trailblazers - Westminster Christian Academy
trailblazers - Westminster Christian Academy
trailblazers - Westminster Christian Academy
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W e s t m i n s t e r C h r i s t i a n a C a d e m y<br />
Chimes<br />
summer 2006<br />
<strong>trailblazers</strong><br />
Celebrating John and Florence Lewis’<br />
Contributions to WCA
Chimes Summer 2006<br />
Table of Contents<br />
3 Celebrating the<br />
Contributions of<br />
teachers John and<br />
Florence Lewis<br />
5 2006 Graduates<br />
College & Career<br />
7 Working Together for<br />
Success: WCa’s<br />
academic teams<br />
8<br />
9<br />
11<br />
12<br />
18<br />
student achievements<br />
athletics<br />
Faculty/staff notes<br />
alumni<br />
annual Giving<br />
Lacour-niesen Visuals, inc.<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> <strong>Academy</strong><br />
honors Jesus Christ by<br />
providing an excellent education,<br />
rooted in biblical truth as interpreted by the<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> Confession of Faith,<br />
for the Children of <strong>Christian</strong> parents.<br />
Faculty and staff enable students to<br />
discover and embrace a biblical view of the<br />
world and integrate that view<br />
into every area of life.<br />
Head of School<br />
James marsh<br />
Head of Upper School<br />
James sefrit<br />
Head of Middle School<br />
steve hall<br />
Contact information:<br />
Admissions<br />
Peggy Johnson<br />
pjohnson@wcastl.org<br />
Alumni/Annual Giving<br />
Jeff Johnson<br />
jjohnson@wcastl.org<br />
General:<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> academy<br />
10900 Ladue road<br />
saint Louis, missouri 63141<br />
Web: www.wcastl.org<br />
Phone: 314.997.2900<br />
Fax: 314.997.2903<br />
email: info@wcastl.org<br />
Chimes is a biannual publication of<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> academy sent to<br />
alumni, current student families, and friends of<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> academy. to request a<br />
free subscription, email info@wcastl.org.<br />
© 2006 <strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> academy<br />
WCa UP CLOse<br />
Practice Makes Perfect<br />
students Bobby degnan and<br />
rachel Victor rehearse for a<br />
performance of Rumplestiltskin.<br />
the drama 1 class performed this<br />
play for local elementary<br />
schools this spring.<br />
1 2<br />
Lacour-niesen Visuals, inc.
WCa in FOCUs<br />
<strong>trailblazers</strong><br />
Celebrating John and Florence Lewis’ Contributions to WCA<br />
John and Florence Lewis’<br />
27-year journey with WCa is<br />
marked by a series of “firsts”<br />
laden with new and growing<br />
opportunities for their family,<br />
their careers, and the school—<br />
which has grown right along<br />
with them.<br />
When the Lewises look back on<br />
the first time they learned about<br />
a <strong>Christian</strong> secondary school<br />
starting in their community,<br />
they remember their many<br />
questions. how would the<br />
school function? Who would<br />
be the teachers? What courses<br />
would be provided? how would<br />
academics be measured?<br />
On top of the normal concerns<br />
of the parents of three growing<br />
daughters, Florence had the<br />
experience of growing up in a<br />
family of educators. Both her<br />
mother and father were teachers,<br />
serving at mary institute<br />
and Country day school<br />
respectively. the Lewises were<br />
not going to take school choice<br />
lightly. But they also knew that<br />
they could not wait for all of<br />
their questions to be answered—<br />
and needed to see God’s unfolding<br />
plan for <strong>Westminster</strong>.<br />
“i remember one day, while<br />
thinking about school options for our<br />
children, i was deeply convicted by the<br />
verse in the Gospel of matthew which<br />
says, ‘But seek first his kingdom and his<br />
righteousness, and all these things will<br />
be given to you as well,’” Florence said.<br />
“i had a sense that God was going to<br />
The Lewises were married on October 24, 1964. Head of<br />
School Jim Marsh called their service “a team effort.”<br />
provide for the needs of my children and<br />
this was a decision about seeking first his<br />
kingdom on their behalves.”<br />
John and Florence have been able to see<br />
God’s unfolding plan for WCa—and<br />
they have had a front row seat. after<br />
enrolling their eldest daughter<br />
alice (’84) in seventh grade at<br />
WCa in 1978, the next Lewis to<br />
arrive full time at the school was—<br />
Florence. having taught for John<br />
Burroughs school before getting<br />
married, Florence came on board as<br />
a French and Bible teacher. it was<br />
not long before she stepped into<br />
the two roles in which she served<br />
during the bulk of her tenure with<br />
WCa—Latin teacher and director<br />
of admissions.<br />
While John spent many years as<br />
a faculty spouse and WCa parent,<br />
watching alice, harriet (’85),<br />
and elizabeth (’90) go through the<br />
school, he finally joined Florence’s<br />
carpool in 1993. that was the year<br />
that John retired from his role overseeing<br />
international business for<br />
monsanto and stepped out of the<br />
office and into the classroom.<br />
“i have always enjoyed being with<br />
kids,” John said. “Whether it was<br />
my own children or the ninth<br />
grade boys’ sunday school class<br />
at church.” additionally John had<br />
a well-rounded understanding of<br />
the <strong>Christian</strong> worldview and had<br />
traveled the world through his corporate<br />
work. he was a prime candidate<br />
to teach the Worldviews class<br />
to seniors.<br />
so John and Florence carried on the<br />
legacy of Florence’s parents—both serving<br />
as educators, helping many students<br />
prepare for the road of life. Florence says<br />
her teaching career actually started with<br />
her dolls lined up and her mother’s used<br />
schoolbooks open for the day’s lesson.<br />
she has not lost the wonder of those<br />
opportunities to equip others in a classroom<br />
setting. seeing students achieve<br />
far more than they thought they could is<br />
one of her greatest joys.<br />
John, who has taught Worldviews and<br />
Bible, sees how extremely valuable it<br />
is to teach and mentor students during<br />
their teenage years. “as a young person<br />
enters adolescence he or she begins to<br />
ask important questions and starts to<br />
form views that will serve as a basis for<br />
life,” John says. “through teaching at<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong>, i have been able to help<br />
students learn to evaluate ideas critically,<br />
consider issues in society, prepare them<br />
for the challenges of college, and really<br />
just to help them think <strong>Christian</strong>ly.”<br />
every good journey comes to an end,<br />
and the Lewises have reached a stopping<br />
point for their journey with WCa—at<br />
least in their formal capacities. Both<br />
John and Florence retired from their<br />
teaching positions at WCa with the<br />
conclusion of the 2005-06 school year.<br />
it seems most appropriate for these two<br />
teachers and WCa <strong>trailblazers</strong> to be<br />
remembered by those whom they taught.<br />
alumni remember them by saying:<br />
“Since senior year Worldviews Class I<br />
have respected you and looked up to you<br />
[John, a.k.a. Mr. Lewis]. I appreciated<br />
the time you invested in each one of your<br />
students. And your passion for life and<br />
constantly seeking truth is very admirable.<br />
You challenged me to think about important<br />
issues…I hope to keep looking back to the<br />
Worldviews class in the future and refer to<br />
the information you taught and apply it to<br />
my life.” –From a letter to John by<br />
ann Kruse (’02)<br />
“As a former student, I remember being<br />
inspired by the commitment Mrs. Lewis had<br />
to helping me learn French. She tirelessly<br />
looked for ways to make me successful as<br />
a student. She taught each concept until I<br />
