C. Thomas VanderWoude

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After retiring, it was difficult to realize that I had real leisure time. I exercise daily, doing whatever my repaired and replaced joints allow. In good weather I truly enjoy riding my road bike on the many bike trails in Ada and Cascade and to and along Lake Michigan. I frequently work for the school district from which I retired and also volunteer at several places. The best benefit of retirement is the amount of time I can spend with my children and grandchildren. I spend as much time as I can with them and am blessed to have them in my life.

After leaving GRCHS, I attended Calvin College. My freshman year was great---new classes,good friends,basketball was fun. Sophomore year and beyond: not so good. My best friends transferred, graduated, or dropped out (except for Tom Kaastra). Attending as a commuter student was a drag. Fortunately I bonded with a few professors who influenced me on my career choice. I taught Chemistry, Biology, and Health in the GR Public Schools for 16 years and coached basketball and baseball. I was an administrator in the East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Public Schools for 23 years before retiring as principal of Forest Hills Northern High School in 2006.

choir, lunch hour, snack breaks, many great teachers who knew their subjects and liked kids, sports, wonderful classmates, school spirit