‘22-23 Theme Verse: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” - Isaiah 26:3-4
The Western Witness publishing team does a fantastic job of appealing to our senses. Well, as much as possible. We see images of students and staff enjoying the Western Christian experience. We feel the glossy pages between our fingertips. And, if you lick your fingertips before every page turn, you might taste something, too. We believe readers of The Western Witnesses are interested in reading about the distinctiveness of our Christian high school. In this summer edition, we present two articles appealing to senses often overlooked: the sounds and smells of resilient discipleship.
This spring semester of professional learning, our faculty engaged in a book study on the book, Faith for Exiles, by David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock. This has been a great way for our faculty to examine factors that affect teens and young adults in developing a resilient and long-lasting faith. We recommend this book to other schools, churches, and parents who are in the business of growing disciples in this digital age. The authors urge us to “commit ourselves to helping young people develop a theology and practice of hearing from and listening to God.” They use the phrase “Godward rhythms.” So, as a faculty, we have discussed how we can foster these “Godward rhythms” in the lives of each of our students.
For many, the fight for faith in this generation — to not only survive but flourish as a Christian—is not just what we see but perhaps just as pressing (if not more so) what we hear and to whom we listen.
Whether they are the words and music accompanying a TikTok or YouTube clip, the written words of articles and tweets, or the purely audible media of podcasts and audiobooks, words form and fill our inner person, penetrate deeply, and quickly shape our desires, decisions, and outer lives — the whole of who we are. It’s not a matter of whether words are shaping us but whose. Whose voice—whether through audio or video or old-fashioned face-to-face talk—whose voice is most regularly streaming into your ears and going down into your soul? Whose voice captures your attention and focuses you or distracts you?
Hearing from God is not some spooky, mystical thing. The profile of resilient disciples shows us that it’s much more natural; it’s an everyday reliance on God and dependence on His presence. The act of listening is cultivating a soft heart to God’s leading.
Together, let’s cultivate “Godward rhythms:” Spiritual habits and a heartfelt expectation that God will come and speak to us.
Matthew 11:15: “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
In mission, together,
Happy the Dog Ministry led the student body in praise and worship for the Senior Farewell Chapel. Freshman Aiden Heldt is pictured along with some of his classmates as they enjoyed the energy that filled the Event Center. We are grateful for chapels that are relevant, celebratory, and God-glorifying!
Class of 2023
Hellos, Goodbyes and Anniversaries
Snapshots from School
Wolfpack Athletics
Director of Mission Advancement Report
Support Wolfpack Edge
Student Perspective
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www.westernchristianhs.com
Western Christian High School
Mr. Brian Verwolf Head AdministratorTheWCWolfpack western.christian
Marcus Jay Aaron
Isaac Steven Alexander
Kyra Grace Bakker+
Jenna Richeal Balt+
Eli Jay Blankespoor+
Blaike Evan Bonestroo
Rylan Alexa Boyd
Hannah Faye Broek+
Ian John deBoom+
Conner Douglas De Groot
Gavin Alan De Hoogh
Kylie Jane De Jager+
Jaelyn Joy De Jong
Tilly Ann De Jong
Dana Mae De Stigter
Amanda DeVries*
McKenna Marie De Weerd
Jake Daniel De Wit
Jenna Rae Dibbet+*
Lane Nicholas Driesen
Trent Steven Dykstra
Madison Nicole Emerick*
Aubri Jayne Fedders+
Maggie Elise Fykstra
Ashlyn Jade Grevengoed+
Riley James Grevengoed
Jaiden Renae Groeneweg
Hannah Rose Groothof+
Shane Thomas Habben
Kalen Austin Hartbecke+
Derek Anthony Heynen+*
Hunter J. Hofland
Lily Jade Hofman+*
Olivia Faith Hulstein+
Noah James Jansma
Maci Paige Kats
Mason A. Kelderman+
Ayda Grace Maassen+
Zachary Mark Minderhoud+
Megan Joy Mulder+
Ethan Joseph Ney
Jocelyn Rae Oostenink+
Aysha Rae Pollema+
Chandler John Pollema
Ashlyn Grace Postma
Drew G. Prins
Leyton Michael Roetman
Sawyer John Rozeboom
Braden Lee Spronk
Taylor Marie Statema+
Konner Steven Struik+
Trista Jacquelyn Ten Pas+
Cade Hunter Tiedeman+
Kryn Elyse Vander Berg+*
Lauren Rae Vander Plaats*
Hayden Evan Van De Stroet+
Cowan Jacob Van Kley+
Rianne Joy Van Meeteren+*
Tate Michael Van Regenmorter
Grace Emily Van Roekel
Keegan John Van Surksum
Ashtin James Van’t Hul+
Brody Jordan Van’t Hul
Dason John Van’t Hul+
Parker Chad Van’t Hul+
Chase Willem Veerbeek
Abigail Joy Ver Burg
Madison Gayle Visser
Macy Jane Westra+*
Ashten J. Winterfeld+
Stella Anne Winterfeld+
Adelle Rose Wolfswinkel+*
Mateo Luan Zanela
+Graduating With Honors
*Life Serve Blood Center Donor of Distinction
At the conclusion of the 2023 school year, we are saying goodbye to three faculty members who are completing their time of service at Western Christian.
