Aquila Pathways to Success
SUMMER 2026
ROCHESTER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Stories of Faith, Purpose, Progress and Leadership
PRESIDENT'S LETTER Dear Rochester Catholic Schools Community, As summer draws to a close and we prepare to welcome our students, families, faculty, and staff back for another school year, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. The beginning of a new academic year is always a time of hope and a season of fresh opportunities, renewed purpose, and countless possibilities for growth.
"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I continue to be deeply grateful for the privilege of serving Rochester Catholic Schools and for the opportunity to walk alongside a community so committed to forming students in our Catholic faith, knowledge, and service. Throughout the summer months, our campuses have remained active as dedicated faculty and staff led summer programs, enhanced learning environments, and planned engaging experiences that will inspire our students from the very first day of school. Behind the scenes, countless individuals have worked diligently to ensure that every child is welcomed into a safe, nurturing, and Christ centered environment where they can flourish academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we remain steadfast in our mission of educating the whole child, mind, body, and spirit. Across Holy Spirit, St. Francis of Assisi, the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, St. Pius X, and Lourdes High School, our commitment to excellence continues to guide every decision we make. We are blessed with exceptional teachers, dedicated principals, committed leaders and caring staff members who recognize the unique God given gifts within every student and work tirelessly to help those gifts grow. One of the greatest strengths of Rochester Catholic Schools is the partnership we share with our families, parishes, alumni, benefactors, and the broader Rochester community. Together, we create an environment where students are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, serve others with compassion, lead with integrity, and deepen their relationship with Christ. Your continued support, trust, and prayers make our mission possible, and I am sincerely thankful for all that you do to strengthen our schools. This year, we look forward to building upon our tradition of excellence while embracing new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and faith formation. Whether it is a child's first day of preschool, a student beginning middle school, or a senior preparing for graduation, every milestone reflects our shared commitment to helping young people discover their purpose and become faithful disciples and servant leaders in our world. As we open our doors this fall, I invite each member of our Rochester Catholic Schools community to begin the year with joyful hearts and hopeful spirits. Together, let us continue to foster classrooms where curiosity is encouraged, faith is strengthened, friendships are formed, and every student knows they are valued, loved, and called to greatness. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our Rochester Catholic Schools. It is a blessing to serve this remarkable community. I look forward to another year of learning, celebrating, growing in faith, and witnessing the incredible accomplishments of our students. May God bless each of you and your families as we begin a wonderful new school year. With gratitude and prayers, Tina Monosmith President Rochester Catholic Schools
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Table of Contents President’s Letter...................................................................................................................... 2 Cover Story - Pathways to Success.............................................................................. 4-6 Activities Roundup.............................................................................................................. 7-8 President's Gala Awardees.................................................................................................... 9 Invest in the Future................................................................................................................ 10 Counselors Corner - Summer Splash........................................................................ 11-12 Reunion Revival....................................................................................................................... 13 Lourdes High School Hall of Fame................................................................................... 14 The Eagle Community Continues to Grow.................................................................... 15 Spreading our Wings, Day of Giving and Catholic Schools Week....................... 16 Alumni Class Notes......................................................................................................... 17-18 Lourdes Foundation............................................................................................................... 19
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Pathways to Success THE LOURDES
By Andrea Gibbs
A Lourdes High School education prepares students for innumerable possibilities in their future. With an array of both high school and college classes available to students, an education can become personalized. Students can lean into their interests and strengths to explore a variety of opportunities both in and outside of the classroom to help guide their future path. For Adam Sellner '24, mentorship and exposure to craftsmanship began at home. From a young age, Adam and his dad, Chris, worked side by side, as Adam learned basic woodworking from his father's expertise. Post-high school was a smooth transition as Adam continued to use his cabinet-making skills as a professional. He credits Coach Kessler and Lourdes' English teacher, Ms. Brown, for instilling in him a desire for professionalism, a strong work ethic, and perseverance. Along with his solid Catholic faith, beginning all the way back at St. Francis of Assisi School, he felt grounded in his faith as he left the bubble of Catholic Schools for the real world. Adam plans to continue to create woodworking projects as side endeavors to his full-time job and eventually open his own shop. Sam Theobald '25 is entering the trades this fall, although he took a longer path. After graduating in 2025, Sam felt more than prepared to take college classes. He realized, though, that he felt called to pivot and enter the workforce instead. For the past year, Sam has had several work opportunities and recently applied to the union. His plan to work for commercial electrical is through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
