MLHS Alumni News – August 2025
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Year 56 of Christ-Centered Learning for Christ-Centered Living!
We begin the 2025-2026 school year at ML under the school year theme, Called for a Purpose, based on I Peter 2:9. What a great reminder of who we are in Christ, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession! Reminding students of this helps us to know our purpose of declaring his praises because he has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light!
We open the school year with another nice enrollment of over 130 students. Of these just over 100 are commuting and around 30 are living at the Titan Center. Students from 8 countries and 3 states will call SW Michigan home again this school year.
We ask for your prayers for your alma mater as we continue move forward being reminded that we are Called for a Purpose!
Drive to $185
Throughout the summer, Michigan Lutheran High School has undergone a fund drive to replace HVAC units and to build up a reserve fund for future big repair projects. Our first phase was to raise $71,000 to replace the Multi-Purpose Room unit. Thanks to the generosity of our Titan family and the Lighthouse Attic, we have eclipsed that amount! This means that we did not have to dip into our investments or take out a loan. THANK YOU! Now, the drive continues so that when another major project is needed to be financed, we have the funds available. Our goal is to raise $185,000 total, so far we have raised $81,000, so another $94,000 to go! Please consider a gift to this campaign by sending it to 615 East Marquette Woods Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or donating online at DIRECT LINK . Thank you for your ongoing support of the ministry at our Area Lutheran High School!
2025 Titan Golf Outing
Thank you to all the alumni who joined us for the 2025 Richard Kepner Memorial Charity Classic!
We had a beautiful day gathering together to golf and raise over $21,000 for tuition assistance!
Save the Date – July 25, 2026
The BEFORE and AFTER Pictures – GALA Upgrade 2025
The 2025 Gala was “A Night for Stars” and our ML “Stars” will see an upgrade to their gymnasium/auditorium when they return to school this fall. Thanks to the generosity of so many, the space will receive upgraded electronic ADA bleachers, new speakers, a full and fresh paint job, a new curtain, and new banners. Painting is done, the sound system is upgraded and now we just have the bleachers, curtain, and final touch-ups including new championship recognition for teams and a fresh Bible Verse! More to come!!!
Are you an alumni, current/former parent, or supporter of MLHS that owns a business? Fill out this form to add your information to our business directory! ADD YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE HERE
Email any of your milestones or newsworthy items to alumni@michiganlutheran.org so that we can celebrate together!
Titan Friendships
Jeremy Tolsma (2017) and Francesca Lassandro (2019) were married in july, and many TItan friends and family were in attendance. Congrats to the Tolsmas!!
Stepping Up to Help ML!
Ruth Hafer (’74), Kim Partridge (’75), and Amy Brenner (’74) were the main force behind getting all stage offices and classrooms painted! They put in numerous hours of time for their school! We can’t say thank you enough!!
Alumni Giving Back
Brendan Rock (2022) always is a great help every summer at our flag football camp. He came out once again before heading back to his final year at WLC to finish his degree and play in his last year of college football for the warriors!
Alumni Trivia Contest!
We stumped you last month as it was the engagement of Sarah Jackemeyer and Zeb Pappenfuss! The only correct answer was from Sarah…so well done for recognizing your big moment! Let’s try this again…this time one back to the mid 90’s
Here are some throwback pictures from the 80’s! Come check out more at ML on our legacy wall! Feel free to share more milestones or newsworthy items to share with the ML Family to alumni@michiganlutheran.org
CONNECT WITH US – Follow us on our socials below. Email – secretary@michiganlutheran.org to receive the weekly MLHS Newsletter.
https://www.facebook.com/mlhsalumni
Help your Alumni Association
The Alumni Association has an aggressive plan to positively impact MLHS again during the 2025-2026 school year. Their plans are dependent on others joining in to help carry these events out! See the timeline below. Each of the quarterly meetings will have a Zoom option available.
| October 2025 | Alumni Mailing |
| November 2, 2025 | Quarterly Alumni Meeting |
| November 15, 2025 | Distinguished Alumni Nominations Open |
| December 15, 2025 | Distinguished Alumni Nominations Closed |
| February 1, 2026 | Quarterly Alumni Meeting |
| Week of February 9, 2026 | Online Alumni Spirit Week Challenge |
| February 14, 2026 | Winterfest (AKA Homecoming) – Alumni Games and come back to ML to cheer on the Titans…and see the updated gym! |
| April 18, 2026 | Annual Gala |
| May 3, 2026 | Quarterly Alumni Meeting |
| May 13, 2026 | Class of 2026 Luncheon |
| May 22, 2026 | Class of 1976 Dinner |
| June, 2026 | Annual Goals Meeting and Plan for Summer Mailing |
Alumni Association Committee
Jeremy Barbott – 269-588-2153 – jbarb1312@gmail.com
Becky (Biedenbender) Briney – 269-358-2998 – bbriney@michiganlutheran.org
Julie Duensing – 269-930-7542 – julieduensing@gmail.com
Beth (Bomke) Anderson – 269-313-3014 – Bbomke@hotmail.com
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