The Legacy Spring 2017 by College Heights Christian School

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER

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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… ANDREW JORDAN (’01) When did you begin attending CHCS? When I was three years old, in 1986. What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? Band, Model United Nations, Academic Bowl, Math League, Student Government. Who was your favorite teacher and why? Mr. Lewis was my favorite teacher because I love history, and I learned so much from his classes. I feel like those classes gave me a better and broader view of the world. Getting to test out of three college-level history classes was a nice bonus too. How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)

BRYAN BRIDGFORD (’08) When did you begin attending CHCS? I started off in Kindergarten with Mrs. Lewis and continued all the way until graduation. (1994-2008). What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? I was involved in Math League, National Honor Society, Soccer, and I got to be on the baseball team during its first four years of existence. Who was your favorite teacher and why? It is very close on this one because I had so many good ones! However, I must go with Mrs. Green. I learned a lot from her math classes and she cared a great deal about every student in her class. I also thought it was hilarious when she locked her keys in the van while it was running (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)

LINDSEY (Chenoweth) SJORLUND (’09) When did you begin attending CHCS? I started attended CHCS in Preschool 3 and stayed until I graduated high school. What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? Basketball, Softball, Math League, Student Council, National Honor Society Who was your favorite teacher and why? In elementary school my favorite teachers were Mrs. Cruse (1st grade) and Mrs. Ball (2nd grade). They inspired me to become a teacher myself. In middle school and high school my favorite teacher was Mr. Blankenship. Mr. B taught Bible in middle school and then moved up to high school Bible my (CONTINUED ON PAGE 3)

“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

RECONNECTING WITH ANDREW JORDAN (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

an adult? I saw the world as more rigid and black and white when I was a teenager. I have learned a lot about grace and empathy as I have grown up. I have also gotten to experience more of the diversity of God’s Kingdom, and I think that has been a good thing. I am a lot less concerned about being right in every detail and am more comfortable that there are a lot of things we won’t really know the final answer on in this life and that it’s ok to agree to disagree on some things. How would your old classmates describe you? I think they would say I was smart and funny. I hope they would say that I cared about other people. What did you like best about your years at CHCS? It’s hard to pick one thing—I had such a great experience that I am sending my own kids to College Heights. How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life? Academically, I was very well prepared for college. Learning to work hard and delay gratification have been helpful in my career and life. The most important thing that made me better prepared for life was growing my relationship with God. That has helped me through hard times and led me to finding a purpose for my life. Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (schooling, career, family, missions, etc) I attended Missouri State in Springfield for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in Accounting. After starting in Public Accounting in Springfield, my wife and I moved back to this area, buying a home in Carthage where I worked. After about eight years in Public Accounting, I was planning to start my own CPA firm when I was offered a job as the Chief Financial Officer of a 75-person company in Joplin. That offer seemed like such a great way to gain experience that would help my future clients that I took it. That was a wild ride, and I learned a ton. There was fraud going on at the business, which I blew the whistle on. Next, I was promoted to President and spent the last year successfully turning the company around. We were profitable all of 1st quarter 2017, which was a huge accomplishment for my team considering RECONNECTING WITH BRYAN BRIDGFORD (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

when we were eating at the KuKu Burger after a math competition in NEO. She was always a good sport about that story (sorry, Mrs. Green, people need to know). How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as an adult? How would your old classmates describe you? Good guy, nice hair, likes free food. What did you like best about your years at CHCS? My classmates, but Chick-Fil-A lunch on Wednesdays is a close second. How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life? First, work ethic. After CHCS, I went to St. Louis College of Pharmacy and it was very challenging. Pharmacy school is a lot of hard work no matter how naturally smart you are. College Heights really prepared me to be able to work diligently on school work. Secondly, fun. Life isn’t all about work and I think that is something the teachers at CHCS know. I had a lot of good times mixed in with all that work. Last of all, my faith. I’m not saying I had the best knowledge of my personal walk with God in high school but I am very thankful for the Christian examples I had in high school. My time at CHCS encouraged me to dive deeper into understanding life and my faith. (Honorable mention: how to write a three point

