campus - Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Table of Contents
Spring
2016
A publication of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School
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Making Waves
A fascination with physics that was born
here at Dock has translated into a significant
breakthrough for Geoffrey Lovelace (’98) and
his colleagues at Cal State-Fullerton.
Arts Day
Arts Day 2016 was a valentine to the City of
Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love.
Senior Experience
Once again, Senior Experience lights the future
path for Dock seniors.
Annual Report
Celebrating the life-changing ministry of
Christopher Dock—and expressing deep
gratitude for those who make it possible.
Campus Happenings
Dock (and Penn View) rock science fair •
A beautiful gift of art from the Class of 2013 •
The Dock stage welcomes Jerry Yoder • Three
singers make All-State Chorus • What a year for
track & field! • Refugee Day goes virtual
Alumni Notes
The (family) force is strong with the Class of
1980
Superintendent’s Message
Preparing to go further
On the cover: Armelda Xhari chose to spend her Senior
Experience week at Ten Thousand Villages because it
made her nostalgic for her home in Albania—and because
she identifies strongly with the company’s mission.
Read more starting on page 8.
Right: Although his math and science classes prepared
him well for college and career, Geoffrey Lovelace (’98)
says the Dock moments he “wouldn’t trade for anything”
took place in Chorale and Touring Choir.
Dr. Conrad J. Swartzentruber
Superintendent
Dr. Sharon Fransen
Assistant Superintendent
Curriculum & Instruction
Martin D. Wiens
Principal, Christopher Dock
Bronwyn Histand
Principal, Penn View
Jeffrey A. Ambrose
Director of Business Services
Igniting Passion for Learning, Faith, and Life.
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Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, in partnership
with the family and the church, seeks to develop the
God-given abilities of students in preparation for
responsible stewardship of life as members of God’s
people in a global society. Dock serves youth and families
of Franconia Mennonite Conference, Eastern District
Conference and those who share Anabaptist values.
Robert D. Rutt
Director of Advancement
Douglas Hackman
Director of Admissions
Kathleen Gordon
Director of Marketing
Board of Trustees
Warren L. Tyson, Co-Chair
Mark Bergey ‘88, Co-Chair
Katie Longacre, Secretary
P. Scott Heckler, Treasurer
Ken Clemmer
John Duerksen
Beny Krisbianto
Chad Lacher ‘93
Scott Landis ‘82
James Lapp
Rina Rampogu
Ruth H. Yoder
Lamplighter is published by
Christopher Dock Mennonite High
School, 1000 Forty Foot Road,
Lansdale, PA 19446.
It is entered as third-class matter
at the Lansdale Post Office.
Jay Gordon, Editor
Steve Leinbach, Layout & Design
www.dockhs.org
Making Waves
Scientists at Cal State-Fullerton rocked the scientific
community with their discovery of gravitational waves.
For Geoffrey Lovelace (’98), who was part of the team,
it was the culmination of a fascination with physics that
began right here at Christopher Dock.
G
eoffrey Lovelace’s introduction
to the physics of black holes
and gravitational waves came during
his first year at Christopher Dock,
when he came across a book by
Kip Thorne titled, Black Holes and
Time Warps: Einstein’s Outrageous
Legacy. “By the end of chapter
one, I was hooked,” says Lovelace,
who graduated in 1998. “I was so
excited, I told my Biology teacher
(Elvin Kennel) that I was going to
go to Caltech and study theoretical
physics. He just smiled and said,
‘We’ll see.’”
We’ll see, indeed. Geoffrey Lovelace
is now Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace, and
he earned his doctorate in physics
at—you guessed it!—Caltech. To
complete the prophetic trifecta,
his Ph.D. advisor was none other
than…Caltech Professor Kip Thorne.
But for Dr. Lovelace, it gets even
better. Not only has he parlayed his
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initial fascination with black holes
into a career in physics, but now he
is part of a scientific team that has
made a ground-breaking discovery
of gravitational waves—a revelation
which confirms a major prediction
of Albert Einstein’s 1915 general
theory of relativity and opens an
unprecedented new portal onto the
cosmos.
Gravitational waves are ripples in
space-time that are produced by
masses that revolve or collapse in
a lopsided way. The waves travel
at the speed of light, stretching
and squeezing the distances
between things in their path. Like
light, gravitational waves can
have many different frequencies.
Physicists have concluded that the
gravitational waves detected by the
Laser Interferometer Gravitational
Wave Observatory were produced
during the final fraction of a second
of the merger of two black holes
to produce a single, more massive
spinning black hole. This collision of
two black holes had been predicted
but never observed–until now.
Lovelace says that, for scientists, the
discovery “is kind of like having a
new sense to observe the universe.”
“Gravitational waves will open
a new window on the universe,
revealing objects that we could not
see with light, such as black holes,”
he says. “We can use gravitationalwave observations to learn about
how the universe has changed over
time, how stars and galaxies form
and evolve, and how black holes
and other astrophysical objects
behave.” It’s possible, he adds,
To learn more about gravitational waves, the amazing “space microphone”
used to listen for them, and the astounding amount of computing power
required to identify them, go to dockhs.org or watch for the digital edition
of the Spring 2016 Lamplighter.
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that the most dramatic part of this
discovery has yet to be revealed.
“Every time we have opened a new
window on the universe, we have
found something we didn’t expect,”
Lovelace says. “The most exciting
part [of this discovery] might be the
still-unknown surprises.”
Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace is assistant
professor of physics at Cal
State-Fullerton, and a theorist
specializing in numerical
relativity. His research focuses on
using supercomputer simulations
to model colliding black holes
and the gravitational waves they
emit, to help detectors observe
as many of these waves as
possible. He earned his doctorate
in physics from Caltech and his
bachelor’s degree in physics from
the University of Oklahoma.
Lovelace worked for five years
as a research associate at Cornell
University before joining the
CSUF Physics Department faculty
in 2012.
The Dock building blocks
of a science career
F
or Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace (’98), reading a book about
black holes during freshman year was just the first step
in the process of pursuing a career in physics.
When it came time to write his research paper for English
class sophomore year, guess which topic he chose? Black
holes. “Learning how to clearly explain technical ideas in
writing was invaluable for college and grad school,” he
says. “It really helped me stand out.”
But the most practical preparation for his budding career
in physics would come during Physics class junior year.
“For extra credit, I created a little Mac program to compute
some properties of black holes, using formulas I’d found
in the books I’d been reading for that English paper,” he
says. “To make it work, I had to learn C programming and
how to work with a large code written by others. That
experience was incredibly useful when I began working
on codes for simulating black holes on supercomputers.”
God and the Universe
G
eoffrey Lovelace remembers chatting with faculty member
Jerry Yoder one day after school, and referencing a
passage of scripture to back up what he was saying. Lovelace
was stunned when Yoder asked him point blank: “How do you
know that’s true?”
“I guess I’d always just assumed, and never really thought about
it,” Lovelace says. “I didn’t know what to say, but it gave me the
idea that having faith doesn’t mean being afraid of asking certain
questions, or of finding answers that you didn’t expect or want.”
Gradually, Lovelace started asking questions, figuring that
God is strong enough and real enough to survive questions
and skepticism. “And that turned out to be true,” he says. “My
Christian faith today coexists with my scientific understanding.”
Jerry Yoder’s classes also had a significant impact on him.
“The math I learned was crucial in college and grad school,
but I also remember how he would help you figure things
out for yourself by asking questions instead of just giving
you answers,” Lovelace says. “He has a sign in his classroom
that says, ‘Don’t be afraid to ask “dumb” questions.’ There
really aren’t any dumb questions, and I show a picture of
that sign to my students on the first day of classes.”
As valuable as the lessons in science, math, and English
were, what made the Dock experience so unique and
special for Lovelace was the spiritual formation that took
place during his four years—especially in Chorale and
Touring Choir. “The songs we sang showed us some of
the different ways people experience the presence of
God,” Lovelace says. “This didn’t directly prepare me to
be a scientist, but I still wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ll
always be grateful that Christopher Dock gave me these
experiences.”
That scientific understanding has been stretched considerably
with the discovery of gravitational waves. “When I saw the
wave, I was awestruck,” he says. “The more I learned about it,
the more that feeling grew. I am still amazed that God created
such a vast, amazing, mysterious universe, where this kind of
invisible cataclysm can happen a billion light years from Earth.
And that God gave us minds capable of figuring out how to
observe black holes colliding by measuring how the ripples of
gravity they send out move mirrors by less than the size of a
proton.”
Lovelace sums up his views on science and faith in a Tennyson
quote that Dr. Eric Bishop gave him:
Let knowledge grow from more to more
But more of reverence in us dwell
That mind and soul, according well
May make one music as before
But stronger.
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They sang, they danced, they wrote, cooked,
sewed and more—and in the end, Arts Day 2016
was a valentine to our City of Brotherly Love.
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W.C. Fields was supposed to have said, “All things considered, I’d rather be in
Philadelphia.” We would amend that just a bit to say, “All things considered, I’d
rather be at Arts Day.” For Arts Day 2016, we didn’t have to make that choice.
