Senior Spotlight:
Andy Plath
Senior Spotlight: Luke Strike
Whether you know him as the senior who tore his ACL, or one of the many Tiefel cousins that have come to Immanuel, you’re bound to know something about Andy. In case you don’t, he’s a funny, sarcastic, athletic senior who never seems to let his good qualities get to his head.
When and where?
-November 15, 2004, in Windom, MN. Or so I’m told.
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Favorite year of high school? Why?
-Junior year. (at least so far; I’ve only had one quarter of senior year). It was the year right after masks went away, so all of the school and dorm activities were way more fun and doable.
S: When and where?
A: May 8, 2005, at Sacred Heart Hospital ( I think), in Eau Claire, WI
S: Advice for the freshies?
A: If someone is bullying you, stand up for yourself.
S: Favorite high school memory?
A: Ummmm, Scaring people in the corn maze, or that time I was in Titus’s room and I brought my Xbox and a TV to play with him. Shout out to Jesse for letting me take his TV!
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S: Favorite sport at ILC (memory from that sport?)
A: Basketball- the adrenaline rush from almost dunking in a JV game, and then later that night, tearing my ACL in the varsity game. And, soccer, the game at Baldwin - Woodville, where it was tied 0-0 for almost the whole game, and then with 30 seconds left, we clutched up and Caleb scored. We were able to hold them from there.
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S: What are your plans for after high school?
A: I don’t know; they’re to be determined.
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S: Anything else?
A: MAKE SURE YOU MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE GOOD PEOPLE!!!!
Worst pet peeve? (besides your sister)
-”Spaghetti spaghetti.” Ask Jacob.
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Advice for freshmen?
-Make friends. Have fun. Don’t be stupid. I take that back. Be a little stupid.​
Most memorable dorm moment?
-Flooding Noah’s room. Not my fault, by the way.
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Activities while in high school?
- I’m currently involved in Activities Committee, Student Council, Theater, Tour Choir, Work Study, Scoreboard for home games, Leave it Better, (could be forgetting something)
What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow?
- What do you mean, African or European swallow?
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Hobbies?
- Playing the piano, reading a good book, and keeping Cabel out of trouble.
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Plans for after high school?
- I might come back to campus for college, become either a pastor or a teacher.
OR I’ll buy a cabin in northern MN or WI and become a hermit.
Favorites
Game- Spikeball
Prof- That’s a hard one…. Rodebaugh, definitely.
Music- Anything but rap, or slow sad music. Upbeat stuff, and country isn’t bad.
Sports team- Milwaukee Bucks
Class - This year's sophomores
Senior - I like most except Rachel, jk - George and Alex because I’ve known them the longest. Rachel’s alright too, I guess.
Junior - Girl: Julia. Guys: Vance and Titus.
Sophomore - Any of them except you. Just kidding: you, Logan, Levi, Jesse, and Caleb. Caleb’s my favorite, but the other three are chill too.
Freshmen: Mark, but Michael is pretty cool too. He’s my gaming buddy.
Where do you see Andy in ten years?
George: I don’t know.. (later) A professional gamer, live streaming every day for his fans, playing Rocket League and Apex.
Julia: I’m thinking he’ll be just starting or finishing his schooling to become a physical therapist to help other people who tore their ACL.
Rachel: No idea. Talking about how his knees hurt.
Michael: Either in the basement of his mom’s apartment complex or he could be in a weird mansion in the middle of the woods playing Rocket League.
Vance - In a wheelchair because he tore his ACL again.
Audrey - In the middle of a midlife crisis because he feels motivated to work out, but he’s too lazy.
Titus - Probably flying a plane because he wants to be an Air Force One pilot.
Cabel - Probably still using crutches.
Alex R. - Soccer dad; dunks on his kids.
Favorites
Food:
- There’s a lot of good food out there; it’s hard to pick a favorite. I will say that I’d eat anything cooked by Rodebaugh though.
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Person from each class:
- Ugh, don’t do this to me. Pass on this one.
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Movie:
- Last Samurai.
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Prof:
- Tough call; it’s tied between Lau and Rodebaugh.
