2016-2017 In the News

OA Receives 2016 Indiana Advanced Placement (AP) Award

Oldenburg Academy was the only local recipient of the 2016 Indiana Advanced Placement (AP) Award at ceremonies held on June 14 at the North Atrium of the Indiana Statehouse by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).  According to the IDOE, to be selected, schools must have at least 25 percent of their 2016 graduating class receiving a 3 or better on an AP exam.  72 schools achieved this distinction.
AP is a research-backed method to facilitate student participation and success through delivery of college-level courses and corresponding exams in the high school setting, the IDOE says. Qualified students who pass AP courses enroll in college at higher rates than other groups of students, require significantly less remediation, and have higher average first year grade point averages and credit hours earned than other groups of students.
For the 2015-16 school year, 11,904 graduating students passed at least one AP exam with a 3 or better. This is an increase of six percent over the year prior, and an increase of 114 percent in the past 10 years, says the department of education.
At OA, 55.8 percent of their AP students earned a 3 or higher on exams.

In a statement, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick shared: “Research tells us time and again taking and passing AP courses prepares students for the rigors of the college classroom,” said McCormick. “I am pleased with the dedication these schools and their educators have shown in providing a head start into higher education for their students. I applaud the success of each student who worked hard to study and pass their advanced placement courses and exams.”
OA President Diane Laake concurs.  “OA’s mission is to prepare our students for success in college and beyond.  AP classes play a crucial role in providing our students with the rigor, expectations and academic challenge essential for future success.  With 100% of our graduates pursuing post-secondary studies, this award is a welcome indication that we are meeting this goal.  The fifty-nine members of OA’s class of 2017 provide further reinforcement:  $9.6 million in scholarships, 73% received Indiana Honors diplomas, and 99% received dual and/or AP credit.  We are very proud of these hard-working students and their extraordinary teachers.”​

Good news about OA’s College Readiness!

OA recently received a report from the Indiana Commissioner of Higher Education describing some key indicators of how well our grads are prepared for post-secondary study as well as freshmen year results for Indiana state universities.  For the Class of 2015 here are some of the notable data points:
63% earned an Honors diploma; 37% earned a Core 40
98% earned dual credit from an Indiana Public College
93% enrolled in a 4-year Bachelor’s degree program
28% enrolled in STEM; 24% in Business; 10% in Education; 10% in Health
3.4 average Freshman GPA (Honors diploma grads); 2.8 Average for Batesville and Franklin County high schools
3.1 overall average Freshmen GPA of all OA grads (not available for public schools)
More reasons why OA is “so worth it”!

Art Department Winners

VFW winners: Stella Hillenbrand and Elizabeth Schulte
VFW Patriotic Art Contest 
Regional Winners:
Elizabeth Schulte
Stella Hillenbrand
Rural Alliance for the Arts Young Artist Showcase Winners
2D Art
Trophies:
Ingrid Miller
Stella Hillenbrand
Ribbons:
Hanna Hurm
Photography
Trophies:
Delaney Bruns
Ryley Elder
Ribbons:
Katie Ulrich
Mackenzie Corbin
Kitley Kern
AP
Trophies:
Dresden Lonergan
Elizabeth Schulte
Ribbons:
Elie Heile

​Josie Wesseler named to U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Picture
Congratulations to Josie Wesseler who has been named one of more than 4,000 candidates in the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.5 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2017. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 53rd year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. Congratulations Josie!

OA Students Bring Home Gold

​Congratulations to the Senior members of the Oldenburg Academy Singers.  They received “gold” on Saturday, February 18th at the Indiana State School Music Association Music Competition.  Their director is Brian Knueven '05.  Pictured from left to right: Katie Ulrich, Elizabeth Miller, Josie Wesseler, Gabe Frey, Justin Fledderman, Clay Hunger, Tyler Wachsmann, Curt Eckstein, Liam Mungcal, Marie Hoog, and Emily Cornett. 
 
The following students (all seniors) also performed a solo at State: Josie Wesseler – silver; Elizabeth Miller – silver; Liam Mungcal – Gold; Tyler Wachsmann – Gold. 
 
