This spring, Western students are taking advantage of the many opportunities we offer to actively pursue greater wholeness in the world by experiencing cultures other than our own. By immersing ourselves in different cultures, we can learn about each other—where people came from, their traditions, what they struggle with as a community, and more. It also forces us to consider assumptions about our daily lives and practices, encouraging incredible personal growth. This also improves our collective empathy as a school.
Over the years, our staff has intentionally put students in situations where they are asked to engage responsively with the full diversity of God’s people. However, we are often limited by the structures of our school day. We are also limited because it’s hard work! Not everyone finds it easy to engage with other cultures because it requires living outside of your comfort zone. But we know this is important; in fact, it’s
biblical. The theme of the spring Witness is about engaging with a full range of God’s creation; at home and abroad.
All of us have certain barriers, such as bias, prejudices, and stereotypes, that obstruct our understanding of other people; in our neighborhood and around the world. Cross-cultural experiences demystify other cultures by presenting them under an objective light. Through learning about other cultures, barriers are slowly chipped away, allowing for deeper relationships and dialogue. In mission, together.
Mr. Brian Verwolf Head Administrator
Viktor and Daniel Tantsura joined the WC student body this winter. The Tantsura family moved to Hull after fleeing the war-torn country of Ukraine; First Christian Reformed Church of Hull is sponsoring the family. The brothers are slowly developing their English skills and enjoying their time at school. Featured is a project they are working on with Mr. Lyle Van Ravensway; the boys are building a guitar.
Education Savings Accounts in Iowa
Upcoming Events
Spring Drive
Bargain Alley
Competitive Speech
Snapshots from School Wolfpack Athletics
Just My Thoughts Student Perspective
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Iowa’s new Education Savings Account (ESA) program provides families with an exciting new opportunity to enroll students at Western Christian High School. The ESA program begins for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year with a per-student funding of $7,635. There are three ways to qualify for the ESA in the first year if you are an Iowa resident:
1. If your child is entering kindergarten at the beginning of the 2023 school year (regardless of income).
2. If your child is transferring from a public school or homeschool (regardless of income).
3. If your child is entering grades 1-12, and your household meets the income guidelines in the chart below:
The application will open this spring at https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/education-savings-accounts
We hope this bill encourages more parents to consider Christ-centered education for their child(ren). We believe that with a close partnership between home, church, and community, Christian schools can be used to uphold biblical Truth, foster academic growth, and equip all learners to love God and serve others. Christian schools should be full in NorthWest IA! If there are empty seats in our classrooms, there should be a call to energetic enrollment strategies that attract families and surround children with the love of God on a daily basis.
Western Christian will keep our current enrollment processes and requirements, which have been in place for decades and are designed to help everyone understand who we are and what we do at WCHS. Please pray for the school board and leadership team as they navigate this important opportunity.
April 11 Sophomore / Junior Parent Meeting
April 13 Orchestra Extravaganza
April 19
Grandparents/ Special Friends’ Day
May 5 Junior/Senior Banquet
May 10 Spring Concert
May 16 Graduation
June 2 Final Day of School
Each year, Western conducts a Spring Drive that attempts to meet a specific need here at Western. This year, we are asking you to consider helping give our facility a “Face Lift.” The Exterior Insulation Finish needs to be refurbished. The best visual example of this is the top half on the “southside” of the school by the cross. The top half which looks a lot like “stucco” needs to be power washed, refinished, and caulked once again to prevent moisture from ruining the interior walls and windows of our school.
We acknowledge that we have a number of facility needs at Western. A Campus Improvement Task Force has been formed to map out the anticipated facility needs as we plan for the next 5,10, and 15 years of Western Christian, and beyond. We do believe this “Face Lift” is an immediate need that will not be part of the next building campaign. We have a goal of raising $100,000 for this project anticipating that it will be completed this summer. We ask that you prayerfully consider
supporting this project. Thank you for your continued love and support of Western Christian. We are truly blessed by the continued love and support shown by so many. May all of us continue to remain committed to training the next generation to “Serve the King.”
