Summer 2014 Lamplighter

SUMMER 2014 3 Homecoming 2013

Homecoming Weekend 2013 truly was a

A publication Christopher Dock Mennonite High School greatoftime to reconnect, rediscover, and

remember.

3 Alumni Commencement 6 of the Year2014

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Christopher Dock Ehst honered Alumni Krista Showalter (’04),its the2013 speaker offor the Year. 59th commencement, advised Dock’s graduates to throw off the burden of National Merit and Semifinalists (low) expectations live kingdom Only 16,000 students out of 1.5 million in values in the here and now.

22,000 high schools achieve this level of academic performance—and three of them Senior Presentations are Dock students.

As their final high school assignment, seniors share the memories—and lessons—they will take with them as they leave Christopher Dock.

14 Awards & Scholarships

Celebrating the academic and athletic award winners for the 2013-14 school year.

16 Campus Happenings

ACE Awards ● Dock’s new rain garden ● Ryen Haney’s big catch! ● All-School Social ● And a Child Shall Lead ● Faculty and staff recognized for service milestones ● 40 years for Jerry Yoder! ● Staff transitions for 2014-15

20 Alumni Notes

Weddings, weddings, and more weddings ● Alumni study abroad ● Dock announces Alumni of the Year ● Homecoming Weekend 2014 October 17-18 ● More news about your classmates

On the cover: The Christopher Dock Award, sponsored by former Dock teacher Pearl Schrack, is presented to one senior boy and girl in recognition of all-around campus citizenship, leadership and scholarship. The 2014 recipients of the Christopher Dock Award are Brielle Alderfer and Eric Morton.

Right: Graduates Naomi Davidar (left) and Lauren Anderson celebrate on the Detweiler House lawn.

Dr. Conrad J. Swartzentruber Principal Martin D. Wiens Assistant Principal Jeffrey A. Ambrose Director of Business Affairs Robert D. Rutt Director of Advancement

Igniting Passion forMennonite Learning, High Faith,School, and Lifein.

Christopher Dock

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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.

Darwin R. Zehr Director of Technology Jay Gordon, Editor Steve Leinbach, Graphic Design

Board of Directors Warren L. Tyson, President Sharon L. Fransen, Vice President Ruth H. Yoder, Secretary P. Scott Heckler, Treasurer Henry B. Bergey, David G. Landis (‘59) Beny Krisbianto, James M. Lapp, Katie Longacre, Rina Rampogu 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.

www.dockhs.org

Entering the “real world” Krista Showalter Ehst (’04) asks graduates to throw off the burden of (low) expectations and live kingdom values in the here and now.

I

t may be some two thousand years after Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, but our postmodern culture continues to misunderstand, and underappreciate, the potential contributions of young people.

In the early 1900s, researchers began to view adolescent energy as a force that needed to be “bottled up” and contained until young people were old and wise enough to use it constructively. A century later comes new research—outlined in a 2013 Time magazine article entitled The Me, Me, Me Generation—showing that today’s young people are narcissistic, overconfident, entitled and lazy.

Christopher Dock’s 2014 Commencement speaker, Krista Showalter Ehst (’04), summed it up this way: “So there’s no more need to fear the energy of youth, because they’re all self-absorbed and consumed in their worlds of Snapchat and Twitter, and don’t have any energy left to commit to anyone besides themselves,” she said. “My hope, as you stand firmly fixed in an age of youth, leaving high school but still very much defined as a young person, is that you don’t buy it. My hope is that you don’t succumb to a message that has such low expectations of our generation.”

Showalter Ehst reminded Dock graduates of the crucial roles played by young people in important movements, such as the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s. “In 1963, the struggle for desegregation was faltering, and so young people got involved. Black youth in Birmingham, Alabama, knew their parents couldn’t risk leaving work and getting arrested, and so in a

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COMMENCEMENT 2014

single day, almost 1,000 junior high, high school, and even some elementary school students were arrested as they marched out of their schools and protested segregation,” Showalter Ehst said. The next day, she added, 1,000 more young people marched—and police responded by turning dogs and high-pressure water hoses on them.

“This was the protest that raised the whole nation’s consciousness about the injustice of racial segregation,” she said. “This protest was led by people your age.”

Nathan Bergey

Dock graduates need to be just as bold about living out the values Jesus modeled, she added. “He encouraged his followers to look for glimpses of the kingdom of God, and promised that it was in their midst even when it was hard to see because the world that surrounded it was often at odds with kingdom values and kingdom ways,” she said. “We haven’t fully realized this kingdom, but you are a fundamental part of bringing more pieces of it into our midst.

As 1 Timothy says, if you resist the ways that the world looks down on you, then you can set an example for the world—not when you turn 21, not when you graduate college and enter the ‘real world’— no, you as young people in the here and now can set an example for others by the way you live your lives.”

Krista Showalter Ehst is a farmer and pastor who lives in Bally, PA. She and her husband, Tim, run a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm where they grow vegetables and raise pigs and chickens; she also pastors part-time at Alpha Mennonite Church in Alpha, NJ. Mrs. Showalter Ehst is a 2004 graduate of Christopher Dock and a 2008 graduate of Goshen College, and received her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology in 2012. She is passionate about the intersections between sustainable agriculture and theology, and seeks to weave together the hands-on work of farming with the heart work of ministry.

Nathan Bergey

Baccalaureate A time for reflection

Nathan Bergey Howard Anderson

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Photo top left: Pastor and Dock parent Stretch Dean reflects.

Photo middle left: Seniors Jesse Ludwig and Logan Hunsberger sing and play.

Photo bottom left: Seniors (l to r) Anna Martin, Mariah Denlinger, Melissa Class, Brielle Alderfer and Phoebe Gutt let their lights shine.

Background photo: Baccalaureate ends with the traditional candle lighting around Groff Pond.

Mai Hazlett Nathan Bergey

COMMENCEMENT 2014

Nathan Bergey

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COMMENCEMENT 2014

Ken Kabakjian

Nathan Bergey

Nathan Bergey

Class of 2014 John Bergstresser Montgomery County CC

Tiara Demetrius Montgomery County CC Nursing

Kayla Alderfer Undecided

Megan Bishop Eastern Mennonite University Music Education

Mariah Denlinger Mennonite Mission Network

Abigail Anderson Massachusetts Institute of Technology Architecture

Levi Brunner Penn College of Technology Diesel Tech

Lauren Anderson Lehigh University Bioengineering/Music

Alyssa Burkholder Eastern Mennonite University Psychology

Edrian (Eddy) Arango Eastern Mennonite University Music

Clara Bush Eastern Mennonite University History

Brielle Alderfer Messiah College Nursing

Raychel Bair Employment Bair’s Tree Service Morgan Benjamin York College of PA Psychology Abigail Bergey Malone University Social Work Courtney Bergey University of South Florida Biology Jessica Bergey Missions – YWAM

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Kayla Dean Eastern Nazarene College History Education

Ken Kabakjian

Julia Bergey Missions – YWAM

Hannah Derstine Houghton College Biology/Pre-veterinary Seth Detweiler Montgomery County CC Undeclared/Pursuing Ministry Jessica Finlayson Liberty University International Business

