Students from Canyonville Christian Academy‘s Seminar Class, taught by Roger Shaffer, attended the national Chick-Fil-A leadership conference May 4th, 2012 – a simulcast to 700 locations throughout the U.S. 125,000 people attended this 6 1/2 hour seminar.
Featured speakers ranged from NFL – star Tim Tebow to Ivy League professors.
John Emmert ’62 is a pastor in High Point, North Carolina. His travels have included North Korea, China and Egypt. Among his passions are writing, singing and playing worship songs.
Patch Freeman ’80 now lives in the Eastern Oregon town of Hamilton (population 11) where he is a school teacher. He works with students in grades 4-6 at the nearby Long Creek School.
Doug Wead, advisor in the President George H.W. Bush White House, talked with Canyonville Christian Academy‘s senior government class by way of internet video conference (Skype) on April 2.
Wead, currently a senior advisor to the Ron Paul presidential campaign, spoke to the students about the 2012 national elections, his White House experiences, and fielded a number of questions.
After teaching at CCA, Don went on to earn a doctorate and spent a career teaching in college and directing Christian schools.
After “retiring” they spent seven years in the Muslin countries of Turkey and Yemen involved in Missionary work. They now make their home in Texas where they are ministering to those in need.
Adah Hixson Averyt ’45 passed away February 3, 2012. In recent years, she made her home in Dewey, Arizona.
Jeremy Johnson ’95 is scheduled to compete in this year’s Boston Marathon on April 16.
Jeremy, who now lives in New York City, was a cross country runner during his CCA years.
Roger Adams ’52 died March 28, 2012. His home in recent years was in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Vicki Menard, editor of the Roseburg “News-Review” spoke to the 35-student government class on April 3rd.
The visit was in response to a class study of “news-review” content that suggested a political bias by the newspaper.
Bill Manwarren ’52 passed away in March 2012. He was one of the legendary basketball players in CCA history. At 6-feet 5-inches, Manwarren was a dominate center who led the Pilots to a 13-win 2-loss season in 1951-2.
In an era when high school teams commonly scored 35 to 40 points in a game, he recorded back-to-back individual efforts of 37 and 39 points.
His team’s only losses were a last minute upset by the JVs and a date when Manwarren and his flu-decimated teamates were required to play two games in one day at the Southern Oregon Invitational Tourney. The Pilots played no home games in that season.
Throughout his life, Bill Manwarren was a great friend of missions and was involved with Enlace Ministries.
Larry Haymes of the class ’61 spent six weeks traveling & preaching in Kenya, Africa in the summer of 2011. He s now involved in helping to plant a church in Houston, Texas.
Elizabeth reports she has been married for nearly 64 years and makes her home in Medford, Oregon. Her family now has a rarely seen six living generations.
We have received word that Bev Arial Quakenbush ’64 has recently passed away.
Ron Warren ’59 died Feb 8, 2012 after a 14 month battle with cancer.
This word comes to us from Don & Alta Warren, CCA deans 1977-9, who now make their home in Winston – Salem, North Carolina.
45 Students enjoyed watching the Trailblazer vs the Clippers at the Rose Garden
45 Canyonville Christian Academy students attended the February 16 game between the Portland Trailblazers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Portland’s 19,000 – seat Rose Garden. For some students this was the first time ever at such an event.
This professional basketball event, open to all CCA students, saw the Blazers give up an 18 – point lead and narrowly lose to the division – leading Clippers. 
Devin Sales, CCA senior, was named city of Canyonville “Student of the Year” by the local Lions Club.
The honor recognized him for his Spanish language translating services for residents of the city and was presented during a banquet for 100 guests at the Seven Feathers Resort on February 17.
Esther continues in ministry with “Faith Comes By Hearing”. She is currently working to take scripture recordings to the former Soviet Union, Middle East, North Africa, the Americas and other areas.
Fern Lange, former cook at CCA, and resident of Sutherlin, Oregon, died in December 2011.
Three of her children ( Esther, Gordon, and Martha) are graduates of the academy.
