Our March student of the month is Noah Schwenk, a junior at Ignite Christian Academy who lives near the forest lands and lakes of northern Wisconsin just a few miles from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Nominated by Mr. Thadd Harrington, Noah was described as a polite and fantastic student who is a great example of a Christian. “Any time he calls in, he always asks if he can pray with me before hanging up,” Harrington said. “This has been a highly positive influence on my own Christian walk.”
My ICA Story
I have been attending Ignite Christian Academy for three fantastic years, starting as a freshman in high school. My parents suggested ICA because it was much more interactive than my previous online school curriculum. I did a little digging, and it looked to be an awesome program. The two biggest factors for me were having real teachers (I’m a huge extrovert), and also being able to work at my own pace. Without a doubt, my favorite part of distance learning is being able to make my own schedule. I love being able to get up early in the morning and study or continue late into the evening and progress further into the school year.
Prayer with Teachers
I was definitely surprised the first time I spoke with my teachers my freshman year. I attended a brick-and-mortar school through seventh grade, but I never had any particular teachers in middle school who were interested in me just for who I was. With ICA, that all changed. My teachers email me every week, checking in and encouraging me to call if I need any help. I love being able to attend online office hours and speak with my teachers, too. I even get to pray with my teachers! How cool is that?
Family Life
I have three incredible siblings: an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother. My favorite thing to do with them is just sit, giggle, and do something fun together. This can be in the form of a board game, a favorite movie, or just talking and eating ice cream. Occasionally, we flip on the TV to prove who is supreme in Super Smash Brothers, but our priority is just to spend time with one another.
Words of Wisdom
My advice to classmates would come in three steps:
1. Listen to God’s commandments. If you do this, He promises to bless you (John 14:23).
2. Your teachers are super cool people and are here to help. Don’t be afraid to give them a call every now and then with a question or just to see how they’re doing!
3. Your mom and dad love you a lot and want to support you. An awesome way to show that you love them back is to work really hard in your studies and stay ahead of the game.
Sweet Jobs
You may be surprised to learn that I work at two separate ice cream and candy stores. I picked up my first job at a candy/ice cream parlor two summers ago and absolutely loved it. A year later, I heard from a lady who owns a different candy shop, and I began working for her, too. The Lord blessed me with the patience and time management to handle two jobs this past summer, and I loved every minute of it.
Learning the “Bassics”
I had first expressed interest in the bass before I was ten, but I never decided to learn how to play until this past November. I was running the audio department at our worship team practice at church, and I was struck by the bass. It sounded so cool that I had to try it! I went up and spoke to the bassist after practice. He showed me how to hold it, and I fell in love with it instantly. It took some time to learn how to play, but I practiced every day and I never gave up for two months. By that point, I was playing with the church worship band and having a blast! I now have a bass guitar teacher who gives me awesome tips on a weekly “bassis,” and I have been playing strong for about three months.
Sports Cards Ministry
Baseball cards and I go way back. My dad first showed me his collection when I was seven, and I loved those from the start. I transition back and forth between the big three sports. I currently browse multiple forums to purchase cards for good prices. My goal from here is to sell them for a profit. Additionally, I run a little ministry with my cards. Each time I sell something, I put a little “Would you like to know God personally?” booklet in each package and pray over it.
Bringing Glory to God
Something I hold very dear to my heart is the fact that God uses a broken vessel such as me to bring glory to His name. It’s my greatest joy that God uses me and my simple gifts to bring honor to Him. This can be in the form of academics, serving my church, or even just spending time socializing with others.
Future Plans
At this point in time, I would love to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and study to be a teacher (probably elementary level). I love teaching others, particularly those younger than me, so I feel that this would be a good fit. I am excited to see where God takes me!