Johnathan Capps Penn College of Technology Mechatronics Technology

Jackson Fu Rochester Institute of Technology Music Technology/Game Design

Derek Cassel Penn College of Technology

William Gacy Montgomery County CC Culinary Arts Employment at Normandy Farms

Cheng Chen Virginia Tech Architecture Honglin Chen Southern Methodist University Finance Melissa Class Messiah College Nursing Jacob Clemens Messiah College Marketing Naomi Davidar Messiah College Biology

Thomas Grasse Employment at Shan-gra-la Contractors Phoebe Gutt University of Pittsburgh Communications Aaron Guttenplan Syracuse University Architecture Bryce Hagan Eastern Mennonite University Digital Media

COMMENCEMENT 2014

Nathan Bergey

Nathan Bergey

Hailey Hagen James Madison University International Affairs Audrey Hamilton Bucks County CC Nursing Jooli Hansen Liberty University Undeclared Andrew Hautzinger Delaware Valley College Landscape Architecture Eric Hoover Montgomery County CC Computer Sciences

KyoungHun (Edwin) Kim UC San Diego Business/International Relations Austin Kratz Messiah College Mechanical Engineering Matthew LaCon Montgomery County CC Lindsey Laverty Eastern University Organizational Communications Landon Leinbach Messiah College Business

Connor McCoach Liberty University Sports Management Morgan McDanel Tyler School of Art Illustration and Drawing Ashley McGarrity Saint Joseph’s University Communications Ethan Mercure Montgomery County CC General Studies Najee Miller Virginia Union University

Natalie LePera Temple University Biology

Oliver Miller Hesston College Aviation

Jesse Ludwig Montgomery County CC Music

Vanessa Miller Iowa State University Architecture

Laura Mangan University of Alabama Nursing

Naomi Moono Temple University Athletic Training

Andre Martin Montgomery County CC English

Eric Morton Moravian College Mathematics / Sports Mgmt

Brooks Inciardi University of Michigan Acting

Anna Martin Hesston College Elementary Education/ Youth Ministry

Issac Moyer Penn State University Mechanical Engineering

Xiaoyu (Kimmy) Jin University of Sydney Accounting

Taylor Martin University of Tampa/St. Joseph’s Marketing

Janae Kauffman Eastern Mennonite University Mathematics Education

Rebecca Mathew Eastern University Psychology

Travis Hoover Messiah College Engineering Christian Hotte Philadelphia University Business Wenqiang (Jerry) Hou University of Delaware International Relations Logan Hunsberger Messiah College Sports Management

Ryan Moyer University of Delaware Biomedical Engineering Ki (Simon) Nam Penn State University Vocal Performance

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COMMENCEMENT 2014

Nathan Bergey

Ethan Neal Belmont University Music Business Lauren Prussack Immaculata University Nursing Ziyi (Jesse) Qu Drexel University Physics Derek Reeser Montgomery County CC Business Devin Rhoads University of Maryland Baltimore Co. Political Science Donald Roessler Gettysburg College Health Sciences Rachel Rose Montgomery County CC Early Childhood Education

John Ruth Missions - Service Adventure Sarah Ryder Gordon College Early Childhood Education Reid Santiago Montgomery County CC General Studies Karalyn Schmidt Messiah College Health and Exercise Sciences Evan Scott Lehigh University Engineering Kereece Seuren Penn State University - Lehigh Valley Rehabilitation & Human Services Aubrey Shelly Eastern Mennonite University Biology/Pre-Med/Pre-Vet Aren Stanley East Stroudsburg University Undeclared Seth Strickland Penn College of Technology Landscape/Horticulture Pengcheng Su Saint Louis University Economics Morgan Swartley Liberty University Business Administration/Marketing Belgium Sylvester Gwynedd Mercy University Nursing

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Nathan Bergey

Jaclyn Teed Eastern Nazarene College Undeclared

Connor Tipping Grove City College Business/Economics Elena Trout Southeastern University Theatre Sierra Walt Delaware Valley College Equine Instruction Training John Walter Montgomery County CC Undeclared Employment - Acts Retirement Communities Bingze (Ken) Wang University of Oregon Business MeiXue (Alice) Wang University of Sydney Commerce Shuo Wang Drexel University Biomedical Engineering Eva Wilkins Missions - Service Adventure Qijia (Euca) You University of Washington – Seattle Pre-Arts Kayla Young West Chester University Exercise Science Qing (Abby) Yuan University of San Francisco Business

LOOKING BACK...

LOOKING AHEAD

As Dr. Seuss said, “You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” I am proud of who I have become and the things I have accomplished.

Anna Martin

Aaron

Fears conquered. Opportunities seized.

Guttenplan Friendships created. Lessons learned. Memories made.

These are the things graduates reflect on in their Senior Presentations.

Aaron Guttenplan I took on a big project my senior year. I am trying to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, which requires a service project. To fulfill this requirement, I oversaw the installation of a rain garden on Dock’s campus. With the help of my planning committee, the garden was installed this spring and is currently looking nice and healthy. I would like to thank everyone who helped plan and install it, as well as Mr. Freed and Mr. Weaver for excavating the site.

Abby Bergey

Abigail Anderson

Abby Bergey Though the most challenging class I took at Dock, I found Calculus to be the most rewarding. The material was difficult, but I gradually came to understand the concepts through a series of what were probably the dumbest questions Mr. Yoder has ever been asked. While he never ceased to lend a helping hand, I did notice that he took down his sign that read ‘There is Johnathan no such thing as a stupid question’ after Capps I had passed through his class. I tried not to take it personally. Not only did I adore my small class, but I also overcame my intimidation of Mr. Yoder, who is actually not scary at all. With his help, I even managed to pull down a 4 on the AP test.

Alyssa Burkholder

Abigail Anderson My freshman year, I felt like I was living in an entirely new world. I had just completed 7th and 8th grade at Penndale Middle School. I counted down every single day of my 8th grade year until I would finally get to come to Dock. I had hardly ever heard the word “community” before, so I think it became more meaningful for me than it did for the kids who went to Penn View.

Although I had heard about Dock from other people, I did not expect that the teachers would genuinely care about us, that good students could be popular without being hypocritical, or

that everyone would be related except for me.

I began to wonder if I had a shot of getting into one of the other schools I applied to, and by the time March rolled around, I was praying every night that I would get into at least one more school. I could think of nothing else.

Then on Pi Day (March 14), at 6:28 p.m., MIT regular decisions came out. This was the happiest minute of my life. I couldn’t even read past the first line of the letter through the tears that were streaming down my face. I had gotten into MIT. It still blows me away every time I think about it: all of my hard work has actually paid off.

Alyssa Burkholder I think sophomore year I just changed a little; I became less naïve and more aware of the real world outside of my Mennonite upbringing. I started to understand where people came from more and I stopped judging so much, mostly because I was judged too. I also stopped caring so much about what others thought of me. I began to realize that everyone lives their own lives, and even if you do not agree with someone, you can still get along and even be friends with them.

Johnathan Capps This year for robotics we knew what we wanted to do and we got right to work on a new robot. We qualified for Worlds with it at DockBots, the robotics competition that Dock hosts. About half way through the year, we decided we needed to do something different in order to get noticed. So we built a pneumatically assisted two-speed transmission that allowed us to be one step ahead of the competition.

