In this issue:
Principal’s Perspective
Love in Action...actually Love in Auction
100 Year Celebration
Memorial Gifts
Bargain Alley Update
Just My Thoughts
Fall Bonanza Follow Up/
Thank you
Counselor’s Corner
Ag Department Notes
Prayer & Praise
Dance Team Performances
Fast Facts from the Pack
Volleyball 2018
Chamber Singers Itinerary 2019
After much work, analysis, thought, and prayer the Board of Directors is excited to announce that we have selected Mr. Brian Verwolf as our next Administrator. Verwolf comes to Western with some great hands-on administrative experience through his role at Deer Creek Christian School as the Head of School since 2015. You might recognize Verwolf’s name as he taught mathematics and coached soccer at Western Christian during the 2013-14 school year. He graduated from Dordt College’s Masters of School Leadership program in 2014. Brian and his wife Rachel have two children. Their daughter, Hollis, is three years old and Hamilton just joined the family in November.
Verwolf is enthusiastic about his new role with Western saying, “Christian Education is where we celebrate our creativity, our curiosity, our sense of wonder, and our ability to learn more about ourselves. God expects distinctiveness, and He calls us to discipleship. WCHS is asking the right questions at a critical time in her history (100 years!). Our school has an opportunity to be a leader in a global Christian Education movement; in rural towns, in the suburbs, in cities, in nations. I am humbled to accept this calling and eager to get to work.” Verwolf will officially begin his duties on July 1, 2019.
The process to identify Verwolf as our next leader was a strenuous, rigorous, exhausting, exhilarating, and God-glorifying one! Our Father’s steadfast hand and your prayers were felt throughout the entire process. The Board utilized the services of the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) to assist the Search Task Force, a group that consisted of five board members, two faculty, and three constituents. The nationwide search allowed the Task Force to receive and review 12 qualified applicants. The search committee utilized the results of a community survey and ten focus groups to help narrow the field to four prospective candidates. The Task Force conducted interviews with these four finalists, comparing the application materials and interview to the leadership components given to the Task Force by the Board. Two finalists were invited to spend a day at Western where they met with faculty, staff, and students, followed by a formal board interview in the evening. At the conclusion of this process, it was with great confidence and anticipation that Verwolf was offered and signed the contract.
We want to thank everyone for their help in this search process – those who have been in prayer for this process, those who attended focus group meetings, those who completed the survey, and those who served on the Search Task Force. Special thanks to Harlan DeVries and Justin Negen, our Interim Principal and Assistant Principal, who have done a tremendous job filling the lead administrator role this year. Finally, thank you for your ongoing prayer and commitment to support Western’s board, faculty, and staff as we strive to provide an environment where students are Learning….to serve the King!
In His Name,
John M. Vander Haag Kevin Gesink Search Task Force Chair Board President2019 AD (Anno Domini = in the year of our Lord). We find ourselves in the post-Christmas season on the brink of a brand new year. We banter around New Year’s resolutions (whatever those may be), and we anticipate a renewed energy and improved cognition caused by weight loss and an extensive exercise program possibly accompanied by some yoga practices. In addition, some prognosticators are suggesting that the economy may soar, but there are also those who predict that we will soon spiral into a deep recession. We have relatives or acquaintances who are experiencing hardships, terminal diseases, or tragedies and the future may seem rather bleak to us. In spite of all the turmoil around us, we go back to the common refrain of introducing a new year as “the year of our Lord.” All too often the “AD” is tacked onto our date without much thought being given to it.
In Old Testament times, the situation was not much different. God’s people had forgotten God; they had forgotten his call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah6:8). God grieved at this because He had planted the people “like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock” (Jeremiah 2:21) and had expected them to grow and flourish and carry out His purposes in the world. But they had become disinterested and corrupt. The prophets warned that there would be consequences, and the people faced seventy long years of oppression in Babylon.
However, in the midst of this tragedy, Isaiah speaks the sweetest words of hope the people could hear. Though the family line of David had been cut down to a stump, out of the decomposition of human faith and suffering a tender new shoot would grow. This new shoot would be a sign of something new springing from the old. As we have recently celebrated the birth of Jesus the Branch, the new shoot from the stump of Jesse, we also anticipate the second coming of Christ. We await the completion of God’s promises of salvation. We yearn for a time when we will be released from sin’s grip, and true shalom will reign once again.
