CULTIVATING A CULTURE - Grace Christian School

TORCHLIGHT
2014
Grace Christian School news and highlights
CULTIVATING A CULTURE
A note from Superintendent Randy Karlberg
We teach our students to look to the Bible for the
truth on how to live life just as Paul did with the
Jews in Berea. In Acts 17, Paul is teaching Jews in
Berea that Jesus was indeed the Christ about whom
the Scriptures talk. “Now these Jews were more
noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the
Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures
daily to see if these things were so.”
Planting seeds
to reap the harvest
At Grace, children flourish when faith
and learning come together. During
elementary years, seeds of knowledge
are planted in soil that’s rich with
Biblical truths. In high school, they
blossom into young adults with strong
academic and spiritual roots. When
transplanted into life beyond Grace,
they do not wither.
I have had the pleasure of teaching eleventh grade
Bible this fall. The class discusses dating, courtship,
marriage, and parenting from a Biblical perspective.
We live in a society that is constantly redefining
these experiences. Is it any wonder that our children
have questions or confusion on these issues?
At Grace, we are cultivating a culture of students
who know where to turn when they have questions
as to truth or worldview. They turn to the Bible and
study the Scriptures, as the Bereans did, to find how
God would have them live. God’s timeless Word
is simple enough to find answers to life questions,
and yet deep enough to keep us intrigued to God’s
character and His marvelous love for humankind.
The culture for which we strive is a love for learning
based on the Word of God.
We are grateful to everyone who has
helped cultivate this environment
by giving their time and financial
resources. You are a valuable
resource to Grace. If you desire to
give a financial gift that will benefit
our students’ growth, please use the
enclosed giving card or give through
www.GiveToGCS.org and give to the
Guardians of Grace Annual Fund.
Marne Sheldon
Director of Advancement
Thank you for partnering with us in this endeavor.
Randy Karlberg
School Superintendent
BLOOMING WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED
•2014 Boys Cross-Country State Champions
•Jr. High XCR Valley Champions (photo left)
•Students Named to Honor Choirs:
12 All-State, 2 All-Northwest, and 7 National
•National Merit Scholar Nathan Trujillo
•3 First Place Finishers at the ACSI Alaska
Regional Spelling Bee, and 5 Second Place
•Tara Edwards 2014 USTFCCCA Coach of the Year
•First TEAM tournament trophy for Wrestling
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
New teacher Rose Harmon thinks Grace
is a uniquely special place
For over 30 years, in nine
different states, Rose
Harmon has encouraged
a passion for science
in public, private, and
Christian schools. She
figured she’d taught in just
about every environment
there was, and that Grace
was a good school, in yet
another state.
She quickly learned that
Grace was more than a
Rose Harmon teaches Biology and
Inroduction to Chemistry & Physics.
good school, but rather
a uniquely special place.
“Students left the classroom
thanking me for teaching.
New students were quickly
welcomed into the Grace
community. What’s even
more unbelievable is that I
have had ONLY ONE, yes,
one, classroom discipline
issue so far this year. This
is the teaching environment
every teacher dreams
about.”
“Students at Grace succeed
academically because they
are surrounded by love,
acceptance, accountability,
and just downright kindness.”
It’s our Christ-centered
education that makes Rose
exclaim, “I feel like I won the
lottery by working here. Also,
parents should understand
that their investment in a
Grace education is totally
worth every penny!”
Mike Weber, Bible Teacher:
“Mr Weber is my favorite teacher. He’s
been helping me at school and in my
walk with Christ.” - Tristan Kamai
10 Fall Highlights
Some outstanding events from the first semester
1
Grace Mail: A mail delivery system within our school where students can send and receive mail from friends, family and staff
2
Junior High School Basketball Cheerleading returns
3
The GCS Theater’s performance of Godspell
4
20 students and 4 adults on Guatemala Mission Team
5
High School Retreat and Jr. High 5
6
Grace hosts Region III 3A Volleyball Tournament
7
19 new Guardians commit to giving at Benefit Breakfast
8
2 clubs return: Robotics and Spirit Squad (aka Pep Club)
9
Veterans Day Chapel
10
Christian College Fair hosted at GCS
Mae, Anja, Tristan, Travis, Matt, Jade:
“God is using Grace to move the hearts of students toward Him.” - Mike Weber
ROOTING THEIR LIVES IN CHRIST
One assignment Mr. Weber,
Six jr. high students have accepted Christ into their heart this year
our Junior High Bible teacher,
looks forward to every year is
shared, “I always kept pushing
even when I am not proud of
and two last year. Hearing
having students write their story, God aside. At Grace, I began
myself. And because of Christ, I God’s truth in new ways,
a testimony of
to learn more and
have learned to love others the listening to prayers and
what God is
more about Him
way He does.”
