A question I get a lot from friends and acquaintances who don’t work in education around this time of year is, “When are you done for the year?” It’s a good question–does a school need an administrator all summer when there are no teachers or students around? I do acknowledge that over the summer things are quieter. I’m able to come in later, leave a bit earlier (some days) and have longer, more focused conversations with people. But there is plenty to do. A full-time staff keeps Walther going, year round. Even though it’s summer, so many key people work just as hard: our finance, advancement, admissions, registrar, athletic and maintenance departments are all going full-bore. Summer school is serving 45 students. Athletes from every sport come to work out with their coaches. And special occasions still happen, like an event we had last week.
About five years ago Walther purchased three brand new 15-passenger microbuses with the help and support of our wonderful partner, CLEF (Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation). With CLEF’s help, Walther has made monthly payments until this year, when the final lease buy-out payment of $60,000 was due to own all three buses outright. Last week, on a truly special day, Janet Klotz from CLEF and Craig Lusthoff from the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Chicago visited to present Walther with a $60,000 check to pay off the buses! Walther is so blessed to have wonderful partners like CLEF and LHSA-GC. Thank you for helping us provide safe and reliable transportation for our students.
Have a wonderful summer and God bless you all!
TIm Bouman
Head of School
Did you know that more than 25,000 companies across the country match charitable giving made by their employees? We are adding a service through Double the Donation to our website and online giving forms that, when fully integrated, will allow donors to quickly and easily check if their employer will match their donation to Walther. If the company does, a link will be provided to the form the donor needs to complete. No more needing to remember to talk to the right person in the office or search for a form to complete. It will be linked right on our website for ease and efficiency. Check out the Matching Gifts tab the next time you make a donation to Walther.
Bill Koehne ‘87
Director of Advancement
Walther Christian Academy
On June 6-8, the Walther Drama Dept put on Roald Dahl’s Matilda – The Musical. Twenty-nine student actors and five student crew worked diligently throughout April, May, and the first week of June to produce this high-energy and action packed musical for three overflow crowds totally more than 500 attendees.
During COVID, the spring musical was moved to June. The shift has produced some real advantages in terms of timing. As it has been over the decades, many of Walther’s actors are involved in sports and music while taking challenging classes. Moving the musical to the week after school gets out allows for tech week to take place without conflicts with athletics, spring concerts, or preparing and taking AP exams. It has also allowed recent grads to get involved after returning home from college. This year seven such grads assisted with the orchestra, lighting, or crew.
But, it’s not just recent grads who get involved. The musical was produced and directed by Walther teacher Samantha Rose ’01. Others who helped make the production a success include Liz Schroeder ’02 and Ashya Winters ’12 with costume design, Kathleen Rose ’78 and Walther teacher Cheldon White ’13 in the orchestra, and Patrick Wright ’13 and Andrew Gallup ’19 with sound and recording. Thanks also to the many faculty, parents, and friends who helped in a variety of ways!
God’s Blessings to our graduates as they move on to college, trades, or the work force. Come back and see us often. You will always be part of the Walther family!
Ice Cream Social – July 19, 2:00pm at Walther
Homecoming 2025 – October 3-4 See below for more details.
Sarah (Heidloff) Ohanesian, Walther Class of 2001, is a keynote speaker, productivity consultant, and corporate trainer with SO Productive, which she founded on her own, and Super Productive, which she co-founded with a friend. She travels the country motivating people to be their best version of themselves by sharing strategies on how to be productive without the burnout through setting goals, gaining alignment, and improving time management. “I consider myself The Productivity Person”, shares Sarah. With up to 50 engagements a year, she has worked with clients such as McDonalds, Johnson & Johnson, and Stanford University to name just a few.
Following Walther, Sarah attended Villanova University where she majored in Communications with a minor in Psychology. After graduating in 2005 she took an internship at Julian Krinsky Camps and Programs which placed 4000 kids from 140 countries each summer in programs at universities around the United States. She quickly moved up the ranks, essentially running the show with a co-worker. When COVID hit, the owner closed down the company at which time Sarah began the pivot to her current positions. “I really liked what I was doing with Julian Krinsky. It was a valuable experience. But, I love what I am doing now.”
