Unity Christian High School Homecoming 2015 Friday, February 6 Yesterday, Today, Forever The theme is based on Hebrews 13:7-8 and special attention to verse 8. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. This year happens to be the 50th year of Unity’s existence. The student council felt it would be good to look back and remember what has been done in the past, what is being done today, and what the future holds. Through out this 50-year journey, God's promises are always there. Jesus Christ does not change, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. To illustrate, students will be decorating the ramp wall in the Courtyard. Each class will be assigned a past decade in the life of Unity. The seniors will look back at the 60’s, the juniors will look back at the 70’s, the sophomores will look back at the 80’s, and the freshmen will look back at the 90’s. Schedule of Events Moderators: Mr. Trevor Mouw and Mr. Nathaniel Johnston 1:00 p.m. – Homecoming Chapel 1:40 p.m. – Royalty presented to student body and guests – Voting for Knight and Lady 3:45 p.m. – JV girls basketball, followed by JV boys/varsity girls /boys games vs. Remsen Union *Homecoming Court presented between the games (approximately 7:15) *Co-ed Drill Team performs during half-time of the girls’ game, *Drill Team “light routine” performs during half-time of the boys’ game. UCHS welcomes Sarah Graham to Homecoming 2015 I am very excited to be speaking at this year's Homecoming chapel. I graduated from Unity in 2005. I received my degree in Political Science from Northwestern College in 2009, and I graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 2012. I live in Omaha with my husband Tyler. Since 2013, I have been working for the Douglas County Attorney's Office as a Deputy County Attorney in the Juvenile Division. In my spare time, I love to run, decorate my house, and eat M&Ms. Unity holds a very high place in my heart, because it was where I learned how to use my God-given gifts, where I began to discern God's will for my life, and where I met friends that I still keep in contact with today. I have great memories of participating in choir, orchestra, musicals, and going to basketball games on Friday nights. I always looked forward to Homecoming week and I am honored to be part of the festivities this year. We are excited to welcome all alumni and friends to a Hospitality Room in the school library as part of Homecoming activities again this year. The room will be open from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Come and visit with former classmates and friends and enjoy some light refreshments. Tours of the facility will be available upon request. Make plans to come and share the evening with us. We always enjoy having our alumni and friends "coming home" for this special occasion. Class of 2015 Kassidy De Jong I am the daughter of Darin and Lori De Jong and we live on a farm outside of Hospers. My dad is a farmer and my mom is a stay-athome mom and cleans houses as a side job. I have enjoyed growing up on a farm and the many adventures it holds with my three older siblings. My oldest sister, Kendra, is 24 years old and works at the Sheldon Hospital as a nurse. My brother, Devin is 22 years old and works on the farm with my dad. We as a family are also very excited to welcome DeElissa JongJansma, into our famKassidy his future wife, ily this spring. My daughter other sister, Karissa, I am the of Darin and is Lori De Jong andworks we live a farm 21 years old and ason a CNA at outside Prairie of Hospers. My dad a farmer and my to Ridge in Orange Cityisand is also going mom isataWIT stay-at-home mom and cleans school for dental assisting. as a side enjoyed growhouses Throughout myjob. fourI have years at Unity, I ing upgrown on a farm and the many have to know Christ in adventures my everyit holds with my three older siblings. My to day activities. I am so blessed to be able oldest sister, Kendra, is 24 years old andof learn, play, and spend time with followers works At at Unity, the Sheldon as ainnurse. Christ. I have Hospital participated cross My brother, Devin istrack 22 years andchoir, country, basketball, and old field, works on the farm with my dad. We as a and lead as a living group leader for two family are also very excited to welcome his years. I do not know what I would do withfuture wife, Elissa Jansma, into our family out the coaches, teachers, and teammates this spring. My other sister, Karissa, is 21 that areold a part of my life. my at free time, I years and works as aIn CNA Prairie enjoy outside theis farm, reading, Ridgebeing in Orange Cityon and also going to running, fishing, or