It was wonderful to celebrate our girls soccer seniors! This is what their parents had to say about them.

Kaitlynn Trook

Parents: Dawson and Gina Trook 

Watching you play soccer over the past 13 years has brought us so much joy! Along the way, you’ve built amazing friendships and learned perseverance, grit, courage, and commitment.

Soccer has taught you something even deeper: your worth isn’t defined by wins or losses, but by Jesus alone. P.S. Your mom probably shouldn’t have started the “goal rewards” tradition… What began as ice cream or donuts somehow escalated to a nose piercing for a district goal, third earrings after a tournament, and now—yes—a tattoo of your favorite Bible verse after your goal against East Grand Rapids last week! May it always remind you that you are deeply loved.

Life is full of goals, but the greatest reward comes when you commit your efforts to the Lord and trust His plan. JESUS is your greatest reward.

Colossians 3:23-24 says:

“Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. For we know that we will receive a reward from the Lord.”

Kaitlynn, we are so proud of the young woman you’ve become.

Next Fall you will be attending Palette Cosmetology Institute in Douglas, Michigan, and we have no doubt your God-given talents will be used to further His kingdom.

We love you like crazy!

Mom, Dad, and your brother Griffyn

Kate VandenBerg

Parents: Zach and Lisa VandenBerg 

It has been such a blessing to watch you play varsity soccer for the past four years at Grand Rapids Christian. Your love for soccer began when you were just eight years old and it has been a remarkable journey full of club soccer, futsal, tournaments in and out of state, rain, sleet, snow and everything in between! 

We have loved spending one-on-one time with you as we ventured off weekend after weekend to tournaments. It has been so fun to watch you on the big field in the fall and spring and on the futsal court in the winter. 

You have made so many amazing friendships along the way and we are so proud of the person you have become. You have demonstrated incredible commitment both on and off the court and the field. As you close this chapter and begin a new one at Hope College in the fall, we are so excited to see where God will lead you as you pursue a degree in the sciences. We love you so much! 

Dad, Mom, Ella and Meg

Molly Hassenrik

Parents: Matt and Lesley Hassenrik 

It has been such a blessing watching you compete at the game you love during your time at GRC. We are so proud of you for being a four-year starter. You have been a fixture of consistency and resiliency missing only one game in your four-year high school career. Your grit, tenacity and willingness to always work hard and play smart has been very impressive.

More importantly than your accomplishments on the field however is your heart for Christ. We love to catch you reading your Bible, taking notes in church and leading our family in prayer and devotions. We know that your relationship with Jesus will be your "north star" as you begin your next chapter at Hope College.

Thank you for giving us countless memories playing the beautiful game. We love you!

Mom and Dad 

Ava Barton

Parents, Chad and Heather Barton 

What an absolute joy it has been to watch you grow and develop as both an individual and an athlete.  We are so honored to be able to take this moment to celebrate you!

Soccer has been a big part of our family and we could not be more proud of the amazing player that you are.  Your intensity and determination have served you well over the years as you have advanced from Pure Play, to the club level and eventually to four years at the Varsity level.  It has been incredible to watch the amount of time and effort you have put into strength and conditioning and honing your defensive skills. 

You are driven, dedicated and never give up. Your leadership on the field, competitive spirit, fantastic vision of the field, and unselfish play are strengths that make us so proud.

You are such a talented and bright young lady and we cannot wait to see what God has planned for you as you begin this next chapter of your life at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

We love you so much Ava and will be praying for God’s continued guidance for your life as you enter your college years.

Love,

Dad, Mom, Dani & Addison

Julia Timmer

Parents Jeff and Carolyn Timmer

Watching you play has been one of our greatest joys. It’s hard to believe you’re the same kid as the one who ran from the fray in Pure Play soccer. You were a quick learner once you hit club soccer and continued to excel to the highest levels in the state. Your love of the game, vision of the field, and coach-ability led to you playing nearly every position on the field.

These last four years at the high school Varsity level have proved both rewarding and challenging. When back-to-back knee injuries affected your present and future goals in soccer, we got to see another side of you that we couldn’t be more proud. 

You fought not once, but twice to get back on the field despite many telling you to stop. And you not only returned, you continued to excel and be a leader both on and off the field.

And, through it all, we’ve seen you grow in your relationship with God and learn that’s where your true identity lies.  

As you head to Calvin University next year in pursuit of a career in Physical Therapy, your determined and compassionate spirit will serve you and those around you well. We can’t wait to see how God uses the gifts He has given you and the character He has grown in you as you follow the path He has put before you.

Love, Dad & Mom

Grand Rapids Christian is grateful for the contributions of these seniors and their families within our school and within Eagle athletics. We wish everyone a great finish to the season and blessings on next year as these athletes move on to the next phase of their lives. Go Eagles!