“There are several things that I really appreciate from my time at Walther,” explained Sarah. “One was the continual opportunity to be in front of people, from singing in Christian Minstrels to playing solos in the Wind Ensemble. I didn’t realize how important this was until I started keynote speaking. My experience at Walther is why I can do what I do today.”
There was also the leadership learned through being captain of the tennis and cheerleading teams, a band officer, and editor of the yearbook. “Ms. Ehretsman trusted me to make good decisions when it came to the yearbook.”
“I also learned about service to others. I have found that helping others has always come back to me 10-fold.” A little over a year ago Sarah became Chapter President of the National Speakers Association Philadelphia. Last year her speaking engagements tripled.
“I also appreciate that at Walther we could be part of so many extra-curriculars. It not only diversified who we were as individuals and developed our time management skills, it helped form me into the multi-passionate entrepreneur I am today.”
We look forward to Sarah returning to Walther in March when she will inspire our students to follow their passions as the keynote speaker at Career Day.
Homecoming activities will take place this year on October 3rd and 4th with an Alumni Dinner and Concert on Friday evening. Do you recognize any of the 9 alumni in this photo from last year? Events on Saturday include the Athletic Hall of Fame induction and football game.
Now is a great time to start planning your class reunion. We can help in the following ways:
We are still looking for someone to step up and lead the effort for the following classes. Let us know if you are interested.
Check out this information on a couple reunions that are already planned!
Class of ’70: Friday, Oct. 3 initial gathering at Residence Inn – Chicago/Bloomingdale. Saturday, Oct. 4: Walther Football game followed by reunion reception at Bloomfield Club House, Bloomingdale. 5-10PM. Sunday, Oct 5: Church Service and brunch TBD. $45.00 per person covers Friday and Saturday gatherings. Contact 1970walther@gmail.com for more information, including a group rate for hotel accommodations.
Class of ’84: October 4th, 7:00pm @ Gullivers Pizza and Pub in Oakbrook Terrace. $20 includes pizza, pasta, and pop. Other beverages available for purchase. Grads from ’82, ’83, ’85, and ’86 are invited to attend. RSVP to Sabrina Egeland-Reimann at reimann4@comcast.net
Do you live in the area? Are you willing to display a yard sign? We have new signs available. Stop by the school office M-F 9:00-3:00 to pick one up and then share your story when someone asks.
Last October, Walther held its first Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 26 years. We plan to make this an annual event.
This year the Hall of Fame committee had over 50 nominations to consider including 12 teams, 11 coaches, and 30 athletes.
Congratulations to the Hall of Fame induction Class of 2025!
1969 & 1970 Football Teams – The school’s first two undefeated teams
2011 Baseball Team – 2nd place at State in Class 2A
Glen Polzin – Class of 1965 – Baseball
Mark Holstein – Class of 1970 – Football & Wrestling
Pame’ La (Pam) Ashford – Class of 1988 – Track & Field
Brian Hill – Class of 1988 – Basketball
Floyd Turner – Class of 2003 – Track & Field
Jenna Richardson – Class of 2006 – Tennis
David Tuomi – Class of 2009 – Wrestling
Coach Stan Reddel – Track & Field and Cross-Country
The induction ceremony and brunch will take place on Saturday, October 4 at Walther prior to the Homecoming football game. Look for announcements in the coming months with more details and to reserve your tickets.
Induction classes may consist of individual athletes, teams, coaches, or supporters of the athletic program. Each year there will be a maximum of 10 inductees. Anyone nominated but not elected will continue to be considered for induction in the years to come.
To learn more about Walther’s Athletic Hall of Fame, use the following link:. https://www.walther.com/athletic-hall-of-fame/
James Schildt , Class of ’62, passed away on March 20.
Judith (Behrendt) Johnson, Class of ’59, passed away on March 28.
Norm Krumwiede, Class of ’62, passed away on April 28.
Pat Scala, Class of ’65, passed away on May 3.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.
Please email any death notices to Advancement@WaltherAcademy.org
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.