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He is excited for this new path before him, and looking back, is grateful to the staff at Lourdes who supported him over the years. Basketball Coach Noah Rajtaris is most notable to Sam for being a positive influence on students' lives. Hannah Anowie’s family arrived in Minnesota in 2018. When she began her RCS education at Lourdes, she noted that it had a similar feel to her Catholic school back in Ghana. Sarah Groven, Director of Counseling at Lourdes High School, was a key mentor in Hannah’s high school experience. Hannah wanted to explore all the options after her graduation in 2026. The robust mathematics, business, and finance course offerings at Lourdes allowed Hannah to dive deep into learning about all aspects of finance. Mathematics teacher Mr. Hanson was a steady presence in Hannah's education with anything related to numbers. Having a keen interest in making her money go as far as possible, Hannah was able to build a plan that would best set her up for budgeting for the future. Rochester Community and Technical College will be Hannah’s educational home for the next two years while she studies marketing, with an emphasis on digital marketing. After that, Hannah plans to finish her education at the University of St Thomas. Her marketing path was propelled forward with the help of the LHS Mentorship Program, where high school juniors and seniors are partnered with hands-on mentorship experience to learn more about their potential career field. Joanna Park '26 also benefited from the LHS Mentorship Program. This early career exposure, along with the leadership opportunity in the Mayo Lab program, has helped Joanna feel ready for her
post-high-school experience. After being named a National Merit Scholar in her senior year at Lourdes, Joanna heads off this fall to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to study biochemistry and music. After that, Joanna hopes to pursue her MD/ Ph.D. in Pathology. Exposure to Lourdes' strong math and science programs was a strong draw for the Park family to choose LHS. Joanna notes that Honors Chemistry and AP Biology classes were beneficial for her entrance into Mayo Lab. Over her four years at Lourdes, Joanna has been able to participate in a long list of extracurricular activities, many of them
music related. As a new freshman class enters LHS this year, Joanna encourages them to get involved, take advantage of the extracurricular activities, and to get to know the school staff well. While these four recent alumni chose four differing paths post-Lourdes, their journeys prove there is no single definition of post-high school success. With the strong background in faith and life lessons taught by teachers in the classroom and coaches on the court or field, these alumni felt supported through their RCS education. Their stories remind us to continue to be lifelong learners, open to whatever next steps come our way.
THE RCS LAUNCH PAD: Shaping Generations of Servant Leaders Our faith tradition implores us to use our lives well and in service to others. Summed up by Swiss theologian Han Urs von Balthasar famously: “What you are is God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God.” Since its beginning in 1877, Lourdes has sent forth from its halls Catholic servant leaders who desire to live their lives with purpose. In this issue of the Aquila, we highlight three alumni- a dedicated classroom teacher, a retired CEO, and a newly ordained parish priest- who share a singular, foundational bond of modeling servant leadership. For Brenna Schmitt, the phenomenal Lourdes High School teachers modeled excellence in teaching in such a way that she was confident she, too, would be a high school teacher to carry on that legacy. Much to her surprise, she has found her niche not with graduating seniors but with the very youngest students. Brenna is going on her 9th year at St. Pius as a preschool teacher and she doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. Brenna is grateful to serve RCS families and shared that throughout every part of the school year, faith is just woven into their daily lives.
Her career at St. Pius is more than just work; it has been her family and her community since she began there as a student back in 2003. When asked about role models in faith and education, Brenna did not hesitate to share her list of influential Lourdes staff, such as Bob Gardener and Dave Jenson. Adding in that St. John’s teacher Pam Smith was also instrumental, even helping tutor Brenna during grad school, “It’s just a culture; we show up for each other.” Making life come full circle, Brenna had the joy of passing on the faith to the kids and grandkids of her role models as students in her own classroom. Up in Minneapolis, Tim Marx recently retired from the role of CEO of Catholic Charities. For more than 150 years, Catholic Charities has been an integral part of the Twin Cities community, serving the most vulnerable neighbors. Now, Tim is back practicing law with Winthrop and Weinstein, where he aspires to work to bring people together to advance an economically vital and socially just society. His base model for serving the community was rooted in his childhood family home and exemplified again in the countless Sisters and priests he encountered during his school experience at RCS. Back during his days roaming the halls at Lourdes,
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Shaping Generations continued from page 5 Tim had the opportunity to serve on the student council, which gave him various opportunities to serve others. He particularly remembers the volunteer service with the elderly members of the Rochester community as being impactful to him. Tim encourages the current Lourdes students to get involved and take advantage of the great opportunities at Lourdes. He implores the students to “develop relationships with classmates and appreciate everybody for who they are because they are all entitled to recognition and dignity.” Reflecting on his Lourdes classmates, Tim is “grateful for those relationships and for having gotten to know what interesting and broad lives of contribution that all of them, in some way, have provided.” For Father Becher, his path to servant leadership has been strongly influenced by decades of Catholic education, starting out with elementary education years at St. Pius, and culminating recently at St. John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, where he recently graduated and was ordained a priest. He currently is serving as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington, MN. Looking back at his RCS education, Fr. Becher is most grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to foreign languages, including French and Spanish. Early language exposure has helped him as a student and now in his role of serving others. Another influential element of Fr. Becher’s Lourdes education came not from within the classroom but on the football field. He recalls the infamous clipboard speech that Coach Mike Kesler gave at the beginning of the season, every year. Coach Kesseler led the team in prayer at every game and modeled Catholic life in his actions. Fr. Becher shares that “you also just got the sense that the man lived his faith too. It was just very important to him, and he really wanted it to be important to you.” A common thread for all three alumni, as a key element in their RCS education, is the Lourdes Chapel. Tim remembers the daily noon Masses being the reset midday while he was in high school. Fr. Becher shares that “frankly just having the
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“develop relationships with classmates and appreciate everybody for who they are because they are all entitled to recognition and dignity.”
