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CONTACT
WLHS
FALL 2014 | ALUMNI & FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Doors opening
to a new future
at Wisconsin Lutheran
High School
“Lord, you have been our
dwelling place throughout all
generations.”
Psalm 90:1
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
“For our teens, the doors of
Welcome
A Message From Pastor Kenneth Fisher
President of the WLHS Conference
Doors Open Wide for God’s Blessings to Enter
opportunity are opening wider
to explore their God-given gifts
in music, theater, the practical
arts and pre-engineering
courses because of the
completion of this project.”
Circle January 25 on your calendars!
It marks the day when Wisconsin Lutheran High School will officially dedicate the $6.8 million Gifted for Praise
expansion. And you’re invited as we open the doors to our new facilities!
Right now, construction continues in high gear on the visually-appealing new entrance, expansive student center,
high-quality Fine Arts facilities and classrooms for Project Lead The Way® and Family and Consumer Education (FACE).
We are on schedule to complete the project by January 2015 and start using these facilities in second semester.
For our teens, the doors of opportunity are opening wider to explore their God-given gifts in music, theater, the
practical arts and pre-engineering courses because of the completion of this project.
By providing modern, well-equipped Fine Arts facilities, we are opening the doors to an even greater participation
in the instrumental and choral arts for those who will be the next generation of church musicians, singers and soloists.
By providing new classrooms where the culinary arts and fashion design will be taught, we are opening the doors
for students to explore careers which will feed and clothe the next generation.
By having outstanding Project Lead The Way classrooms, we are opening the doors to raise up the next generation
of creative thinkers who will design and innovate our children’s world.
On Sunday, January 25, I invite you to join us as we dedicate these new facilities of your school to the glory of God
and the benefit of the next generation.
Watch for more details about the dedication on our website, on Facebook and through our e-mail announcements.
With you in his service,
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
Photo by Tony Just Photography
Pastor Kenneth Fisher
In This Issue
4-5
New Faculty & Staff
11-14
International Update
Upcoming Events
5th Grade Extravaganza
January 25
Winter Festival Basketball Game February 6
Kids Carnival
February 22
Spaghetti Dinner
March 6
Spring Musical
March 6-8
Spring Band Concert
March 19
Spring Sacred Choral Concert
March 26 & 28
WLHS Dinner Auction
March 28
For more information visit www.wlhs.org
For Christ’s Love Compels Us . . .
2 Corinthians 5:14
Our Mission
Compelled by Christ’s love, guided by
the Great Commission, and rooted in
God’s Word . . .
Wisconsin Lutheran High School prepares
youth in a diverse world for productive,
Christ-centered lives.
6-7
Remember When &
WLHS Foundation
8-9
Share the Mission
15-17
18-19
Reunions/In Loving
Memory/Grapevine
Highlights
WLHS is owned and operated by the following
congregations joined together as the WLHS Conference
Abiding Word
Apostles of Christ
Atonement
Calvary
Centennial
Christ, Big Bend
Christ, Milwaukee
Christ, Pewaukee
Christ the Lord
Divine Peace
Fairview
Faith
Garden Homes
Gethsemane
Good Shepherd’s
Grace, Milwaukee
Grace, Waukesha
Jordan
Loving Shepherd
Living Word
Messiah
Mt. Calvary
Mt. Lebanon
Nain
Pilgrim
Redemption
Resurrection
Risen Savior
St. Andrew
St. Jacobi
St. James
St. John, Lannon
St. John, Milwaukee
St. John, Mukwonago
St. John, Oak Creek
St. John, Wauwatosa
St. Lucas
St. Marcus
St. Mark
St. Matthew
St. Paul, Cudahy
St. Paul, Franklin
St. Paul, Muskego
St. Peter
St. Philip
Salem, Cramer Street
Salem, 107th Street
Siloah
Star of Bethlehem
The Point of Grace
Trinity
Victory of the Lamb
Woodlawn
Zebaoth
Zion, Hartland
Zion, South Milwaukee
Our Purpose
Christ’s love compels us to provide a comprehensive Christian secondary
education for Milwaukee area youth.
On the Cover:
WLHS students in the Gifted for Praise construction zone.
