Our Mission Statement:
Walther Christian Academy is a culturally diverse and inclusive Christian middle and high school, rooted in the Lutheran tradition. Walther nurtures and prepares learners to fulfill their unique
God-given potential through academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service,
leadership and enrichment opportunities.
From the desk of our Advancement Director.
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Tim Bouman, Head of School |
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Warm greetings from Walther!
As we begin the fourth quarter—aka “the homestretch”—of the 21-22 school year, and make plans for graduation, prom, Summer School and even next school year, I’d like to take a step back and look at the big picture of why Walther is here. On the surface, it can seem like a silly question. We are here to educate our students, right? Just like we have been doing since 1954, right?
That is certainly part of it, but from time to time it is useful to remember the “why.” Our Strategic Planning Committee recently asked those big questions, and out of that process came a new Mission Statement:
“Walther Christian Academy is a culturally diverse and inclusive Christian middle and high school, rooted in the Lutheran tradition. Walther nurtures and prepares learners to fulfill their unique God-given potential through academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service, leadership and enrichment opportunities.”
I love this statement. It is a strong affirmation our values; we are Lutheran and Christian, and we see our diversity as an asset. It also answers the “why”: Walther exists to show our students that God has made each one of them unique. Our teachers help each individual learner discover his or her potential. Our students are academically prepared for college and life. Their faith lives are nurtured. They are shown the value of service and given leadership opportunities. They explore all of their talents and interests through sports, music, drama, and the many other opportunities they have both inside and outside the classroom. Our students leave Walther knowing Christ and being well-prepared for what God has in store for their lives. That is why we are here—and, with your prayers and support, why we will continue to be here for generations to come!
Tim Bouman
Head of School/Principal
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Sally Ruecking, Director of Advancement
Dear Walther Friends,
It’s spring, and to me spring is about starting fresh. In a Living Devotional I read, “Christian life is a balancing act between working like everything depends on you and trusting like everything depends on God. He will send the rains you need, but you’ve also got to do your part by working the harvest.”
As alumni and friends of Walther, an engaged community of people who believe in our mission for today’s students as well as students in the future, we must all “do our part.” If you are reading this, please consider how you can help Walther Christian Academy. In the next few months, you have several ways that you can support us!
If you live in the Chicagoland area, please register on our website to attend the Bronco Benefit on May 14 in Schaumburg. There will be professional music as well as our incredibly talented Jazz Band musicians, both a silent and a live auction, and an opportunity to hear about our school. Our more formal event provides scholarships and more to support our students and school. Two drinks are included with dinner for $150.
On May 20, we are hosting a Bronco Benefit Junior which is an affordable and casual evening at the school. There will also be music provided by Walther musicians, games, tacos and beverages. This event is $50 and you can register on our website. This event will help classes from 1990 to 2021 to stay connected with your school and to reconnect with friends.
And on May 21, for alumni who can’t make the in-person benefits, please purchase a ticket on our website to our Virtual Benefit to connect with alumni from all over the country! What a great way to still be engaged with your former school! This event was so successful last year that we are doing it again. There will be “chat” rooms that can be informal class reunions. Just email Sally_Ruecking@WaltherAcademy.com to make arrangements to form your own group. There will also be a live auction. The cost of this event is $100 and because it’s a “Zoom”--every dollar will go to support our students and school.
Finally, on June 4, we are hosting the second Bucking Bronco 5K Run/Walk. Last year, this event had members of the local community, elite runners, alumni, students and staff running or walking to support our school. Due to our campus upgrades to both building and grounds, our school shined! Adult registration is $42 and $35 for students and children 18 and under. Please register on our website soon.
Another way to support Walther is to set-up a monthly recurring gift right on-line. It’s easy to do, and by building in a small gift to Walther you will be leaving your own legacy and “doing your part to work the harvest.”
Thank you for being part of the Walther family, and for dedicating your life to good works.
Sally Ruecking
Director of Advancement
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WALTHER EVENTS!
In 2022, there are several events you can attend to support Walther!
New Dates Below!
Mark your calendars!
May 14, 2022 at 6 pm
Bronco Benefit at Maggiano's
Little Italy, Schaumburg, IL
May 20, 2022
New Event: Bronco Benefit Junior
6 pm at the school. This event is for Alumni Classes of 1990 to 2021
May 21, 2022 at 6 pm
Second Annual Virtual Bronco Benefit will be hosted across the USA via Zoom
June 4, 2022
Second Annual Bucking Bronco Run/Walk at the school and surrounding neighborhood. Registration is open at:
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Meet: Mary Long
I recently met with Mary Long, who together with her husband Don, led an incredible life. Mary worked for years as a paralegal for a law firm, and the firm and her family supported her decision to become an attorney at the age of 51!
Mary and her husband Don raised their children in the Lutheran Church and were active parishioners. One of her daughters taught at Luther North and at Walther for a year! Mary has agreed to leave Walther Christian Academy in her will to ensure the school's sustainability for its future!
Here is what Mary has to say about the reason she is supporting Walther:
I, and my late husband always supported Christian education. Our daughters, Linda and Cheryl, attended Luther North High School. Cheryl taught at Luther North and Linda was on the Board of Directors of Faith Lutheran High School, Crystal Lake. Since both of these schools have closed, I felt it was important to support the mission of our last remaining high school in the area. My family was very blessed in many avenues by our Christ-centered educations. Choosing Lutheran Christian schools not only educated our minds but increased our faith and gave us the tools to live a fruitful, productive life in our communities, jobs, and churches.