Dock’s annual day-long celebration of art and creativity brought the city of
Philadelphia to life in Clemens Auditorium, as students explored music, drama,
visual arts, food, fabric, and historical events and persons of the city as inspiration
for their efforts.
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Arts Day 2016 Winners
Creative Writing:
3rd – Emma Chimera – 12th – 93%
2nd – Avery Geistdorfer – 12th – 95%
1st – Jules Rotelle – 11th – 96%
Fabric Arts:
3rd – Jessica Schmidt – 9th – 88% Love Pillow
2nd – Celena Derstine – 11th – 92% Poodle Skirt
1st – Liz Wanamaker – 11th – 98% - Crocheted Flag
Culinary:
3rd – Emma Chimera – 12th
2nd – Meghan MacIntyre – 12th
1st – Jamie Kolb – 10th
Visual Arts:
3rd – Tie: Jake Detweiler – 12th & Jess Schmidt – 9th
2nd – Lizzie Haas – 11th
1st – Madison Scialanca – 12th
People’s Choice Award:
12th grade Band – “Bad Reputation” – 30.3%
12th grade Dance – “Philadelphia” – 24.9%
11th grade Girls Vocal – “Pink” – 10.4%
Final Overall Scores:
3rd – Freshmen
2nd – Seniors
1st – Juniors
Group Project:
3rd – Grade 11
2nd – Grade 12
1st – Grade 10
1. Anna Ford and Duncan MacIntyre call to mind the seasons of life during the
junior girls vocal, “Time in a Bottle.”
2. Sophomores Lauren Ness (left) and Molly Hand got Dock custodian Paul Miller
involved in the build-up to their piano duet, “Junk Man Rag.”
3. The only thing more interesting than watching the dance, “Philadelphia,” from
in front of the screen was watching the performance behind the screen. Senior
Lindsay Fisher choreographed the piece.
4. Betsy’s got nothing on Liz! Liz Wanamaker captured 1st place in the Fabric Arts
category with this crocheted version of Betsy Ross’ famous flag.
5. Jamie Kolb scored points for the sophomores with her 1st place finish in the
Culinary Arts category.
6. Senior Madison Scialanca captured 1st place in the Visual Art category for her
stunning photo.
7. Lizzie Haas’ video project scored points for the juniors with a 2nd place finish.
8. Senior boys pause for prayer (inset) before their performance of the Hall & Oates
hit, “Private Eyes.”
9. Senior Emma Chimera scored a 3rd place ribbon for her Rocky Road No-Bake
Cheesecake—but gets extra credit for the John LeClair jersey!
10. The junior girls took us back to the early days of rock & roll and Dick Clark’s
American Bandstand with their dance to the Hall & Oates’ song, “You’re Making
My Dream Come True.”
11. Seniors Seth Kolb, Lanae Hunsberger, Jonathan Nieto, Niki Clements and
Taylor Downes gave an “illuminating” performance to close out Arts Day 2016—
and received “glowing” reviews from their peers in the form of a 1st place finish in
the People’s Choice Award.
12. A parade of famous Philadelphians was featured in the clever time-traveling skit,
“The Census,” written by sophomores Emily Bennett and Mikayla Frederick.
Pictured here are (l to r) Tim Kennel as Ben Franklin; Levi Longacre as Bradley
Cooper; Isaac Longacre as Fred Rogers; and Laura Olsen as Taylor Swift.
13. Senior Taylor Downes (guitar, vocals) wrote a song called “Philadelphia,” and
performed it with classmates (l to r) Tyler Rice (guitar), Niki Clements (drums)
and Jonathan Nieto (bass).
14. Arts Day emcee Mr. Bush dressed fashionably for the occasion.
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Visit the Dock web site for more
photos and information about
Arts Day, and go to Dock’s
YouTube channel to view more
than 30 Arts Day videos.
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GAININGCLARITY
Whether they choose to serve or
job shadow, Senior Experience
week rarely fails to light the
future path for Dock seniors.
Taylor Downes
Country Music Television,
Nashville, TN
Today I sat in on some
meetings with new artists.
Every Wednesday from 3-5
p.m., Jordan chooses 15-20
artists to come in and perform,
either recorded or live. The
music team observes them
to see if they want to sponsor
or promote them. More than
anything, the meetings are for
artists to build relationships
in the industry. Jordan is also
working on the “Next Women
of Country” campaign, which
showcases new artists. One
of the ladies in the campaign,
Cassadee Pope (a recent
winner on The Voice) is my
neighbor at my condo, and
I had the opportunity to give
her my CDs and even got a
picture of her holding them!
I learned a lot from my Senior
Experience. I learned that
music is something I’d love
to be involved in, but it’s a
competitive business. My
main concern now is that I
would get a job in the music
business working to make
other artists famous when I
just wished that it was me.
That’s why I also shadowed
a teacher, to see if I could
do that and something with
my music on the side. I’m
conflicted about what to do,
but I know I’m not giving up
on my music—that’s for sure.
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Maddie Landes
Haiti
So today was the first day
in Haiti and I have to say, I
felt like I was in Guatemala
because of the poverty and
the way the houses were built.
My two scariest moments
of the day were 1) smelling
all of the burning trash and
seeing it all over the road.
Even though Mary said it was
getting cleaner, I couldn’t
believe they were living in it.
2) I had no idea that people
who had money would be
living so close to those living
under tin roofs. To me, that
was disheartening, especially
knowing I couldn’t help
everyone.
Today’s clinic was the hardest
day, emotionally, for me,
because this village was so
much worse off than the
others. There were more
people who were older, and
one lady’s heart stopped
beating after she fainted
twice—but it started again a
couple of seconds later by an
act of God’s love and mercy.
I know that it was God telling
us that He’s still with us and
watching over the people we
are seeing. This gives me so
much joy to think about.
Total people seen: 1,289
Singer-songwriter Taylor Downes (top, left) knows she wants to
make Nashville home for at least the next four years.
Olyvia Longacre
I am extremely
thankful for Senior
Experience.
I am glad I got
the opportunity to
experience different
fields within
social work.
This week gave me
peace and clarity.
I love that Dock
provides this
opportunity,
and I hope all seniors
make the most of it.
Red Hill Christian School,
Penn View Christian School
Today I went to Penn View
to shadow Jayne Longacre, a
preschool and kindergarten
gym teacher. I was excited
to shadow Jayne because I
know her really well; she is
my second cousin, but I also
babysit her kids. Jayne is very
high energy and I knew this
would be a fun experience. It
was cool to see the reactions
when Mrs. Longacre told the
kids that my name was Ms.
Longacre.
I came to the conclusion this
week that I want to work
with kids. Interacting with
them was what made the
— Brooke Leaman
experience enjoyable for
me. I am leaning towards a
physical education major, but
Olyvia Longacre not only got to
I’m not positive.
play with kids at Penn View—
she got to do it with her cousin
Jayne, who teaches Phys Ed.
Senior Experience encouraged Darren Souder to pursue
engineering in college—and he learned that mistakes are
learning opportunities.
Darren Souder
CHL Systems
I went to CHL Systems
to shadow a mechanical
engineer, Greg Melanson. He
showed me the technology
they used to create parts and
assemblies. He even let me
try to design my own part,
which required 15 steps
and took me three hours to
complete. The software was
difficult to use and required
a lot of knowledge. He also
showed me math problems
that I found impossible to
solve, but [Greg] did it like it
was a piece of cake.
This was a great experience
that showed me that I really
would like to be an engineer
or designer. Even when things
don’t work, you learn from
your mistakes and design it in
a different way that you think
will work better. Mechanical
engineering is probably the
path I will take.
Jared Exler (far left) spent
part of the week at Drexel
University shadowing Bryan
Ford, director of recreation
in Drexel’s Athletic
Department.
Sidi Wang
New Oriental Corporation,
China
I’d
always
imagined
film-making to be a job of
making dreams come true,
but the first day of Senior
Experience
immediately
broke my dream and made
me realize the hard reality of
this field. The director told
me that my task for the next
few days was “nannying”
the crew. I later helped the
assistant director to create the
storyboard for the shoot, and
I was amazed at the detail the
script goes into. They planned
out every single shot.
He asked me why I wanted
to study film, and I told him
I want to make a difference in
the world through film. I was
waiting to be laughed at, but
he said he totally understood,
because everyone in the
industry starts off with the
same goal—but only a few
hang on to the end. He said
that was why he asked me
to be a “nanny”—because
film-making is a hard process,
and a good filmmaker should
have the ability to be a waiter,
a businessperson, and an
artist.
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Jordan Addley (far right) got to sit
in on several appointments with
Dr. Nancy Roth at Mercy Health
in Philadelphia.
Working at the Ten Thousand
Villages store in Souderton caused
Armelda Xhari to recall working
in her parent’s store in Albania.
Andrew Baldwin has a deeper
appreciation for elementary
school teachers after his week at
Penn View Christian School.
Armelda Xhari
Ten Thousand Villages
Being at Ten Thousand
Villages made me nostalgic
about home. I used to help my
parents with their store, and
it brought a lot of memories
back. I liked everyone who
worked there, but especially
Bonnie. Other volunteers
were relaxed and friendly.
