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Historical Sketch of the First 50 years
of
Sheboygan Christian Grade School
By James Dekker
and translated from “the Holland language”
by James P. Dekker in 1948
"Bless Jehovah, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits!" This may well be the exclamation of our hearts, when together we remember, the 50 year existence of our school. The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad, to Him be all the glory.
Fifty years, what a span of time!
In our thoughts we go back to the year 1898. The organization of the school was but the first step to accomplish the purpose in mind.
In order to be successful, an institution of education requires constant improvement and expansion. If we compare the first school years with our present one, we may testify there is noticeable advancement, and we are thankful for what the Lord has given us.
How small and imperfect was our beginning! Only one big room, in the basement of our first church at 7th Street and Superior Avenue. Only one teacher for all the children of different ages, but there was a beginning.
No matter how insufficient, we believed our children did not belong in the public school, and this gave courage for the future. The conviction was, "children must have Christian instruction.
Peter Verhulst was the first teacher appointed, and he accepted this appointment; but being unable to begin his work when school opened, Mr. Palenstein instructed the children the first few weeks. .
The first teacher, Mr. Verhulst, was succeeded by no less than sixty.six others. Mr. Verhulst taught for one year then Mr. K. Fortuin took his place for a year, then Mr. Van Der Werp, and after that Mr. Verhulst again took over for a short period. Next Mr. De Koning came over to help us. While he was here, we began to expand, and Miss Vork was appointed as teacher to instruct the younger children.
After the church on Superior Avenue was built, the old church was made to serve as a school. We then had two rooms and two teachers. This was quite an improvement, and we were happy and thankful. This building served us until January, 1912.
However, Excelsior, ever upward, remained the aim. This was not all accomplished in a day or year, but required courage, determination, sacrifice and prayer.
Although we then had two teachers the division of grades was not satisfactory, nor systematic. Improvement was brought in this by John Kregel, who served as teacher for two years. It was at that time, May 20, 1909, that for the first time three of our pupils graduated from the eighth grade.
In the period between Mr. De Koning and Mr. Kregel we had seven other teachers, all for short terms. They came and went like migratory birds.
After this Mr. W. Van Melle came and stayed with us for four years. This young brother put forth strong efforts to bring the instruction to a higher level. As the enrollment was ever increasing the need was felt for a third teacher. However, this brought another difficult problem, as we had only two rooms. After many and long discussions, it was decided to erect a new school building. This truly was a deed of courage and faith, but our faithful Covenant God did not put us to shame. The new school was opened January 2, 1912. The total cost amounted to $6,132.81.
After Mr. Van Melle, we were served by Mr. Wagner and Mr. Van De Riet who both stayed for only one year. In September, 1915, Louis Bolt became principal of our school, and remained with us for six years. He was a conscientious worker. During his stay we began our annual Fourth of July school picnics.
In 1920, we again felt the need for more teachers, and Miss Pearl Bolt was appointed. A great change took place in our staff in 1921 when Mr. and Mrs. Bolt and daughter received appointments as teachers in the East and they all left us. The vacancy of principal was filled by Mr. Bruinsma, who stayed for two years. In September, 1923, Henry Kuiper came to us, and served us faithfully for twenty-two years. While he was here, thirty.five teachers served with him, and before that twenty-six teachers labored here. Five hundred fifty pupils graduated under Mr. Kuiper's tutorship.
Great were our financial struggles during the first periods of our school life. We were few in number and our strength was small, but the Lord our God sustained us. His Name be praised!
In 1923, again the need for more teachers was felt, and a fifth one was appointed. This however, immediately brought difficulties as we only had four rooms for five teachers. For a while two teachers taught in one room, but this gave no satisfaction. After discussion of many different plans for expansion it was decided at a meeting on Jan. 26, 1925 to buy a portable schoolroom, at a cost of $1,314.00 which has served us for twenty.three years now.
In 1925 the need was felt already for a ninth grade, but up to now, twenty-three years later, we have not yet advanced that far. In 1926 again plans were discussed for expansion, and the appointment of a sixth teacher. At a meeting held Aug: 9, 1926 it was decided by a two-thirds majority vote to buy some lots on Euclid Avenue for the sum of about $12,000. These were bought for the purpose to build in the future. When will this come to pass? All these above mentioned matters took place in the first twenty-eight years of our existence as a school society, while our strength was small. Beginning with one teacher in one room, we have progressed to five teachers who instruct in five separate rooms.
It is indeed noticeable that in the last twenty-two years we haven't come to any expansion as to faculty or buildings. Many reasons could be advanced as to the cause of this, especially the depression which hindered our forward march greatly. We have however, not come to a halt, many improvements were made in buildings as well as in quality of instruction.
After Mr. Kuiper left, Edward Vel'maat took over in Sept. 1945. For three years Principal Vermaat has labored with our youth, to instruct and guide them in accordance with the Word of God. Under his leadership, instruction has reached a high level, and he is laboring with enthusiasm to raise it still higher. Let us encourage him in his efforts, for our needs are many. Eight teachers have assisted him in different grades. Fifty-five pupils have graduated since he became our principal. May the three years he labored among us be followed by many more, so the school may flourish and expand still further.
Two years ago we began a campaign for a $30,000 building fund, which has been crowned with succes
In unity there is strength.
Many who taught in our school have served with honor. It would make too long a list to name them all. With exception of those who arrived here in recent years, almost every person, in the congregation under fifty years of age has been taught and instructed in our school.
We have given a short sketch of the past and we have now come to our half-century mark.
What grace, has the Lord bestowed on us!
What a faithful God, who has sustained us these fifty years; even though Satan sometimes tried to break our strength and unity.
Let us praise Him for His goodness shown us also in this respect.
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Former Pupil Relates Early Experiences of School Days
By Theunis Ribbens
Written for the 50th anniversary edition
of the
Sheboygan Christian School Beacon
November 13, 1948
We are met here this evening on a very special occasion a happy and blessed event. We are commemorating the 50th anniversary of our local Christian school. Half a century is a long period of time and so we have many reasons to be grateful this evening, that we might reach this milestone in the history of our Christian school. Many of you who are present here tonight have had the privilege of being a pupil in this school at some time or other during the course of this long period of years.
As a former pupil, I have been asked to relate a few facts and experiences which we may recall, just as others have as former teacher and as former board member.
Only a few of you were present, when the doors of the basement of our first church building on N. 7th Street were opened for the first time to permit you to enter and to enroll as pupils in the newly begun Christian school. It was a very small and primitive beginning with a few rows of "home made" benches which served as seats and desks.
It was not my privilege to be one of these beginners, as we came here in 1904, six years after the opening of the school. How well I do remember the first day we attended. What a change it was for us. In the Netherlands we had attended a large up-to-date brick school building, where each grade was by itself in a separate room and each room was larger than the entire basement room here, where all the pupils were gathered of the various grades and all taught by one teacher. Besides, since we had just come from the old country, we had to learn the American language and so had to start from the beginning in the first grade, even though we' had been in the "fourth grade over there. Needless to say, we did not like it at all at first, as the change was too great and everything so strange, but as we began to learn some of the language and became acquainted and made friends, we gradually became accustomed to the surroundings and soon felt like one who belonged to the group.
At the time, we had only one teacher, Mr. De Koning, who had not been in this country too long himself, as was very noticeable in his speech. He could not possibly do justice to the job and give all the pupils the attention they required and deserved to do good work, considering that he had to teach not only all the pupils then attending school but all the grades as well. Later on Miss Vork was added to the staff and so we were given more and better attention than before.
