THE MAGAZINE OF LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
SUMMER 2020
MISSION Legacy Christian Academy develops strong leaders with biblical convictions who are equipped to succeed in college and beyond. We accomplish this mission through a balanced approach that honors and upholds:
> Challenging academics > Robust fine arts > Competitive athletics > Positive mentoring relationships > Covenant partnerships with Christian families
VISION Legacy Christian Academy will be the school of choice for committed Christian families in North Texas who desire the best Christcentered education for their children.
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Board of Trustees Brad Brenneman, Board Chair Brett Bingham George Crumley Patrick Droesch, Vice-Chair Nick Johnson Lisa Liberis Dorothy Smith Tom Stockton Trent Wood
Head of School Bill McGee
Development Team Shannon Nelson CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER
Shannon Culley VOLUNTEER AND EVENTS COORDINATOR
Cherlyn Edwards ADVANCEMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
THANK YOU to all our photographers for your time, talents, and the memories you capture for us, including Vanessa Corral, Natalie Roberson, Landon Wade, Sydney York, Rick Baze, Suzee Sanderlin, Jada Cesare.
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impact THE MAGAZINE OF LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Contents Message from the Head of School Strategic Plan Update Message from the Annual Fund Chairs Tuba Player Extraordinaire A Future in Space LCA Mission Trips: Service at Home and Abroad At Home in the Lower School Science Lab LCA Aumni Spotlight: Emily Braham Portrait of a Young Artist LCA Class of 2020 Acceptances Athletic Signings Faithful Service: 5-15 Years in the Making LCA Honors: Athletics LCA Honors: Arts Feed My Starving Children LCA Performing Arts LCA: Professional Schools Program CHAMPS Welcome to the Board, Mr. Wood Jingle & Mingle Class Notes
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MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
DEAR FRIENDS, A lot has changed in our world since the last issue of Impact. The COVID-19 crisis has consumed our time and energy for the entire fourth quarter of the academic year. The unpredictability of the virus and the uncertainty of its effects on school life have demanded our undivided attention. Perhaps in no time in modern history have we witnessed a disruption to our daily lives like this. Although this crisis requires us to develop multiple plans
We’d like to see our Kingdom Diversity efforts begin to bear
for the anticipated reopening of school in August, it doesn’t
fruit with more families and faculty of color joining our
nullify the visionary goals we established two and a half
community. We want to continue to invest in our teachers by
years ago, during our schoolwide strategic-planning process.
providing robust professional-development programs and
The LCA Board of Trustees and the leadership team remain
rewarding excellence with attractive salaries and benefits.
steadfast in their commitment to improve all five aspects of
We need to review how we assess the progress of our
academic life as described in Soaring Higher: The Legacy
students beyond traditional grading systems. We need to
Christian Academy Strategic Plan.
address our aging facilities on the South Campus, as well as
The strategic plan was developed as a five-year blueprint for school improvement. It established priorities in five essential areas of our community: 1) Student Development, 2) Faculty and Staff Development, 3) Curriculum and Program Development, 4) Campus and Facilities, and 5) Institutional Advancement. Eighteen key initiatives prescribe actions that will help us achieve our goals. Now that we’ve reached the halfway point in the projected timeline, I thought it would be helpful to review the progress we’ve made in implementing
in the athletic arena. And we must establish an endowment to secure the long-term financial health of the school. I invite you to help us achieve these lofty goals through your investment of time, talent, and treasure. Together, we can realize our vision “to be the school of choice for committed Christian families in North Texas who desire the best Christcentered education for their children.” Faithfully yours,
our ambitious goals and initiatives. The next few pages contain a strategic-plan progress report. As you’ll see, we’ve accomplished quite a bit in the last two and half years. However, we still have work to do if we are to
Bill McGee
build a school that reflects the glory of God and serves as an
Head of School
educational lighthouse for our community, our nation, and our world.
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STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE Goal 1 STUDENT DEVELOPMENT LCA will provide opportunities for all students to discover their identity and security in Christ, acknowledge their worth as image-bearers, and pursue a life of virtue that honors God, fulfilling His divine plan for them.
Major Accomplishments • Organized PEP Talks, a popular parent-education program that equips and empowers parents to partner with the school to be countercultural. • Launched the school’s Kingdom Diversity initiative, which fosters LCA as a community that welcomes and honors Christian families from all backgrounds. The initiative includes the appointment of the school’s first Diversity Coordinator and the formation of a diversity committee to support families of color on their journey through Legacy. • Encouraged and enabled students to become “doers of the Word” through the expansion of mission trips for Middle and
Upper School students to the Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone, Puerto Rico, and Houston. Almost 50 percent of the Upper School student body have served on at least one foreign mission trip. • Administered YouScience as a tool to assess each student’s unique interests and abilities. • Implemented the Character Strong program, a character-and spiritual-formation curriculum for Middle School students. • Adopted imago Dei as one of the school’s six core values, to emphasize the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity.
Goal 2 FACULTY AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT LCA will seek, retain, and develop passionate Christ-followers who possess a growth mindset, a servant’s heart, and a biblical worldview. All employees will embrace and embody LCA’s mission and core values.
Major Accomplishments • Appointed the school’s first Biblical Worldview and Cultural Engagement Coordinator, who is charged with developing a biblical-worldview training module for all instructional staff. • Developed and implemented a comprehensive professionalevaluation program for faculty that measures how well they are embracing and embodying the school’s mission and core values.
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• Substantially increased salaries and benefits for teachers, enabling LCA to attract and retain the best mission-appropriate teachers possible in the competitive marketplace of North Texas.
Goal 3 CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT LCA will design curriculum and offer programs that develop the 21st-century skills of character, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Students will be challenged to go deeper in their learning by mastering content and applying new information to real-world situations, thereby building a sense of ownership and purpose for learning.
Major Accomplishments • Developed and launched the Professional Schools Program, an innovative initiative that matches each Upper School student’s unique gifts and special interests with a curriculum track designed to increase engagement, experiential learning, and career exploration. • Designed and implemented LCAYou, a life-skills curriculum designed to foster social, emotional, and spiritual growth for Middle and Upper School students.
• Launched our Spanish Immersion Program for Kindergarten and first grade. • Eliminated national standardized testing before third grade. Adopted a comprehensive reading and literacy assessment for developing readers. • Adopted ASPIRE for grades three through eight, a normreferenced test tied to college-readiness benchmarks established by the ACT.
Goal 4 CAMPUS AND FACILITIES LCA’s campus and facilities will provide a safe and warm learning environment reflecting the excellence of our Christ-centered teaching and programs, ensuring the highest standards of performance and competition while anticipating future facility needs driven by enrollment and programmatic goals.
Major Accomplishments • Completed the campus master plan, which limits future enrollment to no more than 1,200 students and establishes caps for each division.
• Invested more than $500,000 to enhance the safety and security of the campus, including additional security personnel and camera coverage.
Goal 5 INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT LCA will create and implement a comprehensive development program to address emerging and ongoing capital and programmatic needs and enhancements, establish and grow an endowment to secure the future, and build and sustain a robust Annual Fund that fosters unrestricted support of the school’s operations. Uniting, informing, and involving parents, alumni, and friends will strengthen the school through their advocacy, association, and philanthropy, supporting the mission of our institution as we seek to further the Kingdom of God.