Bonnie was more demanding;
she
really
emphasized
progress in the store. My
parents used to do the same
thing, so the workers would
never forget to give their best.
I have learned that giving your
best as a salesperson is critical
to the progress of the store.
I chose to work at Ten
Thousand
Villages
not
because I am interested
in business, but because I
am interested in what Ten
Thousand Villages does. Even
though it’s a small network of
stores, Ten Thousand Villages
has been able to improve
many lives across the globe,
especially women’s lives. My
goal is to improve women’s
lives, and to fight for
equality. I want to go back [to
Albania] powerful, not with
money, but with knowledge
and experience. I want to lead
my country and its women to
a different, brighter future.
Andrew Baldwin
Penn View Christian School
Today I had an opportunity
to lead an activity for the first
graders. Although some of
the kids were talking too loud
or not following instructions,
I managed to keep myself
under control. Afterward,
Mrs. Landis told me she
was impressed with how I
managed to keep the first
graders under control. When
she told me that I was proud
of myself.
Jordan Addley
Mercy Health
This experience had a lot
of value for me, as I always
envisioned myself being a
psychologist. The patient’s
stories about their lives make
the job worthwhile. People
always think that this job
entails helping someone else,
but they are helping me just
as much. They are bringing
me down to earth and helping
me realize that I’m not the
only one, that I don’t have it
bad. This makes me feel like I
belong, and I can see my self
doing this; it will never get
old.
Rebecca Timmerman
Mexico
The value of this trip was
learning so much about
archaeology. I loved exploring
the jungle and learning about
the Mayans. It was also great
getting to know some of my
classmates that I hadn’t talked
to much before. I understand
them in a whole new light
now. We have become closer
since Faith Walk class, and it
continued on this trip.
Devon Landis
Penn View Christian School
In Computer class I helped the
kids with their typing skills,
making sure their fingers were
on the home keys. I also got
to help them with their Bible
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Continued on page 23
Annual Report
July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015
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Dear Friends of Christopher Dock
T
Igniting Passion for Learning, Faith, and Life.
1000 Forty Foot Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
215.362.2675
www.dockhs.org
he 2014-2015 Annual Report is a celebration of the life-changing ministry of
Christopher Dock. It gives evidence of your partnership in this work. Your faithful
support of Christopher Dock is an inspiration to our students and faculty. I am deeply
grateful for your role in preparing students for “responsible stewardship of life as
members of God’s people in a global society.”
This report reflects the final year of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School as a
high school campus. The 2014-2015 year was spent preparing for the integration of
two schools into one as Penn View Christian School joined this Early Childhood –
Grade 12 school system beginning on July 1, 2015.
As our boards envisioned an integrated school system, we were drawn to Isaiah
43:19. In this passage, God is doing a “new thing,” described as giving life to the
desert through the gift of flowing water. The transformation in this image is striking.
We wondered what new thing God might be doing in and through our schools. We
recounted God’s presence with our schools over the past years. We celebrated the
current solid footing of our schools, particularly strong financial stability.
The reasons for integrating the schools were clear. We would strengthen our
Anabaptist identity by enhancing our ability to nurture children and youth to
be passionate followers of Jesus Christ. We would continue to be an inviting
community for all who share and respect our values. Within the integrated system,
we would strengthen our program through a consistent, seamless curriculum, varied
educational experiences, nurturing faith environment, and a strong faculty to serve
our students.
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Christopher Dock
Mission Statement
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Christopher Dock
Mennonite High School, in
partnership with the family
and the church, seeks to
develop the God-given
abilities of students in
preparation for responsible
stewardship of life as
members of God’s people
in a global society. Dock
serves youth and families
of Franconia Mennonite
Conference, Eastern District
Conference and those who
share Anabaptist values.
Our relationship with churches, community members and donors would be through
one united presence, rather than two. The integration of these two schools was only
possible because of the strong financial foundation you helped build over the past
decades.
During our 62nd year as a single campus, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School
partnered with parents and church congregations in shaping the lives of young
people. The work continued even as we prepared for the integration. So in this final
Christopher Dock report, we celebrate the generosity of those named for their role in
providing a faith-infused education for our students. Thank you for your prayers and
financial support of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and we welcome your
continued support as we live into our new school system. We celebrate 2014-2015
while we anticipate the “new thing” God wants to do in our school!
In Christ,
Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber
Superintendent
Financials
2014-2015
Income
Tuition$3,524,652.43
Church Partnerships $1,233,308.00
Generated Revenue
$777,333.17
Contributions & Gifts $269,256.99
Food Services $224,018.75
Advancement Activities
$213,806.77
Fitness Center $44,320.83
Organized Activities $33,644.23
Total Revenue $6,320,341.17
Income
*
Expenses
Expenses
Salaries & Benefits
$3,924,341.69
Financial Aid
$626,472.84
Campus Oper & Maintenance $624,764.91
Educational Technology
$187,761.03
Administration$243,098.36
Instructional Support
$153,887.08
InterSchool Athletics
$141,386.44
Food Services
$142,695.41
Curriculum$94,503.76
Expenses
Dock House
$98,690.48
Organized Activities
$56,384.98
Other*$13,893.58
Total Expenses $6,307,880.56
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Deep Gratitude for
Faithful Alumni and Friends
W
e are grateful for the generous support of individuals, families, businesses,
churches, and foundations during the 2014-15 year. The Board of Trustees is
thankful for the addition of $475,327 toward Dock’s endowment through planned
and estate gifts. We are reminded of the importance of planned and legacy
gifts through charitable bequests, gift annuities, IRA rollovers, retirement plan
designations, and donor advised funds. In addition, the Dock community celebrated
the receipt of five grants totaling $29,950.
The Dock community expressed appreciation for Pillars during a November Pillar
Dinner event. Since Shrek the Musical was featured as the fall musical, the theme
for the evening was Shrek which included 27 children and grandchildren of donors.
We celebrated God’s faithfulness through the donors who contributed so our students
could study and explore their interests and passions through amazing programs and
opportunities at Dock.
Gifts to special projects continue to fill some of the needs which are above budget
and not included in the Dock Fund. In 2014-15, special projects included:
Ø Memorial Garden
Ø Philadelphia Fund
Ø Sponsorship Assistance Fund (fostering international Mennonite relationships)
Ø Colby Swartley Memorial Fund
Ø Softball Scoreboard
Ø Track and Field Throwing Area
During the 2014-15 school year, we had the opportunity to impact 356 students
including 56 international students from China, Korea, and Colombia. Our
Mennonite student composition decreased slightly from 42% to 40%. The class of
2015 included 88 members with 95% attending college, 3% entering the job market,
and 2% undecided. During the past six years, 14 students were commended and 3
students were semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition.
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Thank you for sharing your gifts to ignite passion for learning, faith, and life that will
make a difference in the lives of Dock students.
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Gratefully,
Robert D. Rutt
Director of Advancement
Alumni
Support
Alma Mater
Gifts from the following alumni support the Annual Fund,
endowment funds, scholarships, Rosenberger Academic Center
campaign, and other special projects in fiscal year 2014-15.
Class participation is listed (%) for each class, with bold type
indicating gifts of $1,000 or more.
