PWA Spring 2025 : simplebooklet.com

2025 ISSUE PWA 3Passion4 // “Keep Putting into Practice” 5 // A Lofty Goal7 // Business is Booming! 8 // Peter Durst (’10): A Hallmark for Success 9 // Dramatic Developments in ShowPro10 // 80s Vintage11 // Gifts of Welding and PoetryWonder12 // Liz Blaauwendraat (’90): A Journey with Many Paths 13 // These Times Define Us 14 // Living Stories 15 // For the Beauty of the Earth16 // A Life Cut Short: New Novel by Magdalena Vanderkooy 17 // Temporary Can Be Beautiful Awe18 // “Strange are the Uses of Adversity” 19 // Sounds of Sustainability: Investing in Music @ TDChristian 20 // Cosmic Volleyball 21 // God’s Blessings through 47 Years23 // Upcoming EventsLEARN MORE AT REDEEMER.CAYour Future is CallingThe world is full of noise,pushing in every direction. Find your way forward and prepare for a career while exploring what it means to reflect the love of Jesus Christ wherever you go, in whatever you do. Turn down the volume and listen closely.EDITOR / PRINCIPAL William GrootPRODUCTION / ADVANCEMENT Leanne FernhoutCOMMUNICATIONS Victoria VeenstraDESIGNER Devon J Andrew Design Inc.COPY EDITOR Debbie SawczakIN THIS ISSUEAt TDChristian, we learn for service in the light of God’s word. To serve God and neighbours well, our learning needs to impact people inside and outside of our school. That’s why we host a Business Fair, open our doors for Presentations Days, send students to the Philippines, and encourage students to take on large projects like canoe building (see front cover and page 5). The late Alice Vanderkooy (1952-2022), long-serving former teacher at TDChristian, understood the importance of impactful learning. That’s why she initiated the Project Fund for Deserving TDChristian Initiatives, a fund that provides monies for experiential and project-based learning. It enables students to learn in ways that both reﬂect and help shape who they are as God’s imagebearers as they engage people both inside and outside of the school. Last year’s Ascension album and this year’s 2000 Candles production are two impactful projects that beneﬁted from the fund. My hope is that this edition of PWA will delight you, as well as inspire you to invest in the Project Fund that Alice initiated. EDITOR / PRINCIPAL William GrootPWACOVER PHOTO CREDIT: William Groot FEATURING: Caleb Bellsmith presents the canoe project at the Winter Open House. Read more on page 5.CONTACTTDChristian High School377 Woodbridge AvenueWoodbridge, ON L4L 2V7 905-851-1772info@tdchristian.caLetter from the EditorStudents collaborating in the libraryFrom 2000 Candles

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4 PWA 2025 ISSUEPassionThis year’s theme, inspired by Philippians 4:4-9, is a directive Paul makes to the Philippians: “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.” It’s important to apply faith, skills, and service to what we do and how we learn. We want our students to make a meaningful impact on each other, on their communities, and throughout the world. TDChristian’s focus of learning for service in the light of God’s Word means providing an education that goes beyond academics, encouraging students to live out their faith in practical ways. Your donation to the “Keep Putting into Practice” Annual Appeal is designed to empower students by expanding opportunities for experiential learning, community service, and leadership development. “At TDChristian, we are committed to helping students bring their learning and faith to life,” Principal William Groot explains. “We want our students to grow in their skills and their desire to serve God and their neighbour by shining God’s light wherever they go.” In conjunction with the theme, our Annual Appeal focuses on raising funds to support programs that make a lasting diﬀerence in students’ lives. The impact of TDChristian’s approach is reﬂected in the heartfelt stories of its graduates. Sharing her gratitude for the school’s inﬂuence in her life, Candilina Prathipati (’24) said, “Attending TDChristian was a blessing. I met lifelong friends, created unforgettable memories, and gained invaluable experiences that will stay with me forever. The opportunities and support I received have had a profound impact on my life.” Similarly, alumna Sierra (VanZeumeren) Kooy (’15), who came to the school to present the Glenn VanZeumeren (’85) Award, reﬂected on her high school experience: “Every time I leave, I’m ﬂooded with such fond and special memories. The teachers and staﬀ at TD invested not only in my academic success, but also in my emotional, mental, and spiritual growth. It’s a place where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to grow in every aspect of life.” With these stories in mind, the school invites you to support the “Keep Putting into Practice” Annual Appeal. “We need our community’s partnership to continue programs that help students live out their faith and develop the skills they need to serve others,” adds Associate Principal Joel Dykxhoorn. “Together we can help students bring their learning to life and have a positive impact in the world.” This spring, watch for “Every Story Begins with You,” suggesting ten diﬀerent ways you can support the school. Read more in this issue of PWA about how students are putting their faith into practice and the impact you can have.“Keep Putting into Practice”To learn more or to donate, visit tdchristian.ca/donate