Major Accomplishments • Conducted a comprehensive assessment of the development, admissions, and marketing/communications offices. • Hired the school’s first Chief Advancement Officer, who is charged with overseeing and coordinating all institutional advancement functions.
• Currently developing an implementation plan for a future major-gifts campaign that will incorporate the establishment of an endowment. • Increased support for the Annual Fund as the primary vehicle to enhance operations of the school.
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MESSAGE FROM THE ANNUAL FUND CHAIRS
DEAR FELLOW EAGLES, Twenty years ago — the same year Legacy Christian Academy was founded — we said “I do” to each other. We’ve been blessed to call LCA our home and family for nine years now, so it seemed appropriate that we celebrate this special dual anniversary by serving as this year’s Annual Fund Chairs. We’re both proud and grateful to stand
In response to the COVID-19 crisis,
tuition assistance with a goal of over
with countless others who have a
Legacy is bolstering its efforts to
$1 million. Will you join us in prayerfully
profound passion for giving the gift of a
provide more tuition assistance and
considering a gift? II Corinthians 9:11
Christian education. We’re continually
benevolence funding than ever before
says, “You will be enriched in every way,
reminded of God’s goodness through
to ensure our community remains
so that you can be generous on every
the love, sacrifice, and prayerful works
stronger together. Accordingly, the
occasion and through us your generosity
of LCA’s incredible faculty and staff.
Annual Fund has been renamed the
will result in Thanksgiving to God.”
We’re honored and humbled to have
“Stronger Together Fund,” and all
If you’re unable to give, please pray
this opportunity to give back and serve
undesignated gifts will now provide
His mission in this way and help Leave
critical support for tuition assistance
a Legacy for future families and their
and benevolence needs. We want
children for the next 20 years, and
to make sure that those who are up
beyond!
against a financial hardship have
In LCA’s 20th year, we could never
children enrolled and our LCA family
have imagined facing a crisis like
to a close and our time as current LCA
fully intact.
parents is coming to an end, we have
the support they need to keep their
COVID-19, but we’ve been seeing God’s faithfulness throughout this trial. Our LCA family has come together and inspired hope through countless acts of selflessness and sacrifice. We’re seeing in real time why God called us
The Stronger Together Fund provides support for LCA’s tuition assistance and benevolence efforts: • Tuition Assistance. We want to keep
for these efforts to ensure that our community emerges from this storm even stronger. We’re confident that God will provide, as He always has! As our twins’ sophomore year draws
confidence that the next generation of Legacy Eagles will further God’s kingdom and be a lighthouse to our world. II Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way, so that
our community together. No current
to live, worship, and serve together
you can be generous on every occasion
families should have to leave for
in community. Matthew 18:19 tells
and through us your generosity will
financial reasons.
us that “if two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as
• Benevolence. We want to support any of our faculty and staff who are enduring financial challenges.
my followers, I am there among them.”
We’re proud to stand behind this
We’re bonded together, thousands
initiative because we know the
strong as LCA Eagles, and we couldn’t
tremendous impact all of us can have
result in Thanksgiving to God.” Thank you for your generosity, and may God bless your family. In Christ,
be more grateful to be a part of this
if we act together. LCA has already
Julie and Patrick Droesch
Christ-centered community.
awarded more than $800,000 in
Annual Fund Chairs 2019/2020
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ANNUAL FUND ENHANCEMENT Cole Eisenmann working out with one of two new sprint trainers. Sprint trainers are an extension of the weight room and are great for the overall development of an athlete as they improve core, quad & hamstring strength while honing speed and flexibility. Head Football Coach, Scott Smith shared, “We are especially grateful for these two pieces of equipment, especially during this time, when we can’t get in the weight room.”
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TUBA PLAYER
EXTRAORDINAIRE Caleb Chambers wasn’t born with a tuba in his hand, but listening to his masterful playing, you may believe he was.
The Legacy junior has always been
The festival — held annually in Twin
In the semifinals, he played two pieces
musically inclined. He played the piano
Lakes, Michigan, and drawing musicians
over two days before a blind panel of
for seven years, then switched to the
from all over the world — is considered
judges. Only three student competitors
low brass section and started studying
the most prestigious low brass
advanced to the finals, when they played
the tuba. Although he’s been playing
competition in the United States. Caleb
before an audience and a panel of
was one of only six student semifinalists
judges. Caleb overcame several obstacles
to compete for the top prize. He was
to bring home the top prize. During
not only the youngest competitor in his
his first piece in the first round, for
division, but also the only one still in
example, a valve stuck on his instrument
high school.
— a nightmare for any tubist. Though
the instrument for just five years, he’s already established himself as a major talent. His private teacher, Dr. Corey Rom, describes Caleb as “a student of quiet determination. He doesn’t always talk much but he’s thoughtful and thorough
Caleb poured hundreds of precious hours into preparing for the competition, practicing the required
he was shaken after that mishap, Caleb drew on the confidence and skills he had developed over the years with the help of his band directors and private-lesson
in his work.” Because of his natural
music daily for the six months
ability and his willingness to work hard,
leading up to the event. And all of his
Dr. Rom suggested that Caleb enter
diligence was rewarded in the best way
Caleb says the entire festival was an
the Leonard Falcone International
imaginable: Caleb brought home the
educational experience. During the four-
Euphonium and Tuba Festival.
gold medal in the student division.
day event, he participated in workshops
teachers and came out on top.
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TUBA PLAYER EXTRAORDINAIRE
and master classes. He learned from
says. He matured as a player and learned
for almost three-quarters of the last
college professors and attended
the value of perseverance.
century, was a long one, both literally
recitals and performances by world-
The road to participating in the Falcone,
and figuratively. Caleb was selected from
class euphonium players and tubists.
which honors the memory of Leonard
anonymous recording submissions to
Listening to other musicians can be the
Falcone, a musician whose prestigious
a panel of adjudicators consisting of
best way to improve your own play, he
solo and pedagogical career lasted
professors and international performers. Then, to get to the event, he and his family made the 17-hour-long drive to Michigan: As his mom, Nancey, puts it, “Tubas don’t fly well . . .” Caleb’s distinctions are not limited to the Falcone win. He was selected first chair tuba for the ATSSB All-State Symphonic Band twice and for the TPSMEA All-State Band four times. Last year, he received the John Philip Sousa Band Award, which recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. It’s the most prestigious award a high school band student can earn. Andy Murphy, Legacy’s Director of Bands shared, “It’s been an honor to teach and watch this young man grow into a fine musician.” Caleb recently took up the bass trombone because, he says, he “just wanted to try something different.” Playing that instrument meant he could join the LCA Jazz Band. It’s especially enjoyable, he says: “I can play really loud.” To play any instrument takes an interest in it. To play an instrument well — that takes passion. And Caleb is passionate about music. Although he doesn’t plan to be a professional musician (right now he has his sights set on engineering), he says he’ll continue to play for the sheer joy of it.
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A FUTURE IN SPACE By Sam Martin “It’s not exactly rocket science,” says senior Sam Clemons, but it was rocket science last summer, when he participated in the NASA High School Aerospace Scholars Program.
Sam was one of 1,900 students from
to Mars as directed by NASA engineers
presented my recommendations on how
across the country who were selected
and scientists. “I researched deep-space
to prevent the negative effects of deep-
to participate in an online, interactive
radiation and astronaut protection on
space radiation during the astronauts’
program centering on space exploration,
the journey to Mars,” says Sam, “and
six-to-eight-month journey to Mars.”
