COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
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S H A R I NG C O M M ON R O OT S – NO U R I S H I NG G E N E R AT ION S
Reconnecting with… MATT (‘07) & CHANDRA SOOTER (‘06) WHEN DID YOU BEGIN ATTENDING CHCS? Chandra: 6th grade Matt: Junior year of High School. WHAT SCHOOL SPORTS OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN AT CHCS? Chandra: Band, Track and Field, and Cross Country Matt: NHS, Basketball, and Baseball. WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER AND WHY? We both loved Mrs. Green and Mrs. Miller. They both took the time to teach concepts well and thoroughly. They also encouraged us when the subject matter was difficult. We both remember the little things they taught us to help us when we got into college. HOW WOULD YOUR OLD CLASSMATES DESCRIBE YOU? Chandra: That crazy girl who loved to run WHAT DID YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR YEARS AT CHCS? Chandra: I liked the environment of CHCS. It was such a great experience and it challenged me so much more than I feel I would have been in the (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
JASON (‘99) & PIPER WHITE (‘00) WHEN DID YOU BEGIN ATTENDING CHCS? Jason: I began attending CHCS in 7th grade (1993) and graduated in 1999. Piper: I began attending in 1st grade. Cindy Cruse was my teacher and I remember the very first day I got my smile turned around backwards. Lol WHAT SCHOOL SPORTS OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN AT CHCS? Jason: During my time at CHCS, I was involved in basketball, soccer (my senior year), and golf. Piper: Sports were what drove me… I played soccer, basketball and volleyball. Some of my very best memories! WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER AND WHY? Jason: I would say that my favorite teacher was Mr. Lewis. He wasn’t my favorite because I did well in his class, but rather because he always pushed us to be better, to take good notes, and to think independently. I always felt as if we were allowed to have an opinion in his class, and that our opinion would always be heard, even if it was a bit misguided. I also enjoyed the quote of the day, some of which I can still remember (“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Stephen Covey). (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” –Jeremiah 17:7-8
MATT & CHANDRA SOOTER
JASON & PIPER WHITE
public schools. I loved the closeness I had with my peers and the dynamic of small class sizes allowing for more individualized learning. I loved the teachers and how they focused on each student not only academically but spiritually as well. Matt: I liked that the classes were small enough that the teachers actually knew who you were. They took the time to get to know individual students and cared to know what was going on in their lives.
Piper: This is hard! I don’t think I can narrow it down to just one. Kristin McCarthy had such a huge influence in my life and was an amazing coach. I’d have to say Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Belk…anything from going to show choir competitions to giving me voice lessons, they influenced my life in a very positive way.
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HOW DID CHCS HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COLLEGE, CAREER AND LIFE? Chandra: They challenged and guided us to think for ourselves in many aspects. They encouraged our questions and helped us to seek answers. They prayed for us taught us the importance of prayer in our daily life. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE PATH YOUR LIFE HAS TAKEN SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM CHCS? We both went to John Brown University and graduated in May 2011. Chandra graduated with a teaching degree (early childhood) and Matt graduated with a youth ministry degree. We had the opportunity to serve in a small church in Gentry, Arkansas for 6 years before moving for a ministry position in Rogers, AR. I (Chandra) taught first grade and kindergarten during our time in Gentry and have recently been a stay at home mom. We have two beautiful children: Jackson (6) and Addy (3). In November of 2016 our youngest, Addy was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumor. She has undergone intense radiation treatments which gave her a brief period of symptom free living and improvement. However, in July of 2017 her tumor went into progression and we began the search for a more effective treatment. Since her tumor is rare and inoperable our options were slim and we began talking to families doing an experimental trial in Mexico for children with the same type of cancer as our daughter. After speaking with those families, talking with the doctors here and there, and lots of prayer we decided to pursue this course of treatment. She has seen great results and has had 10 treatments. We still have a long road ahead of us as she continues treatment. Please continue to pray for our little girl as the Lord walks us through this journey. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: As one can imagine, experimental and cutting edge treatments in Mexico can be quite costly. For more information and to help with specific prayers or financial assistance, follow the facebook page, “Hope for Addy Joy – Fighting DIPG.”
