Oldenburg Academy | 2023 Fall Magazine & Annual Report

Page 4 Feature Story | Senior Internships preparing our Future Leaders

Oldenbur g

A c a de my

o f t h e i m m a c u l at e c o n c ep t i o n Fa l l 2 0 2 3 | 2 0 2 2 -2 0 2 3 An n u al Rep or t

In this issue:

Administrative Staff

ON THE COVER

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Senior, Angus Lonergan during his internship with WRBI in Batesville, IN.

Going Beyond in Student Life

PRESIDENT Annette Hunger

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PRINCIPAL Angela Parmer

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Going Beyond in Athletics

Letter from the President

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Going Beyond in Faith Life

Letter from the Principal

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Going Beyond in Alumni News

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS Molly Oesterling Freeland ‘94 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Geraldine Moster Kuntz ‘81 DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE Laura Geis

Cover Story | Senior Internships

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Upcoming Events

Going Beyond in Academics

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Annual Report

Going Beyond in Admissions

35 OA Points of Pride

The Oldenburg Academy Mission Statement Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception is a Franciscan Catholic co-educational college preparatory high school committed to academic excellence, social responsibility, leadership and personal and spiritual growth for our students who will excel in our ever-changing world.

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ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Michael Higdon

Board of Trustees Matthew Bohman ‘10 Jeremy Borgman Sr. Jeri Fuhrmann, OSF ‘67 Deb Eckstein Grieshop ‘84, Treasurer Diana Kinker Sr. Jan Kroeger, OSF Sr. Barb Leonhard, OSF ‘67 Patty Mauer Sr. Delouise Menges, OSF ‘67 Keith Moenter, Chair Rebecca Rahschulte, Secretary Todd Reed Amy Streator Anne Heile Suttmann ‘97 Megan Westerfeld Walke ‘97, Vice Chair Nathan Wanstrath Neal Wessling Cover Photo Credits & Magazine Layout: Elizabeth Schulte ‘17 Magazine Contributers: Amy Grills, Michael Higdon, Annette Hunger, Angie Parmer, Debbie Holtel Lamping ‘73, Elizabeth Schulte ‘17, Helen Yane ‘95, and Jason Walke Photo Credits: Metz Photos, Susan Meer Gigrich ‘87, David Lohmueller, and Elizabeth Schulte ‘17

From the President

Dear OA Family,

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.

~Romans 15:13

A few weeks ago, as we gathered to celebrate our Alumni Homecoming, Fr. Bill

asked the question, “what draws one to work with young people and to come

back to schools like Oldenburg Academy?” His answer was hope. I liked his answer.

As you flip through the pages, we hope you feel the spirit of OA! We are excited to share the happenings at the Academy with you. From the immersive learning of our senior internships to the innovative entrepreneurship competitions to the exciting sectional championships in soccer and volleyball, we have much to celebrate with you. Take a moment to review our students’ successes and OA’s points of pride!

Equally exciting is the outstanding alumni engagement and incredible generosity of the many gifts given in support of OA this past year. We are grateful to you all! Our annual Academy Fund is underway once again, and we hope you will join us in this important endeavor.

As always, we hope to see many of you back on campus for a basketball game, our Christmas Concert on December 2nd, and the OA Dinner Auction on February 24th! Check out all the upcoming OA activities and events on our social media platforms and website.

In this season of Thanksgiving, we keep you all in our prayers of gratitude and wish you much joy and peace. May our loving God bless you abundantly.

With a grateful heart,

Annette Hunger President

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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From the Principal Twister Family It is with extreme thanksgiving that I welcome you to our fall magazine. Our school magazine is not just a collection of achievements and talents, it is proof of our shared faith, love, and commitment to the values we hold dear at Oldenburg Academy. Throughout this edition, you will find stories of inspiration, lessons of faith, and amazing accomplishments of our students and staff. To say I am proud to be the Principal at Oldenburg Academy would be an understatement. Every single day I am thankful for and energized by the passion that our students and staff show towards teaching, learning, and achieving.

