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Pius X Catholic High School
Pius X Catholic High School
Pius X is a co-ed Catholic high school in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school is parochial in nature as it serves 19 parishes in and near Lincoln, providing a Catholic-based, rigorous education enriched with numerous opportunities for students to grow their faith, explore the arts, and participate in athletics and other activities.
- 100% Graduation Rate for Class of 2025
- Class of 2024: ACT score 4.5 points above state average
- Record number of student retreats and first Stations of Cross
- $1M+ financial aid awarded; Two-thirds of students receive support
Senior Spotlights 2026
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Students Finding Community
Through Shared Interests
“There’s a huge sense of community at Pius X. All of these different functions has really shown me how much people really care about each other at Pius, and it’s really easy to make friends.”
– Natalie Oorlog ’25
Forward in Faith and Excellence
A Campaign for Pius X Catholic High School
Forward in Faith and Excellence is Pius X High School’s first campaign in 20 years. View the funding priorities, watch the campaign video, see our progress toward the Major Gift Phase goal, and learn how you can be involved.
Recent Headlines
Science team has impressive showing at state Olympiad
The Pius X Science Team achieved exceptional results at the 2026 Nebraska State Science Olympiad held at the University of
Drill serves as training moment, final step toward ‘Heart Safe School’
Friday served as a teacher work day, with an added training opportunity for school personnel. Working with Lincoln Fire Rescue,
Two-mile relay team sets school record
The 4×800 Relay team of Henry Vrooman, Joe Majerus, David Krier and Lucas Schlautman have set a new school record:
HOMILY: May Crowning Mass with Fr. Schukei
Our annual May Crowning Mass honors Mary and our seniors, for whom this is the last All School Mass at
Upcoming Events
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In appreciation of Keith & Pat May who have been great ambassadors for Pius X High School and who have made a significant contribution to the enhancement of Pius X by sharing their gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Keith and Pat are both 1966 graduates of Pius X High School. Keith has been a Pius X board member since 1982 and has served as parish chairperson of the “Continuing the Commitment” campaign. Keith and Pat were board chairs of the “Embrace the Future” campaign and have both served on BOLT throughout the years.
Beyond the Pius community, Keith and Pat served as chair couple of the 1999 Diocesan “Crossing the Threshold” campaign, and are both members of the Catholic business organization, Legatus. Keith is also a long time member of the Lincoln Serra Club and past member of the Diocesan Foundation Board.
Keith & Pat May
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This award is presented in appreciation of John and Joann Grosserode who have been great ambassadors for Pius X High School and have made a significant contribution to the enhancement of Pius X by sharing their gifts of time, talent and treasure.
John and Joann are both 1978 graduates of Pius X High School. John is serving as vice president of the Booster Club in 2008 and Joann is also a very active board member who recently established the student physical program that brought in more than 150 students in its first year. John and Joann were both instrumental during the refurbishment of the track, stadium and Aldrich Field in 2006. They coordinated the building of the press and sky boxes, and funded the project with memorial donations that were given in memory of their son, Matt, a 2000 graduate of Pius X High School.
Beyond the Pius X community, John and Joann are very active in St. Joseph’s parish, where John regularly serves as an usher. They started the parish’s scrip program and are chairs of the grief ministry program. Outside of the parish, John volunteers with the YMCA youth basketball program and Joann is a volunteer for the Lincoln Youth Track Club.
John & Joann Grosserode
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This award is presented in appreciation of Dale M. Jensen who has been a great ambassador for Pius X High School and has made a significant contribution to the enhancement of Pius X by sharing his gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Dale is a 1968 graduate of Pius X High School where he participated in football, basketball and track. He also had lead roles in the two musicals “Lil’ Abner” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” Dale was a founding Board member of the Pius X Foundation. As general co-chair of the Continuing the Commitment campaign in 1988, he helped enhance the Foundation’s endowment fund. Dale’s lead gift in the Embrace the Future campaign in 1993 ensured its success.
Dale began his career as the youngest vice president of The National Bank of Commerce at the age of 23. After only three years, he co-founded Information Technology, a computer software and solutions provider for banks and savings institutions. Revolutionizing the banking industry at a time when rarely anyone could afford a computer, his software and systems are now utilized in one in four banks across the country. He sold Information Technology in 1996, retiring from his 20-year role as executive vice president to pursue other opportunities.
He and his wife, Vicki, live in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Dale Jensen
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This award is presented in appreciation of Monsignor Ivan Vap who has been a great ambassador for Pius X High School and has made a significant contribution to the enhancement of Pius X by sharing his gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Msgr. Vap was born and raised in Hastings, Neb. After graduating From Hastings St. Cecelia in 1964, he attended Prep Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. for three years and then completed his final five years at the major seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
He was ordained by Bishop Kucera at St. Cecilia Church on May 27, 1954 and assigned as assistant in Fairbury, Neb. After a year and a half in Fairbury, he was assigned to the first faculty at Pius X. To prepare for his assignment at Pius X, he attended the University of Nebraska to obtain an endorsement in Industrial Arts and began teaching when Pius X opened its doors on October 1, 1956.
In 1963 Msgr. Vap helped in developing Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo, Neb. In June of 1964 he was assigned as Superintendent of Pius X. In the following years the stadium at Aldrich Field was built, as well as added classrooms and the learning and performing arts center (L/PAC).
He left Pius X when he was assigned to Shelby, Neb. in 1981. Afterward he served in Hastings, Lincoln and Geneva and retired in 2004.
Msgr. Ivan Vap
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This award is presented in appreciation of Bob Bryant who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Bob Bryant was born in Sutherland, Neb., and was the third of nine children. After graduating from Kearney Senior High School in 1965, Bob attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.
After college, he worked as a Boy Scouts District Director in North Platte. Bob returned to Lincoln a year later accepting an accounting position with King’s Food Host. He joined Benson Bookkeeping Service in 1972, eventually venturing out as Bryant Bookkeeping. In October 1991, Bob completed the CPA exam, and joined Larsen, Schroeder & Associates, CPA, becoming part owner of the firm in 1989. Today he continues as President of Bryant, Katt and Associates CPA, one of the larger, locally-owned accounting firms in Lincoln.
On December 21, 1968, Bob married Phillis Morgan, a 1966 Pius X graduate. They have been blessed with four children. Rob, Jason, Mike and Shannon also all graduated from Pius X, as did Rob’s wife, Lori. Phillis and Bob are blessed with 15 grandchildren.
Bob is a true community and church leader. He is the past president of the Better Business Bureau, the Lincoln Independent Business Association, and the Cable Advisory Board. Bob and Phillis are active members of the Cathedral of the Risen Christ parish where Phillis and their children all attended grade school. They also celebrated many sacraments at the Cathedral, including their wedding and all of their children’s sacraments. Bob has also served as a trustee, board member, lector, acolyte, and EME.
Bob is a role model for belief in Catholic education. He exemplifies the qualities of a good steward having dedicated tremendous time, talent and treasure to Pius X. He served on the Foundation Board of Directors from 1988-2009. During that time, he was a leader in three Pius X capital campaigns – Continuing the Commitment in 1988, Embrace the Future in 1993 and A Tradition of Faith in 2006. He has been instrumental in making positive financial decisions for the Pius X Foundation and improving the financial presentations and forecasting models used by the Pius X Foundation Board of Directors.
Bob Bryant
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This award is presented in appreciation of Alan Slattery who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Alan was born and raised in Grand Island, Neb. He and his siblings all attended Catholic grade schools, and all of them graduated from Grand Island Central Catholic High School. Alan graduated from Creighton University in Omaha with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He and Ruth celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 5. They have seven children and six grandchildren. Ruth and Alan are proud that all of their children attended Cathedral Grade School in Lincoln and all seven are graduates of Pius X High School. Five of their children now have college degrees, with the last two well on their way to their degrees.
Alan’s first experience with public education was at the University of Nebraska College of Law, where he graduated with honors in 1977. After law school, Alan joined Rembolt Ludtke law firm in Lincoln where he has practiced law for thirty-five years. Alan served as managing partner for eight years and he continues to serve on the firm’s executive committee.
Alan served in several community leadership positions. He was recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Lawyer for Business in Nebraska in the Corporate and Mergers and Acquisition Practice Areas every year since 2007. For over twenty years, he has had an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards. He has been honored to serve on the Catholic Social Services Board of Directors for twelve years, and has served on the Saint Elizabeth Foundation Board of Directors since 2005, where he is presently the Chairman of the Board. He has served on the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is a member of the Lincoln Independent Business Association, and numerous other civic and charitable organizations.
Alan and Ruth have been active volunteers at Cathedral Parish and Pius X. Alan has been a lector and had an hour of perpetual adoration for thirty-five years. He has also served on the Parish Board for three years. At Pius X, Alan served as the chairman of the Board of Advisors since joining the Board in 2004. He also served on the Pius X Foundation Board of Directors from 1997-2004. Alan and Ruth both served on the BOLT Committee for four years and were in charge of acquiring live auction items. He has been the Master of Ceremonies for BOLT for the last three years, and has been in leadership positions in several major fund drives for Pius X.
Alan is a firm believer in Catholic education. He believes that those who went before him made a Catholic education possible for him, and it has been his goal to help make a Catholic education possible for his family and many to follow.
Alan Slattery
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This award is presented in appreciation of Monsignor Liam Barr who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Monsignor Liam Barr was born and raised in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland. He first attended the seminary at St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth, Ireland. He left Ireland and attended the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, where he earned Bachelor’s Degrees in both Theology and Philosophy. During this time, he was also able to continue his love of theatre by acting in and directing several plays at the Pontifical Irish College.
Monsignor thereafter moved to the United States and continued his education at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he earned his Masters Degree in Theology.
In 1974, Monsignor Barr was ordained to the priesthood at St. George’s Cathedral in London, England. In 2007, he was honored with the title of Monsignor. Over the past 39 years, he has served in many capacities. He was the superintendent of the Lourdes Catholic Schools in Nebraska City from 1977 through 1981 and then served as the Superintendent of Pius X High School in Lincoln for 13 years (1981-1994). While acting as Superintendent of Pius X, Monsignor also taught each year and developed a curriculum for seniors in social justice.
