presented the awards, which are based on academic achievement, athletic contribution, Christian commitment, leadership, campus involvement and service, as the culmination of the evening.

Richter, a major with a 3.64 GPA, was a four-year pitcher for the baseball team and plans to work in a sales or marketing position.  He was consistently on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and 91����Ƶ’s Dean’s List.  Besides baseball, his campus life was filled with leadership on , 91����Ƶ Royals Society and the .  He also volunteered at numerous places off campus.

“You are not an athlete just when you’re in season – you’re an athlete year round,” Richter explained in how he balanced his demanding schedule at 91����Ƶ.  “Baseball provided me with the discipline I needed to enjoy a busy, but incredibly rewarding college career.”

Young, a captain with the women’s basketball team, was also on the Dean’s List and ODAC All-Academic Team, holding a 3.71 GPA with a major in and minor in .  She was a four-year member of Royals Society, helping with prospective students, as well as being a member of the .  Young was also a youth leader at her church and volunteered with a local food bank and the fall back-to-school backpack drive.

“Being a student-athlete has taught me to be mentally and physically strong in seemingly impossible situations,” said Young, who suffered a long-lasting shoulder injury her freshman season.  “God used basketball as the framework that I could grow in my relationship with Him, share my talents with others, and now go on to pursue a career in physical therapy.”

The Athletic Department staff also voted for Athlete of the Year winners.  Mitchell Leap (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) claimed the men’s honor with Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) taking the women’s.

Leap led the men’s soccer team in scoring for the fourth straight season, netting ten goals, which was also third-best in the conference.  He had five game-winning goals and was named All-ODAC First Team.  Leap graduates fourth in 91����Ƶ history with 35 career goals and fifth with 80 career points.  Ygarza was a dynamic presence as a power forward for the basketball women, earning a spot on the All-ODAC First Team as a sophomore.  She led 91����Ƶ with 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and was second in the ODAC in field goal percentage and free throws.

Also at the banquet, Newcomer of the Year Awards were given to Jenessa Derstine (Harleysville, PA/Christopher Dock) in field hockey and Justin Rodriguez (Miramar, FL/Pace) in baseball.

Derstine, an attacker for the Lady Royals, led the team with 29 points this year.  She scored ten goals and assisted on nine others.  Her speed helped ignite 91����Ƶ’s offense and landed her on the All-ODAC Third Team.  Rodriguez batted .374 with 28 runs and team highs of four homeruns and 41 RBIs.  His RBI total was third in the ODAC during the regular season and the third baseman was named All-ODAC Second Team.

As part of the dinner and banquet, four seniors gave short reflections on their time playing a sport at Eastern Mennonite: Valerie Landis (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) from field hockey, Justin King (Lititz, PA/Warwick) from baseball, Pete Nelson (Harrisonburg, VA/Christopher Dock) from track and cross country, and Brent Yoder (Sarasota, FL/Sarasota Christian) from soccer.

King uniquely talked about playing four years of a collegiate sport even though the experience was not living up to the ideas he had beforehand.

“I have learned a lesson I would have not chosen to learn on my own, because it was painful,” said King.  “Through the ups and downs, the wins and losses, I have had to rely on God as my source of hope and strength when I was weak, discouraged, or overwhelmed.  The Apostle Paul says it best in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, ‘Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’’”

Landis was the lone senior on the field hockey team this fall and stepped into a leadership role which was not natural to her.  She said that will help her as she leaves college.

“I recognize that I am going to be a new member of a completely different team after graduation,” Landis explained.  “What I have learned over the past four years is that I can’t let my age or lack of experience hinder me from being responsible or taking initiative.  God has granted each of us the experience of being part of a team and it is my hope that we are able to leave this community as an athlete and a graduate and apply those interpersonal skills learned on either the court or field and apply them in the next stage of life, appropriately and meaningfully.”

Dr. Ronald Stoltzfus, Faculty Athletic Representative, and Dr. Nancy Heisey, Undergraduate Academic Dean, presented the Academic Achievement Awards to each team’s individual with the highest GPA.  Those awards went to: Richter and Brad Billings (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove) in baseball, Jennifer Blankenship (Bassett, VA/Bassett) in women’s basketball, Owen Longacre (Telford, PA/Christopher Dock) in men’s basketball, Nels Akerson (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) in men’s cross country, Alli Eanes (Harrisonburg, VA/Westmont Hilltop) in women’s cross country and track, Jenna Longenecker (Lancaster, PA/Conestoga Valley) in field hockey, Bryce Shank (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) in men’s soccer, Erica Detweiler (Hickory, NC/Fred T. Foard) in women’s soccer, Aaron Sloan (Ooltewah, TN/McCallie School) in men’s track, and Kendall Garber (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) in men’s volleyball.

The evening included a special mention of , a senior student worker with the athletic events staff, who had passed away from cancer just a week prior to the banquet.

Theodore Brian Yoder (class of 2012) had cancer first at age 10, then again at 17 and 21. Then this past Christmas break he was told he again had cancer, inoperable this time, and he was given 3-6 months to live. Theo died at his home Thursday evening (April 12) around 10 p.m. surrounded by Lynn and Brian (mom and dad) and his two brothers, Josh (20) and Rex (15).