As you will see throughout the magazine, the faculty and staff at Oldenburg Academy are committed to the growth and development of our students academically, and they know it is essential that our students become compassionate, responsible, and accepting young adults. Being a teenager is hard, and few of us that have made it through that stage of life would voluntarily go back! Parents, thank you for entrusting us with educating and nurturing your children. Our partnership, established by faith and trust, is the foundation of this journey.

Students, I am proud of you. Your teachers are proud of you. The staff of Oldenburg Academy is proud of you. I see you working hard. I see your struggles. I see your frustrations. I see your successes.

There are so many examples of the creativity, dedication, and hard work of our OA students throughout this magazine. We want to brag for you! From the classroom to the community, you are the highlight of our school. Thank you for your involvement, your dedication, and your commitment to your education every single day!

Alumni, I hope you see yourselves reflected in these images. Whether it’s been five years or 50, I hope you remember your days at Oldenburg Academy fondly. You are living proof of the impact of an education from Oldenburg Academy. We take great pride in your accomplishments. Your stories and successes continue to inspire us. Thank you for being ambassadors of our school’s mission. Your support and involvement are essential in ensuring that our beloved Academy continues to thrive and serve as a foundation of faith, education, and service for generations to come.

In closing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to our school. As we move forward, I am filled with hope and anticipation for the future, knowing that together we will continue to inspire and shape the lives of our young Twisters.

May God’s blessings be with each of you,

Angie Parmer Principal

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Senior Internships | Preparing our Future Leaders The senior internship program at Oldenburg Academy, initiated in the 2017-18 school year, has become an essential building block within the school’s College to Career Readiness Program. Internships provide students with invaluable hands-on experience in the real-world. During OA’s semester-long internship program, students are immersed in their fields of interest, and this early introduction to an array of careers aids in navigating daunting post-graduation decisions.

My internship experience

has allowed me to gain

knowledge and experience in a variety of professional fields. I have had the opportunity to work in a lab and a hospital this

semester, and these experiences have taught me about science and safety in

a professional environment.

Through the internship program, I have been able

to get a feel for the different

careers I am interested in

and narrow down what I

want to do with my life

after graduation.

~Sadie Wachsmann

WRBI taught me how to closely analyze information and edit it to perfection.

Another thing I learned at WRBI was a sense of discipline as certain articles had to be on time and ready to go by the end of the day. These skills will help me in my future relationships, jobs, and life as a whole.

Mr. Jason Walke, the AP US History, Economics, and Student Media teacher, stepped into the role ~Angus Lonergan of the Senior Internship Coordinator last year and works closely with students to maximize their internship opportunities. At the beginning of each semester, he directs an important matching process with individualized meetings to discuss possible careers and identify businesses that align with each student’s interests. This incredibly beneficial program has placed students in internships at local companies, including Batesville Tool & Die, Ricca Chemical, Amack’s Well, Geis Electronics, Greensburg Vet Clinic, Lambert Orthodontics, WRBI, and Margaret Mary Health.

The student internship program is noteworthy for its ability to either affirm a student’s interest in a specific career or open their eyes to a different, sometimes unexpected occupation.

Many great outcomes stem from this program, but the most important is the positive character development of the participating students. Having seen two senior classes complete the program, Mr. Walke notes the substantial growth in his students: “OA students develop increased communication skills and show higher levels of respect and empathy after finishing their internships. It seems that the internship program provides experiences that truly help the students mature.”

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Going Beyond in Academics National Honor Society Inductions This semester, 21 juniors were newly inducted into the National Honor Society! Congratulations to the following students: Sarah Bruce Bryce Crain Elisabeth Cranert Ava Henry Sullivan Hill Zachary Hoff Elana Hollingsworth

Albert Hudepohl Cale Johannigman Lillian Kastl Addisyn Lambert Caroline Niese Annabelle Nunlist Santiago Schutte

Mount Saint Joseph University Selections 2023 Exhibition

Kenlee Martin

Seniors Kenlee Martin and Lauren Richards are participating in Mount St. Joseph University’s Selections 2023 Exhibition.

