Campaign Chronicles Summer 2025
When you give to Looking to the Future: The Campaign for DuBois Central Catholic, your gift leaves a lasting legacy. Over the ten months since announcing the campaign publicly, we have received pledges of over $6 million. These gifts are a testimony to the value that Catholic education holds in our community. Now, as we look to grow the last commitments to our campaign, we are requesting that everyone who has been considering a gift understand that now is the time to give. Any gift, no matter the size, helps DuBois Central Catholic in its ability to offer the best faith-based Catholic education to our students, with its opportunities for personal and academic growth that can’t be found anywhere else. Our teachers foster academic growth, but they also see the whole child as an embodiment of Christ. This affects everything we do at DuBois Central Catholic. Thank you for considering a donation to continue the all-important mission of Catholic education in our area.
Student activities
Learning doesn’t stop during the summer at DuBois Central Catholic. Summertime offers unique learning opportunities outside of the classroom. This summer, two groups of students visited the classroom of the world with educational overseas trips organized by DuBois Central Catholic School educators.
Foreign language instructor Irene Gankosky partnered with Brockway School District to bring the GAPP foreign exchange program to our school. Earlier this spring, several students from Germany spent a few weeks with us. These students shared lessons about their culture with our students, attended classes at DCC, and experienced life in PA with their host families. Host families welcomed the students into their homes, took them sightseeing, and showed them our community. The groups enjoyed time getting to know one another and the unique aspects of both cultures.
Then, this summer, it was our students turn to visit the German students in their homes. Six students from DCC visited Germany, with a short stop along the way in Iceland. After sightseeing in Iceland, the group toured Berlin, Germany before finally arriving at their final destination in Hann, Münden, where they stayed for a few weeks with their host families and attended school. The school welcomed them with their annual "Schulfest,” an in-school festival where the students display intricate puzzles, art projects, and musical performances. On the weekends, students spend time with their host families. They traveled to different cities by train and bus.
This trip was such a great experience for our students. They learned and grew more mature and independent every day. When there were difficulties, they helped each other through them. Our school can be proud of the students' behavior and personal strength exhibited on this exchange. As they said, "It’s been an awesome trip!" "We’ve seen a lot of new things, met a lot of good people." "It’s been an honor to be on this trip."
Germany wasn’t the only foreign destination for our students this summer. On June 17, DCC students in 8th through 12th grade met at the school and boarded a bus, which took them to Pittsburgh airport and the first flight on their journey overseas to tour Italy and Greece. During this nine-day trip, organized by middle school English teacher Ashley Nelson, students viewed historical landmarks from the ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece. They toured monuments including the Colosseum, the Parthenon and the expansive archaeological sites at Pompeii, Epidaurus and Mycenae. On their journey, students walked the same paths as the men and women who helped to shape the foundation of our modern culture. The group also enjoyed a guided tour of Vatican City and visited the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a profound experience for everyone on the journey.
Cafeteria Remodel
Over the summer, the school began its first major project using campaign funds. The renovation of the school’s cafeteria bagan by repainting the walls with bright new colors. These refreshed walls, along with a planned purchase of new tables and chairs, will help to create an inviting environment for our students. These renovations will make the school cafeteria into a welcoming space for holding classroom activities and a versatile space for hosting a variety of school events. During the morning and afternoon, the cafeteria can be used for instructional activities and special presentations that require more space than what is available in the classroom. After the school day ends, programs and meetings can also be held in the school cafeteria. The cafeteria is used for fundraisers and special family and community activities, and is often the first room in the school that visitors see. A well-planned renovation will make the space into a welcoming, functional community center that truly represents our school’s culture to all who enter.
DCC Welcomes New Administration Members
The school administration underwent some changes over the summer months. Amber Wachob replaced retiring elementary principal Theresa Liddle. After years teaching 3rd grade, Amber is ready for a new challenge as elementary principal. “I am excited to begin this school year as the elementary principal. I am looking forward to getting to know our students and families as we start a new year!”
Diane Gibes joined our staff as the new Admissions and Marketing Director. Diane will be responsible for meeting with families and guiding them through the enrollment process. Diane and her family are thrilled to be living back in her hometown. “My experience since returning to Brockway has been amazing. I can’t wait to share all of the incredible things our DCC teachers and staff are doing to ensure our students’ success both in and out of the classroom.”
After a lifetime of involvement with DCC, Emily Youngdahl is the new Director of Advancement. In addition to attending DCC herself, her oldest son is also an alumnus, and her younger two children are current students. Emily looks forward to meeting all of the school’s supporters. You are invited to reach out to her by phone: 814-371-3060 x632, or email: [email protected].
