New features thrill students and teachers

By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Since a new addition opened in September at Youngstown Christian School, Becky Marks has seen a difference in many of her students.
"It's so learning-inducive, and it makes you want to learn because it's so new and high-tech. The students are taking more pride since they're the first ones in here," said Marks, who teaches home economics and German to students in grades nine through 12.
Grand opening
Marks and about 200 people were at Sunday's grand opening to commemorate the new Youngstown Christian High School.
The event featured several presentations as well as entertainment and recognition of those who helped in the planning and building of the addition.
A highlight was revealing the team logo on the gym's floor: the head of an eagle, the school's mascot.
Construction of the new $3 million, 2,900-square-foot portion at 4401 Southern Blvd. started last year.
The addition has about 12 state-of-the-art classrooms, a multipurpose stage and performing area that can also be used for classrooms, a gym, four locker rooms, administrative offices and a chapel, which was named Sunday after the Rev. Jay Alford and his wife, Shirley. The Rev. Mr. Alford and Highway Tabernacle founded the private Youngstown Christian School in 1975.
Greg Finnegan, athletic director, said that most of the 300 bleacher seats on one side of the gym can be moved to face the stage for performances. The junior high school boys and girls basketball teams will play their first games in the gym today, Finnegan said.
Positive response
Jeffrey Stewart, who teaches art for those in kindergarten through 12th grade as well as high school history, said he's noticed students' school pride has increased since the new addition opened three months ago.
The younger children enjoy the gym and occasionally being able to attend pep rallies there, he added.
"The younger pupils love the idea of the new gym, thinking 'One day I will play ball in this gym,'" the 22-year-old teacher said.
Juanita Bequeath, a chemistry and biology teacher, said her 10th- through 12th-graders love the new science and other rooms. Bequeath's classroom features an interactive Smart Board, which allows her to show biological organisms and other scientific items from the Internet, and a fully-equipped chemistry lab, she noted.
The keynote speaker at the grand opening was David Zanotti of the American Policy Roundtable.
Zanotti said he hopes in 20 years to see more schools in the Valley like YCS.
The American Policy Roundtable's mission is to restore traditional Judeo-Christian values to American public policy, according to its Web site.
Youngstown Christian School has about 480 pupils in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. About 90 of them are in high school.
The new portion will also include an Eagle's Nest Caf & eacute;, which will feature a team store as well as coffee and other similar items.