Winter 2013 - Lancaster Mennonite School

BridgesL A N C A S T E R M E N N O N I T ES C H O O L3 Living to Serve 6 Athletics: Raising the Bar 13Alumni of the YearW I N T E R 2 0 1 3Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 0 | 1

c o n t e n t s3 Life of Service6 Athletics: Raising theBar8 School news10 NCJ campaigncelebration11 Auntie Anne’s providesscholarship funds12 Alumni notes13-15 Alumni of the YearJONATHAN CHARLESfBridges is the quarterly magazineof Lancaster Mennonite School,sent to alumni, parents and friends.LMS exists to transform students sothey can change our world throughChristlike love, peacemaking andservice. The school welcomesstudents without 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–5393 Long LaneLancaster, PA 17603(717) 872-2506Address alumni and school news tobloomkg@lancastermennonite.orgor call (717) 299-0436, ext. 701.Editor: Stephanie Weaverweavers@lancastermennonite.orgVolume 40, No. 3Check out our Facebook page,Lancaster Mennonite School,for videos and more photosfrom campus events.Cover: Freshman Jeisha Arroyo andKraybill eighth grader Roman Wagnercarry a box of toys for childrenin New York who were affected byHurricane Sandy.f ro m t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n tThis issue of Bridges features the LMHalumni of the year. J. Nelson Kraybill,Tashya Leaman Dalen and LinfordFisher exemplify LMS values. They areexamples of our desire to prepare students J. Richard Thomaswith faith and values to navigate the issues oflife so they can change our world toward the intention of God.Their stories and other reports in this issue attest that the legacy wehave inherited is alive and flourishing. In this 70th anniversary year, weare aware of God at work among us, transforming us into the image ofJesus Christ.Since 1942 we have experienced much joyand some pain and we have been blessed by1 9 4 2 - 2 0 1 2God – not by being immune to violence, hardshipand grief, but by being a community that70shares burdens, brings transformation and is awitness of God’s healing and hope.During these 70 years we have grown inmany ways to be a leader in PreK-12 educationalexperiences of excellence and char-EXCELLENCEY E A R S O Facter. Through local and global connectionswe transform students to change our worldthrough the power of Christlike love, peacemaking and service.The three alumni represented in this issue are representative of so manyof our more than 10,000 alumni. Even better, these qualities are beingphoto: STEPHANIE WEAVERlived out on our campuses by the students of today. www.lancastermennonite.org2 | Bridges S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

Paul Markovits grew up in a home wherecommunity service was a priority.When the junior transferred to LancasterMennonite in 2011, he wanted to help increasethe amount of service opportunities forstudents.He started the Community Service Club inthe fall and plans monthly events for students.The group has already served dinner to theless fortunate at Water Street Rescue Mission,babysat at Clare House and sang Christmascarols at the Mennonite Home nursing home,all in Lancaster.“I think as Christians, it is our duty to serveothers,” he said. “It helps open up our eyes tothings we wouldn’t see otherwise.”Looking ahead into the new semester,Markovits is hoping to foster more interest inthe club. He said attendance has varied so far,but he’s seen a lot of interest from the internationalstudents.“It gives them something to do and createsa way to make new friends,” he said.He said he is hoping that his willingness toserve will be an example to other students toget involved in their communities.Markovits attends Mary Mother of theChurch in Mount Joy.Paul Markovits, LMS juniorStudents donate hundreds of toys to hurricane victimsStephanie WeaverJunior Carlos Colon figured he waspretty safe when he made the wager.But $100 and a close shave later, hislong locks were gone, all in the nameof a good cause.As one of the student collectors forthe recent toy drive at LMS, Colonworked hard to get students to helpgive children affected by HurricaneSandy a merry Christmas.So when someone offered to give$100 if he shaved his head, Colondidn’t hesitate.“I didn’t think she’d actually do it,”he said, laughing.But he held up his end of thebargain. Only a layer of peach fuzzwas left on his head when it cametime to pack the toys up for Harlem,New York.Rev. Al Taylor, pastor of InfinityMennonite Church in Harlem,envisioned the toy drive as an extensionof the partnership between LMSand his church. It also served as apractical follow-up to his teachingson putting faith into action duringthe school’s Commitment Week fromOct. 8-12.LMS has been developing a relationshipwith the Infinity Mennonitecongregation recently, with severalstudents and staffmembers makingtrips up to theHarlem church.The joint toydrive empoweredthe churchmembers to touchlives in their localcommunity. The church is surroundedby several low income publichousing complexes and familieswho are on fixed incomes below thenational poverty level.“We’re really proud of the drive andthat our school supports us,” freshmanJeisha Arroyo said.In addition to the toys collectedby students, the drive also sentalong relief items thanks to a localcommunity’s efforts. Stacey Wilsonand Jenn Conrad of the SouthgateDevelopment coordinated a separatedrive with their neighbors, LampeterElementary School, Cub Scout Pack286 and The Junior League of Lancaster.The drive brought in clothing,toiletries, medical supplies and about500 pounds of food.Taylor actually had to make twotrips since the toys completely filledthe van and there was no space forthe relief items. The items were distributedon Dec. 23. Students from all four Lancaster Mennonite campuses helpedRev. Al Taylor load the donated toys into a cargo van on Dec.14. From left to right: Graydon Briguglio, Jeisha Arroyo, EthanGroff, Olivia Mason, Nardos Amare, Rev. Al Taylor, Kariann Horst,Roman Wagner, Celina Selvathambi, Carlos Colon and deaconRobert Reed.Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 | 5

