Out of the Box October 2010

A publication of Santa Clarita Christian School

Table of Contents

Box Thoughts 3
Academic Excellence 4
Spiritual Development
Athletic Distinction
6
8
Teaching MINDS
Creative Expression
Servant Leadership
10
12
Training hearts
Technology in the Box
Alumni from the Box
14
15
For God

Contributors—Derek Swales, Tracey Scott,

Jennifer Duncan, Jackie Houchin, Jennifer Lord,
Matt Brown, Greg Clark, Darcy Brown, and
Layout by Dee Morrison

© 2010. All rights reserved.

Out of the Box Vol. 1, No. 1
Fall 2010
Published by: Santa Clarita Christian School
27249 Luther Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91351
661-252-7371
www.sccs.cc

Member ACSI
SCCS is accredited by the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
 BOXThoughts
Live like God wants you to live...
that's out of the box!
Our school motto is “Teaching minds and training hearts for God.” We want our
students to come to our school to not only learn how to “make a living” but we want to teach
them how to live for God in their home, church and community. Our school’s logo is a red
box with the SCCS letters inside. “Inside the box” we want to be a consistent place where
students, teachers, parents and alumni are always striving to do what is right. Many times
good deeds shine even brighter in a world that has no hope. A teenager that smiles or talks
to adults, a teacher that goes out to lunch with their students, this is not uncommon at SCCS;
a school where students actually sing out and worship God during chapel. We like to call it
living “out of the box.”
 
We have a special school where we foster students to win or lose gracefully, be a bold
witness to people who don’t know Jesus as their personal Savior, to be creative, take the
initiative, be a servant-leader, do right no matter what anyone else is doing, be kind, responsible, generous, be
joyful in times of trials, but most importantly be what God wants you to be… that’s living “outside the box!” We seek to honor
God by simply teaching minds and training hearts to live for God. Since 1982 we have prepared students to make a living not just
outside the box, but how to daily live for God inside the box. Living a dynamic Christian life can shine bright when our talents and
spiritual gifts are used to clearly point to a great and loving God. This is our mission and purpose at SCCS and for life to be lived
“out of the box!” in our Christian lives. Our hope for this publication is to better document and clearly manifest the great work that
God is doing at SCCS.
 
We would like to promote five pillars of our school: Academic Excellence, Spiritual Development, Servant Leadership, Creative
Expression and Athletic Distinction. As we promote these areas we want to accomplish four things. First, we want to celebrate the
variety of gifts of each student because it benefits the common good of the school.  Why? Because God has gifted each one to be a
benefit to the whole student body.   Respect, recognition, honor and even celebrating one another’s God honoring gifts make SCCS a
special place.   1 Corinthians 12:4,5  says “Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of ministries,
and the same Lord;  There are varieties of effects, but it is the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is
given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 
 
Second, we can strengthen our witness for the Lord Jesus Christ when people see genuine faith and authentic Christianity.  We
must pay attention to one another and show our fundamental respect for one another…….there is nothing easy about that, but it is
so important. In doing this, we grow together and we learn from one another.  And as we think about one another’s gifts, we can be
mindful that our gifts span the community from the youngest to oldest members of our school family. Many times, it is the youngest
members of an organization that come closest to speaking the truth – a great hidden blessing of our K-12 school.  Together, we can
have a stronger testimony of the gospel – so let’s shine bright.
 
Third, we can equip Christian leaders that eventually become morally and spiritually mature.  Their obedience and love for God
becomes more and more evident when they emerge as spirit filled leaders who are actively serving the Lord.  At SCCS we have
students on campus 180 days of the year for 7-10 hours a day.  We take seriously our leadership role in guiding students morally and
spiritually.  We want to mentor and disciple young people so they will do likewise.
 
Fourth, we purpose to promote strong relationships. We have a great campus environment because we love our school and
passionately serve the Lord together.  We want to continue to be known for our friendly, unified student body and our caring
teachers. 
 
Preparing to live outside the box by living “out of the box!”
 
We would all agree that we have much to be grateful for as we celebrate the giftedness of our students, the hard work of our
teachers and the efforts we are taking to make SCCS the best it can be. Together let’s celebrate a bright future and our passionate
commitment to your investment in a balanced and, most importantly, biblically based Christian education.
 
