Class researches genetic disorders

As a part of a unit on heredity, Southwest Christian biology students researched genetic disorders. The class discussed the value of each and every life whether a person is “normal” or has a genetic abnormality. Every person is precious in God’s sight, and students wanted a tangible way to show their support for those who are especially vulnerable.

It is estimated that 2/3 of Down Syndrome pregnancies in the United States are terminated. Jack’s Basket is an organization founded by a southwest Minnesota native, Carissa (Nieuwboer) Carroll, who has a child with Down Syndrome. Their mission is to celebrate babies with Down Syndrome. Each basket contains letters from families who have a child with Down Syndrome, brochures and information, and other items, such as books, toys, and booties. The baskets are brought to hospitals and to homes when a baby with Down Syndrome is born.

Each basket costs an estimated $150. The biology class raised over $300 and was able to donate enough money to purchase supplies for 2 baskets. Two babies will be celebrated and welcomed through the generous donations of these students!

High School News

Friday, March 19, marked the end of the 3rd quarter for the 2020-2021 school year. As with everyone, the winter months can get long with few outside activities and colder temps that keep us wanting to stay close to a warm indoor environment.

To add some fun to the 3rd quarter, the SWC high school students were able to enjoy a few fun activities planned by the Leaders for Life group, also while spreading some Christmas cheer and raising funds for a great summer camp.

The SWC students, in their Christmas attire, shared a variety of Christmas songs with the residents of Edgebrook, Edgebrook Apartments, and Edgebrook Estates before the Christmas break. It was awesome to soak in some sunshine, get some fresh air, and share smiles and songs with the residents across the highway and then enjoy some hot chocolate after returning to school.

The Christmas giving opportunity this year was for Royal Family Kids. The following was from the RFK committee: “The SW Minnesota Royal Family Kids Camp team extends an enormous THANK YOU for being so generous in your Christmas giving!  You have shared your earnings, worked extra jobs, emptied your piggy banks, and given more than we ever thought you could! Through you, God is doing BIG things for the kids Jesus calls us to love and serve. Southwest Christian campuses together have raised to date an amazing $10,719.17! Many more of you pledged prayer support and camp volunteerism, and we are humbled to tears and so grateful for your open hearts and your generosity for kids in foster care who need Jesus’ love.  God is moving in ways far beyond what we could ever ask or think or imagine.  THANK YOU!”

It will be amazing to hear how God will use these gifts and the talents of many of our volunteer students who will serve at the camp this summer.

The Leaders for Life group also set up a Christmas trivia game for a class-to-class competition. This fun carried over to homecoming week for the first week of February. Each day was a different dress up day, and some days included the typical entertaining homecoming games.

With the temperatures warming up, some members of the student body arranged a “Drive Your Tractor to School” day. Twenty students drove tractors of different colors and horsepower to school on Tuesday, March 9. These students also arranged a pre-class parade around town. The elementary students enjoyed the tractors driving by, as well neighborhood residents.

Warmer temps and more outdoor activities will soon be here!

In the school building, students have been submitting selections for the Den Ouden Writing Contest in the areas of poetry and short stories. The winners of this contest will be announced in the near future and selections shared with the student body and published possibly later in the Enterprise.

With the temperatures warming up, some members of the student body arranged a “Drive Your Tractor to School” day in March.

The Leaders for Life group also set up a Christmas trivia game for a class-to-class competition.

Owen Vogel, Hunter Vander Haar, Rylie Fey, and Kinsie Nelson during a homecoming game.

SWC students, in their Christmas attire, shared Christmas songs with the residents of Edgebrook before Christmas break.