Fall - Luther High School

Newsletter for...
Friends of Luther
Volume 21 Issue 1
Fall 2014 Edition
MASTER PLANNING report...
LHS 2014-2015
SCHOOL YEAR
THEME
by Mr. Don Fruit, Chairman of the Master Planning Committee
At the last CoD meeting on Wednesday, May 14, the
Conference Of Delegates (CoD) authorized the Master
Planning Committee to send out a Request for Proposal
(RFP) to architectural design firms for the purpose of
completing a Facility Study and Master Plan. The RFP
was sent out to a total of ten design
firms/builders; most have a presence in the Coulee Region. The
RFP was also sent to firms that
other Lutheran Area High Schools
in Wisconsin have used for recent
building projects. Interested
design firms were invited to participate in a walk-through of the
school on Friday, May 23. A total
of six design firms/builders toured
the building and were given an
opportunity to ask questions
about our future needs. After
reviewing the proposed timeline
with the firms, the decision was
made to extend the deadline for
receiving the proposals to June 13
to allow adequate time to prepare
the proposals. Proposals were
received from five architectural
design firms/builders.
On June 17, the Master Planning Steering Committee met to review the contents of
each proposal. The proposal costs ranged from $5,000
to $60,000, but it was unclear to the committee if each
proposal contained the same scope of work as the others. We needed to ask questions of each of the firms to
clarify the scope of work so we could make an accurate
comparison of the proposals. It was also determined
that due to the potential cost involved, our firm selection
would need to be approved by the BoC and CoD.
On Friday, July 11 the Master Planning Steering Committee, along with members of the Board of Control, invited
the five architectural design firms/builders to come in
one at a time for a short interview/meeting where they
were given an opportunity to make a
short presentation on their
proposal and we were given an
opportunity to ask questions of
them. Prior to the meeting a document was sent out to each of the
firms listing the RFP Deliverables
and some preliminary questions we
had. We also created a “proposal
scorecard” that we used to help us
evaluate and compare the different
firm’s proposals. At the end of the
five meetings, the committee felt
that we now had an “apples-toapples” comparison of the different
proposals and were able to select
one firm to recommend to the full
Board of Control.
As part of the interview process
with the firms, we had an opportunity to put together a timeline for
moving forward with the Facility
Study and Master Planning Process.
At the August 13, 2014 meeting, the Conference of Delegates approved the Board of Control’s recommendation
to hire the I&S Group to develop plans to move forward
with Luther High’s Master Plan. Their work should be
complete by the end of 2014.
Please continue to pray for the success of this project!
AUXILIARY news...
by Denise Priem- Auxiliary President
Luther High Auxiliary
parents
Many types of people make up the Luther High Auxiliary.
There are parents, relatives, association congregation members, friends and more. It is a group of people who care
about the future of the school and have the desire to help
to raise money to fund non-budgeted items. Each year the
Auxiliary picks a few “projects” from the Luther High wish
list and focuses on funding those items through the proceeds from the Auxiliary events throughout the year.
supporters
friends
that fund the projects. Projects that the Auxiliary has supported in the past are: a salad bar & dishwasher for Luther’s kitchen, digital video equipment, coat racks, various
athletic & music projects and defraying travel costs for a
group of students going to the Ukraine to teach Vacation
Bible School. We hope to continue to promote many more
items in the future! This year’s proceeds will purchase a
video camera for the Promotions Department and will be in
honor of Miss Buss.
These projects are funded through the proceeds of several
events. Sales of popcorn at the athletic events, the “cakewalk” at Heidelberg (October 26) and the Craft & Food
Auction (November 8) in the fall are some of the events
Please consider being a part of the joy we experience in
serving Luther High so our young people can learn and
grow in their faith.
NOTES
from Pastor Sachs...
thank
nk you ffor
or
shopping with...
GOOD STEWARD GRANTS
In June, the Good Steward Resale Shop awarded 150 grants
to students enrolled at Luther High School. The grants
were $800 for the first child in a family and $560 for the
second child. The total amount for the grants was $112,800.
