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PILGRIM Journey IN THIS ISSUE Equipping Young Men and Women to Engage and Tranform the World for Jesus Christ p.2 Planning for the Future p.5 Pilgrims Continue Winning Tradition p.12 Fall 2015
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Pilgrim journey fall 2015

Jul 24, 2016

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Laurel Iversen

The fall 2015 newsletter from Lansing Christian School in Lansing, MI
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Page 1: Pilgrim journey fall 2015

PILGRIM Journey

IN THIS ISSUE Equipping Young Men and Women to Engage and Tranform the World for Jesus Christ p.2

Planning for the Future p.5

Pilgrims Continue Winning Tradition p.12

Fall 2015

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The Lansing Christian School Board of TrusteesGillian Granger, Chairperson Brad Banasik, SecretaryStephanie BuchalskiTamara CutlerKen HowardEric Vanden Bosch Scott WagonerRina WoodlandLori Wortz

Equipping Young Men and Women to Engage and Transform the World for Jesus ChristBy Wendy Hofman, Head of School

Equipping young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ is the new vision statement for Lansing Christian School that was adopted by the Board of Trustees in May, 2015. The new vision statement was introduced to parents and students at the first day of school chapel.

While Lansing Christian School continues to adhere to its mission to partner with Christian parents to educate children to the full extent of their God-given abilities, our new vision statement speaks specifically to student engagement with God’s world as the context for Christian education. Equipping young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ is about God’s redemption of all of life and His call to each one of us to join Him in this important work.

From the very beginning of a child’s education, our focus is preparing LCS graduates to use their God-given gifts and abilities in preparation for college and career, and for engagement with the world in all areas of study. We believe that our vision for LCS graduates will have profound implications for how we educate students in the years ahead. I invite you to read about some of the plans we already have in place in the 2015-20 Strategic Plan on page 5.

We believe that our vision for LCS graduates will have profound implications for how we educate students in the years ahead.

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The Pilgrim Journey has a new look to reflect our new vision statement and core values. Our new core values are not new ideas. In fact, they reflect what

we are already doing and will direct how we behave at every level of our school in order to achieve our vision to equip young men and women to

engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

We Partner with Christian Parents

Lansing Christian School exists to assist parents

in building a strong Christian foundation for their children. We serve Christian families who

desire a Christ-centered education for their children.

Core Values

We Glorify God in All of LifeKnowing God, loving His Word, and living for Him are the foundation for everything we do at

Lansing Christian School. We seek to live our faith in

our relationships, our character and our service.

We Honor God through Excellence

Striving for excellence is expected from all members of the

Lansing Christian School community. We foster

excellence in academic, co-curricular and

extracurricular programs.

We Live and Learn in Christian CommunityCultivating caring and

respectful relationships is integral to every aspect

of school life. We prepare students to flourish as they discover and develop their

God-given gifts and abilities. We teach,

model and practice servant leadership.

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GLORIFY GOD

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LCS Launches “Life Calling Bible Curriculum” By Eric Thomas

Each of us has been created in the image of God. We have all been given strengths in order to glorify Him. Lansing Christian School is excited to offer a new curriculum to our 11th grade students that will equip them to use their gifts and talents to pursue God's unique call for their lives.

Exploring God’s Word and CreationWhat does it mean to truly know God? How can we glorify Him? These are the questions Garrett Anderson, LCS PE teacher, helped students wrestle with this summer during his Adventure Bike Camps.

Several elementary and middle school students participated in the camps, where they not only explored the beauty along the River Trail, but also dug deeper into God’s word. Each day the students gathered with their bikes and Bibles ready for the adventure ahead of them.

Traversing the trails and exploring some of Lansing’s favorite sites such as Hawk Island, Potter Park Zoo and Bake N’ Cakes gave the students an appreciation of what the city has to offer. More importantly, each day Mr. Anderson led the students in a Bible study. Throughout the week students had the opportunity to share their testimony with each other and learn what it means to know and glorify God.

The course, Introduction to Life Calling, will help students gain a perspective on God’s calling, design and purpose for their lives so they can make informed decisions about college and their future pursuits. The class will help students discover their unique design by God and the passions He has given them so they, in turn, can transform the world for Christ.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

Planning for the FutureLast May, the Board of Trustees approved the 2015-20 Strategic Plan for Lansing Christian School. Over the course of nine months, more than fifty people participated in the strategic planning process. The focus of the strategic planning process was in four large areas of priority, which now include a number of strategies that will help to advance the vision and mission of LCS in measurable ways during the next five years.

