Yearbook Signing Party 2013

On Thursday, September nineteenth at Calvary Christian Schools middle and high school students gather for a once a year exciting event. The yearbook signing party. At this event student receive their year books from the previous year. Each year the yearbook is a different theme. The theme of the yearbook matches the decoration and atmosphere of the party. This year the theme was candy. The yearbook was centered around different types of suckers, chocolate and hard candies. At the party there is also food. Student bring or make sweet and snacks for students to enjoy.

At the yearbook signing party you receive your yearbook and then the signing begins! Your fellow peers and friends can sign your yearbooks or write personal notes. Tables are set up so you can sit and pass around your yearbook if you so wish. This event is a very fun and social time to not only have fun remembering memories but meeting new students.

This yearbook signing party occurs after the soccer and volleyball games. The guys have their soccer game at 5:30 and the girls play their volleyball game from 4:30-6:30. The games are always an exciting time to cheer on your team and have school spirit! This event gets the Calvary students very pumped about their team. This allows for an even better time at the party.

At the party many memories are brought back. Some good and some bad. People are talking about fun times, events, and games. This times is really a bonding experience for students. It makes students feel welcome and invited. It helps them realize that Calvary is like a family and that the students stick together. This event is one that no one should even hesitate to come to. It is an experience that you do not want to miss!

- Lyssa Byers, Junior

High School Retreat 2013 - Spring Hill

About two weeks ago, my class, along with the rest of the high school went to Spring Hill camp for our annual high school retreat. At this camp we had a great speaker, Calvin Wisen, and an equally great worship leader, Chris Moeller, to guide us and encourage us for this coming year of school.

Calvin, also known as Cal, touched on many deep subjects during our chapel se

ssions.  His content included trust, admitting our sin and most importantly the status of our relationship with Jesus. After hearing Cal’s message I felt an urgency to go and be bold for my savior.  Along with building our relationship with our savior, we also built relationships with our friends while we tackled each other in water polo, sank three’s in basketball, spiked it hard during ping pong, and screamed while going down the water slide. Personally, my favorite activity during retreat would have to be water polo. It was fun trying to fight through the water with people on your back and trying to focus on scoring, all while laughing and cheering.

The meals at retreat were not as bad as to be expected. Actually, the food was among the best camp food I've ever had. It tasted fresh and was bursting with flavor. Bursting. The beds were just as I expected though, not exactly luxury king sized beds with memory foam pillows. No, the luxury beds were for the higher powers at our school. I think Mr. Kapanka got one and maybe Mr. Maine. 

The last full day at camp was the best because at night we had a campfire with hotdogs, s’mores, mallowdogs and cookies. We then all sat in a circle around the campfire and took turns standing up and sharing a encouraging thought or story from our life. Overall retreat was a great way to grow in Jesus and get ready for this coming school year!!

- Gage Berg, Junior

More about our Flag Display

Click on the image above to see the video on MLive

(http://videos.mlive.com/chronicle/2013/08/state_flags_on_display_at_calv.html)

CCS Students visit Civil War Muster with Mr Marshall

On September 7th and 8th, the Holland Museum had its annual Van Raalte Farms Civil War Muster and Heritage Days Festival. They feature highlights from the Civil War and life in those times. Many people attended to see the reenacted battles that the 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry unit and the Confederate 33rd Virginia Company E unit participated in.

What makes the Muster special for students at Calvary Christian Schools is the fact that our own history teacher, Mr. Brent Marshall plays the role of a Union Soldier. In addition to participating in the battle, this year Mr. Marshall had a special performance as an amputee in the medical scenario. The surgery was successful!

Since this was my second year going, my favorite part was the battle. At 2:00 the Battle of Gettysburg began. The battle consisted of Union infantry, cavalry, and artillery units, squaring off against Confederate infantry and artillery units. They skirmished for a while in the battlefield, both sides fighting for the middle of the field. The Union infantry sustained heavy casualties and the confederate infantry chased them out, but the Union cavalry came in to take back the fight.

Next was the Battle of Little Round top. The Union infantry and artillery held the top of the hill while the Confederate infantry and artillery tried take the hill from the Union forces. The Confederates pushed and pushed but in the end were slaughtered by the Union troops.

After the battle finished, the reenactors shook hands and entertained the crowd by pretending to bayonet charge the spectators. Then, President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address to all in attendance.

The Units were then dismissed and went back to their camps to pack up after the weekend’s festivities. I then visited the civilian camps where I found Shannon Arens, who was teaching a few kids how to make lace. I spoke to her and asked her a few questions about reenacting and said that she loved to do reenacting because she loves and appreciates history. She loves to live the way it used to be. Her favorite thing about reenacting is being able to dress up and cook period appropriate meals. She makes pies in a Dutch oven over the fire with coals and makes venison stew.


The Heritage Days festivals allowed people to do candle-dipping, see old-fashioned woodworking, and historic photos and medals of the civil war.

The crowd seemed to have a great time, as did I, and loved all of the history involved in it. The reenactors had a great time as well in their battles. All in all the weekend was great and full of many new things to those who don’t know much about the Civil War. I can’t wait for next year and I am hoping that I will be able to reenact as well!

- Cory Greeno, Junior

CCS Flag Display on WZZM

Click on the image below to see the news cast about our flag display!