Earth science, technology, mathematics, and aeronautics. During the program, Sam tackled design challenges such as 3D drawing, aced science and math quizzes, wrote technical papers, and participated in online discussions with his peers. He also had the opportunity to participate in virtual chats and webinars with NASA engineers and scientists — even one that was led by astronauts on a space mission. Upon completion of the online course, Sam was among the top students chosen for an elite, week-long summer program at Johnson Space Center, in Houston. In late June, Sam and ten other students worked on engineering projects supporting an actual mission
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A FUTURE IN SPACE
Based on his use of surface-imaging software, Sam also wrote an article defending his suggested landing zone on Mars that met the requirements and goals for which NASA looked. In addition, he created his own, customized 3D tool optimized for space in order to combine the functionality of an entire toolbox into one efficient tool. During the closing ceremony, Sam was selected as an ambassador for Robert Blake, one of NASA’s top officials.
Sam says that meeting and collaborating with other students who have similar interests was a highlight. He was thrilled to meet with the engineer who was responsible for designing the alarm system on the Apollo 13 rockets that saved countless lives. “The experience
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Sam credits several Legacy teachers
engaging. Dean of Legacy’s School of
with equipping him for the experience:
Engineering, Mrs. Hermogeno, and I
was not only enlightening and
“Dr. Stone has been instrumental in
often talked throughout my lessons and
challenging, but it also gave me a real
my love of learning. She cares about
she encouraged me not to give up. Her
glimpse of what my future will, I hope,
her students, and she teaches her
coursework and lessons were crucial in
entail,” he said.
material in a way that makes it super
my being chosen for this internship.” He
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thanks Dustin Messer for encouraging
Physics, Pre-AP Engineering, Pre-AP
moving the needle forward in the field of
him to ask questions: “Mr. Messer has
Computer Science, and AP Computer
astronomy, then I will have missed out
been instrumental in my growth. He’s
Science — and continues to maintain a
on something I truly feel called to do.”
the kindest, most open-minded
GPA above 4.0. He’s a member of the
He added, “I hope to [leave my mark] on
teacher I’ve encountered at Legacy.
Robotics Team, for which he was a head
our solar system by finding answers to
He encouraged me to pursue my own
designer on last year’s robot.
questions we do not even know to ask yet.”
individual ideas and discover truth for
As part of the essay for his application
In the fall, Sam will be a freshman at
myself. We would often get into deep
to the Aerospace Scholars Program,
Texas A&M University, where he intends
philosophical conversations and suggest
Sam wrote, “If I leave this world without
to major in aerospace engineering.
readings for each other.” Throughout his time at Legacy, Sam
Sam Martin (’07) lives in Frisco with her husband, Spencer, and their two kids,
has taken the most advanced math
Lachlan and Meryn. She serves on the board for Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas
and science classes available — Pre-AP
and volunteers with Hope Mommies.
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Dibley and Assistant Upper School Principal Lynn Dupree began praying and brainstorming to find practical ways to engage students to take their knowledge beyond the classroom. Their ideas evolved into incredible ways to fulfill the communal desire of Legacy students to serve.
Upper School THROUGH PRAYER AND TEAMWORK, Mr. Dupree discovered 25Project, which is an organization that helps transform mission trips from ideas into reality. 25Project worked closely with Legacy
LCA MISSION TRIPS
faculty and administrators to plan experiences for Upper School students.
Service at Home and Abroad By Daisey Dibley ’18 For more than 20 years, Legacy Christian Academy has been a leader in equipping students with the biblical knowledge, Godly principles, and spiritual guidelines necessary to become leaders for the Kingdom.
The first trip was announced in June 2018, and 29 students jumped at the
Two years ago, however, Legacy realized
around them. Thus, a vision was born to
idea to serve in the Dominican Republic.
that students could begin to make their
develop not only hearers of the Word, but
After that success and their clear passion
impact long before they graduated.
also doers of good deeds.
to share the gospel, Legacy decided to forge ahead with more trips. The
Across all ages of students, the consensus
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was that they had a heart to serve, and
In an effort to achieve this goal, leaders
response was gratifying: Fifty-eight
wanted to be involved in the world
such as Middle School Principal Glenn
students — twice the number who
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had made the initial trip — signed up for the next one, in summer 2019. To accommodate all of these eager students, Legacy added another mission. To prepare, they received training on how to share the gospel, and arrived in the Dominican Republic with open hearts. “Every student showed boldness and a passion to share what Jesus had done for them,” said Mr. Dupree. Mitchell Smith ’20 summed up what the experience meant to him: “Besides accepting Christ,” he said, “it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” This year, a record number of students expressed interest in the trip, but the restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus meant we had to cancel service abroad.
Middle School IN 2019, FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, Legacy launched “March Madness.” During the week before spring break, a group of seventh- and eighth-graders served in Houston. Along with parents and faculty, they delivered food to the homeless, helped to restore a home that
parents, and teachers, with the plan to
Catherine Thomas, who teaches history in
had been destroyed during Hurricane
accomplish many of the same goals. Also
the Middle School and served in Houston
this spring, the eighth-graders traveled
last year, accompanied students again
to Puerto Rico, where they partnered
this spring. “It was wonderful to see more
with churches and ministries to serve.
and more of them interact with and have
For those who weren’t able to participate
compassion for those who are in different
in either of these missions, local service
circumstances,” she said, “and I was proud
opportunities were available.
to be able to witness their growth.”
Harvey, and worked at the Houston Food Bank. The experience, said Mr. Dibley, was “a confirmation that the students had not only the capability to serve, but also a strong desire, which was demonstrated time and time again as they stepped out beyond their comfort zone.” March Madness has now morphed into a more comprehensive program. This
Daisy Dibley (‘18) is a sophomore at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona
spring, seventh-graders headed back
studying professional writing with hopes to be a journalist and author..
to Houston, with more volunteers,
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At Home in the
Lower School
Science Lab It’s just a regular Tuesday in the halls of Legacy Christian Academy, but in the Lower School Science Lab, it sounds as if the children are . . . making popcorn? And that means one thing: Lori Walsh is teaching fourth-graders Newton’s third law of motion — “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Each student places an effervescent
Few schools have a science lab just for
on laboratory experiences that would
tab on top of a spring inside of a film
their primary school, but Legacy wanted
reinforce the content taught in class.
cannister, pours water inside, replaces
to provide its youngest students with
We all saw a need for students to arrive
an experiential science experience.
in Middle School with an increased
“Before we opened the K–4 Science Lab,”
readiness to retain and apply what they
said Cheryl Guthmann, eighth-grade
had learned in elementary science. We
the lid, and waits for the reaction. What follows is a symphony of pops as the kids marvel at the pieces flying apart from
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science teacher, “classroom teachers
wanted to foster a continued love for
the carbon dioxide buildup inside the
were challenged with space and time
science as more than words and pictures
cannisters.
constraints to implement enough hands-
on a page.”
