15 Annual Report - Orange Lutheran High School

2014
2015
ANNUAL REPORT
BIBLICAL TRUTH I INTEGRIT Y I INNOVATION I EXCELLENCE I RELATIONSHIPS
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Table of Contents
An amazingly beautiful night!
MESSAGE FROM EXECU TIVE DIRECTOR ................. 4
Share Jesus and Develop Future Leaders
STRATEGIC PLANNING............................................... 5
Our Stategic Pillars
Programs That Make OLu Unique
MISSIONS....................................................................... 8
Khari’s Calling
There Goes The van der Goes
714.998.5151
2222 N. Santiago Boulevard
Orange, CA 92867
www.lhsoc.org
www.facebook.com/WeAreOLu
www.twitter.com/WeAreOLu
ARTS............................................................................. 14
Family Business
Moviemaker in the Making
ATHLETICS ................................................................. 20
Walking Tall
The Hall of Famer
OC Varsity Coaches of the Year
A HELPING HAND. . ..................................................... 28
A Singing Success
Thrifty Through Christ
OUR CLASS OF 2015 BREAKDOWN............................ 35
It is our blessing and honor to present
to you the 2014-15 Annual Report,
featuring stories about our wonderful
Lancer family, programs and overall
performance from the past year. We are
grateful for your support and hope you
enjoy the report. God’s Blessings.
ALUMNI... PAVING THE WAY. . .................................... 36
A Teaching Task
The Path Less Traveled
ADVANCEMENT
TEAM:
2015 ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME.............................. 42
Chief Advancement Officer
THE OLu BUSINESS NETWORK ................................ 43
L WINE
LANCER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Associate Director of Advancement
CALLED HOME TO GLORY........................................ 44
Art Gray
Videographer, Director of Summer Programs
POWER OF THE DREAM GALA Love Endures ................ 45
2015 GOLF CLASSIC
Alumni Relations Coordinator
MESSAGE FROM THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE ..... 46
Marketing Coordinator
2015 GIVING................................................................. 47
MESSAGE FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE . . ............... 52
FACULTY AND STAFF . . ............................................... 53
CATHY BLANKENSHIP ‘86
SANDY HEMPHILL-LOPEZ
DAVE CACCIAPUOTI COURTNEY KRUGER ‘08
KYLEE KREU TZIGER
BRANTLEY WATSON
Public Relations Coordinator
SHAWNA VAN DAELE
Research & Database Coordinator
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Strategic Planning
all of our students will be leaders – whether in the marketplace,
church, community or in their home. We all lead in various ways
during our lives.
In Martin Luther’s legendary Letter to Mayors and Aldermen of All
Cities of Germany in Behalf of Christian Schools, he writes, “Young
pupils and students are the seed and source of the church.” He
continues to say, “Above all, in schools of all kinds, the chief and
most common lesson should be Scriptures…But where the Holy
Scriptures are not the rule, I advise no one send his child. The soul
can do without everything except the Word of God. Without this,
it suffers need, but when it has the Word of God, it needs nothing
more, but has in the Word enough – food, joy, peace, light, art,
righteousness, truth, freedom, and every good thing in abundance.”
The mission of Orange Lutheran High School is “to help students
internalize the Gospel message of salvation in Christ Jesus.” Ask
any staff member or student and they can articulate our mission.
It is the most important thing we do!
“Share Jesus and
Develop Future
Leaders”
Message from Executive Director, Todd Moritz
M
ost organizations develop a mission statement to
enable them to stay completely focused on their
core purpose. A personal mission statement can
provide the same powerful focus in our own lives
as well. I strongly encourage those in my sphere of influence to
consider developing a personal mission statement. God has given
each of us spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Romans 12:3-8).
What does He want you to accomplish with those gifts for His
good and glory ( John 15:8, Ephesians 2:10)? Most people that go
through a personal mission statement writing process end up with
strong focus in their life and accomplish more because of it.
My personal mission statement is to “share Jesus and develop
future leaders.” It has come out of years of prayer and study. Given
the numerous options of how I can use my time, I often ask myself
the question, what will make the biggest impact long term in the
Kingdom? That is one of the reasons I am in high school ministry.
These years are crucial for the development of our future leaders.
And make no mistake about it,
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Our vision is similar to our mission. Orange Lutheran will be an
exemplary, global Christian high school, known for integrating
faith and learning, and for developing students to be disciples of
Jesus Christ and people of Christian character who are prepared
for college and life beyond. Yes, we prepare students for college and
yes, we prepare them for life. But we do that by keeping the main
thing the main thing.
Over the last year, we have been working a lot on what we call
“redefining the high school experience.” High school can mean
a lot of different things to different people. But as one alumni
eloquently put it, “Orange Lutheran is where I learned WHO
I am…college is where I learned WHAT I wanted to do.”
The OLu Experience is a personalized, balanced approach to
education, designed to engage students through a process of
inquiry, exploration, and discovery through varied and diverse
opportunities in a safe, caring environment supported by authentic
relationships so that students understand their identity in Christ,
develop resiliency and accountability, are prepared for college,
and are strengthened for a Christian life of purpose, service, and
leadership in a global society. We are focused on how we best
nurture a Christ-centered balance for our students and staff.
Thank you for your support of this amazing ministry that is
Orange Lutheran. God has richly blessed Orange Lutheran and
we are grateful. We are very excited about the good work God
has in store for us and are looking forward to our continued
partnership in ministry together.
To God the glory!
“Scott and I are so grateful and
so blessed that our children have
had the experience of Orange
Lutheran. Education is so critical
when it comes to your children
and this is a place that they were
loved, nutured, and thrived.
We’re grateful to God and to
Orange Lutheran.”
Todd J. Moritz
Executive Director
​Scott & Susan Fox, parents of
Kailey ‘13 and Michael ‘14​
O
range Lutheran is looking ahead. A year after the completion of the Beyond
Expectations project, which added 40,000 sq. ft. to the school’s footprint, the focus
remains on how to provide the best Christian educational experience for Orange
Lutheran students. The use of technology must be expanded. Faculty and staff must
continue to help students find the appropriate balance between extracurricular activities, preparing
for college and performing in the classroom. Tuition must remain affordable for current and
incoming families.
Orange Lutheran is committed to redefining the high school experience with a focus on helping
students prepare for college, but also for life, by helping them identify and develop their God-given
gifts for use however and wherever God leads them.
Take a glimpse at Orange Lutheran’s Strategic Pillars structure, aimed at accomplishing each of
the school’s future goals, all of which will combine to create the Christ-centered education and
environment that Orange Lutheran knows is critical in developing our future leaders.
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Our Strategic Pillars
CLIMATE / CULTURE The OLu Experience is
a personalized, balanced approach to education designed to engage
students through a process of inquiry, exploration,
and discovery through varied and diverse opportunities in a safe,
caring environment. The goal is to help students prepare to
live a strengthened, Christian life of purpose, service, and leadership in
a global society.
ACADEMICS As a high school committed to helping
students prepare for college and beyond, excellent academics is a
priority. Quality course design, combined with passionate teaching, is
paramount.
ONLINE / HYBRID Most OLu students are involved
in several activities, and for that reason, Orange Lutheran’s online
program can be a tremendous blessing when it comes to
time management and preparing for online classes in college.
ATHLETICS OLu is committed to being successful in athletic
competition. The school competes in the nationally-recognized Trinity
League and OLu’s investment in athletics
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includes some of the best coaches, training facilities and support staff
in the entire country.
ARTS Orange Lutheran’s diverse artistic culture has something
to offer everyone interested in the arts. Whether it is elegant dancers
performing majestic leaps or the graceful brushstroke of a young
painter, OLu continues to build on its reputation as an outstanding
training ground for musicians, stage performers, and visual artists.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Orange Lutheran
has been blessed with tremendous growth, doubling its net assets to
$18 million over the past two years. The Beyond Expectations campus
improvement project was a success with $10 million of the $15
million project paid for in cash, but long term debt level is too high
at $18 million. OLu has a small endowment fund at $1 million, and
its net operating cash is at breakeven. The Strategic Plan commits to
minimal growth in tuition and wage increases only slightly above cost
of living. In order to improve the financial position, OLu will focus on
improving stewardship and increasing financial support from alumni,
parents and supporters.
GROWTH With a nearly full campus, growth presents quite
a challenge. Growth opportunities come from expanded online
and hybrid classes for existing students, offering online classes to
other middle and high schools, and improved physical access to the
existing campus.
MISSIONS The goal of OLu’s Missions Program is to provide
a hands-on way of accomplishing its mission. It desires to help
students deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ by doing His
work. The Missions Program affords students the opportunity to
minister on a national and international scale, in hopes of doing “as
Christ would do.”
Programs That
Make OLu Unique
INTERNSHIPS/EXTERNSHIPS
DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES (DSPS)
DSPS is designed to meet the unique educational needs of a diverse
student body by providing various levels of support for students
with special learning needs and educational disabilities.
PROFESSIONAL MINISTRY WORKER
ACADEMY (PMW ) OLu’s mission extends beyond
the walls of its campus, and the school is committed to actively
identifying, encouraging, and equipping the next generation of
professional ministry workers.
FAITH & ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
ACADEMY (FEBA) Orange Lutheran intentionally
The purpose of Orange Lutheran’s new Internship Program is to
connect students with on-and off-campus resources to help create
relationships and experiences that will assist with their academic
and professional development. Currently in development, this
exciting program is set to launch in Spring 2016 by placing students
in several offices on-campus, and in the near future, off-campus
within organizations affiliated with Orange Lutheran.
ONLINE PARTNERSHIPS
Orange Lutheran is reaching out to schools across the globe to
provide access to its rigorous online courses, dedicated teachers and
experienced counselors in an innovative and cost-effective way.
COLLEGE COUNSELING AND PLANNING
Orange Lutheran’s Counseling & College Planning Department
is committed to providing quality, personalized attention and care
with seven full-time qualified counselors. With two freshman-only
counselors, a wealth of sophomore, junior and senior counselors, and
an international counselor, Orange Lutheran is prepared to assist all
students in any way it can.
created its business academy to be entrepreneurial in nature, guided
by Christian educators and business leaders, and infused with a
Christian ethos. Through project-based workshops and a rigorous
capstone project, students learn what it means to “be in business.”
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING
AND MATH (STEM)
In an educational landscape filled with STEM programs, OLu’s
shines bright because it is built on the foundation of faithful,
gifted teachers and a Christian ethos. Through a strong emphasis
in math and science courses, unique course offerings, and summer
internships with the likes of Boeing and UC Irvine, the STEM
program provides a path of discovery that prepares students for
careers in engineering, medicine, technology, and finance.
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Missions
“The most important thing I’ve
learned at OLu is the absolute
need for friends that actually
support and respect the things
you care about. For me, that
means they can respect my faith,
my interests, and other things
that make me who I am--and
they can also respect when my
interests change.”
Leah VanOtterloo ‘15
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T
he Orange Lutheran Missions Program is the school’s vehicle to affect
society through God’s Word on a national and international level. It started
with a trip to Mexico in the year 2000 and then grew into local outreach
programs in Orange County. Now, mission teams have traveled to China,
India, Romania, and Malawi, among other countries, as well as across the United
States. God continues to bless the Missions Program with visions for new destinations
and an increase of Lancer families eager to do their part in representing Jesus Christ.
As of August 2015, 3,663 Lancer family members have gone on mission trips. And,
on the 56 total trips taken by the Missions Program, teams have accumulated 235,000
service hours. The mission teams perform a number of duties in the communities in
which they visit, including construction projects, teaching English to children, hosting
vacation Bible school, holding sports tournaments, performing ministry in prisons and
poor communities, and fundraising for students’ educations.
“Our number one goal is to bring glory to God,” said Program Director Mark Maietta.
“Second, for both our team and the people we partner with and minister to, is to be
drawn closer to Christ.” Over the years, the Missions Program has made incremental
changes each year, taking each step that God puts in front of them on an annual basis.
Maietta and the rest of the program are each looking forward to what comes next.
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KHARI’S
CALLING
Khari Johnson ‘10 needed to find
something more out of life.
God showed her the way.­­­­
She aspired to take more mission trips while at UCLA, but since
she graduated early, she didn’t find the time, as her parents told her
to focus on finishing school. Then, considering she assimilated into
the working world immediately after graduation, Johnson never got
the chance to tackle her next adventure.
“I’m excited to see the world and travel and really understand
different cultures and how we live compared to others. I want to see
how I can contribute to the lives of others.”
Johnson said that her current job has been nothing but supportive,
even helping her to raise the over $16,000 she needed for the
11-month backpacking trip.
Her job also informed her that her position would be waiting when
she gets back.
K
hari Johnson has a gift for
looking ahead.
After graduating from Orange Lutheran
in 2010, she earned her degree in
communications from UCLA a year early,
graduating in 2013. Her next step would be a fast
track into the world of marketing, as she landed a
job working for world ­renowned chef Wolfgang
Puck at age 22.
But after a year working in the “industry,”
which includes celebrity clients and high profile,
Hollywood events, Johnson took a step back for a
change.
Subsequently, she began moving forward in a
different direction.
On June 30, Johnson kicked off her participation in the World Race, an 11­-month Christian
mission trip that spans 11 countries worldwide. Her 11 stops will be, in order: Albania, Romania,
Malawi, Zambia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
“When I was graduating
college, I just prayed,
whether I got the dream
job, whether I was going
to travel, or do mission
trips, I just asked God to
make it clear for me.”
Khari Johnson ‘10
10
Serving also helped me step outside of just focusing
on myself, and I realized how much time
I spent worrying about my own ‘needs’ when there
are others who I could be focusing on and helping.”
Kendall Schmidt, ‘17
Johnson has already begun to update her blog, kharijohnson.
theworldrace.org, with content revolving around experiences from
the mission trip, which she will return from in May.
“I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do. My strength might not
be telling people about God, but it is listening and being there and
caring for people.”
“When I was graduating college, I just prayed,” Johnson said. “Whether I got the dream job,
whether I was going to travel, or do mission trips, I just asked God to make it clear for me.”
“I have no idea what my mindset will be when I get back. A year of
serving people, I might want to be a full-time missionary.
Out of college, Johnson landed a job in marketing with Umami Burger before moving on to
work with Wolfgang Puck.
“But what I do know is I have the next year to listen and see what
God wants me to do.
Johnson got her first taste of international missionary work during her high school career. She
traveled to New Orleans, Mexico, and Belize with the Orange Lutheran Missions Program.
gave me a new perspective and gratitude for my life.
Before taking off on the World Race, Johnson participated in a
10­day training camp in Atlanta, Georgia. Nearly 60 people are
included on the trip, and small teams will break out of that larger
group. Teams then go to separate areas and are charged with
different tasks, whether it’s working in orphanages or preaching the
gospel at local churches or another task.
In order to go on the nearly yearlong backpacking excursion, Johnson left her job and moved
back home to Orange County to live with her parents.
