Western Witness Winter 2023

‘23-24 Theme Verse: “ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

- 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

WINTER 2023

WESTERN CHRISTIAN H

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“LEARNING . . . TO SERVE THE KING”

WESTERN CHRISTIAN

A WORD FROM THE HEAD ADMINISTRATOR HARD WORK What comes to mind when you read the words “blue collar?”

I think of manual labor, skilled trades, dirty hands, and blisters. The phrase hard work also comes to mind.

The term “blue collar” is quite old-fashioned. It comes from the days when managers wore only white shirts with their suits (“white collar”), while workers on factory floors tended to wear more casual clothing that didn’t show the dust and dirt that comes with physical labor. Blue fabric was a better choice for these workers. The term “blue collar” became more widespread in the 1920s and 1930s during the early years of Western Academy before we reorganized as a society and became Western Christian High School. I think it’s fair to say that by the grace of God, Western was built for a particular purpose, and it wasn’t always easy. It required hard work.

Consider the story of Frances (Duimstra) Bonnema, who graduated in the class of 1924. Frances became a student at Western Academy in the fall of 1920 at the age of eighteen. She wasn’t able to attend earlier because of the work she had to do on the farm. Frances took the train from Colton, SD, to Hull and rode the buggy to a house in Hull where she lived during her first year of high school. Her father said that she could not return to Western the next year because he did not have the tuition cost of $25 per year. However, he said that if she could work for her room and board, she could attend. Frances made it happen, a true testament to hard work.

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Hard work is something Western’s constituency understands at our core.

ABOUT THE COVER Asher Blankespoor diligently works on a new storage shed north of the school building. This culminating project for the Power and Tech class this fall is a great hands-on learning opportunity!

You might say it’s in our DNA. In fact, you may have heard Western described as a “blue-collar school” because of our agricultural and industry roots. Although this is a limited view of who we are today, I love that we are associated with hard work.

Paul would be quick to challenge today’s hardest workers with the truth that, apart from God, our best labors will be worthless in the end. And for those who know they need help, who have more regrets about laziness than over-work, he would remind them, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 Hard work looks different for each student.

Some are loading hogs and helping with harvest before school starts. Others are building livestream networks from scratch and mastering three instruments while maintaining a full load of academic coursework. If you ever worry about the work ethic of young people today, rest assured our future is bright! Hard work is not gone; it is rebranded.

Join me in praising God for the labors of Western’s past and present. In the new year, be reminded that there should be no separation between work and worship.

For Christian Education,

IN THIS ISSUE JumpSTART: Year One Update...

Celebrate Western 7 Smart and Savvy Tips for Yearend Giving Wolfpack Athletics Snapshots from School Memorials Just My Thoughts Student Perspective Upcoming Events www.westernchristianhs.com Western Christian High School

Mr. Brian Verwolf Head Administrator

TheWCWolfpack western.christian

JumpSTART: Year One Update…

Western Christian’s JumpSTART Pathway has officially begun and is off and running! Three incoming freshmen students Brayden Hettinga, Zach Dorhout, and Taalen VanEss were selected to be a part of JumpSTART’s inaugural group. In

this non-traditional pathway, JumpSTART students become equipped through a combination of hands-on learning experiences at Northwest Iowa Community College, as well as through traditional classes at Western Christian High School. The aim for students in the JumpSTART Pathway is to prepare them to become servant-hearted and career-ready individuals who are

ready to enter the workforce in the trades sector upon graduation.

JumpSTART students begin each day at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon for OSHA-10 certification, GMAW (gas metal arc welding), and applied math classes.

At the conclusion of their NCC classes, JumpSTART students head back to Western Christian for lunch, social time with their friends, and their afternoon classes, which include World History, Computer Applications, Foundations of Faith, and English 9. In the 2nd semester, JumpSTART students will be taking courses in quality assurance, employability skills, and advanced GMAW at NCC and English 9, Drafting, World History, and PE/Health at Western.

in this unique pathway. For students and families interested in hearing more about the opportunities of the JumpSTART Pathway, an informational meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 16th at 7:00 pm at Western Christian High School.

