Fall 2009 - Lancaster Mennonite School

LANCASTER MENNONITE SCHOOLwww.lancastermennonite.orgFALL2009Building bridges withglobal neighbors,page 2Homecoming, page 8

contents6 Spanish programexpands7 New course, GlobalChristianity8 Fall Festival andHomecoming10 School update12 Alumni news15 Phil Bontrager,Alumni featureBridges is the quarterly magazine ofLancaster Mennonite School, sent toalumni, parents and friends. LMSexists to transform students so theycan change our world throughChristlike love, peacemaking andservice. The school welcomes studentswithout regard to sex, race,nationality or ethnic origin.Lancaster Mennonite Schoolhas four campuses:Kraybill, grades PreK–8598 Kraybill Church RoadMount Joy, PA 17552(717) 653-5236Lancaster, grades 6–122176 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA 17602(717) 299-0436Locust Grove, PreK–82257 Old Philadelphia PikeLancaster, PA 17602(717) 394-7107New Danville, grades PreK–6393 Long LaneLancaster, PA 17603(717) 872-2506Address alumni and school news tosprungerdl@lancastermennonite.orgor call (717) 299-0436, ext. 701.Editor: Fern Clemmerclemmerfe@lancastermennonite.orgVolume 37, No. 2STUDENTS AND ALUMNI ATTEND MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCEBuilding bridges withglobal neighborsHeidi Long’s journey to the 15thMennonite World Conference(MWC), held this past July in Asuncion,Paraguay, began five years agowhen she was only 12. She and hermother were at a junior high youth conventionin North Carolina when someoneurged her to consider attending the2009 event.“For about a month my 12-year-oldmind could barely contain its excitementover this worldwide event,” shesaid, “but soon it faded in with all myother life plans. ... It was a dream thatI never expected would come to life.”Then last winter, during Long’s junioryear at LMS, she heard a chapelspeaker promote the conference andexplain that LMS Youth Minister JonHeinly was hoping to take a group ofyoung people to the event. Excited,Long approached Heinly, only to learnthat she was too young to meet the agecriteria for the group. But Heinlyencouraged her to fill out an applicationanyway, just in case not enough peoplesigned up.But even if she did get to go along,there was another problem—finances.“I got to a point where I had to laythis dream before God,” she said. “Mythought was that if not enough peoplesigned up, I would take that as a sign toplan on going ... and that somehow Godwould provide a way.”Several weeks before the trip, Longlearned that she was in.“After much prayer and cleaning andscrubbing and painting and sanding andweeding—even some letter writing—Ifinally made enough money (two weeksbefore we were to leave) to pay forthe trip. I've never seen God’s timingin such a real way before.”On July 13, Long and 21 otheryoung people, led by Heinly andFranklin Mennonite Conference YouthMinister Cedric Roth, began their journeyto Paraguay. Representing six Mennoniteconferences, the group camefrom Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kansas.Eleven of the 24 are current LMS studentsor alumni. For names of participants,see the photo caption on page 3.The idea for the trip began whenLMS Superintendent Richard Thomaslearned about a similar group formingin Ontario. Excited about this uniqueopportunity to encourage young peopleto attend MWC, Thomas invited Heinlyto share the idea with Mennonite conferenceyouth ministers in the AtlanticNortheast. Out of that, Heinly and Rothagreed to lead a group.The 16-day trip included six days atthe conference, a three-day service projectwith Habitat for HumanityParaguay, and four days of touringParaguay and Peru.“Mennonite World Conference wasan amazing experience,” Heinly said.“It was very moving to be togetherwith Anabaptist Christians from aroundthe world. Repeatedly, we talked abouthow meaningful the worship times wereas we all sang together in a whole arrayof languages, yet shared the commonbond of worshipping God together.Four-part harmony is an awesome thingto hear, but it pales in comparison tosix, seven, or even more languagesContinued on page 4Cover photo: In July, LMS Youth MinisterJon Heinly and Franklin Mennonite ConferenceYouth Minister Cedric Rothaccompanied 22 youth and youngadults to Mennonite World Conference inAsuncion, Paraguay. After the conference,the group participated in a Habitatfor Humanity service project and didsome sightseeing. Also see caption onpage 3. PHOTO: PETER BRUBAKER2 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

In July a group of 24 North American youth, youngadults, and youth leaders representing six Mennoniteconferences journeyed to Asuncion, Paraguay,for the 15th Mennonite World Conference. Picturedabove at the Machu Picchu ruins in Peru, wherethey toured after the conference, they are identifiedhere by the Mennonite conference they representand their grad year if from LMH. Front, left toright: Renee Shenk, Lancaster (LC); Alyse Haldeman,Franklin (FC); and Cedric Roth, FC youth minister.Second row: Jason Harnish, LC, 2000; PeterBrubaker, Franconia, 2001; Solomon Rudy, LC,2009; Darin Harnish, Atlantic Coast (ACC), 2009;Heidi Long, ACC, 2010; and Ben Klinger, LC, 2011.Standing, middle: Dean Royal, LC, 2010, KaelaLandis, ACC, 2009; Ruth Wiens, Allegheny; AshleyMoyer, Franconia; Megan Leaman, LC, 2004; AmyKreider, FC; Julie Heinly, LC, 2009; Leah Risser, FC;Liz Dutcher, Ohio; Katrina Schmid, Ohio; JanelleBodenberg, FC; and Laura North, ACC. Standing,back: Dale Weaver, ACC; Carl Opel, Allegheny; andJon Heinly, LC, 2003. PHOTOS: PETER BRUBAKERAt left, MWC participants begin to gather at CentroFamiliar de Adoración, the church where theconference was held. The far left photo shows theoutside of the facility (PHOTO: JOYCE THOMAS). It is thelargest church in Paraguay.Bottom photo: During the group’s Habitat forHumanity service project near Mennonite WorldConference, some of the workers formed a “bucketbrigade” to supply the other workers with constructionmaterials they needed for the foundation ofthe home they helped to build. PHOTO: PETER BRUBAKERBRIDGES • FALL 2009 3

