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LIONSLEGACY OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT
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.
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2020-2021
inside Return to School
6
First IGL Graduate
12
Rocket Man Inspires
14
H2O for Honduras
16
Student Film Wins Big
22
Just Like You Stories Told 24 Lions Win 50th CIF Title
36
Alum Earns Olympic Spot 40 Celebrating Black History 44 Gala a Rousing Success
50
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 3
from the head of school Reuniting as a CommUnity… During COVID-19, our community persevered and now reunites as we experienced our need for “Common Unity…CommUnity.” As you read this publication, I would like you to be mindful of a couple of things: First, our campus theme last year came from Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” When we chose this theme, we did not know the impact of COVID and how our community would respond, rise up, and “make their light shine.” In the stories that follow, you will see how our students exhibited resilience, resolution, and resourcefulness in overcoming adversity. Second, even during a global pandemic God continued to bless Oaks Christian. • THIS YEAR we invested more than $5 million to reopen the campus as a safe and healthy environment. • THIS YEAR we brought students back to daily on campus learning. • THIS YEAR we worked with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials, spending countless hours, days and weeks helping them to understand what safe in-classroom learning would look like. • THIS YEAR with the generosity of donor families, we completed Phase II of the IDEA Lab, now home to nearly 300 students engaged in STEM courses. • THIS YEAR our performing and visual arts students found creative new ways to share their gifts through numerous virtual performances. • THIS YEAR Oaks Christian won its 50th and 51st CIF titles even with an abbreviated athletic schedule. • THIS YEAR we had a virtual gala and auction raising more than $740,000 to assist needs-based families in educating their children at Oaks Christian. Lastly, two years ago, before we ever heard the term COVID, I shared our key beliefs. This year, I’d like to add one more: At Oaks Christian, we believe that the motto of Preparing Minds for Leadership and Hearts for Service is best accomplished when students are engaged in authentic face-to-face learning, in collaboration with their peers, and under the care, guidance, and instruction of an expert teacher. Our community has been through a lot this year. We are blessed and thankful for parents, extended family members, and friends who have seen our young men and women as “worthy investments” in preparing the next generation. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these young people. Blessings,
Rob Black Head of School
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2020-21 Administration Rob Black Head of School Mike Parkinson Chief Operating/Risk Management Officer Dr. Matt Northrop Associate Head of School for Academics Dee Dee Mayer Associate Head of School for Spiritual Life John Huffman Vice President of Admissions Cozette Darby Senior Director of Administration Eddie Moore Chief Development Officer Karen Coyle High School Principal Garett Freeman Middle School Principal
Lions Legacy Editor Maria Cowell Director of Marketing and Communications Graphic Designer Blanca Schnobrich Photography Blanca Schnobrich, Maria Cowell, Reid Chobanian, Vanden Harris (Class of 2020), Jose Mandojana, David Hessemer, Amber Seat, Steven Prudholme, Jimmy Su Photography, Catharyn Hayne Photography, Cornerstone Photography, High School Yearbook Staff, Middle School Yearbook Staff Printing Jeff Benes The Smart Group
AIM True
editor’s note
How do you hit a moving target? Do you aim high? Low? Sideways? Maybe you just close your eyes, pull, and pray. In archery, the weight of the arrow significantly impacts speed and accuracy. Hitting the mark is also affected by wind, light, and of course, distance. Light arrows fly faster but may have too much flex and be blown off course. Heavy arrows have better wind resistance and penetration but fly slower. All factors must be considered to aim true and hit the target regardless of the conditions. Lions Legacy 2020-21 tells the stories of how we adjusted our trajectory to keep our aim true to our mission during a year when the target kept moving. What new COVID-19 guidelines were being mandated? What tier were we in now? When would a return-to-school be possible? When we left campus in March 2020 we had no idea it would be nine months before we were able to be together again as a community of scholars, athletes, and artists. Preparing the campus for the return of our students and staff was a staggering undertaking led by Chief Operating Officer Mike Parkinson and our medical team—Director of Medical Services Leslie Heimbuch, High School Nurse Roxana Wolfe, and Middle School Nurse Aubrey Lorenzini. They made sure we discarded unnecessary weight and hit the bullseye on meeting the Los Angeles County safety and health protocols during inspections (planned or unplanned)! We started the year remotely and were able to welcome back all students on January 6, 2021. The second semester was a hybrid of some in-person and virtual events, but we kept our eyes on the prize! ACADEMIC AIM: We are excited to feature Charlotte Simonds, the first graduate of our Global Leadership Institute; our middle school project-based learning collaboration; Juan Velasquez, an engineer on the Mars Rover, who blesses our students with his aeronautics background; and how our IDEA Lab students designed a water system for a village in Honduras. ARTISTIC AIM: After a year-long delay, we were thrilled to celebrate the premiere of Missperception, a feature length film created by the advanced film class; our Visual Arts Showcase was back on campus; and the show went on with our virtual musical, Godspell, Jr. ATHLETIC AIM: In-person National Signing Day happened; spring sports were green-lighted, and our track and field athletes brought home our 50th CIF championship title! We never know what an academic year will bring. Certainly no one could have foreseen this past year. Trying to hit a moving target can be frustrating. But we know that as believers our true target and ultimate goal never changes: “But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13 May we continue to be archers with true aim.
Maria Cowell Director of Marketing and Communications
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academic EXCELLENCE
RETURN 6 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
F
or nine months, the Oaks Christian halls were quiet, classrooms shuttered, and student activities nearly nonexistent. The COVID-19 lockdown orders meant that most schools—locally, statewide, and nationally—switched to remote learning. On March 11, 2020, faculty and students packed up what they needed and headed home to continue academic excellence from an unfamiliar platform.
What many anticipated as a few weeks of separation turned into months. Finally, on January 6, 2021, amidst happy chatter and robust enthusiasm, students returned to campus. Families were able to choose if they wanted their student(s) to return to in-person learning, remote, hybrid or online/ blended. High school students were initially alphabetically divided into cardinal and gold groups to be on campus on alternating A/B days. All Academy V and middle school students who chose in-person learning returned to the classroom daily. “It’s amazing to be back with the kids. This is why we do what we do,” said Middle School Dean Tammy Kuku. “It took a lot of teamwork, all of us pulling together with our health office, administration, and teachers. Everyone was willing to be flexible and do what was best for our students and families. It has been a lot of work, but it has all paid off. This day could not have come soon enough.”
to School
Proactive measures ensured smooth return 2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 7
Led by Chief Operating and Risk Management Officer Mike Parkinson, some of the proactive steps the school took were: installing an air purification system; creating campus-wide custom signage and traffic flow; constructing plexiglass barriers; reducing campus visitors; performing health screenings; installing thermal graphic temperature scanners and hand sanitation stations; pre-ordering lunches; initiating contact tracing; reducing touchpoints in restrooms and drinking fountains; reworking class schedules and adding new class sections to ensure social distance requirements, and increasing number of faculty to reduce the teacher to student ratio to 1:15. One of the largest undertakings was the creation of an Academy V Village: multiple modular buildings for increased classrooms, a quarantine center, and a separate science lab. Students loved their special village and did not mind the protocols required for inperson learning. Taking a moment from her work in Holly Reynolds’ class, Emma Jensen shared, “I am really happy. It is great to be back. I get to finally be with my friends, even if I must wear a mask. The best part of the day was being with my teacher and all my classmates.” While conducting library time with her students, Chrissandra Creer took a moment to share her thoughts, as well. “It’s been an absolute blessing to have them in the classroom again and see them in person. It is such an uplifting moment. The kids can focus and participate much better,” she said. “The best part of the day was seeing the smiles on their faces as they interacted with each other and with me.” Coming on the heels of the prior years’ wildfires and community tragedies, the pandemic tested the resolve of the OCS community, required creativity, perseverance, and flexibility. A Return to School plan had to be formulated and clear communication and ongoing updates with parents was essential. “The Oaks Christian family has had to dig deep into its reservoir of resiliency,” said Head of School Rob Black. “Our faculty and staff did an amazing job in executing the original pivot from the classroom to the remote learning environment, and I’m so proud of the work done to ready ourselves to return to campus. The energy, dedication, and creativity of the faculty and staff resulted in a Herculean effort to bring our students back to their classrooms.”
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In Their Own Words What was it like to return to campus?
Tyler Moore, 9th grade “Actually, it is amazing. I am seeing people I haven’t seen in over a year! I am having a lot more fun at school than I was online. Being back makes learning a lot easier. I find myself paying more attention than online. It’s been extremely enjoyable to be back.”
Sonya Watkins, 11th grade “It feels like a new sense of normal. It is good to be back with everyone and get to see people: what they actually look like off a screen!”
Carmela Orozco, 10th grade “I enjoy seeing everyone on campus in person instead of over Zoom. I can communicate better with my teachers this way. Overall, it’s been a great day!”
Nick Sarriedine, 12th grade “I think it is a good way to de-stress from everything. Honestly, life has been boring so it’s definitely good to be back together and see everyone’s faces. I enjoy it and I am glad things are opening up more and getting back to normal.”
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Navigating through a
Pandemic
How OCS Tackled Unprecedented Challenges Chief Operating and Risk Management Officer Mike Parkinson was charged with the oversight of leading the school through the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic. Together with Director of Medical Services Leslie Heimbuch, they partnered with many faculty and staff to safely return students back to campus. Parkinson’s responsibilities were numerous and at times, daunting. His efforts, and the efforts of numerous campus personnel, were featured in several news outlets including Spectrum News and Fox News as a model of an educational responses to COVID-19. He shares what it took to navigate the situation and how the school responded to the risk and operational challenges presented.
Q: What were your biggest concerns that kept you up at night? A: As COVID-19 cases climbed, I spent many sleepless nights
asking myself if we were doing absolutely everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of our faculty, staff, students, and all campus visitors. Thankfully, the safety measures, facility enhancements, and protocols our team developed worked extremely well and we didn’t have a single case of COVID-19 being transmitted from one person to another while on our campus. The Lord has been clearly watching over OCS every step of the way!
