Director of Development: Liz Myscofski 605-575-3342 lmyscofski@ogknights.org
Executive Director Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Foundation: Nicole R. Bruning 605-575-3362 foundation@ogknights.org
Director of Admissions: Jenni Struck 605-575-3358 admissions@ogknights.org
Director of Marketing: Rachael Kapperman ’11 605-575-3366 rkapperman@ogknights.org
www.ogknights.org
To Purchase Tickets, Make a Donation, or Bid on Silent Auction Items... You are Cordially Invited to Attend...
Saturday, February 22nd
The District | 4521 W Empire Pl. Charity Auction & Live Entertainment by Sugar Daddy Kentucky Derby Theme
Purchase Tickets by February 12th Silent Auction opens February 10th
Please Visit: https://auctria.events/aknightforallknights25 OR Scan QR Code Below
An Auction Gala To Bene t All Eight Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools
Christ the King Elementary 2024 National Blue Ribbon School Awardee
By Liz Myscofski, Director of Development
Christ the King Elementary has always been a beacon of hope and education. The school, with its vibrant halls and dedicated staff, is known for nurturing young minds and fostering a sense of community. This year is no different except one thing, they have been recognized by the Department of Education with a National Blue Ribbon School designation.
“If you think about the honor, and what a National Blue Ribbon School represents, it’s hard to believe that it is the highest recognition from the US Department of Education. Christ the King Elementary was among 356 schools nationwide to receive this recognition. Standing out among 120,000 schools in the United
States, including 20,000 non-public institutions,” stated Principal Julie Kolbeck in the celebration assembly filled with students, staff, families, media, and supporters from across the city.
Kolbeck challenged the audience, “think about that, a tiny school with 160 students, you can do anything. The National Blue Ribbon award is a testament to the dedication and commitment to deliver a robust, faithbased education to all of our students.”
President Kyle Groos commented on the significance of the award and attributed the achievement back to the students, amazing teachers and staff, and the parents who support the efforts of the school. “You make Christ the King School so strong, because of your faith, unwavering support, and belief in Catholic education. With God’s help, faith and education come together and we achieve great things.”
The students all wore matching National Blue Ribbon School shirts and were ushered into the Christ the King Church from the school with a parade led by the O’Gorman High School Symphonic Band. The atmosphere of the day is a direct reflection of the spirit that surrounds Christ the King Elementary. This is evident in the school day and the relationships created outside of the school, which was referenced in the application submitted for the award:
“Christ the King Elementary has forged a unique and meaningful relationship with
Left to Right: Mayor Paul TenHaken, Kyle Groos, President, Julie Kolbeck, Principal, Fr. Paul Rutten, Pastor of the Divine Mercy Pastorate, Most Reverend Bishop Donald DeGrood
the parish homebound, enriching the lives of students and parishioners. Monthly activities include writing letters, making holiday gifts, and connecting beyond the school walls. The school also donates nonperishable food items at Thanksgiving, raises funds for local agencies serving people experiencing poverty during Lent and Advent, and makes blankets for neonatal ICU infants.”
Creating this atmosphere of positive school culture is essential to the administration, teachers, students, and parents. The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood referenced and gave our God praise for this in the opening prayer stating, “Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for all the wonderful things you bless us with today as we thank and we honor all the students, the parents, the staff, all of the administration for this extraordinary gift. Because of their hard work, their dedication to study hard, to work hard, to assist the students, I ask this day your grace and blessing upon all the students, all their families, all the administration of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools, particularly here at Christ the King Elementary.”
Kolbeck continued the sentiment as she reflected on the process of deciding to apply for the recognition. “This has been years in the making. It’s not something you just decide to do, but really looking at where we need to go,” she said. The process included a change in mindset, when it’s easy to just do what was done before, the teachers and administration challenged themselves to think outside the box and
start building something more incredible. Kolbeck noticed these changes, “We started to see teachers and students grow, take ownership, celebrate small victories, and encourage resilience in the face of many challenges.”
The changes, the challenges, and the growth led to the staff’s renewed fire for education. “Teachers don’t get into education because of pay, but because of small things: the ability to identify a letter, a color, numbers, putting together a complete sentence. That is where our joy lies. True educators understand it’s the smallest things,” Kolbeck confirmed.
the requirements below, but the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) is able to nominate only 50 parochial or independent (non-public) schools annually for this distinguished recognition.
“BLUE
RIBBON MEANS THE BEST,
● The achievement of the school’s students in the most recently completed school year testing places the school in the top 15 percent in the nation in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics as measured by a nationally normed test or in the top 15 percent of its state as measured by a state test. If a non-public school administers both state test and nationally normed tests, the school must be in the top 15 percent for both tests.
● Disaggregated results for student groups, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds, must be similar to the results for all students tested.
YOU’RE ONE OF THE BEST.”
-MAYOR TENHAKEN
Kolbeck wrapped up her comments with a reference to the now retired Bishop Kettler. She was struck by the words in his homily one Sunday, with success comes great responsibility. She said, “When you achieve something such as this, there is a responsibility that comes along with it. Our work here isn’t done. This is just the start for all of us. We keep moving the bar and it’s amazing what we’re going to do.”
Working in a small school, working toward small daily goals, the National Blue Ribbon award has placed them on the map in a big way. Not only does a school have to have
PUMPKIN ROLLS
Jane’s Cookbook
From the culinary classroom of Jane
Bradfield
INGREDIENTS
3 eggs
1 cup sugar (plus 2 Tbsp granulated sugar for rolling the pumpkin) 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
Add:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep the pan.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper, leaving an extra inch sticking up on both long sides of the pan so you can easily lift it out after baking.
Step 2: Prep the pumpkin mixture.
• In a large mixing bowl beat the eggs together.
• Gradually add in 1 cup sugar until thick.
• Add pumpkin, beating until the sugar is almost dissolved.
Step 3: Mix the dry ingredients.
• In a small bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda.
• Gently fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture.
Step 4: Bake the pumpkin roll.
• Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes.
Step 5: Clean and prep your workspace.
• Clean your workspace up.
• Sprinkle 2 Tbsp granulated sugar on a dish towel.
Step 6: Preroll the pumpkin roll.
• When the pumpkin roll is done, flip it onto the granulated sugar towel.
• Gently peel off the parchment paper.
• Roll up the cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with the short side.
• Let cool.
Step 7: Make the filling and assemble the roll.
FILLING
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp butter, softened
3/4 tsp almond, vanilla, or cinnamon extract
1 cup powdered sugar
• Beat cream cheese, butter, and extract together until light and creamy.
• Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth.
• Unroll the cake and spread the filling evenly to within 1/2 inch of the edges.
• Roll up the cake again, without the towel.
Religious Spotlight Fr. Michael Wensing, Class of 1968
What are some hobbies you have in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy reading and writing. I have had one book published in retirement and am in the process of publishing another. I enjoy biking around the city bike trail and belong to the municipal golf course where I enjoy a couple of rounds each week. Otherwise, I enjoy traveling, having just completed a trip to the Passion Play, Bavaria and Austria, and the Holy Land leading a pilgrimage group. Each year I hope to help out some in a few parishes down south (e.g. Arizona and Florida) during the cold months. I will continue to lead pilgrimages to religious sites, Italy, Holy Land, Lourdes and Fatima, etc.
What activities/sports were you involved in at O’Gorman?
I was a wrestler during high school. By my senior year, I lettered in wrestling and was team co-captain. I also qualified for the state tournament in Watertown.
What is your favorite high school memory?
My favorite high school memory was the senior dinner night, a formal affair in the gym. We did not have proms in those days and the school was divided into a boys’ wing and girls’ wing. Each formal dinner table had two men and two women. It was one of the few times of formal interchange between the girls and boys apart from a few shared language and higher science classes. We were close to graduation and our evening was filled with cheer for our shared plans for the future along with dancing.
What teacher inspired you the most?
I had many inspiring teachers but the one who challenged me, entertained me, and cleverly taught me was Fr. Leonard Thury who directed music as well as taught religion classes.
What was your favorite cafeteria food in high school?
I plead amnesia at this point, but I do remember loving ice cream when it was served.
What was the uniform policy when you attended O’Gorman High School?
The boys had to wear brown blazers with a uniform tie, a white or off-white shirt and tan trousers or pants. We were able to shed the blazers in hot weather.
Favorite place you have traveled to?
My favorite place of travel had been Rome and Italy, the food and culture and art there, until I went to the Holy Land, walking the footsteps of Jesus.
How did you receive your call to priesthood?
My call to the priesthood came in fits and starts from the beginning of high school until the end of college. There were times I thought I did not have the call, but convinced myself to persevere. Fresh insight or encouragement would come and keep my seminary and education momentum going. Therefore, I cannot name an exact moment, but the cumulative re-boots of the previous years settled into a calm conviction for the priesthood.
If you could spend a day with anyone from history (besides Jesus), who would it be and why?
Apart from Jesus and a few fabulous saints of history, I would like to have a day with Thomas Jefferson, master of classical languages, French, philosophy, agriculture and the essence of good government all of which allowed him to be instrumental in the foundation of our nation, our declaration of independence and constitution.
