The COMPASS A PUBLICATION OF SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

A letter from a senior parent How SWCHS transformed her student's spiritual & academic life Construction Update Final expansion project update for Fall 2018 opening

Track State Champions Brothers and best friends finish in first place in 4x100

Summer 2018

The Compass | 1 From the

Head of School Therefore, a discipleship school must be much more than a place where young people learn to understand, articulate, and intellectually embrace the biblical worldview.

In his book, "You Are What You Love," Dr. James K. A. Smith points to Jesus’ interaction with two of John the Baptist’s disciples to reveal what he believes is the most significant issue of Christian discipleship. In John 1:35-38, Jesus abruptly addresses the two men with the question, “What do you want?” Smith argues that Jesus’ question is so pointed, because “we are what we want” or in other words “we are what we love.” Jesus cares about what people know and what people “Jesus cares about what believe, but the truth is that what people know and what we long for and desire—what we people believe, but the love—is the core of our identity truth is that what we long and the source of our actions for and desire—what we and behavior. Proverbs 4:23 love—is the core of our teaches, “Above all else, guard identity and the source of your heart, for everything you do our actions and behavior.” flows from it.”

For the past 22 years, Southwest Christian High School has At SWCHS we are seeking to develop mature disciples of been known as a discipleship school. Developing mature Jesus Christ by forming not only the intellect but also the disciples of Jesus Christ is the heart of our vision statement desires of our students. This means that in every content and discipleship is one of our core values. Put simply, the area and school program, we must invite and direct both process of discipleship is at the very heart of all we do both the minds and the hearts of our students to God. Ultimately, inside and outside of the classroom. this is Christ’s work through the power of the Holy Spirit. No school, curriculum, or teacher can make a student love As a teacher, coach, and administrator at SWCHS over the God; however, I firmly believe God is powerfully using the past 17 years, I have heard hundreds of people share what curriculum, teachers, and community of SWCHS to help our discipleship should look like at SWCHS. People talk about students to not simply think like Christ but to also love like studying Scripture and sound doctrine, Christ-centered Christ. mentoring and community worship, discipleship groups and chapel, and service and mission projects. All of these are vital elements of our curriculum, programming, and school culture. Dan Beckering More than anything, people talk about helping students Head of School to think biblically about all areas of life. As a discipleship school, we strive to help our students develop beliefs about Dan Beckering has worked at SWCHS for the last 17 years as a reality that are correctly aligned with the Truth of God’s word. teacher, coach, dean of students, and head of school. He lives in Chaska with his wife and four children. Having right knowledge and beliefs is an essential component of becoming a mature disciple of Jesus Christ. However, discipleship is much more than right knowledge and correct doctrine.

2 | Summer 2018 IN THIS ISSUE

7 4 SCHOOL NEWS >> Hockey >> Entrepreneurship Class >> The Accidentals, Band >> High School Musical

8 AN UNFORGETTABLE FORMAL

9 A LETTER FROM A SENIOR PARENT 8 10 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 12 STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS 12 >> Celebrating students this semester >> Student athlete signings/scholarships

14 FACULTY NEWS >> Birth announcements & awards >> Featured faculty | Kit Avery & Breanna Wakefield >> A letter from the chaplain

18 ALUMNI NEWS 22 >> Polaris Award Winner >>Collegiate Accomplishments >> A Letter from Julia Elmquist ‘17 >> Featured alum | Adam & Jessica Lennartson >> Wedding & Baby Announcements

24 UPCOMING EVENTS

The Compass | 3 { School News }

2017–18 Coaches Build Momentum for Stars Hockey The Southwest Christian/Richfield boys hockey team ended the "Work Hard. Have Fun. Be Honest. These are the three things 2017–18 season with a 17-7-1 record under the reigns of former Coach Erik Westrum lives by. Since day one, Westrum emphasized (NHL) player Erik Westrum. Westrum the importance and meaning of each of these three actions. Playing brought a plethora of experience to the table, previously playing for the SWCHS hockey team was an honor this year. As a junior professional hockey for the Phoenix Coyotes, , and goaltender, I had high hopes for this season. When Southwest —as well as internationally in Switzerland. The Christian announced last August that Erik Westrum would be the first-year head coach, along with his talented assistant coaches, coach for the upcoming season, I was beyond excited. I knew created a solid foundation for the future by creating an exciting he and his coaching staff would offer opportunities and expertise atmosphere for growth and athletic excellence. equal to that of any coaching staff in the state—if not more. But I had no idea just how deep and talented this coaching staff would The team accomplished a lot in the program's second year be. From former professional athletes, to soldiers, and television including winning the Barron Wisconsin Classic over Christmas anchors, the hockey coaches this year had a little bit of everything. Break, playing in the Coon Rapids outdoor classic in January under the lights, and posting huge wins over Becker, Moose Lake, and The first thing Coach Westrum emphasized was hard work. Telling Dodge County. The team's championship victory over Christmas his story about his rise from an eighth grader on the B team to Break in Wisconsin was one of their favorite experiences of the earning a scholarship at the his junior year year. The team enjoyed time at the hotel, saw the new Star Wars of high school, Westrum was a living example of what hard work movie in theaters, and bowled in their free time at the Classic. could produce. Not only that, but one of our assistant coaches, Sam Carlson, won the Hard-Worker Award while playing at the Coach Westrum recapped the season at the year-end hockey Naval Academy. Our coaches pushed us to improve every day, banquet sharing his appreciation for the players' high expectations, and the result of our work became very apparent throughout the character, and leadership. He shared some of the most rewarding year. aspects of the year including the Monday team devotionals and Wednesday skill groups. "Our guys' had the opportunity to learn Our team had no trouble having fun. Despite a wide variety of from some of the best in USA and Minnesota hockey during ages, skill levels, and even schools, our team had fun in any our weekly skill groups. Our positional coaches have an eye for situation. Dancing before and after games, hanging out on long talent and increase the hockey IQ of our players," Westrum said. bus rides, and carpooling to practices right after school were just "We are excited to keep implementing this for years to come." some examples of the great experiences we had. I’m especially Coach Westrum also praised the character of the team who was thankful for Goalie Coach Ron Docken, who pushed me to improve dedicated to serving above-and-beyond at team service projects and was an amazing encourager. Coach Dave Schwarz brought at the Simpson Shelter, Hendrickson Foundation, and Feed My so much energy to our team, and I always looked forward to our Starving Children. Westrum explained that it was encouraging to in-game chats between periods. see the guys "continue to voluntarily step up" for the post-season service projects. The final aspect—Be Honest—was also a vital part of our team. Even when Coach Emmy asked who was doing their squats at In 2018-19, the Stars will compete in Section 2A for the first time home and no one raised their hand, the coaches were at least in school history as a fully-rostered, varsity hockey program. They proud of our honesty. I loved being a part of are scheduled to compete in the Schwan's Cup, one of the top the team this year and I can't wait to get tournaments in the Twin Cities. Junior goalkeeper Lukas Haugen back at it this summer with the guys and had 17 wins for the year and earned Defensive Player of the Year our coaches. What a year!" and Academic Achiever awards. Next year's captain had very high praises for the new coaching staff: - Lukas Haugen '19 4 | Summer 2018 { School News }