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2025 ISSUE PWA 5W hat is 16 feet long, weighs around 60 pounds, and lives in the loft above the stage area in the school gym? A canoe, of course! For Grade 12 STEM students Aiden Stewart, Caleb Bellsmith, and Jake De Kleer, this all started after the Semester 1 mid-terms. Why would they want to make a canoe? Caleb’s philosophy is, “You can take raw materials and build them into something beautiful... why not?” Jake chose the canoe because “it’s a cool project that I can use and enjoy for a long time.” The goal is to take it on a trip this coming summer. According to Mr. Godber, they already had some wood on hand, and they’re into canoeing and camping, so the project was a great ﬁt. In STEM class, there are many assignments where students can set their own course, so an ambitious project like this ﬁts right in. Interestingly, Mr. Godber also made a canoe when he was in high school, a project he says was a unique experience that stood out in his past job interviews. While it may seem excessive to start the project six months out from summer, Mr. Godber suggests that making a canoe is harder than it looks. “When you build a house, the foundation takes a long time,” he says, and so do some parts of a canoe. Caleb mentions that “there’s no danger of us ﬁnishing before [the lakes thaw].” They deﬁnitely have enough work to pass the time: after clearing out the loft space above the school gym, they made the strongback and molds, and milled the cedar to create thin strips; now they’re planking those to the frame. Every step requires precision, because “paying attention to the really small details makes a really big diﬀerence,” says Caleb. The planking stage is Caleb’s favourite aspect so far, because “it’s really fast progress that you get to see.” Getting to make it with his friends is Jake’s favourite part. After planking, they’ll apply the ﬁnish, which involves a ﬁbreglass coating, sanding, and epoxy. They’ll also add seats and gunwales. Though STEM class wrapped up in January, these students are still going strong, working on their project during lunches. This has allowed Caleb to appreciate the scope of the work required by the project, and the fact that millimetres make a diﬀerence. He’s thankful to be able to give all the glory to God, and says, “any form of work or art done to amazingness, or the best you can, is honouring to him.” Mr. Godber continues to support this long-term project, believing that “if you’re making anything, you’re learning, and if you’re passionate about what you’re making, you’ll learn more.”JULIA JOPLING is a thoughtful, focussed, and intentional fifth-year student who relishes challenges.BY JULIA JOPLINGA LOFTY GOAL There’s no danger of us ﬁnishing before [the lakes thaw].“

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2025 ISSUE PWA 7TDChristian’s Business Fair transformed the school into a vibrant marketplace of ideas and innovation. Throughout the semester, students dedicated hours to developing their business concepts, reﬁning their pitches, and creating compelling advertisements. All this hard work culminated in a trade-show event that showcased their creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. Parents, teachers, and classmates were treated to an impressive array of innovative business ideas as they wandered through the bustling fair. “The Business Fair wasn’t just an assignment—it was real-world experience in action,” said teacher Laura Girgenti, who played a key role in coordinating this learning opportunity. “Our students learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and they delivered! From idea to execution, they took ownership of their businesses and made it happen. The energy, innovation, and eﬀort they brought to the fair were next-level.” One student, Noah Kim, shared his enthusiasm about the event: “The Business Fair was a great experience that really simulated what a trade show would look like. I have nothing but positive things to say about it, and my experience was phenomenal. I learned how to tie something I’m passionate about into a product that could actually sell in the real sports market. My presentation skills were put to the test, with parents and students constantly coming to my booth and asking questions about my company and business. Fortunately, I was well prepared, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience that I highly recommend participating in.” Martina Bilotta’s exhibit, The Donut Shop, also attracted a steady stream of visitors. Reﬂecting on her experience, Martina said, “Attending our school’s Business Fair is an incredibly valuable experience, whether you’re a student, staﬀ member, or parent. It provided me with real-world insights into what it means to start and run a business. What stood out to me most was the opportunity to improve my communication skills, especially when pitching my business idea to others. One key takeaway from this experience was the importance of passion and self-belief. Many of the people I spoke with, both students and adults, asked if both business and baking were passions of mine, to which my answer was yes. This immersive experience gave me a deeper understanding of what it takes to have a successful business, and helped me realize that entrepreneurship is a path I’m excited to pursue in the future.” A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who supported these budding entrepreneurs. The future of business looks bright at TDChristian!The Business Fair wasn’t just an assignment—it was real-world experience in action.”“Business FairBusiness is Booming! NoahMartina

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8 PWA 2025 ISSUEPassionIt’s a chilly fall afternoon on set, and Peter is helping direct extras into their places for the next shot. He is an assistant director for a production company that shoots numerous made-for-TV movies—including, notably, the Life Network and Hallmark channels. Today is special. Four TDChristian grads have been invited to come to the set. One of them, Miraya (’11), contacted Peter so that her friend Jani (’11), who is a Hallmark Christmas movie junkie, might come to see ﬁlming in A Hamark of SuccessPeter Durst “Maybe if you just stand over in this corner, that’d be great.” BY RICHARD PETERS person. Peter shocked these alumnae by getting them both, along with two other friends, Brianna (’11) and Rhiannon (’11), into the movie as background players. He even arranged that Jani and Miraya be positioned in a shot in such a way as to guarantee they’d be visible on screen in the ﬁnal product. In addition to casting background parts and assistant-directing, Peter has worn many hats, even that of producer at one point. He credits TDChristian with helping him to be ﬂexible enough to take on any artistic challenge. “I was pretty much a jock coming into TD, and through improv and the school shows I got to explore talents I didn’t even know I had. After high school I took a bunch of career paths—at one point I was going to be a ﬁreﬁghter—but then this opportunity came up and I had the conﬁdence to make the most of it.”RICHARD PETERS, teacher, actor, and director, loves dreaming of possibilities almost as much as his students.‘@

