Top row: David (‘98) and wife Jacquee; Gary and Sue; Nicholas (‘05) and wife Amanda; Phillip (‘89) and wife Kaila; Michael (‘95) and wife Nickie holding daughter Dakota and son Wesley. Bottom row: Jaclyn (‘07), Talon son of David and Jacquee; Liberty (hiding) daughter of Michael and Nickie; Wyatt, son of Phillip and Kaila; Cathryn (‘02) holding Connor (son of Nicholas and Amanda); Alyssa daughter of Phillip and Kaila.
Gary and Sue O’Neill have six children who all graduated from Ontario Christian between 1995 and 2007. Sue also worked nine years at the OCHS counseling department. Now, as their youngest daughter finished graduate school, the O’Neills testify to the enduring, positive influence that Christian education has had on their children. For this article, we interviewed the entire O’Neill family.
Gary & Sue: “If there was something the children were involved in, such as student council or renaissance rally, we never worried about their supervision. We knew they were safe and with ‘family members’ who would watch out for them just as we would. For anyone considering Christian education, OC is the best investment and lifetime gift they could ever provide their children.”
Michael ‘95 (AA: San Joaquin Valley College, business owner): “From my first day at OC to the last, I treasure all the memories, both the good ones and those of struggles or difficulties. Whenever I return to visit, I have always felt at home both with the folks that STILL work there and with fellow students who now also work at OC. Ontario Christian will always have a place in my heart. Funny thing is … I still have the Alma Mater memorized! ”
David ‘98 (AA: Mt. Sac, working toward his BS from Utah Valley Univeristy, sensor operator/pilot): “Being an alumnus of OC taught me the value of a quality Christian education and the meaning of a strong community. I would not be where I am today if not for the sacrifices of my parents who ensured I attended a quality educational institution and participated in athletics in a Christ-honoring manner.”
Phillip ‘99 (BA: CSU Fullerton, MA: Colorado Tech, business owner): “The benefits of attending Ontario Christian were not visible until after graduation. However, as I continued my education with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I was able to tell the difference between the benefits of the public school system versus Ontario Christian. A solid foundation in Christian education has put me further in life than if I had attended public school.”
Cathryn ‘02 (BS: UC Irvine, MD: Ross University, physician) : “OC provided me with the tools needed to learn about life, and thought-provoking teachers urged me to expand my perspective and question my preconceptions. I have used these skills to excel in all areas of my life, because at OC, I was rooted and grew in the foundation of God’s love.”
Nicholas ‘05 (AA from Community College of the Air Force; currently working towards a BS at Southwestern University, senior airman, USAF): “OC provides the tools to prepare their students for college and brings out their capabilities for success. Students can take advantage of a wide selection of extracurricular activities in addition to just academics. OC gave me a much better education than most of my peers received in public schools.”
Jaclyn ‘07 (double BA and MA from CSU San Bernardino, entering federal law enforcement): “Ontario Christian provides students with the tools necessary for success. What students do with those opportunities is up to them. Having a strong Christian education in high school fully prepared me for college, helping me to obtain two bachelor’s and a master’s degrees. I can only say ‘ditto’ to my siblings’ statements.”
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