Recently a friend asked me if I was happy no longer to be living in Illinois (referring to the ongoing school closures around the country). Without taking into consideration several people whom I love and miss dearly after living in Illinois, I responded with a passionate, “Yes! I am so glad that our students have been in school all year long!” Learning in-person has been critically important for Western students.
It is amazing to think about how vastly different this past year has gone for people depending on the state or even the zip code we live in. This makes me think of a quote from author and teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn: “Wherever you go, there you are.” For thousands of years humans have learned that where we choose to live has a profound impact on how we live (and who we become). Desert or rainforest. City or countryside. Chicago or Hull. Where we live matters.
As Western graduates move on, my prayer for each of them is that they have a true understanding that our Lord has complete rule over all the places where we need His promises to become a reality. I don’t know whether you have ever thought of this before, but God’s promises are only as good
as the extent of His sovereignty. And here is some comforting news for everyone: God rules over all creation. (Col. 1:16-17)
Think for a moment about the flow of biblical history. Think of the many generations of people that existed between the fall of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus Christ. Think of the myriad of situations and locations in that span of time. Think of all the human governments that rose and fell. Without the rule of the Almighty, there would have been no disciples to pass the life-giving gospel down to us, no Scripture, no church, and no hope of eternal life.
Because God rules all the places where we live, He is able to deliver His promises to us in the very circumstances where they are needed. I love working with an institution that teaches about this hope.
For Christian Education,
Brian Verwolf, Head Administrator
Senior Hanna Kollis works on a colorful mural that all students walk by every day on their way to lunch. The mural is titled ‘You Are Loved.’ In addition to adding beautiful color to our hallways, this artwork has provided inspiration and a nice background for pictures as you will see in the Snapshot section.
Class of 2021
Saying Goodbye, Hello & Program Updates
Exchange Program News
Snapshots from the School
Wolfpack Athletics
Just My Thoughts
Upcoming Events
Record Setting Year for IE Speech Program
Giving Memorial Gifts
Student Perspective
Bailey Souvanna Baccam
Logan Reese Baccam*+
Julia Raelyn Back
Colton Alan Blom
Tyson Alan Boer*+
Elliot Lee Carney
Jacob Larry Christians
Shawna Rose De Kam
Shawn David De Wit
Carson Jay Elbers*+
Brody Lee Elgersma
Jadyn Renae Faber*+
Mitchell Alan Fedders
Marlena Ann Haak+
Emilee Sandra Heynen*+
Sage Margarite Mae Hoekstra+
Braelynn Jean Kamstra*+
Juli Carolann Kats+
Maggie Joy Kats*+
Trey Aaron Kelderman
Sylvia Kathleen Koelewyn*+
Hanna Rose Kollis*+
Elizabeth Mae Kooiker*+
Sienna Noelle Moss*+
Tristan Allen Mulder
Kira Joy Ouwinga*+
Sawyer Dale Pollema
Treyton Jack Sandbulte
Kordelia Rose Sandbulte DeJong+
Ethan Henry Spronk*+
Elise Kaitlynn Stiemsma+
Conner Jay Sybesma
Breanna May Ten Pas*+
Elijah Joe Vande Griend+
Chantelle Marie Vande Kamp
Levi John Vanden Bos*+
Evan Michael Van Donselaar+
Ethan Gene Van Maanen
Karter John Van Meeteren
Levi Joe Van Ravenswaay
Kyler Alan Van Voorst*+
Allison Grace Vermeer*+
Madison Sue Vis*+
Dalton Lee Westra+
Kendra Joy Wynja+
Emily Kate Zuidema*+
*National Honor Society Member
+Graduating With Honors
George Vogel
Western Christian’s learning community has been blessed tremendously this year, primarily because of the people we get to serve with. We have recently said goodbye to a fantastic group of 45 senior students – each one will be missed. We are also saying goodbye to two faculty members who have especially touched Western’s mission:
Mr. Darren Van’t Hul will not be returning as a teacher after working at Western Christian since 1997. Mr. Van’t Hul has served in Christian schools for 32 years and has truly left an impact on thousands of students. Mr. Van’t Hul has directed choirs and instructed bible classes with heart and passion for so long at Western, and we wish Mr. Van’t Hul well in his future endeavors.
