In TouchSummer 2017

SUMMER 2017
gracechristian.org
What’s Inside?
Page 2
Letter | Calendar
Hear from our Head of Schools and check
the calendar for upcoming events.
Congratulations Class of 2017
On June 3, fifty-eight Cascade Christian High School
seniors received their diplomas as CCHS's 36th
graduating class.
The class of 2017 began celebrating the
end of their time at Cascade Christian
High School with a Baccalaureate service
on Thursday, June 1, held at Table Rock
Fellowship. Senior Maeve Payne, gave
her heartfelt testimony and shared
how Cascade Christian had become an
important part of her life as she made
connections and friends at the school. After
having a tough time in the public-school
sector, she was thankful she had found a
place to BELONG at Cascade Christian.
Mr. Clint Ritchie, high school social
science teacher, through a couple moments
of holding back tears and a joke or two,
shared with the students how much they
meant to him and how much he would miss
the Class of 2017. He also reminded them
that life “is not fair” and it is important to
ALWAYS LEAN ON JESUS IN TIMES
OF TRIALS.
The celebrating continued Saturday, June
3, with the Commencement Ceremony
held in the Cascade Christian Pavilion.
The students were addressed by Jackson
County Sheriff, Nathan Sickler, who
charged them to stay true to their faith.
Afterward, families, grads and guests
gathered in the breezeway enjoying the
decor and refreshments provided by junior
Page 3, 6-7
Class of 2017 cont.
Read about the many accomplishments
from our Class of 2017 graduates.
Pages 4–5
Grace Cascade
Christian Schools
Hear what's new in the elementary and
middle school and meet our 2017
Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Page 8
Alumni News
Catch up on college graduations,
marriages, and reunions.
Page 7
Development
There are many ways that you can stay
involved with God's work, impacting
young people through the vehicle of
Grace Cascade Christian Schools.
#allforHim
Continued on page 3

2
InTouch | Summer 2017
From the Head of Schools
Dear Parents and Friends of Grace Cascade,
The last few weeks have been celebratory for all of us! We
have been inspired by our CCHS graduates who crossed the stage at
their Commencement with diplomas in hand and eighth grade students
and families who experienced promotion at the new Cascade Christian
Middle School.
We have several faithful employees who are being called to
other opportunities in which they will serve God. This includes Brian
Boisen and Wally Nye (high school part-time Bible teachers), Carolyn
Thompson (elementary Physical Education), and Lorrie Penn and
Raeanna Roseborough (assistants at Grace Christian). Each served the
Lord well and offered time and care to students. Lastly, Mrs. Diane
McMahan, has retired this year and moved with her husband to be close
to family and grandchildren in Coos Bay. Diane was instrumental in
insuring a successful move of our middle school. She has an amazing
heart for Jesus and will be dearly missed by all.
Looking forward, the Lord has brought several qualified
teachers who love the Lord, are passionate about student learning and
hold a State teaching credential. We have hired a Chemistry, Engineering,
Physics high school teacher, three Physical Education teachers, one at each
of our schools, and a part-time Spanish teacher at the high school who
will support our very successful Spanish program.
And with pleasure, I look forward to your meeting Mr. Tim
Dexter, our new Cascade Christian Middle School Principal. The
principals are excited to work with him. Tim comes from four years as a
successful K-12 Principal in the Prospect School District. He is married to
Vanessa, a teacher in the Medford School District, and has two children.
The Dexter family enjoy athletics, the beach, and spending time with
family in the outdoors. We welcome them to our extended Grace Cascade
Christian Schools family.
As we prepare for our new school year, we press in and
acknowledge our God with acclaim. We celebrate with thanksgiving
the small, ordinary every day accomplishments and the more noticeable
work He is doing in our schools. We are pleased re-enrollment and new
enrollment is well above the last several years. So, it is with a grateful
heart that I express my thanks to you. Partnering with you in the Biblical
education of your children has been a privilege. I, along with all our
staff, look forward to the first day of the new 2017-2018 school year, on
Tuesday September 5th.
