Welcome Students
“Don't be fooled: Bad friends will ruin good habits. Come back to your right way of thinking and stop sinning. Some of you don't know God. I say this to shame you.” -1 Corinthians 15: 33-34
“Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they're deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don't believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils”
-Proverbs 26: 23-25
Many of us think we will walk out of high school with the same people that we started off with. Honestly, I can tell you that this is not true. As people and relations grow, so do character and integrity. And there comes a time in your high school career where that character and integrity are going to be put to the test, often unfortunately by your peers. You have to make hard decisions during these short four years. The people you surround yourself with and the person you aspire to be can have a big impact on your future. A lot of you might think these decisions will be easy to make, but I can assure you, when surrounded by peer pressure, it’s very easy to crumble. This is definitely a two way street. I'm sure many of you, especially our football players, have heard of the phrase “Would you rather be the hammer or the nail?” Now that works well in the context of football, but it's quite the opposite when talking about peer pressure and overall life decisions. It's one thing to be the nail. We are human. We don't always abide by our best judgment. We make mistakes. It's a whole new problem when you are the hammer and the one encouraging those mistakes. Now I’m by no means saying you can't have fun during your high school career. It is supposed to be a big chunk of what we consider “the best years of our lives.”
But please understand that with risks come consequences—consequences that can last a day or a lifetime. And if anything feels worse than bearing those consequences yourself, it is someone else enduring them because of your own actions. Now please understand, this pertains to a lot of things. Anywhere from bullying to the most extreme things that can come to mind, they can all have lasting consequences on both you and your peers. So, as a senior who has seen this first hand, not so much under MLHS’s roof, but in past experiences in past places, I ask you to be careful not only for yourself but for those around you.
The second thing I'd like to talk about serves a double meaning. One directed to the students, and one to the teachers. As you all know I transferred here as a sophomore, and it wasn't under the best conditions. Midway through sophomore year was when I realized that basketball was my passion. It was also when I realized that, for the first time, college might be something I'd be interested in. After two years of slacking off, I finally realized that academically I was nowhere close to where I needed to be in order to make either of these happen. After a quarter of trying my hardest to improve as a student, I realized fast that not paying attention for two years made it incredibly hard to try to turn into a good student—when I had no common knowledge of the current task at hand. I felt that I was at a dead end. As many of you know, a couple years back my mother started helping with sporting programs here at Martin Luther. An opportunity came and I made the decision to transfer. I came to MLHS with roughly a 2.1 GPA and, if I remember right, a 7th grade math level when I was close to entering my junior year.
For those who are not seniors and will be coming back at the end of the summer, please understand that as much as MLHS teachers can seem unfair at times, as much as they can upset you, and even though they might seem like a nightmare at times the teachers we have here are really a blessing in disguise. I personally can guarantee you that. I understand even at MLHS that I wasn't the best student. But because of how much you guys care for your students, I was given another opportunity. Upon arrival, the staff and faculty had no problem helping and pushing me to where I needed to be. I once was laughed at for wanting to go to college. And because of all of you, the staff and faculty of Martin Luther, I will not only be attending college in the fall, but I will also be paying only 1/10 of my tuition every year due to receiving five grants and scholarships--three of those are academically related. And for all of this, I personally cannot find the words to thank you all enough.
*Zayne Engel, Senior Devotions, May 2017.
Zayne is attending Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato studying Business and Physical Therapy. He is playing basketball for the Vikings.
“Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they're deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don't believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils”
-Proverbs 26: 23-25
Many of us think we will walk out of high school with the same people that we started off with. Honestly, I can tell you that this is not true. As people and relations grow, so do character and integrity. And there comes a time in your high school career where that character and integrity are going to be put to the test, often unfortunately by your peers. You have to make hard decisions during these short four years. The people you surround yourself with and the person you aspire to be can have a big impact on your future. A lot of you might think these decisions will be easy to make, but I can assure you, when surrounded by peer pressure, it’s very easy to crumble. This is definitely a two way street. I'm sure many of you, especially our football players, have heard of the phrase “Would you rather be the hammer or the nail?” Now that works well in the context of football, but it's quite the opposite when talking about peer pressure and overall life decisions. It's one thing to be the nail. We are human. We don't always abide by our best judgment. We make mistakes. It's a whole new problem when you are the hammer and the one encouraging those mistakes. Now I’m by no means saying you can't have fun during your high school career. It is supposed to be a big chunk of what we consider “the best years of our lives.”
But please understand that with risks come consequences—consequences that can last a day or a lifetime. And if anything feels worse than bearing those consequences yourself, it is someone else enduring them because of your own actions. Now please understand, this pertains to a lot of things. Anywhere from bullying to the most extreme things that can come to mind, they can all have lasting consequences on both you and your peers. So, as a senior who has seen this first hand, not so much under MLHS’s roof, but in past experiences in past places, I ask you to be careful not only for yourself but for those around you.
The second thing I'd like to talk about serves a double meaning. One directed to the students, and one to the teachers. As you all know I transferred here as a sophomore, and it wasn't under the best conditions. Midway through sophomore year was when I realized that basketball was my passion. It was also when I realized that, for the first time, college might be something I'd be interested in. After two years of slacking off, I finally realized that academically I was nowhere close to where I needed to be in order to make either of these happen. After a quarter of trying my hardest to improve as a student, I realized fast that not paying attention for two years made it incredibly hard to try to turn into a good student—when I had no common knowledge of the current task at hand. I felt that I was at a dead end. As many of you know, a couple years back my mother started helping with sporting programs here at Martin Luther. An opportunity came and I made the decision to transfer. I came to MLHS with roughly a 2.1 GPA and, if I remember right, a 7th grade math level when I was close to entering my junior year.