Class of 1956 - 38%
Kathleen Harley Aeschliman
David Brunner
Marie Gehman Clemens
Donald Detweiler
Walter Histand
John Landis-Ruth
David Meyers
Ivan Moyer
Mary Rittenhouse-Schwartzentruber
Esther Ruth Shisler
Class of 1957 - 35%
Doris Landis Alderfer
Louise Derstine Alderfer
Marvin and Grace Meyers Anders
Elmer Brunk
Donald Clemens
Sylvia Alderfer Derstine
Kenneth Erb
Clayton Gotwals
Eleanor Detweiler Guenin
Wilbur Kriebel
Samuel Lapp
Edith Derstine Tully
Class of 1958 - 25%
Marlene Landis Alderfer
Lareta Halteman Finger
Ruth Gahman
Dennis Hackman
Ruth Landis-Ruth
Mary Ellen Ruth Lehman
Evelyn Bechtel Moyer
Elizabeth Landis Musselman
Class of 1960 - 26%
Arlene Alderfer
Dolores Godshall Bauman
Elaine Moyer Gibbel
Earl Godshall
Mary Kratz
Samuel Kulp
Merrill Landes
Hannah Mack Lapp
Annie Lois Longacre Lind
Henry Longacre
Freida Myers
Mae Reinford
Mervin and Lois Alderfer Zook
Class of 1961 - 25%
Wilbur Bauman
Carolyn Benner
M. Louise Myers Beyer
Peggy Ann Halteman Blosser
Eileen Landis Brothers
Peter Christophel
James Derstine
Dorothy Wismer Detweiler
Stanley Godshall
John and Janet Swartley Goshow
M. Kathleen Gahman Groff
A. Jane Detwiler Huegel
Lorraine Kratz Kulp
Joseph Lapp
Arthur Smoker
Arlene Swartley Wambold
Class of 1962 - 26%
Lorraine Alderfer
Sylvia Moyer Derstine
James Halteman
Rhoda Alderfer Kauffman
Harry King
Noah and Sara Lapp Kolb
James Leatherman
Nancy Landes Mininger
J. Phillip Moyer
Emilie Derstine Walson
Paul Yothers
Class of 1963 - 33%
Glenn and Christine Godshall
Bauman
Rhoda Benner Byler
Mary Lynn Landis Ferry
Larry Godshall
Ralph King
Arlen and Marilyn Rice Landis
Paul Landis
E. Daniel Leatherman
Ralph Leatherman
John Mark Mininger
Roy and Anna Louise Meyers
Musselman
David Myers
Mary Lou Hunsberger Oswald
Henry Rosenberger
Janet Leatherman Yoder
Class of 1964 - 27%
J. Lowell Bergey
Ruth Rittenhouse Cozzoli
R. Lee and Ruth Hersh Delp
Keith Derstine
Kay Eby Moore
John and Jane Gross Frankenfield
S. Leon Godshall
Ruth Lapp Guengerich
John Harley
Sandra Howe Hersh
David Kindy
Harold Kolb
Henry and Jane Clemens Landes
Patricia Ann Alderfer Leatherman
Richard Leatherman
Mary Ruth Mingledorff
Joan Bergey Myers
John Rush
Janice Hackman Zook
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Class of 1959 - 38%
Gerald and Rhoda Alderfer Benner
Nancy Musselman Clemens
Orrie Clemens
Nancy Lapp Falconer
K. Louise Moyer Gehman
P. David Harley
Rebecca Bishop Hendricks
Abram Kratz
David Landis
Mary Landis Leatherman
Carol Swartley Longacre
William Meyers
Abram Rittenhouse
James Rush
Daniel Yoder
Edna Mack Yoder
15
Class of 1965 - 20%
Kenneth Benner
Thomas Bishop
Earl Derstine
Mark Derstine
Martha Kolb-Wyckoff
Floyd Kratz
Joseph Landis
Nancy Alderfer Leatherman
Rachel Frederick Leatherman
James Moyer
Joseph and Charlotte Rice Myers
Dennis Swartley
Ruth Frederick White
Class of 1966 - 7%
Carol Myers Brown
Cheryl Moyer Conn
Henry Derstine
Gwen Groff
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Class of 1967 - 25%
Mildred Alderfer
Carolyn Mininger Derstine
Willard and Glenda Moyer Bergey
Karen Kindy Fennell
Carroll and M. Jane Kratz Haines
Bruce Kooker
Linda Alderfer Martin
John Metzler
Barbara Nock Mowery
K. Leon Moyer
Pamela Gross Moyer
Louise Gehman O’Connell
Paul Rush
Judith Clemmer Stoltzfus
Ruth Rice Swartley
Linda Reinford Watson
16
Class of 1968 - 20%
Ray Benner
Kenton Derstine
Dale and M. Aldine Anders
Frankenfield
David Gehman
Martene Musselman Histand
Ronald Hostetter
Robert and Ruthann Alderfer Nice
Merle and Ruth Ann Bauman
Reinford
Jean Kuhns Rissler
Rebecca Clemens Thomas
Class of 1969 - 15%
Timothy Benner
Timothy and Evangeline Moyer
Clemens
Joanne Landes Hostetter
Gem Gross Miller
Betsy Alderfer Moyer
H. David Moyer
Glenn Reinford
Martha Detweiler Savanick
Rebecca Alderfer Scheetz
June Yoder Shenk
Daniel Walter
Class of 1970 - 11%
Sanford Alderfer
Eunice Rittenhouse Landis
John Leatherman
Jessica Schultz Miller
Ida Reinford Proco
E. Wayne Rosenberger
Feryl and Connie Alderfer Souder
Daniel Steinhauer
Mary Jane Goshow Yoder
Class of 1971 - 11%
Wendy Meyers Delp
Timothy Ehst
Elaine Gehman
Gordon Groff
Ruth Showalter Hochstetler
David King
Dale Weaver
Class of 1972 - 13%
Lourene Derstine Bergey
Susan Brenneman
Donna Halteman Derstine
R. Brent Gotwals
Elaine Ruth Grote
Debra Rush Kratz
Daniel Kulp
Geraldine Kratz Moore
Steven Nyce
Donald Zook
Class of 1973 - 13%
Janet Clemens Curtis
Eileen Rosenberger Dalzell
Wayne Detweiler
Julia Detweiler Gotwals
Daryl and Barbara Rice Hackman
Jeanette Moyer Hunsberger
Judith Martin-Godshalk
Wendell Weaver
Class of 1974 - 16%
Christopher Allen
J. Eric Bishop
Sharon Kratz Brunner
Marjorie Rush Hovde
Clyde Kratz
Rosemary Kindy Landis
Diane Clemens Moyer
Dennis Nice
Duane Weaver
Barbara Derstine Weirich
Christine Bowen Winters
Class of 1975 - 12%
Vicki Shelly Farmwald
Bryan Hunsberger
Sharlene Freed Immel
Bradley Landis
Don Martin
Pattie Reinford Mishler
Thomas Ruth
Lois Ruth Shank
Julia Alderfer Stauffer
Lisa Groff Weaver
Class of 1980 - 11%
Ronald and Rebecca Gehman
Bergey
Rebecca Kulp Clemens
Sally Landis Derstine
Susan Alderfer Hochstetler
Rita Good Hoover
C. Leon Kratz
Diane Zook Landes
Brenda Landis Nice
Julia Clemmer Wimmer
Class of 1976 - 13%
D. Philip Anders
Douglas Derstine
Donna Musselman Kratzer
Douglas Landis
John and Greta Bergey Mast
LeAnne Miller
Peter Miller
Donna Derstine Moyer
Kirk Shisler
Jolene Alderfer Weaver
Class of 1981 - 13%
Steven Alderfer
Sandra Derstine Detweiler
Steven and Julie Detweiler
Frankenfield
Steven and Bronwyn Mininger
Histand
Dorothy Moyer Leissa
H. William Longacre
Denise Post McMullen
Amy Rosenberger
M. Thomas Rosenberger
Bradley Swope
Susan Vause
Craig and Judith Ann Kratz Weaver
Class of 1977 - 14%
Ferne Alderfer
Philip and Evon Swartzentruber
Bergey
Michael Bishop
James Frankenfield
Gerald Godshall
Randy Landis
Joy Meyers Lapp
Kathy Freed Martin
Jeffrey Meyers
Joanne Brenneman Speigle
Eileen Moyer Waidelich
Class of 1978 - 9%
Debra Rittenhouse Cribbs
Cecilia Good
Roland Kolb
Michael Landes
Keith Mast
Luann Clemmer Miller
Joel Reinford
Class of 1983 - 6%
J. Todd Alderfer
K. Marlene Gehman Derstine
Timothy Derstine
Connie Anders Hunsberger
Berdine Mininger Leinbach
Bryce Mininger
Class of 1984 - 6%
Devon Anders
Peter Harnish
Jonathan Lapp
Neil Reinford
Anne Richter
Lon Swartzentruber
Class of 1986 - 5%
Denise Cassel Alderfer
J. Brian Bergstresser
Michael Godshall
Robert Kerns
Jeffrey Moyer
Class of 1987 - 8%
Mark Alderfer
Darin Benner
Karen Frankenfield Burkholder
Andrew Clemmer
Michelle Yoder Horning
L. Brent Kolb
Rodney Kratz
Jeffrey Landis
Class of 1988 - 5%
Maribeth Longacre Benner
F. Marc Derstein
John Detweiler
Cory Longacre
D. Brian Swartley
Class of 1989 - 5%
Pamela Landis Brunner
Rory Gahman Kolb
Charlton Wolfgang
Tracy Miller Young
Class of 1990 - 1%
Chad Yoder
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Class of 1979 - 13%
Kevin Alderfer
Michael Clemmer
Cynthia Anders Godshall
Galen Hunsberger
Donald Kratz
Mary Lou Overholt Miller
Thomas Moyer
Timothy Nice
Karen Nyce Reichart
James Rittenhouse
Jennifer Halteman Schrock
John Smucker
Class of 1982 - 13%
David and Lori Gross Bergey
C. Todd and Lori Derstine Bolton
Dorothy Boorse
Lynelle Kulp Bush
Arnold Derstine
Rosita Benner Derstine
Mary Beth Lichty
D. Kraig Ruth
Lori Kriebel Saitta
Wendy Derstine Snyder
J. Thomas Swartzendruber
Evelyn Leatherman zum Felde
Class of 1985 - 6%
Kevin and Teresa Miller Bergey
D. Andrew Brunner
Christopher Landes
Erik Young
17
Class of 1991 - 2%
Brenda Kratz Bechler
Lisa Moyer Ruth
Class of 1992 - 2%
Rebecca Leatherman Schwartz
Bethany Swope
Class of 1993 - 1%
Stephanie Hull German
Class of 1994 - 2%
Nate Clemmer
Class of 1995 - 2%
Laura Moyer Cantwell
Rebecca Nice
Class of 1996 - 0%
Class of 1997 - 8%
Zachariah and Kara Souder Derstine
Brian Moyer
Cynthia Moyer
Wesley and Laura Bergey Schmidt
Class of 1998 - 4%
Matthew Clemmer
Erica Landis Merrill
Shana Hull Weinzierl
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Class of 1999 - 0%
18
Class of 2000 - 3%
Darren Bisbort
Erin Crew
D’yani Desantis
Class of 2001 - 6%
Lisa Gilbert Beckles
Nicholas and Trinda Derstine
Bernardo
Emily Livrone Hershey
Lisa Ehst Shank
Benjamin Weaver
Class of 2002 - 3%
Bryce Bergey
Zachary Bower
Laura Geissinger
Class of 2006 - 1%
Laura Price Martin
Class of 2007 - 2%
Caleb Benner
Nathan Weaver
Class of 2008 - 1%
Cody Powis
Class of 2009 - 1%
Brittany Hansell
Class of 2010 - 0%
Class of 2011 - 0%
Class of 2003 - 3%
Ryan Detweiler
Douglas Hackman
Ashley L. Moyer-Shaub
Class of 2012 - 1%
Kenneth Hansell
Class of 2004 - 1%
Abigail Mininger McMullen
Class of 2014 - 0%
Class of 2005 - 4%
Bradley Bishop
Katharine Derstine Grieser
Christine Schmidt Krout
Isaac Martin
Class of 2013 - 0%
Class of 2015 - 0%
Please tell us what’s happening, including family events, business
or job changes, promotions, church involvement, activities,
awards, degrees, or honors received. An online form can be
completed at www.dockhs.org (About/Alumni/Alumni Updates).
