who has children at the elementary building. She was surprised by the progress being made to the science wing and said offhandedly, “I wish the school would put some of this building money toward lowering my tuition.” Great idea, but not legal. Like the federal government, schools cannot mix pots or “colors” of money. This is called Fund Accounting and its basic premise is that funds are restricted and cannot be used for anything other than their intended purpose. So if money was raised for capital expenditures like constructing a building, then it had better be used for that purpose.

There is one exception to the “restricted” rule: operating funds. While these funds may only be used to operate a school, that can encompass many 22 22 14

areas and as such, the school has a wider berth. At CHCA, 86% of these unrestricted operating funds come from tuition. A small amount of the remaining 14% comes from state funding, but the school relies predominantly on fundraisers like the Annual Giving Campaign, Celebration Auction, Serve-a-thon, Scrip Shop and Fall Festival to provide the rest. Operating funds pay teacher and staff salaries, insurance and benefits; payroll taxes; maintenance of the buildings and grounds; utilities; advertising; financial aid; and programming (books, pencils, technology, and other classroom-specific items). While these may not seem very glamorous, as with any business a school cannot run without paying its expenses.

All other pots or colors of money at CHCA are restricted and their use is specific. Let’s take a closer look at these restricted funds.

Teacher Incentive Fund • The funding source: an anonymous donor.

• Where it goes: teachers receive a performance incentive at the end of each school year based on performance ratings and a number of other factors.

The Otto Armleder Memorial Education Center (Armleder) Fund • The funding source: area companies, organizations and philanthropists contributed to campaigns over the last six years, including the Campaign for Lasting Change and the Young Lindner Scholars.

• Where it goes: the funds pay for scholarships to the Otto Armleder School.

Donor Directed Restricted Funds • The funding source: over the years, generous donors (most of whom prefer to remain anonymous) have given to CHCA with a specific purpose in mind.

Most of these gifts were unsolicited and came with no strings attached.

• Where it goes: some give money for unnamed families who cannot otherwise afford a CHCA education; others pay for projects that enhance the campus. Examples include the high school field turf (a donor gave half a million dollars to make that happen); the resurfacing of the high school’s tennis courts; repaving of the middle school parking lot; and preparation of the new soccer fields on Snider Road, including years of leveling, seeding, planting, watering, etc.

The Promise Campaign Fund • The funding source: the plan of this comprehensive capital campaign was to secure $7 million for the purpose of enhancing CHCA’s programming, not expanding the student body. In the end, $8.5 million was raised through multi-year pledge commitments from alumni, current and former parents, trustees, faculty and staff, and friends of the school.

• Where it goes: the money is designated for a Tuition Affordability Endowment (TAE) and five building projects. For more on these projects, see page 10.

Regarding the TAE, when the Board outlined the

original components of the Promise Campaign, $1.5 million was designated to the Tuition Affordability Endowment, a fund intended to help make a CHCA education more affordable for the average family. With the blessing of a challenge match set out by the Psalms Foundation (established by Martha and Carl Lindner III), an additional $1.5 million was raised, helping to exceed the goal. In all, once the Promise Campaign is wrapped up and the last pledge is in, almost $3 million will be set aside for endowments. While this money cannot be used to pay operating expenses like salaries, interest earned on the TAE will be awarded in the form of scholarship money to average families (who apply) who could use some extra help with tuition. Note that this is different from financial aid, which is strictly need-based.

Directed Scholarships • The funding source: families or companies interested in helping CHCA students in a specific way set up scholarships through the school. Sometimes the scholarship is in memory of a loved one.

• Where it goes: the money from these scholarships benefits students by helping with tuition costs, J-term mission trips, service projects, etc.

As CHCA’s Chief Financial Officer, it is Mike Wallace’s job to ensure that the different colors of money are kept separate. The consequences for not doing so are far-reaching. “If the act was intentional, I or whoever was responsible would be fired,” Wallace notes. “Also, the IRS would revoke our 501(c)3 charitable status.” According to Wallace, the financial repercussions of that are staggering.

Donors could no longer give to CHCA and write it off as a taxable deduction; with that incentive off the table, he fears the larger donations would dry up, causing tuition to skyrocket.

It would be much easier for everyone if we were able take a little from column A and move it to column B, but CHCA is intent on scrupulously following accounting principles in an ethical manner.

Auditors take an in-depth look at our financials every year, and for the past six years we have received outstanding reports on our status. Each dollar is tracked to make sure it is spent the right way. After all, we are accountable to not only our parents, but to God as well. “This is His money we’re investing in our children,” Wallace says. “We have to stand out, since as a Christian school, we’re held to a higher standard. Financially, we err on the conservative side because that is what our families would want and that is what the Lord expects.”

Money may look green, but when it comes to being fiscally responsible at CHCA, it’s black or white. It’s not always the most popular way to operate, but it’s the right way to operate, and it sets a good example for our children. We may not be buying multi-million dollar airplanes, but whatever the color, you can rest assured that your money is being invested wisely and appropriately at Cincinnati Hills.

New Director of Advancement Named at CHCA In April, CHCA named Anne McCarthy Venters as the new Director of Advancement.

During her three years as CHCA Development Coordinator, Venters drove the growth of the school’s bi-annual Celebration Auction fundraiser to record levels; served as Campaign Administrator for the recent Promise capital campaign, which successfully met and exceeded its goal of $7 million; helped raise awareness of Anne Venters the school’s new Vision, Mission and Core Values; and initiated new uses of the internet and other technologies to bolster CHCA’s development efforts. Having realized such successes in so short a time, her move to the role of Director of Advancement was a logical transition.

Venters, a 1986 alumna of St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, did not always work in the nonprofit sector. After graduation, she took an Operations Management position with Manufactures Hanover Trust in New York City, developing business recovery plans for trade floor processes and managing an operations group of ten.

Three years later, she found herself traveling the world as Marketing Manager for Comdisco Disaster Recovery Services, defining market needs for the company, rolling out new products to the European markets, and developing and delivering sales team training. In 1998, she quit to stay home with her two young daughters, and she and husband Eric headed to Cincinnati where they found and fell in love with Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

“I was introduced to this wonderful community called CHCA and we never looked back,” says Venters. “We put Kaity in half-day kindergarten where she was in class with the children of Pamela Bailey, Alison Taylor and Wendy Easterday. Right at the start of school, my dad became critically ill and I was gone for four weeks caring for him. He subsequently passed away. During that time the teacher and the families in that class wrapped their arms around our daughter and gave her such support while I was away. My husband and I were stunned by the warmth and love from so many people who didn’t really know us. We knew that God had led us to exactly the right place,” she adds.

Venters spent the next seven years giving back to the school she had grown to love. She served as the Sub Coordinator for the EBL Elementary teachers, worked in the classroom, provided support to the PTF’s hospitality team, then moved up to a more official role as Secretary for PTF and eventually became PTF President for the 2003-2004 school year. The following year, she introduced a new fundraising idea to PTF called “untuckable shirts” and the rest is history. “Back then I had the luxury of time to help in any way the school needed me,” Venters recalls. “It was an easy place to volunteer because my younger daughter was welcome at the school wherever I served.”

Outside of CHCA, she continued her volunteer work, raising money for the Leukemia Foundation, serving as Spiritual Director for her church’s Christ Renews His Parish program, organizing dinners for the priest at St. Margaret of York where she is a member, and co-leading the fourth grade American Heritage Girls troop.

She joined the CHCA staff in 2005 for what was intended to be a short term project. “The Celebration Auction was less than a year away so they needed to get someone on board quickly,” said Venters. “I was looking for something more long term at that point, but this was a great opportunity to work for an organization I wholeheartedly believed in while getting paid for it at the same time,” she added.

Venters and her team of volunteers raised a record $330,000 that year, securing her a permanent place on the staff as Development Coordinator.

As Director of Advancement, Venters plans to focus her efforts on the needs and realities of the CHCA community. “The economy is tough right now,” says Venters.

“Anything we can do to raise funds outside of the CHCA community will benefit our families.” She also plans to do a better job educating the school community in the area of fundraising. “I want to convey to our families that fundraising is not about a few people giving tremendously; it’s about the entire community supporting, however they are able, God’s plan for this school,” she notes. “That could mean as little as $25 if that’s all they can afford.”

She has a big job in front of her, but anyone who has met Anne knows she is up for the task. Combining strategic know-how with a love for CHCA, she looks forward to furthering the school’s mission while reminding everyone of the things that make this such a great place. “I want this community to know that when they give, they are giving to our children and are opening doors for them as they grow both in our care and beyond these classrooms.”

soaring

as leaders

Anchors Aweigh!

CHCA Junior Enrolls in Prestigious Naval Academy Summer Program

by Liz Bronson

While the thought of rising before dawn to jog while on summer vacation is enough to make some students break out in hives, CHCA junior Dana Hartsig will do just that this summer. But her stamina is not the only thing that will be tested. By taking part in the US Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar (NASS) in Annapolis, Maryland, Dana will be tested mentally, athletically and academically to see if she has what it takes to enter the Navy when she graduates from CHCA next spring.

To gain entry into this prestigious program, which teaches students about life at the Naval Academy, Dana had to meet all of the same eligibility requirements for the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Class of 2013. “It’s a big hurdle to get accepted to Annapolis, but it’s an even bigger one to finish the program. I’m not expecting a very relaxing or nurturing ‘summer camp’ environment,” she remarks.

Midshipmen (current Naval Academy students) run Summer Seminar with oversight by active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers. A typical day in the program includes physical training, academic workshops, sports, drill introduction, visits to memorials in Washington, D.C., and special presentations by Navy and Marine Corps officers. This is all in line with the USNA’s philosophy that academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation’s leaders.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the Navy, if only for a week,” Dana says. “Attending Annapolis is mentally and physically demanding.

I’m eager to see if I can meet all the challenges of the summer session.”

Underneath the modesty, Dana is a gifted student and athlete. But one other thing gives her a leg up on the competition at the NASS: Navy life is in her blood.

“My grandmother [pictured, inset] was part of the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) in World War II. She was one of the first women to join the Navy in 1943,” Dana says. “She was able to serve her country, learn more about herself and demonstrate how women could make an important contribution to the Navy. Regardless of where my interests and abilities take me, I know my grandmother would be very proud of me for getting into the NASS program.”

Dana has plenty of time to decide where she will be in the fall of 2009, but she knows that when one of the options is the Navy, you need more than a glossy brochure to make the right choice. “I think I will learn as much about myself as I will about the Navy,” Dana says. “The NASS program is like a one week test drive. The Navy gets to test me as a driver, and I get to see if I can handle the course. I want to represent my family, my school and my community well in this competitive environment.

Above all,” she adds, “I want to use this experience to learn if attending the Naval Academy and serving our country is what God intends for me to do with my life.”

23

soaring

in service

Clockwise from left, are Eric Rice, Jean Rice, Alex Rice, Becky Grisell and Maggie Grisell.

God’s Work in Guatemala

Last August, middle school 8 th grader Maggie Grisell, her mom Becky, EBL Computer teacher Jean Rice, and her sons Alex (a Class of 2008 senior) and Eric (a freshman) traveled to Guatemala with People Building People to serve and share Christ’s love. In the town of Ciudad Vieja, the Grisells and Rices helped with medical aid and the children’s ministry, and built a house for a widow. “We also attended church with the locals there twice that week and got to know them as we worked side by side with them on the worksite,” Jean remarks.

Maggie noticed the tremendous sense of community as well. “Even four-year-olds came to help build the house,” she says. “Everyone gave their time even if it didn’t benefit them.”

A Fine Fellow

24

< Adam Clark , a Class of 2008 senior, was awarded a four-year, full-tuition fellowship at Xavier University, where he will attend school this fall. The Xavier Service Fellowship is awarded to only five incoming first-year students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, outstanding se r v i ce t o co m munity, school, or church, and leadership in encouraging others to serve. “I was very interested in this fellowship because it provides me an outlet to continue the work I started in high school,” Adam says. He will also receive a first-class education, guidance from a mentor, and the opportunity to lead service projects and encourage other students to serve as well. “I have always had a passion for the injustices of homeless life, most notably locally,” he says. “I would really like to continue to work

with the homeless here in Cincinnati, especially homeless children in the Cincinnati Public School system.”

Left to right, Chris Powers, Amelia Glenchur, Porsha Frazier, Lindsey Evans and

Award-winning Service

Seven CHCA students and one family are recipients of the 2008 Presidential Service Award (PSA), given to those who have amassed and recorded a high level of community service hours. All received a certificate and a letter from President Bush.

The PSA is based on the number of volunteer hours served per designated calendar year, which for CHCA is April 1st through March 31st. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

At EBL Elementary: Jessica Gruber (3rd grade) – Gold Award (100 or more volunteer service hours in one calendar year) Middle school: Anna Love (7th grade) – Bronze Award High school: Casee Seibert (11th grade) - Bronze Award; Josh Goodwin (11th grade) - Bronze Award; Alec Kirbabas (11th grade) - Gold Award; Ben Sanker (12th grade) - Gold Award; Eric Weller (12th grade) - Silver Award; Shawn & Mark Weller family - Bronze Family Award For more information about the awards,

visit www.chca-oh.org/service or www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/yes/pvsa.html

Great Cincinnatians

The Greater Cincinnati Federal Executive Board presented Merit Award certificates for community service to Quin Bergh, Adam Clark, Andrea Woelk, Amelia Glenchur, Jeffrey Agricola, Mariel Beausejour, Alex Fuller, Meg Weaver, Scott Swallen, Kathleen Hodge, Hannah Frank, Kayla Bedinghaus, Lauren Bedinghaus, Martin Booth, Jon Adams, David Hughes,

Taylor Lewis, Steph Harris, Sarah Cesler, Megan Conway, Bethany Polzin, Olivia Perez, Sloane Potter, Hannah Fussner, Kelsey Shunk, Katie Castellano, Porsha Frazier, Chris Powers, Lindsey Evans, Dana Hartsig and Adrienne Morgan.

Outstanding Outreach

The high school’s Student Organized Service (SOS) group was recently honored with the High School Human Relations Service Award, presented at Cincinnati City Hall on March 27. The award, sponsored by the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and The Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation, was created in 2007 to recognize schools that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to human relations through service to others and programs honoring diversity.

Karen Hordinski, CHCA High School’s Director of Outreach, nominated SOS and gave two examples of the kind of work the group does: a team who works with the elderly at Cedar Village Center in Mason, and a team who has been raising college tuition money for a man in Kenya (for more on this group, see sidebar).

Vice Mayor David Crowley and former Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth were on hand to present the awards in Cincinnati City Council Chambers.

Accepting the award on behalf of CHCA and SOS at the ceremony were junior Chris Powers, senior Amelia Glenchur, junior Porsha Frazier, junior Lindsey Evans and Director of Outreach Karen Hordinski.

SOS group devoted to raising money for Kenyan student

At the TOP of Their Game

On Saturday, September 8 , about 50 CHCA Middle and High School students turned out at Hope Church in Mason to volunteer at the Cincinnati TOP Soccer tournament. This tournament, one of the biggest TOP (“The Outreach Program”) Soccer events in the country, is a venue for children with special needs to play soccer and win medals and trophies. “We want to give the athletes a very special day that they can look forward to d Karen Hordinski. and remember,” says Steve McCollum, middle school Social Studies teacher and TOP Soccer volunteer. “They may have seen siblings go to tournaments and have special things; we want them to have one of their own.”

McCollum loves to see the bond that forms between CHCA soccer players and TOP Soccer players at these events. “The junior high soccer teams have been helping with this for years and the high school kids have helped with TOP camps during the regular season, so our students have developed relationships with some of these kids.

It helps them realize that we all have needs of some sort, but that these kids can rise above problems to go out and have fun.” th

High school students Porsha Frazier, Katie Castellano, Chris Powers and Lindsey Evans got together this year to form a new Student Organized Service (SOS) group with a specific purpose in mind. They then organized a series of “Parents’ Night Out” events, charging a small fee for babysitting and activities.

The money they raised went to something close to their hearts: funding the college tuition of Daniel Kyalo, a student in Kenya.

“It’s a ‘win-win-win’ – a win for the parents, for their children, and for the students’ fundraising project,” says HS Director of Outreach Karen Hordinski. “The parents are very thankful for a night out at an inexpensive price where their kids are around great role models. The high school and elementary children build great friendships and have a blast playing together, and Daniel’s together, and Daniel’s fundraising needs have been met successfully thus far.” More of these popular Parents’ Night Out events are planned for the 200809 school year.

< TOP Soccer players, from left to right are Mackenzie Bergh, Erin Lloyd (both in yellow) and Grace Reifenberg (kneeling).

Learn, Lead & Serve Scholarship winners (l-r): Logan Lally, Brian Taylor, Thane Schmitt, Zach Thomas, Michelle Feeney, Meredith Stutz, Mallory Massa, Maggie Grisell, Amanda Pritchard, Elizabeth Ottenjohn, Bridget Simpson and Grace Paschall.

First-ever Learn, Lead & Serve Scholarships Awarded CHCA eighth grader Mallory Massa never dreamed that her affinity for serving others would one day translate into big bucks toward her high school education. That is, until the day in a school assembly her name was announced as CHCA’s first $10,000 Lead & Serve Scholarship winner. She and eleven other 2008-09 incoming freshmen earned one of two new scholarships offered by CHCA: six Learn Scholarships and six Lead & Serve Scholarships.

To qualify for the scholarships, the recipients took the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) in December or January, submitted resumes detailing achievements and service, and completed essays for scholarship consideration. “The Learn Scholarship award is based strictly on the student’s ISEE scores, while the Lead & Serve Scholarships take into account test scores, completion of a scholarship-specific essay on the ISEE, and submission of a resume,” says Natalie Pfister, Interim Director of Enrollment. “These are merit based so financial need is not a consideration for award,” she adds. The scholarships will be paid out to the recipients over their four years of high school at CHCA. This year’s top six scorers on the CHCA-administered ISEE (recipients of the Learn Scholarships) include $10,000 winner Brian Taylor, $6,000 winners Maggie Grisell and Grace Paschall, and $4,000 winners Thane Schmitt, Michelle Feeney and Zachary Thomas.

The six Lead & Serve Scholarships went to Massa ($10,000), Bridget Simpson and Amanda Pritchard ($6,000 each), and Meredith Stutz, Elizabeth Ottenjohn and Logan Lally ($4,000 each).

This new scholarship initiative coincided with the re-launch of CHCA’s Vision, Mission and Values.

“Our vision is to unleash in each student a passion to learn, lead and serve. We want to recognize and reward students who are living out those values in their daily lives,” says Head of School Randy Brunk.

“These scholarships provide a meaningful way to do that, and will hopefully inspire other students to work hard, serve and lead in a similar way.” While this is the first year for the scholarships, the school plans to make them available every year to incoming freshmen who take the ISEE and enroll in CHCA’s high school.

25 25

soaring

in academics

CHCA’s Shining

CHCA’s students and teachers are all stars, but occasionally, some stand out for their accomplishments and talents in here are those shining stars in our school community who performed over and above the norm in these two areas. (N are recognized in the Athletic section, pages 35-41).

Edyth B. Lindner elementary Olympic Mathletes

Twelve CHCA 3rd and 4th graders received awards for competing in the recent Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Math Olympics. The students, competing against children from other local Christian schools, won medals, ribbons and certificates for demonstrating advanced computation and reasoning skills. CHCA students were top finishers in all four categories.

