Wow, what a year! If you spend any time on social media you have seen no shortage of jokes knocking the year 2020. Since so many people are in quarantine, I guess we’ll be making only inside jokes from now on. In March, when the nation shut down, a wise colleague urged our staff for more thanksgiving, more joy, and more laughter. We are going through a hard situation and sometimes it does not feel like we are making any progress. But friends, what if 2020 is the year we have been waiting for? A year that forces us to adapt and grow. Even amid everything that is “2020”, we are reminded to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) — so, by His grace, we choose to be thankful.
Here are just a few things we can chart as positive notes this year:
*Our Christian faith — We should not take for granted how amazing it is to be part of a school that loudly recognizes that everything we do is an act of worshipping God. To be part of a learning community where a relationship with Jesus is not just accepted, but encouraged. To live, learn and work at a place where the Bible and its principles serve as a foundation for our total curriculum. Lord, we give you thanks for this place.
*New additions to the Wolfpack Family — Despite the pandemic, Western welcomed a fantastic group of freshman, transfers and new staff. Even in the face of many unknowns, the interest in a Western Christian education from prospective
families never wavered. If there’s a baby boom in the coming months, Western Christian will be ready in 2033. There will be a whole bunch of quaranteens.
*Continued traditions — During this pandemic, Western’s administration and staff have worked hard to keep beloved traditions going in ways that are safe for everyone. To name a few from this semester:
• Football hiking trip to the Black Hills
• Senior BBQ
• A Homecoming like never before
• Weekly chapels
• Stewardship Day
• 100% of Fine Arts and Athletic Programs
*Growing partners — Western is learning to embrace a risk-taking spirit, inspiring pathways for faculty, staff, and students to create and pursue new opportunities. We can’t do this alone. We are deliberately connecting with broader networks and community partners to deepen our shared Kingdom impact.
Thanks for spending time with Western today by flipping through this edition of The Western Witness. Merry Christmas, and may 2021 be the happiest New Year of them all.
In mission, together,
Sierra Nielson, a junior Chemistry student, studies flame color as part of an experiment that allows students to determine the identity of an unknown metal cation within a crime scene investigation setting. This science inquiry served as an introduction for future concepts including the quantum mechanical model and atomic emissions.
WESTERN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Strategic Roadmapping
Cindarella Complex
Never Stop Learning
Netherlands Exchange Program
Snapshots from the School
Wolfpack Athletics
Year End Giving
A Step Towards Core Clarity and Calling NICSTO
Memorial Gifts
Just My Thoughts
Upcoming Events
Brian Verwolf, Head Administrator
Over the last three years, Western Christian has encountered significant transitions in leadership. In 2017-2018 our school board entered into a strategic planning phase to offer a new sense of direction and measurable goals. After publishing a 5-year plan later that year, our Principal resigned. The board immediately shifted priorities to refocus our collective energy on hiring a new Head of School. This intentional process led to a 1-year of interim leadership in Mr. Harlan DeVries. At the same time, the Head of School search committee conducted a nation-wide search in partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE). Mr. Brian Verwolf was hired as our new Head of School at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. In addition to this already significant leadership transition, Mr. Kevin Gesink completed serving in his 8th year as Board President and passed the baton to me.
After settling into new roles and goals, the opportunities of 2020 came like a tsunami. Our school’s leaders set aside confidence in our current playbook and wrote a new
one that honors our mission and the communities we serve. And now, even amid a global pandemic, the Board believes it is the right time to make the most of our community’s assets — our people, financial capital, and social capital, with a sharp focus on building relationships and trust. In 2021, the School Board of Western Christian High School, along with faculty, parents, students, and supporters, will begin the process of establishing a new strategic roadmap that clearly communicates a vision for mission advancement.
There are five key areas that our 10-12 person strategic road-mapping team will explore over the next 6-months:
1. Market Research (Who will we serve in 10-15 years? Why will we serve them?)
2. Governance/Board Leadership (How can we build upon our foundational bylaws to enhance connections with our broader society?)
3. Teaching and Learning (What does
relevant, Christ-centered education look like in 5, 10, 15 years?)
4. Culture and Climate (Who are we at Western Christian? What do we do?)
5. Financial Stability (How can we best steward resources for a sustainable future?)
This is important work, and Western Christian has called on experts to join us. We have partnered with CACE on a number of recent projects, and our school continues to be blessed by CACE’s broad network of diverse expertise. CACE will facilitate our strategic road mapping efforts.
