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Fall / Winter 2021

The Magazine of Village Christan School

CHRISTMAS COMES TO VILLAGE Community Gathers to Celebrate

TRIAL BY FIRE Isaac Faulkner’s (’19) improbable path to UCLA Football

A GIFT IN ONCOLOGY Samantha Ochse (’14) is providing critical support for children at CHLA

SOUND OF MUSIC Theatre puts the Arts back on Center Stage

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For years, the Village Voice was a hallmark of the VCS community. The magazine captured amazing stories, profiled precious families, and celebrated student achievement campus-wide. We are excited to bring this publication back – and expand it along the way. We are all connected in so many ways here at Village. Our hope is that through the Village Voice, we can reinforce the common threads that connect us and showcase the exciting accomplishments of this community. There is so much to celebrate, and we hope you enjoy seeing what God is doing in the lives of Crusaders past and present. The VCS family is special, and you’re about to see why.

If you have an idea for a story or person to be featured in the Village Voice, please email connect@villagechristian.org.

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CONTENTS S PI RITUAL L I F E UPDAT E | PAUL PIT TS III

From the “Pulpitt ” COMMU NIT Y F E ATU RE

Christmas Comes to Village F I NE ARTS F E ATU RE

Sound of Music ALU MNI F E ATU RE | I S AAC FAULKNER ( ‘19 )

Trial by Fire ATHL E TI CS U PDATE

Crusaders Back on the Field CONCE NTRATI ONS ® UPDAT E

Students Seize Opportunities S TAF F F OCU S

Cherney | Sampang REA DY, S ET, REA D !

Elementary Rocks Read-A-Thon ALU MNI F E ATU RE | S A M ANT H A O CHSE ( ‘14 )

A Gift in Oncology ALU MNI U PDATE

the

Crusaders for Life

VILLAGE VOICE

VCS Marketing Department

Photographers / Contributors

VP | Tracy Nightingale Editor | Paul Putignano Graphic Designer | Fontaina Funk Event Coordinator | Lesli Cates

Derek Bergmann, Jamie Coblentz, Matt Farias, John Khouri, Tom Konjoyan, Paul Pitts III, Carrie Post, Paul Putignano, Blanca Schnobrich, Harry Tom

Special Thanks Melissa Cherella, Lindsay Gunn

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Upcoming Events K-12 ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE | JANUARY 23, 2022 Do you know someone who is interested in learning more about VCS? Our K-12 Admissions Open House is the perfect opportunity for prospective families to experience the Village difference, meet members of faculty, and learn about our signature academic programs. RSVP today.

IGNITE | MARCH 10, 2022 Part Concentrations® and part 1:5® Circles of Care, Ignite is a pivotal evening for VCS freshmen. At this annual event, students not only declare their Concentration, they are surrounded by caring adult mentors, who are committed to supporting them through their educational journey.

WASHINGTON D.C. TRIP | APRIL 5-11, 2022 We are so excited for the return of fifth grade’s trip to Washington, D.C. Students will visit Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Gettysburg, the incredible monuments and museums in our nation’s capital, and an unforgettable visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

SPARK SYMPOSIUM | APRIL 6, 2022 Experience all six VCS Concentrations as students showcase their career-building projects in an open house-style event that is a hallmark of our signature high school academic program.

EASTER BREAK | APRIL 11-18, 2022 This year, Easter falls at the end of Easter Break, when we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. The school will be closed from April 11 through April 18. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 19.

THE MARCH | APRIL 20-24, 2022 “The March: Journey from Civil War to Civil Rights” is scheduled for April 20-24 with a recouperation day on Monday, April 25. During this amazing trip, students will travel to Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Montgomery, Alabama; and Atlanta, Georgia. The students will ride a riverboat on the Mississippi River, walk the Shiloh battlefield, and see sights that weave the story of our country’s struggle through the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.

2022 ANNUAL GALA AND DINNER AUCTION | APRIL 30, 2022 Mark your calendar and prepare to join us for our annual gala and dinner auction, Roaring Twenties at The Crusader Club, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. Prepare to step into Village Christian’s own 1920s jazz club for the night as we support VCS students and teachers. Tickets go on sale soon.

GRADUATIONS | MAY 26-28, 2022 This year’s graduations will once again be held on campus at the Field of Dreams. Elementary Culmination is May 26, Middle School Graduation is slated for May 27, and High School Graduation will be held on May 28.

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A N OT E F R O M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L

When I arrived at Village Christian eleven years ago, I searched for as much information on the school as I could find. Of course, I read the content of the website and all the school’s brochures, but it was in the Village Voice where I got my first glimpse of the heart of the school – its people. Reading stories about students, faculty members, and alumni brought me into “the village” and I learned what an amazing place it is. With that in mind, we are bringing back the Village Voice in hopes that you will be able to meet the people, relive the events, and read the stories of those who make our village so special. This is especially timely because this school year saw the most new students in the last twenty years. The confluences of the outstanding job our teachers did in pivoting during the pandemic and how VCS took the lead in reopening private schools in L.A. County has resulted in many more families finding our village. Many of them have remarked that their sons and daughters have found their educational home in the first few months of the school year and they as parents are so grateful to find such a caring and dynamic school. Our alumni are doing incredible things with their lives and we look forward to sharing their stories and adventures with you. It makes our hearts swell with pride when we learn of their good deeds and fascinating career paths. The fruit of the labor of those faculty members from decades past is highlighted by our current parents, who have returned to campus and enrolled their own kids. Their generational pride is in full evidence as they break out their “old” VCS sweatshirts and letterman jackets while they watch their kids play and perform. Our faithful and hard-working employees have truly earned our community’s respect for

their incredible performance of delivering our mission and values to our students in historically challenging times. From connecting with our students while they were shut inside their homes to welcoming them back to campus with creative educational strategies and fun, yet safe, activities; they have lived out our CARE values. Our student body was not immune from the consequences of the pandemic, but through Christ’s love, our employees have the answers in the form of compassionate conversations and inspiring teaching and coaching.

