Nathan Marable came to Westbury Christian in 2017 as an 8th grader. Today, as a senior, he is one of the lead roles of Aladdin Jr. as Sulton. His time at Westbury Christian has been transformative for his personal growth and discovering his hidden talents in fine arts.
How did you get involved in the WCS Theatre program?
“Between sophomore and junior year, I found out I have to take a fine arts course to graduate. And I didn’t want to take a fine arts course at all. My options were art or theater. I thought, I am terrible at art, so I might as well do theater. What I didn’t know was that I could have just taken the theater class. I participated in the Mary Poppins play in the Fall 2021 and took the theater class because I thought I had to do both. I was casted for a regular Banker and Chimney Sweep. I was in the back and it was a good first experience. Then after that I didn’t want to act so I decided to go on tech crew for Little Women and Radium Girls. I planned on doing Tech Crew for Aladdin Jr. but Mr. Blaine convinced me that I should do Sulton for Aladdin Jr. I ended up loving it.”
What are you most excited for about the show?
“I am excited for people to come see it, we are ready. Ready to get it going.”
I imagine there is a lot of stress as the show is getting ready to premiere. How do you handle a stressful moment?
“What’s funny is right now I do not have a lot of stress. March was a very stressful month with choreography and music. In February, we started scenes and it was a time we would get into the scenes to practice memorizing our lines. Whenever I messed something up, I would feel bad but I have to tell myself when I am in theater tomorrow it will be fine and it won’t matter”
What is your favorite activity at WCS?
“My favorite WCS activity is Theater because I am enjoying it. The people and the show, lots of memorable times, and also it’s just fun to play with your lines and pretend to be someone. I am involved in a lot of different clubs and groups. I am in National Honor Society, Yearbook, VEX Robotics, and at one point student council.”
How have you grown as a person at Westbury Christian?
“I think when I started at WCS in 8th grade I came from a small school with 40 kids. Over there I was also in my shell and I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I acted that way here until my junior year. My junior year is when I started to feel more comfortable and try new things. One of those things I tried was theater, but I also tried golf and VEX Robotics this year.”
Are there teachers at WCS who inspired you or encouraged you to challenge yourself?
I would say Mr. Reid challenges me in the classroom. He gives a lot of projects. The projects aren’t hard but you have to put in the work. A lot of times, I procrastinate. Getting started is always the hardest part.
Mrs. Leeson encourages me. I am new to building in VEX Robotics. She reassures me and tells me I am trying my best.”
What advice would you give to another WCS student?
“Be yourself. Because it’s a free place to be yourself.”
The Aladdin Jr. opens Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The upcoming shows are Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for reserved seating, $10 for general seating. Student tickets are $5. Purchase tickets at the door or here.
Lower School, Middle School, and High School Westbury Christian Students Serve in Local Non Profits
Over the past month, each division at Westbury Christian School participated in a service project. WCS believes volunteering not only benefits our community but also provides an opportunity for our students’ personal growth and development. Our administrators prayerfully plan opportunities for each class to serve the Houston community throughout the year.
Houston Food Bank
In Houston, Texas, the Westbury Christian third graders, sophomores and juniors volunteered to serve at theHouston Food Bank over multiple visits. Students helped pack boxes of food items to help provide meals for those in need. Together they packed 11,520 pounds of food which will provide 9,595 meals.
The sophomores and juniors spent several hours sorting through food donations, checking expiration dates, and packaging items into boxes for distribution.
“We are so proud of our Wildcats for showing Christ’s love by serving others,” says Principal Kaitlyn Ballard.
WCS third graders found the trip inspiring. One of the third grade students, CJ, said, “We learned about teamwork, helping others and offering our time when we are not being paid for it.”
Another third grader, Tamia added, “We can always change the world even when we are young!”
The third grade service project was part of the WCS Lower School’s Project H.U.G. initiative. Established in 2016, Project H.U.G. stands for Hearts Understanding Goodness. The Lower School classes (K3-4th grade) have a month of service centered around an organization the class selects.
“The goal of Project H.U.G. is for our students to share the love of Jesus with their community and the world at large,” says Lower School Principal Amanda Archer. “Our hope is that our students see service as a lifetime opportunity.”
