new seasons - mci blues … · new seasons soar & europe reports mci musical fiddler on the...

1CrossRoads

CrossRoadsConnecting MCI’s Past & Present

New Seasons

SOAR & Europe

Reports

MCI Musical

Fiddler on the Roof

Fundraising Banquet

Ted Swartz

Volume 23 Issue 2June 2013


2CrossRoads

CrossRoads Connecting MCI’s Past & Present

Just a WordJust a Word or tWo

Ashley Rempel, Rayzanna Rempel (‘13), Tammy (Warkentin ‘86) Rempel (MCI Communications Director), Jozanna

Rempel (‘13)

It is hard to put into words what lies on my heart. This is my last editorial and layout of Crossroads. After eight years and 24 issues, it is hard to know what to write.

This column is always the last thing I do before I send off an issue to Friesens Fast Print. It is always the item that is hardest to do because it is always challenging to translate my thoughts to paper. And this time is even harder.

The picture to the right and the picture inserted say more than I can about our decision to move to Winnipeg this fall. Our family is a huge reason for our move. The decision to leave MCI was not an easy one. MCI has been an unforgettable experience - to say anything less would be a travesity.

Without this experience, I wouldn’t have; seen the Rockies with a bunch of great MCI singers, spent five years on SOAR with fantastic and enthusastic students, toured Minneapolis with excited grade 12’s, enjoyed musical after musical and met Ted Swartz, Brad Johner, Big Daddy Taz, Dean Jenkinson and so much more! The chapels that I got to enjoy and to be part of have impacted me in ways that cannot truly be expressed. Watching students become vulnerable in front of each other - knowing that the environment they were in was safe - was awesome. Watching talent shows and listening to the applause of students for each and every performance - the good and the sometimes not so good - amazing. The life lessons in these experiences have been invaluable.

My greatest joy is that my four children were able to attend MCI during our working time here. It wasn’t always marshmallow and daisies, but it was life-changing. They had to work through issues; personal, physical and spiritual. They asked questions and were challenged to seek answers. They were pushed to their athletic extremes.

Musically, they were challenged and their reward was a confidence that I could not give them.

The friends that I have made on staff over the years - what can I say but - wow. These are fabulous people with amazing life stories and people of faith and passion and strength. I have laughed in the staff room until I have cried and I have cried in the staff room until I laughed. I am going to miss the staff room and lunch hours. There is a bond and a family feeling that I can only hope to find in my next job space.

Seasons change. Winter turns to spring, spring to summer and summer to fall. With each of these seasons come some amazing things and things that are hard and challenging. My

favourite season is spring. I love watching the the trees start budding and the tulips arise out of the ground. This year spring was challenging; it was long, cold and wet. But the leaves still came and the tulips in my backyard have never looked better. I think that my tulips are a gift from God this year - an indication of the beauty that we received in Gretna and hopefully that we also leave behind for the next MCI staff.

My life is changing. My last two girls graduate this year and move on to post-secondary education. Our nest is, as they say, empty. How will I walk through this season of change - of loneliness, of excitement, of new possibilities? Where is God leading us? Am I listening? How do I hear him? How will I know when He

speaks to me? My guess is that we all ask those questions from time to time. Especially when the seasons are changing. Someone passes away, jobs are lost, people change, life throws you a curve ball. Where is God and how do we continue to follow Him?

MCI has reminded me of what Jesus taught; to have Faith, Hope and Love. Faith: that students are listening and that the mustard seeds that are planted are receiving a firm foundation in good soil. Hope: that we, as staff, are helping till the soil and guide our students through life’s tough issues and that these students will eventually accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Love: love like Jesus loved - without condition, without rewards. Love from the depths of who we are.

Faith, Hope and Love. Faith that the gift of the Holy Spirit is real and living in this world and is guiding us daily. Hope that Jesus’ grace will set each and everyone of us free and that Jesus will return soon. Love so that people see that we, as Christians, are different. Love one another - as Jesus has loved us. It would still be nice if sometimes God’s voice would be a little louder, or his instructions just a little clearer - but to abide in Faith, Hope and Love - that sets my heart on the right course.

Thanks to all MCI alumni for your support over the past years. Your kind words and encouragment has been powerful. Please continue to pray for MCI; its students and staff.

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Darryl Loewen (‘85)MCI Principal

How vast the sum of them!

We on the Canadian prairies often think that our understanding of seasons is particularly insightful. Given the great changes in our weather from season to season, we certainly know variety.

