God as the Foundation
Elli Horvath '21
Elli Horvath, class of 2021, is a recent graduate of Wheaton College. Starting off her college career thinking she’d go into pre-med, Elli has since pivoted to dental school following her time at Wheaton. She feels that getting into the dental field will allow her more space and time to have a career she’s fulfilled in while also having room to raise a family with her soon-to-be-husband, Ryan. 
Reflecting on her transition from high school to college, Elli expressed how important Maranatha’s community was to her looking back. “I went to Maranatha from kindergarten through senior year. You knew everybody, but you were also known, and I think I took that for granted.” Wheaton College has also been great for Elli, and she expressed how supportive they’ve been when she’s asked the tough questions. It’s through that support and by relying on her firm foundation that she pushed forward and grew closer to God in the process. “As time went on, I just really grew as a person, and I think going out of state and doing something completely on my own was so good for me.”
In terms of the academic foundation that Maranatha laid, Elli couldn’t say enough of how well Maranatha prepared her for life after high school. “I benefited hugely from PSEO and taking college classes in high school. It ended up being huge for me and part of the reason I can graduate early.” On the faith side of things, Elli expressed how hugely important Christian education has been for her and still is today. Growing up in a single-parent home, Elli couldn’t speak more highly of her mom and the sacrifices she made to make sure she and her brother grew up in a Christian environment. When high school was over, both Elli and her brother decided to continue down the path of Christian education because they saw its fruit. “Clearly we thought that was valuable and that we wanted to continue because of the foundation that our mom laid to make sure that we got that private Christian education.”
Elli’s fondest memory at Maranatha was being a part of the co-op hockey team. The other Maranatha girl on the team quickly became one of Elli’s closest friends, and they are both soon-to-be bridesmaids in each other’s weddings. Mrs. Raines and Mr. I also played a big role in Elli’s time here at Maranatha. “I got to spend a lot of one-on-one time with her [Mrs. Raines], and she’s just the best. I enjoyed the class (AP Lang), but more than that, I enjoyed having her to talk to.” Elli expressed how although she was bad at math, Mr. I never gave up on her and constantly encouraged her through the difficulty. 
Looking to the future, Elli will soon be graduating Wheaton College where she’ll then pursue dental school. And with a wedding set for June, Elli can’t wait to start her own family and shine the light of Christ around her with her soon-to-be husband. “I think the most important thing to us is doing everything that we do for the glory of God. In our marriage we will have opportunities to be lights for the gospel. When we are loving the Lord well, we can love each other well.” Elli is extremely grateful for all the connections formed at Maranatha and to still be a part of the community now as an alum. “They’re relationships from Maranatha that I will carry with me through the rest of my life, and I’m so thankful. To have people who I know I can count on and have been through that experience with me, I think that’s just been so, so beautiful.”
