Western Witness - Winter 2020

WESTERN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

In this issue:

Faithpack Giving

Resourse Room Change and Expansion

The Pace of Grace

Memorial Gifts

Just My Thoughts

Live Streaming

Music Department Notes

Chamber Singers Itinerary 2020

Fall Bonanza Follow Up/ Thank You

Building Maintenance Team Addition

Studen Tech Club

Prayer and Praise

Dance Team Highlights

Staff & Faculty Christmas Greeting

Football 2019...a Band of Brothers

Girls Cross Country

Boys Cross Country

Fast Facts from the Pack

Volleyball 2019 - 2A State Champions

Hosting is a Blessing

The Second Century of Service Campaign Update

Western Witness

January 2020

A Truly Great Bible Story

What started as an email from one friend to another turned into a great learning and giving opportunity for the Western community. In early December, Mrs. Christians opened an email from Rob Miedema. Miedema and Christians have known each other for years and have worked together more recently on chapel planning for Western. Miedema recently became a part-time chaplain at Keystone Recovery Center near Canton, SD. His email request was short and straightforward: If Western has any Bibles to spare, please consider donating them to Keystone as they are in desperate need of Bibles. Christians replied that the search for Bibles would begin, and she would be in touch.

The timing of the email was incredibly fitting with what the juniors in Church History were studying. The Great Reformation highlighted the need for people of God to read the Word of God. Numerous church leaders at that time dedicated themselves to the translation and distribution of Bibles to people–all people, not just the wealthy or educated. So the request for Bibles fit into the class’s learning perfectly. The Word of God has the power to change lives–then and now.

The 20 students in Christians’ Church History class made a conference call to Keystone to find out more–Keystone is a 125-bed facility, clients are often more open to the Word of God than at other times in their life; the need for more Bibles is urgent and ongoing. After the call, the class discussed setting a goal for the number of Bibles to be collected. Many numbers were batted around, and finally, 125 was the determined goal! Next, the class agreed that leading by example would be important. Each class member agreed to donate at least two new or used Bibles to this effort. Then, because the students had already been corresponding with their pastors throughout the semester an email was drafted and sent to the pastors of the churches represented in the class. It was also decided to share the need for Bibles with the Western learning community during a chapel. All the students agreed to be a part of that announcement.

The very next day, the Bibles started coming in. Some of them were brand new; others were from a family’s collection that was not being used regularly. On the second day of the project, a very exciting development happened. Mrs. Christians was informed that an anonymous donor was willing to match the 125 Bibles with another 125 if the goal was reached. The class was humbled and very excited, and from there, what happened was utterly wonderful and worth celebrating. The Church History class began to pray specifically for the work of Keystone, for the project, and God’s blessing on all of it. They prayed the number 125. And God answered prayers. January 9 was the last day for Mrs. Christians’ Church History class to meet. Before students took their final test, they counted Bibles and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to God for deciding to invite them all into a beautiful part of His plan to share the Word of God with a world that desperately needs it. As of January 9, 432 Bibles were collected for Keystone. The anonymous donor’s 125 brand new Recovery Bibles were in Western’s office, so the total number was 557, and Bibles are still coming in.

All Western can say is thank you. Thank you to anyone who donated–whether that was a Bible from your storage room or 125 Bibles ordered as a matching gift. Thank you to all the churches that publicized this effort. Thank you to anyone who prayed for this project. Thank you most of all Father in heaven for allowing students and staff to see His Power. We now trust the power of His Word will transform lives–our lives and the lives of anyone who receives one of these Bibles. To God be the Glory!

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:15

Faithpack Giving

It is natural to focus on gratitude during November, and Christmas greetings are frequently taken for granted. Not everyone receives an abundance of cards or is surrounded by loved ones over the holiday. Western’s Faithpacks utilized Chapel time to focus on these two topics and explored ways they can give back in gratitude through donations and sharing Christmas greetings. Here are just a sample of the projects that students participated in:

• Mrs. Dirksen’s Faithpack held a Bake Sale for Babies where students donated baked goods, gum, and pop and sold them during breaks. This effort raised $475 for the Alpha Center.

• Mrs. Nice’s Faithpack collected money, which was given to the Family Crisis Center in Sioux Center to help out a family in need.

