COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
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legacy
W IN T E R
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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 “The Sauer Twins” (‘09)… AMANDA SAUER and ASHLEY (Sauer) NEELY (‘09) become a better person. I am thankful that because of those vulnerable years of love, laughter, and trust with each other, I still go to those women when I need prayer or want an awesome girls night out!
When did you begin attending CHCS? Amanda & Ashley: Kindergarten in 1995 What school sports or extracurricular activities were you involved in at CHCS? Amanda: National Honor Society, yearbook, softball, basketball, senior year class president Ashley: National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, and homecoming queen What did you like best about your years at CHCS? Amanda: The camaraderie among my teammates while participating in sports. I was blessed to be on teams where the girls cared about each other and were encouraged to push through adversity and do their best. I loved the competition and nail-biting moments. It was exhilarating! Being on the softball team the first four years of the program made me very proud, despite the ups and downs. In retrospect, it gave me a lot of tenacity for life’s future endeavors. My teammates were (and still are) some of my best friends and I attribute some of these close friendships to the many hilarious moments that happened on and off the field/court. Thank you, Coach B, for putting up with our many shenanigans! Ashley: The friendships. The friendships that I formed throughout high school were much stronger than I even realized at the time. Many are still my best friends to this day. I was blessed to be surrounded by other young women that pursued the Lord, encouraged me and pushed me to
Tell us a little about the path your life has taken since you graduated from CHCS? (schooling, career, family, missions, etc) Amanda: After CHCS, I went to MSSU for two years. Then, I transferred to the University of Arkansas where I earned a B.S.E. and a Master’s in Arts of Teaching, both in Childhood Education. I graduated in 2015 and returned to Joplin for a teaching job. I am now in my fourth year teaching 5th-grade at Kelsey Norman Elementary. I have been blessed to travel with my family to multiple countries and states in the last decade. I immensely enjoy experiencing new cultures which has led me to become involved with a student travel program, EF Explore America. Last year, with a colleague, I was able to take 14 sixth-grade students to Washington D.C. We are planning our next trip now and I plan on partnering with this extraordinary company for many years to come in order to subdue my travel bug! A year ago, I bought my own house in Joplin, which I’ve enjoyed making into a home for myself. In my free time, I thoroughly enjoy reading across many genres and hanging out with my friends or family. Ashley: I initially went to MSSU for two years and then transferred to the University of Arkansas. (Go Hogs!) I received a B.S.E. in Communication Disorders and an M.S. in Speech Language Pathology. I returned to Joplin in 2015, got married to Chase Neely, and accepted a job for Seneca public schools. My husband currently works in the music department at MSSU as the percussion instructor. Two years ago, we purchased and renovated the home Chase grew up in that his grandparents purchased in the early ’70s. Last summer, I switched to practicing speech (continued on page 4)
“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
Homecoming Celebrates 40 Years It is hard to believe that College Heights Christian School is 40 years old. In that time, more than 1,100 graduates have walked the stage, and thousands more have attended. It is with grateful hearts that we celebrate the past and with hopeful eyes that look toward a bright future. Our Homecoming celebration at Ozark Christian College on January 11th brought many alumni out to celebrate. One special moment was inviting all alumni to center court to be recognized and stand according to years of graduation. Even more special is the growing number of second generation College Heights students. Todd Johnson, band instructor, invited former band students to be part of the pep band. He had a great response and hopes that the alumni pep band can become a new Homecoming tradition! As always, those who attended enjoyed competitive basketball games and crowning of this year’s king and queen. During the coronation ceremony, a video was played featuring several CHCS alumni sharing their memories of their student days. It was indeed a special evening celebrating forty wonderful years.
Alumni, along with current and former staff, enjoy reconnecting.
Alumni parents of Legacy students – raising a second generation of CHCS students
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King and Queen Kylee Lang and D.J. Painter surrounded by last year’s King and Queen Kylee Friend and Ben Bishop. Junior attendants are alumni children Lily Prater and Will Marsh
Back row: Greg Powell (’99), Lee Peters (‘04), Ethan Bolte (’15) Front: Barry Arwood (’06), Jackie (Nichols) Peters (’03), Lewis Sparlin (’07), Abby Bass (’13), Hannah Henady (’13), Zach Price (attended) Danielle (Whitmore) Truitt (‘11) and Karli (Keele) Patterson (‘12) sign in to the alumni reception. All alumni received a commemorative 40th anniversary alumni shirt.