Q: What was the biggest challenge to return to school? A: Probably the biggest, and most frustrating challenge was
deciphering the confusing, conflicting, and constantly changing return to school protocols and requirements published by the Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. It seemed the goal posts were constantly moving! My sincere thanks go to our Director of Medical Services Leslie Heimbuch for her partnership in navigating these challenges!
Q: How did you deal with the Health Department? A: At the start of the pandemic, we observed other private
schools taking an adversarial approach with the various health 10 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
agencies. We felt, (and still feel) strongly that we needed to represent our school and our Lord well. So, we proactively invited the health department to our campus on multiple occasions (they also visited us as part of their own investigations). With very few exceptions, these on-campus visits ended positively with the agents sharing how impressed they were with what we were doing to ensure the safety of our OCS community. And not once were we told we needed to close.
Q: What kind of a financial impact did COVID-19 have on the school? How did you mitigate that?
A: The school spent millions of dollars getting the campus ready
for a safe return of our students, faculty, and staff. The good news is that most of the improvements that we made will be beneficial to the school for years to come and are an investment in our future. We were able to stay within our annual capital budget targets by postponing a few projects.
Q: How were decisions made? A: First and foremost, our decisions started with prayer and with the health and well-being of our faculty, staff, and students in mind. All major decisions were made in consultation with our head of school, our board of trustees, our medical director, and numerous other doctors and advisors.
Q: How did you keep the OCS community informed about positive COVID-19 cases?
A: We took the approach that sharing more information,
sooner rather than later is best. With that in mind, anytime we were notified of someone testing positive for COVID-19, we immediately completed our in-depth contact tracing protocols and notified anyone that had even the slightest risk of exposure. In addition, regular updates from our head of school were sent to our families to keep them informed of any new guidelines, protocols and decisions about student learning and curriculum.
Q: What campus improvements needed to be completed before students were allowed back on campus?
A: There was an overwhelming amount of campus
improvements required to meet the stringent COVID-19 K-12 guidelines for reopening schools. Before I share what we accomplished, I would be remiss if I neglected to give a huge shoutout here to our Director of Operations Bill Brown, who played a critical role in getting our campus ready. Here are a few examples of the COVID-19 readiness projects that took place across our campus: • Construction of the Academy V Village, installation of five modular classrooms, and one quarantine building • Fabrication and installation of over one million square inches (over 7,000 sf) of custom plexiglass dividers • Schematic layout of all classrooms campus wide to meet mandated social distance requirements • Identification, sourcing, and assembly of hundreds of new single student desks • Installation of touchless drinking fountains, restroom faucets, and toilets across the entire campus • Installation of over 100 Owl classroom cameras • Over 80 new 86” display TV monitors in most classrooms • Installation of Needle Point Bipolar Ionization generators in 223 HVAC units across all areas and buildings • Installation of 14 thermal imaging, temperature sensing cameras used for COVID-19 morning check in
ellness ednesdays When school started remotely for the 2020 fall semester, one of the proactive steps Oaks Christian took was the implementation of Wellness Wednesdays. The day was an opportunity to meet the social-emotional needs of students, bring down their stress levels, and get them off the screens and interacting with one another. Classes did not meet formally on Wednesdays. Instead, students gathered in small cohorts and enjoyed a variety of activities including, but not limited to songwriting, a capella vocal camp, speech and debate, ultimate frisbee, music camp, improv camp, board games, acting, art sessions, dance, photography, kickball/ dodgeball teams, time-management tips, Bible studies, spiritual life “walk-n-talks,” worship and praise, athletic camps, and fun and game time.
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or as long as she can remember, Charlotte Simonds has been surrounded by strong, intelligent women who have encouraged her to pursue her goals. Her home life is defined by being one of four daughters, and most of her academic life has been in predominantly female-led educational communities. She also comes from a family which values service to others, and she has travelled worldwide with her father, Robert. Her travels sparked an interest in global initiatives that empower women in developing countries. So, when she transferred to Oaks Christian School as a junior, it was little surprise that she naturally gravitated to the Institute of Global Leadership (IGL) whose mission is “to nurture and grow ethical servant-leaders with a global perspective.” As she crossed the OCS graduation stage on May 27, 2021, she also became the first graduate of the institute which was established in 2019.
“During my course selection with my college counselor, I read the class description of Introduction to Global Leadership, and I just knew I had to take it. I was drawn to it because I have had a longtime interest in different cultures and how people interact,” she shared. “Looking back at the end of my senior year, Mr. Matt Hurdle (IGL director) completely changed the way I thought about life, how to be a leader, and how to contribute and collaborate.” Collaboration was a big take away for her from the IGL and led to her decision to attend Yale this fall, a university with a foundational focus on collaboration. She will major in global affairs, but she already has a head start in that area. Three years ago, she travelled with her father to Saudi Arabia and observed what life is like for Saudi women. “I witnessed the policies and customs in Saudi Arabia limiting basic aspects of women’s daily lives. Although at that time I did not think twice about learning to drive beside my mom, Saudi women did not even have the right to a driver’s license. Observing blatant inequalities sparked what has become one of my passions today: paving a path for
Charlotte Simonds
From Southern California to Saudia Arabia, First Institute of Global Leadership Grad Has Outward Focus
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gender equity where it has been actively suppressed,” she shared. She also met Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, who is spearheading initiatives to propel Saudi women in education, athletics, and independent living. Having candid conversations about these matters with Ambassador Reema inspired her to join future-focused efforts with Kaamen, an organization directly aiding Saudi Arabian women in the workplace. Last summer she completed a virtual internship with Kaamen. But her focus isn’t just helping women half a world away. She also cares deeply for young women right here in Southern California. For the last four years she has served at A Sense of Home, an agency
which helps foster youth who have aged out of the system. Week after week, she has taken nails, raw wooden slats, and tool kits from warehouses in South Los Angeles to help assemble and furnish living spaces for aged-out teens who need a home. Her work at A Sense of Home has taught her service starts with acts of kindness but doesn’t end there. It is a complex system of goods and skills that can create systemic change if applied on a macro level. “I believe the underutilized tool for definitive change lies in reexamining what resources really are and applying them in ways that redefine our capacities at large. Although my past involvement with other nonprofits had certainly
been gratifying, I identified uncommon elements in A Sense of Home that I found were critical in creating measurable impact: the radical emphasis on hidden resources.” That level of analysis is what Hurdle and Associate Head of School for Academics Dr. Matt Northrop saw when they met Simonds as a potential IGL candidate. “We were so impressed with Charlotte from the get-go,” said Hurdle. “She is one of those students who is mature beyond her years, can grasp complex issues, is level headed, down to earth, and compassionate. She has that X factor of having genuine concern for others.” She has been a role model to other female IGL students, and Hurdle hopes, under the leadership of OCS entrepreneurial teacher Kristin Bell, the institute will continue to develop young, female leaders just like Simonds.
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Juan Velasquez
ROCKET MAN
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W
hen the Mars rover “Perseverance” touched down on the surface of the Red Planet, it was a doubly proud moment for Juan Velasquez, OCS aeronautics teacher and Aerojet Rocketdyne senior engineer and performance analyst engineer.
As the lead project engineer for the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator —the system that powers the entire Rover with the heat of nuclear decay and plutonium—Velasquez saw the fulfillment of months of work. The Feb. 18 landing was the culmination of the Rover’s six-month journey to outer space. “There was a live feed that we watched together at work. It was a big event for the entire country,” he shared. Perseverance, joining Curiosity on Mars, is the most sophisticated vehicle the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has ever sent to Mars. The goal is to search for “signs of ancient microbial life, characterizing the planet’s geology and climate, collecting carefully selected rock and sediment samples for future return to Earth, and paving the way for human exploration beyond the Moon,” according to the agency. As a high school teacher with a passion to make engineering relevant to students, the landing was a confirmation of why he teaches, and how he hopes to impact the next generation of engineers. Having been mentored by his own high school teachers, he hopes to pay it forward, bringing his industry experience to the classroom so students can see the connections between learning and realworld applications. “Last year, even when we went remote with our instruction, we ended the school year learning all the elements of the rover. We covered all the systems (including the landing propulsion which Rocketdyne also built). There was a lot of content I shared from my own work, so the students know quite a bit about the Rover,” he said. Velasquez has been with Rocketdyne for 18 years and teaching at Oaks Christian
for five. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a masters in aeronautical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. Those are impressive accomplishments for an introvert with humble beginnings, who never thought he would be a teacher. A native of Mexico and the youngest of three siblings, his family settled in the border town of Calexico, California when he was 11. He was immediately immersed in American culture not speaking a word of English. But by eighth grade he was in honors English (partly due to his competitive nature to prove he “could do it,” and a character trait that also helps him excel as an engineer). He was, however, more comfortable in the world of numbers and formulas, and that
“Each and every day, Juan brings an enthusiasm for life and for engineering. He’s here because he understands the importance of teaching the next generation about ideas and concepts that truly matter,” -Dr. Matt Northrop, Associate Head of School for Academics
natural ability was evident early on. “I have always had an affinity for math and science and that grew even more after my family immigrated. Part of it too was that those were two fields where I did not need English proficiency and was comfortable doing applications and formulas in Spanish,” he shared. As the first-generation college student in his family, he knows firsthand the value and cost of education. “I knew the sacrifices my family was making, and I knew education was my way to gain an opportunity. Despite having disadvantages, I knew I could still achieve,” he said. He had several teachers encourage him, and he shares his personal journey with students
to help them overcome whatever obstacles they may be facing. “That is where I felt the most impact in my journey to become an engineer, from my teachers,” he said. “I bring everything with me to the classroom and so I do share my personal experiences with them. I went to engineering school without ever having met an engineer in my life. I had very little idea what an engineer was. All these stories I share with them because I want to give them a perspective of someone who has gone through that journey and has become an engineer.” A quiet and self-effacing man, Velasquez is quick to say he doesn’t have a natural gift to teach, but students and peers beg to differ. “Each and every day, Juan brings an enthusiasm for life and for engineering. He’s here because he understands the importance of teaching the next generation about ideas and concepts that truly matter,” said Associate Head of School for Academics Dr. Matt Northrop. “The Lord has blessed our community to have someone of Juan’s caliber.” It is evident that he does have a strength to connect with students and that leads to positive outcomes. “It is wonderful to feel I am reaching a student in the classroom. I also do get a lot of satisfaction when alumni come back and reach out to me about what is going on in their lives. Just the other day I had an alum asking me for my professional opinion and advice,” he said. His enthusiasm for teaching is evident as he tours visitors through his workspace —the OCS IDEA Lab, a 13,000 square foot facility dedicated to Innovation, Design, Engineering, and Aeronautics. The building houses the Institute of Engineering, including the robotics section where Velasquez helps students create their own propulsion rockets. “The one thing I tell students is that everyone can do engineering because it is basically problem-solving,” he said. “Especially at the high school level, students are capable of engineering because they are open to ideas and are creative.”
