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After 16 years of service, our Bookkeeper, Anne Stapleton, retires this October. Mrs. Stapleton started at Maranatha in the Development Office working in a trailer on the Sierra Madre campus. After three years, she was recruited to the Finance Office and has been there ever since. She was able to see both of her children, Andrew and Rebecca, graduate Maranatha and reflects, "I will always be grateful to the teachers at MHS who had such a significant impact on my children academically and in their walk with the Lord." In fact, she feels particularly blessed to have had the opportunity to know and love her children's teachers on a personal level as well.
Mrs. Stapleton has enjoyed her work in the Finance Office. "It has been a blessing for me to work at MHS where honoring the Lord Jesus Christ is the primary focus in all things. And it has been exciting to see how the Lord has led MHS from its humble beginnings to our beautiful campus." She recalls during her first few years at MHS, she shared a phone with another colleague of hers. "The real blessing for me has been working with wonderful Christians who have become some of my best friends." Read more HERE.
At Homecoming this past Friday, Maranatha honored staff that have been with us ten years or more and are celebrating a MILESTONE year of service to Maranatha. As Dr. Gyertson states, "our employees are our most valuable asset and we are committed to the acquisition, retention, and support of an excellent faculty and staff." Read more HERE.
Senior Tribute order forms are due December 12, 2014. The forms can be downloaded HERE, and are also available on our website under "Quicklinks". Tributes are a great way to congratulate your senior or express how proud you are of them. Deliver, email, or mail the order form and materials together to the yearbook staff by the deadline of December 12, 2014 to avoid the $20 late fee. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Pages cannot be reserved without payment. Please contact Mr. Blessinger (2015 Yearbook Adviser) with any questions at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Class of 2015 students must stop by the office of Vice Principal Mackessy this week to give her your NAME, HEIGHT, and WEIGHT so that the school may order your cap and gown for graduation.
Maranatha will provide each senior their cap, gown, and tassel as part of the Graduation Fee which will be billed to each Class of 2015 family. Below is a link to Jostens' website where you may purchase official school graduation announcements, thank you cards, graduation clothing, key rings, and more. A wide selection of items are available to order online at www.jostens.com. Orders must be completed by Friday, November 7, 2014.
If you have any questions, please contact Vice Principal Linda Mackessy at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Do you have friends or neighbors that might be interested in Maranatha? If so, invite them to Open House on Saturday, November 8, our premiere event of the Admissions season. At Open House, prospective families can meet our faculty and administrators, tour the campus, participate in classroom demonstrations, and get all their questions answered. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude by 12:30 p.m.
If you would like help with Open House, please sign up on SIGNUP GENIUS for needs such as: waters, serving refreshments, and more. Help is needed Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8. Read more HERE.
Our Parent Association volunteers are hosting a Thanksgiving Feast luncheon for our faculty and staff which includes an elaborate buffet with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, veggies, all the fixings, beverages, desserts, and table decorations. This is just one way the Parent Association shows the MHS faculty and staff how much the rest of the Maranatha community is thankful for them.
The coordinators of the luncheon are seeking donations for the Tuesday, November 11 feast. Please go to SignUp Genius and sign up for needed items or to be a server at the event and get your service hours in such a meaningful way.
This week, October 27 through 31, the Football Team is conducting a can food drive on behalf of Union Station Homeless Agency. This week is the team's bye week and the canned goods will be collected each morning as well as Monday, November 1 in the Gym Quad. There will also be a drop-off bin by Mrs. Jones desk in the Student Center. Items can be purchased at Smart 'n Final, Costco, and Walmart and must be the size indicated on the flyer. Whatever items have been gathered will be delivered to Union Station at their Raymond location.
The items to be collected are determined by class level. Freshman: Green Beans, Sophomores: Mushroom Soup, Juniors: Canned Corn, Seniors: Instant mashed potatoes. Click HERE for flyer. Thank you for your support!
Maranatha is really your one-stop Christmas shop! Accompanying the Parent Association Christmas Trees, the Girls' Basketball Team is selling commemorative MHS Christmas ornaments. These spirited keepsakes light up and are sold for just $10! Check out the order form HERE and pay with cash, check, credit, or conveniently charge your account.
Order forms with payment may be turned in at the front desk in the Student Center. Ornaments that have been pre-ordered may be picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunchtime in the Student Center beginning November 4. In addition, ornaments may be purchased those same days during lunch, and also on Saturday, December 6 during the Christmas Tree pick up.
Maranatha High School values feedback from our families. In an effort to glean more feedback from our families, we are launching a parent survey. Please take some time to respond to each survey question in the next two weeks. Your response is very important to us as it will become a part of our ACSI/WASC Accreditation self-study process this year.
Please click HERE to access the survey.
Your survey results will be completely anonymous. You may discuss your responses with your student, however we are asking for just one survey per household.
Please complete your survey by Oct. 31, 2014.
Thank you for your participation and for helping us continually improve upon what God has given us.
Join us for Homecoming 2014 as we celebrate our 50th school year and the wonderful ways God has blessed MHS these past five decades! We look forward to celebrating and seeing you on campus this week!
Themes for Dress Up Days: Monday, October 20: Would you nominate me if I wore this?Tuesday, October 21: Who wore it better? (twin day)Wednesday, October 22: Stars are just like us (favorite celebrity)Thursday, October 23: Seniors: Superhero, Juniors: Disney, Sophomores: Sci Fi, Freshman: WesternFriday, October 24: Red, White & Blue or Homecoming shirts
Thursday, October 236:15 p.m. - 2014 Football Team enjoys dinner with Football and Cheer Alumni7:00 p.m. - Alumni Flag Football Game
Friday, October 24
12:23 p.m. - 50th Day of School Commemorative Sunglasses and ice cream given to students at lunch3:30 p.m. - JV Football Game3:30 p.m. - Alumni Legacy Lounge opens5:00 p.m. - In 'n Out Open for Dinner5:00 & 6:00 p.m. Campus Tour available (starting at the Legacy Lounge)5:30 p.m. Alumni Pre-Game Party in the Student Center6:45 p.m. Welcome & Prayer7:00 p.m. Kick OffHalftime: Cheer Performance, Homecoming Coronation, and Alumni Legacy Raffle
Saturday, October 156:00-10:00 p.m. Homecoming Dance
This year's theme is "Hollywood... Then & Now" We have been granted exclusive access to the UCLA Bruin's newly renovated Training Facility and Locker Room for this memorable event. Tickets are now on sale on our website HERE and are currently $45. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets now. Dance Contracts and Guest Contracts are also available online under Quicklinks.
By: Joel Murphy '97 Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life
If you were raised on shows like Chips, MacGyver, Dukes of Hazzard, The A-Team, and Little House on the Prairie (for your little sister, of course) then you and I are probably best friends. Remember these classics? Man, just thinking about them brings a smile to my face.
I loved watching MacGyver engineer a powerful torpedo utilizing just his socks, some sticks, gum a conveniently placed pipe, and a boiler (refer to Season 4 episode 1 for confirmation). Or, who could forget when John "Hannibal" Smith had a plan that involved "B.A." transforming a John Deer tractor into a makeshift tank that "Face" and "Murdock" conned off of a local farmer. Even today I smirk when I try to bring back "Hannibal's" tag line of "I love it when a plan comes together". My students just awkwardly stare at me each time.
I think for most of us, regardless of what era we grew up in, we possess the ability to look back and reflect on the cultural nuances of our youth in a way that evokes pleasant and positive memories. So much so that we can actually romanticize our experience to a degree that it nearly rewrites history. Read more HERE.
On October 1, Maranatha High School was host to the National Christian College Fair, an annual event organized by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) to bring together representatives from some of the nations top Christian colleges and universities under one roof. This college fair gave our students, and the visiting public, an opportunity to meet with college ambassadors face-to-face in order to better evaluate all of the school options available. Maranatha was proud to host these Christian institutions who share our mission of providing a quality education in a Christ-revering setting. Read more HERE.
Maranatha has planned an educational trip to Europe over Easter break to visit Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London. These cities have so much to offer from visiting Anne Frank's house before she and her family were captured, to seeing the works of Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Students will see the Eiffel Tower and Louvre in Paris, and the Tower of London and Big Ben in England. You will have the opportunity to ride the Chunnel Train from Paris to London, and even visit the beaches of Normandy.
The history and art will be a wonder, and walking the streets of four major European cities with old and new friends will create memories that will last a lifetime. This trip is open to all students and their parents and, if you would like more information, please contact Ms. Fowler at firstname.lastname@example.com or stop by her classroom in the Student Center. This private Maranatha tour is first come, first served and will be full after 30 registrants. Be a part of the adventure!
This Thursday we will welcome over 250 eighth graders to campus for our annual Eighth Grade Visitation Day. This event is an excellent opportunity to showcase our school and allows eighth graders to experience a day on our campus. Eighth grade students will experience a pep rally, chapel, class/faculty interaction, and lunch while being hosted by our stellar Ambassador students.
Due to the influx of visitors on our campus, our student body will have an altered schedule this Thursday. Students will start by participating in a pep rally with the eighth graders. They will then move to Grade Level Meetings to hear important information from their counselors on specific items relevant to their grade. After meeting with their class, all students will hear from an inspirational speaker, Lynn Guerin, on Integrity, Success, and Life Transitions. After this time together, our student body will again join the eighth graders for chapel. Following chapel, they will attend 5th period, lunch, and then end their day with 6th and 7th periods.
We trust this will be a meaningful day not only for our eighth grade visitors, but our entire student body as well. Thank you for helping us welcome prospective students this Thursday!
All parents are invited tomorrow, Tuesday, October 21 for the Parent Association's bi annual evening meeting. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center.
Our Head Football Coach, Steve Bogan will be speaking on his coaching style, his biggest challenges, how to balance athletes' demands, and how we can support him in prayer.
Join the Advancement Office to reach out to all current parents through a phone-a-thon. On November 10, we will be calling parents from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. to see if they have prayer requests and to invite them to participate in our annual giving program. If they have already given, we will thank them and simply ask if they have a prayer request.
Dinner will be provided and callers will earn a bonus parent hour as a thank you for participating. We hope you can join us to connect with our parents and gather support for our school! Please contact Patrice Cablayan to volunteer at firstname.lastname@example.com or (626) 817-4070.
Last month, approximately 15 people enjoyed Chef Jason's Cooking Class. This month, our Chef will be teaching how to make FRESH PASTA. As always, the cooking class is free, but donations (made to MHS) are appreciated. Please wear comfortable shoes and an apron. Please RSVP for the Thursday, October 30 class to firstname.lastname@example.com so Chef knows you are coming. All are welcome!
This summer three staff members; English Department Chair Kerry Roche, Dean of Educational Services Christie Akins, and Principal Dr. Michelle Purghart were selected to attend a week-long Data Wise conference at Harvard Graduate School of Education. They were trained in the Data Wise project which offers a collaborative step-by-step process for educators to analyze data with the goal of improving student learning.
Maranatha has been doing such a great job of launching the Data Wise process that of the 131 schools that attended the 2014 Data Wise cohort, Harvard selected our Data Wise Leadership Team to present Phase Two of our Data Wise journey on their October 1 Live Online Session accessible to over 700 schools. Full Story HERE.
Do you have friends or neighbors that might be interested in Maranatha? Please invite them to 8th Grade Visitation Day on Thursday, October 23 or Open House on Saturday, November 8. These two events serve as the premiere events of our Admissions season and they will be upon us before we know it. Some exciting events for prospective families include...Read more HERE.
Current and alumni moms are invited to a new 6-week Women's Bible Study led by Parent Association Prayer and Care Chair Rene Bancroft. The women had their first meeting today, October 13 and will continue every Monday through November 17. They meet in the Commons from 8:15 - 9:30 a.m. to go through the book by Robert J. Morgan titled The Red Sea Rules: 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times. Feel free to purchase the book at amazon.com and direct any questions to Rene Bancroft at firstname.lastname@example.com.
All parents are invited next Tuesday, October 21 for the Parent Association's bi-annual evening meeting. The purpose of an evening meeting is to allow parents that may not be able to attend the morning meetings a chance to participate. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center.
So many parents have enjoyed the first two Eat N' Greets that the Parent Association will be hosting another morning Eat N' Greet on Wednesday, October 29. All parents are welcome for a casual time to break bread and get to know other MHS parents. Come to the Corner Bakery on the corner of Lake Avenue and Del Mar in Pasadena around 8:15 a.m. after drop off.
Why not get ahead on your holiday planning and check your Christmas tree off your list today! The Parent Association is offering a Christmas Tree sale including poinsettias and Christmas wreaths and garland. The sale is on now through November 14. Click HERE for the flyer.
Already have a synthetic tree or will be out of town for the holidays? No problem! You can still support this fundraiser and our armed forces by purchasing a "Tree for Troops"! If you check the "Trees for Troops donation" box on the flyer, your tree will be donated to members of our armed forces or their families.
Please contact parent chair Lisa Chang at email@example.com with any questions. All proceeds from this Parent Association sale will go to support our faculty and staff. Thank you for buying your Christmas tree at MHS!
After you order your Christmas tree through the PA's fundraiser (see related story), why not start your Christmas shopping too!
The Parent Association's Scrip program is a great place to buy gift cards for Christmas presents or stocking stuffers. Click HERE for the Scrip form. Orders are filled weekly and can be picked up at the Student Center front desk by parents or students. Thank you for supporting our school!
We are delighted to announce several new additions to the Maranatha staff. God has blessed us with many talented individuals throughout the years, and over the past month has brought us the following six new staff members to serve needs in several departments. Please help us in welcoming our newest members to the Maranatha community. Full Story HERE.
Don't miss the most amazing Homecoming Dance in Maranatha's 50 year history! This year we are taking it to a whole new level with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dance the night away at the fabulous Rose Bowl in Pasadena! We have been granted access to the UCLA Bruin's newly renovated Training Facility and Locker Room for this memorable event.
Tickets are now on sale on our website. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets immediately to ensure you are a part of the fun!
THEME: "Hollywood... Then & Now" WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 2014 6:00-10:00 p.m. WHERE: UCLA Training Facility & Locker Room at the Rose Bowl COST: $39 (tickets available HERE)
Dance Contracts and Guest Contracts are available online under Quicklinks and on the Homecoming Dance webpage.
This past weekend, Steven Kozak, our Student Program Director and Theology Faculty spoke at a Biola On the Road apologetics conference titled "Reasonable Faith in an Uncertain World". Mr. Kozak was one of the general assembly speakers to over 1200 attendees at the conference held at Woodside Bible Church in Detroit, Michigan. He was humbled, he noted, to present alongside many noted apologists such as Lee Strobel, J.P. Moreland, Clay Jones, and Craig Hazen.
Mr. Kozak's topic was, "Can we do the right thing without God?" He spoke on the necessity of God for our own morality, delving into the origin of morality. He resolved that humanity can not be a means by which to measure ourselves. Full Story HERE.
With fifty years of history, Maranatha is overflowing with stories of friendship, faith, and transformation. To commemorate our fiftieth school year, we are asking members of our community to write down their favorite Maranatha Memories and share them with our community. Reflections from Admissions Administrative Assistant Debbie Middlebrook and Parents of Alumni Jewell and Susan Crosby have recently been posted, and others will be added throughout the year as they are gathered. Take a moment to visit our Maranatha Memories webpage to read these reflections, then email firstname.lastname@example.com to share your own Maranatha memories with our community!
By: Joel Murphy '97, Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life
Maranatha High School's Missions and Service Learning Program continues to intentionally pursue greater Kingdom impact through cross-cultural experiences. This year, through partnering with the broader body of Christ locally, nationally, and internationally we're excited to announce our 2014-2015 missions and service learning opportunities.
Read more HERE.
By: John Wells, Performing Arts Producer
It's about that one moment; that moment when you hit the wall, when you have to make a choice to go on or turn back. That is what Tony award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown's "Songs For A New World" is all about. It's the first picture of the American experience aboard a 16th century sailing ship as the passengers ask the Lord for strength to complete the journey to the New World. It's the mother of an American Revolutionary War soldier who anxiously awaits the end of the brutal war with no other way to manage her fear and frustration than to sew a flag. It's the determined young man in the Bronx who dreams of his life as a famous basketball player. It's the pain and heartache of the young woman who married well, but chose money over love.
"Songs For A New World" is a theatrical song-cycle featuring seven of our most talented singer/actors taking on one of the most challenging scores we have ever tackled. And from the way rehearsals have been sounding and looking, conquering it. The show will take place on the Ambassador Fountain Plaza, in front of the spectacular performing arts venue. It is the perfect setting for our talented students, accompanied by a five piece band, to transport us to that place, that moment of decision, surrounded by the beauty of the evening. The show dates and times are October 16-18 at 7 pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students, available online at www.maranatha-hs.org/boxoffice or at the door the night of the performances.
It's a Luau, and all moms are welcome!
The Alumni Office has already received over 150 RSVP's for the Moms' Dinner on October 9! Current moms and mothers of alumni, we hope you can join us for this complimentary celebration. Leave the kids at home for the evening, and come make new friends, connect with fellow moms, hear a school update from Dr. Gyertson, and enjoy delicious Hawaiian fare.
The dress is casual, Hawaiian attire a plus, especially flip flops. You'll even be greeted with an "aloha" and flower for your hair at registration. Seating is open, and greeters will be there to help you get connected if you are new to the community. If you would like to help with the dinner, you can sign up to set-up, greet, or take tablecloths home to wash. Click HERE to view our open needs and sign up today.
If you haven't already, please RSVP by clicking HERE or by contacting Lauren Obregon in the Alumni Office at (626) 817-4071 or email@example.com. We are asking for all RSVP's to be in by this Thursday, October 2.
See you soon at the Moms' Dinner!
To celebrate Maranatha's five decades, our community is praying for Maranatha High School on the fifth of each month. From September 2014 through September 2015, we are sending out a prayer prompt on the fifth detailing the ways we can pray for our students, staff, parents, and extended alumni community.
Check your inbox on Sunday, October 5 for our next prayer prompt! We will be sending you a devotion by Athletic Director Brian DeHaan and a list of ways you can intercede for our community. If you missed the September prompt, visit www.maranatha-hs.org/coveredinprayer to read it today!
There is power when we unite together in prayer!
A big congratulations goes out to our newest ASB members of our Freshman class!
Freshman Class President: Heidi SilkFreshman Class Vice President: Gracie RoseFreshman Rep: Caroline TanFreshman Rep: Warren LiuFreshman Rep: Caroline DiehlFreshman Rep: Elias RodarteFreshman Rep: Julianna O'Malley
Pictured above: Heidi Silk and Gracie Rose
Recently students enjoyed our annual Club Rush event during the lunch hour where they were able to learn about and sign up for student clubs. There are twelve new clubs this year (indicated by an asterisk below), many of which have been spearheaded by our amazing students! For instance, senior Stephen Enloe has started Project 15, affiliated with a non-profit designed to spread awareness for self-worth and dealing with personal struggles. Junior Audrey Vu has started the new Anime Club which will help students broaden their cultural horizons and learn about different art forms. After serving on the local Harambee Missions project last year, junior Rachel Bostick accepted the challenge to incorporate missions as a regular part of her life. To that end, she has formed Team Harambee and is gathering a group of students who will serve regularly at our partner ministry.
Read more HERE.
As we celebrate fifty years of God's faithfulness to Maranatha High School, we look to the bright future ahead and the many opportunities that we will continue to offer our deserving students. At this time of year, we are asking our parents to partner with us by ensuring that Maranatha continues on its upward bound course.
We have two goals. The first goal is to raise $500,000, and the second goal is have this total amount committed through gifts and pledges by December 31, 2014. We hope to get needed funds pledged early so that we can focus on our 50th Anniversary celebrations.
If you haven't taken a moment to do so, please return your gift or pledge form for the 2014-2015 General Fund to the Advancement Office. We aspire to have 100% participation with our parents. Gifts of any size are appreciated and our hope is that God will impress upon your hearts how much of your resources you can share as your gift this year.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly, Patrice Cablayan, at (626) 817-4070 or email me at email@example.com anytime. You can also give directly on our website at www.maranatha-hs.org/Giving.
By: Joel Murphy '97 Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life
Maybe this resonates with you or maybe I'm alone in this but sometimes I struggle connecting what I know to be true to the practice of that truth. Theologically, this dance is described as the connection between orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right living). For example, when I read through the seven descriptive I AM statements in scripture, I wholeheartedly understand and agree with everything they declare and imply. Yet, the specific discipline of living in this knowledge, or shall I say Truth, is an entirely different matter.
You see, the power in the statements comes not only through the intellectual acknowledgement but the wholehearted experience. Christ as the Bread of Life (John) can only be understood within a context of personal consumption. Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10) radically alters our day by day experience of His protection and provision only when we live in this reality.
In our second teaching series of the year, we set out to examine the descriptive scriptural reality of "The Great I AM..." as revealed through three specific relationships; God, Father, and Church. Please join us in person and in prayer throughout this series as we seek to connect the Truth to all aspects of our living, learning, and serving.
Since the inception of See You a the Pole in 1990, the focus remains on one simple act - prayer. On Wednesday, September 24 at 7:20 a.m. you are invited to join with believers throughout the globe to intercede for their school, friends, families, churches, and communities. This year's anchor verse exhorts Paul's spirited message concerning the armor of God, inspiring and calling messengers of the Gospel to stand strong in their faith as they proclaim the Good News. We look forward to seeing you at the flag pole this Wednesday as we join with tens of thousands of student praying at their schools!
Spirit Wear for Sale Online!
The Booster Club is currently offering online sales of spiritwear and other items in addition to the Logo Store that is available at on the field at home football games and in the Snack Shack at home volleyball and basketball games. Please visit https://team.sportchalet.com/MaranathaBooster to purchase items today!
Chili Cook Off
At the Oct. 10 Valley Christian football game, the Booster Club will be hosting our second annual Chili Cook Off. It's just $5 to taste and vote! (Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available for purchase should you need to cleanse your palate between tastings.) Click here for CHILI COOK OFF FLYER.
If you have a great chili recipe and would like to be a contestant in the cook off, contact Natalie Castello at firstname.lastname@example.com or Holly Yamada at email@example.com right away. There are only ten entry spaces available, and the deadline to register is October 6th. The first place prize is $200 and second place is $100!
Seniors, please fill out the official Transcript Request Form (available online under Quicklinks or in the Guidance Office) to request your transcript be sent to your college. You will also need to select the colleges you are applying to in Naviance. Please complete both steps to ensure your transcripts will be sent to the colleges you choose.
We have seen major changes in hairstyles, technology, and dress over the last fifty years at Maranatha. Yet our core has stayed the same through our committed teachers, powerful friendships, memorable sports teams, dynamic performances, and transformative chapels. We invite you to visit our 50th "Through the Years" webpage where you can spend a couple minutes looking through a pictorial history of Maranatha High School. You'll see pictures move from black and white to color, hairstyles move up then down, and learn a bit about Maranatha along the way.
While you're in our 50th webpages, you can read a first-person account of Maranatha's first year and keep track of our moves, leaders, and celebrations with our timeline! Click the 50th logo on our home page any time to access all the news, events, and history for our 50th year!
