Archive for June 2020
“Fort” is Added to EMES Peace Path
Distance learning due to COVID-19 couldn’t get in the way of this year’s fifth grade class contribution to the annual “Peace Path” project for the EMES playground, a sizable structure perfect for climbing outside and imaginative play inside. The “Peace Path” includes structures for outdoor play made by fifth grade groups over the past several…
Read MoreEMS Launches Racial Equity Group
Three weeks after the death of George Floyd and two days after the school’s outdoor COVID-19- adjusted graduation ceremonies, Eastern Mennonite School launched a new Racial Equity Working Group, which builds on past work of a Diversity Committee, as well as ongoing restorative justice initiatives. “The time is long overdue for our society at large,…
Read MoreEMU Soccer Coach Mast Prepares For Season No. 30
This article, by David Driver, was published in the Daily News-Record, April 20, 2020. Roger Mast is a member of the EMHS class of ’80. Roger Mast, like most sports-minded boys his age, grew up playing baseball, basketball, and flag football in Rockingham County in the 1970s — since those were the main options. But…
Read MoreFlashback: Jewel Lehman, EMHS Class Of 1983
This article, by David Driver, was published in the Daily News-Record, April 20, 2020 Editor’s note: We have begun a weekly series called Friday Flashback, as we catch up with local athletes, coaches or administrators from city/county high schools. The fourth installment is on Jewel Lehman, a 1983 graduate of EMHS — where she took…
Read MoreRoth Calls Graduates to “Embrace the Discomfort”
The class of 2020 called Shannon Roth, government and US history teacher, and senior class sponsor, to share the commencement address at their outdoor socially distanced graduation, amidst a global pandemic. Uncomfortable? Lean in! First, I want to share with you something that Mrs. Seitz reminded me this morning: you began your senior year in…
Read More102nd Commencement Takes Place, Drive-In Style
Eastern Mennonite High School’s 39 seniors joined the millions across the country in one-of-a-kind commencement exercises this year. On Saturday, June 13, the school’s faculty and administration joined families in celebrating students’ accomplishments and conferring degrees following weeks of building closure due to the coronavirus. Student speakers were valedictorian Abby Stapleton and salutatorian Ava Galgano.…
Read MorePE COVID-19 Olympics Feature Expert Guests
A sense of well-being, bragging rights, better health, a good grade… all of these motivated grade-level leaders in the EMS COVID-19 Spring PE Olympics the last six weeks at Eastern Mennonite School during the COVID-19 shut down. Each week, PE students grades six to 10 — as well as some faculty and staff — took…
Read MoreStutzman Writes to 2020 Choir On COVID Loss
Jared Stutzman, choir director, shared the following letter with the 2020 EMHS Touring Choir members on June 8, 2020, the day they were scheduled to leave for a trip to Europe. The Touring Choir travels international every other summer. EMHS Touring Choir Parents and Students, Today, the 2020 EMHS Touring Choir would have gathered in…
Read MoreSenior Celebrations Begin
The Eastern Mennonite School Auditorium parking lot saw unprecedented action this afternoon when the class of 2020 held its graduation rehearsal and a senior parade. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all the usual EMHS traditions are either cancelled or changed this spring. Traditions such as Senior Day Out — also known in the past as “senior…
Read MoreBryse Vrolijk ’20 Earns National FFA Recognition
The following story was posted by WHSV TV-3 on June 4, 2020. Bryse Vrolijk, class of 2020, is the first EMHS graduate to earn this national recognition. See the WHSV story online here. Bryse’s biology teacher, Dr. Wendy Stapleton, says this about Bryse: “The FFA motto is ‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to…
Read MoreAn Open Letter from Paul Leaman on the Death of George Floyd
On Monday, June 1, 2020, Paul Leaman, head of school, shared the following message with EMS students (grades 9-12) and parents, following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in police custody. Our classrooms and community gatherings such as Chapel and Neighbor Groups for grades 6-12, and elementary weekly Gathering, would provide…
Read MoreFifth Graders Hear and Share Affirmation at Year End Celebration
Words of support and affirmation were exchanged at the annual fifth grade celebration for Eastern Mennonite Elementary School on June 1, 2020, as part of an annual event to mark the move to middle school. The 18 students heard words about themselves and shared words about their school. Maria Archer, K-8 principal affirmed first-year fifth…
Read MoreStapleton Honored for Service and Integrity
Abby Stapleton, a top scholar for Eastern Mennonite School’s class of 2020, received two honors this week: a $3,000 scholarship from the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Rotary Club and a $1,000 Better Business Bureau Student of Integrity Scholarship award. Rotary The Rotary Club selects one student from each area school for their annual scholarship. Selected students exemplify the…
Read MoreEighth Graders Told: Each One is “Somebody”
Teachers, administrators, family and friends gathered by Zoom June 2, 2020 to recognize the 34 students who completed eighth grade at Eastern Mennonite School during the COVID-19 time of distance learning. The celebration also marked their official welcome to high school. The class of ’24 is known as being especially welcoming and insightful, noted Maria…
Read MoreParents Celebrate Teachers with Yard Signs
Parent representatives from across Eastern Mennonite elementary, middle and high school divisions invested time, insight, encouragement and prayer for the school during the COVID-19 time of distance learning. Delivering “thank you” yard signs to teacher and staff homes at the end of the school year was their most visible sign of support. “Parent input was…
Read More102nd EMHS Commencement Set for June 13
The 102nd Eastern Mennonite High School commencement for Eastern Mennonite School will take place Saturday, June 13, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The event celebrating the graduation of 39 students will take place outside the school auditorium for students, families, teachers and staff, and invited guests. WATCH A LIVE STREAM OF THE CEREMONY Details of the…
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