WLHS Contact © is the official alumni publication of the Wisconsin Lutheran High School Conference. President: Rev. Kenneth Fisher; Editor: Carolyn Sachs; Design/Layout: Carolyn Sachs; Research Editor: Nancy
Raabe (’66); Contributing Writers: Joyce Baer (’61), April Goldschmidt (’05), Rev. Kenneth Fisher, Diana Kerr (’07), Micah Ricke (’06), Carolyn Sachs; Photography: Ellen S. Cook Photography, Chuck Cairns, Tony Just
Photography, Leanne Ross, Moments and Memories. Contact us with comments or questions at 414-453-4567, ext 2292, or via e-mail at [email protected]. Please notify Cindy Kucera (‘69) at 414-453-4567, ext
2004 or [email protected] if you would like to be removed from our mailing list, change your contact information, or have contributions. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy
Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. TM used by permission of Zondervan.
Welcome to New Faculty and Staff
New Members of the WLHS Family Share Their Thoughts
Regarding Their Roles
Skip Bremer
Director of guidance and
counseling
Bret Hopf
Assistant principal, math
teacher, and Extended Learning
Center supervisor
Q: What was your previous role?
Q: What was your previous role?
A: School administrator, St. Paul
Lutheran School in Muskego, Wis.
Q: Is there anything in the
upcoming school year you’re
especially looking forward to?
A: I am looking forward to helping our students reach
their potential academically while growing emotionally
and spiritually.
Q: Any other remarks?
A: I am humbled to be part of a high school where high
academic expectations are saturated with the needed
philosophy of life I want for my children--one that is
Christ-focused and makes a difference for eternity.
An education at WLHS is a great investment into the
future lives of our children and our grandchildren.
Andrew Gerlach
Spanish, English and Latin
teacher
Q: What impacted your decision
to accept the call to WLHS?
A: I just really love teaching!
I love helping students
understand and do things
they’ve never understood or
done before.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you about your first
few days in your new role?
A: I was pleasantly surprised by how great my students
were. They’re kind, sincere and funny, and I love
working with them.
Q: If you had a message to tell the readers of Contact
in regard to working here at WLHS, what would you tell
them?
A: Being in the halls and classrooms of WLHS reassures
me every day that this school is doing immeasurably
meaningful things for its students and the greater
Milwaukee area.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
A: I was dean of students and
an 8th grade algebra teacher
at St. Marcus Lutheran School in
Milwaukee.
Q: What impacted your decision to accept the call to
WLHS?
A: God led me to Wisco because I wanted to have
an impact on kids as they get ready to transition into
college and future leadership roles.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you about your first
few days in your new role?
A: I am only a few months in but am loving it so far. I
encourage anyone reading this to visit the school and
see what an amazing blessing it is and all the great
things that happen on a daily basis.
Quinten Petersen
Director of bands
Q: What was your previous role?
A: I was teaching in the choral
department of Arrowhead High
School in Hartland, Wis.
Q: Is there anything in the
upcoming school year you’re
especially looking forward to?
A: We are blessed to be giving a world high school
premiere of a new work for wind band. The band will
perform it at our spring concert.
Q: If you had a message to tell the readers of Contact
in regard to working here at WLHS, what would you tell
them?
A: There is so much more at WLHS than meets the
eye. Yes, we are blessed in academics, Fine Arts and
athletics, but the most important thing is that God’s
Word permeates everything we do here. It’s not just a
mission statement. It certainly is an action statement.
Micah Ricke
Director of residential life
Q: What was your previous role?
A: I worked at Beijing’s Rising
Eagles School in Beijing, China,
where I taught 3rd and 4th
grade.
What Are People
Saying About Wisco?
Don’t miss out on all the latest photos and news on the
Wisconsin Lutheran High School Facebook page! Here’s what
Facebook fans are commenting on some of the great photos
of all the activity taking place at WLHS.
Q: What impacted your decision
to accept the position at WLHS?
A: After living in China for four years, I felt like God
was tugging me back home. When I told two of my
8th grade parents about this possible job, both moms
replied, “If you go to Wisco, we’ll follow you.” I felt like
God spoke through them and here I am!
Q: If you had a message to tell the readers of Contact
in regard to working here at WLHS, what would you tell
them?
A: Working at Wisco is like eating 47 cream puffs in
2 minutes—tough yet rewarding.
“It’s not just a
mission statement.