Rich blessings as you celebrate summer vacation!
Devon Rickabaugh, Head of Schools
Calendar of Events
AUGUST 29, 2017
Back to School Bash
CCMS / CCHS · 7 PM
Middle school and high
school students will pick
up schedules and reconnect
with friends.
AUGUST 31, 2017
Back to School Bash
GCES · 9-11 AM & 3-6 PM
Grace Christian early
learning and elementary
students - come meet
your teacher!
SEPTEMBER 5 2017
PS-9 First Day of School
2017-2018 school year
Preschool - 9th grade, and
new 10th-12th grade students
begin classes today.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
10-12 First Day of School
Returning 10th-12th grade
students begin classes today.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
CCHS Spiritual
Foundation Day
The 2017-18 school
theme is revealed and
the spiritual tone is set
for the year.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2017
CCMS Spiritual
Foundation Day
Middle school students
start out the year focused
on the Lord.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
CCMS Parents Only Night
CCMS Campus · 7 PM
A time to meet teachers,
experience your students'
schedule and hear about
classroom expectations..
SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
GCES Parents Only Night
GCES Campus · 7 PM
A time for parents to
get to know homeroom
teachers and hear about
classroom expectations.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2017
CCHS Parents Only Night
CCHS · 7 PM
A time for parents to have
a quick overview of their
child's schedule and to
hear from their teachers
about expectations in the
classroom.
OCTOBER 13, 2017
HOMECOMING GAME &
GRANDPARENTS DAY
Game @ US Cellular Field
· 7 PM
Grandparents are our
special guests during the
school day.
OCTOBER 14, 2017
2nd ANNUAL ALUMNI
FOOTBALL GAME
Challenger Park · Time TBA
Be watching for more
information.
Grace Cascade Christian Schools

Summer 2017 | InTouch
Class of 2017
cont. from front cover
parents, as they continued in the long-standing
tradition of hosting the graduation reception.
The Class of 2017 saw many accomplishments
this year, including VOLLEYBALL who took
FIRST AT STATE, BOYS' GOLF who were
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS, GIRLS' TRACK
who placed FIRST AT STATE and broke a state
record for the 4 x 100 (see photo to right). SWIM
TEAM was acknowledged for academics, HAVING
THE HIGHEST CUMULATIVE GPA OF ANY
SWIM TEAM IN THE STATE OR OREGON
AT ALL LEVELS. In addition, Megan Kim
represented our school and the state of Oregon at
the National Poetry Out Loud Recitation contest
held in Washington D.C. (see photo to right), HIGH
SCHOOL BAND brought home THREE FIRST
PLACE TROPHIES from the annual ACSI
Instrumental Festival for large band, jazz band and
individual solo, and the second edition of the studentled
Spark literary magazine was published in the
spring, with a KICK OFF OPEN MIC NIGHT
PARTY to celebrate. Over thirty students and adults
attended the event and it looks like it will be a new
tradition to carry on into the following school year.
Our art program continues to thrive and be
recognized in the community. Seniors who were
acknowledged in the Southern Oregon University
BEST OF THE BEST ART SHOW were
KIALEY COOK (digital art), JULIE BUCK (oil),
MAEVE PAYNE (watercolor & ink), and EMILEE
KUYPER (watercolor & ink). Emilee also was a
STATE WINNER for the RIGHT TO LIFE ART
COMPETITION.
The following students were recognized as
MEDFORD KIWANIS VOCATIONAL
STUDENTS: JARED CUAREZMA ZELEDON
(Building and Construction); SARAH
DOMBROWSKY (Music); and JULIE BUCK,
MAEVE PAYNE, and EMILEE KUYPER (Art).
It is evident that God has many wonderful things in
store for the Class of 2017.
WE CELEBRATED FIVE
YOUNG MEN AT OUR
FIRST EVER “MILITARY
SIGNING EVENT.
