Spring 2018

Spring 2018

Sue Thomas to Deliver
Commencement Address

The inspiration behind the award winning family TV series, SUE
THOMAS: FBEye, she not only has captured the hearts of millions of Amer-
icans but also hearts in sixty-four nations around the world where the TV
show is syndicated.

Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Sue Thomas faced overwhelm-
ing odds when at the age of eighteen months she became profoundly
deaf. Instead of institutionalizing Sue, her dedicated parents set out to
provide the tools that would enable Sue to live and survive in the world of
sound. It was imperative to them that little Sue would learn to speak, even
though she heard nothing. Years of speech therapy gave her the voice
that would one day be heard around the world. Deemed “a dummy”
and put into the slow learner class throughout her public school days, she
was finally discovered by her typing teacher who saw the raw potential
that was concealed by Sue’s deafness. Through the life of this teacher,
Sue went on to college where she studied Political Science, Internation-
al Relations and received her BS degree before doing post-graduate
work in counseling at Case Western Reserve and Columbia Bible College

and Seminary. The highlight of
her professional career was in
Washington, D.C., where her
unique lip-reading abilities were
recruited by the FBI.

Sue is a living testimony that
the grace of God is sufficient.
Her powerful story of overcom-
ing the odds gives her a clear
voice that resonates with her
audiences. Sue inspires through
her love for God and her desire
to make Him known by encour-
aging His people to become all
He created them to be.

Sunday, May 20
Baccalaureate | 10:30 a.m.
Commencement | 2:30 p.m.

2 | The Crusader

From Our Superintendent 4

Core Values: SBA Family 5

School Board One-Act Play 6
Music Contest 7

Tom Young, Chairman Missions Conference 8

Onida, SD Freshmen Servant Days 10

Paul Beckwith, Vice Chairman Sophomore Servant Days 12

Pierre, SD Junior Servant Days 13

David VanHeuvelen, Secretary Senior Trip 14

Emmetsburg, IA Crusader Athletics 16

Daniel Paul, Treasurer Lives that Touched SBA 20

Carson, ND Development Corner 22

Gaven Banik SBA Foundation 23

Hartford, SD Giving 24

Phil Hamburger

Seneca, SD

Andy Michaelis

Wessington, SD

Ken Shay

Pierre, SD

Brad Ufen

Miller, SD

God’s Truth for Today’s Youth. Tax Law Changes 25

According to its Articles of Incorporation, Sunshine SBA Family News 26
Bible Academy exists to provide “for the general
education of youth in the essentials of culture and in Calendar 27
the arts and sciences, giving emphasis to the Chris-
tian doctrines and the ethics revealed in the Holy Front cover: Sophomores Maria Roghair,
Scriptures; combating all atheistic, agnostic, pagan, Bethany Konechne and Shariah Brockel during
and so-called scientific adulterations of the Gospel; their Servant Days trip.
unqualifiedly affirming and teaching the Inspiration
of the Bible (both the Old and New Testaments); the Back cover: Progress on the new boys’
birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; His identi- dormitory. Lord willing, it will be ready for
fication as the Son of God; His vicarious atonement occupancy in August.
for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood
on the cross; the resurrection of His body from the
tomb; His power to save man from sin; the new birth
through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit; and

the gift of eternal life by the grace of God through
faith in Jesus Christ.”

The Crusader | 3

From Our

Superintendent
You will read a fair amount
about servants in the next has not
few pages. You will see that called us
to perform

we incorporated servant leader- service.

ship into SBA’s core values. You will He has called us to be servants.

read about the high school students’ That entails performing service,

Servant Days trips. You will read of course, but it is much more than

about several missionaries who that.

are servants of the Lord in various Being a servant involves a

places around the world. Servant is mindset, an attitude. Joe Stowell, in

not a word that is used much these his book Perilous Pursuits, says it like

days. When you go to a restaurant this: “Servanthood is our willingness

someone may introduce themself as to do whatever it takes to accom-

your server, and you hear once in a plish the best for another person.

while about civil servants, but those It means serving the purposes of

are about the closest we come any- God through our lives, and it is the

more to people known as servants. essential identity of an authentic

The Bible, however, makes it Christian. ... [T]he person who is

clear that we are to be servants. awestruck by God’s magnificence

Jesus modeled servanthood for His and has a redemptively redirected

disciples by washing their feet. Paul sense of significance will think, I’ll

tells us in Philippians 2 that Jesus serve others on His behalf. ... Our

took “the form of a servant” and positions in life are but platforms to

“humbled Himself” (verses 7 and 8 be used for servanthood.”

