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We've Gone Digital! To better serve our community and keep you connected, our newsletter has transitioned to a digital format. This change allows us to share updates more quickly, include interactive content, and reduce printing and mailing costs—helping ensure that more of our resources go directly toward supporting our students and educational programs. Prefer a printed copy? We're happy to help! Simply call 402-564-7165 or email abridger@colcath.org requesting to be added to the printed mailing list. Thank you for staing connected with our school community! |
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Scotus Alumni Basketball Tournament Recap It was a great weekend at the Scotus Alumni Basketball Tournament! The event featured strong competition, plenty of familiar faces, and was made even better by a big Nebraska basketball win. Division A (Class of 2025) Division B (Classes of 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005) Division C (Classes of 1980, 1987, 1988) Women’s Division 3-Point Contest Winners Thank you to everyone who participated, attended, and helped make this event such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year! |
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Support Gala! As a valued graduate of Columbus Catholic Schools, you know the lifeslong impact of a faith-filled education rooted in strong academics service, and community. Today, we invite you to help ensure that the same experience continues for the next generation by supporting Gala 2026! Gala is more than a celebration—it is our largest annual fundraiser benefiting all four Columbus Catholic schools. While the event will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Scotus Dowd Activity Center, alumni support is needed wherever you are. You do not need to attend in person to make a meaingful difference. Our Goal For Gala 2026, we aim to raise $400,000 to support the 2025-2026 operating budgets of all four Columbus Catholic Schools. An additional $60,000 will fund critical HVAC upgrades at Scotus, ensuring our facilities remain safe and welcoming for students and staff. Ways Alumni Can Support Purchase Raffle & Lottery Tickets Anyone can participate, and you do not need to be present to win. It's simple, impactful way to give back and stay connected. 👉 Purchase Lottery & Raffle Tickets: CLICK HERE Bid in the Online Auction Every auction package—including Live Auction items—will be available for online bidding, so alumni near and far can join the excitement. 👉 View our Online Auction: CLICK HERE Become a Sponsor Alumni-owned businesses and families can sponsor Gala 2026, demonstrating leadership in supporting Catholic education while receiving event recognition. 👉 View Sponsorship Opportunities: CLICK HERE Your generosity directly supports today's students—helping them grow in faith, knowledge, and service, just as you did. Whether you give, bid, sponsor, or share our mission with others, your involvement strengthens the Columbus Catholic legacy. Thank you for continuing to be part of the Columbus Catholic schools family. Together, we can make Gala 2026 a tremendous success forthe students who follow in your footsteps. |
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Scotus Senior Scholars: Audrey and Jacqueline Stoner Earn National Merit Finalist Honors! Senior students Audrey and Jacqueline Stoner have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists—an honor awarded to the top 1% of students based on their PSAT performance. Finalists are selected not only for their outstanding test scores, but also for their academic record, school recommendation, extracurricular involvement, and personal essay. In May, finalists will be considered for one of three scholarship types: the National Merit Scholarship, a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship, or a college-sponsored Merit Scholarship. Congratulations to Audrey and Jacqueline on this remarkable achievement! We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. |
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Scotus Alum Braden Labenz ('19) Recognized Among Nation's Top Young Engineers Scotus Central Catholic alumnus Braden Labenz ('19) is making an impact in communities across Nebraska—and now, he's being recognied on a national stage. Labenz was recently named on of the 2026 New Faces of Civil Engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), an honor awarded to just 10 engineers nationwide under the age of 30. Labenz currently serves as a transportation engineer at JEO Consulting Group, where he designs and delivers essential infrastructure projects that support everyday life—from roadways and bridges to water and sewer systems. "As a civil engineer, I plan, design, and deliver the critical infrastructure our communities need," Labenz said. Before joining JEO, Labenz spent three years as assistant city engineer for the City of Columbus. Returning to his hometown right after college remains one of the highlights of his early career reflects the service-oriented mindset he developed at Scotus. Receiving national recognition from ASCE marked a significant milestone. Labenz described the honor as both humbling and affirming. "I'm excited and bumbled to be recognized as a top 10 civil engineer in the nation under 30 years old," he said. "Personally, this award helps confirm I've chosen the right vocation in life." Laben'z interest in engineering began during his time at Scotus, particularly through his involvement in the school's early STEAM program. That experience encouraged him to think creatively and approach problems in new ways, helping set the foundation for his future career. "This program allowed me to explore creative solutions to problems...and helped me set a path of curiosity," he said. Alongside academics, Labenz credits the broader Scotus experience—rigorous coursework, strong mentorship, and active participation—for shaping his work ethic and character. One lesson has stayed with him above all others: a commitment to excellence. "My biggest takeaway from my time at Scotus was commitment to excellence. I still live by that motto," he said. In civil engineering, where projects directly impact public safety and quality of life, Labenz emphasizes the importance of ethics and responsbility. He says his faith-based education continues to guide how he approaches decisions and leadership. "Civil engineers serve the public with every project," he said. "With that comes the responsibility of ethical design and consideration of the entirety of the public." He also credits Scotus with helping him develop communication skills and confidence through involvement in classes, activities and service—qualities that have helped him stand out early in his career. As he looks ahead, Labenz hopes his story inspires current students to pursue their interests with curiosity and confidence. "My greatest piece of advice is to stay curious about the world," he said. "That curious nature will lead you down paths you never knew existed." Ultimatley, he hopes his story inspires current students to pursue their interests with curiosity and confidence. "I hope my story encourages students to lead bodly," Labenz said. "What starts at Scotus can and will change the world in big ways." |