• Mr. Van Ravensway’s Faithpack held a bake sale to raise money to purchase groceries for families in need right in Hull.

• Ms. Boman’s Faithpack students brought in essential baby items to be donated to the Alpha Center in Sioux Falls.

• Mrs. deBoom’s Faithpack coordinated a ‘Change War’ where the proceeds will be used to prepare Freezer Meals for families with needs. A teacher hosted Coffee / Hot Chocolate sale helped this effort raise over $500.

• Mrs. Minderhoud’s Faithpack selected tags off of the Giving Tree at the Centre Mall in Sioux Center and purchased gifts that were requested for some needy families.

• Every student wrote a personal note of encouragement in a Christmas card to residents of area nursing homes, Western Alumni in the military, and other individuals who may be in need of hearing a message of encouragement and Christmas Joy!

Resource Room Change and Expansion

As we enter into a new semester, the Resource Room is expanding its mission and services. Our program will continue to provide educational plans for students with diagnosed learning differences. Students will continue to be assigned to the Resource Room for their study halls to have a structured learning environment to assist them in achieving academic success.

So what is new? In order to reach more students who may need a place to receive homework help, practice studying and test-taking strategies, review content, and strengthen skills, we are expanding our hours and taking a new name: the Learning Center.

Still located on the 2nd floor, down the hall from the Library Media Center, the newly re-named Learning Center will be open before and after school from 8:00-4:00. Prior to each ACT, we will hold practice sessions for interested students before and after school.

The number of students who are admitted into the study hall program of the Learning Center is still limited and based upon Learning Center availability, a learning difference, risk of failure, or parent or teacher recommendation.

Come and visit! Our doors are open, and we appreciate visitors, encouragers, and prayer warriors.

Mary Dirksen and Diana Kooima (and Super Tutor Mr. Altena)

The Pace of Grace

It’s Monday night, 11:00 pm. Head up against the glass of the driver-side window of my minivan, too tired to even sit up straight. I woke up at 5:00 am to get to school early to knock out some emails before the start of my already jam-packed day. I had five meetings scheduled - all of them meddled in the lives of other people. This is heavy.

Home now, late supper. Can’t sleep; that dead-tired-but-wired feeling. On the couch, watching a Western-Conference NBA game. I sigh; lately, I’m ending most nights this way, on the couch, long after my wife has gone to bed. I feel like a ghost. Half alive, half dead. Flat, one dimensional and mostly I just feel blah spiritually...empty. I’m not learning anything new. My life is so fast.

Have you ever felt this way? The above scenario is a bit embellished, but relatable, I think.

I kicked off 2020 reading a book titled The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Comer. In his book, Comer quotes Corrie ten Boom, who once said that “if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” Her logic is sound: both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off our connection to God, to other people, and even to our soul.

We just wrapped up Semester 1 at Western Christian High School. We have had an excellent year so far, but sometimes I think about the insane pace of the lives of our students [and staff] and our failing efforts to guide learners towards “slow,” deep learning. I wonder about the impact “busy” has on love, joy, peace, relationships, creativity, and Learning...to serve the King.

Comer explains that many of us are just too busy to live emotionally healthy and spiritually rich and vibrant lives. We simply cannot live with Jesus in his kingdom and live a life of speed.

Transformational learning can be painfully time-consuming. All parents know this; there are no shortcuts. No life-hack. No killer app. It takes an enormous amount of time to learn and love well. In our culture today, slow is demeaning. When someone struggles academically, we dub them slow. When the service at a restaurant is lousy, we call it slow. When we’re bored of a Netflix series, we complain that it’s slow. The message is clear: slow is bad, fast is good.

Jesus appeals to all the tired, weary, and burned out, and simply said, “Come, find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” I am grateful for this invitation, aren’t you?

I recently came across a catchy quote from author Susan Muto, who said there is always the danger of wanting to “push ourselves beyond the pace of grace.”

I can so easily be driven by our fast-paced, achievement-oriented, technology-dependent society, and its pressure to get ahead. But when I move at the pace of grace, God gives gifts at the right moment that determine both what I am to do and the speed of doing them.