LCS Strategic Plan PrioritiesAdvancing our vision and mission internally and externally through effective communication, marketing and community relationships.

Communicating our vision to equip young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ is the foundation for all the new programs and initiatives we will be working to advance during the next five years.

We have determined that strategically working towards growing enrollment to include both a retention rate of 90% or more and 1% annual growth over the next five years, will help our school to thrive in the future, while graduating more students that are equipped to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

Pursuing excellence in PreK-12 academic, athletic and creative arts programs. Developing a new vision for student learning that focuses on student ownership of learning, while using God-given gifts and abilities and 21st century skills to engage in real-world learning experiences, is work we are beginning this year.

This year, we are beginning plans to develop more opportunities for our students to acquire relevant skills and real-world learning experiences in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Growing enrollment to include both a retention rate of

90% or more and 1% annual growth over the next five years.

We are seeking to build a PreK-12 Athletic Program in order to give elementary, middle and high school students opportunities to develop athletic skill, grow in faith and compete as representatives of Christ in the Greater Lansing community.

Financial SustainabilitySustainability is about more than meeting our costs. Sustainability is about planning for the future. Planning for the financial sustainability of our school must be a priority during the next five years in order for LCS to thrive in the future and continue to serve families in the Greater Lansing community in the years ahead.

Over the next five years, we will work to implement strategies that will help our school keep Christian education accessible for families, while also focusing on the role of tuition assistance, annual giving, endowment and alternative income.

Recruiting, Growing, and Retaining High Quality Teachers and AdministratorsAs we seek to build new programs and grow enrollment, recruiting and retaining the very best Christian teachers will continue to be a priority. Recruiting outstanding teachers that bring expertise and vibrant faith will be of utmost importance in our efforts to develop new programs and initiatives.

Planning for the financial sustainability of our

school must be a priority during the next five years.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

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From Engineer to Educator By Andrew Kleyn

Teachers at Lansing Christian School bring a variety of career and life experiences into the classroom. These experiences can foster excellent teaching and can better equip students to engage and transform the world in their chosen vocations. An example of a teacher whose former career benefits her students and the LCS academic program is Susan Hileman, who teaches high school math and science courses.

Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Hileman worked for nearly twenty years as an engineer for General Motors. As an engineer, Mrs. Hileman was a project manager designing, building and installing equipment to make sheet metal parts, such as fuel tanks and exhaust systems.

When her position was going to be relocated, Mrs. Hileman considered the possibility of a career change. As she put it, “I prayed to God for guidance whether I should stay in engineering or change careers. God worked on my heart to trust Him and look at teaching.”

Mrs. Hileman recognizes how the education offered at LCS will help prepare students for possible careers in engineering. “

Mrs. Hileman recognizes how the education offered at LCS will help prepare students for possible careers in engineering. She says, “Engineers need to be knowledgeable in math and science, but also in English and finance. Project management includes selling your ideas, managing design and build projects and staying on budget. So, engineers need to be able to communicate and work in teams. These concepts are taught across our curriculum.”

Though she acknowledges the impressive education LCS already provides, Mrs. Hileman embodies the idea of expecting excellence by encouraging continual improvement in her students and in the programs at LCS. She is working to design and implement opportunities for students to “hear from engineers, visit engineers at work and see what engineering is about. Then these students could design, build and test their own inventions.”

LCS is proud to have Mrs. Hileman as part of our staff. We are thankful for how her life experiences have made her into an excellent teacher and we are looking forward to seeing the contributions she will continue to make in the programs we offer and in the lives of her students.

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

How an LCS Teacher Equips Students By Betsy Jackson

Our classrooms are communities. They are special places where we work and play together for several hours each day, five days a week. To have strong working communities we need rules to guide our behavior. So what better source to draw from than God’s word? God wants believers to dwell in community, having the same mind that is in Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:1 -11). This year, I created biblically based class rules. We do these things to honor God.

At Lansing Christian School our students are learning that wherever they go their behavior reflects Jesus Christ. I pray that as my first graders recite our class rules each morning, God’s word will grow deeper into their hearts. Every time they raise their hand to speak or listen attentively to others, I hope they remember Luke 6:31: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” as the reason for doing it. As we work together this year and when they leave to engage in other communities, God’s word will guide their behavior in ways that a single teacher never could. It’s one of the best ways I can equip them to engage and transform our world for Christ.

