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Wyckoff Campus Ribbon Cutting: The Marjorie and Herman Jeffer Wing
On Thursday, February 12 the EC community gathered at the Wyckoff campus to celebrate the dedication and opening of The Marjorie and Herman Jeffer Wing.
The opening of this wing marks the construction completion of a six-classroom addition as well as a new room for small group instruction, restrooms, and new lockers.
The beauty of the EC community was on full display as staff, faculty, students, parents, alumni, board members, construction partners, and Wyckoff committee members all came to commemorate this milestone event and to thank God for his generous faithful provision to Eastern Christian School over the past 133 years.
A small group of about 90 people closest to the Building on a Firm Foundation campaign gathered for an early dedication and ribbon cutting. Rev. Jeremy Mulder, President of the Board of Directors, opened by sharing his own personal memories of attending the Wyckoff campus as a student and prayed thanking God for his care and provision for our school and asking that the Lord would continue to do more than we can imagine through the halls and classrooms of the new addition.
Dr. Kuder also reminisced about attending middle school in the same building and thanked the many people involved in the project. Dr. Kuder shared, “We are so thankful for our faithful donors whose generosity made this possible; for the skilled craftsmen and partners who brought this vision to life; and for our students, staff, and families who showed patience and flexibility as construction continued alongside daily school life.”
Dr. Lazor, Wyckoff Campus Principal, shared that there’s an energizing buzz in the hallways: “I wish you could be here during the day to see how our students’ excitement for these new classrooms is swelling. They have endured trekking out to our modular classrooms in the cold and rain while waiting for this addition to become a reality. Their gratitude for what has now been provided is evident in that excitement and joy as they anticipate being in the new classrooms next week!”
Rev. Mulder and Kenneth Ritsma, President of the Foundation Board, joined Dr. Kuder for the cutting of the ribbon and welcomed guests to be among the first to tour The Marjorie and Herman Jeffer Wing.
Shortly following this small gathering, we welcomed many others to join us in the gym for a community-wide dedication and ribbon cutting. About 175 people filled the bleachers to celebrate this exciting milestone.
Dr. Kuder addressed the crowd saying, “The Building on a Firm Foundation campaign reflects our conviction that all education teaches a worldview and the question before us is whether that worldview honors God. These classrooms will be places where faith and learning are intentionally integrated, where students are known, challenged, and supported, and where they are prepared to serve God’s world with wisdom and courage.
Next Dr. Kuder introduced Marilyn Siepert, the niece of Majorie and Herman Jeffer. Marilyn is an EC alumna from the class of 1971 and her husband, Joe, is also an EC alumnus from the class of 1972. Marilyn talked about the humility and generosity of her aunt and uncle who were both EC alumni with a great love of the work that the Lord has done and continues to do at EC. Dr. Kuder then presented Marilyn with a ceremonial key to The Marjorie and Herman Jeffer Wing.
Aubrianna Jacobus, an 8th grader, then shared about her love for EC, how she’s grown in her faith as a student here, and her gratitude for the opening of the new wing. She ended by saying, “Because of all the donations and prayers along with kindness from our community, students are able to continue building their faith and their relationships, and discovering along the way who they are as Christians here at Eastern Christian Middle School.”
Representatives from the school and foundation boards, administration, construction and architect partners from KV Builders, LLC and LAN Associates joined Dr. Kuder at the ribbon once again to commemorate the opening of this new wing.
All guests were then invited to tour the new wing and enjoy hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and dessert in each of the new classrooms. The excitement was evident as students hurried down the halls checking out their new classrooms and learning spaces. Families enjoyed fellowshipping together and moving from room to room to see these new spaces and enjoy all of the food.
It was a festive evening with so many different representatives of our community celebrating the Lord’s continued faithfulness and blessing upon our school. Thank you to everyone who has played a part in and prayed for the opening of this new wing. We’re so excited to have these classrooms filled with our students starting on Tuesday, February 18.
Although the construction is complete, our Building on a Firm Foundation campaign continues with fantastic momentum. If you feel led, we invite you to consider donating a gift of any size to help offset remaining construction costs. More than bricks and mortar, this new space represents young hearts and minds being nurtured, equipped, and discipled. Thank you for continuing to pray for our school!
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