Monsignor Barr has served as Pastor of numerous parishes throughout the Diocese of Lincoln during his priesthood. He was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Church in 2003, where he presently serves. Additionally, he serves as Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Lincoln.
Monsignor Barr has been involved in leading capital campaign and endowment drives within the Diocese. Over a period of 30 years, these efforts have raised in excess of $40 million. He also worked closely with Bishop Bruskewitz in establishing the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Lincoln, and then served as its first Executive Director. He also served as the Executive Director of the Progress for People, LLC, a corporation established for the purpose of building low income housing for families with children, called Paul VI Heights. In total, 28 three-bedroom units were built and subsequently dedicated on November 30, 1997. He also served as Director of Development at the Ava Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Mich., from 2000 through 2003.
Msgr. Liam Barr
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This award is presented in appreciation of Tom & Rhonda Peed who have been tireless ambassadors for Pius X High School and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Lincoln. They serve as an exemplary example of leadership and service to their family, friends, community and country.
“Without schools, you don’t have a church.” That philosophy serves as the foundation for the work Tom and Rhonda Peed have contributed toward keeping Catholic schools affordable to all. It’s a philosophy that was instilled in the Peeds by the late Bishop Glennon Flavin, who helped them understand how vibrant, affordable Catholic Schools are essential not only for the good of families and parishes, but also for the formation of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.
Born and raised in the Fort Dodge, Iowa area, Tom and Rhonda were married in 1977 and in 1978, founded Sandhills Publishing Company in an old blacksmith shop in Webster City, Iowa. The company’s rapid growth led them to relocate to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1985. From the company’s early days, Tom and Rhonda understood the gifts they were given came from God and strived to live as stewards of those gifts by sharing their time, talent, and treasure.
As members of St. Joseph’s Parish in Lincoln, Tom and Rhonda have been active in their local parish and school since moving to the city. They have three sons, Shawn, Shane, and Zachary, who graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and Pius X High School.
Tom and Rhonda have been long-time supporters of Pius X High School and Catholic schools throughout the diocese, contributing time, talent, and treasure through building construction, matching grant programs, teacher pay enhancements, and other funding to help ensure Catholic schools don’t simply become private schools that only the wealthy can afford. The Peeds have supported Pius X in other ways, including an annual sponsorship of BOLT, hosting the annual Fund For Pius X phone-a-thon, sponsoring Post Prom, and, indirectly, by employing many Pius X graduates and parents of Pius X students. The Diocesan Education Technology Initiative, which the Peeds began in 1996, provides standardized, current technology to diocesan schools and institutions along with ongoing support and training for teachers and staff. In September of 2013, they established two funds with Nebraska Wesleyan University to assist Pius X families with financial aid to help pay for a portion of their college education.
For Tom and Rhonda, helping the Diocese of Lincoln maintain the tradition of affordable Catholic education and being actively involved in helping others to give remains at the forefront of their stewardship and expression of their Catholic faith.
Tom & Rhonda Peed
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This award is presented in appreciation of Joe & Agnes Hanigan who have been tireless ambassadors for Pius X High School and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Lincoln. They serve as an exemplary example of leadership and service to their family, friends, community and country.
St. Therese of Lisieux, wrote that “To love is to give everything and to give oneself.” The Little Flower of Jesus aptly describes the spirit with which Joe and Agnes Hanigan have approached their 55 years as servants in the Diocese of Lincoln and supporters of Pius X High School. Their selfless work has been a reflection of the value they place on the importance and transformational power of Catholic education.
Agnes (Zimmer) Hanigan is a native of Munich, North Dakota. Joe Hanigan was born in Spalding, Nebraska, and raised in Portland, Oregon. The couple married in North Dakota in 1960 and began their married life in Lincoln, Nebraska, raising eight children who would all graduate from Pius X High School: Richard ‘80 (Linda) Hanigan, Mary ‘81 (Peter and Lori) Morin, Joan ’83 (Matt) Tasler, Betty ’84 (Stefano) Costantini, Ann ’87 (Mike) Kotopka, Jean ’88 (Peter) Timmerman, Kristie ’91 (Leland) Schroll and Kerry ’91 (Glenn) Benes. Joe and Agnes have forty-six grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren. Soon, more than twenty grandchildren will continue a growing family tree of Pius X graduates rooted in Agnes and Joe’s devotion to the Catholic school community.
Joe created Midland Medical and AAA Rents, both successful businesses, and would develop property for State Farm Insurance later in his career. Joe and Agnes have been active leaders in numerous parish organizations over the years. Agnes currently serves on the Pink Sister’s Executive Board, and volunteers in the St. Teresa Thrift Shop. Joe has been a member of the Serra Club for 53 years. His business acumen was sought by many diocesan boards, including Catholic Social Services, Madonna Professional Care Center, the Bishop’s Lay Committee for Vocations, and St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center. Joe facilitated a number of financial stewardship drives including the fund to build the first addition to St. Joseph School and the fund to build a new convent for the Teaching Sisters of Christ the King.
The Hanigans and their peers helped lay a foundation for much of the current growth and development evident in the financial support system existing at Pius X. They helped reorganize and develop financial stability for the Athletic Booster Club rooted in the school’s origins in the 1950s. Joe and Agnes were also instrumental in the development of the annual BOLT dinner and the fundraising drives that produced the school library and locker rooms. The Hanigans’ devotion and stewardship to the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln and Pius X High School ensure a legacy of relationships and fiscal stability that will continue to perpetuate Catholic education for future generations.
Joe & Agnes Hanigan
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This award is presented in appreciation of Monsignor James D. Dawson, a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Lincoln. He serves as an excellent example of leadership, stewardship and service to family, friends, community and country.
Monsignor Dawson was born near McCool, Nebraska, in 1929 to Harold and Sarah Dawson. He was one of five children in the Dawson family and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1946. He had the opportunity to become a teacher or a banker but chose instead to become a priest. For two years he studied at Saint Benedict College in Atchison, Kansas, and then six years at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was the youngest in an ordination class of 70. He received degrees in philosophy and theology from St. Paul Seminary and became ordained as a priest on June 9, 1954 in Saint Joseph Church in York, Nebraska.
Monsignor Dawson’s first assignments as a priest were to Holy Family parish in Lincoln followed by service to Saint Cecilia in Hastings and Saint Teresa in Lincoln. He later earned his degree in educational administration at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and in 1961 started his long-running role as Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Lincoln Diocese. He saw the addition of many new schools in the diocese during his 29 year tenure. The founding of Villa Marie School, a boarding school for handicapped children, remains an accomplishment that Monsignor Dawson holds close to his heart. Monsignor Dawson served as principal of Pius X High School in 1959 for a period of two years. In 1961 he was named Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools. In 1964, concurrent with his Diocesan duties, Monsignor Dawson served as Superintendent of Pius X High School for one year.
During the journey of more than 60 years in the priesthood, his service has also included roles as Vicar General of the Lincoln Diocese, Diocesan Consultor, Diocesan Director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocesan Director of the Bureau of Information, and Board of Directors of the Diocesan Housing Ministries, Inc. Monsignor managed to somehow also find the time to travel to 45 countries, frequently as chaplain for a group.
Monsignor Dawson also served as pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Denton, as well as the parishes of Saint Mary and Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, and Saint Michael (Cheney).
He retired in 2005 and lived at the Bonacum House, a building that Bishop Flavin appointed him to work on. Monsignor later moved to a residence at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, where he currently resides. It is without question that Monsignor Dawson touched the lives of many and will continue to do so. A 2004 story in the Lincoln Journal Star gave the following summation of his life: “The beautiful thing about being a priest is being able to go into the confessional, hear people’s confessions and then tell people that their sins are forgiven. The sacraments and serving those in need -that’s my life.”
Msgr. James Dawson
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This award is presented in appreciation of Verlyn Westra, a tireless ambassador…
Verlyn Westra was born during a snowstorm, at a family farm, in Larchwood, Iowa on February 17, 1936. A doctor rode in on horseback to deliver the 4th of 6 children born to Cornelius and Ethel Westra; a loving Dutch Lutheran couple, known for their hard work and humble faithfulness.
Growing up in rural Iowa, Verlyn knew the meaning of work and sacrifice. More so, because his father, Cornelius, was stricken with illness, and died when Verlyn was 6 years old, leaving his mother, Ethel, to provide and care for his family. They moved to the nearby town of Inwood, where Verlyn attended school; and later worked to help support his family.
Verlyn graduated from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the Naval Reserve, and worked full time. While attending USD, Verlyn met Sheila Klotz. She was “the Catholic girl” who would quickly become the love of his life. Sheila was from Howard, SD, and attending Presentation School of Nursing at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. On November 23, 1960, the couple was married at Saint Agatha’s Church in Howard, SD. God blessed them with 8 children; John, Dan, Koni, David, Bradley (deceased), Cara, Eric and Nicholas.
The Westra family established roots in Burlington, Iowa, and Verlyn worked in the accounting department at Murray Iron Works for 12 1/2 years. In 1974, the couple moved their young family to Lincoln, where Verlyn became Part Owner and CFO of Nebraska Boiler Company. Over the course of years to follow, Verlyn and Sheila made sacrifices to provide parochial education for their children; believing the values, religious foundation and academic excellence found in Catholic education would serve their children well for the rest of their lives. All 7 Westra children graduated from Pius X High School. Over time, Verlyn felt drawn to embrace the fullness of the Catholic faith for himself.
As a founding parishioner of Saint Joseph’s Church, and with the guidance of Monsignor Holloman, Verlyn converted to Catholicism before the church building was completed. The new parish brought opportunities for involvement, and like Saint Joseph, Verlyn lived his faith with a quiet and humble strength. He served as an usher, prayed weekly at his Perpetual Adoration hour, served at Matt Talbot, volunteered for DDP, and helped whenever called upon.
An outstanding Catholic community leader, Verlyn has been blessed to share his financial success. Notable gifts include funding for Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom Library to Saint Gregory the Great Seminary, and the Saint Peter window to Saint Thomas Aquinas (Newman Center @ UNL). Most recently, Verlyn retired from the “Crossing the Threshold” Board, as well as the Catholic Social Services Board of Advisors, after 20 years of committed service.
If asked, Verlyn would say he believes in stewardship. Giving of himself in time, talent and treasure has been a way of life, and a legacy for his children and grandchildren to emulate.