Although it never performed how we wanted it to, it received a lot of attention and yielded us a Build Award at Worlds. Those late nights and long hours paid off. We were winners at the World level, an amazing way to end the season.

We ended these four years with 15 trophies, including Dock’s only trophy at the world level!

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André Martin

Ryan Moyer Matt LaCon

André Martin My parents were right in choosing Dock, even if getting used to being at school was a little challenging for me at first…Dock has impacted my view of school in a good way.

I wish that I could have gone here for my freshman and sophomore years. I wonder who I would be today if I had.

Dock has also improved my writing abilities. This is especially important for me since I intend to major in English in college.

The feedback I got from my fellow students and Mrs. Rauch in Creative Writing helped me improve.

Najee Miller Three years ago I wouldn’t be able to stand in front of anybody to read something I wrote.

I thought nobody would listen. Now that I am standing up here looking at everyone in the room today, it makes me feel better about myself to see that I changed so much from who I was in the past.

Ashley McGarrity I was only [at Spring-Ford] for a week and a half, and I was already telling my mom I wanted to go back to Dock. I figured that no one honestly cared about me there. Alyssa Burkholder texted me over the summer saying, “Hey you should come to a soccer game so we can hang out.” For some reason that text made me tell my parents they HAD to get me back into Dock. That text showed me that people actually did care at Dock.

This summer I will be interning at Clear Channel Communications.

Senior Experience week is a great opportunity. It lets you experience real life. Dock has given me amazing opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. I am so thankful I got to attend this school.

Ashley McGarrity

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Reid Alexander

Matt LaCon I was resistant to switching schools. My middle school was grades 7-9, and North Penn was grades 10-12. I could go to Christopher Dock for grade 9 only, and if I didn’t like it, I could start fresh at North Penn for the 20112012 school year. Ninth grade would be like a trial run. I was nervous that [first] morning, but by the end of the day, I was completely at ease.

By my 9th period Biology class I had already made plenty of friends and I was familiar with my schedule and where all my classes were. For the first time in a long while, I actually went home from school in a GOOD mood.

My high school experience was full of happiness, laughter, excitement, joy, but also anxiety, stress, and worry. There were good times, and there were bad times. But even with the bad times, I wouldn’t trade it. I am thankful for all the friends that I have made, all the teachers I had, and the kind of life I lived these past four years. I am glad I attended Dock.

Ryan Moyer As freshman year came to a close, I was happy with my academic and athletic performances, and more than satisfied with Christopher Dock as a school. I also felt like I was really starting to discover more about who I was as a person. I realized that I had already made closer friends in less than a year at Dock than in my entire middle school experience, and that this was exactly what I’d been looking for in a high school: a place where everyone is easy to get along with; a place where the odds are high of meeting your best friends for life; a place where the grass is green and the cookies are huge. For once in my life, I was really excited to come back to school the following year.

Kayla Alderfer The spring semester brought rewards: the beautiful campus, the new bassoon, and science fair. For my 7th and 8th grade years at Penn View I had never made it to Penn State as a competitor. While going to states to simply keep time is like a mini-vacation, I was determined to compete. What I thought was my simplest and most boring project finally brought me to states—a study on earthworm regeneration.

Thank you Mr. A for being an inspiration, for teaching me to never give up and to continue learning outside of school—learn in everything you do. It’s a lesson I carry with me to this day.

Lauren Prussack

Reid Alexander It’s amazing, looking back, how much change occurs within the walls of [this school.]

There aren’t many places like this. Before I had my license I would sit outside of the chapel waiting to be picked up after running AV for musical performances and arts day productions. I would sit on that bench and wonder how many human beings this campus has watched come and go, entering as one person and leaving as another. It’s an amazing place, truly, and I am honored to have learned what it means to be a man of God here.

Travis Hoover Another huge piece of this year was the development of my spiritual life. I signed up for Faith Walk and it was everything I could have asked for. I cried a little more than I had planned during my testimony, but the class made me realize that we’re all here to be the kind of people that God wants us to be, and I learned not to judge people. I used to form opinions of people before ever even talking to them, but I’ve come to realize that everyone has a story, and people are pretty cool once you get to know them. This is one of the developments that I value the most from my time at Dock.

Lauren Prussack Physics was a challenge during my junior year. Ms. Clemmer had faith in me though; she was always there to explain things to me, but she also cared about me. There was a time during my junior year when I was getting a lot of blood tests and missing a lot of school.

The workload was piling up, and I told Ms. Clemmer about it. A few days later, I found a card of encouragement from Ms. Clemmer in my locker. It was the nicest thing a teacher has ever done for me. It was amazing to have a teacher so involved and caring. I decided I would take AP Biology with her senior year.

Melissa Class This school has something extremely special that cannot be defined as anything but a loving, caring community. When comparing my time at North Penn to Dock, I can clearly see the care that the teachers and students have for each other here. At North Penn I was simply a number in a school of over 3,000 students, but at Dock I felt like my presence has meant something. I want to thank the teachers and students at Dock for all the care and support shown to me in my two years here, support I will cherish as I move on from this wonderful school.

Tiara Demetrius

Lindsey Laverty

Kayla Young

Tiara Demetrius By far my favorite class was Faith Walk. I didn’t know what to expect and I was hesitant at first. Once I heard my peers’ faith stories and the trust they gave me I knew it was okay for me to share mine. When I told my story it was a weight lifted off my shoulders that had been sitting there for years weighing me down. The support I got back was unbelievable…. Faith Walk class will forever be a blessing in my life.

Morgan McDanel The only way I am satisfied living my life is through art. Whether it is pencil to paper or paint to canvas, through a camera lens, performing on stage or singing in the shower, I never get tired of it. I long to capture the inner spark of life which emanates through the cracks of the soul and is reflected in the smiles of the subjects of my portraits. My knees grow weak at the sight of the elegant ballerinas that master painter Degas perfectly embodied, and I can even shed a tear at the sound of pain and heartache in Janis Joplin’s voice as she belted out Piece of My Heart. I think everything in life is art; how you dress, the way you love someone, how you speak, the way you drink your tea, your penmanship, even your grocery list.

The art classes offered here are a godsend.

Without the programs at Dock I would have never been able to get into my dream college.

Taylor Martin I took advantage of Senior Experience by trying out two possible career choices. I shadowed Matt O’Donnell from 6-ABC News, as well as a marketing firm called Tierney Communications. Initially, I was planning on loving the news station and having an okay time at the marketing firm. I was completely wrong!

My time at Tierney was absolutely amazing.

The company was comprised of young, creative individuals who had a passion for change and

Morgan McDanel

SENIOR PRESENTATIONS

Vanessa Miller

promotion. Their meetings consisted of playing ping-pong to stimulate creativity and drawing out new ideas for a McDonald’s campaign. By the end of the day, I knew marketing was the right career path for me and it made me so excited for my years beyond college.

Vanessa Miller When I was in eighth grade, I remember watching my brother Jordan’s graduation from Dock and admiring the gold ropes that some of the students wore around their necks. I learned that wearing a gold rope meant you were a member of National Honor Society. That’s when I knew that I would do whatever it took to be a member of NHS and have a gold rope around my neck on graduation day.

