Year in Review

Student Academic Highlights

The Honors Academy welcomed Max Adair, Luke Ahlersmeyer, Luke Bieberich, Joshua Castleman, Allison Dubay, Jorge Herrera, Jakiya Johnson, Alexander Jones, Joshua Maxson, Lydia O’Dell, Sydney Reynolds, Carter Ripke, Mallory Bean, Bethany Bramwell, Lizzie Crook, Emma Jansing, Jaemin Kim, Grace Levitt, Anthony Minnich and Hayden Patterson.
Forty-four Concordia students have been selected as new members of the CLHS chapter of the National Honor Society.
Junior Michael Slack earned the “Best Actor in a Lead Role” in the statewide theater competition for his role as Brian in the play, “Being Good Places,” an original play written and directed by CLHS teacher and 2009 graduate Laura Bohnke.
Senior Matthew Goeglein built the volunteer booth at the Fantasy of Lights’ Christmas Marketplace as a project toward becoming an Eagle Scout.
The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne awarded senior Chastity Craig the 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship with a full-ride scholarship to any four-year Indiana college or university.
The valedictorian for the Class of 2021 was Megan Miller, and the salutatorian was Shelby Schlicker.
Concordia honored 87 seniors with honors for their work in academic through department awards and scholarships. Students were also honored for receiving an Academic Honors Diploma at graduation. Mallory Hockemeyer was honored with the Martin Fischer Scholarship. Rhaya Kaschinske was awarded the Carl F. Gallmeier Scholarship. The Herbert Birkman Senior Department Awards were awarded to:
- Theology – Gretchen Witmer
- English – Hollie Johnson
- Business – Andrew Carr
- Computer Science – Benjamin Correll
- Family & Consumer Science – Makayla Gaines
- JROTC – Cayden Whitacre
- Physical Education – Kameron Johnson
- Mathematics – Brock Tweedy
- Science – Brock Tweedy
- World Language – Karysa Knoblauch
- Social Studies – Gram Johnson
- Instrumental Music – Caleb Walz
- Vocal Music – Alexis Rios
- Visual Arts – Thaylea Pierce
- Theatre Arts – Hollie Johnson
- Additional Awards:
- AP Statistics Award – Hannah Ruppert
- German Award – Mallory Hockemeyer
- Latin Award – Megan Miller
- Spanish Award – Raegan Rubrake
- Music Distinguished Service Award – Jackson McKinney
Concordia's HOSA chapter was recognized in the state competition for their work:
- Medical Reading – Joshua Castleman - 4th
- CPR/First Aid – Madi Dellinger and Kaite McKay - 7th and Taylor Scheerer and Mataya James - 8th
- Creative Problem Solving – Catie Witters, Andrew Boersma, Jaemin Kim and Will Butler - 6th
- HOSA Bowl – Josh Castleman, Sophie Hoem, Katie McKay, Zac Shaw - 10th
Senior Kylee Turnpaugh was honored with the Richard W. Moellering Senior Barnabas Award. Established by the Class of 1986, the award recognizes a senior who exemplifies encouragement and servanthood.