Tell us a little about your family. Do you have siblings? Did they attend O’Gorman too?
I am the oldest of five with two brothers and two sisters. My brother Terry, four years younger than me, attended and graduated from O’Gorman in 1972. I also have two younger sisters, Patricia and Jane, and our youngest brother, Jeff. We were raised on a family farm between Watertown and Florence, SD. Jane was tragically killed in a car accident in 2005.
Did you attend one of the Catholic elementary schools in Sioux Falls? Which one?
Originally, I was accepted at Watertown High School but late in 1964 Bishop Hoch announced the opening of a boarding school attached to O’Gorman, the minor seminary, which is now O’Gorman Junior High School. Both Terry and I attended that minor seminary which allowed us to graduate from O’Gorman.
I am now living in Sioux Falls as a senior priest who enjoys substituting and helping at the various parishes of the diocese and continue to serve on the priest council for the Bishop and the Diocese of Sioux Falls. I hope to continue to contribute to and help the Bishop O’Gorman schools in retirement. I especially enjoy attending the sporting events at O’Gorman in my retirement.
• Helped build St. Michael Elementary.
• Served on the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools school board.
• Selected by Bishop Dudley to be part of the core group of pastors to unify the Catholic schools in Sioux Falls, the basis for what is now Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.
• Inducted into the O’Gorman Hall of Fame in the late 1990’s.
2019 Alumni Finds Purpose By Jumping Into Service
By Cory Diedrich, Father to Aiden
Aiden Diedrich, O’Gorman Class of 2019 and United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Class of 2023, was a member of the U.S. Air Force Parachute Team, the Wings of Blue. Aiden was a competitive skydiver concentrating on Mixed Formation Skydiving (flying in all vertical orientations). MFS entails two skydivers given 35 seconds to repeatedly complete a series of formations that are given to them just prior to jumping before deploying their parachutes.
Aiden shares how he got his start, “I got into skydiving through the Basic Jump airmanship program at USAFA. I took the course going into my sophomore year (summer 2020) and loved the dynamic that the team shared with each other and wanted to be a part of the team. After a round of interviews and a day-long tryout, I was selected to join the Wings of Green, which is the upgrade team where you learn the fundamentals of skydiving and instruct the basic airmanship course.”
After sophomore year, Aiden became a part of the team at an event called Bluesuit. He was selected to be one of two members on the Mixed Formation Skydiving team. Over the course of a year, he and his partner, Luke, learned how to fly in every orientation of body flight (head-down, head-up, back and belly flying). The next year was full of driving an hour to Denver for the wind tunnel anywhere from two to
five days a week after class, skydiving every other day and every Saturday. As a competitive skydiver, Aiden was a four-time U.S. Parachute Association National Champion in Mixed Formation Skydiving, Vertical Formation Skydiving, Sport Accuracy, and Speed Formation. He was also a four-time silver medalist and a two-time bronze medalist at the national level. Aiden was named the 2022 U.S. Parachute Association Top Collegiate Competitive Skydiver at the Collegiate Nationals against 95 other skydivers. “The feeling of competing at a national level again was amazing. It sparked the energy that I always get when competing. It had been years since I competed in any organized sport, and even though it was a completely different discipline, I would get the same drive for greatness that I had when competing in high school sports at O’Gorman. Competition gives you a will to fight and reason to work hard and that’s something I have always loved,” he said. He was also honored to be awarded the Wings of Blue Top Competitive Skydiver for the Class of 2023.
“Once I graduated from USAFA, I was lucky enough to remain with the 98th Flying Training Squadron to coach and instruct members of the team for a year while I began my wait for pilot training. Over that year I completed around 250 skydives, almost all flying as a videographer for the cadet teams. Using the videos,
we were able to debrief the skydives and find ways to improve the teams. I left the squadron in August, moving to Enid, Oklahoma.”
Aiden’s primary role in the Wings of Blue is to be a jumpmaster and instructor teaching AM-490 Basic Freefall Skydiving at the only school in the world where your first jump is a completely unassisted solo free fall (no tethers) skydive. As an instructor, Aiden was selected to work with the SpaceX Polaris Dawn Crew for a week of jump instruction. The Polaris Dawn Crew completed the weeklong course and successfully earned their jump wings.
Aiden shares, “Skydiving is a rush, even when you have done it nearly a thousand times. It simulates the basic human instinct of survival in a relatively low threat environment. The first few times are some of the scariest moments of your life. Getting in the door is the hardest part by far, but once you leave the plane, you realize you can’t turn back and it becomes really neat. I have never really gotten the feeling of falling, just the wind blasting in your face and the cool air running past your body. I have never really done anything else similar to it, and I think it’s something everybody needs to do in their lifetime.”
Scan to view videos of Aiden and his team Skydiving!
Mixed Formation Skydiving is like synchronized swimming while falling through the air at 120 – 200mph
Vertical Formation Skydiving is combinations of head down or feet down only
Space X Polaris Dawn crew
Polaris Dawn crew and instructors ready to go up for a jump.
Polaris Dawn crew and instructors
The Bob Burns Dakota Bowl XLVI An Ever-Changing Tradition
By Liz Myscofski, Director of Development
In 1978 the first Dakota Bowl was born. Bob Burns, former O’Gorman High School football coach and athletic director, originally intended the game to be played against a North Dakota team and support the athletic program at O’Gorman High School. That dream quickly shifted to include local teams during the regular season schedule and has now raised millions of dollars for all eight Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.
In the 90’s, our campus began a transformation that continues today. Without a stadium to play games and host fans, most of the football games were played at Howard Wood Field, except for Homecoming. Steve Kueter, current O’Gorman High School athletic director recalled, “We stopped renting bleachers from the city and installed our own for sub varsity games.” Next, in honor of the late Monsignor John McEneaney, the press box was built. More bleachers were installed, lights, a turf, track, sound, and video board all were part of the 2008 Building on Excellence Capital Campaign. All home games were moved to our home turf, McEneaney Field. The Bob Burns Dakota Bowl continued to be played at Howard Wood Stadium where many Knights fans fondly
remember attending a packed stadium, tailgating, hot air balloons, and so much more!
“In more recent years, the stands weren’t packed, the tailgate lot had plenty of parking, and attendance wasn’t what it used to be,” stated Kueter. The opening of the Denny Sanford Premier Center and the addition of a fourth Sioux Falls public school opening in 2021-2022 made planning the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl at Howard Wood nearly impossible. In addition, we were challenged to make a change in 2020 due to COVID-19. The Bob Burns Dakota Bowl attendance needed to be limited and the decision was made to host the event on our campus. We were fortunate to host the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl game at McEneaney Field. This is the biggest change this event
has ever seen. Yet it has proven, over the last five years, to be one of the best changes.
With 32 wins in the entirety of the event, the Knights home field advantage is striking. Not to mention the football team loves hosting the most nostalgic game of the regular season on their home field. “The annual Bob Burns Dakota Bowl is a chance for our players to be in an atmosphere rivaled only by a State Championship game. Most of our team grew up in Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools attending football games and tailgating and looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd that is second to none in South Dakota. The weekend is also a chance for our players to give back to the community by running the elementary football camp and encouraging the younger players to continue the tradition of excellence,” states Jayson Poppinga, head varsity football coach.
After five years on our campus, our fans know the stadium will be packed, the tailgate lot will sell out
within the week of opening, and we will raise more money than ever!
This year, we introduced Friday Knight events that included the football and cheer camps followed by the Knight Out for alumni, parents, and fans! We rocked out to the Crabgrass Crew (consisting of O’G alumni), ate pizza, and enjoyed a cold beverage while socializing. Our game day started with tailgating and a free Kids Zone with face painting and inflatables. We continue to enjoy a packed Performing Arts Center for Mass, the Knights Way Parade, skydivers, fans in the stand’s trivia, Woody Drey Volunteer award, and the most legendary fireworks display in the region!
We’ve raised millions of dollars for our schools, and continue to aim for the stars. Our driving force? The joyous collaboration and inclusivity that comes alive each year during our event on our campus. Yes, the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl not only helps us generate an incredible amount of funds, but it also brings our community together. Whether you’ve been a part of our fundraising efforts, tailgated with us, or watched an amazing football game, you have experienced the electric atmosphere that is the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl. We’d like to thank our community for evolving with us as the best is yet to come!
Messages from the Principals
Christ the King Elementary
Christ the King Elementary has had much to celebrate over the past few months. We recently wrapped up our Walk-A-Thon fundraiser, raising over $67,000 with the enthusiastic support of our parishioners, alumni, teachers, and school families. This fall event, a longstanding tradition, brings our community together to support our students, teachers, and classroom needs.
Christ the King Elementary has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, the highest distinction awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Among 356 schools nationwide to receive this recognition, Christ the King Elementary is one of only a few non-public institutions honored this year. This award reflects our commitment to providing our students with a strong, faith-based education.
By Julie Kolbeck, Principal
Our Junior Hope Squad has been busy spreading kindness throughout our school this fall. We appreciate them stepping up as role models for the rest of our students! Our 4th graders are back with this year’s edition of the 4th grade Saint podcast. Make sure to check our Facebook page for the most recent releases. The students also enjoyed our annual Saint Museum and Rosary & S’mores event.