Third Grade Computation: Alan Hsiao and Winston Owens (tied for 1st place); Josh Pyle (3rd place).

Fourth Grade Computation: Kedi Hu (1st place); Lily Kovach (2nd place); and Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow (4th place).

Third Grade Reasoning: Scotty Horvath (1st place); Alexis Hall (2nd place); and Sean Clifford (3rd place).

Fourth Grade Reasoning: Josh Debo (1st place); Blake Southerland (2nd place); and Kirk Easterday (3rd place).

Back row, l-r, Kedi Hu, Winston Owens, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow, Blake Southerland, Scotty Horvath, Sean Clifford. Front row, l-r, Lily Kovach, Josh Debo, Kirk Easterday, Alexis Hall, Alan Hsiao, Josh Pyle.

Winning Wordsmiths…

EBL Elementary School welcomed nationally published author Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton in January for a visit with the winners of a recent creative writing contest. Knowlton has authored a total of 31 books and is a former teacher and recognized illustrator. Why Cowboys Sleep with their Boots On is Laurie’s best selling picture book, with 40,000 copies sold since publication. CHCA’s Creative Writing Contest winners enjoyed the afternoon with Knowlton having their stories read aloud while eating pizza and cake.

Winners of CHCA’s Creative Writing Contest include, front row, l-r, Rachel Suh, Aidan Lautner, Kennedy Mattes, Malcolm Vanderwoude, Michael Barresi, Emily Fang, Laura Karrer, Caroline Hogan, Sarah Lutes. In the second row, l-r, are Marcus Danckert, Justin Braun, Griffin Horter, Griffin Hughes, Daniel Hogan, Melissa Goebel, Kendall Gassman, Marren Jenkins, Alissa Geist, Morgan Bowen. Third row, l-r, Danielle Bosma, Alexis Hall, Elizabeth Carras, Alex O’Brien, Max Tongdangjoue, Jessica Gruber, Author Laurie Knowlton, Emma Dial, Ivy Walsh, Lily Kovach, Madison Tongdangjoue, Jason Humphrey, Matthew Lautner. Back row, l-r, are Rachel Mangiaracina, Katie Schretter and Kedi Hu.

…and Sensational Scribes

Budding EBL authors participated in the ACSI Creative Writing Festival this year. Three judges evaluated each child’s writing and assigned scores and ratings. Pieces submitted by Katie Schretter and Riley Scott were both selected to go on to the next round of the festival. Congratulations to these wonderful writers!

Back row, l-r, Katie Schretter (Superior), Blake Southerland (Excellent), Connor Faugno (Excellent), Will Siman (Excellent), Erik Kohlan (Excellent), Madison Robinson (Excellent), Kedi Hu (Excellent). Front row, l-r, Lily Kovach (Excellent), Allison Jenkins (Excellent), Gianna McNeal (Excellent), Cooper Kuethe (Excellent), Jack Reifenberg (Excellent), Morgan Bowen (Excellent), Riley Scott (Superior), Grace Wesson (Good).

Mental Acrobatics

Five EBL 4th graders participated in a math competition this April at the Mathnasium math learning center. Sean O’Brien took second place and a silver medal; Kedi Hu placed 4th; Erik Kohlan placed 6th; Lily Kovach placed 7th; and Blake Southerland placed 9 th. Way to use your math skills outside the classroom!

26

g Stars

a particular area. Sometimes it is academia; other times they are recognized for outstanding service to others. Showcased Note that accomplishments in the arts are recognized in the Fine Arts section [page 44] of the Eagle’s Eye and the athletes

Otto Armleder School Super Spellers

The Write Stuff

In the W5 Writing group, led by Ms. Mandeng, Armleder s t u d e n t s wo r ke d on pieces that were submitted to the Association of Christian Schools International’s (ACSI) Creative Front row (l-r): Kyria Williams, Augusta Enns, Nakia Williams. Back Writing Contest . row (l-r): London Montgomery, Jourdan Montgomery, Christiana Tait.

The following honors were awarded to these talented writers: London Montgomery (4 th grade) – Excellent; Nakia Williams (5th grade) – Excellent; Augusta Enns (6th grade) – Excellent; Jourdan Montgomery (6th grade) – Excellent; Christiana Tait (7th grade) – Excellent; and Kyria Williams (7th grade) – Superior.

Speaking Up

Front row, l-r, Warren Klusmeyer, Kolby Toney, Malea Jackson. Second row, l-r, Hyland Dill, Devin Taylor, Ruth Masuka, Sean Weathers. Third row, l-r, Jeremiah Flowers, J’Quaan Waite, Mari Smith and Janel Bond. Back row, l-r, Kennedi Toney and Hope Hansee.

Front row, l-r, Evelyn Nkooyooyo, Ennis Tait, Augusta Enns, Arissa Freeman. Back row, l-r, Eric Bond, Sydney Menifee, Moriah Coman, Raelyn Klusmeyer.

Twenty-one students worked hard to learn, memorize, and confidently speak their way to top honors at the annual ACSI Speech Meet in April. Reciting everything from poetry and Bible verses to patriotic speeches and folktales, these students earned high marks for their ability to speak in a public setting. Congratulations!

Biblical Memorization: 1st graders Jeremiah Flowers (Excellent) and Warren Klusmeyer (Superior); 2 nd grader Ruth Masuka (Superior); 4th graders Hope Hansee (Excellent) and J’Quaan Waite (Superior); 5th grader Ennis Tait (Superior); and 6th graders Eric Bond and Raelyn Klusmeyer (both Superior).

Poetry: 1st graders Kolby Toney and Malea Jackson (both Superior); 2nd grader Sean FischerWeathers (Superior); 3rd grader Devin Taylor (Excellent); 4 th graders Kennedi Toney (Excellent) and Janel Bond (Superior); 5th grader Arissa Freeman (Superior); and 6th graders Sydney Menifee and Augusta Enns (both Superior).

Folktales/Fables: 3rd grader Hyland Dill (Superior) and 4th grader Mari Smith (Superior).

Patriotic Oration: 5th graders Moriah Coman and Evelyn Nkooyooyo (both Superior).

Going for the Gold

Fifteen Armleder students earned awards in the recent ACSI Math Olympics. In grades 3 through 8, 42 Armleder students competed in November on a series of challenging Computation and Reasoning exercises. Fifteen of those students received ribbons.

Taking fifth place were students Myles Jackson, Isaac Phillips, Daisia Jackson, Kennedi Toney, and Janel Bond; in fourth place, J’Quaan Waite, Micah-Drake Mundy, Alicia McMichael, Armand Walker, Hope Dehner, and Torayye Waite; placing third, JR Menifee and Michael Tucker; in second place, Sydney Menifee and in first, Kiyah Auguste.

Fifth grader MaKayla Albright garnered the third place prize at the 20 0 8 AC S I S pe lling Bee. The Bee was held at Lebanon Christian School on February 2.

MaKayla advanced to the regional spelling bee Front row (l-r): Micah Baker, Clarita de Leon Herrera, and Amoni in Columbus, Ohio.

Fails. Back row (l-r): Kes Kindle, Mari Smith, Micah-Drake Mundy, Also representing Adele Enns CHCA Armleder at the Spelling Bee were 1st grader Micah Baker; 2 nd graders Clarita de Leon Herrera and Amoni Fails; 3 rd graders Adele Enns and Micah Mundy (who placed second among all 3rd graders); 4th graders Kes Kindle and Mari Smith (who placed third among all 4th graders); 6th grader Evelyn Nkooyooyo; and 7th grader Christiana Tait (who placed second among all 7th graders). The top three finishers in each of grades 5-8 competed in a spell-off at the end of the competition, and the first, second and third place finishers in that round (including MaKayla Albright) were the ones who represented Southwest Ohio in the regional ACSI Bee in April.

1st row (l-r): Khalil Auguste, Aaron Brown, Augusta Enns, Mari Smith, Ennis Tait, Arissa Freeman, Savannah Mary, Kyria Williams, Myles Jackson. 2nd row: Nakia Williams, JeKia Lee, Shelley Menifee, Yiyara Greenlea, Victor Green, Torayye Waite, Raven Hines, Moriah Coman, Alicia McMichael, Jareve Phillips, Izaac Rains. 3rd row: Mrs. Coman (who helped with egg drop design), Brandon Coleman, Raelyn Klusmeyer, Evelyn Nkooyooyo, Daisia Jackson, Barry Hixon, Isaac Phillips, Malik Zuberi, Taylor Grigsby, Jordan Jones, Carmen Brown, Hope Dehner. Back row: Eric Bond, Ebony Dothard, Brooke Johnson, Jourdan Montgomery, Diana Odhiambo, Aaron Coleman, Dylan Grote, Tre Hawkins, Armand Walker, Kiyah Auguste, Unique McQueen, Sydney Menifee and Mrs. Cepress.

Bowl Champs Armleder’s M2SE (Minorities in Math, Science and Engineering) Team won first place in the Intermediate Level Academic Bowl, held at the University of Cincinnati on April 26. The team answered “Jeopardy” style math and science questions, facing off against teams from area Cincinnati Public Schools. Great job, team!

The team also took home the following awards at the 15th Annual M2SE Citywide Competition, which took place at the University of Cincinnati College of Applied Science on May 3rd : Egg Drop Competition: 7th/8th grade 1st place: Diana Odhiambo Honorable mentions: Jareve Phillips, Carmen Brown 5th/6th grade 1st place: Moriah Coman and Arissa Freeman Best of the Best: Design/Aesthetics: Jareve Phillips

Bridge Strength Design: 7th/8th grade 1st place: Jareve Phillips 2nd place: Dylan Grote 3rd place: Malik Zuberi, Kyria Williams Honorable Mention: Diana Odhiambo Mouse Trap Car Competition: 5th/6th grade 2nd place: Aaron Brown 3rd place: Torayye Waite

In May, members of the team were honored at Xavier University’s Cintas Center with John Lucky Scholar Awards, enabling them to attend special summer camps at UC and Xavier in July and August. Team Coordinator and Armleder Science Lab Facilitator Cathy Cepress was also honored with the M2SE Coordinator of the Year Award. Way to go!

Shining Stars continued >>>

27 27

soaring

in academics

CHCA’s Shining Stars Middle School Veni Vidi Vici

On March 14, Mrs. Fite’s 7th and 8th grade Latin students took the National Latin Exam. Approximately half of the students who took the exam scored high enough to receive awards and were recognized in chapel on April 18. Optime factum!

Latin I Awards - 8th Grade Lincoln Reed – Gold Summa Cum Laude Grace Paschall – Gold Summa Cum Laude Elizabeth Lyle – Silver Maxima Cum Laude Jonathan Price – Silver Maxima Cum Laude Kellie Hesse – Magna Cum Laude Holly Dahmus – Magna Cum Laude Meredith Stutz – Cum Laude Anna Dewey – Cum Laude

Introductory Latin Awards 7th Grade Xeny Bailey – Outstanding Sydney Thomas – Honorable Merit Heather Morrison – Honorable Merit

Front row (l-r): Xeny Bailey, Meredith Stutz, Holly Dahmus, Kellie Hesse, Anna Dewey. Back row (l-r): Heather Morrison, Lincoln Reed, Jonathan Price, Sydney Thomas, Elizabeth Lyle, Grace Paschall and Mrs. Fite.

Twenty middle school students had their poetry selected to be published in the next issue of A Celebration of Young Poets. Ten 5th and ten 6th grade students from Mrs. Martin’s Language Arts classes received this honor.

5th Grade 6th Grade Bailey Bates Jacob Brooks David Humphrey Clarissa Jacobs Jon Kenny Audrey Koob Katie Koopman Kaitlyn Nickol Ben Rasmussen Tyler Swedes

“Determination” “Food” “Spring” “Snow” “The Woods” “Bubbles” “My Teddy Bear” “Pies” “The Sea” “School”

Danton Campbell “In the Forest” Ellie Coggins “Without a Song” Maggie Lahti “Pie” Casey Ochs “Homework” Michael Richart “The Best Banquet Ever” Ellen Russo “Best Friends” Kyle Steidle “Wal-Mart” Alex Strasser “My Little Sister” Sidney Young “My Angels” Christopher Zhang “Candy”

Spectacular Spellers

Bee Buzz

Top finishers in the CHCA Geography Bee were, l-r, Ben Wittkugel, Michael Manning and Ryan Hartsig.

Poetry in Motion

Seventh grader Michael Manning won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on December 7 and advanced to the state competition. This was Michael’s second consecutive year finishing first in the CHCA Geographic Bee. Ryan Hartsig garnered 2nd place and Ben Wittkugel won 3rd place; also participating were fellow 7th graders Zach Zwarg, Nick Collado and Adam Chappelle. Way to go Michael!

Hats Off For MATS Stats

The Midwest Academic Talent Search (MATS) results are in, and as usual, our CHCA students have shown some impressive smarts.

Sponsored by Northwestern University, the MATS allows students in middle school to take above-grade-level tests, including the EXPLORE test (L-r) Michelle Feeney, Collin Gerlinger, Xeny Bailey,Travis Lake, Michael Manning, Maggie Grisell, Andy Lindenfeld (English, math, reading and and Kim Bolsinger. science) for 5th and 6th graders and the high school-level ACT and SAT for 6th, 7th and 8th graders.

Seventy-four CHCA students took a total of 78 tests (two students in the 7th grade and two in the 8th grade took both the SAT and ACT), part of the 29,000 who take the tests throughout the Midwest. Xeny Bailey (7th grade) received recognition at the MATS Award ceremony at Northwestern University on May 17th for his performance on both the ACT and SAT. Kim Bolsinger (6th grade) qualified as well for her score on the EXPLORE test. Seven CHCA students received recognition at the state level in a ceremony at the University of Toledo on May 10, including Xeny Bailey, Michelle Feeney, Collin Gerlinger, Maggie Grisell, Travis Lake, Andy Lindenfeld and Michael Manning.

Andrew Minnich, a 6th grader at the middle school, finished first in the school-level Spelling Bee. Andrew’s winning words were conciliatory and terrestrial. David Humphrey, a 5th grader, took second place. Pictured, Andrew (left) and David.

Formula for Success

Students at CHCA Middle School brought home top honors from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Math Olympics competition.

Twenty-five students in grades 5-8 participated in a series of four challenging tests on computation and reasoning, and were allowed eleven minutes for each one.

Reasoning:

Computation:

5th Grade Tanner Bowman – 2nd place Michael O’Brien – 3rd place Joel Paroz – H.M. Nicole Barresi – 1st place Kuan Li Sturgill – 2nd place Cameron Murray – 5th place

Reasoning:

Computation:

6th Grade Zach Alvarado – 2nd place Ricky Ruehlmann – 5th place Danton Campbell – H.M. Kevin Bao – 1st place Jason Simpson – 2nd place Conner Osborne – 5th place

Reasoning:

Computation:

7th Grade Andy Lindenfeld – 2nd place Molly Burdsall – 3rd place Justin Brands – 4th place Austin Orner – H.M. Xeny Bailey – 1st place Alex Blink – H.M. Derek Hsiao – H.M.

Reasoning:

Computation:

8th Grade Maggie Grisell – 1st place Vicky Lantz – 5th place Ben Tedrick – H.M. Laura Atkins – 3rd place Josh Thiel – 4th place Hannah Goodwin – H.M.

In front: Zach Alvarado. Middle row, l-r, Jason Simpson, Danton Campbell, Tanner Bowman, Michael O’Brien, Conner Osborne, Ricky Ruehlmann, Kevin Bao, Joel Paroz, Cameron Murray, Nicole Barresi, Kuan Li Sturgill, Justin Brands. Back row, l-r, Andy Lindenfeld, Hannah Goodwin, Xeny Bailey, Alex Blink, Ben Tedrick, Josh Thiel, Austin Orner, Derek Hsiao, Maggie Grisell, Vicky Lantz, Molly Burdsall, Laura Atkins.

28 28

High School Academic Awards Night On May 19, CHCA’s high school teachers honored a select group of students for superior academic achievement in the areas of Art, Christian Studies, Drama/Vocal Music, English, Foreign Language, Math, Instrumental Music, Science, Social Studies and Technology. In addition, two Scholar Athletes were honored (Katie Fuller and Kyle Neyer) and Michael Fogg received the Johnson Investment Counsel Award. The awards: Art Abby Brown Kathleen Hodge Carrie Ratcliff Megan Villegas Austin Wilson Genevieve Schuler

Honorable Achievement

Sixty-four students were inducted as new members into the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society in October. In order to gain membership, students must be a junior or senior, have a 3.2 GPA and must demonstrate service, leadership, and character. This year’s new members are: Sean Bacon, Emilee Banks, Lauren Barker, Taylor Beadle, Steve Bernet, Erin Black, Russell Bowles, Katherine Bulling, Patrick Byma, Joel Campbell, Eric Carver, Andrew Cleves, David Curtin, Carly DeVore, Katie Dorl, Sarah Dougan, Peter Edwards, Kyrie Eisenhauer, Lindsey Evans, Hannah Frank, Cara Fratianne, Jimmy Fuller, Christina Garrigan, Kayla Gims, Joshua Goodwin, Leslie Goodwin, Morgan Grevey, Dana Hartsig, Hillary Henize, Heather Hess, Mary Hesse, Kathleen Hodge, Sarah Hoft, Lauren Human, Stephanie Jack, Scott Kelley, Kurt Kersey, Courtney Kust, Christopher Lilley, Katherine Loewenstine, Elizabeth Mangels, Philip Marosi, Jeff McCormick, Adrienne Morgan, Michael Morris, Eric O’Toole, Olivia Perez, Bethany Polzin, Sloane Potter, Christopher Powers, Lauren Prop, Carrie Ratcliff, Connor Sagness, Austin Schmitt, Casee Seibert, Andrew Shear, Kelsey Shunk, Todd Simmons, Eric Smith, Sam Stecher, Ryan Steier, Torri Tanner, Eric Weller and Austin Zekoff.

Getting Credit

Forty-one students at CHCA High School have been named AP Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Examinations taken in May 2007. The Advanced Placement (or AP) Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams.

From the class of 2007: Ryan Atkins, David Betcher, Doug Browne, Greg Brunk, Taylor Buckley, Steven Burns, Michael Corbly, Epiphany Davis, Loren Dearth, Amber Edwards, Justin Farra, Scott Haltom, Iris Jin, Charissa Lake, Taylor Leibson, Elizabeth Lewis, Maggie Michels, Heidi Monroe, Erin Phelps, Tim Riewald, Danielle Schaffeld, Matthew Siewny, Kyle Smith, Reagan Smith, Tyler Steier, Molly Sweeney, Cailin Taylor, Sarah Terkosky, Gerald van den Berg, Laura Vincent, Nathan Wallace and Callae Yonker.

From the class of 2008: Jon Adam, Zachary Cucinotta, Andy Ferguson, Robert Fogg, Caleb Grisell, Kyle Neyer, Kristin Philip, Joel Shackson and Malcolm Wu.

