Rehoboth High School Graduation 2010 newsletter website1.pdfAnd out of that storming comes a period...

Vigorously Academic • Beautifully Diverse •Thoroughly Christian

Summer 2010

Rehoboth High School Graduation

On Saturday, May 29, surrounded by family, friends and teachers, forty-

three Rehoboth Christian High School seniors walked across a stage setup in the Rehoboth Sports and Fitness Center to accept their diplomas and embark on a new journey in their lives. For some students, this will mean entering the rigors of college life; for others, it will begin their military careers.

Unfortunately a somber note hung over the celebration as one of the graduating seniors, Jacob Bitah, was unable to be in attendance. Recovering from a stroke in a Phoenix hospital, Jacob missed the final weeks of school. Jacob is currently going through an extensive rehabilitation process and is on the path to recovery.

He was in everyone’s thoughts and prayers throughout the commencement exercises.

Rev. Will Kempkes, the commencement speaker chosen by the class of 2010, had a special connection with this year’s graduates; his son, Tim Kempkes, was among those who graduated. Rev. Kempkes has been the pastor at Window Rock CRC for the past six years, and in that time has become a beloved part of the Rehoboth community. His speech emphasized his deep desire for each one of them to receive the absolute best that life has to offer. He promised that this would not come from material possessions or from worldly success, but that living life to the fullest meant living a life rooted in Christ and

following his lead wherever He may take them.

The class Valedictorian, Terah Condrey, and Salutatorian, Gabe Gonzaga, delivered a challenge to their fellow classmates to be an example to future graduates. Condrey’s speech, based on the quote, “you miss every shot you don’t take,” encouraged the class of 2010 to seize their opportunities rather than let them slip by and live with regrets.

The overall message of the day was the unlimited potential held within the class of 2010, waiting to be opened up to the world. As these students leave

Rehoboth, we place our faith in God that He has prepared them for what lies ahead. Only through His grace will these students be able to live out their dreams and reach the heights of what He has planned for their lives.

Congratulations, Class of 2010

Graduate B.J. Spencer with his sponsors, Burt and Michaela Lesser. The Lessers, from WA, have sponsored B.J. since kindergarten and

were privileged to see him accept his diploma at graduation.

2 Vigorously Academic • Beautifully Diverse •Thoroughly Christian

One Hundred Years of Discipleship and Advancement

For some people the term advancement, another word for de-velopment or fund-raising, has negative connotations. For our team, though, advancement means a step forward, progress, and

improvement. We get excited about advancement! When we think of progress at Rehoboth, we think of the stages that mark the development of any group or institution. Through Rehoboth’s nearly 110 years, its mission has progressed through all of these stages, and advancement, whether done by the first missionaries or the most recent, our teachers and staff have fueled each stage.

As an institution, Rehoboth’s stages have been predictable. You may have heard of the “forming –> storming –> norming –> perform-ing” model of organizational development. This model suggests that the first stage is simply coming together, being formed. Next comes a stage of learning and listening , the result of which is “storming.” Why? Well, when we listen to each other, truly listen, we often find deep differ-ences and disagreements. And out of that storming comes a period of norm-ing, a time of coming to agreement on what we will be and what we will do together. Then, at last, we’re ready to get a lot of work done. The final stage is a period of performing--of staff growth, facing up to challenges, tackling problems, finding solutions, getting results. That’s the stage Rehoboth is in now, praise God.

Forming (1896 to 1930) Historians and anthropologists believe the Navajo migrated to the Four Corners region only four hundred years ago. The Zuni had been living in their pueblo long before that time. As the Navajo moved into the area, the first Catholic missionaries were beginning a mission in Zuni, but the Navajo people did not hear the word of God until the late 1800’s, not long before the Mission Board of the Christian Reformed Church sent the Frylings and the Vander Wagens to the area. The “coming of the Word” continued for many years. Cultural and language gaps made it difficult for missionaries and Native people to listen to and learn from each other. Nor was it easy for the Navajo and Zuni to turn away from their traditional ways long enough to hear about the “white man’s God.”

Native people were familiar with giving and sharing as well as with the idea of a leader sacrificing his life for his people. So the early missionaries had a base from which to begin presenting the gospel. It is also interesting that Re-hoboth was selected as the site for the mission because there was water there. Native people received that water gladly, as a gift, realizing later that what was offered was more than ordinary water—it was living water! “Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

Over a century ago, with little sensitivity or attention to how to fulfill the Great Commission amongst Native peoples in the southwest, pious mission-aries established patterns and practices that imitated the culture they’d left behind. During that forming stage, in which some of us older folks learned about “our Indian cousins,” many Navajo and Zuni people surrendered their lives to Christ. Thank God for those early converts, for they brought about the Aaronic blessing, a blessing of eternal value passed on from generation to generation.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn

His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

With that blessing Native people and missionaries became one in Christ, brothers and sisters, children of our Savior God. The differences between Native and missionary are well demonstrated in the Rehoboth cemetery. In the early years the Rehoboth mission was a place where many Native people were brought when near death. Traditional religious beliefs prohibited families from being near anyone deathly ill or already dead. They brought loved ones to the hospital steps in hope of help. When we think of the Lord’s return, as author James Schaap has written, we can “imagine them—men and women, boys and girls, ancients and stillborn, red and white, singing together in a chorus of Navajo, English, Zuni, Dutch, and Spanish, a chorus of praise….dream of graves razed, the whole place suddenly opened….Every knee shall bow. Every tongue confess. That’s been the vision of Rehoboth—our own vision here—for more than 100 years.” (Banner, June 2008)

By Gary Nederveld, Associate Director of Advancement

Rehoboth in its “forming” phase in 1909.