We thank the Lord for the resources to do this work!
At this time we invite volunteers to work at Good Steward
for the privilege of nominating a student for a grant for the
2015-2016 school year. The time to work for a grant for the
2015-2016 school year is June 1, 2014 - May 31, 2015. For
more information or to obtain a registration form, stop in at
Good Steward or call 608-779-9763 and ask for Darlene or
Janet.
ALUMINUM CANS
One of the ways in which Friends of Luther provides support for Luther High School is by collecting aluminum cans.
A can kennel is located at Luther and at the Good Steward
Resale Shop. Last year the aluminum can collection resulted in $759.24. We are thankful for your continuing donations of aluminum cans at any time.
What a year! Thanks to your support, the Scrip program
was busy in the 2013-14 school year. Total sales were
$1,675,739.75, total families participating in the program
were 401 and the dollar amount being applied to tuition
was $82,026.47.
Scrip is on hand and available to buy immediately—no
wait at all. The money earned will be applied towards
your designated students tuition account. Because the
scrip is purchased with cash up front, the participating retailers offer a substantial discount. The discount, from 1.5
to 20 percent, is divided between you (the purchaser) and
Friends of Luther. It’s so easy, start using Scrip for your
child’s (or future child’s) tuition now!
If you do not have a student or future student coming to
Luther in the near future, please consider to support the
Scrip program and apply the credit to another Luther family or to the STEF. (Student Tuition Endowment Fund).
Beginning this year the Scrip program will be based on the
calendar year. Closing will be December 31, 2014.
WISH LIST
Sanding Supplies - Applied Home Maintenance
Glass Fusing Molds - Art
Athletic Field Liner - Athletics
Stage Lights - Audio Visual
Show Choir Outfits - Music
$50
$100
$2300
$3000
$1500
SCRIP
Bosu Balance Trainers - Phy. Ed.
Video Camera - Promotions
Christian Worship Hymnals - Religion
Digital Blood Pressure Cuffs - Science
Multimedia Projector & Screen - Technology
$2860
$5000
$430
$600
$17500
luther high school
Fifty-four years ago I entered Luther High School in
Onalaska. Our tuition was $90 which was a sacrifice for
many those days. My parents took a leap of faith with a
non accredited new Lutheran High School. They consulted Pastor Backer, who believed strongly that Christian guidance during the “growing up years” was vital
with God’s word taught daily. Many of us rural students
did not have the opportunity
to attend a Christian day
school. Our church “Saturday School” of three hours
weekly kept us parallel with
our fellow day-school confirmands. A Lutheran high
school close by was a special
opportunity.
The class of 1964 entered the
doors of Luther High School
during an exciting time. We
were baby boomers born in
1946. We began every day for
four years with an all-school Chapel service. We also
saw a senior join the Lord’s chosen through a tragic accident two days before the first Luther High graduation.
We experienced the building of the first gymnasium,
competing actively and admirably with Onalaska public
basketball teams. The first Luther band became known
for precision and marching. Our class boys excitedly
formed the first football team. We chose the school
athletic song.
In our country there were difficult times. We as seniors
heard the deafening news of the assasination our country’s President, John F. Kennedy. The Freedom Riders
were entering Mississippi. We heard the Beatles on the
Ed Sullivan Show. Then came Vietnam and the draft.
Seven of our classmates served in the military following
high school.
Of our small number, 34, graduating in June 1964, eleven
intended to enter the preaching and teaching ministry.
Ten did go on to Northwestern College and DMLC.
Later another entered teaching via synod certification.
CLASS OF 1964
Nine completed college and became called workers, two
of which completed the additional four seminary years
entering the preaching ministry. Two also returned to
teach on staff at Luther High.
Luther High remains special in my heart fifty years later
as I recall words of encouragement from faculty that
helped guide me through
life’s varied blessings and
challenges.
