Spring 2009 - Lancaster Mennonite School

LANCASTER MENNONITE SCHOOLwww.lancastermennonite.orgSPRING 2009Let the children play, page 2Open house and newadvertising options, page 5Calling students to radicallove, page 6

contents4 A walk of prayer6 Heinly calls studentsto a radical love12 Alumni news14 A passion for learning:Karl Stoltzfus15 Networking Breakfast16 From the superintendentBridges 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, grades 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.org.Editor, writer: Fern Clemmerclemmerfe@lancastermennonite.orgVolume 36, No. 4cover photo: Five LMS billboards willsoon invite Lancaster County drivers toconsider the LMS Difference. Reducedadvertising rates and diminishing readershipof print media have promptedLMS to consider new advertising options.The billboard on the cover is locatedalong Route 272 near Brownstown.PHOTO: GARY HILLERFREE PLAY ENHANCES A HOLISTIC, EXCELLENT EDUCATIONLet the children playIn the good old days, recess was ahighlight of the day for school children.Today, however, some schoolsare reducing or even eliminating recesstime in order to prepare their childrenfor the increased testing required bythe federal “No Child Left Behind” Act.At Lancaster Mennonite School,recess is still viewed as being an importantpart of the day for elementary children.Parents like New Danville parentDeb McCoy say they are glad.“I am encountering more and moreschools in my work that are eliminatingrecess, and I find it appalling,” saidMcCoy, who formerly worked at thePennsylvania Department of Educationand is now an education consultant.“This is indeed an extremely shortsightedapproach to learning and educatingthe whole child. No wonder ourkids are so tied to the electronic worldand many don’t want to go outdoorsany more.”According to research, providingfree play and exercise can actually helpincrease academic performance. ScienceDaily,published at the Universityof Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2009,April 1), says: “Physical activity mayincrease students’ cognitive control—orability to pay attention—and also resultin better performance on academicachievement tests.” The essaydescribes testing that shows “theincrease in reading comprehensionfollowing exercise equated to approximatelya full gradelevel.”Research from theNational Associationfor Sport and PhysicalEducation (May 2006)also discusses the tiebetween inactivity/poor nutritional habitsand the 16 percent ofchildren who are overweight.Elementary childrenat the Kraybill, LocustGrove and NewDanville campusesenjoy at least twotimes out of the classroomeach day—either two recesses, orone recess and one physical educationclass. Kraybill Principal John Webersays his faculty believe “free play timeis essential” in the holistic growth ofchildren.“Free play enhances physical growth,provides opportunity for children todevelop social skills through negotiatingtheir play activity and rules,” hesaid, “and it also enhances creativityand imagination.”Weber, who sometimes joins thechildren at recess, said he is “alwaysimpressed to see students negotiatethe rules and referee their own play.”“The cultivation of interpersonalskills and group cooperation has nobetter setting for growth than duringrecess,” he said.For New Danville teacher SarahFichter, recess is a great time to observestudents and how they interact witheach other.“How a student plays at recess is agood indicator of whether or not a studentmight have insecurities with othersor if it’s more of an insecurity with(academic) material,” she said. “If Inotice a student is withdrawn in classbut is quick to join in with classmatesat recess, I am not as concerned as if Isee a student withdrawn during academicsand recess.“Recess can be a time of conflict forstudents, and I have often used timeafter recess to talk through situations2 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

with my class to help teach them positiveconflict resolution strategies.”Judi Mollenkof, principal of NewDanville and Locust Grove, told thestory of another teacher whose very shystudent had set a goal to include othersin her play. One day the teacherobserved the shy student making adeliberate effort to reach out, so theteacher affirmed the student afterward.Later, the parent thanked the teacher forher caring observation and followthrough.“Recess does give (teachers) anopportunity to interact and observestudents in a different setting than theclassroom,” Mollenkof said. “It can bevery helpful in giving insight about thestudents and also in building relationshipswith them.” ■Register by June 5 for fall season!MENNONITE SPORTS ORGANIZATIONScheduleFall: Boys soccer, PreK-6Girls field hockey, grades 1-6Winter: Boys and girls basketball, grades 2-6Spring: Girls soccer, PreK-6Providing Christ-centeredsports opportunities forelementary-age childrenFor more information and to register,please go to www.mennonitesports.orgor call Susan Burkholder at (717) 394-7107.Free play is an important part of the growthprocess for students at Lancaster Mennonite’sthree elementary campuses: Kraybill,shown on page 2 photo, Locust Grove, atright; and New Danville, below. All threecampuses enjoy state-of-the-art playgroundequipment. KRAYBILL PHOTO: JONATHAN CHARLES.NEW DANVILLE PHOTO: EDIE HESSBRIDGES • SPRING 2009 3

