Heritage Messenger - Fall/Winter 2019

FALL/WINTER 2019

The Kistlers

A SECOND GENERATION Heritage Family

CONTENTS

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15 Heritage Messenger Fall/Winter 2019

MESSENGER STAFF Gary Roebbelen, Executive Editor Lauren Schneider, Managing Editor Ellen Christenberry, Editor and Lead Writer Lauren Woolever, Assistant Editor Priority Group, Designer messenger@heritagechristian.net Cover photo courtesy of Studio Thirteen Photography

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CEO PERSPECTIVE SAFETY AND SECURITY DISCIPLESHIP CLASS OF 2019 THE HERITAGE FUND THE KISTLER FAMILY ATHLETICS FINE ARTS PTF ALUMNI UPDATES

the HeritageFUND Fund

The Messenger staff would like to thank talented Studio 13 photographer and Heritage parent of two alumni, Lesle Lane, for her creativity and expertise that have helped to bring stories to life in this issue. To learn more about her commercial or portrait services, visit www.studio13online.com.

GIVING DEEducation GUIInspiring Learn more and support

The Heritage Fund is the school's vital annual campaign that meets our most important needs. through the Heritage Fund at

www.heritagechristian.net/heritagefund

CEO PERSPECTIVE

Pointing in the Right Direction

F

rom preschool to high school, our annual spiritual theme unites our students around a common idea that is grounded in biblical truth. This year’s theme is "He must increase, I must decrease" from John 3:30.

John the Baptist said these words at the time when Jesus’ ministry and his overlapped. It’s a principle that is applicable every day in our own lives.

In this passage, John’s followers were concerned that the ministry of Jesus was surpassing John’s, and consequently their ministry. John reminded them, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of Him." John’s disciples were doing great work for God, but they were thinking of themselves. John, however, realized that his purpose was to pave the way for Jesus’ ministry. He likened himself to the best man at a wedding whose job it is to stand with the groom as he gives his vows to his bride. John understood that it was not about him. It filled him with joy to know that it was entirely about Christ.

best of Christian education to our students and families. Our calling to excellence, however, is not a calling to excellence for excellence’s sake (or for our own sake). It is a calling to glorify God and exalt the name of Jesus. It is a calling centered on Christ living in our students. We should never forget or forsake that calling.

Second, I am reminded of the personal application to my life.

God wants all of me. He wants all of you. In order for that to happen, I must decrease and He must increase. God’s desire is to have “all of Him in all of me.” I want Christ to have all authority in my life. It’s not about me. I need to be reminded of this. How about you?

My prayer is that this year’s spiritual theme would resonate with every student, teacher, staff member, administrator, and parent in our HCS community, and that in every lesson and interaction, every performance and ballgame, each and every day, we would make it all about Christ.

This verse deeply affects me in a couple of ways.

First, it reminds me that the ministry of Heritage Christian is not my ministry, but the ministry of Christ. As faculty, staff, and administration, we work unbelievably hard to present the

Jeff Freeman, CEO

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SAFETY AND SECURITY

Protecting Our Students and Defending Our School

The HCS Safety & Security Team. Left to right: Howard Bellamy, Brayden McIntyre, Joseph Reaves, Ed Ingle

H

eritage continues to enhance the safety and security of our school. Our Safety and Security department stands ready to defend and protect the Heritage community in any situation.

The department consistently evaluates policies, procedures, and personnel to effectively serve all who depend on them. We've also made it a priority to hire veterans and former officers, and currently have over 35 years of military and enforcement experience on our internal security team. On a daily basis, this team connects with our students and staff to create a relationship of trust and open communication.

Recently, we promoted Brayden McIntyre to be Manager of Security, reporting to Director of Security Ed Ingle. Brayden began serving Heritage as a safety and security officer in early 2018, when his two children enrolled at Heritage. He previously served as a sergeant for the Butler County Sheriff's Office in Ohio, and has experience as a security supervisor at a corrections facility, an EMT, and an immigration and customs enforcement officer.

"I have worked at a lot of places where I felt unappreciated.

That can really wear down your morale. I don't feel that way at Heritage," he said.

Brayden oversees many daily tasks such as camera monitoring, key card and entrance management, supervision of contracted officers, and parking issues, but his biggest daily undertaking is directing

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traffic to get 500-600 cars on and off campus during arrival and dismissal.

"We are constantly looking for and finding new ways to improve our campus and make it a safe place." said Brayden.

The Safety and Security department care deeply about making the Heritage Christian campus feel safe for our students, staff, and families and they work tirelessly every day to make that happen.

The Safety and Security department has recently gone through intense firearms and de-escalation training and have been evaluated to meet the requirements to carry a weapon on campus. All security team members are now armed in order to both protect the community and detract harm. Contracted police officers patrol the school’s front gate during school hours and check all visitors for identification.

The Safety and Security department made additional security enhancements around campus in the summer of 2019 including new fencing around the elementary playground and new classroom doors, door locks, and window blinds.

DISCIPLESHIP

2019 Spiritual Theme E

ach year, the Discipleship staff selects a spiritual theme for the Heritage student body in order to unite the community around a common purpose and spiritual truth. The spiritual theme for the 2019-2020 school year, “He must increase, I must decrease,” comes from John 3:30, when John the Baptist recognizes that his work of proclaiming the Messiah is coming to an end now that Jesus has finally arrived and his ministry is beginning. John sees that his own ministry must decrease in order for Jesus’ good news to shine forth. In the same way, believers must put aside their own desires in order for Christ to be known and glorified.

