Conestoga Valley townlively.com
JUNE 18, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 26
LMS Class of 2025 Sent Forth With Internal Peace and Spiritual Contentment BY JEFF FALK
T
here exists this prevailing sentiment that goes something like, “Anything worth doing can’t be accomplished alone.” First and foremost, graduations are about students, their achievements, their journeys and their milestones. That can never not be true. But graduations are also celebrations of support systems, family, friends, teachers and even administrators. “This commencement ceremony had more energy than most. There was some good energy in the house,” said Kirk Benner, the high school principal at Lancaster Mennonite School (LMS). “One of our student speakers expressed gratitude to family, friends and teachers. In his words, ‘we did not do this alone.’ That’s why it’s important not to be alone.”
Members of LMS’ Class of 2025 celebrate their graduation.
Those feelings of community and fellowship were prevalent on both May 30 and 31 inside the Calvin and Janet High Fine Arts Center on the campus of LMS, when 51 members of the Class of 2025 were feted during the school’s 83rd graduation ceremonies. The weekend festivities began on Friday evening with the hourlong
student-organized and student-led Senior Dedication ceremony. Then on Saturday morning, during the commencement exercises, the graduating seniors were formally sent forth with their diplomas and a handful of meaningful LMS experiences from which to draw. “There were a lot of highlights for me,” said Benner. “There was
a lot of work leading up to the ceremonies. The feel of community, to me, just stood apart. There was this emotion like, ‘We want you to succeed so badly.’ There was a longing of hope for each student.” As part of the commencement ceremony, the graduates and members of their support groups were treated to prayers, Scripture
passages and words of wisdom from students, parents, teachers and LMS superintendent Michael Badriaki. The keynote address “You are not your own, and you are not alone” was delivered by Andres Prins, a consultant and peace ambassador at Eastern Mennonite Missions. “His message was, ‘We belong
Outdoors Experiences Will “Peak” Teens’ Interest BY GEORGE DEIBEL
It’s said that faith will move mountains. Mountain Conquerors participants are neither required to move a mountain nor expected to scale one on their own. Instead they will have an opportunity to embark on a potentially life-altering adventure. Mountain Conquerors is an organization founded in 2010 by pastor Matt Kroll. “It is an outdoor camp that teaches
leadership skills, life skills, and grows character,” he said. “It provides the experience of a lifetime. That’s our motto, and that’s what we do.” Until this year, the expedition, which is free thanks to sponsors, was only available for boys ages 13 to 16. MCg, Mountain Conquerors Girls, will have a separate trip for girls in the same age range. Applicants must be residents of Lancaster County. The inaugural MCg, which will be led by Kari Stauffer, will take See Outdoor Experiences pg 2
Play Flag Football the Aaron’s Acres Way BY JEFF FALK
There are touchdowns and first downs. There are offenses and defenses. There are teammates and opponents. It’s the same flag football game. The Chuckie Magee Flag Football and Cheerleading League just plays it a bit differently. “Our (participants) are more in it for the fun than the competition,” said Madison Heider, a program director at Aaron’s Acres and the league’s unofficial commissioner. “They just like to hang out. We have some people already Cheerleaders inspire players during a Chuckie Magee Flag Football and Cheerleading League game last year.
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See Aaron’s Acres pg 5
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See LMS Commencement pg 4
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