LPublished semiannually for Annual Fund Supporters of Lakeside Lutheran High School llhs.org | 920-648-2321 x2217
Hello, Lakeside family!
I’m Matt Oppermann, and this summer, I have the privilege of beginning my service to the Warrior family as the Director of Mission Advancement. I look forward to meeting you in person. Until then, let me introduce myself and my family.
My wife, Elise, teaches 5K at Crown of Life Christian Academy in Fort Atkinson. We have three children, Jackson (LLHS ‘26), Nolan (‘28), and Noelle (entering 7th at CLCA), and a 215ish-pound English Mastiff, Blue.
My motivation for the public ministry was molded by my grandfather, who served for 50 years in the parochial schools. His bold, inspirational zeal was contagious. So, in 2nd grade, I decided to be like him!
Over 18 years, I’ve had the privilege of also serving parochial schools—Friedens in Kenosha, Wis.; Bay Pines in Seminole, Fla.; and CLCA. In those three schools, I kept the words of 1 Peter 4:10-11 at the forefront of my mind: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
It’s obvious that 67 years’ worth of Lakeside Lutheran students, teachers, family members, and generous supporters have also used that passage as motivation to use their gifts for God’s glory. What an amazing foundation! Now, as I look to the future, the mission of LLHS is even more vital. In this broken world, people need to the comfort of the saving truths of Jesus!
I eagerly await how the Holy Spirit will use us all to expand his mission! I look forward to serving you in this new role.
In His service, Matt Oppermann, B.S. Education, M.S. Leadership
The Legacy is published twice yearly by the Mission Advancement Office of Lakeside Lutheran High School; content is intended for Annual Giving Society members. Correspondence and address changes may be sent to The Legacy, 231 Woodland Beach Rd., Lake Mills, Wis. 53551, or e-mailed to generosity@llhs.org
Editors: Bari Vredeveld & Kimara Winters
Photos: Headshots left on p. 3 by Empire Photo. Graduation photos on both covers & p. 4-8 by TJKWolf Productions. Onstage theatre p. 9, Sarah Strawn. All others: LLHS pub staff or contributed.
Goodbye after 130 years
Pastor
Mark Toepel
43 years
Languages
Dan Kuehl
29 years
English
Lori Tetzlaff 25 years
Art
Matt Doering 23 years
Social Studies
Cameron Ausen
10 years
Social Studies
While hellos like Mr. Oppermann’s are exciting, goodbyes are often difficult, often filled with uncertainty and the sadness that comes with missing someone.
This school year brought goodbyes from faculty that totaled 130 years of service to our dear ol’ Lakeside. Whatever will we do without them?
That’s where God steps in and brings us new and exciting hellos—we are grateful that the LORD has allowed us to rest this summer with a full faculty in place for 2025/26. Next fall will be filled with opportunity for you to meet these faces on the right, but for now, give thanks with us for longtime faithful servants and also for so many eager, enthusiastic new ones!
Matthew Schreiber from CLCA, Fort Atkinson
Spanish
Amanda Gronholz from Our Savior, Grafton
English
Mandi Hoeppner (LL ‘05) from Ripon HS
Art
Nathan Miller from MLC
Social Studies
English
Markus Rupnow from Gustavus Adolphus College
Social Studies
Phy Ed
Chi “ ” Fellowship
Members of the Chi Fellowship, through the fruit of the Holy Spirit, have provided a single gift of less than $1,000 during the last year to Lakeside Lutheran High School. With the Greek letter Chi so evident in our churches and schools, your association with this fellowship is a reminder of God’s love, and every gift is significant to Lakeside.
As a thank you for your gift we offer you a subscription to The Legacy and invite you to attend a fellowship event.
To remain a member of this Chi Fellowship we encourage you to renew your annual support each year, or prayerfully consider joining the Rho or Kentro Fellowship.
