THE
KAPLAN
FAMILY: A Legacy of
Faith and Love
FROM THE DAY WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1961, MANY FAMILIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SCHOOL’S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS BOTH AN ACADEMIC AND SPIRITUAL LEADER IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THE KAPLANS ARE ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES.
T
he school’s first yearbook, published in 1965, features a seventh-grade class of 24 students. Among the array of black and white images is a picture of Harry “Chuck” Kaplan ‘70. His brother, Bruce Kaplan ‘74, can be found among the third-grade class, followed by a picture of Stephen Kaplan ‘75 in the second grade. Terryce Kaplan ‘76, the youngest of the siblings later became a teacher at Westminster, along with her husband, Steve Gilchrist.
The Kaplan family on vacation in Alaska. First Row: Kaila Vega and Juliette Vega. Second Row: Vicki Kaplan, Samantha Kaplan ’11, Vanessa Kaplan, Julia Kaplan, Janell Kaplan, Quinn Kaplan, Bruce Kaplan ’74, Nicholas Vega and Krista Vega ’01. Third Row: David Kaplan ’09, Michael Kaplan ’06, Greg Kaplan ‘04, Ari Kaplan and Hector Vega.
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WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Their father, Mr. Harry Kaplan, became one of the school’s first board members in the early 1960’s. He remained on the Board of Directors for 10 years and was especially involved in interviewing and hiring teachers. The family also faithfully served at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church where Westminster Christian School first opened its doors. Bruce Kaplan says he distinctly remembers his years as a student at Westminster. He recalls participating in several athletic teams where he says he learned life-long lessons about hard work, perseverance and dedication.