The 2011-12, thirteen girl cheerleading squad from CCA, winners of a pair of regular season runner-up trophies, competed February 4th at the Oregon state competition in Portland.
The Pilots, with mostly novice girls, trailed in a closely bunched field but gained valuable experience for a trophy run next season.
In the final game of the 2011-2012 season, CCA’s boys’ basketball team met North Hills Christian at their San Francisco bay area (Vallejo) campus and posted an unprecedented draw.
In a game plagued by scoreboard failure and hobbled NHC players, the coaches agreed to end play with the score tied 47-all at the end of regulation play.
CCA’s boys ended the season with a record of ten wins, six losses, and a tie.
As time expired on the game clock, James Mo pulled up for a game-winning 10-foot jump shot on Senior Night. The Pilots last home game of the year.
Final score: CCA 35, Milo Adventist Academy 34, a team CCA had lost to earlier in the season.
The Pilots jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 57-32 lead against Livingstone Adventist Academy at this year’s homecoming game. The boys were led by Micah Jocoy with 22 points.
Canyonville Christian Academy freshman, Ashley Ferch, took home the title of the 2012 Jr Miss Rodeo Queen 
for the state of Oregon!
As a freshman, Ashley enjoys working with the thirteen horses on her ranch and she also enjoys giving lessons to children. She is very active in 4H along with competing in english, trail and western equitation.
Here at CCA, Ashley works hard in all her classes, helps serve at lunch time and takes part of the schools great elective courses. Read the full article on Miss Oregon Rodeo.
Sharon Rose Nelson ’63 has announced plans for her retirement on March 30. She has spent many years working with the American Cancer Society. Sharon makes her home in Ontario, California and tells us she plans to spend more time with her children, grandchildren, and golf clubs.
Theda Florence Oats (non-grad) died December 14, 2011. Theda made her home in Sacramento, California where she raised her beautiful family.
On January 8 a small group from Private Boarding School CCA’s Seminar class attended a performance by the national touring company of one of the great all-time Broadway musical plays – My Fair Lady.
CCA has also acquired 20 student tickets for the Eugene Symphony concert coming to the 2,400 seat Hult
Center in early March.
The concert will feature Grammy winning pianist Emanuel Ax playing a Brahms concerto and the symphony and chorus will be performing the Mozart Requium, the great composer’s final work.
Canyonville Christian Academy will be atteding a game between the Portland Trailblazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 16 at Portland’s Rose Garden. This will be an all-school event.
Both of these teams are ranked near the top of their National Basketball Association (NBA) divisions.
Darrel (Jake) Lake class of ’63 and wife Char, both retired, report they are continuing to work on their bucket list.
Their latest adventure included an Atlantic crossing by cruise ship and a 30 – day tour of Europe that covered a dozen countries and went as far east as St. Petersburg, Russia. The Lakes were greeted in Finland by a number of his relatives.
In the month of December, the Pilot boys racked up six wins -
against a single loss. The team captured the championship in CCA’s annual tip-off tournament and their stingy defense has allowed over 43 points in just one game this season.
Wins have come at the expense of Powers, Riddle, Umpqua Valley Christian, El Sobrante Christian (Calif.) Butte Falls and Pacific. The lone loss was at North Douglas.
Gurion Lantz is an intern at the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland. Gurion is a specialist in pediatric cardiology.
The CCA boys’ basketball team started the 2011 – 2012 season strongly with a pair of comfortable wins in the school’s invitational tournament.
The Pilots dominated the opening round game against El Sobrante Christian School from California. In the championship game Dec. 2 Butte Falls kept close to CCA through the first half but fell behind in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Final Score: CCA 62 Butte Falls 43.
This year’s team is coached by Noel Schaak. On the court the boys are led by 6-4 senior center Micah Jacoy.
Randy Schuyler, former CCA varsity basketball coach died November1, 2011. Randy, a long-time sports official in Douglas county led the Pilots’s boys from 2000 through 2002.
