Cougar Now Winter 2020

ABRIANNA LOPEZ

V O L . 13 • W I N T E R 2020

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

— P r o v e r b s 3:5-6 This has been my life verse since early in my Christian life. The Lord has been true to that promise as I have trusted Him. When the school I served for eleven years closed its doors in July 2019, I wondered about His plan. “Lord, why would you close a growing and thriving Christian school?” Teaching for the first time in a public school since student teaching had me discouraged because many years ago, he instilled in me a passion for Christian education. God knows what He is doing and sees the big picture even when we don’t understand. What I didn’t know then was that God knew Phoenix Christian Elementary School would need an elementary principal in October of this year. I received a call from Mr. Jeff Blake and from the moment I stepped on the campus of Phoenix Christian Preparatory, I knew this was God’s new assignment for me for the next portion of my journey!

Leave your mark on the world by leaving behind a child who grows up to love and serve the Lord.

– ELIZABETH GEORGE

I like this year’s school theme, “Leave Your Mark”, because it is Biblical. Since I joined the team, I have prayed daily, “Lord, help me to “leave my mark” in a way that will honor and glorify you.”

I am trusting God to continue to do amazing things at this school because it is His school. The missional model that the school has reminds me of what my Dad used to preach often from God’s precious Word, “...Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15); “...The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). I trust God’s kingdom will grow and He will raise up a new generation of young people to love and serve Jesus.

May Phoenix Christian students grow academically, socially, physically and most importantly, spiritually.

We are blessed with an amazing faculty and staff who love God and are committed to make a difference in students’ lives. I thank each parent who has entrusted their children’s educational path into our care. We will leave an eternal mark for Him as we trust Him! Partnering with you,

Mrs. Ruth M. Zappe Elementary Principal

WELCOME LETTER

in this issue

Mrs. Zappe is excited to leave her mark with her new assignment.

THE BEACON

Tune in Sundays at 9 am to lift your spirits!

STUDENT PHOTOJOURNALISTS

A look through the lens of these students’ hearts.

LEAVING THEIR MARK

Two PC students inspire us through the impact of their lives.

SPORTS REVIEW

A review of Middle School & High School Fall/Winter Sports.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

The Lindsey family leaves their mark.

EVENTS CALENDAR

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

2 4 5

6 10 14 18 19

9SUNDAYS AM 960 AM

KKNT THE PATRIOT

You’re invited to tune in to a show that will

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS!

Join us at THE BEACON, a radio show where we celebrate when God uses the unexpected to do the unexplainable, featuring intimate conversations with people just like you.

The Beacon radio show is presented by Phoenix Christian and hosted by PC Alumnus Steve Woods on Sundays at 9am on 960 The Patriot-KKNT AM. Or you can always listen to the Beacon at phoenixchristian.org/highlights.

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CELEBR ATING

PC PHOTOJOURNALISTS Leaving our mark as leaders and encouragers is my goal for the younger generation.

Encouraging reading will ensure a better future for all of us. My photo includes a young student reading his favorite book about baseball. As he read aloud to me, he had a smile on his face. I was amazed at how good of a reader he was and how willing he was to read to me. I hope for him to leave his mark as a leader to his classmates, sharing with them a love for reading.

– Jordan Armijo

One way that I think I left my mark was service day at St. Vincent de Paul. I think I left my mark there when I was picking fresh vegetables.

It was for homeless or less fortunate people who can’t afford their own food. We picked these fresh vegetables so that they could be served to homeless people. This made me feel good because not everyone has the luxury of being able to eat whatever they want.

When I was picking those vegetables, I knew that it was so someone could go to sleep without being hungry.

I left my mark because not many people like to do things for others, but I feel good knowing that I was helping someone else.

– Adriel Hernandez

I had the opportunity of leaving my mark with some kids from elementary school.

This student and I got to read together.

We were able to answer some questions together and talk about school.

He was very attentive and focused on what he needed to do for the class. I loved helping him with his work and just being able to have a great opportunity like this.

– Daisy Martinez

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Abrianna Leaves Her MARK on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Last year, I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to run for the 2019 Leukemia and Lymphoma Students of the Year campaign.