About that time the congregation decided to build a new church building on Superior Avenue, so we left the basement and moved upstairs where the church services used to be held. A partition was built so that we then had two separate rooms, which made it more pleasant for pupils and teachers alike, as well as easier for the teachers to teach and much better for the pupils. As soon as the new church building was completed, the old building was moved from its location and placed next to the new building and we then had a separate school building with a larger playground. Next to the play ground was the large horse barn, which served as a stable for the horses of the farmers who came to church on Sundays in their buggies or in their sleighs in winter. This of course was before the day of the automobile and in the so-called "horse and buggy days." In rainy weather, we made good use of this barn as well as of the basement of the school which was only partly excavated.
Discipline was quite a problem in the early days as there were quite a few good sized strapping boys, many of whom did not care about studying and went to school only because they had to and looked forward to the day when they could leave school and start working. Capital punishment was still permissible in those days and very much in evidence. The ruler was one of the favorite instruments used in punishing. It was nothing strange to have someone come to the teacher’s desk, stretch out his or her hand and have the teacher slap the hand several times with the ruler till the hand became red and swollen. Another favorite punishment was to compel the pupil to write lines, so-called. This meant that we had to write either "I may not be naughty" or "I may not be disobedient" or "I must obey" 500 times and this usually had to be done after school was dismissed.
Neither the teachers nor the pupils had the equipment that we have in our school today. For a long time, while using the homemade seats, we sat as many as three and in some cases four in one seat, so you can imagine that was not very conducive for either good behavior or study. Besides there were not enough hooks so each pupil could have his own and thus we had to share them with the one next to us.
Teachers did not stay very long in those days. We had a new teacher every year and sometimes even two in one school year. In spite of all those handicaps, the teachers managed to teach us enough, to promote us from year to year and to keep us pretty well in line educationally with the pupils of the public school. In addition to that, we received a Christian training, which, even though we did not realize it at the time, was to be a help and blessing for us in our future life.
. For the first ten years of the school's existence there were no pupils graduating from our school. There just were no eighth grade pupils in any of those years. Finally during the second year of Mr. John H. Kregel's tenure as principal, there was a graduating class. It was in 1909 and a class of only three. It was our privilege to be a member of this first graduating class. The other two members were Agnes Dekker (the late Mrs. Corneal Ippel), the other was Peter Dekker, who later became a school principal himself and has served as such in several of our Christian schools. Mr. Kregel, later Rev. Kregel and now emeritus minister of the Reformed church, worked very hard in preparing this first graduating class. We graduated on May 20th, more than a month before the close of school, so he could devote the rest of that time in completing the work of the upper grades.
A year later, Mr. William Van Melle came here as principal and two years later the present school building was dedicated. From then on, principals and teachers remained longer than previously, the pupils had up-to-date seats and desks and the teachers had more and better equipment, so that many of the handicaps were removed. Consequently the school began to flourish and the pupils were better trained and prepared by the time they were ready to graduate. Since the first graduating class, many others have graduated and the number of graduates increased as the years moved on.
As parents and as friends of Christian Instruction, we today have many reasons to be grateful to our God, who has blessed us so abundantly with our institution these many years. It is our hope and prayer that many more may graduate from this school and that these graduates, as they grow older and later on become parents themselves, may continue to be faithful and loyal to the institution, just as their parents now are and their grandparents have been.
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CLASS of 1909
Agnes Dekker
Peter Dekker
Theunis Ribbens
CLASS of 1912
Martin Katte
Gillis Otten
William VanderKodde
Harold Verhulst
CLASS of 1913
Nellie Ribbens
Cornelius Vetten
CLASS of 1914
James Heule
Edna VandeWall
Catherine VanStelle
CLASS of 1915
Edward Dekker
Martin VanHaveren
Daniel VanHouten
CLASS of 1916
Johanna Cevaal
Johanna VanderKodde
Peter Verlare
Peter Wondergem
CLASS of 1917
Anthony DenBoer
Cora DenBoer
Jennie Dommisse
Dena Katte
Jennie Otte
Dora VanAkkeren
David Wondergem
CLASS of 1918
Pearl Bolt
Mary Den Boer
Jennie Heule
Maudie Otte
Edna VanStelle
Dena Vetten
CLASS of 1919
Nicholas Bruinoog
Catherine Dommisse
Cornelia VandeKreeke
Pauline VandeWall
Matthew VanStelle
CLASS of 1920
John Ingelse
Gerhard Katte
Arnolda Leynse
Peter Otte
Catherine Verlare
Harvey Vetten
CLASS of 1921
Louis Bolt Jr.
Cora Cevaal
Jemimah Den Hollander
Elizabeth Ippel
Minnie Katte
Harriet Lanser
Catherine Leys
William Nyhuis
Andrew Otte
Nellie Van Haveren
Marie Van Stelle
Mary Wondergem
CLASS of 1922
Cornelius Buteyn
Marie Buteyn
Peter Ippel
Peter Katt
Martin Nyhuis
Martha Van Doeselar
Edna Van Stelle
Jemimah Verniel
Dena Vreeke
Jeanette Vreeke
Martin Wondergem
CLASS of 1923
James Bruinooge
Adriana Den Boer
Corrine Den Boer
Frances Hollemans
Lenore Ingelse
Adriana Oostdyk
Gerhard Otte
Martin Otte
Maude VanDoeselaar
Flora Van Haveren
Marie Vriend
John Wondergem
CLASS of 1924
Elizabeth Buteyn
Dan Buyze
Catherine Cevaal
Marie De Vriend
Carl Dommissee
Nell Katt
Marvin Leys
Gertrude Otte
Mary Traas
Adrian Verniel
Jake Zylman
Nick Zylman
CLASS of 1925
Herbert Brasser
Adrianna Buyze
Marie De Mey
Nellie Den Boer
Jennie Ingelse
Peter Leys
Clarence Luidens
Martha Nyhuis
Anne Otte
Florence Van Akkeren
Minnie Van Stelle
Marie Van Stelle
CLASS of 1926
Kathryn Buteyn
Jessie Dekker
Peter Dekker
Martin DeMey
Jacob P. DenBoer
Jacob L. DenBoer
Marie Ippel
Dan Katte
Edna Lensen
Jemimah Luteyn
Gary Otte
Minnie Potter
Mary Puntarra
Helen Traas
John VandeKreeke
Dick Verlare
CLASS of 1929
Conrad Bayens
Nell Buyze
Peter Dekker
Tannie Dekker
Catherine DeMey
Peter DenBoer
Adriana Eggebeen
Ralph Katt
William Leys
Lester Nyenhuis
Cornelia A. Otte
Cornelia M. Otte
Bernard TenPas
Louise Traas
Jeanette Vander Weele
Abe VanDerPuy
Peter VanStelle
Jeanette Verhulst
CLASS of 1927
Tannie Dekker
Jack DenBoer
Hannah Hollander
Margaret Leinse
Agnes Leys
Catherine Opthof
Edward Otte
Chris Otten
Dorothy Overbeck
Marie Potter
Bertha Van Stelle
CLASS of 1930
Ann Buteyn
Catherine Dekker
John Eggebeen
Jeanette Oostdyk
Quincy Opthof
Cornelia Otte
Peter Otte
John Potter
Marvin VandeKreeke
Jack Verneil
Grada Visscher
Raymond Wondergem
CLASS of 1928
Marie Buteyn
Cornelia Dekker
Cornelia T. Dekker
Marie Dekker
Edna DenBoer
Ann Ippel
Janet Leys
Cornelia Luteyn
William Otte
Jacob Otte
John Otte
Jacob Potter
Martin VandeKreeke
Nell VanStelle
Comeil Vreeke
CLASS of 1931
Maude Dekker
Maude M. Dekker
Peter Dekker
Flora De Mey
Joseph Eggebeen
Fred Hollander
Dan Leys
Gertrude Luidens
Maude L. Otte
Maude P. Otte
Corrine Potter
Marie Renskers
Gertrude Te Winkel
Betty Tenpas
Jacob Traas
Gertrude Vander Weele
Gladys Verhulst
Charles Zylman
CLASS of 1932
Antoinette Blok
Flora Dekker
Jeanette Dekker
Nell DeMey
Corrine Den Boer
Leonard DenBoer
John Huige
Dorothy Nyenhuis
Jack Otten
Florence Overbeck
John Stroo
Emma Tenpas
Helen Van de Kreeke
Jenny Van Der Puy
Kathryn Zylman
CLASS of 1933
Joanne Bruinooge
Margaret Buteyn
Cornelius Dekker
Danker Dekker
Jeanette Den Boer
Carl Eggebeen
Henry Ippel
John Katte
Clarence Leys
Jennie Otte
Maude Otte
Edward Overbeck
Margaret Ter Maat
Jeanette Traas
Janet Van de Repe
Abe VanDerPuy
Jeanette Van Der Weele
Margaret VanDerWeele
Donald Verhulst
Nelda Verniel
Henry Vreeke
CLASS of 1934
Marion Buteyn
Catherine Dekker
Kathryn Dekker
Tannie Dekker
Cornelius DeRuyter
Gertrude Gabrielse
Klaas Kuiper
Jean Lanser
John Leys
Josephine Otte
Henry Otte
Martin Potter
Anita Ribbens
Marion Ribbens
Lawrence Stroo
Marvin TeWinkel
Leona Van Der Pur
Marion Van Der Weele
Wilma Van Stelle
William VanDeKreeke
Steve VanDerWeele
Joan Visscher.