actually grasped it and she always believed<br />
mastery was achievable! Now, Mrs. Lewis<br />
John and Florence with a student group in France. Since 1982, the Lewises<br />
have taken WCA students to Europe nine times. This summer marks their<br />
final trip with students.<br />
has taught two of my children and I can<br />
honestly say that her commitment to this<br />
sort of teaching never changed.... I would<br />
wager that when students and alumni are<br />
asked what they most value about their<br />
WCA experience, they say that it was the<br />
teachers. I agree completely. Especially the<br />
Lewises. But why is this so? I believe that<br />
the Lewises have given WCA a rare gift.<br />
They have lived their lives as open books.<br />
And through all of the good and bad they<br />
have never, ever wavered in their commitment<br />
to follow, obey, and serve the<br />
Lord Jesus Christ. This is because they are<br />
WCa in FOCUs<br />
convinced that Christ’s love for them never<br />
waivers.” Brookie moore (’82).<br />
head of school Jim marsh celebrates<br />
the Lewises’ service saying, “Florence<br />
has been part of the faculty for 27 years<br />
and John for 13, but it really has been<br />
27 years for both of them–this has<br />
been a team effort.” Jim went on to say,<br />
“God has grown this school through his<br />
people and the Lewises are pillars upon<br />
which <strong>Westminster</strong> has been raised<br />
up. their uncommon zeal provided an<br />
infectious spirit that has permeated the<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> culture.”<br />
do not be surprised to still run into the<br />
Lewises from time to time at WCa.<br />
they say they will not be able to stay<br />
away from Carnival or spirit Week festivities.<br />
and as new trails are blazed at<br />
WCa, the Lewises can be counted on to<br />
be there in the cheering section.<br />
A Latin Lesson for the Road<br />
mrs. Lewis would be glad to know she<br />
can retire with all <strong>Westminster</strong> alumni<br />
able to conjugate one Latin word well...<br />
so pay attention:<br />
Alumni is the Latin masculine gender<br />
plural of alumnus, borrowed by english<br />
to refer to men and boys who have graduated<br />
from an educational institution.<br />
its use as the generic plural for mixed<br />
groups of male and female graduates is<br />
considered exclusive language by many<br />
but continues in general and conservative<br />
use.<br />
Alumnae is the feminine gender plural<br />
of Alumna, used for women/girls.<br />
3 4<br />
Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org
CamPUs neWs CamPUs neWs<br />
College & Career<br />
Class of 2006 Makes Plans for Future<br />
the following list reflects the<br />
plans of the Class of 2006<br />
following graduation.<br />
Auburn University<br />
sean Joseph thomas<br />
Azusa Pacific University<br />
samuel roy hotchkiss<br />
Baylor University<br />
Jamie Kay Kim<br />
Lauren elizabeth treu<br />
Biola University<br />
Whitney diane Goebel<br />
Calvin College<br />
Jessica ann Buis<br />
Carson-Newman College<br />
sarah Lynne mcreynolds<br />
Central College–Iowa<br />
rebekah ruth shippy<br />
Central Missouri State<br />
Katherine mary dieckgraefe<br />
Clark Atlanta University<br />
Kiah Lynn Wilson<br />
Clemson University<br />
Lainey noel Woodward<br />
Covenant College<br />
alexandra amicy<br />
William Barton hesterberg<br />
sarah elizabeth Ottolini<br />
Culinary Institute of<br />
America<br />
William Clark Cawthon<br />
Dordt College<br />
emma ruth dahl<br />
Evangel College<br />
Katherine elizabeth dudley<br />
George Washington<br />
University<br />
sophie ann Zavaglia<br />
Greenville College<br />
Kenyon Joseph Klousia<br />
Hampton University<br />
Jerrica Cathleen Patton<br />
Horizons School<br />
edward thomas Clemens<br />
Illinois College<br />
elliot matthew Brown<br />
Indiana University<br />
timothy William Gee<br />
John Brown University<br />
Brandon Christopher<br />
Benefield<br />
Joseph reuben nothum<br />
Kevin John sheehan<br />
Lee College<br />
david mark Furlong<br />
LeTourneau University<br />
david William Wilcox<br />
Lindenwood College<br />
elizabeth marie Bowman<br />
dennis matthew Jones iii<br />
Colin alexander mcafee<br />
daniel mark minnella<br />
nicholas Lee Pieber<br />
Maryville University<br />
monica Lyn Kaup<br />
amanda Joy renaud<br />
Miami University<br />
Benjamin Chet heyse<br />
erika susanne suermann<br />
ashley nichole timm<br />
U.S. Navy<br />
Kevin michael Frick<br />
Missions<br />
Joseph alan tischler<br />
Missouri Baptist College<br />
Brandon spenser Gum<br />
Kirstin rae Johnson<br />
Khristopher ryan stillman<br />
Murray State University<br />
Casey Beth Coffman<br />
Katherine mary ann Convy<br />
steven Jeffrey ehrhardt<br />
Christina marie Kelly<br />
trista elizabeth malawy<br />
Whitney Lorre Pfitzinger<br />
North Park University<br />
Peter Lindley schamp<br />
Notre Dame University<br />
andrea hope Jacobson<br />
Point Loma Nazarene<br />
University<br />
sarah elizabeth Lillenberg<br />
Purdue University<br />
mark richard dudley<br />
annemarie Osti heise<br />
Jihee Jang<br />
Ji-hoon Kim<br />
matthew James triebe<br />
Regis University<br />
edward taylor hiemenz<br />
Samford University<br />
Benjamin Paul aaberg<br />
stephen Joseph Bianca<br />
shannon marie dille<br />
Jonathan dyer haas<br />
sarah elizabeth Land<br />
hartmann<br />
mary Beth Klotz<br />
Grace ann Pohlman<br />
Seattle University<br />
rebecca Wippold<br />
Missouri State University<br />
emily Jane meyer<br />
Faith marijke White<br />
St. Louis Community<br />
College–Meramec<br />
anne Christine Castagno<br />
nathan Goff Coughlin<br />
Kaelan michael Cox<br />
anna Kumari morgan<br />
St. Louis University<br />
Jacqueline a. Keeven<br />
nicole Jennifer Londoff<br />
Luke david mcGowan<br />
stacey elizabeth reed<br />
Taylor University<br />
michael robert schulte Beck<br />
nathaniel addison haines<br />
samantha renée hobbs<br />
megan elizabeth menzel<br />
Jonathan thomas reed<br />
Trinity <strong>Christian</strong> College<br />
John samuel Paulson roberts<br />
Cassie Lea Vande Kamp<br />
Jessica Lynn young<br />
Valedictorian Receives Honors, Charges Class<br />
On monday, may 22, 2006, during the graduation ceremony, class Valedictorian<br />
Andrew Hoekzema charged his fellow graduates to live lives that boast in Christ.<br />
He said, “When we boast in Christ, we live with purpose, for His kingdom, justice,<br />
and righteousness encompass all that we do. When we boast in Christ, we live with<br />
conviction, for we are not alone when our own abilities fail. When we boast in Christ,<br />
we live with joy, for He does not lay our abilities on us as a burden to weigh us down<br />
with the pressure of having to live up to His standards on our own merit.”<br />
Andrew is a student who has exercised the gifts entrusted to him as a high school<br />
student and has been recognized for his extensive accomplishments. He received<br />
the siemens Award for Advanced Placement, given to one male and one female<br />
student per state each year; was selected for the missouri scholars 100, a statewide<br />
program that honors 100 of the state’s top high school seniors; is a National merit<br />
scholar; made a perfect sAT score; was named a St. Louis Post-Dispatch scholar<br />
Athlete; and received the WCA math, science, english, History, and solomon<br />
awards. Andrew plans to attend Washington university in st. Louis next fall.<br />
Truman State University<br />
Christine nicole Gebhardt<br />
rachel elizabeth Johnson<br />
Jason thomas moore<br />
Corinne marie nagel<br />
rebecca Louise nolle<br />
elisabeth anne O’Brien<br />
Jonathan Clark Poland<br />
deborah anne roby<br />
Kathryn anne schlafly<br />
emily elizabeth schnurpfeil<br />
Brendan robert Zee-Cheng<br />
University of Hawaii–<br />
Manoa<br />
heatherlyn Faith neu<br />
University of Memphis<br />
andrew Jason Wilson<br />
University of Missouri–<br />
Columbia<br />
michael david alexander<br />
Katherine marie Bear<br />
adam Jay Brown<br />
Pricellious Britney Burruss<br />
