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Saturday, May 20th the Class of 2018 celebrated graduation in the Fr. Michael McCabe Activities Center at Lourdes Central Catholic School. Valedictorian speakers were Nicole Green, James Mason, and Quinten Vasa. The graduating class was awarded a total of $1,777,787 in scholarships! Prior to graduation we celebrated our seniors during the traditional Baccalaureate Mass, Senior Salute video, and hug line where parents, faculty and staff, and our kindergarten-junior class students shared hugs, high-fives, and well wishes to our graduating seniors. Ashley Marie Allgood University of Nebraska at Lincoln Major: Music Education – Vocal Samuel David Baumert University of Nebraska at Lincoln Major: Business Administration Jillian Marie Briley University of Nebraska at Omaha Major: Criminal Justice Grant Robert Chance Peru State College Major: Graphic Design Brandon Ray Fredrichs Metropolitan Community College Major: Information Technology John Thomas Funke University of Nebraska at Lincoln Major: Business *Nicole Dawn Green Wayne State College Major: Biology / Pre Medicine Nathaniel Cooper Harmel Military Service **Anna Marie Heng University of Nebraska at Omaha Major: Elementary Education Josephine Vi Kassube Augustana University Major: Government and International Affairs / Spanish Kaseandra Martinez
Benedictine College Major: Psychology/Biology Minor: Spanish *James Isaiah Mason University of Mary Major: Biochemistry Benjamin Scott Miller University of Nebraska at Omaha Major: Bioinformatics Tyler Phillip Mucha University of Nebraska at Lincoln Major: Forensic Biology and Biochemistry Daniel Horacio Perdomo Peru State College Major: Undecided Tristian Reid Peter Concordia University Major: Biology and Business Management **Thomas Christopher Ragland, Jr Southeast Community College at Milford Major: Energy Generation Operations Leticia Araceli Rodriguez-Manriquez Joseph’s College of Cosmetology / Southeast Community College Major: Cosmetology / Photography Carlos Alejandro Serna, II Nebraska Wesleyan University Major: Music Education
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Reagan Erin Stanley Southeast Community College at Lincoln Major: Secondary Education / Academic Transfer Program Neilas Tamošiūnas Central Community College at Columbus Major: Undecided *Quinten Joseph Vasa Briar Cliff University Major: Biochemistry Brittni Devee Watkins Mount Marty College Major: Biology / Pre Veterinary Science Olivia Rose Welch Peru State College Major: Special Education Halli Marie Whitten Wayne State College Major: Biology / Pre Physical Therapy Nathaniel Lawrence Wichman Peru State College Major: Undecided Josephine Lynn Wigington University of Nebraska at Lincoln Major: Business Administration *Valedictorian **Athlete of the Year
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A C E L E B R AT I O N O F S E R V I C E FAREWELL FR. MICHAEL MCCABE After 20 years at St. Mary’s Parish and as a teacher and Superintendent at Lourdes Central Catholic School, Fr. Michael McCabe has been assigned to St. Joseph’s Parish in Lincoln. At graduation, the competition gym at Lourdes Central Catholic School was re-named the Fr. McCabe Activities Center to honor Fr. McCabe for his years of service in furthering the mission of Lourdes Central Catholic School. Fr. McCabe will be greatly missed and hundreds came to wish him farewell at celebrations held over Father’s Day weekend. Good Luck Father McCabe and thank you for all you’ve done for our school and community!
OUR LADY OF LOURDES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Mrs. Kathy (Kreifels) Gawart ’71 retired this year after 43 years of teaching at Lourdes. Mrs. Gawart has most recently taught First Grade. Mrs. Gawart enjoyed lots of cake, gifts, and well-wishes from her students, family, and Lourdes faculty and staff.
Mrs. Cathy (Carroll) Thomas retired after 20 years of teaching at Lourdes Central Catholic. Mrs. Thomas taught Middle School Social Studies, Reading, and Writing and was the Middle School Student Council Sponsor.
Mrs. Gawart is pictured with students in her last 1st Grade class and two students from her very first 1st Grade Class, Alex Schnitzer and Debbie (Lollmann) Bruggeman Class of 1997.
Mrs. Thomas’ Sixth Graders had a surprise going away party for her.
