2020 Winter Scepter

SCS HIGHLIGHTS
WINTER 2019
New Mascot Warrior Spirit Rises!
Middle School News GoGo Mondays
Staff Stories Why I Teach
Alumni Conversations
Warrior Life SCS Students On The Move
Farewells & Welcomes

inside this issue 1st Day of School
Ceremony – students
Elementary News 4 and staff gathered
Middle School News 7 to celebrate a new
High School News 7 school year!
Warrior Mascot 8
Fall Sports 10
Performing Arts 12
Staff Stories 14
Fundraising 16
Golf Classic 17
Warrior Life 18
Alumni 21
New Board Members 22
Gratitude 23

our mission

We proclaim Jesus Christ in all
aspects of our program, emphasizing
academic excellence and biblical
Christian values, partnering with
parents and the church to prepare
godly young men and women so
that they may impact their world for
Christ. (Colossians 1:28)

a d m i n i s t r at i o n
Laird Leavitt, Superintendent
Chad McNatt, Elementary Principal
Matt Althoff, Middle School Principal
Lauren Anderson, High School Principal
board of trustees
Chris Glynn, President
Richard Mullen, Vice President
Dani Yorkston, Secretary
Debbie Beck, Treasurer
Andrew Busz, Member
Cyrus Mafi, Member

follow us
Seattle Christian School

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from the superintendent

Winter Greetings!

As I exited Holy Rosary Cathedral after the recent SCS Christmas Choral
Concert, I was struck by the way this event captures much of
what makes Seattle Christian such a special school.

Worship – People are created to worship. To tie

their hearts and souls to something or someone
greater than themselves. The Seattle Christian
community worships the Triune God of Scripture.
He is central to all we do as a school. Each class is
taught with Him in mind. Every sport is coached
with Him in view. Relationships are built from His
perspective as we support what He is doing in each-
others’ lives.

Community – People are built for community. The give and take

of SCS relationships are soul-shaping and safe. Alumni, parents, peers,
grandparents, friends, faculty, and staff took time out of their busy lives
to attend the concert and breathe life into the SCS community. A unique
community that provides strength during the darker valleys of life as well
as a place to share God’s blessings.

Gifting – People enjoy excellence. Whether it be professional athletes

or Pulitzer Prize winning authors, we love the experience of seeing or
hearing someone use their gifts well. It probably gives us joy because
we see the glimpses of the Perfect One in the gifts He has given to those
around us. This concert was a great example of how SCS’s comprehensive
curricular and co-curricular program gives students dozens of
opportunities to use God’s gifts for His glory and the benefit of others.

Servants – People love being served. We deeply appreciate a person

who uses their valuable time and energies for our benefit. While the
parents, grandparents and friends who came to the concert certainly
pour their hearts and souls into the growth of their SCS students; we
would be amiss to forget the sacrificial and sacred service of the SCS
faculty, staff, and coaches who have made it their life’s passion to serve
the children, early adolescents and young adults who attend Seattle
Christian School.
Seattle Christian lives into these essentials every day. Warriors lean on
and support one another. We turn our attentions to worship and follow
the Lord in our collective and individual lives. The school is designed
to provide students with a wide variety of opportunities to grow in
their their faiths, gifts, and passions. And the people of SCS truly enjoy
serving one another. Thank you for being a part of this life-giving
community.
May the Lord bless your family as you celebrate our Savior’s birth and
welcome the New Year!

