These are my comments directed to Lakeside’s Class of 2020 at this year’s graduation. I extend my words to all graduates in our federation.
It wasn’t supposed to end this way.
In recent weeks, everyone’s lives were overturned. Many lost their jobs. Busy schedules were vacated and then made busy again in other ways. Pandemic, social distancing, and the new normal are today’s buzzwords. Face masks, shortages, and uncertainty about life are what we face today.
No, it wasn’t supposed to end this way.
Yet, the Class of 2020 is not the first group to think or utter these words. There have been other upheavals throughout history that quickly reshaped society: the 1950s polio scare, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Great Depression, to name several. In a matter of minutes or days, the fragile flow of life—as we know it—can be overturned or even destroyed. It has happened before. It will likely happen again. No, it wasn’t supposed to end this way.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, a group of bewildered men huddled behind locked doors. Their rabbi had been arrested, tortured, and crucified. They may well have wondered if they were next. All likely felt guilt since they deserted their Master in his hour of need. One, particularly, may well have felt this pain most keenly because his actions fulfilled the very words of his Master’s prophecy. Among them, there was fear, uncertainty, and perhaps even the sentiment, “No, it wasn’t supposed to end this way.”
Then, the risen Savior entered that room. He stood among his disciples with visible nail marks in his hands and a spear slash in his side. He spoke words that were most unexpected. Instead of chastising and berating those who failed him, he said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). These were ordinary words of greeting. Yet, they bear extraordinary meaning.
In John’s gospel, Jesus explained peace. It’s not the peace “as the world gives” (John 14:27). It is peace from the forgiveness of sins that he earned for all. It is the assurance that whatever happens “will [not] be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
“Peace be with you.” This was the Savior’s greeting to those confused men. It assured them that their sins were forgiven. It gave them courage to meet the challenges, trials, and death threats they would face in the coming years for preaching the gospel. The Savior’s promise of peace was their sure hope in dark and uncertain times.
Jesus’ words of greeting are also for us. Like believers of all times, you and I have the assurance of our Savior’s forgiveness. No matter how unsteady our lives become or how unsure our future appears, we have the same peace that Jesus spoke to his disciples. We know that God loves us, has made us his own through baptism, and will see us through whatever the future brings.
Some might still be tempted to say, “No, it wasn’t supposed to end this way.” The end of senior year of high school should have been a time of fun, celebration, and joy. Yet, it wasn’t this year. The events of the pandemic are so close to us that we cannot see the larger picture. But, God can. He will use all that has happened in the past months to praise and glorify his name and even serve as blessings for all who trust in him.
Congratulations, Class of 2020. You have made it! It did end in the way it was supposed to. You will receive your high school diplomas. Most importantly, you have the certainty of your Savior’s forgiveness with the peace that can never be taken from you.
“Peace be with you.”
God bless you always with Jesus’ peace. Amen.
Jim Grasby is principal of Lakeside Lutheran.
Reach him at 920.648.2321 or jgrasby@llhs.org
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
At this point, God could have destroyed creation and his creatures. Yet, he did the unthinkable. While cursing the serpent, he announced grace and mercy to Adam and Eve. He said, 
Madeline Abel, daughter of Christopher and Megan, Fort Atkinson: Martin Luther College Witness Scholarship $1,500*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study education.
Ashley Behnke, daughter of Peter and Laurie, Watertown: GCU 2020 Canyon Christian School Consort $4,000*, GCU 2020 Faculty Scholarship $4,500, GCU 2020 Priority Registration Award $800. She will attend Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, to study business management.
Emma Berg, daughter of Nathan and Jennifer, DeForest: Martin Luther College Messenger Scholarship $2,000*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study elementary and secondary vocal music.
Anna Bilitz, daughter of Ben and Sarah, Madison: Martin Luther College Messenger Scholarship $2,000*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study education.
Andrew Buelter, son of Mark and Jamie, Juneau: Wisconsin Lutheran College $500 travel scholarship. He plans to continue working with Northern Trails Meats.
Ryann Burger, daughter of Mark and Denice: Soaring Eagle Scholarship, UW LaCrosse, $2,000. She will attend UW LaCrosse to study therapeutic recreation.
