houston christian high school newsletter design

www.houstonchristian.org

STUDENTS LEARNTHROUGH TRAVEL

Center for ScHOLARS & LEADERS

dediCation

Winter/Spring 2012 Volume 13, Issue 2

HC Alumn Making A Difference

2 3

Spring 2012 Spring 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

Cover PHOTO42 Fine Arts students visited Paris during the Spring Break. Students from choir, band, orchestra and drama enjoyed sigtseeing for a historical and educational trip. The photo was taken by Dr. Steve Livingston, head of school. More on page 6.

Houston Christian High School (HC) is an independent, non-profit, coeducational, private day school educating students in grades 9-12. In two academic semesters each year, extending from approximately August to December and January to May, student learn leadership development through the Passport to Lead program which is a distinct characteristic of HC’s college preparatory experience; integrating leadership principles into every course at Houston Christian. HC is accredited by/a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Independent Schools of the Southwest (ISAS). Information about HC can be found at www.houstonchristian.org

Winter/Spring 2012 Volume 13, Issue 2

Published four times a year, the HC Life newsletter showcases some of the high-lights, leading programs, and visionary plans of the HC Community.

Produced by the HC office of Communi-cations.

HC News and Events [online]

visit our website at www.houstonchristian.org for news on current events and student accomplishments.

FIND, FRIEND & FOLLOW US

11

8

4

14

8

16

1217

sections

HC DEDICATES THE GEORGE & BARBARA BUSH CENTER FOR SCHOLARS AND LEADERS

STUDENTS LEARN THROUGH TRAVEL

GALA CELEBRATION

MISSION EMPHASIS WEEK

Milestones .............................4 Headlines ...............................6 Travel ........................................8Performing Arts ..................... 10Academics ...............................16In the classroom ..................... 18Class Notes .............................21

Teacher Highlights ................. 23

About HC

2012-2013 Academic Year

http://www.facebook.com/houstonchristianhttps://twitter.com/hchsdrlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/houston-christianhttp://www.youtube.com/hchsmustangs

HC Joins Southwest Preparatory ConferenceHouston Christian is pleased to announce that it will join the SPC beginning with the academic year 2012-2013. The Southwest Preparatory Conference (“SPC”) is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinctive secondary school athletic conferences. Established in 1952, the conference has grown in both membership and number of sports offered. Today the conference represents 18 of the finest college preparatory schools in the nation. These schools are spread over Texas and Oklahoma and provide competition in 21 different sports. (www.spcsports.org)

4

4 5


MILESTONES By Stephen M. Livingston, Ph.D Head of School

INSPIRING FUTURE LEADERS

In just a few short years, Houston christian has become a model for independent schools across the U.S. who desire to teach in a diverse, challenging, college preparatory environment. With the first buildings built on this campus in 2000, each year has included growth, change, and

development of four core values that we share with George and Barbara Bush: Honor, community, Heritage, and Scholarship. Those stand for HcHS and today we stand alongside the Bushes cel-ebrating another milestone in our history.

The George and Barbara Bush Center will offer a 90-year depth of knowledge for study, in an engag-ing, interactive environment where students at any grade-level will have historic material at their finger-tips. HC will work with other agencies such as the Presidential Library, National Archives, Bush School of Government at Texas A&M, The Points of Light Institute, and the Barbara Bush Center for Family Literacy to be a strong representative as the largest local repository of historic artifacts related to the 41st Presidency. HC desires to reach a broad cross-

section of students and teachers in the community, opening the BCSL doors for programs, speakers, and a renewed focus on the values it shares with the Bush family.

We are blessed to have the endorsement of the former President and Mrs. Bush. By dedicating this center, we pledge to honor the legacy of service of the Bush family, and carry the light of their lives out to a thousand other points of light, through the many students and teachers who will gain from this center.

As you walk through the halls out here, enjoy the powerful panels emblazoned with word beginning with the letter “C”. Each tell a part of the Bush story; a life lived in service of a higher calling, in many instances with great courage, competence, and compassion. As you view the displays on the back of this hall, we hope that through their special communication of these model lives, the exemplary character of George and Barbara Bush will leap from the walls, and provide a template upon which we will guide future students into their desti-nies, into their particular leadership roles.