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT A NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITYA walk of prayerBy Rebecca Kraybill, LMS seniorWho would thinkthat God would usea group of highschool students tobless LancasterCounty?- LMS Bible teacherJ. W. SprungerThis past fall, LMS Bible teacher J. W.Sprunger watched an idea come to life rightbefore his eyes.Also serving as director of church relations atLancaster Mennonite, Sprunger had the opportunityto attend five regional “plunges” or prayerwalks. Introduced by Lancaster Mennonite Conference,each plunge was a day where church leaderswent into local communities and prayed,talked, and visited with the people. The hope wasthat testimonies from the experience could beshared with congregations, to show how God hasbeen working in people’s lives.Each plunge Sprunger attended produced interestingstories and moving testimonies which hethen began to share with his Kingdom Livingclasses.After hearing multiple stories, several studentsexpressed interest in joining the prayer walks.Realizing it would be a great way to involve LancasterCounty youth in the ministry, Sprungerdecided to pursue the idea.“The pastors were very excited, also,”Sprunger said. “They said, ‘Just call me up ifLMS Senior Devin Troy (left, in group of three), senior Kori Wenger, and LMS Bible Teacher J. W.Sprunger connect with an employee at La Dolce Vita Courthouse Bakery on Duke Street in downtownLancaster during the school’s December prayer walk.you plan to go!’”Getting approval from Principal Miles Yoderand a school council, Sprunger took the idea to hisstudents. After 57 students showed interest and 28gave firm commitments, walks were scheduled forDecember 12 and January 8.Both prayer walks started at 8:00 in the morningwith an orientation by Clair Good, a bishopand representative of Eastern Mennonite Missions.Students were then split into groups of two, witheach pair assigned to a pastor. The groups traveledto Lancaster City, officially starting the plungearound 9:00.In general, both prayer walks followed a veryrelaxed, go-with-the-flow system. The groupswere encouraged to find a business or building thatthey thought would benefit from the prayer—anythingfrom a bakery to a sporting goods store to abank. Then the group said a prayer for the business,whether going into the building or just stayingoutside. In other cases, the group encountereda person on the street and asked if they wanted tobe prayed for.Of course, when interacting with a large varietyof people, different reactions resulted.Sometimes people simply didn’t wantto be prayed for. Instead there was conversationor dialogue in which the studentswere able to get a glimpse into theperson’s life—what their family is like,what their job is, maybe a hardshipthey’ve faced.“Above all, it’s blessing the people,”Sprunger said about the walks.The combination of prayer, blessing,and dialogue provided the participantswith a moving experience. More thananything, the walk was a hands-onexperience of meeting new people andgrasping a sense of the humanity withinthem.Senior Solomon Rudy attended theDecember prayer walk. He ended up inLancaster’s Central Market, talking toa man about his views on religion.“It was a great experience,” Rudysaid. “It was just good to get out andtalk to people. It was an effective wayto share faith through dialogue.”After the hour and a half walk, thegroups returned to Lancaster Mennonitewhere they processed what they hadexperienced.4 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

Since this new program has been such a success,there is a real possibility it will continue. Withover 30 students involved in these first walks andmany more expressing interest, the program certainlyhas caught the attention of students and faculty.■This story was adapted froman article that first appearedin the January 2009 issueof the Millstream, the school’sstudent newspaper. RebeccaKraybill is feature editor forthe Millstream.Prayer walkschange livesRebecca KraybillAt Lancaster Mennonite School the two“plunges” or prayer walks held this pastyear helped students view the people aroundthem through new lenses and gave them anew zest for service. For example:• This spring two students attended anorientation at the Water Street RescueMission to learn how they couldreach out to the homeless in LancasterCity. In May a third hopes toattend the orientation.• Another student excitedly toldSprunger: “I can do this anytime; Idon’t need special training!” His pastorasked him to share his prayerwalk experience during a Sundaymorning church service.According to Sprunger, students are learningthat they can bless the people they meetin their everyday experience by simply listeningand caring.“I’ve seen changed lives,” Sprunger saidabout his students. “This (way of doingevangelism and prayer) can feel so natural tothem. Who would think that God would usea group of high school students to bless LancasterCounty?”Reaching out, spreading the wordDue to the recession, the cost of television and billboard advertisingis greatly reduced as businesses cut back. This provides LMS withthe opportunity to advertise in these media while staying withinbudget. It also helps get the word out during a time when readershipof print materials such as newspapers is diminishing.Taking advantage of good rates and the availability of good locations,the school has purchased a package of five billboards that willfirst appear in mid-May. Watch for LMS billboards on Route 230 nearMount Joy, Route 30 and Dillersville Road near Lancaster, Route 272near Brownstown, and Route 23 in Leola.In addition, theschool has been runningads on FOX 43News at 10 (the mostwatchednews in ourarea) with 60 additionaldaytime spots thrownin for free. The adsbegan in April and willrun until the May 17open house.Although mediaadvertising is highlyvisible, the school recognizesthat word-ofmouthand personalcontacts are the mosteffective way to tellothers about the benefitsof our school.Thank you, our readers,for sharing the LMSdifference with prospectivestudents and familiesas you have theopportunity. ■OPEN HOUSEMAY 17Five LMS billboards—designed after feedbackfrom students, parents and staff—will sooninvite Lancaster County drivers to consider theLMS Difference. Reduced advertising rates anddiminishing readership of print media haveprompted LMS to consider new advertisingoptions. PHOTO: GARY HILLERALUMNI DINING HALLLANCASTER CAMPUS1-3 P.M.• Information about all four campuses • Campus tours• Program and scholarship information • Refreshments• High school spring concert follows at 3 p.m.BRIDGES • SPRING 2009 5