The Class of 1964 celebrated
their GOLDEN reunion
at Cedar Creek with an
afternoon of conversation,
sharing memories and stories, presentations, evening
dinner and special toasts
for two couples celebrating
50th wedding anniversaries.
A total 7000 miles was traveled by twenty-two classmates to return to Luther High School on Aug 10, 2014.
The evening was adjourned with singing: “God Be With
You til We Meet Again”. Later Vice Principal, Keith
Heinze took the class on a tour of the school halls and
facilities and announced the newest building proposal
for a chapel and other needed improvements.
In the words of classmate Pastor James A Phillips: “We
gather together to remember Your goodness and to
celebrate 50 years of grace, knowing that it is You who
brought us together and You that has blessed us from
the first day until now. Great is The Lord and most
worthy of praise!”
Although this class is only one of all special alumni, it is
remarkable how many felt their calling to serve others, be it in many differing arenas and was so directed
because of the significant encouragement given from the
words of faculty. “Keeping Christ in high school education” was well taught through knowing the greatest
Servant of all, our Savior.
Diane J. Lindesmith, LHS ‘64
VETRAN’S DAY invitation...
by Mr. Paul Wichmann - Principal
Please join us in the Luther High School Association
Gymnasium to acknowledge Veteran’s Day on Tuesday,
November 11, 2014 at 9:45 a.m. We will honor the
veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of
America giving thanks to God for their service to our
Lord and to our country.
MUSICAL notes...
Luther High School’s 2014 Band Camp was
held July 15 through July 18. Students practiced
music and marching for the up-coming school
year. Ally Horstman is this year’s Drum Majorette
with Bethany Lisowski and Katelyn Raddatz as
Color Guard captains. The Marching Knights will
participate in a number of fall parades including
the La Crescent Applefest Parade on September
21, the La Crosse Torchlight Parade on September
25 and the Warrens Cranfest Parade on September 28. On Friday, July 18th, the Band traveled
to Valleyfair in Shakopee, MN. The Marching
Knights marched at Valleyfair and then enjoyed
the many rides and shows. Thanks to the parents
by Mr. Jim Rupprecht - Music Chairman
for all the volunteer time, serving, sewing and food
donated for band camp. It is greatly appreciated.
The Luther High Marching Knight’s look forward
to the fall parades while representing Luther High
School and their Savior
Luther High School Music Department has scheduled Heidelberg 2014 for Sunday, October
26. This 53rd celebration of our German Heritage
will run from 11:00 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Look for more
unique changes in Heidelberg. Please watch your
church bulletins for upcoming announcements.
Help is always welcome and please reserve this
date to attend.
upcoming EVENTS at Luther High
10/03: Homecoming
10/26: Heidelberg Fall Festival
12/07: Coulee Chorale Concert
10/19: Children’s Theater
11/07: 5th Grade Science Day
12/14: Christmas Concert
10/24: Grandparent’s Day
11/08: Auxiliary Auction
annual
by Pastor Sachs
GOLF OUTING...
It was a windy, pleasant and enjoyable day for the
123 golfers who participated in the twentieth annual Dr. James Raabe golf outing at Cedar Creek
Country Club on July 14. Many thanks to all who
helped or participated in our tournament in any
way this year. A special thank you to the La Crosse
County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
for matching funds of $1,000.00. Congratulations to
our winners, two foursomes tied for top place with
a score of 58: 1) Derek Kasten, Caleb Kasten, John
Stoddart, Charlie Kasten; and 2) Phil Yahnke, Jon
Pauley, Eric Blount, and Mike Harris. Congratulations also to the winner of the putting contest –
Mike Slater. Next year’s tournament is scheduled
for Monday, July 13, 2015.
Many thanks to our generous
hole sponsors and prize donors
Cottage Grove Nursery
Wehrs Chevrolet, Bangor
Herbal Healings Massage & Wellness
Zenke Auction & Realty Inc.
BMO Bank
Carrier-Eddy Insurance Group
Vermeer-Wisconsin, Inc.
