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Dear Holy Family Community,

We hope this letter finds you filled with the joy of the Lord! As the calendar turns to August we look forward to a new school year with excitement and zeal as we embrace the things that make Holy Family Catholic High School so very special.  

We realize that many of you are anxious about our COVID protocols for the upcoming school year. Minnesota has made positive strides in combating this global pandemic.  We also know that things continue to constantly change. With the vast majority of our students eligible for vaccinations we can turn our focus to providing as near normal a school experience as possible.  Know and trust that, just as we did last year, we will continue to closely monitor and appropriately respond to the ever-changing status of the pandemic and face each challenge with our “if we can, we will” attitude. Please visit our 2021-22 COVID-19 Protocol Page HERE for more detailed information. We appreciate your continued vigilance in this matter as we usher in a fresh start to a new school year. Thank you!

We trust that you received our summer mailer which includes much of the basic information needed for a successful start of the school year. If you should have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be sure to get you the answers you need. And while we have your attention, we also want to thank you for your patience as we continue to implement and integrate our new student information system (SIS), Blackbaud®. While no major software system transition is without its hiccups, on the whole, the project has gone very smoothly. We are excited to continue to reveal what a powerful and robust SIS we now have and the many ways it will serve our parents, students, staff, and even our alumni!

With our eyes set on the future, there are so many things we are looking forward to this year – most notably, being able to see the faces of our students, their families, and our colleagues! It has been far too long since our hearts have been warmed and our cups have been filled by the joyful smiles found so abundantly among our incredible Holy Family community. The deep sense of connection and family is truly unique to our school and perhaps a quality and experience missed more than anything last year. 

With this in mind we simply cannot wait to rekindle the fire of family that resides amongst us all. We have several in-person gatherings planned for this fall, so please watch your email for specific invites to these special events aimed at celebrating our students and our community. One occasion that we would like to draw special attention to is our annual Spirit of Fire fundraising gala being held on Saturday, September 18th at the Winery at Sovereign Estate in Waconia. Parents and friends, be sure to mark your calendars, reserve your tickets, and come join the festivities in support of Holy Family. It will be an evening of reunion and celebration for the record books! 

As our building starts to get busier with the return of students and staff, we ask that you hold us all in your prayers and join us in giving thanks for the blessing that is our Holy Family community. Please enjoy the last few weeks of summer and we’ll see each of you very soon.

Until then…Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever!

Go Fire!

Mike Brennan, President

John Dols, Principal

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Holy Family Catholic High School is proud to announce the 2021 National Merit Scholarship program recognizes three of our seniors. Seniors Lauren Taylor and Gregory Stoffel are 2021 National Merit Semifinalists, and senior Joseph Freitas is a National Merit Commended Student. Out of 1.5 million entrants, roughly 34,000 earn Commended Students recognition, and about 16,000 earn Semifinalists recognition. The majority of semifinalists will advance to National Merit Finalists in February, an honor granted to just 1%  of the 1.5 million students who enter the competition by taking the PSAT test in their junior year.

UPDATE: Lauren and Greg were announced as National Merit Finalist in February 2021.

To learn more about the National Merit Scholarship program, click here.

We wanted to know more about how they prepared for the PSAT/NMSQT and what factors, both in school and outside of it, contributed to them achieving this level of academic success.

Lauren Taylor

HFCHS Activities: Mock Trial, Tennis, Math League, Student Council, Honor Society, Fire Ambassadors

How did you prepare for the PSAT?

I went through the practice test that Holy Family gave us in small parts to familiarize myself with the test. Other than that, I got a good sleep and ate a healthy breakfast on the morning of the test.

What types of Holy Family courses assisted in the preparation process?

I feel that all of the classes I have taken helped prepare me for the test by creating good study habits and test-taking skills. I am so grateful to every teacher that I have had, and I hope that I have made them proud. Specifically, my English and Math courses strengthened my knowledge in these areas for the test.

Rigorous academic course loads can be very stressful; how do you deal with that stress, and what advice do you have for students  going through similar situations?

With my “Type A” personality, I find it helpful to keep a planner with everything that I have to get done. I also watch Netflix while I do my homework, which seems like it would be distracting, but it helps me focus better and stay relaxed. My advice for other students is to be proactive and try to get all of your work done as soon as it is assigned. Also, do not be afraid to ask your teachers when you need help; I spent part of my birthday last year in the cafeteria getting help from Mr. Walker on AP Chem.

What makes you most proud about being a National Merit finalist?

After pushing myself for the past few years, it feels great to have my hard work recognized. I am proud to be grouped with other students that share my same passion for learning.

What will you miss the most after you graduate from Holy Family?

After I graduate from HF, I will miss the people and the community the most. I know that everyone inside the building has my back, and it truly feels like a family. I can only hope that I find something even remotely similar to that in college and for the rest of my life.

