O A K S
C H R I S T I A N
S C H O O L
2017-18 MISSION REPORT
Full
STEAM Ahead
MISSION REPORT 2017-18 O A K S
C H R I S T I A N
S C H O O L
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S IGNI
RTIU
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TA PRUDENTIA
CL ARITAS A
A ATHLETIC
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OUR CREST
COLORS Gold – generosity and elevation of mind Cardinal – royal, majesty, sovereignty, and justice MISSION STATEMENT BORDERS THE SHIELD Erudita Prudentia: Academic Excellence Claritas Artium: Artistic Expression Insignis Athletica: Athletic Distinction
Evan Fanner, fifth grade, tests blood flow through an artery and vein science experiment
SYMBOLS WITHIN THE SHIELD Cross: Christ, Christianity and Christian Service Acorn: antiquity, strength, and continuous growth Bible/book: revealing of God’s word or timeless truth Keys: unlocking, opening, explaining and freedom Lion: dauntless, courage, bravery, strength and valor Olive branches: peace, concordance, and harmony
OUR MISSION
To dedicate ourselves to Christ in the pursuit of academic excellence, artistic expression, and athletic distinction, while growing in knowledge and wisdom through God’s abundant grace.
OUR PURPOSE
OUR GOALS
As an independent school, Oaks Christian School provides an exemplary, college-preparatory education for 5th through 12th grade students in a Christian environment. Oaks Christian seeks a diverse student body consisting of intellectually, artistically, physically and spiritually gifted young men and women who are interested in refining their God-given talents.
For each of our students, we want to:
The educational experience at Oaks Christian seeks to develop each student’s mind, body and spirit to the fullest potential through challenging academic training, artistic exploration, athletic development and spiritual mentoring by the finest Christian teachers and coaches in the nation. Oaks Christian strives to develop in students a lifelong love of learning, an abiding faith in Christ and personal integrity. We are a community based on trust, mutual respect and compassion and we hold all members of the community accountable for upholding these values.
• foster an understanding of the sovereignty of God which provides a framework for the application of knowledge; • provide a comprehensive and college-preparatory education through diverse learning experiences within an engaging community; • provide a challenging learning environment that fosters critical thinking, personal responsibility and persistent effort; • promote physical fitness and refined character through teamwork and God-honoring competition; • develop an understanding and appreciation of the arts and encourage good stewardship of artistic abilities; • encourage a passion to love God and others through lives that reflect virtues taught and modeled by Christ including justice, wisdom, courage, service, reconciliation, grace and humility.
The Lions Legacy Mission Report, is a publication of Oaks Christian School. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced electronically or manually without the written permission of Oaks Christian School. Non-Discriminatory Policy: Oaks Christian School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational, admissions, financial assistance, athletic and other school-administered policies and programs.
Full STEAM Ahead in
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math
A
s we launched the 2017-18 academic year, we sought to build on our vision of ‘One Oaks Christian’ through the theme of Imagine. We challenged ourselves to think outside the box and imagine what new and exciting approaches we could take to effectively engage students with learning experiences and techniques. For example, last year we imagined a focused approach to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), with new courses in both the middle school and high school, resulting in the creation of two maker spaces. We are now planning to expand our STEM push through our new IDEA Lab (Innovation, Design, Engineering, and Aeronautics). This 10,000-square-foot building will be an Oaks Christian distinctive and unique among Southern California high schools. We are excited to show you what Phase 1 will look like this fall! We are also thrilled to launch our new Residential Life Program, opening in fall 2019. The Residential Life Hall will welcome domestic and international students. In addition to expanding Oaks Christian’s impact beyond the Conejo Valley, the Residential Life Hall will give our students a richness and cultural appreciation for life beyond Southern California. We are honored to serve new students in both a weekly and full-time boarding program, engaging them with residential faculty and staff mentoring them. As you read through the pages of Lions Legacy, I hope you enjoy the stories and experiences of your students from this past year. In academics, arts and athletics, our students not only imagined success, but achieved tremendous results. In academics, our students benefited from our newly remodeled middle school library; unleashed their creativity in the maker space, and achieved national literary honors. We were blessed by our performing arts department this year with several outstanding performances and concerts. Among the most memorable were the middle school production of Aladdin, Jr., the high school’s The Sound of Music, and Spring Spectacular, which again highlighted our partnership with Sweden’s Academy of Music and Business. Especially exciting was when over 400 attendees from surrounding elementary schools came to a special Aladdin, Jr. matinee. This past year saw our athletes win 10 Marmonte League championships: girls golf, boys golf, boys water polo, football, girls basketball, soccer, and basketball, boys track & field, girls track & field, softball, and boys swim. Three teams won CIF-SS championships: football, boys golf, and boys track & field. Of particular note, Oaks Christian was the runner up in the CIF Commissioner’s Cup— signifying the best athletic department in CIF. We also signed 40 graduating athletes to collegiate sports. We remain committed to developing our students into a thriving community of scholars, athletes and artists who will honor God, their families and their school with their talents while becoming young men and women of character and integrity. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in the formation of these young people as, together, we “imagine” and become “One Oaks Christian.”
Rob Black Head of School
ADMINISTRATION Rob Black Head of School Mike Parkinson Chief Operating Officer Dr. Matt Northrop Associate Head of School for Academics Dr. Jason McMaster Associate Head of School for Advancement and Marketing Dee Dee Mayer Associate Head of School for Spiritual Life John Huffman Vice President of Admissions Karen Coyle High School Principal Garett Freeman Middle School Principal EDITOR Maria Cowell Director of Communications and Media Relations GRAPHIC DESIGNER Blanca Schnobrich PHOTOGRAPHY Reid Chobanian, Cornerstone Photography, Maria Cowell, Leanne Davis, Audie Diggs, Stella Erbes, Rich Gregory, High School Yearbook Staff, David Hessemer, Middle School Yearbook Staff, Michelle Menzel, Online School Staff, Blanca Schnobrich, Gabrielle Tricoli PRINTING Jeff Benes, The Smart Group
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Library Remodel Creates Modern Learning Space
S
chool libraries are modernizing to keep in step with 21st century technology-driven learning with trends such as Makerspaces, 3D printers and flexible furniture, and Oaks Christian School is right in step with this shift.
Corinne Gregory, Molly Murphy (top) and Sam Samara (below) enjoy the new library.