God wants believers to dwell in community, having the same mind that is in Jesus Christ.“

Preschool is an opportunity for young children to learn, explore, make new friends and grow in many ways. It is also an opportunity for parents and teachers to plant early seeds of faith.

We teach our students many things in preschool, but the best thing that we teach them is how much God loves them. Each day in the preschool classrooms we read or act out a Bible story. We talk about God’s love and faithfulness to us and to His people. We share fun songs with the children to help them memorize verses from the Bible. We also pray together as a class. Through these important activities our students learn about God’s love and how to show it to others.

Nurturing Spiritual Foundation in PreschoolBy Heidi O’Neill

Follow directions quickly. – Hebrews 13:17Raise your hand to speak. – James 1:19Keep hands and feet to yourself. – Luke 6:31

“Give 5” for listening. – Luke 6:31Solve Problems together. – Matthew 18:15-17Make God smile! – Colossians 3:23

Classroom Rules

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Over the past decade, a tradition has developed to start the year for the senior class. We call it “Senior Survival.” In early September, the seniors travel to South Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, for a weekend of backcountry camping.

Growing Closer to Each Other and GodBy Tim Blamer

Seniors spend time with each other in a unique, natural setting, which fosters a sense of community within the class to begin the school year.

“And they all did. When we ask the seniors at the end of the year what their favorite high school memory was, many of them say it was Senior Survival.

They enjoy the responsibility they are given on the island and the opportunity to work with their classmates to “survive” the weekend. They enjoy being outside and getting away from the stress that often comes with the start of the year. They reflect on growing closer to God and each other through the experience. Senior Survival is a unique opportunity that Lansing Christian offers, and we look forward to more students having this experience.

The class camps in tents, cooks their own food, hikes around the island and visits the dunes and shipwrecks. They spend time with each other in a unique, natural setting, which fosters a sense of community within the class to begin the school year. They enjoy the beauty of the island and Lake Michigan and marvel in the Creator who made them. They have an opportunity to stretch themselves whether they are experienced campers or this is their first time sleeping in a tent on the ground (or using the one outhouse at the camp site).

This year, we went to South Manitou at the end of the first week of school. After a long bus ride and one of the smoothest ferry rides in memory, we arrived on the island. The seniors met the park ranger and heard an orientation about backcountry, low impact camping in this protected area. Then we took off on a one and a half mile hike to our campsite, carrying heavy backpacks filled with all of our supplies. We set up camp at a group site in a clearing in the woods right next to the lakeshore.

Then we spent the next two days enjoying the island and each other. The island has large sand dunes, shipwrecks, old growth cedars and many hiking trails. The weather was the warmest we have ever had for the weekend, so many of us were able to swim in Lake Michigan and sleep comfortably at night. For the first time, the seniors had the challengeof filtering or boiling their drinking water, so we truly felt like we were surviving.

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Since 1967, Israel has occupied the territory called the West Bank after capturing it in the Six Day War. The territory is home to millions of Palestinians, including many Christians. In 1916, Daher Nassar bought some land that would become the Tent of Nations. Unlike many other landowners, Nassar registered the land with the Ottoman Empire which was ruling over Palestine at the time. The family continued to register the land with the British, then the Jordanians, then finally with the Israeli government. After the Six Day War, Israel began building Jewish settlements in the West Bank in order to solidify their hold on that territory. They built on Palestinian land that, in almost every case, did not have papers but had been in families’ possession for many years. In 1991, the Nassar’s land was declared state land. Since then, the family has been struggling to hold on to their farm, which is now on a lone hill surrounded by four Israeli settlements.

The Nassars have been fighting through the Israeli court system to keep their land,spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees. Since the courts have continued to rule in favor of the Nassars, Israel seems to be trying other means to get the land. The farm has standing demolition orders on all the structures including houses and cisterns. For “security reasons,” their access to running water and electricity has been cut off. The road to their farm has been blocked, so they have to come in another way, adding a long drive to get anywhere. A couple years ago, the Israeli military began tearing down hundreds of fruit trees before the Nassars were able to get a court order to stop the demolition.

Life has been difficult for the Nassar family. They are a microcosm of the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, they respond out of their faith in Jesus Christ, and instead of resorting to violence, they have adopted the motto “We Refuse to be Enemies.” When Israeli soldiers show up on the farm, the family serves them tea and engages them as image bearers of God.