We also know that the seasons of life are much more gradual than the seasons of the year. Experiences across the long arch of a lifetime reveal a depth of meaning which a short season simply cannot impart in mere weeks or months. The summer of 2013 marks a change of season at the end of the longest arch of service in MCI’s community. Susie Friesen will close a season of 45 years of service at MCI at the end of the summer. Words of thanks only begin to express appreciation for Susie’s many seasons at MCI.

By her own description, Susie intended only, perhaps, to work here for one year when Mr. Gerhard Ens invited her to introduce typing and help with secretarial duties in 1968. Those who know Susie well will best understand that there was truth in that intent. In fact, it remained true 45 times that Susie dedicated herself to one more year at MCI. Each year was an answer to a renewed call to serve God in this learning community; a step by step confirmation of path of service.

Paul Kroeker (principal 1998-2005) remembers his arrival at MCI, “…It was clear that I was a Stookie

rookie…how little I knew about the place when I started. But Susie was very willing to mentor me, the new guy, into the MCI story - for the sake of the school. As our mutual respect grew, she became a life line of information and experience, giving me a deep appreciation for this remarkable treasure. She helped me to see the past in order to understand the present and in doing so, helped to unlock our future.”

Every organization has someone who holds the collective corporate memory at the fingertip of one’s mind. For MCI that person is Susie. She is a human data base, immune to the viruses of computer data bases, but skilled to use them. She remembers event procedures across many years; and what she doesn’t

From the deska Word From the desk

“…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!”

Psalm 139: 16b-17.

precisely remember she has noted in a file at her fingertips. She has a spirit of gift-giving, expressed in tray after tray of baking, too numerous to count, marking the birthdays of every colleague in the staff room. Susie knows no such thing as ‘overtime,’ only the time necessary to complete the task ‘on time.’

Ken Loewen (principal 1976-1985) remembers, “Susie is an administrative assistant totally dedicated to the MCI mission, its parents, students, churches and staff. Imagine being able to ask for any required information and receive it quicker than striking the key on a computer today! Telephone numbers, siblings, grades, family concerns, or just ‘something you should consider...’ were always readily available.”

Susie, you have been true to the calling accepted from Mr. Ens and the MCI. You have served MCI far beyond expectations and reimbursement. God knew the all the days ordained for you at MCI before one of them came to be, and he blessed you and us in them. Thank you for the many tasks beyond the call of duty you always offered. May God grant you health, peace, long meaningful retirement and joy. Thank you.

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soar heartlandmissionEvery one of those crazy

students was a leader in their own way. Whether it was starting conversations with kids that I couldn’t, or helping people when I hadn’t even noticed that opportunity, or praying for someone with their words truly coming from God. By the end of the week, I had really just turned into the driver; only because I was really the only one old enough to have gotten their class 4 license.

Leading doesn’t not mean taking over, and I’m slowly learning that. Leading really just means being there as a support, the person you lean on when you’re tired and gaining your strength back. Leading means surrendering absolutely everything you’ve ever known, and learning it again through God’s eyes. Leading means following God’s instructions, because really, He’s the ultimate leader.

- Judson Rempel (‘09)

How was my SOAR Heartland experience? In one word...’different’.

It was different because I’ve always been a participant, or a volunteer. I ‘led’ a team of staff kids the year after I graduated but this was completely different (except that one of the staff kids was actually on my team this year as well!). This year, I was one of the leaders and I had to worry and care for the nine students on my team; make sure we got to places on time and that all the little things were taken care of. I’m so thankful I had two amazing co-leaders that worked with me or I’m not sure I could have done it all!

Being a group leader is a challenging job. I was: forced to start the conversations, forced to focus our team times, forced into counting how many people were in our van at all times. I led the prayers, talked to the ministry if something was wrong, and was the springboard of the ideas of our team; a person that you could bounce new ideas off and I could help work on them. And what sucks is I have no idea how I really did! I could have been horrible and the grace of my team allowed me to continue on.

Know what was awesome though? As the week went on, I really started to get part of what being a leader is. Leadership was talked about before SOAR started (with SOAR leadership), and rang true during SOAR. I wasn’t leading a bunch of kids who had no idea what they were doing. I was leading leaders. I was leading people who wanted to be there, and wanted to help. I was leading men and women who can (and probably will) change the world in ways I only wish I can. My team was AMAZING (I can’t stress that enough!)