BUILDING BRIDGES, CONTINUEDI believe that theseexperiences help toencourage passionfor missions, service,and a lifestyle thatis actively engagedin the global churchcommunity.- Jon HeinlyAbove, 24 North American youth, young adults andyouth leaders pose inside the walls of the home theyhelped start during their Habitat for Humanity serviceproject in Paraguay. With them are Paraguayan familymembers who will live in the home plus other localworkers who helped with the project. PHOTO: HEIDI LONGAt right, Kaela Landis, a 2009 LMH alumna, works witha friend of the new home owner. PHOTO: PETER BRUBAKERContinued from page 3praising God together.“We also had the opportunity to live indormitory style housing with people fromall over the world. This created a lot of neatcultural experiences.”For the service project, the group traveled toBenjamin Aceval, a small town outside Asuncion.There they helped construct a house, workingalongside the family for whom the house wasbeing built. Beginning with the foundation, theyspent much of the time digging and carrying materialsfor the Paraguayan masons who constructedthe house.“This part of the trip was really incredible,”Heinly said, “because it provided an opportunityfor our group to bond around a common goal.Many persons in the group expressed feelings ofaccomplishment as they completed tasks that werephysically difficult and tiring.“Youth experiencing something like this at thistime of life is an amazing opportunity because ofall the decisions they will be making in the nextfew years. Having their world view broadened asthey look ahead to college or career brings thesedecisions into a new light.“I believe that these experiences help to encouragepassion for missions, service, and a lifestylethat is actively engaged in the global church community.”■4 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNITYSpanish program expandsRecognizing that (1) children learn languagesmore easily than older persons and (2) ourpopulation is becoming more diverse, LMS isoffering Spanish at all three elementary campuses.At the Kraybill Campus, Spanish became part ofthe curriculum in 2002, adding one grade at a timeso that this year it is offered K–8. KindergartenSpanish meets two times a week while grades 1–8meet three times.Locust Grove has been offering Spanish at themiddle school level and in the past also offered itat the elementary level. With the K–5 programreinstated last year, Locust Grove now offersSpanish to grades K–8. Grades K–5 meet once aweek, grades 6 and 7 twice, and grade 8 every day.New Danville, an elementary facility, beganoffering Spanish K–5 this past year. They meetonce a week.Learning Spanish in the early elementary gradesis so much more than grammar and vocabulary.At all three campuses, the primary grades enjoya hands-on kinesthetic approach (visual and auditory)in a room enhanced with Spanishartifacts/displays.By the time students reach grade 5 they have agood foundation for hearing sounds of the languagethrough basic conversation and song. Theyare now ready to build upon this foundation asAt the Kraybill Campus, teacher Betty Mumma createsa fun atmosphere for learning the Spanish languageand its culture. Betty, who was born in Quatemala,believes that the Spanish program can help studentsunderstand that God’s family embraces people of allraces, nationalities and cultures. She shares her classroomwith husband Paul, former head of the languagedepartment at Manheim Central School District.PHOTO: JONATHAN CHARLESthey use a textbook, learn proper grammar, andexpand their vocabulary. ■Honduran students visit Kraybill CampusIn late September, 18 students from White Dove School inHonduras visited the Kraybill Campus to experience middleschool in an English-speaking setting. The visit was a chancefor the Honduran students to brush up on their English whileKraybill students got a chance to try out some Spanish. It alsoexposed Kraybill middle school students to another cultureand helped break down some of the stereotypes that can existbetween different cultures. The visitors presented chapels atKraybill, Locust Grove and New Danville.During the week, the White Dove students prepared someHonduran food for the Kraybill students to sample, taught aSpanish song, and shared prepared reports about life backhome.The White Dove students were accompanied by theirprincipal, a teacher and a pastor. According to DanielMartin, middle school principal, this is the third yeareighth grade students from Honduras spent a week atthe Kraybill Campus. ■During a recent weeklong visit, Honduran middle school students enjoy gettingto know their hosts at the Kraybill Campus of Lancaster Mennonite School. Thestudents are, left to right going clockwise: Morgan Brubaker (Kraybill), AstridLilibeth Mejia (White Dove), Cindy Italina Cordoba (White Dove), Lucy AlejandraMarroquin (White Dove), Rebecca Keener (Kraybill), and Aria Hess (Kraybill).PHOTO: DANIEL MARTIN6 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

