A PUBLICATION OF MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL

Training students for Christian lives

JULY 2018

In This Issue:

• Celebrating 40 Years

• Class of 2018

• Faculty News

• Campus Beautification

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Contact MVL at

507.354.6851 or mvl.org

To receive HiLites by mail or to change

your subscription, please contact

Kristin Matzke, 507.233.8662 or

kmatzke@mvlhs.org.

Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School uses God’s Word in a Christ-centered education to assist families in training students for Christian lives on earth and for eternity.

PRINCIPAL Tim Plath

DEAN OF STUDENTS Jim Buboltz

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Craig Morgan

REGISTRAR Heath Dobberpuhl

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Sarah Grams

FINANCIAL SECRETARY Deborah Kuck

MISSION ADVANCEMENT COORDINATOR Valerie Holzhueter

MISSION ADVANCEMENT ASSISTANT Kristin Matzke

This past year, along with our church bodies, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Our theme for the year was Grace. Faith. Scripture., based on Paul’s well known words from Ephesians 2:8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.

For the entire 2017-18 school year, we focused on these words and similar themes in our chapel devotions. Time and time again we were reminded of the importance of these words and the role they play in our faith life.

During the 2018-19 school year, we will celebrate our 40th anniversary. We’ll spend time celebrating the wonderful 40 years of God’s grace that He has so abundantly showered on us. We will reflect on the blessings we’ve received and the growth we’ve experienced.

Each activity and celebration, as well as our chapel devotions, will focus on the words of Psalm 126:3: The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

A forty-year anniversary is a wonderful event, but it

certainly would be a hollow celebration if it were missing the fundamental foundation of our faith. How blessed we are that for 40 years, God’s Word has been taught in its truth and purity at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School!

For 40 years, He has provided Christian teachers who unashamedly shared God’s Word with so many students.

We are further blessed because we are seeing second generation students attend MVL. These alumni recognize

the impact that MVL had on their own lives and want the same for their children.

As we journey through 2018-19, let’s do so with grateful hearts. God has blessed us and done great things for us. The joy that we have in our hearts provides us the motivation to live out our mission of “training students for Christian lives on earth and for eternity.”

May God bless our efforts!

From One Anniversary to Another

“The joy that we have in our hearts provides us

the motivation to live out our mission.”

Tim Plath

MVLHS Principal

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Beautifying the MVL Campus

Members of the MVL family created an awareness last fall that our building itself held few signs that MVL is a Christian school. Sure enough, with all of the remodeling, renovation, painting, and general maintenance that has taken place in recent years, most of the artwork that was hanging on our walls had been taken down and never reassessed.

As a result of this evaluation, the MVL Campus Beautification Committee was formed, made up of Sarah Grams, Administrative Assistant; Val Holzhueter, Mission Advancement Coordinator; and Jason Jaspersen, Art Teacher. Meetings have taken place weekly since October to determine how best to correct this oversight.

It was discovered that this was a much bigger task than initially

imagined. But what enjoyment this undertaking has brought to each committee member in the pursuit of finding artwork that provides the message to our students, guests, faculty, and staff that we are indeed centered on Christ.

Several updates have been made and several more are in progress, including the following:

the stained glass above the main entry doors, signifying the sacrament of baptism

the stained glass mosaic on the main floor, illustrating the body and blood of Jesus Christ

the stairwells and hallways displaying various AP Art Club church season banners

the Archival Hall, a walk down the history of MVL.

Come see how our looks have changed, and how our message remains the same: God’s Word is our Great Heritage!

MVL was blessed with another successful Golf Classic and Wine & Beer Tasting on July 9!

The event continues to see large numbers coming out to the New Ulm Country Club for the day. Thanks to the sponsors and attendees, over $17,000 was raised for Tuition Assistance for the 2018-19 school year.

The photo shows some beautiful arrangements A to Zinnia Florals & Gifts—owned by MVL alumna Heather Hacker-Hammer—provided for the event. For a full list of sponsors, please visit mvl.org/news-events/events/ golf-classic.

Mark your calendars now for July 8, 2019!

Golf Classic Recap

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God Blessings to the

Class of 2018

Ingrid Anderson Carroll College

Matthias Borgwardt Martin Luther

College

Shelby Haseman Minneapolis College

of Art & Design

Jordan Fischer South Dakota

State University

Keegan Jeffers Bethany Lutheran

College

Jakin Anderson Bethany Lutheran

College

Julia Buboltz South Dakota

State University

Henry Havemeier Saint Cloud

Technical College

Blake Fosburgh Wichita State

University

Kaelyn Johnson Augustana University

Megan Barbosa Bethany Lutheran

College

Magdala Diersen University of

Wisconsin-River Falls

Christian Hennig Milwaukee School of

Engineering

Luke Gartner Martin Luther

College

Jordyn Keranen Minnesota State

University-Mankato

Haley Birkholz Winona State

University

Sarah Dinse Undecided

Shylo Hilbert South Dakota

State University

Josiah Glowicki Minnesota State

College Southeast

Jacob Kiecker Martin Luther

College

Samara Bonnett Bethany Lutheran

College

Benjamin Draper Wisconsin Lutheran

College

Aliana Hippert Workforce

Alex Gutzke Bethany Lutheran

College

Isaiah Koepsell Bethany Lutheran

College

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The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged. –Deuteronomy 31:8

