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Our stars are shining:

Zeeland students are mainstay of Walk for Warmth

Submitted by jcamenga on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 10:06
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For the third straight year, Zeeland high school Spanish students have made up the majority of participants in the annual Walk for Warmth.  On a brisk morning February 14, 80 of the 150 walkers were students of Spanish teacher Becky Purnell. 

"I wasn't sure how many students would want to participate this year because the walk was on Valentine's Day, but I didn't have to worry," Purnell said. 

The annual event raised $6,000 to assist West Michigan families who do not have money to pay their utility bills.

The photo at left is courtesy of TV 13, which covered the event and interviewed our students. 

Check the graphic from the 2008 Walk for Warmth.  It shows the strong participation by Zeeland students last year. 

 

 

 

 

Music students excel at festival

Submitted by jcamenga on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 08:57
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Congratulations are in order for Zeeland orchestra and band students who scored very well at the solo and ensemble festival in February.  Earning excellent and superior ratings in the orchestra competition were violinists Amelia Hann, Sophia Long, Derrick Oldenkamp, Leah Plockmeyer, and Kaity Strieff.

In the band division, the following musicians earned first division ratings:

  • Saxophone quartet - Chris Huizenga, Jake Kalmink, Connor Prins, Austin Spruit
  • Flute solo - Amanda Schuiling
  • Marimba solo - Ben Lievense
  • Tuba solo - Mark Avery
  • Brass chamber ensemble - Travis Ball, Ashley Walters, Josiah Samy, Josiah Meiste, Erika Beyer, Josh Strube, Ashley Grieves, Lauren Barris, Anna Filcik, Chad Schepers, Mark Koppenaal, Doug Williams, Mark Avery, Ben Lievense

These musicians earned second division ratings:

  • French horn solo - Ashley Grieves
  • French horn solo - Lauren Barris
  • French horn duet - Ashley Grieves/Lauren Barris
  • Trumpet solo - Josh Strube
  • Flute duet - Amanda Schuiling/Kristin VanHemert
  • Trumpet solo - Josh Meeuwsen
  • Trombone solo - Mark Koppenaal
  • Baritone solo - Doug Wiliams

 

Jace Heneveld signs with Ferris

Submitted by jcamenga on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 09:03
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With family, friends, and coaches nearby, Zeeland East senior Jace Heneveld on February 4 signed a national letter of intent to play football at Ferris State University next fall.  This past season, the Chix quarterback passed for more than 1,200 years and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 945 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Jace is one of two quarterbacks to sign for the position at Ferris.  Congratulations!

Abby Searls named "Cool Teacher"

Submitted by jcamenga on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 16:46
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Roosevelt Elementary teacher Abby Searls is cool because “she teaches us lots of fun things like cursive and math and . . . how bats are nocturnal,”  states 9-year-old Lydia Prus.  “And you know what else?  She always explains anything that does not make sense.”

Those are excerpts from the four-page letter Lydia wrote and sent it to the WGVU television Cool Teacher program.  Her efforts earned the entire class a pizza party thrown by WGVU staff members.  A cameraman, sound man, and producer stopped by the class with the pizzas at noon February 4.  Before the feast, Lydia spoke briefly on camera, praising Mrs. Searls for allowing students to sit in a tent at certain times to read a book.  

Searls has been teaching and inspiring elementary students at Zeeland Public Schools for 28 years.   Congratulations, Abby!
 

Zeeland senior to play soccer at Huntington

Submitted by jcamenga on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 10:51
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A senior athlete who served as captain of  the Zeeland East soccer team this fall will be playing soccer next year at Huntington University in Indiana.  Nick Harmsen,  17, signed a letter of intent January 26.  Zeeland East Soccer Coach Todd Kamstra said Harmsen “set the standard” of  commitment for his teammates throughout the season.   Kamstra predicted the defender center back “will do exceptionally well at the collegiate level.”

Congratulations, Nick!
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