Friday, October 25, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
WCHS Class of '13 Valedictorian gives exhuberant charge
But did you know that a couple million other high school seniors have also done it all, and maybe even more? That thousands of others have engaged in the same “unique” extracurricular activities, excelled in the same academic disciplines, and pursued the same personal passions as we have? That countless other unfamiliar faces will also receive a piece of paper entitling them to begin a new chapter of life? Right now, sitting here in our caps and gowns, we are experiencing that “top of the mountain” sensation, when our hearts are nothing but blissful and carefree. We feel extremely special and honored. I know, because this is absolutely true of myself. I felt like a star at my grad party, basking in the numerous words of “congratulations” and later, gleefully opening gifts and cards (By the way, I’ve never received so many cards on one occasion...ever). This is indeed a special time in our lives, and I don’t mean to take away from that. But I think it’s wise to keep in mind, that truth be told, we’re not all that special.
We’re among millions of other soon-to-be high school alumni who are entering college, who will be searching for jobs, who also bear the label “senior” proudly in their minds. In some regards, we are nameless faces in a sea of graduates. Call me a "Debbie-downer," but this is reality.
But fortunately, this isn’t where it ends. For this section of my speech, I must give credit to my senior pastor, who spoke about this idea a couple days ago. As I mentioned just a couple sentences before, though we do, in many ways, resemble every other graduating senior in the world, a foundational difference exists within us that sets us apart. And that ever-so-significant difference that we possess is called “purpose.”
No, the concept itself is not unique to us. Tom Cruise, Warren Buffett, and Hilary Clinton have all defined and embraced what they think to be the purpose of life, but I’m not sure that in the long run, they will sense a deep fulfillment. So many in the world, and even among 2013 high school graduates, pursue their own purpose in life. They work hard in high school to get to college, then work hard in college to get a job, then work even harder to get a better job, then settle down and start a family, then hope that their work pays off in the form of a satisfying retirement. Much of humanity is analogous to hamsters on wheels. Some “hamsters” run hard, some don’t even break a sweat, but what every kind of hamster (or human) in between has in common is that they get absolutely nowhere.
But we’re different- special, if you will. Because of the eternal hope we have in Christ, we’re not confined to the futile hamster wheels of the world. What a relief! (I think most of us would feel claustrophobic and bored pretty soon anyway). We have a divine purpose, and this time in our lives is as good as ever a time to begin contemplating the meaning of this truth. The Westminster Catechism states that “man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” But how do we glorify God? How do we enjoy Him, exactly? I believe that our individual answers to this vital question will be unique and distinct. Some of us may choose to glorify God by becoming successful engineers or scientists who enhance people’s lives; some of us may start businesses that cater to humanity’s physical needs as well as their spiritual ones; some of us may choose to raise godly children as a full-time stay at home parent. The list goes on and on. One thing that’s so beautiful about the Christian life is that God does not limit the ways in which we can glorify Him and thus fulfill our purpose in life. On the contrary, this over-arching purpose is extraordinarily multi-faceted.
So how does this relate back to the Class of ‘13 and our graduation? Today begins a whole new journey for all of us- and also for the millions of other high school graduates. By worldly standards, we’re not all that special- but what distinguishes us in the here and now, and for eternity, is our special purpose. And when we begin to recognize this purpose and embrace it, we can study hard, pursue our passions, and enjoy life without having to worry about our lives resembling mindless hamsters on wheels. Because of Christ, we have hope and purpose. I sincerely hope that all of us come to acknowledge and embrace this powerful truth, and live our lives with genuine joy and gratitude, regardless of where we end up in the years ahead.
On behalf of my class, I would like to extend my genuine thanks to our families who put up with us at home, our teachers who put up with us at school, and our churches who put up with us at, yes, even church. We could not have done it without your loving support and prayers. There are no words to describe or express our gratitude.
To the Class of 2013: I’m so blessed to know you all and to have spent four years with you. You guys are incredible individuals, possessing so many gifts and abilities. Your passion, kindness, and leadership are admirable, and I know that we will miss each other dearly, and that we will be dearly missed.