Dorothy (Heng) ’61 Funke became first recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award. She was the President of the St. Bernard’s/ Lourdes Alumni Association where she has worked for almost 40 years archiving Lourdes events, manning phones for the “alumni phone a thon”, writing the alumni newsletter, and keeping track of all Lourdes alumni and their achievements over the years. Dorothy started working at Lourdes in 1992 helping run the library, drive the bus, and keeping the alumni association up to date. Dorothy and her husband Tom were also part of a small group who started the Lourdes Endowment and the “Lourdes Event” fundraiser for Lourdes Central Catholic School. 3
RE-U-KNIGHTED Alex and Nicole (Kingery) Schnitzer from the CLASS OF 1997 and their children wore vintage Lourdes gear to cheer on the Knights at State Basketball. Alex and Nicole are pictured here with four of their six chidren; Elizabeth, Callen, Alec and Brandon.
CLASS OF 1978 The Class of 1978 had their 40th reunion over Memorial Day weekend with a social hosted by Peggy Miller Evans in Omaha, a wine tasting at Kimmel Orchard and dinner at the Lied Center in Nebraska City, then Mass Sunday and breakfast at Johnny’s Café and tour of Lourdes School.
The annual ALUMNI VOLLEYBALL Tournament was held January 27th with six teams competing for the Championship. Team K Kreifels won the tournament. Thanks to all who came out for a fun morning!
ALUMNI CHEER THE KNIGHTS ON TO ANOTHER STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP! Many St. Bernard’s/Lourdes Alumni cheered on the Knights during the State Basketball Tournament. This fun photo of Alumni was taken during half-time of the State Championship.
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RE-U-KNIGHTED
The Class of 2003 is planning a 15 year reunion on Saturday, July 7th at Prairie City Chophouse, 610 Central Avenue, Nebraska City at 6:30pm. For more information contact Ryan or Ann Beccard, ann-beccard@hotmail.com 5
KNIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
Lourdes Central Catholic School’s Boys Basketball Team made history by winning their third-straight State Championship by defeating Kenesaw 32-25 March 10, 2018 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Thanks to our awesome students, players, cheerleaders, band, parents and fans Lourdes Central Catholic was also awarded the Class D-1 2018 Nebraska Boys State Basketball Tournament Sportsmanship Award. Way to go LCC Blue Crew! COACH TYNON’S 200TH WIN! The District Championship win over Walthill High School marked Coach Joe Tynon’s 200th win. Coach Tynon was also named USA Today “Nebraska Coach of the Year” and Huskerland Prep D-1 “Coach of the Year”. Congrats Coach Tynon!
SENIORS OF THE THREEPEAT Pictured at left are the senior boys who were part of the State Championship teams of 2016, 2017, and 2018. Front Row: Ben Miller, Daniel Perdomo Back Row: Thomas Ragland, Brandon Fredrichs, Quentin Vasa, Jack Funke, Sam Baumert 6
KNIGHT HIGHLIGHTS LESLEY GOULD NAMED OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR The Nebraska High School Theatre Awards hosted by Omaha Performing Arts named Ms. Lesley Gould from Lourdes as Outstanding Educator. Ms. Gould was honored at the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase on Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Orpheum Theatre. Ms. Gould teaches Speech, Band, and Choir at Lourdes Central Catholic and is a Cheerleading Sponsor, and directs the One Act Play and Musical. Two students, Luke Partsch and Piper Monson, were also selected to perform in the Showcase Ensemble at the awards show. Student performers will work with leading local musicians, professional music directors, and a NYC-based choreographer during the week leading up to the awards show.
2018 Musical “Guys and Dolls”
LOURDES ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM WINS STATE! Lourdes Central Catholic School Academic Decathlon won the State Competition in the Very Small Schools Division and the State Runner-up in the Small Schools Division! Each year a subject for the Academic Decathlon (ACADECA) is chosen, this year’s theme was Africa. Students study various aspects of the theme to prepare for competition which includes tests, speeches, interviews, and Quiz Bowl competition. The Lourdes Academic Decathlon Team is coached by Mrs. Tammy Partsch and Mr. Tom Dinville. Senior James Mason says participating in Academic Decathlon was a truly great experience. James says ACADECA helped him to “fine tune his God-given gifts” by teaching him to become more disciplined and develop important skills, including; time-management, memorization, study habits, giving speeches and interviewing. James says his highlights of the ACADECA year were the team dinners which built a strong team and “how everyone really pulled together as a team and stepped up to the plate to win State and go on to Nationals.” 7
A L U M N I U P D AT E S Congratulations to all our Lourdes Alumni who graduated from college this spring!
