Grandparents’ Day was just last week Friday and by the looks of it, it went quite well. This day is to celebrate all of our grandparents and all they have done for us through the years; it is to show them that we love them immensely.

We started this very hot day by welcoming all of the lovely grandparents into Westlake’s building. Juniors and Seniors such as Hope Perry and Eli Sensenig, acted as guides for grandparents so that they could find their grandchild’s classes. After each grandparent got settled in, the teacher started class and included the grandparents in either quizzes or discussion, etc. It’s quite creative!

After some time in the classrooms, grandparents were called to the gym where we provided morning snacks and coffee for them to munch on. We received many comments on the great food.

After a short introductory speech from Dr. Healan in the gymnasium, Westlake students filed in and the program for the Grandparents’ Day commenced. This program includes different grades either singing, praying, or giving speeches on what grandparents are and mean to them.

During the program, the High School choir sang and there were many comments from different grandparents about how moving and beautiful the performance was. This is quite a compliment and definitely makes us proud of our new choir teacher, Mrs. Culbertson.

Though the day was hot and everyone was very sweaty in the gym, no one heard any complaints from grandparents on our program. We would like to thank all the lovely grandparents who traveled to come to this program so that we could show you how much we appreciate you. Westlake hopes that you truly enjoyed the program and will never forget how much you mean to each and every student here.

Westlake’s first color yearbook was launched! And guess who it was dedicated to? Both Mr. Naegele and Ms. Snow (now Mrs. Van Ryn), two very beloved and definitely missed teachers at Westlake.

Our yearbook, Color Our World (pictured below), is dedicated to Mr. Michael Naegele for not only how beloved he was, but also because he devoted 30 years of his life to teaching at Westlake Christian Academy. Students at Westlake looked to Mr. Naegele for many things: a tutor, a guidance counselor, a reference, and even a friend. He was a teacher, a friend, a parent and even a grandparent to students at Westlake and he will be greatly missed. However, we are grateful for him serving outside of Westlake in the Christian community and how he can now focus on his life, his time with his family and his ongoing walk with God.

The yearbook is also dedicated to our dear Ms. Snow. Ms. Snow, now Mrs. Van Ryn, got married this summer. She planned to not come back to Westlake to teach, which saddened everyone who knew her or had her as a teacher. Ms. Snow is an amazing person and so fun to have as a teacher and as a friend. She was patient with us and loved all of us in every way she could, but now it is time for her to direct that love towards her husband. No, she won’t stop caring and missing us, but she is on to a new chapter in her life.

Mr. Naegele, Ms. Snow, you both will be missed and we love and adore you both dearly.

By Nikita Pratt, Communications TA

By Nikita Pratt

We are back from high school retreat and all I can wonder is, did what happened there shape us for the rest of the school year?

This year’s high school retreat was rainy and sunny, both in the weather and with the people. As teenagers, we’re still in the process of metamorphosis; we’re still trying to figure out who we are and where we are at in our walk with Jesus. So, at the retreat, both conflict and love were apparent. Through competition, many of us struggled with love for each other. However, as the days progressed and with the wisdom of our speaker, Aaron Cramer, love and friendship began to triumph over bitterness and conflict. From my eyes, I noticed God beginning to shine through more and more of our words, our laughter, and our smiles. So, though it was evident on the retreat that we’re all still in metamorphosis, God is guiding us through. He is helping to block the rain so that we have some time to let the light shine through.

To see more pictures from our high school retreat, visit our Westlake Facebook page.