It is our honor to serve you and your family.
Kindly,
Mr. Swales, Principal
  3
Academic

Teaching Minds
for COLLEGE
for Life

If one were to pick up a newspaper and read an article about SCCS –

whether about a team winning a championship or a student going on to an
Ivy League school – one would detect a sense of surprise that this small,
private school achieved something great.
 
We would argue, though, that these successes are purposeful and are
exactly what we expect.  We expect great things from our school and from
our students.  And why shouldn’t we?  We serve a great God who we ask
each day to do great things through us.  Never would we desire to be seen as
anything but a great school, so that in all that we do, we can glorify God and
represent Him to those around us.
 
The Importance of a Biblical Worldview
 
In our opinion, perhaps the most important reason for sending a student to
a Christian school is for that student to be presented the subject matter from a
biblical perspective.  We believe that education is not spiritually neutral, and
that students who learn math, science, english and history from a Christian
point of view, from teachers who are committed to biblical Christianity, build
a framework for thinking that will guide them into their adult life.  It is the
training of the heart in conjunction with teaching of the mind that creates
continuity in the learning environment of a child.
 
The Quality of our Educational Program
 
While it is clear that SCCS offers a quality Christian focus, many wonder if
the same is true of the education it offers. But make no mistake – it is our goal
to offer to our students a high caliber of education that equips them to enter
whatever educational path or vocation they choose.  In fact, the academic
program at SCCS holds our students to a much higher standard than those
offered at any of the larger schools in the area. Students who attend classes at
SCCS are going to experience and be expected to succeed at one of the most
challenging academic programs in the Santa Clarita Valley.
 
4
 Excellence
Beginning with our elementary students, we
have a focus on seeing our students succeed and
enter college with the best preparation possible.
Class sizes are limited to 20-25 students, so
even though our school is filled with over 500
K-12 students, each receives personal attention.
Our faculty average over 12 years of teaching
experience, the majority with advanced degrees,
teaching credentials, or both. Teachers are not
just there to instruct, but also to mentor their
students and help them grow in all areas of their
lives.
 
At the junior high level, students are already
being prepared for the college-preparatory high
school program. We do this by means of a rigorous
classroom curriculum, through training in time We believe that the children who come through SCCS receive
management and organizational skills, and by the best education available to them. They are taught by a well-
working to develop personal responsibility and educated faculty, with a unified vision and biblical worldview. And
independence in each student. because SCCS develops the whole student, not just the academic
  portion, our graduates—from any level—are well-equipped to
Our high school graduation requirements handle not just college but life. 
exceed those of any other school in the Santa
Clarita Valley, including four years of English,
Colleges SCCS graduates
four years of social studies, three years of lab
science, three years of math, four years of Bible,
Have been accepted to (limited list):
two years of a foreign language, and a year of
Christian Institutions Public and Private
fine arts. In addition, most of our seniors have
taken multiple Advanced Placement classes Azusa Pacific Baylor University
and have passed at least one AP exam, earning Biola University Cal Poly
college credit and gaining a head start above Cal Lutheran University Cal State University
their peers. The Master’s College Cornell University
  Point Loma Nazarene Johns Hopkins University
Our confidence in our students’ academic Vanquard University Occidental College
abilities is best illustrated in the annual Senior Westmont College Pepperdine University
Project.  This independent study project, Purdue University
required for graduation, is a celebration of UCLA
everything each senior has achieved at SCCS.  USC
Each student picks a topic to research over  
a four-month period, and writes a 15-page
paper discussing their research. As even more
incentive, all of their work is put up for public
display at the end of the school year.
 
Our students have been admitted to some
of the most prestigious colleges in the nation,
including schools like UCLA, USC, Cal Poly,
and Pepperdine University. Often the dilemma
our students face is which college to choose
once they are accepted, rather than whether
they would be admitted at all. n
 

