Michael, son of Janet Tilles and Henry Barksdale, has been homeschooled for four years. Michael enjoys fine arts and has participated in Assemblies of God fine arts competitions in the areas of human video, choir and sermon for two years. He is also a part of the 326 dance team at Brightmoor Christian Church. Michael eagerly volunteers at church for such things as Kids Night Out, Winter Blast, the Edge Ministry and even in the nursery. Michael plans to attend Southwestern University. Michael is excited to fulfill God's purpose for his life. Congratulations, Michael!

Alicia Leigh Boward
Daughter of Mark & Valerie Boward
Caledonia

Alicia has been homeschooled with her three sisters Gabrielle, Victoria, and Priscilla since kindergarten. Alicia has been very involved in her work as an audio technician at Calvary Baptist Church for the past four years. She also enjoys horseback riding and various other ministries.

Alicia accepted Christ as her Savior at age four. She was baptized when she was eight and has since continued growing in the Lord. Alicia will be continuing her education studying Biblical education and Audio media at Cedarville University in Ohio.

Tiffany has homeschooled since first grade. She has played flute in the band (WMHFA), and is very involved in her church, where she especially enjoys working with children. She served on an outreach team to El Salvador last summer. Her desire is to serve those who serve as missionary pilots. She hopes to attend SMAT (School of Missionary Aviation Technology) for a year to earn her mechanic's license; and then, God willing, attend Liberty University for her flight degree. We as her parents are very thankful for and proud of Tiffany, and pray God's blessing to continue in her life.

Jacob Brian Brasser
Son of Brian and Heidi Brasser
Gowen

Born April 6, 1991 in Grand Rapids, MI, Jacob is the oldest of five boys. Homeschooled since midway through the 3rd grade, Jacob is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ and has always demonstrated a true servant's spirit. He enjoys classic films, animation, and music. While he has learned the violin, his passion is playing praise music and classic songs on the guitar. He aspires to enter the field of law enforcement and plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College in fall 2009. Jacob attends Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coral, Michigan, where he is active in youth activities..

Andy is 18 years old and has been homeschooled for 12 years. He has participated in WMHFA for 11 years in Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced and Concert band, Advanced and Symphony Orchestra, Chorale, Boy's Choir, Drum line, Big Band, Brass Ensemble, marching band and Solo Festival. He has participated in marching band trips to Washington DC twice, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Six Flags and Cedar Point. He has played percussion, baritone, sousaphone, cello, tenor sax, trombone, guitar and bass guitar. Andy has gone on a mission trip to Tijuana, been a comp counselor, and was involved in many Homeschool Performing Arts performances. Andy's future plans are to work and attend college. He is interested in Environmental Studies and would like to work for the EPA. "Band has given me what I hope to be life-long friends and other 'moms' who will keep me in line."

Janessa Esther Chupp,
Daughter of David and Deanna Chupp
Kentwood

Janessa has been homeschooled since kindergarten, along with her younger sister and brother. She has been an excellent student over the years, but more importantly, she loves Jesus Christ and has a passion for reaching others for Him. Janessa has been on several mission trips and has been instrumental in beginning an outreach ministry in her local church. She plans to attend Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia and major in English and Community Development. We look forward to seeing how God will use her in His world.

Kaitlyn Marie DeJonge, daughter of Curt and Karen, was homeschooled 13 years. She was active in West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, Homeschool Performing Arts, International Teens Involved, and youth group mission trips. Her musical abilities were recognized by performance and competitive awards and scholarships for both piano and flute. Kaitlyn plans to study music at Grand Valley State University. She enjoys teaching music and is excited to learn how music and teaching relate to missions! Wherever life takes her, Kaitlyn desires to grow closer to her Heavenly Father. She enjoyed high school and is excited to see how God will write the next chapter of her life!

Elizabeth Austin Efting
Daughter of Tom and Louise Efting
Middleville

Elizabeth is the first of the children in our family to graduate. She has always been home schooled along with her three younger brothers. Elizabeth enjoys the following: playing the piano for enjoyment and church, sewing, knitting, babysitting, hanging out with friends and cousins, playing volleyball, and watching hockey. She has taken piano lessons for eight years, and took a sewing class for five years. She entered a quilt for the first time in the Quilter's Guild Quilt Show last October. Her plans after graduation are work for a year, and then go to college. She is interested in dental assisting.

David has been homeschooled since the first grade. It was his enthusiasm for learning which spurred him along this journey. During his home school education, David has participated in many academic and extracurricular activities. His involvement at Koinonia Homeschool Group has given him many friends, while offering the classes needed to continue his education. For four years he participated with WMHFA playing trumpet. His senior year has been filled with various activities from taking classes at Grand Valley State University to interning at the Michigan State Senate. By God's grace, David has grown into the graduate he is today.

Ayla Nicole Lehmann
Daughter of Gary and Dana Lehmann
Caledonia

Homeschooled from birth, Ayla has enjoyed music, drama, dance, speech and more in our abundant homeschooling community. She is a member of the Pi Theta National Homeschool Honor Society. She has also participated in Girl Scouts (including Mackinac Island Honor Scouts), Tang Soo Do (also as assistant instructor), and liturgical dance. She is involved in volunteering in many areas. Ayla has been accepted into the Nursing Program at Davenport University. Ayla would like to thank her friends and family for all the support, especially her mum, who has helped her immeasurably on her way to becoming a woman of God.

