Westview Names New Choir Director
by Jerry Hostetler
During the July 18th Westview
school board meeting, the board announced the hiring of a new choir
director for the Junior high and high
school, Kristen Stooksbury. Kristen
was born and raised in Tinley Park,
Illinois and she received both her
undergraduate and graduate degrees
from Olivet Nazarene University in
Kankakee, IL. She brings four years
of music instruction experience to
Westview. Kristen started her teaching career in Illinois, where she taught
at Herscher High School, a school only
slightly larger than Westview, and also
taught at a much larger high school in
Calumet City, IL.
Kristen praised her parents for all
the support that they have given her
over the years, “I have wonderful parents who have been very supportive of Kristen Stooksbury has been named as the new
my musical career.” They never missed choir teacher at Westview High School.
any of my musical performances and
Photo submitted
they’ve been a blessing in every aspect her first child. She stated, “I loved my
job as Westview’s choir director and it
of my life,” stated Kristen.
wasn’t an easy decision to make.” (to
Coming from the city (suburban
step down). Jill further stated that she
Chicago) to the rural Westview comneeded to spend more time with her
munity, Kristen commented, “My
family including her baby, whose arfamily visited Shipshewana every
summer to shop at the flea market and rival is expected in mid-January.
In her seven years at Westview, Jill
the other shops in Shipshewana, so
directed 7 high school musicals as well
I’m familiar with the area from those
visits.” She continued, “Who knew then as 4 junior high musicals. According
that I would end up teaching here, but to Jill, her favorite performances were
Beauty and the Beast and Seven Brides for
God had a plan,” Kristen exclaimed
Seven Brothers.
enthusiastically.
Jill will remain teaching in the
Kristen was recently married to
Westview system in a part-time
John Stooksbury. John also works in
position as music teacher at Topeka
the area as the controller at DRV in
Elementary school. She concluded
Howe. The two currently reside with
by saying, “I would like to thank my
their two dogs in Granger.
students and the entire Westview comKristen replaces Jill (Hostetler)
Hamm, who served as Westview’s choir munity for their tremendous support
during the years that I served as choir
director for seven years. Jill, also was
recently married and is now expecting director at Westview.”
Table of Contents
Monthly Feature
Empowerment for Life ................. 14 - 19
Front cover photo is of the Landgraff family. Eliott
and his father Andy are in the back and Ellerie and
her mother Kyndra are in the front.
Columns
Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes......... 9
Recipe..................................................37
Smart Choices.....................................29
Spotlight on Nature...........................41
Contests & Puzzles
Clueless Crossword............................22
Coloring Contest................................24
Drawing Contest.................................49
Gold Coin Contest..............................49
Mystery Farm Contest.......................23
Word Search........................................22
Everything Else
Classified Ads .....................................10
Community Calendar ........................25
Display Advertiser Listing.................52
Hometown Church Listings................ 8
Kids’ Club (Birthday Page).................36
LaGrange County Library..................50
The Hometown Treasure · August ‘13 · pg 1