Crusader Newsletter Fall 2016

SEC E Fall 2016 Volume 19 Issue 1Photo Credit: Nancy KuiperPublished by Northwest Christian Schools for Alumni, Friends & School FamilyNWC is Vibrant! WIAALike a Tree, Northwest Christian is Growing INITIATIVES NHUARNICTEYMENTSNin New and Fresh Ways! By Terry Meyer P6 Look inside to read about orthwest Christian Schools was established in exciting developments at 1949. What began as a seed and small planting NWC referenced above. with a couple dozen students meeting in a church, Page 4 has now grown, like a flourishing tree, into a strong regional school serving more than 760 students. P8 We continue to enjoy “new growth” in many parts of our school, and we have some exciting stories to share! One of our science teachers recently published an article which will benefit not only NWC, but national science education as a whole! Our students are shining in our community, region and beyond. And NWC recently received special recognition for excellence both regionally and nationally. Continues on P. 4 NWC 2016 10/29/16 Mike Williams, Comedian Read More on Back Page & Insert P2 P4nwc highlights student life alumni invest

P2 the CRUSADER Fall 2016nwc highlightsClass of 1956 Class of 1981 Reunion - 35 Years!60th ReunionVern Wolff, Mary Faith (Hallman) Left to Right: Tim Orrin, Curt Bidwell, Rod Pike (FS),Ronda (Curryer)Wolff (’57), Deanna (Rhodes) Kreisher Dodge, Chuck Cram, Laura (Potts) McConahy, Shawn Leander, Linda(’56), Gordon Kreisher, Connie (McDowall) Ziehnert, Shelly Markham, Debbie (Phillips) Swoboda, Julie(Shoberg) Rae (’56), Dennis Rae (’56) (Jones) Awbrey, Patrick WolfeMardella (Cleveland) Mitchell (’56), T welve graduates and former students from the Class of 1981Jeanette (Olson) Smith (’56), Mary celebrated their 35th reunion and enjoyed a lovely evening at TheFaith (Hallman) Wolff (’57), Connie Cork House in Liberty Lake on Saturday, August 13th.  We got a(Shoberg) Rae (’56), Deanna kick out of reviewing our baccalaureate and graduation programs and(Rhodes) Kreisher (’56) the itinerary from our senior trip to Los Angeles to attend Grad Night at Disneyland. If only tickets to Disneyland still cost $11.00! YearbooksSixty years to the day of their from junior high and high school were also a big hit. Graduates traveled graduation, the Class of 1956 from Aberdeen, Olympia and Gooding to join in the festivities. It was gathered at the NWC Upper delightful to reconnect with dear friends on a lovely summer evening overCampus to celebrate, share good food and conversation.memories from the old days, andremember the friends who have Class of 1986 Reunion - 30 Years!gone on before them. Includingfriends from the Classes of ’52, ’54,’55 and ’57 this group of twenty,plus spouses, ate a family-styledinner prepared by the “girls.”A chorus of joined voices Left to right: Ernie Sims, Cyndi (Baker) Cabral, Lynda (Young) Davis, Debbieharmonized the songs from chapel (Fennen) Carollo, Melissa (Dill) Reed, Lisa (Egger) Myers, Anthony Carollo,days and shared recollections of Thom Hecker, Steve Kingtimes with choir directorMr. Eugene Fadel. We don’t know T he Class of 1986 enjoyed spending a long August Friday eveningif there will be a 70th reunion, or catching up with each other and sharing memories.  On Saturday theeven a 61st, but we will continue 13th, we spent the afternoon and evening at Fish Lake with a BBQ atto meet as long as we can. the King residence. It was a great time of reconnecting with old friends.  Scripture Highlight “He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the gre at.” -Psalm 115:14

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS P3Class of 1988 Reunion A Biannual Publication Published for NWCS Alumni & Parents, School Family and Friends Jana Baldwin, Editor Terry Meyer, Contributing Editor Interactive Consulting, DesignBack Row:  Steve Luten, Angela (Henriksen) Roberts, Kristine(Campbell) Sunwold, Tami (McMillan) MacKenzie, Stefan Owen, Garrick 5104 E. Bernhill Rd 509.238.4005Phillips, Kay (Palmer) Murano. Front Row:  Kathy (Badgett) Saxon and Colbert, WA 99005 nwcs.orgErica (Bell) Marsh. Not pictured: Pat McGlade, Jon Carollo.T he Class of 1988 met in late Summer 2015 for an off-year reunion, but found this to be an enjoyable time and hope to continue with more frequent and irregular reunions.Class of 1996 ReunionT he Class of 1996 celebrated June17th and 18th fortheir 20th Reunion.Approximately 25of the 43 graduateswere able to attendthe event. On Friday,the class gathered atTamarack Public Housefor a night of fellowship, Left to Right:  Andrew Hansen and wife, Jake Proffit, David Hume and wife, Anna (Henry)memorializing the past, Burton, Nathan Thompson, Jenni (Bartow) Waters, Bethany (Grove) Kirk, Matt McComas and wife, Sarah (Pederson) Byeman, Elizabeth (Ryman) Thompson, Carrie (Huston) Pierpoint,and celebrating the Diana (Rapelje) Beach, Christian Tracy, Joshua McCormick, Jeff Dillbeck. Not pictured:faithfulness of God over Chris Beadle, Connie (Greenup) Naresh, Ben Nisbet, Katie (Smith) Byrnes, Erinn Smith.the past 20 years. On Saturday, the class and their families gathered at the NWC Lower Campus in Colbert totour the NWC facility, hear an update on the state of NWC from Dr. Hancock, and enjoy time together while kidsplayed in the gym and jumped in a bouncy castle.  