Commander Coyle Set to Retire
In every season of life, there comes a time of change and transition. In the U.S. Navy, this moment is marked by the “Change of Command,” a time-honored tradition signifying the end of one chapter of and the beginning of another. For Commander Karen Coyle, that moment arrives this May, as she formally retires after 25 years as a deeply beloved member of the Oaks Christian School community.
Alumna Rides The Mongol Derby: World's Most Grueling Horse Race
Grace Netter, Class of 2013, likes to say she was “born riding.” Long before she could fully understand it, her love for horses was already taking shape, nurtured by her equestrian mother. By fifth grade, Netter was riding regularly, building a foundation that led to Oaks Christian, where she competed in dressage on the equestrian team during her junior and senior years.
After graduating, Netter followed a different creative path, earning a degree in design and communication from Belmont University and stepping into the fast-paced world of film. Today, she works as a senior visual effects coordinator on major feature films, collaborating with studios like Disney, Netflix, Warner Brothers, and Universal. While her professional life revolves around cameras, compositing software, and 3D modeling, the pull of the saddle never left her.
That enduring passion led her to one of the most grueling challenges imaginable: the Mongol Derby, widely considered the longest and toughest horse race in the world.
Coming Full Circle
Seeds Blossom in Special Connection
Not every teacher gets to experience a “full circle” moment – when they see the work and mentoring they pour into students come to fruition.
For Middle School Theatre Director Rachel Mikhail, this March was such a moment as she watched her former student, Allie Chobanian, Class of 2023, play the lead – Shelby – in the Azusa Pacific University production of “Steel Magnolias.”
Attending Chobanian's performance was the intersection of two pivotal moments in Mikhail's life. In 1999, she was a theatre student at APU, playing Clairee in the school's original production. The APU stage was where Mikhail discovered God's call on her life. Watching Chobanian perform in the same show where she got her theatre start was an affirmation of God's hand in shaping the next generation.
The Beat Goes On
When Gregory Sadler, Class of 2008, first sat down at a drum kit, he was just a seven-year-old kid living in Chicago.
“My dad had his drum set from when he was in middle school set up in our basement, and I was like a moth to flame,” Sadler recalled about his first time interacting with the drums.
A year later, his family moved to California, as did his growing musical fascination. Connecting with a drum teacher, Sadler was already playing regularly before he stepped onto the Oaks Christian School campus, where he quickly found his space within the performing arts program.
Mama E Retires
It's always profound to look back and see how God weaves together the many threads of our lives.
For Rosalind Allen-Enciso, that reflection captures a journey that began far from Oaks Christian School and unfolded in ways she never could have predicted. After earning her teaching degree in New Zealand, she moved to the United States to pursue professional acting, stepping into a world of performance and possibility. Yet even then, something greater was taking shape. “I never could have imagined that, two decades later, I’d be called into service at Oaks Christian School.” What began as a career in acting became a calling that blended her love of storytelling and her gift for teaching.
New High School Library Dedicated
In early March, the new Sharon S. Hanes High School Library was dedicated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration. The library’s major benefactor, Bruce Hanes, and his family, were recognized alongside other OCS supporters, faculty and staff, board of trustees members, alumni, and alumni parents. The modern, sleek space emphasizes community where students can collaborate and study together in shared spaces or study rooms. The library is designed to bring nature and light into the learning experience, with a bank of accordion-style glass doors that open fully to the atrium, showcasing its beautiful oak tree and peaceful stream. The school extends its gratitude to Bruce Hanes and family for their generous support in creating this beautiful facility!
The Oaks Christian School Dinner Auction Gala is quickly approaching on April 25 at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake for an incredible evening of philanthropy and fellowship to support all Oaks Christian students and programs. The evening features 16-time Grammy award winner David Foster and singer, songwriter, and actress Katharine McPhee, and the powerful vocals of Daniel Emmet, America's Got Talent finalist and Las Vegas headliner. Click HERE for general information.
Click HERE to view tables, sponsorships, and seat registration options. Pricing reflects table location and proximity to the stage. Guests may get a table together with friends or simply purchase individual or couple seats, and the gala team will put a great table together for them with others who have also purchased individual or couple seats. NEW for this year, the gala festivities will continue with a brand-new after party until 11:00pm with a live DJ, dancing, a dessert and coffee bar, and the gala bar remaining open. In addition, the Four Seasons block discount code is live for guests who would like to book a room. Please use the promo code 260424OAK or book direct HERE. Rooms can also be reserved by phone 818.575.3000 or email: reservations.wes@fourseasons.com (ask for the Oaks Christian School room block.)
Be on the lookout for the main online auction which opens on April 20 at 12:00pm and features hundreds of unique items and experiences. Click HERE to register and bid on these fabulous items.
Super Bowl Champion
Zach Charbonnet, Class of 2019
Zach Charbonnet, Class of 2019, is the first Oaks Christian School graduate to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The Seahawks running back rushed for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season before suffering an injury in Seattle’s 41–6 NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Congratulations to Charbonnet and the rest of the Seahawks on winning the Super Bowl!
Rookie of the Year
Carson Schwesinger, Class of 2021
Carson Schwesinger, Class of 2021, is making his mark in the NFL as a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. After a standout college career with the UCLA Bruins, he was selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He went on to earn national recognition in his rookie season, being named the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Neuman Leads Master Class
Brandon Neuman, Class of 2009, returned to campus this semester to lead an interactive master class in Erika Ahn’s AP Comparative Government class, part of the Institute of Global Leadership. Now an international attorney specializing in business immigration law, Neuman shared real‑world insight into how global policy, government systems, and immigration law all connect in today’s world. Students had the chance to ask questions, explore current issues, and see how what they’re learning in class applies on a global scale. Oaks Christian values opportunities to welcome alumni back to campus to inspire the next generation of global leaders.