In the meantime, as we begin a new calendar year at Western Christian High School, we remind each other of the importance of experiencing true joy in the new year. We live out of the joy of God that has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross. This joy will supersede any pain, hardship, or anguish that we may encounter this year. Living with this joy will continually remind us that it is indeed the year of our Lord!
Harlan De Vries Principal, Western Christian High SchoolThe Western Student Council led the way planning and carrying out a school-wide fundraiser for two people who are very special to Western Christian. Tyler Van Otterloo is a junior at Western, recovering from West Nile and Matt De Wild is a 2012 graduate of Western, going through recovery and rehabilitation after sustaining a spinal cord injury this summer. On November 20, an auction was held to raise funds for these young men and their families. Numerous, creative items and/or services were sold. Popular items included Pizza Ranch lunches for four, a grilled steak dinner for four, and an adorable 10-week-old puppy. Students also had a few opportunities to make a donation for a chance to win Western clothing, a Scheels or Buffalo Wild Wings gift card. In the weeks that followed the auction, the faculty and staff of Western conducted two-morning coffee and hot cocoa sales that were enthusiastically supported. Because of the leadership of the Student Council and the enthusiastic support of the entire Western family, over $7000 was raised! That amount was divided between those two young men and their families. What a wonderful show of love and support! Please continue to pray that those funds will meet the needs those families are encountering, but more than that, may both families feel the love, support, and ongoing prayers of our entire Western family!
Please mark the weekend of August 9, 10, and 11 this summer for the 100th-Anniversary celebration of Western Christian High School. In addition to marking your calendar, please encourage former students, parents, and friends of Western Christian to attend as well. The highlights of the weekend include a banquet on Saturday evening and a worship service on Sunday afternoon that will include an alumni choir led by Bill Bird, who was the choir director in the 70’s and 80’s. All former choir members from all years at Western are encouraged to participate.
A 100th Anniversary book is in the early stages of being written for the celebration. We’d like to identify any families that have had five generations attend Western Christian. If you are part of a family that has had five generations attend Western Christian please email Wes Fopma at wes.fopma@westernchristianhs.com.
More information and registration information about the weekend will be sent late winter and again late spring.
Vernon Vaandrager, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vernon was a member of the class of 1949 at Western Christian High School.
Jim De Kam, Rock Valley. Jim was a member of the class of 1966 at Western Christian High School. He and his wife Marge had eight children that attended Western Christian and several grandchildren that attended or are attending Western currently. Jim and Marge’s children are Ken (‘87), Cliff (‘88), Patti (‘89), Rod (‘91), Sandi (‘94), James (‘96), Steve (‘99), and Maria (‘13).
Wilma Heynen, Boyden. Wilma and her husband Bill had four sons and several grandchildren that attended Western Christian. Their sons are Veryl (‘80), Bruce (‘82), Arlo (‘84), and Ryan (‘89), who passed away in 2011.
Gwen Bousema, Sheldon. Gwen graduated from Western Christian High School in 1952. Gwen and her husband Bernie had three children, Harlan (‘79), Cher (‘81), and Jill (‘88) that attended Western Christian.
Don Driesen, Rock Valley. Don graduated from Western Christian High School in 1956. Don and his wife Donna had four children and two grandchildren that attended Western Christian. Their children are Robert (‘82), Scott (‘84), David (‘86), and Sandra (‘88).
Gertrude Hibma, Spirit Lake. Gertrude graduated from Western Christian High School in 1942. Gert and her first husband Elmer Greenfield had four children that attended Western Christian and two that attended Faith Christian. They are Barbara (‘64), Terry (‘67), Vivian (‘69), Sherwyn (‘75), Todd, and Scott.
Cornie Van Zanten, Rock Valley. Cornie and his wife Wilma (‘48) had two children that attended Western Christian High School. Char (‘68) and Chad (‘87).