3P.O. Box 41 • Rehoboth, NM • 87322 • 505-863-4412 • www.rcsnm.org

Storming (1930 to 1940)The storming stage began on two fronts. First, Native peoples could not overlook the incompatibility of a Jesus who loved and accepted them and a people who told them they must change, give up their cultural and spiritual identity, and adopt a new way of life.

Second, during this period, Rehoboth worked to resolve many important questions about its mission. Was Rehoboth to be only a place for evange-lism, or would health care – the Rehoboth Hospital – also play an impor-tant role quite aside from preaching and teaching? Who would be making these decisions—the field council (Rehoboth mission staff) or denomina-tional leaders in Grand Rapids?

Reforming (1940 to 1970)The controversies of the 1930’s made it necessary for Rehoboth to “re-form”. While students at Rehoboth still felt the heavy-handedness of staff, there was a noticeable shift toward more listening and increased inclusion of Native people in decision making. The role of Navajo Code Talkers in World War II and the increased contact with “the outside world” also led many Native people to insist on being heard. Although not always well re-ceived, both groups remained committed to seeking what was good while acknowledging mistakes and failures. Together they realized they needed

to listen to what God was saying, to live by His declarations, and to accept His purposes for Rehoboth.

Norming (1970 to 2000)When I worked there in the 1970’s, Rehoboth entered a period of adjust-ment, of once more listening to hear what God was saying and moving beyond its negative history. The model of harmony set by the Navajo way, evident in their spirituality as well as their farming, weaving, and tending sheep became more respected and valued. During this stage, the churches on the reservation began to form an identity, and eventually, in 1972, formed their own classis. In the spring of 1973 the first meeting of parents and church leaders led to the formation of a Rehoboth Christian school board, a board that today is responsible for the school.

Gratefully, we are reminded of the words of Jesus: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Performing (2000 to ????)This is the stage that we are now engaged in as an institution. We pray for your continued support during this time.

Report from Interim Managing DirectorAs I ponder the changes over the last three months, I am excited to announce the newly-structured leadership mod-el for Rehoboth Christian School. I have been appointed as Interim Managing Director and will provide leadership in articulating our mission, vision, and values. One of the most important tasks as Managing Director will be to lead the effort to develop and implement a strategic plan. I am pleased to have strong teammates in this endeavor, namely, Jeff Banaszak, Director of Finance and Operations, and Rick Van Til, Sr., Director of Advancement.

As the Management Team, we look forward to the “PERFORMING” stage of Rehoboth as an institution. We are confident that we will face each challenge, tackling all the problems that this stage will bring and finally finding solutions so that our institution called Rehoboth will continue to grow in its MISSION, spread its VISION, while living out our VALUES.

As I stated in the last Parent News, our theme of ‘I Belong to Jesus’ gives us comfort, and as the Heidelberg Cat-echism states that my only comfort is, “that I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.” As a Management Team, we are working and trusting God as we enter into a new school year. I rejoice that our school is growing and will have a record enrollment of approximately 460 students starting on August 16, 2010. Please continue to pray for Re-hoboth as we seek to do God’s will during this new and exciting stage called “PERFORMING.”

In Christ’s Joyful Service, Carol Bremer-BennettInterim Managing Director

Carol Bremer-Bennett, Interim Managing Director, will be leading a newly structured leadership model, with teammates Jeff Banaszak and Rick Van Til Sr.


Vigorously AcademicThree Seniors Awarded Prestigious ScholarshipsFor most graduating seniors, college decisions weigh heavily on their minds. The questions of where to go to college, what field to major in, and perhaps most importantly, how to pay for these future opportunities overshadow the final months of their high school careers. Despite these financial burdens, on average 90% of Rehoboth students go on to attend a 2 or 4 year college, some of whom receive significant scholarship aid.

Three of this years’ seniors have been blessed with extraordinary financial aid gifts to make the transition to college a bit (or a lot) easier. These talented individuals are Nathaniel Bia, Terah Condrey, and Colby Touchine. As unique as the scholarships they have been given, these students represent the diverse nature of students at Rehoboth Christian School.

Nathaniel Bia comes from a family of nine children, so it goes without saying that paying for a college education was not going to be an easy feat. This burden was relieved from him by receiving the Daniel’s Fund Scholarship which will cover any expenses left after receiving other federal, state, institutional, and institutional financial aid and scholarships. Nate will be attending Calvin College in the fall to study pre-architecture.