In His Service, Brad Vis Director of Mission Advancement
The Bargain Alley Thrift Store (1103 Maple St, Hull, IA.) began five years ago with the goal of providing another income source for the General Fund of Western Christian High School. What a blessing Bargain Alley has become to Western, our community, and volunteers.
Current items in high demand at the downtown Bargain Alley Thrift Store are: women’s clothing, spring decor, kitchen supplies, books, sporting
goods, and crafts. Recently, the staff and volunteers at the Thrift Store have changed the store over to the Spring and Summer line. Stop by soon and check this out!
NOW OPEN! The Bargain Alley Furniture Outlet. (420 Hayes Ave, Hull, IA. - located two blocks south of Dollar General) This 80x80 new building provides a furniture store feel, allowing us to display all donated furniture items. The Bargain Alley Furniture Outlet is also a Factory
Direct Mattress dealer. Come and check out brand-new mattresses of all sizes starting at only $125.00.
Are you currently moving or downsizing to a different place? The Bargain Alley Furniture Outlet may be an option for your family. Remember that the Bargain Alley Furniture Outlet will come and pick up your donated furniture. Please call the outlet at 712-439-6802 to arrange a pick-up time. Current high-demand items at the Bargain Alley Furniture Outlet are recliners, dining room chairs, and sectional sofas.
On behalf of everyone at Bargain Alley and Western Christian, THANK YOU for your continued support!
Brad Vis Director of Mission Advancement
Competitive Speech season came to its conclusion on Saturday, March 11th. Western had 13 individual competitors select /write and prepare pieces, with eight students earning ‘1’ rankings, qualifying them to present their selections at the state competition. At the state competition, five overall ‘1’ ratings were awarded. Senior Macy Westra delivered her prose piece so well that she received an All-State nomination.
Fifteen students joined together into three groups for Large Group Speech competition. The students wrote, filmed, acted, and edited their short films. Both films received ‘1’ rankings and advanced to the state competition. One group excelled by taking feedback they heard last year from a judge and developed more of a story. They entitled their work, ‘Forever and Always,’ and it was about an elderly man with Alzeimers.
The other film that qualified for the state competition was ‘Paranoia.’ ‘Paraonoia’ was completely put together by only two students, Ashlyn Grevengoed and Mya Brands.
Laurissa Keifer and Bobbi Jeltema
the Speech teams.
In January, several members of the Prolife Pack gathered weekly to write, produce and rehearse the annual Sanctity of Human Life chapel. The ‘Celebration of Life’ chapel took place on February 2. The praise team led worship by singing “You are My King” and “Indescribable.” The rest of the chapel was more informative as the changes in the pro-life legislation from state to state after the June 2022 Supreme Court ruling was explained. We rejoiced that states can now decide if they want to allow abortion in their states. Surgical abortions are down, and clinics are closing in some parts of our nation. After reading Psalm 139 and viewing slides of babies in the womb and babies saved by the Alpha Center of Sioux Falls, the ProLife Pack shared some of the challenges still being faced. God, as our Creator and Protector, now calls us to follow Him to the hurt, broken, confused, and lonely to bring His Hope, Love, and Truth. Students and staff were invited to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus by fundraising, attending prayer vigils, becoming more informed, sharing compassion with others, and seeking legislation that supports moms and families through ultrasounds, maternity leaves, and adoption options. After singing the closing song, proclaiming Jesus as the “Way Maker,” A bake sale raised $500 for the Alpha Center.
The WC Band presents the “Introduction-to-Band” concert to area 4th graders each February. The different kinds of instruments are introduced to the students, and a brief description of how to play each instrument is provided. This will help 4th graders decide which instrument they would like to play next year. The schools attending this year were Sheldon, Sanborn, Hull, Rock Valley, and Inwood Christian schools.
The Western Chamber’s Singers presented an evening of entertainment and served a delicious meal to over 325 invited guests on Friday, February 24. The evening entitled ‘Chambers’ Night Out’ helped raise the needed funds for their upcoming tour to Kansas City at the end of April. If you haven’t had an opportunity to hear this talented group, the final church services they’ll assist in worship will be on April 16th at Sanborn URC and May 7 at First CRC in Hull.