2020 is a big year for Western’s learning community. In a previous article, I wrote about “sprinting into our second century,” but as it is with all things divine, the work of the gospel is not a sprint.

In mission, together,

Brian Verwolf

We are Most Grateful for Memorial Gifts Received in Honor and Memory of:

Lylamae (Vande Griend) Boer-Lyla was a member of the class of 1952. She and her husband Don have four children and several grandchildren that attended Western Christian. The children are Deb (‘73), Pam (‘75), Darwin (‘78), and Jerry (‘85).

Just My Thoughts

Yielding to 50

I just turned 50, and I have realized that significant markers in life, such as big birthdays, often cause people to be reflective. That has been the case, at least thus far, with me. As I write this, I am only one week into my 50s, but the reflection has been something noticeable for a few months. Some of the birthday cards, texts, and well wishes deepened that reflection. I received some great wisdom, advice, and insights on my birthday.

One friend shared a devotional by Greg Laurie that compared all our years to one 24-hour day. In that analogy, turning 50 would put me at 6:24 PM in a 24-hour lifespan. What a great way to open my eyes to the amount of time I have already been given, and also give me a sense of urgency with the time I have left.

Another phrase that I encountered in a few ways in more than one birthday wish was, “Seize the day!” At age 50, it’s time to assess those important life goals not yet set or attained and then decide if it’s time to get to it. The clock is ticking. Another friend urged me to create some kind of bucket list, take inventory of what’s been accomplished and articulate specific life events or experiences still on my heart and create a plan (or at least a list) to accomplish them.

I took all of these suggestions to heart. I recognize the worth and timeliness of setting and reaching goals, and yet, at the same time, my age (and hopefully the wisdom that comes with years) gives me a seemingly contrasted urge to slow down. On January 1, just a few days before my birthday, I chose Yield for my 2020 word. I selected it for a few reasons; the most obvious is the desire to slow down. Rather than push ahead faster, pause more often. Rather than advance to the next moment, embrace the moment I am in. But thinking about these two words, seize and yield, I wonder if I am trying to carry out contradicting ideas. Yield seems a lot safer than seize. Yield, even in this hurry up, fast-paced world, comes more naturally to my 50-year-old self than seize. Seize is unpredictable and sometimes scary. Seize leads me to things that may not be completely controllable or calculated from the outset.

But upon further reflection, I am starting to realize that living out those two words may not be the contradiction I first thought. In fact, very recently, I have observed how both seize and yield can work together. In my own prayer life, I have set an issue on my heart and mind at the feet of God. Because I wasn’t sure how to proceed, I have prayed for obedience and wisdom, and I wonder: is it possible that obedience and wisdom can be those words, seize and yield, at work together in my life?

Here is what I am still learning. Seize could lead me to the adventure my aging heart, mind, and body need, and yield may mean surrender, not just slow down. Surrender my agenda to my Maker’s. Surrender my familiar and comfortable to trusting His call for today and all the hours left in my 24-hour lifespan. Psalm 90:12 is God’s Word set in front of me, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” I pray for wisdom that knows when life is just too busy and admit that slowing down is my best choice. I also pray for wisdom that pushes me to embrace that the adventures He has in store for me may not be easy choices, but they are my best choices when I yield my will to His. May I count my minutes, clasp His Hands, yield to His plan, and seize every opportunity He sets in front of me. Whether we have 50 years or just minutes, may we all have wisdom to seize and yield!

Just My Thoughts, KC

Live Streaming

Hey Wolfpack Fans! Western Christian is proud to announce that we have partnered with the NFHS Network and are broadcasting our Wolfpack athletic events LIVE that take place in the Big Gym. That means that if you or family members can’t make it to the game, the live-action can be watched from anywhere on your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. All events are also archived and can be viewed again at a later time.

Subscriptions are similar to the fee families pay for Netflix or Hulu. A one-month subscription is $10.99, or a year-long subscription can be purchased at a 46% discount of less than $65.

As part of the partnership with the NFHS Network, they will return part of each subscription sold back to the Western Christian activities department. Joining the Wolfpack Network through the NFHS website is easy, just follow these four simple steps:

1. Go to NFHSnetwork.com

2. Enter Western Christian High School in the search box

3. Click “Follow” so you can stay up to date on all upcoming broadcasted events

4. Click “Subscribe” for all the subscription options for our school

We at Western Christian would like to thank you for your continued support of Wolfpack athletics and activities. We look forward to serving you top-notch broadcasts of our events!

