Welcome New Board Member: Angela Wessels
Name: Angela Wessels
Spouse’s Name: Ryan Wessels
Church Affiliation: 1st CRC Oostburg
Family Information: Ryan and I have been married for 17 years, he is from Chicagoland and I am from Sheboygan. I attended SCS on Geele Ave. K-8th grade, then graduated from SCCHS. We have two children, Bruce (in Kindergarten at SCS), and Evangeline (3 years old, will start 3k at SCS in the fall). We live in the Oostburg area.
Employment Information: I am self-employed and contract with Life Point Counseling, where I am an outpatient mental health provider. I have been in the mental health field for 15 years, providing counseling for 10 of those years. My practice focuses on adults, helping clients integrate their faith into counseling sessions, trauma, and first responders. Ryan is employed at Acuity as their Director of Cyber Security.
Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with: I served on the SCCHS board from 2011-2014 during a very difficult time in the school’s history. At church I volunteer in nursery, do meal ministry, and teach Sunday school. Previously I have served on the pastoral care committee and served with my husband as high school youth group leaders.
What do you like most about SCS? I love that SCS is wholly committed to Christ-centered excellence in education. I also love how the faculty and staff are passionate about their walk with Christ, and truly care about the students.
Why did your family choose SCS over other schools? We believe SCS to be the best combination of faith-based education and educational excellence.
What do you think is the most important goal for SCS? I think the most important goal for SCS is to maintain high standards of academic excellence, while also being a solidly Biblical, Christ-centered school and community. The phrase “iron sharpens iron” comes to mind – we must continue to spur each other on to further excellence in serving families and the community in this way.
If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? This is a fantastic question – when I attended SCCHS, and during my previous board term, the goal was visibility to increase enrollment. This is no longer the case. I believe the goal of visibility now becomes to be a witness in the local and greater community. We get to demonstrate that something special happens when you pair academic rigor with strong Christian foundations and faith formation. Social media is the predominant way to reach people and show them this, so continuing to do this with intentionality is a good goal. However, what really impacts people is word of mouth. Strong community that is passionate about the school is also vital.
Why did you accept the nomination to serve our community on the School Board? As mentioned, I did serve on the board in the past and it was a growing experience in a variety of ways. With having a child in Kindergarten, I get to see the dynamic changes that have occurred since my board term ended. I want to be a part of it – there is so much good going on here and it is contagious. I believe that “to whom much is given, much is required”. I want to use my gifts how I can, and I feel like this is a way that he is calling me to serve.