AUGUST 2011

MountaineerMessenger

Mark Your CalendarsWHAT WHEN TIME WHEREGolf Outing September 24, 2011 7:30 am Diamond Springs

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Front Cover: The seniors in front of the U.S. Capitol Building

Mothers Day TeaWhat comes in all sizes and shapes, sings, recites poetry and Bible verses, and loves to have tea time with Mom? You guessed it: Kindergarten, first, and second graders on Mothers Day! This year at the teatime gala, children planned and prepared to show how much they love their Mommas! Mrs. Pettit’s kindergarteners, a bright array of springtime flowers, presented themselves as a living bouquet to their mothers. Mrs. Kooreman’s first graders sang and read Scripture proclaiming God’s supremacy in creation. They read with expression, enunciating the words to make it easy for Mom to hear and understand. (And what blesses a mother’s heart more than hearing her little one recite the eternal truths of Scripture and praise God in song!?) Using the letters that spell out “HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY”, Miss Vannette had her second graders tell their moms what makes them so special in their child’s eyes. How thankful we are for the Lord’s design in providing godly mothers-and as mothers, how completely dependent we are on His grace! For now, we’ll put away our tea cups and hang up our hats until next spring!

The Kindergarteners as a bouquet

Allison Nordyke and her mom

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At the end of their unit on creation vs. evolution in March, the 10th grade biology class had the opportunity to drive to Kentucky to tour the Creation Museum. After studying creation and hearing arguments for its support, as well as arguments against evolution, it was a treat to be able to see and experience first hand the reality of the truths of Genesis. Students checked out the various exhibits, from the Garden of Eden to the Tower of Babel, and also took a journey through space in the planetarium. On the second day of the trip, they stopped at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH for a tour and an IMAX experience. Always a highly anticipated trip for the sophomores, this year was no exception!

Spending time together on Mackinac Island is the highlight of the year for many of the 8th grade students. This year was no exception as the class held several fundraisers throughout the year to get them ready for their two-day trip to the island. Once there, the students got to tour three historic parks: Colonial Michilimackinac, Fort Mackinac, and Old Mill Creek. After taking a ferry to the island, they rented bikes for their tour; checking out the scenery, learning all about the island, and enjoying each other’s company. Even after a long day of biking and hiking, everyone had plenty of energy for a competitive game of four-men-on-a-couch. No one was ready to go home when the time came, but lots of fun memories were made from a trip to remember!

8th Grade Class Trip

10th Grade Class Trip to AiG Creation Museum

Senior Class TripIn May, the senior class headed to Washington D.C.. They had the opportunity to visit the capitol building, the Smithsonian, and other historical attractions. It was an enjoyable and educational time as they made their last memories together as a class. Thank you to all those who helped with fundraisers and chaperoning to make this trip a success!

The 8th grade class

Sam Ryksamp, Erik Kraayeveld, Paul Freswick, Joel Miedema, and Scott Hoelsema

Nicole Veldink and Eliza Pettit

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Junior Senior BanquetThe Juniors surprised the Senior class this year with a western themed banquet held at the Suwyn house. There was a covered wagon set up where students could get their picture taken. After a catered meal, the group split into teams and went on a scavenger hunt throughout downtown Grand Rapids. At the end of the evening, each senior received a cowboy boot mug filled with an old-fashioned handkerchief and candy. Thank you to the juniors for their work throughout the year putting this event together!

The seniors pose by a covered wagon

Field Day was a wonderful time of friendly competition again this year as 8 teams of students kindergarten through 6th grade participated in the activities. The long jump, shoe kick, and slit cup race were just a few of the exciting games. Students worked as a team in each game giving encouragement to their team members. Teachers and 6th grade team leaders led the teams to each station where parent volunteers ran each event. The afternoon ended with a refreshing popsicle for each student and a water balloon activity to cool everyone down on a warm day. How wonderful it was to use the abilities that God has given to enjoy an afternoon such as this!

Elementary Field Day

Gabe Kwekel and Titus Baker in the three-legged race

Getting to Know

Favorite Fictional

Character

Favorite Summer Activity

Favorite Breakfast

Food

Beach or Swimming

Pool

Favorite Musical

Instrument

Laine Carbone5th Grade

Thomas Miller7th Grade

Seth SteenwykSenior

Abby KlettSenior

Annie PettitAdministrative Assistant

Nancy Drew

Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc

Bugs Bunny

Robin Hood

Sherlock Holmes

Camping and Boating

Biking

Hanging Out With Friends

Mission Trips

Relax!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

French Toast and Sausage

French Toast

Waffles

Blueberry Pancakes

Beach

Holland Beach (especially the

pier)

Swimming Pool

Definitely Beach!