CENTERED IN CHRIST, TRANSFORMING LIVES, CHANGING OUR WORLDHeinly calls Kraybill students to radical loveWe are blessed byGod and weshould share ourblessings withpeople in need.- Kraybill eighth graderAlthough spiritual nurture occurs daily at theKraybill Campus, middle school studentslook forward to a special treat each winter whena guest speaker joins them for five consecutivechapel services. Called Spiritual Growth Week,the event focuses on a theme that invites biblicalstudy and discussion.This year Jon Heinly, who serves as youth ministerfor middle and high school grades in the LMSsystem, invited the Kraybill middle school studentsto look at what the Bible says about abundantliving in Jesus Christ. Based on John 10:10,Heinly’s theme was titled, “Get a Life: The GoodNews of Jesus.” Heinly incorporated skits, Biblestories, and small group discussions into his dailyvisits.On Monday, Heinly explained the value ofGod’s commands providing order in the world.Even sports require rules if they’re going to beenjoyable, he said. Tuesday brought a discussionof sin and God’s unconditional love and grace.On Wednesday, Heinly used John 15’s story of theVine and the Branches to discuss the importanceof staying connected to God through the HolySpirit. And he used Galatians 5 to teach themabout the fruits of the Spirit.On Thursday, Heinly used the parable of TheGood Samaritan and the story of 16th centurymartyr Dirk Willems to illustrate what happenswhen one lives out the fruits of the Spirit. In theearly days of Anabaptist persecution, Willemsdied when the persecutor he rescued from drowninghad Willems executed.“That is a really radical love,” Heinly said,“but that’s what it means to love our neighbor.”In brainstorming on how they might love theirneighbor, the students came up with responsessuch as “Don’t talk about others behind theirbacks,” “Be respectful,” “Invite someone to sitwith you at lunch,” and “Don’t laugh when someonegives the wrong answer.”On Friday the discussions turned more global.Outside the school building, the students formed ahuman graph that illustrated poverty in the world.Middle School Principal Daniel Martin said that“Twelve, 13 and 14-year-olds became somber”when they realized that one percent of the world’spopulation controls 40 percent of the earth’sresources and that we in North America are thatone percent.Heinly finished that final day with stories fromGenesis, Micah, James and Matthew that describethe kind of action that comes from loving Jesus.“We will want to turn around and share with othersthe blessing we’ve received,” Heinly said, encouragingstudents to “listen to the call for service” andlook for opportunities to alleviate suffering in theworld, even if it doesn’t involve lifetime missionwork.Chapels and homeroom devotions are just asmall part of the spiritual nurture that happens atthe school’s four campuses. Throughout the PreKto grade 12 system, Christlike values are taught byChristian teachers in all classes and extracurricularactivities.All campuses also have a strong Bible curriculum,parents and teachers who meet regularly topray for their students, and service projects thatencourage students to express Christlike love toothers. At the high school and middle school levels,peer leadership programs allow older studentsto serve as spiritual mentors to younger students.At the high school and Kraybill campuses, therealso are student-led Bible studies. ■LMS Youth Minister Jon Heinlyenjoys connecting with Kraybillstudents during Kraybill’sSpiritual Growth Week. Heinlygraduated from LancasterMennonite in 2003.PHOTO: J. DANIEL MARTIN6 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

Students respond toSpiritual Growth WeekDuring Kraybill’s Spiritual Growth Week, speakerJon Heinly encouraged the students to express theirfeelings in writing. The following is a sampling oftheir responses.An important idea I will remember:• When we hate someone, we have already murderedthem in our heart.• God’s love is unconditional and never-ending.• I can’t obey God on my own, but the Holy Spiritwill give me power and strength to follow God’splan for my life.• We are blessed by God, and we should share ourblessings with people in need.Questions I wrestle with:• Why do I get so many blessings when others getso little?• Is this choice going to pull me away from God oris it going to pull me near to God?• What am I on this earth to do?• What does it feel like to have no money, food, orfresh water? How can I help the homeless who Ican’t physically or financially reach?• How can God forgive us so easily when it is sohard for us to forgive others?To be more connected to God, I may need to:• Read scripture more.• Pray more.• Be more compassionate to people who are goingthrough tough times.• Spend less time on the computer so that I spendmore time with God.• Change how I talk to and treat my family, especiallymy parents.• I want to be baptized.• Give more of what I have to those who are not asfortunate.• Love my neighbors as myself, no matter what theylook like, how they act, or what they say.Top photo: Kraybill students form a human graph to show howunfairly the world’s resources are distributed. Middle photo: JonHeinly uses a skit about the Good Samaritan parable to illustratehow one can live out the fruits of the Spirit. Bottom photo: Kraybillstudents meet in small groups to discuss how Heinly’s presentationapplies to them. PHOTOS: J. DANIEL MARTINBRIDGES • SPRING 2009 7

Celebrating achievements• Lauren Stoltzfus has been selected as a finalist in the2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.• Senior Abigail Hertzler was awarded a Silver Medal andan American Voices Medal in the National Level Scholasticcompetition for her dramatic script, “Hoofprints on theHeart.” She was the only one from our region to win anaward at this level. Earlier the piece received a Gold Keyaward during the 2009 Scholastic Writing Contest; Kraybilleighth grader Olivia Esbenshade received a Gold Keyfor her personal essay.Lauren Stoltzfus Abigail Hertzler Olivia Esbenshade• Five LMS students received Gold Awards in the LancasterCounty Young Artists Program this winter. Theyare senior Molly Kraybill, junior Emma Lindsey, seniorNicole Simpson, Locust Grove eighth grader SarahSchlosser, Kraybill eighth grader Gordon Dimmig, andKraybill seventh grader Lauren Sweigart. In addition, 24Silver Awards, 46 Exhibition Awards, and one MeritAward were presented to LMS students.• Girls soccer coach Dale Stoltzfus hasbeen named the National SoccerCoaches Association of America andAdidas State Girls Coach of the Yearfor Private/Parochial Schools for2008.L-R: Nicole Simpson, Molly Kraybill and Emma Lindsey.PHOTO PAUL BRUBAKER• LMMS eighth grader Chloe Mattiliotook first prize ($500) in a Holocaustessay contest. Chloe studied aboutthe Holocaust in her language artsclass with teacher Alice Lauver.Dale Stoltzfus• Senior Eric Umble was recentlyaccepted to represent the UnitedStates in the International YouthWind Orchestra. This is a group ofmusicians ages 18–25 from all overthe world. The group will performJuly 5-11 at the World Associationfor Symphonic Bands and Ensembles(WASBE) Conference in Cincinnati,Ohio.• In February the LMS chess team wontheir 10th Lancaster Scholastic ChessLeague Championship. The team wasled by Peter Weida, grade 10, whowent undefeated for the season andfor the fourth consecutive year hasbeen the top player in the league. InChloe MattilioEric Umblestate play, Jung Kwan Kim finished as the second placeunrated player in his category with four wins and oneloss, Kyle Siegfried finished in fourth place in his categorywith four wins and a draw, and Tommy Wanner wonSara SchlosserL-R: Lauren Sweigart and Gordon DimmigAbove, left to right: Adviser Merle Reinford, JungKwan Kim, Tommy Wanner, and Kyle Siegfried.At right: Peter Weida.the trophy for the second highest unratedplayer in the K-8 State Chess tournament.8 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