The Discipleship team hopes that this theme will remind the Heritage community of our need to live for Christ. The team hopes students will consider their actions and attitudes from day to day and look for ways to increase Jesus’ presence in their lives.

“We intentionally think about how it will challenge our students to live for Christ,” said Discipleship Director Becky Stowers on the theme selection process.

“It's not usually natural for students to think outside of themselves.

What a great way to challenge them with a theme that encourages them to be selfless and to increase Christ in their lives!”

In the elementary school, the teachers, administration, and chapel speakers will encourage children to show Jesus through their actions and lives.

Through chapels and small groups, the intermediate school will be stressing four specific ways students can apply John 3:30 which include loving, forgiving, living in a way that others will see Jesus, and being a student of the Word. The intermediate school students will also have monthly M.A.D.E to Lead service days.

The middle school and high school will also hear about the spiritual theme and its applications throughout the school year during chapel and in class. The Fall Spiritual Emphasis Week brought in speakers to challenge students to look outside of themselves and find ways to let Christ shine through them. Students also have service days that give them a chance to look outwardly and be Christ’s hands and feet.

“I hope it challenges them to be more mindful of their words and actions and realize what it truly means for Him to increase each day of their lives,” said Becky.

The theme is displayed on banners, posters, and t-shirts around campus, and each school comes up with ways to share the theme in class, chapels, and service days.

Teacher Taylor Hayes and her 5th grade class

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Heritage Christian School Class of 2019 Lanee Aryn Andrew Jackson Thomas Arterburn Meera Elizabeth Baldwin Adam Jarrett Ball Katherine Elizabeth Bass Salaam Abla Batarseh Jacob Lawrence Bickel Ethan Robert Bishop Sally Faith Boone Erica Irene Brantingham Aidan Michael Brunkow Ethan Taylor Buck Emily Christine Bultinck Gabrielle Grace Burke Lauren Yvonne Cardozo Grace Elizabeth Carson Shelby Elaine Case Alexis Faith Center Lauren Anne Chapman Audrey Mikaela Chitwood William Hudson Christie Elijah Stephen Clark Lindsey Caroline Clark Dwayne Tyson Cobb, Jr. Nathaniel Jackson Coffey Reagan Anna Cornwell Bennett Steele Coster Elizabeth Chase Crawford Gabrielle Miguel Davis Rachel Elizabeth DeWitt

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Ella Grace Ditslear Richard Jason Doran, Jr. Kayse Amil Dupree Sydney Rose Eads Michael Henry Eggers Madison Rose Ferguson Luke Andrew Foutty Jessica Hope Freeman William Johnson Gregory Colton Matthew Griffin Gretchen Ann Harris Kyah Leigh Harris Elijah Russell Hastings Rebecca Nicole Hatcher Renee Marie Hiler Sarah Rose Himes McKenzie Jo Hollingsworth David Lee Hout, III Samuel Addison Huggins Harrison Gage Humphries Gabriella Rose Iglendza Aidan Kaina Itamura Rachel Izaguirre Reyes Brigham Glines Johnson James Reece Johnson Thomas Daniel Johnson Asher Wayne King Ella Grace King Clayton Kemp Lewis Jarrod Michael Lucas

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Michael Edward Lupton Kendall Marie Macri Rebecca Carole Madsen Ellie Marie Malmquist Julia Christine Mariani Katie Lee Mason Kyle Ean McAvoy Justin Patrick McCrory Brookley Gabriella McCullough Sahian Dhamar Medina-Olaya Jacob Francis Meyers Joshua Steven Mitterling Sophie Diane Mullinix Hallie Katherine Myers Macauley Quinton Nolan Cole Orion Ochstein Madison Marie Orstead Solomon David Perry Rachel Marie Phillips Seth Andrew Pickering, Jr. Jack David Pinkston Colton Graham Power Gabrielle Reese Pritchett Michael David Robinette Joshua Daniel Roebbelen LaMiera Shanice Rogers Alexander Volodymyr Rosner Morgan Faith Sands Eric Daniel Sauer Garrett Reed Schaefer

Chuck Owens Photography

Robert Lee Schloemer, III Alena Marie Elizabeth Seelye Nicole Lynn Shebek Sophia Grace Snyder Brianna Lucille Stewart Enoch Matthew Su William Steven Donald Toon Cole David Trent Hope Qi Trentadue Joseph Andrew Turner Katrina Danielle Vander Meer Audrey Marie Waltz Benjamin Marcus Warner Luke Abraham Wendel Andrew Dean Williams Cooper Brian Williams Jalen Alexander Williams Trevor Scott Williams Charles Frank Willis Kaylah Louise Willis Blake Ryan Wilson Andrew Larry Wimer Anastasia Natalia Wood Kathryn Rose Wood Tyler Matthew Wyse Xinli Xiang Kaelan Macgregor York Connor Andrew Lund Zepick Ethan James Zeronik

CLASS OF 2019

VALEDICTORIAN Garrett Schaefer

SALUTATORIAN Sarah Himes

DOC RICHARDS ATHLETE AWARDS Garrett Schaefer and Sarah Himes

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Rachel Phillips and Andrew Williams

NATIONAL SCHOOL CHORAL AWARD Emily Bultinck

NATIONAL SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AWARD Ella King

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA BAND AWARD Rebecca Madsen

ALAN LEINBACH SERVANT LEADERSHIP AWARD

LOUIS ARMSTRONG JAZZ AWARD Will Gregory

Madison Ferguson and Andrew Williams

SPIRITUAL LIFE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Hope Trentadue (and Traveler) and Enoch Su