As we approach the holiday season, we have much to be thankful for, from our hardworking teachers and students to the steadfast support of our parents and pastorate community. Above all, we are grateful for our faith and love of God, which guides us daily.
Holy Spirit Elementary
The school year is off to a great start. We kicked off the year with our annual parking lot party held in tandem with Holy Spirit Parish. It was once again a beautiful day filled with food, fun, and fellowship to welcome our families back for a new year. In September, we held our first donut mingle following the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. church services at Holy Spirit Parish. Roughly 300 people attended and it included donuts and drinks on the playground allowing the children to play and parents to mingle and get to know one another.
In October, we had our WalkA-Thon fundraiser which was a huge success. The children raised $70,000 and culminated with the
By Regan Manning, Principal
students enjoying a walk, eating popsicles, and getting to watch the top earners from each grade throw a pie in Mr. Manning’s face. Our Schola choir, consisting of twentytwo 4th-6th graders have been leading the music at our school Masses and Chess Club also got underway this month as an after school club for our 4th-6th graders.
For All Saints Day, our 3rd graders once again dressed up as their favorite Saint for Mass. Following Mass the students held their annual Saint Museum where they shared all they learned about their Saint with their families and school children. That evening, many of our families participated in the inaugural All Saints Celebration.
Annual Rosary & S’mores event
PES Sisters visit classrooms
Hope Squad spreading kindness with chalk
Student throwing pie at Mr. Manning
3rd graders dressed up for All Saints Day
St. Katharine Drexel Elementary
The school year kicked off with a whirlwind of excitement, blending faith, learning, and fun. Students dove into new subjects and routines with enthusiasm, while teachers fostered a spirit of community and collaboration. Each day was filled with opportunities for personal growth and discovery, setting a positive tone for the months ahead.
This year, students have exciting new opportunities to explore and get involved, creating an engaging and supportive school environment. The Hope Squad offers students a unique way to make a difference in their peers’ lives by promoting mental health and providing support within the school community. For those with a creative flair, the LEGO Club is a fantastic outlet for imagination and problem-solving as students build projects together. Additionally, Friday Adoration with the priests gives students a chance to connect spiritually, providing a peaceful moment of reflection each week. For budding journalists and broadcasters, the
St. Lambert Elementary
Our school year is off to a great and busy start! We’ve had some familiar events return and added some new and exciting events. As we began the year, we kicked off with a returning eventour Walk-A-Thon, raising $28,000 to be used toward many school needs. The night of the walk was a lot of fun with many families making it out to walk, eat, and mingle!
New this year are several after school clubs meeting weekly. We have a great number of students participating in these. The PES Sisters hosted the Praise and Worship Club, Mrs. Ekern is heading up the Adoration Group, and Chess Club is ongoing through March. In the spring we will have a Frisbee Golf Club.
By Stacy Charron, Principal
KSKD News Crew is a hands-on experience in media, allowing students to practice communication skills while keeping the school informed and entertained. Each of these opportunities invites students to discover new interests, deepen friendships, and build valuable skills.
As the first quarter came to an end with Parent-Teacher Conferences, the SKD staff wants to express their gratitude to the parents for their active participation. The parent presence and engagement during these conferences not only demonstrate a dedication to their child’s success but also contribute significantly to fostering a collaborative and supportive educational environment. The insights and perspectives shared have provided valuable context for understanding each child’s unique strengths and challenges. Once again, thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Parent involvement makes a difference, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative effort.
By Colleen Davis, Principal
Students and staff have been recognizing our pastorate parishes’ feast days. September 17th was the feast day of St. Lambert and students recognized this day by attending Mass and receiving prayer cards. Students recognized the feast day of St. Therese of Little Flower on October 1st with flowers in the classrooms and learning about her. We have a few more upcoming feast days to look forward to during the year - Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Josephine Bakhita, and St. Joseph the Worker.
Our November activities included the 3rd grade Saints Museum, Veterans Day Program inviting veterans to join us in prayer and recognition, a Fine Arts Family Night, and the yearly Thanksgiving Mass with a food collection for Feeding South Dakota.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
KSKD News Crew - Student Reporters
Students learning about St. Therese
Chess Club
St. Mary Elementary
By Michelle Shields, Principal
St. Mary Elementary has had an eventful fall! Our students continue to explore virtues in our Faith Families, with older students leading by example. Fr. Doty visits our classrooms weekly, guiding younger students on tours of the sanctuary to deepen their understanding of the Mass.
Our Hope Squad, made up of 4th6th graders chosen by their peers, has been spreading positivity throughout the community. They’ve been reading to younger students, posting uplifting messages in our hallways, and visiting residents in retirement communities.
TSP, Inc. and Fiegen Construction are busy building the new rectory for St. Mary Church and have given our 6th graders a glimpse of the construction process. The students toured the site and engaged with the builders and architects. They are looking forward to the next tour coming up in a couple of weeks!
St. Michael Elementary
St. Michael Parish welcomed back staff, students, and families with a special O†G Mass in August that included the entire school community. Together, we lifted prayers for a safe and successful school year, reaffirming our shared commitment to faith and education.
New to our school this year are Faith Families and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). Faith Families, made up of groups of students in 1st – 6th grades, meet to take part in various faith activities.
Preschool and Kindergarten students visit the CGS Atriums every week. This program seeks to create and facilitate a sacred, “hands-on” space for children, where they can hear, ponder, and celebrate the essential mysteries of the
Our Annual Fall Festival was a tremendous success, raising over $50,000 for our school! Everyone enjoyed carnival games, pumpkin decorating, and bouncing in the inflatable houses. A special thanks to the Knights of Columbus for grilling!
On Halloween, our preschool students held a delightful costume parade, followed by a Trunk-or-Treat event for all students. On All Saints Day, our 4th grade students helped remember those who have died in the parish in the past year by carrying a candle at Mass for each person who had passed. After Mass, they held a Saint Museum for parents, representing the lives and experiences of various saints. On Grandparents Day in November, we were able to showcase our school to special guests and enjoy a game of Bingo together!
By Teresa Hulscher, Principal
Catholic faith. Second grade students, preparing for the sacraments, also visit the Atriums on a monthly basis.
This Fall has been filled with meaningful and memorable experiences for our students. They enjoyed celebrating Grandparents Day and All Saints Day, gathering for Mass Mingles and classroom visits with priests, learning about the virtues, and praying during weekly adoration and Mass. Special learning opportunities included a visit to St. Michael Cemetery and a presentation from the SD American Legionnaires, deepening students’ connection to faith and community. To cap off a successful season of fundraising, we hosted a Trunk-or-Treat on October 20th, where our community came together making it a festive day of fun for all!
6th Graders tour of new rectory at St. Mary Church
Students dressed up for All Saints Day
Fr. Doty teaching students about Mass
SD American Legionnaires visit students
Eucharistic Procession through the School
O’Gorman Junior High
By Wade Charron, Principal
The beginning of the 2024-2025 school year is off to a fantastic start. We were excited to welcome 25 new students and their families to O’Gorman Junior High. It has been such a wonderful experience watching our new students and 7th grade students grow. Our annual “Welcome to Junior High” class before school was attended by 90% of the new 7th grade class. These days set the stage, with icebreaker games and teambuilding activities that spark laughter and friendships. Additionally, students were able to navigate their schedules and learn the daunting task of opening their first locker!
Amidst the fun of starting a new year, the focus on Christ was alive and well. We began the year with a Eucharistic Procession throughout the hallways of the school. In addition to offering the sacraments on a weekly basis, campus ministry gatherings are provided that encourage reflection and mindfulness, allowing students to delve deeper into their faith. Our 8th Grade Retreat and 7th Grade Lock-In were unique and fun opportunities that promote a personal relationship
O’Gorman High School
with Jesus. Special thank you to our high school group leaders who are essential in the success of these days.
OGJH students are working hard inside and outside of the classroom. Our students continue to experience a well-rounded, relevant, and challenging classroom curriculum taught by a highly dedicated faculty and staff. Our athletic teams and fine arts students have experienced great success this year as well. We are so appreciative of the support and guidance that we receive from the many teachers, coaches, and advisors that lead these groups.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season from the students and staff at O’Gorman Junior High!
By Joan Mahoney, Principal
OGHS has had a fun-filled fall with all of our athletic and fine arts activities providing numerous opportunities for our students to showcase their talents. We welcomed nearly 40 new students and their families to OGHS this fall across all grade levels. Our student council and student ambassadors along with our dedicated faculty and staff have worked to help these students integrate into our school community.
Academically, we have had much to celebrate this fall. Five of our seniors earned National Merit SemiFinalist status out of only 45 students in the entire state of South Dakota. Our average ACT score of 25.6 for the graduating class of 2024 was a full six points higher than the national average and four points higher than the state average. These statistics, along with the tremendous success our students continue to experience at the collegiate level and beyond, are a testimony to the rigor and relevance of our curriculum.
This past summer saw our students traveling with school sponsored trips both domestically and internationally. In addition to school-sponsored trips to Germany and Greece, Fr. Tony Klein, our chaplain, led a pilgrimage to Rome where 24 students and 11
adults spent two weeks exploring the rich history and tradition of our Catholic faith.
