DC ALUMNI Homecoming - 2104

DCHS ALUMNI

HOMECOMING WEEKEND

Let brotherly love continue…”  Hebrews 13 : 1

Continuing the tradition that was begun with Homecoming in 2011, the DC Alumni Council will be sponsoring an “All-Alumni Homecoming Tailgate Party”, September 26^th, 2013.  Hundreds of graduates, faculty, and staff, have joined us over the past three years for a wonderful evening of food, fun and fellowship.  Don’t miss out!

Alumni Homecoming Tailgate Party

Friday,September 26^th  

5:30pm – 7:30pm 

Where :  West Carrollton High School Football Field

                5833 Student Street

                West Carrollton,  OH  45449

What: A tailgate party, packed with tasty gridiron favorites, will be held outside the main entrance to the West Carrollton High School football stadium.

Why:  It’s a great opportunity to see some of your former teachers and fellow graduates and to get caught up on what’s happening at Dayton Christian today…

·        COST: Thanks to generous donations from our alumni family, this event is free for graduates, former students, faculty and spouse.

·       CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF DC VARSITY FOOTBALL :  We’ll be recognizing Coach Shaeffer for his work in building the program and also sharing some free memorabilia with team members and fans of the era, on a “first-come-first-serve” basis.

·       CLASS REUNIONS :  Milestone classes of 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, and 2009 – here’s a great way to gather again (or for the first time in forever) without all of the planning and expense.  Reach out to your classmates and make this gathering the start of your very own reunion!

·       CURRENT AND FORMER FACULTY :  We have always had a nice turn-out from our faculty members, both former and current.  While Tom Minor, Paul Pyle, and Bud Schindler regularly attend, we’ve also been visited by the likes of Greg Kurtz, Bob and Ruth Clements, Winnyfred Casement, Tracy Miller, Terry Chamberlain, Jessica Orme, Danny Kloosterman, Jan Pinsenshaum Carlson, Gary Farmer, Steve Brinkerhoff, Dean Whiteford, Janet Long, Dave Rau, John and Ruth Pawelski, Mark Shaeffer, and Gus Dallas.  You never know who may stop by…

·       DC WARRIORS FOOTBALL : 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Members of our alumni family will lead the National Anthem, prayer before the football game, and will be the "Honorary Team Captains".  Cheer on our Warriors, led this year by former NFL lineman - Coach Ken Moyer, was they face the St. Bernard Titans.  Go Warriors!

For more information contact :

W. Dean Sellers  ’76                                           

DCSS Alumni Relations Coordinator

E-Mail :  dsellers@daytonchristian.com

Phone :  (937) 291-7220  B

Website :  www.daytonchristian.com/alumni

P.S.  We would also like to solicit your nominations for the Dayton Christian School Hall of Honor.  The deadline for entries this year is October 1^st.  Go to www.daytonchristian.com/alumni/resources/hall-of-honor  and read about the Hall and to complete the nomination form.

DC ALUMNI HOMECOMING 2013

Alumni Homecoming has become a memorable Dayton Christian tradition for grads over the past three years.  It has been a time to rekindle old friendships and reconnect with former teachers.  “I made it a point to attend all three”, said Tom Wiggershaus ’80.  “These reunions have been a wonderful opportunity to remember the good old days, and to meet new DC alumni from all the decades.”

 This years’ gathering began with a football pre-game tailgate party on Friday, October 4^th.  Approximately 150 grads, spouses and teachers came together for food, fun and fellowship.  The alumni were also well represented inside the stadium, with Matt Thomas ’82 singing the National Anthem, Roman Fleetwood ’13 leading everyone in prayer, and Tammy Smiley Czyzewski ’76 and Dean Whiteford serving as honorary team captains.  “The DC Alumni Council did a stellar job, once again.” observed DCSS Alumni Relations Coordinator Dean Sellers.  “They have a real heart for our former students and want to do whatever than can to help them feel welcome!”