The 2012 boys soccer team celebrates momentsafter senior Mitch Rohrer scored the gamewinninggoal in the leage championship game.The team also won silver medals in the districtand state championship games.Photo: KEITH NISLYRaising the BARIn the past decade, Lancaster Mennonite athletes have claimed five statechampionships. The dedication of coaches and students, on the field andin the classroom, has helped create a tradition of excellence.After last year’s state title, manypeople figured this season would be arebuilding year for the boys soccer team.But key graduation losses and injuriescouldn’t slow down the Blazers.The season started slow, but the teamgained momentum at the perfect moment,finishing one of the most successfulseasons of any LMS team in history.The Blazers played in the championshipgame at every level, racking in threemedals in the process. The team earnedthe program’s first league title since 2002when they defeated Conestoga Valley in6 | Bridges WS PI RN IT NE G R 2 0 103double overtime.The Blazers faced off against Tulpehockenin the district final, falling 1-0,but rallied together to make it back tothe state championship. They met afamiliar foe at Hershey Park stadium:Section 4 rival Pequea Valley. The Bravesbeat the Blazers twice during the regularseason and squeezed out the state titlein a very tight game that extended deepinto the second overtime.The team also accomplished anotherachievement during the season, givingHead Coach Fred Winey his 100th winJonathan CharlesSenior Maddie Brubaker and the 2012 softballteam were recognized for the third consecutiveyear by the National Fastpitch Coaches Associationfor having one of the top GPAs in the country.

