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Drama Presents Dinner Theater on Campus

VOL. 15 | NO. 2 WINTER 2014

AN INSIDE LOOK:

Santiam Christian Schools News Publication

Eagle EyeTHE

HOME OF THE EAGLES

2 FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT2 SC THUMBPRINT 3 NEWS BRIEFS4 SPORTS NEWS5 FACULTY FOCUS6 DRAMA7 NEWS BRIEFS CONT.8 ALUMNI FOUCS8 UPCOMING EVENTSTeam HOWL: Hannah’s Ride

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Earlier this year, I sent an invitation

to parents to meet me over coffee for

an informal time of sharing ideas and

concerns. Over the last several months,

I had the pleasure of meeting with

dozens of Santiam Christian parents

during my coffee sessions. Thank you to

everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to give

me your thoughtful input. One important finding was that, in

order to ensure the greatest turnout, all future meetings should

take place at a donut shop.

One pleasant reminder for me was getting to experience

the variety that is represented in our parent body. We truly

do come from many different theological and practical

viewpoints, yet I continue to be amazed at the unity that is

found in the school.

The quality of people associated with Santiam Christian

continues to impress me, and I am humbled by how talented

you all are. Nothing proves this more than getting to spend the

morning with you and listen to your ideas and life stories.

As you shared, two things came to my mind. One was how

much our parents care for this school, and the other was how

gracious you were in sharing. Even comments or ideas for

improvement were given in a spirit of gentleness and care.

As you can imagine, there were almost as many topics

discussed as there were people in attendance. They ranged

from philosophical discussions to the details of everyday life at

school. Some will be easy to implement, some more difficult,

and some may be impossible.

As I compiled these topics, my main concern was to try

to group them into similar areas, and to see if any trends

emerged. In general, most comments fit into four areas,

although there were many that didn’t fit into any category. That

doesn’t mean they will be ignored, but will be dealt with in

their own time.

The first is the perception that we don’t always enforce our

policies consistently. Second, you were worried about the

amount of time that school can consume outside of normal

school hours. Third, the quality of academics might not always

be what you expected. Finally, you want your children to be

taught how to have a relationship with Jesus, and not just learn

head knowledge.

The obvious question is what will happen next. The leadership

team here will begin to work through these and work out the

practical details of what should happen at SC. This may not be

a quick process, but the end result will be a stronger, thriving

school.

I found these meetings to be some of the most valuable time

I have ever spent as a school administrator, and I plan to do it

again next year.

From the Superintendent

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The Santiam Christian Thumbprint is a brief look at the unique students, families and staff who set us apart.

Purple CapsDuring his free time at school, Jonathan Kontra, a strapping sophomore, whips a set of knitting needles from his backpack and gets to work on a tiny purple hat. He is knitting caps for the “Don’t Shake the Baby” Purple Hat Campaign, an organization that distributes purple hats to help prevent infant abuse by increasing knowledge about the dangers of shaking a child and by teaching parents how to handle an infant’s excessive crying. Jonathan learned of this program through his church’s Pathfinder Club. His mom gave him some initial lessons, but he soon took off on his own and has produced seven caps so far.

SC thumbprint

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Bob the Tomato Visits the ElementaryOn Friday, February 21, beloved Veggie Tales characters, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, arrived at SC where they greeted elementary students, inviting all to come see their new movie, Veggies in Space, at Santiam Christian on Saturday. The following afternoon students and families showed up to create their own cardboard cars from

which to watch the movie “drive-in” style. The evening was a great success as the families watched Bob (Mr. Spork) and Larry (Captain Cuke) blast off in their “spacion” wagon. All learned a powerful lesson: “If you have enough to spare, you have enough to share.”

SC DECA Places High at StateSantiam Christian DECA earned high marks at the state competition, which consisted of 875 competitors from 40 schools. Overall placing is gained by a combination of testing scores and role plays. Grant Billups placed first overall in Principles of Finance and Dennis Li placed first in Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series. Luke Penner, Wil Sutherland, Brenna Humelbaugh and Annie Luksch placed in the top 10 in various categories. The SC trivia team, consisting of Dennis Li, Jacob Kurian, Wil Sutherland, and Briana Ellis, earned the DECA state championship.

