Alumni Newsletter by Dave Burdett, Director of Alumni Relations
www.wcss.org
September, 2019
Volume 23, Number 1
Please check the www.wcss.org or Woodcrest Christian School Alumni on Facebook and Instagram to keep current. Campus News The Class of 2019
The Woodcrest Christian School graduation is a unique ceremony. Held at Harvest Christian Fellowship, it has a totally different ambiance than the normal commencement exercises. While students were a focal point, the real focus is on what God has done in the lives of the graduates, like student speakers Emily Russell, Camille LeDoux, and Jeremy Flye. The guest speaker was the school system’s Executive Director of Business Services, Scott Reynolds, or just Scott to any who had served on a mission trip with him. His topic was titled “Free” and senior Tanner Dubyak performed the song by that title that he and Mr. Reynolds had written on their mission trip to Belize over spring break. When it came time for diplomas, eightysix graduates received a handshake and a diploma (case) from WCSS Board President Jeff White and then turned their tassels at Mr. Lambert’s request. Perhaps the most amazing thing about this year’s ceremony was that it actually got done in
Carson Cody leads his peers into Harvest where they’ll magically be transformed into WCS alumni.
Woodcrest Christian School
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Emily Russell, one of the graduation speakers, is a second generation alumna, since her mom, Cori [Willis] Russell graduated in 1992.
under two hours! Future destinations for the graduates seemed very similar to the previous several years with 58% going to Christian colleges (35% to CBU alone), 14% to state universities, and 24% to community colleges.
Faculty News
Last year, babies seemed to be a highlight for the Woodcrest Christian faculty. This year Mr. Daniel Kari and his wife welcomed Noah into their family. Mr. Kari has departed the WCS staff for a job in industry, however, and Mrs. Kim Swoboda (’93) has moved up from teaching Physical Science in the eighth grade to take over the Biology and Environmental Science classes. You’ll see a note later that our Librarian, Miss Vanya Wright, married Josh Murdaugh (’13). Shortly before graduation, she announced that they were expecting, and she would not return. Her spot is being taken by 18401 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside,
First time dad, Mr. Daniel Kari seems to be enjoying the whole experience.
her assistant this past year, Mrs. Krystle Strange. Other departures include Mrs. San Martin (Spanish) whose spot will be taken by Mrs. Mia Helman, Mrs. Nicole Borg who is following her fiancé to Texas and will be replaced by eighth grade math teacher, Miss Giannina Loza. The Bible department lost a long-time member as Dr. Mark Adler accepted a position as the Director of Ariel Ministry’s online School of Messianic Jewish Studies. He was completely suited for that role, and though he was greatly loved by the students and we will miss him, he goes with our blessing. Mr. Matt Messner has been hired to take over Mr. Adler’s classes. In other faculty news, on July 13, 2019, middle school English teacher, Miss Gabbi Gehringer married Mr. Right, well actually Mr. Austin Wright who has taught English at the high school for two years. Both will continue to serve on the faculty here at Woodcrest Christian. CA 92508 ● 951-780-2010
Glorify God by pursuing excellence in Christ-centered academics
September, 2019
After serving part-time for years, Dr. Adler now devotes his full attention to Ariel Ministries.
After their July wedding, Gabbi & Austin Wright rejoined the teaching faculty on campus.
If you have driven by the campus recently, you’ll notice a much different look, with covers over many of the parking spaces. Those covers are actually scores of solar panels. The administration hopes, that when connected, those panels will provide 95% of the schools power needs. While the initial outlay of a project this size is usually very large, through God’s provision, there were no out-of-pocket costs paid by the school.
Solar panels cover parking areas in both the lower (above) and upper (below) lots.
WCS Alumni Newsletter The Arts Band It just seems amazing how much the arts are flourishing on campus. Everywhere you look, something really great is occurring. Let’s start with music and our band program. Director Ken Rasner doesn’t do a “concert;” he puts on an extravaganza. Light of the World, the Christmas program, actually brought together several branches of our art program. The four bands performed many of the traditional Christmas standards, but the WCDS choir also contributed, and the Wind Ensemble played an interesting combination piece called Stars and Stripes for Christmas featuring a piccolo solo by Brandon Lee (Fr.). Over 250 musicians came together for the finale, a powerful rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Then, in the spring, the bands—including the new String Ensemble and Royals Sound, a jazz band led by Michael Rankin (Jr.)—staged A Night at the Drive-In, filled with fun music from movies. Jonathan Ma sparkled in playing Chopin’s Phantasie-Impromptu and Royal Sound’s animated performance really got the audience excited. Beyond that, the program also featured umbrellas to support “Singin’ in the Rain” and “light sabers” to augment the music from Star Wars. Extravaganze is the only word you can use to describe these productions. Choir In the annual Broadway concert, held in early November, group numbers and solos reached such a high total that they had to be divided between two shows: 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Songs from productions like Wicked, Waitress, Les Miserables, and The Greatest Showman filled the program, and the solos really demonstrated the solid core of very capable singers at WCS; performers such as Allie Holliday (Sr.), Sienna Edwardson (Sr.), Camille Ledoux (Sr.), Megan Gansereit (Jr.), Greyson Berzansky (Sr.), Samuel Albanese (Sr.), and many others got to show off their musical ability. Come Christmas time, Calvary Presbyterian Church again offered a fantastic venue for music of the season, and this year the sound system really augmented the performance. As usual, former choir members went up and joined in on the finale, Silent Night. Another off-campus venue, East Hills Com-