Mrs. Katie Nice was hired in 2016 to teach in the English department and direct the play. After this school year, Mrs. Nice will
not be returning to Western Christian. We are grateful for Mrs. Nice’s commitment to Western over the last five years!
We are eager to extend a welcome to a few new faculty members who will join our cause for Christian education:
Ms. Anna Bierma will teach American History and Doctrine & Theology (formerly Church History) at Western Christian. Ms. Bierma grew up on a farm just outside of Sioux Center, IA, with her parents and four older siblings. She attended Sioux Center and Western Christian schools and graduated from Dordt University in 2018. Since then, Ms. Bierma has been teaching primarily high school social studies and Bible courses at Coulee Christian in West Salem, WI.
Mr. Klay Byker will teach English 9 and 10 at Western Christian next year. Mr. Byker was raised in Orange City, IA and attended Orange City and Unity Christian schools. Mr. Byker graduated from Dordt University in 2019 (BA) and 2021 (MA). Klay and his wife Justine live in Sioux Center, IA and they are expecting their first child in June! We are looking forward to welcoming the Bykers into Western’s learning community.
Ms. Lindsey Zuidema, soon to be Mrs. Lindsey Ver Meer after a June wedding, will be serving as Western’s Interim Choir Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. Ms. Zuidema moved to Hull, IA when she was five years old. She attended Hull and Western Christian Schools and is now entering her Senior year at Dordt University. As Western Christian transitions from a legacy Choir Director in Mr. Van’t Hul, the board believes it is wise to hire an Interim Choir Teacher as we work to recruit a permanent Director of Choral Activities for the 2022-2023 school year. Ms. Zuidema has exceptional experiences that will serve her well in leading Cantus and Concert Choirs every day at Western Christian. She will also work with students individually and in small groups for voice lessons.
There is no doubt that our staff is “thinking big” about enhancing the 4-year student experience at Western. Every student deserves our best efforts when creating or reimagining academic programs. The following offers a non-exhaustive overview of some program updates our students will benefit from:
Worship Arts & Leadership is a new course offering that will be taught by Mrs. Amie Smit, Director of Orchestra. We are
looking to give students more opportunities to explore artistic and creative talents in worship planning, worship leadership, and liturgy. Students in Worship Arts and Leadership will learn about the history and importance of liturgy in worship; develop musical leadership and communication skills; explore various styles of worship and how to utilize these effectively in a congregational setting; assist the Spiritual Life team in planning times of worship at Western.
We will also formally introduce a refreshed Worship Planning Team at Western. Students will meet once or twice a week to rehearse for chapel during zero hour (before school). Team leaders will be chosen from upperclassmen who have taken (or are currently taking) the Worship Arts and Leadership class. Team leaders will assist in chapel planning, song selection, and other leadership duties. Any Western student who wants to participate in worship leading is welcomed to come on a rotating basis (depending on how many students we have involved).
Along with the addition of Worship Arts and Leadership, the entire Bible department has encountered some intentional revisioning.
• Foundations of Faith I - will be taught to all freshman students in their first semester of high school. Mrs. Karen
Christians will teach this class. In addition to Old Testament studies, our freshman will explore deeper reading and regular study of the Bible as a spiritual discipline. We desire all of our students at Western to learn how to read the Bible for all its worth. What better way to start a student’s 4-year Christian high school experience to understand the foundation of His Word more deeply?
• Foundations of Faith II - will continue the teaching of the biblical narrative. The New Testament tells us that the promise of the Old Testament has been fulfilled. The Savior has come. The Kingdom of God is here for us to realize in its fulfillment. Mr. Thomas Soodsma will lead all sophomore students in a study of how Jesus has fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament.
• Doctrine & Theology - is a study of the Church in history, dealing with the Church’s New Testament establishment. From the first century to the present day, her growth, struggles, and advancement is traced. In this required course for Juniors, one of our new teachers, Ms. Anna Bierma, will teach a comparative study of other religions, such as Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, New Age influences, and other contemporary sects and cults.
• LEAD I & LEAD II - (Leadership, Evangelism and Discipleship) are
Western Christian hopes to partner with TIME4Haiti during the week of Spring Break in March 2022. While in Haiti, students will have an opportunity to work on church building, house repairs, kids club and more. Specific details are currently being worked out.