The Bargain Alley Thrift Store has been open for six months and traffic and sales have been very good. We have a need for several more volunteers. Please contact either Kari Hoekstra or Betty Moss if you would like to help in some way. Those who volunteer have found it to be a wonderful blessing not only for the school but for them personally as well. The phone number at the store is 712-439-6800. Store hours are 9-5 Tuesday-Thursday, Friday 9-4, and Saturday 9-2. Please consider donating a few hours each week or month. We need people to work mornings or afternoons any of these days.
Donations of clothing, furniture, toys, books, home decor, seasonal goods, hardware, linens, antiques/collectibles, jewelry, sporting goods, shoes, and boots are accepted if it is in good working condition. Donations can be dropped off at the northeast corner of the building during store hours. Please do not leave items at the door when no one is in attendance at the store. Bargain Alley will not make any repairs or do a deep cleaning on donated items. Items will be taken in the store for immediate resale as-is. There is a cost related to recycling and disposing of unsalable donations. While we will make every effort to accommodate every donor with every item, we will have to make tough decisions on the resalable nature of the donations to ensure we can maximize our funding to Western Christian.
When this school year started, and I chose Psalm 34:1-3 for my personal memory verses, I knew that they would serve as a great goal for me and my students each day. A big part of my life at Western during the first semester of this school year included serving as a faculty representative on Western’s Task Force in search of our next school administrator. Shortly before Christmas, the work of that Task Force was completed as we celebrated Western’s Board of Directors securing Mr. Brian Verwolf to serve as Western’s next administrator, and the most fitting way for me to summarize my heartfelt response to that announcement is with Psalm 34:3, “Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together!”
God’s fingerprints have been visible on this entire process. Late last spring when Western’s Board decided to issue an interim contract, rather than a long-term contract, it was an act of trust in God’s ability to provide. God did. Mr. DeVries was not only willing, but he was also experienced in precisely the task Western needed for one year. As the search process continued, many questions were asked, conversations and surveys were conducted. The Task Force filtered through lots of information and prayed for God’s continued leading and blessing on the process. My prayer in the process was that God would provide at least one person who was clearly qualified and genuinely desired to lead Western. As the profile of our next leader was articulated, the job in front of any potential applicant looked big; in fact, I wondered who would consider applying for the job. However, God answered my prayer with an exclamation mark; our Task Force received 12 completed applications for the position. While that meant more filtering, decision-making and praying for Western, it also means great things for the future of Christian education.
The closer the Task Force advanced to selecting a couple of individuals to visit Western and interview with the Board, the more urgent my prayers were to God that we get this right. I prayed for wisdom on the part of the Task Force, the applicants, and the Board. I prayed that the right individuals be invited to spend a day with our kids in our hallways. I prayed that those individuals would sense God’s leading and guiding in clear and confident ways. I prayed that the Board would also be led by God with the same wisdom and confidence. Mostly I prayed that the next leader of Western would be one who loved God, loved kids, and loved Western Christian.
In late November, seven months of work, deliberation, and most of all prayer led up to inviting two outstanding candidates into our school. My prayers of gratitude to God for bringing Western to this exciting step in the process then transitioned into even more fervent prayers for clarity–clarity for the Board and each candidate in this process. I prayed that Western would select and secure the leader who would not only join us in celebrating 100 years of faithful Christ-centered education but also one who would cast a vision for what the next 100 years of distinctive discipleship will look like and be capable of leading the Western family in that obedient direction. I prayed that through all of this God’s will would be done and that all involved would walk in the direction of His will with open hands and obedient hearts.
A few days later, when I received a text message from Mr. Negen, my fellow faculty member on the Task Force, that Mr. Brian Verwolf had signed the contract to be Western’s next administrator, the very first thing I did was to sit down, shed tears of joy, and say a prayer of thanks to God for His absolute goodness to Western throughout this entire process. The next thing I decided to do was to share my excitement about Western’s future and God’s goodness to Western with anyone who would listen. God has been so good, and I am so excited about the future of Western under the excellent, passionate, godly leadership of Mr. Verwolf.
