Mountaineer Messenger

DECEMBER 2011 Grandparents Day 2011 d “What kinds of cars have you driven, Grandpa?” “What did you like to do when you were my age?” “How old are you, anyway?” These questions and more prompted many fun, important moments on Grandparents Day this past October. There were lots of hugs and exclamations of “What a good job!” given by grandparents as well. Our day included more time for visiting classrooms, along with devotions by Rev. Casey Freswick, a concert by the elementary and high school choirs, and da delicious lunch for our guests donated by Stroo Funeral d Home. The moms did a great job preparing and serving over 300 hungry folks in our gym. At Zion Christian School, we value all the ages d and generations of our families. We see God’s faithfulness through the years, evidenced by testimonies of young and old alike.

Amanda Braam and her grandmother

Mark Your Calendars

WHAT WHEN WHERE Homecoming February 10 Zion Open House March 8 at 7:00pm Zion Spring Dinner April 26 at 6:00pm Zion 1 Cover: Brienna Alsum, Kaitlin Groenhof, Olivia Verduin, Emma Rozema d

dLandon Jipping and his grandparents

Seth & Scott Steenwyk and their grandfather

Riley Steenbergen and her grandparents d

xxx

Chad Baker and his grandfather

22 Zion Preschool visits Post Family Farm Adventures

Pre-Kindergarten Fall Fun On October 24, the PK students went to Post Family Farm. They had a great time picking pumpkins and everyone went home with their favorite one! They learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin by putting on a show for their parents. Not only did they learn about farm animals, they played in the hay, went for a ride on the pumpkin train, and enjoyed Preschool News delicious cider and doughnuts which led Kyla Johnson to During our unit on “Community Helpers,” the exclaim, “I love this place!” preschoolers had the privilege of talking to a real firefighter, Mark Pyper. Mr. Pyper explained fire safety to the class and let them see first hand the gear that firefighters wear. The final treat was their very own Junior Firefighter hat to wear home!

Also, in late October, the preschoolers enjoyed an adventure filled morning at Post Family Farm as they explored the barns, took a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, drove the pumpkin train, and enjoyed a tasty pumpkin doughnut! We are thankful that we can explore God’s creation together.

3 Math Fun Have you ever tried to motivate fourth, fifth, and sixth graders to practice their math facts on a daily basis? This is not an easy task. But the teachers at Zion have found a way to get students excited to practice their facts at school, before school, after school, and at home. Sumdog.com provides Zion students with a fun and challenging way for students to practice their facts by playing games against classmates, the computer, or the world. From December 5-15, our classes are also part of a statewide contest. It has been very exciting Adventures to see our school in the top ten ratings screen for . So, if your math facts have become a little rusty, check out sumdog.com and see if you can keep up with Zion’s math fact superstars! Casey Ybema is surrounded by his fellow 4th grade classmates while competing on sumdog.com. 5th & 6th Grade Campout The fifth and sixth grade overnight campout in Craig & Carla Baker’s yard was an exciting experience. We enjoyed several games of capture the flag and had a fire cooked dinner. Although a small rain shower fell in the early evening, it soon stopped raining and the students quickly emerged from the shelter of their tents. After enjoying s’mores and singing a few hymns around the campfire, we retired to our tents and most of us managed to get several hours of sleep. A beautiful sunrise greeted us the next morning and before cleaning up camp, we had a tasty breakfast of donuts, muffins, and fruit.

Katy Kamps & Morgan Ybema

4 Student Council

Zion’s Student Council has been busy this year organizing Student Council has also been central in student activities to build a sense of community among organizing Zion’s service projects to help those in the student body and to serve the broader community. need within the broader community of Byron Spirit days, student mixers, bonfires, and service projects Center. The creation and distribution of are all organized and run by our Student Council. Spirit Thanksgiving Baskets for Byron Ministries is one Days are days during which Zion’s dress code is relaxed example among many of their organizational effect and students can celebrate a particular theme. One such in this regard. day was called “Great Divide Day”, during which students dressed with logos and in colors of either the University of Michigan or Michigan State.

Lynnae Doll, Maria Kraayeveld, Olivia Carbone, Stephanie Kuiper, Scott Steenwyk, Travis Toth, Seth Steenwyk, and Matt Moorman deliver Thanksgiving baskets.