The Fardad Family Middle School Library underwent a major renovation this past summer to create a dynamic learning environment that supports collaboration, creativity and innovation. Gone are the days of bookshelves only and quietwhisper zones. Instead, the modern middle school library is a space where hands-on learning comes to life and students can dive deep into science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) topics, making it an engaging destination for students. The new, open space is bright and airy and includes five 27-inch iMacs for creative projects, a digital projection station for group collaborative work, USB ports and chargers, mobile furniture, the Makerspace in the back and the new 3D printer. After a six-month remodel, the new space was celebrated Savannah Knapp, sixth grade, enjoyed the vibe and décor. at the official grand opening in early November, complete “It’s a really fun environment to hang around and do homework with balloons, cake and students and staff dressed up as their after school. It’s not boring and they added fun colors. My favorite literary characters. favorite thing is the way they designed the desk areas.” “The Fardad Family Library is the epicenter for the creative And students aren’t the only ones benefitting from the new and intellectual minds of our students. Designed to encourage design. Faculty are enjoying the flexibility of the mobile furniture independent and collaborative thinking, the reimagined library which can be rearranged in any formation, from an auditorium space is dedicated to sparking a passion for learning in an set-up to a coffee house to project-based collaborative groups. evolving landscape of digital, print, and hands-on educational According to Smart, the flexibility makes it easier to teach tools, all selected on the basis of relevance, age-appropriateness, two classes at once, if needed, rather than having students sit on and consistency with Christian values,” shared Middle School the floor in pods as was done previously. For example, Librarian Patricia Smart at the grand opening. Middle School Science Teacher Dale Spady, Choral Students spent the day exploring the new Director Ed Rouse, and Smart co-taught a lesson space and trying out the new features. They liked about making musical instruments, each covering the Apple Store feel, even saying it smelled like a different area of knowledge the students “I like how they an Apple Store. They especially enjoyed the would need. Tiered seating helped the 50 low-slung 360-degree swivel reading chairs. involved technology students see everything being demonstrated. “I like how it is modern, and not The remodel not only blessed OCMS old-school with just books. I like the in the making of the students, but the furniture that was computers and the cool furniture,” replaced was donated to the following shared Sophia Sletten, sixth grade. library. I am using tech schools and charities: Hands4HopeLA, Napa “It’s very nice and looks way better Christian School, Mountain Vista School, than it did before,” said Chase Farrell, sixth for school projects.” Tarzana Community and Cultural Center, LA grade. “I like how they involved technology in Shares, Glendale Youth Authority, and Homethe making of the library. I am using tech for Based Medical Supplies. school projects.”
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THE
BIG I D EA
Believing that
students can be innovators, designers, and inventors
who can impact the world through their gifts, Oaks Christian School is establishing an unprecedented IDEA Lab—Innovation, Design, Engineering and Aeronautics.
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T
he 10,000-square-foot-facility will be like no other in the Conejo Valley, giving OCS students a jump in STEAM career paths (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).
The central hub of this new space is the 4,000-square-footfabrication lab which will house metal and wood fabrication machines, 3D printers, and a variety of other useful tools, such as Haas tools that are typically reserved for college fabrication labs or industrial labs. The lab will allow students to make basically anything out of anything, including robots, aerial and underwater drones, rockets, and even basic prosthetics. In addition to the fabrication space, the IDEA Lab will also house five classrooms: physics, robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, and a flex classroom. The facilities will also include a reception area, conference room, and faculty core room. “With the advent of internet search engines, it isn’t enough to recall facts and information anymore. Our students need 6
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to possess skills and talents that involve 21st century critical thinking, a curious and innovative spirit, grit, collaboration, and strong character,” said Associate Head of School for Academics Dr. Matt Northrop. “Coupled with our amazing faculty, this lab will provide our students with the space, the tools, the knowledge, and the mindset to go out and become difference makers.” Students will have the opportunity to learn firsthand from top-notch OCS science faculty including Amanda Turk (MIT grad), Tyler Hernandez (Cal Poly grad), and Juan Velasquez (Berkeley and UCLA grad), as well as retired engineers, machinists and guest lecturers. The engineering department will provide four potential pathways: aerospace and rocketry, robotics, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. In addition to the
Artist renditions of the IDEA lab depict fabrication space and classrooms.
New IDEA Lab Features • 4,000 square foot fabrication space • 3D printers • Robotics classroom • Physics classroom • Electrical engineering classroom • Computer science classroom • Flex classroom • Reception area • Conference room • Faculty core room
amazing program that already exists in the middle school, the middle school robotics team will have access to the new VEX robotics lab. OCS seniors will have the opportunity to create a culminating Capstone Project to identify real-world problems, develop solutions through trial and error, and then to provide those solutions to people, schools, villages, or organizations in a way that will improve quality of life. “For example, our students can build simple but helpful prosthetic limbs for people who may not live in a place where those types of medical services are provided or cannot afford a fully functional prosthetic limb,” Northrop said. He further envisions a schoolwide collaborative effort where the film
students would travel to the village where the limb recipient lives and document the experience. Oaks Christian aims to partner with local engineering companies and entrepreneurs to provide internships for the students, as well as expertise to the classes. The new IDEA Lab will be housed in what was formerly the PetBest Building on Cedar Valley Road. The first phase, including the wood fabrication, metal fabrication, and robotics labs will open in fall 2018. The second phase which includes the electrical engineering lab, computer science lab, new rocketry lab, and physics lab will open in summer 2019.
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GIRL POWER FemSTEM Club Lights Spark, Inspires Young Women As a little girl, Olivia Lucchese used to sneak into her older brother’s room and play with his K’Nex sets, fascinated by the way the interlocking pieces formed engineering marvels of speed and motion. That childhood curiosity in science was a harbinger: the OCS senior will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall. She will be a bio-engineering and premed combination major, hoping to be an orthopedic surgeon in prosthetics to help disabled veterans and injured athletes.
W
hile at Oaks Christian, she has taken advantage of the science classes offered but noticed in the advanced classes there were fewer and fewer girls in the seats around her. “In my physics class there were only three girls (out of a class of 20) and that felt lonely. I wanted to investigate what was going on and why girls weren’t in these advanced classes. I wanted to find out what deters them,” she shared. While Oaks Christian offers ample opportunities for girls to take science, technology, engineering and math classes (STEM), she discovered many of her peers felt there was a stigma attached to girls who were interested in STEM. “It was discouraging to me that girls weren’t taking advantage of the opportunities Oaks offers because they were scared how they would be viewed. For some reason, girls interested in STEM tend to be considered weird. People assume guys are good at STEM and girls should be more interested in English and the language arts. Some girls do prefer that, but there are many girls who like STEM.” Rather than just shrug her shoulders and accept the status quo, Lucchese approached high school physics teacher Amanda Turk about starting a club to encourage middle school and high school girls in STEM. Turk was immediately on board and enlisted middle school math teacher Leanne Davis and middle school science teacher Brooke Delao as co-advisors. “I was an engineer before I became a teacher, so I know firsthand how few women there are in STEM. When Olivia suggested we have an all girls club devoted to STEM I was excited. It’s nice for the girls to have the chance to explore that passion in a sisterhood setting,” said Turk. “Having worked at an all girls school before coming to Oaks, I knew the difference it makes to have an all girls situation versus co-ed. It’s difficult to describe, but you can see the girls get more actively involved and take leadership roles.”
Finley Shinnick, Olivia Lucchese and Ashlyn Kelly work on a robotics project in the makerspace.
