The King's Connection Magazine Volume 23 Number 3//Spring 2013 | Page 32

News&Notes alumni news & NOTES alumni news & NOTES A l u m n i Professional Pastor Tom Bomhof (’83) of Surrey’s Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church who was recently awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for his long record of community service. ? Nikki Rekman (’94) has been working in the paddlesports business (canoeing and kayaking) since the summer she graduated from King’s. Recently Rekman traveled with husband, Mark Klein, to Antarctica to do some kayaking. The trip wasn’t all for fun, they are writing an article about their trip for the Western Canadian publication Coast and Kayak Magazine and that should be in the Fall 2013 issue. ? Asher deGroot (BA,’03) has recently received his accreditation as a Registered Architect. Asher finished his Masters of Architecture from Dalhousie University in 2008 and is currently working in Vancouver at Michael Green Architecture. Asher’s work includes a school for the CRC church in Sierra Leone and Asher looks forward to enhancing the built environment we all live in. ? Elise Stolte (BA, ‘04) was named a 2013 Finalist for the Canadian Hillman Prize. Elise, a reporter with the Edmonton Journal, was honored for her work exploring the challenges posed by underfunding and the lack of a supportive school system in aboriginal communities. 30 /// The King’s Connection /// Spring 2013 ? Michelle Opdendries (BA, ‘04; B.Ed, ‘06) is currently teaching grade 6 in Leduc. This past year Michelle went on a tour to Israel for 10 days - an amazing trip! Caylie Gnyra (BA, ‘05) presented at a Pecha Kucha event in Edmonton and was featured in the Edmonton Journal for her work with Little Cree Books. ? Dave Bruinsma (B.Sc., ‘05) graduated with a Master of Natural Resources Management from the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Manitoba. John Lendein (BA, ‘08) finished his Bachelor of Social Work in June 2012 and is now working with Skills Society in Edmonton. ? Dan Verbeek (BA, ’10, B.Ed, ’12.) is happy to be working at Agassiz Christian as a grade 5 teacher. This fearless alum found out that he had the job on a Thursday this past August and started the following Monday. ? Vivian Binnema (BA, ’10) completed her MA in English (July 2012) at the University of Victoria. Vivian’s Master’s essay focused on Emily Carr. ? Andrea Ortlieb (BA, ‘11,) has had an amazing 2012! After completing her MA in English at the University of Alberta in August, Andrea was accepted into the Speech Pathology Program at the UofA. She is currently in her first year and excited for the career that awaits her. ? Heidi Walker (B.Sc., ‘08) is currently working as a temporary research associate for the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba, where she recently finished her Master of Natural Resources Management degree. Heidi will be spending the next four months in Thailand where she will be looking at two cases of participatory irrigation management. ? Kim Dyke (BA,’08) finished her MBA through Cape Breton University and has taken a job as an Economic Development Officer at the Town of Slave Lake. Kim is implementing long term strategies for economic growth in the area — important work after the devastating fire two summers ago. Family ? Vivian Johnson ? Tracy DeBoer (BA, ‘10) finished her MA in Psychology bringing her one step closer to her long-term goal of finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology. ? Wendy Nieuwenhuis (B. Mus, ‘10) graduated from the University of Alberta on November 21, 2012 with a Master of Music specializing in Organ Performance. She performed her graduating solo organ recital August 31, 2012. She is currently working as a music teacher and accompanist in Edmonton, Alberta. (BA,’10,) started her Masters of Science at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in September 2012. Her studies will focus on resilience in children and families. Beth Richardson (‘11) is studying to become a Licensed Practical Nurse at Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta. This year Beth won honours as a first team all-star in both basketball and volleyball and lead her team to basketball gold and volleyball silver. ? In late February 2012 Marie Dening (BA, ‘12) left to volunteer in the Dominican Republic for four months where she worked with the Dominican Christian Reformed Church & Schools, helping with children and youth programs all around the country. ? Computer Science graduate Meachel Carnahan (B.Sc., ‘11) recently started her own business — F12 Consulting. At F12 Meach does it all — creating web pages, designing graphics, coding scripts, and doing extensive database administration for firms such as Nexen. ? Stacey Vos (B.Sc.,’12) is enjoying life as a vet med student at the University of Saskatchewan. The highly competitive program only admitted 80 students this past year. Tim and Lisa Cramer (nee Wind) (BA, ’97) welcomed Nathan to the family in April 2012. Lisa is currently on maternity leave from being a General Insurance Manager and the whole family is happy and enjoying life on the west coast. Rachel Vroege (nee Stellingwerff; BA, ’01) is currently enrolled at Regent in the Master of Divinity program. Rachel is in her third and last year of study. Rachel and her husband Russ have two children (Micah, 7; Aaliyah, 5). The Vroege’s are also celebrating Russ recently graduating from the Certified General Accountant program. Continued on next page... The King’s Connection /// Spring 2013 /// 31