Our desire is to touch the culture with the significance of the values shared with George and Barbara Bush, and this relationship is now one of this school’s greatest treasures, much more important than a building; because, if anything we have learned in this process is that the Bush legacy is one of relationship, of a human touch that will extend far beyond their great lives, and will shine out into future generations with the story of two wonder-ful young people who went out from Houston to change their world, just as we believe these young people here will do today.

So on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Faculty, staff and students of HC, I welcome you to the George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders.

6 7


HEADLINES

“I encourage you to always remember to respect and more importantly to celebrate the differences in each of us.”

Barbara Bush celebrates International Day at Hc

Houston christian High School celebrated its cultural diversity and demonstrated its pride in the many heritages represented by the students, faculty, staff, and parents at the fourth annual International Festival Day on Friday, January 20, 2012. Former First Lady

Barbara Bush entertained Houston christian students as she shared her cultural knowledge with humor and wit.

“The purpose of the program is to show how much we appreciate each culture and to respect the values and uniqueness each culture has,” said Sam Mendizabal, Foreign Language Department Chair and Spanish teacher at HC. “This year was very special because our students had the opportunity to meet and hear Mrs. Barbara Bush. We were honored to have her in our school,” he said.

The program began with a prayer given by HC students, Junior Jacob Farris and Sophomore Grace Munford both presidents of the International Club at HC. HC Junior, Hope Johnson serenaded the audience with a Romanian song “Frunza Verde”. Senior Kathryn Quandt recited The Shepherd Psalm 23 followed by John 3:16

recited in Mandarin by several students. Junior Nina Farmer performed a traditional Fla-menco dance and a Spanish Band from Mundo Pentecostal Church brought the audience to their feet with upbeat wor-ship songs.Sophomore Grace Munford introduced the former first lady, “for a school so dedicated to developing leaders, it is an incredible honor for Houston Christian to have a woman with such a strong character, wisdom, and faith, speak to our community,” she said.

Mrs. Bush spoke to the stu-dents about the importance of celebrating each other’s dif-ferences without forgetting to have a little fun in life.

After the assembly, the parents and teachers enjoyed music from a Mariachi band in the MetroNational® gymnasium. The students, faculty and staff were treated to a sampling of inter-national food and refreshments by the parents.

A group of seventeen students traveled 2,000 miles to China to follow the Silk Road west, visiting breathtaking landmarks. Students saw the urban giant Beijing and then trekked both eastern and western ends of the Great Wall of China. Navigating the length of the country, students learned about China’s history and culture, and how it varies along the Silk Road. On the western end of China, students took a camel caravan across portions of the Gobi Desert—the fifth largest desert in the world, with sand dunes over 1,000 feet high!The trip was led by the Head of School Dr. Steve Livingston, and is part of HC’s unique Globe Trek program designed to give students an opportunity to directly learn about other countries and cultures. “The HC Globe Trek Program provides a very unusual experience. How many students have traversed the Silk Road west across China? The magnitude of this trek on historical, geographical, and cultural levels is priceless for their development into global leaders,” said Dr. Livingston.

In the summer of 2012, students will travel to South Africa and Zambia for a safari of a lifetime.

Photos by Dr.

8 9


ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL

STUDENTS TRAVEL To ChINA

HC’s travel program gives students a unique opportunity to visit other countries.

The spring break 2012 was filled with excitement and adventure for the Hc Fine arts students. A total of 52 students, teachers and staff visited Paris to see

the Eiffel Tower, the Obelisk, the Notre Dame cathedral, among other popular tourist attractions.

ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL

Photos by Dr. Steve Livingston, Head of School

One of their first stops included the Musee D’Orsay which is housed in an old train station with impressionist works of art by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and sculptures by Rodin. The trip also included a visit to Loire Valley known as the Valley of the Castles showcasing stunning architecture and art. The students visited Le Clos Luce, a

mansion where Leonardo Da Vinci lived and worked for the

French King Francis I. “The trip was an incredible snap-shot of all arts and culture in Paris,” said Allison Red-mond, HC Band teacher.