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H2O
for Honduras
Engineering Students Design Water System for Village
T
wo hydrogen atoms and one oxygen. Such a simple compound, and yet it sustains all of life on Earth.
For many, water is precious and scarce. Some rely on murky wells to get it, others walk miles to fetch it, and for others, rainfall is their main source. In many rural villages worldwide, water doesn’t just come out of a faucet. Guayabillas in Honduras is one such place. An enclave of 38 homes, the people walk two miles daily to draw dirty water from a tiny well. There is no existing water system and that has led to multiple health issues for the 180 inhabitants. So, when the opportunity to partner with Global Brigades, an international non-profit providing health and holistic help to developing communities, was presented to engineering teacher Greg Gillis-Smith, there was no question OCS students would get involved. Global Brigades utilizes high school and college student teams worldwide. One of the founding principles of the IDEA Lab, home to OCS Institute of Engineering, was that students become difference-makers by solving real-world problems through their classroom knowledge. “This was a way for STEM students to get involved in doing something in the world,” said Gillis-Smith. “We had already been talking about projects related to water and ecology, so when this hit, it was an automatic connection.” The scale and impact of this project is the largest the engineering students have taken on. Because Honduras does not have enough engineers to develop plans for water systems in remote villages, the help the high school students provided was instrumental. Oaks Christian received a grant from State Farm to offset the cost of hiring the two engineers to teach the students how to design the water system. The engineers also collected data and mapped out each house GPS location and elevation. The students created the plans, the civil engineers stamped them, and the government will provide the bricks and pipe to build the system. The water will be pulled from the well and stored in a tank and then distributed to the community.
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Starting in January, students met twice weekly at 7:00am over Zoom with Julio and Marcos, two engineers in Honduras. Students used three programs: Google Earth, Map Source, and Epanet to design the system. Working in teams of three, they calculated water pressure, distribution system, pipe dimensions, altitude, coordinates, slopes, and angles. They even had to brush up on their Spanish to make their presentations (with help from OCS Spanish teachers), and also adapt their calculations to the metric system. “We have learned how to develop, edit and budget a full, complete water system. We’ve learned everything from water sanitation to pipe diameters to make sure we were able to get enough clean water to each home,” said Grace Silvey. Beyond logistics, the nature of working on a project to help others was a big draw for students. “I thought this was a really cool opportunity to do something that affects more than just our school. This is a lasting thing that will keep productivity (up to 20 years) even past when we graduate from high school,” said Kyle Gunderson. Trevor Bennett has been on mission trips to Cuba, Mexico, and Israel, but he never thought taking a class during the school day would have a global impact. “We have never really done anything like this in high school. I thought this was going to be a class teaching me how things work and how to build things. I definitely had no idea this was going to be something outside class and even this country,” he said. Very few classroom assignments connect people on such a personal level, and Gunderson came away with a deep appreciation of such human interactions. “This is their life. You share some of the difficulty and the pain of what it is like to not have water. They are so involved because what you are doing can change their lives. It is such a close relationship,” he shared. A larger scope of the project is cross-curriculum collaboration with other OCS students. In addition to the engineering students
designing the system, the OCS film students are creating a documentary about the project, and the Institute of Global Leadership (IGL) students are helping with the financial side. Sustainability and local buy-in are cornerstones of Global Brigades. The project is a partnership with the people, government, and private enterprises. “We are going to build it with them, not for them. This is with the members of the community. This will be sustainable on their own,” said Bennett. As such, each household needs to pay $62 as their share. For many Westerners, that is less than the price of dinner out, but for Guayabillas residents that news was a drop-dead moment. When that information was presented to the villagers, they were shocked and dismayed. Gillis-Smith realized they had “fallen down on the job and not provided the complete solution which was to help the people find a way to afford the project.” That’s where the IGL students come in: they will help the villagers develop microbusinesses. Each family will create crafts, such as bracelets, made from natural resources in their area, and IGL students will help market and sell through sites such as Etsy. “It only takes $62 per household to buy the water system, forever. That’s two bracelets. If we can help them sell two bracelets per family, they can now afford this. That is duplicatable, not for us to just raise money and send it there. When it’s duplicatable and enduring...now we have a solution,” said Gillis-Smith.
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PROJECT-BASED
LEARNING
Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations Flourish
P
roject-Based Learning (PBL) flourished in the middle school this academic year as teachers
implemented unique, collaborative, cross-disciplined curriculum involving math, art, history, English, and technology. PBL is a student learning process that uses specific design elements and steps which teachers use to guide students through their lessons. Teachers use specific language and terminology to define the process while the project is being completed. “Each unit is designed around a student-centered Essential Question. This gives the students motivation and interest to research and explore answers to the question in a unique way. In doing so, they express a deep understanding of the content,” said Curriculum Director Stephanie Niednagel. One of the first projects asked the essential question: how can educators make ancient stories relevant in modern times?
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Teachers Selena Meza, John Park, (English), and Tricia Hacker (art history) set out to answer the question. During a time of lockdowns and remote learning, the question became particularly relevant as educators sought to keep students engaged. As OCS sixth grade students explored Greek art and mythology, Hacker created an art history screencast to teach them about Greek theater masks. Meza and Park assigned a mythological character to each student from D’Aulaires “Book of Greek Myths.” Students read the story about their character, were given art supplies to create their own Greek mask based on their character, and then prepared an oral retelling following the ancient tradition of oral storytelling but with a unique tech twist: using the Flipgrid platform. “What I loved most about this collaboration was that it was not an art project tacked onto a unit. Rather, it gave students the opportunity to create replicas of classical masks as a creative way to help answer the unit’s essential question,” said Hacker. “I
believe before students can understand how these mythological stories are relevant today they must realize the stories in context and the study of art history and ancient artifacts helped them do that.” The finished ceramic masks were displayed in the middle school atrium, accompanied by a QR code which linked to the Flipgrid video of each student sharing their oral presentation. Visitors could scan the code with their smartphone and learn the story behind each mask. “Combining (this project) with modern day things like technology made it really fun! My favorite part of the project was making the mask because it was different from other things that I have done in English throughout the years. It allowed me to be creative and go deeper into Greek culture,” said Chiara Reynolds. A second project focused on the eighth graders taking on the role of “historians,” writing about their personal perspectives during COVID-19. In English class, students read the historical account of yellow fever in “Fever 1793.” The science teachers then collaborated with the history teachers to have their students research and present projects on infectious diseases. History teachers Justin Newman and Brian Trimmer had students write journal entries that were submitted to the Historical Archival Site “The Year of the Plague.” Using this site, the students became primary sources, as historians of this moment in time, for generations to come who will read how the pandemic affected people living through it. Students contributed nearly 900 stories to this site! Students had the freedom to write the stories in their voice without edits by teachers, speaking from the heart, and so many of their stories were poignant and insightful.
“Each unit is designed around a studentcentered Essential Question. This gives the students motivation and interest to research and explore answers to the question in a unique way. --Curriculum Director Stephanie Niednagel
A third project was in language arts. For the last seven years, Spanish teacher Sandra Ruben has taken students to view “America Tropical,” a mural in downtown Los Angeles, but COVID-19 ended that. So, during the second semester, students painted their own beautiful mural. In Spanish 2 they were reading about a 17-year-old Californian who goes to El Salvador to help rebuild an earthquake-stricken area. While students were learning about El Salvador, Ruben also taught them about Fernando Llort, an artist who used his passion to develop an area of El Salvador from a civil war-torn town to a vibrant artistic community. His art has been featured in the White House, the Vatican, and other areas. Students learned about Llort, selected three of their favorite birds, and stencils in “Fernando” style were created to make a mural in room 252 with Bible verse Isaiah 40:31 in Spanish inscribed above. The classroom is shared with other languages, and the plan is to add to the mural to make it multicultural, with French flowers, or Roman sayings.
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AC The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you, and give you peace. -Numbers 6:24
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Class
Like No Other Seniors Lived Through COVID-19, Fires, Community Tragedy
arguably, the most difficult semesters of high school completely online. For conquering the seen and unseen these past four years, I could not be prouder to be standing with you now,” said Class President Ashley Hopkins.
Given the past year and challenges the class of 2021 faced, it was fitting the class verse was Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
friends at Thorson Stadium on May 27, 2021. With a beautiful California sunset as the backdrop, the outdoor event saw 269 seniors, including fully online students, receive their diplomas to cheers and hollers from the socially distanced crowd.
Claire Nguyen was the valedictorian and will attend Bowdoin College in Maine and major in biology or biological chemistry with an eye toward the medical field. Adrien Badakhsh was named salutatorian and will study engineering at the University of California Berkeley.
Keynote speaker, Timothy Kight, founder and CEO of Focus 3 encouraged the graduates to focus on active hope (hope that takes disciplined action to pursue the future versus passive hope), a topic he has studied for 40 years.
“It is such an honor and a blessing to be here with all of you today, especially after the crazy year that we have had,” said Head Prefect Morgan Chobanian as she welcomed the guests.