It was in the Village Voice where I got my first glimpse of the heart of the school – its people. I pray that you will enjoy the stories and events you read about in this revival of the Village Voice. More than that, I urge you to share your stories with us so that we can share them with the rest of the village.

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SPIRITUAL LIFE UPDATE

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By Paul Pitts III, Spiritual Life Director

GLORY TO GOD FOR A FALL SEMESTER OF GOSPEL MINISTRY LABORING TO MAKE AND MATURE DISCIPLES OF JESUS, SERVING OUR PRECIOUS STUDENTS. By God’s grace, we made progress in the “I Am” Chapel message series studying the glory of Jesus Christ. Along with that, we had three retreats (sixth grade, seventh grade, and ninth grade) focused on true fellowship and growing in faith in the Lord Jesus, all the while having fun. Added to that, it’s been my personal joy to form relationships with many students and pray for them with school leaders. Next semester, we’re excited to continue faithful worship of God and preaching of Christ in chapel, more retreats cultivating fellowship and deep faith, and time for students to meet one on one weekly with me for encouragement and discipleship. Early in the semester, we’ll host a luncheon with local church pastors to partner with for the sake of the gospel on campus and beyond. The Spiritual Life Department will continue to strive for faithfulness in providing Christ-centered soul-care, devoted to God’s Word AND prayer. All glory be to Christ.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Have you met our new Spiritual Life Director? The following Q&A was first published in September on the school website introducing Paul Pitts III to the VCS community.

Village Welcomes New Spiritual Life Director Pitts, who received his Masters of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary in 2020, holds a Masters of Arts and Letters in Liberal Arts and Sciences with an emphasis in Biblical Studies from San Diego State University, where he also earned his Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies with a minor in Counseling and Social Change. With experience ranging from pastoral ministry at The Hill Church to college ministry at Cal State Northridge and youth outreach at the San Diego Center For Children, Pitts brings a uniquely tailored heart for students to the VCS campus. “We are so blessed to have Paul Pitts III leading our Spiritual Life Department,” said Head of School Tom Konjoyan. “His impact on our students and staff will be tremendous. I cannot wait for the profound ways he will bring the love of Christ to our community.” An accomplished athlete, the former San Diego State wide receiver was named the school’s 2016 Student-Athlete of the Year and the Arthur Ashe Jr. National Male Sports Scholar of the Year. He’s an Academic All-Mountain West Conference honoree, and won the Humanitarian Award through the 2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which the Aztecs won 49-24 over the University of Buffalo. Additionally, Pitts, who spent his seminary years also working as an intern at Grace Community Church, received The MacArthur Preaching Award from The Master’s Seminary in 2020 and the Dr. Richard Mayhue Honor’s Scholarship from 2017-2020. 8

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But we want you to hear from Paul Pitts III himself. Please see below for a special interview with our new Spiritual Life Director as he discusses his experience and vision for the Spiritual Life Department. How have your experiences (i.e., ministry, athletics, etc.) and education (San Diego State and The Master’s Seminary) prepared you for this role? God’s wise, kind, and fatherly hand, I humbly believe, has uniquely prepared me for this role. First, God graciously saved me when I was in middle school and used a number of great men of God in my life throughout my youth for the good of my soul. I’m passionate to do the same for our students. Second, after I tore my ACL playing college football, God deepened a passion in me for His Word and His people. Since that year in 2012, I’ve given myself to gospel ministry in schools, locker rooms, sports ministries, and the local church. I have a passion for preaching God’s Word, making disciples of Jesus, and shepherding His followers. Also, being a football player for the majority of my life has created in me a passion for Christians in sports and Christians in any context integrating their faith in Jesus. Third, in college my undergrad was Religious Studies and my M.A. had a biblical studies emphasis. So, I understand how to prepare students to stay strong in Christ even in the face of going off to college. After my time at SDSU, I was trained for gospel ministry and expositional preaching at The Master’s Seminary. My time at seminary was the farthest from dry theological academics, it was Christ-exalted training that pushed me to love

Jesus along with His people more. God has been abundantly kind to me and by His grace, I believe I can come alongside VCS for the sake of Christ’s glory. Please describe the benefits/advantages your youth gives you in this role. I understand that some may be surprised that this role was filled by a 28-year-old man who was just married this year. But I can’t help my age, all I can do is trust God where He has led me and depend on His promises to be faithful where He’s called me. Furthermore, the Bible says to another young minister in Timothy to “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). So, my prayer is to live an exemplary Christlike life that supersedes any distraction from my age. I also believe God can, by His grace, use me exactly where I am to connect with students of this generation and understand their particular struggles. Moreover, I remember being so thankful for my youth pastor as a teenager because He was a young man serious about Jesus, God’s Word, and helping people. It was precisely because of his younger age that I was more encouraged by His example. Another thing is that God has allowed me so much learning in less than three decades and I’ll begin my Doctorate degree next year. I learn, not to pridefully garner a bigger head, but to pour into others and I believe VCS provides me the opportunity to do that. All in all, God can use any of His children for His glory by His grace and I pray He’ll do so with me here.

mission, which coincides well with what VCS wants to do. Lastly, I love the city of Los Angeles and VCS serves the city as a whole with a unique focus upon Jesus. I considered it a privilege to have any part in that. How would you describe the importance/value of the Spiritual Life Department and its impact on students? The importance and value of the Spiritual Life Department is immeasurable. Precisely because the Spiritual Life Department explicitly deals with that which is eternal--the souls of our students, staff, and community. Jesus said that someone can gain the whole world, but if they lose their soul, it’s a worthless tragedy (Mark 8:36). The Spiritual life Department has the privileged stewardship to bear witness to Jesus, the only savior from death, hope for eternal life and life more abundantly now (John 3:16, 10:10).

