DECEMBER • 2012
•
Grandparents Day!
C VC ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPEC TIVE
– by Larry Baker, CVC High School Principal
He Made Himself Nothing
T
Fall Drive The 2012 Fall Drive concludes on December 21. Our goal is to raise $400,000 to help provide extra funds for various needs throughout our school. If you have not been personally contacted, please call our financial office at 734-9481. Thank you!
In This Issue Art on Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . . Fall Sports Shorts . . . . . . . Glimpsing the Divine . . . . School Board . . . . . . . . . . . Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . Of Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christmas Concerts . . . . . .
2 2 3 4 5 5 6 6
he CVC Mission Statement includes the phrase Shaping Christ-like Character. As a high school we have been discussing ways to exhibit character that is like Christ. For the last few months our focus has been, in particular, on the character trait of humility. As a school, in our morning devotions, we’ve explored Paul’s words to the Philippians when he instructs them to have the mind of Christ who made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. We often try to sanitize the Christmas story with warm scenes of the Child lying in a straw-filled manger, but even at his birth Christ demonstrated a willingness to make himself nothing. I once stood on a hillside in Israel. I walked the path that Mary and Joseph likely walked on their way to Bethlehem. Our group also stopped and rested at a place where, over the years, sheep and other animals had congregated, rested, ate, drank, and did all the things that sheep and animals need to do after they eat and drink. The place where we stopped was probably not the exact location where Jesus was born, but with Bethlehem in view, we had to be pretty close. It was not hard for me to picture a young couple, animals, and a trough from which the sheep could eat or drink. In my mind, I could see the baby being placed in that trough. It was easy to imagine the shepherds coming up the hill to see the strange sight, a baby in this place normally reserved for animals. My picture of that scene is now a little different than it used to be. It’s uglier. There is absolutely nothing cozy or pretty about Jesus lying in a manger. My picture is unsanitary, it’s downright filthy, and it stinks. Have you ever allowed yourself to imagine how God would have pulled that event off 2000 years later? Suppose Jesus was born in Visalia this winter. Mary would still need to be a virgin. Joseph would faithfully be by her side as they looked for a place to bear her child. God would have made sure the hospitals were full. No homes would have room for them. Homes are too warm and comfortable. Mary and Joseph would have been led to a dumpster, maybe the one behind school. The dumpster would be mostly empty, but still very smelly and dirty. A cardboard box would be available in which to lay the child. A night crew of custodians would replace the shepherds as the ones sent by angels to find the child. They would find him wrapped in rags and lying in a dumpster, because there was no room in the hospitals. The three of (“He Made Himself Nothing” continues on page 2)
2 (“He Made Himself Nothing” continued from page 1)
them would be easy to spot. There would be no doubt this was the One of whom the angels spoke. I hope that scene bothers you. It’s disgusting. Dumpsters are dirty. Rotten food and spoiled milk stink. It’s humiliating enough just to dig through a dumpster when you accidentally throw something away. Imagine having to bear a child in one. That scene should bother you, but it shouldn’t be any more troubling than the actual scene of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, and Jesus lying in a manger. Why was there no room in the inn? Why no clean place for the King of the Universe to become human. Why shepherds? Why not influential people, people with means, people who could help spread the word and really get things done? I don’t know. I don’t know why Jesus was born in a stable, but I’m glad he was. I’m glad Mary was a virgin. I applaud Joseph for faithfully staying with her. God made sure that the shepherds were the first ones to visit. I like that part too. I like it all. I love every aspect of that whole event. I love it because I know God planned it, and he had a good reason behind every little detail. There are people in our society who relate to shepherds. Their jobs seem mundane and unimportant. There are children born in bathrooms. Homeless men and women live in the streets, eat what we throw away, and sleep in gutters. When all the unimportant stuff like homes and yards, bank accounts and salaries, and jobs and hobbies are taken out of the picture, those men, women, and babies are just like us. They have names. They have thoughts and feelings. And they need Jesus. The baby that was laid in a manger, Jesus, the Creator of the World, the Savior of the human race, was willing to humble himself and become one of us. He was willing to be born in the likes of a dumpster. He wanted to be visited, first of all, by the night crew, the floor sweepers, the bathroom janitors. He became one of us and he came for all of us. That’s the message I hear from God when I read “and the inn was full.” Pray for us over here at 5600 Tulare Avenue. Pray for us and join us as we seek to know this Baby, born in a “dumpster” who came to save us. Pray for us and join us as we explore what it means to be like Him, putting the needs of others before our own. – by Larry Baker, CVC High School Principal