Collectively, over four years, the seniors participated in 100 visual and performing arts events, won 24 athletic league titles, eight CIF championships, created 28 clubs, and did pre-professional internships.
The seniors not only lived through COVID-19, but as sophomores they were also affected by the Woolsey Fire and Borderline shooting.
They received 1,070 acceptances to 247 different colleges, with 46% admitted to highly selective colleges. A total of 46 athletes will compete at the collegiate level, 52 are entering STEM fields and 24 will pursue the arts. To date, this group has earned $8 million in scholarships.
fter a year of remote learning and delayed or cancelled events, the Oaks Christian High School class of 2021 celebrated their graduation
—complete with Pomp and Circumstance and the full regalia—in front of family and
“We have battled the difficulties wrought by COVID-19 and have been the first class in Oaks Christian history to complete,
“The presence of hope shapes how people go about their lives and do their work. I have also observed how the absence of hope affects people,” he said. “Active hope gives you four very powerful things: strength of will, focus, energy, and resilience. Make sure that the habits you have today are in alignment with the hopes that you have for tomorrow. Use the next few years to find your focus, clarify your hopes and get on the path to making your dreams come true. And as you do that remember your 2021 Biblical theme: The God of Hope.”
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artistic EXPRESSION
MISSPERCEPTION Wins Big With
O
aks Christian School continues to set the bar and innovate in the arts as one of the few schools nationwide to produce a full-length feature film
completely directed, produced, and filmed by high schoolers.
Missperception had its long-awaited debut on May 18, 2021. The premiere was originally scheduled to screen at Regency Theatres last spring but was delayed over a year due to COVID-19. After searching months for venues, even outdoor ones with safety protocols, the film found its home in front of a live audience at Calvary Community Church. “We waited so long for this moment, over a year. We worked hard through COVID to make this happen. To finally see it up on a screen with a live audience was pretty crazy. Seeing people laugh at the jokes and interested and engaged, to our production team that was absolute gold,” said producer Alexis Golin, senior. The story stars then juniors Camille Figueroa, Kennedy Benz, Dane Swenson, and then sophomore Abby Riggle. It takes place at the elite Ocean Crest High School where the top students vie for selection to the prestigious Next Level Academy where they will become academic superstars. Or do they? Amid nefarious happenings and relational tensions, two intrepid protagonists aim to find out. The story and production began in film teacher Andrew Christopher’s Advanced Film class in 2019. Then juniors Camden Park-Coburn and Romain Lagree pitched the story outline, but the entire class built it into a screenplay. Christopher selected then senior Conner Kershaw as the director and Golin as the producer. Editors were then junior Camden Reithmayr and then senior David Meriage. They worked in 60-minute class sections
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with actors and crew to film. When COVID-19 hit and in-person learning stopped, they literally passed around a hard drive from house to house so each member could do their edits. But Kershaw and Meriage graduated, and most of the cast entered their senior year and still the film sat on the shelf. During the delay, Christopher entered the film in several competitions. By the screening date, Missperception had already garnered 10 awards and accolades, including: Los Angeles Film Awards Winner, Seattle Film Festival Winner, and San Diego International Kids Film Festival Winner. Therefore, to see their award-winning film finally screen was beyond thrilling for the students. “This moment is the biggest satisfaction of the process: getting to share it with everyone. We were all really heartbroken when the virus broke out and we weren’t able to share it with anybody. Even waiting a year to have everyone come and see it is a tremendous accomplishment for all of us,” said Kershaw, now at Loyola Marymount majoring in finance and minoring in film.
While many schools do create student videos, documentaries, and short stories, it is rare for students to self-produce a fulllength feature film. The majority of students on the project were part of the Institute of Arts and Innovation (IAI). Students worked with industry professionals like producer/ actor Ryan O’Quinn (Beverly Hills 90210, Alias, JAG, ER, Melrose Place, Starship Troopers, That Thing You Do) and producer/actor Joey Scott (Kickin’ It, Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, Growing Pains). “For students to have an opportunity like this in high school is basically unheard of. It is incredible that high school students pulled off a full-length feature film. Not only that, but they were some of the most professional people I have ever worked with,” said O’Quinn, IAI board member, and the president of Damascus Road Productions. Scott quipped, “When I first heard about this project I thought, ‘Sure, high school students. What can go wrong?’ But these guys just blew me away!”
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Just Like You Experience and Art Tell Stories of Burn Survivors aren Jacobson has faced her share of obstacles. As a burn survivor she has encountered challenges few people could comprehend. But she hasn’t just overcome obstacles: she has leveraged them for the greater good. A burn survivor and a talented photographer, she has meshed her life experience with her artistic passion to spearhead the creation of “Just Like You,” a photo essay book that tells the stories of 11 burn survivors through imagery and the written word. All proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Children’s Burn Foundation (CBF). Books can be pre-ordered at www.childburn.org or store.bookbaby.com. The genesis of the book started, naturally, with Jacobson’s own story.
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At the age of two, she was helping her dad make mac and cheese when she accidentally tipped over a pot of boiling water, resulting in burns to 40 percent of her body. What followed were three years of painful treatments, surgeries, complications, and a life-threatening infection. And because she was burned on visible parts of her body —hands, arms, and legs—the bullying also started early. “My first bullying experience was in the first grade. The kids saw my arms and scars and started yelling ‘Lizard! Snake!’ Of course, that bothered me, and I started feeling nervous and consequently would always wear long sleeves and pants,” she shared. The scars lessened as she grew older, and her understanding that everyone deals with some type of insecurity helped her move forward. But it still bothered her that burn survivors were stigmatized. “Growing up I never saw burn survivors accurately represented (in media). I thought I was the only burn survivor in the world, and I felt separate,” she said. But that changed in elementary school when her Girl Scout troop went to camp. She met and was inspired by a counselor with burn scars along her arm and up to her shoulders, similar to her own scars. When she saw her, Jacobson burst out, “I look just like you!” Over the years she met more burn survivors through the CBF Teen Group, a place where she felt a sense of family and belonging. But she continued to question why the burn community’s accomplishments, lives, and talents were not publicly celebrated.
“I’ve known Maren since she started in our teen group. She’s a thoughtful leader and amazing person who doesn’t let her burns define her. She is making a significant contribution. I am so proud of her and her classmates for taking on this huge project,” she said. Jacobson will leave Newbury Park for college in Boulder, Colorado in the fall to major in marketing and advertising with an eye toward opening her own public relations firm. She will continue to use her photography and experiences to advocate for burn survivors.
Everyone’s experiences shape them, including burn survivors who, at the end of the day, are just like you. And their stories deserve to be heard.” --Maren Jacobson
“To be honest, I still get a little insecure meeting new people, and going to college makes me a little nervous. People can have a weird reaction (to my burns) and that never really goes away,” she shared. “But I don’t know myself any other way. I was burned at such a young age, so I have no idea who I would be without my scars. I would not be the same person. Everyone’s experiences shape them, including burn survivors who, at the end of the day, are just like you. And their stories deserve to be heard.”
She also developed an avid interest in photography, and found the creative outlet was also an emotional balm. As a junior at Oaks Christian, she enrolled in David Hessemer’s Visual Storytelling class. Each year the class takes on a real-world project to create positive change. She proposed the class create a photo/essay book about burn survivors. “It just hit me that this would be a really good thing to let burn survivors share their real and personal stories with the greater community,” she said. Work on the book began in 2020, but then the pandemic hit, and schools went to remote learning. The project stalled and seemed like it would not get done. But when Jacobson returned for her senior year, along with her classmates, they decided collectively to finish it. Haley Barney, Ty Keough, Elise Marnell, Mika Josue, and Charlotte White jumped in to write, take photos, and design the layout. Sony Pictures let the class use a studio to take portraits of the book subjects, and the Los Angeles Kings lent the use of their practice ice rink for another shoot. “My greatest satisfaction is the way everyone came together and did their part. Yes, I proposed the idea, but everyone was on board and on the same page. None of this would have been possible if we had not all pulled together and overcome every obstacle,” she said. Tanya Sorkin, chief program officer at the CBF, met Jacobson when she was 13, and has always known her to be an exceptional person. 2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 25
Visual Arts Showcase Keri Dickerson (9th grade)
Andrew Marchis (9th grade)
Justin Staley (11th grade)
Catherine Rao (11th grade) 26 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
Christy Gibson (11th grade)
Alan Yang (10th grade)
Carissa Rangel (11th grade)
Visual Arts Show Returns!
Lily Knox (9th grade)
Piper Mape (12th grade)
Lia Leizerovich (10th grade)
Maya Jacobs (9th grade)
After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the High School Visual Art Show returned. Last year’s visual arts show was online. Student artwork once again graced the hallways of the Price Academic Building. The show featured artwork from ceramics, drawing, film, graphic design, painting and photography students. Guests were invited to sign up for timed entry to view the artwork while observing social distancing.
Sienna Reynolds (9th grade) 2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 27
Double Kudos for Art Students Double kudos are in order for Oaks Christian High School visual arts students who exceled in two of the region’s juried art competitions – The Conejo Valley Arts Council “Hang with the Best,” show and the Agoura Hills Cultural Arts Council “Greater Conejo Valley Student Art Show.” Hang with the Best is an annual art show that has been sponsored by the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley for more than 25 years. Students enter paintings, printmaking, collage, sculpture, photography, and digital styles. Over 100 students participate annually. The Agoura Hills Art Show also invites art teachers throughout the regions to submit student artwork for adjudication: OCS students made an impressive showing in the photography category. OCS Visual Arts Chair Anna Wadman, art teacher Don Trimble, and photography teacher David Hessemer had students enter both contests, and several students placed.
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Art and Math C
h s a l p S a e k Ma
atherine Rao is one of those unique individuals who is equally comfortable in the right-brain world of art and the left-brain world of math. Her love of art has resulted in her taking an art class every year at Oaks Christian and serving as the high school art prefect. And while not a declared math major, she plans to study economics in college.