It is a seven-week philanthropic leadership development program during which students foster professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I raised funds in honor of my nana, Claudia Jensen and family friend Elizabeth Blair. My nana lost her battle to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on April 1, 2010 at the age of 68. I have wanted to help raise funds to find a cure and raise awareness ever since. A year later, on August 18, 2011 my family friend, Elizabeth Brooklyn Blair, was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoblastic Lymphoma just a month after her fifth birthday. As a result of past LLS fundraising efforts and the research and treatments developed, Elizabeth is now 12 years old and has been in remission for five years!

After the campaign I was given the opportunity to become an intern and mentor for the campaign. During the internship, I

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Cancer survivor Elizabeth pictured at top

Student of the Year Gala

was able to experience what it would be like to work for a non-profit organization.

Part of my responsibilities was recruiting new candidates for the upcoming campaign, and in doing so, I was able to get Phoenix Christian students involved. The mentor program is a program for previous candidates to help and support the new candidates. During my time with LLS, I learned about treatments for cancer and some of the challenges. I became aware that there is an ignorance among people about the significance of ethnicity in the bone marrow registry. I decided I wanted to do something

about it, so I created my senior capstone project to address underrepresentation of the Latino community on the bone marrow registry. Through my involvement, I have been blessed to grow, learn, make lasting memories, and create amazing relationships with people.

It has helped inspire me in leadership and allowed me to not be afraid to stand up for something I am passionate about. I have also learned to not let fear stop me especially with public speaking. When you are passionate and driven about a cause, nothing or no one can stop you.

Abrianna Lopez will graduate in May with an honors diploma in the STEM concentration.

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Grace Leaves Her MARK on All of Us Each morning one very special PC student requires more effort to get dressed, brush her hair and teeth, prepare breakfast and gather her books. When she arrives on campus, she meets her aid or a friend who guides her to the first class of the day. Most days that is Art. She greets Mrs. Wolfe with a great big smile each morning and plans out her project for the morning. She uses her hands and vivid imagination to create. Mrs. Wolfe shared, “Learning to be Grace’s eyes has been a challenge for me. I am grateful for wiki-stix, as they are re-useable and allow Grace to outline her drawings and then fill them in around the wiki-stix. Grace is currently working on a clay tile mosaic. She designed it, cut the pieces out of clay using her patterns and has just finished glazing the pieces. Adapting projects to Grace’s needs has stretched my creativity in coming up with those adaptations and God has helped me come up with those adaptations that work for her.”

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Grace has always struggled with her vision, but it was only a year and a half ago that she lost all vision and with that, lost her vivacious love for life. She was no longer able to play the music she so loved, draw and paint, read her textbooks and so many other daily tasks we take for granted.

Grace previously attended Phoenix Christian during elementary school but left to move closer to a team of doctors in Florida. After returning to Phoenix, Grace knew she wanted something more. She wanted to come back home. This was a HUGE moment for Grace and Phoenix Christian. Although we have a growing population of students with learning differences, we have not had the opportunity to welcome a student who is visually impaired. Moreover, we were quite concerned about our limited resources to fully educate Grace. She not only needed a fulltime aid, we needed to acquire her textbooks in Braille and educate our teachers on best practices.

“She laughs at my corny jokes and groans when I tell her that she can do something, even though it may be hard.” – JAN WOLFE

Grace’s mom cannot believe the growth she has seen in her daughter.

At home, she is learning to play the piano by ear and is now hoping to learn how to play the ukulele. When she picks her up from school, she has a HUGE smile on her face and loves her teachers, aids, classmates and classes.

Even though we at Phoenix Christian hope to leave an indelible mark on Grace, most of us agree that it’s Grace who is leaving her mark on us.

It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.

– Helen Keller

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MIDDLE SCHOOL fall/winter sports review

// TARA POOVE Y, MS ASSISTAN T AT H L E T IC D IR E C TO R Middle School Athletics at Phoenix Christian Preparatory School are really blossoming.

The Middle School Soccer program, led by Head Coach Michael Eriquez, had an AMAZING season with an undefeated conference record of 5 - 0 and a 7 - 2 overall division record! PC was ranked #2 going into the CCSL Playoff Tournament and had the privilege of hosting their Semi-Final game against the #3 Christ Greenfield Eagles on October 30. PC won, which advanced them to the CCSL Championship game against the #1 Phoenix Christian Grade, Wildcats. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 2 - 0 and became the 2019 CCSL Division Champs! Congratulations to the team and Coach Eriquez for making school history.