As we embark on a whole new journey, may we never forget where we came from, or more importantly, where we are going. And above all, may we never forget that we have hope, purpose, and meaning- that we are indeed special people, thanks to the grace of God.
by Joy Cho
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Recipient of Daniel Award gives great encouragement to Class of '13
It hit me a couple months ago this year that every teacher I have lives for Christ and is as interested in my faith as in my academic development. Took me awhile to realize it but often the most profound things in life are the hardest to grasp. The greatest value of the teaching my class and I have received from our teachers rests not in the material but in their example of living as Christians. We have witnessed their faith in chapel and work ethic in class through trial and jubilation. Teachers, thank you. At the bottom line it is because of you that we made it through. Well here we are. Twelve years of hard work to get back to where we had middle school chapel and wear dunce hats along with much too large of robes and have all of our closest friends and family here to watch. As I sat down to write this speech the thought of these clothes really got me thinking to whose idea it really was to wear this stuff. Now that I am officially a graduate I can finally join the ranks of the majority of adults who use Wikipedia as an authoritative source of information; well, except for that whole college thing, but those details are unimportant. In any case I found an article that recorded the history of this graduation garb. It actually dates back to a tradition in medieval times when all the graduates were clergy since that was the only option for university studies in the medieval age. For a commencement, they merely wore what was typical of clergy during that day: an oversized robe. This got me thinking that if we were really holding true to the roots of this tradition, we as well would wear what is typical of the day for commencement. What could go wrong with yoga pants, skinny jeans, and baggy sweatshirts? I discovered that the issue of academic dress became so important in the United States that in 1893 an Intercollegiate Commission met to create a detailed document of correct academic wear which was then followed by the American Council on Education approving this document in 1932 and revising it in 1959. The beauty of democracy and exaggeration of anything that could be profit yielding - America at its finest. And here is the part of the speech where I am supposed to say, “but there is hope because of these new graduates heading out into the world,” yet that would not be truthful. If I were to be truthful I would have to say that the world will be just as or possibly more evil, lost, and sinful when this new group of graduates goes out into the world. It is a sad fact of life to recognize that we are all human, capable of the very same evils and worse ones as anyone else. There thrives a much greater hope than any group of people; a hope which already exists now and a hope that promises to the future; a hope that was raised on the third day and a hope that rests on the final judgment day; a hope that assures us to see Jonathan and Mr. Anglea again. Jesus Christ is our and the world’s hope.
Another thing I pondered when writing this speech other than the whole clothing tangent was what I could say that would provide focus, clarity, and encouragement before we all part to our separate ways. I thought a lot about it and was eventually reminded of what I said before. We, ourselves, offer no hope. There are no words I can say and no Scripture I can quote that would change everyone’s or anyone’s heart. That is a work solely left to God. Without a doubt it remains our duty and joy to speak Scripture and attest to the hope of Jesus Christ, but only God can make the plant grow. So instead of saying there is hope because of this class, let me merely and simply remind us all that there is hope because Jesus has risen from the dead. Now our great part in this Divine story is to display, champion, adorn, and proclaim this hope of Jesus to the world. To do this effectively there are some things I want to remind us of. To display Jesus to the world we must first know Jesus and the best way to know Jesus is by reading His greatest revelation to us: the Bible. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Second, to keep our focus on Christ we need to remain in constant intercession with Him as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” Third, our human nature makes it easy and at times even natural to wander from the fold of God and because of this I plead that none of us would give up on the Church. Though the Church may have problems just like anyone else, it is God’s provision to us that we may bear each other up under trials and keep one another accountable in our relationship with Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
For many of us college will make us want to try to hide our faith because it would be easier but easier does not mean better. These integral parts of our faith necessitate us to be bold and courageous for Christ, not reticent or unassuming, which is hard to do, so we must pray for strength. If we commit ourselves to these things a little bit of Heaven will come to earth through our lives. We will naturally fulfill the great commission because the very way we go about life will testify to our God and we will be so full of Christ we will not be able to withhold sharing the good news. I have great confidence in this class. We ourselves will not offer hope or change the world, but we certainly will be the channels through which God’s change and hope floods the world.
