OU's Blake Griffin, left, celebrates with Tony Crocker, and Willie Warren as Michigan's DeShawn Sims watches during a second-round men's NCAA college basketball tournament game between Oklahoma and Michigan in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, March 21, 2009. Oklahoma won 73-63. Photo by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman.
The Griffin Family
OU head coach Jeff Capel, left, poses for a photo with the Griffin family, from left, Gail, Taylor, Blake and Tommy Griffin, as senior Taylor was honored as part of senior night at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman March 7, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings.
Welcome alumni, parents, faculty and friends!
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Blake Griffin named AP Player of the Year
By John Helsley - Staff Writer
Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin dominated the voting much like he dominated the basketball floor this season, emerging as the overwhelming choice for Associated Press Player of the Year.
Griffin received 66 votes from the 71-member national media panel that participates in determining the weekly Top 25. North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, last year's winner, and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair each received two votes.
While leading the Sooners to a 30-6 finish and a spot in the Elite Eight, Griffin averaged 22.7 points and a nation-high 14.4 rebounds. His 30 double-doubles also led the nation.
Griffin , honored Friday in Detroit, site of the Final Four, was the only unanimous selection to the AP All-America team.
Previously, Griffin won the Adolph Rupp and Oscar Robertson awards signifying the national player of the year.
OCS Grad Jennifer Hermansen Authors Book
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.
The opportunity was very specific and tangible. For our school to get to be a part of Project Haiti is quite humbling.
One of our fundamental beliefs is that the heart of education is the education of the heart. Watching the OCS student leadership connect to the heart a Pastor Hudson, the native Haitian minister, showed us the power of the love of Christ. This is the "heart education" for which we strive.
Too much of religion in the world misses the heart of Jesus Christ. His great mandate is to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This was our chance to live out the Gospel of Jesus, and to do as it says in I John 5:18. That is to love with more than words, to love by deeds and truth.
Poverty is a terrible condition; impoverished people simply lack the means. There are church members and so many students there who have the desire, want an education and are willing to work to improve their lot. They live in a country that doesn't offer opportunity, freedom or security for a better life.
The vision to support three Christian schools finanically is a vision to invest in lifes in a sustainable way. They have to eat and finances will provide meals at school, even more we are helping with an academic education that is Christ-centered and biblically based.
Because we believe very strongly in the biblical teachings of love, liberty and human dignity, we became passionate about Pastor Hudson's dream. He told us that he had been praying for years and felt like the lame man we study about in John, the fifth chapter. He wanted to be healed but had no one to help him. 'Finally,' he told me, 'there is help.'
What few people realize is how much this project is student driven. OCS students wanted a real challenge. They want to do something that really matters and change lives in their world. OCS senior Reagan James and a big group student leaders led the way. Our students jumped in with both feet.
OCS Alumni Spotlight
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 IntegrisBaptistMedicalCenter’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.
OCS Class of '98 Reunion
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
27,000 More Sq. Ft. of Space in '08
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.
OCS Has Much to be Thankful, Mr. Caldwell
“How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed there to according to They Word.” Psalm 119:9
Dallas Caldwell, OCS Headmaster
We are off to another school year at OCS. With over 850 students and a living curriculum of faithful teachers, we have much for which to be thankful.
The other day I counted more than 160 high school students who are involved in activities from football, cheer and band to cross country, One Act and ministry leadership. Those activities are going full speed as we start the 2008 Fall Term. In the early fall alone, OCS has two-thirds of the high school student body involved in co-curricular activities.
Thanks to the faithful supporters of OCS, we continue to provide a variety of opportunities for students from Pre-K through the senior year. The new Student Center has served OCS beyond our expectations. What a blessing it has been. The Student Center was a part of what News Channel 9 called “a picturesque campus” as they covered our first home game. The helicopter shots of OCS were gorgeous.
You can continue to pray for OCS as we work daily to fulfill our mission. Critical and central to the mission is remaining Christ centered and biblically-based. Pray that the curriculum will be alive every day through Christian teachers dedicated to:
Truth in every part of education, our first and foremost Truth is that God is our Creator and Provider. “In the beginning, God…”
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…”
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
Love and a sound mind. We know that every gift and every goal cannot thrive without the love of God. “Love never fails.”
"Heroes" raise $75,000 for Sierra Leone children
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.
Alumni Reporters
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!
Add Your Brick to the Alumni Avenue
These are great times to be a Saint at Oklahoma Christian School. Academic accomplishments of OCS students are setting marks for the top schools in the state. Applications for enrollment are at an all-time high. Plus, we just moved into the $3.5 million Student Center which is a jewel of the campus. As good as all this is, we would have none of it without those who have gone before us. That means family leadership and faculty with servant's hearts; that means a heritage of alumni!
The Alumni Avenue is the walkway between the Student Center and the Football Field. This path is to commemorate the achievements and attendance of our past, present and future graduates. This is a walk to remember. Bricks are sold for a minimum donation amount. Additional donations will be used to complete the whole brick path (Total Cost $13,000) and if possible, more capital improvements on the OCS Campus.
* Bricks are intended for current OCS students and graduates.
Get Saints Logo Wear!
If you would like to order an OCS shirt, hat, chair and more, please contact the SPO Spirit Store Director Kim Myers (OCS 1985 Grad and Current Parent) at sreymk@cox.net or 405-630-8544.
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