With JumpSTART students engaged in their experiences and courses at both NCC and WCHS, Shawn De Stigter will begin working with incoming freshmen who may be interested

Merry Christmas from Western Christian

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CELEBRATE WESTERN Christian Education is a community effort, rooted in faith and love. This was so evident as we Celebrated Western this fall.

An online auction, meat sales, freezer meals, corn donations, Explore Western, a Bake Sale, and a Community meal were all ways that we “Celebrated” what God is doing here at Western! All proceeds from this incredible event will go towards Capital Improvements.

THANK YOU for all the ways you support and love Western Christian. We give God all the glory and recognize that he has called us at this time to build His Kingdom here at Western.

Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide all that takes place here every day.

Brad Vis Director of Mission Advancement Western Christian High School

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7 SMART AND SAVVY TIPS FOR YEAR-END GIVING TAX-WISE WAYS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR IMPACT

Tax-Wise Ways toofMaximize Your Thank you for your support Western Christian HighImpact School! As you consider plans foryear-end giving, here are a few tips to ensureyou your gifts are made properlyofand in the most tax-effective manner.

Thank for your support Western Christian High School! As you consider plans for year-end giving, here are a few tips to ensure your gifts are made properly and in the most GIVE STOCKmanner.

OR PROPERTY TO REDUCE YOUR • Gifts of non-cash assets (such as appreciated stock, tax-effective TAXES real estate, business interests and commodities) must be transferred by December 31.

By giving appreciated assets (such as stock, real estate, businessGive interests or commodities) directly to Western Stock or Property • Any check you write from your IRA account must be Christianto High School, you’ll receive a tax deduction for the Reduce Your Taxes received AND PROCESSED by December 31 in order fair market value of the gift AND bypass the capital gains – to count toward your required minimum distribution.

By giving appreciated assets (such as whether or not you choose to itemize!

Unlike other checks (including those sent directly from stock, real estate, business interests or your IRA administrator) it is NOT enough that commodities) directly to WesternFROM Christian GIVE TAX-FREE DISTRIBUTIONS YOUR personal IRA checks are postmarked or even High IRA School, you’ll receive a tax deduction hand-delivered by December 31. for the fair market value of the gift AND If you are agethe 70 ½capital or older,gains gifts from your IRA bypass – whether or are notone of the smartest, tax-wise ways you can support the mission • Gifts made into a donor-advised fund (such as the you choose to itemize! of Western Christian High School! Not only do these gifts Stewards Fund) must be transferred into the account satisfy your required minimum distribution, but they also

by December 31. You can decide later how to reduce your taxable income. Distributions recommend these funds to be distributed.

Give Tax-Free

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From Your IRA RESEARCH YOUR EMPLOYER’S MATCHING GIFT If youPROGRAMS are age 70 ½ or older, gifts from

your IRA are of thegift smartest, Many employers offerone matching programstaxas part of wise ways you can support the mission their philanthropic efforts. For every dollar given, theof WesternwillChristian High School!

Not only do corporation make a matching contribution, in some these cases on a gifts 2-for-1satisfy basis. your required minimum distribution, but they also reduce your taxable income.

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BEAT THE YEAR-END RUSH

December is incredibly busy – not only for you, but also for the post-office, your financial advisors and for us.

Whenever possible, build in extra margin for your gifts to be given, received and processed by December 31.

Also, err on the side of over-communication. Call ahead for Streamline the smooth transfer stock or other appreciated assets.

Your of Giving Alert us when writing a check from your IRA account support several yougift may be (timingIfonyou these are critical!) so weministries, can ensure your able to simplify and streamline your giving by is processed immediately.

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STREAMLINE YOUR GIVING Research Your Employer’s If you support several ministries, you may be able to Matching Gift Programs simplify and streamline your giving by setting up a Many Fund employers offer matching giftthrough Stewards (donor-advised fund) account programs as part of their philanthropic efforts.

Barnabas Foundation. Like a “charitable giving account,” dollar given, theassets corporation will youFor can every give cash and appreciated into a single make a matching contribution, in some fund and then choose when and how to recommendcases grants on a 2-for-1 basis. to Western Christian High School.

