Assumption Catholic School Updates and Community Celebrations

You're listening to Perspective on WFHR 1320 a.m.

97 5 fm.

I'm Melissa K bringing you news in our community during this interview I'm talking with Matt Sikowski director of advancement alumni relations with assumption Catholic schools on Friday May 8th Thank you for joining me Matt to bring the community an update from assumption

Melissa always great being here.

Thank you very much and

I just want to start off that I know spring is here.

I saw my first Oreo in my bird feeder in my backyard.

Spring is here.

All right.

Do you give them a little grape jelly to lure

them in?

Amazing.

A

bird that

eats jelly.

I mean, it's just...

Can you blame it though?

Jelly is pretty amazing.

They have a sweet tooth.

More than I do.

Those

Orioles.

That's great being here.

Thanks, Melissa.

Yeah, glad to have you.

Let's start by recapping the most recent event that was put on by Assumption, the Run the Rapids 5K Run Walk.

That took place on April 25th.

How did it go?

Thanks for asking, Melissa.

And again, thanks.

Thank you to WFHR for being such a...

a wonderful sponsor and promoter of this, this great community event.

So that is correct.

Melissa was on Saturday, April 25.

We had a really weather wise, pleasant morning for the walkers and runners.

And as you know, the month of April can be it's hit or miss.

It can be extremely volatile.

So we are very blessed with the weather we had.

We had 203 people register.

And then

the day off we had 164 start and cross the start and finish.

Great event.

Still wrapping things up.

As far as the the thank yous that are going on to our volunteers and great sponsors, and still waiting to collect some some revenue.

And the last thing I'll say on it this year, I just, I got to say this that we had some tremendous fast runners.

Wow.

And women.

I was really impressed with the just with the time.

Well, and being a running yourself, that is something you have some experience with.

And an appreciation for as well.

And again, it was a great morning for them to get on and run a quick time.

So we look forward to Melissa.

Hopefully next year we'll be we'll be back for our 22nd year.

We did a survey for our participants.

And we're going to look at those results.

We take very seriously their feedback, which helps us put the best race we can.

So we're looking forward to 2027.

And again, thank you for your support too.

Well, it's a great event for a needed cause to raise awareness of child abuse prevention and to help our local organizations that assist in that area.

Great cause.

Well, let's now move into talking about some of the updates from the different schools that assumption.

Well, that'd be great, Melissa.

I want to start off with our grade pre-K through second.

That's our Lady Queen of Heaven school.

And you know, it's really amazing.

We only have a few more weeks of school.

Isn't that crazy?

It sure does.

So there's the kids are hanging in there, the teachers.

And to me, my observation, it doesn't seem any different than it was, let's say back in January, even though they're looking forward to the nice weather and the summer break

too.

The education is still happening.

Young minds are still learning.

Young minds

are still absorbing, loving it.

So at Our Lady, we have a few really cool things.

One is the students are going to participate in an all school retreat.

on the miracles of Jesus on the afternoon of May 21st.

It's a special time that will be provided to our students for reflection prayer and a deeper understanding of the Lord in all the miracles he performed.

Then we have, and I'm really always amazed with this, I know Shelley and her staff really are focused on the kid, the kid's learning new words.

being able to spell correctly the meat potatoes of education at that young age.

And as of right now, the kids have collected and learned over 14 million words.

Wow.

That's that's

mind boggling.

Yeah.

And over with that 10,000 reading quizzes.

So

they

really do a great job of preparing these kids.

Yeah.

Reading and comprehension retaining that knowledge.

And then the last thing with our lady they have a

a traditional school picnic, outdoor concert with someone by the name of Tom Peace.

And that schedule for Thursday, May 28th begins at one.

I've offered Shelly where I could bring my electric guitar and one of my amplifiers and introduce the kids to some riffs.

Okay.

I'm sure they'll be introduced in their lifetime, but I got to use common sense, Melissa.

Because if I did that,

I'd probably never be invited back at school again.

So I think I may just live with Tom.

He plays and cruises guitar and the kids love it.

So some great things going on at our Lady Queen of Heaven School.

If I could focus quickly to St.

Vincent de Paul, that is our grade third through fifth and next year, Melissa, St.

Vincent de Paul third grade through sixth grade.

Okay, so our sixth graders will be at St.

Vincent de

Paul.

And that's something totally new in high school middle school be seven through 12.

Okay, is there a reason behind that change?

Great question.

I think our numbers,

okay,

better utilizing our space at our schools.

This might create another classroom space for us at the high school.

And at St.

Vincent de Paul, they do have some, some empty classrooms.

So it's just a matter of us being efficient with our

Utilizing your buildings in a way that works for your population.

Absolutely.

So I think

that's a great Exciting move.

We're looking forward to their

land.

How do the fifth graders feel about this

year?

That's a great question.

I think I think There was a little disappointment because you're looking for right to the move move on into the big black pool,

right?

But I think they've been aware with this

of the news in the last couple of months and I think

they're starting

to

absorb it.

They're starting to absorb it.

And look at it this way.

They'll be the big fish in the small pond

next year.

They sure

will.

So it'll all work out.