Their work will be exhibited in the Mount’s Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery from Nov. 5 - Dec. 1, 2023.

Lilly Finalist

Lauren Richards 5

Congratulations to OA Senior Lily Dennis who was recently named a Dearborn County Lilly Scholarship Finalist.

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Jacob Voegele Maria Voegele Isaiah Waggoner Henry Wanstrath Jill Witkemper Josephine Wolfe Dominic Yane

Career Guest Speaker Day This semester, fifteen Oldenburg Academy alumni returned to their alma mater to share their stories and careers with current OA students.

It was great to welcome these alumni back to campus: Austin Alley ‘13, Elliot Bergman ‘11, Steven Brown ‘06, Chelsea Cook ‘08, Andrew DeCilles ‘11, Curtis Eckstein ‘17, Kyle Eckstein ‘18, Lydia Gigrich ‘19, Jessica Flaspohler Laker ‘11, Ann Kuntz Higdon ‘12, Joe Kahles ‘11, Gretchen Junker Pardo ‘12, Luke Wilger ‘13, Logan Ricke ‘10, and Jenna Meyer Nauman ‘06.

Students had the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers and fields including Nursing, Physical Therapy, Engineering, Business, Sales, Marketing, Teaching, Agriculture, Firefighter/EMS, Military, HR, and Pharmacy.

A huge thank you to our young alums for sharing their expertise, insights, guidance, and advice with our students as they continue to explore and discover their career pathways beyond high school.

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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Tying OA Students into the Community A new course offered at OA this year is connecting the school with the local community in numerous ways. Mr. Jason Walke’s new “Principles of Entrepreneurship” class focuses on innovation while inviting students to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. Throughout the first semester, students are encouraged to explore their own areas of interest with an eye toward discovering potential limitations within their field. Under the guidance of Mr. Walke, students then develop business ideas that might resolve these identified problems.

This year, these budding entrepreneurs will enter two business competitions. The D.I.C.E. Challenge, organized by Genesis Pathways and the Batesville Chamber of Commerce, challenges students to create viable business ideas to pitch to a panel of experienced business owners. To prepare for the competition and offer the public a viewing, Oldenburg Academy will host an initial round where students will present their proposals to a panel of community leaders. The top two teams selected by the judges will advance to the D.I.C.E. finals where they will have the opportunity to compete against other schools for cash prizes.

The second contest, a statewide business competition hosted by the STARTedUP Foundation, is a remarkable opportunity for OA. Students are asked to put their ideas into action and potentially build them into successful businesses. The competition is set to kick off in February, where students across the state, including many from Oldenburg Academy, will submit three-minute video presentations for their unique business concepts. If students advance to the final round, they will participate in a rigorous business startup boot camp and attend an all-expenses paid trip to Washington DC, where they can network with and learn from national business leaders. Oldenburg Academy students are working hard this semester to craft innovative business proposals.

Tying the entrepreneurship class to the community has been a top priority for Mr. Walke. As such, he has been working closely with local business owners and many are slated to visit the class to share their experiences and insights. Because a common issue for small town businesses is generating enough interest in shopping locally, students will work with these owners to generate ideas for increasing local foot traffic. By involving his students in the local business community, Walke’s course is emphasizing the importance of having a problem-solving mindset and cultivating a genuine passion for business.

Mr. Walke has extended this focus on involving the local business community to his Student Media class.

Over the past two years, the course has expanded to include a range of media platforms. Last year, the class introduced a periodic video newscast called “Around the Burg” and this year students are producing a podcast. Local Podcaster Larry Reidy and Batesville-based Van By The River Productions have collaborated with the class, guiding students to develop interesting audio podcasts and quality video content. Future endeavors for the class involve working with community partners to create tailored social media content, an undertaking that will both help the local business community and enhance the media proficiency of OA students.