5
Chapel
A Look at Elementary Chapel
If you are on our school campus on Friday mornings, On the last Friday of
you’ll hear many sounds coming from the gym: moments the month, the “Kids
of quiet followed by loud cheering, music being played, of Character” awards
and eruptions of clapping. Are they sounds of a basketball are given out. These
or volleyball game? Nope – these excited sounds are awards are given to
coming from the amazing chapels our elementary students the students who
attend each week! have best exemplified
  the various character
What is it about our chapels that cause our kids to be themes each month
so excited and involved? It’s the opportunity to both lead September was the
and learn that makes our chapels so special. trait of responsibi-
  lity; October was
This year, our theme is “A Walk through the Bible.” cheerfulness. There
Each week, the chapel focuses on a different book of is something very
the Old Testament. At the beginning of chapel, each special about these award times: as each teacher comes
class gets the opportunity to present a song or skit that up to give an award to a student in her class, her students
complements the teaching and books for that week. The literally erupt in cheering. Our teachers are truly beloved
kids are always excited for their opportunity to lead the by their students! And the cheering is just as loud when the
pledges and share what they have worked so hard to students’ names are announced to receive the awards.
prepare.  
  Parents are grateful for the partnership of educational and
Mr. Clark, our chapel coordinator, leads the kids in spiritual training for their children. It is precious to watch
worship. “Shout to the Lord” is one of the favorite songs that combination put into practice during our weekly
to sing! The teaching time is led by Mr. Swales or others, chapel times. If you have never been to a chapel, please
as they share about the books and themes of the Old come and visit! You will be blessed by the faith and
Testament.  leadership demonstrated by both students and staff! n

Kids of Character – September’s Character Trait: Responsibility

Alexia Pelletier, Cyril Gorlla, Jakob Marquez, Darren Eskandar, Brock Gelles, Gianna Kuruppu

Bottom row: Brooke Marquez, Jackson Vercellono, Noah Wiles, Dillon Eskandar, Sydney Boswell
6

Praise and worship take
What you can't see...
many forms in the life
of a Christian. Through
ministry, through service
and through music are
some. In chapel at SCCS
the music leaders are a
vital part of the ministry.
Attending chapel, this
becomes clearly evident
and real as the songs
are sung and the students open their
hearts to what God will say to them in
the teaching. Chapels are one of the
highlights of student life and an integral
part of spiritual growth at SCCS.
 
The SCCS Chapel band is a small group
of students who lead the chapel worship
up to 2 times a week. This group of
talented musicians is literally assembled
together by God and their passion for the
Lord. The goal or vision for chapel band
is to be invisible, leading the students
in worship and not drawing attention
to themselves. For young people today
this is a contradiction to every message
around them. These students, all very gifted, have a heart
for the Lord and a commitment to glorify and exalt Christ.
How encouraging this seems in a world where we are
always struggling with image and stature whether we are
adults or teenagers.
 
The chapel band was formed a few years ago by
Spiritual Development
Greg Clark, our chapel
coordinator. Greg opens up
auditions or ‘try-outs’ each
summer and students are
selected by their musical
ability and their genuine
desire to serve God. This
year especially Mr. Clark is
thankful that the Lord was
so gracious in providing
excellent musicians who
also love the Lord. Greg is happy to know
that almost all past graduates from chapel
band are serving God in their church or
their college in a music ministry.
 
Leading worship at SCCS is not the
only mission of these students. They
have shared and led worship at camps,
been on retreats together, conducted
‘worship nights’ and been involved
in ministry at the Bible Tabernacle,
a ministry of recovery. They spend
countless extra hours rehearsing, in
prayer for our students, and setting up
their instruments on late nights and very
early Friday mornings. This year’s chapel
band members are Megan Gallagher a sophomore, Davis
Muxlow a sophomore, Juliette Valaer a senior and Blake
Dempsey a freshman.
 
Seeing them together leading worship is inspiring and
encouraging but the real encouragement is the heart of
this small group of students and what you can’t see. n 
7
Athletic Distinction
Volleyball
Netting Better Teams

Trivia question: What team at SCCS has the most members? Clue: The answer is not
the football team. It is the high school girls’ volleyball team. With try-outs having the
largest turnout ever, Coach Darcy Brown had some quick thinking and big decisions
to make last June. This could not be a huge surprise to Coach Brown, a 17 year veteran
coach. With the growing interest, this year happens to be the year they expanded to
having 35 girls on the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams.
 
This did not occur overnight. Over the years, Coach Brown has coached the
junior high and high school teams in the summer leagues, and has started holding an
elementary camp in the past two years. The elementary & junior
high camp is a fun time of skill building and introduction to the
sport. She sometimes has varsity players assist her in coaching
the camps. The program has been growing and flourishing for
many years. SCCS Volleyball has been in the CIF playoffs every
year but one and Coach Brown has coached all of them. Our
teams have made it to the state tournament three times and were
Finalists in the CIF Championship game in 2002.
 