Youth for Christ SOAR Team plus Paul Peters (Take Flight Team member)

MCI females stayed in the basement classroom at McIvor MB

Top two pics: Walls of Freedom Team

Youth For Christ climbing wall. Liam Evans (gr. 11) and Judson Rempel (‘09) with Brendan Enns (gr. 10) in the back.

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musicengland, France, italy

During Spring Break 2013, 25 students, 4 staff and 7 parents went on a 10 day trip to Europe. Destinations on the tour included London, Paris, Florence, Assisi and Rome. The purpose of visiting all these destinations in ten days was to experience, learn about and interact with their history and culture. We were joined by a teacher and 10 of her students from Hamiota School for the tour as well. With our tour guide, our group of 48 would move as one cohesive unit through 3 European countries on trains, planes and … buses.

The students on the trip quickly learned that this was not going to be the typical vacation like atmosphere they may have been accustomed to. We battled through a damp, cold and

snowy London and a cool, breezy Paris. In both cities, the students showed off their proud Canadian heritage by toughing out the weather to experience the sites and take photos with the famous landmarks. The group was able to finally shed the toques, mitts and heavy attire during our tour through Italy where the sun and warmer air gave us the feeling that we were no longer sharing the same miserable weather as back home.

The tour gave students a taste of what each country is all about. In London, Paris and Rome we were able to get to see all the classic tourist sites one might expect to see. While touring around many of these cities we also were learning about the history of the city, country, buildings, government and culture. The great teachable moments

seemed to come more often than I would have predicted prior to the trip. Students were surprisingly curious to know more when I’d thought they had heard enough information. Observing students make connections to what they were seeing and learning to what they’ve studied in class was priceless on the trip. As a history teacher I knew of the many connections that could have been made to where we were but I heeded to student interests and only suggested a few.

There were also times where brains would shut off due to information overload. Instead of cramming more facts into the brain you could just enjoy being in these magnificent places with the people around you. The camaraderie and relationships amongst the group was extraordinary. Through the challenging time when our group was stranded in a Paris train station at night due to an overbooking issue. During the evening of uncertainty with nothing to protect us from the cold, our students banded together with the parents and staff to make the best of the unfortunate situation. The inconvenience of the train station fiasco would pave the way for our group to drive through the French Alps by bus.

Besides learning historical facts, students also learned how to navigate subway systems, museums, and cities with each other and even helping out chaperones with maps. The students

showed patience, perseverance and kindness. I could not have been prouder of the way the MCI students conducted themselves through the good, the great, the bad and the tough. In every instance of the trip if we weren’t having a great time, we made the best to make sure we made it a great time.

MCI Europe Trip is an adventure - a safe, well-planned, fun adventure. Far from usual vacation

destinations during spring break like the beaches of Mexico or hotels of Grand Forks or Fargo, MCI students, staff and parents take on ten days where the goal is experiencing and learning something out of the ordinary together. The opportunity to travel as an MCI group to any destination is a memory that never seems to fade. MCI Europe Trip is grand in its destinations and epic through its recollection of stories.

- Toby Wiens (‘00, MCI Teacher)

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Fiddler on the rooFmusical

This year’s musical was the classic, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. It ran three nights to a sold out theatre. Well over half the student body was involved on stage with even more students involved behind the scenes with hair, make-up, set painting, tech and more. Staff were involved in directing, set building, costumes, hair and make-up and more.

It was a fantastic experience for students, staff, parents and audience members. Instead of trying to put it into words, we have photographic glimpses into this past spring’s musical.

Nick Kehler (‘13) did a fabulous job of playing the lead role, Tevye. His singing and acting created a character that was

believable as a father, husband and neighbourhood friend.

left: Annika Enns-Dyck (gr.11), Sophie Schlegel (‘13), and Sydney Gerbrandt (gr.11) above: Lots

of work goes on behind the scenes as Carianne Peters (Teacher) makes-up Katrina Schulz (‘13).

left: Luke Klassen (gr. 10) tries to stop Albert Vogt (‘13) from destroying candlesticks. Lynette

Ens (‘13) played an eccentric old neighbour lady.

left: Riley Dyck (gr.11) manages to balance a bottle on his head during the wedding celebration.

above: Madelyn Mierau-Friesen (gr.8) sits patiently as her hair is braided for the show.

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Check outwww.mciblues.net - for up to date school activities

andwww.buhlerhall.com - for concert and event updates

Fiddler on the rooFmusical supper

Musical supper is always a fun event that happens on closing night. The dining hall is brought to life with themed decor and the food is amazing. This year a small Jewish village was created with small shops at each table. Food included potato latkes and chicken marbella.

