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The real world, Calvin-style
By Kristin VanderKam
Guest Writer
FILE PHOTO
Seniors Steve Zaagman, Aaron De Ward and junior, Ryan Kragt and faculty big-dogs crowd around for a group picture to memorialize their evening of spaghetti and arm-wrestling.
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If you were at Airband last weekend you experienced Calvin’s version of reality TV show, The Real World. Real students spendt an evening with three influential administrators at Calvin College, reminding them what college life is really like and all the things students have to put up with besides the loads of homework every night.
Seniors Steve Zaagman and Aaron De Ward and junior, Ryan Kragt were the hosts; President Gaylen Byker, Chaplain Dale Cooper and Vice President for Student Life, Shirley Hoogstra were the guests.
Byker’s only stipulation was that he had to bring along his wife, perhaps for moral support in spending the evening with three male Calvin students. Cooper followed suit and let his wife tag along as well.
The three hosts loaded their guests up on carbs with spaghetti and mashed potatoes and then followed with four different desserts. “We had to stick to what we knew how to make," Zaagman said.
After dinner the group experienced fellowship by arm wrestling, Hoogstra remains champion, playing tag and laughing when Coop threw a bucket of cold water on Hoogstra in the shower. The reason for this shower is still unknown. Of course no one can forget Byker’s amazing talents at table tennis and can’t help but wonder what he really does in his office all day.
To the attendants of Airband it might have seemed like Hoogstra, Cooper and Byker were instructed what to do in order to make the video funny. Who would have guessed these Calvin administrators could have a sense of humor?
“Cooper surprised us all with his ad libbing abilities and Hoogstra didn’t blink an eye before suggesting that she mention how hot Brad Pitt is,” said Zaagman when asked about his guest’s video presence.
“It was a really fun night,” Cooper said. “Shirley is always good for a few laughs and Byker’s sense of humor was in full form.”
“He (Byker) really is a fun-loving guy who loves to get involved and have a good time with the students,” said Zaagman. “I really saw that Byker is more accessible to students than I thought. My respect has increased for him since having him over for dinner.”
The student hosts were more than happy to have the administrators over for the evening, but at first they did not think it was going to happen. Zaagman, who put together the Real World and COPS videos for Airband, mentioned to his roommates how cool it would be if they invited Hoogstra over for dinner one night. De Ward and Kragt never thought Zaagman could pull it off so they suggested inviting Byker and Cooper as well, thinking it would never happen.
Zaagman, unable to turn down a challenge, went and invited Hoogstra, whom to his surprise was more than willing to come over for free food. Using this as encouragement, Zaagman then got confirmation from Cooper. Byker was all that he needed to successfully prove his roommates wrong.
Due to Byker’s high-profile position, Zaagman spoke with his secretary and she was sure Byker would love to join the group. With confirmations from all those invited, the deal was sealed and the students now had to actually think about serving dinner to their guests. Zaagman thought the evening would provide opportunity for possible Airband video material, and he was right.
Not only was the dinner a success for the students but all three guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves as well. “Looking back on that night is a visible parable for my entire 25 or 26 years here," Cooper said. "It had all the makings of joy, from good food, to stories to humor. It was a reminder for me that I am continually blessed by Calvin students.”
Although this dinner was based on a dare and was material for Airband, the quality of the time spent between the students and the three guests was just that, quality time, and all participants were more than happy to be there.
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