“The combination of art and math and the essence and the feeling of it coming together in my brain just clicks for me,” she said. In a blending of both her interests and as a unique gift to the math department, she is painting a mural of “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa” by Japanese artist Hokusai in the math core room. One of the most easily recognized art pieces in the world, Hokusai’s 1832 painting of a giant wave crashing down on boats near Mount Fuji uses the mathematical concepts of fractals to replicate sea waves long before fractals were invented by Benoit Mandelbrot.
The Great Wave is considered one of the most outstanding representations of mathematical fractals and geometry in the art world. Rao was inspired to create the mural from a conversation with math teacher Wendy Klaiber. Rao said, “I told her I was thinking of doing a project that combined art and math and Mrs. Klaiber said, ‘I have a wall you can paint.’”
She approached her art teacher Don Trimble who encouraged her to paint the mural as part of her classwork. She worked on it during class, but also came in after hours worked on it over spring break. It took her three months to complete. “I love math and art. Part of The Great Wave is the golden ratio which initiates a subconscious feeling of aesthetic pleasure in your brain. So, I wanted to tap into that. Last year I measured the wall to see how tall and how wide it was and then adjusted the ratios to get the right proportions. But that wasn’t very efficient, so I just kind of went free hand using symbols instead,” she shared.
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Grit. Tenacity. Innovation. That is what it took to bring the high school performing arts rendition of Godspell, Jr. to the stage, even a virtual one. Like every aspect of life, COVID-19 impacted performing arts, from shutting down Broadway in New York City, to eliminating K-12 school productions nationwide. But the show must go on. OCS performing arts department was determined that it would, despite several close-call cancellations, lockdowns, and delayed production schedules. “We searched for a way to produce a show innovatively in the midst of all the critical COVID safety protocols. Our hearts wanted to give this experience to our students who are so hungry to connect on campus and connect with the performing arts,” said OCS Theatre Director Ros Allen-Enciso. Some of the adaptations included moving rehearsals outdoors on the high school quad, pre-recording student voices for all the music, and of course, wearing masks and social distancing. The tech staff created a film set on the quad and constructed lighting towers and utilized camera operators and sound engineers for a four-camera film shoot. The show was shot completely outdoors with no live audience and was streamed for viewers in May. Students demonstrated tremendous resilience and optimism, and incredible joy for this opportunity throughout the whole process. Sophomore Caleb Polaha played Jesus as the lead, and he felt the novelty of the situation. “Coming off a year where we have all been in our houses and quarantined and then we just jump right into this kind of show has been pretty wild. We haven’t seen some of our friends for a while, and now we are just getting used to being back (on campus) and also into rehearsals. This has been an extremely unique and rare experience,” he said. The physicality of working completely outdoors in the elements and with the noise and visual distractions of a high school campus was definitely something to contend with.
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“One of the biggest challenges was the space itself. It’s cold, it’s hot, there are people walking around. In theatre you are inside with closed walls. So, trying to create a sense of energy and momentum in the quad and relational connection with people who are feet apart was definitely daunting,” said CoProducer/Director Bradley Gosnell, Class of 2010. “We were also dealing with a tight schedule and that pressure kept us moving,” he added. Despite any challenges though, and even because of them, he believed the cast drew close and pulled together for what he felt was “a really great show.” Building community in the cast and for the audience is exactly what Allen-Enciso hoped would result from all the hard work and effort of this production. “Godspell, at its core, is an uplifting story centered on building a community built on Christ’s teachings about love. It is a refreshing story to enjoy and to be reminded of the importance of our community, of hope and of love - especially now when we all have collectively gone through such challenging times,” she shared. The production team was led by Allen-Enciso and Gosnell, and included Sound Engineer Ben Adams, Class of 2003, who was the very first OCS alum to cross the graduation stage (see story on page 47). Joining them were Musical Director Edward Rouse and Technical Director David Alexander.
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DOCUMENTARIES for
F
Change
or students in Andrew Christopher’s advanced film class, the final product isn’t about technique or even great story telling just for story’s
sake. Students hope to spark more than a conversation. They want to change the world. The goal is to help students use their skill sets as filmmakers to bring awareness to social issues. That thought drove the development of the course that debuted two years ago. The course is offered every other year and this year it delivered exceptional results. Students created 12 documentaries that spanned a range of thought-provoking issues. Their whole year was spent focused on that issue and producing a piece that would bring awareness and inspire change. All 12 documentaries were virtually released on April 22, 2021. “I encouraged students to focus on something that they were passionate about as this was a six-to-seven-month process. We had students covering a wide variety of topics, from social media addiction to 32 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
global warming to bias within the media to how we treat police officers in our community, and everything in between,” said Christopher.
Senior Alexis Golin’s documentary focused on the “digital divide,” something that came to the surface when COVID-19 hit, and it became apparent not all students had resources needed for remote learning. “I picked this topic because it is something that people don’t really know about and it’s in our own backyard,” she said. “You obviously need the internet for remote learning. We are very privileged here at Oaks to have all that, but many other students aren’t.” She interviewed students at the East Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, administrators and teachers from the Oxnard Unified School District and the Ventura Public Library, where preCOVID-19 students would visit to use the free internet before lockdowns. A future film major at Chapman University this fall, she felt one of the biggest skills she learned was how to problem solve.
“We created these documentaries in a really tough time, starting in August (2020) and it was a challenge to get interviews during a pandemic, we had to get creative on shots. As filmmakers we had to answer the question of how to do this with limited resources, and that is something you will need to deal with in the film industry as well,” she shared. Golin contacted Dave Bezzant, one of the heads of T-Mobile’s government relations division, about sharing her documentary on their social media platforms. T-Mobile has developed the 10 Million Project which purposely bridges the digital divide gap, providing free hotspots to families who need it. Students learned skills that were important to filmmaking, such as empathy and being able to convey and evoke emotion through film by asking the right questions. “If you could first make your audience upset, and then make them empathize with a character, they would be inspired and involved. So, we focused on how we could elicit distress and empathy from our audience,” said Christopher.
C
OVID-19 inspired more people than ever to take up a new hobby. Whether it was walking, cooking, crafting, or gardening, hobbies helped
people get outside, keep up social connections, and relieved boredom and anxiety during uncertain times. But few people’s hobbies ended up being showcased front and center in the United States Capitol. But that’s exactly where OCS sophomore Maranda Jordahl’s photography hobby led. Her black and white of ocean spray on a rock, “La Grande Ola,” was the winner of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 26th Congressional District, represented by Congresswoman Julia Brownley. The annual competition is sponsored by the members of the United States House of Representatives who, along with a panel of judges, select a winner from their own district. Congresswoman Brownley felt Jordahl’s photo was the best representation of the 26th district which encompasses the Ventura County coastline. An Oxnard resident, Jordahl lives near the ocean. When COVID-19 shut school down and limited interactions, she headed to the beach which she calls her Zen spot. Taking photos of the beach helped her find beauty during the pandemic’s darker hours. “I got interested in photography when I took Photo 1 last year. That led to discovering my own personal interest in black and white, and that is where I flourished when COVID hit. It became my
hobby. Rather than class assignments, it became a reason to go outside and get out of the house,” she said. It was Jordahl’s mother, Martha, who found out about the competition and encouraged her to enter. She enjoys looking for good photo spots with her dad, Jerry, and together they set out at high tide when the waves would hit the rock with force. “I wanted to test how fast the camera could capture motion with faster shutter speeds, adjusting exposure and the settings, especially with the sand and water and the glare. It was a bit of a difficult photo to get, but once I got that happy balance it was nice to get the shot,” she said. Getting the shot was one thing, but making the deadline was another. A busy student and OCS water polo athlete, Jordahl entered the contest with only three hours to spare before the deadline! Then it was a game of hurry-up-and-wait for the result weeks later. She was notified via email and a call from Congresswoman Brownley. “She said she was impressed by my art and how it represented the district well. It was so nice to hear that. This was my first win in a photo contest, and it meant a lot to have the congresswoman say my art was good,” Jordahl shared. “It is a pleasure to see such remarkable talent displayed at such a young age,” said Congresswoman Brownley in a statement.
Photo Hobby Leads to
National Recognition
OCS Sophomore Art Hanging in US Capitol
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athletic DISTINCTION
SPORTS ARE
34 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
BACK Athletics Greenlighted for Spring Semester
A
fter nearly a year of being sidelined due to COVID-19, the first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) competitions took place in late February with cross country leading the way for Oaks Christian athletics.
On Feb. 23, 2021 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released its weekly report, showing counties whose adjusted COVID-19 daily case rate had reached 14.0 or less per 100,000 and were cleared to allow outdoor sports. Los Angeles County, where Oaks Christian is located, was cleared with a threshold of 12.3. One day later, the Lions’ cross-country team traveled to Calabasas High School as the OCS harriers took their place as the first sport in the Marmonte League to return to interscholastic competition since the pandemic halted all competition in March 2020. The varsity line up saw both the boys’ and girls’ teams win, and runners Payton Godsey and Christopher Pellettiere posting a course best. The last Oaks Christian interscholastic competition was on March 11, 2020 when softball played El Camino to a 1-2 result. The Conquistadors denied Coach Peter Ackermann his 600th career coaching victory (see story on page 41). With the return of athletics in the CDPH’s purple tier the 2020-2021 sports competition for the Lions began with safety protocols and some restrictions in place. The downward trend of the COVID-19 numbers meant that in the next few weeks the Lions returned to action in basketball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, water polo, basketball, softball, track and field, golf, and football. The health ruling divided the Marmonte League. Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake high schools are part of Conejo Unified in Ventura County. Agoura and Calabasas high schools are in Las Virgines Unified and, along with Oaks Christian, are in Los Angeles County. Individual independent schools or districts decided what sports could play. Some sports, such as football and water polo, required weekly testing of athletes and coaches. Still, the CIF allowed play with certain guidelines such as both teams being in the same county, no tournaments with more than two teams and shortened five or six-game seasons mandated to end by April 17, 2021. To compensate for the limited fan attendance, Oaks Christian began providing livestream services for many home games with weekly notifications of dates and times and links sent to families.