Course reflects global visionAt Lancaster Mennonite High School, the 11thgrade Bible course, Heritage of the ChristianChurch, has been changed to Global Christianity tobetter connect with the growing global Christiancommunity.According to Bible/social studies instructionalarea leader Sheri Wenger, students were involvedin naming the course and making recommendationsfor changes. The process was guided by theschool’s mission to be Christ-centered as it transformsstudents so they can impact the world.Wenger says the new course reflects fourchanges: (1) a wider variety of faith stories, includingthose from the Orthodox and Anglicanchurches; (2) content that is more global—nowincluding more than Swiss German Mennonites,(3) a new unit that discusses current trends andattempts to answer the question: “What is it thathelps Anabaptists celebrate their identity and valueswhile also respecting and working with non-Anabaptists within the larger Christian movement?”and (4) increased use of technology thatwill allow students to see and talk online withAnabaptist leaders from places such as Indonesia,Paraguay and Congo.The new course is one of numerous ways theschool strives to help students think globally. Intheir senior year, students are required to write anessay around the topic, “What does it mean to bea Christian in a globalcommunity?”Social studies courses arebecoming more global as well.Starting with the 2010-11school year, the senior class,U.S. Government, willbecome Comparative Government.Students will stillreceive the foundation of U.S. government principlesbut within the context of other political systems.Sophomores will also take more of a globalapproach to social studies by switching from WesternCivilization and Advanced Placement EuropeanHistory to Recent World History and AdvancedPlacement World History.“As a department we feel these changes areessential to truly meet the school’s mission statementof preparing students to change the world,”Wenger said. “Our goal as educators is to help ourstudents become more aware of the global communityso they can fulfill the challenge of Micah 6:8:‘And what does the Lord require of you but to dojustice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly withyour God?’“As Bible and social studies teachers we wantto focus on citizenship—citizenship in the globalcommunity and the global Christian movement.” ■Above, social studiesteacher Galen Sauder andmiddle school studentsplant and dedicate a PeacePole at the Lancaster Campus.The LMS Peace Polebears the message, “MayPeace Prevail on Earth,” infour languages—Spanish,Korean, Amharic(Ethiopian) and English.According to The PeacePole Project, which is partof The World Peace PrayerSociety, there are thousandsof this nationally-recognizedsymbol in nearlyevery country in the world.GIFT OF A LIFETIME: Charitable Gift AnnuityWould you like to support theChrist-centered education of ouryouth while securing an attractive fixedincome for life? If you are 62 years ofage or older, a charitable Gift Annuity(CGA) to Lancaster Mennonite School willpermit you to do just that. If you are younger than62, a deferred payment CGA may be right for you.Benefits of establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity with LMS:• An immediate income tax deduction for a portion ofyour gift• Annuity payments that are guaranteed for life and backedby the assets of LMS• The satisfaction of making a significant gift that benefitsboth you and the students at LMSThe gift minimum for establishing a CGA is $5,000. Toreceive an illustration of gift benefits for either the immediateor deferred payment CGA, please contact Director ofAdvancement Heidi Stoltzfus at (717) 299-0436, ext. 308, orstoltzfushe@lancastermennonite.org. ■BRIDGES • FALL 2009 7

November 19–21, 2009—for all LMSDon’t miss the fun, foodLancaster Mennonite School invites all families to itsannual Fall Festival and Homecoming Thursday, November19, through Saturday, November 21, at the LancasterCampus. This special weekend is a great way to connect withfriends and alumni. And, of course, your participation willhelp more students take advantage of the terrific opportunitiesat LMS. Come on out! For more information go towww.lancastermennonite.org.Schedule of EventsThursday, November 19Charley’s AuntCalvin & Janet High Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.Don’t miss this hilariously funny farce.See details at www.lancastermennonite.org.Adults $8.00 • Students $5.00Tickets sold at the door or call (717) 299-0436, ext. 340.Friday, November 20All-you-can-eat Hess’s Barbecue(Pig Roast and Chicken)Alumni Dining HallTake-outs: 2:30-8 p.m. • Dine in: 4:30-8 p.m.Adults $9.50 • Children 3–12 $5.00Class Reunions1969: Classroom Building, room 115, 5:00(1979: mailing being sent with details)NoteAuction timechange!Saturday, November 213 v 3 Basketball TournamentGym B, 8:30 a.m.Country BreakfastAlumni Dining Hall, 8:30-10 a.m.Iron Bridge 5K Benefit RunOutside Gym A, 9:30 a.m.Registration 8:15–9:15Alumni Art ExhibitGathering Area, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.Benefit Dinner & Specialty AuctionAlumni Dining Hall, 5 p.m.