A Heart of a Lion
Denzel Irvin | 2014
Denzel Irvin is Foundation Academy’s Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Collegiate Placement.
Denzel is a Lion alumni and was part of the class of 2014. He is best known to the FA family as our first Division I athlete in the school’s history. He was joined by his brother Darius at The University of Charlotte. 丹泽尔在大二赛季以防守后卫的身份为49人队首发，并在49人队结束了他的职业生涯.
Denzel came to FA because he knew about the success of the Foundation Athletic programs, but primarily to get his academic life back on track, which inevitably happened and enabled him to pursue his dream of playing college football. In addition, 丹泽尔认为，早年的逆境和严格的课程帮助他为现在的职业生涯做好了准备.
During his time at FA, besides football and the classroom, 他喜欢参加基督教运动员团契(FCA)和学生领袖学院(SLi)。.
Following his college career and graduation, Denzel became a business owner Get Active Performance Training, LLC, and a fitness coach.
Denzel can aid our athletes here at FA to pursue a collegiate athletic career because he has been through the recruitment process and understands the demands and mindset of an elite athlete. He believes that mentality is everything. He knows that athletes who challenge themselves in the classroom will challenge themselves on the field.
As many of you know, Denzel faced a life-changing health event about a year and a half ago in receiving a heart transplant. He credits the strength of his family and his faith in God for helping him through. Denzel said watching his family be strong daily helped him never waiver that he would get better and his walk with Christ has been strengthened. He sees life differently now and understands that faith can be subjective. Still, as for himself, his faith has never been stronger, and he appreciates life differently than before. His favorite verse is Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for human masters.”
You can find Mr. Irvin’s office in the Kelly Athletic Annex inside the Lunpkins Strength and Conditioning Center or on Friday nights as the Varsity defensive coordinator helping the Lions remain undefeated!
Denzel has a seven-year-old daughter, Maya, in the second grade. His brother Darius and mother and father still reside here in Orlando.
Sooner or Later
Danny Stutsman | 2021
Danny Stutsman came to Foundation Academy in the ninth grade. Coming from a public school background, his family was looking for a Christian school with a strong football program. They knew almost immediately that Foundation was their home.
Danny’s favorite thing about Foundation was the caring relationship between teachers and students. He always felt supported by his teachers and coaches and felt that they were invested in his success both in the classroom and on the field. 丹尼的妈妈苏西也注意到澳门威尼斯人网上赌场的氛围比以前的学校更有教养和鼓励. She remembers how excited teachers were to talk to her about Danny’s classroom successes and how many of them would show up at games to support Danny and his teammates.
Danny is now beginning his junior year at the University of Oklahoma. He has achieved great success as a linebacker on the Sooner football team and is thankful for the work ethic instilled in him during Foundation football workouts and practices. He credits his time in Foundation classrooms with teaching him time management and study skills that have served him well in his college studies.
Danny plans to pursue a career in the NFL after finishing college and eventually wants to work with another of his passions – cars. We wish Danny the best as he continues his college career, and we are excited to have been a small part of his journey!
A Guiding Light
David Orlando | 2016
Coaches can have as much influence off the field as on the field, and sometimes, those can go hand in hand, especially when centered on a foundation of Christ. A certain play can impact a player and cause them in return to live out that positive moment time and time again in their own lives. By reliving that moment in their minds, they begin to influence their everyday decisions based on their foundation of faith and love for God of which has been instilled in them from their past. This is shown in this FA student
spotlight with David Orlando, 毕业于澳门威尼斯人网上赌场，现就职于USF医学院，即将成为一名医生.
David Orlando graduated from Foundation Academy in 2016 and joined FA as a second grader. His family was seeking a new Christian-based school in the Winter Garden area, and it was the love and support of his family that helped with the transition for David from his previous school and throughout his time at FA.