On Saturday morning, the celebration continued with a complimentary breakfast at the Miamisburg campus.  Attendees were treated to some special music from Resounding Joy (the senior high music ensemble).  They also had an opportunity to break into small groups, sharing some wonderful, heartwarming stories and some laugh-out-loud high school adventures.  It made for a truly wonderful weekend!

                                     

DC ALUMNI HOMECOMING WEEKEND - October 4th and 5th!

Continuing the tradition that was begun last year with our 50th Anniversary celebration, the Dayton Christian Alumni Council will be sponsoring an All-Alumni Homecoming, October 4th - 5th, 2013.  Last year over 500 graduates, faculty, and staff joined us for a wonderful weekend of food, fun, and fellowship.  Don't miss out!

WELCOME BACK TAILGATE PARTY

When :  Friday, October 4th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Where :  West Carrollton High School Football Field

               5833 Student Street, West Carrollton, OH  45449

What :  A tailgate party packed with tasty gridiron favorites.

Cost :  Thanks to the generous donations from our alumni family, this event is free for graduates, former students, faculty, and spouses.

DC WARRIORS FOOTBALL

When :  Friday, October 4th, 7:00pm

What :  Cheer on our Warriors as they face the Cincinnati Country Day Indians and enjoy all of the homecoming game festivities.

Cost :  $6 / Adult,  $4 Student,  $10 Family Pass (only available at the alumni registration table).

ALUMNI BREAKFAST

When :  Saturday, October 5th, 9:00am - 11:00am

Where :  Dayton Christian School

               9391 Washington Church Road, Miamisburg, OH  45342

What :  A hearty breakfast for our graduates and former teachers in the DC Cafetorium.  Will feature entertainment by current DC students and school building tours.

Cost :  Free - but donations will be appreciated to help cover the costs of the DC Alumni Council.

DC "HALL of HONOR"

ALUMNI - WE NEED YOUR NOMINATIONS!

Throughout the past five decades, thousands of people have responded to God's call by generously giving of their time, talent, and treasure to help build the ministry and legacy of Dayton Christian School. Now it's your opportunity to recognize those individuals and groups for their years of sacrifice, dedication, and excellence.

The DC Hall of Honor was established in the fall of 2012 as a part of Dayton Christian School System's 50th anniversary celebration. It featured three branches that include "Ministry and Service," "Arts and Life," and "Athletics." 

The first year of inductees included ten amazing faculty, staff, and administrators who were foundational in establishing and sustaining the school:

          MINISTRY and SERVICE           

                                Jerry Armstrong                                 
Frank Eckenroth

                                      Dan Grabill                                      

                                  Tom Minor                                  

Mildred Sharp

ARTS and LIFE 

John Anderson 

                       Winnyfred Casement                         

Geraldine Eyres

Pacheco Pyle 

ATHLETICS

Ron Pinsenschaum

  

Selection to the Dayton Christian Hall of Honor will be measured by several factors, including exceptional achievement, service, longevity, distinction, impact, and the "fruits of the Spirit" found in Galatians 5:22-23, in one or more of the Hall's categories. However, the three primary considerations will be the following:

1. Christian Witness: Does the nominee have an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Are they clearly an individual of high integrity, ethics, and character?

2. Quantifiable Excellence: Did the nominee have a quantifiable record of achievement and excellence while associated with DC or after leaving the institution?

3. DC History: Did the nominee have a close association with Dayton Christian for at least two years? If they are a former student or alumnus, has it been at least five years since they graducated?

Please click HERE to complete the form and submit your nomination(s). Don't delay; the deadline for this year's nominations is Saturday, August 31, 2013.

Sincerely in Christ,

DC Hall of Honor Nomination Committee 

"Pay to all that is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:7-3 (ESV)

Would You Be Willing to Help?

Mr. Greg Kurtz is a twenty-two year DC teaching legend.  He has also been the senior class adviser for the past 12 years.