emily elizabeth Camp<br />
Lauren elizabeth Cantrell<br />
Jonathan Patrick denny<br />
andrew James derousse<br />
danielle tae elliott<br />
Benjamin august Glaser<br />
University of Missouri–<br />
Columbia, cont’d.<br />
michael Joseph ivancic<br />
Peter andrew Kissinger<br />
Wesley Lang Powell<br />
melissa Kathleen reed<br />
ellen Katharine Colton robb<br />
Kelley schwartz<br />
tyler Lee thompson<br />
Cassandra Bonita Via<br />
Christopher John Wagner<br />
andrew tyler young<br />
University of Missouri–<br />
Kansas City<br />
sarah elliott Breeding<br />
amy sue Fleming<br />
mallika sarah thampy<br />
Benjamin robert Wiele<br />
University of Missouri–<br />
Rolla<br />
Joshua dale holzhausen<br />
Grace ann Pohlman<br />
University of Missouri–<br />
St. Louis<br />
david Lewis Conley<br />
University of Nebraska–<br />
Lincoln<br />
sarah ashley Larose<br />
Vanderbilt University<br />
stephen Lee Knubley, Jr.<br />
Vincennes University<br />
Kelley Janelle George<br />
Virginia Polytechnic Inst.<br />
elizabeth Grace Crim<br />
Washington University<br />
daniel steven alstadt<br />
andrew steven hoekzema<br />
William F. Osberghaus, Jr.<br />
Benjamin Paul West<br />
Webster University<br />
dustin Philip maassen<br />
Joshua david maassen<br />
holly Jean mattox<br />
Benjamin Lee yousef<br />
Wheaton College<br />
rachael marie schaffner<br />
morgan stuart younkin<br />
Undecided at Time of<br />
Chimes Publication<br />
meagan michelle adams<br />
Caitlin deering heap<br />
Kirk arthur helfrich<br />
Jeffrey michael Kaufman<br />
matthew thomas Walker<br />
More ‘06 Graduation<br />
Ceremony Highlights<br />
Salutatorian:<br />
William Osberghaus<br />
Invocation:<br />
L.B. Graham,<br />
Bible Teacher<br />
Speaker:<br />
Ken Boesch,<br />
History Teacher<br />
Arlen R. Dykstra<br />
Faculty Award<br />
Recipient:<br />
susie Pike<br />
Prayer of Dedication:<br />
Larry Hughes,<br />
Bible Teacher<br />
5 Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org<br />
6
CamPUs neWs<br />
Working Together<br />
WCA’s Academic Teams Make Tough Competition<br />
Successful teaching and learning<br />
experiences must take place through a<br />
variety of methods, from traditional lectures<br />
to outside-of-the-classroom<br />
projects. For example, academic teams<br />
and competitions are innovative teaching<br />
and learning tools that have been<br />
embraced with much success at<br />
WCa. Like athletic competitions,<br />
academic teams help students<br />
learn how to work together, give<br />
special focus to specialized academic<br />
areas, and bring out the<br />
best sides of students’ competitive<br />
spirits.<br />
the 2005-06 school year brought<br />
many accolades for WCa’s academic<br />
teams. The Scholar Bowl<br />
team won second in state, the We<br />
the People political science team won<br />
state, and WCa sent more students to<br />
state for the National History Day competition<br />
than any other high school in<br />
the st. Louis metro area.<br />
When teacher Bob Vass, named 2006<br />
missouri Scholar Bowl Coach of the<br />
year, was asked about the value of<br />
these types of academic competitions,<br />
he replied, “students learn to think on<br />
their feet, learn in-depth, cooperate with<br />
one another, and grow in friendship and<br />
school spirit.” the following are updates<br />
on the teams’ successes.<br />
Scholar Bowl<br />
For the fourth year in a row, the WCa<br />
Scholar Bowl team won the district<br />
Scholar Bowl tournament by beating<br />
saint Louis Priory school in the finals.<br />
On may 6 the team competed in the<br />
state tournament and came in second<br />
place. students involved in Scholar Bowl<br />
prepare for competition through weekly<br />
practices from november to may, as<br />
well as individual study. Competitions<br />
contain questions in math, science,<br />
language, fine arts, literature, history,<br />
current events, politics, and world cul-<br />
Above: Top WCA<br />
Scholar Bowl<br />
scorers Andrew<br />
Hoekzema, Mallika<br />
Thampy, William<br />
Osberghaus, and<br />
Clark Poland.<br />
Right: Participants<br />
from this year’s We<br />
the People team<br />
Elizabeth O’Brien,<br />
Deborah Roby,<br />
Mark Dudley, Kirstin<br />
Johnson, and Sam<br />
Hotchkiss.<br />
ture. scholar Bowl participant andrew<br />
hoekzema has been selected to be on the<br />
Missouri State All-Star Scholar Bowl team.<br />
this five-man team represented the state<br />
of missouri at the national Panasonic<br />
tournament in Orlando, Fla., in early<br />
June.<br />
We the People<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong>’s We the People team competed<br />
at the national level in Washington<br />
d.C. this past may, after winning<br />
state earlier in the spring. the group of<br />
33 students competed against 50 other<br />
teams and took fourteenth place. this<br />
is the largest We the People team in the<br />
school’s history. the team is grouped<br />
into smaller teams which compete in the<br />
following areas: Political and historical<br />
Foundations, Framers and the Constitution,<br />
Values in the Constitution shaping<br />
america, development and expansion of<br />
the Bill of rights, and roles of Citizens<br />
in american democracy. WCa’s We the<br />
People team has won the state competition<br />
for the past seven years in a row.<br />
National History Day Competition<br />
this year, the following WCa students<br />
made it to the state-level competition for<br />
National History<br />
Day: Calen<br />
Caple, alex<br />
arnold, Bethany<br />
hoekzema, michael<br />
Zandstra,<br />
ellie Gamache,<br />
June hotchkiss,<br />
Ben Winter,<br />
sarah shippy,<br />
Lauren Peters,<br />
and molly James.<br />
WCa sent more state qualifiers to the<br />
competition than any other high school<br />
in the st. Louis metro area. at the state<br />
level molly James (11) and Lauren Peters<br />
(11) won first place in the historical<br />
drama category and will compete at the<br />
national level this summer in maryland.<br />
For the National History Day competition,<br />
students study one aspect of history<br />
for more than six months in preparation<br />
for the competition where they show<br />
what they have learned. students may<br />
compete in groups or individually.<br />
Student Achievements<br />
Adam Farquhar (11) scored a perfect<br />
score of 36 on the composite aCt this<br />
spring. the average missouri aCt<br />
score is 20. there were only two students<br />
with a perfect score this year.<br />
Lauren Cantrell (12) has been invited<br />
to join marching mizzou, the marching<br />
band of the University of missouri-<br />
Columbia. the band is comprised of<br />
students from nearly every major within<br />
the university and students must audition<br />
to be invited. Lauren plays the<br />
flute and also received music scholarships<br />
to mizzou.<br />
Lauren receiving music scholarships<br />
and an invitation to join Marching<br />
Mizzou from Dr. Michael Knight, Band<br />
Director and Music Professor.<br />
Andrew Wiens (9), Adam Farquhar<br />
(11), and Andrew Hoekzema<br />
(12) were named outstanding Physics<br />
students for the 2005-06 academic<br />
year by the american association of<br />
Physics teachers. their outstanding<br />
performances in class, participation<br />
in science-related activities outside of<br />
the classroom, and recommendations<br />
by their physics teacher qualified them<br />
for this recognition. additionally, as a<br />
school, WCa received the second place<br />
prize on the senior Physics test administered<br />
by the st. Louis area Physics<br />
teachers (sLaPt). this honor was<br />
achieved through Ben West’s (12) and<br />
Adam Farquhar’s high scoring.<br />
Both the Concert Choir and the High<br />
School Band received “first superior”<br />
Plans for Town & Country<br />
Campus Progress<br />
The <strong>Westminster</strong> Board of Trustees is actively engaged in a planning<br />
process to determine how best to utilize the Town and Country (T&C) campus<br />
to provide excellent <strong>Christian</strong> education for the covenant community<br />
