Lansing Christian School Pilgrim Journey spring 2016

PILGRIM Journey Spring 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Equipping MORE Young Men and Women to Engage and Transform the World for Jesus Christ p.2 Vision of Teaching and Learning p.5 Lansing Christian School Alumni p.6 PreK-12 Athletic Program p.13

Equipping MORE Young Men and Women to Engage and Transform the World for Jesus Christ

By Wendy Hofman, Head of School

Throughout Lansing Christian School’s sixty-five year history, the largest obstacle for families enrolling their children at LCS has been affordability. The commitment to providing an affordable education that is accessible to Christian families is foundational to the mission of Lansing Christian School.

New this year, in an effort to make our high quality Christ-centered education accessible to more families in the Greater Lansing area, the Leadership of LCS is launching a NEW program called Variable Tuition.

Variable Tuition is just that – Variable. We match a family’s tuition rate to their unique financial position.

The tuition for all LCS students is a range which spans from fifty to eighty-five percent of the true cost of educating a child.

Families interested in the Variable Tuition Program should simply submit a short financial profile to a confidential third party service. Based on the recommendation to our administration, the Variable Tuition is confirmed.

We believe that making an LCS education more accessible to families will help us grow enrollment at LCS and, most importantly, graduate more young people who are equipped to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ. We desire to equip the next generation of leaders and kingdom workers with the learning, faith and skills needed to engage our world for Jesus Christ.

As alumni, alumni parents and supporters of LCS, we ask you to join us in our efforts to graduate more young people that are equipped to make a difference in our community and in our world. To learn more about Variable Tuition go to lansingchristianschool.org.

The Lansing Christian School Board of Trustees Gillian Granger, President Brad Banasik, Secretary Stephanie Buchalski Tamara Cutler Ken Howard, Treasurer Eric Vanden Bosch Scott Wagoner Rina Woodland Lori Wortz

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LCS Introduces Variable Tuition Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth grade student may apply for Variable Tuition if they are concerned about affording the full tuition rate at LCS. Many factors are considered when determining the tuition a family is able to pay, including income, assets, unusual expenses and the size of the family. The resources available to a family in a given year must also be considered in light of the Variable Tuition awards available at LCS. An application for Variable Tuition does not affect the re-enrollment or admission process.

Regardless of financial need, parents should initiate the re-enrollment or admission process as early as possible. Families may apply for Variable Tuition only after they have applied or enrolled in the school. It is not possible for the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of a Variable Tuition application.

Variable Tuition applications are submitted directly to FACTS, a third party agency.

FACTS collates the information and gives a recommendation to the LCS Business Office from their final calculations. Families are then notified by the school’s Business Office of the tuition level for which they qualify.

Unfortunately, the school is not able to provide Variable Tuition to every applicant.

We work within the available resources to LCS to make Christian education accessible to as many students and families as possible.

Call to Action Do you know families who could benefit from an LCS education? Spread the word! The number one way families find out about LCS is through friends and LCS alumni!

Do you know families who desire a Christian education for their children, but think they can’t afford it? Let them know that with Variable Tuition at Lansing Christian School, an excellent Christian Education has never been more accessible.

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GLORIFY GOD LCS Vision Mural

By Dane Porter ’14

This illustration was inspired by our school’s vision, “Equipping young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.” The painting represents how we, the LCS community, also transform as we equip and prepare students to transform the world.

The beginning scene depicts a student and a teacher planting a seedling with the word equip in the background. This scene represents the beginning of a student’s journey at LCS. The next section, a few years later, shows the student now engaged in creative arts and playing the trumpet. In the last scene, the same student looks back at his growth at LCS. He sees his growth symbolized not just in the seed planted so long ago, but also in how his time at school equipped him, and he looks toward the world which he will transform with the Spirit’s power and guidance.