Terah Condrey, this year’s valedictorian, will be taking her abilities to Pepperdine University in the fall where she will major in biomedical engineering and possibly attempt to try out for their soccer team. This has been a dream of Terah’s for as long as she can remember, but the cost was an extremely prohibiting factor in her college decision. This was made easier by being blessed with the Gallup Rotary Scholarship. This award is given to the top senior in the local Gallup high schools and is based on GPA, class rank, extracurricular activities, service, a written essay, and an oral interview. Terah’s award totals $5,000

for her first year of college and was the highest rotary scholarship awarded to any Gallup senior this year.

Colby Touchine is also headed to Calvin College this fall, a choice made possible by his earning of the prestigious Gates Millennium

Scholarship. This scholarship will cover the full cost of Colby’s education through a PhD if he so chooses. Given to minority students from all different backgrounds, the Gates Millennium Scholarship program was set up to provide exceptional students with an opportunity to attend college where it may have otherwise seemed impossible. Colby will major in fine arts at Calvin and minor in dance. He hopes to then go on to get a doctorate in worship and ministry.

High School HighlightsYou Can’t Take it With YouRehoboth Christian High School’s spring play, You Can’t Take it With You by George Kauffman and Moss Hart, took place on April 23 and 24 in the Keith Kuiper Gym Auditorium. “We only had 5 weeks to practice for this performance, but our dedicated students really pulled it together” said director/high school teacher, Sean Kass. This play was able to showcase our growing drama program with the participation of 19 students while also telling a positive message of the importance of family and relation-ships over materialism.


Choir Tour 2010: California!The Rehoboth choir, consisting of 60 high school students, traveled to Southern California this past spring to minister to God’s people through music and service ministry. The theme for the tour was, “Face to Face” a recognition of how God meets his people through Christ, and how we are to carry on His work here on earth.

On Saturday, March 20, the choir piled into a charter bus for a fun-filled week of music and service ministry to the people of Southern California. The choir, on their 8th such choir tour in just over a decade, had practiced their songs for over a semester and were ready to share the word of God face to face with others.

On Sunday the choir led worship for The River CRC in Redlands, CA and at night performed a concert at CrossPoint CRC in Chino, CA with a local Christian high school, Ontario Christian HS. It was wonderful for our students to meet and lead worship with other young people their age.

Rehoboth students led chapels for Ontario Christian ES, MS, and HS on Monday. The Ontario schools, like RCS, are very diverse, so we celebrated our different cultures, while also acknowledging our oneness in Christ. During the week we also sang at Redlands Christian Elementary School, Heliotrope Elementary School, Bellflower Christian Elementary School, and Arrowhead Christian Academy. Even though our high schoolers were pouring themselves into their songs, they managed to still have energy to interact with the elementary students at recess and lunch breaks, further ministering to them the love of God.

Following the school chapels, the choir led two mini-concert for Inland Retirement Community and The Village at Redlands. It was amazing — these individuals, many of whom have supported Rehoboth for decades, were so blessed by our students. At the conclusion of a concert an elderly gentle-man spoke, with tears rolling down his face, of how much of a blessing our students were to him. All his life he had been praying and sending money to bless the students of Rehoboth, and now they were there to worship and to bless him. God’s blessing had come full-circle as one body of believers worshipping God together. The choir closed its performances with a song “Anticipation” with the words, “Can’t wait to see him, the look upon his face. Bow down before him, and thank Him for His grace.” How powerful these words were to the elderly audience – a beautiful picture of what is to come for God’s people.

On Wednesday, our group focused on service ministry in the heart of Los Angeles by serving at women’s shelters, handing out essentials on skid row, and playing stomp music at a ministry coffee shop. Our students were immersed in an urban culture, not seen in their day to day life in rural New Mexico. Hearts were soften and open to the presence of God as they followed the words, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.”

To close our tour, we sang for 150 people during a luncheon at the Crystal Cathedral, followed by one last concert at Bellflower CRC. What a blessing our students were to all who heard us. God has definitely gifted our RCS students with musical talents that they used to glorify Him on this tour.


The end of this school year marked the successful completion of the seventh consecutive year of Futures classes at Rehoboth Christian School.

The Futures class is a one-semester course taught by Mid-School counselor, Gail DeYoung. The primary goal of the Futures class is two-

fold; in the first part of the class, students focus on the foundations of their life that are established by family, culture, and past experiences. Surveys and inventories are given to help students understand the gifts and talents that God has given them and how those gifts can be used in service to Him. The second part of the course focuses on how our personality becomes the toolbox for our future. College and careers are thoroughly researched from

calculating the cost of education to researching various courses of study.

Students are taught that it is not too early to begin to plan and prepare for their futures, and are given the opportunity in this class to explore and find out what that means for them. The Futures class encourages active learning through

discussion of concepts as they relate to the future. A portfolio is

compiled throughout the semester culminating in a PowerPoint presentation. In a classroom, packed full of their friends and family, each 8th grader had the opportunity to share their aspirations and goals for the future. These nights become some of the most memorable and impressive moments of the year. After our students present, their parents respond with a letter that discusses how much their child’s life means to them.

