2008 GRADUATES

 (Shelby) Rachelle Brunner

I have been dancing for five years now. It’s a huge part of my life and I hope to do something with it in the future. I have been home schooled my whole life, and even though getting done a year early was a little rough, I have always loved being around the family and ALL the kids. Dad, I love you. Thanks for always being here for me and showing me there is never a wrong time to be crazy. Mom, thank you for always teaching me and helping me through everything, and for always putting up with all the random friends that come and go. I love you. Jessica, Danyell, Whitney and Matt, what can I say, you guys are amazing!!! Thanks for all the laughs and fun times. I couldn’t ask for better siblings. I love you guys. Cassaundra, we always find a way to laugh; it doesn’t matter if it’s at a jogger wetting her pants or on the worst days ever. I love you and Nevaeh both so much! Droo, “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore.” I love you, babe. Can’t wait for forever.

 

Tatiana Mariah Gearhart

I would like to start out thanking the most intimate companion of my sixteen years, my Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of You I have accomplished much and plan on accomplishing even more. In all that I do I pray that You will receive the glory because I am Yours. Thank You for giving me the most perfect parents! Mom and Dad, thank you so much for encouraging me and equipping me to use the talents God has given me to their fullest! Thank you for never squashing my creativity and for allowing me to make mistakes. Uncle Dustin, thank you for finding ways to always be part of my life. I would also like to thank my future husband for patiently waiting for me, wherever you are; I’ll do the same. I love you all! I am passionate about the fine arts and performing arts. I enjoy glorifying the Lord with guitar, piano, and singing. I look forward to bronzing my first statue this year and I hope to keep selling my work to help pay for college. I am an avid reader, my favorite being the Bible as it's all inclusive! I love being out in God’s creation with Him and my friends camping, hiking, playing air soft, hunting, or just hanging out. I’m sorry, Mom, but I still don’t like helping you grow the green beans! I plan on continuing college, getting my EMT certificate, and returning to the African mission field.

 

Courtney Hartman

I have been given this life to live for the glory of my Savior, Jesus Christ! He is the reason that we live! I am thankful to Him for my family! My parents have always been there to guide, support, and encourage me. My brothers and sisters are all some of the best friends that I could ask for. Thank you so much to all of my family and friends for always loving and supporting me. I love you all! I have enjoyed doing so many different things throughout the past few years including tennis, clogging, hiking and snowboarding! But mostly my focus and passion has been music. Currently I enjoy playing in a band with my siblings, leading worship at our church and teaching my guitar and violin students. Throughout the next few years I would like to continue to pursue music, travel and missions. In the past couple of years, Jesus has gently drawn me to my knees and brought me to a deeper intimacy with Him. He is truly my strength and my joy. I yearn for Him to glorify Himself through me, not only in the next chapter of my life but until the day that I meet Him.

 

Deborah Nicole James

I have been so blessed to be a part of the home school community and the family of God for 17 wonderful years. Each year has had its challenges and surprises, but I was always safe under the shadow of God's wings. I thank the Lord for every day He has blessed me with, through which He has taught me so many things. This includes taking up the passions that He gave me and giving them back to Him. I hope to study two of these passions, film and communications, at Bryan College in Tennessee so that I can better further His kingdom. Mom, Dad, thank you for choosing to home school me and for supporting me. Jon and Jess, thank you for being such great examples. The Lord's countenance truly shines through you. Janie, you're my best friend and always will be! Thanks for always being there for me. I love you all!

 

Jessica Rose Lollar

H’lo. My passions in life consist of mostly music. That is playing, singing, writing, and listening. I’ve thought of maybe singing in a musical; we’ll see what happens there. My brother has assisted me in my appreciation for many different genres, although, regardless, I still cannot like Hip Hop. I play piano, work on my guitar skills, I sing and harmonize in various ways, and might pick up recorder and bass guitar. No words can truly express the fact that music is my life. My Lord is my Love. He’s taught me more than one thing about waiting and hoping, also that He is more to me than anything on this earth. As far as thanks, I’d like to thank anyone and everyone I know who’s had a deep conversation with me, shared wisdom, or even who’s just loved me. I want to thank my parents for their patience and love. I really can’t thank them enough. My brother has kept my life interesting. Life would be boring without him. So, thank you all for helping me get through everything. I love you, and I pray I’ll be seeing you all for many more years to come.

 

Zachary Todd Olson

I’ve been home schooling for six years. Motocross has been my favorite sport for as long as I can remember. I also enjoy playing the guitar, reading, and snowboarding. I’d like to attend community college as I hone in on Yahweh’s plan for my life. I look forward to traveling and getting NAUI certified so I can go scuba diving. Mom and Dad, thank you for raising me in the fear and admonition of Yahweh. I am very blessed to have you as parents and am grateful for your encouragement and guidance. To my grandparents, thank you for your example, your love, and your light. I want to thank Tyler and Bailey-you’re the best classmates I’ve ever had. Most of all, I want to thank my Heavenly Father for his unconditional love and grace. I love you all.

 

John Elijah Orrison

First, I want to thank Jesus for my family and His undying love for us! I am the fifth of eight brothers. We play football and badminton extensively in our back yard and it’s SO much fun. I love creating movies that make people laugh. I’m glad I was home schooled because my family makes it fun and I have teachers who know what they are talking about. A while back I started wondering what I was missing in my life. I knew that I was a Christian, but still something was missing. I knew that if I searched I would find. I am continuing to find it. Here are a few of the things that I have found: I am not guilty, and don’t have to feel guilty, when I do something wrong because all my sins have already been paid for; Jesus’ love for me is always at its highest even when I am sinning. He has a plan for my life, a plan that will be fulfilled. I want to give special thanks to my family: Mom, Dad, Josh, Jeremy, Joe, Jed, Jake, Josiah and Jesse. You have been and always will be my friends. Each one of you has played a part in my life. I am unsure of my future plans. I think that Jesus has put a special place for Awana in my heart. I’m going to have to trust Jesus for my future, and that’s exactly the way I want it to be.