Jaclyn Gyger• The high school girls basketball teamwon their section title, league championship,and were runners-up in districtsbefore advancing to the statequarter finals. Senior basketball playerKatelyn Vanderhoff was recently chosento the Associated Press Pennsylvaniagirls all-state high schoolbasketball team (Class AA SecondTeam). In late-March she was namedthe Lancaster Newspapers L-L LeaguePlayer of the Year.The girls basketball team celebrates a win over Manheim Townshipto take the L-L League title.David Denlinger• Field Hockey player Jaclyn Gyger andgolfer David Denlinger were awardedathletic scholarships to attend DivisionI schools—Gyger for University ofRichmond and Denlinger forCharleston Southern University.• The high school yearbook, Laurel Wreath, received aGold Medalist rating from Columbia Scholastic PressAssociation for the 15th consecutive year. The book alsoreceived All-Columbian recognition for photography anddesign.FFA winners, left to right: Bryan Miller, Alexandra Hauck, JosiahRohrer, Krista Breneman, Kateyn Leaman and Jay Hernley. BrandonDimmig is missing from the photo.• The following students received recognition at the annualFFA banquet in early April: Krista Breneman, Star Keystonefor On Farm Placement; Alexandra Hauck, Star Keystonefor Off Farm Placement; Brandon Dimmig, OutstandingKeystone Male Leader; Katelyn Leaman, OutstandingKeystone Female Leader; Bryan Miller, AmericanWelding Society; Josiah Rohrer, Dekalb AgriculturalAccomplishment Award; and Jay Hernley, Star Keystoneof Off Farm Entreprenuership. Red Rose Speaking Awardswent to Josiah Rohrer, first in Extemporaneous Speaking;Megan Lehman, first in Creed Speaking; and AllenStoltzfus, third in Creed Speaking.Alumni talk about careers and faithThis winter Lancaster Mennonite High School students had a chanceto consider how their faith can affect career choices and workplacebehavior as they heard from LMS alumni during four chapel presentations.Guest speakers included Duane Lapp, 2002 LMS graduate, a computersupport specialist for Landis Homes Retirement Community;Andrew Hershey, 1972, a high school science teacher at Lancaster Mennonite;Lisa King, 2004, a registered nurse at Lancaster General Hospital;and Jim Smucker, 1979, president of Bird-in-Hand Corporation. Allshared during the January Career and Faith Week except for Smuckerwho spoke in March.Career and Faith Week grew out of the school’s educational strategicaction plan that includes helping students identify gifts and abilities andlearning about various career options. ■Lancaster Mennonite School graduate Lisa King, second fromright, connects with students after her chapel talk during Careerand Faith Week, held in late January.BRIDGES • SPRING 2009 9

■ Dr. Kim Phipps, president of MessiahCollege, will give the commencementaddress at the high school on Saturday,May 30, at 10 a.m. The dedicationservice on Friday, planned by the SeniorClass Committee, will begin at 7 p.m.Tickets are requiredfor Fine Arts Centerseating Saturdaymorning, (limited tothe graduates andtheir guests), butFriday evening’sevent is open to thepublic.Kim Phipps■ Jeffrey Shank,LMS executivedirector ofdevelopment andalumni relations,has been appointedsuperintendent atsister schoolSarasota ChristianJeffrey ShankSchool (SCS),Sarasota, Florida. He begins his newposition on July 1. ■Students and staffgrieve loss of LMSseniorThis spring LMS classmates and staffgrieved the loss of senior Micah Bertholdwho died April 8 from injuries sustained in avehicle accident the day before. About 1,300attended a memorial service at the school onApril 13. Friends and family members—including brothers Dominik, an LMS sophomore,and Jeremy, an LMS sixth-grader—remembered Micah as one who had a greatsense of humor, connected easily with others, and cared about the injusticesin the world.At LMS, Micah played varsity soccer and was a drummer for the jazzband, concert band and the worship band that played for student-led Biblestudies and morning chapels.“He was the kind of spiritual leader on campus we’re going to miss,”said Miles Yoder, principal at the Lancaster Campus.Micah attended West End Mennonite Church where his father, JosefBerthold, is pastor. Micah had interest in becoming a physical therapistand was planning to attend Eastern Mennonite University this fall.LMS wishes to thank all those who reached out to the school duringthis difficult time. Please continue to pray for the Berthold family, theWest End Mennonite Church, and the Lancaster Campus. ■Students plan chapels, learn leadership skillsSpiritual nurture is important at a school whose mission isto transform students so they can change our worldthrough Christlike love, peacemaking and service. At LancasterMennonite School’s four campuses, chapel services arepart of that nurture. Since November nine students havebecome intimately involved in helping faculty plan chapels atthe high school. The students also are encouraged to take partin the chapels.Planning and participating in chapel services are excellentopportunities for students to learn leadership skills. SeniorHans Weaver says his involvement has allowed him to workon his public speaking skills, learn how to delegate assignments,work efficiently with other committee members, andprepare to choose a college major.Committee member Brooke Phipps, a junior, is pretty sureshe wants to someday be in a leadership position andbelieves, like Weaver, that the committee and chapel involvementswill help prepare her for that.“I think I am developing very good leadership skills,” shesaid. “I also think it’s very beneficial to work with a team.That will further prepare me for group work later on in life.”Youth Minister Jon Heinly, who heads up chapel planning,says having more students on the committee has also “givenus the chance to hear about gifts and abilities within the studentbody that we may have overlooked in the past.” ■The chapel planning committee at Lancaster Mennonite High School is comprisedof, beginning at top of photo and moving clockwise: Youth Minister JonHeinly, Dana Hiestand, Hans Weaver, Campus Pastor Dorcas Lehman, SamStoner, music teacher Marcy Hostetler, Brooke Phipps, Lisa Weaver, LancasterCampus Principal Miles Yoder, Solomon Rudy, Ye Jin Kwon, Sharon Sheppard,and Ethel-Ruth Tawe.10 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