About Houston Food Bank: The Houston Food Bank is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes food to hunger relief charities across 18 counties in southeast Texas. Their mission is to provide food for better lives and work towards ending hunger in the local community. The Houston Food Bank relies heavily on volunteers to help sort and distribute food items. Without volunteers, the organization would not be able to provide the necessary services to those in need.
One of the defining ministries of Impact Houston has always been its outreach to the homeless and marginalized. Impact opens its doors Monday through Thursday to provide a hot meal, shower, clothes, laundry facilities, Bible study and relief from the outdoors for those who need it. Our middle school students (5th-8th grade) had the opportunity to serve alongside Impact volunteers and staff by sorting clothes, hearing stories from ministry coordinators, and cooking and serving a meal for the homeless.
Tim Sells, minister at Impact Church of Christ, told our students, “Today we will be introducing you to a different kind of lifestyle than you are used to—the life of an outdoorsman, which are what we call the homeless men who come in.”
Sells works with the outdoorsmen and talked about what it looks like to be homeless and live on the streets in Houston.
At Impact Houston, there are at least 200 families that come to get food each day. They can serve as many as 1,600 different families each week. Impact Houston would not be able to reach as many families without volunteers, like our students.
After serving, Dennis Jeager showed our middle schoolers the difference between pity and compassion by standing on a chair and talking down to someone as the example of pity, but kneeling down and reaching out a hand to help for the example of compassion. Jaeger also reminded students that small decisions impact our future. “God gives us the ability to choose which way we go, but decisions have good and bad consequences no matter what,” he told students.
Prior to their Senior Experience, the Class of 2023 started the morning performing community service in the Westbury neighborhood. A group of boys spent hours picking up trash in the median. A group of girls deep cleaned the Westbury Church of Christ nursery. These community service projects directly impacted our school community and beyond.
Honor Choir Makes a Joyful Noise to University Place Nursing Center
The Lower School Honor Choir traveled to University Place Nursing Center to sing songs for residents. The Lower School Honor Choir is directed by Bill Ward and consists of students from 2nd through 4th grade. The students sang seven songs to the residents, and their immediate impact was clear.
In addition to a loud round of applause from the audience, the performance also moved some of the residents to tears of joy. The students mingled with the senior residents after the performance and heard how they had made the day brighter for some of them.
At the end of the video clip, you can hear Isabella’s (2nd) explanation for the song selections. Our students are living the truth of the verse found in 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
HOUSTON-Texas – Westbury Christian is pleased to announce the unveiling of new branding for its 15 acre athletic facility. During the 5th Annual Wildcat Dash, Westbury Christian Head of School, Nathan Wagner, revealed the Westbury Christian Athletic Complex new branding upgrade to students, parents, faculty and families. Families were in awe and students had jaw-dropping experience walking through the Westbury Christian Athletic complex. The new branding aligns with the school’s mission, values, and culture and reflects its commitment to providing an exceptional student experience for our Wildcats.
The branding upgrade was possible through a generous donation by the Chance family. For many years, they’ve been committed to Westbury Christian School and Wildcat athletics, supporting all our students and programs.
“We are so grateful for the Chance family and their investment in our students. They’ve watched and supported their own five daughters play almost every sport offered at WCS, and even if they didn’t have a daughter playing, they’ve been present to support our teams,” says Nathan Wagner, Head of School.
“Mr. and Dr. Chance have truly helped ‘level up’ our facility with this project,” continues Wagner. “We want each of our Wildcat student-athletes to walk into this facility with great pride and know that we value them, and we want every guest on campus to know that they have entered the ‘home of the Wildcats’.”
The branding upgrade is the result of a comprehensive brand audit and collaboration with Waterboy Graphics. The new branding includes a complete window wrap of the front entrance, vinyl wrap along two front entrance walls, a 65” brushed aluminum backlit WCS Wildcat and 17 window and door wraps through the facility.
“When I first pulled up to the athletic complex, I was shocked by the front door window design. When I looked closer, I noticed the blue light from an aluminum Wildcat. Now that is awesome!” said one parent.
The branding has uplifted a sense of Wildcat pride around the school and creates a unique and memorable experience for students and visitors.
