Press Releases

For Immediate Release:  April 4, 2024

Columbus Catholic Schools Sends Music Students to the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Competition

MARSHFIELD, WI – During the WSMA (Wisconsin State Music Association) District Solo & Ensemble Competition on February 16, 2024 (held at Assumption Catholic High School in Wisconsin Rapids), 14 Columbus events were able to move onto the state competition which will be held Saturday May 4, 2024 at UW-Stevens Point at the College of Letters and Science.

CCS band events who will be going to state include:  

1. Seth Roewe: Alto Saxophone Solo
2. Seth Roewe: Soprano Saxophone Solo
3. Jazz Band
4. Jazz Combo
5. Appalachian Ensemble
6. Australian Ensemble
7. Seth Roewe and Akousa Yeboah: Tenor Saxophone Duet
8. Monica Thill: Euphonium Solo
9. African Drum Group: Charlie Moore, Akousa Yeboah, Jude Becerra, and Brody Casperson

CCS choir events who will be going to state include:  

1. Kate Fieweger - Classical and Musical Theater
2. Ella Kadolph - Classical and Musical Theater
3. Mary Keding – Classical Theater

"I am very proud of all of the students who participated at Solo Ensemble,” said Mrs. Ashley Nikolai, choir teacher at Columbus Middle/High School.  “I’m especially proud of those who stepped out of their comfort zone and tried something new. I hope they are all proud of themselves.  Not only did they do well during their performances, many students rehearsed before and after school and used every available class period to do their very best. I think many of them realize that hard work truly pays off! I know many of the students are already excited to participate again next year.  Congratulations to all of our students who are moving on to state!”

"The value of Solo/Ensemble to the students - in regards to how it helps them and guides them to bring out their God-given abilities - cannot be overestimated," according to Tom Zimmerman, CCS Band Instructor.  “We learn the value of self-discipline with our practicing, and the value of putting trust in others to carry their part to a high level.  We learn to play in groups of anywhere from two to twenty-five people and in that playing we learn the life skills we need in our jobs with everyone working toward the same goals of creating success for all.”

Photo Caption:  Pictured here, members of the Columbus Jazz Band perform during the District Solo/Ensemble Competition in Wisconsin Rapids on February 16, 2024.

Photo Caption:  Here are the choir members who will be representing Columbus Catholic High School at the State Solo/Ensemble on May 4th:  Mary Keding, Kate Fieweger and Ella Kadolph.
 

For Immediate Release:  March 27, 2024

Marshfield Columbus Catholic Schools Holds Championship Assembly for Boys Basketball

MARSHFIELD, WI – Marshfield Columbus Catholic High/Middle School will be holding a “State Championship Assembly” for its High School Boys Basketball Team March 28th, after winning the WIAA D5 Championship on March 16.  The date selection is due to the timing of the state tournament and the Columbus Catholic Schools spring break.  The assembly will be brief – the last 15 minutes of the school day.  

What:  State Championship Assembly for CCHS Boys Basketball 
Date:  Thursday, March 28, 2024
Time:  2:30pm
Contact:  Joseph Konieczny, Athletic Director; or Lori Wieland, Assistant Athletic Director
Where:  Columbus Catholic High/Middle School, 710 S. Columbus Ave., Marshfield, WI
Instructions:  Please park along Columbus Ave., away from the drop zone (to avoid bus and student traffic) as this event will occur at the end of the school day.      

For Immediate Release:  March 12, 2024

Marshfield Columbus Catholic Schools Holds Pep Rally for State Bound Boys Basketball Team

MARSHFIELD, WI – After winning at Sectionals on March 9, the Columbus Catholic High School Boys Basketball Team will be heading to state for their Semi-Final Game against Solon Springs at the Kohl Center on Friday, March 15th.  To show our support, we are organizing a pep rally and send-off.  We invite you to join us!  In attendance will be students from Columbus Catholic High/Middle School and Our Lady of Peace Intermediate School (grades 3 through 5), Columbus parents/families, alumni and fans.

What:  Pep Rally for CCHS Boys Basketball 
Date:  Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Time:  11:30am
Contact:  Joseph Konieczny, Athletic Director; or Lori Wieland, Assistant Athletic Director
Where:  Columbus Catholic High/Middle School, 710 S. Columbus Ave., Marshfield, WI
Instructions:  Please park along Columbus Ave., away from the drop zone.

