93 Seniors Leave a Lasting Legacy — In Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Faith
In his 25 years as a coach, teacher, and administrator at Worthington Christian School, principal Tim Kraynak has had to say goodbye to several graduating seniors. This year, Kraynak will also be one of the people saying goodbye. Kraynak, who is stepping down as principal to work with Finish Line Ministries International at the end of the school year, will preside over his final high school graduation on May 25 at Grace Polaris Church.
Kraynak said he couldn’t imagine a better class to close out his WC career with.
“I’m thankful for the Class of 2025 and the joy they bring to the Upper School,” Kraynak said. “They lead well and have a heart to serve others. I have appreciated the way they both care for and sharpen each other. They have lived out our Community Life Together Covenant well and have established a legacy of honoring Christ.”
Christian studies teacher Jackson Woosley said it will be odd not to see some seniors’ faces in the hallways next year.
“The Class of 2025 is a class to be remembered,” he said. “Pride is too small a word for what I feel for this class. They have left an indelible mark on WC, specifically on the lives of the teachers, perhaps none more than me.”
The 93 members of the Class of 2025, which includes 35 “lifers” (students who spent their entire schooling at WC), etched their legacy academically, athletically, artistically, and spiritually in their time at Worthington Christian.
Academics
Actor Denzel Washington once said there are three phases of life: first, you learn; then, you earn; and finally, you return. Woosley sees the foundations of those principles, particularly the first learning phase, in the Class of 2025.
“They are a class that all teachers hope for: they are eager to learn, learn well, teach others what they learned, and then proceed to apply what was learned,” Woosley said. “That is true wisdom. They are a class that knows who they are, and they care for themselves. They are hardworking, talented, attentive to the work before them, and sensitive to the Spirit. But above all, perhaps the highest honor I could say, is that they truly make their classmates and this school better — simply by virtue of who they are.”
Thirty-three students (35.4 percent of the senior class) were selected into the National Honor Society. The total number of accolades for this year’s senior class has yet to be determined. However, with 62 percent of students submitting their information as of May 11, the Class of 2025 was nearing the million-dollar mark in potential scholarship money, a figure that is on track to match or exceed previous classes.
It’s hard to pin down just one label—or even a zip code—for where the Class of 2025 is headed next. While many students consider staying close to home with popular choices like Ohio State University, Capital, Otterbein, Columbus State, and Mount Vernon Nazarene, others are looking across the state and beyond.
Schools such as Cedarville, Bowling Green, Ashland, Ohio University, Miami University, and the University of Cincinnati caught students’ attention in Ohio alone. However, the class also explored options beyond state lines, considering colleges and universities in 17 states and Washington, D.C.
From coast to coast, Worthington Christian students looked at schools on both the Atlantic and Pacific, and in many places in between. In the East, they explored institutions in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia. In the South, they looked at South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, and Tennessee. In the Midwest, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan were on their radar. And in the Southwest and West, Arizona, Texas, and California made the list.
Some students were drawn to large academic institutions like The Ohio State University, the University of Tennessee, or the University of Michigan. Others leaned toward smaller schools with close-knit communities, such as Indiana Wesleyan, Taylor University, and Hope College. Across the board, students explored more than 20 Christian colleges and universities as potential next steps.
This class will be diverse geographically and ecumenically in its pursuits. Of the students who completed a recent survey, 21 were seeking to enter the medical field, 11 were pursuing a business degree, and seven were looking into different forms of engineering. A handful of students also listed some more atypical choices, such as ministry, counseling, real estate, biomedical engineering, criminology, data analytics, and music production.
Athletics
Even for a school used to success in soccer, the fall of the 2024 season turned out to be a watershed moment, as both the Warriors’ soccer teams advanced to the Division IV state tournament.
The girls’ soccer team reached the state tournament for the first time, falling to Cincinnati Summit Country Day 4-0 in a state semifinal. After losing in the district final the previous three years, Worthington Christian slipped past rival Columbus Academy 2-1 in a Central District final, defeated Wheelersburg 2-1 in overtime in a regional semifinal, and St. Clairsville 3-0 in the regional championship to reach the semifinal.
The Warriors, who will lose Brooke Bambey, Madeleine Hulme, Bella Kauffman, Katie Mast, Avery Oakley, McIaine Oosterbaan, and Alicia Yoder to graduation, achieved most of their goals for the season. They defeated rival Grandview 3-1 and won the Central Buckeye League championship and the district title. Coach Luke Fields, whose team finished 17-5-2 overall, said one of the things he was proudest of was how the team grew together as the season progressed.
