fall 2013 patriot voice

PAT|iOT VoICE

THE

Fall 2013

3 Familiar Face at the Helm 6 Why Open Door

Christian Schools? 8 ODCS Commited to El Salvador 11 Life after ODCS:

Tony Madalone

The Daniel household has recently embraced the adventure of

having a new musician in our home. As our home echoes the

sounds of a beginning flutist, I am reminded that the sounds

of a beginning are very different than the sounds of a finish!

However, I am also reminded that the beginning sounds need to

be cherished and nurtured for the product that will soon follow.

Such is the excitement of Fall in a new school year. We have the blessing of

serving our students as they embark on many new beginnings. We watch them

grow as the inexperience of new classes, new sports, new instruments, and

new friends become steadily replaced with success in their new environments.

We enjoy observing, even with noisy beginnings, the

growth and success of our students.

I, too, am enjoying my new beginning as Head of

Schools. The first quarter has provided numerous

blessings, one of which has been in learning the

rich legacy of Open Door Christian Schools. For

over thirty-five years, ODCS has been a place that

provides a quality education and trains students to

impact their world for the cause of Christ. Legacies

are born from the efforts of people and there are

so many who have sacrificed, prayed and poured

their efforts into making ODCS a vibrant example

of Christian education. The Lord has honored their

efforts as we have grown into the largest Christian

school in our region, continue to add new programs, and are poised to see

continued blessings in the future.

In moving forward, my prayer for our current students is that they will

recognize the distinct privilege of attending our school and embrace the

responsibility of weaving their gifts and talents into our proud tradition.

I am confident that they will do so as their new beginnings grow into

another proud chapter of ODCS. May each of us do our part to see the

Lord bless each student with success.

Sincerely,

Denver L. Daniel

Head of Schools

2

In partnership with the family and

the local church, our mission is the

salvation, the discipleship, and the

education for life and service of the

students entrusted to our care.

The Patriot Voice is published for

families and friends of Open Door

Christian Schools, Inc. For reprint

permission, contact (440) 322-6386.

EDITORBronwyn Tucker ’92

PROOFREADERSBrenna Burger, Arleita Dirne,

and Gayle Goodwin

PHOTOSHannah Blandin, John Butcher ’83,

dpix Photography, Jenna Gerber ’06,

Leanne Jones ’00, and Ashley Nida ’06

SCHOOL BOARDRandy Crowder, Chair

Susan Elder

Brian Gevry

Scott Giesbrecht ’94

Jamie Jackson

Jon Phillips, Secretary

Todd Wright, Vice Chair

ADMINISTRATIONDenver Daniel, Head of Schools

Darrell Dunckel, Principal (grades 7-12)

Angie Lowe, Principal (grades preschool-6)

Susan Schrodt, Director of Finance

Bronwyn Tucker, Director of Admissions

ODCS admits students of any race,

color, and national or ethnic origin.

www.odcs.org

www.facebook.com/ODCS.Patriots

DESIGN Courtesy of Aespire {aespire.com}

Greetings from the New Head of Schools

PAT|iOT VoICE

THE

3

The name Denver Daniel is not a new one in

the hallways of Open Door Christian Schools

(ODCS). We have seen Mr. Daniel cheer

for his son, Denver, at cross country races,

stand on the sidelines of the football field

and basketball court encouraging Caleb, his

second born, and attend concerts and Parent’s Days with

his youngest, Halle. And, of course, he is checking in with

his wife, Dawn, in her preschool classroom to make sure he

is at the right event, for the right child and at the right time.

It is easy to see that Daniel’s heart is at Open Door

Christian Schools because his family is here. But God

led him to ODCS for much more than being with his

family. “The Lord kept moving in my heart,” Daniel says

about God’s leading him to accept the position as Head of

Schools. He believes that God gave him this opportunity

so that he can “minister more directly and disciple more

intimately and intentionally” than in his former positions

in the field of education. Two of his biggest passions have

converged into one path as he joins the ministry of Open

Door Christian Schools: student ministry and education.

It was the desire to help people and build others that

first motivated him to become an educator. As an elemen-

tary school teacher and principal it was the “excitement of

learning” that fueled his passion for people. In addition

to serving in the schools, Daniels also serves as a student

minister at his church. His experience in student ministry

has had a major impact on his interaction with students

because he has learned the dynamics of different age

groups and how they think. “Ministry is not boring!” he

says, “It’s relational based — it can’t be good unless we

cultivate relationships.” Daniel believes that establishing

good relationships with students leads to establishing

their relationship with Christ.