The team celebrated with a Gatorade shower for Head Coach Eriquez

The Middle School Volleyball program, led by new Head Coach Kristy Clay, and assisted by alumnus Jessica Ragland (’16), had an outstanding participation record of 27 student-athletes. Volleyball competed in over 12 games and was ranked #4 going into the CCSL Play-off Tournament. PC defeated #5 North Valley Christian in the first-round of play-offs and lost a tough match-up in the Semi-Finals against #1 Trinity Lutheran.

Winter Sports included: Softball, Baseball, Cross-Country and Wrestling. Phoenix Christian Middle School Athletics is a member of the Cactus Christian School League and Canyon Athletic Association.

Cactus Christian League, Championship Soccer Team

The Softball program was led by new Head Coach Adam Fisher and assisted by Heather Van Sant (’94).

The softball program is growing and had one of the largest participations this season with 22 studentathletes. The Lady Cougars competed in fourteen regular season games, finished 4 – 1 in the conference and 8 – 6 overall. PC was ranked #5 out of sixteen total teams going into the 2020 CCSL Play-off Tournament. The Lady Cougars had an amazing season and their future is bright, congrats ladies!

The Baseball program, coached by our head High School coach, Mark Band, participated in the Cactus Christian Schools League for the first time this season. Coach Band is working diligently to build a middle school program and their success proved just that! The Cougar Baseball program participated in ten regular season games, earning the #1 seed in their conference. PC fought a tough match-up against Paradise Valley Panthers but

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MS Football Team

MS Wrestling Team

Cactus Christian League, Baseball Runner-Up

lost 6 - 2 in the Finals. Coach Band reflected, “they are continuing to improve, and several have shown potential to play at the high school level. All of the studentathletes seem to be enjoying their baseball experience this season.”

The Cross-Country program was led by Head Coach, Sean Eicher (’10). The Cross-Country team traveled and competed in six meets around the valley. The Cross-Country Championship was held on Saturday, February 1, where Kiara Rubio placed and medaled 8th over 93 female runners. Congrats to all participants and Head Coach Sean Eicher, looking forward to next season!

PC Wrestling is also thriving in the Middle School and is led by Head Coach, Josh Perez and assisted

by Veronica Perez. Moises Perez placed 1st in his division and Pablo Hernandez placed 3rd in his division. The Cougars had four State Qualifiers for the 2020 CAA

MS Volleyball A Team

State Wrestling Championship at ALA – Queen Creek on Saturday, January 25. Congrats to our medalists: Moises, Kathryn and Brianna for placing 2nd and Pablo Hernandez for placing 3rd.

See you next year on the mat!

MS Softball Team

The Middle School Athletic programs are growing immensely here at PC. Our coaches are a huge source to that growth and their dedication and commitment does not go unnoticed. The impact they leave will last a lifetime. A huge Thank You to the parents as well for their support to PC, their students and to the Athletic programs.

Go Cougars!

MS Volleyball B Team

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HIGH SCHOOL fall sports review

// KEITH BAK E R, ATH L E T IC D IR E C TOR

Phoenix Christian Preparatory School enjoyed a successful fall in interscholastic athletics. Cougar football advanced to an AIA Championship game for the first time since 2008. Phoenix Christian finished the season 12-2, winning their fourth consecutive Region Championship.

Senior runningback/linebacker Man-Man Freeman led the Cougars, winning 1st Team All 2A Conference honors and was selected as the 2A Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He also had the second best single season rushing yardage total in school history as he piled up 2,232 yards on 182 carries (an average of 12.3 yards per carry). Freeman also finished top 5 on the PC Career Rushing list with 3,190 yards.

Seven students were named First Team All 2A Conference while another three earned Second Team honors. Junior Howard Russell was selected First Team All 2A Conference for both Defense (Defensive Backs) and Special Teams (Punt Returner). Â Â PC won all four 2A Agua Fria Region games and dominated the All Agua Fria Region selections with 11 First Team and five Second Team picks. It is of note that the only two losses for the season

JV Volleyball A Team

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were at the hands of state champions.