Page 2 munity Church, provided the setting for the Spring Concert. Choir Director, Mr. Ben Halsne put together a program that had a spiritual focus, from classical stylings, to spirituals, to contemporary offerings, and accompanist Miss Wooldridge got some help from an instrumental ensemble. Of course, the performing year ended with the Concert in the Park, again held on the middle field, which not only allowed final performances for the year by the various choirs, but gave individuals and groups the chance to select their own tunes to perform. Drama The intimate setting of the multi-purpose room, this time augmented with risers borrowed from the choir room for audience seating, provided a delightfully intimate setting for the production of the 1970’s musical Godspell in October. From the strident claims of “Prepare Ye” with Greyson Berzansky (Sr.John the Baptist), the rollicking “Bless the Lord”, performed by Sienna Edwardson backed by a revival choir, Megan Gansereit’s “Turn Back, O Man,” to the melancholy “On the Willows,” this musical retelling of the story of Jesus vibrated with energy from start to finish, and the cast really seemed to enjoy performing it. Senior Samuel Albanese stood out in the role of Jesus. And the fans loved it. One show sold out in less than 24 hours, and an eighth performance was added due to demand. Then when March rolled around, it was time for the major production of the year, which this time was Fiddler on the Roof. The Pavilion had been transformed into a theater, and though it may not have been a cast of 1,000s, Mrs. Bickett cast almost seventy students from all three campuses into various roles, perhaps the largest production ever for WCS. The story centers on a traditional Jewish village and how the family of Tevye, the milkman, has to cope with change. Garrett Haun (So.) did a marvelous job in the role of Tevye, while Allie Holliday (Sr.) played opposite him as his wife, Golde. The production was very well received, and Mrs. Bickett had to add seats to virtually every performance! If you haven’t had a chance to witness one of productions over the last several years, you have missed a real treat.
September, 2019
Key Dannteusal Golf
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Art When we come to visual art, art in traditional sense, 2018-19 turned out to be another superb year for Mrs. Thomale and her art students. The awards started in October when the winners of the Public Utilities Art Contest were announced. The artwork for water bottles designed by Madeleine Chaffin (Sr.) and Audrey Alexander (‘18) was recognized and each girl got a check and a case of water displaying their art. Then, in the 57th Annual Press Enterprise Riverside County High School Art Show, students from 31 Riverside County high schools submitted almost 400 entries, and WCS artists won numerous accolades. In the acrylics/oil category, “Two Halves of One Pit” by Khazana Martis (Sr.) received Honorable Mention. Then two of our students grabbed Second Place honors: Madeleine Chaffin (Sr.) for her Drawing “94 Years Young” and Cole Dacus (Sr.) for his Mixed Media piece called “A Nebulous of Potentiality.” Finally, in the Watercolor/Tempera category, Matt Stoffel (Jr.) captured First Place with his work entitled “Hunger in a Child’s Eyes.” The
Matt Stoffel’s “Hunger in a Child’s Eyes” evokes powerful emotions of compassion for a povertystricken child.
WCS Alumni Newsletter second major art competition for high school students is the 41st Congressional District Art Competition, and Megan Sorokowski (Jr.) represented Woodcrest Christian, winning First Place with her painting “City Roots,” which echoed some of the art work on old citrus crates from Riverside. Her success will result in her traveling to Washington DC to see her painting hang alongside those of other winners in a hallway connected to the US Capitol building. Other recognitions from this competition were Matt Stoffel (whose work took Third Place and is now hanging in Congressman Takano’s office) and Madeleine Chaffin (who received an Honorable Mention award).
Megan Sorokowski’s “City Roots” highlights the significance of the citrus industry in the history and industry of the Riverside area.
Athletics
The big story in fall sports was the girls’ tennis team. Led by singles players Kennedy Layne (So. – the singles champ for the league) and Kaia Paulo (Fr.) and the (league champion) doubles team of Erika Danfifer (Sr.) and Lauren Showalter (Sr.), the WCS girls blew through their league: the closest score was 15-3. That earned them their first league championship as well as a number one ranking in CIF heading into playoffs. On the way to the finals, they defeated Duarte, Vista del Lago, Rim of the World, and Westminster before falling to Maranatha in the championship game.
