It was a delight to welcome back alumni at our recent 25th Anniversary Dinner Auction Gala at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library! Alumni who performed included Caleb Polaha, Rose Krueger, Sullivan Grace, from the Class of 2023, and Hannah Lowe, Class of 2024. Carly Pippin, from the first graduating class of 2003 and chair of the alumni advisory council, spoke about academic excellence. Polaha, a country music singer-songwriter, praised the opportunities and encouragement the school gave him as a budding artist. Hayden Lowe, Class of 2025, and defensive lineman recruit for the University of Miami spoke about how Oaks Christian prepared him athletically. He also surprised the crowd by making a financial gift to the school from the stage. Click the link below to read a full recap of this amazing evening featuring the 43rd President of the United States George Bush and his wife, Laura, and daughter, Barbara, and global country music star Brad Paisley headlining the event.
From rookie reporter to emmy winning producer
It all started with a camera, a teleprompter, and a high school journalism class. For one Oaks Christian alumna, those early experiences didn't just spark an interest—they lit the path to a thriving career in entertainment journalism, podcasting, and Emmy-winning production.
Little did Katie (Krause) Mork, Class of 2003, know when she was roaming the halls of Oaks Christian School, microphone in hand to get the latest scoop for Oaks News, that she was really becoming a storyteller.
“My time at Oaks was incredibly foundational in shaping who I am—especially professionally,” she says. “From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was encouraged to explore journalism and storytelling.”
It was in those classrooms and media rooms that her voice as a storyteller began to take shape—long before she ever met Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton, Kelly Clarkson, the Kardashians, Miley Cyrus, Cardi B, Gwen Stefani, Jessica Simpson, or Taylor Swift.
carson Schwesinger begins NFL career
Storybook Journey Inspires!
After being drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the 33rd overall pick in round two, pick one (the second highest OCS NFL draft pick) alumnus Carson Schwesinger, Class of 2021, took some time to reflect on his trajectory as a zero-star recruit to UCLA to an NFL linebacker. Guided by his strong faith, his supportive family and incredible coaches, his storybook journey is inspiring.
We were thrilled to welcome alumni to our Founders' Day Chapel at Calvary Community Church in early spring. This special 25th Anniversary Celebration event commemorated 25 years of academic excellence, artistic expression, and athletic distinction—and reflected on how God has blessed our school in unimaginable ways.
Alumni or alumni representatives from each class helped start the ceremony by walking into the worship center with their alumni year banner. A history video of OCS milestones was shared, as well as a message from co-founder Dallas Price-Van Breda who was honored on stage. The chapel highlighted some of the most meaningful moments and accomplishments of the past 25 years.
Afterward, our alumni enjoyed a welcome reception, connecting with one another and several of their former faculty and staff.
Making His Mark
Micah Max Polaha, Class of 2024, makes his mark on the international stage as his senior film, "Life and Soul," is officially selected for the 2025 Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes! Created during his time at Oaks Christian School, Polaha's film stands alongside work from some of the top university film programs, including AFI Conservatory, Chapman University, Savannah College of Art & Design, Stanford, UCLA, and USC, making this a unique achievement for a film produced and directed by a high school student!
The film also features cinematography by Collin Nelson, Class of 2024 and Grant Seat, Class of 2023, sound engineering by current senior Scott Wood, and original song by Caleb Polaha, Class of 2023.
Polaha produced the film while a senior in the OCS Institute of Arts and Innovation, under the guidance of Director of Film Andrew Christopher and Film Teacher Joey Scott. Starring Robin Thomas, Kristoffer Polaha, Brooke Moore, and Polaha, the film follows a rock star in the decline of dementia having a moment of lucidity and reminds his son of the one thing that matters the most.
Polaha is currently a freshman at New York University, studying acting.
Attention 2010 Alumni!
Your 15-year reunion is set for Saturday, Oct. 25, the day right after the homecoming game on Oct. 24, and is being organized by Courtney (Germann) Slovenski and Taylor (Nelson) Williams. Make plans now to celebrate with your fellow Lions! Formal invitation with details will follow soon. For now, please mark your calendars, and also text Courtney at 805.795.1120 to update your contact information to get reunion alerts.
Haley (Hacker) Simon
Class of 2007
Haley (Hacker) Simon runs a successful wedding planning business, Haley Simon Events, in Southern California and has planned several OCS alumni weddings including Jacob Walker and Malia Szyman, Class of 2016, and Jessica Gash, Class of 2013. Next up is Jacob Erbes, Class of 2018 (wedding in 2026). After graduating from Pepperdine University, she worked as an event manager for the Waves. After the birth of her first child she started her business.
Aram Sarkissian
Class of 2023
Aram Sarkissian recently competed in his second Chilean National Track and Field Championship, FEDACHI Athletics, representing the Chilean Federation. He placed first in the 400 meters SUB 23 and fifth in the 400 meters adult. Last year, in his first Chilean track appearance, he took first place in the 400 meters and third in the 200 meters.
Ruth (Strain) Cheadle
Class of 2004
Ruth (Strain) Cheadle is a philanthropy manager with the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Scotland. She also serves as a trustee for the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and the Carnegie United Kingdom, both founded by Andrew Carnegie. She serves on strategic committees for the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum and the Pittencrieff Park Ambition Project.
This month, the trusts are hosting the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy events in Dunfermline and Edinburgh, an award which recognizes outstanding philanthropists who reflect the values of Andrew Carnegie and his philosophy of giving.