Holly will graduate with other Kalamazoo Area Homeschoolers on June 5, 2009. Holly enjoys photography and painting. She has done summer volunteer work at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, and church team missions work in Louisiana, Maryland and New York City. Holly has applied to attend the Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Madison, Wisconsin this fall. If accepted, she will then be a part of a 3-4 month mission's outreach in early 2010, perhaps in Africa or India, which will focus on ministering to children at risk.

Heather LeighAnn McKitrick
Daughter of Mark & Ohnalee McKitrick
Suttons Bay

Heather is the beloved daughter of Mark and Ohnalee McKitrick and older sister of Elijah, 14. She attended private Christian School through 3rd grade and then in the 4th grade began her home school journey. Many of these home school years were spent amongst the home schooling community of the greater Grand Rapids area until the families move to Suttons Bay, Michigan, 3.5 years ago. Heather enjoys reading, theatre arts, cooking, singing, photography, art, and languages. Her favorite musical artists are the group Hawk Nelson. Heather will depart in August for a one-year study abroad program in the southern French-speaking region of Belgium. May you feel God's gentle hand touching all that lies before you... nous t'aime et nous t'adore!

Nathan Javier Moore was born on March 2nd, 1991 to Larry and Ana A. Moore a whopping 9 lbs. 4 oz. He was born into a musical family so music came very naturally to him. He enjoyed playing baseball, basketball during his elementary/middle school days, but his real love was making music. He was placed on trumpet, even though he wanted to play the drums, and started his musical journey. He made countless all-star/ all-state groups along with over 25 first division ratings at district/state festivals. He has been in many church presentations using the gifts God has given him of song and drama. Nathan plans on going to GRCC to start his Music Education degree, from there he still is unsure. Staying in touch with God to see what plans He has in store for Nathan is priority for him. "Home schooling has changed my life for the better. My relationship with my parents has greatly improved. My relationship with my heavenly father has never been stronger. I'm very thankful for my parents decision to home school me after my ninth grade in high school."

Congratulations Nathan we are so proud of you!

Whitney Anne Potgeter
Daughter of Catherine Potgeter
Jenison

Whitney has been home schooled with her younger sister for six years. She enjoys shopping, reading, cooking and watching old movies. She looks forward to continuing her education at GRCC in the culinary arts program. "Whitney, you are a loyal, compassionate, kind hearted and strong young woman. You have the gift of positively impacting each person who is blessed to cross your path. I feel privileged to call you my daughter and my friend. It is my prayer that you will continue to allow the Lord to guide and direct you in the days ahead."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Chelsea has been home schooled since she wanted to play school at 3 years old. She participated in Patriots Volleyball as setter and team captain. Chelsea has received over $3,500 in scholarships and awards from Teens Involved for drama, puppetry, choir, and teaching children. She has worked at Vacation Bible School, taught 2- & 3-year olds at Heritage Baptist Church, and has been on mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. She is planning on attending Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, New York next year.

Jennah Ann Sailor
Daughter of Kelly and Patti Sailor
Jackson

Jennah is the dearly loved daughter of Kelly and Patti Sailor and like her two older brothers, has been homeschooled her entire life. She is an excellent student with lots of energy, and a deep love for the Lord. During high school, Jen participated in the PIONEERS Home-school Co-op, played on the volleyball and basketball teams, and was an active member of her local Students for Life group, as well as volunteered on several pro-life campaigns. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, music, sports, and baby-sitting! She adores children and plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. Jen's life goal is "that when the world looks at her, they will see Jesus"!

Tim is the first born son of proud parents Larry and Debbie Sears. Born in Ohio and currently residing in Caledonia, Tim has also lived in Texas and Costa Rica. Homeschooled for 10 years, Tim has patiently endured the hardships of several difficult moves. Tim has excelled at everything he has ever undertaken including robotics, in which he won numerous awards and championships, surfing, skiing and competitive debate. He has proven himself to be diligent, faithful and relentlessly optimistic. He will attend Calvin College in the fall where he will major in Political Science.

Joseph D. Tucker
son of Dave and Kat Tucker
Lansing (now live in Byron Center, MI)

Joseph Tucker is the oldest child of Dave and Kat Tucker. He started school in Lansing, Michigan and proved early on that he was bored in public school. He was academically gifted and at a much higher level than the teachers knew how to handle, so we brought him home to teach. He was always very curious and always a sponge when it came to reading, history and computers. He is very handy and has a love for animals as was evident when he volunteered at the local humane society. Joe is still planning his future.

Amanda Renee Visser was born on April 3, 1991 to Henry and Carol Visser. She lived her first 12 years in Holland/Zeeland and now lives, with her parents and brother, Michael, in Byron Center. She has been home schooled since sixth grade. Amanda is passionate about music and is greatly involved in Resurrection Life's Worship and Creative Arts department. In February of 2008, she received the Youth Volunteer of the Year award-2007. This fall, Amanda starts Grand Rapids Community College, full time, studying Recording Technology. In the future, she hopes to travel the world sharing her music and Savior's love.

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Home School Building Connections is a ministry of the Home School Building (HSB). The purpose is connecting homeschoolers in West Michigan with the support, information, activities, and events to help them meet their home education goals. While HSB believes that the announcements published on the Connections website, email and print versions may be of value to home educators, the publishing of such announcements does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by HSB, its staff or management. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of each listing for their homeschool family. The Home School Building Connections media are for the exclusive use of the homeschool community and are provided for information only. HSB reserves the right to restrict and/or limit the publishing of any announcements.