Even after 20 years, the class easily picked up where it left off and old friendships were quickly rekindled.Marriages, births, adoptions, moves, graduations, and careers were all shared and celebrated. God’s faithfulnesswas evident and they look forward to the next reunion.Class of 2006 10 Year ReunionWe had a great time meeting up for brunch followed by a tour of theNWC Upper and Lower Campus. Itwas fun to see the halls we once roamedand reconnecting with classmates, whilelearning where God has brought each onein their journey over the past 10 years.Later, we gathered downtown at Zola’squickly fell back into old friendships! Overthe years, you forget how important thesepeople are to you, but it came back soquickly and we were reminded that no Front Row: John Getman, Stacia Allemani, Jenny Grummons, Jennamatter how long we go without seeing Hille, LeAnna (Dooley) Russel, Cat Davis, Krystal (Pitkonin) Konzal, CJeach other, we will always have the bonds Paul, Michael Pflieger. Back Row: Luke Sutherland (FS), Josh Lambeth,that were forged in our time at NWC. Karl Richardson, Ben Steverding

P4 the CRUSADER Fall 2016student life NWC is Vibrant! Continued from P. 1What has allowed NWC to grow and be vibrantly used by God over the years? What is true about a blessedman in Psalms 1 is also true about NWCS—our delight over the decades has been “the law of the Lord.” The Wordof God is our foundation, enabling us to be a vibrant school which continues to impact our community. Of course,growth has not been without its trials. Like a mature tree, NWC bears the marks of threatening fires, winds andstorms, and yet now truly our roots go deep and our branches grow wide and tall. Because of our commitment to aBiblical worldview, we have been “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season...”You, as a branch of the NWC community, are part of this growth. Thank you for your partnership! We invite youconnect anew, as together we continue to grow a school that impacts our region with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!Mr. Jon Leo, Teacher and NWC Recognized as anEducational Researcher AGORA Award Finalist High school Back: Mr. Joe Duenich, Nate Sacpopo, Kalub The AGORA science teacher, Wood, Justin Trautman, Carson Bowman, Mrs. Award is Mr. Jon Leo, Kathy DeLaMatter Front Row: Max Wright, Ray bestowed in cooperation Johnson, Hunter Moses, Leah Holder by Greater with Washington Spokane State University Cyber Patriot Program Incorporated Professor to recognize Kelly Puzio, In an increasingly technological age, business and community leaders published a our students need new knowledge from around the region across research article and skills to effectively impact the a wide in the nationally world. In response, NWC created its variety ofrecognized Journal of Science own team in the national youth cyber industryEducation and education Cyber Patriot program. sectorsTechnology Headed by staff and non-called “Flipped members Mr. Joe profitsInstruction Duenich, Mrs. – small,in a High Kathy DeLaMatter medium and largeSchool Science (’74), and Mr. businesses. Northwest ChristianClassroom.” Justin Trautman Schools was not only nominated,Mr. Leo’s (’16), NWC’s team but selected as a 2016 Finalist forresearch of high school and the large non-profit category alongtested the middle school students solve real life with Partners with Families andeffectiveness security technology problems as if Children and The Shriners Hospitalof a classroom they are professionals tasked with for Children (the category winner).where class content is delivered managing the network of a small We are thankful that the Lord isonline as homework, leaving more company. They compete with other allowing NWC to be recognizedtime in class to explore content local, regional, and national teams to locally for our work in providing amore deeply. From his research protect a mock virtual network. Last vibrant Biblical education.Mr. Leo has found that the flipped year one our teams competed at theclassroom increased his students’ national level.learning and engagement.We are thankful for Mr. Leo! Not NWC Named “Best Christian Workplace”only is he improving learning withinour own student body at NWC, but In an effort to strive for excellence, the NWC Administration sought outhis research is impacting science the help of a national organization called The Besteducation nationwide! Christian Workplace Institute (BCWI) to review theJournal of Science Education and health of the employment culture at NWC. BCWITechnology, Volume 25, Issue 5, developed a survey to measure and evaluate ourOctober 2016 workplace culture, and then provided useful and actionable feedback to the administrators. NWC staff Scripture Highlight were polled over the last two years.The administration implemented the feedback and made changes, seeking “...whatever you do, do it all to grow not only as an academic institution, but as a quality employer, for the glory of God.” as well. From the progress made in staff culture from one survey to the -1 Corinthians 10:31 next, BCWI recognized Northwest Christian Schools as a nationally ranked “Best Christian Workplace.”

