The Legacy Fall 2017 by College Heights Christian School

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER

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legacy

F A L L

THE

S H A R I NG C O M M ON R O OT S – NO U R I S H I NG G E N E R AT ION S

Reconnecting with… CARTER CALEF (’05) When did you begin attending CHCS? Kindergarten, 1996 What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? Scholar’s Bowl, Math League, Model UN, Student Council Who was your favorite teacher and why? Mrs. Miller – I love science and liked the way she taught. I took 5 classes with her in the 4 years of high school How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as an adult? As a teen I didn’t know how awkward I was. Now I have progressed to being comfortable in my awkwardness. How would your old classmates describe you? A nerd. They’d be right. What did you like best about your years at CHCS? The quality education in the Christian environment. There’s peer pressure to be good. How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life? I felt very prepared in science, math, Christian Worldview apologetics, and responsibility. The Scriptures we memorized over the years have come back to mind time and time again. Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? I attended the University of Arkansas for 4 years and got a B.S. in Biophysical Chemistry. I thought I wanted to be a doctor so worked in the medical field for several years and did medical school for two years before deciding medicine wasn’t for me. After much searching I decided to become a teacher, and am finishing my Masters of Arts in Teaching and have my certification in Unified Science--Chemistry for all high school and middle school sciences. During that searching I found my wife and we have now been married for four years. She is also a teacher and was hired at CHCS to teach first grade last year. When I finished my certification there happened to be an opening to become CHCS’s middle school science teacher! I am very blessed to be teaching back at my alma mater and at the same place as my wife. We are further blessed with our first child on the way--due in February! Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you? I am now teaching middle school at CHCS. It is great to be able to train up students in more than just science, but also real spiritual questions and general life skills. It’s also important to me to be able to contribute back to the school that has given so much to me. What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Life is not always clear what’s next or why failure happens. God is good and works all things for His glory.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” –Jeremiah 17:7-8

Cougar Tracks HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE ALUMNI WHO WERE RECENTLY MARRIED

Jasmine Johnson (’13) married Zack Brower August 27, 2017. Jasmine is finishing her studies at MSSU where she is majoring in Health Promotion and Wellness and minoring in Business Management. She and Zack work for Chick Fil A and are currently building a home in Duquesne.

Logan Lewis (’15) and Katelyn Jackson (’15) were married June 17, 2017.

Brantly Gossett (’13) married Riley Cockrum September 2, 2017.

Sarah Calandro (’13) married Durrell Green May 27, 2017. They are making their home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Ben Chaffee (’15) and Grace Reed (’15) were married May 20, 2017.

Lindsay Judah Udell (’00) married Nathan Balcom (‘00) May 20, 2017. They live in Webb City and are raising their two children. Emma is 14 and Jesse is 9.

Alumni Inspire Current Students Several alumni have come back to CHCS this semester to speak to students in Professional Development class, taught by Janene Russell. It has been so wonderful to see our former students inspiring and encouraging current students as they think about the future and explore various career paths. Thank you to those who have come already and to those who are scheduled to come in the near future! Bryan Bridgford (’08) – Pharmacy Kelsey Myers (’08) – Surgical Tech Ashley (Sauer) Neely (’09) – Speech Language Pathology Mark Robertson (’10) – Engineering Mark Stanley (’11) – Civil Engineering Olivia Massy (’12) – NICU Nursing

OLIVIA MASSY

KELSEY MYERS

Congratulations to Olivia Massey (’12) who graduated from MSSU in May, 2017 with a BSN. She is employed by Mercy Hospital in Joplin as a NICU nurse.

Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Chaney (’08). Andrew received his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Baylor University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Health and Science San Antonio this past May. He is working at Fusion Dental in Waco, Texas. He married his wife, Kristen, a fellow graduate of Baylor ant UTHSCA and an RN in the NICU in 2012. They are currently building a home in Waco.

David Calandro (’11) was recently named the National Conservation Youth Leader of the Year by the National Wildlife Federation. The award recognizes the special conservation achievements of youth leaders within the National Wildlife Federation affiliate ranks. The award ceremony took place in June at the National Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting in Stevenson, Washington. David graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a double major in forestry and fisheries and wildlife and also completed six years of service with the Army National Guard as a helicopter mechanic.

Julie (Shepherd ) (’13) and Brant Holden are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter. Brilie Holden was born June 11, 2017.

Will Little (attended) had a strong year playing tennis for Baylor University. Baylor is a perennial top ten national contender in men’s tennis. In May, Will earned NCAA All-American honors in doubles with partner Juan Benitez of Medellin, Columbia, by making it to the NCAA quarterfinals Will also made the Big 12 All-Academic team. The Baylor men’s team was named to the ITA All-Academic team. Congrats, Will!

Congratulations to Zach (’11) and Chelsea Wilkins on the birth of Ezekiel (Zeke) James Wilkins. Zeke was born October 3, 2017. Zach serves as the Student Minister at Victory Christian Church in Franklin, IN.

Regina (Harris) Newport (’03) writes that she is in her sixth year teaching in the Carthage school district as a Hearing Impairment Teacher. She graduated with a Master of Science in Communications and Disorders in 2012. She has two children, Alana (8) and Henry (10 months). Her husband, Kirby, also works at Carthage High School as a government teacher. They have been married two years and enjoy month-long road trips every summer.

Class of 2007 Celebrates Ten Year Reunion The class of 2007 got together last May to celebrate their 10 year reunion! Pictured left to right are Scott Austin, Brianna (Tunnell) Howard,Emily (Ohmart) Otey, Lewis Sparlin, Alex (McIntire) Willis, Stacy (Roycraft) Bowers, Emily Dunavent and Rachel Geary.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR…

HOMECOMING 2017 Saturday, December 16 OCC Gymnasium. We will hold a special reception honoring YOU on the upper west side of the gym. Join us for a sweet time of reconnecting with old friends!

Reach Out… Reconnect… and Remember The Legacy alumni newsletter is currently printed three times a year. Your input is important to help us keep everyone up to date. If you have alumni news you’d like to submit, would like to update your contact information or be added to the mailing list, contact Sonya Wilkins at 417-782-4114, ext. 236 or swilkins@collegeheights.org.