Katie Veldman, Maeva Haveman, and Laney Van Voorst were selected by audition to participate in the Northwest Iowa Honor Orchestra Festival. The high school symphony orchestra included 70 students from 22 schools. They presented a concert to close the festival on January 26 at Northwestern College.
The FFA Chapter officers ended national FFA week (February 20-24) with the annual Ag Olympics. Four representatives from each class competed in an Ag-related ‘chores’ obstacle course for the student body’s enjoyment.
Western chapels have welcomed a great variety of speakers to lead us with messages; among those leaders have been current Western seniors, and those chapels are among students’ favorites! Seniors are required to write and deliver a chapel speech to their speech classmates, some of which result in a schoolwide message. We have been blessed, and we thank God for these chapels!
The female Wolfpack wrestlers were the first team to wrap up competition this winter. Girls’ wrestling was sanctioned for the first time in Iowa history. While the team was small, the coaches remarked they were happy to figure out the learning curve of girls’ wrestling. The competitors were hungry to do well and will enter next season with high expectations.
Numbers grew for the boy’s wrestling squad, and more importantly, maturity grew in the wrestlers, according to head coach Jesse Regalado. The team tackled a more rigorous schedule than they had faced, which helped propel the team to grow. Wrestling is a challenging sport in which you are on the mat facing your opponent
alone; stepping onto the mat builds courage, and this team’s purpose was to grow in the sport and as a person. Growth in faith helps a wrestler get back up when down. Coach Regalado stated, “Competitors’ growth has been more than I could ever ask for. These boys and girls show faith not just in the sport but in themselves. This is the toughest sport out there, and for them to have the courage to step on the mat repeatedly shows me heart, and that’s what wrestling is all about.”
Senior Gavin deHoogh qualified for the state tournament for the first time, defeated some higher-ranked opponents, and barely missed standing on the medal stand.
First-year girl’s basketball Head Coach Klay Byker implemented ‘Pack Circles’ within the program. Pack Circles were small groups of five to six players led by the senior captains. Circles met weekly for devotions; players relied on them heavily for emotional support, and the circles developed into a great avenue for the girls to connect as groups and grow as individuals.
When reflecting on the season, Byker stated, “Our purpose never wavered. Our theme for the year focused on the idea of “Be Us, Be You.” The Bible passage that this theme was founded on was Psalm 139:14-16. We remained confident that if we would strive to be the teammate and players that we were, not trying to be someone/something else, we would be successful in many capacities. Buying into your role and doing it well was a growth point for many on our team.”
The team had many “wins” away from the end result of the games. One win, in particular, is joy was brought into the program, and a love for basketball is back, which is a vital part of building the culture Western wants to have in this program for years to come.
The Wolfpack boys’ basketball team competed to the last possible date, winning their way into the State Championship game. After that final game, Coach Derek Keizer remarked, “A difficult ending to a remarkable season! From start to finish, this group was resilient in every way and left everything on the floor. The outpouring of support this season has
been unbelievable & that’s a testament to the players! It’s an honor to coach this team.”
Throughout the season, the team continually focused on their verse of the year, 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 who 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. “
This verse connects well with the yearly motto of OWN IT. Each year senior leaders create the team’s motto using this acronym. Ownership, We Before Me, Now, Investment, and Truth.
Each and every practice begins with players reciting the Competitors
Creed developed by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Before taking the floor to warm up at each game, the team kneels to recite the Lord’s Prayer, and at the conclusion of every varsity contest, “And 1” Circle happens with the families of the athletes circling on the court to share positive thoughts from the game and to pray together.
Another tradition of the boy’s basketball program is the annual youth tournament. Each player, from 9th grade - 12th grade, contributes to the running of the tournament. Funds generated from the tournament are used to bless local families in need.
