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Trinity recently held the annual “Mr. Troll,” a spoof pageant competition for male students.
Participants are scored by a panel of judges in categories such as creativity, effort, originality, sportsmanship, and personality.
“We wanted the show to eliminate all the traditionally objectifying and superficial aspects of pageant shows and focus on providing a fun, family-friendly, entertaining show for Trinity students,” said Residence Director Kara VanMarion, who helped organize the event.
This year’s six contestants competed in four different areas beginning with two catwalk competitions. First, contestants displayed their formal attire, then their own unique style in lumberjack, nurse, and Batman apparel.
The contest continued with a “mystery task,” where contestants popped balloons and football hiked toilet paper rolls into a plastic bin. This was followed by the talent portion, which included an interpretive dance, guitar playing, and scarf knitting.
“The Mr. Troll pageant was such an amazing experience,” said Tyler DeKoekKoek ’14 of Martin, Michigan, who won first place and credited this to shaving his long beard between portions of the competition. “There is no doubt that if I would not have shaved my beard I would not have been the winner.”
The pageant also included spoof “commercials” by Trinity’s improv team and Tibstra Hall Council.
This year’s competitors:
Tyler DeKoekKoek ’14 of Martin, Michigan—First Place
Luke Monsma ’14 of Denver, Colorado—Second Place
Caleb Copeland ’14 of Arlington Heights, Illinois—Crowd Favorite
Mark Davis ’14 of Palos Heights, Illinois
Steven Martinez ’13 of Chicago, Illinois
Christopher Steinke ’14 of Glendale Heights, Illinois
Trinity’s production of Thornton Wilder’s comedic play “The Matchmaker” opened Friday, April 20, to a nearly sold-out crowd. The next performances are April 27-28, at 7:30 p.m., in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre (Art and Communication Center).
Tickets are $11 for general admission; $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased online: www.trinitychristiancollegetickets.com. Handicapped seating is available by calling 708.597.3000.
“The Matchmaker” is set in Yonkers, New York, during the 1880s and tells the story of Horace, an old, rich merchant who is searching for a wife. He hires Dolly Levi as a matchmaker, and she gets into several comedic situations with two of Horace’s clerks while looking for a match.
“While set in the late 1800s, this play still packed tons of jokes and laughs that entertain audiences in the 21st century,” said Luke Monsma ’14, Denver, Colorado, who played the role of Cornelius Hackl.
“Since this play is a farce, it allows the actors and actresses to experiment with ‘larger than life’ actions and voices, which made it very fun.”
Monsma has acted in other Trinity productions including Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Dr. John Sebestyen, associate professor of communication arts.
“Dr. Sebestyen worked extremely hard with the cast and crew to ensure the production was top-notch,” said Monsma.
This play works with the theatre program’s overarching themes this year of wisdom and folly.
“This play can explore how [wisdom and folly] intersect in a multitude of ways,” said Sebestyen. “These issues are important for us to ponder as theatre-makers, and I hope that our audiences will consider them, as well.”
Kudos to the cast and crew:
Dolly Levi – Heather Hernandez ’14, Mokena, Illinois
Horace Vandergelder – Bobby Strange ’14, South Holland, Illinois
Cornelius Hackl – Luke Monsma ’14, Denver, Colorado
Barnaby Tucker – Chris DeWaard ’14, Holland, Michigan
Irene Molloy – Shannon Smith ’12, Portage, Michigan
Minnie Fay – Jess Timmermans ’14, Palos Heights, Illinois
Ambrose Kemper – Daniel Thayer ’12, Buchanan, Michigan
Ermengarde – Alisha Riepma ’12, Boyden, Iowa
Malachi Stack – Adam Frankenfeld ’15, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Flora VanHuysen – Kristen Blok ’15, Lynden, Washington
Cook – Gina Ciametti ’13, Hickory Hills, Illinois
Cabman – Da’Maris King ’14, Detroit, Michigan
Rudolph, the waiter – Chadd Huizenga ’15, Highland, Indiana
August, the waiter – Jonathan Engbers ’14, Elmhurst, Illinois
Joe Scanlon, the barber – Kyle Harms ’15, Tinley Park, Illinois
Gertrude – Brooke Wigboldy ’14, Tinley Park, Illinois
Stage Manager – Becca Reed ’14, Jenison, Michigan
Asst. Stage Manager – Bridget Earnshaw ’12, Cedar Lake, Indiana
Asst. Directors – Graeme Scott ’13, Oakville, Ontario and Teryn Leaper ’13, Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Production Asst. – Hartrick Ryan VanderPloeg ’15, Frankfort, Illinois
At a recent Trinity Business Network (TBN) event, Chief Operating Officer of ACE Hardware Corporation John Venhuizen ’92 shared thoughts on faith and business, drawing from his 20 years of experience.
