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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