Articles
“Faith at Work” is this year’s theme for chapel (grades 6-12) and weekly elementary gathering. Claire Parsley ’22, and Elisabeth Fink ’22, shared the following in an introductory chapel. To see chapel videos, search YouTube for “Eastern Mennonite School Chapel.” Claire: “Faith at Work” has been selected for this year’s chapel theme. This school has…
New faculty and staff members: Karla Alderfer Tierney – Dining hall manager Benjamin Bixler – high school Bible and humanities courses Oscar Erazo – fleet and grounds coordinator Nathan Hershberger – AP world history Matthew Overacker – PE and health, 6-10 Eliz Ozcan – International Student Officer Karen Suderman – Adds high school Bible to…
Like countless other health care professionals, Dr. Justin Weirich ’06 was among those who went the “extra mile” to serve clients during the height of a COVID-19 outbreak last year. A family medicine practitioner at Lutheran Health Physicians in Fort Wayne, Ind., Weirich and his colleagues observed a lack of sufficient COVID testing capacity in local…
Much has changed in the 55 years since John Fairfield and Kathryn Stoltzfus Fairfield earned their high school diplomas, along with 75 classmates, at EMHS in 1966. But some core elements remain steady, the couple — now married nearly 52 years — observes. EMS remains true to its Anabaptist roots, they say, and continues to…
After 33 years of teaching history and Bible classes at EMS, Elwood Yoder is moving on to write a Virginia Mennonite history book. Family who joined a May 3 recognition were: Philip ’10, Elwood and Joy, Maria ’06 and Aaron Billings, and grandchildren. Son, Nathaniel ’04, lives in Kansas with Maggie and their children. Read more about…
As COVID-restrictions began to ease this spring, students enjoyed versions of some long-held EMS traditions. Fourth and fifth graders put on a play outdoors for the elementary school’s annual dessert theater. Community Service Day in outdoor nearby settings with small groups revived the tradition which took a hiatus last spring. Juniors and seniors enjoyed a banquet…
“Slavery in Rockingham County,” singing together for the first time, and learning from area streams were among the experiences offered to students in mid-April. The days were a COVID-adjusted and safe alternative to the usual week-long spring experiential learning offered for grades 6-12 known as E-term and Explore Week. The group experiences included: Advocacy and…
Varsity athletics teams had a chance at competitive play this winter and spring with masking and distance learning while in season. Spring highlights included: At the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state-wide meet, Gabriel Albers ’21 was named Athlete of the Meet and Most Valuable Runner for DII. He broke two school records in both…
Most of Eastern Mennonite School’s 357 students, K to 12, came to school daily throughout the 2020-21 school year. Our students wore masks, kept distance, wiped desks, ate lunch outside (a good change!), adjusted to new schedules, and limited interactions to smaller groups. Some did classwork from home for the safety of compromised family members,…
We were fortunate to complete fall classes in person – with extended holiday breaks – with no incidents of COVID among students, staff or teachers. We welcome prayers for: ongoing discernment and decision making. support of students and families who have had direct experience with the realities of COVID-19. faculty who carry heavy loads teaching…