Baehr Shares Film Experience
Robby Baehr, Class of 2004, spoke with the OCS Film and Television Production, and Acting for the Camera students this month! As an award-winning producer, CEO of Movieguide®, and global leader in faith and family media, he shared a wealth of insights and real-world experience, inspiring the students to think bigger, create boldly, and pursue their passions in the industry!
Four alumni stopped by to reconnect with Commander Karen Coyle and tour the campus over Christmas break. Henry Behm, Class of 2015, Samuel Behm, Class of 2015, and Lily Behm, Class of 2012, all attend the University of Hawaii. Macey Alexander, Class of 2015, is attending Belmont University in Nashville, TN.
Residential Student Life and Activities Manager Dina Castillo and High School Science Teacher and OCS alum Mike McDowell, Class of 2006, caught up with the following alumni whom they served as dorm parents to: • Yung-lun “Philip” Chen, Class of 2023 • Zidong “Alston” Zhang, Class of 2023 • Zhehua “Chris” Wang, Class of 2020 Also pictured: former dorm student and Philip's sister, Ivy Chen.
Caitlyn (MacKechnie) Skidmore, Class of 2005, who went on to graduate from UCLA in 2009, had the chance to reconnect with her former soccer coach, Athletic Advisor Jan Hethcock. Also pictured with her are her husband, Taylor, and their daughter, Ahavah. The Skidmores are beginning a family ministry together in Franklin, TN.
Kamryn Tifft and Brooke Gilmour, both Class of 2025, stopped by campus for a visit with College Counselor Michael Nation. Tifft attends the University of Nevada, Reno, and Gilmour attends Southern Methodist University. Both were standout volleyball players at Oaks Christian and are continuing their volleyball careers at the collegiate level. Mia Turturici, Class of 2025, stopped by to catch up with teachers, including Bible Teacher Joel Murphy, before heading back to Chapman University to start her second semester as a psychology major with a minor in pre-law.
Jerry Zeng, Class of 2025, came to visit Visual Arts Department Chair Anna Wadman. Zeng is in his first year at Cornell University studying architecture, where he was recently recognized for one of his designs and invited to present it to major donors in the program. Elizabeth Hilbert, Class of 2025, and Henri Schaffer, Class of 2025 and son of Modern and Classical Languages Teacher Robert Schaffer, recently visited some of their teachers, including Bible Teacher Joel Murphy.
Victoria Bulow, Class of 2025, stopped by to visit with College Counselor Valerie Johnson this year. She is thriving as a freshman at Brown University, where she recently declared electrical engineering as her major after an amazing first semester. She’s also joining both the Christian Union and the Society of Women Engineers, connecting with communities that support her interests in faith and STEM. Hannah Wieler, Class of 2025, spent time visiting Associate Director of College Counseling Amy Krueger. Wieler is currently playing soccer at Idaho State University.
Preston Smart, Class of 2025, now a freshman at Northeastern in Boston, and Charlie Ferguson, Class of 2025, currently a freshman at SMU in Texas, stopped by to catch up with Institute of Global Leadership and History Teacher Matt Hurdle. Jayden Alvarez and Ian Izakowitz, both from the Class of 2025, stopped by campus to visit High School Science Teacher Mike McDowell. Both are attending Chapman University—Alvarez is majoring in film and Izakowitz is majoring in real estate.
Scott Wood and Kash Erkolini-Bhatia, both from the Class of 2025, stopped by to visit High School Film Teacher Andrew Christopher. Wood is studying film and television at Chapman University, and Erkolini-Bhatia is studying film and television at Loyola Marymount University.
Max Mitterberger, Class of 2021, returned to the middle school recently to judge student projects in Middle School Science Teacher Kim Kelly’s class. Now pursuing a master's degree in engineering and science at UCLA, Mitterberger has come full circle, having been a student in Kelly’s science class nearly nine years ago.
Lily Waesche, Class of 2025, is attending Belmont University, majoring in psychology with a minor in songwriting. Sarah Mendelsohn, Class of 2024, is attending SMU, majoring in music therapy. Both stopped by to visit College Counselor Brittany Lindsey. Andrew Marchis, Class of 2024, is attending Cal Baptist University, studying aviation. He visited with Director of the Institute of Engineering Greg Smith during his time on campus.
Azairia Chacon, Class of 2025, recently caught up with High School Science Teacher Mike McDowell and Alumni Advisor Commander Karen Coyle before heading back to UC Davis, where she is majoring in economics.
Allie Luo, Ellie Korman, Tristan McClellan, Malachi Green, and Barron Richter, all Class of 2025, came to campus on their spring breaks and spent time with High School Science Teacher Mike McDowell, High School History Teacher Andrew DeCarolis, and High School English Teacher Timothy Bagdanov.
McClellan is majoring in economics and attends UCSB, as does Green. Richter attends Cal Poly, and Korman and Luo both attend UCLA.
Evan Anglin, Class of 2011, visited Theatre Director Rosalind Allen-Enciso, Performing Arts Chair Mary Kay Altizer, and his former swim coach, Dave Moore. Anglin is co-head of animation and a literary manager at Zero Gravity Management in Los Angeles. He represents showrunners, writers, and directors in both live action and animation, as well as representing board artists, character designers, and art directors. He also teaches animation development courses. He is engaged and planning to wed his fiancée this May.
Brett Johnson, Class of 2024, stopped by to visit teachers, including Bible Teacher Joel Murphy and Bible Department Chair Brett Dewey. Johnson is currently attending Azusa Pacific University and is majoring in accounting.
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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Credits:
Created with an image by Piotr Krzeslak - "Summer morning over field of wild flowers"