It certainly is an
action statement. ”
—Director of Bands, Quinten Petersen
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
5
Remember When . . .
by Joyce (Nitschke) Baer, Class of 1961
Alumna Joyce (Nitschke) Baer Reflects on the Transition
of LHS to WLHS in the 1950s and the Move to WLHS’
Current School Building
I remember that saying good-bye to the “old school”—
Lutheran High School, or LHS--was difficult because
of my memories. The “old school” was our school. We
would walk up the creaky, worn, wooden steps to get
into school and put our school books in green wooden
lockers. We walked the crowded, cold halls and
watched for dog poop left by the night guard dogs.
Joyce graduated
from Dr. Martin Luther
College in 1965. Her
most recent teaching
role was at Trinity
Lutheran School
in Waukesha, WI.
I remember that LHS had
no gymnasium, so we rode
the city bus to the Lutheran
Center with our classmates
for gym class. Likewise, the
outdoor athletic areas were
covered in dirt and so we
also took a bus to Washington
Park to practice track. They
did practice shot put at the
school; however, they had
to cover the windows with
wire so that an errant shot
wouldn’t break the glass!
The new school had its own
track, although it wasn’t quite
finished when we began
classes, so the guys had to
shovel cinder onto the dirt in
order to run on it.
“We left memories behind,
but the one constant—
God’s Word, his love and
his care for us—moved with
us
along
with our Christian
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
friends and teachers.”
Joyce's senior
graduation picture
from 1961.
I also remember that while I was
in high school I lived on 113th
Street and Potter Road, so in
order to get to LHS I had to walk
quite a few blocks to the bus
stop, catch the city bus and
make two or three bus changes
just to get to school. I didn’t
mind, though, because I had
time to talk with my friends on
the bus. With the new school on
Glenview Avenue, though, my
last two years of school I was
able to walk right to school.
We left memories behind, but the one constant—
God’s Word, his love and his care for us—moved with
us along with our Christian friends and teachers. We
were thankful for our new gym, the warmth of the
physical building and the growth of enrollment that
the new school brought.
Old school or new school—God blesses Christian
education.
WLHS, formerly part of LHS, is the oldest Lutheran high
school in the country. The school celebrated its
110th anniversary last year.
WLHS Foundation
Five Reasons to Choose the WLHS Foundation
The WLHS Foundation has been blessed with
remarkable growth as more and more alumni
and friends of WLHS are taking advantage of the
opportunity to establish a special endowment fund
to honor a friend or family member. Many donors
open and donate to such a fund while they’re still
living because they want to see the results right away.
Others make a gift in their will or name the WLHS
Foundation as a transfer-on-death beneficiary on a
bank or retirement account, initiating their fund at
a later time. Still others choose both options, starting
their endowment now and adding to it later through
a gift in their will.
Why do WLHS alumni and friends love making
endowment gifts to the WLHS Foundation? There are
many reasons, and of course Christian stewardship
choices stem first and foremost from an outpouring
of faith and in gratitude to God. Here are five
additional benefits donors enjoy:
1. A positive legacy. Donors like the idea of honoring
a friend or a family member by attaching their
name to an endowment fund. Because the funds
are permanent, this legacy will carry this loved one’s
name forward and influence future generations.
2. Continue regular giving. Many donors realize that
WLHS will miss out on their regular support once
they’re no longer living. As a result, wise givers are
solving that problem by making a gift in their will that
is 25 times the amount they are currently giving to
WLHS. For example, a couple who gives $600 annually
can endow their gift by making a one-time gift of
$15,000 to the WLHS Foundation. Once their fund is in
place, their inflation-adjusted annual gift of $600 can
continue in perpetuity.
3. Permanence. Many notice a similarity between their
retirement funds and WLHS Foundation endowment
funds. Both are guarded closely, invested separately
and protected so the principal remains intact.
WLHS Foundation assets are managed much like
a retirement account, providing WLHS with reliable
income while seeking to grow the amount and not
have it eroded by inflation.
4. Strengthening WLHS. Every year, WLHS must raise
funding to sustain facilities, programs and personnel.
The WLHS Foundation provides an annual grant to the
high school to ease some of this financial pressure.
Your gifts to the WLHS Foundation ensure a vibrant,
strong and stable future for WLHS.
5. Personal satisfaction. Making a real and lasting
difference affects not just students, but donors as well.
The WLHS Foundation’s Legacy Society members say
that honoring a friend or family member by having their
name on a fund is especially meaningful and gratifying. To receive free information
on endowments or learn
more about the WLHS
Foundation’s endowment
program with no obligation,
contact Pastor Jim Kleist,
executive director of the
WLHS Foundation, at
414-453-4567 ext. 2005 or
[email protected].