ESV). We are to follow His exam- Sharing this with the students

ple. was convicting for me. I trust it is

The day before the ninth, tenth convicting for you, too. May we

and eleventh graders headed out each seek to die to ourselves each

on their Servant Days trips I ex- day and to live lives that reveal our

plained to them that it is intentional identity as God’s servants.

that we call them Servant Days, not

Service Days. Someone can per-

form a service without being a ser-

vant. Indeed, the servers described

above fit that category. But God

4 | The Crusader

SBA Family consistent part of our communica-
tion--internally and externally.
During our ACSI accreditation
last year, the visiting team Jim Collins wrote this: “Core val-
recommended that SBA ues are timeless and do not change,
develop a set of clear, succinct core while practices and strategies should
values. The team felt that everyone be changing all the time.”
that they talked to had a fairly good
idea of what SBA’s core values are, After working in six committees
but no one could state them clearly to develop ideas and recommenda-
and quickly. Accordingly, the faculty tions, then discussing those recom-
and staff have been working on that mendations, the following core values
during this school year with the input are being recommended by the
of board members, parents and faculty and staff:
students through an online survey.
S - Servant leadership
Core values should clearly artic- Students will be provided oppor-
ulate what we see as the distinctives tunities to serve God and others
of SBA--the things that make SBA... with humble attitudes while living
SBA. In other words, if these things courageously as Christian leaders.
“went away” SBA would funda-
mentally change as a result. These B - Biblical foundation/worldview
are things that are important--the Students will be prepared to view
non-negotiables. Core values should all of life through the lens of
clarify our identity and inform our Scripture, to deepen their com-
culture. mitment to Christ and to develop
personal convictions.
Core values will also inform per-
sonnel decisions and activities. When A - Academic excellence
seeking to fill an open position, it Students will be challenged
will be essential that the potential and equipped in all subject areas,
hire be in alignment with these core equipped to succeed in the world
values. Additionally, the core values they live and to bring glory to
should influence/shape how we as God in their pursuits.
faculty and staff go about our activi-
ties each day. If someone is not living Family -
up to the core values that should be Students will be surrounded by a
evident--and it would need to be loving environment, extending be-
addressed. yond the classroom, where care
and concern for one another are
Core values will be visible and demonstrated, relationships are
reinforced regularly. They will be cultivated and spiritual growth is
a filter for decision making. They encouraged.
will be an element of performance
The Crusader | 5
reviews and will be a regular,

One-Act Playhis year’s one-act play went Willie Anderson (‘19)

very well at the Huron com- schedule. We would usually practice
on the small school stage, but when
Tpetition. A lot of progress was the basketball teams were gone we

made throughout the season by would use the gym floor to see how

the whole cast. There were twelve it would feel on the larger Huron

members including backstage hands stage. Miss Arkema told us what she
(sound and lights). Our director, Miss was thinking for character develop-
ment, and then each member was in
Brittany Arkema, did a very good
charge of finding and creating their
job of running the show, especially
costumes.
since she had no one to assist her
We left SBA at 7:00 a.m. on
in directing. We had enough cast
members to fill all the needed slots January 24 for the district competi-
for our chosen play, “The True Story tion. We were the last performance
of the day,

but we ar-

rived early

to watch

the other

performanc-

es. There

were eleven

teams there,

including us,

and Miss

Arkema had

of the So-Called Big Bad Wolves.” us take notes on three of the other
The play contained the wolves from schools performances. Our team
placed third, with Willie Anderson,
the stories of “The Boy Who Cried
Wolf,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and Rianna Banik, Victoria Paul, Renee
Seaman, Hannah VanHeuvelen, and
“The Three Little Pigs.” This piece
was a spin-off of the original stories Taylor VanHeuvelen all receiving
that allowed the wolves to share the outstanding actor or actress awards.
All in all, it was a great season and
“truth” about the commonly misun-
I’m looking forward to next year.
derstood stories of the wolves.

Line memorization came along

very well during our season, which L to R: Cheya Goertzen, Rianna Banik, Talix
allowed us to be able to focus more Babb, Cassidy Watson, Victoria Paul, Brittany
on humor and emotion. We had Arkema, Hannah VanHeuvelen, Willie An-
practice three times a week usually, derson, Renee Seaman, Taylor VanHeuvelen,

depending on SBA’s very busy Shelby Belmore

6 | The Crusader

Music ContestBA had thirty-three students Kevin Waller

in grades 7-12 participate Tera Lopez, and Kevin Waller all
accompanied at different times
Sin the Region IV Small Group throughout the day.
Contest at the AARC in Aberdeen
Most students get their music
on February 7. There were twen- right before Christmas break, and
ty-eight entries performed by the have under two months to learn
students, including instrumental and their music and work together with
vocal student solos,
their accompa-
duets, and large
nist. The students
vocal groups, such
choose their own
as the Small Vocal
music to perform
Ensemble and the
(except for the
Men’s and Ladies
large groups,
Ensembles. The
which will sing
student solos and
those pieces at the
groups received
spring concert) out
twelve I ratings
of around 1,000
and sixteen II rat-
solos. That may
ings (with I’s being
seem like a lot
the highest score,
of music, but that
and V’s being the
includes all vocal
lowest).
and instrumental
There were
events, and some
over 500 student
instruments only
events during the day from many have about ten potential solos for
schools in the region. Musicians
contest use that SBA has on hand.
were performing in ten different
Students can also be a part
rooms, and there was an adjudica- of smaller groups, ranging from
tor in each room. The first event for groups of two to sixteen. Freshman
SBA took place at 9:24 a.m., and Ruthe Lopez was maxed out with
the final event was scheduled for six events, including both vocal and
2:54 p.m. The groups were spread instrumental. Ohnew Seol (‘19) on
throughout the day at different
flute and Hannah (‘18) and Taylor
times, and some students had mul- (‘20) VanHeuvelen, in a vocal duet,
tiple events in an hour, making it a received perfect ratings. The day
challenge to switch from one song concluded with pizza and a safe
to another in a short period of
drive back to SBA.
time. Craig Brockel, Lisa Deal,

The Crusader | 7

Missions Conference
Jason Watson
Wednesday evening, Glenda
This year, SBA held a missions Palmquist from CEF South Dakota
conference instead of a spring spoke in chapel. She spoke about
Spiritual Life Emphasis Week. how to share your faith with others
It was an opporutnity to high- and told students about opportu-
light several missionaries working nities for serving in CEF’s Five Day
around the world in order to ex- Clubs.

pose SBA students to various ways

in which the gospel is being shared

in diverse cultures--as well as right

here in our own backyard.

