M
arlene DeGroot was born in a small town in Minnesota where she attended various Christian institutions in her elementary and high school years. As she graduated, she went on to attend Dordt College where she met her husband, Bob DeGroot. Bob DeGroot was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa as his parents were missionaries under the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria. He attended Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa before enrolling in Dordt College. As Marlene was studying elementary education, the two fell in love and subsequently got married. Quickly after graduation, the two moved to Lake Worth, Florida, where Mrs. DeGroot started teaching second grade at Lake Worth Christian and Mr. DeGroot received his masters degree in administration at Nova University. During their time in Florida, the two started their family as they had their first born Christopher John (C.J.). After eight years in Lake Worth, Florida, the family moved around from Kennewick, WA to Lynden, WA. During their stay in Washington, Mr. DeGroot received the title Minister of Outreach in Tri-Cities and later became a youth pastor in the Third Christian Reformed Church in the city of Lynden. The couple returned to teaching in August of 1998 when they moved to Ontario, California and started working at Ontario Christian High School. Their family expanded as they had two more children, Angela and Kevin. Today, C.J. is married to Keri Ballast with three young children, Anneka Faith, Olivia Grace, and Kuyper. C.J. works as an engineer for Boeing in St. Louis, Missouri. Their second child, Angela married Cody See, who is a graduate student, and had their children, Mackenzie and Zachary. Angela, similar to her parents, attended Dordt College and currently works at Ontario Christian as a kindergarten teacher. Kevin, their youngest child, also attended Dordt College and Regis University in Denver, CO. Kevin currently works as a physical therapist in Denver, Colorado. This past year, Kevin “ are married Hannah Flayhart. an example of a Christian The DeGroot family has had a great impact on Ontario Christian through godly marriage and their their faith, behavior, and job positions. Since 1998, the DeGroot family began working at this small Christian community. Mr. DeGroot started trust in the Lord is a great teaching Responsible Christian Living, a Bible-course that taught students how to live trustworthy and devoted lives as a Christian. He was later proexample for me.” moted to middle school principal. As principle, Mr. DeGroot has influenced not only students, but also staff and faculty. Mr. Zuidema, 12th grade U.S. Government teacher said “Mr DeGroot was the one that hired me. He’s the reason why I am here, the reason why I am still here 12 years later. For that, I am grateful.” As Mrs. Degroot continued to teach at Ontario Christian she touched many lives of both her co-workers and students. Even as a junior, Kimberly Voortman has great and fond memories of her second grade teacher, “Mrs. DeGroot was such a loving, kind, humble and encouraging person. Not only does she give the best hugs, but she also caters and cares about the needs of her students; the DeGroot family has been such a great example of what a godly family should be and it is such a pleasure to go and sit with them during church services.”
The DeGroots
The
Degroots
Carol Gabrielse
To Marlene DeGroot, M
y earliest memories of Bob and Marlene was back in 1977 when we first met as students on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. Because they were such a perfect match already prior to being married, they were known best by their nicknames “Ken and Barbie.” With a special group of friends, we shared many fun card games and education classes. Even then, these two lovebirds were inseparable and their love and devotion to one another was evident to all. We reconnected later in life when they moved to Ontario to begin their careers at OC. My wife and I have enjoyed the friendship and fellowship that comes from socializing, working, and worshiping together while raising our children and furthering our careers. We’ll also be forever grateful for the role Marlene played in teaching our son, Brett, and the sweet, calm, and caring learning experience he was given. Our oldest son, Kyle, and their youngest, Kevin, have been forever friends throughout their years at OC and then again roommates in college, so we have shared some very happy life experiences together. Our lives have intertwined in numerous ways and we praise God for the faithful and Godly witness both Bob and Marlene have always demonstrated to all who know and love them. What a blessed assurance there is in knowing that although God’s ways are certainly not our ways, we can look back these past 40 years knowing that He has always been faithful, His promises are sure, and He will remain loving and faithful through whatever lies ahead. - Rick Jasper, Faculty
E
very time you see me, you are so personal to me. After being your student you didn’t just stop teaching me or caring about me because I left, you continued to be present in my life and the rest of your students’ over time! I mean, I had you as a second grader and now I am a sophomore in college, but you have continued to know and care about me not only as a student, but a person! That is what I appreciate most about you, Mrs. DeGroot. That kind of stuff will stick with me much more than anything you or any other teacher has taught me in the classroom. - Luke Kloosterman, Alum
M
rs. DeGroot and I had a rocky start to our relationship. I was this new teacher, fresh from college and full of ideas and she was experienced and organized. I drove her crazy implementing out of the box ideas and projects; she always politely noticed and continued to do her thing. After teaching side by side for so long, we began to appreciate each other’s strengths in the classroom. There were moments off campus. On the way to two separate teacher conferences, I missed the exit on the freeway and had to loop back. Patience was always her strength and she often displayed that with me. I will always appreciate her quiet demeanor and her thoughtful ways in which she made me a better teacher. - Mrs. Slager, Faculty
2
I