For more information about Westbury Christian’s new branding or to contribute to phase 2, please contact Westbury Christian School at [email protected]
There are a range of reasons a family may consider a private school education for their child. Some turn to private schools for smaller class sizes, specific academic or extracurricular programs, safety concerns, or college connections. Others may choose a private religious school for the emphasis on spiritual formation or the connection to a local church. Each family’s decision is different and based on priorities for their family and child.
Independent School Management (ISM) is a leading consultancy and research organization that supports private schools both in and outside the United States. They conduct extensive research of best practices for independent schools and frequently survey parents, students, faculty, and school leaders to provide institutions with relevant information about the state of private schools and insights about the perspectives of stakeholders. Their research has found that parents highly value four elements when considering private schools. Read below to learn more about those expectations and what Westbury Christian does to meet them.
Parents want a safe environment for their children. Oftentimes, private schools offer smaller class sizes and smaller campuses than neighboring public schools. This makes it easier for staff members to be aware of dangerous situations, student dynamics, and other health and safety concerns. Smaller teacher-student ratios are also conducive to building and establishing connections between students and between faculty and students. Positive, healthy relationships reduce the risk and opportunity for dangerous behaviors.
Westbury Christian School places a premium on the relationships developed between the adults and students on campus. Not only do teachers and coaches get to know students through their classroom and extracurricular activities, faculty and staff members also lead small group chapel and advisory sessions to develop connections with students. These healthy relationships open doors for influence, spiritual formation, and the exchange of wisdom and advice. Teachers spend time in the hallways during passing periods, invest in relationships, and try to be an avenue for communicating concerns. A full-time guidance director and part-time school counselor are available to students to help them navigate the challenges and anxieties of school. The staff also regularly reviews and revises emergency management plans to follow guidelines from the Texas School Safety Center, and the school maintains a closed campus.
Parents want a caring community that provides individual attention to their child. Small class sizes allow teachers the opportunity to really get to know students. In public schools with large classes, it’s challenging for teachers to get to help, know, or advocate for every student. Despite the best intentions, students can get lost in the sheer numbers of some large school districts. Private schools are able to better identify and address the needs of individual students.
At WCS, teachers use the NWEA MAP Growth+ assessment three times during the year to get an individual snapshot of students’ academic performance and progress. Throughout the year, teachers use this information to tailor their instruction to the specific needs of the class or student. With smaller classes, teachers are also able to visit with each student, provide feedback and guidance, and answer questions, and they have the flexibility to arrange tutorials or follow-up meetings outside of regular class times. The support of the Wildcat community goes beyond the classroom. It’s common to see teachers at athletic events, fine art performances, and around the cafeteria getting to know students and supporting them in their extra-curricular activities.
Parents want a school with a high-quality faculty and curriculum. Most parents who invest in private education want their students to be prepared for college. Teacher experience and expertise can go a long way in helping students achieve in the classroom. The lesson plans, learning experiences, and instructional practices designed and implemented by teachers shape the way students learn and grow as scholars. Course plans and design should challenge students to grow, and teachers should be able to execute and design authentic learning opportunities. Academic rigor may be measured by standardized test scores, the number of advanced courses a school offers, or the amount of homework assigned each week. Some schools offer dual-enrollment courses with local colleges; others focus on AP or IB classes. A challenging academic program can help students grow as learners and develop their intellectual curiosity, academic passions, and work habits.
At Westbury Christian, our faculty and staff have degrees or certifications in their content areas of instruction and many of them have industry experience in areas related to their subject matter. A former engineer teaches math and physics, our biology teacher previously managed the animal lab at a local hospital, an actor and director teaches theatre classes, and one of our Bible teachers spends time each summer serving in the mission field. These “real-life” experiences make the academic content come to life through authentic learning opportunities, relevant experiences, and applicable lesson plans. We also offer more than a dozen AP courses to prepare students for collegiate-level experiences and coursework. All of our teachers help students see the connections between their learning and the life experiences they will have.
Parents want to support the school’s mission and educational philosophy. Parents want to find a school that fits their educational goals and aspirations for their children. A school that aligns with parent values and desired outcomes can become a valuable partner in accomplishing these goals. When students feel comfortable in a school and the parent-school relationship is aligned, students will achieve more. Schools will often create or display a “portrait of a graduate” to illustrate the traits and abilities that are important to the school. Parents can look at this list to see if priority values align.