In their presentations, students are challenged to include what they believe with regard to their faith and service to the Lord, their goals for the future, and their reflections on their education at RCS.

“When I watch self-conscious, nervous 8th graders present their lives and dreams for the future and when I watch parents respond with so much love and finally when I watch students put into words their love for the Lord, it is truly a privilege to be part of our 8th graders’ journey,” says Gail DeYoung.

8th Grade Futures Night

Mid - School Updates

World War II MuseumThis spring our mid-school students created a WWII museum from projects they’d been working on throughout the semester. There are so many lessons to be learned from WWII: Racial prejudice, genocide,

discrimination, and perhaps more important than anything else, that

in the midst of despair, there is HOPE! Through their studies, projects, singing, and drama, our students not only learned about history but were able to share it with their families and friends through an engaging museum format and program.

As part of this museum, the mid-school choir performed, singing songs of heritage and patriotism. Following the

wonderful concert, the students were able to show off projects they had been working on, including posters; dioramas; models of planes, weapons, and tanks; and research papers. One project that still remains in the mid-school today is a huge mural depicting the detonating of the atomic bomb. In addition to many math based ratio projects, one of the most emotionally powerful parts of the museum were the poems and stories by our 6th graders that led into the Jewish genocide section of the exhibit. The images and messages were indeed compelling. Another section of the museum that was especially significant for our families was that of the Navajo Code Talkers exhibit where a DVD, created by our mid-school was shown.

Those who attended the museum left with a greater appreciation for those who served our nation - it was truly a night to remember.

“When I watch students put into words their love for the Lord, it is truly a privilege to be part of our 8th graders’ journey.”

Gail DeYoung


Elementary Updates

Parents and families are vital members of the Rehoboth community. A primary goal of the school is to involve them in the school community as much as possible. This spring our elementary school hosted two parent nights providing fun for the whole family, while still focusing on educa-tional benefits of reading/literacy and math com-ponents. The overall goal for our family nights was to get parents involved in their child’s education by providing activities, which get parents and children working and interacting together in an enjoyable, positive setting.

The parent nights were very well attended with a estimated 85 – 90% of parents in attendance. Both evenings began with a picnic style meal on the floor of our mid-school, where families ate to-gether on blankets while working on crosswords and various activities. “We believe any time we can get parents in the building engaged with their children in a fun and positive way we have done some-thing good,” says elementary school principal Jim Holwerda.

Our first parent night was a science fair where each student in PreK through 5th grade was involved in an individual or group project where they were able to demonstrate what they have learned and produced to their parents, family, and others. Parents and visitors were able to walk

around and view their child’s and other students’ projects. The 4th and 5th graders performed varied experiments ranging from what popcorn brand pops the best to the physics of a softball throw. These young and emerg-ing scientists explained their methods and r e s u l t s t h r o u g h the

scienific method. The second parent night focused on fun with newspapers, from making hats to cross-word puzzles to paper mache. This night had interactive opportuni-ties for families to play and learn togeth-er. The primary goal of this evening was to encourage families to read together and to promote literacy amongst our students.

Rehoboth has many dedicated teachers and staff members who helped put this after-hours event together, all of which to benefit the greater “One high-

light I see is the interaction that takes place between parents and teachers. Teachers usually run the activities and this creates a very positive setting. I also see the modeling of positive activities and games which can be carried home for parents to use for building relationships with their own children,” says Holwerda. Our school looks forward to hosting more par-ent nights in the future.

Family Fun Nights!

Congratulations, Class of 2010!

Tamarind Avery will be attending the University of New Mexico.

Hannah Baade will be attending the Uni-versity of New Mexico. She will miss the RCS community, choir tours, and awesome teachers.

Nathaniel Bia will be attending Calvin College. He received the Daniels Scholarship, Calvin Mosaic, Dean’s and Heutmans Scholar-ships.

Jacob Bitah will be attending the University of New Mexico. He received the Tribal and Lottery Scholarships. He will miss his friends and teachers.

Jarek Boyd will be attending the University of New Mexico.

Hannah Bradley will be attending the University of New Mexico. Her goal for the future is to have success in her relation-ships, keeping God first in her life.

Vasili Brasinikas will be attending Vanguard University of Southern California to study biology. He received the Vanguard Academic Scholarship.

Molly Buck will be attending the University of New Mexico. She received the Bridge to Success and New Mexico Lottery Scholar-ships.

Logan Burke will be attending New Mexico Tech. He received the Presidential and New Mexico Lottery Scholar-ships.

Brian Chee will be attending Fort Lewis College in Colorado. He received the Tribal Scholarship. He would like to become a graphic designer.

Taniel Christensen is currently undecided on her plans, but would like to eventually be a nurse. She will miss her classmates and all of her her teachers.

Terah Condrey will be attending Pepperdine University. She received the Dean’s Scholarship, Academic Grants, and Rotary Senior of the Year Scholarship.

Janelle Cronin will be attending Haskell In-dian Nations University in Kansas.

Cole Damon will be attending the University of New Mexico. He re-ceived the New Mexico Lottery and IDIS Schol-arships. He was a Gates Scholarship Finalist.

