Ashley Mejstrik ’14
Honestly working with family is my favorite part of the job!
Airplanes and stats and analysis
Make two different paper airplanes, toss them each 30 times, mark the distance of each throw, then use the data for analysis.
Paul Jablonski Memorial Scholarship
Paul Jablonski (Pius X High School class of ’72), passed away January 23, 2021 in Overland Park, KS at the age of 67. Paul and his wife Patti proudly raised five children and were foster parents for 25 years. Paul’s life was centered around faith and service to others. He enjoyed woodworking and used his
Classroom activity goes dark in French class
Students in a few French classes went into the dark to learn about historical French people, with the dark classrooms simulating a catacomb (sort of an underground cemetery). Biography information was posted on walls around the classroom, and students used flashlights to read and take notes. This class is taught by Mandi Barker.
Spanish students connect with younger students with books, Zoom
Spanish IV students created and read books in Spanish, with students voting for their favorites. Those students (Elle, Paul and Gemma) read to St. John the Apostle School kindergarten students via Zoom, continuing a slightly different annual tradition but making it work. The younger students sent thank you notes and pictures back to the Pius
Vince Aldrich Memorial Fund
The Vince Aldrich Memorial fund was established in 2009 to help support teachers like Vince Aldrich who involve themselves as mentors to youth through their involvement in extracurricular activities.
Lawrence Arth Endowed Fund
A fund was established as the Lawrence J. Arth endowment fund to support the Pius X football program. Funds are used to purchase additional equipment, uniforms and other items or repairs that are needed that exceed the cost of the football team’s annual budget.
Tim Aylward Endowed Fund
An endowed fund honoring Tim Aylward has been established by an anonymous donor to honor his commitment to Catholic education and his impact on many student-athletes at Pius X High School. Examples of what the funds for the Athletic Department may be used for include weight room equipment, hurdles, practice equipment, supplies for the athletic trainer, etc.
Band Endowment
Disbursement from the established endowment began in 2014-2015, with funding earmarked for upgrades to department music supplies, instruments, uniforms, and other needed improvements.
Dominick and Rosemary Elsener Memorial Fund
Dominick and Rosemary Elsener were married on June 17, 1950. They were married for 63 years and raised six children that produced the fruitful legacy of 29 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren.
Jan Frayser Endowed Fund
The Jan Frayser Endowed Fund was created to support the Pius X Counseling Center activities in perpetuity. Yearly distributions will benefit, as examples only, Ambassador program, guest speakers, high school recruitment efforts, purchase of necessary materials for the office, and more.
John Hanigan Endowment for New Teacher Salaries
John had a strong commitment to Catholic education and served the Diocese of Lincoln with that commitment in mind. He knew and appreciated the importance of Catholic education which he instilled in his family. His legacy will continue with the establishment of the John Hanigan Endowment to supplement Pius X teacher salaries.
Julie Clifford Taylor Endowment for Band and Tuition Assistance
The Julie Clifford Taylor Endowment for Band and Tuition Assistance was established in 2014 by Julie’s father, Charles F. Clifford, to assist the Pius X Band Department and to provide tuition assistance for a Pius X student from St. Teresa parish.
ThunderBOLT Fun Run Endowment
The ThunderBOLT Fun Run committee established this endowment and gives back to the clubs, activities, faculty, staff, and students of Pius X High School.
Jules J. and Clovis J. VanDersarl Endowment for Science & Music
Since the inception of the VanDersarl Endowment, several thousands of dollars have been given back to the school, and been used to purchase music, a video camera, a keyboard, and microscopes and Pro Scout balances for the Science department.
Sean Varner Endowment for Art & Fine Arts
The intent of the Sean Varner Endowment for Art & Fine Arts is to benefit the greatest number of students in these areas of study. Examples include reference books, materials and teaching aids, art equipment, funding for field trips and supplies, purchase of new equipment, instruments, uniforms, and more.
Pius X Vocal Endowment
Yearly distributions will benefit the Pius X vocal department at Pius X High School. Funds for the Vocal Department may be used for such things as purchase of new equipment, instruments and/or repair of old ones, purchase of new music, music stands, etc., purchase of new costumes, choir robes, or repair of old ones; other needs determined at the discretion of the Vocal Director.
James and Patricia Kreifels Scholarship
James Kreifels grew up in Nebraska City and moved to Lincoln in 1952. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1954. Patricia Strizek grew up in Agnew and attended Valparaiso High School. James and Patricia Kreifels were married August 31, 1957. Their family quickly grew to include seven children. In 1968 James founded Action Plumbing
Peter J. Wunderlich Memorial Fund
The Peter J. Wunderlich Memorial Fund will be a legacy of his kind impulse to make anyone crossing his path more joyful and fulfilled, by forever helping to enrich Pius X students’ high school experiences.
Shirley V. Ficke Music Scholarship
Having been raised in a rural community with no parochial school available, Shirley has always been very proud of the education offered by Pius X High School. Grandchildren, Elizabeth (2000) and Wallace (2002) Dilley, Caroline (2004), Caitlin (2006), Carly (2010), and Claire (2013) Ficke enjoyed the Pius experience, especially through the music programs. This was
Pius X names Wright as head boys soccer coach
Pius X High School has announced David Wright as their new head coach for the boys soccer team. Wright takes over for Micah Chafee, who is stepping down after 10 years with the program, the last five as head coach. “I’m looking forward to working with this wonderful school and the proud tradition of Pius X,” Wright said. Wright played
Gabriel Clark ’19
What are you studying (your major/minor), and how do you feel Pius X classes and teachers prepared you for your college work? I am a UNL software engineering major with minors in business and mathematics. My schedule at Pius X was fairly rigorous, especially during my junior and senior years. I would recommend participation in
Natalie Schieuer ’17
What led you to apply for the US Naval Academy? As a high school senior, the US Naval Academy presented the opportunity for me to serve my country, challenge myself, and join an organization bigger than myself. The mission statement of the US Naval Academy really attracted me and embodied a lot of what I
