Spring 2013 Lamplighter

Spring 2013

Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

“During our last meal we were told that we had touched 950 people’s lives [in the clinics that week], but in reality it was the complete opposite— they touched mine.”

Hannah Bergey, on her Senior Experience trip to Haiti

Discovering fulfillment and direction in job shadowing and service to others.

In This Issue...

Senior Experience

Arts Day

Campus Happenings Spring 2013

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A publication of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Spring 2013 www.dockhs.org info@dockhs.org Dr. Conrad J. Swartzentruber Principal Martin D. Wiens Assistant Principal Jeffrey A. Ambrose Director of Business Affairs Susan D. Gingerich Director of Advancement Bronwyn L. Histand Director of Curriculum Darwin R. Zehr Director of Technology Board of Directors Warren L. Tyson, President Sharon L. Fransen, Vice President Ruth H. Yoder, Secretary Henry W. Longacre, Treasurer (’60) Henry B. Bergey P. Scott Heckler Beny Krisbianto David G. Landis (’59) Rina Rampogu Lamplighter is published by Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, 1000 Forty Foot Road, Lansdale, PA 19446. It is entered as third-class matter at the Lansdale Post Office.

Jay Gordon, Editor Leinbach Design, Graphic Design

IN THIS ISSUE 3 SENIOR EXPERIENCE

Wherever Dock students went for their Senior Experience, they found fulfillment and direction for their future.

8 ARTS DAY

The 2013 version of Arts Day was a feast for the five senses.

10 CAMPUS HAPPENINGS: 1 to 1

Christopher Dock adopts a bold new technology plan designed to increase creativity, collaboration, and communication between teachers and students.

16 Outstanding Athletic Achievement Awards

Igniting Passion forMennonite LearningHigh , Faith , andinLife.

Christopher Dock School, partnership with the family and the church, seeks to develop the God-given abilities of students in preparation for responsible stewardship of life as members of God’s people in a global society. Dock serves youth and families of Franconia Mennonite Conference, Eastern District Conference and those who share Anabaptist values.

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Dock honors two alumni student-athletes, Jesse Gey (’04) and Erik Kratz (’98), with its first-ever Outstanding Athletic Achievement Awards.

17 ALUMNI NOTES

In memoriam: Charter board member Paul Godshall. Also, a report from the Class of 1962’s 50th reunion.

On the cover: Hannah Bergey’s heart found joy serving the people of Haiti during Senior Experience week.

Above: For her Senior Experience week, Adrienne Derstine saw the world—without leaving Souderton—by helping out at Ten Thousand Villages.

Senior Experience 2013 Around the corner, across the country or overseas—wherever Dock students went for Senior Experience, they found fulfillment and direction in job shadowing and service to others.

Kirsten Hanson

Hope for Health, Haiti It amazes me that I’ve had two life-changing trips within two months.

Haiti exceeded my expectations like crazy. I saw God I saw God in in everything that we did. There was a quote in our devotions that said, “The spaces in our fingers are made everything we did. for other people to hold.” One of the boys said that we filled the spaces and needs of the Haitian people. I can’t wait for the day I can go back and have this experience again.

Joanna Benner

Hope for Health, Haiti Today was my best day ever in Haiti.

We started out by going to a market, which is always a crazy good time. We got sugar cane and other goodies. Then we piled everyone on the jeeps and went to the beach. We played soccer. I love playing with the Haitians because there is no pressure to do well or not mess up; I can just play my best.

Then we swam, took a walk, roasted What an amazing last day. hot dogs over the fire, and took pictures while the sun set. I ended my day with a It seriously felt like today was God’s ride back on top of the jeep with all my birthday gift for me. It seemed classmates; having a heart-to-heart with like He was reassuring me to keep Kirsten; finding out they are building an pursuing my dream and calling... orphanage near the beach that I could possibly live at some day, playing with the kids and teaching them games; being surprised with a birthday party complete with ice cream and cake; going on a tarantula hunt; sitting on the roof looking at the stars, and falling asleep on a hammock. Can it get any better than that? I don’t think so!

What an amazing last day. It felt like today was God’s birthday gift for me. It seemed like He was reassuring me to keep pursuing my dream and calling, making it clear that He wants me here. I can’t begin to say how blessed I feel and how much I love the life that God has so graciously given me.

The value of our trip is immeasurable. Having the opportunity to touch these people’s hearts, and feeling them touch mine….I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Hannah Bergey

Hope for Health, Haiti

Go to the Christopher Dock Channel on YouTube to hear Hannah’s chapel presentation about the trip.

“During our last meal we were told that we had touched 950 people’s lives [in the clinics that week], but in reality it was the complete opposite—they touched mine. Even though I set my expectations low, this trip was more than I could have ever expected…better than ...there is always an opportunity any vacation. My heart found joy by serving to touch someone’s life. these beautiful people the world calls “poor” but who seem so rich in [other ways]. We don’t need to go to Haiti to change our life, or to change someone else’s. Day to day there is always an opportunity to touch someone’s life.

Don’t let it pass you.”

Spring 2013

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SENIOR EXPERIENCE 2013

Marissa Souder

Peaceful Living Creative Gifts, Souderton The patience and love of the staff here is absolutely incredible. It is humbling to see and I love every second. They are completely selfless people who love their clients so much. They truly want to help them. Peaceful Living did a great job hiring their staff.

I do not want this week to be over. I got to hang out with new friends, and I got to experience music class, something I’ve wanted to do all week…It is incredible to see how much music makes [the clients] open up. Dillon came in extremely upset and unwilling to do anything, but by the last song, he was singing at the top of his lungs and playing his maracas.

Out of all the clients there, Dillon was one of the ones who touched me the most. At the beginning of each day he would say, “Today is January 12, 2013. I’m going to have a good day today.” That was a good reminder to me that life is what you make it. Dillon made a conscious decision to be happy, and it served him well.

The patience and love of the staff here is absolutely incredible. It is humbling to see and I love every second.

