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Transcript of CHA Magazine - Spring 2014 Edition
CHAMagazine Of f i c i a l Magaz ine o f C hape l H i l l Acad emy S pr ing 2014
P ub l i sh ed fo r F am i l i e s and F r i ends o f Cha pe l H i l l Acad em y
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL CHA dedicates new Owens Commons
MIDDLE SCHOOL Coming Fall 2014
STEM Coming Fall 2014
CHA: IT’S THE PEOPLE Meet some of the people who make Chapel Hill Academy an amazing community
CHA BOARD Meet the Board of Directors
Education of a movement.
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
2 | CHA Magazine
Dear Friends,
We are in the midst of a great movement—one that began nearly 45 years ago and continues today
as God leads us to reach more families and touch more children with the love of Christ. The ministry of
Chapel Hill Academy started with a vision of “Hearts to Know and Minds to Grow” as the pathway to a
Christian life. Now, we move into a new era where momentum is building and the power of the Holy Spirit
is upon us to develop and inspire future Christian leaders. We are educating a movement of leaders to be
the light bearers of Christ in an ever-changing world.
The cover of this publication honors the early leadership of Chapel Hill Academy. Todd Owens, son
of founder, Art Owens, and Dick Case, beloved 24-year Head of School (1976-2000) are shown surrounded
by children and staff members. The image represents a
great legacy of Christian education that emphasizes a
personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
We honor the vision and direction God placed
upon Owens, Case, and many others; their legacy has
affected thousands of individuals who have been
touched by the ministry of Chapel Hill. In 2 Timothy
2:1-2, Paul teaches the secret to an enduring legacy
when he shares “You then, my child, be strengthened by
the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have
heard from me in the presence of my witnesses, entrust
to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Paul’s words make it clear that having a successful
school is not enough; we are educating a movement of
believers to boldly stand for Christ and be a light to
others. Indeed, at CHA hearts are knowing and minds
are growing, yet we remain focused on our Heavenly
Father’s commission to increase His Kingdom—this is our enduring legacy.
It is with great pleasure that I present to you the first publication of CHA Magazine. As God
continues to move us in His direction, it is my hope that these pages may be a tangible reminder of the
power, love, and mercy God has on the ministry of Chapel Hill Academy.
Photo by Rick Narvaez
Kassie Grosz, Ed. S.
The fifth Head of School of Chapel Hill Academy
952-949-9014
Spring | 3
Spring 2014
CHAMagazine
The Lord is Faithful 04 A look at the new Owens Commons and the stories
behind it.
CHA: It’s the People 06 Meet the Board members and some of the faculty and staff.
Fine Arts Events 09 Snapshots from winter and spring events.
Support the Movement 11 Furthering the mission of Christian education.
Chapel & Missions 12 God always wins.
Coming This Fall 14 New Middle School and STEM Program.
Worship Team 16 Ushering in the Holy Spirit.
Cougar Athletics 18 An exciting winter season.
ON THE COVER:
Todd Owens, son of founder Art Owens
Dick Case, former principal Photo by Rick Narvaez
education of a movement.
Since 1970
4 | CHA Magazine
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL
O W E N S C OM M O N S D E D I C T I O N
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next
generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He
has done.
NEW COMMONS DEDICATED TO FOUNDER,
ARTHUR W. OWENS by Debbie Hansen
Recognizing God’s marvelous hand of blessing and protection, the
Chapel Hill Academy community gathered for a time of praise, prayer, and
dedication, Friday, March 21. This time of celebration focused on a few key
events that God has used to display His sovereign care and mighty power.
The school year began with an electrical fire in the basement of the
administration wing that could have been much worse. The extensive soot
damage from smoldering plastic bins required much restoration which lead to
the relocation of various offices and equipment. What initially looked like a
terrible loss and tragedy, God has turned into blessing. Once again, the CHA
community rallied to support and supply resources to assist with the
restoration. Among the many awesome outcomes includes the creation of a
Commons area where students and families are able to gather for fellowship.
The centerpiece of the Commons contains a beautiful electric fireplace that
reminds the CHA community of how God stayed the fire and kept it contained
to a small area. He truly has brought beauty out of ashes.