Page 3 Moving from the courts to the courses, Woodcrest Christian put together another strong cross-country season. Jenna Elton (Jr.) led the pack for the girls who finished in second place in Ambassador League competition. Running with Jenna were Michaela Stanley (Sr.) and Skylar Chadwick (Jr.), and the team took twelfth in CIF Prelims and twenty-third in the Southern Section finals. On the boys’ side, Braulio Alvarez (Jr.) was the standout, but he had great support from Riley Batista (Sr.), Steven Martinez (Jr.), Josh Thomas (Jr.), and a host of others. In the league championship race, five WCS runners placed in the top ten. Their efforts resulted in yet another league championship, a CIF record thirtieth in a row for the boys’ squad! As they moved on to playoffs, they scampered to a win in their heat at Prelims, before a somewhat disappointing fourth place finish in the Southern Section finals. In the state meet, however, they redeemed themselves, earning a spot on the podium by capturing Third Place. In the preseason, Woodcrest’s girls’ volleyball team went 4 and 1 to take Second Place in the Azusa Tournament, and their first league match was no less exciting. With the score tied at 2 games apiece, the Royals were down 7-1 in the deciding set but came back to take a 1513 win! When league play concluded they had earned a 9 and 5 record, giving them Fourth Place in the Ambassador League. Key contributors to that outcome were powerful outside hitter Raimi Albee (Sr.), setter Taylor Huskey (Jr.), hustling libero Katie Greer (Sr.) and middle blocker Megan Broyles (Sr.). In CIF play, they swept nearby A. B. Miller before Vistamar returned the favor in the second round. Except for third year player Grant Calhoun (Sr.), it was an almost entirely new roster for the flag football team. Scoring proved to be a real challenge, and predictably the season didn’t bring much success, but they were able to snatch a 28-0 victory over Bakersfield Adventist Academy in the post-season tournament. In a what turned out to be a relatively mild winter, the soccer teams took advantage. The girls’ squad put together a 9-3-2 record to take fourth place in the Ambas-
August, 2019 sador League. Key to their success was the play of First Team All-Leaguers Hayden Bell (Jr.) on offense, Katie Greer (Sr.) on defense, and Ashley Williams (Jr.) in the goal mouth. Second Team members Lauren Goodell (Sr.) and Brandi Meyer (Jr.) also contributed strongly. After blanking opponents six times in league play, the Royals did the same to Savannah (3-0) in the first round of the playoffs before Montebello defeated them 2-0 in the second round. The boys put together an 8-4-2 record in league to earn Third Place for themselves. Offensive punch came from Bryant Dew (Jr.) and Austin Salley (Sr.) who won First Team All-League honors, but four others, Luca Atencio (So.), Skylar Bell, (Sr.), Bryan Morris (Fr.), and Bradley Small (Sr.), also made significant contributions, earning them Second Team honors. They began their playoff fight with a 3-1 win against nearby La Sierra Academy, advanced with a 1-0 triumph over Wildwood Academy in the second round. Unfortunately, Thatcher overcame them by a single goal in the Quarter Finals. On the basketball court, it was a tough year for the Royals. The boys finished sixth with a 4-10 league record, but with many really close games that could’ve been quite different. Seniors Darin Reynolds (Sr.) and Nathan Crowley (Sr.) were recognized as part of the All-League First Team, while Jeremy Flye (Sr.) made the Second Team. The real highlight for their season came early, when they eked out a real nail-biter over Jurupa Valley (54-52) to win the championship in the 22nd Annual Woodcrest Christian Invitational. With all those seniors leaving, new coach Joshua Lopez will have his work cut out for him next year. Coach Musich got the opportunity this past year to have a girls’ basketball PE class, and hopes were high for a strong season from them. They began the season with a close 25-29 loss to Big Bear in the third-place game of the Lady Royals Invitational, but league play turned out to be real struggle with the Royals only able to compile a 2-12 record for seventh place. Khazana Martis (Jr.) brought leadership to the team and earned a spot on the All-League First Team. It was a pair of deuces for the dia-
WCS Alumni Newsletter mond sports this spring as both teams took second place in the Ambassador League. With a couple late season stumbles, Coach Prater’s baseball team didn’t earn another championship, but they garnered both Player of the Year (Jordan Keller – Sr.) and Pitcher of the Year (Wesley Scott – Sr.) honors. Joining them on the All-League First Team were Nathan Corso (So.) and Haydon Huff (Jr.), while Cameron DeJournett (Fr.) and Carson Cody (Sr.) made the Second Team. In post season action (Division 3 this year) they were defeated by Oak Hills, an eventual semi-finalist, by a score of 4-6. With an 11-3 record, the Royal’s softball team had their best season in quite a while. The long ball was much in evidence this season, and in the second game against Ontario Christian, both catcher Ryleigh Carricaburu (Jr. – Ambassador League Player of the Year) and pitcher Paige Markley (Jr. - First Team All-League) hit grand slams! Joining them on the First Team was Angeline Allen (So.) with Alivia Alexander (Jr.) and Leti Soria (Sr.) picking up spots on the Second Team. The girls went deep into the Division 6 Playoffs with wins over Big Bear, Lancaster, and San Marino before a Semi-Final loss to Santiago High School of Garden Grove. The strong contingent of returners makes next spring look very promising. With soccer going deep into their post-season, the boys’ volleyball squad had to wait for some of their players. But even when they were fully staffed, the season proved to be a tough one. Though they picked up a couple wins in tournament play, the Ambassador League was just too strong. Many of the games were very close (there was even a 38-40 game against Loma Linda!), but they just couldn’t get over the hump and earn a win in league play. One highlight for the season, however, came when the team earned the Sportsmanship Award for the Ambassador League. Though a number of the starters were seniors, two key players will be returning: setter Silas Sheffer (Jr.) and outside hitter Bryant Dew (Jr.). Hopefully, Coach Musich can fill in the spots around them for a better outing next season. Taking over the reins for the swim