with a victory over Lebanon Catholic onOct. 11.The soccer team’s success is just themost recent example of the strength ofLancaster Mennonite’s athletics. Theschool earned its first state title in 2004when the chess team ran the table.In the past decade, the Blazers haveconsistently added to that stash. LMShas two individual state titles from trackrunner Lindsey Shertzer, 2007, andgolfer David Denlinger,2009, and twomore team titles fromthe 2008 girls soccerteam and the 2011boys soccer team.Lancaster Mennonitestudent athletesexcel in the classroomLindsey Shertzer, 2007as well.For the thirdconsecutive year, thesoftball team wasrecognized by theNational FastpitchCoaches Associationfor having one of thetop team GPAs in thecountry. The 2012David Denlinger, 2009team was ranked 26thin the country. In 2011, the Blazers wereranked 18th and, in 2010, the team wasranked 33rd.With hopes of adding to the breadthof its athletic offerings, the LancasterMennonite School Board recently approvedof a partnership with LancasterCatholic for football. The partnershipmust be approved by District 3 and thePIAA before it becomes official. Thoserulings are expected to be made thisspring and effective for the fall season.The schools entered a similar partnershipfor orchestra and marching bandbefore the beginning of the 2012-13school year.2012 graduates Trisha Tshudy, Benji Kennel and Keegan Rosenberry all played in NCAA soccerchampionship games this fall. Photos provided by Messiah Athletics and Candace Rosenberry.Alumni succeed at collegiate levelKeegan Rosenberry and Benji Kennel,both 2012 graduates, made a mark on theboys soccer program as the captains ofthe state championship team.That gold medal was simply a sign ofthings to come for the college freshmen.Rosenberry, Kennel and fellow 2012graduate Trisha Tshudy all competed inthe NCAA national championship gamesfor their respective divisions this fall.Rosenberry earned a starting defensiveback position with the Division I GeorgetownHoyas, helping the team cruise toits first championship appearance in programhistory. The Hoyas fell to Indiana,1-0, on Dec. 10.Kennel and Tshudy both joined traditionalDivision III powerhouse MessiahCollege. The Falcons once again claimedboth the men’s and women’s titles thisyear, marking the fourth time they haveThe agreement would allow LancasterMennonite students to play with theCrusaders football team, marking thefirst time LMS offers football in theschool’s 70-year history.The Blazers also have a partnershipwith Pequea Valley for it’s newest sport:Bowling. The partnership allows Pequeaaccomplished that feat in school history.No other institution at any level has haddouble champions.Kennel said his experience at LMH wasvery beneficial to helping prepare him forthe college game.“Since Coach Winey is a Messiah socceralum, we played the same formation andstyle as the Messiah men’s team,” he said.He said his favorite part of playing atLancaster Mennonite was just getting topractice and play everyday with his teammatesand friends.He admitted that realizing he’s a nationalchampion just a year after being astate champion is a bit surreal.“During the season, we treated eachgame as if it were a big one, which allowedus to stay focused and play wellonce the NCAA tournament arrived,” hesaid.Valley students the opportunity to playon a highschool teameven thoughtheir schooldoes notoffer thesport. Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 | 7

sc h o o l n e w sCelebrating AchievementsStudents selected for PMEAThree LMS students were selected toparticipate in the PMEA District 7 musicfestivals this winter.Anika Keys-LudwigSenior Jon Sauder, Bass 2, and juniorEsteban Nieves, Tenor 1, were both chosenfor the district chorus festival fromFeb. 8-9. Junior Anika Keys-Ludwig,violin, was chosen for the district orchestrafestival, which took place Jan. 11-12.Esteban Nieves and Jon Sauder willboth participate in the District 7 choralfestival.Stephanie WeaverJuniors focus onthe futureThe Lancaster campus was transformedinto a career and college fair on Nov. 29,helping juniors get a jump start on planningfor the future.During the morning, students could visitfive different career sessions to learn moredetails about fields of interest. About 35guest speakers participated in the event.After lunch, the class worked through fourcollege and career sessions before spendingthe last hour of the day perusing themany college displays set up in Gym A.Stephanie WeaverWeber judges at Farm showUtilizing her 32 years of experienceas the LMS Director of Food Services,Dottie Weber served as a judge for thebaked goods competition at the FarmShow. While Weber did not judge thehigh dollar contests, she did chosewinners in more than 15 categories,sampling roughly 200 entries. It wasthe first time she has served as a judge,but Weber said she would love tovolunteer again.FFA Students Receive highest honorHighlighting the dedication and success of Lancaster Mennonite’s Hans HerrFFA Chapter, seven seniors received Keystone Degrees, the state’s top FFA award,during the Pa. FFA Association’s 83rd Mid-Winter Convention at the Farm Show.Shown below, the award winners are, L-R: Colleen Andrews, Marshall Horst,Katey Ebaugh, Jon Snader, Sara Schlosser, Andrew Wassall and Abigail Rineer.ELI PassageJuniors check out the Goshen Collegedisplay at the college fair set up inGym A.8 | Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3Ryan King

