SUMMER 2011 - Liberty Christian School

cover storySnow patrolForty-seven students and 12 leaders tookto the slopes of Colorado during SpringBreak. The great fellowship began on thebus, where iPods and cell phones werestored away. Great skiing weather and nicecondominiums added to the fun, and thefellowship continued as students had timeon the trip to play board games with eachother.“It was so great seeing students talking andplaying cards,” said Matt Bowles, MiddleSchool youth pastor. Notably, every nightincluded a devotional time that focused onthe students’ relationship with the Lord.“We had great worship times and listened togreat devotions by our leaders,” said Bowles.The last day students were challenged tobe a part of the “Black Diamond Club.”Students joined if they shared their faithwith a stranger while on the ski lift.Bowles said, “the last night of the trip, wehad a testimony time when many studentstalked about the experience they had whilesharing the gospel.”Game on!Liberty is proud toannounce Ty Dunlap as aNational Merit Scholarfor 2011. “Ty Dunlap isa great example of thecharacter, integrity, andacademic excellence soprominent at Liberty,”said President RodneyHaire. Upper SchoolPrincipal Ed Cook said,“We are all very proudof Ty. He definitelydeserves this honor,especially in light of hiscourse load and all ofhis activities.” Dunlapis also the 2011 State Champion in TAPPS 5A boys golf. In thefall, he will attend Texas A&M, the NCAA No. 1 golf team, and bea part of the business honor program. Dunlap plans on chasinghis dream at A&M, which is to play on the PGA tour. Head golfcoach Larry Frank said, “Ty is the real deal and a fine young man.Ty is held with great respect by the younger golfers, not just forgolf, but for his actions as a student and a person.” The NationalMerit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that beganin 1955. Of the 1.5 million students who take the PSAT/NMSQTtest, only approximately 8,400 students reach the highest levelof National Merit Scholar. In the National Merit ScholarshipProgram, Liberty has had the honor of having 10 commendedscholars since 2000, and has had one semifinalist, one finalist, andfour scholars, including Dunlap, who said, “Liberty really helpedme mature in my academic performance.”All the Places We Go!Nancy PerryMiddle School English and BibleTeacher, 13 years at LibertyAll the places we go: My mostimpacting professional developmentexperience while at Liberty wasa teacher workshop the summerof 2008 at Oxford University withcolleagues Dr. Sarah Lippe, DebraCook, and Ruthie Quam. I was foreverchanged and awed by the richnessand depth of English history and howconnected we Americans are to ourBritish heritage. Our visit included awhirlwind tour of London, capped offwith Shakespeare’s “King Lear” inthe Globe Theater. This summer, I willattend the TCU Advanced PlacementInstitute for English.Q: What book are you reading now?A: Currently I’m reading “Made forHeaven” by C.S. Lewis.Q: What is your best advice to astudent?A: My best advice to a studentwould be to first realize that yourvalue comes from your personalrelationship with Jesus Christ, notfrom performance or achievement(Matthew 6:33); secondly, whateveryou do, give it your best to glorify God(I Corinthians 10:31), and lastly,discover your passions, pursue themwith joy, and expect God to surpriseyou along the way (I Corinthians 2:9).Four Liberty teacherstalk about destinationsthat have enrichedtheir professionaldevelopmentThe Middle School is already lookingforward to next year’s second annual trip.Hopefully students will again enjoy clearskies during the day and snow every night,but most importantly, will once more developcloser friendships and a deeper walk withthe Lord.Tours de forceThe freshman class benefits every year by traveling for two to threedays to colleges in the Texas/Oklahoma region, and this tour alwaysproves to be an important, memorable milestone in a student’s lifeat Liberty. Freshman Ross Earley said, “The college tour allowed meto get a glimpse into campus life and colleges that might be in myfuture. I can’t wait for college!” During the tour of colleges everyyear, students learn specific information regarding the admissionsprocess, course requirements, grade point average, class rank,transcripts, and the importance of leadership, community service, andinvolvement in student organizations. Freshman Madi Stiles said,“I’m glad Liberty allowed the freshman class to have this experience.Choosing a college is a very important life decision, and I’m glad I gotthis opportunity.”Lisa CrabillEarly Childhood Education (ECE)Administrative Assistant,10 years at LibertyAll the places we go: ECE has beengoing to the Texas Baptist ChurchWeekday Education Associationconference for the last few years. Welearn so much, and I love to watchthe excitement in the teachers as theylearn so many new things to use intheir classrooms. It is a great way tostart each school year!Q: What do you do to relieve stress?A: Prayer and a little chocolate.Q: What is the best part of your job?A: The many hugs from our 3- and4-year-old students. I go intowithdrawal during the summerwithout them!Cindy SanchezKindergarten Teacher, 17 years at LibertyAll the places we go: My favorite professionaldevelopment was at an ACSI convention.I attended a reading workshop where thespeaker shared with us many ways to makereading fun and challenging for children. I haveused many of the techniques she shared.Q: What is the best thing you learned as achild that helps you today?A: When I was in kindergarten, I was tested andfound that I had a form of dyslexia. My momwas told to not expect me to be a great reader.This experience taught me to not give up onchildren who struggle because I became a greatreader who loves to read.Q: What is your favorite event at Liberty?A: My favorite event at Liberty is chapel. I lovehearing all of the children praising our Lord! I cryevery time because it is such a sweet sound.Becky ShirleySocial Studies Department Chair,15 years at LibertyAll the places we go: I attend UNT’s fallhistory seminar each year and select thebiographical sessions. I love learningabout the personalities of history andsharing that with my students. As historybecomes personal, it comes alive.Q: Where do you receive yourinspiration?A: I receive my inspiration from thosewho are obedient to God’s words inPhilippians 4 to rejoice in the Lordalways. They rejoice even when timesare extremely difficult. That so blessesme!Q: What is a surprising fact about you?A: I own a pet antelope, two pet deer,two dogs, two cats, two donkeys, andcows (I don’t know exactly how many!)12 LIBERTY LIFE LIBERTY LIFE 13