Faces of St. Croix - St. Croix Lutheran School

SUMMER 2014
ST. CROIX TODAY
S T. C R O I X L U T H E R A N A L U M N I & A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
Faces of
St. Croix
FACULTY FEATURE
IN THIS ISSUE
PAUL WEIHING
Instructor
Dean of Students
If you see him walking the halls, he
usually has a smile on his face and a
sparkle in his eye. He is one of a few
faculty members who knows every
student at St. Croix Lutheran. “I look
at my job as being a dad to nearly
500 kids,” says Paul Weihing when reflecting on his duties as
the Dean of Students. “My role includes teaching, guiding,
correcting, and assigning punishment (if) necessary.”
St. Croix Lutheran is the school of choice for a wide
diversity of students. Annually, about 500 girls and
boys from around Minnesota, the United States, and
17 countries on five continents come together under
one roof to study, practice, learn, and form friendships.
St. Croix is more than a school – it is a home to our
dormitory students, and a gathering grounds for
academic, athletic, and music programs. Mostly,
it is a ministry, a place where young people from
around the globe can come to safely study highlevel academics from qualified instructors and
learn about their Lord and Savior without risk of
ridicule or rejection. It is our prayer that as St. Croix
Lutheran continues to reach out to the world, more
people will be drawn to the one who loves and created them for a purpose.
Faculty Feature
2
One Body, Many Parts
3
Faces of St. Croix
4
Spring Sports Recap
6
News7
Alumni Updates
7
Upcoming Events
8
PAGE 2 SUMMER 2013
Born in Greenville, Wisconsin, Weihing grew up on a dairy
farm of almost 400 acres. With four brothers and a sister,
there was always something to do. Grounded in faith and
a natural teacher, he attended Fox Valley Lutheran High
School in Appleton, Wisconsin and then went on to Dr.
Martin Luther College (DMLC) to earn a teaching degree.
An interest in diesel
mechanics led him away
from DMLC for a short
time, but he returned and
completed his studies in
1982. He met Karen, his
wife of 32 years, at DMLC,
and they raised four children
together.
“I look at my
job as being a
dad to nearly
500 kids.”
Weihing began his teaching career in 1983 in Waupaca,
Wisconsin. In addition to his teaching duties there, he directed choirs and handbells and ran the church high school
youth program. In 1989, he accepted a call to Cannon Falls,
Minnesota and served as the principal, coach, choir director, and youth program director for 14 years. He was called
to St. Croix Lutheran in 2003 and taught religion for one
year before assuming his position as Dean of Students. He
teaches freshman Bible class and Applied Technology, is the
advisor for the National Honor Society, advises lighting and
sound technicians at St. Croix special events, and schedules
musicians for daily chapel. Formerly, he served as the JV and
varsity soccer coach. Weihing recently completed his master
of science in education from Martin Luther College.
Weihing’s likeable nature makes it easy for students to
respect him. He credits his grandma Viola for her example
of faith and is thankful to be in a position to share the truth
of God’s word with St. Croix students. “Not only do we
love students for their future success in this world, but we
also love them for eternity.”
In his off time, Weihing enjoys mechanics, woodworking,
hunting, and fishing. He and his wife recently returned
from their “postponed” honeymoon in Puerto Rico.
One Body,
Many Parts
If they were all one part,
where would the body be? As it is, there
are many parts, but one body. The eye
cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need
you!” And the head cannot say to the
feet, “I don’t need you!”
1 Corinthians 12:19-21
T
hink for one moment about
what body part you would
want to be if you were just a part
of a body. Would you want to be
the tooth that does the chewing? Or the enamel that protects?
Would you want to be a foot the
carries the load? Or the toes that
hold it straight? The eyes that tell
your feelings? Or the pupil that lets
the light in? It really doesn’t matter
what you choose. Big parts, small
parts. Each is important for different reasons.
S T. C R O I X T O D AY
Who are you in the body of
St. Croix Lutheran? If you are
reading this, you are a part of the
body. Maybe you are a student
wondering what this newsletter
is all about; maybe you saw your
Who are you in the
body of St. Croix
Lutheran? If you are
reading this, you are
a part of the body.
picture on the cover or inside,
or maybe you didn’t and you are
wondering why. Or maybe you
are a graduate and this was sent to
you in the mail.You have moved
on from St. Croix, but there are
so many fond memories – it is
fun to see what the school is like
now. Perhaps you are a parent
and you spent a lot of money and
time sending your child or children here. Do you realize what
an impact your choice had on the
futures of St. Croix students? Are
you a church member who gives
some of your hard-earned dollars
to make sure a Christian education
is available for the next generation?