The conference began on

Wednesday morning, March 14.

Mrs. Ja Lynn Burma, SBA’s missions

coordinator, started things off

with an illustration called “How to

Eat an Elephant (or an Ice Cream

Cake)” that allowed students to see

(and taste) how difficult a task may

be when left to just one person

but how quickly it can be done On Thursday morning, stu-
when many people are involved. dents heard from Holly Friesen, an
Also during that morning session ABWE missionary in Ukraine who
we were able to visit with AJ and is involved in medical evangelism
Klarissa (Sybesma, ‘99) Backes by and pro-life ministry. After giving
Skype. They are missionaries in the students a chace to try learning
Tanzania with Team Expansion.
a few Russian words,

she explained how the

medical clinics operat-

ed in the villages pro-

vide opportunities for

sharing the gospel with

individuals who may

never enter a church.

On Thursday eve-

ning, Tim Carmical of

Ethnos 360 (formerly

8 | The Crusader

New Tribes Missions) shared about lical understanding of God’s design

the process of taking the gospel to for human life has on everything else

unreached people groups, including that we do.

the challenges of developing a writ- While our original plan had

been to have Servant Days in Octo-

ber, we had to reschedule them to

March after the football team made

the playoffs. That turned out to be

a wonderful demonstration of how

God’s ways are always better than

our ways. It was providential that

SBA played a playoff football game

against a school and community that

had just lost one of its students to a

sudden illness. It was also providen-

tial that we had our Missions Confer-

ence the week before our resched-

uled Servant Days, allowing all of

us, but especially our high school

students, to have their hearts clearly

focused on the various ways that we

ten language in cultures which do not are all called to be missionaries.

have one in order to provide them

with the Bible in their own language.

He showed a list of people groups

that still have not been reached with

the gospel and do not have the Bible

available in their own language--a

very visual way to demonstrate just

how many people that still is!

On Friday morning, Holly Friesen

shared again, specifically about

the pro-life aspect of the ministry

in Ukraine. She talked about the

Choose Life crisis pregnancy center

that has been opened in Ukraine and

the way God has worked through

that center to impact lives in a coun-

try where it is common for women to Opposite: Glenda Palmquist; AJ and Klarissa
Backes. This page: Tim Carmical and Holly
have multiple abortions. Friesen also Friesen.
explained why it is important to be

pro-life, and the imapct that a bib-

The Crusader | 9

Servant Days
Freshmen
Abby Haun youth group at Embrace church,
where Jaden Brockel and Tyson
This year’s servant days were Brockel (both graduates of SBA)
amazing and I can honestly took part in the service. Tyson was
say that we all had a blast the worship leader and Jaden gave
serving the Sioux Falls communi- the message about fortifying our
ty. The freshmen theme verse was “short fences” or weakest points of
Mark 10:43 which says, “Not so sin that are Satan’s targets.
with you. Instead, whoever wants to
be great among you must be your After youth group we headed
servant, and whoever wants to be to Our Abiding Savior’s Lutheran
first must be slave Church to hang out, study God’s
of all. For even the Word together, and get some much
Son of Man did not
come to be served, needed sleep. We talked about
but to serve, and Jesus’ missions on earth: to seek and
to give his life as a save the lost, do the Father’s will,
ransom for many.” and serve with his life. Our mission
is similar: be gentle, loving, and
Our first compassionate, do the will of our
project was with Father, and serve the world around
Feeding South us.
Dakota. We got
to help other Thursday was a lot of fun as
volunteers in the we started by filling hundreds of
monotonous task of
sorting some of the
millions of donations into seven cat-
egories to be boxed and given to
people who need them. This project
taught us that we are all blessed
and I think that we all tend to take
things for granted instead of being
truly thankful for what we have.
This thought continued throughout
the rest of the week. Mr. and Mrs.
Brockel took us to their house for
supper and some Madden until

10 | The Crusader

Easter eggs for the Easter egg warrior, speaker, musician, athlete,
hunt the Salvation Army was host- peacemaker, or anything else. It
ing. We were able to tour their was amazing to look at my class-
facilities and learn about what mates and see who God made
they do. Our next project was them to be. We talked about how
working at The Banquet counting we need to use our gifts for God’s
over three thousand donated glory and not hide them. On Friday
backpacks and lots of school we cleaned the church basement,
supplies for an annual event that where we stayed, and headed
supplies more than six thousand
kids with what they need for the back to Sunshine.
coming school year at no cost I believe that Cassi-
to them. Two of us volunteered
to sort and group mail for The dy Watson and Taylor
Banquet mail service for people Michaelis speak for the
without an address. I thought it was whole class when they
awesome that homeless people can said, “I thought it was
live a more normal life because of really fun hanging out
the opportunity to have mail and with my class and I really
people that care for them and help enjoyed the projects we
them in so many ways. The Banquet did” and that “It was a
also serves sponsored meals to blast getting to serve
anyone who wants them. others together.” It was
amazing having the opportunity to
Later we went back to the be the hands and feet of Christ.
church for games with lots of
laughter. Then we talked about Opposite: Titus Deal, Gage Davis, Evelyn
each other’s strengths such as the Jones and Dryeann Schuelke (L to R) sorting
ability to make people laugh or to food. Top: Everett Paul and Rebecca Van
be a listener, encourager, prayer Bockel inventorying backpacks.

