cascade chronicle 2013-14 issue 2

CCS Chronicle 0413 FINAL.indd 1 4/8/14 8:05 AM

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Dedicated to Developing Discerning

Leaders

Don Johnson Superintendent of Schools

Mary Severeid Assistant Superintendent Early Learning/Elementary

Glenna Frederick, Ed.D Assistant Superintendent Secondary/International

Tim Kleefeld, CPA Director of Business and Finance

Rob Mitton Director of Development

Naomi Warren Director of Admissions

Susan Crawford Director of Marketing and Communications

Junior High & High School Administrative Team: Dr. Glenna Frederick Suzanne Keil Keith Patefield Dave Peterson

Frederickson Elementary & ELC Debi Boyd, Principal and Executive Director

Puyallup ELC Karen Curtiss, Executive Director

Puyallup Elementary Terry Broberg, Principal

Tacoma Elementary & ELC Lisa Metzger, Principal and Executive Director

CCS Extended School Kristin Hannus, Director

This issue of the Chronicle reported and written by commercial freelance writer and CCS Parent Kristy Bingham.

Design and layout by CCS Parent Michelle De Monnin for De Monnin’s Art Studio, Inc.

The Chronicle is a publication of Cascade Christian Schools, an interdenominational school district in Pierce County, Washington.

On the Cover: CCS STEM Robotics class

Cover photo by: Michelle De Monnin

Additional photography in this issue by: Michelle De Monnin, Mike Centioli, and others

For more information about Cascade Christian Schools:cascadechristian.org | 253-841-1776Development/Business Partner information: Rob MittonAdmissions information: Naomi WarrenStory ideas for the Cascade Chronicle: Susan Crawford

Cascade Christian Schools Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to StudentsCascade Christian Schools admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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Core PurposeTransforming cultures through teach-ing and training people in their purpose before God.

MissionTo glorify God by providing quality, Christ-centered education dedicated to developing discerning leaders who are spiritually, personally, and academically prepared to impact their world.

Locationswww.cascadechristian.org

District Office | 815 21st Street SE | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-841-1776

Junior High and High School | 811 21st Street SE | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-445-9706

Puyallup Elementary | 601 9th Avenue SE | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-841-2091

Puyallup Early Learning Center | 1818 S Meridian | Puyallup, WA 98371 | 253-848-7165

Frederickson Elementary and ELC | 3425 176th Street E | Tacoma, WA 98445253-537-9339 Elementary | 253-537-5195 ELC

McAlder Elementary and ELC | 15502 96th Street E | Puyallup, WA 98372 | 253-256-4382

Tacoma Elementary and ELC | 1819 E 72nd Street | Tacoma, WA 98404 | 253-473-0590

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Equipping Students to Lead in the 21st Century!

It’s always such a pleasure for me share with you the variety of giftings, talents, strengths, and skills with which the CCS family is blessed. I look at the articles in this Chronicle and I think – “I would love to be a part of the great things happening at that place!” – and then I realize, I do get to be a part, every day!

Education is evolving and the future success of students depends on the embracing of new instructional methods and use of technologies today. We’re excited to lead your students toward the skills they’ll need in the 21st century, and CCS is blessed with educators possessing a God-given passion and understanding for 21st century education. Have you heard about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and don’t know what it is? Read on to learn more about STEM and a new, popular class in Robotics.

This Chronicle celebrates some 21st century student leaders in our midst right now: our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, and our wrestling team with a three-time state champion! Our students work hard to excel in their sports, and we are so proud of their accomplishments.

We also celebrate Mrs. Suzanne Keil, Co-principal of CCHS and honor her fifteen years of service to CCHS as she prepares to embark on some adventures!

Come along with us on our journey as we continue on our shift toward 21st Century Education!

Don Johnson, Superintendent of Schools


Satisfied to ServeSuzanne Keil retires following years of fulfilling service to students

EmPLOyEE PROFiLE

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She originally found Cascade Christian fifteen years ago because of friends, and this spring Co-Principal Suzanne Keil will retire with many calling her their treasured friend.

First beginning at CCHS as a teacher, Keil later earned her Master’s Degree in Administration because she always loved working collaboratively with teachers, students, and parents.

“I absolutely love working with students and helping them become successful,” Keil said. “I especially love guiding the students who have challenges only to then watch them blossom and grow.

“God has a calling on every student’s life and I try to look and see the kid how God sees them,” she further explained. “I try to motivate and inspire them to go to the next level, whatever that personally is for them.”

Keil said it is satisfying to identify the student’s learning style and to use that to aid them in the education process and show how that applies to their life.

The relationships, and seeing the teachers and students on a daily basis, are what Keil said she will miss most about being at Cascade Christian. However, she said she is looking forward to what the future holds for her and her husband Denis, who is also retiring this year from Boeing.