Chapel there and being able to go into the Chapel anytime you were free during the day to pray was important.” Brenna echoes that the Chapel is a place where she found peace. There is an undeniable truth to the power of Christ's presence that draws us to Him. Although Brenna, Tim, and Fr. Becher serve in three distinct roles in three very different communities, their lives intersect with faith and action. Our RCS foundation of faith, academics, and service influenced each of them to desire to serve their communities. As we read in 1 Peter 4:10 “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” Although Catholic education has long been recognized for its academic rigor, its truest legacy lies in the cultivation of practiced servant leadership.
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“you also just got the sense that the man lived his faith too. It was just very important to him, and he really wanted it to be important to you.”
Activities ROUND UP
The Lourdes High School boys tennis team celebrated a successful season, highlighted by stellar individual and doubles performances at the Class A State Tournament. Senior Evan Ritter secured the Class A State Individual Championship, capping off a remarkable run as the #1 seed, while the doubles pair of senior Andrew Fink and junior Joseph Palen earned a 4th place finish in the Class A Individual Doubles State Tournament. Pictured left to right, Evan Ritter, Andrew Fink and Joseph Palen.
Lourdes High School golfers Paige Moeschler and Owen Hoehn represented the school well at the Class AA State tournament, held at The Ridges at Sand Creek on June 9 and 10. Paige Moeschler concluded the tournament in 41st place with a two-day combined score of 172 (86, 86), while Owen Hoehn secured a 37th-place finish with a two-day score of 154 (80, 74).
In April 2026, Lourdes High School art students participated in the MSHSL Visual Arts Festival, where artwork submissions from three students—Evangeline Bergmann, Kyla O'Connor, and Lyvattanac Vann (not pictured) —were selected as "Best of Site." Following this accomplishment, the students were invited to present their work and receive recognition at the MSHSL 2026 Visual Arts State Festival, held on Saturday, May 9th, at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, MN.
The 25th annual "Night of Music-Live at Lourdes," held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, was a resounding success. The showcase, hosted in the Lourdes auditorium, featured a wide array of musical talent, including soloists and ensembles from the Lourdes Music Department.
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Activities Round Up continued from page 7
To see ALL of the fun from this school year, us on Facebook and Instagram! @ROCHESTERCATHOLICSCHOOLS
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The Lourdes Eagles Girls Basketball Team secured the Class AA Consolation Championship by defeating Minnehaha Academy with a final score of 71-40.
On Friday, January 9, 2026, Lourdes High School junior Aaliyah Williams reached a significant athletic milestone by surpassing 1,000 career points. Her role as a key scorer for the Eagles has remained a highlight throughout the season, as noted in subsequent game reporting where she recorded a team-high 22 points during a matchup against Triton on January 29, 2026 In October 2025, the Lourdes High School Girls Cross Country team secured a 2nd place finish at their Section meet, which successfully advanced the team to the State tournament.
In March 2026, the Lourdes High School drumline earned 1st place in their class at the competition held at Buffalo High School. This victory served as a testament to the dedication and extensive hard work the group invested during the clinic days and rehearsals leading up to the event.
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Lourdes High School recently presented a vibrant production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Co-directed by Sarah J. Leigh and Peter Fourniea, this memorable performance brought the classic biblical story to life on stage. It was a spirited highlight of the school year that captivated audiences this past April.
I NAU GU RAL
Saints & Scholars PRESIDENT’S GALA The inaugural Saints & Scholars President’s Gala was far more than a fundraiser; it was a powerful testament to the strength and vitality of the Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) community. On this special evening, alumni, faculty, families, and friends gathered to celebrate our shared mission—forming the "whole person" by nurturing the mind, heart, and soul of every student. Together, we raised over $125,000, with every dollar dedicated to investing directly in Rochester Catholic Schools. These funds are already hard at work providing immediate tuition assistance and enhancing instructional support, ensuring our classrooms remain places where faith and academic excellence flourish. Attendees were moved by poignant student testimonials, which reminded us all why we do this important work. The evening also provided a platform to honor our exceptional award recipients and recognize the dedicated teachers and staff who remain the backbone of RCS. As we close the book on this successful inaugural event, we are already looking toward the horizon. The momentum generated by this gala is fueling our preparations for a major milestone: Rochester Catholic Schools will kick off celebrating our 150 years of excellence in 2027 with our next President’s Gala on January 16, 2027! We are so grateful to everyone who walked alongside us to make this night a reality, from our sponsors and planning committee to every guest who shared their time and treasure.