Reverend Harvey Pullam passed away away October 6, 2011. He served as an English, Bible, and History teacher at Canyonville Christian Academy from 1991 to 1993. After his time in Canyonville, he taught at Umpqua Valley Christian (Roseburg, OR) and was pastor of the Winston Christian Church for 13 years.
Members of CCA’s seminar class attended the Oct. 8th PAC-12 football game between Oregon State and Arizona, which was won by OSU.
Students from the class were also able to attend the Oct. 11 theatrical simulcast of the 25th anniversary production of “Phantom of the Opera” from London.
The 2011-12 Pilot cheerleaders (all 13 of them) attended the university of Oregon vs Eastern Washington basketball game to observe the U of O rally squad in action. The trip to the new Matt Knight Arena in Eugene was sponsored by the CCA Alumni Association.
Seminar class continued their fall activity schedule in October and November with two of Mozart’s greatest operas: A live performance of Portland Opera’s “The Marriage of Figaro” and the New York Metropolitan’s theatrical simulcast of “Don Giovanni“. Also in the mix, students were able to attend Eugene Ballet’s full-length presentation of “Romeo and Juliet” with music by Sergei Proforiev.
(Betty) Gayle Willis Randolph ’61 and her husband Allen will be celebrating their retirement after 36 years of pastoring at Trinity Church in San Antonio, Texas. An elegant dinner and evening event is planned by the church to commemorate the even on September 25th.
CCA’s cross country runners traveled to Corvallis to attend an NCAA Division I foo
tball Game between Oregon State and UCLA on September 24th. The PAC-12 contest was won by UCLA before a crowd of 44,000.
Bill Burkhert, age 62, passed away September 4, 2011. Reverend Burkhert was a pastor in Oregon, Texas, and Louisiana and he also travelled throughout the United States as an evangelist.
Seminar class began their 2011-2012 schedule of events with a Sep
tember 10th trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The students enjoyed Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic Operetta “The Pirates of Penzance”.
CCA’s boys’ soccer team opened the season with a 3-0 victory over Milo Adventist Academy on September 12th.
Three different Pilots scored goals in the shutout win: Chris Lee, Serge Sadrall and Emanuel Stand.
Colonel Bob Boyles is currently the director of all contracts for Tinker (Oklahoma) Air Force Base. This major military installation has more than 26,000 military and civilian employees.
A preliminary count of the books in the school library indicates we are approaching the 10,000 volume level – an exceptional collection for a high school.
Also, through interlibrary loan and the local public library located just a block from campus, CCA’s students and teachers have access to virtually all books in print.
Led by the efforts of Esther Lebeck Loveridge and others the 50 – year reunion class (class of 1961) had a large group of returnees. Highlights included a banquet, chapel service and special time honoring Esther Shaffer ’41, a large presence in CCA’s culture and history for the last 70 years.
Shirley continues as the Assistant of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The 300 acre facility operates under the auspices of the Univ. of George. Shirley has been with them for over 26 years.
Honored at the annual alumni banquet on May 28th were co-recipients of the “Alumnus of the year” award:
David Johnston ’61 founder and president of Wesley Institute, a college of arts and ministry in Sydney, Australia. David worked with Ed Smelser’s organization (Bridges for Peace) for 15 years as the director of music for the Jerusalem celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. A noted concert violinist and conductor, few would argue with David being named CCA’s best ever instumental musician.
Rose Gilbert Peebles ’72 national high school record holder in the pentathlon. She was a state champion in track and cross country nine times while a CCA student, held nine state individual and realy track records, some still standing. Rose competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials (pentathlon) in 1972, the summer after she graduated and was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine for her accomplishments while at CCA.
In the 70th year since graduating from CBA, Esther Carrick Shaffer ’41 was recognized by gathered alumni at the 2011 banquet for her years of service and Christian life.
Esther, a part of the founding family, has served in a variety of roles at the school: teacher, office secretary, activity director, and advisor to the yearbook, cheerleaders, and senior classes.
Since her retirement in 1985, she has continued to be active in a number of roles: Vice President for Alumni Affairs, prsident of the local Aglow chapter, and was a menber of the Board of Directors of CCA for many years.
