Roll Credits...

From the desk of Cathy Harvey, Administrative Assistant to the Deans of Shepherds College

Whenever I see a modern day movie, I marvel at the list of credits that roll by detailing all the people it took to produce the film including the song list and artists.  Name after name flows up and off the screen, crediting all those lending a role in the production.  I always feel bad for the worker bees who garnish but a breath of space for their invaluable part in the completion of the piece.  The names often roll by so quickly, there is barely time to read their full name and job title, so I have made a point to sit through all the credits attempting to read their names as a nod of respect to the work they also did beyond the big name actors who played leading roles—and besides, some of best music flows with the credits.  Without this roster of blue collars, there would simply be no film to enjoy.

With that in mind, I would like to script a nod of thanks to all the folks who helped create the Shepherds College graduation events and give paper applause, at least, to their good work and dedication.  This is my attempt to remember everyone over the last five months who crafted their piece of the puzzle that so beautifully shaped Baccalaureate and Commencement 2015.  If I missed your name, I sincerely apologize, and please know how appreciated you are!

Roll credits, please!

Cue Lift High the Lord Our Banner from Integrity Music as you read the credits.

In alphabetical order:

Baccalaureate

Dennis McNabb – Resident Song Leader (all 5 years)

Mark Mulder – Chose the resident Baccalaureate Prayer Commissioners

Nate Peterson – Audio & Sound

Daniel Smith – Oversaw and guided the resident Baccalaureate Prayer Commissioners

Aaron Solomon – Program Greeter

Gary Spiegel – Opening prayer

Samuel Zdancewicz – Scripture reader

Faculty/Staff Ensemble

Jordan Debbink – Ensemble music arranger, singer and Baccalaureate pianist

Elyse Cyr

Amy DeBurgh

Andrew Kolkman

Hand Bell Choir

Kim DeVrou – Director

Gail Bartman

Jamie Flower

Susan Frail

Gayle Freeman

Becky Henline

Rebekah Marvel

Seth Peters

David Rich

Lisa Wetzel

 




Resident Prayer Commissioners:

Dan Condor

June Furman

David Koss

Gary Spiegel

Corrie Vanderhenght

 




Friday Celebration Dinner Reception

Jordan Debbink – Pianist

Audrey Oswalt – Caterer

Student Servers:

Abby Grabinski

Isaac Helfrich

Micah Muma

Ashley Nelson

Becci Terrill – Table Decorations

Graduation Day

Audio, Sound

John Andrus

Kit Luchterhand

Color Guard

Michele McGarry – Coordinator

Gloria Dahlberg

Dave Fantl

Sue Frail

Andrew Gilchrist

Gloria Pavuk

Aaron Solomon

Dave Slye

Melba Wright

Trinity International University – Flag poles and stands

Cupcake Reception

Chef Cassandra Comerford

Sue Kurschner – Culinary Arts Paraprofessional

Second Year Culinary Arts Student Servers:

Abby Grabinski

Kirsten Graybill

Isaac Helfrich

Jonathan Ingram

Joshua Maher

Geovanni Melendez

Julian Melendez

Micah Muma

Ashley Nelson

Torrey Ryan

Grant Ugolini

Greeters, Ushers, Escorts

Nancy Amstutz

Sherri Collicott

Dan Dark

Amy DeBurgh

Jonathan Ingram

Bill Kraiss

Pam Kraiss

Willetta McVicker

Donn Mogford

Gary Spencer

Gary Spiegel

Cindy Weitzel

Grounds, Domestics & Parking Lot Team

Dave Slye, Facilities Administrator

Steve Gillmore, Maintenance Supervisor

Denise Gillmore, Domestics Supervisor

Warren Beth, Volunteer

John Caldart, Volunteer 
Faith Davidson

Gayle Freemen

Sue Frail

Jessica Gobeli

Becky Henline

Dick Koehn

Jocelyn Monroe

Jo Ellen Paul

Seth Peters

Tess Spahr

LouAnne Stevens

Bob Theilig

Gerald Warriner

 



Photographers

Corrie Ladd

Abby Wohlgemuth

Plant Decorations

Owen Lackey, Horticulture Instructor

Second Year Horticulture:

Andrew Bickelhaupt

Suzanne Dean

Tommy Hayward

Joey Martin

Willetta McVicker

Olya Porth

Cherokee Thompson

Student Choir

Steve Jensen – Director

Sandy Jensen – Pianist

Michael Bayer

Nathan Ford

Abby Grabinski

Andrew Gummow

Jonathan Isaac Helfrich

Jonathan Ingram

Karilyn Johnson

David Jones

Katalin Lehman

Joey Martin

Rashard McCoy

Jonathan McGowan

Willetta McVicker

Geovanni Melendez

Julian Melendez

David Moran

Micah Muma

Ashley Nelson

Kathryn Norton

Crystalanne Nystrand

Olya Porth

Wade Philips

Torrey Ryan

Amy Spieker

Nee Dow Too

Ellie Treiber

Zachary Wandel

Gretchen Winter

Videography

Brian Canright

Guilia Hoke, Union Grove High School Media Arts student volunteer

Volunteers

Judy Anderson – steamed all new flags and graduation gowns-no small task!

Julie Anderson – Processional/Recessional door holder and graduate line guide

John Andrus – Music for Class of 2015 electronic yearbook

Johnnie Mae Evans – Ironed color guard shirts

Gretchen Hansen/Gigi’s Joy Photography – Photographer for Senior Photo Day, Baccalaureate and the Graduation Celebration

Miranda Kasprzak – Class of 2015 electronic yearbook, “From Dream to Reality”

Pam Kraiss – Stapled the commencement programs

Kathi Sawyer – Processional/Recessional door holder

Karen Seifer – Cleaned and disinfected the closet designated for Color Guard uniforms, hand addressed all the graduation invitations, put together flags

I Peter 4:10 says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, thereby administering the grace of God in its many forms,” and at this exciting time of year when we have an opportunity to showcase the hand of God during Baccalaureate and Graduation, it’s Shepherds Ministry community at its best, plus many volunteers, all working together as one unified family.  

So thank you, everyone, who contributed your part(s) of the puzzle that fashioned the whole glorious finished product!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…

to him be glory…”! 

-Ephesians 3:20

 

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Looking Back: Celebrating the Class of 2013

Last week was incredible. 

 

From Baccalaureate to the Graduation Celebration to the Commencement Ceremony, each moment of every day added to the emotions and to the memories of the three year journey of our Class of 2013. 

I sat in the Baccalaureate service last Wednesday and thought, “This is it! We’re getting ready to say goodbye to people who have been a part of our Shepherds family for years. Let’s send them off well God!”

I think we did.

The Handbell Choir played for them…

Christian, residents and staff prayed for them…

Our resident, Dennis, and the Shepherds College faculty sang to them…

Steve blessed them by reading Jeremiah 29:11-14…

And Mr. Wright gave the charge. “Don’t get overwhelmed, just focus on what is next,” he encouraged. “I could answer a lot of questions about ‘what is next’ when you first visited campus – the enrollment process, financial aid, your housing situation, the classes you’ll take… but I don’t know going forward. You will face times of trial and uncertainty for sure, but you will never face them alone.”

Then a flurry of activity went by in a blink – practices, set-up for graduation, last minute shopping for the celebration, photographers confirmed, sound checked, guitars tuned, lighting adjusted – and Friday was upon us before we realized it.

Oh goodness. 

Have you ever attended a Shepherds College Graduation Celebration? I’ll try to describe it as best I can without writing a book – 

It’s a night for graduates, their parents, and Shepherds College faculty and staff to celebrate the growth and achievement of each graduate. 

There are a lot of hugs, and they are tight and long and real.

Gifts are presented, and there’s a story behind each one.

Many, many memories are shared on stage and off…

Like the special talks Amanda and Mrs. Luchterhand experienced over Venti White Chocolate Mocha Macchiatos at Starbucks.

Or the high probability of Laurel becoming a well-known and hard-working movie critic.

Or Kelsie’s flights on Polish Airlines. 

Or Tess’s instinctive gift for creating a beautiful arrangement with flowers and a vase.

Did you hear the one about Ray’s jokes?

