Juliana

Hope College

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?

While at Eastern Christian, I didn’t feel like I was just another student walking in the hallway. Both the faculty and students created an environment where my voice was able to be heard. I have been able to hold many enlightening conversations in which others sought to learn about me as a person and where I was able to hear their perspectives as well. The integration of care while broadening my horizons has been a fruitful and rewarding experience.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite.

Although it is hard to pick just one teacher as my favorite, Ms. Roniet is definitely one that comes to mind. As both my Humanities II World History Honors and Genocide and Human Behavior teacher, I had the privilege to learn a lot about the story of humanity from her. She is knowledgeable about the subjects she teaches and encourages her students to think deeper about material when conversations are held in class. She has never failed to make me laugh while making pop culture references when describing historical events and it is evident that she enjoys teaching and being with students. As a student that wants to pursue a career in the social sciences and humanities, Ms. Roniet has shown me different ways to consider others’ perspectives, digest material, and see how God has worked in our lives. Because of her, I know that my understanding of the God’s world has been strengthened.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?

I have grown tremendously in my faith in the past four years while at Eastern Christian. Over the course of these years, I have been a part of Anchored Girls’ Christian Fellowship— an all-female Bible study that occurs during SOAR— and my involvement has escalated from member to co-leader during my senior year. This Bible study has taught me a lot about what it means to be a Christian, but more importantly, how to be a woman of God. I learned that a woman of God has been blessed with the ability to care for others, work hard, and able to become a leader as well. In my daily life, I have been challenged to integrate these ideas into my endeavors and embed the love of Christ into all that I do. I know that my vision of what it means to be a Christian has been transformed by my experience at Eastern Christian.

At Eastern Christian we talk about an education that is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How did you experience this kind of education at EC?

Before starting at EC, I thought that a high school education constituted of sitting in a room with a textbook on the desk, a pencil by your side, and just writing down information on the board; however, once I started I realized that this was not the case. Eastern Christian offers a curriculum that explains God’s involvement in the world around us and how it affects us as human beings. My teachers have effectively communicated this message by not just teaching material in the lecture style, but creating hypothetical scenarios in which the material we learned would be used, having students explore the world outside of Eastern Christian through field trips, and encouraging our own adventure into material through research projects and group discussions. These methods have challenged me in a multitude of ways but they occurred at a pace that fostered interest rather than stress. This positive experience has encouraged me to become engaged in the world around me and see the different complexities that it holds.

How do you feel that EC prepared you for graduation, college/career and life?

Eastern Christian has taught me the importance of community. Rather than encouraging competition, there is an emphasis on diversity, conversing with others, and celebrating others’ accomplishments. I think that learning how to effectively communicate and genuinely interacting with others in manners like these is something of significance as our world continues to expand. I am excited to see how God will guide me and my understanding of community as I enter the real world.

What opportunities did you experience at EC that you don’t think you would have gotten to experience anywhere else?

While at EC, I have had many cross-cultural interactions and opportunities. This school has allowed me to be involved in a missions trip to Guatemala, an exchange trip to the Netherlands over Spring Break and to even befriend the international students. Through these experiences, I have been challenged to expand my means of interactions and as a result, have become more curious about the world itself; I learned that regardless of cultural or language backgrounds, people can still communicate with each other and share the same interests. As I enter college, I am grateful to have learned the importance of cross-cultural interaction from the opportunities that Eastern Christian offers.

What would you say to a prospective student considering joining Eastern Christian School?

During 8th grade, I was presented with the choice of coming to Eastern Christian or continuing my education in my current school system. However, I chose to attend Eastern Christian my freshman year of high school because I knew that they offered a unique experience I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. Through various visits, I saw that the faculty and staff are incredible people who not only truly enjoy their area of study, but genuinely care about their students. Over the course of my high school career, I have been able to affirm that my observation was true as the teachers continuent show interest in me as a student and as a person. The discussions that I have had with teachers have strengthened my understanding of the material in class but also what it means to be a Christian. Although these aspects may seem small, in the long run, they have a huge impact on your high school experience. I know that I have become more interested in my studies, involvement in the community, and most importantly, my faith because of this aspect. If you are considering attending Eastern Christian, I would definitely recommend visiting the school and talking with some of the teachers to witness this yourself.

What else would you like to share about your EC experience?

Eastern Christian has motivated me to become a leader in many different areas. Although these opportunities do require determination on one’s own part, they also require the willingness of those around them. Through my involvement in student government, the Art Club, small groups, and faith-based organizations, I have been able to work with people who encouraged me to become a better leader and were willing to dedicate time and effort into strengthening my abilities. I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities those at Eastern Christian have offered me.