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
7
Go Into All the World
WLHS Students Share Their Faith, Time and Talents
on Summer Mission Trips around the Globe
Since 2000, about 400 WLHS students have participated on more than 70 WLHS Share the Mission trips throughout
the United States and to many international locations. As many alumni can attest, students experience life-changing
spiritual and personal growth as they share the gospel and support kingdom work around the globe.
This year, five groups served throughout the United States and two groups traveled internationally:
Highlands Ranch, Colorado—Abiding Word Lutheran Church
Charles Dale III (St. John, Lannon)
Rachel Dummer (Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin)
Sheldon Habben (Mt. Calvary, Waukesha)
Heidi Kostrzewa (St. John, Wauwatosa)
Allison Lunow (St. Paul, Muskego)
William Olson (Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin)
Tsuchiura, Japan
Julia Beyer (St. Paul, Muskego)
Grant Fugate (Christ the Lord, Brookfield)
Megan Kuether (Good Shepherd’s, West Allis)
Maxwell Lillie (St. John, Wauwatosa)
Heather Plough (Jordan, West Allis)
Zachary Schlieper (Good Shepherd’s, West Allis)
Holiday, Florida—Peace Lutheran Church
Grace Albrecht (Christ the Lord, Brookfield)
Emily Frey (Zion, South Milwaukee)
Hannah Leverence (Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin)
Katelin Ludke (St. Paul, Muskego)
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
Students in Highlands Ranch, CO, during their week of
teaching a soccer camp with the theme "We're Free!"
Pastor perspective
“I am always impressed by the enthusiasm of the
Wisco students who have come to help with our
Vacation Bible School events. Their joy in serving
is always infectious. The girls’ enthusiasm this
past year instantly made a connection with the
little ones and their families attending our events.
Their enthusiasm was also infectious and always
energizes our own VBS staff.”
—Pastor Joel Schwartz,
Peace Lutheran Church, Holiday, Florida
WLHS students pose with the children they shared
God's Word with in Japan.
Student perspective
“Going into this mission trip having never done
any canvassing before was nerve-wracking. I
didn’t know what to expect on the first day and
was afraid of being turned away. However, after
I had been turned down by more than enough
people I learned that rejection is just part of
the Lord’s work that will never go away. The
canvassing did get easier and I gained more
confidence as the week went on. During the trip
we also helped out with the children’s Vacation
Bible School. I cannot express how much I
enjoyed coming to the church every day and
getting to witness the Holy Spirit working in those
little children. They were all so happy to be there
listening to God’s Word that it made me realize
just how important it is to be out here doing
these kinds of mission trips. I thank God every
day for allowing me to share my faith on this trip
and cannot wait until I get the chance to go on
another one.”
—WLHS junior Hannah Frey
Palm Coast, Florida—Christ the King Lutheran Church
Trip #1
Nicholas Baumann (St. Jacobi, Greenfield)
Tyra Buckley (Loving Shepherd, Milwaukee)
Henna Dulak (St. Jacobi, Greenfield)
Joshuah Kren (Trinity, Waukesha)
Dylan Lueck (St. John, Wauwatosa)
Forest Wu
Trip #2
Daniel Frey (Zion, South Milwaukee)
Emma Hallmann (St. Paul, Muskego)
Morgan Hanson (St. Paul, Muskego)
Ragan Hoffmann (Atonement, Milwaukee)
Analysia Rivera (St. Jacobi, Greenfield)
Katie Ludke and Hannah Frey teach children
in Holiday, Florida the Vacation Bible School
theme song, "Gangway to Galilee."
Irmo, South Carolina—Hope Lutheran Church
Aaron Bush (Good Shepherd’s, West Allis)
Samantha Evans (St. Jacobi, Greenfield)
Nicholas Prier (Divine Peace, Milwaukee)
Anne Rasmussen (St. Paul, Franklin)
Santiago, Chile
WLHS students chosen for Share the Mission
trips raise their own funds to participate
in these trips. If you would like to help
support future trips, contact WLHS Spanish
Krista Berger (Salem, Milwaukee)
Alexandria Caira (St. John, Lannon)
Ami Leigh Christnacht (Grace, Milwaukee)
Connor Henne (St. John, Wauwatosa)
Jordan Hoffman (Atonement, Milwaukee)
Matthew Strommen (Grace, Milwaukee)
teacher Karen Kilchenmann at 414-453-4567
ext 1104 or [email protected].