Maybe you are all of the above,
and you are thinking about “what’s
next.”
Many parts, one body. Just like
everything on earth, we are all a
great mixture of ingredients which
make a body, a mind, a spirit. St.
Croix Lutheran is a body; a growing, changing, and God-glorifying
body. Without you, we wouldn’t be
the same. We are grateful that you
are a part of it. Thanks for staying
connected!
S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 PA G E 3
W
hen St. Croix Lutheran first opened its doors, the student body consisted of 22 Caucasian Lutherans from
several area churches who all held similar spiritual beliefs. It was a safe and comfortable place to learn,
and for many years, it remained that way. Fast forward 56 years: St. Croix Lutheran is now home to 500
students from 17 different countries on five continents, and on any given day, you will be met with a myriad of
faces, clothing styles, languages, and yes, spiritual beliefs, as some St. Croix students are hearing about the
saving power of Christ for the first time. The campus is still safe, and despite the occasional language barriers
and cultural uncertainties, it is more comfortable than ever as a greater global perspective is passed on to the
next generation.
Let’s meet a few of the faces of St. Croix. All are recent graduates and come from very different backgrounds
with very different perceptions of the world. What they hold in common is an education under one roof with one
student body and a shared knowledge of Jesus Christ. We hope you enjoy meeting them.
LOVES
Lasagna
“Pearl Harbor”
The song “Vivir Mi
Vida”
Dogs Lili & Lola
LOVES
Ice Cream
Anything Disney
The song “I Lived”
Her three sisters
Surah Kim
Chuncheon,
South Korea
Academically Driven
Surah Kim had always dreamed of
living and learning in the United
States. She doesn’t know why, but
something was drawing her here.
After the harsh realities of the
South Korean educational system
nearly led her to exhaustion, her
dream of finding a U.S. school that
offered exceptional academics in a
welcoming environment led her to
St. Croix Lutheran. Surah has
excelled in all of her classes and
finished her SCL education in the
top 10. She will attend the
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign to study international
business and accounting.
PA G E 4 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4
family, Joey’s English went from
“nada” to fluent. He is grateful for
the excellent education he received
and looks forward to his studies at
a university in the Dominican
Republic.
Joey Alba
Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic
Against the Odds
Joey Alba was born in the Dominican Republic and probably never
thought of living in the United
States. But, in 2011, when a mission team from Wisconsin Lutheran College visited the church that
his stepfather pastored, a door was
opened and an opportunity for
something extraordinary brought
him to St. Croix Lutheran. Housed
and cared for by St. Croix faculty
member Leanne Stob and her
Crystal Carmichael
Shakopee, MN
Spiritual Mentor
Crystal Carmichael is an American
dormitory student who is well
known on campus for her gentle
nature and servant heart. Her
experience as a roommate to
international students in the dorm,
an international mentor, resident
assistant, volleyball team manager,
musician, and student ambassador
to China put her in positions to
S T. C R O I X T O D AY
share her faith. “I became really
good friends with a Vietnamese
girl; she didn’t really know the
Bible and she wasn’t afraid to ask
me questions about it. She got
baptized that next year. I still keep
in touch with her, and she is still a
Christian.” Crystal will attend
Martin Luther College this fall to
study teaching.
Quiet Leader
LOVES
Italian Food
“The Blindside“
The song “Classic”
Dog Pixi
Hannah Dye
Mendota Heights, MN
Heart of Gold
The energy that exudes from
Hannah Dye is contagious, and
you would never guess that she was
diagnosed at birth with a heart
condition that required immediate
surgery. It was her second surgery
that brought Hannah to St. Croix
Lutheran in the eighth grade.
When the local public school
would not accommodate her
schedule and threatened to make
her repeat grade eight, she found
teachers at SCL middle school
who were happy to work with her,
send work home, visit her, and
make sure she achieved her academic goals. “It was a big change
going from a class of 400 to 35,
and at first I hated it,” she recalls,
but her parents made her stay. “I’m
glad I did.” Hannah’s enthusiasm
for life and laughter impacted
many in her roles as athlete, actress,
singer, academic leader, and English
buddy for international students
during summer English camps.
S T. C R O I X T O D AY
encouraged him to study in
America. “St. Croix was a perfect
place. Everything just worked
out.” In addition to his musical
interests, Michael spent time as a
soccer and track athlete, as a lead
actor in the school musical, and as
Joseph Werz
a vocal competitor receiving a
Apple Valley, MN
perfect score on the Minnesota
State High School League solo his
senior year.
LOVES
Pancakes
“101 Dalmations“
The song “Firework”
Dog Savannah
Joe Werz always knew that he
would attend St. Croix; it’s a family
tradition. His parents, sister, brother-in-law, two aunts, and three
cousins are all SCL alums. “I was
always excited to go to St. Croix.”
