Hello! My name is Kristin Dick and I am a senior graduating from Lynden Christian High School on June 6 of this year! I have attended LC now for fourteen years and have practically grown up in this school. This school is where I spend most of my time, and I have grown to see it as my second home. It has brought me countless memories and friendships that will last a long, long time.

Although they seem like forever ago, my elementary school years were some of the best memories that I have. It was here that I met and first connected with so many of the classmates that I have as dear friends today! We made memories through field trips, class lessons, and fun recesses. I can still recall the time our entire grade played Cops vs. Robbers in a giant maze out at Tennant Lake while waiting for the bus to pick us up. That was the first memory my little brain thought, “This truly is once in a lifetime.” Middle school only did the same with creating memories! I got to know more people in my grade and explore my likes and dislikes that contributed to who I am as a person. In seventh grade I was introduced to choir, and I have since fallen in love with choral music! Because of the opportunities LC has provided, I have gotten to continue my study of choir music in the high school mixed chorus, concert choir, and chamber choir. I may not remember everything I was taught in these younger grades, but my teachers were set on teaching us who Jesus was and showing us His love through their own actions.

I have spent countless, (literally countless, I tried) of hours where I am now in the high school. I’ve been involved in many activities that the high school offers, such as ASB, Tech Crew, Fall Play, Musical, Track, fastpitch-I’ve tried a lot of things! Through these activities, I’ve come to both know my peers on levels I never thought imaginable, and have gained many valuable skills. It was through theater, though, where I truly found my niche. I began on the Tech Crew my freshman year, shadowing Lea Huizenga in the light booth. She graduated after that year, and I took over her position for my sophomore year and still hold the title of Light Tech (now training two underclassmen of my own!) It was also sophomore year that I met my would-be mentor. Allison Ross was the new drama director at Lynden Christian, and she taught me how to use my skills to their fullest potential. Starting my junior year, I found that when the cast list came out, my name was listed by both “Light Programmer” as well as “Stage Manager.” At the time, I had no idea what that job entailed, but now looking back, it has been my greatest memory of my high school experience. Mrs. Ross taught me how to be a leader both in theater, and my regular classes. She taught me a confidence I never knew I had, and exactly how to use it. Because a Stage Manager is required to be at rehearsal every day, I spent a lot of time with Mrs. Ross. I have never learned more from any one person just by simply observation. She taught me how to lead others, how to gain respect, and most importantly, how to love God unconditionally and show that love to everyone I meet.

I would say the highlight of my time here at Lynden Christian would be the quality of the community that I have built here. My friends are some of the greatest people in my life, and because we have spent so much time together, I feel like they really have become my very large second family. And it’s not just my class I’ve connected with! I love my friends in the grades below me, the kids in eighth grade I know from my brother, or my few girls sixth grade girls that I counseled during my time at Outdoor Ed this past year. I love getting to know these people and see what Jesus is doing in their lives! But it’s not just my peers I’ve come to grow so close to, but the teachers and staff members at Lynden Christian as well. As I mentioned before, I spend a lot of time at school, so teachers aren’t too surprised to see me wandering the halls at all hours. I’ve had a few late nights at the school, and sometimes this is just because I’ve gotten talking with my Spanish teacher, or I ran into one of our fantastic custodians whom I love so so much. I could go on and on about the staff here at LC, because they make me feel at home. I’ve come to respect them a lot more, because I know that they want me to succeed in both my career and my life living for Jesus. I’m going to miss everyone so much! Although it seems sad, I know that God has a plan for every one of us, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store!

It may be true that I am at Lynden Christian most of my time, but it obviously has not been my only source of faith, knowledge, or community. I have a fantastic youth group at my church, Bellingham CTK, and a great community there, as well as my small group through the same church! However, it would be foolish of me to claim that I would be the person I am today without Lynden Christian. LC has provided me a deep knowledge of the Bible and it’s theology, history, and principles. This is something I cannot not find anywhere else! I first began to realize this at a Summer Bible Camp when most of the girls in my cabin (who were Christian) were not familiar with the story of Adam and Eve! It was then that I realized how much my education at Lynden Christian was the base of my faith, and I will forever thank my parents for sending me to get this education. Reflecting on my education before I graduate has been a whirlwind of emotions, and the one thing I have concluded is this: God shows up in everything we do, including our education, so we should do everything for His glory.

Thank you for reading!

~Kristin 😀