Mountaineer Messenger FEBRUARY 2013 Learning & Living for the Glory of God What We’ve Been Up To...

2nd & 5th Grades Visit Meijer Gardens The 2nd and 5th graders celebrated their “Christmas Around the World” social studies unit with a field trip to Frederik Meijer Gardens. They enjoyed looking at the trees decorated to represent countries they had studied. The spider webs on the tree for Germany reminded the kids of the spiders they had made to decorate their own tree in the 5th grade classroom. The weather was beautiful for December, so students were also able to spend time exploring the outdoor Children’s Garden.

Alayna VanderStel, Lydia Vincent, Briquell Jipping, & Brieanna Alsum

4th Grade Visits Central Reformed Church The 4th grade field trip to the Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids is a favorite each year and this year was no exception. Students got to learn how pipe organs work and they got to hear some amazing music. Afterward, the class headed to the Grand Rapids Public Museum to learn about the three tribes of Michigan Indians. The guide was very impressed by how much information this class already knew and how excited they were to learn more about these first inhabitants of Michigan.

Kindergarten Goes to the Critter Barn “Oink! Quack! Moo! Neigh!” “Oooh! Ahh! Yikes! Yay” Reece Alsum is “out of this world!” This is what the critters say. Pettit’s “critters,” watching, say! Run! Flap! Cuddle! Chew! Smile! Touch! Giggle, too! This is what the critters do. This is what young learners do!

1 Cover: Jayda Steenbergen & Audra Kaptein Micah Maartense & his grandmother Emma Moelker & her grandfather Megan Vos & her grandmother

Grandparents Day 2012 was a great success! We had a record We Grandparents! number of grandparents and great-grandparents on Zion Christian’s campus to tour classrooms, visit with teachers, and – most importantly – connect with children. In our chapel time, Rev. Larry Johnson used our theme verse for this year, Psalm 126, to speak about the challenge of letting the Lord build our house. Our junior high and high school choirs and all of the elementary students sang praises to our God. It was a wonderful time of worship! After even more visiting, Jen Vos headed up a crew that served lunch to the children and our guests. Again this year, Stroo Funeral Home made that luncheon possible. The gym was full of old and young, glad to spend time together. The generations were all together, enjoying their experiences at Zion. We are so blessed!

Tommy Kaptein & his grandmother

Olivia Baker & her grandparents

Candy Friend & her grandfather

Audrey Crabtree & her grandparents 2 Geography Bee In December. Zion Christian School held its annual Geography Bee. Students in 4th through 8th grades were given quizzes to test their knowledge of God’s world and the two students with the highest scores from each grade had the privilege to participate in the School Geography Bee. The participants included Reece Alsum, Brian Braam, Grace Drew, Julian Edouard, Dana Feenstra, Thomas Tuinstra, Jonathan Vander Wall, Nolan Vander Wall, Mikey Veurink & his Sarah VanDijk, and Jonathan Vos. Miss Kathy Vander Jagt read model of Venice questions related to U.S. and world geography, and each student carefully answered all seven questions from the preliminary round. Half of the students went on to the final round where the difficulty of the questions increased. The championship round decided Jonathan Vander Wall as the winner and Thomas Tuinstra as the runner up. All of the participants did a wonderful job. What a blessing it is to be able to learn about the incredible world that God created and then to use these gifts of knowledge in a friendly competition! Brandon & Gabriel Pyper Social Studies Expo In January, Zion students showcased the many important things they’ve been learning about civics, geography, and history. There were displays and parades, singing, and acting. Additionally, the gymnasium was transformed into a huge Wax Museum, filled with nearly 50 characters from World History!