The painting is full of symbolism. Growth and the passing of time are shown by various times on clock faces - representing grades or years passing. A large open book in the middle of the painting emphasizes the idea that learning is central to growth and transformation. The subjects taught at LCS are represented throughout, including math, science, social studies, language arts and creative arts. The painting begins in black and white, then turns to color to show how learning reveals vibrant complexities in the world around us. Most importantly, the dove represents the Holy Spirit, starting its flight at

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the beginning of the mural and taking flight towards the end. All our efforts are guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit leads us on the path prepared for us after graduating LCS.

Transforming the world for Jesus Christ means going wherever God calls. The world and the landmarks rising from the social studies book illustrate the idea that God could lead us anywhere. In this mural, I included my high school sketchbook because Lansing Christian School equipped me to be an artist, a student and a disciple of Christ. Now, with the gifts God has given me, it’s my turn to transform the world for Jesus Christ.

In this mural, I included my high school sketchbook because Lansing Christian School equipped me to be an artist, a student and a disciple of Christ.

EXPECTING EXCELLENCE Vision of Teaching and Learning

By Jamie Wernet

I love our new vision statement! Equipping students to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ is a high calling.

Soon after I read it for the first time, I started seeing the statement through a math teacher’s eyes, and wondering how the vision would actually play out in my classroom. I asked myself, how does the vision speak to what math students need to learn today, and how they need to learn it? This became a larger question for our PreK-12 Leadership Council to consider as we began to frame a philosophy of effective teaching at LCS. Using the vision statement as a frame, our discussion centers on what competencies (knowledge, skills, habits) students will have if they are prepared to live out our vision. For example, students need a deep and rich understanding of content, partnered with the ability to communicate their understanding verbally and in writing. As teachers, we need to provide multiple and diverse opportunities for students to write and talk about their learning. It is exciting work as we look toward the future of teaching and learning at LCS.

STEM at LCS

(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

By Kelly Joos and Susan Hileman

According to the NY Daily News, by the year 2020, the U.S. economy will need 123 million high-skilled workers with strong backgrounds in STEM, but only 50 million Americans will qualify for those jobs.

As part of the new LCS strategic plan and in conjunction with our vision to prepare students to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ, we are committed to preparing our students to enter the 21st century workforce as capable problem solvers, critical thinkers, innovators, communicators and collaborators.

At LCS, we are assessing our PreK-12 curriculum offerings in the STEM subject areas and will be making changes based on researched best practices over the course of the next five years. We are also working toward implementing more co-curricular opportunities for our students in the various STEM fields to foster the joy of discovery and innovation with a focus on how they can use knowledge of STEM to advance God’s kingdom now and as they graduate from LCS.

We are committed to preparing our students to enter the 21st century workforce.

If you have a passion for STEM and are interested in getting involved in some way, please contact Kelly Joos (kjoos@ lansingchristianschool.org) or Susan Hileman (shileman@lansingchristianschool.org).

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

Lansing Christian School Alumni

By Melissa Keeley and Cathy Bytwerk

At LCS we live and learn in Christian community, but that community does not end when a student receives their diploma. Our alumni are an essential part of Lansing Christian School.

As students leave and move forward into vocations that take them all around the world, it’s exciting to catch up with them and learn what part LCS played in equipping them to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

Staying connected to our alumni provides us an opportunity to celebrate milestones, rejoice in accomplishments, and continue to foster Christian community beyond the walls of our school. In order to help alumni stay connected to LCS and their classmates we have launched a new monthly email specifically for alumni and their parents. This is a great opportunity to learn about alumni events, news and the latest activities at LCS. If you are an alumni or alumni parent and would like to receive the monthly newsletter, please contact Cathy Bytwerk at cbytwerk@lansingchristianschool.org with updated contact information.

Please also contact Cathy if you would be interested in becoming an alumni ambassador and help us locate alumni from your graduating class and plan alumni events.

Alison (VanderKolk) Baldrige

By Melissa Keeley

Alison Baldrige (’03) attended Lansing Christian School from third through twelfth grade.

After graduating from LCS, Alison attended the University of Michigan where she studied Actuarial Mathematics and then began working as a Senior Underwriter for a liability insurer in the Senior Care industry.

Alison credits her teachers, the curriculum and the community at LCS for equipping her to handle the high expectations she met at college and enabling her to contribute in team settings.

Alison believes her preparation at LCS provided her with academic and spiritual tools to face the challenges she met in college. “The spiritual formation that LCS offered gave me confidence as I entered a large secular university. I plugged into a campus ministry (Cru) at Michigan while seeking out a similar community.”

Today, Alison continues to honor God through excellence by utilizing her unique skills in the insurance field and by continuing to foster Christian community with her co-workers, neighbors and church.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

Peter VandeHaar

Adelyn VanTol

When looking back at his time at LCS, Peter VandeHaar (’11) appreciates the remarkable commitment teachers have for their students, and the passion they have for the subjects they teach. He says their passion was contagious and he sees this influence throughout his life - from his desire to learn foreign languages to his work at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.

Adelyn VanTol (’08) began attending LCS as a preschooler because her parents not only wanted her to be in a good academic environment, but one in which as she says, “She would be learning to live her Christian faith as a member of Christ’s Church in a world that is so in need of Christ’s redeeming love.” LCS provided her with a community that sharpened her skills to be both a team player and a person of opinion as she now engages with a diverse body of Christ.

By Melissa Keeley

In his role at the School of Public Health, Peter oversees programming related to a genetics research project which examines genes collected through saliva samples and their connection to specific disease traits. So far, Peter and his lab have worked on traits related to Macular Degeneration, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. They hope their research will help them better understand these diseases.

By Cathy Bytwerk

Her advanced education took her to Calvin College and graduate school at the University of Michigan. She currently works as a Community Organizer at Disability Advocates of Kent County. Presently, she is helping organize a campaign in Grand Rapids to expand their public transportation system.

In addition to that, she is teaching this semester at Calvin College as an Adjunct Professor in the Sociology and Social Work Department. LCS is privileged to have Adelyn as an alumnus that knew she was equipped to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ and is actively doing that today.

Peter’s research is rooted in his faith and allows him to use his gifts to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ. As Peter states, “I’m glad to be working on research that can help a lot of people. When Jesus healed the sick, he was usually right there with them, speaking with them. But for me, I don’t often get to engage with people suffering from the diseases I’m working to improve. But we’re making real progress to better care for those who are sick, learning about the incomprehensible intricacy of creation as we go, and that keeps me pushing forward.”

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

Jacob VandeHaar

By Melissa Keeley

Jacob VandeHaar (’09) attended kindergarten through twelfth grade at LCS. Jacob appreciates the teachers he had at LCS for their passion and encouragement to be a broader-thinking person. He specifically notes his Communication and Culture class for introducing him “to ideas I’m still striving to learn about and apply to my personal life, which in turn drives my professional life.”

Today those qualities can be seen in his work at Tesla where he is working as a manufacturing engineer managing factory equipment that tests every customer car.

Jacob’s education at LCS prepared him to help manufacture vehicles that serve people while also honoring and preserving God’s creation. As Jacob states, “My Calvinist interpretation of Christianity includes a call for environmental conservation.

If we can make transportation quieter, cleaner and more efficient, we should!” Through his work as an engineer, Jacob is engaging the world in a unique way and using his skills and talents to help transform the automotive industry.

JD Alocilja

By Melissa Keeley

JD Alocilja started at Lansing Christian School in the third grade and graduated in 2011.

After graduation, JD studied mechanical engineering at Michigan State University and then entered the Armed Forces. As an officer in the US Air Force, JD works as a space operator and is tasked with monitoring and controlling satellites vital to the Department of Defense.

