May 17, 2012

TPH Teacher Receives Prestigious Fellowship

The Potter’s House High School Social Studies Teacher, Tricia Kremke, was recently awarded the James Madison Memorial Fellowship for 2012.

James Madison Fellowships support the graduate study of American history by aspiring and experienced secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and social studies.

Founded by an Act of Congress in 1986, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation is an independent agency of the executive branch of the federal government. (Taken from www.jamesmadison.gov.)

Congratulations Tricia!

February 23, 2012

Sandra Raak

Sandra writes,

I am a storyteller too and I would like to share some of my story with you. I first came to the United States from South America at the end of August of 2008 and three weeks later I started classes at Calvin College. I remember that my uncle picked me up from the Chicago O’Hare airport and I was feeling terribly intimidated because it was a huge building. I had a feeling that if I went in the wrong exit I was going to end up on the other side of the world.

Once at Calvin, I realized there were not very many Latin American students like me, but once I found them, they became my closest friends in college. I look back, and having lunch with them at least twice a week was what made me miss my family less.

After graduation, I had to decide if I was going to stay in the United States for another year or if I was going to go back home. On the one hand, the economic situation in Michigan was terrible but on the other hand, I had been dating Aaron Raak (TPH Class of 2005) for seven months. I stayed. After an intensive job search, I got an internship at WGVU Radio, where I wrote news stories, and a month later I got a job at “El Vocero Hispano,” where I currently work part-time. At “El Vocero,” I write stories in Spanish for the Hispanic population of Western Michigan.

Aaron and I got engaged in July 2010 and in March of 2011 we got married. We have been happily married since.

I have been at The Potter’s House for more than a month now and I have seen first-hand how wonderful it is to work in a community of believers. This is why I wanted to work and serve here.

Welcome, Sandra!

December 19, 2011

Dutch Heritage Essay Contest

Ellianne Huizinga took 2nd place for her entry in the Dutch Heritage essay contest for high school students. Here is her winning entry.

Made in China, Adopted Dutch, Born to be American
By: Ellianne Huizinga

On a particular day in March, March twenty-first to be exact, a boat (Maas Dam) was bringing immigrants from Groningen in the Netherlands to Hoboken, New Jersey. There was a very special passenger on this boat. When she had been in the old country she met a little boy in elementary school. The girl’s name was Frances or Franny (Feikje) and the boy’s name was Tony (Tonnis). Tony as a little boy liked to pick on Franny and especially enjoyed pulling on her hair. However, little did they know that their relationship would grow into the greatest love that anyone could have. It would be so great that once they were separated by Tony moving to America, Frances would follow three years later (1955). Frances left Thesinge, her home town, and her family alone. She didn’t know English but she was bound and determined to be with the man she loved, no matter what obstacles stood in the way. Guess who was standing there waiting for Frances when she got off that boat in Hoboken; Tony. After coming to America, Tony three years earlier, decided to join the United States Army in order to get his American citizenship. He had driven up from Fort Benning, Georgia to New Jersey so he could meet Frances and drive her to Michigan. The weather was terrible that day but nothing could change the happiness that the couple shared in their reunion after waiting three years.

Tony and Frances married August 23, 1956 and had three sons and a daughter. One of their sons named Jack grew up to marry a woman named Karen. Karen was also Dutch but not so directly connected to the culture. Jack and Karen Huizinga decided they wanted to adopt a baby girl from China. They adopted me on March 26, 1997 and I became an American citizen November 6, 1998. I look Chinese and have lived with that part of me at home. My grandparents are thoroughly Dutch and have therefore passed down many things involved in Dutch culture through their Dutch influence. I’ve lived the life I can remember in America.

Every time I look in the mirror or get a Made in China sticker put on me by my friends I know where I am from. At our house we have many Chinese decorations, celebrate Chinese New Year, and go to Heritage Camp to learn about our Chinese culture. At home I also have some Dutch culture in little things that I don’t even think about really. When I was adopted my parents gave me a blanket and while most people would call it a blanky, I call mine my doekje. My sister does the same with hers. Cheese is one of my favorite foods; my favorite type is gouda cheese, which is very Dutch. At the dinner table my dad sometimes shares stories of my grandparents in the Netherlands, him growing up with full on Dutch parents, and his visits to the old country. However, I feel the most Dutch at my grandma and grandpa’s house.