 

Joshua Elisha Potter

I started home schooling in second grade and have been home schooling ever since. I enjoy playing World of Warcraft. I also enjoy playing football and competitive swimming with my friends. I lead worship with my youth group band and run video for my church’s worship service. My favorite subjects are chemistry and math. After graduating, I am planning on attending the Colorado School of Mines and studying to become a chemical engineer. I would like to thank God for helping me get so far in life, and pray that He will bless me in the years to come. I would also like to thank my parents for helping me go as far as I have and for pushing me even when the going was tough. I would like to thank all my friends for being there for me, especially my best friend Aaron Schaeffer; thank you for over ten great years of friendship. And I want to thank my brother, Tim, who has been a super friend, confidant, encourager, and pain in the neck. Thanks to all the leaders in my youth group-you guys helped me grow so much in the Lord. "God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form...The perfect surrender and humiliation was undergone by Christ: perfect because He was God, surrender and humiliation because He was man." (The Case for Christianity, C.S Lewis)

 

Nichole Jeanine Reilly

I was born in New Hampshire, and I moved to Colorado when I was seven. I have been home schooled my whole life, and I have loved every minute of it. I have gotten to do some really cool things because of it.  In the summer of 2006, I went on a mission trip to Jamaica, and it was the closest I have ever gotten to God in my life. For six months last year, I had an amazing experience of interning on a horse farm with people who are as close to me as family. It was extremely hard work, but completely worth it. I learned so much, and I have never had more fun in my life. As to what I want to do from now on, I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to. I love working with horses, and I am really interested in interior designing. But God has yet to reveal to me exactly what I’m to do. I do know that I want to go on another mission trip. It is so important that we tell others about our Lord, and I love working with kids. I know that God will be able to use me, and I look forward to it.

 

(Lexy) Sarah Alexandria Stevens

Life, who can understand it? I’ve reached one of the greatest achievements in my life, having plugged through 12 years of homework, changes, and trials, but am still surprised by whatever comes around the corner. Now, I’m heading to even greater challenges, and I’ll meet them with a smiling face. Mom and Dad, I can’t say how much I love you. I love you guys for not telling what to do, but how to do it. You two have given me guidance, wisdom, and most of all, a relationship with the Lord. My siblings absolutely rock! Rock-climbing, hiking, tennis, talking, and our bouts of bridge-we have had a blast together. Nicklis and Lauren, thank you so much for taking care of your ‘littlest sister’ and showing me so much of life. Lygon, I can’t say how much I wish you were here, but I’ll settle for being in my heart. Thank you beyond words for the model and sister you have always been and the encouragement and love you have always given. Grannan and Deuti, you guys are the greatest grandmas anybody could want! I look forward to taking the tips, advice, and wisdom you have all given me into my next challenge-college this fall. And more thanks than I can say to my Lord, who is unendingly my Rock and Guide. Thanks for the joy, blessings, and love You have given my life!

 

Patricia Dawn Sprague

The month and day of my birth is of great historical significance as it was the date the first atom bomb was dropped on Japan. There are more cheerful dates to be born on but thankfully we learn from powerful events. I have strong Christian values and was raised in a Christian household. My home school education has allowed me to meet many teachers who share the same beliefs and morals as my family. Some of my classes have been very unique. How many kids do you know who get to ride their horse for physical education class? Horses are a passion of mine and I have been riding since I was ten. Now I pass my knowledge in this area on to others, and have a student of my own. I recently took up photography and really enjoy trying to capture just the right image. I have been successful in my landscape photography and I am still working on people and animals. I really love taking pictures of my horses in black and white and plan on submitting my favorites into some upcoming contests. My favorite class has been creative writing. I truly enjoy trying to write a story that combines fantasy with fact. I have started illustrating my own stories. Upon graduating I plan on attending The Culinary School of the Rockies in Boulder. I look forward to the flexibility and opportunities of this career to allow me to still work with horses.

 

James Charles Sutcliffe

Hi, my name is James. I am a sinner. The first day I was alive I sinned and the last day of my life I will be sure to sin. I know at times I did not make it easy for my parents to home school me thus far. Most times I have taken for granted just what a hard and wonderful job they have done. I have hurt, envied, lusted after, and sinned against people that I love…and against God. I am 100% not perfect and I have Jesus Christ, my Savior, to thank for the eternity I know I will spend in Heaven. Without His love, I am nothing.  My journey through high school has been nothing less than life-changing and character-molding. Over the years I have learned piano and guitar. Playing, writing and listening to music are my joy and passion. I earned my Eagle Scout in October of last year after being involved with scouting for seven years. To my family-I love you all so much. Thank you for putting up with my busy life and making sacrifices for me. To friends, team mates, and band members-I know I have a thick head; you are all amazing for sticking with me. The Lemmings-One word, guys … Geronimo!!! To Anthony-Has it been eleven years? Haha, good times!  My plans for next year include taking medical classes at the EMS academy here in Loveland, and tracking and producing a solo EP album. Whatever I do, wherever I am, I intend to follow and glorify my Lord, Jesus Christ.