When looking back on his time at LCS, JD appreciates the opportunity he had to live and learn in Christian community. His experiences at LCS led him to seek out a similar community with other Christians and to develop Christ-centered friendships once he got to college. Now as an officer in the US Air Force, JD sees his leadership role as an opportunity to help cultivate that kind of community with the enlisted men and women he works with. “The military is a unique community that attracts people who are of good moral character and looking for a purpose. Being an officer, I am in a position of leadership and will be given many opportunities to mentor such people. My goal as a Christian is to be a light to those who have chosen to serve our country and possibly become its future leaders.”

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Spirit Week

By Tim Blamer

Spirit Week at Lansing Christian School is a unique way to cultivate Christian community.

The level of participation and passion is remarkable. Still, the week is more than fun and games for the students; it is closely tied to the vision and core values of LCS. During Spirit Week, students can learn through different means and can express their learning and abilities in a variety of ways. Spirit Week provides students with an opportunity to express creativity and talent that may not always fit the classroom.

Throughout the week, students come together to paint posters, design spaces, compose songs and film videos all to communicate the school’s vision. During the day, students participate in a wide range of activities including dodgeball, floor hockey, tug-of-war, trivia and chess.

Spirit Week allows the uniqueness of students to shine, and it is intentionally designed to engage as many students as possible.

Students work with each other, help each other and cheer for each other. It is a lot of work. It is a lot of fun. It is another aspect that is unique to this school and helps LCS continue to cultivate Christian community.

Homecoming

By Sheri Shank

Homecoming was a time that united the past with the present. Our community of current families and alumni came together in a variety of ways whether reuniting in the commons, playing in the pep band or singing the National Anthem together.

Throughout the evening we celebrated how current and former students are engaging and transforming the world for Jesus Christ.

banners; one for the 2015 Boys’ Varsity State Finalist and one for the Girls’ 2015 State Runner-Up.

One way to honor students that demonstrate qualities of spiritual leadership, Christ-like behavior and Christian character is through the Homecoming Court. Class representatives were selected by classmates based on these qualities.

Alumni reunited and shared how they are living out their faith in the world and honoring God with excellence in college, career and beyond. Several decades were represented by alumni who came to enjoy this opportunity to catch up with fellow classmates, teachers and friends. It was great to see the whole community come together in unique ways.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipient was recognized during the evening. This award was given to an LCS alumni who has contributed time, talent or donations; a high standard of personal integrity and character; community involvement and professional achievement. This year’s award recipient was Randy Hebden, LCS middle school social studies teacher.

LCS athletic achievements were also recognized.

This year, we were honored to raise two soccer

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Alumni reunited and shared how they are living out their faith in the world and honoring God with excellence.

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

A Tribute to Mr. Randy Hebden

By Wendy Hofman

For twenty-five years Randy Hebden has been impacting the lives of students at LCS. This year, he announced his retirement at the end of the 2015-16 school year.

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Mr. Hebden is known by students as a teacher that made history come alive.

Mr. Hebden began his career teaching fourth grade and sixth grade at the LCS elementary campus on Barnes Ave. In 1999, he landed his dream job of teaching middle school social studies at the current PreK-12 LCS campus, allowing him to share his passion for history with sixth, seventh and eighth grade students for the last sixteen years of his career.

Mr. Hebden is known by students as a teacher that made history come alive. Mr. Hebden’s experience in the Peace Corps, along with his personal passion for the history and events that have shaped our world, has helped thousands of LCS students engage in understanding the world around them.

Taking a personal interest in students is second nature to Mr. Hebden. Conversations with middle school students at the beginning and end of the school day, in between classes and during lunch have always been a priority.

It is also not unusual to see high school students wander into the middle school hallway to have a personal conversation with Mr. Hebden.

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Hunting, fishing and travel are passions that Mr. Hebden unabashedly shares with his students both in and out of the classroom. These passions have helped Mr. Hebden connect with LCS young people through the years.

At the 2016 Homecoming, Mr. Hebden was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

He attended LCS as a student beginning in kindergarten through eighth grade. We are grateful for the twenty-five years of service he has given Lansing Christian School and the thousands of students he has equipped to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Tribute to Richard Peters (1937-2015)

By Wendy Hofman

Richard Peters will be remembered at Lansing Christian School for his influence in the lives of students, and for his passion for Christian education that continues to serve as an example for the teachers and leaders that have followed in his footsteps.