Senior Class Talent A snapshot of the achievements of the 2019 graduating class

1 Carson Scholar

1 Basketball 1000 point scorer

1 Kiwanis Club Marion County Athlete of the Year

3 Sectional Championship wins 1 Regional Championship win 2 City Championship wins

21 Athletes have signed to

play in college, one is a walk-on after traveling through Michigan to kick for IU

1 started taking classes

at Stanford before graduation

$4K raised by students for “Kick it for Cancer” 16 athletic teams named All-City 3 ROTC full ride scholarships 8 athletic teams named All-State 1 gecko breeder who has worked 11 athletic teams named All-Conference with their DNA to create new 3 professional photographers color patterns 5 Eagle Scouts 1 Equestrian

1 second-degree blackbelt

1 Indiana All Star

Other students participated in Best Buddies Programs, orchestra, theater, Honors Band with Cedarville University, and won gold medal ratings at State ISSMA in piano, vocal, and strings.

We can’t wait to see where our Eagles will go next! Congratulations, Class of 2019!

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CLASS OF 2019

Second Generation Alumni

Our 2019 grads with parents who also graduated from Heritage

From left to right: Lauren Cardozo, Ethan Bishop, Sarah Himes, Jacob Bickel, Audrey Waltz, Elijah Clark, Gabby Pritchett, Drew Pickering, Rachel Phillips, and Charlie Willis

ETHAN BISHOP Julie (Thompson Bishop) ‘82

SARAH HIMES Stacy Himes ‘81 JACOB BICKEL Teresa (Sheets) Bickel ‘82

LAUREN CARDOZO Beth (Armstrong) Cardozo ‘92

DREW PICKERING Seth Pickering ‘87

CHARLIE WILLIS Amy (Farmer) Willis ‘91 AUDREY WALTZ Doug Waltz ‘82 8

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ELIJAH CLARK Susan (Day) Clark ‘81

RACHEL PHILLIPS Robby Phillips ‘84

GABBY PRITCHETT John Pritchett ‘85

CLASS OF 2019

GRADUATE STATS Average GPA

3.71

4.827

$10 Million

38%

IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Average ACT

AP Scholars

5 points higher than the national average

GPA of 4.0 or higher

71%

39

26/36

Highest GPA

Took at least one AP course

22

66%

Students Attended Heritage K-12

Earned an Academic Honors Diploma

1226

17 Elementary School Mentors

AVERAGE SAT OUT OF 1600

167 points above the national average

96%

Earned at least a College-Prep Diploma

43

29%

Took at least one dual-credit college course

Natio nal H onor S ociety Mem bers

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HERITAGE FUND

Jennifer Nutter and her 2018-2019 3rd grade class

Investing in Inspiring Education through the Heritage Fund Giving to the Heritage Fund is giving to the cause of Christ as you help fulfill the school’s mission to glorify God through the pursuit of excellence in education.

Since tuition and fees alone do not cover the full cost of operational expenses, regular support from friends of the school is always needed.

Your support provides student tuition assistance, classroom and facility renovations, safety and security enhancements, technology upgrades, teacher and staff compensation, and other vital needs.

One of the best things about the Heritage Fund is that your support can be given through the tax-advantaged SGO Program that provides Indiana State Tax Credit Scholarships. You will receive the benefit of a generous 50% state tax credit through this form of giving. Please learn more about this great giving opportunity at heritagechristian.net/SGO. The current Heritage Fund runs from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. This year’s Heritage Fund goal is $980,000 and covers three areas:

1. INVESTING IN OUR CAMPUS • Middle School Classroom Renovations: Eleven middle school classrooms are in critical need of renovation, including flooring, ceilings, paint, and security upgrades.

(Through last year’s successful Heritage Fund, we were able to fully renovate 10 high school classrooms as well as replace decades-old worn flooring and complete other renovation needs in our Fine Arts corridors, high school library, high school lobby, and cafetorium.)

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• Technology Upgrades: In our elementary school, we need new iPads for our iPad cart, and school-wide we need computer upgrades for teachers.

(Through last year’s Heritage Fund, we replaced six-year-old iPads on one of our iPad carts and six-year-old computers in our elementary school computer lab. Also, our high school Mac Lab was fully updated.)

HERITAGE FUND

• Safety and Security Upgrades: Your gift to the 2019/20 Heritage Fund will provide completion of fencing around the elementary playground, campus camera upgrades, door intruder stops, upgraded door key pads in selected areas, classroom threat deterrents, enhanced software for visitor management, improved labeling and identification of our buildings, security team training, and equipment upgrades for full, campus-wide radio communications.

• New Athletics Weight Room: A renovation of our weight room was long overdue. Our students were not receiving the quality workouts they require due to outdated equipment and lack of space. The recently completed renovation expanded the weight room facility and replaced old equipment with new, state-of-the-art weights and machines. While the work is completed, we took a step of faith to accelerate the project

2. INVESTING IN OUR FACULTY AND STAFF Through a successful Heritage Fund campaign, we will deliver a Christmas bonus for faculty and staff. We are committed to continuing the wonderful tradition of blessing our “Worthy Servants” at Christmas. Your gift to help us reach our Heritage Fund goal ensures this special blessing.

(Last year, teacher and staff families received over $700 each through the Worthy Servants Christmas bonus portion of the Heritage Fund. What a blessing!)

after we secured $90,000 in pledges and gifts for the weight room at our spring Fly Higher event. We still need a fully successful Heritage Fund to cover the $150,000 total cost.

