Educating the total student

1200 Oakdale Avenue

West St. Paul, MN 55118-2601

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Upcoming Eve nts !

FebruaryAll School Open House February 9, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.SnowFest Dance February 16, 7:30 p.m.Starlight Variety Show February 24, 2:30 p.m.

MarchMidwinter Band Concert March 3, 2:30 p.m.Parent/Teacher Conferences March 4 and 11, 5:00-6:45 p.m.WELS National Band Festival at MLC March 15-17Spring Break March 18-22

AprilEaster Break March 29-April 1St. Croix Auction April 6, 5:00 p.m.Open House April 7, 2:30-4:30 p.m. High School Spring Sacred Concert April 7, 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.Spring Play April 25-27

21st Annual Dinner AuctionJoin us on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the beautiful Mendakota Country Club in Mendota Heights for St. Croix Lutheran High School’s 21st annual dinner auction.

Tickets are $60 per person or $500 per table of eight.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.StCroixLutheran.org/Auction or by calling Robyn Swiderski at 651.455.1521 x106.

Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. for the start of the silent auction, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner, brief remarks, and the live auction will take place from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

St. Croix TodayA l u m n i & A s s o c i a t i o n N e w s l e t t e r

WINTER 2012-13Educating the total student. Spiritually, intellectually, physically.

Learning Community

PAGE 2 n ST. CROIX LUTHERAN GRADES 6-12St. Croix Today nWINTER 2012-13

About the CoverInside this Issue

About the Cover 2Faculty Feature 2

Learning Community and Culture 3

Veterans’ Day at St. Croix 4Celebrate My Drive Impact 4

After St. Croix 5

Fall Sports Recap 6

Alumni News 7

Upcoming Events 8

Do you have questions about St. Croix Lutheran? Feel free to call 651.455.1521 with questions.

Or visit our website: www.StCroixLutheran.org.

Or connect with us at Facebook.com/StCroixLutheran

St. Croix Today is created by Janelle Higdon, Communications Director for St. Croix Lutheran, with

assistance from Barb Backer and Elizabeth Reid.

St. Croix Lutheran is always striving to educate the total student-–spiritually, intellectually, and physi-cally. It is a uniquely complete education. The effectiveness of this education is greatly enhanced by the environment in which it is presented.

St. Croix’s caring, Christian community serves as the safe place that students need in order to learn and grow with their peers. Friendships that form between St. Croix students not only foster educa-tional excellence, but also often last a lifetime.

Faculty Feature

“St. Croix is the most unique ministry I have ever been privileged to be a part of. I can share the Gospel with students from around the globe every day. St. Croix students are outreach and commu-nity minded; they see the world as a place in which to serve and not just be served.”

Dr. Carrie Pfeifer, an instructor at St. Croix since 2007, is thankful for the environment at St. Croix. Likewise, St. Croix is thankful for Dr. Pfeifer’s commitment to the school. Currently, Dr. Pfeifer serves as director of the Resident Program and Learning Resource Center, as well as a teacher of English 4 and Advanced Writing classes.

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) is a program that offers as-sistance to students with identified learning disabilities and home-work challenges so that all students can experience academic success. With the assistance of Mrs. Lorna Kapanke and Mrs. Rebecca Hillstrom during and after school, Dr. Pfeifer ensures that students get the help and direction they need by creating St. Croix-specific 504 learning plans.

Dr. Pfeifer also coordinates a wide variety of test preparation and study support classes. Each semester, ACT, SAT, and Toefl prep classes help many students significantly improve their test scores–better preparing them for college applications.

As Dr. Pfeifer serves St. Croix’s Residence Program, she works to provide boarding students with a home away from home. Through healthy structure, a Christian environment, and organized commu-nity-building activities, students develop academically and socially.

When she is not at St. Croix, Dr. Pfeifer enjoys spending time with her family (husband Dr. Gene Pfeifer, her three children and their spouses, and one grandchild), and attending Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN.

Dr. Carrie PfeiferTeacher, Director of LRC and Residence Programs

Ingrid Rich (class of 2015) and Kalle Burney (class of 2014). Photo by Ben Wilson of Wilson Aesthetics.

