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Health & Fitness

St. John Vianney: Forensics, Chess Teams Win Awards; Staff Perform Community Service for Lent

St. John Vianney students earned awards in forensics and chess, and the school staff participated in a community service project together as part of their Lenten journey.


The SJV Forensics team had a great season. They had exceptional scores throughout the season and qualified for the Wisconsin State Meet. Carolyn Tallmadge, Tricia Siy, Rae Davel and Olivia Rudek traveled to Neenah on March 24 to compete with over 1,300 students from 84 schools across Wisconsin. Tricia won third place for her category, Moments in History, and Olivia won third place for her category, Prose.  

Three boys from sixth grade — Patrick Lodes, Adam Pfankuch and
Joe Somers — competed at the 7th Annual Wisconsin Grade Level Chess Tournament at MSOE in Milwaukee on March 24. They won the third place trophy for representing the chess team from St John Vianney. Joe Somers won an individual trophy for achieving one of the top 10 places in the sixth grade division.

On Friday, March 23, the SJV staff participated in a Lenten journey as they offered assistance to those less fortunate in the community. The professional development day began with 7 a.m. Mass during which Fr. Bogacki blessed the staff using a special blessing for missionaries. At the conclusion of Mass, teachers were given their assigned groups for the day including an envelope with directions to the “First Watch Café.” After an incredible breakfast with their colleagues, Fr. Knippel and Fr. Bogacki, they were given their next envelope which included the directions to their work assignment for the morning. These assignments were arranged through The Hebron House of Hospitality. Their mission is to provide emergency housing and related services to people in transition with the basic needs of shelter, food and personal support.

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Groups of teachers, including Fr. Knippel, reported to the Cornerstone Apartments, the Siena House, the Hebron House, the Jeremy House and the Hillside Apartments. All of these shelters and low income housing complexes are located in Waukesha. SJV colleagues worked together to clean, organize foods pantries, mop basement floors, clean refrigerators, clean out basements and paint an apartment. Teachers returned to SJV at noon. They gathered in their faith sharing groups to share their experiences and to have the opportunity to reflect on the impact of homelessness.

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