Pretty strong record, lots of good reasons. For years, Coach
Brown has begun her seasons just as she did this year: try-outs
in June, summer leagues at various schools near Santa Clarita,
and a special beach camp to begin the season in late summer.
Camp is a great time of bonding, with ‘football style’ two-a-
day practices, conditioning, and fun times for the team to grow
together. Going away for camp eliminates the distractions of
home and allows the girls to build trust and relationships with
each other. They take off to Ventura for three nights and four
days, and come back to school ready for pre-season play and a bid for playoffs.
 
Goals are set at the beginning of each season, but Coach Brown would prefer that
her players learn more about finishing strong and becoming godly women than about
seeking a set number of victories. She believes that having her teams leave a match
knowing they played their best, whether they won or lost, feels better than a poorly
played win. Knowing that they honored the Lord is the most important realization she
wishes for her players. Many life lessons can be translated through sports, and Coach
Brown encourages her teams to find them.
 
She also has had some great help over the years and this year she is enjoying the
help of a former SCCS faculty member. Dave Martinez, who served at SCCS over 20
years ago, is assisting with the freshman team. Kristina Gibson, SCCS alumni, is also
assisting around her college class schedule. Any time you see the girls enjoying time
together at practices or games, wait and watch, and you might catch them in a “pinky
prayer” as they call it, giving thanks for their team, their school, and God’s wonderful
love. n 
8

Varsity Cheerleaders Serving the Valley
The life of a varsity cheerleader has many interesting
aspects: ponytails, practice, games, practice, posters,
practice, pep rallies, and yet more practice. Game days
are filled with hectic preparation and excitement. All
this, though, is part of normal high school life. The SCCS
Varsity Cheerleaders wanted their squad to be more than
that. They wanted to make an impact for other kids in the
valley less fortunate than themselves.
Under the new leadership of Mrs. Barbara Harano, the
girls sought out a way to be of service to their community
and show what being a Christian meant to them. It was
not difficult to find a group in need. Often in our very
comfortable life here in Santa Clarita, the urgency of real
need goes unnoticed; yet need does exist in our valley
and the SCCS Varsity Cheerleaders joined the Santa
Clarita Food Pantry in gathering food for children. The
SCV Food Pantry, started in 1986, has a motto that “no
child in Santa Clarita should go to bed hungry.”
Serving Cheer
This seems like an easy goal, but with so many
families that are jobless, homeless, and feeling a serious
financial burden, this goal becomes rather ambitious.
The food pantry found itself exhausted this fall from the
extra demand of the summer months, since children
are at home and do not benefit from government lunch
and breakfast programs outside of school. It could not
have been a better time for the cheer squad to approach
the Food Pantry to help. The cheerleaders planned and
campaigned. For three school days, the girls held a food
drive to collect specific items that the Food Pantry stocks
for children, and they were excited to count over 700
food items when the drive was done. With the girls’ help
and enthusiasm, SCV Food Pantry can continue to feed
children in the area who might not have enough to eat.
Now the girls are back to supporting their teams as
normal, encouraging the student body to be a part of the
fun and excitement of games, practicing their routines,
and working on homework. But their hearts and lives are