Verlyn Westra
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This year, the ‘Pius Ten’ started high school at Pius X High School.
They are all boys, all born into families of school staff members in the 2002-03 school year. Eight of the nine (one family had twins) families still have a spouse working at Pius X.
Group pictures were taken of the 10 boys during the first year, during their kindergarten year and just recently as they began their freshman year.
Here are the boys, with parents names (*denotes spouse working or worked at Pius), as pictured from left to right in each picture.
- Austin Reinke – Tony* (former Pius X employee) and Michelle Reinke;
- Joe Heim – Joe and Ketti* Heim;
- Jason Kolbas – Vlad and Steph * Kolbas;
- Hayden Strizek and Jake Strizek – Jeff and Kerri* Strizek;
- Kody Sander – Ken and Jen* Sander;
- Andrew Korta – Tom* and Jill Korta;
- Dominic Lesiak – Greg* and Cassandra Lesiak;
- Payton Andersen – Steve* and Lisa Andersen;
- Colby Chapelle – Jeff and Tracy* Chapelle.
Nine families, 10 boys, one school year: ‘Pius Ten’ marks new milestone
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Baehr, Zachary
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Courtney Johnson
Advancement Director | Foundation Office | Email
Courtney assumed the role of Advancement Director in 2017. The Pius X Foundation provides sustained financial support to Pius X High School. Courtney manages all fund raising activities and pursues the development and growth of the Foundation to ensure a quality, Catholic education remains affordable for future Pius X families and students. Courtney earned a bachelors degree from the University of Northern Colorado and completed her MBA from the University of Nebraska, specializing in International Business and Marketing.
Johnson, Courtney
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Kearney, Ryan
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Strizek, Kerri
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Emily Moore
Foundation | Asst. Advancement Director | Email
Emily joined the Pius X Foundation as the Assistant Advancement Director in 2017. Her responsibilities include coordinating the annual Fund for Pius X, grants, and supporting the overall success of the advancement office. Previously, she served as Director of Grants, and as Development Facilitator at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, and as Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at San Diego State University (SDSU). Emily completed two SDSU graduate programs, earning an Advanced Certificate in Instructional Design, and her MA in English.
Moore, Emily
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tracy.chapelle@piusx.net
Chapelle, Tracy
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Hayes, Katie
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Masur, Erin
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Olson, Brianna
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Psota, Ryan
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DeWispelare, Nolan
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Caycee Hays
English Teacher | Email
Caycee Hays began working at Pius X High School, in the English Department, in 2017. Her courses include Creative Writing & College and Career Writing, she is also the sponsor for Future Authors Club and the Reserve Cheerleading Coach. Her teaching background, prior to teaching at Pius, includes three years as a Special Education Case Manager and two years teaching Language Arts at the middle school level. She and her husband, Nick, have one son named Harrison and are both originally from Kansas City, Mo. Caycee obtained her Bachelors in Teaching from Graceland University in 2011 and her Masters in Literacy and Language Development from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in 2015.
Hays, Caycee
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Psota, Jessica
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Staff submitted announcements
Your announcement should be approved shortly after you post. Contact Missy Kinzie in the main office if you have questions.
Staff submitted announcements
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Hartman, Sandy
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Kruml, Carla
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Following a heartbreaking defeat to Elkhorn that concluded the 1996 season, the Thunderbolts completed district and post season play in 1997 by outscoring opponents 231-14, including a 26-0 victory over Elkhorn in the state semi-finals on a frigid day in November that ended Elkhorn’s 28 game winning streak.
Pius X celebrated more all-state players (8) than any team in Pius X history en route to an 11-1 championship season that saw the Bolts defeat teams by an overage of over 37 ppg, including a 39 point victory in the state championship game over Lexington.
1997 Football
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Elizabeth Lange completed a magnificent Thunderbolt career that spanned three sports and a legacy of gold medals and records. She earned two gold medals at the NSAA state cross country meet, including the all class gold medal in 2001.
Lange spent her winters earning her way amongst the top 50 scorers in Thunderbolt girl’s basketball history while participating in three state tournaments. Springtime brought Lange’s most dominant performances on the track. She earned six gold medals in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m and continues to hold the all-time Nebraska record in the 1600m run with a time of 4:49.2 and the Class A record in the 800m with a time of 2:12.12.
Lange attended the University of Nebraska and competed in cross country and track, participating on the Big XII indoor championship team in 2005 and cracking the Nebraska indoor Top 10 in the 800m in 2006. She also earned Academic All-Big XII honors while part of the University Honors Program.
Elizabeth (Lange) Maggio
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Adam Treu completed a three-sport career at Pius X that proved only the beginning of a tremendous career resume. He became a force across the Nebraska stage during his senior year beginning with a successful senior season on the gridiron that earned a trip to the Shrine Bowl.
That winter Treu turned in a Super State performance while setting the school record for field goals in a season and recording the second most points ever scored in a Thunderbolt season on the hardwood en route to the Class B state championship.
Treu finished his Pius X career with an All-State spring that set the Pius X ERA record on the diamond, a record that stood for over 20 years.
Treu continued his athletic journey at the University of Nebraska, winning back to back National Championships with the Cornhuskers while earning his bachelor’s degree in English. The Oakland Raiders selected Treu as a third-round draft pick in the 1997 NFL draft where he played ten years and started in Super Bowl XXXVII before retiring in 2007.
Adam Treu
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George Easley earned All-City honors in football and basketball in the inaugural year of Pius X athletics and was also named to the Class B All-State team in the Omaha World Herald.
The 1st Homecoming King in Pius X history played a major role in establishing an athletic tradition that continues to flourish over 60 years later.
Easley led the first football team in Pius X history to an 8-1 season and the first basketball team earned recognition for a series of marquee wins for the newly formed Thunderbolts.
Easley’s power and athleticism earned him a trip to South Bend, Indiana, where he played football for the Fighting Irish before graduating from Notre Dame in 1961.
George Easley
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Tim Aylward compiled a 204-113 record over 31 years as head coach of the Thunderbolt football program, earning four state championships and some of the most prestigious awards given to high school coaches in Nebraska.
Aylward was named the Lincoln Journal Star Coach of the year in 1995-96 and the Omaha World Herald Coach of the year in 1998-99. He earned the Nebraska Coaches Association Skip Palarang Football Coaches Award in 2015.
Coach Aylward retired as football coach following the 2015 season and serves full time in his capacity as athletic director for all Pius X programs.
Tim Aylward
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Two classrooms in the new addition will be named after the first industrial arts teacher and former superintendent at Pius X High School.
The Msgr. Ivan F. Vap Industrial Arts Center will be the new hub to support students’ exploratory and developmental experiences in industrial technology, including computer aided drafting and design (CADD) classes.
Msgr. Vap was ordained in 1954 and after a year-and-a-half in Fairbury was assigned to the first faculty at Pius X. To prepare for his assignment at Pius X, he attended the University of Nebraska to obtain an endorsement in Industrial Arts and began teaching when Pius X opened its doors on October 1, 1956.
In June of 1964 he was assigned as Superintendent of Pius X, and served in that role until 1981. In the following years the stadium at Aldrich Field was built, as well as added classrooms and the learning and performing arts center (L/PAC). Msgr. Vap was named Distinguished Steward of Pius X High School in 2010.
Groundbreaking for the Msgr. James D. Dawson Learning Center was held May 2, 2018, with completion expected in time for the first day of school in the fall of 2019.
Classroom Opportunities
New industrial arts center named after former priest, industrial arts teacher
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Dayle Churchill (’65) earned status as one of the legendary pioneers of Thunderbolt athletics, excelling in both football and basketball.
Churchill earned the prestigious Sertoma Award two times during the course of all-city and all-state recognition in both football and basketball. He remains 6th on the all-time scoring list in boys basketball (as of 2018) and held the single game scoring record for 59 years (2024)!
Churchill notched the 3rd highest scoring average per game in school history and earned 3rd team All-American honors from the Chicago Tribune.
A promising future and basketball scholarship at Portland University were cut short when a construction accident claimed Dayle’s life shortly after he graduated from Pius X.
Dayle Churchill
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Ken Rosburg (’79) excelled in both football and wrestling during the late 1970s and etched his name in Thunderbolt history as the first wrestling gold medalist in school history.
Rosburg earned the 1979 gold medal in the 185lb class at the state meet.
His all-city and all-state wrestling selection came on the heels of earning the same distinctions in the fall of 1978 as a member of the undefeated Pius X state championship football team.
Ken Rosburg
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The Nigro name became synonymous with gold medals during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Twin sisters Jeniffer and Christina (’98) accompanied younger sister Laura (’00) in earning 11 individual gold medals in tennis en route to the Pius X tennis team winning four consecutive Class B state titles from 1995-1998.
Jeniffer never lost a match in her high school career, winning four individual gold medals in tennis and adding a gold medal to her resume as a member of the 1997 state championship volleyball team.
Christina earned three individual gold medals in tennis while earning two gold medals as a member of both the 1996 and 1997 state championship volleyball teams.
Laura earned the unmatched and unsurpassable distinction of winning four consecutive gold medals in Class B #1 singles from 1997-2000.
Nigro Sisters: Jeniffer, Christina and Laura
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The 2004 girls soccer team achieved national acclaim and set countless school records en route to an undefeated season (21-0) of dominance so great that the Bolts did not so much as allow a post season goal.
The team consisted of four all-state selections and seven all-city honorees that contributed to school records for wins, consecutive wins, goals scored, shutouts, and a state record for most (9) academic all state players.
The team earned a #13 national ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
2004 Girls Soccer Team
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O’Boyle attended the University of Nebraska on a track scholarship and joined the Pius X faculty in 1968. After 17 years as a PE and health teacher, O’Boyle became Athletic Director, serving in that capacity for 25 years until his retirement in 2009. Coach O’Boyle will take one step closer to his 50th year coaching at Pius X. His resume includes 20 state championships in boys and girls cross country and two state championships in track. He was inducted into the National High School Coaching Hall of Fame in 2016 and into the Nebraska Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009.
Coach O’Boyle has been married to his wife Linda for 51 years. The couple has two children Jenny (’87) and Kevin (’92) and five grandchildren.