“Business students appreciated hearing from a successful business professional who started his career from exactly the same place that they will be starting theirs,” said Dr. Lynn White, professor of accounting in the business department at Trinity.
Venhuizen graduated from Trinity with a degree in marketing and began working at ACE Hardware shortly after. He has received several awards, including being named to Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40” in 2004. The award recognizes individuals in the Chicago area who have made a major impact in their respective industries before the age of 40.
Junior Kevin Hahn of Cedar Lake, Indiana, said: “The TBN events are always really encouraging for me. Each time I’m in attendance, I’m inspired to keep my faith in the business world. Mr. Venhuizen was an excellent, engaging speaker. He offered us great stories and advice on how to stand above the rest during these tough economic times; he shared with us his methods for success; and finally, he proved that Trinity students can become people who can shape and change the world to become coworkers with Christ.”
Dan Harris, owner of Palos Ace Hardware, also commented on the event, praising Venhuizen’s work as well as the College. “John Venhuizen is just another example of the great people I have had the opportunity to meet who are associated with Trinity Christian College,” said Harris.
A record-breaking number of grandparents visited campus on Wednesday, April 18, for Grandparents’ Day.
Trinity welcomed 224 grandparents to the annual event, which included a morning of music, student addresses, worship, lunch, and campus tours.
Two families were recognized for both having four grandchildren currently attending Trinity. Gordy and Bev Gundy of Huntley, Illinois, are the grandparents of the Copeland brothers, Joshua ’12, Jacob ’13, Ben ’14, and Caleb ’14 of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Elmer and Georgian Van Drunen of South Holland, Illinois, are the grandparents of Anna Gesch ’12 of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin; Karley Van Dyke ’12 of Kouts, Indiana; and Becky ’14 and Scott ’12 Vanderzee of Dyer, Indiana.
During the opening program, guests enjoyed a performance by the Brass Quintet and by Robert Cager ’14 of Homewood, Illinois, who sang “To God Be the Glory.” Cager was accompanied by Elvert Williams III ’14 of Freeport, Illinois.
Student speakers Tyler DeKoekkoek ’14 of Martin, Michigan; Alexa Dokter ’15 of Homer Glen, Illinois; and Jeannette Perez ’12 of Palos Hills, Illinois, shared what the influence of their grandparents has meant in their lives.
DeKoekkoek explained ways his grandparents have shown love with examples ranging from “sharing the Word to those in prison” to “overpaying a broke college student for easy chores.” In closing he said, “I learned what it takes to be a giving, caring, loving person because of what my grandparents did for me.”
Dokter shared her gratitude as well. “My grandparents taught both [my parents and me] the importance of surrounding yourself with a Christian community,” she said. “This Christian community that I now find myself in is due to my grandparents being convicted in what is right. I am so thankful that they have given me the support and guidance I needed to find the right college that provides me with the opportunity to grow in Christ and receive a good education.”
After thanking her grandparents for the roles they played in her life, Perez extended her thanks to all the grandparents in attendance. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do and have done for your grandchildren,” she said. “It does truly mean a lot to have you all here today to share this special day honoring you.”
Following the program, students joined their grandparents for chapel and a message by Residence Director Caitlin Fillmore ’09 titled “Of Greater Worth than Gold.” A performance by the Concert Choir and Honors Ensemble, directed by Professor of Music Helen Van Wyck, Ph.D., preceded a wonderful lunch served by Creative Dining Services.
“I enjoyed chasing down fellow grandparents, professors, and other staff so that my grandparents could catch up with all of them,” said Kaitlin Feddema ’14 of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her grandparents Roger and Joan Sikkenga came from Fremont, Michigan, for the event.