Lynnae Doll & Madison Drew

Also, to build a sense of community and encourage The following students have been given the privilege relationships among Zion students, student council of serving their fellow students this school year as representatives organized the annual Zion student mixer, student council representatives: where students enjoyed games and pizza with each other. President: Seth Steenwyk Secretary: Lynnae Doll Treasurer: Matt Moorman 12th: Olivia Carbone, Scott Steenwyk 11th: Maria Kraayeveld, Travis Toth 10th: Jeremy Edouard, Rachel Postma 9th: Tom Ryskamp, Lydia Tuinstra 8th: Joseph De Jong, Anna Carbone 7th: Jonathan Vander Wall, Nathanael Tuinstra

Junior High students spot Candice Baker 5 Debate The debate season is wrapping up with only the state tournament left in Petoskey on January 6, 2012. The debate team finished an outstanding season in the Metro Debate League. Debates were held weekly at Kentwood High School from October 26 until November 30. One Zion team made up of Madison Drew, Matt Moor- man, Lynnae Doll, and Seth Steenwyk, placed 2nd in the Varsity division. Another Zion team made up of Cayte Baker, Rachel Postma, Jon Moorman, and Jeremy Edouard, placed 3rd in the Novice Division. Many of our debaters won awards for being excellent speakers. In the Varsity Division, Lynnae Doll placed 3rd, Jordan Baker 5th, and Caryn Baker 9th. In the Novice division, Travis Toth placed 3rd, Jeremy Edouard 6th, and Levi Pasma 7th. Congratulations to all the Zion Debaters for a job well done!

Favorite Pie Favorite Favorite New Year’s Apple or Getting Christmas Christmas Resolution Microsoft to Know Song Movie Rev. Steve Postma Apple Pie Joy to the World The Santa Clean Garage Apple Bible, PE Clause

Natalie Buist Fresh Blueberry Carol of the Bells The Christmas Get Better Microsoft Freshman Card Grades

Jolene Ybema Apple Pie Winter Snow The Christmas Get a Good Microsoft Senior Shoes Scholarship for College

Landon Vos Chocolate The 12 Days of The Santa Play More Apple 6th Grade Meringue Christmas Clause 3 Video Games

Brian Braam Pumpkin Pie Joy to the Elf Get Better Apple 4th Grade World Grades

6 Alliance League All - Conference Athletes

The Alliance League coaches selected these Zion athletes for special honors: Olivia Carbone Matthew Moorman

Boys Soccer First Team National Merit Seth Steenwyk Scholarship Program

Congratulations to Olivia Carbone and Matthew Moorman who have been selected as semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. They were selected from 1.5 million nominees from schools across the country. Winners of this scholarship are chosen based on their scholastic and extracurricular accomplishments, abilities, and potential for future academic success. Olivia and Matt are now competing against 16,000 other students with the of earning one of 8,400 National Merit Scholarships to be awarded next spring.

Volleyball ZionZion Distinctives Distinctives First Team

Stephanie Kuiper 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 Scripture Tenet: Scripture, rather than political opinion or social sensitivities, provides for us the foundation for godly living and shapes our perspectives on matters such as abortion, gender roles, homosexuality, idolization of sports, popularity, etc.

The entire list of ‘distinctives’ may be viewed on the Academics 7 link of our website. Zion Welcomes New Students

Zion’s enrollment this fall jumped from

225 to 254!