Mr. Jerry De Groot moved to Sioux Center, Iowa, from Valparaiso, Indiana, three years ago to teach upper-level math and physics at Western. After a full career of teaching math at high school and university levels and graciously fulfilling a part-time need in the math department this past year, Mr. De Groot is ready to step back just a little. We are extremely grateful for Mr. De Groot’s selfless service these past three years.
Mrs. Melissa Visser joined Western’s faculty this past year to serve as a part-time math teacher. With a new hiring of a full-time math teacher in 23-24, Western no longer has this need. Mrs. Visser will continue pursuing her passion for teaching mathematics at Sheldon Christian.
And finally, Mrs. Kylie Nettinga is leaving Western Christian after eight faithful years
of service. Throughout her time at Western, Mrs. Nettinga launched Agriculture Education and the FFA Chapter and created several sustainable programs that will continue to benefit students and surrounding communities for many years to come. Mrs. Nettinga and her husband, Michael, are welcoming their first child in September 2023, Lord willing. Please pray for Michael and Kylie as they step into this new phase of life. We thank God for Kylie and the passion she shares for bringing glory to God through agriculture education.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.” Colossians 3:17
Next, a few New Faculty Hellos:
Mr. Max Wolgen will be taking on a new position as a science teacher at Western Christian. Max grew up in Alton, IA, and graduated from Dordt
University in 2021 with a degree in Secondary Education and an emphasis in Earth and Life Science. Since graduating, Max has been teaching high school science at Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School in Hills, MN. Max shared that one of the reasons he is excited to take on a new role at Western is because he sees many great things happening on campus that he wants to be part of. Max was a student-teacher at Western in March/April of 2021 and noticed a unique dedication towards both student needs and student achievement and our unwavering commitment towards providing solid, biblically-based, Christian education.
Ms. Stacy Gustafson will be joining our faculty after teaching for several years in her hometown of Waseca, MN. Stacy brings over a decade of math teaching experience to Western and will be primarily responsible for teaching Algebra and Geometry.
When we asked Stacy why she chose to work at Western, she replied, “I see
joy, respect, teamwork, and encouragement at Western Christian. I see an amazing environment for both students and staff to thrive. What makes me the most excited about joining the team at Western Christian is being able to integrate my Christian beliefs with my love of teaching.”
Mr. William Aranas Jr. will be moving to the United States from the Philippines to teach English at
Western Christian. William has been teaching English as a primary and secondary language in large public schools in the Philippines for four years. He and his wife, Shaina, both born and raised in the Philippines, have a desire to move to the United States to “bring glory to God through Christian education.” Christian education is rarely available in the Philippines past preschool. Culturally speaking, moving to Iowa will be a
Three students received awards at the Northwest Iowa Visual Arts Show hosted by NCC in April. Of Western’s sixteen entries, four pieces earned recognition. Hannah Mulder placed 1st in the painting category with her watercolor, “Tropical Y.” Ashlyn Hulstein earned two awards. High school art teachers chose the first, and she tied for second in painting with her mixed media, “Letters in the Sky.” Ashlyn also received an honorable mention in the drawing category with her “Shattered Compass.” Summer Vis earned an honorable mention in the painting category with her acrylic painting, “Diffidence.”
radical shift for William and his family (they just had their first child!) Please pray for the family as they work through the immigration process and transition to Iowa.
The following Staff and Faculty have reached milestones worth recognizing! Thanks to each of you for your years of service to Christ-centered education. [see photo below]
Maeva Haveman and Katie Veldman were invited to participate in the Iowa String Teachers Association State Honor Festival. Students who placed in the top 20 of their regional orchestra festivals were invited to gather at Wartburg College on Saturday, May 13, for a day of rehearsals culminating in a final performance under the direction of Erik Rohde, Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Northern Iowa.