Leonard V reeke
CLASS of 1935
Cornelia Cevaal
Jeanette Dekker
Corrine Dekker
Jane Dekker
James C. Dekker
Corniel DeMey
Lucille Den Boer
Marvin Dommissee
Katherine Eggebeen
Marie Eggebeen
John D. Hendrikse
Lester Ippel
Ellen Kuiper
Wilma Kuitert
Wilbert Leys
Elizabeth Nyenhuis
Marion Otte
Florence Otte
Marie Otte
Roland Otten
Marjorie Overbeck
William Ribbens
Frances Ribbens
John Rottier
Cornelius Stroo
John Traas
Pearl Van Der Puy
Janet Van Der Pur
Raymond Zylman
CLASS of 1936
Wallace Brasser
Henry Bruinooge
Joan Dekker
Corinne Dekker
Arthur DenBoer
John Gabrielse
Howard Lanser
Jo Anne Oostdyk
Jeanette Otte
Robert Otten
Bernard Pekelder
John Ribbens
Catherine Ribbens
Jane Ribbens
Leonard Traas
Alice Van DerWeele
Arthur VanDeKreeke
Wesley VanderWeele
Carl VanHaveren
Johanna Vreeke
CLASS of 1937
Margaret Dekker
Janet Dekker
Dorothy Eggebeen
John Ippel
Nell Katt
Robert Overbeck
Edward Potter
Catherine Traas
Marjorie Vander Weele
Gertrude Vander Weele
Corneil VanderPuy
Jeanette VanStelle
Kenneth Wondergem
CLASS of 1938
Harriet Buteyn
Martin Dekker
John G. Dekker
Robert DenBoer
Tannie Hendrikse
Ruth Katt
Henry Klein-Wassink
Roland Kruis
Calvin Kuiper
Jacob Kuitert
Vivian Mc Cann
Margaret Nyenhuis
Corrine Otte
Carl Otte
Elsie Otte
Donald Otten
Dorothy Ribbens
Betty Van Der Puy
Elaine Van Haveren
Edward VanderWeele
Donald VanHaveren
Pearl Vreeke
Richard Zylman
CLASS of 1939
John Cevaal
Peter J. Dekker
Marion Dekker
Lois Dekker
John M. Dekker
Dorothy Dekker
Evangeline Gabrielse
Mae Heule
Caroline Kruis
Calvin Leys
Wilma Leys
Ruth Otte
Arthur Otten
Raymond Potter
Ruth Ribbens
Harvey Ribbens
Jacob Stroo
Janet Te Winkle
Marion Ter Maat
Joey Traas
Edward VandeKreeke
Gerald VanDerPuy
Harold VanDerWeele
Calvin Verhulst
Bernice Visscher
CLASS of 1940
Robert Dekker
Jerome DenBoer
Helen Eggebeen
Jean Hendrikse
Charlotte Katt
John Katte
Fred Klein-Wassink
Allen Kruis
George Kuitert
Doris Leys
Rueben Otten
Edward Ribbens
Theodore Ribbens
Douglas Ribbens
Corona Ringel
Marion Van Der Puy
Harriet VanDer Puy
Mae Vander Ploeg
Clarence VanDerWeele
Wesley VanDerWeele
Eugene VanHaveren
Delores Verlare
Charlotte Vetten
Florence Vreeke
Charlotte Wondergem
CLASS of 1941
Richard Bruinooge
Martin Dekker
William DeVriend
Richard Gabrielse
Anthony Katte
Alice Kuitert
Hilbert Kuitert
Louise Van Der Weele
LeRoy VandeKreeke
Howard VanDerWeele
Marvin VanHaveren
Raymond VanHaveren
Jack Verlare
Harvey Williams
CLASS of 1942
Jacob Dekker
Theodore Dekker
Howard DenBoer
Donald Eggebeen
Steve Gabrielse
Ray Hendrikse
Caroline Hendrikse
George Jasperse
Geneva Kruis
Alan Lanser
William Oostdyk
Wilma Otte
Thelma Pekelder
Evelyn Potter
Elmer Ribbens
Judith Ribbens
Robert Ribbens
Alvin TeWinkel
Bernard VandeGutche
Irving VandeVrede
Harriet Verlare
Lorraine Vreeke
La Vern Wondergem
Edith Wondergem
Ruth Zylman
CLASS of 1943
Beverly Bille
Lewis Brasser
Carol Buteyn
Ethel Dekker
Lillian Dekker
George Gabrielse
Robert Katt
Joan Katte
Dorothy Katte
Johan Klein-Wassink
Eunice Otten
Madeline Ribbens
Margaret Ribbens
Cornelius TerMaat
LaVern Van Der Weele
Harriet Van Der Weele
Herbert VanDerWeele
Josephine Vreeke
Casey Wondergem
CLASS of 1944
Leroy Boone
Shirley Brill
Beatrice Buteyn
Doris Dekker
Alice Eggebeen
Katherine Eggebeen
Theodore Gabrielse
William Gorter
Marilyn Hendrikse
Donald Hinz
Ruth Hollander
Glenn Jasperse
Virginia Katte
Frans Klein-Wassink
Audrey Kruis
Gertrude Kuitert
Myrtle Otte
Janet Otte
Robert Otte
Lois Otte
Edith Otten
Roger Otten
Vernon Otten
Carol Overbeck
Patricia Ribbens
Estelle Tamminga
Jane Te Stroete
Ruth Te Winkel
Marilyn Van Stelle
William VanDerPuy
Elmer VanDerWeele
Arlene VandeVrede
Burton VerStraate
Ralph VerVelde
Delores Williams
Wesley Williams
CLASS of 1945
Edwin Gabrielse
Ruth Gabrielse
Lawrence Gorter
Gene Huibregtse
Sherilyn Huibregtse
Stanley Kaat
Evelyn Katte
Harvey Meulbrook
Herbert Otten
Beatrice Van Haveren
Marilyn Vande Vrede
Wilbert VanDerPuy
Melvin VanderWeele
Joyce Ver Velde
Mary Ann Verlare
Pearl Vreeke
Lauren Wondergem
Eleanor Wondergem
CLASS of 1946
Rogene Brill
Arthur Buteyn
Donald Buyze
Wesley DenBoer
Melvin Kruis
Elmer Kuitert
Irene Nyenhuis
Margaret Otte
Betty Otten
Marjorie Otten
Charlotte Ribbens
Donald Ringel
Carolyn Ringel
Elena Tamminga
Mary Van Der Puy
Angeline Van Der Weele
Darlene Van Der Weele
Richard VanStelle
Helen Verlare
Norman VerVelde
CLASS of 1947
Marvin Dekker
Carol Den Boer
Gordon DenBoer
Lois Eggebeen
June Gabrielse
William Hendrikse
Ruth Hendrikse
William Kuitert
Marjorie Otte
Gerald Otte
Harriet Tamminga
Don VanDerWeele
James VanHaveren
Mary Lois Wondergem
CLASS of 1948
Mary Ann Dekker
Edward Dekker
Edythe Dekker
John Gorter
Jack Hollander
Lloyd Jasperse
Lone Lemke
Evert Lemkuil
James Lemkuil
Joyce Nyenhuis
Wayne Nyhuis
Donald Otte
Geraldine Otten
Donna Van Stelle
Doris Vande Wege
Barbara Vander Bilt
Richard VanDerPuy
Paul VanHaveren
Richard Verlare
Carol Winkelhorst
CLASS of 1949
Helen Boone
Joyce Buteyn
Barbara Dommissee
Mark Eggebeen
Barbara Holtz
Suzanne Ippel