I was drawn to VCS because of the regional and generational gospel impact God has afforded this institution. This school has such a diverse reach into the L.A. community along with an open heart to serve whoever will come to our school doors. I love that VCS has open arms to all of Los Angeles, as we follow the Savior who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Also, I was drawn to this school because the mission of this school has Christ at the center. Beholding and bearing witness to the beauty of Jesus is my personal life

Photo: Matt Farias

What drew you to VCS and this community?

PAUL PITTS III IS JOINED BY NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CARRIE POST, WHO BEGAN WORKING AT VILLAGE CHRISTIAN IN THE FALL.

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My vision for the Spiritual Life Department at VCS is to provide consistent Christ-centered soul-care, devoted to God’s Word and prayer (Col. 1:28-29, Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 2:42). To explain that further, my prayer is that the Spiritual Life Department would be a reliable and relational service to our campus/community that cares for our people at the deepest level--matters of the soul in relation to God. Therefore, our care will always be completely focused on the glorious person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only Savior of lost souls and the satisfying sustainer of redeemed souls. The only way to truly care for souls is to point to Jesus in all of His beautiful sufficiency. Jesus is enough for all matters of the soul. Those who make up the Spiritual Life Department are just pointers, Jesus is the point. More practically speaking, the primary way to point people to Christ is to give ourselves to His Word. We want to see the students and the VCS community know, trust, cherish, and bear witness to the Christ of Scripture, so we’ll devote ourselves to His Word to see souls turn from sin to come to Christ and become more like Christ (Rom. 10:17, 2 Cor. 3:18, 4:5, John 8:3132, 17:17). Likewise, we’ll give ourselves to prayer because needy people pray (Matt. 7:7-11, Luke 18:1). Here at VCS, we all need Jesus together, and we’ll frequently draw near to the throne of grace in prayer (Heb. 4:16). What do you hope to bring to the students, staff, and community? My hope and prayer is to serve the students, staff, and community in at least five ways. First, I long to bear witness to the glory of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6, John 1:14). I desire that everyone in the VCS community would in faith look to Jesus for life, cherishing His beauty, loveliness, and glory as set forth in Scripture (Heb. 12:2). Second, I hope and pray the power of the gospel would be at work in my service here (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is the power of God to save those who believe, and I pray many souls would come to faith in Jesus and many Christians be encouraged to never graduate from the gospel. Third, I hope to serve in such a way that emboldens students, staff, 10

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and our community to gladly believe the Bible for life. I want to encourage and equip our people with the authority, reliability, sufficiency, and truth of God’s Word (Psalm 19:7-11, 2 Tim. 3:16). Fourth, I desire to encourage our community toward the beauty of prayer, where we commune and express our dependence upon God. All Christian service, including a Christian private school, must be saturated with prayer because apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Lastly, I hope love would always be in the forefront and permeate all that we do (1 Cor. 13:1-3, 2 Cor. 5:14-15) and for the love of Jesus to be our greatest motivator in everything (Eph. 3:14-19).

The only way to truly care for souls is to point to Jesus. “It is my joy to begin this partnership in the gospel with you all for the good of VCS and the glory of God,” Pitts added. “I hope to make any friendships here with you all. All glory be to Christ!” PAUL PITTS III WITH NINTH GRADERS AT THEIR ANNUAL RETREAT.

Photo: Derek Bergmann

What is your vision for the Spiritual Life Department here at VCS?

SPIRITUAL LIFE D E PA R T M E N T H I G H L I G H T S

For years, Village Christian took annual trips to Mexicali to serve local churches, orphanages, and communities. Led by Dean Lagasse and coordinated through Azusa Pacific University’s missions outreach, these trips changed the lives of generations of Crusaders. Following APU’s cancellation of this program, VCS is now coordinating its own Mexico Outreach over Easter Break from April 13-16.

Sixth Grade Retreat

Seventh Grade Retreat

Ninth Grade Retreat

HUME SO. CAL

MONTROSE BOWL / PARK

THOUSAND PINES CAMP

Photos: Carrie Post

GREEN VALLEY LAKE

November 13

September 19-21

VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BLESSED THIS SEMESTER BY THE STUDENT WORSHIP BAND, WHICH HAS LED WORSHIP AT CHAPEL THIS YEAR. Photo: Paul Putignano

October 6-8

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CRUSADER COMMUNITY GATHERED TO CELEBRATE THIS SPECIAL SEASON.

COMMUNITY FEATURE

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Little can match the magic of Christmas. But if something can, it’s community. On Friday, December 3, Village Christian enjoyed both, gathering together to enjoy twinkling lights, youthful harmonies, and smiling faces that helped usher in this special time of year. “I am still glowing from our Candlelight Christmas Celebration,” said Head of School Tom Konjoyan. “It was the largest attendance we have ever had for an event here on campus. I want to thank all of you for coming out to cheer on our student performers, to sing Christmas carols together, and prepare as a village – as a community – for our savior’s birth.” This Candlelight Christmas Celebration was held right here on campus and featured more than 150 performers representing a variety of Fine Arts groups, including band, dance company, drumline, strings, and numerous choirs; scripture readings; and special presentations. “It is always such a joy when all of our Fine Arts Programs and groups come together and collaborate,” said Director of Fine Arts Natalie Taylor. “Doing an event like this, outside at Christmas time with the entire Village community, has been a long-time dream of mine, and it came together so beautifully. The Fine Arts Department was blessed to be a part of it.”

Photo: Fontaina Funk

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Sophomore Rhiana McKee, who performed with the Dance Company and V-Cappella said: “I thought it was an awesome experience. I loved getting to perform for such a large crowd. That was the biggest I’ve ever seen at this school. I just loved having the opportunity to dance and sing. The directors, it was really nice they could help us shine and cultivate our skills so we could perform really well.” Attendance estimates ranged from 1,200 to 1,500 as people spread out across the Shield, Admin 14

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Field, and into the steps around the A and B Halls. “We knew it was going to be big, but not that big,” said VCS Event/Volunteer Coordinator Lesli Cates. “Our community needed an event like this to come together not just to celebrate the season, but to simply spend time in fellowship together. The little ones enjoyed being there with the high schoolers, parents were able to catch up with families they hadn’t seen, and families were able to sit next to faculty and staff. It all reflects what’s so special about Village and this community.”