Nicole DeLeeuw will be attending the University of New Mexico. She received the Bridge to Success and New Mexico Lot-tery Scholarships and Pell grant.

Joelle Deventer was a foreign exchange stu-dent from Germany in the senior class. She has returned to her school in Rheinbach, Germany.

Gabe Gonzaga will be attending Calvin College to study psy-chology. He received the Faculty Honors and Entrada Scholar’s Scholarship.

Heather Hamilton will be attending the Northern Arizona Uni-versity. She will miss playing soccer at Re-hoboth and the greater Rehoboth community.

Grace Hostler will be attending the Uni-versity of New Mexico or Calvin College. She received the UNM Presidential, Calvin Mosaic and Trustee Scholarship.

Daniel Jaquez will be attending the Univer-sity of New Mexico to study physical therapy. He received the New Mexico Lottery Scholar-ship.

Houston Johnson will be attending Central New Mexico University.

Timothy Kempkes will be attending the University of New Mexico. He will miss playing soccer for Re-hoboth.

Tyler Laurence will be attending the Uni-versity of New Mexico to study to become a doctor. He was a Gates Scholarship Finalist.

Drew Lee will be joining the Navy and was accepted into the Seals Program.

Congratulations, Class of 2010!

Rae Yazzie will be attending the University of New Mexico to study photography.

Naomi Yazzie will be joining the US Air Force.

Kristin Yazzie will be attending the Univer-sity of New Mexico.

Jamie Yazzie will be attending the University of New Mexico.

Charmayne Weaver will be attending Coconino Community College. She will miss playing softball at Rehoboth.

Jacob Watchman will be joining the US Army. He would like to pursue a career in the-ater arts. He will miss directing mini-movies at Rehoboth for chapel.

Christian Vasquez will be joining the US Army. He would also like to pursue a career in criminal justice. He is grateful for RCS’ influ-ence on his faith.

Colby Touchine will be attending Calvin College. He received the Multi-Cultural, CRC, Entrada, and Gates Mil-lennium Scholarships.

BJ Spencer will be attending the University of New Mexico.

Lloyd Sampson will be attending the Univer-sity of Arizona.

Jeremy Rich hopes to attend Fort Lewis in Colorado. He would like to become a US Marshall and protect his country.

Monique Ray is un-decided about her plans for the future.

Brianna Pozernick will be attending the University of New Mexico.

Shay Plummer is currently undecided about her plans for the future but would like to attend nursing school. Her goals are to be a follower of God and a good mother.

Ryan Phillips will be joining the US Military.

Sean Newton will be attending the University of New Mexico, fol-lowed by the US Navy. He received the Naval - ROTC and New Mexico Lottery Scholarship.

Luke Morrison will be attending the Uni-versity of New Mexico. He received the New Mexico Lottery Scholar-ship.

Quentin Miller will be attending the Uni-versity of New Mexico. His goal for the future is to become a successful architect.

Rainee Realbird Lee will be attending the University of New Mexico. She is grateful for the education she re-ceived from Rehoboth.


Begay has always seen his faith as

integral to his role as a statesman.

Special thanks to Calvin College for contributing to this article.

ALUMNI UPDATES Rehoboth Alumnus Receives Calvin’s Distinguished Alumni Award

Grand Rapids, Mich—The Calvin Alumni Associa-tion Board has voted to honor Edward T. Begay with the Calvin College Distinguished Alumni Award. Presented annually since 1966, the awards are given to alumni who have made significant contributions to their field of endeavor and mani-fest a Christian commitment, thus honoring Calvin College.

Begay, of Gallup, New Mexico, attended the college from 1956-1958 before being drafted into Army service, and then spent his career serving the Navajo Nation. The Christian Reformed Church has also benefitted from his leadership and counsel on race relations issues over the years.

Begay served as a member of the Navajo Nation Council from 1991-2003, including being named Speaker of the Council from 1999-2003. He served as vice chairman of the Navajo Nation from 1983-1987. Begay has also represented the Navajo Na-tion in a variety of positions at local, regional and state levels, and has served as a county commis-sioner and on a variety of commissions for theState of New Mexico.

Begay still remains involved in Navajo Nation business. After a “two-week retirement” in 2003, he was asked to serve on the nation’s Housing Author-ity Board of Commissioners, as well as chair the board of the Navajo Agricultural Product Industry.

Begay has always seen his faith as integral to his role as a politician.“For a Christian, the minute you confess your faith, that’s a start. You use the oppor-tunity to let it be known through your talk, your respect for creation,” he said.

“Ed T. is best described as a Navajo statesman,” noted Ron Polinder, former superintendent of Re-hoboth Christian School, from where Begay gradu-ated in 1956. “He is honored and revered amongst his people and far beyond because he was a man of his word, a man of integrity.”

Begay’s wife, Celia, attended Calvin for two years and later received an RN degree, followed by a BSN from the University of New Mexico. She passed away in 1991. He has two daughters, Shar-lene and Sandra, and two grandchildren, who attend Rehoboth Christian School.