The Crusader | 11

Sophomores the lodge. Teigan Clark and Ross
Iver Paul Engle got a ladder and replaced
rocks on a very tall rock climbing
The sophomore Servant Days wall and a few people built several
trip of 2018 was a very fun duck houses for a nature camp
and productive time for all that is hosted there. The next day
involved. This year we went to involved watching trees burn, wash-
Byron Bible Camp near Huron, SD. ing and vacuuming out vehicles and
We arrived at a very nice facility, lots more cleaning. There was also
including a large retreat center, a some painting that was done.
lodge, a rock climbing wall and a
new gymnasium under construction. In devotions, Mr. McClure talk-
With such a large facility, there ed about servanthood and how the
was plenty of work to do. world will notice Christians by the
love we show. We spent the major-
On Wednesday the director, ity of our devotional time studying
John Duba, took a group of guys John 13. Overall, Servant Days
down to what he called “The Val- was a good experience. We got
ley,” which was the old camp site. to know each other better, grew
He has turned it into pheasant hunt- in our faith and helped out a local
ing grounds and there were a lot of ministry.
trees that had fallen. We spent the
afternoon dragging the fallen trees
to an old building foundation where
we would burn them the next day.
The people at the campsite spent
the afternoon meticulously cleaning

Left: Iver Paul working on one of the duck
houses. Above: Savannah Warren painting.

12 | The Crusader

Juniors and made the trek to Wanblee.
Autumn Hoffman Once we arrived we started

Finally, it was our turn. The unloading the wood off of the first
longed-for yet arduous Junior trailer. There was enough of us that
Servant Days assignment… we could make a chain, or even
splitting and stacking the wood to two, and work together to get the
heat the church and fellowship area wood unloaded and stacked as
of the Eagle’s Nest Life Center in quickly and efficiently as possible.
Wanblee. This was a task that many It was really cool how we all were
of us had been looking forward to able to come together and work as
for years, and we could not wait to a single unit to get the job done.
get there and get our hands dirty. Once all of the wood was finally
unloaded, we cleaned the trailers
Our Servant Days kicked off out and had some downtime on our
with a long drive to Platte, where last night of Servant Days.
the un-split wood awaited us. When
we arrived at Trinity Lutheran “Give generously to them and
Church, we unpacked our things for do so without a grudging heart;
the day, changed into work clothes, then because of this the LORD your
and headed out to the log splitters. God will bless you in all your work
Together we were able to cut and and in everything you put your
load two trailers yet that day, and hand to.” (Deuteronomy 15:10)
were only stopped when we ran out Servant Days at Wanblee is an
of room to put the wood. That night, eye-opener. It’s a time for blisters,
we all attended the youth service friendship, and purpose. If there’s
at the church and then bedded ever a place to go out on a limb
down for the night. and serve… it’s here.

Thursday morning we all woke The Crusader | 13
up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
(or rather
bleary-eyed
and sore) and
headed out once
again to split
and load more
wood. After all
three trailers
were filled to
the brim – and
then some – we
all loaded up

Senior Trip camp, where the group was able to
accomplish a great deal of work,
The seniors took their Senior and some time for fun, as well.
Trip to Youthfront’s Camp Their reflections after the trip re-
LaCygne this year. Youthfront vealed that the trip impacted each
began back in 1943 as Kansas of the seniors profoundly.
City Youth for Christ. It is a minis-
try that provides leadership and Dal Astle is the manager of
character-building programs for Camp LaCygne, and he, and his
students. “By equipping them with a testimony, definitely made an im-
sense of responsibility and a strong pression on a number of the seniors.
spiritual foundation, Youthfront “Getting to talk to Dal, and learn
believes these students will become how God has worked in his life,” is
positive contributors to their schools, what Lisa Lowman said was her fa-
employers, families, churches, and vorite part of the trip. Alexa Kohn
communities,” its web site states. echoed that, saying, “hearing Dal’s
story of his wife and how he turned
SBA Bible teacher and chap- it into a message” was her favorite
lain Jim Hofman attended Camp part--along with getting to hold
LaCygne as a teenager and ded- Dal’s glass eye.
icated his life to Christian service
there. It was a special blessing for Probably half of the class
him to return to the camp with the mentioned watching Mr. Burma
SBA Class of 2018, which includes and Mr. Hofman jump into the lake
his son, Joshua. as the funniest moment of the trip.
It wasn’t funny very long for the
The fifteen seniors and their two of them, though; “I think that
four chaperones--Mr. Jason Burma, water was about 40 degrees!” Mr.
Mr. Jim Hofman, Mrs. Anne Roghair Hofman said.
(mother of Savanna) and Mrs. Lau-
ra VanHeuvelen (mother of Han- The students enjoyed the
nah)--left SBA early on March 19. opportunities for fun on the trip
as well. Cassidy Clark and Susan
The trip included working at the Wilken both mentioned canoeing.