SWCHS Business Students Continue To Rise Above

The Entrepreneurship in Action class grew by leaps in its second year with 22 junior and students enrolled. Kit Avery took the reins teaching 2017–18 Coaches Build Momentum for Stars Hockey this course and was impressed with the bright collection of students involved. "This class displayed such professionalism and growth throughout the course of this semester," said Avery. "They were excellent representatives of our school and the school's discipleship model. I could not be more proud and excited for their futures." Below are a few highlights of the year. SWCHS claimed first and second medals for entrepreneurship competition

The Entrepreneurship in Action class held a Shark Tank competition in January. The top two Southwest Christian teams competed in the Christian High School Network’s Shark Tank event held at the Carlson School of Management in January. The groups created a service/product and pitched their ideas to a team of local businessmen and women. “Access Lawn Care” team took first place and “Everything Paleo” placed second. These eight students competed against 60 other students from across the Twin Cities. With the partnership of Brent Veninga and Chris Pears, this class continues to grow at SWCHS and effectively prepares students for college and beyond. The material and networking opportunities give students practical, real-life experience in the classroom.

Second semester client presentations gave students hands-on work experience

The class was broken up into four groups to work with clients, providing innovative marketing plans based on each client's request. The groups worked with the following companies/organizations to create a presentation of their research and plans: • Medica - "The quality of their work was far above what I would have expected from high school students.... All of them were extremely professional. I would happy to be the coworker of any one of them." • CrossFit - "We enjoyed working with this bright group of teenagers! They were very professional, always on time (if not, early), produced work on time, and went above and beyond to learn about our business. We were very impressed with all of them! We hope to be in touch for next year's students!" • Habitat For Humanity - "A co-worker who attended the presentation pulled me aside in the hallway saying, 'Wow, I have been to quite a few high schooler presentations and that group was probably the most organized that I have witnessed. Make sure they get a good grade!' It was clear that entire group shared responsibilities equally, there was no weak link in the group or one individual dominating during the presentation (that is rare).” • Minnesota Table - "I loved the customer feedback tools and suggestions. I also really appreciated that they went and ordered food on their own without telling me and then gave me honest feedback on presentation and taste. We were impressed with their research on the food industry." The Compass | 5 SWCHS A Cappella Group Sees Success Being a part of The Accidentals this year was a total blessing. The the competition. But by God’s grace, we ended up making it to existence of the a capella group in the first place is a miracle. It the semi-final round of the competition. As if that wasn’t enough, started with awkward sophomore me talking to our music director, Kendall Winship, one of our very own singers, won the award for Curtis Kettler, during his first year on staff. I approached him the “outstanding solo” in our regional competition, and I received regarding the idea of starting a group, and he said we would need an award for the “best arrangement” in the regional competition. three things: music, time, and singers. Within three hours, we God blessed us beyond measure this year. pulled all three of those elements together, and “The Accidentals” had their first rehearsal one week later. This group was a total Another positive was that we were able to travel to Wisconsin and answer to prayer. We started as a group of eight underclassmen Illinois for these competitions, which helped us develop a close who could only sing one or two songs and grew into a top-tier a relationship with the entire group. I love these guys. They are capella group of 14 singers that was competition worthy. family. I’m heading off to college this fall, but I’m wishing the new co-leaders of the group, Matthew Brady and Kendall Winship, the This year was unique because it was our first time performing in best of luck next year! a competition. We auditioned for the International Championship - James Ocenasek '18 of High School A Capella, unsure we would even make it into Ocenasek will attend Wheaton College this fall

Symphonic Band Performs in Chi Town The Symphonic Band toured in Chicago in early March. The Danielle Engholm and Rhonda Schneibel, two mothers who group of 25 students had multiple performances on the trip. They chaperoned in Chicago, shared their perspective on the trip. first stopped at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, "Some of our favorite times were having great conversations with Illinois, where both the SWCHS and CCHS bands performed a the students, seeing their playful interaction with one another, joint concert for the high school. Later that weekend, the band and experiencing their leadership skills in how they represented performed in Stanley Hall at the Field Museum in downtown SWCHS and the body of Christ," they said. "The trip was a Chicago. The students toured downtown Chicago including the wonderful opportunity for students to travel to a great city, get Willis Tower Skydeck, the Bean, Magnificent Mile, the Chicago to know each other outside of the classroom, grow their musical Institute of Art, and of course a trip to eat deep dish pizza! talents through performances in new environments, and create wonderful high school memories. A special thank you to Mrs. West On Sunday, the SWCHS band was able to share their musical for her commitment to seeking ways to enhance the band program gifts for the congregation at Medinah Baptist Church. Later that and developing the skills and experiences for the band students!" evening, the students enjoyed being audience members by attending a fun Blue Man Group performance! 6 | Summer 2018 Breaking Free How the SWCHS theater department impacted senior actress Rachel Gassen

