Ephrata Mennonite School
Lia Muñoz
Sophomore
Lia Muñoz is the daughter of Ashley Muñoz. She is the second oldest of four siblings. She is a sophomore at Ephrata Mennonite School and attends Cornerstone Mennonite Fellowship with
her family.
She is looking forward to visiting Germany as an exchange student at the end of the school year, experiencing a new culture and seeing where the experience takes her.
Her favorite class is biology because you get to study so many fascinating things. A highlight of her school year so far has been her class field trip to Boston. Getting to know her classmates better and playing games on the van rides.
Outside of school she enjoys reading, photography, dog grooming and baking. Her dream would be to attend college and get a job in the medical field.
Some cool facts about Lia is that she skipped 9th
grade and she won second place in a CyberPatriot competition. A CyberPatriot competition is a series of online rounds of teams who are given a set of virtual systems and are trying to find and fix the cybersecurity problems.
Someone that she looks up to is her mom, because she always supports her and encourages her.
If she could change something about the world she would create world peace, so that people could live without fear and conflict.
Overall Lia is a great person who loves new experiences and making great memories.
Written by: Katelyn Nolt
Jakob Rauch
10th Grade
Jakob Rauch is the son of Thomas and Johanna Rauch. He is a sophomore at Ephrata Mennonite School and attends the Lancaster District of the Old Order River Brethren church with his family.
In October he enjoyed hosting a student from Germany and he is looking forward to going to Germany for two weeks to participate in the receiving end of the student exchange program.
His favorite class is math because it is logical and makes sense. And next year he is looking forward to mini-terms, which is a week of special classes that Ephrata Mennonite does every two years that allows students to try their hand at different hobbies or activities.
Outside of school he loves cars, reading, playing video games, metal work, and playing violin. One of his dreams is to restore a classic muscle car. As well as getting a degree in automotive engineering.
He also loves to travel and has had some really cool experiences including skydiving in Germany, getting rained on in the desert, being in the room where the Civil War ended, and being underground in two different countries.
Someone that Jakob looks up to is Abraham Lincoln, because he persevered through hardship and always let his faith guide his decisions.
If he could change one thing in the world it would be that everyone could see everyone as created equal.
Overall Jakob is a great person with lots of cool experiences and humor.
Written by: Katelyn Nolt
Shantell Wenger
7th Grade
Shantell Wenger is a student at Ephrata Mennonite School. She is in 7th grade. The things she likes best about school are interacting with her friends and the spiritual life block DEAR, which is a time, twice a week, when secondary students get to read for half an hour.
She played on the middle school volleyball team and is currently playing on the middle school basketball team. Even though she plays both sports she says that she prefers volleyball.
Shantell attends Crosspointe Mennonite Church, a branch off of Faith Mennonite Fellowship.
When asked what is her greatest accomplishment, she was not sure but is very proud that her basketball team has not lost a game yet.
Shantell’s favorite class is math. She likes the way the teacher makes it fun and engaging. She said that math comes easy for her so that makes it fun.
The people in her life who she admires are her parents and grandparents. She likes the way they are caring and love her, and she can always count on them to provide and let her do the things she enjoys.
After school she is not planning on going to college but pursuing a career at either Fox Meadows, Big John’s Catering, or a coffee shop.
Shantell is an outgoing person with many talents. She is always seen hanging out with her friends, laughing, and having a good time.
Written by: Chayla Fox
Marissa Oberholtzer
Senior
Marissa Oberholtzer is a senior at Ephrata Mennonite School, class of 2026. She is the oldest daughter of Randy and Wendi Oberholtzer who are members at Martindale Mennonite church. Her mother Wendi is her role model and hero in life because of all the love and time her mother invests in the lives of the children around her. Wendi is a bus driver for Ephrata Mennonite while also caring for her own four children. Marissa dreams of following in her mother’s footsteps by pouring into the lives of the many children around her by taking on the future career of being a teacher’s aid.
Marissa’s favorite class this semester is a college course called “Teachers for Tomorrow.” Teachers for Tomorrow prepares highschoolers to be better equipped as teachers by teaching fundamental skills and allowing students to put these useful skills into practice by assigning them to an elementary class to help them gain experience by watching and learning from current teachers. This course ties in perfectly to her favorite interests of hanging out with children, friends, and being creative by completing crafts. Marissa looks forward to graduating so she can expand her schedule to work more at her current job at Weaver’s Store this summer until fall when she plans on joining the Ephrata Mennonite School staff.
Written by: Kyra Martin
Carson Bowman
11th Grade
Carson Bowman is the son of Ryan and Gina Bowman. He is in 11th grade at Ephrata Mennonite School. He is the second oldest of four boys and he attends Cornerstone Mennonite Fellowship with his family.
He is really looking forward to joining the Ministry Arts Team (MAT) in the spring because it builds strong friendships and it blesses others. Currently he is on the basketball team which he really enjoys because he gets to play and get closer with his team. He is also on the AV Team which is his favorite class because it is hands-on, and it involves electronic stuff which he finds interesting.
The people that have impacted Carson’s life the most are his parents because “they usually have something good to say when I have a problem and support me.”
If there was one thing that he could change in the world it would be that there be less political division and that people could just focus on one goal.
Some things that he is looking forward to are senior trip next year and having a full-time job. One of his big goals for after school would be to start some type of business.
Overall Carson is a great person with lots of humor and big goals.
Written by: Katelyn Nolt
Elliana Weaver
9th Grade
Elliana Weaver or “Ellie,” as everyone calls her, is the daughter of Kevin and Charlene Weaver. She is in 9th grade and is excited to finally be in high school. She is the second youngest of four, and attends Meadow Valley Mennonite Church with her family.
Her favorite class this semester is Anabaptist Thought and Practice because they have really good conversations. She is the team manager for the Junior Varsity volleyball team, which she likes to do because it brings her closer to her friends. She is also the 9th grade representative for the student council.
Family and friends are really important to her. Her dream one day is to travel the world and be surrounded by family. She enjoys helping on her family farm with siblings. Growing closer to her friends is something that she is looking forward to.
The two people in Ellie’s life that she really looks up to are her mom and sister, because they show her how to be more like Jesus.
Something that she wants to change about the world is the lack of knowledge of Jesus. She wants everyone to know who he is.
Overall, Ellie is a great person with a bright smile and a big heart.
Written by: Katelyn Nolt
Makenzia Stoltzfus
Junior
Makenzia Stoltzfus is a junior at Ephrata Mennonite. Her favorite class this year is psychology. She likes the class because of the teacher. Makenzia likes how he makes it interesting and plans lots of interactive activities.
She also really enjoys being on the Worship Team. She likes to sing and play the piano.
When asks who she looks up to, Makenzia said her parents. Her dad, because he is very patient and has lots of wisdom. Her mom, because she has a lot of motivation.
Some of Makenzia’s hobbies include horseback riding, reading, playing piano, driving, hanging out with friends and going to the beach.
Makenzia’s favorite food is ice cream and mac and cheese.
After school, Makenzia would like to start her own business. She is looking into starting either an ice cream shop or an ice cream truck.
Makenzia’s greatest accomplishment was successfully passing her driver’s test on the first try.
One thing that she would change in the world is that everyone would come to know Jesus. Makenzia is a member of Cornerstone Mennonite Fellowship. She actively attends her youth group as well as serves on their youth committee.
In all, Makenzia is a sweet, outgoing person who is liked by all.
Written by: Chayla Fox