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2025 ISSUE PWA 9This year, TDChristian’s ShowPro class staged 2000 Candles. The ShowPro program is important because it brings the wider community together to witness and celebrate the creative arts, and it cultivates students’ gifts for performance and expression. But more than this, students often discover new insights about themselves and develop new maturity and perspective. Amaryn VanDonkersgoed memorably portrayed the Prophet in 2000 Candles. Reﬂecting on her experience in the class, she realized, “The big thing I’m still learning is not to be so judgy—to be more patient, forgiving, and understanding.” To do so, she concluded, she had to step out of her own shoes. “Maybe they have diﬀerent priorities than me, or perhaps they’re still getting the hang of the craziness that is theatre, or life in general. This is my third production at TD, and my 18th year of life; I’ve got some more experience than others in this class. It’s unfair to expect the same from them as from me.” Once she made room for others, she discovered she needed to show herself the same grace. “I’ve also judged myself in similar ways. But I deserve the same kindness and grace from myself as all these people do. We’re all just human.” Recognizing that no one can be perfect allowed her to enjoy the experience of ShowPro while “having fun and appreciating this incredible opportunity and incredible group of people.” “I had never taken a drama class or sung in front of anyone before 2000 Candles,” admits Sophia Lorimer, who portrayed Mary; she also sang solos, danced, and played piano in the show. Sophia realizes now that she would never have considered doing anything like this before, because she was her own harshest judge. “This mindset made it hard for me to understand that sharing my hobbies and gifts might be something people want to hear and appreciate.” But in her past four years at TD, the encouragement of teachers and peers helped her begin to value her skills. “My friends could see from my personality that ShowPro was something I’d be suited for,” she notes, “and I’m so glad they pushed me towards it.” Now, her perspective on sharing her gifts has changed. “It’s something I had always felt called towards, so I’m glad I ﬁnally got out of my head and let myself take a shot at it.” In the end, she says, “Being part of this chaos is one of the best decisions I made here at TD.”Only 50 seats remain to be purchased for the Presentation Centre. Support Kristina’s Wish today. tdchristian.ca/donateDRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS IN SHOWPRO AmarynSophia

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10 PWA 2025 ISSUESGuess who owns Olde Town Library on Hugel Avenue in Midland, Ontario: Al (’87) and Rachel (’88) (Vroom) Suke! These entrepreneurs, who also run a bed & breakfast in Penetanguishene, have transformed Midland’s Carnegie Library (opened in 1914) into a store selling antiques, home décor, and vintage items. It also incorporates a café. At the end of a process that began in 2016, the eclectic and charming establishment opened in July of the following year. Items featured include mid-century modern (MCM) and vintage décor, unusual antiques and furniture, clothing, vinyl records, and old books; in the store’s Carnegie Café, patrons can enjoy a fresh pastry with a delicious coﬀee or hot cocoa. Rachel and Al’s hospitality makes a visit to Olde Town Library a memorable experience! After Grade 13, Al, a Richmond Hill kid, went to York University for political science; his “minor”, he says, was darts. Rachel, who grew up in Orangeville, attended Calvin College (now University) with her TDCH bestie, Monica (Eisses) Wohlgemuth. She graduated with a communications degree in 1994. She and Al met post-TDCH in the summer of 1992 and, after a long-distance relationship, married in 1994. From 1992 until 1995 Al worked with his dad at Ridgetop Chemicals, until his dad sold the business. After ﬁve years in a variety of sales and marketing positions, Al began his own business, Rally Distributors, in 2000. Given her creative ﬂair, Rachel worked in media for 10 years, including acting in commercials and on TV. The family grew to four with the arrivals of Trista (’14) in 1996 and Riley in 1999, who attended TDChristian for three years. The seeds for the Sukes’ Midland store were sown in 2005 after they renovated a barn on their property in Palgrave. They began selling antiques and vintage items out of the Barn on 9, as it was christened. Then, as Riley was completing high school, Al found the property that became the Olde Town Library. What Rachel and Al really enjoy about their work is interacting with diﬀerent wonderful people and hunting down one-of-a-kind originals. The pandemic prompted them to expand their business to the Etsy platform, where people can ﬁnd and purchase higher-end antiques and one-of-a-kind items through the OldeTownCurioShop. Looking back at their TDChristian years, Al and Rachel are particularly thankful for the great friendships that were forged then. And, in retrospect, they recognize the signiﬁcance of attending a high school that reinforces Christian conduct and values. Equally important, Al and Rachel see this reﬂected in Trista and Riley, too.80s Vintage PassionWhat Rachel and Al really enjoy about their work is interacting with dierent wonderful people and hunting down one-of-a-kind originals.“

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2025 ISSUE PWA 11The vision of Christian education is not to shelter our children from the world, but to educate students who are ready to be in the world, serving as excellent Christian lawyers, excellent Christian engineers, excellent Christian chefs, excellent Christian nurses—and the list goes on to include every vocation in every corner of the earth. Student Sam Hayhoe is going to be an excellent Christian welder. As part of Internship Block in Grade 11, he had a placement at Simco MTI, which specializes in custom-built farm equipment for the Holland Marsh. He so impressed his boss, Alex Makarenko, that he was hired to work there over the summer and now plans to complete his Grade 12 Co-op there as well. He is a highly skilled, hard-working, adaptable, and capable person who absolutely loves his work. In other words, he’s the kind of excellent employee that every employer wants on the job. Our school curriculum is engineered to teach us creativity, problem-solving, communication, and skills in many disciplines. In other words, school is designed to prepare students to be good workers. However, it often doesn’t spend a lot of time discussing how to live wisely and well. In Families in Canada, the capstone Grade 12 Perspective course, teacher John Terpstra led the class through a study in Ecclesiastes. After working through the themes of this diﬃcult book, Sam Gifts of Welding and Poetry responded with a poem, which reads, in part: Modern science backs ancient biblical wisdom in suggesting that if you are on the “hedonic treadmill” chasing after status, power, and wealth, you are much more likely to be unhappy, unhealthy, and unfulﬁlled. Education that focuses on how to live wisely gives students time to think about how everything we do is part of a greater purpose and a higher vision. An excellent Christian welder recognizes that his worth and status as a human are not tied to what he can do and what he can earn—and that both welding and poetry are gifts from God to his people.SEAN VAN EERDEN has taught students about writing, service, and the nuance of understatement for 22 years.BY SEAN VAN EERDEN Your efforts to be somebody are worth nothing Your earthly possessions are worth nothing Everything you do in the name of the world is worth nothing If you focus on being that guy, that effort is worth nothing But if your heart is set on Christ And your actions done in God’s name Your efforts will be worth everything The light you shine now to the people you meet Will be your legacy pointing to Jesus

