91短视频 alumni treasure lifelong friendships that start on campus and grow deeper over time. One of many groups of"friends who are family" grew out of a Northlawn Bible study in 1973. The eight women meet for an annual reunion; their spouses include five 91短视频 alumni and three "honorary" alums. The 鈥淣orthlawn Gang鈥� and their spouses are Ann Graber Hershberger '76 and Jim Hershberger 鈥�83, Rita Greaser Eby '74 and Jim Eby 鈥�74, Julie Lehman Hottinger '74 and Everett Hottinger, Yvonne Troyer Mallery '76 and Steve Mallery, Doretta Hostetler Dorsh '76 and Jim Dorsh 鈥�75, Rita Brenneman Lehman '76 and Dale Lehman 鈥�76, Dawn Gusler Larrison '74 and Jim Larrison, and Linda Augsburger Gingerich 鈥�77 and Dennis Gingerich 鈥�76, MDiv 鈥�79. 聽(Courtesy photo)

‘These are my people’: Celebrating Lov91短视频 with friends who are family

by Lauren Jefferson

Nearly 50 years ago, eight first-year students gathered in 91短视频鈥檚 Northlawn residence hall for Bible study. The 鈥淣orthlawn Gang鈥� still celebrate their ongoing friendship with an annual get-together that sometimes includes husbands, five of whom are also 91短视频 grads.

Their unique bond has continued across multiple states and through career changes, major moves and the daily grind; weddings, births and deaths; and caregiving for children and aging parents.

Each , alumni share that lifelong friendships 鈥� 鈥渇riends who are family鈥� 鈥� are among the most meaningful impacts of their time on campus.

  • The friendships I made at 91短视频 are priceless.
  • 91短视频 gave me the greatest friends around!
  • 91短视频 gave me the opportunity for a great career, brought me the love of my life, and continues to provide me with a community of friends that care deeply for each other.

Martin House ’98-’99

Martin House ’98-’99 *housemates and spouses (named left to right) and their children came from as far as Minnesota and Kentucky to gather at 91短视频 in March: Terra Shetler, *Ryan Shetler ’01, *Christopher Clymer Kurtz ’00, *Matthew Hunsberger ’02, *Maria Clymer Kurtz ’00, *Kristin Yoder Kauffman ’01, *Carl Yoder Kauffman ’00, *Jennifer Bowman Sauder ’00, *Matt Sauder ’00, *Melissa Hochstetler ’99, Nathan Detweiler, *Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler ’99, Tim Godshall, *Virginia Showalter ’00, *Janelle Myers-Benner ’01, Jason Myers-Benner ’99. Two members of the original group (and their families) were not present.

‘Cabin Nine’

The 鈥淐abin 9鈥� group 聽met at 91短视频 and eventually lived on the same dorm floor. Though all stayed in touch after graduation, they began getting together for an annual reunion 22 years ago, in a small cabin (hence the name) 聽in the Shenandoah Valley. For the past several years the group has rented a house in Nags Head, North Carolina. Throughout the year this group of close friends text daily, share pictures, and support each other during 聽the ups and downs of life. The group includes (back row, from left) Trevor Parmer ’94, Mark Stoltzfus ’93, Vaughn Troyer ’93, Jeff Shank ’94, Steve Rittenhouse ’93, Mitch Troyer ’93, Kyle Zehr ’93 and (front row)聽Brad Friesen ’93 and Mark Wenger ’93.

‘Girls Weekend’

‘Girls Weekend’ is an annual tradition with this group of alumnae. Front, from left: Cindy Castellanos ’99, Meighan Fives Nalducci ’00, Mercy Henning Souder ’99, Mysel Gomez-Landis ’99. Back row: Amber Williams ’99, Lynde Tritsch Senuta ’99, Emily Bontrager Manchester ’99.

Hoovers’ Homies

Friendsgiving in Chicago with Braydon Hoover ’11 and Heidi Muller Hoover’10. Braydon writes that he and Heidi have several 91短视频-linked groups of friends “that we see regularly and care deeply about.” The pictured group includes several who met as first-years, including Steve Kniss ’11, Michael Bruner ’11, and Michael “Druber” Swartzendruber ’11, Included are Steve’s spouse, Monica Stauffer Kniss ’09,聽Rebecca Stouffer ’11, two honorary alumni and a few future Royals. “Although we’re spread across the country, living lives of our own, we always try to get together at least once a year. I wouldn’t trade this friendship for the world… and it’s all thanks to 91短视频!”