Lancers for Life

For all that Orange Lutheran means to the Gibbons family, Mike Gibbons was able to sum up their feelings in one sentence.

“We see Orange Lutheran as a Christian family that also runs a high school.”

The Gibbons family is a longtime supporter, advocate and believer when it comes to OLu. Mike and wife Kristen sent three children through the school - all of whom have graduated - but still remain as involved as possible for one simple reason.

“OLu fits into our own faith walk as a family,” Mike said.

And it’s that mentality that Mike and Kristen can’t seem to forget, as they watch their three children move through college and beyond, using God as their guide and the lessons they learned as a family at OLu as the backdrop.

Before Mike and Kristen sent their first son, Matt Gibbons ‘07, to OLu in 2003, they searched for a high school that filled their most important requirement: that it be a loving environment.

Orange Lutheran fit the bill.

Kristen and Mike Gibbons

"We love our kids and wanted them to go to a school and be in an environment where they are loved,” Mike said. “If you’re going to be here in any capacity, you need to have a love for the kids on campus. And that’s what drives it. We believe that comes from God, that love that passes on to the kids. We found that environment at Orange Lutheran.

“We’re not perfect and the school isn’t perfect. People aren’t perfect. But at least OLu is starting with the right mission. Then, we all work together to get better and as a parent, you contribute to that process. It’s a group effort to love kids and to educate them.”

OLu’s mission, to help students internalize the Gospel message of salvation in Christ Jesus, was a sticking point for Mike and Kristen, who saw the rewards of a Christian education on display through Matt.

So three years later, the Gibbons’ second child, Chris Gibbons ‘10, followed suit in becoming a Lancer.

Four years later, Kaitlyn Gibbons ‘14 became the last of the fleet to walk the OLu halls.

“The kids loved being here and made great friends here,” Mike said. “They enjoyed it and we enjoyed participating in that process.”

For Kristen, OLu’s approach to education by means of promoting a family learning dynamic, based in a love for God, was vital for the future success of her three children.

After graduating from OLu, both Matt and Chris attended and graduated from their father’s alma mater, Harvard. Kaitlyn is currently attending Yale.

In addition, Matt married high school sweetheart Renee Gibbons (Roberts) ‘07 and Chris married high school sweetheart, Alyssa Gibbons (Smith) ‘11.

From left: Matt Gibbons '07, Renee Gibbons (Roberts) '07, Kristen Gibbons, Chris Gibbons '10, Alyssa Gibbons (Smith) '11, Mike Gibbons, and Kaitlyn Gibbons '14.

“We see OLu as a family and we’re a part of it,” Kristen said. “We’re all working together. What’s happening at home is being reinforced at school and vice versa. We’re all working for the same mission.

“It helps them that they had this foundation. It helps them in the secular world on a daily basis. They learned how to stand up for their faith.”

In addition to steeping themselves deep into the OLu mission and reaping the benefits as a family, the Gibbons crew has done its best to ensure that other families enjoy the same opportunities provided by OLu that they did.

Private religious schools receive no government funding, meaning that financial support for OLu is critical in expanding and maintaining the curriculum, as well as the school’s many programs.

In addition, through giving, Orange Lutheran provides nearly $2 million in financial aid each year.

“If you have the opportunity to help your own kids and the whole school, that’s when you get involved in being on a board or with fundraising,” Mike said. “Now, you’re taking that same belief and passion and helping not just your own kids.

“Those that can help a little more, it has big pay back for the system. You’re helping thousands of kids over the course of time. By contributing to the annual fund, and helping a few kids go through here, you may never know who that kid is...but there is a direct need and direct result of that contribution. If there is any place you can give money and see it used quickly and wisely, it’s a private Christian high school. You bought into the fact that this place is good for your kid, but is there something you can do to help someone else’s kid?”

For the past 10 years, the Gibbons family has given to the OLu mission.

“You have to look at the big picture,” Kristen said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What are we supposed to be doing with our treasures and talents?’ Knowing that you can impact lots of kids by helping a school whose mission you believe in, that gives such great satisfaction.”

Beyond financial support, the Gibbons family has also given its time and talents to the school. Mike and Kristen have both served on the school’s Parent Advisory Council and Mike served on the school’s Board of Directors for two terms. In addition, both have volunteered to help with school programs and were extremely active in both of the school’s recent major fundraising campaigns (Vision and Values and Beyond Expectations).

Both Mike and Kristen also participated on the call committee for Executive Director (Kristen for Gregg Pinick, Mike for Todd Moritz), and Mike is active on the Audit and Finance Committee, as well as the Executive Strategy Council.

As evidenced, even though their kids have graduated, Mike and Kristen continue to contribute to the school with their talents and treasures.

“It’s one thing to say you believe in a mission, but when you are also getting involved as a family, it not only shows kids that you approve of the school but you truly believe in what it stands for,” Kristen said. “If you’re actually active, it sets the tone in the family. We are a part of the Orange Lutheran family, all of us, because it’s more than a high school. It’s the faith community that we still care about. And as part of our journey, we feel like this is what God would like us to do.”

Mike agreed wholeheartedly with his wife, and simplified their feelings towards Orange Lutheran into these simple words.

“We believe in the family here and we want to contribute along the way. We’re ‘Lancers for Life.’”