The Lions' Den The Alumni Newsletter of Oaks Christian School - Fall 2025 Edition

Homecoming 2025: A Night to Remember

Homecoming 2025 was a night to remember, as Oaks Christian School proudly welcomed alumni, families, and friends to the alumni end zone reception. The evening began with a special buffet reception in the end zone at 6:00pm, offering alumni a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their shared Lion pride. As the sun set, the crowd gathered on the field for pre-game festivities at 6:30pm with the court presentation. Peter Padden, Class of 2004, and alumni council member gave a warm welcome. Christopher Potter, Class of 2008, of Pinnacle Estate Properties, led the community in an opening prayer. A special highlight of the evening was the return of Zach Charbonnet, Class of 2019, standout athlete and current Seattle Seahawks running back, who performed the honorary coin toss before kickoff. Charbonnet, who rushed for over 4,700 yards during his time as a Lion, received a rousing ovation from the crowd in recognition of his achievements and enduring connection to Oaks Christian. At halftime, alumni and their families took part in the traditional parade, proudly marching behind their banner as they waved and connected with fans in the stands. The night continued with the much-anticipated Homecoming game against Camarillo with the Lions emerging victorious with a final score of 42-6.

Mechanics in Motion

Katie Nungester Thrives in the Engineering World

Katie Nungester, Class of 2024, is coming into her own as a mechanical engineering major at California Baptist University. Whether it is working on industrial Haas machines or bandsaws, she is completely comfortable in a world of design, innovation, and competition. As a project manager in the Society of Women Engineers, she is helping the team prepare for a national competition through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). They will partner with the Naval Service Warfare Center on a multi-year project using a 3D metal printer on a project to benefit both the ASME and the Center. Although only a sophomore, she is exactly where she always hoped she would be—building, creating, and solving problems with real world applications. Her journey to the world of 3D printers, hydraulics, compression ratios, and gravitational force began six years ago as a student at the OCS Institute of Engineering, specifically the IDEA Lab. “Oaks gave me a great opportunity to explore and tinker around. I’d come in at lunch and was told to build whatever I wanted and try out different projects,” she shared. “I would fail and was encouraged to try again. I think that’s when I thought ‘Okay, engineering is my thing.’” Fast forward a few years and that “thing” has become her focus and joy.

Leading Like a Lion in the NFL

Alex Bachman, Class of 2015, is a leader in every sense of the word. The wide receiver who suits up on Sundays for the Las Vegas Raiders has made a career out of being irreplaceable. He’s the longest tenured practice squad player – a less glamorous job title not typically associated with longevity. Bachman spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, and Houston Texans before landing with the Raiders last season. “I didn’t go to Oaks Christian just to play football,” the Las Vegas Raider recalls. “My dad wanted me to go to a school where athletics were important, but Jesus was more important, and Oaks Christian fit the bill.” While Bachman was at Oaks Christian, he was a member of the boys’ basketball program and won a CIF-SS title as a member of the boys’ track and field team. “He was such a gifted athlete during his time here,” said Oaks Christian Track and Field Coach Wes Smith. “He had so much potential that we probably didn’t help him reach. I’m excited to see the athlete he’s become.”

Back in the House

Back in the OCS theatre world are alums Makenzie Pappan, Class of 2023, and Henry Oakes, Class of 2022, but this time behind the stage! Pappan came back to campus to help as the assistant choreographer, and Oakes was the assistant director for the high school fall musical theatre production of "Guys and Dolls." Pappan is studying film production at Biola University, and Oakes is majoring in music production at Berklee College of Music. We were thrilled to have them back as mentors and role models for our theatre students!

Justin Holtsnider

Class of 2018

Justin Holtsnider, Class of 2018, earned his degree in philosophy from Pepperdine University and currently works at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) in Washington, D.C., where he serves as the Legal Advocacy Content Specialist. He joined AFPI last August and lives just outside the city in Hyattsville, MD. Prior to this role, Holtsnider worked on President Trump's campaign as a trip coordinator, organizing travel and events for President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and campaign surrogates at headquarters in West Palm Beach, FL. Following the 2024 presidential election, he served on the 60th Presidential Inaugural Committee in Washington, D.C., managing a section of the Inaugural Parade. After the President’s inauguration, Holtsnider assisted the White House Office of the Vice President’s Advance Team with procedural documentation and processes as it transitioned into office.

Jessica Meek

Class of 2006

Congratulations to Jessica Meek, Class of 2006, on the publication of her book “Kayin and Abel: The Genesis of Sacrifice,” a reimagining of the story of Cain and Abel. This mythical fantasy is told in a fractured prose format and is a story of dust, guilt, and grace. Meek, who lives in Georgia teaching high school English, teamed up with current OCS junior Sequoia Webb who designed the book cover, and Moira Dewey, Class of 2018, who penned the inside illustrations and is also currently substitute teaching at Oaks Christian.

Emma McNay

Class of 2016

Emma McNay, Class of 2016, is an airline captain at JSX, a semi-private air carrier that operates like a traditional airline but on a smaller scale and outside of main terminals. She serves as the pilot-in-command on flights and also trains new pilots within the company. JSX regularly flies into Burbank using 30-seat aircraft from private hangars, with the goal of making air travel simpler and less stressful. McNay married two years ago and now lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Manuel, and their six-month-old son, Jacob.

Carson Totino, Class of 2025, currently attending the Merchant Marine Academy, shared a moment with College Counselor Michael Nation earlier this month. In June, Totino received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, following a nomination from Congresswoman Julia Brownley. After completing Indoc, the Academy’s rigorous boot camp, Totino was sworn into the Regiment of Midshipmen and the United States Naval Reserve. This fall, Totino earned a spot on the Division I sailing team. At the Academy, students pursue an accelerated academic program, completing a four-year degree in three years while spending a full year at sea aboard merchant marine or navy vessels. Upon graduation, Totino will commission as a naval officer, earn a U.S. Coast Guard license, and a bachelor of science in marine engineering, with hopes of becoming a naval aviator.

Jennifer Kirchner, Class of 2016, stopped by to visit Technical Theatre Director David Alexander.

Sophia Adair, Class of 2023, took a break from her studies earlier this fall to visit teachers on campus, as well as her College Counselor Valerie Johnson.

Launching TK-3

We are thrilled to share that we are now launching our newest grades TK-3 in fall 2026, making Oaks Christian a full-service TK–12 college-preparatory school while bringing our mission of “preparing minds for leadership, and hearts for service.” to the youngest learners.

We have leased the former Conejo Carden School site from the Conejo Unified School District as the new home of our Evenstar campus for these new grades.

For many of our alumni, Oaks Christian holds a special place in your hearts! And now, it can be part of your children’s story too. We’re excited to welcome your students as the youngest “cubbies,” the next generation of Lions to grow, learn, and thrive in the same community that shaped you.

We invite you to join us for our Winter Admissions Information Night on Jan. 15, 2026, at 7:00pm. Explore the Elementary Experience Zone, where you can talk with faculty, staff, and administrators, view renderings and interactive displays that showcase the Evenstar campus.

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.