Christian Studies Cassie Sagness Michelle Tobeson Stephanie Harris Emilee Banks Lindsay Trucksis Kristin Philip Katie Fuller Drama & Vocal Music Katie Horvath Kelsey Shunk Bethany Polzin Nick Ghizas Scott Swallen English Scott Swallen Nick Ghizas Cecily Bacon Abi Goodwin Brandon Gerlinger Andrew Philip Michael Morris Cara Fratianne Katherine Bulling Hannah Hall

High School Chemistry Teacher Jamie Laughlin hands the awards for the Science Olympiad, Academic Quiz Team and Inner Alliance Technology Challenges to Ian Daniher on Academic Awards Night.

Kelsey Shunk Emily Miller Kristin Philip Foreign Language Christine Taylor Renee Painter Chris Taylor Andrew Pritchard Andy Ferguson Matthew Ellison Blaire Flory Michelle Tobeson Hannah Frank Emily Miller Kristin Philip Math Cecily Bacon Kristen Zabbatino Mark Caswell Austin Pierson Brett Shackson Kelsie Pignone Katie Dorl Yujin Cho Elizabeth Mangels Young Chae Eric Millisor Jon Adam

Instrumental Music Eric Weller Joel Campbell Andy Ferguson Jon Adam Andy O’Neill Andy Kirk Science Abby Brown Brett Shackson Austin Pierson David Hughes Katherine Bulling Sean Smith Dana Hartsig Eric Millisor Andrew Pritchard Sloane Potter Kristin Philip Technology Alison Mangels Joe Reifenberg Brandon Walker Michael Fogg Chris Caswell Austin Wilson

High Flyer

Katie Fuller, who graduated this year with High Honors, will be soaring even higher this summer. This is because Katie is very close to getting her private pilot’s license, something she has been working on since last summer. With 20 flight hours in and three solo flights under her belt, Katie hopes to finish her training and get her license before she heads to Otterbein College this fall.

29 29

soaring

in academics

CHCA’s Shining Stars High School Character Matters

C H C A se nior s Q u i n B ergh , M ar tin B oot h and Megan Villegas were honored November 1 at the Millennium Hotel downtown a s re cipients of the 2007 YMCA Character Awards. Each was nominated for their leadership and work with the high school’s Student Organized Service (SOS) Megan Villegas, Quin Bergh and Martin Booth group. The annual event seeks to praise teens in the tri-state who exemplify the YMCA’s four core character values—caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Each of the three is an SOS Director and serves in a myriad of capacities; Bergh focuses her efforts on chapel services at the Armleder School, peer Bible studies, and mission trips to Monterrey, Mexico; Booth on Habitat for Humanity and as 2007-08 Student Body President; and Villegas with the Crisis Pregnancy Care center, Armleder chapel services, and with a local after-school English-asa-Second-Language program. We commend them for their service to the community!

Ad astra!

Freshman Maggie Ledbetter achieved a perfect score on the National Latin Exam, making her one of only 1,062 students with a perfect score out of the 135,000 students who took the test in the US, Australia, Mozambique, Canada, England, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Brazil, Bulgaria, China and Zimbabwe. Maggie received a certificate and a medal for her achievement. This is her second year studying Latin. Other high school students who took the test also received awards for their high scores:

Latin I Summa Cum Laude (Gold): Maggie Ledbetter Mark Glenchur Abi Goodwin Mark Hansford Maggie McMillan Christine Taylor Magna Cum Laude: Austin Kirby Kailey Copelin Robert Hanes Mark Swartz Latin II Maxima Cum Laude (Silver): Brandon Gerlinger Magna Cum Laude: Renee Painter Mallory O’Connor

30

Latin III Maxima Cum Laude: Stephanie Jack Russell Bowles Magna Cum Laude: Brian DeGroft Cum Laude: Joel Campbell Latin IV Summa Cum Laude: Andrew Pritchard Cum Laude: Ian Daniher Zac Cucinotta

Positively Charged About Science

CHCA’s high school Science Olympiad team qualified for the state competition after performing tasks and challenges in the Cincinnati regional tournament held at Raymond Walters College on Saturday, March 1st. Out of the 24 teams that competed, only seven went on to the April 12th competition at Ohio State University in Columbus. CHCA was the only local non-Division I team to qualify for state.

Points were scored in 23 different events, including experimental design, forensics, food chemistry, circuitry, astronomy and ecology. The team, coached

by Chemistry teacher Dr. James Laughlin, garnered two 1st place finishes, two 2nd place finishes, one 3rd place finish, and two 4th place finishes at the local competition, and ended up placing 20th in the state. Pictured, above, back row (l-r)): Coach James Laughlin, Kristin Philip, Zac Cucinotta, Jon Adam, Adam Steele, Joel Shackson and Andrew Philip. Front row (l-r): Olivia Beck, Dana Hartsig, Kyrie Eisenhauer, Andy Ferguson and Ian Daniher.

Quiz Kids

In CHCA’s first year in the Cincinnati Academic League, our quiz team (coached

by Dr. Laughlin) scored notable victories over their rivals.

Team members Jon Adam, Olivia Beck, Zac Cucinotta, Ian Daniher, Andy Ferguson, Andrew Philip, Joel Shackson and Malcolm Wu went to local competitions where they answered questions in areas including math, science, literature, history, geography and fine arts. Andrew Philip, a sophomore, was voted MVP for CHCA’s quiz team by other schools’ coaches. They look forward to another great season next year!

Ethics Matters

High school Christian Studies teacher Todd Bacon won the United Theological Seminary’s William and Carolyn Anderson Applied Theology Competition for his paper on the ethical implications of germline engineering, a type of gene manipulation. This award is given for a paper submitted in competition that demonstrates a student’s ability to think critically on theological issues he or she applies to contemporary social concerns.Congratulations, Todd!

soaring

Take

in academics <

<

Andy O’Neill shakes hands with Principal Nicholas at the Academic Signing Ceremony. O’Neill graduated with High Honors and will attend Furman University this fall.

Emily Gulbransen signs her letter of intent. Gulbransen graduated with High Honors and will attend Miami University this fall.

CHCA Students Soaring in Academics Recognized At Academic Awards Night on May 19, a new CHCA tradition began.

The first ever CHCA Academic Signing Ceremony was held, honoring 29 seniors graduating with High Honors (GPA of 3.75 or above). Each student crossed the stage to shake hands with high school Principal Dr. Dean Nicholas and signed a “letter of intent” for the college they plan to attend. Between them, these 29 students:

2

CHCA Bible Quiz Team Brings Home National Title

For the second consecutive year, CHCA’s Little League Bible Quiz Team won first place at the World Bible Quiz Association National Finals in Chicago this March. Students from Edyth B. Lindner Elementary, CHCA Armleder and CHCA Middle School banded together to demonstrate their ability to quickly recall Bible passages against the nation’s best quizzers. In addition to great team results, three quizzers also received individual honors: Janel Bond, Anjali Nelson and Nathan Carras.

The team prepared for this competition throughout the year by reading and memorizing passages from the books of Ephesians and Philippians, then competing in local and regional competitions against Bible quizzers from other schools. This is the first year Armleder students have fielded a Bible Quiz team. “We are very proud of the hard work and success our quizzers have had in this first year of quizzing,” says Deanna Hansee, an Armleder team parent. “The combination of challenge, competition and Biblical content that quizzing brings is quite astounding.”

“This year’s team was amazing,” says Carol Fulkerson, Bible Quiz Team faculty advisor and a kindergarten teacher at EBL Elementary. CHCA students from kindergarten through grade 6 competed together to finish first in the state at Ohio Bible Quiz Association tournaments; first among top Midwest teams at the regional competition in Michigan; and finally, first at the national finals in Chicago. “Our team is a close-knit family. Older students cheered on younger students, younger students cheered on older students. They were all one team of very talented, exciting students,” Fulkerson remarks.

It pays to have both knowledge and speed in Bible quizzing, and some team members even memorize entire books of the Bible to ensure they are ready for any question thrown their way. “As a team, they memorized over 4,000 Bible verses,” Fulkerson notes. “We have seen very young children memorize long portions of scripture more easily than most adults.”

Next year, Fulkerson says CHCA will be competing in a brand new Southwest Ohio quiz league, which will provide more local opportunities for our students. The team will be growing, too. “We’re looking forward to next year when the CHCA team will be expanding to include a Varsity team of quizzers in grades 7-12.”

• Took a combined total 157 Advanced Placement classes over their high school careers

• Were accepted at 129 colleges • Were offered nearly $3 million in scholarships Director of College Guidance Molly Roebker was eager to recognize these well-rounded seniors who have worked so hard to get good grades and gain acceptance to the nation’s best colleges and universities. “The tradition started three years ago when one of my colleagues in college guidance decided that it would be neat to lavish as much attention on high school academic achievers announcing their colleges of choice as we do on star athletes signing their national letters of intent,” she says. “I’m pleased that CHCA is joining nearly a dozen area high schools that planned such events this year. As I watched the seniors sign their letters of intent I thought about how blessed they are to attend CHCA, where we promote a comprehensive college guidance philosophy. I can honestly say that these seniors have taken ownership of their college search, which requires serious introspection.

They’ve each selected a college that will not only be a great academic ‘fit’ but also a great social, emotional and spiritual fit.”

Top (4th) row: Nathan Carras, Gabriel Hoyer, Aidan Sheehy, Olivia Schwan, Eric Bond, Elise Jackson, Zachary Alvarado, Addison Jordan. 3rd row: Hope Hansee, Janel Bond, Connor Sheehy, Caleb Kim, Anjali Nelson, Luke Schwan, Elizabeth Carras, Sarah Bruns, Craig Fields. 2nd row: Noah Carras, Kalah Beatty, Faith Kim, Carter Jackson, Jack Warncke, Susan Easterday, Liam Sheehy, Emma Lubes, Katerina Tarasenko. Front row: Noble Nwankwo, Evan Nwankwo, Lydia Hansee, Katherine Jordan, Patrick Bruns, Gabriele Kim, Hannah Odom, Kennedy Mattes. Not pictured: Anthony DelCimmuto, Michael DelCimmuto, Jade Mitten, Kane Mitten, Deepti Nelson and Ennis Tait.

31

chca

soaring

Congratulations to the Class of 2008!

In a year when CHCA’s motto changed from “Learn and Serve” to “Learn, Lead and Serve”, many of our seniors took that extra directive to heart. They stepped up to the challenge, taking leadership roles in student government, starting new Student Organized Service (SOS) groups, blazing a trail to the State Finals in their Varsity sports, earning National Merit Scholar recognition, and generally making a name for themselves in and out of the classroom. “It’s been neat to see a transformation Lauren Winner in these kids from when they Commencement Keynote were freshmen to today,” AsSpeaker sistant Principal Dave Walker said of the Class of 2008. “A lot have done some really positive things and have exemplified leadership at CHCA.” The 100 graduates in this year’s senior class were sure to learn and serve as well, earning more than 30,000 hours of 32

community service and nearly $5 million in scholarship money. Many traveled the globe for mission and service opportunities, spending time in India, Kenya, Costa Rica, Thailand, Japan, Mexico and France, plus a multitude of locations on U.S. soil.

As they disperse this fall to attend colleges and universities from California to Virginia, Michigan to Florida, and all points in between, they will take with them a passion for service and a spirit for leadership developed at CHCA.

Valedictorian Jon Adam and Salutatorian Kristin Philip

Off to College Jonathan David Adam, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Aaron Sherman Adler, University of Utah Jeffrey Scott Agricola, The University of Tennessee Evan Michael Baer, Ohio University Allison Dean Ballard, University of Cincinnati Thomas Edward Barnhart, Xavier University Lauren Nicole Bedinghaus, Taylor University Quinlan Ann Bergh, Elon University Steven Shyam Bernet, Indiana University Martin Frederick Alexander Booth, Wake Forest University Jaran Ricky Burns, Otterbein College Christopher John Caswell, Vanderbilt University Adam Martin Clark, Xavier University Andrew Esswein Cleves, Xavier University Michael Ryan Cochran, University of Southern California Zachary Robert Cucinotta, Northwestern University Jonathan Schuyler Dantley, Miami University Elyse Rosalind Davies, Ringling College of Art & Design Brian Robert DeGroft, Cedarville University Jennifer Marie Dixon, University of Cincinnati Katherine Anne Dorl, University of Cincinnati Sarah Elizabeth Dougan, Lipscomb University Brittani Ann Elfers, College of Mount Saint Joseph Andrew Benjamin Ferguson, Washington University in Saint Louis Kevin Alan Fields, undecided Robert Kingsley Fogg, University of Southern California Erik Paul Fortner, Campbellsville University Alexander Christian Fuller, Ball State University Katherine Marie Fuller, Otterbein College Christina Lynn Garrigan, Xavier University Nicholas George Ghizas, Northwestern University Amelia Glenchur, Cedarville University

Michele Lynn Goebel, Denison University Leslie Dorothy Goodwin, Wittenberg University Kristen Leona Grevey, Miami University Caleb David Grisell, Rollins College Emily Ann Gulbransen, Miami University Hannah Byrd Hall, Denison University Gabrielle Rose Hart, University of Cincinnati Emily Ann Heath, Loyola University Chicago Elizabeth Ann Hobold, Wright State University Tiffany Louise Hott, Miami University Chadwick Warner Howe, Northern Kentucky University Elizabeth Emily Hunter, West Virginia University Tyler Paul Jepson, Ohio Northern University Breeana Nicole Jones, Miami University Kurtis John Kersey, Auburn University Andrew Wayne Kirk, Belmont University Karl Andrew James Koett, University of Cincinnati Kaci Leigh Kust, DePauw University Nathaniel Tyler Lambert, Centre College Matthew Bailey Lindner, Baylor University Katherine Marie Loewenstine, Clemson University Kyle Andrew Martin, University of Cincinnati Jamie Marie Martinkovic, University of Cincinnati Erin Elizabeth McGuire, Samford University Katherine Ann Middleton, The University of Alabama Emily Grace Miller, Denison University Eric James Millisor, Vanderbilt University Patrick David Mullen, Butler University Nicholas Aaron Mundy, West Virginia University David Chase Myers, Centre College Kyle Thomas Neyer, University of Cincinnati Yoko Nomura, Miami University-Hamilton Andrew Michael O’Neill, Furman University Ryan Emerson Orcutt, The Citadel Tyler Robinson Peters, Miami University Kristin Sarah Philip, The Ohio State University Sarah Eileen Siefert Porembka, University of Cincinnati Nathaniel David Randolph, Taylor University

James Garrison Rasmussen, University of Cincinnati Carrie Beth Ratcliff, Olivet Nazarene University Natalie Renee Regel, University of Cincinnati Kelcee Barbara Renken, Otterbein College Alex Dean Rice, Auburn University Karah Lynn Rudolph, Ohio University Benjamin Alan Sanker, Miami University Alexander Daniel Schuler, North Carolina State University Genevieve Elizabeth Joy Schuler, Calvin College Joel Christopher Shackson, Case Western Reserve University Emilee Kathryn Shidler, The University of Alabama Kelsey Susan Shunk, Taylor University Todd Matthew Simmons, Centre College Eric Brendan Smith, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Adam Robert Steele, University of Cincinnati Ryan Nicholas Steier, Belmont University Taylor Steven Strosnider, Capital University Scott Jacob Swallen, Ohio Northern University Abby Megan Vice, University of Cincinnati Megan Rae Villegas, Georgetown College John William Wagers, West Virginia University Joshua Wayne Wagner, University of Cincinnati Eric Donald Weller, Miami University Courtney Marie Wetterich, University of Colorado at Boulder Eric Thomas Wilber, Marshall University Nicholas Brian Williams, Xavier University Austin James Wilson* Andrea Cecile Woelk, Baylor University Malcolm John Wu, Case Western Reserve University Andrew Todd Zurlinden, The Ohio State University *Austin Wilson graduated with his class as well, but has decided to spend time expanding his business before heading to college.

CHCA 2008 grads were accepted to these colleges and universities as well, but declined to attend:

Anderson University, Asbury College, Ashland University, Barry University, Bellarmine University, Boston College, Bowling Green State University, Campbell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Coastal Carolina University, Davidson College, Duke University, Eastern Kentucky University, Elmhurst College, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Southern College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Gettysburg College, Grove City College, Hampton University, Heidelberg College, High Point University, Hillsdale College, Hope College, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana Wesleyan University, Judson College, Lee University, Lehigh University, Lynn University, Marietta College, Miami University–Middletown Campus, Morehead State University, Mount Union College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Purdue University, Rider University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Saint Louis University, Sinclair Community College, The College of William and Mary, The College of Wooster, The Johns Hopkins University, The University of Findlay, The University of Iowa, Tiffin University, Transylvania University, Trinity International University, University of Chicago, University of Connecticut, University of Dayton, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Missouri–Columbia, University of New Hampshire, University of Pittsburgh, University of Richmond, University of South Carolina, University of South Florida – Tampa, University of Toledo, University of Vermont, Valparaiso University, Villanova University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Wilmington College

33

soaring

in service

Outreach Office Celebrates Seniors for Service Above & Beyond...

< Senior who performed over 2000 service hours Austin Wilson

Student Organized Service Senior Directors Jon Adam, Jeffrey Agricola, Quin Bergh, Martin Booth, Adam Clark, Alex Fuller, Amelia Glenchur, Kelsey Shunk, Scott Swallen, Megan Villegas, Andrea Woelk.

Seniors who performed over 1000 service hours

Seniors who performed 500-999 service hours

(L-r) Kurt Kersey, Tyler Jepson, Andrea Woelk, Andy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, Austin Wilson.

(L-r) Lauren Bedinghaus, Liz Hobold, Zachary Cucinotta, Yoko Nomura, Matthew Lindner, Amelia Glenchur. Not pictured: Quin Bergh.

Seniors who performed 400-499 service hours

Seniors who performed 300-399 service hours

(L-r) Eric Millisor, Kelsey Shunk, Kristin Philip, Eric Weller.

(L-r) Malcolm Wu, Nick Ghizas, John Wagers, Megan Villegas, Megan Goebel, Libby Hunter.

Seniors who performed 200-299 service hours Front row (l-r): Sarah Dougan, Emily Miller, Katie Fuller, Kelcee Renken, Breeana Jones, Emilee Shidler, Leslie Goodwin, Gabrielle Hart. Second row (l-r): Joel Shackson, Jon Adam, Scott Swallen, Nick Mundy, Jeffrey Agricola, Nate Lambert, Erik Fortner, Chad Howe, Alex Fuller, Alex Rice, Brian DeGroft, Thomas Barnhart, Andrew Zurlinden, Robert Fogg, Martin Booth. Back row, standing: Mike Cochran (left) and Eric Smith. Not pictured: Adam Clark, Ryan Steier, Andy Kirk.

34

soaring

as athletes

Ready, Aim, Splat! Accuracy and Toughness Lead to World Cup Win for Wilber R

yan Wilber started paintballing when he was just eight years old with a gun from Wal-Mart.

Nine years later, Ryan and his teammates are getting sponsorships from companies, playing in tournaments from Florida to Pennsylvania, and dominating the sport by winning the World Cup of Paintball in Orlando last October.

Ryan, a junior at CHCA, has for the past four years played with Team Unlimited, based in Florence, KY. Because of their long run of successes, Ryan and his teammates no longer have to pay for their uniforms, gear or guns (all of which are pretty pricey at their level of competition). Instead, they receive corporate sponsorships from the likes of Paintball Country, Limited Motors, Heritage Bank, Airheads candy, DYE Precision paintball supply company, Remke Medical, Monster energy drinks, Better Bodies Fitness, NXE Paintball and Virtue software.

