The Advantage - Spring 2023

EQUIP SERVE IMPACT

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOLS

Dear Friends of NPC Schools: What Are We Building?

It is exciting to see all the new construction projects that have been completed and are ongoing, as well as yet to come. These buildings allow us to “build into the lives of our students.”

Recently we have seen revivals taking place across college campuses. I’m excited to report that there has been a stirring in the lives of our young people too. Just within the last two weeks we have seen five students give their lives to Christ, accepting the free gift of salvation made possible by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

This is the exciting part of offering a Christ-centered education. Now we have seen other students come around them, to disciple them in their newfound faith in Christ. Truly, NorthPointe is building “to equip students to impact their world for Jesus Christ.”

To God be the Glory!

PRESCHOOL/ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

616.363.4869

540 Russwood Street NE Grand Rapids MI 49505

MIDDLE SCHOOL

616.719.5440

HIGH SCHOOL

616.942.0350

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

616.942.0363

3101 Leonard Street NE Grand Rapids MI 49525 www npchristian .org

–Todd N Tolsma, Head of Schools

Open House + Chicken = A+

UNIFIED MUSTANGS

Team player, JW Ceus, takes a shot on the court at a Unified Mustangs Basketball game as team partner, Olivia Rhoda, looks on (cover). Special Olympics Unified Sports seek to offer inclusivity to all students by fostering an enviroment that encourages leadership and skill-building in students with different abilities.

Go Mustangs!

NorthPointe thanks our sponsors who help fund “The Advantage.” For advertising opportunities in our next edition, please contact: diepenhorstd@npchristian.org

ROBOTS HAVE TAKEN OVER!

If you were brave enough to venture through the main lobby at the elementary building, you, most likely, side-stepped an obstacle course of large city maps, excited robotics engineers, and speeding spheres. Our Kindergarten-5th graders were part of teams that created maps, manipulated robotic spheres, and challenged themselves in their accuracy, control, and speed. The Sphero™ and its iPad app allows learners to begin with a Draw program, advance to Block coding, and work toward Text (writing code) to command the robot through various tasks. While enjoying the thrill of “manning a robot,” students also honed their skills in the area of patience, cooperation, gratitude, and perseverance.

We’re so grateful for our generous PTO that provided the funds for this Computer Science program.

–Julie Bennett, K-5th Computer Teacher

FAREWELL SHON

What most makes NPC special is the people. Our ability to faithfully maintain institutional commitment to Jesus Christ and His gospel is only as great as those we entrust to carry it out daily. God has been so good to us in who He brings to carry out our mission of “equipping students to impact their world for Jesus Christ.”

This year’s new faculty and staff are no exception to this rule—wonderful Christian servant leaders. But our administrative team loses a long faithful partner this year as Shon Cottle (Athletic Director/ HS Assistant Principal, former counselor) departs. We appreciate the indelible impact Shon has left on our students and community over his decade-plus at NPC.

–Tom Molenkamp, High School Principal

MIDDLE SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

One of the highlights each year is our Middle School Marketplace. Our students spend the first semester studying business through interdisciplinary, project-based learning. Our 8th graders determine a product or service to sell and become CEOs of a company. They hire a 7th grader who is a Marketing Manager and a 6th grader as an Operations Manager. Together they form

a company, create a name, business plan, company mission statement, and ads, and then sell their actual product or service on the night of our Marketplace event. Each company is required to do a service project together or give some of their profit away to a charity.