Ella Collins, daughter of daughter of Clark and Tricia, Lake Mills: Pine Honors Presidential Scholarship, EIU, $12,000*. She will attend Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, to study political science, pursue a law degree and play D1 volleyball.
Kyle Doering, son of Matthew and Jill, Lake Mills: MLC Messenger Scholarship $2,000*, Lake Mills Rotary Club Scholarship $2,000, Lake Mills Light & Water Continuing Ed Scholarship $500. He will attend Martin Luther College to study elementary and social studies education.
Trevor Geerdts, son of Dan and Jen, Lake Mills: Gleason Presidential Scholarship, Ripon College, $32,000*, Trustee Scholarship, Carroll University, $21,000*, Fred Loock Scholarship, MSOE $22,000*, Destination MSOE Scholarship, MSOE $3,000*, Summer Programs Scholarship, MSOE $1,000*, Scout Scholarship, MSOE University, $1,000*. He will attend MSOE to study computer science with a specialization in artificial intelligence.
Matthew Gunst, son of Dennis and Nichole, Juneau: United Cooperative Scholarship $1,000, Patricia Hahn Memorial Scholarship $1,000, Siem Memorial Scholarship $2,000, University of Minnesota Collegiate Scholarship $30,000, John Klossner Memorial Scholarship $1,000, FFA Alumni Scholarship $500. He will attend the University of Minnesota to study agriculture communications and law.
Gilbert Haw, son of Steve and Heidi, Marshall: Russel Kerr Scholarship, Rose-Hulman $1,250*, Cooney Gilbert Endowment, Rose-Hulman $2500, Rose-Hulman Grant Institute of Technology, $6,896*, Rose-Hulman Merit Scholarship $19,500*, Presidential Scholarship, Valparaiso University, $26,000*, Valpo Fund Alumni Award $960*. He will attend Valparaiso to study engineering and German.
Janae Jensen, daughter of Jonathan and Jeanette, Juneau: Martin Luther College Messenger Scholarship $2,000*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study early childhood and special education.
Kendra Kasper, daughter of Caleb and Sara, Helenville: Voorhees Scholarship, Carroll University $19,000*. She will attend Carroll University to study psychology.
Elijah Knapp, son of Kyle and Juli, Ixonia: Outstanding Academic Achievement Award $2,000, 2 yrs. He will attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls to study biology.
Abel Krauklis, son of Brandon and Jennifer, Lake Mills: WLC Presidential Scholarship $17,500*, Partners in Christian Education Scholarship $2,000*, Visit Scholarship $500. He will attend Wisconsin Lutheran College to study finance.
Lydia Krenke, daughter of Matt and Suzanne, Jefferson: Martin Luther College Witness Scholarship $1,500*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study early childhood and elementary education.
Rachel Mayer, daughter of Dale and Sandra, Fort Atkinson: Martin Luther College Messenger Scholarship $2,000*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study elementary education.
Brynn McDermott, daughter of Frank and Kristi, Poynette: Karate Family Scholarship, Plumer Karate America $1,000. She will attend UW-Oshkosh to study nursing.
Katelyn McGurk, daughter of Damion and Laura Dehnert, Lake Mills and Chris McGurk of Fargo, N. Dak.: Herb Kohl Initiative Scholarship $10,000, Martin Luther College Messenger Scholarship $2,000*. She will attend Martin Luther College to study special education and elementary education.
Elise Meier, daughter of William and Cathy, Watertown: WLC Presidential Scholarship $17,500*, Partners in Christian Education Scholarship $2,000*, Greenwoods State Bank Continuing Education Scholarship $500. She will attend Wisconsin Lutheran College to study cultural anthropology and Spanish.
Logan Pampel, son of Jon and Julie, Johnson Creek: Presidential Scholarship, Gustavus Adolphus College, $28,500*, Chancellor Scholarship, UW-Stout, $3,000* 2 yrs. He will attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., to study economics.
