Where May 2014 “...But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;” from Isa. 40:31 A Publication of Elyria Christian School Volume 18, Issue A Letter From the Administrator—Mr. Phillip Gray II AWARDS AND HONORS Valedictorian— John Nachtigall May Fete May 7,8 McPherson Lakeside Park Salutatorian— Nathan Diederich All Schools Day May 9 No School High School Graduation May 10 4:00 pm ECS Gym Governor’s Scholar — Kendra Selzer Kindergarten Graduation May 13 7:00 pm ECS Auditorium Eighth Grade Graduation May 15 7:00 pm ECS Gym National Honor Society— Seniors -Nathan Diederich, John Nachtigall, Kendra Selzer, Audrey Unruh Juniors - Anna Adamyk, Addison Fields, Olivia Ingram, Quentin Pease Last Day of School May 16 8:00-11:30 Kansas State Scholar — John Nachtigall First Day of School August 27 Kansas Curriculum Completers — Nathan Diederich, John Nachtigall, Allan Williford Where Eagles Soar Page 2 Seniors Travel to Wisconsin Twelve seniors, four sponsors, two vehicles, and a thirteen hour drive—Senior Mission Trip! Camp Forest Springs, a nondenominational Christian camp in northern Wisconsin, was the sight the seniors chose to work the week of March 30-April 5. Mrs. Julie Diederich, class sponsor, was accompanied by Mrs. Debra Selzer, Mr. David Thiessen, and Mr. Mark Nachtigall, all parents of current seniors. The camp is open year round, with youth and family camps in the summer, and retreat groups during the fall and winter months. Most of their full-time staff are on missionary support, and they hire college students to help in the summer. The Thiessens have been regular campers there , thus the connection for the ECS seniors to work there. A variety of work projects were ready for the seniors to tackle. Bathroom tile was chiseled out and replaced. Ceiling tiles Austin Paulson were taken out to check for mold, then walls were filled with new insulation, and new ceiling tiles went in. One group of girls spread glue and laid new carpet squares while another Baxter group restocked supplies in the gift shop. After the group Knackstedt enjoyed a rousing game of ice hockey in the barn, the boys and Mr. Thiessen chopped out the ice and hauled it away the Camille Anderson next day to get ready for the summer season. In order to beat a snowstorm coming in, the group left camp a day early headed for Minneapolis. They learned the camp did get 15 inches of snow after they left. With two nights stay at the Embassy Suites, and a day of fun at the Mall of America, everyone could say it was a wonderful Mrs. Debra Selzer and week. Audrey Unruh Students Travel Far for Missions On the invitation of a friend, John Prieb, 11th, traveled with a group from Inman to the village of Solola, Guatemala. Here they spent ten days working John Prieb walks in the at the Eagle's Nest Orphanage. The orvillage of Solola. phanage is owned and run by a couple named Pedro and Felice. John was involved in building a classroom, fixing walls, and playing with the children. “I enjoyed that the most,” John said, referring to the children. John is very interested in missions. Last year he traveled to Mexico for a short-term trip. “I hope to go again, if the Lord wills,” he said. The African country of Ethiopia was the destination for freshman Madilynn Allen’s trip in February. Madilynn and a group from her church visited orphanages and a women’s hospital. “We passed out gifts and Bibles and showed God’s love,” Madilynn Madilynn Allen, 9th, and explained. friends in Ethiopia. Madilynn would definitely go to another country again. Senior Art Students Earn Awards Elyria Christian High School seniors, Grace Applequist and John Nachtigall, received awards in the 2014 Kansas Regional Scholastic Art Competition. Grace’s winning art works are charcoal drawings titled, ‘Flower Of Zimbabwe’Gold Key, ‘Silent Tragedies’ – Silver Key, ‘Essence Of Elegance’ – Honorable Mention, ‘Wide Eyed And Bushy Tailed’-Honorable Mention. John was awarded a Silver Key for his acrylic painting titled, ‘Lonely Mesa’. All winning art work will be on display at the Wichita Center for the Arts, in Wichita, KS. The Exhibition opens to the public on February 4th and ends with a closing honorary reception on March 9th, 2014. PHOTO INFO: Grace Applequist and John Nachtigall with their winning artwork and Elyria’s art teacher Mrs. Lori Martin-Price. Photo credit- Katherine Ropp Where Eagles Soar is published three times a year by Elyria Christian School and distributed free of charge as a service to those who are interested in its educational ministry. Correspondence is welcomed. Address it to: Where Eagles Soar; Elyria Christian School; 1644 Comanche Road, McPherson KS 67460. Office phone: (620)241-2994. Fax: (620)241-1238. Elyria Christian School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin in its hiring practices, educational/activity programs, admissions policies, or financial aid. Page 3 Volume 18, Issue 3 Feature Staff—Mr. Bobby Childs My name is Bobby Childs and I am currently the High School and Junior High Athletic Director at ECS. I also teach High School Bible for sophomores and juniors, and Dual Credit classes like Speech and Personal Finance. My background is growing up with a wonderful family in the Pacific Northwest. We spent time living near Seattle (home of the 2014 Super Bowl Champs!) and also in Oregon (Go Ducks!). I have one brother, two years younger than I am. We grew up playing any type of sports we could, both of the organized fashion and the neighborhood variety. That is where my love for sports comes from. After my freshman year of high school I became a Christian and dedicated my life to serving God. My life switched from a self serving lifestyle to serving Christ in any way possible. When I became a Christian I originally thought that