For anyone who is skeptical about a sport played by kids at birthday parties and corporate honchos at weekend retreats, paintball is rapidly growing as an extreme sport. Many colleges and universities now field competitive teams, and there are professional

paintball teams in Los Angeles, Miami, Pittsburgh, London, Stockholm, Moscow and more. According to Paintball Sports Promotions (www.pspevents.com), the world’s largest paintball league (which holds the World Cup of Paintball in Orlando as well as five other national competitive events), the sport can be found in over sixty countries around the world, including the Philippines, South Africa and Iran. It is a multibillion dollar industry enjoyed by more than 12 million people worldwide.

And to prove what a tough sport paintballing can be, consider that their guns can be adjusted to shoot the paint-filled capsules at various speeds and strengths, and the current international limit is 300 feet per second, roughly the distance of a football field in the blink of an eye.

Ryan’s team won the three-day World Cup tournament by advancing amidst 59 other teams from across the country, finally meeting ReBall Madness, a team from Florida. The Unlimited beat ReBall in a best-of-three series in the finals by a score of 100-0 in the first game and 98-4 in the second. They plan to return this October to defend their title.

Synchronized Swimmer

Shannon Ibarra Makes a Splash W

e’ve all seen it at the summer Olympics on television: women with perfect hair, darting through the water, diving and moving in formation, all in perfect synch with each other. Watching routines in which women fly through the air and magically float above the water, most people say to themselves “How in the world do they do that?”

For Shannon Ibarra, it’s second nature. Shannon, a junior at CHCA, has been a synchronized swimmer since she was 11 years old. As a member of the Cincinnati Synchrogators team, Shannon has traveled to Hawaii, Washington, Minnesota, California and Florida to compete in what she calls “a mixture of interpretive dance and ballet in the water, set to music.” See the team compete and you’ll note the complicated moves, flashy swimsuits and bright smiles, but you might not notice that their feet never touch the bottom of the pool. “It’s a demanding sport,” Shannon says. “I’ve learned a lot of discipline. Practices range from four to five hours long, training is year round, and we do conditioning in and out of the water.” It all pays off in the end, though – the Synchrogators, coached by Ginny Jasontek, have been state champions for the

past 28 years, Junior Olympic National Champions numerous times, National Age Group Champions six times and finalists at the U.S. Open. One Synchrogator even won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

For Shannon, though, it’s all about the team spirit.

“I used to do speed swimming, and that was all about the individual,” she says. “I love synchronized swimming because I love competing as a team.” Besides teaching her the value of working as a group (plus moves like the Barracuda, the Flamingo and the Eiffel Walk) the sport has taught her things like time management and people skills.

Looking ahead to her senior year, Shannon is deciding whether to continue with synchronized swimming once she graduates from CHCA and heads to college. “The team has options to go to the [2012] Olympics, but I think I’m going to do my own thing,” she says, adding that she is considering majors in chemical engineering and graphic design. Until then, Shannon will continue swimming around the country with her team, performing water acrobatics with ease and grace.

35 35

soaring

as athletes

Metro Basketball League Division Champs

4 Grade Boys’ Basketball th

The O’Brien 4 th grade team was very athletic, taking on an aggressive, uptempo style. The team averaged almost 30 points a game. In the final game of the regular season, they beat the team that beat them in the season opener. Says Coach Pat O’Brien, “Our team placed second in the regular season and won the tournament by beating the only other team that beat us in the regular season in a very exciting game.” Front row (l-r): Connor Sheehy, Andrew Frank, Will Siman, Brendan Geist, Joe Zabbatino. Back row: Coach O’Brien, Sean O’Brien, Sean Eslick, Elijah Payne, Asst. Coach Payne.

5th Grade Girls’ Basketball

The CHCA girls’ 5th grade basketball team had a 10-0 season in the Metro League. The team continued their winning streak to clinch the 5th grade championship game. Samantha Ross and Mikaela McGee were named Most Valuable Players in the championship game. The team hopes to have another great season next year! Front row (l-r): Brittany Schwabe, Marissa Wyrick, Allie Wallace, Kelli Gerlinger, Rebecca Richart, Katie Koopman. Back row: Coach Schwabe, Bailey Bates, Mikaela McGee, Kelly Dixon, Samantha Ross, Anna Faimon, Coach McGee.

Middle School Miami Valley Conference League Champs

7th Grade Girls’ Basketball

The 7th grade girls’ basketball team had a great year. They were able to win both the tournament and regular season in the Miami Valley Conference despite the fact they had only seven players on the team, and overcame challenges when players were hurt or sick. The team went undefeated, posting a 14-0 record. These girls should provide plenty of excitement and success for the future of CHCA girls’ basketball. (By Coach Thomas Stokes) Back row (l-r): Coach Stokes, Casey Brewer, Lindsey Bowden, Megan Williams. Front row: Emily Taylor, Cassidy Bergh, Michele Christy, Mallory Debo.

8th Grade Girls’ Basketball

Girls’ Cross Country

The girls’ cross country team, led by captain Maggie Grisell, were 2007 MVC League Champions. The girls overcame extreme obstacles during the season. Maggie Grisell led the team finishing second, followed by Emily Taylor in 9 th place. The rest of the team ran hard to pass one competitor at a time, allowing them to experience their biggest win of the season. The girls’ team was the most improved team I have ever worked with.

Congratulations on a hard-fought season. (By Coach Jill Kandell) Front row (l-r): Aidan Ross, Emily Taylor, Connor Staarman, Piper Visagie, Brian Taylor. Middle row: Elaina Balzano, Maggie Grisell, Kathryn Easterday, Cassidy Bergh.

Back row: Logan Lally, Jessica Tandoc, Alex Blink, Elizabeth Lyle, Tanner Kuremsky, Coach Jill Kandell.

Boys’ Tennis

This was a great year for the 8th grade girls’ basketball team. These girls are very talented and worked hard all season, key factors in their undefeated season. Their skill level and basketball IQ made them a very good team. (By Coach Melissa Starks) Front row (l-r): Kasey Schumacher, Cara Nwankwo, Mackenzie Bergh, Maggie Grisell. Middle row: Katie Anderson, Stephanie Grevey, Allie Daniel, Haley Rudolph.

Back row: Sarah Arington, Meghan McCarthy, Coach Starks, Lauren Prop, Morgan Prescott.

36

Ben and Andrew Te dr ick are not only t wins; they also make a great d o u b l e s t e a m .

They went undefeated in the regular season and at the Seven Hills Doubles Invit ational. Andrew kept the ball in play so that Ben could put the ball away at the net .

Sounds like a winning strategy! (By Coach Sherry Murphy)

Girls’ Track

The middle school girls’ track and field team finished first in the Miami Valley Conference championship meet, beating nine other teams. Every single lady scored points for the team in either a running event or field event, an awesome accomplishment and testimony to their team work. Individual MVC Champions include Vicky Lantz in the pole vault; Morgan Geiger in the mile run; Jordyn Jackson in the 800m run; and Kelsey Vice in both the shot put and discus. Jordan Jackson, Vicky Lantz, Allie Daniel and Morgan Geiger also set a new all-time record in the 1600m relay. For the boys’ team, Logan Lally won the MVC individual championship and set a new all-time school record on the pole vault. Josh Thiel set a new school record in the discus. Front row (l-r): Elaina Balzano, Jordyn Jackson, Connor Staarman, Piper Visagie, Brian Taylor, Carson McKenzie. Middle row: Ben Stevens, Kyle Copeland, Jessica Tandoc, Vicky Lantz, Charlie Hall, Allie Daniel, Morgan Geiger. Back row: Coach Lance Webel, Stephanie Grevey, Morgan Prescott, Jeff Horsting, Josh Thiel, Logan Lally, Kelsey Vice, Coach Jason Null.

Girls’ Tennis

The girls’ tennis team had a wonderful winning season that was topped off with a team victory at the Cincinnati Country Day Invitational Doubles Tournament. The teams of Holly Dahmus and Dominque Baxter, Kasey Schumacher and Sarah Powel, and Meredith Stutz and Alexis Caruso won their flights and the team trophy. Great team, blessed girls.

(By Coach Sherry Murphy)

soaring

as athletes

The Undefeatables

Girls’ Varsity Basketball

High School Baseball

Undefeated against all conference and non-conference regular season opponents (20-0 record)

Undefeated in the Miami Valley Conference (13-0 record)

Left to right: Courtney Kust, Kayla Bedinghaus, Taylor Dixon, Rachael Arington, Erin McGuire, Sam Candee, Hannah Lambert, Tiffany Hott, Morgan Grevey, Hannah Hall, Erin Lloyd, and Kaci Kust. Not Pictured: Manager Libby Hunter, Coaches Lisa Elam, Tom Dinkelacker and Joe Vanderkolk.

Front row, l-r: Jake Schomaker, Blake Avery, Brian DeGroft, Todd Simmons, Kyle Jeffers, Andy Garrett, Matt Williams, Eric Carver, Paul Tepfenhart, Ben Lewis. Second row, l-r: Coach Roy Wimmers, Coach Dennis Ehrhardt, Coach Jesse Wood, Nate Lambert, Chad Howe, John Lloyd, Kevin Fields, Joel Leichty, Drake Browne, David Myers, Jaran Burns, Head Coach Larry Redwine, Coach Rob Lambert, Coach Todd Montgomery.

High School Inline Hockey

Girls’ Varsity Tennis

Undefeated in their division (13-0 record)

Undefeated in the Miami Valley Conference (9-0 record)

Front row, l-r: Nate Post, Jack Telford (home schooled), Dan Messer (home schooled), Cory Martin and Dylan Eilau. Back row, l-r: Coach Greg Martin, Alex Schuler, Kyle Martin, Steve Bernet, Eric Weller, TJ Eilau and Coach Mark Weller. Not pictured: Coaches Vic Eilau and John Messer.

Front row, l-r: Amanda Mary, Caroline Phelps, Lena Tome, Taylor Schumacher, Kathleen Hodge, Lauren Barker, Sarah Martin. Middle row, l-r: Caroline Sanders, Kassie Faugno, Kelsey Elliott, Becca Williams, Cassie Sagness, Abby Brown.

Back row, l-r: Coach Nabors-McNally, Blaire Flory, Katherine Bulling, Lindsey Evans, Bethany Polzin, Katie Middleton, Sara Wilson, Coach Laughlin. Not pictured: Emilee Shidler, Maggie McMillan.

37

soaring

as athletes

2007-08 High School MVC and Sectional/District Champions Fall Sports

Cross Country

Girls: MVC 3rd place Boys: MVC 6th place Brianna Alvarado – Girls’ 1st Team Andrew Wallace – Boys’ 1st Team Katie Fuller – Girls’ 2nd Team Liz Mangels – Girls’ 2nd Team

Football

MVC 1st place Co-champions League Record: 6-1 Season Record: 8-3 Drake Browne – Defense DL 1st Team Nate Lambert – Defense LB 1st Team Doyen Harris – Defense LB 2nd Team Chad Howe – Defense DB 2nd Team Elliot Moorehouse – Defense LB 2nd Team Paul Tepfenhart – Defense DL 2nd Team

Ryan Orcutt – Offense OL 1st Team Joe Reifenberg – Offense K 1st Team Casee Seibert – Offense OL 2nd Team Jeff Agricola – Offense OL 2nd Team Kyle Jeffers – Offense WR 2nd Team Connor Petersen – Honorable Mention Jake Schomaker – Honorable Mention Southwest Ohio All-District Team Division V First Team Offense - Ryan Orcutt First Team Defense - Nate Lambert Second Team Offense - Joe Reifenberg Honorable Mention - Drake Browne

Spring Sports

Winter Sports

Basketball

Girls: MVC 1st Place Scarlet Division (League Record: 13-0 Season Record: 22-1) Boys: MVC 3rd Place Scarlet Division (League Record: 7-6 Season Record: 10-11) Kaci Kust – Girls’ 1st Team Courtney Kust – Girls’ 1st Team Will LoVellette – Boys’ 1st Team Rachael Arington – Girls’ 2nd Team Thomas Barnhart – Boys’ 2nd Team Erin McGuire – Girls’ 2nd Team Wes Carlson – Boys’ Honorable Mention Taylor Dixon – Girls’ Honorable Mention Hannah Lambert – Girls’ Honorable Mention Nick Mundy – Boys’ Honorable Mention

Baseball

MVC 1st place (League Record: 13-0 Season Record: 24-3) Drake Browne – 1st Team Kevin Fields – 1st Team Nate Lambert – 1st Team David Myers – 1st Team Matt Williams – 2nd Team Jaron Burns – Honorable Mention Todd Simmons – Honorable Mention

MVC Baseball Player of the Year: Nate Lambert Southwest Ohio Division III Sectional Baseball Champions Southwest Ohio Division III District Baseball Champions

38

Golf MVC 3rd place Zac Cucinotta – 1st Team Blaine Bowen – 2nd Team A.J. Koett – 2nd Team Soccer

Girls’ Tennis

MVC 1st place 4th place Team State (League record: 9-0 Season record: 16-4) Katherine Bulling – 1st Team Singles Kassie Faugno – 1st Team Doubles Lena Tome – 1st Team Singles Emilee Shidler – 1st Team Doubles Lauren Barker – 2nd Team Singles Blaire Flory – Honorable Mention Taylor Schumacher – Honorable Mention

MVC Tennis Player of the Year: Katherine Bulling MVC Tennis Coach of the Year: Lynn Nabors-McNally All-State Tennis Doubles Second Team: Kassie Faugno and Emilee Shidler

Girls: MVC 1st Place (League record: 5-0-1 Season record: 11-5-3) Boys: MVC 1st Place (League record: 6-0-1 Season record: 13-2-3) Margaux Andrews – Girls’ 1st Team Megan Conway – Girls’ 1st Team Andy George – Boys’ 1st Team Caleb Grisell – Boys’ 1st Team Jamie Martinkovic – Girls’ 1st Team Tyler Peters – Boys’ 1st Team Volleyball Nick Williams – Boys’ 1st Team MVC Scarlet Division 1st place Aaron Adler – Boys’ 2nd Team (League Record: 11-2) Steve Bernet – Boys’ 2nd Team Kayla Gims – 1st Team Michele Goebel – Girls’ 2nd Team Lauren Luessen – 1st Team Leslie Goodwin – Girls’ 2nd Team Emily McDonnell – 1st Team Karah Rudolph – Girls’ 2nd Team Taylor Dixon – 2nd Team Brianna Alvarado – Girls’ Honorable Mention Mallory Rabold – Honorable Mention David Curtin – Boys’ Honorable Mention

Natalie Marks – Girls’ Honorable Mention MVC Volleyball Scarlet Division Coach of the Year: Joe Reifenberg – Boys’ Honorable Mention Cherie Bailey

MVC Soccer Player of the Year: Nick Williams MVC Soccer Coach of the Year (Boys): George Stinson MVC Soccer Coach of the Year (Girls): Dave Sauve All-State First Team: Nick Williams

MVC Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year: Kaci Kust MVC Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year: Lisa Elam All Southwest Ohio District Division III 1st Team: Kaci Kust All Southwest Ohio All-District Division III Honorable Mention: Will LoVellette, Courtney Kust

Swimming and Diving

MVC Swim Championship Connor Sagness: 100 Breaststroke (2nd place) and 100 Freestyle (3rd place)

Division II Southwest District Championship Meet Sarah Pyles: 1-Meter Diving (2nd)

Wrestling

MVC 6th Place

Cheerleading

Kristen Grevey – 1st Team

Division II Sectional Meet Sarah Pyles: 1-Meter Diving (2nd)

Softball

MVC 2nd Place

(League Record: 9-3 Season Record: 14-5) Quin Bergh – 1st Team Samantha Candee – 1st Team Heather Hobold – 2nd Team Emilee Shidler – 2nd Team Brianna Alvarado – Honorable Mention Katie Rutherford – Honorable Mention

Boys’ Tennis

(League Record: 1-5 Season Record: 5-15) Joel Campbell – Singles 1st Team Sam Powel – Singles 2nd Team Nate Randolph – Doubles 2nd Team Sean Smith – Doubles 2nd Team Martin Booth – Honorable Mention Matthew Lindner – Honorable Mention Austin Wilson – Honorable Mention

Track & Field

MVC 1st place (10th straight year) David Curtin – 1st Team Lauren Luessen – 1st Team Kyle Neyer – 1st Team Kevin Patton – 1st Team Connor Peterson – 1st Team Sloane Potter – 1st Team Andrew Wallace – 1st Team Nick Williams – 1st Team MVC Boys’ Track Athlete of the Year: Nick Williams MVC Boys’ Track Coach of the Year: Jack Bailey Boys’ Track Team was 1st Place District Champions Girls’ Track Team took 6th place Division III Regional Runner-up 1st place in Boys’ 4x800 at State 6th place overall at State

soaring

as athletes 2007-08 High School Athletes Named to

The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City 1st Teams

KACI KUST (Basketball) Kaci is a four-year Varsity player, this year averaging 19.2 points per game. She shot fifty percent from the field and averaged five rebounds, five steals, and three assists per game. In her junior season, Kaci was named MVC First Team All-League, First Team AllDistrict, and Honorable Mention All-State. This year, she earned First Team All-District, District Player of the Year, and District 16 Division II-IV All-Star Team East honors. Kaci was named to The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division II-IV First Team and All-City Division III Player of the Year. She is only the third player in school history to score over 1,000 career points. Kaci excels on the basketball floor, as well as in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Kaci, a Class of 2008 grad, now moves on to DePauw University.

MARGAUX ANDREWS (Soccer) Junior left-forward Margaux Andrews has played three years on the Varsity soccer team. She has scored 37 career goals, including 24 her junior year. In her sophomore year, Margaux received MVC 2nd Team honors. As a junior, she has been honored with the MVC 1st Team Award and was named to The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division II-III Soccer First Team. She is known for playing with heart and great determination.

KATHERINE BULLING (Tennis) Junior Katherine Bulling enjoyed yet another successful season on the tennis court. For the third year in a row, Katherine was named to The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division II First Team, was selected for the MVC Singles 1st Team and named MVC Tennis Player of the Year. Katherine won the Sectional Singles Tournament, qualified for State at the District Singles Tournament, and placed 3 rd in the State Championship Singles Tournament.

RYAN ORCUTT (Football) Ryan Orcutt played an important role in leading the offensive line as the Eagles went 8-3 and earned a spot in the playoffs. Because of his hard work and outstanding effort, Ryan earned spots on the MVC Offense First Team, Southwest Ohio All-District Division V First Team Offense, and The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division II-VI First Team. Congratulations to Ryan on a great senior year, and best wishes as he now goes on to college at The Citadel.

NICK WILLIAMS (Soccer, Track & Field) CHCA senior Nick Williams, named to The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division II-III Soccer First Team, was also selected for the MVC 1st Team and is the first boys’ soccer player in CHCA history to be named MVC Player of the Year.

In addition to playing Varsity soccer for CHCA, Nick also plays for the U18 Ohio Galaxies Elite Soccer Club, coached by Jeff

Clark. This spring, Nick was also a key component in the success of the 2008 boys’ state champion track team. His versatility of being able to run both sprints and distance led to the following outstanding accomplishments: 4x800 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 1st Regional, 1st State 4x400 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 2nd Regional, 5th State 100m Dash – 1st MVC, 1st District, 3rd Regional, 3rd State 400m Dash – 1st MVC, 1st District, 1st Regional, State qualifier Nick, a class of 2008 grad, now goes on to Xavier University.