Music Department Notes

• Kryn VandeBerg was accepted into the 2019 Jr. All-State Orchestra. The orchestra was made up of Iowa’s top string players in grades 7-9. They met in Ames for a day of collaboration which culminated in an afternoon performance. The orchestra was directed by renowned orchestra teacher and composer Deborah Baker Monday.

• Emilee Heynen and Julia Veldman have been accepted into the 2019-2020 Northwest Iowa Honor Orchestra. They will perform with the full orchestra (including winds and percussion from the NWI honor band) on January 30, at 4:00 pm in Christ Chapel on the campus of Northwestern College.

• Trista TenPas and Rianne Van Meeteren were both selected to play clarinet in the Northwest Iowa Honor Band that took place on Saturday, January 4. For their audition, they memorized all 12 major scales and the chromatic scale, and they also learned two short, challenging pieces of music. On January 4, they rehearsed all day and performed that evening at Morningside College in Sioux City. Rianne and Trista are both freshmen. Congratulations, ladies!

Chamber Singers Itinerary 2020

January 17

Pleasant Acres/ Hull Christian

19 Whispering Heights 26 Immanuel CRC, Sheldon

February 9 Calvin CRC, Rock Valley 23 Sanborn CRC

March 15 Inwood CRC 22 1st CRC, Sioux Center 26 Chambers Night Out at WCHS

April 19 Trinity CRC, Rock Valley 23- 26 Tour to Minneapolis

May 3 Hope CRC (service at will be 1st CRC, Hull)

Fall Bonanza Follow Up/Thank You

On Friday, November 22, Western Christian High School hosted the Fall Bonanza, for the annual dinner, auction, and kids’ carnival. After the proceeds were counted, nearly $125,000 was raised through the proceeds from meat sales, the meal, carnival, bake sale, and the auction.

Western Christian would like to thank:

• the businesses and individuals who attended and gave generously

• Nancy Driesen and the volunteers who served the meal and ran the bake sale

• the auctioneers, clerks, and volunteers who worked the auction

• 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.

• And of course, the approximately 500 people that attended and participated and gave generously.

We thank God for blessing Western Christian through the continued support of so many!

Left to Right: Emilee Heynen, Julia Veldman & Kryn VandeBerg

Left to Right: Rianne Van Meeteren & Trista TenPas

Building Maintenance Team Addition

The physical upkeep of a facility the size of Western Christian takes many hands. It is with great enthusiasm that Western Christian is excited to add another set of hands to the team. Mr. Nathayn (pronounced ‘Nathan’) DeHoyos began Jan. 2 as Assistant Building Maintenance Manager. DeHoyos is not entirely new to Western Christian, though, because, for the past four years, he has helped coach the Wolfpack Football team.

DeHoyos is originally from Marion, Texas, located in the greater San Antonia area. He is a graduate of Northwestern College, and for the past four years, he has worked for the City of Orange City as the Parks and Recreation Assitant.

When asked “why do you choose this important work at Western?” DeHoyos responded, “I feel God has called me to Western not only to take on the custodial responsibilities but to interact and build relationships within the entire school community. My teachers and coaches had a major influence on me during high school, and I want to be able to give back and do the same in a more untraditional way through this position. I look forward to seeing how God will work in my new role with the upkeep of the school and shaping and molding of young Christian men and women. I have really enjoyed coaching at Western the last four years, and we feel God has called our family to stay here and continue to give Him complete control of our future. I am excited to get in the building and get to work!”

DeHoyos and his wife Clare have two daughters, Boston (2) and Berkley (3 months).

Student Tech Club

The students at Western are blessed with many different gifts and talents. One group of students at Western Christian who use their talent behind the scenes and are not recognized for all their work is the Student-Led Tech Club.