Laird Leavitt
Superintendent

Page 3

Elementary News

Junior
Achievement
This past November, SCS Elementary had the opportunity debit and credit with her older sister. Loved it! I hope it
to partner with Junior Achievement and Alaska Air to happens every year.” In one fourth grade classroom, a
host “JA in a Day” for Kindergarten through sixth grade Junior Achievement volunteer asked the class if they knew
students. Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization what a profit was, and the student answered “a messenger
who just celebrated their 100-year anniversary in 2019. from God.” Although not exactly what the facilitator was
Their programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship, looking for, it’s always good to hear students sharing their
and financial literacy in the classroom. Both parents and Bible knowledge!
Alaska Air community volunteers were trained to take It was such a blessing to have 19
over a classroom for a day, sharing their own expertise in volunteers willing to spend
combination with Junior Achievement curriculum. the day in our classrooms.
Structured to be highly hands-on and based in real- We hope to see more JA
world concepts, the curriculum engaged students to make at SCS in the years to
connections between their learning and future careers. come.
Kindergarteners learned the importance of spending,
saving, and donating to the community, creating their
own banks as a concrete representation. In second grade,
students discussed the difference between needs and
wants. They had the opportunity to simulate a donut
shop, learning about the efficiencies of an assembly line
and working together. Intermediate students discussed
the global economy and analyzed their own strengths in
future careers and as potential entrepreneurs.
SCS third grade parent, Angelique Hunt, had this to say,
“I was blown away by the information my child brought
home. She was able to share the difference between

Page 4

Sixth Grade Life Elementary School News
Has It’s Perks!

At Seattle Christian, 6th grade is both the culmination of the
elementary years as well as the transition year in preparation
for middle school and beyond. Our commitment is that
6th graders be able to fully experience this pivotal year
as learners, leaders, and citizens. For 2019-20, 6th grade
highlights include: expanded learning experiences with
field trips, service opportunities, cross-curricular projects,
and elective exploration; increased servant leadership
opportunities with Student Council, Barnabas groups,
and reading buddies; and overall, deepened citizenship
responsibilities with intentional development in character,
relationships, communication, and digital citizenship.

Student Council

In zooming in on the experience of 6th grade, servant
leadership in particular comes to mind. Student Council,
for example, is made up of six elected officers that meet
every week to plan spirit days and events, dialogue about
school culture, sharpen one another as leaders, read
Scripture and pray together. It’s a wonderful opportunity
to become examples in the school. In Barnabas groups, all
6th graders work in pairs to facilitate small groups of K-5
students about every six weeks, learn more about each other,
and challenge each student to become #WarriorStrong.
As reading buddies, 6th graders regularly connect with
primary students to read with them and build relationships.
In preparation for next school year, 6th graders are already
taking steps to begin capturing the key focal points of
middle school at Seattle Christian: Belong, Explore, and
Connect. One example is 6th graders joined middle
schoolers in December on a GoGo Monday, traveling to
various destinations in the community to learn and serve.
As we invest in the hearts and skills of our 6th graders, we
strive to point to the Lord in every aspect of our program
so that ultimately, these young people may “impact their
world for Christ.”

Page 5

Middle School News

Belong. . . Explore . . .

When looking back on the middle school
years, many would describe their experience

Connect.as awkward, uncomfortable and challenging.
SCS is working to change this narrative by
developing a middle school program characterized by
strong friendships, exciting opportunities and in-depth businesses and organizations, community-building activi-
learning experiences. ties, and hands-on learning. Visits to the Boeing Plant in
Everett, UW Athletic Facility, community building at Des
This year, SCS began an exciting season in our middle Moines Creek Park, Valley View Early Learning Center,
school, tying our students’ SCS experience to three critical Costco and more have taken students on a unique learning
needs of a middle school student: journey.

1. The need to BELONG – Students need to be known Students return to campus on GoGo Mondays with a
and celebrated for the unique individuals God wide variety of takeaways. Many students are excited to
created them to be. talk about a school or a workplace they didn’t even know
existed. Other students come back happy to have made a
2. The need to EXPLORE – Students need to exper- difference for people in our neighborhood. Students return
ience the world outside of home, school, and church knowing the company they visited is (or is not) the kind
so they know what opportunities are available to of company they want to work for when they get older.
them. Often, they come back with a real, tangible experience
that ties to work they are doing in class. Each response is
3. The need to CONNECT – Students need to see the valuable, as it shows our students belonging, exploring,
relationship between their school learning, their and connecting in meaningful ways.
personal experiences, and the world around them. When our Warriors look back on middle school one day,
they will remember it as a time of embracing their unique
In an effort to help meet these needs, SCS launched gifts, serving alongside their friends and teachers and
“GoGo Mondays”. 7th and 8th graders venture off campus embarking on a lifelong passion for learning.
on Monday afternoons, for a variety of opportunities
including: college visits, service projects, tours of local

