Homecoming 2022
We’re doing something new with old friends!
Bethany celebrated its first annual homecoming over the weekend of September 23-24. The expanded format of what was formerly known as “Alumni Reunion” included class reunion gatherings, while also inviting all alumni along with current students, families, and friends to enjoy the festivities. Class reunion gatherings took place for classes with years ending in 2 and 7.
To start the weekend, Ben Hartman ’97 spoke at the alumni chapel about his work at Clay Bottom Farm and his lean farming techniques. In the afternoon, the Class of 1972 gathered at the Goshen Brewing Company for a FaceTime chat with Jan Unoson, a classmate and exchange student from Sweden. That evening the class gathered informally for a dinner at Grace Community Church.
Saturday began with a Bruin Spirit Parade, showcasing the high school floats. Tim Lehman, head of school, gave a State of the School Address, followed by a hymn sing led by Diane Yoder ’77 and Lee Leatherman ’82 and accompanied by Diane Schrock Hertzler, faculty ’75-87. During the afternoon, faculty and trustees conducted tours.
A heritage dinner was held in the cafeteria for the classes of 1957, 1962, and 1967. After the meal, Tim Lehman shared news from Bethany. The classes ended their evening with individual meetings to share updates with one another. Meanwhile, the Class of 1972 celebrated its 50th reunion with a formal dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, IN.
Before the evening boys and girls soccer matches, attendees purchased meals from food trucks in the parking lot and then ate together in the Friendship Garden. Many classes celebrating reunions ate and visited with one another during this time.
Both the girls and boys soccer teams hosted the Westview Warriors, with the girls losing 1-3 and the boys 0-3. However, the new athletic complex was crowded with fans spilling out of the stands.
Between the varsity games, donors, alumni, and friends gathered in the new entry plaza for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Director of Advancement Sarah Lind publicly recognized the Bontrager family for their role in making the athletic facility renovations possible. Student athletes and Athletic Director Gary Chupp held the ribbon, and a plaque was unveiled on our Memorial Plaza in memory of Wendall and Lloyd Bontrager, who died in a plane crash in 1985.
Finally, alumni, friends, students, and families gathered around a bonfire and enjoyed the warmth of the fire to end a wonderful homecoming weekend.