Swimming Pool

Piano

Acoustic or Electric Guitar

Guitar

Cello

Saxophone

Greetings from Zion Christian School! We trust all is well with you and your families as you enjoy a beautiful Michigan summer. God’s provision is clear to us in creation, just as it is evident in the care He takes to mold and shape our lives.

Our school theme this past year was, “not ashamed of the gospel.” Throughout the year, we enjoyed devotions, heard chapel presentations, and witnessed staff and students living out this motto. May God continue to grant us spiritual increase as we humbly seek His face.

Financial Update

We write to you to make you aware of a significant financial need we currently face at Zion. This year to date, our annual fund (known as the Mountaineer Fund) contributions have totaled approximately $208,800, about $100,000 short of our $308,000 need! We ask that you take this into consideration and pray for the Lord’s leading in this important matter. For the month of July we did have to access some reserve funds due to this shortfall.

Please Help and/or Pass Along

Mountaineer Fund dollars are what allow us to keep tuition as reasonable as possible, while maintaining the small classes needed for high academic achievement. Please consider helping us with this goal, or pass along to a parent or grandparent who may be willing to help.

Gifts of cash, stock, mutual fund, etc. will be gladly accepted. Christian education at Zion simply would not exist without such generosity.

Thank you for your consideration and prayers.

From the Finance Commitee

Learning & Living for the Glory of God

We have collected $208,800

Mountaineer Fund Goal & Progress

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Several years ago, members of the Zion constituency met to formulate a document that would encompass the specific ways in which Zion seeks to be distinct as a Christian school committed to the Reformed Faith. Borne out of this discussion was the formulation of several statements. These statements may be divided into three sections: Authority of Scripture, Reformed Heritage, and School Life, Academics, and Atmosphere. Each issue of the Messenger will list one of our ‘distinctives’ as a means of reminding us and our constituency of the primary tenets that are critical to a solidly Reformed, Christian education.

Section: The Authority of ScriptureTenet: God directly created the universe in six consecutive days, with morning and evening enclosing the beginning and ending of each day, from no preexisting substance. Both naturalistic and theistic evolution must be rejected. Everything has been made by God, upheld by God, and reveals God. Therefore, facts are not neutral but are only truly understood when they are interpreted as God has created them and as He interprets them in His Word.

The entire list of ‘distinctives’ may be viewed on the Academics link of our website.

Zion Distinctives

150,000

100,000

250,000

300,000

200,000

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Alliance League All-Conference Athletes

Candice Baker

Cayte Baker

Chad Baker

Charlie Baker

Jordan Baker

Olivia Baker

Serena Baker

Seth Baker

Tessa Baker

Anna Carbone

Olivia Carbone

Jon De Jong

Lynnae Doll

Caleb Drew

Madison Drew

Paul Freswick

Gabriel Gunnink

Kurt Hoelsema

Peter Hoelsema

Scott Hoelsema

Daniel Kim

Anna Kloosterman

Maria Kraayeveld

Pieter Kraayeveld

Samantha Kuiper

Stephanie Kuiper

Joel Miedema

Jon Moorman

Matt Moorman

Austin Petter

Eliza Pettit

Olivia Pettit

Roy Pettit

Willem Pettit

Rachel Postma

April Pyo

Sam Ryskamp

Scott Steenwyk

Seth Steenwyk

Colleen Steigenga

Wendy Telman

Tori ten Haaf

Travis Toth

Thomas Tuinstra

Nate Vander Wall

Nicole Veldink

Jolene Ybema

Top: Sam Ryskamp Bottom: Scott Steenwyk throws from the mound at Fifth Third Ballpark

THE ALLIANCE LEAGUE COACHES SELECTED THESE ZION ATHLETES FOR SPECIAL HONORS.

Girls SoccerFirst TeamJennifer Verduin

Second TeamColleen Steigenga

Olivia Carbone

Honorable MentionSarah Steenwyk

Lynnae Doll

BaseballFirst TeamPaul Freswick (Conference MVP)

Matt Moorman

Sam Ryskamp

Second TeamJon Moorman

Scott Steenwyk

Alliance League All Conference Scholar AthletesPaul Freswick

Scott Hoelsema

Olivia Pettit

Sam Ryskamp

Colleen Steigenga

Athletics & AcademicsAt Zion, we are thankful for the strong correlation that exists between athletic participation and academic success. In many cases, we find that our students maintain higher GPA’s while participating in sports, as compared to when they are out of season. Helping to encourage academic success is our policy that athletes become ineligible to participate in athletic events if they have one or more missing class assignments. For the past two years, this policy, coupled with the discipline required to manage their time well during the season, has resulted in over one half of our student-athletes maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher during their athletic season(s). The athletes that met this requirement last school year are listed on the right.