Judi Mollenkof, J. Daniel Martin, EloyRodriguez and Mary Jane “MJ” Smithwill move into new leadership roles forthe 2013-14 school year.Taylor connectswhile leadingCommitment WeekGary HillerLeadership transitionsLancaster Mennonite School announced several key leadership transitions as theschool prepares for the future.At the start of the 2013-14 school year, Judi Mollenkof will be principal of theKraybill and Locust Grove campuses. Mollenkof became principal of the New Danvillecampus in 1999 and added the Locust Grove Campus in 2007.Mary Jane “MJ” Smith, the current middle school leader at the Kraybill Campus,will assist Mollenkof as the assistant principal at the Kraybill and Locust Grovecampuses.Eloy Rodriguez will move from being the lead teacher at the New DanvilleCampus to a part-time principal and part-time teacher for the PreK-5 school. Heis currently in the school leadership program at Millersville University to earn hisprincipal certificate.J. Daniel Martin, the current principal at the Kraybill Campus, will work at instructionalimprovement at all campuses during the next year. His work will focuson developing new tools to evaluate instruction for the school, including studentand parent surveys, and establishing baselines to provide a structure for increasedinstructional effectiveness.Cheese and The Avengers are not typicalchapel topics. But then again, Rev. Al Taylorisn’t your typical speaker.The pastor of Infinity Mennonite Churchin Harlem, New York, served as the guestspeaker for CommitmentWeekthis fall. Taylorchallenged studentsto be fullycommitted to Godby breaking loosefrom distractionsand striving to dotheir best.In addition tospeaking atchapel, Taylor alsoengaged withstudents duringlunch, buildingstronger relationships.gary hillerFall Sports All-StarsThe league champion boys soccerteam placed two players on theall-league team. Senior midfielderCJ Sturges had nine goals and eightassists, while junior midfielder ZachLehman recorded four goals and twoassists throughout the season.Senior back Colleen Andrews earnedall-league honors for field hockey withseven goals and seven assists. Andrewswas also named to the all-state firstteam. Senior Ketura Landis and juniorCarissa Gehman were all-state honorablementions.Senior Chloe Mattilio earned a spoton the all-league cross country team,finishing seventh in the league meet. CJ SturgesColleen AndrewsZach LehmanChloe MattilioSpring musicalchanged to GodspellBased on the results of auditions, the LMSdrama program chose to change the springmusical from Hello, Dolly! to Godspell.Director Dean Sauder said the changewill better accommodate the students’talents. The change also means that no cutsneeded to be made.Sauder addedthat the LMSversion of themusical basedon the Gospelof Matthew willinclude Christ’sresurrection.Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 | 9

Auntie Anne’s providesscholarship fundsA group of students welcomed Billtax years. Separate taxDunn, chief operating officer andcredit programs alsopresident of Auntie Anne’s, Inc, to theprovide for scholarshipsLancaster Campus on Nov. 14.for prekindergarten stu-Dunn and his company helpedprovide funds for need-based scholarshipsthrough the state’s EducationalImprovement Tax Credit program. Severalrecipients of the scholarships wereable to speak with Dunn personallyabout the difference an LMS educationdents and students fromthe bottom 15 percent ofpublic elementary andsecondary schools, basedon PSSA scores.LMS has also expanded its meritscholarship program to include newBill Dunn of Auntie Anne’s, Inc, isgreeted by J. Richard Thomas, superintendent,and several students duringhis visit Dec. 14.Gary Hilleris making in their lives.The EITC program allows businessesstudents entering grades six throughtwelve. Under the expanded program,Spring Auctionsa substantial tax credit for providingscholarships to students in need offinancial aid. A business can receive atax credit equal to 75 percent of its contributionup to a maximum of $300,000per taxable year. The amount can beincreased to 90 percent of the contributionif the business agrees to providethe same amount for two consecutivenew applicants can receive a one-time$500 scholarship based on academicability, character and leadership. Theapplication date is March 1.More information about all types ofscholarships is available in the admissionssection of the school’s website,www.lancastermennonite.org, or bycalling 717-292-0436, ext. 721.Three spring auctions will provide away for families, alumni and others tosupport LMS students. Proceeds go tothe Annual Fund which keeps tuitionaffordable.• New Danville Campus – April 5• Locust Grove Campus – April 19• Kraybill Campus Auction & PigRoast – May 10-11Register for summerday campsLancaster Mennonite School willhost several exciting day camps thissummer.In addition to soccer, basketball,volleyball and field hockey camps, LMSwill also offer cooking, painting, drawingand sewing camps.For more information about thisyear’s camps, visit www.lancastermennonite.org/camps.Mark your calendarFeb. 25High School Talent Show at 7 p.m.Feb. 28 - March 1 MSC HS Band/Orchestra Festival at Christopher DockMarch 7-8 Lancaster MS Drama, The Trumpet of the Swan, 7 p.m.March 21MS Fine Arts Festival at Lancaster Campus, 6:30 p.m.March 22Kraybill grades 4-5 music program, 7 p.m.April 12MCCL at Willow Street Mennonite ChurchApril 12-14 MSC High School Choir Festival at Christopher DockApril 20MCCL at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lancaster, 7:30 p.m.April 21MCCL at Weaverland Mennonite Church, East Earl, 6 p.m.April 24LMS Golf Tournament at Conestoga Country ClubApril 25-27 High School Musical, Godspell, 7:30 p.m. daily, 2 p.m. Sat.April 28MCCL at Mellinger Mennonite Church, Lancaster, 6:30 p.m.May 4MCCL at Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, 7 p.m.May 5MCCL at Mount Joy Mennonite Church, 6 p.m.Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 | 1 1

