As my time in Casper is coming to an end, I thought I would give insight into the “homelife” of an LCC student. Miss Hannah Engwall, of Mount Hope Lutheran School fame, has opened her home to five LCC students (and one spy). “I actually bought this house for this purpose. I was looking for a way to be involved with the college and get to know students,” said Miss Engwall. “A homestay seemed like a great way to do both. I’ve known about LCC since the very beginning, and I wanted to help make it a reality so that other students can have what I wished I could.” 

College housing, especially freshman housing, is many things (read: cramped, unpleasant, and sterile), but seldom can it be described as “homey.” The Engwall Home is just that: a home with actual bedrooms, cozy common spaces, a gigantic and fully outfitted kitchen, and most especially a built-in “dorm mom.” I will admit to feeling no small amount of jealousy.  It has been a delight staying at the Engwall Home.  

Dinner, both the making and the eating, is a family affair. Every resident, except this spy and freeloader, has a day she is expected to cook; however, more often than not, there are multiple sets of hands fluttering about the kitchen. And every night, at a not-so-sharp 9:30, we cozy up in the living room with our blankets and hymnals and sing through compline. We’ve played card games, had hymn sings, and cried with laughter over quite literally nothing. Miss Engwall has started a quote book to immortalize our ridiculousness. It has been a great gift to see this little family in its early formation. 

This Wednesday, we invited the Twenty-One Street girls (LCC students) over for supper, followed by a “jam session.” Pastor Richard and two of his daughters, not ones to miss out on a potential jam, joined and brought some extra instruments. We played centuries-old Lutheran dance music—four violins, a flute, a guitar, a piano, a tambourine, a hand drum, and a pump organ. A jam night, indeed! 

For my last hoorah, the Engwall homestay girls graciously allowed me to interview them. As mentioned, five LCC students live in the Engwall Home: Agnes, Esther, Hannah, Miriam, and Tori. 

Agnes is originally from Kentucky and is in the BA Parish Music Track. She went to a private Lutheran school and a Classical Christian High school. Esther is a born-and-raised Kansan. She’s on the AA General Track and was mainly homeschooled, but she spent some time in a private Lutheran high school. Hannah is from Pennsylvania. She is in the BA Parish Music Track and would like to become an organist. She was homeschooled and was a part of Wittenburg Academy. Miriam is originally from Plano, Texas, but more recently her family moved to Riverton, Wyoming. She is in the BA Teacher Certification Track and went to a classical elementary, middle, and high school. Tori, from North Dakota, is in the AA Trade Partnership Track. She was homeschooled with a little bit of classical schooling. 

Why LCC?
Miriam: “I was interested in the curriculum, but what really sold me was that LCC is entirely Lutheran, the staff are Lutheran, the students are Lutheran. I didn’t want to have professors where I’d have to write papers about their worldview, pretending it’s mine.” 

Tori: “I wanted to grow in my faith and receive a classical education I can pass on to my kids. I was interested in going, but I had no Latin experience. When I found out LCC’s trade track has no Latin requirement, I was sold. I may end up taking the late Latin pathway and transferring to another track, but right now I’m happy with the trade track.” 

What were you most looking forward to? 
Agnes: “Honestly, the community and having friends that I can connect with about my faith and who will encourage me in it.” 

What were your expectations? Have they matched your experience so far? 
Miriam: “I originally expected everyone would be these brainiacs who are fluent in Latin and Greek. I was worried I’d be a bar way below everyone else, but everyone is pretty normal. I feel like I’m surrounded by actual peers.” 

Hannah: “I feared my classmates would be far superior, but it feels like most of them are in the same boat as me. I feel like I’m the right kind of person to be here.” 

What has surprised you? 
Esther: “Everyone has been so friendly, the students, the professors, and the local congregations. They’ve all been so welcoming.” 

Hannah: “I love that the professors hang out and chat with the students during lunch. What we’re learning doesn’t stop outside of the classroom; it’s woven into our lives.” 

Agnes: “It shocked me how quickly I was able to form deep friendships with my classmates.” 

What would you tell a prospective student? 
Esther: “It’s worth it. There is a lot of homework, but I’m already learning so much, and I think a lot of these friendships will be lifelong.” 

Tori: “Just do it. It’s going to be great. I know it will benefit me in so many ways. It’s intimidating, but it’s not that bad. Give yourself grace, you’ll get the hang of it.” 

I have cherished my time here. In my interviews, many of the girls spoke about how welcoming the community has been. As an outsider, I can attest to that friendliness. Despite my status as a spy, I have been warmly and heartily received into this newly forming community. It has been an absolute pleasure tagging along, and I am so grateful I was able to experience such a historic event first-hand.