14 | The Crusader

“That good Italian restaurant” was genuinely thankful they were to
Evan Lopez’s favorite, referring to have us. I felt like we were being
Cinzetti’s Italian Market Restaurant pampered, but they said we were
in Overland Park, KS. “When we working super hard. They said we
went to PowerPlay, Mr. Burma rode did seven weeks worth of work
the tilt-a-whirl with me,” Camrynn for them!” Chris Hass echoed that,
Wagner said, and both Vy Nguyen saying the realization of how much
and Samuel Pedersen said Power- help the group was to the camp
Play was their favorite part, too. was a great lesson for him. “The
biggest surprise for me,” Han-
The class studied 1 Peter during nah VanHeuvelen said, “was the
their devotional time on the trip. gratefulness of Dal. Even though
Those studies were their favorite it felt like we could have done so
part of the whole trip, Savanna much more for the camp, he was so
Roghair and Hannah VanHeuvelen thankful.”
said. How much she enjoyed the
devotions was Susan Wilken’s big- “An act of kindness that seems
gest surprise. “I learned that it’s so small to you can mean the world to
important to not try to fit Jesus into someone else,” said Faith Owens.
my life, but to fill my life around “I feel like we could have done
Him,” she said. more, and I really wish we could
have spent more time working. But
“When we prayed for each Dal was just over-the-moon happy
other for three-ish hours,” was his about all that we did.”
a favorite part of the trip, said
Joshua Hofman. That time of prayer Opposite: Savanna Roghair, Cassidy Clark,
was also the biggest “takeaway” Susan Wilken, Jason Burma and Evan Lopez
from the trip for Cheya Goertzen. canoeing. Top: Vy Nguyen, Alexa Kohn and
Camrynn Wagner painting. Above: Evan
“The biggest surprise for me,” Lopez, Joshua Hofman, Christopher Hass and
said Renee Seaman, “was how Jim Hofman unloading mattresses.

The Crusader | 15

Crusader Athletics

SBA’s winter sports seasons came to an end in February. Here, the
head coaches reflect on their seasons...

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Lindsey Hettich

As with many seasons in sports and in
life, this year’s girls’ basketball season had
its ups and downs, but overall the many
hours of work put in paid off in a success-
ful year. The Lady Crusaders finished the
season with a 9 -12 record and many learn-
ing experiences along the way. In addition
to developing basketball skills, the team
also studied the Sermon on the Mount in the
book of Matthew throughout the season.
In it we found that Jesus encouraged His
followers (both then and now) to live above
the expectations of their society. Though
many people followed the letter of the law
they did not always follow the intent of
the law or follow with the desired motives.
Through many passages Jesus challenged
His audience to hold themselves to a higher
standard than what was commonly ac-
cepted. Although this teaching has obvious
implications on how we live our daily lives,
we also applied it to basketball. Are we just
doing the minimum requirement to get by, or
are we investing effort into what we do and
considering why and how we do things or
treat others. The time we spent digging into
this passage encouraged and challenged
coaches and players alike to evaluate their
lives and how they interact with others.

A few of the highlights of the season for our team were winning close
games against Potter County and against Hitchcock-Tulare on pie auction
night, especially since we had lost to Hitchcock-Tulare earlier in the season
by 30 points. We were also able to win a close game in the first round of

16 | The Crusader

playoffs vs. Eureka-Bowdle before falling in the second round to a tough
Sully Buttes team. Some individual highlights were Susan Wilken scoring
her 1,000th career point at home vs. Andes Central/Dakota Christian and
both Susan (top)and Lindsey (above) Wilken being named to the 281
All-Conference 1st Team.

This season we had three special seniors who have each been in-
strumental to our program over the years. I really appreciate their time
and dedication to the program and the way in which they each grew in
their individual roles as players and teammates. Most of all I appreciate
the character and desire
to share God’s love that
they showed. Cassidy Clark
(center), Savanna Roghair
(left) and Susan Wilken
(right) were not only good
teammates but also good
role models and examples
of godly character for our
team and other teams with
whom we interacted. They
will be greatly missed as part of our team but they have left a great
example for the younger athletes to follow. Reflecting on their careers, the
seniors shared their thoughts on what it meant to be a part of this team.
Susan said, “If I could leave a piece of advice for next year’s basketball
team it would be to give all you have every single drill during every sin-
gle practice. Some days it is hard to do, but it pays off.” Cassidy shared,
“I’m so thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to play on a Christian team.
Not only have I had the opportunity to play a game I love but also to
grow in Christ.” Being a part of our team means so much more than just
basketball and I am thankful for each opportu-
nity to be involved in each other’s lives. Savanna
summed it up well when she said, “Not only did I
learn how to play basketball, I learned many life
lessons from coaches and teammates. We made
many great memories; I’m going to miss being a
Lady Crusader.”

On February 16, Susan Wilken became just the second
basketball player in Crusaders history to score 1,000
points, joining her sister Tricia (‘14) Herman. Tricia scored
her 1,000th point on February 14 of her senior year.

