Welcome to the 2023/24 school year!

The older I get, the quicker summer seems to fly by. Seems like only days ago we were sending off the class of 2023. It is hard for me to believe that I am beginning year ten here at Manitowoc Lutheran, but here we are. Over the last decade, MLHS has undergone many changes; updates to classrooms, new faculty & staff,  more courses, new families, updated logo, the list goes on and on. As I considered all the changes, the one constant, at the center of it all is and has been Christ and his love for each and every one of us. 

I spoke recently with an alum who attended the original Lutheran High at the old Madison School, he spoke of the decrepit building with a fire escape chute, the condemned “off-limits” floor, and the extra tall ceilings. But what really got me was the love and admiration he still has for Manitowoc Lutheran. He went on to tell me about how important his four years at MLHS were to him and his family’s faith journey. That building was eventually demolishing, but the education, the memories, and the faith the grew remain strong.

Since I began at MLHS, only seven faculty members remain. One, Dave Uhlhorn, who serves as Principal & Lead Administrator, was at that time our athletic director, algebra teacher, and head football and baseball coach. Another, Kevin Buch, now serves as our Director of Mission Advancement, served as our Admissions/Recruitment Director and Technology Director. Lastly, Martin Plocher, who serves as our Capital Campaign Director served as instructor of freshman science and woods courses. These men have long served this school to a great capacity, to which we are all grateful.  We wished a happy and well-deserved retirement to the beloved Karen Wilsmann, who served and continues to volunteer her time, after over forty years in this building. We also suddenly laid to rest a dear friend, and brother in Christ, Scott Reinhard who was serving as our Director of Mission Advancement at the time of his passing. 

We have added dozens of new courses to an already robust curriculum. We now have a strong and highly developed STEM program. A second-to-none fine arts department, which has grown in size each year. We have added several honors,, Advanced Placement, and college level course options in the English, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science departments. Our Youth Apprentice program grew from single digits to close to thirty students. Our Theology department now offers upper level elective courses for students to dig deeper into questions about their personal relationship with their Savior.

There has been an immense amount of work done behind the scenes over the last decade to make MLHS part of the Wisconsin School Choice Program, which truly makes our doors open to all. This truly has been a blessing to our Federation to expand the reach of the Gospel message to more families. To God be the Glory! Needless to say, our school has made great strides spiritually and academically to be the strongest option for all families on the Lakeshore.

Of all the things that makes MLHS so great and unique is what drives us as a school family, a command and promise given to us by Christ our Lord himself in Matthew 28: 19-20:

^”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It is fitting that this year our theme is “I am with you”. As we move forward into yet another year of grace because of Christ, we keep Him at the center of everything. He is the center of our Capital Campaign, ‘Building Our Future On Christ’. He is the foundation of our robust curriculum. He is why our enrollment has grown each year. He is our leader. HE IS because he says "I AM". We see ups and downs, we see wins and losses, we see failure and success, through it all this year Christ is with you, and he loves you.

It is my honor and privilege to bring you the Lancer Express again each week this year. If there are special areas of interest you are hoping to learn more about, or would like to see featured in the Lancer Express, Social Media, The Shield, etc. Please contact me directly at Pdurkee@mlhslancers.org.

Public Relation/Communications

MLHS Logo Update

Over the summer we unveiled our new logo on the gym floor through social media. The updated floor consists of a natural lighter finish on the main surface, and darker stain lanes. The words Manitowoc and Lutheran are in the endlines, our new Home of the Lancers script is featured, and the updated lancer with our new cross inside the shield is at center court. 

The new cross will become more and more familiar to you, as this will also be used throughout our Federation; from the Lakeshore Lutheran Schools to our Junior Lancer programs. The process of making the transition over full time to the Lancer and new cross will take some time as we cycle through uniforms, clothing and merchandise. We appreciate your patience. The all new online Lancer apparel store is coming soon!

To see and/or download high quality logos visit www.mlhslancers.org/about 

Friends of the Lancers 

Fall Social Hour - Hosted by the Friends of the Lancers! Friday, September 8, 5:30-6:30 pm in the MLHS commons. Come and enjoy one of the finest parts of MLHS, our family-oriented community! Please RSVP by clicking HERE. 

More FOL Information

Lambeau Field & Resch Center

Did you know that over the last seventeen years the Friends of the Lancers have been graciously willing to donate their time at both Lambeau Field and the Resch Center in Green Bay? The volunteers primarily work in food and beverage concessions at Packers games and concerts, like Paul McCartney, Kenny Chesney, and more at Lambeau. At the Resch Center workers have volunteered for Blizzard games (indoor football), Gamblers games (hockey), dozens of concerts featuring Morgan Wallen, Old Dominion, and comedy group The Impractical Jokers. 

If you are a parent, student (over 16), alumni, or friend of MLHS and are looking for a way to give to the school without spending a dime, this is a great chance to do so with brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Let's take a moment to recognize and thank all who have selflessly volunteered their time to help F.O.L. donate over $100,000 directly to the MLHS athletic department through these opportunities. If you are available to help even just one time, want to be a regular, or just simply want to learn more, please contact Jon Schwalbe by at futurus429@gmail.com.

Fall Sports Apparel

Fall athletic shirt forms may be picked up in the MLHS main office, or downloaded and printed below. All forms are due to the main office by 3PM Wednesday, August 30.

Thank you, Class of 1983!

For all of one week, the Class of 1983 was challenged by a generous anonymous donor who agreed to match all donations from the class, dollar for dollar up to $5,000. The money raised would go directly to our exciting capital campaign building project currently in progress.  

The class of 1983 represented well and were able to eclipse the $5,000 mark! 

$5950.00 donated + $5000 match  = $10,920.00!!!!

Thank you to all who donated! If you are interested in making a one time pledge or setting up a recurring pledge plan please visit www.mlhslancers.org/donate.