Lustre News
It has been graduation week at Lustre. The commencement processional was played by Sarah Brown, with opening prayer by Pastor Hathaway. Hannah Brown and Diek Olfert were honor attendants from the junior class to the seven graduates.
Three of the National Honor Society students were so close in their GPA, that salutatorian and valedictorian were not revealed until the graduation. The salutatorian was Abby Olfert, daughter of Landon and Mindy Olfert and granddaughter of Ron and Etta Olfert. The valedictorian address was given by Rachel Pew, daughter of Pastor Dan and Lavonne Pew of Wolf Point. Mason Hilkemann (wearing silver cords in recognition of his first place at Academic Olympics), Byron Ewing, Jaden Gibson, Clay Reddig and Meredith Valentine completed the class. Those with grade point averages of 3.50 or above also wore gold cords.
The commencement address was given by Dan Marasco, of Port Royal, Penn. He spoke on Psalms 23, giving an exegetical exposition of each verse as he applied it to the graduates, correlating it with John 10:1-5, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 12: 5-6, Luke 11:13 and Psalms 16:11.
He said “The Lord is the one who cares for you, provides, protects, leads you with His voice, and you grow to know His voice and follow it.” “He leads by His grace in such a way that He teaches you to live a righteous life.” “He refreshes you and strengthens you for the journey, in the face of loss, hardship, heartache, struggle, conflict, depression or anything else. Why all this goodness? For His glory! You need not be afraid because God is with you!” “It is in the valley of the shadow of death that we experience God in the most personal of ways. It is here you will find that we go from knowing about to knowing Him!” “He gives generously, yes of all you need, but even more of the Holy Spirit Whom He has promised. His mercy, faithful, loyal merciful love will pursue you all your live! So as you leave LCHS, the message is simple. Know the Shepherd and follow Him! Know Him! Follow Him! And don’t turn back from Him! When you stumble, let Him correct you, and realize it is in love… His rod. Then get back up and follow the gentle leading of His voice.”
Nikki Hilkemann announced the scholarships, Bill Reddig gave the diplomas and Pastor Lenihan closed the service with prayer.
Grace Byers, Tessa Olfert and Samantha Neufeld graduated from Lustre Grade School on Wednesday, May 21. Eighth-grade teacher Ed Malihan welcomed the people and gave insight to the transition the students were making. Kim Klatt gave the opening remarks from Principal Jeanne Mathyser. Chairman of the board, Brent Unrau, commended the three for being “young women of character and integrity and great representatives of seventh- eighth grade class and of your beliefs and values”.
The speaker chosen by the grads was their basketball coach, math coach and Awana leader, Lisa Neufeld. Reflecting on Jeanne Mathyser’s advice to “never take your family and loved ones for granted”, Neufeld referenced Blake Reddig, son of Randy and Becca Reddig belonging in this class, and said she “would choose to remember all four of you for the impact you each have had on my life, even though Blake’s is from the distance of heaven.” She read Matthew 4:4-10 and encouraged the grads ”to be the light in their homes, and their town in order to glorify your Heavenly Father.”
She spoke about making choices, and if you make good choices, you “have nothing to worry about”, but if you make bad choices, you will always have “at least two more things to worry about”, giving many examples. She encouraged them to “try do new things, use their work ethic to be their best, give a chapel, play on a team, smile during the Christmas Concert”. “When there are many voices talking, remember
Isaiah 43:2 and Malachi 3:6, because “I the Lord do not change”, as others will. She gave them Ephesians 3:20, and reminded them “to laugh at themselves, give space to a classmate if they have bad days”.
Alicia Olfert prayed for the graduates, quoting Ephesians 2:10, Zeph 3:17, Psalms 139
and Isaiah 20:31 as the focus. Chairman Brent Unrau awarded a Certificate of Excellence to Grace Byers and to Samantha Neufeld from their placing in MathCounts before giving the graduates their diplomas in place of Principal Jeanne Mathyser.
Lustre has had a welcome amount of rain in these 10 days, a total of 1.2”. The students in kindergarten to grade six enjoyed their school track-meet on Thursday May 22, between two rains! It was overseen by track coach Lynn Unrau and her assistant, Mrs. Holtzricher, with the helping hands of older students from grades 7-8, teachers and LCHS volunteers. It was great to watch the enthusiasm of the younger students in their races, broad and long jumps. Both schools finished Friday.
