The Potter’s House Press
Congratulations, Seniors!
REFLECTING ON A REMARKABLE YEAR AND HONORING THE GRADUATES OF 2026.
Letter from the Superintendent
Dear Friends,
Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of listening closely to students, teachers, families, partners, alumni, and many of you who faithfully support this mission. Again and again, one truth has become unmistakably clear: This is not simply a school students attend. It is a place where people belong.
Every day, more than 600 students walk through our doors carrying different stories, challenges, strengths, and hopes for the future. What they find here is far more than academics alone. They find a Christcentered community where they are known, encouraged, challenged, and reminded they are created in the image of God.
We see it in students like Brooklyn, who is discovering how her gifts can help others flourish. We see it in students like Nikolas, who experienced the strength of brotherhood and caring adults during one of the hardest seasons of his life. We see it in classrooms where students are challenged academically, encouraged spiritually, and reminded daily that they are deeply valued.
We also see it in the quiet moments that rarely make headlines: A teacher praying with a struggling student, a mentor offering encouragement, students learning to worship, serve, compete, and care for one another well.
As I grow in my role as Superintendent, I carry deep gratitude for the faithful foundation laid by John Booy, Mark Van Zanten, Nellene Duimstra, and so many others who helped build this community over the last 45 years. Their vision was never simply to create a school. It was to create a Christ-centered community where students from every background and income level could discover who God created them to be.
That mission remains as strong and clear today as ever.
I believe God has good things ahead for The Potter’s House. Together, we will continue growing in academic excellence, spiritual formation, and organizational strength while remaining deeply rooted in the mission God established here from the very beginning.
Thank you for continuing to pray for this school, invest in our students, and carry this mission forward alongside us. Your generosity is helping shape lives for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Christine Metzger Superintendent
The Potter’s House
What’s Inside
Summer Break ..................Page 3
2026 Graduates Page 4
What’s Next Page 6
Forged in Faith ..................Page 7
Brooklyn’s Story Page 8
Ephram’s Story Page 10
Nick’s Story ................... Page 12
Memorial Gifts Page 14
Honoring Faithful Staff Page 15
The Mission Doesn’t Take a Summer Break
As another school year comes to a close, the work of The Potter’s House is far from finished.
Throughout the summer months, students will continue learning, growing, serving, and exploring through a variety of programs and experiences designed to help them discover God’s world and their place within it.
Learning Beyond the School Year
Some students will participate in summer school, strengthening academic skills and preparing for the year ahead. Others will build friendships and confidence through sports camps in basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and more.
Across campus, exciting projects will continue as improvements are made to outdoor learning spaces that will expand opportunities for hands-on, placebased education. These spaces help bring learning to life while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and stewardship of God’s creation.
J Term: Learning Through Experience
One of the most unique opportunities at The Potter’s House is J Term, an immersive learning experience that takes students beyond the traditional classroom.
Through service projects, outdoor adventures, educational travel, career exploration, and hands-on learning opportunities, students are challenged to grow in faith, leadership, and independence. Whether serving communities, exploring new places, or developing practical skills, students are encouraged to see how God is at work both in the world around them and in their own lives.
J Term reflects a core belief at The Potter’s House: some of life’s most meaningful lessons are learned through experience.
A Critical Season for Support
Summer is full of meaningful opportunities for students, but it is also one of the most challenging seasons financially for the school.
While many traditional revenue streams slow during the summer months, the ministry of The Potter’s House continues. Teachers prepare for a new school year. Facilities projects move forward. Student support services remain active. Financial aid commitments continue. Planning and preparation for the fall never stop.
That is why monthly giving is so important.
Walking Alongside the Mission
“For our family, supporting Potter’s House monthly is another way to walk alongside the school throughout the year,” share Greg and Amy. “We’re grateful to be part of the Potter’s House community, and giving regularly is a
natural extension of that commitment. It’s a good reminder for us that giving isn’t just a one-time thing. It’s part of our ongoing relationship with the school’s mission.”
