Wingspan Winter 2016

The magazine of Grove City Christian School 1

WelcomeDIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Welcome to our online magazine!David Arrell Thank you for taking the time to peruse the onlineEDITOR magazine for Grove City Christian School. OurHannah Blandin desire is to communicate all of the many ways we are fulfilling the mission of our school. On these pages youEDITORIAL ASSISTANTS will find spotlights on our current students and prog-Amy McIlhargey ress reports from our alumni who are impacting theirAmy Sullivan world for Christ. We intend to populate this space with short biographies of the people who make this a specialCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER place to learn, grow and serve: our faculty and staff.Don Rogers Finally, we desire to keep you informed of the progress we are making on our goals and the new programs ini-ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL tiated to fulfill our mission. We hope that you find thisCindy Bigelow magazine encouraging and full of useful information so that you, our partners, can pray and praise the Lord forINTERMEDIATE/MIDDLE SCHOOL what He is doing at GCCS.PRINCIPALDebbie Edwards Partnering together, David Arrell Director of EducationHIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALRebecca JeffriesHIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOLASSISTANT PRINCIPALJim McMillanATHLETIC DIRECTOR The wingspan of an eagleMatt Blandin signifies its expanse meaus- re and reflects the distanceDIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT between its furthest points.Hannah Blandin As such, we named our magazine Wingspan becausewww.grovecitychristian.org throughout the publication it illustrates the history of Grove City Christian School, reflects upon where we arewww.facebook.com/gccseagles today, and casts a vision for our future. We are grate-Twitter: @gccs_eagles ful for those who followed God’s calling in 1990 andInstagram: @gccs_eagles founded Grove City Christian School. We will continue to give God all the glory as our Wingspan continues to Grove City Christian School serves as grow in the years to come. a ministry of the Grove City Church of the Nazarene

Campus LifeThe Natural and Intentional Integration of God’s Truthin the ClassroomCarol LinvilleWhen looking over the following words, what would you say they have in common?Culture News Media Books Social Media TelevisionFamily Teachers Music Religion Peer Pressure That is the first of many challenging and thought provoking moments experienced in Part1 of Anne Gallagher’s Biblically Integrated Instruction training. GCCS Language Arts teach-er, Mrs. Linville, and the rest of the faculty of GCCS recently participated in a multi-day en-richment opportunity to guide them on their mission to provide the spiritual and academicfoundation that cultivates, transforms and prepares students to be Christian leaders whoimpact their world. Anne Gallagher holds her Doctoral Degree in Curriculum andInstruction from Columbia International University. Her pro-gram, called PAQ for Biblically Integrated Instruction, is a collab-oration with Summit Ministries and is centered on ways to inte-grate biblical truth into classroom instruction through coaching(www.summit.org). The training began with teachers considering the questionabove and, in doing so, recognizing that the actions, beliefsand thinking of the things which pervade our lives daily reallycan create a captive mind. Through interactive discussion wo-ven into cooperative activities, Anne led the teachers to a better understanding of biblicallyintegrated teaching and what it looks like in the classroom. Additionally, the training facil-itated authentic understanding of this pedagogy and how critical it is that their classrooms‘live and breathe’ it, moment by moment, into the lives of their students. Mrs. Linville, as a teacher and mother of three, now more than ever, understands the Af-rican proverb, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. She wants every interaction that her chil-dren have with their teachers to be authentic. Mrs. Linville states, “it is imperative that ourstudents are exposed to a natural and genuine understanding of walking and defendingtheir relationship with Christ. I am thankful for the opportunity to partner with Anne andmy co-teachers to strive toward this Kingdom goal.” Lastly, Mrs. Linville believes it is important to realize that doing anything with excellence isnot nearly as easy as it may seem. Both naturally and intentionally integrating God’s truthin the classroom is a process; a vital process which can definitely be accomplished, withtime, focus and dedication. 3