You know, things at St.

Vincent de Paul, they're just doing things typical of the month of May, getting ready for the kids the last day, which is May 28th.

Wow.

That's coming up

fast.

It's

coming up very quick.

And they're just doing things with the staff.

doing some theme days.

And today, I'm not sure if the listen audience will, this might already be over with by the time we listen, the audience listens, but we have a plant pickup in the gym today at St.

Vincent DePaul.

So it's a fundraiser that was sponsored by the rural parents.

And so

all of these orders, I've already been plans.

Okay, so you need to make sure to pick those up.

Maybe I'll get more hummingbirds in my backyard with

these plants.

But

there

you

go.

So that's it.

We've had a good response for it.

It's one of the great fundraisers the rural parents do.

And again, the proceeds benefit.

The school

such as

steel trips and things like that.

So

that's a

day from four to six.

Okay.

Well, and you're you're nearing completion with your testing for students and There's another let's just touch briefly on this before we break and then when we come back We'll talk about the high schools and what's happening there, but you have a service day coming up May 13th

the service day may 13th again.

We want to give our students the

a broad experience, not only learning, being the best they can be with students, with the basics, learning about the Catholic faith is a big part of what we do, but being able to get in their minds, in their lives, the benefit of serving the community.

You want to develop well-rounded individuals that will benefit whoever they're going to reside after the graduate.

So that's coming up May 13th.

Well, and the spring is a great time.

for service activities within any community or even in your own yard, there's a lot to clean up in the spring.

Absolutely.

I mean, depending on what each house or what each organization has for the kids to do, there'll be plenty for them to do.

Because

as you mentioned, there's a lot of...

A lot of work to do in the spring.

A lot of

work to clear out the stuff from the winter.

Well, and now that everything is budding and the flowers are going, we've got trees that are flowering.

It's about that time to start cleaning out those dead leaves and the sticks.

Weeds need

to be weeded.

And they may have to cover the plants at night too because

of the frost.

Oh my goodness, yes.

We got to watch out for the weather.

Well, let's take a brief pause here, Matt, and before we dive into the high school happenings and hear about graduation coming up, we'll pause for a short moment to hear from our sponsors.

I'm Melissa Kaye, talking with Matt Sakowski, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations with Assumption Catholic Schools, and you're listening to Perspective on 1320 a.m.

975 FM WFHR.

Welcome.

You're listening to Perspective on WFHR 1320 a.m.

97 5 fm.

I'm Melissa K bringing you news in our community I've been speaking with Matt Zagowski director of advancement and alumni relations with assumption Catholic schools and where we left off Matt We were talking about the younger grades in the assumption school district and now let's move on to the high school because obviously it's May there's got to be a graduation coming up soon and the many different activities and

things going on as we wrap up the school year.

It's true, Melissa.

It is a huge day for these 34 seniors that will be moving on to the next phase of their life.

And our graduation will take place at the high school on Friday, May 22nd, beginning at 7 p.m.

And there's some events leading up to that.

We have what we call, you know, when I first saw this word, I thought it was Bachelorette.

So well, is

there

a dating game?

But it is and it's called, and I'm still not going to pronounce this correctly, baccalaureate.

Baccalaureate.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I'm here for you, Matt.

So you go

Latin.

No,

but I have organized graduations in the past.

So that's,

thank you very much

for

correcting me.

So that will take place on Wednesday, May 13th at 530 at the high school and what that is.

the seniors get with their parents.

They have dinner, do some recognition, and it's just a good way for them, the kids, the students to get with

their... Yeah, celebrate with their family and their

accomplishments.

...and grandparents.

Then we have the senior award ceremony, which will take place the following day on Thursday, May 14th at 1.30.

So that's in the afternoon.

And what that is, it's a recognition of seniors for their academic

achievements, leadership and contributions to the school community.

So again, the public is invited.

And we do have a great turnout with the families of the students for that.

So that will take place on Thursday, May 14.

And as I mentioned before, a graduation takes place in the high school on Friday in the gym, May 22.

You know, Melissa, at this time, if I could please have the honor of

recognize in the 34 seniors we have that'll be be moving on.

Yeah, I would love it.

And again,

my thing is, if you're related, not so much one of the students, but have a time with Assumption Catholic Schools, I would recommend you go into graduation.

Because really, it's all about these kids and the people that helped them achieve

what they the culmination of all of those efforts, you know, the

students.

the teachers and I've worked with them and their their parents who supported them so it's really neat things some great speakers and uh since we have such a small class it's not going to be a long ceremony

either

so come on out May 22nd at 7 p.m but I'm going to go through this list quickly Melissa sure uh the listening audience they'll have to be patient with me I'm not great with last names uh

But here we go.

Alphabetically.

So we have Jeremy Eris, James Boulderac, Ron Bord, Eric Kavanaugh, Lucy Dolan, Joseph Engwall, Jonah Glavin, Maddie Grauman, Larry Haight, Bailey Harchus, Aaron Jacobi, Jordan Jalinsky, Jaden Johnson, Raleigh Johnson, Lucia Kimmet, Zeke Kraft, Laura Laramie,

Chase Lieberg, Caleb McGregor, Naly Noska, Logan Neistrom, Diego Perez, Braden Peters, William Rifleman, Ron Ross, Lier St.