Monthly gifts provide steady, reliable support that helps sustain Christcentered education through every season of the year. They allow students and families to continue receiving the academic, spiritual, and relational support that makes The Potter’s House such a special community.
Join Us This Summer
As summer begins, would you consider becoming a monthly supporter?
Your recurring gift helps ensure that students continue to experience a Christ-centered education that equips them to serve God and society to their fullest potential, not just during the school year, but all year long.
www.tphgr.org/donate
High school students learning in the Gardening J Term course
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
DANIEL BAEZESPINOZA Grand Canyon University Public Relations and Marketing
BAEZ
NAPHTALIA
LIAM BRINKERHOFF Construction
JERRY BOWSER Grand Canyon University
ALEXIS BOS Calvin University Biology
KYLIE BOBO
BLUM
CLAIRE BAKER
College
JORDAN CLARK Grand Valley
CHRIS DELANEY Howard University Business Management
ABRAM DEYOUNG Calvin University Business & Finance
PETER GREER Central Michigan University
Human Resources
CLARA HART Calvin University Environmental Studies
CALVIN HERRBOLDT Rehab Technician
BIANCA HAI Grand Rapids Community College
ADDISEN HEERES Taking a year to travel to Guatemala
DIVINE IRANZI Grand Valley State University Physical Therapy
MADELYNN JANSMA Paul Mitchell Cosmetology
BROOKLYN MARTINEZ Grand Rapids Community College Psychology
KAYNNER MARTIN Central Michigan University
FLORANCE MAOMBI Cornerstone University Nursing or Communications
ELLA LUNDQUIST Michigan State University
JULIANNA LUNDBERG Calvin University Environmental Science FRED KIMMONS Cornerstone University Mechanical Engineering
GRACE OSTERINK Grand Valley State University Elementary Education
GABRIELLE NOLAN Grand Canyon University Childhood Development
EDWARD MUGISHA Kalamazoo College Ecology
ALOR MOU Michigan State University Nursing
RAUL MARTINEZ Calvin University Business
NATALISE MARTINEZ Grand Rapids Community College Early Childhood Development
JOSIE SHOOKS Hope College
KATELYN SMITH Indiana Wesleyan University
ISAAC STRUCKVANDERHAAK Messiah University Occupational or Physical Therapy
MOSES SLIEDRECHT YWAM Louisville
ALEXANDER STEHLKE Grand Rapids Community College
LUCAS STRUCKVANDERHAAK Calvin University Business and Finance
BEN SWEDBERG United States Marines Corp
NADIA PADILLA-ESQUIVEL Grand Valley State University
RACHEL POTOKA Life Church College, then Calvin University Speech and Language Pathology
NICKOLAS RAZO Calvin University Business Management
LYRIKA PARRETT Grand Rapids Community College Biology
GIZELLE RAMOS Aquinas College Psychology
ALEJANDRO REYES-NÚÑEZ Empower U, KentISD
ELI RODRIGUEZ Grand Canyon University Marketing
JAZMYN TERRY Indiana Wesleyan University Pastoral Counseling
MARISA TOONSTRA Grand Valley State University Environmental Science
LYDIA VANDYKE Grace Christian University Human Services
MARJINA THERON Grand Valley State University Marketing and Data Analysis
JACK VANDER MEYDEN Calvin University Kinesiology
EVAN VELDING Grand Rapids Community College
REAGAN WALLACE Grand Rapids Community College Early Childhood Development
Ready for What’s Next:
This spring, in addition to our high school commencement, The Potter’s House celebrates two important milestones: kindergarten graduation and eighth-grade graduation.
Though separated by many years, these students share something important in common: they are ready for what comes next.
Building Foundations
Kindergarten is a year of incredible growth!
Students begin the year learning letter names and sounds. Soon they start blending sounds together to form words. By the end of the year, students are reading and learning to tell stories!
They also build a strong mathematical foundation, learning to recognize, count, and work with numbers from 1 to 100.
But kindergarten is about more than academics. Students learn how to be part of a community, care for one another, worship together, and discover that they are deeply loved by God.