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS P5 Faculty celebrate student achievement when IMPACT NWC 2016 the cup was awarded before a recent game. Saturday, October 29, 2016 Spokane Convention CenterNWC Wins Scholastic Cup Reserve seats at nwcs.org/impactT he WIAA Scholastic Cup utilizes a point system for ranking athletic 6th-12th Grade Band and accomplishments, academics and sportsmanship of athletes. Choir Christmas Concert Northwest Christian High School has been awarded the 2B Scholastic Cup for the second consecutive year! “This award showcases schools Thursday, Dec. 8ththat excel in sportsmanship, academics and in competitive achievement NWCS Lower Campusfor an entire year,” said WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese. “This Preschool - 5th Gradeaward brings an entire school together as each student-participant Christmas Concertcontributes to capturing the Association’s highest honor.” Thursday, Dec. 15th Turning Point Open Bible ChurchIn response to these awards, Headmaster Dr. Jack Hancock said: “We are Alumni Night @ Basketballprofoundly thankful for these awards, and will use them as a platform togrow in our ability to provide a vibrant Biblical education and continue to Sat., Dec. 17, 2016impact our community for the Gospel.” NWCS Activity Center Boys & Girls VarsitySTEM Initiatives Security Enhancements vs. Kettle FallsNorthwest Christian is making great At NWC the RSVP:[email protected] in enhancing our curriculum security of ourwith STEM initiatives (Science, students and ThursS.,eMusairccahl9Th|e FMriu.,sMicaarlch 10Technology, Engineering and families is a Sat., March 11Mathematics). At the high school top priority.we were able to purchase a 3-D We have Sun., March 12 Matineeprinter which enables students to engaged local Wed., March 15 | Thurs., March 16create innovative three-dimensional and retired lawtools and other objects. Additionally, enforcement Fri., March 17we have brought our robotics officers tocurriculum to the elementary school develop NWC17 NWC Benefitby purchasing a classroom set of strategies and AuctionLittleBits (an introductory robotics procedures 429kit). Also, elementary students are to address potential threats. The Saturday,advancing their knowledge of basic NWC Lower Campus now has a BENEFIT April 29, 2017programing with a newly adopted single point entry system, lockingcomputer curriculum. all exterior doors and monitoring AUCTION guest entry through a front door buzzer during school hours. Also, lockdown and evacuation procedures have been re-tooled and streamlined school-wide. Though we know the Lord ultimately is our protector, we do have a responsibility to keep our students safe. SPD Officer Gene Baldwin encourages, “I want you to be prepared, but not paranoid.” With this perspective, we trust the Lord while preparing for any eventuality. Please pray for the safety and security of all Northwest Christian students, staff & families.Psalm 91: 4...”His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.”