Joyce Katte
Eugene Otten
Dennis Ribbens
Joan Van Haveren
Robert VandeKreeke
Peter Vermaat
Adele Vermaat
Rodney VerVelde
Harvey Vetten
CLASS of 1950
Doris Buteyn
Melvin Gabrielse
Edith Gabrielse
Milton Gabrielse
Diane Hendrikse
Mark Huibregtse
Barbara Jasperse
Kenneth Katt
Richard Katte
Edward Leinse
Robert Lemkuil
Ronald Leys
Audrey Meulbroek
Grace Otten
Betty Ringel
Louise Thomas
Mary Jane Vander Ploeg
Raymond VanderWeele
Raymond VerV elde
Roger VerVelde
Sandra Winkelhorst
CLASS of 1951
Marilyn Brack
Iris Buteyn
Mary Den Boer
James DenBoer
Barbara Dirkse
Howard Hinz
William Huibregtse
Wayne Kaat
Celeen Lemke
Peter Otte
Donald Pierce
Marion Ringel
Phyllis Ten Pas
Thomas Vanderbilt
Annette Verhage
Rhoda Verlare
Thomas VerStraate
Ruth Wondergem
Jean Wondergem
CLASS of 1952-53
Marilyn Brasser
Madelyn Cooper
Durwood Dommisse
Edwin Dommisse
Arlene Hendrikse
Eugene Hendrikse
Carol Ippel
Kathleen Katt
Janice Katte
Jack Nyenhuis
Diane Otte
Margaret Pierce
Albert Riemersma
Fran Riemersma
Janet Schaap
Roger Smies
Jack Theune
Donald VandeKreeke
Sylvia VanDerPuy
Joan VandeWege
Richard VanHaveren
Paul Verhage
Joan VerVelde
Richard Williams
Donna Wondergem
Marilyn Wondergem
CLASS of 1954
Thomas Buteyn
Betty Den Boer
Rachel Eggebeen
Patricia Eggebeen
Anita Gorter
Jay Nyhuis
Henry Qtte
James Otten
Joyce Ringel
Eleanor Tamminga
Janet Theune
Cynthia Van Der Puy
Kathy Vande Wege
James Wondergem
CLASS of 1955
Carol Hendrikse
Mary Katte
Harriet Kruis
Nancy Leys
Paul Nyhuis
Andrew Otte
Jean Riemersma
Joan Smies
Wesley VanHaveren
Shirley VerStraate
Laurie Winkelhorst
CLASS of 1956
John Daane
Thomas DeBlaey
Koreda Den Boer
Jack DenBoer
John Eggebeen
Timothy Holtz
John Huibregtse
Marlene Leinse
Bernard Lemkuil
Anne Leys
Harriet Otte
Robert Otte
James Silvis
Bette Te Stroete
David VanHaveren
Richard VerStraate
CLASS of 1957
Dennis Brasser
Helen DenBoer
Ellen Dommissee
Edward Gabrielse
Patricia Hollander
Judith Katt
John Katte
James Otte
Kenneth Ringel
Raymond Simmelink
Sharon Smies
Jerome Timm
William VandeKreeke
James VanDerPuy
Herman Weits
Carrie Williams
Evonne Wondergem
Annette Wondergem
Raymond Wondergem
CLASS of 1958
James Dommissee
Gerald Eggebeen
Henry Exoo
Charles Huibregtse
Ralph Katt
Nancy Nyenhuis
Gerlof Tamminga
Judith Theune
Rachel Vanderbilt
Thomas VanHaveren
Gail Verstrate
CLASS of 1959
Esther Cooper
Joyce De Blaey
Robert Dekker
Carla Dekker
Linda Den Boer
James Heinen
Sandra Jensema
Wayne Leys
Ronald Qtte
Ronald Smies
Ann Thomas
Jane Van Haveren
Karen Ver Straate
James Verhulst
Ronald Verlare
CLASS of 1960
Robert Daane
Jay DenBoer
Patti Exoo
Nancy Gabrielse
David C1abrielse
Kenneth Katte
Carol Otte
Mary Schaap
Mary Simmelink
Johnette Verstrate
Ido Weits
CLASS of 1961
Larry Brasser
Delores Den Boer
Sharon Gabrielse
Wilma C1orter
Peg Hollander
Donna Jensema
Jerry Katt
Jean Theune
Roger Timm
Jack VandeCJuchte
Thomas Verhulst
Ruth Verlare
Adrian Wondergem
CLASS of 1962
Patricia Buteyn
Philip Buteyn
David Cevaal
Mary Colenbrander
Rebecca Cooper
Marjorie Den Boer
Paul Eggebeen
Marjorie Eggebeen
Mary Gabrielse
Mary Katt
Sandra Katte
William Lemkuil
Kenneth Leys
Lois Neerhof
Jeannine Otte
Pamela Potter
Kenneth TenPas
Bernard TeStroete
Laurie Zylman
CLASS of 1964
James Brasser
Jane Colenbrander
Cynthia Cooper
Lynn Eggebeen
Randy Hendrikse
Michael Oostdyk
Doris Otten
Mark Potter
Davis Traas
Sandra Van Der Weele
James VanderGuchte
Renee Wilke
Dirk Zylman
CLASS of 1965
Mary Lou Andrewicz
Jane Back
Terry Barthels
Richard Bruinooge
Mary Cevaal
Patricia Den Boer
Anne Gabrielse
Thomas Gabrielse
Kenneth Gabrielse
Mark Oostdyk
Philip Otte
Rita Riemersma
Richard Sadler
Nancy Te Winkel
Joette Vande Vrede
Jill VanderGuchte
Timothy VanDerPuy
Robert Wondergem
CLASS of 1963
David Brasser
Mary De Rutyer
Ruth Dekker
Rodney DenBoer
Alan Exoo
Phyllis Gabrielse
Kathleen Harder
Roger Leys
Beth Mentink
Doris Otte
Shiela Otte
Lester Simmelink
Richard Smies
Peggy Traas
Peter VanStelle
Richard Verhulst
John Verstrate
Sandra Wiersum
Rosalie Williams
CLASS of 1966
Peggy De Blaey
Phyllis Dekker
David DenBoer
Calvin
Fred Exoo
Kathy Gabrielse
Tim Gabrielse
Gail Gartman
Mike Hendrikse
Roy Hopp
Jack Ippel
Larry Jensema
Dan Katte
Timothy LeMahieu
Michael Mentink
Karl Neerhof
Don Otten
Keith Potter
Paul Potter
Joan Riemersma
Carol Simmelink
Mary Slater
Susan Thomas
Peter Traas
Phyllis Van Der Weele
Valerie Van Der Weele
Jeff Vanderbilt
Phillip VanDerWeele
Tony Weits
William Wilke
CLASS of 1967
Steve Back
Tom Brasser
Jerith Buteyn
Mark Cevaal
Thomas Dekker
Lou Ann Dekker
Barton DenBoer
Ronald Dommisse
Helen Eggebeen
Kay Gabrielse
Bernard Gabrielse
Fred Hollander
Dale Leys
Mary Leys
Gail Stockmeier
Karen Tamminga
Linda Ten Hoor
Steve TeStroete
David TeWinkel
Brent Timm
Bonnie Van Haveren
David VanDerPuy
Robert VanDerPuy
Roger Vande Vrede
Thomas Wilke
Gary Wondergem
Helen Zylman
CLASS of 1968
Kenneth Back
Kara Bergin
Nan Bruinooge
Jeff Cevaal
Martha Colenbrander
Gary Dekker
Gail Dekker
Richard Eggebeen
Jeff Feringa
Greg Gabrielse .
