Board of Trustees

Board of Trustee Bios

Janelle Best attends Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington. She has one daughter, Jacey, who graduated from Lighthouse Christian Academy in the spring of 2022. Jacey will be entering her second year at DePauw University in the fall where she is majoring in kinesiology and minoring in vocal performance. Janelle also has two nieces, Jade, and Riley, that are entering 8th and 6th grade respectively at Lighthouse Christian Academy. For the last 20 years Janelle has operated her own bookkeeping and tax service business. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Over the past 4 years she has served on, and at times chair, a variety of committees including technology, finance, and education. She currently serves as finance committee chair and board treasurer. Her favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Janelle is an ardent believer in Christian education and hopes to continue to bring glory to God by serving on the Lighthouse Christian Academy Board of Trustees for her second term.

Angela Bridges has been involved with LCA since fall 2009, when her oldest son, Logan, started Kindergarten. Logan is a 2022 graduate (current IU sophomore) and her youngest son, Noah, is a senior. She has been married to Levi for 26 years and makes her home in northern Owen County. She and her family have been involved with Veteran’s Day, Pastor’s Appreciation Day and Grandparents’ Day ceremonies as well as Speech Meet. She has been blessed to be a part of the LCA community these last 10+ years. She is honored to serve on LCA’s school board to partner with families, teachers and administration as we glorify God and make our school the best it can be!

Dr. Benjamin Burlingham and his wife, Emily, have partnered with LCA in the Christian education of their children for the past eight years. In addition to two sons who have graduated from LCA, Ben and Emily have two daughters currently enrolled, Katie (10^th grade) and Tabitha (8^th grade.). Ben is a chemistry professor at IU. He has ministered to children in many capacities including youth group leader, program director of a Christian youth camp, and leading children's ministries committees at his church. He is currently the chairman of LCA's Education Committee. Emily has coached middle school girls’ basketball for 7 years. Ben and his family are members of Trinity Reformed Church where he serves as an elder.

Griffen Dahlstrom has been married to Madison Dahlstrom for 9 years and they are the parents of Spencer and Elle Dahlstrom, who will be in Kindergarten and 1st grade at LCA for the 23-24 school year. They also have two younger daughters, Coco (3) & Poppy (1). They attend and serve at Embassy Church in Bloomington.

Griffen grew up in Coatesville, IN - and made his way to Bloomington on a football scholarship to IU. He worked 8 years in Finance at Cook Medical, and has spent the last 3 years working at Salesforce.

Griffen’s wife, Madison, was a student of Lighthouse (Mrs. S’s first class ever at LCA, 26 years ago!). She has always credited Mrs. S and LCA for playing one of the biggest roles in her steadfast pursuit of the Lord. It feels like a dream come true to now be raising their children here.

Griffen is thrilled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve the LCA families, teachers & staff as a potential board member. He is encouraged by the growing desire and need for this school in our community and is ready to roll up his sleeves and work together to continue LCA’s mission.

Amy Holdeman has been involved in the Lighthouse community since the early 2000's. She served on the board previously from 2008-2011 and was a part of the Education Committee from 2005-2019. Amy's three oldest daughters graduated from LCA in 2014, 2017, and 2020. Her youngest, Jane, is a current sophomore. Amy has been married to Rich (on the LCA board from 2012-2019) for 34 years and is the owner of the greatest yellow Labrador Retriever ever.

Katie Noel has been married to Christopher for 17 years and they are the parents of Aria and Rowan who are currently in 4th grade and Kindergarten, respectively, for the 23-24 school year. They attend Bedford First Assembly of God where they are active members and volunteer in the nursery, technology group and serve at various outreach events. She has worked at Indiana University for almost 15 years and currently works in the Office of Research Administration.
This will be the fifth year at LCA for the Noel family and Katie’s third year serving on the Board of Trustees where she has served as Vice President and Facility committee Chair. Katie, and her family, have a strong desire to serve the LCA community in any needed capacity and are passionate in supporting LCA teachers and staff.