At Westbury Christian, we display our list of portrait traits in the hall as students enter our building, and teachers work to develop these traits in students during their time in school. We believe these five traits—developing potential, engaging in learning, overcoming obstacles, modeling service, and living like Christ—will serve students well during their time in schools and in the decades that follow. Our school also emphasizes a three-dimensional approach to education, focusing on the spiritual, intellectual and social development of students.
Westbury Christian School provides a faith-based college preparatory education for students in grades K3–12. A vibrant community of learners, WCS reflects the Kingdom: Faithful, Wise, and Diverse. Competitive tuition provides working families the opportunity to give their children a Biblically-based education at WCS. The School feels privileged to serve families from a variety of religious faiths, ethnicities, and socioeconomic background and actively works to maintain student diversity that reflects the current populace of southwest Houston.
Spring break is a time many high school students are looking forward to a week of relaxation, catching up on sleep and spending time with friends. But, for a group of 17 WCS high schoolers and 3 teachers, this year’s spring break was a time to do something more. The group took a 5 day spring break mission trip to New Iberia, Louisiana to work on beautification projects in the area.
The group of students and teachers had been planning for this trip for months coordinating travel, and preparing for the work they would do. They were excited to use their time off from school to make a difference in the lives of others.
Upon arrival in New Iberia, our students were warmly greeted and welcomed by the New Iberia Church of Christ team. They were briefed on their assignments and quickly got to work. The group was tasked with planting trees and painting houses in a New Iberia neighborhood. Despite the physical labor, the group found joy in working together and seeing the progress they made. “We got to see God’s fingerprints all over this trip,” said Middle School Bible Teacher Mr. Josh Hatfield. “People were just blown away that we came from Houston to New Iberia to work on their houses.”
As they worked, the students got to know the people they were helping. The connections they made with the families reminded them of the importance of service and how it can make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. “You can hear the gratitude in their voice to the people we talked to. Like Ms. Caroline whose house we painted and Mr. Brandon. I met so many people who cared so much about me without even knowing me. I meant nothing to them two days before the trip, but now I am changing their entire world.” says Senior, Luke Packard.
One highlight of the trip were delicious meals prepped after a hard day’s work. The group also had special crawfish dinners. In the evenings, they participated in nightly devotions, where they studied the Bible, shared stories of their days and reflected on the impact their work was having on the community. “When I watched our group work, it reminded me of John 13 when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. I shared this with them on the last night of our trip. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet the last night he was alive. This job was for the lowest of the low. Nobody wanted to do this job but Jesus spent his last night doing that. I can promise you scraping paint is not the glamorous or wanted job. We may have to do things that are not very enjoyable but that work makes a huge difference and a huge impact in the Kingdom of God that we are trying to serve.” said Mr. Josh Hatfield.
By the end of the trip, the group had scraped old paint and freshly painted two houses, planted 9 trees, and graveled a driveway and made a lasting impact on the community. They were tired and sore but felt fulfilled in knowing that their work had made a difference. At the end Ms. Caroline gave all of us a hug and broke into tears because of her gratitude at that moment. It was really cool,” adds Luke Packard.
Our students and teachers have learned the importance of service, the power of community, and the impact that a group of dedicated individuals can make in a short time. They shared their experiences in High School Chapel this week and encouraged their classmates to continue serving others and making a difference in the world. Senior Faith Jonesia said, “It was really awesome to get to serve and get closer to my friends on the trip. Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors, I recommend you all take this opportunity to go next year. Seniors, even though we are all going to different schools next year, I recommend you guys go to one if you get the chance. It was awesome.”
February is Black History Month, a time to give additional attention to the accomplishments, cultures, contributions and history that the Black and African American community has had in shaping the United States. Led by our administrators, teachers, and students, all of our classes from Preschool to 12th grade have been studying and celebrating the achievements of African Americans. As February comes to an end, our goal is to continue to celebrate and honor the contributions and impact of African Americans on American society beyond the month of February.
Here are a few highlights from the month across Lower School, Middle School and High School.
SAGE Dining highlighted renowned Black chefs from the US and Canada who’ve made a powerful impact in the culinary world. Each Thursday, Chef Terry selected a chef to feature in his own cooking. Chef Terry says, “What I really enjoy the most about Black History Month is showcasing the different chefs from Matthew Raiford to Carla Hall.” To learn more about how Chef Terry has brought the celebration to our meals, watch here.