By Robbie Beitman
Joshua Award recipient delivers powerful commencement challenge
Good afternoon! On behalf of Worthington Christian's Class of
2013, thank you for joining us for our commencement ceremony. But for however long we've been at WC, I'm sure that we can all still agree that we're very grateful to so many people who have been involved in our lives thus far. Mr. O for teaching us that history is all just HIS Story. Mr. Clutz, who is no longer a bachelor to the rapture, for teaching us through his example that what other people think of you and your pursuit of God doesn't matter. Mrs. Fischer for teaching us that you really can't ever pray "too much..." - even if it's multiple times in one class period. Mrs. White for showing grace to my friends and I as we hid each others' textbooks around the room and as Jason and I relentlessly air-drummed all our favorite metal songs. Miss Bell, who faces obstacles doing everyday things and who I've never once heard complaining. Mrs. Klapheke for bringing the hammer down in Music Theory, and for teaching the choir about excellence in musical worship. Dr. Buzz for teaching us that laughter is good medicine. Mr. Anglea and the Anglea family, for the encouragement their journey of faith has been to all of us. We have so many people to be thankful for here at WC.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Student follows God's leading
Imagine being settled in to three
years at one high school, content and happy with friends, activities, and
classes. Now imagine God shaking this whole comfortable world up, asking you to
transfer to a brand new school for senior year. Sound daunting? Senior Stephen
Becker can testify to the fact.
When Stephen’s family was planning
to send his two younger siblings to WC beginning this past year, Stephen never
thought that God would call him here as well. Having gone to Westerville
Central High School for three years, he had close friends and participated in a
beloved extracurricular activity, marching band. Then Stephen’s mom, upon
returning from a missions trip to Peru mere days before his first day of senior
year, asked him if he would also like to attend WC along with his siblings.
Due to God’s provident hand,
finances were not an issue, but initially, Stephen was not enthusiastic about
the new path that had unfolded before him. God, however, quickly and evidently
spoke to him. “...over the next couple of days, God really worked on my heart
and showed me that His plan for me was to go to WC,” Stephen says. “It wasn’t
an easy decision but I knew that God had big things in store for my life at
WC.”
Much like Abraham, who listened to
God’s voice and left everything that was comforting and familiar to him,
Stephen embarked on his journey to WC as a senior. Things were obviously
difficult at first, as he experienced significant changes both externally and
internally. Namely, his faith was heavily involved. “I realized that I had
gotten comfortable in my easy, unchanging public school life,” Stephen admits.
“God used switching schools to grow my faith in Him and to challenge my ability
to communicate my faith to others.”
Specifically, Stephen says that the
WCHS class “Reading in Worldviews” and the senior trip to the Dominican
Republic were instrumental in his spiritual growth and development. “Through
that class [Worldviews] I was able to fix and prepare my answers to some of the
questions that the secular world throws at Christians,” Stephen elaborates. And
referring to the senior trip to the DR, he says, “Through that trip I learned
to give my doubts to God and let Him work through those doubts for His
purpose.”
If anyone knows anything about
doubt, it would be Stephen. But doubt quickly dissipated in the face of faith.
Having left Westerville Central after three years of high school, he chose to
allow God to speak to him, and in turn, chose to obey Him. As his senior year
comes to an end, there is no doubt that God will continue to work in his life
after he graduates. Stephen looks forward to his time at Grace College as he
pursues environmental science with a history-related minor. Stephen truly
embodies the essence of faith; we are so thankful to have gotten to know him as
a classmate this year, and wish him only the best as he embarks on yet another
journey this fall.
by Joy Cho
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Gala 2013: The “Worthington Christian Awards” takes to the red carpet
Click.
Click-click-click.
As the camera flashes relentlessly went off, we wondered for a moment if these
photographers were paparazzi or our parents. Realizing the latter was true, we
complained about the excess of pictures and longed to finally begin our night.
This year, Gala, held on a beautiful
Saturday evening, took place at the Makoy Center in Hilliard. Planned by
student council as well as Mr. Roads and Mrs. Raikes, the annual junior-senior
formal event was very well-attended by both classes. The Oscar-themed night
(dubbed the Worthington Christian Awards, or WCA’s) was complete with a red
carpet, fancy decor, and entertaining videos produced by WCHS alum, Aaron Long.
In addition, after students voted for their peers in categories ranging from
“Class Clown” to “Healthiest” to “Best Laugh,” winners were announced at Gala
by host Mr. Roads and presented with keepsake trophies. The night featured an
Italian buffet, including salad and rolls, and a beverage bar, as well as
chocolate cake for dessert.
This year, student council stepped
up more than ever before to plan this event, from making phone calls to
tallying up ballots to visiting the Makoy Center itself. All in all, Gala was
met with positive feedback and enthusiastic evaluations. “It was super cool to
see all our hard work come together,” student council member Camila Quiñones
remarks. Donyell Miller adds, “Mr. Roads and Aaron did a really good job with
the videos and editing them.” Indeed, Mr. Roads and Aaron’s work was much
appreciated as their entertainment and videos received plenty of laughter and
enjoyment. “I thought it ran really smoothly,” Mr. Roads concludes. “All the
different pieces came together really well.”