• “I was new this year, but when I came to Potter’s House I made new friends.” - Mikayla
• “I like to go to worship time because I get to sing songs that I know.” - Elijah
Along the way, they begin dreaming about the future of serving God and helping other people :
• “When I grow up I want to be a police officer, and a mom, because moms can be police officers too,” said Priya.
• Levi hopes to become a shepherd.
• Isaac wants to be a therapist to help people.
• Annabelle wants to be a teacher like Mrs. DeWeerd.
As they head into first grade, these young learners carry with them a strong academic and spiritual foundation that will support their growth for years to come.
Ready for High School
Eighth-grade graduation marks the beginning of a new adventure: high school.
As students reflected on their middle school years, they returned again and again to friendships, faith, and the teachers who helped shape them.
“When I think about my experience at TPH, I think of my friends and being in unity with them,” shared Aaron. “We have had a lot of fun this year and grown so much in our time together.”
Many students pointed to chapel, discipleship, and caring mentors as key influences in their lives.
“My faith has grown a lot throughout middle school,” said Caiden. “ TPH has really great teachers and leaders that I look up to and desire to be like. I appreciate that TPH gives us time to listen to Jesus and see what He has to say to us.”
Charlotte-Anne reflected on her own academic transformation: “I used to struggle a lot with math but I was able to get the help I needed and now I would say I’m really good at it and it is my favorite subject. Because of our school, my love for math has grown.”
These students leave middle school with stronger faith, deeper friendships, and growing confidence. Surrounded by peers and mentors who know them, encourage them, and point them toward Christ, they are ready for the opportunities, challenges, and growth that await them in high school.
Looking Ahead
From learning to read to preparing for high school, this year’s graduates have taken important steps forward.
We celebrate all they have accomplished and thank God for the ways He has worked in their lives. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
Forged in Faith
How the Class of 2026 grew closer to God and one another in West Virginia
The rapids were challenging. The ropes course pushed students beyond their comfort zones. The mountain views were unforgettable.
But when members of The Potter’s House Class of 2026 reflect on their senior trip to West Virginia, they rarely begin with the adventures.
Instead, they talk about worship around a campfire. Sunrise prayer gatherings. Honest conversations. Encouragement from friends. Moments of forgiveness. And the ways they saw God at work in one another.
For many students, the trip became a powerful reminder of just how much their class had grown over the years.
Finding God in the Middle of the Journey
Throughout the week, students experienced God’s presence in both ordinary and extraordinary moments.
“The class of ‘26 loves the Lord,” one student reflected. “While we worshiped the Lord around the fire, I was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and filled with so much gratitude.”
Others pointed to early morning devotions overlooking the New River Gorge, prayer with friends, and quiet moments in God’s creation that allowed them to slow down and listen.
One student described seeing God move through the encouragement classmates offered one another during difficult moments.
“For many people, white water rafting and the ropes course were very difficult and scary,” she wrote. “But people used these moments to pray for one another and give words of encouragement and affirmation. I saw God move in the hearts of our class, strengthening the bonds even further.”
Courage Beyond the Rapids
The trip challenged students in more ways than one.
For some, courage meant climbing higher, paddling harder, or facing fears they never expected to encounter.
“White water rafting was really challenging as I was really scared to do it at first,” one student admitted. “But once I started warming up to it, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
For others, the challenge was spiritual.
Students reflected on difficult conversations, personal growth, and moments of conviction that led them to rely more deeply on Christ.
One senior shared that the trip helped reveal areas of life where change was needed and reminded them of God’s grace in the process. Another described learning that true strength comes not from self-reliance but from depending on Jesus in moments of weakness.
From Classmates to Family
Perhaps the strongest theme that emerged from the reflections was community.
Students repeatedly described a class that had grown beyond friendships and social circles into something deeper.
“I saw students talk who had not talked in a long time, due to arguments, but forgave because God prompted them to,” said Jazmyn.
Others reflected on how their class had moved beyond cliques and become a community where students genuinely cared for, challenged, and encouraged one another.
One senior captured that transformation beautifully:
“We have become a family brought closer together through faith. What started as friendships in the classroom became ministry.”