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A cornerstone of the FemSTEM Club is the mentoring component. Since middle school girls can be a little shy and intimidated by older girls, Lucchese made sure to implement a buddy system. There are 40 girls who are placed in high school/middle school pairings on outings to the California Science Center (Body World exhibit, Space Shuttle and IMAX) and the Griffith Park Observatory. The club is planning a future day at Disneyland with a lecture from an expert on the physics of roller coasters. Discussion topics and guest speakers at the club meetings have covered structural engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and general engineering and physics. “In my physics class “This is an incredible opportunity there were only three girls to bring middle school girls together .... I wanted to investigate and let them be mentored by high school girls, particularly at this age what was going on and Caroline Herrera, OCS Physics teacher Amanda Turk, Lauren when they are so impressionable, Pierre collaborate during a FemSTEM Club meeting in the why girls weren’t in and be encouraged to continue their makerspace. these advanced classes. pursuit of STEM. Seeing and hearing what the high school girls are talking I wanted to find out about in STEM is lighting a spark in the what deters them.” younger girls,” said Davis. In fact, experts in STEM do articulate that such mentoring programs, particularly if started early, can help prevent the “leaky pipeline,” a term describing how girls’ curiosity and interest in STEM starts to diminish by the time they enter high school, sometimes as early as fourth grade. Published articles structural engineer, the middle school girls talked about the such as “Why Girls Leave STEM—And What You Can Do About It,” new club. debunk the notion that it isn’t “cool” for girls to be in STEM. And Elise Marnell, eighth grade, is thinking about a career in nationwide programs such as Girls Who Code and The National architecture because she likes engineering and drawing plans, Girls Collaborative Project are helping girls retain their interest in but she enjoys the club because “I get to try out different types STEM, one of the fastest growing educational and career fields. of science and what kinds of things you would do in different While the high school girls are focused on medicine, careers and find out what I want to be in life.” engineering, biology and chemistry, the middle schoolers’ Finley Shinnick, seventh grade, aspires to be a surgeon one interests are widespread. One girl loves animals and was day. “I especially liked the medical side. I loved the day we got interested in veterinary studies, another loves being hands to practice sutures on a hot dog. Plus, we also have lots of fun on through mechanical engineering. Lucchese hopes the club with the older girls.” can give them exposure to different areas so they have a more The club has been widely supported by faculty and defined direction once they enter high school and into college. administration and has also received a $1,500 grant from “Honestly, I was really shocked at the pure joy the middle the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. To ensure a solid school girls have for these areas! They are so excited and eager foundation in its inaugural year, the high school mentors had to for every meeting. Parents have come up to me to share how be nominated by an OCS STEM teacher, and club membership excited their girls are about the club and how they talk non-stop was only open to sixth through 12th grade girls. Next year, fifth about it. It just made me so thankful to have the opportunity to grade girls will be invited to participate and there will be no be part of this,” she said. Lucchese says the most surprising thing nomination required to be a mentor, only a passion for STEM about the club was the middle school girls themselves! and the club’s goals. At a Friday afternoon meeting where they heard from a
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CyberPatriots Score Big, Defend Computer Security
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n their inaugural year, the OCS CyberPatriots came out of the we had a bit of a learning curve when it came to the real thing. virtual gate swinging and never looked back. The six-man I was blown away with all the knowledge the team had already team represented Oaks Christian at the highest level earlier acquired—which was mostly self-taught in their spare time.” this spring against 5,400 other teams at the National Youth Indeed, the entire concept of the club was student-driven Cyber Defense Competition. from the start. It was founded by sophomore Charlie Kempf, who Organized by the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber wants to work in the aerospace industry one day. He participated Education Program (created by the Air Force Association), the in CyberPatriots through the Civil Air Patrol as a middle schooler. competition puts high school and middle school teams in the This year, he approached a couple other students about starting position of IT professionals tasked with managing the an OCS club. He pitched the idea to Parker and the IT staff (who network of a small company. Teams are given loved it) and Principal Karen Coyle, who, as a retired virtual images that represent operating naval commander, was sold right away. systems. They are given six hours to find Kempf got busy making recruiting cyber security vulnerabilities in the posters and getting a booth at club rush. He images and harden the system while was worried the club would not attract These types of maintaining critical services. enough students to field a team but Based on their scores from two was blown away by the interest. He activities support the prior qualifying rounds, the team had more students apply than he overarching goal of CyberPatriots; earned a platinum level status could take so he had to make cuts. it is designed to attract students going into the state competition Besides Kempf, club members of the event. They placed in include: Matthias Portzel, junior, Max to science, technology, engineering the top 30 percent of platinum Weinbach, junior, Caleb Behunin, and math (STEM) as a career teams and missed advancing to sophomore, Jason Zhang, junior, and the national level by a narrow George Madias, junior. The club is path to help protect the margin; quite an accomplishment open to females as well, but none United States cyber industries, for a newbie team. applied this first year. While other schools With the club established, it was commerce, public safety competing at the platinum level then a mad dash to prepare. The first and national defense. have long-established cyber security competition was only two weeks away. teams, Oaks Christian is a newcomer to Other schools start practicing in August, the game. Most schools begin practicing way in advance of the event, so the team was in the summer, but the OCS team did not under a lot of pressure. even form until school had started, making their “Normally we would practice one day a week, platinum level achievement even more remarkable. but we were squeezing in three practices,” said Kempf. “I was “We were thrilled and a little shocked that the team was expecting that we would maybe scrape into the middle tier, but able to obtain the highest category of competition in the when we finished round two and found out we were platinum it inaugural year at OCS,” said club advisor and OCS Director of was an exciting moment. I was so proud of the team.” Information Technology Darrell Parker. He continues: “And of course, we could not have done it “Because the club was formed several weeks after school without Mr. Parker. It was my first experience in leadership. I started, we missed all practice rounds of the competition, so knew nothing about bringing a team together, motivating people
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and getting them to work well together. He taught me so much.” Besides prepping for competition, the club also takes field trips and hears from experts in the field. In the fall, they attended a cyber security seminar in Oxnard to hear a local FBI agent talk about the magnitude of cyber crimes in Ventura County and how costly they can be. This spring, they invited a local expert to share personal experiences of getting hacked, and how she now helps train and protect senior citizens from falling prey to cyber criminals. These types of activities support the overarching goal of CyberPatriots; it is designed to attract students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as a career path to help protect the United States cyber industries, commerce, public safety and national defense. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information technology occupations is
projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for these workers is fueled by greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security, all which are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Because he doesn’t teach, Parker has enjoyed connecting with the students around a common interest in computers and technology, but he also hopes “they will have a general awareness of cyber vulnerabilities and possibly become interested enough to pursue a career in cyber security.” Kempf agrees that people should have a greater sense of cyber security given the loss of privacy in a digital world. “Privacy isn’t really a right anymore. You have to trust some company to protect your data or you must do it yourself—or at least be able to tell if your stuff has been stolen or copied. It’s a huge thing these days.” Below (L to R), Jason Zhang, Charlie Kempf, George Madias, Max Weinbach
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hia
lps Sop
pady he
le S cher Da nce tea ool scie rements. h c S le Midd easu n with m Sorenso
Stevie Amar and Jackson
A J SPACE TO CREATE
Taylor enjoy the creative
process.
acob Warwick has a creative streak and thinks he may want to be an animator one day. He loves to tinker and build things, such as the Katana sword and case he was fashioning out of PVC pipe in the middle school makerspace lab during spring semester. The OCS fifth grader feels at home in the middle school makerspace lab where he can let his imagination go in a fun learning environment with fellow classmates. “I feel one can design and create whatever you like here. The projects Mr. Spady assigns are fun and good experience for learning. I want to be an animator, so this gives me some ideas for it,” he shared during a busy and loud session in the makerspace. The middle school makerspace, and the high school makerspace, are new to Oaks Christian this year. A makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school or library for learning, exploring and sharing that uses high-tech to no-tech tools. The OCS middle school makerspace is equipped with traditional hand and power tools, as well as high tech machines, such as a laser cutter, two 3D printers and a desktop milling machine. Legos, craft supplies, hot glue guns, wood, PVC pipes and other building materials are also in abundance. “I like how you can do whatever you want because we have
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ct. Maeve Dewey constructs her proje
t the nneth Dott pu Spady and Ke t. robo touches on a
finishing Emma N ik Maggie iforov, Jackson Rhew co Ta llaborate ylor, and .