The Tech Club is kept very busy. Some of the responsibilities of the club are assisting the school in the operation of the Audio Visual equipment in the recently remodeled Events Center. The students are responsible for the setup and teardown of the sound and lighting equipment for our bi-weekly chapels. Also included in the chapels, the students are involved in running the cameras and Powerpoint during our Facebook Live videos, which are typically streamed through Western’s Facebook account. Other responsibilities included assisting with this year’s musical, Little Women as well as running other night activities that may happen in the Event’s Center such as the Fall Bonanza. They also help with organizing the production of the Febuary Talent Show. Some of the group members are assigned to assist Mr. Fenchel in the tech room at school and assist teachers and fellow students in troubleshooting technology needs.

Members of this year’s group are: Seniors: Brandon Kamstra, Dolan Vande Stroet, Juniors Elijah Vande Griend, Logan Baccam and Freshmen Konner Struik and Hayden Vande Stroet

Prayer and Praise

Please lift your praise to God for . . .

• The announcement of an upcoming addition to the family of Mr. Thomas Soodsma (Math instructor) and wife Tianna. They are expecting their first child in May.

• The marriage of our Ag Instructor and FFA Adviser Mrs. Kylie (Miller) to Michael Nettinga that took place on December 28th. The Nettingas are making their home in Hull.

• The incredible response to the Church History Bible collection project.

• A time of celebration, rest, and renewal during our Christmas break.

Please lift your prayers to God for . . .

• The start of the second semester. May our students and staff alike all find more ways to ‘Learn to Serve the King.’

• God’s leading for our Board and staff as they make decisions regarding the next school year.

• Safe travels and enriching experiences for the six students traveling to the Netherlands March 13–April 3 through the exchange program. Students are Rachel Covey, Jamie DeKam, Keaton Heemskerk, Brandon Kamstra, Aubrey Kooima, and Cassie Van Otterloo.

Dance Team Highlights

The dance team season is almost year-round. Tryouts for the team are held in the spring, and the team attends a team camp in the summer and has a couple of summer practices to get a head start on routines for the school year. The team participated at the Dordt University Dance Team three-day camp and was awarded the Most Improved Team over those three days. We started practices two mornings a week as soon as school began and performed at three home football games. In preparation for state competition, we added a third morning into our practice schedule and learned both of our state routines. Before Thanksgiving vacation, the team hosted our 4th State Preview night and were joined by several area schools.

On Wednesday, December 4, the dance team traveled to Des Moines to compete in the Iowa State Dance Team Championship in two categories. They competed in Class 2 Lights and received 2nd place. Jaiden Bonestroo, a team captain, choreographed this light routine. The 2nd routine the team performed was in Class 7 Pom; they earned a Division I rating.

The team bonded over a meal at the Cheesecake Factory, a little mall time, and team devotions. On Thursday morning, the day of the competition, the team got up bright and early to do hair and makeup. Our routine performance times were only an hour apart.

During devotions, we talked about how it is not the end results that are important. It is the journey we are to set our focus on. Competition is simply how a certain set of judges view a certain team on a certain day. The competition and the results do not define who we are as individuals or as a team. The group performed both routines the best they ever had and have many reasons to be proud. State Dance is the place to leave everything on the floor, and they did just that.

I would like to thank the team members for their hard work at home and during our early morning practices. Thank you, parents, for helping out when asked, driving to Des Moines to support the girls, and for making sure the girls have breakfast on Wednesday mornings.

The rest of the season is busy, and we have some exciting performances coming up. We are going to be doing a combined routine with the Unity Christian Dance Team. The Dance Team Kids Camp is on February 11, and our year-end Dance Team Night is February 27.

Coach Megan Kooima

“Football 2019...a Band of Brothers”

During our senior/dad hiking trip to the Black Hills over Memorial Day weekend last spring, the senior guys did an outstanding job being intentional and thoughtful in picking our theme, “Band of Brothers.” The thought put into our four main goals that our team was going to strive for each day in practice was great! We repeated those goals before every practice and every game and strived to hold each other accountable to those goals. The four goals were: 1. WE before ME, 2. Got your 6, 3. Love the Fight, and 4. Step by Step. WOW! What a great, meaningful, and challenging set of goals put before us by our seniors. These goals set the tone for our outstanding season, going 8-2 on the year, tying for the district championship, and being one of the 16 teams to make the 1A State Championship playoffs.