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12 PWA 2025 ISSUE‘WonderLIZ BLAAUWENDRAAT A Journey with Many PathsLiz and her twin sister Allison entered Grade 9 in 1986. Their brothers, Arno and Perry Weststeyn, preceded them. “As a student,” says Liz, “I was excited to come to TD, and along with education, enjoyed an active, if not somewhat distracting, social life. It was not until after graduation that I experienced the deep sense of community, with the sudden death of my father. Teachers came to his visitation, and for years after, they would ask about my mom. This sense of being known, remembered, and cared about, had a deep impact on me well into adulthood.” In 1996, Liz married John Blaauwendraat (’87). Their shared experience of Christian education instilled in them a desire to serve in God’s kingdom, and to provide the same opportunity for their children, Anders and Avery. As Anders was completing his time at Halton Hills Christian School, Liz and John visited TDChristian with him. It was “genuinely like coming home, with warm welcomes from familiar faces; we knew instantly that this was where our children needed to be.” Both Anders (’18) and Avery (’21) “had great experiences as students, developed lifelong friendships, and were able to grow deeper in their faith.” Besides church and school involvement, John and Liz pursued their passion for serving in developing countries. They work with small international development projects, including Big Village, a small social enterprise supporting communities in Ghana, West Africa. Liz and John believe that sustainable business practices, such as fair trade, can help alleviate poverty by providing dignity and opportunities for the poor. Liz became a TDChristian Board member in 2018. “I was able to witness the roots of this community, with dedicated board members, staﬀ, and teachers working diligently behind the scenes to move the vision and mission of TD forward in prayer and practice. I saw the foundation of a community in which each person is seen as a brother and sister in Christ, and where grace, patience, and loving discipline are extended and used to develop, build, and strengthen relationships.”In 2020, Liz led the devotions at the livestreamed Project 20/20 Dedication and Celebration. She used Deuteronomy 7:9 to remind us of God’s faithfulness to, and blessing on, the TDChristian community: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”In November 2024, Liz ﬁnished six years on the Board. Her unwavering focus was to create and maintain a school where each student and each family could experience the sense of community she has.

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2025 ISSUE PWA 13Everyone encounters at least one crucial moment in their life; it can change who we are for the better, or it can crush us. Sometimes we overlook the impact of such moments on our mental health, our ideologies, and our lifestyles. The most critical event in my life occurred a year after my birth, when my younger sister Nancy was born. The left atrium of her heart wasn’t fully developed. She was transferred to Sick Kids Hospital, where she underwent a surgical technique called pulmonary artery banding. Having recently arrived from America, we spent our ﬁrst Christmas and New Year’s in Canada in the hospital. Nancy was very sick; the doctors told my parents she needed a heart transplant, but it was risky. It was a hard decision for my parents, but their faith in God was strong, so they proceeded. Five months after Nancy was born, she had a heart transplant. She continues to live on medication, her brain isn’t fully developed for her age, and she’s had many organ-related issues, but Nancy remains a living testimony of God’s grace in our family.Nancy’s transplant was extremely impactful on my life, driving the way I lived and what I believed. Without Nancy, I’d probably be a completely diﬀerent person with diﬀerent goals. Although I’m not yet fully sure what I want to pursue, all those hospital visits sparked in me an interest in medicine. Her transplant motivates me to strive for success in all I do, and her life has inspired my faith in God. The fact she’s alive today is a seal on the promise that nothing is impossible with God.One of the biggest questions I ask myself is “What if?” Where would I be now, what would I be like, how would my life be diﬀerent, if it weren’t for Nancy? Maybe we would have moved back to India after a few years in Canada, because India is so sacred and special to my parents—their These Times Define Uscountry of birth. Or would we have moved to America again? Would my faith be as strong? I think I would have drifted away, since I wouldn’t have cared as much about my relationship with Christ.The point is that everything that happens has a purpose. There may be times when I wonder “What if?”; but we move on. Big or small, each event can be a turning point, one that allows for growth and can play a huge part in deﬁning a life.ALLEN MADDU, Grade 12, is a connector who brings positivity, perspective, and pleasure to peers and teachers. BY ALLEN MADDU Nancy Maddu