(L-R:
Mitch Gude, Kylan McGinnis, Kaitlyn Stanley, Aaron Miller, Taylor Bequette)
Kaitlyn Stanley ‘14 graduated from University of Nebraska Medical Center- College of Nursing and is working at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha. Aaron Miller ’14 graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a Bachelors in Business and Marketing. He is attending UNL Law School next year. Mitch Gude ’14 graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a Bachelors in Nutrition and Exercise Science. Mitch is continuing his education to become a Physician Assistant. Kylan McGinnis ’14 graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Economics and Minor in Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship. Kylan returned to Nebraska City to join his father, Kent, brother, Derek ’08 at McGinnis Family Farms. Taylor Bequette ’14 graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a Bachelors in Biol-
ogy. Taylor will begin medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the fall.
lor of Liberal Arts in International and Global Studies and minors in Middle East Studies and Spanish. She spent most of her Senior year in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, studying Islam and Arabic Translation and witnessing the expansion of the Catholic Church to all of the U.A.E.’s seven Emirates. She had the opportunity to discuss with Arab Catholics and Muslims alike the connections between the two religions and their common message of faith, hope, and love. Madeline works for the Department of Defense at National Defense University in Washington D.C.
Blake Bequette ’12 graduated with his Masters of Science in Astrological Aeronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Blake is a 1st Lieutenant in Army and will continue schooling at Ft. Leonard Wood and then at the 101st at Fort Campbell.
Kaylee Easter ’15 is walking across America with the Crossroads Ministry Pro-Life Walks Across America. The participants walk Monday-Friday in relay fashion. On Saturdays they pray outside an abortion clinic and on Sundays they speak at a parish about what they are doing and ask for prayers and support. Visit the school website to view her video blog. Madeline DuBois ‘14 graduated from University of Kansas with Highest Distinction with a Bache-
KNIGHT SIGHTINGS! Want to share your student/graduate’s accomplishments, updates and news in our Alumni Newsletter and on our social media pages? We want to hear from you! Send your news and photos to brooke-chaney@cdolinc.net. 8
“ T H E L O R D I S N E A R TO A L L W H O C A L L U P O N H I M . ” MARRIAGES Molly Stukenholtz, Class of 2010, married Adan Salazar on June 2, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The couple is living in Texas.
(Jodi), Mike ’77 Kreifels (Cheryl), & Roger Kreifels. She was preceded in death by a son Frank Shields.
+ Barbara Bischof Sand, Class of 1942, died March 3, 2018. Survivors are her husband Dr. Bernard Sand ’40, children; Sister Helen Sand RGS, Mary Sand (Von BIRTHS Kaster), Martha Christians (Gary), Rita Maniotis, John Sand (Melinda), Mark Sand (Rose), Beth Gidden Matt Beccard, Class of 2008, and wife Emily are parents (Gary), Paul Sand (Karen), Peter Sand (Diane), and of a son Beau Russell born December 10, 2017. Sara Sand, Siblings; Madeline ’45 Gude, Larry Leonard ’48 Bischof (Patricia) & Thomas ’53 Bischof (Joan). Lauren Heng, Class of 2012, and Taylor Bennet are parents of a daughter Kenna Lynn born January 16, + Loretta Sarraillon died February 21, 2018. Survivors 2018. are her children; Bill ’66 Sarraillon (Cindy), Linda ’69 Sarraillon Simrell (Don), Sharon ’71 Sarraillon Grant Welsh, Class of 2013, and wife Amanda are the Shacklett (Walt), Chris ’75 Sarraillon Timothy (Phill), parents of a daughter Emilia Felicity born April 20, & Jolene ’83 Sarraillon Lawlor (Dennis), sister 2018. Bertha ’52 & husband Bill ’50. Matt Harris, Class of 2005, and wife Megan (Pryal), + David Schreiner, Class of 1965, died February 19, Class of 2003, are the parents of a daughter, Zoey 2018. Survivors are his wife Emily, son Kathleen born March 20, 2018. Joseph Schreiner, siblings; Rosemary ’70 Schreiner Dan Stukenholtz, Class of 2004, and wife Becky are the Hicks (Dennis) and Steve ’63 Schreiner. parents of a daughter, Alice James, born April 29, 2018. + Arnold “Arnie” Durr died January 14, 2018. DEATHS Survivors are his wife, Sharon ’64 Gress Durr & son + James Wadsworth died June 12, 2018. Survivors are Richard ’84 Durr & wife Leslie ’85 Rakes Durr, and sister Clara ’57 Lynn Durr Slattery. his wife Charlotte (Hartley) ‘57 Wadsworth, children; Steve (Cathy) Wadsworth, Linda Barnum (Mark), Connie Kindberg (Tim), Donna Coate (Ben).