(Last year’s Heritage Fund athletics’ projects included replacing our Conner Insurance Gymnasium bleachers that were worn out after over 30 years of extensive use. The 2018/19 Heritage Fund also supported the gymnasium lobby makeover.)

• Campus Landscaping: Help us enhance and refresh our current landscaping to soften the industrial look of our campus.

Trees, fencing, and landscape elements will help with campus beautification.

• High School Commons Furniture: We want to add additional seating and furniture and do some replacement and cleaning of existing furniture that has become stained.

3. INVESTING IN OUR STUDENTS Tuition assistance allows as many families as possible to experience a Heritage Christian education. Your gift directly to the Heritage Fund or through our Heritage SGO (Scholarship Granting Organization) that administers funds for Indiana’s popular tax benefit SEC (Scholarships for Education Choice) program helps individual students and the school. The Heritage Fund will also assist with Educational Support Services (ESS) H.O.P.E. scholarships for students receiving additional academic services.

(Last year, more than 300 students benefited from Heritage Fund assistance and scholarships.)

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HERITAGE FUND

Do you have a heart for Heritage?

Please join us in fulfilling and continuing the lifechanging mission of Heritage through the Heritage Fund Help us meet our most pressing needs by partnering with Heritage to provide inspiring education, a safe and wellequipped environment, exceptional opportunities, and excellent services for all of our students.

You can give securely online (www.heritagechristian.net/ give) or via the attached envelope. You can also provide monthly giving of any amount through your bank, credit card, or Heritage account.

If you believe in Christian education and its ability to make an impact on families and communities, then please consider your largest gift possible to empower and equip Heritage through the Heritage Fund.

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Additionally, your ability to support the Heritage Fund through SGO giving (receiving a 50% state tax credit and full federal deduction) is a unique and exciting option.

Please contact us to learn more about the various ways to contribute.

Through inspiring education, Heritage is equipping the future with exceptional doctors, artists, athletes, engineers, lawyers, business leaders, journalists, pastors, politicians, entrepreneurs, and workers who are also prepared to be effective citizens, good neighbors, loving husbands and wives, Christ-focused parents, and everyday prayer warriors.

Join us in the ongoing legacy of Heritage Christian and its nuture of 1,300 amazing students by over 200 missionminded faculty and staff who provide world-class opportunities and the highest-caliber educational environment.

Amanda Elpers Photography

THE KISTLER FAMILY

Finding Success through ESS

I

n its 30 years, Educational Support Services (ESS) has helped countless Heritage students overcome academic challenges and find success beyond the school years. One such student is Matt Kistler (‘02), who still uses the organizational methods he learned from ESS in his professional and personal life today.

When Matt came to Heritage in the middle of 5th grade, he began to struggle academically.

also ask his teachers for weekly summaries on missed homework and grades.

“Much of my problem wasn’t that I was lazy, but that I just wasn’t organized enough to get my work completed,” said Matt.

The perpetual accountability eventually led to confidence; having started high school with a GPA in the 2.0 range out of 4.0, Matt graduated with a 3.5.

“Just by her working with me, getting my assignments done, teaching me to be disciplined, and working with my teachers, my grades and my confidence went up,” he said. “Having someone say, ‘You absolutely can do this and I’m on your team’ is really phenomenal.”

“It was a really rebellious time for me trying to figure out who I was and what I was doing,” he said.

Matt’s grades continued to slip as he entered high school, so his parents hired then math teacher Erik Smith to tutor him in Algebra. They quickly realized that there was a disconnect in Matt’s abilities and his performance.

Matt and Jenny Kistler with their children

Jenny and Matt in '99 at the HCS winter formal

“I would understand the math when we worked together, but as soon as I had to do a math problem on my own, I was clueless,” said Matt.

Matt’s parents opted to have him tested with Julie Hight, now Director of ESS. Julie discovered that he had some attention and organizational issues. From that point on, Matt met with Julie about once a week for the remainder of high school. Julie primarily taught Matt organizational methods to stay on top of his school work and to manage how to prioritize assignments. She’d

Matt went on to graduate from Taylor University with a degree in biblical studies, then pursued a career in insurance. He still uses the ESS organizational methods, carrying with him a grid journal and writing down to-do’s throughout each day.

He doesn’t think he would have made it into college or excelled in a profession without Julie’s help.

“The older you get, the more you have to juggle. Had Julie not helped me, I don’t know what I would have been doing now,” said Matt. “That organization has been vital to my life.”

Matt is still very connected to the Heritage community. He married his high school sweetheart, Jenny, who is also an alum and a former HCS high school teacher. They have three girls and a baby boy; the girls attend Heritage and are in 4th grade, 2nd grade, and kindergarten.

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ATHLETICS

New Athletics Director: Michael Horstman T

he Athletics Department and facilities look much different this year, with new faculty and upgrades to the gym lobby, weight room, and practice fields.

One of the faculty changes is the promotion of Michael Horstman as Athletics Director. Michael has been the HCS Associate Athletics Director for the past four years. He previously worked as an Athletics Director at Christel House Academy and at Fall Creek Academy.

Michael is an Indianapolis native, having played soccer and baseball at Plainfield High School. He played collegiate soccer at St. Joseph’s University then transferred to Purdue University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Society.

Michael continued his studies at Indiana Wesleyan, completing both his Master of Education in School Administration and his Teacher Certification.