Gregory Stoffel

How did you prepare for the PSAT?

I took a practice test to help understand the general format. The main part that prepared me was studying for the ACT because these two tests are very similar.

Rigorous academic course loads can be very stressful; how do you deal with that stress, and what advice do you have for students going through similar situations?

I deal with stress by looking at the bigger picture, and I learn what is really important. Stress often comes when I have a lot going on at the start of a new season, so I try to take it one step at a time. Making to-do lists help relieve stress, and talking with friends helps as well.

What makes you most proud about being a National Merit finalist?

The part that makes me the most proud is that only 1% qualify after taking this test. I am one of very few, and it is an honor to be a part of it.

What will you miss the most after you graduate from Holy Family?

After high school, the part I will miss the most is the friendships that I have made here. I know that I will always remember the lessons I learned here; I will miss Mr. Dwyer’s lectures in A.P. Biology, Mr. Kannel’s cookies, and so much more.

Joseph Freitas

HFCHS Activities: Band, Math League, Track and Field

What types of Holy Family courses assisted in the preparation process?

Throughout my school career, English classes have taught me standard conventions of grammar to use on the PSAT, reading comprehension skills, and math classes, especially pre-calculus, which helped develop quantitative reasoning skills necessary for the math portions.

Rigorous academic course loads can be very stressful; how do you deal with that stress, and what advice do you have for students going through similar situations?

The main way I deal with the stress of a heavy course load is simply doing all homework as soon as possible so that the workload does not build up over time. Also, I make sure to study for every test and try my best on every assignment. My advice would be not to procrastinate and to do something rejuvenating after a long day of work, such as a bike ride or

What makes you most proud about being a National Merit finalist?

The most satisfying thing about being a National Merit commended student is that achieving this distinction in Minnesota requires you to be in the top one percent of test-takers in the nation and, therefore, at the very top of the academic world. I am most proud of this exclusivity and the fact that only one out of a hundred people can achieve this distinction.

What will you miss the most after you graduate from Holy Family?

I will miss this school’s small, communal feel due to it only having about 500 students.

Interested in learning more about Holy Family?

Please join us for a Fire Family Visit. Fire Family Visits are socially-distanced, small group, on-campus information sessions with personalized tours led by our student ambassadors. Click on the link below to find the time and date that works best for your family and then reserve your seats! See you soon.

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Holy Family hires Erik Westrum to lead the Fire Boys Hockey Program 

Victoria, MN, May 14, 2021 - 1:00 PM 

Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria, MN, is thrilled to announce the hiring of Erik Westrum as the school’s new head boys hockey coach.   Westrum most recently served as the head coach at Southwest Christian – Richfield, a program he helped start in 2017, and where he was named Section 2A coach of the year in 2020.  Westrum also currently serves as a Minnesota Hockey High-Performance coach and evaluator and is the Director of Business and Operations at Breakaway Academy, a private school for boys and girls in grades 1-8 with campuses in Eden Prairie, Chaska, and Woodbury. 

The son of professional hockey player Pat Westrum, Erik’s playing career began at Apple Valley High School, where he posted a hat trick in the 5-4, five-overtime win over Duluth East to clinch the 1996 state championship.  Westrum was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1998 NHL Draft but remained at the University of Minnesota. He played for four seasons and earned his bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. 

Westrum retired in 2012 after an 11-year professional playing career, which featured stints with the Phoenix Coyotes, Minnesota Wild, and Toronto Maple Leafs.  He also had an accomplished career in the AHL, earning his way into the AHL All-Star Game in 2005-2006 (Co-Leading Scorer and Co-MVP) and 2006-2007.  He was a 2004 Men’s National Team member, where his game-winning shootout goal clinched a bronze medal for Team USA.  Westrum finished his career in the Swiss League, where he earned MVP honors in 2007-2008.  In addition to his exploits on the ice, Westrum was also named AHL Community Service Man of the Year for three consecutive seasons, in 2001-02, 2002-03, and 2003-04. 

Holy Family Activities Director Nick Tibesar is thrilled to add such a strong leader and person of integrity to serve as the Fire Boys Hockey program director.  Tibesar said, “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Erik and his family into the Holy Family community.  His experience playing and teaching the game at an extremely high level brings tremendous value to our hockey program, making him an ideal fit to lead our program into the future.  However, what really sets him apart is his commitment to developing young men and helping them grow in character and faith.  Those traits will be truly invaluable to the program, school, and community moving forward.” 

Westrum officially begins his work at Holy Family on June 7 with the summer conditioning and training programs.  