Kevin O’Boyle – Class of 1992: “I was lucky enough to have him as both a coach and a father. He was always able to motivate our teams and get us to perform at a high level at the right times. I always recall that running track and cross country for him was fun. We worked extremely hard for him, but the hard work was always mixed in with joking and camaraderie. While one can say that track and cross country are largely individual sports, I believe that my dad made everyone feel part of the team. Regardless of one’s ability, we all celebrated the team’s success together.”
George O’Boyle
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Eddie Cripe was an All-City performer in two sports for Cathedral High School during an era when the school did not participate in spring sports. Cripe also earned all-state honors for football in multiple publications. He guided the Bluebirds to an undefeated 10-0 season and state championship in six-man football in 1951. CHS outscored opponents by an average score of 51-9 and defeated Alvo 59-12 in a battle of undefeated teams in the 1951 state championship. A mid-season tilt pitted CHS against an Axtell team that had not lost a game since 1947. Cripe scored seven touchdowns in the game. Cathedral High also enjoyed tremendous success on the basketball court behind Cripe’s all city campaigns, earning recognition in the Class B and Class C Catholic basketball tournaments.
Cripe married his wife Joyce and had two children, John and Carole. He was an avid golfer and loved attending his grandson Dylan’s sporting events. Cripe passed away in February of 2011 at the age of 76.
Lincoln Journal Sports – 1952: “Cripe has been the Cathedral wheelhorse all basketball season, just as he was on the gridiron last autumn when his speedy legs powered the Bluebirds to the state championship and landed him an All-State berth. Cripe’s name has been in the headlines a lot of times during the present basketball grind and last fall.s football season. But the publicity hasn’t gone to his head. “I’m only as good as the rest of the team,” he said earnestly. “We’ve got a great gang.” One coach voting for all-state football performers failed to mention Eddie Cripe of Lincoln Cathedral. Cripe scored seven touchdowns against that coach’s team in a single game.”
Eddie Cripe
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Dawson engineered a basketball resume that can be argued as one of the best in Pius X history. She came on the radar her sophomore year as a 2nd team All-City selection before earning 1st Team All-City and All-State honors her junior and senior seasons. She was named the USA Today Nebraska player of the year following an undefeated 1992 season that capped off with a 25-0 record and second straight state championship. Dawson also qualified for the state track meet in three sports.
Dawson attended Doane College before moving to Washington D.C. to work on Sen. Chuck Hagel’s staff. She now resides in Jefferson City, Missouri and is married to her husband Jon Browning of 16 years. They have a seven year old daughter, Margaux. Browning volunteers for a number of organizations ranging from her daughter’s Catholic school to the St. Mary’s Hospital Board of Directors and Foundation. She also coaches her daughter’s basketball team.
Maura (Dawson) Browning: “Nothing compares to winning a high school state championship. To be able to do it twice with a coach who loved his players and teammates who were fun, respectful, and shared a team-first attitude is the best way to experience any team sport. We are lucky to have been part of such a wonderful group of people.”
Maura (Dawson) Browning
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Harrington completed one of the most accomplished three sport careers in Pius X history. He earned 1st team All-City and All-State honors in football and baseball while earning 2nd team All-State honors in basketball. He was part of two state championship football teams and still holds career records in touchdown receptions and receiving yards.
He made an appearance in the state basketball finals and is Top 70 on the all time scoring charts. Harrington gained even more recognition on the baseball field where he played professionally for the Mariners organization. He still holds the Pius X single season and career records for triples and the career summer ERA record.
Harrington attended New Mexico State University before being drafted in the 17th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft by the Seattle Mariners. He currently resides in Lincoln with his wife Nikki (’00), their daughter, Evelyn, and a sibling to arrive later this year. Harrington works as a medical device representative for Smith & Nephew Endoscopy.
Corey Harrington: “I was lucky to play with and be coached by some extremely talented and passionate people during my career at Pius X. I will always remember my playing days at Pius X as being instrumental in building the foundation for my athletic career and in my life after athletics.”
Corey Harrington
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Pius X celebrates the induction of the 1992 girls basketball team as one of the best basketball teams in the history of Thunderbolt athletics.
The Class of 1992 finished their career as part of a 94-4 varsity stretch that included four trips to the state championship and back to back state titles in 1991 and 1992.
The 25-0 campaign of 1992 came via an average per game score of 59-41. Seniors Steph Schug and Maura Dawson both averaged over 14 points per game to finish scoring careers of 805 and 788 points, respectively.
The skillful duo was joined by fellow seniors Carmen Easley, Michelle Metzger, Dana Seiler, and Lynde Thelen and underclassmen Maggie Easley, Joanne Groth, Chris Kapler, Cari Ortmeier, Michelle Rowe, and Emily Schultz. The 2016-2017 school year will be the 25th anniversary of the legendary 25-0 season that culminated with a 63-42 state championship over St. Paul.
Carmen (Easley) Sanchez Andrade – Class of 1992: “Two state championships and Coach Kelley. How lucky can a girl be? To be coached by a legend and play in some of the finest moments in Pius X women’s basketball is unbelievable for anyone who played in 1991 and 1992.”
1992 Girls Basketball
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Coach Kelley served as head boys’ basketball coach at Pius X from 1968 to 1980, advancing to the state tournament five times and winning the 1974 state championship en route to a 123-120 record.
During this time he also served as head baseball coach, earning a state championship bid in 1974. He was also an assistant coach on four state championship football teams. Kelley took over as head girls’ basketball coach in 1985 and compiled an astounding 145-19 record, reaching five consecutive state championship games and earning back-to-back state championships in 1991 and 1992.
Kelley went to a one room school house until high school when he graduated from Inman in 1955. He attended Norfolk Junior College on a basketball scholarship in the 1950s before graduating with a degree in Education from Wayne State College. He made stops in Ohiowa and Norfolk, teaching social studies and coaching football, basketball, volleyball, and track before beginning a 35 year career at Pius X.
He earned multiple statewide coaching awards and was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Kelley was instrumental in advancing high school basketball in Nebraska through the development of a Lincoln youth basketball camp originally held at Pius X and the development of the state’s first all-star game. He also taught social studies for 45 years before retiring in 2005. The Governor’s Commission on Education recognized Kelley as the High School Teacher of the Year in 1997.
Don and his wife Mary raised five children who all graduated from Pius X. He has 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Steph Schug – Class of 1992: “I owe so very much to Mr. Kelley. The man that scared the living daylights out of me as a sophomore went on to become one of my greatest heroes. I find myself reciting the same things that Mr. Kelley said to us. I only want my players to have the same experience I did. A good coach will stick with a player for a lifetime, and that is exactly what Mr. Kelley did for me.”
Coach Don Kelley
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Wickham concluded an exceptional year as captain of the 1964 basketball team that not only earned the first state tournament bid in Pius X history, but also stands as the only basketball team to earn a bid into the Class A state tournament.
Long before the three point line and creating shots off the dribble became integral parts of the game, Wickham brought both long range shooting and advanced ball handling to the gym for Pius X. His 422 points in the 1964 season led the city in scoring and still ranks as the fourth highest season total in program history. Wickham’s 22 ppg still ranks as the second highest scoring average in a season more than 50 years later. Wickham also earned two letters on the Pius X baseball team.
Wickham completed a degree in Education from Wayne State College in 1969 and taught at Boys Town for five years. He left the educational field and became a sales rep for 25 years in California, Arizona, and Nebraska. He returned to teach another decade in the Scottsdale School District in 2002. Wickham has since returned to Nebraska and enjoys his retirement by spending time with his children, Molly and Cody, and his five grandchildren.
Former Pius X Basketball Coach Lane Birkel, “At a time when shooters shot from medium and close range, Chris was able to shoot a jump shot from long range, outside most players’ capability. He was the first athlete that we ever saw that could dribble behind his back to evade defenders. Had there been a three point line in those days, Chris might have set a scoring record that still stands in Nebraska.
Chris Wickham
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Paul Kastl serves as one of the elite examples of the many exceptional multi sport athletes that have walked the halls of Pius X. He earned All-City recognition two times and was an All-State and Shrine Bowl selection in football. He still holds the all-time record for most rushing yards per game in school history and sits in the top four in rushing yards in a career, rushing yards in a season, touchdowns in a career, and touchdowns in a season.
Kastl moved on to wrestling season and qualified for the state meet multiple times, winning the 1998 Class A gold medal in the 189 lb. weight class. He spent his spring lettering on the baseball field.
Kastl walked on at the University of Nebraska, earning a football scholarship his junior year. He earned his B.A. in Sociology and moved to Omaha to work for Werner Enterprises as a regional operations manager.
He has been married to his wife Shelly for ten years. The couple has two children, Susie and Will.
Paul Kastl: “I’ll never forget winning those state championships. They were rooted in the grueling two-a-day football practices in 100 degree heat and all the blood, sweat and tears that went with my career in wrestling. My time and memories at Pius will always be treasured. The friends, relationships and faith I gained while attending is what I am most thankful for.”
Paul Kastl
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Colson excelled at volleyball throughout high school and college, writing a decorated story along the way. She was the first freshman to earn a starting position for Coach Jake Moore, earning four varsity letters. She was eventually named a four time All-City selection and four time All-State selection, winning three straight State Championship trophies from 1997-1999. She graduated holding Pius X records in assists in a match, season, and career. She also held the record for ace serves in a career.
In addition to her records at Pius X, she graduated as the Nebraska high school record holder in assists for a match and career. Not only were Colson’s teams the first in Pius X history to win gold in volleyball, they never lost a match to a Class B school.
Colson led volleyball teams completed a four year record of 113-21. She also lettered in basketball.
Colson continued her playing career at Michigan State University, earning All-Big 10 honors and multiple awards for her accomplishments as a setter. While serving as a three year captain for MSU, Colson set records for assists in a season and career and was twice named MVP of the Spartans. She was named to the Dean’s List and graduated with a degree in Communications from MSU before earning a Master’s in Speech Pathology from the University of Nebraska.
Nikki works for Lincoln Public Schools and has been married to her husband Corey for ten years. The couple has one daughter, Evelyn.