Friends
Support
Dock
Thank you to the following friends and businesses for their support of Dock
through direct gifts, gifts of service, and sponsorship. Bold type identifies
donors who gave $1,000 or more.
Donella and R. Wayne Clemens
Clemens Family Corporation,
Matching Gift Program
Anabella and Ryan Clemmer
Arlene Clemmer
Reginald and Nancy Constanzer
David Brooke Rush Builders
Maria DeLuca
Jeremiah Denlinger and Kristine
Widders
Stanley and Nedra Denlinger
Clair and Rosalie Derstine
James Derstine
Mary Derstine
Maxine Derstine
Vernon and Miriam Derstine
Verna Mae Detweiler
Richard and Sheryl Duerksen
Elm Terrace Gardens
Everence
Felton Family Limited Partnership
Valerie and Michael Ford
Charles and Rosemary Forsythe
Edward Victor France Jr.
Earl and Irene Frankenfield
Sharon Fransen
Herbert and Janet Frederick
Larry and Jean Frederick
Howard Freed
Jeane Fretz
Jennifer Fujita
George and Rhoda Gaugler
Robert and Sally Gaugler
Dana and Karen Gehman
J. Russell and Mary Gehman
Ronald and Merle Lee Geib
Robert Godshall
William Gotwals
Willard and Gladys Grasse
Eva Greaser
Joan and Bruce Grega
Merlin and Mary Grieser
Beverly and Galen Guengerich
James and Suzanne Gunden
Opal Gunden
Betty Hackman
Jeffrey and Rose Hackman
Harold and Marilyn Halteman
Thelma Harley
Harleysville Savings Bank
Joseph and Patricia Hawley
Lester and Sara Heacock
Scott Heckler
Hiram and Mary Jane Hershey
Thomas and Maureen Hickey
Kathleen and Robert Holden
Gary and Louise Hotte
Harry and Irma Hull
John Hunsberger
Kathryn and John Hunsberger
Sharon and Gladys Hunsberger
John and Amy Hurd
Jeffrey and Kymberley Jagiela
Jen-Tech Systems
Cyril and Felicia Johnston
Kelly Johnston
Duane Kauffman
Helen Keller
Kathryn and Timothy Kennel
Robert and Lois Kerns
Charles and Cheryl Kline
John and Elizabeth Klopp
Mark and Jean Kolb
John and Dorothy Kratz
Kratz Enterprises, Inc.
Kenneth and Mary Belle Krewson
Linwood Alderfer Kulp Jr.
Gregory and Ellen Lacher
Michael and Rosemary Lambright
Warren and Janice Lambright
Clayton Landis
Donald and Kathleen Landis
Jean Landis
Jacob Landis
Kevin and Patti Landis
Steven Landis
Arlin and Janet Lapp
James Lapp and Miriam Book
Thomas and Nancy Lawrence
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
David and Joan Addley
Ahold Financial Services
A. James and Ruth Alderfer
Arlene Alderfer
Harold and Ferne Alderfer
Russell and Gladys Alderfer
Sanford A. Alderfer
Warren Alderfer
Marie Allebach
Altek Business Systems, Inc.
Jack and Pat Althouse
Jeffrey and Sharon Ambrose
American Infrastructure, Inc.
Catherine Anders
Gail and Paul Anderson
Richard and Marilyn Anderson
Anonymous
Asset Planning Services, Ltd.
Marcus and Sharon Barboni
James and Katherine Barlick
Christopher and Deana Bell
Neil and Kathleen Benjamin
Elaine L. Bergey
Henry B. Bergey
Bergey’s, Inc.
J. Philip and Betty Bergstresser
Bergstresser Real Estate
George and Brenda Bisbort
J. Russell and Rhoda Bishop
Robert and Sharon Bishop
Bolton Turkey Farm LLC
Bravo Foundation
David and Diana Breslin
Bobbie and Brenda Brockington
Barbara Brown
Curtis and Denise Brown
Kathleen Brown
Edward and Lucy Brubaker
Preston Bush
Michael and Anna Castagna
Chick-fil-A
Christopher Dock Mennonite High
School
John and Grace Ciliberti
Matthew and Diana Clark
Class of 1964
Class of 2015
Mary Rita Cleary
19
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
J. Brooke and Holly Lewis
Liberty Ministries
Living Branches Community
Philip Lock
Catharine Longacre
Cora Longacre
Kenneth and Cynthia Longacre
Longacre Family Charitable Fund
William and Tara Lorah
Belmary Lorcas and Isaac Perez
Roger and Theresa Ludwick
John and Judith Madaus
June Malinowski
Joseph and Carolyn Marinko
Janet Martin
Vernon Martin
Jeanne and Fred McClincy
Marc and Catherine Mease
Mennonite Historians of Eastern PA
Merck Partnership for Giving
Harvey and Anna Meyers
Eldon Miller
Floyd and Eunice Miller
H. Ray and Nancy Mininger
Helen Montgomery
Steady and Kelly Moono
Doris Moyer
Edwin and Palma Moyer
Elaine and David Moyer
Elizabeth Moyer
Merrill and Nancy Moyer
Stanley and Gloria Moyer
20
Moyer’s Realty
Grace Freed Muscarella
Henry and Lois Musselman
Nancy Myers
Barbara and Brad Nelson
New York Life Insurance
Mary Nussbaum
OSS/iGive Check Processing
Pennridge High School
Perkiomen Tours
Robert and Alice Phillips
Joyce and Ronald Price
Thomas and Rebekah Putera
Kathleen Ranck
Charlene and Terry Rauch
Daniel and Cleta Reinford
Randall and Tina Rhoads
J. Philip and Linda Rittenhouse
Norman and Alice Rittenhouse
Royden Rittenhouse
Charles and Kathleen Roberts
Sean and Wendy Roberts
Rockford Realty
Rockhill Mennonite Church
Marcus and Evelyn Rosenberger
Wayne and Debbie Rotelle
Richard and Ethel Rush
Albert and Jessie Russo
Fern Ruth
Eleanor Ruth
Vernon and Janet Ruth
Robert and Regina Rutt
Sanford Alderfer Companies
John and Charlene Sarge
Cathleen and George Schmidt
Pearl Schrack
John Seavy
Joan Seitzinger
Fran Sheaffer
Harold and Barbara Shisler
Gerald Souder
Ronald and Shirley Souder
Susan and Ronald Souder
Kathleen Stanzian
Edgar and Mary Stauffer
Joy Sutter
Thelma Swartzendruber
Conrad and Sharon Swartzentruber
Target
The Philadelphia Foundation
Lois Thomas
Norman and Mildred Trauger
Kenneth Truscott
Warren and Linda Tyson
Univest Corporation of PA
Walter Unruh
Bernard and Nancy Wallerich
Kay Fransen Weidner
Robert and Mary Wetzel
Martin Wiens
Wanda Wilcke
H. Jeffrey and Donna Wilkins
Ruth Yoder
Support
For
Dock
Church Support
We are grateful for the ways churches and businesses partner with Dock to provide tuition assistance for
Dock students. Eighteen churches provided gifts and tuition support through congregational education
and scholarship plans, while businesses redirected tax dollars through Pennsylvania tax credit programs
for financial aid. Over $600,000 was awarded in financial aid during the 2014-15 school year.
Some churches also provided additional support for the Annual Fund.