+ Lola Tourville Milton, Class of 1938, died December 17, 2017. Survivors are her children; Sally ’62 Miller + Barbara Kreifels McCarthy, Class of 1948, died May 7, Knoll & her husband Tom ’61, Bobbie ’66 Milton Colgan. She was preceded in death by her son John 2018. Survivors are her children; Kent McCarthy Miller ‘58. (Donna), Jan Utecht (Michael), Bart McCarthy, siblings; Floyd ’54 Kreifels (Garnet), Mary Jean ’54 + Margaret Ullsperger Heng, Class of 1937, died Kreifels LeCure (C.W.) December 15, 2017. Survivors are her children; Irvin ’61 Heng Jr (Sue), Patricia ’63 Heng Ehmen (Duane), + Mike Bryant, Class of 1975, died April 15, 2018. Survivors are his sons; Michael Bryant, Travis Bryant, Jane ’71 Heng Mick, Julie ’75 Heng Volkmer & husband Frank ’69. Christopher Bryant, Jordan Bryant. Siblings; Patrick ’73, Paul ’84, Joel, Linda ’78 Bryant Brunges, Laura Recker, and Bobbi Nannen. + Sister Paulette McCarty died April 7, 2018. Sister was an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph and taught at St Benedicts from 1965-1969. + Fr. Melvin Rempel died March 27, 2018. Fr. Rempe was a Guidance Counselor for Lourdes in the early 1970s. + Esther Pfeiffer Barton, Class of 1951, died March 15, 2018. Survivors are her children; two sons & two daughters, siblings; Rita ’47 Pfeiffer Wenzl, Delores ’47 Pfeiffer, Irene ’52 Pfeifer Peterson (Ryan). + Juanita Kreifels died March 4, 2018. Survivors are her husband Leonard Kreifels, her children; Diana Livermore (Rick), Joe Shields (Laura), Jim Kreifels
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE LOURDES EVENT 2019 & CELEBRATE THE TH 25 ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOURDES EVENT. WE’D LOVE TO HAVE OUR ALUMNI JOIN US ON APRIL 6, 2019! 9
LEGACY SOCIETY When Lourdes Central Catholic School started the Legacy Society last year Kenneth and Pauline Kreifels were the first to sign up. Kenneth (Kenny) and Pauline are both lifelong members of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and their five children; Kathy, Tim, Richard, Mary Margaret, and Pat are all alumni of Lourdes. Kenny and Pauline have 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren and they say they would like all their grandkids and great-grandkids to have a chance to have a Catholic education. Kenny and Pauline have designated funds towards tuition assistance to help future generations of students to have the benefit of a Catholic education at Lourdes Central Catholic School. Thank you Kenny and Pauline for helping to provide Catholic education in our community!
It is said that the two best time to plant a tree are 50 years ago or today! Many years ago donors and benefactors of Lourdes Central Catholic made many sacrificial gifts to build up our now $4 million endowment fund. Without this our school could not provide financial assistance to our students or pay our teachers a just wage. If you have ever considered a planned gift to Lourdes please fill out the form on the following page. You will be recognized as being part of our Lourdes Legacy Society and planting a tree that will touch the souls of young people for generations to come.
F U N D R A I S I N G U P D AT E S FEASIBILITY STUDY Spurred by the success of the 2013 campaign and knowing the needs that exist for our students, faculty and staff Lourdes conducted a feasibility study to determine the priorities and support for a 2018 campaign. Thank you to all who participated in the feasibility study and shared your opinions. Visit the school website to stay updated on the next steps in the future at Lourdes! LOURDES ANNUAL APPEAL - FAITH, FAMILY, FUTURE Thank you to all who donated to the 2018 Annual Appeal! We were able to raise $264,266 to support the operations of our school and keep tuition low for our families! Combined with the results from the Lourdes Event, we are just $20,000 short of reaching our goal. If you have not yet made your donation, please prayerfully consider how even the smallest donation has a big impact! LOURDES EVENT - ESCAPE TO THE TROPICS The Lourdes Event was held April 7, 2018 with 425 people attending. Lourdes was transformed into a tropical paradise for a fun evening celebrating our school. Thanks to all who attended, volunteered, and donated we were able to raise $90,000 for Lourdes Central Catholic School! Our science teachers are thrilled to have $14,000 towards updating their lab equipment and software and excited about all the benefits this will bring to our students! Whether you donated an item, We deeply appreciate your support and am overwhelmed by the kindness and giving shown by our Lourdes Family!
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