WATCH MORE: Candlelight Christmas Celebration Recap Video

B Lot was packed with food trucks, while the Shield hosted booths with treats, holiday trinkets, and face-painting for the youngest Crusaders – all staffed by volunteers from our parent groups. “It was truly a blessing to serve the Village community,” said Middle School PTF President Aylin Ghookhassian, who is also a member of the Armenian Parent Group. “It was a sense of unity and blissfulness to see and interact with the young kids. It was also a mini reunion of old friends from childhood that brought so much laughter. The

night was very entertaining and felt like home.” But most importantly, the community was gathered together to celebrate the Christmas season, and the ultimate gift it brings. “It was the perfect way to begin the Christmas season – full of joy, peace, love and the reminder of the most precious gift we can all receive in Jesus,” Taylor said. Photos: Harry Tom/Matt Farias

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Photo: Blanca Schnobrich

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FINE ARTS FEATURE

Sound of Music puts the Arts back on Center Stage THEATRE ARTS HAS FLOWN ACTORS, DEVELOPED ELABORATE SETS, TACKLED CHALLENGING STORYLINES, AND REGULARLY PRODUCED AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCES. This fall, the department added to its resume with an incredible production of “The Sound of Music,” and the results were both timely and spectacular. “This was the story we needed to tell,” said Theatre Arts Director Thom Babbes. “This was the story to get us out of COVID. This was the story that really brought the school back together as a unit to celebrate the arts again.” The show featured 72 cast members across grades 2-12 (and even a few staff members), 15 student crew members, and 10 core parent volunteers. As a precaution, the roles of the Von Trapp children were triple cast to safeguard against potential illness. Despite a more demanding rehearsal schedule than some of the younger performers had previously experienced, everyone rose to the occasion to create something special, Babbes said. “It was a wonderful family environment, and I think the kids were incredibly disciplined and incredibly professional,” Babbes said. All six performances sold out.

“The production was a beautiful representation of our Village community,” said Director of Fine Arts Natalie Taylor, who also played Mother Abbess. “Life-long memories were made for our students and families.” One way Babbes saw that representation demonstrated was through the relationships developed between upperclassmen and the youngest cast members. “I felt that the dynamic between the juniors and seniors and the little ones was terrific,” he said. “They started to take on the shape of the father-child relationship. And they were really buying into that relationship, which made it so wonderful on stage. The camaraderie was terrific. It was so wonderful to see how deep those bonds came together in three months of rehearsals.” Now Theatre Arts’ attention turns to next semester and “The Little Mermaid Jr.” in Elementary and “Newsies” in Middle/High School. “Get ready for some exciting stuff coming up in the spring,” Taylor said. Fall/Winter 2021 | 17

The production was a beautiful representation of our Village community.

Photos: Blanca Schnobrich

“I loved getting the opportunity to have a lead role and really push and challenge myself and come out of my comfort zone. I’m thankful for the theatre community.” -Beau Bennett, Grade 12

“My favorite part of being in The Sound of Music was getting to know the other kids and building relationships with them. Now, I am really close to my Von Trapp family.” -Avison Aust, Grade 4

“I was really excited since this was my first real role in a play. Thankfully, I didn’t forget my lines.” -Jayden Girgis, Grade 3 18

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Photo: UCLA Athletics

ALUMNI FEATURE

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ISAAC FAULKNER WASN’T JUST THROWN INTO THE FIRE, HE WAS FLUNG INTO AN INFERNO. Just a few short years ago, Faulkner, a 2019 Village Christian graduate, was evaluating his future and was accustomed to football games in front of small crowds. Now he’s leading tours in Westwood for UCLA Football. Faulkner has turned his passion for football into a career and is currently working as a recruiting assistant for the Bruins. “I’d never stepped foot on the UCLA campus before this job,” he says. “My second day there, I was giving a campus tour to a family. They threw me right into the fire, but I’ll tell you what, being thrown into the fire was the best thing that could have happened to me.” Faulkner’s journey to NCAA Division I athletics is as unconventional as it was improbable. Though his love for the sport and incomparable football acumen were all there, his body fought against him. The former lineman suffers from a rare condition most closely aligned with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, calcifying his tissue at any given time at any place in his body. What doctors did know was that the frequency was increasing during his teen years, and trauma expedited the process, making football even more challenging – and dangerous – to play. But as his senior year approached, and one year after the football program had to cancel its season, he also became a rallying point. Players came out of the woodwork to help bring the program back, and Faulkner was a big reason for that. “We don’t have a season without him,” says VCS head coach Richard Broussard. “Because Village is 22

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FAULKER STANDS ON THE FIELD AT THE ROSE BOWL. “MY FAVORITE PART OF EVERY GAME IS SEEING THE CROWD,” HE SAID.

a family, people rallied around Isaac to help bring back football to Village. He gave everyone hope. He stuck around, and coached Middle School football when no one else believed in the future of the program. Everyone just wanted to see him play one more time.” Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Faulkner tore his ACL before the first game, effectively ending his season. “My faith has definitely played the biggest part in this journey – 100 percent,” he says. “There were times during my 2018 season when I was mad at God. I was angry at him more than anyone. Through the community at Village and support from family and friends, it helped me remain faithful to God and depend on Him. At the end of the day, He has a plan. Every day in this journey, I’m reminded more and more that He has a plan. I’m more of a believer in that now than ever before.” That journey took another turn when his playing career was cut short due to COVID after enrolling at Los Angeles Valley College, where he was poised to play for coach Lester Towns.

