Marian Creates an Everlasting Community

Story by Elena Burt '25

Marian students, alumnae, teachers and the Servants of Mary are frequently recognized in public as part of the Marian community because of Crusader swag or their familiar faces. 

Junior Charlotte Holcomb, wearing a Crusader sweatshirt, once heard “Go Blue!” from a random person at the supermarket. She said, “It kind of scared me, but made me happy to know my school was recognized.” 

Senior Morgan Hockney has had many people ask her at work if she goes to Marian because of her selected sweatshirt that day. She said, “Sometimes younger girls ask me, ‘how do you like going to school with no boys?’ and I always say that it’s awesome.” 

Junior Lauren Hicks was wearing a Marian shirt at pilates class, and the front office worker started the conversation by telling Hicks how she and her daughters went to Marian and loved it. 

Senior Nicole Poole was at the gym in one of her MHS sweatshirts, and a woman came up to her, asking what it meant. Poole explained that it stood for Marian, and the woman said, “‘Ohhh, I went to Marian back in the day, but they really didn’t like me because I was a troublemaker, but I really did love going there.”’ Poole is sure that the faculty was fond of every student, including that woman.

Before the first semester finals, the Network staff, journalism teacher Mrs. Marsha Kalkowski and community minister Sr. Joan Houtekier went to see “The Nutcracker” at the Orpheum. In the lobby, one of the security guards recognized Sr. Joan. The security guard was a student about 35 years ago, and she was so happy to see that Sr. Joan was still a vital part of Marian. 

The security guard just needed a picture with one of her favorite high school teachers. After the fact, Sr. Joan said, “It’s always nice to see former students.”

Theology teacher Mr. Mark Koesters is spotted and greeted with a smile by many alumnae while buying coffee or shopping for groceries. He said, “People come up to me about once a month.”  They like to take pictures and send them to their old class group chats to share a giggle, Koesters added.

All of these connections within the Marian community are long-standing, and it is evidence of the sisterhood created at Marian. 

Ms. Emily McKenna, alumnae director, graduated from Marian in 2016. She coordinates all the alumnae events and helps keep the Marian alumnae network active through different engagement opportunities. 

The Marian community is still an active part of her life post-graduation. McKenna still gathers with her own classmates and stays connected with Crusaders. She said, “I’ve met up with my speech team for almost 10 years now, and we still get together every Christmas.”

McKenna recognizes the importance of bringing the values you learn at Marian into your life beyond high school. She was delighted and empowered when she “was in [her] sorority at Creighton; the two presidents were Marian girls.” One of those presidents was the theology department’s very own Ms. Sara Greisch. 

“My best advice for Marian girls is that you are such confident, independent thinking leaders inspired by faith, and you will take that on to college,” McKenna said. 

“I think you will touch the lives of not only your classmates at your university, but you will meet other Marian girls who share an impact from Marian’s mission, who are making a difference that will inspire you as you make your way in the world.” 

Also, she resonates with the number of comments she receives from alumnae that are about the compassion they have learned from the Servants of Mary, the teachers, the students and the school itself. She said, “All Marian girls learn compassion, no matter what year they graduated, and we still feel that strong connection to that core value.”

McKenna encourages alumnae to be around. She said, “There are so many different ways to get involved with Marian again. That connection isn’t something that you leave on Military Avenue.”