Golden Honorees Golden Honorees Golden Anniversary Anniversary Spring 2003.pdf · The Golden...

Golden Honorees... As part of Lutheran High’s fiftieth anniversary celebration fifty Golden Honorees were selected to represent the many Christian servants who sacrificed to make Lutheran High a reality, including

the saints who have gone before us and now worship around the throne. The Golden Honorees have been recognized at eventsthroughout the celebration year. Some honorees respectfully declined public recognition.

Golden Anniversary Celebrations Revisited...Jeff Bargman

Benefactor/Volunteer

Lynette BargmanBenefactor/Volunteer

Robert BarnesTeacher/Administrator (1969-77)

Ken BauerFine Arts Chair (1985-present)

Anne (Sorensen) BierlingTeacher/Counselor (1989-96)

Bud BisbeeMusic Director (1962-71)

Gerald BrommerArt Teacher (1954-75)

Tom ButzLutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)

David CartwrightBoard Member/Consultant (1980’s)

Keith ChristiansenTeacher/Chaplain/Dean (1983-88)

Waldo CloeterTeacher/Board Member (1980’s)

Skip CraigBenefactor

Helen CraigBenefactor/English Teacher (1977-85)

Lori DoblerTeacher/AD/Coach (1985-2001)

Stan DoblerTeacher/Coach (1985-2001)

Robert DoeringTeacher/Coach (1953-66)

Judi (Anderson) Earle ‘62Volunteer/Thrift Shop Manager

Paul EbelTeacher/Administrator (1956-64)

Doris (Killingsworth) Ferrel ‘62Guild President/Board Member

Alfred FreitagFounding Principal/Superintendent (1953-71)

Lowell GoeckerTeacher/Coach (1970-79)

Helen GulbransonBenefactor

Robert HentzBenefactor/Board Member (1990’s)

Bernie KochGuild President/Food Service (1980’s)

Gene KochFood Service/Volunteer (1980’s)

Al LudtkeTeacher/Coach (1976-present)

In Memorium ~ March 22, 2003Don Majer

Board Member/Benefactor

Dee MalousisEnglish Teacher (1980’s)

Jake MartyTeacher/Counselor (1980’s)

Lois MastonRegistrar/Librarian (1985-95)

Robert McKinneyTeacher/Coach/Religion Chair (1970’s)

Gene OettingTeacher/Coach (1956-1967)

John PerlingBoard Member (1980’s)

David PettaVolunteer

Al RothPrincipal (1980’s)

Elda SchutteThrift Store Manager (1960-90’s)

Sherri SnyderThrift Store Manager/Bus Driver/Volunteer

Steve SnyderVolunteer

MaryJean SpallinoBenefactor

Stueve FamilyBenefactor

Don TietjenBoard Member (1960’s &1980’s)

Florence Van PattenFederated Lutheran Women/Benefactor

Barry Walter ’69Board Member ( 1980’s/1990’s)

Jerry WendtLutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)

What do Lutheran High Schoolalumni and teachers remember whenthey hear the name of Dr. Alfred Freitag?

As an alumna of that first class, I thinkof the wonderful, God-fearing man whodid so much to help shape and mold ourlives. Dr. Freitag, LHS founding princi-pal/superintendent and the dedicated,inspiring, and enthusiastic first facultylaid a firm foundation on which ourfutures would be built. He still loves tobe in touch with his former students andcolleagues even after all these years. Wekid him about being long winded,especially at our reunions!!!

Dr. Freitag credits his fellow staffmembers for helping him be the bestteacher possible. He commented, “Godwas so good to have given us the bestqualified staff to help me those first years.”

As Phyllis Lechner, formerly MissBunke states, " I believe the mostimportant quality in Dr. Freitag was hisstrong Christian faith...his trust andcommitment to Jesus Christ made himthe best person possible to lead LHSduring its beginning years. He also had afine sense of humor. I will always treasurethe honor I was given to be one of thefirst seven on the faculty of LHS."

Helga (Grabenhorst) McGinnis ’56(LHS’s first valedictorian) remembersthe first time she met Mr. Freitag. It was

at Faith Lutheran School when headdressed her class and encouraged themto enjoy the wonderful experiences ofthe new Walter A. Maier Lutheran HighSchool in Los Angeles. He did this formany of the schools in the surroundingareas, covering a lot of ground.

In January of 1953 my folks, PaulKuehnert (on the first board of direc-tors), and my mother Margaret (the veryfirst Guild president and one of thefounders of the first thrift shop), ofteninvited Dr. Freitag to our home fordinner, and helped to acquaint him withother directors and lay leaders.