–Megan Willink, Middle School Principal

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU

A hearty “thank you” to all who are working hard to complete our new high school wing: Visser Contractors

Visser Brothers Construction - general contractor

Architectural Openings & Access – metal doors and frames

Bareman & Associates – wall partitions

Caretakers Landscape – lawn prep

Cascade Cement Contracting – columns, stair nosings, paving

Cig-Jan Products - visual display boards

C.I.R. Masonry – masonry

Dynamic Wood Products – casegood furniture

Eckhoff & DeVries Painting & Wallcovering – painting

Elders Electric – electrical system

Enriquez Construction – metal stud framing, bulkheads

Fabcon Precast – hollowcore precast plank

Flairwood Handcrafted Cabinets and Carts – cabinetry, countertop, closets

Gemmen’s Caulking & Waterproofing –sealants

K & S Plumbing – plumbing system and connections

Midwest Asphalt Maintenance – asphalt paving

Mikalan Roofing – roofing system

Prebuck Products – parapet cap and fasteners

Precision Commercial Flooring – flooring

Rapid Fire Protection – fire extinguishers and cabinets

Rayhaven Equipment – metal lockers

Soils & Structures – testing and inspection

Superior Glass – curtain wall system, entrances, windows

Triangle Window Fashions – roller shades

Van Wall Fire Protection – fire protection system

Vans Mechanical Contractors – HVAC

Xtreme Engineered Floor Systems –polish system

NPC Partners

Automatic Door Service – folding partition door

Control Solutions – HVAC controls

Dynamic Wood Products - furniture

High Grade Materials – site concrete

Mitten Communications – low voltage wiring

Nederveld – surveying and civil engineering

Soulard Technology – access controls

The Design Forum – architectural design

GRANDPARENT’S VIEW

The total from the NorthPointe Christian Schools Annual Tuition Assistance Auction was $178,904 - our highest ever!

Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, bidders, and volunteers.

Bring up NorthPointe Christian Schools in conversation and many experiences come to mind for grandparents, Dave and Barb Huyser. With several grandchildren in or are graduates of the school, they’ve attended concerts, shows, sporting, and classroom events. They’ve loved being able to volunteer in grandchildren’s classes, listen to senior testimonies, and even helped in the Student Union. As retired teachers, they understand solid teaching, and as grandparents, they know how important it is to have a school built on the Word of God.

That’s the most important thing to them as grandparents, especially in the increasingly dark culture they see. Where culture gives permission, they’re thankful for God-given boundaries. Where culture mocks godliness, they’re thankful for His wisdom and care shown by teachers.

They are thankful for the Christian education provided at NorthPointe Christian, and are blessed that their grandchildren are closer to the Lord and ready to use the gifts He has given them because of their time at NorthPointe Christian.

–The Huysers, NPC Grandparents

SET SAIL AUCTION SUPPORT NPC

FEBRUARY BASKETBALL HOMECOMING PIZZA PARTY 2023

What do Alumni say about NPC for their children?

I love that my kids are learning a Biblical worldview, and how to think for themselves, as opposed to simply learning how to remember facts.

I am grateful that I can send my daughter to NPC and know that she is going to be taught values similar to what I am teaching in my home.

(1) Michael Bartels and son Andrew

(2) Benjamin Boverhof ’10 family

(3) Class of 2022 friends. Chase Berends, Joey DeLano, Sam Bradley, Jonathan Braam, Jordan Rogers, Nicky Brunink.

(4) Kristi Dykstra Beckwith ’02 family

(5) Joe and Terri Alexander

(6) Coach Tim Swore surprise

(7) Bryan 82’ and Gwen ‘80 Molda and grandchildren (Lee ’06 Sara Molda Owens ’06)

(8) Lisa Biel Kresge ’87 family

(9) Lisa Frueh Ellison ’97 family

THE LEGACY OF THE BERENDS FAMILY

Rob Berends, Class of 1984, is an engineer at Nederveld, Inc. NorthPointe is grateful to have Rob overlooking our current building projects, starting with helping to secure building permits on both campuses and continuing to push it forward to completion. The value of his level of his involvement is immeasurable. Rob served on our Board at various points between 2002-2020. He is still serving NPC today although his children have graduated.

The Berends family has been involved with our school since the beginning in 1972. Rob’s dad, Robert W. Berends, board member from 1973 until his death in 1979, was committed to

Christian education in the lives of his family. Robert’s name is seen above the cafetorium doors. The Berends alumni children and grandchildren: Michelle ’82, Rob ’84, Kris ’87, Kim ’89, Mason ‘11, Jarrett ’16, Quincy ’17, Tressa ’18, and Chase ’22. While looking back at the memories and sacrifice, Rob’s mom Marilyn, said, “Would we do it all over again? Without a doubt.”