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Art on Fire
On Friday, September 28, 2012, eight advanced art students from CVCHS – Nicole Bouvia, Madison Di Meo, Savanah Garbani, Taylor Kroonenberg, Maddie Potts, Kayla Stock, Lauren Te Velde, and Emily Whyte – were given the opportunity to paint a fire hydrant as part of a city beautification project in downtown Visalia. The hydrant was part of a project called “Art on Fire” led by Arts Visalia and the Arts Consortium. The hydrant was sponsored by the Tulare/Kings Suicide Prevention Task Force, and they asked for the theme of hope using the sunflower as a symbol. The title of the hydrant is an acronym: Hold On Pain Ends, spreading the message of hope to anyone in a dark place who may be contemplating suicide. The prize money received by participation in this event was donated back to the Arts Visalia scholarship fund that helps underprivileged kids afford art classes. It was a multifaceted service project- city beautification, spreading suicide awareness, and helping kids find the joy in making art. Needless to say, I am really proud of ‘my girls.’ – by Jennifer LaMar, CVC Art Teacher
CVC Alumni News Graduations Johnny Roeloffs (’08) graduated from CSU Fresno, in December 2011 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences – Production Management Option. Kyle Tos (’08) graduated from UC Davis in June 2012 with a degree in physics. Devin teVelde (’08) graduated from Texas Christian University in June 2012 with a degree in biology. Marriages Paul Beno, Jr (’09) and Megan Hettinga (’10) were married on September 29, 2012, at Tulare Community Church with a reception following at Koetsier Ranch in Visalia. They are now living in Tulare. Eddie de Jager and Jacky Van Beek (’08) married on August 25, 2012, at Tulare Community Church. They are living in Merced. Kyle Tos and Devin teVelde (both ’08) married on June 30, 2012, at Sequoia Ranch in Three Rivers. They are living in Davis where they are both continuing their education. Gerrit Roeloffs (’07) and Adrianna Souza were married on September 8, 2012, in Fresno and are living in Tipton. Births Kyle and Katrin (Vander Schaaf Schaaf) Johnson (’03) • Tanner David Johnson, born Oct. 19, 2012 (joins sister Tatum)
3
Fall Sports Shorts Girls’ Tennis The Cavaliers finished second in the CSL and advanced to the Division 5 section semi-finals where they lost a very close match to McLane High School in Fresno. Emily Whyte and Nicole Bouvia won the CSL doubles title and advanced through area qualifying to the Central Section round of 16 where they lost to the eventual champions. Girls’ Golf The Cavaliers finished second in the CSL in a tightly contested season between CVC and Kingsburg. Senior Lauren te Velde was able to advance through league and area qualifying to compete at the Central Section individual tournament Football The Cavaliers ended a season full of trials with a victory over Immanuel to retain the “Battle for the Boot” trophy. This is the first time either CVC or Immanuel has kept the trophy for three consecutive years since Immanuel did from 2000-2002. The Cavaliers were led by All-Central Sequoia League first teamers Mitch Pendergast, Hans Gilkey and Adam Danielsen. Volleyball The Cavaliers had an outstanding season that ended with a tough semi-final loss in the Central Section Division 3 Play-Offs. Despite not having any seniors on their team, the Cavaliers were undefeated in the Central Sequoia League and competed at a high level throughout the season. They were led by CSL MVP Taylor Vanden Berg and Central Sequoia League First Team selections Tess Van Grouw and Skyler Griffin. NOTE: Cross Country highlights will be included in the next issue of The Cavalier. Their season wasn’t complete as this issue was going to press.
“Battle for the Boot” Shoe Drive
In conjunction with this year’s Battle for the Boot football game between Immanuel and CVC, a used shoe drive was held. The goal for the drive was to collect half a ton of shoes. While we didn’t quite reach this goal, we were able to join together with Immanuel to collect an impressive number of shoes. If the donated shoes are in good shape, they will be sent to a third world country where they will be used by people that otherwise might not be able to buy shoes. More than 300 million pairs of shoes each year are thrown into the trash. Some of those shoes can spend more than 200 years in a landfill before they decompose. Thanks so very much to all of you that donated your used shoes for this shoe drive. It was great to see a pile of over 700 pounds of shoes at the “Battle for the Boot.” - by Ryan Tos, CVC Athletic Director *Special thanks to Kevin Ford for the football pictures.