Tent of NationsBy Tim Blamer

At Lansing Christian, we wish for all members of our community to live out our vision to engage and transform the world. I have been blessed to have traveled to Israel eight times over the past eleven years. This last summer, I went back to visit places I had not been before. I also spent a week volunteering at a farm owned by Palestinian Christians in the West Bank called the “Tent of Nations.”

They have developed ways to be self-sufficient including installing solar panels, collecting rain water, building underground caves for living, and building compost toilets. They bring people together from all backgrounds and faiths to build understanding and respect for each other They are truly living out what it means to love God and love your neighbor, and others around the world have noticed and have come to volunteer on the farm. I spent a week living

among the family and the other volunteers. Each day began early, with a break

in the afternoon in the heat of the day, then more work before

dinner. I spent many hours clearing weeds from fields or

digging trenches for grape vines to be planted. The

farm was hosting a summer camp for Palestinian children

the following week, so much of our work was preparing for the

coming kids and volunteers. I painted playground equipment

and cleared areas where camp activities would take place. Each

evening, we would go out and water the newly planted olive trees. We ran

around on the side of a mountain carrying water jugs being filled with cistern water to individually water each tree with care. It was remarkable to be farming in such a location.

Toward the end of the week, I had a chance to sit down with Daoud, one of the brothers now running the farm. I asked him what he hoped for in the larger conflict. He said to me that he cannot think that way. Instead, he said he can take small steps each day to do what he can to live out what he believes. This mindset gives purpose to weeding, to carrying a water jug up the side of a hill, to painting a swing set, to digging a hole for a fence post, to treating an Israeli soldier with compassion and respect. On a hill in the West Bank, just outside Bethlehem, Christians are transforming the world one small step at a time and one life at a time. We, too, can engage and transform our world through our faith in Jesus one step at a time.

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Retreat Challenges Students to Build Community and Grow in FaithBy Eric Thomas

What do Lake Michigan, September and Lansing Christian School have in common? Retreat! Each year LCS provides the unique opportunity to head to Camp Geneva in Holland, MI for three days to encourage the high school and middle school students to build community and grow in their faith. This is a key time for new students, 6th graders and freshman to get to know other students in the school while providing space for all students to grow deeper in their current friendships.

Retreat is also a wonderful opportunity for students to spend time focusing on their relationship with God. Each year dynamic speakers challenge students to step out in their faith and solidify their commitment to Christ. With the focus on life changing relationships, this time is both a fun highlight and a starting block to begin a year of personal and spiritual growth.

Travel to Israel with LCSIn June 2016, Lansing Christian School students and others have the opportunity to travel to the land of Israel and experience the world of the Bible. Weinvite you to participate in this trip.

We will see God’s Word come to life as we journey through the land to places like the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Masada and Jerusalem. Our lives will be changed as we study the Bible in the locations where it actually happened. We will never see stories like David and Goliath in the same way after having been in the valley where the battle took place. We will hear the words of the Sermon on the Mount differently after hearing them on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We will learn with our hearts, minds, hands and feet as we hike through deserts, climb up mountains, swim in seas and walk through ancient cities. Come walk in the footsteps of Abraham, David, Paul and Jesus.

We will see God’s Word come to life as we journey through the land to places like the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Masada and Jerusalem.

The trip will be led by Tim Blamer, Dean of Students and Bible teacher at LCS.

Tim has led many trips to Israel and studied in the land and has a passion for bringing the Word of God to life for others. The trip will be from June 19-July 1, 2016. The cost is $4175 and deposits and registrations are now being accepted. Visit lcsisrael.weebly.com for more info and to register for the trip or contact Tim Blamer at [email protected] would love for you to join us in this life changing experience!

CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

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PARTNERING WITH PARENTS

Annual FundBy Melissa Keeley

The vision of Lansing Christian School is to equip young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ. We strive to achieve this vision by providing engaging, rigorous and relevant learning experiences for students, and comprehensive athletic and creative arts programs, led by exceptional faculty. In order to maintain this level of excellence, we depend on the generous contributions of parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who have a passion for the vision of our school.

Like most Christian schools around the country, our tuition price does not cover the full cost of educating a student. In order to keep tuition affordable and maintain our level of distinction as an institution of Christian learning, we are charged with raising nearly 20% of our operating budget each year through contributions. Your gift to the Annual Fund provides immediate impact on the level of excellence at Lansing Christian School by “closing the gap” between what the price of tuition covers and our annual operating budget.