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AT HOME IN THE LOWER SCHOOL SCIENCE LAB
So it was that in 2016, with the newly
Tiffany McCollum, Lower School
dedicated Lower School Science Lab,
Principal, has high praise for
LCA conducted a search for a full-time
the program: “Mrs. Walsh plans
K–4 science teacher. Lori Walsh had
experiments that connect to what
been a second-grade teacher at Legacy
students are learning in the classroom.
for 12 years, and says she was thrilled
Her goal is for children to learn that
when administrators tapped her to move
science is based on God’s creation as she
to the science lab to implement the
covers physical science, earth science,
vision. “For me this was a dream job,”
life science, human anatomy, plants,
she says four years later. “I not only get
weather, energy, space, and physics.
to teach my favorite subject, but I also
The lab provides students with hands-
have ample space and resources to make
on enrichment opportunities to explore
it come alive for my students.”
God’s world around them.”
Students participate in weekly labs that support the curriculum being taught in the classroom. Once again demonstrating LCA’s commitment to excellence in education, last summer the Lower School Science Lab was relocated downstairs and the space was updated. Among the renovations, the new lab has deeper sinks with hot water and increased counter space with more storage for lab materials and equipment. The new space is great for a wide variety of experiments and activities. Mrs. Walsh stays on top of current trends and methods of teaching in the field of science by attending conferences designed for Christian educators. She enjoys trying new activities with the children and seeing the “Aha!” moments, and is passionate about what she does. She calls the lab her “happy place,” and a smile comes over her face: “I still love it,” she says. Many memorable experiments have taken place in the science lab, such as seeing what happens when you mix
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Mentos with a diet cola, making elephant
students are encouraged to be curious
Mrs. Guthmann describes what she
toothpaste, studying sublimation with
risk-takers, adaptable project managers,
refers to as the “Lori Walsh effect.”
dry ice, observing motion activities with
and critical thinkers.
Because of their work in the Lower
Hot Wheels, discovering non-Newtonian fluids, and dissecting worms. (Mrs. Walsh isn’t afraid to get messy or “gross,” as some might say.)
Her labs utilize the inquiry model, which enables students to discover and learn from their mistakes, to collaborate with their peers, and to use creative thinking.
School Science Lab, students arrive in Middle School better prepared to think critically, to analyze, to think of science as fun, and to picture themselves in a science career. “Mrs. Walsh makes
Her primary goals are to help students
“We want them to learn to be okay with
explore God’s creation and to see that God
not having an experiment or engineering
made everything with design. She wants
project work out the way they planned,”
young students to learn complex
her students to learn and understand
says Mrs. Walsh. “We hope they become
concepts in a very organic way,” Mrs.
how God put our universe together and
comfortable with taking risks to develop
Guthmann says. “She spends countless
the ways in which He holds everything in
persistence and trying again when
hours preparing to juggle the schedule
place. She hopes the children will develop
needed.” She cites a time when, after a
of five grade levels in a time period that
a love for science and become comfortable
project design failed in its first attempt,
fluctuates throughout the day. God
with the ideas, vocabulary, and equipment
a student cheerfully told her, “It’s time
answered our prayers in the knowledge,
that come with the territory. In her lab,
to redesign!”
passion, and talents of Lori Walsh.”
science come alive in a way that enables
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LCA alumni spotlight
Emily Braham ’11:
Called to Asia By Madi Bixler ’14
of Austin’s, living in Bangkok, asked him if he would come to Thailand to help develop a fitness program there. Emily and Austin, who married in 2017, considered the possibility for a while, until one day at church, during a sermon from Acts, they felt a calling to accept the invitation. Her husband had a job waiting for him, but Emily didn’t quite
Emily (Brown) Braham ’11, was studying nursing at the University of Arkansas when, between her junior and senior years, she decided to embark on a mission trip to Malaysia with the Nehemiah Team, a project commissioned by
know what she would do there. Knowing that Bangkok was an international capital for human trafficking, Emily got in contact with the nonprofit NightLight to offer her help as a full-time volunteer. In Asia, Emily
the International Mission Board (IMB), a large nonprofit
says, gender roles vastly differ from those
organization headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
of Western countries. Women in much
She discovered Malaysia to be a melting
Emily says that Legacy laid a Christian
pot of cultures (and hot! she says).
foundation for her beliefs and “the why
One of Emily’s mentors had returned to serve in Asia after just one mission, and Emily, on hearing that testimony
behind them.” Service projects hosted by LCA taught her the value of helping those around us.
and with a wish to be the hands and feet
After college, Emily — then engaged to
of Christ, promised herself that she too
Austin — worked as an oncology nurse,
would return to Asia.
but still thought about Asia. Then a friend
of Asia, and in impoverished nations such as Uganda and Tanzania, in Africa; Colombia, in South America; and Russia are expected to be the breadwinners. While shouldering this financial burden to care for and feed their children, women in developing countries are often poorly educated, if at all, and can’t find work. These circumstances lead them to turn to “opportunities” in Bangkok: They’re often told they can find work as a waitress or a maid. These women usually have no idea where Bangkok is geographically or that they’re being tricked into the sex industry. Emily challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding sex trafficking as portrayed in US documentaries, showing women as kidnapped or taken forcefully. Although that does happen, she says, most women willingly leave their home countries, unaware of the gravity of the deceit. “Nobody taught them about ‘stranger danger,’” she says. Once these hopeful women arrive in Bangkok, Emily says, their passports and visas are seized and
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
they’re told by agents that they owe, say,
prosecuting their traffickers. The process
a struggle, says Emily, when witnessing
$7,000, and that they must work to pay it
could take months since there is no sense
the darkness and spiritual suffering
off. “One of seven men who visit Thailand
of urgency in the Asian legal system. The
incurred far from home. She had to
goes for the purpose of sex tourism,”
drawn-out process, however, enabled
learn how to separate her life from those
Emily says. “It’s really disturbing to think
Emily to get to know the women and also
of the women with whom she worked.
about.”
help them with Bible studies.
NightLight, a safehouse and
Another challenging aspect of Emily’s experience was that, for security reasons, she wouldn’t be allowed to see or speak to
rehabilitation program, was founded
the women once they went back to their
in Bangkok some 20 years ago to help
home countries.
women escape the sex industry and return home legally. Emily began
There were also rewards, Emily says,
volunteering as a program manager,
among them the development of strong
working in what’s called restoration,
relationships with women who loved and
which helps women after their escape
appreciated her for helping them change
from the industry. There are limited
their lives.
options for women trying to escape.
The faith that deepened during her time
These women either go to jail, she says,
at Legacy became even stronger while
take their own lives, or find NightLight.
she served in Bangkok, and she is more
Once a woman escapes, however, she’s
grateful for her life at home and the
considered an illegal alien, with no
way she was raised. “We did nothing to
identification or documentation and no
deserve the educational privileges and
way to return home. NightLight takes the women into its own apartments and has them go through a structured rehabilitation program before helping them get home. Many rebel against such structure, as they must get up at 8:00 a.m. and choose a job (for which they’re compensated), in NightLight’s coffee shop or daycare center. They also have the option of making jewelry or clothing and are taught life skills such as typing, reading, and writing. The routine helps them regain control of their lives. They’re also invited to attend Bible studies and counseling sessions on their days off. After going through NightLight’s program,
Now that she and Austin are back, Emily
blessings given to us,” she says.
talks about the challenges of her year
Emily says her service in Bangkok has
in Thailand. One was moving to a new
revealed that her complaints are minor
country where she and her husband
in comparison to those of the women she
lived on one income, and another, more
worked with. The greatest lesson from her
important, was undergoing mental
experience in Thailand is how important
exhaustion from listening as women
it is to “love people well.” Material things
spoke about the horrors they had
don’t matter in comparison to this truth,
experienced. Secondhand trauma can be
she says.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:62 (ESV)
the women can return to their home countries. Emily oversaw the process of helping
Madi Bixler (’14) attended the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating in 2017
the women obtain lawyers, navigating
with a bachelor degree in Supply Chain Management. She is a product specialist at
them through court involvement, and
Interstate Batteries and is pursuing her master degree at UTD.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Portrait of a Young Artist Madeleine Hines is well on her way as an artist — her work has already been published four times and has received honors at district competitions. Now, she’s been named one of the top ten artists from the 10,000 entries in the Celebrating Art contest.