Ambler Mennonite Church
Blooming Glen Mennonite Church
Boyertown Mennonite Church
Covenant Community Fellowship
Deep Run East Mennonite Church
Franconia Mennonite Church
Grace Mennonite Church
Hopewell Christian Fellowship
Line Lexington Mennonite Church
Methacton Mennonite Church
Perkiomenville Mennonite Church
Plains Mennonite Church
Salem Mennonite Church
Salford Mennonite Church
Souderton Mennonite Church
Swamp Mennonite Church
Vincent Mennonite Church
Zion Mennonite Church
PA Tax Credit Programs
The following businesses redirected their tax dollars to Dock’s scholarship program through the PA
Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit
Program (OSTC). A total of $160,500 was directed through the program for tuition assistance.
Aetna
Bergey’s Chevrolet, Inc.
Bergey’s GMC, Inc.
Bergey’s, Inc.
C.D. Baker Insurance, Inc.
Cornerstone Masonry Contractors, LLC
Delaware Valley Family Business
Eagles Peak Spring Water
First Niagara
Franconia Insurance & Financial Services
G. C. Weimer Associates
Goodville Mutual Casualty
Heacock Lumber/Winfield Hunsberger
John D. Sauder Auto Co.
KKL Properties LP (#1)
Kratz Enterprises/Good Plumbing,
Heating/AC
Lacher & Associates
National Penn Bank
Perkiomen Motorcoach
Richard B. Souder Masonry
Sanford Alderfer Auction
Univest Bank & Trust Co
Uth Fitness
Vision Video
Gifts received through these estates were placed in the Endowment for Educational Programs and Financial Aid.
Estate of Curtis and Esther Bergey
Estate of Paul and Stella Godshall
Estate of Robert Gotwals
Estate of Kathryn Kulp
Estate of Arthur Leidy
Estate of Harold and Myrtle Mininger
Estate of Verna A. Moyer
Estate of Ernest and Verna Moyer
Estate of Walter Smith
DOCK ANNUAL REPORT
Estate Gifts
21
Class of 2015
22
memory, and a lot of them
came to me to get help. Most
of the kids were able to say
their memory verse the first
day; I gave them high-fives
and they were really excited.
At the end of the day two
students gave me a card
saying how much they loved
having me in the class and
hoping that I get to become
a teacher. It was really sweet
of them to say that, and I was
smiling and so happy that I
had made a great connection
with these kids. This week has
helped me know that I want
to go into the elementary
education program in college.
Cici He
Mennonite Heritage Center,
Ryan Homes
Although I was doing
repetitive work, I did not
feel bored because it was
interesting to see the photos.
Joel explained to me what
kind of photos to throw away,
and why. The museum has
limited space and resources,
and putting them into
archives is time-consuming,
so he could only keep part of
the slides in each collection.
It was time-consuming, but
I could look at old photos,
postcards and letters. It was
interesting to learn more
about Mennonite history.
I
liked
the
working
environment at Ryan Homes.
I can meet many people, and
there are different things to
do every day. I also like the
marketing part of the job,
especially the statistics. We
looked at buyers’ information,
and it was interesting to
see how the information
affected where to put the
advertisement. It was a
valuable experience because I
found out that I like business
and marketing.
Emily Rittenhouse
Mexico
Standing on top of pyramids
and looking out over treetops
was unbelievable. I felt the
ghosts and shadows of the
extinct Mayans. I loved
exploring
and
climbing
and sweating and feeling
awestruck in the face of this
ancient civilization. I learned
so much about the people of
the time, and I was inspired to
research even more. Another
part of the trip that made it
great was being in a small
group of seven students. I
really bonded with my peers
and built relationships I never
thought I would have.
Ella Barlick
Fox Chase Cancer Center
I learned that Dr. Chernoff
is the Chief Scientist for the
Cancer Research Center at Fox
Chase. He directs an entire
team of researchers. I was
assigned to shadow Tatiana,
Cici He discovered a love for marketing and business during
her Senior Experience at Ryan Homes and Mennonite Heritage
Center.
Students were excited to have Devon Landis in their classrooms for
the week—and that made Devon excited to major in elementary
education in college next year.
a Russian biologist working
with bacterial plasmids to
do gene identification and
altering. I watched her isolate,
elute, centrifuge and lyse the
plasmids of four different
bacteria. She had to isolate
the DNA so she could do gene
splitting and identification.
She seemed to move about
the lab effortlessly, all while I
was asking questions. Lab life
is an interesting environment.
There were a number of
doctors around, but each
researcher works alone. There
is socialization, but since
none of your co-workers
know your projects better
than you, you’re forced to
have a lot of confidence in
your work and abilities. I like
team environments, and I tend
to question myself frequently.
Shadowing today made me
realize I may not be able to
work alone on a project for
days and days. Research is
incredibly interesting and
important, but I feel myself
already leaning to the more
‘hands-on’ medical parts of
science.
Exploring an ancient civilization
and bonding with peers made
the trip to Mexico special for
Emily Rittenhouse.
I still plan on majoring in
biology, but now I will take
more pre-med courses. I
don’t know yet what level of
medicine or specialty I will
study, but I’m so happy to
have more clarity.
Ella Barlick found direction for her
future studies in the healthcare field
as a result of her Senior Experience
with Dr. Jonathan Chernoff at Fox
Chase Cancer Center.
23
Brooke Leaman
The Community at Rockhill,
Penn Foundation,
Peaceful Living,
Salford Hills
Elementary School
Brooke Leaman says she can see
herself working at a place like
Peaceful Living after her week
shadowing there.
Holly’s intent with all of
her clients is to help them
short-term and get them to
a point where they perform
tasks on their own. Holly
didn’t sugar coat the job; she
informed me of the pros and
cons. She has done several
different types of social work
and each one prepares for
challenges in other fields. I
would like to start with case
management after college; I
like interacting with different
people and spending the day
around the community.
I enjoyed my day at Peaceful
Living and I’m excited to go
Karl Wang (left) and Colt Boyi enjoyed preparing board games
for sale at Care & Share Thrift Shoppes.
back. I am surprised at how
comfortable I was. It’s easy
to feel uncomfortable around
those who have mental
disabilities. I think my time
volunteering at the Milagre
School helped with this. I
have a better understanding
of how to act and respond to
people with these disabilities.
I could see myself working at
a place like Peaceful Living.
Natalie Sabath
Urban Promise, Camden, NJ
I started Senior Experience
with a bad attitude. My
Plan A fell through, and I
didn’t have a Plan B until
Mr. Hertzler announced
that Urban Promise was an
option. Urban Promise helps
students achieve academic
success and preps them with
necessary life skills through
after-school
programs,
summer camps and job
training. Camden has a 50%
high school drop-out rate, but
students who get help from
Urban Promise have a 100%
graduation rate.
24
The Urban Promise crew included (top, l to r) Josh Wolfe,
Isaac Zehr, Natalie Sabath, Joseph Thompson, and Steve
Godshall. Talia Santiago (above) considers fabric options
with interior designer Bonnie Anderson.
After the trip, I was so
thankful that I went. I don’t
think I could have gone with
better people, and every day
was fun; it didn’t even feel
like work. By seeing the city
and the conditions people
are living in, it really made
me want to pursue a career in
social work. I will definitely
plan on helping Urban Promise
in the future. Knowing you are
helping such a good organization
makes it worthwhile.
Talia Santiago
Anderson Interior Design
I worked independently today
on a project that Mrs. Anderson
had been planning. The project
consists of a floor plan, design
board with carpet samples, paint
colors and pictures of all the
furniture for an imaginary room
for a girl we named Lauren.
Mrs. Anderson, pretending to
be the client, gave me a couple
of requirements for the room,
and I had to come up with a
presentation for the client. I was
really excited to work on this
simulation. It has shown me
what it would really be like to
help people design rooms.
I got to talk with three interior
designers, and when I first went
in to see them they were having
a ‘heated discussion’ about
whether or not they could fit in
a complicated job. They were
very honest with me about the
challenges of being an interior
designer, but also about how
much fun it is. You could tell
they were passionate about it,
and that they loved their jobs.
Hearing them talk made me
even more excited to continue
on this career path. Rather than
scare me away, many of the
things they said reassured me
that this is what I want to do.
CAMPUS
HAPPENINGS
Young Scientists from Penn View and Dock win big
Dock Rocks
Science Fair
It has been quite a spring already for Science Fair winners from both
Christopher Dock and Penn View Christian School, with ribbons
and special awards galore. Here
is a summary of our students’
accomplishments:
Science Fair winners from Christopher
Dock include (l to r) Dillan Yuan, Sunny Sui,
Daniel Liu, Graciella Odelia, Sophia Breslin,
and Sydney Breslin.
Montgomery County Science
Research Competition
• Sydney Breslin won 1st place in
•
Delaware Valley Science Fair
Sophia Breslin (‘18) won a second-place
medal in the Engineering category at this
competition, which featured competitors
from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and
Delaware. She also received a number of
category and special awards. Her project
was titled, “Biodegradable Plastic Bags
Made from Genus Musa Peel Waste.”
•
Sophia Breslin (’18) responds to a judge’s
question during the Delaware Valley
Science Fair.