Page 6

High School News

Students Dig Deep in AP Literature

By Annie Disher “ AP Literature has helped me to

HS Language Arts, AP Literature, English Department Chair intelligently write essays in a way that I
completely understand. By taking this
When the scholars in my AP English Literature and Composition challenging class at SCS, I’ll be well
course receive a final draft back from me, it is drizzled in blue ink, but
after the initial shock wears off, my seniors get down to the business prepared for college level courses and
of reflecting: What did I do well in this essay? What elements of ”beyond.
writing do I want to work on in the next essay? What notes do have I – Reiss, SCS Senior
have for myself? After I returned an essay in which my students used
C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity as a lens through which to analyze the
moral issues in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s psychological novel Crime and
Punishment, one AP scholar was pleasantly surprised by his grade.
He’d chosen AP to challenge himself, and he was working hard to
rise to the challenge. As his note to himself on his final draft, he
wrote, “You haven’t been good at essays in the past, but this year is
the year.”
In AP, we drive ourselves hard, but we also make lots of fun – of
the text, of the world, of ourselves. Another essayist, one who came
into my class with an already strong writing voice, teased herself in
her reflection, “English grammar matters. Proofread.” Whether it is
reminding each other to add page numbers or volleying back and
forth in a discussion of whether or not Hamlet is clinically insane,
these students work to refine their skills and dig deep into each text’s
“MOWAW,” the meaning of the work as a whole. As one student
wrote recently in her blog analyzing Aristophanes’ ancient Greek
comedy Lysistrata, “It’s crazy how much more you notice when
you’re really looking for it!”
Personally, I appreciate most the moments when students realize
that they are learning, when a classmate asks, “Why, why, why?” and
a student says, “Maybe this…maybe that…OH! THAT’S IT!” Every
year, I learn new things from my students, even in the texts I’ve read
many times. Every year, students think in new ways, but always, as
Lewis would put it, going “further up and further in.”

commended student

Jonathan Schaller

Congratulations to Jonathan Schaller who has been recognized as a
Commended Student through the 2020 National Merit Scholarship
Corporation! “Commended Students are being recognized for the
exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding
performance on the qualifying test used for program entry.” His score has
placed him in the top 5% out of 1.5 million students who took the PSAT
exam last October.

Page 7

WARRIOR SPIRIT RISE

MascotWITH A NEW

By senior Rachel Minami
Have you noticed anything new on the windows and walls of the SCS
campus? Or perhaps something new on our spirit gear? Maybe even
on the SCS athletic jerseys? Now standing proudly above the school
entrance is a new Warrior logo, a representative of SCS that has been
over 70 years in the making. As Seattle Christian’s first ever true warrior
logo, the SCS Public Relations team put in months of work to create a
logo that would unify all those who are a part of the Seattle Christian
community and be a symbol of the strength that we all find in Christ.
Marketing and Communications Assistant Keri Welch says “A mascot is
usually seen as a caricature that spurs on competition and camaraderie.
Our Warrior mascot is so much more than that, speaking to who we
are as individuals even outside the walls of SCS. As an alum, being a
Warrior is about more than high school memories for me. It grounds me
in my identity in Christ, a Warrior who strives to live by the values of
integrity, perseverance and faithfulness.” Finally, all members
of the SCS family can be united under the common symbol
of the Warrior.
SCS senior and varsity basketball player AJ Vanderley tells
us, “As an athlete and Seattle Christian School “lifer,” finally
having a logo is a cool feeling. Seeing the Warrior logo
around our school and on our basketball jerseys is new
and exciting!”
To be a Seattle Christian Warrior means being
part of a group of believers who lead in their
communities, serving Christ and each other.
Being a warrior means fighting the good fight,
as the Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:7 and putting
on the full armor of God, as we are commanded
in Ephesians 6. As Christians we are called to
impact the world for Christ and clothe ourselves
with the attributes of God. It’s our hope that this
new Warrior logo will be a representative of SCS
values wherever we go – in the halls, on the court,
and in our communities.

