Alumni Spotlights

What is your current occupation? I am the Lead Pastor of Jerusalem Church in Manheim, PA.

What was your educational path? I attended HMS from K – 6^th grade, until 1991, then moved on to Garden Spot Middle School and High School. After graduating in 1997, I had an interest in real estate sales. I attended Grove City College, and while in college obtained my real estate license in PA. After completing an internship with the Shreiner Group, my plan was to return to Lancaster County to join the Shreiner Group as a Realtor. I graduated from Grove City College in 2001 with a B.S. degree in Marketing Management. My plans changed, and I stayed in western PA and took a job with Cintas Corporation in Bridgeville, PA. I went from a Management Trainee to a facility services sales rep to a uniform sales rep, and, after two years, needed a life change. While working at Cintas, I began to sense a call to gospel ministry, and after taking an evening evangelism course at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS), I enrolled as a full-time student and began in September of 2003. I graduated from RPTS in 2006 with an MDiv degree. I began working at North Park Church in Wexford, PA as the Director of Student Ministry. In May of 2010, I was ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and became the Assistant Pastor at North Park Church while continuing my duties as a Director of Student Ministry. After seven years, I left North Park Church in 2013 to accept a call to Jerusalem Church in Manheim, PA to shepherd the congregation and lead an effort of church revitalization.

How did your HMS experience prepare you for life? HMS was a safe place for me to learn about the world. I came to HMS after my parents pulled me from my public school. I loved it. I made new friends and enjoyed being with my classmates. Mrs. Leatherman was my first teacher, and she was incredible. The loving environment of HMS gave me, a sensitive child, a safe place to learn new things. One of the things that stands out to me was how HMS exposed me to different cultures in my course of study. I think this led me to expand my view of the world and appreciate different people and cultures. I also benefitted from the direct input from teachers that shaped my character/integrity. I still have a copy of at least one year’s report card, and the feedback given reflects things I’m still working on. This was loving and truthful counsel that helped me grow into a godly man. I learned many relationship lessons along the way and learned how to better submit to authority. I benefitted greatly from the education at HMS and made some wonderful friends.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind? ? I am grateful that I had the opportunity to study in a private school with a Christian worldview. I was nurtured at HMS, and for that I am grateful.

Jonathan writes and blogs at Small Town Theologian (smalltowntheologian.org), which focuses on helping people find deeper comfort and joy in the gospel through a podcast, blog, and short books. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Google Podcasts and more. Jonathan has also published two books available on Amazon.com. 

What is your current occupation? I am Assistant Manager at a plasma donation center in North Carolina. I manage the day-to-day operations ensuring that our donors and our patients are safe and receive the medications they need to live a normal life.

What was your educational path? I attended HMS from kindergarten through 8^th grade and went on to graduate from Lancaster Mennonite High School in 1997. I earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Eastern Mennonite University in 2002.

How did your HMS experience prepare you for life?  What I appreciate about my education at HMS is that it gave me the tools I needed to succeed at my next phase in life, and it focused on incorporating my faith with education. HMS was able to give me a very focused education and support my needs as an individual due to smaller class sizes.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind?  My parents invested a lot in my growth as a young man and for that I cannot thank them enough. As an adult, I see that HMS was a part of that growth. One of the things I appreciate most about HMS is the individual support I was given.

Since he has moved a lot for his career, Evan’s focus has been on helping each community that he lives in through volunteer work. He regularly schedules time to help local food banks in the community where he lives. Now more than ever, this is important as there are many people in need.

What is your current occupation? Like many, 2020 was a difficult year & it came with reflection and evaluation of many things important. My current job at that time almost didn’t exist as scheduled surgeries ceased for months. I was moved to the intensive care unit for training and worked alongside some of the most intelligent nurses preparing for worst case scenario at that time. A fire was lit, which led to a career change, as I switched hospitals after nine admirable years in health care. I currently work at Tower Health, Reading Hospital in their Surgical Intensive Care Unit taking care of an array of patients from gunshot wounds, vehicle accidents, strokes to open heart surgery.

What was your educational path?