In this 50th Anniversary Year, he'd like to reach out to our alumni family to see if you'd be willing to help complete a very special project...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTQ_CXhZCrw

FREE ALUMNI TICKET for the April 25th Show!

We invite our alumni family to join the cast and crew of "The Pirates of Penzance" on their merry musical adventures this Thursday, April 25th at 7:30pm in the Dayton Christian cafeteria.  We have a special allotment of complimentary tickets that will be available for our grads on a "first come, first serve basis".  E-mail the DC Alumni Relations Coordinator, Dean Sellers, at :  dsellers@daytonchristian.com to reserve your seat today!

Pirates follows the story of young Frederic who, as a child, was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of tenderhearted, orphaned pirates. Upon completion of his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, Frederic is released from his servitude. Soon after, he meets the fair maiden Mabel, daughter of Major-General Stanley. The two fall instantly in love; but, alas, a complication arises. It turns out that young Frederic was born on February 29th during leap year. As a result, even though he is 21 years old, he has only had five birthdays and is in fact indebted to serve the pirates for 63 more years. 

The cast features Luke Goodman as Frederic, Suzie Herman as Mabel, Jeremiah Plessinger as the Pirate King, Alexis Colon as the Nursemaid Ruth, Ben Pyle as Major General Stanley, and Gabbi Dowdy as Sergeant of the Penzance Police. Other cast members include Savanah Winfield, Shannon Bidwell, Carly Wheeler, Roman Fleetwood, Laura Brown, Rachel Shook, Hannah Saxe, Shannon Davis, Alex Roach, Tyler Brown, Eric Marcum, Matt Wright, Andrew Karas, Brianna Grooms, Brianne Hodges, Abigail Watkins, Monika Schilling, Mbalen Hwloungne, Taylor Flynn, Lexi Moore, and Carolyn Herman.

"I have been amazed by the way that the cast has enjoyed the challenge of this beautiful, but difficult music," observed director Dean Sellers, "and how quickly they've learned to appreciate the wonderful British humor of a show written in 1879. Think of this as the Victorian era equivalent of 'The Carol Burnett Show' and 'Veggie Tales' all rolled into one!"

Join us for soaring music, swashbuckling adventure, romance, and lots of light-hearted silliness. Tickets go on sale April 8th and seating is limited. So don't delay, secure your seats today! For more information call (937) 291-7201.

DC 50th Anniversary Celebration - March 9th, 7:00pm

You won't want to miss the celebration!  But there are only 120 tickets left for this Dayton Christian 50th Anniversary concert event with Michael W. Smith at the 3400 seat Dixon Ministry Center at Cedarville University.  As part of the festivities, we will be having a DC Faculty/Alumni Reception from 6:00pm - 7:00pm.  Please stop by to say hello to the Alumni Council and some of your favorite teachers.  For more information visit our website:   www.daytonchristian.com/news/286-50th-anniversary-events

* DC ALUMNI CHAPEL *

Tomorrow morning, (March 7th) at 9:45am, a group of our 1980's graduates will be providing the music and the message for this weeks' Dayton Christian high school chapel.

If you missed the amazing "Prayer and Praise Gathering" (held at the original Patterson Park Church in late August), here's your opportunity to see and hear these talented alumni :

Kim Mays Hale  '86
Ruth Williamson Bowman  '89
Brad Bowman  '86
Matt Thomas  '82
Becki Loudermilk  '87
Billy Loudermilk  '85
Becky Long Devilbiss  '86

Just stop by the Miamisburg campus at 9391 Washington Church Drive, get your "Visitors" pass at the main office at the entrance to building "C", then proceed to the cafeteria.  We'll bring in some extra chairs just for you.  Please join us if you can - it will be a blast and a blessing!

