Season of Giving Donations Deliver New Equipment to Western Western thanks Merle ’54 and Inez Embleton, Cal ’56 and Bev ’55 Emmert and John and Dixie Schultz
Eliza Barnhart ’05 and Rachael Ropp ’05
The Gift of Giving—Operation Christmas Child As a school, Western students have committed to giving to the broader community this Christmas through Operation Christmas Child, an extension of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Western students will reach out to under-privileged children throughout the world and offer them a Christmas gift along with the gift of the good news about God’s love. Through a single shoe box of items provided by each small group member, students will deliver joy and hope to children. In 2003, Samaritan’s Purse collected over 6.6 million shoe boxes worldwide and distributed them to some 95 countries. This spring Western students will continue their giving efforts through the 30-hour famine and through donating shoe boxes to help AIDS victims in Africa. Eliza Barnhart ’05, Student Council President, commented, “During a season when we tend to receive, I think it is really good for everyone to be able to give.”
Protect your family and pass on your values. See page 3.
for their donation that helped Western purchase a brand new Kubota tractor for the maintenance department. Each donor rallied around the need for new equipment to make the grounds work at Western more efficient. Merle Embleton said, “If you see a need say something. Pray about it and be willing to help. I
Lori Burkey, Darrel White ’76, Mark Rasmussen, Dave Parker and Rich Martin ’85
saw a need at Western for durable, long lasting equipment and I am excited that others got involved. We are not an island, we need other people’s ideas and help to make a difference. That is what made this possible.”
A Little Goes a Long Way— Your Impact on Western The season of giving is upon us. During this season of peace, hope and joy you have the opportunity to share a little to impact a lot. Your gift is significant because your dollars touch every student on campus. The annual fund is the engine behind the mission of Western providing opportunities for students, faculty and staff by strengthening Western’s programs. We want to invite you to see how your dollars can change lives. (Find out more about Annual Fund Giving on page 2.)
Special Edition Page 2 ......... Annual Fund Giving Page 3 .......... Estate Planning Giving Page 4 .......... Alumni News Page 5 .......... Western Currents
Special Edition 2004
Annual FUND So what is the Annual Fund? The annual fund is currently 25% of Western’s income and is based solely on donations from people like you. It is true that the annual fund impacts everything. Western as you know it wouldn’t exist without the annual fund.
What does the Annual Fund really do? The annual fund gives added value to Western’s programs. It: • Provides Enrichment… Educational tools for the classroom, high-speed internet, software, supplies, chapels, music, athletics, bus routes and even communicating with you through the In Touch. None of this could happen without the annual fund. • Makes Western Accessible… Tuition is reduced by 25% every year for all students through the annual fund. In addition, over $175,000 in student grants were given out this year. • Provides Staffing…The annual fund helps to provide students a strong academic program with experienced teachers and staff. • And so much more…
Needs of the Future: Donor support is crucial during this time of increased health insurance and energy costs. We feel it is important to continue on a path towards excellence. With your help we can overcome challenges and change lives.
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In Touch Western Mennonite School
Who benefits from the Annual Fund? You and Western! With every gift you can own part of the mission at Western and know you are making a difference. Without you it is impossible. We depend on generous people who value the impact Western has on young people.
What you can do: I challenge you to consider giving to Western’s annual fund. Think of it like you are giving to one individual student this year. All you have to do is fill out the enclosed envelope and mail it to Western. Whether you give $100 or $1,000 you can know that you have impacted a student’s life.
A Letter from the Executive Director As alumni, supporters and friends of Western, I am sure you join with the faculty, staff and students in celebrating the high points…high points like athletic teams going to league and state playoffs, students being honored as National Merit Finalists, reaching record enrollment numbers, reaching $3.8 million dollars pledged for Vision for Excellence, building a Sports Pavilion and significant gifts donated for educational technology. These are times of great appreciation and joy for what has been accomplished. I would like to share with you another joy that doesn’t usually get front-page news, but is critical to the success of Western’s mission: the joy of giving to the Annual Fund, the money that is at the core of the program. Without committed people giving to day to day efforts, supporting quality in a quiet unassuming way, the other more visible results would not exist. We love reaching the high points of an accomplishment like performances or building a much-needed facility, visible to all and a benchmark for achievement. We also recognize the beauty of the day to day effort, laying the foundation in the lives of students, preparing the way for the winning performance and life-long vision. This season you may be presented with two opportunities to give to Western: through the envelope in this issue, or in a personal letter. However you choose to support Western, we appreciate your partnership.
Forming a Partnership: Western & Mennonite Foundation Through a partnership with Mennonite Foundation, Western Mennonite School is providing stewardship estate planning services that ensure the security of you and your family and can provide for the mission of Western.
Q & A About Stewardship Estate Planning John Hess-Yoder ’69
Estate Planner
Darrel White ’76
Executive Director
What is stewardship estate planning?
Who should consider stewardship estate planning?
“Stewardship estate planning helps people put their affairs in order. It minimizes taxes, while emphasizing values and passing on the maximum benefit to your family and the charities that are important to you.”