Kendra Hesselink as Betsy Ross

Zion students singing about those “Fifty, nifty, United States.” 3 Christmas Music Program by Mrs. Sue McCrory, Elementary Principal & 5th Grade Teacher

As a teacher of young children, I know that many little ones have an innate fear of the dark. If we’re honest, even as adults we do not like the shadows and the unseen that we associate with darkness. Spiritually speaking, darkness is all around us as we navigate through a fallen world. We see the works of darkness recorded in our daily news and we deal with the darkness of our own sinful nature. Our Christmas program this year was a celebration of the coming of the Light of the World. We had the opportunity as a school body to sing joyously of the Light and to revel in the salvation from the darkness of sin. I heard the elementary choir singing “Light of God,” especially the refrain, “Holy Spirit, break through our darkness. Holy Spirit, breathe through our lives!” over and over again as they practiced. This prayer continues to echo in my mind and for this I give thanks! We need deliverance daily from the darkness of our sin. What a sweet privilege we have as believers to sing and to hear our Covenant youth sing of this Light - the glorious, perfect Light of the Lord Jesus Christ! What a comfort to know that we have not been left in darkness, to stumble about blindly into danger, disaster, and death. As John 1:4 says,“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” The Light has come! Merry Christmas every day!

The elementary choir sings praises to God Wendy Telman & Christina Ybema The high school choir

How do you Favorite New York or New Year’s Favorite kind Getting like your eggs musical California Resolution of cookie to know... cooked? instrument Mrs. Christina VanBeek In baked goods Harpsichord California Drink more Peanut Science Teacher water & have Blossom a baby

Andrew Deppe Scrambled My voice California Stop Snickerdoodle Junior drinking pop

Marie Edouard In an omelet Cello & New York Improve at Oreos 8th Grade saxophone sports

Jayden Dykstra Over medium Saxophone California Spend more Oatmeal 4th Grade time helping Cream Pie others

Robby Schipper Scrambled Drums New York I don’t know M&M cookies Kindergarten what that is

4 Since Zion Christian School opened its doors in the fall of 1999, the Lord has blessed us exceedingly! We quickly outgrew the set of portable classrooms that served as our original facility, and in 2003 we constructed and moved into our present facility in Byron Center. Today, Zion continues to experience rapid growth.

Our enrollment increased by 12% in the fall of 2011 and by 14% in the fall of 2012. As a result, a second kindergarten class was added this year. With a large pre-kindergarten class enrolled currently, it appears very likely that two kindergarten sections will be needed again next year. Last summer, Zion completed the first phase in the “Building on the Foundation” campaign. This project added two classrooms to the school building and expanded two others. Future goals of the “Building on the Foundation” campaign include: • Continued expansion of the elementary wing, allowing for multiple sections of the elementary grades • Addition of an Elementary Gymnasium/Auditorium, to alleviate congestion in the existing gym • Addition of several high school classrooms, including a metal/wood shop • Expansion of the existing gymnasium and addition of proper locker rooms • Additional parking lot with a bus lane for optimized pick-ups and drop-offs • Update and optimize outdoor athletic facilities • Technological upgrades, including computers As we respond to the school’s growth and seek capital to expand our facility, we will remain committed to the foundation upon which we are standing: the supreme authority of God’s Word. We strongly believe that the Lord has blessed Zion because of our strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture, as well as our emphasis on the Reformed Faith. Within the context of a Biblical focus, we will continue to strive for academic excellence. In addition, we desire to expand without taking on significant debt to avoid jeopardizing the financial soundness of the school. Please contact Jason Heerema in the school office if you are willing to help us in our efforts. 5 The Mountaineer Fund represents the difference between our tuition income and overall education costs. As recently as last year, the amount $200,000 budgeted for the Mountaineer Fund was approximately $350,000. However, our student population grew 14% this academic year, on the heels of 12% growth last year. $150,000 Thanks to this increased enrollment and a number of cost-saving measures initiated by the board, our Mountaineer Fund has been reduced to $200,000 in the current school year. With the $120,000 we have already raised this year, the amount that remains to be raised is $80,000.