We continue our mission to build lifelong missionary disciples through God’s love. Over 100 students participated in our fall overnight retreat at Inspiration Hills, and our monthly praise and worship night, The Well, continues to attract large numbers of students. We currently have 15 small bible study groups that meet biweekly during the lunch periods, and students from all grade levels recently assisted with the OGJH 8th grade retreat.
As we look forward to the upcoming Christmas season, we are grateful for the community of faith and learning that we are blessed with at O’Gorman High School.
Messages from the Principals
8th Grade Retreat
O Roma felix, quae duorum Principum es consecrata glorioso sanguine!
By Fr. Tony Klein (‘12), O’Gorman High School Chaplain
Many people have it on their bucket list to visit Rome, and rightfully so. After all, Rome is a city with a history like no other and it is a history which has shaped our own. Many are interested in the great stories and films of the Roman Empire even today in the third millennium. For those less interested in history, there is stunning natural beauty, great architecture, world-class museums, and of course, great food. There are many reasons people visit the Eternal City.
Yet as followers of Jesus Christ, there is a particular draw to Rome. Of course we know that Jesus Himself did not go to Rome, and it is certainly worthwhile to visit the Holy Land to walk in the places He walked and to see the holy sites. However, we also know that
Jesus, at the Ascension, did not abandon us. “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We know that Jesus entrusts His authority to Peter, as weak and human as he is: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). It is this man that draws people to Rome. Of course Peter’s draw is to draw people to the Lord, but the Lord’s promise to remain with us forever is visible in the Church, particularly in Peter. Thus, the mighty Roman Empire, which had risen to tremendous strength and conquered many lands, is conquered by God through a humble fisherman from Galilee. While the Church is preserved by the Blood of the Lamb, Rome has been preserved by the blood of His saints.
This past summer we were able to take 24 high school students on pilgrimage to Rome. Having spent some time there in seminary, I wanted to be able to show students what they were a part of in being Catholic. Oftentimes our understanding of the Church is very local. We know our parish (and now our pastorate), the parish we may go to when we visit grandma and grandpa, the Cathedral that we go to for special occasions, and so on. In some ways that is beautiful, because the grace of the sacraments can be fully received in each of these places. However, the more that I have heard of people leaving the
Mass at the tomb of St. Peter
Outside of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi
“O happy Rome, which is consecrated by the glorious blood of the two princes!”
practice of the Church, I have often wondered if they fully know what they’re leaving. Hearing that Jesus gave the keys to Peter is one thing, and in faith we can accept that! Yet, to see the bones of Peter and hear the story of his martyrdom while standing by his tomb is remarkable. It makes us see that we are a part of something so rich, and if it is all true, has a gripping direction for our lives.
because of this boy who loved video games and the internet but loved nothing more than the Lord.
We split our time in Rome and Assisi. Starting with Ancient Rome, we toured the Forum and Colosseum. To understand Christian Rome, we must first understand Ancient Rome. We then toured some churches that were originally home churches before Christianity was legalized in the 4th Century. We saw the four major basilicas, including the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul, the two princes who shed their blood, consecrating the happy city of Rome. We also were able to see Pope Francis, the successor of St. Peter.
Fast forwarding 1,000 years, we traveled up to Assisi, a Medieval town blessed by the humble and peaceful spirit of St. Francis. The peace of Assisi was a welcomed gift to all after the bustling of Rome. While seeing the great basilicas and tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare, we also were able to pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young Italian boy who died at the age of 15 in 2006. After having visited the tombs of saints who died anywhere from 800-2000 years ago, to see the body of this soon-to-be saint was one of the most striking parts of the trip for our students. They could see the reality of sanctity for themselves,
Klaire Oehlke (‘25) was one of the students on the pilgrimage. When asked what has remained with her since being back from the pilgrimage, she said, “We often hear about the Saints and their works, but I was able to truly walk with them in Rome - to see the places where these Saints lived, to see their bodies, to see the places they now rest. Along the same lines, we have grown up with the story of Jesus, but it seemed quite distant until I was crawling up the Holy Stairs - the same stairs that Jesus, fully God and fully man, walked up before sacrificing His life for me. The pilgrimage brought me closer to the faith because I was able to truly see its reality and universality.”
While the pilgrimage has beautiful memories and pictures that make it seem more of a vacation than a pilgrimage, it is worth noting that the days were long and taxing. A pilgrimage is meant to stretch us. It isn’t meant to be comfortable. It is meant to take us out of our normal routine and comforts—not merely for its own sake—but in order to put us into a place to encounter something, or Someone, in a different way. Katy Pellicotte (‘25) understood this reality, saying, “Going on this pilgrimage required us all to step out of our comfort zones. In doing so, we were able to encounter Christ in beautiful ways. After returning home, I have grown in the realization that Christ can be encountered in everything. I’ve become more aware of His presence in my daily life.”
In front of St. Peter’s Basilica
No air conditioning in the June heat, 10+ mile days, and many early mornings all added up to make it a real pilgrimage. In that, however, is precisely where grace can be found. Connor Holt (‘25) said that since returning home from the pilgrimage, the things that have remained with him the most are “the relationships that I have created with others on the trip. Through some of the hardships we endured on pilgrimage in Rome, I was able to grow in friendship and brotherhood with many of the others. Since then, these relationships have pushed me to be a better version of myself and continue to grow in my faith.”
Here lies the beauty of the Church. It is not always easy to follow the Lord. The journey can be arduous and we can easily be discouraged. Connor’s experience of Rome can easily be someone’s experience of being a disciple. There can be real hardships, but we also realize we aren’t alone.
Jesus calls no one to Himself in isolation. Seeing pilgrims from nearly every continent at the Wednesday audience with Pope Francis is a sign that we are united and encouraged by a great cloud of witnesses. As we journeyed back to Sioux Falls, the reality of the call to sanctity has remained, and it is our hope that this pilgrimage changes the way our students see God, the Church, and themselves.
Meeting a new Archbishop from Africa at the sight of St. Paul’s martyrdom
Praying at Santa Maria in Trastevere
Open House Events
January 2025 February 2025
23rd
27th
O'Gorman Junior High
6:00pm
O'Gorman High School 6:00pm Christ the King Elementary & St. Lambert Elementary
3rd 4th
6th
Enrollment Timeline
5:30-6:30pm Holy Spirit Elementary & St. Michael Elementary 5:30-6:30pm St. Katharine Drexel Elementary & St. Mary Elementary
5:30-6:30pm
Please RSVP by Scanning the QR code, or Visit www.ogknights.org
Our talented performing arts students worked hard to bring the classic tale of Charlotte’s Web to life for the OGHS Children’s Show!
WHAT’S UP AT O†G High School
It’s raining outside, but it’s bright inside!!! On Freshman Unity Day, our seniors welcomed the freshmen to O’Gorman High School.
Congratulations to our 2024 Homecoming King and Queen, Dan Vazquez and Anya Bornitz!
High school students entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 PSAT. The 16,000 Semifinalists included in this list are the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represent less than 1 percent of each state’s high school seniors. They are the only participants who qualify to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships to be awarded in the spring of 2025.
Exciting news! Our library got a facelift, and we couldn’t be happier with the results! We now have a cozier space perfect for reading, group projects, and more. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. It looks absolutely incredible, and our students are already enjoying the new space!
Song of O’Gorman never disappoints! Fun to share the stage with the junior high as well. Thank you to all the choirs for an amazing show. The packed crowd
The High School Hope Squad joined the Junior High Hope Squad for lunch this fall. It’s fun to watch the peer helpers of our system come together across levels.
Over 100 OGHS students participated in our fall overnight retreat at Inspiration Hills.
We have a wonderful opportunity for our OGJH community to take part in. We started First Friday Adoration in the OGJH chapel. Take a look at this video and listen as Fr. Kapperman talks about the ways we can support our students here at O’Gorman Junior High!
Congratulations to O’Gorman Junior High students Griffin, August, and Manny on helping lead Sioux Falls Little League all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. We are so proud of your efforts and how you represented OGJH, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the entire Midwest Region. Unbelievable run—job well done boys!
What an amazing day at the Hope Squad retreat this fall! Together, we built unity, learned about the Hope Approach, and brainstormed exciting activities for our school. A huge shoutout to our incredible peer-nominated members for bringing their passion and ideas to the table! We are excited to keep the momentum going and make a positive impact together at OGJH!
It was a beautiful day for marching band in Chester! The band looked and sounded great!
Some students came to school early to put together over 100 Halloween bags that will be donated to the Bishop Dudley House and the Banquet!
We are truly blessed to be part of a school community where we have the opportunity to celebrate Mass with our Bishop, Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood. He also introduced the propaedeutic men that stay with Fr. Kapperman. The propaedeutic year is a year of formation before these gentlemen enter seminary. They will be spending time with the students throughout the year as well!
In Campus Ministry, we had an awesome lesson about God’s grace! We compared it to a circle—perfect and unending—and as sweet as a donut. Also, you can’t take grace, you can only receive it. To bring this message to life, we played a fun game where students had to eat a donut hanging from a rope— without using their hands! You can say it was a sweet success!