NATE LAMBERT (Baseball) Senior Nate Lambert enjoyed another successful year in Varsity baseball and was honored as a four-year letter winner. Nate led his team to first place in the MVC with a league record of 13-0.

His 2008 stats include nine doubles, six triples, 21 stolen bases and a .470 batting average. As a pitcher, Nate was 6-0 with one save. He struck out 53 batters in 46 innings pitched and he had a 1.52 ERA. He was named to the MVC All-League First Team Scarlet Division and honored as the MVC Baseball Player of the Year. Nate was also named to The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division III Baseball First Team and was selected All-State Division III Baseball Second Team. Congratulations to Nate on a fantastic high school baseball career. Nate plans to attend Centre College next year.

DRAKE BROWNE (Baseball) Drake Browne had a fantastic baseball season in his junior year. His 2008 stats include a team-leading three home runs, 34 RBI, 29 runs scored and a .462 batting average. As a pitcher, Drake had a 2-1 record with a 2.10 ERA. He was named to the MVC All-League First Team Scarlet Division and The Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division III Baseball First Team. In addition to baseball, Drake excelled in football and also received a Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Division IV football Honorable Mention.

KYLE NEYER (Track & Field) Kyle, a senior, provided the motivational leadership that inspired the track team to do their best. This team leader was exceptional in these events: 4x800 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 1st Regional, 1st State 4x400 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 2nd Regional, 5th State 800m Run – 1st MVC, 4th Regional Kyle, a class of 2008 grad, now goes on to the University of Cincinnati.

ANDREW WALLACE (Track & Field) Andrew, a sophomore, had a great year and will be an important anchor of next year’s team. The distance runner had an outstanding season in these events: 4x800 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 1st Regional, 1st State 4x400 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 2nd Regional, 5th State 800m Run – 1st MVC, 4th Regional 1600m Run – 1st MVC, 1st District, 5th State DAVID CURTIN (Track & Field) As a junior, David Curtin played a key role in the distance events for the 2007-08 boys’ track team. David was outstanding in these events: 4x800 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 1st Regional, 1st State 4x400 Relay – 1st MVC, 1st District, 2nd Regional, 5th State 800m Run – 1st MVC, 2nd District, 2nd Regional, 6th State 1600m Run – 1st MVC, 2nd District David also helped set four school records in the 800m run, 1600m run, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay.

Congratulations to CHCA’s High School Athletes Who Made it to State Finals

David Curtin, Kyle Neyer, Nick Williams and Andrew Wallace win state!

Katherine Bulling

Sarah Pyles

Kassie Faugno & Emilee Shidler

We recognize and congratulate our CHCA athletes who went to state tournaments in 20072008. Junior Katherine Bulling placed third in the State Championship Division II Singles Tournament and was named to the All-State Division II Singles Team. The doubles team of Emilee Shidler and Kassie Faugno qualified for state and both were named to the All-State Division II Doubles Team. In her sophomore year, diver Sarah Pyles placed fourth in the one meter diving event at the OHSAA State Swimming and Diving Championship. Five members of the track and field team competed in the state meet in Columbus, with the 4x800m relay team of David Curtin, Kyle Neyer, Andrew Wallace, and Nick Williams placing first and setting a new school record. In addition, Nick Williams placed third in the 100m dash; David Curtin placed sixth in the 800m run, setting a new school record; and the 4x400m relay team of David Curtin, Travis Geiger, Kyle Neyer and Nick Williams placed fifth, setting another school record. This track team of five individuals earned enough points in their combined events to tie for sixth place overall. This is the highest any CHCA track team has ever placed at the state meet. Congratulations to the athletes and coaches who accomplished the tremendous feat of making it to the state championships!

Travis Geiger

39

soaring

as athletes

Sad to Say Goodbye…

Longtime Football Coach Mike Gims Heads to College Cincinnati winters are child’s play compared to the freezing temperatures and eight feet of snow Chicago sees six months out of the year. A little nasty weather is not nearly enough to deter Mike Gims, CHCA’s Head Football Coach, from accepting his dream job: coaching at the college level.

Mike has been hired as Trinity International University’s new Assistant Head Football Coach, Quarterback Coach and team Spiritual Life Leader for the TIU Trojans. Located north of Chicago in Deerfield, IL, the Christian college reports a student population of just over 3,000.

“I’ve always aspired to coach college football,” says Gims. “I love the atmosphere of a college campus. I think it will be a great challenge to coach college-level players.”

During his 16 years at CHCA, Mike had a hand in virtually every sport. He began his career here in 1992 as the Physical Education and Health teacher for students in grades K through 8. From 1992 through 1995, Mike served as coach or assistant coach for 7th grade basketball. In 1993, he and Coach Bob Gardner started CHCA’s baseball program and Mike served as his assistant coach for two years. Then in 1995, he and Cliff Hern (CHCA’s current Athletic Director) launched CHCA’s football program with an 8th grade team. When the high school was built in 1996, Gims moved there to teach Health and P.E. while taking on the role of Head Coach for the Junior Varsity Football team. The following year was the first Varsity season led by Hern with Mike serving as Offensive Coordinator through 2003.

As Varsity Football Head Coach, Quarterback Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the last four years, Mike led the team to 36 victories and saw only ten losses. League champs in three of those four years, the team made the State playoffs in 2005 and 2007. In 2005, the team was ranked fourth among Division III through VI schools in the state of Ohio, completing their undefeated season as state finalists.

Mike’s huge contribution to CHCA’s athletic program is unquestionable. He has been an instrumental part of its overall success for which the school will be forever grateful. He and his wife, Kathy (who has taught first grade at CHCA since 1993), along with their two daughters—Kelley, who graduated in 2007 and Kayla, a CHCA junior—will be missed and in turn, Mike will miss his school.

“I have developed a lot of great friendships here with strong Christians who have helped me grow over the years. I will miss them in my life,” says Gims. “My passion for football is twofold: I love the sport itself, but just as much, I enjoy the challenge of molding young men into mature Christian leaders, and I will miss that.”

CHCA Junior Named Defensive Lineman of the Year CHCA junior Drake Browne won the prestigious Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in February, presented by the Anthony Muñoz Foundation, Old Spice and the National Football Foundation. Browne won the award for outstanding performance as an Ohio Division V defensive lineman for the Varsity High School football team.

In keeping with the mission of the Muñoz Foundation, candidates for the prize have to show a level of academic success and community involvement. Drake is not only the first underclassman to win in any Munoz Lineman of the Year category; he is also the first CHCA player to ever win the award.

40

The Cincinnati Enquirer Coach of the Year Award Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach Lisa Elam Coach of the Year

Lisa Elam just completed her first year as the Varsity Head Coach after serving as the Varsity assistant and Junior Varsity Coach for the past six years. She helped to lead the women’s basketball team to a perfect 20-0 regular season, the first in basketball history at CHCA, and a Sectional title. The Cincinnati Enquirer named Lisa the All-City Division II-IV Coach of the Year. Lisa is a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University where she was a 1st Team All-American. She teaches 8th grade science at the middle school.

CHCA Head Tennis Coach Lynn Nabors-McNally Girls’ Tennis Coach of the Year

This year, Lynn Nabors-McNally finished her 13th season as CHCA Head Tennis Coach. Under Lynn’s leadership and tremendous coaching ability, the girls’ tennis team has won the MVC LeagueChampionship 12 out of the last 13 seasons.

She was named by The Cincinnati Enquirer as the All-City Division II Tennis Coach of the Year. Lynn is the tennis pro at The Club at Harper’s Point, is married to John McNally and has two children, John and Caty.

Say Hello to...

CHCA’s New Head Varsity Football Coach

Cincinnati loves its high school football and each division in the city has its share of great teams and great coaches. Among Division V schools, CHCA claims one of the top spots for both, thanks to a decade-long record of wins. When head coach Mike Gims announced his departure, the challenge put before Board Athletic Committee Chairman Jon Adams and his search committee was to find a replacement that could carry on that winning tradition. Out of a surprisingly strong applicant pool, one candidate stood out above the rest: meet Mr. Eric Taylor, CHCA’s new Varsity Head Football Coach.

No stranger to high school football, Coach Taylor comes to CHCA from Finneytown where for the last three years he was Varsity Defensive Coordinator. Last year, he added Head Coach to his resume, managing Finneytown’s football program from junior high to high school. Under his leadership, the Junior Varsity team finished 9-1 and his Varsity team ranked in the top 10 in Cincinnati with a 7-3 record, which prior to last year had been achieved only twice since 1969. Believing in the importance of strong athletic programs across the board, in the offseason Coach Taylor took on positions as Head Middle School Track Coach, winning two straight CHL team titles, and Head Varsity Wrestling Coach, leading his Division II/III team to a top ten finish in 06-07. His coaching style and strong record led to recognition that year as East/West All-Star Wrestling Coach.

Taylor’s head coach experience in football, wrestling and track spans over eleven years in the public and private school arenas. Prior to Finneytown, he served at Wyoming, Indian Hill, Summit Country Day and Deer Park as Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Assistant or Head Varsity Wrestling Coach, Head 8th Grade Football Coach, Head Varsity Girls Track Coach, Head Middle School Wrestling and Track Coach, and the list goes on.

His dedication to strong athletic programs and to the growth of the athletes is evident. If athletes want to compete at the next level, Taylor believes he can help get them there by developing the talents God has given them. At Finneytown, he did just that by working with a player who received a full scholarship to a Division I school, the first in 15 years for a Finneytown football player. “In all of my athletes, I look at developing several characteristics,” says Taylor. “Teach them to be committed to whatever they do and to be team players regardless of grade level; help them develop good leadership skills; show them how to overcome challenges and adversity; and remind them to glorify God in whatever they do, whether that is as an athlete or a student. These are the characteristics that will make them great athletes, but more importantly, great individuals later in life,” says Taylor.

Those sentiments are what put Eric at the top of the candidate pool, according to Jon Adams.

“Eric met all the basic qualifications we were looking for,” says Adams. “He was a successful Varsity coach; he had an extremely detailed plan for running an effective Varsity program; he had a solid plan for incorporating the younger grades into the overall program; and of course he has a real passion for football. But the thing that was most compelling about Eric was his genuine faith and his desire to see young men develop in their character and their leadership,” says Adams.

Professionally, Taylor has spent the last seven years as a middle and high school algebra teacher.

In 2003, he did double duty as a math teacher and Assistant Athletic Director at Indian Hill. To train for his roles as teacher and coach, he earned his BA in Middle Grades Education (grades 5-9) from Northern Kentucky University and in 2006, completed his Master’s of Education in Sports Administration from Xavier University. Next school year, Taylor will teach CHCA’s 8 th grade Honors Algebra I and 8th grade Honors Geometry classes.

As head coach next year, Taylor’s goals are simple. “Of course we will strive to win a state championship, but our goal is to perform to the best of our ability on every play, every down, in every game,” says Taylor. “I want to put kids in positions where they have championship memories for the rest of their lives. I want to create those moments for the boys.”

Taylor believes this will be the perfect fit for him, wife Leah and daughter Averi Claire. “There are many things I like about CHCA: its high academic caliber, the ability to reach out spiritually to athletes and other kids, the athletic traditions,” says Taylor. “I was looking for a home for myself and my family. I believe CHCA is that place.”

The Cincinnati Enquirer Honorable Mention All Stars Football (Divisions II-VI) Jeff Agricola Elliot Moorehouse Drake Browne Joe Reifenberg Doyen Harris Casee Seibert Chad Howe Alec Swartz Kyle Jeffers Paul Tepfenhart Nate Lambert Soccer (Divisions II-III) Aaron Adler Leslie Goodwin Steve Bernet Caleb Grisell Megan Conway Jamie Martinkovic Andy George Tyler Peters Michele Goebel Karah Rudolph Tennis (Division II) Kassie Faugno Emilee Shidler Blair Flory Lena Tome Taylor Schumacher Volleyball (Divisions II-IV) Lauren Luessen Emily McDonnell Boys’ Basketball (Divisions II-IV) Thomas Barnhart, Will LoVellette Girls’ Basketball (Divisions II-IV) Courtney Kust Erin McGuire Rachael Arington Girls’ Diving (Division II) Sarah Pyles Softball (Divisions II-IV) Samantha Candee Quin Bergh Emilee Shidler Heather Hobold Baseball (Divisions II-IV) David Meyers Kevin Fields Matt Williams Boys’ Tennis (Division II) Sam Powel Track and Field (Division III) Nick Williams (100m Dash, 400m Dash and 1600m Relay) Kyle Neyer (800m Run) Andrew Wallace (1600m Run) Travis Geiger (1600m Relay)

College Signing Erik Fortner signed with Campbellsville U n i ve r s i t y i n Campbellsville, KY to play baseball on an athletic scholarship CHCA senior Erik Fortner (center) signs with Campbellsnext year. The ville University as mom Julie and dad Jim look on.

6’6” left-handed pitcher played baseball at CHCA his junior year, and many scouts deemed Erik one of the best recruits coming out of the Cincinnati area. “He’s a kid who has a great arm and natural talent,” says Larry Redwine, CHCA Head Baseball Coach. On hand for the signing was CHCA Assistant Varsity baseball coach Todd Montgomery, Erik’s family, some of Erik’s teammates and Campbellsville Head Baseball Coach Beauford Sanders.

41

Middle School Choir

King of the Jungle

Encore

Middle School Band

Armleder Morning Star Choir High School Choir

High School Lab Band Off the Cuff Improv Electric Jazz Orchestra

Thoroughly Modern Millie

A King Is Coming 3rd/4th Grade Christmas Program You Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Take It With You

Peter Pan

String Fling

soaring

in the arts

2007-2008 performances

42 K/1st Grade Christmas Program

Sacred Music Concert

The 10th Annual ARTBeat Fine Arts Festival, which took place in the high school’s Lindner Fine Arts Center on April 5, was a flourishing garden of color and talent. Presented by the Friends of Fine Arts (or FOFA) and themed “ARTBeat in Bloom”, the festival featured song, dance, drama and instrumental performances by hundreds of CHCA students; oneof-a-kind demonstrations by professional artists using a variety of art forms including oil painting, murals, airbrush, ceramics, calligraphy, and jewelry making; hands-on art areas where attendees could get creative and make their own art; and several displays of student artwork.

Four beautiful paintings by high school students were on display in the lobby and, in keeping with the spirit of the “ARTBeat in Bloom” theme, each was complemented by a professional floral arrangement. Students in Mr. Hilderbrand’s Studio Art class were asked to choose a piece of Impressionist art and reproduce the work in its authentic size. Artwork by Kathleen Hodge (who chose a Camille Pissarro painting), Amanda Mary (Edward Henry Potthast), Adrienne Morgan (John Singer Sargent) and Caroline Phelps (Gustave Caillebotte) was chosen for the Atrium exhibit. Four area florists (Adrian Durban Florists, Jones the Florist, Max Stacy Flowers and Robin Wood Flowers) were asked to design arrangements to mimic these four pieces for ARTBeat, each using their passion and artistic interpretation to create flower arrangements that were works of art themselves.

Anne Phelps, ARTBeat Chairwoman since 2006, says her favorite thing about ARTBeat is that it has something for everyone. “It provides an opportunity for everyone to gather in fellowship, experience the range of talents in our children, see the possibilities for professional art careers, and celebrate God’s gifts in our children,” Anne states.

CHCA’s annual ARTBeat festival is the brainchild of Mona Summers, Director of Fine Arts. Summers, who is the mother of two CHCA alumni (Jared and Nicole) came up with the idea in 1999 while serving as FOFA Board President.

“It’s fabulous every year, but each year it just amazes me to see the talent God has blessed these kids with,” she says.

ARTBeat, which in its first year took place only in Lindner Theater and the theater commons, has stretched and grown to require the high school gym, theater, hallways and Miracle ARTBeat Commons at the other end of the school. “It’s gotten bigger each year, but Juried Art Competition it hasn’t lost that small community feel,” Summers adds. Many families Portfolio: 1st place – Carrie Ratcliff; come early and stay late on the day of ARTBeat, taking in all of the Honorable Mention – Genny Schuler sights, sounds and activities of the festival. “Besides being able to Ceramics: 1st place – Katie Middleton; come see the art, we want kids to be able to have a hands-on 2nd – Jamie Martinkovic experience to inspire their creativity. I have parents tell me Graphic Design: 1st place – Grady Ludeke; it’s their favorite event of the year.”

2nd – Elyse Davies; 3rd – Katie Loewenstine; Honorable Mention – Austin Fritz

Painting: 1st place – Shannon Ibarra; 2nd – Genny Schuler; Honorable Mention – Julia Lipovsky Drawing: 1st place – Amanda Mary; 2nd – Kara Martin; 3rd – Carrie Ratcliff; Honorable Mention – Kristian Cooper Photography: 1st place – Carrie Ratcliff; 2nd – Austin Wilson; 3rd – Mariel Beausejour; Honorable Mentions – Lauren Barker & Katie Loewenstine

43

soaring

in the arts

Fine Arts Shining Stars

Don’t Forget the Peanuts and Cracker Jack CHCA was again well represented at Cincinnati Reds games during the year with the EBL ES Melody Makers, MS Ensemble (also known as PS 100) and HS Encore performing choir all singing the National Anthem at the start of different Reds games.

Adept Artists Nine EBL Elementary students had art exhibited at a city-wide show from April 25 through May 11 at the Aronoff Center’s Weston Art Gallery. The theme for this year’s exhibit was “Who’s Who” and the projects were created in the art room with supervision and direction from EBL’s Art teachers, Vicki Swallen and Dawn Marosi. Congratulations to participants Andrew Heath (2nd grade), Daniel Hogan (2nd), Scotty Horvath (3rd), Kedi Hu (4th), Abby Jutt (1st), Kennedy Mattes (1st), Gianna McNeal (4th), Erica McNeal (4th) and Margot Yeazel (2nd).

HS students Genny Schuler and Shannon Ibarra made it to er” the second round of judging in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art “The Sunf low Show this spring.

A Family Affair HS siblings Carrie and Jon Ratcliff won two prizes in the Mason Area Arts Council’s poster competitions. Jon, a sophomore, won the Mason Arts Festival poster contest with a theme of “The Dragonfly” and received a $300 prize. Carrie, a senior, won the Art in the Garden Tour poster competition with a theme of “The Sunflower” and received a $200 prize. More than 20 entries were received for the competitions from professional artists, casual artists and students.

“The Dragonf

ly”

Overture, Curtain, Lights! In November, students were selected through auditions and portfolio reviews to represent CHCA in the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards, which took place in January. The regional Overture Awards is a highly competitive opportunity for high school students to win scholarships to the college or university of their choice. Representing CHCA were Travis Geiger, Visual Art; Anna Handelsman, Dance; and Malcolm Wu, Instrumental Music. Congratulations to Malcolm Wu for advancing from the regional competition to the semifinals.

Accomplished Actors Besides the many talented students performing on CHCA stages, a few are asked by local community theatre and dance companies to perform with them in their productions.