Thank you, 19 seniors, for a great year, and I commend you for the tremendous growth this season and over your four years playing football for Western Christian. You left a great legacy and kept the Wolfpack Football tradition of faith and family going strong!

I also want to thank the parents for a great season. Each week parents planned meals; there was a lot of planning and preparation done behind the scenes. Also, the chance for us as coaches to work with great, young Christian men is a testament to you, the parents, and how you are raising your sons. Thank you to captain’s moms as well for your extra work.

Assistant coaches deserve thanks for their hard work and dedication to Wolfpack Football. They did a tremendous job getting the team ready each and every week. I want to thank Mark Fenchel for all the work he did with stats and managing the equipment throughout the year. Also, a thank-you to Jason Kooima, Dave Van Essen, James Vanden Bos, and Kurt Jansma for helping with stats on the sidelines. Jerry Zomermaand, Trent Geleynse, and Ashley Altena did all of our sideline training work throughout the year, so a big thank-you to Jerry and his staff for all their hard work.

Thank you to the chain gang guys that helped during all the Freshman/JV/Varsity games throughout the season. Many people contributed to this season, and I genuinely thank all of you for helping make Wolfpack Football what it is each season.

Each week the team was challenged by our four goals and striving to reach those, but our ultimate goal of becoming a “Band of Brothers” was why our season was a success! Pastor Henry gave the seniors a great message on our hiking trip and again to our team during the season on David’s Mighty men. There are stories in 2 Samuel 23 and 24 that talk about the band of brothers that were at David’s side throughout his life, no one person more important than the next. This 2019 Wolfpack football team indeed became a TEAM due to them always putting their teammates first and striving to do their best for the guy next to them.

Football is about relationships. The bonds and memories that were made this season by this team are going to last a lifetime! Thanks again to all that helped make this season an incredible season; each year is special, and this team kept up the tradition of what Wolfpack Football is all about, faith and family!

Coach Kooima

Girls Cross Country

The Girls Cross Country team had a good season this past fall. We had a committed group of girls that were willing to come in and compete and push in practice and at meets. It was good to see some more girls join the team this year to get our numbers up and make us a little more competitive.

Whitney Minderhoud led the team upfront this year, followed by some competitive underclassmen that no doubt want to get better. NW Iowa is a very tough area to run cross country, but that doesn’t matter because our girls came to every meet ready to compete. We have four seniors graduating and leaving the Wolfpack program. I want to thank them for however many years they have run and for being a good example and leaving a positive impact on the program. With that thought, I would like to invite some more runners to join us next year to help keep our numbers up so we can become even more competitive.

I am thankful for such a great group of girls that we had this year on the team. I had three managers again that do a sensational job. We also had a great group of supportive parents as we do every year. Thank you for chasing us all over to support us. We appreciate it. To God be the glory for giving us another season of running.

Season Highlights:

State Finish: Whitney Minderhoud - 25th

All Districts: Whitney Minderhoud - 1st

All Conf: Whitney Minderhoud - 4th

Coach Lems

Boys Cross Country

The Boys Cross Country team really had a good season this year. Coming off of last year, I didn’t know what to expect, but the runners put in the time and became better as a whole group. They ran hard at the meets and laid it out there during practice. It was fun to watch them continually get better each week.

This year, Tage Hulstein led us at the meets. We had a nice follow group, though, that was never completely satisfied with not trying to push and get better. We had some new faces competing for the Wolfpack this year, which helped us out. The team qualified for the State Meet by finishing third in our district. Going into State, we pushed ourselves to beat the two teams that beat us at districts, and we accomplished that goal. It just showed when we put our mind and heart into it, what we can do. We have two guys that graduate this year, and I would like to thank them for their hard work and the positive impact they have had on the program. We need to get a few more runners out next year so that we can be more competitive across the board. If you’re not sure what cross country is about, come give it a try and surprise yourself.

I’m very thankful for this group this year. It was fun to watch them compete and grow together as the season progressed. Parents, thanks for being willing to support us. We especially enjoy having you come to the meets and cheer us on.

I am looking forward to what next year will bring for us. God has truly blessed us with talents and gifts.

