West Lutheran is Growing in Grace - West Lutheran High School

2From the Principal’s Deskby Merl MeitnerGrowing In GraceBut grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tohim be the glory both now forever! Amen. These are the concludingwords of 2 Peter. They speak volumes about the mission of WestLutheran High School. It is our primary purpose to assist parentsin the spiritual growth of their youth by giving them the “knowledge”presented in the inerrant Word through Bible classes, devotions,and their daily Christian interaction with faculty, staff, and peers.It is through that knowledge that the Holy Spirit nurtures their faith,so that they will continue to boldly confess to others the hope that iswithin them. It is through that increased faith that they will be ableto withstand the assaults of Satan and the temptations of this world.Like their parents and grandparents before them, it is our prayer thatthey remain faithful in this life, serving their Lord and being activeparticipants in spreading the message of the Gospel for Jesus sake.This is a life-long process which requires constant contact with theWord and Sacrament and the encouragement of our fellow Christians.May we continue to fight the good fight together.MNSAA Accreditation – A Reminder!All of the stakeholders of West Lutheran High School will begin thefirst year of a two -year process which is a school self-study. Thiswill involve a number of committees researching the school’s overallperformance. Current and former parents, alumni, board members,and staff may be asked to serve to help make this process workeffectively. If asked, please consider serving. During the 2013-14school-year the process will culminate in a visit from a MNSAA teamthat will analyze the work of the school, recommend changes, andevaluate the status of the school.Mission AdvancementPlease continue your support of this ministry with your prayers,volunteerism, encouragement, and treasures. Many people areinvolved with helping to finance the budget in a number of ways.The largest avenues of outside support come from the dedicatedwork and gifts from the Wise Penny and our association congregations’commitments. Special operational appeals, the fall auction,the spring garage sale, the benefactors and boosters night, andadditional departmental gifts are all other ways donors assist theschool’s budget.This is the final year of a two-year campaign to reduce our debtthrough the” Debt of Love” campaign. Last school year we reducedthe debt by $100,000. Over the next year, we will continue to seekgifts for this special opportunity before we refinance. Every dollargiven will help to reduce our mortgage payment in the future,thereby assisting the operating budget. As you have opportunityand blessings, please consider supporting this effort, once again!West Welcomes New Teacher Emily ShoopMrs. Emily Shoop withhusband AndrewWest Lutheran is proud to welcome Mrs. Emily Shoop as a new faculty member for the 2012-2013 school year.Originally from South Lyon, MI, Mrs. Shoop attended Martin Luther College as well as the Art Institute in Chicago,IL. Upon graduation from MLC in 2009, she spent a year in China where she taught English at a university andworked with students sharing the good news of our Savior. While in China, she met her wonderful husband, AndrewShoop. They were married in June 2011.Before coming to West Lutheran, Mrs. Shoop was a teacher and dorm supervisor at St. Croix Lutheran High School.In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, hiking and traveling. She has traveled to 17 different countries and hopesto add Peru to the list!This year, Mrs Shoop will be teaching Writing and Grammar, Fundamentals of English, Honors English, WrittenComposition, and English as a Second Language. She will also be coaching JV volleyball and will be the Teens forLife advisor.Welcome to West, Mrs. Shoop!Finance NewsWhile tuition covers the majority of the West Lutheran High School budget, we could not operate without the financial gifts we receivefrom our congregations and from individual contributors. This new section in the newsletter will highlight the financial needs West hasbudgeted for this year and received on a year-to-date basis.YTD BudgetJuly ‘12 – June ‘13YTD ReceivedAs of Aug. 31, 2012YTD NeededAs of Aug. 31, 2012Congregational Support $110,000.00 $13,907.83 $18,333.32Individual Gifts to Operating $37,835.00 $5,777.76 $6,305.84Donations are accepted at any time. Please send your check to the school with a memo indicating your gift to the school’s operating.Credit card donations are accepted through the schools website under the Giving tab.Thank you for your continued support to West Lutheran High School!West Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net