Whether students won specific awards
or not, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say that everyone had fun at Gala
as they enjoyed food and fellowship with their classmates and friends. The
venue was beautifully decorated, the weather was gorgeous, and everyone looked
fit to attend the actual Oscars. What an eventful and memorable way to end the
2012-2013 school year!
by Joy Cho
Worthington Christian launches new online college guidance tool
In a few
short months, I will be headed off into the great unknown. It seems like just a
couple days ago when I thought the stress of applying to college would never
end: essays, recommendations, interviews, and the like. I recently realized,
though, that my anxieties were minuscule compared to that of Mr. Kraynak, the
upperclassmen guidance counselor. As his first year in this role, one of Mr.
Kraynak’s goals going into the 2012-2013 school year was “to make one
significant improvement to the guidance department.” This improvement came in
the form of bringing to WCHS a new online database tool called Naviance, which
will be utilized in full, beginning with the current juniors. Naviance is a
great resource for both parents and students, where surveys can be taken,
college lists made, and test scores tracked. Superior to paper records and a
good alternative to meeting with the guidance counselor face to face, Naviance
looks like it will prove to be a useful and user-friendly tool to jumpstart the
college application process.
When asked about his experience this
year, Mr. Kraynak described “tremendously long hours,” “voracious reading,” and
“hyper-communication” as a significant part of his experience. Despite his
highly dedicated, and many times, stressful, work, Mr. Kraynak says without
hesitation that his favorite part of being the guidance counselor was
“definitely interacting with the students.” Listening to students and guiding
them in a certain direction has been rewarding for him as well. For the upcoming
seniors and even the underclassmen, there are things that can be done to
prepare for senior year and college. Mr. Kraynak advises taking both the SAT
and ACT instead of becoming too biased toward one or the either, and also
recommends starting with a list of ten schools (instead of just a few) and
focusing on what is important to the individual. Characteristics that may serve
as distinguishing factors when considering colleges include location, student
body size, majors and programs, and proximity to home, among many others.
As he sends the current seniors off
and looks forward to future classes, Mr. Kraynak hopes that students will
“understand the value of academics.” He urges students to place significance on
academics, and to look beyond regional colleges. Advising students to apply for
their “reach” or dream schools, Mr. Kraynak says he would love to see WC alumni
step up as leaders all over the country in the business world, the medical
realm, and in other fields as well.
As a graduating senior, I can
testify firsthand that Mr. Kraynak has been a tremendous help to me in the
college application process. He listened to my questions and followed up with
me on the answers that very same day, and corresponded with my parents when
they had inquiries. My counselor recommendation was written in a timely and
meticulous fashion, and I knew that when I needed to talk about what was going
on in my mind, Mr. Kraynak would be willing and available to listen to my
rambling. I am so blessed to attend (soon to “have attended”) a school where
even the guidance department provides phenomenal support and reaches out to me
in love and wisdom. I sincerely hope that future senior classes will take
advantage of the incredible resources that are available at our school, and
experience for themselves the godly network of support that is clearly
noticeable at WCHS.
by Joy Cho
Monday, April 15, 2013
Come for “A Taste of the DR”
The Class of
2013 Senior Trip is already in the rearview mirror--or is it? It’s hard to
believe that it’s been a month since close to 100 students, faculty, and
medical professionals traveled to the Dominican Republic.
Are you
interested in hearing about the impact of the trip on WC seniors? Are you
itching to see pictures, video, and even snippets of the authentic program
material from the DR? Would you care to enjoy a dinner with a Dominican twist,
all the while absorbing student testimonies and taking in special decorations?
If any of the
above pique your interest, or even get you thinking, Worthington Christian
cordially invites you (students, family, faculty, alumni, friends, pretty much
whoever!) to “A Taste of the DR,” the first event of its kind. On Saturday,
April 20th, from 6-8 PM, guests will be able to enjoy a dinner, complete with
drinks and dessert, and get a glimpse of the 2013 Senior Trip through senior
testimonies, pictures, and more. The evening will also have a fundraising
component as WC seeks to continue to partner with the Vision Trust school,
which several faculty and alumni will help to fix up as they travel to the DR
this summer.