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The financial support of the LCS community to the Annual Fund is an expression of faith and support in God’s work at the school and we ask every family to contribute some amount to the Annual Fund each year. Please watch your inbox and mailbox over the next several weeks for information about our Annual Fund for Lansing Christian School. Your gift, big or small, makes a difference and provides our students with opportunities to honor God through excellence.

The financial support of the LCS community to the Annual Fund is an expression of faith and support in God’s work at the school and we ask every family to contribute some amount to the Annual Fund each year.

Partnering with Parents in Student Technology UseAt LCS, we believe that technology and use of the internet can both facilitate and enhance the learning process. We also recognize that teaching students to use technology responsibly requires ongoing education at home and at school.

This year, providing students and parents with ongoing education about safe and responsible internet use is a shared focus. Responsible decision-making for students and effective oversight for parents begins with the right information.

During the months of October and November, guest presenter Chris McKenna shared important information with 5th – 12th grade students in three separate sessions. Each session was tailored to the needs of students at each grade level. He conducted an evening session for parents as well. His presentation gave parents practical advice on how to keep children and teens safe while using the internet.

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ATHLETICS

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Pilgrims Continue Winning TraditionTwo years after winning the first soccer state championship in Lansing Christian School history, the Boys Varsity Soccer Team has continued to excel on the pitch. Led by senior captains Jake Lyon, Alex McDowell and Chase Hansen, the Pilgrims posted a sterling record of 20 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. The only loss came early in the season against a very skilled Williamston team and marks the first time in three seasons the Pilgrims have lost a regular season match. In post season play, the team finished as regional champs, unfortunately losing in the state semi-finals.

For the second time in as many years the team ran away with the Greater Lansing Activities Conference (GLAC) title by posting a perfect 12-0 record while outscoring their league opponents by an astounding 93 goals for and 3 goals against. Jake Lyon, Alex McDowell, Noah Usiak and Chase Hansen were all honored as 1st team All-GLAC members, while Preston Granger and Jared Reed garnered 2nd team recognition. Nick Jamieson rounded out the conference awards by being named Honorable Mention.

For the first time in school history the team has four players who have scored at least 20 goals in a season. Bryan Mains and Alex McDowell have each tallied 21 while Nick Jamieson has added 25. Jake Lyon leads the team with a new school record of 46 goals scored in one season, breaking the old boys’ soccer record of 31 held by former Pilgrim Peter Malefyt.

The Pilgrims also boast a stout defense that has given up only 10 goals on the season. The quintet of Chase Hansen, Preston Granger, Noah Usiak, Luke Hagy and Jared Reed have done most of the work for the Pilgrim defense and have done a fantastic job of limiting chances for the opponents. This resolute defense combined with the dynamic offense earned the Pilgrims an outstanding season!

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Equestrian Team CompetitionFor the first time, LCS competed in the Division D Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association. The competitions took place at the Ingham County Fairground almost every weekend throughout September and October.

An equestrian competitor begins their day at 6:30am with the feeding, care and preparation of the horses. Equestrian classes, which include showmanship and different styles of riding, last throughout the day and end around 7:00pm each night.

LCS had two riders on the team, Gabby Moran and Lizzy Havey. They were required to compete in 16 different events. Being on the equestrian team required much of these riders and their horses and they rose to the occasion!

They placed second at Districts, which allowed them to go on and compete at Regionals. At Regionals they took 3rd! This is extremely impressive for a small, but tough first year team. Congratulations to Gabby and Libby for bringing home the District Trophy and representing LCS so well! We would also like to congratulate their equine partners in competition, Duke, Spirit, Libby and Rush.

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Boys XC Team Qualifies for State 2015 LCS graduate and state-qualifying XC runner Trace Henderson was serious when he said this team is going to do great things.

Going into this year and the regional cross country meet, it was expected that it would be nip and tuck for the boys to qualify for the state meet by finishing in the top three. When the race was over and the points were tabulated, the boys surprised even themselves by finishing in second place and qualifying for the state meet for a second year in a row.

Senior Andrew Carlock, along with Sophomores Davis Tebben and Dawson Block all finished in the top 15 and qualified for state as individuals, as did Freshman Natalie Krueger for the girls.

“The future looks bright for LCS XC,” says first year coach and former collegiate runner Jon Watson, who has a young team of exceptional runners. Additionally, with 16 middle school runners participating this fall, the XC pipeline looks promising. Many thanks to high school coach Jon Watson and middle school coaches John Bates and Gloria Jentz for their leadership.