Each will receive a full-ride
G.I. Bill for their service.
FIVE STUDENTS HAVE
SIGNED TO PLAY
THEIR SPORT AT THE
COLLEGIATE LEVEL.
Forty-nine of the fifty-eight
graduates plan to attend
twenty-four different colleges
or universities in the fall, with
81 percent of these students
beginning at a four-year
institution. Five percent of
the graduates will enter the
workforce and two percent
will work in ministry first
before attending college.
Sixteen students will stay
local to attend Southern
Oregon University or Rogue
Community College, while
nineteen are headed out of
state, with the farthest being
Wheaton College in Illinois.
The Class of 2017 were
academic minded individuals,
evidenced by the many
awards and scholarships
earned throughout the
school year. We would like
to congratulate the following
students who maintained a
CUMULATIVE 4.0 GPA
throughout all four years at
CCHS: ZOEY BOISEN,
SARAH DOMBROWSKY,
Continued on page 6
Jackson County Sheriff, Nathan Sickler
gracechristian.org
Megan Kim
L to R: Zoey Boisen (12), Emily Stephens (10),
Haley Reed (12), Amber Cave (10)
L to R: Josh Adams, Ryan Brown, Ryan Liedecker,
Brandon Quinn, Cole Thomson
3

InTouch | Summer 2017
Night of the Notables
A new tradition begins for fifth grade
students at Grace Christian Elementary
School.
4
Grace Christian students are introduced early to research paper
procedures so that they are amply prepared for their transition
into middle and then high school. This year fifth grade students researched a notable person in history. To build upon
the program and to give students opportunity to share facts with peers and adults, Grace Christian hosted a “Night
of the Notables”. Students attended the evening dressed as their notable person and adults asked them questions, of
which they had to answer as if they were that individual. In addition, each student prepared a tri-fold board that was
displayed for all to peruse at the end of the evening’s event. The night was a smashing success and it will most definitely
be a new tradition for our younger students to look forward to. To see more photos from the event, visit our website at
gracechristian.org/night-of-the-notables/.
Meet Samantha
Cascade Christian High School's
2017 Valedictorian.
" I didn't know how much I
enjoyed the mathematical and
scientific fields until Mrs. Merritt
and Mrs. Morse hooked me with
their brilliance, passion, and
encouragement."
Samantha Shelton started attending
Cascade Christian her freshman year.
At the beginning of her senior year
she had a goal -- to be the CCHS
Valedictorian like her two sisters who
proceeded her -- and she made that
goal!
When Samantha was young, her
dream job was either to train buffaloes
or join a motorcycle gang. Well...
neither panned out. :) So now she is
going into the engineering program
at Oregon State University to be an
electrical or mechanical engineer.
Samantha recalls that one of her
fondest memories at Cascade
Christian is the day Abbie Hocking
became one of her dearest friends.
She had been having a rough day her
sophomore year and Abbie listened to
her complaints and then gave her the
advice to "go home and have some
hot chocolate". But Samantha had to
go to work. It meant the world to her
when Abbie showed up the next day
with her comfort drink in hand!
When asked if she will stay
connected to the Cascade Christian
community, Samantha replied,
"While I have only spent four years
of my life here, they have played
such a significant role in shaping
my character, dedication, and walk
with God. That will always stay with
me even after I leave." She will also
cherish her deep relationships she
created with peers, teachers, and the
administration.
Grace Cascade Christian Schools

Summer 2017 | InTouch
Lights! (new ones) Camera! Action!
The Cascade Christian Middle School musical was
performed for the first time at the Cascade Christian
campus under new stage lighting provided by a
generous designated donation.