“A Taste of
the DR” will take place in the AC Chapel. Tickets are $10 per person, and may
be purchased through WC seniors. Be sure to get your tickets soon, as the event
is this Saturday. Dress is casual, but be prepared to be AMAZED at what God has
done in our students and the Dominicans alike. Thank you for your support and
prayers, and we hope to see you this Saturday!
by Joy Cho
Post-high school choices daunt
What do you
do when you have two choices in front of you, each completely different but
also completely plausible and appealing in its own right? What do you do when
this is a life-changing decision that could possibly determine the course of
your future (the future that God is holding, of course)? What do you do when it
seems that time is running out, that April is flying by unusually fast?
My answer? In
short, I don’t know. And I feel like I have to know-soon. Very, very soon.
If you
haven’t guessed, this pertains to college decisions. Slightly confusing and
mildly stressful college decisions. I tend to take for granted the choices that
God has even allowed me, and I really should be more thankful for the
opportunities that are spread out before me. I get so caught up with WHERE I’m
going, WHAT I’m going to study, and WHO will be my roommate. Maybe I need to
slow down, take a step back, and stop thinking. College has been a sort of
culmination for me and my high school years, and now that I’m on the brink of
selecting a college, reality has started to dawn on me.
I visited a
school for a couple days this past week, and wow, I was impressed by the
prospective students, faculty, and current students. The campus was nice, and
it was a lot of fun to eat at “college hotspots.” Certain aspects of the
curriculum and opportunities available to undergraduates appealed to me.
Despite all
these wonderful things, I don’t have a clear decision at this
point...especially since I’m visiting another school this coming weekend.
Hopefully the trip will be helpful in sorting out the “stuff” involved in
making a decision.
**Sigh. One
thing I KNOW I need to do is pray. God has my future in His hands, and knew it
before time even existed. It’s time that I stopped thinking so hard,
researching so meticulously, and stressing out so...much. Things WILL work out
in time; in the meantime, my job is to trust in Him and “seek first His Kingdom
and His righteousness.”
So... do I
know where I’m going to end up? Who’s going to be my roommate? What classes
I’ll opt to take? Nope. But God knows-and that’s where the worrying should
stop.
by Joy Cho
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Late season snow day trumps none at all
A four-leaf clover? An aberration.
Spotting a shooting star? It could be called unusual. But a snow day in March?
That’s just downright rare.
When my mom came and gave me the
glorious news this morning, I felt a wave of something warm and fuzzy come over
me. Does anyone else know what I’m talking about? I didn’t end up sleeping in
too late, but I prefer it that way. Sleeping is necessary, but an excess of it
leaves me with less time to seize the day. When I was younger, snow days were
characterized by those quintessential moments of snowball fights, sledding, and
hot chocolate. I kind of miss those days, actually.
It scares me, that though I have
brief lapses of nostalgia about the classic snow day, I don’t really have the
desire to bundle up and head outside. The verdict? I’m getting old. I’d rather
enjoy a drawn out breakfast, lazily perusing the newspaper while eating. I’d
rather attempt to get ahead on schoolwork and decrease future stress. I’d
rather read in bed, comfy and relaxed. Now, before anyone assumes that I’m
basically going to school at home on a snow day, rest assured that I do engage
in other, less academic activities.
Today, I watched some TV with my
brother, went shopping for something for the DR trip, and baked a nice loaf of
whole wheat molasses bread (my current obsession). I enjoyed my day--it was a
satisfying combination of productivity and relaxation. Does that sound
paradoxical? Maybe, but then again, I am quite a paradoxical person.
In short, snow days are wonderful.
Having one in March is even better. Rare, but possible. Just look at today; I
guess all the pajama-flipping and ice cube-flushing had some merit. I should
give these rituals a try--maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get another day off in
April. After all, we do live in the great, fickle state of Ohio.
Hope everyone had a lovely snow day.
by Joy Cho
by Joy Cho
Monday, February 25, 2013
Letter encourages junior girls to consider Buckeye Girls State
Dear junior
girls and parents:
As many of you may know, my name is
Joy Cho and I am a senior this year (and graduating in a few short months!).
Last summer, I attended Buckeye Girls State at Mount Union, and I wanted to
take a minute and share a little bit of my experience for those who are
considering applying, or even for those who are curious about the program.