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Track & Field
Wins Milestone CIF Title
T
he OCS girls’ and boys’ track and field teams made athletic history with a one-two punch to capture the school’s 50th and 51st California
Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS) championship titles. Oaks Christian School has set a phenomenal record in achieving 51 championship titles in the short 21 years since the school was founded. Coached by Wes Smith, the teams were heavily favored going into the Division 4 championship meet at Carpinteria High School on June 12, 2021. And they dominated and delivered. It was the fifth sectional title for the boys and the sixth consecutive for the girls. The girls reached the 50th title by scoring 156.33 points, the most in CIF-SS history, boys or girls, since 1913. The boys were right behind them and an hour later laid claim to number 51. “To accomplish this feat of winning CIF championships 50 and 51 in 21 years tells us a lot about the quality of student athletes we have and the quality of coaches we have,” said Head of Athletics Jan Hethcock. “I
would never have imagined Oaks Christian would win this many championships in such a short time. This is a wonderful accomplishment for our athletes, alumni, coaches, and the school.” The Lady Lions won gold in the 4×100 relay (47.26) and 4×400 (3:53.74). Tenly Kuhn took first place in the girls long jump at 12’ 5”. Jahzara Richardson brought home two gold medals, winning the 100m at 12.00 seconds, and the 200m at 24.62 seconds. Teammate Brooklyn Courtnall won her first sectional title in the 400 with a time of 55.66 seconds. Right behind her for second place was Raeshell Austin at 57.40. In the boys’ division, Oaks Christian netted a score of 79, handily beating Ontario Christian at 46 points. Lion standouts were Gabe Martin who easily captured the long jump at 24’ 2.75” Jake Reed took the pole vault victory at 14’6.” and Ethan Bergman took third at 13’. Elijah Gipson enjoyed a personal best of 40.50 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles. Chase Farrell placed third in the 100m at 10.8 seconds, and Jalen Lewis came in fifth at 11.04.
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Achievement Curtailed Recruiting Doesn’t Stop
Despite Loss of Junior Year, Seniors Celebrate Signing Day
O
aks Christian celebrated Athletic Distinction with a socially distanced National Signing Day event in the
Dallas Athletic Facility on Feb 3, 2021. The ceremony recognized 20 athletes in attendance (a second signing day in late spring honored athletes unable to be at the first event). Surrounded by family, friends, coaches and staff, the students signed Letters of Intent to play their sport in college.
The annual ceremony is always a celebration of the athletes’ hard-won recognition of their ability to compete collegiately, but this year’s crop of athletes is especially to be commended. Recruiters typically look closely at an athlete’s junior season, but for this year’s seniors, COVID-19 severely reduced or eliminated those seasons. “It was definitely difficult to showcase myself when the baseball season was shut down because I had a lot of coaches that were interested in recruiting me. They wanted to come out and watch me play, but that did not happen,” said Gianni Horvat who signed to play shortstop with University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Years before the pandemic, much of the recruiting process had already moved online with athletes posting resumes, game videos, and highlight reels. However, those platforms are more supplementary: recruiters still like to see athletes perform in person, assessing the highs and lows of their skill set, split second decisions made on the field or court, and their interaction with teammates. Also, the fit needs to be right for both player and school, something that is hard to determine solely online. “The biggest loss is the comfort level in-person, the coach with the recruit, the recruit with the coach, the recruit with the campus and community and other coaches. You’re relying on digital correspondence, but the in-person
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evaluation is just as important. For the recruit—does the campus look like it did on my computer screen? Do I feel comfortable in the community or town? That is why many athletes went and scouted out schools on their own—just to make sure it was the right fit across the board,” said 247Sports National Recruiting Editor Brandon Huffman. Last year, the OCS baseball team played seven non-league games before the California Interscholastic FederationSouthern Section (CIF-SS) shut down spring sports. Without practices and games, Horvat used the time to get in the gym and keep conditioning. But he also got creative and used social media to keep a presence in front of recruiters, a recommendation made by several sports associations in addition to updating or creating a personal sport website. “Twitter and Instagram really helped me out tremendously. I started posting on
these platforms every three days and made sure that I was consistent with posting baseball content,” he shared. “This allowed for coaches to make an assessment on me as a player because I was providing them with the information they needed to recruit me into their program.” He admits doing so was stressful though, and was relieved after he signed, and thankful for his coaches and family that got him to signing day. Senior Brooklyn Courtnall will be playing both soccer and running track and field for the University of Southern California. College soccer recruits earlier than track, but she shared, “because of the pandemic coaches really have to take a chance and trust you’re developing well on your own without games.” She sent them clips from her junior year, and they have been watching her play club since her freshman year. Track and
field completely shut down in 2020, so she had no junior year record. Because she was not running her events—the 400, 200, 4 X 1 relay and 4 X 4 relay—coaches had to look at her personal bests from 2018-19, which she felt weren’t ideal. However, getting on the USC teams more than made up for that. “I’m extremely thankful I got to sign even though the season got cancelled. This is a tough time for all athletes, and it’s caused a lot of adversity. To be able to be a college athlete is something I’ve dreamed of since I was seven,” she said. In addressing the athletes at the signing ceremony, OCS Head of Athletics Jan Hethcock acknowledged the extenuating circumstances they faced. “What a past year this has been! None of us could have imagined the events we have been through,” he said. “I commend you for hanging in there and not giving up on your dreams…committing yourself to late night, early morning workouts and weekend study sessions, and not missing practices. Now your dream of playing college sports is becoming a reality.”
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 39
Amanda Longan
#TOKYOBOUND
O
aks Christian alumna Amanda Longan, Class of ‘15, was selected by the USA Water Polo Association to Team USA, the
13-woman team to represent the United States at the Summer 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The announcement was made by USA Water Polo on June 23. Longan becomes the second OCS alumni to become an Olympian. She follows in the footsteps of Danielle Alakija, Class of 2013, who ran the 400m at the 2012 London games as a high school senior. “I am going to the freaking Olympics,” Longan posted on her personal Instagram account after the roster was announced. Jack Kocur, OCS head water polo coach and former Olympic assistant coach, 40 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
coached Longan as a senior while she was at Oaks Christian. He posted on his Twitter: “I am so proud of you!! The first of many to follow of Oaks Christian water polo Olympic athletes.”
successes at USC included two NCAA Championships.
While in high school Longan was a phenom garnering multiple awards and, as goalie, leading the girls water polo team to their first league championship. She was named the Tri-Valley League player of the year. As a senior she surpassed the school record with 31 saves in a single game.
She also won the prestigious Peter J. Cutino award for her performance as the goalie for the USC women’s water polo team. The award is considered the “Heisman trophy” of water polo and the recipient is selected by the Division 1 coaches. The award is given annually to the top male and female in the NCAA. Longan is only the second USC female goalie to be honored.
She played for University of Southern California (USC). In her stellar 2018 season, Longan had 11 games with double-digit saves and became the first USC goalie ever to record two complete-game shutouts. She helped solidify USC’s defense to end the season as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship for a 26-1 final record. Her
As a college sophomore, she was called up by the senior national team and trained for her first major event, the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. COVID-19 cancelled the Olympics, but she continued to train and keep as the goalie for the Women’s National Team. Now the payoff is here: she is Tokyo bound.
oftball coach Peter Ackermann has joined the exclusive 600 Club. The Lady Lions
dominated in their season opener, defeating the Village Christian Crusaders, 17-0, on March 19, 2021, giving Ackermann his 600th career win. He is one of only 18 coaches in state history to achieve this milestone. Junior Micaela Kastor led the Lions in the historic win, batting the cycle—single, double, triple, and home run. Additionally, she had three RBIs and four runs scored in five at-bats. As a pitcher, she has more than 100 strikeouts. Freshman Rylee McCoy went 3 for 4 with a double, triple, RBI, and two runs scored. Sophomore Justine Lambert was 2 for 3 with a homer, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Senior Emma Noble had a homer and three RBIs, sophomore Heaven Oliva went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs, senior Jordan Simonsgaard was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and sophomore Anahi Arreola was 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Ackermann was poised to reach 600 last season when Oaks Christian was up against El Camino and the Conquistadors defeated the Lions. Then COVID-19 shut down sports and with it Ackermann’s chance at 600 until this year.
“I am thankful for all the players, coaches, parents, and the administration who have allowed me to attain this milestone. So many people have contributed to our successful softball program. When I first started coaching softball 45 years ago, I never dreamed this day would happen,” he said. The legendary coach has been at Oaks Christian 20 years and achieved some notable accolades: 15 league coach of the year awards, 3 CIF coach of the year awards, and two-time National Christian School Athletic Association coach of the year. Under Ackermann’s leadership, the OCS softball team has qualified every year for CIF post-season play, had a 46-game win streak, earned three CIF championship titles, and three runner-up slots. But Ackermann sees his success in the lives of his players beyond the field. “Throughout my career, I have realized that I have been blessed to receive far more than I have given...coaching makes you responsible for your life and helping others attain the life they richly deserve. The real measure of my coaching success is not in the number of wins achieved, but rather, the satisfaction of seeing these young women achieve success in life after their softball careers have ended,” he shared.