Nikki (Colson) Harrington: “I remember being challenged by Coach Moore to outwork other athletes across the state and to honor the small details that make a huge difference in the end. We lifted weights at 6am, ran sprints during the hot summer mornings, and ended each practice with the dreaded “Thunderbolt drill.” Coach Moore set the bar high for hard work and attention to detail -two characteristics that stuck with me upon graduation and helped me succeed throughout my collegiate career, graduate school, my professional career as a speech-language pathologist, and now as a wife and mother. I am so thankful for my experience as a student athlete at Pius X and the wonderful coaches and teammates that helped me cultivate invaluable life lessons that I still rely on today.”
Nikki (Colson) Harrington
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1957 Golf Team – Jere Carey, Charlie Burda, 1959 Golf Team – Coach Bill Inbody, Phil Breitfelder, and Tom Melby Tom Yax, Jere Carey, Jules VanDersarl, and Joe Herrod
Many people may not know that the Catholic High Schools of Lincoln gained statewide notoriety for their golf teams as much as any sport when Pius X first opened its doors. Cathedral High School brought home Class B state championships in golf in 1955 & 1956. Some of those players brought the newly formed Pius X High School its first ever state championship in 1957 by way of Pioneer Golf Course on Friday, May 11, 1957.
The Bill Inbody coached Thunderbolts defeated Omaha Holy Name by nine strokes with a team total of 252. Phil Breitfelder, who won the individual gold medal on the 1956 state championship team, shot an 82 on a rain soaked course to tie for first place. Teammates Charles Burda (83) and Tom Melby (87) rounded out the composite scoring for Pius X with sophomore Jere Carey also competing. The Carey led team would finish 2nd place in the 1958 state tournament.
1959 brought another state championship to Pius X, completing a run of four state golf championships over five years. This time senior Jere Carey would win the individual title at Pioneers Golf Club with a score of 78. The team’s score of 257 defeated Ord by seven strokes. Sophomore Jules VanDersarl (86), senior Tom Yax (93) and junior Joe Herrod (93) rounded out the scoring for Pius X. This title would be the last championship won by Pius X for nearly 15 years, but these first two championships set the bar for the next 60 years of athletic tradition and excellence, culminating in over 130 state championship games and over 70 state championship trophies currently present in the halls of Pius X High School.
Jules VanDersarl – Class of 1961: “It was an honor playing with the fellows on our team and our golf coach, Bill Inbody, was a wonderful man devoted to Pius X kids. We played together as a cohesive group against the toughest competition in the state, and then enjoyed nothing more than beating each other in head-to-head competition at home.”
1957 & 1959 Golf Teams
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Don Houser serves as one of the many storied athletes who first took the field to represent Pius X, beginning a tradition of excellence entrusted to future generations. While a multi-year letter winner in track and basketball, newspapers describe Houser as a punishing runner with the football and an excellent all-around athlete. He was honored with all-city and all-state football honors in 1957.
Houser attended the University of Nebraska after high school and married his high school sweetheart Donna ’58. Houser spent his life in Lincoln as a small business owner and raised three sons. Randy ’83 and Dana ’90 both graduated from Pius X. Houser’s grandchildren continue to attend Pius X as well. Don passed to his eternal rest in 2000, but his legacy as one of the founding fathers of Pius X athletics continues with the dawn of the 59th year of Pius X football.
Lincoln Journal Star: “Don Houser, the bruising Pius X fullback, clinched the city scoring title by scoring twice in the second half of a come from behind win over Auburn, delivering Auburn’s only Class B loss of the season and giving Pius X a 5-1 record to finish the 1957 campaign.”
Don Houser
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Mick Ziegler was a rare four-sport star for Pius X, amassing more varsity letters than any athlete in school history. He attended the University of Nebraska on a full football scholarship and started at wide receiver for the Huskers, earning two letters. After earning a degree in business, Ziegler joined the Air National Guard and attended Air Force Pilot Training in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated at the top of his class and earned his Air Force wings. While serving as a corporate pilot for First National Bank, Ziegler experienced flying an RF-4C fighter plane at more than twice the speed of sound!
Ziegler began a 29 year career with American Airlines in 1976, recording more than 17,000 hours of flight time before retiring in 2005. He now works as a home builder in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Ziegler resides with his wife Cyndie in Euless, Texas, and has a son, Travis.
Ziegler: “It is a tremendous and quite humbling honor to be selected in the inaugural class of the PX Athletic Hall of Fame. So many great athletes have passed through the doors over 58 years, this honor is very gratifying to me. Pius X gave me the foundation that allowed my life to be successful, and I have been blessed in so many ways, including lifelong friendships that began over half a century ago and still exist today.”
Mick Ziegler
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Michael Bohaty completed a storied high school career that concluded with selection to the Shrine Bowl and a place atop the Pius X career scoring list on the hardwood. Bohaty was an All-City selection and renowned as one of the best all-around athletes to represent the Thunderbolts. Bohaty joined the Nebraska Cornhusker football program after high school and suffered a career ending neck injury during his sophomore year.
Bohaty went on to complete his degree in secondary education and began a 46 year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator before retiring in June 2014. His career in education spanned schools across Nebraska and Kansas and concluded with a 25 year term in administration at Bishop Miege High School in Kansas City. Bohaty celebrated 46 years of marriage to his wife Cynthia ’67 in June, and the couple has three children.
Bohaty: “One of many fond memories of my career includes advancing to the state basketball tournament my sophomore year by defeating LNE and LSE in district play. I also recall playing Sioux City Heelan my senior year in snow, biting wind, and temperatures in the 20s. We had never defeated Heelan but we scored at the end and brought the ’65 season to a very exciting finish.”
Mike Bohaty
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Although he gained national notoriety in football, Micah Heibel actually completed a diversely successful athletic career at Pius X. While earning All-City, All-State, and All-American honors in football, Heibel also earned All-State honors in basketball and was a silver medalist in the state track meet. He received a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska and earned All-Academic honors in both the Big 8 and nationally while lettering twice for the Cornhuskers.
Heibel earned a degree as a math teacher and embarked on what is currently a 26 year career in education. The last 23 years of his career have been spent at Lincoln High School. Heibel and his wife Bobbi have celebrated 27 years of marriage together, and the couple has two daughters.
Heibel: “More than anything, the joy of simply being on a team and competing with one’s buddies is what I treasure most. Playing for a Division I football program in front of thousands of people is quite a memory, but if I had some sort of time machine, I would choose to play another high school game with my buddies.”
Micah Heibel
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Jill Noel Korta owns the most decorated career of any athlete in Pius X history. She won every race of her high school cross country career, including three state championships and two all-class gold medals. She was All-City and All-State in both track and cross country from 1980-1982 and still holds the Pius X record in the 3200m run. At the University of Nebraska, Korta lettered four times in cross country and four times in track, while earning All-American status. She also earned All-Big 8 and All-American honors both in academics and athletics. Korta is a 2001 inductee into the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame.
Korta completed her master’s degree in physical therapy from the Nebraska Medical Center. She married Tom in 1992 and the couple shares their lives with four children. Korta currently works part-time as a physical therapist and full-time as a wife and mother.
Korta: “I will never forget the day Coach (George) O’Boyle kept me after practice and told me he believed I could win the state cross country meet. From that moment on, my mind and history were set. This legendary coach believed in me and that was the inspiration and drive I needed to define my success.”
Jill (Noel) Korta
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Tom Burt currently sits atop the Pius X basketball charts in points scored in a season and points scored in a career, once amassing a streak of 33 consecutive games scoring in double figures. He also earned a district championship in golf before accepting a scholarship to play basketball at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. Following a year at ASU, Burt completed his playing career at Nebraska Wesleyan, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1995.
Burt spent nine years in Executive Training, working in Chicago and Los Angeles before returning to Omaha in 2006. He now serves as President of Election Systems & Software. He has two children who are very active in sports and activities.
Burt: “I have been fortunate to be a part of several high functioning teams with passionate and capable teammates who enjoyed a lot of success. It’s a joy for me to now be able to cheer and support my children the same way I was supported by my parents and brothers.”
Tom Burt
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Bill Ryan starred in three sports at Pius X, retiring as the all-time leader in rushing yards in school history and is second in touchdowns scored in a career. Ryan is also 51st on the all-time basketball scoring charts and continues to hold five all-time records in the baseball program, including stolen bases and strikeouts recorded in a career.
After completing his high school career, Ryan played baseball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and earned a degree in secondary education. After teaching and coaching for a year at Pius X, he joined the U.S. Border Patrol in 1999, and continues to work for the federal government while residing in Lincoln. Ryan and his wife Buffy have a daughter and three sons.
Ryan: “It’s incredibly humbling to be elected with this inaugural class. It’s hard to believe my name belongs with so many amazing athletes from our school’s storied history. I can’t recall a single game or season that stands out as better than any of the others in my career. When I think about it, the relationships and the memories cultivated in each sport are what mattered. Those friendships and the life lessons are what I remember most about Pius X. I’m proud that each time I stepped on the field, I always played hard, giving everything I had to my friends and coaches. I hope that’s the way they would all remember me.”
Bill Ryan
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Coach Aldrich began the Pius X football program in 1956 as part of the original staff of Pius X and served in the capacity of head coach until his death in 1985. Over the course of four decades, he compiled 18 winning seasons and a record of 154-91-10. Those winning seasons amounted to 13 Top 10 finishes and ten Top 5 finishes. Aldrich coached in two Shrine Bowls and finished his career with five state championships in 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1978. The football field is named Aldrich Field in his honor and Aldrich was inducted into the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame in 1999.
Aldrich started on the Nebraska football team before enlisting and serving in World War II. He was awarded a purple heart for injuries sustained during the Normandy Campaign at Omaha Beach. He completed his teaching degree at Nebraska after the war and began coaching at Cathedral High School. He married Lois Jeanne Foster of Lincoln in 1952 and had four children who all graduated from Pius X.
Mike Schmidt – Class of 1968: “He made you into what you wanted to be and I’m forever indebted that he appealed to our better instincts. In the thousands of lives Vince touched, he gave us those intangible ingredients of character, integrity, self-discipline, and honesty.”
Vince Aldrich
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Msgr. Ivan Vap was ordained in May 1954 and was assigned as part of the original faculty for the new central Catholic high school in Lincoln. He received his teaching endorsement from UNL and began teaching Religion and Industrial Arts at Pius X while also serving as Athletic Director.
Msgr. Vap was later assigned to help oversee the establishment of Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo, but was called back to Pius X after the passing of Fr. Gene Kalin. Msgr. Vap assumed the role of superintendent until 1981.