I attended HMS through 8^th grade, graduating in 2005.  After graduating from Garden Spot High School in 2009, I took a furlough year, evaluating my personal life goals. Which lead to further education attending RACC (Reading Area Community College) as an undeclared major and later transferred to Pennsylvania College of Health Science. I graduated with an associates nursing degree in 2015 and found myself back to school the following summer working on my bachelor’s degree. I finished my BSN from Eastern Mennonite University’s Lancaster location in 2018. I have since added a few letters to my official title through certifications, I am just as proud of them as my actual degrees, and I would like to one day go back and further education but like Jeremiah 29:11a says “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD” and only time will tell if I go back to school.

How did your HMS experience prepare you for life?

HMS takes pride in their curriculum and meeting state standards. The hard work I had to put into my learning helped foster good habits for higher education, especially when learning became more of a challenge. HMS helped me to foster and build strong trusting relationships with adults and others whom I interact with. As a child constantly told myself I was not good enough or smart enough and had multiple HMS adult’s influences tell me differently, from librarians, teachers, and learning support, and I did. Most importantly, they encouraged and helped me foster a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. I still can recall a conversation with my Bible teacher in middle school at her desk, where she held me after class to have a thorough conversation to make sure I was mentally doing well when not acting my usual self and seemed withdrawn. These, these are the same reasons why we enroll our children at Hinkletown.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind?

As an adult only now am I realizing how much family commitment and volunteering it took to invest in children’s lives or how much has gone on behind the scenes. My fondness for HMS did not come for many years until after my own children were born. My husband and I had many long discussions about how we want our children raised, what their faith base would look like and what our hopes and dreams for them are. I want teachers who care and can recognize subtle changes in my children and do it while remembering who is truly in charge, most of all, Jesus Christ. I get so caught up in the hustle and bustle sometimes, like everyone else, and I want to make sure that my children’s relationship with God is regularly affirmed.

After high school, Alicia got involved volunteering for several different ambulance companies and two fire companies. She attends Bowmansville Mennonite Church and serves on the before-and after-school governing council as secretary. She also is on the women’s retreat committee and serves as an elementary grade advisor for a program called Club 26. She enjoys giving back to the community and showing her children how serving others is important.

What is your current occupation? Since 2016 my family has been serving with Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) in Costa Rica. I am a Financial Coordinator for VidaNet which has a bilingual International Discipleship Training School (Vida220), a crisis pregnancy center (El-Nido) and venues for youth groups and schools to participate in short-term mission experiences (Vida Missions).

What was your educational path? I graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School in 1988 and then took some classes at Harrisburg Area Community College. In 1993 I participated in a youth ministry program through EMM called School of Witness. Following that I served as youth pastor at Carpenter Community Church for 7 years.

How did your HMS experience prepare you for life? I have such fond memories of HMS. The middle school years (7^th and 8^th grade) prepared me in many ways. The late Charles Brubaker was one of my favorite teachers. He guided tough discussions on manhood and also introduced me to the computer world on the TI-994a. He also put missions on my mind by having his students adopt a country and then represent it to a simulated United Nations forum. I represented Nepal in that project and still hope to see that country in person.

What did your HMS experience provide you that you now realize is an asset to your adult life and career? The relationships that were formed and the intimacy of the class sizes were such a blessing to me. I relate and learn so much better in this kind of setting.

As an enrolling parent at HMS, what have you observed regarding the impact of the school on your students and family? I love the passion that each teacher has for their students to learn. They find ways that will work for each child.

Daryl served as worship pastor at Carpenter Community Church for 23 years. During that time, he helped to start a worship networking/educating ministry called Worship Link which brings worship leaders together and enables worship teams to enhance their skills. He has also coached community youth soccer teams in the Ephrata area.

What is your occupation? I am a stay-at-home / foster and adoptive mom and I enjoy being active in my kids’ school and church lives. I volunteer for lunch duty, I go on field trips, and I help plan events through the Parent Teacher Fellowship. At church, I serve in the nursery and help with VBS.

What was your educational path? I graduated HMS in ’99, attending from K-8. From there, I went to Garden Spot High School.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life? I love the strong faith foundation HMS gave me, it helped me to stay strong in my faith and guided me in making good friends even as I headed into a public high school. Academically, I felt extremely prepared and confident, and even a bit advanced compared to my peers.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind? The teachers were incredible. Galen Sauder was a favorite of mine. I also enjoyed Mrs. Douple who was a 4th grade teacher who would give us ledger dollars throughout the years as rewards and at the end of the year there would be an auction with fun prizes where we could use our dollars to purchase items. I also appreciate the strong friendships I made. A group of us from HMS stayed friends when we went to high school at Garden Spot and we still get together with each other once a month. I see those same type of friendships being developed by my two older kids who attend HMS now. As a parent, I love how the school has kept its same core values that I remember from my own experience as a student!