Some of the following are Dr. Freitag’sfavorite sayings: “The real blessings inlife are PEOPLE.” “God loves us always,even though he knows us sooo well!!!”“The guy worthwhile is the guy who cansmile, even when the joke is on him!”

His dedication to his values is clearlyreflected in his resume. He led LHS asprincipal from 1953-1971. He receivedhis doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in

1965. Later during his years at LHS, heoften provided counsel to the founders ofother Christain high schools.

In 1968 he took a sabbatical toConcordia Seminary in St. Louis. Hewas a full-time professor at PepperdineUniversity for 17 years. He was called toZion Lutheran Church in Glendale in1971 and was minister there for approxi-mately nine years while continuing toteach at Pepperdine. After Zion, heserved at Trinity Lutheran Church inLos Angeles where he helped thecongregation celebrate its centennialanniversary.

Even now, at the age of 87, he is thepastor of a small church in Rosemead,California. Remarkably, with the passingof so many years, it seems like the differ-ence in age between ourselves and thosefirst teachers has grown very small. Nolonger just mentors, they have becomeour friends. We love Dr. Freitag for beingthere for us. He enriched the lives of somany students. May God bless him andkeep him as he continues in the serviceof our Lord. He is truly a man of God, amentor of students, and a friend to all.

Helen CraigEnglish Teacher1977 to 1985

In the fall of 1977, Iwalked on to theLutheran High School

Burbank Campus for the first time as ateacher. The first person I met was BobMcKinney who gave me a great big hug.It made me wonder, “What kind of aplace is this?” It didn’t take long to findout it was a warm, loving, hugging, andChrist-centered campus. What a joy itwas to arrive each morning!

I have such wonderful memories fromthose years. There was such a lovingrelationship between the staff and thestudents we had a lot of laughs,learning, and love.

Being a sports fan, I enthusiasticallysupported the LHS teams. One of thebest memories I have is of the year 1984.The boy’s basketball team won theSouthern CIF championship.

However, the greatest gift I receivedfrom LHS was being surrounded by aChristian atmosphere. Whether inchapel services or the classrooms, Christwas the main focus.

To this day, I thank God for thosewonderful years. What a blessing theyhave been to my family and me!

Anne Sorensen BierlingTeacher, Counselor, Assistant Principal 1989 to 1996

When I accepted myfirst call to L.A. Lutheranin 1989, I was warnedthat the school was notthriving. It had recently

downsized to 89 students, and the campusconsisted of some classrooms and porta-bles. The principal was dying of cancerand the pay was low. I was also warnedby many in the Midwest that I wouldnot thrive in Los Angeles. And yet theminute I stepped on campus, I knew thiswas exactly where God wanted me.

I was immediately impressed with thefaith and commitment of many of thefaculty members. They were there towin hearts for Jesus, and they madesacrifices on many levels to do so. Thecampus was small, but the students wereclose and the parents were friendly.

During the next 7 years, the schoolendured hardships: the death of abeloved principal, the stress of movingand construction on a faithful new prin-

cipal, the transition to a new location,financial burdens, and an onslaught ofnatural disasters: earthquake, floodingand fires. And yet through it all, it wasalways apparent God's hand was working.God continued to send faithful parentsand teachers who were willing to serveand sacrifice. Unbeknownst to them,every student was being prayed over bya faculty member. Many coaches taughtthe importance of running the REALrace of life, and prayer groups, FCA, andworship teams continued to grow.

Somehow when I resigned in 1996 tohave my first child I thought myministry at L.A. Lutheran was over, butGod definitely had other plans. Myhusband Randy and I continue to bevery connected to many of the 1990-1996 grads, and in many ways feel this isthe most fruitful part of our ministry.Because of the small size of the school,relationships between students andteachers do not end at graduation. Isn'tit interesting how God works? The veryaspect of the school I was warned about,turned out to be what God used most…

Rev. John PerlingMount Calvary Lutheran Church

Board Chairman 1980’s

LOOKING BACK WITH JOY - LOOKING FORWARD IN FAITH

BURBANK TO MISSION HILLS

When Charles Dickens wrote hisgreat book about London and Paris atwar (A Tale of Two Cities) his firstsentence could be just as accurate of LosAngeles Lutheran High School duringthese difficult years for truly it was “Thebest of times and the worst of times.”

Being forced to leave the familiar andancestral habitat of east Inglewood dueto security concerns, we made a bid on arather ramshackle site in Burbank,which had been used by the Sisters ofMother Cabrini since before Californiabecame a state. The ownership was notwith the Los Angeles diocese but directlywith the Pope in the Vatican. Only byan act of grace the Pope was said toaffirm: “Give it to the Lutherans so itmay stay in the church.” Thus weinherited the acreage upon which LosAngeles Lutheran High spent a littleless than a decade.