Alumni News & AnnouncementsClass of 2006On August 22, 2012, Chris Brudzinski returned from a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan. He is in the US Marine Corps and was recently promoted to 1st Lieuten-ant. Chris is stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

Class of 2008Shanna Padfield (‘08) was married to Phil Kurbis on June 30, 2012 (shown right) at Bloomington Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. Phil graduated from Martin Luther College in 2009 and is now a grade-school teacher in his hometown school of Faith Lutheran in Tacoma, WA. Shanna graduated from Martin Luther College in 2011 and is currently employed as a nanny. They live in Tacoma, WA.

Sarah Schuyler, also a graduate of St. Croix in 2008, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in December 2012.

Upper Midwest Athletic ConferenceThree recent St. Croix graduates earned UMAC honors: Hannah Spaulding (class of 2010), Bridget Hennen (class of 2012), and Kathryn Scislow (class of 2011) play for the Bethany Lutheran College women’s soccer team. Hannah Spaulding and Bridget Hennen earned All-Conference Honorable Mention and Kathryn Scislow was named Rookie of the Year.

Please detach and return to: SCLHS, 1200 Oakdale Avenue, West St. Paul, MN 55118-2601, or e-mail jhigdon@StCroixLutheran.org

ALUMNI NEWSWe would like to include an “Alumni News” page in each issue of St. Croix Today. Please send us your news — job accomplish-ments, weddings, births, educational achievements, etc. Feel free to attach additional pages if you need more space. In addition to these announcements, please keep us informed of any address changes so you can continue to receive news about SCLHS. Thank you.

NAME GRADUATION YEAR

ADDRESS PHONE

CITY STATE ZIP E-MAIL

NEWS UPDATE

PAGE 7nEducating the total student. Spiritually, intellectually, physically. WINTER 2012-13

Class of 1996Josh and Lori (Benz) Gatzke were blessed with Leo Ross Gatzke on June 12, 2012. He was 6 lbs, 15oz and 20 in long. Leo joined his big brother Jack (8) and big sister Keira (4).

Class of 1997Matt and Leigh Gibson are excited to welcome their son Micah Daniel. He was born on September 4, 2012 and baptized on September

5, 2012. Big brother Nathan and big sister Ruthie spend their days crushing him with love.

Class of 2003Ginger Kolb (‘03) and Kurt Brauer joined their hands in marriage on September 28, 2012, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE (shown left). The couple currently lives in Omaha. Kurt works as a firefighter for the Omaha Fire Department, and Ginger works for Excel Physical Therapy as a physical therapist.

Class of 2005Rochelle Bunde (‘05) was married to Martin Jacobs on March 23, 2011 (shown right) at North Heights Lu-theran church, where they first met in 2010. They reside in Maplewood, MN where Rochelle works as a certi-fied PCA and DSP, a ballet instructor and hip hop choreographer, and a skin specialist through Estee Lauder. Her husband Martin works for the state of Minnesota in computer data recovery and environmental statistics.

PAGE 6 n ST. CROIX LUTHERAN GRADES 6-12St. Croix Today nWINTER 2012-13

Fall Sports Recap

Overall: 9-2Season highlights: St. Croix football ended its season with first place trophies in both conference and section. The definite highlight of the season was a convincing 61–21 win versus Cannon Falls in the section final. A loss to eventual state champion Blue Earth Area High School brought the season to an end. A record sixty athletes in grades 9–11 will return this fall to continue the positive football tradi-tion at St. Croix.

Football

Overall Boys’: 5-8-4Overall Girls’: 8-9-1Season highlights: The 2012 season was the boys’ second best season in St. Croix history, and a season of marked progress for the girls’ soccer team. The boys’ team played a few memorably dramatic games, beating DeLaSalle at the last second, and tying against South St. Paul for the first time ever.

SoccerGirls’ and Boys’

Overall: 2-12Season highlights: Even though St. Croix did not have many team wins, there were many competitive individual matches with several decided by third-set tie-breakers. The team earned an academic gold star award, and coach Jeff Strehlow was given the Section 1A “Coach of the Year” award.

TennisGirls’

Season highlights: Fourteen athletes (seven boys and seven girls) competed in 10 races throughout the season. They logged over 3,200 miles during three months of training. Three athletes exceeded 300 miles of running individually. The girls’ team finished 11th out of 15 teams at sections and the boys finished 12th out of 17 teams.