Andrew Kramer Martin Luther

College

Chantel Moldan Martin Luther

College

Samuel Pfingsten Minnesota State

University-Mankato

Nevander Neto Minnesota State

University-Mankato

Matthew Stein Martin Luther

College

Colten Maas South Dakota

State University

Natasha Moreton Martin Luther

College

Claire Plocher Workforce

John Niebuhr Martin Luther

College

Isabella Tice Wisconsin Lutheran

College

Abby Maasz South Central

College

Victor Morschauser Workforce

Samuel Rivera St. Olaf College

Noelle Olson Crown College

Kylie Ulrich Minnesota State

University-Mankato

Olivia Menzel Bethany Lutheran

College

Anna Natrakul Kilachand Honors College-

Boston University

Sarah Schwartz Bethany Lutheran

College

TaShawn Parker Iowa Lakes

Community College

Hayley Volz Bethany Lutheran

College

Myles Merseth Argosy University

Maxwell Nerland Bethany Lutheran

College

Madelyn Spurgin Seminole State

College of Florida

Austin Peterson Saint Cloud

State University

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Updates from the Faculty, Staff, & Board

New Faculty

Three faculty members will be leaving MVL this summer. May the Lord bless them as they serve Him in new ways!

Mr. Ron Wels (Science) announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2017-18 school year after 40 years in the teaching ministry.

Mr. Jason Jaspersen (Art) accepted a full-time position with Koine Music Ministries.

Ms. Deneal Sperle (English and Guidance) is pursuing a graduate degree and career in counseling.

Principal Tim Plath and the Board of Directors have worked diligently in the last several months to fill these teaching positions.

Mrs. Jennifer Uher accepted a full-time call to serve as our Physical Science and Biology teacher. She will lead the Drama department and serve as one of

two Student Council advisers (with Mr. John Gunderson). Jennifer’s husband, Alan, has accepted a call to serve Martin Luther College (MLC) as a student teaching supervisor.

Mr. Ben Lundsten accepted a one-year call to teach art. This is a

provisional call, as Ben is not yet a WELS certified teacher. Ben and his wife, Haley, are members of Peace-North Mankato.

Mrs. Karyn Clemons accepted a part-time, one-year call to teach

two sections of Advanced Placement (AP) English and one section of Foundations of English.

Karyn and her husband, Ben, are members of St. Paul’s-New Ulm. Ben is a professor at MLC.

Mrs. Rebecca Berg accepted a part-time, one-year call to teach three sections of Language Arts I and supervise two sections of online learning. Becky will be a freshmen

adviser and help Jennifer Uher with drama. Becky’s husband, Darrell, has accepted a call to teach art education at MLC.

Mrs. Rebecca Rogotzke accepted a one-year call to teach three

sections of American Literature and Composition. Becky and her husband, Jim, are members of Zion-Sanborn,

and have a sophomore at MVL.

The Board of Directors decided that we would utilize District 88 (New Ulm Public Schools) to supply us with a guidance counselor. Mr. Tim Smith has accepted that position. His focus will be on college and career counseling and academic counseling. Personal counseling will continue to be done by

faculty, as well as Christian Family Solutions and Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service.

Staff Changes

Mrs. Donna Dose will be stepping down from her position in Food Service this summer. Mrs. Beth Fluegge, who has worked with Donna as the Food Service Assistant, will take over as our new Food Service lead.

The search for a Mission Advancement Director will resume in the fall.

Faculty Anniversaries

In addition to Mr. Wels’s 40th anniversary, two other faculty members celebrated milestones this year: Mr. Jeff Koepsell (40 years) and Mr. Jim Buboltz (25 years).

A reception for Ron, Jeff, and Jim was held in April after the Year-end Sacred Concert.

MVL Board of Directors

Rev. Roger Knepprath and Mr. Larry Rude retired from the Board in June. Rev. Knepprath is pastor of St. Paul’s-North Mankato. Mr. Rude retired at the end of the 2017-18 school year as principal of Mount Olive Lutheran School in Mankato. We thank them for their many years of faithful service to MVL!

