Read more here... - Manitowoc Lutheran High School

Read more here... - Manitowoc Lutheran High School

ROOTED and GROWING IN CHRIST
1956-2006
The Christian education of children is first and foremost the responsibility and obligation of parents. The church also
has a command from God to provide Christian education and training. As an extension of area WELS congregations,
Manitowoc Lutheran High School exists to assist Christian parents in meeting their obligation to provide a
comprehensive Christian education for their sons and daughters.
Planting the Seeds 1950-1956
The idea of starting a Manitowoc area Lutheran high school had been discussed by members of the Manitowoc
Conference for several years. The first organizational meeting of the Lutheran High School Survey Committee (Rev.
V. Weiland, Mr. L. Wehrwein, Teacher E. Kopitske, Teacher F. Manthey, and Mr. C. Sagerman as ex-officio) was
held at First German, Manitowoc in February of 1951.
In 1952, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Register of Deeds and the State of Wisconsin in the name of
The Manitowoc Conference Lutheran High School Association, Inc. A Board of Directors was elected in 1953 to
organize and build support for starting a Lutheran high school in the Manitowoc area.
Watching the Seeds Grow
1956-1957 Enrollment: 14. At the Association meeting in
May, 1956, the members of the association voted 50 – 5 to
start the ninth grade in the fall. With the Madison Grade
School available from the city for a dollar per year lease
arrangement, and an estimated $10,300 to prepare the
school to begin a ninth grade, the history of Manitowoc
Lutheran High School was about to begin.
In January, 1957, Pastor Kenneth Seim of the Gibson/Two
Creeks parish accepted the Divine Call to become the first
full-time teacher and principal. Manitowoc Lutheran
opened its doors with a pioneer class of 14 freshmen and
four pastors as part-time teachers. At the November, 1956,
meeting of the Association it was decided to add the tenth
grade for the 1957-58 school-year. The Ladies Guild was
organized in February of 1957.
1957-1958 Enrollment: 36. Mr. Frederick Manthey became the second full-time teacher. The decision to add the
eleventh grade was made at the February, 1958 Association meeting. A budget deficit of $931.03 was reported.
1958-1959 Enrollment: 65. The third and fourth full-time teachers, Mr. Elwood Lutze and
Pastor Alvin Spaude, joined the faculty. Two more classrooms and a science room were
readied, a home economics room was upgraded, library facilities were improved, and a
chapel was furnished. The chapel furnishings were a gift from Grace Ev. Lutheran Church,
Norwegian Synod, of rural Manitowoc. The school year began with four full-time and three
part-time teachers. The Lancet was chosen as the name of the school paper and the name
Lancer was chosen as the nickname for the athletic teams. A Lancer was a soldier, so the
name was chosen because the Christian students at MLHS are soldiers of the cross, always
ready to fight sin and Satan with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
1959-1960 Enrollment: 105. MLHS officially became a
four-year high school after a positive vote at the February
1, 1959 meeting of the Association delegates. Mr. Heine
Schnitker accepted the Divine Call to be the fifth full-time
instructor, and Pastors Samuel Kugler, Edwin Breiling, and
Theodore Stern, as well as Mrs. Arno Ninmer were added
as part-time staff. Many individuals assisted with their
time and talents as part-time instructors in the early years
of MLHS history.
Having the MLHS Christmas Concert sung in several area
WELS churches during December was a tradition which
continued for a number of years. Varsity and junior varsity
basketball and baseball became interscholastic sports this year. Basketball practices and games were at the
Vocational School with baseball practices and games at Red Arrow Park. Roller skating and bowling parties were
common outings for the student body. Horseback riding at Hidden Valley and the Junior-Senior Banquet were
events that will long be remembered.
The first school yearbook, Excalibar, was named and produced in 1960. Excalibar was originally the name of the
sword of King Arthur. The sword, as a part of the equipment of a Lancer, became the emblem of our school. The
MLHS “Pioneer” class graduation service was held at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church. Graduated: 17
New Growth 1960
Manitowoc restricted the use of some of the
floors of the Madison School due to the age of the
structure. Also, with our enrollment growing, we
were outgrowing the building. At the November
13, 1960, association meeting it was decided to
purchase the Sundt property, a little over seven
and one-half acres on the northwest side of
Manitowoc, and negotiate an option on three or
five acres of the adjoining Fricke property. The
original purchase of “Sundt” property was a
portion of the Sundt homestead which consisted
of approximately seven acres at a price which was
almost a “gift.” Since it looked like there was very
little prospect of acquiring any adjoining land,
some felt that seven acres wasn’t enough to
support a high school campus with all the
activities they hoped to provide. However, the
association voted to go ahead with the purchase.