On stage with the Cincinnati Ballet in The Nutcracker were Agusta Enns, Rachel Finch, Teresa Hoyer, Marren Jenkins and Bailey Evelyn Kes Kindle Truitt; in Romeo and Juliet were Kes Kindle Nkooyooyo and Evelyn Nkooyooyo. Performing with Ballet Tech Cincinnati last fall were the HS Electric Jazz and Symphony Orchestras as their pit orchestra and dancers Meredith Allgood and CHCA alumna Epiphany Davis. With the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Maddie Drees was cast as a cheerleader in High School Musical and as Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Maria Richart was cast as Kelsey in High School Musical and Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Michael Richart was cast as a Who in Seussical. Alex Roberts made a return appearance in Playhouse in the Park’s A Christmas Carol in the role of Fan. Fine Arts Faculty Shine Brightly HS Instrumental Music Director Dan Grantham used his trumpet talent to perform with the Cincinnati Opera and with Bernadette Peters; HS Art teacher Tim Hilderbrand will again show his Lazy Dog Pottery at the Mason Arts and Waynesville Sauerkraut Festivals; MS Art teacher Annette Eberhardt has had a couple of gallery shows at the Red Tree Gallery in Oakley; and HS Drama teacher and Theatre Director Susan Jung can be seen in commercials on local TV. Preeminent Performers High School: Joel Campbell was selected as Associate Concertmaster of the OMEA (Ohio Music Educator’s Association) Regional Orchestra and First Violin section of the OMEA All-State Orchestra; Andy Ferguson was selected for the OMEA District 14 Honor Band; Ellyn Bain, Kelsey Shunk and Lindsay Trucksis were selected for the District 14 Honor Choir; and Abbie Marosi, Ashley Staarmann and Jessica Wilhite performed solo works for the Ohio Music Teachers Association’s Student Showcase at the Cincinnati Art Museum in April.

The World on a String Several CHCA students were selected to perform with area orchestras and ensembles, including the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (Joel Campbell – 3rd year participant, also selected as the Co-principal of the Second Violin section and First Violin section for Chamber Orchestra); Blue Ash Youth Symphony Orchestra (Malcolm Wu); College Conservatory of Music Wind Ensemble (Andrew Pritchard); Cincinnati Junior Strings Orchestra (Bryson Karrer); the Center for the Arts in Wyoming Cadet Orchestra (Rachel Finch, Ben Rasmussen & Kuan Li Sturgill); the Vision for the Arts Premier Orchestra (Kellie Hesse & Kuan Li Sturgill) and the Vision for the Arts Cadet Orchestra (Anna Love).

Middle School: Many string students participated in the Ohio Federation of Music Club’s Junior Music Festival this spring, where they earned a rating certificate and points toward a trophy. Receiving a “Unanimous Superior” rating were Tori Bechtold, Derek Hsiao, Caroline Hughes, Clarissa Jacobs, DaEun Lee, Anna Love, Amanda Pritchard, Ben Rasmussen and Kuan Li Sturgill; receiving a “Superior” rating were Jacob Halter, Kellie Hesse, Olivia Reed and Justin Sikkema; receiving an “Excellent” rating, Dajah Siplin. Several students earned their 15-point Gold Cups, including Derek Hsiao, Anna Love and Amanda Pritchard. Ben Rasmussen received his 30-point Gold Cup and performed at the Honors Recital.

Caring Club This year the MS String Club performed for the Mt. Auburn Community Center Christmas party, the Houses for Hope Shriner’s Hospital Benefit, Keeper of the Flame Banquet at Paul Brown Stadium for the Hamilton County Special Olympics, the Glendale Garden Club Spring Luau, before The Nutcracker on December 22nd, the Miami Township Kroger one-year anniversary celebration, the CHCA Fashion Show and the PTF Christmas Luncheon.

Olivia Reed and Kuan Li Sturgill performed at the regional Honors Recital at Otterbein Retirement Home in April.

Empty Bowls, Full Hearts The EBL ES and HS Visual Arts Departments collaborated with a Student Organized Service group from the high school to raise awareness of homelessness in our city. Students made ceramic bowls for a soup dinner held on April 22nd in our HS cafeteria with a special speaker and program. For $10, attendees received the handmade bowls and soup, with proceeds benefitting the Greater Cincinnati Coalition 4444

for the Homeless. These groups will collaborate again next fall with another “Empty Bowls” dinner for the CHCA community to continue building awareness of homelessness in our region.

On April 26, the following MS string students represented CHCA at the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Music Festival at Cedarville University and received “Superior” ratings: Bailey Bates, Jacob Halter, Caroline Hughes, Clarissa Jacobs, Ben Rasmussen, Justin Sikkema and Kuan Li Sturgill (5th grade strings); DaEun Lee and Amanda Pritchard (cello solos); the cello trio of Kellie Hesse, Andy Lindenfeld and Amanda Pritchard; the cello duet of Jacob Halter & Justin Sikkema; the cello/bass duet of Cyle Cucinotta and Ellen Packer; Caroline Hughes, Anna Love and Rebecca Wetherington (violin solos); the violin duets of Anna Love & Dajah Siplin and Rachel Finch & Rebecca Wetherington; and the string trio of Tori Bechtold, Trinity Brown and Christina Calderon.

soaring

in the arts

CHCA Off the Charts

All School Musical Revue

One of CHCA’s best-loved traditions, the annual allschool musical revue, played to packed audiences on October 28 and 29. Presented by the Friends of Fine Arts and sponsored by Long Cove, CHCA Off the Charts featured many of the school’s top performing groups, including the middle school’s Genesis Big Band directed

by David Thomas, EBL’s Melody Makers directed by Kim Cassity, Armleder Morning Star Choir directed

by Mystique Smith, the 7th/8th grade PS 100 Ensemble Choir directed by Julie Weber, String Club directed by Marva Rasmussen, Encore performing choir and High School Players directed by Sara Potts, High School Symphony Orchestra directed by Dan Grantham and Jackie Yoo, Electric Jazz Orchestra directed by Dan Grantham, CHCA Off the Charts Dancers directed by Tracy Bertke, and the Middle School Players directed

by Allison Morton. Proceeds from ticket sales were dedicated to furnishing the high school performing arts addition, opening this fall.

The third annual show was an entertaining walk through decades of popular music, from jukebox hits of the 50s, Bandstand and the Beatles to disco, rock and Motown. Thanks to the leadership of Mona Summers, Director of CHCA Fine Arts, Sue Brainer, Producer, and the CHCA Off the Charts Committee, the revue was a tremendous success.

45

More Goes on Behind the Scenes Than Meets the Eye...

< Austin Wilson programs lighting cues in the booth.

>

Garrett Zimmerman paints part of the Millie set.

Thanks to Tech Team

by Liz Bronson

The lights go up, then down again, alternating deep crimsons and icy blues. An actress sings three bars of a song to test the strength of her mic. Backdrops move to and fro, as the sound of hammers against plywood echoes from stage right. Below the stage a chorus can be heard belting out one of the musical’s signature tunes, while on stage, students with tool belts run feverishly back and forth from stage to sound booth and sit hunched over set pieces, painting meticulously. It’s 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, the day before the premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie, and this is the most you’re ever going to see of the students before your eyes. They’re the tech team – also known as the Stagehands Union (or SHU) – and come show t i m e , t he ir job is to be invisible.

“If you see us, we’re not doing our j o b s ,” s ay s Tyler Jepson, a senior who has been working on the tech team

for four years. That anonymity they treasure – the ability to disappear when the lights go up while continuing to control the show – belies the activity that goes on behind the curtain. “It’s controlled chaos backstage – actors, props, sets, everyone running in different directions,” says Eric Millisor, who took on the dual role of Millie cast member and tech teamer this year. Master carpenter Liz Hobold agrees, adding, “Something is always going on. Lighting people are talking to sound people, we’re talking to the actors, etc. – it’s nonstop.” And that’s just the night of the show. The tech team reported that they spent three days painting one of the backdrops and an astounding 13 hours preparing for Millie on the weekend before the show.

The skills they learn from their behind-the-scenes roles go far beyond hammering sets and cueing spotlights. Senior Kelcee Renken can attest to this. “I’ve learned how to be assertive and how to make a decision when things are moving fast,” she says, as fellow senior Emily Miller nods in agreement. “I was a stage manager for last year’s spring showcase, Searching for Me,” Miller states, “and I gained so much confidence by learning how to take charge of a situation.” Junior Brooke Spicer says being in SHU has taught her how to be proud of her work. “It’s so neat to be able to look back and say, ‘Wow, I did that – it’s mine,’”

>

Eric Millisor, a senior, has had roles both on stage and behind the scenes.

46

Tech team members include (back row, l-r) Austin Wilson, Alex Bain, Emily Miller, Tyler Jepson, (middle row, l-r) Advisor Troy Bausch, Garrett Zimmerman, Kelcee Renken, Brooke Spicer, Kara Martin, Scott Ferguson, and (front) Liz Hobold. Not pictured: Eric Millisor.

Spicer says, smiling.

Every team needs a coach, and this crew is no exception. Leading these students through the ins and outs of everything from carpentry and wiring to lighting and sound is Troy Bausch, who has been CHCA’s Theater Technical Director for three years.

“The philosophy of the SHU program is that these students put so much personal time into this, I make sure we find what they’re good at and utilize that,” Bausch says. “But I also make sure we find out what their weaknesses are so we can strengthen those.

Overall,” he adds, “we teach maturity, too.”

Hobold, a senior who will go on to study stage management and theater production at Wright State University this fall, says Bausch’s leadership has inspired her and others to work hard at a job that gets plenty of attention when things go wrong, and next to no attention when things are going right.

“I have learned so much from Troy, especially how to work in a team to make a job come together,” she says. “We all wear many hats – the electrician helps the carpenter, who helps the set construction team, etc. – which means you have to learn to trust others to do their part.”

When the lights went up for the performances of Millie, you probably didn’t notice the flurry of activity that went on while the actors sang and danced on stage under brightly hued klieg lights. And that’s just how they want it. The tech teamers make sure that the only people who are in the spotlight are the actors and actresses who have also spent hours, days, even months preparing for this night. This humble attitude is not common today, but as Bausch explains, it’s just how they are. “They are just a different breed and are in it only for the love of their art,” he says. “My favorite quote from Stanislavsky that I tell them is ‘love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.’ They truly do take that to heart.”

soaring

in the arts

Thoroughly Praised: Millie Wins Three Cappies Proving yet again just how top-notch the performing arts program is at CHCA, the high school theatre production of Thoroughly Modern Millie garnered a record nine 2008 Cappies nominations from the local Critics and Awards Program chapter. Then, at the annual Cappies Awards Gala on May 18, our talented actors, singers, musicians and dancers brought home awards in three categories: Best Cameo Actress in a Musical (Kelsie Pignone), Best Male Dancer (Taylor Strosnider) and Best Orchestra.

Like the Tony Awards for Broadway theatre, the Cappies recognizes the best of the best in high school plays and musicals. Each of the schools in the Cincinnati chapter selects one play or musical to be reviewed by the critics (student peers from other schools) who attend and judge the performances.

This was the fifth straight nomination (and third win) for CHCA’s orchestra, which took home wins in 2005 and 2006.

“This year’s musical was perfect for our kids,” says Dan Grantham, Instrumental Music Director at the high school.

“The music highlighted our strengths and was thoroughly fun to play. This was the third time in four years that we won a Cappie for Best Orchestra, and it was icing on the cake for the many talented seniors in the ensemble.”

Susan Jung, who directed Thoroughly Modern Millie, feels this recognition affirms all of the hard work that went into making the production a success. “I could not be prouder of the work all of our students did on the musical,” Jung says. “Despite competition from schools quadruple our size, we showed our city that CHCA’s talent rivals any in Cincinnati.”

CHCA’s Nominations Cameo Actress in a Musical: Kelsie Pignone Comic Actress in a Musical: Kelsey Shunk Female Vocalist in a Musical: Sarah Eslick Ensemble in a Musical: Nick Ghizas & Arthur Havey Male Dancer: Taylor Strosnider Lead Actress in a Musical: Lindsay Trucksis Featured Actor in a Musical: Scott Swallen Best Orchestra: CHCA Orchestra Best Musical: Thoroughly Modern Millie

Kevin Bao Plays Carnegie Hall On March 21, CHCA 6th grader Kevin Bao did something many musicians only dream of doing: he played New York City’s Carnegie Hall. An accomplished pianist, Kevin was asked to play on the famous stage for From the Top, National Public Radio’s popular program showcasing the nation’s most exceptional classical musicians aged 8 to 18. This was Kevin’s second time appearing on the nationally syndicated program.

His live performance of Rachmaninoff’s “Polichinelle” was taped for the award-winning TV series From the Top: Live from Carnegie Hall on PBS. His performance will be shown on hundreds of PBS stations across the country this spring and summer, including locally on CET Channel 48.

Last year, at age 10, Kevin made his first appearance on From the Top as one of the youngest performers on the show, playing “Variations on a Theme of Paganini” by Isak Berkovich for a hometown crowd of 3,500 at Cincinnati’s Music Hall. The program was broadcast by over 250 radio stations.

A 2008 OMTA Scholarship recipient, Kevin actively participates in regional and state level piano competitions, and shares his love for classical music with others. Kevin made his concerto debut of Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra last September under the direction of Maestro Michael Chertock.

At school, Kevin is a straight-A student and has been actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Math Olympics. Recently, Kevin was nominated by teachers to participate as a member of the People to People Student Ambassador Program to England and France this summer.

From the Top airs every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on 90.9 WGUC 47

2008

alumni notes Class of 1995

Kali (Thorne) Ladd was married in 2007 to Billy Ladd in Greenwich, Connecticut and works as a Policy Advisor/CT to the County Commission on Children and Families, as well as the Portland Schools Foundation. The couple lives in Portland, OR.

Class of 1996 < Karly (Kolb) Adams and her husband just celebrated their 2nd wedding annivers a r y. T h e y f e e l blessed to be expecting their first child, a boy they will name Wylie, this June. The couple recently received news that Karly’s husband, Lee, was ordered to report to Fort Drum, NY with the US Army. Both are excited and anxious to meet the newest addition to their family! Pictured, Karly and Lee. Tonya (Davenport) Bittner is married to a wonderful husband, Chris, and has a beautiful daughter, Emma, who is almost 3. She is also a third grade teacher at Jane Hoop Elementary with Mt. Healthy City Schools.

Isaac Gould was married to Christy Thomas of Findlay, OH, on December 22, 2007. The couple now lives in Baltimore, MD, where Isaac teaches ninth grade Humanities and Christian Worldview at a classical Christian school and Christy teaches private piano lessons. < Michael Macht and his wife Valerie, who will celebrate their 9 th anniversary this year, live just north of Orlando, FL with their three rescued Chihuahuas. Michael is a Sales Manager for a Rep Company specializing in water conservation irrigation products and Val is a graphic designer.

He also happens to be the Director of Robotics at DragonCon (the world’s largest pop-culture and sci-fi convention) and still builds combat robots for the TV show Battlebots. Pictured, Michael and wife Valerie. < Kourtney Porter is a Helpdesk Administrator for Standard Publishing, a Christian publishing company in Mason, OH. She was recent ly promoted from customer service.

In other news, her son Isaiah just turned four and is excited to start school next year! Pictured, Kourtney with son Isaiah.

48

< Sarah (Gray) Myers m ove d t o t h e Fort Hood, TX area in August 2007, where her husband works as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army (he will be deployed to Iraq this summer). Daughter Natalie was born in June 2007 and son Jackson will be four years old this September. Sarah feels blessed to be a stay-at-home mom to her two children, and also enjoys her at-home business as a consultant with Creative Memories. Pictured, Sarah with her husband and two children.

Susan (Johnson) Pagliaro married Ethan Pagliaro in November 2007. She is currently employed at Crossroads Church as a video editor and her husband is a firefighter. They reside in Wyoming, OH. Editor’s note: Katie Reider died on July 14, 2008 at the age of 30. On July 4, she began to hemorrhage from a major artery in her brain as the tumor dislodged, but doctors were able to stop the bleeding and schedule surgery for August to remove the rest of the tumor and reconstruct her face. Sadly, the bleeding started again and this time doctors were unable to stop it. A few weeks before her death, she sent us this write-up for the Eagles Eye. As you can see, she had great hope and great faith, even as the tumor continued to progress.

Please visit www.500Kin365.org for more on Katie’s life and how you can help. We love you, Katie, and we will miss you! > Katie Re id e r h a s b a f f l e d d o ctors with a rare medical condition she has been struggling with since February of 20 06. She kids, from l-r: Katie, Abby, Beth. slowly started The Reider In front, l-r, Robbie and Andy. to lose bone mass in her upper left jaw and began having serious pain all over the left side of her face. Her body grew weak and she began feeling extremely fatigued over the next few months as she toured the east coast with her band. In May 2007 at the Taste of Cincinnati, Katie found herself with her last burst of energy to perform on stage.

Katie was diagnosed in July 2007 with a myofibroblastic inflammation tumor. The tumor/inflammation first started in her sinus and her upper left jaw, but has moved into the base of her skull and behind/underneath her left eye. Because of the location and extent of the spread, surgery is not an option. If they were to try surgery, it would involve removing almost half of her face. Seven weeks of radiation treatments were tried, but have proven to be ineffective.

In March of 2008 her PET scan showed progression of the tumor in her sinus/skull base area as well as a couple other alarming spots. One of these “spots” is a dime-sized tumor rather low on her esophagus behind her heart. The second spot is a lesion in her spine at the L4 vertebrae. With that news, the doctors want to do a biopsy of the tumor on her esophagus. Katie will begin chemotherapy to help kick this thing once and for all. Keep the prayers coming.

> Paul Whitney and wife Melissa Chan celebrated the birth of their daughter Sophia Teresa Whitney, born on October 7, 2007.

Sophia was 7 lbs 8 oz and 20.5 inches. Both Paul and Melissa work for the Target Corporation in Minneapolis and were married in 2004. Pictured, Paul’s daughter Sophia. < David Wilcox married Amree on July 21, 2007. Dave is in the Navy and has spent the last two years teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy.

David and Amree will be moving to Monterrey, CA this summer where Dave will learn Japanese at the Defense Language Institute. Pictured, David and wife Amree on their wedding day.

Class of 1997 Brad Bodley was recently promoted to Store Manager at the Finneytown Graeter’s Ice Cream location. He is also a CPT in the Army Reserve based in Lexington, KY. Brad and his family celebrated his daughter’s 1st birthday in March and are looking forward to his son’s 5th birthday in August. > Nick Collins is an Account Executive/Director of New Business with Rick Warner & Associates, Inc. in Ft. Thomas, KY. He has been wor k ing in the graphic design field since graduating from Cedarville University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising. RWA is a full service ad agency with clients all over the tri-state area, Chicago and Virginia, and Nick helps with nearly all facets of the company, from design and concept development to obtaining new vendors and clients. In family news, Nick’s wife Jenn is now a stay-at-home mom since the birth of their third child last year. Son Gavin turned one in February, daughter Ava will be three this July, and son Ashton will be four in April. Nick and Jenn celebrate their 7th anniversary this August and have been living in the Eastgate area since 2002. Pictured, Nick’s three children (l-r) Ashton, Ava and Gavin. > Erica (Smith) Roberts and husband Michael live in Madeira with their daughter Kayden, born Januar y 28, 2 0 0 8 . A se co n d child is on the way!

