Tag Archives: AnchorPoint Christian School

Education & Environment: Wyoming school joins new PaperGator recycling challenge, hopes to win big!

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Environment, Finances, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recycling, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , , , , , ,
AnchorPoint Christian School in Wyoming is entering PaperGator’s first-ever Paper Recycling Contest in celebration of Earth Day (Courtesy, AnchorPoint Christian School)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


AnchorPoint Christian School in Wyoming has entered PaperGator’s first-ever Paper Recycling Contest in celebration of Earth Day!

(Courtesy photo)

PaperGator is offering participating locations the chance to earn exciting rewards by increasing their paper recycling volume until April 11. Locations that show the greatest improvement will be awarded up to $5,000, with the option for bonus prizes. All participants earn double the usual payouts during the contest period.

Investing in the future

Located in urban Wyoming, AnchorPoint has been providing faith-based education to Preschool-6 students since its inception in 2010.

The PaperGator contest teaches students about the importance of recycling while also supporting education (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

AnchorPoint serves a diverse student body, including 44% of students from low-income households. The payouts from PaperGator have helped support the school for the past 15 years by providing funds for educational resources, learning materials and physical activity tools.

Holly Gomez, AnchorPoint teacher, said this contest is important to the school for two main reasons.

“First, we value teaching students about the importance of recycling and sustainability, which is crucial for the environment and for the future of our community,” said Gomez. “Second, it offers us an opportunity to raise funds to purchase Classroom Cruiser Bike(s) for our library.”

Gomez went on to say that the bikes will help create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment by allowing students to merge physical activity with academic work.

“Recent research highlights the benefits of movement in enhancing cognitive function and academic performance in young learners,” Gomez said. “Many of our students face challenges with staying focused during extended periods of seated instruction.”

Gomez believes the Cruiser Bikes are an innovative resource that will make a significant impact on AnchorPoint students.

“The introduction of Classroom Cruiser Bikes will allow students to engage in light physical activity while reading, researching, or participating in library-based activities, fostering both academic and physical well-being.”

The double participation payouts will significantly boost AnchorPoint’s incoming funds, helping meet the cost of the Classroom Cruiser Bikes and possibly provide additional support for other educational tools that will enhance students’ learning experiences.

“Providing equitable access to innovative learning tools like Classroom Cruiser Bikes ensures that all students can benefit from cutting-edge educational resources, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” said Gomez.

Contest award details

Winners will be determined based on the largest percentage increase in paper recycled from January to April 11, compared with the same period in 2024.

  • Grand Prizes:
    • 1st Place – $5,000
    • 2nd Place – $2,000
    • 3rd Place – $1,000
  • Top 10:
    • Double Earnings for the entire year of 2025!
  • Bonus Prizes:
    • 5 randomly selected participants will win $500 worth of school supplies (to be awarded at the start of the 2025 school year).
    • All participants will earn Double Earnings from January 2025 through April 11, 2025.

Winners will be announced on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22.

Contribute to the environment and education!

Recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment for future generations (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

In 2024, the school averaged 1,000 lbs. per month, the equivalent of half a PaperGator full of recyclable material.

AnchorPoint is reaching out to their business partners, the community and local churches to let them know about the opportunity to recycle with the school in order to increase their volume.

AnchorPoint encourages everyone to participate in the PaperGator Recycling Contest and consider recycling their paper products.

“Beyond helping our school, recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment for future generations,” said Gomez. “By supporting us in this contest, you’re not only helping AnchorPoint, but also contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for the children we serve.”

AnchorPoint’s PaperGator bin is conveniently located in their parking lot at 601 36th Street SW in Wyoming.

Check out accepted PaperGator materials here.

AnchorPoint Christian School

Learn more about AnchorPoint Christian School here.

More information on how to support AnchorPoint’s mission of inspiring and educating the community through innovative, Christ-centered learning can be found here.