Photo provided by: Bill Vriesema

Flo Barton Retires as Director of Alumni

Relations

We say good-bye to Flo Barton (’61) who has served as the Director of Alumni Relations for 4 years. Flo has launched many favorite annual events we now attend during homecoming and graduation.

Flo contributed heavily to the expan-sion of the Alumni Association. She went right to work in networking and building our program. Thanks to Flo, we now have greater attendance at reunions, pancake breakfasts and alumni basketball tournaments.

“Flo has this special charm when talking with people that seems so effortless,” says Verlena Livingston (’96), who will take over as Director in June.

Thank you, Flo, for your hard work and dedication to Rehoboth’s Alumni Association.


Alumni Reunions:

The 2010 commencement exercises honored the class of 1960 at their 50th reunion. We were able to welcome three members of the class of eight to the ceremony and reception.

The reunion was cel-ebrated May 28-29th and began with two alumnae arriving to campus for a tour of Rehoboth. Later, over some traditional fa-vorite Navajo tacos, two former students and former Director of Alumni Relations, Flo Barton, reminisced on the changes since the days of living in dormitories. Saturday began with brunch with continued conversatations on how much Rehoboth provided for them and touched each of their lives no matter how hard it was to live away from home.

Flo was able to convey the whereabouts of classmates, as well as news of heartache for those who have passed on.

At the commencement the three alumni were honored for their presence and for their accomplishments. At the alumni reception following commencement, the class of 1960 was joined by all members of the RCS Alumni Association. Laughter and conversations filled the room, as all present reminisced on their good ole’ days at Rehoboth.

As the upcoming school year begins we would like to contact not only the class of 1961 for a 50th reunion but

previous students celebrating their 25th and 10 year. We want to see you! Sign up now by visiting our web page (http://www.rcsnm.org/alumni.cfm) or by contacting Verlena Livingston at [email protected].

Class of 1960

Class of 1999 and 2000

Despite the unseasonably cold, windy, rainy weather, the classes of 1999 and 2000 braved a picnic in the forest of McGaffey to celebrate their ten-year class reunions. A handful of graduates from both classes, former teachers and a number of spouses and children gathered for some good summertime food and good company on June 12, 2010.

While the kids played games and scampered around the forest playing hide and seek, Rehoboth Christian School alumni caught up on the jobs, degrees, families, joys, sorrows, hopes and dreams of the past ten years. People seemed to effortlessly slide back into easy conversations with old classmates talking not only about the present but also reflecting on high school days.

After many hotdogs and helpings of pasta salad had been consumed, parents started to gather their sleepy, dirt and pine needle covered kids for the journey home. As the numbers dwindled a few diehards brought out the yearbooks and laughed and remembered fondly the years spent together at RCS. Classmates and teachers who were unable to attend were most certainly not forgotten as yearbook pictures fueled many stories and memories of each and every person in the classes. No doubt what remained for all as the stars came out and the remaining few left the forest, was a sense of fondness for good friends of the past and present and a thankfulness of a place like Rehoboth where so much was made possible—including a delightful reunion.

Loretta Lucero (Begay), Wilford Henry, and Julie Nelson (James)

Alumni and staff from 1999 and 2000 gathered to celebrate and give thanks for Rehoboth.


WaysCan

AdvanceRehoboth

Rehoboth’s ANNuAL

FuNd provides for staff salaries, textbooks, student transportation, tuition assistance and more! Because these funds are raised on an annual basis, ongoing support from friends of Rehoboth is essential. Your financial support enables us to continue our tradition of excellence in Christian education for Navajo, Zuni, and Anglo students.

The HigH sCHooL RooF has begun to

leak, causing prob-lems with mold, rotting wood, and other prop-erty damage. These problems need to be stopped before they become a hindrance to our students’ educa-tion. We are in need of $16,000 to cover the cost of these repairs and ensure that our high school students continue to receive a top notch education.

Many of our stu-dents travel over an hour each day

to attend Rehoboth. our buses travel hun-dred of miles each day, in every direction, on rough reservation roads. We need a NeW/used sCHooL Bus costing approximately $16,000 for the 2010 - 2011 School Year. Without our extensive transportations system, many students would not be able to attend our school.

The sTudeNT spoNsoRsHip pRogRAM is an excellent oppor-

tunity to enter into a partnership with a Native student and their families by help-ing them afford a Chris-tian education. For just $500, $750, or $1,000 yearly, you can sponsor a Rehoboth student. You and your student can correspond through letters during the school year, and form a last bond that will last for eternity.

8 Ways You Can Help Our School

#1 #4#3#2

You


New Book about Rehoboth Families

Over the past couple of years, Dordt College professor and author James Schaap has tromped around the Navajo Nation tracking down past Rehoboth students and staff, to photograph and interview a host of them for a forthcoming book on families that have been shaped by, and have shaped, Rehoboth Christian School. Intended to tell Rehoboth’s story from a variety of perspectives, the book is to be published by Faith Alive mid-2010, and will be available for purchase in mid-November 2010.

This book is intend to a “coffee table” book filled with stories and pictures of Rehoboth’s rich 108 year history.