Grove City Christian Child care for children 6 weeks to 12 years, halfCare Center Welcomes day pre-school for children 3 to 5 years,New Director before and after school programs, inclem- ent weather care and summer day camp forTina Skaggs children kindergarten thru 12 years of age. The Center not only offers quality care andTina Skaggs began employment with education to children, but also they are a Grove City Christian Child Care Center community within themselves. Parents and(GCCCCC) in January of 1997 so that she teachers work together to foster growth andcould provide her daughter, Jessica, with development in their children. They partnera wonderful pre-school experience. She with parents through special events suchquickly realized that it was more than a pre- as, Arts in the Alley parade, Pilgrim-Indianschool or child care. GCCCCC was a warm, Feast, Christmas Program, Pre-School Gradu-friendly environment where each child was ation, educational field trips, etc.encouraged to excel and em-ployees were encouraged tomake their classroom theirministry. Each day, Tina hadthe opportunity to teach alittle person about Jesus! Sheshares, “what could be betterthan that!” In January of 2016, Tina was Grove City Christian Child Care Center is aappointed the Interim Director ministry of Grove City Church of the Naza-of GCCCCC and shortly thereaf- rene. They exist to assist parents in fulfill-ter in March was promoted to ing their God-given responsibilities in train-the position of Director. Tina’s ing their children. They provide high qualityfavorite thing about her job early childhood education in a safe, warm,is the children’s stories. She nurturing, Christian atmosphere, with a staffloves when a child wants to tell of creative, knowledgeable teachers whoher a story…it might be about love children! To learn more about Grovetheir new shoes or what they City Christian Child Care Center, please callsaw on the way to school….for a child every- (614) 875-1917 or email tskaggs@grovecity-thing is so exciting. Tina shares, “there are christian.org.not just seven wonders of the world, in theeyes of a child there are seven million.” Inaddition to working for the child care, Tinais an active member of Grove City Churchof the Nazarene and currently serves in theElementary Ministry. The Grove City Christian Child Care Centerhas been a pillar in the Grove City commu-nity for over 27 years and serves more than400 families each day. They offer full day4 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

School UpdateSteps Toward AccreditationDavid ArrellSeveral years ago the leadership of the school set accreditation as a school-wide goal. We are happy to report that the school has submitted formal applications to be ac-credited by two organizations. We submitted applications to the Association of ChristianSchools International (ACSI) as well as AdvancED (Formerly known in Ohio as the NorthCentral Association of Colleges and Schools). These two organizations have an agreementthat if we follow the ACSI protocol and succeed in achieving an accredited status then Ad-vancED will confer that same status. In essence, we will obtain dual accreditation for essen-tially the same amount of work. The process of accreditation is easy to describe but requires a significant amount of work. We will under- go a rigorous self-study of the standards used in ac- creditation. As a Christian school, more is required of us to reach these standards than other schools who pursue accreditation. The self-study will be conductedby committees comprised of our stakeholders: students, parents, faculty, administrators,Education Committee members and members of our church leadership and a report willbe generated. This report will be viewed along with the documentary evidence we provideby a visiting team whose sole responsibility is to verify the correlation between the report,evidence and what they experience during a short visit to campus. We expect the visitingteam to come to GCCS at some point during the 2017-18 school year. When the visitingteam leaves our campus, they will submit a report and recommendation to both ACSI andAdvancED as to our level of compliance with the standards. This cycle of self-study followedby external verification will perpetually continue in the future. Some have asked about the benefits ofaccreditation especially since it is so muchwork. It is a lot of work but it is work thatwe should be doing anyway as a goodschool. The process merely helps a schoolfocus on and evaluate the most importantfacets of teaching, learning and fostering asuccessful school culture. School accreditation is more important for a private school thana public school. Locally, our public schools have chosen not to continue the accreditationprocess due to the work involved. They have made that choice due to the overwhelmingpaperwork expected of the them as a state school. We do not have the same burden of pa-perwork nor oversight. ACSI and AdvancED accreditation will help us discover ways in whichwe can improve and validate what we know to be true about GCCS. 5