The Netherlands Exchange Program plans to resume in March of 2022. Western Christian hopes to once again send students on a three week exchange during that time.
semester-long courses for all seniors taught by Mrs. Karen Christians and Mr. Thomas Soodsma. In summary, these classes will address practical Christianity as to how we should work out our Reformed perspectives in our lives. Units are studied in Christian ethics and lifestyle, our Christian perspective of work and vocation, personal identity, authority in life, family and sexuality, defending the faith, and other issues relevant to seniors leaving high school.
Western’s faculty will also be exploring ways to implement standards for writing across the curriculum to continue supporting the development of quality writing skills in our students. We are developing school-wide outcomes and expectations for student writing across every course in our curriculum rather than having our writing focus be solely within the English department. We believe providing students with clear and consistent guidelines for writing in all of their work will encourage better overall development of writing skills. Students will have more opportunities to apply their writing skills in their daily coursework and grow in their understanding of good writing. Faculty professional learning will focus on creating a collective understanding of expectations across the entire curriculum and within each grade level.
More information will be available to students for both Haiti and the Netherlands once school resumes for the 2021 -2022 school year.
Throughout the third quarter, freshmen were tasked with completing three projects that required engineering and design components. These projects, collectively known as Physics Olympics Triathlon, encouraged students to think creatively about designing machines or completing tasks most efficiently while meeting specific requirements. Each group built a mousetrap car that would travel 1000 cm, sent a pringle chip through the mail with particular box size requirements, and built toothpick bridges. These projects were exhibited and tested at our annual Science Night on March 23rd.
Karinda deBoom’s Drawing and Painting class requested to ‘Leave their Mark’ on the 3rd floor. The ten students collaborated on a mural based on John 16:33b. “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Sophomores Dana DeStigter and Trista TenPas coordinated the work. This mural and the one outside the cafeteria, “You are Loved,” painted by Seniors Hanna Kollis and Emiliee Heynen are inspiring additions to our hallways.
The spring was filled with beautiful music. In addition to the traditional music programs put on by the Music Department, other big nights filled with music occurred. The Jr. High Band Festival was held at Western on March 29. Students from Rock Valley Christian, Hull Christian, Hull Protestant Reformed, Sanborn Christian, Sheldon Christian, and Inwood Christian spent the afternoon practicing and performed for an audience in the evening. Orchestra Extravaganza was held on April 20. Orchestra students from Rock Valley Christian and Hull Christian joined with the Western students to present an evening of music celebrating the American West, its rugged beauty, and its immense diversity.
On Friday, May 7, Mr. Lucas DenHerder’s Algebra 1B class visited Mrs. Heather Negen’s 5th-grade class at Hull Christian to introduce the students to the Area concept. Each high school student was paired up with one or two 5th graders. Students planned a 35 minute lesson thinking about ways to teach the subject best. There were many goals to this day: Communicating mathematically. Thinking about ways students learn. Using prior knowledge to learn new concepts. Overall being good role models and developing relationships with the younger students. These sophomores stepped out of their comfort zone and did remarkably well.
A very special day at Western Christian each Spring is Grandparents Day, when Seniors invite Grandparents/special guests to chapel and tour the school. Mr. Brad Vis, (future) Director of Mission Advancement, gave the chapel address on the importance of the legacy of Christian Education. A group of volunteer students performed a musical number with handbells. The Chamber Singers closed out the program by singing “Benediction.” This year Grandparents Day was on Tuesday, May 18.
Seven FFA students earned their State Degrees and were honored at the State Convention on April 20. These students were Jacob Dibbet, Mitchell Fedders, Levi Schreurs, Kyler Van Voorst, Sawyer Pollema, Emily Fedders, and Ethan Van Maanen. Along with the State Convention, the Ag Department went on many field trips, held a Drive Your Tractor to School Day, and also had the first-ever Greenhouse Plant Sale.
Laney Van Voorst, Julia Veldman, and Maeva Haveman were honored to be a part of the Northwest Iowa Honor Orchestra Festival on Saturday, May 1st. The auditioned ensemble made up of string, wind, and percussion students from high schools in NW Iowa rehearsed together for the afternoon then performed three numbers in an evening concert under the direction of Dr. Angela Holt, director of bands at Northwestern College.