This week did not help my college decisions at all. I already knew that I wanted to work as a youth pastor or guidance counselor, but this week made me want to do special education so bad! I want to help people with disabilities. They bring so much joy and laughter to my life. I pray that God can show me exactly what I am supposed to do.

Jimmy Clements

Refuge Ranch, Mexico We traveled around two hours to Refuge Ranch, the orphanage and school where we will be doing service all week. We were bombarded instantly by the kids who lived there, ages 1 to 18. The next few hours of this night were stunningly enjoyable. I hung out with the kids, doing everything from playing Power Rangers with a boy named Daniel, to having a water gun fight with a fireball of a kid named Alejandro, to adopting the name Justin Bieber from all the little girls—something I think will stick for the rest of the week. I gave piggy-back rides, and used my Spanish skills more than I could believe. I can’t explain how much I loved hanging out with those kids.

I really hope I’ll

Thursday was a crazy work day. 85 bags of get to see these cement. 255 wheelbarrow loads of concrete. kids again.

1,275 buckets to hoist seven feet in the air and then dump into forms to construct the cement towers. One of our main goals is to build two 7’ concrete towers to support a large water tank, which will allow water to be carried by gravity to the ranch. We worked from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., but we miraculously finished the entire form right before dinner.

Dock students who served in Mexico during Senior Experience week got plenty dirty (and a little more buff!) building a couple of cement towers. Pictured (l to r) are Jimmy Clements, Amy Bergey, Maddie Delp, Jordan Kolb, Kait Miller and Tyler Denlinger.

After completing this project we had some time with Julie, the “mom” at the ranch. She spent an hour telling us the stories of some of the kids. It was heartbreaking to hear their past experiences, especially after getting to know them all week. This made the goodbyes that night even more difficult. I really hope I’ll get to see these kids again.

Sarah Hart

Schwenksville Elementary School, Schwenksville Today I am going to work with an ESL student from Russia! It will be cool to do something different. After working with the girl I felt frustrated because I could not talk to her at all. She did everything she was supposed to do, and then went back to her class.

One thing I notice is that the kids enjoy reading more than writing. I want to find a way to make kids want to write.

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My Senior Experience was very valuable. I know that I want to work with kids. I want to become a teacher because working with children makes me happy. It seems like a very fulfilling job. I’m hoping I can go to school for My Senior Experience was very elementary education and music. I want to keep music in my life; I could be a teacher during the valuable..I want to work with kids. week and a worship leader at my church.

Heather Fretz

SENIOR EXPERIENCE 2013

NBC-10, Philadelphia The day started with a meeting that included producers, managers, writers, reporters, and anchors. They discussed the many story possibilities for the day, making sure all of them were relevant to viewers. Ideas were shared, but there was an urgency to have the best ideas. Phones were used constantly by everyone, and at least a third of those in the meeting were on their phone for the entire hour. This meeting gave me a small insight into the fast-paced life of those in the media.

Heather Fretz with Keith Jones and Lori Wilson of NBC-10

This meeting gave me a small insight into the fast-paced life of those in the media.

For the last hour, I watched the 4:00 news on the set again. This was a time I could reflect on all that I had seen. I now understand (at a basic level) all of the work that goes into the newscast each day.

It was cool to see the “behind-the-scenes” parts of a newscast I hadn’t thought of before, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to do anything in this field for my profession. I didn’t like that they didn’t care about the stories they were reporting. It was all about the viewers in their eyes. They would get excited when something bad happened. Every day they would do the same thing, and were always in a hurry. I wouldn’t like that; I want a more relaxed environment.

Taylor Mirarchi

Mennonite Resource Center, Harleysville I started my work today in the quilt room, helping one of the volunteers sort fabric to see if the MRC could use it. If it couldn’t be used, it was thrown out. It surprised me how much was thrown out. MRC is very particular about what fabric to use because they don’t want the fabric to tear, and they want it to be warm.

Another thing I did that day was talk with people from The Reporter. I was excited to talk to them; I have never been in the newspaper. It was neat. After the reporters left I started to knot comforters with my grandmother, who came along with me to volunteer. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to her and the other ladies.

When a truck load is ready to be shipped, they say a prayer of blessing on the load...

An interesting thing was that when a truck was loaded and ready to be shipped out they said a prayer of blessing on the load, that it makes it there safely and that the gifts will help people in need. I had an amazing time. I got to learn how small things can make a huge difference.

Beth Curtis

Shalom House, Philadelphia We were going to help them take down some Advent decorations. They had hung about 10 or 11 antique windows around the sanctuary as reminders of how the light of God enters our lives.

I had to be the one climbing the tall, rickety extension ladder to untwist, one by one, each of the wires holding either side of the window up. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life! It was worth it, though, because Rachel, the assistant pastor, was thankful. She said it was a huge blessing to have one less thing to worry about. It always makes me glad to bless people in little ways.

I met some great people, did some service, and learned a bit about peace. It was neat to learn about gun violence, and their ideas on how to change our situation. It was also good to talk to people who served in Americorps and other service organizations, and hear how they balanced service and missions with college debt and the need for income.

Jill Leatherman

Shalom House, Philadelphia Beth Curtis and Jill Leatherman

It always makes me glad to bless people in little ways.

My senior experience was a great opportunity to serve and have a new experience. I also realized that I could live in the city at some point; it was not scary, and really convenient. The intentional community also seemed like a cool idea. It takes commitment to live with strangers for that long and share finances and goals.

Shea Neal

Penn Christian Academy, Norristown

I want to be able to help children who aren’t able to do things themselves.

As my Senior Experience comes to an end I realize I still want to be a teacher. I love the excitement of the kids and their willingness to learn. It’s important to support them in their early years, and I would welcome the responsibility of providing them with a good learning experience.

Special education is still something I would love to do. I want to be able to help children who aren’t able to do things themselves. It’s important that they also feel loved. I’m excited to see what direction God chooses to send me in.

