Concordia Lutheran High School - Luminarian Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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Alumni unite to rejoice, praise Celebrating heartily were alumni during this three day weekend of activities inspired and mapped out by Development Director Richard Katt. In the planning stage for a year and a half, the event of August 9-11, 1985 was termed a tremendous success! It began Friday night in the huge exhibition hall of the Grand Wayne Center with a gourmet buffet that had over one thousand alumni talking and stuffing. Spirit abounded as re- presentatives from all fifty graduating classes of CLHS were present to reminisce and recognize old faces. The spirit and dedi- cation of alumni was evident as some former students traveled from every state in the union, including Canada, West Germany, Ita- ly, and even Rome. The weekend progressed into Saturday morni ng when alumni enjoyed golf, volley- ball, basketball, tennis and tours of Fort Wayne. Saturday afternoon and evening alumni gathered for a reception in the Grand ;;; Wayne Ballroom where Ray Scherer, NBC News Correspondent and CLHS graduate was the featured speaker. Scherer spoke of the benefits of his solid Lutheran education, stating that it gave him a sense of values and responsibility which had remained special in his life. Concordia helped to provide me with a sense of individual worth and collater- al that enabled me to explore and grab new opportunities, Scherer stated. Sunday ' s Reunion Service was attended by eleven hundred alumni, filling the seats of the CLHS Chapel Auditorium for an inspira- tional service of praise. Principal Guenther Herzog described the service as just awe- some and unforgettable. The comraderie was very strong at CLHS forming many long-lasting friend- ships, said co-chairpersons Marilyn Schultz and Vic Bobay. Reluctant to leave, but joyful knowing they would always have memories of a God- filled celebration, alumni closed the book on their Golden Weekend. As one of the older CLHS supporters wrote in a letter to the organizers of the weekend after the ser- vice, It was such a beautiful, inspiring, and humble expression of praise to God for His fifty years of blessings. I ' ll never forget it. — Rhonda Stahl Greetings Alumni! Returning graduates were warmly welcomed to their Golden Weekend by this sign dis- played in the walkway above Jefferson Street, and across from the Grand Wayne Center. Chosen over the Coliseum, Fort Wayne ' s Grand Wayne Center was the main sight for the reunion. Originally inspired by Richard Katt, development direc- tor at Concordia for five years, the reunion of August 9- 1 1, 1985, was thoroughly enjoyed by over 1600 alumni and guests. 50th Anniversary 17

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Sharing in the job of the reunion, the school ' s first contracted teacher. Dr. Herbert Bredemeier, and Mr. Ray Scherer. 1937 graduate, both participate in the Saturday evening festivities. Bredemeier presented the then and now of the Cadet story with Principal Guenther Herzog, and Scherer delighted the 1200 ban- quet guests with his insights on the Washington scene as an NBC News Correspondent. Jazzing up Saturday night ' s program with their Big Band Sound, Dick Seeger ' s orchestra inspires alumni to relive many precious memories. One of the favorites of the evening was Good Night Sweetheart. 16 50th Anniversary

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Precious friends enrich lives Diamonds weren ' t the only things that were forever at Concordia. Cadets realized the bond of friendship was a lasting one. Regardless of how a friend came about, how far back the relationship reached, or what it was that joined two people together, the bond of friendship was more valuable than diamonds and was something to be trea- sured dearly. Students acquired friends in various ways. ' I didn ' t choose my friends in the sense that I choose to deny someone my friendship, said freshman Mark Davis. Friendships evolved. I got to know the people with whom I had things in common. People who were on the same team or who were in the same classes were friends I made naturally. Friendships were more than just a freak happening: they were born when two people reached an understanding. That didn ' t mean that they agreed, they might have agreed that they disagreed, explained ju- nior Kirk Dailey. Friendships consisted of key ingredients. A sense of humor was crucial. I think it was important to be able to laugh at yourself and do crazy things once in a while, said junior Kelly Rhodes. A listening ear was often all a relationship required. Friends were people you felt comfortable sharing your hopes, dreams, and fears with, stated sophomore Pam Fie- big. Tolerance was sometimes a necessity. Greetings Alumni! Returning graduates were warmly welcomed to their Golden Weekend by this sign dis- played in the walkway above Jefferson Street, and across from the Grand Wayne Center. Chosen over the Coliseum, Fort Wayne ' s Grand Wayne Center was the main sight for the reunion. Originally inspired by Richard Katt, development direc- tor at Concordia for five years, the reunion of August 9- 11, 1985. was thoroughly enjoyed by over 1600 alumni and guests. My friends were people who loved and appreciated the good things about me and accepted the bad, said senior Chris Roden- beck. Ultimately a friend was more than some- one to go places with. Friends made life fuller. I didn ' t have to put on an act for them, commented senior Sarah Stalder. It was so refreshing to be myself and have that be good enough. When I was with my friends, I could take down my guard and be silly. I needed that especially when pressures from school got me down, said junior Karla Clark. Having someone to depend on provided for a more contended life. I could always count on my best friends to be there for me when I was happy or sad. My life was fuller just knowing that, stated sophomore Mari Ebert. The Christian aspect made togetherness at Concordia even more prec ious. Friend- ships at Concordia reached deeper, reflect- ed junior John Hein. Because they were built around Christ, they had a precious bond. — Julie Klausmeier 18 Special Friends Friendship existed in silence. Seniors Bruce Puff and Eric Schmidt prop up their feet and collect their thoughts while awaiting the ring of the bell to bring then back to reality.