“When am I going to go if I keep waiting?”
the trip made me realize how blessed I am, and it
“I’m nervous,” Johnson said of the trip. “I’m anxious. I’m a little
stressed out. I’ll be living in a tent putting a year of my life on my
back. And I’m nervous about that lifestyle. But I’m excited to tell
people about God and see how I change over this year. I’m going
to keep up on a blog. I want to see if my stories abroad can inspire
people back home.”
As far as what she will do when she gets back, Johnson isn’t exactly
sure. She might go back to her job or, she might decide to pursue
further missionary work. Regardless, she hopes to come back to her
high school and share her experiences, in Daily Gathering or in
missions classes, with students on the same course as her.
“I felt like it was absolutely what I was meant to do,” Johnson said of her marketing career. “It
was amazing. But I started to feel like it was time to do something else. So when I left, I told my
job that it wasn’t because I was unhappy, it was just that I wanted to do more and give back to
the community and go see the world. And I feel like now is the right time to do that.
“I feel so much closer to God. But really, going on
“God really stretched me to reach out to people
I don’t normally talk to and hang out with. I really
enjoyed getting to know lots of different people and
making new friends. I also enjoyed spending time at
the assisted living. I had never really done that before
and I loved it!”
Victoria Smith ‘15
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“We’re blessed to be here and we want to share what we have,
whether it be time or space or energy,” Robert said. “And Orange
Lutheran gives right back to us.”
“For Erik, Missions has helped him grow in his faith tremendously,”
Diane added. “He’s grown into a leader. He’s in a leadership role in
the Missions Program and that was all his idea.”
Essentially, the van der Goes’ attachment to OLu started the first day
Erik stepped on campus.
Diane admits that Erik has become such an involved member of the
Missions Program that often times, she and Robert don’t see their
son on the trips, besides the customary hi and bye in the morning or
afternoon.
“When Erik was coming into high school, we toured and shadowed
other schools in the Trinity League, but when we first sat down with
Admissions, the first thing we did was pray,” Robert said. “When we
interviewed with a teacher, the first thing we did was pray.
“When we left, Erik said this is where he wanted to go to school.”
One of the most appealing aspects of the Orange Lutheran
experience for the van der Goes family was the Missions Program.
Robert, Diane and Erik have been on four missions trips together:
twice to Appalachia and twice to the Native American Reservation
Trip, known as NART.
And with each passing trip, the van der Goes group comes closer to
each other and closer to God.
“We’re a jump ­in ­the­deep end kind of family,” Robert said. “It’s
more fun if you’re involved. For us, whether it’s missions or football
or anything, it’s an opportunity for us to serve. And that’s where we
get a lot of joy.
THERE GOES THE
VAN DER GOES
The van der Goes family’s love for Orange Lutheran and the
Missions Program only grows with each passing year.
“Every morning,
we have quiet time with
God, and it taught us to
try to implement that into
our daily life as much as
possible. That was
a huge lesson for us.”
Diane van der Goes,
parent of Erik ’16
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F
­­­­ or the van der Goes family, what they give can never match what they receive.
“You go into these mission trips with the intent to serve, but you come back more filled,”
Robert said. “You always get more out of it than you put into it.”
The van der Goes clan, consisting of Robert, his wife Diane, and their son Erik, are
officially familiar with the Lancer way. Erik is a junior tight end for the Lancers football squad,
and Diane and Robert, as well as their son, are regulars on the NART and Appalachia mission
trips.
“Service is on our hearts,” added Robert. “Missions is one of the
neatest programs. You get to become not just a part of the school, but
a part of the kids’ lives. They accept you into their life.”
When it comes to being a part of the kids’ lives, Diane said that she
enjoys that part the most.
But regardless of their time spent together on missions, or lack
thereof, each part of the van der Goes trio brings home an important
lesson that applies to their daily family life.
“As a family, the mission trips taught us to slow down,” Diane said.
“Every morning, we have quiet time with God, and it taught us to
try to implement that into our daily life as much as possible. That
was a huge lesson for us.”
Erik’s time at Orange Lutheran, according to his parents, has flown
by. Come next school year, he’ll be preparing to leave for college.
As for Diane and Robert’s time at Orange Lutheran? That’s not
coming to an end anytime soon. The school is one of their most
cherished friends.
“We see ourselves at Friday night football games and we see
ourselves at Nechita Center performances for a long time coming,”
Diane said.
And when it comes to missions trips, things will stay the same.
“We plan around going to Appalachia,” Diane said. “Now, that’s our
family vacation.”
“That first trip just totally changed me. I underestimated teenagers
until I spent time with them. They are so bright and giving. To see
them out being humble servants, it’s very touching. It’s emotional.”
“We’re a jump
in the deep end
kind of family”
Robert van der Goes,
parent of Erik ’16
And just as they’ve made it their personal mission to give back to the high school that they
cherish, according to the van der Goes, Orange Lutheran continues to give back to their family
just as abundantly.
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Arts
“I’ve learned more about
how to be a Christian
example and how to
better do it in all parts of
my life. Orange Lutheran
has helped me learn more
about my faith and helped
my faith grow stronger.”
Jake Hansen ‘15
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I
n the twelve years since the inception of the Alexandra Nechita Center for
the Performing Arts, Orange Lutheran arts programs have seen monumental
progress. With each passing year, performing arts - including musicals, choir
performances and plays - and visual arts - including photography, graphic design
and painting - only become grander. And in turn, Orange Lutheran has become one of
the most well-recognized arts schools in all of Southern California, giving students a
wonderful platform to utilize and be recognized for their God-given artistic abilities.
In addition to Orange Lutheran’s arts facilities, its arts staff is dedicated to guiding
young artists to reach their maximum potential. With the help of the Artist-inResidence, Kevin Nadeau, and the rest of the school’s dedicated and talented arts
instructors, students are given the opportunity to pursue their artistic passions in an
experienced, fun, Christian environment.
The growth of Orange Lutheran arts has become a joy to behold. And with the work
that God has done on-campus and in the arts programs, the future is blazing bright.
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L
uckily for Kevin, his wife is his biggest fan.
And he’s also her biggest supporter.
“I think he’s a genius,” Jamie said. “He solves every
problem we have producing the shows.
“And, he edits all my music for me.”
The personal and working relationship for the Nadeaus is one to
aspire to. The two have collaborated under the umbrella of the
Orange Lutheran Performing Arts Program for over a decade, after
Kevin began planning the school’s first Gala in 2003 and then came
on as the school’s Artist-in-Residence in 2007. Jamie soon followed,
as the school’s Director of Performance Dance.
The duo put three kids through Orange Lutheran – Amy ’05, Cody
’09, and Maggie ’13 – all of whom were members of the Performing
Arts Program and still seek to contribute to their high school alma
mater today.
“After many years together as husband and wife, it’s always exciting
to work together as creative partners,” Kevin said. “I tell her, I see a
different person when she’s directing a show than running our house
and raising our kids. We enjoy collaborating. I still run every song
idea past her for Gala. We have a great professional relationship.
There is a lot of trust. I don’t have to check on her choreography and
she doesn’t need to check on the music.”
FAMILY BUSINESS
The Nadeau family has found its second home in Orange Lutheran.
“We love Orange
Lutheran and want to
help advance its dreams
for the arts.”
Kevin Nadeau,
parent of Amy ’05,
Cody ’09, and Maggie ’13​
F
amily is at the top of a list of reasons why Kevin and Jamie Nadeau are as close as they
are. The two have three kids, all blessed with their parents’ talent.
Music and dance are near the top of the list. Kevin and Jamie have an innate love for
the performing arts, and their talents just happen to compliment one another.
But also on that list is Orange Lutheran High School. Because at Orange Lutheran, Kevin and
Jamie have seen their greatest passions – their kids and the performing arts – come together as
one.
Now, Kevin and Jamie have become completely entrenched in the school. And the relationship
is mutually beneficial, to say the least.
And as long as they can be of help, the Nadeaus won’t be leaving Orange Lutheran any time
soon.
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The Nadeaus had long enjoyed success before arriving at Orange
Lutheran, where luckily, success followed. Kevin is a professional
musician, most famous for his work on advertising campaigns for
companies such as McDonald’s, Toyota, Mattel and Kraft General
Foods.
“I love mentoring the students,” Jamie said. “I love it. I love to pick
them up and give them confidence. That’s my favorite thing. I love
getting to know them and their needs.”
“For the challenges of what they’re dreaming about, they need to
have faith that God has a plan for them,” Kevin said. “You can’t make
yourself famous. We’re always talking to them, when they wonder
why they didn’t get an audition, why they didn’t get a role, or why
they’re in the back row, we try to remind them that you have to
commit to your craft and realize that at some point, you will be in
front of a director that sees the potential in you and has the right
role.
“They will have their moment. In their young lives, faith will help
them cope with those things.”
F
or Kevin and Jamie, it’s not all about the talent.
It’s also about the environment.
“We pray before every show as a group,” Jamie said of her
relationship with her dancers. “And at other high schools,
you just can’t do that. It’s quite the difference.”
Since the inception of the Alexandra Nechita Center for the
Performing Arts, focus on the arts has skyrocketed at Orange
Lutheran. It’s one of the reasons the Nadeaus brought their
children to OLu and it’s the main reason Kevin and Jamie can’t see
themselves anywhere else.
His most recent project was co-writing and co-producing “Reach
Up LA,” the theme song for the 2015 Special Olympics. His most
famous project is the, “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign for McDonald’s.
“The arts are something that we have always been passionate about,”
Kevin said. “When we first saw how committed this school was to
the arts, it was natural for us to help out any way we could to keep
moving this dialogue forward.
Jamie is an acclaimed choreographer whose work has been featured
on stages across the country and internationally.
“The leadership here has an unbelievable commitment to the arts. It’s
a great opportunity for the students and for us.”
However, today, their greatest contributions are the ones given to
Orange Lutheran.
Today, Amy ‘05, is a professional dancer, and most recently
choreographed Tarzan the Musical in 2014 along with friend and
performing arts teacher Chelsey Everhart ’05. Cody ‘09 plays guitar
at Daily Gatherings, the annual Gala, and is an adjunct faculty for
Pam Hansen and the worship arts. Maggie ‘13, is a student at the
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University.
“For the careers that we have chosen, we realize we’ve been blessed,”
Kevin said. “This is a huge opportunity for us to perpetuate those
opportunities for others, the same way we had a mentor or teacher,
a person you look back at and say, ‘That person motivated me to do
what I do.’
“And we’re at a point where we get to choose where to invest our
efforts and time. Very rarely does this feel like work.”
Aside from their actual positions at the school, both Kevin and
Jamie continue to play the role of mentor for young artists that come
through Orange Lutheran.
The challenges of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry are
ones that the Nadeaus are all too familiar with, which is why they
aim to prepare students from a performance standpoint, but also a
psychological and spiritual standpoint.
All three Nadeau children have followed in the footsteps of their
parents and the entire Nadeau clan will continue to be active
members of the Lancer Family.
“We continue to see opportunities provided by the school leadership
to empower students through the arts,” Kevin said. “The enthusiasm
around this program is why we’re here.
“We love Orange Lutheran and want to help advance its dreams for
the arts.”
17
MOVIEMAKER
IN THE
MAKING
The Cannes Film Festival is just the
first step for Rachel Hemsley.
R
achel Hemsley ’13 was born to be in the film
industry. All she needed was a little extra assurance.
And that assurance came in the form of an
invitation.
Hemsley, 20, is a junior at Chapman and is studying
screenwriting at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
Her dream career is to write novels and films, in addition to
serving as a script supervisor and eventually, a movie director.
And in April of this year, each of those goals were given a
boost, when the short film Add/Edit, on which Hemsley
served as script supervisor, was selected for the “Short Film
Corner” category of the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most
prestigious film festivals in the world.
“Honestly, it’s all God.
I write with God. He gives
me whole scenes in my
head and I just write it
down. He gave me a voice
at a young age. He gives
me the words to say. I can
hardly take any credit.”
Rachel Hemsley ‘13
“It’s amazing to have this experience,” Hemsley said. “That
was only my third time being on set at all. But this is where
it really clicked for me. I realized I was good at this and saw
myself doing it for a long time. Now that the movie is in Cannes,
to have my name on something like this is God giving me confirmation that this is the path for
me.”
While it is not rare for independent short films to be received into the France-based festival, it
is rare for independent short films developed completely by college students to be received into
Cannes.
Add/Edit is a piece about a young woman who is a film editor, and while editing clips for an
upcoming movie, begins to reflect on her relationships in life and how she tends to edit her very
own existence. A friend of Hemsley’s who attends Chapman created the film, and she was asked
to serve as script supervisor.
“As script supervisor, you’re very involved with the director and the cinematographer, and your
job is basically continuity,” Hemsley said. “With every shot, everything has to be the same. You
have to know how actors might take sips of a drink, how a chair moves in a specific scene, and
basically just be the editor on set. You have to know all the small details, so there is a lot of
preparation and planning that goes into it.”
Preparation and planning are the two things that so far, have defined Hemsley’s young career.
Her mother, Lauri, is a doctor, but her father, Matt, was a commercial and film actor, director,
18
and stunt double. Following in her father’s footsteps became
Hemsley’s plan at a young age.
“I was in my first commercial when I was a couple months old, so
it’s been in my blood,” Hemsley said. “I always had that connection
with my dad, but I liked the writing side of it.”
“The most important thing I learned while at Orange
Hemsley put her future screenwriting aspirations into motion by
writing a book at age 12. Emma of Winds was published in 2010,
when Hemsley was 15, and it gave her a taste of what it’s like to
make a story come to life in her mind.
out that my true value does not come in my grades
“When you have the ability to tell a story and make people feel
things and get messages across the globe through film or books, it’s
such a ministry tool. And it doesn’t have to be a Christian movie. It
could be an Oscar-winning film that just makes people think.”
what He has done for me.”
Lutheran is to be confident in myself and I figured
or who I’m around or whatever else I may think it
comes from. Rather, my value comes from Christ and
Yostina Beshay ‘15
Hemsley hopes to adapt Emma of Winds, which revolves around
protagonist and female pirate Emma and her Robin Hood-like
exploits, onto the silver screen in the future.
While at Orange Lutheran, Hemsley was in the Ambassadors Club,
president of the Improv Club, participated in Missions, and acted
in numerous plays and musicals. However, despite her involvement
mainly with acting in high school, writing was her passion, one that
she says is merely an extension of her relationship with God.
“Honestly, it’s all God. I write with God. He gives me whole scenes
in my head and I just write it down. He gave me a voice at a young
age. He gives me the words to say. I can hardly take any credit.”
As for her next ventures, Hemsley spent the summer and the fall
working on two separate independent films, script supervising and
assisting in screenwriting.
Upon her graduation from Chapman in fall of 2016, she is hoping to
bring one of her own films to life with the help of her father and of
course, God.
“Faith has been a huge part of my life and my entire family is
extremely faith-based,” said Hemsley, whose brother, Luke, is a
sophomore at Orange Lutheran. “I’ve had a very close walk with
God. When I was home-schooled before high school, I had so much
time alone and it became normal to talk to Him and pray and just
expect Him in my life.
