Greetings

Some dates have more clout than others. The 4th of July is the most striking for me, but Cinco De Mayo may be a favorite of others. December 7th is the day that will live in infamy and 9/11 will be burned into the collective memory of America for longer than I, or anyone I know, will be around. The dates that attach to an event and the location of importance impact us here in America.

If you take a survey in every corner of the world, May 1st will certainly be one of the most celebrated days on any calendar. In pre-Christian times this date had significance. With the rise of Christian traditions we have focused the celebrations to include midnight masses in concert with community May Pole dances, and in some households, treat-filled May Baskets and sharing family time.

Over and above the local and international dates of significance, each of us has certain dates circled on our personal calendars. Birthdays, graduation dates, and anniversaries of events are well known to us. For me and you as Christians, each date in and of itself is THE most important date. Whether it is May 1, August 11 or October 5...each and every day that you wake up, you are looking at the most important date in your life. On this date you are called to do all you can to advance the Kingdom of God.

Happy May Day, happy day when you read this and happy day when you join with Christians all over the world and through all of the ages to celebrate THIS day given to us by our God!

School News

I believe this is the first time we have ever been able to announce that a Walther team has achieved the number 1 ranking in a nationwide competition! We are NUMBER 1 in the nation with the Walther Lutheran JETS team.

The Junior Engineering and Technological Society sponsors a nationwide competition that begins at regional and state levels. Walther has participated for many years. This year, in the state competition at Triton College, Walther placed 3rd in State. That ranking automatically qualified Walther to submit their team tests to the national face off...and our eight students -- Seniors Mitch Berg (Grace/River Forest), Megan Childs (home schooled), Jalisa Hinkle (St. John/Forest Park), Ted Roberson (St. John/Forest Park) and Caitlin Smith (St. Luke/Itasca), Juniors Zach Cassity (St. John/Wheaton), Bobby Hammond (Immanuel/Elmhurst) and Meredith Schaefer (St. John/Lombard ) -- earned the National Championship in the Division III JETS competition. These students and their parents will be invited to a dinner to recognize and celebrate their outstanding achievement.

In another national competition, senior Martina Powell was named the winner of the "How I Learn Through Technology at My School" essay contest sponsored by the Ministry Technology Mentor Project -- a group focused on technology training for Lutheran Church workers, that is affiliated with Concordia University Wisconsin. The essays were judged by a panel from CUW Department of Elementary/Middle School Education and timed to coincide with the Lutheran Education Association Convocation. Martina won an iPod for her 1st place entry, chosen from 55 Lutheran high school entries nationwide (each school was limited to four submissions).

With the upcoming Spring Awards reception on Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m., there will certainly be more "bragging" going on in this space, but remember "it ain't braggin' if you did it!"

This is a key time for building the Walther Family. With the addition of our preschool through 8th grade Walther Lutheran Academy @Forest Park, we can now help more families have the Walther Experience. We do welcome transfers from outside our system of Lutheran Education, and this is a good time to start the ball rolling. Contact Mr. Kevin Charpentier Kevin_Charpentier@Walther.com if you want information on bringing a new family to Walther.

Alumni News

Last week the McAdams boys, Ryan '01 and Sean '03, were part of a crew preparing the grounds at Walther to host the 3rd Annual Phil's Friends Walkathon THIS Sunday, May 4. The event begins at noon and ends with a concert headlined by Mark Schultz and 33 Miles at 5:30 pm.

And there is more happening in Sean's life; let his mom's note carry the happy news...

On Saturday,March 15,our family gathered in New York Mills, MN (about 120 miles east of Fargo, ND) as Sean married Jenny K. Rohr, a Director of Christian Outreach intern at San Pablo Lutheran in Aurora. (The two met seven years ago to the day in St. Louis at a Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives Meeting when they were both serving on their respective District Youth Boards.) I now have two wonderful daughter-in-laws; both named Jennifer (at least I should be able to remember their names).

Currently, Sean is the youth director at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles and they are residing in Aurora. They have plans to move early this summer when Jenny's internship at San Pablois completed.

Mom even sent a photo!

God’s blessings

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