“It is an exciting time for us to do the things we have always wanted to do,” she said. Keil and her husband have two alumni from Cascade Christian. Her son Chad graduated from CCHS in 2009 and her daughter, Ashlee, was part of the CCHS Class of 2006.

Keil said she is proud of her time at Cascade Christian, and explained that

technology has changed the world of education today, with the

constant focus on what the next

step looks like for students to improve their learning and their growth both academically and spiritually. She said having students graduate from Cascade Christian with 21st Century skills is exciting.

But as students leave Cascade Christian, Keil said she hopes the students also leave knowing how much she cared for them.

“I hope they look back and remember I was there to help them through the good times and the bad,” she said softly. “I tried to always have the heart to do what was in their best interest and how I tried to help them be the person God called them to be.”

Superintendent Don Johnson said Keil has been a valuable member of the CCHS administrative team for years and she will be missed.

“No matter what role Mrs. Keil has been in from teacher to administrator, her focus has been on student learning and their educational success,” he said. “She has a heart for each student to succeed and has spent countless hours working with students to meet their educational goals. I know there are many graduates from Cascade Christian who would give Mrs. Keil credit for their graduating.”

Senior Olivia Tuttle reflected on her years at Cascade and how much Suzanne Keil will be missed.

“Mrs. Keil is caring, patient, and unselfish,” Tuttle said.“ She puts the students, teachers, and the administration before herself every day. I know that I can always rely on her to do whatever I need and whenever I need it. I think I can speak for the rest of our school about how much of a blessing she has been to us and we will miss her.”

Senior Jeff Hwang said he will remember Mrs. Keil’s ability to earn

trust and loyalty simply because she makes it known that she believes in everyone.

“Mrs. Keil is so caring,” Hwang said. “She always works behind the scenes every day and encourages the students to work their hardest. She is always so optimistic and energetic. Every student at Cascade Christian High School will really miss her next year.”

Over all of her years at Cascade Christian, there are numerous memories that come to her mind that she will take with her upon retirement. One distinct memory has special meaning for her.

“A few years ago there were three students in particular I knew if we didn’t give specific help to, they would not graduate,” she said remembering back. “We worked really hard with them while they were at Cascade Christian to encourage them and motivate them and it was extra special to watch them walk across that stage last year knowing that they were going on to what God has called them to be.

“Every kid has a story to tell and I love knowing the accomplishment they went through to get there,” she explained.

Not looking back, but rather looking forward, Keil added this to her thoughts about retirement.

“This year, as these seniors walk across that stage toward graduation it is funny that, in a way, I am walking across the stage with them,” she said. “We are all graduating, just on to different stages of life.”


ELEmENTARy

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From Parent to TeacherNew Frederickson Teacher is not New to CCS

“ I feel so blessed to work with my students, and to help them

along the path God has intended for them… ”

With a smile on her face, Kirstie Brar, Cascade Christian Frederickson Elementary teacher, talks about her favorite part of the day – standing at her classroom door and greeting the members of her second family.

Brar is new to the staff at Frederickson campus this year, teaching a multi-age second and third grade class.

“Anyone who knows me, knows one of my biggest strengths is being relational,” Brar explained. “In my class we take the attitude that ‘We are Mrs. Brar’s class’ and try to avoid the split level mentality that can come with a combination class.

“So in our class,” she continued, “my focus is largely on my relationship with them and their relationship with each other. We are a family here.”

While Brar is new to the Frederickson campus, she is not new to teaching or to Cascade Christian. Initially, she taught Kindergarten for four years prior to having children. Brar and her husband, Jesse, are CCS parents to sons Nate, Class of 2013, and Nick, a 9th grader, as well as daughters Kalina, an 11th grader, and Brynna, a 7th grader. As her children have grown older, Brar said she always knew she would one day return to teaching.

“I knew there would come a time where my children wouldn’t need me as much during the day as they had when they were younger,” she said. “So I starting putting the wheels in motion to return to the classroom, thinking I would substitute teach this school year, all the while trusting in God’s timing and His plan.”

“As it turned out God’s plan and my plan were different,” she said laughing. “But I’ll go with God’s plan.”

Brar brings a unique perspective to her classroom having been a Cascade Christian parent for nearly a decade prior to teaching for CCS.

She explained that she tries very hard to teach her students the traditional curriculum, but approaches her classroom with a bigger social awareness of the world around them. She said it has been a passion at home with her own children and she is continuing that passion with her current students as well.

“It is very much a life focus,” she said. “What are the needs of others around me, and what can I do to help that person?”

She said, as the year has progressed, she has watched her students really grow and mature in that area.

“When you see a 3rd grader watch out for a 2nd grader and take them under their wing it is awesome,” Brar said. “What is happening in our class goes above the normal things like Math and Reading. We have those, but the personal development is of equal importance to me.”