Just hours before his death, Theo’s brother-in-law showed him the slide show that captured his life in photos which was being prepared for his future funeral and visitation service. This was one of the things Theo had wanted to do himself but in his last days agreed to let others make it. When asked what he thought of it, Theo replied “It’s perfect, don’t change anything.” Theo died peacefully and had said in a conversation about a week before that he was ready.

On warm fall nights, last semester, one could find senior Theo Yoder, at Tandem house (named after the borrowed tandem bike that you may have seen Theo riding around campus with any number of his friends) near 91����Ƶ, singing along with Garth Brooks in tribute to his “friends in low places.”

These friends – 31 91����Ƶ students including cousins, along with (campus pastor), (professor and counselor to Theo) and (athletic events coordinator and Theo’s work study boss for 4 years) – boarded a big red bus Sunday morning at 2 a.m. for the 18 hour trip to Kalona, Iowa, for the visitation, funeral, and burial of Theo.

was also present at the memorial services. He traveled in from Indiana where he had been attending meetings and had spoken at Silverwood Mennonite Church on Sunday morning. Swartzendruber’s presence was appreciated by the 91����Ƶ visitors and Theo’s local community members.

The Theo riders walked off the bus Sunday evening at Wellman Mennonite Church reeking of dirty socks and B.O., but were welcomed with hugs and warm greetings from his family. They proceeded through the visitation, which featured artifacts from Theo’s life (Cubs baseball memorabilia, T-shirts, 4-H trophies and Grand Prize ribbons from his stellar hog showing skills, and family photos).

We sat quietly to watch a thorough slide-show documenting his 22 years, and slowly walked past his open casket before entering the line to embrace his family. Afterward, a Sunday School Class of First Mennonite Church in Iowa City graciously provided a meal for all us at Iowa Mennonite School. We carpooled to different homes for the night.

Monday morning blew in quickly and some friends weathered the harsh winds and cold temperatures to unearth the ground reserved for our dear friend. The funeral began at 10 a.m. at Iowa Mennonite School. Theo had planned much of his own funeral and had asked for a time of sharing during which several 91����Ƶ friends shared favorite memories about Theo.

Their stories ranged from his marathon cafeteria dining sessions to his friend saving pick-up trips to his bacon and egg breakfasts, pranks, thoughtfulness and wise, witty and wonderful storytelling. Most of all, the stories focused on his strong friendships, loyalty and amazing ability to connect with so many on our campus; a fitting farewell to a friend who relished good story telling.

Theo was buried in a small cemetery overlooking the family’s farmland; the perfect resting spot. The memorial events concluded with one of Theo’s favorite things: Family and friends sharing a meal together and Diet Pepsi. Before leaving town the group explored downtown Kalona and tasted some squeaky cheese curds at the cheese factory. .. all places Theo liked to show first time visitors.

Yoder, 22, the son of Brian and Lynn Yoder of Kalona, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, April 12, after an intermittent 12-year battle with various cancers.

All are welcome to attend.

91����Ƶ’s information on grief and support resources is available .

Yoder, 22, was the son of Brian and Lynn Yoder of Kalona, Iowa.

Yoder was a 2008 graduate of , Kalona, and a member of Wellman (Iowa) Mennonite Church in Wellman.

He was working toward a degree in at 91����Ƶ before withdrawing from classes on two separate occasions due to illness over the past two years. , visited Yoder at his home in Iowa in March to bestow an honorary bachelor of arts degree. Yoder was a member of the 91����Ƶ class of 2012 which will celebrate commencement exercises on April 28.

Yoder discussed his health journey this past fall with , assistant professor of , and continued to talk with her regularly, nicknaming her his “91����Ƶ mom.”

“Theo endeared himself to many of us here at 91����Ƶ through his wonderful quick wit and honesty. These past few months were especially meaningful as he shared with us both his vulnerability and courage,” Durham said.

, athletic events coordinator at 91����Ƶ, added, “Theo was an extremely loyal, hardworking person who never backed down from work.”

Guengerich, whom Yoder referred to as his “91����Ƶ dad,” employed Yoder as a work-study student.

“Theo took this job very seriously but always maintained a sense of humor and lightheartedness. I always sensed he viewed every day as a gift and wanted to do what he could with that day.”

Friends in the 91����Ƶ community are invited to visit between 1:30 and 4 p.m. today (Friday, April 13) to light a candle, share a hug or a prayer, sit in silence, and sign a card for Theo’s family.

Persons can also respond to Theo’s life and death by comment below or by visiting .

Funeral arrangements are being handled by in Kalona. Visitation will be Sunday April 15 from 2 to 8 p.m. and a memorial service will be held Monday, April 16.  A charter bus will leave campus early Sunday morning to allow those from 91����Ƶ who would like to attend to travel together.  Those planning to travel on the bus should confirm that intent on the Facebook page

The reduced cost for round-trip bus travel to Iowa will be $25 per person with 91����Ƶ ID (students, faculty, staff).  That cost is subsidized by a travel fund. Contributions can be made to the travel fund by writing checks to 91����Ƶ with “Iowa bus trip” in the memo line. Mail them to 91����Ƶ Business Office, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg VA 22802.

has scheduled a campus memorial service for Wed., April 18 from 7 to 8 p.m. in Common Grounds. All are welcome to attend.

91����Ƶ’s information on grief and support resources is available .