Liberty Christian School

Beginning on March 22^nd, two brave and very hard-working Liberty seventh graders– Ben Gibson and Ryan Garner– began the unique experience of updating and refurbishing some of Liberty’s old, outdated computers as part of their junior high media class. “It was cool that Mrs. Morici let us do all these things that the other classes haven’t gotten to do and probably won’t get to do” said Ryan. After disassembling one of the computers to gain more knowledge about the machine’s inner workings, both boys started their mission to upgrade software and give new life to old computers.

                These techno-“logical” advances (since it is such a smart idea) will allow Kindergarten and 1^st grade students to have computers in their actual classrooms for next year. Such usable, updated computers will enhance the functioning of the classroom as well as provide students with an enriched source of information and learning.

                By June 1^st, Ryan and Ben had not only upgraded six computer’s operating systems, but had also installed three times the memory space in the computers to increase both their speed and performance. Everything happened in half a semester thanks to the skill of students like Ben who “was the best at putting in RAM cards. I did a computer in eight seconds.”

As of now, they are busy procuring hardware, like keyboards and mice, as well as software programs that the teachers can utilize in their curriculums during the coming years. Kindergarten and 1^st grade are very lucky to benefit from such a unique experience and the hard work of two very smart young men. Perhaps, the best summary of such an interesting opportunity can be found in Ben’s own words: “I thought it was cool that we had made a lasting contribution to the school.”

Banquet's a Hit
June 16

As the school year camecoming to a close and all of the sports seasons are over, it is time to reflect back on the season, players, and memorable moments for the annual sports awards banquet! Held in Liberty Christian’s gym, the awards banquet is a time where friends and family can come and enjoy a nice dinner, look at the several league champion banners, and acknowledge Liberty’s athletes for their efforts in the world of sports. Every year there are three awards given out for each team to a certain player who has the characteristics that the award symbolizes, and each athlete also receives participation certificate. The three special awards are: Mighty in Spirit, which goes to the athlete that influences others by showing Christ in everything they did during the sport. Total Release, which goes to the person who works the hardest at practice and truly loves the sport they are playing, and the Shield, which goes to the athlete who has the most skill in their sport. Along with these awards, there is one very special award given to one male and one female entitled the Athlete of God. This award usually goes to someone who has played in all of the sports that were offered and excelled in them.

The winners of the awards for the Shield award were: Sam Salgado for football, Jennifer Murdock for cheer, Arin Mearig for junior varsity volleyball, Sarah Perry for varsity volleyball, Breanna Willard for girls basketball, Ryan Mearig for boys basketball, Frank Guzman for baseball, Sarah Spitzer for softball, and Ryan Mearig for boys volleyball. The winners of Total Release were: Jakob Brouwer for football, Tatiana Hamblin for cheer, Kylie Burkholder for junior varsity volleyball, Tori Lockerbie for varsity volleyball, Esther Lacey for girls basketball, Hayden Herring for boys basketball, Paul Ishizaki for baseball, Brittany Naylor for softball, and Henry Affre for boys volleyball. The winners for Mighty in Spirit were: Matt Carbonella for football, Sarah Fero for cheer as well as girls basketball, Nicole Cheek for junior varsity volleyball, Alex Biggins for varsity volleyball and softball, Henry Affre for boys basketball, Christian Kirby for baseball, and Jacob Mercer for boys volleyball. The winner of the Female Athlete of God was Esther Lacey. The winner of the Male Athlete of God was Hayden Herring.

 In the junior high, the awards are exactly the same as that of high school. However, the big awards that are only received by one boy and one girl are called either the David or the Deborah award instead.  The winners of the Shield award were: Jacob Meyer for flag football as well as boys basketball, Janae Crombie for girls basketball, Kendall Williams for girls volleyball as well as softball, and Maxim Kellick for boys volleyball. The winners of the Total Release award were: Ryan Garner for flag football as well as boys volleyball, Megan Wilkerson for girls basketball, Josh Naples for boys basketball, and Allison Lapporte for both girls volleyball and softball. The winners of Mighty in Spirit were: Grant Torres for flag football, Caylee Craycroft for girls basketball, Maxim Kellick for boys basketball, Emily Perry for girls volleyball, Trent Coalson for boys volleyball, and Katrina Hallam for softball. The winner of the David and Deborah awards this year were Maxim Kellick and Allison Lapporte. This year’s high school and junior high sports awards were fun for everyone who showed up as well as the athletes who won the well-deserved awards.

Soccer Team Plays in Championship AND at Disneyland!
June 16

As a wonderful change, the high school art class elective with Mrs. Towle now counts as a fine art credit!  It never used to, but many students have been asking for that to change.  Well, that time had come, and parents, students, and faculty are delighted to hear about the decision.   Academic advisor Mrs. Yates says, “This is the next step to achieving our schools goals to provide abundant opportunities for our students.”  To receive the fine art credits, a student must complete a full year of art.  Mrs. Towle states that, “This is the first year that visual art counts, I am looking forward to more students in my class.  I also think that Mr. Whitmire is happy [about this].” Those who are not musical are really helped by this modification, for in the past the only fine art credits available at Liberty were Music Appreciation, Choir, or Handbells courses.  “I am going to take art instead of music appreciation now that I have the chance.  I think that it is a good idea because it offers different options to what you can do to get the credits needed,” said junior Allison Piersma.    This decision benefits many and the school continues to see great additions at Liberty Christian.