It does not take long to sense his hopeful anticipa-

tion for the present and future of Open Door Christian

Schools. Recently, he remarked at a faculty inservice that

he is still just as passionate and excited now as he was

when he first started as Head of Schools. His positive

attitude is evident and it is already making a palpable

difference in the building. When asked what his ultimate

vision is for the future of Open Door Christian Schools,

he replied that he wants students to see what a privilege

it is to attend ODCS and for the faculty and staff to rec-

ognize they impact the future generations for Christ. God

has led Denver Daniel to be at the helm of Open Door

Christian Schools so that this ministry can continue to

succeed for His glory.

Familiar Face at the Helm; Who Is He Really? BY EMILY HAWKS, ENGLISH AND BIBLE TEACHER

4

Decorating lockers,

covering books,

checking with your

friends to see if you

will be in English

together, bustling

through Target to find new school

supplies, and making sure that you

have picked out the “right” combi-

nation of uniform items to look

amazing on your first day of school.

This is what the beginning of the

school year is all about isn’t it?

Of course it is. We plan, organize

ourselves, connect with others, all for

the sake of becoming “more” than we

were the year before, because we have

passed one grade and we are ready for

the next. We believe this is true with

our spiritual lives as well.

Spiritual formation is an integral

part of education at Open Door

Christian Schools. There have been

many conversations by concerned

faculty, staff, parents, and students

about how we can connect with God

on ever deeper levels, and become

stronger and more committed

disciples of Jesus Christ. There are

passionate discussions taking place

about how we can move toward deep-

er spiritual formation.

At first blush the task seems like

it wouldn’t be too difficult. I mean,

come on, just love Jesus more, right?

But how? How do you create an

environment that inspires kids, but

not come across as the adult trying

to force feed a kid who appears to

be not even hungry. The last thing

anyone wants is another institution —

in a long line of institutions — force

feeding the “good news” to folks.

The task is much bigger than one

might think. The goal can’t be

program-centered, and it can’t be sys-

tematized. It must invoke a passion

for connecting with God through

Jesus Christ. Somehow, it has to be

God-centered. We have discovered it

begins with prayer.

Last April a handful of students

and teachers organized a first ever

evening of student-led prayer. The

gym’s climate was softened, lights

were dimmed, and what is usually a

space where athletes battle, became

a battleground of discipleship, a

battleground of prayer. It was the

beginning of a focus on prayer as the

agent for real change.

We began our school year with

something “new” this year. We start-

ed off asking God to take another

school year, significant as it may be,

and transform it into something

deeper and bigger than we could

imagine. We repented of loving

ourselves and sought the love of God,

in hopes that we might matriculate

from a weaker believer into a stronger

disciple of Jesus. Our prayer contin-

ues to be, “God please grant us less of

ourselves and more of you.”

I mean, come on, just love Jesus more, right? But how?

It Begins with PrayerBY BRUCE NEUBAUER, BIBLE AND ART TEACHER, AND

BRAD GRANNEMAN, BIBLE TEACHER AND GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

5

After years of planning and two years

of playing a non-varsity schedule, the

ODCS Football program is making

the leap to the Varsity level during the

2013 season. The timing could not be

better, as the Ohio High School Athletic

Association has created a Division 7 in football and the

freshman players who helped start the program are now

juniors. ODCS is the only Division 7 school competing in

football in Lorain County. Coach Ray Lowe and his staff

have sought inspiration from the Bible and the army 300

in the Battle of Gideon, as they impact the community

for Christ. “Our players, both those that played last year

and those currently playing, completed a fasting and

prayer commitment over the summer months. We asked

our players, coaches and parents to give up something

(Facebook, ice cream, ESPN, etc.) for 30 days and to spend

at least nine minutes every night at 9pm in prayer for our

team. “We prayed for each player by name, for the coaches

and for God to provide us with those boys interested in

playing. We started the program with 14, and this year we’re

at 19,” said Coach Lowe. “What an answered prayer.”