Sophomore Brooke Wigboldy of Tinley Park, Illinois, said her grandparents Ralph and Hermina Wigboldy of Orland Park, Illinois, were attending for the first time. “I enjoyed worshipping with them during chapel,” said Wigboldy. “I was also glad to be able to show them my dorm room and a little bit about where I live.”
Richard and Doris Dina of Chicago and Vince Ciametti of Hickory Hills, Illinois, enjoyed the morning with granddaughter Gina Ciametti ’13 also of Hickory Hills. “My grandparents are prime reminders of how I should act, love, and live within my Christian community,” said Ciametti. “I can only hope one day to be just as wonderful as they are. I enjoyed everything about Grandparents’ Day and can’t wait for 2013.”
To view the photogallery of this year’s Grandparents’ Day, click here.
In a classroom in Ghana, Lynn Spellman White, professor of accounting at Trinity, stood in front of 25 business people, a group of some of the most attentive and motivated students she says she has ever taught.
As part of a Vander Laan Business Connections Grant, White spent eight days during Trinity’s Interim teaching financial literacy workshops to people from various businesses, ranging from farming to garment manufacturing. The workshops included basic accounting topics such as Microsoft Excel, financial statement and budget preparation, and accounts receivables and accounts payables.
“The students recognized the importance of record keeping to their businesses and approached the workshop sessions with a level of enthusiasm and focus that I never expected,” said White.
She also had the opportunity to visit local Ghanaian businesses and observe their practices, gaining an increased appreciation for accounting’s role in developing businesses.
White worked through Hopeline Institute, an associate member of Partners Worldwide. The institute is a non-profit Christian organization that assists business owners through training, mentoring, and access to capital.
Such opportunities enable White to integrate her overseas experience into the classroom at Trinity and to provide her students with cross-cultural learning. She hopes to one day accompany business students from Trinity to Ghana to work directly with owners in their respective businesses.
White led a group of Trinity students to Malawi in 2009 with partial funding from the Vander Laan grant.
A group of seven social work students at Trinity recently had a chance to practice political lobbying in Springfield, Illinois, as part of Advocacy Day, sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers.
“Lobbying is one of the many ways that social workers advocate for their clients,” said Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, assistant professor of social work. “We have an ethical responsibility to advocate at the social policy level, as well as a biblical responsibility as Christians who are social workers.”
The students, along with professors Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein
and Dr. Mackenzi Huyser, spent the morning at the Prairie State Capital Convention Center with fellow social work students from across the state. Here, they participated in breakout sessions, panel discussions, and lectures. In these sessions, they discussed poverty, health care, the budget crisis, and lobbying techniques.
Next, Trinity’s group went to the capitol building and practiced some of what they had learned by lobbying for a bill that would prohibit the sale and serving of all food in Illinois schools containing trans-fats.
“Prohibiting trans-fat in schools is just one step closer to addressing the health epidemic of children today,” said Bretzlaff-Holstein. “We wanted students to learn how to talk with their legislators about an issue that matters to them.”
The students spoke with State Representatives LaShawn Ford, who introduced the bill, and Monique Davis, a co-sponsor for the bill. The representatives explained the next steps needed to pass the bill.
Kirsten Harms ’14 of Tinley Park, Illinois, learned the importance of using the democratic system to make a change.
“We should not be afraid to approach our representatives and ask them questions,” said Harms. “Not only should we know our rights, but we should use them to better the world we live in.”
A group of Trinity students prepared for a surprise birthday party they were holding for Annette. They felt it was the least they could do after she had invited all 12 of them over for dinner–multiple times. It was impossible to believe they had only met this woman a few days ago.
Annette was just one of the people who Trinity students helped while on a spring break service project. The team of 32 drove nearly 1,000 miles to Swan Quarter, North Carolina, and spent their spring break helping repair damage after Hurricane Irene, which hit the East Coast in August 2011.The team was the largest group Trinity has ever had for a spring break service trip.
“I went into the trip hoping to peer into the community and set a vision of what Christians should look like outwardly,” said Service Committee President Eric Robbert ’13 of LaGrange, Illinois. “I would say we were incredibly impactful in promoting a servant-like attitude in the Trinity community.”
The students worked with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and spent the time there removing shingles from houses, re-painting a historic church, and tearing down rotted decks, ceilings, and insulation.
Aside from the work, students spent time doing devotions, attending the local church, playing games, and visiting the nearby beach on Ocracoke Island. Through these activities, students said they became very close.