P6 the CRUSADER Fall 2016 Sarah Grady ‘12 alumni Sarah Gady, a recent Whitworth Grad with Honors, Jeremy Meyers ‘04 is headed to Princeton thisAnnie Davis Platt ‘99 Currently, I am serving in the fall to pursue Republic of Korea on a one-year her PhD inAnnie and her husband Andy live assignment. My wife, Ashley, and Aerospacein Wuhan, China with their two son, Jadon, are staying with family Engineering.boys. Annie teaches 5th grade at a during my time away.  Recently I She wasChristian international school, while completed my second deployment awarded a prestigious fellowshipAndy teaches at the university next lasting 200 days in Afghanistan. In in Engineering which provides fulldoor. Teaching a class with multiple September 2015, I was honored to tuition and stipend support. Sarahcultures and religions provides be selected to fly in an F-16 in a also received the Computationalexciting opportunities for outreach. training exercise over Death Valley Science Graduate Fellowship throughDuring a recent class comparing and surrounding area. In March of the Department of Energy.Christianity and world religions, 2017, I will celebrate 11 years of Over the past four summers Sarahone of the girls who is from a active duty service with the USAF. worked with Kamesh Sankaran atBuddhist family asked, “Mrs. Platt, We pray a blessing over the school, Whitworth on calculating trajectorieshow can we know who is the true and, go Crusaders! for spaceflight missions to asteroidsGod?” Annie had the opportunity and comets and co-authored ato witness directly to her and publication; she received a NASAher Hindu classmate who stayed Academy internship and workedafter class that day to ask more at NASA’s Glenn Research Center;questions about the ultimate Truth. and she received the US Dept. of Energy’s internship to do work at theJosh Greenslade ‘04 Katie White Segalla ‘12 Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Sarah shared that the best part isAfter graduating from NWC in After graduating in 2012, I have that God is not only working in her2004, I attended Corban College in been caught in a whirlwind of life academically and professionally,Oregon. In blessings. The Lord blessed me but she is involved in a great churchcollege, the with my sweet husband, Josh. We and a local student evangelicalLord made were married in June 2015 and fellowship.it clear that have loved the adventure thus far.he wanted Joey Biel ‘16me to pursue A year after our wedding, Ifull-time graduated with a dual degree in On Saturday, September 3rd, Joeyministry. In Elementary and Special Education became the first NWC football2010, He led from Grand Canyon University. The player, in theme to New day I finished student teaching, short three-Tribes Mission’s Missionary Training I was offered the job as the NWC year historyCenter, where I met my wife, Elementary Learning Center of the footballTaylor. We were married in 2012. Teacher (talk about the Lord’s program, toI have been an associate pastor at timing)! I am beyond thrilled to be not only play,Peaceful Valley Church in Elk, WA, back at NWC where my passion for but start,since 2012. I oversee three areas Christ and education can grow. Go in a collegeof our church ministry: music, Crusaders! footballyouth, and missions. God is so game. Joey isfaithful and gracious, and we’re the startingexcited for whatever He has for us. kicker forWe have three children: Timothy Monmouth College a NCAA DivisionJames (09-04-13), Stephen Daniel III school in Monmouth, Illinois.(02-12-15), and Ember Hope is due While at NWC, Joey was namedin December 2016! to First Team All-League three years in a row and Washington State Associated Press All-State two years in a row. Joey delivered one field goal and five points after touchdowns in that first game.

P7 Chris Reed (’11) and In Remembrance Nancy (Harsh) Orchard Chalyn Brunck (’12) Class of 1970 Kenneth Nelson, June 18, 2016 Class of 1958 Nancy went Living in Spokane to be with David Yearout and Kenneth Nelson her Lord and Courtney Biel (’12) was welcomed in Savior in the loving arms June of 2015 July 23, 2016 of his Lord on in Spokane,Living in Philadelphia, PA July 15, 2016. where she was Steve Vandenburg (‘04) Ken and his high born and spent school sweetheart, her life. She and Kelsey Clark(‘07) Mary Ellen was preceded March 19, 2016 (Fradenburgh) in death by her husband John, who (‘60), enjoyed 56 years of married passed in 2012. In spite of many Living in Spokane life. Ken had an incredible ministry physical and emotional struggles Evan Jarms (’13) and teaching band and choir in Saint in her life, she found her strength Mary’s, Idaho and Port Orford, to go forward with her joyful and Emily Ferguson Oregon, but spent the majority of strong faith in Jesus. She will be January 15, 2016 his teaching career in Castlegar, missed by all who knew and loved Living in Spokane British Columbia, where he taught her. She is also preceded in death Brandon DeLaMatter (’05) from 1974 to 2004. Ken is survived by her parents and her brother, and Vita Zykova by his wife, four children, and six Brian (FS ’76). She is survived grandchildren. by her brother, Tom (’68), nieces, June 19, 2016 nephews and grandnieces. Living in Spokane George Crosby, Ric Rodolph, Class of Class of 1971 1964 Ric went home George Crosby to be with his went to be Lord on July 9, with his Lord 2016. Early on, and Savior on he worked as August 11, 2015 