On August 30, 2013 the ODCS Patriots made their

debut under the Friday night lights, by taking on

Danbury Lakeside. While our team came out on the

wrong end of the scoreboard, the Patriot fans faithfully

made the trip out to the Midview stadium under the

lights to see the players give their all in making school

history. Coach Lowe summed up the night by saying, “For

our school, community, team and students, I really believe

this is the beginning of something special at ODCS. The

wait for Varsity football has been a long time at ODCS,

but it has arrived and good things are in store for our

program.” As Coach Lowe told the Chronicle Telegram,

“We’re going to keep praying. We told our kids, win or lose,

we honor God with how we play. I feel like the young men

who were on the field gave everything they had. I couldn’t

ask for anything more than that. And for me, that is how

we honor the Lord. So, it was an outstanding night.”

Thanks to the Patriot Pride Athletic Boosters Club

(PPABC) and the ODCS Athletic Department,

our weight room now has new paint, new flooring

and upgraded weight equipment. ODCS student-

athletes are excited to put the equipment to use, as

they work to raise ODCS athletics to the next level.

First Varsity Football Season BY MATT BLANDIN, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

ODCS “EXTREME MAKEOVER”

6

77%

Middle & High school

Elementary school

Preschool

Why Open Door Christian Schools?

The largest Christian school from Cleveland

to Toledo

Preschool through grade 12 including weekly chapel and

quarterly family chapels.

INTEGRATED BIBLE CURRICULUM

95% of 2013 grads went on to HIGHER EDUCATION and earned over $1.7 MILLION

IN SCHOLARSHIPS.

AVE

RA

GE

CLA

SS

SIZ

E

ENRICHMENT OFFERINGS include visual arts, drama, band, choir, media arts,

digital technology, and robotics.

of high school

students INVOLVED IN ODCS EXTRA- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

of middle & high school

students PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS.

LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL MISSIONS TRIPS

AND PROJECTS

2013-14 marks three-year partnership with sister school in Luz de Sotomayor, El Salvador.

Strengthen the BodyChallenge the Mind Guide the Soul

Football

BaseballBasketballBowlingCheerleadingCross Country

Volleyball

Track & FieldSoccer

Softball

COMPETITIVE SPORTS TEAMS

96+496%

35

AC

T TE

ST

SC

OR

ES 23.1

21.820.9

ODCS Ohio USA

INCREASING TECHNOLOGYn Three computer labs

(two laptop and one iMac)

n Four iPad 2 classrooms

n Two Chromebook classrooms

n 94% of classrooms have Smartboard or Interactive TV

77% 106 AREA CHURCHES

represented in student body.

3,500+ HOURS OF

COMMUNITY SERVICE performed by high school

students in 2013.

7

Revenues and Expenses 2012–2013

n Tuition and Fees 77%n State Funding 11%n Development 5%n Other 7%

n Salaries and Benefits 63%n Equipment, Supplies, and

Teaching Materials 4%n Services 4%n Financial Aid and Discounts 15%n Facility 7%n Other 7%

77+11+5+7+qREVENUESUP TO $99Anonymous (4)

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Atwood Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. David Clark

Mrs. Sandra J. Clark

Mr. & Mrs. Harry R. Enlow

Mr. & Mrs. David R. Knechtges

Mr. & Mrs. Leland Meier

Miss Ashley N. Nida ’06

Speech & Language Links

& More, LLC

Mrs. Gloria Mantini

$100 TO $249Anonymous (10)

Mr. & Mrs. John Abraham

Mr. & Mrs. Robin Breidinger

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cox

Mr. & Mrs. John Cutter

Mr. & Mrs. Rob Dirne

Ms. Roberta Garcia

Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Gorman

Mr. & Mrs. Willard A. Knapp

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Lowe

Mr. & Mrs. John F. Mizerek Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Novak

Mr. & Mrs. James J. Oswald

Mr. & Mrs. Karl Peura

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond R.

Raeburn Sr.

Mr. Russell Reising

Mr. & Mrs. Leslie J. Rice

Rev. & Mrs. Darrell Shumpert

Ms. Norrene E. Speckhart

Mrs. Gladys R. Spencer

Ms. Linda Stotts

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Tucker ’91/’92

Mrs. Visobe Welch


Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Bond

Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Dunckel

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Lazar


Mr. & Mrs. Jack Donnelly

Mr. Vernon Dunckel

Mr. & Mrs. William LaFluer

$1,000 TO $2,499Anonymous (3)

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey J. DeMange

Mr. & Mrs. Donald L. Haslam

Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hayden

Mrs. Margaret A. Hickle

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Jones

The Lubrizol Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Phillips

Rochester Manufacturing, Inc

Mr. & Mrs. Roger Valentine

Mrs. Carmen Sheets

Mr. & Mrs. Steve R. Wallace

Mr. & Mrs. Todd J. Wright

$2,500 TO $4,999Anonymous (2)

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Alder

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan M. Beckett

Dr. & Mrs. Kevin Chang

Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Jaram

ODCS Parent Teacher

Fellowship (PTF)

PNC Bank

Aespire

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Sooy

$5,000 TO $9,999Anonymous (1)

$10,000 AND ABOVEAnonymous (1)

Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan M. Burton

Green Circle Growers

Patriot PartnersThank You to Our Faithful Supporters!