Campus LifeLearning the Art of the Yo-yoNathan MartsolfMr. Martsolf has been playing with the yo-yo for as long as he can remember. When he came in as a new teacher last year, one of the personal things he told his studentsabout himself was his hobby of yo-yoing. To Mr. Martsolf’s surprise, there were a few stu-dents who had also gotten into the hobby. One of those students approached him andasked, “Mr. Martsolf, do you think we could have a yo-yo club here at school?” And that ishow it all started. They started out last year with just a handful of students, only 7th grade boys oddlyenough. And now as 8th graders they are the ones teaching new students the hobby. Thisyear the club has doubled! And there are even some girls! Mr. Martsolf thinks why something like the yo-yo is still so wonderful for young peopletoday is for three reasons – One: It gives the one playing with the yo-yo a sense of childlikewonder and amazement when they learn a new trick. There’s nothing like seeing the re-ward for hard work. Two: The yo-yo is a skill toy that provides a hope that you can alwaysget better at something, which is such an important message for teenagers. Mr. Martsolfis always telling his students, “just keep working on it, the trick will eventually ‘click’! Don’tgive up!” Three: It gives people a healthy avenue for creativity. If we believe we are createdby God, indeed made in God’s image, then we are expressing the image of God, which isinside us all, when we are being creative. It’s also a lot of fun! 6 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

School UpdateThe Class of 2016 added 44% of GCCS students attend Grove City 6 new colleges and Church of the Nazareneuniversities to the list ofschools attended by our graduates114 churches are 637 The 2016-2017 represented by students in Discovery Kinder- 68freshmen classour student body garten- 12th grade are being ed- enrolled ucated from a biblical worldview students, the as we seek to cultivate, transform largest in school and prepare them to impact history their world for Christ Ethnicity Report $5.2 MILLION African American 5% Asian 1%was earned in college scholarship Hispanic 4% Multi-Racial 4%$m4o.n8eymbyilthlieoCnlaswsaosfe2a0r1n6eadnbdy White 86% the Class of 2015 7

Alumni SpotlightThe Manifestation of a freshman Bible class, they memorized PsalmLarger Than Life Prayer 139. She remembered Mr. Schroeder walk- ing them through the significance of eachKacey Bolin verse and years later in Senior Seminar with Mr. Holley Kacey prayed for Psalm 139 toKacey Bolin went to Honduras for the first become a reality in her life. She prayed that time in 2012 just months after graduat- the personal God she had learned so muching from GCCS. Her time in Honduras began about in school would not just be knowl-as trips happening a few months at a time, edge in her head but journey to her heart.then transformed to a lifetime commitment Kacey’s senior year she prayed God wouldwhen she met a child in desperate need. lead her to where she truly belonged, for His Word to become real in her life, and for her When Kacey met Jesús he was dying. He life to be His.was extremely malnourished, refusing to eatand drink, and a dead- Kacey was experi-ly infection was rav- encing a larger thanaging throughout his life prayer she prayedbrain and body. Jesús years ago manifestwas born with Dan- in the most unlikelydy-Walker syndrome, of places. She wasa malformation of the in foreign country,brain, and hydroceph- in a hospital with aalus, a build-up of child she barely knew,fluid around the brain. fighting for him toIn his first year of life live. On the day ofhis condition went her return flight Jesúsuntreated, resulting was released fromin increased head-size the hospital and sheand brain damage. He was in desperate went home knowing she was called to goneed for someone to advocate for his life. At back. Within days Kacey’s bags were packedthe time Kacey had 4 weeks left in Honduras and her flight was booked. She came backbefore her return flight home. With no other to Honduras knowing God’s story for Jesúsexplanation than a sureness from the Holy was just beginning and she was committedSpirit Kacey stepped into his life, committing to being whatever piece of his story Godthe time she had to being by his side as he desired.either made a miraculous recovery or wentto the arms of the Father. Over the course Since then, Jesús has become her son and,of the next four weeks they spent 25 days in though, for now he is her foster son, onethe hospital, during which he had an abdom- day Kacey is confident the doors will beinal operation and 2 brain surgeries. With opened for him to be fully adopted into hereach passing day Kacey stood by his side as family. Jesús has overcome every prognosishe made miraculous recovery. given by medical professionals and the prog- ress he has made is truly miraculous. Jesús During those long days in the hospital Kac- is now eight years old and is experiencingey was reminded of her time at GCCS. In her the joys of childhood. He is learning to walk,8 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