Megan Reinke, daughter of Dave and Kristina, Watertown: Arne Engebretsen Memorial Scholarship $2,000, Soaring Eagle Scholarship, UW LaCrosse, $3,000, Trustee’s Scholarship, Carroll University, $21,000*, Hilger Tradition Award, Carroll University, $500*, Scholar Award, Carroll University, $1,000*, Carthage Highest Honors, $11,000* Carthage Endowed Scholar, $1,500*, Early FAFSA Grant, Carthage College, $500, Carthage Visit Grant, $500*, Robert Todd Grant, Carthage, $500, SouthPort Grant, Carthage, $1,000, WLC Presidential Scholarship, $17,000*, Partners in Christian Education Scholarship, $2,000*, Visit Scholarship, $500, Chancellor’s Scholar, UW Whitewater, $2,000*, UWW Foundation Freshman Academic Scholarship $1,000, CUW Presidential Scholarship $15,000*, CUW Early FAFSA Filing Grant $1,500, Concordia Grant, $5,299*, Concordia Assistance $1,000*. She will attend Concordia University-Wisconsin to study education and math.
Alex Ryan, son of Jeffery and Christine, Lake Mills: Athletic Scholarship, Valparaiso University, $25,000*, Presidential Scholarship, Valparaiso, $23,000*, Award for Excellence, Valparaiso, $2,000*, Athletic Full Tuition Scholarship, UW-Milwaukee, $9,500*. He will attend Valparaiso University to study business and play D1 baseball.
Carter Schneider, son of Scott and Laura, Jefferson: WLC Collegiate Scholarship. He will attend Wisconsin Lutheran College to study accounting.
Owen Schoenherr, son of Terry and Lisa, Cottage Grove: Sentry Student Leadership Scholarship, UW Whitewater, $2,500*. He will attend UW-Whitewater to study accounting.
Cole Schuster, son of Thomas and Jessica, Juneau: FFA Alumni, $500, United Cooperative $1,000, Wisconsin Technical Excellence Scholarship $2,250* 3 yrs. He will attend Fox Valley Technical College to study agricultural power equipment.
Emma Statz, daughter of Brian and Jennifer, Helenville: GCU: Faculty Scholarship $2,250, Canyon Christian Schools Consortium $2,000, GCU Priority Registration $200, GCU Select Scholarship $1,500. She will attend Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, to study secondary English education or nursing.
Espen Storlie, son of Justin and Michelle, Lake Mills: Carleton Grant/Scholarship, $58,570. He will attend Carleton College to study political science/international relations.
Molly Sturgill, daughter of Aaron and Linda, Waterloo: CUW Presidential Scholarship $13,000*. She will attend Concordia University-Wisconsin to study graphic design.
Kirsten Thundercloud, daughter of Josh Thundercloud and Valerie Clark, Jefferson: Dartmouth General Scholarship $10,550*, Trustee Scholarship, Carroll University, $21,000*, WLC Presidential Scholarship $17,000*, WLC Partners in Christian Education Scholarship $2,000*, University Honors Program Scholarship, U of Minnesota, $2,000*. She hopes to be accepted into Dartmouth’s gap year program and then pursue a degree in psychology.
Nathan Wagner, son of Mark and Nancy, Roscoe, Ill.: Excellence in Christian Education, Valparaiso University, $2,000*, Scholarships in STEM, WLC $10,000*, WLC Presidential Scholarship $17,000*. He will attend Wisconsin Lutheran College to study biology.
Amber Wardall, daughter of Shawn and Shannon, Waterloo: Presidential Honor Scholarship, Winona State University $1,500*, WLC Presidential Scholarship $17,000*. She will attend UW- LaCrosse to study education or finance.
Grace Westrate, daughter of Bill and Shela, Lake Mills: Presidential Scholarship, Northwestern College, $16,000*, Undergrad Bridge Scholar Award, Northwestern, $2,500*, Honors Program Scholarship $1,500*. She will attend Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, to study business.
Gary and Nancy Fischer continue the scholarship tradition begun over 20 years ago by awarding the Steven Fischer Memorial Scholarship to Abbie DiGiovanni, daughter of Michelle DiGiovanni, Jefferson, and Michael DiGiovanni of Surprise, Ariz.