When I go to my grandparents’ house the first thing that assures you that you are in a Dutch home is my grandparents’ accent when they say hi to us. It is also very clear that family is important to them in that they always tell us how much they love us and how much we mean to them. On my birthday Grandma and Grandpa are always there after my dinner of pork roast, mashed potatoes with the drippings from the meat as gravy, and brussels sprouts. They always give gifts to my siblings when it is my birthday and vice versa because my grandpa managed his money well enough to have a comfortable retirement. He, as a Dutchman, managed his money and insurance well. My grandparents also made sure that they had money for the tithe when they went to church. They have been and still go twice on Sunday with a strong faith and love of God. This part of them has influenced me in my walk with Christ by setting a good example of what a Christian life looks like. God brought me to live in America and this is my home. But living in America makes me curious about both cultures and histories because in school you mainly learn about American history and not much of others’. I have grown up with three different perspectives and don’t know much about two of them. All of this makes me think of who I really am. Am I Chinese because of my appearance? Am I Dutch because of who my family is? Or am I American because of my location and memories of my history? Being Chinese, Dutch, or American is all fine but for where God is leading me I believe being all three heritages are necessary to my identity and who I will be because I am all three.

December 19, 2011

TPH Student Wins City-wide Essay Contest

Trinity Kirkland, a fourth grade student at TPH, entered the city-wide “Believe to Become” essay contest and walked away with first prize.

Here is Trinity’s essay followed by her mother’s entry.

I Have a Dream

My name is Trinity Kirkland. I am 9 years old. I am writing an essay about my future. I hope you like my essay. Here it goes!

My dreams for the future are to become a veterinarian and write books about being a veterinarian. I will be a veterinarian because I like to take care of animals. I like to help them when they are sick. In order for me to be a veterinarian, I need to finish elementary school, high school, and then college. I will need to go to college at Michigan State University for at least 4 years. I will open my own veterinarian office. I will name my business Trinity’s Treatment Town (TTT).

I will help cats, dogs, lizards, frogs, and snakes to name a few. I really plan to take care of all animals if they are sick. I will work very hard to be the best veterinarian that I can be. I know that I will need to study hard and do all of my homework. I take my school work very serious because it is important. My mommy told me that once these days are over, I won’t be able to get them back. That means I better do the best that I can in these days because I won’t get a second chance to do these days again.

I am already a published author so I know that when I write my veterinarian books that I have to follow all the steps that are necessary for a good author and illustrator. First, I need to write a rough draft or practice story. Next, I need to check to see if everything is spelled correctly. After that, you make the illustrations to go with the story. Finally, when it is all done you read it and see if you like your story. You also let other people read it to see if they like your story. If you like it and it is what others like you make it and you become a published author. And that is what my dream for the future is!

I Have a Dream for My Baby

by:Tonya Kirkland
My dreams for my child’s future are to help her in any way possible to become a veterinarian. Trinity has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was four years old. She would find insects and save them as pets. She would feed them, bathe them, and love them. She will be an excellent veterinarian.

We have researched different colleges and found out that Michigan State has the best Veterinarian Program. I have called veterinarian offices that have agreed to let Trinity and I come in and volunteer. I have called the Humane Society to take a class about the care of animals to share the information with Trinity. She gets very excited when we talk about animals. We have received magazines on animals and their care. She will actually read them! She has $125 in her bank account and she says that she will use it to open her business. I will match whatever she puts into her business.

Trinity has always been a loving and caring person. I was diagnosed with three life threatening illnesses. I was so fatigued due to chemotherapy treatments. Trinity fed me, combed my hair, reminded me to take my meds, helped me with my clothing and helped me exercise. I know that you get fatigued just reading that. Trinity was seven years old at the time. I was in good hands. She made me want to get better. She loved me when I didn’t love myself.

According to Wikipedia, “Some veterinarians pursue post-graduate training and enter research careers and have contributed to advances in many human and veterinary medical fields, including pharmacology and epidemiology.” That is Trinity. She cared for me and I know that she will take care of animals with her entire loving heart.

November 16, 2011

4th/5th grade science camp

Enjoy this compilation of photos by Science teacher Emily Smitter from last year’s science camp.
View here.