A CHRIST-CENTERED, UNIVERSITY-PREPARATORY EDUCATION
Reflecting on a Year of Faith and Growth
As I reflect on the 2024–2025 school year, my heart is filled with gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness to Maranatha High School. This year was not without its challenges. We walked through moments that tested our resilience, stretched our faith, and called us to lean more fully on God and on one another. And yet, time and again, the Lord met us with His provision, His peace, and His guiding hand.
What stands out most from this year is the way our community came together. In seasons of uncertainty and in moments of celebration, we experienced a deepening sense of unity and purpose. Our shared commitment to Christ-centered education remained steady, and our pursuit of Maranatha’s mission grew even stronger. I have been continually encouraged by the ways our students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, and friends rallied together with generosity, prayer, and steadfast support.
This Impact Report tells the story of what God has done through the faithfulness of so many. It reflects not only financial generosity, but hearts willing to serve, to step forward in faith, and to invest in the lives of our students. Because of your partnership, we have seen meaningful progress in our programs, our campus, and our ability to care for and equip students to become Intentional Learners, Invested Citizens, Students of Christ, and Skilled Communicators.
Thank you for walking alongside Maranatha during this past year. We give thanks to the Lord for His continued blessing, and we look ahead with confidence, trusting Him to lead us into the future He has prepared.
With gratitude,
Dr. Matt Ketterling
Head of School
No One Walks Alone
How the Maranatha family surrounded those impacted by the Eaton Fire
When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena and the surrounding foothill communities on January 7, 2025, it left a trail of loss that would take years to rebuild. But even amid that devastation, something unmistakable rose from our Maranatha community. Families opened their homes, students helped neighbors evacuate, and strangers became brothers and sisters in Christ as people shared clothing, supplies, meals, and resources with anyone who needed them. What could have been only a story of destruction quickly became a testimony of compassion.
In those early days, it was clear that many in our community were facing overwhelming needs. To respond with intention and care, Maranatha created the Emergency Relief Fund, a way for our families, alumni, and friends to direct financial support to those most affected.
The generosity was immediate and humbling. Gifts poured in—from parents, grandparents, alumni, and even individuals with no direct connection to the school—each one a reminder of what it means to carry one another’s burdens. In total, $61,345 was raised, allowing us to come alongside 46 families with practical help and hopeful encouragement during an incredibly difficult season.
While recovery is still ongoing for many, the impact of this collective response continues to echo. The Emergency Relief Fund stands as a beautiful picture of who we are as a community: people anchored in faith, moved by compassion, and committed to loving one another well. In a year marked by loss, the Maranatha family made sure that no one walked through it alone.
We are Better Together
An Afternoon of Healing, Unity, and Hope
In the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire, which displaced more than 108 Maranatha families, our community faced a season of deep loss. With so many of our current and alumni families rebuilding their lives, hosting our traditional Annual Gala just two months later no longer felt right. Instead, we chose to create something different. Something gentler. Something centered on healing. And so, Better Together was born—a free gathering for our entire school community to come together, lift one another up, and share comfort and hope.
What made this day possible was the generosity of the donors who had already committed to supporting our Gala. Without hesitation, they redirected their gifts to make Better Together a reality. Their support allowed us to host a meaningful evening of connection while still honoring the original fundraising purpose to support athletics at Maranatha. Every detail reflected a simple truth: even in hardship, God’s people show up for one another.
The event itself became a beautiful expression of resilience. Families shared meals and stories. Friends embraced after weeks of uncertainty. Prayers were offered for those still navigating loss. What could have been a somber season instead became an afternoon filled with encouragement, gratitude, and renewed strength. It reminded us why Maranatha isn’t just a school—it’s a community held together by faith and love.
And even in this year of disruption, generosity overflowed. Through the commitment of our sponsors, underwriters, and auction donors, the event raised an incredible $137,000 in support of our Athletics program. These funds will equip our student-athletes with stronger resources and improved facilities as they pursue excellence with character. More than anything, Better Together reaffirmed what we already knew: when our community comes alongside one another, hope rises. We are, truly, better together.
Establishing a Phone-Free Learning Environment
In August 2024, Maranatha High School took an important step to support student learning and well-being by establishing a school-wide, phone-free learning environment. This expanded an earlier approach that limited device use in classrooms and select buildings to a full-day, campus-wide expectation that restricts the use of all personal electronic devices, including phones, smart watches, wireless earbuds, and smart glasses.
Under this approach, students place their personal electronic devices into a school-provided secure electronics pouch upon arriving at their first class of the day. The pouches magnetically lock and remain secured until dismissal, when students unlock them at stations located near the school’s main exit points.
This decision was grounded in extensive research highlighting the negative effects that constant access to personal devices can have on developing minds, including reduced focus, increased anxiety, and diminished in-person social interaction. By removing these distractions from the school day, Maranatha seeks to foster deeper classroom engagement and more meaningful relationships.