changed because of their experience, and they cannot
wait to step out again and serve. n
9
Creative
SCCS’s Illustrious Art Teacher
  Susan Iwakoshi how?” she asks, and illustrates the task on an overhead
does more than projector. “The more you practice making straight lines,
teach her students the better you’ll get,” she encourages.
how to draw,  
paint and sculpt. Again demonstrating on the screen, she says, “Put
She challenges your finger on the middle of the page. Now drive straight
them to use their up, almost to the top, and put a dot about the size of a big
imagination, period. Now draw a circle around it.” She holds up the
to be creative, picture of a parrot the students are about to recreate and
and to express points to the eye which they’ve just drawn. Little jaws
themselves drop around the room in excitement.
artistically  
without fear. Using this process, the class draws the complete
  parrot. Ms. Iwakoshi shows examples and invites them
This is Ms. Iwakoshi’s sixth year as the to add backgrounds and colors. Leaving her desk, she
art teacher at SCCS. She teaches elementary classes walks between the tables praising their efforts.
every other week, while secondary students who take art  
as an elective attend art class every day. “In the first lessons, I make sure the students have
  a good awareness of lines and shapes, which make up
Ms. Iwakoshi graduated from the Art Center College of virtually every picture, just like the alphabet makes up
Design in Pasadena with a Bachelor’s degree in illustration. every written paper.” Gradually, her lessons will become
For about ten years, she worked as an animation artist more difficult as shapes get complex and different skill
for Disney Studios. (Ask her about The Little Mermaid sets are added.
sometime.) Then, for thirteen years she became a stay-at-  
home mom for her two children. A fifth grade class attempts two parrots, using varying
  pressures with their pens to sketch shapes before drawing
When she decided to return to work, she discovered them permanently. “Anyone lost?” their teacher asks, and
that animation had gone the way of the computer; so she repeats steps where needed. “Oops!” she says another
decided to go the way of the teacher. Although she was time, and shows them how to modify mistakes.
skilled as a professional artist, it was a brand-new challenge  
to create lesson plans and to teach children the subject she Ms. Iwakoshi chooses a new theme each month.
loved. It didn’t take long, though, for Ms. Iwakoshi to prove The next elementary subject will be pumpkins, the
she has talent in the classroom. cornucopia, and scarecrows in an autumn theme. After
  the winter holidays, dinosaurs, zoo animals, still life,
As one of the second- landscapes, and even animated character design will be
grade classes walks in to introduced, along with new techniques and mediums.
her classroom, she gives  
them Junior and senior high students are given more
freedom in what they draw. They’ve already started on
projects of their own choosing – anything from fashion
design to dragons, from sports figures to still life to robotic
fantasy creatures. Each student is working towards a final
piece to exhibit in the 2011 Art Show on March 18th,
where some of Ms. Iwakoshi’s friends at Disney will be
judges.
each  
two pieces of paper If a student doesn’t know what to draw, Ms. Iwakoshi
and asks them will assign something. She keeps stacks of old calendars
to make a border and posters available to encourage ideas. Some students
around one of them. bring in photos from magazines or even find images
“Do you remember on the Internet to inspire them. One student practices
10
 Expression
copying a stylized, contoured 3-D heart, excellent for
perfecting the curves and shading on the sports cars he
loves to draw.
 