“We had a blast,” she added.

JOSEPHand the amazing technicolor dreamcoat

‘Unbelievably superb, off-the charts excellent’

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat spring musical was nominated for this year’s Tommy Tune Awards in three categories including best direction, best choreography, and best costumes. The students per-

formed at the Dunham Theater at Houston Baptist University and delighted the audiences with amazing choreography and cos-tumes. The Hc students brought to life the Biblical saga of Joseph by creating a story within a story. The first story is set in a youth detention facility and involves a young man (Joseph) who is just arriving. While he is there, he gets bullied by other members of the detention facility and is befriended by a priest. When all hope seems lost, the priest gives Joseph a book and the story of Joseph comes to life. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock ‘n’ roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.

Photos by Rick Wolf

Haylee Hoelscher received a $3000 scholarship from the Tommy Tune Aaward’s scholarship.

Ariana Morgan, and Brianna Busby along with Pam Foster, HC Choral Director attended the Women’s Re-gion Concert in Dallas. Both students were selected for a solo together in the choral piece “Tundra” by Ola Gjeilo.

Brendan Ehrenstrom with Allison Redmon, HC band director at the ATSSB All State Band Concert at the Lila Cockrell Theater. Brendan auditioned and got selected to be part of the Symphonic band, 10th chair.

Students at the Texas Private Schools Music Educa-tors Association. Left to right: Hope Johnson sang “Se Florindo e fedele” and received a Superior rating! Jacob Farris sang “Don Juan’s Serenade” and received an Ex-cellent rating. Beth Powell sang “Tell Me Oh Blue Blue Sky” and received a Superior rating!

10 11


PERFoRMINGARTS PERFoRMINGARTS

Awards & Recognitions

12 13


Photo by SPC Creative Photography

The 2012 Gala and Auction, A Time of Celebration, was held on March 30th at the Omni Riverway Hotel. The

evening was a huge success with a live and silent auction, delicious dinner, and dancing to the band Easy Money. Renee Jones was our lively auctioneer, helping us raise over $230,000!

Guests enjoyed mingling, bidding, and dining together in fellowship and celebrating the progress Houston Christian has made toward our goal for the Forward in Faith capital campaign.

houston Christian high School CommunityEnjoyed an evening of fellowship and celebration

Jeff Reeter and Jeff Voncannon, campaign chairs, gave thanks to all who have contributed to this important capital project. In addition, Jeff Reeter announced that the new building will be named in honored of our head of school: Livingston Learning Commons. A big “Thank You!” goes to this year’s gala chairs, Prix Fronckiewicz and Lynne Voncannon, and to all the volunteers and donors who made the evening a great success! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Jill and Kerr Taylor Lisa Webre and Claire Dotson Melinda and Scott LamoreauxCissy and David Winn

Tom Wilson, Jeff Voncannonand Pinky Pampell

Linda and Art Ensley

Matt and Melissa Morris, Joy and Stewart Morris

Marian Richards and Lorissa Robinson

Prix Fronckiewicz Lynne VoncannonGala Chairs

Dr. Steve Livingston reacts to the announcement of the Livingston Learning Commons.

Mark Aurich, Dede Ferguson, Neil and Maria Bush

Dr. Eileen and Brown Councill

Prix and Craig Fronckiewicz & Stephanie and Brian Fisher

Kelly and Mike Handel & Stephanie and Max Bowman

SPC

Cre

ativ

e Ph

otog

raph

y

14 15


Photos by Mia Steinkamp

Mission emphasis Week in Houston christian is about giving back to the community and celebrating each other. This year, the theme was Give Yourself Away

and the students, faculty, and staff went to the Houston Food Bank to donate 1,289 pounds of canned goods which provided 1,031 meals to needy families in the Houston area.

All the students participated in this event which brought smiles and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Mission Emphasis Week

Giving Back to the community

Give Yourself Away

Prayer

Pray for the person next to you by name, that they may know

their spiritual gift and use it for the glory of God.