Dessert Oasis was the theme for the Junior-Senior Banquet on Friday, May 7. The students cleaned up quite well! Seniors, in particular, enjoyed themselves as the Banquet had been canceled last year.
“Own It” The motto of the 2020-2021 Boys Basketball team pushed the team and drove them all the way to the State Championship.
Each year the team helps choose the standards by which the team plans to build themselves around. These core values give them discipline and allow them to get back on track when they slip up. The team has the responsibility for being the best version of themselves, and by ‘OWNING IT,’ they give themselves the best opportunity to hold each other accountable.
The motto of OWN IT worked perfectly with the chosen theme verse for the Boys Basketball team. Galatians 6:5-6 (MSG) “Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Be very sure now, you have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.”
The team took this verse to heart with their generous donation to Kole’s Krew. The team gave Kole Beukelman a night he will never forget. Beukelman is a 5th grader at Hull Christian who was born with Cystic Fibrosis. The team presented proceeds from a team-run youth basketball at the January 22nd home game. Beukelman was treated to a ‘team experience.’ Coach Keizer stated, “This is something we will build on and continue to
Ownership - No excuses….Do your job as defined.
We Before Me - Strive to be the best for the team, not the best on the team. Now - Be urgent in the moment [This team….This year].
Investment - If you love something, put energy into it.
Truth - Live the truth...Tell the truth….. Take the truth = Build Trust.
support in the years ahead; I think it gives us all an appreciation for something much bigger than basketball.
Only two seniors graduate from this State Championship team. Expectations will be high again next year, as they always are for Wolfpack basketball. The team had unbelievable chemistry, and they will continue to work on that along with fundamentals and most importantly building the trust that they are willing to fight together and work through things as a team.
The Spring sports season is always a whirlwind of activity. Many track and golf meets are completed in a small number of weeks if the weather cooperates. This spring was cooler than normal, but most of the contests did happen, and much success was had by the Wolfpack.
After not having a track season last spring, the track teams took a little extra time to figure out individual strengths for running events. Having two classes (Freshman and Sophomores) new to High School track meant it was slightly challenging to group athletes up for practice. The girls had an easier time adjusting due to some off-season training leading up to the season, where they spent time weight lifting together and bonding. 21 of the 25 girls
competing were underclassmen, so this team-building time was crucial. But both Head Coaches, Mark Fenchel and Travis Kooima, remarked that it took a few meets to figure out line ups, but once lineups were established, the teams were competitive.
One would think the field events would have been hurt the most by not having the 2020 season, but the Wolfpack field events had much success! Caden Fenchel worked with the throwers, and they showed improvement throughout the season. The girls’ high jumpers also made great strides. Long jumper Jenna Balt was just inches short of qualifying for the state meet.
The boy’s team won some meets throughout the season, and a contributing factor to that success was the points scored by the field event participants. The boys’ team qualified an athlete in all four field events: Jenner JohnsonLong Jump (4th at State), Wyatt Gulker - High Jump, Kyson Van Vugt - Discus, and Shane Habben - Shot Put.
21 athletes made the trip to Des Moines for the State Meet on May 20-22. Considering the high level of competition in the Wolfpack’s district, this is quite remarkable. Only the 1st and 2nd place finishers receive an automatic bid for the state meet. The next top 8 finishers across the State had to wait until the next day to see if they would be competing. Coach Mark Fenchel stated, “Districts were tough; for example, we finished fourth in our 4 x 800
team at districts, and when we competed at the State meet, we finished 5th overall. I think we all knew we were facing tough competition and districts and only qualified Senior Emilee Heynen in the open 800. We were all nervous until the following noon when state participants were released and were excited that we could show off our gifts and talents one more time at Drake. We ended up qualifying seven events for State.” One member of the 5th place 4x800 team was the other Senior on the girl’s team, Braeyln Kamstra. “Running on the blue oval for the first time was a great way to end my high school career.”
The boys’ track team will miss the leadership of the seniors as well. The 4x400 relay that earned 6th place had three Senior members: Dalton Westra, Ethan Spronk, and Carson Elbers. Spronk and Elbers also ran on the 7th place 4x800 team.
