Volume 29, Number 1 Spring 2011

HoughtonAcademy News

“...that they may be trees of righteousness...” Isaiah 61:3

Life ever presents challenges. Some are routine while others take on much greater import. In this issue of Academy News you will read about

several challenges, how they were met and lessons gleaned from the experiences. The ways people over-come such challenges always interest me. Sometimes wise decisions and actions solve the issue at hand. At other times the Lord provides in totally unexpected ways. Still other times leave us wondering how the challenge was met. (You’ll know what I mean after you read the story of the boys’ basketball team on page 10.) Houghton Academy’s history is replete with both mountaintop moments and valley experiences that strengthened the character of the institution and shaped the ministry through the years. In the 1880s Willard Houghton wrote expressing great weariness from his work to establish the school. In the 1950s J.W. Tysinger faced a specific, overwhelming chal-lenge: establish Houghton Academy on a campus separate from Houghton College or close the school. In the late 1970s we faced the need for a new girls’ dormitory. Each time God provided to meet the chal-lenge. The Academy has faced many additional challenges with regard to finances, enrollment, faculty, staff, cul-tural pressures and more. Some came with advanced warning, but some appeared overnight. Challenges, like death and taxes, always seem to be with us. Each time, though, I have observed the Lord’s provision. The Bible reminds us of the best ways to meet chal-lenges. “What mean these stones?” is a question we should ask frequently, lest we forget God’s promises. There is “wisdom in a multitude of counselors.” We read that “man was born for trouble (challenges), as the sparks fly upward,” and then, “cast all your cares on Him for He careth for you.” These and other verses remind us that challenges are inevitable but we do not face them alone. We are expected to do what we can—with God’s guidance—and then to trust Him to do what we can’t. The stories that follow provide a timely reminder.

Philip G. Stockin

Table of ContentsHeadmaster’s column .....2On the scene ....................3News and notes ...........4-6My journey with Nehe-miah .............................. 7-9Sports report ............ 10-13Alumnotes .................14-15

On the cover: Wynn Hor-ton ’11 as Tevye recalls hap-pier times with Heidi Sardina as Havila in the Academy’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.

From the Headmaster2

HoughtonAcademy NewsVolume 29, No. 1 • Spring 2011

Houghton Academy News, published three times a year, is sent free of charge. To be placed on the mailing list, con-tact Houghton Academy, 9790 Thayer Street, Houghton, NY 14744 • 585.567.8115.

Editor: Doug Roorbach ’77

© 2011, Houghton Academy

On the scene: At the Jr.-Sr. sendoff3

4News and notes...

Art pays offTwo groups of Academy art students have won ac-

colades for their work. Hannah Banks ’13 won first place for the Arcade Pennysaver and third place in Western New York for an advertisement she created for Pierce Milling in a recent contest. She won $150. Breanna Smithley ’12 took fourth and $30 for her Save-A-Lot advertisement and Anthony Petrillo ’11 got $25 for his fifth place ad for Waste Management. The winners toured The Metro Group printing facili-ties in Cheektowaga. Another group—10 of the 21 who entered—will have their work published in an anthology of the Cel-ebrating Art contest. Minya Yoon ’11 was in the top 10 for her grade division and won $25, plus a free copy of the anthology. Art teacher Jenny Johnson received a $50 gift card to Michael’s art and craft store that she used to buy art supplies for the classroom. The 10 students were Breanna Smithley ’12, Em-ily Lee ’12, Matthew Jin ’12, Julia Deverdzic ’13, Kelly Guo ’11, Devon Bradford ’12, Echo Zhou ’11, Mikaela Han ’11, Cecilia Yoon ’11 and Minya Yoon ’11.

“Remember who you are”Houghton Academy juniors and seniors enjoyed

The Lion King at Rochester’s Auditorium Theatre on Saturday, April 9, as the entertainment for this year’s Junior-Senior Banquet, which started with din-ner at the Genesee River Restaurant in Mt. Morris. The students welcomed their classmates to the hall, which was adorned with authentic African decora-tions, and then put on a humorous Lion King skit before dinner. They crowned the royal court—King David Roorbach ’11, Queen Jina Kim ’11, Prince Sam Dorismond ’12 and Princess Yuky Li ’12—and presented Mr. and Mrs. Stockin with flowers at their 40th banquet. Faculty and community members enjoyed the finely dressed attendees. Even the charter bus driver com-mented on the students’ exceptionally good manners. Sunshine and warm temperatures helped make the day.