Soon after the year began I learned about the requirements for NHS: academics, service and leadership. I knew I would have to work to show service and leadership. When I heard about the need for volunteers to help young kids with their homework at Dock Village, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. I volunteered at Dock Village for all four years of high school.

Every time I went it made my day to see how excited the kids were to see me again.

Lindsey Laverty That summer was the first time I ever experienced being entirely selfless. I do not say this to boast, as anyone who has had a sick family member will know, this selflessness comes naturally, and often you are not aware of just how strange it is to constantly be thinking of someone else. High school is the time when everyone’s thoughts are filled with themselves, how they look, how they act, how others perceive them, every decision made is made out of self-interest. But all I cared about was Emilee, getting her better, being there for her, making her laugh, giving her a listening ear, trying to be a distraction amid all the pain and heaviness. I suggest that you all try intentional selflessness. The lessons you will learn cannot be taught to self-focused people, and I promise you these lessons are precious and valuable, can be applied anywhere, and are not easily forgotten.

Although Emilee is not here today in flesh, I believe her to be here in spirit, as Hebrews 12:1 talks of being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses.

Emilee, you have been such a gift to me. The times we spent together have been some of the best moments in my life. Our laughter, our walks, our

Melissa Class

inside jokes, our traditions, and memories will follow me forever. I want to thank you for being the best big sister I could ask for and I want to thank you for all the lessons you taught me. I have learned more from your words and your example to last a lifetime. You have left a deep impression on me, and you are the reason my fears and doubts disappear. I think of you, and I remember that I can do anything. Thank you so much Emilee. I love you.

Kayla Young I was expecting to return to Souderton for my sophomore year. The last week of summer I suddenly had a change of heart and decided I wanted to come back to Dock. I missed the sense of community here and dreaded the feeling of being so small and overlooked at Souderton. It has been an amazing experience to have gone to high school with people with the same morals and values that I have. It has helped to shape me into the person I am today.

Eric Morton My time at Christopher Dock has been nothing but inspiring. I thank the faculty for not giving up on the kid whose keys jingled everywhere he went. To my friends, thank you for making these last four years at Dock memorable. To my coaches, thank you for drilling the word potential into me, and not allowing me to give up on the goals I had for myself.

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SENIOR PRESENTATIONS

Bryce Hagan

Brielle Alderfer

Elena Trout

Elena Trout Sophomore year was the year I came into my own. I actually spoke in class and to other people. The friends I had made the previous year had no idea who I had become because now I was this loud, crazy, and somewhat obnoxious person, whereas last year I hardly said anything. The truth was this was not a new me; this was a healed me. I was back to being myself and feeling comfortable at school and around my peers once again. Sophomore year was good for me. I had challenging classes such as Honors Chemistry; I liked to push myself in academics and I found that the academic environment was perfect for me.

One word to sum up my time at Dock is “blessed.” I feel blessed to have been able to attend here. I feel blessed for the friends I have made. I feel blessed for the teachers, for there is nothing like teachers who pray for you. I feel blessed for all the classes they taught like Bible, Social Issues, AP Calculus, and Touring Choir. I feel blessed for this community, a place where I am accepted for who I am, blessed to be able to explore, expand, and fall in love again with my passion for theater.

Brielle Alderfer Over the past four years, I have learned a lot about myself and seen my view of life change.

Four years does not seem long, but in high school, those years represent drastic change as I refined myself from a goofy, insecure freshman to a young lady almost ready to take on the world. As I was reviewing my student portfolio, I noticed this change just in my career choice. Freshmen year I knew I wanted to do something medical or be an artist, but as time moved forward, I discovered my drive and my career goals and choices became more specific, from doctor or EMT to nurse practitioner, from artist to art therapist.

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Belgium Sylvester Senior year was a period of growth for me.

I have always loved to sing but was always scared to sing in front of other people. I

decided I needed to push myself and be a part of Senior Recital this year. It was one of the most significant experiences of my time in high school. It was the first time that I had gone far out of my comfort zone to do something that made me feel 110% vulnerable.…This was something that my high school experience helped me with so much: stepping out of my comfort zone. Even though many experiences throughout my four years, like Faith Walk, job shadowing, and Senior Recital made me nervous and uncomfortable, looking back, they were the best things for me to do.

Bryce Hagan On my way from my mom’s car into Dielman, I made a decision that would change my outlook on life forever. I could either be the boy I had been for years; a boy who sat in the back corner writing stories in a black notebook for his own enjoyment while ignoring everyone around him. Or I could be a new person, an outgoing person, a person who goes out of his way to talk to new people, join groups, or just participate. I’m happy to say I made the right decision.

I have discovered myself here. I have discovered my values and my beliefs here. I have discovered what true friendship feels like here. I have discovered God here.

Dock has been a gift. I showed up at its doors a very depressed and lonely boy, and I truly believe I am leaving as a matured, outgoing, and happy person. Dock has prepared me for my future in more ways that I can count. I am ready to live through my Christian morals, and I am ready to set an example for those around me.

Cheng Chen A fun time with my host family that I really enjoy is the Saturday game night. This is a truly new thing to me, and it has become my favorite time ever. We have played various games, such as Uno, Rook, and Five Crowns. This year, Settlers of Catan has been our favorite game.

The game night experience made for a great relationship between our host family, Edwin and I, and also made me feel more like the host family could take out the word “host”; we were like a real family.

The most enjoyable and challenging class in my senior year was AP Statistics. I had heard from Edwin how interesting this class is, and how awesome Mrs. Anderson is. After I took the class, I found out Edwin was 100% correct.

Cheng Chen I really enjoyed the style that Mrs. Anderson teaches; her style is similar to Chinese teachers.

Though her class will have lots of homework, quizzes and tests, this style is more comfortable for me to learn.

Clara Bush The real highlight of my senior year and perhaps the peak of my entire high school experience came in the form of the fall musical, Crazy For You. I had spent the whole summer getting excited for this show as soon as I realized it was a Gershwin show that included some of my favorite jazz tunes. When the cast list was posted online, I found to my delight that I had been cast as the lead…The months that followed were a whirlwind, and the best experience I have ever had. I have never felt more alive than I did on that stage. I was reminded, once again, how much I truly love performing.

I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

Maybe it involves teaching. Or maybe I’m meant to be a doctor. But being at Dock has taught me that no matter where you are, you can minister to people and make them feel worthwhile. I plan to attend Eastern Mennonite University next year, not knowing what I want to study, but knowing the kind of person I want to be.

I want to be the kind of person who loves, just like I was taught to love at Dock. Another thing I know for sure is that I’m going to do theater at EMU; I am going to keep performing. Life is too short not to spend it doing what you love.

Drew Hautzinger I met someone by the name of Mrs. Grega who changed my whole perception of school.

I was never good with time management. She helped me manage my hectic schedule and find time to do my homework. I do not think I am ever going to forget Mrs. Grega’s English classes.

I learned more than vocab words, or how to write poems. I learned life lessons—like how to make friends, and that it is okay to be me.

