Press Releases
For Immediate Release: May 12, 2023
Columbus Catholic High School Senior Earns Herb Kohl Scholarship
MARSHFIELD, WI – A $10,000 Herb Kohl Education Foundation 2023 Student Excellence Scholarship has been presented to Lily Stratman, a senior at Columbus Catholic High School (CCHS). Lily is the daughter of Erik and Elizabeth Stratman and will be attending University of Wisconsin – Madison. Lily will be majoring in Biology with plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Lily is the current CCHS Student Body President, past president of the Mission Club, and captain of the track and basketball teams. She was recently awarded the Cloverbelt Scholar-Athlete award and received top ratings in five events at the WSMA (Wisconsin State Music Association) State Solo and Ensemble competition. She is this year’s co-salutatorian for the graduating class. Throughout her years at CCHS she’s been active in National Honor Society, Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Mission Club, The Side Inside (CCHS literary magazine), Yearbook, Jazz Band, Volleyball, Basketball and Track. She also volunteered for Dribbling Dons (annual youth basketball camp held at CCHS), Home Delivered Meals, Rotary Lights, Youth Volleyball, and Volunteen at Marshfield Medical Center.
“Lily is not just a person who attends school, she’s an active member of the school community,” said Michael Lambrecht, Principal at Columbus Catholic High School. “Lily has been involved in many extra-curricular activities and has taken a leadership role in them. She has demonstrated her ability to be active while earning high marks in her challenging classes. I believe that Lily will take the lessons she has learned from Columbus Catholic and become successful in any field she wishes to pursue.”
“Lily understands and lives the life of a servant leader and is a person who believes in being an active part of the community,” continued Michael. “She not only takes a leadership role in the organizations that she is a part of here at Columbus Catholic, but is the one who puts in the work to help those organizations succeed, especially in community outreach projects.”
Applicants to the Herb Kohl Student Excellence Scholarship are evaluated on their leadership, citizenship, school/ community involvement, and academic achievement. But one of the key aspects of selection is the service and leadership within the community. All of the students who apply do very well academically, but those who are recognized stand out in one way or another in their contributions to the greater community.
The scholarship will be used for college tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, technology, and equipment required for courses of instruction. The scholarship must be used in full within four years of high school graduation. The Foundation awards $10,000 scholarships to 100 Wisconsin high school graduates each year.
For Immediate Release: May 1, 2023
Marshfield Columbus Catholic High/Middle Schools Hold Ninth Annual “Cutting for a Cause” Event
On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 14 Columbus students will be donating their hair and 7 volunteer hairdressers will be donating their time during “Cutting for a Cause,” an event that collects hair donations for Children With Hair Loss or CWHL. Also, 9 additional donors have already donated their hair to this cause this year.
CWHL is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss. When a child's hair is lost due to cancer treatments, Alopecia, Trichotillomania, burns, etc., the painful effects are far deeper than just cosmetic. CWHL helps to fill that need with customized human hair replacements and care kits to over 600 children a year; and has never charged a child.
Since 2014, 284 Columbus students have donated 1,110 ponytails for a total 2,653.5 inches!
• What: “Cutting for a Cause” (9th Annual Hair Donation Event)
• Who: We invite the media for this photo opportunity and/or heartwarming feature story
• Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
• Estimated Time of Event: 2:00 – 3:00pm. Guests should arrive from 2:00 – 2:15 to interview Mandy, hair donors or volunteer stylists.
• Contact: Mandy Volkman, High School English/Literature Teacher, Student Council Advisor and Dean of Students
• Where: Columbus Catholic High/Middle School, 710 South Columbus Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449
• Instructions: Please park along Columbus Ave., away from the drop zone as school lets out at 2:45pm. Buzz to enter at main entrance; please sign in as a guest in the Main Office.
In order to participate, a donor’s hair needs to be at least eight inches in length - or longer is preferred. Hair donations of 12” or more are greatly appreciated! Non-chemically treated hair is preferred (but any hair in good condition is accepted). Additionally, gray hair is also accepted. Each donor receives a certificate of appreciation for their kindness!
