OCS Basketball Homecoming
Jan. 30 - Feb. 4, 2011

HS Basketball vs. Mount Saint Mary HS at OCS-HOMECOMING
Date(s): 02/04/2011
Description: OCS will host Mount Saint Mary HS starting with JV Girls at 4pm followed by JV Boys. Varsity Girls will begin around 6:30pm followed by Varsity Boys.
Time: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 

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Class of 1990
20th High School Reunion!

June 18th & 19th, 2010

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Date: Friday, June 18th
Place: OCS Student Center
Time: 6:00 PM
Meet at the OCS Student Center by the Football Field!
We will reminisce at the OCS Campus and enjoy a BBQ Dinner from Earl's Rib amongst old friends, new additions & favorite faculty!
There will be memorabilia and videos from our glory days, new SAINTS merchandise available to view and purchase, school tours, '80s music and more!
Please bring your whole family!!
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Date: June 19, 2010
Place: Cafe Nova (4308 North Western Avenue OKC, OK 73118)
Time: 7 PM - whenever
We will meet at the swanky Cafe Nova on Western for a divine dinner and a fun evening of reacquainting ourselves with each other.
Souvenirs, music, laughter and new memories to be made.
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Cost: $70 per person
Make Checks payable to:
Heather Hansen
19451 Brookshire Rd
Arcadia, Oklahoma 73007

Patty Miller
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — More than 1,000 Oklahoma Christian School students filled the LifeChurch.tv auditorium Friday as they unveiled the $55,345.55 raised during H.E.R.O.E.S. Week, its annual fundraiser.

“Malaria Bites, Bite Back” was the theme of Hands Extended Reflecting Our Exalted Savior and the students’ purpose was to provide mosquito netting, disease education, prevention and education for the people of Kenya as they battle a malaria epidemic.

The money will be funneled through Compassion International to the 12 churches in and around Meru, Africa. Each treated mosquito net costs $10 and will cover two small children at night.

“Until we do something like this, our Bible education program is just words,” said Headmaster Dallas Caldwell. “This is when the Bible comes alive and our deeds reflect the gospel.”

In the DARE Assembly on Thursday and during the assembly Friday, Student Council sponsor Julie Divilbiss, and Caldwell told the students to understand God knew the amount He needed, and that He would help them raise that amount.

“Little did I know how prophetic those words would be,” Divilbiss said. “After the final assembly (Friday), the Student Council stayed in the auditorium to visit with (two members of Compassion International) and help with some of the stage decorations.

“As Scott Werner was working, he began to think about the $55,000 that had been revealed a few minutes before. Something was strangely familiar about the number.

“He checked his iPhone, began chuckling and called me over. He showed me the e-mail he had received from Compassion International last September regarding the proposed amount that they would need to complete the many projects in and around Meru. Their request was for $55,619.”

The students had nearly hit that mark at $55,345.

Divilbiss laughed and shared the story with the StuCo officers.

“Watching their eyes light up as they realized that God had made a bold statement about being in control, but using his children in such a big way, was priceless,” Divilbiss said. “We’re still thrilled.”

In the past, the school has helped members of the OCS family who have medical needs, have raised money for a Christian school in Haiti and have raised funds for a medical center in Sierra Leone. Altogether, OCS’s mission-focused H.E.R.O.E.S. Week has raised more than $420,000 to benefit the community and world since 2003.



FOR MORE INFORMATION about purchasing mosquito netting, go to www.biteback.net. To donate to the 2009 OCS Heroes Week mission project, e-mail Julie Divilbiss, OCS STUCO Sponsor, at jdivilbiss@ocssaints.org or call her at 341-2265, ext. 3.

 Oklahoma Christian School celebrates 40th anniversary
Patty Miller
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — From a little acorn a mighty oak grows, and so is the story of Oklahoma Christian School, as it grew from a graduating class of 13 seniors to more than 850 students enrolled at this time.