Underclassmen were recognized for their academic work:
- Freshman
  - English
    - English 9 – Vaughn Hendrickson
    - English 9 – Lily Dry
    - Honors English 9 – Benjamin Bentz
    - Honors English 9 – Alexa Panning
  - Math
    - Algebra 1 – William Butler
    - Algebra 1 – Kinsey Helmkamp
    - Honors Algebra 1 – Abigail Scheiderer
    - Honors Geometry – Max Adair
    - Grindstone Award – Azya Jackson
  - Social Studies
    - World Geography – Noelani Lewis
    - World Geography – Lincoln Graf
    - World History – Max Adair
    - World History – Alexa Panning
    - Honors World History – Jakiya Johnson
  - World Languages
    - German 1 – Adrianna Germann
    - German 1 – David Milliman
    - Latin 1 – Joshua Castleman
    - Latin 1 – Abigail Hanson
    - Spanish 1 – Benjamin Bentz
    - Spanish 1 – Na’Saya Lowe
  - Theology
    - Anthropology – Benjamin Bentz
    - Anthropology – Emily Castens
    - Anthropology – Joshua Castleman
    - Anthropology – Morgan Cox
    - Biblical Literature 1 – Joshua Castleman
    - Biblical Literature 1 – Lydia O’Dell
    - Biblical Literature 1 – Addison Myers
    - Biblical Literature 1 – Ruth Dolde
    - Biblical Literature 1 – Adrianna Germann
  - Practical Arts
    - Nutrition & Wellness – Jonathan Linder
    - Nutrition & Wellness – Lucy Taylor
    - JROTC LET 1 – Morgan Cox
    - Physical Education – Cailyn Bolinger
    - Physical Education – Ajani Washington
    - Outstanding Performance in Computer Science – Lydia O’Dell
    - Outstanding Performance in Computer Science – Nathaniel Bryan
  - Fine Arts
    - Video/Radio & Television – Noelani Lewis
    - Video/Radio & Television – Lydia O’Dell
    - Video/Radio & Television – Luke Sappenfield
    - 2 D Art – Na’saya Lowe
    - 3 D Art – Carter Ripke
    - Advanced Acting – Violet Park
    - Technical Theatre – Lydia O’Dell
    - Instrumental Music – Lydia O’Dell
    - Instrumental Music – Alexander Jones
    - Mens’Chorus Man of the Year – Joshua Castleman
    - Mens’Chorus MVP – Noah Schlicker
    - Peanut Butter & Jelly Award – Yaphet Michael
    - Bella Voce Woman of the Year – Madeline Goodwin
    - Womens’Chorus Woman of the Year – Sophia Widener
    - 2021 Indiana All-State Choir – Joshua Castleman
    - 2021 Indiana All-State Choir – Noah Schlicker
    - Lillian Heintz Memorial Award – Luke Ahlersmeyer
    - Alan Twietmeyer Memorial “Athlete Musician” Scholarship – Vaughn Hendrickson, Na’Saya Lowe, Benjamin Bentz, Luke Steffen, Abigail Scheiderer and Amelia Kiefer
  - McMillen Award – Cailyn Bolinger
  - McMillen Award – Alexa Panning
  - McMillen Award – Benjamin Bentz

Sophomores

- English
  - English 10 – Benjamin Brown
  - English 10 – Jacob Mann
  - Honors English 10 – Hannah Weber
  - Honors English 10 – Sophie Hoem
- Science
  - Chemistry/Physics – Landon Kaschinske
  - Chemistry – James Rusher
  - AP Environmental Science – Keller Whicker
- Math
  - Geometry – Elliot McBride
  - Geometry – Emma Lunz
  - Honors Algebra 2 – Jaehun Kim
- Social Studies
  - World History – Jaehun Kim
  - World History – Hannah Weber
  - Honors World History – Grant Hayworth
  - World Geography – Elliot McBride
  - World Geography – Landon Kaschinske
- World Languages
  - German 2 – Bryce Dohrmann
  - Latin 2 – Keller Whicker
  - Spanish 2 – Elliot McBride
  - Spanish 2 – Abigail Rhodes
- Theology
  - Biblical Literature 2 – Andrew Scheiderer
  - Biblical Literature 2 – Hannah Weber
  - Biblical Literature 2 – Elliot McBride
  - Genres of Literature – Jaehun Kim
  - Genres of Literature – Karsten Enustun
  - Genres of Literature – Troy Zimmerman
- Practical Arts
  - Fashion & Textiles Careers – Sareena Harris-Arzate
  - Rashion & Textile Careers – Madeline Tate
  - Adult Roles & Responsibilities – Bryce Dohrmann
  - Nutrition & Wellness – Alexander Marshall
  - Nutrition & Wellness – Joseph Smithson
  - JROTC LET 2 – Troy Zimmerman