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The Alliance League is pleased to welcome Heritage Christian from Kalamazoo to the Alliance League next year. Current Alliance League members are Algoma Christian, Calvary Schools of Holland, Calvary Christian Fruitport, Holland Black River, The Potter’s House, West Michigan Lutheran, and Zion Christian.

Back-to-Back Conference ChampionsCongratulations to our baseball team for winning the Alliance League Championship for the second consecutive year this past spring! Congratulations to Paul Freswick for making the All District & All Regional Team. Congratulations to Paul Freswick, Peter Hoelsema, Scott Hoelsema, and Sam Ryskamp for making the Academic All District Team.

Back Row: Scott Steenwyk, Head Coach Mark Van Dyke, Travis Toth, Paul Freswick, Jacob Harder, Sam Ryskamp, Garret Harder, Assistant Coach DeWayne Cook, Team Photographer Madison Drew; Middle Row: Peter Hoelsema, Dan Holobaugh, Malachi Pasma, Jon Moorman, Matt Moorman, Scott Hoelsema; Front Row: Eric Sinner, Brett Siewerstsen, Jake VanderWall, Daniel Kim, Jonathan Selden

Top Left: Travis Toth is surrounded by baseball fans after signing autographs during the double header at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Bottom Left: The team shakes hands after winning the double header against The Potter’s House at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Anna Veldink, Jennifer Verduin, Sarah Steenwyk

Alliance League Adds New Member

Graduates

PRESCHOOL GRADUATESLauren Hoekstra, Landon Jipping, Luke Laska, Clara Parks, Alex Tuinstra, Ruby Young,

8TH GRADE GRADUATESSerena Baker, Seth Baker, Julia Boekestein, Jon De Jong, Caleb Drew, Nam Hoang Duong, Kurt Hoelsema, Brendan Huyser, Thomas Kamps, Anna Kloosterman, Pieter Kraayeveld, Samantha Kuiper, Eliza Pettit, Tom Ryskamp, Madelynn Telman, Andrew Timmer, Lydia Tuinstra, Nicole Veldink

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATESJackie Baker, Paul Freswick, Scott Hoelsema, Keith Kloosterman, Keegan Knight, Erik Kraayeveld, Joel Miedema, Jae Won Park, Brandon Petter, Olivia Pettit, Sam Ryskamp, Kara Snoeyink, Colleen Steigenga, Nathan Vander Wall, Anna Veldink, Jennifer Verduin, Tiffany Wierenga

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Graduate Paul Freswick is carried away by his sister Rachel (Class of 2003) and his brother Peter (Class of 2001).

High school graduation speaker, Rev. Eric Hausler, pastor at Redeemer OPC, speaking to the graduates

Joel Miedema with his family

8th grade graduates

Class of 2011

Mathematics

Olivia Carbone

Matt Moorman

Science

Scott Hoelsema

Sam Ryskamp

PE

Nathan Vander Wall

11th Grade

Lynnae Doll

Madison Drew

12th Grade

Paul Freswick

Sam Ryskamp

10th Grade

Rebekah Dreyer

Stephanie Kuiper

11th Grade

Audra Miedema

Jolene Ybema

12th Grade

Keegan Knight

Joel Miedema

Salutatorian

Colleen Steigenga

Summit AwardsThe Summit Award is given to two students in each high school class who best exemplify Christian scholarship and character. Attributes include strong academic performance relative to aptitude, strong work ethic in all areas (including extracurricular activities), respect for authority, a spirit of kindness and humility, and a sincere desire to assist in fostering Christian community at Zion.

9th Grade

Cayte Baker

Olivia Baker

10th Grade

Joel Kloosterman

Roy Pettit

Departmental AwardsBusiness

Joel Miedema

Bible

Jae Park

Choir

Olivia Carbone

Band

Sam Ryskamp

Colleen Steigenga

Art

Jennifer Verduin

Servant-Leadership AwardPresented to one high school senior who best exemplifies the characteristics of leadership as outlined by our Savior in Matthew 20:25-28, which says “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Scott Hoelsema

Principal’s Leadership AwardRecognizes one high school student chosen by the administration who has demonstrated the ability to combine academic excellence and exemplary leadership in school and community activities.