PreK scholarshipsavailable!There are a significant numberof scholarships available forpre-kindergarten.Call for details:Kraybill Campus (717) 653-5236Locust Grove Campus (717) 394-7107New Danville Campus (717) 872-2506May 12May 17May 17May 29May 30August 21August 25Kraybill Middle School Choral Program, 7 p.m.Spring Open House, Lancaster Campus, 1–3 p.m.High School Spring Concert, 3 p.m.High School Dedication Service, 6:30 p.m.High School Commencement, 10 a.m.Lancaster Campus New Student Orientation, 6:30 p.m.First day of schooldatesLMS summer day camps & enrichmentApply by May 30 for special reduced price!For more information, go to www.lancastermennonite.org, or callRachel Denlinger at (717) 299-0436, ext. 310.BasketballGirls basketball, grades 5–10....................................July 6–10Boys basketball, grades 5–10..................................July 20–24Field hockeyJr. high field hockey, grades 6–8 ...........................June 22–26Sr. high field hockey, grades 9–12 ....................August 10–14Child development students at the high school are participating ina Story Time program which involves working with about 20preschoolers once a week February through May. During StoryTime the students use a curriculum they planned to help thepreschoolers learn about numbers, colors, letters, seasons, weatherand the calendar. The time also includes crafts, snacks, large andsmall motor activities, theme stories, Bible stories and songs. Theprogram helps LMS students learn about the developmental stagesof young children and also gives them a realistic view of parenting.In photo: sophomore Ji Eun (Ashley) Shin, left, and Alex Mylin.Position open for advancementassociateLancaster Mennonite School is seeking candidates forthe full-time position of associate in advancement. Candidatesshould be committed to the mission/vision ofLancaster Mennonite School, have strong relational/listeningand organizational skills, be a self starter, and beable to communicate effectively orally and in writing.Being familiar with Internet social networking is a plus.The position will focus on alumni and donor relations,and also relate to several advancement events committees.Persons from under-represented racial/ethnicgroups are encouraged to apply. For more informationcontact Heidi Stoltzfus at (717) 299-0436, ext. 308, andstoltzfushe@lancastermennonite.org, or RichardThomas at (717) 299-0436, ext. 301, and thomasjr@lancastermennonite.org.■LacrosseElem. boys “Learn to Play” lacrosse, grades 3–6 ..June 22–26Boys “Learn to Play” lacrosse, grades 7–9 ............June 22–26Boys Begin./Intermediate lacrosse, grades 10–12June 22–26Phila. Eagles Football, ages 6–14 ..........................July 13–17SoccerElem. coed soccer, grades 1–5...............................June 15–19Jr. high boys soccer, grades 6–8 ...............................July 6–10Girls soccer, grades 6–12 ........................................July 27–31Sr. high boys soccer, grades 9–12 .....................August 10–14TennisIntermediate/Advanced tennis, grades 9–12 ...August 10–14Beginners/Intermediate tennis, grades 5–8 .........August 3–7VolleyballJr. high girls volleyball, grades 6–9 .......................June 15–18Jr. high boys volleyball, grades 6–9 .......................June 15-19Other camp opportunitiesSpiritual Fitness, grades 10–12..............................June 12–14Intro. to Digital Photography, grades 6–10.........June 15 & 16Digital Video Editing, grades 6–12.........................June 17–19Coed Culinary Arts, grades 4–9 ..............................July 20–24Sewing/Crafts, grades 4–9 .....................................July 20–24Youth Choir, grades 4–8 .........................................July 20–24Middle School Drama, grades 6–8 .........................July 27–31BRIDGES • SPRING 2009 11