David wasn’t sure what to expect coming to a new school, but what he found was a family, a family of teachers and coaches who would guide his life in ways he couldn’t at that time understand. When you ask David what he remembers most about his time at FA, is quick to tell you stories about several of those teachers and coaches: From Mrs. Amat, who would teach a workshop on five different ways to appeal to diverse learning styles, to Mrs. Schedfstad, who taught him that listening and conversing with those who
may share different beliefs can lead back to the truths of the Bible. “Mrs. 舍夫斯塔德教我们如何与信仰不同事物的人交谈，这是我在东南大学经常使用的方法,” David said. “Figure out what you believe and why.”
Football was also a big part of David’s high school years, with several coaches assisting in paving the way to his future. David played several positions, including safety corner, receiver, and running back, and eventually became Captain of the Varsity football team. He took his talents to Southeastern and played football there and credits Coaches Walker, Lord, 感谢默里坚持他的信仰和根基，并帮助他实现了目前的目标:进入南加州大学医学院.
大卫还在七年级时在澳门威尼斯人网上赌场结识了他一生的挚爱，并在九年级时开始约会. Abigail and David have been married for five years and graduated from FA together in 2016.
If given one piece of advice to fellow FA students, David shares: “Wrestle with your faith because when you have that, life outside FA is hard. I wouldn’t have survived if it [wasn’t] for my relationship with the Holy Spirit. By God’s grace, I am [here today]. He is sufficient.”
你可能见过大卫，因为他之前在英足总担任防守后卫教练和防守分析师. David’s path to medicine was highly influenced by his Dad being in pharmaceuticals, and David also has a passion for medical research and community outreach. 他在梅奥诊所有两份出版物，同时经常在坦帕湾街医学和USF桥诊所做志愿者. He greatly enjoys learning how to help people and serve others.
David Orlando is a true example of what FA is all about: family and how things come full circle, even when you least expect it.
All in the Family
Gabe Walker | 2016
Jon Worley | 2022
Lorena Saunders | 2010
We know that our alumni are blessed with various gifts and talents from God. We are especially grateful for those that have decided to return and share theirs with our school and our students- most importantly!
Gabe, Jon, and Lorena believe God has called them to be a part of our Faculty FAmily and has let them here. 加布正在面试一份工作，罗伯特找他加入他的团队时，他对这份工作并不太感兴趣. Jon hadn’t thought about IT as a career until Tim called, asking him if he was interested in an internship. 洛蕾娜正在接受教育和培训，希望成为一名护士，但她一直被允许回到教学岗位.
Their leaders have shared that each brings something special to their team, 他们非常希望看到他们继续对学校和学生产生积极的影响.
罗伯特·伊斯特这样评价加布:“他是设施团队中一个努力工作的重要成员……他的职业道德体现了箴言14章23节。, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (ESV) He is also an excellent communicator with the students, seen mainly through his coaching roles. I am excited to see his growth in the FA family, as he is a quick learner and willing to take on any task. He will be a leader for students for years to come.”
Tim Nethers said of Jon: “While a student here, Worley was inclined to test the limits of the technology systems; this is typically a good indicator of the skills needed to intern as a Help Desk Technician. When I found out Worley was not pursuing Information Technology, I reached out to gauge his interest in IT and see if he would be interested in interning with our team. We have set Worley on a Goal plan that has him working towards his first IT certification … We look forward to seeing Jon achieve his first milestones and certifications. 这些证书是进入IT行业的把关人，可以为你带来一份有经验的赚钱的职业.”
Tanya Murphy said of Lorena: “Lorena began working with our preschool team last year as an aide. She has a tender, helpful spirit and loves the children. She decided to pursue her Child Development Associate credential, which allowed her to meet the requirements for a preschool teacher at Foundation Academy. The opportunity presented itself this year; she is the K4 classroom teacher of the “Koala Class.” I have known Lorena as a student at FA for many years. I always appreciated her organization and determination to do her best at any task she was given to do. She is a natural teacher, and I have seen the Lord work in her life. She is a strong addition to the FA team as a classroom teacher. I love being in her classroom and observing her interaction with the children. 她的“考拉”们喜欢唱敬拜歌曲，并养成了进入幼儿园的良好习惯. Things have come full circle for Lorena and her relationship with Foundation Academy.”