Being a part of High School Musical this past spring was unique. Trusting someone to tell all different kinds of stories is a risk. I have been given the opportunity to play lead roles in previous The way you envision something may be completely unlike what Southwest Christian productions, but this one was unlike the someone else sees. But, the fact that I’ve had a support system others. This was a contemporary show, unlike the classics we had who believes in what I can accomplish with each role changes the done before, that tied in motivation, romance, and what it’s like to game. be a high school student. Becoming Gabriella seemed simple at first, but I soon realized the difficulties that came with it. I realized My experience in theater at Southwest Christian has been nothing it was tough to become what I thought was so familiar. I was a but incredible, and I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Every show high school student who knew High School Musical like the back I’ve been in has taught me something as a person and an actress. of my hand. My best friends and I used to sing and dance along to Being in theater has obviously developed the movie when we were young, and it was my dream to become my fundamental theater skills, but it has Because of Southwest Christian, Gabriella Montez. But soon after practices began, I realized how also matured me. Because of Southwest my relationships much I had to start observing her life, not mine. I had to notice what Christian, my relationships with students with students and she wanted and what motivated her. It took awhile to get there, but and faculty have been strengthened beyond faculty have been I eventually found it. When you are onstage and can fully embody measure. My confidence to speak in front strengthened a character’s actions, thoughts, and emotions, satisfaction sets in. of people—and simply be myself—has beyond measure. The development of a character is a beautiful thing. drastically improved, which will really help me in the future. Lastly, I have learned more about what I’m capable For every show that I’ve been in at Southwest Christian, I’ve been of because of the gifts God has blessed me with. Thank you to the immensely grateful for the parts I’ve received. Every time I see best support system out there. You all know who you are. my name on a cast list, I find my director, Mr. Mealey, look at him straight in the eye, and say, “I won’t let you down.” And every time, - Rachel Gassen, '18 he replies, “I know you won’t.” That means the world to me. Gassen will attend Belmont University in Nashville this fall

The Compass | 7 { School News } Maddie Joins Junior/Senior Formal Mrs. Wakefield's discipleship group go the extra mile on Service Day

Mrs. Breanna Wakefield’s discipleship group visited the home of a Maddie attended the Junior/ neighbor on Southwest Christian's spring service day. The group of Senior Formal with her new junior girls met Madigan “Maddie," a 21-year old girl, who has had a friends from Southwest rare disease called MLD (Metachromatic Leukodystrophy) since she Christian. When she joined was four years old. MLD affects her brain and targets the nervous the students, they all made system. Children with MLD often pass away by about five years of her feel welcomed and a age, but Maddie is still fighting and has beat the odds. part of the community. Many of the junior and senior boys The girls sang with her, read to her, and served the family during their dedicated a large portion of day away from school. While they were visiting, they started talking their night dancing around about Formal, which was the following weekend. They learned that Maddie to make sure she Maddie was dismissed from her high school prom and was unable to felt included in the dancing attend because she did not have a ticket. After learning this, the girls festivities. set up a meeting with Dan Beckering, the head of school, requesting if they could invite Maddie to Formal. After hearing the compassionate “I am proud of and inspired daily by the incredible displays of Christ- and eager request from the girls, he allowed them to invite Maddie. like compassion and kindness that these students show to others," "We were so grateful Mr. Beckering gave us the opportunity to bring said Mrs. Wakefield. “It was a special blessing to have Maddie join us Maddie when Southwest's policy does not allow outside student at Formal this year." The girls have returned to visit Maddie multiple guests to attend," said junior Annie Strachan. "We appreciate that he times since Formal. "She has become a close friend and we love made an exception!" seeing her on a more regular basis," said Strachan.