within a week a saddlesmith of his cancer diagnosis. In life, and owned George didn’t let his polio handicap his own hold him back. He married his construction wife, Sharon, who had seven business. He found his passion in children from a previous marriage, horse training and horse transport. and became the true father to each He also worked as the “County of them. He and Sharon shared 44 Cowboy” wrangling loose livestock years of married life together. He for the Spokane County Sheriff’s worked for 30 years for the United Department. He had a God-given States Bureau of Reclamation talent for working with horses at Grand Coulee Dam until his and dogs. He is survived by his retirement to Spokane. George is wife, Vickey; mother, Zada; sister, survived by his wife, Sharon, seven Cheryl (’73); two sons; and seven children, nineteen grandchildren, grandchildren. A former classmate and thirty-four great-grandchildren. recalled Ric as always having a smile on his face and a joy to be around! We want to hear your story... Sending Options: Online: nwcs.org/connect Email: [email protected] Call: 509.238.4005 x146

P8 the CRUSADER Fall 2016In Remembrance continued from p.7 investDr. Tom Hansen Mr. William (Bill) Knuckles NWC 2016Former Regent and Parent Former Teacher and Basketball Coach 10/29/16Dr. TomHansen was Welcoming Backwelcomed into Mr. William Mike WilliamsJesus’ arms “Bill” “Coach”on July 30, Knuckles, This year we are so excited to2015, two went to be welcome back Mike Williams as ourdays after his with his Savior keynote speaker for IMPACT 2016.60th wedding Jesus Christ We invited Mike back for the secondanniversary. on Saturday year in a row. Why, you may ask?Tom attended June 4, 2016. It’s simple. Mike Williams made a hugeWhitworth College and the Coach Knuckles impression on so many. He got to knowUniversity of Washington School was a beloved NWC last year, and we got to knowof Medicine. He served two years husband, brother, uncle, friend. him. His stories, humor and personalas a captain in the US Air Force, He was born in Sioux City, Iowa. testimony were amazing and movedstationed at Fairchild AFB. After 46 Sports—especially football and people deeply. We wanted to giveyears as a general practitioner in basketball—were a big part of his others the opportunity to hear him whoSpokane, Tom retired in 2011. He life starting in his youth. might have missed him last year.loved NWC and served faithfully After high school, however, sports Mike speaks nationwide to schools,on the Board of Regents. Tom is took a back seat as he enlisted churches, pro-life organizations andsurvived by his wife of 60 years, in the U. S. Army at the age of other ministries. He feels his bestCharlene; his seven children 17, serving in occupied Japan work occurs when he returns. We areand their families: Melodi, Tim and honorably discharged as a thrilled to welcome him again!(’78), Shelli (’79), Matt, Holly, Technician 5th Grade, having You may know Mike from his programTodd, and Aaron; as well as earned the World War II Victory on SiriusXM’s Laugh USA, thesixteen grandchildren, five great- Medal and the Army of Occupation Bananas Comedy Television series,grandchildren, two brothers, and Medal of Japan. Focus On The Family, the Family Comedy Minute, Premier Christianmany other relatives and friends. Coach Knuckles graduated from Cruises, and major Christian music Denver University and went on festivals. Mike has recorded 17Melvin Hotchkiss to attain his Master’s degree in comedy projects and written eightFormer Teacher Physical Education from Colorado books. Truly Mike Williams is more than aMr. Melvin State College. In 1958, he came comedian. He is a kingdom builder to Spokane as head coach for the through his speaking and missionaryHotchkiss went Whitworth Pirates Men’s basketball work. In particular he calls out menhome to be with to take a stand and make a differencehis Lord and Savior team and assistant coach for Pirate in our generation. Mike is inspiring! Football. After serving the football You won’t want to miss IMPACTon April 4th, 2016. programs at Idaho, Southern Illinois, NWC 2016, our no cost dessertMr. Hotchkiss was fundraiser. Mike will speak onborn in Wenatchee, Louisville, and Rocky Mountain “Fighting for the Next Generation” College, he returned to Spokane in with all new material. IMPACT isgraduating from 1977 to become the head basketball essential to the ministry to childrenEastmont High and families at NWC. Please join usSchool and Eastern Washington State coach and Athletic Director at and enjoy Mike Williams and well asUniversity. He went on to teach music Northwest Christian Schools and NWC student presentations!for 40 years in LaCrosse, Stevenson, guided the Crusaders to its first To reserve your seat, visit:Fife, Seattle Christian and at NWCS, State B Tournament. They finishedwhere he impacted the lives of young fifth. Coach Knuckles was preceded nwcs.org/impactmusicians. He is survived by his wife in death by his wife Phyllis. Coachof 52 years, Phyllis; two daughters, Knuckles is survived by sister Kay,four grandchildren, and one great- brother Tom, and sister Judi.grandchild. Whose Child is This? (excerpt) author unknown “Whose child is this?” I ask once more Just as the little one entered the door “Ours” said the parent and teacher as they smiled And each took the hand of the little child “Ours to love and train together Ours this blessed task forever.”