A Lasting Legacy
Years from now, students may still remember the whitewater rapids, the ropes course, and the breathtaking views of West Virginia. But what many will remember most is something less tangible.
• They will remember worshiping together around a campfire.
• They will remember praying together at sunrise.
• They will remember encouraging one another through challenges.
• And they will remember seeing what can happen when a group of students chooses to pursue Christ together.
As the Class of 2026 enters life beyond high school, they leave West Virginia with more than memories. They leave with a deeper faith, stronger friendships, and a clearer understanding of what it means to love God and serve others.
That may be the greatest lesson of all.
Brooklyn’s Journey: Growing in Faith, Trusting the Future
How a community of faith helped Brooklyn navigate anxiety, discover her calling, and trust God with what’s next
For nearly as long as she can remember, The Potter’s House has been part of Brooklyn story.
Her father, Aaron, attended The Potter’s House from kindergarten and was a member of the school’s first graduating class in 2004. Years later, when Brooklyn entered second grade, she became part of the same community that had helped shape his life.
Looking back now as a graduating senior, Brooklyn sees something even more significant than a family legacy. She sees a community of teachers, mentors, friends, and partners who consistently reminded her of God’s presence through some of life’s most difficult seasons.
A Foundation of Faith
One of Brooklyn’s earliest memories of The Potter’s House is worshiping in her classroom.
“My second-grade teacher was Mrs. Hofman,” Brooklyn shared. “We worshipped in class every day. From a young age, being able to express my love of God freely was normalized to me.”
Mrs. Hofman remained a constant presence throughout Brooklyn’s elementary years, teaching her in multiple grades and investing deeply in her spiritual growth.
“At church I was listening,” Brooklyn said, “but worshiping in my classroom, I felt God and His love for me.”
Those early experiences built a spiritual
foundation that would sustain her through the challenges that lay ahead.
When Life Changed Overnight
Brooklyn has always loved being around people. A self-described social student, she thrives on friendships, routines, and connection.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
The loss of daily interactions and familiar rhythms hit hard. Brooklyn, who had experienced anxiety for much of her life, found those struggles intensifying during the isolation of the pandemic.
“I felt like I was fighting my own mind,” she said.
What followed became one of the first major spiritual battles of her life. Yet even in the midst of those struggles, God continued to provide people who reminded her she was not alone.
Surrounded by Support
Teachers, mentors, and caring adults from The Potter’s House consistently reached out to encourage Brooklyn during that difficult season.
Mrs. Hofman continued checking in, praying with her, and reminding her that she was seen and loved.
“She made sure I knew I wasn’t alone,” Brooklyn said.
Over time, Brooklyn learned healthier ways to navigate anxiety and discovered the importance of leaning on others rather than carrying burdens by herself.
“It is because of that spiritual foundation that I learned to deal with hard things,” she explained.
“I still experience anxiety. Maybe I always will. But I’ve learned to cope, and it is so much better than it was.”
Brooklyn also found strength in friendships that grew alongside her throughout the years.
“I’ve made close friends here like Eli, Daniel, Natalise, Alour, and Sebastian,” she shared. “We all come from different backgrounds, but we’ve all grown together.”
One friendship became especially meaningful. Brooklyn says her friend Daniella consistently encouraged her in ways that helped quiet her self-doubt.
“Lots of people can say ‘good job,’ but sometimes I can be hard on myself and not believe them,” Brooklyn said. “But when Daniella tells me that she is proud of me, I know that she is being sincere.”
Another source of encouragement came through The Potter’s House Partner Program. Matched with Mr. and Mrs. Drueke in third grade, Brooklyn developed a relationship that extended far beyond school events.
“They care about our whole family,” she said. “I know they’ll always be there to encourage me and pray for me.”
Trusting God With What’s Next
As graduation approached, Brooklyn thought she knew exactly what her future would look like. She planned to pursue cosmetology, eventually open her own business, and follow a path she had carefully mapped out for herself.
Then her financial aid plans unexpectedly fell through.
Instead of seeing only disappointment, Brooklyn began to wonder whether God might be redirecting her toward something new.