For more information, please contact Gary Nederveld at [email protected]. Please look on our website,www.rcsnm.org, for more details this fall.

dr. James schaap

To promote our school

and connect with our supporters, the HigH sCHooL BANd will be touring Florida or the pacific Northwest in the spring of 2011. A gift to the band tour will help transport our students to min-ister to the different communities through music and service. our supporters love to see how their contribu-tions have benefitted the lives of our stu-dents.

our current pLAYgRouNd

hosts a variety of fixed toy structures that no longer meet National playground safety guidelines. Many of our parents are con-cerned for the safety of their childrenand feel the play-ground is in need of an update. This proj-ect totaling $110,000 for phase 1 will offer new outdoor learning experiences for our elementary students.

our NeW poNd/gReeNHouse pRogRAM will

offer students a hands on learning experi-ence, outside of the classroom. The vision and excitement for this program are vast but without sufficient funds, the programs will not flourish. Your support of $700 will cover the costs of a new greenhouse for our students to dis-cover more about the world around them.

Rehoboth strives to be “thor-

oughly Christian.” We endeavor to empha-size and enact in both form and substance a comprehensive, holis-tic, thoroughly Biblical educational program. Christian schools international has a NeW BiBLe CuRRiCu-LuM costing $3,937, and we’d like to pur-chase this to provide our students with the best educational tools available.

#8#7

#6#5


In memory of Jack Bos Mrs. Patricia Schnyders

In memory of Anthony “Tony” J. Bouwense Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Sue Ann Bouwense Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Verna DeHaan Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Andrea Dekker Dr. and Mrs. Edward and Norma Postma Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Mary Hollebeek Mr. and Mrs. Brad and Jackie Meek Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Priscilla Karelse Mr. and Mrs. Gregory and Rebecca Dekker Mr. Mel VanFarowe Mr. and Mrs. Kim and Barbara Velting Ms. Elizabeth D. Cooper Mr. and Mrs. John and Lynne Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Carol HoveyMr. and Mrs. Mike and Sarah OlsonMr. and Mrs. Matt and Robin Hollebeek Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Lois Bouwense Mr. and Mrs. Phil and Emily Brechting Mr. and Mrs. Dirk and Stacey Hollebeek

In memory of Eleanor BouwenseMr. and Mrs. Donald and Andrea Dekker In memory of Ann K. Boyd Mr. and Mrs. David and Diane Boyd Mrs. Elizabeth Lankheet

In memory of William Burrola and William Pick-ett Mr. Anthony Burrola and Mrs. Elizabeth Hardin- Burrola

In memory of Joanne Heyns DeJong Mr. and Mrs. Ian and Brooke Tigchelaar Rev. and Mrs. E. Robert and Deanne Tigchelaar

In memory of Julius (Juke) Den BleykerDr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps

In memory of Jeanette Den BleykerRev. and Mrs. Jake and Marian Heerema Mrs. Mae E. Kruis Mr. and Mrs. Keith and Arlene Kuipers Dr. and Mrs. Jack and Kyse Kamps Dr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Marcia Palmbos Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Doris Brander Rev. and Mrs. Alvern and Janice Gelder Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Cornelia Ponstein Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Madelon Gelder Rev. and Mrs. Merle and Donna DenBleykerMr. and Mrs. Jay and Sally VinkMr. and Mrs. Eric and Ruth SanfordMr. and Mrs. Arden and Irene DenBleykerMr. and Mrs. Terry and Jan Berkempas

In memory of Lester DykhouseMs. Ruth M. Kiel Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Faber Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Shirley Vanderklippe Mr. and Mrs. Clarence and Lauretta Hoekman Mr. and Mrs. Roger and Doris Vanthof Mr. and Mrs. Timothy and Patricia Bosscher Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Mary Kaiser Mr. and Mrs. Harris and Jean Bosma Mr. and Mrs. Clarence and Joann Wuerfel Mrs. and Mr. Lori and Rodney Robbins Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Mickey VantHof Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin and Laurel Holst Mr. and Mrs. Phil and Anne DykhouseMr. and Mrs. Bill and Barbara HonderdMs. Nancy BrinksMr. and Mrs. Ron and Gloria MulderMr. and Mrs. Jerry and Betsy JoubertMr. John DykhouseMrs. Doris Baak Mr. and Mrs. David Baak and Betty ZylstraMr. and Mrs. Stanley and Harriet DeWaardMs. Mary BaakMr. and Mrs. Stanley and Cynthia HeersinkMr. Thomas G. Quist Mr. and Mrs. Clifford and Karen Lanning Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Gayle Bosscher Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Debra Door Dan Vos Construction Co. Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Cynthia Sikkema Mr. and Mrs. Williard and Sophie Krommendyk Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Macia VanPopering Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Carolyn Weeda Mr. and Mrs. Adrian and Margaret VanderStarreMr. and Mrs. Stephen and Janet Weeda

In memory of Geraldine (Geri) DykstraMrs. Phyllis VanAndel Mrs. Miriam J. Schaafsma

In memory of Latrice (Trice) Greear Peterson Welding, Inc

In memory of John and Tracey HalmaMr. and Mrs. James and Lorraine Halma

In memory of Mike HekmanMrs. Gertrude Hekman Shiprock Subway, Inc.