Minya ’11 (foreground) and Cecilia Yoon ’11 in art class.

David Roorbach ’11 and Jina Kim ’11 were chosen king and queen of the Junior-Senior Banquet.

5

Touring AsiaHeadmaster Phil Stockin went on his annual trip to

Asia recently, accompanied this year by Business Manager Scott Frazier for part of the trip and Athletic Director Phil Merrill for another part. The men went to Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China. “It was great to see where the kids come from, to meet their families and even go to their church,” said Merrill, “In Seoul we went to the Presbyterian Church and sat right behind the children’s choir during ser-vice. They are just like American kids. They fidgeted, talked and listened. I sat there wondering which of these kids would I be teaching in a few years?” In Korea, Merrill brought David Oh ’98 the bas-ketball jersey he wore during his playing days at the Academy. “He put it on over his shirt and tie,” said Stockin, “It fit him better now than it did then.” “It was very valuable to meet the parents and to interact with them on their home turf,” said Merrill, “Everyone was very gracious and generous to us.”

“On the other hand…”To me it was a great example of how a community

comes together in a time of need,” said Jon Hor-ton, “We were the little musical that could.” Due to a mixup with the publishing company, the scripts arrived a month late. Then music teacher Rebekah Brennan, who was directing the production, went into labor several months early. The basketball team kept winning (see page 10), keeping key actors from practicing. The choreographer hurt her back. The crew couldn’t build scenery until the week before the performance. “So many people in the Houghton Academy com-munity stepped up to help,” said Horton, starting with Horton himself, who agreed to direct. Eileen Swanson, who taught music at the Academy last year, came back to coach vocalists. Basketball season finally ended, community members helped with the set and the cast responded, too. The result? Three well-received shows, including a sellout on the last night of the run.

David Oh ’98 shows off his old basketball jersey. “It fit him better now than it did then,” said Phil Stockin.

Nana Epperson ’11 played Golda and Wynn Horton ’11 was Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.

6

Fiddler on the Roof

Above, Maggie Reynolds ’12, Jessica Steidle ’13 and Jessie Tyson ’14 sing “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” Right, Wynn

Horton ’11 lays down the law as Tevye. Below, Aicha Kuwong ’12 towers above the dream scene as Fruma Sarah.

7

My journey with Nehemiah

Ithrew my cap in the air at Houghton Academy 16 years

ago, went through col-lege and graduate school, worked very hard, opened my own business and got married. I witnessed Sep-tember 11, the economy break down and the elec-tion of our first African-American president. I am just an everyday citizen following my duty. I’m not rich or famous. I don’t have any supernatural power, other than the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m like Nehemiah.

“I was cupbearer to the King.”—Nehemiah 1:11. The cupbearer to the King tasted the King’s food and wine to make sure it wasn’t poisoned. If it was, well, we all know what would happen to the cupbearer. That was Nehemiah—someone in-significant and disposable.

After working with my husband for six years to build our business, I was burnt out. I felt I had lost my purpose. I started a long and heavy jour-ney of prayer, asking the Lord what His will was for me. I always felt this burden to do something. I didn’t know what, but I felt the burden. I was tired of waiting. I wanted a “breakthrough.” The Lord said, “It’s not time yet.”

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God… Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is pray-ing before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel…Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man…”—Nehemiah 1:6, 11. Nehemiah had a burden for rebuilding Jerusalem. He was shocked that

the Lord chose him, a cupbearer, to carry this burden. He was anxious, but he prayed long and hard. He asked for direc-tions and a “green light” from the Lord to go on the mission. The Lord answered. In the summer of 2009 I announced my burden: I wanted to go back to school to earn a second masters’ degree, in art therapy. I asked the Lord to have him use the gift He gave me to serve oth-ers. Brothers and sisters at church and in my Bible study group started pray-ing for me. The first obstacle was that there is no registered art therapy program in North Carolina, where we live. With a husband and a business, I don’t have the freedom to pick up and go anywhere I want. I prayed more.

continued

by Evans (Lau ’95) Baker

8

“The King said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ances-tors are buried so that I can rebuild it…’”—Nehemiah 2:4. Nehemiah was not allowed to be sad in front of the king, under penalty of death. Under that great pressure, he told the king his burden, never hesitat-ing to show what it was that the Real King wanted him to do. With bold-ness, faith and the Spirit, Nehemiah moved closer to starting his mission.

“Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, ‘How long will your jour-ney take, and when will you get back?’ It pleased the king

to send me; so I set a time.”—Nehemiah 2:6. For the first time the king was willing to let his cupbearer out of his sight, leaving the king vulnerable to assassina-tion. It seemed impos-sible, but Nehemiah was just getting started. In January 2010 I learned about the art therapy program at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), an inten-sive, two-year, full-time program. With my MFA from the Savannah Col-lege of Art and Design, I only lacked prerequisites in psychology to qualify. In March 2010, the Lord granted my first request by getting me into Wake Tech Community College to start my psychology class. It took me less than 10 days to fill out an ap-plication and start class.

“I also said to him, ‘If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah ...”—Nehemiah 2:7. Nehe-miah went on to ask for material to rebuild the walls and even army of-ficers to travel with him. After Nehemiah’s request was granted it was not a burden anymore. He had the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit

Nehemiah (continued)

9

I am on the way to

rebuild the wall that

was broken in my

heart. Soon I hope

to help others repair

their broken hearts

as well

walking with him. My classes went well. God provided my husband and me with a business that didn’t col-lapse when the economy did, and a part time job with benefits. I pressed on, asking the Lord for His power and spirit to make it all happen. Im-mediately after Christmas I was thrilled to get an invitation to interview at EVMS.

“I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work…”—Nehemiah 2:18. Nehe-miah arrived in Jerusalem knowing that the Lord was with him and excited about the rebuilding job. He was working with other ordinary people who didn’t have skills in construction, but together they would rebuild the wall and do more. I interviewed at EVMS on January 31, 2011 with three other girls who also have hearts for art therapy. We had a great day getting to know each other and sharing the mis-sion that we wanted to be in. By the end of the day, I had been accepted into the program—another prayer granted. I am on

the way to rebuild the wall that was broken in my heart. Soon I hope to help others repair their bro-ken hearts as well. I start school in August. The Lord is full of grace.

10

Sports report

It took 127 years before Houghton Academy won its first

sectional title in boys’ bas-ketball in 2010, but just a year later they did it again. In early March the boys defended their Section V, Class DD championship by defeating Mt. Morris in dramatic comeback fashion. Mt. Morris led by as many as 13 points mid-way through the third quarter of the champion-ship game, played at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, but the Panthers kept fighting back. With ap-proximately six minutes to play, though, Shawn Wright ’12, who would be named Most Valuable Player of the playoffs and was the team’s high

scorer, left the game with a severe ankle injury. The team kept the game close and trailed by five when, with 2:09 left, David Roorbach ’11—who led the team in re-bounds and joined Wright on the All-Tournament team—fouled out.

Replacing the two starters were Aaron Schue ’13, who had played on the junior varsity team all season before being called up to the varsity for the playoff games, and Peter Wei ’11, who had played only a few minutes in the previous three games. Wei proceeded to make two three-point baskets and add a breakaway layup for a total of eight points while Schue had the three-pointer that gave Houghton the lead and added a thread-the-needle bounce pass for the assist on Wei’s layup. The two reserves accounted for all of the team’s final 11 points as

David Roorbach ’11 floats toward the basket during the Section V title game as Shawn Wright moves in for a potential rebound.

Maggie Reynolds ’12 earned MVP honors for the girls’ varsity team.

11

the Panthers overcame a 49-43 deficit in the last 90 seconds to win, 54-53. The victory capped a three-game run in which the boys, seeded sixth, beat the teams seeded third (Northstar Chris-tian), second (Whitesville) and first (Mt. Morris) in the playoffs in order to win the title. Playing without Wright in the state qualifying game against Class D champions C.G. Finney, the Panthers stayed close into the third quarter before running out of gas and falling, 74-44, to end their season with a record of 14-8. Wright led the team in scoring average with 13.3 per game, while Roor-bach added 12.7 points

Merrill Named Coach of the Year

The Olean Times Herald named

Phil Merrill Coach of the Year from among the 30 schools that it covers after he led the Panthers to the Section V, Class DD title. It was the second time Merrill won the honor; the last time was after the 1995-96 season, when he was named Girls’ Coach of the Year. In seven seasons coaching the boys’ team at Houghton, Mer-rill’s won-loss record is 85-62. He was 113-92 coaching the girls’ team for a combined record of 198-154 in 17 sea-sons. “When you win this

award, the first thing that comes to mind is the kids on your team and how hard they work for you,” said Merrill, “These kids really put it all together at the end of the season this year. “Once we reached that point, everything seemed to fall into place...When we got into the playoffs, every-body did their jobs.”