For Immediate Release:  February 9, 2024

Marshfield Columbus Catholic Schools Shadow Day is February 19, 2024

MARSHFIELD, WI – Interested in learning more about Columbus Catholic Schools (CCS)?  Here’s an opportunity for your student to “shadow” one of our CCS students and find out if it’s a good match for you.

This year Shadow Day will be on February 19, 2024.  It is available for students who are entering 3rd grade through 12th grade in the 2024-2025 school year.  Shadowing is available at the following locations:  Our Lady of Peace Intermediate School (Grades 3-5), Columbus Catholic Middle School (Grades 6-8), and Columbus Catholic High School (Grades 9-12).  This is an opportunity for your student to actually attend one full day at Columbus Catholic Schools and discover why our families love it!  

During Shadow Day, each student will experience a day in the life of a CCS student including time spent in the classroom, lunch, intramural / recess, and an opportunity to build friendships with other students.  There is no cost to participate, and you do not need to be Catholic to attend CCS or experience Shadow Day.  

“Some of the reasons our families choose Columbus Catholic Schools include our average of 1:13 teacher/student ratio, and many of families discover that while we are a smaller school system, we actually have more opportunities!” said CCS President David Eaton.  “So, when we encourage students to ‘try everything,’ they actually can!”

Mr. Eaton continued, “In the past, Columbus was ‘the school’ to attend if parents wanted their students to attend a four-year college.  Today, we recognize that attending four-year college and moving on to a job after that is not the only way to be successful in life.  There are local businesses in the trade industry right here in our back yard that offer well-paying jobs that only require two-year degrees, and we want to encourage that as an option!  That is why we have been partnering with local businesses and expanding our CTE Program. Some of our students even forgo college altogether and go directly to employment or join the military. Whatever they decide, we want to encourage our students to follow their hearts; and we are proud of them no matter what.”

AFFORDABLE PRIVATE EDUCATION
It’s a common misconception that families cannot afford a private education at Columbus Catholic Schools.  The truth is, we intentionally keep our tuition as low as possible so it is affordable for our families.  As a result, our tuition does not typically cover all of our expenses; however, we bridge the gap with special events (such as Alpine Holiday) and other fundraising opportunities.  

Next, we offer a variety of opportunities for our families to reduce their tuition even more:

• We participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program which offers free tuition vouchers to families with incomes equal or below 220% of the Federal poverty level.
• Our Gift Card (Scrip) Program purchases gift certificates from local and national vendors at a discount, then sells them at face value.  The profit is split 80/20 between you and CCS.  Many families budget their groceries, gas, clothing, etc. with gift cards – things they spend money on already!
• Our “Each One Reach One Program,” is a referral program that benefits both the current and new families.
• We offer three different ways to pay for tuition:
  • 10 month plan, which breaks up the payments, making it affordable.
  • Long Term Payment Plan, which breaks up payments over several years, including summers.
  • Pay in full option, to receive a $50 discount if paid by the early-bird deadline.
• Tuition is tax deducible!
• We offer Tuition Grants and Undergrad Scholarships.
• Work for Columbus!  Employees receive a generous employee discount towards tuition.

JOIN OUR SHADOW DAY
To sign up for Shadow Day, go to our website at www.columbuscatholicschools.org and fill out our “Inquiry Form.” You can also contact our Admissions Director, Melissa Schmitt, at 715-387-1177 ext. 3300 or Schmitt.melissa@columbusdons.org.   If you are interested in shadowing but unavailable on February 19, contact us to schedule a personal tour.  Personal tours are also available at St. John the Baptist Primary School (Grades Pre-K to 2nd Grade) where we offer 4K and 5K full-day classes; and 3- and 4-year-old programs for half-day and full-day.  For all personal tours, please contact Melissa Schmitt.

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About Columbus Catholic Schools
Columbus Catholic Schools is a comprehensive educational system for students age 3 through high school graduation.  Columbus Catholic Schools builds a strong foundation of faith, knowledge and skills to help each student achieve success.

Columbus Catholic Schools and all its educational sites are nationally accredited by the WRISA (Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Accreditation).  National accreditation standards require a high degree of excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement.