As published in the last Witness issue, students traveled internationally over Spring Break and a little longer in the case of the Netherlands Exchange.
• Six seniors enjoyed their three-week exchange program in the Netherlands.
• Bobbi Jeltema and Karinda deBoom traveled to Spain with eleven students currently in Spanish III or who had completed the class last school year.
• Eight students, along with Wendi Minderhoud, Lucas Den Herder, and Jenean DeJager, spent a week assisting Kurt Rietema with his mission work along the Mexican border.
Netherlands Exchange
Spain
Mexican Border
Seniors invited Grandparents and Special Friends to a senior only chapel and to tour the building on April 19th. Highlights from the tour were the Greenhouse and the newly designed HUB.
The Junior / Senior Banquet took on a new look this year. In order to accommodate more attendees, the Grand March took place in the Big Gym. Upperclassmen and their guests then traveled to the Rock Valley Parkview Event Center for dinner. Students enjoyed not having to eat in the school cafeteria for the Banquet.
June 3rd, 2023, will be remembered by Wolfpack fans as the day that Western Christian won its first Spring Soccer State Championship. After a hard-fought shoot-out victory in the semi-finals, the Wolfpack pulled out a 2-0 victory in the championship game. After finishing the last two seasons as Runner-Ups in the Championship game, this victory was especially sweet for this outstanding group of players.
We had a lot of spots to fill with graduating a big class last year, but we’ve had guys step up and fill those roles. Our team motto for the year was “Building Tradition.” Part of our tradition that we like to build is working day to day, and with that comes focus on different areas like purpose, passion, service, and faith. We were fortunate as a coaching staff to have a great group and saw growth in our athletes as the season progressed. We hoped to keep our athletes disciplined not only on the field but also in the classroom and their personal lives, specifically raising young men of faith to have an impact on the world
around them. We were blessed to have each one of these guys as a part of our team.
This year found us extremely young. Typically, the team on the field this season included a freshman keeper, four-five sophomores, and four-five juniors. We had one senior who came out this season for the first time. Needless to say, it took time for us to find our shape, and even in our last game, we were still working at that. Credit to the group, our work rate allowed us to have a better-than-expected season and, for the most part, play to our potential.
We had to play through this season to get to next year, and we will pick up where we left off, being bigger, stronger, more experienced, better skilled, and more competitive. As soccer continues to grow in Northwest Iowa, our soccer IQ and our skill development will come with it. Thank you to all those who have supported the team and fed the group throughout the season. It is appreciated!
For the third year in a row, the Varsity Boy’s Golf team qualified to compete at the IHSAA 2A State Tournament. The group battled on the second day of competition to improve the
team’s score by eight strokes to earn a fourth-place finish. These six golfers played well all year to earn the best finish in program history!
Coach Derek Keizer
Golf has a team element, but it is a very individual sport. The girls’ golf team spent time focusing on a positive mindset for individual play and encouragement for each other.
Author Jon Gordan wrote, “Today is a great day to focus on what we GET TO do, not what we HAVE TO do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.” I share this quote often, and I especially shared it the morning of the Reginal Final golf meet. It was a perfect day for golf with no wind and quality course conditions. The mentality of the team was we have no expectations of ourselves, it’s a beautiful day, and we get to play a nice course, so just go out and have fun one shot at a time.
The team did enjoy the meet, as they did the whole season, improving each time they stepped onto the course. This season may have been the first time since the early 2000s that a WC girls’ team had advanced this far, which is a neat accomplishment for this group of ladies.
This year’s team was comprised mostly of some great senior leaders, along with a record number of freshmen ladies. The season will be remembered as a team that made great strides throughout the year, with most of the team peaking at the end of the year. A highlight of the year was when our team served our sport by running the jr. high track meet for the area grade schools. Two relays qualified for the State Meet along with Megan Vander Pol in the Discus.
Spring weather is unpredictable, and how it will affect sports. The start of
the season was a challenge because the first outdoor in LeMars took place after only two practices on an actual track.
Every track season comes with excitement and challenges, and this year was a year of both. We had a great season with tremendous senior leadership throughout the entire season. Our six seniors were the guys that led each practice, and they had a great passion for track and field that trickled down to our young team. Matthew 23:11-12 talks about always being a servant. This group was always willing to serve and will be missed in the track and field program. Congrats to Derek Heynen and Jackson Gulker for earning an opportunity to represent Western Christian at State Track. They, along with our team, had a great season of growth all spring.