This entire process has been such a blessing to me. On the day of Mr. Verwolf’s visit to Western, a close friend and prayerpartner of mine, shared my enthusiasm and joy in an early morning text message exchange. It was during that “conversation” that I realized with clarity just how important this entire experience had become to me. I shared with her that this experience has solidified to me how deep my love for Western really is, how much I love the kids that I work with, and how I truly wanted this decision to be the right one for the future of Western Christian High School. All through that day and into the days that followed, so many of us blanketed the situation with prayers for God’s leading, guiding, and clarity, and I could see time and time again how God was so sweetly answering those prayers; His fingerprints are all over this entire story. What a great God we have, and how greatly He has used and will continue to use Western when we faithfully, obediently follow His leading. It is with great joy and thanks to God that I welcome Brian and Rachel Verwolf and their family back into the Western family, and I invite all of you to join in this time of thankful praise, “Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together!” Our God is so good!
Just My Thoughts, KC
On Friday, November 16, Western Christian High School rolled out the new name, Fall Bonanza, for the annual dinner, auction, and kids carnival. After the proceeds were counted, over $130,000 was raised through the proceeds from meat sales, meal, kid’s carnival, bake sale, Buick Test Drive Promotion, and the auction.
Western Christian would like to thank:
• the businesses and individuals who attended and gave generously
• the auctioneers, clerks, and volunteers who served the meal and ran the bake sale
• our board members for their work in asking for donations from area businesses
• Te Slaa Trucking from Hull for supplying a refrigerated trailer that was used for the meat sales.
• Hi-Way Chevrolet in Rock Valley and Ver Hoef Automotive in Sioux Center for conducting the Buick Test Drive Promotion.
We thank God for blessing Western Christian through the continued support of so many!
With the turn of the calendar to the new year and the start of the second semester comes the time for students to begin their planning for the future. Seniors should start working on scholarship applications. Many of the area scholarship deadlines are within the next several months. A list of scholarships for the seniors to look at and consider applying for has been shared with them through Google Classroom. It is advised that students plan and be sure to request any necessary letters of recommendation at least three weeks before the deadline to give the person writing the letter time to write the recommendation and get it turned in by the deadline. Filling out the senior brag sheet that was shared with them earlier in the year is also an excellent tool to use when filling out the scholarship applications so that they don’t overlook any activities or honors received during their high school career. Students need to be sure to be mindful of the deadlines. Allowing a week’s mailing time is a good rule to follow.
Juniors, sophomores, and freshman will be taking a look at career clusters (jobs within a particular field) that would be a good fit for them based on skill and interest assessments. Juniors will receive their ASVAB test results and work through resources associated with the test to direct them to the careers that should be a good fit. Sophomores and freshmen will also take skill and interest assessment through the Kuder Navigator program to learn which career clusters they should consider. Sophomores also recently attended the Your Future at Work Career Fair where the students explored Sioux County businesses and careers. With the career cluster information, students will be able to select the high school courses that they should take to prepare them for particular fields of interest.
Our fall fundraiser, fruit sales, kept us busy at the beginning of December organizing and delivering orders. It was another successful and blessed year of fruit sales! We cannot thank you enough for your support in this! FFA members also had the opportunity to enjoy spending extra time together at our annual Christmas party! Members decorated cookies, played games, and enjoyed fellowship.
Aside from fruit sales and Christmas festivities, the Western Christian Ag program continues to stay busy with beginning to prepare for FFA competitions in February and continuing to learn a variety of agricultural objectives and concepts in the classroom. Ag Power and Technology students studied a unit on electricity. They practiced basic wiring practices which can be useful in the future to them.
Animal Science students tried their skills at understanding differing views in animal agriculture focusing on animal rights vs. animal welfare. Students were challenged through a given controversial animal agricultural topic to work to understand the opposing view and then debate it in front of the class. The communication skills they gained (whether they were on the side that they agreed with or not) will allow them to better explain their actual position on controversial animal agricultural topics in the future.
Natural Resource students have busied themselves with multiple labs testing air quality around the school and within their own body. Students had the opportunity to see how CO2 and O2 levels differed within the school based on if the area was well ventilated or not.
