Alumni Legacy Spring 2014

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER

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legacy

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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

GRADUATION 2014 CHCS graduated thirty-four students on May 18th, 2014.

The occasion was celebrated with family, friends and faculty.

William Conroy, our Christian Character Award recipient shared encouraging words and Mr. Tim Casey spoke to the graduates during Baccalaureate. Valedictorians, Ashley Roberts and Annie White addressed the class at commencement. There ceremony was filled with tradition with over 1,000 in attendance. This year’s graduating class will be attending 16 different colleges and universities and will be accepting scholarships ranging from $800 to $75,000.

William Conroy

MATTHEW J. DEWELT CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AWARD RECIPIENT William Conroy has been named CHCS 2013-2014 Christian Character Award Recipient. This honor is given to one senior each year that displays the character of Christ in all aspects of his or her life. Three students are nominated by the senior class and approved by administration. Along with William, Brianna Shores and Annie White also received the honor of being nominated. The entire high school body votes on the recipient and the winner is announced at the Annual Academic Awards Banquet. William accepted this award at the Baccalaureate and also had the honor of walking with distinguished graduates at graduation.

“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

RON BREWER (CLASS OF ‘89) When did you begin attending CHCS? I enrolled in the 8th grade in 1978 the first year of operations. The school was started in 1978 and each year the school added another grade, at that time the school only progressed to the 8th grade. As I remember we were at the end of the hall, one class with 7th and 8th combined. We were the first graduating class for College Heights, an astounding 9 students.

What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? I played in multiple sports that we offered at that time soccer, basketball. With our school still in the infancy stage, we all had the chance to play sports. Our first years of sports were rough, but as we all had the chance to play together we developed into very good sports teams. In my senior year at College Heights, I was elected the Senior Class President.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

I had so many teachers as I progressed through High School, I remember Mrs. Smyth, trying to convince me to read and write, Mr. Benson, in Science, never thought I would need to remember anything in his class, but with my daughter, going through Science classes the things we were taught can now be applied. I don’t think I had a favorite, but as I look back on my education each one played a part, and I thank them for that.

How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as an adult?

When I was in school, I was a free spirit, no limitations to what life could bring or what I could do, as you get older and wiser, you realize that there are limitations. I believe that we learn from our mistakes and use the knowledge we have attained to help others.

How would your old classmates describe you?

I was awarded the most influential at school my senior year. I have continued that process in my adult life, and I strive to help others as others have helped me.

What did you like best about your years at CHCS? I enjoyed the comradery that we had. Being so close we did a lot together in and out of School. In the years after school we all went different directions in life, and at that time the communication was more of a challenge to keep in touch. I do remember our 20th Anniversary, most came back for it and it was good to reminisce.

How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life?

I think that any school prepares you for the road ahead, you learn from the experiences you have in school. But I would say that the process of developing a child at College Heights to enter the world is a driving motivator for anyone looking at a quality education and overall learned experience.

Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (Schooling, career, family, missions, etc) I have a beautiful wife, Teresa married in 1991, one daughter Chloe, currently attending College Heights. I was elected to Public office in

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2010 as a Director of the Western Region of Jasper County for the 911 center. I was re-appointed to the position in April of 2014.

Who were the most influential people in your life, role models?

I have had the great opportunity to meet so much respected people in many walks of life. I would say the most influential person in my life is my wife, Teresa.

Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you?

I have attained a very good career in life, moving from different Mid to Senior Management positions within companies that I have had the opportunity to work for. In my current position, Operations Administrator for Hostess Brands, I oversee the Frozen Distribution Operation of our company. I enjoy the complexity of problem solving and seeing the fruits of your labor What do you hope God will be able to accomplish by working through you?

To help others as they struggle through their walk in life. He has gifted me with the ability to do many things, with that we have to take those talents and use them to further his work.

What are some of the things on your bucket list for the future?

My family’s bucket list is to go to Hawaii. I have always wanted to travel to Ireland, and England.

What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? One thing that later in life you realize is that being the oldest in school you set precedence and you influence the students below you whether you know it or not. Take one day at time, always striving for success, but always keeping your feet planted on firm ground. From a business standpoint, we all want to make it big and fast, but the Tortoise always wins the race. With that said, I would leave you with this, always give back, The joy of giving is very self-rewarding, and so when you see the opportunity, don’t walk away from it, seize it.

Reconnecting with

LEAH SANCHEZ (CLASS OF ‘06) When did you begin attending CHCS? All I knew was CHCS I started as a student in kindergarten (1993) What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? Volleyball in Jr. High and 9-10th grade (I had a knee injury that caused me to stop); Math League (Nerd alert!); Student Council Who was your favorite teacher and why?