Or Zoe’s love of history?

I was so moved when I heard about Sierra’s strength and ability to overcome adversity.

And Anne’s natural ability to love and care for others.

And Daniel’s smile that warms people right down to their toes.

I knew exactly what Mr. Wright was talking about when he suggested Sam as a future President of the United States of America. 

Of course, Sean’s special moment with the Gaither’s received a final round of delighted applause.

It’s a night of friendship and family and joy and tears. It’s Kleenex boxes passed around a table, and laughter so hard you can’t sit upright in your chair. 

It’s roast beef pinwheels, jumbo shrimp, and the best brownies ever. 

It’s family photos, prayers of thanksgiving, and twinges in your heart when you realize it’s the last night you’ll see many of the graduates, maybe for a very, very long time.

And then, as if our emotions weren’t stretched to their limits already, the sun rose again and brought Graduation Day with it. 

We heard the Shepherds College Student Choir sing to the graduates as Shepherds College guitarists played along.

We were amazed as our shy Anne spoke in a clear, strong voice to the audience of 300, giving her reflections on the last three years.

We nodded our heads as Dr. Dixon gave his commencement address and talked about persevering through adversity. 

We watched our eleven graduates get handed their certificates of completion.

And then these eleven graduates turned their tassels and walked out into the sunshine to face the world as independent adults.

I would like to end this blog with “and they lived happily ever after,” as if I could control the world and

how it will treat our graduates. But I can’t. I can only influence, to a small degree, my little corner of it – my friends, my family, and the readers of this blog. I could ask that when you see one of our graduates, or anyone with a disability for that matter, that you smile at them, a grin that’s big and warm and welcoming. Be patient with them if they’re ahead of you in line at the grocery store and need a little extra time to count out their money. Ask them how they’re doing if you pass them on the sidewalk, and maybe treat them to a Tall Caramel Latte if they’re behind you at Starbucks. Stick up for them if you see them treated unfairly on the bus, and open your mind to the reality that they could be an exceptional employee to fill the position you have available at your business.

Let’s be the example for others to follow so every year the world will be that much more ready for the next class of Shepherds College graduates.

God bless our Class of 2013.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Teacher Tuesdays: Musical Methods

The students stood quietly as they waited for the music to begin. They watched Mr. Gaschke for their cue. Suddenly, music erupted from the speakers, and smiles appeared on the students’ faces. Their eyes shone with joy and excitement as they started to sing.

                                            

This scene took place at graduation practice just a few days before the commencement ceremony. It was the first time I was introduced to Mr. Gaschke and his gift of music.

Mr. Gaschke is a Residential Life Staff and Instructor at Shepherds College. Last year, he taught a Daily Living Skills class. He also leads a student Bible study on Thursday nights.

Students enjoy Mr. Gaschke’s classes because he incorporates a different method of learning. He uses music.

Mr. Gaschke and Rachel place flags on veterans' graves

Music is a fun and useful tool that promotes learning. Think about how you best memorize material. Do you use repetition? Do you create rhythm? Do you like to rhyme? All of those techniques for memorization are included in music.

Mr. Gaschke teaches his students songs that reinforce what they are learning. There’s a song for everything.

When they have a lesson about manners or social skills, Mr. Gaschke teaches them a song. When the students are learning new spiritual concepts during Bible study, they learn a song that emphasizes those concepts. When Mr. Gaschke passes out medications, he makes up a song (but that last one’s usually just to get some laughs out of the students).

“I loved how he used [music] to teach us the fruits of the Spirit,” first year student Katy said.

Mr. Gaschke has also found background music to be useful in the classroom setting. We all know school can be pretty stressful at times, but quiet, soothing background music can calm and relax the students. It reduces the tension of a stress-filled situation.

I smile as I remember the students singing at the graduation ceremony. They were having so much fun with the song they were singing, and the song’s lyrics were reminding the students to be like Jesus in all they do. It was so exciting to see them having fun while also learning about Jesus.

If you love music, you will really enjoy getting to know Mr. Gaschke. With music as his teaching tool, he makes learning fun, memorization easier, and situations less stressful. Who knew music could accomplish so much?

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.org.