ZCS Alumni Spotlight // Hannah Smith

When Hannah looks back on her time at Zeeland Christian School, one of her favorite memories is her eighth-grade history class, where students pretended to be American settlers and eventually rebelled against “Queen Roskamp.” What could have simply been a history lesson became an engaging, memorable experience that brought the class together and made learning feel alive.

But some of Hannah’s most lasting lessons came from the biblical foundation she received at ZCS. Before moving on to a public high school and later attending two different colleges, she learned how to study Scripture carefully and understand it within a solid biblical context. That foundation continues to shape her understanding of truth and the values she carries with her today.

Looking back, Hannah also recognizes how much the people at ZCS meant to her. She didn’t fully appreciate at the time how special it was to be surrounded by teachers and staff who genuinely cared for her and desired her success. Their encouragement and investment reflected the school’s mission to prepare students to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

One lesson in particular has stayed with her: knowing whose she is helps her understand who she is. Through the influence of many ZCS teachers, Hannah learned that her identity is rooted first in being a child of God. That truth became especially meaningful as she encountered seasons that challenged her sense of identity. Today, she can confidently say that she is a child of the King, created by Him for a unique purpose.

That foundation continues to shape how Hannah approaches the world around her. She believes every action has a purpose and wants the people she encounters to see the love of Jesus through the way she lives and engages with others. Even through difficulties and hardships, she hopes to point to God’s provision, trusting that whether the path ahead is exciting or ordinary, Christ can be made known through it.