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Stay Connected: Join our Scotus Alumni Facebook Group! Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, staying connected with the Shamrock community has never been easier—or more meaingful. We're excited to invite you to join the official Scotus Alumni Facebook Group, a vibrant space where you can:
Let's build a community that celebrates the enduring spirit of Scotus Central Catholic. Join today! How to Join: Click the link HERE to be taken directly to the group. Simply request to join, and you'll be part of this growing digital Shamrock network in no time! |
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National Honor: Scotus Senior, Jacqueline Stoner Named Presidential Scholars Candidate We are proud to share that Jacqueline Stoner has been named a candidate for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by the United States Department of Education. Established in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program recognizes some of the nation's most distinguished graduating seniors for excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Of nearly 3.8 million high school seniors nationwide, approximately 6,700 students are invited to apply—less than one-quarter of one percent of graduating seniors. It is an exceptionally small and highly selective group. From that pool of 6,700 students, up to 161 students are ultimately named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the highest honors a high school senior can receive in the United States. Jacqueline's candidacy places her among a very select of students recognized at the national level for outstanding achievement Candidates must complete a rigorous application process, with semifinalists announced in the spring and Scholars named in the summer. Congratulations to Jacqueline on this remarkable honor. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and wish her continued success as she moves forward in the selection process. |
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Shamrock Open Golf Tournament—May 30, 2026 Alumni and friends are invited to join us for the 2026 Shamrock Open Golf Tournament at the beautiful Ashland Golf Club. This year's tournament will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 1:00 PM and promises a great afternoon of golf, fellowship, and support for our school community. The tournament is open to golfers of all skill levels. Registration is $100 per golfer or $400 per team of four, which includes green fees, cart, dinner, and drinks. Whether you're reconnecting with classmates or bringing friends for a fun day on the course, the Shamrock Open is always a highlight of the year. We are also seeking event sponsors to help make this event a success. Sponsorship opportunities include:
Your participation and support help strengthen our alumni community and support important programs for our students. Spots fill quickly, so be sure to click the link HERE to register or become a sponsor today! We hope to see many alumni out on the course this spring! |
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UPCOMING CLASS REUNIONS |
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Class of 1991—35th Reunion Coming Up! The Scotus class of 1991 plans to celebrate their 35th reunion in the summer of 2026. Please send your email and phone number to Rachelle Schieffer at rschieffer@hotmail.com and Cory Christiansen at jenandcory@aol.com |
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Class of 1986—40th Reunion Coming Up! The class of 1986 will celebrate their 40th class reunion on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, 2026! Plans are underway for a fun and memorable weekend of reconnecting and reminiscing. Class members are encouraged to stay updated by visiting the Facebook page "Class of '86 Scotus." For more information, contact Matt Jilek at 402-304-5691 or by email at mattjilek@gmail.com. |
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Class of 1971—Potential 55th Reunion! The class of 1971 is seeking input from it's members, as to the possibility of a 55th annual reunion in 2026. If you are interested in attending, please notify one of the following, ASAP, so that plans can be made. Contact Kathy Jackson (kathy.jackson@jackson-services.com) or Al Niedbalski (ajnied53@gmail.com). |
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Class of 1965—70th Reunion Coming Up! The Scotus class of 1956 will celebrate their 70th reunion in 2026. More information to come out soon. For more information, please contact Milo Herink at 402-923-0981. |
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Honoring Our Catholic School Family We share obituaries of our alumni and other close supporters. While we do our best to locate alumni and friends, sometimes the most relaible way to be informed is for our broader community to contact us when they learn of a member of our Catholic school family who has passed. Email: abridger@colcath.org We also recognize all those who make a gift to our school in memory of a loved one. Gifts can be sent to: Scotus Central Catholic 1554 18th Ave Columbus, NE 68601 Give electronically HERE By sharing obituaries and memorial gifts, we honor the lives of those who have been part of our Catholic school family and ensure their legacy is remembered within our community. |
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We sincerely appreciate your investment in Catholic Education! God bless, Erin Schmidt Advancement Office Columbus Catholic Schools 402-564-7165, ext. 112 Amarha Bridger Advancement Office Columbus Catholic Schools 402-564-7165, etx. 114 John Schueth Advancement Office Columbus Catholic Schools 402-564-7165, ext. 109 |
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