During his time at Pius X, Msgr. Vap helped design and build the athletic programs both figuratively and literally. Along with playing an administrative role that planted the roots of the storied Pius X athletic programs, Msgr. Vap also built and constructed many improvements to the athletic facility, including the first sets of bleachers used at what would later be named Aldrich Field. Vap is now retired and resides in Hastings.
Msgr. Vap: “Being part of establishing a new high school was a tremendous privilege and an exciting adventure to experience!”
Msgr. Ivan Vap
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An unforgettable season packed with highs and lows concluded with a Thunderbolt squad named both city champion and Class B Football State Champion.
Injuries and inclement weather attempted to derail the tenacity of the 1973 team, but the spirit of Pius X resonated game after game, reaching its apex the final two games of the season. Trailing Lincoln Southeast 14-7 in the closing moments, a Joe Millard punt return preceded a touchdown pass from Jim Hamersky to John Magsamen. A dramatic two-point conversion from Hamersky to Doug Charko concluded a 15-14 victory that Vince Aldridge would call “The greatest win of my career.”
The following week provided similar excitement when the Thunderbolts came from behind to defeat Lincoln East 13-12. The school spirit surrounding the 1973 season created a sense of unity present in so many storied Pius X teams throughout our history.
John Strope (via the 1974 Lincoln Journal Star): “Winning demands consistency. Our teams do not tend to be ‘rah-rah’ types. This football championship has been met with outward quietness. I think, however, that this mellowness is part of what the coaches teach – being a champion means more than telling people you’re a champion. Winning is important to a school. A winning tradition unifies a school. It provides a rallying point – a common cause. It becomes contagious; it carries over to all sports, as it has in the last year for Pius X athletics.”
1973 Football
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This award is presented in appreciation of Jim Partington who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Jim Partington attended the University of Nebraska, and then entered the US Navy Flight Training Program in 1959. He earned his commission as an ensign and naval aviator wings in 1961. He graduated from the Naval War College Command and Staff course in 1970 and the National Defense University Capstone Course for Flag and General Officers in 1989.
Jim has served in several operational carrier squadrons and various related assignments as he progressed from ensign to rear admiral during a thirty-three year career. He was the commanding officer of the first operational F/A-18 squadron. Following this tour he was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations Staff as the Program Coordinator for the F/A-18 aircraft at a critical period in the development of the weapons system. He worked with key members of the defense establishment and
Congress to define operational requirements for the aircraft, complete the operational test plan and obtain approval for production.
He also served as Deputy Commander, Carrier Battle Group Bravo deployed on the USS Kitty Hawk in the North Arabian Sea/Persian Gulf operating area. Flag officer assignments included Commander, Strike Fighter Wings Atlantic Fleet and Commander, Naval Training Center Great Lakes.
After retiring from the Navy, Jim and Barbara returned to Lincoln where he worked for five years with Senior Technologies, Inc. in three different vice president positions, strategic planning, engineering and product support.
Jim left Senior Technologies, Inc. in January of 1998 to serve as a consultant for the Nebraska Center for Excellence in Electronics, a public/private venture to establish an electronic testing and training facility in Nebraska. This facility successfully met the requirements for designation as a qualified testing facility and is up and operating.
In June of 1998 he accepted a position as President of Riser Bond Instruments, a local electronics company. The company was sold to Radiodetection Ltd., an electronics company with headquarters in Bristol, UK. Jim was asked to remain with Radiodetection in a new position as President of the Cable Test Division. This division included Riser Bond and Bicotest, a similar company located in Cheshunt, UK. Jim retired from this position in 2002 and in 2003 joined the Nebraska Restaurant Association as Executive Director.
Jim serves on the Board of Directors, Nebraska Center for Excellence in Electronics and Lancaster County Red Cross and is a Trustee of Excelsior College, Albany, New York. He has past service on the Board of Directors, United Way, Lake County, Illinois.
Jim and his wife Barbara have three daughters and five grandchildren. Their oldest daughter Jennifer Reeder is presently the Vintner for Deer Springs Winery; a family owned and operated vineyard and winery that will open in May of 2007. She and her husband Jon have two children, Aislinn and Ryan attending Pius High School. Their second daughter Kathleen Hennagir also lives in Lincoln with her son John. She has a Master’s Degree in special education and works for the Lincoln Public school system. Betsy, their youngest daughter, lives in Lemoore, California and has two children, Madeline and James.
Military awards include the Legion of Merit (5), Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (28), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V (4), South Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross, and Presidential Unit Citation.
Jim Partington ’57
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This award is presented in appreciation of Larry Arth who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Larry Arth graduated from Pius X in 1961. While at Pius X, he was a three sport letterman in football, basketball, and track & field. After earning a BA degree in Business in 1965, Larry served over two years in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Lincoln in 1968, joined Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (then Bankers Life Nebraska), and proceeded to earn a master’s degree in 1969 from UNL. Over the years, he held various leadership positions within the financial department, including CFO. In 1988, he was elected president and chief operating officer, a position he held until 1995, when he was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer. After 40 years with the company, Larry retired in July 2008.
Larry has devoted time and leadership to many local and regional charitable and philanthropic organizations, healthcare facilities, financial institutions, and foundations. On a national level, he has served and chaired many industry and association boards.
Larry has made a lasting impact on the community. His involvement in over two dozen organizations includes past President of Catholic Social Services, Chair of Bishop Bruskewitz’s Charity and Stewardship Appeal, Director of Catholic Diocese of Lincoln Foundation, Governor of Knights of Ak-sar-ben, Governor of Nebraska Wesleyan University, President of Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Chair of St. Elizabeth Community Health Center, Chair of Madonna Centers, and President of Junior Achievement. He currently serves as Director of the Vision 2015 Board and is chair-elect of the University of Nebraska Foundation. Larry and his wife, Mary, served on the leadership committee for Pius X’s A Tradition of Faith campaign in 2006 and were instrumental to its success.
He has been the recipient of countless honors and awards, including the 2002 University of Nebraska Foundation Perry Branch Award, 2004 Leadership Lincoln Community Pillar Award, 2005 Nebraska Business Hall of Fame, 2007 University of Nebraska College of Business Lifetime Achievement Award, and 2007 Ak-sar-ben Court of Honor recipient.
Larry Arth ’61
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This award is presented in appreciation of Dave and Joyce Ziegler who have been tireless ambassadors for Pius X High School and serve as an example of leadership and service to their family, friends, community and country.
Dave and Joyce both graduated from Pius X High School in 1967. While at Pius X both Dave and Joyce were involved in many extracurricular activities. After graduation, Joyce received a degree in social work and Dave received a degree in marriage and family therapy. The two were united in marriage in 1972.
Together they founded a home for abused children called Jasper Mountain in 1982, on a beautiful ranch in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Jasper, Ore. There they live and work with children from all across the country whom others have considered a lost cause. Dave is a licensed psychologist and Joyce is the support services supervisor at their expanding treatment center. Jasper Mountain has been called one of the Nation’s premiere treatment centers for children, and is recognized as the most outstanding program of its kind anywhere.
Dave has authored four books, a psychological assessment instrument, and dozens of professional articles. He has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and speaks at conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Joyce has always been at Dave’s side throughout the existence of Jasper Mountain, caring for and working with the children, and has even donated her kidney to the husband of one of their staff members, saving his life.
Dave’s bother, Mick Ziegler from Euless, Texas nominated both of them as a couple because according to Mick, “They have worked so closely together for the last 36 years of their life. Of course I am prejudiced, but I cannot imagine a more deserving two people anywhere to be recognized by their alma mater.” Through their commitment, dedication and Catholic faith, Dave and Joyce have truly touched the lives of others.
Dave & Joyce Ziegler ’67
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This award is presented in appreciation of Tony Messineo who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
This award is presented in appreciation of Anthony O. Messineo, Jr. who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Anthony “Tony” is a 1959 Pius X graduate where he received several awards in public speaking, played football and ran track.
After attending St. Thomas Seminary in Denver for a year and a half, he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska in 1965.
In 1971 Tony and his brother Ron purchased a local restaurant in Lincoln – Valentino’s. The two, along with their cousin, Mike Alesio, who joined them a year later, went on to expand that business and today Valentino’s has expanded to 39 restaurant locations in 6 states.
Throughout the years Tony has been an ardent support of Pius X with his gifts of time talent and treasure. He served as with Monsignor Barr as Chair of the initial Pius X Endowment Drive in 1981, and they were able to raise $1.1 million in pledges.
He has also served on several boards and committees throughout the community including the Wesleyan Board of Governors, Catholic Social Services, Teammates, Nebraska Restaurant Association Board, Rotary Board and Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department Board.
His restaurant chain has received numerous awards over the years and he has personally been awarded Restaurateur of the Year Award (1990), Catholic Social Services Cor Christi Award (1997), Angels of Madonna Award, Burnham Yates Citizenship Award (2002), Board of Health Regional Directors Award (2006), Cedars Home Recognition Award and 2008-2009 Lincoln Rotary #14 Rotarian of the Year.
He has been married to his wife, Carmen, since 1963. They have three children, Debbie Washington and Michael and Anthony Messineo. Carmen and their children are active in Valentino’s with Michael and Anthony serving as vice presidents of operations. They have seven grandchildren, Rachael Washington (2010 Pius X graduate) and Julia, Katherine, Dominic, Samantha, Sophia and Mary Messineo.
Tony Messineo, Jr. ’59
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This award is presented in appreciation of Mary Jo “Sharrar” Rodeno who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to her family, friends, community and country.
Mary Jo Sharrar grew up in Lincoln, attending grade school at Blessed Sacrament. She graduated from Pius X High School in 1964. She attended the University of Nebraska, and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She graduated in 1968, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Mary Jo and Tom Rodeno were married in 1968. They lived in both Pittsburgh and Cleveland, before settling in Castle Rock, Colo. They have two children and 5 grandchildren.
The Rodeno’s lost their daughter, Amy, to Cystic Fibrosis in 1977, and established a scholarship, the Amy Rodeno Scholarship in Memory of Dr. and Mrs. Lynn Sharrar, at Pius X to continue Amy’s memory and to honor Mary Jo’s parents. They also became actively involved in finding a cure for this disease. They have dedicated more than 30 years to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Both Tom and Mary Jo have served on the National Board of Trustees and have chaired and been involved in countless events to help raise money. Tom and Mary Jo Rodeo were also honored for their work and dedication to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with the Breath of Life Award for 2009.