She further described one of the biggest things she loves about Cascade Christian from a parent

(Continued on Page 6)


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CCS FAmiLy PROFiLE

Thriving at CascadeNeedham family finds the “timing is right” to become part of the CCS community

The Needham family is new to Cascade Christian this year, but the thought has been brewing for some time. “I am a firm believer in Christian education,” Leeanne stated. “Cascade Christian has always been on our radar, but the timing was never right until this year.”

Leeanne said she had heard great things about Cascade Christian, and found herself checking the website at the end of the last school year, when

she discovered a job opening she felt was the beginning of God opening a new door for the family.

“The position seemed to be a perfect fit for my skill set and the passion I have for educating today’s students regarding technology in this ever-changing world,” Leeanne explained. “Now that I have been here since September, it is an absolutely perfect fit.”

“Christ is so central in my life and in my heart, that this year has truly let me come into my own in teaching,” she continued. “I appreciate that I don’t have to hold anything back spiritually, that I can encourage my students to seek the Lord daily, and that I can teach them how to use technology for His glory.”

Leeanne Needham is the new Library Media and Technology Integration Specialist at Puyallup Elementary this year. She and her husband Paul have three children. Michael is a Junior at the high school and Elizabeth is an 8th grader at the junior high. Their eldest daughter, Christina, has already graduated high school.

Leeanne came to Cascade Christian from the Sumner School District where she was an elementary computer specialist. The Needham’s had previously homeschooled their children throughout their academic careers, but this year found God calling their family to Cascade Christian.

While her new job at Cascade Christian has helped her be the teacher she always wanted to be, Leeanne said there was a big discussion about continuing to homeschool their children or to transition them to a more formal academic program. She said there were the obvious fears centered around whether their children be able to make the transition and thrive in their own special way.

“There comes a point where you really appreciate the body of Christ,” Leeanne said. “I love knowing we are sending our children to a school where

teachers truly love the Lord. They are the kind of teachers who will come alongside their students and reinforce the same things that are being taught at home.”

Leeanne also said she loves that leadership is an important trait that is celebrated at Cascade Christian.

“It isn’t just talked about, and the students are encouraged to lead where they are,” she explained. “It isn’t just taught in a class, it is all over.”

For her children, the opportunity to lead is one they are relishing.

Michael has found his roots in the yearbook staff and was elected the Assistant Editor of this year’s edition. He also has been helping design sets for the drama productions throughout the year.

“I love them both for different reasons,” Michael said. “In yearbook I love the design and creation of a product that I can stand back, look at, and be proud of. In set design, I love creating something that adds to the performances and knowing that, in doing so, I made others happy.”

Elizabeth has also been involved in the drama program, and said she loves her sign language class. But when asked about her involvement in the girls’ Bible study that

meets once a week, she lit up with excitement.

“I am able to find confidence in myself as I go forward in life and have been

“Watching her children thrive at Cascade Christian just reaffirms they heard God’s calling

correctly. ”

(Continued on Next Page)


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able to make another set of friends that I know will be there for me,” she explained.

Initially, both Michael and Elizabeth were a little nervous about coming to school, but their fears were soon eliminated. For Elizabeth, it was one student in particular who really made an effort to get to know her, invited Elizabeth to sit with her at lunch, and introduced her to the other girls at the table. In Michael’s case, his friendships started with casual

conversation before and after classes, but friendships solidified when he started getting involved.

Leeanne said watching her children thrive at Cascade Christian just reaffirms they heard God’s calling correctly.

“As a parent we always want to do what is best for our children.” She added, “The staff and students have been incredibly welcoming to us and every time I turn the corner into the parking lot, of either campus, I

perspective: the District’s dedication to helping all students become leaders in their own God-intended way. Whether through athletics, worship team, band, or involvement in the Associated Student Body at the junior or senior high level, all students are given opportunities to lead. She said that trickles down to involvement at the elementary level also.

According to Brar, each of her own four children are extremely distinct in their strengths and abilities, and Cascade Christian has enabled each of them to shine in their own way. One of those ways is at the elementary level in the Family Chapel program. Family Chapel meets once a month in a small group setting and is lead by a 6th grader. There is normally one student from each grade level in the group.

“It is amazing to watch Family Chapel time and I love it,” she said. “Where else can you find a Kindergartner or even a 1st or 2nd grader who looks up to their 6th grade leader and thinks they are the coolest person instead of the scariest?”

am always overwhelmed by joy, just thinking of the place God has led us to.”

She continued, “Here we are where God has provided an amazing opportunity for us. I have a job I love, but more importantly, my kids are happy. Being at Cascade Christian is just a continuation of our hearts when it comes to their education. We may have started it at home, but what a way for the Lord to finish it off. We are so grateful for what the Lord is doing in our lives.”

