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VISION DIGITAL MAGAZINE
AUGUST 2022
News and Updates
 
 
 
 
History Made in Arizona

August was a historic month for students and families in Arizona. Governor Ducey signed a bill making our state the national leader in educational freedom and school choice at an inspiring event. We are thankful to all who worked so hard to make the day possible.

We truly believe that families should have the ability to choose a school - public, private, charter, homeschool, etc. - that best fits their child's educational needs. We also believe that we should fund students, not systems. This legislation empowers families to make those decisions.

As anti-school choice groups rally to walk back this freedom and put this on the ballot, we encourage you to share your support for school choice with your friends and family and to not support any effort or sign any petition by Save Our Schools.
 
 
 
 
Back to School at VCS

We have enjoyed a wonderful first month of school at VCS!

We are thankful to have our incredible students and faculty back on our campuses. VCS is serving nearly 1,100 students on our three campuses this fall.

Check out some highlights from the first few days of school by clicking on the photo >>>
 
 
 
 
Summer Camps

As our school has grown, so have our summer camp options for students.

With 19 camp sessions across eight camp types, our coaches and teachers served 675 students this summer at camps.

It was great to have our campers stay active and connected to VCS throughout the summer.
 
 
 
 
VCS Leadership Retreats

Our seniors & 8th grade students traveled to the mountains in August for their annual Retreats to kick-off the school year.

The seniors traveled to Tonto Rim Christian Camp and our 8th graders traveled to Prescott Pines Christian Camp.

We pray for God to use these classes for great things and are excited to see how they lead, serve, and inspire our school this year.
 
 
 
 
ASL Performs at D-Backs Game

Our high school American Sign Language students performed the National Anthem on the field at the Diamondbacks game as part of their Faith and Family Night.

Valley Christian's ASL Team is directed by Carla Morgan. Together they represented VCS and our country well in front of a large home crowd
 
 
 
 
2022 ENGAGE Trips

We are excited to have ten ENGAGE trips confirmed for our high school students in 2022-23! Students are in the process for applying for the trip they want to participate with for the year.

Trips confirmed for this school year include: Brazil, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Italy, Kenya - Huruma, Kenya - Turkana, Mexico - Baja, and Washington D.C.
 
 
 
 
Trojan Spirit Shop

We are excited to debut our new Trojan Spirit Shop in the Student Union on the high school campus.
This dedicated space is open during the week and on football game days for students and families to come in and shop or pick up orders.

The shop is also available online. Need some new Valley gear? Brand new designs and styles are available in our new store and online.

Visit trojanspiritshop.com to browse and shop the store.
 
 
 
 
Students Visit Dr. Fryar

Our elementary students love to visit Dr. Fryar to tell them about our theme, to share a Bible verse or just to chat. Many times they receive a special sticker from Dr. Fryar.
 
 
 
 
Chapels at VCS

It's been a great first month of chapels across our campuses!

We have five chapel services across our three campuses each week to teach our students how to be culture changers for Christ.

We love to see our students owning their chapel experience and coming together to worship God and learn more about Him.
 
 
 
 
Student Union Dedication

Thanks to the generosity from our annual Auction, Fund a Need, and Colorado Christian University, we were able to fund the new Student Union at our high school campus.

This reimagined space is open throughout the day primarily for student use and is home to our new Spirit Shop and the Valley Coffee Shop.
 
 
 
 
Freshman English Students

Recently, in Pre AP 1 (freshman English) students created a video using ethos, pathos, and logos.

Their objective was to convince students to come to Valley Christian Schools.
We had many amazing submissions.

One of the very best was produced by Jase Link, James Hall, and James Thomas.

The future looks bright for the Class of 2026 and we look forward to what our freshmen will create in the future.
 
 
 
 
VCS Partners with David Fulcher for Youth Camp

We were honored to host College Football Hall of Fame member and ASU legend David Fulcher and his youth football camp this summer on our high school campus.

Nearly 100 kids participated in the free camp put on by Fulcher. The camp featured numerous NFL and college alumni and coaches. We're excited to partner with David for future camps!
 
 
 
 
VCS Remembers Barry Barnes

Longtime Valley Christian teacher and mentor, Barry Barnes, was called home on Saturday, June 25 after recently being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Barnes Hall, our assembly hall at the high school campus, was dedicated to him. Mr. Barnes had a profound effect on students while at VCS because of his outpouring of love to them. He had a deep love for the Word of God and imparted it to students in a very special and relatable way. He was never ashamed of the Gospel and boldly proclaimed God’s word.