  - Physical Education – Curry Jackson
  - Physical Education – James Rusher
  - Coding Ninja – Jacob Stir
  - Scholarship--Ryan Morrison
- Fine Arts
  - Video/Radio & Television – Maxwell Park
  - Video/Radio & Television – Joseph Smithson
  - Commercial Photography – Olivia Walker
  - 2 D Art – Maxwell Park
  - 3 D Art – Charlotte Loechner
  - Theatre Arts – Sophie Hoem
  - Theatre Arts – August Hoover
  - Theatre Productions – Eric Saunders
  - Theatre Productions – Andrew Messmaker
  - Instrumental Music – August Hoover
  - Instrumental Music – Amy Liñan
  - Womens’ Chorus Woman of the Year – Karsten Smith
  - Bella Voce Woman of the Year –Emma Lunz
  - A Cappella Woman of the Year – Morgan Rohde
  - A Cappella Man of the Year –August Hoover
  - Music Theory – Devin Hairston
- Juniors
  - English
    - American Literature – Gabriel Connelly
    - American Literature – Hope Stephenson
    - AP English Language – Daniel Adair
    - AP English Language – Isaiah Tietz
  - Science
    - Human Body Systems – Joanna Joshua
    - Medical Interventions – Taylor Scheerer
    - Chemistry/Physics – Evelyn Kidd
    - Honors Chemistry – Quan “Charles” Vu
    - Anatomy & Physiology – Michael Habegger
    - Environmental Science – Quentin Shull
    - Physics – Nolan Labahn
    - AP Biology – Daniel Adair
    - AP Environmental Science – Michael Slack
    - AP Environmental Science – Dontrell Johnson
    - Bausch & Lomb Award – Andy Deng
    - Rensselaer Award – Quan “Charles” Vu
  - Math
    - Algebra 2 – Michael Slack
    - AP Calculus – Quan “Charles” Vu
    - Grindstone Award – Madelyn Borchelt
    - Grindstone Award – Hope Stephenson
  - Social Studies
    - US History – Dontrell Johnson’
    - AP US History – Nolan Labahn
    - AP US History – Catherine Witters
  - World Languages
    - German 3 – Nolan Labahn
    - German 3 – Isaiah Tietz
    - Latin 3 – Madison Dellinger
    - Latin 3 – Taylor Scheerer
    - Spanish 3 – Elizabeth Gatchell
    - Spanish 3 – Mahelat Lee
    - Spanish 3 – Benjamin Gerig
    - Spanish 3 – Lucas Miller
  - Theology
    - Genres of Literature – Gabriel Connelly
    - Genres of Literature – Noah Gier
    - Church History – Jordan Meier
    - Church History – Larissa Hanson
    - Humanities – Nolan Labahn
    - Humanities – Gabriel Sommermeyer
    - Humanities – Catherine Witters
    - Excellence in Church History and Humanities – Dontrell Johnson
    - Excellence in Church History and Humanities – Mahelat Lee
  - Practical Arts
    - Fashion & Textile Careers – Savannah Doerflein-Van Patten
    - Culinary & Hospitality Management – Nolan Labahn
    - JROTC LET 3 – William McLain
    - Coding Ninja – Jerome “Ben” Corley
    - Coding Ninja – Joshua Pollock
    - Coding Ninja – Quan “Charles” Vu
    - Wreaking Havoc in the Pink Aisle Award – McKenzi Humbert
  - Fine Arts
    - Video/Radio & Television – Melina McClure
    - 2 D Art – Ragan McCurdy
    - 3 D Art – Wyatt Chesebrough
    - Musical Theatre – Benjamin Gerig
    - Technical Theatre – Evan Droste
    - Advanced Acting – Lucas Miller
    - Advanced Theatre Arts – Finty Critchley
    - Instrumental Music – Maya Schoeph
    - Instrumental Music – Isaiah Tietz
    - Belle Voce Woman of the Year – Larissa Hanson
    - A Cappella Woman of the Year –Reganne Ackmann
    - A Cappella Man of the Year –Michael Habegger
    - A Cappella Servant of the Year –Elizabeth Hobby
    - A Cappella Rookie of the Year –Caleb Castleman
    - 2021 Indiana All-State Choir – Caleb Castleman
    - 2021 Indiana All-State Choir – Rebekah Hammond
    - 2021 Indiana All-State Choir – Alec Sanavongsay
  - Honor Academy – 3 year patch: Daniel Adair, Caleb Castleman, Madison Dellinger, Andy Deng, Elizabeth Gatchell, Rebekah Hammond, Nolan Labahn, Mackensie Neumann, Michael Slack, Isaiah Tietz and Gwyndalyn Widener
- Academic Letters
  - Junior 1stPin: Noah Gier, Larissa Hanson and Madeline Vnuk