WHAT’S UP AT O†G Junior High School
Impressive performance by the OGJH Choirs at the annual Song of O’Gorman Concert. As this group continues to grow in size, so does their excellent sound!
Great job choirs, including the unrivaled OGHS Choirs—looking forward to more great music throughout the year!
A Family’s Journey of Faith Through Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools
By Becca Thiry, Enrollment Coordinator
When Josh and Jenae Duus first chose Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools for their children, their decision was driven by more than just academics. They were drawn to the faith-based education and the wide array of extracurricular opportunities that Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools had to offer. The couple, having grown up as Lutherans, saw the Christian perspective as an essential aspect of their children’s development. Little did they know, their choice to send their children to Holy Spirit Elementary would lead them on a faith journey that would transform their entire family.
Holy Spirit Elementary provided not just a place for academic growth but also an environment where faith was nurtured. Seeing their children engage with the Catholic faith at school, attending Mass, learning about the saints, and participating in community events started to spark something within Josh and Jenae. Their children’s enthusiasm for the new experiences made the couple realize that something had been missing in their own spiritual lives.
As Jenae reflected, “We had attended a Lutheran church in our town for a few years, but over time, it just didn’t feel like home. Our kids weren’t
Duus Family Easter Vigil 2024
getting anything out of Sunday school, and we found ourselves dreading going.” Despite being hesitant at first, Josh and Jenae began exploring Catholicism, doing research and having long conversations with each other and their children. “It was our kids who really opened our eyes,” Josh shared. “Seeing it from a child’s perspective, with their excitement for Mass and their curiosity about the saints, helped us see the depth and beauty of the Catholic faith.”
In 2024, the family made the decision to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil at Holy Spirit Parish. For Jenae, this was the culmination of a search for a “spiritual” home that had been a long time coming. “I was a Lutheran for 33 years, but church never felt like home until we joined the Catholic Church. The community at O’Gorman and in the Catholic Church is so welcoming; it doesn’t matter what parish you go to—people greet you with open arms.”
The family’s faith life changed dramatically after their conversion. No longer was church a chore; it became a place they wanted to be and a community they wanted to engage with. Josh, who graduated from O’Gorman High School in 2010, now felt a deeper connection to the school and its mission. “When I went to O’Gorman, I didn’t take theology classes seriously because it wasn’t my faith at the time. Now, I see what I missed out on, and I’m grateful my kids are getting that experience.”
Their children, Weston and Natalie, have also embraced the experience. Weston, who was fascinated by St. Patrick even before becoming Catholic, loves learning about the saints and the traditions of the Church. For Natalie, the supportive academic environment and the opportunity to participate in extracurriculars, like volleyball and honor choir, have also been important going into the junior high. Jenae noted that Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools is academically farther ahead of where they were at their previous school.
Beyond academics and faith, Josh and Jenae have found that Bishop O’Gorman offers a community unlike any they’ve experienced before. They recognize the support they’ve received has helped their children thrive. “It’s not just a school; it’s a family,” Jenae said. “When our son had issues in class, everyone— from the teacher to the counselor to the principal—was involved in helping him. We’ve never had that kind of support before.”
Looking back on their journey, Josh and Jenae are grateful not only for the education their children are receiving but for the transformation in their own lives. They continue to find ways to get involved in their parish, attending events and considering new ways to give back to the community that welcomed them so warmly. “We’re still learning,” Josh said, “but it feels like we’re finally where we belong.”
Our O’Gorman-Cathedral Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their excellence in athletics, service, the arts, and academics.
This past September, our 2024 Hall of Fame inductees attended Mass at O’Gorman High School alongside the students before a ceremony and luncheon at The Country Club of Sioux Falls. After a tour of the high school, the inductees were recognized on the McEneaney Field before the Homecoming football game.
NOW ACCEPTING HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS FOR 2025
Please submit your nomination before April 15, 2025 for your nominee to be considered.
Nomination forms can be found at www.ogknights.org/alumni/hall-of-fame or contact our alumni specialist at swagner@ogknights.org.
To watch a recap of the 2024 Hall of Fame, scan the QR code!
1988 O’GORMAN KNIGHTS GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM | EXCELLEN CE IN ATHLETICS
The 1988 Knights Girls Cross Country Team, comprised of strong returning team members and less experienced participants. This team was the first to compete in state competition at the distance of 4000 meters, a change from the longstanding distance of 3000 meters. The State Association finally adjusted the distance to 5000 meters in 2015 to bring South Dakota in line with the nationally accepted distance for high school girls cross country competitions.
The 1988 Knights had their largest team of girls participating to date. But with all the new and inexperienced athletes, it seemed to be destined to be a year of growing and rebuilding. As summer runs and the preseason progressed, the team began to show signs of improving. The first month of the season had growing pains, including incomplete team scores in the first two official races. Though September ended with two wins, it was still difficult to visualize this group making a run for a championship.
The first weekend in October proved to be a landmark event for this Knights Cross Country Team! They placed second in the largest invite held in the state for AA teams, described as the “Pre-State Meet” event. The girls succeeded through October winning the rest of the events on their schedule, including the Sioux Interstate Conference Meet, hosted in Sioux City, IA. The girls traveled to Pierre, SD for the State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, October 29th and came away with a convincing victory. Only 13 seconds separated O’Gorman’s top five runners! Top place winners for the Knights were: Kris Ellenbecker 7th place, Erin Daughters 8th place, Lisa Gillen 10th place, Heidi Ovrelid 13th place, and Ellie Gage 14th place. Cross Country rules score each team’s top five runners by using their place of finish. The girls scored a record low 52 points! A total score that still ranks as one of the lowest in Girls AA Cross Country records.
Members of O’Gorman Knights 1988 State Cross Country Team were: Lisa Gillen ‘89, Heidi (Ovrelid) Squilllace ‘89, Sarah (Baker) Hogg ‘90, Liz Shaeffer ‘92, Kris (Ellenbecker) Ripperda ‘91, Racheal (Hoversten) Vockler ‘91, Erin (Daughters) Healey ‘94, and Ellie Gage ‘93. Coached by Doug Lindner.
TOM CARLSON ‘05 | EXCELLEN CE IN ATHLETICS
Tom Carlson began his golf career at O’Gorman Junior High in 7th grade and throughout high school career earned six varsity letters. He made history as the first and only boys’ golfer at O’Gorman to secure the state team and individual titles in the same year. He helped lead the team to state titles in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Also contributing to runner-up finishes as a team in 2000 and 2004. He was selected five-times as Class AA AllState and multiple honors as Sioux Falls All-City and GDC All-Conference.
Carlson’s attended college at the University of New Mexico, where he played from 2006 to 2011. As a fourtime varsity letterman, he participated in 41 tournaments and 118 rounds, consistently showcasing his skills. His collegiate career was highlighted by several significant accomplishments, including being part of the 2011 team that achieved the lowest team score (268) in the University of Hawaii’s John Burns Intercollegiate history. He also played a key role in his team’s victories at the University of Arizona Intercollegiate and the University of Colorado Mark Simpson Invitational. By his senior year, Carlson had secured the second-best scoring average on the team and earned multiple top-10 finishes, including a notable fifth-place finish at the Arizona Intercollegiate.
FR. CHARLES CIMPL | EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE
Fr. Cimpl grew up in Tabor, SD attending St. Wenceslaus Elementary School for grades 1-8 where he was taught by the Benedictine Sisters from the Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, SD. He attended Notre Dame High School in Mitchell, SD, which was staffed by the Presentation Sisters from Aberdeen.
Cimpl attend St. Mary College and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN where he majored in philosophy. He received his master’s in the arts of theology from St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, before he was ordained to the transition diaconate at St. Joseph Cathedral, Sioux Falls in 1977.
Cimpl was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1978 at St. Joseph Cathedral. He joined the O’Gorman faculty, teaching theology, before becoming the chaplain in 1981. He continued in that role until 1989. Fr. Chuck lived in an apartment in the school, had coffee ready for the maintenance crew when they arrived at 5am and celebrated or commiserated with coaches and
Carlson remains the only golfer in the state’s history to win the SDGA state high school championship, SDGA state junior championship (2003), SDGA state two-man championship (2010), SDGA state match play championship (2007 & 2008), and SDGA state amateur championship (2011). His five-time South Dakota Golf Association Championship titles and dual Player of the Year awards (2010 and 2011) underscore his dominance in the sport. Notably, his recent achievements include the 2023 SDGA father-son state championship in the 11 & under age division, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the game. Carlson’s talent was not confined to state-level competitions. He qualified for and competed in four United States Golf Association events, including the 2006 USGA Amateur Championship and the 2011 and 2022 USGA MidAmateur Championship. His participation in these prestigious tournaments further highlights his ability to compete at the highest levels of golf.
Carlson has been a six-time Minnehaha Country Club Champion and a fourtime Match Play Champion. His victories include the 2009 Sioux Falls City Championship and the 2007 Northwest Iowa Amateur Championship. He also shot a course record 62 at Willow Run Golf Club in the Sioux Falls City Tournament in 2009. His other course record is at Kuehne Park in Sioux Falls where he shot it alongside his son, Hank, who is currently a 5th grader at St. Mary Elementary.