Wieser Brothers
Dave Skogen/Festival Foods
Kwik Trip, Inc.
Lee J. Fehr, Attorney at Law
A & W Root Beer
Bremer Bank
Hair Headquarters
St. Joseph Equipment
Pepsi-Cola
Merchants Bank, Onalaska
Walsh Golf Center
Coulee Bank, La Crosse
Sports Hub, La Crescent
Dynamic Recycling, La Crosse
Clason Pontiac
Merchants Bank, La Crescent
Corky’s Pizza
Interstate Roofing & Waterproofing
Valley High Golf Club
E. Lyndon Sinclair, LLC
Apple Village Liquor
Kwik Trip, Inc.
Heth’s Hardware Hank
Western Wisconsin Schafskopf Klub
Thorson Graphics
Good Steward Resale Shop
Bauer’s Garden Center Market
La Crosse County Thrivent Financial
Luther High Golf Team
Joel and Sherri Wendland
Vandermeer Motors, Tomah
Martin Warehousing, LLC
Burnstad’s, Tomah
Scenic Center
..
Honda Motorwerks
Garibaldi Mexican Cuisine
Bethany College
Evergreen Apartments
Reinhart Food Service
American Lock and Key
Loehr’s Meat Market
Friends of Luther
Reinhart Food Service
Signature Chiropractic
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Homes
SPRING SPORTS recap...
by Mr. Joel Babinec - Athletic Director
Both boys and girls track teams combined for a first
at Luther this past spring with both winning a WIAA
Regional Championship in the same season. The girls
dominated their regional with a comfortable 46 point
advantage over 2nd place Cashton. The boys kept
things much more tense, with the outcome of the meet
not decided until the last event. Even more exciting
was the fact that they could do this at home as Luther
hosted the WIAA Regional Meet for the first time.
Girls track had a good showing at the state meet, finishing 15th overall. The 4 x 100 m relay team consisting of Isabelle Kick, Taylor Kasten, Amber Bilitz and
Christina Houlihan finished 2nd, just narrowly missing
a repeat State Title. The 4 x 200 m relay team (Angela
Zenke, Ali Furhman, Taylor Kasten and Christina
Houlihan) finished 3rd while the 4 x 400 m relay team
(Taylor Kasten, Erin Svendsen, Julia Hoffe and Christina Houlihan) finished 6th. Senior Annika Henckel
qualified in two events (3200 m and pole vault) finishing 14th and 11th respectively. Junior Max Wetzel was
the lone qualifier for boys in the pole vault.
With their 2014 State performance, Houlihan and Kasten became the first athletes to reach the State podium
(6th place finish or better) three times in one meet since
Emily Babinec stood the podium in four events during
the 2002 State Meet.
Softball finished another outstanding season posting
a 16-5 overall record and conference record of 10-2. The
team lost in the Regional Championship game 1-0 to the
eventual state champions, Arcadia. This marked the
7th consecutive winning season for the Lady Knights.
Senior Emily Appold received 1st Team All-Conference
honors for the 3rd consecutive season, while the team
set a new record in fielding percentage (.973).
ROBOTICS
Baseball finished its season at an even .500 in both
conference games (6-6) and overall games (11-11). The
boys played well outscoring opponents 138-107. Aaron
Schaper and Sawyer Rode combined for a no-hitter
against Melrose-Mindoro. Rode took that one step further and pitched a perfect game against Houston, MN.
Golf finished 5th in conference play and advanced to
the WIAA Sectional meet for the 7th consecutive year.
The team was led by Senior Jesse Cary who earned
Coulee Conference Honorable Mention honors and
Caleb Kasten who was selected as the team’s most valuable golfer.
