A Small Christian School With Big Values and Even Bigger Heart, Their Spirit Girl

By Debby Milatz-Greenspan (Star Patcher)

This bright, demure, loving, giving 14 year old girl named Kendall Reitenbach attends Santa Clarita Christian School and is their football team’s “Spirit Girl”, and so much more.

Kendall with her horse Summer on his birthday at Eclipse Farm in Newhall.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Reitenbach

At times it seems our media saturated, video game addicted, cell phone obsessed, and often disrespectful teenagers are more interested in their appearance than following the right path. That is not the case with the students at SCCS, their giving is abundant; their love of community and devotion to service is great. This student dubbed “Spirit Girl” became a driving force of support for her school’s football team this past season. Kendall took this roll on when this small Christian school did not have enough students to continue their cheer squad. This is where Kendall stepped in. Head Football Coach Garrick Moss stated, “Kendall Reitenbach was such a blessing to the SCCS Football Team this season. She did a great job making posters and banners for the guys to run through. She is a very sweet young lady and we are so thankful for her and all she did for us this season.”

SCCS Head Coach Garrick Moss presented a plaque signed by the entire team showing their appreciation to Kendall at the season’s final game.

Photo Credit: Debby Milatz-Greenspan

As many teenagers today, Kendall has similar interests to other high school students such as, family, friends, and school activities. Her greatest personal interest is her horse, Summer, and horse jumping, which she has done since she was 3 years old. This sweet, generous girl loves to spend her time organizing and making such things as the special “Run-Thru” banner for homecoming and supporting the team any way possible. This includes helping with the team dinner, snacks, posters, supporting her school’s football team in any way necessary. Kendall spent hours in her garage painting the team banner, sharing the experience and memories with her loving mother Stephanie. Stephanie believes that parental involvement is the key to raising strong young people who dedicate themselves to serving others. Kendall is a shining example of the benefits of that guidance.

Tanner Mattila #66 breaking through the Homecoming Banner made by Kendall.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Reitenbach

SCCS instills the teaching of service and selfless giving which is emulated in their students and reinforced daily,in this wonderful Christian school, especially through their IServe Program which began there. Under the leadership of Student Activities Director, Greg Clark, teachers choose the locations and activities closest to their hearts that they can be of service to. Early in March each year, SCCS mounts an army of volunteers (270 junior/senior high school students) who go into the community and help out service groups, missions, ranches and churches who care for the poor and homeless, the disabled and discouraged. This two-day event is called IServe, and it is an experience unique to SCCS. Some cooked and served meals, washed dishes, windows, floors and cars, dug trenches, built fences, chopped wood and painted, cleaned ranch stalls, groomed horses, and helped special-needs kids ride them for therapy. Students went door-to-door in the scary streets of the “inner city”, inviting people to attend church. Some projects meant playing games and eating with the elderly, making baby blankets for single moms, packing bags and boxes with food and clothes for needy families, and stuffing duffel bags with essentials for kids going into foster care. One group created beautiful and encouraging baskets filled with freshly baked goods, then delivered them to needy families here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Kendall with her horse Summer. They have an amazing bond as Kendall genuinely loves their time together riding and jumping.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Reitenbach

Why does SCCS spend the time, expense, and organizational energies of its teachers for the IServe program when no other school does? It’s because they see the importance of developing servant hearts, building leadership qualities and teaching lessons that will stay with the students through their school years and into adulthood. This young lady is learning and living those lessons with a giving heart.

Kendall looks to pursue learning to study and ride more, horse jumping, equestrian jewelry design, modeling and serving her school and community with the generosity and loving Christian soul she possesses.