a l u m n i n o t e sCELEBRATING 70 YEARSJoin alumni around the world in giving the giftof an LMS education to today’s students. Your giftto Phonathon makes it possible for students to beled by Christian teachers who model their convictionsand have a passion to share God’s love withtheir students.Give a gift today in celebration of our 70thyear. New gifts and gifts that increase over prioryear giving will be matched by our generousChallenge Fund matching donors.Right: Ruth Ressler, 1950, Hoober helps makecalls to fellow alumni during the 2010 Phoneathoncampaign.Fern CLEMMERClass notesIsaac “Ike” Glick, 1949, Edmonton,Alberta in Canada, serves on the boardfor Canadian Peacemakers Internationaland is currently working with adevelopment project in Honduras. Theproject includes the Computer AidedLearning Initiative, which bringscomputers and computer education torural peasant communities where thereare no schools. The initiative is hopingto go country-wide for grades 1-9. CPIis currently collecting used computersin order to meet the growing need.Marlene Faith Brubaker, 1983,Philadelphia, received The President’sVolunteer Service Award in 2010 afterspending a summer teaching Englishin France through an organizationcalled GeoVision. Following thatproject, she taught word processingand Excel computer skills in SouthAfrica with International VolunteersHeadquarters and planted trees to helpsave the endangered Southern RedtailedBlack Cockatoo in Australia.Brubaker teaches Green Technology atCamden County Technical School inPennsauken, NJ, and advises SkillsUSAand Practical Politics clubs.Matthew Weaver, 2003, Lancaster,was hired as the Associate Director ofDevelopment and Alumni Relations atHarrisburg Academy.Eli Passage, 2007, Akron, is interningat Lancaster Mennonite School in thecommunication and marketing department.He oversees the school’s presenceon social media and shoots andedits videos for marketing purposes.MarriagesAlmeda Wadel Martin, 1953, andWalter Lehman, July 30, 2001. Theylive in Shippensburg.Jairo Paulino, 1998, and KassandraKane, 1999, July 28, 2012 in Switzerland.They live in Wilmington, Del.Jodi Lapp, 1994, and Jesse Fahnestock,September 4, 2011. They live in Coatesvilleand work with a non-profit organizationcalled Hope Beyond Borders.BIRTHSTodd, 2004, and Mandie Denlinger,Lancaster, fourth child, a son, CooperMartin, Oct. 1, 2012.Amos and Jodi Nolt, 1998, Burkepile,Elizabethtown, third child, second son,Tyler Ian, June 29, 2012.ADOPTIONSHeather Rodenberger, 1979, SpokaneWash., two daughters: Madeleine Mei,9, from Luoynang, China; and BridgetMei, 6, from Beijing, China.DEATHSEarl E. Meyer, 1966, Manor Township,Aug. 29, 2012.Joyce Rutt Eby, 1959, Dillsburg, Nov.24, 2012. Rutt worked for MennoniteMutual Aid and taught mathematicsat Lancaster Mennonite, BethanyChristian and Eastern Mennonite highschools.Helen A. Peachey, 1954, Walnut, May4, 2012.Erma Shirk, 1954, Goshen, Ind., Aug.4, 2012.J. Lorraine Breneman, 1967, Strasburg,Dec. 4, 2012. 2013 CLASS REUNIONS1948 ....................................April 13, 20131953 ....................................April 27, 2013For more details go to www.lancastermennonite.orgor contact Heidi Stoltzfusat stoltzfushe@lancastermennonite.orgor (717) 299-0436, ext. 308.1 2 | Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3