Faulkner had found his sweet spot. “I practiced evaluations on players by evaluating other colleges we would play. At that time, I was also looking for the next step,” he says. “I used to make fun of my parents all the time for using LinkedIn. I got on LinkedIn, and about a month later, I connected with the Director of Player Personnel at UCLA. He was nice enough to take a chance on me and give me an opportunity.” The rest is a whirlwind. What started as a volunteer role touring and doing grunt work, evolved into a paid position in a matter of months. “Throughout my whole journey, my parents have been a rock and a foundation of wisdom for me,” he said. “They’ve been there for me every step, helping me remain confident in myself and in God.”

Every day in this journey, I’m reminded more and more that He has a plan. Every day is a new learning experience – not just because of the strict NCAA guidelines associated with the recruiting process, but also because of the frenetic nature with which the college football landscape changes.

These days, player evaluations aren’t limited to high school and junior college prospects. The transfer portal has opened up a new dynamic of recruiting akin to NFL free agency. “Everyone works really well together, and we want to make sure we are on the same page always,” Faulkner says. “Do the coaches like a prospect? Do we like them? Then we go from there and work to build the best recruiting class we can.” And after an 8-4 overall record with wins over such schools as LSU and USC, a lot has also changed for UCLA. “To be able to get that win [over USC], it wasn’t just huge for the program, it was huge for the fans, too,” he says. “It gives us a huge confidence boost going into the future – the doors this opens, especially for recruiting.” Like the Bruins, Faulkner has come a long way in the past few years. You can be sure he’s soaking in every second of it. “It’s overwhelming in many ways,” he says. “Being able to make the jump to this stage and be part of this was the biggest blessing of all. To this day, I don’t fully realize how blessed I am to be in this situation.”

Photo: Paul Putignano

When the season was cancelled, Towns took Faulkner on as an assistant coach working in recruiting, scouting, and evaluations.

FAULKNER, WHO HAD SUFFERED A SEASON-ENDING KNEE INJURY DURING PRACTICE, IS GREETED BY TEAMMATES BEFORE SENIOR NIGHT IN 2019.

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ATHLETICS UPDATE

Photo: Paul Putignano

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STUDENT-ATHLETES WERE BACK TO COMPETING AND FANS PACKED THE STANDS THIS FALL FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE SEASON OF VCS ATHLETICS THAT SAW CIF COMPETITION, NATIONAL RANKINGS, AND A TRIP TO THE POSTSEASON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A DECADE. “We are so proud of our fall teams and the hard work and dedication they showed returning to full-time play this year,” said Athletic Director Diana Putignano. “Our strength and conditioning program has been in full force, and the student-athletes are reaping the benefits. All aspects of athletics have been at a full sprint, and what our student-athletes and coaches are achieving is extremely exciting.” Girls Volleyball Leading the way was girls volleyball, which did not get to play a single match in 2020 due to COVID. The Crusaders returned from a season-opening tournament in Hawaii with trophy in hand after winning the prestigious Ann Kang Invitational. VCS reached No. 15 in the AVCA/ USA Today National rankings en route to its sixth league title in eight years and 14th in program history. This talent-laden group includes five NCAA Division I signees (and counting) and earned Village’s first-ever bid to the CIF State Open Division playoffs. Football Football won the Bible Bowl for the first time since 2013 and secured the program’s first trip to the postseason since 2012, where they beat Cantwell-Sacred Heart in the first round of the Division XI playoffs. The Crusaders finished with their most wins since Marty Martin’s 2006 team, finishing with an overall record of 9-2.

Cheer Our cheerleaders qualified for the National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando at their first competition in November. Cheer placed second in the Small Varsity Division and third in Gameday at the UCA Regionals. Middle School Athletics took new ground by debuting the school’s first Middle School girls tennis team this fall. Gianna Terranova and Mariela Zamora secured the program’s first-ever doubles win. Meanwhile, Middle School student-athletes continued competition and development in cheer, football, volleyball, and cross country. Elementary School Elementary students were able to play tennis and cross country this fall, providing fantastic introductory athletics opportunities for our youngest Crusaders. “This was just the start of what promises to be an exciting year of Crusader athletics,” Putignano said. “Basketball and soccer are off to strong starts, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in the months ahead.”

Photo: Harry Tom

Cross Country Senior Sophia Harvey paced all VCS runners as the school’s only competitor in the CIF-Southern Section prelims after she finished third in league. The senior wrapped the season with a 28th-place finish at CIF in 15 minutes, 34.8 seconds. Fall/Winter 2021 | 25

Photo: Paul Putignano

C O N C E N T R A T I O N S® U P D A T E

NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNING DAY Congratulations to the following collegiate signees:

SIENNA NOORDERMEER Northwestern Volleyball CAMPBELL JENSEN UC Irvine Volleyball ELIZABETH MILLER UC Irvine Volleyball EMMA NAPOLEON UC Irvine Volleyball PAYTON GEORGE Tulane Volleyball

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Concentrations®, Village Christian’s signature high school program, is providing valuable career-igniting opportunities. STUDENTS LIKE SENIOR SIENNA NOORDERMEER ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE. First, in fulfillment of her Entrepreneurialism and Global Leadership (EGL) Senior Project, the Northwestern-bound senior established a partnership between VCS Volleyball and the local chapter of the Special Olympics. The first fruit of that partnership was a Serve-A-Thon fundraiser, organized by Noordermeer, on the VCS campus on December 5. “Organizing and running the Serve-a-thon to benefit the Special Olympics has been one of the highlights of my high school experience,” Noordermeer said of her senior project. “It not only has increased my personal awareness and appreciation for my amazing Special Olympics athlete peers, but has also allowed me to further develop my communication, time management and leadership skills. I’m so happy and excited for what we accomplished this year, and we have plans in place to ensure the partnership continues to strive to make an impact in years to come.”