Seniors Morgan Burkhart (percussion) and Liam Mungcal (saxophone) received gold at Level 1 in the preliminary instrumental rounds and silver at state level.  

State Champ Curt Eckstein

Picture
CONGRATULATIONS TO STATE CROSS COUNTRY WINNER CURT ECKSTEIN!
Curt claimed only the 2nd state title in school history with a time of 15:13 which was 27 seconds better than the number 2 runner.  This was the 2nd largest winning margin since 1968.   Cross Country races are not divided by school size so Curt was THE STATE WINNER.  Curt was honored at an all school rally on Monday.  During his Adopt A Sis time on Wednesday, the Sisters of St. Francis gave him a special cross to wear in future races and some yummy treats.  They also sang their special blessing prayer for him.  In addition, he received the  Charles F. Maas Mental Attitude Award from IHSAA.   This award is given the top runner at the state meet who was determined to have the best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability.

Pumpkin Show Winners

Picture
Congratulations to Clay Hunger & Haleigh Reed who represented OA in the Versailles Pumpkin Show Contest. Clay was named first runner up and Haleigh was named Queen. 

OA's Torch Bearers 

Picture
Oldenburg Academy's Curt Eckstein carried the Indiana Bicentennial torch through the town of Oldenburg. Freshman Justine Stenger from Aurora carried the torch in honor of her great-great-great-great-great-grandmother Rachel Powell Baker.

Upper Class Induction

Picture
This year we will revive a tradition at OA that recognizes and ritualizes the transition of students from “underclassmen/women” to “upperclassmen/women”.   At Mass on Wednesday, September 14, the Senior Class officially welcomed the Juniors to join them as upperclassmen/women.  This happened after communion and was ritualized by giving them a pin featuring OA’s crest. This symbol of “Virtue, Honor, Education” is the hallmark of what it means to an OA student and soon, an OA graduate.  All are invited to wear the pin with pride and honor. 

Since this tradition is being revived now, we did not want the seniors to feel overlooked.  They received their pins in Religion class on Wednesday prior to Mass so they can now lead by example.

OA Welcomes New Faces in Leadership

Oldenburg Academy is pleased to announce new faces in school leadership for the 2016/17 school year.   (see attached photos)
 
Mr. Brian A. McFee has accepted the position of Principal for the upcoming school year.  Mr. McFee brings over 18 years administrative and academic leadership to this role.   President Diane H. Laake states:  “in his current position as Athletic Director/Dean of Student Life, Mr. McFee has already shown his commitment to excellence, passion for teaching and learning, an impeccable character and a deep faith.    He is ready to collaborate, effectively communicate, and inspire the faculty and students in a systematic approach to excellence.”  Prior to coming to OA, Mr. McFee was principal at Franklin High School in Ohio.  He will continue to serve as Athletic Director.  Mr. McFee lives in Bright, IN with his wife, Molly, and their four sons.
 
Mr. Jonathon Maple, OA class of 2007, has accepted the newly created position of Assistant Principal.  Mr. Maple will provide administrative leadership and support for curricular and co-curricular programs while continuing to teach some Business classes. 
 
Oldenburg Academy’s Board of Trustees welcomes Mr. Darryl Maslar in the role of Board Chair.  Mr. Maslar, Hillenbrand Vice President - Enterprise Information Systems, is the father of OA grads Dana ’12 and Alex ’11 and has served on the Board most recently as Vice Chair.  He succeeds Mr. Tim Ziemke who has tirelessly served in this role for eight years.  Also joining OA’s Board of Trustees is Amy Streator, Executive Director of the Ripley County Community Foundation.   “OA is very grateful for the dedicated stewardship, visionary leadership and wise council provided by these faith-filled professionals” remarks President Laake. 
 
“OA is blessed to have these outstanding individuals as part of our organizational team.  I look forward to an exceptional year of collaborative engagement and outstanding growth and opportunities for our students and their families.”

OA Magazine

Spring 2017

Fall 2016

Summer 2016

Spring 2016

Winter 2015

Fall 2015

Spring/Summer 2015

Twister Blog

Archived News:

2014-2015 News
2015-2016 News