DeRose and Martin, Jonathan Schaeffler, Ona Shemanski, Raleigh Stublowski.

I do pretty good with the Polish names.

Oh, I was off my train of thoughts.

I'll repeat those again in case I forgot them.

Raleigh Stublowski, Lexi Swendrowski, Bella Thomas, Nina Tran, Quain Tran, and Kiera Webster.

There we have

it, everybody.

34 of our best graduating.

Moving on.

to the next phase of their life.

And we wish

them all the best.

Yeah, and graduation is a wonderful time to celebrate these scholars, their accomplishments, their achievements, and to honor all of the effort that they have put into their first 12 years of school.

Correct,

listen, and the thing that's really neat about this, on the first floor of our high school, we have every graduating class going all the way back to 1957, their pitchers,

the whole class on our on the walls of that hallway.

So class of 2026 will be right up there.

And it really is amazing seeing that seeing how many kids students we used to have.

Yeah,

we're the last 20 years.

It's quite a bit different.

But we're working on that trying to get more kids in our school.

But it's really a month of May is a great month at assumption Catholic schools and

Just enjoy the time we have with these kids

and one of the things that we've talked about in previous times together Matt is About alumni coming back to the schools and being able to walk those halls that they did that they were in school and see The the pictures of the classes as they as they walk through those hallways do you hear as I

I'm entering, I guess, middle years of life.

You're still young yet,

Melissa.

OK, thanks, Matt.

Well, do you hear from alumnus coming back, though, man, these kids look so young.

You know, there is great appreciation for our alumni that are still strongly connected.

As I mentioned to our audience so many times, we

can't operate without their generosity.

So there are donors who are able to make it possible for our kids now to even go through assumption Catholic school.

So there's definitely a buy-in with our alumni.

And I know they appreciate coming back, seeing the students.

They

really enjoy that.

Yeah.

Being able to walk those hallways.

Back to hallways

again.

And seeing that things really have not changed too much with the school itself.

Well by the time this episode will air this event will already happen, but let's talk about it Anyway, the spring band concert is happening Monday, May 11th at 6 30 p.m.

In the assumption gymnasium This is for grades 4 through 12 band concert from pretty much all of the students Are you looking forward to this?

Yeah,

I mean, you know my Where my office is located on the third floor the the band room is located right underneath me so

I get to

hear a lot of that

the singing a lot of the band playing getting ready for this for these these shows if you mentioned Melissa so there's a lot of the work that our band teachers music teachers put into it and the kids so it's it's just part of their assumption experience so they look forward to it so really yeah the month of May we have a lot of shows and and a lot of work involved in that for sure

so

When in our last couple minutes here, let's let's talk about a couple other things leading up to the last day of school, which as you mentioned in our first segment is Thursday, May 28.

But the eighth graders also have promotion, mass and awards happening the day before the last day of school.

Tell me about this.

So the eighth grade promotion, mass and awards kind of similar to what the seniors have will be doing a few days before and May 14.

It's just a that's it's more of a

kind of a graduation, so to speak, of them graduating from middle school, what will be high school next year.

Right.

And it's a big

transition.

It is.

It is a really more than you think.

So that will take place at 9am.

I know we'll have some recognition of some students have done some great things.

And it's really, it's a great way to honor all these kids on that day.

And if I could add to looking ahead to June quickly,

is at the high school, we have our quilt show.

Gotta mention the quilt show, that happens the third week of June on a Wednesday all the way through Saturday and happens during Blossom Fest here in Wisconsin Rapids.

And so I work pretty closely with the people that organize this event.

They utilize our gymnasium.

So hopefully it won't be hot during that week.

They want to keep the doors open

right get some wind going there

the amount of talent that's open for the public But I have to mention that

because

it really is

that's a fun

event the amount of Work passion

these people put

through there

and art quilts quilts are art.

Just just looking the beauty of how they are put together the Personally, I've done a little bit of sewing.

I've only made

one quilt in my life and it was just squares, Matt, because that's all I could do.

But the way that they can- It's more than I can

do, you

know?

But the way that they can turn fabric into pictures and art and these patterns, it's fabulous.

They're committed.

They love what they're doing.

It's hours and hours and hours of

work.

They take a lot of pride.

So come on out during that week.

Last thing I have to mention, Melissa, is, and this is more of a tradition with our schools, we have a

a Raptors assumption night where our teachers are able to attend.

They get a free ticket.

And then our families are also invited.

So that'll take place on Friday, June 19.

Raptors take on the lacrosse loggers.

So all assumption people listening, come on out, watch Great North Woods League Baseball at Winterfield.

Gather with your assumption family and have some fun in the bleachers.

Come on get out there and let's and we do have a one of our athletic teams will do the 50-50 Okay, so that's Friday June 19th and Yeah, we look forward to

that

Well, it's been a fun conversation with you today,

Matt.

And thank you to listeners joining us for news in our community on WFHR 1320 AM, 975 FM WFHR.