Chi Fellowship Giving (435 Members)
Total Gifts $20,893 November 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 (does not include $210K for Grand Event)
*Other may include Athletics, Band, Choir, FFA, OpGo, STEM, Tech Ed, Theatre, Transportation, Video and more!
Where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. Matthew 18:20
Elijah Vik
When I was a freshman, I decided to join cross country because I honestly just didn’t know of anything better to do in the fall. I wasn’t talented enough to make the cut on a soccer team, nor would I ever think about trying football, so cross country was the only other choice. The coach, Mr. Ausen did a great job of welcoming me onto the team, and the team he cultivated was possibly the most inspiring and motivational team someone could be on.
Now, I never did well on the team, but each year I returned—because of the brotherhood of the runners. A brotherhood like that is just a small taste of the brotherhood I will have at MLC and onwards with my fellow gospel ministers, and it all started for me with a coach’s raw love for the sport of cross country. That Lakeside experience was part of my decision to go into pastoral ministry.
Class of 2025 Salutatorian Elijah and his family are members at St. Paul, Fort Atkinson; he will begin his pastor track studies at Martin Luther College this fall.
In addition to cross country, he was part of the robotics his senior year (3rd from left, below on both pics). At right, he is pictured playing trumpet in jazz band, for which he received the 2025 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. Having played the trumpet since 4th grade, Vik has received multiple district and state WSMA medals as well as been selected for the WELS Regional Band Fest. He was newspaper Editor-inchief this year, a member of the National Honor Society, the math team and on last fall’s Capitol Conference champion Academic Bowl team.
Rho
Fellowship
Members of the Rho Fellowship, with the Lord’s guidance, have provided multiple gifts totaling less than $1,000 within the last year to Lakeside Lutheran High School. The Greek letters Rho and Chi form the symbol for Christ. This symbol, displayed in the center of our school seal, serves as a reminder that Christ is the center of our faith at Lakeside. Through this faith we return our blessings to continue His work.
As a thank you for your gifts we offer you membership in the Rho Fellowship, a subscription to The Legacy and also invite you to attend the fellowship events that have been planned for you. To remain a member of the Rho Fellowship we encourage you to renew your support each year, or prayerfully consider joining our Kentro Fellowship.
Rho Fellowship Giving (147 Members)
Total Gifts $14,281 November 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 (does not include $210K for Grand Event)
*Other may include Athletics, Band, Choir, FFA, OpGo, STEM, Tech Ed, Theatre, Transportation, Video and more!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7
Kourtney Zech
Lakeside provided me the opportunity to not only grow academically but also in my faith. From the very first day, I was surrounded by people who shared my faith and encouraged me to reach my full potential. The teachers at LLHS were more than educators, they were mentors who cared about me as a human being. Coach K, in particular, played a significant role in inspiring my future plans. Her unwavering faith and constant encouragement taught me the importance of sharing my beliefs with confidence and joy.
I was involved in organizations like National Honor Society and Teens for Christ, as well as playing volleyball and softball. These activities not only helped me develop leadership skills but also allowed me to build meaningful relationships and engage with the community in impactful ways. The friendships I have made during my time at Lakeside will forever impact my life as well.
As I look to the future, I plan to attend Martin Luther College and major in Early Childhood Education. My time at Lakeside has instilled in me a passion for working with young children, and I hope to inspire others just as I have been inspired during my time here!
Below, Kourtney celebrates a significant milestone as a senior setter on the Warrior volleyball team (Zech holding blue plaque, Coach Krauklis right most) and plans to continue her volleyball career at MLC. Daughter of Kevin and Kathy and twin sister of Kayden (in front of her in the grad pic at right), the family are members at Lord of Love, DeForest. At bottom right, Kourtney (left) spent several afternoons with Teens for Christ and many new friends at Jesus Cares events on campus that go by the same name, “New Friends.”