Ag Business students finished out their class with two big projects for the year that not only serve as a great way to practice several business and communicative skills but also double as FFA competitions if they should choose to go that route. Right before Christmas break, students did mock job interviews for an agricultural job of their choosing. Students had to develop a cover letter, resume, and go through an interview.
AFNR (Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources) enjoyed several labs all revolving around soil and water. Students discovered how erosion affected soil quality and analyzed how agriculturalists can minimize erosion issues.
While this time of year seems “slow” compared to the rest of the school year, we are very grateful for the many lessons learned in class, and the time to focus on the family within our agricultural program.
Kylie Miller FFA Advisor and Ag Teacher
Please lift your praise to God for . . .
• answered prayers in the hiring of Mr. Brian Verwolf as Western’s next Administrator.
• many inspiring/challenging messages that have been brought forth to our students during chapels.
• generous giving of students and staff to the De Wild and Van Otterloo families.
• the announcements of new babies coming this Spring. Justin Negen and wife Heather are expecting. Justin serves as Assitant Principal and teaches US History. Spanish and Resource Room teacher Erin Hoekstra and husband Taylor are also expecting. The Hoekstra baby will also bring great joy to band director Lyle Van Ravensway as this will be his and his wife Mary’s first grandchild.
Please lift your prayers to God for . . .
• Floyd and Robin TeSlaa as they mourn the sudden loss of their daughter Molly on December 14th. Molly was a 2006 graduate of WCHS. Also uphold the Rock Valley Christian School and community as they strive to support Robin TeSlaa, the beloved music teacher.
• God’s leading for our Board and staff as they make decisions regarding next year.
• the Deer Creek Christian School in Chicago Heights, Illinois as they look to replace their Head of School, Brian Verwolf.
• Wilma Mulder, wife of custodian Tim Mulder who has ongoing health issues.
The dance team season began this past summer with three practices and attending the Dordt College Dance Team Camp. Once school started, the team worked hard at early morning practices three mornings a week. The team performed at all the home football games and will continue performing at the basketball games. In November, the team attended Sioux Center’s state preview night and also hosted a night where four other dance teams joined us at Western to work out any pre-state performance jitters. The team traveled to Des Moines and competed with three routines at the Iowa State Dance Team Competition. The girls did a great job representing Western Christian and came home with Division I ratings for our pom, hoopla, and light routines.
Payton Oostenink choreographed the lights routine. The team is looking forward to the rest of the season as we have exciting new routines planned as well as Kids Camp, Dance Team Night, and another competition. The Western Christian Dance Team Kids Camp is scheduled for Friday, January 25. The captains are looking forward to choreographing the routines for all the kid’s camp participants, and the team is excited to work with all the young girls. The dance team season will conclude with the yearly Dance Team Night held on Friday, February 22 and attending the Diamond Dance Showcase competition on February 23.
I want to thank the team members for their hard work during the early morning practices and the time put in at home. I would also like to thank the parents for being so willing to help out with holding doors shut and turning off lights, driving the team to Des Moines, and making sure the team has breakfast on Wednesday mornings.
Coach Megan Kooima
271 years in education, 152 years in Christian education, 72 courses taught, 24 degrees from 11 different colleges/universities.
However, our focus is ONE:
Provide a God-centered education for young men and women using the Bible and its principles as the foundation for the entire curriculum.
• The Western Christian faculty and staff enjoyed putting ‘Love in Action’ by spending time caroling in the city of Hull on December 12th before the Christmas Social.
• Julia Veldman (grade 9) was chosen to participate in the Iowa Junior All-State Orchestra in Ames, Iowa in November. Participating students were selected from schools throughout Iowa to join together for a day of rehearsals and culminating concert. Congratulations, Julia!
• 45 Juniors in Church History, along with their instructor Karen Christians, toured four very different places of worship in Sioux Falls, expanding their understanding of other churches and growing a deeper appreciation of their own faith story. Area ministers then were invited to class two days later to answer student’s questions about their own church homes.
• Life Skills, instructed by Mrs. Katie Reitsma, spent time in class gaining sewing skills. The students mastered sewing on buttons, constructed shorts, and a personal stuffed toy.