  - Junior 2ndPin: Reganne Ackmann, Daniel Adair, Reese Anderson, Alyssa Bearden, Ryan Bentz, Meghan Beverly, Caleb Castleman, Madison Dellinger, Andy Deng, Cayden Faley, Elizabeth Gatchell, Lauren Geiger, Rachel Geller, Benjamin Gerig, Anna Gick, Michael Habegger, Rebekah Hammond, Elizabeth Hellinger, Elizabeth Hobby, Dontrell Johnson, Joanna Joshua, Evelyn Kidd, Nolan Labahn, Mahelat Lee, Alyssa Linder, Alaina Linnemeier, Elise Marshall, Anna Maxson, Lucas Miller, Mackensie Neumann, Taylor Scheerer, Larry Schoenefeld, Zachary Shaw, Michael Slack, Heather Smith, Isabelle Smith, Hope Stephenson, Isaiah Tietz and Gwyndalyn Widener
  - Sophomores: Cameron Cage, Rebecca Ellerbrock, Karsten Enustun, Makenna Erpelding, Trinity Gonzalez, Grant Hayworth, Addison Heller, Gabe Hetler, Dakota Hitzemann, Curry Jackson, Jaehun Kim, Maddox Krocker, Amy Liñan, Emma Lunz, Alexander Marshall, Elijah Mattox, Elliot McBride, Jocelyn Moelllering, Allison Nutter, Maxwell Park, Avery Rang, Abigail Rhodes, Morgan Rohde, Riley Rubrake, James Rusher, Andrew Scheiderer, Sophie Schuller, Cole Tweedy, Campbell Twomey, Hannah Weber and Keller Whicker
  - Juniors First Letter: Noah Gier, Larissa Hanson, Madeline Vnuk and Gwyndalyn Widener
  - Juniors Second Letter: Reganne Ackmann, Daniel Adair, Reese Anderson, Alyssa Bearden, Ryan Bentz, Meghan Beverly, Caleb Castleman, Madison Dellinger, Andy Deng, Cayden Faley, Elizabeth Gatchell, Lauren Geiger, Rachel Geller, Benjamin Gerig, Anna Gick, Michael Habegger, Rebekah Hammond, Elizabeth Hellinger, Elizabeth Hobby, Dontrell Johnson, Joanna Joshua, Evelyn Kidd, Nolan Labahn, Mahelat Lee, Alyssa Linder, Alaina Linnemeier, Elise Marshall, Anna Maxson, Lucas Miller, Mackensie Neumann, Taylor Scheerer, Larry Schoenefeld, Zachary Shaw, Michael Slack, Heather Smith, Isabelle Smith, Hope Stephenson and Isaiah Tietz
- The JROTC VEX Robotics Team was crowned the JROTC World Champions when they took home the 2020-2021 JROTC VEX Robotics Excellence Award. Students on the team were: senior Jenna Lusk (Team Commander), junior Gabe Sommermeyer (Team XO), junior Simon Fairchild, freshman Lawson Fairchild, sophomore Ayden Doan, sophomore Ryan Morrison, junior McKenzi Humbert, sophomore Kyle Grisez, sophomore Eric Saunders, junior Ethan Wentland, freshman Lizzie Crook, and sophomore Gabe Hetler.
- Members of the Class of 2021 were recognized with the Lutheran Lifer Award. The 2021 graduating students that have gone through our Lutheran Schools from Kindergarten through the 12th grade were: James Bienz, Ascension; Kathryn Bryan, Ascension; Anna Duly, Ascension; Bailey Marquart, Ascension; Matthew Duly, Ascension; Caleb Gard, Ascension Lutheran, and Immanuel in Elmhurst, IL; Sam Aumick, Central Lutheran; Lauren Krinn, Central Lutheran; Jordan Sweet, Central Lutheran; Tyler Grossman, Central Lutheran; Cam Allen, Concordia; Rhaya Kaschinske, Concordia; Thomas Kratzman, Concordia; Lauren Butler, Concordia; Kylee Marks, Concordia; Logan Nahrwold-Settle, Concordia; Nicole Pape, Concordia; Logan Pape, Concordia; Austin Rohde, Concordia; Raegan Rubrake, Concordia; Monika Sheets, Concordia; Andrew Carr, Concordia; DeSire Pernell, Concordia, LSUS, Bethlehem; Karen Frerking, Concordia International School Hanoi, Holy Cross; Mallory Behny, Emmaus; Ella Pieper, Emmaus; Connor Stuff, Emmaus; Braden Bartkowiak, ESM; Noah Bieberich, ESM; Finlay Brooks, ESM; Dalton Brown, ESM; Grace Hedtke, ESM; Joshua Henschen, ESM; Owen Kaiser, ESM; Eliot Loechner, ESM; Katelyn Nix, ESM; Nathan Pennekamp, ESM; Gavin Sherk, ESM; Logan Snider, ESM; Ryan Snider, ESM; Brielle Steele, ESM; Gretchen Witmer, ESM; Jordan Wright, ESM; Ethan Yoder, ESM; Matthew Scholz, ESM, Our Hope; Mallory Hockemeyer, ESM; St. John; Meg Barkley, Holy Cross; Jayce Conner, Holy Cross; Evan Cox, Holy Cross; Madeline Dahlgren, Holy Cross; Austin Decker, Holy