The Hursts attend Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community where they serve on several committees. Even as Chad and Nicole dated, they both felt called to be God’s hands and feet as adoptive parents. They decided to get involved in fostering with local organization COBYS seven years ago, and have since adopted two of their children through the program.

Pictured: Nicole Hurst, Class of 1999, with her husband, Chad Hurst, and their children (l to r): Aaron, Clayton, Isaiah, and Chanelle.

What is your occupation? I am an Administrative Assistant at Hinkletown Mennonite School, and I love my job! I have been working at HMS for six years now, and this school year is my seventh school year.

What was your educational path? I attended HMS K through 8th grade, graduating in 2002. I then went to Garden Spot High School and continued on to earn an ASB, or an Associate in Specialized Business, in Office Management at the Consolidated School of Business in Lancaster.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?  HMS provided a lot of opportunities to discover our interests and gifts, particularly in middle school. It was through the drama program that I first learned that I was good with organizing details and enjoyed working as part of a team. This eventually led me to realize in high school that I wanted to work in an office environment in a school setting.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind? One of the biggest differences I noticed going from HMS to a public high school was the commitment of my teachers. HMS teachers really supported us as we learned academics but also through the trials and confusion of growing up. I felt that they were available to me when I needed a safe person to talk to and ask for advice. The scholarship program was huge for my family as well. If it was not for the financial support of our church and other donors, I probably would have never had the opportunity to come to HMS. I am very grateful for all of those that help make HMS available to our students.

The Goods currently attend Carpenter Community Church, where both Monica and Nelson grew up attending. Monica is going on four years of serving as VBS Director and has also served as a Youth Advisor, Nursery Coordinator and Ladies Fellowship President.

Pictured: Monica Good, Class of 2002, with her husband Nelson Good, and their children (l to r): Tanner and Rae.

What is your occupation? I am part owner of Stroopies, Inc. Stroopies are a cinnamon waffle cookie with homemade caramel in the center. Stroopies are best when warmed on top of your favorite hot beverage. The goal of our company is to provide meaningful employment to refugee women who are learning English (with language training provided by the company) while making this delicious treat!

What was your educational path? I graduated from 8th grade at HMS in 1991, attended Lancaster Mennonite High School and then earned an A.A. in liberal arts degree from Hesston College in Kansas.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind?

I am thankful for all those that invested to make it possible for me to attend. My time at HMS was truly a gift in my life. I will always count it a joy that I was able to be a part of a safe learning community at HMS where I could start to discover my gifts and learn about my strengths/weaknesses. I marvel at how the community has supported and been our greatest cheerleaders, as we have worked hard at developing the social enterprise of Stroopies. Former teachers and classmates from HMS, and current staff and students have shown an interest in our business. It has been extremely rewarding to share my story with current HMS students. I would have never guessed as a student at HMS that I would be developing a cookie business with the help of refugee women! God is so creative and uses all of our life experiences for His Glory.

The Groffs live in a low-income neighborhood in Lancaster City, where they literally have the nations of the world represented by their neighbors.They are part of a small house church network, and enjoy the chance to interact with the international community through life in the neighborhood, work with Stroopies, and the neighborhood schools their children attend.

Pictured: Jennie Groff, Class of 1991, with her husband, Jonathan, and their children (l to r): JoEl, Josiah, Jessa and Jared in front of the company operations base, the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe.

What is your occupation? It certainly is humbling to look back on my career path, and life in general, and reflect with thanksgiving about how the Lord has provided for my family. My original plan was to be an aircraft mechanic. I’ve now flown for three different airlines through a difficult decade in the aviation industry, and am very happy to be a pilot for Delta Airlines.