Jane Hille
Patricia Ippel
Joel Jasperse
Ruth Leys
Paul Neerhof
Joel Potter
Roberta Smies
Jackie Traas
Nick VanDerPuy
Kenneth V anDerWeele
Rick VandeVrede
Jennifer Verhulst
Jay Verlare
David VerV elde
Forrest Williams
CLASS of 1969
Susie Andrewicz
Alice Bangen
Tim Barthels
John Buteyn
Vernon DeGeus
Jamie Dekker
Mary Dekker
Gay Exoo
Rudy Feyer
Jack Gabrielse
Lou Ann Hendrikse
Kristine Hopp
Dirk Jasperse
Bill Katt
Janet Otte
Cindy Otten
Duane Otten
Len Riemersma
Janice Sadler
Dave TenHoor
Bill TeWinkel
Jean Van Der Weele
Joan VanDerWeele
Avis Van Haveren
Jeff VanDerPuy
Carol VanHaveren
Mary Jo Ver Velde
Lynette Voigt
Gail Williams
CLASS of 1970
Bernard Dekker
Todd Dekker
Laurie Dekker
Deborah Den Boer
Sue Den Boer
Ann Eggebeen
Susan Feringa
Mark Gabrie1se
Laura Hinz
Patricia Jensema
Thomas LeMahieu
Judy Leys
Cheryl Otte
Brenda Potter
William Pruitt
Rebecca Van Der Puy
David VandeGuchte
John VanDer Puy
Larry VandeVrede
Lynda Verhulst
Michael Verlare
Terry VerStraate
CLASS of 1971
Dale Back
Marian Bangen
Julie Buteyn
Jane Buteyn
Philip Dekker
Margi Exoo
Dick Feyer
Kim Gabrielse
Steven Ippel
Nancy Klein-Wassink
Jeff Kloet
Dale Mentink
Russell Otten
Dirk Riemersma
Kathy Te Winkle
Tina Traas
Linda VanDer Weele
Jack VanDerWeele
William West
Wallace Westenberger
CLASS of 1972
Bonnie Barthels
Nina Bruinooge
Keith Buteyn
Gail Dekker
Dawn Den Boer
Carl Eggebeen
Mary Felten
Cathy Feyer
Jon Gabrielse
Neil Jasperse
David Otten
Scott Otten
Sandra Te Winkle
Lisa Ten Hoor
Julie Van Der Pur
Nancy Van Der Weele
Jennifer Van Der Weele
Ronald VanDerWeele
Scott VanHaveren
Jill Ver Straate
Martha Verlare
Joy Voigt
Peter Wilke
Dorann Williams
Randall Williams
Randall Wondergem
CLASS of 1973
Kurt Buteyn
Michelle Buteyn
Sue Felten
Kathi Gabrielse
William Hendrikse
Ryan Hopp
Mark Neerhof
Jeffrey Otten
Steven Potter
Michael Reiner
David Smies
Joey Traas
Wendy VanDerPuy
Julie Verhulst
James Verlare
Martha VerStraate
CLASS of 1974
Thomas Back
Joel Bangen
Debra Dekker
Barbara Dekker
Ralph Dekker
Gerald Ebbers
Pamela Gabrielse
Debra Heinen
Jeffrey Hermann
Mark Katt
Kaye LeMahieu
Joel Moody
David Mulder
Susan Otte
Claire Potter
Richard Pruitt
Vicki Riemersma
Julie Van Haveren
Victoria Verhulst
Laura Voigt
Pamela Voskuil
CLASS of 1975 (8th & 9th Grade)
Karen Bangen
Karla Buteyn
Alan Dekker
Kathleen Dekker
Patti Dekker
Roy Dekker
Marilyn Ebbers
Sally Feringa
Gregory Feyer
Brian Gabrielse
Bruce Gabrielse
Peggy Gabrielse
Charles Gamb
William Heinen
Bill Hendrikse
Jeanne Hendrikse
Todd Hendrikse
Julie Hollander
Craig Jasperse
Paul Jumes
Keith Katt
Linda Katt
Kenlyn Katt
Arline Kieboom
Thomas Landgraf
Randall Ledeboer
Timothy Moody
Douglas Mulder
Linda Otte
Michael Otte
Cheryl Otten
David Pointer
Daniel Pointer
Nancy Reiner
James Riemersma
Vonni Riemersma
Robert TenHoor
James TeWinkle
Terry Theune
Kevin Traas
Amy Van Der Puy
Todd VanDerPuy
Richard VanDerWeele
Brian VanDerWeele
Jay Wierenga
Kenneth Williams
CLASS of 1976
Anne Buteyn
Kent Buteyn
Thomas DenBoer
Andrea DeVries
Joyce Ebbers
Jeffery Gamb
Timothy Gorter
Sara Hermann
Jeffrey Hollander
Michael Katt
Jane Krepsky
Lu Ann Oostdyk
Carolyn Pointer
Amy Te Winkel
Kathy Theune
Scott Theune
Marcia Van Der Weele
Jay VanDerWeele
CLASS of 1977
Michele Braun
Jeffrey Cole
Kevin jJabrielse
Amy uabrielse
Kelly Katt
Ella Kieboom
Tamara Ledeboer
James Moody
Michael Nemeth
Todd Niemuth
Laurie Otte
Doug Pointer
Patricia Pruitt
Jennifer Resop
Beth Resop
Debra Riemersma
Keith VanDerWeele
Lisa Voskuil
Nick Williams
CLASS of 1978
Karl Buteyn
Brenda Dekker
Karen Dekker
Karen DenBoer
Jamie DenBoer
Richard Ebbers
Larry Felten
Irene Feyer
Tamara Gorter
Beth Grade
Heidi Graf
Jane Ippel
Ronald Kahoun
Danielle Kohler
Debra Mulder
Pat Nagle
Tom Otte
Jeff Otten
Junell Riemersma
Scott Schreiber
Susan Ten Hoor
Beth Ver Straate
Peter Verhulst
David Williams
Liz Zagar
CLASS of 1979
Rebecca Beau
Jeffrey Burghgraef
Mary Buteyn
Roberta Buteyn
Danniel Cevaal
Perry Dekker
Daniel Even
Kelly Even
Amy Grade
Kerry Harder
Timothy Heinen
Patrick Jasperse
Peter Kather
Jacquelyn Katt