But that’s not all. After Noordermeer and three fellow EGL seniors -- Caleb Hughes, Calvin Peterson, and Kyle Podgorski – beat 16 other teams to win Village’s annual new business competition, The VCS Start-Up Crusade, they competed in two college competitions, The CSUN Fast Pitch Competition and Grand Canyon University’s High School Canyon Challenge. The team pitched their new venture, Carbana, a vehicle attachment that turns one’s vehicle into a temporary private shelter. The Carbana team performed admirably in every one, rapidly answering questions from the investors. While the CSUN pitch was out of contention, the team won the GCU competition, beating 85 students from around the nation. “Caleb, Sienna, Calvin, and Kyle showed tremendous enthusiasm and ownership from their first days in the EGL Concentration,” said EGL Dean, John Khouri. “I’m not at all surprised that together they’ve leveraged their newfound skills to win multiple new venture competitions. I look forward to witnessing them do the same at university and in the workforce.” Conceptualization of Carbana began last year at the annual overnight EGL Start-Up Bootcamp, a core experiential learning opportunity for EGL students. This year, the Bootcamp was held in November and featured a number of entrepreneurs, including a former Shark Tank contestant, among the adult mentors on hand to guide the students. Participation earned students valuable Practicum Points and prepared them

to compete in the ninth annual VCS Start-Up Crusade this spring. High school students in all six Concentrations have been earning Practicum Points through exposure to guest speakers, on-campus programming opportunities, off-campus job shadowing, community service, and other practical experiences. This learning will be demonstrated at Spark Symposium, one of the cornerstone Concentrations® events of the year. “For most of the Concentrations, fall was spent starting to plan and prepare for Spark,” said Concentrations® Provost Ray Endacott. “We are gearing up for this annual tentpole event that many have never even seen, since the last one was held in April 2019. We’re super excited to re-introduce it to the community this spring to showcase the ways we help students find their spark and their purpose in life.” In the past, students have held debates and business competitions; performed songs, scene work, poetry readings, book signings and film festivals; conducted live demonstrations and re-enactments; displayed 2D and 3D art; created immersive exhibits, and much more, as a means to exploring prospective career paths. “We are excited to showcase the out-of-class accomplishments of students applying their learning,” Endacott said. “We are expecting to have a variety of projects and presentations that are student-driven and authentic.”

Photo: Matt Farias

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STAFF FOCUS

Marvelous Mornings By Judy Mandl Elementary Assistant Principal

“It’s a marvelous morning!” “It’s a magnificent morning!” So begins the weekly gathering of our Elementary students for Marvelous Morning, as our students express that each day is a gift from God and we get to choose how we respond to what the day holds. Our time together includes music, the flag salutes, and a weekly challenge. Luke 2:52 tells us, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The challenges focus on these different areas of growth: mental, physical, relational, and spiritual. Some of our past challenges have been to write a letter of thanks to the people who serve us, to learn a new skill, to do something at home without being asked, to play a board game with an adult, and to participate in a hiking bingo game. Children who complete the challenges are recognized at our Marvelous Morning meeting. These times together are a highlight of the week in our Elementary community.

VCS Welcomes New Elementary Music Teacher If you walk by the Elementary music room, you may see students learning to write a treble clef or playing the ukulele. Behind the piano is new Elementary music teacher Ashley Cherney, who began teaching at Village in November. “We are beyond thrilled to have Mrs. Cherney join the Elementary faculty,” said Elementary Principal Margie Chespak. “She brings a love of music, years of working with children, and a fun, faith-filled excitement to every class.” Cherney was born and raised in Chicago, where she previously taught music after graduating from Olivet Nazarene University. Before coming to VCS, she served as the Director of Knauer Music School, which has two locations locally. However, she was ready for a change and wanted to work with students again. “Being out of the classroom was really sad for me. I really felt that during the pandemic,” Cherney said. “It’s already been so great feeling the love and strong community here. And it’s great to be in the classroom with kids again.” Cherney is also set to take over Elementary Choir. While her emphasis is in choir and choral music, she plans to incorporate a wide variety of music and instruments into her lessons. “Music is so important in a child’s life,” she says. “It’s the first chance they will have to experience and explore music – in different veins, too.” Added Chespak: “Ashley lights up when students enter her room, and students respond with joy and anticipation. We can’t wait to see the new and wonderful things Ashley brings to Elementary music.”

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Photo: Paul Putignano

READ MORE: Catch up with Corporal Jonny Haley (’19), who is in his second year at West Point.

READ MORE: Village Christian was voted Daily News “Best” for the seventh year in a row

Sampang Earns 200th Victory On December 7, Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach Jon Sampang earned his 200th career victory at Village Christian with a 34-32 win over Royal High School.

WATCH MORE: Elementary students recite Psalm 100

“That win was for all of us that have put in the hard work and sacrificed over the years in God’s program,” Sampang said. “I’m blessed to be part of the Village family and to coach for this amount of time.” Sampang was hired in 2010 and has won five league titles, the 2016 Division V Regional Championship, and 2017 CIF-SS Division IV-AA crown. “Coach Sampang has such a huge impact on all his players and fellow coaches,” said Athletic Director Diana Putignano. “The girls basketball program is thriving under his leadership because he always puts Christ first. I am so proud to get to walk alongside such a fantastic coach, dad, friend, and person.”