Seth Bolton P4 Dawson Leep 6 New Staff Brooklyn Fortuna P4 Sarah VanDijk 6 Jesse Aukeman Peter Kamp P4 Landon Vos 6 Role: Athletic Director & High School Katelyn Kwekel P4 Computer Gabriel Pyper P4 Alise Britton-Gonzalez 7 Credentials: B.A. Communications, Grove City College Jeffery [Robby] Schipper P4 Katiana [Kati] Dubois 7 Experience: Various admin and Emersyn Toonstra P4 Marie Edouard 7 development roles since 2006; Teaching Leo Wilhelm P4 Benjamin Kwekel 7 since 2011 Church: Bethel URC Zack Vannette 7 Audrey Crabtree PK Darryl Dedert Elias Hutt PK Michelle Kolenbrander 8 Role: Grades 7 - 12 Teacher Kyla Johnson PK Credentials: B.A. Secondary Education, Cornerstone University Clara Kerkstra PK Aaron Beute 9 Experience: Teaching since 2005 Hudson Rietman PK Natalie Buist 9 Church: Heritage Reformed Congregation, Alexis Spoelma PK Kendra Jaarsma 9 Grand Rapids Madison ten Haaf PK Rachel Kunnen 9 Megan Van Beek PK Tony Lee 9 Logan Vannette PK Holly Mitchem 9 Rev. Steve Postma Laura Wychers PK Jeneà Petter 9 Role: Various Bible Classes & P.E. Zion Distinctives Credentials: Sonja Ybema PK Hannah VanDijk 9 B.A.S. Industrial Technologies, Grand Valley State Joseph Vos 9 University; Master of Divinity, Morgan Bekkering K Mid-America Reformed Seminary Experience: Pastor and teacher since 2007 Kristina Faber K Andrew Deppe 10 Church: Bethany URC Cole Kerkstra K Nina Dubois 10 Caden Krikke K Anne Kloosterman 10 Leah Prins K Joshua Kunnen 10 Amy VanBeek Jacob Rozema K Timothy Westendorp 10 Role: Office Assistant & LES Aide Credentials: Coursework at Jenna Sue Vannette K Grand Rapids Jenna Verduin K Nicholas Vos 11 Community College Experience: Various administrative Joshua Zylstra K support roles since 1993 Joel Westendorp 12 Church: Trinity URC Josie Doezema 1 Riley Steenbergen 1 Martin Ybema 1 Christina VanBeek Role: Science Teacher Credentials: B.S. Biology, Calvin College James Crabtree 2 Experience: Health care giver and trainer since 2005; Teaching since 2011 Tejia Pickel 2 Church: American Reformed Church Sonja Ybema Emma Crabtree 4 Jennifer Edouard 4 Julian Edouard 4 8

A Legacy for Tomorrow = A Gift for Today!

Estate giving is an essential portion of the financial support received by Zion Christian School. Recognizing the necessity of estate giving to support the Christian education of tomorrow, a group of Zion supporters has stepped with a way for your pledged estate gift to become a cash gift to support the needs of today! For every estate gift pledged before December 31 of this year, a matching cash gift for 10% of your pledge will be given to the Mountaineer Fund (the Mountaineer Fund is the school’s annual fund drive, necessary to meet the shortfall between family tuition revenues and the true cost of education).

EXAMPLE 1. Mr. and Mrs. Smith designate Zion Christian School as a beneficiary of a portion of their estate. By their best estimate, the gift will be worth $50,000 at the time of the bequest. 2. Mr. and Mrs. Smith notify the school of their intentions by completing line three of the enclosed envelope and mailing it to the school. 3. A group of donors is made aware of the dollar value of the designation. 4. A $5,000 check is received in support of the Mountaineer Fund (10% of the $50,000 designation).

HOW CAN I HELP? 1. Fill in the requested information on the enclosed envelope. 2. Check the box for “a pledged gift of $_____ from my estate plan”, including the estimated amount of the pledge. 3. Mail form back in the envelope.

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS • We ask that you make your best effort to estimate the dollar value of your bequest, understanding that this may be a bit challenging in some cases. You will not be held accountable for this “pledged amount” aside from your assurance that you are making your best estimate. • A dollar limit for the match may apply (please contact Jason in the

Brooklyn Fortuna and Emersyn Toonstra

9 Zion “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Auction Business Donors The Zion Auction committee would like to thank all those who contributed to the auction! It is estimated that the auction contributed $70,000 to the Mountaineer Fund! Thank you to all those who made phone calls, talked to businesses, helped with set-up during the week of the auction. Without all your help, this event would not have happened. Thank you to all those who purchased items, as well! Next year, the auction will be held on October 27, 2012! Please let us know if you would like to be involved!