CLASS NOTESDavid Siegrist, 1964, Lancaster, haspublished a book titled Under theNorthern Lights. The book is a collectionof inspiring stories of faith andadventure told by mission persons whoserved with Northern Light GospelMissions/Impact North. For more information,contact Siegrist atddsiegrist@verizon.net or (717) 872-4085. He is currently teaching middleschool social studies at Lititz AreaMennonite School.John D. Stahl, 1969, Blacksburg, Va.,received the 2008 William E. Wine forExcellence in Teaching award at VirginiaTech University. Stahl is a professorof English in the College of LiberalArts and Human Sciences, teachingthere since 1982.Kay Moshier McDivitt, 1971, Lancaster,has been named LancasterCounty’s first community homelessadviser for the United Way of Lancaster.McDivitt spent the last 12 yearswith Tabor Community Services, mostrecently as vice president of housingcounseling programs.Fred L. Kniss, 1974,Chicago, Ill., hasbeen appointedprovost at EasternMennonite University(EMU), beginningJuly 1. Knissgoes to EMU fromLoyola University,Chicago, where heserved since 1991Fred Kniss, 1974PHOTO: JIM BISHOPas faculty member, interim dean of thegraduate school, and chair of the sociologydepartment. He graduated fromEMU and completed his master’s anddoctorate at the University of Chicagofollowing five years of service in Kenya.Tim Martin, 1986, Browns Summit,N.C., an earth science teacher atGreensboro Day School, lived a lifelongdream during March and Aprilwhen he joined an international teamof scientists in El’Gygytgyn, Russia.He participated in a drilling andresearch expedition to a polar lake innortheast Siberia. El’Gygytgyn, translated“the lake that never thaws,” wasformed by an asteroid impact 3.6 millionyears ago. The team extracted sedimentcores from the lake, which yieldeddata that will provide the longest andmost detailed record of arctic climatechange to date. Martin’s role in theexpedition was to share the science withstudents, teachers and the general publicthrough the Polar TREC virtualbase-camp web site. You can visit thesite: http://www.polartrec.com/geologic-climate-research-in-siberia.Nathan Charles, 1998, graduated fromMessiah College in 2002 with an engineeringdegree. He has spent the lastfive years living in Durham, N.C.,working as a software engineer forIBM. Last November, he began a threeyearterm serving with Mennonite CentralCommittee in Bogra, Bangladesh,as appropriate technology director.Mbongeni Bhembe (Bo), 2008, andFikeveni Diamini (Fika), 2008, Kenya,will remain in Africa to continue theirstudies after a summer of ministry inSwaziland. They both attend a universityin South Africa, pursuing medicaldegrees. You can read about their journeyat www.ProjectEarthInternational.org.MARRIAGESWendell Zeiset, 1991, and MaryKing, June 15, 2008. They live inLancaster.Adrian Groff, 2003, and Emily Parmer,January 17, 2009. They are living inLancaster where Adrian is working in ageneral management position for Groff’sHVAC, Plumbing and Electrical, Inc., inWillow Street. Emily is planning to entermedical school in the fall.Matthew Brubaker, 2004, and AshleyBurkhart, 2004, June 15, 2008. Theylive in Lancaster where Ashley isemployed at Lancaster OrthopedicGroup as a physical therapy assistant.Matt is a freelance graphic designer.Jewel B. Huber, 1995, and Greg Ruhland,March 16, 2007. They live inMadison, Wis., where they are bothworking with Youth With A Mission.BIRTHSLinford Stoltzfus, 1984, and YvonneBeiler, 1990, Stoltzfus, New Providence,fifth child, first son, BennettCole, October 24, 2008.Theresa and Christopher Martin,1988, Lititz, a son Brigham Joel, January23, 2009. He joins brother Sawyerand sister Kayleigh.Jennifer and Scott Gochenaur, 1992,Elizabethtown, second child, AubreyIrene, September 9, 2008, joining BrennanScott, 3.Linford Fisher, 1993, and Jo Wenger,1992, Fisher, South Bend, Ind., a son,Harrison Samuel, January 15, 2009. Hejoins siblings Eden, 6; Elliot, 4; andHelena, 2. Lin is assistant professor ofColonial American History at IndianaUniversity, South Bend.Philip, 1993, and Deborah StoltzfusSiegrist, Lancaster, first child, a daughter,Munira Joy, February 16, 2009.Mark, 1994, and Andrea Stoner,1994, Leaman, Bainbridge, a daughter,Margaret Stoner, October 12, 2008. Shejoins brother Henry Stoner, age 2.Kenneth and Carla Denlinger, 1997,Shirk, Alton, Va., a daughter, AlyssaJane, May 12, 2008.Benjamin and Tiffany Hershey, 1997,Bentz, Lititz, first child, a son, EthanXavier, January 14, 2009.Shawn and Abbey Rohrer, 1997, High,Lancaster, first child, a son, RameyJameson, August 18, 2008.Andy, 1998, and Diane Weaver, Lititz,Ethan Shawn, June 27, 2007, and CodyShawn, January 29, 2009.Peter and Sue Hoffer, 1989, Ringer,Bethlehem, first child, Darin Peter,November 16, 2008.Shawn, 2000, and Jennifer Ramsey,Lancaster, a daughter, Sophia Anne,August 24, 2008.Douglas, 2003, and Shannon Griffith,2004, Herr, Ephrata, a daughter, EmersonShirel, February 27, 2009.DEATHSAnna Martha Groff Denlinger, 1943,East Petersburg, January 18, 2009. Shewas a member of the first graduatingclass of Lancaster Mennonite HighSchool.Sara Jane Hayworth Stubbs, 1951,Glassboro, N.J., January 29, 2009.Ernest W. Martin, 1966, Pottsville,February 14, 2009.David J. Nieczyporuk, 1988, Lancaster,March 27, 2009. ■12 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

