I Guess it’s a Family Tradition!

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AlphapsiOur rehearsals for Pella Shakespeare Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing have been largely held at the Central College Theatre in Pella. Last week, while sitting around the lounge before rehearsal, I noticed an old, water-stained certificate hanging on the wall. I wondered what it was, so I got up to check it out. It was Central College’s Charter Certificate for the Alpha Psi Omega Dramatic Fraternity. Central College’s chapter began, according to the certificate, back in 1927. I perused the list of signatures, and was floored to see my grandfather’s signature. Herman Vander Well attended Central College in 1927, graduating in 1929. I had no idea he was involved in theatre or a member of Alpha Psi.

Funny to think that over seventy-five years later his grandson would move to Pella, get involved in the theatrical community and become part of the tradition that he helped start.

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3 responses to “I Guess it’s a Family Tradition!”

  1. […] As I look back, I can trace the events of my grandfather’s stories to my own life. Had my grandfather not have been farmed out to his grandparents and taught strict lessons of hard work, discipline, and spiritual values, my mother would not have been the person she was and those life lessons would not have been passed down. Had my grandfather not gone into education, I’m not sure how much education would have been valued in my own family. I’m not sure my siblings and I would have had the life journeys we’ve had or would have the careers we’ve each chosen. I even discovered, unexpectedly, that my love of theatre may have had its roots in my Grandpa Vander…. […]

  2. […] As I look back, I can trace the events of my grandfather’s stories to my own life. Had my grandfather not have been farmed out to his grandparents and taught strict lessons of hard work, discipline, and spiritual values, my mother would not have been the person she was and those life lessons would not have been passed down. Had my grandfather not gone into education, I’m not sure how much education would have been valued in my own family. I’m not sure my siblings and I would have had the life journeys we’ve had or would have the careers we’ve each chosen. I even discovered, unexpectedly, that my love of theatre may have had its roots in my Grandpa Vander…. […]

  3. […] certificate for Central’s inclusion in the Alpha Psi Omega theatrical fraternity. My Grandpa Vander Well’s signature is on it from when he attended Central in the late 1920s. Kind of a cool legacy thing I’m quietly […]

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