The Section V, Class DD champion Houghton Panthers.

12Sports report (continued)and 12.1 rebounds. Point guard Will White ’11 av-eraged 8.0 points and 3.0 assists per game as well. Roorbach and Wright both earned spots on vari-ous area all-star teams and each received a most valu-able player award from Coach Phil Merrill. Doug Haywood ’11 earned best defensive player honors and White received the Coach’s Award. Greg Wright ’09 was the as-sistant coach. The boys’ j.v. team had a good season as well, finishing 10-6 under the coaching of Gary King, who was assisted by Aaron Newell and Ricky Nan ’11. The modified (junior high) team did

even better, with a perfect 9-0 season, led by Coach Peter Banks. The varsity girls’ team won a championship of a different kind, taking home the sportsmanship award given by the local board of basketball offi-cials. The team overcame some challenges during the season, including adapting to having their third coach in as many years, Alex Wright ’03, who was assisted by Janyce Smithley and Susie Brautigam ’08. They also graduated five players from the previous year, lost two players during the season and saw two of their starters go down late in the season with ankle injuries. Despite all that, they finished 6–12 and ex-perienced many team and personal successes. Team successes included becoming known for defense by holding many teams to their lowest

point totals of the season and winning a sectional playoff game. Some personal successes were becoming more aggressive while staying out of foul trouble, improving on passing and shooting and, most importantly, devel-oping a love of the game. Maggie Reynolds ’12 was the team’s MVP, while Morghan Mas-Wynn Horton’11 battles for

a rebound against Mt. Morris in the Section V title game at Rochester’s Blue Cross arena.

Morghan Mastin ’12 shows how she earned the defensive player of the year award for girls’ basketball.

13

King and Stockin Inducted into Allegany County Athletics Hall of Fame

Both Phil Stockin ’63 and Gary King were

inducted into the Allega-ny County Athletics Hall of Fame at its annual din-ner gathering at Hough-ton College in March. Coach King grew up in Naples, NY, and graduated from Houghton College before serving at Norfolk Christian Acad-emy. In 1987 he returned to Houghton to teach physical education and Bi-ble here at the Academy. During the intervening 25 years he has coached varsity and j.v. basketball, golf and cross country. He served as athletic director and was Allegany County’s basketball chair-man for 20 years. He was the Section V Coach of the Year in basketball in 1996. Phil Stockin was there at the beginning of intercollegiate athletics at Houghton College as a student, then worked at Wesleyan Academy in

Puerto Rico. Returning to work at Houghton Academy in 1971, Stockin taught physical education and coached soccer (eight years) and basketball (12 years), also serving as athletic director. He also coached girls’ volleyball and basketball for short periods of time before

moving on to other duties and eventually becoming headmaster. Both King and Stockin are known for their emphasis on sports-manship and serving as examples for Christ in the sports arena as well as other areas of life, which were major factors in their inductions

tin ’12 earned the best defender award. Allison Smith ’11 received the Coach’s Award. The j.v. girls learned a lot under Coach Rich

Reynolds, but struggled to an 0-9 record. Betsy Rutledge ’03 coached the cheerleading squad, assisted by Shayna Fegley. They chose Yuky

Li ’11 and Jessie Chen ’11 to share the “most valuable” award, named Ally Maher ’12 most im-proved and gave a Coach’s Award to Rita Liu ’11.

Alumnotes14

John Raybuck ’39 died January 21 at the home of his son in Potomac, MD. Raybuck served in the Army Air Corps from 1942-46. He worked at Cuba Specialty Manufac-turing in Houghton for 42 years, and later owned and operated Houghton Gas Service for more than 20 years. He sold the busi-ness and retired in 1987. His wife Olga served as librarian in the ’70s and his son Mike taught science in the ’90s at the Academy.

