GPLHS Monthly Update
July 2020
Prayer for Great Plains Lutheran High School
Dear Lord, provider of faithful servants, we thank you for all those who have prepared for the noble task of teaching and are now preparing for the upcoming school year. We especially ask you to bless first-year teachers as they undertake this responsibility. We are grateful for all the faithful teachers you have provided to Great Plains Lutheran High School, including two teachers who are new to GPL. Bless their transition to this new place of service, even as you bless all those who are discovering how best to serve in changing circumstances. May all their efforts resound to your glory.
Celebrating 25 Years
The 2020-2021 school year is the 25th year in the history of Great Plains Lutheran High School. For 25 years GPL has offered families in the Watertown area, as well as families living in eastern South Dakota and beyond, a Christian high school option in which students are encouraged and prepared to positively impact their communities and world through lives of Christian service. Celebrate with us this year!
6th Annual GPL Open Golf Tournament
The 6 th Annual GPL Open will be held at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown, on Monday, July 13 . The registration fee of $80 ($50 for students) includes 18 holes of golf, the use of a motorized golf cart, participation gifts, and a burger bar at Cattail Crossing following the tournament. Information and registration forms have been sent to association congregations for distributing, but they can also be found online. Click Here .  Registration forms are due by July 10th . You can register and pay online. We hope to see you there!
Financial Aid Deadline
Please note that families seeking financial aid to attend GPL have a final submission deadline -July 15.
  • July 15 –decisions reported August 1
You can find more information about financial aid and the application on our website Click Here.
They're Here
This month we are welcoming two new faculty members to GPLHS. Carina Rahn is joining us to be our Spanish instructor and international program director. Rebecca Doering was assigned on MLC Call Day to be our geometry and consumer math instructor and our new dormitory supervisor. Read on to find out more.
Meet Carina Rahn
Carina Rahn hails from New Ulm, MN originally but has spent the last 6 years in China teaching English and God's Word to both seekers and Christians alike. A 2014 graduate of MLC in Secondary Spanish and Elementary education she is very excited to teach Spanish at GPLHS, and also to talk to anyone in Chinese, if they're up for it. She loves learning, running, and creating new things. If you want to start a happy conversation with someone, just talk to her about American Ninja Warrior or coffee.
Meet Rebecca Doering
Rebecca Doering is originally from Bylas, Arizona where her father was a teacher. A few years into her life, her family moved to Lake Mills, WI where they have lived ever since. There she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran for her grade school experience and then Lakeside Lutheran High School. She is a recent graduate of Martin Luther College where she was involved in many things on top of her academics. She loves fitness, sports, and being active but also has a passion for music. She is so excited to make the move to South Dakota and be a part of the GPL family!
Another New Name but not a New Teacher
This month Miss Anna Ziel will be married to Mr. Aaron Swanson. The couple originally met at MLC in New Ulm and will be getting married on July 24 in Wisconsin. We wish them God’s blessings and look forward to welcoming Mrs. Swanson back this fall!     
Save the Date: Fall Festival 2020
Please join us for an afternoon of food, fellowship, and fundraising for Fine Arts, Student Assistance, Teens in Ministry, and Outreach at “Fall Festival 2020” on Saturday, November 14, 2020 ! As in the past, Fall Festival will include both live and silent auctions along with dinner and entertainment. This year we will highlight 25 years of ministry for GPLHS. Funds raised go directly to benefit our students. The event will run from 1:30-6:00 PM in the GPLHS gym.
Building Plan Progress
Our building committee has completed a series of meetings with our builder and architect, leading up to the completion of construction documents. These documents will serve as the basis for our request for bids from subcontractors. The bid request went out June 15, responses are due by July 8. Please join us in praying for favorable bids which will enable us to move forward with all the aspects of our facility expansion project.
Summer Scrip
Although school is out, Scrip continues through the summer. Need some camping gear, picnic supplies, or gas for a road trip? Scrip has a gift card to suit your needs! Take a look at the selection online Click Here or c ontact Mrs. Pluger ( jpluger@gplhs.org ) to find out more about this simple, yet advantageous program.
Graduation Celebration
On Saturday, July 25 we will be celebrating the class of 2020. The picnic portion of our evening is meant for students and their families but we would like to invite the GPL community to join us to wish our graduates well and to enjoy a fireworks display at GPL starting at dusk.
Persevering to Give Glory to God
Boom! In numerous ways, our country and our world have been shaken by the effects of CV-19. From our way of life, to the economy, to the significant strain on smaller businesses, and even to our churches and schools, our whole way of doing things has been thrown for a loop.

Dates to Note
  • If you missed the GPLHS 2020 Graduation, Click Here
  • July 11 - BOD Meeting
  • There is still time to register for the 2020-2021 school year! Click Here
  • July 13 - GPL Open Golf Tournament. Click Here
  • July 25 - Graduation Celebration fireworks at dusk
OUR MISSION
Great Plains Lutheran High School provides a Christ-centered education to assist families in nurturing students as lifelong disciples of Christ.