$100,000 Please help us reach that goal by joining us at our annual Spring Dinner on Thursday, April 25. The Dinner will be an evening of wonderful food and fellowship, a time to celebrate the ministry of Zion Christian School and thank our great God for His continued blessings. $50,000

6 Mountaineer Golf Outing Zion’s 12th Annual Golf Outing was held on September EVENT SPONSORS 22 at the beautiful Diamond Grace Bible College Arbor Gage & Tooling, Inc. Springs Golf Course. Due to Deppe Mold & Tooling, Inc. a thunderstorm, golfers were LUNCH SPONSOR only able to play nine holes. GVL Excavating However, we were still able to GOLF BALL SPONSORS enjoy a morning full of fun and fellowship. Thank DJ’s Landscape Management Premiere Granite & Stone, LLC you to the Golf Outing Sponsors and the golfers who participated in the MOUNTAINEER SPONSORS event, which raised over $14,000 for the Mountaineer Fund! Next fall, the Buiten Insurance Golf Outing is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2013, at First Companies Franklin Press Diamond Springs. Be sure to mark that date on your calendars! Helms Masonry Integrity Business Solutions John P. Sterk & Sons Painting K&H Concrete Cutting, Inc. HOLE SPONSORS Chuck’s Landscape Management Family Fare of Byron Center M&K Quality Truck Sales PRODUCTS & PRIZES Diamond Springs Golf Course Maple Hill Golf Course The Pines Golf Course

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Peter Freswick Peter Freswick graduated from Zion in 2001 as a member of Zion’s second graduating class. Next, he attended Cornerstone University, where he earned his B.S. in 2005, and Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, where he earnied his M.D. Last spring, he completed the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital Pediatric Residency. Currently, Peter is working and studying in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, TN, with a planned completion in 2015.

For Peter, the long hours of a medical career are best interspersed with rejuvenating vacations! Peter enjoys spending time outdoors. In the last year alone, he camped in Canada on Lake Superior, skied in Montana, and hiked the mountains of Tennessee. When he’s not working or “roughing it,” Peter enjoys board games, hockey, and soccer. He currently attends Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he has been truly blessed by the moral and spiritual support his church provides.

Peter is quick to point out how God has blessed him in many ways: “He teaches me to rely on Him for guidance, and has never misdirected my path, though it often takes hindsight for me to realize it. Professionally, He has provided education and perseverance (though 14 years post high school education is a long time!). Personally, I could not ask for a better family or group of friends.” 7 2012 Zion Auction Donors The Zion Auction Committee would like to thank those who contributed to the auction. This fall, the auction raised approximately $70,000 for the Mountaineer Fund! Thank you to those who made phone calls, talked to businesses, and helped with set-up. Without your help, this event would not be possible. Also, thank you to those who purchased items at the auction. Next fall, the auction is scheduled for October 19, 2013. Let the school office know if you’d like to be involved.