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Going Beyond in Admissions Twister Tuesdays November 28 | December 5 or 12 Any 8th grade student interested in learning more about Oldenburg Academy is invited to come for a ‘shadow day’ visit on a Twister Tuesday during the school year. Visiting students will be partnered with an OA student who will serve as their host during their visit to campus. Visiting students will attend classes, meet teachers and students, and see first-hand how they can Go Beyond at OA!

Wednesday Walk- Throughs December 6th Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM Parents of 7th and 8th grade students are invited to spend a morning at Oldenburg Academy. During the Wednesday Walk-Throughs, parents will hear a brief presentation from a member of our Administrative team, take a tour of the school while it is in session, and ask any questions about the high school experience at OA. Visit oldenburgacademy.org/enrollment-process#Wednesday-Walk-Through to reserve your spot!

Meet and Greet These one-to-one appointments provide parents and/or students an opportunity to get specific questions answered

by OA personnel.

Junior High Night January 5, 2024 The OA Twisters invite all Junior High students to visit us on January 5th for the home boys or girls basketball games. Come and cheer on our basketball teams and enjoy complimentary admission to the games and a slice of pizza.

Contact Molly Freeland in the

Admissions Office to schedule a Twister Tuesday visit or Meet and Greet appointment! mfreeland@oldenburgacademy.org 812.934.4440 ext 250

Thank you to our OA students, faculty, alumni and volunteers for welcoming guests for our annual Open House and campus tour! What a fantastic community to be a part of!

If you were unable to attend Open House but would like to learn more about the admissions process, contact our OA Admission Office at mfreeland@oldenburgacademy.org.

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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Going Beyond in Student life Twister Tailgate

Red Ribbon Week

To celebrate all of the fall sports and show support to our Twister athletes, OA held a Twister Tailgate!

Red Ribbon Week was celebrated with a series of fun events planned for the week, including red cookies, a door decorating contest, a photo booth, and a dodgeball tournament!

Thank you to everyone who came out to OA to spend time together and support the Twisters!

Visit From Andrew Collins During the summer, OA students read the book “Convicted: An Innocent Man, the Cop Who Framed Him, and an Unlikely Journey of Forgiveness and Friendship” by Andrew Collins and Jameel McGee in connection with the Franciscan value of reconciliation, the value of study this year.

Earlier this semester, Collins spoke at an all-school convocation, where he discussed his incredible story and how reconciliation played a role in his life, including bringing him closer to a man he wrongfully put behind bars—the co-author of the book.

Thank you to the Batesville Area Arts Council Arts in Education Fund and the John and Joan Hillenbrand VISION Fund for making this opportunity possible!

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Adopt-A-Sis Students in the Adopt-A-Sis program, a beloved club that has allowed OA students to connect and form relationships with the Sisters of Saint Francis, met with their Adopt-A-Sis sisters for the first time this school year.

They enjoyed lunch and conversation, catching up on how the school year is going, and discussing their summer adventures.

International Exchange Program Oldenburg Academy partners with the Cambridge Network and Faces and Our Cultures Program to provide our students exposure to different cultures, traditions, and ways of life to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. We are excited to welcome two international students to OA this year.

Ma Yuwei, who prefers the name “Aria,” is visiting us from China and this is her second year at Oldenburg Academy. In her free time, she enjoys Chinese calligraphy and playing the piano. She would like to study business and communication in college.

Rocio Nicolle is visiting us from Guatemala and enjoys drawing, music, basketball and is studying to be an architect. She is excited to share with her new friends at OA the cultures and traditions from her country and looks forward to sharing a Guatemalan dish with her host family.

Welcome Aria and Rocio to Oldenburg Academy!