We praise God for Mr. Barnes’ legacy.
Upcoming Events
Prince and Princess Party
Be sure to get your tickets now to join us for this community-favorite event. Our high school Chorale will be hosting their annual Prince and Princess Party on Saturday, September 17 in the Music Hall on the high school campus. Shows are at 9:00am, 11:00am, and 1:30pm.

Your favorite Disney songs will be performed and guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Disney character.
Welcome Back Parent Social
Our 5th Annual Welcome Back Parent Social is Friday, September 2 at 5:30pm in the Bradley Gym!

Whether you’re new to the school or have been part of the VCS community for years, this event is a great opportunity to meet other parents, reconnect with friends, or just connect with Valley Christian Schools. The evening will include dinner, opportunity to connect with other parents and learn about VCVC while having plenty of fun! There is no fundraising and no ask; our only goal is to welcome you back to school and help connect you with other parents.
Trojan Athletics
Lauren Ping Joins VCS Cross Country
Trojan Cross Country gained a nice addition to the team as three-time Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year, Lauren Ping, joined the VCS family this summer.

One of the nation's top runners, you can read up on all of her accomplishments in this AZCentral article.

The Trojan boys team is looking to build on a top 10 finish at state last year with a strong group of returning runners.

Trojan Cross Country opens the 2022 season at the Chandler Invitational on Saturday, September 3.
Football Opens Season with Home Win
Trojan Football opened the 2022 season with a tough road loss at Show Low and a big home win.

One of the favorites for the 3A state championship this year, you won't want to miss Friday Night Lights at Valley Christian.

Your Trojans host Seton Catholic (9/9), Phoenix Christian (9/16), and Payson (9/23) in the month of September.

We hope to see you at a home game this month!
Volleyball Looks to Defend Title
Trojan Volleyball is looking to make it four straight years with a title game appearance and successfully defend their state championship in 2022.

The team returns a lot of talent from last year's state championship team, including two who were named to the pre-season All-American watch list: Korah Nordin '23 and Kate Phillips '23.

The Trojans have two home games in September.
Swim & Dive Prepares for Season
Trojan Swim & Dive is excited to continue to build on a successful season in D-III this year.

The Trojan season begins on September 1 vs. Notre Dame and Scottsdale Prep.

We're excited to watch the success of our student-athletes in the pool this fall!
Alumni Highlights
Alumnus Founds Company to Lead Healthcare Reform
Valley Christian alumnus John Collier founded Proactive MD in 2016 to be a catalyst for changing and improving the way health care is delivered. CEO of his company based in Simpsonville, South Carolina, he partners with companies in 17 states.

"Health care impacts us all, and health care as we know it is broken," says Collier. "When patients get the transformative primary care they deserve, and health care providers are empowered to practice medicine the way they trained, patients’ lives are changed. When we look at our patients, we see mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, and they are at the center of all we do."

"What care would I want for my daughter?" he asks, rhetorically. "I challenge my teams to strive for "The Harper Standard of Care," a term named for one of his three children.

"We set a culture, a common vision – which is our patient promise. At the end of the day, it’s truly about helping people and caring for them. That’s what keeps me up at night. I fiercely defend that culture. I want our physicians to administer care with the same passion they felt when writing their essays to apply to medical school. That’s why we do what we do."
Alumnus Oversees Bill Signing
Valley Christian alumnus Evan Olsen '18 had the opportunity to join Governor Doug Ducey for the signing of HB 2659 in August.

The bill ensures equal access to organ transplants for Arizonans.

Evan currently serves as a Legislative Coordinator for the Center for Arizona Policy.
Jay Stutzman '17 Earns Marine Corps Award
Marine Corps Sgt. Jay Stutzman, a 2017 graduate of VCS, was recently awarded the Leadership Award by the U.S. Marine Corps for his entire division.

The award was presented to him by the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Jay currently serves as an artillery cannoneer with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.
Established in 1982, VCS provides 1,100+ Kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school students a distinctly Christian education with excellent academics, championship athletics, award-winning fine arts, cutting-edge STEM programs, and a supporting community.

Engaged in their education and faith, our students are equipped for the future and empowered to make a difference.

Our mission is to equip students to be culture changers for Christ by delivering academic excellence, facilitating spiritual growth, and building lifelong community.
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