Additional information about Erik Westrum: 

Education: 

University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management – BA in Business Management 

University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management – MBA in Business Management 

Contact Information: 

Nick Tibesar, HFCHS Activities Director – tibesarn@hfchs.org 

Erik Westrum, Head Boys Hockey Coach – westrume@hfchs.org  

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As is our tradition during Founders Week, we celebrate the academic accomplishments of our students through our Academic Honors Day. Covid-19 has changed many things, but what has not changed is the excellence we see out of our students every day.

Today, we are excited to share a virtual Academic Honors Day ceremony celebrating academic recognition for all grade levels. Congratulations to the students recognized through our academic honors ceremonies.

As we reflected on these students and their accomplishments, the important role you as parents play also stood out to me. Parents first instill the values of faith, education, and community. Thank you for choosing our school and walking this journey with our faculty and staff.

Please click on the links below to share our community’s pride as today we present our virtual Academic Honors Day.

Live Jesus in our Hearts,

Principal John Dols and Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs Melissa Livermore

Senior Honor Society and Academic Awards

2021 Senior Awards Program PDF

Academic Honors Day for All Grades

Our Class of 2021 scholars are inspirational examples for all students to follow as they grow in integrity, faith, leadership, and scholarship.  Honor Society and All-Student Academic Honors were presented virtually this year.

2021 Academic Honors Day Program PDF

2021 Honor Society Members

New Members Inducted
(3-4 semesters of requirements fulfilled)

Julia Anderson

Katherine Anseth

Jack Bauer

Sophia Boockmeier

Elijah Bresnan

Eleanor Bush

Hanna Bush

Caroline Cronin

Christopher Deavan

Edward Diminnie

Josephine Elsner

Rebecca Ernst

Kaellan Foudray

BenjaminGallus

Olivia  Guyer

Sophia Hall

Dayrin Jimenez

Alison Kunkel

Kori Lenzmeier

Mary Lizak

Ava Mettler

Emma Murphy

Collin Nawrocki

Jillian Oncay

My-Linh Pavelka

Makenzie Pavelka

Julia Red Wing

Michael Richelsen

Bennett  Russo

Kellen Sieve

Janielle Stanoch

Melanie Stewart-Hester

Isabel Van Eyll

Madeleine Wiitala

Lorelei Wilson

Elizabeth Witcombe

Laurel Members

(5-6 semesters of requirements fulfilled)

Jack Barth

Elle Bernaski

Ryley Covington

Thomas Guyer

Claire Haley

Alexander Janey

Ella Kunze

Sophia Mackey

Molly O’Connor

Derek Pass

Hailey Pavelka

Isaac Pitner

Ellen Ries

Matthew Santini

Emma Schuele

Allison Schumacher

Joseph Tinucci

Cela Watkins

Gold Members

(7 semesters of requirements fulfilled)

Allison Agerland

Samuel Bradley

Etienne Foudray

Caroline Hess

Olivia Hesse

Nicholas Huson

Jacob Kirsch

Haley Klahsen

Jakob Lenzmeier

Charles Lindberg

Gavin Lund

Haley Nahlovsky

Aidan O’Donnell

Brendan Quinn

Benjamin Reddan

Joseph Richelsen

Reyana Schaffer

Bishop Schugel

Jeremy Schumacher

Brendan Sieve

Gregory Stoffel

Lauren Taylor

Jacob Warmka

Katherine Wise

William Zay

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Loss, unrest, instability, and strife continue to be forceful constants in our lives. From the 565,000 departed souls due to the coronavirus, to the death of George Floyd and the Black and Brown community’s subsequent cries for racial equality, to the turmoil in our nation’s capital, to the unconscionable violence inflicted upon Asian Americans, to mass shootings—our nation is in pain.

And now, in our backyard, as the nation’s gaze fixes upon the Twin Cities and a looming verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, the greater Minneapolis community has been shaken once again, this time by the tragic death of Daunte Wright.

Holy Family, as an educational institution built upon our Catholic faith and animated by our Lasallian identity, has a role, and, more importantly, a responsibility to prepare our students to be advocates for justice, instruments of peace, agents of change, and procurers of hope in our world.

To that end, we must first ensure our students feel welcomed, valued, and loved for their differences – the very image of God that resides in each of them. Secondly, we must educate them in the light of Truth and its call to love our neighbor as the Lord loves us – upholding all people’s dignity and embracing the beauty that diversity brings to our existence.

Ten months ago, following George Floyd’s death, we shared Holy Family’s renewed commitment to this calling – looking inward and critically examining our culture, practices, and curriculum – both explicitly and implicitly. While the present moment calls for genuine and authentic prayer, we look forward to the months ahead when we will share the advancements we have made towards this end and the good work that continues to lie before us.

In the meantime, we will continue to educate and take care of our students, ensuring they feel safe and, above all, loved. We will continue to support our alumni with a space and venue to engage in meaningful dialogue. We will continue to reject racism and discrimination. Promote peace and justice. Listen and seek understanding. Love, not hate.