Class:
- Any class with a Schierenbeck is great.
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Bible verse:
- Isaiah 43:2 - “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Sophia Carstensen
Lydia Strike
November 2022
It's All About Identity
Throughout your life you are given many labels. Some seem good and others bad. Even the labels that seem good can make you feel as though you need to fulfill these titles in order to be accepted. Joker himself says, “Give a man a mask and he will become his true self.”
The names we are given and the names we take can influence who we believe we are and who we are meant to be. But you can be more than the labels you have acquired at this point. If we insist on letting grace name us, then our success, our leadership, and our failures no longer define us. You? Who are you? You are loved by Jesus. This identity cannot be shaken. Let your identity be the disciple Jesus loves.
Past Senior Spotlight:
Daniel Hein
Anonymous
Senior Spotlight:
Caleb Arndt
A: When and where?
C: Kalamazoo, MI, October 20, 2004
A: What has been your favorite thing to do in high school?
C: Hang out with Prof Rodebaugh and Max
A: If you could spend your day doing one thing, what would it be?
C: Probably rock climbing, or working out
A: Favorite sport?
C: Track
A: Favorite article of clothing?
C: Sweatshirts (Sher: Kilts C: Oh, yeah, put that down!)
A: What's been different about this year than all the others?
C: It’s a lot easier.
A: Favorite pastime?
C: Climbing things; I’d do it more.
A: Advice for freshmen?
C: Don’t date, make friends, go to things.
A: What’s your favorite dorm memory?
C: When we flooded Noah’s, and showering
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Where do you see Cable in 10 years?
Caleb: Traveling the country and the world.
Laura: He’s going to start his own electrical engineering business on the other side of the country, and have a second island home.
Lydia: His long, flowing hair is the stuff of legend. Has left the role of student body president in the past, and has almost successfully taken over the world. Still goes to PJL's to eat cereal.
Sheridan: Definitely has Rapunzel hair and makes his own programming website all about how to use computers and style man buns, and also in a Scottish kilt wearing dance club.
George: Assembling computers with his kids.
Kirsten: Has three children and they all have long hair with hair down to their knees. And on a farm with a million animals, including a bearded dragon.
Max: With Tyler in Ryan Lang's basement.
Noah: Absolutely jacked with long hair, a beanie, and a super sick beard.
S: When and Where?
D: I was born July 7, 2003, in Seattle, WA
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S: Favorite high school memory?
D: ummmmmm, probably when we flooded Noah Thurow’s dorm room with a tube and a mop bucket
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S: Favorite sport at ILC, why?
D: Basketball, probably because of all the memories that were made and brotherhoods that were formed
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S: Advice for the freshmen, or really any class?
D: Enjoy the time while it lasts; it goes by really fast.
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S: How does high school differ from college here at ILC?
D: You have a lot more freedom to do things here in college and there are not as many curfews, but the school is pretty similar.
S: What was your favorite play or musical (or both) that you were in?
D The Music Man, definitely. The character I got to be was super fun and a lot more friendships were made during that production
S: Anything you wished you could’ve done in high school, but didn’t?
D: I wish I would’ve done more things with my friends
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S: What was your favorite year overall?
D: I would say it’s a tie between junior and senior year because being an upperclassman is a lot more fun. I think I just enjoyed those years more than the first two
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Favorite childhood memory?
Probably when I was a little kid and all my siblings were at home before they all moved away.
S: Favorite……
Song:: Time is Love by Josh Turner because Josh Turner is the best
Food:: Steak without a doubt
Class:: Like ever? I liked Psychology with Prof Weis
Prof:: All of them because all of them helped me get to where I am today
Color:: orange
Number: 24
Bible Passage: Psalm 103::11-13
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S: Where do you see Daniel in 10 years?
Julia- In ten years he’s gonna be finished with school and be the pastor at Fridley so his dad can retire. He’s going to have a lawn business as a side hustle, but he still won’t have any facial hair!!
Ben- He’ll be a pastor and a missionary. When he’s back in America, he’ll act on Broadway.