4West Lutheran is New and FreshTo provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students, West LutheranHigh School has been freshened up inside and out. Be sure to check outthese changes in and around the building.New sign by the main entranceNew MCAA conference banners in the gymResurfaced parking lotsRefinished gym floorFreshly painted hallways Blooming gardens New carpeting in 3 classroomsUpcoming EventsNHS Planting Service ProjectTo commemorate thetheme of Growing inGrace for the 2012-2013school year, the WestLutheran National HonorSociety will be plantingtulip and daffodil bulbs onOctober 6. The goal is toplant 1000 tulips and 1000 daffodilsaround the West LutheranHigh School building.You can help NHS reach their goal by donatingtoward the purchase of these bulbs.As part of this project, NHS will also be raisingfunds to plant a flowering crab apple treeby the old West Lutheran sign.For details on how you can help, go online@ wlhs.net/planting or contact the office at763-509-9378Spaghetti Supper and ConcertThe annual WestLutheran SpaghettiSupper and Concertwill be held October 16.Supper will be servedstarting at 6pm inthe cafeteria with theconcert starting at7:30pm. Proceeds from the free will offeringwill support the West music department.Funds raised will be supplemented by ThriventFinancial for Lutherans.Warrior for a DayOn October 29, 7th and8th grade studentshave an opportunityto spend a dayat West LutheranHigh School. Thestudents can attendmini-classes, attendchapel and enjoy a pizzalunch. Invitations willbe mailed in October or formore information contact the West office at763-509-9378.WELS Choral FestivalWest Lutheran will be hostingthe 2012 West RegionalChoral Festival November16-18. Nine WELShigh schools will gatherto practice, perform andmake wonderful friendships.Volunteers are neededto host this awesome event.If you are interested, pleasecontact Fine Arts Chair, GregBaures at gbaures@wlhs.net.West Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net

5Food, Fun and Fellowship at the Freshman PicnicThe incoming freshmen and their families joined the faculty and staff along withthe West Student Council for the annual freshman picnic held at the school onAugust 15. This fantastic evening started as the freshmen and their familiesentered the school where Mrs. Gieseke and Mrs. Shoop greeted them and gavethem an information packet. After the guests were ushered into the small gymand led in prayer by Principal Meitner, everyone enjoyed a grilled dinner servedby Red’s Cafe.Once everyone finished their meal, the families attended two sessions - a schoolinformation session and a technical session. During the informational session,Principal Meitner presented information on the upcoming school year, PastorNeitzel reviewed the school policies and procedures and Mr Bain detailed thevolunteer opportunities available at West. At the technical session, Mr. Mertengave an overview of the Sycamore educational system, Mr. Jensen detailed theonline activity calendar and communications director Karla Smith highlightedthe school information available online.While the families were attending their sessions, the freshmen were led intothe main gym by the Student Council and learned about each other with the“Two Truths and a Lie” game. They then broke into small groups and went ona scavenger hunt to help get more familiar with the school. The freshmen alsohad an opportunity to review their schedules and try the locks on their lockers.West Lutheran is blessed with a wonderful freshmanclass and we pray for them as they begin their highschool career.2012 West Lutheran Auction FundraiserWhat is it? A rockin’ celebration for the West Lutheran community with afabulous 50’s evening filled with fantastic food and fellowship. The proceedsof the silent and live auction benefit tuition assistance, fine arts and athletics.How do I attend? Look for your invitation coming in September or you canpurchase tickets online. A single ticket can be purchased for $25 and a table of8 for $175. Optional reserved parking is available for $10.How can I donate to the auction? We are in need of auction items! Someideas: Spa items; use of condo, cabin or timeshare; fine jewelry; hunting/fishinggear; event trips; sports tickets; gathering event such as a theme dinner party;service item such as carpentry work; unique household items;theme baskets... or simply a gift certificate for a localestablishment. Additional ideas can be foundhere. Also ask family, friends, co-workersand business for items to donate.How can I get more information?More information can be found onlineat wlhs.net/auction, on facebookor contacting Lorraine Gerdes atlgerdes@wlhs.net.West Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net

6WarriorFall SportsPreviewRecord Numbers for Girls TennisWest Lutheran’s 2012 girlstennis team is led by threereturning captains: JordynStromback, Morgan Boudreauand Cassie Pollard. Jordyn,Morgan, Cassie and PaigeBergeron are the top four returningsingles players for theWarriors. With the graduationof last year’s seniors, the Warriorsare looking to the elevennew girls in the program to fillout three doubles teams.Captains Jordyn Stromback andMorgan BoudreauFour new players will be joining the team from other conferenceschools: one from Heritage Christian Academy and three fromSouthwest Christian. Currently, there are sixteen girls participatingin tennis, which is the largest number we have ever had in the shorthistory of our program.The Warriors, along with head coach Pastor