“Kids just really want to be heard and have somebody recognize them every day.” She explained, “They want someone who can focus on them and appreciate them for who they are. The environment at Cascade Christian is great for that. These students are able to learn that they can use their strengths to do something amazing for God, and there is someone at CCS to help steer them in that direction.”

She said children don’t always hear the encouragement their own parents give them and that is why a school district like Cascade Christian Schools is so unique.

“When you have administrators, teachers and leaders breathing self-worth into our kids, they just get it and then it is incredible to see where God takes that child,” she said. “Daily, I try to do that for the kids in my class.”

Brar said she appreciates that Cascade Christian has a strong academic focus, but she said the other focuses on the whole child and their family are what

she perhaps values just as much as the academics.

“I feel so blessed to work with my students, and to help them along the path God has intended for them to travel as they grow and mature,” she said. “And the fact that Cascade Christian gives us the opportunity to be a part of that is huge.”

Frederickson Principal Debbie Boyd said Brar’s transition from CCS parent to teacher was a seamless one.

“Students, parents and staff all love her,” Boyd said. “She is warm and funny, and has made each and every student feel loved. Kirstie has a genuine love for people and a ‘can do’ attitude. It is hard to believe she’s the new kid on the block because it feels like we have known her all along.”

From Parent to Teacher (Continued)


STEm AT CCS

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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)Robotics Class Engages Students, Teaches Critical Thinking Skills

With hardly a word spoken, the students in Molly Rutter’s Cascade Christian Junior High Robotics class walk in and immediately start to work on their robots.

The Robotics class, in its first year, is part of a focused effort to provide more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities for CCS. In addition, classes like Robotics help give students a practical application to general course work.

Rutter, who had previous experience at the university level teaching a class similar to this, also teaches Math and is in her fifth year at Cascade Christian.

“The fact that I had prior teaching experience in something similar helped me prepare for teaching this class,” she said. “We were looking for a curriculum that we could adapt for this age group. What we found was designed for students to learn how to program their robot in a simple format and to see how it actually works.”

Rutter loves that the students are learning to learn without her direct instruction. In the beginning, she is very hands-on, but as days go by student learning becomes less teacher-driven and turns into more of a student-driven learning experience.

“The biggest thing they learn is critical thinking skills, and they come to realize that failure is an option,” she explained. “But because things do not always go the way they planned, it forces them to try again. That is the larger purpose of the class for me.”

Rutter said the students struggle in the beginning with trying to think outside of the box when it comes to solving the problems they encounter while building and programming their robot. She said she is very intentional

in the way she slowly helps them utilize their resources and show them new ways to discover how they can solve the problems they are encountering.

“They are so frustrated in the beginning,” she said. “But after a while, you see the determination in their eyes and they come to class with a focus they didn’t have on

the first day. They come in with a plan and I can tell they spent their time outside of class thinking about

the problem they encountered in class the day before.”

Seventh grade student, Caeden Collins, completely agrees.

“It is such a different way of thinking,” he explained, regarding how to build these robots. “My group had a robot we built and it was obvious we needed to tweak the weapon our robot used to defend itself. We had a weapon that was large and had the width, but we soon realized it was the height we needed and not the width.”

The self-professed science-minded Collins explained how they resolved the problem and was quick to describe what their original thought process was, why and where they went wrong, and how they fixed it. The class was preparing to battle their robots in the coming days and Collins was looking for a victory.

“If you think hard, you will try hard,” he reasoned. “This class lets me develop a depth of skills like how to really think through a problem. It is awesome.”

Fellow student, Maddie Laverty, echoed Collins’ thoughts.

“In this class I am able to create something different than anything I have ever done before.” The seventh grader went on to say, “It was really

“Exposure to a class like this has

the potential to help shape a student’s future and open

doors previously not considered. ”


STEm AT CCS

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hard at first, but this is so much fun. When I was younger, it was easy to imagine things I could create. This is like my imagination come to life, not something I pretend is coming to life.”

Rutter said what her students are learning is the important overarching theme of STEM classes.

“What we are teaching is a skill set that people need to have in this day and age,” she explained. “So many jobs today and in the future are based in STEM and we are doing the students a disservice if we don’t show them what other options are out there.”

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Glenna Frederick said it is exciting to walk through the door into Rutter’s class.

“You see students collaborating in small groups as they work together to design, create, and program their robots.” She added, “They are problem solving and strategizing with each other to make sure their robot will win the battle competition. In the bigger picture, they are integrating the STEM skills into a hands-on, fun and creative project.”

“The students’ energy is electric and they are motivated to learn,” she continued. “The class period flies by.”

Rutter adds that exposure to a class like this has the potential to help shape a student’s future and open doors previously not considered. She explained that a student in college has the potential to graduate and then not be able to find a job. Or perhaps they spend their years in college only to discover that their declared major

ultimately isn’t their passion. However, if a student can become aware of a particular focus early on, because of STEM classes like Robotics, then Rutter feels she has done her job.