4
An Excerpt from “Glimpsing the Divine: The Jesse Tree Devotionals” by Blake Hiemstra Illustration by Andrea Van Wyk Kamper (from Glimpsing the Divine: The Jesse Tree Devotionals)
Unspeakable Forgiveness
(based on Genesis 37:23–28, 45:1-7 and 50:15–21) The forces of evil enjoyed quite the renaissance in the story of Joseph that unfolds in the latter chapters of Genesis. Hatred, Betrayal, Greed, Abuse, Slavery, Unjust Imprisonment, Sexual Immorality – all of these despicable characters play a role in this drama. Surely the wicked powers that be must have anticipated a complete victory for the dark side. The plot’s corkscrews and double flips lead to the poignant moment when Joseph – the protagonist – stands before the eleven brothers who contemplated murder before selling their little bro to a pack of hairy nomads in the middle of the desert. Surely, thought the forces of evil, this would be the grand finale. After all that he’d been through, he’ll reach for the biggest club in the arsenal of evil: Revenge. It’s a similar situation to the predicament faced by Edmond Dantes in Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. Betrayed by Fernand, his best friend, and by others closest to him, and thrown in a cistern of a prison where he’s beaten and basically left for dead, Edmond faces a future bleaker than a snowball in summer. Only through ingenuity and divine intervention does he escape and manage to rise to a position of fabulous wealth and power. Entrenched in his new position of regal authority, with his discarded life miraculously returned to him, he faces a similar choice: gratefully live out his new life as a servant or choose to pursue those who betrayed him and make them pay. He takes door number two, and the fervor for revenge seizes him, driving him onward until all his enemies’ lives crumble or end. (And the villagers of the hamlet of Evil rejoice.) For Joseph, with the treasury of Egypt at his disposal and Pharaoh’s backing, revenge was easily attainable and perhaps tempting. And to those of us watching the plot-line unfurl, revenge might seem justifiable. His own flesh and blood sold him into slavery. It’s a bit more heinous crime than giving the silent treatment or locking the little bro in a closet for a while, as we might do to a pesky younger sibling. Instead of reaching for revenge, Joseph picks up the olive branch. He plays the card for which there is no possible answer from the forces of evil. Where they erred, he does the divine: he forgives. And it’s a forgiveness born out of the realization that our God takes all the evil thrown our way and uses it for good. “You intended to
harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” And this Prince, the Prince of all Peace, takes that which is intended for evil – the cross, the instrument of torture that might seem as out of place in a sanctuary as a swastika in a synagogue – and uses it for ultimate good, the saving of the human race. Let’s Talk About It
▲ What does today’s painting show us about the Scripture passage?
▲ When have you been persecuted and reached for revenge? When have you been persecuted but chose to forgive?
▲ Which one taught you more? Prayer Jesus, as we look to the cross, help us to see the choice you made to forgive, that we might have life. Thank you for showing us the power of forgiveness. In your Name, Amen.
••••• NOTE: This Advent devotional book is available for purchase at either the CVC Elementary or CVC Middle School offices.
DECEMBER 3 4 11 CVC School Board members (left to right): Lance Mouw; Laura Vander Dussen; Dave Bekedam; Tony Dragt; Christine Schaap; Mike Frings; Case Kamper; Keith Visser; Vicki Dykstra; Richard Vander Tuig; Tom Koetsier; Dan Altena. Not pictured: Steve Smit
CVC School Board Highlights ▲ The middle school remodel is complete and has provided some much needed improvements to that campus.
▲ Enrollment is at 876, which is 29 students fewer than what was projected for budget purposes.
▲ Board members make campus visits each month with a different board member visiting each of the campuses.
▲ Board members were asked to meet with their church council to keep open lines of communication between church and school
▲ iPads were purchased for all the teachers and are being utilized very
efficiently. The technology committee is working on a plan for what the next step will be regarding students’ use of iPads.
▲ There is a bat problem in the gym that the Buildings and Grounds Committee is trying to resolve.
▲ Dr. De Leeuw is sending out a more detailed summary of the board
minutes each month via email. If you ever have any questions, please contact a board member. Their names and phone numbers are listed on the CVC web page.
