History

On Sept. 6, 1955, Marian welcomed 42 freshmen from 10 parishes throughout Omaha. Each year a new class was added until the first class graduated in 1959. Sr. Marian Sitzmann, OSM, known in 1955 as Sister Mary Marcella, was Marian’s first principal with a staff of six other Servite sisters.

When the high school opened, the majority of the staff were nuns and the sisters poured everything into the school.  So deep was the sisters’ dedication that no sacrifice was too great.  A limited budget made them very frugal. In the early years, there was no funding for custodial service, so the sisters, including the principal, cleaned the building after hours.   

Led by Sr. Marcella, the sisters promoted and indoctrinated “Espirit de Corps,” the Spirit of Marian, through song, creed and example. They built a legacy of timeless values. Now we refer to these as Marian’s Core Values: Spirituality, Community, Empowerment, Compassion, Service and Marian Identity.

The Early Years 

At a school named Marian, it is not surprising that there was a strong influence on Marian ideals.  In the 1950s, Mary was the model of all Christian womanhood, but particularly of all Marianites, as students were often called. Expectations of a Marian girl were high, in school and in public. 

As outlined in the Student Handbook, girls were expected to be quiet in the halls and “avoid ill-mannered and unseemly things in public.”  Sr. Marcella would frequently remind the girls of these virtues. 

At a school named Marian, it is not surprising that there was a strong influence on Marian ideals.  In the 1950s, Mary was the model of all Christian womanhood, but particularly of all Marianites, as students were often called. Expectations of a Marian girl were high, in school and in public. 

As outlined in the Student Handbook, girls were expected to be quiet in the halls and “avoid ill-mannered and unseemly things in public.”  Sr. Marcella would frequently remind the girls of these virtues. 

At Marian, the 60s were relatively simple times, rooted in Marian spirituality and traditions. It was a time of great growth in enrollment, facilities and programs.  The name and reputation of Marian came to connote excellence and Marian’s graduates were poised for success.  “The nuns who taught me influenced me and fostered a love of education. … Today Marian has that same strong sense of community and importance of education.”  Sr. Mary Gehringer '66

The firm foundation established in those early years would set the course for times to come.   

Building a Legacy

At Marian, the focus was always on women, and athletics continued to become more visible. In 1970, Marian’s basketball team made a sweep; they were the champs in CYO, AAU, City Parks and Recreation League, and AAU Junior Olympic Tourney in Kansas City. In 1972 golf and tennis were added to Marian’s athletic program and a drill team was formed. That same year the Nebraska School Activities Association voted to legalize girls’ basketball.  Marian would soon have its own varsity basketball team. 

Developing an athletics program involves more than simply having a team.  Marian did have a gym, but in 1971, there were no bleachers or scoreboards.  A Booster Club was formed under the leadership of Howard Rudloff  (father of six Marian girls); the initial goal was to raise money for bleachers.  A full-sized scoreboard was secured from Pepsi Cola in exchange for two Pepsi machines in the cafeteria. 

“We had a difficult time getting started because the nuns wanted Marian to be known for scholastics and not athletics. … Few schools have accomplished what Marian has – a scholastic and athletic heritage.”  Howard Rudloff

Celebrating Milestones

After a quarter century and 3,000 graduates, the original philosophy of Marian is still alive. An all-girl environment provides every student with the opportunity for personal growth in knowledge, faith, leadership and service. A comprehensive curriculum included a college preparatory course, a vocational arts course and a combination of both programs. The challenge of this type of education brought with it financial demands. The Servants of Mary always tried to offer this education at a cost most parents could afford, desiring to keep the school available to all girls regardless of financial background. 

By the late 1980s, student interest in business and home economics courses was dwindling, and in the 1990s these courses were phased out in favor of a strictly college prep curriculum.

A Confident Future

Nationally recognized programs, successful capital campaigns, and renovation and building projects propelled Marian forward. By 1992, 100% of Marian graduates were attending college. In 1993, Marian earned its first Department of Education National Blue Ribbon award in recognition of outstanding excellence in school leadership, instruction, student achievement and parental involvement. A back-to-back Blue Ribbon followed in 1998.

Marian expanded its facilities in 1997 to provide an elevator, quad space, new gym, a weight room and locker rooms. In 2000, a three-story addition between the school and convent was built to house a science center, student services center and library.

In the early 2000s, Marian began to look for ways to honor and promote its Servite identity. With so few sisters actively serving in the classroom, Servite traditions and history were intentionally incorporated throughout the school year to remind students to be like Mary, a compassionate presence in the world. Not long after, the six Core Values were established and placed within the context of the curriculum. When a young woman graduates from Marian, she should reflect these values in her knowledge, decision-making and philosophy of life.

Technology has infiltrated every aspect of education at Marian. In 2013, Marian began integrating the use of iPads into its classrooms to support students' growth as communicators, thinkers and problem solvers. By 2019, the entire building had been renovated - the result of a $12 million capital campaign. The crown jewel of this initiative was the Haddix Academic Center, located in the center of the building and modeled after university libraries and featuring multiple work and study zones and integrated technology. A $7 million campaign followed to update the outdoor athletic facilities complete with a FIFA-regulation turf soccer field, a six-lane track, and the Marian Athletic Center, an indoor training center for wrestling, golf and softball.

Since its founding in 1955, Marian has advanced from a small, convent school to a full campus dedicated to the optimal educational experience for girls. Despite all that has changed, Marian's mission, values and hope for its students remain the same.