What was your educational path? I attended 2nd-8th grade at Hinkletown, graduating in 1989. I went to Ephrata High School and then Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics to earn my Aircraft Maintenance license before completing a B.A. degree from Metro State University in St. Paul, MN. I earned my pilot ratings at Crystal Shamrock Aviation, which is a small local flight school.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life? HMS gave me a well-rounded education and taught me how to apply myself to learn. I learned to be diligent and stick with the project to completion. Although I accomplished what I was supposed to in the classroom, I found my aptitude was more engaged completing projects like building the garden shed in 8th grade for the HMS auction. I really looked forward to getting to school and making progress each day and seeing it take shape. The project only took us a month or so, with a little progress each day, but I enjoyed the satisfaction of the step-by-step process of completing the base/floor, then putting up the walls, and getting the roof on and finishing the trim and doors. In hindsight, it’s easy now to realize this type of project was perfect for my aptitude and one small step in the learning process as I grew up to be the person God was shaping me to be.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind? HMS is a small community where the faith in Christ is shared and the worldview is communicated that we are His hands and feet to a broader world that needs to hear about the Lord. I remember Mr. Yoder teaching science and math on the “overhead projector” and working with us to memorize the whole Chapter of Romans 12. I did my 5th-grade project on the “Great Land” of Alaska, which is still one of my favorite places on earth. We did the egg drop project from the airplane that flew over and we had to run quite far into the farm fields to retrieve our boxes (mine survived). I played on the soccer, softball, basketball teams that traveled to some other schools and really enjoyed any organized sport.

The Martins attend Redeemer Bible Church in Minnetonka, MN. Loren has enjoyed serving as a young adult Study Leader for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and has assisted with children’s ministries at his church as his irregular travel schedule allows.

What is your occupation?
I am primarily a homemaker, but my husband and I also own and manage First Fruits Farm and Orchard. I enjoy helping with our business in various capacities.

What was your educational path?
I attended K-8th grade at Hinkletown, graduating in 2001. I went to Ephrata High School and graduated in 2005 and also graduated from Lancaster County Career & Technology Center for Cosmetology my senior year.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
I fondly remember Middle School as being my favorite years of schooling. Many people feel that 6th-8th grade are awkward, difficult years, however, I look back on them and remember the teachers and experiences that helped to shape who I am today. Friendships are really important to me, and I’m blessed to still have a close relationship with friends who I met in Kindergarten. I have so many great memories of our time at HMS, but maybe the most encouraging thing is seeing our friendships stand the test of time. A group of us still get together regularly for playdates with our kids and to catch up, and I just love that I am able to walk through this stage of life with people who have basically known me forever!

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind? I was always aware that HMS was just kind of “different”, but I didn’t realize how special it was until I entered adulthood. Now that my children attend Hinkletown, and I’m immersed back in the “family” that is HMS, I realize how special this community is. I’m so thankful for the parents and community members who went out of their way to make my education possible. I really do believe the families that makeup HMS are what make this place so special, and I want that same learning environment for my children.

As a parent, how do you see HMS as a good fit for your family? I love seeing how much the school has grown in the past 25 years! I commend HMS for staying relevant, but not compromising on the things that are important. I know my children are getting a quality education, but more importantly, I know they are surrounded by an incredible family of believers who will support them, and that’s what makes HMS perfect for us.

The Martins attend Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, where they have served as youth advisors for 8 years and Rachael has enjoyed serving at HMS including set props and design using her artistic skills for the middle school drama.

What is your occupation?
I am a Middle School English and Bible teacher at Hinkletown Mennonite School and also serve as the Middle School Coordinator.

Where did you go to high school?
Lancaster Mennonite, graduating in 2004.

Any post-secondary education following high school and where (trade school, business degree, specialized training, etc.)?
BSE in English from Millersville University.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
My HMS education prepared me well academically for high school and set a foundation for my college and career path in education as well. I look back at Mrs. Miller’s English class in middle school as one of several factors that sparked my decision to pursue teaching English myself. I probably wouldn’t have said English was my favorite class then, and I certainly wouldn’t have said that I would become a teacher. However, as I look back now, I’m grateful for the way that Mrs. Miller set high standards and challenged me to achieve success.

Beyond academics, my HMS education also had a great impact spiritually. I’m extremely grateful for the mentoring I received from men and women of faith as I learned in their classrooms during my time as an HMS student. My teachers taught spiritual truths through their lessons and through their daily examples of following Christ. Also, exposure to people from different cultures through the IVEP program had spiritual influence for me. I learned respect for other people and cultures, saw what God was doing around the world, and began to consider how He might want to use me in His kingdom.

