Alumni Stories: Wendy Wenger ’95 Hochstedler

We celebrate alumni stories to hear each others’ journeys since high school and to be inspired  through lives of service, professional contributions, embodiment of the love of Jesus, and community engagement. Nominations are accepted in the spring of each year and reviewed by the selection committee of the EMS Alumni Board. The EMS learning community and alumni celebrate the stories over fall Homecoming. Learn more.

A Radiant Presence

Wendy Navigating a Mountain Trail

Wendy’s megawatt smile and genuine presence light up any room she enters. Her ability to make others feel seen and valued is a testament to her authenticity. Honest, hopeful, and sincere, Wendy shares life’s anecdotes with warmth and clarity. While memories from high school may blur over time, her steadiness and genuine spirit have remained constants, guiding her journey into forestry and sustainable farming, and her care of family and enduring legacy at EMS and beyond.

Rooted in Heritage, Growing with Purpose

Wendy, alongside her husband Mark, both graduates of EMS’s Class of 1995, operate Wenger Grapes in Waynesboro, Virginia. This family farm and her family’s attendance of EMS are rooted in tradition. Both a grandparent and her parents also attended EMS. Wenger Grapes specializes in growing Concord and Niagara grapes and has been in Wendy’s family since 1938. Under Wendy and Mark’s stewardship, the farm has evolved with a renewed focus on environmental responsibility. Their “pick-your-own” grape experience not only supports local agriculture but also a connection between the community, their food, and the land.

The Seeds of Environmental Stewardship

Wendy Playing Volleyball in Background

Wendy’s passion for the environment germinated during her time at EMS, particularly through her active involvement in science classes and a transformative composting research project. These experiences sowed the seeds for her lifelong commitment to sustainable practices.

 Following high school, Wendy went to College and joined Mennonite Voluntary Service in Topeka, Kansas, where she contributed significantly to the Kansas Rural Center. This organization champions sustainable agriculture, supporting small farmers. Wendy’s role aligned seamlessly with her gifts of connection and presence, as she walked along other farmers to bring sustainable methods to their farming practices. 

Wendy working as Forester

A Forester’s Journey

Like many family farmers, farming is not Wendy’s only job. Beyond the vineyards, Wendy serves as a Forester for the Shenandoah region. Her responsibilities encompass creating comprehensive land use plans, advising on sustainable timber harvesting, addressing tree health, and playing an integral role in wildland firefighting efforts.

Her participation in wildland firefighting training equips both herself and her colleagues with critical skills to manage and contain wildfires—which is vital in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas. 

 Full Circle: A Legacy of Impact

Reflecting on her journey, Wendy views her experiences—from Shenandoah Valley to Topeka and back again—as interconnected. Each chapter, enriched by lessons in science, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and family dedication, contributes to her holistic approach to life and work. She now proudly also shares her love of Eastern Mennonite School as a current parent. Her three children are now thriving, learning and growing in that same rich soil that educated her and Mark, her parents, and grandparent. Their family legacy has truly come full circle.

Mark and Wendy sharing in Class at EMHS

Balancing the roles of land manager, emergency responder, farmer, and devoted family member, Wendy Wenger Hochstedler exemplifies the spirit of service and connection. Her story is not just one of personal achievement but an inspiring testament to the enduring impact one individual can have on both people and the planet. You can see her out on the soccer pitch cheering on the EMS flames, volunteering time in the classroom teaching about sustainable farming, and being a present parent and friend to all.

As we celebrate Wendy’s alumni journey, may her story inspire us all to cultivate our passions, care for our communities, and steward the world with love and purpose, one crawl through the forest floor at a time.