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Engerta Frroku Washington, DC

SENIOR EXPERIENCE 2013

When I was a kid, I used to debate with my father about the news and politics. That began my passion for politics and history. When I had the opportunity to choose my Senior Experience, I thought to myself, what experience could be better than Washington, DC? Today I went to shadow a congressman from Alabama. He was not there at the moment, but I got to talk with all of his staff. A member of the staff showed me around the capitol and the floor of the House of Representatives. He explained to me the history and meaning of the pictures we saw in the capitol. The funny part was that a group from Dock’s Social Issues class was there and I got to meet them. The most interesting part for me was to learn that [congressmen and women] have a tunnel to go from their offices to the capitol. My experience that day was wonderful and I can’t say how blessed I am!

My experience that day was wonderful... how blessed I am!

Part of my Senior Experience was to see the Abraham Lincoln movie. I learned some new things about history, and imagined how difficult life was for some. It was a pretty dangerous life, in which all you could do was try to survive those horrible moments of the Civil War. I got to see Lincoln’s memorial, and also Lincoln’s movie. How much more historical and amazing could that be? I am blessed to have had this wonderful and amazing Senior Experience.

Jenna Landis

Penn View Christian School, Souderton • M.M. Seylar Elementary School, Perkasie I spent today in first grade. I liked the way Mrs. Landis taught. She used fun and interactive ways to get the kids to learn something new. After music they had recess, and this is when they all decided they liked me. It was a little hard giving them all the attention they wanted. I ended up pushing 10 kids at once on the swings and they had a blast. After recess the kids knew me a little better and interacted with me more, which made the day more fun.

After recess the kids knew me a little better and interacted with me more, which made the day more fun.

I learned that I enjoy helping kids and being with them. This is what attracted me to become a teacher in the first place. Throughout the week I was able to see differences between public and private schools, and also between different ages of kids. My favorites were the first graders, and they loved me, too. I also realized that I would love to teach in a private school. I liked how they were able to do devotions before school, and I didn’t like how at the public school they weren’t allowed to talk about God. Overall the week was fun, and I am still considering being a teacher.

Makora Nyagwegwe

Whitehall Elementary School, Norristown Re-entering the school today I got a different feel. I remember being younger and walking to my classroom. Today I am job-shadowing my favorite teacher, Mrs. Goodwin.

Walking into her classroom was a reminder of how much she helped me love school.

Jason wanted to race me today to prove that I couldn’t hold my fastest title anymore.

I ended up racing 43 students during recess, and I beat every one of them, even though I was wearing Uggs on my feet! My day was very enjoyable.

I ended up racing 43 students during recess, and I beat every one of them, even though I was wearing Uggs on my feet!

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Today was my last day. Walking into the classroom I was greeted with a note on my desk.

Each student had written some inspiring words to me, and the things they said touched my heart. They have no idea how great this week was for me, plus it helped me choose my career path. One of my accomplishments this week was getting the most difficult student to like me and talk to me. I saw it as a challenge to get him to love school.

Jessica Chesloski

Greenlee Partners, Harrisburg, PA I also got to talk with another lobbyist in the firm whose name is Chick. He gave me advice that was similar to what Matt gave me. They suggested that it is beneficial to not major in political science, which is what I planned to do. They said skills such as writing and communication are much more important, and that politics is easy to teach.

This experience has helped me to make connections for future job opportunities, which will be helpful in my career. I was advised to major in something like communications, because communication is important. I was also reminded of the importance of writing and speaking. Overall, this experience has taught me a lot.

GaMin Kim

Gwyn-Nor Elementary School, North Wales

...a great experience that helped me understand the U.S. school system...

SENIOR EXPERIENCE 2013

My Senior Experience was to shadow the classroom of my guardian, Kathy Schettig, who teaches third grade. The education system in the United States is much easier than in South Korea.

U.S. students’ main subjects are English, Math, and Science. Gym, art and music are more like activities. South Korea is not like that. When I was in third grade, our grade had 10 classrooms and each one had 50 students. We did not have good educational materials such as whiteboards, smartboards, computers or TVs. In third grade my main subjects were Korean, English, Math, Science and History. I also had gym, art, music and living arts. I had to prepare for mid-term and final tests each semester, and the level [of difficulty] in each of these subjects was much harder than it is in the U.S. I am a student at Dock, not at Gwyn-Nor, and I am realizing that the time is coming when these little students will become adults, and that I, too, am preparing for the real world right now— even though a teacher is not what I want to be in the future. I want to live in the U.S. in the future, and [this week] was a great experience that helped me understand the U.S. school system, and what elementary school students are learning.

Angie Rittenhouse

Heather’s Hair Fashions, Souderton • Pawsibilities Pet Rescue, Harleysville Today I job-shadowed my hairdresser, Heather Renner. She owns her own business in the basement of her house. I got to see what it would be like to be a cosmetologist for a day, and it was very interesting! The first customer happened to be my grandmother. She was so surprised to see me there, and she was glad that Christopher Dock has Senior Experience.

This experience has changed all my thoughts about what I want to do. Going into this week I knew I wanted to be a cosmetologist. But after being with all the animals for two days, I realized I may want to be a veterinary technician. When I saw all that my hairdresser did, I realized that may not be what I want to do. She and I have a really close relationship, and she told me multiple times that if I didn’t have a passion for hair, then I shouldn’t go into cosmetology. Working with the sick animals and seeing that I could make a difference in their lives reinforced what I want to do.

Jared Hunsinger

Kemp & Associates Retirement Services, Harleysville • Alderfer Auctions, Hatfield Today I was taught some of the techniques auctioneers use to get bidders to spend more, or to get rid of something. I was basically mesmerized by the whole set-up. I was also interviewed and put on the front page of The Reporter.

This week taught me a lot. First, I do not want to sit in an office all day. I need to express myself.

I need to be spontaneous. I need to interact with others. I need to see that I have done work….

I still want to own a business. I want to be in charge, and there is no greater feeling than being able to receive recognition for something you did. Getting paid for it is just a bonus.

