The spiritual start of the school year was celebrated by students, faculty, and staff in the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts during the school’s annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. The traditional Mass includes a liturgy of the eucharist, responsive readings, hymns, and student vocal performances and scripture readings. 

In his welcome to the school community, the Very Reverend Larry Evans II, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Summit, declared, “Today, we begin as a family once again gathered. The summer has come to a close. That’s not a bad thing, because today we begin a new school year where we get to come together and enjoy our friends each day as we continue to grow in awareness and knowledge of who we are.”

During his homily he expanded on that theme and said, “You have moved closer and closer to becoming the person you are supposed to become. All you have to do is continue to grow and understand who you are. Be the best version you can be and make every single day the best day of your life. Do the best you can every day, learn to have fun, participate, and remember that so much is being given to you.”

Following the Mass, Head of School Jennifer G. Landis and Board Chair Stephen Loughrey honored 18 Oak Knoll staff and faculty for entering into their 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 years of service.

This service-award honorees are:

5-year award

• Rob Andolina – Chief Technology Officer
• Holly Liebau – Upper School Math Teacher
• Megan O’Connor – Assistant Director of Admissions & Data Manager

10-year award

• Meghan Hodgin – Director of Marketing and Communications
• Kathleen Hoke – Grade 3-4 Social Studies/Math Support/Religion Teacher
• Jennifer Landis – Head of School
• Danielle Peckham – School Nurse
• Anthony Williams – Upper School Science Teacher

15-year award

• Nicole Johnston – Upper School History Teacher and Department Chair
• Cindy Kubala – Comptroller
• Rebecca McNany – Upper School Science Teacher
• Debi Tarowsky – Director of Human Resources
• Margaret Widder – Upper School Math Teacher

20-year award

• Coleen Bradley – Upper School Theology Teacher and Campus Ministry Team
• Elizabeth Mercogliano – Grades 3-4 Math Teacher
• Jen Peterson – Upper School Dean of Teaching & Learning and Upper School Math Teacher
• Alicia Grimes – Grade 2 Reading/Language Arts/Social Studies/Religion Teacher

40-year award

• Sue Hildebrandt – Upper School Secretary/Assistant to the Division Head and Deans

Commenting on Ms. Hildebrandt’s dedication over the decades, Landis said, “Everyone who knows her would agree that the Upper School would not be the same without her. Some might even say the Upper School would simply not be without this person. She is the glue that holds the community together. She loves the students with all her heart, and holds them to a high standard. She knows that they can be their very best selves, and she is a key part of that element of the educational process here at Oak Knoll.”