That's right, this year's La Salle v. MHS Rival game is at Maranatha. We expect our Minutemen fans to show up in force this Friday, September 19 for the game of the season! Our Athletic Director, Mr. DeHaan reminds us, "Six years ago we created a trophy for the game and coined it the 'Showdown for the Crown'. Many have stated that this is the private school version of the Turkey Tussle and the stakes are raised with the entire Pasadena community watching. With rivalry games you throw out the records and rankings because anything can happen. We are 3-3 against La Salle but in the past couple of years they've had our number. I know the kids are hungry and this senior class is set on bringing the crown back to Maranatha." Come early as the In 'N Out truck will be on hand serving their famous burgers from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Join us this Thursday night at 6:15 p.m. for the home Varsity Girls' Volleyball games versus Mark Keppel High School. Before the game, the Booster Club will be cooking up a free Hot Dog BBQ. Immediately following the volleyball game, there will be a Pep Rally in the Gym to get our team pumped up for the rival game on Friday! Rally towels will be handed out and we anticipate some great school spirit!
Pictured above MHS Minutemen celebrate winning the crown in 2011. Let's bring it home!
We invite you to join us in praying for our school, our staff, and our students. Please check this page weekly as we will frequently post current needs or topics, such as the Department we are focusing on that week, and individual prayer requests as they arise. You can find this page on our website under ABOUT/ Praying for MHS.
If you are a current student or parent who would like to submit a personal prayer request, please contact our Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life Joel Murphy at email@example.com. Read more HERE
Come and join us for coffee at 8:00 a.m. and the Parent Association Meeting at 8:15 a.m. We will be hearing the latest information from Dr. Purghart among other staff. Come enjoy fellowship with other parents, an uplifting devotion to start your day, and even receive one parent service hour for attending.
Our Headmaster Dr. Gyertson often has the opportunity to speak to various groups both in and out of our community. Recently he had the privilege of speaking with the Salvation Army as well as our closest neighbor, Harvest Rock Church.
This August, Dr. Gyertson served as one of the key teachers at the Southern Territory Bible Conference for the Salvation Army. Over 1300 Salvation Army leaders and their families attended the conference where Dr. Gyertson taught five sessions on the Book of Acts. He focused specifically on what the 21 Century Christian movement can learn about ministering in a pre-Christian society. Read more HERE.
Though we were disappointed to lose the three-day freshman retreat at Forest Home due to mudslides this August, we have not given up on the idea of having a retreat for our freshmen. Because we realize that having a freshman retreat is so valuable for the students as they start the year, we took a proactive look at what we could do as the school year got underway and have some exciting news to share with you.
On Tuesday, September 30, the freshmen will have an awesome one-day retreat at the Salvation Army Camp in Malibu Canyon! The camp has many activities that will be fun for the students. We are excited to have the freshmen bond with God, one another, and our staff in such a fantastic setting. We are grateful that God provided a retreat that will be meaningful, rich, and full of His Spirit. Read more HERE.
Maranatha has several active Twitter accounts that students, parents, alumni, and family members are invited to follow. Twitter is a great social media tool for getting "in-the-moment" updates on things that interest you. For those not-so-techie members of the Maranatha community who are interested in receiving occasional "tweets" about Maranatha, below is a simple step-by-step guide describing how to make a Twitter account of your own and stay on top of Maranatha's news. Read more HERE.
Dr. Purghart would like to invite our parents to become a part of our accreditation teams as we prepare for our accreditation visit next year. By volunteering you will be given the opportunity to be a part of the reaffirmation of accreditation process. Each volunteer will be placed in one of ten groups with faculty, staff, administration, students, and board members; each volunteer will be placed in a group based on the group's need. Meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 2:15-4:00 p.m.
Below are the meeting dates:
Please join us and be a part of Maranatha's future. Contact the Administrative Assistant to the Principal, Janice Davis, at firstname.lastname@example.com if interested.
By: Rene Bancroft, Parent Association Prayer & Care Chair
Hello Maranatha community and welcome to the 2014-2015 year of Prayer & Care! It is a blessing to be serving as this year's Parent Association Prayer & Care Chair. Our family has been at MHS since 2007 and my husband and I have watched two daughters graduate (Caitlin '11 and Savannah '14) and we have one daughter currently at MHS (Sierra, a sophomore). The power of prayer, from campus ministries to mentor leaders, has been an immeasurable blessing and benefit to our entire family; as I'm sure you will find for yourself soon, if you haven't already!
I am really excited about the team of parents we have this year leading some of the most impactful groups on campus, those directly involved with praying for our students, staff, and administration. Read more HERE.
Last Friday, the local Maranatha community came together for our first home football game of the year against Bassett. Not only did Maranatha start the season with a win, but the game was special in another way - it was our first official game on our newly refurbished field. Before the game, members of the Board of Trustees joined Headmaster Dr. Gyertson on the field to officially dedicate the field and offer a prayer for all those that practice, compete, and enjoy it throughout its lifespan. Read more HERE.
Joel Murphy '97, Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life
As a child growing up in the 80's there was a common phrase heard across punchball courts and playgrounds throughout the land, "Do Over". In my experience, few idioms contained such beauty and power.
Do you remember what these games were like at recess? Do you remember how at the tender age of nine and ten we were asked to be jury, judge, and executioner of justice and equality? Geesh! Not an easy take for anyone, especially us little ones who had passionately contrasting and competing perspectives of fairness.
But, there was a phrase that offered such mediating hope to us, "Do Over". To all who would listen and respond, this little catchphrase offered us peace and perspective. It offered us the confidence to boldly move forward knowing that whatever happened was a thing of the past. As though, we were now being offered something new, a "Do Over". Read more HERE.
Since the very first day of school Maranatha has added three more faculty, putting the final touches on our outstanding faculty roster. Please read more HERE about our new Math, Spanish, and History faculty.
Wanting to get in touch with another parent at Maranatha? The 2014-2015 Maranatha Family Directory is now available on NetClassroom and includes student and family contact information as well as a list of students by grade and a cross reference of parents and students by last name.
Maranatha families may access the Directory by logging into NetClassroom with your password and clicking on the "Student's Classes", then "Class details". There will be a drop down menu to choose the class – choose "Stu Resource" and on the right hand side of the page there is an area that says "Documents". The Directory can be found there as a PDF.
Please be aware that the Directory is intended for use by Maranatha families and students only and may not be used for commercial use or solicitation. Please contact our Database Coordinator Sandee Holt at email@example.com or (626) 817-4073 if you need to update or change your information.
The Maranatha College & Guidance Counseling Department will be hosting their annual College Nights for all grade levels in the Student Center. All are welcome to join as the counselors will discuss important topics relating to college planning specific to each grade.
FRESHMEN – Monday, September 8, 6:00 p.m. The presentation will focus on the college process and college timeline for a freshman student. In addition, there will be a demonstration on how to use NetClassroom and the Naviance system.
SOPHOMORES/JUNIORS – Thursday, September 11, 6:00 p.m. The presentation will focus on standardized testing, maintaining a strong GPA, and starting the college search process.
SENIORS – Monday, September 15, 6:00 p.m. The presentation will focus on the college application timeline, the process of filling out the various college applications (The Common Application, UC Application, Cal State Application), recommendation letters, transcript requests, and important deadlines.
Parents, please help your students with the following protocols:
The first week of school verbal warnings for uniform infractions and tardies were given as a kindly reminder of school rules. During the second week of school, written warnings were sent home for parent signatures. Now that the students are settled into their class schedules, all rules will apply and detentions/Saturday schools will ensue for students that do not respect and follow the rules of MHS.
Thank you for your loving support and commitment to the mission and vision of Maranatha.
Although anyone can volunteer to help, if you are a senior parent, the following volunteer opportunities may be particularly close to your heart.
Senior BBQs
There are five Senior BBQ lunches over the course of the year and the cost is $5/each. The first one is coming up in less than two weeks. We need several donations of items, time, and money. Our first BBQ is going to be pulled pork sandwiches, apples, tangerines, chips, lemonade and ice cream sundaes. We are in need of donations of all of those things. If you would like to sign up to help make our first Senior BBQ a special event for our students, you can either go to the Maranatha website and click on the Parent Info > Volunteer Opportunities tab at any time, or simply click HERE now. Read more HERE.
Every other month our Parent Association volunteers host a luncheon for our faculty and staff which includes an elaborate buffet, including beverages, desserts, and table decorations creating a lovely, cafe-like atmosphere as a way to showing the MHS staff how much they are appreciated.
This year's first luncheon will be a welcome back luau honoring our much deserved staff. The coordinators of the luncheon are seeking donations for the Tuesday, September 16th feast. We are especially in need of Visa Gift Cards to purchase specialty items from restaurants and other needs. If you are able to contribute, please go to SignUp Genius and sign up for items needed and get your service hours.
Throughout the school year we will focus our prayers on a single department each week. this week, we ask you to join our headmaster in prayer for the spiritual life of our campus!
We pray specifically for our Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, Joel Murphy, and for all those who work with our worship leaders, chaplains, and ministry teams. In addition, please pray for our mentor groups, missions teams, and all those that serve with the Spiritual Life Retreat and Freshman Retreat. We are grateful to be at a school where the name of Christ can be glorified boldly and unashamedly.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 3 -7, 11-13
All Maranatha ladies interested in trying out for the 2015 Pasadena Rose Parade Court should come to the Commons on Wednesday, September 3 at 12:20 p.m. for an informational meeting hosted by a representative from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Teachers will excuse students who are interested in attendinga few minutes early from class.
In August of 1965, junior high school teacher Don Oliver was busy working on his dream of creating a Christian high school in the San Gabriel Valley. Don's work of finding students, hiring teachers, and identifying board members paid off when Maranatha High School was dedicated on September 12, 1965. In its inaugural year, Maranatha educated twenty-nine students on its temporary campus at Arcadia Union Church. As we enter our fiftieth year of education this year, Maranatha remains a dynamic Christian high school dedicated to providing Christ-revering, college preparatory education.
You will receive a mailing this week that will detail the many celebrations we will be having throughout our 50th school year. We hope you can join us at one or all of the celebrations, as well as visit www.maranatha-hs.org/50 to learn about the other ways we are commemorating our 50th school year. On our webpages you can read about Maranatha's first year, peruse photos from our last fifty years, learn about volunteer opportunities, sign up to pray for Maranatha, and much more!
Happy 50th, Maranatha!
By: Joe Laski '15
At Maranatha High School, the Visual Arts Department has been very successful in fostering innovative and creative minds in our students. Over the summer, our teachers have been relentless in expanding their own minds by continuing to work on their passions in the field of art. The work of these artists highlights how all of our teachers are striving to expand their knowledge to give the students an even stronger education. Continue reading HERE.
Each week, we encourage you to pray with our Headmaster for all the departments of our school. This week, we focus on our Academic and Instructional Department.
What a calling it is to educate our future generation! Dr. Gyertson reminded us of this last week as he spoke in our first chapel on the instructions on how to live found in the book of Timothy. He spoke to the students and staff alike about calling. God is calling us to the task He has laid before us today and calling our students to seek His specific, true, and perfect calling on their lives as they, with their parents' help, prepare for their futures. Read complete article HERE.
Please help us welcome our exceptional new faculty and staff for the 2014-2015 school year! Continue reading to learn more about these new additions.
Are you planning to be here this Friday for the biggest Back to School Bash you've ever seen? In honor of Maranatha's 50th Anniversary, we are starting this year off in a huge way!
We've got great food trucks arriving to serve dinner on the Ambassador Fountain Plaza starting at 4:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends for some al fesco dining and fun before the main event - the Phil Wickham Concert in the Ambassador Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. (6:15 for Premier ticket holders). The concert kicks off with two great opening bands, Talmadge and Urban Rescue at 7:00 p.m. followed by our headliner, the chart topping Christian recording artist, Phil Wickham.
Tickets are still available on our website at www.maranatha-hs.org/philwickham. Proceeds from the evening will benefit great local charities, including Door of Hope, Elizabeth House, and Maranatha Missions.
Please join us in praying for Maranatha! To focus our prayers, each week we will highlight one department to pray for. This week, we are praying for our Headmaster's Office and Board of Trustees. Please pray for Headmaster Dr. Gyertson, his Assistant Jane Tawel, and our Board of Trustees: John H. Davis, Michael Bollenbacher, Steven Chang, Victor Dorado, Alan Hall, George Hausler, Greg Keith, Steven Nahigian, and David Smith. Please pray for the Lord's guidance and wisdom as the Headmaster and Board of Trustees make decisions that will affect MHS now and in the future.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me from your presenceOr take your Holy Spirit from me.My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;A broken and contrite heartYou, God, will not despise.May it please you to prosper Zion (Maranatha),To build up the walls of Jerusalem (Maranatha).Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous.Psalms 51: 10 – 12; 18 -19a
The Booster Club is geared up and ready for fall sports to start. With over 60% of the student body participating in our sports programs, they would love to have your support. The first thing you can do is join our Booster Club. There are many levels of membership offerings that may include family admission to home sporting events, reserved parking at football games, logo wear, and more. Lifetime memberships are also available with special recognition. Click HERE for the membership form or become a member online. Please contact John Howe at 626-298-1082 with any membership questions you might have.At home Football and Girls' Volleyball games, the Booster Logo Store will be available, with some exciting new items offered this year! The Booster Club plans to launch an online ordering system soon, as well!Please remember, the Booster Club has many volunteer positions available to help you fulfill your PSP hours. Please contact Nels Ortlund at 626-826-8077 if you would like to volunteer.
Roll your car or SUV right up onto the South Lawn for the September 5th Booster Tailgate Party from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.! The Booster Club will be selling hamburger dinners, which include a salad, chips, and a drink for $10 each. Or feel free to bring your own food as the big school BBQ will be available for you to grill. Click HERE for the Tailgate Party flyer.
Planning on taking the SAT or ACT this fall? The College & Guidance Counseling Office will be hosting the Princeton Review SAT/ACT Prep Class on campus on September 20. Click HERE for the flyer or sign up on our website today!
The Minuteman Café has some exciting new things going on this year. First off, they have a new Frozen Yogurt machine that will serve different flavors of Frozen Yogurt and Soft Serve Ice Cream for just $3 with lots of toppings to choose from.Chef Jason will also be offering Cooking Classes on the last Thursday of every month starting in September for parents, staff, and friends of MHS. More details will be available soon.
Maranatha High School is excited to announce our new Head Men's and Women's Swim Coach, Simon Burnett. Coach Burnett will begin working with the squads immediately and will continue to work with the swimmers throughout the summer and fall until the season begins in the spring.Coach Burnett is a 3-time Olympian representing Great Britain in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. He was a member of the British National Team for over 10 years and previously held the British record in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles. In 2006, Simon was ranked #1 in the world in the100 freestyle. He attended the University of Arizona 2002-2006 where he was selected as team captain, served as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Board, won 6 NCAA Championships, and broke the NCAA and US Open records in the 200 freestyle. Read more HERE.
Pictured: John Davis, Chairman of the Board and Mark Flewelling, Former Board Member
At the annual Board Appreciation Dinner held in June at the Pasadena Tournament House, Mark Flewelling was honored for his years of service to Maranatha High School. Mark has served as a member of Maranatha's Board of Trustees for the past five years and has retired from this post as of July. Besides his service as a trustee, Mark has also volunteered in the Maranatha Booster Club since 2004, including serving as the Booster president for two of those years. He and his wife, Laura, have been active members of the Maranatha community for over ten years as they have watched their three children graduate the school. Read more HERE.
Maranatha is pleased to announce that the athletic turf replacement project is complete! This entire field has been resurfaced and we are happy to have the Football team back on campus to practice. The final touches were recently completed as six track lanes were added to the south side of the field, allowing our Track & Field team to practice skills such as sprints, hurdles, and relay passes. With this new addition, the school is pleased to be able to give one of our largest teams a greater sense of presence on campus.
The field replacement began as soon as school let out in May. From the removal of the old turf and drainage tile, to waterproofing and drainage maintenance, to installing the new field complete with our team name in the end zones, the project will come in on schedule and under budget. Maranatha is grateful to the Board for financially planning for this needed capital improvement and always to the Lord for His provision. Through prayer is a part of every practice, we will officially dedicate our new field to the Lord at our first home football game on Friday, August 29 against Basset.
Maranatha High School is pleased to welcome Mrs. Linda Mackessy as our new Vice Principal. Her educational accomplishments include two Master's degrees from Azusa Pacific University; one in Curriculum and Instruction, the other in Educational Leadership; and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Physical Education. She also holds both a Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential and a Clear Administrative Services Credential. Mrs. Mackessy has over 20 years of experience in the educational arena teaching at the elementary and high school levels, as a Dean of Students, and as an Assistant Principal of Student Services.Mrs. Mackessy became a Christian years ago through a youth meeting at church. She and her husband currently attend Grace Church of La Verne where they live. She has worked in both public and private school settings and is excited to now be in a Christian setting where she can share her beliefs and be supported in prayer. Read more HERE.
Maranatha High School is excited to announce our new Head Cheer Coach, Erika Barrera. Coach Barrera will begin working with the squads immediately and will assume all duties as Head Coach on September 1. Coach Jennifer Magnone will continue with the program through August, and the two will work together as Co-Head Coaches until September.
Coach Barrera has over 15 years of cheerleading experience including 8 years of tumbling and 10 years of coaching. She has participated and coached all forms of cheerleading, from youth to collegiate all-star. She has coached teams to victory by winning numerous regional, state and national competitions. In 2013 while coaching at Bishop Amat Memorial High School, she led the varsity competition team to their first USA National Championship Cheerleading title in the school's 56-year history. At Bishop Amat she served as the Head Varsity, JV, and competition cheer coach.
She is very excited for her first year with our cheer team and prays for a great season. She looks forward to working hard, promoting school pride, and upholding the values of Maranatha. "A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
On Saturday, July 19, 2014 the Ambassador Auditorium will be filled with laughter, friends and great performances by talented Maranatha Alumni for the second annual Alumni Dinner and Performing Arts Revue, Arts Meets Grill. The evening will kick-off at 6:00 p.m. with a barbeque dinner on the senior patio, then move to the Ambassador Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. for an intimate alumni revue with orchestra seating. Tickets are only $10 and include both the dinner and the revue. All alumni, their families, parents of alumni, current parents and students, grandparents, and anybody else interested in attending are invited to join us for this special night. Alumni from all decades are invited to perform at this fun, lighthearted evening. Those performing will receive a free dinner. Email Dee Dee Dirks to reserve your spot in the performance lineup. You can join a small theater performance, sing or play a song of your choosing, or join the dance group. To purchase tickets, click HERE or call our Alumni Office at (626) 817-4071.
The school year will be starting soon…so now is a great time to purchase iTunes scrip to use for your child's electronic textbooks. What is Scrip? Scrip is prepaid gift cards that are available from numerous retailers, such as Arco, Mobil, Vons, iTunes, Jamba Juice, Macy's... just to name a few! For each card you purchase, you receive the FULL value of your purchase and MHS will receive a percentage back donated by the retailer. The percentages vary depending on the retailer. Some are as high as 14%!
Here are two easy ways to get scrip (and support Maranatha at the same time).
Haven't created your ShopWithScrip account yet? No problem... just follow these easy instructions: Create your free account at ShopWithScrip.com.com by clicking on the green 'Sign Up' box. Fill in the form and follow the simple registration instructions. Maranatha's code is: 281319F35542. It can take a couple of days to get PrestoPay™ setup and approved – so don't delay! Once your account has been confirmed, start shopping!
Is there a catch? The catch, if there were one, is that families simply need to plan ahead a little and do their normal shopping with scrip gift cards. Instead of paying with cash or credit, use a prepaid scrip gift card for your regular household purchases or gifts. By simply planning ahead on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, restaurants, clothes, entertainment, and home repair, the average family can easily earn over $500 a year for the school! Please consider purchasing Scrip for your regular shopping needs and as gifts for Christmas, birthdays, Easter, Mother's Day, Graduation, Father's Day, and corporate gifts too.
Click HERE to learn more about purchasing Scrip.
Tryouts for JV spots on Maranatha's Cheer Squad are being held during the month of July. This tryout is open to all MHS students, including incoming freshmen and transfer students. To arrange for a tryout contact Jennifer Magnone. Tryouts are usually held in the morning. Maranatha's Cheer Squad supports MHS athletic teams through their use of skills, attitude, and encouragement.
Maranatha High School is thrilled to welcome winning Coach Eli Cuenca as the Head Coach of our Girls' Volleyball program. Coach Cuenca has been coaching volleyball for 15 years with experience at the collegiate, high school (both public and private), and club circuit levels. He most recently coached at Redlands East Valley High School, where in his 3 seasons, he led the Wildcats Girls' Volleyball program to back to back Citrus Belt League Championships in 2013 and 2014. Coach Cuenca studied Emergency Medical Care and earned his Bachelor of Science in 2005. He continued his education with United States Sports Academy and in 2008 graduated with a Master of Sports Management. Coach Cuenca is excited to be moving to this area and joining the Maranatha High School coaching staff. He says "Coaching and mentoring student-athletes is a blessing. I am blessed and privileged to have the opportunity of teaching young athletes this wonderful game." Coach Cuenca is inspired by Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion". Please join us in welcoming Coach Cuenca when you see him around campus.
Maranatha High School has the distinct honor of being the host site for the 2014 Pasadena Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The 24-hour event takes place this Friday, May 23 – May 24, from 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Maranatha's football field. Pasadena's Mayor Bogaard, along with Dr. Gyertson, will kick off the event with a special lap at the beginning honoring cancer survivors.
For complete details, click HERE to view Maranatha's Relay for LIfe web page.
Relay for Life: Team Maranatha
We are also excited to participate in this worthy fundraiser with a team. Would you like to be a member of "Team Maranatha"? You can sign up to walk as a member of the team, or you can donate towards the team fundraising goals. Parents and students are invited to join the team or support the effort by clicking HERE. Click "Sign Up", then "Join a Team" and choose "Maranatha High School". What a great way to show love to our community! Students can also get a jump start on next year's required service hours with this event. See Mrs. Graves for more information. Read more HERE.
In case you missed it, our very own senior Nick Craft was featured in a captivating CBS2/KCAL9 news story about his success on our MHS Speech & Debate team! The segment highlights Nick's journey of overcoming challenges with the help of MHS faculty Pat Mesisca to find success and confidence through Maranatha's Speech & Debate program.
Watch the segment HERE.
We live in an amazing time where technology has packed so much power into the smallest devices. Features such as communication (email, texting, video conferencing and telephone), photography (hi-res photos and video with editing capabilities, and the ability to GPS tag and post instantly to websites or stream live to online channels), documentation (database management, weather tracking, and full library access to millions of books and videos)… just to name a few! All of these examples can be accessed from a device that fits in your hand!
This June, Maranatha is pleased to be hosting a unique event to share the results of our research and deployment strategies of integrating the wonders of technology into our school curriculum which has expanded the capabilities of our teachers and offered unlimited learning styles to our students. Read more HERE.