PC dropped a 35-21 decision at American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek (the eventual 3A Conference Champion) and also fell in the 2A Conference final 34-28 to Round Valley. The Cougars had beaten Round Valley earlier in the season in Eagar by a score of 21-16.

The senior class for this season has an admiral record, having won four straight regional titles and producing an overall record of 44 wins and only 8 losses.

PC Volleyball battled their way to a threeway tie for second place in the 2A Valley Region and earned their first 2A State Tournament berth since the 2014 season. Senior outside hitter Atlantis Jamerson led the record-setting Cougar team and was selected honorable Atlantis for the kill

JV Volleyball B Team

Varsity Cheerleaders

Howard carries the ball toward the endzone

Varsity Volleyball

2019 Regional Champions

mention All 2A Conference and the 2A Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year in the process. Phoenix Christian finished 19-18 overall and 6-4 in the 2A Valley Region. The Cougars won their 2A Conference Play-In match at St. Augustine Catholic in Tucson before facing #1 Thatcher in the opening round of the 2A State Tournament.

Junior Setter Ainsley Ebert was also named First Team All Valley Region while MeiLing Milgrim, Daisy Martinez and Cassidy Clifford were honorable mention All Region Honorees. Jamerson became both the Single Season and Career Kills record holder (412 kills); Junior Libero Cassidy Clifford set new marks for Single Season Digs (567), Aces (127) and Passing Percentage (92%); while Ebert is the Single Season and Career Assists leader with 567. Jamerson was 4th best in the 2A Conference in total kills, Clifford third in Aces, 3rd in Digs, Cassidy’s total of 127 service aces was third best in the state regardless of conference affiliation.

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the LINDSEYS LEAVE THEIR MARK AN INTERVIEW WITH ALUMNI STACEY (’81) & REAR ADMIR AL YANCY LINDSEY (’80) LISA BLAKE (LB): What led your family to choose Phoenix Christian?

YANCY LINDSEY (YL): My father (Ben Lindsey) graduated from PCHS (transferring from Phoenix Union HS) in 1957. Then he and my mother (Jerri) taught and coached (1963-1965) at PCHS after they graduated from Grand Canyon College. My father had always wanted me to attend PCHS, so after a challenging freshman year at Alhambra High School, I decided to attend.

STACEY LINDSEY (SL): My parents were going through a separation at the time, so I think they both felt I needed a solid and maybe a little of a protective environment. Our faith was an integral part of our lives and continuing it at school was a wonderful opportunity.

LB: Did you meet and/or date each other at Phoenix Christian? Describe that experience.

YL: We met at PCHS (probably in Mr. Jerry Geiger’s Concert Choir), but I was painfully shy and only interested in school and sports. I must admit that I was smitten with her almost from the beginning. We initially dated once I graduated and started attending Phoenix Community College.

I was attracted to her gregarious, type A, extroverted personality. Our relationship fizzled when I

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transferred to U.C. Berkeley (Jan, 1983) and she moved to Seattle about the same time. We stayed in touch and occasionally caught a movie or shared a meal when we were in Phoenix at the same time. We started dating again when I was her date at her 10-year PCHS reunion. I missed my 10-year reunion because I was deployed (to Antarctica) with the Navy, so I attended Stacey’s reunion. We were married eight months later.

SL: I mean he was the hunky quarterback how could I not know him? We met and really got to know each other in choir. He stood right behind me and sang that great bass voice in my ear. He was very shy, but it gave us a chance to get to know each other and me a chance to flirt.

LB: Where was your favorite spot on campus to spend time together?

YL: Stacey will have to answer this one...I don’t remember. I do recall that Organ Stop Pizza was a favorite spot following sporting events. That and cruising Central Avenue.

SL: Well back to the flirting...I remember waiting for him outside of the locker/weight room. He would come out after practice or after working out and we could talk and walk to the parking lot together. Oh, how those memories take you back to young love and crushes. He really was the stud football, baseball, basketball player.

LB: As you reflect on your teachers at PC, who had the greatest impact on you and why?