Coach Kooima reflected by saying, “Looking back on the season, the highlight to me was seeing the joy and frustration that come from track and field. Not having last spring just makes the team cherish this spring that much more, and as a coach, I just loved seeing our guys compete, work hard in practice, and ultimately use their talents to the fullest.”
Kyle Fykstra also helped coach the sprinters on the team, and the athletes and head coaches appreciate his contribution.
The girl’s golf team was made up of four participants. The number is low, but with three different seasons going on in the spring, it can be challenging to find participants. Head Girl’s Coach Justin Negen stated, “Spring sports are busy, and oftentimes unless you grow up
playing golf with your family, you probably are going to give track or soccer a try simply because you have played these sports before.”
Senior Julia Back was the only returning golfer from the 2019 season. The two sophomores and one Junior returning for next year will bring experience to the team, and hopefully, there will be two to three current students or incoming freshmen interested in golf so Western can bring a full team to meets.
of freshmen wanting to be involved. He also said, “I am guessing Covid-19 played a part in this because a lot of people took on golf when there was nothing else to do last spring.”
The team is young, with no senior members, but moving forward, Keizer believes the younger golfers will earn better scores. ‘Our surrounding communities have picked up PGA Jr. League so younger golfers will have accessible playing options and be taught skills at an earlier age.
This group of girls showed significant improvement as the season progressed. No area golf courses were even open before the season started, so the first meets of the year were essentially the first full nine-hole rounds some girls had played. Towards the end of April, the team was able to get into a routine by getting to the driving range, putting green, and practicing more full rounds. These elements helped them play with more consistency. At the beginning of May, they had three straight meets where they cut ten strokes off of the team score from the previous outing.
The boy’s golf team, unlike the girl’s team, had a high number of participants. Coach Derek Keizer contributed that to a lot
The boy’s golf team did experience great success this season, earning a trip to the State Golf meet in Fort Dodge on May 25 and 26. It has been 24 years since the Wolfpack Golf team has competed at the state level. The team believed in themselves and played their best golf towards the end of the season. Cole Feenstra led the group and tied for 7th place individually; the team as a whole earned 7th place.
Boys and Girls Soccer were still competing in tournament play when this issue of the Witness went to print. Their seasons will be featured in the next issue of the Witness in September.
The past year has been hard on the name Karen; I should know! For some reason, my first name has become synonymous with someone who frequently and boldly complains to all kinds of managers, service providers, or people in general when anything is not up to the standards that Karen expects. This is not an easy time to be a Karen, unless, of course, you do like to complain to managers, service providers, or people in general.
I try to keep a lighthearted attitude about this recent image problem for my first name. In fact I purchased a T-shirt with this saying on the front: “Not that type of Karen.” I was so proud of my new purchase that I snapped a picture of myself wearing it and sent it to my kids. Sadly, my truthspeaking middle child quickly replied that just buying the shirt might, in fact, prove that I am that kind of Karen. Yes, it’s tough being a Karen right now.
My seniors in Bible 12 ended their year in my classroom tackling a similar situation. I challenged them to recognize that as they graduate from Western, they will leave this school wearing the name Christian wherever they go. Some of us literally wear it when we put on a Western Christian
uniform or t-shirt, but we always wear it as part of our identity. And, similar to my Karen experience, some people may have pretty tough assumptions about the people who wear that name. Barna Group surveyed non-Christians a few years ago, and the results of that survey still linger in my mind. When asked what they know, believe, or identify about Christians, the top results as shared by non-Christians were,
1. Christians hate abortion.
2. Christians hate gays.
3. Christians are hypocrites. The seniors and I spent the last month of our time together figuring out how to offer God’s world something better than that. We discussed the parts of this perception that are outside of our control, but we also considered what parts of this perception are within our control. Rather than lamenting the unfairness of it all, we set out to identify and encourage specific, intentional ways of combating some of those negative assumptions (or even experiences) and replacing them with positive Christ-like experiences for people who encounter us all throughout our lives. That happens one opportunity, one experience, one relationship at a time. The seniors and I shared examples of
Tuesday, July 13 - Registration for the 2021-2022 School year
Friday, August 13 - Booster Club Golf Outing
Monday, August 23 - 1st Day of School
Christ-like people and positive experiences that clearly demonstrated transformed and obedient Christian living; the world needs more of that, lots more! I am confident that the recent 45 Western graduates understand that better and are equipped to wear the name Christian to God’s glory! I pray their clarity and desire for that will grow stronger with each day; may the same be said of all of us who wear Christ’s name!