Since coming to Canyonville in the 1930′s. she has probably attended more services, concerts, athletic events, and other school activities than any other person in school history.
She was co-alumnus of the year with Helen Dunbar in 1999, the 75th anniversary of the school’s founding, and the schools office building is named in Esther’s honor.
Larry reports he is conducting prayer conferences in Nairobi and Kisumu in Kenya, East Africa. Larry is a former NCAA division 1 (University of Oregon) athlete, a military and corporate pilot, and school teacher.
The results to a renewed committment to fitness in CCA’s physical education classes in 2010-2011 and the results are impressive:
Mrs. Dawn Shepherd’s Class (17 boys)
– Class average for mile run: 6:25.6
Mr. Brian Fye’s Class (18 boys)
- Class average for mile run: 6:34.1
Running for conditioning was a regular part of this year’s P.E. progarms.
Ginny traveled to Livingstone, Zambia in December and January. Ginny, a registered nurse, worked on a variety of medical and community projects while there. It is her dream to return to Africa and start a home care nursing school.
Dawn was honored as CCA’s Teacher of the Year for 2010-2011. Dawn holds a master’s degree, is mom to her three children and has been athte school for ten years. Her primary teaching assignments are in health and physical education and she also heads and intermural sports and activity program.
Muriel now livs in Forest Grove, Oregon after many years as a lay missionary to the native peoples of Canada.
Ed continues as the West Region Director of Bridges for Peace, the largest Christian organization in Israel. Now living in Vancouver, Washington, Ed is involved in food distribution, education and many other projects to bring the message of the Messiah to Israel.
Al Copeland ’58 reports that Juanita, his beloved wife of many years, passed away in March of 2011. Al a retired teacher and coach, now lives in Prineville, Oregon.
Senior Jessica Johns continued her super track season with a winning throw of 41-7 1/2 in the shot put May 3 at South Umpqua. The mark extended her school record by over a foot and is the top 2A effort in Oregon for 2011.
Johns also won the discus (115-2) by more than 30 feet.
The top entry for CCA was Micah Jocoy who built his $100,000 starting account to over $179,000 in ten weeks. During the Spring game the major market indeces (Dow Jones Industrials, S&P 500 rose by just over 1%.
Seven CCA students saw their portfolios rise by more than 25% during the contest.
There were more than 390 entries in this year’s Spring competition. The best of the non-Pilot entry was from Jesuit High School (Portland), generating a net gain of $14,207.
CCA’s investors came from Mr. Halseide’s economics classes with Roger Shaffer serving as advisor for the game.
This time it was in the shot put with a throw of 40-4.75, besting her old school record by two feet.
Jessica is the current state leader (2A) in both the shot and discus and was recently named Roseburg News-Review Athlete of the Week.
CCA also has league-leading athletes in the javelin (senior Keith Soules) and 3000 meter run (freshman Serge Sandrali).
Nathan Jasper ‘ 89 was married to Jennifer McCool March 26, 2011. Nathan is a banker at Umpqua Bank and lives in southern Oregon.
Bob Thompson ’63 has stepped down from full-time ministry after 15 years at Puna Covenant Church in Hawaii and 12 years of pastoring in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Bob now chairs a Pastoral Care Team and does marital counselling in McMinnville, Oregon.
On April 12 at Hidden Valley (Grants Pass, 4A), the Pilots’ mixed doubles teams won two matches against all male teams. Girls on the victorious teams were Samantha Stalford and Karolien Celie. Jane Koryeskova and Emily Bates were also very competitive in their matches.
Number-one seed singles player Time Chen continued his unbeaten string at this mid-season match.
Wesley Brown ’54 of Akron, Ohio died on April 24, 2011. Our prayers and condolences are with his family.
Dan Johnson ’58 is returning to Toledo (Ohio) University to resume his duties as Presidents Emeritus and University Professor of Public Policy and Economic Development.
Since 2008 he has been serving as the Provost of Zayed University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Elaine Johnson, former teacher at CBA, reports that she and Dan (see above) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a Greek cruise.