他们作为学生在澳门威尼斯人网上赌场的每一个学分的经历都是他们作为教师加入我们的原因之一. Some skills they have learned and carried with them are discipline, organization, and speaking in front of a group. They feel that the relatable life experiences shared by Faculty and Staff have also positively influenced them and helped shape who they are today.
When asked if they have any advice for current FA students, Gabe offers: “Stop trying to fit in, expand your horizons, and be you, be unique!” Jon says: “Do not let your identity be defined by others but by God alone.洛雷纳希望学生们知道:“不要让任何人引导你远离上帝在你身上种植的礼物。. Tune into what he wants, not what others are saying.”
Thank you, Gabe, Jon, and Lorena. Our school is better with you here, sharing your gifts and talents with the students and us! We will be forever grateful to you.
Medical Alumni Spotlight
Alexis Good (Buckles) | 2018
Kristin Collison | 2016
Madison Strong | 2016
Kate Claerbout (Campbell) | 2016
The road to a career in the medical field is a rigorous academic journey. These four women felt equipped to embark on that journey with the excellent Christ-centered education they received at Foundation Academy. Alexis Good (Buckles) B.S. Nursing, Kristin Collison Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Madison Strong B.S. Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Kate Claerbout (Campbell) PharmD (2023) all graduated from Foundation Academy and are all thankful for the teachers and experiences they had as FA students. They credit the Lord with their success as He has carefully woven the pieces of their journeys so that these women could use their gifts and talents to serve Him while helping others.
Alexis, Kristin, Madison, and Kate all dreamed of working in the medical field from the time they were very young. Alexis grew up watching other family members working in the medical field, and she knew she wanted to help people. Kristin chose occupational therapy after a mission trip with Winter Garden’s First Baptist Church. She recalls, “The day we left … I knew exactly what God had called me to be. From that point forward, 我尽了一切可能达到我成为一名OT的目标……在这段旅程中，上帝真的指引了我的脚步.”
It will come as no surprise that these women excelled in science while students at FA. 他们都表示，澳门威尼斯人网上赌场的老师和经历影响了他们在医学领域的澳门威尼斯人网上赌场. “老师们都是很好的榜样，他们不断地推动我发挥自己的潜力，无论是作为学生还是作为基督的追随者,” Kristin said. Madison added, “Mr. Campbell was my chemistry teacher, and he never gave up on me. He always pushed me to do my best which resulted in my love of Chemistry. Even today, he continues to encourage me and cheer me on!” Kate shared, “I have always been passionate about school, but having teachers that were intentional with me, saw my potential, and challenged me to help reach it made such a difference. 它鼓励我关心我的工作质量，并让他们为他们对我的关心感到骄傲. This has carried over into my education and work, making me passionate about what I do.”
Kristin shared how Foundation Academy equipped her not only academically but also spiritually on the road (which she describes as more of a rollercoaster) to becoming an Occupational Therapist. “FA guided me by giving me the tools to establish my relationship with God, which is truly the greatest preparation I could have received. The journey to achieve anything in life will bring disappointment, and it will be hard, harder than you can imagine, 但FA给我的精神基础是一种工具，帮助我面对世界上任何可能给我的东西. The teachers, coaches, and mentors that consistently poured into my life still impact me today. I used to think it was so cheesy that people said ‘FA is for life,’ but now, six years out of high school, I can confidently say that statement does ring true.”
亚历克西斯希望鼓励目前的FA学生充分利用澳门威尼斯人网上赌场紧密结合的社区. She says to seek wisdom and advice from FA teachers because “Your teachers want the best for you!克里斯汀和麦迪逊的建议是，尽管生活充满障碍，但要追求你的激情和梦想. Madison shares, “Remember one thing: no matter what, keep pushing, praying, and pursuing Christ.” Kate’s best advice is not to be afraid to deviate from your plan. She says, “What we see as detours or missteps are often the best learning experiences.”
These women are grateful for the FA Family who have helped shape them into who they are today. They remind students to keep an adventurous spirit, to strive to learn as much as they can, to study hard, and to learn new things!