Coulee Spring All-Conference Awards
BASEBALL
1st Team: Aaron Schaper
2nd Team: Michael Pamperin
Honorable Mention:
Marshall Walters
SOFTBALL
1st Team: Emily Appold
Bethany Beitlich
2nd Team: Sara Beckendorf
Eliza Dobbe
Anna Hemmelman
GOLF
Honorable Mention:
Jesse Cary
TRACK
1st Team: 400 m girls relay
(Christina Houlihan, Taylor
Luther has an after school robotics team called igKnightion. We build
competition robots that weigh up to 120 lbs and enter them into regional events in MN & WI. At the tournaments, we compete against
60 other robots for a chance to win a spot at the national tournament
in St. Louis. Students don’t need any prior experience to join the team,
our mentors and coach teach the students most everything they need to
know. We appreciate all who support our program through their donations, mentoring and cheering us on. We will begin our fourth season in
January and finish in March. Last year’s challenge involved picking up,
passing, catching and shooting a 2ft exercise ball. Our next challenge
won’t be revealed until early January. Be sure to check out our website
at www.igknightion.com for more information.
Kasten, Amber Bilitz, Isabelle Kick)
Erin Svendsen (Long Jump)
Christina Houlihan (200 m)
2nd Team: 800 m girls
relay (Isabelle Kick, Amber
Bilitz, Julia Hoffe, Angie
Zenke)
Isabelle Kick (100 m
hurdles)
Annika Henckel (Pole
Vault)
Honorable Mention: 1600
m boys relay (Max Wetzel,
Matt Ross, Dan Walsh, Collin Kennedy)
800 m boys relay (Jordan
Lisk, Max Wetzel, Dan
Walsh, Collin Kennedy)
Angie Zenke (300 m
hurdles)
BAPTISM
LES BAND
at luther high school...
fall update...
by Pastor Jon Bilitz
by Dan Larson
LES Band Director
What a fantastic summer! The LES Band was invited
again to participate in the Luther High School Band
Camp in July. Twenty-five LES Band students participated for two days and then marched at Valley Fair
with the award winning Luther High School Marching
Band. What an honor and what a blast!
This year the Lord has seen fit to bless our program
with about 90 LES Band members. To Him be the
glory! We have asked Mrs. Harle (from Stoddard) and
Mrs. Rupprecht (from Lewiston) to help give lessons
this year. Please say Hi to them and thank them for
their service to our schools.
This will be another exciting year for all. The LES
Lancer Band will be playing with the LHS Band at
Luther High’s Homecoming on October 3. Our mission
with the LES Band Program is to develop future musicians for Christ. Thank you for partnering with us in
this mission!
SECURITY
at Luther...
The students and staff at Luther High experienced a special
occasion on the final day of semester tests. On Friday, May
23, during the chapel service, Yicong Chen was baptized
following his confession of faith. Yicong is an international
student who came to Luther in 2012, at the start of his
junior year. From Dongguan, China, Yicong quickly embraced his experience at Luther. He was active in extracurricular activities and proved himself a very capable student,
graduating with the class of 2014. Yicong’s personality and
his cheerful nature made him a friend to many of the students and a joy to have in class for the teachers. He will be
remembered for many things, but what happened to Yicong
on the final Friday of the school year will probably remain
the deepest memory the students will carry with them. As
the students sat in their desks for chapel in the Auxiliary
Gym, with only one semester test left, their attention was
focused on the stage where Yicong had water applied to his
forehead in the name of the Triune God. Tears of joy were
shed, congratulations handed out, and there was much
rejoicing in heaven. One student said, “It was incredible!
To think that Yicong came to Luther without much knowledge of Jesus and left a baptized member of God’s family is
awesome!” We rejoice with Yicong, his parents Jun Chen
and Xiaochun Wang, and Caren Yang, who served as his
baptismal sponsor (the Yang family hosted Yicong this past
school year). What a neat day -- a day when the Luther
family got a front row seat to see the power of the Holy
Spirit at work! Thanks be to God!
