Story by Ann Lombardo
WAHOO (SNR) – Almost two months ago, Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo rolled into a new academic year in true Cavalier style – “Roll, Cavs, Roll” is the daily motto – through a few bumps along the way.
From the start, principal John Kreikemeier and the health care team worked closely with the Three Rivers Public Health Department – which serves Douglas, Saunders and Washington counties – to determine best practices for keeping students, faculty and staff healthy.
Kreikemeier stated and reiterated many times that there was but one goal: “as many students and faculty in the building for as many days possible, for as long as possible.”
Face masks, social distancing, temperature checks and frequent sanitizing were part of the game plan from day one. Neumann students demonstrated their desire to be in face-to-face classes through willing compliance to the guidelines.
Late August brought a significant bump in the road when two students tested positive for COVID. After hours of deliberations trying to determine exposure and contact tracing, the entire volleyball team and coaching staff were quarantined for two weeks, along with a number of students whose schedules and classroom seats placed them proximate to the infected students.
As to be expected, the decision was difficult. The quarantine of the team, coaches and other possibly-exposed students made a big impact in the small school. Neumann serves approximately 260 students in grades 6-12, from more than a dozen area parishes.
It was at this time that the school’s 2020 theme for the year, “Anchored in Hope,” provided a spiritual base which enabled the school to come to terms with the setback and move forward in unity.
Prior to opening day, it was discerned by the school’s campus ministry team that only a spiritual perspective would enable both the faculty and student body to face the unending uncertainties of the 2020-21 school year. The verse Jeremiah 29:11 was chosen as a focal point: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.”
At an all-school assembly, Gery Kenney, director of campus ministry, witnessed to her struggle with anger at the news of the quarantine, which required her own son to switch to remote learning. As she turned to the Lord in prayer, she said, she realized that the only way forward was through forgiveness.
Challenging all those present to also embrace forgiveness and reconciliation, she then led the student body in the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Father Lee Jirovsky, chief administrative officer, also spoke at the assembly. He pointed out that all the efforts at school to minimize the risk of COVID would only be successful if diligence was practiced beyond school hours. He expounded on the fact that Catholic education is grounded in relationships with Christ, and with one another, and that solid relationships require trust.
This means “that we have to trust each other to do the right thing in the right way at the right time,” he said. “Being open and honest can be difficult in the moment, but is essential to our long-term ability to stay open.”
The call to remain anchored in hope was embraced in unity.
Volleyball captain Anna Toline led the team in prayer when they were told all games and practices would be cancelled for two weeks. Unfortunately, she had to be quarantined a second time for another exposure.
“It was challenging being quarantined with the volleyball team, but especially this second time during both homecoming and my birthday.
“It was shocking at first,” she continued, “but in the end, all you can do is trust in His plan, and know that things will work out in the end. Everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t always understand why.”
Under the guidance of coach Brandi Sladky, a team novena was initiated with an invitation to the rest of the student body to participate.
Senior art students Mason Vculek, Rylee Osmera and Boston Pentico designed a three-dimensional display for the library based on the year’s theme.
Extracurricular groups found creative ways to meet and forward their goals. Spirit Week and Homecoming weekend recently concluded. In lieu of the traditional semi-formal dance, the planning team hosted a variety of games, including corn hole, volleyball and kickball. A smorgasbord of ethnic foods was provided by food trucks.
Alaina Furasek, student body president, was chosen as homecoming queen. She said, “even though it was completely different, many students remarked on what a good time they had.”
“In order to successfully get through this academic year, we need to keep a positive attitude, stay anchored in hope, and believe that it will all work out,” she added.
Students returning from quarantine have been warmly welcomed back. Laughter is heard in the hallways and outside on the school campus during lunch periods as students adjust to this “new normal.”
And as always, the Cavaliers continue to roll.