Ackermann Joins the
Club 2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 41
HIGH SCHOOL
League Champion
CIF Champion Girls Track and Field Boys Track and Field
Girls Soccer Girls Track and Field Boys Golf Girls Golf
League Runner-Up
Boys Cross Country Boys Soccer Boys Swim Girls Lacrosse Softball
Pitcher of the Year
Micaela Kastor
GOLF
Francis Catalano
SOCCER
GOLF
Catherine Rao
Sophia Prudholme
MARMONTE LEAGUE MVPs
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Due to COVID-19, middle school did not have competitive sports, but had camps and competitions with high participation rates in:
• Aquatics • Cross Country • Tennis • Intramurals • Soccer • Cheer
• Baseball • Basketball • Lacrosse • Track • Volleyball • Tennis
• Cheer • Soccer • Golf • Football Skills
84% 81% 80% 69% 77%
5th GRADE ATHLETICS 42 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
6th GRADE ATHLETICS
7th GRADE ATHLETICS
8th GRADE ATHLETICS
ALL GRADES
J
unior Shadeh Jaberi has a head for business that is driven by a heart for service. Although the two appear to be
incongruous, she has successfully brought together her marketing and advertising acumen with her desire to help others. When most people were sidelined during the pandemic, Jaberi sprang into action and took the extra time on her hands to partner with the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce to help small businesses, and then later to create the Youth Marketing Program. She plans on majoring in business marketing in college. Already a busy student (on the OCS rowing club, girls golf team, yearbook staff, residential life ambassador, and president of the business and investment club) what motivated her to add more to her schedule? “I would say my biggest motivation is that I love seeing the impact it makes on the
community community. I love when people reach out and say, ‘This really helped me.’ Seeing that is something measurable and satisfying,“ she shared. When Jaberi heard that the chamber of commerce was launching a “Shop Conejo” campaign to help businesses stay afloat during COVID-19 she offered her marketing skills. She was made the post-production video editor on over 50 videos featuring small businesses, local politicians, and business owners. The videos were shared over social media and had a total of over 10,000 views. “During COVID-19, many small businesses struggled to remain open. The videos contributed to the “Shop Local, Shop Conejo” campaign that helped gain support and attention for local businesses. The impact of the videos and campaign evidently helped businesses survive while bringing the community together in a fun, virtual way,” she shared. Jaberi loved learning about each business, particularly the mom-and-pop stores, and that fueled her desire to do something on a larger scale. If she could help local businesses, what would happen if she pulled together a team of high school students to create a national project? She started the Youth Marketing Program last April, an endeavor that pairs high school students with an interest in
OUTREACH AND CARE
marketing with local businesses who need help with digital strategy, graphic design, social media, branding, websites, and videos. Businesses apply through www.youthmarketingprogram.com. Jaberi oversees about 80 students nationwide and her own team locally. “We have five students on leadership with me, 3,000 followers and a team of graphic designers. Small businesses need marketing help and not a lot of them know how to do it. High school students take film, video, and design classes. It’s a win-win: students get service hours and businesses get the help they need,” she said. The first business they helped was a small, virtual high school in Simi Valley, and the second was a non-profit in Oak Park. For the Shop Conejo campaign she was awarded the Thousand Oaks Bronze Oak Leaf Award. Out of 12,000 eligible students, only 110 were nominated and only 35 were given the award. Jaberi was humbled to receive the award, but she is also grateful for what she has learned through service. Her understanding and appreciation for teamwork and collaboration was a big take-away for her. “It was a huge honor to get the award, but the leadership aspect has also been big. If you can lead a team, you can get more done than serving by yourself and you can increase your impact,” she said.
A Head for Business,
A Heart for Service
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 43
L
aila Harris served as president of the 202021 OCS Black Student Association (BSA), and
worked with BSA students and Director of World Missions and Community Service Audie Diggs to plan the annual Black History Month community assembly. With Oaks Christian being a school and the BSA seniors also applying to college, it seemed a natural fit to focus on education, particularly historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for the assembly’s theme. “This was my third year serving in this position (BSA president), and as a senior, I wanted to make sure I educated my peers on the culture of HBCUs before I graduated. Celebrating Black History Month doesn’t mean we only have to talk about historical events. We can share an impactful, current part of our culture as well,” she said. The virtual assembly on Feb. 23, 2021 shared the history of HBCUs and black education in America; from days when slaves were punished for learning how to read, through emancipation, the founding of the first HBCU (Cheyney University in Pennsylvania), to notable graduates of the more than 107 HBCUs today, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Morehouse College), Lionel Richie (Tuskegee University), and Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State). Beloved traditions, events such as homecoming, marching bands, the “Black Super Bowl” between Grambling University and Southern University, and the impact of HBCUs on the American culture through pop culture and film were also highlighted. “We hope students learned exactly what an HBCU is and what it has to offer, that they will understand the foundations of HBCUs, the journey of black people and education, and the impact they have on our culture,” she said. As the BSA faculty adviser, Diggs shared events such as the annual assembly can be learning moments about Black culture, but also touch points on God-honoring diversity that affirms the Imago Dei of all people. “It is simple: God honoring diversity is when we begin to see all expressions of the image of God being celebrated and affirmed on an equal level that includes Black, Latino, Asian, and Caucasian experiences. This is affirmed, celebrated, practiced and reflected by many Scriptures—Matthew 28, John 17, Revelation 7,” Diggs said. “We can celebrate our diversity in such a way that Christ is glorified. We can engage in hard conversations; we can talk about the things that matter and we can love each other even if we don’t always agree. We can have a mindset that we don’t have to see eye-to-eye, but that we can and should see Christ 100 percent and invite all to the table of brotherhood and sisterhood in community,” he reflected.
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Celebr
BLACK HI
rating
ISTORY
O
aks Christian School celebrated Black History Month through a literary lens with
displays in the high school and middle school libraries featuring Black authors and art about notable Black achievers. Visitors to the High School Shiley Family Library saw nonfiction and fiction works such as the epic “Roots,” by Alex Haley, and stories about groundbreakers like “Mr. Civil Rights: The Story of Thurgood Marshall,” by Nancy Whitelaw, and more recent works like the 2014 “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson about the modern American criminal justice system. The library also featured mini flyers with photos and career highlights of people in entertainment, politics, sports, the military, science, and the arts. Retired US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell, composer and band leader Duke Ellington, sociologist and historian W.E.B. Du Bois, and basketball legend Kobe Bryant were spotlighted. OCS Head Librarian Diana Kim-Yoon creates the annual high school display as a reminder of the interwoven connections between Black culture and American history. “I do this every year to celebrate Black History Month because I want our community to study and understand that Black history is American history,” she said, “You can’t separate them. We need to see ourselves in American history, not because we are Black, Hispanic or Asian-American, but because we are all part of the story of this country.” When selecting what to display, she picks a variety of topics, such as “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now” by Maya Angelou and works by poet Langston Hughes. But Kim-Yoon also looks for lesser-known stories with poignant messages or inspiring themes such as “brown girl dreaming,” written in 2016 by Jacqueline Woodson. She shares her story of growing up Black in South Carolina and New York in the 1970s with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. “We have many books to pull from. I try to cover people who shaped American history, not just entertainers or sports figures, but people from different sections of life,” Kim-Yoon said. Library Assistant Gerri Magnus helped put the displays together, and she enjoyed the conversations they sparked. “Students see the books displayed and come over to talk about them, ask questions, and they often end up checking them out, which is exactly why we put in this effort,” Magnus said. In the Middle School Fardad Family Library, among the books featured were the memoirs of Condoleezza Rice, the first female, Black US secretary of state, the book “Hidden Figures,” which tells the story of NASA mathematicians Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson. Also featured were paintings of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and Angelou by Middle School Art History Teacher Tricia Hacker.
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 45
B
en Adams has the distinct privilege of being a living, breathing part of OCS history. He attended Moorpark High School for his freshman year, but when Oaks Christian opened the doors in 2000, he transferred in as a sophomore. Three years later, as the lead student to cross the graduation stage in the first OCS commencement in 2003, he became the very first Oaks
OCS’ First Alum Christian alumni. His class of 72 students actually had triplets with the same last name – Adams – but because his first name began with a B, he was alphabetically put at the front of the line, ahead of the triplets. But little did he know back then he would return decades later to another OCS stage.
IAI ALUM SIGNS with
Quincy Jones Productions The Oaks Christian Institute of Arts and Innovation (IAI) is proud to announce that IAI alumnus Asher Oyelowo, Class of 2020, officially signed with legendary Quincy Jones Productions (QJP) and is now represented by the agency in his artistic endeavors. He has also been accepted into the Institute of Electronic Music at New York University. In addition, he debuted his solo EP project, “know me,” on July 2. Oyelowo made his connection with Alyssa Lein Smith, the chief of staff and media manager at Quincy Jones Productions, who taught a master class to IAI students. Smith is on the IAI advisory board. Oyelowo, along with 11 other OCS students, was in the first class to graduate from the IAI program which launched in 2019. The institute seeks to develop ethical artists in the pathways of songwriting, vocal performance, music production, film and television, dance, and photography. Even before graduating from high school, Oyelowo was creating music, having written and produced since an early age. His Nigerian and English roots are reflected in his upbeat and introspective style, which is also influenced by having lived and traveled in multiple countries.
46 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
Today, he is a successful, professional sound engineer, and he came home to his alma mater to help produce this year’s virtual high school musical, Godspell, Jr. He spent a few weeks on campus, working with the cast and tech crew to perfect all sound aspects in preparation for the show which streamed in May. We had a chance to catch up with Ben to find out about his life after Oaks Christian, and what it was like to be back on campus.
Q: What did you do after graduation? After Oaks I went to Azusa Pacific University where I played A: baseball and got my degree in Cinema Broadcast. During my senior year I started working part time at FOX and FOX SPORTS.
Q: How did you start in sound engineering? While working at FOX after college I started making electronic A: music on my own time. I would also find myself hanging out a lot in the audio bay with the sound engineers. When one of the shows I was on went off the air, I decided to go back to school for a year and get my recording technology degree from Citrus College. At the same time, I built my first home studio and began freelancing, and have been doing that for the past 12 years.
Q: What have been some highlights of your career? My work history is pretty diverse. I started off doing a lot of low A: budget features, but these days I do a lot more commercials. I’ve also
found a niche doing spatial audio for VR productions and have traveled the world doing VR concerts and festivals including Billie Eilish, U2, Coldplay, Muse, Major Lazer, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, SXSW and recently worked with the NBA during the lockdown in the Orlando “bubble.”
Q: Tell us a little bit about your family. I moved out to the Inland Empire after college, but my family still A: lives in Moorpark so I’m back often. My wife, Claudia, and I celebrated
Back on Campus
eight years of marriage on Memorial Day. We have three kids: our daughter Florence is 7, our son Phoenix is 5, and our other son Maverick is 7 months.
task at hand and balance all day-to-day craziness are life skills I took with me to college and now into my professional career, and family life as well.
