Manitowoc Lutheran High School Alumni Spotlight
Mark Ross, 2008 MLHS and St. John's Newtonburg graduate, currently lives in Manitowoc, WI with his wife Kimberly, four-year-old son Hudson, and two-year-old daughter AvaMae.
How did MLHS prepare you for your future studies or career?
MLHS gave me a strong foundation on which to continue building my life after high school. Not everyone goes to college, and that is perfectly fine. The world needs laborers and tradesmen just as much as they need doctors and lawyers. The teachers I had at MLHS encouraged me to do what I wanted to do, rather than do what may have been the "norm" at the time.
How did MLHS prepare you spiritually to go out into the world?
I served in the U.S. Army for almost 10 years after high school, with two deployments: one to Afghanistan and the second to Guantanamo Bay. Attending a small Lutheran grade school and MLHS gave me the spiritual foundation that I needed to keep me on the right path after high school. The military can take you all over the world, and you will experience many things that can test your faith. With the knowledge of God's Word that was instilled in my daily life from birth, I was able to overcome many hardships and remain steady in His Word. I have a beautiful wife (also an MLHS alumni), and two amazing children. We thank God for everything He has done for us, and pray that He guides us through life, while giving us the strength and patience to raise our children in His Word, the same way our parents did for us. And here's the best part, all of the travels and adventures God has sent me on since high school have sent me all around the world...and now here I am, back at MLHS. I now work at Lutheran High as the Maintenance Technician and am ever thankful to God for the gifts that He blesses my family with every day.
What is your fondest memory from MLHS?
I don't remember ever not wanting to go to school. I looked forward to seeing my friends every day, and always having fun when I was at school.
What advice would you give to current MLHS students?
Quit trying to be cool, just be a good person.