Buckeye Girls State (http://buckeyegirlsstate.org/) promises to
cultivate and educate young women of Ohio to become better citizens and more
knowledgable individuals. To this end, the one week “mock government” camp in
June provides endless opportunities to learn about how the government works and
to apply this knowledge by serving in different “jobs.” Even before I left for
Alliance, Ohio, I was given a list of elected government positions that I would
be able to campaign for.
Sponsored by an American Legion
Auxiliary Unit, I went to BGS not knowing exactly what to expect. Over 800
girls from all over Ohio on one college campus seemed crazy to me, but my
assigned “city” of about 50 girls and my larger county, as well as my party
identification as a “Nationalist,” helped me to get to know many people, and to
develop relationships with them. I attended different workshops, and in the end
decided to run for Treasurer of State, one of the seven state-elected
positions. I knew this would be a long shot, and would test my courage and
confidence. Looking back, I am SO GLAD I went for it.
After giving speeches, campaigning
throughout Girls State, networking with fellow delegates, and participating in
a culminating debate, I couldn’t believe it when my name was called, announcing
me as the 2012 Treasurer of State. I was elated! Now that I had my “job,” I
spent the latter part of the week acting as the State Treasurer, which included
appointing a staff, coming up with a budget, investing funds, and overseeing
taxes, together with the staff. During BGS, everyone is required to have a
job--anything from the city mayor to a senator to the county engineer.
Everyone’s role is important, and without every girl’s participation, Girls
State would not be complete.
It almost sounds absurd to be
learning so much during the summer, but I can say, without a doubt, that BGS
has been one of the best experiences I have had during my high school years. I
not only learned more about government roles (spurring my interest in political
science), but I also experienced the campaigning process firsthand. I learned
to tackle my aversion to public speaking, and met some amazing friends that I
still keep in touch with. The experience of trying something new was so
valuable, and I will always remember and treasure this week at Mount Union.
Everyone’s experience is different,
but I strongly encourage you guys to apply for BGS, as the deadline is nearing.
I can’t describe how meaningful this program was, and I want another girl from
WC to know what I’m talking about! Please feel free to ask me any questions you
may have, and I would be more than happy to share more about my experience as
well. Again, please consider applying--this is a wonderful opportunity to not
just stand out in the college applicant pool next year, but also to discover
more about yourself in the process.
Sincerely,
Joy Cho
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
WC's 12 Angry Jurors comes up supreme
 |
| Natalie Francis and Spencer Smith were among a sterling cast in the performance. |
A full
house on the last Sunday afternoon performance; an intimate collection of a
familiar community. A seating capacity of hundreds; a simple yet deliberate
arrangement that could seat at most, one hundred people. A celebrated,
lighthearted classic; a thought-provoking, mysterious case. Dublin Scioto and
Worthington Christian’s winter plays couldn’t have been more opposite. I had
the honor of attending both performances this month, and both were enjoyable,
as different as they were. A quick assessment follows below, and picks an
overall winner (all completely subjective, of course).
Audience turnout: Dublin takes this
with a huge sweep. As large as Dublin Scioto is as a school (one of three
public high schools in Dublin), I was blown away by the number of people who
came out to watch The Little Mermaid--on a Sunday afternoon! Granted, this was
the last performance, but I had no expectation of nearly every seat being
occupied. In fact, I had to move seats more than once, foolishly assuming that
no one would actually sit in their assigned seating; I ended up sitting in my
assigned seat of M 118, close to the back. I could see better than I thought I
could, but still, the turnout was quite shocking.
Play execution: Worthington
Christian’s 12 Angry Jurors comes up supreme. It was obvious that The Little
Mermaid required much preparation, and the execution wasn’t at all bad, but 12
Angry Jurors produced a more clean, smooth delivery overall. Dublin Scioto’s
play was tempered by slightly awkward transitions and less than euphonious
singing (Ariel’s high notes, at times, evoked wincing); in contrast, despite
the impressive number of lines and dialogue the “jurors” had to memorize,
Worthington Christian’s play went off without a hitch. Claiming that I was
impressed would be an understatement--the jurors’ enunciation, facial
connotations, and delivery were close to flawless.