Last week, Dr. Gyertson hosted a small reception thanking the leadership boards of Maranatha's three parent groups: Our Booster Club, Friends of Maranatha Arts, and Parent Association. We know our parent groups, including all our parent volunteers, help keep Maranatha humming!
One special thanks went to Susan Crosby, who has faithfully served Maranatha in so many ways over her years here. From serving with the Friends of Maranatha Arts to volunteering with the Athletic Booster Club, Susan was a regular sight on campus. At the reception, Dr. Gyertson honored her as the MHS Volunteer of the Year! Congratulations, Susan, and thank you for all you do!
Congratulations to student filmmakers Blair Feng, Ryan Shoji, Sebastian Whittembury and Aogu Jimbo for being picked to represent Los Angeles County at the Directing Change Video Competition! The contest was created to build awareness for suicide prevention, and to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. "I assigned the video as a class project," said Tech & Media Faculty Mr. Dulgarian, "as I believe it is a great opportunity not only to complete, but to help change lives. I think it goes hand in hand with our mission as Christians." Read more HERE.
Two of our four mission trips with be serving this summer and we would appreciate if you would keep them in your prayers.
Dominican Republic Mission: July 1-11
Thirty-two students and five staff will work alongside Mission Emmanuel, in various communities throughout the capital of Santo Domingo. Our team will join with a ministry existing for over thirty years which aims at providing children an escape of poverty through education and health. Ministry opportunities may include Mission Emmanuel Schools which serve over 500+ students through World Servants, the Mary Lynch Budd Children's Clinic, Mission Emmanuel Church, Dr. Pete Armstrong Dental Clinic, Women's Cooperative, and the Water Purification Plant in Cielo. Read more HERE.
Permission Slips are now due for the two senior events: Grad Nite and the Rafting Trip. See below for all the paperwork needed and contact Mrs. Graves with any questions.
Seniors will enjoy the annual Rafting Trip from May 27-29, held this year on the Kings River in Yosemite. Click these links for the SENIOR RAFTING RELEASE FORM, KINGS RELEASE FORM, RAFTING PACKING LIST, and RAFTING TRIP INFO.
On May 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., seniors will attend Grad Night at Disneyland. Click this link for the GRAD NIGHT RELEASE FORM.
After being accepted to both the United States Air Force Academy and Naval Academy, senior Ben Hynes has made his decision and committed to start his journey at the United States Naval Academy on July 1.
As a kid, Ben dreamed of being an astronaut and thought the Air Force Academy would be a good starting point for that. As he grew, his passion changed slightly and he felt military service as a strong calling on his life. "It's a great way to serve my country and the people in it," he says. Ben also feels like he has been blessed with gifts that would be useful in the military. For instance, Ben is known for staying cool under pressure. He is also known for his love of adventure and pushing himself physically. Read more HERE.
Congratulations to Crystal Yeap who achieved the rank of Pathfinder Guide last year in the Pathfinder organization. The Pathfinder Club is a Christian version of a co-ed "girl scouts" and are present in over 100 countries. She is currently serving as a Pathfinder Counselor. She also designed a pin for the upcoming International Pathfinder Camporee held in Oshkosh, WI, which happens once every five years. Her pin design was chosen, and she got a free ticket to attend the Camporee!
Crystal will also be finished with her Master Guide (scouting's highest rank) requirements before August and will be awarded this rank at the International Pathfinder Camporee in front of 35,000 pathfinders. Very few pathfinders achieve this rank and some don't even achieve it until well into adulthood. We are so proud of Crystal who is an accomplished dancer, ASB leader, academician, and scout!
Students: Finals week can be a stressful time for many students. Often times, organization and planning can alleviate much of your stress. Use the Homework App's intuitive dashboard to remind yourself of all your projects and final exams coming up, and then continue to use the app next year to organize all of your personal endeavors and homework assignments. You can also share information with your friends and parents via iMessage, email and Facebook! Click HERE.
Parents: In the last installment of the Minutegram, we shared an app with you that was designed to help you find colleges for your child, and evaluate them based on specific parameters. The next step, once you have approximated tuition costs, is to plan for those expenses. CollegeSave is an innovative app which visually shows the projected cost of college in the future. You can also estimate the amount of lump sum and regular monthly savings that are required to cover the costs of the desired college. Click HERE.
ShopWithScrip.com is a convenient and easy way for you to purchase scrip throughout the summer and continue to support Maranatha. With ShopWithScrip, you can purchase physical gift cards, ScripNow (an electronic gift card) or Reload funds onto scrip cards you already have. To make your online summer purchasing even easier, register for PrestoPay™. When you pay online, your ScripNow eCards and card reloads are delivered to your account in minutes and you don't need to wait for a physical card to arrive. This is perfect for last-minute purchases! Click HERE for the ShopWithScrip website. If you have any questions, please email email@example.com.
Online orders for physical cards placed by the end of each summer month, will be available for pick up the following Wednesday at the Student Center Front Desk.
Haven't created your ShopWithScrip account yet? No problem... Read more HERE.
The Booster Club would like to thank all the members for their generous support this year, as well as the golfers and online bidders that supported the golf tournament and auction. With the money raised we were again able to provide support to Maranatha's student athletic teams.
Thanks also to the many volunteers who helped out with all the home athletic games.
"We are looking forward to many exciting things to come in the next school year!"
The 2013-14 Booster Club Board
Maranatha junior Jenay Yuen has been accepted to USC's Resident Honors Program next fall as a freshman. USC's Resident Honor's program is designed for highly successful and mature high school juniors who want to get a jump start on college by bypassing their senior year of high school. The average SAT score of applicants to this program is a 2200 and less than 30 are accepted each year.
While pursuing this selective program, Jenay prayed a lot and asked God that He would make it obvious to her. She is driven and wants to move forward with her career goals. However, Jenay noted her continued prayer this year, that she was pursing this for the right reason, "not out of pride or to seem unique, but to pursue a greater future so God could use me in numerous ways." She added, "When I am too comfortable, I can get spiritually lazy, and I know with this program God will stretch me both academically and spiritually." Read more HERE.
Maranatha High School is proud to partner with The Princeton Review to provide convenient, affordable on-campus SAT prep. This course is being offered at Maranatha for only $599. Participants will learn exclusive techniques and strategies from an expert instructor and gain confidence for test day. The course features:
Read more HERE.
Next year is already shaping up to be a great year with the election of some excellent class officers and ASB cabinet members. Please congratulate our new leaders and keep them in prayer as they serve our school. Congratulations to our new 2014-2015 ASB leadership. Read more HERE.
After 30 years of teaching, the last 14 of which have been at Maranatha, Mrs. Vonnie Savage will be retiring at the end of this school year. Over her 30-year career, Mrs. Savage has taught English at both the elementary and high school levels. At Maranatha, she has taught both 9th and 10th grade English, including regular and honors level. She has also served in many other areas at MHS such as the Speech Club, school BBQs, as the Freshman Class Advisor, the English Department Chair, a chapel speaker, and as the Dean of Instruction.
Mrs. Savage has enjoyed her time at Maranatha saying, "this is a great place that the Lord has blessed." She has especially cherished the relationships she has made while here, from her colleagues, to the students and parents. She has also appreciated working at a place where she has been free to talk about God, pray with people, and interact on a spiritual level, both in and out of the classroom. Read more HERE.
Our school is pleased to be a new member of Grand Canyon University's Canyon Christian Schools Consortium (CCSC).
This GCU program provides members of our school community with a variety of benefits, such as:
Please read more on their website HERE.
As reported a few weeks ago, the Phil Wickham Concert on May 23, 2014 had to be postponed so that Phil Wickham could undergo vocal cord surgery. Our student leadership team and school administration have been working closely with Mr. Wickham's management team to find alternate dates to reschedule the concert. As of today, they have tentatively booked August 22, 2014 as the new date for the concert. We hope to be able to finalize this date in the next few days and will announce information about how to purchase concert tickets, or transfer already purchased ticket to the new date.
The concert is a great way for our community to join together for music, food, and fellowship, while raising funds for local charities and non-profits. We are looking forward to praising God together at this wonderful event!
Maranatha High School is proud to announce that sophomore Shannon Chan has been selected to represent MHS at the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar. The HOBY Los Angeles Leadership Seminar will take place May 30-June 1, 2014. The event will be held at Loyola Marymount University, with more than 140 sophomores in attendance.
Shannon was chosen because of her outstanding leadership potential that she has demonstrated in school and community activities. She will also have the opportunity to attend HOBY's World Leadership Congress (WLC), a prestigious, international symposium convening 400 U.S. and international high students from all over the world.
Freshman Nicholas Chavez achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, scouting's highest rank this February. Nick is a member of Boy Scout Troop 516 in South Pasadena. For Nick's Eagle Project, he worked to renovate and restore the parking lot landscaping area that was damaged during the windstorm event of 2011 of San Gabriel Christian Church and School. Nick is also a member of the 2013-2014 Olympic Division Championship, Maranatha Varsity Golf Team. Congrats!
Students: As the year wraps up, maybe you are in need of a great experiment idea for a science or chemistry class. Maybe you just want to stay sharp over the summer break. If this sounds like you, then you should check out the VideoScience app on iTunes. It is a growing library of over 80 hands-on science lessons that are great for home and the classroom. These short videos demonstrate inexpensive and easy ways to recreate experiments that are designed to excite and inspire. Download it absolutely free HERE.
Parents: Are you the parent of a sophomore or junior here at MHS? Are they beginning the search for where they would like to obtain their higher education? If so, this is the perfect iPad application to help you support them in their search! Peterson's College Guide can help you find colleges that match your academic, social and financial preferences. It can also help you map a college trip, provide higher education statistics and equip you with financial aid and tuition information. Check it out HERE.
It is with great excitement that Maranatha High School announces the promotion of Beverly Powell as our new Head Girls' Basketball Coach. Coach Bev came to Maranatha as an established high school and collegiate coach. Her value to the program has been immeasurable and we are thrilled that she has accepted the responsibility of leading our young ladies both on and off the court. For those of you who only know Coach Bev in her prior role as an Assistant Coach here at Maranatha a summary of her achievements are below.
Coach Bev has twenty-six years of coaching experience with highly competitive basketball teams for quality women's high school and intercollegiate athletic programs. She holds a successful track record for graduating student-athletes for high school (100%) and college (87%). Read more HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week, we pray for the Languages Department. We serve a God that speaks every language, embraces every culture, and likes every cuisine and climate. Our Languages faculty have the privilege of introducing and training our students about other languages and cultures. After all, "every tongue, tribe, and nation" will ultimately be together, worshiping the Lamb of God. Read more HERE.
The Guidance & College Counseling Summer College Tour has been postponed to spring of 2015 to allow families more time to plan for this valuable trip in their schedules.
Maranatha welcomed over 280 guests to Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day on April 9. Guests enjoyed a catered breakfast while enjoying performances by Maranatha's Mixed Ensemble and Orchestra. Current grandparent and parent of alumni Marilyn Johnson was an incredible emcee who shared her memories of Maranatha over the years. Student speaker Shalifa Anderson '14 talked about the role of grandparents and special friends in students' lives. Dr. Purghart gave a quick update on student activities, and Dr. Gyertson offered a special message of encouragement to our guests.
As always, the highlight of the morning was the time after the program that grandparents and friends got to spend with our students. Students visited with our guests and took them on a tour of hosted areas around campus.
We invite you to visit www.maranatha-hs.org/grandparentsday to view and download pictures of this very special day!
Maranatha High School has been voted the San Gabriel Valley's "Best Private School" for a 3rd consecutive year by the readers of the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and Whittier Daily News! Maranatha is thankful for the continued support. For nearly 50 years, Maranatha High School has filled a unique role in the assortment of area private schools as the only non-denominational Christian high school in the San Gabriel Valley. The overall goal to provide excellent Christian education across all areas has also resulted in notable academic advances. Dr. David Gyertson stated, "As Headmaster, I am thankful for this recognition of and support Maranatha's distinctive mission to integrate a high quality college preparatory education in an intentional Christ-revering context".
The Boys' Tennis team just completed their regular season, setting MHS records and making Olympic League history! The team finished with a modern era school record 14 wins, winning percentage of 82.4%, with a 14-3 record. They also went undefeated in the Olympic League (9-0), which is a first in MHS Boys' Tennis history and, we believe, in Olympic League history.
The Boys' Tennis team is also celebrating a back-to-back league championship, the first in MHS and Olympic League history! As they look to the league tournament this week and then CIF the following week, the Boys' Tennis team is the highest ranked (ranked #2) they have ever been in CIF Div 5. Congratulations!
By: Gary Ho, Senior College & Guidance Counselor
The month of May is an exciting time for the Maranatha Senior Class as students are given the opportunity to participate in many meaningful and noteworthy activities as they wrap up their final days of high school. On May 9, all senior girls are invited to the Senior Tea at Fowler Garden to rejoice in their accomplishments with female faculty members. On that very same day, the senior boys are invited for a night of fun with their Maranatha brothers as they enjoy pizza, games, and a night of racing at Speed Zone. Once school finally ends, all seniors will also have the opportunity to spend Grad Night at Disneyland, an event that promises many lasting memories. Seniors will also have the opportunity to participate in a well-loved Maranatha tradition, the Senior Rafting Trip, as they navigate through the rapids of Kings River at Yosemite National Park for three days. Read more HERE.
Finals Week will begin two weeks from today, on Monday, May 18. Each class will meet on Monday and Tuesday of that week for review. To see the final review and the modified three-day final exam schedule click HERE.
On April 30, Maranatha's headmaster, along with several staff and board members, attended Pasadena's 41st Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at the Pasadena Convention Center. The inter-faith event, which falls on or near the National Day of Prayer, brings together civic and business leaders, churches, and service organizations for a time to reflect on God's blessings. Maranatha is not only a faith-anchored educational contributor to this city and region, but many of the school's students and families volunteer their time to help local charities and non-profits throughout the community.
The Parent Association organizes a Used Uniform Sale each year to allow Maranatha families the opportunity to purchase uniforms at greatly discounted prices. Uniforms are collected at the end of the school year for this purpose and families of seniors are especially encouraged to donate. Uniforms will be collected at the last Parent Association meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at 8:30 a.m. in the Academic Center Commons. For every uniform piece in good condition you bring to this meeting, you will receive a raffle ticket for four front row seats at graduation. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the PA meeting. Read more HERE.
Over Easter Break 43 students and 7 staff traveled both near and far (Pasadena and Nicaragua) to serve through missions. Students not only served through manual labor, but had the privilege of making new friends. Read more about these life-changing experiences. Read more HERE.
Maranatha High School has the distinct honor of being the host site for the 2014 Pasadena Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The 24-hour event will take place on May 23 – May 24, from 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Maranatha's football field. Pasadena's Mayor Bogaard will kick off the event and several cancer survivors will be in attendance with a special lap at the beginning of the event designated in their honor.
Besides hosting this event, MHS is excited to participate in this worthy fundraiser with a team. Would you like to be a member of "Team Maranatha"? Read more HERE.
This summer Maranatha is offering exciting opportunities with both Summer Academy classes and Challenge Camps. To further enhance studies and help students get ahead, Maranatha offers a Summer Academy from June 16 to July 25. Click HERE for the 2014 Summer Academy brochure and registration form.
In addition to the academic offerings for incoming 9-12th graders, Maranatha's Athletic Challenge Camps offers incoming 4-9th graders a variety of athletic camps to improve their skills and learn new techniques. Click HERE for the 2014 Challenge Camps brochure and registration form.
Learn more at www.maranatha-hs.org/summer.
Dr. Gyertson and his wife, Nancy, recently attended the premiere of Moms' Night Out at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The red carpet event kicked off the movie which will be released to theaters this Mother's Day weekend. Their daughter, Andrea Nasfell, was the screenwriter for the movie and, as adoring parents, they couldn't be more proud. Read more HERE.
Renisha Owen '15 and Science Department Chair, Ms. Woods, were able to represent Maranatha High School at the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) State Leadership Conference recently. They attended the four-day conference with hundreds of other HOSA students from California. Students came together to compete in HOSA-related competitions such as medical terminology and spelling, first aid, CPR, nursing, medical assisting, and much more. Since Marantha just started our HOSA chapter this year, they primarily went to assess the event for the club's participation next year; however, Renisha did get her feet wet by competing in a few events. Renisha is slated to be the club's vice president next year and looks forward to attending the conference with all the MHS HOSA members. Read more HERE.
Students: Don't forget that Mother's Day is this weekend, May 11th. Now you can use your iPads to show your appreciation to your Mom for ALL that she does! The CleverCards App is a free application that allows you to send the perfect Mother's Day card in minutes! You can create the perfect card straight from your iPad. Then you have the option to either have it printed out and delivered via regular mail, or you can send it via email or Facebook! Check it out for free HERE.
Parents: Has it been a while since you studied some of the topics that your students come home and want to discuss with you? Brush up on thousands of topics quickly with the Khan Academy App. This app includes over 4,200 videos and articles on almost every topic including biology, science, physics, history, finance, and more! Download it for free HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. We have prayed through all our departments this semester and now turn to the parents of Maranatha. As we approach Mother's Day this weekend, how fitting it is to remember all that our moms, and dads, do in raising our students, as well as supporting them on their academic journey. We pray for those often-weary warriors as they parent, guide, disciple, mentor, discipline, train, and build up their children. Read more HERE.
This Friday, May 9, we will be celebrating our seniors with two special events for the young men and women.
The ladies will enjoy the annual Senior Ladies Tea on the commons patio, after school from 3:30–5:30 p.m. This special event is lovingly prepared by senior moms, but is for senior ladies and female faculty and staff only. Tea attire is encouraged.
The Senior Bro Night will be held at Speed Zone from 3:00-10:30 p.m. and will include a pizza dinner. Guys interested in attending should see Mrs. Graves to sign up. The first 40 guys to sign up are FREE, $15 after.
The DR Mission Trip is sponsoring a "Cherry on Top" Yogurt Night next Monday, May 12 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Cherry on Top will give 20% of all sales to Maranatha's DR Mission Team! No flyer is needed. Please bring a friend to the Cherry on Top near PCC at 1299 E. Green Street in Pasadena!
Due to health issues, the Phil Wickham Concert on May 23 has been temporarily cancelled. Phil Wickham is undergoing vocal cord surgery and is required to take the month of May off to recuperate. Mr. Wickham communicated through a letter; "I'm sorry I am unable to be with you at your event. I am very frustrated to have to cancel and I am hoping we can do something together at some point in the future."
Our ASB team is looking into options including rescheduling the concert for a later date, possibly the beginning of next school year. As soon as details have been finalized, we will issue information to all current ticket holders.
We apologize for this unfortunate change of events, which is beyond our control. We ask that you join us in prayer for Phil Wickham and his speedy and total recovery. Thank you!
This year, Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be held May 5-16 and will be administered at Maranatha High School in the Ambassador Auditorium. Please make sure that your student arrives on time with necessary materials and make sure to provide arrangements for pick up immediately after the AP exam. AP students will be excused from their regular classes on the AP Exam day ONLY. We do not have supervision for them before or after an AP Exam. Please contact Tiffany O'Rourke, our Director of Assessment and Faculty Development, at firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions. Read more HERE.
On Friday, May 9, we will be celebrating our seniors with two special events for the young men and women. The ladies will enjoy the annual Senior Ladies' Tea in Fowler Garden at 3:30 p.m. This special event is lovingly prepared by senior moms, but is for senior ladies and female faculty and staff only. Tea attire is encouraged.
The Senior Bro Night will be held at Speed Zone. Guys interested in attending should see Mrs. Graves to sign up and get additional information.
Before Easter Break, a number of students were honored in the academic and athletic arenas at our annual Student Awards Showcase. Mr. Ho, the Senior College & Guidance Counselor said, "The student showcase was an amazing event that celebrated the achievements of our hard-working students at Maranatha High School. It was great to see so many students being honored for their efforts." We celebrate with the students listed below, honored in specific areas. Read more HERE.
Please prayerfully consider a gift to Maranatha before the school year ends. Every gift counts no matter the size. Parent participation is vital for the school's ability to apply for grants from major foundations and companies.
Our annual giving campaign also offers other opportunities to give... Read more HERE.
Please be aware of the following important iPad information that was emailed in early April. All iPads must be turned in between May 12 and May 23. Insurance enrollment closes April 14, 2014 and after May 9 no more claims for damaged, lost, or stolen iPads will be accepted. Click HERE for the Insurance Form.
Students can begin turning in their iPads on May 12 to Christie Akins' office or Room 312 in the Academic Center. iPads not returned by May 23 will receive a late fee billed to the family account of $100. iPads not returned by May 31 will be charged the full replacement value of $535. Read more HERE.
Cheer tryouts for next year will take place this week! The clinics to learn the routines will be held Tuesday - Thursday, April 29 - May 1, and the actual tryout date will be Friday, May 2. Girls will meet on the South Lawn from 3:30-5:30 p.m. each day. Incoming freshmen are also encouraged to try out!
Advanced Instrumental Ensemble is the premiere instrumental performance group at Maranatha. It is the group that performs in the Ambassador Auditorium and represents the school at various civic and public functions. It is also a class that will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays after school from 3:15-5:00 p.m. next year. If you play a musical instrument and have taken private lessons, and/or have played in instrumental groups for at least 3 years, this is the performing arts class for you. Acceptance into the ensemble is by audition only. Mr. Wells, the director, will be holding auditions on May 7-8 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Maranatha music room, or by arranged appointment. If you are interested at all, please email Mr. Wells at email@example.com for more information.
Senior parents and guardians: We have ordered your student's cap and gown, and they will be available at the Senior Parent Graduation Meeting. If you are looking to order graduation announcements, you can do so at www.jostens.com. Be sure to select Maranatha High School on the Jostens' website so you are redirected to the right place. Important dates to look forward to are... Read more HERE.
Students: Are you in need of an app that can help you organize your ideas for a project for Finals week? If so, then check out Popplet! This app allows you to move at the speed of your thoughts. With Popplet, you can capture your ideas, sort them visually, and collaborate with others in real time quickly and easily! Check it out HERE.
Parents:It's nearing the end of the year and we all know what that means... projects, papers, and presentations! If your student often forgets these at home and misses critical deadlines, or if you often find yourself bringing an assignment in to school for your student, the Doceri App is for you. Have them install the iPad app for free and they can use Doceri to remotely access projects, papers and presentations that are left on the computer at home to present it in class by the deadline. Check it out; it can be a real grade saver! Make sure the Doceri program is also installed on their computer at home for students to gain remote control access when needed.Computer download: http://doceri.com/download.phpiPad App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/doceri-interactive-whiteboard/id412443803?mt=8
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Arts Department. There are a lot of wonderful things happening on campus in the arts this week, including the second week of the Visual Art Show and the Spring Performing Arts Showcase this Friday. Read more HERE.
by: John Wells, Performing Arts Producer
The evening of May 2 is going to be an incredible celebration of the performing arts here at Maranatha. It is the night of our annual Spring Performing Arts Showcase. It begins at 7:00 p.m. and will include performances from our Mixed Ensemble, Orchestra, and Advanced Instrumental Ensemble, as well as performances in dance from some of our best dancers here at Maranatha. Read more HERE.