Buhler hallmci eventsMCI Saengerfest

June 910:30am & 2:00pm

MCI Academic Awards DayGrade 9-11

June 14

MCI Grad TripJune 14-20

MCI 2013 GradWinkler Bergthlaer

June 232:30pm

New Student Orientation DaysJune 27th & 28th, 2013

9am - 3pm

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extrasthe year is 1945 - a season in time

The year is 1945. The grade 12 class has been studying to prepare for final exams. At the same time, they have been looking forward to graduation. The girls have been designing the dress, high neckline, long sleeves, white. They would be wearing a corsage; three red roses. Our motto was “Folge du mir nach.” They also realized that they would be leaving MCI and their friends.

After grad, their suitcases were packed, good-byes said, and they scattered to Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C., Winnipeg and to villages and farms. They took with them a multitude of memories.

For me, the memories of dorm life stand out. Seventeen teenaged girls living in a two story house. No adults in sight, except for the cook. No chores, no cow to milk, no newspaper, no radio, no phone. It was a disciplined life. Study hours were from 7-9pm. There was much free time to socialize; to laugh. We resolved difficult math problems together, took long walks in beautiful Gretna, even as far as the border. On weekends we slept on the balcony, or all together in one room (one in the closet). We played tricks on each other, had

water fights, we talked and laughed.In the morning we walked to

school together in our navy uniforms with the high necklines and long sleeves and six white buttons.

We gathered in chapel for Morgenandacht and sang hymns. How beautiful the singing was. Boys and girls singing with heart and soul.

MCI was very Bible based. It was bilingual. The German language was very important as was music. Besides the required subjects we studied, Deutsche Literatur, Glauhenslehre, Grammatik and Mennoniten Geschichte.

Our principal, Gerhard Peters, brought his radio to the chapel one Saturday and we all heard the opera Aida.

Some evenings he played his classical records to us on his gramophone.

The whole school performed the melodrama, “Columbus.” That was exciting - there was a boy in our midst with a beautiful baritone voice. He became our superstar, William Goertzen.

We memorized “Schillers Lied Von der Glocke,” and can still recite portions of it.

As time passed by, many of the class of ‘45 had settled in Winnipeg. Margaret Bergen planned a breakfast. It was well attended - Abe Riediger came all the way from Morden. We invited the students who were before us and after us to also come to the breakfast - and they did.

We celebrated our 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th anniversaries. The 50th was very special. Our classmates came from far and wide, even John Neufeld and Lena from New Mexico.

A chartered Fehrway bus took us to MCI. We spent half an hour with the student body, toured the school, saw our grad pictures on the wall. Then on to Altona to tour Friesens Books. It was an exceptional day.

It is now 2013. We are all well into our 80’s. Seven of our 32 classmates are no longer with us. We expect to have another breakfast in summer when Dr. John Neufeld comes to visit Winnipeg and Abe Riediger will come again - all the way from Morden!

- Susan (Martens ‘45) Froese, Wpg, MB

Grade 12’s are introduced to the book, “Tuesdays with Morrie” and then asked to do an assignment based on what they learned.

Jozanna (‘13) & Rayzanna Rempel (‘13) decided to create a grade 12 memory in the gym staircase. “The idea behind the tree was to show that ‘love goes on.’ This is a quote from “Tuesdays with Morrie.” The tree and leaf show that the class is leaving their mark and ‘we’ will be loved even as we go off into the world.” - Jozanna Rempel

In the picture you can see the class taking turns stamping leaves onto the tree and then, after the leaves dried, they put their names on their leaf.

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operation christmas childclass oF 1942 - Where are you?Back in June 2002, I became

involved in a project that eventually resulted in my sending out 48 and receiving 50 e-mails, mailing 60 letters and parcels and receiving 32. There were also plenty of phone calls. The result was the 60th Anniversary Journal for the Graduating Class of 1942. Whew!

Another decade has passed. Should it be memorialized? I sent out enquiries to as many 1942 grads whose addresses I could find, receiving six responses. Here is a condensed report:

Susie (Peters) Harms, Abbotsford BC Dec 27, 2012 - 70 years ago – how much time God has granted us since that wonderful June day in 1942! What a wonderful life it has been! Today Peter and I look back – NO – only I look back, because Peter has lost his capacity to remember. He has been at Menno Home since Sept. 1, 2012, suffering dementia. We have served God as well as we knew how, in various ways. Today we have become very quiet, striving only to become completely content, be filled with peace and be ever thankful for the situation we are in, knowing full well Our God makes No mistakes.