“There was character building, I don’t think they even realize what was happening,” Fields said. “I had a couple of teachers say they could see a difference (from watching some games at the beginning and end of the season). It’s kind of cool and encouraging to hear that. All the other stuff is just icing on the cake.”
After ending a 13-year absence from the state final in 2023, the boys soccer team returned to the state championship for the second consecutive season. The Warriors fell to Warsaw River Valley 1-0 in double overtime in the Division IV state final. The Warriors outshot their opponent 32-11, including 14 shots on goal, but allowed a goal with 3:14 left in the second overtime. Worthington Christian had only given up one goal in the six tournament games leading up to the state final, including wins over Columbus International 3-0 in a district final, Bellville Clear Fork 5-0 in a regional semifinal, Findlay Liberty-Benton 2-1 in a shootout in the regional championship, and Cincinnati Madeira 1-0 in a state semifinal.
“I am proud of how we played,” said coach Dan Roads, whose team finished with a 14-3-1 record. “(Losing in the state championship) doesn’t take away from the work they put in to get here.”
Worthington Christian will begin next season without seniors Ethan Blank, Ethan Chang, Nate Erwin, Tom Espenschied, Eli Funderburke, Cyrus Nip, and Baden Wood.
“This senior class stepped up. They became leaders after we graduated, and there were so many good players from last year’s team,” said Roads, who shared the CBL coach of the year honors with Grandview coach James Gerdes. “They always identified ways to improve. They always asked themselves, ‘How can we get better today?’”
While the two soccer teams basked in the spotlight, they weren’t the only Worthington Christian athletes to reach the state level. Before the completion of the spring season, a handful of students reached the state level in his or her sport.
Austin Hickok placed second in the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 38.74 seconds and the 50 free in 20.45 at the Division II boys state swimming and diving championships in Canton. Hickok, who was joined at the state meet by sophomore Sam Zhu (32nd in the 500 free, 5:01.77), will compete for the Ohio State University men’s swimming team next season.
“Austin had a spectacular finish for his senior year,” coach Jim Peterfish said. “His improvement from his freshman to his senior year is a testimony to his preparation and dedication to this sport on all levels.”
The Worthington Christian cheerleaders, led by seniors Isabelle Jarvis, Oakley, and Lily Stanley, placed fourth in the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators’ Division IV Game Day Building category Feb. 21-23.
“Our senior cheerleaders played a pivotal role in leading Worthington Christian to its first (state) appearance in the school’s history,” coach Tammy Lewis said. “Their leadership, dedication, and unwavering spirit set the tone for the entire season, inspiring their teammates every step of the way. They will be deeply missed by both their coaches and teammates, who are grateful for the legacy they’ve left behind.”
Senior Dylan Wooten placed 56th in 16:32.25 in the fall at the Division III state cross country meet. At the same time, in the winter, Anja Muskopf took seventh in the Division II girls state bowling tournament after rolling a 634 over three frames.
Additionally, the following seniors earned all-state honors in their respective sports: Hulme and Oosterbaan (girls’ soccer), Cameron Robinson (second team, football), and Logan Woloshan (honorable mention, boys’ basketball).
Arts
Author C.S. Lewis once wrote, “We are…a Divine work of art, something that God is making…something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character.” The arts, whether performing in the marching band, in the orchestra, acting, or singing with one of its choirs, are essential to student life at Worthington Christian. According to a 2024 study of the school’s student body, 65 percent of all students schoolwide participate in the arts in some form.
When senior Amanda Custer, an AP ceramic artist, creates a piece of art, she believes her creation reflects who she is in Christ.
“You can use your experiences and emotions to express life lessons that you have learned,” said Custer, who joins Yoder, Aaron Van Dop, Trinity Godsey, Oakley, Muskopf, Sophie Burns, and Addie Johnson as senior AP ceramic students. “We conducted a sustained investigation into topics relevant to us. I captured different memories in my personal life and expressed them through sculpture.”
“I have been able to create sculptures that include important aspects in my life,” Yoder added. “I have realized different passions and their impact on my life.”
When the Columbus Association of the Performing Arts judges attended one of the school’s productions, they told director David O’Roark they could see something different.
“One of the comments we got from the CAPA judges this year was just how exciting it felt to be part of the community on the night they attended,” O’Roark said. “They said they could feel how much the audience appreciated what they were watching and how fun it was to be in the room.”
The drama department presented three very different shows this school year. In the fall, Worthington Christian put on God’s Favorite, a Neil Simon play that is based on the Book of Job. In the winter, the school put on Tuck Everlasting, a musical by Nathan Tyson that explores what it means to truly be alive. In the spring, O’Roark combined the forces of the high school and middle school drama departments to put on The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, based on Jeff Kinney’s book series.