I had several favorite teachers so it is really hard to choose, but I think I would have to say Mrs. Jean Miller. I always had a love for science and math, but Mrs. Miller really supported and challenged my love for the sciences. I also learned a great deal about the Creator sitting in her classroom as well as our time spent in Juarez, Mexico. I ended up pursuing pharmacy and applied for an early admission to the University of Missouri – Kansas City. I asked Mrs. Miller to write a letter of recommendation and when I got my letter of acceptance (of course I had my mom bring it to me at school, I couldn’t wait!) I ran straight to Mrs. Miller’s room to thank her for all her support! I can’t thank all my teachers at CHCS enough for their investment in my life and education!

How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as an adult?

I was nerdy as a teen, and that has just intensified as I have “grownup”. As a teen I put a lot of emphasis on grades and scores, as I have grown through my education I have come to realize that it’s not the score that matters, but the knowledge I gain and how I use what I have learned to help others.

How would your old classmates describe you?

Eek! Might be best to ask them, but I’m sure they would say something like “Nerdy” or “Smarty Pants”.

What did you like best about your years at CHCS? I liked the small class sizes and the friends I made throughout the years. I loved my teachers and how much they cared about the success of the students. But most of all, I loved the Christ was taught in every class. I know I took that for granted as a student, but I realize now how truly blessed I was to have the education I did.

How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life?

Though some may argue that a small Christian school provides too much shelter for kids, I would argue the opposite. I received a high quality education and I had the added benefit of growing in my faith and the knowledge of God’s Word. I feel I was well equipped to decipher truths from lies as I sat in many liberal science classes in my early college years and I had developed time management and study skills that allowed me to have a successful education.

Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (schooling, career, family, missions, etc) After graduating in 2006, I attended the University of Missouri – Kansas City for Pharmacy School. I was married to Gerardo Sanchez in May 2011 and then graduated with my Doctor of Pharmacy degree in May 2012. After graduation I went on to complete post-graduate training in Houston, TX at Houston Methodist Hospital. I have completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and will complete my PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency in July of this year. After

I complete residency I will be staying in Houston, TX to work as a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist at Memorial Hermann Northwest.

Who were the most influential people in your life, role models?

Where do I begin… First off my parents, Scott and Jill Fields, who have always challenged me to do what is right and God honoring. Jay and Julie St. Clair were also very influential as they served as a second set of parents; they were examples of GREAT love. My teachers at College Heights, to name a few Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Green and Mrs. Russell (what can I say, I LOVE math and science). I have had many mentors in post high school as well, but Kent and Kim Liles invested time to help me grow as a leader and mentor with high school students as well as helped me grow as a wife!

Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you?

I am currently completing my post-graduate training in clinical pharmacy and will be working as a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist in July. For those who don’t know what that means, I’m one of the “White Coats” on Grey’s Anatomy that talks about/to patients. I get to help physicians make medication decisions that can change/save lives. It is very rewarding, but at times very sad as well. Working in an ICU means I have to take care of the sickest of the sick patients, but knowing that I can potentially improve or even save their lives is very rewarding!

What do you hope God will be able to accomplish by working through you?

I hope God can use my imperfect self as a vessel of light to the lost I work with and the patients and families I care for.

What are some of the things on your bucket list for the future?

TRAVEL!!!! I have several places I would like to travel, but definitely Europe and South America. I also would like to go with mom on a mission’s trip to India to work with the girls being rescued from slavery.

I want to go on more medical missions trips as well to use my gifts to bless the lives of people outside the US with limited access to healthcare.

What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Dream big and set goals! But remember, God’s ways are higher than your ways and His thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), Life may change but trust the Lord is working out his sovereign will in your life. Love God and love people! Finally, have fun! Enjoy every breath the Lord gives you!

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Reconnecting with

TODD PELHAM (CLASS OF ‘87) When did you begin attending CHCS? I began attending College Heights my Freshman Year of High School in 1983.

What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? My memory seems to have faded on several of the things offered at that time, but I was very involved in Soccer, Basketball, Class Leadership, and the College Heights Christian Church Youth Group.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

There were several teachers that made an impact on me in different ways. Ron Skaggs was someone who challenged me academically and showed me that you could still be a person of faith and pursue academic knowledge. Sue Smyth was not only a great family friend, but was someone who instilled a love of politics, and community engagement that has stayed with me throughout my career. Coach Paul Sims was a person who also had a deep impact on my faith and taught me how to be part of team and how to lead groups.