doschool atplaying WIT forbasketball, dental assisting. ing any activity with mymy family friends. Throughout four or years at Uni ty,Being able to grow up with Christian parI have grown to know Christ in my eveents, grandparents, and to friends is rydaysiblings, activities. I am so blessed be able something thatand I will never take forfollowgrantto learn, play, spend time with ed. a blessing it is to come home to ersWhat of Christ. At Unity, I have participated ainfamily lovesbasketball, me and wants seefield, my crossthat country, tracktoand life become the as best it cangroup be. My family choir, and lead a living leader for and have Ibeen a part Immanuel two Iyears. do not knowofwhat I wouldCRC do the for coaches, teachers, andrememteaminwithout Sheldon as long as I can mates that are a partcatechism, of my life. In myyouth free ber. Sunday school, and time, Ihave enjoybeen beingamazing outside tools on thetofarm, group helping reading, running, basketball, fishme grow into what playing I am today. doing any activity withismy family or ing, Myorfavorite bible verse Philippians friends. 4:13, I can do all things through Him who ableThis to grow uphas withbeen Chrisgives me Being strength. verse a tian parents, grandparents, guide for me siblings, throughout high schooland and something that I will never take afriends great is reminder to remember where my for granted. What a blessing it is to come strength comes from. There is nothing that home to a family that loves me and wants will stop me if God is on my side. to see my life become the best it can be. As for my future, I plan on attending My family and I have been a part of ImNorthwestern andfor majoring nursmanuel CRC College in Sheldon as longinas I ing. I also plan on participating in basketball can remember. Sunday school, catechism, and am excited see amazing what Godtools has andtrack. youthI group have to been planned for my life in the future. to helping me grow into what I am today. My favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. This verse has Candidates for Knight and Lady Madison Dorhout been a guide for me throughout high school and athe great reminder to remember I am where my strength comes from. There is daughter of nothing thatGail will stop me if God is on my Scott and side. Dorhout of Lemy future, I plan on attending Mars.AsMyfordad Northwestern is a deputyCollege and majoring in nursing. I also plan on participating in basfor Plymouth ketball and track. I am excited to see what County SherGod has planned riff’s office and for my life in the future. M adison Dorhout also is a Ser- geant Major for daughter of Scott and Gail I am the the Army NaDorhout of LeMars. My dad is a deputy for Plymouth County Sherriff’s office and also tional Guard. is Sergeant for the National Mya mom is theMajor Secretary forArmy our church, ImGuard. mom is also the Secretary for our remanuelMy CRC, and owns a furniture church, Immanuel CRC, and also owns a purposing business. I have two older sisters furniture repurposing who are both married.business. My oldestI have sister,two Abolder who both married. My lives oldbie, issisters a labor andare delivery nurse and est sister, Abbie, is a labor and delivery in Escondido, California with her husband, nurse lives in Escondido, California Tyler. and Stacia is also a Registered Nurse at with her husband, Tyler. Stacia is also the Orange City Hospital. Stacia anda her Registered Nurse at the Orange City Hoshusband, Josh live in Orange City and just pital. Stacia and her husband, Josh live in welcomed their first little girl, Karsyn Grace, Orange City and just welcomed their first in November. Day after day, she continues little girl, Karsyn Grace, in November. Day to bring so much joy in all our lives. after day, she continues to bring so much While attending joy in all our lives. Unity I have been involved While in various activities. attending UnityI Ihave havebeen beenon the volleyball, basketball, soccer and softinvolved in various activities. I have been ballthe teams. Musically, I have soccer been involved on volleyball, basketball, and in Chorale, Concert ChoirI have and Band. Also, softball teams. Musically, been inI am ainliving group leaderChoir this and year and volved Chorale, Concert help out withI am the ahair and make-up the Band. Also, living group leaderfor this play and eachhelp year. nothair playing softball year outWhen with the and makeor camping in the I enjoy up for the play eachsummer year. When notbeing play- a lifeguard at or thecamping Orange in City ing softball theSwimming summer IPool enjoy a lifeguard at the Orange lessons. City andbeing