throughout the 21st century. This past April, results from a study of costs,<br />
schedule, and planning issues relating to the construction and development<br />
of the T&C campus were submitted to the board. The study focused on<br />
developing the T&C campus into an upper school (grades 9-12), with the<br />
middle school remaining on the Creve Coeur Campus. The Board is currently<br />
reviewing this study, which involved input from a number of faculty<br />
committees, and will make a recommendation in coming months. Current<br />
lease income from the T&C Campus allows the school to maintain the property<br />
without utilizing any funds from the Creve Coeur campus budget.<br />
ratings in their respective festivals this<br />
spring. each group received the highest<br />
score from all four judges. the groups<br />
also traveled to perform in myrtle Beach,<br />
s.C., this past april.<br />
Shannon Dille (12), JiHee Jang (12),<br />
and Jessica Young (12) each had artwork<br />
on display at the st. Louis art museum<br />
this spring. their work was on display in<br />
the educational wing of the museum for<br />
a month, and then was part of a traveling<br />
exhibit around the st. Louis area.<br />
this spring, SWAT members (students<br />
Working against tobacco) traveled to<br />
Jefferson City, mo., to speak out against<br />
under-age drinking. While there, mem-<br />
Aerial view of Town and Country Campus<br />
CamPUs neWs<br />
bers were trained on issues related to<br />
under-age drinking; were involved in a<br />
missouri youth rally; and met with the<br />
current miss america, whose platform is<br />
under-age drinking.<br />
SWAT members speaking out during<br />
a visit to KSDK Channel 5<br />
7 8<br />
Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org
athLetiCs<br />
Baseball has Best year in school history<br />
Senior Pitcher Matt Walker<br />
the Wildcat Varsity Baseball team<br />
earned its first district title this spring<br />
and finished fourth in the state for class<br />
three. the team enjoyed its most successful<br />
season in WCa history with a<br />
20-7 record.<br />
the season ended in the final four<br />
playoffs this June, playing the defending<br />
class 3 state champions Webb City<br />
at the University of missouri-Columbia.<br />
after a defeat by Webb City, the<br />
Wildcats played sullivan (who held a<br />
16-6 record) and lost, finishing fourth.<br />
Webcast internet site PrepCast named<br />
Ben turner (Wildcat catcher) player<br />
of the game for the <strong>Westminster</strong> game<br />
against sullivan. Ben went 2 for 4 in<br />
that game.<br />
additionally, Wildcat baseball player<br />
drew Benes (11) was Pontiac Game<br />
Changing Performance Athlete for may<br />
2006. drew won this honor by gaining<br />
the most votes through the KmOV<br />
Web site. the season started with drew<br />
hitting two grand slams in a game<br />
against Whitfield. drew was also named<br />
Athlete of the Week by the St. Louis Post-<br />
Dispatch this spring. the team enjoyed<br />
solid pitching from matt Walker (12),<br />
Jeremy Worell (11), Jacob turner (9),<br />
sam robinson (11), and drew Benes.<br />
senior players were matt Walker, shortstop<br />
stephen Bianca, and left fielder<br />
Ben aaberg.<br />
at season’s end Coach rich Van Gilst<br />
said, “it was disappointing to lose in the<br />
semifinals, but awesome to be part of a<br />
final-four experience. this team played<br />
beyond most people’s expectations for<br />
this year and, with most of the team<br />
back next year, they may get another<br />
chance to win the championship.”<br />
Golf Team Finishes with New Records<br />
Out of 11 teams competing in this year’s district golf tournament,<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> placed second, losing by a meager six strokes to last year’s<br />
state champion, mICDs. matt Leeker (11) led the way for the Cats with<br />
a two over par. matt also shot the best round for nine holes on his back<br />
nine, with a one under par (35). matt came in second place overall (out of<br />
55 golfers), missing first place by one stroke. Ben Davis (11) helped the<br />
Wildcats to their second-place finish with an 83, which gave Ben a tenthplace<br />
finish followed by Khris stillman (12), Dave Wilkinson (11), and Peter<br />
Boggs (11), who all shot 84 (11th place finishes). From a golf team history<br />
standpoint, this year’s team score for districts (325) was one stroke better<br />
than the lowest score in WCA’s district history. matt Leeker now holds the<br />
record for the lowest district score for a WCA golfer.<br />
Ben Turner at bat in game against<br />
Orchard Farm<br />
Varsity golf team with Coach Burkey. Back<br />
Row: B. Davis, D. Wilkinson, A. Fletcher, H.<br />
Hicks, P. Duffy. Front Row: M. Beck, P. Boggs,<br />
M. Leeker, K. Stillman<br />
Blackwell Wins state<br />
this spring, ryan Blackwell (11) competed in the<br />
state track and Field Championships for the second<br />
year in a row and took first place in the state in<br />
triple jump. ryan’s winning jump was 45 feet, 1 inch.<br />
in the 400 event, ryan ran his best time of 48.81<br />
and came in third place. the first-place runner finished<br />
at 48.0. ryan’s time was the third fastest in the<br />
state for the 400. ryan (pictured left) was named<br />
Athlete of the Week by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.<br />
Fourth District Win for Tennis<br />
After winning the district tournament for<br />
the fourth year in a row, the Wildcat Tennis<br />
team advanced to the state tournament<br />
this may, finishing fourth in the final four for<br />
Class one. Andy Derousse (12) and Jack<br />
reed (12) gave the school the best result<br />
it has ever had for a doubles team: third<br />
place at the state tournament.<br />
senior varsity tennis player David Conley<br />
(pictured left) signed a letter of intent to<br />
play tennis for the university of missourist.<br />
Louis. David was among the top eight<br />
singles players at the state level this year.<br />
Worrells Build for Wildcats<br />
the Wildcat Baseball team<br />
enjoyed their first season of home<br />
games using newly constructed<br />
dugouts. WCa parent todd Worrell<br />
and grandparent roland Worrell<br />
volunteered much time and energy<br />
to make these dugouts possible. the<br />
Worrells worked hands-on with WCa<br />
facilities personnel, Gary Klein and<br />
mark Jennings, to create these updated<br />
facilities for the Wildcats. On Friday,<br />
may 5, head of school Jim marsh<br />
thanked the Worrells, during a postgame<br />
celebration, for their above-andbeyond<br />
contribution to WCa athletic<br />
facilities and Wildcat team spirit.<br />
Wildcats use their new digs at spring<br />
home game.<br />
athLetiCs<br />
More Sports Highlights<br />
this spring, the WCA football program<br />
was recognized as one of three exemplary<br />
high school football programs by<br />
the st. Louis-tom Lombardo Chapter of<br />
the national Football Foundation and<br />
College hall of Fame. this award is presented<br />
annually to the top high school<br />
football programs that have displayed<br />
a combination of football success,<br />
academic commitment, and community<br />
involvement.<br />
Katie Maurer (11) received honorable<br />
mention for the st. Louis all-metro<br />
girls’ basketball team. the largest varsity<br />
boys’ swim team in <strong>Westminster</strong><br />
history finished the season with a 10-3<br />
record, the best record in the team’s<br />
history.<br />
Wildcat diver Gina Cascella (11) finished<br />
in fourth place in mWaa League<br />
diving Finals this spring and Samantha<br />
Bond finished in 13th place.<br />
the girls’ lacrosse team finished its<br />
season with a 9-4 record, the best in the<br />
team’s three-year history. <strong>Westminster</strong><br />
girls’ soccer captured the holly Goodman<br />
memorial tournament in may.<br />
two school records were set for girls’<br />
swimming this spring. sarah Bennet<br />
(11) set the new 100 Butterfly record at<br />
:57.99 and also set a new 500 Freestyle<br />