Page 4 team was WCS alum Victoria Clemens (2016), and she started her career in fine fashion being chosen “Coach of the Year” by her peers. In league competition, the boys swam to a tie for Fourth Place while the girls snagged a league championship! Many of those girls qualified for CIF, but Jaylee Dixon (So.), Summer Blunk (Sr.), Klaudia Blaszczyk (Jr.), Gabi Ferch (So.), and Jadyn Green (Fr.) made the Ambassador League First Team. In fact, Jaylee as an individual and our relay team made the CIF divisional finals. Out on the links, the Woodcrest Christian golfers displayed improvement almost every match. Kaylyn Labasan (So.) led the team and became the only female Royal to make All-League. But she was supported by Darin Reynolds (Sr.) and Elijah Brown (Jr.) who shared Low Medalist honors with her from match to match. In their sole win in league, a 261272 victory over Desert Christian, Kaylyn and Elijah shared the low score, a 48. Katie Greer (Sr.) and newcomer Ethan Hammar (Sr.) also repeatedly bettered their PRs during the season. Turning to track & field, a relatively small contingent scored really well, with the boys taking Third Place and the girls Second. As has often been the case, the strength on the boys team came from longer races. Riley Batista (Sr.) had the second-best time in league for the 400m, and Royals reigned over each of the greater distances: MacKenzie Thomas (Sr.) in the 800m, and Braulio Alvarez (Jr.) in the 1600m and 3200m. They capped it off by winning the 4x4 as well. In addition, the boys also brought home the league Sportsmanship Award. Two runners led the way for the Royals on the girls’ side. Ashley Williams (Jr.) won the 100m, 200m, and 400m crowns and was named the Track Athlete of the Year, while Ella Whitehouse (Jr.) took first place in both hurdle races and the long jump. Fifteen guys and girls from the team qualified for CIF Playoffs, and a number ran for PRs, but none advanced beyond the Southern Section Finals. It was unusual weather during the spring, and rain caused disruption on the mountain biking circuit: the southern California finals even had to be cancelled.
September, 2019 Nevertheless, the team was able to compete at the more appropriate Division 2 level this year and took advantage of that reassignment by capturing Second Place in Southern California. Key riders for the Royals were Javier Guffey (So.) and Avory Pongs (So.) for the boys. Emily Gables (So.) again rode strongly for the girls.
Class of 2017 Mrs. Brown will be purging the cum files for your year next summer. If you want anything from them, please contact her at 951-7802010.
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WCS Alumni Newsletter 1978’s graduates only numbered seven, more than half were able to make it to the get-together!
It was a long wait, Valedictorians Kaitlyn but Ralm San Diego finally&gotJustin his hood Myhre at hold plaques CBU’s late August honoring graduation their achievement. ceremony. At the evening reunion, ‘79 alumni David Gilbert, Grant Partee, Dan Lamy, and Karen [Siedschlag] Johnson were joined by past & present WCS staffers Doug Falk, Dave Burdett, and Lynn Lamy.
1979 We just received news that Debbie [Leininger] Anderson passed away on July 12. Luckily, she was able to hold her new grandchild before the heart attack took her.
Alumni News Before getting to specific items from any class, I need to highlight what looks to be a new tradition of an alumni BBQ held on the Saturday after July 4th. This year’s event was the second in the series and next year, hopefully, you can be part of a third annual event. Forty or fifty alumni showed up, some of whom I hadn’t seen in many years, and it was a delight to chat with them. As a special P.S., a sort of after-party was held for the earliest classes: 1978, 1979, & 1980. Though
Robyn Jackson (‘86) is really pleased with the way her children’s book came out.
artwork, was published earlier this year. She is justifiably proud of her effort and, like every thing else, copies are available on Amazon.
1989
Debbie [Leininger] Anderson (‘79) now shares her smile with the Lord.
1981
After an 18 year hiatus, Ralm Jung finished his Master of Education degree at California Baptist.
1986
Alumni attending the on-campus BBQ included 1986 alumni Jena [Kelly] Lamb, Brad Stevens, Lynda [Johnson] MacDonald, Robb Ring and former WCSS Administrator Lynn Lamy.
Robyn Jackson has discovered that she really likes to write! Her latest effort, a 26-page children’s book entitled Mrs.Moo is Lonely, combining her writing and her
You knew her as Terrie Braden, but after marrying Edward Cerra and adopting the name Raven it was Raven Cerra. Unfortunately, Raven/Terrie is no longer with us as she passed on June 27 of this year in her home in Concho (which I think is in Arizona). As much as she didn’t seem to get into studies in high school, she was a student at the time of her death.
1995
Just before the newsletter was finalized I received tragic news: on Sunday, Sept. 1, police found the body of Brandie [Black-
September, 2019
WCS Alumni Newsletter
Page 6 while Brian is an Area Sales Manager for a statistical software company called Minitab. On July 18 they welcomed a daughter into their home whom they named Charlotte Virginia. All are doing well! • With the birth of Griffin Isaiah Lee, Jeremiah and Laura [Barkley] Lee have a total of four kids and now have their first boy! •
Another in a growing list of our alums with the Lord is Terrie Braden (‘89).
Lexington Clift does seem to have an inquisitive look in her eyes.
well] Frazier in her home. Please pray for her two little children, ages 2 and 10 months. • Ilya [Bakke] Smith had been working for the Maricopa County Community College District for five years, but she recently began a new chapter using her legal training at University of Arizona in the Office of the General Counsel. • Ashley Mooring married Christopher Pondoff on October 28, 2018.
