Honor Flight Tradition
The 7th and 8th graders at St. Therese School went to the KCI airport to welcome home veterans from the Honor Flight. This tradition was started by Mr. Freund, a retired St. Therese Social Studies teacher and it continues with the current Social Studies teacher, Mr. Haugen. Both teachers were Guardians for the Honor Flight. Thank you, gentlemen, for instilling in our students' patriotism and appreciation for the men and women that have served this great country.
Pinwheel Garden Planted
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The United States Bishops and Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph is dedicated to the protection and healing of children by creating the charter to protect children and young people. The 7th graders at Nativity of Mary, in Independence, helped "plant" the garden to remind us to pray for the end of child abuse.
Youth Witness
St. Michael the Archangel High School Cross Country teammates: David, Xavier, Oliver, Sam and Johnny.
Ever since I’ve had the pleasure to meet and get to know Johnny, I’ve never seen him in a bad mood; he is always so positive and joyful. Getting to be not only his teammate but his friend for three years now has been amazing partly because of all I have learned from him. I have learned that just a simple smile can do so much for a person, and how anything is possible when you work hard and put your faith in God.
Read more: catholickey.org/2023/02/06/youth-voice-johnny-as-a-witness/
Read more: catholickey.org/2023/02/06/youth-voice-johnny-as-a-witness/
Schools Helping Those in Need
Bishop LeBlond High School students and community members helped purchase gifts for dozens of children and families on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Student elves wrapped and loaded the Christmas gifts on the sleigh and sent them on their way!
The 5th graders at Our Lady of the Presentation School have been busy spreading Christmas cheer. The shared the joy of the season by caroling for the residents of John Knox Village and the Little Sisters of the Poor. The students also greeted fellow students the last day of school before Christmas break with festive singing. Thank you, 5th graders, for sharing your musical talents.
One of St. Regis Academy's favorite Christmas tradition is collecting gifts for the residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor. Every year the families of St. Regis send in donations to ensure every resident receives a heartfelt gift. Then the 8th graders have the privilege of bringing Christmas cheer to them. The smiles, hugs, and stories shared were priceless!
New Principal Spotlight
The new principal at St. Charles Borromeo Academy is Mrs. Candace Stracener. She became a teacher 17 years ago because she enjoys creating lifelong learners by sparking excitement in her students. Mrs. Stracener chose Catholic education because she loves sharing the sacraments with her students and creating a place where the whole student can learn mind, body, and soul. She wanted to share her passion for teaching with adult learners, so Mrs. Stracener applied to become principal. Her goal as principal is to grow our school and faith community with fun family events.
When not at work, Mrs. Stracener enjoys reading and watching sports. She loves art and architecture and hopes to one day go to Europe and explore the whole continent. If she could meet anyone in history, Mrs. Stracener would like to meet Vincent Van Goh, as his art inspires her.
A typical day for Mrs. Stracener is more like a juggling act. She starts her morning helping her own kids get out the door, arrives early at school to greet her students as they come to school, next meeting, phone calls, and time in the classroom. Mrs. Stracener is passionate about education and hunger/food scarcity. Her favorite quote is "dream big and dare to fail."
Welcome, Mrs. Stracener!
When not at work, Mrs. Stracener enjoys reading and watching sports. She loves art and architecture and hopes to one day go to Europe and explore the whole continent. If she could meet anyone in history, Mrs. Stracener would like to meet Vincent Van Goh, as his art inspires her.
A typical day for Mrs. Stracener is more like a juggling act. She starts her morning helping her own kids get out the door, arrives early at school to greet her students as they come to school, next meeting, phone calls, and time in the classroom. Mrs. Stracener is passionate about education and hunger/food scarcity. Her favorite quote is "dream big and dare to fail."
Welcome, Mrs. Stracener!
Mr. James Hosler is the new Dean of Schools at St. James Catholic School. He started in education 13 years ago to help young people. Mr. Hosler studied Latin, Classic, and education at Florida State University, where he met his wife. He and his family moved to St. Joseph 12 years ago and started teaching Latin at Central High School. Mr. Holser and his family have spread his roots in the St. Joseph community and as parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
When asked what Mr. Hosler's goal for this academic year is, he is excited to complete his degree in education administration from the University of Columbia. Mr. Hosler looks forward to continuing to shape the lives of young people as the Dean of Schools by focusing on both Jesus Christ and academic excellence. He is passionate about doing the right thing for his family, Church, and employer. He welcomes the unpredictability that comes along with being the Dean of Schools.