Nick and Irene, Vancouver Jan 09, 2013 - Irene and I have changed, and so have our circumstances. I no longer drive a car. We sold our condo and moved into a “Seniors Independent Living Retirement Residence” in Vancouver. Our whole family: children, grandchildren & greatgrandkids live within the Greater Vancouver area, so we get hugs whenever we need them. Our son Dave, is high school principal at Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford, and is occasionally in contact professionally with MCI faculty. I can practise my Plautdietsch with new friends at our residence. We try to make one annual pilgrimage to Manitoba for a family “Neufeld

Fest,” and look in at our Alma Mater in Gretna if we can arrange it. In our daily prayer, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for keeping us healthy and relatively independent. MCI has had a profound influence on our lives. For this we are grateful.

Neil Rempel, January 17, 2013, Beloit WI USA - My wife Hilda and I are in reasonable health for which we thank God daily. We miss and think often about the friends we made in Gretna. Unfortunately, our work has separated us all. We still live in our home in Beloit and have five children. Four are adopted. Gaylene, a microbiologist, has 2 daughters and lives in St. Louis. Susan, a school teacher, lives in Beloit 2 miles from our home. She has 3 daughters, 2 are in college. They help us with snow plowing and other work. Kathryn, a homemaker, lives in Ohio and has 3 grandchildren. Mark, our oldest son, is a pastor in Chandler, Arizona. He has 3 children, 2 in college. John, our youngest, is an engineer and lives in northern Wisconsin. My cardiologist made my next appointment for 6 months from now so she must think I will live that long. I still drive a car and my driver’s license is good for 4 more years.

Helen Wiebe, Jake Wiebe’s wife Winnipeg, Nov 30, 2012 - We are very thankful for Bethel Place, where we have resided since Aug 31, 1997 – 15 years now. We have Bible School friends, College friends and even cousins here! This makes for warm fellowship. As a result of a fall, Jake experienced a crushed vertebra and pneumonia. He was in hospital for a few months. After learning to walk again, he came home. He will be receiving more personal care in a home called Pembina Place. We are trusting in

the Lord for future leading. Agatha Neufeld, Leamington ON

Dec 10, 2012 - How time flies! It is hard to believe that it’s seventy years since we graduated. I still live in my condominium, however I have my name in at the Retirement Residence. I have a cleaning lady coming in once a month; and a lady to get my groceries every week. Because I use a walker I can’t handle them. I still have my car,.however I think I’ll sell it next year. I visit a friend in the Retirement Residence twice a week; read a lot of books; and do 2 crossword puzzles a day. I manage to keep busy.

Irvine Striemer, Winnipeg Dec 11, 2012 - I’m pleased to hear that someone has taken on the job of compiling an anniversary journal. My wife Inez and I are still fairly healthy. Every day, except Sunday, I take a fifteen minute walk to McDonalds, where I have coffee with some friends. Our daughter, retired, lives in Chatham, Ontario. Our son, in Winnipeg, teaches high school physics. Last spring he mentored students, interested in space, to launch a high-altitude balloon. A camera in the balloon took pictures of the curvature of the earth and it also contained scientific gear to collect data from the upper atmosphere of the earth. The Manitoba Minister of Education recognized this work with a certificate of teaching excellence and lunch at the legislative building. Our son was also flown to Ottawa where he received an award from Stephen Harper as well as a certificate from the Canadian Space Agency. Our grandchildren are growing up and we have three greatgrandchildren as well as one great, great grandchild. In winter we have been able to take holidays in Mexico and Maui, but the traveling is becoming too tiring.

- Nick Neufeld (‘42)

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laughter is sacred spacemci and ted sWartz

When, as a teenager, I first saw a performance by Ted Swartz and Lee Eshelman (or Ted & Lee, as they were formally called), I had never imagined that I could laugh so deeply with God and Scripture. I also never imagined that someday I would be a drama teacher, and that I would find myself directing one of those sketches alongside Ted. But as MCI’s home fundraising performance began, there I was, sitting nervously and hopefully in the front row, ready to watch Ted and my students perform one of Ted’s pieces, “Applications,” for our honoured guests.