where we started. I learned an incredible amount and loved that experience because I worked with great people. In April 2017, however, our ownership group had some things going on with their portfolio of companies, which we were a very small part of, and decided they needed liquidate several of their companies, including the one I worked for. Who were the most influential people in your life, role models? My dad is the person I most want to be like. He does an amazing job of taking care of his family. In high school I realized that what I liked about his job—that he got to help people by doing something technically challenging—should guide my career choices. Seeing my dad be a steady rock no matter what happens allowed me to be steady in the face of a lot of challenges during my career. Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you? I love owning Jordan CPA Services because I get to help people. My specialty is being the Chief Financial Officer for businesses who are too small to have their own CFO in house. It’s called “fractional” or “outsourced” CFO services, and it basically lets me use my experience to help lots of businesses make better financial decisions. A small business is so important to the owners and the employees, and I love being able to use my gifts to help them run better. What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Some of the best advice I was given was that your faith has to be your own. If your faith is really just a habit or if it’s your parents’ faith or just something you do because you are at a Christian school, then that faith won’t stand after you graduate. Make sure you have a personal relationship with God, not just a tradition. I am sure a number of people told me this, but I especially remember Andy Melton, who was a few years older than me, talk about this at chapel one day. Also, if you are going to college, join a Christian group on campus the first week. Make that your top priority. If there is anything else you would like to share, please do! I have an incredible wife who was an amazing teacher but now stays home with our three beautiful kids. She makes my life a lot more fun and is my perfect partner through life.

paragraph as exemplified here). Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (schooling, career, family, missions, etc) After graduating in 2008 I went to St. Louis for Pharmacy School. During these years I grew a lot in my faith and one summer I met the love of my life, Madeline Rick. I graduated as a Doctor of Pharmacy in 2014 and got married that same summer. Recently we bought a house about a mile away from where I grew up in Joplin. Who were the most influential people in your life, role models? Teachers, youth group leaders, college age mentors, and ministers at my churches. If you are one of these you have influence! My parents definitely played the biggest role in my life. Love you Mom and Dad! Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you? I work at the Walmart Neighborhood Market Pharmacy on Maiden Lane in Joplin. A passion of mine is helping people understand their medications and navigate a tricky health care system. I have come to really begin to care for my patients and it is also really cool that they check on me and ask how I’m doing as well. What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Learn how to balance work and rest, seek mentors, and find a local church to dig into wherever you go.

RECONNECTING WITH LINDSEY SJORLUND (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

sophomore year, so I had him for Bible for 6 years of my schooling. Not only did he teach Bible class, but he also coached my basketball and softball team. Coach B cared about his students and had a genuine interest in our lives. He was always fair and was kind to all of his students. Because of Coach B’s instruction I feel like I graduated with a firm foundation of Biblical knowledge and conviction. I was able to carry that knowledge into college and it helped me to deal with being put into the secular world after 15 years of Christian education. How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as an adult? As a teenager, I was very social and always wanted to be with my friends. I played sports more for the social aspect than the competitive aspect. I was also a perfectionist and worked my tail off to make sure I graduated with a 4.0 and as valedictorian (one of six!) of our class. I would rather sacrifice sleep than miss out on the fun, so I was often up late finishing homework after spending the evening or weekend with friends. As an adult, I’m still very social and love being around people. I have learned that I don’t have to be perfect all the time, and that sometimes things are not worth stressing over. Overall, I think I am pretty similar to the way I was in high school. How would your old classmates describe you? Outgoing, social, liked to be in charge ;), smart, organized What did you like best about your years at CHCS? The friendships I made at CHCS are ones that I will keep my entire life. I love that I got to grow up with Christian friends. I loved that being good was cool and no one looked down on you for making Godly choices. We had more positive peer pressure than negative. I also loved the Biblical foundation I received at CHCS. Although I didn’t love the memory verses at the time, I am so glad that I have so much of God’s word ready at a moment’s notice. If I need a verse for a certain situation, I can usually find it pretty quickly How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life? I was amazed when I got to college how many of my fellow students didn’t know how to do basic things like write a good paper. CHCS was challenging academically, so it made the move to college relatively easy. I can’t say the same for my friends from public