Growing Hope: H.O.P.E. Gardens provides essential food and resources for Wyoming families

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Environment, Food, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Local Food, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Volunteers, West Michigan, , , , , , , , , , ,
Growing Dreams: A New Community Garden for Families & Neighbors (Video courtesy of H.O.P.E. Gardens)


By AnchorPoint Christian School Youth Contributors


AnchorPoint students help plant garlic in the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

H.O.P.E. Gardens stands for Help Other People Eat. Located in Grand Rapids, H.O.P.E. Gardens is dedicated to making a positive change in local communities by helping families and individuals grow their own food.

Teaching community members how to cultivate fresh and sustainable food resources gives individuals and families better access to nutritious and affordable food.

Founded in 2015 by Rich and Julie Brunson, who each experienced food insecurity problems early in their lives, H.O.P.E. Gardens has expanded to educate local communities and organizations on the importance of sustainable food resources.

Family Network of Wyoming (FNW) has partnered with H.O.P.E. Gardens to provide that resource for local families.

“When we have gardens, and when we have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, it helps impact health,” said Javonte Tubbs, Executive Director at Family Network of Wyoming.

“If you eat healthy fruits and vegetables all day, you’re going to be in great health. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a lot of nutrients and vitamins and good things for your body.”

Realizing a dream, meeting a need

AnchorPoint Christian School – in collaboration with FNW, H.O.P.E. Gardens Executive Director Julie Brunson, and Express Employment Professionals & Specialized Recruiting Group of Grand Rapids owner Janis Petrini – recently helped install a no-till nature-based garden in Wyoming.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

This garden came to fruition as a way to honor Theresa Drost, a valued employee of Express Pros who recently passed away.

“Theresa’s passion was having a garden and a beautification place around the garden,” said Tubbs. “Janis and Julie got together to find a location to have a garden in memory of Theresa. Family Network of Wyoming had the space and wanted to do a garden as well. It was a perfect partnership.”

That dream was realized as AnchorPoint students prepared the land to begin a new garden where local families will come together to grow food and community.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

“The Kent County Needs Assessment states that one out of six adults experiences food insecurity,” said Tubbs. “That means we need more community gardens, we need more access to healthy fruits and vegetables. Pantries and gardens are places that provide that access.”

Tubbs says there will be people from the community who come to help plant the food, and who will also receive some of that food for their families. And Tubbs plans to join in the fun.

“I love to help,” Tubbs said. “What makes people want to help is a sense of community, a sense of togetherness.”

Butterfly gardens and toad houses – both excellent contributors to the environment – can also be found at H.O.P.E. Gardens.

A willingness to help

Tubbs joined FNW in October of 2023 and said he enjoys both the people and the work.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

“I like Julie and H.O.P.E. Gardens because they have a passion to connect people with healthy fruit and vegetables,” said Tubbs.

“My favorite part of working at Family Network is the volunteers,” Tubbs continued. “Their passion to help, their willingness to be there, to be present, and to be there with smiles. There is a lot of great energy there; everybody is willing to help.”

Growing food…and passion!

H.O.P.E. Gardens is making a change that begins with our youth and fostering a passion for growing food through interactive, eco-friendly learning experiences.

That passion is evident in the students at AnchorPoint. These local students will continue helping with the FNW garden by planting seeds in the spring and participating in the harvest.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

Resource links

For more information about H.O.P.E. Gardens, visit hopegardensgr.org. To learn more about the Family Network of Wyoming, visit fntw.org.

*View the “Growing Dreams” garden photo gallery below, courtesy of Kim Omanchi, APCS:

  • AnchorPoint students are welcomed and receive instruction on how to begin the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students begin laying the foundation for the garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students receive instruction on how to plant garlic (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students plant garlic in the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students plant garlic in the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students enjoyed donuts after their hard work (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

Contributors

This article was written and produced by the 3rd-4th grade students of Wyoming’s AnchorPoint Christian School under the direction of Team 2 teacher Kim Omanchi.