“Our shows played well with the audiences and we had a great time doing those shows,” O’Roark said. “The seniors have helped build a community that will thrive because of the foundation laid by all the kids who have been a part of this program.”
Erin Gill, the Upper School’s choir director, graduates Eli Belcher, Noah Long, Ian Sattler, and Will Vargus, all of whom participated in the men’s choir, the mixed choir and the jazz choir, Caroline Dean, who was a part of the women’s choir, mixed choir, and jazz choir and Muskopf, who was in the women’s choir and the mixed choir.
“These students have participated in many school concerts, jazz choir concerts, and out-of-school concerts,” Gill said. “The Jazz Choir participated in Ohio State University’s School of Music Winter Festival and traveled to New York City to visit and to perform this year.”
In the jazz band, senior Michael Watson was one of three Worthington Christian students selected for the Ohio State High School Honors Jazz Band. Watson, who plays the standup bass, and juniors Luke Pace (tenor saxophone) and Ben Winfrey (alto saxophone) were among the 37 students statewide chosen for the band.
“These students are truly talented and represent high standards and work ethic here at Worthington Christian and in the band program,” band director Tim Miner said.
The marching band qualified for the Ohio Music Educators Large Group State Contest, earned a spot in the state competition, and received an “excellent” rating.
In instrumental music, Watson, Rylan Kuerschner, Anjali Paul, Natalie Ryan, Trina So, and Aaron Van Dop participated in the Ohio Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Contest. Those six entered in four solos and nine ensemble competitions, most received “Superior” ratings, and a couple of “Excellent” ratings.
“This has been a great senior class,” instrumental music director Renee Johnson said. “They are very involved, excellent musicians, and leaders.”
Arts teacher Aimee Decker said her seniors have had their work displayed in various areas. Muskopf combined her love of engineering and art to create a marine-themed sluice project, which uses the control of water flow, for the Boardman Arts Park in Delaware. Using side panels, sea glass decorated water boxes, and spinners, the sculpture permits patrons to experiment with water flow while working with other visitors.
“The sluice was designed for children to be active in creating art and interacting with the water flow,” Muskopf said. “Designing and building the sluice was in some ways a challenge, but I am grateful for the gifts God has given me to persevere and pursue art as a hobby.”
Jack Nicodemus has used his lens and camera to capture the magic of live music, crafting beautiful portraits and graphic designs for publications. Alissa O’Farrell’s digital art piece “Elysian” was picked to be part of the 2024 Celebrating Art Anthology, a nationwide K-12 art contest.
” Art is a great form of self-expression for me. A lot of times I’m just messing around to see what looks good and what feels right to me,” O’Farrell said. “I also make a point to glorify God in whatever I do, especially my art.”
Faith
Perhaps the most complex facet of Worthington Christian to quantify is the sphere of its spiritual influence. In addition to the annual missionary trip to the Dominican Republic, the senior class participated in several community outreaches this year, including four student-led worship services, leading and being a part of the Warrior Group Bible Studies, and participating in the school’s two discipleship movements: “Rise and Shine” and “Pull-up.”
“It has been an absolute blessing to watch this class grow in the Lord, as people, and as servant-leaders for Jesus,” said Jake Ferrier, the school’s first-year Director of Spiritual Formation. “The unity, love, and fun in this class are remarkable and encouraging. I cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to use students from the Class of 2025 after graduation.”
“This class has a ‘softness’ and authenticity about them, leaning in and anticipating God’s work, rather than just waiting for things to happen,” added English teacher Abby Palmer, a house mentor and a senior trip chaperone. “It allows them to thrive and flourish and make the most of their relationships, opportunities, and walk with the Lord.”
The apex of the senior year is often the senior trip to the Dominican Republic. Eighty-seven students participated in the missionary trip to Santo Domingo from March 13 to 20. Students were divided into four teams to do various missionary tasks, such as sharing the Gospel with people in the sugar cane villages, working with local elementary school students, and worshipping with students their own age.
Science teacher Dawn McMahon said the trip brought out the best in the Class of 2025.
“This class exemplifies joy and care for one another,” said McMahon, a House Dean and one of the leaders of the senior trip. “They seek to be present, to be engaged, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in tangible and beautiful ways. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of their journey as they have begun to grow into the young people the Lord created them to be.”
With all that the seniors created this year, Woosley said it will be difficult to say goodbye to the Class of 2025.
“Having the privilege of teaching seniors is a beautiful ache,” Woosley said. “The transitory nature of this vocation annually presents a sweet sorrow: you grow to know them, you come to love them, then you wistfully watch them leave. The beginning of one thing is the end of another. As T.S. Eliot says, “In the beginning is my end, and in my end is my beginning.”