record at 5:17.78.<br />
Jim Marsh thanks Todd and Roland<br />
Worrell for their giving spirits.<br />
9 Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org<br />
10
FaCULty/staFF nOtes<br />
24 Years of Service<br />
Lynne Johnson concluded 24 years of<br />
faithful service at <strong>Westminster</strong> at the close<br />
of the 2005-06 school year. For 21 of those<br />
years she was Administrative Assistant to<br />
Head of school Jim marsh.<br />
In reflecting on Lynne’s time at WCA Jim<br />
said, “Lynne has been my right hand and<br />
left hand. Her calm spirit, dedication,<br />
professionalism, and friendship have been<br />
a blessing to me and many others.” Lynne<br />
plans to continue to contribute to the life of<br />
the school in coming years through<br />
volunteering her time regularly in the<br />
business office.<br />
Smith Chosen as Outstanding Teacher<br />
Warren smith has been chosen to be<br />
honored as 2006 Outstanding Biology<br />
Teacher Award recipient for the state of<br />
missouri. the selection committee for<br />
this award looked for a teacher who exhibited<br />
commitment to students, teaching<br />
strategies, involvement outside of the<br />
classroom, returning knowledge to the<br />
classroom, and equipping fellow teachers.<br />
he will be honored at the national association<br />
of Biology teachers convention<br />
this fall in albuquerque, new mexico.<br />
Marsh Serves as Board President for<br />
<strong>Christian</strong> Schools International<br />
head of school Jim marsh is currently<br />
serving as Board President for <strong>Christian</strong><br />
schools international (Csi). Founded<br />
in 1920, Csi serves to advance and support<br />
<strong>Christian</strong> schools nation-wide and<br />
around the world. Csi provides teacher<br />
training, curriculum, and serves as an<br />
accrediting body for member schools.<br />
Jones Plays Jazz with Ensemble<br />
music teacher hugh Jones has been playing<br />
locally with the Genesis Jazz Project<br />
which is a jazz ensemble of st. Louis<br />
metro area performers. the ensemble<br />
is now in residence at the University of<br />
missouri-st. Louis. Check www.touhill.<br />
org to see times when the ensemble will<br />
be pleasing the ears of its audiences.<br />
WCA Embarks on Accreditation Year<br />
since 1983 WCa has been accredited<br />
by the independent schools association<br />
of the Central states. this accreditation<br />
is maintained by participating in an accreditation<br />
process once every ten years.<br />
the process begins with a school selfstudy<br />
conducted by committees made<br />
up of teachers, board members, parents,<br />
and administrators. the committees<br />
assess every aspect of the <strong>Westminster</strong><br />
curriculum and program, determining<br />
strengths, challenges, and plans and<br />
priorities for the future. additionally<br />
areas such as admissions, advancement,<br />
diversity, and finance are evaluated.<br />
WCa’s self-study was completed during<br />
the 2005-06 academic year. the school<br />
will host an isaCs visiting team this fall<br />
to complete the accreditation process.<br />
the visiting team will submit a report<br />
with recommendations that the school<br />
will be required to complete during the<br />
next ten-year accreditation cycle. the<br />
school-improvement process at the core<br />
of the isaCs accreditation program has<br />
been instrumental in guiding the growth<br />
and improvement of WCa since 1982.<br />
WCa is also accredited by <strong>Christian</strong><br />
schools international (Csi) and the Csi<br />
accreditation team will visit in tandem<br />
with the isaCs team.<br />
Investment in Creve Coeur Campus<br />
in order to ensure the very best <strong>Christian</strong><br />
eduction, future facility improvements<br />
are planned for the Creve Coeur campus<br />
including:<br />
• Classroom technology improvements<br />
• Updates to older section of facility<br />
• renovation of cafeteria and pool<br />
a Capital Campaign for the Creve<br />
Coeur campus, chaired by Greg Jewell<br />
and Bob Beck, has been established<br />
with the goal of raising $1.5 million per<br />
year for the next three years to meet the<br />
above needs. $300,000 in matching funds<br />
have already graciously been committed<br />
for each of the next two years.<br />
Graham Publishes New Novel<br />
Bible Department Chair L.B. Graham has published<br />
another book in his Binding of the Blade<br />
series. Shadow in the Deep was released by<br />
P&r Publishing this past spring.<br />
Through this series, L.B. creates a fictional world<br />
called Kirthanin and tells a story of conflict and<br />
hope. A <strong>Christian</strong> Retailing reviewer offered the<br />
following comment about L.B.’s writing, “L.B.<br />
Graham’s vivid descriptions and believable<br />
characters quickly pull the reader into a world<br />
of friendship, love and betrayal.” Shadow in the<br />
Deep is book three in a five-book series.<br />
Class of 1986 Reunion<br />
The Class of 1986 held its 20-year reunion at LoRusso’s Cucina on May 28, 2006.<br />
Back Row: Matt Mikula, Lester Stuckmeyer, Kal Dawson, Jay Titus, John Kleinknecht,<br />
Greg Grempler, Scott Croswell, David Hearne, Steve O’Neal<br />
Second Row: Tracy Ham Schumacher, Pam Pajunen Farley, Libby Hearne Wilkenson,<br />
Heather McConkey Herbert, Kelly Nelson Laipple, Bridget Linthicum Kathman,<br />
Nelle Walker Landholt, Sharon Wulff Werner<br />
Front Row: Kristen Pelster, Susan Hauser Maynor, Sherri Jackson DeMarea, Kathy<br />
Golden O’Neal, Brad Dunlap, Mary Weber Oglesby, Carol Denckhoff LaGue, Tonya<br />
Davis Cotton.<br />
Not pictured, but attended Saturday cookout: Paul Kooistra, Linda Connolly Scheer,<br />
and Cindy Jorritsma Van Heest<br />
Class of 1982<br />
John Prentis is serving as manager for<br />
dickson Valley Camp in newark, ill.,<br />
and lives in Plano, ill.<br />
Class of 1986<br />
Linda Connelly scheer and husband<br />
Jeff have been married for ten years.<br />
God has blessed them with three sons:<br />
Brian (5), Benjamin (4), and Lucas<br />
(1.5), each of whom was adopted as<br />
infants. Linda works part-time as an rn<br />
and Jeff is a service adviser at a local<br />
car dealer. they look forward to homeschooling<br />
Brian starting this fall. they<br />
live in Beaufort, mo., with three dogs,<br />
35 chickens, and goats arriving soon.<br />
they thank God every day for all he<br />
has given them.<br />
Tonya Davis Cotton and her husband<br />
doug live in Fenton, mo., and enjoy<br />
many activities with both their extended<br />
families. they celebrated their 15th<br />
anniversary in July of 2005 and have<br />
been blessed with two daughters; alyssa<br />
(entering fifth grade) and Brittany<br />
(entering second grade). doug is an<br />
independent contractor, working primarily<br />
in the remodeling business.<br />
tonya is a former graphic artist and now<br />
concentrates her time on her family and<br />
their needs.<br />
Scott Croswell lives in meridian,<br />
idaho, where he works in the dram<br />
design department at micron<br />
technology as a Cad engineer. he<br />
is working toward a master’s degree in<br />
aLUmni neWs<br />
electrical engineering at Boise state<br />
University. scott likes to golf and ski.<br />
he and his wife melinda enjoy camping,<br />
exploring their home state of idaho,<br />
and taking Kenpo Karate lessons.<br />
Brad and Kitty Dunlap have two children<br />
named emma (3) and rex (1).<br />
they live in marietta, Ga., where Brad<br />
works for iBm.<br />
Denise Farrar resides in Quakertown,<br />
Pa., where she works for the local government.<br />
she also is involved in youth<br />
group leadership and is busy raising her<br />
very sports-minded son daniel (13).<br />
Greg Grempler and his wife Kim have<br />
been married for 16 years and live in<br />
st. Louis. they have two boys, trent<br />
(5) and Grant (7). Greg has worked<br />
for aaa for the past 11 years. Greg<br />
and his family enjoy bike riding on the<br />
weekends and he loves playing football<br />