also helping out with swimming Swimming and also at helping with in During the Pool winter I work Pizzaout Ranch swimming lessons. I work Orange City. In my During church the I amwinter involved in at Orange City. In my team, myPizza youthRanch group,inparticipate in praise church I am involved in my youth group, and SERVE trips. In my spare time I enjoy participate in praisemovies, team, and SERVEsnugreading, watching shopping, trips. myKarsyn, spare time enjoy reading, gling In with andI spending time with watching family andmovies, friends.shopping, snuggling with Karsyn, spending time with family andto I haveand been one of the blessed who get friends. say that they have had Christian education I have been one of the blessed who their whole lives. Christian education has get to say that they have had Christian edmade such a difference in my life because it ucation their whole lives. Christian educaallows me to grow in my spiritual life freely tion has made such a difference in my life day to day while me still tolearning about because it allows grow in more my spirituGod Hisday plan Mystill learning al lifeand freely tofor dayme. while walk of faithGod hereand at Unity hasforgiven me a more about His plan me. My strong that will has stickgiven with me walk offoundation faith here at Unity me into a my future. strong foundation that will stick with me in my Onefuture. of my favorite verses is Psalm 103:8. to Which One states Lord isverses compassionate of “The my favorite is Psalm and gracious, slow to anger, 103:8. Which states “The Lordabounding is compas-in love.” I and lovegracious, this verse because it reminds sionate slow to anger, of how amazing our IGod His bemercy abounding in love.” lovetruly this is. verse cause it reminds how ourreceive God is the biggest gift of that weamazing could ever truly is. His mercy is theit biggest gift that we and we don’t deserve in the slightest. To could ever receive and don’t deserve us it me, this verse is full of we hope, reminding in ToFather. me, this verse is full of of the the slightest. love of our hope, reminding us of the love of our Father. I plan onon attending aa four year Christian I plan attending four year Chriscollege nextnext year.year. I planI to major in Social tian college plan to major in Work with minora in Law.in After college, I am Social Worka with minor Law. After colexploring the idea of on going to get lege, I am exploring theeither idea going of either on get my in Masters Social I mytoMasters Social in Work, soWork, I can so work can work morearea, in that to law I more in that or area, going or to going law school. school. I look toforward seeing Godto look forward seeing to what God what calls me calls mefuture. to in the future. in the Jena Schouten Schouten Jena Hi! My name is Jena Schouten and I name Hi! is My Jena live north of Sioux Schouten and Center with my parents. My dad Mike, I live north isofthe manager of the Dordt College Agricultural Stewardship Center. Sioux Center My mom Pearl, is a full time stay-at-home with my parMom. I have four sisters and one brother. ents. My dad Bobbie is my oldest sister and is married to Mike, is They the have three girls and are Eric Kroese. manager expecting theirof fourth child in April. My the Dordt Colbrother Micah and his wife Caryn live just lege theAgriculdown road from me and have two girls turaloneStewardand boy. My sister Coby is married to shipVander Center. Kris Kooy. They have two boys and Myinmom Pearl, a sister full time stay-at-home live Tulare, CA.isMy Kiley is marMom. I have four and sisters brother. ried to Sean Coon, theyand liveone in San DiBobbie oldest sister is me married ego, CA. is Jillmy is two years olderand than to Eric They have girls and and is in Kroese. her sophomore yearthree at Dordt. At Unity, their I have had the are expecting fourth childprivilege in April.toMy be involved in student council, basketball, brother Micah and his wife Caryn live just band band, country, downand thepep road fromcross me and have FFA, two girls and living group leader. This to andI am onealso boy.aMy sister Coby is married year was able to go to Louisville, with KrisIVander Kooy. They have two KY boys and the FFA officer team for a week. Outside of live in Tulare, CA. My sister Kiley is married school activities like they spend with Diego, famito Sean Coon, Iand livetime in San ly, work Bakery, be outdoors, CA. Jill at is Casey’s two years older than me and is in bake, attend youth group, and her sophomore year at Dordt.give tender loving care to my pets. At Unity, I have had the privilege to be inChristian education has meant so volved in student