Mary Jo Rodeno ’64
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This award is presented in appreciation of Dr. Michael Sullivan who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Michael Sullivan, a 1968 Pius X graduate, was born in Lincoln, Neb., in 1950. He attended Blessed Sacrament School through the 8th grade along with his two sisters. For two years, he then pursued the discernment process for the priesthood at Our Lady of the Ozarks Minor Seminary in Carthage, Mo. He returned to Pius X High School for his junior and senior years, and then earned a combined academic/athletic scholarship to Regis College in Denver, Colo., where he graduated as valedictorian in 1972.
Pursuing a medical career on a U.S. Navy scholarship, Michael graduated in 1975 with his MD from the University of Nebraska, and in 1978 completed a residency in Internal Medicine in New Orleans, La. After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, he worked in private practice for the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. In 1990, Michael had a profound, life-changing spiritual experience in Medjugorge, Yugoslavia, which changed the course of his life forever.
In 1993, Michael married Dr. Gianna Talone. He has two daughters, Chelsea Randolph and Anne Marie Sullivan, and a one year-old grandson, Jaxon Randolph.
Together, Michael and Gianna launched the Mission of Mercy, a free mobile medical health care ministry for the poor in Emmitsburg, Md. Now in its 19th year, the Mission of Mercy has served more than 75,000 patients in four states.
Through this journey, Dr. Sullivan came to recognize and appreciate the strong foundation in faith that was laid in his family home, Blessed Sacrament School and Pius X High School. Unfortunately, he drifted from his faith for nearly twenty years. Through pain, suffering, loss and tears, he was brought to his knees, and discovered that all he had been given would be so much more fruitful when shared and offered in God’s love and for His greater glory.
Dr. Michael Sullivan ’68
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This award is presented in appreciation of Daniel J. Elsener who has been an outstanding representative of Pius X High School, and along with his wife, Beth ’73, serves as an example of leadership and service to family, friends, community and country.
Dan Elsener, a 1973 graduate of Pius X High School, was one of six children born to Nick and Rosemary Elsener in Omaha, Neb. Dan experienced the benefits of a strong Catholic education from an early age, attending Holy Name School in Omaha before moving to St. Teresa School in Lincoln and then to Pius X. Armed with a solid foundation of knowledge, Dan enrolled in Nebraska Wesleyan University and, four years later, graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science and Education. In December of his junior year (1975), Dan married Beth Waite. Through 38 happy years of marriage, they have been blessed with nine children and 17 grandchildren, and a shared, deep commitment to the mission of Catholic education.
Dan’s career began as a teacher at Daniel J. Gross High School in Omaha. He immediately pursued graduate studies at the University of Nebraska from which he earned a Master’s of Science in Education Administration. Later Dan continued his graduate studies at Kansas State and Wichita State Universities. After six years at Gross High School, he accepted a position as the first lay principal of Hayden High School in Topeka, Kan. In 1987, Dan became Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wichita.
In 1992, Dan was asked to serve the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Ind., as the Secretary of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools, overseeing all aspects of Catholic education and leading 71 schools. During this time, the enrollment grew from 18,000 to 25,000 students. In 1999, Dan became Executive Director of the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and Project E Indiana.
In 2001, Marian College began a search for its eighth president and Dan accepted the call to serve at this Franciscan Catholic liberal arts institution as a “non-traditional” president. Over the past 11 years, he has overseen the transformation of Marian from college to university status, expanded enrollment from 1,000 to the present number of 3,000 students, opened the College of Osteopathic Medicine, supported numerous nationally-ranked championship athletic teams and created and expanded a variety of new undergraduate and graduate programs. Dan has also overseen more than $100 million in building construction and more than tenfold growth in endowments through exceptional fundraising. Throughout his tenure, Dan has made the integration of faith, values, ethics, and character development central to all aspects of the University’s pursuit to build a “Great Catholic University in a Great American City.”
Through the good example of their parents and prayerful discernment, Dan and Beth have been resolute in their commitment to advance the mission of Catholic education. As a member of the Indiana State Board of Education and numerous other non-profit and corporate boards, Dan has contributed considerably to advancing the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the larger community and nation.
Dan Elsener ’73
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This award is presented in appreciation of John J. Hanigan II who was a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and served as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
John learned the importance of Catholic education from an early age, attending grade school at St. Teresa Catholic School. Along with his wife of 45 years, John and Sharon (Houser) Hanigan both graduated from Pius X High School in 1964.
After graduation, John then served two years in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. After attending the University of Nebraska earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, John became a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner. He began his career working for four years in St. Louis, Mo.
Returning to Lincoln, John worked for Gruntorad and Company, which then became Hanigan, Bjjorkman and Ecklund and today is HBE, Becker, Meyer, Love. John led the firm and his associates as Managing Partner from 1988 through 2001. He served as Member and Chief Compliance Officer of HBE Investment Advisors, LLC. Importantly, John was a mentor, trusted advisor and valued councilor to HBE’s entire team of professionals.
John and Sharon have been blessed with three children, all Pius X Alumni – Jennifer ’87, Darin ’92 (wife Bobbi) and Ryan ’96 (wife Kellee). John and Sharon also have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. John sadly passed away on March 8, 2014.
John had a strong commitment to Catholic education and served the Diocese of Lincoln with that commitment in mind. He knew and appreciated the importance of Catholic education which he instilled in his family. His legacy will continue with the establishment of the John Hanigan Endowment to
supplement Pius X teacher salaries.
John graciously devoted time and leadership to many local, regional, and charitable organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Family Service Lincoln, Our Lady of Good Council Retreat House and the Serra Club. He also served on both the St. Peter Parish and the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln Finance Committees, advocating not just for financial management improvements, but for meaningful, disciplined enhancements centered on Catholic values. His commitment to his family and faith carried over to every aspects of his life. Through his family, faith, friendships, and work, John touched many lives and left a lasting memory.
John Hanigan+ ’64
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This award is presented in appreciation of Dr. William Mobley who has been an outstanding representative of Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to family, friends, community and country.
Bill Mobley graduated from Pius X High School in 1966, beginning a path that has led to him to having a distinguished record of academic achievement. Considered one of the most prominent academic neurologists in the US, he has an international reputation for his research on degenerative disease of the central nervous system as well as being a leader in translational medicine, bridging clinical and basic science.
William C. Mobley, MD, PhD is a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosciences at UCSD. He also serves as Executive Director of UCSD’s Down Syndrome Center for Research and Treatment and is the Florence Riford Chair of Alzheimer Disease Research.
He came to UCSD in June 2009 from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., where he served as the John E. Cahill Family Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences and was the founding director of the Neuroscience Institute.
Dr. Mobley earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Neuro- & Behavioral Science in 1974, and an M.D. from the same institution in 1976. He then completed an internship in pathology in 1977, also at Stanford, and went on to complete a residency and fellowship in neurology and pediatric neurology at The Johns Hopkins University in 1982. While there he was selected to serve as Chief Resident in Pediatric Neurology from 1981 to 1982. In 1983, he became certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and in 1987 was certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with Special Competence in Child Neurology.
Dr. Mobley’s research focuses on the neurobiology of neurotrophic factor actions and signaling and on the hypothesis that dysfunction of such signaling mechanisms contribute to neuronal dysfunction in developmental and age-related disorders of the nervous system. His emphasis on the neurobiology of Down syndrome has brought new insights into the disease, including possible treatments. He has also done pioneering work on the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using a mouse model of Down syndrome. These studies were based on the observation that virtually all adults with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by age 50. This knowledge paved the way for Dr. Mobley’s ongoing studies of AD in experimental models.
Having received many awards and distinctions, Dr. Mobley is a member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences. He collaborated with the Dalai Lama to create the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. He also serves as the expert advisor to the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus (for which he won the Christian Pueschel Memorial Award in 2007).
He is the recipient of both the Zenith Award and the Temple Award from the Alzheimer’s Association and was chosen to receive the Cotzias Award of the American Academy of Neurology in 2004. Dr. Mobley is Past President of the Association of University Professors of Neurology, of the Professors of Child Neurology, and of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and in 2006 was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In 2011 Dr. Mobley was honored with the International Sisley-Jérôme Lejeune Prize in Paris by the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation for his contributions to the field of Down syndrome and genetic intellectual disabilities. This led to his recognition by U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Dr. William Mobley ’66
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This year’s award is presented to Dr. Mary Case for representing the core values of Pius X throughout a career that continues to be marked by excellence, authenticity, integrity, and humble service.
Dr. Case is a National Board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist with subspecialty training in neuropathology. She graduated from Pius X in 1967 before earning a bachelor’s degree from Mount Mary College and a master’s in environmental engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Case graduated from medical school at the University of Nebraska in 1976. She continued on to a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Iowa, and a neuropathology fellowship at the Universities of Washington and Iowa.
Her career radiates with passion for the human brain—not only for studying how it functions physiologically and cognitively, but also for training others in how to use this information in a practical way. Dr. Case worked in private practice at Bishop Clarkson Hospital in Omaha and Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington.
During the course of her professional career, Dr. Case added four professional foci to her resume:
- Hospice and Palliative Care
- The Stanford University Chronic Disease Self Management Program
- A Minister of Presence at Recovery Café, a private day program for recovering addicts
- Emergenetics, a psychometric tool that helps individual’s creative, positive and dynamic working environments at home and on the job.
Today she serves as a Chronic Disease Self Management Program Facilitator and Master Trainer, an Emergenetics Facilitator with advanced certification, and an Emergenetics International’s Staff Neuroscientist.
Mary’s husband Kevin is a radiologist working within a perinatology practice, exclusively serving at risk pregnant patient families. The couple continues to reside in Washington. Their two daughters, Mairead and Siobhan, live in Denver and Boston, respectively. Mairead is a professional writer and will complete her PhD from the University of Denver. Siobhan graduated from Yale Medical School and works in a medicine and pediatrics residency within the Harvard system at Brigham Women and Children’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. Despite growing up in Washington, Dr. Case’s daughters know the legacy and light of Pius X and the University of Nebraska campus, having attended many football games in Lincoln and Masses at St. Patrick parish, where Mary attended school and where she and Kevin were married.