Al u m n a of the yearTashya Leaman Dalen, 1992Growing RelationshipsWith a heart for the hurting and a green thumb, Dalen uses her giftsto spread the peace and love of Jesus Christ to those seeking new life.Tashya Leaman Dalen helps students from aHarrisburg school plant a garden. Dalen beganan after-school garden club, teaching studentsabout vegetables and healthy living.Tashya Leaman Dalen admits her careerpath has been more of a windingroad than a straight path.Still, the 1992 graduate has continuouslyfound ways to use her love ofnature and passion for war-tornsocieties to impact those in hercommunity and leave lastingimpressions.“It’s been sort of variousprojects that kind of cumulativelypoint in the directionof bringing peopletogether,” she said.The Harrisburg freelancelandscape artist foundedthe Good Land Collaborativein 2012 and works withpartners in the city on communitydevelopment projects. Shereceived her master’s in landscapearchitecture from Cornell Universityand a bachelor’s degree inhistory at Messiah College.She is currently working todevelop relationships withmembers of a large Nepalrefugee community in herneighborhood.“I’m hoping to work withthem on a garden project andrecord their stories,” she said. “I’mreally interested in understandingthe journey they’ve taken and howthey use the land.”Dalen said her interest in othercultures began while she was a studentat LMS and interacted with manyinternational students.“LMS definitely contributed with itsinternational students and representinga global perspective in a lot of theteaching and chapels,” she said.While studying history at Messiah,she focused on the impact of war onsocieties. “I think with my Anabaptistupbringing, I also wanted to knowwhat ways I can contribute to peacebuilding,”she said.So Dalen turned to her love of theenvironment to bring life to those thathave seen so much destruction.“I think there’s something life-givingabout having nature in the city,” she said.While she loves celebrating thediversity of God’s creation, Dalen saidthe real value of her projects is therelationships formed with others.“It is not just the end result, but alot of the time with these big projects,there are many hands that make ithappen,” she said. “Volunteers and innercity kids are working together andbeing exposed to each other , which issomething they may not have an opportunityfor anywhere else.”Dalen is on the board for a neworganization in Harrisburg calledMakeSpace. She also serves on theboard of the Covenant CommunityDevelopment Corporation and is amember of the Messiah College President’sLeadership Council.She and her husband, Craig, attendSecond City Church and had their firstchild, Naomi, in October. Bridges W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 | 1 3

Al u m n u s of the yearLinford Fisher, 1993Telling a new storyLinford Fisher aims to give a new perspective on early American history by focusing on the oftenoverlooked stories of native cultures through researching manuscripts and forging relationships.The assignment didn’t seem like a bigdeal to Linford Fisher at the time.However, the journal he was requiredto keep for his Kingdom Living classduring his senior year at LancasterMennonite is much more significantnow to the assistant professor of historyat Brown University.“Not only have I started journalingagain, but as a historian, that is whatI’m using in my work,” he said. “Encouragingself-reflection and writingstuff down is great.”Fisher leaned heavily on journals andstories from several Native Americansin his recently published book, “TheIndian Great Awakening: Religion andthe Shaping of Native Cultures in EarlyAmerica” (Oxford University Press,2012).The book focuses on colonialismfrom the perspective of the NativeAmericans and how those influencesimpacted their culture.In order to get a fair representation,Fisher spent a lot of time interviewingmembers of the native groups he writesabout.“These people are still around andwrestling with this stuff,” he said.After countless positive reviews to hisfirst work, Fisher is already kneedeepin his next project, which willfocus on Africans and Indianswho were enslaved overseas.“The idea of thinking abouthistory with a mindfulnessof the points of pressureand persecution that weas Mennonites havenaturally, with our heritageand background,certainly influences theway I thought aboutearly American history,”he said.He has taught at Brown for four yearsand also helps with the music at ProvidencePresbyterian Church.After graduating from LMS in 1993,Fisher spent two years playing drumsin a rock-and-roll band while workingas an electrician for his father.He eventually enrolled at LancasterBible College and received his bachelor’sdegree in Bible history. He went onto get two master’s degrees in churchhistory and religion from Gordon-ConwellTheological Seminary and later hisdoctorate in American religious historyfrom Harvard University.At LMS, Fisher served as vicepresident of his senior class and was anall-star soccer player, but he admits heonly got serious about academics abouthalfway through college.Still, he said LMS played a large partin who he is now.“I was more influenced than I realizedby this culture of not just academic expertiseand rigor, but of classes taughtin a way with investment and involvement,”he said.Fisher said the input and mentoringfrom his teachers also affected the wayhe now interacts with students.“It’s really about getting present daystudents to think in a more reflectiveway, not only about the past, but theongoing present,” he said.He and his wife, Jo Wenger, 1992,Fisher, live in Cranston, Rhode Island,with their four children: Eden, 10; Elliot,8; Helena, 5; and Harrison, 4. 1 4|

