Ryan Dinkler
Classification: Senior
Faith West Academy
Dinkler, 17, is a senior at Faith West Academy listed his two major accomplishments in high school as his team swimming winning the State title last year and be honored at the 2012 Homecoming as the “Most Representative Male Student” of the senior class. The honor is bestowed each year to a deserving student that exemplifies outstanding character and integrity. “It was extremely humbling in both of these circumstances,” Dinkler said. “It was a simple reminder that I am extremely blessed.”
Ryan’s ambition of being called to do international mission work and some day pastor a church. Dinkler has already been on five mission trips, to include Alaska and Columbia, and plans to go to South Africa summer of ‘13.
He is inspired by Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. “A friend told me about him and I like the (methodology) way he pastors a church,” he said of Driscoll. “I want to be just like him.” Other models would be W. A. Criswell, who founded Criswell College as a place to train a new generation of Bible preachers. Dinkler will be going to Criswell in the fall of 2013.
Dinkler is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the chapel band. In sports he plays for the Golf team (scores in the mid-80’s), swim team (excel s in free style and helped the boys team secure the State Championship 2011-12), and has a passion for football. Unfortunately, wide receiver Dinkler was sidelined this year because of a neck injury he sustained last year.
Samantha Moore
Classification: Senior
Faith West Academy
If you walk into the cheer gym after school during the Varsity Cheer team’s practice you will see a special sight….sophomore Samantha Moore practicing with her squad. Samantha began cheering when she was 5 years old. She cheered off and on until Jr. High and has been cheering ever since. According to Samantha one of the best parts of being a Varsity cheerleader is having so many older girls around to be role models for her. It also help that cheer is a fun activity after school be excited about.
On Monday nights you will find Samantha on the Houston Christian campus participating in Discipleship Groups. Discipleship Groups (known to Houston Christian students as ‘D-Groups’) is an opportunity for underclassmen to be mentored by upperclassmen as they walk through the Bible together. Samantha’s favorite part of D-Groups is the opportunity each week to set aside thoughts of school and homework and having time to talk about her spiritual life with her classmates.
Attending Houston Christian is a family affair as her brother, Cameron, graduated from Houston Christian in May ‘12. Upon graduating from High School, Samantha hopes to become a pediatrician.
Samantha attends the West campus of Second Baptist Church in Katy.
Samantha’s favorite scripture is, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV.