Reflecting on the blessings of God’s hand of protection and continued
provision for Chapel Hill Academy, parents and staff were reminded of the
sacrificial work by so many families from years past. The current families are
reaping the benefits and blessings of the pioneer work that was begun over 44
years ago. Therefore, with grateful hearts, the CHA community desired to honor
and dedicate the beautiful Commons to founder and board member, Arthur W.
Owens, who went home to be with His Lord and Savior, October, 2013. Former
Principal, Dick Case, offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the work and legacy of
Mr. Owens. This was followed by current Principal, Ken Norman, presenting a
plaque to be displayed in the Commons to Todd Owens, son of Art Owens.
Every good and perfect gift comes from The Father above - Thank you,
LORD!
Spring | 5
Photos by Rick Narvaez
6 | CHA Magazine
C H A : I T ’ S T H E P E O P L E
CHAPEL HILL ACADEMY
Board of Directors
Aaron Wilson recently joined the
CHA Board. He and his wife, Ann,
have three children currently
attending CHA. Aaron works as a
sales consultant in the cardiac
surgery business at Medtronic. He
is very active as a volunteer
serving at his church as a
co-leader of a men’s study and a
basketball coach at CHA. An interesting fact about
Aaron is that he enjoys participating in triathlons.
Aaron and his wife are passionate about sustaining
the CHA ministry and expanding the impact it can
have on the greater community.
Chad Pearson and his wife,
Michelle, have three children
currently attending CHA. Their
family has been part of the CHA
community for eight years. Chad
had been a teacher for 20 years and
now owns his own landscaping
company. He is serving his fourth
year on the CHA Board. One aspect
Chad and Michelle love about CHA is the spiritual and
educational framework that is consistent with how they
raise their children.
Bruce Johnson, his wife Angie, and
their three children have been part
of the CHA community for 13 years.
Bruce has a strong calling to serve
wherever he is needed. He has been
serving on the CHA Board for seven
years. Bruce appreciates the impact
CHA has on families. It is a place
where the whole family can learn
and grow in their relationships with Christ.
John Anfinrud has been serving
for three years with the privilege
of being the Board Chair the last
two years. He has found the
experience to be far more
rewarding than he could have
imagined. He and his wife, Jodi,
have three children and have
been part of the CHA community
for 10 years. John works at US Bank where he
oversees the estate lending division. In addition to
his duties at CHA, John volunteers and resides on the
Board of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. John and
Jodi believe strongly in the CHA ministry. They feel
that the mission of training their children to help
develop their hearts for Christ is priceless...and
eternal.
Abby Du Moulin and her husband,
Larry, have four children and have
been part of the CHA community
for nine years. Abby enjoys
volunteering at CHA; her favorite
activity is photographing CHA
events and sports. Abby has served
as a room-mom, co-coordinator of
the CHA Auction, and manager for
the boys soccer team. This is Abby’s second term on
the CHA Board. She considers it a blessing to have
been called by the Lord to serve Him on the CHA
Board of Directors.
Spring | 7
Jon Nykanen has been serving on
the CHA Board for four years. He is
also the Chair of the Finance
Committee and serves on the
Strategy Committee. Jon and his
wife, Deb, have three children
currently at CHA. Jon started his
career in engineering and
transitioned to his own business analytic software
consulting company. He is active at his church serving
and teaching the adult Sunday school class. Jon values
the godly teachers and biblical instruction at CHA.
Sharla Stafford and her
husband, Eric, are realtors. They
have three children at CHA. Sharla
joined the CHA Board this past
winter. She and her husband enjoy
volunteering with Treehouse, Feed
My Starving Children and at their
church. Sharla truly enjoys the
CHA community - a Family of Families.
Lindsay Hoyer and his wife, Colleen,
have been part of the CHA
community for eight years. They
have a daughter who is in seventh
grade at CHA. Lindsay enjoys being
active with volunteer work. He has
been serving on the CHA Board for
two years. Lindsay has been blessed
by the CHA teachers. He appreciates
their dedication to building a foundation of education,
faith, and life for the students.
Gayl Manion has been serving on
the CHA Board for two years. She
and her husband, David, have two
children and have been part of the
CHA community for four years.