“When I came to Orange Lutheran, there was no question that this
is where God wanted me. And today, he continues to open doors for
me.”
“OLu is a family. We all look out for one another. This
is not just some place where students go to learn and
then go back home. Teachers and faculty care about
us and our well-being. They want to see us succeed
and they do whatever it takes to help us reach our
full potential.”
“The most important thing I have learned while
attending OLu is that no matter what is going on in
your life, you can always persevere through it. OLu
provides so many opportunities and services to help
us with whatever we have going on.”
Alison McMurtry ‘15
“I will miss the genuine connection I felt with the
teachers. They really have been some of the most
influential people in my life the past four years.”
Michael Russell ‘15
OLu
19
Athletics
“The first thing that has impacted me all four years
of my Lancer experience are my teachers.
I have always been encouraged and loved by them.
The second thing that makes OLu great is the
opportunities that I was exposed to. With leadership
and choir and numerous other things, I was able
to enjoy my high school experience to the fullest.
OLu is my second home. I feel safe, encouraged, and
loved when I am there.”
20
Karina Knapp ‘15
A
thletics are a vital piece of the Orange Lutheran puzzle.
On a global scale, sports represent unity, a concept that
is alive and well on the OLu campus.
Lancer sports programs aim to help student-athletes
reach their full physical potential, as they compete in the nationallyrenowned Trinity League. Orange Lutheran has 20 varsity sports
teams and a wealth of coaches with decades of experience guiding
and motivating student-athletes. But the most imperative aspect of
Orange Lutheran athletics is teaching those student-athletes the
importance of glorifying God each time they take the court or the
field.
As Ms. Nancy Paul says, “It is in His name that we pray, it is to His
glory that we play.”
21
WALKING
TALL
How Josh Marquardt ‘15 flexed his
mental strength in order to recover
from physical injury.
T
help stabilize the cartilage in the knee. However, they weren’t sure
what effect it would have on the bone.
The same day that Marquardt decided to have the injection on his
left knee, a bone donor was found. He underwent surgery on June 11.
After the surgery, Marquardt couldn’t walk for over two months. He
was bedridden for a month and then required to use a wheelchair.
During that time, he used a continuous passive motion (CPM)
machine to help him increase his range of motion, iced his knee
throughout the day, and met with physical trainers three times a week.
Marquardt finally began to walk the first day of his senior year.
“It was rough. Volleyball starts that first week. So I’m just sitting with
my cane, helping the guys, but I wanted to be on the court. But I
stayed optimistic.”
he prognosis was bad. The explanation
was worse.
“The doctor described it as ‘a shark bite
on your femur.’”
Josh Marquardt finished his tenure at Orange
Lutheran in May. He was a member of the STEM
program, an Ignite team leader and a member of the
Young Alumni Council.
That’s when things began taking a turn for the better.
The stem cell injection in Marquardt’s left knee had helped build
bone in the bottom of his femur. The bone stabilized. The surgery
on his left knee, which doctors thought to be a given, wasn’t needed.
“That was just a prayer answered,” Marquardt said.
But his most memorable experience was playing
volleyball during his senior year, a feat that in the
summer of 2014, seemed impossible.
“I never can jump or
move as quick as I once
did, but I’m able to
go out there and play
and move. And that’s
a miracle in itself. But I
always believed I would
be able to get back out
there. I never lost hope.
Josh Marquardt ‘15
22
By the start of the second semester of his senior year, Marquardt
could finally jump again.
“The first game I played in was a scrimmage against Los Al. After the
game, I hugged my mom and she was crying. She couldn’t believe I
was out there. That summer, I couldn’t even walk. So that was a cool
moment.”
Marquardt didn’t miss one practice or game due to his knees the
entire season. He also served as captain of the team.
“I never can jump or move as quick as I once did, but I’m able to
go out there and play and move. And that’s a miracle in itself. But
I always believed I would be able to get back out there. I never lost
hope.
“My knees had their ups and downs,” he added. “It went week by
week. I developed tendinitis in my left knee and my right
knee held up but swelled a ton after every single game. It’s not
where it should be. But all in all, they made it through.”
“But that summer I would see everyone having fun and going
on trips. I was stuck in this machine and I would be mad and
lash out emotionally. I asked God, ‘Why?’”
“But I realized, it was for the better somehow. My mom
prayed with me every single night. She supported me, even
when I felt mad at God.”
“With volleyball and basketball, obviously there is a lot of jumping,” Marquardt said. “I was
playing volleyball one day and I landed on my knee wrong a few times. And it hurt. When I got
home that day and walked up the stairs, my knee just turned. And that night, it swelled up huge.”
Marquardt now attends UC Santa Barbara, where he majors
in mechanical engineering.
A short time after, Marquardt underwent an MRI in his right knee, for what he thought might
be a torn meniscus.
He isn’t sure if he’ll try to walk on to the volleyball team.
He might just stick to playing club. He is also considering
joining the rowing team.
It wasn’t a torn meniscus. It was osteochondritis dissecans.
“It’s often just called OCD,” Marquardt explained. “Over time, with the pounding on my knees,
the bone in my knee wasn’t getting enough blood. So the bone slowly disintegrated. The cartilage
in my knee was basically filling in for the bone.”
Two months passed and no donor had been found, when doctors presented another option to
Marquardt. The disorder had also developed in his left knee, but not as severely as his right. Doctors
offered a stem cell injection for Marquardt to receive in his left knee, with the hopes that it would
“I remember that first practice, I was just passing and my knee was
getting really fat, but it was a ton of fun. I was out there with the guys,
being loud and having fun. And touching a volleyball.”
During the ordeal, Marquardt admitted there were moments
when he couldn’t understand why this was happening to
him. “On the outside, from what my parents saw, I was being
optimistic.”
Marquardt had always been a high-flying athlete
as a basketball and volleyball player. So he often
shrugged off the pain that he experienced in his
knees. But by the time he reached his junior year
at Orange Lutheran, with the pain only increasing as
time went on, he started to realize that something was wrong.
The rare knee disorder would not only require Marquardt to have surgery, but he would need a
bone donor.
Marquardt’s plan was just to get back to fifty percent by the time the
season started. He went to Appalachia with the Missions team in the
fall, and by the time he got back, he couldn’t jump but he could play.
But regardless of what sport he plays, Marquardt is just
thankful to be playing.
“I can only see this small part of the story.
But God has an entire picture laid out for me.”
Josh Marquardt ‘15
“This is just an example of a small test so I can face even
bigger tests in the future,” he said. “It’s about perseverance
and getting through adversity.
“I can only see this small part of the story. But God has an
entire picture laid out for me.”
23
THE HALL
OF FAMER
Nancy Paul lists her top
five moments in Lancer
basketball history.
O
n Orange Lutheran’s campus,
Nancy Paul has an office.
Then, she has a room.
This room isn’t big, but it’s big enough.
The walls are lined with shelves, shelves that are lined
with boxes, boxes that are marked with one name and
different numbers.
Nancy Paul, Box 1. Nancy Paul, Box 2. And so on.
The number of boxes enters the 60s.
While chatting with visitors in her office, Ms. Paul often stops the conversation to visit her room.
Upon her return, she’s accompanied by some form of Orange Lutheran relic, dating back to the
school’s inaugural years.
Inducted into the
Southern California
Interscholastic
Basketball Coaches
Association Hall of Fame
this year, for her service
to prep sports over her
40-year OLu career.
Very little Lancer history escapes Ms. Paul’s grasp or her memory. So when she was inducted
into the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame this
year, for her service to prep sports over her 40-year OLu career, memories began to surface.
Here are five that Ms. Paul says stand out in her mind about the history of Orange Lutheran
basketball, milestones that changed the boys and girls programs forever:
1978
Boys basketball is CIF-SS Small Schools runner up. This was the first time that
the boys basketball program made it to a CIF championship game, under head
coach Jerry Simmons. The Lancers lost to Pasadena Poly by 10 points at Long Beach Convention
Center, but it was a milestone in Orange Lutheran basketball history. “It was so exciting for us
because we were not that big of a school, to be playing a perennial powerhouse like Pasadena
Poly. It was certainly not their first time.” At the time, Ms. Paul was teaching and coaching girls
junior varsity basketball, as well as working with Bob Dowding in the athletic department.
1981
Girls basketball defeats Rosamond High to win CIF-SS Small Schools title.
The Lancers, playing at Antelope Valley JC, came from behind to win, 43-42,
capturing their first CIF title. “That year, the girls cut the nets down. They each took a piece
of the net for themselves, but on the other end of the court, Beverly Arnett (the Lancers’ head
coach) cut down the entire net and said, ‘Nancy, why don’t you hold onto this.’” Ms. Paul still
has the net to this day. At the time, Ms. Paul was coaching girls junior varsity basketball and
doing athletic administration for girls sports. She even remembers who rode the bus to the
girls varsity basketball games that year. “Coach Arnett liked to keep a small circle around the
24
team. The only people on the bus, aside from Coach Arnett and the
players, were me, the school nurse Verna Thome (mother of freshman
baseball coach Dan Thome), school administrator Bill Balke, bus
driver Deanna Scott (the mother of current Orange Lutheran
maintenance manager Kent Scott ‘83), and Emily Wolfe (Kent
Scott’s grandmother).”
inscribed on the Orange Lutheran court, she was inducted into
the Orange Lutheran Athletics Hall of Fame, she was awarded the
Cristo Mundo Award from Concordia University, Irvine, and she
was recognized by State Senator
1989
Boys basketball makes unlikely run to CIF-SS finals.
The Lancers, coached by Jerry Simmons, took on Santa
Clara Boys at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in the CIF-SS title
game. Orange Lutheran came up short, but in Ms. Paul’s eyes, it was
a remarkable run for the simple fact that the team was completely
comprised of local kids. “We were still just a little school. Back
then, kids didn’t play AAU basketball. All of our kids came from
the Lutheran system. The school was really just getting started.
People today don’t realize, we haven’t always been this size and
we haven’t always gotten kids from different places. That year was
significant to me because the composition of the student body was so
homegrown.” At the time, Ms. Paul was teaching and shared athletic
director responsibilites with Bob Dowding. “Bob and I would
literally sit down and divide our duties. That’s why he was such a dear
friend. We could always just sit down together and figure things out.”
Coach Dowding passed away in February of this year.
2000
T he arrival of Tony Matson. In 2000, Tony Matson
arrived at Orange Lutheran to take over the girls
basketball program. He was previously an assistant at Brea Olinda
High School, a powerhouse program in Southern California. “Tony
really took our girls program to a new level.” Tony coached at OLu
from 2000-2009, before passing away in April of 2009. During his
time at OLu, he led the Lancers to five league titles, and in 2009, he
took Orange Lutheran to its first CIF-SS finals appearance since
1981. “He was a true man of God and a great family man. And
Tom Howard has made sure that Tony’s legacy has continued, with
the Tony Matson Memorial Classic. Coaches that come to play
in the Classic are people that knew Tony and were friends of his.
Tony dearly loved his girls and was the spark in their life in terms
of athletics.” Tony’s youngest daughter, Jessi, is currently a junior at
Orange Lutheran. She helped lead the Lancers to the CIF-SS Div.
3 title last season. “I look at her and think to myself all the time, her
dad would have been so proud of her.”
Jessi Matson ‘17, the youngest daughter of
the late Tony Matson, helped lead the girls
basketball team to a CIF title in 2014-15.
2011
Boys and girls basketball capture CIF titles. Both
the Lancer boys and girls played in CIF title games at
the Anaheim Convention Center in 2011. The games were played
back to back, and both ended in victory for Orange Lutheran. “The
girls beat Bonita and the boys beat Windward, and people were
able to come and stay for both games. It was a great scene.” After
that championship, girls coach Tom Howard and boys coach Chris
Nordstrom gave Ms. Paul a photo collage with pictures from both
championship celebrations. The collage is in her room and she shows
it to visitors today.
Ed Royce and the City of Orange for her service to the community,
among other accolades.
What’s telling about the selection of the boys and girls CIF title
victories in 2011, and of all Ms. Paul’s selections, is that none of
them involve her.
In her over four decades at OLu, Ms. Paul has played the roles of
athletic director, teacher, scorekeeper, confidant, and many more.
In 2011, there was a tremendous amount of recognition given to
Ms. Paul in honor of her career. In that one year, she saw her name
Still, the moments that stand out most in her mind involve the
successes of students. And those successes didn’t always mean
championships. It meant helping Orange Lutheran take a step
towards being the school it is today.
But most importantly, at least in her eyes, she’s been a vessel.
“I am only a servant in His service.”
25
Tom Howard Girls basketball
This season demonstrated what is possible when a group of individuals sacrifice
themselves for the good of the group and play simply for the love of the game
and of their teammates. It was so awesome to see a group of young studentathletes mature and become such a strong unit in such a short time. The CIF
championship was the result of the bond that this team developed. The growth of
each individual, and the unit as a whole, was the real success of this season. The
CIF championship was just icing on the cake.
I was awarded Coach of the Year because of the success we had on the court with
a young team. However, I think that success was a result of how our program
tries to operate on a daily basis, and how everyone involved with our program has
bought into our mission. My hope is that our program represents the values and
mission of Orange Lutheran High School in a positive manner on a consistent
basis. I believe people have seen that in our program throughout the years. What
I would like most is if this Coach of the Year honor can shine even more light on
the ministry here at OLu.
Steve Carrera Boys water polo
Personally, it was an inspiring season because we got to see a lot of hard work
come to fruition. When we started the program three years ago, I had a threeyear goal. It usually takes three years to really get a program going, and to be able
to accomplish that was a great feeling. I appreciate being named Coach of the
Year, but I honestly do feel it’s a team award and I couldn’t have done it without
the amazing support of the players, families, administration and the school.
OC VARSITY
COACHES OF THE YEAR
Three OLu varsity
coaches win OC
Varsity Coach of
the Year honors
O
range Lutheran saw three of its varsity coaches win OC Varsity Coach of the Year
honors. Tom Howard led the Lancers girls basketball team to a CIF-SS Division
3A title and the semifinals of the CIF State Regionals. Dan Adams, in his first year,
helped the Lancers hockey team capture the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey
League title, as well as a California Amateur Hockey Association State title and a spot in the
U.S. Hockey Nationals. And Steve Carrera led the Orange Lutheran boys water polo team to
the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals in only the program’s third year in existence.
Here are each coach’s thoughts on what the Coach of the Year honor means for them and their
respective programs, and just how special the 2014-15 season was in their eyes.
26
Dan Adams Hockey
I knew from our first practice we had something special. The group really clicked.
The cool thing about playing for your high school, which a lot of these guys
who played only club hockey didn’t realize, is that with club, you’re around your
teammates a few times a week. With high school, you’re around your teammates
every day. So the bonding was really key for our group. They really enjoyed being
around each other and they were all very coachable. They bought into the system.
The kids made this all happen. I tell everyone, I just guided them in the right
direction and they did the rest. It was an honor to get the award, but really, any
award or accolade this year should go to the kids. They worked so hard all season.