• Senior Government students while studying the election process this semester took part in the Iowa Youth Straw Poll. Students learned the importance of being an active participant in elections. Government class is taught by Mr. Brandon Broersma.
• During the December Faithpack meeting, students and staff put ‘Love into Action’ by writing over 250 personal Christmas greetings to Western Alumni in the military, residents of area nursing homes, and to other individuals who may be in need of Christmas Joy.
• Intro to Art students created gingerbread creations that were put on display in the Library the week prior to Christmas break. The student body voted on their favorite, which was “Life on the Beach” created by Hanna Kollis, Jadyn Faber and Ella Brands.
• Faculty and staff joined up with Laurissa Boman’s 1st Period English class to hand write the book of Psalms in order to take on the voice of one who cries out to God, who sees God at work, and who deeply desires Him.
• On December 11th, at a home basketball game, the Western students helped our Super Fan Brett Roby celebrate his 50th birthday. Roby was an honorary starter for the evening.
• The music department will have some additional help 2nd semester when two student teachers join the staff. Daniel Seaman will be working with Lyle Van Ravensway and Kourtney TeBrake with Darren Van’t Hul.
• Christmas was celebrated in a variety of ways at Western. On December 20th, the lunch schedule was adjusted, so all students and staff were able to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner the cooks prepared together as one Western family. The annual Christmas Chapel was on December 21st followed by cider and goodies. Many students shared their gifts and talents as the school honored our Savior’s birth.
Life Skills
Intro to Art Creations
Brett Roby
Christmas at Western
The 2018 Volleyball team had another terrific year having a record of 42-5 for the season. They also won the Lakes Conference for another year going undefeated in matches and making it 22 years straight winning the conference.
The team competed in several tough Saturday tournaments and came away champions at the Sioux County Tournament, Sanford Pentagon Tournament, Western Kooima-Kamingk tournament and the Heelan Classic.
The team qualified for the 18th straight year to the State Volleyball Tournament. We felt incredibly blessed with the opportunity to represent our school and more importantly Christ. The girls rallied from a 0-2 deficit in the first round to beat Treynor 3-2. That win showed a lot of determination, resiliency and competitive spirit! In the second round, the team knocked off Sidney 3-0 to advance them to the championship game. In the finals, they faced Unity Christian and prevailed with a 3-1 win and were crowned the 2A State Champions!!
This team was a blessing to coach as they all got along so well and every one of them had to step up in their roles for us to be successful! The team’s theme verse was 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” The team truly embraced this verse as we competed throughout the season and shared personal devotions as a team!
Leading the way were seniors Madison Hofman, Kayla Zevenbergen, Emma Bousema and Chandler Schemper! We thank them for their leadership, work ethic and dedication to the volleyball program for the last four seasons. They will be greatly missed!
Junior team members were: Abby Postma, Olivia Granstra, Courtney Kollis, Tori Wynja, Cassie Van Otterloo, Ally Postma, Makenna Kooima and Macay Van’t Hul. Sophomore team members were: Sienna Moss, Madison Vis, and Hanna Kollis. We also had two great managers in April Van Tol and Georgia Van Essen.
We thank all the awesome fans that supported us and a special thanks to the parents who do so much for the team. We couldn’t do it without you, and we always remember to thank God for the opportunities and the abilities he has blessed upon us.
Individual Awards:
All-Tournament Team at State- Madison Hofman, Ally Postma, and Macay Van’t Hul.
1st Team All-State- Madison Hofman
2nd Team All-State- Olivia Granstra
3rd Team All-State- Macay Van’t Hul and Tori Wynja
1st Team All-Conference- Madison Hofman, Tori Wynja, Olivia Granstra, and Chandler Schemper
2nd Team All-Conference- Emma Bousema, Ally Postma and Macay Van’t Hul
Honorable Mention All-Conference- Sienna Moss and Makenna Kooima
Academic All-State- Chandler Schemper and Kayla Zevenbergen
Coach Tammi Veerbeek
January 13
February
March 17
April 7
CRC, Rock Valley
URC, Sanborn
Bethel CRC, Sioux Center
p.m.
p.m.
p.m. 25- 28 Tour
May 5 1st CRC, Hull
