Maranatha High School Is Accountable

The Issue: Maranatha High School in Pasadena

Maranatha High School in Pasadena does not live up to the ideals, beliefs, or messaging they profess to the community. Their actions deeply and negatively affected our students' high school experience and for that reason we are telling our story and asking for your signature and support that the school must be held accountable and make this right.

During our time at Maranatha High School, we had an alarming encounter with Sonya Witherspoon, secretary to Head of School (at the time) John Rouse. On school grounds, she told me that had she known I was applying with my teenager, she would have made sure I didn’t get in. She then proceeded to say- “I believe the Lord is giving me the scripture- you’re going to reap what you have sown” In our opinion she spent the next four years trying to sabotage our experience at Marantha. Her comments were reportedly based on misinformation she received from a friend of hers, Kim Aasland. Sonya’s actions was both inappropriate and threatening. This information was completely UNTRUE and slanderous in nature. We did not even know her, had never heard of her or met her. It also appeared she shared her opinion with others, including parents and school staff members including Matt Shupper — now Admissions Director at MHS — which, from our perspective, led to unfair assumptions about and treatment of our family.

Ethical Concerns

We tried brushing off the comments from Sonya but numerous inconsistencies in our experience at the school were lingering and the school’s athletics program raised ethical concerns. We observed what seemed to be several violations of CIF guidelines, transfer rules, move paperwork, and favoritism toward certain families, and preferential treatment in sports and recruiting — especially involving students connected to board members or donors. These patterns were deeply troubling to us. In January 2022, we brought our concerns to the administration, believing they warranted honest dialogue. What followed was retaliatory.

Shortly after speaking up, our children were quarantined for over three weeks in 2022! Connected with Christmas break, the kids were out of school for 8 weeks! Missing key events like their class retreat and fun January elective classes. This is considered truency to most schools and universities. COVID was over. They consistently tested negative for COVID and showed no symptoms. The stated reason was they were, "within 6 feet of a positive case", but this did not align with how other similar cases were handled.

When we asked for clarification, Maranatha High School Head of School John Rouse called an urgent meeting, saying our kids might be immediately removed from the school for "questioning COVID." He said he'd give us the weekend to “make a decision” and requested that we submit a letter urging him to reconsider.

Following the meeting with John Rouse, one of our students was allowed to stay; the other was removed at the end of the school year, intentionally dividing our family. Our sons were both standout athletes and we believe posed a threat to the personal agenda of certain school officials - based on statements and events, there is suffiecient evidence to conclude that external influence — from Witherspoon and potentially from a board member Bill Shupper advocating for his grandson’s position in the football program — played a role. Corruption disguised as "generosity". No policy was violated. Nothing was done to warrant this absurd decision by John Rouse. We were told by John Rouse directly that our sons had done nothing wrong. He stated, "It's my staff." Our family did not receive any formal communication until seven months later, and even then, the school’s explanation changed multiple times revealing the inconsistency and injustice of this reckless decision.

We pleaded with Mr. Rouse to allow our boys to stay together in June of 2022 via phone. His response: “I don’t want to be the one to divide your family, maybe I’ll kick your other son out too. Write me a handwritten note and personally deliver it to me. I’ll let you know my decision on Monday.” This kind of behavior and leadership is intolerable for a professing Christian school. It's actually unbelievable that anyone would send their kids to a school that treats paying customers like this!

Countering Lies with TRUTH

To further cover the corruption, Maranatha officials including Matt Shupper decided to LIE about our younger son - stating he had an attitude and his grades weren't good enough to be at Maranatha. Total lie. Shupper, out of jealousy and insecurity, banned our son from even coming on campus or participating in community wide pick up games. Our son qualified academically and in every other way to be at Maranatha. The real problem was our son was a threat to Matt Shupper's plans for his son to be in the limelight at the school.

Instead now our youngest son had to transfer through four schools, enduring repeated CIF sit-outs. He lost his critical junior year—essential for D1 recruitment—while Maranatha appeared to bypass the same rules. Even at his new schools, students asked about Maranatha, making comments despite him having done nothing wrong. In some cases, we were told that negative remarks about our family or our child had been shared by someone at Maranatha High Schools. Parents told us Matt Shupper shared lies about my sons’ and myself in a negative light.

Coverup at Maranatha

What occurred at Maranatha was deeply unethical and unjust. The school prioritized politics over addressing genuine concerns and supporting its students fairly. Decisions seemed to reflect favoritism and internal agendas rather than biblical values or transparency and recognition based on merit.

Instead of making it right, Maranatha decided to go on a PR campaign having fake news articles written about them and how amazing they are and what a "legend" Mr. Rouse was and how he is "irreplaceable" and other fake adjectives to cover for themselves. All while doing this to a family behind the scenes.

College Recruiting

Meanwhile, Football Coach Rand Holdren was reportedly contacting coaches at opposing schools, seemingly more concerned with reputation management than doing his job. Despite being a top regional athlete, as Holdren acknowledged on video, our oldest son was denied opportunities that were granted to others.

Furthermore, we personally initiated contact with a UCLA coach and sent our oldest son's film to him. The UCLA coach responded to us directly that he was going to reach out to our son's high school coaches. He then visited the campus a week later. Maranatha Football Coach Rand Holdren denied in writing that the visit ever occurred. This was contradicted by both eyewitnesses and the recruiter himself, who confirmed that he had been on campus to me in writing— yet our oldest son was never introduced. This kind of dishonesty is just unacceptable!