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14 PWA 2025 ISSUEGuelph to study landscape architecture. After ﬁnishing her degree in 2022, she has become a skilled landscape designer and estimator, helping clients bring their visions to life and creating beautiful spaces from their ideas. Julianna notes that collaboration and cooperation are essential in the high-pressure business world. She learned both skills as well as teamwork through four years of high school soccer and from her Grade 11 International Block course. She’s happy to report that the learning she started at TDChristian continues on the job sites she visits, as well as through the extended education classes she’s taking to learn computer design. The Nyhof-Young family is grateful for their experiences at TDChristian and for the way those experiences continue to bear fruit in their lives.WILLIAM GROOT enjoys interacting with people (especially teenagers) in ways that remind him of God’s goodness in people.Li v i n g S t o r i e sWonderWhat do people learn from their TDChristian years that continues to resonate in their lives for years afterwards? PWA interviewed the Nyhof-Young family to ﬁnd out. Joyce Nyhof (’78) attended TDCH in the mid-70s. An ardent reader, she explored the world through stories. As the eldest child from a postwar immigrant family, she gained the gift of Christian education through the sacriﬁces of her parents. Joyce found wonder in science, and remains awed by how both mathematics and literature can explain the world. TDCH’s generalist education continues to reverberate in her work as an education scientist and professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and at Women’s College Hospital. Joyce notes, “Generalist training is even more important now than it was years ago. It provides skills and understanding that help students adapt to uncertainty and change.” Struck by the teachers’ passion during Grade 8 Day in 2008, Joyce’s husband Tom Young, an ecologist, became excited about enrolling their daughter Elizabeth (’13). Through parent/guardian volunteer hours, he saw ﬁrsthand the diverse learning opportunities available—both practical and academic. For example, in 2012, Elizabeth arranged a trip for the Grade 10 Environmental Block class to plant over 700 trees on one of Tom’s construction sites. It was a muddy, rainy day in late October—but the students ﬁnished the job! In 2018, Elizabeth completed a concurrent degree in elementary education at the University of Toronto. Seven years later, she is in her second year as a permanent teacher in Toronto’s inner city. Looking back, Elizabeth recognizes that her student-teaching in E-Block, and in International Block in the Dominican Republic, were pivotal for her acceptance into the concurrent program. Tom and Joyce’s younger daughter Julianna (’16), attended the University of Living Stories BY WILLIAM GROOTJulianna and Elizabeth

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2025 ISSUE PWA 15Last fall, Faith Today, the national magazine published by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, included an article featuring an interview with two TDChristian students, Mia Macoretta and Adriana Verkaik. In the article “Faith-based community gardens build trust and skills,” author Irene-Grace Bom highlighted six garden projects across Canada initiated by Christian organizations, including TDChristian’s.“There’s a perception out there that Christians aren’t environmentalists,” says Environmental Block teacher Ben Freeman, “and she wanted to counter that idea by showing Christians gardening.”TDChristian’s community garden was selected to bring attention to the environmental activities of today’s Christian youth. When Bom contacted Freeman in the spring of 2024, he directed her to Mia and Adriana because of their intensive work with composting. “And we’re a good team. We kinda work together well,” Mia adds.“Ms. Bom emailed back and forth with us in the spring,” Adriana reports. Together, the girls wrote four pages of correspondence with Bom, astutely answering all questions about the school’s garden, the composting program, and E-Block’s other projects on the school property. “Then we didn’t hear back from her for a few months,” Adriana admits, and they wondered if anything was going to happen. But that fall, Bom reconnected, and the article was published in November. “You had to trust the process,” Mia observes. “It took a long time, but then she ﬁnished it, and she incorporated all the things we said, in a shorter form.”And the wait was worth it. Both Adriana and Mia agree that seeing their words and contributions in print was very fulﬁlling. “I think it was pretty cool to see all the pictures of past students who were in E-Block, along with our names in it,” Mia says. “And it’s a hard copy, so you can ﬂip through it; that’s pretty amazing.”“It was kind of a surprise too,” Adriana notes. “Mr. Freeman just appeared in front of us one day and gave us a copy.” Both believe it’s good to get the For the Beauty of the Earth word out on what goes on in E-Block. “I want to go into environmental or sustainability studies when I’m older,” says Mia, “so this course really helped me connect with nature. We got to help the worms we use for composting, which is just a small part of what we can do for the environment. It’s good to get a lot of experience with the outdoor world.” Adriana also values the community in E-Block. “It’s not just the environmental work we do; it’s also the people and the environment we create together in the class.”JOEL WESTERHOF delights in student projects that reveal thought, introspection, and unfettered creativity.BY JOEL WESTERHOFAdriana and Mia composting in E-Block

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16 PWA 2025 ISSUETrudy faced, making it particularly compelling for young adult readers. It has resonated with many, and Vanderkooy’s hope is that it will spark meaningful intergenerational dialogue. “There are so few books about growing up in Canada as a Dutch immigrant in the Reformed tradition,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons I felt Trudy’s story was an important one to write.” Readers and critics alike have praised A Life Cut Short for its emotional depth and historical relevance. Ken Setterington, co-author of A Guide to Canadian Children’s Books, says, “It’s hard to put down...Vanderkooy is to be congratulated on such a powerful book.” The book is available in the TDChristian library, oﬀering students a chance to engage with Trudy’s story and reﬂect on their own experiences. Vanderkooy said, “My wish for TDCH students is that they will recognize the importance of their own stories and will be inspired to write them too.”VICTORIA VEENSTRA, Communications Coordinator, enjoys connections, variety, and telling stories of God’s faithfulness.WonderMagdalena Vanderkooy, a former English teacher and librarian at TDChristian from 1978 to 1980, has recently published a powerful book titled A Life Cut Short. This compelling work of biographical ﬁction is based on the true story of her sister Trudy, whose life was profoundly shaped by immigration, family responsibility, and illness. Trudy was the eldest daughter in a family of ten children when they immigrated to southern Ontario from the Netherlands in 1955. As the family expanded to 13 members, she carried a heavy burden in helping them settle into their new home. However, just three years after arriving, Trudy was diagnosed with a terminal illness, drastically altering the course of her young life. A Life Cut Short recounts Trudy’s experience as an immigrant teenager navigating a new country, as an older sister in a traditional Dutch family, and as a young woman facing an illness that set her apart from her peers. Written from Trudy’s perspective, Vanderkooy’s book allows readers to connect deeply with her journey. The novel captures the emotional, social, and spiritual challenges A LIFE CUT SHORT New Novel by Magdalena Vanderkooy It has resonated with many, and Vanderkooy’s hope is that it will spark meaningful intergenerational dialogue. “BY VICTORIA VEENSTRA