all the tools here. Every week we get to make something new which is great,” said Stevie Amar, fifth grader. The term makerspace became popular in early 2011, when MAKE Magazine registered the domain makerspace.com and started using the term to describe public places to design and create. Although school makerspaces are a modern trend, the idea of gathering together to collaborate and create is as old as time. According to a February 2013 article in American Libraries magazine titled “Manufacturing Makerspaces,” one of the earliest “makerspaces” was the Gowanda Ladies Social Society which met to quilt, knit, sew, and talk about books. In 1877, it became the Ladies Library Association. Over 100 years later, it received a state library charter as the Gowanda Free Library. Today, many school makerspaces are affiliated or attached to a library. The OCS middle school makerspace is adjacent to the OCS middle school library. While the atmosphere hums like a beehive, there is a definite method to the madness behind makerspaces. The objective is to
develop critical 21st century skills in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The hands-on learning that takes place bolsters creativity, for sure, but also helps students explore the areas of electronics, robotics, woodworking, modeling and coding. “The best part has been to see kids’ minds awaken to the possibility of what they can do. A lot of them have discovered new things about themselves they didn’t know and gained a good understanding of the types of tools that are out there and how they can help them solve problems and do creative things,” said Middle School Science Teacher Dale Spady. His makerspace students do many one-day sciencebased projects, such as tin foil boats filled with pennies to test flotation and simple rockets made from film canisters. But no matter what they are assigned, Spady says the students dive right in. “I love their enthusiasm. Anything you give them they are on board and they pour themselves into it. They have such creativity and it is wonderful,” he shared.
The best part has been to see kids’ minds awaken to the possibility of what they can do.”
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Artist rendition of the residential hall student lounge
All the C Comforts of Home
New Residential Life Hall will Welcome Domestic, International Students
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onstruction has begun on the new Oaks Christian School Residential Hall, which will welcome both domestic and international students. The new OCS Residential Hall will be located on the high school campus on Cedar Valley Road. The facility is scheduled to accept its first students in spring 2019. The state-of-the-art facility will boast several features including: designated study, lounge and game areas; genderspecific dormitory floors, which will accommodate approximately 160 domestic and international students, and a high-tech security system. Families can choose from the five-day or seven-day boarding option for their student. Onsite faculty and dorm parents will provide supervision and mentoring. The traditional host-family program—where students live with OCS families in their homes—will continue as a strong and viable option for international students. “We are excited that the residential life program will allow Oaks Christian to reach a larger population of mission-centric students with the potential to enrich the school community by their presence and contribution,” said Kris Thabit, OCS Director of Special Projects. “Both the school and the students will benefit from the added diversity and deeper community that is created when students and faculty live on campus. We are anticipating the
Commercial grade kitchen
Computer lab
Study room
Residential hall exterior
...the residential life program will allow Oaks Christian to new boarding facility will allow even more reach a larger population of students to experience all Oaks has to mission centric students with offer,” he added. Students will enjoy independent, the potential to enrich the college-style living with many comforts of school community by their home, along with state-of-the-art amenities that will help to immerse them in a rich presence and culture of learning and friendship. contribution.” Additionally, students will have access to the OCS campus after school and on weekends, including the cafe, pool, athletic fields, and library.
The facility is designed to be an intentional community with each student’s growth and development as a primary focus in building and designing. The new hall will provide an on-campus, rigorous collegepreparatory experience of an Oaks Christian education to prepare students to enter the finest universities and colleges. For more information email: Boarding@oakschristian.org
OCS staff take a few demolition swings at the ceremonial groundbreaking. Left to right, Vice President of Admissions John Huffman, Chief Operating Officer Mike Parkinson, Director of Special Projects Kris Thabit, Head of School Rob Black, Director of Advancement Cozy Darby
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Student artwork is showcased each year through several platforms: local, community exhibits, competitions and our own campus art shows. The high school art show “Wonderlust” inspired guests to adventure into the hallways with a sense of wonder and awe, seeing the beauty and creativity behind each digital, film, 2D or 3D piece. The Annual Middle School Arts Extravaganza displayed the artistic expression of our students from grades five through eight in the performing and visual arts classes, along with our engineering program.
1: Lobby installation 2: Sonia Virk 3: Anna Wu 4: Meg Rouse 5: Brooke Dingman 6: Asher Oyelowo 7: Kyle Sharp 8: Brandon Madrigal
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ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
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PERFORMING The enduring classics were front and center this year as the middle school and high school performing arts departments staged memorable productions of oldtime favorites such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Sound of Music,” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” There was also magic in the air with a Disneythemed “An Evening with the Ears” the all-school choral production. The annual Spring Spectacular
took audiences on a walk down memory lane to the 1960s in a Beatles’ musical tribute to the Fab Four. Rounding out the year were the outstanding OCS winter and spring dance productions, Spring String Thing and Band Bonanza, and the ever uplifting and joyous Christmas concerts.
Top left: Sound of Music cast. Top right: Words of Dance production. Bottom left: It’s a Wonderful Life. Bottom middle: “An Evening with the Ears”. Bottom Right: Spring Spectacular.
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G ARTS
Abby Riggle and Dashielle Derrickson in “Aladdin, Jr.” OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
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ery few visual artists get the pleasure of seeing their work displayed in a gallery: much less do they get the satisfaction of knowing their creations are making an impact halfway around the globe. But that is exactly what the Oaks Christian High School Visual Story Telling class experienced this spring through the special GOATS exhibit at the Four Friends Gallery in Thousand Oaks. Through partnership with WE, a charity organization working in Africa, Asia and Latin America to help people lift themselves out of poverty, the students sold their photography to purchase goats for a needy village in Kenya. The GOATS acronym stands for Giving Others Abilities To Succeed. The class was given a $250 grant from Allstate and WE, which they used to help with printing cost. Samy’s Camera also donated the photo paper for the prints. For every two prints sold at the exhibit, a goat was donated to the village women as a sustainable source of income for their families. The goal was to raise enough money to provide 20 goats for this village. Along with the prints sold and donations collected, the evening resulted in 42 goats being purchased. Over 100 guests enjoyed the opening
exhibit which featured a mother goat and her two-day old baby goats, which were a hit with the guests. OCS Photography Teacher David Hessemer was thrilled with the results and what the students learned. “The value of this event was multi leveled. First of all, I wanted our students to participate in real world photo assignments and events, to get the chance to hang their images in a real art gallery and get the privilege of seeing people view their images and talk about their photography and the inspiration behind their images,” Hessemer shared. “The class also had to contract with the gallery and learn the real cost of making prints and how to set a marketable price. They learned how much work a project like this is, and they learned the importance and joy of giving back.” Hessemer hopes to take students to the Kenyan village so they can see firsthand the impact of their art. “Hopefully, this will lead to our class going to Kenya and shooting the story of a family that receives a pair of goats and the impact that will have on their family and community. I would like to return to that village for the next five years to be able to tell the whole story.”
A GOAT Tale 20
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Photography by Cooper Strull (top), Chase Tayloe (middle), Josiah Anderson (bottom).