What did your HMS education provide you that you now realize was an asset to your adult life and career?
I value the emphasis on teamwork and using our God-given gifts at HMS. When I was a student at HMS, I knew that teachers and parents made up a caring community, but I didn’t realize how many people are actually involved. There are so many people using their gifts to further God’s kingdom through their commitment to HMS! It’s truly incredible what is accomplished by those willing to work together – the auction, hot lunches, Servathon, the middle school play, and Enrichment Clusters are a few ways I see this teamwork in action. Now, as a teacher at HMS, this is a huge asset to my life and career. I’m surrounded by a great team of colleagues and supportive parents who lend their time, energy, and talents to support education and the vision of HMS.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind?
I am truly grateful for those investments! I know that there are a lot of options for education, and in our area of Lancaster County there are a lot of good schools. For myself, I’m grateful that my parents made the decision to send me to HMS as a kindergartener and continued to send me through 8th grade at HMS. Now, as a teacher, I’m glad that I can give back to the HMS community and continue to invest in the future through a commitment to today’s students.

Jeremy Horning is involved in the HMS Community with his wife Casey as directors for Solid Rock Camps held at HMS each summer. Jeremy has served as middle school drama director for a number of years and still volunteers as a production advisor. He also serves in Kid Ministries at his church, Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, in Lititz.

What is your occupation?  

Scott is currently a Fleet Mechanic at Brubacher Excavating.  Heidi serves as a part-time Staff Accountant at Mennonite Disaster Service in addition to her role as primary caregiver to their sons, Dylan, Logan and Nolan.

Where did you go to high school? 

Scott attended Garden Spot High School and Lancaster County Career & Technology Center in Willow Street for Automotive Mechanics training and Heidi attended Lancaster Mennonite, graduating in 2007.

Any post-secondary education following high school and where (trade school, business degree, specialized training, etc.)?

Heidi earned the AAAS in Business from Hesston College and a BS in Accounting from Elizabethtown College.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life? 

Scott says, “I learned that I enjoy working with my hands.  Working on computers and running the sound system gave me hands-on experiences that led me toward a program at LCCTC and employment as a mechanic.”

Heidi says, “I enjoyed most subjects and learning often came easily for me.  At HMS, I was encouraged to extend my learning and experiences beyond what was easy for me.  While I pursued a degree in accounting after HMS, I also chose elective courses in computer networking and desktop publications.  I also participated in extracurricular activities that stretched me.  These experiences prepared me for opportunities in life beyond my comfort zone.”

What did your HMS education provide you that you now realize was an asset to your adult life and career? 

HMS provided opportunities for service and diverse experiences – learning about other cultures, helping in younger classrooms and playing sports.  We are thankful for the safe environment to discover our own gifts and interests, as well as the confidence instilled by encouraging teachers.  We both benefited by identifying our strengths and felt ready to pursue appropriate training and education after HMS.  We also learned to pursue service opportunities throughout life.  Although we first met as students at HMS, we became friends during a youth service project in Vermont, and have since served in various places and church roles.

As you reflect on how others invested in you at HMS, are there any other thoughts or ideas that come to mind? Christian education is a financial commitment, as well as a commitment to being involved in the school community.  As kids, we valued the time our parents spent supporting school life – as lunch moms, taxi service after athletic events, chaperones on field trips and a proud audience for numerous plays and musical programs.  As we consider school options for our children, we also understand the significance of the financial investment that our parents and churches made to provide for our education at HMS.

Scott and Heidi and their three children live in Fivepointville and attend Bowmansville Mennonite Church.  Scott serves there as a sound operator and Heidi has volunteered in the nursery and has served as a Junior Girls’ Activities leader and on the Bible school planning committee at her church.

What is your occupation?
Founder and President, Webtek, Akron, PA.

While working for my father’s manufacturing company, I became bored with the day-to-day duties. My thirst for learning new things led me to buy some cheap books at Ollie’s (one being HTML, aka: website language). I started researching and learning all I could until I started a side business building websites, which eventually became full-time for me. Today WebTek works with over 500 clients and employs 12 people. I am the owner and give oversight to my team who does most of the day-to-day operations.

What years did you attend HMS?
I attended as a fifth grader the first year HMS opened and continued through 8th grade, graduating from HMS in 1985.