David Johnston ’61, former president and founder of Wesley Institute (Sydney, Australia), has now returned to the United States after 28 years down under.
The college is billed as Australia’s premier school of the arts and ministry.
David is also a concert violinist and conductor. He is currently the superintendent of Christian schools for the northern peninsula of San Francisco.
Sandra Cates Murphy ’60 and her husband Don are retiring from their Scott Valley Drugstore (Etna, California) which they have run since 1974. The Murphy’s plans include staying active in their church’s music and Bible study programs and managing their two ranches.
Lisa Murphy Deal ’87 (Sandra’s daughter) is a professional photographer and is also on the Scott Valley Drugstore office staff.
With just two weeks remaining in the Oregon high school stock market game, CCA”s investors are comfortably way out front.
Micah Jocoy had made nearly 70% in just eight weeks to lead all Oregon stock pickers. Five other CCA entrants have made 25% or more.
The top non-CCA entry is from Jesuit High School (Portland) with an 11% gain. There are nearly 400 entries in this Spring’s competition.
Senior thrower Jessica Johns got off a thundering 124-0 throw in the discus at the Riddle five-way meet April 7.
Johns bested the old school record of 111-10 set by Dana Williams in 1984. Jessica is currently leading the state 2A rankings and stands tied for number-six, all classifications.
Other CCA winners at the April 7 meet were Lucky Chen (200m), Serge Sendrali (1500m), Jayonna Kurtz (400m) and Johns (shot).
Number-one seed Tim Chen opened the season with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Nathan Kahler of 4A North Bend. Tim was a state qualifier in 2010. Coaching the 2011 coed tennis team is Brian Fye.
Jessica Johns is undefeated in the shot (37-O1/4) and discus (110-11) through the first two meets of the season. She is ranked number-two in the state (2A) in both events.
Leading an excellent turnout of 19 boys are Keith Soules (146-7, Javelin), Luchy Chen (25.51, 200m) and Woo Sun Ji ( 11:12.69, 3000m). Head coach of the 2011 Pilots is Cathy Lovato.
Doug Girdner ’80 former CCA dean and coach, coached the LaGrande (Oregon) high school girls’ team in 2010-11. The Tiger girls finished the season strong winning six of their last eight regular season games and making the playoffs for the state tournament.
In recent days the alumni association has donated four new computers for student use in the school library. These computers have internet access and are a great improvement over the units they replace.
Due to the generous contributions by alumni, we have been able to take Canyonville Christian Academy students to two recent outstanding classical music concerts:
Jessica Johns ’11 (girls basketball, center) is ranked #8 in Oregon (all classifications) in scoring (16.6 points per game), #4 in rebounds (11.3 rpg) and #10 in shots blocked (1.6 bpg). Samatha Stalford ’11 (point guard) is #9 ranked in steals (3.8 spg) and averages __ points per game.
Johns is also an all-state shot putter and holds the school record in that event.
Bring back any memories? Wow 50 years have gone by! The old outside baptismal now is a fountain and raised flower bed in memory of “Lady R”, (Verda Ross Willey) CCA’s longest serving dean.
They have arrived in Israel, fulfilling their long-held immigration goal. Jody is currently working on a healthy living newsletter. (To sign up go to Jody@songofisrael.com)
Alyosha is involved in intensive Hebrew study and is considering opportunities in being a tour guide. His focus remains bringing the story of Jeshua’s love to the people of Israel. To support this ministry, go to www.songofisrael.com/donation.html
Joyce Ely Mayfield’s (Class of ’74) husband, Bill, passed away on April 10, 2009. They made their home in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
Muriel King Elsey’s (Class of ’40) husband George passed away on April 9th, 2010. They lived in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada.
Ed Smelser of Vancouver, WA is the West Region Director for Bridges for Peace, an Israel based ministry. Ed has traveled to Israel over 50 times and hosted 23 tours of that country.
Alumni interested in visiting Israel can reach Ed at (360) – 606 – 8500.
