MANHATTAN
CHRISTIAN
SCHOOL
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Bozeman, MT
PERMIT NO 164
Office of Communications
8000 Churchill Road
Manhattan, MT 59741
EAGLEREVIEW
Winter 2015, Issue 15, Volume 1
Return Service Requested
An Alumni Newsletter for Manhattan Christian School
It is Important
On January 2nd, we held an alumni gathering at Manhattan Christian
School. From those who have been around the MCS community for
some time, I understand that this type of event has not happened for
many years. Because of that, we had no idea how this type of event
would be received or if anyone would even show up.
We moved forward with prayer and the hope that those who have
attended MCS would gather with us and enjoy a day of activities and
reconnecting. To our surprise, over 140 alumni signed in at the Welcome Center. The eldest alumni who attended were from classes in
the 1940’s and the youngest alumni were from the class of 2014. We
held two basketball games for alumni, both of which were well
attended. Twenty-two alumni, men and women, participated in that
event. Many other friends and family watched or cheered them on.
Contact Us!
Someone may ask, “Why is such an event important?” In my mind,
there are some biblical principals for such events. My thought regarding this is formed by God’s call for people to remember and celebrate. In Exodus 19:3-6, God called His people to remember what
He had done for them in bringing them out of Egypt. Additionally,
God called his people to remember in Deuteronomy 4:9. It was important to God that His people maintained a connection with Him.
That connection provided direction. Alumni events can help achieve
the same for Manhattan Christian.
Main Office
8000 Churchill Road
Manhattan, MT 59741
PH: 406.282.7261
[email protected]
www.manhattanchristian.org
Alumni events help us remember –to remember how God has
blessed us with Christian Education and provided a solid foundation
on which we can now build our families and faith. The value of that is
so difficult to quantify. Alumni events can help us build or maintain a
community connection. We saw and experienced this in a very real way on January 2nd.
Facebook.com/MCSeagles
Twitter: @christianeagles
Table of
Contents
2
Alumni
Event
4
School
Information
8
Alumni
Whereabouts
10
(Continued on page 2)
12
Alumni Support
alumni
events&reunions
alumni
information
E-mail: Would you prefer an electronic version of the Alumni Newsletter? Please e-mail
(Continued from page 1)
It is also our hope that through this Alumni newsletter you are able to stay just a little better connected to
Manhattan Christian School. Through future Alumni Events, we hope you may take the opportunity to come
and build a strong and lasting community connection. What each and every MCS alum can bring to the table
is valuable. You can help us remember, become stronger, and provide a great deal of institutional identity.
Patrick De Jong
Superintendent/ P-5 Principal
[email protected] with your e-mail information! We would love to save on printing costs and
deliver information more quickly.
Alumni Pictures: Would you be willing to share pictures from your years at MCS? We would love to
feature your photos! Send them to [email protected].
Alumni Accomplishments: Have you achieved or done something remarkable? Would you like to
be featured in our Connections or Eagle Review? Let us know!
Upcoming Class Reunion? If your class has an upcoming reunion please let us know and we'll post
the details in our publications for you. Just give the date, time, location, contact person and any additional
specifics to [email protected] and we’ll get them posted!
Address Updates: Please send any address updates and changes to [email protected].
We love to stay in touch with our MCS Alumni!
Follow us on Facebook!: See school pictures, join in our alumni throwback Thursday polls, and
more! http://www.facebook.com/MCSEagles
Follow us on Twitter!: Follow @Christianeagles for updates throughout the week.
Photo Credit for Photos: Ashley Fountaine
Check out our Blog!: Read weekly posts from our Superintendent, Mr. Patrick De Jong, about current
events at our school! Manhattanchristian.wordpress.com
Visit our Website! Want more information about MCS? Want to keep up on current events and athletic schedules? Find us at www.manhattanchristian.org.
