2024 Spring Pride Magazine

Pride

A Roncalli Catholic High School Publication | Spring 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Roncalli Catholic Family,

As we approach the end of another academic year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude as I reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken together at Roncalli Catholic.

Throughout the past year, our students have demonstrated exceptional resilience, determination, and compassion in the face of unexpected challenges. From the classrooms to the sports fields, from service projects to artistic endeavors, our students have exemplified the core values of our Catholic identity and embraced wisdom, courage and faith in all they do.

When the final bell rings on May 23rd and students are dismissed for the final time, we are confident that the lessons learned inside our classrooms on 6401 Sorensen Parkway will be brought into the community and shared with everyone in Omaha.

Academically, our students have excelled, achieving significant milestones and academic honors. Their commitment to learning and intellectual curiosity have been truly inspiring, setting new standards of excellence for themselves and their fellow students.

On the athletic front, our student-athletes have showcased remarkable talent, sportsmanship, and teamwork throughout the year. Their dedication to their respective sports and their unwavering commitment to representing our school with pride and integrity have been a source of great pride for our entire community.

Beyond the classroom and the field, our students have also embraced their role as compassionate leaders and engaged members of our community. Through service projects, volunteer work, and outreach initiatives, they have made a difference in the lives of others and have embodied the spirit of service in the name of Jesus Christ.

As we prepare to embark on a well-deserved summer break, let us take a moment to celebrate all that we have accomplished together and to give thanks for the blessings of the past year. May we carry the spirit of wisdom, courage, and faith with us wherever we go, and may we continue to be beacons of light and agents of positive change in the world.

With gratitude and blessings,

Sean Keisling President

Table of Contents

RCHS Dance Team 3

Spotlight on RCHS 5

Festa del Leone 12

Capital Campaign 15

Supreme Court Visit 19

RCHS Athletic Hall of Fame 20

RCHS Events 21

PRIDE MAGAZINE is published by Roncalli Catholic High School, Omaha, NE. © 2024. All rights reserved. Materials in PRIDE may be reproduced with prior permission obtained from the editor and credit is given.

RONCALLI CATHOLIC PRESIDENT: Sean Keisling

RONCALLI CATHOLIC VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT: T.J. Orr, 1996 Alumnus

RONCALLI CATHOLIC PRESIDENT EMERITUS: Fr. Lloyd A. Gnirk

RONCALLI CATHOLIC PRINCIPAL:

J.J. Stoffel, 2002 Alumnus

RONCALLI CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Jason Unger

RONCALLI CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT

THROUGH THE WISDOM GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GUIDED BY OUR CATHOLIC FAITH, WE PROMISE TO UNCOVER AND DISCOVER OUR STUDENTS’ FULL POTENTIAL AND AUTHENTIC SELVES, GIVING THEM THE COURAGE TO FOLLOW THE RIGHT PATH TOWARD THEIR UNIQUE FUTURES.

RCHS dance team reaches new heights

Crimson Pride dance team raises the bar after earning school’s first state trophy

Roncalli Catholic Dance Coach, Chloe Staley just had a good feeling.

Staley and her team found themselves in Grand Island on Feb. 17 waiting impatiently for the public address announcer to go over the results of the Class C-1 Hip-Hop competition.

“I had a really good feeling after the girls performed,” Staley said. “But, at the same time, dance is very subjective and you never know if you did enough to impress the judges.”

The Crimson Pride dance team entered the 2024 state competition seeking the school’s first trophy so awaiting the results was excruciating. The announcer named Fort Calhoun as the third-place finisher, so the Crimson Pride remained hopeful. When it was announced that they were Class C-1 runner-up members of the team jumped high into the air with excitement.

“That wait was so nerve-wracking,” exclaimed senior captain, Madalyn Harrison. “It was my final state and I knew I was either going to walk away with nothing or I was going to walk away with the team’s first trophy. We knew we performed really well, but it was still very scary.”

The team finished less than three points behind defending Hip-Hop champ Conestoga and graciously grasped the runner-up trophy.

Staley, a 2014 Roncalli Catholic graduate, has transformed the Crimson Pride dance team in a short time through hard work and dedication.

“I love coaching this team so much,” Staley added. “They have worked so hard and have improved so much.”

Many of the team members had no formal dance training and had to start from scratch. Harrison established herself as a leader and saw four years of hard-work pay off when the runner-up medal was placed around her neck. (cont. on page 4)

Spring 2024 | 3

“This team has come so far and has so much to be proud of,” said Harrison. “Only three of us have any dance background. The ones who didn’t have any formal training worked so hard and really improved and that is why we were able to have the success that we were able to have.” Harrison said that the momentum built throughout the season as the team encountered more and more success.