As Athletics Director, Michael will take on more responsibility in decisionmaking and networking with other schools. He will also continue to coach JV girls soccer and assist the varsity team.

Michael loves the mission of Heritage and is excited about the future of Heritage athletics.

“Playing soccer from a young age and in college, it was hard to step away from the game,” said Michael. “Coaching has allowed me to stay connected and it gives me an opportunity to disciple student-athletes.”

Heritage Partners with Conner Insurance T

he Heritage high school gymnasium has officially been named the Conner Insurance Gymnasium as part of a corporate sponsorship.

“We couldn’t have found a better partner to invest in Heritage in this way,” said Heritage CEO Jeff Freeman.

The Heritage Board of Directors had been considering corporate sponsorships for some time, but they wanted to be sure that the sponsor matched their criteria.

“We would only work with someone who would be consistent with our mission,” said Freeman. “The sponsor needed to love Heritage. They needed to want to benefit Heritage as their primary purpose. They needed a history of outstanding corporate citizenship and to be humble and service-oriented.”

Conner Insurance was founded by a Heritage family that has given to Heritage through their time and resources for decades.

“I’m thrilled that our organization can grow our partnership with Heritage to continue a legacy of best-in-class Christian education,” said Conner Insurance CEO Ben Conner, a Heritage graduate.

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“The number of student-athletes continues to grow, which allows more teams and more students an opportunity to experience our mission of glorifying God not only in the classroom but on a field, course, or court as well.”

ATHLETICS

Madison Ferguson Honored In May, HCS 2019 graduate and basketball player Madison Ferguson was honored at the IndyStar Sports Awards, which showcases the top high school athletes in Indiana. Madison was awarded the Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis Marion County High School Female Athlete Award for her leadership and commitment to influencing her community.

Madison was selected because of her work with Best Buddies, an organization that enables volunteers to befriend people with disabilities. After volunteering with Best Buddies International for years, Madison started a Best Buddies chapter at Heritage in 2017.

Student members usually meet at Gigi’s Playhouse, a local Down syndrome achievement center, for chapter meetings and buddy hangouts. Each student is paired with a buddy and is required to hang out at least twice a month. The buddies attend fun events throughout the year, including bowling nights and a trip to the pumpkin patch.

Madison loved seeing Heritage, Best Buddies, and Gigi’s Playhouse come together to make this chapter succeed.

“Our chapter has formed amazing friendships and is building a more inclusive and accepting community one friendship at a time,” she said.

Madison now attends IU and is continuing to work as a Best Buddies Officer through the IU chapter.

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ATHLETICS

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FALL/WINTER 2019 HERITAGE MESSENGER

ATHLETICS

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FINE ARTS

Connecting STEM with the Arts

T

he arts have a way of bringing people together, and the Heritage Christian Theater department is no exception.

Every theater production involves over a third of the high school for performing, creating sets, managing the stage, and playing music. In the last couple of years, the theater department has attracted a new group of high schoolers: robotics and engineering students.

In the fall of 2017, theater director Spencer Elliott selected The Phantom Tollbooth for his debut Heritage production. Elliott attended a robotics team practice and asked the students about helping him design a tollbooth. Two students ran with the idea and made it their own, programming boxes that changed color and lit up at different times as the characters walked on and around them.

Elliott has since connected with engineering teacher, middle school Project Lead the Way teacher, and middle school robotics coordinator Kathy Meyers to continue collaborations between theater and engineering. Engineering and robotics students have been involved in set design for every production since Phantom Tollbooth – and some have even auditioned and performed in the productions!

“Involving students with a variety of interests brings more creative diversity to our productions, which in turn makes the department and our shows better,” said Elliott.

For Twelfth Night, students built a circular stage that rotated between scenes; for Music Man, they built rotating buildings on wheels; for Thoroughly Modern Millie, they created light-up signs and built a large, multi-level set; and for Twelve Angry Jurors, they built a round stage theater with layered seating for an audience.

“I love the fact that these students can take the lessons we’re learning in the engineering classes and apply them to real world situations with the theater builds,” said Kathy Meyers.

Justice Kandel is an honors engineering student who has worked on five HCS theater sets. Because of his work on the set, he has discovered a love for theater and performing.

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“For Thoroughly Modern Millie, I participated in both the acting and engineering side, working on a phenomenal set with a group of experienced seniors,” he said. “That then initiated me to act in Twelve Angry Jurors.”

Through the set builds, Justice has confirmed his interest in pursuing a career in engineering, as he loves solving practical problems using math and design.

Justice led the set building team for the Fall 2019 production of Fiddler on the Roof. The team’s main projects were Tevye’s house, which opened and closed like a book for different scenes and included a roof sturdy enough to support a fiddler; a barn facade; a well with running water; and a rear platform.

“Theater plays a critical role in many of our students' development while at HCS,” said Elliott. “They learn important life skills such as collaboration, creative problem solving, empathy for others, and time management while in our program. Our department helps students become one step closer to being ready for life after high school and creates lasting positive relationships and memories for those involved.”

FINE ARTS

DEC 4

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Middle school & high school choir

DEC 10

CHRISTMAS CONCERT & ART SHOW 2nd & 3rd Grade // 4th Grade

DEC 11

INSTRUMENTAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Middle school & high school band & orchestra

DEC 17

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Intermediate school

JAN 25

BROADWAY NIGHT Choir department fundraiser

FEB 22

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL POPS CONCERT & ART SHOW

MAR 19

HONOR BAND DAY

MAR 27-28 SPRING PLAY MAY 6

SPRING CONCERT Middle school & high school choir

MAY 11

INSTRUMENTAL SPRING CONCERT High school band & orchestra

MAY 12

INSTRUMENTAL SPRING CONCERT Middle school band & orchestra

MAY 19

SPRING CONCERT Intermediate school

For more information visit heritagechristian.net/finearts.

