Even though Bethany receives new students from each class every year, the freshmen are almost always the most numerous. This year we have ten new freshmen coming in along with the six students from other classes. These freshmen have to adjust not only to starting high school, but joining a new community as well.
Cecilia Zmudzinski is coming into the Bethany community already knowing some familiar faces, most notably her two brothers Zane (‘17) and Zach (‘15). Cecilia is coming to Bethany to get a Mennonite influenced education, and to get away from large crowds. Before high school, Cecilia attended Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in downtown Elkhart. Here at Bethany, Cecilia is enjoying her Thursday block days when she gets plenty of study halls to practice her French, working on her book writing, and working in the cafeteria. She is on the JV volleyball team, and plans to try out for the musical or play. If she could have any super power, Cecilia would like to have telekinesis to help people with manual labor.
Jiwoo Wi is a new freshman coming from a public middle school in Roselle, Illinois. She decided to come to Bethany after her father found the school online. She came for a visit and decided that this was the place for her. She does not yet know what she will or will not be involved in, but she has lots of time to figure that out. Wi is very friendly and has most enjoyed getting to know people and be a part of the community. If Wi could have any superpower, she would like teleportation, the ability to move from one place to another instantly.
Pamela Ortiz also came to Bethany with her brother, Erick. Pamela transferred from Goshen Middle School. She is thinking of running track, but might do something else before that. She has most enjoyed getting to know people, and is adjusting well to the new community. If Pamela could have any superpower, she would want to be invisible. Pamela is willing to talk to people, and enjoys getting to meet and become friends with new people, which she has plenty of chances to do in this new community.
Zane Zmudzinski is here with his sister Cecilia, as mentioned before. He also came from Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School for a Catholic education, and here for a Mennonite education. His dad is Catholic and his mom is Mennonite, so he gets a bit of both worlds. Zane wanted to come here to get a good balance of faith, academics, and athletics. He is currently playing soccer, and plans to participate in basketball, golf, or baseball. Zane would like to be invisible if he could have any superpower, so that “I could do things and people couldn’t see me.”
Kaelie Neff is yet another incoming freshman. She transferred from Northridge, where she and her mom were having troubles. So they decided to try something new, and ended up at Bethany. Kaelie has four younger siblings that came with her to Bethany, so it wasn’t just her making the switch. Kaelie mostly just wants to get to know new people, and is doing so by participating in volleyball, and planning to play basketball. If Kaelie could have any superpower, she would want to fly.
Along with Pamela, Erick Ortiz came from Goshen Middle School to Bethany. He is most excited to be a part of the laptop program, as are a lot of current students. Though not currently involved in sports, Erick wants to join the track team in the spring. Erick is proudly Mexican, and is enjoying getting to know people. If Erick could have any power, he would want to be extremely fast, like the Flash.
Jacob Gonsalves is excited to be here at Bethany. It is a big contrast to Goshen Middle School, where he previously attended. Gonsalves came here because he wanted a smaller, safer school, where his Christian beliefs would fit in. Gonsalves really enjoys getting to know people, and is helping the process along by playing tennis, and maybe some other extra curriculars later. If Gonsalves could have any superpower, he would want to have night vision.
Matthew Peters came from a little farther than Goshen. He attended Stanley Clark Middle School in South Bend. He came to Bethany for his Christian beliefs and to get a good high school education. Peters is involved in tennis, and considers it to be one of the best parts of his high school career. When given the choice of Xbox or Playstation, Peters prefers Xbox, and he plays it quite a bit. He wants people to know he is tall. If Peters could have any superpower, it would be the ability to become invisible.
Khalid Miller comes to us from Goshen Middle School as well. Miller came to the Bethany community to be able to learn in a better environment and friendlier community. Miller wants to be involved in some extracurriculars, but doesn’t know what yet. His favorite part of high school so far is Health class, and getting to know new people. If given the chance to get any superpower, Miller would refuse, preferring to be normal. Miller is quiet, but still open to some conversation, so don’t let that stop you from talking to him!
That’s all for the new students of the year! A lot of people from a lot of different places attend Bethany every year, and that’s just how we like it. Diversity is an important thing in our community, and encouraging exchange or boarding students should always be a priority.
-Corey Hostetler