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planning support, all from a Christian perspective. A planner will answer your questions with clear, easy-to-understand information so you can identify the best giving solutions to achieve your personal and charitable goals.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

To receive a deduction on this year’s taxes…

• Gifts of cash must be delivered in-person or mailed in an envelope postmarked no later than December 31.

setting up a Stewards Fund (donor-advised fund) account through Barnabas Foundation.

COLLABORATE WITHgiving THE TRUSTED Like a “charitable account,”EXPERTS you can give appreciated assets intoThrough a single fund Not surecash whatand giving options are best for you? and then choose when and how to recommend Western Christian High School’s partnership with Barnagrants to Western Christian High School. bas Foundation, you have complimentary access to trusted

LEARN MORE

Western Christian High School westernchristianhs.com To learn more 712.439.1013 brad.vis@westernchristianhs.com about smart and powerful ways to give, or This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Consult your finanto be connected with a Barnabas Foundation planner, call 5 cial advisor and legal counsel for information and advice specific to your situation.

712.439.1013 or email brad.vis@westernchristianhs.com

WOLFPACK ATHLETICS Grit and perseverance are two words often used to describe athletics.

Coaches and players alike use them.

Grit and perseverance are exemplary words that help describe the complexity of the Wolfpack’s hard work.

FOOTBALL This year, our team embraced the theme “Attack the Opportunity,” as chosen by our captains. This mantra proved a powerful motivator, spurring our players to attack each week’s challenges and seize every chance they had during practices and on game nights to compete and chase their best every time they put on their helmets.

Our dedicated group of coaches shaped our team’s culture, demonstrating a commitment to their leadership role and serving as exemplary Christian role models for our players. Their efforts have contributed to a football culture that is growing and shaping young Christian men every season.

A heartfelt thank-you is extended to our seniors for their commitment to 6

the Wolfpack football program. Their lasting impact has set a high standard for future Wolfpack teams to follow. Their enthusiasm for the sport and determination to make each day purposeful serve as a model for future senior groups.

We sincerely thank the Western Christian community for their support throughout the season! Go Pack!

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Travis Kooima, Head Coach

CROSS COUNTRY The members of the cross-country team are no strangers to hard work.

They rise early in the morning and run countless miles before the school day begins. This year, our season was marked by extreme temperatures, including races in high heat and humidity, as well as cold, windy, and rainy conditions by the end of the season. Although the weather caused a few meets to be canceled, the runners learned to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Our three focuses for the season were to glorify God, grow as individuals and runners, and have fun. As we considered ways to glorify God, we paused in our regular practice schedule to serve our neighbors by making freezer meals to donate to the Hope Food Pantry in Sioux Center.

While we had many new runners join the team this year, we were grateful for the strong leadership of our returning runners.

VOLLEYBALL

Kyrin De Groot qualified for the State Meet at the end of October, placing 40th out of 140 runners while also running a season’s best time.

Some considered this year to be a rebuilding year for Wolfpack volleyball, but the team had other ideas and, through hard work and much perseverance, became the 2023 3A State Champs. The team attacked the opportunity at the state

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Cara Van Den Top and Anna Bierma, Co-Head Coaches

The team selected 1 Corinthians 10:31 for their theme verse. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Fans may have seen the motto #G3 on T-shirts or shoes, and that was our daily reminder to Give God Glory no matter what the circumstances and in everything we do on and off the volleyball court.

tournament and played the best volleyball of the season at the biggest moment! This is Western’s first-ever 3A championship; however, it is the 19th Volleyball championship overall.

We felt truly blessed by all the love and support from the Wolfpack community and fans.

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Tammi Veerbeek, Head Coach

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SNAPSHOTS FROM SCHOOL

Five students attended the Innovate Business competition at Northwestern College. The competition’s coordinators mixed the teams with students from the different area participating schools. The teams were tasked with creating business presentations on how to help fill the over 100 open CNA shifts per week at the Orange City Health Systems nursing home, Prairie Ridge Care Center.

Each Western student was voted MVP of their particular team by their peers.