Just recently, I received a compliment that would have confused me greatly if it had happened more than a year ago; but when a relatively new friend in my life said it just a couple months ago, I knew exactly what she meant, and, to be honest, it brought me joy to hear it. “You don’t act like a Karen at all!” With the current state of the name Karen, I took it as a genuinely wonderful thing for her to say.
It makes me wonder what people carefully observe about me once they know that I also wear the name Christian. What do people assume, expect and then observe about those of us who wear the name Christian? I hope and pray that we clearly demonstrate the beautiful characteristics of our Lord and Savior. Being around us should invite and even urge people to want to know our Savior. When people get to know us, wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear them say, “You’re a Christian--I knew it all along. You remind me so much of your Savior.”
Just my thoughts, KC
Western’s Individual Events Competitive Speech students had a great season. The IE season takes off after Christmas, and 26 students selected categories and pieces to perform for our District contest on March 1. We hosted our very own District contest this year because of COVID guidelines from the IHSSA. If a student earns a “I” rating from a judge at Districts, that student advances to State. Western celebrated a record number of students advancing to state; 22 of our performers earned a “I” at Districts.
We hosted our own State contest on March 15. Three state-certified judges independently evaluate each performer and select a rating. The composite of their three scores is the student’s overall rating. Again, our performers had a great night. Nineteen performers earned a “I” rating; in fact, 16 of those students earned three straight “I” ratings--another high mark in Western’s Competitive Speech Program.
Investments in effective fundraising have been made because of our mission: To provide God-Centered Secondary Education to young men and women using the Bible and its principles as the foundation for the total curriculum. Your participation is profoundly important as we continue to develop our learning community for a second century of service and beyond.
Each year Western’s board of directors works with our mission advancement team to conduct a Spring Drive. Last year our Spring Drive
The highest honor that can be earned in IE speech is being nominated for All-State. Two of the three State judges must nominate a performer for that student to be an All State speaker. The IHSSA posted the 2021 All-State Nominees on March 24; Western set another record; five of our students were named to All State: Seniors Breanna TenPas (storytelling), Sylvia Koelewyn (Poetry), and Maggie Kats (Lit Program) as well as sophomores Maci Kats (Public Address) and Macy Westra (Prose).
This has been an unforgettable season for so many reasons--great number of participants, hosting our own events for the first time ever, receiving so many high ratings from our judges, and breaking our All State record. There is nothing else to say but, “Thank you, God, for all of it!” The gift of effective communication makes such an impact in our world.
Coach Karen Christians
Western Christian High School is grateful to receive memorial gifts in honor and memory of:
John Bolkema, Hull. John was a 1949 graduate of Western Christian and his wife, Betty (Feikema), a 1953 graduate. John taught at Western for 38 years. They had 3 children who also graduated from Western. They are Allan (1975), Karen (1977), and Donna (1980). Also, they had 3 grandchildren graduate from Western.
Jarvis De Wild, Hull. Jarvis was married to Shari (Kroese) a 1977 graduate. They had 4 children who graduated from Western. They are Jeremy (1999), Jonathan (2001), Jeffrey (2003) and Sarah (2009) along with her husband Cody De Jager. Their daughter-in-law, Kaitlyn De Wild taught at Western from 2014-2017.
Violet Engbers, Rock Valley. Violet was married to Rev. John Engbers. They had three children who graduated from Western Christian. They are Sheryl (1967), Wes (1970), and Kevin (1978). They had several grandchildren who also graduated from Western.
contributions totaled $60,000. This amount was incredible, especially considering the drive followed shutdowns due to the pandemic. Our goal this year was to raise $110,000: $60K designated for Tuition Assistance, $20K for a vehicle for The Bargain Alley, and $30K for new tables and chairs for The Event Center.
With thanks to our God for His providence, Western Christian constituents have helped us raise $118,500!
John Vande Vegte, Rock Valley. John was married to Judy (Van Roekel). They had 2 children who graduated from Western. They are Henry (1980) and Sharon (1984).
