Board of Directors

Alison Allport was raised in Alaska, where her education included home school, private Christian school, and secondary public school before moving to Ohio to attend Cedarville University.  There she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications and met her husband, Brian.  She pursued a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Wright State University, which led to licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor.  Her professional experience includes working in foster care, school settings, churches, and community mental health organizations as a counselor, as well as additional education to become a supervisor for other aspiring counselors.  She has worked as a therapist for four years in Cedarville University’s Counseling Services.

Alison’s husband, Brian, is a ’98 graduate of Xenia Christian School, and they have been connected through coaching basketball and volleyball at XC/LCA since 2001. Alison and Brian have three daughters, Alayna (class of ’24), Autumn (class of ’27) and Avery (class of ’32), and a bonus daughter from Costa Rica, Samantha Vargas  (class of ’24).  Most of the time they can be found in the gym or on the soccer field cheering for LCA.

Alison’s favorite Bible passage is Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV) because it points to the limitless love and power of God, our connection with Father, Son, Spirit and Christian community, inspires wonder and culminates in praise:

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is work within us, to him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Rev. Arendale has served as the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Beavercreek, Ohio since 2020. Pastor Arendale has served in pastoral ministry in a variety of contexts and finds his great joy in opening the Scriptures and setting forth our all-sufficient Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Arendale was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and has spent time in North Carolina and Texas, before being led to Ohio.

He is married to Christy, whom he met at Baylor University. The Lord has blessed the Arendales with three children, Elizabeth, Hudson, and Johnny, each of whom attends LCA. They love the Christ-centered focus of the LCA curriculum and the Spirit-filled community of the school.

Pastor Arendanle often returns to Jesus' words in the Upper Room to his disciples and his church, 

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Luke Comers' grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he was homeschooled through junior high. He then attended and graduated from a private Christian high school. Luke earned degrees in Youth Ministry and Christian Education from Cedarville University, with a focus on Sports Ministries and an internship at Athletes in Action.

After graduation, Luke discovered his passion for marketing and corporate training. He currently works as a Marketing Product Manager in Kettering, Ohio.

Luke's wife, Katie, also graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in Nursing. They have three children: Elias (class of '34), Adaline (class of '36), and Judah (class of '39). In his free time, Luke enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, and coaching his children's soccer teams at the local YMCA.

One of Luke's favorite Bible passages is 2 Corinthians 12, which highlights God's strength being revealed through human weakness and vulnerability. Paul, the author, looks to God for comfort when facing difficult situations and God reassures him by saying "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness".

Dr. Mark Covel serves as the Missional Church Director for ECWA USA (Evangelical Church Winning All) and a Church Planting Catalyst with Cru Church Movements. He is the Guiding Team Leader for the African Diaspora Church Planting Network. Locally, he leads an ECWA prayer group in Xenia that seeks to share their faith, to be a blessing to immigrants, and to study the Scripture together. Previously, he served as the Coordinator for Design Movement, Cru’s ministry focused on South Asian American college students. He also was an ESL instructor in Chicago's Chinatown for four years. He was ordained as a minister by ECWA in 2007. Mark holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Moody Theological Seminary, and Saginaw Valley State University.

Originally from Michigan, he now resides nearby Xenia, Ohio with his wife and children. The kids all attend Legacy Christian Academy. Mark facilitates Dads in Prayer at LCA and volunteers with the Legacy Knights Numismatic Society. The Covels enjoy their home in the woods, where they dabble with gardening and enjoy the creek behind the house. Inside, they have an aquarium and lots of strategy board games. Fun fact: He was a background extra in The Chosen Season 5.

A passage that has been meaningful to Mark is Romans 12:1-8, especially verses 2 and 6.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; (ESV)

Mrs. Durrell was born and raised in Germany where she received her degree in Paralegal Studies. While still in Germany, she worked at a general practice law firm providing legal support to four attorneys. Upon moving to the U.S., she embarked on a journey to learn the American legal system from the ground up, starting in the International Law Department of a major Boston law firm. Her husband’s career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, which required frequent moves around the country as well as to Japan, enabled her to work as a paralegal in various law firms and legal specialties for well over 20 years. Mrs. Durrell has been married to her husband, Mark, for 36 years and has two beautiful children, Stefan (32), and Jasmine (Jazzy) who graduated from LCA in May 2024. She enjoys exploring God’s beautiful creation with her husband (and sometimes the kids) in their RV. She is actively engaged in her local church as a First Grade Sunday School Class teacher and small group leader and is passionate about volunteering her time at LCA. Mrs. Durrell’s life verse illustrates her strong belief that despite the many trials we may encounter in this life, God has a purpose for each one of us: 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Kristen has been in the finance industry for 10 years in multiple roles including: business banking, private banking, fiduciary services, and risk management.  She holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics with a statistics concentration from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Kristen and her husband Daniel have been married for 14 years and have been blessed with two living children: Jude (in Kindergarten at LCA) and Emmet who is looking forward to joining his brother at LCA in a few years.  Kristen has travelled the world growing up in an Air Force home and then subsequently marrying an Air Force man.  In her spare time, Kristen enjoys baking, sewing, and working on home projects.

Kristen is about 25% of the way through a personal journey to hand-write the bible in its entirety.  One of her favorite passages is Matthew 6:25-34, specifically “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…” (ESV).

