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Over the
past thrity years, Our Lady of Consolation School has been part of the
unfolding stories of hundreds of children. We know how their stories
began, but we would love to hear how your story has progressed since
leaving OLC. Please share what you’ve been up to over the
years by sending an eamil to olcschool@catholicweb.com.
Thanks!
Alumni
Highlights
| Donna
Tefft |
| My younger
brothers and I moved to Our Lady of Consolation from St. Patricks in
Parnell when I was in the third grade. I graduated from OLC's sixth
grade in 1973 and went on to graduate from Rockford High School in 1979. |
I attended Aquinas
College and graduated with a BS and a Major in Sociology in 1983.
During my years at Aquinas, I was involved in various volunteer
positions and was the coordinator of the student volunteer program on
campus. At graduation I was awarded the Monsignor Arthur Bukowski Award. |
Following graduation, I
married the guy I dated since my Junior year of high school, Jim Tefft.
I went to work at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids as a
foster care caseworker and case aid. I left this position to work at D.
A. Blodgett for Children in Grand Rapids where I worked in the Big
Brother Big Sister Program for 14 years. During this time, I was
volunteering at PORT (Pediatric Oncology Resource Team) a brand new
program at DeVos Children's Hospital established to serve families
challenged with a child with cancer or other blood disorder. I took the
position as Coordinator of this program and worked there for 3 years. |
When P.O.R.T. became
bigger than my time availability, I returned to D. A. Blodgett where I
continue to work part time licensing foster and adoptive families. |
My early years at OLC had
a huge impact on who I became and what I have done with my life. I have
very fond memories of the nuns who were our teachers. Sr. Louise
Angela, Sr. Clare, and Sr. Theresa used to speak about traveling around
the world and about service to others. They were so much fun and I
never remember being hit with any ruler! |
I have four children who
are my priority, and all of them have enjoyed their early education at
OLC. Ryan age 19, is a Freshman at Aquinas College; Alysse, age 17, is
a Junior at Rockford; Danielle, age 15, is a Freshman at Rockford, and
Samantha, age 13, our youngest, is in 8th grade, her last year at OLC
parish school. We have been OLC School parents for thirteen years, and
it has been a wonderful journey. During that time I have maintained the
idea of "service to others" that was instilled in me as a student in
those same halls. I have served as room parent, classroom volunteer,
playground volunteer, Bazaar volunteer, pie maker, chaperone, library
aide, Parent Association Vice President and President, co-chair of the
long-range planning committee, and served on the Regional Education
Committee for the Diocese. For the parish, I have volunteered to assist
with Faith Formation retreats, Relay For Life, and am a lector for
Masses. By being involved in this way, I have watched our little school
on the hill grow, mature and become the awesome faith filled
educational environment it is today! |
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