Each spring, middle school students perform a musical for delighted audiences which
highlights 8th graders. This year’s production, under the direction of Mrs. Angie Kucera,
was titled, Dorothy in Wonderland by Brian D. Taylor -- a mash up of your favorites such
as The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. This is the first MS musical held on a “real”
stage and the results were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Detailed costuming, talented students, and
brand-new stage lighting purchased from a generous $27,000 designated donation, all
worked together to produce a quality show that you are surely sorry to have missed. Mark
your calendars for the 3rd week of March 2018 for next year’s show! For more photos visit
gracechristian.org/2017-middle-school-musical.
5
Meet Zoey
Cascade Christian High School's
2017 Salutatorian.
Zoey Boisen also began attending
Cascade Christian High School her
freshman year. When asked if she
felt Cascade Christian prepared her
for the future, she replied,
"I truly appreciated the
teachers at Cascade.
Señor Chavez
showed me what true
Godliness looked like;
Mr. Gritters is truly
wise; and Mrs. Merritt's
brilliance and kindness
inspired me."
What are Zoey's fondest memories
of Cascade Christian? "Laughing
with my friends and teachers." And
if you had seen Zoey in the halls of
Cascade, you would have noticed
her ever present and contagious
smile.
Zoey's future plans are to attend
Westmont College in Santa Barbara,
California, to major in Biology with
a focus on Environmental Sciences
and Zoology while pursing the
Premedical track. Zoey plans to
become a physician and aspires to
travel abroad and serve others in
need.
"I made exceptional, longlasting
friendships (at Cascade
Christian) that will last
throughout my lifetime."
gracechristian.org

InTouch | Summer 2017
Invest...Impact...Inspire!
Grace Cascade Christian Schools is blessed to have a community of GIVING,
enabling our students to receive a Christ-centered education, unmatched in
the Rogue Valley.
You can join this community of giving by:
6
Giving financially towards our WISH LIST items for
immediate practical needs
SPONSORING OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS such as:
Gifts of Grace benefit dinner, the Annual Auction and our Sports Sponsor program
Establishing ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
to invest in students’ tuition needs for the future
Volunteering and M entoring P rograms
sharing your experience and areas of expertise
Be looking for
information this
summer on how
YOU can
help us become
MORTGAGE
ZERO!
Please contact Dave Fennell at 541-608-1323 or visit gracechristian.org/support to find
out more about how you can BELONG to our future!
Class of 2017 continued from page 3
ABIGAIL HOCKING, MEGAN KIM, LANE NOLAN,
SAMANTHA SHELTON, and ANDREW WHEELER. All
seven of these students participated in Advanced Placement (AP)
courses. In all, eighteen graduates
received one or more chords for
receiving an “A” in AP classes, with
SEVENTEEN EARNING A
SCHOLAR’S DIPLOMA. (Learn
about the CCHS Scholar's diploma
at
gracechristian.org/academics/
high-school/.) At the time of this
writing FOUR STUDENTS
RECEIVED THE COLLEGE BOARD AWARD OF “AP
SCHOLAR”. This means they received scores of “3” or higher
on three or more AP exams. Congratulations to AMANDA
ARMAS, ZOEY BOISEN, MEGAN KIM and SAMANTHA
SHELTON for this honor. Many more students will receive this
award after the 2016-2017 AP scores are released in July. Students
The Class of 2017 was
awarded nearly $3 million
dollars in scholarship funds
and accepted over $1.3
million of these dollars.
who took advantage of AP courses and concurrent credit through Southern
Oregon University will begin college in the fall with up to 60+ credits.
Adding Mr. Jeff Olson to our staff this year as our college & career
counselor helped ease the college process for many of our current grads.
Mr. Olson assisted students with finding scholarships to apply for and
encouraged students to search on their own
as well.
"Being awarded over $1.3 million in
scholarships is a significant accomplishment
for a small class, " says Mrs. Olson, "and we
know that more scholarships are still being
awarded throughout the summer months."
The ASB and class officers led the school in service through programs such
as the Sparrow Club. This year our Sparrow, Nevaeh (see photo on page 7),
was received warmly by our students who worked hard to earn money
for her and her family by volunteering their time on service projects.