If Mr. Hosler could travel anywhere, he would choose Washington D.C. The city offers fun things to see and do that are usually free. Mr. Hosler would also like to meet Abraham Lincoln if he could meet anyone in history. Mr. Hosler would enjoy getting to know this amazing person in history. You might cross paths with Mr. Hosler if you are at Aldi's when it opens up.
Welcome, Mr. Hosler!
When asked what Mr. Hosler's goal for this academic year is, he is excited to complete his degree in education administration from the University of Columbia. Mr. Hosler looks forward to continuing to shape the lives of young people as the Dean of Schools by focusing on both Jesus Christ and academic excellence. He is passionate about doing the right thing for his family, Church, and employer. He welcomes the unpredictability that comes along with being the Dean of Schools.
If Mr. Hosler could travel anywhere, he would choose Washington D.C. The city offers fun things to see and do that are usually free. Mr. Hosler would also like to meet Abraham Lincoln if he could meet anyone in history. Mr. Hosler would enjoy getting to know this amazing person in history. You might cross paths with Mr. Hosler if you are at Aldi's when it opens up.
Welcome, Mr. Hosler!
Cathedral School welcomes Ken McEnaney as their new Dean of Schools. Mr. McEnaney became interested in education after a former Cathedral principal asked him to teach a creative writing class as an elective. He enjoyed it so much that he went back to school to earn a degree in education and started teaching while completing his degree and certification.
In 1996, Mr. McEnaney and his wife began looking for childcare and visited the Cathedral Early Childhood Center. From that moment on, Mr. McEnaney felt at home. After teaching for seven years and multiple turnovers at the principal position, Mr. McEnaney returned to obtain his master's degree in educational leadership. Three of his sons graduated from Cathedral and Bishop LeBlond High School. His fourth son will graduate from Cathedral in 2023. Since Mr. McEnaney had children attend Cathedral school, he wants to see the school continue to provide a quality, faith-filled education to the children of St. Joseph.
In Mr. McEnaney's spare time, he enjoys coaching his four sons in their youth football, basketball, and baseball. He is looking forward to a trip to Ireland, where his family immigrated from many years ago, and hopes to meet distant relatives. When asked who Mr. McEnaney would like to meet in history, he responded he would like to meet Joseph. Since Mr. McEnaney was a carpenter for many years, he would like to know how Joseph created things without modern technology. He also believes that Joseph was a wise and patient foster father for Jesus. Imagine the stories Joseph could tell.
Welcome, Mr. McEnaney!
In 1996, Mr. McEnaney and his wife began looking for childcare and visited the Cathedral Early Childhood Center. From that moment on, Mr. McEnaney felt at home. After teaching for seven years and multiple turnovers at the principal position, Mr. McEnaney returned to obtain his master's degree in educational leadership. Three of his sons graduated from Cathedral and Bishop LeBlond High School. His fourth son will graduate from Cathedral in 2023. Since Mr. McEnaney had children attend Cathedral school, he wants to see the school continue to provide a quality, faith-filled education to the children of St. Joseph.
In Mr. McEnaney's spare time, he enjoys coaching his four sons in their youth football, basketball, and baseball. He is looking forward to a trip to Ireland, where his family immigrated from many years ago, and hopes to meet distant relatives. When asked who Mr. McEnaney would like to meet in history, he responded he would like to meet Joseph. Since Mr. McEnaney was a carpenter for many years, he would like to know how Joseph created things without modern technology. He also believes that Joseph was a wise and patient foster father for Jesus. Imagine the stories Joseph could tell.
Welcome, Mr. McEnaney!
Ms. Mary Kroening is the new principal at St. Michael the Archangel High School. Ms. Kroening's mother was a lifetime teacher, and she would help her mom in her school. After helping her mom and having some quality teachers and coaches growing up, Ms. Kroening knew teaching was her calling. She has been an educator for 15 years and 22 years as a high school coach.
Ms. Kroening attended Catholic schools. When asked why she chose Catholic education, she loves she can pray with her students and share her faith with them, thus allowing her to continue growing her faith. Ms. Kroening's goal this year is to help teachers and students be the best version of themselves.
When not at school, Ms. Kroening enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, running (currently training for 5k/10ks to lead to a half marathon), cheering on her favorite sports teams, coaching my daughter's sports teams, and cooking when time allows. One day, she would love to travel to Ireland and Italy to visit her heritage. Ms. Kroening is passionate about Catholic education, homelessness/hunger of youth, and cancer research. You might cross paths at Target, as she is always there.