Court of Hearts CoronationWill Whitley and Annie Luksch were crowned King and Queen of the Court of Hearts on Saturday, February 15. The next week in chapel, Will and Annie thanked the student body for the honor and challenged them to follow the true King of Kings, Jesus Christ. The following students were also selected by their peers to represent their classes on the court: freshmen, Henry Fleener and Madison Miller; sophomores, Brady Patterson and Savannah Penner; juniors, Linus Rueegg and Jennifer Worotikan; and seniors, Devin Horn, Briana Ellis, Jacob Kurian, and Emma Hill.

Hannah Maupin – Team HOWL Hannah Maupin, a Santiam Christian 8th grader, has survived two bouts of Lymphoma during her 6th and 7th grade years. Now she and her father Dan are planning on riding in the Scenic Shore 150 in Wisconsin during July to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is a two-day, 150-mile ride which they will do on their new tandem bike. Their team name, HOWL, stands for Helping Others With Lymphoma and Hannah and Others We Love. Hannah’s junior high classmates at SC have started a fundraising effort, hoping to help her reach her required team total of $150.

Hannah’s fund raising page: http://wi.llsevent.org/ng/index.cfm/b329734/regPages/pledge/HMM/

Dan’s fund raising page: http://wi.llsevent.org/ng/index.cfm/b329734/regPages/pledge/DANMAUPIN/

Grant Billups Dennis Li

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Boys BasketballThe Santiam Christian boys basketball dreams of a state berth came to a disappointing end with a narrow loss to archrival, Salem Academy, but the season was not without its successes. The victory over North Valley at the Cascade Christian tournament in Medford was one example. North Valley was the defending 4A state champion, and the Eagles weren’t favored to win. Another highlight was when Trenton Jantzi (1st team all-conference player) made seven three-pointers against Pleasant Hill, second all-time in SC’s record book. Also, Silas Patterson and Christian Fullbright were honorable mention in the PacWest Conference.

Coach Anthony Baugher said the numerous snow days were a huge factor in this season, forcing some unique scheduling issues that caused them to play three games in a week on four different occasions. “This was a great group of young men who wanted to play hard for each other, who wanted to compete every play, every possession,” he said. “Led by the seniors, they became a team who set goals and worked hard to achieve them, glorifying God during the process.”

Girls BasketballThe Santiam Christian girls basketball team finished the regular season with a solid defensive effort, but dropped a 38-21 PacWest Conference match at Pleasant Hill. Coach Wendi Miller was happy with the progress the Eagles showed against the experienced Pleasant Hill team, who had scored 69 points against them earlier in the year. Their season record was 7-13 in league play, and Victoria Schroeder was 1st team PacWest.

“This was an extremely young team with only two returning varsity lettermen, dominated by sophomores. It was a challenging year, but things started clicking toward the end of the season. I am looking forward to building on this year...the future of Eagle basketball looks bright.”

SC Wrestlers Compete At State Meet Four of Santiam Christians’ wrestlers competed at the State wrestling tournament during March. Juniors Tanner Butler (152) and Oren Hills (285) both finished third in their respective weight classes, and senior Riley Hills (170) finished 5th. Junior Joe Kinnaman (160) also represented SC at state. The team won first place for the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All-State Award. The team had a combined GPA of 3.53, which was the highest in this sport for all classifications in the state.

SC Athlete Named to All American ListSenior Madison McLain was recognized as a 2013 PrepVolleyball.com High School All American. She is one of 150 high school volleyball players nationwide to receive the honor, and one of only three Oregon players recognized this year. Madison has been a key factor in the three state championships that were won during her high school years.