have known the family for quite sometime. Our children are very good friends and so we hang out often. And in 2006 (I think), I substituted for a second grade class but then I ended up being a permanent sub, and Mrs. DeGroot was such a great help. I had no idea how the teacher had set everything up but with her and many of my other co-workers’ help, I was able to succeed. Her main focus was to help adjust the children to my teaching and make sure they understood my teaching. I remember when the second grade classes released the butterflies we had took care of many of the teachers were totally grossed out about the insects landing on them. While me and Mrs. DeGroot stood there embracing the insects, it was quite funny watching my co-workers. - Nancy Jansen, Faculty
Photo courtesy of Irene Salomaa Sposato, Kimberly Voortman, Mr. Rick Jasper & Elvis, Angela See
To Marlene DeGroot, I
n the 1980’s, I attended Lake Worth Christian School in South Florida. Mrs. DeGroot was my second grade teacher; I’m now 44 years old. Mr. DeGroot was my sixth grade Bible teacher and I accepted Christ in his class. They both planted foundational seeds in my life and many others’ lives as well. I am now the Women’s Ministry Director at our church in Georgia. Praying for God’s great mercy for their family!” - Irene Sposato, Alum
M
arlene, your sweet demeanor and your quiet spirit always uplifts me. You always have an encouraging word for me and a warm and friendly smile to welcome me. You frequently ask how I am doing and you are genuinely interested in my life, and for that I am thankful for you. Marlene DeGroot, you are a very special woman. - Melody Booth, Parent
M
arlene DeGroot, you are an amazing person and I have been incredibly fortunate to have been able to work with you the past 17 years! You are a kind-spirited, soft spoken, and gentle soul! You have a genuine love for your family, your students, and your colleagues. You are a selfless person who puts others far above yourself and are the first to offer help, encouragement, or a loving hug to those who need it. Your love for our Heavenly Father is evident as you live out your life teaching others about the God You Serve . You are a precious woman of God - a gift from Heaven. Those whose lives you have touched can call themselves BLESSED! - Kim Mesman, Faculty
M
r. and Mrs. DeGroot, I just wanted to take a moment and thank you both. Your kindness and desire to inspire each of your students in their own ways is a trait that I try to pass on to each of my students, and to my own children. It has been almost 20 years since I sat in that desk for my first day of second grade, and I still carry these things with me. Thank you both for investing in me over all the years and believing in me and my future. - Rebecca Smith (Armagost), Alum
M
arlene is a special person. Her humility and love for kids has always been evident. She treats our boys like they are her own. Bob and Marlene are longtime friends of ours. They were neighbors, soccer partners, and fellow believers. - Len Fakkema, Friend
S
he is one of the sweetest teachers I have ever had and has always had open arms and an open heart toward all of her students. She remembers everyone and always makes you feel special and welcomed in her presence. She is also a fantastic teacher and children love her and love being in her class. - Jen Cano, Alum
5
Student Stories
How do you know Mrs. DeGroot?
• “I know Mrs. DeGroot because I have grown up going to Ontario Christian. I know most teachers better than I know my fellow students and she was one of the teachers who was always there to greet me with a smile on her face. I’ve known her since I was in kindergarten, and even though I haven’t had the joy of having her as my teacher, she still holds a special place in my heart.” - Perrin Fisher • “I know her because she was my brother’s second grade teacher and was also my piano teacher. Every Thursday my brother and I would go to her classroom and get Jolly Ranchers.”- Jordyn Mason
What is your favorite memory with Mrs. DeGroot?
• “My favorite memories of her are seeing her at band and choir concerts and seeing her smile at me and telling me how much she enjoyed hearing everyone. I loved looking out into the crowd and occasionally spotting her smiling face in the midst of the crowd.”- Perrin Fisher • “My favorite memory of her was when my friends and I were playing soccer outside and Mrs. DeGroot came and actually played with us; it was really exciting.” - Kellen Morff
How has Mrs. DeGroot impacted your life?
• “She has impacted my life because she is a comfort and a source of positivity; because of her example, I am striving to do the same for others. She comforted me during a difficult time in my life by shining the light of Christ’s love on me and has inspired me to do the same for others.” - Perrin Fisher • “She taught me to not be so hard on myself. When I wouldn’t get stuff the first time, she would be okay with it and help me do better. She is kind and humorous, she never gives up on me, and she always has faith in her students and their capabilities.” - Jordyn Mason • “She has impacted my life in many ways. For example, the way I look at life, the way I look at people, and the way I talk to people in particular.” - Kellen Morff
What is something you admire about her?
• “I love Mrs. DeGroot’s positive attitude, her warm smile, her loving and Christ-like heart, and her hugs. I would always walk past her classroom on the way to mine and she was always there with a smile, a musical laugh, and a hug. I looked forward to it every day. I admire her soft heart and love for her students and the children that are a part of her life in one way or another.” - Perrin Fisher • “She is loving, caring, and definitely supportive of her students’ interests.” - Kellen Morff
Staff: Ms. Stutz, Advisor Kaylee Howard, Editor Kim Gonzalez, Printing Editor Emmarae Arensdorff Matthew Booth Connor Good Haley Huntsinger Emily Woodcock Maxwell Smith 6
What would you like to say to Mrs. DeGroot right now?
• “Dear Mrs. DeGroot, I love you. I always remember your kind heart, Christlike attitude, warm smile, musical laugh, and comforting hugs. You will always be in my heart.” - Perrin Fisher • “I love you; I know everything that is going on is in God’s plan, I just want to let you know that you are in my family’s prayers and I thank you for all of the inspirational moments we had together and all the loving moments.” - Jordyn Mason • “I love you, Mrs. DeGroot. You are a very special person in my life. You and your family are in my family and my prayers. You are my favorite person; I just love you so much.” - Kellen Morff