Western Christian High School is grateful to receive memorial gifts in honor and memory of:
Ted Bootsma - Sanborn, IA. Ted was a 1947 graduate of Western Christian. He and his wife Nellie (1949) had five children who attended Western. Audrey (1970), Roger (1972), Sheryl (1972), Kathy (1976), and Terry (1978). Ted was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carol.
Gerald Droog - Sioux Center, IA. Gerald and his wife Kathy had four daughters, all of whom attended Western Christian. Melanie (1990), Robyn (1994), Alissa (1996), and Amanda (1999).
Harlan Van’t Hul - Rock Valley, IA. Harlan was a 1959 graduate of Western Christian. He and his wife Mary had three children who graduated from Western. Mark (1983), Tim (1986), and Rachelle (1989). All of Harlan and Mary’s grandchildren are also graduates of Western.
Norman and Geraldine Vande Vegte - Inwood, IA. Geraldine was a 1956 graduate of Western Christian. They had three sons who all graduated from Western. Glenn (1978), Galen (1980), and Gary (1986).
Martha Goslinga - Sioux Center, IA. Martha’s daughter, Karen Kooi, is a 1960 graduate of Western Christian.
Daryl J. Vander Kooi - Sioux Center, IA. Daryl and his wife Maris had two children attend Western Christian.
John Vanden Bos - Rock Valley, IA. John’s wife Caroline was a 1946 graduate of Western. Three of John and Caroline’s grandchildren are graduates of Western Christian.
Western Christian Dance continues to be a staple for entertainment throughout the Fall and Winter athletic seasons. Coach Megan Kooima described their season like this: “What a great nine months this team had. It is a very long season that begins with camp in June and the final performances on Saturday, February 18th. Over the course of the season, the team performed at 15 events, learned ten routines, ran approximately 94 laps around the top of the gym, and did way too many lunges, planks, abs, and squats to count. The team improved so much since camp; that growth was fun to watch. “
Dance camp with 111 kids is always a highlight at the end of the season. One team member, Addy Rozeboom, auditioned and was selected to be a part of the All Iowa Dance Team that performed during the Girl’s State Basketball tournament.
Darlene Van Holland - Rock Valley, IA. Darlene and her husband, John, had seven children that graduated from Western Christian. Doug (1974), Pam (1977), Dave (1978), Laura (1979), Bryan (1980), Lyle (1984), and Cindy (1988). Darlene was preceded in death by her daughter Carol.
Elinor Bonthuis - Grand Rapids, MI. Elinor was a 1951 graduate of Western Christian.
Daniel Alons - Sanborn, IA. Daniel and his wife Matilda had five children; all graduated from Western Christian. Judi (1965), Ken (1969), Lois (1974), Myrna (1976), and Norma (1980).
Western has a noticeable buzz this semester as many of our students prepare for international experiences. Traveling abroad, experiencing different cultures, and sharing our faith with new people in new places are such blessings! Because of that we often urge our young people to go, to grow, to share!
And yet, we also pray those same young people back home safely. In fact, we often do not feel completely at peace until they have returned home. We often want our kids to fly, but we also want them to fly back home when the adventure is over. But, what if we send them out, and they choose to stay out there? Are we really ready for that; do we encourage that?
Years ago, I took a short three-day class; on the first day, we had to go around the circle and introduce ourselves. As we made our way around the room, one student began to introduce herself, but midway through, she became very emotional. As we politely waited, she became more emotional, actually unable to continue talking. After a few awkward seconds, our instructor acknowledged the woman’s emotions, gave her
permission to leave if she needed to, and then suggested we continue. By the time we were finished, she had regained her composure and tried again. She explained that just that morning, her only daughter had shared her decision to dedicate the next few years of her life as a nurse/ missionary in a remote, undeveloped part of the world. Then, through some tears, this mom explained that she remembered often praying for God to give her daughter a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. She thanked God as she witnessed her daughter’s faith grow, but now she was starting to realize that she wanted God to give her daughter a faith that kept her close to home, in a safe environment, where her mom could be a daily part of her life.