Cross CountryGirls’ and Boys’

Volleyball

Overall Record: 30-4Conference Record: 12-0Season highlights: In an exciting season, the volleyball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history. They were undefeated conference champions with a Team Academic All-State Gold Standard for academic excellence. Kelsey Kowitz was named most improved athlete, Julia Barrott was named Lady Crusad-er, and Cayla Fogle was recognized for Will to Win.

All ConferenceStudents

Julia Barrott VolleyballGabriela Diaz SoccerCayla Fogle VolleyballKira Grev VolleyballJacob Groom SoccerLincoln Hochmuth FootballNick Kiecker FootballTrever Koester FootballNate Lassonde FootballDan Mackenthun FootballMatt McDermott Cross CountryBen Nguyen SoccerDavid Ponath FootballJennie Scislow SoccerJeremy Sievert FootballAfton Sobasky VolleyballBrittany Staab Cross Country

Honorable Mention

Randy Gehl FootballMaddy Halverson VolleyballJessica Heintz SoccerRiley Hillstrom SoccerErik Johnson FootballJeremy Leonard Cross CountryCarolyn Light TennisKelsey Kowitz VolleyballKarissa Plath Cross CountryYaitta Sackie SoccerCody Sticha FootballRyan Stob SoccerAndy Tiarks FootballAmber Winter Tennis

PAGE 3nEducating the total student. Spiritually, intellectually, physically. WINTER 2012-13

For any student, living in a dormitory with peers brings learning opportuni-ties of many varieties—little lessons and life lessons. Learning even begins in the laundry room for some. Mrs. Hannah Grayckowski, one of St. Croix’s dorm supervisors, said that students using laundry machines for the first time quickly discoverd through trial and error that detergent, in fact, does not go in the dryer. And yes, the spin cycle is necessary. But what St. Croix students primarily learn in the dormi-tories each year will have a lifelong impact that is of much more gravity than a wardrobe full of clean clothes.

During the school day, St. Croix students receive education spiritually, intellectually, and physically from energetic teachers who desire to see their students succeed. In the evening, students living in St. Croix’s dormitories learn about community and culture from further interaction with their peers.

Among international students from countries around the world—China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tai-

Learning Community and CultureThe St.Croix Residence Program

wan, to name a few—are American boarding students, bringing their own unique perspective to St. Croix’s cul-ture. These students form cross-cultural friendships quickly.

Mrs. Grayckowski said that, “American students living in St. Croix’s dormitories are open minded and excited to learn about other cultures. Many develop close friendships that continue beyond graduation.”

Ingrid Rich, a sophomore at St. Croix from Menomonie, WI, lives in the dormitory. When asked what she likes about her experience in the dorms, she replied, without hesitation, that her favorite part was learning about the different cultures of her peers. Rich explained that living in the dorms helps her to understand how different cultures do things in unique ways. Every so often, she and her peers even try foods from each other’s home cuisine.

The comradery that develops among dorm students also gives opportunity for academic growth. International

students often seek conversation with American students in order to improve their English speaking skills.

This naturally evolves into a leader-ship opportunity for many American students in St. Croix’s dorms. As younger international students begin their time at St. Croix, some Ameri-can dorm students will volunteer to mentor them and proofread their English assignments. International students often return the favor, tutor-ing peers in other subjects such as math.

The residence program at St. Croix also provides students with regular community-building activities that challenge them to learn about the cultures of their peers in social settings. The opportunity to experi-ence such intentional diversity is very unique to St. Croix. Because of this, students who live in St. Croix’s dorms graduate with a multi-faceted education. They graduate with an understanding not only of academ-

ics, but also an understanding of community, of cultures, and of each other.

PAGE 4 n ST. CROIX LUTHERAN GRADES 6-12St. Croix Today nWINTER 2012-13

MAJ Joel Kassulke prepares to address students and veteran guests at St. Croix.

State Farm Celebrate My Drive Grant Makes Big Impact

CelebratingVeterans’ Day

at St. Croix Lutheran

With sincere faces of thankfulness, St. Croix Lutheran students and staff welcomed over 150 veterans and their families to St. Croix on Monday, No-vember 12 for the fifth annual celebra-tion of Veterans’ Day. St. Croix Student Body President Jeremy Sievert expressed his thankfulness to the veterans at the special ceremony, acknowledging that the freedoms the student body enjoys wouldn’t be pos-sible without the sacrifices of America’s veterans.