Once again, Southern Oregon Subaru was the sponsoring business who
partnered with CCHS.
Grace Cascade Christian Schools

Summer 2017 | InTouch
Athletics at Cascade Christian are a big deal! Our
student athletes work hard both on and off the
field. This year, we celebrated an OSAA 3A State
Championship in Girls’ Volleyball, Boys’ Golf, Girls’
Track, and a Class A Division 2 State Championship
for our new Trap Shooting team. Our Cheer team brought
home an OSAA 2nd place trophy as well.
Academically, our Boys’ Swim team and Boys’ Tennis team
had the highest combined GPA for their respective sports in
the entire state at any level. Additionally, our Boys’ basketball,
wrestling, Girls’ tennis, and Boys’ track had the highest GPA
for the 3A level. Many of our athletes embrace the challenge of
being multi-sport athletes. This year we had 19 students that
were 3-sport athletes!
Without our Sports Sponsors, we would not be able to invest
in some of the top tier coaches in the state. These coaches
mentor our student athletes through Biblical principles to grow
in their faith and their sport, contributing to the tremendous
success the Challengers enjoy. Follow Challenger news at
challengerathletics.com.
The ASB was led by president, STELLA SANCHEZ, who
also RECEIVED THE SUPERINTENDENT’S CUP at the
Commencement Ceremony for her service and dedication to
the Lord that was evidenced by her works, her speech, and her
demeanor.
Our 2016-2017 Coaches
Cross Country | Jill Carpenter - HC
Football | Jon Gettman - HC, Jerry Burchfiel, Sam Carpenter, Steve Furst,
Joe Hagler, Andy Scaglione, Mike Schaan
Soccer | Terry Fretz - HC boys, Allan Ramos-Garcia - boys
Mick Power - HC girls
Volleyball | Rob Kleker - HC, Joni McCleary
Basketball | Brian Morse - HC - boys, Darby Flenner, Micah Johnson
Mark McLemore, Ryan McLemore, Scott Morse, Paul Sha
Scott Martinez - HC - girls, Daryl Hunt, Christy Willard
Swimming | Otilia Sapienza - HC
Wrestling | Dan Vidlak - HC, Bill Jones
Bowling | Wende Brown - HC, Gary Ferguson, Joe Mitchell, Adam Southard
Baseball | David Martin - HC, Jordan Banks, Mark McLemore
Danny Sha, Paul Sha , Ryder West
Softball | Keith Willard - HC, Christi Fisher, Jennifer Hite
Jeremy Knight Morgan Mapes
Golf | Jerry Johnson - HC, Fred Bailey, Norm Homeier
Tennis | Brian Morse - HC, Micah Johnson
Track | Gary Bennett - HC, Kathy Alexander, Rodney Ash
Todd Burns, Trudy Burns, Jill Carpenter, Andrew Pierson
Mike Schaan, Andrew Shipley
Trap Shooting | Mel Weeks - HC
#sparrowstrong
7
Stella receives the
Superintendent's Cup
from Mrs. Rickabaugh
CCHS students and ASB advisor Mrs. Mayben with Nevaeh.
All and all we must say “ job well done” to the Class of 2017!
We are excited for your future and look forward to hearing
about where the Lord is leading each one of you.
gracechristian.org

InTouch | Summer 2017
8
College & Career
Kayla Winter (Class of 2013)
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Olivet University with a Bachelor
of Science in Athletic Training.
Kayla will be attending the doctoral
Physical Therapy program at
George Fox University this fall. She
recently traveled to Europe with
fellow Cascade Christian graduates:
Kathryn Toombs, Brittney Brown,
and Lauren and Stephanie Croy.
Luke Dusenbury (Class of 2013)
Graduated from Corban University
with a Bachelor of Science in History
and a minor in Biblical Studies.