eating on his own, attending school,and has so much to say. He loves tosing, play outside in the sunshine, andlaugh with Kacey as he steals cookiedough from the mixing bowl whenthey bake together. Kacey’s call to missions in Honduraswas for one child. Just like the GoodShepherd in Luke 15 God called Kaceyto go after one child in need. Sincemoving to Honduras for Jesús She hasbeen blessed to work with many chil-dren and families as a missionary withReach Out Orphanage Ministries. Theystrive to bring the hope and love ofJesus Christ to children in orphanagesand families in impoverished commu-nities.Kacey is thankful to every teacherand staff member at GCCS, whetherit be through personal interactions orclass time, every day she was exposedto biblical teachings and the love ofChrist. That knowledge and experi-ence has transformed from knowledgein her mind to treasure hidden in her Alumni UpnduastoeyrosduoanyoAaulruekmno- w of anheart. What she learned about God alumnus who is impactingas a student was foundational for thisjourney and call to full-time missionsin Honduras. To read more about Kacey and Jesúsvisit her blog at: https://kaceybolin.wordpress.com/ their world for Christ? We would love to hear their story and feature them in an upcom- ing issue of Wingspan. Please email alumni updates and infor- mation to Hannah Blandin at [email protected] 9

Your Gift Matters $15,760 was awarded on a financial need basis for the 2016-2017 school year 4 families chose to 9Through the gift of financialinvest in the lives of others aid, students were blessedthrough making a donation with the opportunity to attend to be awarded as financial GCCS. 6 of those students aid for the 2016-2017 were first time recipients of school year financial aid for the 2016-2017 school year100Over volunteers invested inthe lives of our studentsduring the 2015-2016 school year10 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him. Colossians 3:17From Blessed toBlessingJennifer CarperIn 2015, tragedy struck a GCCS fam- ily when Jennifer Carper and herchildren unexpectedly lost their husbandand father. Now shocked and devastat-ed, Jennifer felt the weight of having muchto worry about as their lives were dramaticallychanging and she was a newly single mother. Intheir time of need the people of GCCS and Grove CityChurch of the Nazarene (GCCN) rallied around them and liftedthem up with the love of Jesus. One way GCCS was able to bless Jennifer was with financial assistance so that her childrencould continue to attend the school. The financial assistance they received helped to pro-vide them with stability during their time of grief.  For Jennifer and her children, the helpand uplifting prayers were overwhelming in the best way. Once they were on their feet and had found a new “normal” Jennifer chose to give backto the GCCS Scholarship Fund in hopes of one day being able to help someone who maybe in a similar bind. Jennifer states, “I am forever grateful and my heart has been foreverchanged. Jesus has carried me through some very dark times and I see Him in so manypeople. Thank you GCCS and GCCN.” To learn how you can give a gift to the GCCS Scholarship Fund and help a family in need,visit http://grovecitychristian.org/give or call GCCS at (614) 875-3000 ext. 210. 11