The contest attracts entries from students throughout the United
grateful to Mrs. Mayberry, for her patience and training during
States. From them, 3,000 pieces are selected for publication, of
Madeleine’s Middle School years
which 100 earn a High Merit designation for being in the top 1 percent. Ten students in each age group are then named to the National Top Ten.
The inspiration for Garden Home was Monet’s The Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil: Madeleine loved its intricacy and says she appreciated the challenge the piece would offer. She was given
Madeleine says she feels humbled and grateful that God gave
basic colors of clay to use, but had the freedom to mix and create
her such an opportunity. “It brings us so much joy that God
new colors. She used her hands to form the clay into shapes —
has given Madeleine passion for something that she can enjoy
“art enables people to use their hands to create something that is
doing throughout her entire life,” say her parents, Sherry and
dear to their heart,” she says — and utilized tools to create sharp
Stephen Hines.
lines and texture.
This latest honor required work and overwhelming detail:
Madeleine says she enjoys the creative freedom that art class
Madeleine’s art teacher, Mrs. Mayberry, estimates that she
offers, and the opportunity to try new, challenging works that help
spent some 70 hours refining her award-winning clay painting,
her improve and grow as an artist. She attributes her success in
Garden Home. Her parents say she “poured her heart into the
part to Mrs. Mayberry’s guidance, but, she says, “I also spend time
creative process and small details.”
almost every day drawing or creating some kind of art at home.”
Sherry says her daughter has been drawing and creating
And now Madeleine is among the best artists — nationwide — in
since she was quite young. Once Madeleine finds a subject
her age group.
of interest, she works tirelessly to practice and improve. Mr. and Mrs. Hines are thankful for the artistic education
Madeleine joins these other Top Ten artists from Legacy:
Legacy has provided for their daughter. They are especially
Trenton Balcombe ’21, MaLyn Brigman ’24, and Chase Cunningham ’27.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
29
LCA CLASS OF 202
30
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
20 ACCEPTANCES = ATTENDING Abilene Christian University Angelo State University Arizona State University Ashland University Auburn University Austin College Austin Peay State University Baylor University Belmont University Bentley University Bethel College (Kansas) Blinn College Butler University California Baptist University California State University Cedarville University Central Washington University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Collin College Colorado Christian University Colorado School of Mines Colorado State University Dallas Baptist University DePaul University Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Florida State University Fordham University Grace College Grand Canyon University Hardin-Simmons University Houston Baptist University Iowa State University John Brown University Letourneau University Liberty University Louisiana College
Louisiana State University Loyola University -Chicago Marquette University Miami University Middle Tennessee State University Midwestern State University Mississippi State University Missouri State University Montana State University North Carolina State University Northeastern State University Northwestern College Ohio Northern University Oklahoma City University Oklahoma State University Oregon State University Ouachita Baptist University Pace University Palm Beach Atlantic University Pepperdine University Prairie View A&M University Purdue University Radford University Regis University Rice University Roosevelt University Saint Edward’s University Samford University San Diego State University Southern Methodist University Southern Nazarene University St. Andrews University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University-Commerce Texas Christian University Texas State University Texas Tech University Texas Woman’s University
Trinity University University of Alabama University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff University of Central Oklahoma University of Cincinnati University of Colorado-Boulder University of ColoradoColorado Springs University of Dayton University of Denver University of Findlay University of Georgia University of Houston University of Iowa University of Miami University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of Missouri University of North Texas University of Oklahoma University of Pittsburgh University of Southern Mississippi University of Tennessee University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at Dallas University of Texas at San Antonio University of Tulsa University of Utah University of Washington University of Wisconsin Valparaiso University Wake Forest University Wheaton College Wichita State University Worcester Polytechnic Institute Xavier University
INDIVIDUALIZED COLLEGE PLACEMENT SERVICES • YouScience, a best-fit career inventory that provides students with confidence and data regarding future employment pathways • Guided access to innovative test-prep opportunities • Early identification and on-campus testing for the PSAT and the ACT • Two-day College Application Workshop (spring of students’ junior year): complete common application, résumé, essay • 1:1 College Discovery Process (spring of junior year): individual family meetings
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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LCA HIGHLIGHT
ATHLETIC Signings
Nathan Norris inked his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Northeastern State University, in Tahlequah, Okla. Nathan will join the RiverHawks, playing either third base or in the outfield.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Blaine Warmbrod formally committed to play football at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU), in Abilene. Blaine transitioned to play tight end/defensive end during his senior year, which maximized his recruiting potential. HSU is an ideal fit for Blaine, as he’ll play football for a head coach whom he admires and the academic program aligns well with his career goals.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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LCA HIGHLIGHT
FAITHFUL SERVICE: 5-15 Years in the Making
15 YEARS Candi Loe and Dirk Preble
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
10 YEARS Top row (l–r): Andy Murphy, Barrett Hardage, and Scot McCollum; bottom row: Heather Snider, Ericka Hamilton, and Leslie Bales (not pictured, Ana Garcia)
5 YEARS Top row (l–r): Dustin Messer and Cole Johnson; middle row: Amanda Wenk, Summer Carr, Rosie Sonneborn, Holly Hammond, and Debra Lester; bottom row: Nicole McGlasson, Kathy Littleton, and Emy Johnson
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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LCA HONORS:
Athletics VOLLEYBALL Academic All-State Ellis Davison Chloe Furtaw
FOOTBALL All-State 1st Team
Jenna McGlasson Aunie Slyman
All-District 1st Team
Cianna Cesare McKenna Godsey
Sophia Lippert Jenna McGlasson
2nd Team Ellis Davison Chloe Furtaw
Aunie Slyman Londyn Tanguay
Jonah Petty
2nd Team Brady Atkins Ryan Church Ben Hamilton Mina Manias
Academic All-State Clayton Colier Major Griffith
All-District
Honorable Mention Autum Merkow
District Setter of the Year Sophia Lippert
SWIMMING Swim State Finishers Keeley Briggs State Champion 200 Freestyle State Runner-Up 500 Freestyle TAPPS North Region Swimmer of the Meet
Academic All-State Jireh Goh Nathan Norris Layne Pyle
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Jackson Redmon Tyler Wood
1st Team Brady Atkins Minas Manias Ryan Church
Ben Hamilton Jonah Petty
2nd Team
Brady Atkins Clayton Collier Jackson Redmon Garrett Hutchinson Tyler Wood Major Griffith