After their marriage in 2014, Alexis [Broncatello] Clift and her husband recently celebrated the birth of their first child a girl named Lexington Brie on April 5, 2019. Alexis claims that she feels very blessed to have such an inquisitive and happy baby
1999
It’s a kiss from daddy for Charlotte who is almost three months old.
2000
It was a little lass for Ryan and Laura [Roberts] Hoppe as Wren Harper was born on May fifth. “She’s the first baby girl on both sides of our family,” Laura wrote, “so that’s been really fun and exciting!”
What a delightful smile on the face of little Griffin, the fourth in the Lee family. 1995 Ashley Mooring Valedictorians Kaitlyn San Diego & Justin Myhre hold plaques honoring their achievement.
1997
After completing a STEM certification this June, Kim [Walters] Wilson will be working as an educational facilitator for the third through fifth grades at Mariners Christian School.
As the only girl in the extended family, Wren will certainly attract a lot of attention.
2002
Since graduating college in 2006, Brian OKeefe has been in New York, and it was there that he met and married Caitlyn Clark. Caitlyn works for Bank of America
Kennedy Perez doesn’t seem too excited about being in the family portrait.
September, 2019 When little Kennedy Julianne Perez arrived on 7/3/19, it was ironic that she was 7 lbs., 3 oz. and 19” long! Parents, Andrew & Jennifer [Schulz] Perez, also have an older son Zachary, born in 2016. • Aaron Chandler let everyone know that he passed bar in Pennsylvania this year. Congratulations, Aaron.
WCS Alumni Newsletter Daniel at the birth of her second child, a girl born May 7, 2019 who was named Kathryn Everlee.
2004
Andrea [Augusta] McCann’s little boy Tristan Michael McCann (born 8/30/18) is just about ready to celebrate his first birthday. • Meryl [Grandia] Gasser reported that her brother Willem Grandia and Amy Livingston were married on August 13, 2016 and are now the proud parents of a little girl they named Livingston Annette, born January 6, 2019. • It was another boy for Marci [Johnson] Wildeman as Greyson Matthew arrived right on his due date (April 1). Marci reported that “he is a super sweet, easy-going baby”
It’s four little princesses for Brian and Heidi [Dirks] Urbie
2003
Brian Uribe has to be feeling a little outnumbered. When he and Heidi [Dirks – ‘04] had little Emelia Marie on May 27th, she was their fourth child, all of whom are girls! Eva is nine, Charlotte is four, and Brynn is two. The older girls are enjoying their roles helping to care for the new little one. • Mrs. Ayotte from the High School office left school early last year to be with her daughter Alyssa [Ayotte] Mc-
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Andrea’s lad Tristan Valedictorians Kaitlynis San now Diego just over & Justin a year Myhre old. hold plaques honoring their achievement.
It’s two boys now for Marci with the birth of Greyson last April.
and that her first son Graham (5) is loving being a big brother. She also mentioned that she had taken a new job in Port Townsend, WA. • When Rosalee Eve was born on April 9, 2019, it was the first girl for Racheal [Heagney] Houser. • May 30, 2019 saw the arrival of Gwendolyn Rae, born to Ashley [Deutsche] Clark. Ashley teaches Kindergarten at Rivera Elementary in Riverside, and she and Brent have an older daughter named Emma (2). • Billy Hall reported that William Hall V
Rosalee Eve makes three children for Racheal and Ron Houser. The newest addition to the McDaniel clan is a girl named Kathryn.
I hear that Willem Grandia (‘04) is going to call his baby daughter Liv.
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WCS Alumni Newsletter
Gwendolyn’s arrival brings Ashley [Deutsche] Clark’s (‘04) tally up to two girls.
(or Liam), “made his grand entrance” on August 5, 2019! • Greg Armenta has begun a new job at Christie’s International Real Estate.
It will be closer to a year for Lia Gasser when you read this.
2005
Page 8 2006 Chelsea [Dirks] Royse gave birth to Beauden Lee who weighed in at a “skinny” 8 lbs. 9 oz. He was born on August 29, 2018, “exactly a year to the day that his big brother Levi went home to be with the Lord. Such a vivid display of the Lord’s goodness!” • “I now have a little girl and boy,” wrote Jake Schutte after the birth of his daughter, Julia Jane, on September 7, 2018. He also shared that he led the connect ministry at his church and even got to speak at the pulpit occasionally! • A long 21” at birth, Conrad Eugene Brockhorst was born to Ryan and Sarah [Motte] Brockhorst last May 29th. Sarah pointed out that he became her parents seventeenth grandchild! • The most recent addition to the 2006 family came with the birth of Collins Mary Rushton on August 1, 2019 to Chris Rushton’s wife Janelle. She joins her two year old brother Crosby.
I just noticed that Grant Jones and Stephanie Bramson have been married since April 1, 2017. • Meryl [Grandia] Grasser’s newest addition is Lia Kathleen, a daughter born last October sixth. • The count is now 3 girls to 1 boy in David Smith’s family after the birth of Holly Joy later that same month on the seventeenth. • Greg Robson recently graduated from the Meridian/Nampa Joint Patrol Academy and is a member of the Meridian Police Department.
Holly Smith seems to have earned her middle name, Joy.
Married in 2017, Valedictorians Kaitlyn GrantSan and Diego Stephanie & Justin are no Myhre lonholdnewlyweds. ger plaques honoring their achievement.