(See order form on page 9.)Charley’s AuntCalvin & Janet High Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.Charley’s AuntCalvin & Janet High Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.5K run to help complete funding for track and field facilityTo finish the high school’s new track and field facilitydebt-free requires an additional $150,000, but the IronBridge Run set for November 21 will aim to put a major dentin that. To register for the run, go to www.ironbridgerun.org.Other donors may contact Director of Advancement HeidiStoltzfus at (717) 299-0436, ext. 308, or stoltzfushe@lancastermennonite.org.The new facility will encourage students todevelop lifelong health habits as it enhances the physical educationcurriculum and the track and field program. ■The new track and field facility, to be completed by the end ofOctober, features a rubberized surface.8 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

friends and alumniand fellowship!Alumni artexhibitBenefit Dinner &Specialty AuctionThis year’s Fall Festival and Homecominghas two new items on the schedulefor Saturday—an alumni art exhibit thatwill begin at 10:30 a.m. and a Benefit Dinner& Specialty Auction at 5:00 that willfeature a delicious dinner of prime rib orstuffed salmon, followed by the auction—both in Alumni Dining Hall.The specialty auction will include itemssuch as donated alumni art (see samples atright), Garrison Keillor show tickets (NewYork City), Sam Martin wooden model,vacation packages, and dining experiences.To save your spot at the dinner, pleasecomplete and return the form below. ■Saturday evening’s Benefit Dinner & Specialty Auctionwill include the sale of numerous originals fromthe alumni art exhibit, such as the four picturedhere. Above: “Walking Mt. Gretna” pastel by LizHess, 1983 (from her signature Red Umbrella Collection).Top right: “Dingle Sheep” mixed media byVelma Yoder Magill, 1962. Center right:“Blood/Seed” oil on panel by Tim Gierschick, 1995.Bottom right: “Anchor” oil on canvas by DorothyFrey, 1992. Go to www.lancastermennonite.org formore information.Registration FormBenefit Dinner & Specialty AuctionSaturday, November 21, 2009Name(s) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address___________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _______________________________Entree choice (indicate # of persons per entree): ____Prime rib ____Salmon stuffed with crab meatNumber attending_______ Amount enclosed ($50 per person, proceeds to benefit LMS) $ _____________________________This event, which will be held in Alumni Dining Hall, features a delicious dinner followed by a specialty auction thatincludes alumni art, Garrison Keillor show tickets (New York City), Sam Martin wooden model, vacation packages, diningexperiences, and more. Consider hosting a table of eight or more for this unique opportunity to support LMS students.Please list all persons at your table (if more than two) on a separate piece of paper. Thank you.Instructions: Please return this form with payment to LMS Benefit Dinner & Auction, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA17602. Please register by November 13. For more information, contact Deborah Sprunger at sprungerdl@lancastermennonite.orgor (717) 299-0436, ext. 701.BRIDGES • FALL 2009 9

Visit our campusesProspective students and families may call anytime to arrange a personal tourat our four campuses. In addition, here are several visitation opportunitiesplanned for the next several months:Seth MoffettAaron Gish■ Seth Moffett,has been named asemifinalist in the2010 NationalMerit ScholarshipProgram, andAaron Gish andTaylor Wengerhave been namedCommended Students.The students qualified for theTaylor Wengerhonors by participating in thePSAT/NMSQT test taken in 2008.About 90 percent of the semifinalistsbecome finalists who are eligible formerit scholarships, presented in thespring.■ LMS welcomed seven new teachersto its four campuses this year. Go towww.lancastermennonite.org fordetails.Prospective Student Day—Friday, January 22Prospective students are cordially invited to attend classes at our LancasterCampus on Friday, January 22. For times, please call (717) 299-0436, ext. 312.Kindergarten and PreK Open Houses—January 27 & 28The kindergarten open house is set for Wednesday, January 27, and the prekindergartenopen house is Thursday, January 28. Both will be held at the Kraybill,Locust Grove and New Danville campuses, 9–11 a.m.Open House—Tuesday, February 2LMS will hold an open house at each of its four campuses on Tuesday,February 2, from 6–8:30 p.m. Along with guided tours and the opportunity tomeet teachers, there will be a 7 p.m. information assembly at the LancasterCampus and a 7 p.m. PreK/kindergarten presentation at Kraybill. At the highschool there also will be an opportunity for students entering grades 9–12 toregister for courses for the 2010-11 year.For more information or to schedule a visitKraybill Campus, PreK–8: Principal John Weber (717) 653-5236Lancaster Campus, grades 6–12: Christy Horst (717) 299-0436, ext. 312Locust Grove Campus, PreK–8: Principal Judi Mollenkof (717) 394-7107New Danville Campus, PreK–6: Principal Judi Mollenkof (717) 872-2506Twins generate unique learning opportunityIt was mid-morning on Friday, September 18, whenthe New Danville students excitedly spotted the topof the first generator as it crested the