Joe was surprised when his class
selected him as their class speaker
at graduation, but nobody else was.
Joe’s strong yet gentle nature made
him a leader on and off the athletic
fields, as a Croixalier, academically,
and as a mentor. His plans to join
the Navy and follow with medical
school speak volumes about the
man Joe will become.
LOVES
Dessert
“Grease“
The song “Golden”
Rusty Pick-up Trucks
Jennie Scislow
Lakeville, MN
Champion
It seems that whatever Jennie
Scislow puts her mind to, she
accomplishes. Her drive to be her
personal best is evident in her
academics, art, athletic achievements, and spiritual leadership.
LOVES
Fried Chicken
While at St. Croix, Jennie was an
“Forrest Gump“
athletic champion in soccer,
The song “Panic
basketball, and track, an internaStation”
tional mentor, National Honor
Singing
Society president, homeroom
executive team member, accompanist, and vocalist. In addition
Michael Hyun
to receiving the honor of
Seoul, South Korea
salutatorian at graduation, she
was invited to be a member of the
South Dakota State University
soccer team. She plans to study
Singer/Songwriter
interior design.
Michael Hyun has a voice that is
not easily forgotten. “I sing, and
that’s all I do,” he said when asked
about his other interests. Brought
up in Seoul, South Korea, Michael
found St. Croix when a friend
S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 PA G E 5
SPRING SPORTS RECAP
Baseball
Final Record: 6-13
Highlights: Victory over St. Anthony (top ranked in
state, best in conference). The 10 seniors on the team
played the entire last game of the season.
Softball
Final Record: 11-11,Conference 7-7
Highlights: Section playoffs second round; most doubles
in season (40); most homeruns in a season (8); won
regular season double header; Springborn most doubles
in career, most season homeruns (4), most season
triples (4); Kittelson most put-outs in career (422).
Boys Golf
Final Record: 6-3
Highlights: 4th place, Tri Metro conference; full team
sent to state sectionals; three players (Smith, Pederson,
McMorrow) advance to second round.
All Conference
Sasha Bornschlegl
Jacob Buller
Kalle Burney
Emma Groom
Riley Hillstrom
Jeremy Leonard
Dani Lopez
Ethan Marshall
Kari Marzinske
Jennie Scislow
Keegan Smith
Mitch Splittstoesser
Meghan Springborn
Brittany Staab
Chelsey Tiarks
Jon Tollefson
Sabrina Warden
Joe Werz
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Golf
Track & Field
Track & Field
Softball
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Golf
Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Softball
Track & Field
Honorable Mention
Girls Golf
Final Record: 4-5
Highlights: 6th place, Tri Metro conference.;Team
Section Academic All-State; three players (Carmichael,
Groom, Wendland) advance to section second round;
Groom received Medalist Honors at sections, finished
tied for 14th at the state meet, and received MN All
-State Girls AA Golf Team Honors.
Boys Track
Highlights: 1st place, Cannon Falls Invitational; 1st
place, Conference Relays; Section 3AA True Team
Champions; Section 4A Champions; 6th place, State
True Team; 4A Coach of Year - Schacht; Tollefson - new
school record 110 High Hurdles & 300 Hurdles; Leonard
- new school record 1600M.
Charlie Altman
Josh Arndt
Colton Dado
Alicia Chernohorsky
Kaylyn Fahrendorf
Randy Gehl
Anthony Henke
Bethany Hennen
Jessie Lindeman
Hiro Mori
Daniel Pederson
Kara Plath
Karissa Plath
Emily Tiarks
Aaron Zoellner
All-State
Girls Track
Highlights: 1st place, SCL invitational; 2nd place,
Conference Relays; 3rd place, Section 3AA True Team;
2nd place, Section 4A; 1st place, JV Championship;
Scislow - new school record 400M, 800M, 1600M;
Staab - new school record, 3200M.
PA G E 6 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4
Emma Groom
Jennie Scislow
Jon Tollefson
Baseball
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Softball
Track & Field
Baseball
Track & Field
Softball
Golf
Golf
Track & Field
Track & Field
Softball
Track & Field
Golf
Track & Field
Track & Field
S T.
ST. CCROIX
R O I XTODAY
T O D AY
ST. CROIX NEWS
Golf Classic 2014
REUNIONS
The 2014 St. Croix Lutheran annual
golf classic is on Monday, August 4 at
StoneRidge Golf Club, 13600 N.
Hudson Blvd., Stillwater, MN 55082.
Class of 1964, 50-year
Friday, August 8, 2014, 2:00 p.m.