The Crusader | 17

BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Jamie McClain

The 2017-18 SBA
boys’ basketball team
was exposed to lessons
in dealing with disap-
pointment and learning to
persevere. The team com-
peted in the first 1/3 of
the schedule without junior
Travis Hass in the lineup
due to the broken leg he
received during the foot-
ball season, and sickness
affected other team members during the
balance of the year. Despite this, the team
showed great improvement and played its
best basketball at the end of the season,
and we look forward to greater things in
the future.

We will miss seniors Chris Hass (cen-
ter), Josh Hofman (right) and Sam Peder-
sen (left) going forward and appreciate
their contributions during these last few
seasons. Sophomore Jade Burma (right)
achieved recognition from the 281 Con-
ference with a third team All-Conference
selection.

WRESTLING
Jason Burma

The theme of the Crusader wrestling squad this year was “Trust the
Process.” Wrestlers were encouraged to continue to work hard and not
get discouraged about setbacks and disappointments. We had our fair
share of both disappointments and successes, but I was proud of how each
wrestler stayed focused and worked throughout the season.

The squad had an outstanding season in which each wrestler im-
proved throughout the season and the improvement was visible. Sopho-
more Teigan Clark (pictured, opposite) qualified for the State Tournament
and finished with a 30-12 record. Sophomore Iver Paul, 27-14, and junior
Jace Burma, 14-7, also spent most of the season placing in the top four in

18 | The Crusader

many wrestling tournaments. Fresh-
man Everett Paul won over twenty-five
matches this season and really im-
proved as the season progressed. Each
of these young men wrestled very well
while facing adversity through tough
weight classes, injury and sickness. I
was proud of how these three bounced
back week after week and worked
through their struggles.

Freshmen wrestlers Marty Hebb
and Gage Davis saw some success-
es throughout the season and won
some matches and continued to im-
prove technique. Both of these guys
will be fun to watch as they continue
to become better wrestlers. Sophomore Garrett Davis rounded out the
wrestlers for the season and placed at his first tournament. Without any
graduating this year, I am really excited to see just how much these ath-
letes will grow in their work ethic and technique. We have a great group
of hard working guys who will keep growing.

On Friday, March 23, Maria
Roghair (‘20) was one of sever-
al hundred students from across
the upper Midwest to attend the
Future Leaders Luncheon at the
University of South Dakota.

This unique event honors
outstanding high school soph-
omores from South Dakota,
Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska.
Nominated by officials at their
school, students are recognized
for their contributions in and out
of the classroom and for their
potential to be future leaders of
their school, community, state
and nation.

The Crusader | 19

Lives that Touched
Sunshine Bible Academy

We appreciate the family members and alums who informed us of the re-
cent passing of Dr. Francis Grubbs, Dr. Dwayne Snell, and Mr. Eli Walter.
Our hope is that this short article will honor these men and other staff who
helped to firmly establish Sunshine Bible Academy during the early years.
Their commitment and heart for the ministry at SBA has blessed many
future generations of staff and students alike. Note: much of the informa-
tion about each man was taken from their individual obituaries which we
encourage you to read!

Dr. Francis Grubbs, 85, passed away on
December 12, 2017, in Gering, Nebraska.
Francis was born on October 9, 1932, on the
family farm in Banner County, NE. Francis was
the athletic coach, English and Bible teacher
at Sunshine Bible Academy from 1960-1963.

After leaving SBA he served as a min-
ister and consultant to numerous churches,
served as a high school principal, and went
on to serve as President of Crown College in
Minnesota and Simpson University in Northern
California. The last time Francis and Peggy visited Sunshine was during
Homecoming on October 6, 2017, and they also attended the special
‘50’s and ‘60’s SBA Reunion in St. Lawrence, SD, on October 7. Many cur-
rent SBA staff and faculty members enjoyed meeting Francis and Peggy
at the reunion. More info can be found on his obituary at www.starherald.
com.

WgoEodLLaDnOd NfaEi,thful
SERVANTS
20 | The Crusader

Rev. Dr. Dwayne Snell, 81, passed away
January 17, 2018, in Tyler, Minnesota.
Dwayne was born on August 19, 1936, on a
farm near Albion, Iowa. He attended school
in Albion and later in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Dwayne came to Sunshine as a junior in high
school and graduated in 1954. Tom Brady,
’56 graduate SBA alum shared, “Dwayne
Snell was a huge mentor for me personally.
Dwayne came as a junior to SBA and was
student body president for his junior and
senior years. He was an instrumental student who made a huge difference
in a lot of the other students’ lives.” From1965-1969, Dwayne came back
to Sunshine to teach math and science. He also served as campus chaplain
and for three years as administrator of the school, in addition to his other
duties. More info can be found on his obituary at http://www.hartquistfu-
neral.com/obituaries/Rev-Dr-Dwayne-Snell/