And now for the BIG ASK. Will you pray for Western Christian High School? We sense an urgency to further establish Western’s distinct, Christ-centered education in our community and beyond. Please pray for our efforts as we latch on to our school’s motto, “Learning...to serve the King”.
The ‘Pack Players’ did not let Covid keep them from putting together a Fall production. Forty students, along with Director Katie Nice and Assistant Director Laurissa Boman, put together a rememberable, humorous parody of Cinderella’s classic story The Cinderella Complex by Ruth Fuller. The cast and crew presented the play for the entire student body as a matinee on November 12th. The group also gave two evening performances to a limited audience on the 12th and 14th of November.
The excitement of still performing to even a limited audience was evident in all students involved. The drama department provides a rich environment for students to demonstrate their gifts and talents. Kira Ouwinga, a senior, shared her feelings about her years performing.
Being a part of the Pack Players is such a fun and memorable experience! Every day at practice, you get to make new memories, laugh at new jokes, gain confidence in yourself, and grow your abilities as an actor. My favorite part of this year’s production was time backstage with the cast and crew during practices, as well as performing on stage with some of my closest friends. Each year such great memories are made, and I have loved being a part of this amazing group!”
-Kira Ouwinga, Senior
Tucked into a safe place with room for only a few important things is George Vogel’s high school diploma from Western Christian dated May 1938. The diploma holds a special place in the life of this Western alum who has proven throughout his life that one never has to stop learning. He is described by one of his children as someone who has stayed curious and adaptable. What valuable traits for someone like George who celebrated a centennial birthday on November 24 and for the students at Western in 2020, a year so often described as “unprecedented.”
Education, especially Christian education, was important to George throughout his entire life. When his own father considered
moving the family, the major deciding factor in that move was access to Christian education. When George and his wife Joyce raised their own five children, Christian education was a priority. All five of their children are Christian school graduates; his own children sometimes found their father reading through their textbooks because he wanted to keep on learning and supporting Christian schools. Until just a few years ago, George enjoyed taking in most of the home events, both sports and fine arts, of three Christian schools; Christian education has been a valued partnership for George’s entire life.
Whether a student graduates in 1938 or 2020, each has a choice how to use the
The Netherlands exchange program looks different this year. Carey Van Donselaar, Coordinator of the Exchange Program, worked with the leaders at Greijdanus College in the Netherlands to develop an alternative online program because it is obviously not possible to have students travel to the Netherlands this school year. The online program began in November. One benefit to having an online program was that it allowed more students to take part.
Laurissa Boman incorporated this program into her English 11 classes, so all juniors were involved in this new venture. Students from both countries wrote letters introducing themselves and shared about their lives. There were specific topics given
to the students to write about. For example, students discussed how advertising is handled in their home country.
In this short time, junior students learned a little about what life is like in the Netherlands. One big difference in our cultures discussed was transportation. While most Dutch students spend a lot of time riding a bike to school, students at Western Christian use cars or buses. Even though it is not the same program, it has been a great opportunity for students to hear about life in another country.
The program will be ending in mid-December, but students can choose
knowledge, skills, and faith that have been practiced and shared. What a blessing when Western graduates move forward in daily service and lifelong learning. George Vogel is a great example, but thankfully, he is only one of thousands! While George can still be found listening to some old, favorite Dutch hymns, he also cared enough to learn how to text his great-grandchildren. May all who come behind us find us faithful! Happy 100th Birthday, George!
to continue communicating with each other. While there are still unknowns with the exchange program, Western Christian hopes to continue this program’s online aspect in the future.
George Vogel
Breanna TenPas, a senior soprano, was selected as a member of the Iowa All-State Chorus. Students chosen for an All-State Ensemble represent the top 1.7% of all Iowa high school musicians.
All students had a day off from classes to be the hands and feet of Jesus and help serve others on Wednesday, October 7th. Each Faithpack and its faculty leader spent the day helping out in a variety of area communities. Projects included were food drives, clean up at Inspirations Hills, and praying in Sioux Falls in front of Planned Parenthood for the ‘40 Days for Life Campaign, among many others. Pictured are a group of students who painted a privacy fence by Bargain Alley and another group who completed yard work at Camp Autumn by Sutherland. Mrs. Wendi Minderhoud’s Faithpack held a free-will donation car wash/bake sale in both Sanborn and Sheldon to benefit the Jewel Hofman family from Sanborn. Their efforts raised over $2000 to help with Jewel’s medical expenses as she is fighting cancer.
Four students were selected by audition to play in the Northwest Iowa Honor Band. For their second year, clarinet players Rianne Van Meeteren and Trista TenPas. For their first time, flutist Allison Vermeer and trombonist Konner Struik. These students would have practiced and performed on the first Saturday in January at Morningside College on a normal year.