▲ The board covets your prayers for CVC, the staff, administration and
board members as we all strive to make decisions that are in line with our mission statement. – by Vicki Dykstra, CVC School Board Secretary
18 21
ASAPH at “Best of the Best” Christmas Concert – 7 pm, Visalia Fox Theatre HS Band and Choir Christmas Concert – 7 pm, Chapel K/1st Grade Christmas Program – 6:30 pm, Chapel 5th/6th Grade Christmas Program – 7 pm, Chapel 2nd Quarter Ends (11:30 dismissal – Christmas Break begins)
JANUARY 2013 7 7
School resumes Financial Aid Night for HS Seniors – 7 pm, MPR 14–25 HS Spring CSF Drive 14 Geography Bee, Grades 4–8 12:30 pm, Chapel 17 4th Grade Night of Praise – 7 pm, Chapel 21 Martin Luther King Day – No school 22 Grades 4-6 Spelling Bee – 12:30 pm, Chapel 22 Grades 7-8 Spelling Bee – 1:30 pm, Chapel 26 HS Winter Formal – Location to be determined 28 Counselor’s Coffee for Seniors’ Moms – 8:30 am, MPR
FEBRUARY 7-8
Kindergarten Application Days – Elementary Office 13 Farm Show Day – No school 18 Presidents’ Day – No school 20–22 HS Breakout 27 County Spelling Bee 28 MS/HS Bands Festival Concert – 7 pm, Chapel
Cultivating responsible
aluing Vacademic
onnecting CBiblical truths
haping SChrist-like
Christian adults
excellence
with everyday living
behavior
6
Of Note... The following students have earned an Academic Letter. In order to receive an Academic Letter, a student must have been a California Scholarship Member for at least three semesters and have earned High Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.5 of higher for eight quarters. SENIORS: Connor Branderhorst, Aaron Hooyer, Camila Mora, Jessica Parker, and Michael Rosa. JUNIORS: Austin Bons, Kaitlin Boone, Emily Brown, Emily Byrd, Danielle Cardenas, Justine Duyst, Emma Johnson, Craig Kampen, Josh Koster, Marissa Koster, Bronson Espinoza, Blake Haury, Stacy Leyendekker, Caitlin Mueller, Taylor Reitsma, Jeremiah Tiemersma, Megan Van Grouw, Tess Van Grouw, Kirsten Von Meter, and Kimberly White. We say farewell and offer a heartfelt thank you to Miss Robin Denny who recently retired from CVC. After many years of working in various roles, most recently as an elementary office assistant, Miss Denny has been called to work with the Warehouse, a local community ministry. We would like to welcome Mrs. Sheri Lewis (pictured at right), the new elementary office assistant. She is the mother of two elementary boys. Julianna Beno (9th) was the Tulare County Treasurer Record Book Winner for Oakdale 4H Club. She received certificates of special recognition from Senator Jean Fuller, Tulare County Board of Supervisors member Pete Vander Poel, California Legislature Assemblyman David Valadao, and Congressman Devin Nunes, as well as a Scholastic Achievement Award from California Legislature Assemblywoman Connie Conway.
Sounds of Christmas to Fill the Air at CVC The Christmas Puzzle The second and third graders of CVC are preparing for their annual Christmas program. Please join us November 27 at 7:00 pm in the high school chapel as we find out how we’re all a part of God’s picture in “The Christmas Puzzle.” ’Twas the Concert Before Christmas On December 4 at 7:00 pm in the high school chapel the band and choirs of Central Valley Christian High School are presenting “’Twas the Concert Before Christmas,” a festive evening of music for the Christmas season. Christmas selections, both old and new, will warm your soul and prepare your hearts for the season. This is one program you want to be sure to invite the grandparents. Signs of Christmas The signs of Christmas are everywhere. The important thing we must do for our children at Christmas is to make sure all these signs point to Jesus. On December 11 at 6:30 in the high school chapel come help the Kindergartners and first graders of CVC point the way to Jesus, who came to earth as a baby in a manger and died for us on the cross. Middle School Choir and Jazz Band The CVC Middle School will present a Christmas assembly on Wednesday, December 19 at 11:00 in the CVC chapel. The MS Choir and Jazz Band will perform a few Christmas numbers that will give you a glimpse into what they have been working on in class this semester. Plan to take a late coffee break or early lunch and join us for your daily dose of Christmas cheer!