For Immediate Release:  October 24, 2023

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE MARSHFIELD COLUMBUS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ALPINE HOLIDAY

MARSHFIELD, WI – The organizers of the 2023 Marshfield Columbus Catholic Schools Alpine Holiday have a very exciting line-up planned, including two Charlie Berens shows, Boogie and the Yo-Yoz, Friday Fish Fry, Craft Boutique, Ugly Sweater Fun Run/Walk and much, MUCH more!  This year Alpine Holiday will be November 10-11, 2023 with two Charlie Berens shows on November 9th.  Be sure to check our website for a full schedule or read below for more details.  

CHARLIE BERENS:  TWO SHOWS NOVEMBER 9, 2023
CHARLIE BERENS is a comedian, New York Times Best Selling Author, Emmy-winning journalist, musician and creator of the Manitowoc Minute. The Wisconsin native has been featured on Comedy Central, Fox, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS, Variety, MTV News and more. He creates weekly content for his various social platforms and has amassed over 7.5 million followers.  Charlie is returning to Alpine Holiday after his previous appearances in 2021.  This year, Charlie’s first show at Alpine Holiday sold out within 24 hours!  We were able to book a second show for 9:30pm and we still have tickets available.  Visit our website at www.columbuscatholicschools.org to purchase tickets!

ENTERTAINMENT
In addition to the Charlie Berens Show on Thursday, Alpine Holiday 2023 has an amazing line up of entertainers!  On Friday be sure to hit the Fish Fry and then enjoy Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty while browsing the Silent Auction and Craft Boutique; then stick around for Boogie and the Yo-Yoz and our Beer Garden.  Saturday there will be entertainment all day long starting with a Puppet Show and ending with Sonic Circus in concert. There’s something for everyone!
• Josh White (singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music producer)
• Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty 
• Boogie and the Yo-Yoz Friday night.  Cost is FREE!
• Christ Lutheran Church Puppet Show
• Main Street Conservatory of Dance
• Marshfield HoeDowners
• Shandini Magic
• Hub City Jazz
• Columbus Catholic Schools Lip Sync Competition
• Columbus Catholic High School Jazz Band
• Curtis Samuel (acoustic rock, pop and country)
• Sonic Circus (three-time WAMI Cover Band of the Year), Saturday night.  Cost is FREE!

24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CALENDAR RAFFLE
We are again selling the “24 Days of Christmas Calendar Raffles.” Each calendar is only $20.  You will have 24 chances to win one of the great prizes of cash or gift cards with the Grand Prize being $10,000 cash!  Raffle Tickets can be purchased in the main office at the Columbus Catholic High School / Middle School building; at any of the Weiler’s Convenience Store in Marshfield; or during the event at Alpine Holiday.

UGLY SWEATER 5K FUN RUN/WALK
It’s time to dig in your closet and find your Ugly Christmas sweater and dust it off!  Why?  Because it’s time to start thinking about the Ugly Sweater 5K Run/Walk!  Medals will be handed out to the top three runners in the male and female division.  Maybe you’re not a fast runner. That’s ok!  We still have prizes to give away.  Come with the Ugliest sweater or even the most creative Christmas outfit and you could be a winner!  For only $35, your registration fee will include a pair of festive socks!

There will also be a Kids Fun Run beginning at 8:45am.  Kids aged 10 years and under have the chance to show off their running skills and dash in front of the High School. The Kids Run is a free event and all finishers will receive a participation ribbon.  A portion of the run will benefit the Columbus Cross Country and Track programs.  Please share with your friends and family and help raise some much-needed funds for these programs.  Find the registration form on Active.com or by visiting our website at columbuscatholicschools.org.  

FOOD – SHOPPING – ACTIVITIES 
The Alpine Holiday staples (food, shopping and activities!) will of course be available this year as well!  
• Friday Fish Fry
• Saturday Morning Pancake Breakfast
• Saturday Pulled Pork Dinner
• Beer Garden
• Snowflake Café
• Dessert Cart
• Coffee Shop
• Spiritwear
• Book Room
• Ugly Sweater Fun Run / Walk 
• Craft Boutique  - over 60 vendors!
• Silent Auction
• Kiddie Games
• Kid’s Raffle Table
• $10,000 Grand Prize Raffle Drawing
 

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.