Santa Clarita’s Success Stories

iLEAD families know well our mission of providing learners with 21st century skills—from leadership and problem-solving to creativity and collaboration—to thrive once they graduate. But how does this mission really translate to college and career success? Only the Class of 2014—the first graduating class of upper school seniors from iLEAD’s founding school, SCVi—can truly speak to that, as they have continued their education this year at colleges across the country. Amanda Lopez-Fasanella, a founding-year learner who attended SCVi for six years before graduating, is proud to be among them.
Amanda just finished her freshman year at Franklin & Marshall College, an elite four-year, private liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “Franklin & Marshall is a liberal arts college, so there’s a very rounded and challenging curriculum,” she explains. “It’s very small; there’s about 2,200 students so there’s a very intimate learning environment.” Amanda received $60,000 of annual scholarship funding to attend Franklin & Marshall, which covers almost everything, and is now majoring in Scientific and Philosophical Studies of the Mind: Cognitive Neuroscience and minoring in Religious Studies.
Amanda’s positive experience at SCVi challenged and prepared her for her college years. “There are a few really big things I attribute to SCVi,” she says. “First is my ability to network and put myself out there, which is really the brilliance of college, the people you meet, and the impact or impression make on them. The next thing is my problem-solving skills and mentality. And another thing is that I’m not afraid to envision something grand and turn it into a reality, and that’s a result of project-based learning.”
What was it like to be part of SCVi’s first graduating class of seniors?
“A roller coaster ride” is how Amanda describes her experience as part of this trailblazing class of learners. “Me and my peers were in one of our most maturing and developmental stages of our lives, and within that, we were trying to play active roles in establishing a school that we wanted to be a part of. It wasn’t easy; if it were, it would’ve already been done. Overall, though, I had a beautiful experience in a very organic and positive way.”

The Master’s College has many graduates employed with international companies like Deloitte, Google, CNN and Paramount Pictures, but few have opportunities like Rick Dempsey to captivate imaginations around the world. As Senior Vice President of Disney Character Voices, Dempsey is in charge of dubbing major Disney releases in up to 55 languages, ensuring that characters like Elsa from Frozen sound the same in French and Mandarin as they do in English.
Dempsey is a longtime resident of Santa Clarita, graduated from TMC in 1987 with a degree in business. He worked as a talent coordinator for DIC Enterprises before being recruited to join Disney’s fledgling Character Voices Department in 1988.
“It was a great opportunity to be 24 years old and essentially reporting creatively to Roy Disney,” Dempsey said.
As an executive, he appreciates the practical education and spiritual foundation he gained at TMC, where a biblical worldview was incorporated into every class. That foundation still influences how Dempsey interacts with his employees and clients.
“…(the) biblical understanding of honesty, kindness and love toward others, I think is something that is really important and needed in the business world…” he said. “Another buzzword that comes to mind…is ‘servant-leadership.’ And that still sticks with me today as an executive; I still try to serve others at any level.”
Dempsey is not the only TMC alumnus to live in the SCV. Many of these graduates are making an impact on the community. For example, over 100 alumni of the teacher credential program teach your children in local schools. Other local companies who have employed graduates are Scorpion Design, Princess Cruises local print and radio.
The Master’s College is a Christian liberal arts institution in Newhall that offers 60 distinct degree programs and exists for the glory of Christ and Scripture.

Donna Norton spent 35 years working for L.A. Unified School District, managing five schools as head of the maintenance department.  The Santa Clarita resident decided to retire after her three and a half decades of service to the district.
“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do after retirement,” says Donna.
Just a few years before retiring, Donna began utilizing professional services from Liberty Tax Services.  “Ritu was so nice to work with.  She was a sweet woman and I got along with her great.”  Ritu Khadiya, owner of Liberty Tax Service and RM Business Solutions, takes pride in providing friendly business solutions, focusing on great customer service.
It wasn’t until Donna came to see Ritu at her office when they shared a unique experience with another client who was not entirely satisfied.  Despite the customer’s unruly attitude, Ritu handled the entire situation with professionalism and grace.  “I couldn’t believe how she was able to tolerate it.  The lady was very hostile, but the way Ritu responded to her was very professional.”  It was at that moment when Ritu began convincing Donna to come work for her after she retired. Donna took her up on that offer.
Shortly after retiring, Donna enrolled in a class that Ritu offered through her company.  “I became her employee, and after one year, was made office manager.” Having worked with people throughout the years, Donna was not only qualified for the job, but exceeded expectations of customer service.  “Working for Ritu has been amazing as well,” says Donna.  “She is unbelievably easy going, and has a heart of gold.  She treats her employees and her clients with total respect and cares for us as if we are family.   Her customer service takes it to a level where you know she cares.”

Stacie Gereb is a second generation College of the Canyons alumnus.  She started taking classes at COC while in her freshman year at Hart High School.
Stacie found much educational success, graduated from Hart in 1984, and was ranked fourth in her graduating class with a 4.0+ GPA. After graduation she attended COC for her general education despite getting accepted at UCLA. During her two years at COC, she served on the Judiciary Committee and tutored in The Learning Center. In 1986 she transferred to U.C. Irvine with a major in biological Science, and was named to the Dean’s List every quarter during her two years on campus.  She graduated with a BS in Biological sciences in 1988. She took a year off before attending medical school and also returned to COC to take additional classes.
Stacie attended medical school at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) from 1989 to 1993.  At COMP she received both the Joseph and Dorothy Gendron Award, and the President’s Award and was published in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Stacie began her pediatric career in private practice in Orange County from 1997 to 2003. In 2003 she returned to Santa Clarita and began her career with Kaiser Permanente. In 2006 she was honored to be nominated by a patient’s family for Kaiser’s Everyday Heroes and was subsequently selected as a Southern California Region Everyday Hero. She was also chosen lead pediatrician in 2009. She has lectured to medical students on campus at COMP and taught nurse practitioner and medical students in her office.  She loves being a pediatrician.
Stacie and her husband Wade, who earned an AS from COC in computer networking, live in Newhall with her four year old twins, Cody and Shelbie. She hopes her twins one day will be the third generation at COC.

In providing services to children with Autism, the definition of “success” becomes nuanced and multi-faceted. As the community moves towards a stance of awareness and acceptance, the goal is to empower individuals who are on the Autism spectrum to live a full and meaningful life where they can be as independent and productive as possible.
At Working With Autism (WWA), are in the fortunate position of partnering with families to help kids succeed. “Jack” was a three and a half year old boy who began services with us in 2007. He had no language or social engagement, no meaningful play, and significant rigidities whereby he would become upset and aggressive if there were changes in routines or expectations. He lacked awareness of his surroundings, impulsively running away when in the community.  By 2009, Jack was consistently verbalizing his needs and engaging in some functional play. His aggressive behaviors diminished and the cognitive gains he had made allowed him to have success in a general education environment. However, by the end of 2nd grade, it was evident that there was a mismatch between his developmental level and the expectations of a regular classroom environment. He frequently eloped or was screaming and disruptive when in the class. His parents made the difficult decision to place Jack in a Special Education classroom, while the team continued to promote the development of his skills across both home and school.
Jack has continued to make tremendous progress. During his recent fifth grade culmination ceremony, he played the cello for the procession of students. He is highly involved in a variety of leisure activities, including music, dance, and sports. “Jack“ no longer exhibits behavioral rigidities, and has traveled to a variety of destinations. He is exhibiting an interest in connecting and communicating with others. His parents have also made great strides in accepting Jack for whom he is, celebrating his accomplishments, even as they continue to work tirelessly to help further his progress.