Team 2: Henry Bloomer, Elijah Ducher, Henrik Gagnon, Leonard Gagnon, Jaxon Glas, Logan Henderson, Toby Lehnen, Alan Perez, Nathan Simeon, Joseph Vasquez and Kareen Zuiderveen

The Two Best Friends

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , ,
(Courtesy, pxhere)



By Maya and Victoria

4th Grade Youth Contributors

AnchorPoint Christian School


Once upon a time there were two best friends and their names were Maya and Victoria. They were watching a movie and eating rainbow popcorn with extra rainbow butter and rainbow gummies, and then someone spilled a Dragon fruit-drink on the remote, and then the whole house shook.

And then they got sucked into the T.V. Then they got pooped out of the portal, and they landed on a gargantuan marshmallow. Then they got stuck in a marshmallow to their waist, and they had to eat their way out. It took them an hour.

After that, they saw a dogocorn and a unicorn. Then, the dogocorn and unicorn ask Maya and Victoria to help them. They agree to help, but only if there is a way to get home. They said they need to beat the evil turtle.

The only way to destroy it is true love.

They all work together to find a boy turtle. When they do find him, he has an awesome singing voice. His name is Timmy. Then they bring him to the evil turtle’s castle.

Timmy knows she is really pretty, so then they get married. The evil turtle is no longer evil. She is really nice and sweet, and her name is Mia. Then Mia shows them a secret portal.

They go home and live happily ever after.

The End

P.S. Dogo Corn made everything a mess.



Victoria (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Maya (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Maya (left) and Victoria are 4th grade students at AnchorPoint Christian School.


The Two Best Friends was a collaborative effort between Maya and Victoria, and is their first published work.

Fortnite World

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , ,
(Courtesy, Nathan Simeon and Josiah Freeman)



By Nathan Simeon and Josiah Freeman

3rd and 4th Grade Youth Contributors

AnchorPoint Christian School


15 14 13…5, 4, 3, 2, 1

beep beep

“Thank you, bus driver,” said some of the people.

A quarter of the people landed in the UnderWorld. A quarter of the people landed in GrimGate. The rest landed in E. State.

It all happened at 5:45.

While Josiah and I were playing Fortnite, we got sucked into the game. Josiah and I were shocked. We found ourselves in E. State. We hid in a bush because we were scared. We hid there until 50 people died.

Now there are 25 players left. We defeated five players. Now there are 19 players left. There used to be a gargantuan amount of players. 10 of them died. We destroyed four of them.

Now there are three left, not counting us. The other people destroyed the guy. Now it is a 2v2 and Josiah destroyed one person.

Josiah died to his teammate, and I destroyed him from behind.


Josiah Freeman (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Nathan Simeon (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Nathan Simeon (left) is a 3rd grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School.

Josiah Freeman (right) is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School.

Fortnite World was a collaborative effort between Nathan and Josiah, and is their first published work.

Mrs. Omanchi’s Morning

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , , , ,
Mrs. Kim Omanchi, AnchorPoint Christian School 3/4 Grade Teacher (Courtesy, Toby Lehnen)



By Toby Lehnen

3rd Grade Youth Contributor

AnchorPoint Christian School


This is Mrs. Omanchi. She is my teacher.

She wakes up and gets ready for work. She eats breakfast. Her breakfast is the homemade granola her mom made her.

Ezra gets up and she asks him what he wants for lunch and lays it out. They get in the car and drive to Potter’s House on the highway and Clyde Park Avenue.

When she gets to school around 7:40 a.m., she writes the morning message and prints the work we are going to do today.

She waits to greet her students at the door and see how we are doing.


Toby Lehnen (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Toby Lehnen is a 3rd grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Toby’s news article, Mrs. Omanchi’s Morning, is his first published work.


Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.