Gayl’s profession is Insurance and
Risk Management. During their free
time she and her family enjoy
partnering with agencies and missionaries who are
focused on serving in the Middle East. Gayl has
expressed that at CHA, she knows her son is growing in
his knowledge of the world; he is doing so through the
biblical lens of Scripture.
CHAPEL HILL ACADEMY’S
To glorify God and assist families by
providing a Christ-centered
education which inspires and enables
students to pursue spiritual maturity
and academic excellence.
8 | CHA Magazine
C H A : I T ’ S T H E P E O P L E
Mary Stude teaches junior
high science and has been
teaching at CHA for 21 years.
She and her husband, David,
have two children who
graduated from CHA. In her
free time, Mrs. Stude enjoys
volunteering on projects to
help raise money for the
poor. She also enjoys
volleyball, sewing, reading and running. Mrs. Stude’s
passion is to show the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ to
our junior high students and help them form a firm
foundation in their faith. She hopes to encourage them
to actively engage in their learning process, using their
gifts to honor and glorify the Lord.
Carmel Willett teaches
second grade at CHA. She
has been part of our
community for over 14 years.
Mrs. Willett and her
husband, Gary, have two
adult children. In her free
time she enjoys serving at
her church by playing hand
bells and singing in the
choir. A fun fact about Mrs. Willett is that she loves Star
Trek and Star Wars. She is a self-proclaimed “Trekkie.”
She loves the CHA community of people which she
thinks of as part of her own family.
Linda Houston teaches fifth
grade at CHA. She and her
husband, Tom, have three
adult children and welcomed
their first grandchild this year.
She has been at CHA for over
16 years. In her free time she
enjoys serving at her church,
gardening, reading,
scrapbooking, hiking, enjoying
nature, and spending time with her family. Mrs.
Houston’s passion is to help her students grow spiritually
closer to the Lord and grow academically in all subject
areas.
Tom Becker is finishing up
his second year as CHA’s
physical education teacher.
Mr. Becker and his wife, Kelly,
have a young son who will
attend CHA in the future. In
his free time, Mr. Becker’s
favorite hobby is fishing. He
also enjoys serving at his
church as a 5th grade Sunday school teacher,
conducting summer camps, and being a youth group
mentor. Mr. Becker truly enjoys the CHA chapel
services. He hopes to help students grow in their walk
with Christ and provide them with a positive and
meaningful physical education experience.
Jeanne Savitt is in her first
year at CHA as the Director
of Finance and Human
Resources. She and her
husband, Scott, have four
children. Jeanne is excited
to help make a difference
through her background in
corporate financial
reporting and commitment
to fiscal responsibility. She and her husband are active in
marriage ministry, Prayer Ventures and the Blessing
House in Victoria. Jeanne’s passion is to help make CHA
financially available to families who are seeking Christian
education.
CHAPEL HILL ACADEMY
Faculty & Staff
Spring | 9
I T ’ S T H E P E O P L E
- CHA FINE ARTS EVENTS
Photos by Scott Savitt
and Rick Narvaez
See more photo highlights online at chapelhillacademy.zenfolio.com
10 | CHA Magazine
2 0 1 4 C H A L I V E & S I L E N T AU C T I O N
Spring | 11
LADIES LUNCHEON Monday, September 15, 2014
Bearpath Golf & Country Club, Eden Prairie
Chapel Hill Academy fundraisers are an important function for the school operations. Most years we
have three major projects that generate revenue in order to support our budgetary needs. This winter, the
Live and Silent Auction was an incredible success. CHA is blessed by the many volunteers who planned,
organized, and coordinated the event. This is a huge undertaking for these individuals; their tireless efforts
proved to be fruitful when the goal surpassed previous years. Because of this, our students will benefit with
new science and technology programming. What a great blessing!
The 2014 Live and Silent Auction can serve as a great springboard for future fundraising efforts. These
events require involvement, and involvement requires interest. What could be more interesting than
furthering the mission of Christian education? With more involvement from our community, our alumni, and
our corporate friends, our school can make an even greater impact on children and families. Next year, we
will continue our fundraising efforts and hopefully expand our reach to draw in those who share this passion
and vision. The Annual Golf Challenge/Ladies’ Luncheon is scheduled for September 15, 2014.