Ms. Harphant has over 30 years of experience as a Department of Defense civilian. She has specialized in financial management, specifically, in accounting and budget. The majority of her career, she has served in a leadership role, supervising, and managing personnel and projects. Ms. Harphant is a dedicated member of the LCA family. She has been actively involved in various activities alongside her son Justin, who has been a part of the school since kindergarten. He will graduate in 2025. Additionally, her husband, Bill, serves as the assistant HS Baseball coach.   Her life verse is Psalm 46:10, 

Be still and know that I am God

Beth Hershner is from Beavercreek, Ohio and is a proud University of Dayton alumni, having received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2007 and Master of Business Administration in 2009 after serving as a graduate assistant with the Management and Marketing Department at UD. Beth is the Vice President of Operations for a tribally owned small business supporting Department of Defense and NASA customers in the federal government defense contracting industry. Beth is a former Air Force civilian and has held leadership roles in operations, finance, corporate strategy, and procurement throughout her nearly 20 years of experience in the federal government and private sector. Beth is looking forward to leveraging her business acumen and commercial experience in support of the growth and advancement of LCA.

The Hershner family joined the Legacy community in 2022. Beth’s husband, Shawn, is a law enforcement officer, First Sergeant in the Army National Guard, and the Head HS Baseball Coach at LCA. Beth’s children, Bella (class of 2030) and Xavier (class of 2031) are both very active in athletics and extracurricular activities and programs at LCA. Beth’s family attends Be Hope Church in Beavercreek, and Beth is passionate about serving in the Be Hope Cafe on Wednesday evenings for youth nights.

Beth is re-reading the Old Testament, and her (current) favorite Bible passage is Joshua 1:6-9: Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (ESV)

Beth loves this passage because God’s command to Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River after Moses’ death is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises across many generations. His repetition of the command to ‘be strong and courageous’ is a reminder that we can lean on Him in times of doubt or uncertainty and, throughout this passage, He affirms that when we meditate on His word and follow His commands, He will guide and direct our steps. 

Jared Holloway has a strong background in business. He previously was an executive in the oil industry managing supply contracts and hedging, and then served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Xenia. He currently spends his days at Strausburg Nursery, a wholesale grower that cultivates a diverse selection of trees and shrubs for sale across the country. He earned his MBA from Cedarville University in 2016, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Wright State University in 2014. Jared also serves on the board of the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation, and as a Deacon and Treasurer at Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Xenia.

Jared is an alumnus of Xenia Christian High School, graduating in 2011 after attending preschool through graduation. He and his wife, Hillary, reside in Xenia with their four children, two of whom currently attend Legacy Christian Academy (Class of 2034 and 2036). His faith is central to his life, guided by the principle of Colossians 3:17: 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Jared joined the LCA Board in Spring of 2023, and currently serves as Board Treasurer.

Josh Michael grew up in Maryland and attended a Christian school throughout his elementary and secondary education.  He graduated from Cedarville University in 1999 and returned to Ohio to work at Cedarville after working in higher education in Pennsylvania.  Currently serving as Dean of Library Services at the university, he has degrees in history, divinity, and library science. He and his wife Caren have four boys who have attended LCA - Tommy (LCA class of 2024), Sam, (LCA class of 2026), Nate (LCA class of 2026), and Ethan (LCA class of 2028).  They have been part of the LCA community since the 2014-15 school year and their boys have participated in athletics and drama.

An important verse for Josh for as long as he can remember is Joshua 1:9, 

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Dr. Nickerson has been privileged to learn, teach, and lead in Christian school environments throughout his life where the central importance of a thoroughly Christ-permeated faculty, curriculum, and community has been essential. After being homeschooled through most of his elementary and middle school years, Dr. Nickerson graduated from a Christian high school in South Carolina. A highlight of his high school experience was spending a year abroad in mainland China as an exchange student. Following high school, he earned two degrees at Cedarville University: a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Education with a concentration in educational administration. Dr. Nickerson later earned a PhD in organizational leadership at Columbia International University, where his research focused on the academic influence of Christian school athletic coaches.

Professionally, Dr. Nickerson served as a secondary math and science teacher early in his career before shifting to school leadership roles. However, he considers himself a teacher at heart, and it is his prayer that the Holy Spirit uses each student's experience at Legacy to draw closer in their relationship to God. Dr. Nickerson takes joy in partnering with Christian families to educate students in a Christian worldview so that students develop in godly character and wisdom and are prepared to lead change in their world. He has served as chief steward of the Legacy mission, Equipping Leaders for Christ, since the fall of 2021.

The Lord has given Dr. Nickerson and his wife, Allison, two sons: Micah (LCA class of '26) and Judah (LCA class of '27).

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Paul (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." -Jesus (John 17:3, ESV)
"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" -David (Psalm 34:3, ESV)

Mister Shank received a BA in education at Cedarville University and an M. Ed in educational administration at Wright State University. He has enjoyed 36 years of teaching and administration in public school districts in Clark and Greene counties.  He also taught some post-high school classes at two area community colleges.

Now retired, Mr. and Mrs. Shank enjoy time with their three adult children and six grandchildren.  Four of those grandchildren attend Legacy.  They are avid RVers, enjoying camping especially in Florida and the beautiful American west. Always an educator, Mr. Shank feels blessed to work with the team at Legacy as we see God working in so many ways.

A verse that he has found both a great promise and challenge is Deuteronomy 29:29,

 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.