Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

In early August, Pius X High School in Lincoln saw hundreds of alumni return for class reunions at the school and around the city. At the same time, several new administrators began their roles, many of whom have previous connections to the school.

Jeremy Ekeler, a 1997 graduate of Pius X, has returned as chief administrative officer after previously teaching English and coaching at his alma mater. Ekeler uses the school's weekly podcast, We Are Pius (piusx.net/podcast), to interview members of the school community about their hopes for the upcoming year.

“I think Catholic education is an intersection between the tangible and the eternal,” Ekeler said. “So our job is to form young people who can bear the light of Christ in a culture that can be very dark. But as we bear that light in this world, the intersection occurs when we make choices that ultimately lead to eternity with Christ.”

Jennifer Tran joins as principal after serving in various roles in Catholic education across Lincoln, most recently at Blessed Sacrament. Tran shared her experiences encouraging families to consider Catholic education and recounted an encounter where she felt guided by faith to connect with a family considering Pius X for their daughter.

“My original love is having those relationships, the conversations, the faith-based everything with the older students because we can have a deeper conversation,” Tran said. “So making those connections and making those differences in their lives, even just a word or phrase, can make a bigger impression because they realize the weight of what you’re saying.”

The counseling office welcomes Jess Psota as director. Psota previously taught English and has served as a counselor at other schools. She met her husband Ryan at Pius X and emphasizes helping students find purpose beyond academics.

“I think the most important thing is to be open to finding and understanding God’s purpose for you,” she said. “Everything else will work itself out. You need to understand your academics are important. That transcript starts day one. But at the end of the day, you are going to be the happiest and feel the most peace when you are living out God’s purpose for you.”

Trevor Johnson takes on responsibilities as activities director after graduating from Pius X in 2010 and later working as a college basketball coach. He returns during a fundraising campaign—Forward in Faith and Excellence—that seeks renovations for locker rooms, expansions for athletic facilities and chapel space, plus new theater and music classrooms.

“I think there are countless ways that faith can be tied into the performing arts and athletics,” Johnson said. “I think one of the big things is that faith can really be used to ground our identity. I think it’s very easy for kids to tie their value and their worth to ‘What role did I get in the play?’ or ‘How many points did I score?’ That’s what society teaches kids. You flip on ESPN, and the only thing they talk about is how many points someone scored. Our value is not earned. It’s given. I think that’s really important.”

The school's motto remains “Restore All Things in Christ.” Administrators note that multi-generational ties among graduates continue as part of its legacy.

“Maybe you’re even out there and you’ve kind of fallen away from the Church, or from Pius. I’m here to tell you it’s home and it’s community, and we love you,” Ekeler said. “And I believe community is not created; it’s revealed when you’re committed to Christ – He’ll do that work. So this community is committed to Christ. That’s the best part about being a Bolt.”