Starting at 2:00pm in the Columbus cafeteria, volunteer stylists will measure and rubber-band hair to the length each donor instructs. At 2:25, donors will go into the gym where chairs will be set up for the donors to have their hair cut. The event should be done by 3:00.
For Immediate Release: April 21, 2023
Columbus Catholic Schools Presents “Snoopy! The Musical”
MARSHFIELD, WI – After pausing for three years (due to Covid-19) Columbus Catholic High/Middle Schools will be presenting “Snoopy! The Musical” on May 5 and 6, 2023 at 7:30pm; and on May 7, 2023 at 2:00pm. Each performance will take place at the auditorium at Columbus Catholic High School, 710 S. Columbus Ave in Marshfield.
Tickets are $10 in advance and available online at www.columbuscatholicschools.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $15.
“Snoopy! The Musical” is a comedy based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. It was first performed in 1975. It is the sequel to “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and focuses on the life of the world’s most famous beagle.
At Columbus, “Snoopy! The Musical” is directed by Mika Brunson, Music Teacher at Columbus Catholic High/Middle Schools. The cast includes: Jesse Jackson at Charlie Brown; Jonathon Hafferman as Linus; Sammy Becker as Lucy; Mira Torbey as Peppermint Patty; Ella Kadolph as Sally; Madi Wittman as Woodstock; and Lizzy Gruenloh as Snoopy. Assisting with production includes Deb Gruenloh.
The last time Columbus presented a musical was in the fall of 2019 when it performed “The Sound of Music” under the direction of Tom Zimmerman, Columbus Catholic Schools’ Band Teacher. Columbus also presented “Mathlete” in 2018, “Annie” in 2017, and “Fiddler on the Roof” in 2016.
For Immediate Release: April 6, 2023
Columbus Catholic Schools Sends Music Students to the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Competition
MARSHFIELD, WI – After a three-year hiatus (due to Covid-19) Columbus students were at last able to compete in the WSMA (Wisconsin State Music Association) District Solo & Ensemble Competition on February 17, 2023 at Assumption Catholic High School in Wisconsin Rapids.
“In a nutshell, the musicians performed far better than I had anticipated,” said Tom Zimmerman, Band Teacher at Columbus Catholic Schools. “Three years is a long time to go without a solo/ensemble performance and the band stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park. It wasn't just the results that were great, it was the support of each other in all the events the band performed in. It was the congratulations in the hallway, it was the asking me how things were and asking if I needed help. What a great first solo/ensemble competition after the elements of Covid!”
“The choir students worked very hard and had a great experience performing live for the judges,” said Mika Brunson, Choir Teacher at Columbus. “They all grew as vocalists and performers and learned a lot.”
Out of the 78 Columbus Catholic Schools (CCS) band and choir “events” (individual soloists, duets, trios, ensembles, etc.) who competed, 19 are moving on to the state competition. The Wisconsin State Solo & Ensemble Festival will be Saturday, May 6, 2023 at UW-Stevens Point.
CCS band events who will be going to state include:
1. Elizabeth Gruenloh: Flute Solo
2. Seth Roewe: Alto Sax Solo
3. Mira Torbey: Piano Solo
4. Mira Torbey: Trombone Solo
5. Emma Alcott & Lily Stratman: Flute/Tuba Duet
6. Anna Callaghan, Delia Trader & Katelyn Casperson: African Drums Trio
7. Lily Stratman, Hailey Zimmermann & Declyn Tracy: African Drums Trio
8. Appalachian Ensemble
9. Mariachi Ensemble
10. Trombone Ensemble
11. Jazz Band
CCS choir events who will be going to state include:
1. Trinity Brunzo: Musical Theater
2. Kate Fieweger: Musical Theater
3. Elizabeth Gruenloh: Classical Theater
4. Makayla Haupt: Classical Theater
5. Ella Kadolph: Classical and Musical Theater
6. Mira Torbey: Classical & Musical Theater
7. Madison Wittman: Musical Theater