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Meet: Alumnus Henry Alder
Henry Alder is a Walther alum who graduated 50 years ago. He attended the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus and received both a BS in Bioengineering, an MS in Biomedical Engineering, and then later an MBA in Marketing and Finance at DePaul University. Henry worked for Johnson and Johnson and recently applied for a generous matching gift. We are grateful for his support and for going the extra mile to support our school.
Here is what Henry has to say:
My wife [Jean] and I live in Chicago. Last summer we did a road trip to California with my wife’s sister and her husband. We stopped along the way to attend a wedding and catch up with family members in Colorado Springs and San Diego. Of course, we visited several national parks west of the Rocky Mountains, Hoover Dam, and other tourist sites.
I am still actively engaged in my career. Currently I am the Managing Director of Access to Care Partners LLC (ATCP), a consulting firm I founded in 2015. ATCP helps medical technology companies secure earlier market access for their new products or services. My outside activities also include serving as a mentor for several startup incubators and corporate innovation accelerators based in Chicago that help new health technology businesses innovate faster.
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Last month, we featured Aaron and Jessica Harsch, both Walther graduates who founded Redemption Road Coffee. By purchasing their coffee, you are "joining a community of people with the desire and vision to make the world a better place." Every purchase supports their mission. Click on the link above to go to their website, and please consider making a purchase to support this Walther family! |
Meet: Melanie Arguello, Senior
Hi everyone, my name is Melanie, and I’m a senior here at Walther. I’ve been attending Walther since my freshman year. Some of you may know my older brother, Orlando, who graduated in 2019 and my younger brother, Leo, who is currently a freshman.
Before coming to Walther, I spent my elementary and middle school years at Sacred Heart, but sadly they had to close down last June due to a low number of students. Some of you may know I’m a very shy and introverted person; I’ve always been, but Walther in a way has helped me try new things that are out of my comfort zone and develop new friendships with amazing people that I’ve gotten to know.
The years have gone by so fast and in a few months the class of 2022 will be graduating and starting a new chapter in their lives. Not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous to head on to college even though I’m not planning on going far away. But I know that what I have learned here at Walther from the amazing faculty and staff as well as all the friendships I’ve built, that I’ll be just fine and will be able to accomplish anything that seems almost impossible. God has given me a calling that I should help others, so I plan on achieving a career path in Special Education. I will attend Triton College and then transfer to a 4-year college. I know that wherever God leads me I’ll have obstacles to overcome, but I have faith that He will help me overcome them and bring many blessings and new opportunities my way.
I’m going to really miss Walther and the amazing things it has taught me about education, friendships, God, and family. There’s no other school like Walther.
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Whether you are Near or Far, you can attend one of three Bronco Benefits this year!
Walther Welcomes you Home!
We are so excited to be able to gather together at our upcoming Bronco Benefits! Our “traditional” in-person Bronco Benefit hasn’t happened in two years, and we look forward to seeing all of our alumni, friends, teachers and staff together at long last!
This year we are hosting our live Bronco Benefit at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Schaumburg. Together with our talented music students who will be performing, we welcome professional musicians “The Rob Curtis Band” to entertain throughout the evening. This event ticket price is $150 which includes dinner and two cocktails.
Covid taught us all to be flexible and resilient. Last year’s ZOOM Bronco Benefit was a success and what we learned was that so many alumni lived all over the country and really appreciated “seeing” each other. So, we will be hosting a Virtual Bronco Benefit with break-out rooms for alumni to chat and get reacquainted. This event ticket price is $100 which includes break-out chat rooms of your choice.
Finally, we are hosting a special Bronco Benefit Jr. for alumni who graduated in 1990 and after. This will be hosted at the school and will be a casual taco dinner and cocktails. There will be an opportunity to play “bags” in the halls and hear from our talented student musicians. This event price is $50. What a fun event to reconnect with your former classmates!
Please register TODAY! If you cannot attend any of these events, your donation is always appreciated! We hope to see you take some time out of your busy lives to support Walther Christian Academy!
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Spring is here, and that means another opportunity to leave a memory at Walther.
The time is NOW to become a permanent part of Walther by purchasing an engraved paver. You can purchase one on our website by choosing the paver purchase option to honor your time here at Walther, thank a parent for sending you here, thank a teacher or honor a memory.
Pavers are $200 each.
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Please click on the link below to review our latest Annual Report! And enjoy our clean, professional new website! |
Come see the recent upgrades that have been on-goin. Our spring clean-up has begun! |
Walther Christian Academy would like to wish the very best success to our supportive partner, Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation. CLEF is hosting their 2022 Scholarship Gala this year at Brookfield Zoo. We are grateful for all that they do to support our students and this school.
All CLEF schools were asked to provide an auction item to ensure the success of their event. Below is a photo of Walther's contribution.
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Walther would not exist without you!
To all ALUMNI: We are asking every one of you, regardless of where you are in life, to consider including Walther Christian Academy in your will.
Leaving a legacy at Walther means that more students will experience the joy of attending a school that truly cares about them and that your legacy will be helping students tomorrow.
Please contact Sally_Ruecking@WaltherAcadamy.org to discuss your wishes.
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Walther Christian Academy | www.Walther.com |
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