“Everyone. It gives you the opportunity to direct your funds to protect your family and ensure that your money is being used for things you care about. Many people who have given to charities throughout their life, delay estate planning; they often don’t realize what they are worth until they sit down with John. Without planning, money is defaulted to the government and taxes can take a large portion. With planning, John can help take care of your family and significantly lessen the tax burden while supporting missions like Western.”
Why consider stewardship estate planning? “There are three major benefits to stewardship estate planning. The most important benefit is to make things easier for a family. Many people pass on without a plan and it leaves many consequences for the family. The second benefit is that people can pass their assets to their family in a way that is valuable and useful. It also allows families to take control of the money that would go to the government and channel it to charities that are valuable to them, like Western. The third benefit is that this type of planning can help you solve current tax problems and help you discover how you can increase your retirement now. The initial consultation is free, so you can find out if this process is right for you.” Why go to Mennonite Foundation for this type of planning? “Because we are going to consider your values while we plan. If you went to an attorney’s office for estate planning, they would help you reduce your taxes but perhaps wouldn’t work with you to determine how to best benefit your family and charities. At Mennonite Foundation, we offer Stewardship Estate Planning which takes into account the values and virtues you used in obtaining your assets and helps you plan how to pass those assets and values on to future generations.”
Why partner with Mennonite Foundation? “Partnering with the Foundation is a win-win situation. They care about the families first and they give people options. Most of all John, one of the top Mennonite Foundation representatives, looks at people’s hearts and offers them options that reflect their values. He doesn’t pressure people, but instead treats them with care and that is important to Western.” How is Western Impacted? “Often people don’t realize that Western today is being served by people who committed years ago to planning and sharing their estate with Western. Our current mission has benefited from them. People have the chance today to impact future generations at Western by shifting money that will go to the government in taxes to instead have a longterm impact on Western’s students.”
Why are you excited about partnering with Western Mennonite School? “After my educational training and experience as a pastor, an attorney and a financial planner, my personal mission is to serve the broader church by assisting and consulting in financial planning. As a graduate of Western, I see the school as an extension of the church and I want to help Western in any way I can by serving Western’s constituents.”
For more information contact: John Hess Yoder, 503-682-5619 email: john@rsi-mma.com Darrel White, 503-363-2000 email: wmswhite@teleport.com Special Edition 2004
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7th Annual Golf Tournament Successful
Attention All Faculty and Staff 1945-1982 A reunion of each and every person who ever served on the WMS staff from the founding of the school through 1982 is invited to attend the “OLD FAITHFUL REUNION.” Please mark your calendar and watch for more information!
Dates: Thursday, August 11 – Sunday, August 14, 2005 Old Faithful Reunion Committee 12490 Kirkwood Road NW Salem, OR 97304 Email – swartzpc@aol.com
F/S FF/S SB ’XX xXX
KEY: current faculty or staff former faculty or staff school board member graduation year year student would have graduated
Send news and address changes to: Alumni Office Western Mennonite School 9045 Wallace Road NW Salem, OR 97304 (503) 363-2000 Phone (503) 370-9455 Fax www.westernmennoniteschool.org afriesen@westernmennoniteschool.org Let us know your email address. 4
In Touch Western Mennonite School
This year’s 7th Annual Hesston/Western Golf Tournament was held September 11th at the Santiam Golf Course near Salem. Alumni, parents, students and even Peter Wiebe and Larry Martin who flew from Hesston attended. Both Hesston and Western would like to thank the golfers for their support along with the sponsors: Farmers Building Supply, Duncan Smith, Mike Stutzman, John-Hess Yoder, Kenagy Construction, Leroy’s Window Décor, Lind Chiropractic, Pacific Pride, Del Kurtz, Advancement Associates, Rickreall Farm Supply, Wilcox Arredondo & Company, Woodburn Landscaping, Miles Chrysler-JeepDodge, PageWorks Graphics, Robinson Nursery and SERA Architects. The 8th Annual Hesston/Western Golf Benefit Tournament will be September 10, 2005. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend.
Phonathon Receives Strong Support
Alumnus Hired for Weekend Dorm Program Carlos and
The 2004 Phonathon was an important Berneda ’96 fundraiser for Western’s annual fund. Castenada “The phonathon continues to let me have been hired know that people are supportive of as the Weekend Western and appreciate what we as a Dorm Program school can offer students,” said Paul Coordinators. Schultz who led the efforts for this year’s They moved from Mexico in October. phonathon. Thank you to those who Berneda has participated in Discipleship donated generously. Thank you also to Training for both the Y.E.S. and R.A.D all those who helped make this year’s programs and has volunteered in both phonathon possible: Bob Baker ’74, Joan Chile and Mexico. She is bilingual and Baker ’74, Mike Baker ’75, Patti Baker studied Spanish at Instituto Chileno ’75, Mel Conrad, Cherry Danilson, Teresa Norteamericano. Carlos served in church Derochowski, Marv Emmert ’54, Mindi leadership from 1996-2001 in Mexico Everett, Shawn Garber ’89, Tammy and did volunteer ministry at a children’s Gutierrez ’85, Von Hershberger ’71, home before coming to Western. John Hochstetler, Dave Hostetler ’57, Susie Kreeder, Rich Martin ’85, Sheryl Mast ’80, Wendy Nofziger ’91, Hazel Schroeder ’65, Charlene Schultz ’80 and Emmeli Slatter ’97 and Dustin Mayo Dan Winters ’85. married August 14, 2004 in Boise, Idaho.