Within the following year, the man who owned
some adjoining land died and his estate needed to
be settled. The association purchased the fifteen
acre plot at a reasonable price of $9,500, and the
MLHS campus was now 22 acres.
1960-1961 Enrollment: 118. Pastor Loren Schaller became the second principal. Opening the doors of MLHS in
the fall of 1960 marked the beginning of the fifth year of operation and the first change of administration. Thirtythree new freshmen joined the student body and enrollment began a moderate, steady increase. The Newsletter,
which had been the Visitor, became the Clarion. Graduated: 22
1961-1962 Enrollment: 133. Richard Winter and Delores Lauersdorf joined MLHS as our sixth and seventh fulltime instructors. MLHS hosted the Lutheran Invitational Basketball Tournament (LIT) at the Hamilton Community
House in Two Rivers in the spring of 1962. Schools participating along with MLHS were Lakeside Lutheran High and
Onalaska Lutheran High in Wisconsin, and St. Croix Lutheran High from West St. Paul, Minnesota. The Ladies Guild
sponsored the first of four annual MLHS Spring Rallies in May. Graduated: 20
1962-1963 Enrollment: 154. Football entered the
picture this year with 23 boys on the first team.
Practices were held east of the Madison School,
along Lake Michigan, in the area which is now
Maritime Drive, and home games were played at
Municipal Field. Much of the equipment in the
early years was donated by various organizations
and sporting goods companies. The MLHS band
started this year with 20 members. Graduated: 33
1963-1964 Enrollment: 169. Max Hansen and
Lorraine Liese joined the teaching staff. Pastors
Jerome Plitzuweit and Roger Fleming provided
part-time teaching assistance. Graduated: 39
1964-1965 Enrollment: 178. Harold Klatt joined the
MLHS staff. A building committee, consisting of
men
of various trades and crafts and from various congregations, was authorized and formed. Contacting numerous
architects, it studied building plans and considered ways to fund a building project. The firm of Perc Brandt & Son,
of Manitowoc was selected and engaged to design the new building. Necessary changes to the Association
Constitution were adopted in preparation for the formation of a Federation of congregations. Graduated: 32
1965-1966 Enrollment: 194. Howard Rauch joined the staff. The Board of Control began considering providing
health insurance for faculty and staff. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held to start the building process for the
new school. Graduated: 46
1966-1967 Enrollment: 195. This was an exciting year as
the first half was spent in the Madison School and the
second half in our new Manitowoc Lutheran High School.
The gymnasium overflowed with grateful parents and
friends of MLHS at the dedication service with busing to
and from the county shop provided for attendees. We
hosted the basketball LIT in the new gym just 6 weeks after
moving in. The backboards arrived with a week to spare
thanks to many volunteers rescuing them from a
snowstorm in Chicago. Graduated: 43
1967 – 1968 Enrollment: 197. Pastor Karl Fuhlbrigge and
Marietta Meyer joined the MLHS faculty. This was the first
year for an all-school play. Graduated: 48
1968 – 1969 Enrollment: 230. The required 13 congregations accepted the Federation Constitution and the first
joint meeting of the Association and Federation Boards was held. The seventh annual WELS Band Festival was held
at MLHS for the first time. Graduated: 49
1969 – 1970 Enrollment: 246. Robert Sonntag and Michael Bode joined the staff starting the 1969-70 school year.
This was the first year for the Lancer Singers swing choir group. The Manitowoc Conference Joint Reformation
Service was held at MLHS with over 1,100 people in attendance. Lettering identifying Manitowoc Lutheran High
School was attached to the north and south sides of the school as a memorial to Jane Menges and Judith Reis who
died in a car accident on their way to a MLHS football game. Graduated: 48
1970 – 1971 Enrollment: 282. Richard Ash and Frederic Heiderich joined the faculty in 1970. The Lancers again
hosted the Lutheran Invitational Basketball Tournament. Graduated: 63
1971 – 1972 Enrollment: 308. Paul Willems and Pastors Paul Borchardt and H. Paul Bauer joined the faculty.