Coach Justin Negen
Coach Mark Fenchel
Coach Travis Kooima
• Wolfpack Edge and Pack Edge - On Monday, August 22, 2022, the first Wolfpack Edge Luncheon was held in the Event Center. We hope and pray that we incorporate Faith, Purpose, Passion, and Service into all activities and athletics here at Western. Support of the Pack Edge has been excellent, with over $100,000 raised to support activities and athletics. We are currently looking into improving our live stream of home events and concerts for next school year. Stay tuned for the 2nd Annual Wolfpack Edge Luncheon this coming August.
• NICSTO/Tuition Assistance (TAP) - Due to increased tax credits at the state level, and amazing support from the Western Constituency, over $240,000 was raised to support nearly 80 families with NICSTO tuition scholarships. We also continue to receive gifts for our TAP account, which allows us to bless families out of state or dealing with other circumstances that make paying tuition difficult.
• Celebrate Western - a combination of an online auction, meat, freezer meals, corn donations, and a community meal, Celebrate Western netted over $160,000 for Capital Improvements. Continued roof replacement is the biggest Capital Improvement need moving forward. The Building and Grounds team plans to replace one roof each year moving forward.
• Western Christian Foundation - This was a difficult year for the markets, which has impacted our Foundation. The current balance is nearly $4,000,000. The Foundation annually contributes 3.5% of its total assets to the Western Christian General Fund. We have received over 240 contributions this school year to the Foundation.
The PACK EDGE Level – $5,000
Scrolling Varsity Bound Ad (WCHS had 300K views last year!)
4 Individual Season Passes
Signage at Baseball/Softball Fields
Video Board Ad
Golf Sponsorship (hole sponsor & a foursome)
Athletic Program Advertising
• Building Fund/Spring Drive - We had set a goal to eliminate the debt from the previous campaign by the end of 2022. We are very thankful to report that this has happened. Due to the library renovations, we have some Building Fund Debt as that space now serves as a HUB of student services. The Spring Drive has been well received and will allow a “facelift” to the south facia, updates to the air conditioning, and window refabrication this summer.
• Bargain Alley Thrift Store and Bargain Alley
Furniture Outlet Bargain Alley continues to be an incredible blessing to Western and the surrounding community. We now have two locations for Bargain Alley, the downtown Thrift Store and the Bargain Alley Furniture Outlet located two blocks south of Dollar General in Hull. Being a Factory Direct Mattress Dealer has brought new business to the Furniture Outlet. Thank you to our many volunteers who serve Bargain Alley, Western Christian, and our surrounding community!
• I am enjoying my calling here as the DOMA. Obviously, as I just highlighted, part of my job is to raise support for our mission as I oversee these buckets. Another aspect of my job is to support best the faculty and staff who live out our mission. I continue to be involved in attracting new families, Faith Packs/Chapels, FFA, the Chambers Singers, CTE/JumpStart, the Hot Lunch Program, Activities/Athletics, and our Booster Club.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!
Brad Vis Director of Mission AdvancementThe MAROON Level – $2,500
4 Individual Season Passes
Video Board Ad OR Athletic Program Advertising
The WHITE Level – $1,500
2 Individual Season Passes
The INDIVIDUAL Level – $500
1 Individual Season Pass
- (DOMA)
After listening to President Corey’s message and thinking about the powerful sense of smell, I joked with the seniors that we should all get bumper stickers with that memorable short sentence: Smell like Jesus. It may not be a best-selling bumper sticker, but it is a great motto to send out with our seniors and to challenge ourselves to every single day, “Go out and smell like Jesus!”
The seniors and I ended our semester together by listening to a chapel message delivered online by the president of Biola University, Barry Corey. President Corey is the author of a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend: Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue. His chapel message highlighted some of the book’s main ideas as well. The book and his chapel message offer many great ways to share the love of Jesus with a world that desperately needs Him. At one point in his message, Corey urged his listeners, “Smell like Jesus!”
That caught my attention because the sense of smell is powerful. I remember reading an article that explained how a newborn infant’s senses are only partially developed at birth. Their sense of sight doesn’t gain precision for a few months, but the article explained that a newborn’s sense of smell is quite keen; it is often how a baby identifies his or her mother. That explains how a screaming baby sometimes settles down when the baby’s mom nestles that little one on her shoulder, near her neck; the baby immediately “recognizes” mom by her familiar smell.