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
9
Daily Chapel Services Now Available
Online Via Livestream
Join the WLHS family for daily chapel in real time no
matter where you are. WLHS chapel services are now
available via livestream!
The purchase of three new PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras
allows for this ability to livestream high quality video
of daily chapel, said Al Greschner, WLHS Tech Team
advisor. Students who run the equipment are excited.
Sophomore Alexandra Loper, who joined the Tech
Team to explore a potential career field, says she
appreciates how the filmed services connect her family
to her worship life at WLHS.
The ability to watch the chapel message encourages
parents to get involved in their child’s life at WLHS.
Karen Spiegelberg, mom of three WLHS alumni, was
thankful chapel messages were online during her
daughters’ school years. “I enjoyed watching Wisco
chapel online . . . It made me feel spiritually connected
to the message they were receiving that day. Now that
our last daughter has graduated, having the ability to
still watch is a gift that keeps on giving!”
Viewership isn’t limited to WLHS parents. Alumni from all
over the world have shared how much they appreciate
watching the chapel services, including an alumnus
from Sweden who does not live near a WELS church.
Although the livestream component is new, recorded
services will still be accessible any time. To find the
livestream, go to wlhs.org and click the link on the
scrolling banner on the home page. For recorded
chapel messages, look for the blue icon in the bottom
right corner that says, “Chapel,” also on the home
page.
The livestream is just one more way for WLHS to
fulfill its mission and touch lives with the gospel. The
message the Tech Team students see every day on the
soundboard as they run the equipment for chapel sums
it up well: “Do your best, pray that it’s blessed, Jesus will
take care of the rest.”
Stay Connected to the
WLHS Family!
1. Watch—Watch livestream and recorded
videos of school happenings such as building
construction, daily chapel and the annual
Veterans Day service.
T
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2. Engage—Join the WLHS family on Facebook
and also share your e-mail address with us for
e-mail updates.
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3. Attend—Check wlhs.org for calendars of
upcoming athletic and Fine Arts events, as well
as special events such as the Annual WLHS
Dinner Auction and WLHS Today.
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4. Give—Join the Wisco Champions family as a
loyal monthly giver (online or via mail) and also
mark your calendar for end-of-year gifts during
the holiday season.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
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WLHS
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
FALL 2014 | INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM
Welcome to the
Student Homes
WLHS is thrilled to have 31 international students
enrolled and actively involved in school life this
academic year. These students come from China,
Hong Kong, Albania, South Korea and Canada.
from other countries. Beginning next school year, WLHS
will extend on-campus housing to anyone who lives too
far from WLHS to make a daily commute. By offering
students who live outside the Milwaukee area the
ability to receive a Christ-centered education, WLHS
can extend its ministry to young people throughout the
country who may not live near a Lutheran high school.
Did you know WLHS owns several apartment buildings
to house its students? Some of the international students
live with host families, but most live in the WLHS student
homes under the supervision of caring house parents.
Student housing is open to all students, not just those
The residential program is structured so
that four to five students live in each home,
along with a house parent. Each student
has his or her own room. Organized
activities are planned on weeknights and
WLHS student housing names carry special
meaning:
Antioch House:
where they were first
called Christians
during the weekends to keep the students
Bethlehem House: birthplace of our Savior
busy and engaged with high school life.
Damascus House: where Saul was headed
when Jesus transformed him
For more information, please contact
Director of Admissions Brad Wetzel
Calvary House:
where our Savior died
Eden House:
where we all began
Zion House:
where we will all be one day
at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or
[email protected].
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
11
7 Things That Make WLHS
Student Homes Unique
Micah Ricke, Director of Residential Life, Shares His List
1. Our house parent to student ratio is 1:2.6.
I challenge you to find other schools with such
a low adult-to-student ratio!
2.
Our students receive spiritual nourishment.
Students are not only fed the bread of life in
chapel and in theology class, but after dinner
we also have devotion. We sing a few songs
while I play guitar and then unpack the verse
that was used in chapel that day. You can
expect that they wouldn’t understand everything
the chapel speaker said, so we try to break it
down for them. Most of the international
students who come to WLHS do not yet believe
in Jesus, but the Holy Spirit is hard at work!
3. Our students will not lose weight.
The school’s cooks from the Viking Café have
been absolutely incredible cooking breakfast,
lunch and dinner for our students. House parents
and I join the students for family-style dinners in
the Café.