Page 8

ES

“ To be a Seattle Christian Warrior

means being part of a group of believers
who lead in their communities, serving

”Christ and each other.

Page 9

awards and highlights

volley ball

WIAA Distinguished Scholastic Award

Scholar Athletes – Kyra Goodspeed, Ellie Mae Haynie, Alexandra Hochhalter, Alexa Moormeier,
Justyce Porter, Rachel Samson, Palmira Scarsella, Krista Traynor, Kelsey Wieland

Mighty in Spirit – Ellie Mae Haynie (Varsity) / Payton Cowan (JV)

high school All League – 2nd Team – Alexandra Hochhalter

cross country

Nisqually League Sportsmanship Award (Boys & Girls)

WIAA Outstanding Scholastic Award (Varsity Girls/JV Boys)

WIAA Distinguished Scholastic Award (Varsity Boys)
Scholar Athletes – Alexander Beck, Graham Buyagawan,
Sawyer Buyagawan, Karsten Gibson, Riess Magee, Jackson
Oldright, Aaron Olson, Joshua Pangilinan, Drew Seiler, Taryn
Stadler, Macy Vinther, Brayden Vreugdenhil, Claire Zellerhoff

Mighty in Spirit –
Macy Vinther

All League – State
1st Team – participant
Macy Vinther Macy Vinther

All League –
2nd Team –
Karsten Gibson,
Grant Wood,
Drew Seiler,
Taryn Stadler

Page 10

middle school

cross country

Mighty in Spirit – Sarah Bailey

volleyball

Mighty in Spirit – Madison Davenport (Varsity),
Sophia Ramos-Kuehl (JV)

boys soccer

Mighty in Spirit – Michael Rulffes

Fall Athletics

Page 11

Elementary Program ArtsP E R F O R M I N G
Fall Highlights

Page 12 Secondary Instrumental
Concert

“ Being a part of SCS Vision was the best decision I could make. “

TheaterI’m singing alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ while working as a team.

I’ve grown so much as a musician, a friend, a Christian and I have
developed as a leader through my experience in this amazing program at SCS.

– Halle, SCS Senior

Choral Concert

Page 13

Secondary Math Kindergarten

Jimmy Debbie
Creek Ruffcorn

I wasn’t raised in a Christian home. I remember being When the morning bell rings, and I round the corner to see
taught about karma, reincarnation, multiple gods…a little of sweet Kindergarteners eager to walk into my classroom every
everything. When I got to high school, everything changed day, I am reminded why I teach. It is all about fresh starts in
and I started looking for something bigger than myself. That life! Jesus promises us a daily fresh start, and I get to put this
led me to youth group where I learned about Jesus for the truth into practice with the youngest members of our Seattle
first time and eventually I went on a mission trip to Mexico, Christian Community. The beauty of Kindergarten is that no
where I gave my life to Christ. Ever since then, God whispered matter what may have happened the day before (friendships
in my ear, guiding me towards teaching as a career. tested with bruised feelings or bumps at recess, discipline),
today holds a newness and happy expectations for showing
I went to school to become a teacher and began student and sharing God’s love with each other.
teaching at a high school near where I lived. That time
brought some of the most challenging experiences of my life I was drawn to teaching when my little girl entered preschool
and it made me question my calling from the Lord. However, at a small Christian school, and I helped in her classroom.
while in prayer over what I should do with my life, someone I enjoyed the interconnectedness of academic, social and
happened to mention Seattle Christian. I knew of it because spiritual lessons, and I noticed when children feel loved and
one of my best friends had gone there and so I checked it ‘seen’ by their teachers, they are empowered to take bigger
out online. It turned out they had an opening in the math learning risks. I went back to college to become certified to
department! The rest was history. I began teaching at SCS teach after a few years working at the little Christian school
the next year and have loved every second of it. and fell in love with having my own room full of students each
year. I use a lot of common sense as I help children learn how
I believe that a Christian Educator has a unique calling, to learn. Every child gets a chance to discover something and
getting the privilege to teach and to mentor all at once, share knowledge – I don’t give all the answers. It is exciting
conforming themselves and those they mentor into the to see how friends teach each other!
image of Christ. My teaching follows that pattern, trying to
put students and my relationship with them first, while still I have been teaching at Seattle Christian School for nine
holding a high standard in the classroom. It has been a joy to wonderful years, and it brings me joy to see students I have
call this place home! been privileged to teach become poised, confident and godly
as they move up the ranks into intermediate elementary,
middle school and high school. God is moving in their
lives. This school is special, and any teacher, staff member,
Why parent and student can feel it when they walk our halls or
pop into classrooms and offices. Our goal is the same…to be
an authentic testimony for Christ and a beacon of light in the
world. I love my commission.