My own sense of smell gets a fantastic workout most mornings when I first open the door into Western: I can often predict what is on the menu for the day just by inhaling those appetizing aromas. In addition to that, we can quite naturally absorb aromas just by being around them. They become a part of our clothes, our hair, and even our skin. Sometimes when I prepare certain foods for my family--like pancakes and bacon for breakfast or tacos for supper, I wonder if I should change my clothes because it’s possible that everyone I encounter after enjoying that meal can guess what we ate simply because of the lingering aroma that remains. I am guessing we have all come in after a bonfire and “shared” the smoky smell with every other item in our hamper when we throw those clothes in for the night!
Smells are powerful. The Bible perfectly understands that. 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, “God considers us to be the pleasing smell that Christ is spreading. He is spreading it among people who are being saved and people who are dying. To those who are dying, we are the smell of death. To those who are being saved, we are the perfume of life.”
Smelling like Jesus isn’t complex–it’s a lot like cooking bacon or sitting by a campfire–being around the source of the smell will naturally (and powerfully) become a part of us. People who spend time with Jesus will be noticeable to others. It isn’t something we have to hope for or wonder about. It will happen. Time spent with Him will “rub off” on us. And that is precisely the way God intends that to be! After we’ve spent time with Christ, people will know. To those who are committed or even curious about Him, our aroma will be inviting–the perfume of life. To those who fight Christ and want to undermine what Christ stands for, we will be repulsive–the smell of death.
It’s not up to us how people respond–let’s leave that up to God. It is up to us to spend time with Jesus. So, let’s spend time with Him. Let’s let His holy aroma sink deeply into every part of who we are. Let’s fill the world with the smell of our Savior–the wonderful, life-giving aroma of Jesus Christ.
Seniors and all Christ-followers, Let’s go out and smell like Jesus!
Just my thoughts, KC
This is an adaptation of Konner Struik’s Valedictorian speech he delivered on Graduation night. Along with earning valedictorian of the class, he also earned a perfect ACT score of 36 and is currently a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Over the past four years, we seniors have spent roughly 5000 hours in school. Well, that’s how much we should’ve spent if we hadn’t missed an entire quarter for COVID our Freshman year, numerous days for our regular state appearances, and a ridiculous amount of snow days this year. Regardless of how many hours we actually spent at Western., we made it. The high school chapter of our lives has come to a close.
If I were to ask my classmates how they feel now that they graduated, I’d likely get a variety of responses. Some people would say “happy” or “excited”; others would say “nervous” or “uncertain”. Some might even say “sad” as they will miss Western.
gifts and talents to use as we move on to the next chapter of our lives.
Our four years have been filled with good memories, but we have also faced some challenges, most notably the COVID pandemic. We also dealt with unprecedented snow days this past school year, messing up our regular routine. However, even when we faced challenges, we made it through because of God’s faithfulness. As Lamentations 3:2223 puts it, “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Throughout our time here, God has been faithful and good to our class, blessing us with a strong education, meaningful chapels, authentic worship, and opportunities to develop and display our talents and honor God.
However, the time has come for us to move on. Some of us graduates will continue our education or enter the workforce locally. Others will travel further. Some are uncertain about their future plans, and that is okay. We have all been blessed with unique
Tues., July 11 Registration Day for ‘23-’24 School Year
• Online and in-person
Fri., Aug. 11 WC Booster Club Outing
Over these past four years, we have been equipped for a life of service in God’s world. We have been taught how to harness our unique gifts to spread Christ’s love. We have learned what is right and how to stand up for it. We have been reminded that we can accomplish great things if we allow Christ to work in our lives. As Ephesians 3:20 puts it, when we put our trust in God, He can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
As the Class of 2023 heads out into the world, I hope we make a difference. I hope everyone goes out, follows their convictions, lives the life Christ has called them to, and acts as the salt and light in a world that so desperately needs it.
On behalf of the Class of 2023, I would like to thank the entire Western community for their support and encouragement over the past four years. As we transition into adulthood, I’d also like to ask for continued encouragement and prayers over the next few years. Thank you.
Mon., Aug. 21 Wolfpack Edge Luncheon
Tues., Aug. 22 Freshman Orientation
Wed., Aug. 23 First Day of School
Sept. 18–22 Homecoming Week