Three major, and ultimately insur-mountable obstacles, confronted usfrom the beginning. First was that wehad left our basis of sponsoring congre-gations thus forfeiting a huge share ofour income; secondly we had “forced”

ourselves upon an area which felt noownership in the high school effort; andthird the sad fact that our bussesdischarged young people on a campuswhose neighbors looked with greatdismay on their racial make-up. Somuch for the “worst of times” uponwhich our Board of Directors spent themajority of their time.

Some of themost beautifulservices were heldin the solemn, yetinspiring confinesof the chapel,which was thecenter of campusattention. The fac-ulty was enhancedwith new membersc o m p l i m e n t i n gthose who transferred from the formercampus. Academically superior studentscontinued to be produced. Sports,drama intramural activities all auguredwell for a well rounded educational basisserving eager students who were sent ontheir way after four years to highereducation facilities. Thus the “best oftimes” was felt and experienced byfaculty, boards, and students alike.

Upon reflection it was not thechairing or attending of Board sessions that I remember---it was the checkingon possible sites for relocation when itbecame obvious that we must move to anew site. The choice was before theBoard: shall we exist on a campus forfour more years and be able to sell thecampus for the amount of debt we haveincurred or shall we sell now and haveenough money in the bank to make areasonable down payment on a new sitewhen it is found? I was determined tofollow the latter course.

Several “promising” sites presentedthemselves. One by one they all failedto meet our needs. We visited four sitesper week for months unable to find whatthe Lord of His church had in mind forus and finally accepted the offer fromChapel of the Cross Lutheran Churchin Mission Hills to use their campuswith portable classrooms and officesuntil a final location would be found.

Many of us worked very hard and spenthundreds of hours to produce somethingfor which none of us were pleased. Itwas a stopgap at best, we felt. Little didwe know that the Lord had a place inmind that was not quite ready yet!

Lowell GeockerTeacher, Coach, Assistant Principal1970 to 1979

For me personally, thefirst significant impact of

Lutheran-L.A. is that my wife, Kay(Klenk) ‘63 graduated from LHS-LAand her high school years obviously werea success in Christian education. Shehad a long commute to travel from theSan Fernando Valley, but always empha-sized that it was worth it. Other gradu-ates like Jim Young ‘64 and Ken Ebel ‘64have always inspired me and impressedme. I knew they went to a great highschool. My beloved and inspirationalcollege professor of sociology, Dr. Kupkehad taught at LHS-LA and I definitelyknew that LHS was a special place.

In 1970, God provided a call fromLuther South, Chicago to LHS-LA. Iwas given the chance to innovate andtry new things in areas like sociology,U.S. history, and teaching a blackhistory course. I could coach track atone of the best schools in the country.The quality of students and staff at theschool always inspired me to set highstandards for myself and attempt tomaintain the historically high standardsthat had been established. RolandSylwester inspired me, Al Vorderstrassewas a mentor, Jim Young was alwaysinspirational, Randy Lowe wasfascinating, Bob McKinney was amentor, and students l ike LisaCovington, Chip Benson, PhilipKershner, Ken Roupe, Kevin Baker, CarlRehberg, Chris Richter, Mike Nagata,Kevin Jackson, Jethro Collins, Bruceand Bryan Lambert, Rich Reaser and somany others I can’t begin to list themall… What a joy to teach and coach atLHS during the 1970’s.

The track teams in the 70’s wereawesome! What a great bunch ofathletes and people! To win eight leaguechampionships and two state meet titleswas a thrilling run of successes. ChipBenson’s world record in the triple jump(48’ 10” as a 16 year old) at ArcadiaRelays was truly a thrilling experiencefor him and for the school. However,the best part of the team and individual

successes was the growth in people. Kidsgrew as leaders, faithful followers of theLord, and knew how to pursueexcellence. They gained far more thanmedals and trophies.

Lutheran High, Los Angeles hasalways been about excellence–before Igot there, during my time there, andafter I left. What a history! Thanks forthe memories.

Elda Schutte Guild Member, Thrift Shop Manager1960’s to 1990’s

Thank you so muchfor asking me to share

some thoughts about my involvement inLos Angeles Lutheran High School overthe past 40 years.

There is so much I could write about.My son Jim, my youngest daughterMarsha, and also my daughter-in-lawEthel all graduated from Lutheran High.

My involvement with the Thrift Shopgoes back almost to the beginning. Theschool had a very active guild thatoperated the shops to help with the gen-eral fund as well as purchasing propertyfor future expansion. What started as aday or two a week ended up a full timevolunteer job that included my motherwho did a lot of mending for the shopand also my husband Bert, who did a lotof repair work and pickups. There wasalso a group of ladies that cut unusableclothes into rags that were sold topainters, etc. There were very few donationsthat were absolutely not useable.