One of my favourite moments in our rehearsals happened like this: The various students, playing comical caricatures of our various body parts—stomach, adrenal gland, left AND right brain, etc.—are seated stage right. They have just finished their interviews with God (played by Ted). They’ve applied to be included in his new creation: a person (it’s God’s 6th work day, after all). Enter the heart, who sits at God’s desk and simply plays a humble but solid heartbeat on her modest drum. Slowly, each of the body parts rise and join one another around the heart. And lo and behold, the body, with all its eccentric parts in their places, becomes a miraculous whole. God’s human creation is complete.

As we rehearse, though, it occurs to us that there’s one last joke we can get in. What if Albert Vogt, who is playing the totally useless and completely desperate applicant “Appendix,” hangs back a bit? What if we take an extra moment

to show him waiting, unsure if he’ll be accepted with his blank resume? And what if God waves him over anyway to complete the scene, and, in fact, to complete all of creation?

I loved this new touch, in part, because it captured my second favourite thing about theatre: the thrill of finding something brand new in an old script. In our very own school and in our very own drama class, we had discovered a joke that Ted had never used before. Awesome.

Even better, however, was the fact that this also captured my favourite part of theatre: when you find something new in a script and it communicates a deep Truth. Right here, in this brief new nonverbal exchange between God and Albert

the Appendix, the audience is reminded that God’s invitation is for all of us, and that God’s ways can be surprising.

Ted’s entire visit, in fact, was full of reminders about God’s surprises. If you read his blog entry on the experience, you’ll know that he found much to be surprised about in such a small, snowy town. If you saw the show, you’ll have encountered God’s surprising presence in life’s harshest tragedies. And if you joined us at these recent fundraising banquets, or support the school in other ways too, then you surely know that Ted’s visit isn’t an isolated incident either. It’s just

one of the many holy surprises that continue to draw us together.

- Peter Epp (‘98, MCI Teacher)

http://www.tedandcompany.com/where-theater-is-alive-

and-well/

Ted Swartz acting out one of his skits in chapel.

Joseph Wolff (‘13), Ted Swartz and Rick Heppner-Mueller (MCI Music

Director) pose for a picture following the show.

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reminisce mci reunions

Please check out www.mciblues.net under alumni/reunions for more details.

Class of 1993

JULY 20, 2013

12pm – 4pm at the Gretna Hot Spot Festival and MCI Toursin Gretna park, Gretna, MBfind us at the Class of 1993 banner8pm - late is a Child-free party in Winnipeg at Darryl & Ila’s home.More Details online

Class of 1983

Saturday June 1st, 2013 at

Place: Nicolino Resturant, 4-2077 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg Time: doors open at 6:00Cost: $40.00 per person More Details online

Class of 1963

Sunday, August 18, 2013 at MCI in Gretna, MBRudy Friesen & Don EngbrechtP.O. Box 697Boissevain, MBR0K 0E0204-534-2567

Class of 1953

Letters with information will be mailed out in June 2013.

Still time to plan a 2003, 1973, and 1943 reunion. Call the school to find out how!

Rick Heppner Mueller (MCI Music Director) and Korey Peters (‘01) co-directed the Westman Youth Choir this past fall. The conducting duo rehearsed with the choir of 50 high school aged singers from Western Manitoba over two weekends in September in preparation of a four day tour of the Westman region that included 9 performances. The two are pictured before their final concert at Central United Church in Brandon on October 16th where they received a standing ovation at the end of the concert from the 750 people in attendance.

Each season brings change and that is no different in a school. Teachers change, curriculm changes, sport teams change and office staff change. This coming year will bring some changes to the office and teaching staff.

Susie Friesen (‘61, Business Administrator Assistant), will be leaving MCI after 45 amazing years. Susie has transitioned well with the changing seasons; staff, administration, technology and more. Susie’s amazing memory will be missed, along with her fabulous baking skills! Staff meetings were always just a little easier to traverse when Susie brought a tray of goodies! AND every staff birthday was recognized with baking from Susie!

Bernie Rempel (‘84, Business Administrator/Donor Development) and Tammy Rempel (‘86, MCI Communications Director) will be leaving MCI at the end of August. Their future plans include moving to Winnipeg to be closer to family. They have been at MCI for eight years and have loved every one of them. They will miss their MCI family very much. Their prayers will continue to be with the school and staff and hope to visit often!

Also leaving are Claire Neufeld and Bernie Loeppky (MCI Interim teachers). Thank you for the great job you have done at MCI. We enjoyed getting to know you and appreciated all your hard work.