Rebecca Mathew Looking back I can see the way that certain things happened for a reason. In seventh grade I would have never dreamed of attending any school besides North Penn High School. At the time I had even planned out most of my high school goals and decided which classes to take, but amazingly none of that was meant to be. I had a better experience waiting for me at Dock and I am extremely thankful for the experiences along the way that have brought me to where I am today. Hindsight is very clear indeed.

Ethan Neal Edrian Arango

Clara Bush

Rebecca Mathew

Naomi Moono I started senior year motivated to get good grades, just as I had other years. In other years my motivation slowly dwindled as the weeks passed by, but this year was different. The pride I knew my family would feel if I finally started to work to my full potential convinced me to not give up. I ended the first quarter of senior year with two B’s and the rest A’s. The feeling this accomplishment gave me was indescribable, and it motivated me to raise the expectations I had set for myself for the rest of the year. I was able to get all A’s and one or two B’s throughout the course of my senior year, and this dramatically changed how I viewed myself.

Thank you to teachers like Ms. Clemmer, Mrs. Rauch, Mrs. McTavish, Mr. Hertzler, and Mr. Yoder for supporting me and giving me the help I needed to finally succeed academically.

Edrian Arango Music is my past, my present and my future.

I prefer to play music than to eat food, sleep, or have free time. Music helps me to express myself to others, and to make friends. The more important thing is that music helps me in my relationship with God. When you have something important in your life, everything goes around that.

I am a guy of few words but I just want to say thank you so much to Christopher Dock for giving me this opportunity to stand with you for this short time, and for accepting me like a brother, son, and grandson. Thank you so much for making this possible.

Ethan Mercure Social Issues was something I will never forget. I remember how Mr. Bush had always been worried about me academically. We talked about mistakes I had made in the past, and he was so happy to see that I had started to change. When he saw me putting in the effort to complete the speeches and actually doing the homework and handing it in on time, he always had a smile on his face. I could see he was so proud of me from his expressions, and our discussions. Completing the course, I was feeling very accomplished, and I could see a difference in how teachers viewed me.

Ethan Neal Frankie Rosenberger and I shared a mutual love and appreciation for music and just clicked so well. At one point he asked me to help him write a choral piece. I was so amazed by the musical part that I was incredibly anxious to help with the lyrics. Eventually, Mr. Derstine taught it to the choir and we sang it at Blooming Glen. This was one of the moments when I had to step back, notice the blessings God was providing in my life, and start looking at the signs he was giving me.

God puts people in your life for a reason.

Cherish the moments you have with them; That’s the great thing about this place; it may sound corny or cliché, but the truth is, this isn’t just a school—this is a family and a community.

These are people who are here to not just teach you but raise you, in a sense, and help you grow in lifestyle skills, academics, and spirituality. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that this place has made an immense impact on my life that I will never forget.

Jackson Fu Another highlight of freshman year was the arrival of Mr. Wallerich. Much to my biochemist mother’s dismay, I was not particularly enjoying Honors Biology, but once Mr. Wallerich arrived, all that changed.

He made the class fun and interesting, and the “Animal Book” he assigned at the end of the year helped bring my grade up to an A-!

For some reason, I enjoyed making that book, and with a little trick my mother taught me, I was able to “draw” the most beautiful animal pictures. She showed me how to put a picture up to the window and trace it with a pencil and then color it in with colored pencils. The results are remarkable, and look like I actually can draw.

Jacob Clemens Taking physics was a little scary. I can’t believe I pulled out a decent grade. Many times I stayed after class or after school talking with Ms. Clemmer about how I could bring my grade up. It means a lot that a teacher takes time out of their schedule to help students. The teachers here at Dock are especially good at helping their students succeed.

See additional Senior Presentation excerpts and photos on the Dock web site.

Janae Kauffman For Service Day my group went to a retirement home. The only problem was that they didn’t expect all of us, so they sent some of us to clean various areas of the home. For me, that day consisted of dusting many chairs, bookshelves, and tables. At the time I thought it was awful, but now I see that this opportunity taught me that service isn’t always fun—but it will always mean something to someone else.

Jerry Hou I am not Christian, but when I arrived in America, I went to church every weekend.

I have learned lots of knowledge from my church, especially Sunday school. My earliest memory about God is he can help me realize my dreams; he can help me do my homework and get an A+ on my test. But when I came here, I knew God was living in our hearts.

I was not here for all four years, but it was a wonderful experience. I told my father that if I have a chance, I want to come back and find a job here. I grew up quickly here and learned more than I did in China. I know what a free country looks like and I know what American friends look like.

Hannah Derstine I knew I would enjoy Touring Choir, but I never expected the impact it would have on both my own life and the people who would listen. I remember at our first concert, I looked out at the congregation and saw both tears and smiles. At that moment I realized how powerful music can be and how significant it was to have the opportunity to use music to impact people’s lives. Go Ye Now in Peace was one of my favorite songs because of the simple lyrics reminding me that through all the difficult times in life when I would feel distant from God and those around me, I am never alone.

Hannah Derstine

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DOCK NAMES 2014 AWARD WINNERS

Christopher Dock Award

Citizenship Award

Brielle Alderfer and Eric Morton are the recipients of the 2014 Christopher Dock Award, presented to one senior boy and girl in recognition of all-around campus citizenship, leadership and scholarship during high school. The Dock Award is sponsored by former Dock English teacher Pearl Schrack.

The Christopher Dock Citizenship Award for 2014 was presented to (l to r) Rebecca Edenfield (’17), Julianna Kabakjian (’16), Jenna Groff (’15) and Jessica Bergey (’14). The Citizenship Award is sponsored by Pa. Rep Robert W. Godshall and Lee & Ruth Delp.

Sam & Helen Lapp Peacemaking Award Abigail Bergey is the 2014 recipient of the Sam and Helen Lapp Peacemaking Award from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School.

L. Travis Bechtel Memorial Taylor Martin was awarded this scholarship, named for the ’91 Dock grad and awarded for excellence in academics, athletics and business. The award is sponsored by business advisors Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP.

Daniel Reinford Scholarship Alyssa Burkholder and Mariah Denlinger are the 2014 recipients of this scholarship, named for the former Christopher Dock teacher.

Additional Scholarship Winners Abigail Anderson • Harleysville Rotary Club Scholarship Melissa Class • The Medical Staff at Abington Health/

Lansdale Hospital Scholarship

Alyssa Burkholder• The Neinken Fund of the

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Bucks County Foundation

Dock Science Award Megan Swintosky (’17) was named the winner of the Christopher Dock Science Department Award for 2014. Megan received a first place award and a perfect score at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition held this spring at Penn State University.

Triangle Club Award Karalyn Schmidt (field hockey, bowling) was Christopher Dock’s honoree for the Montgomery County Triangle Club Award, which recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments in athletics, academics, and in their communities.

Athlete of the Year Junior Bailey Kratz (soccer, track & field) and senior Logan Hunsberger (soccer, volleyball) are the 2014 recipients of the Athlete of the Year Award. The student-athletes receiving this award represent team-oriented play, outstanding contributions to their team’s success, sportsmanship, and positive leadership.

