Meet our November student of the month, Rose Klein. She’s an 11th grade student who loves to praise God and is actively involved in activities at ICA.
How Distance Learning Has Changed My Life
This is my second year of being an Ignite Christian Academy student. After spending a few years ping-ponging through Christian school, God put it on my mother’s heart to homeschool my family last year. When my mom listened to Him and began our ICA education, it turned out that God was right, as He always has been.
My favorite part of distance learning? Learning. In previous educational experiences, I had never written a paper, heard of a works cited page, or had a certified teacher to answer my questions. I was set up to fail. When I joined ICA, everything came as an academic shock, but in the best of ways. I have learned to teach myself through distance learning, but I also know when I have a question that needs to be answered or a concept that needs to be explained, I can go to a teacher and receive the help I need.
Ignite Christian Academy has changed my life because I watch teachers selflessly and humbly pour time and energy into their students. They set examples of Christlike behavior, encourage me in my progress, and always overcome obstacles that stand in the way of my learning experience. Ultimately, they provide me with preparation for my future instead of just helping me pass high school.
My Favorite Subject
As a child, I loved English because it was easiest for me. I still love English because it is not definite, no matter how many rules are made to constrict its tickling vines. It will never make up its mind, but it occasionally comes to life when people string words together in certain ways. English is a sort of art; it can be twisted into spaghetti-loose brain prose or buttoned tight into strict standard form. The possibilities are endless.
Writing for The Blue Umbrella
When I joined the student center, I was surrounded by fellow believers my age who were filled with passion and desire to impact the world for the glory of God. I met remarkable and innovative youth whose maturity surpassed their age. Abigail, the current editor-in-chief of The Blue Umbrella, was one of those students who exhibited exceptional character and perseverance. She grabbed a couple of friends, asked them if they would enjoy collaborating on a student-made newsletter, and took off. When the unofficial newsletter was published on a discussion post, several students, myself included, asked to join The Blue Umbrella team. Before we knew it, the newsletter was noticed by the ICA staff and named the academy’s first official student newsletter.
Starting Writers Block
My sophomore English teacher, Mrs. Medley, daily spent time with me in office hours. We analyzed poetry pieces together, tearing each word apart and absorbing every pepper of meaning that the phrases held. Her influence in my life sparked a love for poetry and writing which flooded over into my junior year when my English teacher, Mrs. Clare, spent some spare time reading poetry with me during office hours. Sometimes other students sat in on our meetings to see what we were doing.
Realizing there was a French club for ICA, I hinted once to Mrs. Clare that it would be wonderful to have a writing club as well. Together with other interested students, we devised an outline of what this club would look like if it were a possibility. Taking the time and initiative for our idea, Mrs. Clare sent a formal proposal to the head ICA staff, which was approved on a trial basis. Thus, Writers Block was born.
Dreams of a Virtual Art Walk
A few weeks ago, Mrs. Medley told me about occasions when she began art walks at schools where she previously taught. Seeing that there are many artistic talents in our own academy, I believe that an online art walk would be a worthy exhibition of these talents. Several of the students I have spoken with are excited about the idea, and there are many ways students could showcase their work online. I plan to consult with the ICA staff and The Blue Umbrella to further explore this idea.
Family Life
I have five immediate siblings. We go on adventures in the desert, eat ramen noodle picnic lunches on the front lawn, camp in the mountains, build tree forts, play swords and spies, sing in the car at the top of our lungs with the windows down, and make memories by picking up feathers and leaves that mom tells us to throw out.
My younger sister Elana gives me fashion advice on a consistent basis. I ignore her, however, and wear snow pants around my house often… even during the summer. It feels like I’m wearing a portable bed, and surprisingly it is not as warm as it would seem.
Hobbies, Activities, and Free Time
I am heavily involved in our church; some days it feels like it could be my second home. I love attending youth group and being encouraged in my relationship with God by my peers and pastors. On Wednesday nights, I play the box drum in our youth group worship team. On Sunday mornings, I interpret our church’s worship music into American Sign Language. It is one of my favorite methods of worshipping, aside from playing drums or piano.
Aside from worship and church activities, writing and drawing are my favorite activities. I am currently enrolled in Art Instruction Schools, a correspondence-course art college. My mother found out about the school through a scholarship offer, which I applied for and received last year. On Tuesday afternoons, I attend a leather class in the next town with my little sister. I also work at my city’s local ice arena and teach skating lessons to beginning toddlers and adults.
I enjoy spending time with God first thing in my morning. The rest of my day is empty without that designated daily meeting with my Maker. My other favorite free time activities are journaling about what God is teaching me during my day and drawing and feeling His pleasure when I use my gift to worship Him. Often, during short segments of free time, I chat with my friends and see how God is working in their lives.
If I had one bit of advice to give to my ICA peers, it would be to seek God first. In this life, all that matters is knowing and loving Him.