Eli Walter, 96, passed away January 20,
2018, in Newton, Kansas. Eli was born Jan. 9,
1922, in Hitchcock, SD, and graduated from
high school in Yale, SD. Eli briefly went to col-
lege before training to become a fighter pilot
in WWII. When he returned, he graduated
from St. Paul Bible Institute and eventually
started teaching at Sunshine Bible Acade-
my in the 50’s during the infancy of SBA. Eli
taught mathematics and bookkeeping, and
was also a coach while at Sunshine. He was
also very active in the early years of establishing the SBA Mission Pag-
eant that toured churches across South Dakota. Eli was active in Christian
education until his retirement.
In a letter written by his wife Addie Walter, to the Class of 1955, she
wrote, “The memories of those five years at Sunshine Bible Academy still
linger in our minds. The living quarters so small, the having to eat with the
students, our children having to do without, had been a time of being con-
tent in what we had.” To our knowledge, Eli Walter was the last member
of the original full-time faculty for SBA. More info can be found on his
obituary at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com/notices/Eli-Walter

The Crusader | 21

Development

Corner Ashley Ritenour

There is nothing like seeing fresh white snow
throughout the winter because it reminds me
of Christ’s forgiveness in our lives. I might be a
snow-loving Alaskan, but there is something beau-
tiful about white snow that reminds us of that fact!
The mission of Sunshine Bible Academy empowers our youth to apply God’s
truth in their lives and to share the message of Christ’s love and cleansing for-
giveness with others. It is amazing to be part of SBA’s ministry and the work
the Lord is doing in lives of students.

New Boys’ Dormitory
The framing is complete, shingles secured, and windows going in! Sunshine
exists because of the residential component and it is exciting to see this new
construction. In order to complete the boys’ dorm debt-free by August 2018,
including site work done for the girls’ dorm, we need $300,000 split amongst
the leadership gift levels below:

This is attainable through your support. Thank you!
50 supporters at $500
40 supporters at $1,000
30 supporters at $2,500
20 supporters at $5,000
6 supporters at $10,000

SBA Beacon
Something brand-new to share with your church
is the SBA Beacon. This is a newsletter the size
of a bulletin insert that we distribute each month
to various churches. Topics of the newsletter will
vary each month and the intent is to keep ev-
eryone updated on the happenings of Sunshine
on a more frequent basis. Let me know if your
church would be interested in receiving the SBA
Beacon via e-mail or mail!

Thank you for your heart for the ministry of Sunshine and feel free to call me
if you have questions at 605-853-3071 or email [email protected].

22| The Crusader

SBA Foundationn January of this year as time drew David Paul

near to begin our winter wanderings,
I started by asking Google about a

Iplace in Mexico called Copper Canyon.
Google gave me all the information about

the canyon, the Chepe Railroad, bus trips,

hotels, tours, plus every one’s comments on

all the above. In among all this info was a

clip about visiting a Mennonite settlement on the high plains of north-cen-
tral Mexico near Chihuahua. The little bit I learned from Google told of
seven thousand blond-haired, blue-eyed, German-speaking Mennonites
leaving Canada in 1921 to 1928 to settle in Mexico for the stated reason
that as pacifists they could not pledge their allegiance to Canada, but

only to God. There was also more information on their orchards, dairies,
farms, etc.

Now, having been there, I have some knowledge to add. By 1921, the
Mexican Revolution and the days of Pancho Villa had ended and the gov-
ernment in Mexico City wanted some stability on the high desert plains of

its northern states. They wanted people with skills and ingenuity to devel-
op the land, peace-loving people who could make the deserts bloom.

We saw some of the settlement at Cuauhtemoc. We saw farms, dair-
ies, cheese factories, apple orchards, commercial businesses of all kinds,
lots of farm equipment dealerships; all of this in stark contrast to what the

Mexican land owners and farmers were doing. This settlement is only a
small portion of more than 700,000 Mennonites scattered over northern
Mexico. Our Mexican Uber driver kept saying, “The Mennonite people do
very well….good people!”

Now, in thinking about Sunshine Bible Academy: What can one thou-

sand SBA Alumni accomplish if they came together to pledge their support
for the work being done at Sunshine? Could they raise up more young
trained men and women to make mission fields around the world bloom?
Yes! And they can accomplish this without giving up their homes, farms and
jobs to move to the deserts of some third world country. The key is in each

doing a little in a giving style that suits the individual: an automatic gift
each month from the credit card or a yearly pledge to the building fund,
general fund or the SBA Foundation, or in your last will and testament.
Now, let’s add all SBA supporters who believe in teaching “God’s truth for
today’s youth.”

The Crusader | 23

Gifts MEMORIALS



Given to General Fund

Gift Given By In Memory of

James & Joni Morgan E. Stanley Morgan

Rusty & Arnina Jardee Shawna Jardee Hoover

Janis Brockel Violet Berndt

Pat Stephan Ken Stephan

Rodney & Bonnie Eggebraaten Vi & Palmer Eggebraaten

Tom & Joanne Young Brenda Eller

Sandi Stephenson Pat Stout

Leola Maendl Dwayne Snell

Jim & Marjorie Letellier Dwayne Snell

Dale & Ruth Paulson Dwayne Snell

Leola Maendl Eli Walter

Jim & Marjorie Letellier Marjorie Russell

Janis Brockel Tillie Ryckman

Janis Brockel Carl Moser



Given to Building Fund

Rodney & Bonnie Eggebraaten Vi & Palmer Eggebraaten
Tom & Judith Brady Dwayne Snell
Tom & Judith Brady Eli Walter
Gary & Linda Dwyer Paul D. Hauert
Philip & Amy Kruse Sylvan Kruse

Given to SBA Foundation

David and Bonnie McClure Judson & Charlotte McClure

Tom & Joanne Young Brenda Eller

Your gift to SBA is an investment in the future.