All the years volunteering at the shopwere happy times and very fulfilling. Ifeel very strongly that Christian educationis very important, and that the LA areais an extremely large mission field.

Congratulations on the Fiftieth!

Gerald F. BrommerTeacher, Coach1954 to 1975

My Lutheran Highexperience spannedtwenty-one years, sothere are many memo-ries that flood my

mind as I recall students, events, year-books, sports, chapel services in thequad, and scores of other LHS happen-ings.

I remember our Olympic League andCIF championships and my owncoaching track, cross country, baseballand basketball teams. I am still in touchwith some of those fine young men.

I remember yearbook staffs and theincredible jobs they did over and abovetheir exemplary class work. Editors,writers, designers, photographers, sportseditors, finance people were all vitalelements in winning award after awardfor our school. Some of them I see quiteoften.

‘64 Paw Prints staff

And many super art students who arenow university, high school andelementary art teachers, graphic design-ers, muralists, writers of school artcurricula, crafts people, book designersand illustrators, product designers,illustrators of religious books andmagazines, and fine artists with majorshows to their names. Again, I see manyof them from time to time.

Very important to me were theincredible Christmas and Springconcerts held at Pepperdine Universityand in our quad. The music wasabsolutely first-rate, but what I recallwith great joy are the sets and scenerydesigned, built and decorated by artstudents as out-of-class activities. Manyof those people are still friends.

In the end, it is the community ofChristian students and teachers that hasmoved out from the LHS experiencethat i s important . I cherish thememories and the continuing friendships.

Dr. Freitag: Man of God, Mentor of Students, Friend to AllBy Carole (Kuehnert) Gallagher ‘56

Carole (Kuehnert) Gallagher ‘56, Helga (Grabenhorst)McGinnis ’56, Dr. Alfred J. Freitag and Mrs. Phyllis

(Bunke) Lechner, at Golden Jubilee Celebration.

Homecoming �02

�Journey Trough the Decades�10th Annual Dinner & Auction

Golden Jubilee CelebrationCicada Restaurant, Downtown Los Angeles

Worship Service Faith Lutheran Church, Inglewood

1. Dr. Freitag visits with 1958 homecoming queen Sandy (Carrico)Chung ‘58 2. Past homecoming queens Michelle (Gomez) Canel ‘89,Peri Booth ‘87, Christina Hernandez ‘00, Diane (Neuman) Bray ‘78,Ashley Parker ‘79, and Sandy (Carrico) Chung ‘58. 3. AlumniCheerleaders show their Lion Spirit. Sandy (Carrico) Chung ‘58,Fran (Cummings) Sanders ‘82, Mary (Luening) Gill ‘82, AshleyParker ‘79, Daphne (Benson) Gowans ‘81, Susan (Baker) Hickman‘82, Diane (Neuman) Bray ‘78 and Christina Hernandez ‘00.

6. Rev. Jim Young ‘64, one of many alumni who participated inthe worship service, delivers sermon. 7. Phyllis (Bunke) Lechner,Alfred Freitag, Helga (Grabenhorst) McGinnis ‘56, and GeraldBrommer. 8. Dale Wolfgram introduces Golden Honorees Robert Hentz, Bob McKinney, Al Ludtke, Jake Marty, JerryWendt, Tom Butz, Don Majer, Gerald Brommer, and AlfredFreitag. Also honored was Don Tietjen. 9. LHS music studentslead dinner guests in closing hymn “O God, Our Help at Lutheran High.” 10. Carole (Kuehnert) Gallagher ‘56 poses with Mr. Brommer and her Brommer original.

4. Christian Servant Alumnus of the Year Rachel(Loesch) Klitzing ‘75 with classmates Dan Novak‘75 and Gay France ‘75 5. Ernest Hamilton ‘69 as he accepts the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award.

50th Anniversary Grand Finale EventConcert on the Green Alumni Reunion Concert & Picnic

Saturday, June 7, 2003Concert Begins at 5:00 P.M.

9:00 A.M. Rehearsals for participating alumni 12:00 Noon Memorabilia Display & Tours of Campus

50th Anniversary video presentation 3:00 - 7:30 BBQ prepared by Music Boosters 3:15 - 4:30 Alumni Group Photos by Decade 5:00 P.M. Concert Begins

Fine Arts Director Ken Bauer has a spectacular program planned.Many alumni will return to perform with current LHS musicstudents. Be sure to bring a blanket/chair to sit on and a jacket justin case it becomes cool.

Golden Honorees being honored include: Jeff & LynetteBargman, Robert Barnes, Ken Bauer, Anne Sorensen Bierling, Skip & Helen Craig, Stan & Lori Dobler, Lois Matson, DeeMalousis, and Elda Schutte.

