SUmmer 2019
Vigorously Academic · Beautifully Diverse · Thoroughly Christian
High Desert Horizons soars S
ixth grade is a time of transition as students shift from elementary to middle school. To address these changes, Rehoboth Christian School developed a place based classroom model in the sixth grade this past school year. Using the place-based model, students were immersed into local heritage and culture, landscape and ecosystems, opportunities and experiences all year along. Each week, through spending time outdoors on field trips, their academic learning was linked to the world around them. As a part of the social studies unit, two overnight camp outs were planned to Chaco Canyon and Monument Valley. While away, they learned about ancient civilizations, practiced orienteering and map skills, and learned about astronomy. They also took an ethnography tour of Gallup, NM.
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were challenged to think critically about Christianity, traditional Navajo beliefs, and freedom in Christ. In Math, students used height and circumference of trees to make linear graphs and compared the relationship between the two. In science they dug into different forms of energy and how they are produced. Students debated the merits of different energy sources: solar, coal, geothermal, uranium. Then, they traveled to Monument Valley to experience first-hand how various energy sources impact the lives of people on the Navajo Reservation.
Students were pushed to see themselves as part of the greater community to learn about . their corner of the world, to care about the people who call this area home.
The placed-based learning was even happening inside the classroom through the voices of others. Many guests speakers made classroom visits. Navajo Nation VP Myron Lizer spoke to the 6th grade boys regarding Native American treaties and Christians in politics. Two Rehoboth parents also came to share their stories. Lisa Byker spoke about her brain, her brain tumor, and how her faith supports her. Sanjay Choudhrie shared about the needs of homeless people in our community and taught us to see how these people are children of God. In Bible class, local missionaries came to speak about what missions looks like locally and how 6th graders can be missionaries. All year, students
Lastly, a large component of place-based learning included living as God’s people and serving others. Rehoboth sixth grade students were able to do so by spending time with elderly people in the community through service to them and playing games together.
“Students were pushed to see themselves as part of the greater community to learn about their corner of the world, to care about the people who call this area home, to consider the complexities of seeking God’s kingdom in our world, and to figure out ways that as 6th graders they can be involved and bring about changes,” reflects Rehoboth 6th grade teacher Kate Poortenga. This new program has been a huge undertaking by our dedicated teachers, Kate Poortenga and Nikki VanSlooten. We are thankful for their commitment to getting this program off the ground, and we are excited to see how this program will continue to grow in the years to come.
Living The Mission By Bob Ippel, Executive Director
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ehoboth Christian School challenges its students to know the Triune God and equips them to love, serve, and transform the world in His name.” Sometimes when I am weary, I wonder whether the students are catching the message that we attempt to present at Rehoboth Christian School. Can they look beyond their own self interests? Can they humbly submit to a Triune God that oozes love and community? Can they be part of a radical new identity which puts service above all? At the middle school graduation this year, God gave me hope as I listened to 8th grader Eden Pikaart give a speech at her graduation. She challenged her peers and everyone in the audience to be part of the change that is desperately needed in this broken world. Her powerful message (see italicized transcript below) inspired me to know that Rehoboth students are capable of stepping up to the challenge of knowing God and having that relationship change their outlook on life.
“Whatever kind of change you are a part of, whether it be within your family or school, to social injustices, do it to help build God’s kingdom and make the world a better place for future generations.
Sometimes you will protest, but people won’t listen because you are young. But they have to realize that you are fighting for your future and you can make just as big of a difference as them. When this happens, the worst thing you can do is get mad, because that will show them you are childish. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “ Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” If and when people look down on us, we will show them that we are an example for the future. We have been handed a world that we had no part in making, yet is our job to help make it the world God wants it to be. I want to inspire you to take action now and do not wait for someone else to do it. Because the change is within you. God has a plan for all of our futures. Some of us will take action within our community, in politics, in the climate crisis, in areas of social and economic justice, and others will use their talents and gifts to make a impact. But one thing we must know is that change is necessary.”
8th grader Eden Pikaart give a speech at her graduation.
Thank you for supporting the students and the mission of Rehoboth Christian School this year. We ask for your continued support next year as we further explore our mission statement through the lens of Teaching for Transformation. In Him,
Bob Ippel Executive Director
COlor RUn 2019 Raises 20K! O
n April 26, Rehoboth Christian School held its fourth annual all-school color run to raise money for new elementary playground equipment and new Chromebook carts for the middle school and high school.