FREE ALUMNI TICKET - November 15th

DC has authorized the Alumni Relations office to offer a block of 50 free alumni tickets for the Thursday, November 15th performance of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" on a first-come, first serve basis. "Charlie Brown" was the very first musical presented by Dayton Christian back in the fall of 1973. It was last performed in 1981 by an all-faculty cast that included Paul Pyle as Schroeder, Bob Clements as Snoopy, Terry Chamberlain as Linus, Phil Hayes as Charlie Brown, Susan Neal as Lucy and Carole Reeves as Patty.

To reserve your free ticket, please contact the DC Drama Director, Dean Sellers before 9:00pm on Tuesday, November 13th.  He can be reached via phone at : (937) 291-7220 or e-mail at : dsellers@daytonchristian.com

Here's the official press release...

The Dayton Christian Drama department will be presenting the 1967 Broadway musical “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” on November 15, 16 and 17. The evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will start at 7:30pm and there will also be a 2:00pm Saturday matinee.  The show features the famous Peanuts characters – Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Patty and everyone’s favorite beagle – Snoopy, in a delightful and nostalgic musical comedy about childhood in the early 1960’s.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, October 31st, (just in time for the arrival of the “Great Pumpkin”) and are $10 for adults and $6 for students. To reserve your seats contact Kelly Green at kgreen@daytonchristian.com or call (937) 291-7285. Seating is limited – so, good grief, don’t be a blockhead - order today! Join us for this exciting DC fall attraction and discover what “Brown can do for you”…

DC Alumni T-Shirts

As the DC Alumni Council prepared for the October "All-Alumni Reunion" we received several suggestions for t-shirt designs from our grads. However, these are the shirts that won the friendly competition.  With Christmas right around the corner, right now is the best time to place an order for your favorite Dayton Christian alumni!

CRUSADER FOOTBALL
It's true that we never had a varsity football team while we proudly cheered our beloved "Crusaders" - but that's precisely why we can claim that we've been "Undefeated Since 1963". These medium weight  90/10 preshrunk cotton polyester blend shirts come in sizes S-M-L-XL and XXL. Show your purple pride!
$12 for pick-up at the Miamisburg campus
$15 for delivery in the continental USA via "Parcel Post".

DAYTON CHRISTIAN ALUMUS
Our Anniversary Alumni shirt...  "Celebrating 50 Years of God's Faithfulness".  Featuring vintage school-jacket lettering with a contemporary "golden anniversary" twist, this is a great way to celebrate your DC heritage!  The medium weight preshrunk 100% cotton tees and cotton/polyester blend hoodies are available in S-M-L-XL and XXL.
T-Shirts :  $12 for pick-up / $15 delivered
Hoodies :  $26 for pick-up /  $30 delivered
(Thank you Michelle Riley Johnson '76 for modeling!)

Please send a check or money order made out to Dayton Christian Schools at :
9391 Washington Church Road
Miamisburg, OH  45342
Attention : W. Dean Sellers / Alumni Relations Office

HOMEWOOD BRICKS

The Dayton Christian Alumni Council has acquired 100 bricks from the high school side of our dear old 325 Homewood Avenue campus.  We are making them available as a fund-raiser for our "Alumni Scholarship" fund.  This initiative was started in order to partner with local graduates to help make a DC education possible for their children or grandchildren.  Applications will be available at the DC Alumni website in early spring.

These original "Wyandot" bricks have been collected, cleaned and labeled with a commemorative brass plate.  We invite you to own a small piece of our history and contribute to a very worthy cause!  Quantities are limited, so don't delay.

The suggested donations are :
$25  for pick-up of the brick at the Miamisburg campus.
$35  to have it delivered in the continental USA via "Parcel-Post" shipping.

Please send a check or money order made out to Dayton Christian Schools to :  9391 Washington Church Road / Miamisburg  OH  45342 / Attention : W. Dean Sellers.  Thank you!

DCHS ALL-ALUMNI REUNION TIME!