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Tom FlowerMr. Flower has a long commute to Santiam Chris-tian. All the way from Westcliffe, Colorado, in fact! In order to give the school more time to

find the right fit for the agriculture program, Superintendent Lance Villers talked former employee and close friend, Tom Flower, from Colorado into coming to Santiam for a year.

After receiving his BS in agriculture educa-tion in 1976, Mr. Flower taught in Otis, CO for three years. He then worked in agriculture research before leaving to farm and run an antique refinishing business. In 1986 he began teaching Ag. Education in Westcliffe, CO, where he taught until retire-ment in 2011. He and his wife Cindi, who was an emergency room paramedic, have

one daughter Ceri. She and her husband have two children, Caydenn and Case.

“The Lord had a plan in store,” said Mr. Flower. “So many doors opened to make the move possible.” He agreed to come for a year in order to keep the popular agriculture program going. Tom and Cindi realized it would be easier for her to stay in Colorado.

Mr. Flower teaches junior high agriculture, high school agriculture and horticulture, and Animal Veterinary Sciences. He also leads the FFA program, which is in its fifth year at SC. One of the major projects he and his students accomplished this year is the completion of the greenhouse started by Carrie Carson, former ag teacher. This spring the greenhouse is providing fresh produce for both of the school cafeterias.

FFA member, Luke Burrow has enjoyed getting to know Mr. Flower this year. “I love his no-nonsense, hands-on approach. We all appreciate his crazy humor and

his deep knowledge of agriculture. He has transformed our FFA into a truly profes-sional organization.”

“I am looking forward to moving back home in June but will definitely have a void in my life. Thank you to everyone whose path I have crossed in my journey to Oregon,” said Tom. “As Gus McCrae said in my favorite movie of all time Lonesome Dove, ‘It has been a heck of a party.’”

Gretchen Villers to Teach Sign LanguageTo the delight of many stu-dents, Gretch-en Villers will

be teaching a brand new course next year at Santiam Christian – American Sign Language. Mrs. Villers is already a familiar face at SC where she has taught Bible and worked as the administrative assistant to her husband Lance, SC’s superintendent. She is often seen at the games and activi-ties of her three children, Tyler, Tommi, and Levi.

Christian education is a family tradition for Mrs. Villers. She was raised in Port-land, Oregon, where her father founded Damascus Christian School. “Both of my parents were teachers, and I think being a product of Christian education gives me a unique perspective on the challenges and blessings our students at SC have,” Mrs. Villers said. After completing a two year interpreter program at Western Oregon State College, she transferred to Liberty University, where she completed her de-gree in Religious Studies with a minor in Education from Liberty University.

Although she had dreamed of living in a large city, she soon found herself living in Westcliffe, Colorado with a total popula-tion of 900, where her husband Lance found a teaching job. Their three children were born there, and they all grew to love the small community. Once her children entered school, Mrs. Villers went to work as a librarian at the Custer County School District and soon discovered that it was the job, as she says, she was “born to do.” She loved helping kids fall in love with reading and guiding them to the perfect book.

When Mrs. Viller’s first joined the staff as her husband’s administrative assistant, she was a bit hesitant. “However,” she said, “it has been a treat to work together. It is such a joy to watch him in his position and has given me a much greater under-standing of what he faces each day.”

This year Mrs. Villers added a tenth-grade Bible class, “Perspectives” to her schedule. As a service project, her students made quilts for the Linus Project, which provides blankets to children in need. In addition, they cre-ated 62 boxes of toiletries, toys and other goodies for children in the foster care system which were distributed by a group called Embrace Oregon.

Next year Mrs. Villers will teach American Sign Language I. One of her colleagues at the library was deaf. Working with her and interpreting for her at church each week kept Mrs. Villers up-to-date on her skills.

When asked what she enjoys most about Santiam, Mrs. Villers quickly replied, “Hands down, the people. We are so grateful for the way our family has been made to feel welcome. There are times I watch my children with their friends, and it is hard to believe we have only been here for fifteen months.”