“I had this gut feeling that maybe I was meant to do something else,” she said.
Eventually, she logged into her Grand Rapids Community College student portal and made a major decision. She changed her major from entrepreneurship to psychology.
“Perhaps pursuing psychology means that I will end up working in social work,” she said. “Maybe I’ll become a therapist someday.”
The future still feels uncertain at times. But Brooklyn is learning to trust God even when she cannot see the entire path ahead.
“I desperately wanted to be in control,” she admitted. “But I had this undeniable feeling that God was saying, ‘Not yet. But trust Me.’”
This Is the Kingdom
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “This Is the Kingdom,” Brooklyn now sees God’s faithfulness woven throughout her story.
She sees it in teachers who prayed with her, friends who encouraged her, mentors who invested in her, and a school community that continually pointed her back to Christ.
This fall, Brooklyn will attend Grand Rapids Community College to study psychology. While she doesn’t know exactly where the journey will lead, she moves forward with confidence in the One who has guided her this far.
“ Even when I thought I was alone,” Brooklyn said, “I never was.”
Ephram’s Story: Growing in Faith, Leading with Purpose
Class of 2026 graduate, Ephram, joined The Potter’s House just mere days before his freshman year began.
Ephram had spent years in other school environments, but something never fully clicked. Growing up in a Christian home, his parents valued faith deeply, but they also wanted him to experience a more diverse and connected community.
“My dad grew up in a really diverse culture, and he wanted that for me too,” Ephram explained. “I remembered that my cousin had gone to The Potter’s House years ago, and it felt like this revelation that I needed to go see it.”
Just a week and a half before school started, Ephram toured The Potter’s House for the first time. During that visit, school leaders asked him a question he still remembers clearly: What does grit mean to you?
At the time, he did not realize how much his life would change over the next four years.
“I had my parents’ faith, but it had never really become my own,” he said.
“If I had gone anywhere else, I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today spiritually.”
That transformation did not happen all at once. It grew through discipleship groups, Bible studies, worship experiences, friendships, and countless conversations that challenged Ephram to take ownership of his faith for himself.
One of the biggest influences on Ephram’s spiritual growth was the school’s discipleship program. He still remembers his freshman-year
discipleship group and how different those meetings felt compared to what student groups have become today.
“Back then it was more casual,” he said. “Now students are opening up, praying for each other, and actually helping each other grow in their faith.”
By senior year, Ephram had become a discipleship leader himself, mentoring younger students twice each month. The group spent time together far beyond scheduled meetings — sitting together at lunch, attending school events, celebrating birthdays, and intentionally making students feel included.
“There’s usually a plan for what we want to talk about,” Ephram explained, “but sometimes the conversation shifts into talking about life and how we can support each other.”
Stepping into leadership changed Ephram personally as much as it impacted the students around him.
“Leading discipleship helped make my faith my own,” he said.
That personal growth was deeply influenced by his family as well. Ephram’s father, who has been paralyzed for most of Ephram’s life, regularly travels to churches sharing his testimony and speaking about God’s faithfulness through suffering.
“Watching my parents live out their faith was really encouraging,” Ephram shared. “But eventually I realized I needed to choose that faith for myself.”
One of the moments that pushed him toward that decision came during his class trip to Montana. Ephram describes the experience as life-changing for many students in his class.
“The first chapel there was unbelievable,” he remembered. “Everyone was worshipping together, praying, crying — it felt like a huge spiritual moment for our grade.”
Students still talk about unexpected moments from the trip, including seeing a triple rainbow stretched across the sky after worship one evening.
“Montana really changed me,” Ephram said. “It pushed me to take my faith seriously.”
That momentum carried into his senior year, when Ephram and his friends Chris, Daniel, and Abby decided to start a student Bible study after spending the summer reading through Acts 2 together.
“We were talking about the early church and the kind of community they had,” Ephram explained. “We felt like we wanted that here too.”
What began as a simple idea quickly grew into a weekly gathering where students met to pray, study Scripture, and encourage one another. The group created a prayer jar where students could anonymously submit prayer requests before redistributing them throughout the group so each student would leave praying intentionally for someone else.