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Subject Area Award Winners Subject Area Award Winners pictured (front row l to r) Morgan Swartley, Lindsey Laverty, Eva Wilkins, Kayla Alderfer, (2nd row) Abby Bergey, Aubrey Shelly, Kayla Dean, Phoebe Gutt, Abigail Anderson, Elena Trout, (back row) Ryan Moyer, Aaron Guttenplan, Evan Scott, Logan Hunsberger, Derek Cassel, Jessica Bergey

Eva Wilkins

Career Work Study

Abby Bergey

Phoebe Gutt

Charles Clemmer Art

Aaron Guttenplan English

Logan Hunsberger

Paul R. Clemens Bible

Jessica Bergey

sponsor: Harleysville Savings Bank sponsored by Class of 1961 sponsor: Moyer’s Chicks/Moyer Realty

Paul R. Clemens Bible

sponsor: Moyer’s Chicks/Moyer Realty

Evan Scott Technology

sponsor: Jen-Tech Systems

Elena Trout Drama

Abigail Anderson

sponsor: Univest Corporation

Mathematics

sponsor: Univest Corporation

Lindsey Laverty Spanish

sponsor: Living Branches

Social Studies

sponsor: S. Duane Kauffman sponsor: Gerald and Rhoda Benner

Aubrey Shelly Writers

sponsor: Gerald & Rhoda Benner

Morgan Swartley

Family & Consumer Sciences

Kayla Dean

Physical Education

Derek Cassel

Physical Education

sponsor: Rockford Realty sponsor: Rockford Realty sponsor: Rockford Realty

Kayla Alderfer Music

sponsor: Harold & Ferne Alderfer

Ryan Moyer Science

sponsor: Kathleen Roberts in Honor of Ben and Sumako Kaneda

Outstanding Athletic Achievement Nominees for this award are recognized in the broader athletic community as outstanding athletes during their season(s), and for bringing highly valued team-oriented contributions leading to league, district or state championships. Dock’s 2014 winners include (l to r) Lauren Anderson (basketball, track & field), Kereece Seuren (basketball, track & field), Logan Hunsberger (soccer, volleyball), Kayla Dean (volleyball), and Anna Martin (volleyball).

Senior Athlete Award The Senior Athlete Award is given to seniors who have lettered in two or more sports as both a junior and senior. The 2014 recipients are (l to r): Julia Bergey—Cross Country, Track & Field; Aaron Guttenplan—Cross Country, Track & Field; Lauren Anderson—Basketball, Track & Field; Landon Leinbach, Golf, Basketball, Tennis; Logan Hunsberger—Soccer, Volleyball; Seth Strickland— Basketball, Tennis; Andrew Hautzinger—Golf, Baseball; Kereece Seuren— Basketball, Track & Field; Don Roessler—Cross Country, Track & Field; Sarah Ryder—Volleyball, Softball. Not pictured: Christian Hotte—Basketball, Tennis; Derek Reeser—Golf, Basketball.

Dr. David R. Doyle Memorial Award

Jaclyn Teed and Landon Leinbach are the 2014 recipients of the David R. Doyle Memorial Award.

This new award is named for the school’s beloved trainer, Doc Doyle, who passed away in December 2011 after a long battle with cancer. The award is given to one senior male and one senior female student-athlete, selected on the basis of strong team play, leadership, and good sportsmanship.

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

DOCK STUDENTS ACE AWARDS PROGRAM Members of the ACE — Architecture, Construction and Engineering — Mentor Program came to Dock on May 15 to honor the best and brightest engineering students in our area, and to award thousands of dollars in college scholarships to those who will pursue one of these areas of study in college.

At least six Dock students participated on teams tasked with designing a house for Habitat for Humanity. Dock students received $22,000 in scholarships to pursue college majors in architecture, construction, engineering and related fields—the most of any participating school in the program.

Special thanks to Dock parent and ACE board member Bob Capps for his leadership and commitment to the ACE Mentor program in our area.

Above right: Chris Arnold, vice president, Wick Fisher White Engineers (second from right) presented scholarships to Dock seniors (l to r) Austin Kratz, Aaron Guttenplan, Abigail Anderson, Vanessa Miller, and Johnathan Capps. Senior Evan Scott was also awarded a scholarship but was not present for the photo.

WE BUILT A RAIN GARDEN! Congratulations to Dock senior Aaron Guttenplan, Environmental Science teacher Karen Johnston, Eric Konzelmann of the Montgomery County Conservation District and all of the other volunteers who helped make our new Rain Garden a reality!

Be sure to stop by the tennis court side of Groff Pond and check it out.

It is beautiful, and improves our campus ecology as well!

Ms. Johnston and Aaron Guttenplan (’14) plant a bush in Dock’s new rain garden. Aaron took on leadership of the Rain Garden project to help him achieve his Eagle Scout badge.

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Want to See More Campus Happenings?

Look for the Facebook, YouTube and web site logos, which indicate additional content (photos and video) you can access online.

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

WHAT A CATCH! Yup, that 12-lb., 34” catfish came out of Groff Pond—caught

by Dock freshman Ryen Haney on May 23 during the All-School Social. Awesome, Ryen!

UNION LEAGUE GOOD CITIZENSHIP AWARD Dock junior Olivia Seavy is a 2014 recipient of the Union League of Philadelphia’s Good Citizenship Award. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer partners with the Union League to identify young people who have shown leadership, community service and academic excellence throughout their high school careers. Olivia has been playing soccer since she was 5, and is a forward/ midfielder for the Dock girls team.

CHRISTOPHER DOCK’S ALL-SCHOOL SOCIAL The The tradition tradition that that is is Dock’s Dock’s All-School All-School Social Social and and Physics Physics class class boat boat race race continued continued on on May May 23, 23, with with students students participating participating in in badminton badminton and and ping ping pong pong tournaments tournaments and and aa variety variety of of other other activities. activities. The The day day ends ends with with the the boat boat race, race, in in which which teams teams of of Physics Physics students students create create boats boats using using nothing nothing more more than than cardboard cardboard and and duct duct tape—and tape—and then then race race them them across across Groff Groff Pond.

Pond.

Arthur Yin and Jimi Tang earned a hard-fought victory in the badminton tournament, while Yertle the Turtle (Anna Martin, Melissa Class, Courtney Bergey) and the Lifeguards (Brooke Rotelle, Erika Benner, Olivia Seavy) won their heats in the boat race. At the launch of the first heat (below), it was already obvious which boat was NOT going to make it across first.

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

THE ESSENCE OF EUROPE An impromptu “concert” in a public square in Paris captures the essence of the Touring Choir’s 2014 European tour.

We were ready to send everyone off [sight-seeing], but first rounded ourselves up for a group picture. Then Brad had the brilliant idea to ask the choir to sing a song before we started our day. So they did, right there in the courtyard of the Notre Dame, at 10 in the morning, before hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

As the choir sang, quick-moving tourists slowed down and stared. French folks going about their day stopped. Some got out their phones to take videos.

I stood there smiling like a crazy person, so excited about the fact that the choir was there with us, and that their singing was even more beautiful than I’d hoped it would be!

But mostly, I was smiling at their faith, and their fearlessness. So American of them, that boldness, in the best sense of the word! We asked them to sing on the fly and they did, before a city full of strangers, without hesitating and without complaining.