“Our practices were just going so well and everyone was holding each other accountable,” Harrison added. “We competed in an all-class competition for hip-hop and finished second as the only Class C team there. That gave us a ton of confidence.”

The dance squad also added a fifth-place finish in Jazz, finishing less than a point out of third.

The 2023-24 RCHS team members include: Harrison, Lilly McGuire (Sr), Josie Gorczyca (Jr), Lucia Palzer (Jr), Evvy Drexel (So), Brooklyn Stoffel (So), Josie Alemdjrodo (So), Lucas Rasmussen (Fr), Laney Crinklaw (Fr) and Ryley Smith (Fr).

Dance moms and dads show their support in Grand Island. The Pride dancers perform in Grand Island on Feb. 17.

The Crimson Pride dancers showcase the hardware after finishing runner-up in hip-hop and fifth in jazz at state.

The first ever ‘Senior Sunrise’ was a tremendous success. RCHS seniors arrived before the sun came up on Aug. 18 and spent the time before school listening to music, socializing and enjoying a feast of bagels and donuts. Seniors left the event feeling like they had the love and support of all of their classmates.

The Duchesne/Roncalli Catholic softball team made it’s first ever trip to the state tournament after pulling off a major upset in the Class B-2 District tournament. The team swept the Gering Bulldogs winning both games by scores of 9-6 and 9-4. The team was defeated by Blair and Beatrice in the Class B State Championship in Hastings, but the hard work and the experience of a great season will not be forgotten.

Roncalli Catholic senior Gus Lampe put together the best race of his high school career on Oct. 20 at the Kearney Country Club and was able to stand upon the podium as Class C’s champion. The Class C individual championship was the first ever for a Crimson Pride athlete. Lampe finished just ahead of second-place finisher Tyler Hertz of Gothenburg with a time of 16:33.8.

Roncalli Catholic freshmen spent the day at Pro Sanctity celebrating their faith and spending time with classmates and senior chaperones. After returning to campus, the freshmen were presented with their Pope St. John XXIII pins.

The Roncalli Catholic Theatre Department proudly performed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat four times with performances on Nov. 9-12. Teacher and Director of the musical, Chris Mitchell was proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all of the cast members and was thankful for the RCHS community who came out to support the shows.

Roncalli Catholic High School hosted its annual career fair inside the gymnasium on Friday, Nov. 17. It was an opportunity for our students to be made aware of the many career opportunities available after high school. More than 40 vendors, including many alumni helped make the day a special one for all of our students.

2023 RCHS Sophomore Retreat! Our sophomores had a delightful retreat day on Dec. 6, filled with Christmas sweaters, hot cocoa, and insights from a leather worker, a sacred artist, and a modern-day St. Francis. They enjoyed Irish music and games, and spent time in prayer on St. Nicholas’ Feast Day. We appreciate the generous women who cooked and coordinated food, the prayer team, the Creighton University college students who joined us, and the Culture Project Missionaries dedicated to reclaiming our dignity as human beings.

RCHS zoology students prepare a juvenile shark for dissection on Dec. 12. Our science teachers believe it is important for students to take a hands on approach in the laboratory. The Zoology class is taught by Mrs. Nicole Hebert.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted students and their parents on the final day of classes on Dec. 22 at RCHS. Students and teachers finished up finals on Dec. 22 and began a well-earned holiday break.

RCHS Academic Decathlon team members had a successful week of competition. On Jan. 20, team members piled up 22 individual medals and came in second place for the team super quiz. All but one of the 11 students competing received at least one medal. On Jan. 21, the team received an invite to the Nebraska Academic Decathlon state competition in February.

The Feb. 22 RCHS blood drive was the most successful drive in the past five years. Fifty-one units of lifesaving blood were collected and will impact 153 lives in the coming days/weeks. For the 20232024 school year more than 100 pints of blood were collected.

RCHS students Tommy Novotny, Victoria Bilotta and Jordan Martinez along with RCHS Campus Minister Clare Fletcher traveled to a snowy Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life event on Jan. 19.

RCHS sophomore swimmer Theodore Steiner qualified for the state meet in two events and scored 10 points for the Brownell-Talbot/Concordia/Roncalli Catholic swim team. Steiner finished runner-up in the consolation final of the 100-yard backstroke and ended up sixth in the consolation final of the 200-yard IM. Senior wrestler Collin Stone capped his high school career at the state meet in Omaha, wrestling at 190 pounds. The RCHS basketball team improved to 17-8 on the season and advanced to the state tournament with a 68-48 win over Gering on Feb. 27.