“We were in awe of how close the group grew simply by the middle of the week,” said Megan Regalado ’13 of Glendora, California. “We have been intentionally praying that we continue the relationships while at Trinity.”
The odds that the Copeland brothers will run into each other on campus this year are good, considering the four siblings are all attending Trinity. Ben ’14, Joshua ’12, Jacob ’13, and Caleb ’14 of Arlington Heights, Illinois, are sharing the Trinity experience together.
“All four of us have been pretty close and hanging out our whole lives,” said Jacob. “It almost makes Trinity a home away from home.”
The four brothers first heard about the College from a friend at their church. Despite being the youngest, Caleb says he was the first to choose Trinity.
“When I was a freshman in high school I wanted to come here,” said Caleb. “The other three just followed me.”
For Ben, Trinity was a place to return to after being in Erseke, Albania, for most of the past year, where their uncle is a missionary. While there, he studied at a Bible school and served as a youth pastor.
“I believe that this is where God has placed me for a reason at this time in my life, and I am excited to be back in school,” said Ben.
Ben, the oldest of the brothers, is studying church and ministry leadership; Joshua is studying history; Jacob is studying business management; and Caleb is studying chemistry education.
“My parents love that we go to the same school together,” said Ben. “It’s easier for them to visit one place instead of traveling elsewhere. They think it’s good for us to be able to go through college together.”
Another set of four siblings attended Trinity at the same time in the 1980s: Dan ’85, Randy ’85, Tim ’86, and Lisa ’86 Bergsma.
Students in Trinity’s Semester in Spain program will have a new way to volunteer while studying abroad because of a recent partnership with the Red Cross in Seville.
The new partnership will allow students to sign up to help with a digital accompaniment class, where they will be teaching underprivileged and elderly Spaniards how to use technology such as cell phones and computers.
“This service is a perfect fit for our American students who are very comfortable with computers and smartphones, and that expertise will help overcome the nerves of doing this service in Spanish,” said Leslie Routman, Semester in Spain’s director.
“This is a great opportunity for students to form relationships with a segment of society they otherwise might not come into contact with and to give back to the local community.”
The volunteering will be an option for the program’s service-learning class next fall, where students choose a site to volunteer at the beginning of the semester and work there on a weekly basis.
This semester, there are 42 students studying in the program including eight from Trinity.
Seven Trinity students wake up in their apartments in downtown Chicago. They will soon leave for internships in their respective disciplines where they will get hands-on experience working with Chicago companies and organizations. The students are part of the College’s Chicago Semester program.
In Nashville, Tennessee, Heather Murray ’13 of Downers Grove, Illinois, applies her love of music to her academics while studying at the Contemporary Music Center.
Nearly 3,000 miles south, five other students are beginning their day in a very different culture in Quito, Ecuador. Here, the students are learning through internships, homestays, and courses that apply to their majors.
Meanwhile, almost halfway across the world, three students are nearly done with their day in Oxford, along with eight students studying Spanish in Seville, Spain.
All of these locations provide unique experiences for students who wish to live in a different culture and earn college credit as part of Trinity’s various study abroad programs.
One of the many opportunities in Oxford for Andrew Blok ’13 of Lynden, Washington, is visiting historic architecture, such as the local cathedrals.
“Cathedrals are one thing that America hasn’t picked up on yet,” quipped Blok in his Trinity student blog. “I don’t think it matters where you stand in terms of religious beliefs. When you enter a big, beautiful cathedral, you feel something. Awe, wonder, respect, history all at once.”
Victoria Van Hofwegen ’14 of Tolleson, Arizona, is also benefiting from new experiences while studying in Ecuador. As part of the program, she is working at a daycare facility, as well as enjoying God’s creation at a rural retreat center. “God did some serious work while creating this place. It is set on a beautiful piece of land that reminds me a lot of home,” said Van Hofwegen in her blog.
In a recent article for the student newspaper the Courier, she also wrote about her exposure to the culture. “During the past month, I have learned more about the Ecuadorian culture due to living with a family (I think that was the point of the past month, so good job study abroad, goal accomplished).”
This semester, there are a total of 24 students studying abroad. To see all of the off-campus locations available for studying abroad, visit Trinity’s academic programs page.