8 | Summer 2018 { School News } A Letter From A Senior Parent Why her daughter’s decision to transfer to Southwest Christian transformed her high school years We were living in Germany when our daughter, Bella, was in sixth Bella formed friendships that I believe will continue into college. grade. She attended a year-round, IB, English-speaking, non-faith, She stands on Truth, and if she doesn’t, there are friends to help international Baccalaureate where 72 countries were represented. correct her. She is accountable to her peers, rather than peer We transferred back to Minnesota during her eighth grade year, pressured. This school finds the cornerstone of each student that and we looked at three schools in the area that offered rigorous, makes them unique and helps build that up and create a sense of faith-based academics. I knew about Southwest Christian because belonging through God’s design of that person. my niece and nephew attended. I attended a few sporting events and I remember noticing the students all had a presence…. They The academic punch is solid—AP, college, and classical courses— smiled and were all so kind to one another. Yet, I was concerned and she participated in all. As far as curriculum goes, she was that a small, Christian school would not be rigorous or cultured academically prepared for college when she finished her senior enough to continue expanding the platform our daughter had been year. Her classes have been as comprehensive, or even better, on. In the end, I enrolled her at a different school. than the IB program Bella attended in Germany because of the caliber of the faculty. Their care and dedication to study is evident. The following fall, our school played Southwest Christian in a The faculty will help you build your child’s character, help your child soccer game. We were annihilating the SWCHS team on the embrace their weaknesses, and teach them to use their strengths scoreboard. As the game continued, our team and supporters in respectful ways. They will, through love, take your child’s mind taunted Southwest Christian. It didn’t feel sportsmanlike to me. and heart to a place they didn’t know they could go. They will After defeat, the Stars’ team captain walked across the field to our expose the world to your children and show them how to interact team and asked if he could pray for our boys—wishing them luck and extend love towards all kinds of people. They will help your the rest of the championship run. Both teams went to their knees children become a disciples and examples of Christ in this world. while the Stars prayed over ours. The character difference between the teams was quite remarkable and stayed with me. Culture exposure? In the almost three years, our daughter has I began to notice Bella was having a hard time breaking into the been exposed to great foreign cliques at the school she was attending, and the things she was language classes, theater good at were used as competition rather than development. I opportunities, an excellent became aware of how awfully the girls were treating my daughter, music program—complete with and her friends began to exhibit behaviors she didn’t want to a capella, chamber singers, partake in. Over time, my lovely, bright, talented daughter was and the opportunity to sing in eating lunch alone in a faith-based school of 1,200 kids. I knew I Carnegie Hall. She traveled had to move Bella, but she wasn’t ready to change schools again. to Chicago, NYC, England, SWCHS was on my radar, and I began to pray that God would Ireland, Wales, Austria, and give her a desire to change. In March of her freshman year, she Germany through Southwest came home in unbearable tears. I arranged for her to shadow at Christian's music opportunities. Southwest Christian the next day. She came home that afternoon, said she wanted to transfer, and we began the process. We were This school will foster your child’s development beyond your own put on a wait list, and by God’s grace, Bella entered Southwest dreams and into God’s will for their lives. The smiles and joy you Christian for her sophomore year. see on these kids faces is real. It’s not a perfect school, but it’s close, because God is in these walls in this place. That’s the From the day my daughter walked through From the day my happiness you feel when you enter. That is what you see when you the doors at Southwest Christian, she was daughter walked look into their eyes here. God goes to school with your kids here. accepted and embraced, and she learned through the doors at That means everything is possible here. to accept others in the same way. She had Southwest Christian, been supported by her peers in areas she is she was accepted Because of our experience here, I wish I had not wasted time in talented in. And the things she wasn’t great and embraced, enrolling her. Because of her experience in Southwest Christian, I at? She was encouraged to try—like joining and she learned to can truly say I have a happy teenager! And it has everything to do the tennis team even if she had never accept others in the with this environment. played before. same way. - Kathy Girthofer The Compass | 9 Construction Update Building expansion to open this fall!

The excitement is building as SWCHS staff, Counseling Offices Area faculty, and students anticipate occupying our on the North Side new space in the fall of 2018. Classes will move into the new space after school begins, and the auditorium will be ready for performances later in the fall.

Building Community Our growing enrollment of over 360 students will welcome the additional space. With this new space, student capacity can grow to our maximum of 500 students. As enrollment climbs, Southwest Christian is committed to maintain and nurture the small school Performing Arts Auditorium community that we value so highly. The 63,843 square feet addition doubles the size of current 60,000 square feet building on Southwest Christian campus.

Building Disciples The state of the art auditorium will serve as primary gathering place for worship and performances. The seating capacity of 790 will allow for weekly chapels to be a more intimate space and for concerts and productions to be held on campus. The mezzanine levels will be able to transform into individual lecture hall classrooms, allowing a more open classroom setting. The adjacent lobby will also provide space for multiple uses and events.

Building Programs Surrounding the auditorium there will be 16 new classrooms featuring robotics, engineering, science, computer/CAD labs, and band/music. View from Backstage

Existing Building

10 | Summer 2018 Classroom Hallway on South Side Campaign Update The spring of 2017 Building Disciples three-year campaign was launched with the of raising $13 million. In the spring of 2018, our goal was exceeded with a total raised of $13.8 million.

Construction Costs Winter conditions and rising construction industry costs have increased overall campaign cost from $15 million to $16.5 million. These increased costs have brought the amount yet to raise to $1.3 million. Band Room Next steps At the start of the second year of this three-year campaign, you are invited to still participate in “Building disciples campaign” if you haven’t already. One-time donors during the first year are asked to repeat their annual gift again this year. Additional funds will keep the planned financing amount to $2 million.

Pledge cards are available at swchs.org. Contact Leslie Robertson or Dan Beckering if you would like to learn more about the vision behind the “Building Disciples” campaign. Watch for volunteer opportunities to assist with moving in to this exciting new building expansion.

Stairs from Lobby to Downstairs Classrooms

Expansion

The Compass | 11 { Student Highlights } { Student Highlights }

1 2

Grace Scott Bethel University (MN) Track & Field 3 6

4 5 9

Sydney Beard St. Olaf (MN) 7 8 Basketball

1 Inga Molle received three Scholastic Art Awards 2 Ella Schmidt, Lydia Schmidtke, 3 Fishing Club was for three photographs. Her Gold Award winning Brooke Herman, and Josie Harris were a new extra-curricular photograph (“I can either feed anxiety or heal the featured in the 2018 Breakdown Magazine offered this year, which past”) was displayed at the Regis Art Center on the for their stand-out performances. had 15 participants. University of MN campus this winter.

6 Ethan DeVore qualified 4 Lauren Hedman and Anna Sir participated in the Augsburg 5 Girls Lacrosse had for the state wrestling Honor Band in January! The SWCHS percussion section also 36 girls participate in the tournament in the 132 attended an honors festival that day at the University of MN– inaugural season. weight class in March. Duluth!