Ace Hardware [Wyoming] Gerrit’s Appliance Inc. [Wyoming] Nelis’ Dutch Village [Holland] Action Collision Service, Inc. [Grand Rapids] Gilmore Car Museum [Hickory Corners] Nichole’s Creations [Jenison] Advantage Animal Control [Alto] Gingham Sisters [Lake Odessa] Northwestern Mutual Life [Grand Rapids] Amway Grand Plaza Hotel [Grand Rapids] Gleneagle Golf Club [Hudsonville] Old Pike Farm [Holland] Arbor Gage & Tooling, Inc. [Grand Rapids] GM Buck Pipe Organs Inc. [Grand Rapids] Olive Garden Italian Restaurant [Grandville] Arnie’s Bakery and Restaurant [Grand Rapids] Gordon Food Service [Grand Rapids] On the Border [Grandville] Beaver Island Boat Company [Charlevoix] Grand Health Partners [Grand Rapids] Paint-A-Pot [Holland] Big O Smokehouse [Caledonia] Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Panopoulos Salons [Byron Center] Binder Park Zoo [Battle Creek] Grand Rapids Griffins Paul Streelman Photography [Grandville] Bittersweet Ski Resort [Otsego] Grand Rapids Symphony [Grand Rapids] Peek-a-Boutique [Holland] Blast Factory [Kentwood] Grandville Floral [Grandville] Pet Supplies Plus [Wyoming] Bless the Blooms [Caledonia] Green Bay Packers - Lambeau Field Atrium [WI] Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club [Eau Claire] Bob’s Butcher Block [Jenison] Green Valley Agricultural, Inc. [Caledonia] Dr. Mark Powell [Jenison] Brann’s Steakhouse [Grandville] Groenink’s Elevator & Hardware [Nunica] Premier Granite & Stone, LLC [Wyoming] Brink Wood Products, Inc. [Byron Center] Gymnastics Unlimited [Hudsonville] Prince Christmas Trees [West Olive] Broene’s Furniture [Allendale] Haan Jewelers [Byron Center] Quality Vacuum [Grand Haven] Build-A-Bear Workshop [St. Louis, MO] Heffron Farms [Belding] Queen Bee Quilt Shop [Grand Rapids] Buist Electric [Byron Center] Heidi Christines Salon & Spas [Caledonia] Rainbow Grill [Grandville] Byron Center Chiropractic Helms Masonry Inc. [Byron Center] Redeemer Books [Caledonia] Byron Center Meats Henry Ford Museum [Dearborn] Reformed Book Outlet [Hudsonville] Byron Family Restaurant High Grade Materials [Grand Rapids] Repcolite Paints [Jenison] Caledonia Farmers’ Elevator Holland Community Aquatic Center Richard Engels Jewelers, Inc. [Grandville] Camp Bow Wow [Hudsonville] Holland Special Delivery [Hudsonville] Roeda Studios [Grand Rapids] Carabba’s Italian Grill [Grandville] Horizon Complex [Jenison] Rozema’s Car Care Center [Hudsonville] CareLinc Medical Supply [Grand Rapids] Houseman’s Ice Cream [Byron Center] Russ’ Restaurant [Cutlerville] Chateau Chantal [Traverse City] Hudsonville Grille Russel & Ballard Jewelry [Wyoming] Chemical Bank [Byron Center] Hudsonville Lanes Scholastic Book Fairs [Caledonia] Cherie Inn [Grand Rapids] Huizen’s Furniture of Galewood Inc. [Wyoming] Gary Scott Dentistry [Caledonia] Cherry Valley Concrete [Caledonia] Integrated Exteriors [Grand Rapids] Seif Chevrolet [Caledonia] Cherry Valley Stove & Saw [Caledonia] Integrity Business Solutions [Grand Rapids] Senator Mark Jansen [Lansing] Cindy’s Hair Care - Jenison [Jenison] j b johnson photography [Hudsonville] 7 Seven’s Paint & Wallpaper [Grandville] Cinncinati Zoo [Cincinnati, OH] Jan’s Unique Creations [Hudsonville] The Shack [White Cloud] Clementine’s [South Haven] Jenison Podiatry PC [Jenison] Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry [Mackinaw City] Comfort Suites [Grandville] John G. Shedd Aquarium [Chicago, IL] Sierra Sands Family Lodge at the Dunes [Mears] Compaan Door of West Michigan [Holland] Joymar Inc Carwash [Grand Rapids] Silver Bullet Firearms [Wyoming] Cook Funeral and Cremation Services Judd’s Body Shop [Byron Center] Smith-Owen Sewing & Quilting [Grand Rapids] Corner Sales [Byron Center] Jurgens & Holtvluwer [Grandville] Southkent Veterinary Hospital [Caledonia] Costco Warehouse [Grandville] Just Simply Baby [Oxford, GA] Splash