hill. The generator,one of two that were on their way to Three MileIsland, was cruising along at about 3 mph.Just the day before, representatives from AREVA,the company that manufactured the twin generators,presented a special school assembly to explain theirtrek. The students learned that each generator weighedPHOTO: EDIE HESSas much as 200 elephants and was carried by a self-propelled transporterthat had 26 axles and 208 wheels. They also learned aboutnuclear energy and how the generators, manufactured in France,were needed so the power plant could continue providing cleanenergy throughout the region. In classes, teachers talked about theimportance of taking care of God’s earth by using clean energy.The generators, which began their land journey at Fort Deposit,Maryland, on September 12, reached their destination on September30. They are expected to add 30 years to the life of the plant. ■10 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

■ Rutt Academic Center recentlyreceived the first GC Sustainable DesignGreen Award presented by the AssociatedBuilders and Contractors KeystoneChapter. The school is pleased that thecommunity supported the vision of agreen building that helps control annualoperating costs and provides a qualityenvironment for Mennonite Christianeducation.December 3December 5December 6December 17December 20January 28–30Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster (MCCL) ChristmasConcert at Witmer Heights Mennonite Church, 7 p.m.MCCL Christmas Concert at St. Edwards Episcopal, 4 p.m.MCCL Christmas Concert at Mount Joy Mennonite, 6 p.m.Middle School Christmas Concert, 7 p.m., LancasterHigh School Christmas Concert, 3 p.m.High School Drama—The Winter’s Tale, 7 p.m.dates■ The Mennonite Children’s Choir ofLancaster now has its own Web site. Goto www.mennonitechildrenschoir.org. ■February 2Open House, all campuses, 6–8:30 p.m.Pastors visit Lancaster CampusOn September 24, the Lancaster Campus wasdelighted to have 45 pastors and youth leaders visitduring the annual Pastors Day. The visit began withchapel, followed by class visitation and lunch with students.The guests represented 24 Mennonite congregationsand numerous other faiths, including Episcopal,Brethren-in-Christ,Lutheran, and nondenominational.Such visitsstrengthen the partnershipbetweenchurch and school astogether they invitestudents to personalfaith, Christlike witness,peacemakingand service. ■At left, Jane Peifer, pastor at Blossom Hill MennoniteChurch, attends class with freshman Liban Dinka duringPastors Day. Above are Monroe Yoder, far left, andAlfred Taylor, center, who visited the school in early September.Both are pastors at Infinity Mennonite Churchin New York City, formerly Seventh Avenue Mennonitewhere LMS teacher Dottie Weber (right of Taylor)attended during an early 1970s voluntary serviceassignment. Second from left is LMS Admissions CounselorCurtis Edwards, and on the far right is SuperintendentRichard Thomas.Kraybill ready to finalizebuilding plansWith a goal to break ground by theend of the school year, the KraybillCampus is ready to develop its finalplans for the renovations the campus iscalling “Gateway to Kraybill.” Thechanges will:• renovate the school’s main entrance• enlarge the lobby• add a classroom for PreK andkindergarten• relocate the offices for greater studentsecurity• alleviate student congestionbetween classes by increasingaccess to the middle school studentlocker area and enlarging middleschool hallway space, and• connect the rear of the elementarybuilding to the gymnasium whichwill reduce student traffic in themain lobby area and decreasewalking time for students goingto the gym.Kraybill parent and staff member JimBaer says he’s excited about the campusimprovements and is “especially eagerfor a main entrance that will fall withinthe guidelines for handicapped accessibility.”Preliminary projections for the projectwere $1.5 million, including endowment,but a firmer projection will beavailable after final plans are developed.To find out how you can help, contactThis artist rendering shows the proposed frontentrance planned for the Kraybill Campus.Principal John Weber at weberjs@lancastermennonite.orgor (717) 653-5236.Or, contact Director of AdvancementHeidi Stoltzfus at (717) 299-0436, ext.308, or stoltzfushe@lancastermennonite.org.■BRIDGES • FALL 2009 11

CLASS NOTESFormer LMH science teacher CharlesLongenecker, 1950, and former LMHEnglish teacher Janet Gehman, 1952,are instructors in the Landis Homes’Pathways to Lifelong Learning programwhich is open to Lancaster County residents60 and older. This fall the programis offering courses on 30 subjects.Both Longenecker and Gehman live atLandis Homes.Ken Yoder Reed, 1962, Milpitas,Calif., recently authored the novel, HeFlew Too High (Winepress, 2009).Classmate Emmett Murphy, 1962,Troy, N.Y., who read the manuscript,claims he recognizes lots of the charactersas being from his LMS days. Ken’sbook tour included book-signing stopsin Lancaster and the Mennonite ChurchUSA convention in Columbus this summer.His Web site is www.kyreed.com.Kate Kooker, 1967, Christiana, rode 60miles with 60 friends to raise $60,000this summer to end homelessness forsingle mothers and their children. Theride was sponsored by Bridge of HopeLancaster & Chester Counties. Shehelped start the event 21 years ago afterbeing inspired by her widowed motherwho raised five children