7 Varsity Baseball won 8 Z. Ertel, DuMoulin, J. Colman, & I. Colman won the 4x100 state 9 Nadia Turner the MCAA Conference championship with a Class A record time of 42.88. Jeb Merkle also represented SWCHS title this Spring! competed on behalf of the boys track team and the boys placed 2nd at the Girls Golf State overall at Hamline University on Saturday, June 9. Grace Scott, Lauren Tournament in June! Richards, Sydney Jones, and Callie Coughlin represented the girls team at the 2018 State Meet as well!

12 | Summer 2018 { Student Highlights } { Student Highlights } Where are our athletes headed? >> A look at senior signings at the collegiate level

Grace Scott Maria Streed Joey Veurink Bethel University (MN) Univ. of Sioux Falls (SD) Dordt College (IA) Track & Field Cross Country and Basketball Track & Field

Jeb Merkle Micah Brands David Solfelt Dordt College (IA) Dordt College (IA) Wheaton College (IL) Soccer Soccer Baseball Track & Field

Xander DuMoulin Sydney Beard Grace Schmidt Gustavus St. Olaf (MN) Dordt College (IA) Adolphus (MN) Basketball Basketball Football and Track & Field

Congratulations to Naomi & Grace! >> Senior scholarship spotlights

Valedictorian Naomi Voehl received national recognition as a Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship winner! Voehl is a Chick-fil-A team member who was awarded a $2,500 scholarship from Chick-fil-A Chanhassen store owner Andrew Armstrong at this year's Baccalaureate ceremony. Congrats, Naomi!

Also recognized at Baccalaureate was another valedictorian, Grace Schmidt. Schmidt was honored as a National Merit Scholar. The '18 graduate also received the Chanhassen Rotary Service Scholarship and was recognized by WordWright, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of prose and poetry.

The Compass | 13 { Faculty News } { Faculty News } Oh, babies! Mrs. Kristie Groen and her husband, See which faculty members welcomed Eric, welcomed their first child, a little one this spring! Emerson Kay, on April 9!

Mr. Matt Berka and his wife, Rachel, welcomed their first child, Lucy Harper, on March 14!

Mr. Greg Sayuk and his wife, Kari, welcomed their second son, Christian Xavier, on March 27! Ms. Paula Carley Competes in 135-Mile Winter Race Paula Carley, one of our art teachers, trained all winter for the Arrowhead Ultra 135, a winter wilderness trek starting in International Falls, Minnesota. The Arrowhead 135 is one of the world’s toughest endurance races and takes place at the end of January each year. Racers choose their mode of transport (bike, foot, ski, or kick sled) to travel 135 miles on the Arrowhead state snowmobile trail with the goal of reaching the finish line. They travel at their own pace, hauling their own food and survival gear through Northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. They are given 60 hours to complete the race. Ms. Carley (pictured on the left) started with about 150 other racers early Monday morning and made it to the halfway checkpoint at 8 p.m. She and her riding partner rested overnight at a cabin for racers and planned to leave at 5 a.m., but due to –23 degree weather, they decided to wait until after sunrise and resumed their race at 8 a.m., avoiding exposure to the extreme nighttime temps. Ms. Carley and her riding partner finished the race at 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

"The Arrowhead Ultra 135 was one of the most awesome things I have ever had the opportunity to participate in, and I hope to do it again!" Ms. Carley said. "I was very grateful for this adventure. It's through challenges and stepping out of our comfort zones in life—whatever that means for each of us in our journey with Jesus—that God teaches us more about himself and ourselves. These experiences strengthen our faith, develop our character, build community, and reveal His power, wonder, wisdom, and love!"

14 | Summer 2018 { Faculty News } { Faculty News } Curtis Kettler Awarded 2018 Years of Service MISF Honor Teacher 9–12 Recognizing dedicated individuals who have served our community for Music Director Curtis Kettler was selected as the 2018 Honor Teacher a significant period of time. 9–12 from the Minnesota Independent School Forum (MISF). The awards committee, a group of individuals from higher education, corporations, private 20 YEARS! schools, and the community reviewed several outstanding nominations Austin Dyck, Math when choosing this year's award recipient. This annual award is given to a high school teacher who meets the following criteria: "Mr. D is a patient teacher • Displays a passion for students and education who cares not only about • Models integrity, fairness, compassion, and excellence our academic progress • Drives creativity and innovation in their students but also cares about • Achieves exceptional and measurable outcomes our personal and spiritual growth." "He is a • Demonstrates personal and professional growth through community wise man, whose teaching brings together service/involvement mathematics, faith, life-experiences, and an enthusiasm for what he does on a daily basis." Mr. Kettler was presented his award at the 2018 Private and Independent "Mr. D is genuine and sees the bigger picture." Education Awards on Sunday, April 29, at the University of St. Thomas.

Mr. Kettler joined SWCHS three years ago and, in this brief time, has made an incredible impact. He has taken a fledgling choral music program and 15 YEARS! breathed life into it through his passion and expertise. The students exhibit Barb Hoklin, English joy and confidence during their performances as a result of the hard work and confidence Mr. Ketter has poured into them. "Mrs. Hoklin is so sweet; she genuinely cares about each student's He expanded the music program, not only by adding courses or adopting well-being. She always programs, but also by engendering a love for music so that students are takes the time to personally assist every excited to join the music program. He traveled with the school choirs to student and is constantly jumping through Chicago, New York, Germany, and Austria. On the trip to New York, he took hoops for the betterment of her class." "Mrs. 62 of our students to sing at Carnegie Hall as a part of the Choirs of America Hoklin is always willing to hear you out and Nationals Festival. Students and parents were thrilled at this opportunity and listen to how your day is going. She is very enjoyed the challenge. helpful and wants her students to succeed." "Mrs. Hoklin is one of the sweetest women One example of Mr. Kettler’s self-sacrificing passion for the students and I have ever met. She is extremely caring, for music began when a student initiated a cappella choir and looked to considerate, and gentle." him for direction. They went from a startup choir to receiving second place this year in the Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). Bella Girthoffer wrote, “When [student] James Ocenasek approached Mr. Kettler about starting an a cappella group, he automatically said yes even though that meant a lot more work in the future. He has taken the a cappella group so much farther than we ever expected to go! Just the fact that we have made it to the semifinals of the ICHSA competition alone shows that.”

