As students mature, their favorite “class” changes from recess or lunch to more academic or spiritual classes. However, students here at Bethany find enjoyment in a variety of classes from the arts, to language, to math and sciences.
Different art classes offered at Bethany provide students a mental break from studying and provide them with hands-on work that expresses themselves. Trent Yoder (‘15) enjoys ceramics I because it does not involve the normal paper and pencil work that comes from other classes such as english or math. Simon Hurst (‘17) and Sofia Thomas’s (‘17) favorite class is drawing. This art class presents a break from their other classes, which helps create the calm feeling.
Other students prefer these traditional classes such as english or sciences. Isabel Rondo (‘16) prefers English Language and Composition over her other classes since she has always enjoyed reading and writing. This course teaches her different tactics to improve in both those areas. Mason Tollar (‘16) enjoys science courses such as chemistry, because the material is easy for him to understand logically.
The Bible courses that are not usually offered at other schools have made huge impacts on students at Bethany. Jesse Amstutz (‘15) says, “Dale’s Christian Faith Journey class includes meaningful discussions and teachings that can be applied to everyday life and to the future unlike of other classes such as chemistry or calculus.” Dale Shenk offers different topics and ideas related to Christianity that have been very beneficial to students of all beliefs.
The most difficult classes for students at Bethany are not as varied. The hardest classes seem to come down to language courses, such as Spanish and English; or math classes, such as algebra, geometry, and calculus. Most interviewed students said that the specific class simply, “did not come naturally.” Elizabeth Eby (‘18) says that Algebra I is her most challenging class specifically related to exponential growth and other graphing functions that she has to memorize.
Just because a class is difficult does not necessarily mean the class is not their favorite. Joel Yoder (‘18) says, “Geometry and Spanish are my most difficult classes, because we are learning all new things. However, I’ve learned the most in those classes and I enjoy learning new things. So that also makes them my favorite classes.”
~ Hans