alone.Nelson Longenecker, 1975, Elizabethtown,is vice president of business innovationat Four Seasons Produce, Inc.The company was recently recognizedas a “Green Power Consumer” for theircommitment to reduce energy use, conserveresources and improve the environment.In August, Four SeasonsProduce, Inc.’s distribution centerearned the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency’s (EPA’s) prestigiousENERGY STAR for the second year ina row. Longenecker serves on the boardof directors for LMS.Kim Stauffer, 1993, Brooklyn, N.Y.,has founded the new Mennonite ArtistProject, an online social network andmonthly in-person meeting in NewYork City. In June the project launchedits Web site, www.MennoniteArtistProject.com.More than 300 artists haveposted bios, events, classified ads andexamples of their work. Kim is a professionalactor in the city.Douglas Charles, D.O., 1993,Williamsport, graduated from theWilliamsport Hospital Medical CenterFamily Medicine Residency Programon June 26. He works for the FamilyPractice Center in Lykens and ValleyView.Amy Hess, 1997, Wilmington, Del.,graduated from Towson University,Towson, Md., in January with a master’sdegree in early childhood education.Prior to that she earned abachelor’s degree from Indiana Universityof Pennsylvania (IUP), Indiana,Pa., with a certification in Family andConsumer Sciences Education.J. Daniel Hess, 1998, Wilmington, Del.,graduated from University of MarylandSchool of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., inMay. In June, Dan began a residency inEmergency Medicine/Internal Medicinewith Christiana Care Health System,Christiana, Delaware.Eric Kennel, 1999, Lancaster, is the sitedirector for seven other persons at Lancaster’sLutheran Refugee Service. Heprovides help to over 100 families. Theagency helps anxious folks experiencefreedom by helping them acquire languageskills, housing, schooling fortheir children, and employment. He isworking primarily with Burmese andIraqi refugees.CLASS REUNIONS1944The LMS class of 1944 held their 65threunion at Landis Homes on May 27.See photo at right.1949The class of 1949 met August 1 fortheir 60th reunion. They enjoyed a tourof the Rutt Academic Center led byRichard Thomas, a “delicious brunch”in the Alumni Dining Hall, and a timeof visiting and reminiscing. In attendancewere 33 classmates and 26spouses (12 of 59 class members havedied).1984During their 25th reunion on August 1,the class of 1984 went back in time asthey enjoyed a display of old pictures,Campus Chorale dresses and gym uniforms;viewed a DVD that includedpictures and consumer facts from 19841944 class reunion—front row, L-R: Mildred Shirk Fisher, Arlene Landis Hege, Dale Landis,James Hess, Miriam Weaver Stoltzfus, Rhoda Krady Lehman, Vera Stauffer Kauffman, AnnStoltzfus Witmer. Middle row: Blanche Kreider Gingerich, Ruth Newcomer Gehman, RachelKraybill Brubaker, Anna Elizabeth Lefever Hershey, Miriam Ebersole Charles, Ruth ZeisetRohrer. Back row: Betty Ruppert Bucher, Clyde Glick, Ernest Weinhold, Elvin Martin, ElvinDenlinger.(did you know that in 1984 a cell phonecost $3,500?); participated in a NameThat Tune game with music from the1980s; and tried to identify old campusphotos. The reunion, held at the LMScampus, also included a campus tour,12 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

Hans Smucker, 2002, and LaneCrouse, 2004, New York, N.Y., wereemployed as manager of technical operationsand audio post-production assistant,respectively, for Guiding Lightuntil the TV show aired its final showrecently. Crouse plans to relocate toAtlanta, while Smucker will stay inNew York. Both worked in the LMHtheatre before attending Syracuse University.MARRIAGES:Dawn Weaver, 1983, and Arnold Baer,July 5, 2009. They live in Poolesville,Md., where Dawn is employed by SovereignGrace Ministries as an IT assistantand database administrator.Janae Yoder, 2001, and RodneyHostetter, June 13, 2009. They live inLancaster City. Janae is a case managerfor adults with mental illness.Tim Keener, 2001, and Melissa Horst,2005, May 23, 2009. They live inMount Joy.Matthew Horst, 2003, and BetsyEvearitt, July 18, 2009. They live inStewardstown.Continued on page 14Lessons learned on cross country trekThis past summer Seth Charles,2008, Strasburg; Bobby Longenecker,2007, Lititz; and DietrichLinde, 2007, York, biked 3,850miles from Imperial Beach, California(the southwest corner of theU.S.), to Lubec, Maine (the northeastcorner). It took them 55 days.In his signing off note atwww.tourdefour.blogspot.com, SethCharles said the trip taught himthree things: the power of a conversation(person to person connectionswith folks along the way often ledto lodging and food); the value ofgood friends; and the power of perseverance.On the latter, Seth said he neededto remind himself to concentrate onthe present so he wouldn’t get toooverwhelmed about the immensityof the trip. He compared it to theChristian life.“In our Christian walks we shouldbe looking at the day in front of us,”he said. “What can I do to furtherLeft to right: Seth Charles, Bobby Longeneckerand Dietrich Linde. Dan Lehman, 2007, Leola, rodewith the group to Colorado Springs. PHOTO: DALEENCHARLESGod’s kingdom today? How can I helpsomeone today? All of a sudden thetask seems more (doable). Then whenyou look back on your life ... you realize,‘Wow, look what God has donethrough me that I never thought waspossible.’” ■Visiting at 1949 class reunion are, L–R: Mabel Horst Eshleman,Naomi Burkholder Frank and Nyla Ebersole Witmer.1984 reunion, L-R: Lauren Reider (fiancee of Phil Kreider), Phil Kreider, JeffLeaman and wife Lori, Glenda Deiter Blank and husband Bill, Jean Sensenigand husband Daryl Snider.dinner, and memory sharing by formerteachers and several classmates. Theyended their fun evening with ClydeHollinger leading them in “Praise Godfrom Whom” and more visiting witheach other. The event drew 41 classmembers plus 35 guests. BesidesHollinger, other teachers in attendanceincluded Janet Banks, Myron Dietz,Charlie Longenecker and Dottie Weber.Continued on page 14BRIDGES • FALL 2009 13