Golden Honorees - Their Personal ReflectionsLHS has a fascinating and rich history to which many have contributed. The following golden honoree memories are

personal reflections and do not necessarily represent the perspective of the school or other constituents.

Carole Kuehnert, 1956

Lutheran Hi-Lines/Lion Alumni NewsSpecial 50th Anniversary IssueVolume 18 Issue 2, Spring 2003

Los Angeles Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School13570 Eldridge AvenueSylmar, Ca 91342(818) 362-5861Fax: (818) 367-0043www.lalhs.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDMission Hills CAPERMIT NO. 336

Graphic Design By: Stacie Vaughan ‘95 of DSJ Printing, Inc.

�02/�03

�63�56

�54�53

“Train up a child in the way heshould go and when he is old he willnot depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. Itwas upon this passage that LutheranHigh was established and to this endcontinues to touch young lives withthe gospel of Jesus Christ. LutheranHigh opened its doors for the first timein 1953; however, it was as far back asthe 1930’s that the FederatedLutheran Women and individualsfrom surrounding congregations pavedthe way to establish the first LutheranHigh School in Southern California.

By 1942, loyal Lutherans formed acommittee for Lutheran High and in1943 the “Greater Los AngelesLutheran High School Association”was a reality. Lutheran congregations,from Los Angeles to as far away asRedlands, along with the

Federated Lutheran Women were found-ing members of the new association.

In the spring of 1953 the name waschanged from “Greater Los AngelesLutheran High School Association” to“Lutheran High School Association ofSouthern California” and its membersnumbered 25 congregations and twoassociate members – the FederatedLutheran Women and the LutheranBusiness and Professional Women.

In the late 1940’s, the property at70th Street and 8th Avenue in LosAngeles was purchased and phase oneof the first campus (office, classroom,music and library building) wasdedicated on May 24, 1953. Walter A.Maier Memorial Lutheran High Schoolwas the name chosen for the school.

Dr. Walter A. Maier(1893-1950) for whom theschool was originally namedwas a Lutheran Hour radiospeaker and great Christiantrailblazer. He expressed astrong desire for the presenceof a Lutheran high school inLos Angeles. The original oilportrait of Dr. Maier, which

was presented by his wife Mrs. Hulda Maier in1954, hangs in our library.

1953 The first day of school,September 14, 1953, began with 80students in the 9th and 10th grades.

The first staff included Mr. AlfredFreitag-principal, Mr. Robert Doering,Mr. Alfred Vorderstrasse, Miss PhyllisBunke, Miss Alice Snow, Mr. AdamLautenschlager, Mr. George Zehnder,and Mrs. Sunny Beck-secretary.

During the first weeks of school allsorts of history-making decisions were made by the first student body,from the school’s colors – royal blue and white to the school’s mascot –Lions (winning over “Crusaders” and“Tigers). Lutheran High was blessed tohave the love and service ofdedicated support groups includingthe Federated Lutheran Women(FLW), the Lutheran Business andProfessional Women (LBPW) andLHS’s own auxiliaries-the LutheranLion Athletic Club (LLAC) and theLutheran High Guild (LHG).Theseorganizations, made up of interestedparents and friends, gave much oftheir time, energy, and resources tohelp LHS however and wheneverpossible.

Booster Club members poured and turned manypancakes and burgers over the years.

1954 The first bus servicetransported students from the SanFernando Valley. Eventually therewere as many as eight bus routes.Some students were known to travelas many as 100 miles round trip.

At homecoming a snake dancewas done to collect students to meet in the quad.

1955 The first issue of theTrailblazer school paper (replacing theL.H.S. News) was published in March1955. The name Trailblazer wasselected as a reminder that LutheranHigh was a pioneering venture,blazing the trail in SouthernCalifornia for other Lutheran HighSchools to follow–“O Send Out ThyLight and Thy Truth, Let Them LeadMe. Ps. 43:3.” was printed on themasthead of each issue.

1956 The year1956 marked thegraduation of the firstsenior class, the firstjunior/senior banquet,the first “Paw Prints”yearbook, and eventhe first alumni gathering in July. Itwas also the introductory year of theAlma Mater, written by A. J. Freitag.

Before Phase II ofthe building programwas completed a con-secration rally was heldwhere prayer-pledgeswere gathered andsealed in the wall ofthe new structure.

1961 The LHS Paw Prints year-book and the Trailblazer newspaperreceived many awards throughout theyears. The El Camino CollegeYearbook Forum gave the Paw Printsits top award and the National

Scholastic PressAssociation of the University ofMinnesota gave it a “first class” rating.The Trailblazer, boasting a circulationof 16,000, largest in the nation for ahigh school newspaper, won theGallup Award, Quill and Scroll; FirstPlace, Edward A. Dickson MemorialAward (UCLA); First Class Rating,National Scholastic Press Association,and first place “Coverage,” Los AngelesCity College.