Ten members of the FFA chapter traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to further their knowledge of agriculture at the National FFA Convention. Everyone enjoyed this fantastic opportunity to experience many different things. They visited the Fair Oaks farm, where they toured their swine facilities—they also got to go to Church Hill Downs and watch a horse race. While at the convention, the group also attended the Laney Wilson Concert. Most of the time was spent at the convention center, visiting various booths.

They are grateful for the experience and thank everyone who sponsored the trip.

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Six cheer team members performed at the Iowa State Cheer Championships in Des Moines for the first time in school history this year. The team started practicing back in June to begin preparing the routines. They participated in both the Stunt and Game Time Cheer categories. The team learned a lot from performing and watching other routines and met a lot of other cheerleaders from all over Iowa. It was a really cool experience, and they hope to use it to grow their stunting and cheering abilities for future Western games.

The cast and crew delivered fantastic performances of Shiver Me Timbers! Senior Amelia Dunn shared her thoughts on participating in theatre. “Performing is physically and mentally draining, but it is all worth it in the end.” The entire play cast relishes the friendships that develop in the many weeks of rehearsals. Watching students from all four grade levels come together to entertain the audience was memorable. Western is filled with many gifts and talents.

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SNAPSHOTS FROM SCHOOL Kade LeLoux (Tenor II) and Jonah Blankespoor (Tenor I) were recently selected for participation in the 37th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival.

Over 2400 students auditioned for 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs. Jonah and Kade spent the day with their choir, working with guest director Matt Walker, and performed at the C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the Iowa State Center in Ames. Congratulations to Jonah and Kade on their hard work and achievement!

Maeva Haveman participated in the 77th Annual AllState Music Festival in Ames November 16-18. She was selected to play with the orchestra under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Gary Lewis (Boulder, Colorado). The orchestra prepared four masterworks for the culminating concert featuring Iowa’s finest high school musicians. The concert was broadcast on Iowa public television (PBS) during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Three Western students, Olivia Engbers (violin), Lily Van Voorst, and Jenessa Van Roekel (viola), were selected to participate in the Iowa Junior Honor Orchestra Festival in Ames on November 17. The one-day festival closed with a concert prepared by grades 7-9 students.

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MEMORIAL GIFTS Western Christian High School is grateful to receive memorial gifts in honor and memory of: Joan Horstman - Hull, IA. Joan was a 1960 (correction) graduate of Western Christian High School. She and her husband Virgil had three children who attended Western. Vicki (1980 correction), Bruce (1982), and Laryl (1989).

Donald Altena - Sioux Center, IA. Don was a 1963 graduate of Western Christian High School. He and his wife Carol (1963) had two sons who graduated from Western. Tim (1987), and Kent (1990).

Calvin Howard Krikke - Sheldon, IA. Howard and his wife Alvina, had four children that attended Western Christian High School. Donna (1978), Denise (1980), Diane (1984), and Dave (1989).

Arbelle “Belle” Draayer - Hull, IA. Belle (1959) and Ken (1957) had four children who attended Western Christian High School. Daniel (1981), Dean (1983), Kristin (1987), and Heather (1993). Ken also served Western as a teacher for 32 years.

Jeanne Landegent - Inwood, IA. Jeanne (1952) and her husband Case, had five children who attended Western Christian High School. LaVonda (1976), Michelle (1978), Craig (1980), Sheila (1983), and Dawn (1985).

JUST MY THOUGHTS THE JOY OF HARD WORK

I recently “caught” one of my senior speech students leaning over and whispering to her classmate something that surprised (and delighted) me. “I love these speeches. These are fun!”

I am pretty sure her comments were partly due to the fact that she was just moments away from taste-testing another classmate’s homemade edible creation! The learned skill/ demonstration speeches usually send our class to the Life Skills kitchen at least a few times each semester, and this fall was no different, but I am also confident that tasty treats aren’t the only reason most seniors love this unit.