Mr. Kettler has accomplished much in the past three years all with a humble and gracious spirit. Most importantly, he is invested in the personal development of each and everyone of his students.

The Compass | 15 { Faculty News } { Faculty News }

Faculty Spotlight Kit Avery

Kit Avery is the boys basketball coach and teaches business and strength and conditioning at Southwest Christian High School. He grew up in Deephaven, Minnesota, and he and his sister, Annika, are proud alumni of SWCHS.

Kit is a cancer survivor and Eagle Scout. He was one of Southwest Christian’s top athletes and played Division I basketball at Drake University where he played in the NCAA tournament.

Kit married his wife, Anna, in 2014, and the couple has two sons, Elias (4) and Ezra (2). He and his wife are small business owners, where his wife works full- time. Kit and Anna are both active in Bible Study Fellowship where he teaches in the children’s program and she is an adult women’s class group leader.

A couple of traditions the Avery family enjoys include a New Year's Eve Burger Bar where Anna’s boys make a mountain of meat and she gets to make creative toppings. Another is family walks to Excelsior for ice cream at Adele’s.

Mr. Avery enjoys being physically active, spending time with his wife and sons, working on home renovation projects with his father, and spending time on the lake at their family cabin.

Christian education, specifically Southwest Christian High School, is really important to his family. Having children of his own has only strengthened his passion for Christian education and investing in the SWCHS community. Kit feels that God has lead him to teach and work with high school age students. He desires to mentor and raise up the next generation of Christian leaders as well as to honor the memory of strong Christian mentors he has had in his life. Kit’s purpose is to glorify God, to lead by example, raise his sons to be men of God, and to disciple the next generation of Christian leaders.

16 | Summer 2018 { Faculty News } { Faculty News }

Faculty Spotlight Breanna Wakefield

Breanna Wakefield began her teaching career at the age of six years old. Every day after kindergarten, she would come home and play school with her four-year-old brother, Chris. Over the course of that year, they both learned to read and write.

In junior high, she was involved in choir, band, and theater productions. Breanna attended Eden Prairie High School, where she played the clarinet, and joined the speech team. She competed in dramatic interpretation events, won numerous awards, was a three-time state qualifier, and earned All-Conference her senior year. She began studying the Spanish language and had the opportunity to travel to Mexico. This trip, along with a trip to Israel, expanded Breanna’s love of travel and studying other cultures.

Breanna attended Cedarville University in Ohio where she majored in multi-age Spanish education and minored in Bible. During that time, she studied and worked on weekdays and competed for Cedarville’s speech team every weekend. Junior year, Breanna traveled back to Mexico and the Caribbean with her family over Christmas break, and the she moved to Valencia, Spain, to study abroad and finish her Spanish classes. Her time in Valencia shaped much of who she is today as a person and educator, and she still maintains the friendships she made with her host family in Spain. Breanna returned to Ohio for her senior year, where she was the captain of her speech team, completed student-teaching, and met her husband, Radleigh.

Breanna moved back to Minnesota after graduation and felt called to apply for a part-time Spanish position at SWCHS. She was hired in the summer of 2015 and split her first year teaching between SWCHS and Chapel Hill Academy. In 2016, Breanna married Radleigh and began working as a full-time faculty member at SWCHS. Breanna counts the past three years of teaching at SWCHS as one of her greatest blessings. She loves seeing her students grow in their relationships with Christ and knowledge of the Spanish language. Her Spanish I class recently began a partnership with her host mom’s English class in Spain, exchanging handwritten letters throughout the semester.

Outside of school, Breanna loves traveling and exploring Minnesota with her husband, spending time with friends, reading, attending summer concerts at Lake Harriet, and spending most evenings trying out new recipes. Cooking and baking are her favorite hobbies. She is also actively involved in her church as a Sunday school teacher and was recently hired to plan all of VBS this summer. Breanna is looking forward to opportunities this summer to travel with extended family and is excited to see what God will do in the upcoming school year.

The Compass | 17 { Faculty News } { Alumni News } "Are We Making A Difference?" A reflection from our chaplain, Brian Goldie