Effects, props, and costumes: The
Little Mermaid, considering everything it entails, wins this one. I did enjoy
the jurors’ outfits, especially the professional, lawyer-esque suits, but
Dublin Scioto’s sparkly, multihued costumes provided the audience with Disney
immersion. Chef Louis’ culinary outfit, complete with a mustache, made that
scene come alive, and the fish heads worn by chorus members added to the
undersea vibe. The effects and props, too, were interesting. Waving of sheets
to replicate the ocean’s movements, Ursula’s elaborate scene of demise in which
she “disappears” into herself, and brief bolts of light caused by Triton’s
scepter all were effective additions to hold the audience’s interest. One
costume tidbit that was unexpected was many of the actors’ use of “Heely’s” (or
similar shoes with wheels on the bottom), intended to make them appear like
they were “gliding” underwater. The actual effectiveness of this is
questionable, but I give them props for doing something so different.
Content and interest: For me, 12
Angry Jurors held my interest far more than did The Little Mermaid. Yes, The
Little Mermaid is a classic, but 12 Angry Jurors provided something different
and thought-provoking. I passively watched Dublin Scioto’s play, already
knowing what would happen in the end (aren’t all Disney movies the same way?). 12
Angry Jurors, though, kept me on the edge of my seat, as I had absolutely no
idea what the jury’s outcome would be. In that sense, I was “plugged in”
throughout the play, hungrily taking in the jurors’ impressively memorized
dialogue and trying to predict the next occurrence in the play. The clarity of
the jurors’ speech and the volume level added to my interest as well, something
that the actors in The Little Mermaid fell short of.
Who wins in the end? Subjectively,
and quite possibly in a very biased way, I choose 12 Angry Jurors to blow The
Little Mermaid out of the water. Yes, Dublin Scioto did a wonderful job
presenting a Disney classic to hundreds of audience members, complete with
elaborate effects, fitting costumes, interesting props, and many able singers,
but Worthington Christian’s simple yet deep winter play about the fate of an
accused young man provided a closeness and mind-delving situation that are
rarely brought about successfully by high school actors. Again, I must point
out how blown away I was by the jurors’ clear and smooth delivery of their copious
memorized lines, and by the fact that their gestures and facial expressions
perfectly complemented their characters and speech. I enjoyed both winter
plays, but all in all, Worthington Christian High School’s 12 Angry Jurors reigned
supreme (and no jury is needed to agree on it).
By Joy Cho
Friday, February 8, 2013
Seniors make preparations for the Dominican
Five weeks and counting: it’s hard
to believe that in a little over a month, the senior class of 2013 will be
heading to the Dominican Republic. Preparations are underway, with students
divided into three groups and different faculty members assigned to each of the
groups. Each group will independently select a Bible theme and apply that theme
to its skits, crafts, songs, and perhaps, even games. “We made a lot of headway
today,” Rachel Parrish says of her “Red” group, remarking that a theme was
chosen--Jesus calming the storm--but that there is plenty more to do, including
starting up drives for various items at the different WC campuses. Kendra
Poston of the “Blue” team, whose theme is Jesus’ parables, sees the need to
work on condensing the material, as well as translations--no doubt a crucial
component of the program. The “Green” group’s Katie Feusse, who is responsible
for the games, looks ahead to figuring out what seem to be trivial matters,
like transporting the sports equipment to the Dominican. The “Green” group has
decided to incorporate the Fruits of the Spirit into their activities.
Excitement as well as some
nervousness seem to characterize students’ feelings about the DR trip at this
point. Rachel and Kendra worry that they will forget Spanish, but as Rachel has
had experience flying back from the Philippines, she offers, “I’m not afraid of
flying.” Kendra says that she looks forward to “meeting the kids and the warm
weather,” and experiencing her first missions trip. Nerves can be part of the mix
of feelings as well. “Personally, I’m super nervous,” Katie admits. “There are
so many what-ifs that could happen.” Though she feels nervous, she says that
trust in God and His peace have removed a lot of fears from her heart.
Despite the preparations, teamwork,
and occasional tension involved in the DR trip, class unity is much
anticipated. “I’m excited to see our class bond together by sharing God’s Word
with people,” Katie shares. “I’m excited for class bonding,” Rachel echoes.
“I’m excited to see what the Lord will do through our class.” Indeed, as we
open up our hearts to the Lord and to each other, there is no doubt that God
will work, and work incredibly. Hopefully, it is with this hope that we, the
WCHS Class of 2013, move forward as we look ahead to an unforgettable, blessed
senior trip.