“We talk about our week, read a passage together, and discuss how we can apply it to our lives,” Ephram said.
Soon, the Bible study expanded beyond school. Students began hosting worship nights, bonfires, and weekend gatherings at their homes. One evening lasted until after midnight as students sat around a fire singing worship songs together.
“About twenty students came to one of the gatherings,” Ephram said. “That’s almost a third of our grade.”
Ephram believes one of the most unique parts of The Potter’s House is the diversity students experience every day. Through classrooms, friendships, worship, and Bible discussions, students from many different cultures and backgrounds learn alongside one another.
“I don’t think everyone realizes how much being in a diverse school changes you,” he said. “After a while, TPH just becomes home.”
That diversity became especially meaningful in his advanced Bible classes, where students with very different experiences of faith studied Scripture together.
“There are students who have been Christians their whole lives sitting next to students who are brand new to faith,” Ephram said. “I’ve stayed up until two in the morning studying because I didn’t want to stop reading.”
Now, as he prepares for his next chapter, Ephram says he leaves The Potter’s House grateful for the ways the community shaped both his faith and his future.
This fall, Ephram will attend Albertus Magnus College, where he plans to study sports management while continuing to pursue leadership opportunities and stay involved in ministry.
While he is excited for what comes next, leaving The Potter’s House is bittersweet.
“I’m ready for the next chapter,” Ephram admitted, “but I really don’t want to leave. I love it here.”
Nikolas’s Story: The Kingdom Looks Like Brotherhood
How faith, friendship, and community carried Nikolas through life’s hardest seasons
When Nikolas Razo thinks about the Kingdom of God, he doesn’t picture a place.
He pictures people.
A teacher who noticed when he was struggling. A friend who challenged him to take faith seriously. Teammates who became brothers. Adults who opened their homes when students needed a place to belong.
Looking back on his years at The Potter’s House, Nick says those relationships shaped not only who he became, but how he understands God.
Seen and Supported
Nikolas has spent most of his life at The Potter’s House. Since arriving as a second grader, he has experienced a community where faith is not confined to Bible class or Chapel, but lived out through everyday acts of care.
His parents originally chose The Potter’s House because they wanted both spiritual and academic formation for their son. Before coming to TPH, Nick attended a local public school, where he remembers an environment that often felt inconsistent and difficult for many students.
At The Potter’s House, he found something different.
“It’s not perfect because no school is perfect,” Nick says.
“But
I think they do a really good job of finding teachers who genuinely care about students and want to help guide
them.”
That care became especially important during middle school and again during his sophomore year, when Nick quietly struggled with depression.
“I was more of a kid who didn’t want to show his feelings,” he says.
Even so, certain adults noticed.
One teacher who consistently made him feel safe was Mrs. Hofman. During difficult days, Nick would stop by her classroom simply because he knew he could sit there quietly without needing to explain everything he was feeling.
“There were times I would just sit there quietly,” he says. “But she was still there.”
One memory especially stayed with him. After Nick fractured a bone during middle school, Mrs. Hofman unexpectedly showed up at his house carrying a basket filled with gifts and encouragement.
“She came over unannounced with a big basket of stuff,” Nick recalls. “Ever since then, I felt really special.”
Long before he realized it, God was using people to remind Nick that he wasn’t carrying life’s challenges alone.
Brotherhood Through Loss
One of the most important relationships in Nick’s life began in elementary school.
Nick and Rosbin grew up together, played soccer together, and spent countless hours encouraging one another. Their friendship became something deeper than companionship.
“I felt like I could call him my brother,” Nick says.
Rosbin also challenged Nick spiritually, encouraging him to reconnect with church and take his faith more seriously.
Then, in 2024, Rosbin passed away.
The loss left a void that touched every part of Nick’s life.
“When he passed away, that was a big, ‘What am I going to do with all this extra time I have now?’” Nick recalls.
Yet even in grief, he was not alone.