Pictured above: Richard Peters at the 1973 LCS Banquet

Richard’s career at LCS began in 1968 when Richard will be remembered for his passion for he took a position teaching history and teaching students, coaching athletes and His Bible, as well as coaching basketball leading teachers. His heart for God and and track. for leading people to God through heart for learning, athletic competition and God and for teaching will continue to be his

He served briefly as principal leading people legacy at Lansing Christian School.

and then became the school’s

third Superintendent, a to God through I had the privilege of being Mr.

position he held from learning, athletic Peter’s student in the classroom 1972-1981. and as a member of the girls’ competition and varsity basketball team he coached.

During this time, he was also teaching will I now have the privilege of serving as a pastor - beginning at Lakeside continue the head of school at LCS; the same Chapel in Bath before being role he served in when I was a student. received into the Eastern to be his As a leader, my life has been shaped by Orthodox Church in 1988, legacy. whereupon he was ordained as a Richard Peter’s example to honor God in everything we do at Lansing Christian School. priest and became the first pastor of I am grateful for his example of leadership and St. James Antiochian Orthodox Church in service, for his dedication to Christian education, Williamston. He served St. James for twentyand for the thousands of lives that he impacted at seven years until his death.

LCS.

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PARTNERING WITH PARENTS Coffee Connections

By Wendy Hofman

Partnering with parents in the education of their children has been central to the mission of Lansing Christian since the school was founded in 1951. In 2016, finding new and effective ways to cultivate relationships with parents is an essential part of our day-to-day work with families.

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Finding new and effective ways to cultivate relationships with parents is an essential part of our day-to-day work with families.

At a time when so much of our communication is through email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, I still think one of the best ways to engage and dialogue with parents is through informal, face-to-face communication.

Coffee Connections are one-hour opportunities at the beginning or end of the school day to engage parents in discussing a specific topic, receive feedback and listen to ideas, or just get to know one another better.

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Each month a Coffee Connection is scheduled with a different grade level in order to engage parents around a specific topic. Hearing from our parents brings insight, learning, understanding and relationships.

Please look for upcoming Coffee Connections in weekly communications. I hope to engage with many of you in this informal opportunity to continue to partner with parents at LCS.

ATHLETICS Honoring God while Pursuing Victory

By Zach Van Duinen

In the Christian school setting, athletic programs have to make a conscious choice when striving for a competitive program to also have a distinctly Christian program.

To help our coaches and student athletes grow in this area, we have partnered with Rock Campbell (LCS Alumni, ’69) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Together we are working to develop an athletic program with a competitive edge that encourages our student athletes to grow in their faith.

PreK-12 Athletic Program

By Coaches David Miranda and Dennis Moore

Why a PreK-12 athletic program at LCS? More importantly, why sport?

Sport is a subset of play. From our earliest age, we played for the pleasure and along the way we experienced joy and wonder. Eventually play morphs into games when rules are added. Our students play games at home, during recess and in their physical education classes. However, games become sport when “competition” enters the picture which transforms play and games into a competitive environment.

At LCS, we are aware of the dangers of unhealthy competition. In essence, a concerted effort is made to not foster this type of climate even though we all aspire to win. The world says, “you must win at all cost.” In a nutshell, we as coaches are here for a reason. Though we all aspire to win and build solid programs in our respective coaching areas, it is not the chief reason for coaching at LCS. Rather the objective is to impact the young people that the Lord brings into our sphere of influence.

As coaches, we are also careful about heaping adult expectations on students too early – one of the leading causes of burnout. Competition is healthy. It gives student-athletes an outlet for their skill development. But, it can also be an enemy of skill development when it amps up the price of mistakes made during athletic competition. In our high school baseball program, we are intentional and demand a great deal from our student-athletes regarding their skill development.