To a lifer, an alumnus, an alumni parent, a former Board member, a volunteer, and one who loves NorthPointe and what God is doing here: thanks, Rob, from our hearts!

We are grateful for your long hours and hard work.

In Memorium James Hoffman, Class of 1996

Photos courtesy of Lori Melton

INTERVIEW WITH SETH NYMEYER

Seth Nymeyer, Class of 2018, is living in Michigan near the Indiana border and teaching high school English in a public school. It was nice to see Seth back on campus recently.

Q: To start off, tell us one of your favorite high school memories?

A : One of my favorite collections of memories is preseason football. “Men” twice my size claimed to be my peers. Their beards, muscles and mustaches almost scared me out of playing entirely. I remember my first time getting hit, and the second and the third. I think it took me a month before I understood it was acceptable to hit back. My peers became savage warriors. It was the best thing for me. I saw biblical manhood on and off the field. Coach Swore and the rest of the coaching staff synthesized the hard work of the two-a-day’s practices with biblical discipleship. James 1 was always on Swore’s lips. The hottest days were his favorite because “adversity makes you stronger”. I love the moments that brought me to blood, sweat and tears—yes a few tears—because I know it created a good thing in me. Coach Swore’s mantra of “You know when you’ve given your all at the end and it hurts.”

Q: Seth, tell us where you are living and teaching and how long you’ve been there?

A: For the last six months I have taught 9th and 12th grade English in the small town in Southwest Michigan called Dowagiac (Da-wah-jack). The town has a population of 5,000.

Q: Which college prepared you for your career? And for our new alum in particular, when entering college, did you feel that NPC had prepared you well?

A: I am a Secondary Education alumnus of Michigan State University as of May 2022.

The structure of discipleship at NorthPointe is exceptional. The teachers build into the lives of the seniors. The seniors have the opportunity to apply what they are learning with their small groups. I experienced genuine fun while being discipled. Young men like Carter Miedema and Isaac Blickley modeled biblical discipleship while being in high school. Little did I know that their influence was coached/modeled by their teacher mentors. I have been able to carry this model into my personal and professional life.

Q: Since you’re teaching HS English, what effect did your high school English teachers have on you?

A: NorthPointe’s English department is college level. Anji Straayer and Don VanderKolk (DVK) are the two people I hold most responsible for my love of literature. My senior year at MSU was the first year where I was challenged. My English and Literature skills are where they are because of the teachers who drew them out of me.

DVK convinced me to become a teacher. After my freshman year at MSU, I was unsure of my original plan for a business degree. I was reaching the levels needed to be successful in MSU’s Business College, but I lacked any passion or desire to continue. In the spring of 2019, I made a visit to DVK. I watched him teach his junior honors English. Afterward, we sat in the Media Center teacher’s lounge as he made copies and finished lesson plans. He told me being a teacher is one of the

greatest places to pour into people and study what you are passionate about. He ended the conversation with his usually facetious attitude, “Don’t make your decision to be a teacher for the summers off. It is a bad idea.” And with a pause he ended by saying, “I mean that’s why I did it, but you shouldn’t do that.” That was the last conversation we had. I am so thankful for teachers at NPC like him.

Q: What are your long-term goals for your students?

A: Simple; seek a life of learning and love to read. A well-read mind is a sharp mind.

Q: What is God teaching you these days?

A: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:3 Being “blessed” begins by

recognizing the reality of a broken, sinful world and going to God as the source of life. Putting on a smile doesn’t solve or even patch our broken world. Our God does. I am learning to start each day by recognizing the reality of my situation and then going to Him as my source of everything. Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Joy is doing your best vigorously in each moment God has given. I can entrust to my Savior the specifics; I know He is good and has a purpose for everything.

– Interview by Pam Lasher, Alumni Coordinator

To unsubscribe, email lasherp@npchristian.org