Brianna Derstine

New Life Youth & Family Services, Harleysville This week was really good for me. I feel as though I belong (in this field) and this is where God wants me to be. I still have to figure out whether I want to be a caseworker, a teacher’s aid, etc.

I appreciated the staff at New Life greatly. I have a great respect for them and the work they are doing to make a difference in the kids’ lives. I honestly saw a community there, and I want to be involved in something like that. After this week, I can’t wait to get started in college, and the work that needs to be done to get my degree and get started. I also appreciate that New Life said I could come back to do an internship and get more experience.

Damaris Gehman

Stevens and Lee, Reading, PA • General Electric, Wayne, PA

...it’s important to work hard, to be respectful, and to have a good attitude.

I know now that I really like engineering. Although law is interesting, I don’t think it is the job for me right now. I am glad I solidified my interest in engineering and can move forward in my education without regrets or worries.

In every career you have to deal with people, whether it is colleagues, clients, or customers.

Dealing with people can be easy or hard. In reality, a job is as good as the people you work with.

I learned that it’s important to work hard, to be respectful, and to have a good attitude. With these things in mind I can go far and be successful.

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Arts Day 2013

The Five Senses

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Sight. Hearing. Touch. Taste. Smell.

his year’s Arts Day theme, “The Five Senses,” inspired Dock students to express their creativity in stage events and music; visual, fabric and culinary art; and creative writing. Arts Day is an opportunity for students to express their creativity by competing by grade level in all of these areas—but more than that, to celebrate the arts in many different forms, and to experience creation and the Creator in new and different ways.

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The Results: Creative Writing 1st - Kayla Alderfer, 11 and Rachel Beiler, 12 2nd - Aaron Guttenplan, 11 3rd - Marissa Souder, 12

Fabric Arts 1st - Jill Leatherman, 12 2nd - Clara Bush, 11 3rd - Brooke Rotelle, 10

Visual Arts 1st - Phoebe Gutt, 11 2nd - Brielle Alderfer, 11 3rd - Brianna Derstine, 12

People’s Choice 1st - Madness, 12 2nd - You Found Me, 11 3rd - One and Only, 12

Culinary 1st - Hannah Vezzetti and Rob O’Brien, 12 2nd - Jill Leatherman and Marissa Souder, 12 3rd - Jooli Mei Hansen, 11

Overall Scores: Grade 9 - 81.7 Grade 11 - 87.3 Grade 10 - 90 Grade 12 - 92.8

Arts Day Photos

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1. Seniors (l to r) Jennifer Henderson, Jill Leatherman, Sarah Hart and Amy Bergey laugh it up during the senior skit.

2. Junior dancers (l to r) Abigail Anderson, Lauren Anderson, and Vanessa Miller perform DeBussy’s Jardins Sous La Pluie.

3. Susie Moore plays a chapel speaker during the sophomore skit, Touring Christopher Dock.

4. Ryan Thomas (left) and James Clements play the roles of Jacob and Isaac in the senior skit.

5. Between scenes, senior skit narrator Tyler Denlinger (seated) was joined on stage by Frankie Rosenberger for a little musical interlude.

6. This salsa by seniors Robbie Johnson and Dan Mulliniks was just one of the entries in the Culinary Arts category that excited the senses.

7. Seniors (l to r) Christian Landis, Drew Kratz, and Graham Truscott yuk it up during the senior skit.

8. Senior Jun Bae belts out his cover of Adele’s song, One and Only.

9. The colors and textures of senior Jill Leatherman’s quilt helped her to a first-place finish in the Fabric Arts category.

10. Juniors applaud the piano virtuosity of classmate Honglin Chen, who dazzled on Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean.

11. The Junior class project, The Hand of God: Shaping Our Senses, won the first-place ribbon for class projects. The hand was covered with enlargements of the fingerprints of each member of the class.

Katelyn Richter

Over these past four years, Dock has become my home, and one of my favorite places. I am blessed beyond words to have been able to experience life and growth here, to allow it to shape me into who I am today, and to prepare me for what I am going to be. I am so excited for the future, but will never forget the relationships, love and care I have received here at Dock.

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Spring 2013

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS Dock adopts 1:1 program for 2013-14

The bold technology plan offers Dock students and teachers new ways to work at learning.

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he board and faculty of Christopher Dock are excited to announce the implementation of a 1:1 (one-to-one) technology plan for the fall of 2013. The term “1:1” refers to the fact that there is one computer or device per student.

Dock will equip each enrolled student with a 3rd Gen iPad with the goal of providing equitable access to web resources and apps to enhance Dock’s mission and curriculum.

Fundraising is taking place in support of this initiative. The funding for this program will not affect tuition. While there will be ongoing costs for technology each year, Dock is seeking over $200,000 in assistance this first year in order to implement the plan for the entire student body. The plan will be sustainable through the annual budget for educational resources.

The instructional focus for the Dock iPads will be active, engaged learning, with emphasis on national technology standards in:

Parents, local businesses and community members are being invited to participate in this program to enhance students’ preparation for college, career, and a technology-infused world. Perhaps your employer or business would have interest in assisting with the plan. Parents are invited to consider making a donation toward their child’s iPad and/or toward an iPad for a family unable to help with the project.

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Creativity and Innovation Communication and Collaboration Research and Information Fluency Critical thinking, Problem-solving and Decision-making

“The 1:1 program has great potential to increase the interactivity between teacher and student, and to accommodate different learning styles,” said Dock Principal Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber. “We also feel that 1:1 offers our faculty an excellent platform on which to discuss issues of digital citizenship. We want to help students make good decisions about the digital tools they use.”

Please contact these administrators with your ideas or questions: Fundraising — Susan Gingerich (sgingerich@dockhs.org; 215.362.2675, ext. 116) Curriculum — Bronwyn Histand (bhistand@dockhs.org, 215.362.2675, ext. 308) Programming/Applications — Darwin Zehr

(dzehr@dockhs.org, 215.362.2675, ext. 616)

Dock athletics photos now available for purchase Local photographer Lowell Swartley has created a Facebook page (“Lowell Swartley Photography”) where you can view and purchase photos of Dock athletes in action. To access photos, go to the Facebook page and get the event code for the photo(s) you want, then follow the link provided to the online store.