The plans are finally set for our first-ever DC All-Alumni Reunion!

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Dayton Christian School System, we will be welcoming back our graduates for an exciting weekend of alumni events.  It all begins on Friday with a tailgate party and ends on Saturday evening with our own special "Farewell" event...  Here are the details :

HOMECOMING KICK-OFF

FRIDAY, October 12th, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Where :  West Carrollton High School Football Stadium

     5833 Student Street, West Carrollton, Ohio 45449

Cost :  Free for graduates, former students, faculty and spouse.

What :  A tailgate party, packed with tasty gridiron favorites, will be held outside the main entrance to the West Carrollton High School football stadium.

DC WARRIORS FOOTBALL

FRIDAY, October 12th, 7:15pm - 9:45pm

Cost :  $6.00 per adult / $4.00 students at the gate.  Also, a $10.00 "Family Pass" will be available to graduates at the "Alumni Reunion" registration table.

What :  Members of our alumni family will lead the National Anthem, prayer before the football game and will be the "Honorary Team Captains".  Sit in the reserved "Alumni Section" and cheer on our Warriors was they face the Meadowdale Lions, and then enjoy all of the Homecoming half-time festivities.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

SATURDAY, October 13th  9:00am - 11:30am

Where :  Dayton Christian School

              9391 Washington Church Road, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342 

Cost :  Free for graduates, faculty and spouse.

What :  Chris Cakes “the Pancake Guy” will be flipping flapjacks and serving up a hearty breakfast for our graduates and former teachers in the DC Cafetorium.  The event will provide entertainment from current students, fellowship, and school building tours.

ALUMNI SOCCER MATCH

SATURDAY, October 13th  4:00pm - 5:30pm

Where :  Dayton Christian School

     9391 Washington Church Road, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342

Cost :  Free for everyone.

What :  We will host a “throw-back” Alumni Soccer match pitting Team Purple (odd graduation year classes) vs. Team White (even graduation years). 

“FAREWELL” PARTY

SATURDAY, October 13th  5:30pm - 9:30pm

Where :  Dayton Christian School

     9391 Washington Church Road, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342

Cost :  Free for everyone.

What :  A farewell party in the courtyard of the Dayton Christian Miamisburg campus with music, games, and camaraderie.  Please bring your own lawn chairs and picnic fare.  The DC Alumni Council will also have food available for purchase. 

 

Start making plans to join us for this extraordinary weekend.  And please spread the word to all of your former classmates and teachers…  It’s going to be a blast and a blessing!

For more information, or to inquire about special group rates at area hotels, contact :

W. Dean Sellers  ‘76

DCSS Alumni Relations Coordinator

E-Mail :  dsellers@daytonchristian.com

Phone :  (937) 291-7220

 

"Breakfast with Bud" August 11th

One of the "Founding Fathers" of Dayton Christian School would love to meet you for breakfast!  Mr. Claude "Bud" Schindler cordially invites you to join us for an informal time of alumni fellowship at Mimi's Cafe at the Greene in Beavercreek. 

We will meet on Saturday, August 11th at 9:00am in the "Winery Room".  You're welcome to just drop by to say hello, stay for a cup of tea, or order off the menu.  We'd love to hear about what's happening in your life, and to share all of the exciting DCSS 50th Anniversary celebration events that are in store for the coming school year. 

If you cannot attend this gathering, we hope to announce more "Breakfast with Bud" opportunities in the coming months.  For more information contact the DCSS Alumni Relations Coordinator, Dean Sellers, by phone (937) 291-7220 or via e-mail at :  dsellers@daytonchristian.com

50th Anniversary "Prayer & Praise" Gathering

We will start the celebration of Dayton Christian Schools' 50th Anniversary at 3:00pm on Sunday, August 26^th, 2012 with a “Prayer and Praise” gathering in the original Patterson Park Church building, located at 600 Patterson Road, Dayton, Ohio 45419.  The site is now home to the Dayton Chinese Christian Church.  The service will run about 75 minutes and will feature Xenia Christian and Dayton Christian Alumni, former teachers and current staff – offering scripture, prayer, praise, and music from each of our five decades.  Refreshments will be served afterwards by the DC Alumni Council, in the church basement  where the first kindergarteners started school in 1963...  Please join us!