“I get such joy from teaching,” Rutter said. “But I get even more joy when my students own their learning, because when they drive their own learning, then I have lit that fire within and they are on their way to whatever God has planned for them.”


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mCALDER CAmPuS

Ready, Set, Grow!New Campus preparations are underway for Fall

When school resumes this fall, there will be a huge answer to prayer with the addition of a new early learning and elementary campus to help serve the families of Bonney Lake, Sumner, Orting, and beyond.

The opening of Cascade Christian’s new McAlder Campus, located in the Sumner Valley between Sumner and Orting, is part of a 20-year strategic vision to serve those respective communities. The initial desire to have a campus in that part of the county was included in the original plans when Cascade Christian was formed in 1992. For a variety of reasons, previous efforts to acquire a property to serve those areas did not materialize until last fall.

Last summer, the Sumner School District, who originally owned the property, decided to lease the property with the vacated McAlder Elementary School building. Cascade Christian had just begun to pursue the option to lease the 36,000 square foot building situated on more than 10 acres when they learned the Sumner School District decided they did not wish to lease it anymore, but to sell it.

In August of 2013, Cascade Christian Schools put together a purchase and sale agreement for that campus, which was accepted by Sumner School District, and paid for with 2009 capital campaign funds. The newly minted Cascade Christian McAlder Campus is slated to open this fall with preschool for ages three through five, plus Kindergarten.

The new building, which has 18 classrooms and the capacity to serve more than 400 students, also has a multi-purpose room (gym), a covered play area, a commercial-grade kitchen, and a library space.

“This new campus allows us to break into the Bonney Lake, Sumner, and Orting areas, and really have a presence there that we have not previously had,” said Mary Severeid, Assistant Superintendent. “It is very exciting to finally see how God has provided for us and the future families of Cascade Christian. This building is a gift.”

Severeid said the building has undergone various stages of remodeling since its purchase and that eight out of the 18 rooms have been finished thus far. Painting, carpeting, landscaping, exterior cleaning and pressure washing have been in progress over the last few months, with more to come heading into the new school year.

As the facilities are being prepared physically, Dana Nuber has been in charge of helping to promote the school to prospective families.

Nuber is the Campus Enrollment Manager for McAlder (as well as Puyallup ELC and Puyallup Elementary), and said the interest in the new campus is amazing. Between fielding phone calls and giving tours of the new campus, Nuber said she is thrilled with the enthusiasm in the campus.

“When they first stop by, they comment on how they love the location,” she explained. “Then, when they go inside, they are impressed with the rooms we already have set up.”


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mCALDER CAmPuS

Nuber said the Kindergarten room and a preschool room are already prepared for parents and incoming students to see, and to get a feel for the vision of what the upcoming school year will look like.

“It is encouraging to see prospective families go on the tour with me walk in the room, and the children immediately start exploring, playing with the toys and seeing what the

learning stations are all about,” she said. “I love that the rooms are so inviting that the children feel comfortable enough to check things out.”

Nuber, a Cascade parent to three CCS students herself, said that watching the children be drawn to a new environment is a joy.

“I love sharing the vision of Cascade Christian from a parent perspective,” she stated. “I love who my kids are becoming and how they are set up for success from day one. I can already look at these incoming families and I can just envision the friendships at the student level as well as the parent level forming.”

“I can visualize how this campus is going to grow,” she continued.

Initially, the campus will open to the preschool and Kindergarten levels, and then will grow with the demand, according to Severeid.

While Severeid acknowledges there is still much work ahead as the summer approaches, she knows there is nothing impossible with God.

“When God is working in things it is amazing what you can get done,” she proclaimed.

Cascade Superintendent Don Johnson agrees.

“God has His way and His timing,” he said. “This McAlder campus is a wonderful opportunity to continue the vision of Cascade Christian, and it is exciting to see how God’s provision is launching us into a bright future.”

For more information on the McAlder campus, located at 15502 96th Street East, Puyallup, WA 98372, please call the campus at 253-256-4382, or the District office at 253-841-1776.

“ It is exciting to finally see how God has provided for usand the future families of

Cascade Christian. ”


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SuMMER PROGRAMS

Extended School and Summer CampCCS THRIVE Summer Programs offers options for “every child”

In the planning of this summer’s THRIVE day camps, Kristin Hannus said the Extended School Program is currently planning something for every child.

THRIVE Summer Programs is a summer day camp and enrichment class program that offers specialty weeks throughout the summer. THRIVE is hosted at the Frederickson and Tacoma Elementary campus locations, as well as in Puyallup. Previously hosted at the JH/HS, there is now the potential of utilizing the new McAlder campus for the Puyallup attendees.