Do you ever ask that question? Do I have heard comments like, “I’m so grateful for this school's impact you ever feel like you’re just on a on my life.” Others have said, “I don’t know who I would have treadmill in your attempts to impact become had I not been here but I don’t think it would have been others? I’ve spoken with people good.” Others articulate that they were on a path towards sin, self- who expressed sentiments like “It must be so great to work in a destruction, or, at best, apathy and numbness prior to coming to place where you can really make a difference” or “It’s so special Southwest Christian, and being here has changed their trajectory. that you get to constantly engage in changing lives.” And with all They have articulated appreciation for the staff and faculty modeling of the opportunities our students have for growth here, Southwest a life in Christ, for classes that have pushed them to maturity in Christian does seem like a place where we are making a difference: their life and faith, for chapels, and for many other components of Discipleship groups, quality and loving teachers and coaches what makes up SWCHS’ attempts to make a difference. exemplifying what it means to follow Jesus, chapel services, Bible classes, service days, and the list goes on. But even still many of But here’s the thing: while a difference is being made by Southwest us ask ourselves, “Are we making any difference?” Christian, we’re not able to actually making the ultimate difference. I can’t reach into a student’s, a friend’s, my wife’s, or your heart Is it possible that students, like anybody else, might just have and change its trajectory. I would love it if I could do this and make the attitude and behaviors they have regardless of what others love Christ first in their life. I would love to make them environment you put them in? The ones who long for closeness love truth, goodness, and beauty. But I can’t. That’s the work of to God will get a lot out of Encounter chapels, Bible class, and a God. What we have done is set the table and given an invitation. spiritual conversation with a friend. The ones who are spiritually I think the table is sturdy, attractive, and full of good things. We disinterested will get nothing out of those same experiences and ask questions, walk alongside, create excellent opportunities, and may only get more disinterested. But they would have had those pray. Many students have taken what is offered because of God’s same reactions no matter where they were, right? So, are we really promptings. God has changed the course of many thoughts and changing anything? Or are we just providing a space for students to behaviors through the table we have set and we’re grateful. And become who they inevitably would have become due to their family, what’s true of this place is true of yours. We cannot force, legislate, culture, peers, personality, etc.? These thoughts, and others like control, or manufacture spiritual maturity and changed lives. Set them, cross my mind a lot. “Are we really making any difference?” the table, send the invitation, and God will make the difference. He seems certainly to be doing it here. I think he can do it where you Lately I have been having a lot of conversations with our graduating are, too. seniors about the role of this school in their life. 2018 Polaris Award Winner

Each year at Commencement, the SWCHS faculty family, making it clear that this is where I was to awards the Polaris Award to the senior who best spend my four years of high school. On my first demonstrates the fulfillment of SWCHS’ mission day of school freshman year, I walked into Mr’s D’s and vision to seek, know, live, and proclaim the pre-calculus class. I remember being pleasantly Truth. Congratulations to our 2018 winner, Courtney surprised to hear my teacher praying before class. I Shirley, who will be heading to Wheaton College this knew that this school was different. Over these four fall! Here is an excerpt from her speech at the 2018 years, I have grown immensely in knowledge and Commencement ceremony: understanding, but the most important thing that God has revealed to me is how important it is to I am so amazed at how God led me to this school. seek to know the heart of others. The word “heart” Growing up in Edina Public schools, I would have is mentioned in the Bible 725 times. It refers to the never expected to graduate in this maroon gown, sorrowful heart of God looking towards sinful men, but God placed this school on the hearts of my the hardened heart of Pharaoh, a heart of affection, 18 | Summer 2018 { Faculty News } { Alumni News } Collegiate Accomplishments Faith Winship ‘16

Faith Winship, a sophomore at the University of Northwestern–St. Paul is studying theatre, music, and dance. The 2016 graduate of SWCHS was one of 15 young adults chosen from a national online search to train with professionals and perform at a showcase at 54 Below Theatre in New York City in January. She also landed the lead role of Anne in Anne of Green Gables at Northwestern earlier this spring. Winship was nominated for the Irene Ryan Scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for her performance in Anne of Green Gables. She will compete in January 2019 at the KCACTF Region V conference in Sioux Falls.

Alex Reimer ‘15

Alex Reimer will graduate from Biola University in 2019 with a degree in design. The SWCHS graduate partnered with Northern Glasses to create artwork for their products for the “Explore Minnesota Pint Glasses Set.” He based his designs off four iconic areas in Northern Minnesota. Reimer has done a number of impressive jobs for brands over his college career. We can't wait to see what he continues to create upon graduation!

Cassandra Johnson ‘14

Cassandra Johnson graduated from Ohio State University this May. Johnson was a rower for the Buckeyes, and her team made Big Ten history by sweeping in all seven events and claimed the Big Ten Championship title.

Christine Piwnica ‘14

Christine Piwnica graduated from Bethel University this May and was the first female golfer to represent Bethel University at the NCAA Division III Championships in Coral Springs, Florida. She finished 35th out of 130! Piwnica earned a place on the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-Region Team. 2018 Polaris Award Winner

and the need for every man and woman to love God with his or “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit her whole heart. Our posture towards God is reflected in the heart. within me.” I hope that God may do the same in each of our hearts Webster's Dictionary defines the heart to be “one’s innermost so that as we leave this school, we will be led by the Holy Spirit, character, feelings, or inclinations.” The heart is more important desiring what is good for our souls. I pray that as we enter this next to Jesus than the outward actions or persona. He cares about our stage of life, that we will seek for friends whose hearts are pure and deepest longings and desires. devoted to the LORD.

I have grown to love and cherish the hearts that God has created Class of 2018, thank you for the joy that you have brought to my within each of my classmates and I am confident that God will use life. In the last four years, God has challenged me to seek each of the plethora of leadership, passion, and drive in our class in many your hearts and see how God sees each of you. As we all prepare great ways. Even in the past few months, I have gained insight on for college, a gap year, or serving in the military, I challenge each of the beautiful hearts and ambitions that God has formed in our class you to intentionally seek the hearts of others and see them as God does, with purity and love. May God continue to change our hearts through unplanned conversations. In Psalm 51:10, David writes, to be in line with His purpose for our lives. The Compass | 19 { Alumni News } { Alumni News }

How SWCHS Leadership Opportunities Helped Pave The Way for College Freshman Julia Elmquist