Luke plans on going back to Corban
for a final year and playing his last
season of baseball while acquiring
his teaching license. Luke is also
currently pursuing his passions
in photography and videography,
hoping that God continues to open
doors in that potential job field.
Recently he was invited by Switchfoot
to take photos at their annual concert
& surf competition in Encinitas,
California.
Kathryn Toombs (Class of 2013)
Graduated Suma Cum Laude
from Biola University with a
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
and Integrated Media and a minor
in Biblical Studies. Kathryn was
also one of only 40 graduates (in a
class of 1,000) to be inducted into
Biola’s Honor Society—Epsilon
Kappa Epsilon, for her excellence
in academics and community
involvement.
Class of 2007 is having their ten-year reunion July 21-22, 2017.
Info is on the website at gracechristian.org/alumni/class-reunions/
Grace Cascade Christian Schools

Summer 2017 | InTouch
Tim Martin (Class of 2013)
Graduated Cum Laude from
Southern Oregon University with
a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration with a concentration
in Management. Tim and his
wife, Taylee Burns (Class of
2013) , currently live in the Rogue
Valley. Tim is working as a project
coordinator with Pacific Retirement
Services.
Janelle Murray (Class of 2013)
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Seattle Pacific University with a
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education.
Janelle hopes to return to the Rogue
Valley to pursue a teaching position
in choral and/or instrumental music.
Emily Scotton Sutherland (Class
of 2013) Graduated from Northwest
Christian University with a Bachelor
of Arts in Psychology. Emily and
her husband, Nathan, have recently
relocated to Columbus, Ohio,
where Nathan took a position as
the Worship Pastor at Capital City
Church.
Have news to
share?
email Lori Toombs,
ltoombs@gracechristian.org
or visit the website at
gracechristian.org/alumni/
Do we have your current contact
info? Is this going to your parents
instead of directly to you?
Update your info today so that
we can make sure you receive
the invite to the 2nd annual
Alumni football game!
Dacie Meer Molleson (Class of
2013) Married Kevin Molleson in
March 2017. They are currently
living in Clackamas, OR. Dacia
studied Diagnostic Medical Sonography
at Oregon Institute of Technology.
Monique Kaldunski (Class of 2012)
& Corey Friesen (Class of 2012)
were married in June 2017. Monique
is an RN at Asante Rogue Regional
Medical Center. Corey will be
graduating from Oregon Tech in
December with a Bachelor’s degree
in Information Technology with an
emphasis on Health Informatics.
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Weddings
Evan Samuelsen (Class of 2013)
Graduated from Grand Canyon
University with a Bachelor of Science
in Business Management. Evan
currently works for Dutch Bros in
the Phoenix, Arizona area and hopes
to continue on to a franchise.
Ashley Weeks (Class of 2014) &
Levi Clark (Class of 2014)
Were married in June 2017.
J.D. Day (Class of 2013) is currently
stationed in Florida serving in the
United States Air Force. He and
his wife, Aubry, were married in
Medford, June 2017. Aubry is a
kindergarten teacher.
gracechristian.org

Non-Profit Org
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PAID
Permit #149
Medford, OR
855 Chevy Way
Medford OR 97504
Save the Date!
2nd annual
Alumni Football Game
October 14, 2017
Make sure you're on the list!
Contract Lori Toombs with your current info,
ltoombs@gracechristian.org
CCHS HOMECOMING GAME IS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017 @ US Cellular, 7 PM
Call today to schedule your private tour. 541-858-7257
Grace Cascade Christian Schools is accredited by ACSI and AdvancEd.
Grace Cascade Christian Schools exists as a faithful instrument in God’s hands to assist Christian
families by providing a Biblically-based education designed to cultivate spiritual maturity, Godly
character, strong scholarship and selfless service to others, resulting in students who know Jesus
Christ personally and make Him known.
Copyright © 2016 Grace Cascade Christian Schools.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced in any form except by prior written
permission. Printed on recycled paper. 1527