High school plays an indispensable role in nurturing future stars and leaders. It is the stepping stone to a brighter future and sows the seeds of brilliance in young minds. It shapes our perspectives, allows us to excel in different fields, and find what we are truly passionate about.
One such high school that has been a breeding ground for prominent entertainers and sportspersons is Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. Established in 2000, this independent private prep school spans 25 acres and has been the alma mater of various seminal figures who are making headlines for their excellent work. It also boasts of a fantastic academic record, with 99% of its students getting college admission, often in reputable, top-tier colleges.
However, the school is most renowned for its star athletes, who go on to play professional sports. The in-house school teams are nicknamed “the Lions” and the school maintains an impressive athletic legacy. The sports program consists of 48 teams across 26 distinct sports.
While Oaks Christian High School boasts a multifaceted sports legacy, its football program has particularly garnered national acclaim. The school has won 49 CIF-SS championships, with an extraordinary streak of six consecutive football section titles in the 2000s. The football players have been recruited by the NCAA Division I program and have gone on to become a part of National Football League (NFL) teams.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the famous figures who have graced the halls of Oaks Christian and gone on to make a remarkable impact on the world.
Oaks Christian High School: Notable Alumni
1. Alex Bachman
Alex Bachman is a wide receiver in American football. He was in the 2015 batch at Oaks High and went on to attend Wake Forest, where he played college football.
Displaying an aptitude for the game ever since he was in high school, Bachman has demonstrated phenomenal skills on the football field and was signed by prominent teams such as the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants.
With his career still so young and so many accolades behind him, he is sure to make his school and college proud and is a massive inspiration to young athletes everywhere.
2. Colin Ford
Born in Nashville Tennessee, Colin Ford is a prominent American actor with an impressive filmography and several awards and nominations. The young Oaks Christian alumni, who started as a child actor and has done voiceover roles, has garnered massive praise across all entertainment mediums, thanks to his vivacious screen presence, dedication to his craft, and strong portfolio.
Some of his prominent film credentials include Every Day, Family Blood, and Captain Marvel. He has also appeared in television shows such as Under the Dome and The Rookie. His breakout role was that of Josh Wheeler in Netflix’s comedy Daybreak.
3. Maya Brady
Maya Brady is a young college softball player who was named “Softball American Freshman of the Year” in 2020.
During her time at Oaks Christian High, Brady was a middle infielder who, along with her team, won three Marmonte League titles. That’s not all – she was named Marmonthe League’s most valuable player as well as the Player of the Year by Los Angeles Daily News.
Brady started playing softball for the UCLA Bruins softball team in 2020 and has since then won several accolades such as “Softball Player of the Year” by the Pac-12 Conference (2023).
4. Cameron Judge
Cameron Judge is a talented Canadian football linebacker currently making waves in the Canadian Football League as a prominent player for the Calgary Stampeders. In 2017, Judge was chosen as the second overall pick in the CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and for three seasons, he showed exceptional skills and proved to be an asset for his team.
However, long before his professional career began, he was a running back and linebacker for the junior varsity team at Oaks Christian High School. Under the guidance of exceptional coaches such as Bill Redell and Clay Matthews Jr., Judge served as a standout linebacker for three years on the varsity team.
He later on went to play college football for the UCLA team from 2013-2016 and was a team co-captain. His impressive high school football journey marked his transformation into a leading varsity star and is an inspiring story for young athletes everywhere. With his dedication, perseverance, and the invaluable guidance of his mentors, he unlocked the path to stardom in the world of sports.
5. Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux, born on December 15, 2000, is a rising star in American football. He is currently working as a linebacker for the esteemed New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL).
Thibodeaux started playing football at a young age and has already garnered massive praise and media attention thanks to his determination, diligence, and brilliant sportsmanship. During his time at Oaks Christian High, Thibodeaux displayed skills that were nothing short of spectacular and earned him the prestigious title of USA Today’s “High School Football Defensive Player of the Year.” This was a small beginning but a clear sign that he was destined for greatness on the football field.
His exceptional skills on the field made him the second-highest rated overall player in 2019 with numerous colleges vying for his talents. His football journey continued at the college level, where he played for the Oregon Ducks (the in-house team of the University of Oregon). In 2019, he was named the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
After a series of remarkable achievements, he was drafted fifth overall by the New York Giants in the NFL Draft in 2022. From his high school journey to his promising start in the NFL, Kavyon has captured our attention with his remarkable achievements and passion for the game.
6. Trevor Gretzky
Born in 1992, Trevor Gretzky is the son of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones Gretzky. He is a former baseball player turned actor.
Trevor’s baseball journey began in high school where he played as an outfielder and first baseman. During his time at Oaks High, he displayed tremendous promise as a young athlete. With his dedication to the sport and the guidance of his coaches, he went on to play baseball at the San Diego State University and was later drafted by the Chicago Cubs.
On the field, Gretzky showed tremendous dedication and served as an inspiration to budding athletes everywhere. After achieving success on the baseball field, Trevor turned to acting and production. His notable credits include Mile 22 (2018), Spiral (2021), and Apex (2021).
7. Cassius Lee Marsh Sr.
Cassius Lee Marsh Sr. is a distinguished alumnus of Oaks Christian School. His formative years at Oaks Christian School laid the foundation for his remarkable career in the sport. He received various acclaims during his high school life and was honored as a member of the PrepStar Dream Team and the Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100.
His prowess as a defensive player was evident from the very outset as he was nationally ranked as the 22nd defensive tackle prospect by Tom Lemming/MaxPreps.
His junior season at Oaks Christian brought further recognition when he was selected to the All-SoCal first-team. In a defining moment of his high school career, Cassius was named co-defensive Player of the Year by the CIF-SS All-Northwest Division.
Marsh’s professional career began in 2014 when he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Throughout his career, he has been a part of several NFL franchises, including the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears to name a few.
Oaks Christian High School: The House of Budding Athletes
It is magnificent to think about how Oaks Christian School has established itself as a powerhouse in the athletic field within two decades. Its focus on the overall development of its student-athletes has been nothing short of impressive and it comes as no surprise that it has been the home to some leading and budding athletes in America.
The kids at Oaks Chrisitan who are inclined towards sports start training from a young age and benefit from the expertise of top professionals and coaches. Besides, the school has in-house facilities such as massive football and basketball fields to facilitate long practice sessions.
As such, the students go on to garner numerous accolades for their school and exemplify qualities such as determination, diligence, and brilliant sportsmanship.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most notable alumni of Oaks Christian High School. With its state-of-the-art facilities, focus on the overall development of its students, and nurturing their talents outside of academia, the school is bound to produce several such remarkable figures.
What is impressive about their alumni is that they have not just excelled in their respective fields but also made a relevant impact on society.
If there’s a lesson to be learned here, it is that schools should focus on providing holistic education and focus on extracurriculars. The goal should be to foster excellence, community engagement, and creativity in students. With the right approach and well-defined goals, we are sure schools will produce future generations of innovators and leaders, who ensure their positive influence will echo for years to come.
Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.
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