The class of 1961 for its senior classgift commissioned the “We WitnessNow” mural by Gerald Brommer.

1962 The Guild opened its firstthrift shop in the early 1960s.

Dedicated and hardworkingGuild members and their families operated as manyas four shops at one time, providing hundreds ofthousands of dollars for the cause of Lutheran Highover the years.

1963 The football team, undercoach Gene Oetting, won the school’svery first CIF (SS-Small Schools)Championship. The year before thefootball team was runner-up.

Literally jumping forjoy, Mike Law ‘64, All-CIF center, raises thegame ball toward heav-en, as Mr. Ebel presentscoaches Oetting andEdwards with the CIFSS Championship trophy.

1964 The baseball team, undercoach Bob Doering, won its first CIF 1-A Championship.

1965 The varsity baseball team,under coach Doering, captured itssecond consecutive CIF 1-A Champ-ionship. Rodney Poteete ‘65 won the1965 CIF record for the most strike-outs-205 in a season as well as namedCIF’s 1-A All-time Baseball Player ofthe year for both 1964 and 1965.

1966 The boys basketball team,under coach Ed Wieshan, won the1966 CIF 1-A championship. Thissame year, all five starters of the LHS1984 CIF championship basketballteam were born.

1967 The boys varsity sports wonthree Olympic League championships–in football, basketball and baseball.The Baseball team, under coach LyleBeecher, won the CIF 1-AChampionship – LHS’s third CIFbaseball championship in four years.The enrollment peaked at approxi-mately 652 students. LHS entered thecomputer age. Thenew locker and show-er rooms, Phase III ofthe building program,were dedicated.

‘Lake Lutheran’ OffersWater Thrills, Spills - Ofthe many opportunitiesoffered at Lutheran High,that of playing on “LakeLutheran,” the football field,was exceptionally noteable.

1968Mr. Freitag took a sabbaticalat Concordia Seminary fall 1968; Rev.Richard Meyer served as DeputySuperintendent; Gene Oetting asPrincipal.

1970 The annual Edith DibblePerpetual Science Fund and the ClaraSchmidt Scholarships for LHS seniorswere established.

The Melody Makers appeared on the AndyGriffith Show, “Headmaster.”

1971 Rev. Richard Meyer wasappointed superintendent.

1972 The decline in enrollmentbegan. Campus relocation was consideredand a search for a new location began.

The baseball team under Coach JimYoung ‘64 won the CIF 1-AChampionship.

Bob Goodyear ’73 wasnamed CIF 1-A All-timePlayer of the Year and wasthe CIF 1-A record holderfor career wins, perfect sea-son, shutouts, and no-hitters

1976 The Guild began its ThriftShop Financial Grant Program fortuition assistance.

1977 Lutheran High moved fromLos Angeles to theVilla Cabrini campus,7500 Glenoaks Blvd.in Burbank betweensemesters of the 1976-77 school year.

Mr. Roland Sylwester’sfamous sketch of the bell towerat the Villa Cabrini campus.

1978 In the 70’s LHS trackteams, under coach Lowell Goecker,won 8 league titles and two consecu-tive CIF 1-Achampionshipsin 1977 and1978. The girlst rack team,under coachCheryl Rieck,won the CIF 1-A title in 1977.

On occasion Hollywood moviecompanies used the LHS campus forTV and movie sets. A food serviceprogram was started. The cafeteria wascalled the “Lions’ Den” and wassuccessfully run by Gene and BernieKoch.

1979 The LHS Burbank campuswas the site for the 1979 HarlemGlobetrotters tryouts and trainingcamp. Other campus uses includedMarriage Encounter weekend retreats,

and otherretreats and seminars. Remember the“What’s a foot?” campaign?

1980 LHS held its First AnnualCar Show “Concours d’Elegance”.

1982 The year 1982 markedLHS’s 30th anniversary. Studentscelebrated the school’s 30-yearheritage and paid tribute to LHS’s firstteacher, Mr. Vorderstrasse aka Mr. Vwith the homecoming theme: “LHSfrom A to V.”

Helen and George ‘Skip’ Craigestablished the Mary WesterScholarship Fund to provide tuitionassistance for LHS students and theHelen Craig Award for an outstandingLHS graduate in English.

1983 LHS expanded into a juniorhigh school, adding grades seven andeight. A film crew from the LutheranHour came to the LHS campus to film“And the Fourth Commandment isLove” which aired on KNBC.