Continued from page 13Meredith Talbert, 2004, and AndrewHeil, June 7, 2008. They live in Lancaster.Jessica Esh, 2005, and Jered (J.D.) Ast,July 18, 2009. They live in OklahomaCity, Okla.Michael Charles, 2005, and RachaelClemmer, July 18, 2009. They bothgraduated from Eastern MennoniteUniversity this past spring and areliving in Lancaster City.BIRTHS:Sherwin and Carol Hershey, 1988,Wenger, Lancaster, third son, AustinKarl, July 20, 2009.Larry and Kendra Peifer, 1991, Guengerich,East Petersburg, a son, HudsonJames, August 31, 2009.Joel Leaman, 1996, and ShelleyWissler Leaman, Ronks, third child,first daughter, Abigail Joy, May 8,2009.Kerry and Marlene Weaver, 1997,Martin, Brownstown, third child, a son,Riley Scott, May 28, 2009.Benjamin Bixler, 1998, and SarahGehman, 1998, Bixler, Harrisonburg,Va., second child, first daughter, SusannahRose, March 20, 2009; died March26, 2009.Trent Hess, 2000, and Emily Parmarter,2003, Hess, Lancaster, secondchild, a daughter, Abigail Frances, April18, 2009.DEATHS:Jeffrey Dale Crist, 1967, York,September 26, 2009.Carolyn E. Metzler,1967, WillowStreet, August 14,2009. Carolyntaught at the NewDanville Campusfor 26 years. Shebegan her career asa much-lovedkindergarten Carolyn Metzlerteacher at NewDanville when it was located atSprecher Road. She also taught grade 3and was teaching grade 2 when shebecame ill. ■Thank you for your support!Donor list goes greenTo save the earth and put moreof your dollars toward helpingstudents, the school is publishingthe annual donor list (Year-EndSupplement) online at www.lancastermennonite.orgrather thansending it with the Bridges magazine.Go to “support us” and clickon “year-end supplement.”Out of respect for your privacy,a general Web search for a specificname will not produce a searchresult that points back to the donorlist. Again, thank you for yourfaithfulness in giving this pastyear. Your commitment to our studentsand Mennonite education isdeeply appreciated. ■Class Reunionplanners for 2010Please consider planning your 2010reunion on Homecoming weekendwhich will be November 19 and 20.Questions? Call Matt Weaver in thealumni office: (717) 299-0436,ext. 706.CLASS REUNIONSContinued frompage 131994The class of 1994held their 15thyear reunion atBird-In-HandRestaurant onAugust 22. Thirtyclassmatesattended the event(a total of 52 withspouses). Theevening, emceedby Chad Diller,included a groupPowerPoint gamebased on the fourwords thatAt 1994 class reunion are, L-R: Lori Thomas Heitland, Jen Hooverdescribed each Lambert, Tricia Bare Stoltzfus and Trish Haverstick.PHOTO: LISA MARTIN GARCIAgraduate in theiryearbook andmusic by Jessica Smucker who entertainedthe group with some songs thatshe wrote. ■February 2, 2010Florida PicnicJoin LMS friends and alumni toreconnect, share stories and learnwhat LMS is doing today.Bahia Vista Mennonite Church4041 Bahia Vista StreetSarasota, Florida4:30 Gathering5:00 Dinner6:00 Speaker, J. Richard ThomasThe dinner has beengenerously provided by a"Florida Snowbird Alum."RSVP by January 19to Deborah Sprunger atsprungerdl@lancastermennonite.orgor (717) 299-0436, ext. 701.14 BRIDGES • FALL 2009

ALUMNI FEATUREServing God in thecorporate worldFor Phil Bontrager, the environment at LancasterMennonite High School and mission assignmentsto Honduras and Nicaragua helped preparethe way to becoming a leader in Fortune 1000 corporations,privately-held businesses, and not-forprofitorganizations.“LMH fostered a growing awareness in me thatfollowing Jesus is about more than just what happensat church,” the 1972 LMH graduate said.“Jesus calls me to serve others and extend hisgrace in ways that meet the needs of those aroundme. That is in my center of joy.”For Bontrager, varsity sports and Student Councilprovided arenas for learning leadership skillsduring his junior and senior years at LMH. As captainof the soccer team he learned quickly thatteamwork can accomplish a lot more than an individualworking alone. And being president of StudentCouncil when the organization helped raisefunds for a new athletic field (where new track isnow) required “lots of organizing, working withothers, and motivating high school students toengage in work beyond themselves.”During a three-year Eastern Mennonite Missionsassignment in Honduras right after highschool, Bontrager received affirmation for hisleadership skills. In that voluntary service position,and later in Nicaragua where he and wifeLori Hollenberg served as country reps for MennoniteCentral Committee, Bontrager started torealize he actually enjoyed the challenges of theleadership role.Today Bontrager is president and CEO ofSauder Manufacturing Company, a privately-heldmanufacturer of seating for the education, healthcare,and worship