Volleyball Coach Tammi Veerbeek earned her 1000th victory as a head coach while the team competed in the Sioux City Heelen tournament in October. Coach Veerbeek is just the third coach in state history to reach the 1,000 win milestone.
The Ag Dept / FFA chapter under the leadership of Mrs. Kylie Nettinga has kept itself busy competing in virtual competition; some field trips have been possible as well.
Pictured are the AFNR and the Ag Business students in front of Steinsland Dairy.
FFA committee groups put together a total of 25 Operation Christmas Child boxes to pay it forward to others in need.
The National FFA convention was held virtually this year, enabling more students to be involved instead of only a select few making the trip to Indianapolis. Students earned prizes for participating.
Pictured are some freshman students who earned some cool FFA sweatshirts.
Three athletic seasons have been successfully completed; fortunately, these seasons did not look much different from what they have looked in the past. The football, cross country, and volleyball teams all represented the Wolfpack learning community well. Successful seasons do not just happen automatically; success is built upon community building with various partnerships. All three head coaches remarked how thankful they were for the parents and their contributions to the team.
“Every Moment Matters’ was the motto for the Volleyball team. Coach Tammi Veerbeek mentioned that when the team started gathering for open gyms in July, they had no idea what look the season would have this year. “We all had fears and uncertainties about what would be ‘taken’ from us. So as time progressed and we continued to get to
play, to have fans, and to keep training and building relationships - we felt grateful for it all.”
The team selected 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as a theme verse. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse fits perfectly, as the team did have quite a bit to be thankful for the 20th straight year Western was able to earn their way to the State Tournament. Besides playing in the state tournament, a highlight that stood out was on October 10th when the team won Western’s home tournament that featured 12 high-caliber teams, many of whom were ranked.
Every athlete that puts on a Western Christian jersey knows that high expectations are put on them. This Volleyball team learned that championships are not just handed out.
We all had fears and uncertainties about what would be ‘taken’ from us...as time progressed and we continued to get to play, to have fans, to build relationships... we felt grateful for it all.
Veerbeek,Everything has to be earned through hard work and dedication.
“Always Earned, Never Given” was the theme the football captions selected as the mantra for their season. The theme motivated and challenged each player at practice to work on what they needed to improve upon to get ready for the Friday night competition. Another phrase the team talked about what ‘releasing the arrows.’ This phrase came from the story in 2 Kings 13:14-19. This story in the bible challenged the players to do more than what is expected.
The Iowa High School Activities Association changed the end of the season’s look by having playoffs start earlier and allowing each team to participate in the playoffs. Coach Travis Kooima remarked that a highlight of the season was ‘knowing we were getting to play. With working through the pandemic and seeing states around us not play right away, I was just happy that this group got to compete this fall.” The team grew better each day and lost in the playoffs to the very tough State Championship winning team AOBCIG.
The cross country teams had a young look to them, but yet successful. The boys’ team earned the prestigious 4th place finish at the State meet, only missing out on 3rd place by a small number of points. “The team comradery that we have is a highlight in and of itself. We have a tight-knit group of kids, and that is really enjoyable to coach and experience,” Coach Dalton Lems stated when asked for the highlight of the season.
The future is bright for the Cross Country team as much experience was gained that each athlete can build upon to compete at a higher level next year.
Friends, it’s no secret. Year-end giving plays a crucial role in the yearly strategies of practically every nonprofit. And amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts, the 2020 year-end season has exceptionally high stakes for the nonprofit sector. Will you consider giving to Western Christian High School?
We often share with stakeholders that Western Christian is so much more than a physical school building. We are a learning community. That said, over the past several years, we have made significant improvements to our facilities that directly impact how we do learning and move forward in mission together.
Right now, we are asking for your help to eliminate $1,700,000 in debt the school currently has on the recently completed building project. First, a little history about how we arrived at this amount of debt. Below are the improvements that have been made at Western Christian.
Currently, over 6.2 million dollars has been received in cash and pledges to the Second Century of Service Campaign. Approximately $400,000 remains in outstanding pledges, of which approximately half of that is due in 2020.
The amount owed to local financial institutions is just over $700,000 at 3.5%, and the amount owed to the Western Christian Foundation is $1,200,000 at 3%. Our goal this year is to pay off the note we have at the local financial institutions.
If you currently have a pledge, we thank you. If you have contributed to this project in the past, we still need your help! You can go to https://www.westernchristianhs.com/ support/donate.cfm and make your gift electronically or send a check and designate it for debt reduction.