Julia Elmquist was a graduate from Southwest Christian's Class tackled difficult case studies throughout our meetings," said Dean of 2017. She graduated at the top of her class, was involved in of Students Rob Wassenaar. "Our students were challenged and Leadership Academy, served as the junior vice president, competed Julia grew significantly and offered wonderful input in the Academy. on the girls' tennis team, led her class worship team, and was voted Her energy and effort was important to building the community life Miss Southwest. Elmquist just finished her freshman year at Point we desire at our school." Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. "I had a lot of nerves going into college, but I knew I wanted to "While being a student at Southwest get involved in a leadership role on campus," continued Elmquist. Christian, I wanted to prepare "This was something that I felt I was able to take on, especially myself for the future and learn how as a freshman, because of how Southwest Christian equipped to lead well," said Elmquist. "During me for leadership roles. I knew that I would be able to have solid my junior year, I was accepted into time management because it was already part of my schedule in Southwest Christian's Leadership high school. Also, already coming from a small school created a Academy. Being involved with the sense of confidence and comfortability stepping into a student Leadership Academy during my government role." junior and senior years really set a foundation for me for life after Point Loma has an Associated Student Body (ASB) program graduation. I learned what it meant to be a servant leader to my that allows four members of each grade to be in Student Senate. classmates in a very practical way." Julia decided to run for a seat as a freshman, and after a week of campaigning, she was elected to represent her freshmen class Leadership Academy exists to inspire, motivate, and equip on Student Senate. "I was confident that I would serve well in SWCHS students to grow in their God-given leadership abilities this position because of the leadership opportunities that I had and strengths. "Last year, the students in the Academy learned at Southwest Christian and what I learned through Leadership from business leaders, entrepreneurs, and ministry leaders and Academy. "

20 | Summer 2018 { Alumni News } { Alumni News } Featured Alumni >> Adam (‘02) and Jessica (Dirks ‘02) Lennartson

Adam and Jessica (Dirks) Lennartson graduated from Southwest Christian in 2002 and both attended Bethel University. All six Dirks and both Lennartson siblings attended SWCHS. The high school sweethearts got married in 2006 following graduation and have four beautiful children. This past spring, the couple adopted Nella, their three- year-old daughter from Inner Mongolia who has a “magical bonus chromosome” (Down syndrome) as Jessica stated in her adoption blog.

Their journey to adoption started a few years ago. Jessica and Adam asked God to “break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Give us eyes to see what You see, and the courage to pour out our lives for others.” Through many nights of family discussion, the Lennartsons took a leap of faith and trusted God with their plans to adopt.

On December 15, the Lennartsons received official approval from China to adopt Nella. They chose the name “Nella” because it means “shining light” or “bright one.” “One small look at her smile, and you’ll see why,” she explained. The couple began selling shirts that said "Love Makes Room" to raise the remaining adoption funds. By February 17, the couple sold over 250 shirts! Just days before the Lennartsons boarded a plane to go pick up their new daughter, a grant covered the remaining adoption fees.

On April 4, the Lennartson couple and their daughter, Maisy, boarded a plane to go get Nella. On April 9, they were united with Nella. With hundreds of people following their journey on their Facebook group, praying for the Lennartsons' trip to China, and representing their t-shirts, the new family of six was reunited back in Minneapolis on April 21. If there's one simple message that Adam and Jessica heard clearly from the Lord, it's that love makes room.

If you would like to follow the Lennartsons' story, you can join their Facebook group "Bringing Nella Home." The Compass | 21 { Alumni News } { Alumni News }

TIE THE KNOT!

Logan ‘14 and Kylah Klein May 20, 2018

Ryan and Brittni (Allsup '13) Kutsch March 25, 2018

Luke ‘14 and Kendra Olson Chris ‘07 and Carla Dirks May 27, 2018 December 28, 2017 Faith (Vander Galien ‘12) and Kyle Ooms June 15, 2018

Amy (Greeninger ‘14) and Jaleel Johnson June 16, 2018

Spencer '10 and Hannah Olson June 17, 2018

Nate and Megan (Claus '13) Gunderson June 24, 2018

Becca (Broekhuis ‘10) and Adam Shaw Kevin ‘14 and Anna (‘14 Hitterdal) Horner June 23, 2018 December 30, 2017

Luke '13 and Haliee Walters Jack ‘14 and Molly Lausch March 11, 2018 May 19, 2018

STAY CONNECTED! Southwest Christian High School @SWCHSstars

22 | Summer 2018 { Alumni News } { Alumni News }

BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Lucas Orville Matt and Samantha (Gleason ‘07) Cohen December 5, 2017 Wells Vaughn Ariella Grace John and Amanda (Kavlie ‘10) Shelley Nick and Krista (Griffith '05) Skumatz December 29, 2017 January 12, 2018

Addyson Rose Daniel ‘10 and Lauren Horner February 19, 2018

Asher Daniel Daniel and Kirsten (Dunham '03) Neumann December 1, 2017 Thora Mae Joseph Grayson Josh and Karina (Beck ‘08) Rosamond Daniel and Maria (Effrem ‘11) Nelson December 31, 2017 February 22, 2018

Trudy Joyce Grady and Nancy (Walters '06) Kenevan April 13, 2018

Quinn Ruth Shawn & Kari (Anderson '04) Ellering May 4, 2018 Tate Steven Jared and Skylar (‘06 Pothast) Johnson Alumni, if you would like to receive a free baby gift, March 9, 2018 please email your child's birth announcement to [email protected]. We would love to send you a Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star bib!

Jorie Jeanette Keaton and Rose (Flaherty ‘11) Schut June 5, 2018

@SWCHSstars We want to hear your news! Email your life updates to [email protected].

The Compass | 23 NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 274 CHASKA, MN

1981 Bavaria Road Chaska, MN | 55318 swchs.org

OPENING SOON!

{ Upcoming Fall Events } Aug 16 New Family Orientation Aug 22 Back to School Night Aug 27 First Day of School Aug 30­–31 All-School Retreat Sept 14 Grandparents Day Sept 15 Super Soccer Saturday Sept 27 Meet the Teach Night Oct 13 Fall Gala Oct 19–20 SoFresh Production Oct 26 Service Day Oct 29 Jazz Cabaret Dec 6–8 A Christmas Carol Dec 14 Christmas Concert 24 | Summer 2018