FaCulty FoCuS

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Cover Story - drama

Dinner Theater Comes to SCThe latest Santiam Christian play, How the Other Half Dies, was performed on our very own “black box” stage. The recently completed drama lab is equipped with a large area for rehearsals known as a “black box” stage, because it is not raised. The new drama coach, Suzy Herbert, decided to put it to use for an actual perfor-mance. Not only was the play on campus, but the audience was seated at artfully festooned tables, where they enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres and fancy desserts. The performance became an all school affair. Art teacher, Tina Longballa and her students designed the program cleverly disguised as menus, created posters and helped with the set. Karen Sisler’s foods classes concocted the desserts. Several junior high students, under the direction of Leah Maupin, served as waiters smartly dressed in white shirts and black aprons. The agriculture room was trans-formed into a makeup and hair-design area and the MAPS room, across the hall from the drama room, was a handy waiting area for students who were off-stage. Leah Maupin and Shelly Larsen managed the food and decorations.

The breathtaking set, designed by Miss Herbert, showcased the performance, which had the audience in side-splitting laughter with corny jokes and slap-stick humor. In exquisite costumes, designed by Raelyn Riedlinger and Sara Kubler, the actors put on four performances, including a Saturday afternoon matinee, a first for SC. The plot involved the desperate attempt by Sybil Chasteen (Isabella Fleener) to become a member of Harriet Hammer’s posh country club. Unfortunately, Sybil discovered a dead body in the trunk of her new car on the same day she was preparing for a party, which she hoped would win the approval of Ms. Hammer (Jennifer Worotikan). Realizing a corpse would make the wrong impression, poor Sybil encountered a host of strange characters as she tried to dispose of “Mr. X.” Bumbling police officers, Nathan Maupin and Ben Winnett, arrived, but provided little help, and Sybil’s life spiraled hopelessly out of control. The play was a door-slamming, phone-ringing, ridiculously fun murder mystery parody that included backstage rim shots, witty one-liners and even a backyard wedding.

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SC Students Build on Past Relationships in UgandaA team of 12 students and 9 adults from Santiam Christian High School and local churches will be taking a mission trip to Uganda in June 2014. Since 2007 SC has had the privilege of sending five short term teams to Uganda. The repeated trips have allowed them to build effective relationships, to target specific needs, and to prepare to help in critical ministries.

Barb Hoffman has helped organize and lead all five previous trips. “We want to continue to partner with the ministries and people we have met in Uganda, as well as discover new oppor-tunities for support and relationships.” she said. “In our effort to bless, we will inevita-bly find our own lives being radically trans-formed by God.”

Specific ministry opportunities for this trip will include:

• Helping in the construction of urgently needed additional classrooms.

• Assisting in AOET village medical clinic; Aids testing; dispensing of medicine.

• Village outreaches, including sports clinics and soccer games.

• Bringing and dispersing medicine, clothing, personal hygiene items, eye glasses and more.

To learn more specifics about what the team will be doing and how you can help support them, please visit their website at: http://igg.me/at/scuganda2014/x/6649025

Trail Life and American Heritage Troops to Start at Santiam Christian

Trail Life USA & American Heritage Girls troops are starting chapters at Santiam Christian. The SC chapters are under the leadership of charter representatives, Rich Larson for TL Troop 516, and Peter Fricke for AHG Troop 516. Their vision is to be the premier national character- development organizations for young men and women to produces Godly and responsible citizens.

Mr. Larson said they have thirty boys registered so far and are gaining at every meeting. A fishing trip for the Trail Life Troop is scheduled for Saturday, April 19th at Thissel Pond and inter-ested boys are invited to come. Mr. Larson can be reached at TrailLife516cr@gmail.com.

The Storyteller Returns to Santiam ChristianMs. Sheila returned to Santiam Christian in March and was, once again, received with great enthusi-asm by the students. Sheila Arnold, story-teller and historical character interpreter is the director and lead performer of History’s Alive. She had the crowd roaring with laugh-ter, as she involved students and teach-ers in her stories and songs. Her portrayal of life as a slave was shocking, but profound. She held a special evening presentation for parents and elementary students. Ms. Sheila came last year and captivated the students with her realistic portrayal of early African-American culture. For more information on Miss Sheila, please visit her website www.mssheila.org.