63+4+4+15+7+7+qEXPENSES

8

I remember being a Freshman

when Open Door Christian

Schools (ODCS) took its first

international mission’s trip

to the Dominican Republic.

I wanted to go so badly; but at

the time it was only open to Juniors

and Seniors, so I vowed to go on the

next one. Unfortunately, another trip

wasn’t taken before I graduated and

went off to college. God brought me

back to teach Spanish at ODCS, and

15 years after the school’s first inter-

national missions trip, in January of

2012, I was finally able to complete

that vow as I joined the team on

a missions trip to La Libertad, El

Salvador.

As Christians and as Americans,

sometimes we think we can change

the world, and we set out to make

our mark on society, on other people.

What I never expected, was to have

the people of El Salvador leave such a

mark on my own life. The battles are

real, and the daily struggle is evident

in every aspect of their lives. Food

and housing are not guaranteed by

the government, so if a family does

not have enough money for food,

they don’t eat. We have luxuries that

I didn’t even realize were luxuries —

hot water, refrigerators, beds, and

clothes to name a few.

What moved me the most during

the last two trips to El Salvador

(January, 2012 and January, 2013),

has been watching how serving

others has changed the lives and

hearts of the students who have

stepped outside of themselves. Over

20 students have felt the call over the

past 3 years, and God has used each

and every one of them, with most of

them having gone more than once

and/or planning on returning to

El Salvador in January 2014. They

have formed a bond, a common

desire to make a difference. They feel

the change in themselves, and they

want others to share in those experi-

ences. They are devoted to their sister

school “Luz de Sotomayor” and the

ODCS Commitment to El Salvador ContinuesA Personal Commitment FulfilledBY LEANNE JONES ’00, SPANISH TEACHER

Every student has different abilities, and I was given the gift of watching all of them step up to the challenge that God had placed before each of them.

9

ODCS Librarians, Wendi Phillips and Linda Hardesty, had a vision to make a

fun, yet functional reading loft. With the expertise and help of Rich Hardesty

(Linda’s husband), Chuck Deeks and Jim Wright that dream came true.

The area is an extremely popular place for preschool and elementary students

to “read aloft.” If you haven’t seen it, please stop in. You will quickly see why

the students think it is so special!

people of the church “La Iglesia Gran

Comisión.”

Every student has different

abilities, and I was given the gift of

watching all of them step up to the

challenge that God had placed before

each of them. As we spent time at the

local daycare and the orphanage, I

was touched to see how they inter-

acted with the children, showing so

much love and compassion. We spent

two days cooking food to deliver to

a local impoverished community,

and we were blessed as we were able

to share the gospel via the Wordless

Book Bracelets that so many at ODCS

participated in making. In the mid-

dle of the city, these same students

wrote, memorized and performed a

skit proclaiming the love of Christ.

Time after time, I watched them

move and be moved. I have been

a teacher for almost 10 years now,

and I truly believe that this mission

partnership is the greatest experience

I have had through ODCS. I pray

we continue to make international

missions trips not only a possibility,

but also a priority for all of those

students who feel the call of the Lord.

We are so blessed, and it has been and

will continue to be an amazing way

that we can give back to God for all

He has done for us. By taking these

trips, by sharing His Word, we are

saying, “Thank you, Lord! May we

continue to bless others in the way

that You have blessed us!”

LIBRARY TAKES READING UP A LEVEL

10

Fall Play: High School performance

Friday, November 22, 2013 at 7pm

and Saturday, November 23, 2013

at 2pm

RNC stage at Open Door

Christian Schools

Tickets are $10 each and can

be purchased two weeks prior at

the ODCS High School office or

at the door.

Winter Play: Grades 2-6

Friday, January 24, 2014 at 7pm;

Saturday January 25, 2014

at 2pm and 7pm

RNC stage at Open Door

Christian Schools

Tickets are $6 and can be purchased

2 weeks prior to the show in the

ODCS Elementary office or at the

door before the show.