Students themselves have begun to see the benefits. As senior Brooklyn Boquecosa shared, “Maranatha High School being a phone-free zone is helpful because it encourages students to be more present and engaged with each other. At first, locking my phone in a pouch felt annoying, but it’s actually helped a lot. I’ve noticed I am more focused in class and feel more connected to the people around me.”
After a successful first year, staff observations suggest classrooms are more focused, hallways more relational, and students more present. This approach reflects Maranatha’s ongoing commitment to cultivating healthy, thoughtful young adults in an increasingly distracted world.
Strengthening the Foundation: Investing in the Whole Student-Athlete
Building systems that care for athletes on the field and beyond it.
Maranatha High School’s Athletics program continues to grow with purpose, shaped by a belief that developing student-athletes requires more than competition alone. During the 2024–2025 school year, the school took a significant step forward by expanding its Athletics Department to better support students physically, relationally, and spiritually.
Synclaire Hamilton
This growth began with the hiring of Synclaire Hamilton, MS, ATC, as a full-time Athletic Trainer. While Maranatha has long prioritized on-campus athletic training, this role had previously been carried alongside other leadership responsibilities. Bringing Synclaire onto the team allowed the department to deepen its focus on injury prevention, care, and rehabilitation. With experience providing athletic care across multiple sports settings and a graduate-level background in athletic training, Synclaire is able to walk with student-athletes from the moment an injury occurs through a safe, confident return to play. Her approach blends clinical expertise with compassion, encouragement, and a genuine love for students.
Ashton Roberts
Later in the year, Maranatha created a new role to further strengthen this foundation, welcoming Ashton Roberts as the school’s first full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach. With more than a decade of experience in sports performance training, including work with elite-level and youth athletes, Ashton brings a thoughtful and systematic approach to athletic development. Working across all athletic programs, he partners with coaches to enhance performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term growth. His collaboration with Synclaire is especially impactful during return-to-play transitions, ensuring students rebuild strength intentionally and sustainably.
Together, these additions reflect a thoughtful investment in the whole student-athlete. Rooted in faith and guided by excellence, Maranatha Athletics continues to model Christ-centered formation by caring for students not only as competitors but as individuals created to grow, persevere, and thrive.
Students of Christ
Students were invited to enter worship by joining the worship team during chapel. As students gathered onto the gymnasium floor, the space transformed, and together, they “made a melody to the Lord”.
We celebrated Spiritual Life Week at Huntington Beach before Easter Break, where one intrepid, joy-filled student braved the cold ocean. As the sun set, the students played games, roasted marshmallows, and worshiped around a bonfire, in the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Life Retreat delivered another mountain-top experience, giving students a chance to step away from the busyness of everyday life and spend focused time growing in their faith.
Through worship, teaching, small-group discussions, and time spent in God’s creation, students were given space to reflect, reset, and deepen their relationship with the Lord and with one another.
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
With a desire to serve others, students took a leap of faith and traveled to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the Hope Center LA with a simple goal: To serve others.
Building homes, serving meals, and learning to appreciate another culture, we are proud of the dozens of students who stepped out in faith, put their own needs aside, and brought the love of Jesus to others.
2024-2025 Performing Arts Season
The season showcased the creativity, dedication, and storytelling of our students through memorable productions that brought our stage to life.
Murder on the Orient Express
October 24 and 26, 2024
Evening of Christmas: A Thrill of Hope
December 6-7, 2024
Dance Company Recital
March 8, 2025
Annie the Musical
April 10-12, 2025
Visual Arts
Maranatha’s Visual Arts program continues to reflect both creative excellence and compassionate purpose.
This year, students used their talents to serve others, creating hand-crafted ceramic hearts that raised nearly $800 in support of the school’s fire relief efforts.
Their work was also recognized beyond campus, including Seoyoon Kim ’25, who earned Third Place in Judy Chu’s 2024–2025 Congressional Art Exhibition for her original piece, Fiery Resolve.
In addition, several students were named recipients of the Midvalley Artist League Scholarship, and numerous works received honors at our annual Spring Juried Art Show. Whether painting in the classroom or exhibiting award-winning pieces, Maranatha artists continue to grow in skill, confidence, and impact.
Introducing Our Five-Year Strategic Plan
During the 2024–2025 school year, Maranatha High School approved a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan that provides a clear, mission-centered roadmap for our future.
Rooted in prayer, reflection, parent feedback, and best practices, the plan reaffirms our commitment to a Christ-centered, university-preparatory education that develops students academically, spiritually, and emotionally. More than a list of initiatives, it serves as a compass—aligning priorities, resources, and measurable outcomes to ensure faithful stewardship and long-term sustainability.
The Strategic Plan focuses on five key areas: Academic Learning, Co-Curricular Experience, Financial Sustainability, Advancement, and Governance. Each priority is designed to strengthen student formation and readiness for a complex and changing world.
The Board of Trustees played a vital role in guiding and approving the plan and will continue to evaluate progress to ensure accountability and alignment with our mission.
We invite you to explore the full Strategic Plan to learn more about the vision shaping Maranatha’s next chapter.