Swiss Wine Festival Congratulations to Senior Lily Dennis on being crowned queen of the Switzerland County Wine Festival and doing such a great job representing OA!

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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Versailles Pumpkin Show Congratulations to seniors Kenlee Martin and Carson Phillips who represented Oldenburg Academy in the Versailles Pumpkin Show King & Queen contest.

Kenlee was named 2nd runner up in the contest!

Aurora Farmers Fair Congratulations to seniors Ellie Ryan and Thaddeus Eaglin who represented Oldenburg Academy in the 114th annual Aurora Farmers Fair King and Queen Contest!

Thaddeus was named King!

Senior Sunrise Breakfast The senior class enjoyed a delicious breakfast and Indiana sunrise as one of the many bonding experiences of their senior year! Principal Angie Parmer prepared a full breakfast complete with pancakes, sausage, and all the fixings!

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Going Beyond in Athletics The fall season was a very successful one for the Twisters! We won two sectionals and advanced three cross country runners to regionals. We are proud of all of our fall athletes and coaches!

Boys Soccer The boys soccer team won their second consecutive sectional championship. They finished the season 17-3 and ranked 5th in the state in 1A and won the first annual Twister Cup.

Volleyball Volleyball won their first sectional title since 2006.

They finished the season with a 26-8 record. They also won the Hauser Heritage Classic and the Tiger Invite at Crispus Attucks High School.

The team also held their annual Volley for Hope which included a gift card raffle and collection to benefit one of our OA families, the Scheidlers (Clare, a freshman, and Cecilia, a sophomore). Mrs. Scheidler is currently battling cancer, so the money collected helped support their family.

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Cross Country Cross Country had a good showing at sectionals where they advanced three runners to regionals; those runners were Adam Dennis, Santiago Schutte and Maddie Ryan.

Girls Soccer Girls soccer had a great season as well, finishing with a 10-6 record and ranking 12th in the state in 1A. Freshman Claire Niese was voted onto the ISCA District 4 All Distric 2nd Team, and 8 players were named to the ISCA Academic All State Team: Elana Hollingsworth, Addisyn Lambert, Sara Lamping, Rachel Lamping, Kloie Lehman, Isabel Price, Ellie Ryan, and Sadie Wachsmann.

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Tennis Boys Tennis won the most matches in the last three years and advanced to the sectional semi final.

Girls Golf Girls Golf had a successful rebuilding season after not having a team last year!

Twister Spirit The Twister spirit and support shown during school, athletic events, and pep rallies are a testament to the family-like environment that is built and nurtured at OA!

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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Going Beyond in Faith life Wednesday Morning Prayer Each Wednesday, the Campus Ministry Team leads a short prayer service before school. Students gather around the Blessed Virgin statue in front of the main building to start the day in prayer.

Junior Retreat

Freshmen Retreat This semester, the Freshmen class took part in their first of four retreats as Oldenburg Academy students. We look forward to watching these young men and women grow in their faith throughout their high school years and feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to be such a huge part in strengthening these students in their faith! Thank you to Fr. Mike Keucher for joining us for the day to celebrate Mass and give Confessions.

The juniors had their retreat on Oct. 18-19 at Higher Ground Retreat Center. The theme was “Behold, I make all things new.” Fr. Keucher and Fr. Gronotti celebrated Mass for them, and Fr. Meyer gave a talk. There were also other witness talks, small group activities, discussions, Adoration, confession, skits, and games. It was a great time for faith and fun.

Archbishop Thompson Visit with the Senior Class Earlier in October, the senior class welcomed Archbishop Thompson to Oldenburg Academy. The Archbishop answered questions the students had and spent time getting to know them better.

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Grandparents Day In September, OA hosted Grandparents Day to celebrate all of the wonderful grandparents who have helped shape our students into the young men and women they are today. Along with the students, faculty, and staff, grandparents joined us for Mass and a cookie reception!