Amy Reynolds | Class of 2010
Meredith Leiferman | Class of 2011
Amy Reynolds (5th Grade Teacher, Plant Street) and Meredith Leiferman (Language Arts, Tilden Campus) graduated from Foundation Academy in 2010 and 2011. They can remember a time when all students were on one campus, they remember retreats to Camp Kulaqua and trips to sea camp, they remember a time when our school was small and our faith was great, and they credit the Lord for seeing FA through it all. Their mothers Sarah Reynolds (Principal, Tilden Campus) and Melinda Leiferman (Math Teacher, Tilden Campus) both worked as teachers in the school as their girls were growing up. It didn’t start out that way. Mrs. Reynolds started her career as a bank manager and Mrs. Leiferman was an accountant. Both women felt the Lord calling them to education, made a career change, and began teaching. The Leifermans and Reynolds have seen many changes at Foundation Academy, but one thing has remained the same, God’s goodness.
Our first Foundation Academy campus was Plant Street. The Tilden property was purchased long before any of these women began with FA, but it lay vacant for a long time. 莎拉记得开工前的一天，他们带着老师们去蒂尔登家祈祷. They spread out all over the campus to cover it in prayer. Although the school had seen difficult times in the past, Melinda said, “God has provided and protected us always. God just wanted Foundation Academy to be here!” When it was time for their girls to graduate from Foundation Academy, 当她们开始为自己的生活选择道路时，两位母亲都祈祷同样的供应和保护.
Amy and Meredith both said they were never going to be teachers! Amy planned to pursue a career in the medical field, but soon felt drawn to change her major to education. While student teaching, she asked her class to spell the word “perfection.” A little boy said, “Jesus is perfection!” As a public school teacher, she couldn’t affirm his statement, and she knew then and there that she wanted to teach in a Christian school. “Private school it is!” she said. “Why not go home?” Meredith changed her major several times, but it wasn’t until she had the opportunity to sub for Betty Marvin’s class at Foundation Academy that she decided to pursue education. She recalls reading a short story to the FA students and thinking, “This is it!” Her first full-time position with Foundation didn’t come until she asked Carol Grosshans to make her the middle school Bible teacher. “I want our kids to know Jesus!” Meredith said. She wanted to help be a part of a program that would foster a love for studying the Bible.
这四位女性认为自己是某种秘密俱乐部的成员，她们有幸与自己的母亲或女儿一起工作. “It’s a dream!” Sarah Reynolds said, “to work with your child. It’s neat working at Foundation Academy, and being a Christian, and seeing how many children they are speaking life into.” “It is so nice to have your best friend there for you every day, and know exactly what I’m going through,” Amy added. Melinda shared, “watching them makes me so happy for them! It’s so nice to see your kids fulfilling their calling, and I can see they are happy doing it. You can ask any of the students and they will tell you how wonderful they are.” The women all expressed gratitude for working in a Christian school. Melinda said, “I know that no matter what I’m going through there are people at Plant street, Tilden, and Lakeside who will say, what can I do for you, how can I help? We are a family. We don’t just say it. It’s really true!” Although Sarah and Amy Reynolds and Meredith and Melinda Leiferman are families, 他们都同意，他们很感激能成为澳门威尼斯人网上赌场真正的基督家庭遗产的一部分. Happy Mother’s Day!
Jonathan Yarborough | Class of 2016
Jonathan Yarborough made the decision to choose Christian education when he was in 9th grade. “God did a lot in the four years that I was here!” he said. This decision impacted Jonathan’s future in a big way, and he gives all of the credit to the Lord. The athletic program was one of the things that drew Jonathan to FA, but after an injury, he found himself hanging up his cleats and picking up a camera. He started out filming highlight reels for the football team, but God had more in store for Jonathan.