A close-knit group of friends and fellow TPH students, including Marcos, Marlon, Eliseo, Jessica, and others, intentionally stayed connected after Rosbin’s death. They spent time together, checked in on one another, and made sure no one carried the burden alone.
For Nick, those friendships became one of the clearest pictures of God’s Kingdom.
Not perfection. Not easy answers. Just people choosing to walk alongside one another through loss, healing, and hope.
A Family Beyond School
The support Nick experienced extended beyond classmates and teachers.
After Rosbin’s death, Rochelle Rosario regularly welcomed Nick and several of his friends into her home.
“She always had a welcoming space,” Nick says. “She brought us in like her sons. We felt like a big family.”
Her hospitality created a place where students could gather, process grief, laugh together, and simply belong.
Moments like these changed the way Nick understood faith.
The Kingdom was no longer just something he heard about in sermons or read about in Scripture. It was something he experienced through people who opened their hearts, homes, and lives to others.
Faith in Action
As Nick matured, his faith became increasingly personal.
Rather than relying only on what others told him to believe, he began reading
Scripture for himself and developing a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
“I realized I needed to understand the Bible for myself,” he says.
That faith continues to shape every area of his life, including soccer.
While club soccer often feels intensely competitive, Nick says playing at The Potter’s House taught him that competition and compassion can exist together.
“Our teammates support one another,” he says. “You compete as brothers.”
“At the end of the day, it’s a sport,” he adds. “The bigger thing is realizing God and giving Him the glory for what we do.”
For Nick, even athletics became another opportunity to experience Christian community in action.
Looking Ahead
As graduation turns into a new beginning, Nick is preparing for the next chapter.
Through dual-enrollment opportunities with Kuyper College, he has already completed coursework in business marketing, entrepreneurship, and sports management. He hopes to continue both his studies and his soccer career in college.
As he looks toward the future, Nick carries with him lessons learned through years of friendship, mentorship, challenge, and growth.
When he reflects on his time at The Potter’s House, what stands out most is not a particular class, game, or event. It is the people God placed in his life along the way.
• Teachers who noticed.
• Friends who became family.
• Adults who opened their hearts and homes.
• A community that refused to let him walk alone.
For Nick, that is what the Kingdom looks like.
In memory of gifts
In Honor Of Madeline Herman
Catherine Decker
In Honor Of Dick and Betsy DeVos
Rensselaer and Elsa Prince Broekhuizen
In Honor Of Marilyn Burman
Lawrence and Sharon Slager
In Honor Of Jeanne Smith
Catherine Decker
In Memory Of Betty Lotterman
Jacquellyn Bremer
Marie O’Hara
In Memory Of Christine VanZytveld
Mary Feyen
Ross and Terisa Meyering
Jay and Diane DeBoer
Timothy and Nancy Daling
Thomas and Carol Spelman
Rick and Jaltina Kehr
Robert and Katherine Neff
Burton and Nancy Breuker
Ruth VandenBerg
Susan and John VanZee
Randolph and Marie Tenbrink
Lucas and Sandra Nieuwenhuis
In Memory Of Gordon Buys
Ronald and Mary Deruiter
In Memory Of Hi Scholma
Ron and Erin Cook II
Fred and Kathy Cook
In Memory Of Jason and Larry Preston
William and Nancy Meyer
In Memory Of Markell Barnhart
Douglas Kliewer
Bennett Samuel
In Memory Of Yvonne Pylman
Dan and Jeanne Lutz
James Karel and Joyce Vandenberg
Betsy Prose
Anonymous
Thomas and Nancy Jo Claus
Gregory and Deanna Meibeyer
Eric and Donna Hausler
Mike and Barb Post
Richard and Lynn Westrate
Doug & Michelle Gulker
Betty Huizinga
John and Marcia Pylman
Greg Love
In Memory Of Nancy Buth
George Buth
In Memory Of Shirley Van Dyken
Larry and Nancy Stegink
In Memory Of Sid Helder
Henry and Nancy Verkaik
In Memory Of Mark Campbell
Susan Strickfaden
Bradley Weber
Mathew Chung And Vicky Varlotta-Chung