Class of 1965: SAVE THE DATE! The class of 1965 will be having a class reunion on July 2 and
3, 2015! Please e-mail Joyce Walhof at [email protected].
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11
alumni
alumni
support
Interested in supporting Manhattan Christian School?
marriages&births
Marriages
Alumni Contribution Form
Paul Herbst & Kara Klompien (‘06)
May 25, 2014
$35 _____ $50 _____ $100 _____ $250 _____ Other _____
Kelly Schuten & Patrick (‘07) Sinnema
June 6, 2014
Name: ______________________
Lacee Kallemeyn & Josh (‘08) Sinnema
July 19, 2014
Amber Van Dyken (’04) & Justin Feddes (‘03)
August 9, 2014
David Runia (’08) & Hannah Black
August 23, 2014
Monica Sieler & Tim Schutter (‘08)
November 22, 2014
Jeff Droge (’04) & Erica Barnhardt
December 31, 2014
Graduating Class:____________
(Include maiden name if possible)
Address:_____________________________________________________________
City:____________________
State & Zip Code: ______________________
Phone Number:___________________
Email Address: ___________________
Amount Enclosed: $____________________
Births
Please make checks payable to :
Kalam & Amber (‘04) (Sinnema) Blessing
Elliana Rae
April 17, 2014
Brian & Lori (‘02) (Kimm) Van Eps
Ava Marie
June 29, 2014
Josh (‘07) & Erin Wynia
Grace Evelyn
August 4, 2014
Daniel & Janae (‘07) (Kredit) Van Kley
Harper Noel
August 4, 2014
Jeff (‘07) & Sonjve (07’) (Ryen) Runia
Hadley Ann
September 10, 2014
Mike (’04) & Angela Wubben
Kailee Grace
September 29, 2014
Brook & Caleb (‘08) Sinnema
Kade Conrad
October 2, 2014
Trevor & Kayla (’07) (Dyksterhouse) Dalin
Jocelyn Marie
November 4, 2014
Katie (‘07) (Flikkema) & Luke Beckmann
Hudson Gray
November 9, 2014
Mindy (‘02) (Droge) & Scott Elders
Ryder Jay
December 5, 2014
Manhattan Christian School
8000 Churchill Road
Manhattan, MT 59741
Keeping in Touch:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Remembering Our Alumni
10
Shelia (Dyk) Shakra Weirda (‘70)
May 6, 1952– December 21, 2013
Marla (Braaksma) Cope (‘68)
April 14, 1950– January 25, 2014
Ronald Klompien (‘68)
June 22, 1950—August 14, 2014
3
alumni
accomplishments
2009
2011
Colter Chatriand
Lynae Triemstra
Nathan Christoffels
Carlee Fountaine
Rebecca Kamerman
Jake Sturgis
Britnee Van Dyke
Misty Woods
2010
Dillon Blanksma (‘12) and Miranda Kones (‘10) were named to the Dean’s List for the Spring, 2014 semester
at Azuza Pacific University in California.
Ari Crawford
Morgan Egbert
Jeremy Rider
Keeley Van Middendorp
Nathan Kamerman (‘05) recently joined the Bozeman Police Department after serving as a deputy sheriff with
the Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office in Forsythe, Montana for three years.
Did we miss some important information above? Let us know about it and we will be sure to
get it in the next Eagle Review! Please e-mail [email protected].
alumni
schoolinformation
Can you help us update our alumni list? If you have addresses for any of the people listed, please email
[email protected].
Need current addresses for an upcoming class reunion? Let us know!
** Please note that we have received addresses/phone numbers for some of these people, but if they remain on the list, mail has either been returned or no phone call has been returned. Addresses will be retained for reunion purposes but alumni do not HAVE to receive mail from MCS. Thanks!
Grand total gross for the MEC Debt and General
Fund Campaign as of January 20, 2015:
We are incredibly pleased to announce God’s bless$371,047.50
ings and current results of our recent Campaign DinWe still have a way to go to achieve our goal of raisner and subsequent gifts that have followed the dining $150,000.00 for the General Budget and
ner.
$500,000.00 needed over three years on the MEC
We have received several donations for the General Debt reduction. We ask that you prayerfully consider
Fund and TAP that have affected the total reported to how you might contribute to either of these areas.
the community on November 19, 2014. There have
Please remember no gift is too small or too large. We
also been some wonderful donations and/or pledges praise God and are grateful to Him for providing the
made to the MEC debt elimination.
finances thus far to operate our school and pay our
debt on this wonderful facility.
The following are some facts based on giving as of
January 19, 2015:

