February 2023

From the desk of Sally Ruecking, our Advancement Director:

Tim Bouman

Principal and Head of School

Greetings from Walther!
 
February is a busy time at Walther, as we are well into the swing of things for our Second Semester. On the Admission side, we just had our third successful Open House, and anticipate another great freshman class for the fall. Our Bronco Benefit on the 11th will be a wonderful time to gather as a Walther community and to raise much-needed funds to support our ministry. As we head into the Lenten Season, we will once again be having our Ash Wednesday Chapel at St. Paul, Melrose Park (join us! 2/22 @ 12:15 pm). Finally, as always, we celebrate Black History Month at Walther with special posters and decorations, student activities, and projects in classes.
 
I want to take this opportunity to highlight our Middle School this month. This is our seventh year of incorporating 6th-8th graders in the building, and it has been a huge success. We have 50 middle schoolers each year, and most years about 90% of graduating 8th graders join the High School as Freshmen. It has a strong STEM component, and academically advanced students can start taking high school classes early. This year we added a new Middle School Cheerleading team, led by Walther alum Amanda Smith, and nearly every middle school girl joined! They have a lot to cheer for, as our Middle School boys basketball team has won every game this season but one, and are heading to the State Tournament. Go Broncos!
 
I thank you for taking the time to read about Walther, and for your interest and support. May God bless you!
 
Tim Bouman

Sally Ruecking

Director of Advancement

Dear Walther Alumni and Friends,
 
We just hosted the Roots & Wings Bronco Benefit 2023 this past weekend and it was a big success! Over 200 people gathered with alumni from 1959 to 2022, as well as sponsors, vendors, our students, faculty, teachers and friends! So many alumni that attended said they were so happy to reconnect with long-lost friends from their class. All of our events at Walther are an opportunity to reconnect with friends and make new ones! We exceeded our revenue goal, which supports our students and school, and we are so grateful. 
 
This was the first time we used an online platform, so alumni that couldn’t attend could also bid on our auction items! Many thanks to friends, family, teachers and staff who donated amazing auction items this year. It really takes a team to pull an event together.
 
A very special thank you to our student musicians and singers who performed.We are so lucky to have Samantha Rose, Lori Boyer, Cheldon White and Darryl Holiday lead our talented students! We had four students representing grades 9-12 speak at our Bronco Benefit that spoke of the power of Walther Christian Academy. The students each chose a topic to highlight: Faith, Academics, Extracurricular Activities and Community. 
 
Our third Annual report was mailed a few weeks ago to all of our donors. If you weren’t mailed a copy, please take a look at it on our website. This year, I chose to highlight our student’s service and volunteerism along with our academics and other activities throughout the year. I hope you enjoy reading about the “state of Walther-today!”.
 
Right around the corner is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent, for so many, means changing your life, for turning things around, for getting on the right path, and for repentance. We are all lucky at Walther to be able to celebrate God freely and openly.
 
Thank you, everyone for supporting a school that has changed the lives of so many. Please come visit Walther soon.
 
Sally Ruecking
Director of Advancement
 
P.S. Our 3rd annual Bucking Bronco 5K Run/Walk will be held on June 3, 2022.
Visit RaceRoster.com to register or click on this link:
 

Meet: Tyrese Ingram Class of 2022

Many at Walther Christian Academy know that Tyrese, who graduated last year, is a talented artist. Some of his works were featured in our 2021-2022 Aura Art and Literature magazine.
 
Currently Tyrese is attending Malcolm X College, part of the City College Chicago. His design was chosen to represent the Chicago Blackhawks collaboration with limited retail clothing wear produced in honor of Black History Month.
 
To the right is the back of a sweatshirt hoodie designed by Tyrese that our teacher Catie Urban generously purchased and donated in support of our Bronco Benefit.
 
We all wish Tyrese continued success in studying art!

SAVE THE DATE!

Career Day at Walther is Friday, April 14, 2023.

 
If you are an alumni or a sponsor and would like to represent your chosen career, please send me your occupation and graduation year. We are especially looking for representatives who are in the healthcare field, marketing, IT, web design and analytics, teaching, church workers or philanthropy. Please email me at: Sally_Ruecking@WaltherAcademy.org

Meet: Tim Eberhard, Registrar

Tim Eberhard is Walther’s Registrar, and has taught and coached at Chicago Public Schools, Grace English Lutheran School, Luther North High School, Walther Lutheran Academy Forest Park, Concordia University Chicago and Walther Christian Academy. He has held a myriad of positions at Walther and serves as not only our registrar, but coaches Football and Wrestling
 
Tim holds a BA in Elementary Education from Concordia University Chicago. Tim is married to Marcia Eberhard, who teaches math. Together they share two daughters, Claire and Natalie. It’s no surprise that Tim mentioned his daughters will attend Walther in the future! He also said he really enjoys serving students from all backgrounds.
 
Thank you, Tim, for the work that you do! 

SCENES OF STUDENT LIFE:

Meet: Brian Becker

Brian Becker, former Walther parent, our 2023 Sower Award recipient.

2021-2022 Annual Report

Thank you to our donors who contributed to our success in our last fiscal year. We can’t do this without you!

Purchase a Paver!

Do you want to support Walther and leave your mark? Or, purchase a gift for someone you love?

 

The time is NOW to become a permanent part of Walther by purchasing an engraved paver. You can purchase one on our website by choosing the paver purchase option to honor your time here at Walther, thank a parent for sending you here, thank a teacher, honor a memory, or give recognition to your business!

 

The pavers are $200 each.

If you would like to support our Spring Track Athletes and live close by, consider purchasing Track and Field Spirit Wear by clicking on the button below.

Walther Memorial Corner

Sharon Arnst, Class of 1964

James Hanert, Luther North, Class of 1954

 
Please email any death notices to:

To Our Donors...

Walther would not exist without you!
 
To all ALUMNI: We are asking every one of you regardless of where you are in life, to consider including Walther Christian Academy in your will.
Leaving a legacy at Walther means that more students will experience the joy of attending a school that truly cares about them and that your legacy will be helping students tomorrow.
 
Please contact Sally_Ruecking@WaltherAcadamy.org to discuss your wishes.

Our Mission Statement 

Walther Christian Academy is a culturally diverse and inclusive Christian middle and high school, rooted in the Lutheran tradition. Walther nurtures and prepares learners to fulfill their unique
God-given potential through academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service,
leadership and enrichment opportunities.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Walther Christian Academy is operated for the purpose of providing Christian Education at the secondary level for the families of Lutheran congregations. However, it admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and religion to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and religion in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.