Category: Alumni

This week’s Alumni Spotlight features Kristin (Reeb) Wardlaw, owner of Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio in Collinsville.

Name:
Kristin (Reeb) Wardlaw
Hometown:
Belleville, IL
Current Residence:
Edwardsville, IL
Years at Zion:
Class of 1997
Favorite memory:
So many to pick from. Honestly for me it would just be feeling at home in the halls. A sense of family and comfort. I did really enjoy Mrs. Meyers reading and Mr. Mueller’s math. I loved field days and the musicals and school dances and the science fair. Mr. L’s PE was always fun to.
What he has been up to:
I have a bachelors in psychology and art as well as a masters in art education. I currently own my own business. It’s a Christian dance studio in Collinsville/Troy IL area. I have about 300-350 students. I have a recreational program and a competitive program that is rather successful. I strive to be a positive influence on my dancers’ lives, and a part of their faith journey as well as cultivating a passion for dance. I have a husband and two little boys, Bekham (6) and August (3) Wardlaw.
How did Zion influence him in his life?
It was the start of my faith journey. It gave me the confidence in myself to go and follow my dreams. It set me up for success academically as well as spiritually to handle this world.

It is our pleasure to bring you an Alumni Spotlight feature each week and this week, we get to fill you in on ZLS Alum Kristi Edwards, Class of 1988!

Name:
Kristi Edwards
Hometown:
Belleville, IL
Current Residence:
Belleville
Years at Zion:
3 year old preschool thru 8th (1977-1988)
Favorite memory:
Helping serve at the chicken dinners, Zion chicken dinners were the best! My graduating class of 88, was one of the biggest at the time! Taking guitar lessons from Mr Grewe, (who mom always said I had a crush on!)
What he has been up to:
I am a proud mom of Kinsley, who is a 1st grader at Zion. I taught preschool for over 20 years at Discovery School in O’Fallon and then switched careers to be a patient care coordinator at Southwestern Hearing shortly after Kinsley started preschool. Kinsley is my life. I am a mom of a gymnast, horseback rider and a Daisy! I am her biggest fan!
How did Zion influence him in his life?
Zion is more than a school, we were a family. I am still friends with several from our graduating class. Zion taught me the Bible… Between Friday chapel, memory work and helping teach Sunday school there are so many stories I remember to this day. I knew Kinsley would also be a student of Zion. Sending her to Zion is something my Dad (RIP) would have wanted! My mom took all three of us kids to Zion and is now picking up her grand daughter!

We love to spotlight our former students in our Alumni Spotlight, and today’s featured alum is Taylor (Keel) Kaschke.

Student:
Taylor (Keel) Kaschke
Hometown:
Belleville
Current residence:
Springfield, IL
Years at Zion:
Kindergarten (2000) – 8th grade (2009)
Favorite Memory:
Our fun Won by One choir concerts, especially the Broadway and Decades mashup pieces! Also, I’ll never forget when I accidentally auditioned for a solo in my eighth grade spring production by being silly after choir practice—thanks to Mrs. Baron and Mrs. Caringer for encouraging me to perform!
Recent Life Happenings
I just got married to my husband John, and I will be relocating to be with him as he finishes up school. I’m building my career in marketing and am also pursuing my MBA in management at SIUE, where I graduated undergrad with a B.A. in public relations and theatre and dance back in 2016. In my free time, I love performing, traveling, exercising and going to see musicals.
How did your time at ZLS influence you?
Zion gave me the foundation of my Christian faith through my grade school education, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, excellent youth group opportunities and serving in the music ministry for Sunday worship, which I still do today. Because of Zion’s staff and mission, I know that I am loved by my Lord in heaven, which gives me freedom and assurance in my faith. I’m continually inspired by my faith community at Zion, and I’m grateful for the example of how to serve Jesus, others then yourself, which John and I will carry as we ground our new family in Christian love.
Extra:
I’m so proud to see how much Zion has developed its ministry in the recent years! I’ve very proud to be serving this community.