Pray for the children all over the world who are not yet

sponsored, that people may enter into their lives and bring them

hope.

Pray for Loren to be a light amongst the people she serves in

Africa, and praise God for her return to Uganda!

Pray for the teenagers and young adults living on the streets of

Houston.

Pray for the human

trafficking that flows

through Houston

to be brought to an

end. If God puts any

other person,

cause, issue

or area in the

world on your

heart, pray for that.

Pray for God to use your life in great ways to

impact the world. Surrender your day to Him today and allow

Him to use you today and every day for His purpose and glory.

“He has told you, O man,

what is good;

And what does the LORD

require of you but

to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly

with your God?”

Micah 6:8

The students had a time of prayer under the I-10 freeway to pray against human trafficking as the that highway is a huge transportation flow for traffickers.

Scholastic Writting &Freedom Foundation Winners

Houston Chiristian High School began participating in the Region 4 Scholastic Writing Contest in the 2009-2010 school year with a total of three students from two different grade levels winning awards for their writing. Now in its third year

of participation, HC has a total of 28 students from all four grade levels winning awards, including HC’s first ever entries in the Senior Nonfiction Writing Portfolio category.

Pictured below are the scholastic writing winners.

Four HC students won the Houston area Freedom Foundation Student Essay Contest. Each student received an all-expense trip to the annual Freedoms Foundation Youth Summit at Valley Forge. Each of the winning essays were then submitted to a panel of national judges who awarded the George Washington Honor Medal to three students:

Michael Dunn, Devon Wills, Kathyrn Quandt, and Eric Hopper.

left to rightTurner Batdorf, Ashley Mack, Lauren Schulz, Callie Parish, Max Brown, Kate Goode, Logan Zoelle, Jordan Zeal, Taylor Porchey, Shelby Corder, Karmen Valenzuela, Madeline Sneed, Adrianna Thompson, Maddie Copello, Reghan Gillman, Kathryn Quandt, Katherine Allison, Beth Powell, Eric Hopper, Sarah Floris, Katie Garbarino. Not pictured: Rachael Barnett, Cullen Cosco, Leigh Cummings, Kloe Dorsett, and Audrey Wood.

Left to right:Alison Wisdom (sponsoring teacher), Kate Goode, Allison Morris (sponsoring teacher)

Students Donate Ponytails to Locks of Love

16 17


Academics Greater Good

Twelve Houston Christian girls donated their ponytails to Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged chil-dren in the United States and Canada. It takes the ponytails of 6 people to make

one wig, so that was the equivalent of 2 wigs. It costs about $3,400 to make one wig. Thank you to all the students who participated

in this great cause.

Art Awards and Recognitions

18 19


IN ThE CLASSRooM Amanda Blanchard won awards for VASE (Visual Arts Scholas-tic Event) with two perfect scores in both Region IV Event and State Vase Event for her stoneware teapot.

Miranda Rogers

Alexandra Constantinou

Jacob Faris Sam Kaestner

Ava Finstuen won a second place ribbon for Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Beauty Rest by Michelle Jong sells for $37,000 at the HoustonLivestock Show & Rodeo

20 21


hC Alumn Making A Difference

Alumni News2011 graduate spends a year in Kenya and Uganda to help children in need

continue on page 17

Class Notes

Lindsay Quandt (‘10)Lindsay Quandt (Class of 2010) unveiled her work “Something to Lean On” in the Drake Performing Arts Center lobby on January 6. Lindsay’s art was selected by Congressman Culbertson to be displayed in the nation’s capital building the past year and now will be on display in the DPAC. Lindsay is the sister of current senior Kathryn Quandt.

Katie Mire (‘08)Is currently a senior at Kansas State University majoring in Public Relations with an outside concentration in Psychology. She works as the Marketing Assistant at a local broadcasting company in Manhattan and has completed numerous projects with them. Karie will be graduating in December 2012 and shortly after that will be pursuing a career in Public Relations.