Become a Fine Arts Patron HCS Fine Arts Patrons promote the arts through program attendance and financial support. The Patrons program has helped the Fine Arts department purchase multiple items, such as schoolowned instruments, stage lighting, sound equipment, curtains, and other larger items.

CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT

High school art students took a trip over the summer with teacher Melissa Lawler to Italy and Greece. They visited the Colosseum, Pantheon, Sistine Chapel, St. Peters Basilica, Roman Catacombs, The Pieta by Michelangelo, the Duomo in Florence, the gates of Delphi, and the Parthenon.

BENEFITS

$100

10 Patron Event Tickets with VIP Seating

$150

15 Patron Event Tickets with VIP Seating

$200

20 Patron Event Tickets with VIP Seating

$250

25 Patron Event Tickets with VIP Seating

Visit heritagechristian.net/patron for more information.

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PTF

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? Fill out a volunteer interest form at heritagechristian.net/ptf/volunteer.

For any questions or ideas, email PTF@heritagechristian.net.

PTF Welcomes New President Heritage Christian is blessed to have an abundance of parents who give generously of their time and resources for the sake of the Heritage community, particularly through Parent Teacher Fellowship. One such parent is Holli Wolfe, the school’s new PTF President.

Her favorite PTF event is the monthly Breakfast Cart for faculty and staff. Parents sign up to bring food and coffee to the school, then PTF volunteers deliver breakfast to every faculty and staff member in the school one Friday morning every month.

Holli and her husband, Bill, have been a part of the Heritage community since their oldest son, Camden – now a sophomore – started in kindergarten. Their younger son, Caleb, is in 7th grade.

“It's such a practical way to bring a little joy on a Friday morning,” said Holli.

When the Wolfes joined the Heritage community, Holli began attending PTF meetings in order to meet people and get to know the school better. Soon after, she joined the PTF Board.

The Wolfes moved away for several years, but when they returned to Indianapolis, Holli jumped right back into serving on the PTF Board. She has also been a Room Mom, Team Mom, and volunteer for Spiritual Lift and admissions events.

This school year, Holli has stepped up as PTF President. She is excited to work with the PTF Board, committee chairs, volunteers, and the faculty and staff.

“I see the role of PTF President as a connector – filling needs, finding solutions, and encouraging others as they serve in their roles,” said Holli.

Aside from connecting volunteers, PTF manages events year-round, including the Worthy Servants Brunch, Spring Luncheon, Jog-a-Thon, the monthly Blessings Gifts, and the monthly Breakfast Cart.

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PTF President Holli Wolfe

FALL/WINTER 2019 HERITAGE MESSENGER

This year, PTF started a new event series specifically for parents to get to know each other better. The first Parent Event was a night out in August at TopGolf. There’s another in the works for February. Parents can also expect to hear about the second annual Pottery Painting night on December 7. A local pottery business brings an assortment of ornaments, mugs, and decorations for parents, friends, and neighbors to paint, then those pieces get sent off to be fired, glazed, wrapped, and delivered to the students.

PTF is always looking for new ways to grow and serve the Heritage community, which means there are always jobs to be filled! Parents who want to get involved in PTF can attend bimonthly meetings in the Eagles Nest, which occur on the second Tuesday every other month from 8 - 9 am.

“Our teachers and staff at Heritage give so much every day to our kids as they grow their interests and inspire learning,” said Holli. “I think PTF is just a practical way to say thanks and give back a little to those who give our kids so much.”

ALUMNI ALUMNI Starting with our first graduating class of three students in 1967, our alumni community has grown to 3,582. We are always excited to hear updates from this part of our Heritage family.

Congratulations Alumni Parents Cari (Mutz) Alt ‘96 and husband Phil ‘96, baby boy Amanda (Burtner) Baker ‘00 and husband Phillip, baby boy Jennifer (Swauger) Baringer ‘06 and husband Michael, baby girl Sam Beard ‘04 and wife Megan, baby girl Lauren (Kreeger) Beckley ‘04 and husband Phil, baby boy Susan (Guilkey) Beckwith ‘01 and husband Micah, baby girl Jessica (Stockberger) Bello ‘06 and husband Chris, baby boy Melissa (Bauman) Blake ‘06 and husband Tyler ‘02, baby boy Sarah (Pardue) Brennan ‘04 and husband Ryan, baby girl Andrew Brunett ‘11 and wife Hannah, baby boy John Bryant ‘14 and wife Abby, baby girl Eric Burke ‘09 and wife Elizabeth, baby girl Robbie Carter ‘08 and wife Julie, baby girl Elyse (McFarland) Causey ‘07 and husband Mitch ‘07, baby boy Chad Cecil ‘09 and wife Sydney, baby girl Jeremiah Chlumsky ‘06 and wife Ingrid, baby girl David Counsell ‘07 and wife Laura, baby boy Jessy (Kennedy) Delaplane ‘02 and husband Adam ‘02, baby boy Vic (Casey) Edgington ‘08 and husband Nate, baby boy Janna (DeMerchant) Fenerty ‘07 and husband Brendan, baby girl Jonathan Foltz ‘03 and wife Rosalyn, baby girl Brian Fraiz ‘08 and wife Whitney, baby boy Laura (Cuzzort) Fulkerson ‘06 and husband Zachary, baby girl Michael Gallo ‘05 and wife Rachel, baby boy Michael Gentry ‘05 and wife Autumn, baby boy Natalie (Dufek) Gill ‘15 and husband Josiah, baby girl Michael Granger ‘03 and wife Kenean, baby girl Taylor (Swick) Grelck ‘06 and husband Matt, baby boy Nathan Harden ‘07 and wife Kayla, baby boy Erika (Byrd) Hedge ‘06 and husband Ryan, baby boy Jeremy Height ‘09 and wife Reetu, baby girl Leanna (Kelton) Herr ‘03 and husband James, baby girl Rachel (Conner) Hoffman ‘02 and husband David, baby boy Rachel (Hibner) James ‘09 and husband Andrew, baby boy Sarah (Mills) Jen ‘98 and husband John, baby girl Bria (Cooley) Kampen ‘09 and husband Jed, baby girl Stephen Kennedy ‘03 and wife Terri, baby girl Madison (Yeary) Krumwiede ‘11 and husband Chayne, baby girl Tara (Self) Lawler ‘04 and husband Jonathan ‘04, baby boy Elizabeth (Douglass) Ledbetter ‘10 and husband David ‘10, baby boy Olivia (Deering) Lichtle ‘15 and husband Justin ’14, baby boy