Maya Brady
Class of 2019
Maya Brady is a professional softball player for The Talons of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. She has been selected to Team USA, which will compete in the World Games in China this August. Brady has been a softball phenom since her OCS days. In college, she was a power player for the UCLA Bruins. Last year she represented the U.S. at the 2024 Women’s Softball World Cup, winning a silver medal.
Jacob Mansour
Class of 2018
Jacob Mansour was featured in the University of Texas' School of Law Student Spotlight! After taking the bar and doing some traveling, he will return to his hometown Los Angeles to work as an associate in a law firm. His love of music started while at Oaks Christian, and he hopes one day to work in entertainment/music law.
Alec and Aric Avedissian
Alec, Class of 2004, and Aric, Class of 2008
Last year, the Avedissian brothers launched a new business called Garage Champion, and they have been off to the races ever since. Based in Thousand Oaks, the business specializes in epoxy flooring, concrete coatings, and custom garage cabinets for both homes and commercial spaces. This is their second entrepreneurial venture as they continue with their first enterprise, Rareform.
“It’s been a wild (and awesome) ride turning garage chaos into garage dreams!” they shared. “It is one of those “jump and figure it out on the way down” kind of adventures—but so far, so good! We’re learning a ton, working hard, and having fun building something from the ground up (literally, in our case)."
Kiara Nowlin
Class of 2013
Kiara Nowlin is a three-time international world champion tumbler and a Baylor University graduate. She was Baylor Acrobatics and Tumbling Athlete of the Decade presented by the Waco-Tribune Herald. Early in her career, she was featured on the Steve Harvey Show and the Ellen DeGeneres Show. This past spring she was featured in The Baylor Line as one of the early pioneers of gaining recognition for acrobatics and tumbling as a sport. After graduating from Baylor, she worked as a stuntwoman before working in public relations and getting her MBA.
Ashleigh Adkins, Class of 2020, graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2024 with her BA in biological sciences. She then moved to Oklahoma to begin her PhD in cell biology at the University of Oklahoma where she investigates the role of the SKA complex in facilitating mitotic exit and chromosome separation. At the same time, she is tutoring remotely for the OCS Learning Center.
Myla Sepulveda, Class of 2009, University of Oregon, graduates with her Executive MBA.
Vanessa Ortega, Class of 2018, celebrated her White Coat Ceremony at Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon. Up next: coctor of optometry degree.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m excited to be on the path to becoming an eye doctor. Oaks Christian played a big role in helping me build the foundation for this next chapter.” - Vanessa Ortega
Madison Mae Bennett, Class of 2020, graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a BA in speech, language and hearing services. She is certified to practice speech-language pathology. Up next: master's in speech pathology.
Jahzara Richardson, Class of 2021, graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in molecular and cell biology. Up next: medical school!
Congratulations to Chelsea (Balikian) Slavich, Class of 2010, and her husband, Nicky, on the birth of their son, Archer Webb, born April 7, and coming in at 7lbs. and 7oz.! Little Archer joins siblings Marlowe, 4, and Layne, 2.
Congratulations to Jak Krawczyk, Class of 2021, and Hannah Croft on their engagement! The couple met while attending Baylor University and got engaged in November 2024. They are looking forward to celebrating their wedding at the end of May 2025.
Caleb Zirretta, Class of 2022, and son of OCS Teacher’s Assistant PJ Ziretta and OCS High School English Teacher Mike Zirretta, met Camille True at Baylor University and they got engaged in April. Their wedding will take place in June 2026 in Fallbrook, California.
Christopher Sottile, Class of 2022, spoke to all three of Laura Paxon’s AP Environmental Science classes early this semester.
Sottile is currently an undergraduate at Pepperdine University majoring in physical therapy, while also preparing for and applying to dental school.
His presentation was very well received by the students. He spoke about college life, emphasized the importance of networking, and presented his research on beetroot juice and its benefits during exercise.
The Matthews Crew!
Rachel Matthews, Class of 2012, and Justin Matthews, Class of 2013, stopped by to share their experiences in film and television with our Institute of Arts and Innovation film and acting for camera students, as well as our advanced middle school film students!
A couple of weeks later, sibling Joe Matthews, Class of 2020, also stopped by for a visit! Joe is also in the film industry, behind the camera as a skilled filmmaker.
Justin, best known for his work on Netflix’s "Upgraded," Apple TV’s "The Morning Show," and the film "The Duel," and Rachel, recognized for "Frozen 2," "Happy Death Day," and upcoming projects through her production company, Honor Role, shared incredible insights on navigating and creating in today’s entertainment industry.
It was an honor to hear from them, and we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next!
High School History Teacher Jeff Dewey’s Vietnam War class had the honor of hosting special guest Vietnam Veteran Joe Garcia and his granddaughter Felicia Quesada, Class of 2020. Mr. Garcia served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as part of the U.S. Army's 64th Combat Tracker Team. It was a powerful, personal look into history—thank to the both of them for sharing their stories and service with our students!
Innovating the Future!
As our 25th anniversary year draws to a close, Oaks Christian looks towards the next 25 years, continuing a legacy of excellence and innovation. This summer we are launching the first of two capital projects that will help guarantee academic excellence for our current and future students. Please view this short video to learn about the exciting changes coming to our campus and how you can impact the future!
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the OCS community? We're hiring full- and part-time academic tutors in our Learning Center — and who better to support our current students than those who’ve walked these halls before? Whether you're in between college semesters or looking for a fulfilling role, this is your chance to give back and help shape the next generation of Lions.
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