Homecoming 2024 and Class Reunions - Recap

Homecoming theme: Bethany is opening the doors to a bright future.

Bethany’s Homecoming 2024 was filled with celebration, sports, entertainment, and reunion gatherings. 

Alumni Chapel

An Alumni Chapel was presented by Lynelle Yoder Hofer (’09) on Friday morning. She shared lessons learned from Bethany and beyond. Lynelle is thrilled to be working as Bethany’s first Kindergarten teacher.

Ribbon Cutting

Students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, donors, friends, and community members gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new wing in front of the lower school entrance. 

Lindsey Mason, Chief Advancement Officer, provided a welcome and expressed gratitude for all who participated in the project. Bob Steury, alum and current grandparent, gave a blessing and prayer. Tim Lehman, Head of School, provided project highlights and thanked all the donors and partners. Bob Yoder, Chair of the Trustees, highlighted the work of the board of trustees and thanked the community. Gina Liechty, mayor of Goshen, congratulated Bethany’s contributions to the community. 

During the celebration, students blew bubbles adding to the festivities, and sang, “This is the Day” before the countdown of the ribbon cutting. To end the gathering students and community sang, “Go Now In Peace.”

Friday evening and Saturday were filled with athletic competitions.  

The volleyball team competed with Lakeland Christian Academy on Friday and then in the Bruin Volleyball Invitational with Elkhart Christian Academy, Churubusco, and Central Noble, winning two of the four matches. 

The boys and girls soccer teams competed in the Bruin Soccer Classic. The boys competed with Fort Wayne Canterbury and Wheeler, by tying and winning a game, while the girls competed against Illiana Christian, ending with a loss. Although not competing on campus, the boys tennis team competed against Northwood on Friday and in a tournament at Bremen on Saturday. The cross-country team competed in a meet at Tippecanoe Valley on Saturday.

Entertainment and Reunions

This was the first year Homecoming included entertainment by an alum. Austin Kaufmann (’94) and Tamiko Rothhorn entertained alumni and friends in Bethany’s new outdoor amphitheater, performing under the name The Dangling Participles Duo. Austin included a few songs with his daughter, Anara Pearl. 

This year Bethany celebrated reunions for graduation years ending in 4 and 9. Highlights included tours of the new elementary wing and the Heritage meal celebrating alumni with 51-plus reunion years. The class of 1959 celebrated their 65th reunion and the class of 2019 celebrated their 5th reunion. Before the gatherings, alumni looked over the vintage Bethany gear table, sponsored by the Alumni Council, and reminisced about their time at Bethany.  

It is always a joy to have alumni back on campus to see what is new and what the future holds for upcoming generations. We hope you will be able to attend next year's Homecoming!

Bethany has a rich history and strives to deepen this history by highlighting and celebrating alumni stories and achievements. Please send in your news or share a slice of Bethany’s history with us. 

Share with us at [email protected] or complete the alumni information form.