OCS has been teaching its students from a Christian world view for 40 years, and this weekend they are celebrating that anniversary. Activities began Wednesday afternoon with the school’s homecoming parade and will end with a banquet Oct. 24. 

Officials say the school is unique in its approach to education.

“We are passionate, even zealous about teaching a Christian world view,” said Headmaster and President Dallas Caldwell. “We believe that the love of Jesus Christ offers the best life for every OCS student.

“We teach all subjects in the context of faithfulness to God and a responsibility to apply ourselves to honor God. We believe that the heart of education is the education of the heart.”

OCS, originally known as the Christian Center School, opened in the fall of 1970 and operated as an arm of the Christian Conquest Center Church in Oklahoma City.

The church decided to close the school at the end of the 1975 school year. A group of parents and teachers decided the school should continue operating, and in the fall of 1975 the new independent school, Oklahoma Christian Schools Inc., opened.

“When I began, our main campus was in the Assembly of God Church near 37th and Boulevard and across the street in the Nazarene Church,” said Academic Dean Sharon Jones, who has been with the school for 32 years.

“High school students had to cross at the traffic light between classes,” she said. “That was interesting.”

OCS celebrated its first graduating class in 1976 with 13 seniors.

As the enrollment continued to grow, OCS rented church buildings in Edmond, although the school remained unaffiliated.

In 1987, OCS moved to the MetroChurch campus. With approximately 400 students, and for the first time since leaving the Christian Center, the OCS student body of pre-kindergarten through grade 12 was in one location.

Dianne Weber, in her 29th year of teaching kindergarten at OCS, has had the opportunity to teach some of her former kindergarten students’ children.

“OCS is truly a school for our next generation,” Weber said. “It is our mission to partner with families in the development of their children spiritually, academically and socially.”

There have been dramatic changes in the school, said Caldwell, who has been with the school 10 years.

In 2000, MetroChurch merged with LifeChurch. The new church leadership launched a new vision and direction for the church which resulted in OCS being able to purchase much of the land and two of the buildings that had previously been leased. In addition, 15 acres of land were included in the sale agreement, making campus growth a reality. 

“We’ve added a full elementary playground, expanded the lower elementary and doubled the size of our elementary media center,” Caldwell said. “Along with the Student Center, high school renovation and land acquisition we have made over $8 million in campus improvements.”

He added the school has moved up to 11-man football, added 34 SMART Boards, an admission office and director as well as a development office.

Enrollment is good at OCS, Caldwell said, because so many families are passionate about a Christ-centered education. 

“We have vibrant churches in Edmond and there is a commitment to have the school reinforce Christian ethics, values and faith in the school,” Caldwell said. “The service projects of OCS are especially complementary of our mission.”

The school supports the HEROES Week program and in the past has helped people in Sierra Leone and Haiti as well as meeting the medical needs of families within the school.

“Each year we adopt the same elementary school in south OKC and give them a very special Christmas,” Caldwell said. “Food drives following Hurricane Katrina and programs to donate shoes to Africa and coats for the needy are great parts of our school.

“All the while, ACT scores and college preparation feedback all affirm our strong commitment to academic preparation.”

Caldwell said the students take away a consistency of commitment as they have learned to help and encourage one another day by day.

“The students will hopefully take away a world view and character base that will help them to do much more than just make a living one day,” Caldwell said. “We want them to make a life.”

Blake Griffin, Class of '07, was the very first player selected in the 2009 NBA draft.  He was chosen by the Los Angeles Clippers.  Taylor Griffin, Class of '05, was also a number one pick this year.  He was the first college player chosen by the Harlem Globetrotters.  On NBA draft night he was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the second round.

Two of Blake's OCS 2007 classmates, Justin Hitchcock and Wilson Holloway, accompanied him to New York City for the draft.  "The NBA Draft was an incredibly fun and unique experience.  It was a great night for the Griffin family and a pleasure to be alongside Blake and Taylor as they launch their NBA careers," said Justin Hitchcock.

The FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award is annually given to a player, coach or support person in college football who displays courage, on or off the field.  The 2008 recipient is OCS Alum Wilson Holloway (2007), a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Tulsa.  He has battled cancer spring of 2008 when a softball-sized mass was discovered in his chest.  Holloway is remembered at OCS for his great spirit, infectious smile and leadership.  Continue to pray for Wilson and his health.

Getting satire right: Site is a daily show of humor

THETALKINGMIRROR.COM | Wheaton College grads challenge 'humorless' stereotype

In June, the Class of 1989 enjoyed a two-day reunion featuring an OCS family night on campus and then a "red carpet" evening at the Petroleum Club.  The family night included lots of alumni, spouse, children and faculty fun, barbecue fare and campus tours.  At the formal dinner, 1989 graduates and their spouses enjoyed reconnecting in an elegant atmosphere complete with an open microphone sharing favorite high school memories and stories, a slide show compiled by Chad Huffmeyer, school picture decor and party time with the disc jockey.

Those attending the Class of 1989 Reunion were Ashley Kirk Hill, Shelby Lambert, Bobby Petrick, Brooke Johnson Herrin, Jennifer David Johnson, Travis VanHorn, Chad Huffmeyer, Cynthia Morris Jines, Krista Goodyear Massad, William Massad, Stephanie Ermis Bergeron, Pat Duncan, Greg Wright, Marlin Waller, Jennifer Keeney, Susan David Mahadi, Jodi Miller Blackwell, Angela McGinn, David Laws, Harold Clifford, Amanda Lightcap Cannon, Kristi Ericson McCoy, Angel Carter Bates, Cari Cunningham, Jenny Johnson, Greg Ralls, Diane Elizabeth Phares Formby, Robbin Harkey Watson, Kelly Pogue, Shasta Bross, Lance Bross, Mike Messina and Melissa Lynn.

Coordinated by Jason Little and Zach Martin, the Class of 1999 and their families met at OCS for a warm meet and greet, they congregated in the auditorium for a meaningful devotional given by Mr. Hough which was followed by a viewing of the senior video.  OCS Faculty Members, Bob Eckel and Dan Anthony guided a tour of the renovations to the gym and a tour of the new Student Center.  The evening concluded with refreshments in the high school lobby area and then dinner at Johnnie's restaurant.  "For those interested, an unofficial, adults-only gathering was coordinated at a local dining establishment," said Jason Little.  "The attendees enjoyed themselves so much that the last ones there did not leave until after midnight, meaning some of the attendees spent over ten hours together that day in total."

Oklahoma Christian School graduates, Brittany Cross and Jon Thompson, have been named to Top Twenty Freshmen at Oklahoma State University. 

Selection of students, who are now in their sophomore year at OSU, is based upon scholarship, community service, campus involvement and outstanding leadership from their freshman year.

Students will now continue through the interview process from which the Top Ten Freshman Men and Top Ten Freshman Women will be selected. Mortar Board is responsible for choosing students for the Top Ten Freshman Women and the Top Ten Freshman Men.

The Top Ten Freshman Men and Top Ten Freshman Women were formally recognized, along with their families, during a ceremony on Sept.19 in the Willard Living Room on the OSU campus, and later in the day during a ceremony at the OSU football game.

Laura Cooprider ('05) received Oklahoma Baptist University's Outstanding Senior in the School of Nursing.  As a recipient, Cooprider has incorporated caring behaviors in her interactions with clients and colleagues, affirms commitment to the ethical values of the Judeo-Christian beliefs, demonstrates nursing competence, makes a commitment to continuing personal and professional development and assumes the moral and legal responsibility for her own professional nursing practice.