Oh, how I can relate to that mom! My deepest hope is for those I love to have a genuine, steadfast relationship with their Savior! I prayed that as I stood before our church and baptized my three babies; I cried tears of joy as each one of them stood in front of our church and professed their faith. And now, as they have moved beyond the walls of our home, I sometimes wonder (and worry) when they will come back. I know God has a call in
each of their lives, and I am learning (trying to learn) to trust His leading wherever that may be in His great big world!
Two weeks ago, my youngest sent me a picture of tornado damage in Norman, Oklahoma, with the caption “across the street from my apartment.” I didn’t see the picture until the next morning because he sent it after I had gone to bed. I was relieved that he was ok, and at the same time, I was upset that I had been sleeping when he had been in danger. It was a powerful reminder that I am often unable to do anything about his safety. Part of me wanted to tell him that his “adventure” in Oklahoma should be over now and that it was time to move back home to NW Iowa. But, thankfully, I didn’t send it. Instead, I cried a little and then I thanked God. I thanked God that Jake was safe. I thanked God that He never loses sight of my kids, even while I sleep. I thanked God that He had given Jake the courage to pursue something he wants even if that means it’s far from the place I call home. But, mostly I thanked God that even when I don’t know the details, and I don’t have His specific game plan in front of me, I do have His assurance that He is a good God, who is perfectly in control. Wherever I am, wherever my kids are, wherever any of His children go, God is there. He is “on duty” for eternity, walking in front of us and beside us, as we all make our way home to Him. That gives me the confidence to keep on loving Him and trusting Him, no matter what adventure He sets in front of my kids or me!
Just my thoughts, KC
Learning to Serve the King is a phrase that is readily seen in the Western Christian building and in this and other Western publications. Serving the King isn’t something that only needs to be done in NW Iowa; it is worldwide. Western Christian promotes that their students experience cultures unlike our own. Some students gained valuable experiences serving and experiencing different cultures during the winter season with members of their respective churches. Two Senior students wrote their reflections about their experiences.
When my church presented the opportunity to go to Guatemala, I knew it could be a great experience. The decision to go was intimidating, but I knew I needed to go because I knew that God didn’t want me to sit around and do nothing while there were people in need. So, I decided to take the plunge and see what God had in store for me down in Guatemala.
Maybe it was because I was exhausted after a long day of traveling, but when I got out of the airport in Guatemala City, I hated it. The world in Guatemala couldn’t have been more different than Northwest Iowa. All around me,
Cowan Van Kley
people were speaking in a language that I barely understood (even after three years of Spanish), everywhere felt overcrowded, and our group of tall, English-speaking white people stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the majority of the shorter Guatemalans.
However, God didn’t call me to go to Guatemala to be in my comfort zone the entire time. So, I put those feelings aside when we started working. When our group was the hands and feet of Jesus to the people in need, our differences didn’t seem to matter. Despite the language barrier, I could still feel a connection with the people we helped.
If I get the opportunity to go in the future, I will certainly do it. While the trip wasn’t a relaxing vacation all the time, I am grateful that I was able to be the vessel that God used to answer many prayers down in Guatemala. My experience wasn’t a comfortable one, but it was a great experience to grow my faith and my understanding of how blessed I am.
Cowan Van KleyThis winter isn’t the first time I have traveled to Guatemala with others from my church and worked with
Bethel Ministries to assist the people there. It is an opportunity I would take again and again if I have the chance, even though I am out of my comfort zone talking to people I have never met before. Also, I struggle to communicate with them due to their language being Spanish. These barriers were overcome. Our group built houses for those who couldn’t build them for themselves due to such poverty.
Approximately a month after my trip to Guatemala, I again joined with others from my church to serve needy people. But this was a different type of need. We went to Southwest Florida to assist people still cleaning up from a disastrous hurricane months ago.
These experiences showed me how God works in many ways. The people we helped in Guatemala were so thankful for God and us when they received new homes. They weren’t very big homes, but they treated them like mansions. In Florida, people had been praying for someone to help with the cleanup and get their lives back on track. We were a part of answered prayers from God. We could see how God united their communities through the hurricane instead of tearing them apart.
Mason Kelderman