Annual Campaign Cash: $118,922.00(Including
Dessert Auction)

Annual Campaign Pledges: $1,250.00

Annual Campaign Total: $120,172.50 (80% of
goal)

MEC Debt Cash: $215,925.00

MEC Pledges: $34,950.00

MEC Debt Elimination: $250,875.00 (50%)
Campaign Dinner 2014

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9
alumni
whereabouts
We are missing addresses for the following Manhattan Christian Alumni:
1957
1986
2001
Helene Hathaway
Willard & Shirley Brouwer
Jamie Crowfoot
Darin Van Dyken
Cindy (Tuininga) Vinger
Thomas Coleman
Danelle Eaton
Mario Giovanini
1961
1987
2002
Harold Westra
Kenton McKeehan
1966
1989
Daniel Gier
Joel Knight
Judy Venhuizen
Dennis Van Dyke
2003
1970
1990
Eliza Coleman
Victor Veltkamp
Karen DeVries
2004
1974
1991
Dave Freswick
Mitch and Jennifer Gaikowski
Joel Seybert
Megan Gier
Alicia Van Egmond
1959
1977
Gert (Greydanus) Crain
Dennis Moss
1978
Lee Logterman
1980
Paul Cline
John Kimm
1992
Robert Den Besten
Corie Karsky
1993
Heidi (Van Ee) Verbrugge
1995
2005
Madeleine Coleman
Mikaela Flikkema
Layne Langford
Teal Whitaker
2006
Ian O’Dowd
2007
Jeff Weirda
1981
1997
Daniel (Hank) Alberda
Eldon Van Dyken
Scott Van Dyken
Jennifer (Wynia) Alexander
Bethany Flikkema
Alex Gaffke
Zane Van Middendorp
1998
2008
Seth Dyk
1984
1999
Lisa Almengor
Milton Boman
Victoria De Charmoy
Molly Moore
Lynn Crawford
Troy De Haan
Derek De Jong
Amanda (Kesterson) Elings
Alex Hinchcliff
Kasey Holland
1985
2000
Seth King
Nathan Smith
Rob Hays
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alumni
schoolinformation
and physical ability. May we all learn from these athletes to push through life’s obstacles for the goal.
Cross Country Finishes Strong
By Nate TeSlaa
Volleyball Takes Second at State
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths of Each year, the volleyball program takes up a lot of Jill
for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Prov- Ayers’ time from June to November and constitutes
erbs 4:25-26
her third job at MCS. She has coached for thirteen
years at Manhattan Christian, eleven as head coach.
I praise the Lord every day that I have been blessed
with the men and women on the cross country team. She has had the opportunity to work with numerous
Through training and adversity, we are knit together young ladies over the years and has enjoyed each and
as a team. This year has been remarkable for the MCS every one of them. Her approach to coaching involves
Cross Country team. In the State meet, the boys and more than just teaching the game. “I think my bigger
girls teams both placed 5th overall. The girls had two job is to teach the athletes how to use their talents
and physical abilities to glorify God through the
finishers in the top ten and the boys had four in the
game,” Jill states. What an amazing platform these
top thirty.
girls have been given to show what they stand for and
I love seeing the kids grow stronger as the season
who they play for! Jill was also able to celebrate her
continues. It is great seeing relationships formed and 200th win of her career this season!
friendships built. I can see why Paul refers to running
The women’s varsity volleyball team finished with a
distances in so many of his letters. There is nothing
else that can compare to the Christian life and strug- fantastic season record. The team was able to take
gles we face. Through faith and discipline, the Chris- second place at the District, Divisional, and State levels! Way to go Eagles! Congratulations to our volleytian presses on towards the goal. My runners know
what it is to be in pain and push through for the goal. ball players and to our wonderful coach, Jill Ayers.
They know what it is to sacrifice for the team.
Two runners that stood out this year are Daniel
Buchignani and Nikki Aiken. Nikki has been in cross
country longer than I have been coaching. She has
taken the younger girls under her wing and strives for
excellence in all she does. This was Daniel’s first year
in cross country. He is a strong team leader who
pushes through every obstacle. I am blessed to have
had someone like him on my team. I look forward to
having the ability to teach most of these athletes
again next year, and to watch them grow in their faith
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alumni
schoolinformation
Christian education! What a blessing! It is also a privilege to meet and see new friends and families beHow exciting it was to start the Harvest Festival with come a part of this big family. To say “thank you”
the first annual Harvest Hustle 5k. We had fifty-three does not seem like enough. To those who volunparticipants and a handful of volunteers. Thank you
teered two hours or ten, to those who generously
to those of you who braved the cold and the fog to be gave donations, to those who bid and who bought,
there! We can’t wait to do it again next year!
the Harvest Festival would not be a success without
If you attended or volunteered at the Harvest Festival you! This past Saturday was no exception.
on October 25, we hope you enjoyed the food, the
