For National Lutheran Schools Week, Lutheran Northwest is highlighting some of the amazing Lutheran elementary schools with which we are blessed to partner in ministry.

One of those schools is St. John Lutheran in Rochester. We caught up with Senior Brenden Pehlke (‘21), a St. John Rochester alum, to learn first-hand about his experiences at St. John and at Lutheran Northwest.

What is your favorite memory from grade school?

My favorite memory is our 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.

Which teacher or coach from St. John made the biggest impact on your grade school experience?

Mr. Frobel because he got us prepared for what we would be learning in high school.

Which teacher or coach from Lutheran Northwest has made the biggest impact on your high school experience?

Mr. Ferguson because he does a great job preparing us for what we will be facing out in the world.

What is your favorite chapel memory from Lutheran Northwest?

Mr. Weber’s and Mr. Topel’s chapel Freshman year. They did a series of skits showing two friends, from childhood through the death of one of them, as they faced all the ups and downs of life but never “got around” to talking about their faith. It was a powerful message.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Brenden!

God’s Blessings, St. John Rochester!