Annual Report
for the 2024-2025 school year
Financial Summary
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025
Donor Giving: 2024-2025
The 2024–25 school year was a standout year of generosity for the Maranatha community. Total giving reached $2,097,829, surpassing our $1.8 million goal and finishing at 117% of goal. This represents strong growth from the prior year, when giving during the same period totaled $1,200,668, underscoring a clear upward trend in philanthropic support.
Several categories exceeded expectations. The Maranatha Fund raised $968,550 (106% of goal), while Capital Giving reached $590,380 (174% of goal), driven by early support for First Impressions. The launch of Planned Giving resulted in $375,000 in future commitments, all designated to the Endowment. Project-based giving, including the Emergency Relief Fund and Senior Class Gift, also surpassed their goals. Together, these results reflect a growing culture of generosity and investment in Maranatha’s mission.
A Growing Culture of Generosity
Generosity at Maranatha has grown year after year, strengthening our ability to invest in students, programs, and campus priorities. The continued increase in support reflects a community that believes deeply in what God is doing here.
A Legacy That Lasts
Introducing the Maranatha Legacy Society
Launched on July 1, 2024, the Maranatha Legacy Society was established to invite members of our community to make a lasting investment in the future of Maranatha High School through gifts from their estates. These gifts reflect a deep belief in our mission and a desire to ensure that generations of students continue to be shaped academically, spiritually, and relationally.
In its inaugural year, Warren and Ruth Thomas and Jim and Angela Miser stepped forward with legacy commitments and were recognized as founding members of the Society. Their generosity represents more than financial support. It is a powerful expression of faith, trust, and long-term vision for Maranatha.
As the Maranatha Legacy Society continues to grow, these founding commitments serve as both a foundation and an invitation—encouraging others to prayerfully consider how they, too, can leave a lasting impact on lives yet to come.
Classroom Modernization Project
The Classroom Modernization Project is a multi-year investment in creating learning spaces that better support how students learn and teachers teach. In 2024–25, generous donor support made it possible to fully upgrade five classrooms in our Academic Center.
Each space was transformed with new modular student desks and chairs, updated teacher workstations, and refreshed flooring, allowing for greater flexibility, collaboration, and engagement. These improvements go beyond aesthetics. They help foster active learning, strengthen classroom interaction, and create environments where students can thrive academically and spiritually. This ongoing project reflects our commitment to stewarding resources in ways that directly impact student success.
Class of 2025
Maranatha Mark
In the spring of 2025, the Class of 2025 came together to leave a meaningful mark on campus through the inaugural Class of 2025 Maranatha Mark senior gift campaign. Graduating seniors and their families were invited to participate in a class gift to sponsor a new bench in the future redesigned entrance plaza, part of the First Impressions campaign. The bench will feature a plaque recognizing the Class of 2025 and serve as a lasting reminder of their time at Maranatha. With a goal of $5,000, the response was incredible. The class exceeded expectations, raising $10,380 in support of this shared gift and setting a strong foundation for a new senior class gift tradition.
Alumni Support That Exceeded Expectations
Our alumni stepped up in extraordinary fashion this year. Not only did alumni giving surpass its goal by a wide margin, but participation also doubled from the previous year. This remarkable show of generosity reflects a growing commitment to Maranatha and a shared belief in investing in the next generation of students.
Celebrating Our 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame Class
On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Maranatha community gathered on campus for a special Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, celebrating five individuals whose achievements and character have helped shape the legacy of Minutemen athletics.
The evening honored Stephen Miller ’95, the school record holder in the 800 meters, who went on to become an NCAA Division II All-American. We also recognized Coach Joel Murphy ’97, whose five seasons as head football coach produced a 47–16 record and left a lasting impact through his leadership and discipleship.
Andrew Elffers ’13 was inducted for his record-setting career as a quarterback, his leadership as a multi-sport captain, and his continued success at Azusa Pacific before beginning his current work as a firefighter-paramedic. Debbie Lewis ’90 was celebrated as a multi-sport standout, earning All-State honors in Cross Country and setting records in the hurdles.
The night concluded by honoring Tyler Dorsey ’15, who led Maranatha to the 2015 State Basketball Championship and went on to an accomplished college and professional career. Together, these inductees reflect the excellence, perseverance, and faith-filled leadership we hope to cultivate in every student-athlete.
Class of 2025 Commencement
On the morning of Saturday, May 24, the Maranatha community gathered on The Keith Family Field to celebrate the Class of 2025. Joined by parents, family, friends, faculty, and staff, approximately 1,500 guests came together to honor the 140 graduates as they marked this significant milestone. Salutatorian Elanor Ahn and Valedictorian Shaurya Bhartia offered thoughtful parting words to their classmates, and Dr. Barry Corey, President of Biola University, delivered the commencement address. The ceremony’s most anticipated moment came as Head of School Dr. Matt Ketterling presented diplomas to each of the graduates. Maranatha is grateful for the Class of 2025 and celebrates all they have accomplished, and continues to pray as they step into the next chapter.
2024-2025 Impact Report
A publication of Maranatha High School: 169 S. Saint John Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105
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