Stranded in Sharkland

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Pets/Animals, Voices, West Michigan, , , , , ,
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Alan Perez

3rd Grade Youth Contributor

AnchorPoint Christian School


The story is about sharks, there is a shark attack. It takes place at sea. It happened on July 12, 1916.

Once upon a time Jaxon and I were reading a book called I Survived Shark Attacks.

It was Feb. 10, 2024 when we were reading the book. We randomly got sucked into the book, and the teacher came and she saw that we weren’t there anymore.

It was July 12,1916. Jaxon and I were in the middle of the sea. Jaxon and I were scared because we thought we were gonna get eaten by a shark.

Afterwards, we saw  people running to the sand because of five great white sharks. Two people had gotten eaten, and three people were left. But two sharks got two other people, leaving one person named Nick. He was running towards me and Jaxon.

Jaxon and I were jittery and started running to land, but we saw that he had disappeared. He came out of the water fighting the shark and killed the shark. Running from the other sharks, he made it to land.

Then Jaxon and I disappeared, coming back to school reading Shark Attacks.

The End!!!!


Alan Perez (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Alan Perez is a 3rd grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Alan’s short story, Stranded in Sharkland, is his first published work.


Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.

My Invisible Day Playing Fortnite

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , ,
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Joseph Montoya

4th Grade Youth Contributor

AnchorPoint Christian School


Poof

Once upon time I was playing Fortnite, and I won the game. Suddenly I was invisible.

I went to Target and got a PS6. I set money on the counter which made the manager confused.

I took it home and plugged it in. I played Fortnite for 24 hours. My parents didn’t know because they couldn’t see me.

I took my dad’s credit card, so I could get the new XBOX Series and 10 Nintendo Switches. I charged them and played them for 10 hours, but I got bored. Then I decided to get the PS5. I liked it, however I got bored of that too. So I took a break to get ice cream.

When I came home, I went to sleep. I woke up and played Fortnite for 10 minutes. I got the Dub on Fortnite, but my invisibility ran out. And my parents caught me.

The end.


Joseph Montoya (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Joseph Montoya is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Joseph’s short story, My Invisible Day Playing Fortnite, is his first published work.


Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.

Stuck in the Movie

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , , ,
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Dahmari Lee

4th Grade Youth Contributor

AnchorPoint Christian School


Go! Fight! … Pop!

Suddenly, I am in the Ninja Turtle movie. I see if I can go meet the Turtles, and I become their friend. They show me around. They teach me how to fight. I fight the Krag with them. I have a sword and I can fight the Shredder and fight him with the turtles, and then I ride in the shell razor with the Turtles.

“Man, these buildings are gargantuan.”

Then I had my first fight.

“We went against the Krag. We won. It was easy with the Turtles. And the weapon I was using was a sword. It was cool.”

I was like Leo, but I was not the leader then we went home. It was stinky in the sewers but I had to deal with it.

Then it was time for bed. I slept on the couch, then I said, “That was the best day ever! And I know the Turtles are far-fetched.”


Dahmari Lee (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Dahmari Lee is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Dahmari’s short story, Stuck in the Movie, is his first published work.


Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.

Thrilling Theater Time

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , ,
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Rozemarijn L. De Graff

4th Grade Youth Contributor

AnchorPoint Christian School


Once upon a time there were two friends going to a magical theater. Their names were Taylor and Ashley. They’re both 16 years old.

Taylor has waist-length blonde hair and brown eyes. She hopes to be an actress some day. Specifically, on BROADWAY! They both live in New York City!

Ashley has brown, straight, shoulder length hair and blue eyes. She hopes to be a director some day. Specifically, working with Taylor, on BROADWAY! In New York City!

Texting

Ashley! You are packed right?! From Taylor.

Duh! Are you packed Taylor? From Ashley.

I’m packed and you are! Good! From Taylor.