and fishing with his boys.<br />
Tracy Ham schumacher and her husband<br />
scott live in st. Louis with their<br />
four kids: tyler (13), Luke (11), Leah<br />
(6), and Gussie (3). tracy is a stay-athome<br />
mom who also provides childcare<br />
for two other children during the school<br />
year. When not busy with the kids,<br />
tracy and scott like to get away to the<br />
lake with the family, or to Las Vegas<br />
(alone)! scott and tracy purchased a<br />
store named Decorative Kitchens and<br />
Baths two years ago, located on st.<br />
Charles rock road.<br />
Libby Hearne Wilkinson and husband<br />
Bruce have four children: scripps (7),<br />
rand (6), ella (4), and anne (3). they<br />
live in st. Louis, and Libby says she<br />
“loves being a mom.”<br />
Sherri Jackson demarea and husband<br />
Peter have been married for nearly ten<br />
years. they have a son matthew who<br />
is now three. they live in manchester,<br />
mo., and attend First evangelical Free<br />
Church. sherri has been working part<br />
time at World Wide technology as a<br />
Business systems analyst.<br />
11 Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org<br />
12
aLUmni neWs<br />
Paul and Carla Kooistra are living<br />
in suwanee, Ga., with their children<br />
Carson (4), molly (3), and ava (1). Paul<br />
works in sales for taLX Corporation<br />
as regional sales manager for the<br />
southeastern U.s. the Kooistras moved<br />
to Georgia from st. Louis in 2004. Paul<br />
graduated from Ole miss (BBa and<br />
mBa) and has been working for taLX<br />
since 1998. One of Paul’s sisters lives in<br />
atlanta as well as his parents. Carla’s<br />
family is in athens, Ga.<br />
Andrea Leighton richardson and her<br />
husband steven recently celebrated their<br />
15th wedding anniversary. they live in<br />
st. Louis and their son James just graduated<br />
from Kirk day school (Kds). he<br />
will attend WCa this fall. their son<br />
michael will enter fourth grade at Kds.<br />
andrea says, “the Lord has blessed me<br />
with loving friends and family.”<br />
after graduating from emory University<br />
in atlanta, Bridget Linthicum Kathman<br />
was hired as a flight attendant for<br />
delta air Lines. that job took her to<br />
Cincinnati, Ohio, where she met her<br />
husband, tom. they were married in<br />
1995 and now have three children: Julia<br />
(7), Grace (5), and t.J. (2). after several<br />
years in management with delta, Bridget<br />
returned to flying part-time, to be home<br />
with the kids more. Bridget says, “Work<br />
has become my vacation! nothing like<br />
a weekend in Paris or rome to recharge<br />
your batteries!” although Bridget misses<br />
st. Louis, Cincinnati has become her<br />
second home. she and tom still try to<br />
make it back to visit several times a year.<br />
Joseph and Heather McConkey herbert<br />
recently celebrated the births of twins<br />
howard John ii “Jack” and isabelle Jane.<br />
the growing family lives in alexandria,<br />
Va. heather works professionally as an<br />
attorney.<br />
Beth Miller erman is working in public<br />
affairs for Washington University school<br />
of medicine. she writes for various<br />
internal publications, edits, and does<br />
public relations work for some medical<br />
school departments. she says, “after 15<br />
years in the newspaper business, this is a<br />
godsend!” Beth was married in October<br />
2004 to dan who she calls, “a true blessing<br />
in my life.” Beth and dan live with<br />
their blended family of dogs and cats.<br />
Beth is an active runner, participating in<br />
many area runs, and recently completed<br />
her first half-marathon (finishing 17th<br />
in her age group). she expects to complete<br />
a marathon this fall, or next spring.<br />
Kelly Nelson Laipple and husband Brad<br />
live in st. Charles, mo., where Brad<br />
works for the government and Kelly<br />
is a stay-at-home mom with four kids:<br />
matthew (14), <strong>Christian</strong> (10), Blake (2),<br />
and Grace (1).<br />
Kristen Pelster is serving as Principal for<br />
ridgewood middle school in st. Louis’s<br />
Fox school district. she was previously<br />
the school’s assistant principal. during<br />
her tenure as assistant Principal Kristen<br />
was honored with the st. Louis region<br />
middle school assistant Principal of the<br />
year award. Kristen is married to tim<br />
Crutchley.<br />
Steve Routszong and his family are<br />
living in Gastonia, n.C. (a suburb of<br />
Charlotte), where steve serves as Vice<br />
President of Business development for<br />
diversified Clinical services, a leading<br />
disease management company. steve and<br />
his family are members of First associate<br />
reformed Presbyterian Church. his<br />
wife rose is a stay-at-home mom with<br />
their children, Kathleen “Kate” (5) and<br />
Olivia “hope” (3 in July). Kathleen<br />
will be starting kindergarten at Gaston<br />
<strong>Christian</strong> school this coming school<br />
year. Former classmates, teachers, and<br />
other alumni are welcome to keep up<br />
with steve’s family through their Web<br />
site www.routszong.com. 1<br />
Lester Stuckmeyer and his wife monica<br />
live in house springs, mo., with their<br />
children, Wesley (12) and molly<br />
(8). Lester is an attorney and is self-<br />
employed.<br />
Jay Titus has been living in springfield,<br />
mo., for over 20 years. he is married<br />
to shelly and works as a senior Vice-<br />
President of Commercial Lending for<br />
U.s. Bank.<br />
Nelle Walker Landholt and her husband<br />
Chris have been married for 16 years and<br />
live in st. Louis. their daughter susie<br />
just graduated from Kirk day school,<br />
where nelle teaches French and Latin.<br />
Sharon Wulff Werner and husband<br />
terry live on a cattle ranch in steelville,<br />
mo. sharon is a homeschooling, stay-athome<br />
mother of five children: nicholas<br />
(8), Caeli (7), John Paul (5), maria (3),<br />
and Louis (15 months).<br />
Class of 1987<br />
Paige Benton Brown led WCa’s<br />
spiritual emphasis week for the 2005-<br />
06 school year. Paige and her husband<br />
reagan recently celebrated the birth of<br />
a baby boy, their first child. the Browns<br />
live in new york City where they attend<br />
redeemer Presbyterian Church. Paige<br />
will also serve as a plenary speaker for<br />
the Presbyterian Church in america’s<br />
2006 Women in the Church Conference.<br />
Rick Mayes and his wife, Jen, are living<br />
in richmond, Va., with their two<br />
sons, tim (5) and Ben (2). rick teaches<br />
public policy and pre-med courses at the<br />
University of richmond and recently<br />
published a book on how medicare<br />
has changed american medicine titled<br />
Medicare Prospective Payment and the<br />
Shaping of U.S. Health Care. rick and<br />
Jen host <strong>Christian</strong> discussion groups for<br />
college students in their home, which is<br />
a faculty apartment in one of the university’s<br />
male dormitories. Last year they<br />
read Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts<br />
on <strong>Christian</strong> Spirituality. next year they<br />
will read Velvet Elvis: Repainting the<br />
<strong>Christian</strong> Faith. 2<br />
Dave Vinyard serves as CeO of<br />
marketing and technology solutions<br />
and lives in Louisville, Ky.<br />
Aimee Wiggers and david Kuzemka<br />
were married in december 2004. they<br />
celebrated the birth of samuel <strong>Christian</strong><br />
on October 7, 2005. aimee has traded<br />
in her 14-year career in social services<br />
for full-time motherhood. the Kuzemkas<br />
live in springfield, mo.<br />
Class of 1988<br />
Sara Moehlenpah alexander and her<br />
husband Jeff live in hillard, Ohio, with<br />
their three children: david (9), Graeme<br />
(6), and anna (2). the alexanders<br />
serve with Chi alpha Campus ministries<br />
at Ohio state University.<br />
David and stephanie Workman are<br />
expecting their first child in July. the<br />
Workmans live in st. Louis where<br />
david is a licensed real estate agent and<br />
a marketing director for michelson<br />