schools. I also still use things I learned in Biblical finance. The life skills I learned have been the most beneficial. Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (schooling, career, family, missions, etc) After graduating in 2009, I married my wonderful husband Malachi (who I met my senior year at CHCS) on July 10, 2010. I graduated from Missouri Southern with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education in 2013, and I recently received my Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State as an Educational Reading Specialist. Currently I am a stay-at-home mom to my two boys, Lennox (2), and Maddox (8 months). I also teach English to Chinese children online through a company called VIPKID. Who were the most influential people in your life, role models? Growing up, the most influential people in my life were my parents. The raised me in a Godly home and taught me how to be a responsible adult. When I was a teenager, I thought they were way too strict, but looking back I’m so glad they were! I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was back then! My friends were also very influential in my life. I was so blessed to grow up with a good group of Christian friends. We challenged each other in our faith and held each other accountable. I took it for granted as a teenager, but now I realized how rare it is to find friends that share your faith and I am so blessed to still be friends with those girls today. Although I only knew him for my last year of high school, my husband was incredibly influential in my life. He showed me what unconditional love really is. He taught me to stand up for myself. He taught me to relax and not worry so much about everything being perfect all the time. What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Make the most of your high school years. You’ll never get them back and it’s your last chance to live without adult responsibilities. Be involved. Play sports (even if you’re not very good!), join clubs, go on the class trip. My best school memories are from extracurricular activities. Be responsible and treat your teachers with respect. If they like you, they’ll give you a little extra grace when you need it 

Cougar Tracks

Congratulations to Alan Good (‘09), who graduated on May 20th with his MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine. He will be moving to Knoxville, Tennessee to begin his surgical residency. Alan is married to Lacie (Sparlin) Good (’08).

Welcome Liam Ryan Howard, son of Brianna (Tunnell) Howard (’07)! Liam was born August 22, 2016 weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces.

Congratulations to Karli (Keele) Patterson (’12) on the birth of Charlotte Faye on March 31st weighing 7’ 11 oz. Karli is married to Brandon Patterson and big sister is Gracyn. She is sporting her Cougar spirit with her stylish onesie!

Saying Goodbye… Nelson Horton, CHCS Superintendent for six years, is concluding his service with the school this summer. The school is very appreciative of his faithfulness in leadership and commitment to helping the school fulfill its mission. Dale Harrington, Board President, stated, “I truly appreciate Nelson’s love for the students, faculty, staff and families of CHCS during his time as Superintendent. I am grateful for his steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of CHCS. He is a man of the highest character. I am honored to call him friend and brother in Christ.” The school honored Mr. Horton with a reception on May 11th where he was presented gifts, including a scrapbook of notes from staff, faculty, board members and church staff members.

Nelson Horton with Elementary Principal Mary Colin (‘93)

Thank you, Mr. Horton, for your years of service and we wish you all the best in the future!

Nelson Horton with Secondary Principal Daniel Lewis

Nelson Horton with his grandchildren

…and Saying Hello

Randy Goldsmith has been named as the new superintendent beginning July 1. Mr. Goldsmith served as middle school and high school principal many years ago and is looking forward to returning in the new role. For the past eleven years, he has been the principal of the upper school at The Baptist Preparatory School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Goldsmith has been involved in Christian education for nearly 27 years, having served in administrative, principal, teaching and coaching roles at Christian schools in Arkansas and Arizona. When Mr. Goldsmith served at College Heights previously, he helped establish Missions Week, an annual week of concentrated service that is still going strong today. It is not uncommon to hear graduating seniors recall that Missions Week is one of the main highlights of their high school years at CHCS. Goldsmith has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and biological science from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and a master’s degree in education leadership from the University of Arkansas. He also holds certification from the Arkansas State Board of Education. Goldsmith will succeed Nelson Horton, who has served as the College Heights superintendent since July 2011.

Mattie Beard Franklin Buchanan Jonathan Calandro Jacob Cawyer Caleb Cummins Matthew Gao Daniel Gentry Taylor Goth Myles Jackson Jonathan Johnson Kenlee Jonas Willow Jones Heather Keeling

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST ALUMNI MEMBERS…

Bryce LePage Scott Lewis Chey Lorimer Sam Mansley Austin Martin Josh Painter Will Peterson Matt Roberts Sarah Shaddy Kobe Thomas Jonah Wilcox Dawsen Worthington Dylan Zarrabi Christine Zimmerling

CLASS OF 2017

Cum Laude students: Matthew Roberts, Austin Martin, Kenlee Jonas, Matt Gao, and Myles Jackson (brother of Katelyn Jackson–’15)

Matthew Roberts, this year’s Matthew J. DeWelt Christian Character Award recipient. Matthew is the brother of Ashley Roberts (‘14) and Blake Roberts (‘12).

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SAVE THE DATE…

HOMECOMING 2017 will be held Saturday, December 16th at the Ozark Christian College gymnasium. Be sure to mark your calendars and join us for a reception honoring YOU!

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.