WATCH MORE: Junior Colette Caldito was surprised by her brother returning from military service overseas

WATCH MORE: Bally Sports Channel was on hand for VCS Football’s first-round playoff game

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Elementary Rocks Read-a-Thon THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE READY, SET, READ! FUNDRAISER WAS ITS BEST YET. Elementary families rallied to raise more than $31,000 in October’s read-a-thon organized by Elementary PTF, all while promoting the value of reading. “That’s the key,” said Elementary PTF President Kristen Reynolds. “The kids feel like they are contributing to their school and we get to encourage them to read. It’s all integrated together and is a win-win for everyone.” Funds from the read-a-thon will be used to refurbish the Child Care Room to provide another fun, up-to-date learning space that’s used during and after school hours. The event kicked off with a special rally in the Kendall Pavilion and culminated with the ultimate prize: silly stringing Elementary Principal Margie Chespak and Assistant Principal Judy Mandl. “What an amazing time we had during our read-a thon this year. Students read, read, read, and I loved hearing about the characters in their books and the places they traveled on the pages,” Chespak said. “Our families blessed us with incredible generosity and many students qualified to take part in our annual, ‘Silly String the Principals’ afternoon. Mrs. Mandl and I love to see the joy on the students’ faces as they cover us in silly string,” she added. “We have a blast silly stringing them right back while their classmates look on and usually end up covered in some as well. Play is definitely an important part of learning, and this is one of our favorite playtimes of the year.” Photos: Paul Putignano

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ALUMNI FEATURE

OCHSE WALKS WITH FAMILIES THROUGH THEIR GREATEST CHALLENGES AS A CERTIFIED CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST IN ONCOLOGY AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES.

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Samantha Ochse walked into the hematology oncology unit at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles prepared to provide support and meet the needs of the young boy in her care. He had recently received a heart-wrenching diagnosis. “He looked at me and said, ‘I consider myself a king,’” she recalls. “‘I think of myself on a throne and I’m going to fight this until I can’t fight this anymore. I’m just not ready to hang up my crown.’” As a Certified Child Life Specialist in oncology, it’s Ochse’s job to walk alongside families throughout treatment. She helps to break down medical jargon in a developmentally appropriate manner, facilitate diagnosis teaching, provide preparation for procedures to minimize stress and promote positive coping, offer emotional support, engage in normative and therapeutic play opportunities to help normalize and familiarize a patient to the hospital environment, and on the toughest of days…memory-making and bereavement support. For the 2014 Village Christian graduate, every day is a learning experience when working with these young teachers she calls her patients. The challenges they face are unimaginable, and their journey is arduous. “I take something away from them daily,” she says. “In a general sense, you see resiliency at its very core. You see these kids fighting, literally fighting for their lives, yet they still encapsulate joy; they won’t let cancer take that away from them even though it has already robbed them of so much.” 34

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Ochse has been working at CHLA since completing her Child Life Certification last year. The process to becoming a Child Life Specialist included years of volunteering within the hospital setting, 120 hours of hands-on clinical observation, 600 clinical internship hours, and sitting for her certification exam – all following the completion of her Child Life master’s degree at Loma Linda University. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from San Diego State University in 2018. However, preparation for this role began much earlier. “As a young girl, I was always drawn to coming alongside people that were hurting or alone,” she says.

My hope is that these patients and families know that they don’t have to go through treatment alone. Some of those roots even extend back to her time at Village, when a teacher’s transparency about cancer’s effect on their family touched Ochse’s heart and opened her eyes. Years later during her senior year, Ochse traveled with the basketball team to a tournament in Missouri. While there, she volunteered at a local children’s hospital. The role of a Child Life Specialist kept popping up.

OCHSE PUBLISHED HER CHILDREN’S BOOK, “MY HEALTHCARE HERO,” IN SPRING 2021. IT CAN BE PURCHASED ON AMAZON.

During her time at SDSU, she was connected with a key shadow opportunity, and she was hooked. Now, the role Ochse plays in people’s lives daily is pivotal. “My hope is that these patients and families know that they don’t have to go through treatment alone,” she says. ”I’m continuously reminded that it’s their personal journey and not my own. Entering into the most grueling moments of a family’s life is a sacred space that I can’t put into words. I feel honored to provide a glimpse of hope, joy, and even movements of empowerment as I bear witness to their individualized heartache and grief.”

In the spring, Ochse published her first children’s book titled, “My Healthcare Hero.” The book’s description reads: “This timely story aims to support and educate healthcare professionals’ children about their caregivers’ roles as ‘helpers’ during this health crisis.” Her sensitivity to representation and inclusivity added paramount depth. “For a child to be able to glance at a page and relate to the images throughout the book no matter where they come from, what they look like, or what they believe was a huge piece,” she said. Why?

Ochse’s voice of stability and care is critical for these families, many of which have come to her hospital from across the world for life-saving treatment.

Because Ochse’s heart is caring and one of service.

“I have families from all different cultural and faith backgrounds and it’s important for me to come from a place of curiosity,” she says. “While my faith is a driving force in all that I do, it’s critical for me to leave my personal beliefs and biases at the door. When I enter into a patient’s room, my sole role is to honor their individual values and beliefs without judgement.”

And because she knows God is using her every day she walks onto her unit at CHLA.

In fact, diversity became a major influence on another one of her passions – writing.

Because she wants to make sure people are seen, loved, and honored.

“I really believe in the deepest parts of me that we can extend our impact in this world when we lean into our God-given gifts and talents,” Ochse says. “For me, being a Child Life Specialist has allowed me to find my sense of purpose. The joy I feel getting to lean into my calling is unexplainable.”

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ALUMNI UPDATE

Crusaders for Life

HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES BACK IN FULL FAIRYTALE FORCE By Jamie Coblentz, ASB Advisor (‘14 )

This year’s Homecoming was one for the history books! For the first time ever, we’ve had two Nonfires within a few months of each other – last year’s taking place in May due to COVID restrictions. This didn’t stop these kids from putting their heart and soul into our Fairytale wonderland. We decorated the school, had one of our best participation rates for spirit week, and put on a show-stopping Nonfire. These kids who have been dreaming of their senior Homecoming week, were able to be princes and princesses, celebrate their classmates, and stage an incredible senior guy dance. The value of this event to VCS cannot be understated.

