CHCA Eagle's Eye 2014

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Refreshingly insightful by Todd D. Bacon, J.D., M.A.T.S., International Student Program Director Guests and Hosts-Hospitality Opens Doors “CHCA has allowed me to experience a completely different culture in a Christ-centered environment in which I have been able to make new friends, learn different things and overall, experience the adventure of living abroad.” CHCA International Student, Guillermo Farfán II 14 From the growing number of international students attending CHCA, one might easily conclude that our International Student Program and global emphasis is simply an act of hospitality receiving students from other countries. This is only a small part of a much bigger picture! CHCA’s network of global friends and relationships has grown steadily and is becoming increasingly reciprocal and mutually enriching. Beyond the beautiful relationship that continues to blossom between our students and children in Monterrey Mexico (supported through Back2Back Ministries) and countless international Intersession mission trips, relationships are growing around the world from Israel to Guatemala, Kenya, China, and Korea. The writer Karen Hering beautifully captures the essence of the word ‘hospitality’ as she explains its origin. Hering notes that the Latin root ghosti, contains both “guest”’ and “stranger” in “an etymology beautifully intertwined as a reminder that hospitality is born of a rich reciprocity in which guest and host are merely roles exchanged over time.”1 She notes that both Greek and Arabic also fuse the meaning of guest and host into one broad, generous word.
CHCA’s network of global friends and relationships has grown steadily and is becoming increasingly reciprocal and mutually enriching. Although there are many examples and stories of the ways in which CHCA has been both guest and host, let me offer three. First, I think of CHCA’s faculty, students, and parents who have travelled frequently to the Tent of Nations and Daher’s Vineyard, an organic farm located in the hills southwest of Bethlehem. There they have learned first-hand of the extraordinary Christ-like example of Daoud Nassar and his family who tirelessly work towards building bridges of understanding, reconciliation, and peace in Israel. The MSL High School in return welcomed and hosted Mr. Nassar at CHCA as he spoke in Chapel and helped our community understand first-hand the calling we have as Christ followers to engage in working for shalom within our world. Next May, we anticipate sending an Intersession group of students and faculty to both learn about the struggle for peace and reconciliation between Palestinian Christians and Jews, as well as to help develop and install an aquaponic system on the farm. Another example of growing reciprocity is the relationship that has emerged between CHCA and an exceptional school and community in Guatemala. CHCA has been the beneficiary of two remarkable students from MAES Modern American English School in Antigua, Guatemala, and CHCA students and faculty have also had the opportunity to travel there to learn, share, and deepen their understanding of Spanish language and Guatemalan culture. Last summer John Prado, one of our Spanish teachers at the High School, travelled with a small group of students to Antigua and were lovingly enveloped into MAES’ community, as they were immersed into their life and culture living with host families. The opportunities for deepening the relationship between MAES and CHCA in the future are only just beginning. The third example represents an exciting new development for CHCA and a natural extension of the International Student Program. Next spring, the first CHCA student will spend a semester studying at Gehzi High School of Shanghai, located in the heart of downtown Shanghai, China. Because of the mutual trust and relationships that have developed among CHCA, the Shangahi Dian Zhi Ya Cultural Exchange Company, Gehzi High School and its parents and students, a CHCA senior - whose passion is to study and prepare for an International business career in Asia - will become possible while in High School abroad. The opportunity to study and live in China for a semester will provide an extraordinary rich experience on which to draw in shaping her goals and coursework in University. In addition to our first CHCA exchange student, the growing relationship between CHCA and schools in both Shanghai and Hangzhou, will soon provide significant opportunities for collaboration and shared learning between students and programs in both countries. “For us, welcoming Guillermo into our home expanded our family. In addition to Guillermo joining us, we have a special bond with his family in Guatemala. This has been a double blessing. Our lives are richer because our families are connected. It has been an extraordinary experience for us all.” CHCA Host Parents Todd and Natalie Pfister Only one year ago CHCA launched the International Student Program to comprehensively meet the needs of a growing number of international students. Rather than relying on traditional agencies to recruit and support these students, CHCA designed a program that would facilitate the recruitment of excellent students, place them with CHCA families, and provide a level of academic and social support that would allow these students to thrive and succeed as integral members of our community. International Student fees, in addition to regular tuition pay for these services and the program, has been remarkably successful. Seven initial students finished their first year within the program and we anticipate welcoming an additional 16 new students from China, Korea, Guatemala, and Mexico this fall. Ever since the first international student arrived at CHCA in 2007, the presence of international students in our school has deeply enriched our academic program, lives, and community. We are profoundly thankful for their presence in our lives and to the host families who have lovingly opened their hearts and homes to these young men and women. Please consider ways in which your family might participate in the International Student Program as guests or hosts in our growing communities of friends around the world. If you would like additional information on our program and specifically on opportunities to host an international student, I would be delighted to connect with you! Please consider ways in which your family might participate in the International Student Program as guests or hosts in our growing communities of friends around the world. Contact Todd Bacon for more information - Todd.Bacon@chca-oh.org 1 Karen Hering, Writing to Wake the Soul. (New York, New York: Atria Books/Beyond Words, 2013), 192. 15
Page 1 and 2: The Cincinnati Hills Christian Acad
Page 3 and 4: From the Head of School Randy Brunk
Page 5 and 6: amazing part of the world of CHCA I
Page 7 and 8: the end of the 2013-2014 school yea
Page 9 and 10: Every year, Martha S. Lindner High
Page 11 and 12: community garden known as ‘The Gi
Page 13 and 14: Learn, Lead and Serve Scholarships
Page 15: and Armenians read the same Bible.
Page 19 and 20: This experience gave them an opport
Page 21 and 22: Highlights from our outstanding 201
Page 23 and 24: Coaches & Staff Eric Taylor was nam
Page 25 and 26: among them. They spontaneously pray
Page 27 and 28: fine arts awards Exuberantly creati
Page 29 and 30: Graduation weekend kicked off with
Page 31 and 32: 44% of our seniors were recognized
Page 33 and 34: Inspiringly benevolent What I learn
Page 35 and 36: students who dedicated themselves t
Page 37 and 38: Alumni News by Casey (Sutherly) Pur
Page 39 and 40: Resiliently faithful Class of 2002
Page 41 and 42: Class of 2007 Bryn Clark married Mo
Page 43 and 44: Resiliently faithful John Lloyd gra
Page 45 and 46: Resiliently faithful Wes Braden is
Page 47 and 48: story. For example, my agent wanted

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