Page 14 I Teac

Spanish Secondary Electives, Robotics

Rebecca Dave
Vargas Orona

Dios es fiel. God is faithful. At times life does not go as we Knowing I was always a child of God, my actual walk
have hoped or planned, but that does not mean God does with the Lord began in 1996 when I met my wife, Debbie,
not have a perfect plan. I accepted Christ at a middle school and on December 19th, 1996, at 7:13 pm and it was Deb's
camp but it wasn’t until I went on a mission trip in college love, patience, and faith pulled me back to God. Her
to Argentina that I really made my faith my own. Since then, encouragement led me to begin praying, reading the Bible,
life has been an amazing journey of ups and downs, but God and attending church. The light I saw, and still see, within
continues to prove Himself faithful. Highlights have been Deb, motivated me to change and seek a relationship with
teaching high school Spanish these past 19 years at Seattle God.
Christian and taking students on mission trips to Mexico, What made me want to become a teacher? Looking back to
Peru, Spain, Guatemala, Paraguay & Puerto Rico. Seeing my high school years, one teacher made such a significant
the students use their Spanish in real life cultural situations impact in my life during a time when I felt isolated from the
while serving God is such a tremendous privilege. people around me and worked hard to push other people
away. At the start of my junior year, I walked into Mr.
I fell in love with Spanish when I studied abroad in Mexico Ancheta's classroom for the first time. He was so different
while in college. When I stand in front of my classes I come from other teachers, and men, I had known up to that
alive. The passion God has placed in me is evident in my point. Mr. Ancheta worked very hard to establish a positive
enthusiasm to teach Spanish. I try my very best to only relationship with me, pushing through the defenses I worked
speak Spanish in class challenging the students to immerse so hard to maintain. At that time, he was the first positive
themselves in the language. What I love most about teaching male role model in my life. Spending time with Mr. Ancheta,
at Seattle Christian is that I can use the Bible, prayer, and I came to realize the impact a teacher can have in the life
worship songs in Spanish to introduce and use the language of a troubled and lost young man. The time he took and
while proclaiming His truth. My biggest delight is seeing the relationship we had, are what motivated me to pursue
students fall in love with the language and culture. education as a career path.
I can honestly say that God opened the door to my path to
I attend a Spanish speaking church, where I met my husband, Seattle Christian. Previously teaching in the Puyallup School
who was a widower, and I adopted his three children from District, they had some significant cuts for faculty which led
Mexico in 2007. God later walked with me through some to a search for a new home. After much consternation and
very difficult years when I experienced 6 miscarriages. I prayer, I felt compelled to call Washington FIRST Robotics,
clung to God to be my strength even while being so broken. asking if they were aware of any schools in need of a teacher
I now have an energetic 3-year-old daughter and a sweet and Robotics coach. As God would have it, Mr. Leavitt and
11-month old son with Down Syndrome; who had open SCS called Washington FIRST Robotics the same week.
heart surgery at one month old. Is left-handed a teaching style? I feel like I do things a bit
differently and thanks to Mr. Ancheta's impact, I believe it
God continues to amaze me as he writes my story and I am is important to build relationships with students and learn
so thankful that He has about their needs. I work very hard to adapt what I do in
class. To meet the needs of my students, I must be flexible
achme here at Seattle and willing to move outside my comfort zone, to create an
Christian. Our appropriate learning environment for each class. I highly
God truly is value student feedback and frequently ask for it, then adjust
faithful all how I set up lessons and interactions to reach students. I am
the time. thrilled to be a part of the SCS family.

