Director of marketing and events for Hastings Catholic Schools to receive St. John Bosco Award
Southern Nebraska Register
Danielle Wagoner’s roots in Catholic education run deep. She attended a Christian preschool, then St. Bonaventure School and Scotus Central Catholic in Columbus, where her mother taught speech and drama and coached the one-act and speech teams.
“I’ve grown up Catholic,” she said. “One of the neatest memories that I have growing up would be hanging out with my mom after school and watching the big kids with their speech and drama practices.”
After graduating from Scotus in 2004, Wagoner attended Hastings College, earning a degree in media productions with an emphasis in advertising and public relations. She credits her college years with giving her strong professional preparation and the mentorship that guided her toward marketing and communications work.
After graduation, Wagoner worked at Lochland Country Club in Hastings as the membership and communications director, where she built experience in marketing and media. But her path soon led her back to Catholic education.
When Hastings Catholic Schools added a full-time position to focus on marketing and sharing the schools’ stories, she accepted the role.
“It was really a great blessing to be back in a faith-filled atmosphere and really do some meaningful, impactful work,” she said. “I’ve been able to share some of the things that I’ve learned and help the schools in their mission.”
Wagoner is passionate about the mission of Catholic schools and the sense of community they provide.
“I believe that our Catholic schools and our Catholic education are just so impactful for our students who are preparing to go out into the real world and live their own lives and become Christian witnesses to other folks around them,” she said.
She emphasized that the foundation of Catholic education is not only academics but relationships.
“The part of Catholic education that really stands out to me is the community that’s created within our schools and our parishes,” Wagoner explained. “It’s that community that really gets us through the highs and the lows of normal everyday life.”
Wagoner said it is inspiring to witness the effort and sacrifice that go into making that mission possible.
“It’s been truly amazing to now be on the other side of Catholic education, not just experiencing it as a student or a parishioner, but to be on the working side of it and to see all of the awesome team members that we have,” she said.
In her role, Wagoner has the opportunity to highlight the vibrant life of Hastings Catholic Schools – whether in classrooms, on the courts, or on stage.
“Probably the most fulfilling part of my job is being part of a team that gets to share the story of all of the wonderful things that are happening in our schools,” she said.
She also helps create memorable events for students. One of her favorite memories was helping plan a celebration following the election of Pope Leo XIV.
“We had a ‘Pope Party,’ and we lit the white smoke and we had vanilla ice cream, and the kids got to watch everything live in the gym,” she recalled. “It was just really eye-opening and amazing to me how excited these kids were for this whole experience.”
Reflecting on receiving an award for her service to Catholic education, Wagoner expressed deep humility.
“Of course, all glory to God. First and foremost, I would like to thank my family, my husband Colin, who is my best friend and my rock, and my children, June and Bruce, who keep me young at heart.”
She also recognized the many other people who make Catholic education possible.
“It’s just really neat to be part of a team who’s all working towards the same mission with the same foundation and the same love for Christ,” she said.
With the beginning of the current school year, Wagoner is reenergized by the energy that comes with students returning to campus.
“I am excited for the upcoming year,” she said. “I’m very much looking forward to experiencing Mass with the elementary students and hearing their voices come back together once again. It’s just truly a spiritual feeling.”
Wagoner is also enthusiastic about the future of the arts at Hastings Catholic Schools.
“I’m really excited for the direction in our fine arts program,” Wagoner said, noting the addition of new teachers in music and art. “I’m just really looking forward to growing those programs and helping share all of the really awesome things that those folks are doing.”
She was nominated as Support Staff Member of the Year not only for her creative marketing ideas and efforts to share the stories of Hastings Catholic Schools with the wider community, but also for her role in supporting the evangelizing mission of Catholic education.
“It takes the donors, the faculty, the staff, the parents who make sacrifices, and those who support us in prayer,” Wagoner reflected. “It’s really that community that supports us through the highs and the lows of everyday life and works to prepare these children for this life and the next.”
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Wagoner will receive her award Oct. 12 at the third annual “Saints & Scholars” dinner to celebrate Catholic schools, educators and benefactors in the Diocese of Lincoln. All are welcome to attend. See www.goodshepherdscholarship.com for more details.