During the one-hour run students made their way around the hiking trails behind Rehoboth’s campus to be showered with brightly-colored, powdered paint at various color stations. With money raised from last year’s Color Run along with additional funds from supporters, the school is hoping to buy a large piece of playground equipment and have it installed this summer. It was a beautiful day and we praise God for blessing our school with over $20,000 in donations from this event! Business sponsors for this event included: Bonaguidi Construction, Michele’s Ready Mix and Recycle, Red Rock Security and Patrol, Chee’s Indian Store, Family Medicine Associates, Gallup Water Store, and Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe. 2
V ig o ro us ly A cad em i c · B eau t i fu l l y D i v ers e · Thoroughly Chr istian
Rehoboth Alum Heads to Washington D.C. Written By: Gail DeYoung, Retired Rehoboth Counselor and Teacher
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s a child, growing up in Twin Lakes, NM, on the Navajo Reservation, Raven Pinto ’16, was raised in an environment rich in beauty and resources. She heard the stories of the land and the way it brought relationships together to form community from her grandfather. She watched her grandma bless the earth with corn pollen. Those deep impressions were the start of a passion that has been nurtured by her family, her culture, and her school. However, she also noticed that there were families that drove or even walked miles to get buckets of water because there was none in their homes. She watched darkness descend over reservation homes where there was no electricity to sustain the light. Her own mother struggled with the conditions that others in their community lived with and vowed to bring affordable housing to all people of the reservation. The story now moves to Colorado and Raven’s collegiate life. It was here that Raven began to see the disparity between her people’s lives on the Navajo Reservation and the lives of those in Colorado. Her eyes were opened to the fact that no one talks about tribal issues. No one wanted to bring awareness to the gap. There was great disparity between economic advantage, standard of living, safety, aid and a Navajo Nation crying out to be rebuilt. This summer, Raven, now a junior and Political Science major at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, will bring this passion and deep desire to affect change for her people to a national arena. She was chosen from a national pool of applicants from which only 12 were selected, to
work in Washington, DC as an intern. Raven has been given the assignment to intern for NM senator Tom Udall. While in Washington, she will be handling administrative tasks, assisting with professional development workshops, attending senate hearings, helping out with research and attending meetings of government officials. She desires to bring her wisdom nurtured by her grandparents’ stories, her mother’s value of helping those less fortunate and her love and respect for her people and the land to those in power in the US Government. Raven believes that through her education at Rehoboth, she experienced the power of community that was inclusive to her native identity. “Rehoboth did a good job of keeping my heritage culturally relevant,” Raven says, “I hope I can bring that same idea of inclusion and understanding of Native American issues to other people.”
Amanda Martin ‘15 Awarded Fulbright Scholarship Amanda Martin, of the class of 2015, was recently awarded a Fulbright Student Research Grant to South Africa. Amanda is an Organismal Biology and Ecology major. Prior to her award, she studied in South Africa for three months. While abroad, she studied savanna ecology and conservation management and conducted field research. The scholarship will be a nine month long project where she focuses on the relationship between large animal water hole utilization and the effects of tourism. Her plan is to watch animals using camera trap images at Addo Elephant National Park. Amanda plans to pursue a doctorate in veterinary medicine after she completes her project. She also noted that besides her studies and research, she is most looking forward to the cultural exchange while building and cultivating relationships within the South African community.
PO B o x 41 · R eh ob ot h , NM 873 22 · 5 05 . 86 3.4412 · www.r c snm.org
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2018-2019 Rehoboth Athletics Awards, Accomplishments & Needs Soccer:
Boys’ Soccer Program 2018-19: 3rd Place in District Allen West (Sr) - District Player of the Year, 2nd Team All State Nick Louis (Soph) and John Barriga (Sr) - Honorable Mention All State
Volleyball Program Needs: • • • • •
Official Volleyballs- 12pc - $65/each Volleyball Carts - 2pc - $230/each Drill Carts - 2pc - $130/each Training Power Pad - 1pc - $790 Volleyball Nets - 2pc - $225/each
Cross Country:
Boys’ Cross Country Program 2018-19: 10th Place in Class A/2A at NM State CC Championship, 3rd Place in District Girls’ Cross Country Program 2018-19: District Champions - 3rd Place in Class A/2A at NM State CC Championship Elise DeMol (Fr) - 9th Place Finish at State - First Team All State Nina Bitsilly (Fr) - 15th Place Finish in Class A/2A at State Melanie Bitsilly (Soph) - 17th Place Finish in Class A/2A at State Girls’ Soccer Program 2018-19: 2nd Place in District - Qualified for State Tournament Bethany Silva (Jr)- District Player of the Year, Honorable Mention All State Maddie Arsenault (Soph), Shandiin Tahy (Soph), and Grace Huizinga (Jr) - Honorable Mention All State
Soccer Program Needs: • • • •
Full Size Goals- 2 pc - $1,850/each Training Bibs- 20pc - $250 total Bownet Trainers 3’x5’ - 2pc - $100/each Practice Mannequins - 5pc - $150/each
Volleyball:
Volleyball Program 2018-2019: 2nd Place in District - Qualified for State Tournament Kennedi Chapman (Sr) and Jayme Daniels (Sr) - NW New Mexico Small School All Stars
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Cross Country Program Needs: • Flag Ribbon for Home Course - $350
Basketball:
Boys’ Basketball Program 2018-19: 2nd Place in District - Qualified for State Tournament Allen West (Sr) - NW NM Small School All Star Kevin Johnny (Sr) - NMADA Senior-Scholar Athlete of the Year Jalen Boyd (Sr) - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority - Sportsmanship Award Girls’ Basketball Program 2018-19: 2nd Place in District - Qualified for State Tournament Kennedi Chapman (Sr) and Jasmine Pablo (Sr) - NW NM Small School All Stars Jayme Daniels (Sr) - NMADA Senior-Scholar Athlete of the Year Adrianna Pete (Jr) - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority - Sportsmanship Award
V ig o ro us ly A cad em i c · B eau t i fu l l y D i v ers e · Thoroughly Chr istian
Basketball Program Needs: • • • • •
Shootaway Gun 8000 - $6,000 Wilson Game Balls (men’s) - 5pc - $70/each Wilson Game Balls (women’s) - 5pc - $70/each Augusta Medium Equipment Bags - 3pc - $30/each Medicine Balls 5 sets @ 8.8lbs, 11lbs, and 13.2lbs - $175/set
Track and Field:
Boys’ Track and Field Program 2018-19: 2nd Place in District Girls’ Track and Field Program 2018-19: District Champions - 10th Place in New Mexico State Track & Field Championships Rachael Martin (Sr) - District High Point Athlete- MVP, New RCS Record- Javelin Throw 4 x 200m Relay Team - State Champions - Maddie Arsenault (Soph), Jessica Situ (Sr), Grace Huizinga (Jr), Elise DeMol (Fr) 800m and 1600m - Anna Huizinga (Fr) - 1st Place Finish 300m Hurdles - Maddie Arsenault (Soph)- 3rd Place Finish
Baseball & Softball:
Baseball Program 2018-2019: District Champions - New Mexico State Quarterfinals Nate Ebright (Sr) - District MVP, NW New Mexico Small School All Stars Kevin Johnny (Sr) & Allen West (Sr) - NW New Mexico Small School All Stars
Softball Program 2018-2019: District Champions - Qualified for State Tournament Kennedi Chapman (Sr) - District MVP, NW New Mexico Small School All Star
Baseball and Softball Program Needs: • • • • • • • • •
Baseball Portable Pitching Mound - $1975 L Screen - $350 Baum Wood Bats - 5pc - $160/each Hitting Tees - 3pc - $85/each Pitching Trainer Pocket Screen - $250.00 Jugs Combo 1300 Pitching Machine - $2,800 Outdoor Batting Cage - $5,000 Dimpled Pitching Machine Softballs - $120 Bownet Trainer - $75
General Needs: Storage Container (Track & Soccer) - $4800
Athletic Dept. Dream: Baseball & Softball Turf Fields - $2 Million We look forward to sharing the accomplishments and needs for our Fine Arts Programs in the Fall 2019 Newsletter.
Track and Field Program Needs: • • • •
Hurdles - 30pc - $5,250 total Hurdle Dolly - 2pc - $475/each Rubber Long Jump Runway - $1,250 Starting Block Cart - $600
If you have questions about any of our needs, please contact Ken Zylstra at (505) 488-3900 or kzylstra@rcsnm.org
PO B o x 41 · R eh ob ot h , NM 873 22 · 5 05 . 86 3.4412 · www.r c snm.org
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Snapshots from Spring 2019 Follow Us on Facebook!
Thank you, Volunteers!
Sheep Butchering
Our high school Navajo language and culture class butchered a sheep at the end of the school year.