Where did you go to high school? Lancaster Mennonite High School

Any post-secondary education following high school?
Following graduation from high school, I took some accounting classes at Harrisburg Area Community College. However my career ended up being in website development and internet marketing which was mostly self taught by researching and learning from resources online. There is an immeasurable wealth of information readily available throughout the Internet for self-motivated people to learn almost anything.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
I believe a private school with Christian teachers helped ground me even more in God’s truth as an adolescent, in addition to what I was fed at church and home. God’s teachings are a blueprint for life, so I was fortunate to be surrounded with truth and to absorb all I did at a young age.

What did your HMS education provide you that you now realize was an asset to your adult
life and career?
I developed my love for computers at HMS and remember 7th grade, when the school bought it’s first computers, two Texas Instruments. My teacher at the time, Mr. Charles Brubaker, was my biggest fan and encouraged me as we worked together to figure them out. For the next 2 years at Hinkletown, I learned a lot about computers and Mr. Brubaker was there to nurture my skill set. I believe it was the private, small school atmosphere with a Christian teacher, that enabled me to flourish in this area. It was then my following year, while a freshman at LMH, that I received the tragic news that Mr. Brubaker (along with his wife) died in a car accident. He was like a second dad to me and will be forever missed.

As you reflect on the way others (teachers, parents, donors, etc.) invested in you at HMS, what memories or thoughts come to mind?
The school today is probably twice the size or more of what it was when I attended. Plus it offers so much more today, than it could back in the day….While learning basketball in gym class, I remember we had to shoot at construction paper taped up on the wall because we had no equipment. And the ceilings were only like 12′ high so we had to line drive our shots so we wouldn’t break the ceiling tiles (which teaches terrible form). I mention that to illustrate how much better students have it today at HMS and for everyone to appreciate all the school is able to do on a limited budget. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who make that possible for the students today.

What is your occupation?
Registered Nurse at Lancaster General Hospital.

Where did you go to high school?
Garden Spot High School.

Any post-secondary education or specialized training following high school and where?
I went to Lancaster General School of Nursing and graduated with a diploma in 1998. I then completed a B.S.N. with Millersville University in 2000.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
HMS prepared me for life by teaching and modeling servanthood to all people regardless of who they are or where they come from because all people are loved by God and Jesus died for every single person. I was taught that hurting people deserve our attention, respect, and most of all, love.

As you reflect on the way others (teachers, parents, donors, etc.) invested in you at HMS, what memories or thoughts come to mind?
Teachers made learning special by letting us get to know them and their families and sharing their life with us. When parents came into the classroom for special projects or came along on field trips, it showed that we were important enough that they would spend their time and talents with us. Each class had a milestone or field trip that was unique and the anticipation for our turn when we got there was very exciting.

As a parent, how do you see HMS as a good fit for your family?

As a parent I see that HMS still holds the value of family, community and people. HMS is still teaching an attitude of service and compassion. I like that the school can echo my family values and that of my faith and church.

What are the roles in which you have served your church or community after HMS?

I volunteered for 4 years as the director of the Before-and-After-School Program at Bowmansville Mennonite Church. I was a junior youth leader and youth leader along with my husband. I have helped with Vacation Bible School and other special Sunday services. At HMS, I have served on the auction steering committee and help out in other ways around school.

What is your occupation?
Information Technology Manager at Paul B. Zimmerman Inc. and Associate Pastor at Indiantown Mennonite Church.

Where did you go to high school?
Terre Hill Mennonite High School

Any post-secondary or specialized education following high school and where?
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) – Computer Network and System Administration; Eastern Mennonite University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) – Management and Organizational Development; Capital Seminary and Graduate School – A Division of Lancaster Bible College, Master of Arts (M.A.) – Pastoral Ministry.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
At HMS, I found a safe environment in which to experience the normal challenges of growing from a child into a teenager. With the Christian foundation of the school, most importantly displayed in the lives of the teachers, I was surrounded by believers who set for me an example of following Christ that would challenge me, especially in my last few years there and beyond, to consider my own walk with the Lord.

What did your HMS education provide you that you now realize was an asset to your adult life and career? The teachers of HMS were, without exception, encouraging of my academic efforts. They obviously viewed their teaching as more than just a job and cared about each student. It was with their encouragement that I began to gain the confidence to pursue post-secondary education, becoming the first person in my family to do so.