Interscholastic sports started for the girls this year in basketball and track, with cross country and volleyball
starting during the next two years. MLHS hosted the National Choral Festival. The school’s first Arbor Day was
held in the spring of 1972 with the junior class doing the work. Graduated: 67
1972 – 1973 Enrollment: 318. This was a record enrollment not matched until 1995-96. Philip Janke joined the
MLHS faculty. Tuition was $300 for WELS, $175 for each additional child from the same family, and $450 for nonWELS students. The first ever MLHS Math team earned a second place in Class B at the State Math Meet. Used
desks, tables, and chairs were obtained from the Manitowoc County Normal School, and science equipment was
obtained from the Sheboygan County and the Door/Kewaunee County Teachers’ Colleges. Graduated: 70
1973 – 1974 Enrollment: 303. Carolyn Radtke
joined the faculty. The plot of land between CR and
the west leg of Lancer Circle, also referred to as the
Weyer property, became part of the MLHS campus.
The sign/planter, given by Mr. & Mrs. Harvey
Habeck as a memorial to their son Robert, was
constructed on the northeast corner by D. Kretch.
The former Fricke Estate north of Wildwood Drive
was sold. Wildwood Drive and Lancer Circle were
paved. Graduated: 76
1974 – 1975 Enrollment: 328. Gail Douglas joined
the MLHS faculty. The Lancer basketball team took
the championship title at the LIT. Graduated: 91
1975 – 1976 Enrollment: 297. Joyce Diels and
Karen Kuckhahn (Kehl) joined the faculty. Elwood Lutze served as acting principal until Pastor David Worgull
accepted our call to become MLHS’ third principal in November, 1975. The parking lot was black-topped, major
repairs were made on the old “Sundt” house and garage, and additional library shelving was purchased from the
New Holstein Library. The Lancer football team was undefeated and not scored on in conference play. A
celebration of the 20th anniversary of MLHS was held in February of 1976 while our country celebrated its 200 th
anniversary. Graduated: 77
1976 – 1977 Enrollment: 286. Lavon Stelter and Paul
Scherzberg joined the MLHS staff. Woodland Homes of
Two Rivers was contracted to build a new principal’s
residence on campus for a cost of $55,646. The old house
was razed. Elroy Bartsch replaced the lettering on the
south end of the gym with fiber-glass covered letters
which
maintained the appearance of the original plastic letters.
The entire heating control system received an extensive
inspection and service. This is the last year of the
Homecoming bonfire. The first bleacher section was
installed on the west side of the gym. MLHS became a
member of WISAA for sporting events. Graduated: 66
1977 – 1978 Enrollment: 308. Martin Puls joined the faculty for a year to organize the first grade school band
program. Fred Ebeling constructed the sidewalks on our property on Wildwood Drive and Lancer Circle. Paul Kunz
(MLHS ’60) was hired as part-time business manager. In our first full year in WISAA we sent our football and
basketball teams to state. Both teams came back in second place. Graduated: 78
1978 – 1979 Enrollment: 298. Dennis Steinbrenner and Terry Schultz joined the faculty, and Karen Wilsmann
(MLHS ’72) became the first MLHS alumnus to join the full-time teaching staff. She has since been joined by Kathy
Juroff (’73), Greg Schmill (’75), and Dave Jirikowic (’89). Janet (Bitter) Radue (’62) and Martin Puls (’71) served
earlier on a part-time basis. The basketball team won the LIT. Graduated: 54
1979 – 1980 Enrollment: 311. Jim Carolfi, Paul
Kassulke, Doris Hagedorn and Robert Garrett
joined the faculty. Students started
participating in the Wisconsin School Music
Association (WSMA) program. Our sports teams
were without a conference so we scheduled
games independently. The basketball team won
the LIT. The assistant principal position was
made permanent. Preliminary plans for school
expansion and an outdoor bleacher fund were
established. Total bids for the new addition
came to $589,808, with an additional $5,000 to
enlarge the parking lot and $3,666 to build the
athletic field. Gene Maloney and Associates,
Manitowoc was named the architect for the
new school addition. Students participated in a
summer band program organized as the Fox
River Valley Lutheran Youth Band, now known as Lutheran Vanguard. Graduated: 59
1980 – 1981 Enrollment: 306. Brian Roraff and Kenneth Rupnow joined the full-time faculty staff. A Homecoming
Court was selected for the first time in MLHS history. The girls’ basketball and boys’ football teams went to state.