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2025 ISSUE PWA 17Mr. Brown’s senior Art class produced prints that were ripped up and destroyed as fast as they could be created: the Christmas play 2000 Candles, directed by Richard Peters, required eight shows’ worth of wrapping paper for a stack of presents that would be opened during the play and destroyed. What’s the point of creating art that is only temporary? Reﬂecting on this question, student Elena Natividad suggests that “art is about the process,” and if it were all about the product, artists would ﬁnd equal satisfaction in typing in the correct AI prompt to generate a comparable result. According to Elena, “There is beauty and value in the process.” The process involved each student in the class creating a Christmas-themed template, like a nativity scene, a Christmas calendar, or a choir of angels, with the requirement that the prints have connecting elements to unify the repeated pattern. When the templates were designed, the students applied colour to them and ﬁlled long rolls of paper with their repeating image. Thus, the blank, brown paper became wrapping paper to be used in the performances of the play. Although Elena was initially hesitant about the speed with which she and her classmates had to work, she found that it was ultimately a liberating process, because she learned to be content with imperfections. Mr. Brown said, “Creating art that is temporary is a great exercise, because there’s a tendency to be precious about our work, which can hold students back from getting into the practice of art. Most art doesn’t end up on the wall, but it informs what does.” Mr. Brown noted an interesting connection between art made to be ripped up and the play itself, which, after a semester of work, “now exists only in our memories”. Drama, too, is temporary, and according to Mr. Brown this is not lamentable, because “it’s about the practice. It’s about the doing.” In a similar vein, Elena believes that not all art is made for sharing, or improved by sharing. She says, “We create some art for ourselves, because we enjoy the process—to express, to process. It isn’t always helpful for other people to be involved.” From a grander perspective, we humans realize that everything we do is temporary—here one day and gone the next. So, why do anything at all? Because there is beauty in the doing, and in the using and appreciating; there is joy in the learning; and there is much to discover in the process.A LIFE CUT SHORT New Novel by Magdalena Vanderkooy BeautifulTemporary Can BeQuinnElenaChrista

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18 PWA 2025 ISSUE‘AweIn Grade 11, Erin Steckley’s (’14) creative project on Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead focused on the theme, “Strange are the uses of adversity.” Looking back, she sees how God used adversity to invite her into unexpected places and show her the grace and peace found in obedience. Excelling in science and math, Erin attended Redeemer University to study biology and chemistry, working in these areas during the summers. When she completed her undergraduate degree, she was “exhausted” but looking forward to pursuing a scientiﬁc master’s program in McMaster after a time of rest and travel. However, “that door never opened.” In 2019, Erin began working in a lab where she carried out environmental testing on soil. Laid oﬀ when the “Strange Are the Uses of Adversity” pandemic hit, led her into a period of free time, solitude, and reﬂection. During it, she discerned something surprising: an idea, a calling, an “invitation.” Erin sensed God directing her to enrol in a Master of Theological Studies at McMaster Divinity College.Though she was “terriﬁed of ministry” and did not consider herself “a pastoral person”, her aﬃnity for such ministry began to gently unfold. Her creativity, love of writing, and reﬂective exploration were ignited. The unsuccessful attempt to pursue a master’s degree in the sciences had felt perplexing and disappointing, but Erin was reminded that “strange are the uses of adversity” as she fell in love with the rigours of theological study. During her program, Erin completed an internship at the Greater Ontario House of Prayer—a “gift of grace.” Wholeheartedly accepted for who she was, she found her obedience to God’s plan moving her out of her comfort zone. After her masters, she felt invited by God to join the Community of St. Anselm in London, England where diverse Christians, in their twenties and early thirties, dedicate a year of their lives to prayer, communal living, service, and study. In the regular rhythms, in the ordinary, and even in the mundane, Erin’s calling to vocational ministry was being aﬃrmed. Currently, God is leading her again through adversity in what feels like the desert. The end of 2024 was “destabilizing, bleak, and discouraging.” Erin has been forced to ask, “Is God calling me where I thought he was?” Rarely are things as clear or as easy as we would like. Yet God’s invitation will lead us to meet the person we were intended to be. Erin is excited about the Hamilton communities in which she ﬁnds herself again as she engages in spheres of ministry and community belonging.Addendum: Beginning in late December 2024, Erin signed a short-term contract to be TDChristian’s Policy Writer and Organizer.