By: Dr. Gyertson, HeadmasterBefore I came to understand who Jesus is, my favorite time of the year was Christmas. While often I did not get all I wanted in terms of gifts and particularly "peace on earth and good will to men", the lights, the smell of a fresh cut pine tree and the carols and Christmas songs, lifted my spirit. However, after I came to understand that the Christ-gift who came at Christmas was to be opened at Calvary so I could receive the gift of life eternal with the Heavenly Father, the Easter season has taken first place.
What amazing grace God showed for rebellious and wayward humanity on that Passover Friday. And what unfathomable love He demonstrated by willingly sending His Son as the Passover Lamb to pay the price for all of us who will acknowledge we are sinners in need of the Savior. As Paul describes it so powerfully in Philippians 2, Jesus surrendered His crown to take up His cross so we in turn could become joint heirs with Him for eternity. Read more HERE.
We are pleased to welcome Steve Bogan as Maranatha's new Head Football Coach. With over 30 years of coaching experience, Coach Bogan brings to Maranatha significant experience in building a quality football program and developing student-athletes. He served as the head coach of South Hills High School for 20 years. During that tenure he led his teams to 10 League Championships, reaching the CIF Quarterfinals 11 years in a row, and made 8 Semi-Final appearances. His teams have reached the CIF Finals 5 times, winning 4 CIF Championships in three different divisions. Read more HERE.
Maranatha is pleased to welcome Randy Smith as the new Facilities Manager overseeing our campus. Randy joined TKC, the company contracted to perform Maranatha's maintenance, last week. His TKC supervisor Laura Baccich summarized his duties as follows; "Randy will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the facilities department; including but not limited to, financial reporting and budgeting, long and short term maintenance planning, project management, operations of building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, campus service contract management, and facility staff management. He will also build relationships with Maranatha High School faculty and Real Estate Committee members to ensure the facilities department goals are aligned with those of MHS' leadership; and to safeguard the comfort and safety of the students, staff, and visitors." Read more HERE.
Members of Maranatha's faculty, staff, and administration often have opportunities to extend their reach beyond the walls of our Maranatha campus. We will be highlighting these opportunities from time to time in the Minutegram to offer a glimpse of the broader connections Maranatha's staff make on a day-to-day basis. Read more HERE.
By: Joel Murphy '97, Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries
I might be alone in this, hopefully not though, but our annual Commissioning Chapel is one of my favorite chapels of the year. There's a profound and meaningful awareness that we're participating in something eternal…a response to the words of Christ to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15-16).
As disciples of Christ, we acknowledge and own that we are a historical people sent into the tomorrows to bring the Good News. Like arrows of a bow, it's our history which pulls us back to propel us forward. We have been sent by the One whom was sent for us. Read more HERE.
On March 28, MHS Science Fair winners participated in the ACSI Science Fair hosted at Biola University. Ryan Cain took home a first place prize for his Lower Division Life Science project on magnetic levitation. Brett Richey and Michael Carter won 1st place for their Team Life Science project on the procedural memory of Ecuadorian crabs. Evelyn Thoen won 2nd place for her Lower Division Life Science project on the effects of freezing on bean seeds. Daniel Minassian won second place for his Upper Division Physical Science project on data track spacing on CDs and DVDs. Minsoo Sung, Mary Zheng, Chloe Jia, Molly Orchid, and Sage Polanco also participated in the Science Fair and returned with great ideas for next year. Read more HERE.
Did you know that Maranatha has over 50 international students who live with host families in our community? We are once a
gain looking for Christian families to host for the 2014-2015 school year. Host families provide a dedicated bedroom, transportation to and from school and activities, and three meals a day--along with a welcoming atmosphere and TLC.
Each family is compensated $1200/month/student. Do you have the gift of hospitality? Do you have a desire to open your home to a student in need of a loving home? If so, we would love for you to join us in this unique ministry. Please contact Brandi Murphy, Homestay Coordinator with My American School, at (626) 222-6422, if you'd like more information on the program.
During the week of April 14-18 you may change your payment plan to a full pay ($17,085.00), 2 pay ($17,255.85*), 4 pay ($17,426.70**), or 12 month ($17,426.70**) payment schedule.
If you like the payment schedule you are currently on, you do not need to do anything. All new families will default to a 12 month plan and will not need to call in if they are happy with that payment schedule.
Your first tuition payment for 2014-15 is due June 1, 2014. Tuition will be due on or before the first of the month for your selected payment schedule with a 10 day grace period. After the 10th a late fee of $100 will be assessed. Ancillary fees, (such as technology, books, sports, labs and others) are in addition to tuition and will vary by each student's classes/activities. Please call Smart Tuition at 888-868-8828 if you would like to change your payment schedule.
** includes a 2% service charge
* includes a 1% service charge
Senior parents and guardians! We have ordered your student's cap and gown and they will receive it after Easter Break. If you are looking to order graduation announcements, you can do so at www.jostens.com. Be sure to select Maranatha High School on Jostens' website so you are redirected to the right place. Important dates to look forward to are:
If you have any questions, feel free to contact College & Guidance Counselor Gary Ho at (626) 817-4033.
Maranatha is proud to again host the Tenth Annual "Saturday in the Park with the Masters", where all art enthusiasts are invited to come and learning from and paint with some of this area's finest painters and instructors. This event will be held Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Maranatha. The Mid-Valley Arts League has extended a complimentary invitation to all Maranatha students and families.
This year, Maranatha has an even greater presence in this event than in the past. Our Art Club is officially hosting the event for the Mid Valley Arts League and Art Faculty, Mrs. Rouse, has been on the planning committee. We are so pleased to welcome Jim Schlenker, husband of Art Faculty Brenda Schlenker, as one of the master artists this year. ead more HERE.
Maranatha requires a service component for our students acknowledging that we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. As a community, we strive to serve with compassion, love, hope, courage, and wisdom, for those in the Pasadena and Los Angeles areas. Students are required to complete between 10-20 hours of volunteer service per year and many students go above and beyond the required hours because they have come to embrace the servant model of Jesus in their lives.
Freshman Gordon Tawel is an example of someone who has embraced service as a part of his life. Gordon has been volunteering since he was young at senior homes, through the Boy Scouts, and more. Though he has completed his required service hours this year by volunteering with Door of Hope and Foothill Unity Center, he continues to serve. Recently Gordon spent a day at Paz Naz Church helping with their SOS program. Read mrore HERE.
Scholly Scholarship Search is an easy way for high school seniors and their parents to find money for their education. Designed to ease the scholarship search process, Scholly's adaptive matching engine delivers a smarter, targeted list of scholarships for each student. Scholly remedies the current outdated process which requires that each student fill out long, tiresome forms only to receive irrelevant, useless results. Try it out HERE.
Are you looking for a way to take your Bible knowledge a step further? Scripture Typer is the complete Bible Memory System for iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch. Scripture Typer breathes new life into your Bible Memory time by actively engaging three separate cognitive areas: Audio, Visual & Kinesthetic (Touch) memory. Download it HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Finance Department and Minuteman Café staff.
Our Finance Department would appreciate your prayers during this incredibly busy season with incoming students and returning students. Any of you who have worked with our Minuteman Café staff here know that they consistently have a "Mary's heart" in a "Martha's climate". These two departments work hard behind the scenes to support our school community. Please pray a blessing on them that they may continue to be a blessing. Read more HERE.
The Dominican Republic Mission team is working hard to raise funds for their mission trip in July by holding a Yard Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3. They are asking for donations from the Maranatha community. They are looking for clothing, furniture, athletic items, household items, and more! The more items to sell, the better!
Items can be dropped off at the Rinkus-Laski home any time the week of the sale. Items can also be brought to any of the leader's classrooms the week of the sale. (Mr. Randolph, Mr. and Mrs. Zambrano, and Mr. Winslow) If there is a need for large item pick up, please call Mrs. Sommers at (626) 862-8933.
DR Mission Yard Sale
May 3, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rinkus Laski Home
470 Maylin Street, Pasadena (2 blocks West of school above Orange Grove)
Maranatha Performing Arts presents A Night of Scenes! The nights' performances include six student-directed scenes from plays. In this co-curricular event, the Theater 3 students are directing the Theater 2 students. The stories chronicle chapters in all our lives from those awkward early years all the way to having to say goodbye to those we love. They are stories of the struggle to hold on and live purposefully. It will be an evening of laughter and tears.
Please join us at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena April 10-12 at 7:00 p.m. each night for an intimate night of theater. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $10. Seating is limited. Come out and support our Advanced Theatre students as they continue to use the talents God has given them to entertain and enlighten! Read more HERE.
by: Joel Murphy '97, Chaplain/Director of Campus Ministries
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is attributed to having developed the thought and doctrine of change being central to the universe. "Change is the only constant," he championed. Now, if this is true, then why is this specific knowledge so hard for me to accept and live in?
Really, what is it about me (maybe you too, but I don't want to project) that struggles to identify change as a good thing? Why can't I surrender to change and interact with it as the necessary chrysalis which brings forth life? Why does change provoke so much anxiety and a sense that we are losing something rather than gaining something? Think about it for a second…is this your experience of change? Read more HERE.
This spring, Mr. Kolberg will be receiving his Master's in Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Azusa Pacific University. For his thesis, he will be putting on a recital inspired by the traditional Requiem Mass of the Catholic Church. The recital will be held on April 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Anaheim First Presbyterian Church. The event is free to the public.
Aaron Kolberg has been Maranatha's Choir Director for the last eight years and it is no surprise when he states, "Choral music has long been a passion of mine." He says, getting his masters has "enabled me to sharpen my skills, expand my musical history knowledge, and better equip me for continuing to make exemplary choral music and further the music program here at MHS." He will also continue to use his talents with community and collegiate conducting opportunities.
The requirements for Mr. Kolberg's program were that it must be at least one hour long and be exemplary of every musical time period: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern. There must be an orchestral element as well, which he is fulfilling by performing many movements with strings, winds and brass, such as the Lacrymosa from Mozart's Requiem. This recital is the culmination of his graduate work, and includes the music of Schubert, Vivaldi, Mozart, Carissimi, Thompson, and Bach, among many others. Some of the modern pieces include works by Blake Henson, Frank Ticheli, and the premiere of a piece by Jeremiah VanSkike, another graduate student at APU. Mr. Kolberg states, "In searching for the repertoire for this program, I sought to select pieces that not only demonstrate the musical and compositional beauty of each time period, but also capture the spirit of choral performance, resulting in a moving amalgamation of choral history."
Mr. Kolberg extends an invitation to our community to his Graduate Recital. What makes it even more exciting is that all of our Maranatha Mixed Ensemble students will be participating in the program, as well as some MHS alumni, among others. If you are not able to attend, please be sure to extend your congratulations to Mr. Kolberg next time you see him.
Click HERE to view the event poster (PDF).
by: Patti Davis-Simon, Comedy Sportz Advisor
Maranatha's Comedy Sportz Team played their first match of the year and won 26-25! Comedy Sportz is an improv club on campus that competes in games of improvisation with other schools. The team of Nathan Buchanan, Elena Santana, Tim Byers, and Jonah Daniels, with advice and encouragement from Manager Luke Simon, did an almost unheard of feat...they defeated the home team of Immaculate Heart High School located in Hollywood. Because a lot of the judging is based on how loud the crowd cheers for you, the home team almost always wins. The Comedy Sportz Team is scheduled to play against Crescenta Valley High School on Friday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Crescenta Valley. Mark your calendars now and plan on coming out to enjoy a LOT of laughs and support the team at the same time!
L-R: Nathan Buchanan, Tim Byers, Elena Santana, Jonah Daniels, and Luke Simon
The evening of May 2 is going to be an incredible celebration of the performing arts here at Maranatha. It is the night of our annual Spring Performing Arts Showcase. It begins at 7:00 p.m. and will include performances from our Mixed Ensemble, Orchestra, and Advanced Instrumental Ensemble, as well as performances in dance from some of our best dancers here at Maranatha.
The evening is entitled, "Elements: Substance of God's Design." From a musical and dance perspective, we will explore the elements that make up our universe like fire and ice as well as air and metal and how God has woven them into His own tapestry of abundance and joy. The very best in the performing arts at Maranatha will give witness to the very best in God's world. If you had a chance to attend our Performing Arts Chapel, and you liked what you heard and saw, "Elements" will be more of that, plus lights and special effects, and much more dance, featuring a wide variety of dance styles. We will be introducing our newly formed Advanced Instrumental Ensemble as well. Plus, this is the night when our performing arts seniors will be recognized and honored, so please come out and support them.
Tickets for this event are on sale on the performing arts box office webpage, $7 (+$2 service charge) for adults and $5 (+$2 service charge) for students. Tickets will also be available for students at lunch for $8 when we return from Easter break.
If you love good music and great dance, and want the opportunity to reconnect with the beauty, power, and majesty of God's unending creativity, our Spring Performing Arts Showcase will be a night to remember!
Senior Sierra Barrett aspires to use her talent in costume design in a future career. She has been accepted to both Kent State University in Ohio and the California Institute of the Arts to get a degree in Costume or Fashion Design. She is still deciding where to go.
Sierra jokes that "this is the only thing that comes easily to me," and thus recognizes it as a gift from God. She is convinced that "using the gifts God has given us, is our gift back to God." Sierra has certainly been able to share her talent here at school. Over her time here at Maranatha, she made all the "curtain costumes" for the Von Trapp kids in the Sound of Music. She also did Reno's "Blow Gabriel" dress in Anything Goes as well as wardrobe and backstage help. She did costuming for the One Acts and served as the Assistant Costume Designer for Thoroughly Modern Millie as well as handled make up, hair, flowers, and some stage management. For all the show at MHS, she has also assisted with alterations. Read more HERE.
Congratulations to Junior Aimee Niu for being accepted to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pre-College summer program. RISD is known for being a very selective school. To be considered for the summer program, Aimee was required to send examples of her artwork, fill out an application, and get a letter of recommendation from her art teacher. The six-week residential program that she will attend offers students a great introduction to the college art school experience. While living on the RISD campus, students follow a rigorous, college-level curriculum from foundation drawing and design courses, to critical studies in art, to focused concentration in one of twenty diverse majors.
Aimee is considering applying to RISD during her senior year. She notes, "This is a perfect opportunity to see the quality of their education first hand before making my final decision to apply." Her hope is to study interior design, and RISD has an excellent reputation for curriculum in this discipline. She believes the hands-on interaction between students and instructors will be "idea changing" and she is looking forward to this opportunity. Her Art Teacher, Mrs. Barnhart added, "Aimee is an amazingly strong art student (as well as strong in just about every other class) and I know she has an excellent career ahead of her."
The Dominican Republic Missions team is working hard to raise funds for their mission trip in July. They have two upcoming fundraisers that they would love your help with.
First, DR students are selling professionally-made corsages and boutonnieres for prom this week! Order by email to firstname.lastname@example.com or in person in the Student Center by Wednesday at lunch and pick them up on Friday at break or after school (1:00 p.m. dismissal). Boutonnieres are just $15 and corsages are $30. Or buy them bundled for the discounted price of $40. Talk about convenience! Save yourself time and a trip to the florist, and support a great cause!
Second, DR students are gearing up for a Yard Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, May 2. They are asking for donations from the Maranatha community. The more items to sell, the better! Items can be dropped off at the Rinkus-Laski home any time the week of the sale. Items can also be brought to any of the leader's classrooms (Mr. Randolph, Mr. and Mrs. Zambrano, and Mr. Winslow) If there is a need for large item pick up, please contact Mrs. Sommers at (626) 862-8933.
DR Mission Yard Sale
May 2, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rinkus Laski Home
470 Maylin Street, Pasadena
(2 blocks West of school above Orange Grove)
STUDENTS:Looking for an easy way to build your vocabulary to ensure that you receive the highest grades possible for your impending end-of-the-year research papers? You're in luck! Thesaurasize is a quick and efficient way to use your iPad to look up synonyms for words. This app boasts the largest collection of synonyms for the English language that can be found anywhere! Try it for free HERE.
PARENTS: Do you have a lot of forms that your student has to have you sign? Forms for things like field trips, special events, etc.? Has your child ever lost the form, and you had to complete the whole signing/scanning/faxing process all over again?! That can all be a thing of the past! DocuSign for your iPad or iPhone can save you time by signing documents directly from your mobile device. You can download it for free HERE.
Congratulations to senior Darron McWhorter who earned a $1000 scholarship from the National Football Foundation San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena and Whittier Chapter at their annual banquet honoring scholar-athletes. 43 scholar-athletes were honored for maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA in college preparatory classes, and demonstrating outstanding citizenship, leadership and community service. Darron was chosen following the nomination from MHS with approval of both his counselor and principal. Fox Sports analyst and former USC football player, Petros Papadakis, was the keynote speaker at the banquet, focusing his remarks on preparing athletes for life after sports.
Congratulations to Alex Elardi who recently placed 1st in "The Hits Desert Circuit" national and international A-Circuit Jumpers Equestrian Division. This competition was the kick start to the season, welcoming over 3000 competitors from all over the nation, including Canada and Mexico. Alex placed 1st in the 16-17 age group out of 50 riders. She also placed 3rd in the "level 4" combined professional and amateur division out of over 70 riders. Alex is well on her way to collecting enough points to qualify for the big class at the end of the year.
Alex comes from a riding family and has been riding since she was three years old. She rides a Dutch Warmblood named Topaz out of the Bellaventage Stables in Bradbury. Alex loves the adrenaline rush of jumping and the sense of relationship with her horse. She belie
ves she is able to reflect God's glory by investing in the talent He has given her. She also senses the majesty of God's creation in time spent with these beautiful creatures.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Theology and Campus Ministries Departments. These staff and faculty have the privilege and responsibility of teaching about God's Word and other aspects of our faith with our students on a daily basis. Read more HERE.
In partnership with IST Campus Tours, Maranatha High School will be conducting a college campus tour through Northern California this summer from June 2 to June 6. Students will be visiting the following universities:
Mr. Ryan Bell, Ms. Teby Wammack, and additional faculty will chaperone the tour. A $100 deposit is due to the counseling department by April 11. At least 30 students are needed in order to run the college tour. The full payment of $809 will be due by May 9.
Click HERE for the tour registration form. A Travel Release form and deposit will be required after you register. Please contact the College & Guidance Counseling Office with any questions at (626) 817-4030.
The 2014-2015 Course Catalog and 2014 Summer Academy Brochure are now online. Click HERE for the Course Catalog. Click HERE for the Summer Academy brochure. The deadline for registering for the Summer Academy is Friday, May 2, to avoid a late charge.
Calling all dads! We look forward to welcoming fathers of incoming, current, and alumni Minutemen to our 3rd Annual Dads' Dinner on Tuesday, May 6. Maranatha is hosting a complimentary barbeque tri-tip dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center. Dr. Gyertson, John Rouse, Brian DeHaan, and other leaders will be on hand to fellowship and welcome new MHS dads into the community.
Please RSVP to Lauren Obregon at (626) 817-4071.
Attention Class of 2014, the Technology Department is working to finalize the details of the iPad purchase program for seniors. Stay tuned to the Minutegram as we will be making an announcement soon on how our graduating seniors can take their iPads on to college!
Congratulations to senior Victor Escobar for earning his Eagle Scout award! Victor has been part of the Boy Scouts since he was ten years old and has been a member of Troop 266 for the past six years. He has enjoyed all the outdoor activities, especially the high adventure events. For his Eagle Project, Victor chose to serve his elementary school, San Gabriel Christian School. He repainted the parking lot lines and trimmed the shrubbery around the parking lot. He was grateful to be able to leave something behind that he knew his alma mater would appreciate. Victor is currently waiting to hear from a few more colleges but he wants to go to a liberal arts school and pursue a career in law. He is also interested in learning about a career as a firefighter.
Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day is just two weeks away! Taking place on Wednesday, April 9, over 300 guests will join us at Maranatha for a breakfast, program, and campus tour. If your child(ren) do not have grandparents or their grandparents are not able to attend, we encourage you to invite a special family friend to join us in their place. Extra invitations are available at the Student Center Reception Desk.
This very special morning brings the Maranatha community together to honor our grandparents and special friends. Former faculty member, parent of alumni, and current grandmother Marilyn Johnson will emcee our program. Dr. Gyertson and Dr. Purghart will welcome our guests and share recent campus highlights. The Mixed Ensemble and Orchestra will perform, and student ambassadors, chaplains, and cheerleaders will welcome, serve breakfast, and speak. Finally, parent volunteers will provide invaluable support as they serve throughout the day. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the SIGN UP GENIUS website to register.
Questions about Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day? Please contact Lauren Obregon in the Advancement Office at (626) 817-4071 or visit www.maranatha-hs.org/grandparentsday.
The Parent Association Board is proud to announce the new slate of Parent Association executive board positions for 2014-2015. The proposed slate will be voted on at the April 30th Parent Association meeting. The position of P.A. President is slated for Marlene Goldfarb and Kris Rinkus-Laski. The position of Secretary is slated for Elise Campbell and the Prayer and Care position is slated for Rene Bancroft. Please join us in praying for these amazing women who are committed to strengthening the involvement of parents here at Maranatha and benefitting the students, faculty, and administration.
With Marlene Goldfarb moving to the president position, the position of Hospitality Chair is now vacant. If you are interested in this position or would like to nominate someone, please email firstname.lastname@example.com with your nomination. Please see the following job description.
Hospitality Chair:
The duties of the Hospitality Chair shall be to welcome and foster community within the MHS parent community through hospitality. This Chair will oversee Parent Association refreshments, welcome committee and events, PA end-of-the-year celebration, and various other community building endeavors.
Take control of your own education by equipping yourself with resources. Check out these twenty fun education apps HERE.
Learn about the 20/20/20 rule and make sure you are advising your students how to properly view the iPad when spending long periods of time reading or studying in this informative article titled "Apple on Your Eyes".
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Physical Education & Athletic Departments. This includes our Physical Education staff, Athletic Administration, Athletic Trainers, Booster Club volunteers, and the numerous coaches that serve our students. These are the men and women who help our athletes learn more than just how to win or how to sacrifice for the game, but how to serve the Lord with all their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. These are the men and women who mentor our students and set our athletes apart to honor and serve the Lord. Read more HERE.
Maranatha High School's Booster Club proudly announces the launch of their annual auction in conjunction with their golf tournament. This year, for the first time, the auction is being held online to allow bidders the opportunity to bid from home, work, the golf course, the grocery store... wherever they might be!
You can now view the auction items online from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, register as a bidder, and start placing bids on your favorite items. If someone outbids you, take advantage of the text or email notifications so you can keep "in the game."
Click HERE to view the auction from your computer, or
click HERE to view the auction on your mobile device.
There are many great items on which to bid, such as Lunch with our Headmaster, Principal for the Day, Premium Dodger tickets, Disneyland tickets, Stonefire Grill delivered dinner for a party of 25, the always popular 8 reserved seats and two parking space at Lake Ave for graduation, the reserved personalized parking spot in the Visitor's Parking lot, foursome entry to the 2015 tournament, golfing at Brookside, Booster Club membership, and much more!
