Greetings

“The Count” is my favorite Sesame Street character. Don’t act like you don’t have a favorite from this cultural institution. When I work on the budget and consider the challenges of finding a conference for our athletic teams, I often think of Kermit, singing “It’s not easy being green”. It is great having my college roommate on the staff with me. I’m not sure if Mr. Tuomi is Bert or Ernie, but “The Count” is my favorite.

I like to count myself. Counting off is one of my favorite baseball practice challenges. Counting down the days to graduation is a favorite past time of seniors and staff members. I have a special love of using my fingers to count. I bet you know a song that starts with a 1-2-3-4 beat and at least once I bet you have used your fingers as part of the starting ritual. I always use my fingers to figure out anniversaries and to measure the time from 9 in the morning to 7 at night.

Many professions have a rule of five. There is a reason we have a base 10 number system. I can’t figure out the popularity of 12, but no analogy is perfect.

I like using my fingers because it slows down the counting. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on each thing as I count it like the blessings in my life. I know the same is possible for you. Sometime today I want you to sit, for just one minute, and tick off at least 5 of the blessings that you have in your life. The best way to do this is to sit, take either your right or your left hand, close the fist and slowly uncoil each finger as you name one of the blessings. Think about the first one as your thumb shoots up. Notice how your fingers tend to go up almost automatically as the blessings leap into your head.

God gave us our fingers and our toes, our eyes, ears and all our members; each one of them is another reason to count our blessings.

By the way, here’s one of our seniors counting the days! (Brandon Buchanan is modeling the Walther Lutheran High School Class of 2008 t-shirt.)

School News

We are working on 2008-2009 calendar dates being set; we open school on August 19, 2008. Christmas vacation ends on January 5, 2009. Graduation is, once again, the first Sunday in June. Now is the time for you to think about what another year in the ministry history of Walther means to you. This is a great time to encourage students to consider a transfer to Walther. Mr. Kevin Charpentier, who has done such a good job with freshmen enrollments, is now in charge of the transfer process. If you know of families who are looking for a change, have them contact Mr. Charpentier at Kevin_Charpentier@walther.com or 708.344.0404.

As the second semester began, our faculty made a commitment to study God’s word together weekly. We are working through a thematic series with structure provided by the Serendipity Bible. The experience has been so good that we want to expand the number of opportunities available for study and extend the blessings of Bible study and prayer to larger audiences.

As we construct our 2008-2009 calendar we want to facilitate weekly gatherings of God’s people. Under the banner of Parents Sharing Wisdom (PSW) we are looking for Bible study leaders and captains for prayer chains. A meeting of interested parents will be convened in May. If you wish to learn more or if you know you would like to be invited, contact Mr. Gillingham at don_gillingham@walther.com or 708.344.0404.

The opening curtain is nearly ready to go up on our Spring Musical, “Singin’ in the Rain”. What a fitting show for this crazy spring. Performances are set for Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. The Sunday matinee will give us a chance to honor our 2007 donors, invite 8th graders to tour the back stage area and recognize those who have big time years of service at Walther and in Lutheran Education. Contact our office for more information at 708.344.0404.

Plans are underway for our all school Christian Service day on Thursday, May 15, 2008. This is just one way that Walther has committed more than 10,000 hours of service to our Lord this year. We will be sending homeroom groups to take on a project that can be completed in 4 clock hours. When the entire class is put to use it means that nearly 100 people power hours will be available. Do you have a project we should be involved in? Contact faculty facilitator Mrs. Rachel Quest at rachel_quest@walther.com.

The Walther Summer 2009 European Tour is official! The trip is set for visits to Munich, Heidelberg and Rothenburg, in Germany; Paris in France and Barcelona and Madrid in Spain. The informational meeting is for students and parents on Thursday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the library on Walther’s second floor. A representative from EF Tours will be there to answer questions. If you need additional information prior to the meeting, please contact Mrs. Nancy Tabb at nancy_tabb@walther.com or Mr. Luis Samayoa at luis_samayoa@walther.com.

Whether you choose to travel around the world or not, you can open the doors of international friendship by sharing your home with an international student during the 2008-2009 school year. Walther Student Service’s own Mrs. Shari Barnich, has been a host mom this year to international student Nika from Slovakia. About her family’s experience this year Mrs. Barnich says, “We have learned so much about other cultures,” and “We have become much closer as a family sharing our Christian life with Nika.” Walther Lutheran High School is seeking a family to host an international student for the 2008-2009 school year. We hope to once again host a student from our Lutheran high school in Tisovec, Slovakia. Host families provide a bed and meals, as well as friendship, understanding and a genuine desire to share the American way of life with a young person from overseas. There is no “ideal” family. All families – those with small children or teens, “empty nest” families or those with no children, retired couples, and single-parent families – are encouraged to consider the opportunity. The students will arrive in early August. They speak English, are covered by medical insurance and have spending money for their personal expenses. For more information about hosting, please contact Mr. Mark Waldron at 708.366.3810 or mclbwaldron@sbcglobal.net.

Alumni News

Thanks to the Clauss Family, led by 1977 grad Tim, who has created a scholarship that is awarded annually to one junior male student and one junior female student based on an essay about his or her “Hero”. We also present the Hawk Award, sponsored by 1985 grad Joe Beatty. This award is also earned by quality writing.

The first endowed scholarship in the long history of Walther is named after Robert Kolar who was taken from us before he was able to graduate with his class of 1978. As his classmates plan their 30th reunion, they are talking of ways to grow the scholarship in his memory.

The Erjavec Scholarship, in memory of Karen Erjavec ’85, goes to one or more freshmen girls and follows each of these girls throughout her Walther career. The fund grows each year as a result of Karen’s Outing, our September golf event. We are encouraging our friends with businesses to consider contributing a small item for the gift bags that go to golfers. This year’s outing is on September 22, 2008.

God’s blessings

NOTE: We encourage you to pass these eNews&Notes on to your friends and family. Remember that anyone can subscribe or unsubscribe to our eNews&Notes list by visiting our website. We respect your privacy and so we do not sell or give away our email list. It is used exclusively to help us communicate with you more efficiently and effectively. This newsletter is never sent with attachments. © 2008 Walther Lutheran High School • All rights reserved • eNews&Notes design by: MIS/BIRKEY.COM