markets. Founded in 1945,Sauder Manufacturing has been America’s leadingproducer of wood church furniture for sevendecades. The firm is headquartered in Archbold,Ohio.Prior to joining Sauder in 2003, Phil served ninemonths as interim CEO of Mennonite PublishingHouse, where he led the turnaround and restructuringof the publisher of the Mennonite Church.From 1999–2001, Phil was president of GardensAlive, Inc. a privately-held manufacturer anddirect marketer of proprietary organic lawn andgarden products. During his tenure, the companymore than tripled in size to over $50 millionthrough a combination of new product developmentand acquisitions to become the nation’slargest provider of home gardening products.From 1983 to 1999, Phil held senior executivepositions with Hill-Rom Company, a $1.2 billionmanufacturer of hospital beds and associatedpatient care equipment.Bontrager graduated fromGoshen College and receivedhis MBA at the University ofMichigan Graduate School ofBusiness. He and Lori live inArchbold and attend ZionMennonite Church where Philserves on the vision team thatis part of the pastoral transition.They have four grownchildren: Andrea, who is indoctoral studies in nutrition;Rachel, a registered nurse;David, who recently completedan internship at thegovernment research lab inOak Ridge, Tenn.; and Darin,a student at Hesston College.They have one grandchild.Phil Bontrager, 1972What I enjoy most in my work at SauderI receive great satisfaction from the opportunityto work daily with people that share a commonvision, purpose, and values – and seeing us learnand grow. I particularly enjoy spending time withour customers and users in their world and on theshop floor with our front-line people who “makeit happen” every day.My passionsI enjoy learning so spend a great deal of time readingand seeking new and diverse experiences. Myexperience in Central America in juxtapositionwith my leadership roles in the for-profit worldlead me to reflect continually how to engage myworld in a way that serves others and extends thereign of God.Best thing about LMHThe opportunity to develop a much more diversegroup of friends and relationships beyond myhome community in southern Delaware.Favorite LMH teacherMyron Dietz was probably the most pivotal in myLMH experience. Dietz had a way of befriendingteenage students and nudging us to learn and grow– even when we didn’t want to. His deep, humblefaith challenged me to grow spiritually. As advisorof Student Council, he didn’t come with theanswers but invited us to think about the big questions—“Whyam I here?” and “What do I want toput into life and get out of it?”LMH soccerI was a member of the school’s first soccer team,playing defense both years. I wouldn’t say I wasa stand-out, but we sure had a lot of fun! We werethe first team to play on the “new” soccer field. ■LMH fostered agrowing awarenessin me thatfollowing Jesus isabout more thanjust what happensat church.BRIDGES • FALL 2009 15

2176 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA 17602Non-ProfitU.S. PostagePAIDLancaster, PAPermit No. 280Parents: Each LMH alum receives a personal copyof Bridges. If this is addressed to a son or daughterwho has established a separate residence, pleasegive us the new address. Call (717) 299-0436, ext.701, or e-mail sprungerdl@lancastermennonite.org.Thank you.Centered in Christ • Transforming Lives • Changing our Worldfrom the superintendentEducation with aglobal missionThis past July, Joyce and I attendedthe 15th assembly of MennoniteWorld Conference in Asuncion,Paraguay. Being in touch with thevitality of the worldwide Brethren-in-Christ and Mennonite churches who aregrowing at the rate of more than 50,000members per year was truly an inspirationalexperience.Assembly 15 included the first globalgathering of Mennonite schools. Schoolleaders from around the world talkedabout the mission of Mennonite schoolsin their context. We learned there areover 300 Mennonite schools in Congothat are educating more than 60,000students. Stories from across the globehighlighted the crucial role of Christianschools in forming disciples to expandthe witness of the church.Being at this gathering of Christiansand hearing stories of Anabaptist/Christianeducation from around the worldstrengthened my commitment to thevalue of Christian education in our setting.For me, it also affirmed thechanges we are making in our socialstudies and church history curriculumthat is discussed onpage 7 in this issueof Bridges.At LancasterMennonite Schoolwe want our studentsto know theyare part of a globalChristian movement.It is ourprayer and goalthat through theLMS educationalprogram, our studentswill be transformedinto churchand communityleaders who willguide our worldtoward God’sintention for allof creation.MennoniteChristian schoolsare growing in many ways, and newschools are being formed. Imagine withme what God might do through ourAbove—The first global meeting of Mennoniteschools took place in July at ColegioAleman Concordia, a Mennoniteschool in Asuncion, Paraguay. WithSuperintendent J. Richard Thomas (secondto left) are, left to right: AngelikaRegier, Concordia board member; AlanDueck, Bethany Christian School principal;Carlos Romero, of Mennonite EducationAgency (MEA); and Elaine Moyer, also of MEA.At right—J. Richard and Joyce Thomas.PHOTOS: JOYCE THOMASschools by the time the next MennoniteWorld Conference convenes.—jrt