Organization. he is a working on writing<br />
two books: a novel and a non-fiction<br />
book on real estate. stephanie teaches<br />
third grade at Providence <strong>Christian</strong><br />
academy in south st. Louis County.<br />
1 3 4<br />
Class of 1990<br />
eddie and Nicole Hendricks duckworth<br />
are pleased to announce the birth of<br />
natalie renae, born on december 29,<br />
2005. natalie joined the very proud big<br />
brother Jacob who turns five on July 9.<br />
the duckworths live in Virginia Beach,<br />
Va., where eddie works for northrop<br />
Grumman. Jacob is a big Cardinals fan<br />
and enjoyed a visit to the new Busch<br />
stadium during a recent trip. 3<br />
Angela Wall and todd Kimmel were<br />
married on October 28, 2005, at the<br />
Kirk of the hills Presbyterian Church<br />
where they first met in youth group!<br />
they remained friends throughout college<br />
and beyond and eventually started<br />
dating after angie moved to California.<br />
hollie schlueter (’92) sang in their<br />
wedding and angie’s sister, Vicki Wall<br />
mcdonald (’92), was the maid of honor.<br />
Jim Wall (’95) served as an usher. the<br />
Kimmels live in Wildwood, mo. todd<br />
works as an advertising sales manager<br />
for KmOV/Channel 4 and angie is an<br />
advertising sales manager for Meetings<br />
& Conventions Magazine. 4<br />
Julianna Ziebol Cargile and her husband<br />
Ken live in tucker, Ga., with daughter<br />
Lilly (2).<br />
Class of 1992<br />
Erin Horn schulte is<br />
owner and President of<br />
exclusive events, inc.<br />
erin and her husband<br />
Bryan have two children:<br />
sage (3) and morgan (6<br />
mos). the shultes live in<br />
maryland heights, mo.<br />
Class of 1993<br />
Katharine Lehmann neville is serving<br />
as a physical therapist for ssm rehab.<br />
Katharine and her husband Douglas<br />
Neville (’87) live in eureka, mo.<br />
Class of 1994<br />
Simon Brobbel is working in natural<br />
resources management for st. Louis<br />
County.<br />
13 Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org<br />
14<br />
2<br />
Keep in Touch! Send your alumni<br />
news to jjohnson@wcastl.org, use<br />
mailing address on page 1, or use<br />
the online update feature on<br />
www.wcastl.org.<br />
aLUmni neWs
aLUmni neWs<br />
15<br />
1<br />
3<br />
Scott and Jennifer Pollmann live in<br />
middleville, mich., where scott serves<br />
as a teacher for Byron Center Charter<br />
school. the Pollmanns have two children:<br />
Gabriel (4) and Libby (2).<br />
Class of 1995<br />
Erin Harris Wood and her husband<br />
Jason recently celebrated the birth of<br />
baby Jude. the Woods live in Kailua,<br />
hawaii. Jude joins brother ethan (2).<br />
Kirk Petty is engaged to be married to<br />
marion mcCarty. Kirk is a 1999 graduate<br />
of samford University, with a bachelor’s<br />
degree in business administration. he<br />
lives in Birmingham. ala., where he<br />
works for PricewaterhouseCoopers as an<br />
audit manager. marion is a fourth grade<br />
teacher for Briarwood <strong>Christian</strong> school<br />
in Birmingham. the couple will be married<br />
on June 24, 2006, in Birmingham.<br />
Valerie Ritter is living in roswell, Ga.,<br />
where she is an Office manager for<br />
structural design, inc.<br />
2<br />
Rebekah Wiggers<br />
Crossman and her husband<br />
david celebrated the<br />
birth of Parker Keith in november. the<br />
Crossmans live in Birmingham, ala.,<br />
where rebekah works as an interior<br />
designer and david works to complete a<br />
Ph.d. in immunology from University of<br />
alabama. 1<br />
Class of 1996<br />
Helene Millar Cable lives in richmond,<br />
Va., with husband Ben and three-yearold<br />
son steven.<br />
James Goodman is serving as an<br />
radiology instructor for Washington<br />
University school of medicine.<br />
Jeffrey and Jessica Cozad houston<br />
recently welcomed baby girl Kaylee. the<br />
houstons live in Chicago, ill.<br />
Rachel Knibbe Ver Wys and husband<br />
ryan recently celebrated the birth of<br />
baby malachi. the Ver Wys family lives<br />
in Bellflower, Calif.<br />
the class of 1996 held its 10-year<br />
reunion at tanner B’s on may 27.<br />
4<br />
Class of 1997<br />
Cerre Francis is a youth Programs<br />
specialist for discovery Gateway<br />
museum in salt Lake City, Utah.<br />
Tara Bollinger-Jacob lives in Western<br />
australia with her husband Jeremiah<br />
and son adrian (1). tara is the Owner<br />
of and designer for a Fashion studio.<br />
Zach Wood and Hannah Hager were<br />
united in marriage on may 20, 2006.<br />
Angela Heirendt recently spent more<br />
than a year serving with Word made<br />
Flesh in Calcutta, india. her primary<br />
responsibilities included serving the poor<br />
in Calcutta, but she also was involved<br />
in tsunami relief efforts in sri Lanka.<br />
angela returned to st. Louis in fall of<br />
2005 and began serving on the staff of<br />
new City Fellowship facilitating World<br />
mission efforts. angela’s brother Jesse<br />
Heirendt (’95) has also recently served<br />
a three-month assignment in nepal with<br />
Word made Flesh.<br />
Joshua Hendricks lives in<br />
elizabethtown, Ky., and works as a property<br />
manager for macerich Company.<br />
Brandon Marshall and Sarah Henning<br />
marshall are expecting their third child.<br />
the marshalls live in st. Louis and their<br />
new baby will join big brother Jude (3)<br />
and big sister esme (1).<br />
Travis Rule is serving as a police officer<br />
and lives in Caseyville, ill.<br />
Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org<br />
5<br />
Peter Schrenk is serving as an art<br />
teacher for new trier high school in<br />
northfield, ill. Peter and his wife Liz live<br />
in Lake Zurich, ill.<br />
Rachel Higby Ziebold and husband<br />
mark live in huntington Beach, Calif.,<br />
where rachel works in interior design.<br />
Class of 1998<br />
ryan and Christina Dressel Johnson<br />
recently celebrated the birth of baby<br />
estelle. they live in Waterloo, ill.<br />
Jenny McBride is a College and Career<br />
Counselor for Lindbergh high school.<br />
Jordan amber was born to Jerrod and<br />
Liz Jarboe on may 5, 2006. the Jarboes<br />
live in st. Louis, mo.<br />
Martha Salomon married simon henley<br />
on august 13, 2005. Philip Waldron was<br />
in the wedding and several WCa alumni<br />
were in attendance. Pictured above 2<br />
are Rachel Weir, Becky Marsh, Trish<br />
Biebel reynolds, Martha Salomon,<br />
Philip Waldron, Rebecca Johannsen,<br />
and Amity Haugk. martha is an attorney<br />
for King & spalding in atlanta, Ga.<br />
Class of 1999<br />
Julie Greenplate married nathaniel<br />
head in June of 2004. Julie is a graduate<br />
of samford University and nathaniel<br />
is a graduate of John Brown University.<br />
their daughter sarah Beth <strong>Christian</strong><br />
was born on October 25, 2005. the<br />
heads live in Knoxville, tenn. 3<br />
Antwan and angie Johnson are living<br />
in Gardner, Kan., where antwan<br />
6<br />
serves as deputy sheriff for the Johnson<br />
County sheriff’s Office.<br />
April Keenan is engaged to be married<br />
on september 9, 2006. april and her<br />
fiancé Bill rombach are building a house<br />
in eureka, mo., and she will begin a new<br />
teaching job at sacred heart of eureka<br />
in the fall.<br />
Sarah Reinwald and Justin Guldalian<br />
became engaged on november 23,<br />
2005. they will be married on October<br />
7, 2006, on an estate in Washington,<br />
mo. sarah and Justin met at drake<br />
University. Justin is also a st. Louis<br />
native. sarah works for Lutheran<br />
hour ministries in st. Louis as the<br />
Coordinator of Outreach training. 4<br />
Dan and evelyn Wenzel are living<br />
in myrtle Beach, s.C. they recently<br />
celebrated four years of marriage. dan<br />
has recently accepted a position as<br />
College/student Pastor at a multiracial,<br />
missional church plant called “elevate.”<br />
evelyn has completed her education<br />
as a holistic health Counselor from<br />
the institute of integrative nutrition<br />
(manhattan, ny). dan’s new band “st<br />