Charile Hasenbank (‘08)Charlie ran and completed his first marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon in DC this on Oct. 30, 2012. Charlie will graduate in May 2012 from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is pictured with fellow alumni, Holly Meaden.

Were married on March 3, 2012 at Chapelwood United Methodist. They met their sophomore year of high school and finally made it official after dating more than seven years. Alex and Ashley currently live in Houston. Ashley graduated from Ole Miss and is employed by Sierra Resources. Alex graduated from UT where he played on the Longhorn football team. He is employed by Geomark Research and plans to attend graduate school in the coming year.

Ashley Mitchell & Alex Zumberge Class of 2007

John and Debbe Zumberge, Alex and Ashley (Mitchell) Zumberge (HC’ 07) and Julie and Steve Mitchell

“Something To Lean On”

Serving others and witnessing firsthand the diseases, poverty, and abuse that children endure in other countries is a humbling experience. That is what Lo-ren Thomas, a 2011 graduate told the students during a recent chapel service. Loren recently returned from East Africa after an 8 month mission trip with Empower a Child, a non-profit Christian organization based in Uganda and Kenya. During her mission, Loren worked with children, building churches, sharing the gospel, singing songs and feeding the hungry among many other opportunities that helped her share God’s love and be blessed by the abun-dance of His spirit. Unlike many high school graduates who spend their first year experiencing the ins and outs of college life, Loren found herself exploring ways to keep the bugs out of her food and how to navigate

the streets Zirobwe and Kibera without getting lost. “It was easier to blend into their culture than to hold onto my own,” said Loren. “I often times found myself walking around with the kids, barefoot and happier than ever,” she said.

Describing herself as just “A kid seeking God’s path through her life”, Loren talked with HC students about how God has worked in her life through this journey of service and outreach. Among the many experi-ences she shared, Loren told the students about 4-year- old Faith, whom she was able to comfort and hold in her arms after a bout of Malaria and about her roommate, Scovia, a 13-year-old girl whom despite an

early life of pain and abuse, still seeks God’s love and has hope for the future.

22 23


Janet Davidson (‘93)Moved to New York City in 2005. After 6 years living and working in Manhattan, she relocated across the Hudson River to Hoboken, New Jersey. She works as a support person on an asset management team at a firm in Midtown Manhattan for almost 5 years.

Julie Thomas (Davis) (‘87)Lives in Denver, Colorado and have been here since graduating from the University of Colorado, continuing her education at University of Denver Law School. She has been practicing Law in Colorado. Julie is the mother of two boys.

Jana Bunting (Smith) (‘82)Lives in the Hill Country and runs a Colon Cancer Foundation as well as operate 6 radio stations. She has a 15-year-old son.

Sergio Reyes (‘83)Lived in College Station while attending TAMU. He lives in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Working in family business since he came back to Honduras. Went to school to TAMU in College Sation and is married with 1 son and 1 daughter.

Katrina Quarles (Fowler) (‘79)Recently retired from Halliburton where she was an Employee Assistance Counselor for the past 29 years. Says Katrina: “Now I am about to embark on the second phase of my career, just still trying to determine exactly what that will be.” She has two children, Kaylen and Colton. Katrina adds: “It’s hard to think my children are already that old, seems like yesterday I was walking the halls at NWA. Those were amazing days and have left me with a lifetime of wonderful memories of everyone.”

George van Wageningen (‘06)Graduated from Texas Tech University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree. He moved to Dallas, TX after college and is now working in sales.

Melinda Hodges Ferguson (‘06)Graduated with a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2011. She is currently working for an adoption agency, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, in Houston, TX as the Foster-Adoption Social Worker. She got married in December 2010 to Jeremy Ferguson.

Kim Price (Westerhaus) (‘06)Is working on her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at SFA in Nacogdoches. Kim says: “I have always wanted to do private practice, but have been looking into collegiate level counseling lately. Who knows where I’ll end up!” Kim married in July 2010 and is enjoying married life and all the adventures.