Page 15

Because of YOU!

The beautiful hope we cherish during this season “ ”
is the same expectant joy and hopefulness we “Why do I love the SCS community? They are like a
have in the Lord’s important work at SCS. In
18 short months, Seattle Christian School will family to me and offer any support I need. They
embark on our 75th Anniversary, celebrating make it possible so I can use my gifts in producing
years of a rich, Christ-centered educational and creating videos. I am happy to express and share
experience for Puget Sound families. Through these gifts with others. The teachers and counselors,
the decades, thousands of students have been through their love for Christ, challenge me to give
greatly impacted for the sake of Christ and have my best effort in the work I do. Being an athlete at
called SCS “home.” SCS has showed me how to be a strong team player
and shine the light of Christ to other teammates.
Freshman Moriah Wagoner, attending Seattle Through many experiences at SCS so far, I feel well
Christian since the first-grade, and currently prepared for my remaining high school years as I
assisting the SCS PR Department with producing grow closer to my friends and experience all the
videos for school events and activities, shares plans God has for me.
how SCS has nurtured her purpose-filled path
and passions. Moriah Wagoner

It is financial partners like you who make it
possible for students to embark on a full SCS
experience, just like Moriah and receive the
resources necessary for an exceptional Christ-
centered education. Thank you for your prayers
and partnership as the Lord continues to guide
and direct Seattle Christian School.

Your support
truly matters!

Ways you can support SCS with your tax-deductible gift:

• Online: www.seattlechristian.org/supportSCS
• Giving envelope provided in this magazine
• Contact Carol Ridings, SCS Development Manager at 206-438-5409

Page 16

SCS Golf Classic Fall Highlights

On September 5, friends of Seattle Christian gathered at SCS extends deep gratitude to our golfers and alumni
beautiful Meridian Valley Country Club for the 31st Annual participants, 41 sponsors, volunteers and SCS staff who
SCS Golf Classic. What a blessing to have 120 golfers and a made this premier tournament possible. Through this
great day of fellowship and fundraising for students. This year’s generous and giving community, SCS raised $81,000
highlights included the Alumni Prize Drawing (featuring the directed to vital programs that benefit each and every
NEW SCS Warrior), the Mega Putt competition and Know student’s rich educational experience at SCS.
Your Hole Sponsors contest featuring 19 Hole Sponsors for
this year’s event.

TOURNAMENT SPONSORS

Course Sponsor – Oak Harbor Freight Lines
Dinner Sponsor – Motor Oil Supply
Clothing Sponsor – FAR Family Foundation
Cart Sponsor – INCO Properties
Lunch Sponsor – Bellmont Cabinet Co.
Driving Range Sponsor – Affinity Truck Sponsor
Chipping Contest Sponsor – Paradigm Financial Corp
Beverage Cart Sponsors – SeaTac Spine & Wellness & Wells Fargo
Hole-in-One Sponsor – Bowen Scarff Ford/Lincoln Mercury
Grand Prize Sponsor – El Gaucho

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Cummins NW
Freightliner Northwest
Northwest Asphalt
Oak Hills Construction
OSI Digital
Pacific Office Automation
Peterson Sullivan LLP
Prime Electric
RWC Group
Umpqua Bank
USI Insurance Services

HOLE SPONSORS

Continental Hardwood Co.

Cornerstone Home Lending

Entrance Controls

Edward Jones/Phillip Ussery
Gangon Insurance Agency

With gratitude,Hellriegel Foto
thank you sponsors!Henderson Masonry, Inc.