Tom received his undergraduate degree in Management from the University of New Mexico in 2011. Tom now lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Jess, and three children: Hank, 10, and twins, Harper, 8, and Isabel, 8. He currently works at Henry Carlson Company where he is Director of Business Development.
students when their buses returned, often after midnight. His infectious joy and support for students, faculty, and parents were influential in creating the community of faith and excellence that exists to this day.
Fr. Cimpl list of service to the community includes: 40 years on the O’Gorman School Board; Interim Development Director for Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools; Director of the Newman Center in Brookings; pastor of St. Therese Parish, St. Michael Parish, and Holy Spirit Parish; Vicar General of the Sioux Falls Diocese for Bishop Robert Carlson; Apostolic Administrator Bishop Samual Aquila, Bishop Paul Swain, and Bishop Donald DeGrood; co-chair for the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Building on Excellence capital campaign.
Fr. Charles Cimpl has been serving and supporting O’Gorman High School in a variety of capacities for over 45 years. Since his retirement in 2022, he continues to support the community by cheering on the Knights from the stands, officiating at marriages of former students at weddings across the city and country.
His induction into the O’Gorman High School Hall of Fame cements his legacy as one of the most influential people in the history of the school.
MOTHER AMATA VERITAS ELLENBECKER, O.P. ‘93 | EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE
The custom in her community is that a sister receives a new name when she receives the habit. The new name expresses a new mission and a new response to grace. “Amata Veritas” is Latin for “Beloved Truth” and is honor of the Blessed Trinity, God, who is Love and who is Truth, who creates each person for union with Him to share in His Divine Life.
Mother Amata Veritas attended Christ the King Elementary School and Cathedral Junior High before attending high school at O’Gorman. She participated in track, cross country, basketball, and played the French horn in the band. She was involved in Student Council and the pro-life student group.
In college she continued running track and cross country and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education with a major in history from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. She taught high school for three years before she answered the call to religious life. In 2001, she entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She professed final vows on August 4, 2009.
Her community lives the Dominican charism by teaching in grade schools, high schools, and universities across the country and have a media apostolate called Openlight Media which produces the Education in Virtue program and other catechetical programming.
She taught sixth grade for one year, high school for three years, and was the postulant mistress for nine years. She also worked in the chancery for the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter in Houston, TX. Mother Amata Veritas earned her Master’s degree in Theology from Providence College in Providence, RI and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from University of Dayton in Ohio.
In 2021 at the General Chapter, she was elected Prioress General for her community. As Prioress General she is now at the service of her community to listen to the movements of the Holy Spirit and marvel how He is at work. She considers her vocation and every day that she renews her “Fiat” to be a gift.
JAMIE A. JOHNSON ‘99 | EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS
Jamie A. Johnson attended St. Mary Elementary, O’Gorman Junior High, then graduated from O’Gorman High School in 1999. Jamie performed in plays and musicals as well as served as a choreographer. Active in Forensics, Jamie received Superior ratings at several competitions and attended the Nationals in Oral Interpretation. A varsity athlete in multiple sports, Johnson achieved success in track, cross country, and gymnastics.
Jamie attended the University of Utah as a scholarship student and graduated cum laude with degrees in Ballet and English. She also participated in several summer intensive programs including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Milwaukee Ballet, and Jacob’s Pillow (Massachusetts).
In the decade following her undergraduate degrees, Jamie performed nationally and internationally with professional dance companies such as—Sacramento Ballet, Ballet Pacifica, Ohio Dance Theatre, and Boulder Ballet, and ascended to the rank of principal dancer. Later with MOMIX, an internationally-recognized company of dancer-illusionists, Johnson performed and served as Dance Captain, danced in over 400 performances
and in eight different countries. Simultaneous with her performing career, she instructed dance. Most significant were the 10 summers she spent teaching at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan.
Returning to academia, Johnson earned an MFA in Dance from the University of Washington with additional certifications in Yoga, Autism Movement Therapy, and Functional Awareness®. In 2015, Jamie joined the faculty of Utah Valley University. From 2015-2024, she served as the Co-Artistic Director of Repertory Ballet Ensemble.
Johnson’s research encompasses choreography and academic publications. Her creative research has been performed by St. Paul Ballet, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, Boulder Ballet II, and the University of Wyoming. Her research has been presented at the National Dance Education Organization, the World Dance Alliance, Corps de Ballet, International and the American College Dance Association conferences. Jamie’s scholarly publications, which investigate inclusive dance pedagogy, appear in the Journal of Dance Education and the Journal of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, & Letters (UASAL). In 2023, Johnson received “Best Paper in the Arts” from UASAL. Additional accolades include a UVU Faculty Excellence Award and a School of the Arts Dean’s Award of Excellence.
Johnson is an Associate Professor of Dance and the Chair of the Department of Dance at Utah Valley University. Jamie, her husband, Jeffrey Nauman, and son, Joseph, reside in Draper, Utah.
NATE VOG EL ‘98 | EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
At O’Gorman High School Nate competed in football, basketball, track, and soccer. Vogel was and awarded 1st Team All-Conference and All-City in football. In basketball he was AllConference, All-Tournament Team, AllCity Team and Team MVP. He was also selected to the SD/Wyoming All-Star Game and the North/South Dakota AllStar Game.
Nate was a four-year letter winner, three-year starter and team captain at Black Hills State University (BHSU). He led the basketball team to a No. 2 national ranking in the 1998-1999 season as well as an appearance in the Elite 8 of the NAIA Tournament. In 2001-2002 he and the team appeared in the Sweet 16. He is a member of the Black Hills State Athletics’ Hall of Fame for the 1998-99 team.
Vogel’s coaching career has led him to many places including Spearfish High School, St. Charles County Lutheran High School, Black Hills State University, and Maryville University. He was also named the head coach of Team USA’s U19 women’s basketball team at the United World Games in Klagenfurt, Austria.
REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL WOJSE ‘89 | EX
Nate spent two seasons as the head coach at Miles Community College (DI NJCAA) in Miles City, MT. He led the Pioneers to a 25-8 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Region IX Tournament Final Four, was named a finalist for NJCAA D1 National Coach of the Year, took the team to the national tournament, was named Region XIII, Mon-Dak Conference, and District D Coach of the Year.
Nate spent five years at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference in Laredo, Texas, where he led the Dustdevils to a program-best 25-7 record, their first ever national ranking (reaching seventeenth in the country), and their highest-ever regional ranking (third). Additionally, ranking in the top 10 nationally in: turnovers forced per game, steals per game, assists per game, free throws made per game, and scoring offense. His time at TAMIU included two All-Americans, 12 All-LSC honorees, and a conference defensive player of the year. He was able to completely change the program around, being ranked in the National Top 25 poll the last four seasons.
Vogel is currently the Head Women’s Basketball coach at Augustana University. He has been married 20 years to his wife, Tracie. They have two children, Cora (8) and Camden (7).
CELLENCE IN SERVICE
Rear Admiral Michael S. Wosje is a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from O’Gorman High School in 1989. He then went onto the University of Notre Dame where he graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Computer Applications and was commissioned through the NROTC program. He subsequently entered flight training and was designated a naval aviator. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Troy University. Operationally, his fleet assignments include the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA- 146) where he completed two deployments onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operation Southern Watch; the Stingers of VFA-113 onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); command of the Valions of VFA-15 onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); and command of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 as part of Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
Ashore, Wosje’s assignments include instructor and training officer of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare
Center; transition pilot at the Hornets of United States Air Force 43rd Fighter Squadron (FS) Tyndall, FL; F-22 Operational Test Director in the Green Bats of 422nd FS Nellis, Nevada; chief of the Cyberspace and Electronic Warfare Operations Division, Joint Staff, J39 Global Operations; executive assistant to the J3, Joint Staff; deputy branch head of Carrier Strike Aircraft and Weapons for the Director of Air Warfare, Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N98; student at the Joint Forces Staff College; branch head of Carrier Strike Aircraft and Weapons for OPNAV N98; executive 21 1/2 assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities N9; and chief of staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, Oeiras, Portugal.
Wosje assumed command of Carrier Strike Group ONE on 06 June 2024. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike and Flight Air Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, along with various campaign and service awards.
Celebrating Excellent Teachers in Catholic Education!
We understand the incredible impact that Bishop O’Gorman Catholic School teachers have on shaping the future generation. We are proud to have an exceptional team of educators who not only deliver high-quality education but also go beyond their duty to ensure our students excel. Their hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students’ success is incredibly appreciated.
Priests, parents, and colleagues have the opportunity to nominate teachers for the Teacher of Excellence award. The program has grown to over 20 teachers recognized for their service to Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools and ten receiving the Teacher of Excellence award and $10,000. We are truly blessed to have these teachers a part of our Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools family, and we are thankful for the positive role they play in our students’ lives.
“I am committed to O’Gorman Junior High because of the strong Catholic and Christian values that are taught and lived out every day in our school, both by students and staff. There really is no place I would rather be. In the world today we need more Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.”