Senior SpotlightFrom Leading to Leaving The NestClayton Lepley Clayton Lepley, a senior, started attending GCCS in 8th grade. While at GCCS he has been involved in many dif- ferent areas. Clayton has served as a chaplain for the past two years, which has provided him the opportunity to influ- ence the spiritual direction of the school. Clayton has taken an active role in helping with chapels by programming the lighting which helps to enhance the worship experience for students. Clayton has also been an active member of Student Council, Spanish Club, National Honor Society and the Varsity Football Team. Outside of school, Clayton has been involved with the Boy Scouts, where he worked hard to earn Eagle Scout. Clayton also attends and is an active member of Grove City Church of the Nazarene where he volunteers with their production team as well as works at the Naz Café. As a member of the Varsity Football Team and Team Captain his senior year, school spir-it has been very important to Clayton. One of the most enjoyable clubs he participates inis “The Nest”. The Nest is the student cheering section for GCCSathletic events which seeks to provide school spirit and support forstudent athletes. During his sophomore year, Clayton was provid-ed with the opportunity to start leading the The Nest. Through hisleadership, Clayton has enhanced school spirit at athletic eventsthrough the creation of themed evenings, such as a white out andHawaiian night. In addition, Clayton has helped to design t-shirtsto be worn by the student section and keeps everyone informed through The Nest Twitterpage by notifying them of upcoming events and their themes. When attending a GCCS ath-letic event, you more than likely will hear Clayton cheering the Eagles on to victory! Clay-ton’s passion for GCCS is evidenced through the encouragement and support he shows ashe works to get others excited as well! Through all of these experiences Clayton has been blessed with the opportunity to makelasting relationships with not only his fellow peers, but also teachers and administrators.Clayton credits Mr. Aaron Holley, former GCCS Bible teacher, for influencing and making animpact on his life. Clayton had the opportunity to get to know Mr. Holley as a student inhis freshman Bible class. In the years that followed, Clayton observed Mr. Holley’s genuinepassion for teaching and building relationships with his students. Through Mr. Holley’sexample, Clayton witnessed how to show Christ’s love to everyone which has helped him togrow in his own personal relationship with Christ. The experiences and relationships formed both at GCCS and his church have helped Clay-ton to grow personally and spiritually. As Clayton prepares for graduation he can confi-dently take his next steps knowing he is surrounded by friends, teachers, administratorsand mentors who will be cheering him on as he seeks to impact his world for Christ! 12 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

Campus LifeBring Your Bible to School DayAmy McIlhargeyFocus on the Family challenged and encouraged students and teachers across America to bring their Bibles to school on October 6, 2016. Since our students are blessed withbringing our Bibles to school every day, the 5th and 6th graders at GCCS looked for an op-portunity to reach out to our community. Partnering with Pastor Dale Benson, we decidedto reach out to public school teachers that attend church here at the Naz. Miss Miller and our 6th graders spent time creating bookmarks to tell teachers about BringYour Bible to School Day. They wrote notes on the back encouraging teachers to Shine theirLight. We also created prayer cards for each of the teachers to fill out. On Sunday, October1 a handful of our 5th and 6th graders met Ms. Edwards and Mrs. McIlhargey at the churchto pass out the bookmarks. We were able to pass out all of our bookmarks and had 25teachers fill out prayer cards. The prayer cards included their name, school, and how wecould pray for them specifically. On October 6, the actual Bring Your Bible to School Day, our 5th and 6th graders took timeto pray specifically for each of the teachers that filled out a prayer card. Each card, teacher,and school were prayed for at least 4 times during the day. It was a wonderful opportunityto thank God for our Christian School and to pray for others to Shine their Light! We sentfollow up letters to continue to encourage others to be a bold light in their classrooms andcommunity! 13

Campus LifeGaining a Global sion, it however, depends onPerspective missionaries to administer the program and serve onCindy Bigelow the staff.  When the currentOn October 1, Mrs. Bi- administrator retires and gelow, our Elementary returns to America, with- out a missionary to replacePrincial boarded a plane him and his wife, the schooland headed on the first leg likely will close.  We need toof her trip to South Africa.  pray for the work of Chris-The purpose of her trip was tian schools and those whoto visit her son and his fam- serve in them around theily who are missionaries in world.The Strand, a city near Cap-etown, the capital of South In addition to the graciousAfrica. It was the adventure and caring people she met,of a lifetime for Mrs. Bige- Mrs. Bigelow also enjoyedlow as she not only saw her seeing the beautiful countryfamily but also experienced  of Africa, plants that only sible to navigate and sanka country that has indescrib- grow in that region and the below the beautiful blueable scenery and beautiful amazing animals there.  She waters.people. enjoyed walking with the elephants as well as the pen- Mrs. Bigelow does not knowMrs. Bigelow had the priv- guins and even doing some if she will have a chance toilege of visiting churches whale watching.  Perhaps visit Africa in the future.  Sheand schools during her time one of the most beautiful will forever be grateful forthere.  The Christian school places to see was Knysna – the opportunity to go forshe visited was Good Hope the Heads. This was a very such an incredible experi-Christian, a school of about dangerous pass for boats to ence and to share what shesixty students.  Much like maneuver and sailing vessels learned with others.GCCS in its vision and mis- often found the pass impos-14 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

