Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools

Development Office

445 Chestnut Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Phone: 715-422-0905
e-mail: Director or Assistant

A superior system of Catholic schools serving pre-school to 12th grade students in Central Wisconsin

From Justin Kizewski, Class of 1999

To write on how my education at Assumption High School has influenced me intellectually, spiritually, and humanly is an extremely difficult task because ultimately I know before I begin that my words will fail.  This being said, not to try would be depriving others from knowing how thankful I am to Assumption.

Intellectually, Assumption taught me to think.  The great books we read, the great teachers that taught us to read them, taught us to think, and not just to think, but to think clearly.  Books change people – the first several books of Augustine’s Confessions are centered greatly around the books that he was reading at particular points in his life.  I remember the books that I read at Assumption more vividly than those which I have read in college.  I was taught to love to learn.  This lesson has served me the greatest.

Also, Assumption taught me to think in a Catholic context.  It seems as if there is a distinctively Catholic way of looking at the world.  The world looks different to someone who is Catholic.  Someone may ask why is this?  Newman pointed out that if one seeks to know the truth by education, then they cannot leave out the study of the faith – which is true.  In other words, any study at any level without the specifically Catholic insights is only partly true.  If you want the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, then the learning about God, His Church, and the faith simply cannot be left out of someone’s formal education.  So, I do not think I exaggerate when I say that Assumption gave me a way of looking at the world, and insofar as this way is true, I can say that Assumption gave me the world.

Spiritually, Assumption taught me the faith.  I cannot help but think back to before highschool, I wanted desperately to go to the public high school, but my parents insisted otherwise.  If I had not gone to Assumption, I would never have learned the faith, found my vocation, or experienced the peace that I now have.  This leads me to give thanks to the providence of God.

Humanly, Assumption gave me the relationships I needed to become a virtuous agent acting in the world, thinking intelligently about the world.  In other words, other people, by their example, witness, light, teach us how to act and how to think.  These people are teachers, peers, and especially friends.  High school is a time when one makes that first great step into discovering who you are and who you want to be.  In other words, those are such formative years.  The people that helped me – that taught me – that learned with me effected who I am now.  To them, and to my parents, by God’s providence, I owe everything.

To sum up what I have said, Assumption High School, specifically the people and the faith in it, gave me the tools necessary to be a complete human being, thinking and acting intelligently in the world – not a bad lesson from a not so bad a place.

Justin Kizewski – seminarian studying for MA in philosophy at The Catholic University of America for the Diocese of La Crosse

(202)756-5542

Theological College
401 Michigan Ave, NE
Washington, D.C. 20017

jkizewski@theologicalcollege.org

From Craig Mours, Class of 2001

My experience at Assumption High School definitely prepared me for my
college experiences. Right now I am currently a junior at Carroll
College. If it wasn't for the solid foundation I got at Assumption I would not be as successful at college as I am. The experiences you take away from Assumption are not just what you learn in the classroom, but you learn how to communicate with people on a personal level as well as a professional level.

The teachers that I would have to thank during my time at Assumption
would have to be my English teachers, Cath Cavanaugh and Paul Klinkhammer. They both taught us so much. They taught us the skills necessary to succeed in the classroom and in life as well.

Letter from Mandy Turba- Class of 2003

I think that AHS and the WRACS system had a very good impact on my faith life. I know how important it is to go to Mass every Sunday. I also learned a lot about the Mass and everything related to it.

I remember how we always got Ms. Bowe off topic, but we always learned amazing things when we did.

I am at a Lutheran school and because of Assumption High School, I can tell people about my faith when they ask me about it.

The academics at Assumption have helped me a lot. I have not had a
chance to take my math or science classes, but I have taken an English and religion class. The teachers at Assumption were always helpful and I knew that I could go and ask them questions whenever I needed help.

The religion class has prepared me to defend my faith to those who put down the Catholic Church, but it has also taught me to be open to other religion's opinions even if I disagree with them.

The extracurricular activities made me well-rounded. Besides being an athlete, you could be in music, drama, or any club you wanted. That is what I liked about the small school. You could do many things because they always needed people. I was in music and softball. I liked the music because it was fun and I like Mrs. Hass. I loved softball just because it is my favorite sport. Whenever anyone wanted to play a sport they could. No one got cut because Assumption is such a small school they needed everyone.

The opportunities are ample and because the coaches were so dedicated to
the sport they coached we had good programs.

I think that Assumption made me a well-rounded individual. I am proud
to be an alumna of Assumption. God Bless.

Sincerely,
Mandy Turba:)

Assumption High School Endorsed by Marquette Univesity

"We always welcome applicants from Assumption High School. They are academically well prepared, and they become great contributors to the Marquette Community!"

Robert G. Blust
Dean of Admissions
Marquette University


© 2007 Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schoools
Peg Klinkhammer
Last updated: May 29, 2008
http://www.wracs.org