12TH ANNUAL
CHA LEADERSHIP GOLF CHALLENGE
Monday, September 15, 2014
Bearpath Golf & Country Club, Eden Prairie
12 | CHA Magazine
“God always wins.” by Carly Watchorn, 8th grade student
Chapel Hill Academy principal, Ken Norman stated this simple fact of faith while discussing the
school’s missions focus. Chapel Hill raises and donates money each year to numerous Christian organizations
including Feed My Starving Children, Love Inc, and missionary families. In previous years, Chapel Hill has
supported various groups, but the organization the school partners most closely with each year is Feed My
Starving Children. Feed My Starving Children packages food and sends it out to nearly seventy countries
around the world, and Chapel Hill supports their efforts through fundraising, individual grades and classes
serving, and families volunteering year-round. This year’s classes raised over two-thousand dollars for food.
Plus, the sixth grade works at Culver’s to earn missions money, and the junior high leads its own leadership
fundraisers. During Spirit Week, the 8th grade sold hairstyles, snacks, and face-paint to raise around eight
hundred dollars to distribute to various groups.
The main goal that Chapel Hill tries to achieve through missions is to make students aware of the
needs of others. Students need to know about the needs that people have worldwide, needs both spiritual
and physical. Groups like FMSC address both types of needs, feeding the hungry and teaching the Gospel to
children and parents. Principal Ken Norman says that another main goal is to teach children the importance
of Jesus being known all over the world. Being a missionary himself in Ecuador and Austria, he knows as well
as anyone the need that people have for Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20 tells Christians to go and make disciples of all
nations. By raising and donating money to Christian organizations, Chapel
Hill Academy is enabling people to do just that. Chapel Hill is helping the
Kingdom of God expand by giving people the means to go and share.
God is victorious when it comes to missions, so if He plans for someone
to give, they will give. God always wins.
C H A P E L
Spring | 13
See more photos online at the official CHA Photo Gallery
chapelhillacademy.zenfolio.com
14 | CHA Magazine
CHAPEL HILL ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL
From junior high to middle school, Chapel Hill Academy is restructuring the upper grades to more
effectively meet the needs of students. Fall of 2014 will look very different for incoming sixth graders. CHA has
traditionally offered sixth grade as a self-contained classroom much like the lower grades. Cause for the change
to a middle school model stems from the need to address the varying abilities and interests of young
adolescents, particularly in math and science. To accommodate a change, sixth grade teachers will teach content
area sections; sixth grade students will move throughout the day similar to seventh and eighth grade. Added
offerings in sixth grade will include regular Spanish instruction, study skills, health topics, and STEM science class.
Additionally, the traditional American history focus will shift to Minnesota Studies which aligns with the
Minnesota Standards for K-12 Social Studies. Students in grades six through eight will work on an A/B
alternating day schedule for specials that will include grade-level choir rehearsal opposite art and physical
education. These changes are exciting and have infused a great deal of energy and excitement in our school!
CO M I N G TO C H A T H I S FA L L . . .
Spring | 15
The world is changing rapidly, and Chapel Hill
Academy is committed to preparing the next generation of
Christian leaders. In order to fulfill our mission, we must
offer academic programs that lay the foundation for
advanced learning which will pave the path for Christian
leadership in the workforce. This initiative has been
embraced by the CHA community, and those who attended
the February Live and Silent Auction had a front-row seat to
the energy and excitement behind the vision of this new
program. Within minutes, the Fund-a-Need segment of the
auction raised nearly $60,000 to launch STEM this coming
fall. Since that evening, the STEM Steering Committee has
met regularly for the planning and development of a quality,
progressive program for our students. STEM will be
integrated into all grades Kindergarten through eighth
grade with a heightened concentration in the middle school
science curriculum. What a great blessing to offer STEM
from a biblical perspective in the classroom. This initiative
will equip our students to follow God’s plan for their futures!
LEARN MORE ONLINE
CHAPEL-HILL.ORG/ACADEMICS/STEM/
Worship Team by Erin Olson, 8th grade student
Every Wednesday morning, hundreds of students, along with countless staff, teachers, and parents,
file into the auditorium for a morning spent in Christ's teachings. However, to be open to the lesson
ahead, it is crucial to have the congregation centered on Christ. This daunting task is Mr. Zink’s, Chapel
Hill's music teacher and choir director. In preparation for each chapel, Mr. Zink and a group of students
with a passion for music devote their time to perfecting songs of worship in hopes that the lyrics speak
to their audience.