These older students have already been taught the
basics of drawing and creating values using graphite
pencils. Now they learn how to shade sketches with
pen and ink. As they work on their various projects,
Ms. Iwakoshi roams the room, checking on progress,
sitting with students who ask for help, giving pointers,
illustrating techniques, and stretching their talent.
 
Earlier in the year, she taught them to view every
object as a series of shapes by copying upside-down
overhead drawings with their “off” hands. She has also
touched on figure drawing, having the students pose
for each other.
 
Ms. Iwakoshi’s long-term goal is to turn out well-
rounded students who are fantastic Christian citizens,
and who have knowledge of, and appreciation for, the
arts of drawing, painting and sculpting. “It’s challenging,”
she says, “but it’s also fun. I enjoy teaching and I learn a
lot from it, too.” n

11
Servant Leadership
Broadening
Our Outreach by Travelling
Abroad
How long does it take to get to Uganda? 20 hours
in a plane? Several days on a boat? It took the SCCS
Uganda Mission team nearly four years. The planning,
preparation and resources involved in getting ready for a
missions trip are far more than the average person realizes,
especially when the team is going to an unstable, foreign
country with minors. Mr. Eric Margrave – husband,
father, and science teacher at SCCS – lights up when he
tells people about the long adventure that led our team
of eight to Uganda last June. Mr. Margrave, Greg Clark
(our Director of Student Activities), and six students
made that long journey, with all its unexpected detours,
and the result is the testimony that God is great!
12
The starting point was back in 2007. Several students
were inspired to go on a short-term missions trip after
watching a video called “The Invisible Children,” which
tells the story of the children torn apart by the genocides
in Uganda. They approached Mr. Margrave with their
interest, and soon after a survey was taken to see how
many others would like to go. Unfortunately, there was
not enough response at that time. Again, one of Mr.
Margrave’s students pressed the idea and an interest list
was formed. Another year passed and in 2009, a group of
eight students seemed committed and had their parents’
support. That number fell to six, although Mr. Margrave
and Mr. Clark both committed to going, bringing the team
back to eight members.
The Uganda team was able to join another group
from The Master’s College, which alleviated the stress of
many planning details, although the exact itinerary was
unknown until the final days before departure. The team
members had to do many things to prepare. There were
immunizations, four books to read, fundraising, and, of
course, prayer. The environment, both climatically and
socially in a war torn country such as Uganda, held many
challenges; yet the Lord made a way for this group to go
and minister in very specific ways. Upon arrival, the team’s
vehicle broke down in a very remote location, but one of
 varsity football team. Allie Habberstad, a junior, is also
playing varsity volleyball and having a great season. Mr.
Margrave and his Acts 1:8 team are praying about the
idea of another trip to Uganda or any other country God
has in store for the students and teachers at SCCS. Rest
assured, this trip made an impact on innumerable people
– in Uganda, here in Santa Clarita, and in the hearts of
these young people even as they continue in their daily
lives serving and loving the Lord. n

the men accompanying them was a mechanic. While

serving pastors in the churches, they built a chicken house,
painted, visited hospital patients, shared the gospel, and
played with the local children. When preparing for the
trip home, 2 students lost their passports. This led to
several hours of chaos and frustration as the team tried to
get new paperwork and make sure everyone could get on
the plane to the United States. Then, a phone call came
from the local police station that their passports had been
turned into the station and the trip home would not be
affected. Anyone listening to Mr. Margrave tell about
the team’s encounters and ministry can see his heart for
missions, and can also see that the missionary hosts in
Uganda were also impacted. Veteran missionaries can
tell you that you will prepare to travel to far lands and
expect to change someone else’s world, but the Lord will
touch your life far more than expected or imagined, and
you will be the one whose world has been changed.

So what’s next for this team? Jenny Fullarton graduated

and is attending college. Timu Saari is a junior at SCCS
and looking forward to his soccer season in November.
Rebecca Calhoun, a sophomore, is enjoying her first year
on the varsity cheer squad. A senior, Joanna Masopust,
is the starting setter for the varsity volleyball team. Chris
Marquez, a junior, is enjoying a solid season on the

13
Technology in the box
Joe Klimek and
Cindy Broadbent, both
experienced teachers of
other subjects at SCCS,
are partnering in a new
hands-on computer
education program for
elementary students
and their teachers. The
weekly 30-minute lab
sessions for grades
1-6 introduce young
students to the computer
and the Internet, and teach
them skills they can build on and use their entire lives in
school, at home, and eventually in jobs and careers.
 
The program also is designed to help elementary teachers
learn basic computer technology, programs, and software,
so that eventually they can teach the subject to their
own students. Using what they learn this year, they will
introduce basic computer familiarity and typing skills,
and show their students how to enhance their studies
by searching the internet, downloading information and
images, and creating and documents.
 
The program begins in the first grade. Mr. Klimek hopes
to instill in his youngest students a wonder for what
can be done on a computer, including the basic parts,
vivid satellite maps, and the ability to create art. Second
graders learn how to log on to the computer. Even though
their little fingers can’t span the keys yet, they are taught
how to punch keys
one at a time and use
a mouse to move the
cursor and click.
 
Third graders get a
broad overview of
how the computer
works. They see how
to save files, to print,
and to use the network
and do research. They
also learn how to be
careful and protect
themselves while on
the Internet. In the
fourth grade, students
continue learning
about online research
for class projects
and reports. By this
14
time, students learn to type correctly with both hands
to increase accuracy and speed. Mr. Klimek emphasizes
typing by touch instead of sight, using special covers to
hide which letters are on which keys, so students cannot
peek at the keyboard.
 
Fifth graders begin word processing, continuing to
improve typing skills, but also learning the correct ways
to format documents, save and access files, and download
information and images into documents. In sixth grade,
students learn to use Powerpoint, and together with
their typing and word processing skills, will create slide
presentations. They may also touch on spreadsheets in
Excel.
 