Sydney Breslin (‘19) earned a third-place medal in the Microbiology category, as
well as several special awards, at the Delaware Valley Science Fair. Her project
was titled, “Food Preservation Films From Shellfish Waste & Essential Oils.”
•
the Microbiology category, and
went on to win 2nd place at the
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of
Science competition in May.
Sophia Breslin won 2nd place in
the Engineering category, and
also earned the Kurumety Family
Award, given to a project that is
“Making a Difference in the Real
World.” Sophia won 1st place at
PJAS as well.
Sunny Sui (‘18), Daniel Liu (‘18),
and Dillan Yuan (‘18) won 3rd
place in the Botany category
for their team project, “The
Relationship Between pH Level
and Plant Growth.”
Graciella Odelia (‘18) received
Honorable Mention for her
project in the Chemistry category
“The Chemistry of Clean: Which
Oil Makes the Best Soap?”
Penn View finishes 1st—again
Congratulations to the entire Penn View Science Fair team, which
won the 1st place school award at the Montgomery County Science
Research Competition. Penn View reclaimed the title for the first
time in four years, but has won the middle school competition in 11
of the past 16 years. A special congratulations to Kate Landis, Laura
Frederick, Keturah Landis, and Abigail Reichley, who went on to
compete at the Delaware Valley Science Fair.
Penn View students earned the following category awards:
Kate Landis, 1st Place, Medicine and Health; Keturah Landis &
Abigail Reichley, 1st Place, Zoology; Laura Frederick, 2nd Place,
Environmental; Cole Smeland, 3rd Place, Zoology; Mackenzie Smith,
3rd Place, Chemistry; and Sara Kennel, 3rd Place, Earth and Space.
25
CAMPUS
HAPPENINGS
WHAT IS THIS PLACE?
MOODY MEGA MATH
CHALLENGE
During a January chapel, faculty members Tim Swartz (‘73) and Eldon Miller
helped unveil a new work of art on campus—a 6-ft. copy of the song, What is
This Place? etched into beautiful cherry wood, a gift from the Class of 2013.
The words and music were laser-etched by Dock parent Greg Seuren of
Bucks County Soapstone, and Miller added the frame and stained the wood.
“Our places of gathering spring to life as we enter and interact together,”
said Superintendent Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber. “I trust that ‘this place’ will
be more than bricks and mortar, but an environment where community is
understood, academic learning is valued, and faith is fostered. This class gift
will continue to remind us of the significance of ‘this place.’”
Faculty member Eldon Miller (above, left) and Superintendent Dr. Conrad
Swartzentruber admire the craftsmanship on Dock’s newest work of art, a
6’x4’ wood etching of the song, What is This Place? Be sure to stop and see
this beautiful piece—a gift from the Class of 2013—next time you are on
campus!
ROBOTICS COMPETE AT STATES
26
Two Dock Robotics teams, 777A (juniors Ethan
Schimek & Nathan Kerns) and 777B (seniors Isaac
Zehr, Jacob Detweiler and Chris Sanguiliano)
competed at the Eastern Pennsylvania State
Championships in March. Both teams competed
valiantly; especially impressive was the fact that
777A had completely redesigned their robot the
week before the tournament! While both teams
failed to qualify for the finals, their dedication
to the program and their skill in robotics
programming and design was certainly on display
at this prestigious tournament.
Five Dock students took part in the
Moody Mega Math Challenge, a
mathematical modeling contest for high
school juniors and seniors in which
students gain experience working in
teams to tackle a real-world problem
under time and resource constraints.
The Challenge is sponsored by The
Moody’s Foundation and organized by
the Society for Industrial and Applied
Mathematics and awards $150,000 in
scholarships. The Challenge spotlights
applied mathematics as a powerful
problem-solving tool, and as a viable
and exciting profession. Dock’s Math
Challenge team included (above, l to r)
Karl Wang (’16), Joyce Zhang (’16), Tim
DiLoreto (’16), Caroline Wu (’12), and
Matt Schmidt (’17).
DOCKATHLETICS.ORG
THE place to go for everything related
to Dock sports—scores, schedules,
highlights, news, photos and more.
Visit dockathletics.org now and read
about our Winter and Spring Athletic
Award winners!
CAMPUS
HAPPENINGS
FRANSEN RECEIVES DOCTORATE
Sharon Fransen, Assistant
Superintendent of Curriculum
and Instruction, successfully
defended her dissertation and
received a Ph.D. in Education from
Temple University in May. Her
dissertation, Mennonite Identity
and Literate Practices in High
School Students: A Social Practice
Multiple Case Study, examined
the possible relationships between
students’ understanding of
themselves as persons of faith and
the reading and writing they do. The participants were five high school students
who identified themselves as Mennonites and as persons who choose to read
in their free time. Sharon interviewed these students, observed in their Bible
and English classes, examined their writing assignments, and recorded their
responses to reading. Her findings suggest that the relationship between faith
identity and reading and writing plays out in different ways for different youth
based, in part, on the centrality of the faith identity to a particular student.
THREE DOCK SINGERS
MAKE ALL-STATE CHORUS
Congratulations to (above, l to r) junior
Danica Moyer and seniors Emily
Rittenhouse and Jessica Chung for their
selection to the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association All-State Chorus. The
Chorus sang in concert on Saturday, April 2
at the Great American Hall at the Hershey
Lodge & Convention Center in Hershey, PA.
DOCK STAGE HOSTS
JERRY YODER & FRIENDS
It may not have been the set of Prairie Home Companion, but that’s what it felt
and sounded like on April 12, when Dock faculty member Jerry Yoder shared
his gifts of music during chapel. Yoder shared some of his favorite music on
guitar and mandolin, and was joined by students Taylor Downes (’16) and
Irina Althouse (’17) for a song, and by colleagues Darwin Zehr, Eldon Miller
and Rod Derstine for an acapella quartet. Be sure to see Hiding Like Elijah and
the rest of these chapel recordings on Dock’s YouTube channel.
OUR STUDENTS ARE
VOLUNTEER-MINDED!
Four Dock students recently began their
roles as classroom assistants in kindergarten
and early childhood classes at Penn View
Christian School. The junior and senior
volunteers will be at Penn View for their
90-minute block periods weekly to work
with the children and to assist teachers.
Julianna Kabakjian (’16), Becca Edenfield
(’17, above), Rachel Barth (’17), Lindsay
Fisher (’16), and Camryn McCloskey (’17)
are the students in this pilot program,
which also gives them a window into
teaching as a future career. Dock also has a
volunteer, Emma Hinnershitz (’17) giving
her time at Easter Seals twice a week, and
more than a dozen students volunteer
during activity periods at the Milagre
School, a school for children with
autism on our campus.
27
CAMPUS
HAPPENINGS
STUDENTS
INTRODUCED TO
PEACE TAX FUND
Students in Mr. Hackman’s
Economics class recently did some
research and reflection on the topic
of paying taxes. They had to read
a source in favor of paying taxes
(based on the “Give unto Caesar”
passage in Matthew 22), and the
testimony of the Catholic chaplain
of the men who dropped the atomic
bomb on Nagasaki (destroying
the largest Christian community
in Japan). Students also explored
the Peace Tax Fund website and
watched a video called Compelled
by Conscience. Finally, they
summarized the opposing points
of view and did some personal
reflection.
The responses were as diverse
as Dock’s student body. “Some
thought the concept naïve, while
others were convinced that being
a conscientious objector should
also apply to one’s money,” said
Mr. Hackman. “For almost all of
them, this was the first time they
were confronted with the concept of
the morality of paying for war and
killing. Wherever they came out, it
certainly made them think, and it
got some good discussion going.”
28
SURE THEY LOOK GOOD–BUT CAN THEY BOWL?
Dock bowlers prepared
for playoff competition by
challenging Dock faculty. Seven
brave faculty members showed
up to take them on, and some
good competition (and fun)
ensued. The bowling team won
the two team games, but the
results were a little different
when a Baker games format
was used (all team members
taking turns in one game). The
faculty and bowlers each won a
game with that format, and the
bowlers benefitted by experiencing a different kind of pressure. Faculty bowlers
included (above, front l to r) Principal Martin Wiens, Jeff Hackman, and Barb
Brown; (back row, l to r) Mike Lambright, Athletic Director Assistant Palmer
Trolli, Tim Swartz and Darwin Zehr.
STUDENTS GET A LESSON IN
“LIVE MORE, SPEND LESS”
Shannon Doyle from Everence visited Mr. Bower’s Personal Finance class
in March and spoke to students on the topic, “Live More, Spend Less.”
Shannon discussed how students can increase enjoyment and quality of life
without more spending. Students were also challenged with strategies to resist
consumerism and “talk back” to marketing pressures.
BILINGUAL BABYSITTING
When the group Women of Eastern District and
Franconia Mennonite Conference met recently,
they called Dock Spanish teacher Dr. Annabella
Clemmer to see if any Spanish
students would be interested
in babysitting Spanishspeaking children during
their day-long conference
on Saturday, March 12, at
Towamencin Mennonite
Church. A number of Dock
students across all Spanish
class levels, including junior Irina Althouse (above) and
freshman Kate Strickland, (left) answered the call for help
and enjoyed interacting with about 20 children.
