Ephrata Mennonite School
Emma Cassel
11th Grade
Emma Cassel is the daughter of Jon and Keri Cassel and is finishing up her junior year this year. She says her favorite classes right now are Math and Microsoft Office because it’s logical. She is also in her school’s singing group called the Ministry Arts Team, or MAT, and she has also already completed two dual-enrollment courses through Messiah College. After school, Emma says that she really doesn’t have any specific plans but wants to be able to follow the plans that the Lord has for her.
Emma is the second oldest of four kids, and her older sister is out in Illinois teaching kindergarten. Her father is a pastor for White Oak Church, where they attend. Emma says that she looks up to her parents because of their wisdom that they have to give, and because of how they’re both ready to serve when they are called or needed. And because of their good-natured humor.
One thing that Emma would love to see in the world is that every child would be able to be placed in good, safe homes. One of her dreams for a few years and something that she feels called to is to one day be able to live in a Spanish-speaking country.
Some things that she is looking forward to this year are for MAT tour, a backpacking trip in Colorado, a trip to Illinois, and cabin trips.
Some things that she enjoys are working in the kitchen, learning Spanish, and being with friends.
Overall, Emma is known as a sweet, funny, busy person that is loved by all.
Written by: Marissa Oberholtzer
Cali Shirk
10th Grade
Cali Shirk, currently in 10th grade, is the second daughter of Duane and Stacy Shirk. She attends Parkview Mennonite Church, and works at Weaver’s Store in the clothing section and as a cashier.
Her favorite class this year is the Ministry Arts Team, the school’s singing group, because it feels so rewarding to be able to see the progress that is being made as they practice their parts. One thing that she is looking forward to is the group’s programs and tour coming up.
Another thing Cali is looking forward to is the upcoming summer break, because she can’t wait for the warm weather and the chance to spend a month in Guatemala. After graduating, Cali hopes to find a full-time job that really suits her.
Some things that Cali wishes for the world is that everyone would know their value based on what Jesus says about them. She also wishes that the amount of unreached people groups would lessen.
Cali looks up to both or her parents, who are leaders in the church’s youth group. She admires her father for his quiet, calm, and humble leadership, and her mom for the confidence to be the person that she is and for how caring she is.
Some things that Cali enjoys doing are being with kids, singing, and spending time with people from youth groups; she also enjoys animals. She is also currently learning Spanish, and she is celebrating that she recently earned her driver’s license.
Overall, Cali is known for her gentle and caring nature, her great laugh and beautiful smile, her strong relationship with Jesus, and her heart for others.
Written by: Marissa Oberholtzer
Lindsey Weaver
9th Grade
Lindsey Weaver is the daughter of Daryl and Jen Weaver and is currently in 9th grade. She attends Martindale Mennonite Church and is looking forward to joining their youth group this year. She is the second youngest of 4 kids and her father is the bishop of her church and the Ministry Arts Team teacher at school. She was on the JV volleyball team last year, and is currently in the New Believers class at church.
Her favorite classes at school are Bible class, because she likes the discussions that they have, and Art class because she enjoys art and it’s relaxing to have at the end of the school day.
Some of her hobbies are sports, specifically volleyball, reading, art, music, and singing. Her family has a singing group that she sings with at events sometimes.
Lindsey thinks that after school it would be fun to work somewhere with food or drink. Her dream is to travel a lot because she enjoys seeing different places, enjoys the scenery, and experiences from traveling. Two years ago Lindsey and her family took a trip to Grenada, where her parents had been missionaries and her eldest brother had been born.
Overall, Lindsey is known for her short stature, beautiful singing voice, and outgoing personality.
Written by: Marissa Oberholtzer
Allen Zimmerman
11th Grade
Allen Zimmerman is a junior that likes carpentry class, mainly because of the big machines he gets to use. He also loves to do things with diesel trucks. He would like to do anything to have a diesel truck or get to do anything with a diesel. He would even like to own a diesel shop in the future.
