In the footsteps of Philippine Duchesne, Marcia Renken has devoted her life to Sacred Heart education. She has spent 35 years serving this school that she loves, preserving and advancing our foundress’s mission. Marcia’s impact spans generations – much like that of her role model, Sister Patricia Steppe whose lifelong love of learning and high standard of excellence are a continuing inspiration to Marcia.
Her sister Karen Baronovic Cowperthwaite Class of 1983 shares, “She is truly a devoted leader of Rose Philippine Duchesne’s mission to inspire students to be courageous, confident, and to share the love of God through service. A lifelong servant to the Academy’s mission is exactly who Marcia has been for the greatest part of her life. As a student, an alumna, a teacher, a parent and an administrator, Marcia exemplifies the vision of a community builder who seeks to connect the minds and spirits of students as well as staff and families. She does so through her deep connection to God and her deep connection to her heart.”
Marcia follows her heart, and lucky for us, she fell in love with the Academy when she began in Primary in 1963. She remembers the elegance of Primes, with white gloves and pink cords, memorizing the Baltimore Catechism and a deep, spiritual connection with Sister Muriel Cameron. She recalls Sister Steppe, her then First Class teacher, teaching her how to complete a score card when the Cardinals were in the World Series, playing the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz and being dazzled learning about the stars. She also remembers the entire school assembling in the Shrine when President Kennedy was assassinated.
But the thing that sticks with her the most wasn’t something she learned. It was something she felt. Marcia explains, “I was made for this place and it was made for me. Who I am as a being matched perfectly what this school offered. The stars aligned.” She intrinsically knew, thanks to the love, support and belief of her teachers, that she could do and be anything she wanted.
Marcia went on to Duchesne High School, started nursing school, then wanting to teach students with special needs, she earned her bachelor’s from UMSL. After teaching in the Special School District, marrying her love, Keith, and starting a family, she returned to her alma mater in 1982 as a part-time Primary teacher. And she’s been here ever since! Marcia has moved from teacher to administrator to her current role as principal, receiving a master’s degree in educational leadership along the way. She is proud that her children, Katie and Christopher, are both graduates of the Academy.
Alumna and former principal Kathy Hopper says, “I was blessed to work closely with Marcia at the Academy for many years. Her deep understanding of the philosophy of Sacred Heart education was evident. Most importantly, she modeled daily in her interaction with students, parents, and colleagues the values inherent in the Sacred Heart way of life.”
From helping students develop their interior lives through mindfulness, meditation and prayer, inspiring their intellectual lives through a strong and creative curriculum, or recognizing their growth in Heart of Oak assemblies, Marcia brings classic Sacred Heart education to life.
Her sister, Mary Beth Baronovic Bulte, Class of 1977 writes, “Marcia has touched hundreds and hundreds of students and their families and by doing so has positively affected the greater community and continues to play a part in transforming our world. In her desire to bring to light the gift of each student and each faculty member, Marcia lives out the role model of Philippine — the unrelenting gift of herself to others.”
In her years at the Academy, Marcia has experienced much change and growth but says, “the core of who we are hasn’t changed, just how we live it out.” It’s in the expression of Sacred Heart education, in the life lived that Marcia’s gentle spirit and heart-centered style of education shine. Raymond Bulte, Class of 2016, says, “My aunt, like St. Philippine, is very passionate about education and kind and patient with students — all students. She believes that everyone has gifts and she looks at situations from both sides and treats everyone with love, compassion and fairness. She taught me and my classmates many life lessons, like how to treat others, how to speak from your heart, and how to respect the differences in others and to see God in each person. She also focused on making every day a new day and that by making myself better, I could make the world better.”
Nathan Rich, who graduated just a few weeks ago, says it beautifully, “Not only is (Mrs. Renken) pushing us to be our best selves, (she is) also pushing the school to be the best it can be. In our exit interviews, (she) showed a true desire to improve the school for future generations and listened to us with open ears, something I know my classmates and I greatly appreciated. I believe that there was no greater guiding presence for us during our years at ASH. No greater role model for us. There was no greater example for us of how we can bring Philippine’s mission into the 21st century and spread the ideals of Sacred Heart education to those around the world.”
How fortunate we are to have Marcia Renken here in this holy place. She follows her heart and leads with love. On behalf of the Alumni Association, it is my honor to present the 2018 Philippine Duchesne Award to my colleague and a true educator of the Sacred Heart, Marcia Renken.