Spring Musical: Grades 7-12

Friday, March 28, 2014 at 7 pm;

Saturday, March 29, 2014

at 2pm and 7pm.

LCCC Stocker Center

Tickets are $10 and can be

purchased by calling the

Box Office at (440) 366-4040

between noon and 6pm, Monday

thru Friday, or by ordering online

at www.lccc.edu/stocker. Tickets

are always available at the door

before each performance.

Patriot Theatre Presents ’13/14 Season

The legacy of the theatre program lives on because of the talented

thespians that have dedicated themselves to perform each year.

Bringing the stage to life and

entertaining our audiences is a way

that we can bring glory to God and

use the many talents with which

He has blessed our students.

Last year’s productions included Peter Pan, Alladin, and Snow White.

SPOTLIGHT ON PATRIOT THEATRE ’12/13

11

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down

and interview Tony Madalone for both

The Patriot Voice and the Minuteman Press.

Tony is a 2003 Open Door alumnus,

founder and CEO of the company Fresh

Brewed Tees, and Co-Chairman for Ohio

Homecoming. Freshed Brewed Tees produces Cleveland-

themed shirts and also has a contract with the NFL Player’s

Association to produce player themed shirts. Tony is cur-

rently working on organizing the Cleveland Rocks: New

Year’s Celebration taking place in our fair city this coming

New Year’s Eve. Here is some of what he had to say:

HOW WELL DO YOU THINK ODCS PREPARED YOU FOR THE BUSINESS WORLD?

“Very well; I would say that in comparison to other

schools, a lot better. Essentially, ODCS was more geared

towards college education compared to most high schools

in the area.”

WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE T-SHIRT BUSINESS?“So I started selling vintage t-shirts out of my dorm room.

I became a powerseller on eBay; then vintage [clothes]

got super oversaturated and everybody was doing it —

so I couldn’t make any more money. But I learned the

industry. We were doing so much buying, getting stuff

shipped from Arizona, buying stuff for like 50 cents a

shirt and then selling them for about five bucks a shirt.

I got my Master’s Degree at Ashland and was supposed to

go to Wall Street. Then I was like, ‘I can’t do the desk job;

I can’t do the corporate world.’ But I knew a little bit of

the industry, I know sports well, and I know Cleveland

even better. I spent about

six months researching

the market, got a small

loan from a family mem-

ber, and the first shirt we

did showed up on ESPN.

It was crazy; we sold a

hundred shirts before we

even printed it. We killed it with LeBron here; the Cavs

were good. We started working with some players so it just

sort of transpired from there. I can’t say that apparel was

my dream but it was an opportunity to stay in sports. It

allows me to be with the players and be at the games. It

allows me to produce stuff for the fans. It’s something I

can be proud of and make some money. It brings the fans

together and it brings Cleveland together. The same thing

[is true] with ODCS — it brings people together.”

For the full interview, visit the Student Online Newspaper at

www.odcsminuteman.org.

BY JACOB KESSLER, ODCS JUNIOR

Life After ODCS

Tony Madalone, Class of ’03

A Patriot is frequently defined as a person

who loves, supports and defends his or her

country and its interests with devotion. A

patriot’s voice would therefore passionately

proclaim what he or she believes. At ODCS,

The Patriot Voice rallies our fellow Patriots

around the same theme of loving, supporting

and defending the cause of Christian education

at Open Door Christian Schools.

Welcome to the newest issue of The Patriot

Voice! It is back, better than ever, and has

something for everyone. Each issue will keep

the ODCS community (alumni, parents, stu-

dents, supporters and friends) informed. We

want you to know not only what is happening

on campus these days, but what our amazing

alumni are doing, what issues our students are

facing in the world today and how an ODCS

education makes a difference. So take a look…

from academic trends to athletic history, from

changes on campus to the impacts ODCS staff

and students make around the world.

— Bronwyn Tucker ’92,

Director of Admissions

The Patriot Voice Returns

What’s new in your life? Married? New baby? New job? Please

tell us what you are up to! Scan the QR code above or visit

www.odcs.org/alumni.

Calling All Alumni!

8287 West Ridge Road

Elyria, Ohio 44035

Non-Profit Org.US POSTAGE

PAIDElyria, OH

Permit No. 662

Several ODCS alumni and their children stopped by for a picture at the 2013 Homecoming.

Design of The Patriot Voice was generously donated by:

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