The football field was resodded and a power line to the athletic field was installed for the PA system. Color Guard
and flag bearers for the marching band were started. Wrestling became a varsity sport. Publication of the
academic honor roll began. The building addition was completed and on February 1, 1981, the new school
addition was dedicated. Pastor Philip Janke was called to his eternal rest in May of 1981 after suffering a massive
heart attack. Graduated: 80
1981 – 1982 Enrollment: 301. John Boeck and Pastor Charles Schlei joined the faculty. Wrestlers won their first
dual meet and sent their first wrestler to the WISAA State Meet. MLHS celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Graduated: 81
1982 – 1983 Enrollment: 271. Dennis Schultz joined the faculty. A Children’s Theatre was formed and the group
performed at several Lutheran grade schools in the area. Our band began an annual participation in the
Manitowoc Memorial Day Parade. The purchase of several computers, including an Apple IIE computer, printer
and green monitor were purchased for administration use, launching us into the computer age. The Academic Fair
was introduced in the spring of 1983. The girls’ track team took first place at State. Graduated: 76
1983 - 1984 Enrollment: 255. The fall of 1983 brought a new principal, Pastor Karl Peterson, to MLHS. A foreign
exchange student, Ingmar Niemann, from Sweden was placed at MLHS for the first time in our history. A pilot
program of “Independent Study” to provide correspondence classes for students wishing to study subjects not
offered at MLHS was established. The Art Club painted a mural on the south wall of the cafeteria; the
mural in the study hall was completed the following year. The girls’ track team took first place again at the state
track meet. Graduated: 47
1984 – 1985 Enrollment: 246. The girls’ track team
won the state crown in track for the third consecutive
year. The Lancer Singers traveled to Arizona
Lutheran Academy for the National Girls Track team
Choral Festival. The band got new red uniforms this
year. The Math team won the Class C state
championship. The foreign exchange student,
Birgitto Martinius, was from Gotherburg, Sweden.
This was the first year of naming a senior class
valedictorian and salutatorian. Graduated: 68
1985 – 1986 Enrollment: 227. Our foreign exchange
student, Michael Dietrich, was from Charlottenland,
Denmark. Richard Winter was inducted into the
Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame. The Student
Council brought a request to the faculty to allow
dancing at social events. This request was not
approved for five years. Lorraine Liese retired after
32 years of teaching. Graduated: 59
1986 – 1987 Enrollment: 224. MLHS celebrated its 30th anniversary May 5, 1986 with 750 in
attendance. Pastor Thomas Klusmeyer (MLHS ’72) was the guest pastor. The foreign
exchange student, Cornelia Krause, was from Germany and was only here for one semester.
WSMA competition was held at MLHS. A new flagpole was donated by the Gene Stuebs
(MLHS ’60) family in memory of Erich A. Stuebs, Sr. to Lancer Field. Graduated: 41
1987 – 1988 Enrollment: 244. Debra Heinz joined the MLHS faculty as the first Learning
Coordinator. Rev. Paul Borchardt took over the duties of business manager. The class of
1988 needed twenty-one and one-half credits for graduation. The foreign exchange student,
Magnus Fasth, was from Overum, Switzerland. A parent-sponsored dance was held. The
Harvey Schneider family purchased a laser printer for the print shop as a memorial for their
son, Pastor Glen Schneider (MLHS ’64). A Spirit Store operated by the Business Club was
started. The outdoor bleachers and press box were installed. A booster club began as the
Lancer Club. Graduated: 58
1988 – 1989 Enrollment: 240. Robert Fink, Donna Kappelmann, Pastor Tim Lindloff, and Paul
Rakos were new instructors at MLHS this year. Spanish, Family and Consumer Education and
Art classes were added to the curriculum. For the first time in MLHS history, one of our
students, Wendy Stuebs, was a foreign exchange student in India. Our foreign exchange
student, Eevalissa (Lisa) Untamala, was from Finland. The Ladies Guild sponsored the first
annual Country Fair. In 1992, the format was changed and the event became The Sunday
Showcase. The girls’ volleyball team took first place in the WISCO tournament and the
basketball team won the WISAA Region 1 championship and came in second in the Class B
state tournament. The Math team took first in Class C at the state finals. Girls’ softball was
started in the spring. A trophy display case was installed across from the office. Application
was made to the Fox Valley Christian Conference for membership. The concert choir
received a first at WSMA. Graduated: 51
1989 – 1990 Enrollment: 252. Ruth Unke, James Heckman, and Pastor Richard Froelich
were new faculty members this year. We began participation in the Holy Family Memorial
Hospital Athletic Trainer program. The foreign exchange student, Jacob Felix Alexander
Thilo, was from Berlin, Germany. Jennifer Brodtke, an MLHS junior, spent the year as an
exchange student in Brazil. The concert choir received another first at WSMA.