Jason Little, Class of '99

Jason Little, CCIM serves as a senior advisor for Sperry Van Ness specializing in the sale of single-tenant retail and multi-tenant shopping center property in Oklahoma and throughout the Midwest United States. Since joining Sperry Van Ness in October of 2004, Little has exceeded $175 million in total career sales volume.

His career highlights include the sale of the Heritage Park Mall, one of Oklahoma City’s enclosed regional malls, and the sale of the 1 million square foot First National Center, Oklahoma City’s largest office property.

Little was named Sperry Van Ness Rookie of the Year in 2005 and has been a recipient of the Sperry Van Ness Partner’s Circle Award each of his three years with the company. He was also inducted into Class III of The Journal Record Achievers Under 40, making him the youngest recipient in 2006.

Little is a member of the Oklahoma City Commercial Real Estate Council, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and has received designation as a Certified Commercial Investment Member. Little’s community involvement includes: serving on the Advisory Board of Shiloh Summer Camp, whose mission is to transform the inner-city with the love of Christ through sports, arts, and meaningful relationships; participation in the Integris Baptist Medical Center’s Positive Directions mentoring program; mentoring a Fillmore Elementary student; and volunteering at Oklahoma City’s Latino Community Development Agency.

Little graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Central Oklahoma.

He and his wife Wendy celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on September 14, 2008 and currently reside in Oklahoma City.

  Back Row: John Snyder, Skye Holbrook, Sarah Moorman, Mindy Wilson, Andy Burnett, Larry Truesdell, Bob Eckel, Ted Hough Middle Row: Shauna Laummerman, Macy Pope, Lindsey Kendrick, Matt Loeber, Nick Bowen, Mike Mannschreck Front Row: Jay Peck, Chris Thomas, Trey Wince, Nate Heath, Aubree Truesdell, Brian Tate

  From Left: Kelli Brookshire, Mindy Wilson, Sarah Moorman, Skye Holbrook, Kristen Huggins, Aubree Truesdell Day, Lindsey Wilson, Lynnsey Kendrick, Macy Pope, Ashley Andres, David Irons, Sarah Grode, Nate Heath, John Snyder, Brian Tate, Jay Peck Front Row: Trey Wince, Andy Burnett, Ryan Ware

Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Belmont student and author Jennifer Hermansen reads her book "Freddie's Organic Farm" to students at Percy Priest Elementary School on Feb 27, 2009.

Children's book turns local farmer into fable

Colorful tale touts Freddie Haddox's mission of sustainable agriculture

NASHVILLE — Even if children can't visit Freddie Haddox's Franklin farm to see the free-range chickens and rows of tomato plants in person, they can travel to this Williamson County spot via a new children's book.

Haddox is the star of Freddie's Organic Farm ($6.99, self-published), a book written and illustrated by Belmont University students to introduce elementary school kids to the concept of sustainable agriculture.

"I love farming. It is a lot of fun," Haddox told a group of second-graders who gathered in the Percy Priest Elementary School library to hear the story.

His relatives have tilled the soil on the Coleman Road farm since the 1800s. He has turned the 112 acres where he grew up into a certified organic farm known as Mamushi Nature Farm.

Haddox learned many of the organic farming techniques while living for three years in the shadow of Mount Fuji in Japan.

Freddie's Organic Farm follows a young narrator who tours the farm operated by a bespectacled "Farmer Freddie" in blue jean overalls, a red shirt and a straw hat. In the course of the story, the girl learns how an organic farm operates and the importance of creating food in a natural setting.

During a question-and-answer period, Haddox explained how he gathers the manure produced by the animals on the farm and then uses the nutrients from that on the plants.

One boy asked if he got attached to the animals that will eventually end up as meat. Haddox said that he does and that he did so even more when he was a boy and named all of the cows. But he is comforted in knowing that they are slaughtered as humanely as possible.

Another boy shared that his great-grandparents are also farmers.

"My favorite thing is to watch the vegetables grow. You get to watch nature come alive, especially in the spring time," he told the class.