Class Reunions1954 November 21, 20091959 June 27, 20091964 October 10, 20091974 July 18, 20091984 August 1, 20091989 July 25, 20091999 July 18, 2009Please consider planning yourreunion around the Homecomingset for November 20 and 21.To keep you in the know• There were 26 more phonathon volunteers this year! Thank you for your supportin this important fundraiser for the school. Watch for the results this summer.• Mark your calendar for the November 20 and 21 Homecoming event that willinclude an alumni art exhibit, alumni reception, barbecue, specialty auction, basketballtournament, and the Iron Bridge Run/Walk.• Alumni who lived in the residence hall in 1984, 1985, and 1986 (and their families)are invited to a reunion/picnic June 28 at Dwight Landis’ home in Annville,Lebanon County. For details write to barrettfreed@gmail.com or go to www.lancastermennonite.organd click on alumni and class reunions.For more information,go towww.lancastermennonite.org orcall (717) 299-0436, ext. 701.CORRECTIONIt was incorrectly reported in the winter issueof Bridges that Wendell Zeiset, 1991,Lancaster, was involved with the Bald EagleBoys Camp in Clinton County.Please send alumni news tosprungerdl@lancastermennonite.orgor mail to Lancaster MennoniteSchool, 2176 Lincoln HighwayEast, Lancaster, PA 17602.Classmates, friends for life: These 12 1952 alumni get together whenever they havethe opportunity. Here they are in 2008 at the home of Paul and Carolyn Weaver Zeisetwhere they met for a chicken barbecue and corn roast. Left to right, they are Betty BookKreider, Mable Jean Minnich Weaver (graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School), AnnWenger Miller, Dorothy Jean Hoober Frey, Georgie Lefever Martin, Eunice Hurst Lehman,Evelyn Lehman Sweigart, Carolyn Weaver Zeiset, Irene Peifer Miller, Rhoda ZimmermanLandis, Martha Bair Hershey and Marjorie Ernst.Brent Nauman played varsity soccer forLancaster Mennonite High School.Lancaster Mennonite School is fortunatethat its athletic program hasseen few injuries over the years. Knowingof the potential for injury, LMSstaff, board and friends have made it aclear priority to support the BrentMatch of $100,000 to boostfund for athletic trainerNauman Endowment, a fund establishedso LMS could one day have its own athletictrainer.This year a generous LMS friendposted a $100,000 match to the BrentNauman fund with the hope that itwill challenge and encourage othersto contribute to the fund and make itpossible to hire a three-fourth timetrainer by the 2009-10 school year.Brent Nauman, a 1991 LMS graduate,enjoyed participating in high schoolathletic events. After he died in 1993,his classmates and friends helped toestablish this fund to honor the lifeBrent led and to support something hewas passionate about.The Brent Nauman Endowment fundbalance is approximately $360,000.Events like our 3 v 3 basketball tournamenthave helped to raise over $78,000toward the fund, and many friends havecontributed at other times to see atrainer provided. Supporting the athleticprogram in this way helps tuition toremain at a reasonable rate. Thank youfor your generosity!Please consider what you can do toprovide this much-needed service forLMS athletes and the school community.Your commitment now is aninvestment in the school’s future!Please consider sending a gift in theenvelope provided with this issue ofBridges. Or, call Director of AdvancementHeidi Stoltzfus at (717) 299-0436,ext. 308.The LMS spring sports season iswell underway. Please come out andshow your support, and keep the healthand well-being of LMS athletes inyour prayers. For the spring sportsschedule, go to our website atwww.lancastermennonite.org. ■BRIDGES • SPRING 2009 13

ALUMNI FEATUREA passion for learningKarl Stoltzfus claims there are fewgifts in life more beneficial thanintellectual curiosity.That, explained the 1958 LMS graduate,is what transformed him from anunmotivated high school student intothe owner of a worldwide aviation businesswhose clients include federal, stateand local governments; private corporations;and non-profit research organizationsthat bring him in contact withsome of the leading scientists in theworld. Stoltzfus described that journeyrecently.After high school, Stoltzfus becameinvolved in his father’s Coatesville aviationbusiness that involved aerialspraying, aircraft parts, etc. But by age25 he was desperate to learn more aboutthe world, not just aviation. Two yearslater found Stoltzfus and his twinbrother, Ken, enrolled at Eastern MennoniteUniversity (EMU) where Stoltzfuscompleted a degree in businessadministration. It took him five years,however, since he also packed in asmany psychology courses as he could.“It was kind of a maturationprocess,” he said. “College was a wonderfulexperience for me.”To make money during college heand Ken set up a company calledK & K Aircraft in which they boughtand sold airplane parts. After college,when Ken went into church ministry,Stoltzfus bought his brother’s part ofthe business and created Dynamic Aviation,an international company thatoperates over 70 multi-engine turbineaircraft in nine countries and providesthe following services:• aerial spraying• sterile insect technique (releasingsterilized medicated fruit files tosave the citrus industry in the LosAngles basin)• fire management• Airborne Data Acquisition (ADA) -photography services• Intelligence Surveillance andReconnaissance for the U.S.Department of DefenseBeing the owner of an internationalbusiness has allowed Stoltzfus to travelthe world and meet a wide varietyof business persons, feedingright into what he describes as his“incredible passion for learning.”“I’m still learning,” said Stoltzfus,an avid reader of history.“Right now I’m studying Germanhistory and just loving it.”With such an appreciation forintellectual stimulus, it is not surprisingthat a recent visit withLMS Superintendent RichardThomas left him feeling prettypumped up. During the visit,Thomas talked about how theschool encourages students tothink critically and globally sothey can learn to think for themselvesand respect the differencesof others.“Based on my personal worldviewI could not imagine a K thru 12th gradeprogram that would better equip a personto be prepared to face the realitiesof the world we live in than the LMSprogram,” Karl said. “I had no idea.It really got me excited about LMS.”Karl and his wife, Barbara, whograduated from LMS in 1959, live inMt. Crawford, Virginia, and attend FirstPresbyterian Church where Karl is atrustee. They have three children—Karl, Jr., who operates an aviation partscompany in Weyers Cave, Virginia;Michelle, a full-time mother in Nairobi,Kenya; and Michael, who is presidentand CEO of his dad’s family-ownedaviation company. All three childrengraduated from Eastern MennoniteHigh School.How LMS has impacted whoI am todayThe values of honesty and integritylearned at LMS have been a a tremendousbenefit to me in both my personaland business experience. Our companydoes business all over the world andthose values are one of the major reasonsfor our success.In addition, being taught a lot aboutthe Bible and God’s plan for our livesgave me a great spiritual foundation.Most important was the encouragementto continually grow in my walk withKarl Stoltzfus, 1958. PHOTO: DENISE SAUDERChrist. LMS kept me on the straightand narrow at a time in life when itwould have been easy for me to headin an unhealthy direction.My favorite LMS teacherI don’t recall having a favorite, but I amvery thankful for English teacher SadieYost who was a stickler for accuracy.Today everything is about accuracy.That is huge in the business world.Words of wisdom to currentstudentsThere are things more important thangetting straight A’s. There is absolutelyno substitute for intellectual curiosityand emotional intelligence. Ask questions!Learn how to be intuitive. Andlearn how to be empathetic with others.Also, learn the value of integrity andhonesty. Do what you say you will do,and treat others with respect. These valuesprobably bring as much business toour company as anything.Third, if you don’t know what you’lldo after high school, don’t worry aboutit. Take some time out before college ifyou need to. Be patient with yourself. ■14 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