For those who are not seniors and will be coming back at the end of the summer, please understand that as much as MLHS teachers can seem unfair at times, as much as they can upset you, and even though they might seem like a nightmare at times the teachers we have here are really a blessing in disguise. I personally can guarantee you that. I understand even at MLHS that I wasn't the best student. But because of how much you guys care for your students, I was given another opportunity. Upon arrival, the staff and faculty had no problem helping and pushing me to where I needed to be. I once was laughed at for wanting to go to college. And because of all of you, the staff and faculty of Martin Luther, I will not only be attending college in the fall, but I will also be paying only 1/10 of my tuition every year due to receiving five grants and scholarships--three of those are academically related. And for all of this, I personally cannot find the words to thank you all enough.
*Zayne Engel, Senior Devotions, May 2017.
Zayne is attending Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato studying Business and Physical Therapy. He is playing basketball for the Vikings.
“When you hear about MLHS, the thing you probably hear most is about how we are a family here. Everybody knows everybody. This is true, but when I think about my time spent here, I think about two words: Individuality and power.
Let me explain. In this small school setting you are able to focus on the gifts God has given you individually, and you can do it proudly and with encouragement. Nothing is really behind the scenes here. If you want to start a pumpkin carving contest, you can. If you want to sing a song for the Pops Concert, you can. If you want to be on a sports team or in a club, you can. Since there aren’t many of us, each person’s gifts and personality are admired and appreciated.
This school has taught me that we, as students and young adults in the world, have power. If we have an idea or think we can make something better, it is actually taken to heart. Teachers help you and students are supportive. You can be who you want here. You can be you. In my four years at MLHS, I can tell you that I know who I am now. I am me!”
Effie Bentz, Student Body President
Let me explain. In this small school setting you are able to focus on the gifts God has given you individually, and you can do it proudly and with encouragement. Nothing is really behind the scenes here. If you want to start a pumpkin carving contest, you can. If you want to sing a song for the Pops Concert, you can. If you want to be on a sports team or in a club, you can. Since there aren’t many of us, each person’s gifts and personality are admired and appreciated.
This school has taught me that we, as students and young adults in the world, have power. If we have an idea or think we can make something better, it is actually taken to heart. Teachers help you and students are supportive. You can be who you want here. You can be you. In my four years at MLHS, I can tell you that I know who I am now. I am me!”
Effie Bentz, Student Body President
“Before I came to Martin Luther, I went to St Paul’s Lutheran School in Truman. There were four of us guys in 8th grade but I was the only one going to MLHS. I didn’t know any of the boys in my class except for one. By the end of my four years, I was good friends with everyone in my class. It is great having a school where everyone shares the same religion and can express it freely. MLHS was a great choice and I believe that it will impact me for the rest of my life.”
Sawyer Krenz, Class of 2013
Sawyer Krenz, Class of 2013
“I have always envisioned Martin Luther as being my educational home after grade school. From the Step Up Days as a fifth grader to my eighth grade shadow days, it was a fact that I would attend Martin Luther High School as a freshman.
Not only are the teachers out of this world, but also the education I have received is unbelievable. My classes have ranged from Religion 1 to PSEO English to Advanced Placement Calculus. In addition, everything we study is Christ – centered in some manner. I am allowed to express my love for Jesus, and my faith has strengthened by leaps and bounds.
The Class of 2013 is my amazing family. We have been together through the times of new teachers, new schedule changes and even conquered Speech class (which I may add is incredible in itself!) All of us will meet up again someday and be reunited. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here as a Knight and can’t wait for more students to enjoy it as well!”
Myranda Quinn, President Class of 2013
Not only are the teachers out of this world, but also the education I have received is unbelievable. My classes have ranged from Religion 1 to PSEO English to Advanced Placement Calculus. In addition, everything we study is Christ – centered in some manner. I am allowed to express my love for Jesus, and my faith has strengthened by leaps and bounds.
The Class of 2013 is my amazing family. We have been together through the times of new teachers, new schedule changes and even conquered Speech class (which I may add is incredible in itself!) All of us will meet up again someday and be reunited. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here as a Knight and can’t wait for more students to enjoy it as well!”
Myranda Quinn, President Class of 2013
“Coming to Martin Luther has made all the difference in my life. Four years of Christ-centered education has prepared me to face the challenges of the world. After I graduate, I want to go into either Music Education or Chemistry. They might seem like complete opposites, but my time here at Martin Luther has developed my interest in them. Because Martin Luther is a Christian school, the science classes focus on God and His creation, rather than on evolutionary sciences. It makes a real difference in the field of Chemistry that God created every particle in the universe instead of them coming into existence by chance.
In Martin Luther’s music department, we get the chance every day to praise our God with our voices and instruments. What a blessing it is that we have the opportunity to give our God the glory that is His in all that we do, whether it is in our music, our sports, our writing, our arts, or our academics! That is why Martin Luther is worth keeping alive that many more students may be prepared to face the world with the knowledge and love of God!”
Mason Koeritz, Treasurer Class of 2013
In Martin Luther’s music department, we get the chance every day to praise our God with our voices and instruments. What a blessing it is that we have the opportunity to give our God the glory that is His in all that we do, whether it is in our music, our sports, our writing, our arts, or our academics! That is why Martin Luther is worth keeping alive that many more students may be prepared to face the world with the knowledge and love of God!”
Mason Koeritz, Treasurer Class of 2013