Now, we have a legitimate thing here. And it’s all because of them.
27
A Helping Hand
“The most important thing I
learned at OLu...be yourself.”​
Preston Maag ‘15
28
O
range Lutheran is committed in its efforts to make sure that it
provides for Lancer families in need of financial support. During
the 2014-15 school year, OLu provided $1.5 million in need-based
financial aid to nearly 36 percent of its students. Orange Lutheran
believes in the power of a Christian education and works diligently to ensure that
education is available to as many students as it can accommodate.
Included here is two stories about how some students are able to attend Orange
Lutheran because of financial aid and the transformative power of the education
they receive as a result. One of the best examples of the school’s efforts to help
provide for its students is the Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop, which has had a
grand impact on the lives of many, including those that work there.
29
A SINGING
SUCCESS
With the help of financial aid,
Maddie Reynolds ‘15 is pursuing
her musical dreams.
M
addie Reynolds didn’t sugarcoat it.
and I wanted to continue with a Christ-centered education.”
she’d be in the position she is now.
And during her four years at Orange Lutheran, Reynolds certainly
made the most of the opportunities in front of her.
“I told my mom recently that I felt badly they had spent so much
money on private school for me, but I also told her that I couldn’t
imagine how different my life would be if I hadn’t attended Orange
Lutheran,” Reynolds said. “Because of this school, my college prep
has been amazing, and I was offered academic scholarships and
music scholarships.
Reynolds has performed in several musicals, been a member of
Spiritleaders, and sung in Honors Choir. And during her senior
year, she was selected to the prestigious Southern California Vocal
Association’s Regional Honor Choir.
Reynolds is now a freshman vocal performance major at Azusa
Pacific University. Despite her singing chops however, she said that
her dream is not to be a singer, but rather produce and write music.
“I am so thankful I was able to attend Orange Lutheran.”
“I don’t want to sing for my career, but I want to do something in
music. I want to compose film scores and put instruments together
for singers. You can’t just do one thing in music and survive. You
have to be multitalented.”
And without her four years at Orange Lutheran, Reynolds isn’t sure
“Private school is a privilege and it is
expensive.”
At the beginning of the 2014-15
school year, Reynolds, who graduated from Orange
Lutheran in May, attended a luncheon dedicated
to honoring the Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop
volunteers. Profits from the Thrift Shop go towards
supporting need-based financial aid for OLu
students and families.
So when Reynolds was asked to give a speech to
volunteers at the luncheon, she made it a point to
express her gratitude to those that helped fund her
high school career, and not hold back.
“But God guided us
every step of the way
in the decision to go to
Orange Lutheran, and He
provided a way for me to
go here through the help
of financial aid.”
Maddie Reynolds ‘15
“I told my parents in eighth grade that I wanted to
go to OLu, but they didn’t think it was possible for
me to go there,” Reynolds said. “My parents are both singers in the entertainment business and
they live on freelance jobs. God has always provided for our family, but it is sometimes a bumpy
road with fluctuating incomes.
“But God guided us every step of the way in the decision to go to Orange Lutheran, and He
provided a way for me to go here through the help of financial aid.”
Orange Lutheran’s Annual Fund, along with the Thrift Shop, are the two key vehicles by which
students like Reynolds are provided need-based financial aid. Roughly 35 percent of Orange
Lutheran families are assisted with close to $1.5 million in tuition support.
For Reynolds, she believes attending OLu has been vital to her growth as a Christian, as a
student, and as an artist.
“I knew Orange Lutheran had a great music program that I wanted to be a part of,” Reynolds
said about her decision to attend OLu. “At the time, I was into cheerleading as well as music, and
I wanted to be part of a school that had amazing coaches and school spirit. I knew that I would
thrive with such caring teachers and peers.
“I felt cared for immediately at Freshman Registration Day. I felt the love of Christ at the school,
“I’m so thankful that I was able
to attend Orange Lutheran.”
Maddie Reynolds ‘15
30
31
THRIFTY
THROUGH
CHRIST
The Thrift Shop, in itself, could be defined as a bunch of small shops
under one roof. There is a movie section, a book section, an appliance
section, and so on. There are clothes for all ages. There is wall art.
There are board games. There is an entire furniture wing.
But like with any business, the Thrift Shop saw its ups and downs,
most notably in the late 1980s, when the store closed before
reopening in 1994 and expanding into its current location in 1998.
“The expansion into the larger store was so significant that I don’t
think there is a comparison from then to now,” Nobby said of the
store today. “It opened the door for more things that came into the
store as well as expanding the sales, with furniture and appliances.
That has been the real boost, in terms of what we offer to the public
and getting donations.”
The Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop
has evolved into one of the
greatest blessings the school
has ever known.
In 2014, the store raised $300,000 net, and since 2010, it has raised
nearly $2 million for financial aid families.
Rose Neben
B
T
erniece Gerken has a spot.
Her spot doesn’t have a nameplate. It’s not an office with
a door. But everyone knows that chair by that table in that
backroom, that’s where Berniece sits and does her work.
But its other purpose, that’s to build camaraderie.
Nobby taught and was an administrator at St. John’s Lutheran
School from 1959-1979, before coming to teach at Orange Lutheran
from 1979-1998. Rose served as the school nurse at St. John’s from
1968-2005. And with the help of financial aid and the Thrift Shop,
they put their seven children – Carlene (first freshman class at OLu,
’73), Marc, Nathan, Lisa, Leon, Jason and Amy – through Orange
Lutheran.
Berniece is just one of many volunteers. Her task – categorizing
donated stuffed animals – is a small one. But at the OLu Thrift Shop,
every task is a small piece of a colossal puzzle.
It’s been decades since the Thrift Shop came into existence. But with
each passing year, the donations get a little greater. The volunteer
count creeps a little higher. The money generated for the school
increases.
32
But it wasn’t necessarily that familial connection that led her to her
current position.
Another pair of seasoned volunteers are Eldon “Nobby” Neben, 80,
and his wife Rose, 76, both of whom have been volunteering at the
Thrift Shop since the early 70s, after it came into existence in 1969.
“It’s been so long. Do you realize how old I am? I’m 90 years old. I
can’t remember.”
And as long as those relationships thrive, so will the Thrift Shop, the
one that they -- and the entire Lancer family -- have grown to love so
much.
Sotelo came on as the Thrift Shop’s first-ever full-time manager in
August of 2011. Her stepdaughter graduated from OLu in 1996, so
she is familiar with the school.
Berniece isn’t the only seasoned veteran volunteering at the Thrift
Shop. While there are workers still enjoying their teenage years,
there are some in their 80s, 70s, 60s, and so on.
She can’t remember how long the spot has been hers. In fact, Berniece
can’t remember exactly how long she’s been volunteering at the
Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop. And she has no problem letting people
know why her memory is a bit hazy.
But there are also the relationships that grow each year. The volunteers’
relationships with each other and the team’s relationship with God.
he OLu Thrift Shop has one major purpose, and that is
to raise money for need-based financial aid. All Lancer
families that receive financial aid are required to complete
a set number of volunteer hours at the Thrift Shop.
“The store is a blessing in many ways,” said manager Suzanne Sotelo.
“For all of the volunteers, they’re blessed to be able to give back to
school. The mission is to help young people learn about Jesus and go
to a school where that is the main focus.”
Berniece Gerken
Her spot doesn’t have a
nameplate. It’s not an office
with a door. But everyone knows
that chair by that table in that
backroom, that’s where Berniece
sits and does her work.
Even more impressive is the fact that in the early days of the Thrift
Shop, families that received financial aid were not required to work
at the store. Nobby and Rose, they just loved it.
“We saw the benefit of a Christian education and if we could in any
way continue to help people have that experience, that was and is our
motivation,” Nobby said.
Nobby and Rose have also seen five grandchildren go through
Orange Lutheran with the support of the Thrift Shop.
“It’s just got in our blood,” Rose said of the Thrift Shop. “We love
serving there. We love the people. It’s a way to give back for the
blessings we received. It’s a tangible way to say thank you to the
Lord.”
Michele Brown
33
“I needed a job but I also wanted to serve. This fit everything I was
looking for.”
Sotelo is just one of many who have found their calling at the Thrift
Shop. Another is assistant manager Michele Brown.
“We have over 125 volunteers that come in on a weekly basis to help
process donations,” Brown said. “It’s absolutely amazing to see the
dedication and the way people give up their time to come help. It’s a
big operation and you need every, single person.”
Brown, whose daughter Savannah is a junior at Orange Lutheran,
found her way to the Thrift Shop much like Sotelo: through prayer
and the desire to serve.
“I was looking for a job and I thought to myself, ‘I love that thrift
shop,” Brown said, “I’m just going to volunteer until I find a job.’
Then I found out they were hiring here, so I applied and that was it.
“There is a lot of service going on. There are a lot of big hearts. To be
part of that is such a privilege.”
Brown, who is nearing her two-year anniversary as assistant manager,
already feels ingrained into the fabric of the store, but she is still
considered a newbie compared to a few other veterans.
Darrell Dudley sent two boys through Orange Lutheran and has
been a volunteer at the Thrift Shop for over a decade.
“I appreciate the Christian schools because there are a lot of other
influences that we have to counter,” Dudley said. “So I wanted to
be a part of that and join this place. It’s about the people here and
what we’re doing to help kids go to Orange Lutheran that otherwise
might not be able to. We don’t want to exclude individuals from our
school that might not have the finances.
“Everyone here works hard for the school. That’s what I get joy out
of.”
In turn, Dudley and other volunteers have found friendship, a
support system, and fulfillment through working towards a common
goal.
“We support each other,” Sotelo said. “We pray together every
morning. And when the kids come to do their hours, it’s a blessing
to them because there are people here that lived long lives and can
share their walk with Christ with the students. And they’re also
serving the community. Hopefully, we all have an impact on each
other.”
A
t the heart of the Thrift Shop is the emphasis on the
importance of a Christ-centered education.
In Nobby’s estimation, having been a teacher and
administrator under the umbrella of Christian education,
attending Orange Lutheran is about more than preparing for college.
It’s about preparing for life.
“It’s important to have a Christian foundation in life, regardless of
what you are doing in the future,” Nobby said. “Regardless of what
they learned during their time at Lutheran High, it gave them a
foundation that they could apply to their entire life.”
As Nobby and Rose continue into their fifth decade of Thrift Shop
volunteering, they have no plans to slow down.
“How long will we do it? As long as we’re physically able,” Rose said.
“It’s part of our life.”
As long as the Thrift Shop is around, so will be its volunteers. So
will be Berniece and Darrell. So will be Suzanne. So will be the next
batch of volunteers to carry the torch.
And so will be the Nebens.
“Parents, with tears in their eyes, still thank us for doing what we
do,” Rose said. “Parents tell us all the time that their kids would not
be able to attend without the Thrift Shop.
“That just warms your heart. That let’s you know why you do it.”
Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop
Contribution to Need Based Financial Aid Fund
2011
34
2012
2013
$275,000 $295,000 $312,000
2014
$403, 000 2015
$390,000
CLASS OF
2015
BREAKDOWN
OF STUDENTS
24%
“I go to St. Paul’s Church and I remember praying for the Lord to
help me find my path,” said Sotelo, who was looking to come out of
early retirement. “I opened the church bulletin and saw the job. And
I thought, ‘This is it, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.’
ATTENDING
Lutheran
Christian
Catholic
COLLEGES OR
UNIVERSITIES
4
Million
Dollars
TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS
$14,000
AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP
307
GRADUATING SENIORS
94%
Attending
2 to 4 year
College
107
DIFFERENT SCHOOLS
IN 26 STATES AND
FOUR COUNTRIES
35
Alumni...
Paving the Way
The importance of an
alumni presence at the
school is immeasurable,
and OLu makes strides
each year to bring more
alumni, young and old,
into the fold.
36
A
lumni involvement is one of the great joys experienced on the campus of
Orange Lutheran. The school enjoys a wonderful tradition, sparked by the
students of yesteryear. The importance of an alumni presence at the school is
immeasurable, and OLu makes strides each year to bring more alumni, young
and old, into the fold.
Two such alumni are Nikki Swoish and Liz Maxwell. Both of these young alumni are on
separate paths to success using very distinct routes. The lessons they learned at OLu have
already applied to their young lives. Nikki had her hand in everything while at OLu, and
was encouraged to be involved on campus. She has carried that motivation with her to the
University of Southern California. Liz learned the impact that teachers have on the lives of
students while at OLu, and she still receives support from her former teachers as she chases
her dreams of working in education.
Each of these students’ connection to the school, how they are grateful that Orange
Lutheran pushed them to pursue their dreams, represents what it means to be a Lancer for
Life. Nikki and Liz are amazing examples to the students soon to follow in their footsteps.
They are truly Paving the Way.
37
A TEACHING
TASK
The Nancy Paul Teaching Scholarship
has meant more to Liz Maxwell ‘11
than she ever imagined.
T
o this day, Liz Maxwell ‘11 isn’t exactly sure why
she was chosen.
“I’m not sure what they saw, but I’m glad they saw
something.”
But money might be the least important aspect of the award.
It’s about support. It’s about furthering Lutheran education.
And Maxwell is a walking example of just that.
During her time at OLu, Maxwell played softball, went on a
few mission trips, sang in jazz choir, worked on the yearbook,
and was a member of Ignite. And it was that all-around
involvement, plus the pressure of college applications, that
pushed Maxwell to apply for the NPTS.
“I remember applying because it was another thing that I could use to get into college,” Maxwell
said. “I didn’t have strong feelings about teaching.”
path, Maxwell is
confident that she’s
made it to this
point in her life for a
reason.
However, Maxwell’s mother and father, Susan and Deryl, both teach at St. Paul’s in Orange.
Teaching was, essentially, in her blood.
Maxwell said that during the interview process for the scholarship, Sarah Salzberg and other
teachers on the committee presented questions that called for her to examine her faith and her
future. The doubt she had about teaching prior to applying began to fade away, and she saw it as
a career that might fit her personality and passion.
She decided to attend Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, where she would pursue a
Lutheran teacher’s degree in elementary/special education. That’s when the support started to
flood in.
“When I first got to college, all the teachers on the NPTS board sent me a letter and each had
written an encouraging note. And whenever Sarah Salzberg was in town, she would contact me
and we would have lunch. And she always knew the right questions to ask me to gauge how I
was doing.”
38
And during the entire time, she continued to hear from the
Nancy Paul board back home.
“When I started student teaching, they sent me another letter.
And they would send me Facebook messages. They were all
random, but they all came at the right time. And I’ve always
kept those messages and letters.”
Maxwell said that the well wishes from Orange Lutheran
helped tremendously as she prepared to face the biggest
challenge of her young life with teaching special education
students.
Maxwell, a 2011 graduate, is the second ever recipient of the
Nancy Paul Teaching Scholarship Award, which has been
gifted since 2010. It includes $1,000 towards the student’s
college education and an additional stipend during the
recipient’s time spent as a student teacher.
Regardless of her
After three years of studying, Maxwell spent ten weeks in the
winter of 2014 as a student teacher with special education
students at Milford Elementary in Milford, Nebraska.