Jonathan was a part of FA’s 2014 missions team to the Dominican Republic. Two weeks before leaving for the trip, he broke 2 ribs playing soccer, and was unable to participate in the manual labor necessary for the trip. He decided to do what he could by picking up his phone and filming the work God was doing in DR. Once he was home, he had the opportunity to share his video with others. “God used me playing soccer and breaking ribs (when I thought I might be able to play in college) to direct me to what He really wanted me to do, which was use video to show what God is doing around the world.”
Jonathan continued to develop his filming skills at FA as a part of the media program. He took classes, helped film the State of the Academy, and made graduation videos. His media teacher Joe Cioffi taught him not only to capture media, but also to follow after God courageously. “If God has called you to do something, you can do it!” Mr. Cioffi encouraged him. Jonathan is thankful for Mr. Cioffi’s influence on him and says he wouldn’t be where he is today without him.
After graduation, 乔纳森在东南大学学习电影制作，并参加了他们的宣教项目. While on a mission trip to Cuba, a woman approached him and said, “God wanted me to tell you He is going to send you all over the world to use your camera. He is going to use you and your ministry in the future to reach all types of nations.” When he returned home, 使团团长把他拉进自己的办公室，逐字逐句地说出了那位古巴妇女对他说的话, “I want to send you all over the world to use your camera…” He offered Jonathan a job in the department as a videographer for their mission trips. Jonathan was moved and thought, “Ok God, obviously this is something you want me to do.” He went on to travel to over 30 countries throughout the world, filming mission work through SEU!
Jonathan met his wife Sarah on a mission trip through Southeastern, and after graduating the two of them continued to bring glory to God through film. Together, they have partnered with Compassion International, Exposure Missions Conference and many independent missionaries in persecuted countries around the world. Sarah says, “We use film much in the same way that a worship leader uses their voice, to point people to God and to amplify what He is doing.” They tell the stories of the miracles God is doing all over the world. Their passion is to share this, Jonathan says, “The stories in the Bible aren’t just stories. God is still doing the same thing He did back then, if not more. It’s just either we’re not looking or no one has told us. That is our heart behind doing this, is to be able to share that with people. God is moving the same all over the world, in your home just as much as He is in a hut in Africa.”
乔纳森·亚伯勒和莎拉·亚伯勒最近成立了他们自己的非营利性事工，名为“穷人事工”.” Their website states, “Everyone has a story. Every story is worth telling. Using film as a vessel to testify the glory of God.” You can learn more about their ministry here: http://www.porsiempreministries.org In July, they will move to Puerto Rico for 9 months to partner with a ministry there to encourage their missionaries and share the story of what God is doing in PR. They hope their videos will challenge people to do whatever God has called them to do, and to use their gifts to bring glory to God.
Clayton Grimm | Class of 2014
“Be a good steward of what God has given you. Otherwise, you might miss out on what God has for you.” – Clayton Grimm ‘14
Clayton Grimm is one of our own Legacy Lions. He attended Foundation Academy PK – 12th grade. Clayton took full advantage of his time here at FA. “I feel like I’ve done everything: sports, arts, choir, student government,” Clayton said. This well-rounded student had his first experience with drama in 7th grade when he performed the “nerdy character” in a show called Ducktails and Bobbysocks. “I still have a copy of it on my bookshelf!” he shared. “I was committed to doing the best I could do.”
Grimm recalls his teachers being very encouraging. “It was the first moment I made choices and people recognized it. I worked really hard!” He even remembers Coach Lord telling him, “That was really good!这种鼓励一直伴随着克莱顿，并促使他继续追求他对表演的新热爱.
In middle school, the school headmaster suggested students read a book called Do Hard Things. “I’m gonna read it!” Clayton thought. Grimm developed perseverance as an FA student, even in the face of adversity. He said he would love to share this message with current students, “Challenge yourself! I try to put myself in situations that are uncomfortable and challenge myself. Don’t just float. You may do well, but there’s so much more you could be doing. Once you get comfortable, it’s time to move up and move on!”
As a high school student, Clayton signed up to be the school’s mascot, Luke the Lion. Mrs. Uhrig, a former teacher, recognized his talent and told him, “You’re funny!” She encouraged him to audition for shows inside and outside of school. He found high school level productions to be much more challenging and said Mrs. Uhrig “held his hand” through the process.