Pictured, Erica with daughter Kayden.

Elizabeth (Amend) Frye and her husband, who celebrate their 5th anniversary this summer, moved to Pamplona, Spain in May where he will be on a three month assignment with Valco. They look forward to the opportunities this will bring them and will enjoy spending their weekends exploring Europe. < Matt Toy and his wife Melissa have been married for over a year. Melissa is the Marketing Manager for Big Idea, Inc., the parent company of Veggie Tales.

She is also creating her own kids’ art company, Melbelle (Melbelle.com).

Matt is the Corporate PR Manager for D1 Sports Training and Therapy and also teaches a class for Belmont University’s Sports Administration Master’s program. The couple works and resides in Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville. Pictured, Matt and Melissa. > Michelle (Toy) Warner married Jared Warner on April 26, 2008 in a small ceremony on Fripp Island, SC. They currently live in Chicago, IL where Jared practices law. Michelle is pursuing a career that will allow her to use her Bachelor’s degree in Education as well as her Master’s degree in Writing. Pictured, Michelle and Jared on their wedding day.

Class of 1999 < Kristina (Gray) Binder and her husband, Mike, are expecting their fourth child in September. The new baby will join big brothers Johnathan (age six), Kyle (two), and Sean (one). The couple cannot wait for the newest addition to arrive and pray that the remainder of Kristina’s pregnancy is healthy and uneventful.

Pictured, (clockwise from top left) Kristina, husband Mike, Jonathan, Kyle, and Sean. < Holly (O’Keefe) Collins married Travis Edward Collins on April 21, 2007. She is blessed with two stepchildren, Molly (age seven) and Kaylen (12), and has been further blessed with

the birth of son Grant Edward Collins, born October 28, 2007. Holly works as a Studio Production Artist/Designer for Benson Media, a print media company in Ball Ground, GA. Her husband recently received a promotion as a Pest Control Technician/ Salesman with Arrow Exterminators. The family plans to purchase a home later this year. Pictured, Holly’s son, Grant. < Jessica (Johnson) Grant married Chad Grant on December 27.

Chad is a firefighter from Oklahoma, and Jessica does hair at Pure Concept Salon in Deerfield Township. The couple lives in Landen, OH. Pictured, Jessica and Chad on their wedding day. > D. Aaron “Denny” Steelman After majoring in Japanese and completing his undergraduate degree at OSU, Aaron completed a Master’s degree program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX in Game Level Design (for video games). He and his wife, Rebecca, moved to San Francisco last fall for Aaron’s new job with Activision. Rebecca works from home as an editor for an online company, which works well with the recent birth of their first child at the end of May. Pictured, Aaron and Rebecca.

William Stogner lives at Sigma Theta Epsilon, a Christian fraternity at the University of Cincinnati also known as “the Rock.” He will receive his Bachelor’s degree this December to become a Youth Pastor and plans to get his Bachelor’s in Business later. > Kristen Stutz After working in Atlanta as an operations manager for McMaster-Carr Supply Company, Kristen moved to Charlottesville, VA to earn her Master’s in B u sine ss Ad ministration at the University o f V i r g i n i a ’s Darden School of Business. She will be returning to Cincinnati this summer to do a Brand Management internship with Procter & Gamble. Prior to returning to school last summer, Kristen and sister Darah (02) had a last hurrah in Europe. Pictured, Kristen and Darah in the Alpine town of Chamonix, France.

Class of 2000 Ryan Betscher and wife Allison are expecting their first child in September. With the small amount of free time he has, Ryan is helping out with the CHCA Middle School football program and enjoys serving the kids there. For more on Ryan, see page 53. > Ty Brumback Ty’s wife, Julie, gave birth to their first child, Eliana Isabel on March 30, 2008.

Ty continues to work on his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology. The couple lives in Tampa, FL. Pictured, Eliana Isabel.

Gretchen Cook Gretchen is currently teaching in the Communications Department at the University of Memphis. This past year she served as Associate Producer on Respect Yourself: the Stax Records Story, a documentary that aired nationally on PBS. > A nt h ony “ Tu ” Price and his wife, Julie, are expecting their second child on October 27. The couple resides in Murietta, CA. Pictured, Tu, wife Julie, and son Tre. Casey (Sutherly) Purnhagen married Brad Purnhagen on September 15, 2007. Casey is a Corporate Trainer for Luxottica Retail (the parent company of LensCrafters) and recently started a Mary Kay business, while husband Brad works in the Bond and Executive Risk department at Cincinnati Financial. The couple is very active at their church, where they teach pre-school and play softball, and are involved in politics and the 2008 election. <

Class of 1998

Pictured, at Casey’s wedding, are CHCA Class of 2000 alumnae (clockwise from top left) Valerie (Koch) Allen, Kourtney Klendworth, Casey, Krystal (Klendworth) Kleine, Jenn Liotta, Shana Stull, Allison Van Sickle, and Emily (Wightman) Van Cleve.

Alumni updates continued > > > >

49

Class of 2000 (continued) Edward Stogner received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 2005. His wife, Anne, graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a teaching degree in 2006. Ed works as a Technical Advisor for Syprus Technologies, in downtown Louisville, KY; Anne is an elementary school teacher in Louisville.

Shana Stull After a great season as CHCA’s Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach, Shana was promoted to Head Volleyball Coach for the girls’ Varsity team.

She currently resides in Mason, OH, where she works in Marketing at Cabling Specialists, Inc.

Pictured, at Emily (Wightman) Van Cleve’s wedding reception in June 2007, are (l-r) Tikeitha (Guerrant) McRay (00), Michelle (Liotta) Hatt (02), Liz Bronson (00), Jayme Madden (00), Phil Van Cleve (groom), Emily (Wightman) Van Cleve (00), Allison Van Sickle (00), Shana Stull (00), Lita (Hitchcock) Holman (00), and Jenn Liotta (00). Bridesmaids were all CHCA alumnae from the class of 2000 (Stull, Van Sickle, Liotta and Katie [Lewis] Slater).

Class of 2001 Tiffany Bowden received a full tuition waiver to attend graduate school at Ohio University, and is studying media and cultural studies, with emphasis on the intersections of gender, race, class and culture in the media. After college, she received an offer from Leo Burnett Advertising Agency (among others) but decided to work in Cincinnati at Barefoot Advertising Agency managing Procter & Gamble brands (including Mr. Clean, Febreze and Swiffer). Tiffany plans to pursue a Ph.D and become a professor on topics pertaining to media. Additionally, she would like to have a consulting business or may become a corporate educator training media creators. Tiffany is currently a Teaching Assistant in a Black Media class and is working on a couple of research projects that she hopes to have published. She was named a Leader for the Future in Applause Magazine last year. Subsequently, she and many of her peers went to CHCA Armleder to speak about leadership and community service, where she was presented with a community service award. Tiffany started a Women in Entrepreneurship student organization on campus and has been selling Mary Kay and internationally imported jewelry (mainly from Thailand).

50

> Kara Buczek graduated from law school this May and will sit for the Florida Bar Exam in July. She participated in V-Day 2008’s presentation of The Vagina Monologues in March and has been working with an internationally accomplished horse trainer with plans to continue her equestrian career. Pictured, Kara with her horse.

John Kail graduated from Indiana University in May 2005 with a double major in Marketing and International Studies, and a minor in Criminal Justice. He currently lives in Dayton, OH and works as a Contract Negotiator for the United States Air Force at WrightPatterson AFB. While working full-time, he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Wright State University in only fourteen months.

He is currently pursuing completion of Air Command and Staff College through the Air Force with an anticipated graduation date of November 2008.

John is on pace to move to Washington, D.C. once his program is completed in the spring of 2010. < Carter Kolb married Kayla Cook on May 20, 2007 at Devou Memorial Overlook in Kentucky, complete with an amazing private fireworks show. They are currently living in their new house near Lexington, KY. Carter also graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with his BA in Geography. Pictured, Carter and Kayla on their wedding day. > Bryan Leland received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University in May, 2007, and now works in Cincinnati for Walgreens. He and wife Christy (Freeman) Leland (00) bought a home in West Chester. Their son Braeden is 18 months old and is slowly figuring out his world. Their second child, a girl, is due in June. Pictured, (top) Bryan with Braeden and (bottom) Christy with Braeden.

Sarah (Price) Stokes recently took on a new challenge at her company as Program Director for a new initiative working alongside DuPont to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible air and water filtration products. She has also launched a website featuring her original paintings (www.SASArtwork.com) and had artwork in The Cooperative

for Education’s Fall Fiesta silent auction, a Cincinnati-based non-profit organization benef iting child welfare and education in Guatemala. She is excited to begin talks with art publishing houses about having her paintings reproduced for use in prints and various marketable media. She and husband Jeff celebrated their first anniversary on March 3, 2008, and are actively involved with Compassion International, sponsoring two children overseas and contributing to the organization at every opportunity. > Jackie (Dobbins) Mason graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN in 2005. Husband Chris Mason (also a 2005 Belmont grad) is a Technical Director for The Kroger Company.

Jackie works part-time for Nielsen Media Research in the Nielsen TV Ratings department.

The couple welcomed their third baby girl in April 2008. Pictured, (top) Jackie with her husband and daughters (Joy, age 2 and Melody, age 1) and (bottom) the newest addition to the Mason family, Samantha Addison.

Jared Summers is currently an Acquisition Program Manager for the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio.

He has worked on multiple programs including C17, LAIRCM, F-117 and is currently assigned to the F-35. Since graduating from CHCA he has earned a BS in Marketing from Miami University, a MBA with a concentration in Management, Innovation and Change from Wright State University and is currently enrolled in Air Command and Staff College at the USAF Air University. > Jodie (Henn) Van Dyke and husband Bryan live in Grand Rapids, MI, where he has been busy with his company, Van Dyke Bros. Tile & Stone. Jodie is a homemaker with son Owen, who turns two in September. The couple is also excited to report they expect their second child in December. Pictured, Jodie, Bryan and Owen.

Paige Whitney graduated from Valparaiso University in 2005, then lived in Slovakia for a year doing an internship with the Lutheran Church. After that, Paige worked in Annapolis, MD at a women and

children’s shelter, where she learned a great deal about social services and the needs of communities. Last year, Paige moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul and started graduate school at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She enjoys spending time with her brother Paul (96), his wife and their new daughter, who also live in St. Paul. < KC (Clark) Wyse earned a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in 20 05 and c o m p l e t e d a t w o year internship with Campus Crusade for Christ in Liverpool, England. She is presently completing her Master’s degree in Liverpool, and is engaged to Zachary Wyse of Stryker, OH. Pictured, KC and Zachary.

Class of 2002 > Kristi (Lippert) Burke married Glen Burke on July 16, 2007 at Devou Park in Covington, KY. Kristi finished her MS in Counseling Psychology and is working with adolescents who have drug and alcohol addictions at a community mental health agency.

The couple lives in Nashville with their Rottweiler, Maverick.

Pictured, Kristi and Glen on their wedding day.

Scot Clausing has changed jobs and is now working for RAC (an internet software company). He and wife Sarah say their house in Hendersonville, TN is slowly turning into a zoo complete with saltwater fish, love birds and toads. Next up: rabbits.

Kirby Copelin is a 2006 graduate of the University of Colorado with a BA in Classics. She also recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master’s degree in Art History. She currently resides in Cincinnati. < Jennifer Dektas graduated from George M ason U niver sit y in Fairfax, VA in 2006 with a BA in Art and Visual Technolog y and a minor in Telecommunications. She played four years of Division I Tennis for GMU, and now works as an Art Director for DHA Advertising. Jennifer met her fiancé at GMU; the couple will marry on October 4, 2008. (Fellow CHCA grad Sarah (Price) Stokes will be a bridesmaid). Pictured, Jennifer and her fiancé.

< Dorian Dostal and Wes Edmonson (02) plan to marr y in Cincinnati this December. Dorian is currently teaching Kindergarten Preparatory at CHCA Otto Armleder, while Wes is currently employed with Fidelity Investments. Pictured, Dori and Wes. > Valerie (Herrmann) Galbraith After graduating from Denison, Valerie is now completing grad work at Ohio State University, where she was a top recruit into the Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program.

Valerie received a full tuition waiver and a sizeable stipend; she hopes to have her Doctorate in about three years. Valerie married her high school sweetheart, Louie Galbraith last July, with her sister, Rachael (04), as her maid of honor.

The couple purchased a home in the Gahanna area of Columbus. Louie is an accountant with CroweChizek Accounting. Pictured, Valerie and Louie on their wedding day. < Michael Isaacs is a graduate student at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and is discerning a call to ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

On May 25, 2008 he married Gihani Perera of Knoxville, TN. Gihani recently graduated from George Washington University with a Master’s in Public Policy. Pictured, Michael and Gihani. > Cameron (Cooper) Psiaki is enjoying a six-month editorial internship with Seattle magazine, and has loved researching, writing and fact-checking pieces for the arts and culture section. She says it’s a great way to get to know the city! Cameron also continues to write fiction.

She and husband Tim are involved in the new downtown core group of their church, Mars Hill, volunteering in the children’s ministry and staying involved with a great community group with lots of other young married couples.

The couple recently moved across Lake Washington to Bellevue. Says Cameron, “It’s been wonderful to experience spring in the Pacific Northwest, which comes sooner than in other parts of the country and involves lots of flowers, even daffodils, in February!” Pictured, Cameron and husband Tim with Tim’s sisters.

Darah Stutz graduates this summer with her Master’s in Teaching from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. She is a student-teacher in the 5th grade and is quickly discovering both the joys and challenges of teaching. She and her sister, Kristen (99), took a trip to Europe together last year. For a photo from their adventure, see Kristen’s write-up in the Class of 1999 section. > Amanda (Cushman) Jackson married Mike Jackson of Lebanon, OH on June 16, 2007 in Cincinnati. Mike graduated from the University of Dayton and is an engineer for the Eaton Corporation. Amanda is working as a leasing professional while they live in Raleigh, NC. She plans to get her Master’s degree in Counseling. Pictured, Amanda and Mike on their wedding day.

Class of 2003 Jennie Dorl graduated in June with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati with a focus in Marketing and a second major in Communication. Over the past year, Jennie served as President of the UC American Marketing Association, as the Historian for Omicron Delta Kappa (a national leadership honor society), as a member of Cincinnati Women Excelling in Spirit Together and as a tutor for Cincinnati Public School students through Whiz Kids. < Rachael Eresman graduated from Elon University in May 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. She has worked as a teacher’s aide at a school for children with special needs, and now works with the Easter Seals Work Resource Center in downtown Cincinnati. Rachael, pictured, resides in Corryville.

Sarah Garber graduated from Wittenberg University in May 2007 with a degree in Middle Childhood Education, and has been teaching at St. Bernadette School as a 5th-8th grade Science teacher. She recently moved into a house and began a Master’s program at Xavier University, focusing on Education Administration.

Alex Howell graduated with a BA from the University of Cincinnati this December, and after working as Carl Lindner’s assistant for four years, decided to start his career in hospitality. Alex currently works as a front desk agent at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, WY. After a record 605 inches of snow this season, he says he is looking forward to a beautiful summer.

Patrice Amber James graduated in May 2007 from Charleston Southern University and will begin law school at Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College this August.

Alumni updates continued > > > >

51

Class of 2003 (continued) Ashley Petersen graduated with a degree in Communications from Wittenberg University in 2007. Since then, she has served in the role of Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at the college.

Ashley took to the road on July 11 this summer for a twenty-three day, six-thousand mile trip around the nation. The road trip is called Witt Nation, and it’s a first for the university. The focus of the trip for Ashley and two others is to visit the hometowns of fellow alumni and see firsthand how they are leading personal, professional and civic lives of creativity, service, compassion and integrity. Along the way, Ashley will partner with churches to do service projects in the communities the team visits. Ashley is planning to collect something from every state she travels through over the course of the trip and is leaning toward hot sauce. Check the Wittenberg website at www.wittenberg.edu/wittnation for Ashley’s blog as she travels the country.

Class of 2004 < John David Barnhart In May 2007, John graduated with a BA in Finance from Ashland University af ter only three years. He played baseball for the AU Eagles for two years and then decided to graduate a year early, taking 21 credit hours each semester. He began his MBA program in May 2007 at Xavier University, and will complete it this summer with an emphasis in Finance.

His future plans are to work in the investment business, but he will be interviewing for jobs this summer and begin working full time this August. Pictured, John on graduation day.

Kelley Carpenter recently got engaged to Dan Edelmann (05). The couple started dating in 2004 when both were involved in the Electric Jazz Orchestra, and will marry on January 17, 2009. > Rachael Herrmann CHCA prepared Rachael for the University of Michigan, and Michigan prepared Rachael very well for grad school.

Rachael graduated this past April as an honors student in Psychology.

She was accepted into Loyola’s Applied Social Psychology doctoral program. She will receive a full tuition waiver, medical insurance, Chicago transit pass and a hefty stipend. Rachael is engaged to Ian Martinez of Lima, OH and plans to marry on August 9, 2008. Sister Valerie (02) will be her matron of honor. Rachael’s fiancé works at the University of Chicago as Director of Communications. Pictured, Rachael and Ian.

52

Kevin Nead has been busy at the University of Florida. A Pre-med and Zoology major, Nead holds a 3.97 GPA. The UF senior is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier (2004, 2008), two-time U.S. Nationals finalist, two-time All-American and a four-time All-SEC honoree.

He took 15th place in the 400 IM at the 2007 National Championships, swimming a lifetime best of 3:49.67. For more on what Kevin has been up to, turn to page 55.

< Devon Steelman In the fall, Devon will be entering his fifth and final year as an Operations Management major in the Lindner Honors-PLUS Program at the University of Cincinnati. He is currently co-oping with General Electric. Devon has been a very active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, where he has served in various positions, including Chaplain and Treasurer. Pictured, Devon.

Class of 2005 Rebecca Chait While attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, Rebecca was selected from the top students on the National Dean’s List to participate in a 10-day study abroad investigation of the Australian health care system in a program called “International Scholar’s Laureate Program: Delegation on Medicine in Australia.” Rebecca will also be taking the MCAT this May and will begin the process of applying to medical school.

John Pate presented a paper at the 6 th International Workshop on Treebanks and Linguistic Theories in Norway this past December. Treebanks and Linguistic Theories is a refereed international conference that focuses on work involving large amounts of text or speech which have had their syntactic structure annotated. John’s paper specifically discussed work he had done last summer on statistical parsing, which uses treebanks to automatically determine the syntactic structure of sentences.

John enrolled last quarter in OSU’s BA/MA program in Linguistics, and hopes to graduate in the spring of 2009 with his B.A. in Linguistics (with minors in Cognitive Science and Philosophy) along with an M.A. in Linguistics. This summer, he expects to be working on a model of word segmentation. “Real speech doesn’t have pauses between words, so it is not immediately clear how eight-month-old infants who don’t know any words yet are able to divide a continuous speech stream into a sequence of discrete words,” he says. “I’ll be working on extracting aspects of prosody (roughly, the intonation and rhythm of speech) to see if it can help indicate when a speech stream includes a word boundary.”