Dorenda, now living in Valdez, AK, has been the hostess of Esther Carrick Shaffer (Class of 1941) and Sheila Joshi (former teacher at CCA) and given them the “grand tour” of beautiful southern Alaska.
After many years living in Anchorage, AK, the Lange’s have made a move to Thornton, CO.
Toby and Arthur Huston and three children now make their home in Florida where Arthur continues his career in the fashion industry with the “House of Wu”.
Former Superintendent, Joe Prettyman, has completed 13 years as a pastor at Leisure world ( Seal Beach, CA). Once each quarter, Joe leads a Community Praise Concert for two-hundred to three-hundred people. His wife, Carolyn, a former teacher for CCA, stays active teaching two Bible classes each week.
Former staff member, Bruce Pantzer, recently celebrated 25 years of marriage to wife, Virgina. Bruce has continued his culinary career and is now working at the University of North Dakota.
Former principal of CCA, Wes Evans is teaching and has principal duties at the Slavic Christian Academy in North Spokane, Washington.
M.J. Benson class of ’78 is the office director for Good News India, an organization providing for 2,000 orphaned and disadvantaged children at 24 sites in India. She has been working with the aid group for the last 11 years and spent three years directing office operations in India. M.J. currently lives in Newberg, Oregon.
Wesley Rauth ’81 makes his home in Myrtle Creek, Oregon where he drives for Harbor Wholesale Grocery. He is married to a school teacher and has two daughters, one in high school and one in college.
Chrysten Busch Colby ’97 graduate and former staff, is currently a fine arts major at the University of Oregon (“Go Ducks”). She lives in Eugene and is “Mom” to her two children.
According to the Alumni Associaltion tally –
the number of graduates from the school now totals: 1,563
This figure includes the record-breaking Class of 2010 which added 60 to the total.
Jon Baker class ’78 reports that he and his son ran the “Big Sur” and ”Avenue of the Giants” marathons (both 26 miles 385 yards) just a week apart. Baker was a member of Canyonville Christian Academy’s state championship cross country team in 1977 (CBA back then).
Mike Webster from class ’78 is coaching a home school cross country team made up of students from in and around Seminary, Mississippi. Dr. Webster, a former state cross country champ at Canyonville Christian Academy, continues his teaching career at University of Southern Mississippi.
Willie and Donna Dutton Tatem ’57 have moved from Virginia Beach, VA to Spring Hill, TN. They now live near their daughter and son-in-law.
Sylvia and Harry Lawson ’53 now live in Albany, Oregon where they enjoy living near his brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Grace Lawson ‘ 65.
Lynn WimpYoungs ’72 is the new Director of Community and Financial Development of ABC House in Albany, Oregon.
This Organization provides a healing environment for children who are abuse victims.
Mark Banducci ’78 directs a real estate management business in Port Orford, Oregon. Among his properties in this coastal town are vacation rentals.
It has been recently discovered that Canyonville Christian Academy’s Rose Gilbert’s 1972 Olympic Trials pentathlon mark of 3875 points set a NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RECORD for that event.
According to statistics compiled and published by TRACK AND FIELD NEWS, Gilbert’s point total was not bettered until 1977 when Patsy Walker of Yelm, Washington bettered Rosie’s record. (The pentathlon is a five-event track and field competition used to determine the best all-around athlete. In recent years it has been superseded by the seven-event heptathlon.)
Chip Lowell ’78 is a businessman in Walla Walla, Washington. Among his pursuits is work as a professional chainsaw carving artist.
Ellie Lowell, CCA cook in the 1970′s, died in October 2010 after a long illness. She lived for many years in the country of Chile, where she owned a Christian bookstore and was a support person for missionaries to that country.
Class of 1938 – June Shaffer Hoffman
Class of 1939 – Verna Bokma Cloud, Margaret Woods Sovenski
Class of 1940 – Muriel King Elsey
Class of 1941 – Esther Carrick Shaffer
Virginia Swindall Kyhn ’37 died in January 2008 at the age of 89. She made her home in Eugene, Oregon for many years and held the title of the alumnus from the oldest CBA/CCA graduating class.