And what was really awesome was that they sang about God. They sang a song called God is Seen, which is about how all of the things God created declare God’s presence.

Through all the world below God is seen all around, Search hills and valleys through, There He’s found.

In a post-Christendom society like here in France, people sometimes say that God has been lost. But in that moment, the choir reminded us, and all the strangers passing by the Notre Dame that morning, that God is never lost, but always with us.

And in that moment, I knew that God was. ~ Brenna Steury Graber Brenna Steury Graber and her husband, Brad, are missionaries in France with Mennonite Mission Network. They helped coordinate logistics for the Paris segment of the Touring Choir’s European itinerary.

This story originally appeared in their blog, bradleyandbrenna.blogspot.com.

Visit the Dock web site for more text and photos from the choir’s European tour.

DOCK THEATER PERFORMS AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD Dock Theater’s May 1-3 performances of Michael Slade’s drama, And a Child Shall Lead, fell, appropriately, during Holocaust Remembrance Week.

Directed by Mrs. Bronwyn Histand, the drama told the true story of young people coming of age in the “Jewish city” of Terezin, Czechoslovakia, established by the Nazis as a way station before the death camps. The story of how these young people—roughly the same age as the cast members who played them—faced the constant threat of death with determination, creativity and hope, was moving and poignant.

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Cast and crew included (front, l to r) Katie Anderson, Rebecca Mathew, Emily Rittenhouse, Sarah Kratz, Emily Custer, Susie Moore, Bryce Hagan, Aaron Guttenplan, Eliza Wilkins, Elena Trout, Zac Potter. (back, l to r): Kayla Alderfer, André Martin, Evan Moyer, Seth Detweiler, J.J. Franke, Allison Pan, Veronica Martinez, Abby Ramsay.

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

MATH TEACHER MILESTONE

DOCK ANNOUNCES STAFF TRANSITIONS FOR 2014-15 Principal Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber has announced a number of transitions and new hires for the 2014-15 school year:

Dock students surprised math teacher Jerry Yoder with a cake and a card to celebrate his 40 years of teaching math at Dock. Pictured (l to r) Julia Bergey, Mariah Denlinger, Melissa Class, Abigail Anderson, Mr. Yoder, Anna Martin, and Vanessa Miller. Congratulations, Mr. Yoder—that’s quite an achievement!

THANK YOU At the end of the school year, the Christopher Dock Board of Trustees said farewell to two long-time staff members who are transitioning to new seasons of life: Director of Curriculum (and former English teacher) Bronwyn Histand (20 years) is joining the Delaware Valley Family Business Center, and Director of Development Susan Gingerich (6 years) is moving to Iowa City, IA with husband Firman, who accepted a new pastorate there. Blessings to both of you!

• Mrs. Barb Nelson has been hired as English teacher for next year, serving as a sabbatical replacement for Mrs. Gretchen McTavish. Mrs. Nelson has six years of experience teaching English in the School District of Philadelphia. She is certified in English, holding a B.A. from Grove City College. She attends Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harleysville.

• Mr. Rod Derstine will decrease his time to a 75% load next year. He will maintain his vocal and band music courses, but will not teach Bible.

He will continue to chair the Music Department.

• Dock has hired Mr. Caleb Benner to teach freshman Bible and Directed Study for English Language Learners next year. Mr. Benner has a B.A. in History from Messiah College and is certified in Social Studies. He taught for two years at Lezha Academic Center in Albania, also a Mennonite Schools Council school. Mr. Benner attends Souderton Mennonite Church.

• Ms. Karen Johnston will teach Biology next year, moving to Mr. Wallerich’s room. Karen is certified in Biology and taught Biology previously at Dock.

• Mr. Eric Kehs will teach Environmental Science next year. Eric graduated from Messiah College’s Honors program this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a teaching certificate. Eric is also completing a minor in theology.

He is a member of Zion Mennonite Church.

• Dr. Bella Clemmer is Dock’s new part-time Spanish teacher. Dr. Clemmer was born in Spain and has a B.A. in Spanish and an M.A. in History, both from Montana State University, as well as a Ph.D. in History from Duke University. Dr. Clemmer is a member of Souderton Mennonite Church.

• Preston and Lynelle Bush have been selected as house parents for Dock House. Preston will continue teaching at Dock and Lynelle will take the primary role at Dock House.

Lynelle is currently working as a legal administrative assistant. They will move to the Dock House this summer.

Please be in prayer for all of our staff, and especially for those who will be new to Dock next year or transitioning to new roles.

DOCK FACULTY AND STAFF RECOGNIZED Christopher Dock faculty and staff were recognized for service milestones at a luncheon. Pictured (l to r) are Fran Weber (cafeteria, 10 years); Martin Wiens (assistant principal, 15 years); Tim Swartz (art, 15 years); Sandy Detweiler (cafeteria, 15 years); Dana Gehman (mathematics, 15 years); Marcelo Mast (mathematics, 15 years); Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber (principal, 5 years); and Jane Seaman (cafeteria, 10 years). Those recognized for 15 years of service received a beautiful fraktur created by Roma Ruth.

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Studying Abr The adventures continue after high school for Lynelle Leinbach (’12) and Joanna Benner (’13).

Learning through immersion

N

othing—not language classes, not other people’s experiences, not “knowing it will be different”— can prepare your brain for an immersion experience like living in another country for a semester.

Culture shock hit me as I realized I did not know how to act in many situations while on SST in Tanzania, East Africa for three months.

Goshen College’s Study Service Term (SST) is one way to study abroad. Students are educated in their role as global citizens, with six weeks of language classes and lectures on the history and culture of the country, followed by six weeks of service. Each student has one host family for study, and a second

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family for service.

One night my host father’s boss came to dinner to meet me. I greeted him in Swahili and he said something I didn’t understand, so I said, sifurahi. I meant to say sifahamu (I don’t understand) but instead I said sifurahi (I’m not happy)! When this miscommunication was clarified everyone was very understanding, but I was mortified for looking ungrateful. Thankfully my language skills soon improved.

While my service family and I got along well, some of the villagers would call me mzungu (white person) and ask me for my watch, money, or clothes. That was the hardest part of my experience.

I’m still figuring out how to deal with the fact that as an American I’m perceived as having access to vast amounts of wealth. Compared to most Tanzanians, I do. The stereotypes made me wonder if some villagers had ulterior motives for spending time with me.

Teaching English in Kemgesi

Lynelle’s host family, (l to r) Mama Mkami, sisters Tausi and Iscola, father Da

road Working in the field with Mama Restuta My Tanzanian service mom, however, never said a word about any of the materialism so obvious in other conversations. While others called me mgeni (guest) or mzungu, she referred to me as binti wangu (my daughter).

Our relationship was such a blessing. We laughed and fought like we had known each other for years. When I gave her some clothes I had brought, she was overwhelmed. She left, I thought to cry, but returned with her best skirt, which she handed to me. Immediately I was appalled. I didn’t want her skirt; she needed it. My meek hands slowly accepted it from her. That moment was an incredibly humbling experience. No one has ever given me something so valuable before.

There are many more stories of the emotional struggles and extreme joys that opened my eyes to the drastic differences between societies, as well as the things that remain the same. I am still struggling with social issues that I encountered, but without those thoughts both personal and societal change is impossible.