Campus Life Stay connected and involved by PPAlumniLooking for a gift idea for an visiting our website, alumnus? GCCS is now selling alumni apparel! Our alumni www.grovecitychristian.org, liking our apparel is stylish and comfortable Grove City Chrisitan School Facebook page, and following us on Twitter & AR and a great way to show school spirit. For more information or to Instagram @gccs_eagles. purchase your apparel, contact Hannah Blandin atDo you have an idea for an article [email protected] an upcoming issue ofWingspan? We’d love to hear it! ELPlease email article ideas to [email protected]

AthleticsCongratulations to all our Fall Sport athletes on a tremendous season!1st Team Mid-State League Mid-State League Ernie Godfrey AwardCardinal Division $1,000 ScholarshipTanner Allen- Soccer Clayton Lepley- FootballMatt Bailey- FootballJason Baker- Golf 1st Team All-DistrictLeah Baker- Volleyball Tanner Allen- SoccerZach Lantzy- Soccer Leah Baker- VolleyballDane Long- GolfJoe Pashovich- Football 2nd Team All-DistrictZach Strawser- Golf Zach Lantzy- Soccer Calista Manns- Volleyball2nd Team Mid-State LeagueCardinal Division Honorable Mention All-DistrictGabe Baugess- Golf Matt Bailey- FootballAdam Blake- Football Katie Jacobs- VolleyballClayton Buck- Golf Joe Pashovich- FootballClayton Lepley- FootballCalista Manns- Volleyball Central District Coach of the YearAlec Sliemers- Soccer Dan Milam- SoccerHonorable Mention Mid-State LeagueCardinal DivisionAJ Gillespie- SoccerKatie Jacobs- VolleyballQuynten Jeffries- FootballLane Scott- SoccerIan Sinclair- FootballNoah Whitaker- FootballCheck it Out!16 WINGSPAN Magazine | Winter 2016 | www.grovecitychristian.org

Campus LifeHomecoming 2016Rebecca JeffriesDressing like a millionaire or wearing the jersey of their favorite team were just two of the ways that our studentsin fifth-twelfth grade showed their school spirit during ourannual Spirit Week which was held during the week of Sep-tember 19-23. All students were encouraged to wear blue, black and whiteto school on Friday, September 23rd. That afternoon, stu-dents in second-twelfth grade participated in a Pep Rallyorganized by the varsity cheerleading squad. The high schooland middle school cheerleaders led the crowd in cheers andeach group of cheerleaders performed a dance they preparedfor the event. Students and teachers were called upon to joinin a variety of relay races and competitions, including a tug ofwar competition between the high school grade levels. Thesophomore class defeated the freshmen and junior classesand received a dress down day the following week as theirreward. The crowning of this year’s Homecoming King and Queentook place prior to the start of that evening’s football gameagainst the Warriors of Worthington Christian. Alumni CalebNewkirk and Taylor Barney were on hand to relinquish theirtitle of Homecoming King and Queen to this year’s recipients,Seniors Josiah Pashovich and Lauren Bankey. Saturday, September 24th, the sophomore class transformedthe gym into the “Garden in the Grove” for that evening’sHomecoming Dinner and Dance. Students enjoyed food fromChipotle and a variety of desserts before hitting the dancefloor where they danced the night away. It was the perfectculmination to a week of celebrating our school. 17

Upcoming Events December December 5, 7:00pm- Middle & High School Christmas Concert2016December 13, 7:00pm- Elementary Christmas Program December 15, 9:30am- Christmas Chapel January January 19, 7:00pm- Intermediate School Concert February 2017February 28, 7:00pm- Prospective Family Open House March March 6, 7:00pm- Night of Fine Arts May May 2, 7:00pm- Intermediate School Concert May 9, 7:00pm- Middle & High School Concert May 14, 7:00pm- Middle & High School Band Concert May 30, 7:00pm- Kindergarten Graduation June June 2, 7:00pm- High School Graduation