How did you get involved with coming back to do Q: this show with co-directors Ros and Bradley?
Q: What are fond memories you have of Oaks? I remember being cast as Charlie in “Charlie’s Aunt” which A: was the first theatre project at Oaks. Ros recently sent me photos
Ros (I still want to call her Mrs. Allen) reached out to me A: after seeing some of my work posts on Facebook and thought I would be a good fit with this team on Godspell, Jr.
What kind of impact do you hope your work on this Q: production had? First off, my goal is to get great sounding tracks that A: help elevate the production to a professional level. But just as
important would be to show students that working on the tech side can be a very rewarding career choice.
Looking back: how do you feel Oaks prepared you Q: for life in general, and your field, specifically? Oaks is where I first got involved in theatre and filmmaking. A: At the same time, I was also playing baseball, taking AP classes,
we took for the flyers and I look like such a little kid. There were also plenty of memories playing baseball; winning our league and making first team, robbing a home run to preserve Peter Dunn’s no hitter.
Q: Who are some teachers that stand out during your time here?
I can’t forget about Commander Coyle who without her A: guidance this “knucklehead” would have never made it through high school. I dressed up as her one Halloween at school: that picture needs to be found, it’s hilarious.
Also, once I learned how to edit in Final Cut Pro, I spent most of my free periods in the computer lab. Mr. Chobanian was always willing to let me in and try new ideas and techniques. I think that time was a major turning point for me because it became clear I wanted to be involved behind the camera.
and trying to maintain a social life. Learning how to focus on the
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 47
2020-2 1
I
M
A ATHLETIC S I N G NSI
TIU
OF THE YEAR
TA PRUDENTIA
CL ARITAS A R
TEACHERS
ERUDI
EST.
OA K S C H
R I S T I A N SCH
O OL
2000
and do more.” Another student praised Gordin for transforming what was once her most dreaded subject into her favorite class. As Hurdle shared the sentiments from Gordin’s students and colleagues, it became clear that her true impact lies in her ability to build relationships with her students.
SALLY GORDIN HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH
JUSTIN NEWMAN
MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY
C
ongratulations to the 2020-21 OCS “Teachers of the Year.” High School English Teacher Sally Gordin and Middle School History Teacher Justin Newman are the deserving recipients of this year’s Atsinger Teaching Excellence Award. Gordin and Newman were each recognized for their outstanding teaching performance during the high school and middle school graduation ceremonies. Both recipients were lauded for their dedication and expertise in the classroom before colleagues, students, and OCS families. In a school year like no other, as OCS teachers were asked to rethink and redesign every aspect of their teaching practice and students were isolated from one another for most of the year, Gordin and Newman exercised their exceptional skills at building community and relationship with their students. Gordin, who also serves as the advisor for the High School Journalism Club, stood onstage as last year’s Atsinger Award recipient, Matt Hurdle, honored her accomplishments by sharing words from her colleagues and students. He noted that two themes quickly became evident: her compassionate heart for students and her ability to push them beyond self-perceived intellectual limits. Students feel cared for, welcomed, and inspired in her classroom as they grapple with big questions such as, “What does it mean to be human?” Students noted that Gordin helped them gain confidence in class, as well as in their own abilities, and inspired them to “explore, learn
48 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
Head of School Rob Black commended Newman for displaying many of these same qualities throughout his time at the middle school. Throughout the 2020-21 school year, Newman organized countless community-building events that helped the middle school get through a challenging year. He organized several teacher get-togethers and partnered with last year’s Atsinger Award recipient, Ryan Kelly, to host a breakfast club on Tuesday mornings. Middle School Principal Garett Freeman shared that Newman “works hard at his craft, pursues best practices, creates strong project-based courses, and uses technology in the classroom” in targeted ways to ensure that he reaches and engages every student. Newman is well-known for his role in planning and leading the Eighth Grade East Coast Adventure each spring – just one way he brings history alive for his students year after year. Black credited Newman for his constant dedication to making the history classroom an immersive experience through creative approaches, such as partnering with the art history teacher to paint a mural that highlighted the historical content covered throughout the academic year. Beyond their accomplishments in the classroom, Gordin and Newman also invest in students outside of school hours. As the advisor for the High School Journalism Club, Gordin successfully helped the student editors and writers launch the new student-run newspaper The Roaring Lion in 2020. The latest issue of the newspaper can be found on the home page of the OCS website. Newman, in addition to the events he plans for middle school faculty, also coaches the middle school baseball and crosscountry teams.
2020-2 1
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
O
aks Christian School celebrated the spirit of volunteerism and community as the 2020-21
volunteers were honored at a special luncheon at North Ranch Club on May 11.
The luncheon was hosted by the OCS advancement department to acknowledge the many volunteers throughout the year who give of their time and talent at various annual events such as the golf and ladies tennis tournaments, the dinner auction gala, and the family fair. Volunteers were also active in the school cafeterias, libraries, admissions department, arts, and athletics, to name a few areas. In a typical year, as many as 500 parents volunteer on campus, but those numbers were lowered when COVID-19 hit and volunteer opportunities diminished. Nevertheless, Volunteer Coordinator Ginger Kohler shared her delight that the pandemic did not dampen the enthusiasm for volunteering.
The high school senior volunteers of the year were Shannon Bartlett and Stefanie Wennes. In addition, all the senior parents were recognized. The middle school volunteer of the year was GINGER KOHLER Diana Clark. The overall VOLU N TEER volunteer of the year was C O O R D I N AT O R the Malachi’s Closet Team of Coburn, Mercedes Woodward, Katie Dulak, Fenella Russell, and Laura Brokke. Malachi’s Closet is the gently-used uniform resale store. The luncheon was also an opportunity to say goodbye to Kohler who retired after eight years as the OCS volunteer coordinator. Head of School Rob Black praised her incredible dedication and service to the school, noting her cheerful attitude and optimism even with challenges and bumps along the way.
“Many of you as soon as it was announced we were coming back to campus were anxious to volunteer and serve anywhere you were needed. You are the reason Oaks is such a special place,” said Kohler.
For her part, Kohler expressed gratitude for the many parents she has met over the years, and the texts, cards, and letters she had received since she announced her retirement in early spring.
Stacy Massell and Tammy Coburn were named as the Legacy Volunteers of the Year, honoring parents who have served over multiple years and are “graduating” out along with their students.
“It’s been a difficult decision and every day gets a little bit harder, but I do feel a great peace about retiring. Many of us started our Oaks journey together and many of you have become my friends along the way. I will miss seeing you on campus,” she said.
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 49
a l a G l A a u t ir V
y any standard of measure, the Oaks Christian Virtual Gala “Together, A Day to Give” was a rousing success, netting over $740,000 through
sponsorships, silent and live auction items and Moment to Give contributions. Like many other non-profits adjusting to the pandemic, Oaks Christian School hosted a virtual gala for the first time ever, and the total raised was the second highest in school history. The highest-netting gala was the last one, in-person, with former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the Reagan Presidential Library in 2019.
50 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
“What an amazing event. We are so grateful to God for all He has done through our generous donors to make this night a success,“ said Chief Development Officer Eddie Moore. “The future is bright because we are able to continue sending young men and women out into the world with minds for leadership and hearts for service. We couldn’t do it without you, our amazing community of partners and supporters. Thank you!” The online event saw lively bidding action on items such as a European river cruise, a week-long African Safari, an exclusive Dodger package with Orel Hershiser, a purebred Labrador Retriever puppy, Napa Valley Wine tour, and more. The highest package, a Mexican Villa vacation extravaganza, topped the bidding at $35,000.
ROUSING SUCCESS! Despite the online nature, registered guests got into the spirit of the event, hosting watch parties at their homes, some complete with catered meals, full, sit-down elegant dinners and outdoor cocktail hours. OCS parent Jean Kim and her family hosted a party at their home, and while they missed an in-person event, they enjoyed watching along with others. “I loved gathering with other OCS parents in a social setting especially after the year we’ve had. It was just so nice to hang out and watch the gala together,” she said. “It definitely wasn’t the same BUT the school definitely made it the best it could be. All in all, it was SO much fun!”
Fellow OCS parent Ryan O’Quinn who, along with his wife, cohosted the event with the Echevarria family and two other OCS families at the Echevarria home, echoes the sentiment. “While it was no comparison to an in-person event, it was far better than having no event. We made the best of it by casting the full program on the big screen and enjoying each other’s company,” said O’Quinn. “I enjoyed seeing the students showcase some of their gifts on behalf of the gala, such as the music at the top, the song on the beach at the end (of the livestream). It helps underscore the reason we are all a part of this amazing school,” he added.
2021 | OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT 51
ACADEMICS
Offering innovative new institutes and individual learning pathways
ARTS
Connecting an incredible arts program with the Godgiven talent bestowed on our students
ATHLETICS
Nationally recognized athletics program with state-ofthe-art facilities that allow students to compete at the highest levels
SUPPORTING the
ONE OAKS MISSION
Annual fund gifts make the most immediate impact in the life of the school because they are used in the year they are given. The “One Oaks” Annual Fund will support the needs and priorities of the school each year and ensure excellence in ALL of our programs including academics, arts, and athletics. Advancement of Oaks Christian School is a community-based effort to ensure annual funding for our outstanding programs, amazing teachers and the future of Christian education. Annual donations impact every area of the school. We work to build trust and partnership with our parents.
The Annual “One Oaks” Fund is the foundation of fundraising at Oaks Christian. Like other independent schools, unrestricted gifts provide critical resources for students, programs and teachers not covered by tuition. These gifts allow the forward-thinking and continuous improvement that is expected at a school the caliber of Oaks Christian.
OAKS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 31749 LA TIENDA DRIVE • WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 WWW.OAKSCHRISTIAN.ORG 52 OAKS CHRISTIAN MISSION REPORT | 2021
Make a Gift VISIT www.oakschristian.org/support CONTACT Chief Development Officer Eddie Moore at emoore@oakschristian.org CALL 818.575.9204