Lauren Williams Benesh (‘98)After graduating from NWA, she attended Baylor University for two years before transferring to Rice University. Lauren graduated with an English degree in 2003 and married her husband, Nathan, later that year.. She currently lives in Houston and is now a full-time mom with two kids, Noah and Jane.

Mike Wolfe, Class of ‘95Running for reelection in 2012, Republican Harris County School Trustee filed for reelection on November 28, 2011. Mike fills his free time as a proud uncle with his 4 year old niece Loryn Wolfe.

David Marks (‘77)Is the Vice President of Environmental Design in Tomball, TX. The company specializes in supplying and transplanting large trees world wide. David says: “Attending Northwest for my Senior year 1977 was one of the greatest experiences of my life.” He still keeps in toruch with many friends from his Junior/Senior Class.

Carol Eckels Adams (‘76)Is currently serving a second term on Katy city council, working on the Hazard Mitigation committee and as Animal Control liaison. Working as an advocate for Katy historical preservation initiatives, she is also writing a book, ‘Historic Katy’ to be published in early 2012.

Kenneth Boone (‘75)

His daughter Ashlyn Boone is currently a freshman at HC and will graduate in 2015, 40 years after Kenneth graduated from Northwest Academy in 1975. He was in the original classes when Northwest started up his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Rayford Boone, were involved with helping start up the school. His Dad was an original board member and his Mom volunteered and helped start up and run the kitchen for a number of years. He spent a lot of his summer in 1971 at the site on Watonga helping paint and ready the new buildings for the 71-72 school year.

Class Notes Edward CarsonHistory Teacher

Boston Marathon Runner

The 2012 Boston Marathon was an honor for me to race. Though I have been highly competitive in races that featured non-Olympian and sub-elites such as myself, I like many other talented runners look to Boston as a venue that rewards hard work. A very small percentage of the running popula-tion qualify for this race, thus adding much excite-ment and prestige to the notion of being a Boston Marathoner. After competing in the 2011 Boston Marathon, my coach and I discussed how I might improve. From getting up early in the mornings to run long hard tempo runs at a 6:00 minute per mile pace to completing long slow 20 mile runs on the weekend, I was putting in 80 to 100 mile weeks. After placing high in a few tune-up races that were in length of 15k to 13.1 miles, my confidence was high. My goal was to run a 6:45 per mile pace with enough energy left to jump for joy at the end. However, as the race approached, Boston received an unseasonable warm front.

When the gun fired, the temperature was already at 74 degrees…four degrees warmer than the finish

of any marathon previously raced. My coach suggested that I start slow, which I did. I ran the

first 18 miles at a 7:10 pace; however, the last 8.2 miles proved to be too difficult. The Boston temperature was closing in on 89 degrees by time I hit mile 16. The water and Gatorade was warm. And, mixing both warm liquids with the carbohydrate GU only aided my crawl to the finish line.

Regardless of my disappointment, I had a great experience in Boston. My wife Janette Carson and I enjoyed a great deal of quality time with each other while experiencing the elite stage of the Boston Marathon. I got a great deal of support from students and colleagues, which helped me overcome my poor performance.

2012 BP MS 150Houston Christian Cycling Club

Amber Joachim, HC Science Teacher Organized the first HC cycling Club. Together with her team, she collected

$5,665.00 towards the a world without MS.

Teacher High l ights

Throughout her time in East Africa, Loren shared her experiences with the HC community and received much support and prayer from HC students, teachers, and staff. Upon her departure from Africa, Loren received a gift of letters written by each child in the school she helped build asking for friendship from Loren’s friends. Loren brought the letters to the students of HC and quickly the number of students wanting letters far exceeded the number of letters.Loren encouraged the student to seek God’s will and consider sponsoring a child because it would truly impact their lives and in turn allow God’s love to be seen and felt through the generosity and contact of Christians. Loren will be going to the University of Texas next year to study photo journalism.

continued from page 16 Loren Thompson

By Edward Carson

MUSTANG SPIRITHomecoming 2012

houston christian high school newsletter design

Design

bush school

hc community

bush story

george barbara bush

bush legacy

hc lifenewsletter

hc news

finger bush family