Art Imitates Life
Student Wins National Writing Award with Gripping Tale
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t’s been said that art imitates life, and that certainly is the case for Oaks Christian sophomore Amelia Compton whose short story “Locked Down” won as a Gold Key regional entry and Silver Medal national entry in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest running and most prestigious creative recognition program for students in grades 7 through 12. “Locked Down” is a story that could be taken from today’s headlines about school safety. Compton wrote about five students in a school lockdown who aren’t sure if the lockdown is a drill or the real thing. The story is told through the perspective of the five students, and it certainly proves that creative expression can be based on true life events. “I was inspired by a lockdown we had on campus one day. We were in the library and had to hide under a computer desk, but no one knew if it was a drill or not,” Compton said. “That got me thinking ‘What if you were I absolutely love writing. in a real lock down? What It’s my favorite thing in the would be going through your head?’” whole world. I love the ability Her narrative caught to not only tell a story, but a the attention of the message, and create characters judges at the regional with feelings that others can level where it won a Gold relate to and share emotion.” Key award, and then it was entered in the national competition. This year, students nationwide submitted more than
330,000 works of visual art and writing to the Scholastic Awards. The Gold Key winners at the regional level moved onto the national stage, where 2,700 works (less than 1 percent of the original entrants) earned national medals. Compton was pretty jazzed her story won Gold Key at the regional level, but was shocked and thrilled when she heard she placed as a silver medalist nationally. “I was pretty excited at regionals, but I didn’t think I would be able to get to the national level since there are so many people competing. I never thought this would happen,” she said. While she may have been astonished she earned national honors, her English teacher Elisabeth Hoekendorf wasn’t. “I am not surprised to see that Amelia has won this award! It is so exciting to see her writing being validated on such a momentous scale,” said Hoekendorf. “From her very first essay in my course, I have been impressed with Amelia’s clarity of style and her ingenuity of argument and expression. Her writing is clear, engaging, insightful, and, quite frankly, a pleasure to read!” Compton was honored by OCS High School Librarian Diana Kim-Yoon who selected her, along with senior Nathaniel Salazar, to chair the OCS poetry event on April 30, as part of National Poetry Month. “The time I’ve spent with her, I realize she is very responsible, creative and mature. She is very resourceful and is a great part of the student library committee,” said Kim-Yoon. Compton has been writing all her life—short stories, poems, and a novel—and was encouraged and taught early in life by her mother, Carrie, who was an English teacher. OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
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HONORED for INNOVATION
in Art and Technology
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aks Christian School 2015) and she was honored in May as a congratulates Performing Distinguished Alumni for Innovation for Arts Department Chair Mary using active learning, experimentation, Kay Altizer for being named collaboration, and technology to inspire a distinguished alumna by Azusa creative and innovative teaching and Pacific University. Her alma mater learning. honored her at a spring ceremony for Altizer is an accomplished musician her innovative blending of art and who brings a passion for the arts technology. and educational technology to the Along with OCS Choral Director students of Oaks Christian, where she Ed Rouse and OCS Band Director conducts the orchestra, leads the piano Ryan Kelly, Altizer pioneered an department, and directs a cuttinginternational collaboration with the edge digital recording and production Academy of Music and Business in program. Sweden. A forward-thinking creative, Mary Kay directing during a performance. While in Sweden, the students Altizer wanted to ensure music performed in a joint concert at the students were ready for a digital world. The trio felt strongly that American Embassy in Stockholm. In the immediate aftermath of a graduating exceptional vocalists and instrumentalists wasn’t terrorist attack in the capital city, the visit became an unexpected enough: students needed marketing and business savvy to opportunity to support the community and their musical succeed in an ever-changing music industry. collaborators while focusing on the unity that comes through the That epiphany resulted in the partnership with the Academy shared language of music. of Music and Business which led to 12 OCS students to Stockholm “This collaboration was eye-opening to both our faculty and and a performance at the Swedish Embassy. Through the our students,” said Altizer. “We were able to experience music partnership, students learned how to hone their skills, develop on a higher level, while students worked together on songs with their brand, and use Soundtrap technology to create. In turn, AMB students from a different culture and country. The result was new students came to Oaks Christian and performed as part of the creativity, the willingness and ability to listen to new concepts, annual Spring Spectacular for two years in a row. and witnessing new creations that arose out of cooperation and The unique collaborative project caught the attention of sharing artistic inspiration.” Altizer’s alma mater (she graduated with a masters from APU in
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HEARTS FOR SERVICE
Serving Our Community and Beyond An Oaks Christian education is not complete apart from our motto of “Minds for Leadership and Hearts for Service.” Hundreds of OCS students have ample opportunities each year to live out their faith by serving. From our annual mission trips abroad to Christmas toy drives for children right here in the Conejo Valley, OCS students and staff step out of their comfort zones, roll up their sleeves and minister the love and care of Christ to those in need. Not only do such endeavors bless the recipients, but the givers themselves are enriched by new awareness and understanding of different cultures, circumstances and communities.
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PROVIDING HURRICANE RELIEF
SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS
Partnering with the Children’s Hunger Fund in nearby Sylmar, Oaks Christian stepped up to the plate and provided 800 boxes of relief donations to the victims of worldwide hurricanes in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean and in Houston, Texas.
During Freshmen Service Day, the ninth graders packed care packages for our active military and wrote personal notes of thanks and encouragement.
HELPING FIRE VICTIMS In December 2017, the Thomas fire ravaged communities in Santa Barbara and Ventura, killing residents and destroying 280,000 acres. The OCS community was quick to respond with donations of water bottles, blankets, and prepackaged food for those in need. Several OCS faculty and staff, along with students and alumni, came together in partnership with James Storehouse in Newbury Park to deliver the items to Calvary Chapel in Oxnard.
MANNING UP! The annual Manventure saw a group of 25 fathers and sons team up to visit New Way Group Home in Oxnard to minister to residents. They painted, landscaped, and installed devices, including a ceiling fan and microwave.
APPRECIATING THE FIRST RESPONDERS A few months after the Thomas fire, OCS faculty and staff organized a First Responders Family Appreciation BBQ in partnership with Ventura Missionary School to thank them for sacrificing their own holidays and time with their families to protect thousands of people and homes. The event included a gourmet barbeque lunch complete with tri-tip and chicken, games, bounce houses, and amazing raffle prizes.
SALUTING OUR PEACE OFFICERS On Peace Officers Memorial Day in May, Oaks Christian School hosted an appreciation luncheon for the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department and representatives from Allied Universal Security and Pacific Platinum Services (CJL Security) to show gratitude for their high degree of professionalism and service, providing a safe and secure campus. 24
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GIVING JOY TO OTHERS
HONORING VETERANS
Our high school Dance 3 and Dance 4 classes performed at Calvary Community Church for “Hope for the Holidays,” organized by United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, for their clients and families. The students were able to use their gift of dance to bring joy and Christmas spirit to the audience!
SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER Middle school students from Oaks Christian School made a difference in the lives of families facing cancer. They adopted 20 families from the BumbleBee Foundation, a Thousand Oaks-based nonprofit dedicated to helping families who have a child with cancer. The students worked in 20 teams, one per adopted family, and got a personalized Christmas wish list from all the children in the family—not just the child with cancer. The OCS students shopped and wrapped and personally delivered the gifts to the families.
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
ART OUTREACH
On the Mexico service trip, high school students drove down in three vans, visited Door of Faith orphanage and dug trenches to prepare for a foundation for a home. More than 400 students, teachers and parents from several local elementary schools, including Bridges, Oak Hills Elementary, and a few home school groups, were OCS guests at a special showing of the middle school spring musical “Aladdin Jr.,” as a part of the OCS Arts to the Community outreach program.
Local veterans were honored at the annual OCS veterans chapel and assembly in November through special music, a color guard presentation and luncheon. Middle School Spiritual Life Director Jade Molina, a veteran himself, delivered a personal message to the senior veterans, thanking them for their service and sacrifice. Afterward, middle school and high school students were able to share a meal with them, shake their hands and personally thank them.
SERVING ORPHANS Over spring break, high school students celebrated Orthodox Easter in Romania as part of their week-long service to children in a local orphanage there. The team conducted story time, crafts and games with the children, as well as several community service projects.
MEDICAL MINISTRY High school students travelled to the Dominican Republic to work alongside the locals participating in community service and answering medical calls to homes and schools.
