Remarkable Warriors

by Steve Gamel | group photo courtesy of Liberty Christian social media page, photos of Zach & the Kristynik sisters courtesy of Amy Mauldin, & photo of Madison O’Rourke courtesy of Vivian Nichols

What started as a way to praise one Liberty Christian School student for her good deeds in the community has become an organized push to recognize even more kids doing some pretty remarkable things on and off campus.

School officials started the Remarkable Warriors program. The goal is to highlight students at all grade levels who go above and beyond to demonstrate leadership, Christ-like character, striving for excellence, pursuing service, valuing scholarship, and building a loving and giving community. Liberty has recognized seven students to date: Madison O’Rourke, Ava and Anna Claire Kristynik, Zach Salter, and the trio of Brooks Lepschy, Cade Lewis, and Josiah Sanchez.

Each has a photo on a dedicated Remarkable Warriors page along with a bio that details their accomplishments.

“How it came about is that we came across and shared a [social media] post about Madison O’Rourke, who had raised nearly $50,000 for Scottish Rite Hospital. From there, we figured, we’ve got to do something. So many of our kids are doing some amazing things,” said Amy Mauldin, a Communications Officer with the school. “We’ve done four posts so far that feature seven kids, and the hope is to keep doing more.”

She added, “We’ve tied it all back to the Warrior Way, which is a set of core values our students follow.” Mauldin said they are taking submissions from anyone inside their school’s community who feels a student should be recognized as one of the Remarkable Warriors. They are also keeping their eyes and ears peeled, as many of these students are also being recognized by area media outlets and on social media.

O’Rourke, a senior, started the Shaping a Better Future Fundraiser to help underwrite the cost of care for children with scoliosis. She has worked for 10 years to overcome her own struggles with scoliosis and has managed to compete in track and volleyball. In September, she presented a check for nearly $50,000 to Scottish Rite Hospital.

Sisters Ava and Anna Claire Kristynik were selected to play in the All-American Underclass Games, the most prestigious high school

"IT’S ABOUT POURING INTO OTHERS AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.”

lacrosse tournament of the summer. They traveled to Indianapolis, and Ava’s team won the championship and advanced to the National Championship in Virginia Beach, VA. Ava is a senior and has verbally committed to play at Notre Dame. Anna Claire is a freshman and is already doing amazing things.

Zach Salter, a senior, has been a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America for 11 years. He recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by dedicating over 70 service hours to community projects. He’s earned 59 merit badges while also planning, organizing, and executing his Eagle Scout project: 8X6 foot garden planter boxes for Central Elementary School in Lewisville for their science curriculum.

The third-grader trio of Brooks Lepschy, Cade Lewis, and Josiah Sanchez created the Buddy Bench on the Kindergarten-5th grade playground as a place for children looking for a friend. The idea is that no student should ever feel left out at recess. Their creation is a simple way to give children options when working to connect with other students.

“We’re always excited to hear about what our students are doing. It makes us proud,” Mauldin said. “They are excelling, but beyond that, they are making a difference. It’s more than being the star athlete and doing the outstanding achievement. It’s about pouring into others and making a difference in the world.”

If you have a Remarkable Warriors nomination, email

communications@mylcs.com.

“THEY ARE EXCELLING, BUT BEYOND THAT, THEY ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE."