Friday, February 27, 2004

Career Exposure
By Gina Verburg

On Wednesday, February 18, three juniors experienced “on–the-job” working environments when each visited a location of her choice. The junior class has been working closely with Mrs. Terpstra, the career counselor, so that she could find locations of interest for us.

Both Melinda De Jong and Michelle Zandstra are interested in cosmetology. Together they went to a salon called Wake Up Beautiful. When asked what she thought of the experience Michelle said, “I’m really glad that I went. It was very cool to see all the new technologies and ideas that are in today’s world. I noticed the advantages but also the disadvantages of being a cosmetologist. It was very helpful, and I decided that I definitely want to become a cosmetologist!” Both of the girls agreed that it was an enjoyable yet educational experience.

During my meeting with Mrs. Terpstra I mentioned that I have always been interested in floral design. An appointment at Teri’s Tea Rose in Lansing was arranged for me, and I definitely looked forward to it. Not only did I learn more about how floral businesses like this are started, but I also experienced how to keep these businesses going. I didn’t even mind that my hands got dirty working with ferns; in fact I enjoyed it! I learned a little about the different flowers and arrangements and really all of it was a fun experience.

There are five more juniors who have yet to go on a career appointment. Having experienced one, I can tell them that they will not only learn how to better use their talents, but they will also have fun as they interact with people who love their jobs. As we all interact with such people we can better make our decisions for our future jobs.

Challenges
Faced in the West
By Alyssa Zandstra

If you were a settler out West in 1867, you would face the many challenges that the West offered. The terrain was difficult to work with, the economy was horrible, the railroads were creating more problems than they were solving, neighboring Indian tribes were attacking settlers, and harsh weather conditions added to the challenges.

Putting up a beautiful, sturdy cabin was next to impossible because there was nothing out West but bare, treeless land. Settlers could either build a “soddy” or a dugout. A “soddy” was a home built by stacking blocks of prairie turf. It was cool in the summer and warm in the winter; unfortunately, there were the bugs, snakes, and other pests who shared the same home. A dugout was a home built in the side of a hill, and it too was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The disadvantages of a dugout were that it offered little light or air and leaked when it rained.

Harsh climate and natural disasters also challenged the settlers. Patterns of dry summers and harsh winters led to difficult times for cattle farmers. The grass and crops on the plains were damaged and were overused so there was little food for he cattle to feed on.
Getting started as a farmer was difficult because of economic problems. The prices for crops were drastically falling, the farmland was poor, and banks closed on mortgages.

The railroad systems built out West were to be used for attracting settlers and helping farmers, but didn’t accomplish this. Instead, the railroads charged excessive prices for shipping and handling. There were unfair prices for long hauls and short hauls, and farmers out West were charged more than farmers in the East.
Neighboring Indian tribes caused many troubles out West. They attacked the settlers and when troops came to the rescue, even more blood was shed.

The settlers coped with these challenges by living off the land as best they could and working hard to make ends meet. Their hard work proved that the settling of the West was a difficult era.

Defender Basketball 2004
By Grace De Jong

The Heritage Christian Defenders girls’ varsity team had their best season ever, not only because of their record, but in their overall attitude on the court. Their season concluded with a record of 5-4. While they lost two games each to Illinois Lutheran and Covenant Demotte, they were the victors in two games versus Luther East, two against Portage Christian, and one versus Ridgewood Baptist.

Defenders boys’ basketball began this year. Although the junior varsity failed to win any of their games, the boys’ efforts were clearly seen through their hustle and determination. Under the coaching of Mr. Dan Zandstra and his assistants, Mr. Jeff Zylstra and Mr. Mark Zandstra, the boys continued to grow in their knowledge of basic basketball drills and fundamentals.

With the ending of this season, both teams face new challenges in the upcoming year. For the guys’ team, that challenge is in the way of continually working to improve their skills and developing the fundamentals that their coaches have laid down for them. For the girls’ team, the challenge comes in developing and growing after the loss of two of their players through graduation. Katie Van Baren and Emily De Jong graduate this year after playing basketball for Heritage for three years. Both held important places on the team - Katie as a block leader and Emily as consistent rebounder. As next year approaches, the rest of the team will have to step up to the challenge to fill the active roles of these two girls.

The season concludes, not only with a positive future for both teams, but also with a positive flashback of the season. Under the guidance of Christian coaches, the players learned to represent not only their school in their hard work ethic, but also to represent their Lord. Through continual Christian conduct on the floor, through determination, hard work, and godly sportsmanship, the Defenders were, and will be, victorious on the basketball court, but also through gaining respect for fellow schools, teammates, coaches, and spectators, for proper representation of their Lord.