Mr. Zink also decides which songs the band will lead each week. This process can only be described
as spirit-led, as numerous songs are eliminated by a trust that God will reveal a song with a message
that the school needs to hear.
Mr. Zink discovered that the most challenging part of leading a school in worship is to make sure
his own heart is in check first. "I have to go out there and ask people to trust that God is going to say
something to their heart through music, and if my own heart isn't even in check, then I'm leading a lie,"
he explained.
Though being in worship band has its
challenges, all the participants agree it has only
enriched their spiritual life. Whether playing an
instrument or singing, students cite that helping with
worship on Wednesday mornings has made them
more responsive to what God reveals to them and
that they now have a deeper understanding for what
it means to truly worship the Lord. Eighth grader
Molly Johnson, who plays acoustic guitar in worship
band, recounted, "It was a light bulb moment when I
was playing on stage and saw the kindergarteners
dancing." She continued, "It made me realize one day
I might want to be a kindergarten teacher."
The result of worship band is students finding
which ways they worship best, whether it's dancing,
singing, or playing an instrument. In a world where
Jesus is so desperately needed, Chapel Hill students have been gifted with the knowledge to show
others who they truly praise.
W O R S H I P T E A M
16 | CHA Magazine Photos by Rick Narvaez
Spring | 17
16 | CHA Magazine 18 | CHA Magazine
Spring | 19
Chapel Hill Academy has a high expectation for our players, coaches and parents to represent our school
in a way that is honoring to God. Basketball has been a great teaching tool for our athletes. The athletes learn
many life lessons as they play throughout the year. This past season, each coach honored one player from their
team to receive the Cougar Award. This honor is awarded to a player showing great character, respect, and effort
throughout the season. The following players received the Cougar Award this year: Stephen Phillips, James
Erickson, Hannah Anfinrud, Dylan Du Moulin, Will Hensel, Jamie Meier, Luke Schwen and Karis Barthelemy.
Basketball at Chapel Hill Academy wrapped up after another exciting season. We had eight basketball
teams this year for boys and girls in grades four through eight. Our teams competed in the South Side Youth
Organization which is made up of about 20 private schools in the metro area.
Our year has been filled with
exciting events. We kicked off Spirit Week
with our annual Parent/Teacher games vs.
the Jr. High Basketball players. All
students gathered in the gym for the big
game cheering along with Max the
Cougar! We also had many fans show
their school spirit at our Pack the Gym
Nights. These events featured
announcers, halftime contests and other
activities for our CHA families. To
conclude the season, our sixth grade boys
took first place in the SSYO tournament.
It was a great way to end the winter
season!
We had our second year of “Hoopsters” for our younger students. This was an in-house basketball skills
program for boys and girls in second and third grade. We had five weeks of skill development, and we ended
with a small tournament with another SSYO school. One of the third grade boys teams took first place in the
tournament. It was a great opportunity for all the players in the Hoopsters program this year.
This spring our CHA track team is in their fourth year of competition. We have a great group of students
in grades four through eight training hard and learning about everything that track and field has to offer. We are
thankful for the leadership of coaches Cheri Dobbs and Robert Jones.
306 West 78th Street • Chanhassen, MN • 55317
PRIVATE K-8 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SERVING THE TWIN CITIES SINCE 1970 DUAL ACC R ED ITA T ION • S MA LL C LASS S IZ ES • S CH OLA RS H IP S AV A IL AB L E
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CHAPEL-HILL.ORG | 952-949-9014 | 306 W. 78TH STREET, CHANHASSEN, MN
F O L LO W T H E PAT H TO S U CC E S S
OUR MISSION is to glorify God and assist families by providing a Christ-
centered education which inspires and enables students to pursue spiritual
maturity and academic excellence.
We work to accomplish this mission by nurturing Christ-like attitudes in
students, equipping them to articulate and defend a Biblical worldview,
providing excellent programming which upholds the highest of academic
standards, and promoting a distinctively Christ-centered environment.
NOW ENROLLING
FOR GRADES K-8.