Meanwhile, for Matt Shupper’s son, the red carpet was rolled out for, the coach became his personal PR agency while his family member was on the board giving the impression of either massive favoritism or perhaps financial incentive.

Despite years of experience and commitment, our sons, who had been playing together since age seven, had their football futures disrupted by how Maranatha handled their athletic department. This affects teenagers- a coach plays a huge part and have a responsibility in their role, playing a big role in how students see themselves and respond on the field.

We have documentation, emails, letters from faculty, and other evidence supporting our claims, including confirmation that we were treated unfairly and excluded without proper process. This also includes our oldest son transcripts, not being sent to potential schools for recruitment and admissions. This was confirmed by the University in an email.

In our opinion, Maranatha’s actions reveal a pattern of dishonesty, neglect, favoritism, school politics, and self-interest of board members that negatively impacted the culture of the school and our experience. We believe that if leadership truly values integrity and Christian principles, this behavior must be addressed.

This is not shared out of malice, but out of a desire for truth, accountability, and healing — for our family and others who may have had negative experiences with MHS.

When leaders refuse to engage in reconciliation or make things right- at a Christian school that promotes “better together,” it creates a culture of fear, trauma, shame, exclusion, and damage, especially to teenagers who rely on their schools to be safe and supportive.

Falling Way Short of Advertising and Marketed Values

We believe Maranatha High School, as it currently operates, falls far short of the values it promotes. We encourage any family considering this school to reconsider.

Furthermore, even though Maranatha markets themselves and is constantly seeking students for their school, our oldest daughter applied in 2023 after 14/14 of her friends were accepted, yet she was the only one denied. An excellent student, athlete, and leader, she was cut off from her close-knit friend group of over 5 years. Because of Maranatha's lies, no private school in the Pasadena area would accept her. Every interview focused on her brothers—not her. We believe this stemmed from the actions of Maranatha’s Athletic / Admissions department, particularly Matt Shupper, who may have been more concerned with protecting his own reputation as a Varsity Baseball Coach and Admissions director.

Our daughter had to be homeschooled for a year until we could relocate and find a school willing to give our girls a fair chance. This situation forced us to leave Pasadena entirely. Now our family has had to start over—building new friendships and absorbing the emotional and financial cost of moving.

We believe that faith-based education should be grounded in truth, integrity, humility, and service — not control or image management (Fake News) or selfserving. Anyone that would do this to one family and teenagers could do it to any family. In the body of Christ if you’ve done this to one you’ve done it to ALL, and the Lord himself.

If you’re someone looking into the school, feel free to message me. We’re more than willing to share the documentation and communications we’ve collected over this entire experience — from the athletics department, teachers, administrators, students, and parents — so people can make informed decisions based on facts.

Reconciliation Ignored

Maranatha ignored our request for reconciliation, leaving us no choice but to hire a lawyer. Instead of seeking truth or resolution, they brought in a ruthless attorney who buried our lawyer in paperwork, spending over $10,000 meant for students, not lawsuits.

This school calls itself Christian, yet chooses pride over accountability and legal aggression over compassion. Who’s funding this? Where is the money coming from? The Maranatha community deserves answers.

We asked the administration numerous times to sit down and resolve this. They refuse. The board refused to hear it. No accountability for their actions. Instead of making the situation right, Principal Dan Newkirk decided to have us in for a meeting and taped our conversation without our permission and without my knowledge. Instead of taking responsibility, their lawyer said it was never agreed that it was a confidential meeting. This is the kind of people they have working there.

What we endured should never happen to any student or family under the care of a school that claims to uphold Christian values. Our hope is that by speaking up, we help shine a light on what happens when families question authority, advocate for fairness, and ask to be treated with love, importance and fairness. Teenagers and families are not disposable.

Luke 17:2 - Jesus does not tolerate the misuse of personal or spiritual authority to harm, mislead, or discourage those who are still growing in faith. His warnings are very clear.

Refusing Accountability & Expert Opinion

Professional counselors describe what Maranatha did and how they operate as "emotional abuse followed by reputational manipulation." Their behavior has been described as "narcissistic, needing constant validation from one's community while refusing to acknowledge or take responsibility for the harm they cause." One counselor said what Maranatha did to your family is outright "traumatic". Caring more about appearances and praise from people rather than accountability and truth. Using influence to shape perception and suppress the real impact of their behavior.

Call to Action

We urge Maranatha High School to make this right! We are asking:

Restitution: Maranatha needs to refund tuition for the education they unjustly disrupted, compensate for two years of homeschooling, and make the college recommendations right.

Accountability: Implement independent oversight of the board to prevent self-interested governance and ensure impartial leadership.

Transparency: Conduct a public investigation into the school’s athletics program, admissions, and administrative practices to address corruption and favoritism.

Reform: Establish clear policies to prevent retaliation, slander, and unethical behavior, aligning with the school’s claimed Christian values.

Why This Matters

Maranatha’s actions in our opinion reflect a pay-for-play system that prioritizes donors and insiders over students’ well-being. No family should endure slander, retaliation, or emotional abuse for seeking answers on why their student's were quarantined missing upwards of 8 weeks of school including regular time off from school in between quarantines. By signing, you’re standing up for integrity, justice, and the safety of all students.

Unfortunately, Maranatha continues to try and silence us, trying to take our petition down-while refusing truth and accountability....