1984 The boys varsity basketballteam, under coach Bob Dueker, wonthe CIF 1-A Basketball Championship.

1985 Varsity Cheerleaders, leadby coach LesaStrickland, won11th place in then a t i o nat the NationalC h e e r l e a d i n gA s s o c i a t i o n(NCA) National

High School Championships.

1986 LHS moved from Burbankto Mission HillsChapel of the CrossCampus until a newpermanent locationcould be found.

“Senior Square” at the Mission Hills Campus

1987 The Guild created theGuild Scholarship for LHS graduatesstudying for full-time church work.

1991 Cheryl Rieck: Teacher,Coach, Principal (1974 - 1991) passedaway on February 22, 1991. DaleWolfgram was called to the position ofprincipal in March. LHS began the1991-92 school year on its new perma-nent campus in Sylmar.

1992 The new library on theSylmar campus, sponsored by the LHSGuild, was dedicated “The StabenLibrary” in loving memory of longtimeGuild member and Thrift ShopManager, Irma Staben. LHS held itsfirst Annual Dinner & Auction“Spirit of the West”. LHS’s 11thAnnual Dinner & Auction “Underthe Harvest Moon” is set forNovember 8, 2003.

Marty Luening(center), formerboard member andlongtime volunteer,was an ardent sup-porter of LHS’s

annual dinner and auction. Wife Mary Lueningand Lynette Bargman also enjoy the bidding.

LHS established the annualAlumnus of the Year Award. In 2001the award expanded into two– theDistinguished and Christian ServantAlumni Awards.

1993 LHS students, under thedirection of Ken Bauer, successfullyproduced the wonderfully youthfulproduction of Peter Pan. A tremendousamount of “sweat equity” by dedicatedstudents and volunteers was spent inthe refurbishment of the auditoriumstage and lighting for the production.

1994 LHS was spared majordamage from the 6.8 magnitudeNorthridge earthquake.

1995 LHS was named theChristus Award recipient by theLutheran Church-Missouri Synod inboth 1995 and 1999 for its commitmentto a Christ-centered mission statement,a strong staff development andoperative school improvement plan, acurriculum of high quality, and its role

as a mission agency.

The “We Witness Now”Mural by Gerald Brommer

was moved from its original location in L.A. to itsnew home on the Sylmar Campus by 1962 gradsBill Basner & Nyle Schaffhauser.

1996 The number participatingin the music program grew to half the student body. LHS music parentsformed a Music Boosters organization.

1997 The softball team, undercoach Lori Dobler, won 7 consecutiveHeritage League titles and held therecord for the second longest leaguewinning streak in CIF-SS history with68 wins. Coach Lori Dobler was namedthe Heritage Coach of Year 7 timesduring her LHS softball coaching career.

The first annual Concert on theGreen was held. LHS musical groupswon first place awards and superiorratings in many competitions, includ-ing the Sweepstakes Trophy won by the Pride Band in the Magic

Mountain Festival of Music. The firstissue of the Lion Alumni News waspublished, under alumni editor DonnaSchoessow ‘60. The LCEF (LutheranChurch Extension Fund), LCMS-Pacific Southwest District, associationchurches, and generous individuals allplayed a part in decreasing theschool’s debt load from $3.5 to $1.2million.

1998 Donations in excess of$25,000 were received to start anendowment for student scholarshipsand capital improvements. Followingthe recommendation of a WASCaccreditation team, a revised missionstatement was adopted: We shareChrist, disciple Christian believers,and education students for college and life.

2000 LHS offered its first collegecourse–Western Civilization oncampus through the CUENET(Concordia University EducationNetwork). A generous LutheranBrotherhood Foundation grant

provided the funding for the distancelearning video conferencing equipment.College Composition was also offeredon campus that year in conjunctionwith L.A. Mission College. ThePartner in Ministry Award wasinaugurated at the 9th Annual Dinnerand Auction; the first recipients wereJeff & Lynette Bargman.

2001 The varsity football teamreached the semi-finals in the CIF 8-man football playoffs. The musicdepartment, under the direction ofKen Bauer, grew to four bands andthree choirs. Performing everything

from sacred music to jazz, dixieland,classical and show tunes, the groupscaptured awards from Orange Countyto San Francisco.