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Ella Barlick

Maxwell Howald

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Teen Cancer Awareness Night

Evan Trauger

Dock students take first in Science Fair

ock students Ella Barlick (’16) and Evan Trauger (‘15), finished first in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science’s annual Science Fair competition and will now compete at the county level, with hopes of making it to the state Science Fair competition in May. At the Montgomery County Science Research Competition, Maxwell Howald (’16) placed first in the biochemistry division and moves on to the next level of competition. Ella Barlick took Honorable mention and Evan Trauger won a specialty award from the Montgomery County Science Teachers Association called The “MCTSA Excellence in Student Science Research Award” in the Biochemistry division. Ella Barlick’s PJAS project hypothesis was that no-till farming methods would retain moisture and prevent runoff more effectively than plow-based soil preparation. Her data showed her hypothesis to be correct. In his project, Evan Trauger set out to show that natural products could be used to make antibiotics. His research showed that, using proper purification methods, antibiotics could be made from natural sources. Congratulations to all three students!

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hristopher Dock hosted Teen Cancer Awareness Night on February 23. In addition to a student art show, coffeehouse, and silent auction, there was a panel discussion where students shared how cancer had affected them and those they love. There was also a time for audience questions. The event raised nearly $5,000 for Teen Cancer America. Congratulations to Dock students Lindsey Laverty (’14)—who dedicated the event to her sister, Emilee (‘11)— Jessica Finlayson (’14), Marissa Souder (’13) and others who organized and promoted the event.

Top photo: The Teen Cancer Awareness Night panel discussion featured sharing from (l to r) Lindsey Laverty (‘14), Kayla McClanahan, Leah Moore (‘10), Chad Burger, and moderator Jessica Finlayson (‘14).

Middle photo: Staffing the welcome table were Dock students (l to r) Beth Curtis (’13), Jill Leatherman (’13), Travis Hoover (’14) and Naomi Davidar (’14).

Bottom photo: Music was provided by guitarist Bunny Barnes.

Photos courtesy of Joanna Benner.

Business class attends Printworks University

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tudents in Mr. Wallerich’s Introduction to Business class were hosted recently for a plant tour and workshop by Printworks, a Lansdale-based printing company. A particular emphasis was the dramatic effect that digital printing is having on the printing business. At the conclusion of the tour, students received a personalized certificate printed on Printworks’ digital press. Printworks owner Marty Wolfe, whose son Josh is a freshman at Dock, followed up the plant tour with a visit to Dock to speak to the class about the rewards and challenges of running a small business.

Spring 2013

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Certified Anabaptist Educators

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ock Principal Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber, along with faculty members Dr. J. Eric Bishop and Karen Johnston, recently completed 10 graduate semester hours through the Anabaptist Learning Institute (ALI) and are now certified as Anabaptist Educators. ALI is a program of the Mennonite Schools Council and Mennonite Education Agency and is designed to provide an intentional Christcentered orientation and professional education program for teachers and other leaders. ALI seeks to unify the Anabaptist community under a common set of educational experiences that encourage dialogue about faith and values. ALI graduate credit is offered through both Eastern Mennonite University and Bluffton University, and includes the following courses: Learning the Language of Community, Understanding the Roots of Community, Building Caring Communities, and Shaping a Community of Learners.

Dock faculty members (l to r) Karen Johnston and Dr. J. Eric Bishop, and Principal Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber recently completed 10 graduate semester hours through the Anabaptist Learning Institute and became Certified Anabaptist Educators.

Come see Dock’s Touring Choir

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he 2013 Christopher Dock Touring Choir has begun its spring tour. Come out to support the choir at one of its upcoming concerts Dock is grateful to Everence for its support of the 2013 Touring Choir; visit them at www.everence.com/souderton

Touring Choir Itinerary: Spring 2013

Touring Choir 2013

April 12-14 MSC Festival Hosted by Christopher Dock

Concert: Sunday April 14, 3 p.m.

at Souderton Area High School

April 21

Grace Mennonite

April 28

Souderton Mennonite

9 a.m.

May 5

Salford Mennonite

9 a.m.

May 19

Franconia Mennonite Zion Mennonite

May 22

Spring Concert

May 24-26

New York City, Carnegie Hall

June 2

Blooming Glen Mennonite Concert in the Park, Souderton

Commencement

June 8

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10:30 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

Row 1, l to r: Karalyn Schmidt, Jennifer Henderson, Damaris Gehman, Megan Bishop, Ryan Thomas, Austin Kratz, Ethan Neal, Simon Nam, Brielle Alderfer, Adrienne Derstine, Jill Leatherman, Maddie Delp, Hannah Derstine.

Row 2, l to r: Kayla Alderfer, Abigail Anderson, Lindsey Laverty, Daniel Ramirez, Jun Bae, Jonathan Bishop,YoungYoo Kim, Drew Kratz, John Bergstresser, Anna Martin, Jordan Kolb, Diana Choi, Director Rodney Derstine.

Row 3, l to r: Jessica Bergey, Clara Bush, Sarah Hart, Beth Curtis, Logan Hunsberger, Alex Holnick, Frank Rosenberger, Andrew Kang, Eric Hoover, Mariah Denlinger, Morgan Benjamin.

Row 4, l to r: Joanna Benner, Jenna Landis, Kaitlin Miller, James Clements, Seth Detweiler, Brooks Inciardi, Seth Strickland, Travis Hoover, Christian Landis, Lauren Anderson, Marissa Souder, Taylor Martin.

C Have you seen Dock’s new web site?

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ock’s website has been updated and refreshed.