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2025 ISSUE PWA 19For years, music has been an essential part of the educational experience at TDChristian High School. Whether through concert band performances, ensemble practices, or individual study, students have had the opportunity to develop their musical talents while reaping the many cognitive and academic beneﬁts of learning an instrument. Studies consistently show that students engaged in music education gain enhanced brain function, improved academic outcomes, and skills that last a lifetime. At TDChristian, students can explore a variety of instruments, including brass, woodwind, and percussion. However, the program has long relied on a rental system to provide students with the instruments they need. While this approach has enabled many students to participate, it has become increasingly unsustainable. Renting means higher long-term costs, lower-quality instruments, and ongoing maintenance fees. By purchasing instruments instead, we ensure students have access to high-SOUNDS OF SUSTAINABILITY Investing in Music @ TDChristian To buy a clarinet scan the QR code.quality, well-maintained equipment that lasts. Owning instruments also relieves the burden on the school’s operating budget, freeing up funds to enhance the music program in other ways—such as by expanding course oﬀerings, upgrading facilities, or providing additional performance opportunities. For students like Josiah Fraser, the impact of having access to quality instruments is life-changing. “Music is truly important to me because it has so many variables that can evoke meaning or emotions. Being able to actively play a clarinet and gain understanding of something that I enjoy isn’t just educational; it’s eye-opening to see what makes good music. The music at TDChristian was originally surprisingly better than what I was expecting, coming out of elementary school. I had only about half a year of experience with the clarinet, and I wanted to hone my skills. Through many challenges, I began to learn how to better play the clarinet, and truly began to see the potential in this mellow jazz woodwind. I’ve come to appreciate it as the middle-ground instrument between the saxophone and the ﬂute, and its ability to play both melody and harmony well.” “We would love to be able to purchase a complete set of instruments,” says music teacher Kevin Hayward. “At last check, that cost would be approximately $111,000. However, we’ve decided to begin by seeking assistance with the purchase of clarinets.” Currently, the educational price for a clarinet from one of TDChristian’s vendors is $576 before taxes. The goal is to acquire 12 clarinets, which would eliminate the need for rentals in this category for the foreseeable future. Your donation helps put music into practice. By contributing to this initiative, you are not only providing students with the tools they need to develop their musical talents, but you are also fostering their creativity. Each gift is an investment in active, hands-on learning that aligns with TDChristian’s theme verse from this year of “putting into practice”. Together, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to grow, create, and live out their faith through music.Josiah

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20 PWA 2025 ISSUEAweTDChristian’s mission is to “educate teens for service in the light of God’s word”. I’d like to explore that statement with you in a fresh way. What might we mean by “service”?With apologies to Robert Capon for borrowing this analogy, I want you to imagine with me that we are all players in a cosmic friendly game of volleyball between God and humanity. In the court to the left, and serving ﬁrst, is God’s team, an amazing combination of symmetry, grace, balance, and skill. The players are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the other court are people like you and me. It’s a friendly—a game to delight in one another’s skill, virtuosity, determination, and eﬀort.God’s team serves ﬁrst. Across the net of time, he sends the beasts and the forests, the rocks and the hills, the dirt and the sea. We receive these, play them back and forth to one another, and return the service by oﬀering back to God our gardens and farms and cities. We serve up all manner of interesting ideas and inventions and innovations, and they are received and returned, enlarged by a God who delights in our ingenuity and creativity. God’s pleasure and ours are mutual and reinforce each other.For you see, what’s played out on the volleyball court is really the divine courtship whereby God woos our aﬀection. God tries to win our love by invitation, revelation, demonstration, incarnation, salvation, and any kind of “-ation” that will get our concentration.We teachers challenge you to have your ears and eyes and hearts open to hear and see him, to respond with aﬀection and adoration, and to surrender your heart to his so that you and he can enjoy one another forever.For four years this staﬀ has set the curriculum for you to discover this amazing God in numbers and molecules, literature and language, history and art. At times, we have oﬀered bad passes, crooked bumps, and misplaced sets. But on good days, we have set it for you to go for the killer spike, the oﬀ-balance quick, or the opposite surprise. Just don’t keep the ball to yourself: volley it back, conﬁdent that God will return even our poorest hits and invite us to stay in the game.If TDChristian teaches you only one thing, may it be this: when you are served, return the service. And do it with all the skill, pleasure, and dedication you can muster.God tries to win our love by invitation, revelation, demonstration, incarnation, salvation, and any kind of “-ation” that will get our concentration.“Richard Vanderkloet, who taught at TDChristian for 39 years, returned this past December and January to teach Economics 12. At the end of his time, he graced the class with words he originally wrote for the Class of 2004 (which included next year’s principal Joel Dykxhoorn) at their Grad Breakfast. Here is an edited excerpt from that address.

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2025 ISSUE PWA 2147 yearsWilliam Groot’s journey at TDChristian began as a Grade 9 student in 1974. Among his fondest memories was asking Lorraine VanderSchaaf, now his wife, to the Christmas banquet in 1977—their ﬁrst date. “My teenage years at TDCH were pivotal in my development, and a lot of fun!” William recalls. In 1982, TDChristian hired William to teach math and computer science. Soon thereafter, student Derek Schuurman and William purchased the school’s ﬁrst XT computer and wrote the software that ran student marks and other data until 1993. When William took on oversight of the school’s technology, he had students (including Eric and Bruce Vrieling, TDChristian’s current Technology team) troubleshoot and repair the computers to give them real-life learning while saving school money. But the decade’s highlight, he says, was coaching the Senior Boys soccer team, which captured the OCSSAA Championship in 1986. In 1994, William was oﬀered a teaching position at Hamilton District Christian High School. However, newly appointed principal Ren Siebenga persuaded him to stay, oﬀering support for him to pursue his MA in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. “That was pivotal for me,” William shared. “Ren recognized my desire My teenage years at TDCH were pivotal in my development, and a lot of fun!”“God’s Blessings through 47 Years sssHomeroom 4, 1992-93 (including Board Member Carolyn Ages and teacher Jonathan Fernhout)Grade 12 graduation, June 1978With director, Meck Groot, as the producer for “The Matchmaker,” 1985