Leslie Wong
Rizwan and Homaira Danish
Thelma Meyer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Susan Silverie
Paul and Catherine Boyer
David and Diane Tongue
William and Molly Mast
Lisa Sedgley
Ron and Joyce Lubbers
John and Connie Copchick
Jane and Paul Anderegg
Larry and Susan Zimmerman
Dale and Sue Vanderschaaf
Brenda Geoghegan
John Erickson
Susan Gifford
Furrin Group
John Leese
Jim and Renee Overbeck
William and Linda Prescott
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Walter and Mary Huizenga
Timothy and Debra Orourke
Wayne and Brigitte Nelson
Kay Reick
Cynthia White
Bill and Pat Mills
The Hackett Family Foundation
Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealers Association
Diane Lobbestael
George Buth
Mike and Kathy Bierlein
Robert Grooters
Carl and Kelly Jandernoa
Bertina Sprich
Mark and Candace Hinshaw
Jack and Paula Winn
Robert and Paulette Israels
Dan Baker
Bradley Weber
Michael and Patricia Zakem
William and Patricia Dodds
David and Barbara Decker
Donald Baker
Thomas Stringer
Tim and Christy Swiney
Nancy Eardley
Dr. Mark Campbell, Board Trustee, enjoying student artwork (1948 - 2026)
A Legacy of Faithful Leadership
As The Potter’s House looks ahead to a new school year, the community is also reflecting with gratitude on the leadership of High School Principal Alf Clark.
After years of serving as a teacher, coach, Dean of Students, principal, parent, mentor, and spiritual leader, Alf has accepted a position as Head of School at another local school and is beginning a new chapter in educational leadership. While his presence will be deeply missed, his impact on students, families, and staff will continue to be felt for years to come.
“Serving at The Potter’s House in various capacities has been the honor of a lifetime. I am truly thankful to God for allowing me to work with the hardest-working and dedicated administrators, teachers, and staff, who are committed to their craft and to the students.
I cannot thank them enough for their support, their care for students and families, and their dedication. They know how to stay on mission.“
- Alf Clark
Behind every student’s story are teachers, coaches, administrators, and staff members who faithfully invest in their growth.
The individuals recognized below have dedicated 15 or more years to serving the mission of The Potter’s House, helping equip students to serve God and society to their fullest potential.
Carla Ackerman *
Randy Basinger
Cheri Beals
John Booy
Alf Clark *
Janae Dean *
Kathy DeJong
Curt DePree
Terry Faber
Tricia Figueroa
Sandy Gardner
Molly Guzniczak
Colleen Hill
* It is never easy to say goodbye to people who have been such an important part of our community. We thank these staff members for the gifts, talents, and hearts they have shared with The Potter’s House, and we wish them joy and success in the next chapter of their journey.
Aubree Hofman
Maria Johnson *
Kevin Kuipers
Nanette Leegwater
Becky Ophoff * Mark Ponstine
Brenda Riegler
Christina Rodriguez
Sara Sisco
Jeanne Smith
Anna Veldman
Keith Ver Beek
Maria Johnson
Janae Dean (Happy Retirement!)
Carla Ackerman (Happy Retirement!)
Becky Ophoff
810 Van Raalte Drive SW Grand Rapids MI, 49509-1101 tphgr.org
Our New Friends Banquet was a tremendous success!
We were thrilled to welcome 640 attendees for a time of fellowship, storytelling, and celebration of the impact Christcentered education is making in the lives of students and families.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we not only met but surpassed our fundraising goal of $550,000. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, gave, prayed, and helped make the evening possible.
A special thank you goes to our Presenting Sponsor and Diamond Sponsors for their outstanding partnership and support.
Lois Nagel
Chad and Heather Barton
Chuck and Christine Boelkins
Buist Electric, Inc.
Brad and Vonnie Lamb
Stifel, Inc.
Ross and Suzann VanKlompenberg
Eikenhout & Sons, Inc.
Jay and Kathleen Morren
Soul Soup Foundation
Fred and Kathy Cook
David and Joanna Huizenga
Thank you for investing in the mission and future of our school community.