Jack” is in process of recording their first<br />
independent record for fall release.<br />
Class of 2000<br />
Rebekah Baxter was chosen to receive<br />
the eagle award from the eagle Forum in<br />
september. the award recognizes<br />
aLUmni neWs<br />
rebekah<br />
for her “dedicated work for God,<br />
home, and country.” Previous eagle<br />
award winners include John ashcroft,<br />
Gary Bauer, Beverly Lahaye, and Jim<br />
talent. rebekah is executive director<br />
of eagle Forum education Center in<br />
Clayton, mo., and producer of the radio<br />
program “Phyllis schlafly Live.” 5<br />
Cassie Fischer Westerhold and husband<br />
Chris welcomed twins auden meyne<br />
and avery Paige on december 27, 2005.<br />
the twins join big sister elise (born<br />
december 24, 2003). Chris is an estimator<br />
for Fischer and Frichtel and Cassie is<br />
a stay-at-home mother. 6<br />
Laura Keffer married Brady Berlin<br />
on may 28, 2005, in Washington<br />
University’s Graham Chapel. rebecca<br />
Keffer (’04) was maid of honor. Laura<br />
and Brady met at taylor University. the<br />
couple lives in Westerville, Ohio, where<br />
Laura is a preschool teacher and Brady<br />
works in a family business. 7<br />
Sarah Wiemer Lee and her husband<br />
Justin are living in Florissant, mo., and<br />
recently welcomed baby girl samantha.<br />
Class of 2001<br />
Whitney Enlow is living in Wildwood,<br />
mo., and works for Chicken soup for<br />
the soul supplements.<br />
dorian and Meredith Greene Bishopp<br />
rejoice in the birth of baby Chaz.<br />
7<br />
16
aLUmni neWs<br />
Chaz joins big brother Blaine (2). the<br />
Bishopps are currently living in new<br />
Jersey on mcGuire air Force Base.<br />
Jared Huffman and erin Gardner were<br />
united in marriage on may 13, 2006.<br />
Emily Kling and nelson Bell somerville,<br />
Jr., were married on august 6, 2005, at<br />
twin Oaks Presbyterian Church. their<br />
wedding was followed by an alaskancruise<br />
honeymoon. the somervilles<br />
live in Clayton, mo. nelson works for<br />
abstar title Company and emily is pursuing<br />
a master’s degree in Occupational<br />
therapy at Washington University. 1<br />
the class of 2001 held its five-year<br />
reunion at tGi Friday’s on may 27.<br />
Class of 2002<br />
Matthew Frick was commissioned as<br />
a second Lieutenant in the United<br />
states marine Corp. on march 25, 2006.<br />
matthew is currently in Quantico, Va.,<br />
attending introductory Flight school.<br />
Begining in June 2006 he will attend<br />
the Basic school in Quantico,. in late<br />
Alumni Play for WCA<br />
1<br />
2006 he will proceed to Pensacola,<br />
Fla., to attend flight school as a naval<br />
aviator. 2<br />
Robert and Beth Martin welcomed<br />
emily elizabeth into their family on may<br />
22, 2006. the martins live in Flowery<br />
Branch, Ga., where robert is a teacher/<br />
Web administrator for <strong>Westminster</strong><br />
<strong>Christian</strong> school in Gainesville, Ga.<br />
Kathryn Hagen is working for special<br />
school district in st. Louis as a Lead<br />
applied Behavior analyst.<br />
Megan MacLean Ghormley is a graduate<br />
student in the school of Psychology<br />
at Fuller theological seminary in<br />
California. she graduated with her<br />
undergraduate degree from Pepperdine<br />
This past may, more that 100 golfers, made up of alumni, alumni parents, current parents, and others from the<br />
st. Louis Community, teamed up to take part in the WCA Andy Benes Charitable Golf Tournament. The event<br />
raised $32,000 for the school. This is an annual event that is growing to include more and more alumni. If you<br />
would like to be a part of next year’s tournament (may 2007), email jjohnson@wcastl.org.<br />
Father-son foursome and first place winners: Don Kruse,<br />
stephen Kruse (‘04), Doug Glidewell, and Jeff Glidewell (‘05)<br />
Benes foursome: mike Hanson, Andy Benes, robb Johnson,<br />
and Don Klingler.<br />
2<br />
Help Teachers Cultivate<br />
<strong>Christian</strong> Minds & Character<br />
<strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> academy is a team effort. Faculty, par-<br />
ents, students, churches, and you. the gifts you give today toward<br />
this educational mission equip the school to meet present needs<br />
17 Cultivating <strong>Christian</strong> Minds and Character www.wcastl.org<br />
18<br />
including:<br />
• faculty development,<br />
• technology improvements,<br />
• faculty/staff salaries,<br />
• financial aid.<br />
this year has been another outstanding year of preparing students<br />
for life and service in our community and world. We are currently<br />
seeking to raise $53,000 by July 31, 2006, to meet the above<br />
needs. if you are able to partner with <strong>Westminster</strong> at this time<br />
through financial giving, please prayerfully consider how your gift<br />
could help meet this goal. it is through the prayer and sacrificial<br />
giving of many that the Lord enables WCa to fulfill a mission of<br />
cultivating christian minds and character.<br />
name<br />
address<br />
City/state<br />
PLEASE CUT HERE AND RETURN IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE<br />
annUaL GiVinG<br />
i/We would like to prayerfully give toward the goal of raising $53,000 by July 31, 2006.
Chimes Summer 2006<br />
Seniors Find Answer to “now What?”<br />
What? So what? Now what? these<br />
are the three questions that flesh out<br />
the heart of a <strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Christian</strong><br />
academy education. “What?” has to<br />
do with basic knowledge. “so what?”<br />
encourages students to discover in their<br />
own hearts what the facts and knowledge<br />
mean. “now what?” applies learning<br />
into practical action and living.<br />
the class of 2006 offered a poignant<br />
example of students answering the “now<br />
What?” question, when they chose the<br />
direction for their senior Class Gift.<br />
in years past, classes have commendably<br />
chosen to bless the school through gifts<br />
that give back to the <strong>Westminster</strong> community.<br />
this year, the senior class gave<br />
out of the blessings of the <strong>Westminster</strong><br />
community and shared gifts that spanned<br />
the globe to rwanda and el salvador.<br />
the rwanda and el salvador connections<br />
were both made during this class’s<br />
time at <strong>Westminster</strong>. as reported in the<br />
Winter 2004 edition of Chimes, ever<br />
martinez is a high school student who<br />
10900 Ladue road<br />
st. Louis, missouri 63141-8496<br />
Address Service Requested<br />
attended WCa for a semester while living<br />
in st. Louis in order to have surgery<br />
on a deformed leg.<br />
the rwanda connection came through<br />
alumnae sara stulac (’92) who serves as<br />
a medical doctor in rwanda (reported<br />
in the Winter 2005 edition of Chimes).<br />
sara’s work was introduced to students<br />
through teachers Chris Knerr and Ken<br />
Boesch. after seeing the medical needs<br />
of the rwandan poor, Ken Boesch’s<br />
Contemporary World affairs class held<br />
a special chapel to introduce students to<br />
the need and begin a campaign to raise<br />
$10,000 for an aid rwanda Fund.<br />
as seniors considered options for their<br />
class gift, they decided to follow the<br />
path of these new connections and give<br />
toward the education of ever martinez,<br />
now in el salvador with a healed leg,<br />
and also complete a $10,000 campaign<br />
goal for rwanda ($9,000 raised earlier).<br />
in reflecting on their decision, Class<br />
treasurer Whitney Goebel said, “We<br />
have so much, we just wanted to give.”<br />
at the close of the 2006 school year<br />
head of school Jim marsh addressed the<br />
faculty and staff saying, “this was truly a<br />
‘Now What?’ moment. there could not<br />
be a better example of our mission.”<br />
Rwandan Children Receiving Medical<br />
Care During Home Visit<br />
Ever Martinez with Spanish Teacher<br />
Daniel Legters at WCA<br />
Non Profit Org.<br />
U.S. Postage<br />
PAID<br />
St. Louis, MO<br />
Permit No. 1286