Check out the new site for yourself at www. dockhs.org—and invite a friend to visit!

ongratulations to the Dock Robotics Team and faculty advisor Mrs. Gail Anderson for hosting the 5th annual DockBots robotics competition on January 26. The tournament was attended by 44 teams from as far away as Maryland and Virginia, and three of Dock’s teams made it to the quarterfinals. Team 777B (Isaac Zehr, ’16, Johnathan Capps, ’14, and Issac Moyer, ’14) was part of the alliance that won the tournament championship! In addition, 777B was awarded the Build Award for a well-designed and built robot. Congratulations to everyone on a successful tournament!

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Dock Robotics wins DockBots championship

Dock Robotics team members include (l to r) Isaac Zehr (’16), Chris Rongione (’10), Johnathan Capps (’14), Issac Moyer (’14), Graham Truscott (’13), YoungYoo Kim (’13), Pengcheng Su (‘14), Faculty Advisor Gail Anderson, Erika Benner (’15), Veronica Martinez (’15), Melissa Class (’14), and Abigail Anderson (’14). Photo courtesy of Anita Capps.

That’s a lot of Pi! Check out Dock’s YouTube Channel

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hat features more than 600 videos and has over 25,000 video views? The Christopher Dock Channel on YouTube! With more than 20 playlists, from Arts Day to Chapel to Freshman Orientation, we’re bound to have a video of your student. Subscribe today and you can be notified whenever new videos are posted! Go to www. youtube.com/christopherdock and check it out!

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n celebration of Pi Day (3/14), Christopher Dock’s math department had a contest to see who could recite the most decimal places of Pi (Pi has an endless number of decimal places and there are no patterns to it). Ninth grader Allison Pan was the first to take a turn, and she set the bar high by reciting the first 222 digits of Pi. Watch Allison on YouTube. Wow—congratulations Allison!

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Dock cooks! Chili Cook-Off

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he third annual Dock Cooks! Event featured 13 teams of student chefs in a good old-fashioned chili cook-off organized by Dock faculty member Rose Lambright. The culinary team of seniors Robert O’Brien and Hannah Vezzetti took the first place ribbon with their dish, “Warm Ewe Up Chili with Cilantro Lime Rice.”

The winning cooks included (above l to r) Jooli Hansen and Rebecca Mathew (not pictured), 3rd place; Austin Kratz and Simon Nam, 2nd place; and Robert O’Brien and Hannah Vezzetti, 1st place. (Right) Angie Rittenhouse and Jenna Landis won the award for best-dressed cooks with these aprons that Angie made.

Dock singers make Regional Chorus

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our members of the Dock Touring Choir have been selected for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region VI Chorus, including (l to r) seniors Jordan Kolb, Sarah Hart, Damaris Gehman, and junior Simon Nam. The Region VI Choral Festival was held March 21-23 at Ridley High School under the direction of Dr. William Payn of Bucknell University.

Congratulations to our singers!

Senator for a Day

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14 | Lamplighter Spring 2013

ennsylvania State Sen. Robert Mensch welcomed Dock seniors Jessica Chesloski (left) and Dominique Rampogu to Harrisburg recently for his “Senator for a Day” program, which seeks to educate high school juniors and seniors about the legislative process.

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hristopher Dock had the rare opportunity this spring to host both the Mennonite Schools Council (MSC) Instrumental Festival and the MSC Choral Festival. The Instrumental Festival was held Feb. 28-March 1 and featured musicians from four MSC schools under the direction of guest directors Joseph Caminiti, Chair of Instrumental Studies at Cairn University (Wind Ensemble) and Peter Bryce, director of the Reading Youth Symphony (String Orchestra).

The MSC Choral Festival will be held April 12-14 and will feature some 500 singers from 15 schools across North America. The Choral Festival, now in its 50th year, is a wonderful opportunity for students, families and congregations to build connections, make music together, and enjoy a spectacular mass choir program. Guest conductor Dr. Philip Copeland, Director of Choral Activities for Samford University, will lead the combined choirs in a public concert on Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m. at Souderton Area High School.

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Dock hosts MSC Music Festivals

Spiritual Life Emphasis Week

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ock’s Spring Spiritual Life Emphasis Week (SLEW) explored the intersection of faith and vocation. Speakers shared their stories of calling and how they heard the voice of God leading them in their decisions about college, career, and ministry. Speakers for the week included Dock Campus Pastor John Stoltzfus; Brad McCarty (’89), men’s soccer coach at Messiah College; Maribeth Benner (’88), associate pastor at Salford Mennonite Church; Krista Showalter Ehst (’04), owner, Valley Run CSA, Bally, PA; and Ron and Becky (Gahman) Bergey (’80), of Bergey’s Electric (see photo, right).

Spring Pastors’ Day

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hristopher Dock held its spring Pastors’ Day on March 20, with over 60 pastors and youth leaders from 30 local churches coming to campus for breakfast, chapel, classroom visits and lunch. Both students and pastors look forward to this event.

Photos l to r: Dock sophomore Jordan Alderfer (left) explains a Chemistry project to Mike Ford (center) and Josh Meyer, pastors at Franconia Mennonite Church.

Maribeth Benner (left), associate pastor at Salford Mennonite Church, was the chapel speaker on Pastors’ Day. She then joined students for lunch, including (l to r) Christian Landis, Clara Bush, Vanessa Miller, faculty member Stephanie Rittenhouse and Kylie Shore.

Pastor Larry Moyer (right) and Scott Seuren of Rockhill Mennonite Church visit with Dock junior Levi Brunner in his Environmental Science class.

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Dock honors two alumni athletes Dock alumni Erik Kratz (’98) and Jesse Gey (’04) have received Dock’s Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award.

Each represents a first for the award.

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hristopher Dock has honored two of its student-athlete alumni with its Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award, and each of the awards represents a first for the school.

Erik Kratz became the first Dock graduate to be honored with the Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award for a Professional Athlete. Kratz was presented the award at the same time he received the Young Alum of the Year Award during last October’s Homecoming Weekend.