Universe/Amish Country Inn [Shipshewana] Country Needleworks [Jenison] Kapteyn Farm [Byron Center] Starlite Kitchens & Baths [Byron Center] Culvers - 54th St. [Wyoming] Kenowa Auto Supply [Byron Center] State Farm Ins. - Ken Jipping [Hudsonville] Curves [Wyoming] Kentucky Horse Park [Lexington, KY] State Farm Ins. - Katherine Sullivan [Jenison] Cutlerville Shoe Repair [Grand Rapids] Kentwood Office Furniture [Breton] [Grand Rapids] Steenstra’s Bakery [Grandville] D & D Mobile Locksmith [Byron Center] Kidder Safari [Grand Rapids] Stehouwer Frozen Foods, Inc. [Grand Rapids] D.J.’s Landscape [Grand Rapids] Koetsier Greenhouse [Grand Rapids] John P. Sterk & Sons [Jenison] DeHaan Tile & Flooring [Grand Rapids] Kraayeveld Law Offices PC [Grand Rapids] Strider’s [Grandville] Deppe Mold & Tooling [Grandville] Kroll Furnace Co. Inc. [Hudsonville] Stroo Funeral Home, Inc. [Grand Rapids] Design One Salon & Spa [Grandville] Lamphear Service Company [Grandville] Superior Plumbing [Byron Center] Detroit Lions [Allen Park] Landscape Impressions [Caledonia] Suzanne Reyenga - Lia Sophia Consultant [Allendale] Detroit Red Wings Laninga Appliance [Byron Center] Swierenga Jewelers [Caledonia] Detroit Tigers, Inc Lumberman’s [Wyoming] Talsma Furniture [Byron Center] Detroit Zoo [Royal Oak] M & M Tasty Treats - TCBY [Grand Rapids] Target - Clyde Park [Wyoming] Diamond Springs Golf Course [Hamilton] Mac Wood’s Scenic Dune Rides [Mears] Tillema Sales & Service, Inc. [Byron Center] Double JJ Resort [Rothbury] Macatawa Bank [Holland] Tires 2000 [Caledonia] Dykstra’s Auto Service, Inc. [Hudsonville] Macy’s [Grandville] Town & Country Group [Zeeland] Edward Jones - Maggie Doornewerd [Spring Lake] Maggie Doornewerd [Spring Lake] True Vine Creations [Hudsonville] Elder’s Appliance [Grandville] Main Street Sales, Inc. [Lowell] United Bank [Byron Center] Etna Supply Company [Grand Rapids] Maly’s [Grand Rapids] Van Andel & Flikkema [Grand Rapids] Excel Office Interiors [Grand Rapids] Mani’s Photography [Jenison] Vander Veen’s Dutch Store [Wyoming] Express Care Lube & Car Wash [Wyoming] Maple Hill Golf Course [Grandville] Gord VanLaan Excavating [Moline] Fair Oaks Farms [Fair Oaks, IN] Marcusse Construction [Allendale] Veldink Construction [Hudsonville] Family Video [Wyoming] Meijer - 54th Street [Wyoming] Verduin & Sons [Caledonia] Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Co. [Hudsonville] Meyer Music [Grand Rapids] W.W. Greenhouses, Inc. [Hudsonville] Farmstead Inn & Conference Center [Shipshewana] Michigan State [East Lansing] WalMart [Grandville] Fields Fabrics [Grand Rapids] Midwest Sign Company [Byron Center] Warm Fuzzies [Caledonia] Fillmore Equipment [Jenison] Model Drug and Apothecary Gift Shop [Holland] Wesseling & Brackmann [Hudsonville] First Companies [Grand Rapids] Monelli’s Italian Restaurant [Wyoming] West Michigan Whitecaps [Comstock Park] Flier’s [Byron Center] Monterey Grille [Caledonia] Woodways [Grand Rapids] Forest Hill Foods [Grand Rapids] Museum of Science and Industry [Chicago, IL] World Mission Thrift [Grandville] Fortune Chef Restaurant [Caledonia] Naked Plates Studio [Grand Rapids] Ybema Farm [Hopkins] Franklin Press [Wyoming] Napa Auto Parts (Division) [Grand Rapids] YMCA of Grand Rapids [Grand Rapids] Gemmen’s Inc. [Hudsonville] Napa Auto Supply [Caledonia] Zeeland Schwinn Cycle & Fitness 8 Jon De Jong Joe Vos Katie Suwyn Stephanie Kuiper Alliance League All-Conference Athletes Boys Soccer Girls Volleyball Conference First Team First Team Champions Jon De Jong Stephanie Kuiper Katie Suwyn Congratulations to the Varsity Volleyball team Second Team for claiming the Alliance League Championship Joe Vos Second Team Samantha Kuiper this fall! The Volleyball team also won the Grace Honorable Mention Christian and the Zion Christian Tournaments. Levi Pasma Honorable Mention Gina Oosterhouse