Real Life

Taylor and Ashley were asked to come to “Emelia’s Star Theater” to perform in a movie. Taylor would be cast as Queen Shoreanna of the Shore Fairies. Ashley would be cast as Queen Flamebelle of the Flame Fairies. These two queens were forever enemies but their daughters, Princess Shore and Princess Flame, were best friends. Unfortunately, Shore and Flame were Taylor and Ashley’s younger sisters. Shore is Taylor’s sister Zoe and Flame is Ashley’s sister Hallie, they’re very annoying. Then there was Prince Sand and Prince Fire. Taylor and Ashley’s younger sisters’ twins. The twins were all 13 years old. Sand is Shore’s twin and Fire is Flame’s twin. Sand is Jake, Zoe’s twin and Fire is Kayden, Hallie’s twin. Taylor’s younger twins have blonde hair and blue eyes. Ashley’s younger twins have brown hair and brown eyes.

“Hey Shore! Sand! Get over here!” Taylor yelled from her room.

“Don’t call us Shore and Sand!” they said from their room. Jake and Zoe are particular about names.

“Goodness,” Taylor mumbled.

“We heard that!!!” they yelled.

“Well are you two packed?”

“Yes!”

Meanwhile

“Hallie and Kayden you better be packed!” Ashley yelled.

“Duh, we are!” Hallie and Kayden yelled.

“Jinx!” Kayden said.

“Mm!” Hallie said/mumbled. She said “COOTIES!” not using words though.

“Not GIRL COOTIES!” Kayden yelled. “AAAHHH! Fine, Hallie!!!”

“Ugh,” Ashley said.

The next day Taylor, Ashley, Zoe, Hallie, Jake and Kayden arrived at…

“Emelia’s Star Theater!” Emelia herself said. “Welcome.”

“Thank you,” Ashley said, being polite.

“This is Luke and Matthew, my sons,” Emelia said. They were both 16 with blonde hair and green eyes, twins. “Luke and Matthew, the blonde one is Taylor and the brown hair one is Ashley, the queens. The younger girls are the princesses, the younger boys are the princes. More introductions later!”

“Looks like Ashley and I are the only ones with no twins,” Taylor said. Wow, Luke’s cute! she thought.

“How’d ya know we’re twins?” Luke asked.

“Same pale blonde hair, same emerald green eyes, DUH!” Ashley pointed out. Whoa, Matthew is super cute!  She also thought one of the boys was cute.

“True,” Matthew said.

“MWA HAHAHAHA!!!” someone said, “Tis I, Witch Lemon, and the Lime Lovers! I’m casting a curse so no one may exit this so-called ‘star’ theater!”

“WHAT?! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!” they all screamed.

TO BE CONTINUED…


Rozemarijn L. De Graff, Youth Contributor (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Rozemarijn L. De Graff is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Rozemarijn’s short story, Thrilling Theater Time, is her first published work.


Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.

I Draw

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , ,
(Courtesy, Teddy)



By Teddy

4th Grade Youth Contributor

AnchorPoint Christian School


I think. 

I draw. 

I mess up. 

I retry.

I draw.

I draw for hours.

I look. 

I go back to working.

I look. I smile.

I work.

I work some more. I work.

I create a masterpiece.


Teddy, Youth Contributor (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)

Teddy is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Teddy’s poem, I Draw, is his first published work.


Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.

Local school’s youth wrestling program produces results, sends first student to wrestling State Finals!

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , ,
Dahmari Lee (in gray) takes on an opponent during a scrimmage at AnchorPoint Christian School (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)



By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


AnchorPoint Christian School in Wyoming is excited to announce that 4th grade student Dahmari Lee will be moving on to the MYWAY State Championships. Dahmari is AnchorPoint’s first student to move on to the championship round.

“I’m so proud of all the wrestlers this year!” said Coach Ed Harris in supplied material. “Each one has grown in a number of ways whether it is learning new moves, self-confidence, or how to handle adversity.”

Challenges and growth

Dahmari Lee with parents Andreen and John Wierenga (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

For the past two years, Dahmari has wrestled as a novice. The 2024 regional tournament at Grandville High School was his first taste of open wrestling, competing against opponents with two or more years of wrestling experience.

