Giving Back Fulfills Their Dream to Help JROTC Cadets

Rev. John F. Schoedel '69

It was 1974. Tim Benecke was a young cadet supervising and training the first-ever female JROTC cadets at Concordia Lutheran High School in the rifle range. He took a personal interest in one cadet, Diane Liebmann, to make sure she learned rifle safety and marksmanship. Tim and Diane have been together ever since, through the rifle range, high school and marriage.

As the Beneckes developed their estate plan, recognizing that God had blessed them, they wanted to "pay it back" for the difference Concordia made in their lives. Not only because they met each other for a lifetime commitment, but also for their education that made them who they are and well-prepared for life.

Last year, they met with me and laid out their dream of helping current and future JROTC cadets with their tuition.

An endowed scholarship was created in their names, and the first scholarship was awarded to Cadet Maruth Quaye this summer for the 2020–2021 school year. Next spring, Maruth could continue to receive her scholarship, as long as she continues to meet its requirements, and another Cadet will be awarded the second scholarship for the 2021–2022 school year.

All three met at the award ceremony wearing their masks to stay healthy. COVID-19 did not get in the way of the summer JROTC presentation event, which included the JROTC Cadets Corps.

Tim, who participated in the scholarship interview process, was pleased with the results. He and Diane know that their endowed scholarships will make a difference for a family and their student through the scholarship they will fund annually. When God calls them Home, it will be funded fully forever.

As Tim often said, "To God be the glory. His blessings made our life what it is today, and it is only right that we share His blessings with others."

This is just another wonderful story of people deciding to positively impact families, students, faculty and programs at CLHS. If you have a dream you would like to fulfill, contact Jenny Grisez at jgrisez@clhscadets.com or (260) 483-1102, ext. 253.