Ladner, are lookingforward to an enjoyable year!Warrior Volleyball Team Set to ImproveWest Lutheran girl’s volleyball team willbe a little inexperienced this 2012-2013season. With only two returning starters,there will be a need for some players tostep up. It has been four years in a rowthat the Warriors have gone under .500in conference, but they look to break thatmark this year. With some powerful hittersand servers the Warriors look to bea very fun team to watch. The seniorsthis year look poised to help the team besuccessful with their energy and leadership...bothphysically and spiritually.Warrior Football Boasts Larger SquadWarrior football coaching staff ispleased to see thirty-five playersparticipating this fall. This numberis a big bump from the previoustwo years and bodes well for thefuture. The Warriors are enteringtheir 10th year of football and thisone should prove to be entertaining.The six game varsity schedule isfull of opportunities. The Warriorsare especially looking forward toanother trek to Red Lake, a part ofMinnesota that really impressed the team last season. Look for a lotof new faces on the team as the Warriors replace six of nine starters.Despite the losses to graduation, there is a confidence that hasspilled onto the practice field [the coaches hope that confidencespills onto game night!].Along with giving it their all on the field, the Warriors plan on beingactive off the field. Look for them at volleyball games and Plymouthon Parade! See you Friday nights!Boys Soccer Combines with Maranatha ChristianEven with the low number ofboys out for soccer this year,West Lutheran has the greatopportunity to co-op with MaranathaChristian Academy forthe 2012-13 season. Six WestLutheran boys have joined theMCA soccer team and alreadyhave had a successful outingwith a 3-0 win over LibertyClassical on Tuesday, August 28. Tod Eckberg, who originally volunteeredas the West boys soccer head coach, will now be assistingwith the West/MCA team.Girls Soccer Team is Young but TalentedHead CoachWade McFeeThe West Lutheran 2012 Girls Soccer Teamreturns seven starters from last year’s MCAAFinal Four Team. Led by All-Conference GoalKeeper and Co-Captain Junior Mary McFee andCo-Captain Junior Irena Dehn, the Warriors arelooking forward to what the Lord has plannedfor them! They have been blessed with excitingnew underclassmen talent this year and arelooking forward to seeing them in action!The Latest West Lutheran News Can Be Found Online!@ wlhs.net - West Lutheran High School Website@ facebook.com/West.Lutheran.High School - West Lutheran Facebook Page@ wlhs.net/weeklynews - West Weekly News newsletter@ twitter.com/WestLutheran - West Lutheran TwitterWest Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net

7Golfers Tee Upto Support WestOn a fabulous summer day, seventythreegolfers hit the links at the 2012WLHS Annual Golf Tournament atthe Wild Marsh Golf Course in Buffaloon August 6. This scramble golftournament also included a drive,putt or closest to the tee contest atevery hole.The wining foursome of the tournamentincluded Dan Cison, Brian Cummings,Aaron Halverson, and Kyle Thul.`The event concluded with the golfersgathering for dinner at the WildMarsh club house. Over $2400 wasraised to benefit the West Lutheranathletic department. The West Lutheranathletic department would liketo thank the Wild Marsh Golf Coursefor hosting and assisting with thetournament, the many individualsand companies for their donationsand the following generous sponsors:1989 MCAA Boys BasketballChampsGreg & Julie LindbergLakeland, Inc.Phil & Mickey PetersenPortolite Products, Inc.UnifirstWayne Jeske & AssociatesRoss Robinson Served as Page at RNCWest Lutheran Senior Ross Robinson had the privilege ofserving as a page at the Republican National Conventionin Tampa, Florida on August 27-30, 2012. His experiencebegan this summer with Minnesota Republican NationalCommitteeman, Jeff Johnson, collecting applications andresumes from people ages 16-25 who were interested inbeing pages. The applications were reviewed by the NationalRepublican Party and 100 were selected from acrossthe country with 94 of them actually showing up for the convention.Ross and his oldest sister, Brenna, were the onlysiblings among the group. This was the first time attendinga political convention in any capacity for many of the pages.Ross was an official Minnesota Delegation Guest at boththe 2004 (Manhattan, NY) and 2008 (St. Paul) National RepublicanConventions.Ross was notified of his acceptance by mail with quite abit of paperwork to fill out, dress and conduct codes, hotelcosts, etc. Transportation to and from Tampa, hotel costs, convention clothing, and some meals were paid for byeach page. Ross’ hotel roommate was from Rhode Island. Pages started their duties on Saturday, August 25 withmeetings and dinner at their hotel in Tampa. Since a hurricane was predicted, Mara and John Robinson, Ross’ parents,got extra food and water for Ross and Brenna to keep in their hotel rooms and were able to stay in the samehotel as the kids the first two nights until they were certain the kids were safe and the convention would go on--or beready