The Dayton Christian "Hall of Faith"

In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Dayton Christian Schools, we are announcing the establishment of our very own "Hall of Faith".  Through this initiative, we intend to thank God and to remember His faithfulness through the decades, by recognizing those individuals who were associated with the DCS ministry and contributed to its legacy.  We also wish to acknowledge and appreciate their successes after DCS, as well as their diligent work in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being "salt and light" in our world today. 

To read more about the "Hall of Faith", and to nominate candidates for our Dayton Christian inaugural class of  inductees, go to :  http://daytonchristian.com/alumni/resources/dcss-hall-of-faith .

The DC "AWANITA VALLEY" SENIOR TRIP

The 36th anuual pilgrimage by Dayton Christian Seniors to Awanita Valley, South Carolina was a roaring success with the class of 2012!  Ever since Terry Chamberlain and Dan Grabill chaperoned the first class in May of 1976, students have been mudsliding, rafting, jeeping and Biltmoring for their senior trip...

What do you remember about your adventures to the camp at Lake Awanita?  Please share your stories!

Paul Pyle's ('74) Charge to the 2012 DC Graduates

Every other year I get to have the last word with the graduating seniors at Dayton Christian High School, my alma mater and the school where I have taught since 1977. Below are the words I gave to the Class of 2012 right after they moved their tassels.

Congratulations! This is a most significant achievement in your life. In fact, graduating from high school is a lifetime achievement award.

Do you remember how old you were when you first recognized the importance of the year 2012? You’ve been working toward this night for more than a decade, and tonight you can finally breathe a sigh of relief: you’ve done it. Most of you will go on to further studies, but you will never again work for this many years to get a diploma. The next time you finish something that takes you eighteen years to complete will probably be when your own child graduates from high school. And you will feel a great sense of accomplishment that night as well.

I'm going to speak frankly now. If you go on from here to get a good education, get a good job, find a good person to marry, settle into a nice neighborhood, find a good church, be a good mom or dad, a good neighbor and a good employee… and if you’re satisfied with behaving yourself well and living comfortably… we will have failed you miserably.

I haven’t given the past 35 years of my life to help teenagers learn to behave themselves. Your parents haven’t sacrificed so much for so long just so that you would turn out to be a well-adjusted and productive member of society.

It was my mother who first coined the phrase “Educating for Eternity.” And that’s not just a slogan. It’s what we’re all about at Dayton Christian School. I love my work. I love the fact that I get to spend all my professional energy creating in people’s lives a change that will matter not just for decades but forever. I may not see some of you again in this life, but I’m looking forward to seeing you in the next life and hearing how God used you to build His Kingdom.

Between now and then some of you will live comfortably, some of you will suffer terribly, some of you will be called to professions and ministries that will be difficult and discouraging, as teaching sometimes can be.

But none of that matters. It doesn’t matter whether you make a lot of money or a little; it doesn't matter whether or not you live in comfort and security.

All that matters is that you follow Rabbi Jesus, that you discover your role in God’s Story, and that you play it well. Everything else is details. Don’t get distracted, don’t get discouraged, by the details.

You often heard me thank God for letting me have a part in what He has been doing in your life. I meant those prayers. I really am grateful for that opportunity to make some small contribution to His work in you.

Thank you, parents, for your sacrifice and your commitment, for entrusting your children to us, to my classroom.

And now, my blessing, from the Epistle to the Hebrews:  Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.   Amen

Honoring 18 Years of Coaching at DC!