Everyone at RCHS spent the week of Jan. 29 - Feb. 2 celebrating Catholic Schools week. Themed days, special treats, an all-school mass and the annual students vs. faculty basketball capped an eventful fun-filled week at RCHS.

We were blessed to have Archbishop Lucas and Fr. Gnirk at RCHS on March 19 to preside over the Feast Day of St. Joseph. ‘Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church, watch over the Church as carefully as you watched over Jesus, help protect it and guide it as you did with your adopted son. Amen’.

On Feb. 28, during the Junior Class Retreat, students had the chance to play games, eat delicious burgers cooked by our very own senior, Orlando Echols, and have some time for personal reflection. Our students ended the day with adoration and gifts from the JPII Newman Center.

Rummel/Roncalli Catholic 2024 Class Reunions

1974

July 19th-Benson Golf Course

July 20th-Roncalli Catholic H.S.

4:00-5:00PM Mass

5:00PM-Social/Dinner

1984

July 19th-Golf

July 20th-Social

3:00-4:00PM Tour of Roncalli

Catholic High School

4:00-5:00PM Mass at Roncalli

Catholic with Rummel Class of 1974

6:00PM-Bowling at ICC Bowlatorium

2004

September 20th-Roncalli Catholic Football Game

1979

July 12th-Social at 7:00PM at Legends Cherry Hills

July 13th-Golf Outing at 11:00AM at the Knolls Golf Course

July 13th-Dinner Social at Roncalli Catholic High School at 6:00PM

1994

June 8th-DJ’s Dugout on 192nd Maple at 6:00PM

2014

June 14th-Social at Cresent Moon 7:00PM

June 15th-Dinner at Roncalli Catholic High School at 6:30PM

For more information on the reunion schedule of events, please reach out to Vice President TJ Orr at torr@roncallicatholic.org.

roncallicatholic.org/giving/giving-opportunities/

roncallicatholic.org/giving/giving-opportunities/

BURNS HONORED, STUDENTS AND STAFF REAP BENEFIT

35th Annual Festa del Leone exceeds expectations, raises vital funds to benefit students, staff.

The Roncalli Catholic family always answers the call and they did just that on April 6 when more than 500 people showed their support for Roncalli Catholic High School by attending the 35th annual Festa del Leone.

For the second year in a row, the event was held at A View on State and guests were excited to honor Pope St. John XXIII recipient Ed Burns for his tireless dedication to Roncalli Catholic student athletes. Burns, an Archbishop Rummel graduate, holds a lifelong connection to Rummel and Roncalli Catholic High School and continues to dedicate his time to the Roncalli Catholic student athletes helping them grow in wisdom, courage, and faith.

Festa del Leone serves as RCHS’s largest fundraiser and the benefits directly impact students and staff every day. This year’s Raise the Paddle funds will go directly to support The RCHS tuition assistance program and enrich learning operations - including program enhancements, technology upgrades, and campus updates. All proceeds directly benefit the outstanding students who attend Roncalli Catholic.

“Everyone who had a hand in making this year’s event a success, all play a crucial role in supporting our mission,” said President Sean Keisling. “Their support ensures that our students have access to the resources they need to discover their full potential and authentic selves.”

Roncalli Catholic President Sean Keisling presents Ed Burns with the Pope St. John XXIII award at the annual Festa del Leone on April 6.

A sellout crowd attended this year’s Festa del Leone event at A View on State on April 6.

The Pope St. John XXIII award was presented to Ed Burns. Pictured are (from left) President Sean Keisling, Brian Keating, Matt Bowers, Burns, Jack Dotzler, Brady McGill and Nick Dotzler.

Capital Campaign reaches new milestones, updated timeline released

The excitement around the Pride In Our Future Capital Campaign continues to build.

The funds raised for the campaign have surpassed the $3 million dollar mark, and the support from the RCHS family has allowed us to continue to drive the mission for our school forward.

RCHS is expected to break ground on the Athletic Field and Track in late May. Nemaha Sports Construction will be working throughout the summer to make sure that the new turf field is ready for the first home game against Columbus Lakeview on Sept. 13.

“It’s very exciting,” said RCHS Football Coach Tom Kassing. “The start of the season is always exciting, but this fall will be a whole different level of excitement.”

Plans are underway to renovate and update the science labs and the student services center. The timeline for the two projects can be found to the right.

RCHS is committed to providing a strong Catholic education, forming students to be future leaders in our Church and communities. We believe in forming the full student in body, mind and spirit – which is why we want to make sure this campaign touches many aspects of our students’ high school journey.

RCHS asks for your prayers as we enter a pivotal time for the campaign and want to thank everyone who has offered both financial and spiritual support.