In what ways have you had the chance to server in your church and/or community? Prior to serving as a pastor, I served as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, Sunday School Superintendent and Church Cabinet Member all at Indiantown Mennonite Church. I have also served oversees with EMM (Eastern Mennonite Missions) as a young adult in Trinidad for 8 months and later with my family in Kosovo for 3 years.

As you reflect on the way others (teachers, parents, donors, etc.) invested in you at HMS, what memories or thoughts come to mind?
The common theme I find in reflecting on my time at HMS is exposure to new ideas and different cultures. Specifically, I remember exchange teachers from Switzerland and Kenya who gave me a glimpse into a different way of life. I remember middle school teachers like Mr. Stout and Mrs. Miller who planted the seeds of new ideas, both through the subject matter they taught and how they went about teaching it.

As a parent, how do you see HMS as a good fit for your family?
I see HMS as a good fit for my family because it combines three important things: strong academics, Christian adults who care about and teach my children, and a location close to our home. Many schools offer one or two of these advantages but few offer all three. It is also important to me that we have an administrator and board who are very intentional about preparing for the future and communicating with the school community.

What is your occupation?
Homemaker. After graduating from high school, I worked for 8 years as an administrative assistant at a drywall company until my first son was born.

Where did you go to high school?
After 6th grade, I attended middle school and high school at Garden Spot.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
My education at HMS prepared me very well academically when I transitioned to a different school. Even more valuable though was the spiritual training I received which helped me to have a solid faith and foundation in Christ. There were also many opportunities to serve at HMS, which helped me to develop a strong work ethic and learn to work well with others — this is helpful in every part of life.

As you reflect on the way others (teachers, parents, donors, etc.) invested in you at HMS, what memories or thoughts come to mind?
I am so thankful that my parents decided to send me to HMS! Only as an adult do I realize the financial investment they made in my education and the many things they willingly gave up in order for me to be there. They believed that the foundation I would receive at HMS was worth more than material things for which the money could have been used. They invested many hours of time serving at the school and I have good memories of being there with them and helping. I have fond memories of each of my teachers and am so thankful for the ways they helped me to grow academically and spiritually.

As a parent, how do you see HMS as a good fit for your family?
At HMS, we are thankful that our children are being nurtured spiritually while also receiving an excellent education. There are many opportunities for hands-on learning, which our boys thoroughly enjoy. The teachers are wonderful and we enjoy coming into the classroom for different activities and field trips.

What are the roles in which you have served your church or community after HMS?
Currently, I serve as librarian and am a member of the women’s retreat planning committee at my church. (As school parents) we volunteer and contribute in many other ways to the continued success of HMS.

What is your occupation?
Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director at Hinkletown Mennonite School

Where did you go to high school?
Lancaster Mennonite High School

Any post-secondary education or specialized training following high school and where?
Associates of Arts, Hesston College; B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Lancaster Bible College.

How did your HMS experience help to prepare you for life?
Attending Hinkletown helped me gain an appreciation for different cultures and people groups around the world. During my time at Hinkletown, my family hosted several MCC trainees (currently the International Volunteer Exchange Program) into our home who worked at the school. I have memories of playing soccer with one particular guest from Brazil, which may have been the start of my interest in soccer. After high school, I traveled to Kenya on a mission assignment to work with refugees, interacting through a common interest in sports.

What did your HMS education provide you that you now realize was an asset to your adult life and career?
My HMS education was formative in giving me opportunities to try a variety of activities that were unique and valuable for my future decisions. Through science and state fairs, clubs, field trips and athletic teams I appreciated the opportunities to learn and experience the world in practical and unique ways. In my vocation as a teacher, hobbies of gardening, and enjoyment of physical activity, I look back and value Hinkletown’s emphasis on hands-on learning.

As you reflect on the way others (teachers, parents, donors, etc.) invested in you at HMS, what memories or thoughts come to mind?
As I look back, I don’t think I realized the sacrifice and service of so many teachers, coaches, and parents to invest in others and myself at this school. I have memories of traveling to Lancaster City and Philadelphia on field trips, biking throughout Lancaster’s countryside in bike club, and dressing up for the state fair. Looking back I can see that these things didn’t just happen. People invested a lot of time, energy and care into my education at Hinkletown, and I’m very thankful for that.