By Joy Cho
Five warriors achieve eagle
The Boys Scouts program has long been held as a nationally prestigious affiliation and a worthwhile endeavor. Taught much more than outdoors know-hows, these committed young men learn the lifelong skills of leadership, stewardship, and citizenship as they rise through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally, Eagle. This culminating honor is truly a privilege, as becoming an Eagle Scout means joining an elite group of less than 2% of all Boys Scouts. This year, five seniors at WCHS have achieved this worthy goal, as Albert Miller, George Miller, Thomas Holman, Aaron Buskirk, and Michael Sauder have all become Eagle Scouts through their hard work and dedication.
Becoming an Eagle Scout takes more than meeting a set list of stringent requirements. Time, dedication, and a distinct perseverance are of the essence, and our WC seniors are a testament to the fact. With the support of his dad, Aaron Buskirk has been involved in the program since first grade, and Albert Miller has been a Boy Scout for eight years, following in the footsteps of his dad and older brother. “It runs in the family,” he adds.
In order to get to the final stage of the program, one must earn 21 merit badges, fulfilled through different requirements like camping, leadership, personal management, and communications. In addition to these requisites, Scouts must successfully complete a culminating project. Michael Sauder chose to do extensive landscaping and building work at Calvary Bible Baptist Church, and Aaron decided to install playground equipment in the forest behind his church after clearing out trees and removing concrete from the ground. Albert opted to serve his New Albany community by constructing a handicap-accessible path in the wetlands nature preserve. Not only did these men carry out the work itself, but they also planned, organized, and led the process of the project, which demanded much more than mere physical ability.
Now these seniors are officially Eagle Scouts, but this doesn’t mean that the skills they have learned are going to waste. “Scouting goes far beyond just earning requirements,” Albert explains. “The skills include everything from starting fires to managing projects,” Michael adds. “These skills can be used all the time at any place.” Aaron acknowledges that the Boy Scout program has prepared him for what lies ahead and has developed his people skills, as he learned to interact with differing personalities. Indeed, the immeasurable payoff that these men are experiencing is well deserved. “I wanted to quit at times,” Albert admits, “but my parents pushed and in the end I am glad they did because the reward is worth the commitment.” The rewards are tangible, too: Eagle Scout status tremendously helps distinguish these men on college resumes, scholarships, and job applications. Though the benefits of such an accolade are perpetual, the payoff is being seen in the “here and now” as well. “It has already opened many doors,” Michael says of this accomplishment. “I expect to continue to see its effects throughout college and the rest of my life by the skills I have learned and the experience I now have through the Scouts.” Congratulations, WC Eagle Scouts, and only the best to you as you look forward to college and beyond!
By Joy Cho
Friday, January 18, 2013
Worthington Christian's 2013 Bowling Team
2013 Bowling Team (click here for Animoto Video)
The team has grown this year and they have real "strikers" on the team with Ben Smith & Jess Meyers!
See the team in action with this Animoto video.
Come out and support the team this afternoon, FRIDAY Jan. 18 at 4:00pm at Capri Lanes!
Go Warriors!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Twenty One Pilots Reach For the Stars
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| Joseph performing at The Basement |
Back in 2007 Joseph was not known for his music, but rather his prowess on the basketball court. His basketball coach, Kevin Weakley said, “Joseph was a phenomenal three point shooter and had a very good overall game.” Choir teacher Karen Klapheke also said good things about him but in a different setting, she said during choir that Joseph was a blast to have in class, and that he was very talented and had a great sense of humor. “He didn’t have a lot of confidence in his voice back then, but it was fun watching his confidence in his singing voice grow.” Klapheke also said that she expects to see Twenty One Pilots on the Grammy’s in less than 10 years! When asked about why she thought Joseph chose a singing career rather than pursuing a basketball career she said. “I think music was his true passion all along and he has an incredible musical gift from God. Music can be a lifelong thing where sports careers are short and he hadn’t begun to really explore his musical potential in high school.”
2012 was a huge year for Twenty One Pilots, they got signed to a record deal with Fueled by Ramen, and they performed all over the world. According to their website http://www.twentyonepilots.com/ they hope 2013 will only be better, they will be re-visiting Japan and they will also be having a concert in South Korea.
Tyler and Josh are in L.A. right
now and they just completed an interview with Carson Daly, host of
The Voice. Just before heading off to
L.A. Twenty One Pilots held a signing event at Best Buy in Columbus where
thousands of people showed up to give support to their hometown band. Twenty One Pilots love their hometown and
hold nothing back when performing for their supporters.
By Jacob Deskins
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