The Kaplan Family: A Heritage of Faith and Love

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.

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. 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.

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.

“I carried many of those lessons over to my career and I am very grateful for that,” shared Bruce, who worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department for 35 years before recently retiring.

Bruce says Westminster’s staff also made a lasting impression. Even today, he describes them as dedicated individuals with a passion for their students.

“They really cared about me and my fellow classmates. Some of my fondest memories include a teacher or a coach from the school,” added Bruce.

After graduating high school, Bruce says he knew that one day his children would also attend Westminster. Bruce met his wife, Vicki, at their church, Shenandoah Presbyterian. After marrying in 1981, Bruce and Vicki had five children: Krista ‘01, Greg ‘04, Michael ‘06, David ‘09, and Samantha ‘11.

“It was definitely a financial sacrifice to have them attend Westminster,” said Vicki, “but I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

Growing up, Vicki attended public schools and, at first, was unsure about the benefits of a Christian education, but after having all of her children attend and graduate from Westminster, she now argues that nothing compares to a God-centered academic environment.

“There is an immeasurable benefit of having your children surrounded by professionals and intellectuals who teach through the eyes of ‘God as the Creator’ and, because of that, I always felt very supported by the school. I knew that what I was teaching my children at home was being reinforced in the classroom. I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world,” she added.

In 2001, Vicki became the administrative assistant to the middle school principal, a position she still holds today.

“Westminster has become an extended family. It’s been wonderful to work here and to be near my children while they were attending,” added Vicki. When the Kaplans weren’t attending Dinner Theater performances, they were participating in the Art Fair, playing softball, at volleyball practice, at the baseball State championship, competing in soccer tournaments, or conditioning for football season.

“My children were all very involved in different activities and sports at the school and, because Westminster is smaller in size, they were given lots of opportunities to shine and succeed,” said Vicki.

Her son, Greg ‘04, can personally attest to that. Even after suffering a growth plate fracture while playing baseball, the family says God used the people at Westminster to steer him in the right direction.

“I played baseball for 13 years, but in ninth grade I had to stop. It seemed shattering at the moment, but it led me to spend a lot of time in the athletic training room doing physical therapy. As it turns out, I went on to become a physical therapist and athletic trainer,” added Greg.

While the news of an injury can discourage any athlete, Greg says that the support he received both at home and at school made all the difference.

“The biblical foundation established by the teachers and coaches, and the love and care that they have for their students, sets Westminster apart from any other school,” said Greg.

John Manoogian, Westminster’s middle school principal who’s known the Kaplans for more than 20 years, said, “The Kaplan family should be on the Mount Rushmore of influential families that have made Westminster Christian School the spiritual and academic institution it is today. For generations, the Kaplan family has been an inspiration and example in the classroom, on the athletic field, on our staff and in our hearts.”

David Medder, the associate head of school at Westminster, said, “For 60 years the Kaplan family has poured into the mission at Westminster and we are better because of it. They have led by integrity, involvement, and a passion for knowing Jesus.”

Now that the second generation of Kaplan siblings have families of their own, they say they lean on what they learned at Westminster to nurture and guide their children in the faith. They say they work to make God a priority in their lives and to surround themselves with others who love Jesus.

As Bruce said, “When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can’t lose!”