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22 PWA 2025 ISSUERSVP for William’s Retirement Celebration on May 31: Open House 4–6:30 and/or Celebratory Program 7–9 pm. Can’t attend in person? Leave a note for William at the link. tdchristian.ca/eventsto further my education and fully supported my wish.” Decade highlights included advising Student Councils, initiating the Pascal Math program, coaching volleyball, and chaperoning Quebec trips with Alice Vanderkooy. The 2000s provided William the unique opportunity to teach his own four children. “Seeing my children in the classroom, on the stage, in music and on the sports ﬁeld was a joy,” he says. “I saw them develop and grow from a front row seat.” He was deeply involved in coaching sports, teaching math, and supporting and scheduling innovative programs like block courses, service trips, and Special Emphasis Weeks. “Seeing how these initiatives positively impacted students’ lives was extremely rewarding,” comments William. After being a vice principal for 16 years while simultaneously teaching several courses, William was asked to become principal in 2011. After much prayer, he did. The support of Board chairs, especially Teresa Veenstra, was critical to his development as a leader. A highlight was leading the 18-month process to create and develop the school’s focus on “enfolding, engaging, and empowering” students to “learn for service in the light of God’s word”. Another was coaching the TDCH Falcons to bronze and silver medals in Boys OFSSA ‘A’ Volleyball with Mike Albert in 2013 and 2014. The 2020s began with William and the Admin team steering the school through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as the expansion neared completion. A highlight was the Project 20/20 Dedication and Celebration in November 2020. “After years of planning and construction, it was exhilarating to dedicate the building via two livestreams,” he said. William is thankful for the Board’s investment in succession planning, starting in 2022, and fully endorses the decision to hire Joel Dykxhoorn as the next principal. This year’s highlight was his grandchildren serving as “Principals for a Day” on January 17, a beautiful symbol of the multi-generational impact of God’s work. “It was amazing!” says William, smiling. Looking ahead, William remains committed to TDChristian, his heart ﬁrmly rooted in the school’s mission and community. “I’ll miss the daily buzz of students and staﬀ,” he admits, “but I’m excited to see how the Lord will continue his work in and through them.”ssAwePeter ‘07, Rachel ‘05, Miraya ‘11, Daniel ‘09 in 2005Coaching at OFSAA ‘A’ Boys Volleyball, 2013sWith grandchildren, Theo, Adrian, and Leora

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2025 ISSUE PWA 23EVENT LISTTALENT NIGHT APRIL 10, 2025SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETINGAPRIL 24, 2025GRANDPARENTS DAYMAY 7, 2025SPRING CONCERTMAY 22, 2025RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR PRINCIPAL WILLIAM GROOT (RSVP BY MAY 19TH) MAY 31, 2025FIREHALL IMPROV SHOW JUNE 6, 20251985 REUNIONJUNE 14, 2025GRADUATIONJUNE 25, 2025, 7PM• Faith Gospel Tabernacle Ministries, 140 Salvation Road, BramptonAlways get the most up-to-date details at tdchristian.ca/eventsBIRTHS:• Stacey Blydorp (Kooy) (‘12) and Jon Blydorp (08) welcomed Noa Marie on April 15, 2024. A sister to Audra and Elora. • Thomas Heming (‘11) and Dana Roffel (‘11) welcomed Milla Elizabeth on June 22, 2024. A sister to Noah. • Bradley Van Luyk (‘15) and Cheyenne Sherbo welcomed Austin Robert on August 3, 2024. • Carl Roeleveld (‘11) and Caitlin Horlings (‘10) welcomed Arie David on October 3, 2024. A brother to Deacon and Emmie. • Emily Nywening (Groot) (‘09) and Phil Nywening welcomed Clara Patricia on November 12, 2024. A sister to Mikaela, Blayke, and Eloise. MARRIAGES: • Bradley Van Luyk (‘15) and Cheyenne Sherbo, July 15, 2022. • Aaron Rekker (‘16) and Ally Yake-Gonzalez (16), June 22, 2024. • Monica Van Luyk (‘15) and Caleb Oviatt, August 3, 2024.DEATHS:• Mike Petrusma (‘81), November 23, 2024. Husband of Kristin, father to Joshua and Michael, and grandfather to six grandchildren. Mike was a coach at Calvin University for 30 years. • Anya Seerveld (‘78), Feb. 1, 2025. Wife of Ian Jameson. Anya was the first recipient of the TDChristian Scholarship. Email alumni@tdchristian.caWe Love Sharing Your UpdatesALUMNI UPDATESAnya Seerveld (‘78) A friend who will cry or laugh with you. She’s got a persistent spirit that never says die.

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storystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorybeginseveryeverye ve ryeverye verywithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithwithSTORYSTORYev eryeveryev erystorystorystorystorystorystor ysto rysto rybeginsbeginsbeg insbeg insbegi nsbeginswithwithwithwit hwithwithev eryeveryeveryeveryeveryeve rystoryeveryeveryeveryeveryeveryeve ryeveryeveryeverye veryeve ryeve rybeginsbeginsbeginsb eginsb eginsb eginsbeginsbeginsbegi nsbegi nsbeginsbeginsbe ginsstorystorystorystor ystoryyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouyouBEGINSBEGINSyouyouyouyouyouyouE ve rystoryb eg insw it hYouWithout you TDChristian's story would have ended long ago. Your donations mean that students are equipped daily to put their learning and their faith into practice. Explore ten ways you can help create new stories.DONATE TODAY! tdchristian.ca/support/donateTDChristian High School377 Woodbridge AvenueWoodbridge, ON L4L 2V7 info@tdchristian.caJ3369Return undeliverable addresses to:43885026

PWA Spring 2025

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