The Board of Directors for the 2018-19 school year is as follows: Mr. Steve Biedenbender (elected in June), Mr. Duane Flygare, Mr. Bob Fosburgh, Mr. Dave Gartner, Rev. Tim Hartwig, Mr. Paul Holzhueter,

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Alan Spurgin $ 40.00

Gary Stewart $ 20.00

Marcella Stueber $ 20.00

Edward Wessel $ 55.00

In honor of

The teaching anniversaries of Jim Buboltz, Jeff Koepsell, and Ron Wels $ 120.00

The 30th wedding anniversary of Terry & Ann Kruger $ 10.00

Memorial & Honorary Gifts

The following memorial and honorary gifts were received March 16 - July 10, 2018. Unless otherwise designated by the donor, these types of gifts to MVL are invested in the General Fund Endowment, which accrues earnings that are used for the operating budget.

In memory of

Lyla Baur $ 45.00

Walter & Elviera Becker $ 30.00

John & Olga Bentz $ 30.00

Darwin Black $ 100.00

Daniel Bonnett $ 25.00

Lorraine Bruss $ 10.00

Clifford Cordes $ 50.00

Lois Dammann $ 30.00

Evelyn Hahnke $ 20.00

Mervin Ingebritson $ 10.00

Harold Kletscher $ 5.00

Ruby Kroll $ 15.00

Louie Lindmeyer $ 10.00

Wanda Lokken $ 105.00

Paul Madson $ 10.00

Jerry Pitmon $ 20.00

Alvin Resoft $ 25.00

Delbert Sandhoefner $ 50.00

Myra Schaefer $ 25.00

Floyd Schwecke $ 20.00

Virginia Shellum $ 20.00

Duane Shult $ 20.00

MVL ASSOCIATION CHURCHES

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Arlington, Minnesota

Courtland Lutheran Church Courtland, Minnesota

St. John Lutheran Church Fairfax, Minnesota

Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church Gaylord, Minnesota

Immanuel Lutheran Church Gibbon, Minnesota

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Mankato, Minnesota

St. Mark Lutheran Church Mankato, Minnesota

Zion Lutheran Church Morgan, Minnesota

St. John’s Lutheran Church New Ulm, Minnesota

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church New Ulm, Minnesota

Zion Lutheran Church New Ulm, Minnesota

Trinity Lutheran Church Nicollet, Minnesota

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church North Mankato, Minnesota

Peace Lutheran Church North Mankato, Minnesota

St. John Lutheran Church Redwood Falls, Minnesota

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church St. James, Minnesota

Norseland Lutheran Church St. Peter, Minnesota

St. Peter Lutheran Church St. Peter, Minnesota

Zion Lutheran Church Sanborn, Minnesota

St. John’s Lutheran Church Sleepy Eye, Minnesota

Zion Lutheran Church Winthrop, Minnesota

Mr. Luke Hunter, Mr. Macord Johnson, Rev. Michael Killinger (elected in June), Mr. Peter Kramer, Mr. Warren Krohn, Mr. Paul Lokken, Mr. Todd Marotz, Mr. Jon Riederer, and Rev. Dan Witte (elected in June).

We are thankful for the many ways in which our gracious Lord has provided.

Please continue to keep our school in your prayers!

45638 561st Avenue New Ulm, MN 56073-5507

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PAID ABERDEEN, SD PERMIT #200

40th Anniversary Celebrations

MVL does not stand alone today. We are built on the families and supporters of the last 40 years. We are also built for the families and supporters yet to come. Most importantly, our foundation and future is centered on Christ alone.

The 2018-19 school year marks MVL’s 40th anniversary. Indeed, “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3). This verse is our school year theme. It is a wonderful reminder of how our loving Lord has provided for us and continues to bless us.

This is a special time for the entire MVL family. Two particularly special things will be happening this year.

First, we invite you to be part of $40 for 40. Our goal is to raise $40,000 throughout the school year for the MVL Partnership Fund. Will you join in this partnership and utilize the enclosed envelope? $40 or $400, every gift impacts students today, yet will bear fruit and multiply for years to come.

Second, rather than one large celebration, we are recognizing the 40th anniversary throughout the year. We hope this will allow you and many others in our family to visit the campus and participate in events as your schedule allows. This includes various athletic games, concerts, and drama performances; Homecoming

festivities for alumni and friends on October 4-6; WELS Regional Choral Fest, which is being hosted at MVL November 9-11; the Spirit of MVL events on November 17; and the Booster Club Auction on March 23.

Principal Tim Plath is already gathering names for alumni reunion music ensembles throughout the year, such as a Homecoming Pep Band and choir to sing the national anthem. You can register your name, voice part or instrument, and level of interest by emailing Kristin Matzke at kmatzke@mvlhs.org. You can also regularly check online at www.mvl.org for additional event activities and updates.

For more information about $40 for 40 or about the anniversary activities,

contact Val Holzhueter: valh@mvlhs.org or 507.233.8692.