It’s definitely not the easiest speech of the semester; in fact, except for the final assigned speech of the semester, this learned skill speech has the longest time requirement. It also requires thoughtful planning and usually some set-up time. The speaker must integrate a great “hook” at the beginning as well as dig into the background and benefit of knowing

others. So many of my senior speakers shared how a true sense of joy results from practicing and developing these various God-given skills. It also becomes clear that those same gifts and skills often serve (and delight) the people around us. Whether our skills feed others, assist others, entertain others, share common interests with them, or even improve the quality of their lives, the hard work of improving our skills and then sharing them with others brings true joy.

how to demonstrate this specific skill. This speech isn’t easy; it’s hard work, so why is it also one of the class favorites? Why would students call this speech “fun”?

Hard work can be enjoyable when what we are doing is important and others are interested, curious, and supportive. This year’s speech students have demonstrated really creative skills–more unique than ever before!

We’ve learned about vaccinating puppies, propagating plants, starting a fire with a flint, juggling scarves and wiffle balls, preparing and selling snow cones, and changing a flat tire! The variety has been abundant.

Hard work can also be enjoyable when our work is affirmed. When a student hears the class oohing and ahhing as they sample the food items, the smile of satisfaction is obvious. When audience members are genuinely impressed and even amazed at the demonstrated and explained skill of a classmate, the speaker’s sense of accomplishment is visible. When students line up to test their own skills at a new task because they trust the speaker to teach and guide them, confidence grows!

We’ve had a lot of smiles and laughter in this unit–not because it was easy but because it’s been a delight to discover and share each other’s learned skills.

I think we can all take a lesson or two away from the seniors in this unit.

When we show interest and support to those working hard around us, we give value to their efforts. When we notice and affirm the work others do, we invite them to keep up the good work.

Finally, when we explore how our skills can be used to glorify God and serve others, we realize that hard work isn’t a curse; it’s a blessing; it’s a blessing that God demonstrates to us in His creative work and a blessing that He invites us to experience when we offer our obedient hard work to Him and to those He places around us.

Hard work can be enjoyable when we see how it utilizes our gifts and serves

Just my thoughts, KC 11

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE HARD WORK IS GOOD WORK

In a matter of a couple of months, I will start the last semester of my high school career. As I look back on the previous three and a half years, my journey has been learning how hard work is good work. I have grown and learned many things inside and outside the classroom as a student at Western Christian.

Four years of football has not only allowed me to build relationships with my classmates and other players, but it has also taught me many life lessons and contributed to my faith growing closer and closer to God. Western Christian football isn’t just another athletic program; it is a way for students to show their hard work and enjoy the benefits of that work at the practices and lifts. Football has taught me what it means to be “Coachable and Teachable” because you can’t learn new things or new perspectives throughout life without those two. This program proves that anyone can work hard if they put their

UPCOMING EVENTS

mind to it. Coach Kooima has said, “To earn something, you have to work hard because it’s not always going to be given to you whether it is earning yards or getting the ball back or winning the game on the football field or whether it is earning respect and earning things in life.” A player does not need to be a star on the team to grow as a person.

JumpSTART is a newer program open to this year’s freshmen students that was unavailable to me. I probably would have enrolled because the agenda of JumpSTART would have been better for me than the regular class schedule. I like to work handson, and I learn better by doing. For students like me, these programs make perfect sense.

Students do not have to work hard to listen in weekly chapels at Western.

Chapels put us into a state of mind to want to grow and learn. Chapel has provided me with many different faith stories similar to mine. These stories have made my faith journey stronger.

God still has not shown me what is next for me. I go back and forth between Diesel Technology and farming. But I understand I may trust Him to show me the way because of what I have learned over the past three and a half years. God already has a plan for me, and although He has not shown me completely, I know His plans are full of hope for my future.

Western made some great changes for upperclassmen at the right time for me. The Career Technical Education program allowed me to work at Hoogland Dairy and Van’s Implement, providing me with real-world training.

Be watching for more information through email and social media

December 22 Christmas Break Begins January 2 Classes Resume January 7 Chamber Singers First Performance @ Sheldon First CRC 12

AJ Kamstra, Senior

January 11-12 February 19 March 18-22

Semester Exams No School - President’s Day Spring Break

Mission Statement: “As a high school institution committed to a distinctly Reformed Christian perspective...

Western Christian is a Christ-centered learning community upholding biblical Truth, fostering academic growth, and equipping all learners to love God and serve others.”