Season Highlights:

State Finish: Tage Hulstein - 6th place All-State Honors Guys Team - 11th place

Districts: Tage Hulstein - 2nd

Zachary Minderhoud - 11th Team - 3rd place

All Conf: Tage Hulstein - 2nd

Zachary Minderoud - 7th

Kalen Hartbecke - 11th

Michael Vander Plaats - 14th Team - 2nd

Coach Lems

Fast Facts from the Pack!

• November 19 through November 26, Officer Waylon Pollema conducted a mock crime scene investigation unit in Mr. De Stigter’s freshmen physical science class. During this time, students worked in small groups and were taught how to evaluate a crime scene, apply for a police warrant, interview possible suspects, collect and organize evidence, fingerprint, and write a police report. A special thanks to Officer Pollema for organizing this unit as well as to all of the teachers involved in the CSI investigation.

• Susan Van Sloten, a custodian here at Western, was a member of a medal-winning bowling team at the Iowa Special Olympics. We congratulated Susan for her stellar bowling skills and for being such a bright light here in the halls of Western at the Fall Celebration Chapel!

• The 3rd floor had a wall of wisdom displayed in early December. As the seniors in Bible 12 finished Kevin DeYoung’s book Just Do Something, each student wrote a short review of that book. Their reviews hung in the hall to inspire other students and share wisdom.

• “Just Do Something is the encouraging yet blunt book that many confused teens (and even adults) could find great comfort in reading. In this book, DeYoung reminds the reader that as long as every choice that we make in life revolves around the goal of glorifying and honoring God, we need not have any fear when we decide to ‘do something’.” Rachel Covey

• “DeYoung gives a refreshing and extremely useful new take on God’s will. A great read for Christians in all places and of all ages. It helps to fix modern misconceptions about God’s will for us and it is all rooted in the Bible.” Lucas Stiemsma

• “Sometimes I tend to worry about making the right decision because I don’t know if it is what God wants me to do or not. By reading this book, I learned that if I am in the Word and praying to God, I can’t make a wrong decision. Any decision is good if I am praising and serving God while doing it.” Macay Van’t Hul

• Mrs. Katie Reitsma’s Life Skills class once again ended the Semester with a sewing unit. The students start with the basics of sewing on a button, following lines on a paper, a pair of shorts they sewed for themselves, and they ended their unit by sewing 43 “Sinch Backpacks” to send to schools in Haiti.

• FFA members sold over 15,000 pounds of products during this year’s fruit sales! That’s five times that of other schools in the area! Thank you to the Senior parents and students who made the sorting go so smoothly.

• The greenhouse is getting closer to be completed and plans are being put into place for its use this spring.

• The Athletic Department thanks Hegg Memorial Hospital and Wellness Center for donating a used (yet in good condition) treadmill to be used in the weight room.

• Art 1 students created/designed gingerbread houses that were displayed in the Library. The student body voted on which one was their favorite.

• Students celebrated Christmas at Western through themed dress-up days, a special chapel, and also a Christmas meal in which the entire student body and staff ate all together in the cafeteria. Mrs. Christians read Luke 2:1-20 for devotions.

Life Skills Class - Sewing

CSI with Waylon Pollema

Art 1 - Gingerbread Houses

Volleyball 2019- 2A State Champions

The 2019 Volleyball team had another terrific year ending the season with a 41-5 record. The team also won the Lakes Conference for another year, going undefeated in matches and making it 23 years straight for winning the conference. We competed in several tough Saturday tournaments and came away champions at the Sioux County Tournament, Sanford Pentagon Tournament, Western Kooima-Kooima-Varilek tournament, and the Heelan Classic.

For the 19th straight year, the Wolfpack Volleyball qualified for the State Tournament. We felt extremely blessed with the opportunity to represent our school and, more importantly, Christ. In the finals, we faced Beckman Catholic 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 with one another. Each and every one of the players stepped up in their roles for us to be successful!

The team’s theme verse was: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31) The team truly embraced this verse as we competed throughout the season and shared our personal devotions together! The back of the State T’shirts said ‘Play the Game in His Name.” The players chose this quote, which demonstrated their understanding of the theme verse. They played for each other, with each other, always giving the Glory to God; these components are what made this team such a tight group and very hard to beat!