Students participate in a fall “vuntivity” by raking leaves
for neighbors.
5. Our students have chores.
That’s right, our students don’t wait for their
house parents to clean up their messes! They
are expected to work hard in the classroom and
in their homes. Every week all students have two
chore checklists they need to finish before their
house parent inspects on Monday night. If they
fail these chores they are sent to “The Cornfield”
(an hour of Wi-Fi-less study hall on Saturday
morning) and are not invited on that week’s
“funtivity” (for explanation, keep reading . . .).
Alex Huang, pictured second from right, and his cross
country friends before a meet.
4. All of our students are involved in co-curriculars.
Our policy requires every international student
to get involved in some sort of co-curricular
activity. All are plugged into an activity, ranging
from chess team to cross country to drama
to jazz band to tech team to wrestling. It is really
rewarding to see them try something new (and
maybe scary) here that they could never do in
their native country.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
6. Our students have “funtivities.”
I enjoy inspiring my students to turn off their
computers and do something. Funtivities are
something fun that we do together about twice
a month. This semester’s funtivities include a
day at the beach, open gym, pumpkin farm,
Homecoming Dance (100% attendance!),
Cedarburg Harvest Festival, the zoo, Mocking
Jay Part 1 (Hunger Games series) premier,
sleigh ride, Bucks game, laser tag and a
ping pong tournament.
“Most of the international
students who come to WLHS do
7. Our student have “vuntivities.”
Not only do we make sure our students have
fun in America, but we also want to model for
them a servant’s heart. A vuntivity is a volunteer
opportunity we have about once a month. One
vuntivity we had was at the Southside Ministries
food pantry. It was really great to see kids serve
people they would normally avoid. Vuntivities
in the works for this year: Growing Power,
Lighthouse Ministries, Hunger Task Force, singing
Christmas carols at Luther Manor and setting up
for the St. Marcus Gala. If you have other great
ideas, let me know!
not yet believe in Jesus, but the
Holy Spirit is hard at work!”
A weekday in the life of a student:
7:00 a.m.
Wake up and get ready
for school
7:20 a.m.
Breakfast
7:45 a.m.-3:00 p.m. School day
3:30 p.m.
Co-curricular
time/free time
5:00 p.m.
Dinner
5:45-6:00 p.m.
Devotion
7:00 p.m.
Study hall
8:30 p.m.
Personal freedom
10:30 p.m.
Hand in computers
and phones
11:00 p.m.
Bed time
International students use their musical gifts to help lead worship in
chapel. They’ve named their band “Far East.”
Homecoming 2014
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
13
Student Profiles
Senior Forest Wu
Forest Wu is an international student in the senior class.
In four years, he’s become a very familiar, smiley face
in the halls of WLHS. Last year, Forest made school history
when the student body elected him student body secretary,
making him the first international student to assume a role
on the Student Council Executive Board. Forest answered
a few questions about his background and his experiences
at WLHS.
What was the most significant educational aspect of your
time at WLHS? Why?
The religion program. Back in China it is not possible
to talk about religion in class. At Wisco, however, I can
grow in my faith every single day.
What have you accomplished in the last four years at WLHS
that makes you feel proud?
One thing that made me really proud is that I got
baptized my freshman year at Wisco.
Which of the last four years was the most challenging? Why?
This year—I am taking a heavy course load with four
Advanced Placement classes and a Project Lead the
Way class.
Who or what has had the most positive influence in your life
so far? Why?
My mom. She taught me how to be a morally good
person and taught me what sacrifice is.
Also, Mr. Mark Ricke (WLHS teacher and Forest’s
host father). He taught me how to see the world
positively, how to interact with others and how to be
a man.
What career or major are you pursuing? What interests you
about this field?
Actuarial science. Since I came from a small town
in China to Beijing and then to America, I can see
clearly what a difference the economy can make on
a culture.
To what extent do you feel WLHS prepared you to meet the
challenges of life beyond high school?
I feel very well-prepared for life. I know to stand on the
solid rock rather than on sinking sand.
Elizabeth, pictured middle, with two of her international
classmates.
Freshman Elizabeth Ng
Elizabeth Ng is a freshman international student from Hong
Kong. She is the first international student to join WLHS’ girls
cross country team. After only a short time in the United
States, Elizabeth answered some questions about her life
and her time so far at WLHS.
Why did you choose Elizabeth as your English name?