Luke Brown AJ Yasilli Jonah Petty Trey Perdue Jonah Lester
Honorable Mention Clayton Collier Coby Crysel Blaine Warmbrod
BOYS SOCCER
CHEER
All-State
All-State
1st Team 2nd Team Honorable Mention
Abby Marshall
1st Team 2nd Team Emeline Crumley
Academic All-State Trenton Balcombe Benji Brewer
Jonathan Darrell Cristian Escribano
Josiah Gill Max Sanderlin
1st Team Luke Haynes
Jake Long
Max Sanderlin
Jonathan Darrell Josiah Gill
Honorable Mention Eric Ericson Grant Martinez
Academic All-State Ryan Clink Aren Terrian
All-District
2nd Team Trenton Balcombe Benji Brewer
Karli Palasota
BOYS BASKETBALL
All-District Cristian Escribano
Honorable Mention
Sam Hawkins
1st Team Jonathan Alexandre Ryan Clink Holden Griffith
Jonathan Mosley Garrett Pelham Aren Terrien
2nd Team Cade Briggs
Honorable Mention
GIRLS SOCCER
Luke Cannaday Gabe Williams
Academic All-State
District Defensive MVP:
Sydney Banks
Ryan Clink
All-District 1st Team Julie Atlason Sydney Banks
2nd Team Abby Gleason Maddie Walsh
District Offensive MVP: Jonathan Alexandre
GIRLS BASKETBALL All-State 1st Team
Honorable Mention Autum Merkow Isa Rodman Caroline Siddons Skidmore
Julia Bowers Kendall Droesch Katie Pelham
2nd Team Haley Phillips Tatum Plunk
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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LCA HONORS:
Arts Band TSMEA All-State Band
ATSSB Middle School All Region Band
Nash Blais Caleb Chambers Luke Chambers Davey Jordaan Adam Lisle
Liam Brown Hudson Caswell Josh Chung Christopher Cleveland Mathew Fortson Davey Jordaan Nicholas Kelly Will Mello Andrew Nemeh Addy Paul Lexi Thomas Libby Wolford Sarah Yoo
ATSSB 3A All-State Band (Public School) Luke Chambers - 2nd Chair Percussion Caleb Chambers - 1st Chair Tuba
ATSSB Region Band Nash Blais Caleb Chambers Luke Chambers Gabe Goodwin Adam Lisle
TPSMEA North Region Honor Band Nash Blais Caleb Chambers Luke Chambers Gabe Goodwin Jobe Holt Davey Jordaan Nicholas Kelly Adam Lisle
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Choir
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
TPSMEA Middle School Honor Band Liam Brown Hudson Caswell Josh Chung Kennedy Clough Micah Davis Matthew Fortson William McMillon Andrew Nemeh Abby Paul Lexi Thomas Sarah Yoo
TPSMEA All State Choir Sophie Dryden
TSPMEA District Solo & Ensemble (advancing to state) Ashlyn Brahly Sophie Dryden Riley Thornton
TPSMEA All Region Choir Ashlyn Brahly Sophie Dryden Karis Fulks Piper Siddons
Theater TAPPS One Act Play Competition All Star Best Actress Caroline Kellam
Honorable Mention Best Actress Sophie Dryden
Art Celebrating Art High Merit MaLyn Brigman
National Top Ten Madeleine Hines
DFW Private School Art Invitational Best in Show Kate Alexander
Honorable Mention Bella Piland
District Level ACSI Art Festival 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal Gracie Alexander
2 Gold Medals Rylie Heaton
Young American Talent Finalist Brynn Warren
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN On February 24 and 25, Legacy hosted a Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event. Students in grades 1 through 8 participated in two-hour packing shifts, together with an army of volunteers. We reached our ambitious goal by packing 209,952 meals, which were shipped to Haiti and will feed 575 children every day for an entire year.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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LCA PERFORMING ARTS
BRAVO: Through The Wardrobe. Legacy’s Middle School students, under the direction of Mrs. Jenna Truitt, took their audience on a magical trip through C. S. Lewis’s Narnia. A giant wardrobe graced center stage as the portal between the real world and a land full of talking animals, witches, and all sorts of fantastic creatures.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Wonderland Forever. Rehearsals for LCA’s spring offering involved members of the whole school, with students as young as Kindergarten age all the way to seniors involved in the excitement. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the shows had to be canceled. To honor the four graduating seniors (Ryan Schroeder, Layne Pyle, Sarah-Anne Lee, and Sophie Dryden) as well as Director Amanda Wenk, the Legacy community showed their love and support with a car parade!
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PSP
P rofessional S chools P rogram As part of the Professional Schools Program, 38 members of the Class of 2020 participated in LCA’s inaugural Capstone year. Students completed either an independent study or a site-based internship with a local business partner. At the conclusion of their Capstones, students created both a written report and a virtual showcase reflecting on their experiences and their growth.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
NATASHA AREVALO PSP SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Fit Physical Therapy, Prayers Answered, and a Defined Career Path Natasha interned at Fit Physical Therapy in Frisco. An internship in physical therapy was not on her radar initially, but the experience proved to be life-changing. She described her internship as an answer to a prayer. In addition to gaining practical skills in physical therapy, she forged relationships with patients, which underscored the importance of empathy and bedside manner — lifelong soft skills that can benefit her in any stage of life. “For as long as I can remember,” she says, “I’ve dreamed of becoming a doctor. Though I knew I wanted to work in the medical field, I was never quite sure of what specific career path I wanted to pursue. Out of all the options I considered, none of them seemed like the right fit for me. As a result of my internship experience at Fit, I’ve chosen to attend Texas A&M University and major in kinesiology.”
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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AVERY ELLIS PSP SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
Drive35 Productions, Thriving Creatively with a Business Foundation Avery had the opportunity to intern at Drive35 Productions, a music studio in Carrollton. Under the mentorship of Jordan Dumont, she learned firsthand about the music industry. Avery was involved in all areas of production, from setting up for live recording sessions, to tracking live instruments and vocals, to editing client projects and tracks. One of the most valuable aspects of her internship was the ability to see the back-end administrative side of the business. Avery now has real-world experience and a solid foundation on which to build her future in the music industry.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
RYAN SCHROEDER PSP SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Legacy Sports Communications, Hands-On and Prepared for Success Ryan completed his Capstone experience in sports broadcasting working with Legacy Athletics. Upper School Principal Kevin Mosley took Ryan under his wing and exposed him to play-by-play broadcasts and overarching athletic coverage. He spent quality time creating and editing videos and made important professional connections. This experience channeled the passion Ryan has had since he was a young boy, so having the ability to develop his skills in this realm was a dream come true.
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C H A M P s 48
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Sophomore Keeley Briggs proudly displays her medals from the TAPPS Division II State Swimming Championship. She swam a personal best and brought home the gold in the 200-yard Freestyle and a silver in the 500-yard Free. She was also named the TAPPS North Region Swimmer of the Meet.
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Our LCA varsity boys soccer team finished a strong season with a playoff win against Austin Regents.
Congratulations
Led by a common goal and a desire to achieve the best, the eighth-grade football team came together for a stellar undefeated season (8-0).