How would you describe yourself as a teen and how has that changed, if any as an adult?

Looking back I think I probably was a little too confident, and little too self-reliant. Adulthood and parenthood has taught me to be more humble, more giving, and open to feedback from friends and family.

How would your old classmates describe you?

I think most people knew me as that “tall Principal’s kid”, but they probably remember me as social, competitive, and an exceptionally gifted soccer player (not) .

What did you like best about your years at CHCS? My CHCS experience was probably a lot different than most as both of my parents worked at CHCS . Getting in the car to go to school each day with the entire family was a unique experience. At the time, I don’t think I appreciated the situation, but looking back on it now the opportunity to spend time with my parents and my little sister is something that I have fond memories of. While we hated it at the time, our long bus trips for sporting events also provided a great opportunity to develop friendships, pray for our safety, and stay at some of Kansas City’s finer hotels.

How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life?

I am so grateful for the quality of education that I received at CHCS. I know that I left CHCS with the study skills to excel at college and I believe that the smaller class sizes allowed all of us to grow in areas that we might not have had at a larger school. I am so thankful for the sacrifices that all of the teachers made to instill a biblical worldview into us. I know that the academic discipline and opportunities for service at CHCS have made me a better employee, Father, and leader in my organization.

Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (schooling, career, family, missions, etc) After graduating in 1987, I spent four years at John Brown University, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and most importantly met my incredibly supportive wife, Aletha. While at JBU, I was able to obtain a Business Degree and spend a semester in Washington D.C. working on Capitol Hill, while attending a program called the American Studies Program.

This program influenced my decision to pursue a career in politics and specifically local government. I attended graduate school in Kansas City, and for the last twenty years, I have worked in various local government positions in the Kansas City metro area. My family just

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recently moved to the City of Lenexa, Kansas where I am part of the Executive Management team for the City. I am also the proud Father of two great kids, Zachary (13) and Addison (9). We stay very busy with our kid’s sports, activities, work events, and our local church.

Who were the most influential people in your life, role models?

I have been so fortunate to have had so many strong mentors and role models in my personal and professional life. My father, Dr. Lee Pelham, has always been an incredible example to me of a servant leader that I have tried to model my life after. He is a great Dad, husband, wise counselor, and exceptional Christian role model, who has always shown a desire to serve others through his profession. I’m lucky to be his Son. Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you?

My work in local government allows me the opportunity to lead elected officials and citizens in creating better communities. Each day that can take the form of working in a variety of areas including: Finance, Planning, Sustainability, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Community Engagement. I receive great satisfaction in knowing that my day to day work can impact the quality of life for our citizens and leave a lasting impact for families in the future. I truly enjoy being around people, and this career choice allows me opportunities to work with neighborhood groups, the business community, and non-profits. I believe that public service is a calling, it’s not for everyone, but it is a line of work that can truly impact people. The Federal government gets most of the attention, but your local government really has more of a daily impact on your quality of life, economic opportunities, and your safety. I really love city management, but I could do without the trash and snow removal complaints.

What do you hope God will be able to accomplish by working through you?

Ultimately, I hope that my words and actions point back to my Savior who has shown me so much grace and patience. I know that God has put me in a position of leadership for a purpose and with that comes a responsibility to serve those that might not have a voice in their communities. I’m very thankful for the work that I get to do each day, and count it a privilege to be a public servant.

What are some of the things on your bucket list for the future?

I’ve been really blessed to have had some great life experiences to date, but I have some mission trips that I would love to pursue in the future. I’m also hoping I don’t die before the Chiefs make it back to a Super Bowl.

What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Look for wise people around you that are willing to invest their time and knowledge in you and then don’t let them out of your life.

by Sonya Wilkins

Another incredible Missions Week has come and gone, but the spirit of service remains. At College Heights our mission statement reads in part, “…that produces servant-leaders…” What better way to put this into action than Missions Week. We strive to make serving others an everyday occurance. However, it is a lot of fun to focus one entire week to this endeavor. A total of 11 high school groups serv8888ed in Jamaica, Mexico, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Locally students served at Crosslines, Rapha House headquarters, Life House, and Spring River Christian Village. Another group of students put their craft skills to work creating projects that when sold, will benefit the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. And finally, another group of students served by helping a CHCS teacher’s family build their home after losing theirs in the Joplin tornado. High School students weren’t the only ones out serving. Our Middle School students jumped right in and had their own variety of projects (see related stories).