Class of 2016
Class of 2017
Alumni pep band
Lining up for recognition by years of graduation
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Reconnecting with “The Sauer Twins” (continued from page 1)
and language therapy in the private sector at Area Hearing and Speech Clinic in Joplin with Drs. Hany and Jonathan Mikhail. Chase and I currently attend Blendville Christian Church. We love to relax at home with our two dogs, play golf, and travel to new places. How did CHCS help prepare you for college, career and life? Amanda: CHCS, of course, challenged me academically. I have told numerous people that my first few semesters of college actually seemed easier! I couldn’t believe how many students complained about studying longer than an hour for a final or struggled with the basics of writing a paper (thank you Mrs. Stanley!) Aside from my studies, CHCS prepared me to be a servant-leader in my workplace and my personal life. Ashley: CHCS taught me about grit, perseverance, and reward of hard work. I was thankfully well prepared in college on how to write a paper, how to do a lot of studying, and get back on your feet after a bad grade. In my career and life, I feel CHCS gave me the roots I needed to have a firm understanding of my faith and how to love and serve other people, no matter their background. In hindsight, the experiences I received from our missions trips prepared me to continually challenge myself in my spiritual life. Tell us about the work you are doing now, why is it important to you? Amanda: For almost as long as I could remember, I felt like I wanted to work with children in some facet. I love going to work each day knowing that I get to show Christ’s love for children from all backgrounds and challenge them academically. I often work long hours outside of the school hours and some days I come home emotionally
exhausted. However, I also come home some nights feeling so fulfilled when I recall a student’s progress or kind deed. I tell people all of the time that I became an educator because of the amazing teachers I had my 13 years at CHCS. I’ll never forget how many of our teachers took the time to get to know me outside of school and have continued to support me since graduating. This has inspired me to view my early adolescent students far beyond their academic abilities. Ashley: I am a speech and language pathologist currently working with children ages 18 months to high school with a variety of receptive and/ or expressive delays and disabilities. Whether teaching parents new ways to communicate with their non-verbal two-year-old, improving a student’s vocabulary and comprehension skills, or how to produce that “r” sound (as I once needed therapy for), I feel incredibly rewarded with my work. What one child learns overnight, might take one of my students a few months. At the moment you feel like you’re failing them, you get to see that look on the child or parent’s face when they “get it” and it is incomparable to any other. What pearls of wisdom would you give other graduates and students at CHCS? Amanda and Ashley: One, appreciate and soak up the biblical knowledge you are given at CHCS. Few have the spiritual foundations you’ve received to mature into a lifelong disciple for Christ. Also, use high school or college to search and find what you are passionate about and continually make it a priority when you move into adulthood. Life gets busy and tough, but your hobby reminds you to to enjoy life. (It is also where God can greatly use you!) Lastly, learn to give love and respect to your teachers, bosses, and the people around you, whether you feel they deserve it or not. It can be difficult, but always remember John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
ABBI HARDY (’16)… Wishing Upon A Star Abbi Hardy, a current student at Missouri State University, has always loved Disney - from her “little girl” days of dressing up as a princess and visiting Disney World or Disneyland, to her senior year of high school marching at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Thanksgiving Day Parade as an All-American Cheerleader. So when she became aware that she could apply to be a part of the Disney College Program, she planned her college classes around being able to take a semester off to work as an intern at Disney. She had to go through rigorous application and interview process, was accepted, and began her internship this past January. Abbi works at Hollywood Studios. Her job details include interacting with guests and pin trading. She has a work phone that assigns her task such as cleaning a restroom or doing a trash run. Other than that, she is helping guests get to where they are going and helps them have a great experience. Of all the new experiences she’s had, one is quite memorable: On Monday, February 4, the day after the Super Bowl, she happened to be at the right place at the right time and had an up-close encounter with Tom Brady and Julian Edelman from the New England Patriots. She got to watch as they had a light saber fight in front of the entrance to the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge area (opening in Fall 2019). Only about 15 other people were even aware that the football champions were there. Before she knew it, security whisked them away via a secret passageway to another part of the park. Unfortunately, Disney employees are not allowed to take photos while working, but it is a memory that will stick whether she has a photo or not. Although her time is just beginning at Disney, Abbi considers this her first step with the company. Her intention is to return to Missouri State University to finish up her Senior year and then apply for a professional internship in the Interior Design area of the Walt Disney Imagineering Department. Her dream job is to design interiors of Disney’s parks, resorts, and cruise ships.
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COUGAR TRACKS David Calandro (’11) has moved to Florida to the Tampa Bay Area to work as a wildlife biologist. He works on invasive species and Threatened and Endangered species such as Sea Turtles and nesting shore birds. Ashley (Gillquist) Snyder (’05) reports that she and her husband, Andrew, welcomed their second daughter, Avery Kate, on March 9, 2018. Big sister is Annie, age four. They live in Broken Arrow, OK where Andrew works as an consultant for an engineering firm in Tulsa and Ashley is a stay at home mom. Congratulations to Karissa (Lieb) (’14) and Austin Eilerman on the birth of their first child, Lelani Jade who was born January 3, 2019. The Eilermans live in San Diego where Austin serves in the Marines. Chandra (Weaver) (’07) and Justin Stockdall welcomed their third daughter, Tasmin Blake, on December 21st, 2018. She was 18.5 inches long and 6 lbs, 5 ounces. Congratulations! Jack Girard (’14) and Paige Osborn were married January 5th, 2019. They are making their home in Joplin.
Sam (’12) and Bailey Chenoweth welcomed Josie Mae on December 11, 2018. Josie weighed 8 lbs, 13 ounces, and was 21 inches long. The Chenoweth’s live in Springfield, Missouri. Mark Stanley (’11) obtained his Professional Engineer license last fall. Mark is an Engineer with Anderson Engineering in Joplin. Alex (attended) and Laura (Szczepanik) (’11) Chaney are the proud parents of Ruby Kay who was born December 28, 2018. She weighed 7 lbs, 12 ounces. The Chaneys live in Springfield, Missouri. Congratulations to Airman Leadership School class 19-B distinguished graduate and winner of the John Levitow award, Senior Airman Missy Sterling (’11). Missy is a photojournalist with the 442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs office. Makayla Fuller (’11) and Joel Armstrong (’11) were married November 3, 2018 in Arkansas surrounded by close family. They celebrated in Joplin with friends and family on November 24th. Congratulations!
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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE 4311 E. Newman Road Joplin, Missouri 64801
Reach Out… Reconnect… and Remember The Legacy alumni newsletter is currently printed three times a year. Your input is important to help us keep everyone up to date. If you have alumni news you’d like to submit, would like to update your contact information or be added to the mailing list, contact Sonya Wilkins at 417-782-4114, ext. 236 or swilkins@collegeheights.org.
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