9 Mountaineer Pi Run/Walk Zion Distinctives Saturday, April 20, 2013 9:00am Several years ago, members of the Zion constituency met Zion Christian School to formulate a document that would encompass the Come for the race, stay for the dessert! specific ways in which Zion seeks to be distinct as a After triumphantly crossing the finish line of this 5K race, Christian school committed to the Reformed Faith. Borne reward yourself with a delicious piece of pie. Why is it out of this discussion was the formulation of several called a “Pi Run?” A 5K is 3.1 miles. Pi is the number 3.14. statements. These statements may be divided into three That’s almost the same thing. Basically, we’re looking for sections: Authority of Scripture, Reformed Heritage, and any reason to combine running and dessert! School Life, Academics, and Atmosphere. Each issue of the Messenger will list one of our ‘distinctives’ as a means Register today! of reminding us and our constituency of the primary www.zionchristian.net/ tenets that are critical to a solidly Reformed, Christian athletics/mountaineer-pi-run education. Cost Section: Reformed Heritage $20 until March 15 Salvation is by particular and effectual sovereign Tenet: $25 until April 19 grace alone, through faith alone, through the active and $30 on race day passive obedience of Christ alone.

All proceeds benefit The entire list of ‘distinctives’ may be viewed on the the Mountaineer Here are two corrections to recipes Aca demics link of our website. Athletic Boosters in the Zion cookbook: Page 45—Peach Fluff Jello—Add 8 oz cream cheese to the ingredients Page 240—Frosted Peanut Butter Bars—Frosting should include 1/3 cup milk, not 1 tsp School Play: The Curious Savage If you find other needed corrections, email Becky VanLaan at This spring, Zion will present its first school play, [email protected] The Curious Savage, by John Patrick. We’re excited about this new opportunity for Zion students to use their God-given talents! The students in the cast are already hard at work in rehearsals. They are showing great promise as they memorize their lines and explore the characters and themes of the play.

The Curious Savage introduces us to Mrs. Ethel P. Savage, who has been left ten million dollars by her late-husband. She wants to give most of this inheritance away. However, her scheming, grown- The play cast poses for a picture during rehearsal up step-children – eager to get their hands on this money – commit Mrs. Savage to a sanatorium, hoping she will “come to her senses.” In the sanatorium, Mrs. Savage meets a collection of eccentric social misfits who befriend her and help her regain her freedom. Full of memorable characters and unexpected plot twists, The Curious Savage is a laugh-out-loud comedy that also contains meaningful insights into the human condition and lessons about kindness, gentleness, and selflessness. The Curious Savage will be presented at Grandville Middle School, located at 3535 Wilson Avenue, at 7:00pm on March 22 & 23. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. To purchase tickets, stop by Zion’s office, call (616) 878-9472, or email [email protected]. 10 Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Prststd Byron Center, MI 49315 7555 Byron Center Ave Permit No. 16 Byron Center, MI 49315 (616) 878-9472 www.zionchristian.net Address Service Requested

Mark Your Calendars: WHAT WHEN TIME WHERE Open House March 7 6:30-8:00pm Zion School Play March 22 & 23 7:00pm Grandville Middle School Mountaineer Pi Run April 20 9:00am Zion Spring Dinner April 25 6:00pm Zion Spring Music Program May 8 7:00pm 1st Byron CRC

Mrs. Proudfit & her preschool students Early Childhood Quick Facts

Preschool Pre-Kindergarten

Meeting Times T & R, 8:15-10:45 M & W, 8:15-3:15

Begin Date September 17, 2013 September 16, 2013

End Date May 15, 2014 May 14, 2014

Age Requirement Age 4 by December 1 Age 4 by September 1

Cost $900 $2,125 To obtain a brochure about our Payment Options Prepay Early Childhood Programs, call the office or visiting our website. To obtain an Application for 10 Montly Automated Account Debits Enrollment, call (616) 878-9472 or go to 10 Monthly Invoices www.zionchristian.net/admissions/enrollment to print an application.