Becky (Lind ’63) Casperson wrote to tell us that John Raycraft ’63 died March 8. Ray-craft contracted a staph infection while he was hospitalized and being treated for pneumonia. “John loved to talk about the ‘good old Houghton days,’” Casperson wrote. Raycraft’s wife Kathy, who survives him, lives in Port Angeles, WA. She is battling cancer. Friends can contact her at cray-cra@wavecable.com.

Casperson retired two years ago after teaching primary students for 30 years and lives in Des Moines, WA, (outside of Seattle) on the marina. “(I) have a guest room,” she wrote, “I would love to have any of you come stay with me.”

Jeff Myers ’84 has relo-cated to Daytona Beach where he is a clinical counselor with children and families. “I was privi-leged to assist my grand-mother during her end of life journey in Daytona,” he writes, “that also led me to establishing myself here.” He wrote that he is considering a move to Tampa to be closer to his mother and other job opportunities. He would welcome hearing from classmates and friends at jeffmyers65@yahoo.com.

Shuk “Shirley” Chang ’89 graduated from Ba-ruch College. She works for a wholesale egg and coffee company in New York’s Chinatown and has a 17-year-old son named Keith. Kathryn “Kate” (Davis ’89) Kleckner received a doctor of pharmacy de-gree from the University of Florida College Phar-

The Board of Trust-ees of Houghton Academy continues

in its search for a new Head of School. We are prayerfully and carefully looking in the certain be-lief that God has the can-didate who He intends to lead Houghton Academy into the future. As a result of always seeking those individuals called by God and best qualified for every position at the Academy, we are blessed with an experienced and dedicated administrative team. Having this team already in place allows the Board to take the time needed to successfully identify the next Head of School who will advance Houghton Academy into the next gen-eration. Principal Dale Shatto and Business Manager Scott Frazier will head the administrative team in the management of the Academy until such time as the new Head of School is named. We continue to solicit your prayers in this most important task.

Christian J. Jensen ’75 Chairman, Board of Trustees

Houghton Academy welcomes your news—births, deaths, marriages, promotions, awards—and would like to share it with your fellow alumni. Please e-mail HANews@houghtonacademy.org with your information and digital photos.

macy, graduating magna cum laude and receiving the Excellence in Phar-maceutical Care Research Award. She is a pharma-cist in a hospital in To-ledo, OH, where she and her husband Jeffrey live with their two daughters.

Jeffrey and Kaitlin (Zoller ’93) Erikson are pleased to announce the birth of Kiersten Belle on September 28, 2010. She joins sister Annika, 2, and brother Toren, 3. Contact them at kaitlin.erikson@gmail.com.

Jennifer (Lingenfelter ’98) Rodgers graduated from the Citizens Police Academy in 2005 and is working on her bachelor’s degree in social work at Savannah State Univer-sity. She and her husband Michael have two sons, one is 5 and the other is a newborn, and a daughter, 3. They live in Savannah, GA.

Brittney Shatto ’03 is the Series and Events Pathways Manager for the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania. She forms relationships with provid-ers, develops and delivers

programs, and contributes to the bi-annual program-ming publication, a job she began in November.

Kyle Horton ’04 is the youth pastor at Laurel (DE) Wesleyan Church. He and his wife Nadine have a photography busi-ness called Green Giraffe Photography (greengiraffe-photography.com).

Jae Ho Lee ’04 is work-ing on his doctorate in mechanical engineering at Stanford University.

Willard Frutiger ’05 graduated from Houghton College in 2009 and is an information engineer at NextDocs Corporation in Lansdale, PA.

Heidi (Harris ’08) Smith married Spc. Zec Smith on August 28, 2010 at the Grace Alli-ance Church in Olean. He serves in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, WA, and they live in Olympia.

To honor Coach King, his friends are

organizing a day to treat him like a real “king,” on Saturday, May 28. The day will start with an Alumni Basket-ball Game at 2:30, fea-turing those who played for Coach, and followed by a barbeque picnic at 4:30. All are welcome to join the day’s festivities. Donations will be ac-cepted towards a gift that has Coach King and his retirement in mind. If you have any ques-tions or are a former player of Coach King’s

who has not already received an invitation to play, call Phil Merrill at 585-610-8882 or e-mail phil.merrill@houghtonaacd-emy.org.

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