Alumnus Brian Robyn (‘87) Reflects on the Early Days of DMC

April 1, 2025
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Courtney Robyn, one of the DMC first grade teachers, is a familiar face around the hallways of the school. Less familiar, though, may be the fact that her dad, Brian Robyn, was a member of Des Moines Christian School’s first ever graduating class in 1987. 

His DMC experience began at the school building at 63rd and Franklin as a first grader before he moved to the Franklin Junior High campus in sixth grade. His class helped choose the lion as the school mascot, took part in the first homecoming and prom celebrations, and played in the school’s first varsity basketball game. 

“Many things that are probably normal events today were momentous back then,” Robyn says. “It was the first time many things were taking place. I was part of the group of people who laid the foundation for what DMC is today.”

He cherishes that part of his school experience and goes on to say that his time and education at DMC taught him the value of sacrifice: “I will always be grateful for the sacrifice my parents and the parents of my classmates made. It would have been easy for that group of pioneers to leave the creation of the high school to others. But they took the leap of faith and trusted God’s calling. They knew that the high school would not be accredited until their children walked across the stage as graduates. Yet, they were willing to make a sacrifice because they had a vision of what the school could become. We had a common faith and desire to trust God’s will for us and for the future students of DMC.”

Thirty-eight years later, Robyn knows that he and his parents made the right choice to be a part of the school in those early years. 

“The lessons I learned at DMC are part of who I am today,” he says. “I value sacrifice and taking a leap of faith and trusting the Lord’s will. Often, we have a hard time understanding how things will work out, but God’s plans are always best for us.”

Robyn has stayed connected to DMC in the years since. His mother, Bea Roskam, was a long-time substitute teacher and his sister, Barb Cupp, taught at the school for a period of time as well. His nieces attended DMC for part of their elementary education, and now he has the great joy of watching his daughter teach first grade. 

“I am so proud to see the impact Courtney has on the next generation of lions,” Robyn says. “I love seeing her students and their parents greet her at church, football games, or out in the community.  It makes the sacrifice of being a member of the first class 100% worth it.”