Our Awardees
Sgt. Joel Blahnik (left), Sgt. Jean Valere (right) & the Rochester Police Department Make a Difference Award
View the gallery
Megan Garrity-Park Everyday Hero Award
Laurie Keller St. Joseph Award
Save the Date! JANUARY 16, 2027
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INVEST IN THE FUTURE:
WHY GIVING BACK SUSTAINS THE RCS LEGACY For generations, the "Nest" has been a sacred space for Rochester Catholic Schools alumni. Whether at St. Francis of Assisi, our grade schools, or Lourdes High School, RCS has provided a community of faith, belonging, and shared values. Today, RCS continues to shape over 1,300 students into compassionate, faith-filled leaders. Our academic excellence is clear: a 15:1 student-toteacher ratio, strong standardized test scores, and 98% of graduates moving on to higher education, the military, or sports. Maintaining this standard requires collective support. Tuition covers only a portion of the cost, making the RCS Annual Fund essential to keeping our education accessible. Last year, families needed over $2.18 million in assistance. While we awarded over $2.07 million in scholarships, a significant gap remains. Your contribution directly impacts three pillars: • Tuition Assistance: Helping families access a Christ-centered education. • Academic Excellence: Recruiting and retaining the best educators. • Innovative Learning: Updating curriculum and classroom resources. Consider the impact: families like the Gangs, who sacrificed much to relocate here, rely on donor generosity to provide their children with a faith-rooted future. As alumna and trustee Melissa Saunders notes, "Supporting RCS ensures that this transformative education continues... It's our way of giving back to a community that has given us so much." As an alumnus, you are part of our "one big family." We invite you to prayerfully consider making a special gift this Fall. Every contribution— whether $100, $500, or $1,000—makes a profound difference.
Blessings, Jennifer Teske Director of Institutional Advancement
Please reflect on your time at RCS and invest in our future today by visiting rcsmn.org/support-rcs/make-a-gift-today or scanning the QR code.
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COUNSELORS CORNER
Summer Splash HELPING SENIORS DREAM BOLDLY AND PLAN WISELY
For many Lourdes seniors, the journey from high school to “what comes next” begins with a threehour summer workshop that has quietly become one of the school’s most impactful traditions: Summer Splash. Now entering its fifth year, Summer Splash is a three-hour, small-group workshop offered on three different dates each summer so seniors can choose the session that best fits their work and vacation schedules. Lourdes Senior Counselor, Sarah Groven, explains that the workshop is designed to meet students exactly where they are in the post–high school planning process—whether they’ve barely thought about applications or already have a colorcoded college spreadsheet.
Making the Process Less Scary—and More Doable The college process can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Summer Splash is intentionally designed to make it manageable, concrete, and even fun.
More Than Applications: Starting with “Why” What makes Summer Splash unique is that it doesn’t start with deadlines and forms. It starts with discernment. In the opening portion of the workshop, students are asked to step back and reflect on what they actually want for life after graduation. They discuss questions such as:
During the workshop, students:
•
•
• • •
Are you drawn to a large university or a smaller, close-knit campus? Do you want to stay close to home or explore another part of the country? How will a Catholic/Christian environment be important to you? Are you considering four-year college, community college, work, travel, or a gap year?
Students share their hopes and dreams with one another in an honest, supportive setting. Naming those dreams out loud—while they’re starting to become real—helps seniors move from vague ideas to intentional plans.
• • •
Get an introduction to the Common Application and often begin filling it out on the spot Discuss application timelines, including early dates like November 1 and November 15 Learn to build a balanced list of reach, dream, and “just right” schools Talk through admission requirements and what makes a college a good fit
Each participant leaves with a tangible folder— yes, real paper—that lives on the kitchen counter rather than getting lost in a digital inbox. Inside are tools and prompts that spark meaningful family conversations, including:
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Summer Splash continued from page 11
• • •
A prioritization exercise where students rank what matters most (tuition, location, campus life, activities, etc.) A blank version of that exercise for a parent to complete, highlighting where values and expectations align—or don’t Guidance on letters of recommendation, an education résumé, and other application essentials
Parents often report that this simple packet becomes the starting point for some of the most important conversations they have with their senior.
Intentional Support in a Personal Setting While many schools offer some level of college guidance, Summer Splash reflects Lourdes’ commitment to intentional, relational support. With a smaller student body, counselors can truly meet students where they are—whether they’re just beginning to think about life after graduation or are already deep into the application process. Participation is strong: in a recent class of about 100 seniors, approximately 60 took part in Summer Splash. Most students apply to four or five colleges, and the workshop helps them be intentional about why each school is on their list. Students come with a wide range of questions— from highly specific (“How do I handle this particular college’s essay prompt?”) to very general (“I don’t even know where to start.”). The workshop structure allows for both group discussion and one-on-one check-ins with Mrs. Groven during the session, ensuring that each student receives personalized guidance.
