Columbus News
CLASS OF 2022: Xane Adler, Maeleigh Anderson, Brock Bennington, Aiden Casperson, Brianna Duda, Mark Fieweger Valedictorian & Bishop’s Award Recipient, Raiza Guzman, Jordan Haebig, Brody Haupt, Janelle Haupt, Alliah Immerfall, Niah Jakel, Luke Jansen, Maya Kuhn, Ethan Kumm, Connor Lang, Zoe Lingford, Ayden Mance-Reise, Joseph Neider, Sammy Neville, Cole Noreen, Eva Schiferl, Luke Schneider, Josh Scholin, Kelsey Seefluth, Cole Timmler Salutatorian & Leadership Medal Recipient, Haley Van Wyhe Anchor Award Recipient, Autumn Vine, Dorci Walker, Louis Walter, Kate Weiler, Sam Wilczek.
The five graduating seniors from the Columbus Jazz Band presented a surprise gift to Band Director Mr. Zimmerman. From left: Cole Timmler, Luke Jansen, Mark Fieweger, Autumn Vine and Josh Scholin.
Mr. Z shows off his gift - a signed photograph of his five students framed with sheet music from “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue.”
Maya Kuhn gets a kiss from her mom, Janelle (Bersalona ‘90) Kuhn, after receiving her alumni medal.
After being “virtual” for two years, the 2022 Galleon was FINALLY a live event! Held at Hotel Marshfield on April 22, 2022, it was a glamorous evening “On The Red Carpet” with a Hollywood Theme!
There were games, raffles, a virtual silent auction that was open to the public, an “A-List” silent auction that was only available at Galleon, Father’s Fanny Pack and, of course, the live auction. New this year included the “Dessert Dash” that was a crowd favorite!
This year our goal was to raise $95,000 for new exterior and interior main entrance doors for the Columbus building. Thanks to all of our donors, we were able to raise over $72,000 towards this project! We thank all of our donors, volunteers and participants for getting involved!
Donations are still being accepted. Please contact Krisann Mauritz, Events Coordinator, at 715-387-2444 if you’d like to make a donation!
In 2018 half of our windows were replaced. Over the past few years, we’ve been campaigning to replace the rest of them. Any donation of $15,000+ earns recognition with a plaque outside of the classroom of the donor’s choice. We are excited to say the money has been raised to finish our window project, and we are working on scheduling installation!
In 2021, Rita (Maurer’73) Hanneman contacted our office looking for a way to honor her husband who passed away. She was able to select the classroom she wanted to sponsor and select what the plaque read. The following is a story written by Rita.
Our Family Tree at Columbus Catholic Schools
By Rita Hanneman
Our “Roots” began when Mom and Dad (Willie and Ann Maurer) built a house one block from Columbus High School in 1952. There were eight of us and we all graduated from Columbus. This first Maurer generation was from 1961-1979. I had a wonderful life growing up watching my brothers and sisters enjoying activities at Columbus. There was football, cheerleading, homecomings, pep rallies, dances with live bands, proms and graduations. I especially enjoyed track meets.
Our family history continued with 14 of Willie and Ann’s grandchildren attending Columbus graduating from 1988-2007. The tree’s second generation continued with the Maurer, O’Reilly, Scheuer and Hanneman names.
The third generation is up and coming with the Maurer, Frank and Nicksic names. The third generation begins graduating in 2029.
Over 43 relatives have graduated from Columbus if you include spouses. We are proud to have Columbus be part of our family history.
Columbus students and teachers were so supportive of my husband, Dennis, when he was sick in 2011. They visited, made cards and many prayers were said. Fr. Logan visited often and was very supportive.
In memory of the 10th anniversary of Dennis’s passing - and in honor of Fr. James Logan - a donation was made for windows in the Religion Room. The plaque on the door reads “In Memory of Dennis Hanneman and in Honor of Fr. James Logan.” I find it very fitting to donate to Columbus which is such a part of our family history! Thank you Columbus.
Rita (Maurer ’73) Hanneman
Rita Hanneman (second from left) poses with her children and grandchildren: Katie (Hanneman ‘03) Frank; Ben Hanneman ’07; and Katie’s daughters Abigail (back), Hannah (middle) and Ava (front).
By Joe Konieczny, Athletic Director
From the first day of fall practice in August until the state baseball tournament in June, it was a historic school year for the Columbus Dons.
The Columbus Dons Volleyball Team won their 5th straight conference championship and their 3rd consecutive regional championship under Coach Kat Egle. In the sectional semi-final against Edgar, all-state player Dorci Walker went down with an ankle injury, yet the Dons rallied to advance to the WIAA sectional final against Laona-Wabeno. It wasn’t meant to be as the Dons fell one step short of the state tournament.
The Columbus Dons Soccer Team won their 6th conference championship in the past 8 seasons before losing a hard fought WIAA regional final to the Aquinas Blugolds. The loss broke a streak of 8 straight sectional appearances by Columbus. Coach Jeff Edwards and the Dons return many players eager to begin a new streak.
The Columbus Cross Country Team and Coach Danielle Wojcik saw two of their runners advance to the WIAA State Meet. Andrew and Isaac Scheer continued to write their legacy as two of the best distance runners in Columbus history. It was the first of two state appearances this school year for the brothers. Both also advanced to the WIAA State Track Meet in the spring.
The Spencer-Columbus Football Team qualified for the WIAA Playoffs for the 7th time in the past 8 seasons (2020-COVID). They were defeated by St. Croix Falls.
The Columbus Dons Boys Basketball Team won their 7th conference championship in the past 9 seasons. The Dons have now won 10 conference championships since 2008. They also won their 10th regional championship in school history and advanced to their 7th sectional final. After upsetting Wausau Newman in the sectional semi-finals, the Dons were denied their 4th trip to the WIAA State Tournament in a sectional final loss to Gibralter.
The Columbus Dons Track Team - The Scheer brothers were back at it this spring! Andrew and Isaac both advanced to the WIAA State Meet. Both brothers qualified in the 3200m with Andrew also qualifying in the 1600m. Andrew set a new school record at the State Meet when he ran the 3200m in 9:46.18. The old record was held by former standout Nick Sydow, who ran the event in 9:47.53 in 2004.
The Columbus Dons Golf Team had two golfers advance to sectionals when Cole Noreen and Charlie Moore qualified. Noreen was defeated in a sudden death playoff, finishing a stroke away from the WIAA State Meet.
The Columbus Dons Baseball Team and Coach Krasselt had an historic season. The Dons won their first conference championship in school history. Then they won the WIAA regional championship, advancing to sectionals for the second time in school history (2014). A week later, the Dons won the sectional tournament and advanced to the 2022 WIAA State Tournament. They were defeated at state in dramatic fashion by Bangor, 9-8.
Columbus Catholic Schools would like to thank all of our coaches and athletes for their positive representation of our school system. Thank you for upholding each of the core values of our athletic department (Humility, Passion, Unity, Servanthood, Thankfulness, Accountability, Fortitude). We can’t wait for the 2022-2023 School Year!