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STORYBOOK for a Season of Grit, Determination
If there was ever a come-from-behind story, the OCS 2017 football season was a classic tale of grit and determination.
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t began with an off-season marred by the unexpected exit of several key players and inexperienced players thrust into key starting roles. It ended with a 2017 CIF title—football’s eighth CIF title in 17 varsity seasons and their first since 2010. The first game of the season was a 47-10 defeat on live television against Chaminade, the most lopsided defeat in school history. The team continued to be an underdog for the next three games, but rallied for big victories against state-ranked Edison on the road, defending CIF champion Paraclete at home, and a strong Alemany team on the road before a setback to powerhouse Murrieta Valley. But a devastating injury to Army All-American linebacker Bo Calvert in the league opener at home against Newbury Park took him out for the rest of the season. The injury was a big blow to morale and an emotional event for the entire team.
ATHLETIC DISTINCTION
ENDING Despite the odds, the players stepped up in Calvert’s absence and the defense clinched an undefeated Marmonte league title by winning the three league games to close the regular season, including a dominate shutout against historic foe St. Bonaventure, and a convincing 42-7 victory over crosstown rival Westlake. The Lions ended the regular season with an 8-2 overall record earning a spot in the middle of the pack in a very strong CIF-SS Division 2 playoff bracket. Following a convincing round 1 victory against Arroyo Grande, the team faced a familiar opponent by travelling to Edison for a rematch of an earlier game. Oaks Christian entered the quarter-final game as a consensus underdog despite narrowly defeating Edison earlier in the season. They walked away with a statement 42-13 victory. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Lions hosted number one seed Upland for the semi-final game at home.
In a hard-fought battle, both teams had it all on the line in a tie game with under a minute to play. Upland had the ball and was driving for a winning score, when defensive back Nate Lenthall intercepted a pass for a thrilling end zone to end zone interception return to give Oaks Christian a 31-24 victory. That punched their ticket to the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game to face the Valencia Vikings. It was a nail biter of a game, highlighted by a strong running performance from running back Zach Charbonnet, a gutsy performance on both sides of the ball from quarterback/linebacker Josh Calvert, and a dominating performance from defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux with four sacks. Kicker Ajay Culhane kicked two fourth quarter field goals, including the game winner with two minutes to play. Oaks Christian beat Valencia for the CIF bragging rights with a score of 20-19.
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GOLF CAPTURES
k c a B o t Back CIF TITLES
Left to right: Co ach Tom Plac ke, Andrew Ac Gretzky, Cole kerman, Jake White, Jeff Th Marek, Tristan orson, Blake McGovern
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he varsity boys Oaks Christian golf team successfully defended its CIF championship title with a repeat win, capturing a second straight CIFSS Coast Division title in May at the River Ridge Vineyard Golf Course. The Lions returned five starters from last year’s CIF championship team. The win at River Ridge propelled the team to the SCGA Regional State qualifier at the Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena, giving them a second chance for a shot at a first CIF state title. The team advanced to the state championship by finishing third at Brookside with a total score of 373, just four shots behind first-place winner Torrey Pines High School, which won the tournament in a tiebreaker, and second-place Palm Desert High School. The top three teams advanced to the state competition. Additionally, the top nine individuals outside of teams also advanced. Senior Jake Marek—who may be a walk-on for the men’s golf team at Loyola Marymount University next year—told local media the Lions had picked up momentum as the season progressed. “In the beginning of the year, I would have just been happy getting to Brookside. To be able to get to a place you’ve never been before (state), especially with your friends during your senior year, that’d be really cool,” he shared with The Acorn newspaper. While the team did not place at the state tournament, Coach Tom Placke was proud of their season and how consistent his players had been. It was a real team effort to get to state for which he commended the team. “Despite the fact that I’m going to lose eight seniors, I still have a very strong team coming over the next three
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Jake Marek prepares to drive.
or four years. I’m expecting we’ll still be competitors for league titles and CIF titles over the next few years,” he told the media. Senior Andrew Ackerman said of the season and the win: “Playing in events like the CIF championship has been a great time and hanging out with the guys on the team has also been fun.”
Talin Lewis, Photo: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star News
BOYS TRACK & FIELD WINS THIRD CIF-SS TITLE
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he Oaks Christian boys track & field team earned 3-peat bragging rights as they won their third consecutive CIF-SS Division 4 team title, marking the fourth win in five years and fifth title in school
history. The boys have placed first or second on the podium nine times in the last 10 years and 11 times in 14 years. Senior Talin Lewis tallied an impressive three individual
event titles and made two OCS records—long jump title, and OCS record in the 300IH and 4x400m. Chasen Geisler, senior, completed the year long journey back from an ACL reconstruction on his knee to place second in the 400m and better his OCS record in the process. Geisler also added another CIF title to his palmarès in the 4x400m (also a second OCS record). Dallas Holliday, senior, secured a third place finish in the shot put and sixth place in discus. Chris Thompson, senior, claimed second in the high jump. At press time, both Thompson and Lewis qualified for CIF-SS Masters, the precursor to the state championship. The balance of the championship 4x400m quartet included juniors Zach Charbonnet and Sebastian Macaluso. The relay earned the #1 alternate position for CIF-SS Masters. Freshman Semaj Freeman placed fifth in the 300IH, Charbonnet placed fifth in the 400m, Luca Barretto, junior, took second in the shot put and Ezekial Bishop, junior, was seventh in the high jump and ninth in the long jump. The 4x100 squad of Freeman, Charbonnet, Graham White, junior, and David Walker, senior, took runner-up honors. Also qualifying for the CIF-SS Masters in the 800m was Hannah Wilson, sophomore, from the girls team. Additionally, the girls 4x400 squad earned #1 alternate honors for the CIF-SS Masters.
Hannah Wilson, Photo: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star News OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
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Alumna Helps UCLA Clinch Historic NCAA Title as a Lady Lion for girls volleyball. “It’s been particularly special hearing the encouragement from my Oaks Christian family who have been some of my biggest supporters for so long and who got to watch on ESPN. I loved my time at Oaks, and it prepared me well for the work ethic s part of UCLA’s No. 5 pair, I would need at UCLA in academics Carey and teammate Megan as well as athletics. Bringing home Muret clinched an amazing UCLA’s 116th national championship 24-22 second-set victory to is a feeling of elation that I will never drive a 17-21, 24-22, 15-8 win to get forget,” she said. the Bruins on the board first. Carey A setter, Carey started playing was also named to the NCAA Allvolleyball in middle school, coached Tournament Team. by former Pepperdine star and After an impressive high school professional beach player Carrie volleyball career at Oaks Christian, Wright. She played JV as a freshman Carey joined the Bruin family (undefeated season), and then moved (majoring in business to varsity her sophomore year. economics) and is a Her varsity team, coached member of Bruin by George Hees, won I loved my time Varsity Life – Athletes league every year and at Oaks, and it in Action, the Bruin several tournaments prepared me well Athletic Council, including the Nike for the work ethic I and is a student Tournament of would need at UCLA representative on Champions. She was in academics the Pac-12 Athletic named the Ventura as well as Council. She has County Star 2014 Girls athletics.” received academic Volleyball Player of the awards for athletics Year, All-League First Team, and was inducted into and the Nike Tournament MVP. the National Society of Collegiate Carey helped Oaks Christian Scholars. reach the CIF-SS Division 2AA finals Commenting on her win at UCLA, for the first time in the program’s Carey took a moment to honor and history. recognize the athletic foundation and “In my junior year at Oaks support she received at Oaks Christian Christian, I got a taste of the pure
OCS alumna Isabelle Carey, ‘15, helped propel the UCLA’s women’s beach volleyball team to a historic first NCAA championship in May over fourth-seeded Florida State.