The net proceeds from the auction and golf tournament will benefit Maranatha's athletic programs.
If you would like more information about the March 28 Golf Tournament at Brookside Golf Club or the Appetizer Reception to follow, please click HERE.
Last week, the Photo Club held its 2nd "Jump Photo Shoot" of the year on the field at lunch. They positioned a white backdrop on the field and welcomed all students to come take shots jumping. The intent was to provide a fun use of photography for the campus and then post the photos to a photo sharing site where students can print or repost the image on social media. Of course, Photo students know that these photos have a historical context. Philippe Halsman, a famous celebrity photographer from the mid twentieth century, asked his subjects to jump before shooting serious portraiture, to help them loosen up and feel less awkward in front of the camera. He's now known for his Jump collection of politicians, royalty, and movie stars from the 50's including Marilyn Monroe, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Richard Nixon, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. "Although we've done this for 8th grade visitation days," noted Mrs. Schlenker, "we thought it would be a fun and unique way of capturing our student body and staff as well."
The Club's Advisor, Mrs. Schlenker says, "The main purpose of the Photo Club is to find opportunities to spend time together around the joy and art of photography. Our hope is to plan excursions to local destinations to shoot beautiful and interesting scenes, to be an organization on campus that can be called on to document student life for publications and sites other than the school yearbook, and to use our talents in service to the Lord and the local community." The club has already had discussions about teaming up with local Harambee Ministry to share their talents. Anyone who loves photography is welcome and encouraged to join. They meet roughly every other Thursday. As Mrs. Schlenker says, "The act of photography is a great way to meditate on the intricacies and beauty of the work of the Creator. This can happen while shooting the natural world, or honoring His people with portraiture and documentary photography."
This year, Maranatha was limited to four entries in the Pasadena Woman's Club Art Contest, and all four students placed! The contest is open to all schools in the Pasadena area and there were quite a number of entries. All first place art will be displayed at the Pasadena public libraries and will go on to a California State competition this summer. Congratulations to the following student artists:
To view artwork click HERE.
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrated around the world and is commonly known for shamrocks, leprechauns, and raucous celebrations plastered in green. It is believed that St. Patrick died on March 17, around 460 A.D. and that is the reason we celebrate the holiday on this day. Although he was not himself Irish, Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland.
St. Patrick, although not officially canonized as a saint, was indeed a successful missionary. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by raiders and transported to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time of isolation, he turned to God and developed a deep relationship with Jesus. After escaping, he returned to Britain and enrolled in seminary and was eventually commissioned as a priest. After some time, Patrick heard from God in a dream, and was told to return to Ireland to preach the Good News.
As a missionary, Patrick was well ahead of his time. Using his knowledge of the Irish language, his strategy with the pagan clans was to first convert the tribal leaders who would then convert their clans with their influence. He was also known for praying for the sick, preaching the Bible, and using the arts to compel people to put their faith in Jesus. He was able to contextualize Christianity for the people by incorporating traditional Irish ritual. For example; he superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. Read more HERE.
SPARC (Student Philanthropists Advancing Real Change) youth philanthropy program is an amazing program where students get hands-on experience operating a foundation and awarding grants to charitable organizations in our community. Students research organizations, make site visits, and are 100% responsible for awarding thousands of dollars each year to area non-profits. Maranatha students have been a part of this beneficial program for the last five years. Incoming 9-11th grade Maranatha students are invited to apply now! Applications are due on April 11. A Parent Info meeting is available on March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at High Point Academy. Please visit http://pisf.org/about/faqs-and-application/ to apply now.
To access the Quarter 3 report cards, please use the following instructions:
As a reminder, these grades are not a part of a student's official transcript, however quarter grades must be at a C average or higher, or eligibility may be affected. Any affected student will be contacted directly by his/her guidance counselor.
All parents are invited to the monthly Parent Association Meeting & Coffee this Wednesday, March 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons (3rd Floor Academic Center). Besides great fellowship and school updates, we will be blessed to hear from some of our student chaplains.
To all parents who ordered Yearbook Senior Tributes:
The Yearbook Staff is finalizing designs for insertion in the Yearbook. Please expect a proof from firstname.lastname@example.com, within the week, sent to the parent email address given on the order form. Proofs will be sent on orders that were designed by the staff AND as confirmation to those parents who prepared their own artwork. Please reply with revisions or final approval right away.
ASB Applications are available! If you are interested in serving on the ASB Cabinet during the 2014-2015 school year, please fill out an application (available online below or at the Academic Center front desk) and turn it into Mrs. Graves (AC102) by March 24, 2014. Cabinet positions include: Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, Historian, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations and Spirit Commissioner. There will be a mandatory meeting for all applicants on March 24, 2014 at lunch in the commons to explain the speech and voting process. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Graves at email@example.com.
Student Body President ApplicationStudent Body Vice President ApplicationHistorian ApplicationTreasurer Application Secretary Application Public Relations Application Spirit Commissioner Application
If you missed "The Show" on Saturday, you can see pictures from this wonderful event on Marantha's Facebook page. Over 300 people attended the tasting and over 700 people attended "The Show". Dr. Gyertson noted, "The professionalism of every act was superb. The staging and execution of the evening was energetic, uplifting and engaging. At each turn the headliners made sure that God got the glory and Maranatha was endorsed. The food court was well planned, with each of the food service entities doing a wonderful job of providing the best of the 'tastes of our town'. Chef Jason and the Minuteman Café stood so tall among the others present. I was so proud of our employees and volunteers, including our student Ambassadors, who willingly took on the extra duties to support this effort."
Maranatha would like to extend a special "Thank you" to JR Ossman, the Event Chair, and Karin Wentzel, the PA President (shown above) who did the bulk of work and organization for this fun event. Dr. Purghart relayed, "It was such a celebration of life and love, all in glory to God. I really cannot express my thanks in words, for the dedication of the coordinators to Maranatha and to the teachers. You are appreciated by so many!"
Students: With the free MyScript Calculator app, you can perform mathematical operations naturally using your handwriting. You just write the mathematical expression on the screen, then let MyScript technology perform its magic, converting symbols and numbers to digital text, and delivering the result in real time! Download it for free HERE.
Parents: Now your child can study SAT vocab by playing games. Need we say more? Featuring nine addictive games designed to build essential SAT, PSAT & GRE vocabulary, the SAT Vocab app is perfect for students preparing for the SAT exam as well as adults continuing their lifelong quest to become expert wordsmiths.
More than just a vocab builder, this app replaces the tedious flashcards used in traditional learning apps with rich and unique games. That means you'll actually enjoy learning key elements of the SAT such as antonyms, context, and spelling, all while boosting your ever- expanding vocabulary. Download it HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Math Department. Last Friday, the Math Department celebrated Pi Day (3.14). Though we call the Bible "God's Word", it is also packed full of numbers, from numbering the very hairs on our head to the stars in the sky, to supplying a specific plan for building the ark and the temple, to prophesy of events that would happen years later. The Math Department has the unique opportunity to explore the invariable truths of numbers and formulas and see it through the lens of God's handiwork. Read more HERE.
We hope you've marked your calendar for Monday night, March 31.
God has been moving powerfully at Maranatha! We invite you to come to the All-Community Praise and Prayer Night with your whole family. We are so excited to see how God wil continue to work at Maranatha when we all come together in worship and prayer for our community! Parents, students, staff, and friends are invited to kick of Spiritual Emphasis Week by praising God for his goodness and praying for His continued guidance over our community. Our Praise and Prayer Night is hosted by the Headmaster's Office. This will be a great time of celebration led by our student and staff worship team, student chaplains, and MHS staff. We hope you and your family can attend!
Monday, March 31
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Maranatha High School Gym
For more information, visit www.maranatha-hs.org/headmasterevents
As Maranatha grows, so do the complexities of our Finance Office. In a school with a budget over sixteen million dollars and countless departments, clubs, teams, and events, it takes a great deal of time and sophistication to manage all that goes on at MHS. To lend a hand to all this complexity, the Finance Office is pleased to add the position of controller to the department. The controller supervises the accounting department and assists the CFO in developing and interpreting in-depth, departmental cost breakdowns. This aids in the organization's knowledge of where expenses and revenues are being used and can then help determine where they can best be deployed to further the mission of the school. Maranatha is thrilled to announce the selection of Phillip Tellgren to this new post.
Mr. Tellgren holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Saint Bonaventure University and has taken advanced accounting coursework at Saint John Fisher College. He is an Accounting and Finance Executive with over fifteen years of progressive financial leadership growth in the transportation, restaurant, not-for-profit, and banking industries. He has a background in computerized financial systems, process improvement, and reporting which has benefited executive leadership in the companies for which he has worked. He also comes to us highly touted for his excellent customer service as well as his interactive and relational nature. Read more HERE.
Maranatha's Junior Class is proud to announce that Prom 2014 will be held at the Peterson Automotive Museum on April 4, 2014. The theme this year is "Masqued in Mystery!" Tickets will be on sale at lunch for $75 up until prom week, when the ticket prices will increase to $80. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Graves at email@example.com. Download the DANCE CONTRACT, GUEST DANCE CONTRACT, and RELEASE FORM by clicking on these links. All forms are due by April 2.
Seniors, the Alumni Office has planned a special party to induct you into the MHS Alumni Community! Taking place on Tuesday, March 25 during lunch and 7th period, the Senior Send-Off will be a time of equipping you for your new role as Maranatha alumni. You can look forward to pizza, ice cream, and a special gift from the Alumni Office, as well as other surprises. The Alumni Office looks forward to celebrating with you soon!
Maranatha's 17th Annual Booster Club Golf Tournament is now just one week away! The golf foursomes always have a great time in what is sure to be a beautiful California day on home turf at Brookside Golf Course.
After some leisurely or spirited golf (it's up to you), a relaxing appetizer reception awaits with wonderful auction items to partake in. Auction items include Lunch with our Headmaster, Principal for the Day, Premium Dodger tickets, Disneyland tickets, Stonefire Grill delivered dinner for a party of 25, the always popular 8 reserved seats and two parking spaces for graduation at Lake Avenue Church, the reserved personalized parking spot in the Visitor's Parking lot, foursome entry to the 2015 tournament, golfing at Brookside, Booster Club membership, and much more!
Please REGISTER HERE this week to join us on Friday, March 28, 2014 for golf, the casual appetizer/auction reception, or both! Register by March 16 for the Earlybird Golf deal of $175 which includes the auction reception. If you prefer to come to the reception only, the cost is just $35. All proceeds from this event will go to support our amazing student athletes!
For questions, please contact Event Coordinator Scott Chamberlain at (626) 590-2170 and firstname.lastname@example.com.
Maranatha High School is honored to announce two yearly awards to bless and commission Maranatha students of ministerial, missionary, and other full-time Christian service professionals. These awards are given annually to two students who exemplify a "servant-leader" heart, both at their school and in their community. The awards are in the amount of $5000; divided equally each semester and applied directly to the two students' school accounts. Recipients of the award may apply for additional years but preference normally is given to first-time award requests. This award is based on two Scriptures. The first is II Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." This award is "seed" money to bless the Maranatha students of ministerial families, knowing that God provides the harvest. The second Scripture is Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." In the same way, Maranatha desires to commend and bless students who choose to follow God's calling to serve others. Read more HERE.
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Parents: Do you follow your student's progress at Maranatha on Edmodo, Schoology, but find it hard to get free time to log on to your computer to check on them? There may be a more efficient way to follow your student's daily progress! If you have a smartphone or other mobile device that uses either the iTunes or Android store, then try downloading the mobile apps for Edmodo and Schoology. They are free, and you won't have to keep logging in to your account each and every time!
Click the icons below to download any of these apps.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Advancement Office. As we press through the season of lent, preparing our hearts for Easter… we remember Jesus' story is the greatest story ever told! May we all be "marketers" for His kingdom, and loving "advancers" of the redeeming love of Christ.
Read more HERE.
By: Michelle Purghart, Ed.D, Principal
Maranatha received accreditation for six years in 2010 by the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) agencies. In preparation for a spring 2016 visit, Maranatha is now preparing for a comprehensive analysis of every area of the school, from the academic program to finance, to facilities and co-curricular offerings, as well as the strategic plan. The process of accreditation is a time to ensure that Maranatha is optimized in efficiencies and effectiveness, providing the highest quality of life-transforming experiences in the most accessible and affordable ways possible. Since the reaffirmation of accreditation usually begins two years prior to the visit, Maranatha has begun planning the steps for the self-evaluation process at this time. Although evaluating the success of student learning in a Christ-revering context is ongoing, the accreditation protocol ensures that all stakeholders are involved in the process of setting next steps to take Maranatha to the next level of excellence.
Maranatha is in the process of choosing its Leadership Team for the accreditation subcommittees and will then be adding all faculty and staff to one or more of the committees. Students, parents, and trustees will also be asked to serve on all of the committees. This inclusive process allows for a great deal of buy-in from all stakeholders to the future direction of Maranatha High School. Read more HERE.
Maranatha's Athletic Director, Brian DeHaan, will be honored as the Norm MacKenzie Athletic Director of the Year at the California State Athletic Director Association (CSADA) Conference in April. The award letter states, "Your peers have recognized you for the work and dedication that you have given to your school, community, and section." Brian was nominated by the CIF-Southern Section as their representative at the State level. This is Mr. DeHaan's 7th year of service as Athletic Director at Maranatha High School and the CIF-Southern Section, but the first under the CSADA umbrella. Brian has been honored in the past as the 2009 and 2010 Pasadena Star News Baseball Coach of the Year, 2010 CIF Division 5 Baseball Coach of the Year, as well as the 2005 Azusa High School Coach of the Year, where his passion for impacting the development of young people through athletics got started.
Dr. Purghart explains, "We are so proud of Brian's work as Maranatha's Athletic Director over the years. He has elevated the Athletic Program in terms of skill development, professional ethics, mentorship, athleticism, coaching staff, and overall league standing, all in a committed Christ-revering context. Each year the growth of the program is evident under his leadership, and it is wonderful that he has been recognized for his efforts, dedication and overall leadership. Brian is truly deserving of this award, and I am privileged to call him my colleague."
Last week our future scientists had the chance to show their stuff at Maranatha's 3rd annual Science Fair.
Finalists were selected by a panel of judges including Research Scientist John Hillard, Neurologist Dr. Charles Niesen, Osteopath Dr. Hoang Tran, Computer Research Specialist Chen Tiow, MD Candidate Leanna Wise, Mechanical Engineer Nick Wise, and Human Resource Manager Cindy Nam. After an initial review, the board finalists sat for oral interviews.
The Awards Ceremony was held on Wednesday, February 26. Some special awards were given for:
The top project in each category was as follows:
Read more HERE.
Congratulations to the Science Olympiad Team for their performance at the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad held at Occidental College last week. We had 14 students compete with schools of all sizes in multiple events with Mr. Wurtz as their coach. Students Nancy Zhu and David Zhang got first place in the "Boomilever" competition and Flora Liu and David Zhang got first in "Elastic Launched Glider". We also got 6th place in "Scrambler". Students received individual medals for those events. Some students took tests that they had prepared for the day of the Olympiad, but the students mentioned above worked for months designing and building their glider and boomilever that were tested on Saturday. See full results HERE.
Over 125 students and staff at Maranatha are in the process of raising approximately $175,000 to participate in f
our different missions' opportunities locally in Pasadena, as well as in New Orleans, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. Currently our teams have raised almost $40,000 and they need your help to get them all the way!
So far, we have asked students not to solicit current families, so we look to you to be generous with our students. What an exciting opportunity to support our future leaders who already have a desire to give back and make a difference in our world!
Missions donations may be made on Maranatha's website: https://www.maranatha-hs.org/online-giving. Under "designation", please select "missions" and feel free to make your gift in honor of a particular team or missionary if desired under the comments section. (See student teams and missionaries at bottom.)
Aside from seeking financial partnership, several Maranatha student missionaries are also offering up their skills and services to raise funds for the 2014 short-term missions. Please do not hesitate to contact the missionaries listed below to give them an opportunity to earn their support. Call or click their name below to email them. Students may come in pairs unless mutually agreed upon with the parents. Read more HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our English Department and Learning Lab.
English Department: Abby Barrantes, Kristen Johansen, Marilee Malott, David Martinez, Pat Mesisca, Tiffany O'Rourke, Vonnie Savage, and Kerry Roche
Learning Lab: Becky Kuchenski and Gretchen Pleuss
The Senior Class has two very exciting opportunities coming up right before Graduation. Our Senior Class will attend Grad Nite at Disneyland on May 24, 2014 and will also attend our annual Senior Rafting Trip from May 27-29 on the Kings Rivers in Yosemite National Park. To sign up for these trips, please fill out the registration form and return it to Mrs. Graves by March 21 to reserve your spot.
If you have any questions please feel free to email Mrs. Graves at firstname.lastname@example.com. Read more HERE.
Weren't able to see the play "Fools?" At least you can see pictures of it, and many more Maranatha events like the Science Fair, on Facebook. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram today at MaranathaHighSchool, or Twitter at: Maranatha_High.
Parents: The 4th quarter of our school year is almost here! This means that Spring Break is quickly approaching! Are you looking for fun and educational apps to keep your student's brain functioning at the high level? With the free Learnist app, you and your student can learn amazing things from experts from all over the world! Things like the Physics of Snowboarding, Science Experiments You Can Do with students, or even exploring the Blue Mountains of Jamaica! Download it for free here.
Students: Do you have classes that require you to find articles about current events on a consistent basis? If so, the new TIME Magazine app for your iPad Mini could be the app for you! It is a free app that has bookmarking and archive capabilities. This means that you can also view past and commemorative issues of the magazine as well! Try out the app for free here.
During his first six months, Dr. Gyertson spent time on an intensive strategic analysis that included listening and evaluating the state of Maranatha as well as reflecting on where Maranatha might be able to go in the future. This was a key first step, laying the groundwork for the upcoming reaffirmation of our accreditation which will start in earnest this summer. The goal of accreditation is that a school would perform a thorough self-assessment and then develop a growth and improvement plan to guide the school over the next six years until the next reaffirmation in the year 2020.
Through analysis and reflection, Dr. Gyertson has set the stage for our upcoming accreditation journey in his "Maranatha 2020" document. With a new leader, it's common to wonder what their vision is. This document can be viewed somewhat as a casting of that vision, but more as a framework for setting that vision together. As Dr. Gyertson says, "My job is to catalyze discussions on where we could go – not to define it." Our Headmaster sees himself more as the conductor of an orchestra of which everyone plays an instrument and has expertise and interpretation to bring to the overall arrangement. Dr. Gyertson's "2020" document lays out the major themes of Maranatha's overture.
As you read the "2020" document, you will see three clear themes. First, Dr. Gyertson seeks that Maranatha would be about, "stretching minds, cradling hearts, and equipping hands so students can discover and embrace the future God already has planned for them." Secondly, Maranatha needs to optimize everything we are doing to provide the highest quality life transforming experience. Finally, we need to be "future oriented in curriculum, programs, and methodology so students are exceptionally prepared for the callings they will serve." Within these parameters, Dr. Gyertson has laid the possibility of greater opportunities for Maranatha to be a strategic global resource for Christ-revering, life-transforming education. This is where the conversation starts and as members of our community, you are invited to be a part of it. Read "MARANATHA 2020" by Dr. Gyertson today!
Neil Simon's comedy Fools will run February 27 through March 1, 2014 at the Ambassador. You will laugh at the absurdity of this little Russian village cursed with Chronic Stupidity, and feel very much a part of the town as you sit on stage with an audience of just 160 per performance!
Tickets are now on sale: $10 for the general public and $8 for students. Performances start nightly at 7:00 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Guests can save $1 per ticket by purchasing their tickets in advance online at www.maranatha-hs.org/boxoffice. Because of the unique way this show is being staged, seats are truly limited… so get yours early.
Members of Maranatha's faculty, staff, and administration often have opportunities to extend their reach beyond the walls of our Maranatha campus. We will be highlighting these opportunities from time to time in the Minutegram to offer a glimpse of the broader connections Maranatha's staff make on a day to day basis.
Dr. David Gyertson, Headmaster
Dr. Gyertson was asked to sit on the Biola University Board of Trustees and recently attended their training session conducted by Dr. Greg Baylor, a leading constitutional law litigator on the trends in religious liberty for faith-based organizations.
In February, he attended the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities annual conference, held this year in Los Angeles. This association includes over 175 Christ-centered colleges and universities in the US and around the world including Biola, Azusa Pacific, Westmont, Point Loma, Wheaton, etc. He participated in a workshop of former Presidents discussing several topics including the future of Christian higher education.
Just last week, Dr. Gyertson spoke to a group of first-time Christian University Presidents in Phoenix on the topic of challenges facing leaders of Christ-Centered educational institutions. Read more HERE.
By: Joel Murphy '97, Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Mark 2:8 "Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things…?"
I think each of us knows from our own experience that we are hard-wired with an insatiable curiosity to ask questions and seek explanations. Just spend time with my 3-year-old daughter, Tatum, and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. We've been created with a fixation to probe into the depths of spirit, mind, and body like no other creation.
Throughout our human experience, in every season of life, our desire for knowledge, truth, and wisdom remains steadfast. Early on, for a variety of reasons, children demonstrate an uncanny ability to live in this intrinsic truth-seeking capacity. Developmentally, we then spend a host of the later years questioning our initial findings. As we've grown, we've deemed them either intellectually incomplete or with such a biased presupposition that it tainted the outcome. Now, it should be noted that this is actually a very healthy exercise to partake in; our faith and experience should always seek understanding (St. Anselm). Read More HERE.
As exposure and recognition of our school continue to grow, we have undergone the process of trademarking our school marks (logos) in order to preserve our school's identity. We are working with our attorney and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register our logos to ensure exclusive rights to these identifying marks. Trademarking of our "M" logo, logotype, and school seal (seen below) will help preserve the integrity of the school's mission and beliefs as we deliver on our promise to provide a Christ-centered, college preparatory education.As always, the use of Maranatha's marks is limited to the school's discretion and permission must be obtained to utilize them. Please contact the school's Marketing Office if you'd like more information.
Students enjoyed a special sneak peek of "The Show" at the lunchtime "Mini-Show" today. In addition to hearing Linda "Peaches" Tavani of Peaches & Herb sing, students enjoyed fun competitions and give aways. Junior Emma Hausler also sang for a chance to perform at "The Show." If you weren't able to attend, ask a student all about it. Read more HERE.
Emcee Steve Tavani and Linda "Peaches" Tavani led a high-energy lunchtime jam today to promote the upcoming annual benefit "The Show" on March 15. Seen here closing the show with "Lean on Me".
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Science Department.
Go outside and meditate on God's handiwork; or look in a microscope and praise God's minute attention to detail. Stand amazed! Be still and aware He is the Alpha and Omega, the Creator-God; He is interesting, mysterious, awesome, wondrous, all powerful, unique, eternal, creative, beautiful, beyond, and yet intimately involved. Our Science Department has the awesome privilege to teach our students all about God's creation and the intricate attributes therein.