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Kratz was selected on the basis of advancing to the major leagues, as well as playing in a number of major league games worthy of the honor. “As many of you know, Erik became an everyday catcher for the Phillies last August, and took that opportunity to show his God-given athletic ability as a player,” said Dock Athletic Director Tim Ehst, who made the presentation. “His athletic ability was shown through being one of the few major league catchers to throw out runners from his knees, but also by stepping up with key hits that led to several Phillies victories during their run to make a playoff spot last season.”

Gey, who graduated from Dock in 2004, shared her story of challenge and Christian faith on the road to her 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic experience. She encouraged students to find what they are passionate about in life and work hard to be the best at what they feel drawn to do.

Kratz was presented a framed Phillies jersey which will be a part of a display in Dock’s Longacre Center Athletic Hall of Honors.

nited States Field Hockey Olympian Jesse Gey was honored with Christopher Dock’s Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award during a chapel program last December. She becomes the first Dock graduate to receive this award as an Olympian.

Gey was selected on the basis of her participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and for her part in elevating U.S. field hockey status on the world stage by contributing to a team that won an Olympic bid for the first time since 1988. In addition, she has competed on five U.S. National teams since graduating from the University of North Carolina in 2008.

“Dock is proud to call Jesse one of our own, not only for her athletic achievements on the world stage, but also for the values she lives by,” said Ehst. Gey’s award includes a framed Olympic jersey which also will be displayed in Dock’s Athletic Hall of Honors.

After hitting a home run, Erik’s post-celebration is heartfelt and real.

He bumps his fists together five times— one for his wife, three for his children, and one to honor his faith in God. 16 | Lamplighter Spring 2013

ALUMNI NOTES

In memoriam

Paul Godshall, charter member of the Dock board P Paul Godshall, the last surviving charter member of Christopher Dock’s board, was the first in line to greet Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber at the principal’s welcome reception in September 2009 (below). He then posed with Conrad, his wife Sharon, and then-board president Phil Bergstresser (right).

aul A. Godshall, the last surviving charter member of the Christopher Dock Board of Trustees, died February 18, 2013, at Souderton Mennonite Homes. He was 98.

Paul was married to the late Stella Godshall for 72 years, and was the father of Miriam Godshall, Lourene Bender (‘57), Stanley Godshall (‘61), and Philip Godshall (‘71).

Paul was a self-employed farmer for 58 years. He also was a founding board member of Penn View Christian School.

Former Christopher Dock Principal Elaine Moyer recalls that Paul accepted a position as a founding member of the school’s board in his mid-30s. When the school property was purchased in 1952, Paul volunteered to work the ground, plant crops and harvest them—giving all of the proceeds to the school. “Paul humbly lived a life of service to God and to the faith community,” Moyer said. “He shared the work of community-building for the benefit of all.”

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Alumni Notes

Good Stewards

Members of the Class of 1962 celebrate their 50th reunion by reflecting on the profound ways Dock helped shape their lives.

On October 19, 2012, 23 of our 42 living members from the Class of 1962 came from all corners of the United States— Washington to Pennsylvania, and Florida to Vermont—to celebrate our 50th class reunion.

Earlier in the day we enjoyed many of the campus activities such as joining the alumni choir for the memorial service, dedication of the memorial garden, and reception in the Art Building. The highlight of our weekend came later that day when Sara (Lapp) and Noah Kolb (the only two class members to marry within our class) generously opened their home for an informal potluck meal. Five faculty members, including Duane Kauffman, Pearl Schrack, Janet Martin, Daniel Reinford, and Roland Yoder joined us during the evening.

Following the meal we shared aspirations and reflections of our past 50 years, with many of us commenting on the profound manner in which our Christopher Dock years shaped our lives. Our Class Advisor Duane Kauffman aptly summed up the evening by writing that while he was “almost overwhelmed by the excellence of the current facilities, technology, and comprehensive academic program,” he noted that comparatively in 1958-1962, we “didn’t have much.”

He added that his evening with us “clearly revealed alumni who had been good stewards of their intellectual capacities, exhibited positive values, and a willingness to strive to make their world a better place.”

The reunion planning committee—Jim Halteman, Victor Myers, Noah Kolb, Mary Lou (Weaver) Houser, and Judy (Schmell) Gerber—began Skype meetings six months prior.

Class members sent 10 photos representing their past 50 years to Judy Gerber, who, with her husband, created a 30-minute video allotting one minute to each class member. Sylvia (Moyer) Derstine, Rhoda (Alderfer) Kauffman, and Nancy (Mininger) Landes also assembled a booklet of information and photos on each of our class members.

Our weekend together concluded the opportunity to visit informally as we walked along the Perkiomen Creek on Sunday morning and had brunch at the Perkiomen Diner. Thanks to every member of the Class of ’62 who traveled and/or sent photos making this reunion a most memorable event.

—Judy (Schmell) Gerber Photo L to R, Row 1: Janet Martin (faculty), Mary Lou Weaver Houser, Roland Yoder (faculty), S. Duane Kauffman (faculty), Sara Lapp Kolb, Lorraine Alderfer, Esther Frederick Landis, Rhoda Alderfer Kauffman, Emilie Derstine Walson, Nancy Mininger Landes, Pearl Schrack (faculty), Judy Schmell Gerber.

Row 2: Jim Leatherman, Noah Kolb, Bette Derstine Aukerman, Lucille Clemmer Gahman, Sylvia Moyer Derstine, Gladys Derstine Kolb, Miriam Bauman Allison, Ruth Ann Hackman Kulp.

Row 3: Victor Myers, Jim Halteman, Herb Myers, Harry King, Jim Zeiset, Jim Landis, and Ed Alderfer

1957 Audrey Metz and Ken Seitz were married on January 1, 2012.

They live in Harrisonburg, VA.

We want to hear from you.

Share your Alumni Notes (births, deaths, marriages, job changes, achievements, etc.).