council, basketball, band much to me. From Kindergarten-8th grade and pep band, cross country, FFA, and I am at SCCS, to Freshman-Senior year at Unialso a living group leader. This year I was ty, I have been blessed to be raised in able to that go tostrive Louisville, KYGod’s with the FFA ofschools to teach Word ficer team for a week. Outside of school daily. I am so grateful for my parents whoactivities I like time with family, work at have seen thespend difference that a Christian Casey’s Bakery, be outdoors, bake, attend education can make. Throughout my years youth group, and give tender loving care at Unity, I have been encouraged by my to my pets.teachers, youth group leaders, parents, Christian has meant so much coaches, andeducation fellow classmates to grow in to faith. me. From Fromchapels, Kindergarten-8th grade at my to team devotions, to Freshman-Senior atGod Unity, I toSCCS, just ordinary classes, I haveyear seen have been blessed be raised in schools working in the lives oftomany students. The Christian education I have received that strive to teachthat God’s Word daily. I am has mefor encouragement for have the fu-seen so given grateful my parents who ture. hope that Ithat can atake with meeducation what I the Idifference Christian have here at Unity and use at it toUnity, can learned make. Throughout my years further I haveGod’s beenkingdom. encouraged by my parents, A verse thatgroup has been important to teachers, youth leaders, coaches, me my faith walk is Isaiah 41:10 So faith. do andin fellow classmates to grow in -my not fear, for I amtowith you; do not be disFrom chapels, team devotions, mayed, I am your God. II will strengthen to just for ordinary classes, have seen God you and help you; I will uphold you with my working in the lives of many students. The righteous right hand. This verse is a great Christian education that I have received reminder that God will never leave me. has given me encouragement for the future. Through any trials that may come along, I hope that I can take with me what I have He will strengthen me and be my guide. learned here at Unity and use it to further God’s kingdom. A verse that has been important to me in my faith walk is Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. This verse is a great reminder that God will never leave me. Through any trials that may come along, He will strengthen me and be my guide. Lord willing, I plan to attend Dordt next year, but my major is still undecided. Right now I am considering a major in communications, business, or possibly education. It is my goal to get a Spanish minor so that I can reach out to those in my community who speak Spanish. I am not sure what God has in store for my life, but I am excited to see where He leads me in the future. I pray that as I move into a new chapter in my life, that I can be a light to those I come in contact with and that God may be glorified. Michael Albert I am the son of Dan and Julie Albert of LeMars. My father is self employed, and spends many hours working on our family farm. My mother is a self employed hairdresser. I have two older brothers. My oldest brother, Joe, attends graduate school at South Dakota State University, and has already attained his bachelor degree in athletic training. My brother, Matt, is currently a junior at Dordt College. He plays football, and is working to get his degree in Business/Finance. My family attends St. John’s Lutheran Church in LeMars. While in Unity I have participated in band, basketball, football and soccer. I have played football and soccer all four years of high school, and I have also been in band all four years. I play as a percussionist in the band, and play for orchestra occasionally. Outside of school I enjoy my job at Bomgaars and helping out on the farm. I like to stay active by playing intramural sports and attending Unity sporting events. Spending time with friends and family is important to me. By growing up in a Christian home and attending a Christian grade school and high school I have acquired many things that have molded me into a strong Christian. My parents, who are role models to me, have been committed to sending me to Christian school. I thank them for this because I believe that my education in the Christian school has helped me learn more about God and His plan for my life. I know my faith would not be as strong had I not had this opportunity. I have had numerous coaches and other role models come from my Christian education, and for that I am thankful. I would not have met the friends I have today without me attending Orange City Christian and Unity Christian. My friends are always there to