Please pray for: Allen Jang, Jennifer Magnone, Lonnita Smith-Russell, Shaneka Woods, and Brian Wurtz. Read more HERE.
Students: Are you having trouble lately logging on to the Internet here at school? If so, please follow the simple steps in this great tutorial created by our IT Director, Stephen Wyles. Click HERE to view the tutorial. Questions and concerns for this and any other technology-related issues can be submitted from this site as well.
Parents: If you're student is having any kind of technical issue with their iPad, we are here to help! Please email your issue to the Technology Help Desk at email@example.com, and someone will generally be in touch with you within 24 hours!
Just nine days after winning the Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Rocky Seto spoke to the entire Maranatha student body at a special assembly. As a committed Christian, Coach Seto's theme was, "Jesus is Better than the Super Bowl," a perfect fit with our intentionally Christ-centered mission.
The assembly opened with the "Making of a Champion" video which shared about Coach Seto and a number of other Christian Seahawk coaches and players. Then Coach Seto's local pastor, Reverend Cory Ishida, of Evergreen Baptist Church, introduced Rocky.
Coach Seto shared a number of important messages about hard work, using our gifts, and fame. First, he shared what a long road it was to get to the Super Bowl. Excellence does not come without years of hard work. He revealed that Head Coach Carroll emphasizes effort and hard work even before technique. Relating that to the Christian faith, he shared, "Jesus is the center of our lives and we need to keep the main thing (Christ), the main thing." Coach Seto also encouraged students to use their gifts, whatever they may be, to honor Christ. He urged students to strive for excellence and use their opportunities and leadership in the world for good. Finally, he shared a little about fame. On waking up the day after winning the Super Bowl Seto said, "I was exactly the same person." Even as a young player at USC, Rocky realized that "as great as it was playing for USC, something was missing." Coach Seto understands that buildings, logos, clothes, and fame are all temporal and his faith in Christ is the one eternal thing in life.
After the Super Bowl, reporters and fans rushed the field to congratulate the winners. What you may not have seen on TV is what Coach Seto and a number of other players did; before speaking with reporters, they met on the 50 yard line and thanked God. Students and staff were grateful to hear this inspiring message of faith and the work of God's hand in the NFL.
Athletic Director Brian DeHaan said, "Rocky is a 'San Gabriel kid' and he has always found a way to give back to the community he comes from. His message of meeting the needs of others by sharing the love of Christ transforms lives and relationships. Maranatha is blessed to have a friend like Rocky who speaks truth into the lives of those he meets. The video showed has been viewed by over a million people worldwide and both Rocky and those featured in the video understand that God gives so we can abundantly proclaim Christ's love and glory."
Pictured above (L-R): Rev. Cory Ishida, Dr. Gyertson, Coach Seto, and Brian DeHaan
Looking for more ways to stay on top of Maranatha's news? For all our social media enthusiasts that delight in regular updates right to your phone or other mobile device, join us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter (not to mention Youtube and LinkedIn). Please like, follow, or subscribe to MHS social media today!
The Guidance and College Counseling Office is looking for information to help plan the next MHS College Tour. All 9th-11th graders should have received a College Tour Survey inquiring about their college tour preferences and expectations. Please make sure your student checks their Maranatha email in order to fill out the survey and provide the counseling office with the information requested. If any student cannot access their Maranatha email, please have them submit a tech ticket at firstname.lastname@example.com or visit the Service Center at the appropriate times.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we are praying specifically for our Human Resources, Facilities, and Security Departments.
HR: Lori Diamond, Ty'esha Jones
Security: Tamara Horton and the Off Duty Officers (ODO) Team
Facilities (TKC): James Domingo, Mel Puentes, Chito Bualuay, Marina Dominguez
Senior families, please be sure to respond to the graduation name email sent to you last week. The graduation diploma name will only include the student's first and last name as listed on NetClassroom. Please email Senior Class Counselor, Gary Ho, if you would like to include one of the following on the diploma:
Please email Mr. Ho by February 20, as diplomas will be ordered soon.
Students: Are you currently gearing up for an amazing mission's trip this spring? If so, you may be able to use the technology we have available here at Maranatha to introduce yourself, and your team, before you ever get on the plane, using Skype. Ask your team leader what they think of the idea, and your team can take it from there. Skype can also be a great vehicle to keep in touch with all of the great people you meet even after the mission trip is over. Wouldn't it be great to see how your ministry affects your new friends for years to come? You can download the Skype app on your iPad for free HERE.
Parents: Maybe you've been wanting to put a face with the name of a teacher that your student is always talking about! Perhaps you only know their name and what they teach here at MHS. If this sounds like you, then we invite you to take a few minutes to get to know your child's teachers a little better! Click HERE.
Congratulations to junior Gabe Seace, recently accepted into one of the nation's top youth arts programs, the
Ryman Arts Program for young artists. Application to the Ryman Arts program is competitive and only a limited number of new students can be accommodated each semester. A committee reviewed Gabe's drawings, essay, and completed application, looking primarily at his talent and motivation. Gabe will receive a full scholarship covering the cost of instruction, art supplies, field trips, and public transportation reimbursement. Gabe will attend classes weekly, taught by master teaching artists, for 3 ½ hours/week over a twelve-week semester, with the chance to complete two full years of study.
"The Ryman Arts Program is a real honor and Gabe was in competition with students from all of L.A. County," shares Diane Barnhart, our Arts Department Chair. "We have been very successful as a school in sending our students through the Ryman program, with at least twenty students particpating over the years." Ms. Barnhart added, "Gabe is a very imaginative young man and enjoys creating wild science-fiction worlds with new vehicles and structures that have yet to be invented, or create a new world out of things that already exist (such as the still life example below done in stipple - dots of ink to make up the shading). He loves to draw these scenes with intricate detail and lots of action."
Gabe is a junior right now, but is looking at his options for studying art in college.
Maranatha High School was pleased to welcome Dr. Terrence Roberts to speak at chapel last week. As part of the "Little Rock 9", Terrence Roberts was one of nine African American students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. He shared about his experiences of getting hassled and beat up on a daily basis, despite the military protection. Dr. Roberts knew from an early age that he was in charge of his education and said that is why he jumped at the chance to get the same education that white Americans had, regardless of the risks and persecutions he would face.
Dr. Gyertson said, "Dr. Roberts did an exceptional job of communicating the realities of what the nation has faced and continues to address as we seek racial reconciliation and equal opportunity for all. His gracious approach to these issues, winsome personality, and effectiveness in taking a very complex and difficult topic and translating it in ways that helped all of us better understand our ongoing responsibilities to work for justice, righteousness and forgiveness were informative and motivational. We were blessed by his presence among us as we celebrate and consider the important implications to be addressed as part of Black History Month at Maranatha."
Dr. Roberts reminded our students that they are each special and unique. He encouraged them to be bold and to make a difference in the world. He asked them to think of "the last time they did something for the first time." He also made it clear that racism is a choice and that we each have the choice as to how we will view and treat others that look different than us.
Our students and staff appreciated Mr. Roberts' words of encouragement and his themes of: education, faith, and worth. Many students stayed afterwards to shake his hand or give him a hug and get a picture with this inspirational man.
This spring and summer over 125 students and staff will be venturing on missions trips with Maranatha to: Pasadena (Harambee Center), Nicaragua, New Orleans, and the Dominican Republic. The vision for MHS missions is two-fold: that students would effectively serve the missionaries and target communities that we partner with, as well as experience dynamic transformation and a broadened worldview that they can bring back to our own community.
The total cost to send our missionaries is approximately $175,000. If you have ever had a student involved in a short-term mission, you know the expense is well worth it. Because of the high number of student missionaries this year, Maranatha has asked the students not to solicit our current parents, to avoid multiple asks for some families. In place of students asking families individually, the school mailed all MHS families a Maranatha Missions brochure this December. (Click HERE for a digital copy.) So far, approximately $27,500 of the $175,000 goal has been raised.
Please take a moment to review the brochure you received and support our missions' students with a gift to the MHS Missions Fund. All money raised will be split between the four teams as needed. If you prefer to offer your support in honor of one of the student missionaries...Read more HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we pray for the Social Science Department.
Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Social Science Faculty: Ben Winslow, Rebekah Schaller, Scott Sommers, Charles Hampton, Joe Zambrano, Sharon Chung, Ryan Bell, Sharon Dandorf, Gary Ho. Read more HERE.
Charles Hampton had been finishing up his teaching credential and substitute teaching at MHS when a position teaching A.P. World History and Honors Modern World History opened up. He was thrilled to be offered the job and joined our Social Science Department this fall.
Mr. Hampton's favorite aspects about working at Maranatha so far are, "Being able to share my faith in the classroom and the great students and teachers I've met." He enjoys that; "A Christian school provides a community and environment for students that helps shield them from the lies that they encounter on a daily basis. A Christian school, filled with faithful students and teachers, can help teach students how to live in the world and yet not be of the world."
Mr. Hampton has a B.A. in History from Westmont College and a Master's in Teaching with a California Teaching Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University. He loves teaching history because, "I love tying topics to either our lives as Christians or to current events, because those lessons show students that things in history can be incredibly relevant to students' lives." Additionally, Mr. Hampton is also able to incorporate his military background into the classroom. "My deployments (in the Marines) took me to many places (such as South Africa, Egypt, the Congo, Israel, and Saudi Arabia) that I mention in class, and my first-hand experiences help spice up instruction."
Mr. Hampton is in his 6th year of marriage. His wife is a registered nurse, but is currently staying at home with their 3-year-old. The couple is expecting another child next year.
Part of the Parent Association's mission includes praying for the school. Please keep in mind three wonderful opportunities to join with other parents in prayer for our students and staff each week.
Moms in Prayer: 1st and 3rd Tuesday (Commons at 8:00 a.m.) – Adrienne Duran (email@example.com)
Prayer Shield: 2nd and 4th Wednesday (Commons 8:00 a.m.) – Cynthia Kelartianian (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Prayer Walk: Every Friday (meet at 8:00 a.m. at Student Center Front desk) Franci Maharaj (email@example.com) or Adrienne Duran (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Please contact the individual group leader if you have questions about their specific group or Tammy Johnson, our Prayer and Care Chair, with any general questions. (email@example.com)
Several students recently participated in Maranatha's first Spanish Spelling Bee contest. Our Spanish Faculty, Ms. Breitenbucher, Mrs. Harrison, and Mrs. Barrantes served as the contest judges. The two finalists/winners were Daniel Minassian and Nate Mata who will go to Azusa Pacific University on April 12 to compete against other high schools. This will be the second year that APU has hosted a Spanish Spelling Bee for high school students in California.
Next Tuesday, February 18, the Parent Association will host an evening PA Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center. Important school updates will be shared and our new Theater Faculty, Jeremiah Blessinger will speak. Please join us for fellowship and, as always, receive one PVP hour just for attending. We look forward to seeing you.
The Parent Association is also working on filling PA Board positions for the 2014-2015 school year. They would like to announce that the position for PA President is open. The job description is attached HERE. Please email Melea Fisher if you are interested.
Do you need to complete your PVP hours? Click HERE to see the Volunteer Opportunities web page. There are multiple ways to fulfill those 20 family hours and support our school. For example, the Admissions Department and ASB both have events coming up:
ASB: Help is needed for the Valentine's Day BBQ this Friday. All proceeds go to our Junior Class to raise money for Prom. Click HERE to volunteer on SignUp Genius.
Admissions: We all remember being the parents of an incoming freshman. The Admissions Department will be hosting Fresh Start Day, a day where incoming freshmen and their parents come to learn about high school life. We need volunteers to donate items as well as help with the event. It is a great way to greet incoming parents and really show them how great our school is. Please click HERE so you can sign up on SignUp Genius. If you have any questions please contact Fawn Zappia at (626) 833-2359 or email@example.com.
Parents: As you know, Maranatha is proud to have implemented a 1:1 iPad program this school year. One of the biggest issues some of our students have had is coming to class with little or no battery power on their iPads, and have no charger with them at school. One way you can help your student be on top of all of their schoolwork, and help them get the most out of their iPad learning, is to make sure that they have a dedicated spot to charge their device. Help them get into a routine every night. Once they have a full charge, the iPad can function for the entire school day!
Retraction: We would like to retract last week's iPad Connection Minutegram article (2/3/14) under "Parents". Enabled parental controls conflict with Maranatha's eLearning Handbook. Please make sure that devices are disabled at school in order to be aligned with Maranatha policies. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Last week senior Hannah Rae Finchamp signed to bike, run cross country, and swim for Lindenwood University. As an elite, world champion athlete, Hannah could have gone straight to the pros. However, as a 4.0 student, she also values continuing her education and getting the "college experience". At Lindenwood University in Missouri, Hannah will be able to compete in all three of her top sports and maintain her personal goals in tandem with the excellent training she will get as a Lion. Congratulations, Hannah Rae!
Students came back from this year's Spiritual Life Retreat in awe of how the Spirit moved during the retreat, giving a fresh touch to so many and inspiring students to make fresh commitments to following Jesus. Like with any "mountain top" experience, the fear is that the fire ignited at the retreat will dwindle once back at home. In this case, however, the students long to keep the fire burning bright.
Since the retreat, our students have led a variety of spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, confession, fasting, etc.) throughout the last two weeks. "We're watching groups of 100+ students humble themselves by seeking the face of God through prayer, repentance, and restoration," commented Mr. Murphy, our Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries. Every morning since the retreat, approximately 100 students and staff have gathered in the Commons at 7:30 a.m. for a student-led worship and prayer time. Additionally, last week's mentor groups were invited to an optional time of worship in the gym, to which over half of the mentor groups elected to come. A few classes have even taken time over the last two weeks to process what happened at Spiritual Life Retreat. Read more HERE.
Over the last 49 years, Maranatha has been privileged to have a number of dedicated leaders. Our last Head of School, Chet Crane served Maranatha from 2002 to 2012. His wife, Sarah, continued to teach French here until her recent retirement. During Chet's tenure, Maranatha moved to a beautiful new campus home, elevated its academic standing, started an international program, increased visibility in the community as well as enrollment, and refinanced the bond, giving the school a strong financial footing.
Dr. Gyertson noted, "As the Headmaster I know that my work is only possible because of the faithful service of those on our faculty, staff, and administration who over the years faithfully served our cause of Christ-honoring, college preparatory education. I am privileged to build the next stages of our mission on the foundation laid by both Chet and Sarah. Their commitment to Maranatha during some of the most critical years in our history is both an example to and a blessing for me."
After partnering with the Cranes for over eleven years, many members of our community have wondered about the Cranes' next steps and how to lift this family up in prayer. Read more HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting up our departments in prayer each week. This week we pray for the Admissions Department.
Just about everyone knows John Rouse and his faithful assistant Debbie Middlebrook in the Admissions Office. Our International students are especially fond of Mrs. Wunderly, our International Program Director. All three Admissions team members are shining lights for Maranatha, for our students, and most importantly for Jesus. Read more HERE.
If you missed Open House or know a prospective family that missed it, there is still one more event for families to get to know the heart of MHS in person. We invite families to take "A Closer Look" at Maranatha on Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Center. Families will hear from faculty, students, and administrators in a casual setting and get all their questions answered. RSVP appreciated, but not required to email@example.com. Click HERE for more information about "A Closer Look".
Over the next few weeks, Maranatha will be announcing a number of employment positions. We ask our community to be in prayer with us for "God's best" in filling these roles. A few of these openings are already posted on our website under EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. Please review them to pray for the positions by name. Furthermore, if you know a qualified candidate for one of these positions, please encourage them to apply.
For many years, the Parent Volunteer Program has proven instrumental to the success of our programs and events at MHS. Parents looking for ways to help the school and earn PVP hours can find opportunities on our website on the "Current Volunteer Opportunities" page under the "Parent Info" tab.
Here are just a few volunteer opportunities available now:
by: Joel Murphy '97 Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" 1 John 3:18
I often joke around with my students that I'm incredibly healthy and do a fantastic job of loving people when I'm by myself. It's just when you put me in relationships that both seem to go awry. I think there's probably a bit of truth in this irony for each of us.
Accepting the full and enveloping love of Christ is arguably the most difficult thing to do for most. In truth, we either accept all of it or none of it. For many of us, we create elaborate systems of performance where our worth is measured and verified. We hustle through labyrinths of rules and roles all in the name of earning the gift of grace.
Our first series of the year, "I love you because…" was strategically chosen because of the weighty emotional undertones communicated during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and the Spiritual Life Retreat. Our hearts and minds are fresh with the recent opportunities provided to examine the way in which we love ourselves, our enemies, and even Christ.
We recognize reviewing one of these areas often provides enough material for conviction and opportunity for growth. Collectively reviewing all three can be downright scary. Yet, as followers of Christ, our admonishment to love and put feet to faith is clear from 1 John 3:18, "Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." As if this isn't difficult enough, we increase this demand with Jesus' words in John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." Quickly, love has just become near impossible.
I invite you to join us in a series where we explore the most powerful agent of change humanity will ever experience - love. Moreover, the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Talking Points:
This weekend over 290 students, staff, and pastors attended Maranatha's Spiritual Life Retreat. The weekend was packed with intentional community, deep worship, and building faith! Students enjoyed four key chapel sessions led by one of their favorite speakers, Pastor Brian Holland of Pomona First Baptist. Students entered into each session with worship led by a full worship band from The Gathering, a missional Church located in Azusa, well prepared to hear from the Lord. Even before worshipping together, there were several opportunities for community. Group games, led by emcee Noah Daniels, helped the students from varying grades get to know each other and build community. Games ranged from cracking eggs on each other's heads, to full contact musical chairs, eating a variety of disgusting food items, and a lively talent show. An extra time of connection in small groups, led by Student Ministry Team members, not only helped solidify the teachings, but continued to develop community and provide a more intimate time to process. A variety of youth pastors were on hand to help shepherd the students and give them an opportunity to connect with a local church should they need a greater connection. In addition, the youth pastors led several optional seminars on Sunday afternoon on worship, prayer, and community. Read more HERE.
Maranatha High School is pleased to welcome Anna Gradwohl as our new Dance instructor. Anna is originally from Minnesota and received her B.A. in Dance Performance from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. Over a year ago, she and her husband, Brian, moved from Florida to Pasadena so Brian could attend Fuller Seminary for his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Mrs. Gradwohl has extensive experience in performance, teaching, and choreography of a variety of dance styles. Her collegiate studies focused on modern, ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, somatics, improvisation, Alexander technique, ballroom, liturgical, choreography, partnering, and Pointe.
She has over 18 years of dance performance experience, as well as 6 years of part-time experience teaching dance. Her performance experience includes, but is not limited to, annual showcases, numerous state/national dance competitions, collegiate student choreography works, international guest choreography pieces, church outreach performances, and Madame Butterfly (Palm Beach Opera). Read more HERE.
It is that time of year where freshman through junior families enroll for the 2014-2015 school year. Last week we emailed families regarding the annual enrollment and Smart Tuition process. As mentioned, all Smart Tuition accounts will reflect the $750 annual enrollment fee on February 1, which will be due by February 10.
Maranatha, recognizing the tough economic times we have all been experiencing, has worked diligently to maintain a flat tuition rate over the last three school years. As our expenses have risen, and in order to continue to offer the Christ-centered, college preparatory education we are committed to, the tuition rate has increased just slightly by 2% for the 2014-2015 school year. This increase ($335.00 annually or $27.92 monthly) will enable us to fund our commitments to our students as well as our financial obligations to our staff and vendors.
Smart Tuition offers a 12-month plan, as well as quarterly, semi-annual, and annual plans. Smart Tuition will be due on or before the first of the month for your selected plan with a 10 day grace period. During the week of April 14 - 18 you may change your payment plan to a full pay, 2 pay, 4 pay, or 12 month plan. If you like the plan you are currently on, you do not need to do anything. Ancillary fees (such as technology, apps, sports, labs and others) are in addition to tuition and may vary by each student's classes/activities. If you have any questions regarding your account activity, contact the Smart Tuition SmartParent Help Center at 1-888-868-8828.
Please keep in mind that the optional Maranatha Tuition Benefits Plan is also available. This plan is designed to provide assistance to meet tuition obligations in certain cases of withdrawal. This information was also emailed last week for your reference. We are pleased to partner with you for your child's education.
At Maranatha, our parents are the cornerstone of the school's annual giving campaign. This year, there is an ambitious effort to raise additional dollars to provide tuition assistance for deserving, qualified students who want a Christian, college preparatory education. Our message is one of hope and we want to extend that hope and opportunity to all students who desire to attend Maranatha High School.
Our annual giving campaign also offers other opportunities to give:
General Gifts – Unrestricted dollars that are used where needed most throughout the school to support budgeted campus improvements, academic programs, athletics, the arts, extracurricular and co-curricular activities
Scholarships – Merit-based grants such as academic achievement recognitions like The Principal's Scholarship, Headmaster's Scholarship, and other grants to specific categories of students such as the Ministerial Family Assistance Scholarship to those who meet the performance and other related qualifications
Missions and Global Outreach Experiences – Gifts designated for our mission activities at home and abroad to give students the opportunity to help the least, the left, and lost in keeping with our Christ-centered priorities of outreach and service
Tuition Assistance "The Maranatha Opportunity Fund" – Need-based grants to families with demonstrated and verified financial limitations so their eligible students can afford and then participate in the Maranatha experience
Other Designated Gifts – Contributions of cash, gifts-in-kind, and appreciated assets to fund mutually agreed upon projects that help expand our mission and advance our priorities
We ask that you please give today by logging onto our website at www.maranatha-hs.org/online-giving or call or stop by the Advancement Office. Contact Patrice Cablayan, Associate Director of Annual Giving, at 626-817-4070 for more assistance.
Please note, you will soon receive an Annual Giving Statement in the mail for calendar year 2013 to help with your taxes.
Maranatha High School really is a place where individual talents are nurtured and developed. This is so aptly displayed in our brand new Computer Science Club. At the beginning of this year, senior Nathan Lee approached Mrs. Chung to ask if she would sponsor the club. Despite only a basic knowledge of computer science, Mrs. Chung did what you'd expect of our supportive MHS faculty; she said "yes!"
Mrs. Chung actually started learning HTML and designing simple websites way back in the late 90's, when it first became popular. "I liked using HTML instead of the preset templates because it gave me the freedom to make it exactly how I wanted it," she said. "I agreed to chaperone this club because technology is always changing and sometimes our students can be the best teachers to teach us new things!"
The club has started with about 10 students. "Though that may be small," the president and founder Nathan Lee explains, "I believe there is strong interest in these 10 people." The purpose of the club is to expose and teach other students what programming is and how to program. During club meetings, students learn how to program through a web app called Codecademy and plan to try other apps as they progress.
"I hope this club can be the first step to start a computer science class here," Nathan added. "There are so many opportunities in the technological world, and our iPad program has great potential for learning and teaching programming. In addition, many colleges have great and emerging computer science and engineering programs, and I hope people who don't know what to study in college can choose to study this wonderful (and lucrative) subject. Even though everyone has an iPad, not everyone understands what it took to make the hardware and the software inside."