“I was super nervous in the beginning. I was concerned about
the behavioral management kids. And with those kids, it was
difficult, because with special education, you have to form that
bond with the kids so they can trust you. But I was able to
figure it out.”
In addition to emails and other messages, once she began
teaching, Maxwell received an extra $500 from the Nancy Paul
Scholarship to help with everyday costs that college students
face.
“That money helped me buy groceries. It helped me pay my
rent.”
Maxwell said that after graduation, she would love to go into
special education, but that she is keeping her options open,
considering she has one more student teaching opportunity
this fall. She will be instructing first graders at Fredstrom
Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska.
“With special education, flexibility is something I learned
quick. You could have an awesome plan and it won’t work
because you might not be getting the cooperation you need that
day. You have to be able to change plans just like that. You have
to be flexible and willing to sacrifice.”
Regardless of her path, Maxwell is confident that she’s made it
to this point in her life for a reason.
Now, she’s content with taking a step back and letting God
handle the rest, even though she has one small request.
“At Concordia, there is such a strong faith base that it made me
look deeper into my faith,” Maxwell said. “And it made my faith
stronger. Now, I can sit back and not worry where I’m going. If
God took me this far, there has to be something awesome out
there for me. I’ll go wherever the Lord wants me to go.
“I just hope it’s not too cold.”
Nancy Paul
Teaching
Scholarship
In its six years of existence, OLu teachers and staff have
contributed generously to the Nancy Paul Teaching Scholarship
in order to further the education of our future educators. The
scholarship contributes to students’ tuition and helps to cover
expenses during student teaching days.
RECIPIENTS
RU TH ELIAS ‘10 Graduate of UC Merced, is pursuing mission work overseas.
ELIZABETH MAXWELL ‘11 Graduate of Concordia University, Seward, NE, degree
in Elementary Education and concentration in Special
Education.
HEATHER HALL ‘12 Attends Biola University and is pursuing a degree
in Christian ministry.
RACHEL ZUMBEK ‘13 Attends Concordia University, Seward, NE and is pursuing a
degree in Secondary Education with emphasis in English and
Theology.
MEGAN GLOZER ‘14 Attends Concordia University, Irvine, CA and is pursuing
a degree in Secondary Education.
ELIZABETH SENEFSKY ‘15
Attending Biola University in the fall with hopes
of pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.
OLu
39
THE
PATH LESS
TRAVELED
Nikki Swoish ‘14 created her own
way to college. And she couldn’t be
happier with the results.
Swoish will admit that at the time, with the success she found at
OLu in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities, she didn’t
plan on telling many people that she would be attending junior
college, especially not at graduation.
But in retrospect, Swoish wishes she would have known then what
she knows now.
“You have to do what’s right for you,” she said. “You can’t focus on
what other people think of you. For a lot of people, junior college is
what they need. It helps the transition to college.
“Today, I would tell kids to not stress about it. For me, I was
embarrassed. I got into Duke and I could have gone. I was always
that kid that wanted to go to the best school. But in junior college,
you get to do what works for you. And it worked out for me
financially.”
Swoish said that her time at OLu not only strengthened her faith,
but strengthened her resolve, as she prepared to deal with the rigors
of college and the real world.
N
ikki Swoish heard the news, issued a smile, and
then exhaled.
Swoish graduated in 2014, just over a year ago.
But there was a stark difference between the 2014
and 2015 graduation ceremonies.
Students’ college destinations were not announced in 2015.
“That’s so great to hear. Kids used to be so stressed about that.
I was one of those kids.”
Swoish, who is heading into her sophomore year at USC,
found her path to a four-year university with one extra small
step, a step that many kids and parents are hesitant to take.
But in Swoish’s case, it turned out to be one of the best decisions she and her family ever made.
“It’s important
to soak it in at OLu.
Things like chapel, that’s
really a blessing.”
Nikki Swoish ‘14
While at Orange Lutheran, Swoish found success as an AP student, president of Ignite, a
member of Missions and performing arts, and in track. So when it was time to pick a university,
she had options.
However, because of her many interests and talents, and because of her options in terms of
schools, Swoish was conflicted about where to go and what to pursue.
“I applied to a bunch of schools and I just wasn’t sure where I wanted to go. I got a letter back
from USC that I was accepted into the business school, but only for spring. Initially, I wanted to
go to college right away.”
Ultimately, Swoish decided that USC was the best choice for her, but in order to get there, she’d
have to take the path less traveled…she’d have to go to junior college first.
Swoish spent a semester at Santiago Canyon College, completing some general education
courses and in turn, saving money.
40
“Going to OLu, my faith was right there every day,” Swoish said.
“You’re around a community of believers. It was so easy. In college,
people believe different things. So I really had to take my faith into
my own hands this year. There is no chapel in college. So you have to
be responsible for your faith in a lot of instances.
“It’s important to soak it in at OLu. Things like chapel, that’s really a
blessing.”
Swoish is currently a member of the OLu Young Alumni Council,
continuing her reputation of being involved at her high school. She
is studying business administration at USC and is a member of the
USC Helenes, a group similar to the OLu Ambassadors.
“OLu teaches you to be involved,” Swoish said. “It’s really
encouraged. I was friends with kids in choir and kids who played
football, and I created relationships that way. That made me want to
get more involved. You meet different people in every area at OLu.”
This year, Swoish plans to audition for an acapella singing group, as
well as try her hand at running track. She also will look into picking
up a minor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
It seems as if the path less traveled has still delivered Swoish to her
rightful destination.
Young Alumni
Council
The Young Alumni Council (YAC) is a group of Orange
Lutheran alumni who work with the school’s Alumni
Relations Coordinator to encourage recent graduates
to stay connected with the Lancer Family. The primary
mission is to support the needs of young alumni during
their college years and beyond. This energetic group of
young alumni leaders serve our community through
blogging, organizing class reunions, mentoring current
students, participating in mission trips and building
lasting relationships.
2014-15 YOUNG
ALUMNI COUNCIL
Parisia Barker ‘14
Graham Everett ‘14
Samantha Goodwin ‘14
Jacob Grant ‘14
Heather Hopkins ‘14
Josiah Maietta ‘14
Natalie Miller ‘14
Michael Morris ‘14
Lindsay Sampson ‘14
Taylor Sirset ‘14
Nikki Swoish ‘14
Christina Toma ‘14
NEW MEMBERS
Brianne Anderson ‘15
Jennifer Appling ‘15
Mallory Beane ‘15
Ryan Brennan ‘15
Jessica Cobb ‘15
Augie DeAngelo ‘15
Courtney Dobbins ‘15
Savannah Dukes ‘15
Tayler Garis ‘15
Jessie Hernandez ‘15
Karina Knapp ‘15
Evan Kruger ‘15
Nicolette Nelson ‘15
Andrew Niemann ‘15
Josh Marquardt ‘15
Maddie Martz ‘15
Emma Olson ‘15
Sarah Stumme ‘15
OLu
41
2015 Athletics
Hall of Fame
L Wine
presented
by the Lancer Alumni Association...
A unique way to support a great need: Financial Aid.
In partnership with Cholame Vineyard, the Lancer Alumni
Association launched “L Wine,” a private wine label that
features exclusive wines, designed for our Lancer Family.
Proceeds from all sales support our Lancers For Life fund.
This provides need-based tuition assistance for current students
and families. Total raised through June 2015 was $8,158.
Thank you for your continued support of our Lancer Family.
T
he Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes our
most accomplished and committed alumni -a proud Lancer tradition since 2011. This year,
the Orange Lutheran campus hosted nearly
150 attendees, of which 70 were alumni, for an evening
of cocktails, dinner, memorabilia exhibit, campus tours,
inductee presentation and special honoring of a legacy
coach.
For 2015, we selected six Lancers who exemplify
the best of Orange Lutheran’s history through their
distinguished accomplishments in athletics, academics,
and competition. They are a diverse group, whose worlds
range from teachers, to mothers, to semi-professional
athletes, to successful entrepreneurs. But they all had one
thing in common -- the bond they share as members
of the Lancer Family. Congratulations to our 2015
inductees!
Thank you for supporting our alumni -- and for
continuing our mission that was started many years ago.
42
Introducing the
OLu Business
Network...
2015 INDUCTEES: Coach Bob Dowding 1974-1993
Elizabeth Brehm ‘81
Michael Senne ‘82
Patrick Bagatourian ‘89 Patrick Salyer ‘00
Anna Klitzing Preus ‘00
OLu
E VENT CHAIR: Renee Gibbons ‘07
SPONSORS: Gold - Ron Wright
Silver - Healthy Foods, Inc.
FORMER ATHLETICS HALL
OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Jenny Morner Jordan ‘76
Michael Fleischi ‘88
Jason Neben ‘89
Daryl Cole ‘90
Renee Wright Matheson ‘91
Joe Juliano ‘95
Laura Miklos Crawford ‘01
Jerry Simmons - Coach
Steve Hight ‘78
Gaylord Greene ‘88
Elizabeth Reed Bonsangue ‘89
Phil Matheson ‘91
Amber Parkinson Neben ‘93
Jason Whieldon ‘00
Nancy Paul - Coach/Administrator
A
community for Lancers
supporting Lancers, the idea of
a business network has circled
around Orange Lutheran for years.
In 2015, this vision became a reality.
With the leadership of the Alumni Board and
Strategic Team, the Orange Lutheran Business
Network was established to support the
overall professional development of Orange
Lutheran alumni, families, students, and
friends. By engaging business professionals in
our faith-based community, it is our intention
to strengthen our relationships and provide
opportunities for valued members of the
Lancer Family.
The Orange Lutheran Business Network hosts
quarterly events featuring guest speakers and
opportunities for networking. To learn more,
visit weareolu.org/alumni/networking.
Lancer Alumni Association
Mission Statement:
The Alumni Board serves Orange Lutheran High School and its alumni
by cultivating Lancer Family pride, encouraging active involvement in
ministry opportunities, sharing God-given gifts, and connecting alumni
through personal fellowship and professional networking.
2014-15 Alumni Board
CO-CHAIRS: Caroline Bailey ‘05
MEMBERS:
Debbie Guss ‘77
Marc Neben ‘79
Marlo Naber Mole ‘89
Jeffrey Palmer ‘89
Kelly Hearn George ‘94
Robert Meaux ‘96
Paul Jones ‘02
Chelsey Everhart ‘05
Blake Edwards ‘06
Renee Roberts Gibbons ‘07
Greg Gower ‘08
Trent Schlom ‘10
Phil Roberts ‘05
Wayne Weisman ‘77
Debbie Rogers Merced ‘87
Meredith Riebau Dufield ‘89
Amy Willett Leon ‘90
Jason Perkins ‘95
Katherine Holly ‘97
Brandon Lester ‘05
Grant Avise ‘05
Jessica Jordan Johnson ‘06
Tyler Prosser ‘07
Kristina Fertala ‘08
COMMITTEES: AthleticsArts
Class Reunion
Homecoming
Professional Networking
43
CALLED HOME
TO GLORY
Art Gray 1929-2015
2015
“There were the Catholic schools, Servite and Mater Dei,
and those schools always had a waiting list,” said Art’s wife of 60
years, Doreen. “We wanted to be that good.”
Golf Classic
The school, after many baby steps, finally opened in 1973.
“It was always about having one more meeting, holding one more bake
sale, putting in one more $10 donation,” Tom said. “It was tiny, little
steps, one after the other. Before he passed, he would marvel at the
growth of the school. None of the founders, in their wildest dreams,
thought it would be what it is today. They thought it would just be a
small school that would serve local middle schools.”
A
rt Gray, one of the founders of Lutheran High School
of Orange County, was called home to glory on June
15, 2015. He was 86.
During the time spent creating the concept of
Orange Lutheran, all the way to cutting the ribbon at the Beyond
Expectations unveiling in 2014, Art was a beloved figure in the
Orange Lutheran community and beyond. In addition to helping
found the school, Art’s endeavors in the community knew no
ends.
Still, Orange Lutheran was closest to his heart.
“He truly believed in public service,” said Tom Gray, Art’s
youngest son. “He was involved in more things than you can
imagine. But Orange Lutheran was probably the thing he was
most proud of.”
As the history goes, a group of Christian men and women began
meeting regularly in the late 1950s with the hopes of establishing
a Lutheran high school.
What many don’t know is that at the time, Art was only 30 years
old.
“This school was sort of a lifelong dream for him,” Tom said.
“When the very first meeting was held in 1958, he was only 30.
He was the youngest of the group. The vast majority of those
people never got to see their kids attend Lutheran High.”
What pushed Art, according to his wife and son, was his
dedication to offer an advanced Lutheran education to the
students of Orange County.
44
What the school is today, birthed from those tiny meetings in the 50s
and 60s, is one of the largest Lutheran high schools in the nation, and
one that continues to expand its footprint, its student body, and its
positive influence on the local community.
“When he cut the ribbon at the Beyond Expectations ceremony, he
was really touched by that,” Tom said. “He didn’t know he was cutting
the ribbon. He was thinking about all the people that worked to start
this school and felt like he was doing it in their honor. That was a nice
moment for him.”
Art is survived by his wife Doreen, their three sons, Peter, Paul and
Tom, and five grandchildren, Daniel, Junko, Douglas, Tomoyuki, and
David.
“He had a big soul,” Tom said about what he’ll remember about his
father. “He had a big heart. He really cared about people.”
Art Gray was truly an amazing visionary and an inspiration to so many.
Orange Lutheran has been blessed in so many ways because of Art and
his wife Doreen and their dedication to the school and its ministry. He
will truly be missed.
• Hosted April 27, 2015 at Yorba Linda
Country Club
Power of the Dream Gala
Love Endures
An amazingly beautiful night!
• Power of the Dream Gala held February 7, 2015
• Over $400,000 net raised for the students at OLu
• $224,000 raised for Worship Arts Legacy
• Nearly $80,000 net raised for the
student athletes at OLu
• Guest speaker Jake Olson ‘15
TITLE SPONSORS:
Wells Fargo
LuxBus
TravisMathew
GOLD SPONSORS:
Microsemi
SILVER SPONSORS: Butier Engineering
R.J. Allen Inc
UNDERWRITERS:
NCCI
HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR:
PASSION
David & Lisa Miller, Kevin & Jamie Nadeau, Craig & Jane Olson,
Ben & Cindy Yorks
CHERISH
Anonymous, Brett & Kimberly Bissell, Scott & Stephanie Bragg, Robert &
Linda Grimm
WORSHIP
Concordia University Irvine, Steve & Kathleen Amort, Richard & Dorothy
Landsverk, Barbara Olson, Ron & Grace Wright
ADORE
Mark & Anne Alario, The Bragg Family, David & Cherine Keiser, Thomas &
Lois Yunghans
DELIGHT
Mark & Bridget (Seegers) Bogh ‘86, DFI Insurance, David & Donna Dubois,
Les & Tina Fields, Jim & Dara Frize, Mark & Danna George, Mike & Kristin
Gibbons, Paul & Annamae Huante, Dan & Marlo (Naber) Mole ‘89, Todd &
Tiffany Nelson, William & Carla Walker
Shelly BMW
FOOD & BEV. SPONSORS:
Mahe Sushi
Which Wich?