Hannus, Extended School and Summer Camp Director, said the final schedule is currently being planned, but parents and campers can expect to see athletics, arts, and academics represented in the lineup. Current athletic plans include volleyball camp, basketball camp, cheerleading camp, and wrestling camp facilitated by Reality Sports.

Reality Sports is a ministry that aims to share the life-changing message of the Gospel with athletes by providing comprehensive physical, mental, and spiritual training that reflects on the words and life of Jesus Christ. Their week will be for students entering third grade and higher, and the cost will be by donation.

“This is a powerful and amazing ministry where these men gave up their permanent jobs to start a program with a Christian motto and a way of life that teaches campers how to keep Christ in their daily life,” Hannus said. “They truly are Christian warriors in a sports arena.”

The idea of what to include in a summer camp program begins with a search for programs that Hannus describes as the highest quality they can find, which align with the mission and purpose of Cascade Christian Schools.

“This really is an amazing summer program, but it is because God puts all the puzzle pieces together for us,” she said. “From athletics, arts, academics, and leadership, to STEM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), He does it all. We are blessed to see our camp welcome so many students.”

A new offering this year is Camp Invention, a STEM-based camp where students going into first through sixth grades can spend their time building original prototypes, creating a personalized motor-powered

vehicle, and taking apart electronics to construct a pinball machine.

CCHS Physical Science teacher Lucy Cole will oversee Camp Invention.

Cole is excited about the possibility of working with young elementary minds because they are always curious about their world. She can also see the potential for a program like this at the elementary level during the academic school year as well.

“Camp Invention provides an opportunity for students to ask questions, explore big ideas, engage in investigations, experiments and engineering challenges,” Cole said. “As our district implements the Next Generation Science Standards, STEM programs like Camp Invention will increase excitement for both students and teachers to explore science with hands-on activities and real-world problem solving.

“This will be an exciting week devoted to exploring big ideas,” Cole continued. “Students will learn to be a scientist; exploring their world and finding answers to questions. They will develop skills and confidence as they invent machines that work.”

Many of the campers that sign up are what Hannus lovingly refers to as Cascade Christian’s “community kids.” Those are children who live nearby, or whose parents work nearby, and are looking for a summer day camp option for their kids.

“It is great when we are able to reach into the community to become a safe option for parents to entrust their child to,” she explained. “More than 50% of summer camp enrollment comes from outside our current school body. But just because they may not be enrolled at CCS for the regular school year does not mean they aren’t part of us. We are all Cascade Christian and we hope they one day might be able to attend for the school year also.”

Hannus said when the planning of summer camp begins she approaches it with the mindset of “what will parents say at summer’s end?”

“That is the biggest blessing for me,” she said. “I hope parents look back and acknowledge that CCS THRIVE Summer Programs was the best possible choice they could have made for their child, and that their time at camp was more than worth the investment.”


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SuMMER PROGRAMS

Extended School and Summer CampCCS THRIVE Summer Programs offers options for “every child”


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ATHLETICS

Not about the RecordBoys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams Consider Their Seasons a Success

Williams explained that midway through the season it looked like it might be a building season for next year as the playoffs seemed to be an uphill battle. They were sitting with a record of 2-8, but were having a blast going to practice.

At that point, Williams called a team meeting. Junior Captain Jordan Tveter remembers that moment as a momentum changer.

“The coaches had a heart to heart with us and told us that they were bought in to us as a team and they wanted to know if we would give it our all. They wanted to know how far we each could take each other.”

Williams recalled that game by game they played better and better as a team. Soon they found themselves in the playoffs and were beating some of the best teams in the state.

“For this team to make it to the final eight in Yakima is an accomplishment they’ll cherish the rest of their lives,” he stated. “What an unbelievably fun run this was, with an unbelievably fun group of guys.”

Tveter said this was a season where there was not one main star on the team.

“We operated as a whole unit,” he said. “Everyone stepped up and did their part. We were selfless and were not out for personal gain.”

He added that this season was different because there was an off the court trust and friendship that allowed them to rally around each other on the court.

“There was no party of one, in a team of many,” he explained. “All of us were best friends on this team, no one was left out.”

“As we kept winning we kept thinking ‘why let the ride stop now?’” He continued, “It was bittersweet to lose and finish 7th at State because we knew how far we had come. But that was just it, look how far we had come.”

Reflecting over the season, Tveter had one more thing to add.

“We never gave up, we fought to the end and I am so proud of this team,” he said. “Honestly, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Williams echoed Tveter’s sentiments whole-heartedly.

“We all have a pretty strong individual belief system in place, but we all learned firsthand just how successful a group of individuals can be when you believe in and lean on each other,” he said.

For both the Cascade Christian Varsity boys and girls basketball teams, it was a year of ups and downs, but ultimately it was a year of belief in each other and a focus on the team as a whole.