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Welcome to the Board,
Mr. Wood
I am honored to serve our LCA families as a new member of the Board. Since our arrival, Legacy has been a blessing to our entire family and I am excited to help guide and foster our vision moving forward. We see this school as more than an educational institution, but rather a community of believers encouraging each other to serve the Lord in all that we do. I look forward to serving our children, parents, faculty, and staff in my new role. —TRENT WOOD Legacy Christian Academy is excited to announce that Trent Wood has joined the Board of Trustees. Mr. Wood has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas, and served in the Army for nine years in infantry and field artillery. He was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. Mr. Wood cofounded CAF Management, which specializes in multifamily property management, and is its president. He brings a wealth of experience to the Board, as he’s a sales, marketing, and operations professional with a strong financial background and a solid understanding of various business transactions. Earlier, Mr. Wood was a principal with PTC Investments, where he participated in more than 125 property acquisitions and was responsible for the overall profitable operations of the company. He and his wife, Karleigh, have been married for 24 years and live in Frisco with their two sons: Tyler is a junior at LCA and Ryan is in eighth grade. The family are members of Gateway Church, where Mr. Wood has volunteered as greeter, usher, usher captain, altar captain, and deacon. Please help us extend a warm welcome to our newest Trustee.
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LCA ALUMNI
Jingle & Mingle Legacy hosted the first-ever Jingle & Mingle young-alumni event on campus during the Christmas season. Graduates from the last four classes (2016–2019) were invited to reconnect and visit with some of their favorite faculty and staff.
Hannah Dryden, Emily Bordman, and Daisy Dibley (left to right), all graduates of the Class of 2018, are pictured with Mr. Littleton.
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Mr. Housley and Mr. Townsley visit with Dylan Mueller ’16.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
53
Class Notes SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE We are interested in hearing about your wedding, children, career, special interests, vacation trips, and regular get-togethers with fellow LCA alumni.
Class Notes Compiled By: Hannah Jones ’18
E-Mail:
Scott Smith, who holds an economics degree from Texas A&M, is a quality assurance manager with Treehouse Foods LLC. He says that he and his wife Jenn are enjoying life with their two children, Sarah and Liam.
2006 David Rhodes graduated with honors from
communications@legacyca.com
Dallas Theological Seminary, studying
Class Notes are edited for length and clarity, and they will be published online.
systematic theology. There, he received the Rollin Thomas Chafer Award for Apologetics. He’s currently working for American Airlines
2003
as an iOS app developer, but says he’s
Carolyn (Schultz) Boatsman continues to
theology. He’s enjoying living close to his
work for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
family in Dallas.
looking forward to finding new avenues in
2008 Jake Martinez graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in sociology and religious studies and is now an elementary PE teacher for Irving ISD. He and his wife Kristen are hoping to start a family soon, he says.
Johnny Barthalt is a real-estate agent and sales manager for Landon Homes and also runs 10th Planet North Dallas, a jiu-jitsu school. He received a degree in history from the University of Texas at Dallas, and he and his wife Julie are expecting a baby girl.
She and her husband Kyle are expecting their second child, a girl, this June.
2005 Emily (McFarlin) Evans graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She earned a bachelor degree in general studies
Lyndon Willoughby, who holds a bachelor’s
with a concentration in marketing, and works
degree in graphic design from Abilene
for Envision Physician Services as a clinical
Christian University, is married to Colleen.
recruitment sourcer. She and her husband
Lyndon is employed by LiveArea as a
Ricky are eagerly awaiting the birth of their
graphic designer but also has a successful
first child, in September.
illustration career. His work is viewable at willowstration.com.
Stephanie (Cox) Turner received a degree from the University of North Texas in strategic communications. Married to Kyle Turner, she’s a manager at Michaels in customer relationship management. In 2019, she was named to the 32 Under 32 Class of 2019 by the American Advertising Federation.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
CLASS NOTES David Fawthrop received a master’s degree
Logan Allison graduated in 2013 from
in education from the University of North
Baylor University with a degree in general
Texas. He and his wife Miranda have two
studies and a concentration in nutrition. The
children, Paxton and Parker. David is a
owner of the Heart Hatter, where he makes
teacher with Prosper ISD and was recently
one-of-one custom hats and jewelry, he
named Teacher of the Month by radio station
recently won a Fashion Group International
94.9 KLTY.
of Dallas 2019 Rising Star Award.
2010 Amanda (Haase) Dunlap, who graduated from Baylor University with a degree in communications, is a community manager at WidFoc.us Social Media. She is newly married to Taylor Dunlap and says she’s enjoying life in Denver.
Kelsey Haeger earned an international business degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in psychology from Missouri State University. She worked as a missions mobilizer for the Center for Mission
2009 Ian McCord received a degree in mechanical engineering and business administration from Texas A&M in 2013 and is working in Knoxville as a maintenance supervisor for Performance Pipe, a division of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. He and Megan, who are about to celebrate five years of marriage, enjoy exploring the Great Smoky Mountains with their pets.
Mobilization, and is now preparing to be a missionary with the organization in Mexico.
Sharon Soh, who has a master’s degree in social work from Baylor University, is an ER social worker at Parkland Hospital, in Dallas.
Danny Stockton holds a juris doctor from Duke University’s School of Law and is a legislative liaison with Frisco ISD. His wife
Sarah (Lewis) Delgado holds a doctorate in physical therapy from UT Health Science Center of San Antonio. Married since November 2019, she is a physical therapist for Baptist Health System.
Kristina is LCA’s dyslexia therapist. The couple have one son Greyson.
Deann Hansen is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in kinesiology.
Mason Leavitt, who graduated from Angelo State University with a degree in psychology, married Sierra McConnell on Valentines Day of this year. He works at D-BAT Frisco.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
55
CLASS NOTES
2011 Marta (Venegas) Flores graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in elementary and early childhood education and received a master’s in educational leadership from The University of North Texas. She now teaches fourth grade at Little Elm ISD. She and her husband Arturo welcomed their first child, Thiago, last December.
Robin (Montgomery) Koehn holds a degree
Brooke (Massey) Chilton earned a degree
in graphic design from the University of
in graphic design from Hardin Simmons
North Texas. Since the summer of 2019, she
University, where she met her husband
and her husband Carson have been CASA
Nathaniel, whom she married in October.
advocates, helping children in foster care
Brooke is a digital-marketing manager at
navigate the court system.
First United Bank and lives in Prosper, TX.
2012 Dom Steinmann graduated from Baylor University in 2016, then moved back to Dallas with his wife Ashley. Dom started his career at a technology start-up that was later sold to Cisco Systems for $3.7B. He then joined another start-up and built a team in Dallas, where he now leads commercial sales nationally. Ashley and Dom built a house in Frisco and welcomed their first child, Sophia on February 17.
Kevin Urnnerstall graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in nutritional sciences and is a project manager for Walker Engineering.
Dorsey (Hadden) Thomas graduated from
Desiree Simmons holds a degree in fashion
Texas Christian University with a degree in
merchandising and marketing from Texas
strategic communication. She married JD
Woman’s University and works for Dillard’s
Thomas in March 2019. She is currently
as an assistant buyer.
an administrative assistant at Cottonwood Creek Church.
2013 DJ Nelson earned a degree in geography and energy from Texas Christian University. He interned with the Texas Legends and is now an assistant coach and general manager for the Texas Legends/Dallas Mavericks. As an international scout, he has visited China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries searching for NBA talent, and says he’s
Matt Willoughby graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in business management with a minor in biology. He worked in the Location Leadership of JP Morgan Chase and is now employed by PFSW Inc., a global eCommerce and logistics company, as a business manager for a number of clients, including the federal government.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
looking forward to a trip to Africa next.
