Alumni Spotlight: Alissa (Adent) Larsen, Class of 2013
From Chapel Worship to Global Missions: An Alumni Reflection
At Horizon Christian School, Alissa (Adent) Larsen was the kind of student who wanted to try everything and make the most of every opportunity. From NHS and Court of Hearts to Track and Field, Choir, and Drama, she jumped in, explored her passions, and found joy in being part of the community. One experience that stood out was leading worship during chapel, something that would later play a significant role in college, life, and ministry.
In 2018, she married her husband, Garrett, and together they began serving as music missionaries with A Jesus Mission. Through traveling, putting on rock shows, and sharing the Gospel, they built connections across the world that eventually led them to Europe. Since 2022, they have been living in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, serving as full-time missionaries, helping to plant a church and preparing for a relaunch in the city this fall. Along the way, they’ve also welcomed their daughter, Jemma, into their growing family.
Her journey is a beautiful example of how a willingness to get involved, grow in faith, and say yes to God’s leading, can shape a life far beyond the classroom. “I miss the Horizon family,” she shares, “but I’m so thankful for the ways we can still stay connected as Alumni and through Alumni Stories. If anyone wants to learn more about us and our ministry, visit www.ajesusmission.org/missionaries/larsenfamily/.
Alumni Spotlight: Sam Stetzel, Class of 2019
Building a Future on a Horizon Foundation: An Alumni Reflection
Horizon Christian School shaped my life academically, spiritually, and personally. Academically, dual enrollment at Horizon allowed me to graduate with enough transferable college credits to complete my undergraduate degree in just 2.5 years. That head start made it possible to pursue my MBA shortly after turning 21, graduating with an emphasis in Sports Business and Finance. Spiritually, Horizon gave me a strong foundation in my faith before heading to college. It helped me build a personal relationship with Christ and showed me how to live out my faith in everyday life. Because of that foundation, I continued growing spiritually at Grand Canyon University.
Personally, Horizon is where I formed some of the most meaningful relationships in my life. Friendships built through DECA, Cross Country, and Track have lasted well beyond graduation. Those experiences taught me discipline, leadership, and perseverance, while surrounding me with mentors and teammates who pushed me to grow. Looking back, Horizon did more than prepare me for college. It helped shape who I am today.
Today, I work for Grand Canyon University, helping students navigate the college transfer process, especially those moving to Phoenix from the Portland area. Walking alongside students during such an important transition has been both meaningful and rewarding. Outside of work, I enjoy skiing and snow hiking in the winter and working in my garden during the summer. In September 2025, I married my girlfriend of seven years, Chongjiu, whom I met at Horizon. It is amazing to see how something that started at Horizon has grown into the life we are building now.
20th Anniversary
20 Years of Impact. One Community. Countless Stories.
Twenty years ago, a vision took shape. Not just to build a high school, but to create a place where students would be known, challenged, and grounded in something deeper. A place where faith and learning go hand in hand, and relationships matter. That vision became Horizon Christian High School. A place where Everybody is Somebody and Jesus is All!
What started as a small community with big hopes has grown into something truly special, with hallways now filled with hundreds of stories. Stories of growth, perseverance, and friendships that last far beyond graduation. For twenty years, students have begun their journey here, developed through rigorous academics and meaningful experiences, and walked across the stage ready for what comes next.
They’ve discovered their gifts, built confidence, and been encouraged by teachers and coaches who see more in them than they see in themselves. The impact does not end at graduation. Our alumni are out in the world leading, serving, and working in their areas of expertise, making a difference and carrying with them the foundation built here.
This anniversary is not just about looking back. It’s about celebrating the community that continues to grow, the students writing their stories right now, and the future ahead. Because the mission has not changed. We continue to invest in each student’s faith, education, and relationships, preparing them for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
We would not be where we are today without our strong school community. Our teachers, staff, and coaches faithfully pour into students every day, and we are deeply grateful to our families, whose support, partnership, and involvement have been essential to shaping the heart of who we are. After twenty years, our high school continues to stand out, and we are just getting started.
A Word of Thanks From a Special Veteran
We are honored to share this note from one of the veterans who joined us for our recent Veterans Day assembly.
I was one of the many veterans you honored on Monday. Thank you. As I mentioned to Mrs. Hiday, after 60+ post-service years, you were the first ever to thank me for my Service.
It really was both an honor and a pleasure for me to attend. And it was a moving experience for all of us. The little kids, unknown to us, would give us “thank you” cards for being a Veteran made me proud. And I cried a bit, too. I will keep those cards with me forever.
It was also a humbling experience. At the pre-ceremony get-together, the vets went around the room, describing their Service affiliations and a bit about themselves. Listening to them, I was proud to be among them because so many had been in harm’s way during their time in service. One of the honorees was a combat pilot. He was emotional as he described that “I was a pilot in Vietnam”, showing us that he had likely seen death. I looked around and saw that it was so moving that even hardened old buzzards like me teared up.
I am very glad my granddaughters are students at Horizon Christian. All of your faculty should be thanked for the work they do: educating children in both traditional “schooling” and in moral, Christian ways.
Please pass my “Thank You!” to everyone involved in the Ceremony.
Dennis Douglas (Grandfather to Iris and Eve)
Bend, Oregon
Thank you for your service Dennis! We are so touched by these types of messages and are so thankful we were able to bless our community in this way.
Football is Back!
From the inception of our high school in 2006 through the fall of 2019, you could find our community on the football field on many Friday nights. Football was an integral part of our school culture, but due to several unfortunate circumstances, our football program at Horizon had to be temporarily paused. Through constant prayer and God’s provision, the time has come for football to return to Horizon Christian. At the focal point of restoring our football program is the man who will be in charge, Keith Bennett.
Coach Bennett is a veteran Oregon football coach with a history of building successful programs and strong team cultures. He has coached championship-winning teams at Amity, North Marion, and, most recently, Ida B. Wells, where he grew the program from fewer than 30 players to one of the largest in the state. Now, he’s excited to return to Horizon Christian, where he previously served as Associate Head Coach, and is eager to restore the Hawks' football tradition.
With over two decades of coaching experience, Coach Bennett has helped teams achieve remarkable success. At Amity, he was part of a program that won six state championships and set an Oregon 11-man football record with 45 consecutive victories. He then led North Marion to three straight playoff appearances and its first league title in nearly 20 years. At Wells, he transformed a struggling team into a dominant 6A program, earning three consecutive playoff appearances and back-to-back league titles while outscoring opponents by over 20 points per game.
Off the field, Coach Bennett enjoys spending time with his wife, Spring, daughters Katie and Lily, and their golden retriever, ESPN. The family loves hiking, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and traveling - especially when it involves a trip to Disney or a cruise. As he returns to Horizon Christian, Coach Bennett looks forward to fostering a winning culture and helping student-athletes grow both on and off the field.
The Horizon Christian community is thrilled to have football returning. We hope you will be able to join us for a Friday night experience.