Greg Robson (‘05) graduated from Police Academy and is now serving on the force.
Beauden Royse’s big sister seems quite taken with her new brother.
Tiny Conrad is the center of attention in the Brockhorst family selfie.
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WCS Alumni Newsletter
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Chris Rushton (‘06) grabs a quiet moment to relax with his newborn daughter. His soccer career behind him, Nolan now serves in the US Marine Corps.
Everything is looking good now for Peyton Phillips after arriving on the scene a bit early.
Kody and Jazmin Peterson had a small destination wedding in Rivera-Cancun, Mexico
Clayton Heagney still looks like a pretty big lad for well under a year.
A hooded Mel Wagner celebrates with her brother Bobbie and her mom.
• Mel Wagner added to her BSN at Western Governors University by earning her Master of Science in Nursing.
2007
It was on May 5, 2018 that Nolan Chandler was married to Marie, and just recently he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. • “We eloped to Morocco,” wrote Ashtyn Douglas about her marriage to Spencer Rosa! Following that ceremony on October 20, 2018, they returned home and “made it official” with friends and family in the San Diego area. Ashtyn has been on the staff of Surfer magazine for five years and is currently the managing editor. Spencer is a surfer and they both love the water. • More recently, Kody Petersen married Jazmin Paez just this past July 19th. • Peyton Phillips decided to make
an early appearance (just under 27 weeks) last September 19th. Born to Mitch and Marissa Phillips, she seems to be doing fine now. • Luke & Misty [Finlay – ‘08] Heagney’s baby was a big one at 9 lbs. 8 oz. Named Clayton Duff, he was born on November 5, 2018. • Just about a week later, Everett David Welch joined the family of Kyle and Kayla [Lewis] Welch. • More recently, Hendrix Lee Scott was born to Erin Fletcher on June 18th. “Becoming a mother has been probably the hugest blessing in life,” writes Erin. When her maternity leave is over, she will return to teaching seventh grade science at Bella Vista Middle School. • Another recent addition is Wade Paul Miller, born on August 2, 2019 to Anthony and Tara [Hol-
With the birth of Everett (an eight pounder), Kyle and Kayla now have two.
September, 2019
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WCS Alumni Newsletter 27th to Andy (‘09) and Kaleen [Musich] Musser makes them a family of four. • “We love her to pieces,” says Taylor [Kearns] Proxmire about her baby girl born
April 13, 2019. Taylor and her husband named the new arrival Olivia James. • Trevor Jones has been teaching in Singapore for four years but is shifting his efforts to Dubai for the next academic term.
A mom’s delight. Erin Fletcher (‘07) nuzzles her newborn Hendrix.
guin] Miller. He was a big one at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21.5” long.
2008
There are a pair of weddings to announce for the class of 2008. The first was that of Janelle Tweed to Mark Anthony Gaskins early this year on January 13. • More recently, Chelsea Main married Matt Alvarenga at the end of July. • On November 20, 2018 (only thirteen months after the birth of her son Jason), Danielle [Schmidt] Arshad gave birth to a daughter named Charlotte Elizabeth. • Just over a week later (but 4 weeks before her Nov. 29 due date), tiny Hazel Jane was born to Jarrod and April [Grube] Lutz. Now, almost 9 months later, she “is crawling, pulling herself up, following her big brother around, and chattering constantly.” • Ellia Kay Musser, born on January
Only thirteen months apart Charlotte and Jason Arshad should grow up to be really close.
2009
“What are these things for?” Hazel Lutz seems to be saying.
What a beautiful setting for the wedding of Chelsea Main (‘08) & Matt Alvarenga.
That’s Olivia that’s being proudly shown off by her parents, James and Taylor [Kearns - 08] Proxmire.
The Mussers are the perfect family with one boy and one girl!
It looks like I missed a couple weddings. Bobby Mendez married Victoria Baker back on March 13, 2015. Bobby works as a Real Estate Consultant for Keller Williams Realty. • Then I noticed that Matt Lambing and Jenna Reed [‘11] have been married since April 16, 2016. • More recently, Andreanna Banuelos married Joe Battaglia on January 6, 2018. After two years of grad work resulting in an MS, two tests, and more than 3,000 clinical hours she is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. • Just a few days after Andreana’s wedding, Nick DiGerolamo married Shantal on January 12, 2018. •
Another all-Woodcrest wedding occurred when Matt Lambing and Jenna Reed were married.
September, 2019
WCS Alumni Newsletter
Andreanna displays that she is now a Licensed Family & Marriage Therapist!
The newlyweds for this class are Bray Gill and his wife Margarita who were married in Ensenada, Mexico on May 25, 2019. “She is definitely a blessing to my life,” writes Bray. • In baby news, Jaeson Robinson (named after his dad) was born on October 10, 2018. At 9 lbs. and 21.5”, he was a big one. • Although he arrived several weeks early, Jessica Montgomery said they were ready for the arrival of her son, Jaxon Ryan Milne on April 22, 2019. • Ronni Vogelsang announced that she will be starting Law School at the University of LaVerne College of Law this fall. • Fully recovered from her bicycle accident, Gabriela Jimenez is taking over the reins of the cross-country program at Arlington High School in town. With Eric Reynolds [‘90] at WCS and Ralm Jung [‘81] at Ramona, that makes three local crosscountry teams coached by WCS alums!