Andy Martin ‘04 and wife Melissa, baby boy Angela (Garriott) Matteson ‘07 and husband Phil, baby boy Jacob McBurnie ‘99 and wife Jen, baby girl Jeremiah McDaniel ‘06 and wife Laura, baby girl Blake McFarland ‘10 and wife Jill, baby girl Natalka (Wainscott) McIntosh ‘07 and husband Jeff ‘05, baby girl Garret Meador ‘08 and wife Kate, baby boy Courtney (Turner) Milbank ‘07 and husband Jay, baby boy John Miley IV ‘09 and wife Marie, baby boy Leanne (Current) Moore ‘01 and husband Jeremy, baby girl Anne (Sheldrake) Niess ‘02 and husband Adam, baby girl Zach Nix ‘01 and wife April, baby girl Danny Oldham ‘05 and wife Courtney, baby boy Gretchen (Self) Owens ‘06 and husband Justin, baby girl Lindsey (Gray) Owens ‘10 and husband Troy, baby girl Joey Perrott ’09 and wife Megan, baby boy Gabe Reed ‘02 and wife Libby, baby boy Tom Reynolds ‘87 and wife Kristie, baby boy Matt Rioux ‘04 and wife Crystal, baby girl Kelly (Brown) Ritter ‘08 and husband Grant, baby boy Libby (Counsell) Sandvig ‘09 and husband John ‘09, baby boy Danielle (Hiatt) Schnake ‘08 and husband Charles, baby boy Jon Scott ‘01 and wife Melissa, baby girl Drew Simmons ‘05 and wife Stefanie, baby boy Mark Smiley ‘00 and wife Janelle, baby girl Dawn (Braham) Smith ‘90 and husband Jeremy, baby girl Jenna (Height) Soleras ‘11 and husband Edson, baby boy Darrell Thompson ‘04 and wife Mical, baby girl Joe Thompson ‘04 and wife Kathryn, baby boy Nick Thompson ‘09 and wife Kristin, baby girl Stephen Toroni ‘01 and wife Alyssa, baby girl Heather (Kelton) Vernon ‘03 and husband Hamiltion, baby boy Noah Vieke ‘06 and wife Venessa, baby boy Kelsey (Johnston) Worrell ‘09 and husband Jake, baby boy Julie (Wells) Zych ‘06 and husband Stephen, baby girl

To submit your alumni update, email alumni@heritagechristian.net

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ALUMNI

1970’s

Congratulations Alumni with New Positions

Ron Fulton ‘76, Customer Service Manager at Mister Quik Home Services

1980’s

Tim Vire ‘80, Customer Success Manager at Passageways Lorri (Bailey) Worline ‘83, Owner at Dog World Sarasota Joe Glanton ‘87, Supply Chain Manager at GAF

1990’s

Heather Hitchcock ‘94, Assistant Controller at Dominion Realty Rachel (Boersma) Mulder ‘96, Global Ambassador at Go Culture; IGCSE and IB Exams Officer & PSHE Teacher at The International School Twente Clay Culhan ‘97, Senior Consultant at Focal Point Data Risk

Mitchell Causey ‘07, CEO at DemandWell Seth Harvey ‘07, Senior Consultant at Shanghai Vision Austin Kirtley ‘07, Director of Supply Chain Manufacturing at SpartanNash Jenny Swim ‘08, Staff Support Specialist at Outside the Box Ben Thomas ‘08, Enterprise Business Development Representative at PFL Jamie Birch ‘09, Yacht Consultant at Atlantic Cruising Yachts Morgan (Evans) Norton ‘09, Office Manager at Flora Legal Group John Sandvig ‘09, Owner at Solace Construction