CLASS NOTES Jillian Roberts received a degree in
Madi Bixler graduated from the University
Shelby Osborne graduated from the
marketing from Baylor University and now is
of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in
University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s
a senior account executive with Imaginuity.
supply-chain management. While pursuing
degree in exercise science. She bypassed
She says she’s loving life in Dallas and
a master’s, also at UTD, she’s a product
a master’s and is pursuing a doctorate in
recently ran her first half marathon.
specialist at Interstate Batteries.
occupational therapy at the University of
Kelsey Harrison has a bachelor’s degree in middle school education from Ouachita Baptist University. As part of the program, Kelsey went to England and Ireland to explore their cultures and school systems.
St. Augustine. She’s on her first clinical rotation, in Wichita, working with stroke patients. She’ll follow that with a rotation in New Orleans, working with more severely affected stroke patients.
She’s now a sixth-grade math teacher at Liberty Christian School.
Peyton Smith graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BS in business administration and marketing management. He’s employed by JP Morgan Chase & Co. as an implementations analyst in Chase Merchant Services.
Zach Snider earned a degree in finance/ economics from the University of Arkansas and is now a WMS analyst for CEVA Logistics.
Brooke Barson earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from California Baptist University. While there, she studied in London for a summer and interned for a property-management company doing sales
2015 Maggie McCullough earned her degree in elementary education from Auburn University and is now a first-grade teacher.
and marketing. Brooke lives in Irvine, Calif.,
Taylor (Perdue) Gregory founded Gracie
and is a territory manager at ConvaTec. She
Bea’s, an online boutique split between the
says she’s proud of the positive impact the
Texas and Louisiana, with friend and co-
products she sells have on patients’ lives.
owner Laura. The two combine their passion for classic and trendy clothes to serve busy
Carolyn Tang holds a bachelor’s degree in
momma’s, boss babes, and insta loving gals
family and consumer science from Baylor
with a unique shopping experience.
University. She’s a design development assistant manager with At Home Inc.
2014 Grace McCullough graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and then earned her master’s, also at Auburn. She’s a fifth-grade teacher at Northside Intermediate School, in Opelika.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
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CLASS NOTES Madison (Paxton) Hayworth graduated
Michael Villavicencio (pictured left) is
Kristen Smith (pictured 2nd from right)
with a degree in education from Texas A&M
finishing his degree in business administration
attended Collin College and earned a degree
in December 2019 and married Daniel
and finance at the University of Texas at
in education from Texas A&M—Commerce.
Hayworth a few days later, on December 21.
Dallas. He briefly attended Florida Atlantic
She is a sixth-grade ILA teacher at Maus
Daniel is stationed in Fort Benning, GA, but
University, then moved back to the Dallas
Middle School in Frisco, and serves in the
the couple plan to relocate to Fort Hood soon.
area and began rooming at UTD with fellow
student ministry at Genesis Metro Church.
Madison has accepted a job with Killeen ISD
LCA graduate Tyler Bohannan. Michael is a
as a middle school dyslexia teacher and will
project manager for Huffman Builders, Plano.
begin work there after the move.
Evan Beck is a 2019 graduate of Abilene
Katy Stockton earned a degree in elementary
Christian University with a BBA in
education from Baylor University. She works
accounting and finance. He moved to
part-time at LCA as a substitute teacher
Logan Muse, who graduated from Baylor,
California, where he accepted an SDR role
while she seeks full-time employment as
holds a degree in corporate communication.
at Verkada to pursue a career in technology
an elementary school teacher. Katy plans
She’s a gift officer in the development
sales. Evan was promoted in January 2020
to enter a master’s program online while
office at Buckner International, in Dallas,
to account executive — his territory covers
teaching next year.
responsible for the cultivation, stewardship,
half of Texas.
Mitchell Wilson received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Drury University. He works part time as a basketball coach at LCA and will enter a master’s program in medical science starting this summer. He plans to attend medical school.
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LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
and management of relationships with the many donors to the Christian charitable, nonprofit organization.
CLASS NOTES
2016 Jon Gabriano received a BBA from Belmont University and is attending Sogang University, in South Korea, to study the music business. Jon plans on moving to
excess sodium from food. After graduating,
Lane Guthmann is studying at Texas A&M
Dyllan will begin a full-time position on the
University in a program that bestows
Computational Biology Team at Unilever, in
a dual degree, a bachelor’s in business
Trumbull, CT. He also plans on continuing
administration in accounting and a master’s
his education.
in management. For two summers, Lane interned at AT&T’s headquarters, in Dallas,
Seoul to learn Korean and eventually pursue
and is now a tax intern at the middle-market
a career in the Korean music industry.
accounting firm RSM. Lane is the fifth member of his family to receive an Aggie ring and he’s excited to start a career in business.
Kirby Jarzombek is a senior at Baylor University, where she’s studying elementary education. She’s interning at Robinson Elementary and was recently nominated for Texas Teaching Intern of the Year. Over breaks, Kirby spends her time teaching elementary summer school. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and has continued to play volleyball through intramural teams. Upon graduation, she plans to enter a graduate degree program at Baylor.
Matthew Guzak is in his final semester at the University of Arkansas, double-majoring in finance and supply-chain management. He has served on the Executive Council of his fraternity, Sigma Nu, and has been active in its Leadership Development Program. As an intern at the Arkansas World Trade Center, Matthew worked closely with many foreign diplomats and government officials. After
Candace Collier graduated from college in
graduation, he hopes to work as a consultant.
2019 and is a part-time associate with Collide Media Group.
Dyllan Muller, who is at Tulane University, is a double major in chemical engineering and management. He works as an undergraduate researcher in an organic chemistry lab as well as in a mesenchymal stem cell lab. In 2018, he cofounded No-dium, a start-up based on a patent-pending technology that removes
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
59
CLASS NOTES
2017 Rachel (Cain) Clark graduated from Criswell College with a degree in biblical studies and
with fund-raising. She interns at a private counseling office in Stillwater. Grace hopes to go on to graduate school in social work.
2019 Elisabeth Housley is studying public and nonprofit administration at the University
is now working part time. Rachel is married
of Oklahoma, where she’s involved in
to Nathan Clark.
Sooners for Christ. Through Let’s Start Talking, she spent the summer in Ukraine
Adrionna Jones is at Abilene Christian
helping citizens improve their English.
University, studying nursing with a minor
Elisabeth is employed part time at the
in biblical studies. She’s the tailgate director
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education as a
for her Tri Kappa Gamma and has won many
student office/development assistant. Next
tailgates.
year, she’ll be taking over responsibility for the Alameda Church of Christ’s elementary tutoring program.
Emma Whaley is studying food science and industry at Kansas State University. She recently completed a weeklong internship
Natalie Clark is studying apparel design and manufacturing at Texas Tech University, and worked for the Texas Tech Red Raider
at Seaboard Foods, in Guymon, OK, working with the fully integrated porkproduction process.
Orientation Crew during the summer. A member of Alpha Delta Pi, she served as the music education specialist and is now the video production specialist. She also choreographed and wrote the lyrics for her sorority’s 2019 So Sing routine.
2018 Grace Wolf attends Oklahoma State University, where she’s studying human development and family science — child and family services. She’s the external philanthropy chair for the Tau Beta chapter
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of Chi Omega and works with Make a
Hannah Jones (’18) is working towards a degree in professional writing
Wish Oklahoma and the Humane Society
with a minor in communications. She is studying at Grand Canyon University
of Stillwater, helping both organizations
in Phoenix, Arizona.
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