Graduated: 57
1990 – 1991 Enrollment: 254. Dancing as a social function at MLHS was
approved with specific guidelines. The building and grounds of Manitowoc
Lutheran High School were declared to be “smoke-free” as of January 1, 1991.
The gym received a face-lift of painting and a new stage curtain. Gingerbread
houses were designed and built by the foods classes. The football team was in
the state play-offs for the first time. The boys’ basketball team earned a trip to
the WISAA State Tourney at MECCA in Milwaukee. Fred Heiderich was named
All-Area Co-Coach of the year for football and Rich Winter finished 30 years as
athletic director. For the third year in a row, the concert choir received a first
at WSMA. For the first time, the Spanish class planned and enjoyed a trip to
Mexico during the Easter break. MLHS made its facilities available for the
Badger State Games in June. Our foreign exchange student, Gregor Kaboth,
was from Hamburg, Germany and Tom Habermann from MLHS spent six
months in Australia as an exchange student. Graduated: 56
1991 – 1992 Enrollment: 271. Dr. George LaGrow became the new principal,
Dennis Steinbrenner assumed the responsibilities of athletic director, and Steve
Lemke and Jennifer Monke joined the faculty. The girls’ volleyball team went
to the WISAA state meet. We were accepted into the FVCC – Fox Valley Christian Conference in sports. A platform
for videotaping football was built on top of the press box. Baseball and softball fields were built and a football
scoreboard was donated. The Jazz Band won a first in Class C at the WSMA competition. The Northern Wisconsin
District Convention was held at MLHS that summer. Graduated: 48
1992 – 1993 Enrollment: 307. Timothy Plath joined the faculty as assistant principal.
David Biedenbender and Kathryn Juroff (MLHS ’73) were also new additions to the MLHS
faculty. The volleyball team won the Fox Valley Christian Conference championship and
the WISAA regional title. The wrestling team finished its season as co-champions of the
FVCC. The student body was awarded the FVCC Sportsmanship Award for boys’ and girls’
basketball. The MLHS band braved the elements to provide music for the ceremony
reopening the Burger Boat Company. The Choral Festival was hosted by MLHS with
more than 3000 in attendance for the two concerts. The first phase of a major roof
repair was begun. Elwood Lutze retired after teaching at MLHS since 1958. He continued
to serve Lutheran High in the printing department for several more years. Graduated:
73
1993 – 1994 Enrollment: 293. Greg Schmill (MLHS ’75), Deb Plath, Pastor Arnold Ruddat
and Steven Dorn joined the faculty. The Business Education Department was computerized. A ticket
sale/concession stand building was erected at the entrance of Lancer Field. A new organ and speaker system were
installed in the gym. The MLHS Math Team earned a first at the state meet and, for the third year, were
champions of the Dr. Martin Luther College Math Meet. The wrestling team finished first in the FVCC and the
student body, once again, received the FVCC Sportsmanship Award for both boys’ and girls’ basketball. The girls’
track team took first place in the FVCC, the Lutheran Invitational and the WISAA state meet. The second phase of
the roof repair project was completed in the summer. Graduated: 59
1994 – 1995 Enrollment: 310. Joel Raasch and David Beckman were new additions to the faculty this year. Cross
country returned to MLHS in the form of a club activity and a coed soccer club started. Additional bleachers to
complete seating on the west side of the gym were installed. The gym floor was refinished and the third phase of
the roof project was completed during the summer of 1995. Graduated: 69
1995 – 1996 Enrollment: 330. James Bartz, Marilyn
Evers, and Brenda Koenig (Mears) joined the faculty.