Brubacher talks aboutbuilding characterduring BusinessNetworking BreakfastSeventy friends, alumni, students andstaff attended Lancaster MennoniteSchool’s fifth Business NetworkingBreakfast on March 27 at the school’snew Rutt Academic Center.Guest speaker Keith Brubacher, presidentof Brubacher Excavating, Inc.,talked on the theme, “Building Characterin a Construction Company.” Hesaid five core values are critical in helpinghis employees develop character:safety, integrity, honesty, initiative andrespectfulness.Brubacher, a 1990 graduate of LancasterMennonite, said his companyencourages these values in theiremployees by affirming good behavior.Called “Getting Caught in the Act,” theactivity, he said, is “a powerful way tohold up standards.”Brubacher told the story of his companymaking a costly building mistakeonce that, because of the positive way itwas resolved,not only garneredtherespect of theclient but led tothat client spreadingthe good newsand helpingBrubacher Excavatingenjoygreater respect inthe larger community.“It was a reminder that when God isat work, more can happen than whatseems possible at the time,” he said,admitting that initially all he couldthink about was the failure and thefinancial loss. “We can’t always seewhat the fruit will be (when somethingdifficult happens).”The networking event, planned by theLMS Alumni Association, also includedLancaster Mennonite School’s Business NetworkingBreakfast, held March 27 in theschool’s Rutt Academic Center, was an opportunityfor making connections. Pictured hereare, left to right: J. Myron Stoltzfus of StoltzfusMeats, Dale Yoder of Cornerstone Design-Architects,John Yoder, also from Cornerstone, andDoug Denlinger of HomeTowne Heritage Bank.At right: Keith Brubacher.an update on the Educational ImprovementTax Credit (EITC) by State RepresentativeScott Boyd and tours of theRutt Academic Center.Thirteen LMS students, all membersof Future Business Leaders of America(FBLA), also attended the breakfast. Forthem, the event was a chance to see howbusiness networking can benefit themafter graduation. ■Mennonite educationa good investmentJessica RheinheimerBy showing good sportsmanship out on the basketball courtor athletic field, I can share what I know about Jesus throughmy actions.Every day at Lancaster Mennonite’s four campuses thereare signs of why a PreK to grade 12 Mennonite educationis worth the investment. The following quotes by Kraybillstudents when they were eighth graders are just one example.The quotes are part of the students’ spiritual autobiographiesand were read to their family and friends at their EighthGrade Recognition a year ago.Meghan HersheyThe speakers that come to our school have changed my lifespiritually. They have shared their stories and have given medifferent perspectives to consider on many different subjects.Together, they have strengthened my faith in amazing ways.Mark EngleI really started to think about God’s love for us this yearduring Spiritual Growth Week when Randall Shull spoke tous about how God will not abandon us. God doesn’t love usless than our pastors or any more than a homeless man inthe streets of New York City.Please join us today in transforming lives for Christ andgrowing our next generation of witnesses. In this issue ofBridges you will find an envelope to assist you in financiallysupporting this mission. Your help is needed to ensure thatMennonite education remains strong. Give now and help usclose the school year with a positive balance. Gifts of allsizes impact lives! ■15 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009

2176 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA 17602Non-ProfitU.S. PostagePAIDLancaster, PAPermit No. 280POSTMASTER: Time Sensitive Material. Requested in Home Dates May 5 - May 8Parents: If this is addressed to a son or daughterwho has established a separate residence, pleasegive us the new address. Call (717) 394-7107 ore-mail sprungerdl@lancastermennonite.org.Centered in Christ • Transforming Lives • Changing our Worldfrom the superintendentIt takes a villageOur regional Mennonite SchoolsCouncil High School Choral Festivalwas hosted by Shalom ChristianAcademy on April 19. It was a wonderfultime of worship and celebration ofmusic in our schools.The mass choir ended with an upbeatsong, “It Takes a Village,” which states:“Everyone shares the burden, everyoneshares the joy (of raising a child).” Thisissue of Bridges provides a few snapshotsof the LMS village.You will find LMS parent and schoolconsultant Deb McCoy (who also providessignificant volunteer time as aconsultant for LMS) talking about theimportance of recess in the elementarygrades, pastors volunteering time on aprayer walk with high school students,State Representative Scott Boydencouraging businesses to providescholarships for students through thePennsylvania Education ImprovementTax Credit program, and students workingtogether to plan chapels. Alsoincluded is a note on the death of seniorMicah Berthold and the way the villagerallied around the school during thisdifficult time. We are grateful!As our culture becomes more secular,I believe an education that provideseducational excellence in a way thatputs faith into the future becomes aneven more important investment forpersons of faith. This can only happenas many in our community worktogether for the common vision ofChristian education.I am inspired by the commitmentof the village that surrounds LMS andinvests in our children in many differentways. This is an investment that willpay dividends in both good and badtimes. As part of the LMS Village wecan all celebrate the opportunity andjoy of being involved in this sacredJ. Richard Thomastrust. Together we are educating tocall forth and nurture the gifts of ourchildren, empowering them to shareGod’s love, healing and hope with allof creation.—jrt