In memory of Betty Hendricks Miss Vivian R. Louis

In memory of Jerry and Alice (Talen) HertelThe Hertel family

In memory of Kenneth Houtkooper Mrs. Edna Houtkooper In memory of Christopher Johnson Mrs. Laura Piersma

In memory of Rev. Lloyd KampsMr. and Mrs. Peter and Carla Forster Rev. and Mrs. W. Orin and Bernadine Whitaker Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Barbara Beerheide Mr. and Mrs. Edwin and Wilma Kamps Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Laura Heidelberger Mr. and Mrs. David and Beth Macaulay Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Carol Donahue Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Patricia Figge Ms. Marilyn J. Eckman Ms. Kathleen E. Harlow Ms. Lois Parisek Mr. and Mrs. George and Marguerite Southgate Mrs. Elizabeth A. Kamps Sun City Association of Huntley Ms. Frieda Lamb Mr. and Mrs. Fredric and Dorothy Vrenios Mr. and Mrs. Curtis and Betty Casey Ms. Marion J. Lorenz Dr. and Mrs. Philip and Betty Kamps Ms. Marilyn L. Dunker Ms. Marjorie J. Bednar Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Kelly Beerheide Dr. and Mrs. Jack and Kyse Kamps Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Jean Ziller Mr. and Mrs. John and Joann Neis “Thank you to the many people who gave to Re-hoboth Christian School in memory of Rev. Lloyd Kamps” ~ Elizabeth Kamps In memory of Pat Keeler Mr. and Mrs. William and Helen Posthuma

In memory of Evelyn Kuiper Mrs. Marlys VanBeek

In memory of Bruce Kuipers Mr. and Mrs. Phillip and Jane Ippel

In memory of William B. Pastoor Mrs. Miriam J. Schaafsma

In memory of Edward Pylman Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Joan Kaetje

In memory of Janice Russom Mr. and Mrs. George and Emma Steen

In memory of Marvin R. Van Beek Mrs. Marlys VanBeek

In memory of Paul VanBaakMr. and Mrs. David and Nancy VanBaak

In memory of Alfred WegMrs. Marlys VanBeek

In memory of Nicolas Wolterstorff Ms. Ronda A. Wolterstorff-Veld

Gifts in Memory of:


In honor of John and Barbara Beck 50th Wedding Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Florence Seletzky

In honor of Bill Love Ms. Andrea L. James

In honor of Deanne Friesema Mrs. Marlys VanBeek

Gifts in Honor of:

Thank you, Volunteers!Short term VolunteersBill and Ruth RoonBert and Hendrica SchoutenSidney and Doris BouwmanMart and Mary HollebeekDave and Mary BaasPhil and Donna Michmerhui-zenBob and Deanne BoltRay and Betty KerkstraJoyce PhillipsMarlo and Carol De YoungBruce and Christine De Boer

Local and Long- Term VolunteersMillie DeSanctisLiz WilsonSunny Dooley

Linda KampsAndrew SwetzPaul MarottiKeith and Arlene KuipersBen VanderwerffFred and Harriet WitteveenJohn KleinOwen and Mary Lou Auke-manRoland and Ruth KampsPaul and Jackie BremerDan and Alice Aukeman

Volunteer GroupsProvidence Christian CollegeTrinity CRCAquinas CollegeLutheran Church of Hope

P.O. Box 41, Rehoboth, NM 87322505.863.4412 · www.rcsnm.org

Yes, I would like to support Rehoboth. Here is a gift from:

Name __________________________________________Address_________________________________________City, St. Zip ____________________________________

Please use my gift for:

r $__________ New Bus!r $__________ 2010-2011 Annual Fundr $ __________ RCS Endowment Fundr In Memory of: _____________________r In Honor of: _____________________r $ __________ for __________________(another program/opportunity not listed above)

$__________ Total gift

More Information:r Please send me more information on theSponsorship Program

r Would you like to be a prayer partner ofRCS? Sign up for our monthly prayer calendar.

r Yes, I would like to receive the prayer calendar in the mail.r Yes, I would like to receive the prayer calendar by e-mail.Here is my e-mail address:_________________________________________

This newsletter was prepared by Rehoboth staff and produced by our friends at Newsweb.

Non-Profit Org.US Postage PaidGreenville MIPermit #338

PO Box 41Rehoboth, NM 87322

Address Service Requested

Vigorously Academic · Beautifully Diverse · Thoroughly Christian

Summer 2010

w w w.rcsnm.org

senior scholarspg. 4

YouR support!pg. 12 - 13

Alumni Reunionspg. 11

Family Fun Nightspg. 7

Choir Tour updatepg. 5

Congratulations, Class of 2010

Graduation - Page 1Our Grads - Page 8 - 9

Rehoboth High School Graduation 2010 newsletter website1.pdfAnd out of that storming comes a period...

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Transcript of Rehoboth High School Graduation 2010 newsletter website1.pdfAnd out of that storming comes a period...