Another major influence on Clayton during his time as a student was his drama teacher, Mrs. Cogburn. “I cannot sing her praises enough. She’s like an Olympic coach!” Mrs. Cogburn took Clayton and the other theatre students to many performances. One that stuck out to Clayton was The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. “We became obsessed!” Grimm recalled. “We couldn’t stop talking about it.” Clayton and a friend decided to take a scene from the show to a district competition. Their first year of districts had been a disaster, but this time, they couldn’t not rehearse. They were so well prepared, they received a superior rating for their entry. The next year, Mrs. Cogburn let them do the whole show. Clayton and his theatre friends continued to compete and perform. 克莱顿认为，他澳门威尼斯人网上赌场的关键之一是与分享他的激情和动力的朋友们在一起.
After graduation, with the support of his family and teachers, Clayton went on to NYU and studied theater as a part of the Tisch / Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. 这个高强度的音乐学院课程教会了他在试镜前要做研究，并做好准备, to push his limits, and not to be complacent, and even provided him with the opportunity to study abroad in France. The connections he made at NYC led to his first job out of college assisting with casting. Clayton said he often worked three jobs trying to make rent in NYC before he booked his first performing gig playing the role of The Flash in a D.C. Justice League show touring the Middle East.
While living in New York, Clayton also found time to give back. As a member of the Foundation Academy Praise Band, under the direction of former teacher Mr. Goff, Clayton learned to play several different instruments. He used this skill as a part of the 52nd Street Project, a program for kids who do not have access to Arts programs. 这个项目让学生有机会与作曲家和表演者一起创作自己的音乐.
Clayton continued to audition and booked two children’s theatre tours: Charlotte’s Web and Blippi: The Musical. He had to choose. He chose Blippi, and as they say, the rest is history. Grimm went on to do the national tour and now plays the role singing in Spotify albums, on YouTube, and in three shows on Netflix.
So what’s next for Clayton Grimm? “I’m just silly. I don’t know what the future holds!” Clayton’s favorite verses are Jeremiah 29:11 and Colossians 1:11. 他在一切事上都为主努力工作，并且信靠唯一知道将来会怎样的主. This kind and inspiring man also shared his love for studying the fruit of the spirit and leaves the next generation of FA students with this, “It’s important to be kind. If you have fruit, people will notice and appreciate that even more than the work you do. It’s more important to be kind and show that you care.” We are thankful to have had such a kind and hardworking student come through Foundation Academy, and we hope his story encourages our students to continue to be all God has created them to be.
Wes Murray | Class of 2010
Wes Murray graduated from Foundation Academy in 2010. “You couldn’t get lost in the crowd,” he said. The one-on-one attention he received from coaches and faculty helped to equip him for life after FA. Wes was a part of the very first Foundation Academy football team. He said,” Coach Lord was an awesome mentor to me.” He even describes him as a father figure.
Wes also appreciated the time set aside each week for Chapel. He said the speakers delivered messages that were applicable to his age group. “Even 10 years down the road, I still think about the messages, and I’m thankful for the speakers.” The spiritual development Wes received during his time as an FA student led him to start his own Bible studies after graduation, to pursue his passion for ministry and health, and even to return to Foundation Academy as a football coach. “Foundation Academy was a valuable investment. It helped me to not just do what I needed to do to get good grades and get by, but to actually grow as a person.”
After graduation, Wes spent 2 years playing college football, worked in California as an executive protection agent, and earned his Master’s Degree from UCF in Health Sciences. Currently, Wes is a D1 head training coach and competes in Powerlifting and Strongman competitions. He holds 3 records for the state of Florida and is ranked 8 in the nation. “I’m transitioning in my career from learning to lead. I’m at a place in my career where I’m more focused on helping other coaches grow and develop.” Throughout his career, Wes has always held tight to the promises of God. The foundation laid for him through his education here at FA has equipped him to not only succeed in his career but also to lead others to personal success and a closer relationship with the Lord.