Coming back to teach at MCI are Alice Harms and Tim Wiebe. We welcome them back to MCI for the 2013-2014 year.

neW seasonstransitions

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alumni poetrypoetry

BEAUTY of LIFEWeaving streets of water in waves edged white,Serenading young men in gondola of black and gold; Wide bridge spans o’er unique road from side to side,Impressive domed columns overwhelm everywhere;Beautiful portrait and scenery fallen from artist hand,Timeless in prestige of essence so great.

Chiseled marble to unveil a dream of delight,Which gradually comes alive in form and mold;Rolling landscape of climbing vine exuding pride,Bountiful clusters of plump purple grapes deliciously rare;Which will grace elegantly set tables in the land,Wine’s richest flavour in highest ladder of rate.

Encircling wall of stone solidly tight,Which roaring oceanic anger must hold;Intricate network of canal for graceful swan to glide,Sea of pink tulip in elegant heavenly flair;Weeping willow in pocket of sand,Ornately curved black wrought iron gate.

Marketplace in square a bursting colourful sight,Cheese, apples, yogurt and a host of veggies are sold;Red cheeked women milling against the churning tide,Quaint shops sport glass where folk stop and stare;Showing an assortment of timepieces and diamond bands,In another window fragrance of flaky pastry to date.

Lightly lilting melodic strains drifting in dauntless flight,Tap on ivory floating in endearing tales untold;Swinging pretty gowns in waltzing charming confide,Enchantment of youth swirling in blushing pair;Flickering wax candle by whirling silk faintly fanned,Gilded hall whispering wafting echoes of late.

by Betty (Paetkau ‘62) Krahn

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grade 7 & 8 ideasJunior high proJects

The grade 7 & 8 classes have been busy with some fantastic projects. Erin Funk-Wieler (MCI Gr 7 & 8 Teacher) tells us all about it!

The Trash’n Show will be in the foyer of Buhler Hall at MCI. The items spread a variety of price ranges, so far items are $1-20. As a math activity, we are currently learning how companies mark up their product for profit. Therefore, we are doing the same. We are taking the cost of production and marking the item up by 200%. The students themselves are investing their own money, and will be reimbursed their start-up costs if and when their item sells.

We have set up our classroom as a business, with Marketing Directors, Design Coordinators, Financial Officers, and Corporate Philanthropists who are currently researching local environmental organizations who could benefit from our contributions. Our company name is “Earth Heroes” and the project is almost entirely student led, my job being to facilitate and guide students in the process.

The big picture goal of all of this is educating ourselves and others on how our consumer choices have a major impact on the earth and its people. “Low Impact Day” was one day of this month long project. This problem can sometimes seem like one too big to tackle, or one that is spinning out of control. In the middle of this unit students expressed feeling enraged, sad, and helpless in how to help this situation. We then felt that it was important to focus on what we CAN do instead of what we CAN’T. We decided that we CAN bring about change by truly focusing on the 3R’s (Reducing

AND reusing, not just recycling). The more we reduce and reuse the less stuff we have, which means less waste, which means less greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere through production, transportation, and landfill emissions. We often think that materialism is negative, however true materialism means to truly value our materials. This is our goal. To value what we buy, how it’s made, and have it last. Instead of throwing it out for the next newest thing, or because it’s convenient. Our Trash’n Show is about raising money, but more than that it’s about showing people how much stuff can be reused and to make people think about their “stuff.” Where it comes from, how it’s made, and where it ends up.

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Births

Chris (’92) and Candace Funk Unger, Winkler; a son, Caelan Lucas on September 18, 2012. A sibling for Clarissa, Curtis and Carter.

Matt (’93) and Rie Goerzen twins, son Lucas

Taisei and daughter, Ayanna Emily on February 7.

Jeff & Stepfanie (Funk ‘93) Giesbrecht and big

sister Natalie welcome; a daughter, Kara Stepfanie was born March 26, weighing 8 lbs 5oz.

Kevin (’94) and Laurie Schroeder, Texas adopted

Zachary (6), Matthew (3) and Caitlyn (19 months) on December 17, 2012.

James (‘98) and Vanessa Voth, Surrey, BC – daughters, Cheyenne on

June 17, 2009 and Vienna on July 19, 2012.

Laurie (’02) and Amanda Redpath, Winnipeg; a son Alastair George on February 19.

Jen (Friesen ’03) and Ryan Fast, Altona; a daughter, Tessa Claire on March 9.

