Grand Rapids Christian High School - Memoir Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

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Class History I Another green crop of Freshies Cl imagine no greener than ever before, but just as green as everj, arrived at Christian High in February, l936, to initi- ate their three year stay. The first few weeks saw them amazed, flustered, prankish. Amazed-at the extent of Christian's spacious halls. Flustered- when a Senior demanded respect for his rights. Prankish-until the toddlers realized that grade school tactics here had long ago been outmoded. These same characteristics apply equally well to the September troop of Freshies, who with us formed the class of '39. The membership of this class numbered l7'o, which gave us the distinction of being the largest Freshman class ever to enroll at Christian. The February Freshmen were given their official welcome at a special session in which they were compelled to wear green head-bands for the day, bearing their names. The September Freshmen received their official welcome at Garfield Park. Both student body and faculty were present. Shortly after this the Freshmen groups joined to form the Sophomore Class. lt was at our first meeting that we were introduced to our very capable and spirited sponsor, Mr. Stuk, whose guidance since we have deeply appreciated. Representatives for the Student Council were elected at this meeting. At a later meeting, a committee was appointed by our sponsor to draw up a Constitution. When our charter was granted, we elected .our first President, Gene Broene. Our Iunior year was full of activity. lt began with the election of class officers, resulting this time in the election of Alvin Wiersma as President. Our meetings were very successful under his leadership. The majority of our class meetings during our lunior year were concerned with the planning and finan- cing of our junior-Senior Party. This financing was made possible to some ex- tent, by a rummage sale Cwhich wound up in the form of an auction and cut- ratesj and a hot-dog sale. The big event of our junior year was our lunior- Senior Party, which was held at Fountain Street Baptist Church on lune 3. Following this, as an almost indirect contrast to this good time, came exams. Immediately after exams, we were given a three month's rest. The following September, with firm resolutions to make our last year at Christian our best, we began to burn the oil as Seniors. The time which had elapsed between our Freshman and Senior year, however, seemed so short that it was hard to realize that we must now assume this role. At the first meeting we again elected Alvin Wiersma as President. Our Memoir Staff was elected at our second meeting. We also remembered Grandpa Houseman with a gift at this meeting, as sickness had forced him to give up his duties as janitor. Funds during our Senior year were raised by conducting a Christmas Card Campaign. A fall outing followed at Fallasburg Park. CWill we ever for- get that Kangeroo Court?D At present we are looking forward to our Senior play, our Iunior-Senior Party and Commencement. Our High School days have thus come to an end, after three very short years. And now we look to the future with ardent hopes and ambitions, always remembering our Christian education which we have here received. And though we realize that we are not all going to travel the same course, we will always harbor fond memories of our High School days spent together at Christian. Again, we wish to thank our devoted sponsor, Mr. Stuk, for the interest he has always shown in our class, in its functions and projects. H M. Page Twenty-Four

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ALVIN WIERSMA Born, not for self alone, but tor the whole world. A Cappella 4, 5, 6, 77 S.O.S. 4, 57 Basketball, 2nd team 2, 3, 4, 5, lst team 67 S.P.C. 1, 2, 3,7 Emblem Start, Lit. Assoc. 4, 5, Asst. Ed. 6, 77 Class Pres. 4, 5, 6, 77 Olympian 4, 5, 6, 77 Ping Pong 6, 7: Memoir Editor-in-Chief, CLARENCE DE HAAN A man of many inches, and every inch a man. S.O.S. 3, 57 Basketball, 2nd team 2, 3, lst team 4, 5, 67 A Cappella 4, 5, 6, 77 Olympian 4, 5, Treas, 6, 77 Ping Pong 5, 6, 7: Emblem Staff, Bus. Manager, 6, 77 Memoir Bus. Manager. DEBORAH HARKEMA Alas! and were l two, then might I keep the pore l've jet mxself. Girls' Glee Club 3, 4: Soph. Chorus 1, 27 Class of '40 Treas. 2, '37 Par' nassus Treas. 4, 57 M,C.C. 4, 57 Memoir Assoc. Lit. Ed. PAUL WESTVEER An interesting lyri ture of e and nonsense. if Emblem Staff, Hum r Ed. 67 lym- pian 67 S b l, 7 Chess Club l, 27 Pi g nq,,M ger 67 Memoir Hu ditor. A l f X., 7 A ill Memoir Stuff 0 Page Twenty'Tltree JEAN HUTTENGA She is liked by all-and de- serves to be. Class Treas. 1, 2, 3, 47 Girls' Com'l Club l, 2, 37 Soph. Chorus l, 27 Girls' Glee Club 3, 47 M,C.C. 3, 4, 5, 67 A Cappella 3, 4, 5, 67 Ping Pong 5, 67 Memoir Photo Editor. LILY VELZEN Qualified, dependable, guaran- teed to be on hand tor any Girls' Com'l Bbr ecy.-Treas. 2, 3, Pres. , , oph. horus l7 Girls' G 7- an. , 3, if sewing 1, Em- b - , Lit, A o ' 4, 5: A Cap- pell , - Mixe Chorus 57 Par- Fore cs - , Red Cross 4', 57 a 4 1 u ' f . ing Pong , 7 . . .7 vt 1 oir - it-or. work or pla B9 ssu -- S' Debating 47 I 4 5 OIC s I' JOHN HEKMAN Once I resolved a bachelor to be, But yet the young woman appealed to me. Boys' Glee ci, 937 Busketbaii, 2nd ,teamh J: Olympian 4, 5, 6, 7, VicefP , 77 A Z 4, 5, 6, 77 P g Pong 5, 6,' mblem Staff, Asst. Adv. M' er 6, 77 Memoir Subscription Ma ager. MR. JOHN DE HAAN, Sponsor