Chapel speakers have made connections with students.Dr. Robertson, a professor of English at the University of Houston-Downtown, spoke at middle and high school chapels about ethnic diversity in the Bible. Middle School science teacher and varsity soccer coach Babatunde Ogunseinde spoke at Lower School, Middle School and High School chapels, sharing his Nigerian culture and the Yoruba language and singing fun songs for our students to learn. Several elementary students also shared about their Nigerian culture.
Hallway Decorations: Lower School students created a Black History Hall of Fame in their hallways, writing essays, making posters and creating artwork about the accomplishments and contributions that the Black and African American community has had in shaping the United States. In Middle and High School, students and teachers created a similar display with doors “wrapped” with images and information about key individuals from First Lady Michelle Obama to Benjamin Banneker.
Guest speakers and presentations have inspired our students. Dr. ErinWilliams presented to Middle School Social Studies classes about her experience as a pediatric anesthesiologist and African American trailblazers in medicine. She encouraged our students to be “the BEST at whatever you become.” The Intuitive African Dance and Drum Culture also shared a special presentation with the entire student body. Students from Pre-K3 through 12th grade enjoyed a fun, interactive and educational performance. To see highlights from the performance, watch here.
In March, we will be celebrating and recognizing Women’s History Month. Be sure to check out WCS’s FacebookTwitter, Instagram and YouTube to see the happenings taking place on our campus to educate, celebrate and reflect upon women’s history.
The Westbury Christian Lady Wildcats are roaring about their new locker space. Thanks to a generous donation by the Chance family, the girls’ locker room has a new look.
“I am really excited for our girls athletics programs. It is great to see their hard work and commitment rewarded and recognized by the staff and parents at Westbury Christian School,” says Athletic Director Russell Carr.
The girls locker room will benefit all Westbury Christian girls sports including Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Track and Softball. Middle school teams will be able to use the locker room on competition days.
“With the new design, we hope to reflect the immense pride we have in our female student-athletes, their coaches, and our alumni,” says Head of School Nathan Wagner. “We want to create a space that highlights the hard work, diligence, and determination that they put into their athletic pursuits.”
The new design includes a backlit brushed aluminum logo and a wall wrap featuring key words for Wildcat athletics. The Scripture Colossians 3:23 features prominently as well.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Darby, who plays volleyball, basketball and softball, added, “I love how big and open the new locker room is. I can’t wait to prep with my team on game days.”
Freshmen Macauley Miles added, “I feel like it’s a place now where we all can bond and be comfortable. We can strengthen our teamwork”
Girls athletes are able to use the space immediately.
To watch how our Varsity girls basketball team reacted to the unveiling, view here:
High school art teacher, Mrs. Keese and elementary art teacher, Mrs. Okwuonu are known for inspiring and challenging their students to create and think outside the box.
In January, our students submitted over 50 artwork pieces from Pre-K through 12th grade to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Competition and the TAPPS Fall Photo Contest.
The School Art Program through the Houston Rodeo has challenged students for more than 5o years. The program provides Pre-K through 12th grade the opportunity to compete, learn from summer workshops and earn scholarships during the Houston Rodeo. The School Art Program supports approximately 130 different school districts including private and parochial schools in the Houston area. Each year, thousands of entries from around Houston are submitted for the competition.
Two of our 8th grade students, Agnes T. and Alexis C. were awarded finalist ribbons in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Competition. Eight elementary students received blue and red ribbons for their artwork.
The High School photography class entered over 30 pieces from our Wildcat photographers, and two of our Wildcats won medals in the TAPPS Fall Photo Contest: Congratulations to Wolfgang K. (12th) for winning a 2nd place medal in the Still Life category and Evelyn C. (9th) for winning a 1st place medal in the Cityscape/Architecture category.
“Elementary and Middle School students have been exploring the country of Italy and are creating some beautiful pieces reflective of the region. I am excited to display their W.O.W. (Wonderful Original Work) during the Spring Showcase!” says Mrs. Okwuonu. You are invited to join the WCS Community on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 6:30 pm for a night celebrating the arts! More details to follow.
How did you get involved in the WCS Theatre program?