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Legendary OCS Coach
Bill Redell Wins Rose Bowl Honor Legendary Oaks Christian School Football Coach Bill Redell was named the recipient of the Rose Bowl’s national “Coaches Making a Difference” contest. 30
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Photo: Ryan Finney, UCLA
joy that comes from winning a big game with a quality group of people that I valued. That volleyball team, coaches, parents, and schoolmates all still remember the big dog pile after winning a huge playoff game that took us further than the program had ever been,” she reminisced. Two of her OCS teammates, Brooke Weiner and Taylor Foley, are also currently playing collegiate beach volleyball. In total, seven of the nine girl volleyball players in the Class of ‘15 went on to play collegiate volleyball.
The theme of January’s Rose Bowl was “Making a Difference,” and in conjunction with the National Football Foundation, the contest honored coaches who have made a difference in the lives of student-athletes in their community. As the honoree, Redell received a trip to the Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2018, featuring the Oklahoma Sooners (No. 2) vs. the Georgia Bulldogs (No. 3). “Other than being inducted into the College Hall of Fame, it is probably the highest honor I have ever received. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when I found out and at the same time how humbled I was by it. It’s a national recognition and it means so much to me to be honored this way at the end of my career,” said Redell.
and Coach Jack (12th grade coach and current boys and girls OCS water polo coach). I am so thankful for my faith, parents, family, teammates, coaches, OCS, and USC.” Besides earning the highest award in all of collegiate water polo, there is a unique Oaks Christian connection to this award. he award is considered the “Heisman trophy” of The Cutino award was established in 1999 in honor of women’s water polo and the recipient is selected by the late University of California, Berkeley Coach Peter J. the Division 1 US water polo coaches. The award is Cutino, universally revered as the best water polo coach given annually to the top male and female America has produced. Cutino’s daughter, Anna in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Cutino-Smith, is an Oaks Christian mom. Cutino(NCAA). Longan is only the second USC Smith had the honor of presenting the award to female goalie to win the award. Longan at the San Francisco ceremony. I am so thankful USC beat Stanford in a tense face-off to “It was just a great evening all around. win the NCAA championship and Longan for my faith, parents, My dad wanted a place for all kids to have a was named the NCAA tournament MVP. family, teammates, place to go and a sport to play and this was In her stellar 2018 season, Longan coaches, OCS, water polo. Our family has been involved in had 11 games with double-digit saves and and USC.” water polo for a long time and I knew heading became the first USC goalie ever to record up to San Francisco for the awards that there two complete-game shutouts. Her work helped was a chance that this year’s award might be solidify USC’s defense to end the season with the going to an Oaks Christian alum. I told Amanda that NCAA championship for a 26-1 final record. the arms of OC are around her,” said Cutino-Smith. Longan, who just completed her junior year at USC, Longan trains year-round and has her eye set on the said, “It’s unreal to think about just seven years ago when 2020 Olympics. She will train with the USA national team, I started my water polo career at Oaks. There have been graduate from USC next spring with a psychology degree, so many people who have helped and supported me. I am and then train fulltime for a shot at the Olympics. so appreciative of Coach Larry (her coach 9th-11th grade)
Oaks Christian alumna Amanda Longan ’15, was awarded the prestigious Peter J. Cutino award in early June for her outstanding performance as the goalie for the USC women’s water polo team.
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Coaches nationwide were nominated, and a panel of representatives from the Tournament of Roses and National Football Foundation selected the five finalists and the one grand prize winner. Redell’s illustrious career included coaching at Crespi High School, St. Francis High School, the USFL for the Portland Breakers, and Oaks Christian High School. He built a premier football program at Oaks Christian and led the Lions to nine CIF championship games, seven CIF victories, and a 2006 state championship. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Returning to the Rose Bowl is a bit of a homecoming for Redell who grew up in Pasadena and attended McKinley
Elementary School and Annandale Junior High School before his family moved to San Marino. He grew up around the Rose Bowl, and his father attended every game except those during World War II. “As kids we use to walk over to the Rose Bowl and one time my junior high team was part of 40 other schools who were invited to come down at halftime to play on the field,” he reminisced. “We are very proud of Bill. He is very deserving of this recognition and I join with the entire OCS community to congratulate him,” said Head of School Rob Black. OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
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Photo: USC Athletics
Longan Earns Highest NCAA Water Polo Award
BO CALVERT selected to
ARMY ALL AMERICAN BOWL For OCS senior Bo Calvert, the No. 13 overall outside high school linebacker in the nation and a UCLA commit, his selection to the 2018 U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl was not only an affirmation of his athletic prowess (he was only one of 12 selected from California), but also the realization of a childhood dream. Calvert transferred to Oaks Christian School as a sophomore, but his path to OCS actually started as an awestruck nineyear old attending a summer sports camp on campus, surrounded by great mentors and athletes. One such role model was OCS football player Malcom Jones, Class of ‘10, a powerhouse running back and linebacker who had been named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Despite Jones’ prestige, he took a moment to kneel down to Calvert’s level to offer some encouragement. “He humbly put his arms around me, a skinny, freckledfaced ginger and pointed to the banner (of All-Americans
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
GEOFF SEBOLD
OCS Lacrosse Program Director Geoff Sebold was selected this year to be inducted into the US Lacrosse Los Angeles Chapter Hall of Fame in a special gala awards dinner in June in Los Angeles. Sebold founded the OCS lacrosse program in 2004 and served as head coach until 2008 before his appointment as program director. He has also been the boys head coach at Newbury Park High School, California State University, Channel Islands, offensive coordinator at Westlake High School, and girls head coach at La Reina High School. In addition, he has worked with The LA Mavs coaching high school and elite travel teams. “Geoff is well deserving of this award for his tireless contributions to the entire lacrosse community in Southern California,” said OCS Head of Athletics Jan Hethcock. “He has been an excellent resource for Oaks Christian 32
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Bo Calvert receives his jersey from Army officers
along the football stadium) with his name on it and said, ‘Someday, if you work hard enough, your name will be up there with mine,’” Calvert shared at his jersey presentation ceremony in the fall. That pivotal moment was when he knew he wanted to play for Oaks Christian someday. And not only did he play for the Lions, but he led the Lions. He was one of the team captains and the 2016 Marmonte League Defensive Player of the Year and the 2016 Ventura County Defensive Lineman of the Year. With such impressive honors, it is no surprise that he was selected to play in the 18th annual East. vs. West matchup in January at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The bowl featured the top 100 high school football players and was nationally televised live on NBC.