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HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TEEN AND HOW HAS THAT CHANGED, IF ANY AS AN ADULT? Jason: As a teen, I was pretty independent. I liked to work hard and play hard. I always liked being around a group of people and being active. I would say that most of those characteristics are still true today as an adult. Where I think I’m a little different is that when I’m not at work, I tend to be more reclusive. I love to work, but the older I’ve gotten, the more rest, primarily mental rest, I feel like I require. With that being said, I love being a relatively young dad of 2 boys, 14 and 11, that keep me active and feeling young. Piper: I would describe myself as very outgoing, loved people, always wanting to get together and have fun. I’m pretty much the same! HOW WOULD YOUR OLD CLASSMATES DESCRIBE YOU? Jason: This is kind of a scary question. I hope that they would describe me as a guy that treated everyone with respect and kindness. I had a lot of friends, but only a few close friends, those of which received most of my time and attention. My old classmates would probably also describe me as a guy that fell pretty hard for a girl in the class behind mine. Lucky for me, she is still by my side today, 21 years later (5 of those years were dating years). Piper: I think they would describe me as nice and fun/silly… always up for a good time. WHAT DID YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR YEARS AT CHCS? Jason: I liked how the school was small enough to get to know most people. I would say that we were given a lot of attention by teachers because the class size was conducive for that type of attention. We were challenged as students both academically and spiritually. I really felt like it was a place where you could be yourself without a lot of drama. Piper: I loved the friendships, and how much I was spiritually influenced by amazing people who really cared. HOW DID CHCS HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COLLEGE, CAREER AND LIFE? Jason: CHCS taught me how to be a good note taker, which I believe was critical to doing well in college. We weren’t spoon fed. We were challenged to think, to use our minds. The development of this skill is critical to doing well in college, but even more critical in a career and in life. If we don’t practice thinking for ourselves, then we become more susceptible to group think in potentially dangerous areas that could challenge what we believe morally, politically, and most importantly, spiritually. Piper: CHCS was hard, I didn’t always (well hardly) like homework and school work in general, but it taught me discipline and pushed me to do better. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE PATH YOUR LIFE HAS TAKEN SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM CHCS? Jason: Since I have graduated from CHCS, I went on and got my undergraduate degree from MSSU, majoring in business. During college I married my high school sweetheart, Piper. We were both so young. I finished school in 2003, and then entered the job market working at a couple of small businesses before landing at TAMKO in 2005. During that time, Piper and I had our first son, Ashton. Three years later we had our second, Lyric. In 2011, I received a master’s degree in business from PSU. I have held many positions here at TAMKO over the years, but I never imagined holding a position outside of Joplin. In 2015, I was given the opportunity to move to the TAMKO plant in Dallas, TX, and that is where my family is today. Fortunately for us, we found a good Christian school very similar to CHCS for our boys to attend so that they can benefit from the same Christian education that Piper and I benefitted from. Piper: I’ve been a hairdresser for 15 years and had an amazing opportunity to go to
COUGAR TRACKS Cambodia and teach girls. I’ve also opened up an online clothing boutique. So selfemployment has been the road I chose and I have loved it. WHO WERE THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE, ROLE MODELS? Jason: During that time in my life there were a lot of people that influenced me in one way or the other, but I would say that the most influential people in my life during that time period were the friends that I had that used their musical talent to help lead worship. When I was 15 I picked up my first guitar. Now, my main driver at that time was to be able to play a song on the guitar that Piper could sing, but that quickly grew into a desire to play on worship teams. As I was able to develop that skill, I was able to be a part of several worship teams, as well as a band that led worship for several local events in the 4-state area. Music has played a big role in my life. To this day, I am still involved in the worship team at church, whether I’m playing the guitar, piano, or the bass, and the best part is that I get to share that with Piper, who still gives me goosebumps when she sings. TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU ARE DOING NOW, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU? Jason: As I mentioned before, I work as the General Manager of the TAMKO plant in Dallas, TX. I love this role because I love getting to be a part of building and leading teams. I believe that people are our most valuable “raw material” and I enjoy getting to come along side of them to both get to know them personally, and help them be successful in what they do. WHAT PEARLS OF WISDOM WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER GRADUATES AND STUDENTS AT CHCS? Jason: While I don’t feel old enough yet to be considered wise enough to pass along pearls of wisdom, I would like to share a few thoughts for you to consider. First, this world will never make you happy, at least not for very long. If you chase happiness or satisfaction that comes from the world, you will grow weary before finding it. Second, you will make mistakes. You are human. How you respond to those mistakes is what’s most important. Third, remember that you only have one life. It’s important to enjoy it. Have fun. Don’t take things too seriously (advice I still have a hard time accepting). Do what you enjoy. Know that there will be hills and valleys, but that God’s plan and timing for you is perfect. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Good luck!
Jane (former staff) and husband, Jeff Robertson (left) recently moved to Barbados, West Indies to serve with Windward Islands School of Evangelism. Please be in the prayer for the family of Phil Rehrig (former staff) who died October 29, 2017 after a courageous battle with leukemia. Phil lived in Oklahoma City. Congratulations to Carter (’05) and Kayla Calef (right) on the birth of William “Liam” Carter Calef. Liam arrived February 1, 2018. Carter is CHCS’s middle school science teacher, and Kayla teaches first grade also at CHCS. Rahab (Mbuthia) (’06) and husband Jackson Ndegwa welcomed Aiden Wanjohi, born August 20, 2017 in Kenya. Congratulations! Welcome to the world, Jace Eren Taylor (left), born September 16, 2017 to Kristen (Boyer) Taylor (’09). Kristen and her husband, David make their home in Joplin. Jace joins big sister, Kaitlyn. Kelsi (Bodine) Daniell (’10) reports that she and her husband, Craig, moved to Washington DC in January of 2017, as she took a job with Senator John Boozman (R-AR). Craig began working for a nonprofit called Capitol Area Reach, but in August transitioned to a pastoral internship at their church, Del Ray Baptist in Alexandria, VA. In Nov 2017, Kelsi moved over to the Environmental Protection Agency where she serves as Press Secretary for Administrator Scott Pruitt. They reside in Alexandria, VA. Congratulations to Danielle (Whitmore) (’11) Truitt (left) who graduated from Washburn University School of Law in December. Danielle works in the legal department at Bentonville Merchants, Inc. in Bentonville, AR. Additionally, Danielle was married March 31st to Grady Truitt. Congratulations to Drew Satterfield (’13) and Hailey Riesenmy (’14) (right) who were married January 13, 2018. Karissa (Lieb) Eilerman (’14) (left) reports that she and her husband, Austin, are happily living in Oceanside, California, where Austin serves in the Navy. They recently celebrated two years of marriage. Colton Huthsing (’14) (right) graduated from Mizzou on December 15, 2017 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business. He moved to Washington DC in December and has been hired as a staff assistant at Congressman Billy Long’s office. Colton reports that he recently had the pleasure of meeting Vice President Pence. Congratulations to Josh Wilkins (’14) (left) who married Cynthia Anderson on December 16, 2017. They are making their home in Joplin while finishing their education. Hannah Fuller (’14) (right) graduated from Missouri Southern State University in December and is now teaching fourth grade at Eastmoreland Elementary School in Joplin.
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