Roberta Katt
Catherine Knight
Kimberly Krepsky
Kurt LeMahieu
Michael Leonhard
Steven Sieracke
Russell Theune
Julie Van Der Weele
Thomas VanDerPuy
Martin VanderVliet
CLASS of 1980
David Braun
Paul Cevaal
Kendall Dehne
Debra Faber
James Feringa
Harry Feyer
Todd Gabrielse
Joan Hermann
Linnet Hutchison
Rebecca Katt
Matthew Korman
Jodi Lammers
Jeanne Moody
Jeffrey Nagle
William Pointer
Randall Pruim
Roxanne Ringel
D. Andrew Schlingman
Pamela Sohre
Lynn Suring
Cheryl Van Der Weele
Jacqueline VanHaveren
CLASS of 1981
Greta Buteyn
Kristine Buteyn
Bennie Caldwell
Mary DeVries
Matthew W. Gabrielse
Neal Gabrielse
Steven Gamb
Jeffrey Gibson
Daniel Jentink
Rhonda Kashney
Andrew Katt
Joseph Nemeth
Troy Niemuth
Kenneth Riemersma
Cheryl Ringel
Kiersten Schafer
Danielle Stone
Andrew Viglietti
Andrew Wierenga
Suzanne Williams
CLASS of 1982
David Bub
Robert Caldwell
Kristen Cole
Karen Cole
Liz DenBoer
Kenneth Ebbers
Richard Hawkins
Lori Heinen
Amy Katt
Marilois Korman
Gary Meggers
Thomas Nagle
Timothy Otte
David Ottensmann
Julie Pruim
David Reiss
Jeffrey Riemersma,
Matthew Schlingman
Kristin Snoeyink
Jennifer Snoeyink
Jessica Stone
Timothy Suring
John Theune
Peter VanDerPuy
Matthew Weisrock
CLASS of 1983
Sherry Becker
Tina Bub
Joseph Buteyn
Sue Ann Cevaal
Neva Dehne
Danielle Dejong
Kristine Dekker
Daniel DuMez
Scott Fieldhouse
Curtis Gabrielse
Hans Graf
Michael Kanz
Kathleen Katt
Polly Keller
Christopher Kloet
Todd Leonhard
Vicki Meggers
Dayna Mulder
Marc Nelesen
Kenneth Otte
Joan Otte
Jodi Riemersma
Craig Riemersma
Nathan VanDerMale
Kristen VanderVliet
Kristen Van Haveren
Ann Voskuil
John Voskuil
Linda Zagar
CLASS of 1984
Rodrigo Alonzo
Jonathan Bub
Kristin Burghgraef
Douglas Dekker
Jennifer Dekker
Barbara DuMez
Amy Eggebeen
Glenn Fernandez
John Fernandez
Peggy Gibson
Todd Gorter
Jon Gougar
Sarah Grade
Chad Hochkammer
Douglas Hutchison
Karalee Katt
Michael Landgraf
Warren Leider
Tracy Maleski
Thomas Miller
Angela Mueller
Suzanne Mueller
Kay VerStraate
Sara VerStraate
Patricia Williams
Scott Willman
Jay Yanko
Stephanie Yanko
CLASS of 1985
Eric Dehne
Nicole Dejong
Ryan Dekker
Kent DeReus
Jay Englebert
Glen Halliday
Kenneth Hancock
Jeffrey Heinen
Joe Hochrein
Jeffrey Kanz
Marsha Katt
Matthew McAlpine
Natalie McEwen
Paul Modahl
Amy Otte
Bradley Pruim
Matthew Sather
Rebecca Snoeyink
Melissa Sohre
Kristin Theune
Nancy VanDerJagt
Scott Voskuil
Elizabeth Wittrock
David Zabel
CLASS of 1987
Laura Bub
Stephen Butz
Erin DeRoos
Christina Eggebeen
Elizabeth Englebert
Carlton Heinen
Sara Katt
Eric Katte
Matthew Keller
Joseph Lisberg
David McAlpine
Sheila Reiss
Thomas Sather
Sarah Snoeyink
Jill VanDerJagt
CLASS of 1986
Todd Burghgraef
Reba Buteyn
Jeff Dekker
Jennifer Eggebeen
Kenneth Heinen
Chris Hendrikse
Michael Holtz
Brent Homer
Ben Keele
Michele Kovacich
Patrick Landgraf
David Mueller
Cara Nagle
Corey Nagle
Eric Otte
Deborah VanDerPuy
Russell VanDerVliet
Julie VerStraate
Nicole Wilkens
CLASS of 1988
Haley Bruns
Gregory Dehne
Randal Du Mez
Matthew Gretz
Timothy Hendrikse
Charles Leys
Paul Maxon
Mark Mothershead
Denise Otte
Chris Verstrate
Laura Voskuil
Jason Wilkens
Scott Winkel
Ryan Wondergem
CLASS of 1989
Calvin Dehne
Jenine Dejong
Christa DeReus
Tricia Feyer
Holly Homer
Jodi Huizinga
Jessica Kramer
Mark Leys
Christin Mueller
Sandra Rickmeier
Beth Ann Schmideler
Adam Schrauth
Stacy Van Der Jagt
Michael Willis
CLASS of 1990
Eric Cole
Paul Hancock
Jamie Koene
Jana Landgraf
David Maxon
Chris Nonhof
Jason Otte
Matthew VanHaveren
Brian Winkel
CLASS of 1991
Jennifer Chvarak
Bryce DeRoos
Angela Drescher
Shana Eslinger
Matthew Gabrielse
Nadia Hogfeldt
Joel Katte
Tanya Niemuth
Sarah Oppeneer
Heather Reedyk
Joy Ann Schmideler
Danielle Sohre
Kelly Verstrate
Nathaniel Wondergem
CLASS of 1992
Alison Adams
John Bruns, Jr.
Amy Heinen
Jason Hogfeldt
Joshua Homer
Heather Huizinga
Elizabeth Katt
Kevin Kiel
Matthew Maxon
John Oppeneer
Shaun Rutherford
Angela Timm
Matthew VanDerPuy
Ryan VanDuyn
Rochelle Zylman
CLASS of 1993
William Baumann
Michael Buteyn
Jeffrey Cevaal
Marissa DeBlaey
Kyle DeRoos
Sarah Godbert .