Al u m n u s of the yearJ. Nelson Kraybill, 1972Stepping into the spotlightDespite a lack of focus in high school, J. Nelson Kraybill received the encouragement and guidance he neededfrom LMS teachers to help prepare him for his new role as president-elect of Mennonite World Conference.As an eighth grader, J. Nelson Kraybillhad an inferiority complex about beingMennonite.But everything changed in LeonGood’s Bible class at Kraybill MennoniteSchool when he heard about some of thefirst Anabaptists.“All of a sudden, I realized here arerole models of heroic and intellectuallyrigorous witness,” he said.As the newly appointed president-electof Mennonite World Conference, the1970 graduate is becoming one of thoseheroes.His new position will take him all overthe world to visit many of the 84 countriesin the conference. He will formallybecome the leader at the beginning ofthe 2015 MWC assembly in Harrisburg.The volunteer position serves as thechair of the officers group and functionsas the spokesperson for the global community.“I’m realizing whatI say might geta little bitmoreattention now that I’m a person who isa recognized authority,” he said. “It’s alittle bit daunting, but I’m honored andgrateful.”Kraybill is eager for the North Americanchurch to learn from the globalcommunity and mesh together its call topeace, justice and evangelism.“There are plenty of groups that do oneor the other, but our particular strengthas a Mennonite people is that integrationof the ethics and peacemaking witha clear call to conversion through thecross and resurrection,” he said.He’s come a long way from what hecalls a time of “tumultuous development”at LMS.“I was going through rambunctiousintellectual, physical and social developmentand academic discipline seemedboring to me,” he said.One turning point was whenMyron Dietz asked him tolead a lecture in his sociologyclass, despite his poorgrades.“The way people performacademically at age 17 mightnot be the measure of theirpotential,” he said. “Ifound the school was aplace where many of thefaculty cared about meand that caring, mentoringand role modeling shapedme more than just the contentof the classes.”Kraybill went on toearn his bachelor’s in history fromGoshen College, his master’s fromPrinceton Theological Seminary andhis doctorate from Union TheologicalSeminary in Virginia.He was first licensed and ordainedas a pastor at Taftsville Chapel MennoniteChurch in Vermont. He alsoserved as the program director at theLondon Mennonite Center in Englandfrom 1991 to 1996 before becomingthe President of Associated MennoniteBiblical Seminary from 1996 to 2008.He currently serves as the pastor atPrairie Street Mennonite Church inElkhart, Ind., where his primary focus islocal ministry.Kraybill lives in Elkhart with his wife,Ellen, who is a physical therapist atElkhart General Hospital. The couplehas two daughters:Laura , who teachestheatre and communicationsat HesstonCollege, andAndrea, whois on a twoyearmissionassignmentin Managua,Nicaragua.

2176 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA 17602POSTMASTER:Time Sensitive Material.Requested in Home Dates Feb. 7-9Non-ProfitU.S. PostagePAIDLancaster, PAPermit No. 955Parents: 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. Contact Heidi Stoltzfus atstoltzfushe@lancastermennonite.org or (717) 299-0436, ext. 308. Thank you.Centered in Christ • Transforming Lives • Changing our WorldVisitation OpportunitiesPROSPECTIVESTUDENTDAYLancaster Campus onlyMarch 19SPRINGOPEN HOUSELancaster Campus onlyMay 51–3 p.m.For more informationor to schedule a visitKraybill Campus, grades PreK–8(717) 653-5236Lancaster Campus, grades 6–12(717) 299-0436, ext. 312Locust Grove Campus, grades PreK–8(717) 394-7107www.lancastermennonite.orgNew Danville Campus, grades PreK–5(717) 872-2506