Class of 2006 Sara Durham is currently a sophomore Arts Administration major at the University of Kentucky, with a main interest in Theater. She recently won a part in the production of As It Is in Heaven, a play

by Arlene Hutton about nine women in a Shaker community. She is in the Kappa Delta sorority at UK, where she is Vice President of Operations and on the Continuous Recruitment committee. Sara was also on the fall 2007 Dean’s List, and feels her years at CHCA really helped her prepare for her college experience. She recently accepted a position for the 2008-2009 school year as House Manager for the UK Fine Arts Department’s Guignol Theater and the Lexington Children’s Theater, which is also an internship.

Elizabeth “Lizz” Stogner is a member of the Silver Award-winning Sullivan University Culinary Team. She will help run the Sullivan University Culinary Camp this summer. She has at least one more

year of college to get her Bachelor’s. Lizz should be receiving two Associate’s Degrees in Culinary and Bakery this September. < Matt Witte Af ter graduation from CHCA, Matt studied at Miami University for one year. Then, last fall, Matt joined the U.S. Navy, recently completing nine weeks of Naval Basic Training at Great Lakes, IL. He is currently in the beginning of his 18 months of study in Charleston, SC. After completing his training, Matt will be an Electronics Specialist in Nuclear Propulsion. His duty station has not been determined, but he will eventually be deployed either on a submarine or aircraft carrier for the remainder of his 6-year enlistment. Pictured, Matt.

Class of 2007 < D a v i d Betcher (left) a n d Ty l e r Steier visit with Linda Kelly, their CHCA kindergarten teacher.

David and Tyler a r e b o t h c u rrently studying engineering at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN, near Mrs. Kelly’s home, and say they enjoy joining the Kellys for Sunday dinner. > Jason Emert joined the U.S. Navy in October 2007 and is now stationed at the New London Submarine Base in Groton, CT. There, he attends “FT A-School” which he says is essentially college to get a degree and perform it aboard a submarine. Jason, ranked Petty Officer Third Class, will be stationed aboard a submarine this November.

“It is very rare for someone of my age to gain rank that quickly in the Navy, so I attribute my success to what discipline and skills I learned from my parents and CHCA,” he says. “Also, the service hours that I earned at CHCA were accounted for by my superiors and have earned me an award.” Pictured, Jason in his Navy uniform. < Ryan Collado Ryan Collado (right) and class of 2004 CHCA grad Robbie Wilson meet before they face off on the field for the Miami University vs. University of Minnesota football game. Wilson is a defensive back for the MU Redhawks; Collado is a defensive back for the UM Golden Gophers. Both teams battled hard through triple overtime, but in the end the Gophers bested the Redhawks 41-35.

For more on how Ryan’s doing in the Big 10, see page 53.

Ryan Collado Tackles the Competition at the University of Minnesota

Danny Stull

In his freshman year at the University of Minnesota, CHCA Class of 2007 grad Ryan Collado is making his presence known on the football field. As defensive back for the Golden Gophers, Collado saw action in all 12 games (and started in nine of them), recorded 51 tackles, four pass break-ups, and one forced fumble. Over 84% of his tackles were unassisted. Off the field, Collado received a scholarathlete award.

Ryan Betscher

Tracy Cacchiotti

Mark Millett

In Memoriam Class of 2003 alumnus Andrew Jewell 1985-2008 Andrew Jewell, a Class of 2003 CHCA grad, will always be remembered for his ability to be both a great friend and a great competitor.

“I had known Andrew since I transferred to CHCA in the 6th grade,” says Brendan Hall, one of Andrew’s classmates.

“Most of my time spent with him was while we were both on basketball teams in grade school and the early parts of high school. Anyone who was ever a teammate of Andrew’s knows how much of a competitor he was… his desire to win is something I will always remember.”

Andrew, who was a senior majoring in Business Management at Northern Kentucky University, died April 2nd of an epileptic seizure at his mother’s home. He was 23.

The star golfer was captain of NKU’s golf team and was a force to be reckoned with on the course when he played for CHCA. He was once ranked 41st in the nation among collegiate golfers.

“I knew Andrew since middle school, and we kept in touch throughout college,” says Megan Goebel, another Class of 2003 classmate. “He was a very deep person that really cared about people and wanted to make them smile.

He was really passionate about golf and enjoyed his time at NKU and bartending. I saw him a week before he passed away and he was very excited about going to Arizona for golf and exploring new opportunities for his life.”

Our alumni are scattered around the world serving and affecting their communities for the Lord.

We welcome back ones who have decided to return to share their time, talents, energy and hearts with the next generation of CHCA students.

Familiar Faces in CHCA’s Spaces

Mark Millett Varsity Football Team Defensive Line/ Offensive Line Coordinator and Junior Varsity Defensive Line Coordinator A CHCA class of 2000 alumnus, Mark graduated from the University of Arizona in 2004 with a degree in Religious Studies. During his years at U of A, he served as team manager for the football program. He now works at David A. Millett Interior Design Inc. as a Designer Assistant.

Millett, who attended CHCA from fourth grade through graduation, is happy to be involved again in the same football program that helped him realize the value of hard work. “I’ve always enjoyed football, and had a great experience at CHCA. The combination of camaraderie and character building brought me back,” he says. “I hope I can pass along that experience to others.”

In his spare time, Mark travels a lot, and is a known music connoisseur and patron of the arts.

Ryan Betscher Jr. High Football Team Offensive Coordinator Ryan returns to CHCA this fall, and the 2000 CHCA grad can’t wait to help coach the Eagles to success. “I believe football is a great training ground for learning life lessons and I know the impact that my coaches had on my life,” Betscher says. “I look forward to seeing kids grow not only as football players but also as students and in their Christian walk.”

After graduating from CHCA, Betscher attended Trinity International University near Chicago where he earned a degree in Business Management in 2004. He now works as a Senior Research Analyst with AC Nielsen BASES in Covington. He and wife Alli are expecting their first child this September.

Danny Stull Jr. High Football Team Offensive Coordinator Danny, who graduated from CHCA in 2003, is looking forward to coming back to CHCA not only to coach football, but for a bigger purpose as well. “Middle school is such an impressionable age and I believe that these kids really need positive role models that they can relate to,” he says.

“CHCA is a place I want to return to because I

love the opportunities it gave me in life. I never thought I would be coming back, but the more I prayed about it, the more I felt like God was telling me that this would be a great opportunity to pour into these kids’ lives.”

Danny graduated from Miami University in Oxford with a major in Marketing and minor in Entrepreneurship. He now uses those skills as a Marketing Representative for Cabling Specialists, Inc., a company that does structured cabling and audio/visual installation. Danny loves the outdoors and says he fly fishes any time he can.

Tracy Cacchiotti Assistant to the Business Office This class of 2005 grad is working in CHCA’s Administrative Offices while she finishes up her Biological Sciences degree at Northern Kentucky University. As Assistant to the Business Office, Tracy helps with student billing, billing for the middle school’s after school room, and also manages input for the general ledger. After transferring to NKU from Georgetown College, Tracy found working in the Business Office to be a natural move. “I used to help around here for service hours when I was in school, so I got to know and love everyone in these offices,” she says. “I work with amazing, encouraging, uplifting people, and it is a joy to work with all of them.”

Tracy is still figuring out what she wants to do after she graduates from NKU, but she knows it will be people-focused. Having gone to Monterrey, Mexico with Back2Back ministries every summer since she was in 7th grade, Tracy has developed relationships with people there that have inspired her to make a career out of serving others. “I have thought both about the medical field and teaching,” Tracy says. “Since I still have a huge heart for mission work, especially in Monterrey, I would like to be able to use my gifts in a way down there as well.”

Mark, Ryan, Danny and Tracy join fellow alumni Billy Taylor, Liz Bronson, Kourtney Klendworth, Dorian Dostal, Shana Stull and Chad Leland on CHCA’s campus.

53 53

chca

soaring

Successful Alumni Affect Their World

by Liz Bronson

Life Going Swimmingly for 2004 Grad

Whether in the pool or on dry land, it seems like Kevin Nead is always moving. The CHCA Class of 2004 grad is a senior at the University of Florida, majoring in Zoology and Pre-Med, and the guy just can’t seem to stop racking up awards and accolades.

To name a few, the star Gator swimmer was named 2008 SEC Swimming and Diving Scholar Athlete of the Year (the first two-time winner in history); was inducted into both the University of Florida Hall of Fame and the Matthews Society (comprised of twelve of the University of Florida’s most elite student-leaders); was elected to the SEC Community Service Team; awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship; was recognized as an Academic All-American by ESPN The Magazine; and was honored with the competitive Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship, where he spent six months studying the genetics of Type II Diabetes research in Lille, France (more on that later). And that’s all in the past year, while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. “The GPA, swimming and lab work all exist as part of a balance that includes a social life. If anything is sacrificed it is probably sleep,” Kevin says.

He may be missing out on some sleep, but it’s hard to imagine this driven, talented student complaining about it. Possibly more impressive than the awards won, records set and grade point average is the way Kevin has found to channel his abilities and drive into something positive. “I’ve always been fascinated by the concept that we can do things in medical clinics and laboratories that will impact other people’s lives,” he points out. “This interest is what has drawn me to medicine, but diabetes does strike a special chord.

Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune 54

disorders are prevalent in my family and chances are will affect me one day.”

While in France last summer, Kevin studied under the tutelage of Dr. Philippe Froguel, the most cited diabetes researcher in the world. “I was basically given my own project to complete, six months to do it, and two wonderful advisors who answered my questions and never failed to point me in the right direction,” Kevin notes. “It was stressful at times, but the manuscript was submitted with myself as first author, which is pretty special for an undergraduate.” The work Kevin did is now under review by a medical genetics journal and could be published soon.

Somehow, Kevin also found time to organize and participate in a charity bike ride which raised over $3,300 for diabetes research. The four day, 471 mile bike ride across France was no stroll through the park, even for this seasoned athlete. “I love to take on huge projects and pride myself on being able to do things others cannot. That being said, 471 miles in four days was pushing it,” he admits.

“It was absolutely beautiful, though. I started on the border of Belgium and rode through the Loire Valley all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. I must have seen 50 sunflower fields and 100 chateaus. It was a personal test and adventure that I doubt I will (at least alone) experience again.”

Much of the passion Kevin has for pursuing such things is undoubtedly innate, but he does attribute his self-assurance to his time at Cincinnati Hills.

“CHCA instilled in me a confidence that it was okay to be myself. I have never been scared to explore the path less traveled or to be different since my time there,” he attests. “It applies spiritually and socially… that in being different and in doing what others do not, we find real success.”

Before he graduates from UF this fall, Kevin will spend time working on a clinical study in diabetes.

“This will give me an opportunity to work with patients in a clinic which is really what I hope to do later in life,” he says. After graduation, he hopes to take a position at Yale University spending five months investigating novel drugs to treat diabetes.

Then it’s off to medical school, where he plans to pursue a Doctorate of Medicine/Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. But not before some much deserved time off. “Before entering med school I am going to cool the jets a little and travel, spend time with my family, and relax before moving on to the next big chapter of my life,” he says. “I really want to accomplish something that makes life better for other people.” While he’s earned a break, it’s no doubt he’ll be off and running (or cycling, or swimming) again soon, making more headlines and setting new records everywhere he goes.

2007 Grad Dances Her Way from CHCA to NYC Modern dance is about conveying emotion to t he audie nce , and encourages free thinking and original movement rather than structured steps. Ballet, on the other hand, is a highly technical and more formal kind of dance. Life is a little like dance – a few structured steps, some improvised moves, and freedom to make it up as you go along. In her freshman year at New York University, class of 2007 grad Epiphany Davis is doing her best to learn the dance, both literally and metaphorically. Then again, that’s just what she’s done for the past 16 years or so.

Epiphany has danced since she was two years old.

Growing up, her elegant moves graced stages from CHCA’s to the Aronoff Center for the Arts. So it was natural that she would go to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, one of the nation’s best training grounds for dance, in New York City, the home of Broadway, the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera and the world’s most talented dancers and choreographers.

People who want a career in dance flock to New York the way musicians flock to Nashville.

These days, Epiphany is living her dream. Majoring in Dance with a minor in Environmental Studies, she takes an interesting mix of typical freshman courses and challenging movement classes: writing, The American Musical, Dance Theory, Anatomy, The Harlem Renaissance, and of course, Ballet and Modern Dance. Outside the classroom, Epiphany has performed in a number of student showings (productions choreographed and performed by students) and Faculty Workshops, and was assistant stage manager for a student showing in May. “It’s different dancing in college mainly because it’s my school,” she says. “Instead of having a full day of high school and then going to dance for 3 hours at night, I dance 3 hours in the morning, then have two academic classes per semester, and the rest of my classes are core curriculum for my dance major.”

The former Encore performing choir member also continues to take singing lessons and finds time for community service. As a Martin Luther King Scholar, Epiphany got a chance to travel to Peru in January, where she and other NYU students lived and served.

“We stayed in homes with families in a small town and

worked in groups helping with the construction of bathrooms for elementary students, assisted doctors with healthcare, and built more efficient stoves for their houses,” she says. “Not only did I get to bond with my fellow scholars but I also got a chance to work with the locals and really experience their life.

It was unlike any service trip I’ve ever been on.”

This summer Epiphany will stay in the U.S., but is splitting her time between both coasts. In May and June, she spent six weeks at NYU performing with six modern dance companies; in July and August she will intern with Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, an international touring company based in San Francisco. “I’ll be working in their marketing department, planning for the upcoming season, and taking classes with the company,” Epiphany says.

This kind of schedule might sound exhausting, and it can be even for this veteran performer. But when you’re working hard at something you love, it’s worth it. “I think that it is the artistry in dance that has kept me in it,” she observes. “It taught me things like time management when I was younger, but it’s also an outlet for expressing emotions, a learning experience artistically and creatively, and it also just makes me feel good. I literally can barely move right now because of how sore I am, but I really love to dance.”

That love is propelling her forward, into oncein-a-lifetime opportunities with the dance world’s most talented performers and instructors. Like most freshmen, she’s got an idea of what she’d like to do after college but hasn’t quite decided yet. “My goal is to be dancing professionally whether commercially, on Broadway, or for a concert dance company,” Epiphany says. She also has her sights set on a career abroad. “I would love to dance in Europe, maybe, but I definitely want to stay in the city for awhile. And even further along the line I want to get into marine biology, after I’ve had a long dance career!”

Those who know Epiphany know it’s just as likely that she’ll be a professional Broadway dancer as it is that she’ll also someday be a marine biologist.

She’s got lots of dreams, and mentions that CHCA helped her get where she is today, a place where those dreams are taking shape and becoming reality.

“CHCA was super helpful in getting me ready for college,” she notes. At Cincinnati Hills, where she received a well-rounded education in addition to opportunities to explore the arts, she was able to develop her brain as well as her body. “I learned so much academically and socially in high school from teachers and friends; I sometimes surprise people that I’m actually smart.”

She’s driven, dedicated, and passionate about what she does. Look for Epiphany on stage for many years to come.

Class of 2000 Grad Brings Message to Gen Y

In less than a minute, you can download a song from iTunes, text message eight friends, map a route on your GPS system, and get the latest updates from any of a number of 24-hour news channels. Instant information is expected and demanded, especially for Generation Y, the name that refers to those born between 1979 and 1994. So it’s no wonder that the old way

of communicating messages of faith to those under 30 gets blocked like spam e-mail.

“You can’t talk to an mp3 generation with an 8-track message,” says Paul Booth, CHCA Class of 2000 grad. “We need to reach them on their level– they’re not interested in ‘church’, they’re interested in relationships,” he says, referring to the age group of which he is a part himself. “This is a group of people who are constantly asking ‘How does this apply to me?’” Paul’s mission these days is to take the messages of the Bible and make them relevant to his generation, using the same modes of communication that are now the norm.

He started with a great foundation from his family, and started developing his knack for communicating in high school. “CHCA was one of the first platforms to do ministry, get involved and preach – those opportunities prepared me for the leadership roles that I have now,” he says. “Speaking in chapel and student government allowed me to connect with others my age and realize I could do that.” He also credits great teachers with inspiring him to look at the Bible in new ways. “The mentoring I received at CHCA had a big impact. The way teachers like Dr. Nicholas taught us about Christianity was not indoctrination. We were allowed to be open to exploring the faith and finding out how it related to our lives.” Paul was also sure to take advantage of leadership opportunities, sitting on student council for all four years, starting new clubs where he saw the need, and participating on the track team for three years.

These beginnings blossomed once he went to DePauw University for his undergraduate degree, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science. Paul then went to Atlanta where he recently completed his Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Now, Reverend Booth is working on earning his Master’s in Management from Harvard. So where do politics, religion and business intersect? “This background will help me have a multifaceted ministry: I will have the tools to speak publicly, preach the gospel, and help with economic concerns,” Paul says. “More than anything, I want to add value to society.”

While he finishes up his Master’s in Management, Paul is Youth Pastor at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta. At Zion Hill and in the numerous opportunities he gets to speak to churches and groups across the country, Paul develops ideas for energetic praise and worship, outreach, academic advancement and creative expression, all things that are important to his generation.

“I believe the days of just preaching the gospel and expecting people to come to us are over,” he contends.

“In the book of Isaiah the Lord says, ‘Behold, I will do a new thing!’

The church has to be more creative without changing the core of the message.”

One thing that Paul recognizes is that the desire to be heard and acknowledged is the same for 20somethings

today as it was in Jesus’ time. “Remember what the apostle Paul said to Timothy: ‘Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity,’” he says. And in a time when many Gen Y-ers are struggling to find their place in the world, Paul offers some advice. “God has a specific calling for each of us. Don’t fulfill someone else’s dream – follow the passion that He has put inside of you,” he urges.

It is with this passion for reaching others with the inspiring message of Christ’s love that Paul was stirred to start his own organization, The FIRM (Fellowship of Interdenominational Revival Ministries), a vehicle for helping churches and other faith organizations to reach that elusive younger audience with a mixture of energy and technology. “We will seek to provide services for churches that are looking to grow in new ways – this could mean helping a church expand their web capabilities, use technology and music to attract young adults, and generally enable ministries to be relevant to their communities,” he says.

We may have the world at our fingertips, he says, but when it comes down to it, it’s all about relationships. With an innate heart for public service, faith and people, Paul hopes to take that philosophy and reach thousands of others with the message that God loves them and wants them to realize their potential. Whether communicated by text message, podcast or plain old conversation, he is sure to do just that.

CHCA Alumni Events August 8, 2008

Men’s Alumni Soccer Game & Picnic High School Stadium 6:00 p.m. – Alumni soccer game 8:00 p.m. – Current Varsity team scrimmage

August 9, 2008

Class of 2003 5 Year Reunion Lake Isabella in Loveland, OH 3:00 p.m.

September 26, 2008

Homecoming Weekend High School Stadium 5:30 p.m. – Picnic and alumni social 7:30 p.m. – Homecoming football game

October 4, 2008

Class of 1998 – 10 Year Reunion Jon & Jessica (Martin) Snyder’s home 2:00 p.m.

Check www.chca-oh.org for further details or contact Alumni Relations Coordinator Tracy Wolcott at (513) 247-9944 ext. 210 or tracy.wolcott@chca-oh.org.

55

chca

soaring

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 4410 Cincinnati, Ohio

CINCINNATI HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 11525 Snider Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249 Parents of alumni: if this issue of Eagle’s Eye has been mailed to an alumnus who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify Tracy Wolcott to update your child’s records at tracy.wolcott@chca-oh.org.