Audrey Ardnt
Sophia Carstensen
Blast from the Past:
December 2021
Proverbs from the Kitchen
Working first cleanup twice each week, you get to learn a lot about other people and their habits in the lunchroom. Hence, I have created a short list of proverbs from the useful knowledge I have learned from this wonderful job.
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Those who sit with friends make none.
Those who eat alone make the best company.
Those who eat the messiest are those you least expect to.
The simplest meals attract the most eaters.
A dry spot is an unpopular one.
Those who wait for seconds delay firsts.
Trinity Mayhew
The Super Secrets of Bookkeeping
Ok, now I know what you’re thinking; bookkeeping is so boring. But I’ll let you in on a little secret, it is one of the most interesting, stressful, and high paying jobs in the world. It can be really tough work, but it is definitely rewarding. I bookkeep for the Immanuel Lancers. I’m sure you’ve heard of them, super famous worldwide. Anyway, you wouldn’t believe how much they pay me, and what benefits I get out of it. All I have to do is bring a pencil and use my amazing smarts, recollection, and observation skills. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a prodigy like me to become a bookkeeper. You can just train all your life, and you’ll eventually get to my level. However, there is no need to fret. It really isn’t as bad as it sounds or looks. You just have to watch and write down every single detail that happens during a game at all times. See, it’s easy peasy. Sure you’ll be writing furiously every single second and you can’t take a break to rest your aching hand, and sure if you screw up even a little, the coaches will come down on you with the hammer of justice, but it’s great. But not everyone is up for it, and that’s why I’m the best.
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Ciao. See you later for more updates in my amazing, professional, superstar life, and how you can achieve that lifestyle.
Sarah Fox
Lydia Strike
English Writing Exercise
On a little friendly farm on top of the hill we meet Billy. He can smell the sweet flowers and see the buzzing bees. He mosied on over to eat the vegetables from the garden. Now Billy had never been the fattest, strongest, or best looking cow, and to his owners he seemed kinda useless. Every year the cows talked about this vacation where they would be taken and they would never be seen again. This was normally for the older cows in his herd though and he had always thought of it as a happy place. When the day came, and the farmers took the cows away, before he realized what was happening he was in a trailer with the old cows going down the road off to his happy vacation home. Once he got there he looked out and saw that this was no happy place. There were no other cows in sight, only a lonely little shed way out to the left of the pasture, and the pasture itself was not the biggest, all the grass was dead, and everything had the tint of brown. It was the saddest place he had ever been. He and the others were all lead to the green brown parture, there wasn’t much room to move around. Once they were all moved out, he saw the farmers load back onto their truck, and drive away, except one. This farmer took a long look at all of the cows in the sad little pasture, nodded, then turned away towards the little shed on the far left of the pasture. Each day one cow would be taken from them and brought to the small shed. Billy thought that on the other side of the shed was a beautiful green meadow where there was no dead grass and the only brown was on the tall trees. He soon realized that this was not true, for when the first cow was taken, it was all silent until he heard the shrill sound of pain, anguish, and then silence, once again. Not one of them knew what was happening in that shed, but one by one and the cows left, their shouts echoed in Billys ears and he knew that he had to get out of there somehow. There were only five left in the pasture now. The farmer came out again, made his look around and landed on him. Billy could feel his stomach drop, everything suddenly became cold, and the echos of the cows that had left him haunted his mind. As the farmer drew closer, he tried to back away, but the fence stopped him from escaping. The farmer came closer still until he could touch his muzzle, it gave Billy a sense of calm and forgetfulness, until they started moving. The little shed came into sight and once he looked inside his eyes opened in teror. He saw bone saws of all sizes, a giant pit full of cow hides, knives hung all over the walls, and finally in the corner the carcasses of the cows that had gone before him.
Anonymous
Lightning, thunder all around
Rain is pouring on the ground
Wind is blowing us aside
This is quite a scary ride
Blowing left and blowing right
This weather now is quite a site
Funnel cloud we saw above
Crazy storms I used to love
Sky is greenish as we drive
I hope we make it home alive
The vehicle we can’t control
I’m scared we’re gonna start to roll
Into the ditch and die right here
My stomach’s turning from the fear
I send a prayer to God on high
“If it’s Your will, let us survive.”