Dahmari enjoys wrestling with his dad at home, so when AnchorPoint’s 5-6th grade teacher Ed Harris formed a school wrestling team, he immediately signed up.

“He’s really into sports, so when they started a wrestling program here he wanted to try it,” John Wierenga, Dahmari’s father, told WKTV. “I told him we probably wouldn’t do any tournaments the first year, just practice. But after three practices, he was ready [to try] a tournament.”

Dahmari said he enjoys working hard and receiving medals (of which he has earned several) at competitions. The young wrestler is looking forward to participating at the State Championships, in part because he will wrestle open.

“Open is a little bit harder because you have to wrestle a couple years ahead of you,” said Dahmari, admitting that he likes the challenge of competing against more experienced wrestlers.

Andreen Wierenga, Dahmari’s mother, said watching her son wrestle is very emotional for her because she doesn’t want him to get hurt.

Despite her nervousness, Andreen supports Dahmari by attending his matches.

Dahmari Lee (right) prepares to scrimmage (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“When he’s winning, I like to cheer him on,” said Andreen. “But when he started to get the hang of it, he said, ‘I don’t like the excitement. You can stay home, and Dad can take me,’” said Andreen.

Andreen attended a recent match with the promise that she would sit quietly and not cheer. When Dahmari won his match, however, Andreen admitted that her emotions ran high.

“He came up and hugged me and said, ‘See? This is why I told you not to come,’” said Andreen with a laugh.

Dahmari’s willingness to accept challenges placed before him has garnered the notice of his coach.

“[Dahmari] is always willing to challenge himself in practice and in competition,” said Harris. “The fact that he placed 4th shows he belongs with those open wrestlers, and will continue to grow as an athlete and a person going forward.”

Iron sharpens iron

Launching AnchorPoint’s K-6 grade wrestling program stemmed from Harris’ own love of the sport.

Teacher and Coach Ed Harris believes in teaching more than just wrestling moves (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Harris began wrestling in high school and quickly fell in love with the sport. A Division 2 Team National Championship win at GVSU was followed by coaching positions at Godfrey Lee Middle School and then Wyoming High School.

When a donor purchased mats for AnchorPoint from Michigan State, the school’s youth wrestling team began.

“I love the sport of wrestling, and with a donor coming forward to help get the mats here, and my sons going to this school [and] with the opportunity to coach them, God’s timing was perfect,” said Harris.

Harris is also excited to incorporate faith into the wrestling program.

“I have always loved Proverbs 27:17: ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ because it is so true in wrestling,” said Harris, adding that a good partner provides refinement, but a bad partner creates stumbling blocks. “It is amazing how much faith and wrestling are connected, and we talk about that in our devotions before every practice.”

Life lessons

Dahmari (left) shows perseverance during a recent scrimmage (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Faith is only one life lesson AnchorPoint’s wrestlers learn through the program.

Strengthening their bodies as well as relationships with their peers as they work together in a competitive setting is also a focus of the program. Giving students a positive outlet for working through emotions, physical stress or anxiety, and learning the art of winning and losing gracefully are also lessons the students will take with them throughout life.

But one of the most important lessons, Harris said, is perseverance – especially through tough times.

“Wrestling is super tough, especially when you first start out,” said Harris, commenting that he was proud of the wrestlers for showing perseverance during a recent scrimmage. “No matter the score, they just kept wrestling and working to improve.

“I hope they transition that thinking to life and that, no matter what is going on in life, you can always find ways to work to make it better.”

Preparation and anticipation

As Dahmari prepares for the State Championships at Wings Event Center Arena on March 22-23, anticipation is high for both student and coach.

“I’m excited to see where wrestling can take Dahmari and all of our students in the future!” said Harris.

For more information on AnchorPoint Christian School, visit www.anchorpointchristian.org.