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Alumni Focus - Matt and Bethany Otterstatter ('02)

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​​​​​​​Matt and Bethany Otterstatter ('02)

SCLA high school sweethearts Matt (‘02) and Bethany (Abel ‘02) Otterstatter reminisce about sports, trying new things, and lessons from dorm life. The couple's son is now in his freshman year at SCLA, and they share why they still feel SCLA is the right place for them and their children.

What were you both involved with at SCLA?

Bethany: I was involved in student council, volleyball, basketball (2 years), softball, National honor society, choir, went on a mission trip, speech and was in a musical.

Matt: I played football and baseball, but did a lot of different things like Croixaliers and potato gun manufacturing.

What is your favorite memory of SCLA?

Bethany: One of my fondest memories would have to be my junior year, participating in the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” It was something extremely different than anything I had done at St. Croix, and I was able to do it with so many friends. We spent many hours after sports practices and weekends working on the play. It was one of the most fun things I was able to be part of during my time at SCLA.

One more memory I can’t forget to mention would be our wedding in the chapel. It was pretty special to be able to get married at the place we met.

Matt: I met the love of my life—can’t top that. There were also a ton of great memories living in the dorms, most of which I can’t share for fear of my boys copying my mischief.

Did any specific teachers have an impact on you?

Bethany: One teacher I think of who had an impact on me would have to be Mr. Lequia. He helped coach softball, and one season, I was in a bit of a fielding slump. Before one game he took me aside and just crushed ground balls at me, for what felt like an eternity. When we were done, he looked me in the eyes and just said “You can do this, I know you can do this.” How calm and patient he was with me, in the fragile state I was in, showed me that the teachers/coaches cared about you as a person. He could have yelled, he could have benched me, but those simple words of “I know you can do this” spoke more to me than anything. I can still hear him saying “want the ball” when I’m playing in the infield.

Matt: There were so many good teachers who were good because they cared. It is more than just a job for the faculty. I think the ones who impressed that upon me the most were the dorm supervisors (Mr. Knapp and Mr. Rodmeier) who drove me back and forth to the U for math classes after school before I had a car. I asked them why they didn’t make me take the bus, and they just said they wanted to help.

Share a little bit about what led you to where you are today. 

Bethany: I knew I wanted to do something Medical. After SCLA I went to Dakota County Tech College for Medical Assisting and worked in Family Medicine and Cardiology. When we started having kids, I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with them. I’m a helper by nature, and am happy I have the time to help in my children’s school, driving for fields trips or any volunteer work the church and school needs.

Matt: Living on my own at the age of 14 gave me the independence that shaped the man that I am today. I tried a lot of different activities, took almost every class that was offered, and made friends with many different types of people. Looking back at the way I approached my early life, it’s obvious I was born to be an entrepreneur, constantly experimenting and tinkering with everything around me. I definitely needed a safe space to try new things and grow into that person. The greatest successes in my life have come from taking chances when I honestly wasn’t sure how it would work out. Of course, things can blow up, but nobody remembers your failures—unless your rocket literally blows up—you can’t forget that! Usually, though, the downside of taking a risk isn’t that catastrophic because you learn something and are better for it. St Croix was a great environment for me to try new things, because our Christian community is caring, forgiving, and supportive. I pray that it serves that same role for future generations, and it’s why I support SCLA, however I can.

What motivated you to send your son to SCLA this year?

Bethany: I think we always knew we were going to send our children to St. Croix. A big part of that is because we knew first-hand the type of environment they would be going into. Not only the education they would be getting, but the opportunities they would be able to have. There is truly something for everyone to do. The way the staff connects with the students, you can see how much they care for every child in that building.

Matt: One other thing I didn’t appreciate at the time was how beneficial it was to go to school with kids from other countries. Not just learning about different cultures that you may encounter again in the future, but I think the international students upped the game for the whole student body by bringing a strong academic focus with ambitious college/career plans. Life is so much more interesting when you shoot high, and SCLA encourages its students to become the best person they can be in many ways.

Any fun hobbies or interests you’d like to share?

Bethany: I still play softball and volleyball. We love to travel as a family and experience other parts of the world.

Matt: Playing sports together has always been something we enjoy. We really never stopped playing since our time at St. Croix 20+ years ago. Wherever we go, we find people to play with.

One other thing that I’m really passionate about is coaching my boys and some of their friends in FIRST Lego League. It’s a very challenging robotics program that probably teaches more about communication, teamwork, and problem-solving than core STEM skills. It’s been rewarding to see the success the kids have had in the program and how that’s helped them grow.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Bethany: I would say to any student at SCLA to just try it, whatever that may be. I was only ever in sports but tried out for the musical and it was one of my favorite things I have ever done. SCLA offers so many things to be part of if you just open your mind a bit to try it out.

Matt: I would add that if the thing you’re considering scares you for some reason, that’s a good sign that it’s worth doing, because it probably scares everyone else, too. If you can push through, you’ll have a lot less competition and a better chance of success. You really don’t have much to lose. Ecclesiastes 9. Life is too short not to try things.

Matt currently serves on the SCLA Board of Regents.