Jon Leicht
Paul Leys
Matthew Moeller
Elizabeth Oppeneer
Rebecca Sneller
Sarah Timm
Candy Wood
CLASS of 1994
Hilari Bruns
Ross DeBlaey
April Drescher
John Godbert
Jocelyn Gretz
Joseph Harrison
Matthew Hogfeldt
Joshua Hollander
Meghan Katt
Amy Kie1
Ryan Koene
Jonathan Leo
Robert Nelesen
Michelle Nonhof
Adam Teunissen
Kimberly VanHaveren
David Winkel
CLASS of 1995
Paul Adams
Emily Alsum
Timothy Arentsen
Elizabeth Bosscher
Jessica Dehne
Martha DeZwarte
Rachael Eggebeen
Rachel Gabrielse
Baron Gottsacker
Rick Huizinga
Elvis Lee
Laura Sorensen
Joe Van Der Puy
Andrew Warmus
Matthew Yang
Nicole Zylman
CLASS of 1996
Julie Back
George Beaton
Kristin Berenschot
Sarah Bratz
Hannah Bruns
Elyssia DeMaster
Kelly Feringa
Rachel Godbert
Katherine Harrison
Nathan Le Mahieu
Dawn Leo
Benjamin Potter
Susan Reedyk
Cassandra Smies
Kristin Sneller
Beth VanDerPuy
Renee VanDommelen
CLASS of 1997
Robert Braaksma
Jennifer Cevaal
Brittney DeRoos
Andrea Dommisse
Joseph Eggebeen
Ryan Fawcett
Bradley Gabrielse
Lisa Hennen
Sulah Hogfeldt
Gregory Hogfeldt
Noah Hollander
Seth Kramer
Michael Lemkuil
Sarah Pointer
Brett Riemersma
Thomas VanDerPuy
Joshua VanDrunen
Kaoki John Vang
Scott Warmus
CLASS of 1998
Laura Alsum
Nicholas Ashworth
Jana Back
Sarah Cass
Nicole DeBlaey
Rachele DeMaster
Andrew Eggebeen
Kristin Gottsacker
Christopher Haen
Michael Harrison
Jeremy LeMahieu
Martha Oppeneer
Paul Pointer
Megan Potter
Isaac Schrimpf
Jenifer Seider
Anthony Tislau
Megan VanDommelen
Class of 1999
Michelle Acheson Michelle
Douglas Anderson
Luke Arentsen
Alison Bahr
Jeffrey Bub
Jill Buteyn
Ashton DeMaster
Roshelle Doornbos
Christine Gabrielse
Phillip Gabrielse
Angela Jensema
Cara Kiel
Tricia Leo
David Locke
Justin Moeller
Anne Oppeneer
Brittany Otten
Andrew Rosenthal
Valerie Smies
David Sneller
Elizabeth Sohre
Andrew Tislau
Kimberly VanDrunen
Class of 2000
Amy Ashworth
Joseph Ashworth
Michael Beckett
Lisa Berenschot
Laura Clements
Leah Dommisse
Nicole Eggebeen
Colleen Farrelly
Kurt Feringa
Peter Haen
Andrew Hazeu
Alicia Keppler
Joshua Krome
Jonathan Laack
Jamie Lohuis
Zachary McKenzie
Kate Otten
Nathan Otten
David Riemersma
Laura Sizemore
Jessica Sohre
Lauren VanDerPuy
John Warmus
Class of 2001
Melinda Arentsen
Samantha Bahr
Chad Brouwer
Havalyn Bruns
Braydn DeMaster
Joseph Dern
Amy Gabrielse
Amanda Heinen
Derrek LeMahieu
Amanda Locke
Holly McKenzie
Michael Moore
Kevin Riemersma
Mark TenHoor
Benjamin VanDrunen
Megan VerDuin
Class of 2002
Jonathan Back
Kyle Batkiewicz
Braaksma Brian
Paul Fenrich
Christopher Frank
Kayla Keppler
Spencer Lorier
Jacob Otten
Luke Otten
Marques Otten
Matthew Rosenthal
Andrea Sizemore
Tyler Smies
Stephanie TenHaken
Ashley Tislau
Lane Touw
Zachary Vis
Amber Williams
Class of 2003
Beverly Brotz
Tricia Brouwer
Leslie Clements
Michelle Dekker
Karlinn DeMaster
Ryan Devriend
Benjamin Dummer
Melinda Eggebeen
Seth Eggebeen
Heidi Gabrielse
Katie Hazeu
Joshua Locke
Nicholas Sohre
Rebecca TenHoor
Kelly VerDuin
Dena Warmus
John Wiskamp
Class of 2004
Carisha Bell
Jonathan Bernhardt
Emily Calvert
Samantha DeLorme
AnnMarie Felten
David Frank
Anneliese Haen
Sherry Heinen
Marcus LeMahieu
Matthew Maldoado
Michael Niedermeyer
Benjamin Otten
Tylor Stangel
Shaun TenHaken
Linden VanDerPuy
Scott VanDommelen
Jennifer VanStelle
Christina Vollrath
|
First Teacher Tells of Establishing School Here By Peter Verhulst
The opening of a Christian school in Sheboygan is a story that is different from many another Christian school in that it did not have a long period of preparation or planning. It was not the result of long and learned discussions or meetings and speeches etc. Nor was it the outgrowth of pulpit pleas or prayers, for the church had been pastorless for years and the man who at that time filled the pulpit was not born to be a leader in any cause.
Another thing was that there was not a. single person of means in the group to give the movement a push. No, the Kroup of 1898 consisted of very poor people, most of them newly imigrated from Holland.
There number was small, but there wits conviction. Some at least had very strong convictions that coven ant children did not belong in a publie school. One of these early Christian school pioneers was a rather young man yet. He himself was childless, but filled with love for the chil. dren of the church. He began to agitate the fact that a Christian school was the only solution for Christian parents.
Being young and energetic and well versed in the Bible he soon convinced others of the need, not only, hut also of the possibility of a Christian school. By his constant reasoning he warmed up the hearts and minds of the people so .that it was decided to invite a speaker who could present the matter more forceful to the Christian minds, and so bring the issue to a head.
At that time Rev. K. Kuiper, though only a few years in this country, had already become known as an' ardent exponant of Christian instruction and an able speaker on its behalf. During the summer of 1898 this man was asked and came to Sheboygan to speak on the need of a Christian school for Christian covenant children. His speech was so effective that it was immediately decided to call a public meeting of all who felt interested both from the Reformed and Christian Reformed churches. At this meeting a society for Christian instruction was organized, and a decision was made to start a Christian school.
It was then August 1898. No building, no teacher, and the school season approaching. Now the question arose, "How can this be done?" But our energetic leader knew the answer. He at once suggested to raise the church building and prepare the basement for a school room. This was agreed to by the consistory and congregation of the Christian Reformed church and the cause was prosecuted with such vigor that by the 1st of November, 1398 the school was ready to operate.
The man to whom much credit belongs in this whole cause is still with us. It is our esteemed friend and brother, Martin Zwemer. Honor to whom honor is due. Though never having enjoyed the blessing of parenthood himself, his energy, his words and prayers have become a means of blessing to the church and homes in our midst.
The cooperation from the Reformed rhurch was very good at the beginning, but later when many of the school friends left that church and affiliated with the Christian Reformed church, others withdrew so that for a time there were practically none who still sent their children. We are however happy that at the present writing, we again have several strong supporters from the Reformed group.
But to return to our story, the undersigned was appointed as the first teacher, but being unable to take charge of the school until January, 1899 the children were for the intervening months, November and December cared for by Mr. Jacob Palenstein, one of the members of the Christian Reformed church. When we entered this school the first morning we found a large bare room30x40 feet newly and roughly plastered, a large round Oak stove in the center, but no fire. The windows bare and dirty, the seats made out of rough lumber by members of the society who could not even lay claim to being "jack knife carpenters" modeled after some benches in Holland of the century before.
The group of children who gathered outside, about sixty in number, consisted of ages six to fourteen.Some came from the public school, some from the Lutheran school, some direct from Holland and some from no school at all, as their behaviour had caused them to be expelled from the public schools, but of which the parents hoped that the little Holland school could at least make something.
With this group we started to work. It became evident at once that order and discipline were the first requirements. Needless to say that the rod played an important role in this proceeding, but we at least attained order and made a beginning. We can truthfully say that we had very little complaints of parents and very fine cooperation of tbe school board and the society.
Our salary was $400.00 per year from which we had to rent our own house. The school term was eleven months, with a week vacation at Christmas. The summer vacation was during the month of August. The sentiment at that time was that vacations were not good for children as it only got them into mischief, and the teachers work was so easy that he really needed no vacation at all. With an intermission of about eight months during which time Mr. H. K. Fortuin took over we continued with the school until November, 1902 when sickness and other circumstances caused our resignation.
Mr. Masselink, a student, but who needed some money, finished the school year. We then got in touch with Mr. De Koning, a graduate teacher who had just immigrated to this country from South Africa. Him we engaged at Forty dollars per month. His English was poor but he was a good teacher and brought our school out of the chaos of the past onto a more solid footing. It was Mr. De Koning who convinced the school board that the work was too much for one teacher and got them to appoint Miss Vork of E. Saugatuck as assistant.
