For alumni Halie Mast and Karla Hostetter, sports have been more than just an activity-they have shaped their personal and professional journeys at EMS and beyond.
Halie Mast: A Journey of Teamwork and Faith
Mast recalls how integral sports were to her EMS experience. Participating in volleyball, cross country, soccer, and basketball, she found them to be an outlet for connection, teamwork, and spiritual growth. Her love for soccer took root unexpectedly her senior year, inspired by the camaraderie and support fostered by coach Andrew Gascho.
At EMU, Halie faced new challenges as the competition intensified, but the lessons from EMS-particularly the emphasis on teamwork and glorifying God-remained central. “Glorifying my creator is something I have carried with me from EMS,” she reflects.
Now a nurse, Halie credits sports for teaching her time management and balance. Her career has taken her around the world, including to Indonesia, where she found sports to be a universal language that built trust across cultures.
Karla Hostetter: Embracing Challenges to Build Community
Karla, a recent EMU graduate, reflects fondly on her volleyball and soccer experiences at EMS. Initially shuffled among volleyball Wilson positions, she became the sole setter by sophomore year thanks to the vision and patience of coaches like Jonathan Williams pictured above. Karla, emphasizes the power of community in sports: “You’re never on an island by yourself. When it doesn’t go well, you take that together. When it does, you celebrate together too.” Inspired by her EMS English teachers and the stories explored in Bible class and chapel, Karla plans to become a middle school English teacher. She believes everyone has a story worth hearing and aims to help students find theirs.
Beyond the Field, Pitch, Court, Track Halie and Karla learned resilience, leadership, and the value of community. Their stories show that sports are not just about competition-they’re about building character and relationships that last. As they embrace what’s next, they continue to inspire others with their perseverance, faith, and commitment to others.
