Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, the spiritual start of the 2026-27 school year, and members of the faculty and staff marking milestone years of service at the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit.

Celebrated in the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts on September 24, 2026 — 102 years to the day of Oak Knoll’s first day of school — Father Larry Evans II, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish, used his homily to reflect on the calling shared by Oak Knoll’s faculty and staff.

“You have been called, you’ve answered the call, you have been gifted and blessed, and now you have been commissioned and sent to this particular place at this particular time in history to educate our children, but not just by your subject matter, but rather by your example,” Father Larry said.

Moreover, he said that the example set by faculty and staff, along with the education and support they provide, should inspire students to recognize their own potential and consider the difference they can make in the world.

“You can be whomever you want to be, and whomever you choose to be, you can make a difference,” he said. “It is your choice of what type of difference you’re going to make. What we are doing here at Oak Knoll is simply giving you the tools to make the choice.”

Father Larry said recognizing these milestones at the beginning of the school year also gives students an opportunity to see firsthand “the dedication people have for youth” and the example set by those who have devoted years and decades to the Oak Knoll community.

Following the Mass, Head of School Jennifer G. Landis and Board of Trustees Chair Stacy McCann honored 15 Oak Knoll staff and faculty for entering 5, 10, 15, 30, and 35 years of service.

“Without each of them and the work they do, we would not have the thriving community that we enjoy every day and the robust program of study that we provide to our students here at Oak Knoll,” Landis said.

These service-award honorees are:

5-year award

• Sharon Gutkowski, Upper School Theology Teacher
• Andy Hurd, Director of Facilities
• Meghan Hyland, Associate Director of College Counseling
• Dr. Jessica Kapteyn, Upper School World Language Teacher
• Allie Montefinese, Athletic Trainer
• Maureen Nealon, Upper School History Teacher
• Noelle Niedzwiecki, Upper School Wellness Department Chair
• Brigid Smircich, Lower School Music Teacher
• Ashley Wu, Upper School Math Teacher

10-year award

• Anna Khan, Upper School Science Teacher
• Janet Mangold, Upper School English Teacher
• Jean Sawadogo, Security Team Member

15-year award

• Ann Higgins, Grade 1 Homeroom and Grades 1 & 2 Math Teacher

30-year award

• Barbara Hughes, Royal Shop Manager

35-year award

• Brian Topping, Upper School Theology Teacher

We hope you will join us in sharing gratitude to these 15 employees who, whether for five years or 35, have dedicated themselves to the Oak Knoll School community, contributing to the education and formation of the hearts, minds, and souls of scores of students.