One exciting thing that was different this year was partnering each of our middle school and high school groups with an elementary class. Our sweet younger students prayed for the “big kids” and did their own acts of kindness and service by encouraging them and supplying donated items. Mrs. Woolridge’s third grade class even made a video that was sent to their partner group in Kentucky. (To view their video, go to http://youtu.be/r-xaVHTMRxw). After the week was over, several of the high school groups reported back to their elementary partners about all that they did during Missions

Week. It was a great unifying process for our whole school!

This year every student and staff member received a t-shirt. Everyone wore them on March 7th as we had a big all-school send-off chapel. It was a beautiful sight to see our elementary students gather around the secondary students and pray for them. We even took a historic all-school photo (check it out—it’s hanging in the gym foyer).

When all is said and done from Missions Week, our goal is to continue to live out this year’s them: STAND FIRM, which comes from I Corinthians 15:58. It reads, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

COUGAR TRACKS

Lesli (Johnson) Stump (1993) attended OCC in Joplin for 5 years and graduated from there 1998. She married Eldon Stump while in school in 1996 and they have 4 kids (ages 12, 10, 7 and 6). They moved to St Cloud, MN in 2002 to help launch/plant a church here were they served as worship ministry staff and she led women’s ministry for several years until motherhood w/4 little ones took her attention and full focus. They have served as paid staff for 6 years and as lay staff since. They have been journeying personally and now as a body and asking the question: “what does it look like to be fully devoted followers of Jesus who love God and others well and count the costs to be radically obedient to him?” Lesli and Eldon celebrated their last service in their current building on Sunday May 25. They are stepping out in faith, meeting in homes as churches during the week and then gathering as a corporate body every other week for the summer to celebrate and share stories and pray and encourage one another. This journey has been hard and they have been misunderstood but have learned along the way to obey what the Spirit says no matter what the cost. Be praying for the city of St Cloud as they try (along with other bodies who feel a similar call) to serve, love, and be Jesus in our neighborhoods, schools, work places and as they go about their everyday lives.

Jonmichael Seibert (2008) graduated Baylor University May 17, 2014, with a Masters Arts, Communication, Thesis and Extensive Research on the 3D Prototype Occulus Rift. Jonmichael will continue his research and studies at Baylor University and is collaborating with the Communication and Film Department on several more research projects and papers. Jonmichael is published as co-author on several studies in several academic journals. He is published on one study as the Author in an academic journal. He will enter a Doctoral program at Baylor, Fall 2015. He is being considered for teaching several courses at Baylor this coming Fall 2014. (Speech is one of them, Mrs. Davidson---wonder where he got his start with this? Thank you so much). Previously he graduated Baylor University 2012 with BA in Film and Digital Media with emphasis in Computer Programing and Game Design.

Brianna (Tunnell) Howard (2007) graduated from MSSU in 2011 with bachelors in general studies and associates in CIS. She is currently living in Joplin and work at freeman hospital in admissions. She married Nick Howard on October 12, 2014.

LEA SORRICK MORGAN

Lea (Sorrick) Morgan (2010) graduated from MSSU in May 2014 with a degree in French Education and a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She also got a job at South Elementary School in Neosho teaching English as Second Language (ESL).

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COLLEGE HEIGHTS

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

Since 1978

JOPLIN, MO 64802 PERMIT NO. 26

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 4311 E. Newman Road Joplin, Missouri 64801

Nancy Tahhan Retires

After thirty-eight years of teaching, Nancy Tahhan, kindergarten teacher, has retired. Mrs. Tahhan taught in the public school system for 28 years before coming to CHCS in 2004 to teach Pre-K. In addition to Pre-K, she taught half-day and full-day Kindergarten at College Heights.

Leaving with these words, Mrs. Tahhan said “I’ve loved every minute at CHCS. I love Kindergarteners, and it’s been a joy to teach them the Bible, how to read, and so many other things. The atmosphere at CHCS is so warm and caring. It’s such a blessing to incorporate Christ and His love into everything that goes on.” Mrs. Tahhan plans to build a house in Liberal, MO, where she taught for 24 years.

Sue Smyth Retires

Sue Smyth, first grade teacher, retired at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Mrs. Smyth has served in various roles at CHCS since 1978. She took a four year break during 2000-2004 but returned in the fall of 2004 to partner with Cindy Cruse teaching first grade.

Mrs. Smyth has blessed this school not only through her teaching but also through consistently modeling Christian character. We will miss her but pray only the best for her.

Nancy Tahhan, Sue Smyth and Tracy Nichols (who was featured in the last edition of the Legacy) celebrated their retirement with lunch and cake on the last day of school.

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