Home Page \ Alumni \ Connect with Southwestern \ Alumni Bios \ 80's alumni

Tanya Endrizza - 1987 alumnus

SCU alumnus Tanya Stone Endrizzi graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education. The Holy Spirit challenged her after reading the words on the Bell Student Center: "He that would be great, let him be the servant of all." Those words instilled within Tanya the importance of caring for others. "Once such a decision is made, you must allow the Lord to move in such a way that your life is a testimony to others."

After graduating from SCU and moving back to Amarillo, Texas, Tanya has been an active part of Christian Heritage Church for 34 years under the leadership of Pastor Gary Burd. Tanya married Phil Endrizzi in 1989, and they have two sons, Zach (18) and Blake (17). Tanya has been involved with the Amarillo Independent School District for almost 15 years. She works with the school administration in many areas, including scoring and tabulating national achievement tests, managing the student store, gathering prizes used as incentives for fund raising, and working with kindergartners. When asked what she does, Tanya's answer is, "I play with kids."

Tanya has been an active participant in several ministries at Christian Heritage Church, but her passion is FREE Camp. She has worked diligently for the past 18 years making sure that FREE Camp is a success for the children. Currently, she is in charge of a bus route for a new Wednesday night program called, CORK (City of Refuge for Kids). She started this bus route in April with 10 kids and this month it has 148 in attendance. She challenged the boys, who had fewer than the girls, by telling them, "Girls rule and boys drool." The next Wednesday night, the boys had more than the girls, and so the competition continues from week to week.
 
On Monday and Friday evenings, depending on the season, one can find Tanya playing either volleyball or softball in a city league in Amarillo. She also plays Bunco, and enjoys other hobbies and activities. Even though she struggles with personal issues, including taking care of her mother who has suffered from Alzheimer's for the past 18 years, Tanya continues to give of herself to those around her. She will go by and mow the pastor's lawn if she knows he is too busy to do the job himself. She will call a friend and sing them a song to encourage them for the day. She has driven hundreds of miles to attend a former student's graduation, because they have no one to celebrate with them.
 
At times Tanya will extend her hand by helping a total stranger. Her attitude is "see a need; fill a need." It is her way of "taking a towel, bending down, and washing the disciple's feet." When asked how does she do it, she says, "I focus on others and the Lord has a way of taking care of me." It all goes back to those words on the Bell Student Center, "He that would be great, let him be the servant of all."
 
If you knew Tanya during her days at SCU, she would like to hear from you at tannie@suddenlink.net.
Posted on Sat, August 9, 2008 by Jon Chasteen

1 comment (Add your own)

1. Pat Cordial wrote:
Proud of ya Tanya

Fri, October 1, 2010 @ 8:48 PM

Add a New Comment

Enter the code you see below:
code
 

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.