YL: Wow...where do I start? All my coaches played a key role in my personal development. Coach Walt Beamis is the first who comes to mind: consistent, caring, with a heart for God. He was a firm, but fair disciplinarian with an incredible work ethic. I learned a lot from him. Coach Hoskins (basketball), Coach Howard Billings (baseball), and Coach Don Thorp all influenced me in positive ways. When it comes to teachers, Mr. Hovda (who also positively influenced my father) and Mr. Wickersham...both Bible

teachers. Incredible, Godly men, who really cared for their students. Others that come to mind are Mr. Wolfe (biology) and Jerry Geiger (choir). Not always easy to put a finger on exactly how each coach or teacher influenced you. However, their example, confidence in me, and desire for my success stayed with me...and made me not want to disappoint them.

SL: There were so many amazing teachers. Mr. Thorp made a huge impact. He had this patient, solid teaching style. Heaven knows my teachers needed patience with me back then. Hands down the biggest influence and impact was Mr. Buckner. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. I loved that man. He knew what was going on in my family and he took a special interest in me. I would occasionally “need direction” and he would give it. Ever loving and patient, he saw me through those difficult years.

LB: Yancy, what led you to consider joining the military?

YL: I was halfway through my final year at Cal and not having much luck with on-campus interviews. My good PCHS friend, Jason Hanenburg, was nearing graduation from ASU and had started the Naval Aviation application process. He shared that with me and it sounded interesting. So, when I was home for Christmas, I visited the Navy recruiter. I was accepted and after graduating from Cal in May, 1986, I headed to Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL. I’ve been incredibly fortunate and blessed throughout my 33.5-year Naval career. I’ve flown high performance, fun aircraft literally around

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the world; met and served with thousands of patriotic, dedicated service members and their families; three deployments to Antarctica and three western Pacific deployments to the Arabian Gulf; lived in Germany and Italy; visited nearly 50 countries and all seven continents; shook the hands of Presidents; hung out with movie stars; seen the Matterhorn, Victoria Falls, Sistine Chapel, Buckingham Palace, Eiffel Tower, Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights; and the list goes on and on. I’ve been blessed.

LB: Stacey, I’d love to hear your perspective on being a military family—the highs and lows.

military. He’s also brought key people into my life to sustain and nurture me along the way: Stacey; my daughters Hailey and Hannah; those listed above; and too many friends, colleagues and pastors to name.

SL: Trust. Without Him, I don’t know how I would have made it through the stress and the changes of this life. In the military, our lives are truly not in our hands. I always say when it’s out of my hands, I know whose hands it’s in.

He has always been faithful to sustain us, stand by our side, and show us the true meaning of freedom.

LB: You live in Italy. What is that like?

SL: I never dreamed I would be a military spouse. Trust me. Although, I cannot imagine any other life now. It has been an amazing journey and blessing for our family. We have traveled and lived all over the world. We have served our country. We have truly learned the meaning of freedom. God has blessed me and allowed me to find a business that moves with us and that business enabled me to start my non-profit, They Serve 2 (www.theyserve2.org).

We have a wonderful partnership with Joyce Meyers Ministry that has given us the ability to impact military families and share the love of Jesus with them worldwide.

YL: Living in Italy is an adventure...fascinating, challenging, and entertaining all rolled together. My job here is incredibly challenging, but equally rewarding. Living overseas provides a perspective that every American should have the opportunity to experience.

LB: How has your relationship with the Lord sustained you throughout this incredible journey?

LB: Share a little about your beautiful family.

YL: I admit that I didn’t always realize or understand it, but God has been and continues to be the one constant in my life. He’s sustained me in the difficult times and helped me throughout the ups and downs of life...especially in the military. He’s given my life purpose beyond anything that I’ve done or accomplished on this earth. It is Him through me. He’s helped me through very difficult leadership challenges and given me the freedom and confidence to serve in our Nation’s

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SL: Well, I dreamt of Italy. Before moving there this year, I had visited many times. It was a dream to live there and that dream has now come true. We live in Naples, about an hour from the Amalfi Coast and a short boat ride to Capri. It is a magical and messy place and I am so grateful for this time.

YL: Oh, my...where do I start? Again, I’m truly blessed. Married to a wonderful, loving, Godloving woman who raised two amazing young women. They’re both Christians and highly successful. Without all of them (and, of course, my extended family on both sides), I wouldn’t be the person I am or have experienced this amazing life.