The MLHS band joined Lincoln High School and Roncalli
at the spring 1996 reopening of the new Eighth Street
bridge. The Lancer Singers earned a trip to the state
WSMA competition with a starred first at the regional
level. A foreign exchange student, Anna Tugel, came
from Hamburg, Germany. This was the first year MLHS
had a Social Studies Team and an Energy Team in
competition. The concert band and Lancer Singers
received a first and the Jazz Ensemble a second in Class
B at WSMA. This was the first year that the Color Guard
marched with the band in the Memorial Day parade.
The girls’ softball team went to state for the first time.
The wrestling team went undefeated and captured the
FVCC title. Eleven of 13 wrestlers qualified for state this year. The football team took its second trip to State in
two years. MLHS celebrated its 40th anniversary. Graduated: 93
1996 – 1997 Enrollment: 323. New to the faculty were principal Kurt Troge, Bill Strasser, and Renee Schmill who
spearheaded the grade school band program. The SCRIP program started. The Endowment Fund was established
to receive gifts, memorials, and the like to further Christian education at MLHS. This year’s foreign exchange
student, Scott Mackay, came from Scotland. Cross country became a varsity sport this year. John Boeck was
named the conference Girls’ volleyball Coach of the Year and the team took the conference championship. The
wrestling team won consecutive FVCC conference and WISAA Region 2 championships. The Jazz Ensemble
received a first and the Lancer Singers a starred first at WSMA. Richard Winter retired from teaching after 36 years
at MLHS. Graduated: 59
1997 – 1998 Enrollment: 363. Christine Doebler, Pastor Dan Drews, Randy Kramer, and Paul Waldschmidt were all
additions to the faculty this year. The foreign exchange student, Lisa Hansson, came from Sweden. This was the
first year for the German Club which started its annual trek to Germany that summer. MLHS hosted the WSMA
competition. The Concert Choir and the Lancer Singers received firsts. Richard Winter retired from teaching at
MLHS since 1961. The boys’ cross country finished first in the FVCC meet and also won the conference title. The
girls’ volleyball team also won the FVCC conference title. For the third year in a row, the wrestling team was
conference champion. The boys’ basketball team was conference champ, LIT champ and Region 2 champ. Tim
Lindloff was named FVCC Basketball Conference Coach of the Year. Graduated: 74
1998 – 1999 Enrollment: 381. New faculty members included Pastor Beck Goldbeck, Justin
Gut, Tod Hauf, Pastor Ted Olsen, Jon Pasbrig and David Ring. Our foreign exchange student
was Patrick Jansen from Holland. The annual spring musical was the ever popular “Fiddler
On The Roof” A Site Development Committee began work to evaluate the facility needs of
MLHS. A capital appeal – Partners in Christ – was sent out to all member congregations.
The Lord blessed us with over $1.75 million pledged and a $2.3 million effort was approved
to pay off past operating debt, supplement tuition assistance funds, and facilitate the
construction of a new student commons area, roof repair, and installation of a new boiler.
Tuition reached $3,800 for a family’s first student. Graduated: 96
1999 – 2000 Enrollment: 377. Wayne Foelske, David Jirikowic (MLHS ’89), Yvette Taylor
and David Uhlhorn were new additions to the faculty this year. Robert Richardson
accepted the position of development director. Two foreign exchange students called
MLHS home this year, Flavia Landi from Brazil and Katja Hartman from Germany. MLHS
joined the Olympian Conference in sports this year and the boys’ basketball team brought
home a conference championship, as well as the LIT Championship for the fourth
consecutive year. The Concert Choir and band, as well as the Lancer Singers received firsts
at the State WSMA. Graduated: 94
2000 – 2001 Enrollment: 376. Pastor John Hildebrandt, Rebecca Schliewe and Dan Gueldner assisted the faculty in
a part-time capacity this year. WISAA was disbanded and all schools joined WIAA for sports. The boys’ basketball
team claimed its fourth consecutive conference title (second in the Olympian Conference) and fifth consecutive LIT
championship. Our development director, Robert Richardson, was called home by our Lord in October, 2000.