Leading the way were seniors Abby Postma, Olivia Granstra, Courtney Kollis, Tori Wynja, Ally Postma, Makenna Kooima, and Macay Van’t Hul. We thank them for their leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the volleyball program in the last four seasons. They will be greatly missed!!

Other members of the team were Sienna Moss, Madison Vis, Hanna Kollis, Jadyn Faber, and Emilee Heyen (Juniors); Emma Westphal and Lydia Van Kley (Sophomores), and Stella Winterfield (Freshman). We also had two great managers; they were Cassie Van Otterloo and Kendra Wynja.

We thank all the awesome fans that supported us. A special thanks to the parents who do so much for the team. The team realizes we couldn’t do it without you, and we always remembered to thank God for the opportunities and the abilities he blessed us with each day.

Coach Tammi Veerbeek

Fast Facts from the Pack cont.

Hosting is a Blessing

For the past three years, Western Christian families have welcomed into their homes students from the Netherlands for three weeks in the fall. Families have found this opportunity to be a blessing. Next year Western will be in need of more willing people to open up their homes because the exchange program has expanded to include students from South Africa along with Netherlands students.

This article is a reflection on the experience of hosting an exchange student from three ‘host moms.’ Thank you to all the families who have made this program a success; the program could not continue without you.

What were some ways your family was blessed by hosting an exchange student?

• We were amazed at looking at our American culture through his eyes and point of view. Having an exchange student was such a blessing. If you are waiting for the perfect time when your life is not busy it will never happen. We are so thankful we listened to the nudge to make the call and ask the questions. - Cindy Kamstra

• I would encourage anyone who is considering hosting a Dutch student to do so. We enjoyed our student immensely and found that it was enlightening to have someone from another country stay with us. It was interesting to hear how others viewed the US, what they admire and what they question. We had some very good discussions and enjoyed learning about his country and felt that we had a better understanding of where our ancestors came from after spending time with him. - Jodi Hulstein

The exchange students were only here for three weeks. During those three weeks, how much time did having the student in your home change your usual routine?

• We thoroughly enjoy hosting, since this was our second time doing it and love showing our host student some of the fun places to explore in our area. They love to experience everything that involves nature & the outdoors, so one of the highlights this year was visiting Palisades Park. Aubrey said….It didn’t change my daily routine because I included Paulien in everything I did. I made sure to take her to some of my favorite places like bowling, Culvers, Western sporting events, and Blue Bunny.

- Koni Kooima

• Karsten just fit right into our family. We didn’t always plan special things to entertain him. He just joined in and walked alongside our family in our daily lives. I think that is what he enjoyed. Seeing what our American everyday life was and is daily. The three weeks went so fast. - Cindy Kamstra

What advice would you give future Host Families?

• The three weeks fly by because it is such a great experience for everyone involved. Be open-minded because you can learn so much about another person’s culture by connecting with them. It’s definitely good to step out of your comfort zone. - Koni Kooima

• Our time with our student went by very quickly as he stayed very busy with activities planned through Western. We hardly had enough time to take him to a few places we thought he would enjoy.

- Jodi Hulstein

The Second Century of Service Campaign Update

The Second Century of Service Campaign made progress with year-end giving. To recap this campaign enabled Western Christian to add Agriculture to the curriculum by providing classroom space; renovate the science wing; renovate the old gym into an Event Center, add a new entrance and offices, and renovate hallways and make improvements to the HVAC systems at Western. At the end of June 2019, just over $5,100,000 had been received or pledged toward the $7,300,000 needed for the project.

During the 100th Anniversary celebration in August, an announcement was made for a $100,000 Matching Challenge Grant. The stipulations for the challenge were that gifts would have to be from new donors to the project, at least $500 per year for as many years as the new donor would commit, and donations/pledges needed to be completed by December 31, 2019. Over sixty new donors responded and enabled Western Christian to meet the challenge.

In addition to the new donors, many previous donors made additional gifts to the project and/or committed to support the project with a three-year pledge, which brought the overall total amount raised to $6,006,020.49.

More work remains to be done. If you haven’t made a commitment or a gift to the project, Western Christian needs your help. If you did commit previously, we need your help again. If you have questions, please contact Wes Fopma at 712-439-1013 or email wes.fopma@westernchristianhs.com. Thank you.