High School S.A.C. Week and Band Tour
SAC weeks gives students the opportunity to explore alternative classes such as video production, roping, golfing, cooking, art, biking, and many more options besides Kindergarten Graduation! these! During this time, our high school band went on Congratulations to our 18 Kindergarten students! At the tour to Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Their tour, entitled “Come to the Water” was based upon this year’s end of the year they held a celebration which included many school theme. The band performed concerts at a variety songs, skits, and Bible verses. A huge thanks to our wonderful of churches as well as at three Christian school where teachers Mrs. Gillson and Ms. Jones for guiding and preparing they were able to connect with the students. The band our youngest students. students also took time to learn at a band workshop at Northwestern University. They also enjoyed eating at Pizza Ranch, playing laser tag in Colorado Springs, and visiting V ig o ro us ly A cad em i c · B eau t i fu l l y D i v ers e · Thoroughly Chr istian the Omaha Zoo. 6
Gifts in Memory of: In Memory of J. Lynn Baker
Ms. Jennifer Baker In Memory of Andrew J. Bandstra
Mrs. Ruth A. VanGrouw-Bandstra Dr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps In Memory of Ruth Bandstra
Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Sharon Ippel Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Lori Worst Dr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps
Gifts in Honor of: Mrs. Ruth L. Klein Mr. and Mrs. John and JoAnne Van’tLand Dr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps Mrs. Carol R. Griffioen Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Betty Stegink Mr. and Mrs. Walt and Sue Eddy Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Janet Weeda Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Ruth VanAndel Mrs. Norma Windemuller
In Honor of Donald and Barbara Poel’s Birthdays Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Regan Smith In Honor of Robert Poel’s 80th Birthday Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Barbara Poel
In Memory of Floyd E. Pine
SK2 Franklin Pine
In Memory of Ann K. Boyd
Mr. and Mrs. David and Diane Boyd Mrs. Elizabeth Lankheet
In Memory of Howard Tazelaar
In Memory of Cornelia “”Kee”” Buitenwerf
In Memory of Rolf and Nella Veenstra
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Bernice Kole Marion County Bank Mr. and Mrs. Doyle and Wilma VandeLune Boat Foundation Inc. Ms. Betty VanderWaal Mr. and Mrs. Gysbert and LeNora VanWeelden Mr. and Mrs. David and Phyllis Zylstra Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Marla Carter Ms. Pamela J. Boat Mr. Jerry VanWyngarden Mr. Lowell VanWyngarden Mr. Russell VanWyngarden Mr. Mark VanWyngarden
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Vivian Talsma
Mrs. Sharon K. Tazelaar
In Memory of Fred Witteveen
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Ruth Ippel Mrs. Ruth L. Klein Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan and Anna Newman Mr. and Mrs. John and Ellen Nicodemus Mr. and Mrs. John and JoAnne Van’tLand Mr. and Mrs. Bruce and Elizabeth Matthews Dr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps Mr. and Mrs. Walt and Sue Eddy Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Janet Weeda Mr. Robert J. Dykstra Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Ruth VanAndel
“In Memory of Cornelia “”Kee”” and Howard Buitenwerf”
Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Marla Carter Mr. Jerry VanWyngarden Mr. Lowell VanWyngarden Mr. Russell VanWyngarden Mr. Mark VanWyngarden In Memory of Mike Harberts
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Ruth VanAndel In Memory of Mickie Kleinheksel
Mr. and Mrs. James and Nancy Engen
Thank you, Volunteers! Short-term Volunteers
Jason Miest Randall and Linda Buteyn Ken and Vera In’tVeld Paul and Trudi Ippel Jim and Suki Brasser Steve and Joyce Eggebeen Mart and Mary Hollebeek Jim, Tamela, Amberely, Sierra Verlare Joel, Jennifer Van Noord family Andrew and Barbara Doezema Ed and Lori Plyman John and Jo Van’t Land Marlo and Carol DeYoung Meindert Prins David and Susan VanderHeide Jerry and Sherri Van Groningen Mary Jeanne Quist Carla Hekman-Bicsak Mary Beth Winkle Cliff and Joanne Soodsma Ken and Nancy Schrader
Long-term Volunteers
In Memory of Keith Kuipers
Jack and Cindy Ippel Ruth and Denny Van Andel
Mr. Evan Williams Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Judith Fletcher In Memory of Clinton Lee Wood
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy and Elores Wood In Memory of Peter Wuestewald
Destination Rehoboth Volunteer Groups: PLIA- Dordt College Lexington Christian Academy Alger Park CRC
Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Luanne Wuestewald Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Ann Herther Mr. and Mrs. Terry and Ladene Veldhouse Mr. and Mrs. Doug and Peggy Rotert Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Pam VanEngelenhoven
PO B o x 41 · R eh ob ot h , NM 873 22 · 5 05 . 86 3.4412 · www.r c snm.org
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Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Greenville MI Permit #338
PO Box 41 Rehoboth, NM 87322
Special Graduation Insert Enclosed!
Address Service Requested
Summer 2019
Vigorously Academic · Beautifully Diverse · Thoroughly Christian
Page 1
High Desert Horizons
Page 2
Color Run 2019!
In This Issue...
Page 3
Alumni Updates
Page 4
Athletic Accomplishments
Page 6
Snapshots of Spring