Kentro Fellowship
Members of the Kentro Fellowship have offered a gift or returned a commitment card to Lakeside Lutheran High School of $1,000 or more for the year. The Greek word, Kentro, meaning center, leads us to reflect on Christ as the center of our lives. Through Him we receive these blessings and are encouraged to offer them up to His glory.
As a thank you for these blessings you have shared, we offer you a subscription to The Legacy and invite you to join us at several fellowship events in your honor.
To remain a member of the Kentro Fellowship we encourage you to renew your gift annually through the enclosed commitment envelope.
Kentro Fellowship Giving (138 Members)
Total Gifts $405,685 November 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 (does not include $210K for Grand Event)
*Other may include Athletics, Band, Choir, FFA, OpGo, STEM, Tech Ed, Theatre, Transportation, Video and more!
“ ”
Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 2 Timothy 3:14
Thank you, Twice is Nice!
A record-breaking 125 Twice is Nice store volunteers and guests attended this spring’s “thank you” dessert and coffee fellowship prior to complimentary admission to the matinee Sunday performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on the LLHS stage!
Twice is Nice resale store in Jefferson supports Lakeside Lutheran High School by gifting the school a majority of its net proceeds—in effect, reducing families’ out-of-pocket tuition cost. Since it opened in 1993, Twice is Nice has gifted Lakeside almost $9 million!
Part of this gifting also provides for non-budgeted requests made by Lakeside faculty and staff. Wish list items granted have included dozens of computers, safety item installation, whiteboards and bulletin boards, mission trip seed money, padded folding chairs, cameras, lunch tables, drinking fountains with bottle fillers, interior and exterior seasonal decorations and more. However, Twice is Nice depends on all of us to continue this assistance for the Lakeside Lutheran ministry. Be a part of this amazing success when you volunteer (1,000 hours needed each week!), donate, shop, tell friends, neighbors & relatives, and share @tinresale on Facebook and Instagram!
⏬ Scan QR to watch a new video that has some great behind-the-scenes at Lakeside’s fave resale store!
gift to support Christian education
2026 Annual Giving Society
Chi Fellowship *one-time gift
Rho Fellowship *two or more gifts
Kentro Fellowship *gift of $1,000 or more
*Chi, Rho, and Kentro gifts exclude memorials/tributes.
Distribute your gift(s) to any/all of the following areas:
General Operating
Financial Aid
Building Improvement Fund
Foundation
Other (you name it!)
Use the enclosed envelope visit llhs.org/giving or scan with your smartphone camera:
Leaves of Legacy
Located in the lobby of the east school entrance, our Leaves of Legacy tree is a symbol of deep roots bearing much fruit for the future, a recognition of support for quality Christ-centered education. Individual leaves are engraved with individual and family names and shine like the light these donors have provided for the future of our ministry here at Lakeside Lutheran.
We give thanks to God for those who share our vision and have left a legacy to Lakeside, including recent legacy gifts from M/M Kenneth & Marilyn Krause, Clara Sennhenn and James Yackels.
Our prayer is for you to please consider sharing your legacy with us in the form of a deferred gift. For more info, e-mail generosity@llhs.org.
10/3/25 Homecoming “Alum Zone” Gathering
10/14/25 Fall Grandparents Day (FR/JR)
11/5/25 Veterans Day Observance
1/17/26 Annual Giving Society (Kentro) Winter Dinner
2/8/26 Annual Giving Society (Chi, Rho, Kentro) Luncheon & Pops Concert
3/3/26 Spring Grandparents Day (SO/SR)
4/18/26 15th Annual Grand Event
4/24/26 Annual Giving Society (Rho & Kentro) Reception & Spring Theatre
4/26/26 Twice is Nice Theatre “Thank You” ~For information about any event~ call Jess at 920-648-2321 x2230 or e-mail jmeyer@llhs.org
Thank you for supporting your Lakeside Lutheran.
Plus, Giving Tuesday is December 2 this year!