This past spring semester was jarring at times, but the immersion experience, rather than a “sprinkle” of a different culture, was incredibly fulfilling. This world would benefit greatly if more people did something similar.

Into Africa

M

y dreams of traveling to Africa and living in a foreign country are finally going to come true in August as I move to Mukono, Uganda to study at a Christian university there.

Through Messiah College’s Study Abroad program, I was able to apply to the Uganda Studies Program and commit myself to a four-month academic adventure abroad. I do not know what to expect, but I am ready for a challenging, life-changing, and adventurous experience. I chose to live with a Ugandan host family in order to fully immerse myself in the culture, to maximize my relationships, and broaden my worldview to the best of my ability.

I am looking forward to washing my clothes by hand, bathing from a bucket, being covered in red dirt at the end of every day, and any of the other cultural differences that I may find.

During these four months I will be studying community art, theology, religion, and Bible alongside other American and African college students. I will be going on various field trips and be engaged in numerous projects based in the community.

One of the major field trips will be a 10-day trip to Rwanda to learn about the genocide. I look forward to being fully engaged in the culture as I dive into learning further about the genocide from what I learned in History class during my freshman year at Dock.

Over my four months abroad, I will be stretched academically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I am excited for this new opportunity to travel and live differently—and for the obstacles I will have to overcome.

— Joanna Benner

—Lynelle Leinbach

avid Maganya, Mama Restuta, Lynelle, brother Adolf.

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ALUMNI NOTES

We want to hear from you.

1956 Alma Halteman Bauman died October 12, 2013, in St. Jacobs, Ontario.

1975/1979 Marlene (Moyer) Frankenfield ’75 and Mike Clemmer ‘79, pastor at Towamencin Mennonite Church, serve on the Franconia Mennonite Conference Ministerial Committee.

1981 Bill Martin was approved with a license toward ordination to serve as associate pastor at Towamencin Mennonite Church.

1999 Rose Bernardo, Lansdale, married Dan Koetteritz in Clearwater Beach, FL, on May 18.

Jeremy and Jessica (Goshow ’02) Shenk, East Petersburg, PA, welcomed Lincoln Christopher on April 30.

2000 Adam Sadler married Kristen Bodalski in Media, PA, on September 13, 2013. They reside in Conshohocken.

Drew and Vanessa (Moyer ‘04) Myers, Telford, welcomed Evonna Diore on April 11, 2014.

2001 David Schmidt married Joy Moyer on May 3 in Telford. They reside in Harleysville.

David and Emily Livrone Hershey, Reading, welcomed Elijah William on April 24. He joins his 3-year-old sister, Junia.

2003 Liza Heavener married Gabe Elsner on May 31 in Washington, DC. Amanda (Daschbach) and Kevin Mowry, Telford, welcomed Logan Robert on March 29.

Sarah and Loren Parmer adopted daughter Luna Reese in February. Born on February 24, 2014, she was welcomed home on February 26, 2014. They reside in Perkiomenville.

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Share your Alumni Notes (births, deaths, marriages, job changes, achievements).

Send to: Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, 1000 Forty Foot Road, Lansdale, PA 19440 or email them to advancementoffice@dockhs.org

2004 Krista Showalter Ehst, Bally, PA, was approved with a license toward ordination to serve as pastor at Alpha (NJ) Mennonite Church.

2005 Caitlin Gifford married Chad Garber and is living in Pittsburgh, PA. Sheldon Good married Jenn Svetlik in Hyattsville, MD, on May 24.

Isaac Shelly married Rebecca Crist in Harrisonburg, VA, on May 24.

2008 Breanna Derstine married Mckenzie Mullet on May 10 in Apple Creek, OH. Cody Powis married Morgan Lister on June 28 in Lansdale.

2009 Tyler Bergey and Sara Derstine (’08) were married June 28 in Franconia.

Konrad Swartz married Jill Swartzendruber in Kalona, IA, on June 28. They will live in Iowa City.

2010 Ben Richter married Jennie Carmona on July 12 in Fogelsville, PA. Holly Landes married Patrick Vezzetti at Blooming Glen on Saturday, June 14. They reside in Souderton.

2011 Jade Kang and Taylor Rose were married April 11 at Searles Castle in Windham, NH.

ALUMNI NOTES

Homecoming Weekend

October 17 - 18, 2014 Outstanding Achievement AWARD

John Goshow (’61) Dorothy F. Boorse (’82)

Come meet the 2014 Alumni of the Year at Dock’s Fall Concert on Friday, October 17 at 7 p.m., with a “meet and greet” reception to follow.

Distinguished Service AWARD

Mary Mininger Benner (’76) David A. King (’71)

Young Alum AWARD

Troy Landis (’98) Angela Kulp Bowman (’02)

Can you help us reconnect with alumni that have “gone missing”? Go to dockhs.org/alumni and click on the list of alumni that we’ve lost touch with.

Our hope is that some of them will be friends or family, and that you will know how to help us get back in touch with them. Use the Contact Information Update link to send us updated contact information so we can reconnect with our missing friends. You can also use this link to update your own information.

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID LANSDALE, PA Permit 170

Igniting Passion for Learning, Faith, and Life.

1000 Forty Foot Road Lansdale, PA 19446 215-362-2675 www.dockhs.org

www.dockhs.org

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber, Principal

Places of Hope I

’m convinced there is hope in every place and in every situation. God redeems the most unlikely situations for good. We simply have a harder time seeing hope in some situations and places than others due to our limited human vision.

I have chosen to claim hope as a key component of my worldview and outlook for the future. I believe that difficult family situations can be redeemed. Our church denomination will find God through every struggle we encounter, both now and in the future. Our community and schools will continue to better understand how to respect each person. There is hope that every student will continue to be transformed each year. Without hope, we can easily miss God’s vision and work.

Hebrews 6:19 describes our hope as a sure and steadfast anchor for our soul.

It allows us to enter the most sacred presence of God. Dock is a place where one can easily see hope. There is no better time to be invigorated with hope for our future than during our three days of senior

Dock is a place where one can easily see hope. speeches. Our graduate profile comes to life as seniors share of their journeys at Dock. The practice of reflection, alone, is encouraging in a world with little time to stop and contemplate.

In this issue (see page 9) you will read excerpts from several of the speeches.

There is no clearer window into the life of Dock than these reflections. Students experience the Dock journey with ups and downs, celebrations and struggles, and ending at different places as they conclude their years at Dock.

One student described a remarkable journey of academic, social and spiritual growth during his speech. It was at Dock that his journey with Christ began. He talked of times sitting on campus in the

evening, waiting for rides after practice for a program. “There is something about this campus at night that humbles me greatly,” he said. “I would sit there and wonder how many human beings this campus has watched come and go, entering as one person and leaving as another. I would marvel at how the patience, sincerity, and commitment of the teachers here reflected that of what we know about Christopher Dock himself. It’s an amazing place, truly, and I am honored to have learned what it means to be a man of God here.”

After another school year, I have hope for our returning students, for our new freshman class as well as our graduates in their continued journey of discovery, growth, and impact in a world looking for a glimpse of hope.