During a typical class time,
Mr. Klimek demonstrates
to younger students how
to perform searches on
common search engines, as
well as how other sites on
the Internet work. Some of
the young ones will catch
on quickly, while others
need guidance to log on
and operate the system, but
the goal of the program is to
assist all of the children to
become fluent in computer
use. Students in the older
grades, in addition to skill
building, also have time to
work on various projects
each week, from reports to
geography projects.
 
Mr. Klimek spent several weeks last year fine-tuning the
security system, changing the settings for what is filtered
and blocked. His students are taught not only the dangers
of the Internet, but how to be responsible. Because of
this, when students log on in the lab, they are assured a
safe and positive experience.
 
Teachers in each of the grades will follow the same
curriculum as their students, but with an eye to learning
how best to teach it themselves. Mr. Klimek will give
them ideas and tips and answer any of their questions.
 
By the end of the year, tasks that are now new to each
student (and perhaps to the teacher) will be learned and
practiced. Students will be ready for the next step, and
the teachers who have gone through the program will be
ready to teach them. n
 Alumni from the box

Air Force Three

 
Josh Masopust, Daniel Duncan, and Jon Morse have a
couple of things in common: all went to SCCS and all are at
the top of their class in the Air Force.
 
Daniel is currently flying F16 jets in San Antonio, TX
(Flight School 1st in class, Officer Training School 1st in
class). Josh Masopust is flying F16 jets in Phoenix, AZ (1st
in class in Flight school). Jon Morse is working as a jet flight
instructor (2nd in Flight School) in Laughlin Del Rio, TX.

  We have asked Daniel to describe SCCS’s impact on his life, and he has graciously provided a few notes:

 Life is going really well for my wife Bethany and
me. We are living in San Antonio right now, where I
am stationed with the Air Force. I am currently flying
the F-16, which I think is a lot of fun. I had an awesome
time at college and would recommend it to anyone
thinking about higher education.
 
It has been great to hear how well SCCS is doing.
I am still tremendously grateful for the education and
social development I received there. I do keep in touch
with a few people from SCCS: Josh Masopust, Danny
Cassese, and Jon Morse. I also keep up with some others
on Facebook, including a few of the faculty. I’d like to
keep in touch with Mr. Edick if anyone can convince
him to get Facebook.
If I were to come back and visit SCCS, I don’t think
there’s a specific building I would want to revisit, but
the staff. To this day, the faculty is really what made
SCCS so special for me.
 
Especially because of how the faculty impacted
me, I have good memories of academics at SCCS.
The best classes I ever took there would include AP
Literature with Mr. Brown, Chemistry with Dr. Jones,
Physics with Mr. Edick, and Mrs. Paul’s Science classes.
I would definitely recommend for students to take any
AP classes they can. I think we only had AP Literature
at the time, which prepared me very well for college
writing.
 
Another thing I remember fondly is being very
involved with student leadership while I was at SCCS.
In fact, it was probably the most beneficial experience
in all of high school. I learned how to balance budgets,
plan activities, work with superiors,  and lead peers –
that experience has proven to be invaluable not only in
college, but in my career.
The spiritual development I received at SCCS is
the reason I will send my kids to a Christian school. It
played a crucial role in my life and others’ lives. The
spiritual retreats were always a boost, and the chapels
sustained me throughout the year. But the key to my
spiritual development in high school was the faculty.
To see examples of godly men and women, to interact
with them daily, and to receive their compassion was
such a tremendous blessing. I also think that the Bible
classes were awesome, especially the ones that focused
on biblical education versus devotion; and the reason
I say that is because I come in contact with so many
Christians who did not have the opportunity to go to a
Christian school or college, and they lack in basic Bible
knowledge. Their only source of education is personal
study and the church. I found that I formed a good
knowledge base through high school and college that I
might not have developed on my own.
I am very glad to hear that SCCS is thriving and
how much it has grown since I graduated. I will always
hold my years there very dear, and will never forget my
teachers and the role they played in my life; the faculty
of the school are a great gift for
their students. I would gladly
encourage students to become
involved around the school and
to learn from their teachers; the
lessons you gain from this school
will stick with you for life.
Blessings!
Daniel Duncan
15
The mission of Santa Clarita Christian School is to partner with Christian parents
of like faith to challenge students’ minds and train their hearts for God through a
distinctively biblical education.  The school seeks to pursue academic excellence,
promote spiritual growth, and encourage character development in order to produce
students who are prepared to make a difference in the world for God.