Hoover Homes, Inc.

Jonson & Jonson, P.S.

Koester Landscape Management

Lithocraft Printing

Peninsula Truck Lines save
Reach Local the date
R.E.S. Graphics
Spirit 105.3 Sept. 10,
TEC Equipment 2020
Vander Pol & Zager, CPA
Vanguard Cleaning

VOYA Financial Page 19

4th Grade Field Trip - Elementary Robotics (FLL) competing
Salmon Hatchery at their December competition.

Grandparents Day College and
Career Fair

Serving the SCS Staff

Building on th

All-School BBQ

Page 18

Kindergarten Field Trip Fun HS Spirit Week

L i f ehe Rock. Middle School Cooking Class
Matthew 7:24
Middle School Retreat
Middle School Discipleship

L i f eBuilding on the Rock.
Matthew 7:24
Red & White

Red & White Spirit Week
Twin Day

Running Club

Veterans Day
Chapel

Prayer

See You at The Pole! Middle School Art
Veterans Day Chapel

ashley ‘01 kevin ‘11
ott botka

“W-A-R-R-IORS!” This was the battle cry I heard fill the gym I had the privilege of attending Seattle Christian starting
as the boys and girls basketball teams fought hard against in kindergarten in 1998 until graduating in 2011. I am
some of our deepest rivals on the court. We were proclaiming incredibly thankful for all of the teachers, coaches, mentors
that we are here to see victory and we are not backing down. and friends who helped me form who I am and prepare me
for life after SCS.
Seattle Christian taught me that this
was to be my battle cry as I journeyed from the I attended Biola University in Southern California, where
I studied Cinema & Media Arts. There I met my wife
“halls of SCS. Anna Grace Botka, and together we started our own video
and animation studio. We have created explainer videos,
2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “The weapons we fight with are not commercials, concert visuals, and documentaries for
clients all across the country and even internationally. We
”the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine now work from home in Denver, Colorado.

power to demolish strongholds.” SCS provided many opportunities for me to grow. Whether
During my Junior year at SCS, Intercession was introduced. I creatively in music, art, sports and drama or in leadership
chose to go on a mission trip to Belize. Little did I know this abilities with ASB and mentorship. SCS also prepared me
trip would change my life. I fell in love with the people and spiritually with incredible Bible teachers who introduced
the country of Belize and I was invited back for the summer. me to rich theological concepts and how to worship God
On July 23, 2000, I delivered, well I caught a baby in my shirt with my mind, which gave me a leg up going into college.
in the same village. It was that day that God called me to be
a medical missionary. “I am thankful for how the community at
Almost 20 years later, I am a missionary nurse to Belize. I have
started an organization, Hummingbird Medical Resources, SCS invested in me for decades and look forward
which brings medical supplies as well as volunteer medical to seeing how God will use what I learned there
teams to serve. I reconnected with the “baby” I delivered,
and his parents have given me a plot of land in the village to ”for years to come.
build a home health outreach and resource building.
In addition, being the older brother to Bryan (class of
I have faced many strongholds and obstacles on this journey, ‘15) and Tyler (class of ‘21), it is neat to see how God has
and I know I will face more. I fight with a warrior’s heart. continued to bless SCS long after my time there.
Seattle Christian gave me the spiritual hand to hand combat
training. Thank you SCS!

Page 21

SCS WELCOMES

New Board Members
Seattle Christian is blessed to have committed, Christ-focused leaders serving on
our Board of Trustees. Join us in welcoming the three newest members who will
serve five-year terms prayerfully leading and guiding SCS. Their passion for the
mission of Seattle Christian is evident as they faithfully serve Warrior families and
the community.

Richard Mullen

Vice President

Richard and his wife Lauren have two children attending SCS
in elementary. He is an entrepreneur who has built and runs his
company Richards Too Good Products LLC. This is alongside being
the program manager for the Multiethnic family support network,
through the Arc Of King County. He and his wife are members of the
Board Leadership Council within their congregation at Reach Church
in Kirkland. Richard is passionate about uniting communities and
improving systems, that will in return produce fruitful outcomes.