Another option for those who need to make RMD’s from your IRA’s would be to make a gift with your RMD. You do not need to include that gift then as income!
In most US high schools, education serves as a four-year life gap when young adults begin making choices that drastically impact their future careers, relationships, and interactions with life away from mom and dad. At Western, we are taking steps to facilitate this process to put students at the center. One of the ways we do this is by expecting every graduate to wrestle with challenging questions that help them uncover their unique identity and value.
Questions like:
What does success look like as I contemplate my future?
How can I be sure I am living out God’s will for me?
Driven by my passion for celebrating the uniqueness in people, I took steps to partner with CoreClarity Inc. to become a certified strengths coach with the intention of working with staff and students to help us discover identity and apply our individual talents to realize our true potential. Sadly, I think it is possible that Christians may be losing tomorrow’s leaders because we are attempting to scissor them into nice little strings of cut-out paper people—instead, Western dreams of graduating Christian leaders who know and love themselves, uniquely.
This fall, Mrs. Karen Christians and I co-taught a unit for seniors. We encouraged students to explore their individual talents with an additional layer of characteristics based on each person’s unique combination of top five talentscalled a CoreDrill. Using the CoreClarity framework, I worked with students to capitalize on their talents to leverage their collaborative advantage,
increase effective communication, and enhance whole-person wellness. When you understand and lean into your talents, you become an authority on who you are and how you work best.
Reflection from Marlena Haak, senior: “I enjoyed digging deep into CoreClarity for a full week and thought it was really interesting. I can speak for my whole grade that when we first took the CliftonStrengths Assessment, we didn’t think it would mean much or be terribly accurate. But the results were spot on for each of us. Because CoreClarity was so accurate, I thought it was enjoyable to discover my talents and characteristics and how they are active in my life. The biggest takeaway I had was learning and understanding my talents, which may not seem positive to others, but knowing that is what makes me me.
Reflecting on these talents while looking towards my future has brought a lot of clarity for me. I’ve been really unsure what God is calling me to do with my life, but knowing my talents reassured me that I will go in the right direction. I plan on going into the medical field for either nursing or paramedic, and I can clearly see how my talents could turn into strengths in these careers. Learning how my talents can become strengths in my life right now assures me that they will become even greater and stronger qualities in my future.”
Reflection from Emily Zuidema, senior: “I went into this unit already excited, as I have previously enjoyed taking personality tests such as the Meyers-Briggs test and the Enneagram. One of the things that interests me the most is the act of understanding
myself and those around me. My top-2 talent in my core drill is Input, which means that I am naturally a storehouse of information. This stood out to me during this unit because I could make deep connections with my peers and understand what really makes them tick, which also plays into another one of my individualization or teambuilding talents. My classmates and I were able to dive deeper into the intricate facets of our God-given traits and learn how to use them to further His kingdom.
I felt seen while looking at my shortlist of talents. I had always known the reasons behind my drive, but it felt so validating to have them explained in such a positive light. Now that I know these aspects about myself, I’ve had a lot less self-doubt and have learned to take the initiative more quickly, now that I know these are real skills and not just some figment of my imagination. I think that through understanding God’s will for our lives, we can develop wisdom and confidence in faith.
High school is a time of self-discovery. I think every student in my senior class has things they look back on and wonder why they took the paths they chose. Learning our Biblical callings gives us an opportunity to grasp the fact that we each have a role to play in the body of Christ, as it says in 1 Corinthians. When we have the chance to capitalize on our strengths, we work as more motivated, joyful, and restorative servants.”
Brian Verwolf, Head Administrator Marlena Haak, WC Senior Emily Zuidema, WC SeniorWhat is NICSTO? NICSTO stands for Northwest Iowa Christian Schools Tuition Organization. NICSTO is designed by Iowa state law to promote the expansion of school choice for the benefit of Iowa’s students, our children, and grandchildren. This year Western Christian may raise approximately $190,000 to max out the amount we can distribute. Currently, $120,000 has been raised.
Who does NICSTO benefit? NICSTO distributes funds annually to students from low to moderate-income families attending schools within the organization (Christian schools in Northwest Iowa).
How do donors benefit from giving to NICSTO? A donor who pays Iowa state income taxes will receive a 65% tax credit
toward their state income taxes due. In other words, if you owe $650 in state income taxes this year, a $1000 donation would eliminate your state income taxes! And you can direct the donation to the school of your choice!
Do I get a federal income tax deduction, too? Yes! Assuming you itemize deductions on your federal return (file Schedule A) and your state and local tax liability is below $10,000, your donation to NICSTO is considered the same as a donation to any other non-profit.