Junior Induction Students, faculty, staff, and family members gathered for Mass and the Junior Induction Ceremony. The Junior students received an OA crest pin as they formally became upperclassmen and stepped into their role as positive influencers and leaders of Oldenburg Academy!

All-School Mass Students, faculty, staff, and members of the OA community have celebrated a number of all-school Masses so far this semester, including Mass for the Feast of the Assumption, The Feast of our Lady of Sorrows (also Junior Induction and Grandparents Day), The Feast of Saint Francis Assisi, and All Saints Day. It is such a blessing to be able to gather together in the beautiful Sisters’ Chapel!

National Catholic Youth Conference A group of 24 OA students, along with Mrs. Gregg, Ms. Bauman, and two other chaperones attended NCYC (the National Catholic Youth Conference) in Indianapolis this November 16th-18th. They connected with priests, religious sisters and brothers, high schoolers, and leaders from across the United States.

There was time for Mass, Adoration, Confession, prayer, witness talks/breakout sessions, and camaraderie. The theme for 2023 is “Fully Alive.”

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Going Beyond in Alumni News

JUST MARRIED! Tori Holtel ‘11 & Spencer Hoffman were married on May 20, 2023, joined by a number of fellow OA Alumni!

Meghan Gray ‘16 & Mike Martini were married on July 8, 2023.

Meredith Maier ‘14 & Tommy Wagar were married on September 16, 2023.

Pictured is Meredith’s family, including her sister Madelyn Maier ‘17.

Jenna Meyer ‘06 & Josh Nauman were married in June in Moab, UT.

Paige Riebsomer ‘12 & Ben Burton were married on August 19, 2023, joined by fellow OA alumni Jackie Wagner Buck ‘12 and Stephanie Taylor ‘12.

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Jacob Kessens ‘15 & Emmalee Schulte ‘15 were married on May 5, 2023, joined by alumni siblings (left to right) Anna Schulte Blanchard ‘10, Miranda Kessens ‘13, Sarah Schulte ‘07, Elizabeth Schulte ‘17, and Rachel Schulte Hinton ‘12.

Emma Geis ‘16 & Keegan Sida were married on June 17, 2023.

Pictured in the top photo is Emma’s family, including current and past Twisters, Ryan Geis ‘24, Mrs. Laura Geis, Nate Geis ‘21, Ted Geis ‘15, and Will Geis’13.

Pictured in the bottom photo is the bridal party, including alums Nate Geis ‘21, Regan Horan Hurm ‘16, and Audrey Oesterling Domingo ‘16.

Jessica Hammoor ‘11 & Evan Hartley were married on June 10, 2023. Pictured is Jessica’s family including alumni Clare ‘08, Cori ‘17 and Luke ‘14.

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Sam Hutchinson ‘17 & Amanda Cranert ‘17 were married on August 5, 2023.

Lucas McFee ‘19 & Abby Hudepohl ‘19 were married on September 2, 2023.

Pictured is the bridal party including alumni Bella Sterchi ‘19, Anna Hudepohl ‘22, Dominic McFee ‘21, Albert Hudepohl ‘25, Ethan Browning ‘19, and Matthew Hoog ‘19.

Catherine Cigolotti ‘18 & Ethan McCarthy were married on August 12, 2023. Pictured in the left photo is Catherine with her maid of honor, alumni Ava Geers ‘18,

Matthew Zinser ‘18 & Sarah Preston ‘19 were married on July 8, 2023, joined by a number of fellow OA alumni!

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Hello Babies!

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1. Harley Kidd Stirn ‘17 & husband Clay and their daughter Scarlett Jean.