- Julie Manning, OGJH English Teacher & Award Recipient
Awarded Teachers Back Row (Left to Right): Hallee Hall, Leann Schlotterback, Kim Nelson, Megan Harskamp, Katie Breckenridge Front Row (Left to Right): Mike Neufeld, Julie Manning, Katie Kerkvliet, Jeanne Peltier, Nolan Cleary
2024 Teachers of Excellence Award Recipients
KATIE BRECKENRIDGE
3rd Grade Teacher
Holy Spirit Elementary 15 years of service
NOLAN CLEARY
Theology Teacher
O’Gorman High School
7 years of service
HALLEE HALL
Preschool Teacher
St. Mary Elementary 7 years of service
MEGAN HARSKAMP
4th Grade Teacher
Holy Spirit Elementary 6 years of service
KATIE KERKVLIET
Academic Services
O’Gorman High School 15 years of service
JULIE MANNING
English Teacher
O’Gorman Junior High School 10 years of service
KIM NELSON
Kindergarten Teacher
Christ The King Elementary 7 years of service
MIKE NEUFELD
Social Science Teacher
O’Gorman Junior High School 28 years of service
JEANNE PELTIER
Academic Services
O’Gorman Junior High School 16 years of service
LEANN SCHLOTTERBACK
3rd Grade Teacher
St. Mary Elementary 7 years of service
Congratulations to all the nominees and the recipients. Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools is blessed with amazing and talented professionals who guide our students at all levels!
If you would like to learn more about the Teacher of Excellence awards, please visit the “About” tab at www.ogknights.org.
O’Gorman Junior High’s First LEGO League Championship: A Journey of Innovation and Teamwork
By Rachael Kapperman (‘11), Director of Marketing and Communications
First LEGO League is not just about building robots; it’s a comprehensive test of innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through fun and exciting, hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together.
The OGJH LEGO League Club meets multiple times a week to get ready for the main event of the
year: The First LEGO League Championship. Teams from all over the country gather to showcase their abilities in various categories, each contributing to the overall Championship Score. As teams delve into the competition, they are faced with challenges that push them to their limits, requiring them to excel not only in building and programming robots but also in innovation, embodying core values, and presenting innovative solutions. The OGJH team placed 2nd overall out of 28 teams at the State LEGO League Competition in February of 2024!
Competition Experience: A Balanced Approach
In the First LEGO League Championship, success isn’t determined by excelling in just one category but by achieving excellence across the board. With each of the four main categories—Innovation, Robot Design, Robot Game, and Core Values—contributing equally to the overall championship score, teams must find a balance to secure victory.
In Robot Design and Robot Game categories, teams must meticulously plan, design, build, and program their robots to tackle the challenges presented on the playing field. From identifying mission objectives to coding precise movements, every step is critical to success.
Dave Dengler, the OGJH LEGO League coach, shares a success, “A major accomplishment this team had was the use of color sensors mounted on the robot that allowed the robot to move autonomously following a black line on the playing field, making movement more accurate and efficient. The use of color sensors is rarely used by other teams because of the complexity of the code.” Using innovative approaches such as this set the OGJH team apart from their competition and demonstrate their engineering prowess.
Core Values are among the other variables that play into the championship score. They are not just words but guiding principles that shape teams’ behavior and interactions throughout the competition. Emphasizing teamwork, inclusion, impact, fun, discovery, and innovation, teams must embody these values in every aspect of their work, from collaboration to competition.
Innovation: Solving Real-World Problems
The Innovation category challenges teams to address realworld problems creatively. This year’s
theme—exploring how hobbies and interests can be shared creatively—prompted teams to devise innovative solutions. Dave gives an example, “Our team’s focus was on a Ski With Me mobile application that would provide skiers the ability to sign-up on the application and look for a skiing partner who may be of similar age, skill, or activity. The team met with Great Bear Ski Valley to get ideas and thoughts, and also sent out a survey to obtain feedback with over 150 entries. The team created a mock-up in PowerPoint of all the pages of the mobile application, and how it would interact and work.”
The teamwork and use of all the Core Values, put the OGJH team on top in three of the four categories. Dave shares, “As coaches, we walked out of the judges’ session flabbergasted at their use of all the Core Values. Not surprised, as these Core Values are the essence of the OGJH School and what they experience every day. A true testament of what the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools have to offer.”
Prepared for Nationals: Perfecting Performance
As the team geared up for the National Competition in Long Beach, California, the focus shifted to perfecting and refining their solutions. For Robot Game, that entailed maximizing efficiency and accuracy to complete all missions within the allotted time. Innovations, such as the Ski With Me app, underwent further development, with teams exploring options to make them a reality. The Nationals experience was a fantastic adventure for the OGJH students, filled with memorable moments and a sense of accomplishment.
Behind the Scenes: Practices and Proud Moments
Behind every successful team are hours of dedicated practice and unwavering support. Weekly meetings and weekend sessions are filled with brainstorming, designing, and testing.
Continued on next page
Coaches guide students through challenges, but it’s the students’ ingenuity and hard work that drive progress.
Dave became a coach because of his son’s early interest in LEGOs. He says, “This is my third year of watching these students’ minds evolve, grow, problem solve, while enjoying things they love to do with others. The light bulbs I’ve seen turn on are many!” From mastering core values to making strategic decisions during competition, each success is a testament to the team’s dedication and resilience.
Conclusion: More Than Just Building Blocks
The First LEGO League is more than just building robots; it’s a platform for young minds to innovate, collaborate, and inspire. As teams navigate the challenges and triumphs of competition, they not only hone their technical skills but also cultivate values that will serve them well beyond the competition arena. With each competition, they prove that with creativity, teamwork, and perseverance, anything is possible.
Back Row (Left to Right): Dave Dengler (Coach), Conner Henriksen (8th), Liam Sweetman (7th), Joe Kunz (8th), David Jirik (8th), Jackie Henriksen (Coach)
Front Row (Left to Right): Grayson Schuring (7th), Colby Dengler (7th), Chris Van Bochove (7th), Luke Bell (7th)
Not Pictured: Joleen Schuring (Coach)
Thursday May 1st, 2025
GO GIVE O†G Day is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude and to give back to help those that desire the same Catholic education we were all fortunate enough to receive. Currently 44% of students at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools receive tuition assistance.
Both east and west side Dunn Brothers Coffee in Sioux Falls will donate 25% of their proceeds for the day on May 1st to Go Give O†G Day of Giving!
In 2024, the 1960's won the Decade Challenge. Who will win this year? Challenge your friends to give!
Gift Card Program
What it is and How to Use it!
• Give a gift
• Get groceries
• Balance your budget
Presents with Purpose
Buy gift cards from 750+ brands to use for your shopping and gifting. It’s the easiest way to raise funds for Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools and the people that matter most to you!
How it works
Buy Gift Cards
You get the full value of the card. Shop from 750+ popular brands.
Earn
Funds
The brand gives back and the earnings are distributed to Bishop O’Gorman's fundraising program.
Allocate Earnings Select where you want your rebate applied in January!
Rebecca Jongeling is a Bishop O’Gorman Catholic School parent and business owner. Take it from her on how to get the most out of the Gift Card Program.
Why do you use the gift card program?
We love using the program because it’s everyday essentials that we need for our family, it earns money toward tuition, and also goes back to the school. You don’t even have to try or spend extra money. It’s just spending money on things that you are already buying and getting money back.
Why do you choose to give back using the gift card program?
I graduated from O’Gorman, and I just loved my time there. I came away with a top-notch education going into college. I always knew that when I had children, I really wanted them to go to Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools. We have two children at St. Michael’s right now. We love the teachers and the staff and what they do for our children. Even though we’re not Catholic, I love that my kids know they are surrounded by love and God in their life a little bit more every day.
A Gift Card for
Everyone and Everything
Look for these icons to filter your search or shop by card type in the app or on RaiseRight.com
Physical Gift Card
Reloadable Card
eGift Card
How to Order
Already have a RaiseRight account?
Order on the RaiseRight mobile app or on the RaiseRight.com website.
Don’t have an account yet?
Follow the easy steps to get started at RaiseRight.com/m/StartEarning. Email giftcards@ogknights.org to get your organization’s unique enrollment code.
Want to support without setting up an account?
Purchase cards after Mass, at the Parish Office, or at the Central Office
How do you use the gift card program for personal and business use?
Personally, we’ve used the physical gift cards for going to HyVee to buy groceries or getting gas at Get N Go. On the business side, we use gift cards to do a lot of community outreach and giving back to the community. We also use gift cards for things that our business needs like lumber from Home Depot or Menards and travel on Delta Airlines.
50/50 Split
With the purchase of every gift card . . .
50% Goes towards your students’ tuition helping with the cost of education.
50% Goes back to Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools to enhance educational programs, facilities, and resources.
What do you like about the RaiseRight app?
I really like using the RaiseRight app as well as the physical gift cards because they will have bonus days where there are different stores that will do extra rebates. Let’s say you are out at the mall and want to go shopping at Old Navy, Athleta, or Banana Republic, those stores may have almost 20% rebates and half of that rebate goes to the school and half of it can go to your kids’ tuition account. It’s just an easy way versus using a credit card or cash where you might make only 1 – 3%.
For Example:
$400 in gift cards on monthly groceries...