Every dollar is used to help fund our mission, Empowering
Today’s Youth to Apply God’s Truth.

24 | The Crusader

Tax Law Changes
Some of you may know that the
new tax laws allow 529 funds standard deduction, fewer people
to be used to pay for K-12 pri- will be itemizing their deducations.
With the Schedule A changes,

vate school tuition. The 529 college however, donations of grain rather

savings plans have been around for than cash or check may be more

more than twenty years. Money in- beneficial for farmers. The reason for

vested in the accounts grow tax-free that is that donations of grain are re-

and, when you withdraw the money, ported on Schedule A, not Schedule

you do not pay any federal or state F, thereby lowering taxable income

taxes, as long as the money is used and income subject to self-employ-

for “qualified expenses.” Quali- ment taxes.

fied expenses used to be defined One thing to keep in mind if

as higher education (college) tuition, deciding to donate grain is that

room and board, books and more the grain must be delivered to the

recently, computers and software. The elevator in the name of the charity

recent change in the new tax law has and the charity must decide when to

expanded the definition of “qualified sell it. Accordingly, be sure to let the

expense” for 529 plans to include tu- charity know when the donated grain

ition-based schools.

Independent

schools (along with

religious or public)

that charge tuition

will now be con-

sidered an eligi-

ble expense and

families can use up

to $10,000 per stu-

dent per year from

their 529 savings.

While this may be more appealing has been delivered.

to families living in states with a state SBA Business Manager Craig

income tax, we do want to ensure Brockel is available to answer ques-

that all of our SBA families under- tions about making donations to SBA.

stand this change in the law. You can contact him by calling the
The new law also has implica- school or by e-mail at craig.brock-
[email protected]. Of course, for any tax
tions for charitable donations. In par- questions, we recommend that you
ticular, farmers may want to recon- visit with your lawyer or accountant.
sider how they donate to charitable

organizations. With the increased

The Crusader | 25

SBA Family News
MARRIAGES HOMEGOINGS
Levi Stiegelmeier (‘11) married Traci SBA alumnus (Class of 1954), former
Truax on January 13. The Stieglemeiers administrator and SBA Hall of Fame
reside in Selby, SD. member Dr. Dwayne Snell, 81, passed
away on January 17. Dr. Snell taught
ENGAGEMENTS math and science at SBA, served as
Brady Brockel (‘13) is engaged to Kam- campus chaplain, and for three years
ber Hossle. Brockel is studying civil engi- as school administrator. He is survived
neering at SDSU. by his wife Sandra, six children, thirteen
grandchildren and seven great-grand-
BIRTHS children.
Craig and Amy (Richer, ‘01) DeGroot
welcomed Clara Joy on January 8. Eli J. Walter, 96, went home to be with
Clara arrived at 5 lb 13 oz 19” long. the Lord on January 20. Mr. Walter
was a founding teacher at Sunshine Bi-
Josh and Lin (Hamburger, ‘04) Sybesma ble Academy and later taught at Cen-
welcomed Emsley Marie on February tral Christian High School and Berean
14. Emsley checked in at 10 lbs and Academy in Kansas. He is survived by
21” long. She joins older brothers Wy- his wife of 72 years, three children,
att and Reece. seven grandchildren and thirteen
great-grandchildren.

Kris and Kendra (Jorgensen, ‘00) Jor- Rita Johnson, who taught upper elemen-
genson welcomed Asher Jon on March tary grades at SBA in the mid-1980s,
12. Asher joins his older sisters Ava (4)
and Ariel (2). has passed away.

Damien (‘92) and Mashele (Banik, We want to hear from you! Please
‘97) Simkins welcomed Jaxon Cash on send all information and updates
March 16. Jaxon joins siblings Tobin, to [email protected].
Elias, Reagan, Daniel, Averil, and Lucas.

Matt (‘06) and Miranda Kruse wel-
comed Cole William on March 22. Cole
joins older sister Kylee.

Sarah Pedersen (‘16) and Lauren Haun (‘16)
helped out the Pep Band while attending a
home basketball game during a break from
college. Pedersen is attending SDSU; Haun is
attending Frontier School of the Bible.

26 | The Crusader

Calendar

Upcoming events...

APR Junior/Senior Banquet
13 Pierre

APR Crimson v. Gold Elementary Basketball Game
16

APR “The Emperor’s New Clothes”
20 Spring Play at SBA - 7:15 p.m.

MAY Spring Clean-a-Thon
2

MAY Awards Night
3

MAY Track and Bible Day
4

MAY Junior/Senior Dedication
9

MAY Spring Concert
11 Last Day of School for K-6

MAY Final Exams
14-16

MAY Baccalaureate and Commencement
20 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

MAY State Track Meet

25-26 Rapid City

JUNE Annual Meeting -
1 School Board and Advisory Council

The Crusader | 27

SUNSHINE BIBLE ACADEMY Non-Prot
Organization
400 Sunshine Drive | Miller SD 57362 US Postage
Address Service Requested.
PAID
Madison,SD For more information:
Permit No. 32 www.sunshinebible.org | 605.853.3071