Send to: Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, 1000 Forty Foot Road, Lansdale, PA 19440 or email them to advancementoffice@ dockhs.org 18 | Lamplighter Spring 2013

1958 Harold (Hal) Weaver died December 29, 2012, in Baker City, OR. 1962 Carol (Kindy) Schrock died January 9, 2013, in Cazenovia, IL. 1965 Renee Yoder, of Telford, PA and Venice, FL, died January 11, 2013.

1975 Cheryl (Wenger) Plank married Nick Dean on September 3, 2012. They live in Harrisonburg, VA.

1994 Jon Detweiler serves as a base supervisor and aeromedical critical care clinician with JeffSTAT 2 at a satellite aeromedical flight base for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA. 1996 Jeff Halteman and Jolene Nice ’97 were married September 8, 2012, at Deep Run East, Perkasie, PA. They live in Pennsburg, PA.

2008 Brendon Derstine and Heidi Boese were married October 27 in Harrisonburg, VA. 2011 Matthew Walters was a member of the Elizabethtown College homecoming court. He is active in Phalanx, the college’s select music group of eight singers.

Jeremiah Denlinger (Faculty, 2011-present) and Kristine Widders welcomed Mila Widders on December 20.

Nancy Peachey (Elam, Faculty ’67-90) married Marion Bontrager on December 23, 2012, in Hesston, KS. They are at home in Hesston where Marion continues teaching in Hesston’s Bible and Ministry Department and also serves as a conference minister for South Central Conference.

Matt Rittenhouse is a financial advisor for Lacher Financial in Souderton, PA. 1997 Jon and Kim (Landes) Bergey, Telford, PA, welcomed Landon Jon on February 5.

2000 Dave Landis became the Regional Director of Abraham Path Initiative in March. He is a consultant for various projects that support the ongoing development of hiking routes connected to biblical and historical sites in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe. The Abraham Path aims to be a transMiddle East path crossing international borders.

2001 Lisa (Ehst) and Joel Shank, Harrisonburg, VA, welcomed Issac Timothy on February 18.

Jesse and Laura (Benner) Sigmans opened Jesse’s BBQ & Local Market on December 5. It is located on County Line Road, Souderton, PA. Tom Rosenberger (’81) is a partner in this new venture. Check it out at www.jessesbarbecue.com.

2002 Andrew and Renee (Gehman) Miller, Spring City, PA, welcomed Jonas Michael on February 19.

2003 Jessica (Detweiler) and Dan Harney, Souderton, PA, welcomed Grayson John on March 1.

2005 Alicia Boaman and Patrick Reiff were married at Blooming Glen, PA, on December 22.

Jason and Becca Detweiler, Harleysville, PA, welcomed Troy Luke on March 8.

Dan and Amy Landes, Iowa City, IA, welcomed Oliver Jacob on July 17.

2007 Janelle Freed married Mike Duerksen on November 24, 2012, in Blooming Glen, PA. They live in Winnipeg, MB.

Nominate an alumnus Each year Christopher Dock recognizes one male and one female alumnus in each of the following awards: The Outstanding Achievement Award is based on academic, professional, or business achievements.

The Distinguished Service Award is based on mission or service involvement.

The Young Alumni Award is based on demonstrations of academic, spiritual, and lifestyle practices exemplified in Dock’s graduate profile.

Submit your Alumni of the Year nomination by completing the firm online at www.dockhs.org, emailing your nomination to alumni@dockhs.org, or mailing it to: Alumni Office, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, 1000 Forty Foot Road, Lansdale, PA 19446-4398.

Save the Date:

Homecoming Weekend

October 18-19, 2013 Spring 2013

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Alumni Notes

1988 Michelle (Jones) Teague received her BA in Religious Studies/Philosophy with honors in 2013 from the University of West Florida. She is a minister in training at Bethel AME Church in Pensacola, FL, and also received her license to preach.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID LANSDALE, PA Permit 170

Igniting Passion for Learning, Faith, and Life.

1000 Forty Foot Road Lansdale, PA 19446 215-362-2675 www.dockhs.org

Interactive Technology “At Dock, we understand education to be the lighting of a passion rather than simply passing facts on to a student…[and] we continue on the journey to prepare our students for an increasingly complex, technology-infused workplace.”

We are witnessing a technology revolution that is unprecedented. In 1982, my wife and I left for Bangladesh with the Mennonite Central Committee. For three years, our communication with family was through letters, with four weeks needed for a letter and response. These are different days. We expect instant communication and access to information.

As you will read in this issue of Lamplighter, each student at Dock will receive a third generation iPad this fall.

Teachers have been preparing for this transition since the end of last school year.

There are many reasons to be excited about a learning environment with access to interactive devices such as the iPad. These devices are extremely portable, enhancing learning in any setting. Data can be graphed electronically, moving us to a more complex level of analysis than magic markers and poster board allowed.

A student presentation using a tool such as Prezi provides a striking visual image and comprehensive organization of material.

The iPad provides the possibility for interaction between teachers and students.

Recent technologies are primarily designed for one-way communication.

Public address systems, TVs, desktop computers and projectors are used primarily for a teacher to instruct the student. Today we value the student’s

20 | Lamplighter Spring 2013

active involvement in the educational process. We envision students interacting more quickly and more often with teachers.

While the potential is vast, we see a teachable moment that must be acknowledged and addressed. With increasing access to technology, it becomes imperative that students learn to make wise decisions regarding its use.

We will be developing opportunities throughout our curriculum to discuss digital citizenship with our students. How can one have constant access to the digital world and yet find spiritual and mental margin in life? Where is the line between having fun and disrespecting others? Our curriculum must be designed to help students become responsible citizens who make decisions that honor God. At Dock, we understand education to be the lighting of a passion rather than simply passing facts on to a student. We strive to create a culture of learning, with open communication between teacher and learner. This interactive style mixes students with mentor teachers, piquing the interest and intrigue of students for lifelong learning. We continue on the journey to prepare our students for an increasingly complex, technology-infused workplace.

— Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber, Principal

Biology teacher Bernard Wallerich (left) helps 9th grade student Victoria Ragusa use an iPad to research viruses.