2. Gretchen Junker Pardo ‘12 & husband Conor and their daughter Emelia Adelaide.

3. Anne Kuntz Higdon ‘12 & husband Michael with children Patrick, Maria, Joey and new baby Francis.

4. Alex Wilhelm ‘10 & Bailey Greishop Wilhelm ‘12 with daughter Charley and baby Danielle.

5. Rachel Stoll Long ‘18 & husband Matthew with their baby son Benedict Leonard.

6. Koralyssa Graham Hodge ‘11 & husband Billy with their older son Arlo and baby Cormac Douglass.

7. Nick Bischoff ’16 & Huntyr Rose Bischoff ‘17 with their son PJ (Paul).

8. Sam Gast ‘16 & wife Haley with their daughter Vincie Rae. 9. Logan Ricke ‘10 & Rebecca Horan Ricke ’11 with Lucy, Ava, and baby Simon.

10. Julie Martin ‘09 and husband Idin with their son Beren Godspeed.

11. Baby Gus with sisters Quinn and Maggie, children of Michael Maple ‘12 & Hillary Nolting Maple ‘11.

12. Eric Galante ‘08 with wife Emily and their son Ezekiel.

Did a new little one join your family recently?

Let us know and we will feature you & your family in the next issue of our magazine!

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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Alumni Homecoming If you happened to spot a bright light shining through a rather overcast sky in Oldenburg on Saturday, October 14th, it was God’s work keeping the rain at bay so we could come together to celebrate OA/ICA Alumni Homecoming 2023.

Food, fun and friendship was the order of the day!

A big THANK YOU to the OA Alumni Board and Trustees, faculty and volunteers who contributed their time to ensure this was a wonderful day of joy and celebration!

See you next year!

There were great turnouts from our celebration classes. Lucille Schuman Roell ‘48 celebrated her 75th Anniversary.

The best surprise: she won $500 in the Alumni Raffle!

Congratulations, Lucille!

Fr. Bill Verbryke, SJ, joined us together in prayer as we celebrated Mass in the OA Auditorium.

Surrounded by family and friends, three very deserving women were honored and awarded for their life long commitment in service to others. By embracing the Franciscan values in their daily lives, whether at home with their families, at work, or within their communities, they are great examples of how to live one’s life.

Sr. Jan Kroeger, OSF | Virtue, Honor Education Award Michelle Werner Meer ‘77 | Distinguished Alumni Award Betty Bedel Frey ‘74 | Exceptional Alumni of the Arts Award

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In loving memory...

Class of 2013 Reunion Over the summer, the class of 2013 held a class reunion at Oldenburg Academy!

If you are interested in arranging a class reunion, reach out to Amy Grills in the Advancement Office at agrills@oldenburgacademy.org.

Alumni Family Has Photoshoot on Campus Alumni Jason ‘08 & Kendra Getz Eckstein ‘08 and children Brecken, Abram, Eleanor, and Frank had beautiful family photos taken on campus.

It is so wonderful to see our alumni back on campus!

Oktoberfest Next Generation of Healthcare Providers Four class of 2019 alumni, Claire Holingsworth, Kennedy Hannah, Hannah Hurm, and Lydia Gigrich graduated from the Purdue University School of Nursing in May of 2023. Congrats to our next generation of healthcare providers!

Three class of 2017 grads, Luke Ruter, Haleigh Reed, and Samantha Nobbe were able to connect in Germany while visiting for Oktoberfest this fall!

Dolores Hoeper Baker ‘39 Sr. Mary Jean Sora OSF ‘43 Helen Oesterling Enneking ‘45 Margaret Murelo LaGrotto ‘46 Louise Zimmerman Wells ‘46 Sr. Sharon Sheridan OSF ‘49 Frances Betsch Daulton ‘50 Sr. Carmela Whitton OSF ‘51 Edgena (Jean) Lamping Fieler ‘53 Mary Schoettelkotte Bossert ‘54 Anna Mae Doll Erhart ‘54 Carolyn Cook Geis ‘54 Phyllis Miller Carson ‘55 Joan Hermesch Karbowski ‘55 Alice Gaynor Klaserner ‘55 Margery Bessler ‘57 Rose Simmermeyer Weisenbach ‘58 Kathleen Wahman Jones ‘59 Shirley Weberding Hannebaum ‘63 Janet Raver Metz ‘63 Nancy Maple Ollier ‘63 Martha Dirkhising Harnishfeger’65 Carolyn Hoagland ‘66 Sandra Munchel Koch ‘69 Cynthia Bruns Moeller ‘69 Teresa Ronnebaum Ziegler ‘72 Mary Heather Carrelli ‘91

... until we meet again

We would love to Stay connected!