303 West Thompson Ave, W. St. Paul
RSVP to Carol (Endresen) Lemke
(651) 450-5582
Schedule of Events
11:15 a.m. Check-in and Open
Driving/Putting Green
12:15 p.m. Welcome, Move to
Starting Tee
12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start and
On-Course Events
5:00 p.m. Dinner, Awards and Prizes
Join us for a day filled with good
fellowship, fun games, prizes, and
friendly competition! Everyone from
beginner to expert is encouraged to
attend. Invite friends or family who
enjoy a day of golfing to complete
your foursome.
Registration deadline is July 30
To register online or to download the
registration form, visit:
StCroixLutheran.org/GolfClassic
Class of 1974, 40-year
Saturday, August 30, 2014, 4:00 p.m.
2088 67th St. E., Inver Grove Heights
More info & RSVP, contact
reisenbeis@hotmail.com
Fun, fellowship, and cash prizes.
St. Croix Lutheran
Alumni Golf Challenge
Special prizes will be given to
alumni participants, including
the Dick Hadlich Memorial Alumni
Trophy, which is awarded each year
to the graduating class of St. Croix
Lutheran High School with the most
participants.
Alumni Updates
Nathan Kennedy (1999) is a Professor of Piano and Musicianship at
Concordia University, St. Paul and has
his master of arts from the University
of MN in piano performance.
Caitlin Bandelin (2007), graduated
May 10, 2014 from Concordia University St. Paul with a master of arts in
leadership and management.
If you have alumni news, please
forward your updates to Dave Ubel
at DUbel@StCroixLutheran.org.
S T. C R O I X T O D AY
Daryl Dietsche (2009) graduated
from the Navy Nuclear Power Training
Command (NNPTC) in Charleston,
SC on April 11,
2014. He received
the Navy Sword as
the top officer candidate in his class
in New Orleans.
Loren Kosloske (2010) graduated
from University of Minnesota Duluth
on May 17, 2014 with a degree in
chemical engineering and minors in
chemistry and environmental engineering. He is working for Cargill as a
Class of 1978, 36-year
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Location still to be determined.
Watch for updates on Facebook group
2014 SCLHS 1978 Class Reunion
More info & RSVP, contact
DUbel@StCroixLutheran.org or
Theron at theronc130@msn.com
Class of 2009, 5-year
Saturday, August 30, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Fireside Lounge, West St. Paul
More info & to RSVP, contact
AWittig@StCroixLutheran.org
Planning a class reunion?
Send your information to:
DUbel@StCroixLutheran.org
chemical engineer in Eddyville, Iowa at
the Vitamin E Plant and resides in Pella,
Iowa.
Dan Wells (2011)
and Miranda
Meszaros (2011)
were married on
Saturday, October
26, 2013. Dan is
serving aboard the
USS Peleliu in
San Diego, CA.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 PA G E 7
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TWIN CITIES MN
PERMIT NO. 5859
Educating the total student
1200 Oakdale Avenue
West St. Paul, MN 55118-2601
Leaving a Legacy
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, Aug 4
SCL Golf Classic, Stoneridge Golf Course
Friday, Aug 8
Class of 1964, 50-year Reunion
Monday, Aug 25
2014-2015 First Day of School
Saturday, Aug 30
Class of 1974, 40-year Reunion
Saturday, Aug 30
Class of 2009, 5-year Reunion
Saturday, Sept 6
Class of 1978, 36-year Reunion
Wednesday, Sept 17
Sports Day, 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept 24
General Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept 25
Grandparents Day, 9:00 a.m.
Sample Bequest Language:
“I hereby give, devise and bequeath to St. Croix
Lutheran of West Saint Paul, MN, a nonprofit, 501c3 _____ percent (%)
of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be
used in the area of greatest need at the time the gift is received.”
Friday, Sept 26
Grandparents Day, 9:00 a.m.
Contact St. Croix Mission Advancement for more information:
Greg Schuyler, 651-455-1521 ext. 113
• Connect with us at Facebook.com/StCroixLutheran
For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Timothy 6:7
Remembering the ministries that
have blessed your life is as simple
as adding a bequest designation to
your will. It can be changed at
anytime you choose. More importantly it will leave a lasting legacy
to sustain St. Croix Lutheran and
other ministries that are important
to you.
Do you have questions about St. Croix Lutheran?
• Call 651.455.1521
• Visit our website: www.StCroixLutheran.org
S T . C R O I X L U T H E R A N : E D U C A T I N G T H E T O T A L S T U D E N T . S P I R I T U A L L Y, I N T E L L E C T U A L L Y, P H Y S I C A L L Y.