It’s from when I was six years old and we read a book
called Clifford the Big Red Dog and the main character’s
name was Emily Elizabeth. I took the name Elizabeth
and my younger sister took the name Emily.
Why did you want to come to WLHS?
Schools in Hong Kong put a lot of pressure on students.
My mom and I think that studying at WLHS will help
me find what I like to do the most and help me follow
my dreams.
What do you like about living in student housing?
I like that if I have a problem I can ask someone for
help quickly and other students can help each other.
I think we all learn how to communicate with others better.
Who is your favorite teacher and why?
Mr. Hopf, my homeroom teacher. We have a lot of fun.
We sometimes have homeroom parties and we can
bring food. He’s a funny guy and I know he is good to
contact if I need something.
What is your favorite lunch food in the cafeteria?
Chicken bowl! I love the mashed potatoes!
What is your favorite thing about WLHS?
Cross country—all the teammates are very nice and the
coach, also. When we have competitions, we always
encourage each other. Even though I was new they
encouraged me.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
Forest, pictured left, in Milwaukee’s
Historic Third Ward
Reunions
Class of 1945 Reunion
The LHS class of 1945 held their 69-year reunion at the
Silver Spring Country Club June 26, 2014. Spouses and
guests brough the total to 26 in attendance. For one
classmate, this was her first reunion!
of 1954 was $1,954! The day’s events included
participation in a mixer that revealed surprising
information about class members, a team trivia contest
and singing silly bus trip songs. The class continued
their celebration on June 13, 2014, with an Edelweiss
sightseeing boat cruise on the Milwaukee River in
the Milwaukee Harbor and a fish fry at the Italian
Community Center that evening.
The class of 1954 will gather again on June 11, 2015,
for a “just lunch” reunion.
Class of 1946 Reunion
The LHS class of 1946 held their 68-year class reunion
on September 5, 2014, at Alioto’s Restaurant in
Wauwatosa, WI. In attendance were 32 classmates,
27 “gals” and 5 “fellas,” as well as 14 guests.
Everyone had a great time as usual. “God be
with you till we meet again” on September 11, 2015,
at Alioto’s!
Class of 1954 Reunion
The LHS class of 1954 celebrated their 60-year high
school graduation on June 12, 2014, at North Hills
Country Club. Ironically, the lunch bill for the class
Class of 1964 Reunion
The Class of 1964 celebrated their 50-year reunion
this fall. They also made a generous gift towards new
furnishings for the Gifted for Praise expansion. The
amount was $1,964—clever and impactful!
Thank you to all the dedicated reunion
planners and volunteers who work to
keep LHS and WLHS alumni connected.
For questions about planning your reunion,
contact Cindy Kucera at 414-453-4567
ext. 2004, or [email protected].
The class of 1979 toasted to the 35-year anniversary of their graduation from WLHS at their recent reunion.
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
15
In Loving Memory
1941
Harold Gustav Knuth
July 2, 2014
1953
James Grosenick
April 20, 2014
1944
Erwin G. Reiser
May 26, 2014
Jerold Waedekin
July 10, 2014
1947
Arley (Kopitzke) Cavada
November 29, 2013
Robert Schlicht
August 19, 2014
1946
Robert G. Zischke
July 6, 2014
1954
Edward Arthur Schaewe
February 13, 2014
1948
Elmer J. Steinbrenner
August 6, 2014
Joyce (Bass) Knuth
November 4, 2014
Robert P. Eberhardt
September 26, 2014
1965
Ron Jeske
November 9, 2014
1949
Ruth (Hediger) Metzo
May 16, 2014
1967
Eduardo “Pierre” Montojo
September 4, 2014
Muriel (Johnson) Olson (formerly Ahlmann)
July 7, 2013
1993
James Jerome De Galley
August 29, 2014
Jean (Meyer) Bucholtz
July 11, 2014
1951
Donald C. Mann
August 19, 2014
“My sheep listen to my
voice; I know them, and
they follow me. I give
them eternal life, and
they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them
out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
Editorial note: In the last issue of Contact, Robert Molkentine,
class of 1955, was incorrectly listed in the “In Loving
Memory” listing. We apologize for the error.
In October, Bob Lehninger (’63), retired WLHS teacher
and golf coach of 30 years, made a hole in one
and added three eagles in a span of three 18-hole
rounds over four days. As an “amateur” he still carries
a 4.2 index at age 69. During his years at WLHS, Bob
coached Mark Wilson (’93), a five-time winner on the
PGA tour.