Lynnae Doll

Citizenship AwardsRecognizes students that participate in school and/or community service; show a positive attitude toward classmates, school and community; display an understanding and appreciation of civic responsibility; possess strength of character and the courage to do what is right; and promote citizenship within the school.

7th Grade

Isaac Postma

Christina Ybema

8th Grade

Seth Baker

Julia Boekestein

9th Grade

Enrique Kamer

Rachel Postma

Valedictorians - Sam Ryskamp & Scott Hoelsema

Awards

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Valedictorian

Scott Hoelsema

Sam Ryskamp

DEAN’S LIST HONOR ROLLName Grade Name Grade

Chad Baker 07 Tessa Baker 07Anna Carbone 07 Thomas Kamps 08Isaac Postma 07 Nicole Veldink 08Serena Baker 08 Cayte Baker 09Seth Baker 08 Ceenan Chamberlain 09Jon De Jong 08 Jeremy Edouard 09Caleb Drew 08 Colton Kuyers 09Kurt Hoelsema 08 Jon Moorman 09Anna Kloosterman 08 Katie Suwyn 09Pieter Kraayeveld 08 Megan Vander Wall 10Samantha Kuiper 08 Caryn Baker 11Eliza Pettit 08 Abby Klett 11Tom Ryskamp 08 Audra Miedema 11Olivia Baker 09 Austin Petter 11Rachel Postma 09 Sarah Steenwyk 11Rebekah Dreyer 10 Scott Steenwyk 11Daniel Kim 10 Seth Steenwyk 11Melanie Kim 10 Brandon Petter 12Joel Kloosterman 10 Kara Snoeyink 12Maria Kraayeveld 10 Colleen Steigenga 12Stephanie Kuiper 10 Nathan Vander Wall 12Travis Toth 10 Jennifer Verduin 12Jordan Baker 11 Olivia Carbone 11 Lynnae Doll 11 Madison Drew 11 Sam Gunnink 11 Peter Hoelsema 11 Matt Moorman 11 Jolene Ybema 11 Jackie Baker 12 Paul Freswick 12 Scott Hoelsema 12 Erik Kraayeveld 12 Joel Miedema 12 Jae Park 12 Olivia Pettit 12 Sam Ryskamp 12

Zion Students Score High!Zion student’s ACT scores were high once again this year, placing them 4th among all schools in West Michigan. The average for the state of Michigan was 19.3. The table below shows a comparison of Christian school aver-ages in the area (table printed with permission from mlive.com).

Calvin Christian 24.0

Covenant Christian 24.0

Zion Christian 23.7

Unity Christian 23.5

Plymouth Christian 23.4

South Christian 23.2

GR Christian 22.7

Calvary of Holland 22.6

Holland Christian 22.5

Northpointe Christian 22.4

Algoma Christian 22.2

Tri-Unity Christian 22.0

GR Adventist 21.9

Freedom Christian 21.5

Potters House 18.8

Ted O’Neil from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy awarded two Zion debate students, Caryn Baker and Scott Hoelsema, with $1,000 college scholarships. 10

7555 Byron Center Avenue Byron Center, Michigan 49315(616) 878-9472 www.zionchristian.net

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Prststd Byron Center, MI 49315

Permit No. 16

JOIN US on Saturday, October 29, 2011 for a fun and entertaining night to celebrate God’s faithfulness. The evening raises funds to help cover the shortfall costs that are not covered by tuition. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you can make a difference: donate an item, service, or vacation spot; make a monetary donation; place an ad or sponsorship banner; or volunteer your time. Grow a little extra in your garden and share God’s fruitfulness. Please contact the school or a committee member to make contributions or if you have any questions. Thank you for your support and we covet your prayers for this important event!

School Office: (616) 878-9472

Connie Parks: (616) 531-4794; pdparks@att.net

Rebecca Braam: (616) 897-6590

Sarah Vannette: (616) 399-7891

Karen Sterk: (616) 457-6942

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Auction 2011

After another great year at Diamond Springs, we have elected to return there this fall! Please plan to join us for a fun-filled day of golf and fellowship, complete with prizes and lunch. Corporate sponsorships are needed as well, so please call if you are willing and able to assist in this way.

Location: Diamond Springs Golf CourseDate: September 24

Registration: 7:30 AMShot Gun Start: 8:00 AMCost: $100 per Person

All proceeds benefit the Mountaineer Fund.

Learning & Living for the Glory of God