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Brittany Gottlob (‘10) is now Mrs. Hantz after her marriage to David.
Jaeson Robinson really seems to enjoy being a dad to his boy of the same name.
The smiles on Katelyn’s and Andrew’s faces reflect the joy a wedding should bring.
2010
Brittany Gottlob and David Hantz were joined in marriage on October 7, 2017. Jessica is proud of Jaxon, but she’s also showing off her ring: she and Ryan are now engaged.
A verdant setting in Ensenada was the venue for Bray Gil’s marriage to Margarita.
They currently live in Montana. • The next Saturday (October 14, 2017), Andrew Jones married Katelyn Meitler. • Almost a year later, two nurses got together when Melony Lambing and Zack Hranuelli were wed on September 8, 2018. Currently, they work at CHOC and Loma Linda. • Though both sisters beat her to the altar, Breean Collier is now a “Mrs.” Breean married Jake Elliott on October 20, 2018. It looks like, having gone to Westmont, she liked Santa Bar-
Zack and Melony [Lambing (‘10)] Hranuelli share a special moment in their wedding ceremony.
bara enough to stay there. • After having met at The Grove Community Church, Ashley Knapp and Alex Hart were married just this past May eighteenth. • The
September, 2019
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WCS Alumni Newsletter
I this miracle baby!” • Congratulations to Otana Jakpor for her graduation magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School and with distinction from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine!• Be praying for Anjie Alaya as she studies for the bar exam.
Breean and Jake Elliott certainly found a scenic venue for their nuptials. Niles and his bride were married in Waco, Texas, and now make their home in Houston.
Otana Jakpor (‘10) continues to accumulate accolades for studies.
Ashey and Alex march triumphantly back down the aisle after their wedding.
most recent wedding was that of Niles Doerksen and Megan Williams who became man and wife just this past August second in Texas. Niles is now a fiber engineer with Crown Castle. With sister Bethany there, too, could WCS teacher Mr. David Doerksen be headed to Texas when the time comes to retire? • Garrett and Hannah [Avila] Ghent recently became parents of twins. The babies were premature, but all seems to be going well. • Rachel [Wright] Dunn was hospitalized at UCI Medical Center with severe preeclampsia, and because of her high blood pressure, her baby, Hannah Lauraine Dunn, was born at thirty-one weeks. But this little three and a half pounder, born on July 27, 2019, is off breathing support and doing great on room air. • Katelyn (Spurr) Sage and her husband are the proud parents of Eliana Kate Sage, born on August 19th of this year. Katelyn says, “Eliana means ‘My God has answered,’ and He surely did by giving Jonathan and
You should be able to spot several alumni among the groomsmen at Luke’s wedding. Recently, Rachel reported that after 31 days in the NICU, Hannah was able to come home.
It looks like Katelyn didn’t take long to introduce her baby Eliana to the beach.
2011
I saw a note that Luke Cunningham had married Meagan on December 9, 2017. • Vhashti Schmidt met Ryan Schott when he was stationed at Camp Pendleton with the Marines, but after the couple was married on July 20, 2018, they went back to his hometown, Attica, Indiana. She works as a bookkeeper there while he is a diesel technician. • Lake Arrowhead was the setting for Trevor Oaks’ wedding to Kami Troesh last November 10th. [Although Kami graduated elsewhere, she attended WCS in middle school.] When its offseason, the couple lives in Corona. • Caleb Dirks has had a rough go of it lately: two surgeries, two non-surgical procedures, and two years of rehab. But he’s back on the field, “thankful for the Lord’s healing and all who have supported me along the way…especially my wife” Samantha whom he married on January
September, 2019
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WCS Alumni Newsletter
people” when she married Paul Glaviano on June 1, 2019. Previous to that she had earned her BS in Health Education (2015) and Masters in Sport & Exercise Science (2017), both at CBU. • Since marrying Taylor Locke on June 1, 2013, Andrew Retzer has become the father of two boys, Dash and Levi. • In other baby news, James Walton Canales IV joined James and Deborah [Donaldson] Canales on April 5, 2019. He was a big one at almost 9 pounds.
Everything seems to be looking up for Caleb Dirks (‘11) and his wife Samantha. Bubbles shower newlyweds Brandi [Schmidt (‘11)] and Ryan Schott after they became man and wife.
It’s “sweet baby James” for James and Deborah [Donaldson (11)] Canales.
2012
Both the bride and the groom wore white at Justin and Samantha’s wedding. Having his wife cheering for him can’t hurt Trevor’s chances of making it back to the big league.
20, 2019. • It’s been a busy spring for Justin Romero! On May 24th, he graduated from Annapolis (US Naval Academy) with a BS in Quantitative Economics. He will be serving on the USS William P. Lawrence out of Pearl Harbor as a Surface Warfare Officer. Then, on June 8th he married Samantha at the Academy. She is a Liberty University grad with a Master of Healthcare Administration and Marketing. • Christine Nunnally “Literally had the BEST time celebrating with all of our
Paul and Christine [Nunnally (‘11) Glaviano share a dance at their wedding.
Chris Blount married Ashley Janowicz “in beautiful San Clemente” back on October 22, 2017. Chris is currently working as a financial planner. • Then, in late spring, Vinnie Castelluccio made Nicole Neermaan his wife on May 25th. • After finishing her bachelors and masters, both in English at CBU, Kayla Baker has been subbing at WCS for the past year. Before beginning full time work for us, she mar-
Scenic San Clemente was the location for the wedding of Chris and Ashley Blount.