Update your address, phone, and email as you continue to make changes in your lives so we can quickly contact you when necessary.

Send your updated contact information to dlamping@oldenburgacademy.org or fill out an on-line form by scanning the QR code.

Thank you!

Oldenburg Academy Magazine | Fall 2023

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Oldenburg Academy at

Holidays under the Spires Come visit Oldenburg, IN on December 2, 2023 for Holidays under the Spires and check out the many fun activities planned for the day including these Oldenburg Academy Festivities!

Friendly OA student faces around town!

Enjoy a delicious homemade cookie, compliments of the OA culinary arts class.

OA Essenshütte Booth

This booth, hosted by the OA Board of Trustees and Advancement Committee, will be the perfect place to take a break during the day!

Listen to beautiful Christmas tunes as the Oldenburg Academy Singers walk around town.

Say hello to OA cheerleader elves around town!

Come enjoy a selection of treats, including hot chocolate, wassail, chili, Christmas cookies, and s’mores!

Girls Basketball Game OA vs South Decatur In the OA Feldhaus Junior Varsity | 12:00 PM Varsity | 1:30 PM

Pictures with Santa

Say hello to Santa and have your pictures taken!

In the OA Feldhaus 1:30 PM

Follow along and visit holidaysunderthespires.com for more information!

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Supp ort the A c ademy Fund Family and community are the cornerstones of Oldenburg Academy. And, just like a family, we come together to support one another when there is a need, and your OA family has a need. We have a significant gap between the revenue that tuition brings and the cost to provide the best Catholic education and formation our students deserve. The Academy Fund closes this gap and provides unrestricted funds to address areas of greatest need within the school.

Today, we ask for your help and support.

Please join us in supporting The Academy Fund with a generous gift. Your gift is essential. A gift to the Academy Fund supports essentially every aspect of our school. Thank you for your faithful generosity and support as we continue to advance our mission!

Donate online by scanning the QR code/button or by visiting oldenburgacademy.org/ways-to-give#academy or donate through a gift of check or cash by mailing to the address below.

Oldenburg Academy 1 Twister Circle, PO Box 200 Oldenburg, Indiana 47036

Donate Today!

Oldenburg

Fund

Academy

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Mark your calendars!

November 22-26, 2023 Thanksgiving Break

December 22 - January 4, 2024 Christmas Break

December 2, 2023 Christmas Concert Holidays Under the Spires

January 17, 2024 Class of 2028 Registration

December 3, 2023 Retired Sisters Christmas Party December 8, 2023 Feast of the Immaculate Conception December 18 - 21, 2023 Final Exams

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January 29 - February 2, 2024 Catholic Schools Week February 24, 2024 Dinner Auction

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Oldenburg Academy of the immaculate conception GO BEYOND

1 twister circle, po box 200, oldenburg indiana 47036 www.oldenburgacademy.org | 81 2.93 4.4 4 4 0 @oldenburgacademy

OA Points of Pride!

1. Eight OA students participated in the Notre Dame Scholars Program this summer.

2. Oldenburg Academy is ranked in the 95th percentile for SAT performance among all schools with an average score of 1106.

3. Oldenburg Academy is ranked in the 99th percentile in College and Career Coursework among all schools with a 100% score.

4. OA received Silver Level AP School Honor Roll Recognition in 2023.

5. Check out our student successes for the 2022-23 school year!

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oldenburgacademy.org