Photos by Alison Kasowski
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – St. Catherine’s school has been serving this community since 1917.
The support from families in the surrounding area over those decades is what keeps the school vibrant and strong for students who attend this school and believe in it’s mission.
On Sunday, January 28th, the Dietrich family and Richard O’Brien life long members of St. Catherine’s and supporters of the school were recognized for their continued efforts to support of the school during a brief ceremony.
The following is a statement by principal Nick Lee:
“The Friend of St. Catherine School is an award given out to a community member or parishioner who goes above and beyond to help support the school. This year, we have decided to give our award to a parishioner who was an alumnus of St. Catherine School and a son of an alumnus. The mission of this school meant so much to him that he chose to send his own children here. His 2nd grade grandson is a 4th generation St. Catherine Student. That represents a special commitment to Catholic education. When helping with one of the many necessary repair projects in the school, he told me that he is always willing to help. Many projects around this school and church have been worked on by this man often with the donation of both time and money. I’m quite positive that he would never want this type of public recognition, but that is the kind of person that should get recognized. This year the friend of St. Catherine School is Richard O’Brien.
The Business Friend of St. Catherine School is an award given to a local business who has gone above and beyond to help support our school. This year, we have the double honor of recognizing a business with a long history in our community but also a family with long ties to our school. For 19 years, a son or daughter of this family has been in this school continuously. Their youngest son graduates from 6th grade this year. The famous red-eye connoisseurs and more importantly avid supporters of St. Catherine School. This year’s business friend of St. Catherine School is Dietrich Bus Service – Erin and Luther Dietrich Family.”