Impact that Lasts Beyond Senior Year The value of Summer Splash often becomes even clearer in hindsight. One recent senior, Ayla Strank ’26, returned to express her gratitude after
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completing her applications and finalizing her plans. She credited Summer Splash with helping her sort through her options and clarify what she really wanted—ultimately leading her to San Diego for her next chapter. Stories like Ayla’s underscore what makes Summer Splash truly distinctive: • • •
It treats the college process not just as a task list, but as a time of discernment and growth. It engages students and families together, fostering shared understanding and realistic expectations. It reflects Lourdes’ core commitment that every student is seen, cared for, and supported—not only in their daily life at school, but in their transition to what comes next.
Revival Reunion
Information about upcoming reunions and photos from past reunions are also posted on the RCS Alumni Reunion webpage at rcsmn.org/reunions. If your class is planning a reunion, please contact us at alumni@rcsmn.org. We are happy to supply a class list, schedule a Mass and tour at Lourdes High School, and include your information on our webpage.
Upcoming Reunions Lourdes Class of 1961 • 65th Reunion Celebration Thursday, September 17 - 1-5 pm at Five West Reunion Contact: Lennie Broich, lennie@bevcomm.net, 507-358-2709 Lourdes Class of 1966 • 60th Reunion Celebration • John Marshall & Lourdes High School Friday, August 21 at Empire Event Center Joint celebration with JM & LHS grads. Happy hour 4-6 pm. Dinner 6-8 and Live Music 8 - 11 pm. Saturday, August 22 - Rochester VFW Happy hour starts at 5 pm. Food can be ordered from the VFW kitchen. A short program will start at 7 pm. Reunion contacts: Rich Daly at 507-884-6250, richdalyx5@gmail.com and Peggy (Maren) Boege at 507-271-2290, jboege@bevcomm.net. Lourdes Class of 1976 • 50th Reunion Celebration Friday, September 25 - 5-10 pm at Whistle Binkies South Homecoming Football game starting at 7 pm at RCTC Stadium Saturday, September 26 - Tour of Lourdes High School at 10 am - Coffee & Donuts / Golf at Soldiers Field Easy Going Best Ball Golf. RSVP with Chris Miller at cjm.jahm@gmail.com / Reunion Celebration 2.0 The After Party - starting at 6 pm at Charlie's Eatery & Pub Reunion Contact: Dan Chrysler, danchrysler@icloud.com, 612-222-9011 Lourdes Class of 1980 & 1981 • 45th Reunion Celebration Friday, September 25 - Lourdes High School Parade at 2 pm, Homecoming Football game at 7 pm at RCTC Football Stadium Saturday, September 26 - Pickleball - 8:00 am - 12 pm - Eagles Club / Golf - Northern Hills Golf Course Tee times start at 10:00 am and close at 11:00 am / Binks on the Links at Northern Hills Golf Course Happy Hour 4-7 pm (self pay) RSVP to your class rep by September 13 to Nora (Hansen) Bjork ‘81 at noralhs81@gmail.com or Pat Reitemier ‘80 at patrlhs80@gmail.com Lourdes Class of 1991 • 35th Reunion Celebration Saturday, September 12 - Mass at Lourdes High School at 5 pm / The Social at the Avalon from 6 - 9 pm. Reunion contact: Julia Reid, jkreid@hotmail.com, 952-250-3761
Learn more
at https://www.rcsmn. org/reunions or scan the QR code!
Lourdes Class of 2006 • 20th Reunion Celebration Friday, September 25 - Homecoming Social - Homecoming Football game against St. Charles. Kickoff at 7pm. Saturday, September 26 - Casual Family Friendly Morning Park Meet Up at Cascade Lake Park / Class of ‘06 Reunion Party - Whistle Binkies on the Lake from 5 - 9 pm. Sunday, September 27 - Celebrate Mass at St. John’s with Father Bob at 9:30 am. Reunion Contact: Christy Cameron at ccameron@rcsmn.org.
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Lourdes High School Hall of Fame
Celebrating Our Eagles Excellence at Lourdes High School extends far beyond our campus, as alumni continue to make a profound impact on the Rochester sports community. These individuals represent the best of our athletic heritage, embodying the spirit, resilience, and character of our Eagles.
Lourdes High School 2025 Hall of Fame
We congratulate the outstanding individuals and teams selected for the 2025 Lourdes High School Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing those who have made unforgettable contributions to our athletic history:
1999-2002 Girls Soccer (Honored Team): Led by Coach Groven, these squads reached multiple State Tournaments, placing 2nd in 2000 and 3rd in 2002.