The boys’ team started the season off challenged by being a relatively young team, with Danny Lidyard as the only returning senior. According to Head Coach Jerry Williams, their focus was to simplify things and have them be able to apply fundamental team concepts.

“We spent a lot of time on defensive principles and philosophies,” Williams said. “Part of making this work depended on the faith and belief we all had in each other. Certainly, with each of us having such a strong belief in God, that helped paved the way for us to believe in each other.”


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ATHLETICS

For the girls team, it was a season riddled with injuries, but ask any one of them and they will tell you there is more to the story. While they didn’t qualify for State, they say they gained an experience more valuable.

Senior Katie Rozumny said by far this was her favorite team to play with in all her years at Cascade Christian.

“We had an incredible unity off the court that translated on the court,” she said. “Our chemistry was undeniable.”

Brooke Tunstall said this team she will forever remember for their unbreakable bond no matter what was thrown their way.

Tunstall, a senior, had suffered a concussion during a game her junior year and her recovery took longer than she would have liked going into her senior year.

“These girls were there for me and they accepted me as I was,” she said fondly. “They could have been upset I couldn’t play, but instead they cared more about how I was doing than when I could play again.”

Tunstall said this year’s team was low-key and focused on each other and the game, nothing else.

“These girls were a constant encouragement regardless of who was injured or who was or wasn’t playing well,” she said. “I knew everyone was

a team player, but what I didn’t realize was how close we would all become throughout the season.”

The season of injuries brought out the strength within the team and Tunstall said the support from coaches Bryan Peterson and Sammy Bratz meant everything to them.

“This was completely reaffirmed to me at the end of the season,” she said. “We had just lost and I was in the locker room crying. I wasn’t crying because I was upset at the loss, I was upset because I knew the season was over and so was the opportunity to play with this group of girls.”

Senior Olivia Tuttle couldn’t agree more.

“If I had the opportunity to go to State with a different team, I would have given it up in a heartbeat,” Tuttle said. “These girls made my senior year and it was such a rewarding season because of these girls.”

Tuttle said the coaches helped keep them focused through the difficult times with injuries with the reminder that this was their time to take the opportunity to be great. She said they recognized that God has a plan and that while they didn’t make it as

far as they wanted, they can rest in the fact that they grew spiritually, as individuals and as a team.

She explained that everyone stepped up to be their best self and to fill shoes as needed.

“I have learned humility,” Tuttle said. “It is completely about God and not us. While that sounds cliché, it is easy to not feel significant on a team. I find the most fulfillment knowing it had nothing to do with me; it was for God and He was in the midst of our team.”

“The girls endured some difficult injury hardships to win their fourth consecutive league championship and a trip to the regionals,” said Coach Peterson. “It was a genuine pleasure to coach such a focused and committed group of young ladies who represented Cascade Christian and the Lord with grace and dignity.”


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ATHLETICS

Growing and WinningSenior Josh Crager Sees Hard Work and Lots of Support as Keys to Success

For the last 12 years of his life, Josh Crager has been working hard developing his love of wrestling. Now, the Cascade Christian Senior has been crowned the 1A State Champion for the 132-pound weight class. In fact, this is Crager’s third State Champion title, having previously won the title his freshman and sophomore years respectively.

Starting when he was only six-years-old at his dad’s encouragement, Crager, now 18, said it wasn’t always fun. In fact, he found it tough and tiring. As time wore on, Crager found his hard work paying off and around the age of 10 began winning consistently.

“I think the key for me was that my dad didn’t over-push me,” Crager said. “Now to be the state champion for my weight class again, well, it honestly feels amazing!”

Crager enrolled at Cascade Christian for his freshman year of high school. He said his parents wanted him to have a better education, and he feels that mission was accomplished.

“This school has certainly prepared me for college,” he explained. “But it is more than that. Here I can talk openly about my faith. The teachers are always willing to help on anything, academic or spiritual. Being open about your faith is important because being hidden is never fun.”

In his previous years on the wrestling team, Crager said he would probably be described as quiet. But this year he found himself changing and it was for the better.

“I really don’t know exactly what happened, he said. “Something just clicked for me this year and I felt more of a call to be a servant leader. I found myself going outside my comfort zone to help newer wrestlers become better.”

He credits several people with helping him put everything together this year. Two teachers in particular, Michelle Suiter and Bryan Peterson, as well as his wrestling coach this year Chris Dicugno, have helped pave the path for the normally quiet student to step into more of a leadership role.

“In Mrs. Suiter’s Leadership class, she has been so open about her faith and helping us find our strengths. She daily shows us how to be a leader,” he said. “I have Mr. Peterson for Bible and we have had some great class discussions about what being a true leader is.”

