Last week I was invited by the Grade 12 graduating class of Rehoboth Christian School to attend the 2012 Awards and Scholarships night. I have been the Principal for 12 of the 13 years that these students have attended RCS. I was not able to be there for the dinner part of the evening, but I witnessed the awards and scholarships being handed out, and the charge being given to the 34 graduates by Pastor Schoeman. I was asked to present the Jack Westerink Scholarship which was to be awarded for the first time. It was an evening of mixed emotions for me, as you can imagine.
Below you can find the text of the presentation speech I delivered to the graduates and their parents. I used a DynaVox computer, which was mounted on my electric wheelchair. This computer has software that can change text to audible speech. Steve, the occupational therapist who specializes in computers and electronics, got the hardware all together for me the day before. Thank you Steve.
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First of all, congratulations to all of the grade 12 students for
successfully completing your high school education at Rehoboth Christian School. You have been highly privileged and blessed to have been given such a precious gift, the gift of a Christian education.
When the concept of a scholarship was first proposed to me, I did not expect to actually experience the first presentation of it in person. It is very humbling, and also a great honor for me that this scholarship was established by generous donors, in my name.
The design of the scholarship is to support and encourage a student who will attend full time studies at an accredited Christian post secondary institution. The amount is $2,500 per year, for each year of the degree program.
The 2012 recipient is a person who has become very special to me over the last year, and is an all round, talented, sporty, hard working student. The first scholarship recipient is, Tracey Kranendonk.
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Dear Jack,
ReplyDeleteIt was a very special moment when you presented the Jack Westerink Scholarship - for you, for the recipient, for the graduating class, and for every person in that room. It was a moment of heartfelt gratitude to God for allowing you to experience the first awarding of the scholarship, as well as the acknowledgement that He has used you to help mold the lives of these young people. All praise to God for all His dealings with you and us.
With our love and prayers,
Susan & family
It's a real privilege and blessing for all of us to see that you could make this first Jack Westerink Scholarship presentation. I’m glad and grateful that God gave you the opportunity. It will be a lasting memory to everyone in the room that evening. Fitting indeed – thanks be to God.
ReplyDeletePsalm 100:5
ReplyDeleteDear Jack, my Brother, the time seems to be near that a voice from heaven will say, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Rev. 14:13
Your labours follow you affecting hundreds of families. May the promise of the Lord, that His truth endures to all generations give you peace today.