John Wiater (Gene Eiden Award): A dedicated educator, LHS Commencement Speaker, and director of Fall Plays (1998– 2008). He supported girls basketball as a traveling team assistant coach and longtime announcer.
Becky Macken (Coach): Varsity Head Softball Coach (2009–2024) with a 161-118 record. She led the team to its first State Championship in 2019 and was named Section 1AA Coach of the Year.
Wally Arnold (Class of 1977): A three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) who earned All-State honors in football and set school records in track. He later founded and directed the Med City Marathon for 23 years.
Kate Lawler (Class of 1993): An eight-time varsity letter winner in basketball, track, and volleyball. A member of the 1993 State Champion Girls Basketball team, she played Division I basketball at the University of Northern Iowa.
Sam Macken (Class of 2013): A 12-time varsity letter winner in softball, hockey, and volleyball. She holds numerous school records and played at the University of Minnesota, contributing to three Big Ten titles.
Ron Rathke (Class of 1958): A gifted three-sport athlete and starting quarterback for the undefeated 1957 State Champion football team.
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Tyler Kodet (Class of 2005): An 11-time varsity letter winner in soccer, basketball, track, and baseball. Named 2005 Lourdes Male Athlete of the Year, he was a standout soccer player before competing at St. John's University.
THE EAGLE COMMUNITY
Continues to Grow
There is plenty to celebrate across Rochester Catholic Schools as another school year begins. From expanding programs to creating new opportunities for students to discover their passions, our schools continue to grow while staying true to the close-knit, faith-filled community that defines the Eagle experience. Every step forward honors the foundation built by generations of alumni while preparing the next generation of Eagles to follow in your footsteps. Our youngest Eagles are thriving at The Nest, serving children ages 2–5 across three of our campuses. Strong demand led to the expansion of our Early Preschool program at St. Pius X School and our popular Nature-Based program at Holy Spirit Catholic School, which doubled its PreKindergarten offerings for the 2026–2027 school year. That momentum continues through our middle schools, where enrollment remains strong, and St. Francis of Assisi Middle School is nearing capacity. To better support families during construction near Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, Rochester Catholic Schools partnered with Mayo Clinic to offer an additional transportation option from Lourdes High School, making the school day a little easier for our families. Our students continue to excel academically while benefiting from a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio that allows them to be known, challenged, and supported every day. These achievements are made possible by the dedication of our faculty and staff, who invest in every student’s success both inside and outside the classroom. This year, our Admissions and Athletics departments introduced students in grades 4–8 to the wide array of athletic, fine arts, leadership, and extracurricular opportunities available across Rochester Catholic Schools. By encouraging students to explore their interests early, we are helping them discover new passions, build confidence, and find places where they truly belong and thrive. As another year begins, we are deeply grateful for the alumni, families, faculty, staff, and supporters who continue to strengthen the Rochester Catholic Schools community. Together, we look forward to another year of learning, faith, and opportunity. St. John Baptist de La Salle, patron of teachers and educators, pray for us! ON AV ER AG E, G R ADE S CH OOL S COR ES FAL L W I T H I N T H E 9 0 T H PER CENT I L E ON NAT I ONAL ASS ESS MENTS I N READI NG & 8 5 T H I N MAT H
S ERVIN G C HIL D R EN AG ES
2 THROUGH GRADE 12
1300
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AV E R AG E LOURDES ST U D E N T ACT SCORE
STUDENTS EXCEED LO CAL, STATE & NATIONAL SCO RE S
OVER
98%
4-STAR PARENT AWARE RATED EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
DOZENS
OF GRADUAT ES GO ON TO PURSUE H IGH ER EDUCAT ION, MILITARY & PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
OF OPPORTUNITIES IN ATHLETICS, FINE ARTS, MUSIC, THEATER, ROBOTICS, CLUBS, & SERVICE LEARNING
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SPREADING OUR
Wings
You asked us to get out into the community, and this summer, we did just that! From the Rochester Farmers Market and Rochesterfest to the Pax Christi Parish Picnic and RCS Night with the Honkers, Rochester Catholic Schools spent the summer building relationships, reconnecting with alumni, meeting future Eagles, and celebrating the Rochester community we are proud to call home. That outreach continued in early August as Lourdes High School hosted a Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce event, welcoming local business leaders to campus and creating another opportunity to share the Rochester Catholic Schools story.
Coming Soon...
Something new is on the way! In the coming months, Rochester Catholic Schools will introduce an updated brand and a new website designed to make it easier for alumni, current families, prospective families, and friends to stay connected and explore all that's happening across our schools. We look forward to sharing more with you soon!
Day of Giving
SOARING TOGETHER Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, we raised over $100,000 to advance our commitment to academic and spiritual excellence.
With gratitude, we celebrate the incredible success of our 2026 Day of Giving! Your gifts directly support our students, staff, and mission, ensuring a thriving future for all RCS schools.