PROJECT TIMELINE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Below are the project timelines for the completion of the Pride In Our Future campaign goals. Timelines were determined in collaboration with the Board of Directors, RCHS Facility Committee, school leadership, contractors and architects. School projects are scheduled around school operations to limit the impact on student learning. Primary work on projects is completed during the summer months.

Campaign to have direct impact on RCHS students, staff

For RCHS Track and Field Coach Ryan Harrel the idea of a state of the art Track and Field complex is an exciting one. “The new track complex and other facilities will be very important for the Track and Field team,” said Harrel. “It will significantly decrease the amount of injuries to the student athletes, and we will be able to adequately train them to be able to reach their fullest potential and ability. I am extremely excited for these new facilities and where this addition can take our student athletes.” The track and field teams have enjoyed a strong season and qualified 11 athletes for the state meet at Burke stadium.

Megan Pritza graduated May 12 and after spending four years at RCHS is excited about the transformation that is underway at 6401 Sorensen Parkway. “It brings me great joy to know that the place I’ve called home for the last four years will continue to grow and become better for all. The student center is a very important part of our school. It is where we eat lunch, have study hall and a place to meet up with friends after school. Overall, I know the student body is ecstatic about these new changes and the opportunity to have what so many schools around us have.”

Roncalli Catholic High School has embarked on a master plan and concept design process that culminated in a 21st Century vision for the school’s facilities and grounds. Recent development momentum and in-depth strategic planning initiatives sparked this vision, which is entirely built around student success, safety, and the strengthening of the entire Roncalli Catholic community. Our plans are designed to bolster recruiting and retention of students, faculty, and staff and to provide a framework for ongoing stewardship of the school’s building and grounds for future generations.

Junior student-athletes and Activities Director Tom Kassing join RCHS President Sean Keisling for the official signing of a contract with Nemaha Sports Construction on April 2. Nemaha will begin to re-construct the football field and track in May and the new turf field is expected to be ready by the first varsity home football game on Sept. 13.

Students get unique look at Nebraska Supreme Court

On April 3, Roncalli Catholic High School students got the rare opportunity to see the inner-workings of the Nebraska Supreme Court as part of the High School Outreach Argument Program.

Students and staff filled the Notre Dame Auditorium to witness actual oral arguments from attorneys in front of Chief Justice Mike Heavican and the rest of the Supreme Court judges.

AP Government students, including junior Rhionna Matthews engaged the justices with questions following the proceedings and valued the opportunity at a first-hand look into how the NSC operated.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” Matthews said. “Just to be able to witness the attorneys make their case and see the Justices interact with them.”

Heavican relishes the opportunity to visit area high schools and feels like it is important for students.

“As much as possible I think it is important for the citizens of Nebraska to see what the courts do,” said Heavican. “It’s a unique opportunity for us to reach young people.”

The Nebraska Supreme Court made a special trip to Roncalli Catholic High School on April 3. The visit was part of the High School Outreach Program and allowed RCHS students a unique first-hand look at the inner workings of the NSC.

Chief Justice Mike Heavican listens carefully during the oral arguments of the Supreme Court hearing at Roncalli Catholic High School.

Principal JJ Stoffel speaks with guest speaker and RCHS alum Steve Lathrop before the proceedings.

RCHS set to unveil Athletic Hall of Fame

RCHS is excited to announce the creation of the Roncalli Catholic/Notre Dame Academy/ Rummel Athletic Hall of Fame. We are excited to honor the great athletes who have come through our halls throughout our fantastic 60 year history!

Our Mission

The Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor former student-athletes, coaches, teams, administrators, and significant contributors who have brought honor and distinction to the school either through their athletic excellence, coaching accomplishments, or their dedication to athletics in the school community.

Qualifications

Nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame can be an individual athlete, coach, team, administrator or significant contributor to the Notre Dame Academy, Rummel, and/or Roncalli Catholic Athletic Programs. All Athletes and teams must have been out of high school a minimum of 7 years. No time frame on coaches, administrators or contributors.

Induction Ceremony

Inductees will be honored at the Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony on Nov. 22, 2024 at Roncalli Catholic High School. Their names will be displayed on the Athletic Hall of Fame wall and will be enshrined forever in Roncalli Catholic/Notre Dame Academy/Rummel lore!

JULY 22

35TH ANNUAL SWING WITH PRIDE THE PLAYER’S CLUB, OMAHA, NE

FRESHMAN-SENIOR ORIENTATION

RONCALLI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

AUG. 14

AUG. 12-13

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

RONCALLI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

CURRICULUM NIGHT

RONCALLI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

NOV. 3 OPEN HOUSE

AUG. 28

RONCALLI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

1ST ANNUAL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

RONCALLI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

NOV. 22