From the desk of Sally Ruecking, our Advancement Director:
Greetings from Walther!
I recently had the opportunity to join Walther’s Choir on its bi-annual Choir Tour as a chaperone. When I was first asked to go, I have to admit, I wasn’t excited about the prospect of sleeping on floors and spending endless hours on a cramped bus with 54 of our students. But an additional male chaperone was needed and I thought, sure, why not, so I said yes.
What a joy it was! Walther’s Fine Arts program is incredibly strong and it was great to spend some real time with our choirs, hear them perform concerts, and see their incredibly talented leader, Lori Boyer, in action. Over 25% of our student body sings in a Walther choir, which is a huge testament to Lori’s charismatic personality and commitment to excellence. They sang in small churches in Ohio, recorded an episode for “Worship Anew” in Fort Wayne, and performed at a church in New York City. We have some amazing students, and seeing them glorifying God through song was truly inspiring.
The trip was not all a bed of roses. We did sleep on church floors, make our way through a late night snowstorm in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and literally run to catch the Staten Island ferry. But it was just great witnessing our fantastic kids singing, caring for one another, stepping outside their comfort zones and having an amazing experience they will remember all their lives. It almost makes me want to volunteer for next year’s Band Tour…
Have a blessed spring!
It’s almost spring and the students and teachers are excited about spring break which is right around the corner!
This month, I am so grateful for the many alumni from several decades who reached out to help at Career Day on April 14. We will have alumni representing the 1960s through the 2000s! All of the alumni who were chosen to speak to our students have careers our students are interested in following.
A very special thank you to two special keynote speakers that will kick off the day:
Fred has both a BA from ISU and an MA from Ohio State and was formerly a high school and then a junior college teacher. Fred is an entrepreneur and has owned and operated over 100 Burger King restaurants, Checkers & Rally’s restaurants, and more.
Starting out at a part-time job in a stand-alone fast food restaurant called Dave’s Automatic Drive-In in Franklin Park, IL in 1962 making .85 cents an hour, Fred was inspired and mentored by the owner of the restaurant as a teenager. He believes that mentors have made a difference in his life and credits his Walther English teacher Ms. Friedell for encouraging him to attend IU. Fred will open up Career Day with his inspirational message about finding a mentor and following your dreams.
Fred told me that he wasn’t the best student, but he was involved in a myriad of activities that included sports, choir, and Latin. Walther Christian Academy has long benefitted from Fred’s generosity and we are grateful he is continuing to give back by inspiring our current students!
Brittany is a graduate of the St. Louis University School of Law. While there, she became a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Black Law Students, and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. Brittany currently is the Expungement Clinic Coordinator and Staff Attorney at Arc City Defenders in St. Louis specializing in the Criminal and Municipal arena. She is passionate about the law and social justice issues. Last year, Brittany hosted several Career Day sessions and many of our students were inspired by her accomplishments at such a young age.
I am incredibly grateful to both Fred and Brittany for their infectious joy at returning to Walther Christian Academy!
Walther is hosting its 3rd annual Bucking Bronco 5K Run/Walk at Walther on Saturday, June 3. Are you an alumnus who would also like to get involved with Walther? Please consider registering and inviting your friends, family, and co-workers to do so. It’s a great day to support this school and its students while enjoying connecting and reconnecting with others. What a fun day to help out and create your own reunion!
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.
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.