What makes up the profile of a Western Christian graduate? Forty-five seniors walked across the stage on May 25th to commemorate their time as Western Christian High School students. Most of these students spent roughly 720 days as high school students; 45 of those days were spent online due to the pandemic. Each of these 45 seniors had individual experiences that have led them to become the graduate they are today. Instead of asking one student to write a single perspective piece, we have gathered four unique perspectives from students on their time spent at Western for this edition of The Witness.
All four Seniors mentioned growing in confidence during their time at WCHS. Emilee Heynen stated, “Although it was a gradual process, I can tell that I am more confident in both my faith and personal growth. Western has given me amazing teachers and friends who have challenged me to build my faith and grow as a child of God! I am so thankful for the time I have spent at Western as I look back on how much it has impacted me.” Confidence as a leader is how Breanna Tenpas described her growth, and she believes she learned how to positively influence the underclassman. Conner Sybesma and Elijah VandeGriend also gained confidence. Sybemsa learned that it’s okay to be himself, and VandeGriend showed confidence through using his gifts on the tech committee.
Preparation for life after high school is one significant responsibility for the school. TenPas remarked, “Bible 12 has been especially helpful in preparing me for life after high school. I was able to learn and articulate why I believe what I believe.” Heynen, too, mentioned Bible 12 class. She called it a ‘blessing’ as it encouraged her to think deeply about faith and how she could define it to an unbeliever. The last unit in Bible 12 specifically had the students answer the question, “How will
people know you are a Western graduate?” “The last unit really challenged me to think about the characteristics of Christian and how I will live that out as I go to college next year and the rest of my life,” said Heynen.
Time flies for everyone, and the four years of high school for Syebemsa was no exception. As time is flying by, it is a waste of time to try and be someone you are not. Syebemsa said, “ you don’t have to necessarily fit into a certain group/box/expectation that others think you should. You don’t want to go through high school acting like someone you are not.” It is also a waste of time not to give every class a chance. Sybesma admitted, “I didn’t always see a reason and purpose that each teacher had. They were trying to teach me “how to learn” which will be very important in life beyond high school.”
Sometimes society says you need to be in the spotlight to be someone. VandeGriend learned at WCHS that ‘not all roles are in the spotlight;’ it takes people behind the scenes to step up and serve to make programs successful. VandeGriend served on the tech committee for all four years of high school. This work gave him a great opportunity to see how his classmates and underclassmen grew as people through Christ as he helped with all chapels. Now after graduation, Vandegriend has passed the torch on to underclassmen to lead the Technology team.
Extracurricular activities make each student’s school experience different. All four of these students did participate in music while at WCHS. TenPas ran cross country, but she realized her gifts and prioritized her time with music and fine arts. Through choir, she met her closest friends and her time in the music department helped her choose to major in music education.
Extracurricular activities helped Syebesma stay on track in the classroom as well.
Playing football kept him grounded in getting his work done. Another incredible opportunity he had was to be involved in the Automotive Technology program at NCC. He attended NCC in the morning and WC in the afternoon. Working with his hands and learning about automotive repair gave his schooling more purpose. Sybesma is very grateful that WC works in conjunction with NCC to make this possible.
Emilee Heynen talked of how her experience with Western extracurriculars began at the Jr. Wolfpack level, even before her years as a student here. She is very grateful for the countless memories, friendships, and lessons Western athletics have given her. Sports taught her how to work hard and that giving her best effort at all times (not just in sports but in all areas of life) is extremely rewarding and important in becoming the best version of herself. Heynen’s main message about participating as part of the Wolfpack was, “when you put on a Western jersey, people notice you differently. They are watching to see how you will act toward your teammates, your opponents, and refs. Playing with the name Christian on my jersey has taught me that it is important to represent Christianity well and give all the glory to God so I can be a beacon of light on the field, track, court, and eventually college, the workplace, family, etc.”
So, what does make up a profile of a Western Christian Graduate? These students shared their take on it: gaining confidence, growing in faith, developing work ethic, becoming a learner and sharing gratitude, to name just a few characteristics. As these four students had different experiences in the halls of Western, each graduate will leave this school with different outcomes. And it is our prayer that every Western student, when they walk across the stage at graduation, knows the Lord and leaves this place with a greater understanding of His love.