Graduated: 94
2001 – 2002 Enrollment: 351. Mark Ehlke, Jenise Nolte, and Pastor Tom Pankow assisted the faculty in part-time
roles. Kurt Troge became interim development director and superintendent. Dennis Steinbrenner became acting
principal and the school went without an assistant principal this year. The events in New York City on September
11, 2001 will be a part of MLHS’s history since they happened during Homecoming week. For only the second time
in MLHS history, the Jazz Ensemble was awarded a starred first in the district competition. The boys’ basketball
team repeated as conference champs for the fifth consecutive year. The girls’ basketball team won the LIT
championship. The girls’ softball team went undefeated in the Olympian Conference. Graduated: 85
2002 – 2003 Enrollment: 313. Amanda
Marquardt joined the faculty and Scott Reinhard
(MLHS ’89) accepted the position of development
director. Our principal, Kurt Troge, and
custodian, Gilroy Bruss were diagnosed with
serious illnesses. Fred Heiderich was inducted into
the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame. He retired
from 47 years of full-time teaching and 33
years of coaching football at MLHS, but
continued to serve in a part-time role in
subsequent years. The girls’ basketball team tied
for the Olympian Conference title. Graduated:
81
2003 – 2004 Enrollment: 297. Pastor Tim Johnson
and Julie Nass were new part-time instructors on
the faculty. Ground was broken on April 1, 2004 for
Phase 1 of the building expansion program for the
new student commons area. The Lancer Singers
received a starred first rating in the District WSMA
and a first at the state WSMA. The Cross country
teams – boys’ and girls’ – won their respective
sectionals and went to state for the first time. The
girls’ softball team went undefeated again during
conference play, winning the Olympian Conference
championship for the third consecutive year. Plans
were in motion to explore the possibility of opening
a re-sale store in our community. This store would
be an entity of our WELS congregations that are
members of the MLHS Federation. Our principal,
Kurt Troge, was called to his eternal home in May, 2004. Graduated: 90
2004 – 2005 Enrollment: 276.
The new student commons
area was dedicated on August
29, 2004. Planning for
subsequent construction
phases continued. On
October 1, 2004 Repeat
Performance, a new re-sale
store, opened its doors to the
community. A portion of the
store’s revenue supplements
the MLHS operating budget
and tuition assistance
programs. Robert Sonntag
retired from 47 years of
teaching, 36 years at MLHS.
He continued his duties as
registrar. Graduated: 69
2005 – 2006 Enrollment: 268.
Due to the wonderful blessing of an anonymous donation that will fund a music addition, Phase II of the MLHS
expansion plan will soon become a reality. Committees are also starting the plans for Phase III.
Rooted and Growing in Christ Almost 3,000 students have graduated
from MLHS in the past 50 years. Many students are second-generation
members of the MLHS family and third-generation students are
knocking on the door. Many individuals assisted with their time and
talents as part-time instructors throughout our MLHS history.
Manitowoc Lutheran High School has been richly blessed by God and
continues to thrive and remain true to the teachings of God’s Word. Its
continued growth and success remains a result of God’s blessings on
the efforts of the faculty, parents, alumni and friends of MLHS.
Manitowoc Lutheran High School celebrated fifty years of God’s
blessings with two anniversary services. On Sunday, October 30, 2005,
1000 members of the federation attended a traditional “Rooted”
service in the MLHS gymnasium. Pastor Robert Dick, MLHS 1974, and
Pastor Glenn Schwanke, MLHS 1973, officiated. The service was
highlighted by a 250 member choir from the 23 area congregations of
the federation and alumni MLHS instrumentalists. Following the
service, a reception was held in the MLHS commons.
On April 29, 2006, an alumni choir/band reunion concert was held at
Manitowoc Lutheran High School. Following the concert, there was an
alumni/faculty banquet at the Manitowoc Holiday Inn. On Sunday, April
30, 2006, a contemporary “Growing” service was held at the high
school. Guest liturgist was Pastor James Behringer, MLHS 1971; guest
preacher was Pastor Thomas Klusmeyer, MLHS 1972. This service
featured a mass grade school choir from the 13 federation grade
schools. An open house was held prior to the service with a reception
following.