THSC has received news over the years of the accomplishments of Texas home school graduates.  We are happy now to introduce these graduates and let you know “where they are now.”  For some, it has been higher education, for others business ownership, apprenticeship, marriage and children, or the military.  We appreciate families allowing us to share in the ongoing blessings!

Danielle Cazzato graduated June 2005 at the age of 16.  She is currently attending Dallas Baptist University, with a double concentration in voice and piano.  Her GPA in her first semester was 3.74, which earned her a place on the Academic Honors List for the fall semester 2005.  She currently holds two part time jobs; one at Dallas Baptist University in the External Affairs Department and the other at First Baptist Church, Irving, as coordinator for the CHAMPS Program. 

The CHAMPS program is the after school program for underprivileged children at our church, First Baptist Church of Irving.  The letters stand for: Children Have Always Made People Smile.  The volunteers help the children with their homework. There is also storytime, where the children learn about our Lord.  Danielle is the coordinator on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Costume designer: Brigette Hamman of Jarrell, one of Georgetown Christian Home Educators' teens Class of 2006.  Brigette, the oldest of 9 children, began sewing and sketching clothing at age 6. Her first costume was a renaissance-style dress that earned her recognition in the Ohio State 4-H at age 12. 

Currently dual enrolled in the American School of Correspondence and in Austin Community College, she plans to transfer to UT-Austin in costume design. Her recent projects include the January production of "Grease," by Copperas Cove High School, and "Aladdin," by the Brandon Rex Sanders School of Fine Arts in Copperas Cove, coming out in May. “Aladdin” is her first commissioned project.  Because of the volunteer work she has done in the community theatre groups in our area, she will be recognized as the 2006 Youth Volunteer of the Year for Fort Hood's Operations Test Command at their annual recognition ceremony at the end of this month.  She enjoys sign language and playing folk music on the viola.

See some of the costumes.

In May 2006, Steven King graduated from the Air Force Academy. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Donald Rumsfeld. That was a very exciting day for us all and a great encouragement for home schooling families.  We were so thankful that we were able to homeschool our son and then watch as he graduated from one of the top schools in the country.

Steven, just after he shook hands with Mr. Rumsfeld and skipped off stage.
 

Luke Parrish of Houston graduated from his home school in May 2005. On April 7, 2006, he graduated from the United States Marine Corps basic training in San Diego. Luke obtained his private pilot license when he was 17 and will pursue aviation maintenance with the Marine Corps; he aspires to fly helicopters as a Marine.

Ben Parrish of Houston graduated home school in May 2003 and is nearing the completion of his second year as a midshipman at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. He achieved his position at the academy by congressional appointment from Rep. Kevin Brady.

Luke (left) and Ben (right) Parrish  

at Luke’s graduation from USMC basic training

Louis F. Kreusel of San Antonio graduated from home school about 4 years ago. He completed two years at a local community college. He is now a volunteer with Ireland Outreach International which distributes Bible study materials in Ireland and in several African countries. They have also been drilling water wells in Africa where getting good potable water is a real problem. The ministry has also established a health clinic in Nigeria.  Louis plans to be doing some filming in Nigeria in February.

After having been schooled at home since the age of six, Eagle Scout Michael Clark graduated high school in May 1996.  He went on to major in Communication, starting out at Hillsdale College in Michigan, and then transferring to Dallas Baptist University where he graduated in the spring of 2000.  Shortly thereafter, having done some volunteer work at a Christian radio station, he began a career in radio, first with Salem Communications in Las Colinas, and is now a producer for KVIL (103.7 FM) in Dallas.  Michael married Jade Lilly of Ft. Worth in March 2002.  In December of 2005 they were blessed with the birth of their first child, Preston James.  The Clarks reside in Grand Prairie and attend Irving Bible Church.                                                                 

Florence Ann Reeves of Buchanan Dam graduated from home schooling in 1999 and from Howard Payne University, Magna Cum Laude, in 2003 with a major in history and minor in English.  She then spent just over a year at the National Museum of Pacific War in Fredericksburg as an intern, where she worked on the Leyete Gulf Symposium, Iwo Jima Re-enactment, Okinawa Symposium, and numerous other events and met many of our wonderful heroes of WWII and dignitaries of our country as well.  She is currently at home waiting for God’s next step.

Katie Beth Reeves of Buchanan Dam is a 2004 home school graduate.  She is also attending Central Texas College in Killeen.   Based on her GPA, Katie was recently accepted as one of 50 out of 117 applicants into the nursing program and will enter the program in fall of 2006.  She hopes to use her nursing degree in some aspect of mission work.  She is also involved in drama and costuming.

JoLynn Reeves of Buchanan Dam is a 2002 home school graduate.  She is attending Central Texas College in Killeen, where she will graduate with an associate’s degree in radio and television communications in May, 2006.  JoLynn has worked all through college, including an internship at the Christian television station in Killeen, KPLE, where she had the opportunity to work on a segment of Faces of Abortion for the Justice Foundation.  She hopes to pursue Christian radio and photo-journalism and possibly a Bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Nathan (Nate) Brazzel of Denton, on June 13, 2005, entered the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School as one of the two cadets nominated nationally by the Civil Air Patrol.  He is currently in his third quarter at the Prep School and doing well.  He will receive his Congressional Nomination to the Air Force Academy on January 16, 2006.

Matthew (Moe) Brazzel of Denton graduated December 2005 and enlisted in delayed entry for the U.S. Coast Guard.  On March 7, 2006, he will leave for Camp May, New Jersey, for boot camp.  His plans are to attend gunners mate school.  After completing his four years—unless he decides to remain in service—he plans to become a fire fighter.

                                                          The Brazzels

John A. Hand graduated from his home school in June 2001 and is currently a senior at Texas State University, majoring in business management, with a 3.4 GPA.  John plans to continue his education and pursue a master’s degree.  He is also working part time as an Epson representative.