Greg Mahlberg (’69) was inducted in the Old Time
Baseball Players Hall of Fame on November 2, 2014.
The celebration included 16 classmates, high school
team members and coaches as well as family
members and friends. Greg played baseball not only
for WLHS, but also for UW-Madison and the Texas
Rangers minor league. He managed in the minors
for 15 years and had his big league debut with the
Rangers on September 24, 1978.
Jodi (Bruss) Sherman (’73) is the
senior student services coordinator
at the UW-Madison School of
Medicine and Public Health and
also serves as director of technical
standards and accommodations.
Jodi spent this past summer
traveling to Israel with her family
and continuing training to earn her
4th degree black belt. She is excited to announce the
engagement of her son who lives in Irvine, CA. His new
business, Beanies for Life, provides free beanie hats to
homeless shelters.
Linda (Baacke) Buxa (’89) is a
writer, Bible study leader and
women’s retreat speaker. She
regularly writes blog posts for Time of
Grace Ministry and has just published
a children’s devotional book Dig In!
which features devotions especially
for 8-12 year-olds.
Phil (’83) and Kristina (Adrian) Eckert (’90), owners of
Glaze Pottery in Thiensville, WI, have been awarded
the 2014 Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce
“Business of the Year” award.
Alumni Grapevine
Kent Horn (’02) and Bianca Denis
became husband and wife on
May 25, 2014 in Fort Lauderdale,
FL. WLHS graduates who attended
were Shannon (Horn) Robinson (’00)
and Kelly Horn (’07). Bianca, who
is originally from Port-au-Prince,
Haiti, met Kent after one of her
performances at The Fireside Theatre. The couple
currently resides in New York City.
Carl (’04) and Alissa (Alonte)
Kiedrowski (’04) welcomed Thomas
Lyle into their family on April 23,
2014. Carl is a WELS teacher
and Alissa is a customer service
representative in Cincinnati where
the family currently resides.
Kayla Schmid (’05) and Anthony
Stanley were married on November
2, 2013, at Loving Shepherd
Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.
Michael (’79) and Lisa (Shine)
(’82) are the proud parents of the
bride. Other WLHS graduates in
the wedding party included Moni
(Parnau) Brunow (’04), Kim Potter (’05), Ellie (Dick)
Bode (’05), Steve Sughroue (’05), and Brenna Schmid
(’11). Kayla is a registered nurse at Columbia St. Mary’s
Hospital and Anthony is a capital sales consultant at
Direct Supply. The couple resides in Milwaukee, WI.
Andrew Backus (’08) and Amanda Christenson (’09)
were married on December 21, 2013. The maid of
honor was WLHS graduate Emily Frigge (’09). The
couple resides in Mukwonago, WI.
We want to hear from you!
Send us your updates by e-mailing your news
and photos to [email protected].
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
17
WLHS Highlights
Students voted for and chose three senior girls for WLHS’ 2014 homecoming court. Pictured left to right: Jacob Frey with princess
Paige Fischer, Luke Steidl with queen Julia Beyer, Mason LaMarche with princess Hannah Corbett. This year’s dance theme was
“Under the Sea.”
On WLHS’ annual Grandparents Day in September, 230
grandparents spent part of a school day with their grandchildren.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2014
Grandparents enjoyed breakfast and a tour and even
attended chapel and a class with their grandchildren.
WLHS Highlights
The girls cross country team finished 5th
place at State, with Audrey Janik (pictured
left) individually placing 5th. It is the 8th time
in the past 9 years that the girls have placed
among the top 5 at the state championship.
Defending last year’s state championship, the boys cross country team took
first place at the state cross country championship for the 3rd time in 4 years.
Seniors Kyler Lueck and Eric Brown II placed 2nd and 5th individually.
A color guard and members of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp
presented the American flag at the Veterans Day Obervance at WLHS
on Tuesday, November 11, 2014.
Col. Johnny Davis, 80th Commander of the 3rd U.S. Infantry
Regiment, “The Old Guard,” was guest speaker at the 21st
annual Veterans Day at WLHS. Davis presented his former
teacher, Mr. Roger Festerling, with a plaque from the regiment.
The 2014 varsity football season ended with an exciting finish at Camp
Randall Stadium. With a perfect 14-0 record, the boys defeated Rice
Lake 42-18, becoming the Division 3 state champions!
Stay connected with WLHS!
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
19
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
330 North Glenview Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53213-3379
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