Barb Hoffman, Team Leader

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Junior/Senior Banquet .............................April 12

Good Friday ..............................................Apr 18

Achievement Test Dates, Elementary ....Apr 21-24

Drama Presentation: Harvey .............April 24-26

Math Olympics (No School Pre-8) ............Apr 25

High School Serve Day ............................April 28

Junior High Washington DC Trip .............April 29

Auction ......................................................May 3

Annual Parent Meeting ..............................May 8

Elementary Track Meet (No School Pre-6) ...May 9

Mr. SC ......................................................May 10

JH/HS Spring Concert ...............................May 20

Kindergarten Graduation ..........................May 22

High School Baccalaureate ......................May 25

No School (Memorial Day) .......................May 26

Last Day of School for Pre-7th ...................May 30

High School Graduation ...........................May 31

High School Mini-Sessions ......................June 2-4

Last Day of School for HS (noon dismissal) ....June 5

Last Day for Teachers ..................................June 6

Eagle Eyethe

HOME OF THE EAGLES

AdministrationLance Villers, SuperintendentWilbur Starr, HS PrincipalSteve Bittner, JH PrincipalPeter Ness, Elem. PrincipalAnthony Baugher, Athletic & Development DirectorJoanna Haugen, Business Administrator

Editorial BoardSusan Canfield: Writer, EditorSami Beam, WriterPeggy FletcherQuentin HaaseStacy Rogers, LayoutPhotos: Skippy’s World Photography (Kris Reichmuth), Jacob Manzi, Josket Li, Jessica Smith, and Susan Canfield.

© 2014 Santiam Christian Schools

Kris Asleson: Founder of Truth x VisionKris Asleson (’04) is the founder of Truth x Vision, a non-profit organization where creative problem solv-ers work together to find innovative and sustainable solutions to poverty. Here is a report from Kris about his organization.

The vision for Truth x Vision was planted in my heart when I was just 16, and a few other Santiam Christian folks, Nick Davies, Nathan Menges, Jon Lebsack, Jo-siah Close, got behind it. We wanted to build an orga-nization that was exciting for young people to follow, and one that also helped the poor in a sustainable way by giving them a hand up rather than a handout. We started small, but things have really picked up in the last year or two with the launch of Farm in a Bar-rel. Farm in a Barrel is a low-tech, high-impact farm-ing system that contains all the necessary equipment to start a small farm in one area of focus. Each system comes with everything needed to begin production and is shipped in a 55 gallon recycled plastic barrel which is then integrated as part of the farming system during production.

We are currently managing the pilot project for Farm in a Barrel, which was launched in the summer of 2013. This year we are fundraising for the next batch of Farm in a Barrels to send to Ghana, while also gear-ing up to launch Mission Month, our first ever mission program to help set up those barrels in July of 2015.

Farm in a Barrel is alive and well! Based on how it’s going so far, beneficiaries are going to earn about $1,000 per year. This may not sound like much, but it equates to around $15,000 per year compared to a Western standard of living. This enables the strug-gling youth to eat healthier, drink safer water, pay for school, and support their families.

To learn more about Truth x Vision, visit them on Facebook or check their website: www.truthxvision.org

alumni FoCuS upComing eventS

An Evening in

TuscanySaturday, May 3, 2014

34th Annual Benefit Dinner & AuctionAll proceeds, including your admission, go to the Santiam Christian Schools General Scholarship Fund

Saturday, May 3, 2014 ~ 4:30 pm ~ Check in

CH2M Hill Alumni Center725 SW 26th St ~ Corvallis, OR 97331 Admission ~ $30 per person ~ Table of eight ~ $200

Evening attire ~ Seating is limited

Register online by Thursday, April 24, 2014 www.santiamchristian.org/auction.cfm