meant I had to totally abandon my love of sports, but today God allows me to combine my passion for Him and my passion for sports and use that to impact students. My wife and I met in college at Cedarville University in Ohio and were married after we both finished college. We have been married for six years this July. We moved from Ohio two years ago and enjoy living in McPherson. Our hobbies are working out, watching television, and serving at church together. ECS is full of great people. I enjoy working with the staff and students and can’t wait to keep leading future generations of students. Chair Care Athletic Project What: The purchase of 30 padded sideline chairs for athletic teams in the ECS gym. When: For athletic events in the fall of 2014 How: Each chair costs $80. You may purchase 1 or more chairs and have your business or family name on the chair Why: ECS is constantly looking for ways to care for people as they come to our facilities. We have been able to create a good environment for athletic guests and desire to continue that. If you would like to join us in this project, please contact Bobby Childs, Athletic Director, at the school. You may send a check to Elyria Christian School (memo: Chair Care.) Thanks for your partnership! Under the Sea High School Banquet A Black Light Affair Only a junior or a junior parent knows what it takes to put on a high school banquet. There are several years of raising money, then months of planning and preparation to bring it all together on one night in spring. Class sponsor Mrs. Lori Price, the juniors and their parents followed tradition and created an awesome evening on April 26. With an underwater theme and black light effects, the Spencer Kaufauditorium was man on the transformed into scaffold. an ocean scene, complete with floating fish and a submarine. Punch and appetizers preceded a delicious Freshmen Misha Redenbaugh, meal. Abbey Rush, Madilynn Allen, Emceeing the evening were Sara Ensz and Stephanie Roberts met at Lakeside Park for juniors Addison Fields and pictures before their first banMatthew Gemmer. Guests quet. were entertained with a quiz, “How Well Do You Know Your Seniors” and Mr. Greg Fields narrated a video the juniors created to spoof the seniors. After gifts were presented to Anna Adamyk and Micah Redenbaugh, 11th, get ready the seniors, for the Survivor game. the afterSeth Prieb, 9th, runs party commenced in the gym. With a against the bungee cord to make a goal. Survivor theme, the classes competed against each other, plus enjoyed an inflatable bungee game and photo booth. Prizes were awarded throughout the evening. Eating out with their family, Addison Swenson, 1st, and Alexus Swenson, 3rd, join other Elyria families at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in McPherson for Elyria Night at Freddy’s. Many ECS people came out to help the school earn 15% of sales from 5:00-9:00 on April 7. ALUMNI Highlights Senior students are currently taking a class called Life Skills, taught by Mrs. Rhonda Stucky. The focus of the class is to give these soon-tobe -o ut -i n-t h e-wo r ld young people the chance to learn about Matt Tippin, Kasey Aroum, and Jeremy Nellife skills they will need son answer questions about college choices. when they are out on their own. The students offered their requests of topics to study, along with a variety of projects planned by Mrs. Stucky. Elyria alumni and other adults have come to the class to share their experiences on various levels. A recent class heard from a panel on topics such as how to choose a college, how to decide on a major, deal with college debt and student loans, or choose work versus attending college. Matt Tippin ‘05, graduated from K-State and dental school in Kansas City. He is currently a dentist with Tippin Dental Group in Newton and Park City. Kasey Aroum, ECS Class of 2000, did not go to college and got married after graduation. She is currently a self-employed Pampered Chef consultant with 35 team members under her. Each member of the panel offered their perspective on college, work, and student debt. Mr. Jeremy Nelson, former ECS student and teacher, is a teacher and coach at Central Christian College. He advised the students, “Have a plan! Be responsible. If you want to be an adult, act like one. Don't come to college and skip classes to take a nap. Pray a lot and look for His direction.” Another panel discussion involved three married couples including ECS alum Jacob Kaufman and his wife Bobbie, Jeremy and Carol Nelson, and Jon and Lynn Black. They shared advice on centering dating and marriage relationships in Christ, staying committed, and realizing that children will bring changes. May Fete Royalty King—Nate Diederich Queen—Kendra Selzer Junior Attendants—Addison Swenson and James Pyle (not pictured) Alumni News Birth — Brenton and Laura Froese ‘06 had a daughter, Amber Leigh, on March 25, 2014. She weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. Brenton is in security forces at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. Jake and Angela (Swenson ‘98) Ramstack had a daughter, Karsen Elizabeth, on March 25, 2014. She weighed 9 lbs. grubratS neB eldduH ellehciM nosnewS miT neskreuD hciR rerusaerT-beirP hteB yraterceS-hurnU nonnahS tnediserP eciV-nesseihT divaD tnediserP draoB-sdleiF gerG srebmeM draoB SCE Address Service Requested d et se uq eR e ci vr eS s se rd d A su .s el ga es ce .w w w 06 47 6 S K ,n os re hP c M da oR e hc na mo C 44 6 1 !noit -aredisnoc ruoy rof uoy knahT .sserd -da tcerrocni na ot eud su ot denrut -er si taht rettelswen hcae rof 29.0$ segrahc eciffo-tsop ehT .sserdda fo egnahc a evah uoy fi 4992-142 @ eciffO SCE eht etadpu ot erus eb esaelP Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT No. 116 McPherson, KS