God created us as intelligent human beings with the ability to master new and challenging concepts. "I want all the students at Maranatha to be scholars for God and be able to learn something difficult and interesting that may become their future career," said Nathan. The club's verse is Ecclesiastes 1:13a, "And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven."
All students are welcome to come check out the Computer Science Club that meets every Thursday at lunch in AC 111.
HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), a nationally-recognized vocational exploratory program in the health sciences, serves as an amazing opportunity for Maranatha High School students that have interest in future careers in medicine. Maranatha's HOSA Chapter has partnered with PassAssured, a comprehensive online program, to offer a Pharmacy Technician course to any MHS student that is at least 17 years old for the remarkably low price of $250! The cost of the typical online Pharmacy Technician course is more than $1,000!
This one-semester online course, approved by the California State Board of Pharmacy, would lead to certification to work as a Pharmacy Technician at any pharmacy in California. Graduates would be also be eligible to take the exam for national licensing in order to become eligible to work in all 50 states. The HOSA Program will meet twice a week. Starting in February, one of those weekly lunch-time meetings will be dedicated to lectures on the Pharmacy Technician Program. Interested students who are not of age will be prepared to take the course and pass the exam when they turn of age. Please contact HOSA Advisor Dr. Jang with any questions.
Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese holiday and falls on the first day of the Chinese calendar. This year the holiday will be celebrated on Friday, January 31 ushering in the "year of the horse". The holiday is marked by family reunions, great food, red decorations, fireworks, and gifts of money in red envelopes. Many of our students will be celebrating the holiday this week. Our international students, in particular, will be holding an authentic Chinese feast on Thursday, January 30 on campus. A few students may even be traveling home to be with family. Even though the holiday has elements of "luck" and Chinese folklore, as a Christian, international junior Fifi Huang says, "The holiday is still an important festival because we celebrate with family and friends." For those who do not traditionally celebrate this holiday, Chinese New Year provides yet another opportunity to experience a different culture and demonstrate love as we ask about and show interest in another's culture.
Seniors! Cap and Gown pictures are now available at Nick Boswell Studio (call 626.799.2120). Nick Boswell Studio also offers on-campus photos for those who would like to have outdoor photos. No sitting fee is required for additional photos.
For more information, please contact Ms. Cuellar in AC209.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting our departments up in prayer each week. This week we pray for our Guidance & College Counseling Department and our Student Center Front Desk.
Guidance: Ryan Bell, Sharon Dandorf, Gary Ho, Teby Wammack, Caren Carrillo
Front desk: Ivy Cabezas-Jones and Sue Lange
A few specific prayer requests are as follows:
In addition, please continue to pray for the amazing work the Holy Spirit has begun in so many of our students and especially for those who have recently come to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Read more HERE
Starting February 3, 2014, all students will be required to log into Maranatha's firewall before accessing the internet while on campus, using the same credentials that students use to access the Maranatha wifi and email accounts. We are implementing this change to ensure we maintain a more accountable and secure environment for our students.
Instructions are posted under the Student section of our SUPPORT SITE. Questions and concerns for this and any other technology-related issue can be submitted from this site as well.
"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2
If you have been to campus this semester, you may have noticed a change to our reception area in the Student Center. For some time, the school has been looking to enhance the entrance area in order to provide the best customer service for our visitors and security for our students and staff.
Kris Dreyer, our Chief Finance and Operations Officer, stated, "In order to make the best first impression possible, along with the need for functional space and clutter control, we have designed and renovated the school's front lobby. The new configuration is comprised of modular office pieces which provide for a new desk, new visitor counter, and storage space for our PA system, electrical connection, and our IT fiber lines. It also includes various file cabinets for storage of items dropped off during the day for students, sports teams, or clubs. The new arrangement will allow for a more functional working space."
Ivy Cabezas-Jones, our Student Center Receptionist, notes that the new front desk configuration gives clear direction for guests. Before the changes, she noticed that a number of visitors were confused about where to go when they walked in and, despite the signs, many would bypass the front desk area altogether and simply enter the campus without checking in. Now that the desk is more centered in the entrance way, it is obvious where visitors should go and Mrs. Jones is better situated to ensure that all visitors have signed in and have the proper identification. As Tammy Horton, Director of Security puts it, "The new front desk changes have enhanced our ability to meet and greet both parents and visitors, allowing us to point people in the right direction and create a more hospitable environment." Read more HERE.
Last month MHS introduced our teachers, students, and parents to Method Test Prep. Method Test Prep is an SAT software program that engages students in mini lessons focused on the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed on the SAT. Method Test Prep provides students with instruction on targeted topics in math, reading, writing, and vocabulary building. These effective lessons prepare pupils for success on the PSAT and SAT. Students are able to focus specifically on their strengths and weaknesses, and then review areas where they require improvement. This personalized approach is why Method Test Prep was Maranatha's program of choice. Read more HERE.
Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting our departments up in prayer each week.
This week, please pray for our Academic Administration and IT Department including: Michelle Purghart, Karen Cuellar, Tiffany O'Rourke, Gretchen Pleuss, Dianna Fowler, Stephen Wyles, Tim Parent, Neil Barizo, Clay Dulgarian, Christie Akins, and Linda Gutierrez. Read more HERE.
The IT Department would like to thank our families for your cooperation and patience while we worked through the challenges onset by the recent Apple iOS7 upgrade. Our technology staff is equipped to respond to all the known issues with iOS7 and have the confidence needed to support the devices on our campus. If you would like to upgrade your device to the iOS7 operating system you may do so, but please be aware of the following:
The IT Department is happy to help! Please visit http://support.maranatha-hs.org for tutorials, email firstname.lastname@example.com with questions and concerns, or come by Room AC312 during school breaks, or before and after school for assistance with this upgrade.
Are you working on a paper or presentation for class and need more time in the day to dedicate toward getting that A? You can work from anywhere by storing/creating your work in your Google Drive. If you are writing a paper, you can create a Google Doc or if it's a presentation, Google Presentation! Storing your work in your Maranatha Google Drive account will allow you to access it from anywhere, at any time, from your iPad or any other device. This is especially great for athletes and students who are involved in extra-curricular activities. Click HERE to learn how.
Technology affects us in so many ways that we often do not pay attention to how much it enhances our lives. However, it can also be challenging and frightening when trying to manage technology in our household. Being informed is always a great start! In order to promote and support the proper use of technology, parents must talk the lingo, as well as offer students information to learn about being responsible digital citizens. The way young people use technology today has evolved, and will continue to as time moves forward. Let's be the influence they need for a positive evolution! Click HERE to read more about digital citizenship.
We are pleased to announce that junior Eli Snyder and Caleb Devine, and senior Matt Hall earned 1st Team All-CIF in the Northwest Division. This is the first time Maranatha football players have earned All-CIF honors in the Northwest Division! Click HERE for the All-CIF listings.
The Pasadena Star-News also recognized several Maranatha players with All San Gabriel Valley mention. Eli Snyder, Xavius Boone, and Dexter Meyers were named All-Area First Team. Darron McWhorter and Tanner Richter were named All-Area Second Team. And Baile McDavid and Matt Hall received Honorable Mention. Click HERE for the Star News article. Read more HERE.
Girls' Tennis
This fall, we were pleased to congratulate the Girls' Tennis Team who were undefeated in league and won the Olympic League for the second consecutive year, going 12-7 overall. Congratulations to Coach Arthur Hsieh and his assistant coach, wife Sandra Hsieh. Read more HERE.
Boys' Tennis
The Boys' Tennis Team won league last Spring in a tight race and lost in a nail-biting match in the CIF semi-finals, going 8-1 in league and 15-6 overall. Coach Arthur Hsieh and his assistant coach Jon Lee are looking to add to the team. "Last year," Coach Hsieh says, "we were one player away from winning CIF!" This year, the team is hoping to fill spots from graduated seniors and they have room to grow. The Boys' Tennis Info Meeting will be on January 22 during lunch. Tryouts will be held February 4-6 and players will need to be there all three days. Arrangements can be made for anyone in a winter sport. Read more HERE.
Coach Hsieh Named Coach of the Year!
Congratulations to Coach Arthur Hsieh who was named All-Area Coach of the Year for the Girls' season this fall after being named All-Area Coach of the Year for the Boys' season last spring. Read more HERE.
Our NetClassroom URL address has changed! Many families have bookmarked the NetClassroom link and are now experiencing errors. When accessed through the MHS website, there will be no problems, but if you have the site bookmarked, please update your bookmark with this new URL address: http://netclassroom.maranatha-hs.org/.
A Closer Look
If you missed Open House or know a prospective family that missed it, there are still two more events for families to get to know the heart of MHS in person. We invite families to take "A Closer Look" at Maranatha this Tuesday, January 14 or Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Center. Families will hear from faculty, students, and administrators in a more intimate setting and get all their questions answered. RSVP appreciated, but not required to firstname.lastname@example.com. Click HERE for more information about "A Closer Look".
Middle School Recognition Night
Middle School Recognition Night will be held this Friday, January 17 on campus. This event allows middle school students and their families to get a flavor of Maranatha High School spirit while attending, as our guests, any of our home soccer or basketball games that night. Visitors will check in between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in front of the Gym and will also receive a voucher for some complimentary concessions. Click HERE for the Middle School Night Flyer.
We look forward to welcoming our visitors!
During the first semester, our Minutegrams highlighted the various departments in our school. This semester we will ask each department for their specific prayer requests and will focus on praying for each of these departments. Please join the Headmaster's weekly prayer group in lifting our departments up in prayer each week.
To kick us off, we have chosen to start with the Headmaster's Office. Please pray:
Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
(L-R): Jane Tawel, Executive Assistant to the Headmaster, and Dr. David Gyertson, Headmaster
Attention singers: Mixed Ensemble auditions for 2014-2015 are almost here. If you are interested in singing in Mixed Ensemble next year, auditions will be held on Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 at lunch in Mr. Kolberg's room, PA1. Please sign up for a time slot on the sheet posted to the door of PA1. You must prepare one song and bring sheet music and your completed audition form (available in room PA1) to your audition. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mr. Kolberg.
Maranatha is pleased to introduce Jeremiah Blessinger to the Maranatha family as our new Theater Faculty/Director. Mr. Blessinger has taught and directed theater for almost a decade in the Christian high school setting and has over 15 years of professional film and theatrical experience working in the Industry as a screenwriter and assistant director for various L.A. theater companies.
Mr. Blessinger has a fascinating testimony that started when he was born into an authentic 1970s motorcycle gang. "In hindsight," he says, "I saw God's hand leading me towards grace and salvation through friends. When I was nine, I accepted the Lord into my heart at a small Baptist church in the desert of Arizona, but it wasn't until I was 17 that I felt the call of Christ to discipleship." Jeremiah graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a B.A. in Biblical Studies and hopes to begin pursuit of a Masters in Fine Arts in Theater this year.
Mr. Blessinger is excited to return to his passion of working with youth. He shares, "My passion lies in developing young performers in their talents. However, it's far more important to me, as a theater director, to also shape their character. They may not go on to be actors, but they will go on to be part of their community!" He considers it a blessing and a joy to be able to openly guide students in their pursuit of faith, noting that "Biblical truths bleed into everything we do. Through faith we can help students see who they are and how they value themselves, and also give them the courage and confidence to pursue the arts."Mr. Blessinger is enthusiastic about his new role and has been working throughout the Christmas vacation to prepare for his classes and the winter play.
By: Joel Murphy '97, Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries
2 Chronicles 7:14If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.There are still spots available for the 13th annual Spiritual Life Retreat, "As One." Through workshops and worship, through snowballs, small groups, and spiritual disciplines, "As One" we explore what it means to live lives rooted in humility, repentance, restoration, and the life abundant for which we have been created. The prophet Ezra in 2 Chronicles 7:14 provides both a prescriptive and descriptive account of prayers and actions which allow the Spirit to work mightily in and through the lives of believers everywhere to birth…revival!Join us for an amazing time of renewal, inspiration, and shared commitment over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, January 18-20. Pastors Brian Holland of Pomona First Baptist, Jesse Oakes of Lake Avenue Church, Justin Cox of Fellowship Monrovia, and James Burke of Foothills Community Church, along with 300 of your closest friends will all be there! Sign-ups are limited, so register now. The cost is $150 which can be billed to your school account. For questions, contact Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Joel Murphy at email@example.com or (626) 817-4092, and visit our website for further details.
On Saturday, December 14, the Maranatha Speech team competed in the Southern California Debate League Fall Varsity Speech Tournament at Arroyo High School. After a twelve-hour tournament, Maranatha was again victorious! Sophomore Stacy Rasmussen won the first place trophy for Interpretation, and freshman Lucas Lovejoy and senior Darron McWhorter earned trophies in Platform Speech. Juniors Romana Brennan, Andrew Howard, and Joel Wunderly advanced to semi-finals in Impromptu finishing in the top 30 of a category featuring over 100 competitors. In the end, Maranatha earned the first place team trophy for the small school division.
Pictured: (left to right) - Nick Popham '10 (Assistant Coach), Joel Gilmore (freshman), and Mr. Mesisca '92 (Head Speech & Debate Coach).
Students and Parents: Several teachers at Maranatha are excited about the Notability app! Just ask our very own Mrs. Graves; she is already using it in class! It's the best-selling note-taking app from iTunes. Click HERE to read a full description.
Notability costs $2.99 to install and is well worth it to take notes in an organized and thorough manner. Notability also allows you to add Sketchnotes, video recordings and import documents or PowerPoints from Google Drive, as well as adding web page clippings to your selected note file. Watch this short demo to get started: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvulN3LSu08
Please remember to bring all technical iPad issues and repair needs directly to the Tech Department at MHS, and not to the Apple Store. Thank you!
By: Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Joel Murphy '97 and
Student Chaplains Madie Johnson '14 and Reid Newman '14
I was having a conversation a couple weeks ago with my chaplains, where I stumbled onto a rather innocent question, "What's the story of Christmas?" Seems like an overly simple question, doesn't it? But, if you pause and ask yourself this, what do you come up with?
Sadly, some answer this question with a growing sense of disenchantment with the Christ child. Some respond with a rather diminished role in the story as they assume a role as a passive observer rather than an active participant who still lives in this story. Perhaps the sentiment of the story still evokes emotions today but it fails to provide meaning to the days or weeks after Christmas. Whatever it may be, it's important to understand that our re-telling of this story and journey into answering this question shapes not only our current perspective on the miracle of Christmas but it ultimately informs the way in which we think and live in the knowledge of the Emmanuel, Christ with us. Read more HERE.
We thank all of our parents for your participation in the Maranatha Opportunity Fund and also for those who have participated in our past annual fund drives. One of the essential ingredients in maintaining a strong Christ-honoring college preparatory school is parent participation. We value our parents who have intentionally sent their children to us giving them the opportunity to discover the effects of Christ's teachings in their lives.
As this year is coming to an end, we ask that you consider a gift to the Maranatha Opportunity Fund today. For tax purposes, it is your last chance to reap the benefits of an additional 2013 tax deduction. But what is more important, is that you are joining forces with us by giving all students and potential students the opportunity of a Christ-revering education at Maranatha High School. Please help us by making 2013 end strong by sending in your gift by December 31, 2013.
To donate please click this link www.maranatha-hs.org/giving or mail in your gift to Advancement at 169 S. Saint John, Pasadena, CA 91105 or call me, Patrice Cablayan, at 626-817-4070.
Please note:Gifts of appreciated securities to Maranatha entitles donors to a charitable deduction for its full current market value offering a two-fold tax savings by also circumventing the tax due on the capital gain at the time of the gift. Stock certificates may be physically given to our Advancement office or stock may be transferred electronically through DTC for shares that are currently held at a bank or brokerage house. Instructions for transferring stock are located on our website for both physical delivery and electronic DTC transfers. (Click HERE for more information.) Please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com to alert Advancement of these types of transactions.Wishing you blessings during this holiday season,Patrice CablayanAssociate Director of Annual Giving
In an effort to increase student SAT scores, Maranatha has subscribed to Method Test Prep for students and teachers. Method Test Prep is an SAT software program that engages students in mini lessons focused on knowledge and skills necessary to succeed on the SAT. Method Test Prep provides students with instruction on targeted topics in math, reading, writing, and vocabulary building. These effective lessons prepare pupils for success on the PSAT and SAT. Students are able to focus specifically on their strengths and weaknesses, and then review areas where they require improvement. This personalized approach is why Method Test Prep was Maranatha's program of choice. READ MORE
Maranatha High School would like to welcome three new board members to our Board of Trustees. We are so grateful for these volunteers that take on this significant role of leadership in our school and give of their time, talent, and treasure on behalf of Maranatha. John Davis, Chairman of our Board of Trustees shares, "We were pleased to add three new board members: Steven Chang, Victor Dorado, and Alan Hall. Each of them has prior involvement with Maranatha and brings unique skills to the board. We are excited about their joining the board and look forward to their contribution in the years to come." Dr. Gyertson added, "These new Board members understand and embrace their critical role as Maranatha's "Board of Elders" giving direction to the spiritual vitality of our Christ-centered mission as well as superintending the policies and personnel that help us achieve our high standards of quality college preparatory education in an intentional Christian context." Please help us welcome them and thank them for their sacrifice the next time you see them. Read more HERE.
Maranatha has graduated many students who have headed off to prestigious university Math, Science, and Engineering programs. It's no wonder our graduates excel after reading about these two departments HERE.
Please join us this week for our last Parent Association Coffee and Meeting of 2013! This Wednesday, December 18 at 8:30 a.m., we welcome all families for some Christmas cheer. Although the students don't start exams until 9:00 a.m., we are keeping the same time for our meeting and will enjoy an extended time of fellowship before the meeting begins. Aside from the great fellowship and PA updates, we will hear from Dr. Gyertson who will share his holiday chapel message, and Dr. Purghart will give us an update on academic and student programs.
In the true spirit of Christmas, we are asking everyone to bring canned goods to the meeting. Our donations will be delivered to Elizabeth House, a pregnancy crisis shelter. Located in the heart of Pasadena, the mission of Elizabeth House is: "to provide shelter, hope and support to homeless pregnant women and their children, addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and economic needs in a nurturing atmosphere." Their goal is to provide a comprehensive program of case management, counseling, educational classes, prenatal care, and resources throughout the pregnancy and beyond.
The Admissions Office is pleased to announce "Bring a Friend" Month! All students are invited to host a local 8th grade friend or neighbor as a shadow during the Maranatha school day in January. Both the MHS student host and visiting friend will receive a coupon for complimentary lunch in the Minuteman Café! To schedule a "shadow" day for your friend, simply call or email Mrs. Middlebrook in the Admissions Office at (626) 817-4021 and give her the date you will be hosting your friend and the name and current middle school of your visiting 8th grade friend.
If you missed Open House or know a prospective family that missed it, there are still two more events for families to get to know the heart of MHS in person. We invite families to take "A Closer Look" on Tuesday, January 14 or Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. Families will get to hear from faculty, students, and administrators in a more intimate setting and get questions answered. RSVP appreciated, but not required to email@example.com.
On the weekend of November 22-23, the Maranatha Speech & Debate Team competed in the annual Alhambra Moor Debate at Alhambra High School. The debate featured students Shehan Wijesinghe, Harrison Porter, Nick Craft, Stephen Enloe, and Victor Escobar in the Lincoln Douglas category and the teams of Sage Palonco with Matthew Harrington and Billy Birkholz with Andrew Howard in the Public Forum category. (See group photo below.)
Lincoln Douglas debate is a one-on-one, courtroom-style, values debate and this year the debaters argued "Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, truth-seeking ought to take precedence over attorney-client privilege." Seniors Harrison Porter and Shehan Wijesinghe each finished with a record of 3-1 and advanced to the finals. Shehan won a trophy for the Minutemen.
Public Forum debate is a team debate with intense cross-fire examination questioning and quick rounds for developing cases and rebutting opponents. The Public Forum debaters argued "Resolved: The benefits of domestic surveillance by the NSA outweigh the harms." The Birholz-Howard team finished 3-1 and the Palonco-Harrington team advanced to the finals and finished with a record of 4-1.
Mr. Mesisca said, "I am extremely proud of our debaters this year. I have had the opportunity to coach debaters, like Shehan, and observe their growth as public communicators over a four-year span. But, coaching the freshmen, like Matthew Harrington, who work so diligently for three months and then advance to the finals gives me confidence that the Maranatha Speech & Debate team will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come!"
Art Club Advisor, Ms. Barnhart would like to thank all the parents who donated items toward the Art Club's Gingerbread Contest! We had so many things brought in we hardly had to buy anything this year! We are so grateful to all our donors and want to let you know how much fun the students had! Thanks for helping us spread a little Christmas cheer through the use of our God-given creativity.
Maranatha is excited to host a number of alumni athletic events during Christmas break!
SWIM: The Alumni Swim Lunch and Hang Out will take place on Monday, December 30 at the MHS pool. Past and present swim team members are invited to meet at 12:30 p.m. for lunch, games, and relays. If you have questions, please contact swim coach Joe Zambrano at email@example.com.
CROSS COUNTRY: The annual Rose Parade Route Run will take place on Tuesday, December 31. Runners will meet in the MHS Student Center parking lot at 5:30 p.m., and anyone is welcome to join them. Questions can be addressed to Brian Sacripanti '11 at firstname.lastname@example.com.
SOCCER: We are still ironing out the details for the Alumni Soccer Game which will take place after Christmas. Those interested in playing or watching the game can contact Eddie Arnett '96 at email@example.com. For those on Facebook, please be on the lookout for the upcoming
event page next week.
We look forward to seeing our alumni on campus soon! If you capture fun pictures at the events, please send them our way: firstname.lastname@example.com!
Most people are in awe when they first set foot on our campus as they admire the pristine grounds and well-maintained facilities. Maranatha High School has been so blessed with such a gorgeous campus and most of us probably never consider all it takes to keep our facilities looking so nice and running so smoothly. One man, in particular, has an in-depth knowledge of what it takes as he has spent a lifetime caring for this campus that Maranatha calls home. This past August marked Walt Corson's 36 year anniversary of working on these campus grounds. (Continue to full story)
Read about the Theology Department's passion for Scripture and relationship with God, as well as the depth of study and application in the Social Science Department HERE.
Congratulations to sophomore Jack Ding who recently placed 5th in the 49th annual 2013 American Open Chess Tournament held in Anaheim. The American Open Tournament is composed of three divisions: Booster, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. This was Jack's first tournament and he participated in the Junior Varsity section which is for intermediate players that hold an active USCF (U.S. Chess Federation) membership. He competed with 242 Junior Varsity participants and 34 others who made it to the final of the K-12 rated U1200 division. The tournament was run with a USCF 5 Round Swiss System with a time control of 30 minutes per game.
Jack is a member of Maranatha's Chess Club and plans to participate in more tournaments in the future. Since he is taking ASL class in school, he also hopes to teach chess to Deaf students through Sign Language.