Freddie's Organic Farm is the first in a three-part children's book series for Belmont's Students in Free Enterprise, a nonprofit organization that takes what college students learn in the classroom about business into the real world.

Upcoming stories will focus on a recycler and an energy conservationist, said John Gonas, who leads the Belmont SIFE chapter.

To order a copy of Freddie's Organic Farm, contact Belmont student Rachel Perkins at perkinsr@ pop.belmont.edu. There is a charge for shipping.

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Contact Bonnie Burch at 615-771-5421 or bburch@tennessean.com.

A downtown Oklahoma City building adjacent to City Rescue Mission has been transformed from "one of the worst crack houses" in Oklahoma City to a church house.  After purchasing the property and encountering gang members and drug dealers, Tim Ulrich, partnered with several OKC area churches to renovate the building for use as The Refuge - OKC Ministry.  Tyler Green '04, and his wife Kristin, have decided to "be a light in the darkness," living out their faith and helping the community to change and prosper.  They have moved into one of the 25 small apartments there and will make downtown OKC their mission field for the next year.  Tyler has earned a degree in Business and International Community Development at Indiana Wesleyan University.  Their goal is to bring the Word of God to their true neighbors and help provide a refuge amidst drugs, gangs and the broken hearted.

 There is something to be said for tailor made clothes. What a nice fit. The same feeling is being experienced here at OCS. The new Student Center has more than met our hopes and expectations. areas and office space. The bonus of a separate concession area allows some outsourcing for food items and a much greater variety for lunch time. also provides a sizable fitness/ weights facility that has been recently equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The training room complements the physical training component of the sports activities; this new area is helping athletes who are treating injuries and working to rehab certain muscle groups.

The thoroughly modern kitchen facility is not only four times larger than our old kitchen, but also boasts a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, ample storage and preparation

The OCS cafetera crew loves their spacious kitchen and they have a special appreciation for something as simple as a clean-up window and industrial size dishwasher. Marqueeta Segraves, OCS Cafeteria Manager, says "God knows our needs better than we do. It is simply amazing to be a part of what He has done."

The OCS Student Center

The 5th and 6th grade sections of the middle school are thriving in their roomy instructional areas. Locker spaces and wider hallways help create a healthy atmosphere. Enormous locker rooms have already enhanced measures for healthier / safer programs; The band program continues to blossom in their new and comfortable band room. The list goes on.

Many, many thanks to the families and patrons of OCS who contributed (and continue to give) to the Building a Legacy project. Over 840 students and nearly 100 staff members experience the blessing of this facility each and every day.

1. Truth in every part of education, our first and foremost Truth is that God is our Creator and Provider. “In the beginning, God…”
2. The Gospel in every part of education. We share the Good News of Jesus and His incomparable mercy and love. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…”
3. Spiritual Life in every part of education, our teachers dare not attempt to convey the living, breathing Word of God apart from His spirit and divine guidance. John 3:6
4. Love and a sound mind. We know that every gift and every goal cannot thrive without the love of God. “Love never fails.”

Students at Oklahoma Christian School had more than one reason to celebrate in chapel Friday. They had raised $75,000 to send to Sierra Leone to help the children who are in great need after a 10-year civil war.

OSU grads and aficionados have long been familiar with the OSU Student Newspaper, The Daily O’Collegian (the O’Colly to some). Three OCS graduates are currently on staff of the O’Colly, and a fourth just recently graduated from OSU. Those students are Teddy Bado ’06,  Rachel Sheets ’05, Ryan Stewart ’04, and Brent Battle ’02. In the Monday, May 3rd issue, Ryan Stewart will have his sixth article published in the O’Colly – the cover story, no less!

If you would like to order an OCS shirt, hat, chair and more, view the New Saints Store Catalog.  For more information, contact Lisa Thorne-Burgess at lisatburgess68@sbcglobal.net.              

Jeanean Castle, Development Director

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