1977 graduate John Sharp has been a mainstay in Dayton Christian sports for the past eighteen years - coaching both soccer and baseball.  However, due to some health issues, John stepped down as boys varsity baseball coach after last season.

The DCS Warriors family want to say "thank you" for his many years of service, and will be honoring him by having John throw out the first pitch at the Thursday, April 19th game vs. Troy Christian.  The contest will be played at Wright State Universities' Nischwitz Stadium starting at 6:30pm.  Admission is free!  So come join the Warrior faithful and cheer for Mr. Sharp and the Dayton Christian baseball team...

Here are the details :
*  Varsity Boys Baseball
*  Thursday 4/19/12 @ 6:30pm
*  Free Admission!
*  First pitch to be thrown by alumnus (and former skipper) John Sharp
*  Concession proceeds will help the class of 2012 fund their gift to DC
*  Senior Lauren Cruz will be singing the National Anthem

Directions :  
Take I-675 to Exit 17
Follow the sign for "WPAFB Areas A&C" and "Wright St. Univ." / Exit at Wright State University exit / Turn left onto University Boulevard / Turn left onto Raider Road / Turn left into Nutter Center Parking Lot #8, which is the lot just past the big hill on the left side / Nischwitz Stadium is located east of the parking lot.

HOMEWOOD Prayer & Share

On Sunday, March 25th, twenty-nine former students, teachers, parents and administrators of Dayton Christian School, gathered at 325 Homewood Avenue to say goodbye to the place that served as their school home from 1974 – 2004.  The grand old Julienne building is slated for demolition this spring after a judge in Columbus denied an injunction on March 28^th to save the structure.

Mr. Schindler started by declaring Psalm 103 : 1-2 “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits”.   Then he shared from Joshua chapter 4 : 1 -9, where the Lord had commanded Joshua to, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan…  to serve as a sign among you.  In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’…  Tell them that… these stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”  He went on to say that we were not there to worship a building – but to gather together as believers to remember Gods’ faithfulness through the years, and to humbly thank Him for the heavenly work that was accomplished during our thirty year stay.

We proceeded to share memories, joined together in prayer several times and sang three hymns – led by 2002 graduate Isaac Pittman – “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “How Great Is Our God”…  It was truly a blessed time!  After more than an hour of “prayer and share” several alumni walked the perimeter of the property, continuing to reminisce and recall stories from “back in the day…”

Karla Putnam Enix ’82 related, “I really enjoyed the Prayer and Share service at the Homewood campus last Sunday. I thought many times about going back to that place that was filled with so many wonderful memories for me. But time got away and I didn't get to visit.  I guess I thought that it would always be there. Once I heard it was going to be demolished, I really didn't think I wanted to go at all. It made me very sad to think of such a beautiful building coming down. Somehow I thought that if I went, all those wonderful memories would be overtaken with grief.  I almost had to force myself to attend, but I knew it would be my last chance to see the school and I might regret not going one last time.

I am so glad that I went!  Hearing everyone share what an amazing impact the school had on them was so refreshing.  Hearing Mr. Schindler read scripture and pray over the lives that were touched there and the many more that would be touched in the future through the ministry was very healing for me.  Healing in a way that I did not expect!  I realized that instead of grieving, I was feeling blessed for being a part of something so wonderful.  I felt a closure when I left that I no longer had to be sad for that old building - but felt more like rejoicing for the ministry that was, and still is, such an important part of my life.  Thank you to all who made this service happen!  It was definitely important for many.  Even those who couldn't attend have expressed their deep gratitude." 

"Brigadoon" - A Return to the Highlands of Scotland...