Dani Yorkston

Secretary

Dani is a Seattle Christian alum. She and her husband James have
two children attending elementary at SCS. They attend Highlands
Community Church in Renton. Dani sits on the board of the
Washington Officials Association. She is passionate about impacting
the lives of athletes through coaching and officiating. She coached
cheerleading at Seattle Christian for 11 years. She has been a
cheerleading official for 10 years, serving as Vice President of her local
association officials’ board.

Andrew Busz

Member

Andy Busz is the Financial Policy Director for the Washington State
Hospital Association. He and his wife Erika have two children. Their
daughter is a 2018 graduate of SCS and their son is a SCS junior. Andy
and Erika have previously served on a private school advisory board
along with other volunteer work at their church. The Busz family
attends All Souls Presbyterian church in West Seattle.

Also serving on the Board are President Chris Glynn, Treasurer Debbie Beck, and Member Cyrus Mafi.
Seattle Christian would like to offer deep gratitude to recent Board members whose service ended
this past school year. Alumni parents, Jack Childress, Sue-Ann Hohimer, Kellie McGuire and Mike
Shimasaki, all offered their gifts and expertise to the Board.
We welcome your prayers for the Board as they continue to seek the Lord’s direction for His school. May
God’s will be done at SCS and may His love be evident in our unity as a community.

Page 22

Reflections on A Christian Life

Stephanie Uyleman

A Note of Gratitude to the SCS Community

Joyce, a mentor of mine, passed away from cancer in 2005. While in the hospital,
she prayed to God that He would allow her to save one more soul for him before she
went home to heaven. Joyce emulated a Christ-like life, resulting in many coming
to know Jesus. Those who already knew Jesus, knew him more because of her.
When I was diagnosed with leukemia this year, I remember praying to God, with
a convicted heart, asking if anyone came to know Jesus or know him more because
of me. I doubt I will know the answer until I get to heaven, but what I do know
is as a Christian, I am to reflect Christ in all I do. When I have the opportunity, I
need to do good to all people, especially those who belong to the household of faith
(Galatians 6:10).
Since my diagnosis and after my healing, my Seattle Christian family has displayed
Christ’s characteristics. Many gave generously to help pay for my medical bills and
monthly expenses. Many gave generously of their time to take me to appointments
and visit me in the hospital and my home. Many selflessly served by helping my
sister clean my home before I was discharged from the hospital. Out of compassion,
many earnestly prayed for my healing and sent encouraging cards and gifts.
I will always be grateful for those who have walked and continue to walk alongside
me during my journey. Because of their Christ-like love, I know Jesus more.

In LovingMemory

Linda Vander Pol

Beloved community member, Linda Vander Pol, went
home to be with the Lord on Nov. 6. Linda was a
longtime servant at SCS volunteering for many school
events and activities. She and her husband Dave had
three sons attend and graduate from Seattle Christian
– Henry (’98), John (’01) and Eric (’02). As a family
member of the rich legacy of Seattle Christian’s
humble beginnings, through her father-in-law and
founding member, Henry Vander Pol, SCS holds deep
gratitude for Linda’s spirit of generosity, the gift of her
time spent at SCS and devotion to her family. Linda
committed herself to a life of service to her Savior and
will be greatly missed.

Page 23

www.seattlechristian.org Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Seattle Christian School Association PAID
18301 Military Road South Seattle, WA
SeaTac, Washington 98188
Permit No. 6781
Phone 206-246-8241 / Fax 206-246-9066
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

SCS
Auction
& Dinner

Saturday
March 21, 2020

Join us for an evening
of fellowship, fun and
fundraising!

SCS welcomes Mark Schenfeld,
Auctioneer, Stokes Auction Group
Catered Dinner provided by
Café Pacific – celebrating 30 years
of exceeding client expectations

Helping students Discover
their Path and Purpose!