As other speakers will give some facts of the later history I will stop here. A few words yet as to the instruction in those pioneer years.
From the very first it was emphasized that this was a Christian school. The teacher stressed obedience to the law of God and the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom to such an extent, that we feel now, that the instruction for which a school is erected was often lost sight of. However, the fact that a part of those first classes were more mission subjects than covenant conscious Christian children must suffice as explanation for the fact that Bible knowledge and moral discipline plus a little of the three R's constituted the course of study in those days. As the teacher also had to give part of his time to teach Holland one can easily imagine how low the standard of knowledge remained.
Financially also things were low. A man in the factory was getting $1.15 or $1.25 per day for a ten-hour day, no wonder that the school treaury too felt the effects. How the board had to struggle to get the small salary together, and school equipment was wanting altogether. Many parents began to consider the school a burden and some even withdrew. But there was also at that time a remnant of faithful who knew the power of prayer and understood that help for God's people comes from above.
It is our conviction that our school was from the beginning on, and we trust it still is, a subject of earnest and believing prayer. As we look back and see how from a little acorn a very sizeable tree has grown and how our school has through the years been an ever greater influence in our home and church and personal lives, we cannot fail to see that it is the goodness and faithfulness of our covenant God who has led us through storm and sunshine and brought us in His favor to this happy hour. To God alone be all the praise.
|
- The year was 1898
- The meeting was a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands . The commitment was a strong desire to do the Lord's work
- The concern was their love for their children
- The challenge was how to combine all of the above and teach these values to their children
The result of that August 1898 meeting was the formation of a society to begin a Christian day school in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. There was no building, no teachers, and the start of the school year was very near. The first order of business was to hire their first employee. Mr. Peter Verhulst had a salary of $400 per year. The next problem was where to hold classes. This was solved since the Christian Reformed Church building was being raised and they could use the basement as their first classroom. Mr. Verhulst commented: "When we entered the school the first morning, we found a large bare room, 30 x 40 feet, newly and roughly plastered, a large round oak stove in the center, but no fire. The seats were made of a rough lumber by members of the society, modeled after some benches in Holland the century before. The group of children who gathered outside, about 60 in number ranged in ages from 6 to 16. With this group we started our work. It became evident that order and discipline were the first requirements. Needless to say, the rod played an important role in this processing."
Since it was known that vacations are not good for children, and teachers work was so easy, it was decided that the original school term would be eleven months with a weeks vacation at Christmas. The summer vacation was the month of August.
In the years that followed many teachers came and went, in fact, one of the school board presidents commented "teachers came and went like migratory birds", The teaching continued uninterrupted and the first class graduated on May 20, 1909.
A new Christian Reformed Church was built in 1905. This enabled the school to use the old building which served their needs until 1912. January 2, 1912, the new school, on the comer of 3rd and Lincoln Avenue was dedicated. In the fall of the same year a home for the principal was contracted to be built.
By 1921 enrollment was up to 137 and a fourth teacher had to be added. Already in 1922 the subject of the 9th grade was discussed. Also in 1922 the first Bazaar was held in November of that year with a net profit of $1,255.
In 1923 Mr. Henry Kuiper became the principal, a fifth teacher was added and monthly report cards came into practice.
The shortage of classrooms continued and in early 1925 a "portable building" was purchased
for $1314, and served the school for 25 years. By 1926 the enrollment was up to 175 and the land was purchased for a new school site on Euclid Avenue.
1930 brought a major change to the school, the end of teaching in the Dutch language.
Enrollment continued to climb, 1930-198 students, 1932-200 students.
By 1939 the school property was paid for and in 1942 a $5,000 Building Fund Campaign was started for future needs, this was followed by a 2 year campaign in 1944 to raise $7,500.
Building drive and additions followed in October of 1950 at the school society meeting it was voted to construct a new 6-room school and assembly room with a kitchen at a cost of $102,476.00.
The ground breaking for the new school took place on January 2, 1951, with dedication being held October 10, 1951.
By August of 1956 approval was given to proceed with the addition of 2 more rooms at a cost of $35,000.00 - followed with another all purpose room addition at a cost of $40,000.00
By 1959 the staff numbered 10 .
In 1967 the Woman's Auxiliary, formerly the Ebenezer Sewing Circle took over the building debt of $20,000.00 and retired the debt in only 3 years, then continued by financing a $5,000.00 seven room renovation project.
In April of 1973 the date was set to celebrate the 75th Anniversary for September of that year.
September 15,1973, 75th Anniversary Banquet was held with the address given by Rev. Bernard Pekelder (class of 1936).
November 8, 1973, the 75th Anniversary Program was held with Dr. Joel Nederhood speaking.
March 31, 1975, saw the 9th grade discontinued, due to a four year program at Sheboygan County Christian High School.
May 1976 the loyalty drive had donations and pledges of $10,600.00.
165 students were enrolled for the 1976-77 school year.
June of 1979 at the Annual meeting The Women's Auxiliary was thanked for paying for new lockers, taking over the note for new ceilings and lights, and a large contribution to the Loyalty
Drive. The Parent's Club was thanked for purchasing a new piano, funding sports activities and Bibles for graduation.
Registration for the 1979-1980 school year was 198 students.
1985 the Promotion Committee felt they could not do an effective job of promoting the school if classes were held to minimum of 25 students, so no class sizes were put into effect.
In the 1985-86 school year we had 192 students, 32 of them being in kindergarten. Jeannine Voskuil was hired as a kindergarten assistant.
1986 Sheboygan Christian School Foundation was proposed, adopted and implemented. Also in the same year a Long Range Planning Committee of 6 members was formed.
June of 1986 Sue Leynse retired after teaching for 29 years.
September of 1986 Visa or Master Charge cards were accepted for ways to
pay your school tuition. Also in the same month the Auxiliary promised to support the school with an $11,500.00 pledge towards property repayment, roof debt and floor scrubbing equipment.
April of 1987 $10,000.00 in pledges from the Loyalty Drive and a gift of $1500.00 was received.
September of 1988 "Project Business" was started by Russ Otten.
July of 1989 a new code appear in the School Handbook called, Dress and Appearances. "Even as there is appropriate clothing for church, for baseball, for gym classes, hunting and the like, so to there is appropriate clothing for school. Good taste would prohibit immodest attire which is too short, too skimpy, too tight, or too big. In this case, the good taste of the school staff and not the good taste of the student is the standard that will be maintained. "
June 1990 saw the election of the first woman, Cindy Buteyn, to the school board.
September of 1990, 12 students were enrolled in the new 4 year old Kindergarten program The band had 50 students participating. Teachers expressed a need for more space to hold classrooms and programs in (they were meeting in the basement and locker rooms)
October of 1990 the first "Apple Pie" days began.
April of 1991 it was voted on to proceed with an addition of 3 classrooms and a bathroom/locker to the school, and additional remodeling in the school.
November of 1992, 5 teams from the school will participate in the Odyssey of the Mind program. The school council service project will help the Christian Schools devastated by Hurricane Andrew in Miami, Rorida.
School Budget for the 1992-1993 school year is $386,700.00.
May 1993, the Loyalty Drive raised $12,500.00.
January 1994, the school received, for the first time, accreditation for Wisconsin Nonpublic School Association. We are now one of 120 nonpublic schools in Wisconsin (out of a possible 900 nonpublic schools) which has received accreditation.
May 1994 Odyssey of the Mind. All groups placed in the top 3 in each class. Five groups will go to the state competition, under the direction of Nancy Sneller. Fifty students are involved from 4th-8th grade.
March of 1995 a Mission Statement was adopted.
February, 1997 approval of 3year old Kindergarten and Day Care.
May of 1998 day care is offered for children up to 3rd grade until 5:30PM.
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