2002/2003 September 4, 2002marked the beginning of the 50thconsecutive school year of LHS.Anniversary celebration eventsthroughout the 2002-2003 school yearincluded a special homecoming,“Journey Through the Decades” 10thAnnual Dinner & Auction, Christmasconcert, worship service at FaithLutheran Church, Inglewood, GoldenJubilee Celebration dinner at CicadaRestaurant, Downtown Los Angeles, agolf tournament at the Cascades GolfClub in Sylmar, and will culminatewith the Concert on the GreenReunion Concert on June 7, 2003. A50th Anniversary video “LookingBack with Joy” premiered at theGolden Jubilee dinner. LHS studentscreated a special 50th Anniversary/50-Year yearbook. Copies of both thevideo and yearbook will be availablefor sale at the Finale Anniversary

event on June7th. The school year also markedAlvin “Luddog” Ludtke’s 30thconsecutive year at LHS – the onlyLHS teacher to teach at all four LHScampus locations. The school success-fully completed another accreditationprocess. From the early years to thepresent LHS has been an accreditedinstitution. Solar panels were installedto help the environment and lowerelectrical costs. The construction oftwo new classrooms to house thedistance learning and computer labswill be completed soon. The end ofour 50th year will see the number ofLHS graduates/alumni exceed 3,500.

Al 'Lud-dog' LudtkeTeacher, Coach1973 to present

I remember the1970’s… The quadwhere we had chapel,pep rallies, lunch andassemblies or any

presentation… Music then; musicnow… A school with varsity and jvfootball, volleyball, basketball,baseball, track and tennis, freshmanbasketball and soccer.... The Fridaynight coronation pageants inInglewood, Burbank and Sylmar...The Order of the Silver Ring withBob McKinney... Ten track champi-onships of Olympic League mainlyunder Coach Lowell Goecker... 1975CIF football runner-up under CoachRobert Holliday, including atelevised (channel 4) quarterfinalwith Joan (Harmelin) Cunningham’76 interviewing athletic directorRobert Doering during half time... Afaculty/administration that offeredRoland Sylwester, Alfred Vorderstrasse,

Gerald Brommer, Lowell Goecker,Jim Young ‘64, Bob Dueker, Nelene(Hiepler) Fox ’70, Bob McKinney,Jake Marty, Bob Barnes, CherylRieck, the Tirmenstreins, amongothers... Touring Villa Cabrini beforethe big move.

The 1980’s… The “What’s-A-Foot?”campaign to financially save theschool... The huge chancel banner ofthe three articles to the Apostle’sCreed that the entire student bodyworked on under the guidance of Mr.Roland Sylvester... The “Big Four”administrators of 1980-81... The newfaculty of 1983-84 which includedRev. Keith Christiansen, Al Staie,Steve Rauch, Sharon Komar, SteveBorth, Dee Malousis, Dottie O’Mara,and Kim Witte... LHS’s first juniorhigh 1983-84 and shuttling downGlenoaks for classes at thePresbyterian church... 1984 CIFchampions in basketball at theSports Arena.... The first officialfootball/soccer field with a track for

HOME games starting in 1980-81...The 1986 homecoming footballvictory of LAB.

The 1990’s... A faculty andadministration that offered KenBauer, Anne (Sorensen) Bierling,Lois Maston, Dale Wolfgram,Howard Freudenberg, Susan (Horn)Jardim ’81, Barb (Klatt) Rittenhouse,Pastor Jon Imme, Laurena (Petta)Townsend ’87, Stan and Lori (Holy)Dobler, Perry Miller, and LisaFlaxbeard... The plays You Can’t TakeIt with You, Once Upona Mattress, Peter Panand Journey’s End... Astudent body of under100 for three years thathad to “bu i ld” o r borrow everything...Friendships betweenteachers and students…

Looking Forward in Faith...

�851985

Lutheran High School, an Instrument of God's LoveBy Dale Wolfgram, Executive Director

When you stop to reflect on yourlife, what stands out the most? Is ityour great successes; those timeswhen you were at your best? Did youbelieve that somehow God loved youmore because you were doing so well?Is it the times when you messed upthe most, when you were at yourworst? Did you believe that you weretoo bad for God to forgive? Is itfriendships or relationships devel-oped along the way? Each person hasdifferent memories that flash acrossthe screen of his/her life.

So it is with us at Lutheran High aswell. Sometimes we have had greatsuccess with athletics. Sometimesthe successes have come from music.At other times the spiritual life of theschool was at a mountaintop level.Sometimes we have taken our eyesoff the goal and stumbled badly.Through it all, God’s grace has sus-tained the school and His work hasbeen done. Relationships havegrown and been shaped and moldedby the love of God. Faith has beennurtured and strengthened. Minds

have been challenged and spiritstouched by the Spirit of God.

That is what Lutheran High isabout. It isn’t just about academics orsports, or fine arts, or even friends. Itis about being touched by the handof God. It is about seeing His face. Itis about feeling His forgiveness andliving in His strength. For fifty yearsthis has been our goal. Our hope isthat we can continue to be theinstrument of God’s love educatingyoung lives for years to come.

Looking Back with Joy...Looking Back with Joy...

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