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 National Hockey League (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, Minnesota Wild, and goaltender, I had high hopes for this season. When Southwest Toronto Maple Leafs—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 University of Minnesota 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.