By: John Wells, Performing Arts Faculty
"An Evening of Christmas," our all-school celebration for the Christmas season, takes place this Friday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ambassador Auditorium. It will be a night of music, dance, and drama to celebrate the season and, more importantly, the reason for the season. Our choir, mixed ensemble and orchestra will be providing the music. Our dance classes and dance team will be providing the dance, and our theater classes will be providing the drama. This year the theme is "Agnus Dei."
Included in the evening's festivities will be our opportunity to minister to the children of Hillsides, who will be our honored guests for the evening. Our mentor groups have been busy collecting items that the children need to present to them at a special ceremony after the concert.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and can purchased at the door on the night of the event. Come join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior together, enjoy the ministry of our performing arts, and minister to at-risk youth.
By: Joel Murphy, Director of Campus Ministries
2 Chronicles 7:14If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
January typically embodies a season pregnant with personal hopes of recommitment and ambition for the New Year. Some place their hope in the perspective of upward mobility. Others place their efforts towards expanding their influence. For the students and staff of Maranatha High School who participate in the 13th annual Spiritual Life Retreat, "As One," we choose to place our hope in the renewing ministry and power of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Through workshops and worship, through snowballs, small groups, and spiritual disciplines, "As One" we explore what it means to live lives rooted in humility, repentance, restoration, and the life abundant we have been created for. The prophet Ezra in 2 Chronicles 7:14 provides both a prescriptive and descriptive account of prayers and actions which allow the Spirit to work mightily in and through the lives of believers everywhere to birth…revival!
Join us for an amazing time of renewal, inspiration, and shared commitment over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, January 18-20. Pastors Brian Holland of Pomona First Baptist, Jesse Oakes of Lake Avenue Church, Justin Cox of Fellowship Monrovia, and James Burke of Foothills Community Church, and 300 of your closest friends will all be there! Sign-ups are limited so register now. The cost is $150 which can be billed to your school account. For questions, contact Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Joel Murphy at firstname.lastname@example.com or (626) 817-4092, and visit our website.
By: Brian DeHaan, Athletic Director
It's that time of year when the Athletic Department, spearheaded by the Baseball program, organizes volunteers to walk in the Rose Parade. For those who are new to the community, the walk comes with service, and it truly is one of the most memor
able experiences you can partake in. For the past five years Maranatha has fully staffed the Rose Parade "Pooper Scoopers."
On January 1st volunteers will meet on campus in the early morning, usually around 4:00 a.m., before walking to the Wrigley Mansion for a Rose Parade breakfast. This short walk affords a unique opportunity to see the floats on Orange Grove as they are staged in preparation for the parade. After breakfast the volunteers return to campus where each participant is issued the standard Rose Parade white coveralls and organized into three-person teams. Each team member mans a trash can on wheels, a broom, or a shovel. Once teams are organized the crew of approximately 75-80 volunteers leaves the gymnasium walking down St. John toward Colorado Avenue. Once at Colorado the parade begins and teams enter the parade behind each equestrian unit to begin the walk and the occasional scoop. At the conclusion of the parade volunteers turn in the gear and are served In and Out.
Details for drop off an
d pick up will be coming, but if you are interested, feel free to sign up soon as spots fill fast. This is an incredible time of laughter, community, and it will be a memory you will never forget. In the words of senior Helio Higley "It's really fun, you have to do it!"
Please sign up on this LINK and then print out the form and turn into the Athletic Department or the Student Center front desk by Tuesday Dec. 10!
Above: Faithful volunteers from our MHS Staff included Eddie Arnett, Brian DeHaan, and Joel Murphy.
Did you know that all students in Spanish, French, and ASL have an opportunity to practice their skills outside of the classroom? Did you know that students in P.E. classes have projects and take a final? Learn more about these two departments this week by clicking HERE.
UPDATED 12/3/13: There are two weeks of classes remainging before finals. The first semester final exams will take place on December 16, 17, and 18. Please note the dismissal time for Tuesday and Wednesday is 12:30 p.m. (the Minuteman Cafe will NOT be serving lunch those two days), and the dismissal time for Monday is 2:45 p.m.
All students are invited to participate in a longstanding tradition of the Art Club-sponsored Gingerbread Building Contest. On December 11, MHS will enjoy an extended lunch to allow ample time for the many participants to share their creativity through a themed Gingerbread Building Contest. The cost to enter the contest is just $5. For more information, or to sign up, please see Art Club students: Calvin Yao, Elisabeth Gilmore, Katie Carmichael, or Ms. Barnhart in AC105. Click HERE for the modified schedule for that day.
If you'd like to earn some PVP hours, the Gingerbread Contest is in need of a lot of supplies. Please contact Ms. Barnhart if you are interested in supplying any of the following: 30 boxes graham crackers, 20 tubs of frosting (mostly white, and a little chocolate), 2-4 boxes of Fruit Loops, 4 large bags plain M & M's, 3 bags of peppermint candies, 2 bags of Coconut, 2 large tubs of Red Vines, 5-8 boxes of 'Nilla Wafers, 5 bags of small marshmallows, 6 bags of gum drops, 3 bags of Red Hots, 2-3 large containers of sprinkles, other small candies, chocolate chips or cookies (no peanuts, please!), plastic knifes – 200, heavy duty foil, plastic wrap – 2 large industrial-sized rolls to cover tables, newspapers to cover the tables, toothpicks, heavy cardboard – 22 approx. 9X12" (for working surface), small bowls – 100, paper plates – 100, and napkins – 1 large package.
We are pleased to host our annual Young Alumni Lunch on Wednesday, December 18 for our college-age alumni (Class of 2010-2013). This free casual event will feature a catered lunch and photo booth. The lunch will be held in the MHS Student Center from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Please pass this message along to any "young alum" you may know and encourage them to attend the lunch and register by visiting the event's webpage. Contact the Alumni Office with any questions at (626) 817-4071 or email@example.com.
Congratulations to three seniors, Davey Bunn, Ben Hynes, and Nick Stalick, who were recently awarded the highest rank in the Boys Scouts of America – the Eagle Scout award. Besides many years of scouting and learning leadership in Troop 21, each spent time improving a local non-profit through their Eagle Scout project. Davey Bunn spent extensive time at the L.A. Arboretum replacing and improving a wildlife viewing fence and a walkway. Ben Hynes worked to make repairs and improvements at the Pasadena History Museum. Nick Stalick worked at a confidential women's shelter in Glendale enclosing a play area through landscaping to increase safety for the children. These young men are models of leadership, espousing the qualities of courage, compassion, and integrity.
On Tuesday, November 12, Anjie Amezquita signed her letter of intent to play softball at Biola University in La Mirada. Students and staff had the privilege of celebrating this great accomplishment with her family, friends as well as past present and future coaches during a signing ceremony and celebratory lunch. The head Biola softball coach and her assistant both attended the festivities and eloquently spoke about their anticipation and excitement for Anjie to join their program. During the celebration, current Maranatha Softball Coach Scott Sommers also shared his thoughts about Anjie and her athletic giftedness but most importantly her contagious positive attitude and love for the Lord. Angie accepted a partial athletic and academic scholarship to attend Biola University.
Our Athletic Director, Brian DeHaan, asserted, "We are very proud of Anjie's accomplishments and the young woman she has become. Anjie has been a leader on and off campus and to see her continue in the Maranatha tradition of playing at the collegiate level is a blessing to our community."
Here at Maranatha, not only do our teachers use NetClassroom for taking attendance and assigning/grading student work. The majority of our faculty also utilizes two specific learning management systems; Schoology and Edmodo. Many times, you can get a more up-to-date snapshot of what grades your child is earning, (and a more accurate portrait of what your student does on a daily basis in class), by following their progress on one of these websites. All you need to do to gain access is email the teacher and request a "parent access code".
Are you taking a foreign language course here at Maranatha? Or learning a foreign language on your own in your spare time? There is a great free app available on the Mac App Store called "Voice Translator". With this app, you can speak or type a phrase, and this app will teach you how to speak and write that phrase in 34 different languages. This is also a great travel companion for anyone planning to embark on an international mission trip this year. Check it out!
As we continue our spotlight on the many departments that make up our great school, this week we focus on our English and Arts Department. (continue to full story)
Students, are you tired of creating the same old PowerPoints for every class? If so, try some newer multimedia presentation apps on your iPad, that you can use to "wow" your teachers. Of course, if your teachers specifically request a PowerPoint, then please use PowerPoint. However, if your teachers are open to another option, try downloading the "Prezi" and "Shutterfly" apps. These will definitely help you stand out from the rest of the students. They are completely free, so you don't have anything to lose!
Click HERE to download Prezi for free
Click HERE to download Shutterfly for free
Maranatha High School senior Hannah Rae Finchamp successfully defended her World Championship title recently at the 2013 Xterra World Championship Triathlon in Maui.
At the 2012 Xterra World Championship, Hannah wasn't just the fastest woman in the 15-19 division; she was the fastest amateur woman in the entire field! She finished 13th overall, ahead of six pro women, and more than seven minutes ahead of the next age group female. In 2012, she won the overall amateur titles at both the Xterra National Championship and Xterra World Championship, and also placed 8th among a very competitive field at the USAT Junior Elite National Championship on the road. She was also the 2013 High School State Mountain Bike Champion.
This year, she was anxious to defend her World Championship at Xterra, and during the last week in October, she did just that. She is the only amateur woman ever to win the title twice. Needless to say, going into the race, she did not think she would come out a champion, but Hannah had one of the best races of her life. She had the fastest swim time, run time, 15-19 age group time, under 25 year-old time, and overall amateur woman time! Additionally, her overall time would have placed her 11th in the Pro Women's category. (continue to full story)
Part of being an intentionally Christ-centered community is ensuring the faithful examination of the callings and claims of Christ through a variety of spiritual disciplines whereby all are able to then appropriate these teachings in every aspect of their living, learning, and serving.
Our theme for this semester, "Go. Serve. Love." is anchored to Mark 16:15-16, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole of creation...". We highlighted our theme during our Spiritual Emphasis Week. Through over twenty descriptive and prescriptive two-day intensive workshops led by pastors, local ministries, staff, and other leading experts, as well as mentor groups and chapels, we examined how and why the Love of Christ is most perfectly fulfilled as we bear the hurts, burdens, and sufferings of another. Please join us in prayer as we seek to discover where God is at work in the world today and how we might be able to join in His story of restoration as we "Go. Serve. Love".
Last week the junior English classes brought their study of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne to a deeper level. For a number of years the English Department has led a project where students display a struggle or aspect of their identity on a scarlet sign to wear for two days at school.
For those who have not read The Scarlet Letter, the English Department project summary describes it as "a heartbreaking tale of a young woman who was ostracized by her community for the adulterous affair that resulted in the birth of her daughter. In addition, another prominent character, Pastor Dimmesdale, is tormented by his hidden sin throughout the novel, which ultimately led to a detrimental result." The tone for the assignment is set as follows, "While reading this in class, we discussed the idea of judgment and condemnation that many people feel entitled to convey to others. All the while, we neglect to understand that by doing this we often reject the opportunity to help, and instead, hinder the progress of those individuals' spiritual life. We are notorious for pointing out the iniquity of others, telling ourselves that because we do not participate in whatever sin they might struggle with, that we are somehow better than them or less of a sinner than they are. As individuals we allow our sins and struggles, outward or hidden, to identify us, hindering our own ability to forgive, reconcile and move forward in our faith." (continue to full story)
Be one of the first people to illuminate your Christmas tree this holiday season with this wonderful Maranatha keepsake, and help our Girls' Basketball team at the same time! When hung on the tree, these light-up ornaments sparkle. The interior bulb shines a subtle color-changing glow through the metallic ball, emanating a warm, inviting feeling. A light dusting of glittery snowflakes adds an extra touch. The silver ornaments come in a decorative holiday box with the Maranatha logo on the front.
Don't wait to get yours! To make a purchase, complete the order form HERE and send it to the school with a check or cash payable to Maranatha High School with "Girls' Basketball" in the memo line. You can also charge it to your MHS account. If you happen to be at school, purchase one at the Student Center front desk while supplies last.
The freshman class held elections last week to choose the students who would represent them this school year by serving as their class president, vice president and representatives. Congratulations to the following freshmen who will now serve in our ASB.
By: John Wells, Producer
Just below me in our dance/drama studio here at Maranatha, a rehearsal is going on for our upcoming show in the Ambassador Auditorium, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Every time I see or hear these talented young people rehearse I get more excited about the show. A show filled with love, humor, dance (the Charleston of course), performed by our talented students in the Ambassador... what more could anyone ask for?
Based on the popular movie, "Millie" is a musical about an enterprising young woman, Millie Dillmount, who just arrived off the bus from Salina, Kansas in 1920's New York City. She's ready to take the Big Apple by storm and make it hers; to find success, maybe love, but mostly 'modernity' in the city of her dreams. It doesn't take long for her plans to be challenged by love and intrigue. But Millie is not to be deterred. Filled with flappers, dashing leading men, and a dragon-lady of a villainess you will love to hate, "Millie" will leave your heart filled with laughter, dance, and song.
The musical opens in the Ambassador Auditorium, Thursday night, November 21 and runs through Saturday night, November 23, with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday. All other performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Reserved seats can be obtained by calling (626) 817-4000 ext.1943, or online at www.maranatha-hs.org/boxoffice. Don't miss the fun!
With over 15 private high schools in the San Gabriel Valley, we know the high school selection process can be grueling. Our Dean of Admissions, John Rouse, considers it a privilege to walk with families as they make this important decision. He says, "As we begin the task of selecting the incoming class, it is our prayer that God would guide this process of partnering with families desiring to have their student experience a college preparatory and intentionally Christ-centered high school. It is thrilling to share how our school changes and challenges young lives. Our goal is to seek out those students and families who desire to take full advantage of the opportunities here at Maranatha." (continue to full story)
Last Friday, our Mixed Ensemble participated in the 2013 Fall Choral Festival, hosted by Westmont College. The festival is a high school invitational event designed to get choirs together to sing for each other, participate in adjudications provided by the Westmont Music Department faculty, and perform for the community. Each choir prepared a few pieces and performed them for each other during the afternoon. Later, the choirs had the opportunity to participate in two performances. During the evening performance all the participants joined together to sing "Cantique de Jean Racine" by Gabriel Faure, as a mass choir.
According to Maranatha's Choir Director Aaron Kolberg, "The Fall Choral Festival is such a rewarding experience for the students; to be introduced to new music and ideas, to share their gifts with their peers and appreciate the talents of many other high schools in Southern California. It is such a blessing, and we are grateful that we are able to participate in this annual festival. The faculty at Westmont is very knowledgeable and gracious to host this great event." By participating in the festival, our Mixed Ensemble students were exposed to different choir sounds and techniques, repertoire, and performance practices. They also had the privilege of learning from Westmont faculty who offered advice and techniques to each group. Our students got to eat with all the other schools, offering a chance to meet new people and gain perspective regarding other choral programs and schools. As it is hosted by Westmont College, it is very much a Christ-centered event, with the entire repertoire being sacred. This is the 4th year Maranatha has participated in this event.
In his first six months as headmaster of Maranatha, Dr. Gyertson has been spending time getting to know Maranatha, as well as working closely with our Board of Trustees and the school's leadership team. He has also spent significant time in the greater Pasadena community meeting with leaders in a position to support or impact Maranatha. He has met with several pastors as well as community leaders such as the President of Fuller Seminary, the Mayor of Pasadena, Pasadena City Council members, the Chief of Police, local heads of schools, and media heads. With each visit, Dr. Gyertson strives to increase the visibility of Maranatha, convey our vision, enhance community relationships, and explore ways to partner together to serve not only Maranatha, but the greater community around us. (continue to full story)
Our newly overhauled Technology Department has recently implemented a 1:1 eLearning Program by deploying more than 800 iPads to students, faculty and key staff. The new MHS Technology Department consists of three key elements: Instructional facilitation, Infrastructure, and Support.
The Technology Department is now capable of providing 21st century learning tools and professional development to the faculty and staff, empowering them to lead our students into a world driven by a digital culture.
Each day the support team staffs the Technology Support rooms, ensures students have the technology needed to learn and study, keeps track of iPads, manages device needs and claims, and responds to staff and student technology needs. Mr. Stephen Wyles, Director of Technology, states, "We will do anything! Customer service to the classroom is our number one goal and we do not turn away any question, concern, or problem brought to our attention." (continue to full story)
The Educational Technology and Information Technology teams have worked diligently and expeditiously to fulfill a vision for the launch of the 1:1 eLearning program at MHS. Along with administrators, faculty and other stakeholders, these technology teams pulled together expertise and researched-based information in order to successfully unveil the eLearning program this year. As we have now completed our 1st Quarter, we'd like to take some time to reflect on what we have accomplished and assess our progress.
Gearing up for iPads: the Nuts and BoltsAfter researching and visiting Apple Distinguished schools that have previously launched 1:1 programs and getting the approval from the Board of Trustees in March of 2013, it was quickly realized that there was a great deal to accomplish within a small window of time. There were many undertakings that needed to occur in order to successfully implement the 1:1 eLearning Program for approximately 680 students and 50 teachers. The implementation plan for effectively integrating this technology included: gathering information, developing a plan, providing training and professional development for faculty, purchasing hardware, preparing students and parents, building an appropriate infrastructure and choosing appropriate management solutions program, rolling out the iPads, purchasing and distributing eResources, enrolling and managing devices, and testing network and firewall boundaries. (read the full story)
We congratulate the 158 Maranatha students who qualify for membership in the National Honor Society (NHS) and/or California Scholarship Federation (CSF).
The National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. Students must have minimum of a B average and complete a certain number of peer tutoring hours each year.
Since the organization's inception in 1921, approximately 1400 CSF chapters have been approved. The purpose of CSF is to foster high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship on the part of high school students in California. Like others, Maranatha's chapter fosters the recognition, motivation, and education of academically talented students.
This weekend, senior Tessa Brandstater was crowned Sierra Madre Rose Float Princess. After an application process including an interview with a panel of judges, Tessa and two other girls were chosen by the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association to represent Sierra Madre. Her official title is 2014 Princess Sierra Madre Rose Float Association. Tessa and the other princesses will be taken shopping to buy special outfits that they will wear at different Sierra Madre community events throughout the year. She will speak before the City Council, the Rotary Club, the Garden Club and several others. She will also ride in the Sierra Madre Fourth of July Parade. She will miss some school to represent Sierra Madre and speak at several events. Tessa and her family will spend a lot of time volunteering with the Sierra Madre float decoration. On New Year's Day, Tessa will ride in the Tournament of Roses Parade on the Sierra Madre float titled "Catching the Big One". The float represents a gigantic colorful fish jumping out of the water and almost knocking over a boat – with the three princesses in it.
The mission of the College & Guidance Counseling Department is to nurture, guide and advocate for our students and families as they prepare for college, career, and life after high school. Ryan Bell, the Dean of College and Guidance Counseling describes it this way, "The Counseling Department is here to provide students the daily resources they need to successfully navigate high school in terms of their academics, personal/social/spiritual development, and college/career readiness."
The College & Guidance Counseling Office consists of four counselors and a registrar. The counselors serve students by grade level, and beginning this year, will move up in grades with their students. By the time their students are applying for college, the counselor has a vast knowledge of each one including their passions and successes. They will not only be able to write a comprehensive recommendation for each student, but will be better equipped to help the student identify college options reflecting their educational and career desires. The registrar supports the office by maintaining records, managing transcripts, helping with NetClassroom, and working on the Master Schedule. (continue reading here)
We have wonderful international students looking for Christian host homes while they attend Maranatha. Would you consider hosting a student? Host families provide a dedicated bedroom, all meals, and transportation. To help offset costs, families receive a stipend of $1100/month. If you have room in your home and heart to care for a student who is far from home, please contact us right away: Brandi Murphy, (626) 222-6422, firstname.lastname@example.com. Click HERE for more details on what's involved.
By Dr. Michelle Purghart
Maranatha is excited to invite students to travel to the British Isles during their Spring Break (tentative trip dates are 4/14/14-4/23/14). The trip itinerary will include destinations such as Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and London. Highlights will be visits to Edinburgh Castle, Big Ben, London Tower, Buckingham Palace, the Titanic Belfast, and Robert Burns' Birthplace Museum. If you are a fan of British culture and countryside, this is the adventure for you. Tour guides will brief participants not only about the history, but also about the literature and art surrounding the area. The trip will be arranged through EF Educational Tours with chaperones from Maranatha faculty and staff. Any questions can be directed to Dianna Fowler at (626) 817-4090 or Dr. Michelle Purghart at (626) 817-4045.
If you are interested in signing your son or daughter up for the trip, it is on a first-come, first-served basis. We are limiting attendance to 42 student participants, and parents are welcomed to travel with their children if desired. Please feel free to review the entire itinerary online at www.eftours.com. Once you are on the website, click on the tab at the top labeled "students" and then go to the bottom right hand side of the page and enter the following tour number: 1508605EU. You can also sign up for the tour immediately on the same website. The total cost for students is $3290, which includes airfare, all transfers by bus and train, entrance fees, hotels, and breakfast and dinner daily. I hope that some of you will take advantage of this great opportunity.
Alumnus Nick Popham '11 recently won first place in a Northern California Collegiate Speech Tournament and second place in a Southern California Collegiate Speech Tournament for his presentations in Dramatic Interpretation for California State University, Northridge. The combination of these two accomplishments allowed him to automatically progress to the collegiate national qualifying tournament. Nick excelled in sports and Speech & Debate as a student at Maranatha and decided to pursue collegiate Speech & Debate as he entered into his sophomore year of college. In addition to a busy college-student schedule which includes extensive travel with his collegiate Speech & Debate team, Nick has been donating his time this fall as an assistant Speech & Debate coach to Mr. Mesisca on Fridays. "Watching Nick's progression in Speech & Debate from his high school success to his collegiate success encourages me. His passion and talent demonstrated for our current students every Friday provides an additional motivation for our team as we continue to build on a legacy of success that Nick and several others helped establish," reflected Mr. Mesicsa.
The Maranatha Speech & Debate team entered the 2013-2014 season ranked 13th in the Area and in the Top 100 in the State of California. The Maranatha Speech & Debate Team is currently preparing for the upcoming Fall Debate Invitational at Alhambra High School on Saturday, November 23 and the Fall Varsity Speech Tournament at Arroyo on Saturday, December 14. Maranatha is looking for adults who would like to earn PVP hours as judges for these tournaments. Please contact Mr. Mesisca to sign up as a volunteer at these tournaments.
Not many schools are fortunate enough to have an American Sign Language (ASL) program. Many alumni have been blessed to participate in one or more of the three levels of ASL offered at Maranatha and use their skills extensively in their careers and Christian service. To augment the ASL curriculum, Maranatha also offers an ASL Club, led by ASL Faculty Sharon Chung. The ASL Club meets every Monday at lunch in AC111. Anyone is welcomed to join and there is no need to know ASL. During meetings students enjoy food, watch ASL music videos, learn to sign songs, and/or play ASL games (not all games require knowing ASL).
The club also aims to host two activities per semester including a Deaf-rel