Cross; Courtney Duff, Holy Cross; Max Gleave, Holy Cross; Jayden Musili, Holy Cross; Paige Rogers, Holy Cross; Luke Speckhard, Holy Cross; Madeline Tom, Holy Cross; Scott Vanlandingham, Holy Cross; John Woods, Holy Cross; Brenna Butler, Holy Cross; Jackson McKinney, Holy Cross; Alexis Rios, Holy Cross; Isaiah Rusher, Holy Cross; Taylor Hepburn, Lutheran South Unity; George Turney, Lutheran South Unity; Thaylea Pierce, Lutheran South Unity; Garrett Inniger, St John Emmanuel; Marcy Treesh, St. John Lutheran School; Joshua Walz, St. John Lutheran School; Caleb Walz, St. John Lutheran School; Madison Brown, St. Paul’s; Caleb Goodwin, St. Paul’s; Alexander Briggs, St. Paul’s; Britney Baldwin, St. Paul’s; Joe Gutman, St. Paul's; Isaac Marks, St. Paul's; Payton Jackson, St. Paul's and Holy Cross; Kaitlyn Amstutz, St. Peter’s; Luke Bentz, St. Peter’s; Erin Flaningan, St. Peter’s; Matthew Goeglein, St. Peter’s; Cooper Harris, St. Peter’s; Landon Jones, St. Peter’s; Andrew Koenig, St. Peter’s; Hannah Ruppert, St. Peter’s; Kara Simon, St. Peter’s; Thomas Koenig, St. Peters; Lindsay Berning, Suburban Bethlehem; Hannah DeFrain, Suburban Bethlehem; Leeah Fairfield, Suburban Bethlehem; Jacob Felton, Suburban Bethlehem; Makinzie Ford, Suburban Bethlehem; Bethany Gottschalk, Suburban Bethlehem; Hollie Johnson, Suburban Bethlehem; Jadyn Stevens, Suburban Bethlehem; and Cailyn Volkert, Woodburn Lutheran
- Freshman Alivia Perkins set a new personal record in Smallbore and Air Rifle during her first time competing at the Junior Olympics. Perkins shot alongside the top 482 athletes in the nation coming from 42 different states and 10 NCAA colleges. In Smallbore, she finished 10th place for Women’s J2 (age) division and 31st for all ages Women’s divisions. In Air Rifle, she finished 22nd in J2 and 65th for all ages Women’s division.

Mission Highlights

The theme for the 2020-2021 school year was “Excel In Grace … with Christ at the Center.” It was based on the verse, 2 Corinthians 8:7, “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
Concordia was voted the No. 1 High School in the region by the Fort Wayne Newspapers Reader's Choice Awards for 2020.
Concordia Lutheran High School has named three new members to its Board of Directors. They will serve three-year terms. Stephanie Goodman is a 1993 graduate of Concordia. She works for Republic Services as an Environmental Manager and has served the company in many different engineering and compliance capacities over the last 22 years. She has served the high school in many respects, including as the Alumni Association president until its dissolution. She is a member at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Troy Ehle is a Concordia parent. He is a CPA and has worked as an accountant at the corporate office of Steel Dynamics since 2004. He is a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and has served the church on its Finance Committee and Board of Directors. Mitch McKinney is a Concordia parent. He is a captain with the Fort Wayne Police Department, and he is a member at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
CLHS students, faculty & staff gathered and donated gifts to the Christmas Bureau to help 19 families. Students, faculty and staff donated 299 boxes of gifts, 5 bikes, 1 stroller and 1 vacuum.
Concordia upgraded the Zollner Athletic Complex with new field turf on the football field, a brand-new track, resurfaced tennis courts, and a new scoreboard with LED display and video capabilities with donations from donors and local foundations and businesses.
Concordia honored its 2021 Alumni Award Recipients. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Peter Watson, Class of 1979. The Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Mr. Dean Doerffler, Class of 1973. The Neale M. Shank Award was awarded to Miss Tiffini Grimes, Class of 2001.