As we reach our Centennial, it is important to note that although EMS has evolved over the years to include students from many diverse backgrounds, geographical locations, and faith traditions, the school still maintains a long history of familial commitment. In this Centennial year alone, there are several families who have five or more generations of family with involvement in the life of the school. We know there are more, too. If we have missed a family with five generations at EMS, please contact us with that information we’d love to tell the story!
Austin Showalter ’18 (Grade 12) is the fifth generation in his family to attend EMS. His parents are Laura Berkey Showalter ’93 and Christopher Showalter ’92. Laura’s parents are Rosie Neer Berkey ’69 and Carl Berkey ’70. Rosie’s parents are Earl and Rhoda Weber Neer ’46. Rhoda is the daughter of Nellie Burkholder Weber ’19 and Newton Weber. It’s interesting to note that Nellie Burkholder Weber was in the first EMS graduating class, while Austin is in the 100th graduating class.
Tyler Blosser ’28 (Grade 2) is the sixth generation in his family to be vitally involved with the school. Tyler’s parents are Ellen and Jesse Blosser ’98. Jesse has been a Mathematics teacher at EMHS since 2008. Jesse’s parents are Janet and Floyd Blosser ’72. Floyd’s parents are Dorothy Nice Blosser ’49 and Glendon Blosser ’47. Glendon’s parents were Pauline and Mahlon Blosser ’24. Mahlon’s parents were Mary and Daniel A. Blosser and Daniel served on the first Board of Trustees of EMS.
Brothers Braden ’18 (Grade 12) and Ryan ’21 (Grade 9) and their cousin Michelle ’19 (Grade 11) Brunk are fifth generation EMS students. Ryan and Braden are sons of Cynthia and Benjamin Brunk ’91. Michelle is the daughter of Steve ’82 and Beth Hess Brunk ’82. Steve and Benjamin’s father is Gerald R. Brunk ’55. Gerald’s father, George R. Brunk II was a professor at EMS for many years and his father, George R. Brunk was a key, visionary founder of EMS.
Grant Leichty ’19 (Grade 11) is a fifth generation descendant of EMS school founder Lewis J. Heatwole. While only three generations of Bishop Lewis J. Heatwole’s family line have attended EMS, L. J. Heatwole carried a leading role in the movement to establish EMS in Harrisonburg, and he served as the first Chair of the Board of Directors.
Mary ’19 (Grade 11), Maggie ’21 (Grade 9), Hannah ’24 (Grade 6), and Grace ’27 (Grade 3) Fairfield are fifth generation EMS students. The girls’ parents are Joshua ’92 and Christine Glick Fairfield ’93, and Joshua’s parents are John ’66 and Kathryn Stoltzfus Fairfield ’66. Kathryn is the daughter of Grant and Ruth Brunk Stoltzfus ’34, and Ruth is the daughter of EMS founder George R. Brunk I.
This multi-generational commitment is a powerful testimony to the relevance of our school today. As we look toward the next century of EMS, we look forward to adding even more generations to our community!