Marriages
Class of ’84 Reunion
The class of 1984 met for their 20th class reunion July 9-11, 2004. The weekend included a dinner cruise on the Willamette Queen, a trip to Fogerty Creek Beach in Lincoln City and ice cream sundaes in the weekend cottage on campus. Sunday included praise songs and sharing memories of their days as students at Western. Eighteen former classmates participated in the weekend and many others who couldn’t attend contributed through the Classmate update.
The Value of Service in Action For approximately 10 years Western Mennonite School has taken time out from the classroom to serve the local community. In September, 29 small groups involving both middle school and high school students served in the Salem, Dallas and McMinnville area. Students and leaders did everything from sorting curriculum to yard work at places like Union Gospel Mission, Salem Humane Society, School for the Blind, Women’s Crisis Center and Rock of Ages Mennonite Home. “It’s wonderful how we, as a school, go out and help witness to the community with service projects,” said Julianne Johnson ’07 in reference to her service at Chemawa Indian School.
“Experiencing and modeling volunteerism is important. It helps build an approach to life in each student. It also reflects our desire to be a positive part of the community,” said Darrel White ’76, Executive Director.
The Road Toward EXCELLENCE College Credit Classes Now Provided at Western Roland Hildebrant ’94, Math Department Head at Western Mennonite School, received recognition from Chemeketa Community College for Western’s partnership with the College Credit Now Program.
Hae Lim Lee ’07, Aubree Davis ’07 and Tyler Derochowski ’06 at Riviera Christian School.
Congratulations Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer Teams
On top of Western’s strong academic program, Western now offers math courses for college credit. The courses include: College Algebra, College Trigonometry and Differential Calculus. Through Chemeketa Community College, students receive dual credit while paying one tenth of the cost of regular college credits.
2005 Oregon All State Choir Selections: Congratulations to both the Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Teams. Boys’ Varsity was named the 2A/1A Central Valley Co-League Champions with Blanchett and received an automatic bid to the State Tournament.
The girls’ team, while playing challenging 3A teams this fall, battled through the 3A/2A/1A Capital Conference District Playoffs to make it to the State Tournament!
Spiritual Renewal Week: All for Jesus!
October 18 through 22 was Western’s Fall Spiritual Renewal Week. Reid Saunders from Salem and head of the
Reid Saunders Evangelistic Association, spoke to the students encouraging them to be “All for Jesus!” Through his energetic attitude and his animated style, the students were reminded of how much God loves all of us. He begged the question, “If Jesus is all for us how can we not be all for him?” He said by putting God on the throne of our lives people will begin to see “the change,” this year’s theme. In the end, the week was a time of worship, reflection and a time where many students dedicated their lives to Christ.
Middle School – Nathan Caldwell ’09 and Brett Hochstetler ’09 High School – Naphtalie Edwards ’06, Rachel Marshall ’05, Daniel Martin ’08 and Kenny Rasmussen ’05
la appel c A New CD Choir Western’s Choral Program announces its third CD release. The CD, Worthy to Be Praised, features Western’s awardwinning A cappella Choir and the Western Singers. The CDs are $12 each and can be purchased through Western. Call 503363-2000 or toll-free 866-343-9378 for more information. Special Edition 2004
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Upcoming Events
Principal Search Western Mennonite School Board of Directors and Darrel White, Executive Director, have begun an applicant search for the ’05-’06 Academic Principal position. As academic leader of the school, the principal will oversee the faculty, academic program, curriculum and school events. Western seeks an applicant who values the Anabaptist faith perspective and holds current administrative certification. Western, offering grades 6-12, seeks to offer a strong academic and faith-building experience with a comprehensive vision for expanding enrollment, program and facilities. The application deadline is December 15; position begins July 1, 2005. Referrals or information: call 1-866-343-9378 or email wmsoffice@teleport.com.
Dec 9
Middle School Christmas Concert, 7:00 pm
Dec 9
Western Singers at the Capitol, 12:00 pm
Dec 10 High School Christmas Concert, 7:00 pm Feb 5
Western Singers Benefit Concert
Feb 8
Middle School Visitors’ Day
Feb 10 High School Visitors’ Day Mar 12 Alumni Jamboree
Larry Hildebrant Donna BreMiller Marilyn Van Pelt Byron Shenk Kevin Rediger Dale Moyer Floyd Lapp John Hochstetler Dave Detweiler, Chair Thelma Blackstone Cheeri Barnhart, Secretary Board Members: Address Service Requested Salem, OR 97304 9045 Wallace Rd NW Western Mennonite School
Salem, OR Permit No. 32
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