To receive a tax credit in 2020 please complete the form below and return it with your check by December 31. Available tax credits are limited by Iowa law (Checks received after NICSTO reaches its limit will be returned). Please make checks payable to NICSTO.
This completed memo must accompany your contribution. A formal Iowa Tax Credit Certificate will be sent to you in late December or early January.
Western Christian High School is grateful to receive memorial gifts in honor and memory of:
Harlan Bootsma, Sioux Center. Harlan was a member of the class of 1970. He and his wife Barb had four children that attended Western Christian. They are Kristi (‘93), Shelli (‘96), Brad (‘99), and Danielle (‘03).
Harold Dykstra, Sioux Falls. Harold was a member of the class of 1950.
Betty Van Schepen, Hull. Betty was a member of the class of 1957. Betty and her husband Creston had three children that attended Western. They are Curt (‘80), Cathy (‘81), and Craig (‘88).
Ken Van Beek, Inwood. Ken was a member of the class of 1974. Ken had three children, two of who attended Western. They are Nate, Nick (‘03), and Josh (‘06).
Ron De Weerd, Rock Valley. Ron was a member of the class of 1968 at Western Christian and served on the Board of Directors. Ron and his wife Joy had five children that attended Western Christian. They are Brian (‘93); Jeff (‘98), Lisa (‘99), Dan (‘02), and Jon (‘04).
Annetta Mulder, Sioux Center. Annetta was a member of the class of 1945. She has had children, step-children and grandchildren attend Western Christian.
Turning 50 in the last year has caused more reflection from me than in previous years. Someone could joke that I am more reflective because it’s easier than maintaining the pace I used to be able to set when I was younger; I don’t think they’d be completely wrong in that observation. But there is value in being more contemplative and reflective.
I was able to visit recently with the child of one of Western’s oldest graduates, George Vogel, who is featured elsewhere in this issue; that class of 1938 graduate just turned 100. What a different world he grew up in; what a different education he must have gotten in the hallways and classrooms of Western. And yet, the core beliefs and values that inspired the founders of Western Academy live on today in Western’s faithful supporters and parents. Some things haven’t changed.
I was also able to celebrate with my own mother on her 85th birthday. I spent some time considering how our world has changed since the year she was born, as well as how raising a family lays different demands on parents today than it did years ago when my
January 4 – Classes Resume
January 13-15 – 1st Semester Exams
mom and dad raised their four children. And yet, prayer and forgiveness, faithful living, and unconditional love remain pillars in any Christian home. God’s wisdom for families hasn’t changed.
Earlier this fall, I was invited to a GEMS meeting to share insights on growing and maintaining a friendship with Jesus Christ. The last time I attended a GEMS meeting, I was a newly married 20-something leader with little adulting and no parenting experience. I couldn’t help but compare the “old” me GEMS leader and the “today” me GEMS leader. Wow, God has been at work in my life, and I am so thankful for His faithful, tireless work in me. And yet, the things that provide a friendship with Jesus today are the same things that set the foundation with those GEMS over 20 years ago: spend time with Jesus, read His Word, and speak with Him frequently and honestly. His desire for a relationship with us never changes.
My youngest child is in his senior year at Western this year. He wasn’t even born when I began teaching in Western’s room 307, over
twenty years ago. By God’s great provision and Western’s incredible flexibility, I have been able to parent and teach during all of those years. In some ways, I am so much wiser than I was in that first year. Parenting and teaching hundreds (actually thousands) of students have given me insights I could never have had in those early years. And yet, in the past two weeks, I have had to apologize to a group of students for how I could have handled a classroom situation so much better, and I had to apologize to my senior son for pushing the mom-card so hard that I pushed him away instead of inviting him back to me. Oh, how I still have so much to learn. God’s patience and perseverance in transforming our lives remain constant.
All this reflection, both the tender wonderful moments and the difficult learning ones are so vital to growth; they prove that we are alive–we are not stagnant. I thank God that I am still growing. I am so thankful that growth happens best in Christian community. God intended it that way, and He is so wise in caring for us that way. There are those who lived and learned long before me, those who directed my own path of learning, and those who have been placed in my circle of influence each day–both to teach me and to learn from me. What valuable partnerships; what precious relationships. What reason to thank God for all of them! “For the LORD is good, his love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5 What a blessing: our God never changes.
Just my thoughts, KC
January 17 – Chamber’s Concert at First CRC in Sheldon
Febuary 22-26 – National FFA Week
March 18 – Music Concert
March 19 – End of the 3rd quarter