Finally, we can’t take more
We go and knock on someone’s door
Prayer is answered as they say
“Come in and for a while stay.”
Christian family we meet
And for a while take a seat
Let the storm pass overhead
By now it is far past time for bed
Finally the weather’s done
That was the opposite of fun
Now post-traumatic stress I have
Go ahead, you can laugh
Not funny if it had been you
Experiencing what I went through.
Meet the Freshman:
Michael Lang
Evan Kuehne
Halloween vs. Reformation
When you’re walking through the aisles of any store as soon as it hits October, maybe even earlier, all you see is Halloween decorations. There are skeletons, ghosts, costumes, and pretty much anything that you can think of that reminds you of Halloween.
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When I was growing up, my church would always put on a fall party for the kids. We would do things such as pumpkin bowling, mummy wrap, bobbing for donuts, and other games that people might think of as being Halloween or fall themed. But despite the games we played and the costumes we wore, our main emphasis of the night was never the Halloween stuff. Every year at this party, we would always have a group discussion about the Reformation. We would talk about the importance of it and then sometimes sing some Reformation hymns. Although we liked to have fun with the games, we never forgot about the real reason we gathered at the church that night.
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In Romans 1:17 it says, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Martin Luther realized that no righteousness is from us alone. Everything we have is from God. The Reformation shows that we are not going to get to heaven by our own works, but only through what’s been done for us. We are saved by grace, through faith alone. One of the most well known Reformation hymns is Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress.” It’s based on Psalm 46 and talks all about God’s strength and how He is our help in weakness. All of our strength is from Him, and that’s something that’s so important to understand about the Reformation.
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So, yes, sometimes the world can get us all caught up in Halloween decorations and trick or treating, but in the end we need to remember what really matters. We also need to make sure that everybody hears about the word of God and what’s been done for us. If you even tell one person this fall season about the Reformation, that will be worth so much more than any candy you might receive or give on October 31.
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A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need, That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
Where were you born? When?
“October 2, 2007, in Minnesota.”
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Where did you go to grade school?
“Berea Lutheran Church and School in Inver Grove Heights, MN, (whispers) I think that's what it's called… That’s what it’s called, right?”
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What are you looking forward to most?
“Getting out of high school, I guess. Short term not sure, but doing well in school and graduating.”
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What about more specifically in high school, is there something you are looking forward to?
“Driving when I’m 15 or 16.”
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Michael’s List of Favorites:
Food: Tacos, Pizza, Spaghetti
Prof: Schaller
Spot on Campus: The big tree with the hammock.
Sport: Soccer
Senior: Tie between Andy and Jacob
Favorite thing about dorm life: Being alone; not having a roommate
Hobby: Reading
My Near-Death Experience
Tips and Tricks
for High School
As a senior in high school, I would like to say that I have it all figured out. I WISH I had it all figured out by now. One of the main things I have learned throughout the last three years is that literally no one has it all figured out. I wish I had everything figured out and was able to share it with all of you. Sadly, that is not the case, so I will do the next best thing and share a list of simple advice that is recommended to follow. I wish I would have followed this advice. But, then again, if I had followed this advice, I wouldn’t be here advising you on what or what not to do in high school.
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DO NOT date during your freshman year. Or even sophomore year. Nine times out of ten it will not last.
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Don’t procrastinate. At all. You’ll get into the horrible habit of procrastinating, and breaking it will be extremely difficult.
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If you do decide to procrastinate, at least make sure that your work is done well.
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Do your homework. Just do it. The extra 15 minutes of sleep isn’t worth a zero or an incomplete. Those scores take a toll on your grades.
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Try not to base your happiness on inconsistent things. True friends should be there, but people are sinful and disappointing sometimes. Sports aren’t always there. The only consistency in our lives is God, and He is the only One we should base our happiness on.
Laura Schaller
Anonymous
My name is Leah Thompson, I’m from Eau Claire, WI. I went to Messiah Lutheran from Pre-k to 8th grade. I spend most of my time hanging out with family and friends, playing or watching sports, drawing and painting.