Crager said he feels it is important for him to pay it forward because so many people have invested time into him. He added that his time at Cascade Christian has helped him be less selfish, and to realize others’ needs should come before his own.

“I am trying really hard to see others through the eyes of God,” he said. “But even in my senior year, I still have teachers and coaches investing their time in me to help me be better.”

He explained he often wrestles in practice against his coach, who normally wrestles a different weight class, because his coach is pushing him

athletically to be a better compet i to r. On the mat, his coach shows him different set-ups for holds and situations he might e n c o u n t e r . But off the mat, he said

his coach is great at individualizing instruction.

“He helps me by giving me what I need at that moment,” Crager expressed. “He coaches everyone differently based on what they need and that makes a huge difference, at least for me.”

With a solid track-record of wrestling and academic wins behind him, Crager is setting his sights on Doane College in Nebraska, where he will begin attending this fall on a wrestling scholarship.

“I think my years of working hard in wrestling and school have prepared me for college and I am excited,” he explained. “I have learned over my life that you can work hard, past what you think your limits are, and that there is a huge reward for working hard - even when you think the coaches and teachers aren’t looking.

“Because the truth is,” he continued, “God is always watching.”

“I am trying really hard to see others

through the eyes of God. ”


16 17

ALumNi PROFiLE

“To Us It’s a Partnership”Alumni Return as Parents, Business Partners

Once friends in a high school Physical Education class, Justin and Codi Howell have now returned to Cascade Christian as parents.

Their five-year-old daughter, Anna, is enrolled in preschool at the Fredrickson campus and Codi, whose maiden name was Field, said the choice for her schooling was a simple one.

“For us, the decision to choose Cascade feels like we are coming home,” Codi said. She graduated from CCHS in 2007 and her husband is a 2006 alum.

“We love that Anna won’t ever see school, education, and church as ‘separate’,” Codi explained. “But that she will always learn that everything we do comes back to Him and that everything comes from Him.”

The Howell’s also love the fact that Anna and their other children will be able to experience the same ‘family’ support they once received. In addition to Anna, the couple also has a daughter, Emelyn, who passed away, a two-year-old son, Levi, and another baby girl due in June.

“Cascade is truly unlike anything else,” Codi said. “To us it’s a partnership of family, church, and school, and we couldn’t imagine raising and training our children within a better village.”

After their graduation from Cascade Christian, the Howells’ life path has been a busy one. Justin spent six years in the Army and served two deployments in Afghanistan. He currently works for Boeing while attending flight school. Codi spent two years at Pacific Lutheran university, but found herself having trouble deciding on a major.

She decided to become a mom and said that is ultimately where she found her calling and her passion. After their second daughter passed away, she started her own business, FIT4MOM, (a new CCS Business Partner) in October 2010. Her business specializes in fitness programs for every stage of motherhood. It also offers support and education for moms to help them achieve their ultimate potential, both physically and emotionally. She is currently a personal trainer who specializes in pre-and post-natal fitness.

“I can say I have truly found what I was meant to do, and I enjoy empowering moms with all of the tools needed to physically, emotionally, and mentally feel successful as a mom,” Codi explained. “I also love that I get to spend every minute with my sweet babies and still live out my passion and give back to our community as well.”

While it is easy for Codi to bask in the joy she feels currently, she is mindful of how her time at CCS prepared her for path after graduation.

“So often we focus on ‘what’s next’ and just getting school over with,” Codi said offering her advice to current Cascade

Christian students. “They really need to try and enjoy the season they are currently in. I would encourage them to slow down and take the time to prayerfully take in all the life lessons, challenges, and joys in front of them. It will only make the next season of their life much more special and enjoyable because you never know what is around the corner.”

“Our kids grow up faster than we’d like,” she continued. “The greatest gift we can offer them is ourselves through our time, our thoughts, and the wisdom we have learned through our experiences.”

As for prospective families, Codi explained that she would strongly encourage the families to consider Cascade Christian - mainly because CCS truly wants a partnership between school and home.

“If they choose Cascade Christian, they will not regret it,” she said. “If parents can be involved in the process of educating their children at home and at school, that commitment will pay off.”

“ To us it’s a partnership of family, church, and school.”


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CASCADE FuND

Impact Auction ReviewNumber of attendees: 300

Number of volunteers: more than 40

Number of live auction items: 22

Number of silent auction items: 140 (includes online auction)

Amount raised: More than $150,000

Amount raised for 21st Century Education through Fund-a-Need: More than $60,000

Join us at the 2014 Cougar ClassicSeptember 2014 at High Cedars Golf Course

Watch the CCS web site for more information.

May 2014: Creative Arts MonthWatch for more information regarding how you can support the arts district-wide at Cascade Christian Schools.


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Thank you to our 2013-14 Business Partners!


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cascade chronicle 2013-14 issue 2

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