The Manhattan Christian Annual Harvest Festival begames, the auctions, and the fellowship. Most imgan in 1962 and raised around $10,000. How encourportantly, we hope you noticed the strong sense of
aging it is to see God provide a growing number each
community in the school that day, full of people who year. We are so excited that this year our estimated
love and support Manhattan Christian School.
net income is $64,000. Join us in thanking God for this
A Successful Harvest Festival
successful day!
Jodi and I were fortunate enough to attend Manhattan Christian School growing up. At events like
- Stephanie Venhuizen and Jodi Venema, Co-Chairs
this, we are always so encouraged to see the support
of community members, old classmates, and past
teachers who are no longer actively
involved. What a great example of commitment to
individuals purchasing shares in a particular school
related project.
Dutch Supper & Tulip Mania 2015
Advanced reminder —- Believe it or not, this annual
event is just around the corner! Please highlight your Remember March 27, 2015—Mark your calendars.
calendars for Friday, March 27, 2015. This evening
will kick off with our annual Dutch Supper. The event
celebrates some of the traditional Dutch foods from
recipes that have been passed down from generation
to generation.
Following the Dutch Supper, we encourage people to
come have fun at a benefit auction entitled ”Tulip
Mania”. There are high quality handcrafted items and
donated items from local merchants that will be auctioned off. There is a silent auction as well as a live
auction with a designated fund item that will involve
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alumni
schoolinformation
bly blessed to be a part of so many wonderful people.
I formed life-long friendships with the young ones
Joyce Flikkema really has no idea how long she
and the older ones. I delight in having hugs and conworked at MCS. She started teaching in 1964 with a
versations with all of MCS and always will. I have
two-year degree. She taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades watched as God worked through the financial difficuland was here for five years until marriage and family ties, discipline, joys, and sorrows. I have watched Him
took over. She came back to MCS much later. She
to be true to His Word and how He imparts it to all at
then worked in the resource room where she reMCS, whether through Bible classes, discipline, unexlearned diagraming sentences and the hated geome- pected blessings, and tough times. Our own spiritual
try and many other skills that Shirley Dyk taught her. growth was greatly influenced by MCS. I thank God
She states, “It helped me so much working with stu- that for so many years I could be part of a place of
dents and others and giving them easy skills to do
love.”
their work. I also used these for myself.”
Joyce’s greatest memories include her own children
The opportunity then came to move to a study hall/
as well as their friends, her nieces and nephews,
library position when it was still in the old part of the friend’s children, all growing up and moving on to
school. Her duties included monitoring study hall stu- their careers. Her favorite was her significant birthday
dents and learning about the library and how it
this last year. As the students filed into the library to
works. She also had learned about the computer. In
sing, she describes her heart being so full of joy that
her words, “I was terrified. For some reason, I
tears just flowed. She says, “I cannot describe that
thought I could possibly blow up the world with one feeling of love I was getting from all of the teachers
bad stroke on the keyboard. I soon realized I had no and students. It made a frightful number so blessed.”
powers whatsoever and began a new and interesting
Joyce states that she will miss everything about MCS,
adventure into the cyber world. Thank you, Liz, for
from the smallest to the oldest. Now, she plans to
the shove into that.” She then moved into the new
travel, go see her grandchildren whenever she wants,
library when it was complete and enjoyed her wonhelp at MCS, read, and whatever else God has in
derful view of the Bridgers.
mind. She knows He is always full of surprises.
She took a couple of years off, but soon missed the
“I ask God to continue to uphold MCS: the staff, the
school. She then applied again and worked until the
end of the 2013-2014 school year. “I love that school, students, the buildings, the grounds, and every little
I love the staff, I love the kids. I loved the sports and detail that He is so great in handling. Thank you, MCS,
for all the great years I was privileged to work there.”
keeping book for so many years. I learned so many
facets of kids- who they really were, their ups and
Thank you, Joyce, for your work, guidance, and reladowns, their successes and failures and fears. I
tionships. We will miss you at the school, but know
watched in awe as God moved through lives bringing where to find you!
growth spiritually to staff and students. I was so hum-
Thank You Joyce!
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