The Pint House
CLASSIC SPONSORS:
Anaheim Ducks
Center for Reconstructive Dentistry
Concordia University Irvine
Custom Goldsmith
Frize Corporation
Horizon Oxygen
Healthy Brands, Inc.
KDC Construction, Inc.
KLH Marketing, Inc.
L.A. Armored Federal Services, Inc.
Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
Rae Farese and Family
Tropical Plaza, Inc.
Ware Disposal, Inc.
45
MESSAGE FROM THE
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE
W
hat an amazing year we have had thanks to God’s
guidance, abundant blessings and your generosity!
For over 40 years, God has been blessing the
ministry that is Orange Lutheran in so many ways
and we are so grateful.
This was our first year fully utilizing our new facilities thanks to
our Beyond Expectations expansion. The primary focus with this
expansion was to improve the quality of life for our Lancers here
on campus. We were successful in accomplishing that specific goal
with the expansion and are so pleased to see the positive changes in
the lives of our students.
Our mission of “helping students internalize the Gospel message
of salvation in Christ Jesus” is the primary driver behind all that we
do. We are also actively working on providing our students with
opportunities that will not only prepare them for college, but for
life as servants of Christ in the world today.
Your support is absolutely necessary in order for us to be able
to accomplish these goals. This year we raised $224,000 for our
Worship Arts Legacy, thus creating the framework that will
ensure we can provide our students with meaningful worship
opportunities as well as training programs to help develop our next
generation of worship leaders.
We raised sufficient funds to allow us to grant $1.5 million in
need based financial aid. We will continue with the same level of
counseling support for our students as well as our rigorous college
testing and support programs. We have upgraded our wireless
systems in order to ensure staff and students have the accessibility
necessary in today’s technological age.
This year we experienced a 14 percent increase in the number of
donors supporting the school. We also saw a 48.6 percent increase
in giving to our annual fund as well as a nearly 5 percent increase
in funds raised by our athletics and arts programs. The Gala, our
single largest school-wide fundraiser, saw a 58 percent increase in
funds raised.
Yes, it has been an extraordinary year. We are able to do much
with your generosity and we are grateful. Now we must focus on
ensuring that we can maintain this amazing ministry well into
the future. This year and in the coming years we will be focusing
on ensuring that this great school will be financially secure for
generations to come. It is about building the financial foundation
for longevity through debt reduction and endowments. It is our
hope that endowments and planned gifts, which are a sign of a
mature and sustainable financial statement and true investments in
the future, will see solid growth in the coming years.
We Thank You...
E
ach year, our Heavenly Father richly blesses
Orange Lutheran High School with loving
and generous supporters. It is because of these
benefactors that Orange Lutheran is able to provide such
a well-rounded and rigorous education for their students
today. The support received also helps to fund major
initiatives such as capital improvements to the facilities,
an excellent Christian staff, teachers and administrators,
as well as a broad range of programs.
We are proud that over 75 percent of all staff and faculty
give back to Orange Lutheran financially, in addition to
all of their other support. Orange Lutheran is a special
place to work and is truly blessed with an amazing staff
and faculty.
Our Bible verse for this year was “Love bears all
things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7. We see this love
in the blessings we are granted in life and more
importantly as we see fit to, in passing along those
blessings. “Every good and perfect gift is from
above” James 1:17. What a great reminder about
where our fortunes come from and where we
should focus our time, treasure and talents in this
life.
To each of its supporters, Orange Lutheran is truly
grateful for all that they do. Orange Lutheran appreciates
those who volunteer their time, donate financially, and
especially all those who pray for the ministry. Without
all of this support, OLu could not do what they do.
Without God’s guidance and grace, what would be the
point?
Thank you for your support and most importantly for your prayers.
With God’s help, we will continue this inspirational journey with
you as our partners and friends.
We strive to maintain accurate information at all times
and sincerely apologize for inaccuracies. Please feel free
to contact the Advancement Office for questions.
The following list shows our institutional donors as well
as our individual donors. The names in bold represent
those who have given for five to nine consecutive
years, and those in red-bold have given for 10 or more
consecutive years. This is a truly wonderful statement
about loyalty and a lasting belief in the benfits of a
Christian education for our young people today who will
be our leaders tomorrow.
Individual Donors
Cathy Blankenship ‘86
Chief Advancement Officer
$100,000+
Anonymous
Del & Debbie Montell, Sr.
Joel & Danine Stensby
$25,000-$99,999
Garret & Teresa Anderson
Paul & Liz Belden
Jeffrey & Cindy Erselius
Michael & Kristin Gibbons
Estate of Doris Knorr
Estate of Martin Koepsell
Kevin & Jamie Nadeau
Craig & Jane Olson
Ronald & Grace Wright
Ben & Cindy Yorks
$10,000-$24,999
Mark & Anne Alario
Steve & Kathleen Amort
Brett & Kimberly Bissell
46
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GIVING
Breakdown
ARTS
ACADEMICS
ATHLETICS
BEYOND
EXPECTATIONS
FINANCIAL
AID
MISSIONS
Mark & Bridget (Seegers ‘86) Bogh
Rodney & Margaret Borger
Scott & Stephanie Bragg
Marilynn Bragg
Gerry & Tricia Esser
Christine Ford
Michael & Sandra Grant
Robert & Linda Grimm
Doug & Linda Heller
David & Lisa Miller
Jerry & Sherri Nourse
Winfield & Judith Western
SPECIAL
PROJECTS
UNRESTRICTED
$5,000-$9,999
Brian & Gloria Abrams
Brian & Kelly Clauss
Michael & Tracey Craik
Kenneth & Judy Ellwein
Constantin & Maria Falcusan
Les & Tina Fields
Larry & Helen Flores, Jr.
TOTAL
GIVING
$10,653
$17,090
$297,178
$325,748
$145,953
$369,984
$22,210
$938,468
$2,127,284
47
Sam & Deborah Abuzalaf
George & Joan Adams
Ronald & Leslie Adcock
Rick & Silvia Albertini
Andrew Allen
Jesse & Kristy Ash
James & Cindy Baca
Daniel & Stacey Bentley
Richard & Pauline Bianchini
Lois Bienlien
Andrew & Heather Bivens
Catherine Blankenship ‘86
Ignacio & Andrea Brache
Donald & Toni Bradley
George & Judy Brink
Scott & Linda Britt
Jason & Kari Buck
Guy & Shelley Buker
Daniel & Jeannie Burns
Tim & Tammy Cahill
Ed & Christine Capparelli
Russ & Becky Casenhiser
Brian & Karen Cass
Lucy Chai
Kathy Cirks
Jonathan & JoDee Clark
Bill & Shelley Conn
William Cooper
Tim and Liana Cronin
Daniel & Elizabeth DeGuzman
Andrew & Lisa Del Ray
Gerardo & Cecilia Dela Cruz
Dan & Tina Devlin
Roy & Valerie Dickinson
Gary & Victoria Dobbins
Jonathan & Barbara Doctor
David & Donna DuBois
David & Laura Dukes
James & Heidi Dwyer
Brian & Julie Etter
Rae & Sheri Farese
Scott & Christina Farquhar
Dave & Karen Feltch
Steven & Elizabeth Flanagan
Michael ‘88 & Silvia Fleischli
Kevin & Teri Fogarty
Paul Forgay
Darren & Terri Fricker
Jim & Dara Frize
Luis & Rebeca Fuentes
Danny & Tammy Gannon
48
Giving Trends
2011 I 929 Donors
$2,127,284
$1,000-$4,999
Jeff & Karin Garell
Stephen & Kelly Garis
James & Karen Garrison
Donald & Katherine Gath
Jaclyn Gibson
Angel & Maria Gonzalez
Simon & Anjana Gounder
Thomas ‘78 & Cristina Gray
Lori Guilford
John & Gayle Gunnison
Rick & Sherri Gutierrez
Alfred & Hanan Hanna
John & Darlene Happ
Tony ‘85 & Jolie Harnack, Jr.
Patrick Harrington
Barbara Harrington
Anita Hashim
Judy Heller
Jessica Hernandez
Steven & Catherine Heyman
J. Hopkins
Jeff & Lynn Huston
James & Susan Jackson
Charles & Shelly Jaggers
Jeffrey & Andrea Jensen
David & Cherine Keiser
Douglas & Tamara Kennedy
Kris & Nancy Kent
TOTAL GIVING
Russell & Carla Garcia
Mark & Danna George
Jeffrey & Kimberly Goh
Art & Doreen Gray
Vince & Deborah Hambright
Andrew & Stephanie Harris
Paul & Annamae Huante
Kent & Nancy Kitselman
Tom & Sarah Lanting
Richard & Carolyn Lehn
Robert & Carol Lienau
Walt & Leann Luchinger
Todd & Christine Moritz
Michael & Alison Mowrey
Dan Mole & Marlo (Naber ‘89) Mole
Todd & Tiffany Nelson
John & Annie Nicoletti
Jon & Anh Pettey
Kurt ‘78 & Carol Rammelsberg
John & Melissa Robertson
Shawn & Kerry Salkeld
Carmelo & Anne Spinella
David & Lisa Threshie
2012 I 782 Donors
$2,416,977
$2,045,616
2013 I 822 Donors
2014 I 1,116 Donors
2015 I 1,279 Donors
$3,535,266
$2,562,156
$2,127,284
Timothy ‘82 & Barbara Klinkenberg
Paul & Tamra Kraemer
Keith & Yvette Kratzberg
Ralph Kuhen
Michael & Ellen Lange
Carole Lankford
Oscar Larios & Sonia Lucha-Larios
Stuart & Shirley Lee
John & Lisa Lind
David & Pamela Lomakin
Bruce & Andi MacCallum
Manuel & Jill Magallanes
Jim Maginn
Michael & Carroll Maietta
Mark & Angela Maietta
Steven & Lori Marquez
John & Lydia Martinez
Dawn McCrumn
Lukas McGlasson
James & Kimberly McGovern
Kevin & Julie McKhann
Philip & Robin Meckley
Jennifer Miklos ‘99
Edward & Mary Miller
Jeffrey & Maria Miller
John & Tracy Milstead
Luke & MaryBeth Montoya
Patrick & Raquel Munoz
Frank Naumann
Kathy Nelson
Ulli & Terri Niemann
Timothy & Jennifer Noble
Robert & Susan Odle
Timothy ‘89 & Kelly Odle
L. & Barbara Olson
Regina Page
Michael & Kathleen Palkovic
Jill Parris Jukam
Greg & Jodi Parvin
Nancy Paul
Richard Gartman & Laurel Peniche Gartman
Jason Perkins ‘95
Charlie Pescarolo
Scott & Patrice Peterson
Scott & Nina PicKell
Diana Pilkerton
Dana & Stacey Pilkerton
John ‘80 & Dana (Adams ‘82) Poerschke
Tim & Trish Ponder
Caroline Price
Andrea Pridham
Mark & Carmen Priestley
Reid & Jennie Pullen
Joseph & Maria Ramirez
Arman Rashtchi
Kevin & Jennifer Reardon
David & Cindi Rhodes
John & Kathryn Robinson
Richard & Debra Rodriguez
James & Jennifer Ross
Christopher & Theresa Ruiz
Scott & Terry Rummell
Angela (Schlueter ‘89) Rumsey
Mark & Karen Russell
Sarah Salzberg
Howard & Tammy Sandberg
Kent & Dawn Sandie
Paul & Carolynn Santaniello
Eddie & Shelly Scantlebury
Brady & Traci Schmidt
Mark & Julia Serres
Jay & Sheri Shepherd
Erin Shevlin
Michael & Nydia Sigband
Jeff & Tana Spencer
Edward & Jennifer Stancavage
Janet Steiner
Brent & Debbie Stumme
Eddy & Susiana Suryajaya
Douglas & Rachel Swardstrom
Richard & Janine Tarbell
Elizabeth Tarbell
Steve & Ann Thompson
Ken & Cara Thompson
Jeff & Chantell Tibbets
Steve & Suzanne Towles
Art Trottier
Rick & Susan Underwood
Robert & Diane van der Goes
Marius & Karen Van Der Watt
Michael & Robyn Vossen
William & Carla Walker
Dave & Lori Walker
Kelly Walker
Jeff & Teresa Walker
Richard & Patricia Wallace
Jay & Carrie Ware
Lawrence & Kay Washburn
Glenn & Emily Weingarth
Doug & Julie White
David & Michele Wiggs, Jr.
Kelly Williams ‘06
Robert Willis & Holly Lowe
Sam & Rose Wilson
Rick & Patty Young
Brian & Kimberly Young
Thomas & Lois Yunghans
Robert & Diane Zeinstra
Mark & Lisa Ziebell
$500-$999
Rachel Abijay
Gregory & Ann Adams
Gregory & Joyce Adams
William & Lesli Adams
Rachel Ahn
James & Jonna Allison
Carol Amling
Norm Amling
Ihab Sorial & Sonia Andraous
Darren & Julie Appling
Shad & Jenelle Arnold
Craig & Danielle Augustin
Jeffrey & Carol Avellino
Ken & Penny Bacon
Russell & Shannon Barnett
Jeffrey & Mijin Barrett
Joseph & Arline Barsa
Michael & Debra Bean
Roger & Molly Beane
Robert & Roberta Bechtloff
Phillip & Celine Blackley
Bart & Lynn Brainard
Jennifer Brooks
Roger & Carol Burtner
Pat & Rosie Camacho
Brad & Beth Campbell
Peggy Cansdale
Jon & Terri Capuzzi
Curt & Ruth Cattau
Ronald Chow
Clark & Kathleen Clark
Russell & Kelly Clark
Drew & Mary Cohen
Brett & Jane Coombs
Alfred & April Cooper
Richard & Tracy Crady
Robert & Terri Crandall
Ken & Norma Croucher
Collin & Melanie Cumbee
David & Danielle Dahlke
Paul & Stephanie Darnbrough
Janice De Blasio
Anthony & Genevieve Derosa
Tim ‘79 & Jenny (McCann ‘81) Detviler
Howard & Donna Drake
Dale & Julie Ducheny
Goslawa Dull
David & Marilee Edgar
Todd & Rachel Eklund
Grant Eklund
Thomas Emeterio
Brad Ermeling & Genevieve Graff-Ermeling
Brian & Crysti Everhart
Robert & LaVerne Francis
John & Ellen Franklin
David & Kristen Frosh
Andrew & Sherri Gautreau
Mary Ghebrial
Matthew ‘07 & Renee` (Roberts ‘07) Gibbons
Russell & Kathleen Giess
Jeffrey & Lori Goodfriend
Randy & Dinna Goodman
Karen Goodsell
Michael & Tanya Grasz
Thomas & Catherine Gudvangen
Armando & Judy Guerra
Eric & Terri Guichet
Warren Harms
Brad ‘82 & Donna Heinecke
Ostes & Candice Hernandez
Roland & Janice Hernandez
Eric & Cherilynne Hollowell
Curtis & Penny Hoopes, Jr.