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Commencement Address I Tonight the class of '99 bids farewell to three years of high school life, to all that they stand for, and to the Christian institution which we all love. These three years have not been spent in vain. On the contrary, they have been the three most fruitful years in our lives. While the nations are feverishly re-arming for destruction, the Class of '39 is being flamed with the study of learning, and the admiration of virtue, stirred up with high launched, armed for constructive effort. lt ventures forth, as Milton has written, En- hopes of living to be brave men, and worthy patriots, dear to God and famous to all ages. We have been trained for warfare, in Paul's words, . . not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. In this war- fare we have been taught to use the armor of Christian soldiers, consisting of the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. We were disciplined, so that we might discipline ourselves in a world sadly lack- ing this power. We bore responsibilities, in anticipation and preparation for greater re- sponsibilities in later life. The knowledge we received was permeated with Christian prin- ciples and teachings. Our ideals and ambitions were formed in the light of the Word of God. lt only remains for us to realize these ambitions. Surely, we are equipped to re- sist successfully the temptations of the Evil One, and to render willing service to our God. In retrospectioh of these three years, we are impressed by the overwhelming debt we owe to those who have made possible these benefits. It is but natural that we turn first to our parents, our first educators. It was they who shaped our course in the days when our minds were very receptive and retentive. lt was they who sacrificed and labored to erect this institution. Our teachers deserve more than a word of gratitude for their diligent labors. Theirs is a noble profession of building Christian manhood and womanhood. We deeply ap- preciate the knowledge, encouragement, and counsel they willingly gave us. lt is our hope that they may see the fruits of their labors in our future accomplishments. May that be a source of joy and an inspiration for further effort. We especially appreciate the services of our able principal, Mr. Post. His fairness and wit made our stay very en- joyable. Mr. Sidney Stuk, our friendly sponsor, we particularly wish to thank for his will- ing service and inspiring leadership of the Class of '39, We hold him in high regard and will long remember him. Then, we wish to acknowledge the School Board for its administrative and financial activities. We also appreciate the unselfish and helpful work of the Ladies Circle and other organizations, who have endeavored to aid the cause of Christian High. Above all, we should express our gratitude to God. He has given us a Christian high school, through the medium of Christian parents and the efforts of others assembled here. On an historic spot in New England rests a significant monument. On the four cor- ners of the pedestal rest the four figures representing Law, Morality, Freedom, and Edu- cation. Above these stands the massive figure of Faith, one hand holding an open Bible, and the other pointing to God. Classmates, we have received an education-a Christian education. We have studied the Bible, the only basis for morality. We en- joy freedom under law. lf then our faith has not increased, it surely is due to our in- difference. Possibly an inventory of what we have received will strengthen our faith and deepen our gratitude. So, at the commencement of a new and broader life, the Class of '39 will disband. However, our common cause, and common heritage will form the bonds of an invisible union, and we look forward with confidence. A. W. Page Twenty-Five