ATHLETICS

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ATHLETICS

A Record Setting Season: Williamston/Lansing (WLC) Christian Swim and Dive team

When you speak to Coach Bob Oliver, he doesn’t even bring up the team record (eight wins and a single loss by one point). He doesn’t mention that division 3 WLC tied division 1 Grand Ledge for 2nd place at Heritage Relays. His focus is entirely on the individual swimmers. Describing the Mason meet, Coach Bob tells a story, “One swimmer smashed her own personal best, set just one week before, for a pool record” Coach Bob talks about personal bests. Whether in the pool or in academics, the focus for each team member is to accomplish her lifetime best, each and every time.

WLC Swim has a strikingly positive atmosphere. The girls enjoy a collaborative process where they strive to do their best, applying the lesson that hard work and perseverance lead to success. 100% of the swimmers have chalked up a lifetime best in at least one event this season! That includes swimmers who have suffered injuries and are in abbreviated training. Despite the injuries, teammates encourage each other in their events. While swimming is more of an individual sport, the girls are great teammates. They enthusiastically support each other both in and out of the pool.

This high intensity training environment combined with the strong work ethic of each swimmer and diver has helped the team go far.

We have two LCS students participating on the team. Natalie Crandell has scored above 200 in diving at every meet this season. She is undefeated going into leagues. Madison Casteel has posted new lifetime bests in many events including: 50 free, 100 free, 50 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, and 500 free. The 200 meter freestyle relay is just 0.5 seconds from state qualification. WLC Swim and Dive has the opportunity to win the district title (the highest award for a swim team as a whole) and send several swimmers and divers to state.

They enthusiastically support each other both in and out of the pool.“

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Girls Varsity Volleyball Climbs to #4 Ranking in the State!By Dan Wethy

The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team finished their regular season with a 31-10-1 record, and they have steadily climbed in the state rankings from #6 at the beginning of the season to #4 at the end of October for all Class D schools in Michigan. They enter their state tournament with big plans to make it through districts and regionals to play in the state finals at the Kellogg Arena inBattle Creek.

Two players returned as All-State selections from 2014, Adair Cutler and Paige Porter. Both are currently ranked among the stat leaders in the Lansing area and across the state for their respective categories – Adair for aces and assists, and Paige for kills and digs. Good luck to the team as they head into the final portion of their season!

Powderpuff 2015By Emily Partridge

At Lansing Christian, community is at the heart of our school. There are many ways that this community is encouraged, and one way is through events like Powderpuff Football.

“The guys all get together, and the girls all get together, and then we all come together, and it’s like a big family event,” says Paige Porter, a member of the juniors’ Powderpuff Football team. “I wish every girl in our grade would do it.” “[Powderpuff] gives the girls a good opportunity to be on a team with each other outside of regular sports and play a sport they don’t normally play,” says Jon Hull, a coach of the junior team. Kara Spreng, a player from the sophomore team, adds, “It’s cool to be on the other side. Not in the crowd, but on the sidelines, cheering on your team.”

Although only the junior class won the tournament, all four classes gained valuable experience from the games. “Throughout our high school careers, we’re going to have to work as a team,” says Kara. “Whether it’s in class, in sports or spirit week, we’ll always have to work together, and I think [Powderpuff] is another way to help us grow in that.”

ATHLETICS

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Equipping young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

3405 Belle Chase Way, Lansing, MI 48911

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ADMISSION E V E N T S

RSVP to the Admissions Office at 517.882.5779 x107 or email: [email protected] or just drop in. In case of inclement weather please check our website homepage for cancellations and rescheduled dates.

Parent Preschool / Kindergarten Visit Days for Prospective Families: January – April Preschool • 8-9 amKindergarten • 9-10 amThis is an opportunity for you and your child to experience preschool/kindergarten. January 20, 2016, February 3, 2016, March 2, 2016 and April 13, 2016

Kindergarten Info Night: January 26, 2016 • 7 pm All School Info Night for Prospective Families: February 9, 2016 • 7 pm

Campus Tours and Student Visit Days: January 26, 2016February 23, 2016*March 8, 2016April 19, 2016May 3, 2016*(Ultimate Middle School Visit Day)

S A V E THE DATE

December 10 K-3rd Annual Christmas Concert

December 17 4th – 12th Annual Christmas Concert

February 12 Homecoming

March 17 Black & Gold Celebration