Chuck Howell
Mark & Marie Huff
Gary & Vicki Hutto
Brian & Susan (Roeder ‘86) Ilten
Sarah (Moon ‘87) Johnson
Barbara Joslin
Michael Kane
Stephen & Tisja Krieger
Lorne & Dee Dee Lahodny
Pike & Jennifer Lambeth
James & Laura Lavalle
John & Suzanne Lewis
Robert & Victoria Lienau
Brian & Mandy Liles
Joseph & Jasmine List
Andrew & Denise Lyons
Dean & Jennifer Mallender
Paul & Meg Marquardt
Matthew & Kathy McGuire
Anthony & Maria Moore
Rodney & Julia Naylor
Quoc ‘88 & Huong Nguyen
Christopher & Meredith Nordstrom
Giving
Sources
TOTAL GIVING
Brian & Cindy Olson
Alex & Mary Kay Park
Chuck & Roya Petersen
Michael & Melinda Pierson
Karen (Kirner ‘90) Pike
Gabriel’ 91 & Lynn Potyondy
Gabe & Catherine Potyondy
Gina Puccio
Mark & Joalean Reynolds
Steve & Rhonda Rutledge
Patricia Sackett
David Saenz
Reuben & Carolyn Salazar
Bassel & Erin Salloum
Alex & Shannon Salottolo
Brian Sarvak
Kent & Cynthia Schlichtemeier
Ken & Mary K. Schlueter
Delbert & Dorothy Schmidt
Brian & Cheryl Scudday
Weldon & Suzanne Seegers
Larry & Joyce Segelken
Sean & Leanne Sheward
Daniel & Patricia Slama
Philip & Leslie Smith
Darren & Julie Smith
Bart & Betty Smith
John & Suzanne Sotelo
Kevin & Terry Steckler
Thomas & Karen Sunshine
Jonathan ‘01 & Kelli (Mulvany ‘01)
Talmage
Bret & Myra Taylor
Dan & Su Thome
Anne Towles ‘09
Henry Tran & Kay Phalanusnusondhi
Derek & Ann Trone
Tim Truitt
John & Kristan Ulicki
Jaclynn Vines
Rob & Tracey Wade
Scott & Lillian Walker
Joe & Gloriana Wells
James Bright & Vicki Woodard-Bright
John & Christi Yeandle
Kenneth & Christine Zumbek
$100-$499
Frank & Kay Adbi
Larry & Linda Acord
Joyce Alderson
John & Anamarie Allen, Jr.
Cynthia Alston
Erin (Dannemeyer ‘08) Alt
Linda Alves
Koridon & Beverly Andrew
George & Heidi Andrews II
Matt & Erika (Ebel ‘92) Augustine
James & Wendy Bacin
Barbara Bailey-Bredfeldt
Scott & Nancy Barker
Joni Barr
ORGANIZATIONS
Robert ‘85 and Tara Bathke
David Bean ‘14
James & Judy Beil
Thomas & Jody Beisner
Marshall & Danalyn Belgen
Scott & Elizabeth Benson
Harold & Laura Berg
Youssef & Georgina Beshai
John & Tiranda Bierman
Don & Cindy Bigelow
Dustin & Julie Boburka
William ‘85 & Catherine Boezinger
William & Shirley Boezinger
William & Phyllis Boltz
Marty & Jodi Boyd
Pamela Brehm ‘77
Michael & Lynn Bridges
Seth & Julianne Britton
Kent & Cathie Brush
Vasile & Denise Buboi
Ted & Lori Bultsma
Michael & Susannah Burica
Garrett & Rhonda Burke
Bradley Campbell ‘05
Jim Campbell
Kelly & Stacia Carlson
John & Dana Carter
Donna Carver
Vicente & Eva Sarmiento
Christopher & Lynn Casey
Florentino & Blanca Castaneda
Dave & Melissa (Boring ‘06) Cacciapuoti
Katherine Cecalamara
Keith & Justine Chalman
Craig & Linda Chapman
Mark Cilani
Charles & Shannon Cobb
Georgene Cole
Dennis & Kathleen Cole
Ralph & Donna Cook
Thomas & Sonita Crane
Willie Crocker
Michael Culbertson
Thomas & Catherine Daggett
Jan Darst
Perry Daskas
Marcus & Leticia Dayhoff
Kevin DeAllen
Augie & Kristen (Schiller ‘90) DeAngelo
Dennis & Peggy Dembik
Daniel & Gayle Demsher
David & Allison Demurjian
Joan Desrosiers
Robert & Rebecca Devereaux
Stephen Dierker ‘83
Robert & Carole Dipzinski
Jodi DiTolla
Greg & Lisa Doherty
Kristin Dougherty
Thomas & Nancy Doyle
Robby & Karen Dudeck
Meredith (Riebau ‘89) Dufield
ALUMNI
$494,156
$59,268
$1,175,902
$397,958
PARENTS
OTHER
$2,127,284
John & Amy Duino
Vernon Dunton
Duane & Katrina (Habben ‘95) DuPree
Randy & Traci Edwards
Gene & Betty Egan
Lisa Ehret
William & Jill Endsley
Bruce & Joanne English
Michael & Patricia Escobedo
Barry & Cecilia Evans
Robert & Julie Finnegan
Bill & Jenni Fischer
John Femino, Jr.
Howard ‘79 & Carolyn Fischer
Todd & Cynthia Fitschen
Dan & Laura Fitzgerald
James Fitzgerald, Jr.
Michael & Jane Fleager
David Franco
Josephine Fraser
Karen French
Jeff & Sharon (Kahre ‘78) Frydendall
Harold & Amy Liu
Scott & Linda Fulton
Therese Furey
Patrick & Andrea Ganahl
Jorge & Kim Garcia
Darnise Geary
Josefine George
Michael & Kim Gerhard
Jesse Holguin & Raquel Gomez-Holguin
Eugene & Krista Gonzalez
Kelly Gordon
Arthur & Susan Gordon
John & Wendi Gornick
Duane & Marilyn Grasz
Misty Graves ‘97
Scott & Andrena Greenwood
Steve & Linda Gremillion
Doug & Becky Gresch
Debra Guss ‘77
Ruben & Tracy Gutierrez
Sebastian & Amy Gutierrez
Christopher & Crystal Guzman
Paul & Jean Hackmann
Andrew & Kim Hahn
Bruce & Windy Hampton
Matthew ‘80 & Pamela (DeGroot ‘80) Hansen
Chris & Kelly Hansen
Drew & Erica Hantula
Stephen & Brenda Hantula
Michael Hards & Janet Lawson Hards
Pinky & Mattison Harper
Larry & Kristine Haupert
Michael & Carol Haymond
Thomas & Brigitte Hazen
Andrew ‘03 & Elizabeth (Salyer ‘99) Heim
William & Sandra Herbold
Edwin & Anita Hernandez
Gloria Hernandez
Joshua & Leah Hess
Stacey Hingst
Mark & Susan (Dannemeyer ‘80) Hirzel
Jerry & Pam Hoerauf
William & Kim Hood
Jeffrey & Cheryl Hudson
Dan & Karen Huffman
Rodney & Jennifer Ida
Anthony & Cindy Inga
Juanita Jackson
Rolf & Samantha Jacobs
Mildred Jacobs
Tim & Lori (Utke ‘82) Jaeger
Jason Jellerson
James & Sharon Jimenez
Thea Johns
Peter & Cindy (Sauers ‘84) Johnson
Raymond & Catherine Johnson
49
Andrea Jones
Keith & Kini Jorgensen
Karl ‘84 & Lesliegh Kahre
B.W. & S.L. Kammer
Myron & Virginia Kampfer
Richard & Pamela Karam
Donald & Kari Kazanjian
Jim & Kerin Kazarian
Art Kazarian
Valerie Keeney
Jack & Colleen Keeter
Betty Kelley
Robert & Wendy Keown
Gary & Cindy Kim
Mark & Rachel Klitzing
Charles & Lorraine Knapp
Michael & Rebecca Kramer
Herbert & Carolyn Krause
Jeff & Karen Krolosky
James & Elizabeth (Leichtfuss ‘92) Kunau
Norman & Joyce Laesch
Brian & Carolyn Laughlin
Randy & Mary Lawrence
Emmalee (Noble) Lazama
Michael & Patty Lazcano
Patricia Lehman
Melissa (Brumfield ‘96) Leininger
Kevin & Amy Leon (Willeh ‘90)
Joe & Susan Leonardi
Thomas & Linda Lesher
Ken ‘83 & Angela Lineberger
Harold & Amy Liu
Kim Lomakin
Christopher & Balanga Madison
Victoria Marx
Heidi Matson
Steve & Janette Mattoon
Gilbert & Susan Maturino
Jessica Mc Innis
James & Araceli McCloskey
Clarence & Shelley McCollum
Patrick McGinnis
Edward McGlasson
Freda McQuarrie
Angela Medina
Richard & Marissa Mejia
Michael & Maureen Mekjian
John Mekjian ‘08
Sarah Metherell Lake
Eric & Noha Meyer
Bryon & Maria Meyer
Ronald & Patty Mills
Robert & Jeannie Mooney
Trip & Carla Montgomery
Donald & Charlotte Morner
Martin & Jelka Mottesi
Elaine Mouw
Mario & Eva Murga
Chuck & Angela Murray
Doug & Jan Naylor
Eldon & Rose Neben
Marc Neben ‘79
Shawn & Sharon Nelson
Djrik ‘80 & Gail Nelson
Pamela Nelson
Alfred Neukuckatz
Daniel & Laurie Nishikawa
Matthew & Joyce Noel
Sue Norman
Mark & Jennifer Nye
Thomas & Natalie O’Meara
David & Adele Oddo
Wayne & Diane Oestreich
Cory Olson ‘05
Mark & Barbara Olson
Howard & Deanne Ong
50
Malcolm & Catherine Ortego
Kelly & Nikkii Palmer
Don Pargee
Sung Youn & Sobum Park
Matthew-Paul ‘01 & Julia Parsons
Jeff Partridge
Mylene Patterson
Eugene & Gloria Paulus
Kenneth & Peggy Peake
Kenneth & Lisa Peck
Daniel & Charmaine Perez
Charles & Esther Peterson
David Phillips
Gregg & Melanie Pinick
James & Janet Poerschke
John & Chris Poirier
Tim & Deborah Preuss
Cecile Raasch
Lavance & Deniece Reed
Paul & Marie Reim
Matthew & Rosemary Reisbeck
Mike & Julie (Koster ‘81) Ressler
Patrick & Kimberly Rhoten
Sarah Richter
David & Jodie Ricketts
Linda Riedmann
Phil ‘05 & Joanna Roberts
Jason & Lisa Roberts
Joanne Roeder
William & Tina Rogers
Jeff & Susan (Hight ‘78) Rogers
Greg & Cindy Rohlfing
Chris & Kathy Ruoff
Henry & Stephanie Sachs, Sr.
Hayley Sampson ‘02
Sean & Lisa Savala
Glen ‘83 & Rena (Perkins ‘83) Schlueter
Christine Scimia
Stephen & Sandra Scott
Sandra Scott
Roger & Susan See
Roger & Carol Senne
Barbara Sharpe
Chirag & Renu Shewa
Douglas & Nancy Shively
Heather Sidell
Karla (Ghidella ‘81) Siefkes
Richard & Marsha Sievert
Gonzalo Martinez & Johann Singh
Bonnie Sjostrom
Lee Slosser
John Davis & Lydia Smith-Davis
David & Rachel Snyder
David & Terry Sohn
Patrick Stacker
Jeannie (Harrison ‘83) Stanley
Bret & Janeen Steele
Mark & Nancy Steinbergs
Ben & Robyn Strohschein
Deeann Summers
Ron & Faith Surprenant
Thomas & Kristin Taguchi
Verna Thome
Terry & Dana Tillis
Janet Tittle
Darryl & Tanya Tiveron
Tony & Bianca Torres
Paul & Michelle Trapp
Mark & Jerri Ulves
Marco & Wendy Urrea
Mario & Sonia Valencia
Shannon Van Dyke
Paul & Nancy Vanderpool
Thomas & Monique Vansuch
Loreto Vazquez
Pablo & Pat Velasquez
Timothy & Terry Volk
Kinh & Anh Vu
Chuck & Roberta Wade
Ann Wagner
Richard Wakefield
Sandra Walker
Mark & Alexandria Walker
Geraldine Walker
Gregory Wallace ‘82
Gary & Teresa Wann
Todd & Lisa Wardlaw
David & Joanne Warsinski
Frank & Connie Wehner
Xuan Wei
Douglas & Carole Wells
Fred & Mignon (Buzard ‘84) Whitaker
Carl & Shannon Whitney
Darin & Leslie Whitney
Diane Whitten
George & Lois Widly
Ron & Cindy Wilcox
Sandi Williams
Warren & Stacy Williams
Murray & Shari (Morner ‘79) Willis
Greg & Debbie Wingert
David & Traci Wise
Montero & Zanetta Witherspoon
Jessica Wnuk
Bruce Worley
Daniel & Lisa Wozab
Takuya & Atsuko Yamamoto
Akifumi & Junko Yamamoto
Shane & Karon Yates
Robert & Sandra Young
Edwin & Darlene Young
David Zavala
Paige Zeinstra ‘09
Oskar & Waltraud Zimmerman
$1-$99
Gorm & Trini Aasen
Manuel & Elizabeth Andrade
Brian & Eve Ankenman
Beverly Arnett
Karl & Jody (Berry ‘88) Arnold
Meredith Barnes ‘00
Steve Barillier ‘06
Trudy Bass
Scott Bauer ‘81
Gail Baulch
Sharon Beaudoin
Anthony & Joline Beck
Carrie Bedord
David & Ruth Beiter
Eric & Natalie Benda
Lisa Beukers
Nicole Birrell
Glen & Jeanne Blankenship
Lee & Amy Bramson
Craig & Patty Brand
Elizabeth Brehm ‘81
J.T. & B.J. Breza
Megan Brief ‘96
Linda Brockschmidt
Geraldine Buchanan
Cheryl Burd
Linda Burnett
Timothy Camarco
Kristine Carbonniere
Gustavo Carrillo
Margaret Carter
Chris & Valerie Chilcott
Brad & Kathy Christensen
Charles & Inja Chung
Thomas & Annette Collins
Craig & Cathy Cooper
Dana & Shirley Crandall
Michael & Gay DeGree
Donald & Ruth Detviler
Daniel & Laurie Dixon
Jay & Kathy Eastman
Chris & Kelly Elder
Jim & Amy (Smokov ‘87) Elmore
Scott Enomoto
Scott Erickson ‘81
Brent Ferdig
Chad Fleager ‘03
Robert ‘81 & Valerie Freeman
Carl & Carrie Galloway
Taylor Gavin ‘00
Bernice Gerken
Kyle & Lisa Gilbert
Andrew ‘07 & Ariel (Podas ‘07) Gjersvold
Steve & Liisa (Vargas ‘78) Glandorf
Alberto Gonzalez
Julie Grant
Sara-Britt ( Johnson ‘00) Guinta
Ayn Hackett
J. Hamil
Larry & Shaune Hand
Dean & Twyla Hankins
Paul Hasenyager ‘79 & Shelley Gruwell
Stephanie Heard
Fritz & Cynthia Heigis
David Heim ‘02
Matthew & Lauri Hemsley
Veronica Hernandez
Steve ‘78 & Karen Hight
James & Elisabeth Hohman
Derek & Jill Hooper
Thomas Howard ‘94
Mark & Nancy Howard
Jack & Wendy (Albrecht ‘92) Hunt, Jr.