to evacuate. Sunday they made signs on poster board which were used at the convention, took a tour of theTampa Bay Times Forum where the convention was held, and were trained in on their duties. The pages traveled inmotor coach buses wherever they went. At the convention, they wore specific clothing, hats, and ties (guys) or waistsashes (girls) which distinguished them as pages so they were easily identifiable. Pages wore “credentials” aroundtheir neck on a lanyard which gave them clearance to be in most all areas of the Times Forum unlike most conventionattendees (media, guests, delegates, dignitaries, etc) who were allowed to only be in their designated area. Rosswas able to add to his National Republican Convention sign collection each evening.Tropical Storm Issac put the convention on hold Monday since most of the convention Delegates and Alternatesstayed on the St. Petersburg side which involved driving over bridges and causeways that were easily subject tobecome dangerous to cross due to wind and waves. The pages were to work at a charity golf event one morningand visit Busch Gardens another morning but both were canceled shortly after they started because it began torain. Tuesday they were at the convention site from 7:30 am until 12:30 am (Wednesday morning!) and handed outsigns, literature, rules, etc to the delegates and did whatever else popped up--like hurry to surround a protester inthe audience to block it from the media’s attention. Outings to Big Cat Rescue and to the Tampa Aquarium othermornings were canceled, not because of rain, but because the pages were way too tired. Wednesday and Thursdaywere conventions days. The pages returned to the Times Forum about 3:30 pm and didn’t leave until midnight bothnights. It was hot and very humid outside and inside the Times Forum it wasn’t cool enough for the pages who wereconstantly running all over the arena--up and down numerous flights of stairs.John Voight (Angelina Jolie’s father) came up to Ross and another page and chatted a bit about the convention oneday. Ross talked to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker for a few minutes. The Governor of Arizona asked Ross totake his picture in front of the Arizona delegation sign on the convention floor. A key campaign staffer for the Romneycampaign spoke to Ross about how Romney was to be portrayed like Ronald Reagan and cast President Obamalike former President Jimmy Carter. Someone from the Alaska Delegation gave Ross alapel pin of the Alaska flag and one person offered him $150 for his tie (specially designedby exclusive tie maker Vineyard Vines) which he declined. Ross worked hard, enjoyedlistening to the speeches, met many interesting people, and had a great experience.Make plans to attend or sponsorat next year’s tournament in August2013.West Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net

3350 Harbor Lane NorthPlymouth MN 55447RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDPastors and Teachers Gather at LuncheonThirty-six pastors and teachersfrom our associationchurches and schools gatheredat West Lutheran onAugust 14 for the annual AssociationLuncheon. WestLutheran proudly welcomedguests from Cross of Christ-Coon Rapids, King of Grace-Golden Valley, Mt. Olive-Delano, Salem-Loretto,Redeeming Grace-Rogers, Holy Trinity-New Hope,Ascension-Plymouth, Petra, Abiding Savior-Elk River, Immanuel-Buffalo,and St. Peter’s-Monticello.Teens for LifeParticipate in Chalk DayOn Thursday, September 6th, the West Lutheran Teensfor Life group joined thousands across the nation in theNational Pro-Life Chalk Day by sharing pro-life messageson the school sidewalks. Several West students wrotemessages and drew images to promote the dignity andvalue of the human person in the womb.This was a great opportunity for the association faculties andpastors to enjoy great food and fellowship and to learn moreabout the upcoming school year at West Lutheran.After a wonderful barbecuelunch and school/congregationintroductions led byDevelopment Director GaryBain, Principal Merl Meitnergave an overview of theupcoming year at West Lutheranincluding faculty andstaff changes and a decrease in enrollment. Vice Principal SteveMerten reviewed the academic changes and enhancements forthe 2012-2013 school year. English Teacher Beth Gauger sharedforensics and essay competitions information along with providingWest posters for each congregation. The luncheon concludedwith the winners of the luncheon raffle presented withtheir West Lutheran t-shirt prizes.Thank you members of the association schools and churches forattending!West Students Tour EuropeIn early June, a group of five Weststudents joined students from Tennesseeand Georgia in a 2-week Europeanexcursion that went throughthe countries of the United Kingdom,France, Italy, Vatican City, and Switzerland.This is part of the West travelabroad program that is offered everyother year. The next West trip will bein early June of 2014.Pictured are West students TylerKrueger, Isak Preus, Rudy Nelson,Jordyn Stromback and Danielle Hicksas they squeezed into a Londonphone boothWest Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net