Some fun facts about him are that he goes to Indiantown Mennonite Church, and he can’t wait for Christmas break.
One thing Allen likes to do is to go up to the cabin. When he’s up there, he will drive any sort of thing that has wheels, and anything he can blow up, he will.
Even though he likes to blow stuff up, he likes to weld and fabricate, too.
His dad, Roger Zimmerman, is the president of PaulB’s. Allen got to work at Paul B’s Hardware for a while until he found a job at a diesel mechanic place call Denver Diesel, which is a perfect fit for him.
He will always look up to his dad because his dad is older than him and wiser.
Finally, in his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends.
Overall, Allen is a great guy.
Written by: Jacob Grube
Everett Stoner
11th Grade
Everett Stoner has been attending EMS since 5th grade, and this year he’s in 11th. He is the son of Joel and Christi Stoner, the eldest of 7 kids. In fact, all of his siblings besides him and his brother are adopted and/or currently being fostered.
He has attended White Oak church his whole life and regularly attends the youth group there.
He has a funny personality and can often be heard making a funny comment in class. He enjoys art class, and he’s an amazing artist. The edges of his papers are usually filled with little drawings and doodles.
He says that some of his hobbies are fishing, hunting, and reading. Sometimes he tells stories of the crazy things he’s done in the woods and creeks behind his house. His dream is to one day write a book.
He works at Paul B Zimmermans and a day that he looks forward to is payday.
One thing that he looks forward to after graduating school is to do things other than school.
One thing that he would change about the world is that he would get rid of seagulls. He also has a pet catfish whose name is Grendel Jr.
Overall, he’s a humorous person, artist, oldest brother and outdoorsman with all sorts of crazy ideas.
Written by: Marissa Oberholtzer
Nicole Cassel
Senior
Nicole Cassel, daughter of Steven and Jennifer Cassel, is a 12th grader at Ephrata Mennonite School this year. She is in the yearbook class and is helping design this year’s yearbook. She attends White Oak Church and works at Dutch Way in the deli. After school she thinks she might work full time and try to sell some of her crafts but ultimately let God take her to where he wants her to be.
One thing that she is looking forward to is graduating this year and starting a new chapter in life. A dream of hers is after graduating school to live in a cottage or cabin where no one else is, have animals and growing plants, and just being in nature. Some of her hobbies include crocheting, embroidery, drawing, painting–anything artsy.
Nicole has type one diabetes that was diagnosed in fifth grade. She has one sister and three brothers. Two of her brothers are married, and one lives all the way up in Maine.
One thing that Nicole would change about the world would be that people would slow down and enjoy life, or in her words, “take a chill pill.”
Some random facts about her are that she enjoys reading or listening to stories, her favorite season is fall, she enjoys problem solving, and she owns a pet cockatiel bird named Fitz, who doesn’t really like to be held.
In all, Nicole is a very sweet person that everyone loves.
Written by: Marissa Oberholtzer
Jasmine Munoz
Sophomore
Jasmine Munoz is starting her first year at Ephrata Mennonite in tenth grade. Her favorite class this year is history class, because you often learn different things that you wouldn’t usually hear talked about in everyday life. She also takes art, which she says is fun and a good place to unwind after a long day of school. Her favorite part about school is that she is able to be with her friends all the time.
When asked about someone that she looks up to, she said Ashley Munoz, her mom. Her mom works hard for Jasmine and her three siblings, and tries to make time for them as well.
Some of Jasmine’s hobbies include things like reading, playing volleyball, listening to music, and playing with her puppies. She also attends Way of the Cross Christian Fellowship.
After school, Jasmine hopes to go to college, but is unsure of what she wants to do.
One thing that Jasmine says she would change about the world is that every child would have a loving home.
Over all, Jasmine is a very sweet, outgoing girl, and she feels that she is adjusting to school very well and has had a great start already.
Written by: Marissa Oberholtzer