Through this wonderful sport, we are equipping our young men to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ. We use teachable moments and planned time with student athletes during lunch hours to cultivate the character and priorities of Jesus. In groups of three, we ask them heart questions and encourage dialogue with one another. Our focus is on cultivating an environment where peer-to-peer disciple making thrives and multiplies here so that they can be the ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

In our capacity as coaches, we are cognizant of the huge responsibility given to us by the Lord.

Though our student-athletes are only with us for a short period of time, what we convey could have a detrimental or monumental impact. In the final analysis, we hope to lay spiritual deposits that will last for eternity.

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ATHLETICS

Four Schools, One Team

By Rebecca Hull ’15

The Patriots started off their season stuck in an unexpected slump. The varsity hockey team has faced many challenges this season including multiple injuries and the adjustment to a new head coach. Fortunately, the Patriots have turned things around by focusing on their goals and working through adversity, and the team has high hopes for the playoff season.

They’ve been able to adjust to their new coach as well as utilize their talented players and develop the team chemistry necessary to create scoring plays.

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This team offers players the important opportunity to represent LCS out on the ice and be a part of a unique community of four different schools.

Joe Ford, the Patriots’ new head coach, brings a lot of experience to this program. He has played minor hockey, held the position of Director of Hockey Operations at MSU, and has coached hockey at both the minor and high school level including being a co-coach in the Patriots’ inaugural season.

The Patriots are a co-op of Lansing Christian, Lansing Catholic, Mason, and Charlotte High Schools, and roster two Lansing Christian players, sophomore Zach Harrison and junior captain Jon Hull. Both Jon and Zach contribute to the Patriots’ strong defense. This team offers players the important opportunity to represent LCS out on the ice and be a part of a unique community of four different schools that collaborate into one team.

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ATHLETICS

Boys’ Basketball

Girls’ Basketball

The Pilgrim boys’ varsity basketball team earned its second consecutive district title with a 63-31 victory over Webberville.

The focus of the Lansing Christian girls’ basketball team has been to demonstrate consistent improvement and be competitive.

The win allowed the Pilgrims to move into Regionals which were hosted by Lansing Christian. A solid 71-55 win over Novi Franklin Road Christian put the Pilgrims into Class D’s “Sweet 16”. In the Regional Championship the Pilgrims came up short in a tough match against Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes. The boys had a strong season and we are proud of their success.

Coach Peter Bunn (LCS Alumni ’07) shared, “Intense, pressure-defense and unselfish ballmovement on offense have led to key victories.

Even in the losses, the team gained a greater appreciation for the attention to detail necessary to compete.”

Bowling Team

By Tucker Riffle

The LCS Pilgrim boys’ bowling team was young this season, consisting of just one senior and one junior, and the rest of the team was made up by underclassmen.

With six freshmen and three sophomores on the roster, the team is much younger than the other teams in the conference. The young team gave great effort in practice and games and the effort was rewarded in conference victories over Maple Valley and Leslie. Even though the final scores did not result in victories, playing competitive games against Stockbridge and Olivet caused opposing coaches to take the team seriously and acknowledge the improvements this team has made. The girls hope this year’s growth leads to an even stronger team in coming years.

Cheerleading is Back This year, by popular demand, cheerleading is back and here to stay!

We have a talented group of young ladies who have thrown themselves into learning and trying to perfect numerous cheers. They were received with welcoming applause at their debut which took place at the boys’ first varsity basketball game of the season. As the season progressed their cheers improved tremendously as did their effect on our home crowds, getting our Pilgrim spirit fired up!

Three of the sophomores on the team were returning bowlers from the last season, and Coach Riffle looked to them to help focus the freshmen on the main goal of having fun while competing well. The Pilgrims competed against some tough teams all through the season, but they kept their heads up, kept working on their game and had a wonderful attitude in doing so.

The boys certainly enjoyed the season while they worked to improve their scores and abilities in the lifetime sport of bowling.

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