Welcome, Ms. Kroening!
Ms. Mary Kroening is the new principal at St. Michael the Archangel High School. Ms. Kroening's mother was a lifetime teacher, and she would help her mom in her school. After helping her mom and having some quality teachers and coaches growing up, Ms. Kroening knew teaching was her calling. She has been an educator for 15 years and 22 years as a high school coach.
Ms. Kroening attended Catholic schools. When asked why she chose Catholic education, she loves she can pray with her students and share her faith with them, thus allowing her to continue growing her faith. Ms. Kroening's goal this year is to help teachers and students be the best version of themselves.
When not at school, Ms. Kroening enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, running (currently training for 5k/10ks to lead to a half marathon), cheering on her favorite sports teams, coaching my daughter's sports teams, and cooking when time allows. One day, she would love to travel to Ireland and Italy to visit her heritage. Ms. Kroening is passionate about Catholic education, homelessness/hunger of youth, and cancer research. You might cross paths at Target, as she is always there.
Welcome, Ms. Kroening!
The new principal at Nativity of Mary School is Mrs. Stephanie Hollo. Mrs. Hollo has a passion for education after experiencing a childhood development class in high school and learning how crucial early childhood education is, along with early intervention before kindergarten. Her husband and she chose Catholic education for our oldest son 22 year-ago, after experiencing the family-like atmosphere and faith-based curriculum. Mrs. Hollo has been an early childhood teacher, a behavioral interventionist, and a special education coordinator for the FIRE program.
When asked what Mrs. Hollo’s goal for this academic year is, she wants her students to know that she is there for them and that coming to her, or her office isn’t a “bad” thing. A typical day for Mrs. Hollo includes coffee and reflection on the way to school, then greeting students at the school’s entrance, visiting classrooms to experience the excitement of learning, answering emails, working on accreditation material, and finally ending the day by walking students out for dismissal.
Not every day at school is the same, but Mrs. Hollo’s overall goal is to be visual to all staff, students, and parents.
When not at school, you will find Mrs. Hollo at her husband’s family auto service business. Her family enjoys attending classic rock concerts and she would love to meet artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Queen. One day she hopes to travel to Hungary to experience her husband’s heritage firsthand.
Welcome, Mrs. Hollo!
When asked what Mrs. Hollo’s goal for this academic year is, she wants her students to know that she is there for them and that coming to her, or her office isn’t a “bad” thing. A typical day for Mrs. Hollo includes coffee and reflection on the way to school, then greeting students at the school’s entrance, visiting classrooms to experience the excitement of learning, answering emails, working on accreditation material, and finally ending the day by walking students out for dismissal.
Not every day at school is the same, but Mrs. Hollo’s overall goal is to be visual to all staff, students, and parents.
When not at school, you will find Mrs. Hollo at her husband’s family auto service business. Her family enjoys attending classic rock concerts and she would love to meet artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Queen. One day she hopes to travel to Hungary to experience her husband’s heritage firsthand.
Welcome, Mrs. Hollo!
St. Peter's School welcomes Dr. Mary Jo Gates as its principal this year. Dr. Gates grew up in Catholic schools and is at home when in them. She decided to become an educator because of her love of helping others learn. Dr. Gates's goal for this year is to identify how she can best support the teachers in their efforts to teach the children.
Dr. Gates enjoys traveling, hiking, sewing, and being with her children and grandchildren. One day, she dreams of taking a river cruise through Europe to experience the beauty and enjoy relaxing. Dr. Gates is passionate about God's creation and care for the environment.
When asked who she would like to meet in history, she mentioned the Grimke sisters. The sisters grew up in the 1800s on a southern plantation and became abolitionists. Dr. Gates's favorite quote is "Do what you are doing when you are doing it" --Fr. Bob Pflumm.
Welcome, Dr. Gates!
Mrs. Stacey Bresette is the new principal at St. Gabriel's School. She became an educator because she loved school and wanted to be like so many of her teachers. Mrs. Bresette started her educational career 27 years ago and is celebrating her 20th year in Catholic education.
When asked what Mrs. Bresette would like to accomplish this year, she would like to get to know and become integrated into the St. Gabriel community. Mrs. Bresette feels blessed to be able to join such a beautiful parish and school community.
When not at work, she enjoys reading and visiting with her family. One day, Mrs. Bresette would love to go to Rome for its beauty and history. She is passionate about liberal arts education and bringing the Catholic faith to the children at St. Gabriel's and their families. You might cross paths with her at the tea counter of QT.
Welcome, Mrs. Bresette!