A generous gift from Friends of Luther enabled the
school to install security cameras during the summer of 2014. The cameras cover the hallways, gyms,
concessions, computer lab, study hall, Commons and
outside parking lots. The system was designed to be
able to add more cameras as needed. The Onalaska
Police Department has been given live access to the
cameras for emergency purposes – this is standard
practice for schools in our region. We thank God for
this wonderful donation and pray that He continues to
keep us safe!
by Mr. James Mahnke
Please join us on Friday, September 12 from 4:00-7:30 p.m. at
Luther High School for a Big Boar BBQ! While you are enjoying
your dinner you can watch the LHS Football team play Prairie du Chien. Tickets are $8 in advance and $9 after 9/5. You
can get tickets through the Luther High School Athletic Office
(608-783-5435 x361) or at the home LHS football games. Dinner
consists of a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans & cole slaw.
Beverages & cupcakes will be available for purchase on site. All
proceeds benefit athletic items. See you there!
highlights from...Awards
Awards Night
Valedictorian
Senior Male Athlete Award
Colin Cortez
Marshall Walters
Salutatorian
Senior Female Athlete Award
Annika Henckel, Emily Appold
Christina Houlihan
Musical Knight Award
Badger Girls State Representative
Emma Schibbelhut, Rachel Riediger, Elizabeth Niemi
Stacie Fruit, Amber Bilitz
John Philip Sousa Award
Badger Boys State Representative
Justin Wintrone
Eric Luehmann, Jerry Cundiff
Syda Berg Award
Sound Mind~Sound Body Award
Luke Dorn, Jennifer Adickes
Aaron Schaper, Annika Henckel
it was a...
BIG KNIGHT!
by Mary Bilitz - Publications
The Big Knight 2014 - A Knight in Morocco was a smashing success! Thanks so much to all of our generous donors,
our faithful helpers and our fabulous guests!
They received nothing in return, just the knowledge that
they were helping the students at Luther High. It was really heartwarming to see the support!
Our new location, The Cargill Room at The Waterfront
was amazing. The room was spacious and beautiful, the
staff were friendly and efficient and the food was delicious!
After everything was tallied we are excited to announce
that we raised over $70,000 for tuition assistance and
Chromebooks!!! What a blessing!
Along with the excitement of a new venue, there were also
many new auction items! Our guests got to consider things
like; handmade notecards (made by our very own Connie Bader), fresh steak packages (Kitchen Cravings from
Kwik Trip!), eye exams (from Dr. Holly Fischer, Optical
Fashions), a Summerfest experience at the MillerLite Oasis
(from Miller Coors) and weekend trips to Vegas (from
NACS)!
You can view pictures from the event at www.emilyjeanphoto.com/tbkmorocco.
Probably the neatest part of the night was the “fund a
student” item. Guests had the opportunity to flat out give.
There is something for EVERYONE at The Big Knight!
Some people come for a specific auction item, some come
for a fun night out and some come just for the Christian
fellowship. Please consider joining us next year!
Stay tuned for information on The Big Knight 2015 - A
Knight in The Orient, which will be held on Friday, April
17, 2015 at The Cargill Room at The Waterfront!
Newsletter for...
Friends Of Luther High School
C/O First Ev. Lutheran Church
400 West Ave. South
La Crosse, WI. 54601
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
La Crosse, WI.
Permit No. 588
Address Service Requested
Newsletter published as a program of First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, WI. Email address: fol@luther.k12.wi.us
2014-2015 School Year Theme
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Those beautiful words from
Psalm 46 serve as the 2014-15 school year theme for Luther High
School. Through them, God reminds us to “stay calm” because
he has everything under control. He is God and we are not. He
knows us better than we know ourselves. As we begin another
school year, we don’t know what will happen, what the future
holds. But our God does. He knows what we need. He knows
what is best for us. God simply says to us, “Trust me. I know
what I am doing.” God proved his love for us when he sent his
only Son to take our place in life and death, and to rise again to
guarantee our forgiveness and resurrection. So we begin this
school year with calmness and confidence, trusting that God is
guiding and leading us. We pray for God’s blessings on the students, parents, staff and supporters of Luther as we trust in our
Lord who reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God.”
by Pastor Jon Bilitz