• 5% back is $20
• 50% of that: $10 goes to school
• 50% of that: $10 goes to your student’s tuition
That is $120 for the year (12 months) just on groceries!
Add gas, eating out, house projects, clothing, and more – that amount adds up fast!
Kevin Cinc ‘86 and his wife Heather moved back to Brookings after living in MN since 1994. He is a Quality Engineer for Quality Tool. It’s great to be back in South Dakota!!
Andrea Floren ‘95 debuted her children’s picture book, “In the Groves” on September 10, 2024 through Penguin Workshop.
Peter Gengler ‘02 began working as a historian for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Casey Raaen ‘09 became the owner of Los Campeones Sioux Falls in the Fall of 2024.
Alisha Hershman ‘11 married Troy Mildenberger on May 4, 2024 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lima, MN.
James Orlando ‘11 was recognized in Food & Wine magazine for having the “Best pizza in Hawaii”!
Kaitlin Scott ‘15 earns Early Career Award for teaching French at Harding High School in St. Paul, MN. She was presented the award at the Minnesota World Language Teacher Conference.
Olivia ‘16 and Jacob Otta ‘16 celebrated their one year anniversary in July. They remember how on several occasions, the Matchomatics Questionnaires OGHS used to hand out just before Valentine’s day, matched them as the #1 for each other out of the entire class. With that, they would like to thank O†G and Matchomatics for why they are married today! Here is the transition from Freshman formal at OGHS to their wedding day.
Paige Heitkamp ‘17 graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2020 and from the Baylor University School of Law with her Juris Doctor in July 2023. She took and passed the July 2023 Texas Bar Exam. Paige is currently practicing law in Dallas, Texas, where she specializes in professional liability defense for architects, engineers, and lawyers.
Sister Mary Colette of Our Mother Most Pure (Laura Klein ‘08) made her solemn profession of vows as a Poor Clare Colettine nun, during a Holy Mass September 14th, 2024 at Corpus Christi Monastery in Rockfofd, Illinois.
GET A HEAD START ON YEAR-END TAX PLANNING
For most of us, our financial priorities can be narrowed down to two primary goals: paying less in taxes and having income that will last our entire lives.
The year-end is a perfect time to consider some minor adjustments that can help secure both goals while giving back to Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools. With the right tools, you can save on taxes, increase your income, and help others while helping yourself.
MAY WE HELP?
If you would like to learn about end-of-year planning strategies, please contact us. We can help you create a plan that meets your needs and goals.
The 34th Annual O’Gorman Golf Classic
was a successful day for the Athletic Boosters! Held on September 23rd at Spring Creek Golf Course, close to 100 participants enjoyed a beautiful day of golf! The tradition of the O’Gorman Golf Classic was started by devoted parents of O’Gorman High School students as a way to generate extra income to help offset athletic costs. The Msgr. Andraschko Cup was introduced as a way to recognize Andraschko’s dedication to golf and the top flight of each tournament. Adding to last year’s list of names will be this September’s winners: Msgr. James Andraschko, Pat McGinnis, Rod Fieldsend, and JR Fieldsend.
A special thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors who support this event. This year we raised close to $20,000 for all athletic activities at O’Gorman High School!
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2025 GOLF CLASSIC Monday, September 22 at Spring Creek Golf Course Shotgun start at noon.
High School Reunions—because you can’t give a hug on social media!
Yes, even though you may know what your classmates have been up to via their Facebook or Instagram pages, there is nothing like seeing a friend in person. That’s why it’s so important for our alumni to come back ‘home.’
Upcoming
CLASS OF 1970 – 55TH REUNION
• The Class of 1970 will be celebrating their 55th Class Reunion in August or September of 2025! Please follow the O’Gorman Class of 70 page on Facebook and look for more details to follow.
REGIONAL REUNION EVENT
Inviting all alumni and friends of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools for a Regional Reunion on April 10, 2025 at Pinstripes in Edina, MN!
• Gather and Celebrate with us! We are looking for friends to help us spread the word about this fantastic event!
Please email Summer Wagner at swagner@ogknights.org for more details!
Past
CLASS OF 1974
CLASS OF 2010 MAKE-UP REUNION
It’s happening! The long-awaited Class of 2010 reunion is set for June 28, 2025 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. location details coming soon.
• Grads from 2010 are all welcome to join and bring a guest with them. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $25 PER PERSON. To purchase a ticket please Venmo Liz (Bunkers) Fagerness at her Venmo handle: @Liz_Bunkers_Fagerness (last four digits of her phone number 2586). In the comments please say “2010 Reunion, your name, and the number of tickets you are purchasing.” *Tickets are nonrefundable* Ticket sales end June 12, 2025.
To learn more email Liz at liz.fagerness@gmail.com or Dawn (Williams) Burns at dtwilliams614@gmail.com
The Class of 1974 held their 50th class reunion in June of this year. It was a great reunion connecting with classmates. Friday night June 28 we joined up with Lincoln and Washington downtown at the Shrine. Saturday night we had just OG Classmates at Minnehaha Country Club.
Back Row Left to Right: Rich Marion, Sandy Runge Marion, Dean Nichols, Greg Josten
Second Row Left to Right: Jean Leimbach Nichols, Joan Leimbach Brust, Steve Billion, John Harris, Pat Oswald, Tom Mulhair
Back Row Left to Right: Chic Burkey Pyper, Pam Carter, Tom Fitzgibbons, Pat Enderson, Kevin Kontz, Bill Pederson, Greg Josten, Fred Agnew, Steve Billion, Rod Pierce, Dan Johnson
Third Row Left to Right: Mary Jamison Devish, Jean Leimbach Nichols, Scott Neuroth, Brian Galvin, Sandy Runge Marion, Cathy Homan Bohms, Teresa Nedved Woodward
Front Row Left to Right: Mary Meyer Reiter, Mary Harris Taylor, Linda Ripley Podvin, Mike Winkelpleck All details can be found at: www.ogknights.org/alumni/alumni/event-reunion-calendar
Front Row Left to Right: Nancy Norberg Gustaf, Londa Ripley Podvin, Jacque Vick Callis, Pat Oswald, Tom Mulhair, Erin Grogan Goetzinger, Joan Leimbach Brust, Patty Walsh Cornell, John Harris, Sue Anne Gilmore Kidd, Maureen Purtell Suga, Mary Harris Taylor
ALUMNI:
‘42 Fred Mundt, passed away on August 10, 2024 in Orange Park, FL.
‘45 John Steece, passed away on August 25, 2024 in Luverne, MN.
‘48 Warren Friessen, passed away on April 2, 2024 in Sioux Falls, SD.
‘51 Shirley Jamison, passed away on May 26, 2024 in Sioux Falls, SD.
‘52 Joyce (Nelsen) Larscheid, passed away on March 20, 2023 in Cheyenne, WY.
‘55 James Denevan, passed away on May 17, 2024 in Sioux Falls, SD.
‘55 Greg Naughton, passed away on May 24, 2024 in Sioux Falls, SD.
‘59 Judy Armbruster, passed away on October 11, 2024 in Norfolk, NE.
‘64 Timothy Reilly, passed away on September 25, 2024 in Lansing, MI.
‘65 Donald Hendricksen, passed away on July 8, 2024 in Cheyenne, WY.
‘66 LaJeanne (Cero) Wright, passed away on January 21, 2024 in Sioux Falls, SD.
‘70 Anne Merrill (Duerst), passed away on July 24, 2024 in Penn Valley, CA.
‘72 Joseph “Joe” Agnew, passed away on September 23, 2024 in Amboy, WA.
‘78 Fr. Paul Josten, passed away on May 24, 2024 in Miller, SD.
‘79 Gerald “Jerry” Barnett, passed away on July 5, 2024 in the Colorado Rockies.
‘81 Charles Fischer, passed away on June 12, 2024 in Murfreesboro, TN.
‘81 Richard Glenski, passed away on December 16, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.
‘88 Tamara “Tammie” (Cinc) Olson, passed away on September 1, 2024 in Seattle, WA.
‘93 Brady Lynch, passed away on June 25, 2024 in Sioux Falls, SD.
FAMILY & FRIENDS OF ALUMNI:
Mary Donnelly, mother of Jeff ‘75, Paul '77, Patrick, Katie, and Meghan.
Roxanne DuBois, mother of Danny ‘05, and Donielle ‘03.
Masako Gould, mother of Barb ‘87, and Tom ‘89.
Robert “Bob” Hall, father of Elizabeth ‘93 and Allison ‘96.
Sheila Hoffman, mother of Deborah ‘76, Stephen ‘77, and Jane ‘82.
Rick Hoogendoorn, father of April, Andrea ‘02, and Rachael ‘07.
John Knudtson, father of Ken ‘82 and Kathleen ‘86.
Elery “Skip” Lewis father of Lisa ‘83, Kathy ‘88, and David ‘92.
Dr. Samuel Lukens, father of Jeff ‘76, Steve ‘79, Jane ‘81, and Diana ‘82.
Ronald Wingert, father of Susan ‘73, Ann, Janet ‘77, Thomas ‘78, Charles, Nancy ‘80, Sharon ‘82, Julie ‘83, Jenifer ‘89, and Christine ‘91.
“In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest. Amen.”