Dr. Mary Jean (Anderson) Case ’67
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This year’s award is presented to Dr. Kathleen E. Carey for representing the core values of Pius X throughout a career that continues to be marked by excellence, faith, integrity, and humble service.
The contributions of Kathleen E. Carey Ph.D. to the post Vatican II Catholic Church have enriched the spiritual lives of countless people. As a Director of Liturgy and as an educator, Kathy was among the first to bring the theology and practice of the Second Vatican Council to communities around the country. At local, archdiocesan, and national levels alike, her work has yielded a wealth of joyful celebrations, deep insights, and life-changing experiences in the context of Catholic liturgy, and it continues even today to inspire many whose lives she has touched.
After her graduation from Pius X in 1965 and from the College of St. Mary in 1968, Kathy taught in the Omaha Catholic schools. She spent her summers studying at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota under some of the most prominent theologians of the day. In 1979, she received the degree of Master of Arts in Theology and Liturgical Studies from St. John’s. One of the areas of expertise she gained there was in the newly-emerging Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. (RCIA)
In the years following, Kathy served as Director of Liturgy and Coordinator of RCIA for parishes in Alamosa and Longmont, Colorado, and on the campus of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In these communities, she created and facilitated worship for both children and adults, recruited and prepared ministers of Eucharist and of the Word, developed small faith communities, initiated the RCIA process, and instructed staff and parishioners in every aspect of liturgical life.
In 1986, she was named Director of the Office of Worship, Art and Music for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. There, she brought her considerable skills to the archdiocesan level in sacramental theology, RCIA, and catechetical ministry, serving a vast community from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her work ranged from planning ceremonies for the Archbishop to preparing individuals in ministry to the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. She was also a member of the Interfaith Committee for the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. A highlight of her service in San Francisco was her position as Co-director of the Liturgy for the Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II in 1987—a celebration of national importance which St. John Paul himself personally assured her was “beautiful”!
Kathy received her PhD in Philosophy and Religion in 2001 from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her dissertation topic was: “The Journey Beyond Christian Initiation: Mystagogia, Women Living the Mystery of Faith.”
Seeking a return to parish life, Kathy next served as Liturgy Coordinator in Burlingame, California; and at parishes in San Francisco, including 4 years at San Francisco’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, where she again directed Archdiocesan celebrations. Her final diocesan assignment was as Director of the Office of Worship and Spiritual Life for the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, where, in addition to her liturgical work, she taught World Religions at Colorado State University.
Now retired, Kathy does volunteer work and serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Vrain Historical Society of Longmont, Colorado. Her lifelong stewardship of Catholic knowledge, prayer, and celebration marks her as richly deserving of this award.
Kathy Carey ’65
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This year’s award is presented to Lawrence J. Dugger, who has consistently demonstrated the core values of Pius X High School throughout a professional career of leadership and service to his family, community and country. His accomplishments included a strong contribution to the advancement of commercial nuclear plant operational safety at the national and international levels.
Larry graduated from Pius X with the Class of 1964. He was a senior class officer and lettered in football and basketball. After graduating from Pius X, Larry pursued premedical studies at Creighton and UNL for three years while working as a laboratory technician for a total of five years in critical care situations. He joined the U.S. Army in 1968 and was responsible for maintaining anti-aircraft missiles and launchers. Both units he served in were cited for high operational readiness in high tension areas.
In 1971 Larry returned to the University of Nebraska to earn an electrical engineering degree and began a 40 year career in the nuclear power industry. Throughout his career, Larry also obtained a Senior Reactor Operator License from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a Professional Engineering license from the state of Nebraska as well as a MBA from Georgia State.
During his nuclear power career, Larry held a number of senior management positions in reactor engineering, operations, maintenance and design engineering at three nuclear stations. In his role as Nuclear Safety Chairman at a two reactor station, he provided oversight for implementation of preventive actions arising from the Three Mile Island reactor accident. In this role, he had to exemplify the leadership, standards and integrity needed to build the required safety culture. Following his penchant for excellence, Larry joined the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) for the last 29 years of his career. INPO is a unique non-profit organization of approximately 350 senior nuclear experts established in 1980 to promote excellence in operation of the 110 commercial nuclear plants in the US.
At INPO, he led over 70 major organizational evaluations at US plants and multiple technical exchange visits to nuclear stations in Japan, Taiwan, England, and the Slovak Republic. His leadership capabilities were often sought out for teams charged with formulating and implementing new industry standards and practices in areas where operating experience showed higher standards or an improved safety culture were needed.
During the last three years of his career, Larry was a key adviser to a software development team modernizing the industries incident reporting system. The resulting web-based technology substantially upgraded the industry’s ability to share operating experience, to analyze performance, and predict performance decline. The team received INPO’s World Class Award in 2014 because of their contribution to nuclear safety. INPO was reorganized to take advantage of this technology and efforts are underway to integrate this system with the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
Similarly, Larry made notable contributions to improving nuclear safety in the international arena. He served on INPO’s task force to understand the causes of the Chernobyl reactor accident and needed preventive actions. In addition, for one year, he served as the U.S.’s representative on a WANO team sent to evaluate nuclear safety at Russian design nuclear reactors in Bulgaria and to negotiate corrective action commitments that were endorsed by the Bulgarian energy minister and an international consortium.
Upon reflection, Larry credits his Lincoln-based upbringing and Catholic education for instilling his work ethic, passion for learning, personal values and commitment to excellence. These traits initially enabled him to be effective in endeavors where the welfare of others was a primary concern. As his career progressed his sense of purpose broadened to seeking out areas where he could promote excellence through influence rather than situations he directly controlled.
Now in retirement, Larry continues to be a strong advocate of Pius X following retirement in 2014. In April 2017 Larry facilitated the kickoff of a STEM Steering Committee on behalf of the Pius executive team. This initiative will engage the Pius X staff with engineering professionals and regional higher educational organizations to ensure Pius graduates have the best possible academics and career path awareness for the technology driven world of today. He is engaged in similar efforts with his local charter school and developed effectiveness measures for a nearby organization working with at-risk youth.
Larry Dugger ’64
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Isaacs, Emily
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Carrie Herrera
Nutrition Services
Herrera, Carrie
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Cindy Kaminski
Nutrition Services
Kaminski, Cindy
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King, Mary
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During the annual Friends of Pius X Reception in August, Sally Burt was honored as a Distinguished Steward for demonstrating exemplary commitment to Pius X High School, serving as a role model to our community and as a leader in fulfilling the Pius X mission, and for generously sharing her time, talent and treasure.
A former Pius X Foundation Board of Director member, Sally co-founded B.O.L.T., the annual gala that has brought in millions of dollars to support the school, and is a long-time Pius X English teacher who continues to substitute and support the school after her retirement in 2012. She co-sponsored the Literature Club, developed the literary magazine Wordstruck, earned the Nebraska Writing Project’s highest honor of Teacher of the Year in 2004, and is a member of the Nebraska Educators Hall of Fame.
Sally also co-created the three-year Embedded Institute partnership program at Pius X, helping “a widening circle of Catholic educators see the potential of writing for their own and their students’ growth.” Her influence within the state’s Writing Project is also “legendary” – as one member of her writing group explained, “Sally embeds her history of faith in her writing and shares that love and gratitude to God with those who read it.”
In addition to generously sharing her talents and time with her students, colleagues, and fellow writers, Sally has lovingly cared for her family and our community, modeling charity, leadership, and selflessness. After her first teaching assignment at Lincoln High School (’65-’66), Sally took a hiatus of more than 25 years to raise six children who exemplify her Catholic values while also teaching CCD, founding a prayer group that continues today, and (more recently) becoming a Eucharistic minister at Cathedral of the Risen Christ.
Sally’s relationship with Pius X High School began in 1981, when her oldest son, Charlie, joined the Pius X family as a freshman. As principal Tom Korta described:
This was just the beginning of an incredible succession of Burt family members – children and grandchildren alike – who have made a significant impact on Pius X High School ever since. Sally has not only contributed her fair share of treasure over the years, but she was a co-founder of B.O.L.T., which has brought in literally millions of dollars over the past 33 years and remains a consistent source of revenue for the school and the Booster Club. Because of her initial drive, vision and energy, she has been able to multiply the treasure that has come to our school, and will provide for years to come….Sally Burt has distinguished herself as an incredible steward in all three areas (time, talent, and treasure) during her relationship with Pius X High School that has spanned more than three-and-a-half decades.
Sally Burt’s six sons graduated from Pius X, and two grandchildren are also alumni with one currently attending.
Sally began teaching at Pius X in 1997, devoting “very very long hours in order to help her students excel.” As one colleague described, “no teacher worked harder than Sally Burt for our school.” Principal Tom Korta also noted how her influence at Pius X extended beyond the classroom due to her “fervent witness to our faith” – she was “always willing to share with students and colleagues the source of her joyful service to others” and was asked to speak every year at the senior girls retreat. Sally was also known for making herself available not only to her students, but also to staff who needed help, a kind word, or classroom advice. Katie Elsener, English Department Chair at Pius X for 22 years, described Sally as “a blessing to my department” who “generously gave her time and talents to our students and staff…she spends countless hours sharing her numerous gifts and talents with the Pius X Family.”
Sally’s presence at Pius X is still common, and there are few who have attended more school events than her. She is a true fan of the Thunderbolts, and her support for our community is also well known. An active member of her parish, Sally is “a bit famous in Lincoln for her strong commitment and leadership to good works,” including volunteering for Matt Talbot and sharing Christ’s love with those most in need.
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Sally Burt
Upcoming Events
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Senior/Parent Mass & Breakfast - Monday, May 11
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Senior Finals (Periods 5-8) - Tuesday, May 12
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Senior Finals (Periods 1-4) - Wednesday, May 13
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NO SCHOOL - Ascension Thursday - Thursday, May 14
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Graduation - Pinnacle Bank Arena - Sunday, May 17
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Final Exams (Periods 6-8) - Wednesday, May 20
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Final Exams (Periods 3-5) - Thursday, May 21
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Final Exams (Periods 1-2) - Friday, May 22
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Adoration – Tuesdays & First Fridays
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