SL: We have two beautiful girls. Hailey, our oldest, is 26 and just graduated from Grand Canyon University and is pursuing a Master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling. Hannah, our youngest, is 23, a graduate of New York University, and is currently at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine to become a Naturopathic Doctor. They are smart, amazing girls who love Jesus and are following their passions. We are so grateful that they are both in the Phoenix area, so we have plenty of family to watch over them while we are so far away.

LB: Any final thoughts?

YL: It’s difficult to see (or even comprehend), when you’re in high school, where you’ll be or what you’ll be doing 40 years later (this year

(far left): 10-year reunion. (Above): Quarterback Yancy and Coach Beamis. (Right): Yancy and PC baseball teammates.

will be my 40-year reunion). I could’ve never foreseen the life I’ve lived. However, looking back, one thing is for certain...every step you take in life is toward a destination, and every experience a thread in the fabric of your life. Who do you want to be and what do you want to do? It matters. Did the step you take and the choice you made today take you toward or away from that destination? You can be who you want to be and do what you want to do...no excuses and no regrets. With God, all things are possible. You just need to give Him something to work with.

SL: We have a life verse as a couple for our military service and it is something that can apply to any of us: Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is required”. We have been extremely blessed and we do our best to walk

every day in gratitude and obedience. This life can be hard and rewarding. I think that is true for all of us. What I would ask people to consider regardless of what is going on...walk in gratitude, seek God’s purpose for your life, look for opportunities to serve Him, and remember no matter how great or how small, He can use you in the moments of everyday life. That is the life of service we are all called to employ.

To whom much is given, much is required.

- Luke 12:48 17

Events Calendar MARCH 6..................................................... Serve Day MARCH 7...................................................... The Giving Tree – Gala & Live Auction MARCH 16 - 20.......................................... Spring Break MARCH 28................................................... Mother/Daughter Banquet APRIL 6 - 8................................................... Fifth Grade Camp APRIL 23 - 25.............................................. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile APRIL 29 - 30............................................. Senior Capstone Project Faculty Presentations MAY 2.............................................................. MESA State Competition MAY 15............................................................ Senior Chapel & College Signing Day MAY 21............................................................ Senior High Graduation Please call the front office for more information on any of the dates listed.

Volume 13 • Winter 2020

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Blake Lisa Blake Brian Cole of Revolution Graphics

Dorian Studios, Yvonne Calderon

CONTRIBUTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Steve Woods, Barb Tomb

Dr. Monty Ortman, Claude (Bud) Allison, Jamie Clifford, David Fitzgerald, Juan Gonzales, Pete Hamstra, Daryl Layne, Steve Woods

“WE WILL STAND AMAZED TO SEE THE TOPSIDE OF THE TAPESTRY AND HOW GOD BEAUTIFULLY EMBROIDERED EACH CIRCUMSTANCE INTO A PATTERN FOR OUR GOOD AND HIS GLORY.” - JONI EARECKSON TADA

from the editor

This year’s theme, Leave Your Mark, challenges each student, faculty and staff member, the administration and the Board of Directors to make a difference. The adage, “leave things better than you found them”, reminds us of our duty as educators and even more so, as Kingdom builders, to fight each day to make the lives of every young person a little bit better. That happens in so many remarkable ways: observing Mrs. Wolfe as she lovingly, patiently and creatively teaches a student who is blind; catching a glimpse of a teacher putting his arm around a student during the faculty/student basketball game; hearing about administrators who stock their offices full of snacks for students who are hungry and will take them out shopping if they need clothes.

But it is not just the faculty leaving their mark. I recently heard a story about a student and his mom offering to give a ride home to a couple other guys. The mom offered to stop for dinner at Chick fil-A. One of the young men commented that he had never eaten there before, and he just couldn’t believe that they would treat him to dinner. And of course, watching our students serve during serve days, will no doubt change anyone’s negative opinion about teenagers. Students who pray boldly in front of a room full of homeless people, a student who told his teacher he wasn’t ready to leave because there were still four more families he needed to help translate for so they could receive their food boxes, young ladies who humbly and lovingly paint fingernails for a group of elderly women. Even in the elementary, our children want to make a difference. A young boy in fourth grade asked if his classmates could gather around a student who was struggling, held out his hands and prayed for him.

If you haven’t paused to think about how you’re leaving your mark, do it today!

- Lisa Blake (’94)

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1751 W. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85015

How are YOU leaving your mark?