AAA Turf Inc. [Hudsonville] Fox Rentals [Jenison] Monterey Grille [Caledonia] AC Delco Car Care Center [Hudsonville] Gemmen’s Inc. [Hudsonville] Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Ace Hardware [Wyoming] Georgetown Home Furnishings [Hudsonville] Naked Plates Studio [Grand Rapids] Action Collision Service, Inc. [Grand Rapids] Gerrit’s Appliance Inc. [Wyoming] Napa Auto Parts (Division) [Grand Rapids] Advantage Animal Control [Alto] Gilmore Car Museum [Hickory Corners] Nelis’ Dutch Village [Holland] Grand Plaza Hotel [Grand Rapids] Gingham Sisters [Lake Odessa] Northwestern Mutual Life [Grand Rapids] Arbor Gage & Tooling, Inc. [Grand Rapids] Gleneagle Golf Club [Hudsonville] On the Border Arnie’s Bakery and Restaurant [Grand Rapids] GM Buck Pipe Organs Inc. [Grand Rapids] Paint-A-Pot [Holland] Arthur Murray Studio [Grandville] Gord VanLaan Excavating [Moline] Panopoulos Salons [Byron Center] Beaver Island Boat Company [Charlevoix] Grand Rapids Children’s Museum [Grand Rapids] Pet Supplies Plus [Wyoming] Big O Smokehouse [Caledonia] Grand Rapids Griffins [Grand Rapids] Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club [Eau Claire] Bittersweet Ski Resort [Otsego] [Grand Rapids] Poll Building Unlimited LLC [Clarksville] Bob’s Butcher Block [Jenison] Grand Health Partners [Grand Rapids] The Printery [Holland] Bounce Party [Kentwood] Grandville Floral [Grandville] Rainbow Grill - Grandville [Grandville] Brann’s Steakhouse [Grandville] Green Bay Packers - Lambeau Field Atrium [WI] Reformed Book Outlet [Hudsonville] Brink Wood Products, Inc. [Byron Center] Green Valley Agricultural, Inc. [Caledonia] Repcolite Paints (Chicago Drive) Broene’s Furniture [Allendale] Groenink’s Elevator & Hardware [Nunica] Richard Engels Jewelers, Inc. [Grandville] Buist Electric [Byron Center] Haan Jewelers [Byron Center] Russ’ Restaurant - Cutlerville [Grand Rapids] Byron Center Chiropractic [Byron Center] Heffron Farms [Belding] Russel & Ballard Jewelry [Wyoming] Byron Center Meats [Byron Center] Heidi Christines Salon & Spas [Caledonia] The Scrap Yard [Grandville] Byron Family Restaurant [Byron Center] Helms Masonry [Byron Center] Seif Chevrolet, Caledonia [Caledonia] Caledonia Farmers’ Elevator [Caledonia] Henry Ford Museum [Dearborn] Senator Mark Jansen [Lansing] Camp Bow Wow [Hudsonville] High Grade Material [Grand Rapids] 7 Seven’s Paint & Wallpaper [Grandville] CareLinc Medical Supply [Grand Rapids] Holland Community Aquatic Center [Holland] The Shack [White Cloud] Chateau Chantal [Traverse City] Holland Special Delivery [Hudsonville] Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry [Mackinaw City] Chemical Bank [Byron Center] Houseman’s Ice Cream [Byron Center] Silver Bullet Firearms [Wyoming] Cherry Valley Stove & Saw [Caledonia] Hudsonville Grille [Hudsonville] 16th Avenue Metal Designs [Hudsonville] Chips Groundcover [Holland] Hudsonville Lanes [Hudsonville] Smith-Owen Sewing & Quilting [Grand Rapids] The Chop House [Grand Rapids] Huizen’s Furniture of Galewood Inc. [Wyoming] South Kent Veterinary Hospital [Caledonia] Cindy’s Hair Care [Jenison] Integrated Exteriors [Grand Rapids] Splash Universe & Amish Country Inn [Shipshewana] Comfort Suites [Grandville] Integrity Business Solutions [Grand Rapids] State Farm Ins. - Ken Jipping [Jenison] Compaan Door of West Michigan [Holland] j b johnson photography [Hudsonville] State Farm Ins. - Kathleen Sullivan [Hudsonville] Cook Funeral Home John Ball Zoo [Grand Rapids] Stehouwer Frozen Foods, Inc. [Grand Rapids] Costco Warehouse [Grandville] John G. Shedd Aquarium [Chicago] Strider’s [Grandville] Country Needleworks [Jenison] John P. Sterk & Sons [Jenison] Stroo Funeral Home, Inc. [Grand Rapids] Culvers - 54th St. [Wyoming] Joymar Inc Carwash [Grand Rapids] Superior Plumbing [Byron Center] Curves [Wyoming] Judd’s Body Shop [Byron Center] Swierenga Jewelers [Caledonia] Cutlerville Shoe Repair [Grand Rapids] Jurgens & Holtvluwer [Grandville] Talsma Furniture - Byron Center [Byron Center] D & D Mobile Locksmith [Byron Center] Kenowa Auto Supply [Byron Center] Target - Clyde Park [Wyoming] D.J.’s Landscape [Grand Rapids] Kentwood Office Furniture [Breton] Ted Miedema Concrete Construction [Jenison] DeHaan Tile & Flooring [Grand Rapids] Kidder Safari [Grand Rapids] Teerman’s [Holland] Red Wings [Detroit] Kim’s Consignment [Caledonia] Texas Roadhouse [Grandville] , Inc [Detroit] Koetsier Greenhouse [Grand Rapids] That Pretty Place [Middlebury] Detroit Zoo [Royal Oak] Kraayeveld Law Offices PC [Grand Rapids] think2wice LLC [Grand Rapids] Diamond Springs Golf Course [Hamilton] Kroll Furnace Co. Inc. [Hudsonville] Tillema Sales & Service, Inc. [Byron Center] Dibble Dabble Creations [Holland] Lake Shore Fence, LLC [Hudsonville] Town & Country Tel-Com [Zeeland] Double JJ Resort [Rothbury] Lamphear Service Company [Grandville] True Vine Creations [Hudsonville] Dykstra’s Auto Service, Inc. [Hudsonville] Landscape Impressions [Caledonia] United Bank - Byron Center [Byron Center] Dynamic Wood Products [Saranac] Laninga Appliance [Byron Center] Van Andel & Flikkema [Grand Rapids] Elder’s Appliance [Grandville] Lumberman’s [Wyoming] Vander Veen’s Dutch Store [Wyoming] Excel Office Interiors [Grand Rapids] Mac Wood’s Scenic Dune Rides [Mears] WalMart [Grandville] Express Care Lube & Car Wash [Wyoming] Macatawa Bank [Holland] Warm Fuzzies [Caledonia] Family Video [Wyoming] Macy’s [Grandville] Wesseling & Brackmann [Hudsonville] Farmstead Inn & Conference Center [Shipshewana] Maly’s [Grand Rapids] [Comstock Park] Fields Fabrics [Grand Rapids] Maple Hill Golf Course [Grandville] Wooden Spool Quilt Shop [Byron Center] Fillmore Equipment [Jenison] Marcusse Construction [Zeeland] Woodways [Zeeland] First Companies [Grand Rapids] Meijer - 54th Street [Wyoming] Ybema Farm [Hopkins] Forest Grove Farm & Lawn Equipment [Hudsonville] Meyer Music [Grand Rapids] YMCA of Grand Rapids [Grand Rapids] Forest Hill Foods [Grand Rapids] Midwest Sign Company [Byron Center] Zeeland Schwinn Cycle & Fitness [Zeeland] Fortune Chef Restaurant [Caledonia] Model Drug and Apothecary Gift Shop [Holland] 10

Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Prststd Byron Center, MI 49315 7555 Byron Center Avenue Byron Center, Michigan 49315 Permit No. 16 (616) 878-9472 www.zionchristian.net Address Service Requested

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Arbor Gage & Tooling Event Grace Bible College Event Grace Adventures Event DJ’s Lawn Maintenance Lunch M. Schuringa & Friends Lunch Brian Doezema, Matt Van Til, Brad Steenbergen, Chad Veldhouse Buiten Insurance – Brian Mattila Mountaineer Cook Funeral Home Mountaineer Deppe Mold & Tooling Mountaineer 2011 Golf Outing Dys Insurance Agency Mountaineer Many thanks to the golfers and sponsors who made First Companies Mountaineer this year’s golf outing another major success! In Franklin Press Mountaineer addition to the many parents and supporters in Helms Masonry Mountaineer attendance, we were very pleased to have so many Integrity Business Solutions Mountaineer alumni join us. Of the 86 golfers present, 10 were Zion John P. Sterk & Sons Painting Mountaineer alumni, and 7 were current students. K & H Concrete Cutting, Inc. Mountaineer Thank you to those of you who supported the event GVL Excavating Hole through your sponsorship or by playing golf! Thanks to Kraayeveld Law Hole your generosity, just under $10,000 was raised for the Ted Miedema Contractors, Inc. Hole Mountaineer Fund! Veronica Redder - Tastefully Simple Products & Prizes Diamond Springs Golf Course Products & Prizes Maple Hill Golf Course Products & Prizes