Joanna (Friesen ’03) and Noah Ginter, Gretna; a daughter Claire Lily on November 14, 2012. A sister for Esme.

Kaylee (Friesen ‘ 03 ) and Matt Friesen, Winnipeg; a son, Bramwell Matthaeus Von on February 6. A grandson for Ray and Bev (Siemens ’79) Friesen, Winkler.

WeddingsAll Items posted occurred in the current year unless

otherwise noted. Alisa Wiebe (Gr 11 ’00), daughter of Bob (’72) and Verna (Heinrichs ’72) Wiebe, Winnipeg; and David Driedger, on July 14, 2012.

Karsten Mueller (’08) and Abigail Erlandson on November 24, 2012.

Stacy Falk (’08), daughter of John (’79) and

Esther Falk, Gretna; and Ryan Hamm on February 23.

Rachel Wiebe (’10), Gretna; daughter of Joel (’78) and Brenda Tiessen Wiebe, Gretna; and Tim Loewen on May 4, 2013.

Jonathan Patrick Enns (‘08) married Brya Nicole

Penner on April 28, 2012. They reside in Altona.

milestonesWhat are they up to noW?Vance Smith (’03) and

Natasha Heinz; Gretna ; a daughter, Chandra Shelby

Smith on July 24, 2012 to. She was 5 lb and 18 in long.

Amy (Bergman, ‘03) and Mark Loewen; Altona;

welcomed their son, Jude Warren George Loewen, born on December 12th, 2012.

Kyle (’05) and Renee (Pauls ’05) Peters, Morden; a daughter, Lauren Claire on March 6. A granddaughter for Ben (’80) and Diane (Hoeppner ’80) Peters , Morden.

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Deaths

John Thiessen (’43), Winnipeg; on November 25, 2012.

Neil Toews (’57), Niagara on the Lake,

on February 22. He is survived by his wife, Susan Hall to whom he was the light of her life and his seven sisters Helen, Mary, Cathy, Elly, Freda, Eve and Bertha. Sons Jason, Nelson and David, stepson Adam and stepdaughter Victoria and their families. We will all miss him terribly.

Born in Altona, Manitoba he graduated in medicine in 1964 from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. He became a respected endocrinologist

On the Cover: Europe TripPaige Mierau-Friesen (Gr.11) poses in front of the Tower Bridge in London.

updates & neWsneWs & updates

Crossroads is printed in Canada by FRIESENS FAST PRINT, AltonaManaging Editor: Tamara Rempel (Warkentin ‘86)MCIBox 250Gretna, MBR0G 0V0Phone: 204-327-5891Email: [email protected]: www.mciblues.net

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and internationally known researcher with a Ph.D from Queen’s University, residency at McGill and finally a research scholarship at Harvard University’s, Joslin Institute headed by the renowned Diabetes researcher the late Professor George Cahill.

He returned to Canada in 1970 as Chair of Nutrition at McMaster University in Hamilton. He continued as a researcher; was a member of the Canadian Medical Research Council Grants Committee, a valued teacher and clinician eventually to become Chief of Endocrinology and director of the Diabetes Centre at McMaster University Medical Centre.

After his retirement from the University he practiced in St. Catharines and turned the local Diabetes Education Centre into a modern state of the art unit providing excellent care for diabetic patients in the Niagara region. He was greatly loved by staff and patients alike.

Lisa Marie Smirl (Gr. 11 ‘92), Leeds, UK; on February 21. She went

to Mennonite Collegiate Institute for grades 10 and 11. She graduated from grade 12 at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. Lisa completed a BA Hons (1st class); Political Studies in 1997. She won

the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford and London School of Economics (1997 to 2000). She worked at the UN as advisor 2001 to 2006 in Slovakia and in Rwanda. She received her PhD in 2010. Lisa was working at Sussex University as Lecturer when she became sick. She fought cancer with all the energy she brought to everything she undertook and with courage and grace. Lisa and Arran got married on December 29, 2011 in Leeds. Lisa loved her husband, her home, family, her cats, and her many, many friends.

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Toll-free number in Manitoba:1-877-MCI-BLUE (1-877-624-2583)

Crossroads Goes GlobalCrossroads is read in countries all over the world and on the internet!

MCI is accepting grade 7 - 12 applications for the 2013-2014 school year.

MCI is a great place to receive a fabulous education, an amazing sense of community and athletic, arts and music opportunies galore!

Apply now by calling the school or going online to www.mciblues.net!

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