Catholic Schools Week (Jan 25–31) was a vibrant testament to the faith, community, and excellence that define Rochester Catholic Schools. From "Packing the Pews" to our System-wide Mass at Lourdes High School, we celebrated the mission that unites our five schools.
Catholic Schools Week
We are deeply grateful to our students, families, and staff for your unwavering spirit and dedication. Thank you for helping us continue growing together in mind, body, and spirit.
What a blessed week in celebration of our schools, faith, mission, and YOU - our community!
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CELEBRATING FAITH, EXCELLENCE, AND COMMUNITY
Thanks for being a part of it.
ALUMNI Class Notes Adam Schonhardt ‘94 - Adam was awarded the Corporal of the Year from the Honolulu Police Department and Officer of the Year from the 200 Club for 2026. These awards were presented to Adam for his efforts in 2025. These efforts included his statistics, leadership, volunteering off duty, and professionalism. After moving to Hawaii in 1996, Adam found his calling as a Police Officer in 2004. In police work there are numerous different jobs, but Adam has spent almost all of his career in patrol. He was previously assigned to Waikiki, but since 2014 his crime fighting skills have brought him to Kalihi, which is known as one of roughest areas on the island of Oahu. Adam got married in 2003 to Grace and they had a son, Noah, in 2010. Grace is a Nurse Practitioner with her own practice and also serves in the Navy Reserves as a Captain. Noah attends the prestigious Punahou School and he is planning on becoming a pilot. Andrew McMonigle '09 - "My path after high school took a few dynamic turns. After starting out at Winona State, I transitioned to an online university and earned my BSBA in 2015. Looking for a new environment, I relocated to Denver, Colorado, shortly after Graduation. Today, I am the founder of SkullNook Ltd. in Broomfield, a digital fabrication studio that transforms people and pets into custom 3D figurines. I also manage the workshop calendar for Velvet Revival Clothing Collective in Arvada, a boutique secondhand space hosting vibrant community events." Dan Vick, MD '80 - Dan retired as Chief Medical Officer for Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, Maine in June 2024, after a 30-year medical career that included military service, private practice in Pathology, research, hospital executive roles, and academic teaching appointments. In January 2026, he assumed a new part-time position as the "Healthline" column
author for The Elks Magazine. In this capacity, Dan writes 10 columns per year on various health topics. Dan and his wife, Anne Marie, divide their time between homes on Florida's Gulf Coast and in Upstate New York. In his spare time, Dan continues to pursue his passion for music, which includes playing percussion in the Venice (FL) Concert band as well as saxophone in a 7-piece Florida band. He also enjoys running, biking, and playing pickleball. Dan and Anne Marie are parents to 25-year-old twin daughters, Juliette and Charlotte. Fae Seil '02 - "My name is Fae (Carroll) Seil and I had the opportunity late last summer to spend 10 days in Peru, doing a 4 day trek to the iconic Machu Picchu through the Salkantay Trek. It is known as one of the most incredible treks in South America and was one of the hardest adventures I have taken part in. Part of the adventure included hiking to Humantay Lake often called the jewel or gem in the mountains, a climb of almost 14,000 ft in elevation. The stunning views from the top of Salkantay Pass at an elevation of over 20,000 ft as well as camping in the Amazon Jungle. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, was unlike anything I have ever seen. I was able to see first hand how the ancient culture was able to build and work without modern tools, iron or steel in a community that was sustained on the side of a mountain. It was incredible." John Van Rooy '02 - "Greetings from Dubai! I am currently heading into my 13th year living and working in the Gulf region. This coming academic year, I will be transitioning to a new role as the Lead of Strategic Partnerships at Najmara X. This research and innovation hub is connected to Najmara, a pioneering
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Class Notes continued from page 17 school sponsored by the Dubai Future Foundation. I continue to live here with my wife, Chaimae, who is also an educator, and our five-year-old daughter, Amalia." Mary Reardon '82 - "Our family home is in Mendota Heights, MN, where we have lived for 26 years. I have five children and 2 grandchildren. I am retired from St. Paul Public Schools, where I taught math at Central Senior High School. I love retirement and spending time trying new adventures. My latest is as a member of St. Paul Boat Club, where I am learning to row." Richard Johnson '78 - "Hi! Richard ('Dick') Johnson here, LHS Class of '78. I wrote for our student newspaper, The Eagle, while at LHS, and am still at it, editing the weekly Plainview (Minn.) News. I have worked for several newspapers in the region - spent a great year in International Falls, and 20 at the
Globe Gazette in Mason City, Iowa - and earned awards for my stories through the Minnesota Newspaper Association and the Iowa Newspaper Association. I received great encouragement from LHS English teacher Connie O'Hara - Thanks so much, Connie!" Henry Harris ‘10 - "My new film, In Six Months, will premiere at the 7th edition of Kinoskop, the International Festival of Analog / Experimental Cinema in Belgrade, Serbia. This short film centers around two opposing characters who cross paths, eclipsing their private imaginations and daydreams. In Six Months is my MFA thesis project for the Program Film/Video at California Institute of the Arts. The influences in making this film come from far and wide, not limited to my twelve years of Catholic school, silent and avant-garde film movements, easy listening music, and the relationship between cinematic montage and dream space."