conversations of long time
doing in their
through my teachers
Grace students and being
lives.
and friends, and then
These seven students are new
immersed in a discipleship
this year it clicked.
to Grace, five this school year
culture had an eternal impact.
Inevitably,
There is no greater
students ask,
joy than to love the
“Mr. Weber,
Lord. And, because
if I’m not a
of something Mrs.
Christian will
Luiken (pictured left)
Dodge! Duck! Dive!
you grade me
said in science class, I
2nd Annual Alumni Family and Friends Dodgeball Tournament
down?” “No way!” he answers.
realized I am precious to God.”
Saturday, December 20, 2014 6:00 pm, following the Grizzly Classic
But adds, “I’ll be praying that
basketball tournament. Get in on the fun and register a team today
you come to know Jesus Christ The students courageously
online at www.gcsalumni.org.
as your personal Lord and
declared their faith in front
Unprecedented number of alumni return to
Savior.”
of their peers during weekly
their roots to coach and teach at GCS
chapel. Anja Schweiger, a new
Davina Kinney (‘09) 3rd grade
Mae Goldstein, experienced
7th grader shared, “Jesus and
Scott MacDonald (’09) 7th grade English
the power of that prayer. She
God are always proud of me,
Alumni Corner
EXPANDING THE FAMILY TREE
A second generation of Grizzlies
The halls of Grace Christian School are filled with faces that
resemble those that walked these halls 10...20...30 years ago.
These are the students of alumni returning as Grace parents! It’s
exciting to see a second generation of Grizzlies also benefiting
from a Grace education.
This year, we have a record 26 legacy students, 24 which are
pictured to the left. What a testimony to the invaluable educational
experience they received from Grace that impacted their decision
to send their children to the very school that shaped and molded
their own hearts and minds!
Many of our families make financial sacrifices to send their children
to Grace -- a sacrifice that these alumni’s parents once made. Now,
because of the exceptional education they received, our Grace
family tree is expanding.
Diana Skinner (’96) Chemistry
Crystal Annett (’96) Secondary Secretary
Caleb Cotter (’09) Secondary P.E. and HS XC Running Coach
Tyler Jackson (’96) High School Principal
Ryan Cox (’08) HS XC Running Coach
Val (March) Steele (’04) HS Girls Volleyball Coach
Kari (Wedemeyer) Frantz (’04) HS Girls Volleyball Coach
Ashely (Bylsma) Alley (’04) HS Girls Volleyball Coach
Caleb Davis (’10) Junior HS Basketball Boys Coach
McKenzie Fredrickson (’11) Junior HS Girls Basketball Coach
Nicole DeYong (’01) XC Ski Team Coach
Jenna DeYong (’01) XC Ski Team Coach
Nicole Weisenfelder (’13) Freshman Volleyball Assistant Coach
Connect with us and learn more:
GraceChristianAlaska.org
facebook.com/GraceChristianAK
twitter.com/GraceSchoolsAK
instagram.com/GraceChristianAK
GROWING
with Grace
Every student is growing and changing every day with each new experience
in life. Who do you know that would benefit from an education at Grace
Christian School? Bring or send them in for a tour, so that they can learn
more about how their child can grow in knowledge and truth, through the
integration of faith and learning.
Look inside to learn more.. .
Schedule an appointment with Admissions today!
Call our Admissions Director Eva Hall at 907-644-2232
Learn more by visiting us online at www.GraceChristianAlaska.org