September, 2019
2012 Vinnie Castelluccio
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2012 Cameron Rentie 2013 Becky Collier
2013 Josh Murdaugh
2012 Kayla Baker Hults 2013 Kalina Lewis
ried Jacob Hults on June 9, 2019 in Lake Arrowhead. (The couple had been dating since her senior year here.) Kayla also has a book coming out soon examining the Hunger Games trilogy. • Since completing her undergrad work, Michelle DePorto has worked as a BASI-certified pilates instructor, but she plans on returning to the University of Chicago to pursue a master’s degree in philosophy. • This June, Cameron Rentie graduated from Berkeley.
2013
After graduating from Seattle Pacific University, Kalina Thornton married Jon Lewis on July 16, 2017. • Then, on August 18, 2018, Becky Collier became Mrs. James Parker Asselin. Appropriately, her husband is a former decathlete, and
the couple live in Santa Barbara, where Becky continues to train professionally with the Santa Barbara Track Club. • Vanya Wright started the year as the librarian, replacing Mrs. Boykin, but finished as Mrs. Murdaugh after she and Josh Murdaugh were married last December 29th. • Since graduation from Biola, Morgan Zurborg has been in Physician Assistant School at Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville. She has finished the classroom portion of her work, and has a year of clinicals left in front of her.
2014
Chase Burns met Melissa Romero while they were students at CBU together, and the couple was married on December 15, 2018. Melissa is now employed by CBU
2013 Morgan Zurborg
September, 2019 while Chase works for the GO Fund, a ministry to help potential missionaries with their college debt. • After earning her degree in Early Childhood Education at Grand Canyon, Asja Wright returned to Riverside to get her masters in Elementary Ed from UCR. The big news is that she has accepted a teaching position with the Val Verde school district for this upcoming school year! • Keep Maya Hanna in prayer as she prepares for her CPA exam.
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WCS Alumni Newsletter he pursues an MS in Athletic Training. • Nikki Vilarosa graduated Cum Laude from USC with a BS in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and should finish her MS in Global Medicine (a “Progressive Master’s” degree which she began during her junior year) at the Keck School of Medicine in December.
Double Blessed! Jilliana Gutierrez married in September and graduated in May.
Brother Alex helps Asja Wright celebrate her graduation before she starts in the classroom.
Chris Schulte (‘15) poses with one of his professors following his graduation.
2017
Eli Vint is now a member of the United States Air Force, stationed at Moody AFB in Georgia. At the same time he is studying at a Technical School.
2019
Jaylene Mungia’s (‘15) bachelor’s degree is only the first step in her higher education.
2015
Jaylene Munguia earned her BS in Kinesiology at Cal State Fullerton and is now working on her Doctor of Physical Therapy at the Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions. • With a degree in Kinesiology and a concentration in sports medicine, Chris Schulte completed his undergraduate studies at Cal Baptist. He’ll be continuing there as
USC grad Nikki Vilarosa (‘15) is on a fast track for her Masters in Global Medicine.
2016
Jilliana O’Neill married Nico Gutierrez last September 28th, and then finished her degree in International Studies at CBU this spring.
May grad Jordan Keller received Southern Section All-Division, Third Team honors. Jordan batted .410 this past season with 7 homeruns and 26 rbi .
September, 2019
WCS Alumni Newsletter
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Odds and Ends!
(Just some fun pictures I found..)
That’s quite an extended family for Christy [Erickson] Berry (‘90). Steve Duke (79) stands next to his dad’s burial spot. His dad, ,Mel, was a Vice-Principal at WCS.
Suzanne [Wilkins] Rosales (‘99), who taught at RCDS (now WCDS), and her husband Albert, who coached at WCS, have three little ones.
Cameron and Andrea [Setzler] Macbeth and their children.
John Tyner (‘97) made the big board at a Padres game!
The Gersons (‘05) are looking to adopt a second child. Julie [Wright] Davis & Kristy [Dotson] Green (’82) had a their own mini-reunion. Wes Morrison [‘98] and his girls are in Texas.
Ashley [Williams] Hasemeyer (‘06) and her family.
Chris and Ashley [Tucker, ‘05] Branson with Madison and Ryan.
Birt Stem (‘84) has a high school graduate!
Marisa David and Sarah Chang help Maggie Kozman (all 2007) celebrate her thirtieth birthday. Christine [Taylor] Conduti (‘98) ran the Milwaukee Marathon.
September, 2019
Kayla [Davis, ‘08] and Jake Marchesani have two girls.
WCS Alumni Newsletter
Jonathan and Amber [Collier, ‘10] Fry now have two kids.
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This summer Brandi Hess (‘13) was on a mission trip to Cambodia.
Carl Pongs (‘18) continues to perform well in shooting competitions.
Jentry Salvatore (‘07) earned an AA degree from RCC.
It looks like Nathan Busbee (‘13) was a canvas to be painted on his mission trip to Cuba.
It’s a new team for goalie Hannah Seabert (‘13).
The Mangione girls: Isabelle (‘17) and Adriana (‘14).
The Green sisters, Jolyn (‘13) and Jacy (’16), got to run a half marathon together.