Reconnect with us! Visit rcsmn.org/about/update or email alumni@rcsmn.org to provide us with your updated contact information! We also invite you to share this information with your classmates and other alumni you know.
IN MEMORIAM We are honored to remember our beloved alumni who have entered into eternal rest. We will do our best to include any recent notices of which we are made aware. Please email obituary information to alumni@rcsmn.org. Delores Archer '55 Richard Ballou '55 Patrick J. Bromelkamp '72 Janet Coleman '54 Marilyn Day '52 Lorraine A. Doherty '55 Thomas B. Ferguson '60 William E. Fitzgerald '50 Sandra M. Garrison '64 Alice M. Greene '55 James R. Griffin '59 James D. Heydon '75 Robert T. Jirele '84
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Thomas A. Keel '69 Regina M. Kildahl '45 Mark Kipp '70 Archie Langdon '63 Kathleen M. Lauer '60 Dennis Lawler '62 Catherine L. Lebarron '49 Patricia Leonard '52 Joe F. Murphy '63 Robert R. Murphy '62 Sandra Neill '61 Margaret Nelson '44 Cyril Nelson '55
June D. Oakland '57 Tim M. O'Marro '83 Anne M. Pietranton '97 Stan Rathke '57 John M. Reardon '56 Florence P. Rossman '63 Pam M. Sivly '61 Val Stevens '56 Mildred A. Stone '54 Patrick T. Towey '66 Monica M. Troendle '75 James F. Woodruff '63
A Message from
Lourdes Foundation President, KC Reed As I approach the waning months of my ninth year on the Board of Directors for the Lourdes Foundation, I take this time to thank all of the wonderful and generous donors, alumni, family, friends, and businesses that have supported LFI over the years. I always wanted to leave an organization better than it was when I started with them. I can say that this was absolutely the case. I’m not taking credit one bit—the generous stewardship of our community deserves all of the credit. We grew from 112 scholarships when I began and now we are close to 170—what tremendous support. We are close to $14 million in total assets, having brought in $2 million just this past 12 months, most of it being investment growth, even after providing over $400,000 in tuition assistance and more than $100K to Rochester Catholic Schools for staff development. I’m certain that the founders of LFI have to be pleased with what they started over 50 years ago—what a tremendous vision. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us, our Board, and all of the RCS community. – KC Reed
WELCOMING A NEW FACE: ERIN YOUNG To help manage this exciting growth and deepen our connections within the RCS family, Lourdes Foundation is delighted to welcome our newest staff member, Erin Young! Erin joins our team with a deep passion for our community and a commitment to advancing the mission of Catholic education. In her new role, she will manage day-to-day financial operations along with advancement, working closely with our families, donors, and alumni to streamline our outreach and support initiatives. If you see Erin in or around the schools, please stop by to give her a warm Eagle welcome!
Leaving Your Mark: Scholarships and Planned Giving The momentum we are experiencing today is built upon the foresight of those who came before us. You, too, can create a lasting impact that protects Catholic education in Rochester for generations to come. Families and benefactors can partner with the Lourdes Foundation to establish a permanent bridge to the future. Here are two powerful ways you can get involved: Establish a Named Scholarship: You can honor a loved one, celebrate your family’s history, or support a specific area of study by starting a new scholarship. These can be established as annual gifts or structured as permanent endowments that provide tuition assistance in perpetuity. Planned Giving: By including Lourdes Foundation as a beneficiary in your will, trust, life insurance policy, or retirement account, you can make a monumental future gift without affecting your current cash flow. Planned giving ensures that your Catholic values live on, providing financial stability to RCS families long into the future.
Ready to take the next step? To learn more about starting a scholarship, setting up a planned gift, please contact Erin Young or Jennifer Teske at 507-424-1817 or email us at advancement@rcsmn.org.
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Support the GROWTH OF RCS! Mark your calendars for upcoming opportunities to support RCS in the 2026-2027 school year! Please contact advancement@rcsmn.org with any questions or visit rcsmn.org/support-rcs/ make-a-gift-today if you’d like to give today!
Save
THE DATE!
SEPTEMBER 25 - Homecoming SEPTEMBER 27 - Lourdes Sports Hall of Fame OCTOBER 7 - Lourdes Foundation Annual Meeting NOVEMBER 14 - Lourdes Foundation Scholarship Gala JANUARY 16 - Saints & Scholars President’s Gala JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 6 - National Catholic Schools Week FEBRUARY 2 - Day of Giving FEBRUARY 11 - Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day Brunch