By Mary Owen
A number of Catholic school alumni are once again back in class this September.
“There is much history in these schools,” said Jacki Schmitt Bailey, who graduated from Regis High School in 1997. “It’s encouraging to see that the community remains so active in both their faith and the schools, and is committed to raising and educating strong Catholic leaders who will be successful in life.”
For her part, Bailey is beginning her fourth year at St. Mary Catholic School after teaching for a decade in the public education system. She began by teaching elementary grades at a private Catholic school setting before teaching in public schools, and has now come full circle.
“The faith component was something I was missing in my public school experience,” said Bailey, St. Mary’s vice principal. “I missed being able to talk about God and prayer with my students.”
Originally from Indiana, Dru O’Bryant moved to Stayton with her family when she was 12. She attended St. Mary in 2005-2007 and graduated from Regis in 2011, and now teaches personal finance at Regis and social studies at St. Mary.
“I wasn’t sure what to do after college, so I went to work in the office at Regis,” she said. “I was asked to step in as a substitute for an ill teacher for the second semester of the 2015-2016 school year and discovered I loved teaching!”
O’Bryant enjoys getting to know some of her former teachers in a different capacity and “being able to begin my professional career in a comfortable environment.”
Regis theology teacher Jim Tabor attended St. Mary and Regis from first grade through high school. He is a member of the graduating class of 1983. After attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., he spent 20 years as an officer, serving most of his career on ships in the Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean. He retired from the Coast Guard in 2008, and has been living the last nine years in Connecticut.
“During this time, I was involved in parish ministry, completed a master’s degree in theology, and also spent 15 months as a member of a religious community discerning a call to the priesthood,” said Tabor, a widower, father and grandfather.
Looking back to his youth, he said he realizes “how blessed all of us were to be part of such a caring, close-knit, and faith-filled community.
“I hope that I can do my small part for the current students so that they have a similar opinion of their school years when they are my age.”
Tabor’s goal is to help students grow in discipleship, and show them that faith and love for their Savior is rational.
“There isn’t a conflict between the truths of science and the truths of faith,” Tabor said. “The Bible is really the living Word of God, the Holy Spirit is active in their lives, and no matter what mistakes they make, God is always calling them back to His loving embrace.”
His brother, Rich Tabor, also a Regis grad, has taught classes at both St. Mary and Regis over the years. He has coached girls basketball and is the head coach of the cross country team. This year, he will teach personal finance, travel destination geography and Spanish.
““His versatility allows him to serve wherever needed,” said Mike Bauer, Regis counselor.
Sarah Brentano Woodley took on the role of Regis St. Mary advancement director last summer after teaching for 11 years at St. Mary. She attended first through eighth grade at St. Mary and graduated from Regis in 2001.
“Giving back to the community is very important to me,” said the mother of two sons. “Regis and St. Mary have always felt like a second home. Teaching in a Catholic school is an answer to a call, a mission of sorts.”
Woodley loves the sense of community, the legacy that has been built by generations of families sending their children to the schools.
“There is a deep sense of pride and gratitude that comes from working here,” she said.
St. Mary physical education teacher and athletic director, Jon Heuberger, RHS class of 1981, has three children who are all St. Mary and Regis graduates.
“I always wanted to be a part of the Catholic schools here,” he said. “I had good relationships with my teachers and coaches, and wanted to be a part of that.”
Heuberger joked that he is related to half the students, but seriously added, “It’s all about relationships. I love it or I wouldn’t be here. I love being a part of the community. This Catholic school is a special place.”
Mandy Ziglinski Miotke, who teaches chemistry and biology at Regis, taught science for seven years in Mount Angel and biology part-time at Regis in 2010. When a part-time job recently opened, she jumped at the chance to give back to the schools she attended all 12 years, graduating in 1997.
“It was a perfect fit!” said Miotke, a mom of three boys and wife of Michael Miotke, RHS class of 1998. “Students are taught to give back through extra-curricular activities and service projects, but it doesn’t stop there,” she said. “Even after graduation, so many in our community maintain that support as volunteers, donors, parents/grandparents and fans. This community’s spirit and involvement are so unique, and it feels great to be a part of that.
“I’m ready to break out my green and gold and sing the fight song again!”
Math teacher DeAnne Gries Stuckart graduated from St. Mary in 1975 and Regis in 1979.
“I wore a plaid jumper or skirt for 12 years,” said Stuckart, who wanted to be a teacher from a young age, talking her friends into playing school. “St. Mary playground was literally in our backyard.”
Today, she wants to instill the sense of community and service in her students.
“I’m thankful and blessed to have a work environment with committed and shared values,” she said.
Additionally, many staff members are Regis graduates, including Denny (1976) and Mary Lackner (1978) Foltz, Stephanie Bengas Hartmann (1987), Stacey Bishoff Silbernagel (1995) and Kizzy Peters Starbuch (2001).
Regis alumni are invited to attend the first annual Regis Alumni Day which starts with Mass in the Christ the King Chapel with Regis students at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Campus tours will be given at 3 p.m. followed by a free barbecue tailgate dinner at 4 p.m., a corn-hole tournament at 5 p.m. sponsored by Oregon State Bridge Construction, and ending with free entry to the Regis football game at 7 p.m. Spouses and families are welcome.
For information or to register for the alumni day and/or OSBC Corn Hole Tournament, go to http://forms.regishighschool.net/index.php/alumniday or contact Sarah Woodley,
503-759-2159, or swoodley@regishighschool.net.