Last year, only senior families were able to watch Nonfire, but this year the audience was filled with Elementary kids to grandparents! To see second graders wearing paper crowns watching the Homecoming court, you can see them dreaming of their future at VCS and how one day that could be them. To see multiple generations laughing together and filling the campus with the spirit of family, it was like the outside world and it’s problems disappeared – if only for a few hours, which was exactly ASB’s goal; to unite the school and remind everyone that they are not alone in these hard times. Through perseverance and hard work, these students did the impossible, and I’m so proud of them!

WATCH MORE:

Hall of Fame Induction Dustin Burke (‘04)

Hall of Fame Induction Jason Christensen (‘04)

2021 Homecoming Recap Video

LAST SUMMER, VILLAGE HOSTED REUNION FESTIVITIES ON CAMPUS; A RECEPTION FOR THE CLASSES OF 1966 - 1972 AND A HANGOUT FOR THE CLASS OF 2011. In June, we were honored to welcome so many Village luminaries, including members of the school’s very first graduating High School class. The event was held in the Auditorium, and included a campus tour, “Who’s Who” games, and Zoom calls with alumni that couldn’t make the trip. In July, alumni gathered around the red tables in Elementary following a reunion dinner the night before. Attendees walked the campus and made sure to get in a quick FaceTime with Dean Lagasse. It was such a joy to have these beloved members of the VCS family back on campus, and we look forward to future reunions. Contact connect@villagechristian.org if you are preparing to plan a class event.

1966 -1972 | FRONT ROW (from left to right): BYRON TRIST, SHIRLEY TRIST, DONNA FERGUSON, SAM FERGUSON, SCOTT ZIERMAN, AND ANITA ZIERMAN. SECOND ROW: MICKIE WINDSOR, SUE MATA, LEO MATA, DALE WAGNER, AND SUE WAGNER. THIRD ROW: DENISE TAIT, RON TAIT, AND LAURIE LINK. FOURTH ROW: GARY DYER, DIANA DYER (KING), RICHARD HELM, AND GARY LINK. LAST ROW: DANNY DANIELS, DAVID KENDRICK, AND CHRIS WARNER. 2011 | (from left to right): NANCY LAPAGE (AU), BRIANNA SHANNON, JESSIE DOYLE (COBLENTZ), MEGAN TAYONE (MCDONALD), CHRISTOPHER WIEGMAN, AND JOSEPH HORNE.

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WITH 2021 COMING TO A CLOSE, THERE IS STILL TIME TO RECEIVE VALUABLE TAX BENEFITS FOR YOUR YEAR-END GIVING. Through the generosity of this community, Legacy Campaign initiatives are improving facilities, adding new programs, upgrading technology, and helping elevate the legacy of Village Christian School. These projects are enhancing the educational experience for students and teachers alike, and we are so thankful for your partnership in helping ensure this community thrives. As we near the end of the calendar year, the donation window to receive valuable tax credit for 2021 is beginning to close. Make sure to complete your contribution before December 31 to take advantage of the following temporary tax-deduction provisions as outlined by the IRS* before it’s too late. “Usually taxpayers who take the standard deduction cannot deduct their charitable contributions. The law now permits taxpayers to claim a limited deduction on their 2021 federal income tax returns for cash contributions they made to certain qualifying charitable organizations. These taxpayers, including married individuals filing separate returns, can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions to qualifying charities during 2021. The maximum deduction is $600 for married individuals filing joint returns.” (www.irs.gov)

C A M PA I G N U P D AT E 38

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If you do itemize your deductions, “the law now allows taxpayers to apply up to 100% of their AGI, for calendar-year 2021 qualified contributions. Qualified contributions are cash contributions to qualifying charitable organizations.” (www.irs.gov) There are also valuable benefits for business owners as the cash deduction thresholds for businesses have temporarily increased. Make sure to connect with your accounting team to learn more or visit www.irs.gov. Consult your tax professional today. While you take advantage of these fantastic tax benefits, your gifts will also help us resource important Year Three projects such as campus-wide computer replacement, the South Athletic Field, and more. Donations can be submitted in person at the Central Office or online at www.vcslegacy.com, where you can also learn more about the campaign and its accomplishments. Together, we can provide unique and innovative opportunities for our students and teachers. *Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/expanded-tax-benefits-help-individuals-and-businesses-give-to-charity-in-2021

CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS YEAR 1 | CELEBRATING THE LEGACY Campaign Launch 70 th Anniversary Celebration Gibson Endowment Established Baseball Field Renovation Elementary Library Elementary Outdoor Teaching Area New Fine Arts Stage South Athletic Field Project Initiation and Demolition Upgraded WiFi/Network Infrastructure

YEAR 2 | ADVANCING THE LEGACY CARE Relief Fund/Tuition Assistance COVID-Related Personal Protective Equipment and Campus Improvements COVID Health Screening Technology THE SOUTH ATHLETIC FIELD IS AN

Educational Technology

AMBITIOUS AND CRITICALLY

Elementary Library Outdoor Learning Space

NEEDED NEW PROJECT THAT WILL GREATLY BENEFIT VCS STUDENTS AND RELIEVE FIELD-USE CONFLICTS.

YEAR 3 | ELEVATING THE LEGACY

WORK HAS BEGUN, AND WE ARE

Campus-Wide Computer Replacement

CURRENTLY IN THE PERMITTING

Elementary Lounges

PROCESS.

Endowment Fulfilled Enhanced Curriculum Bible/Worship Courses, Electives, and Signature Program Development Remodeled Teachers' Lounges South Athletic Field Specification and Design Spiritual Life Service/Missions Opportunities

PARTNER WITH US TODAY AT WWW.VCSLEGACY.COM

Student Union Spaces/Shade Sails Upgraded Campus Bathrooms

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ALUMNI WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Please send us your updates. weddings, births, graduations, and everything in between, we want to know what’s happening in your life. Send us your milestones and class notes for inclusion in the next issue of the Village Voice. Submit your information using the ALUMNI UPDATE FORM.