2010’s

Jonathan Guhl ‘10, Account Manager at Refractory Engineers Grant Michel ‘10, Account Manager at Shining3D Stephen Tepner ‘10, Manager of Financial Reporting and Analysis at Indiana Public Retirement System Kyle Green ‘11, Nurse at Community Hospital North 2000’s Grant Priester ‘11, Marketing Coordinator at Rogers Partners Spencer Moffatt ‘00, Adjunct Professor of Theology at Marian University Kristen Brown ‘01, Associate Vice President for Online Education at Roberts Jessica Hults ‘12, Optometry fellowship at Eye Surgeons of Indiana Ellie Stater ‘12, Account Executive at Endeavor Wesleyan College McKinley Lewandowski ‘13, Stylist at Evereve and Sales Associate at Dustin Holloway ‘01, Loan Manager at Wesleyan Investment Foundation Bash Boutique Brandon Lawler ‘01, Director at Finca Global OTR Brian Carter ‘14, Broker at F.C. Tucker Company Jonathan Foltz ‘03, Legislative Director, U.S. Senator Rick Scott Indy Devera ‘14, Computer Technical Specialist at Computer Networking Center Benjamin Huffman ‘03, Partner at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton Rebekah (Davis) Jones ‘03, Associate Director Of Development at Made to Joshua Schaeffer ‘14, Corporate Accounting Analyst at Microsoft David Wesner ‘14, Development Associate at The Annex Group Flourish Nick Garvin ‘15, Business Contact at C.B. Hunt Freightliners Laura (Umbaugh) Booram ‘04, Business Manager at Delaware Blu Salon Liz Walker ‘15, Account Associate at Boiler Communication and Spa

Congratulations

TO THOSE ALUMNI RECENTLY MARRIED Bruce Hall ‘72 Scott Cole ‘90 Luke Nelson ‘97 Brooks Yoder ‘01 Abby (Ginther) Kaercher ‘02 Dan Nishida ‘02 Grace (Flanagan) Post ‘02 Steve Bradley ‘03 Emily (Grosvenor) Schroeder ‘03 Meagan (Llerena) Jacobi ‘05 Josh Bellamy ‘06

Adam Pepmeier ‘06 Joel Bergman ‘07 Zach Hasler ‘07 David Martin ‘07 Nate Rioux ‘07 Austin Rogers ‘08 Morgan Cook ‘09 Ellie (Hutchins) Girton ‘09 Lauren (Harris) Hofstrom ‘09 Cory Mayes ‘09 Whitney (Sweet) Shantz ‘09

Kimber Shaw ‘09 Alex Butterworth ‘10 Tristen Davis ‘10 Angela (Kappus) DiMuzio ‘10 Brian Maxwell ‘10 Brady Allard ‘11 Kyle Green ‘11 Rachel (Budreau) Height ‘11 Jordan (Pounds) Sanson ‘11 Taylor Story ‘11 Josh Waggoner ‘11

Megan (Schlegel) Dremonas ‘12 Holyn (Jacobson) Lindman ‘12 Deborah (Myers) Pavey ‘12 Meghan (McCarthy) Rogers ‘12 Sophie (Harms) Hutton ‘13 Hannah (Hadley) Maxwell ‘13 Adam Meadows ‘13 Hope (Canfield) Perkins ‘13 Eric Somers ‘13 D.J. Sternasty ‘13 Miranda (Doss) Farris ‘14

Ellen (Williamson) Frankham ‘14 Ryan Hutton ‘14 Anna (Myers) Meyer ‘14 Tara (Alves) Mitchell ‘14 Annie (Hunsicker) Neal ‘14 Chris Pinyot ‘14 Alyssa (Hornback) Sleutz ‘15 Luke Warner ‘15 Rosie (Wood) Cole ‘19

Alumni Family Scholarship H

eritage values our alumni. They are an important part of our rich history and community. We are excited to offer a scholarship for new HCS students of alumni.

Existing alumni families who enroll additional children are eligible for this one-time scholarship for their new children being enrolled.

Families where at least one parent is a HCS alumna/alumnus will receive a one-time $2,000 per new student tuition scholarship. This scholarship is available to all new students of alumni enrolling at Heritage for the first time, and would be in addition to any other financial assistance provided.

For more information, contact Admissions at (317) 849-3441 or admissions@heritagechristian.net.

Whitney and his family

Whitney Hamilton Returns to HCS Whitney Hamilton Jr. (’07) never thought he would come back to Heritage after graduating, but in 2017, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant football coach.

Whitney and his wife, Katherine, have invested much of their lives in the HCS community. Katherine works as a preschool teacher’s aide and their son attends second grade. They also plan to send their daughters to Heritage in the future.

Whitney believes the education and diversity of ideas he discovered at Heritage prepared him for life in the real world, which is why he and Katherine chose to send their children here.

He hopes they will have the same experience that he had.

“I very much believe in spreading generational wealth — wealth of knowledge, wealth of wisdom, wealth of education,” said Whitney.

Upon graduating from Heritage, Whitney earned a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing from Indiana State University. He then managed a bank and completed his family with four children, ages 11, 7, 2, and 1.

Whitney sees his role as assistant football coach at Heritage as his mission field. More than anything, he loves connecting with his students and being someone they can depend on whenever they need him, whether that be during practice or in the middle of the night.

“Coaching is not just a four-year high school thing. It’s a lifetime commitment and that’s what these young men need,” he said.

Having been a Heritage student himself, Whitney delivers a unique perspective as a coach because he walked the same halls as his students for 12 years.

“I believe it’s easier for a current student to listen to and trust someone who has gone through what they’re going through.

And seeing that God still loves them and it will be ok if they just surrender to Him,” he said.

Whitney’s involvement as a coach, mentor, and father has been a tremendous blessing to the Heritage community.

“It’s my way of giving back and saying thank you,” he said.

An entrepreneur at heart, Whitney started a custom sock and bowtie company in 2018 called Wack Designs with his kids as his design team.

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M A G A Z I N E

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