CAMPUS
HAPPENINGS
STUDENTS VISIT REFUGEE CAMP
IN JORDAN
Refugee Day at Dock was held
on May 24, and students had
the extraordinary opportunity
to visit a Syrian refugee camp
in Jordan—via virtual reality.
Wearing VR headsets, students
watched a film called “Clouds
over Cidra,” a movie made in
conjunction with the United
Nations which follows a
12-year-old Syrian girl named
Cidra. She fled Syria with her family and has been
living in the refugee camp for the last 18 months; the
film takes viewers inside the camp as if they were
actually there.
The film was shot with a 360-degree 3D camera
that gives viewers the sense they are present in the
moment. “When you’re inside the headset, you’re not
watching it through a TV screen, you’re sitting there
next to her—and because of that, you feel her humanity
in a deeper way,” says filmmaker Chris Milk.
Last winter, Milk and his team took “Clouds over
Cidra” to the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland, and policy-makers there were able to visit
the refugee camp. They walked away determined to do
more to ease the plight of refugees. “That is the power
of virtual reality,” Milk says. “It connects humans to
other humans in a profound way that I’ve never seen
in any other form of media. That’s why VR has the
power to change the world. Through this ‘machine’ we
become more compassionate, more empathetic, more
human.”
Refugee Day has been a Dock tradition for the last 10
years, and while the simulations and activities have
evolved, the goal of challenging students to practice
empathy for refugees has been constant.
TRACK & FIELD HAS
BEST SEASON YET
Christopher Dock athletes brought
home eight medals from the PIAA
state track and field championships, and for the first time in
school history, swept the boys and girls district titles.
At states, sophomore Austin Kratz captured the school’s firstever gold medal, winning the 200 meters. Kratz also won
silver in the 100M and bronze in the long jump. Senior Josh
Wolfe was 5th in 110M hurdles and 8th in 300M hurdles;
Cole Rupert took bronze in pole vault; Maddison Landis
took 7th in the 1600M; and the boys 4x400 relay team
(Wolfe, Joe Thompson, Ian Anderson, and Kratz) captured
an 8th place medal.
At districts, Austin Kratz led the way with gold medals in the
100M, 200M, long jump and—along with Josh Wolfe, Colin
Bernd and Ian Anderson—the 4x400 relay. Wolfe (photo
above) added gold medals in the 110M and 300M hurdles,
and Tim Kennel took top honors in the 3200M race.
For the girls, Haley Anderson took gold in the triple jump
at districts, and Niki Clements capture gold in the 300M
hurdles and the pole vault. Those two were joined by
Abbie Woods and Maddison Landis (photo below) on the
victorious 4x400 relay team, while Sabrina Demetrius took
gold in the discus.
For complete district and state results, visit dockathletics.org
Photos by
Howard
Anderson
29
30
ALUMNI
NOTES
1956
In memoriam: Mary Mack Loux
Mary Elizabeth
(Mack) Loux (’56)
passed away at
home on March
22, 2016. She
was the beloved
wife of Jake Loux
with whom she
shared 59 years
of marriage. Born
October 29, 1938
in Harleysville, she was a daughter
of the late Ellis and Edna Mack.
From 1985 - 2004, Mary, along
with her husband Jake, owned and
operated their family business, We
Care Cleaning Service. Mary was a
charter member of Calvary Church.
She liked to golf and was a past
member of Indian Valley Country
Club. In addition to her husband
she is survived by her daughter,
Sandi Smith; grandchildren Frank
and Kelli Smith; sisters Esther Delp,
Jean Landes, Edna Yoder and her
husband Ray, Hannah Lapp and her
husband Joe. She was preceded in
death by her son, Richard Loux.
1961
Lois (Longenecker) Moyer recently
completed cataloging about 12,000
books for Universidad Biblica
Latinoamericana, a seminary in
Costa Rica, during a nine-week span
over each of the last seven years.
1964
Rosanna Weaver Landis has
published a book
entitled, Weaving
a Family: Genetics,
Identity and
Adoption. The
book explores the
latest research
on genetics and
personality from the perspective
of Landis’ own experience as an
adoptive mother. Both families
linked by biology and those that
include non-genetically related
children will appreciate the
fascinating questions of nature and
nurture she ponders from a place of
love and curiosity.
Landis and her husband,
Don Weaver, live just outside
Washington, DC, and have three
children adopted internationally:
Sharada, from India, who is a high
school senior; Eric, from Korea, who
is a sophomore; and Alberto, born
in Guatemala, who is in third grade.
They are planning a family trip to
Korea this summer.
1983
Berdine (Mininger) Leinbach
recently received her Masters of
Education in Educational Program
Design from the University of the
Arts. Berdine is a watercolor artist
and an art teacher at Salford Hills in
the Souderton Area School District.
View her artwork at leinbachart.com.
Share Your Story
Take a
moment to
share what’s
been
happening in
your life.
Marriage
Birth
Job Change
Degree
Award
Achievement
Recognition
Email Alumni
update to
advancementoffice@
dockhs.org or fill out
the online form at
dockhs.org/alumni
1993
Brian Yothers was promoted from
Associate Professor to Professor of
English at the University of Texas
at El Paso (UTEP) in the fall of
2014, at which point he was also
named a recipient of the University
of Texas Regents Outstanding
Teaching Award and appointed as
Associate Chair of the Department
of English. He has since been
named the Frances Spatz Leighton
Endowed Distinguished Professor
of English at UTEP, and in the spring
of 2015, Northwestern University
Press published his most recent
book, Sacred Uncertainty: Religious
Difference and the Shape of Melville’s
Career. He also serves as Associate
Editor of Leviathan, the journal of
the Melville Society. His wife, Maryse
Jayasuriya, is Associate Dean of the
College of Liberal Arts and Associate
Professor of English at UTEP.
The (family business)
force is strong with the
Class of 1980
Five Dock grads from the Class of
1980 happened to attend a Family
Business Forum in March at the
Delaware Valley Family Business
Center. Pictured (l to r) are Sally
(Landis) Derstine (who is the
DVFBC’s managing partner), Rita
(Good) Hoover, Ron Bergey, Becky
(Gehman) Bergey, Becky (Kulp)
Clemens. The DVFBC has been
guiding multi-generation business
families through their complex,
unique journeys since 1988. Learn
more online at dvfbc.com.
31
Igniting Passion for Learning, Faith, and Life.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
LANSDALE, PA
Permit 170
1000 Forty Foot Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
215-362-2675
www.dockhs.org
SUPERINTENDENT’S
MESSAGE
Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber
A
few years ago my three sons went scuba
diving for the first time. While living in
the tropics near oceans for eleven years, I
had never attempted (or desired to attempt)
scuba diving. I recall the great pleasure of
knowing my sons were doing something
I had never done. More significantly, I
enjoy watching my sons move into jobs
and careers with which I am not familiar,
succeeding in areas I don’t fully understand.
A father is pleased to watch his child move
beyond his own life and career. A coach
is excited when a track athlete exceeds
the coach’s own jumping record in the
high jump event. A music instructor is
honored when a student performs beyond
the instructor’s own capability. A teacher’s
greatest joy is watching a student excel in
a professional area, moving far beyond her
own areas of expertise in a specific field.
In the education world, we often speak of a
student striving to become like her teacher.
While an admirable beginning goal, we
desire for students to become like their
teachers, but to move beyond them in areas
of academic expertise and faith journey.
Preparing to go further
Breslin and Sydney Breslin took top
This is at the heart of our mission at
honors in categories of Engineering and
Christopher Dock and Penn View. We
Microbiology. Other students excelled
work with parents and churches to
in areas of Botany and Chemistry. From
help shape and encourage students to
alumni, you will read of Geoffrey Lovelace
become like their teachers. Not content
and his fascinating groundbreaking work
to stop there, we prepare our students
with gravitational waves, confirming a
to move beyond us to impact the world
major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915
in meaningful ways. Our school is a
general theory of relativity.
launching pad; a place of
We
prepare
our
students
Dr. Lovelace tried to
training and preparation.
to move beyond us
put it into words we can
Students are prepared
understand: “It’s kind of
academically
and
to impact the world in
like having a new sense to
spiritually to shape our
meaningful ways.
observe the universe.”
community and world.
It is at the unique intersection of academic
We recognize that success is seldom
and faith preparation that a student is
viewed in terms of maximizing a student’s
prepared to move beyond what any of her
abilities. The world offers predictable
teachers, parents, or mentors can achieve.
recognitions of people with visible
accomplishments, often overlooking the
This issue of the Lamplighter contains
person who has fully utilized his gifts
stories of several of our students and
and exceeded what others would have
alumni. Seniors are exploring future
accomplished with those same abilities.
direction as they shadowed or did service
work during senior experience week. Our
We celebrate all our students and alumni
students have excelled in science fairs,
and wish we could recognize each one.
demonstrating the prominence of our
Enjoy reading about a few of them in this
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
issue of Lamplighter.
Mathematics) curriculum.
Sophia