Robert & Cheri Hutnyan
Pat & Jenny (Morner ‘76) Jordan
Jeremy & Michelle Julian
Rona Kay
Kristyn Kazanjian ‘08
Marva Kinkead
Scott Krause ‘81
Stan & Debbie Kruk
Peter & Kristin Lange
Marc Laulhere
Craig & Yolanda Laurance
Matthew ‘90 & Erin Laurent
Dennis Lin
Robert & Sandy (Hemphill) Lopez
Thomas & Kathleen Mac Donald
Daniel Malloy III
Dustin & Skye Marciniak
Mario & Karyn Marquez
Juan Armando Marrujo
Effi Martinez
Bill & Anna Mc Daniel
Victor Mendoza
Robert ‘77 & Linda Meseck
Diantoine ‘99 & Kristina Meza
Maria Milla
Mario & Suzanne (Krans ‘89) Morales
Joseph & Katie Morales
Jeremy & Donna Moser
Robert & Christy (Christian ‘88) Motter
Gary & Katherine Mull
William & Lynn Myers
Jeremiah ‘95 & Laura Nelson
Richard & Marilyn Nelson
Josie Nepite-Temblador
Scott & Amy Norin
Teofil & Mariana Oros
Jeffrey Palmer ‘89
Norman & Louise Pargee
Daniel & Bonnie Paridon
Kristopher & Dawn Parish
John & Cynthia Patton
Don & Ester Pearsall
Christina Perez
Shirley Perkins
Kenneth & Dorothy Phillips
Robert & Marsha Podas
Matt & Melissa Pothoff
Rowena Pratap
Richard & Michelle Pulasky
Daniel & Janine Puls
Mark & Michelle Ramos
Sandra Redmond
Betty Rich
Scott & Jill Richmond
Cynthia Riley
Paul & Julie Robinson
Mark & Cynthia Ross
Robert & Janice Royal
Heather Ryan
Patrick Salyer ‘00
Scott & Laura Sampson
Steven & Sandra Sarandis
Marvin & Norma Schilling
Matthew & Vicki Schulte
David & Deanna Scott
Krysta Seymore
Sylvia Sheng
Steven & Jenny Sichterman
Kurt & Hermelinda Simon
David Smith
Richard & Melodie Stanford
Amanda Stewart ‘93
Craig & Lisa Teuben
Michael & Karen Tomita
Richard & Adriana Ulrich
Joseph & Tamara Urban
Timothy & Dawn Vahlstrom
Samuel & Mary Jo Valientes
Mark & Bonnie Van Holt
Luis & Angelica Villanueva, Jr.
Daniel & Deborah Violette
Eric & Rebecca Wakeling
Harley & Arabelle Wegner
Jessica Wilburn
Charles & Kathi Williams
David & Belinda Williamson
Rachel Willis ‘03
Ryan Willis ‘02
Rebecca Willis ‘07
Erika Willis ‘09
Christopher & Susan Zaugg
Richard & Constance Ziehr
Institutional Donors
$100,000+
Chandler’s Sand and Gravel
JB Properties, Inc
Jellco Container, Inc
Lancer Alumni Association
Law Offices of Robert Wheatley
Lux Bus America
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Ralls Family Foundation
Savini Styling Group, Inc.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift
program
Rockwell Collins Matching Gift Program
Salon TM:2
Service Champions
Shedwill & Associates
Shelly BMW
Target
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
The Stahmer Foundation
The Webb Foundation
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, N.O.C.,
CA Chapter
Tropical Plaza Nursery, Inc.
Walker Brothers
Waxie Sanitary Supply
Wellington Foods, Inc.
Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
Whittier Fertilizer Company
WLG, Inc.
$5,000-$9,999
$500-$999
Santa Monica BMW
$25,000-$99,999
Nadeau Productions
$10,000-$24,999
Accord Electric Corporation
Amort Construction, Inc.
Capital Group Companies
Concordia University Irvine
Good Samaritan Medical Clinic Inc.
Microsemi
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Wells Fargo Foundation
$1,000-$4,999
A Plus Smog Test Center
Agape in Home Care, Inc.
Apple Printing
B2 Sales
Butier Engineering, Inc.
C. Smith Transport, Inc.
Center for Reconstructive Dentistry
Clint’s Formal Wear
Cobalt Orthopaedics Inc
DFI Preferred Insurance
Freight Management, Inc.
Greater Horizons
Horizon Oxygen & Medical Equipment
Infinity Injectables
Jon Pettey Custom Goldsmith Inc.
LCMS Foundation
Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
MCP Computers, Inc.
National Christian Foundation
National Outreach Foundation Incorporated
Orange Empire Auto Center
PTI Sand & Gravel, Inc.
R.J. Allen Inc.
D.B. Engineering, Inc.
Edison International Matching Gifts
ERBE Engineering, Inc.
Eric M. Meyer, D.D.S., Inc
Form I-9 Compliance, LLC
Land Mechanics, Inc.
Melrose Educational Consulting LLC
Prestige Worldwide Industries, LLC
Sommer & Associates, Inc
The Perfect Circle Cupcakery
$100-$499
AlliedBarton Security Services
American Airlines Political Action
Committee
American Commercial Trading, Inc.
Anaheim Amateur Hockey Association
Anaheim Hills Women’s Club
Anaheim Precision Sheet Metal, MFG
Bejeweled by M&J Designs
Benjamin Hill LLC
Brakebill & Associates, LLC
C.G. Landscape Inc.
C.M. Machine Inc.
Calvary Life Fellowship Missions Fund
Capen Professional Services
Capital Solutions Partner, LLC
Carmody Construction Company
Cholame Vineyard
Commercial Satellite Sales
Covenant Development LLC
Creative Learning Academy Inc.
Dan Copp Crushing Corp
Dartco Transmission Sales & Service, Inc.
David Wilson’s Ford of Orange
E&K Enterprises
Earth Works
Empire Family, LTD
First Congregational Church of Frankfort
Fisher Printing
Frize Corporation
Fullerton Republican Women Federated
G Brothers Construction
Gary M. Souza, PT & Associates
Golden West Machine, Inc.
Healing Heroes Ministries
Hillary Thomas Group, Inc.
Huntington Westminister Senior Apt
Homes
Jay E. Bauman, D.D.S.
Jervis Family Trust
JG Water, LLC
JTB Supply Company, Inc
Kroger Foods
Laguna Blue
Late Package Recovery Inc.
Law Offices of Patrick Stacker
List Solutions LLC
Lupat Corporation; DBA Advanced Realty
Madsen, Inc
Malone’s Bar and Grill Inc.
Masterpiece Pools and Spas, Inc
Michael DeCarlo, Optometrist, Inc.
Net Development Company
Nevada Dental Arts
Odle & Associates
Old World German Restaurant
Pixie Locks
PK Management
Rand Aire Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
RCS Investigations and Consulting
ROHM Building & Development, Inc.
Scott Graduation Services
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Tall Oak Academy
The Green Pear
Timothy Paul Miller A Professional Law
Corporation
Travel of Orange
Truer Medical, Inc.
Van Matre Lumber
Verch Insurance, Inc.
ZAE’s Womens Boutique
OUR MISSION:
To help students internalize
the Gospel message of
salvation in Christ Jesus
OLu
CORE VALUES:
Biblical Truth
Integrity
Innovation
Excellence
Relationships
$1-$99
Internet Designs & Solutions
School Spirit Pays, Inc
51
MESSAGE FROM THE
FINANCE OFFICE
O
nce again, significant improvement in our financial position occurred over the last year. Because of a successful Beyond Expectations
capital campaign, improved annual fund performance and additional long-term debt, we now find ourselves with adequate cash
reserves of $10.3M. Long Term debt now stands at $17.5M, an increase of $4.5M, which was due to our $15M expansion project.
Net Assets continue to increase, more than doubling over the last three years going from $8.9M in 2012 to $20.1M in 2015. This
occurred due to increases in donor support and cost controls.
Because of our improved financial performance, tuition for the 2015/2016 increased at its lowest level in many years and Orange Lutheran now
has nearly the lowest tuition in the Orange County Trinity League. Further, compensation increases to our faculty and staff has exceeded local
and national averages.
2%
8%
92%
7%
Association Congregation &
Schools 2014-15
Advisory Council
2014-15
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church
Bethel Lutheran Church
Christ Lutheran Church, Brea
Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa
Good Shepard Lutheran Church
Hephathan Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Messiah Lutheran Church
Mount of Olives Lutheran Church
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Red Hill Lutheran Church
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church
Salem Lutheran Church
St. John’s Lutheran Church
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Garden Grove
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Orange
Trinty Cristo Rey Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church
Vietnamese Lutheran Church
Zion Lutheran Church
Sam & Deborah Abuzalaf
Steven and Kathleen Amort
Garret & Teresa Anderson
Brett & Kimberly Bissell
Don & Toni Bradley
Jonathan & JoDee Clark
Andrew & Lisa DelRey
David & Donna DuBois
Jim & Heidi Dwyer
Jeff & Kimberly Goh
Robert & Linda Grimm
John & Alecia Kruger
Jerry & Sherri Nourse
Scott & Nina PicKell
Jay & Sheri Shepherd
Robert & Diane van der Goes
Ben & Cindy Yorks
Board of Directors
2014-15
Anne Alario
Mark Apodaca
Jim Bright
Rev. Seth Britton
Roger Burtner
Curt Cattau
Rev. Roger Frick
Michael Grant
Thomas Gray ‘78
Anita Hernandez
Julie Kangas
Rev. Tim Klinkenberg ‘82
Leann Luchinger
Marlo Naber-Mole ‘89
Craig Olson
Kurt Rammelsberg ‘78
K.J. Voelker
2%
14%
7%
67%
1%
Tuition
Congregations
Other
OPERATING INCOME
Salary & Administative
Facilities
Interest
OPERATING EXPENSES
CASH POSITION - $ MILLIONS
$20
$16
$18
$14
$16
$12
$14
$12
$10
$10
$8
$8
$6
$6
$4
$4
$2
$2
2012201320142015
Investments/Endowments
Operating Cash On Hand
Bank Debt
52
ASSET GROWTH - $ MILLIONS
$18
$0
Financial Aid
Athletics, Competition & Performance
Other
$0
2012201320142015
Net Assets
Capital Expenditures
Faculty and Staff
Rachel Abijay
Lori Allen
Jessica Anderson
Bob Asachika
Pamela Ayers
Caroline Bailey
Steve Barillier
Tara Bathke
Cindy Bigelow
Cathy Blankenship
Dustin Boburka
Eric Borba
Ignacio Brache
Amy Bramson
Michele Brown
Lisa Buekers
Linda Burnett
Dave Cacciapuoti
Steve Carrera
Megan Carvale
Kathy Christensen
Chris Cornish
Glen Crosby
David Dekker
T.J. Detviler
Timothy Detviler
Barb Dorfmeyer
Maggie Duerr
Antoinette Duran
Blake Edwards
Lisa Ehret
Todd Eklund
Rachel Eklund
Chris Elder
Sharon Elliott
Doug Erickson
Ronald Ervin
Crysti Everhart
Chelsey Everhart
Wesley Faust
Chad Fleager
Taylor Fox
Carl Galloway
Joseph Garcia
Jaclyn Gibson
Diane Gihring
Ariel Gjersvold
Genevieve Graff-Ermeling
Tanya Grasz
Michael Grasz
Kimberly Hahn
Dawn Hamby
Matt Hansen
Pamela Hansen
Erica Hantula
Stephanie Heard
Elizabeth Heim
Jessica Heim
Drew Heim
Brad Heinecke
Miriam Heinicke
Sandy Hemphill
Je’Von Hetland
Azalea Holness
Tom Howard
Nathan Johnson
Jeff Johnston
Joey Jones
Paul Jones
Barbara Joslin
Darren Kelso
Esther Kim
Erik Kirsch
Barb Klinkenberg
Ashley Klitzing
Mark Klitzing
Michael Kramer
Brenna Kress
2014-2015
Kylee Kreutziger
Courtney Kruger
Debbie Kruk
Ellen Lange
Rob LaPointe
Kathi Lapworth
Jennifer Lark
Peter Lark
Marc Laulhere
Patty Lazcano
Dennis Lin
Ryan Lisk
Joe List
Rosa Lopez
Andrea Lufti
Andrew Mabry
Susan Madrigal
Mark Maietta
Skye Marciniak
Steven Mattoon
Brennan McBride
Lukas McGlasson-Tandy
Morgan Meyer
Dee Meza
Steve Miklos
Jennifer Miklos
Del Montel
Jeannie Mooney
Clim Moore
Joseph Morales
Matt Morgan
Todd Moritz
Lindsey Motis
Kevin Nadeau
Cody Nadeau
Jamie Nadeau
Kathy Nelson
Jeremy Nelson
Long Nguyen
Emmalee Noble
Annie Nolasco
Chris Nordstrom
Bonnie Nourse
Clay-Michael O’Neal
Tim Odle
Barbara Olson
Cory Olson
Dominique Ovalle
Julia Parsons
Nancy Paul
Christina Perez
Chuck Petersen
Roya Petersen
Marsha Podas
Linda Porr
Matt Potthoff
Melissa Potthoff
J.P. Presley
Julie Prins
Michelle Ramos
Sandy Redmond
Scott Robertson
Joanna Rogers
Denise Romo
Jill Ronstadt
Roddy Russell
Sarah Salzberg
Laura Sampson
Hayley Sampson
Dawn Sandie
Cindy Schlichtemeier
Vicki Schulte
Kent Scott
Erin Shevlin
Vincent Shih
Hollie Simmons
Leslie Smith
Lydia Smith-Davis
Shaunna Snow
Terry Sohn
David Sohn
Suzanne Sotelo
Robert Spors
Thomas Stafford
Janeen Steele
Robyn Strohschein
Ben Strohschein
Kelli Talmage
Craig Teuben
Christina Toorop
Steven Torres
Vicki Tupa
Shawna VanDaele
Jennifer Vaughan
Trevor Voth
Daniel Vu
Bea Wakeling
Gary Wann
Emily Ward
Brantley Watson
Shannon Whitney
Diane Whitten
Kathi Williams
Debbie Wingert
Traci Wise
Monterio Witherspoon
Shane Yates
Patty Young
Rick Young
Ken Young
Aaron Zeilinger
Paige Zeinstra
Carole Zelinger
Karen Zieger
David Zlaket
53
54
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