News

Class of 1976 Alumnus Comes Home

Class of 1976, the first graduating class of Westwood Christian School, alumnus Steve Embrey has come home to Westwood Christian. Taking over what he calls his “dream come true”, as Athletic Director. Steve has spent the last 31 years working at a variety of jobs before becoming athletic director here at WCS.

Variety is the right word for his work experience. Among his jobs he has worked for the Miami Herald, General Electric, Yellowstone Boys Ranch, Tree Electric, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Fireside Lanes, NCR, Rax Restaurants, Auto-Chlor, Accutone, Publishing Company of North America, Deland Middle School, McDonalds, Deltona Christian School, and Frontier Communications.

Steve’s wife Teresa works as the Quality Assurance Director for Davita Laboratories in Deland, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Steve met his wife of 29 years, while attending Pensacola Christian College. They have three children Heather 25, the mother of their grandson Austin, Brittney 22, lives in Gray, Indiana, and son Matthew 19, lives with them and attends Miami Dade College.

Mr. Embrey has many goals, plans, and a vision for improving the athlete program here at Westwood Christian School.

When ask if he has kept up with any of fellow class mates he replied, Yes, I keep up with several of them. Alex Guillen (Limo Driver), Kathy Buchannan (now Falkner and the head of admissions at Baptist Hospital) and Frank Carlson (Restaurant owner and chef in Texas), all of whom graduated 1976. Yes we are very close though we find it tough to stay in touch like we used to. When we get together its like old time except grayer, heavier, more wrinkled, and with kids and grand kids.

A Class Ring’s Tail "Class of 1992"

My story starts in the winter of 1991. I along with many others of my kind, became the “Class Rings” of Westwood Christian School students; mine carried the name Javier Sampedro. Never was a ring so cared for as I. I could feel the joy and pride Javier had in me each time I was placed on his finger. In spring of 1992, Javier and I graduated from Westwood Christian and moved on to bigger things: college and a career. Along the way I was given to young woman Javier fancied as a token of his affection. His former ladylove cared not for me the way Javier had and lost me on a beach in Wilmington, North Carolina.

I lost all track of time, until one day another woman found me lost and alone. My heart was cheered as she picked me up and wiped the sand from my gemstone. After reading the name of the school on my top and finding Javier’s name inside this kind lady named Carol Black decided to track down Javier. I was kept in box for what seemed by years, for indeed it was many a year. Then a most wondrous thing happened Carol Black bought a computer and added to it the Internet. In the spring of 2006, Carol decided to clean our dresser and she looked into each box. Once again, she held me in her hand.

To her computer she went to make a search. Westwood Christian School was in Miami, Florida she found. On the WCS website she found the name of the school’s guidance counselor, Wayne Jeffries. She sent an e-mail asking if he could find Javier to give him back his ring. He made a search and found that Javier had graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1996.The college gave Javier’s e-mail address to Mr. Jeffries. I was packed and mailed to Miami. Now I am in another box on my way to Minneapolis, MN. because that is were my Javier lives now.

Javier Sampedro lives with his wife Sarah and their children Micah – 2, and 3 week old Sophia in Minneapolis, MN. Javier earned B.S. in Psychology from Clearwater Christian College.

Upon reading Mr. Jeffries’ e-mail, Javier responded, “That is incredible! I never thought I would see that ring again. Once in a while I think of that ring and wish I still had it.”

Our thanks and gratitude go out to Ms. Carol Black for her kindness in taking the time to reunite Javier with his long-lost class ring.

Two Westwood Alumni in Nova Pharmacy School

Does all the hard work in high school pay off later in life? If you ask two of our alumni, David Pino (Class of 2001) and Gustavo Llerena (Class of 2002), they would tell you yes. This past summer both Gus and David were selected to study Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University School of Pharmacy. This year 1600 students applied for admission in this highly regarded Pharmacy program. Of the 1600 student who applied, only 200 were admitted. Of the 200 admitted two were Westwood Christian School alumni. David Pino is a recent graduate from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and Gus Llerena graduated from Clearwater Christian College earning his Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduating from Nova Southeastern both will earn a Doctorate in Pharmacy Medicine.  Class of 2005 grad Andrea Linares served this past summer as an intern at NBC 6/ T51. The highlight of the summer was Andrea and the other interns produced a news program that is currently being aired on NBC6 website.

Westwood Alumnus gets Practical Experience While Working on His Degree

Did that friendly, “May I help you,” sound familiar the last time you picked up your prescription? If you shopped at the Walgreens  Pharmacy at Bird Road and 107^th Avenue, it would have been familiar because you recognized the voice of efficient pharmacy technician David Pino (Class of 2001). David is working part-time as a pharmacy technician while he completes his bachelors degree in biology and chemistry at F.I.U. this coming summer (2006). 

After completing his Bachelors degree, David plans to work on a Doctorate in Pharmaceutical medicine at Nova Southeastern University. It will take four years to complete the Ph.D. to prepare him to take the state board to become a pharmacist.

Will working as a pharmacy technician give him an edge in his studies at Nova Southeastern? “At first probably, but later in the program no. But it does help pay the bills.” It is clear that David understands the value of practical experience in his career planning. It is equally clear that he appreciates the value of his high school education

 When asked if his education at Westwood Christian had helped him in college, “definitely,” he answered. “Especially biology and chemistry. English class was also a big help” David added.

David’s co-workers tell us that David is doing a great job. At a future date, you could get your medicine from Dr. David Pino at his own drug store.  David does have a “love interest,” but they plan to complete both his and her college work before any marriage plans. 

1990 Graduate Ministers to Major League Baseball Players

Gio Llerena (class of 1990), serves as chaplain of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. During the baseball season Geo conducts chapel services for Major League Baseball and has opportunities to minister to the players in one-on-one settings. In addition to his work with Major League Baseball, Geo uses his bilingual skills to minister to baseball players in the Dominican Republic , Puerto Rico, and Venezuela . To learn more about Geo’s work, visit Baseball Chapel.