Guest speaker, St. Croix alumnus Ma-

jor Joel Kassulke, shared moving stories of his experiences overseas. Major Kassulke graduated from St. Croix in 1998, after making an impact on St. Croix’s student body. While attending St. Croix, he served as student body president, homecoming king, and a dominant running back on the St. Croix football team.

After graduation, he attended West Point Academy and married his high school sweetheart, Natalie (St. Croix class of 1998). Major Joel Kassulke and his wife Natalie shared that their

unity in Jesus Christ brought them through the trying times apart while Major Kassulke served overseas. And their total education at St. Croix—spiri-tual, intellectual, and physical—helped to prepare them for Major Kassulke’s time serving this country. This is the story of many St. Croix veterans.

St. Croix Lutheran thanks veterans for their years of sacrifice and thanks God for their faith and hope in Jesus Christ as they serve their nation.

St. Croix Lutheran was recently blessed to receive a $100,000 grant from State Farm Insurance, stemming from participation in the Celebrate My Drive campaign. The grant proceeds have been designated to align with St. Croix’s strategic goals and to directly benefit St. Croix students.

Half of the grant has been directed to the 2012-2013 budget for tuition assistance so that more students and families can benefit from St. Croix’s ministry. The remaining funding has

been strategically allocated toward three outside-of-budget projects.

The first project, an all-school mixer activity that took place on Friday, December 14 at Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America, celebrated the vibrantly diverse culture of St. Croix.

This all-school mixer activity created yet another opportunity for the student body to build culture and com-munity.

Communication, another area of

strategic interest for St. Croix, spurred the second outside-of-budget project which will place monitors in high-traffic areas of the school for streaming announcements and presentations.

The final designation of funds from the grant proceeds will be a service learn-ing project conducted by the student body.

With this grant, St. Croix continues to excel in its mission to educate the total student—spiritually, intellectually, and physically.

PAGE 5nEducating the total student. Spiritually, intellectually, physically. WINTER 2012-13

Education Shapes CallingSt. Croix graduate pursues passion for pastoral ministry

After Matthew Hatzung graduated from St. Croix in 2012, he made the meaningful decision to pursue God’s call towards pastoral ministry. This fall, Hatzung began his collegiate edu-cation as a freshman at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota where he is enrolled in the pre-seminary program.

Hatzung says that his time at St. Croix deepened in him a pas-sion for knowing and sharing God’s Word, fueling his deci-sion to pursue the pastorate degree. A number of classes and experiences at St. Croix contributed to this, including religion classes and daily chapels. The opportunity to lead a chapel service for his peers also influenced him deeply as he considered pursuing public ministry.

Another highlight for Hatzung was participating in the Croix-aliers, which provided him a strong community of peers and showed him how God’s Word could be shared through music. He has also found that his Latin courses, his favorite classes, prepared him well for his biblical language courses at Martin Luther College.

Hatzung plans to complete his education at Martin Luther Col-lege then transfer to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He con-tinues to seek God’s guidance, trusting that he will someday receive a call and serve in the public ministry.

Fighting for ChangeSt. Croix alumna dedicates life to social justice

Armed with charisma, talent, and a heart for reaching the oppressed, Sowon Kim is out to change the world. Originally from South Korea, Kim graduated from St. Croix in 2011 and was awarded a scholarship to continue her education at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. She plans to major in Sociology and minor in Social Justice and Social Policy.

Kim remembers her St. Croix education as a sweet time of spir-itual growth, developing in her a deeper sensitivity to God as she sought His plan for her life. In addition to religion classes and daily chapels, two ministry opportunities at St. Croix were particularly impactful: volunteering at local nursing homes and two mission trips to Arizona.

These experiences opened her eyes to God’s heart for the needy, showing her that an ordinary life could be used to reach them. Ms. Kim knew then that this would be her life’s work. Starting and leading a Youth in Government club at St. Croix confirmed her passion for social justice, and being part of St. Croix’s speech team improved her ability to speak out for a cause.

After an eight-month hiatus spent with family and friends in South Korea, Kim is back at Brandeis University. In her spare time, she volunteers at Habitat for Humanity and an after-school kids’ club. Next year she plans to study abroad, completing an internship at the international court in Hague, Netherlands, and studying diplomacy and international rela-tions in Greece.

Matthew HatzungClass of 2012

Sowon KimClass of 2011

A f t e r S t . C r o i x