keep me accountable for my actions and they have helped me in my walk with Christ. My favorite Bible verse comes from Philippians 3:14. It says: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This verse has always stood out to me because it reminds me that I always have to be pressing on to be more and more like Christ. Any activity I come across, I have to do my best at it. I believe that is how my faith life should be as well. I need to remember that God’s gift of salvation is the prize, and I must try my hardest to live a life that is pleasing to God. I will go on a National Lutheran Youth Gathering in Detroit this summer. I’m sure that will have a great spiritual impact on my life. This fall I will attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. I plan on majoring in Architecture. I hope that God’s glory can be shown through me as I move forward in my life. Klay Byker I am the son of Mike and Maria Byker, and we live in Orange City. My dad works as the Sports Information Director at Dordt College, and my mom is the secretary at 1st Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. I have two siblings. My brother, Sam, is a freshman at Unity Christian. My sister, Emma, is a 5th grader at OCCS. My family attends 1st Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. While at Unity, I’ve participated in cross country, basketball, track & field, soccer, orchestra, Concert Choir, Knightsounds, and am in my second year as a living group leader. My brother and I mow several lawns around Orange City, and I also work part-time at Don’s Food Center. Outside of school I enjoy watching and playing basketball games, running, and playing cello and piano. I have been blessed to have grown up in the Christian Reformed Church, and being privileged with Christian Education. I have been challenged through the classes that Unity offers and through catechism class at our church. I’m thankful that God put so many people in my life to help me grow in my faith with Him. Philippians 3:14 is a Bible verse that has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Whether in competition or struggling through a homework assignment, this is a passage I can go back to because through God all things are possible. We cannot do it on our own, because without God, we are nothing. Next year I plan on attending Dordt College and majoring in Education. I’m excited to see what God has in store for my future as a student, and as a member of His kingdom. Andrew Kaemingk I was born and raised in Sioux Center by my parents Karl and Shirley Kaemingk, both teachers at Unity Christian. My mom teaches math, and my dad is the computer teacher. I have three sisters, my oldest, Sarah, with her husband Zach, lives in Sioux Center, my sister Heather attends Dordt College, and my sister Nicole attends Unity with her super cool and awesome older brother, me! As a child, I attended Sioux Center Christian School. As a student, I have participated in basketball, cross country, golf, the Cast, both musicals, and a play. I have also participated in JETS, Knightsounds, quizbowl and I am currently a Living Group leader. Outside of school, I am actively involved in my Youth Group as a student leader, and I have gone on 3 mission trips. I also like to be with friends, getting out to golf, and just relaxing. After high school, I plan to attend Dordt College where I will major in Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, or Special Education. No matter which direction I take, I’m excited for the future and the challenges I will face. Some of the challenges will be tough, but I know I’ll have my family, friends, and my Lord backing me up. Christian Education has had a huge impact on my life. I love being able to speak out about my faith, and having the ability for teachers to share what they know to me about their faith lives as well. Being able to have Christ a the center of my education is a huge blessing. My favorite bible verse is Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our Lord shall stand forever.” Homecoming 2015 Class Representatives Class of 2016 Attendants Chanda Zomermaand, daughter of Jerry & Gretchen Zomermaand of Sioux Center Paxton De Haan, son of Craig & Sandi De Haan of Orange City Class of 2018 Attendants Claire Kredit, daughter of Roger & Niki Kredit of Sioux Center Sam Byker, son of Mike & Maria Byker of Orange City Class of 2017 Attendants Lauren Baas, daughter of Homecoming Knight 2005 John & Beth Baas ofLady Sioux& Center Melissa Hulstein Kade Krosschell, son of Perry & Kimber Krosschell of Orange City Benjamin Dirksen Homecoming Lady & Knight 2005 Melissa Hulstein Benjamin Dirksen