Sophia Carstensen
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Join groups. Join Crossroads and Flash, Lance, Activities Committee, band, etc. You might be grossed out just at the thought of these groups, but there is a high possibility you’ll find a talent and be able to put it to use.
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Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Trust me, you’ll look more stupid trying to figure things out on your own and looking lost than asking for help. Asking for help or asking questions is a respectable thing to do.
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Manage your time wisely. If there’s an away volleyball game that you really want to go to, make sure to do your homework before you leave. Because I can almost guarantee that you will not have any desire to get it done when you get back.
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Get enough sleep. For most of us in high school, we should be getting AT LEAST 8 hours of sleep. This is very important and could have a big impact on your day.
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DO NOT talk poorly about people. Absolutely everyone has something going on in their lives that isn’t out in the open. Everyone struggles with things that they don’t show. It’s so important to be loving and kind to everyone, just as Christ wants us to be.
I tried to cover some main advice that is pretty vague and easy to follow. I can not guarantee a perfect high school experience with this advice because we are all sinful and couldn’t ever do everything perfectly. If you would like more of an explanation on any of the points, don’t hesitate to contact me :)
Meet the Freshman:
Leah Thompson
Aly Roth
Lutheran Levels of Change
How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb? If you're part of the CLC you’ve definitely heard this before. Maybe even a few too many times. This question is meant to make fun of Lutherans for being stubborn and doing anything to avoid change. This isn't necessarily anything to be ashamed of though. In James 1:12 the Lord says, “ Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Lutherans tend to get this label because many churches view us as unwilling to change our stance on fellowship. But, after all, Jesus also says, “ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” As a Christian, and as a Lutheran, it is good that we are not willing to give up anything scriptural, nor change our doctrinal views just to be in fellowship. But, for some absurd reason, Lutherans are very wrongly accused of taking this belief to some absurd extremes. Where people get this idea I will never understand.
Obviously, when it comes to protecting our faith from hypocrisy and error, we have every reason to take (what the world would see as extreme) caution. But it's not like Lutherans take other things to the extreme. I don't know about you, but the back row of the church isn’t mine. It doesn't have my name on it, and I probably never said it out loud, but if you sit there, I promise I won't remember it until my death bed. Let’s say you're a visitor and don't know I've sat there a few times. (A few times, as in every Sunday for the past fifteen years, four months, two weeks, and every Wednesday service in between.) I promise no one in the church is giving you the side-eye. It's not like if you don't figure it out and move I'm going to have to take someone else's spot, and they're going to have to take someone else's spot. By the end of the service everyone will be glaring at each other and no one will have heard a word the pastor said. Even if it did cause this absurd non-existent uproar in the church, we have other things to talk about, besides you, at the ladies’ meetings the next four Sundays. A Lutheran's favorite thing is change, so why wouldn't we be willing to change for a complete stranger. We are Lutherans you know, and changing pews is even less of a hardship than changing a lightbulb.
Maybe every once in a while Lutherans get uppity, but it's not like you are forever shamed if you go to the bathroom during the service. Unless, of course, you don't go until after the second word of the third line of the first verse is over. Noone's going to care if you go before the song starts, but go after the second word of the third line of the first verse? You know, not that it really matters, but maybe you should have gone before the service.
Okay, so maybe the whole church hates you because you stole someone's pew, and you may have left during the service to go to the bathroom. But Lutherans are extremely reasonable people. Unless, of course, you break the most important unspoken rule. It's unspoken, so I better not say, but I can tell you one thing. Noone, and I mean most definitely not every lady in the church, is going to always look down upon you if you bring “their dish.” That one pew in church may not have always been passed down through every generation. But, when I say “their dish,” I am totally not referring to great, great, great, grandma Eve’s famous hot dish recipe that this specific family has been bringing since the church began. So if you want to bring that same dish, no hard feelings. In fact, why don't you just go eat that dish in the pew you needed to sit in so badly you didn't even think to go to the bathroom before church started.
Anyway, sorry for that tangent. As I was saying, I will never understand the rhetorical question, “ How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb?” It's very obvious that Lutherans think as little of change as they do of sin.