“Geoff is well deserving of this award...” -Jan Hethcock, Head of Athletics
in lacrosse. He was our founding lacrosse coach and was instrumental in helping the athletic department get lacrosse started at Oaks Christian. His knowledge of the game, his connections in the lacrosse community and his leadership skills have been instrumental in developing a solid, well-respected program at Oaks Christian.” Sebold was honored for his 45 years of playing, coaching and running lacrosse programs. A native of Huntington on the Island in New York, he began his Southern California lacrosse experience as the founder and owner of the Conejo Valley Lacrosse League (CVLL) from 2001-08. From 2002-08, he also created and ran the CVLL’s Fall Instructional program and in 2004 spun off the CVLL’s high school division into the Southern California Lacrosse Association (SCLA) the current area youth league.
s n o SCOREBOARD i L 2017 - 2018
HIGH SCHOOL
CIF SS CHAMPIONS Boys Football Boys Golf Boys Track & Field
CIF-SS RUNNER UP Boys Water Polo
CIF-SS SEMIFINALISTS “FINAL 4” Girls Golf Girls Basketball Boys Golf Boys Football
Boys Water Polo Girls Track & Field Boys Track & Field
LEAGUE TITLES Girls Tennis Girls Basketball Girls Softball Boys Football Girls Soccer Girls Track & Field Boys Water Polo Boys Golf Boys Swimming Boys Track & Field
For the ninth time in OCS history the Lions have won 10 or more league titles in a single school year (16 years total); the most since entering the Marmonte League
MIDDLE SCHOOL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS/1ST PLACE RANKINGS • • • • • •
5th/6th grade girls volleyball Tri-Valley Christian Athletic League champions 5th/6th cardinal flag football Tri-Valley Christian Athletic League champions Boys gold golf team Delphic League champions (11th year in a row) Girls track & field 4x100 relay placed 1st (Niya Clayton, Madison Brothers, Zoe Hanson-Bonney, and Aalaiyah Batiste) Girls 100 free swim relay won 1st place Cross country’s Ethan Smith placed 1st overall
RUNNERS-UP • In girls tennis, Ana Nourishad placed 2nd in the singles tournament • Tackle football Delphic League • 7th/ 8th cardinal flag football Tri-Valley Christian Athletic League • 7th/8th grade girls basketball Delphic League • Softball Delphic League. • Boys 5th/6th cardinal basketball Tri-Valley Christian Athletic League PLAYOFF APPEARANCE • 5th/6th gold flag football • 7th/8th gold flag football • Boys lacrosse
• Boys soccer • Boys 5th/6th gold basketball OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
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Distance Learning on the Rise New Middle School Option a Huge Success!
Oaks Christian Online School is finishing its seventh year strong! The positive momentum positions OCO to move into the 2018-2019 school year stronger than ever before. Each year, OCO continues to grow and provide a collegepreparatory education to those students seeking a flexible learning option. This year saw the addition of the first group of middle school students, and to say it was a success would be an understatement. The students were able to participate in mission trips, intern at Under Armour, compete in high-level swim meets and travel the world for baseball. OCO is excited to welcome many more middle school students in the fall. In addition to the new middle school students, OCO faculty have not only enjoyed working with OCS campus students, but also students from partner schools and the local community. The OCO flexible learning option is ideal for skilled athletes, entrepreneur students, actors and students whose needs are not being met inside a traditional brick and mortar classroom. This year OCO has partnered with numerous schools who have benefited from our vast course offerings to their students, shared in specialized online curriculum taught by vetted teachers, and many other resources. This year The Academy 42 Online, Pacifica Santa Monica, Landmark, and Forest Lake are joining a growing list of organizations that will take advantage of our nationally recognized program.
KALEA LOPEZ OCO student Kalea Lopez is a part of our first sixth-grade class. She is an avid swimmer and competes on a regular basis. Her training often falls in the morning hours and competitions are rigorous and time consuming. Lopez also dances weekly, so she chose to take her schooling one hundred percent online. Her favorite part of online learning is creating her own schedule and working around her sports. She enjoys coming in to the school office to take final exams and participate in student activities.
JULIANNA PENNER Swimming since the age of six, Julianna Penner has had intense focus and determination. She competes in the mile and 200M butterfly. Choosing the online learning option allowed her to compete year-round all over California and other states. Last year she made the Junior Olympic team! Online learning gives her flexibility with her schooling schedule and allows her more time to focus on her studies, swimming and resting inbetween meets. Penner enjoys attending the live sessions in her online classes and is looking forward to another year of flexible learning.
RYAN PIZANTE OCO senior Ryan Pizante has been accepted to 20 colleges all over the world including UCLA, Parsons, Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and Rhode Island School of Design. He enjoys English, creative writing and art. Pizante also enjoys drama, has performed in The Tempest and worked several productions at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. He loves to draw, paint and complete figure drawings for his portfolios. In the fall, he will be attending Edinburgh in Scotland for college through UCLA’s study abroad program. 34
OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
The Life and Legacy of
GARY PATE T
1954-2018
he life and legacy of Gary Pate—one of Oaks Christian School’s founding teachers and the first recipient of the OCS Astinger Teaching Excellence Award—was celebrated in a moving memorial service at Calvary Community Church in late May. After a months-long battle with cancer, Pate went home to be with the Lord on March 8. He was surrounded by family, friends and his church community at the time of his passing. In his final weeks, he was cared for and ministered to by many Oaks Christian community members. Hundreds of friends, alumni and community members gathered to pay tribute to his memory and remember his legacy through special music, testimonies and a video montage. His influence on the Oaks Christian community over the years was profound. As a history teacher, he mentored countless students, faculty and staff. His devotion to students was clear to all. “If some of you students and alumni experienced the satisfying and warming ‘well done’ that Mr. Pate would give when you did a good job, that encouragement had hidden within it the congratulations of heaven, and it filled the corners of your soul,” OCS Bible teacher Dr. Jim Altizer shared in his message. “When you students spoke with Mr. Pate, it may have seemed like you were the only one in the room because of how important he thought you were. He lived to teach you; it’s what made him get up in the morning,” he added. His close friend and OCS History teacher Dave Moore delivered the obituary, and testimonies were shared by 2018 OCS senior Jacob Erbes, former and original OCS Academic Dean Tim Fenderson, former OCS faculty Stella Erbes, and Phil Underwood, one of Pate’s colleagues from his former school, Whittier Christian. Guests were invited to write down a special memory of Pate to be collected in a book for the family. The Oaks Christian History Department has been renamed the Gary E. Pate Department of Historical Studies in his honor.
THE MR. GARY PATE MEMORIAL FUND The Mr. Gary Pate Memorial Fund supports two Oaks Christian programs that were near and dear to his heart. Donations made to this fund will assist Oaks Christian students in their pursuit of history studies as well as student-athletes who participate in the OCS cross country program.
WAYS TO GIVE
For a credit card donation: please visit https://passport.oakschristian.org/support-oaks and use the dropdown menu to select the Mr. Gary Pate Memorial Fund. FROM YOUR MOBILE PHONE: Text PATE to 41444 to donate. VIA CHECK: Make check payable to Oaks Christian School and write Mr. Gary Pate Memorial Fund in the memo line. MAIL TO: Oaks Christian School-Advancement Office, 31749 La Tienda Drive, Westlake Village, CA. 91362 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT • 2018
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The End of the Journey Begins with
Oaks Christian graduates don’t just leave campus with a diploma: they enter the global community as servants, leaders, scholars, athletes and artists ready to impact the world with the love of Christ. Their success is made possible by the many generous donors who help students complete their OCS journey by supporting the mission of Oaks Christian School. Thank you to all who have given in 2017-18.
You!
Gifts to Oaks Christian School:
• Support the creation of our new IDEA Lab (Innovation,
Design, Engineering and Aeronautics) giving OCS students an early advantage for 21st century education and careers
• Help establish the new Residential Life Hall which
will enable both domestic and international students to experience Oaks Christian through an educational boarding community
• Allow us to offer need-based tuition assistance to 40% of our student body
• Enable annual mission trips, grade-level retreats, and engaging speakers for assemblies and chapels
• Allow us to upgrade and maintain our modern
classrooms, art and athletic programs and facilities so each student can have an opportunity to excel academically, artistically and athletically
Make your gift to Oaks Christian School at
OAKS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 31749 La Tienda Drive • Westlake Village, CA 91362 www.oakschristian.org
www.oakschristian.org/give or use the enclosed envelope