“Once in the Highland, the Highlands of Scotland…”  began the familiar chorus from the 1947 Lerner & Lowe musical “Brigadoon”.  Twenty-seven Dayton Christian graduates had gratefully accepted the schools’ invitation to return to their alma mater and enjoy the production for the first time since it was performed on March 6^th, 1976.  Among the alumni in attendance, five were members of the original cast – Dick Reynolds ’77 (Jeff Douglas), Tammy Smiley Czyzewski  ’76 (Chorus), Dan Tackett ’78 (Stuart Dalrymple), Dale Miller ’76 (Andrew MacLaren), Dean Sellers ’76 (Archie Beaton), and one, David Kennedy ’78, was part of the orchestra.  They were all treated to a talented group of young actors and actresses and a boat load of nostalgia -which included a display just outside the theatre with photos and memorabilia from the 1976 show.   Overall, it was a fun evening recalling the past and appreciating the present.  Some of the former cast members, that could not attend, shared their memories :

From Tracy Watkins Barber ’78  (Meg Brockie)  “I have so many memories of our trip to the “highlands" that year!  They have stayed dear to my heart and brought many a smile.  More than anything that always comes back to me is the closeness we all shared during that production.  We grew in friendship and love.  We came to know each other and grow together in the Lord during our highland games!  Yes! Especially on closing night!  How many pranks we pulled!  It's a wonder the production came off!  But it surely did!!  All the cast members never missed a beat.  If a cup was filled with "something suspicious" or a character perhaps changed a line, put on too much lipstick during a friendly stage kiss or moved a prop - everyone stayed right on cue!  What great memories!   "Brigadoon" and the stories from the ’76 production are truly a legend in our home and with our children.  It has been the source of many laughs, heart-warming smiles and a blessing to us in so many ways...”

From Cindy Adkins Matthews ’76  (Fiona MacLaren)  “Being a part of the cast of Brigadoon was such a great experience.  I have wonderful memories of working with everyone:  orchestra, chorus, directors, those who did the make-up and costumes.  I must say that I will forever hold dear the memories of working with Kent Anderson (Tommy), who is now with the Lord.  He was a dear friend and I miss both him and his father, John Anderson, who was a musical mentor to me.  This experience was part of my preparation for a career in music education, and I'm very grateful for those at DCHS who provided opportunities for us to learn and grow."

From Sandy Stephens Jackson ’76 (Jane Ashton)  “ I have a very fond memory of the practices for Brigadoon.  I am hesitant to share but here goes…   As you know, Kent Anderson (who played Tommy Albright) and I had a "kissing scene".  He had to kiss me once as his girlfriend in New York.  Well, his dad Mr. John Anderson was one of the directors, he advised that Kent and I "practice" our kissing scene outside of the school.  So, we had a couple of authorized "practice sessions".  What a hoot!” 

From Rob Campbell ’77 (substitute Mr. Lundie)  “Memories from Brigadoon?  As you might expect, it was a whirlwind.  I got a call from Gus Dallas the Sunday before the performance asking if I'd fill in as Mr. Lundie!  Got the script from him and stayed up until about 3:00 in the morning memorizing it.  Spent most of Monday and Tuesday learning the blocking.  I think there was a dress rehearsal Tuesday night?  Then performances Friday and Saturday.  It was all last minute.  I don't think my name was even in the program?  And by the next weekend, I'm sure I couldn't remember a line.  Disappeared into the Highland mists - just like Brigadoon…  But it was a great experience!”

From Cherie Adkins ’78 (Chorus)  “As a member of the Brigadoon chorus back in 1976, I remember how fun it was to interact silently on stage with other members when the main characters were speaking in the town-scenes…  I remember mouthing over and over again, "asparagus, asparagus" to make it look like we were really talking, using all sorts of exaggerated gestures, cracking-up with silent laughter when we thought how silly we must look!  I remember everyone rehearsing the music with dear Mr. Anderson;  his spirit of fun and sincere dedication to the students' success really made it wonderful.  I enjoyed watching my sister, Cindy, portray Fiona with sweetness.  And the crazy antics between Kent Anderson and Dick Reynolds...  Well, let's just say I always looked forward to what those two would come up with!  How fortunate we all were to be able to participate in the Brigadoon of 1976...”