News | Monterey Bay Academy

MBA Welcomes 240 Students and New Staff

Sunday, December 21, 2006

Monterey Bay Academy has welcomed 240 students and seven new staff for the 2006-2007 school year. The student body includes 104 new students, with several new faces coming from out of state and a few from other countries. The new staff on campus is a combination of new and old faces, with some alumni and former staff returning and some enjoying their first MBA experience.

MBA’s new students have come from a variety of places this year. While the majority of students still come from California, there are a number of new countries represented on campus, including students from Vietnam, Germany, Austria and Bangladesh. There are also several students from other states from Arizona to New York, Georgia to Hawaii.

“I think it’s cool that we have students from so many places,” Jordyn Castillo, a new junior from Arroyo Grande, CA said. “I’m even learning to speak Japanese from some of the girls on my hall.”

Faculty

MBA’s new faculty and staff are also enjoying their new life on the coast. Tim Zytkoskee has returned to MBA to teach history after being principal at both Highland View Academy in Maryland and Mile High Academy in Colorado, and teaching history at San Diego Academy. His wife, Ruthi, has taken a position in MBA’s business office. Zytkoskee taught history at MBA from 1994 to 1997 and his children both graduated from MBA.

“I love this school. MBA has always been in my blood, even when I went other places,” Zytkoskee said. “One thing I love about teaching here is that while I strive to get my students to become voters, to be interested in what’s going on in the world around them and to become informed citizens, MBA provides a consistent spiritual context.”

Rob and Mindy (Crane) Barr are also returning to MBA. Rob graduated from MBA in 1997 and Mindy received her diploma in 1999. While Rob is working as the new taskforce dean in the boys’ dorm and as a new full-time father of their son, Brody, Mindy works as a nurse at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA.

The boys’ dorm has a new assistant dean also. John Dunzweiler and his family have come to MBA from Grizzly Flats in northern California. Dunzweiler is a career firefighter and served as the forest management coordinator of Leoni Meadows Camp for the past three years. His wife, Amy, works full time as a mother and teacher of their three children.

“I’ve always wanted to work as an academy dean,” Dunzweiler said. “It has been a big change for my family, but the discipline I learned as a firefighter has helped the transition to the dorm go smoothly and I really love my interaction with the guys. They’re great.”

In the girls’ dorm, Tara Becker, is the new taskforce dean. Becker comes from Walla Walla College, where she hasn’t decided on her major yet, but she does know that she’d like to work with youth.

“This year has already been a big blessing for me. I’m learning a lot and I know for sure that I want to work with young people,” Becker said. “I’m really excited about being at MBA. I love working with the girls and I’m always looking for ways to get involved.”

MBA’s spiritual atmosphere has received a boost this year with the new Bible Worker, Deyana Casetellanos. Originally from Fontana in southern California, Castellanos is taking a year out of college to join the ministry team on campus. She trained to be a Bible Worker at Mission College of Evangelism in Gaston, OR and is keeping her self busy at MBA giving Bible studies to several students and teaching a new Sabbath school class.

“I really enjoy working with students on an individual basis,” Castellanos said. “I love to see the positive changes the Bible can bring to a young person’s life.”

Cheri Gregory comes to MBA from San Antonio Christian School in southern California and brings her 18 years of teaching experience to the ESL and sophomore English classes. Her husband, Daniel, is a 1985 MBA graduate, her daughter, Annmarie, is a sophomore at MBA and her son, Jonathon, will graduate from the eighth grade this year.

“My family loves it here at MBA,” Gregory said. “I find it amazing to be around staff members who are so talented and committed to Adventist education and I really enjoy the full academy setting. There’s just something about being around older students who are willing to lead and mentor others.”

With all of these new additions to the MBA family this year, the returning students and staff are enthusiastic about the coming months of the school year.

“I’m excited about this year,” Principal Tim Kubrock said. “I’m especially happy with the quality, professionalism, and experience of our new staff members. Each one has brought a fresh new perspective and enthusiasm to his department. I can’t wait to see the places God will lead us to this year.”

MBA Welcomes 240 Students and New Staff

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