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Last week, Seventh and Eighth Class students spent a few days at Camp Lakewood, an annual favorite tradition that provides students an unforgettable opportunity to grow in confidence and leadership. This program helps build a special sense of community through team-building activities, archery, challenge courses, ziplining and, of course, time around a campfire. Below students reflect about this time together.

When I was at Camp Lakewood, I had one of the best experiences of my life. My class played against the Seventh boys in volleyball. We also climbed the Alpine Tower. I really enjoyed doing all the activities but my favorite part of Camp Lakewood was when we would cheer on our classmates when they were climbing. Even though Camp Lakewood had many bugs, I really enjoyed being there, and I can’t wait to go back next year.

— Isabella Boettler ’25

Today at morning drop off, many of us had the pleasure to witness students joyfully wish Mrs. Renken, sitting on the front terrace in the rocking chair, a Happy Birthday. I am uncertain who derived more pleasure, Mrs. Renken or each student as they offered wishes of happiness to someone so loved and influential in their lives.

As I settled back into my office after this, I began to reflect on two aspects of what I observed.

First, the foundation of this mutual admiration society moment was relationships. Relationships are the essence of Sacred Heart education, modeled from the beginning by Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, who considered the service of education as the primary means by which the Society would carry on its mission of communicating the love of the Heart of Jesus. She sent Philippine Duchesne to America to establish a new school to further this mission. Now, 205 years later, Mrs. Renken lives our Sacred Heart identity as she builds and nurtures relationships within our Academy family every day.

A Message from Amber Peterson Westerson ’94 and Louise Weber Kuhlmann ’99

What happens when you put two alums in charge of Country Fair? We hope the answer is MAGIC!

As ASH alums and current parents, Louise and I couldn’t be more excited to be leading the charge for Country Fair this year. We have such fond memories of the event and with the help of our phenomenal committee, we are well on the way to an amazing event!

A few months ago when I was thinking about being the Country Fair chair I started to conjure up the memories that I loved from Country Fairs past. I remember time with friends, winning prizes and lots of fun. But I also had a very vivid memory of when we used to set up a Haunted House in the old gym. I also remembered a VERY specific Country Fair t-shirt with our teachers on it. They were dressed up as fun Halloween characters. I wished I had that shirt to show my kids. It had been one of my favorites.

Fast forward to about six weeks ago, my Dad walks into my basement office and says, “Check out what I found.” Lo and behold . . . it was the shirt, the one I remembered from childhood. (We might call it a Philippine moment!) I knew then that I wanted to recreate the shirt for my kids. Emboldened by Louise who also remembered the shirt and loved the idea, I reached out to my childhood friend from ASH, Valerie Fletcher Oda. (She happens to be an animator for South Park, American Dad, among others.) I asked if she’d entertain helping me recreate the shirt. She agreed and my plan was in motion.

Two hundred and five years ago today, on September 14, 1818, Mother Duchesne opened the first free school for girls west of the Mississippi River. Twenty-two little girls came from the village to be the first children of the Sacred Heart in America. Their families were too poor to pay any tuition, and they were rather grudgingly giving education for girls a try. The children were at first impetuous and undisciplined, and the nuns devoted themselves wholeheartedly to them, delighted to find that many of them spoke French. Gradually the children responded to their efforts, and an atmosphere of affectionate respect was created, which made the schoolroom a homelike place where devotion to the Sacred Heart could develop.

When the weather was pleasant, some children had class on the gallery with Sister Aude, while Mother Duchesne and Sister Berthold taught others in the central room. The children were learning their religion, as well as reading, writing, and arithmetic. One period of the day brought everyone together in the large central room for prayer and the singing of hymns. Mother Duchesne wrote: “Now our day pupils sing at Benediction. They have learned some of Father Barat’s hymns, especially one to the Sacred Heart. They are eager to learn, and they learn easily.”

This year, joining the Academy team as Director of Admissions has been remarkable. This is a school community unlike any I have been a part of during my 20 years in education. The warm welcomes, the rich traditions, the clear goals, the collaborative teammates – students, staff, and faculty alike – have been motivating and inspiring since day one.

Now, we are kicking off admissions season at the Academy, which happens to coincide with the Kansas City Chiefs kicking off the NFL season. As a Kansas Citian and independent, Catholic school proponent, I am fired up for BOTH the NFL game tonight and our admissions season kick-off Open House on Tuesday, September 12 at 9 a.m.. Each of you is a star player in Academy admissions: prospective parents hearing about the Academy from you is the key to an epic admissions season and helping us work toward Goal 4 of Sacred Heart education – building community.

Let’s huddle up, Academy team! We are in our fourth week of school. We are flexible. We are warmed up. We are ready for this moment. It’s our time to shine. We’re all in this together, and here is how each of you plays a role in Academy admissions right now.

Everyone, please share both our Academy Facebook and Instagram posts regarding our fall admissions events. Please consider including a message as you share each social media post. “Don’t miss out on these chances to tour our school and meet with Academy faculty and staff!”