Join us as we turn our hearts to prayer – lifting those who mourn and grieve, those who live in fear, those experiencing violence and unrest, and those working for peace and change. We pray for an end to violence, justice for the oppressed, peace in the streets of our cities and our nation, a voice for the silenced, an end to the sin of racism…for healing and change.

The Easter season reminds us that we are people of the Resurrection. We are people of hope. And we believe that by allowing God to work through our hands, our feet, and our lips, the glory of His heavenly Kingdom can be reflected here on this earth – in our nation, in our city, and in our school…one heart a time.

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Holy Family Catholic High School is proud to announce the Second Quarter Honor Roll for 2020-2021. This honor roll recognizes these 357 students for their dedication and commitment to their education. Our faculty and staff celebrate all learners and are grateful for the efforts of all students. More than 77% of our students maintained grade point averages of 3.0 and higher to achieve honor roll designation.

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BEAT SUMMER BOREDOM WITH HF SUMMER CAMPS!

Summer offers us an opportunity for a change of pace, a chance to explore new things and spend time with friends – both old and new. We are excited to host the following in-person camps on our campus once again, starting as soon as June 21! 

Wherever your childrens’ adventures take them this summer, we invite them and their friends to spend some time with us at Holy Family!

NICK TIBESAR
Holy Family Catholic High School
Activities Director

Squisito Italian Cooking and Language

Cook the most scrumptious recipes of Italy while learning essentials of the Italian language. The students will hear the history and phrases that go with each recipe and come home with Italian on their lips. Fees include the cost of all supplies. Taught by: Holy Family Italian Instructor, Jacob Dueck. Contact Mr. Dueck at dueckj@hfchs.org with questions.

Theater Camp

Join us for a 4-day in-person theatre camp! Students will learn how to develop their acting skills through games, workshops, and devising which will culminate in a final performance created entirely by the participants on the final day. A great way to dip your toe into the world of theatre and build confidence while having fun! The camp is run by Guthrie Theater veteran and Holy Family Director of Theater Anna Crace. Contact Ms. Crace with any questions at cracea@hfchs.org.

Girls Basketball Camp for Grades 4-8

Improve basketball fundamentals (shooting, passing and ball-handling) and team skills (defensive/offensive and rebounding drills). This camp is led by Holy Family head girls basketball coach Brandon Antl. Contact Coach Antl at brandonantlx@gmail.com with questions.

Volleyball

Camps are designed to improve the individual skills and knowledge of each camper.  Camp sessions will be taught by Holy Family Head Coach Tony Bongaarts, along with his staff and players, in a fast-paced and fun environment! Hone your skills and develop your passion. Contact Coach Bongaarts at holyfamilyvolleyball@gmail.com with questions.

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Holy Family is converting to three new software systems in time for the start of the 2021-2022 school year!

It is widely known that at Holy Family Catholic High School, we are always on the path of improvement and in steady pursuit of excellence in all we do. 

Delivering a top-tier, faith-based, academic curriculum and high-quality extracurricular opportunities are core to our mission. To continue doing so in the best way possible, we are excited to announce that Holy Family will transition to three new software systems (Google Suite, Schoology Power School, and Blackbaud Information System) with truly seamless data flow from enrollment management into the learning management and student information systems over the summer. In addition, we are rebuilding our website to a mobile-first design that will integrate with these systems. 

A transition of this importance and magnitude takes thorough investigation and careful consideration. Holy Family partnered with SourceWell Technology to explore several options in determining the best solutions for our school. All departments provided input and evaluated options during the decision-making process. 

  New learning management system 

Over the years, Holy Family has expanded its software capabilities as needs arose. Despite being customized for our school’s purposes, our current software programs can, at times, be challenging to navigate and incompatible with one another. New technology upgrades will connect all platforms and users within our community – including students, teachers, parents, administrators, donors, and alumni – to improve continuity in delivering learning content, streamline communications, and allow teachers and administrators to serve students better. 

These software upgrades will also help our admissions team support new families as they complete the necessary steps for enrollment. Our fundraising team will have reliable contact information for supporters eager to support our school, and our alumni directory will have more accessibility for alumni to network with each other. 

A refreshed look 

Before investing in a new website design, it is prudent to review and refresh brand elements to reflect who Holy Family is today. The scope of this work includes an expanded color palette where appropriate, updated font choices, refreshed logo elements, and the implementation of consistent style guidelines across our school’s brand. All of these improvements will help Holy Family put its best foot forward as we work to grow our school and expand our mission to more families through a more robust and integrated website. 

These changes will help Holy Family Catholic High School conduct business more wisely, complete tasks with improved consistency and efficiency, and better connect our community through more integrated capabilities.  

Ultimately, these upgrades will give Holy Family administration and educators greater capacity to focus on what truly matters: Providing our students the best educational experience they so richly deserve.