The Power of One

The 2011 commencement will be remembered by many as the year there were no caps—they never arrived in the mail—and the year a tornado warning caused everyone to seek shelter in the hallways for 35 minutes.

(This wasn’t the first time a tornado warning has interfered with Bethany’s commencement. In 1973, just eight years removed from the devastating Palm Sunday tornadoes that ripped through Elkhart County, sirens interrupted the concluding prayer of blessing—and sent people scrambling for home or to the basement of Goshen College’s Union building, where ceremonies were being held).

Waiting for commencement to restart.At the 57th commencement, tornado warning sirens started at about 3:35, just minutes into the May 29 commencement address of Ray Helmuth, a 1980 Bethany alum, former Bethany teacher-administrator, current public school educator, and father of graduating senior James Helmuth. Fittingly, Helmuth was about to begin speaking on the power of one—of God working in the world. As administrators began searching for weather news on their cell phones, Helmuth quipped, “We will pause for weather identification.” And a few seconds later, “If any kids have phones with them, this might go a lot faster.”

After confirming that Elkhart County was under a tornado and severe thunderstorm warning, Assistant Principal Hank Willems instructed the audience to exit to the hallways as a safety precaution. About 35 minutes later, after the thunderstorm had passed and the tornado warning was lifted, people began reassembling for Helmuth’s address and the receiving of diplomas.

But the 2011 commencement should be memorable as well for the words that were offered during the commencement addresses—though for many words are soon forgotten in such occasions, especially when events just described happen. Helmuth told the soon-to-be graduates, “Each one of you—not your class—will leave Bethany on a separate journey. Each one of you can be part of God’s kingdom by helping bring peace and justice to our hurting world. Each one of you will touch many needy people. But you must be courageous and willing to step out alone if necessary. It only takes one of you to change the world or a life, and it all starts here today.”

Student speakers were Taylor Ann Krahn, a National Merit scholar, and Ben Miller, recipient of the 2011 Marlin Miller Scholarship for a senior considering pastoral ministry and/or service—Ben will be serving with Mission Year in Atlanta, Ga. next year.

In describing his class, Ben said, “We are a close-knit community, but we are also accepting and flexible. We are all at different points in our faith, and through Bible class and other conversations, we discuss this topic quite a bit. But it always remains a discussion; it never turns into an argument or an attack on the other person. We simply talk and learn from one another.”

And Taylor Ann thanked those gathered for helping them—as a class and individuals. “Thanks to you, we have a solid start in life—a firm foundation from which we can build in any direction we choose. We have been grounded in strong Christian beliefs and values, but we have also learned to accept and understand those people who don’t share our points of view.”

This class also has been known for its high academic performance and set a school record with 11 co-valedictorians, who all finished with grade point averages of 4.0 or higher: Cory Bowman, Ji Eun Han, James Helmuth, Taylor Ann Krahn, Eva Lapp, Mattie Lehman, Ben Mast, Ellie Schertz, Emily Shenk, Leslie Weaver, and Marla zumFelde. Over half of the 40 members finished with A- averages and three-fourths with a B average or higher.

Four graduates received special recognition for receiving Leadership Development Awards for demonstrating significant leadership in school, church, and community settings: Mattie Lehman, Ben Mast, Emily Shenk, and Sharisse Yoder.

The senior class gift included money for purchasing equipment for the concession stand.

Friends congratulate You Jin Bae and Ji Eun Han	Lauren Hooley with her parents Jenni (Miller '82) and John ('81) Hooley, brother Austin ('15), and grandparents Edith and Bill Hooley (superintendent/principal 1970-94)
New graduates Jama Yoder, Chris Minter, Mandy Schlabach, Twila Albrecht	Assistant Principal Hank Willems with Sang Hyoun Han