Fresh Faces at Gross Catholic
The Cougar Family would like to officially welcome our new faculty and staff members. Would you like to know more about them? Read on.
New Faculty: Mr. Andrew Siewert – English Teacher
This past spring Mr. Andrew Siewert finished thirty years of teaching English, mostly to seniors, at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO. In addition to teaching at Chaminade, he was also the student leadership advisor for their house system and student council.
Mr. Siewert moved to Omaha in June in order to be close to family who live here. He is familiar with Omaha, as he attended Creighton University for college and graduate school. While in school there, he taught one semester at Gross Catholic. He states “It feels a bit like a return of sorts, though if anyone had told me then that I’d be back one day, I wouldn’t have believed it!” Mr. Siewert is a passionate supporter of the United States’ men’s and women’s soccer teams. He likes to cook, read, play guitar, and listen to music and is very excited to be starting this new chapter in his life at Gross Catholic! Welcome to new faculty member, Mr. Siewert.
The Most Important Thing I Learned in High School
Two things: 1)The best way to make really good friends is to get involved in lots of school activities. 2) The learning you do in high school is about a lot more than just what happens in the classroom.
My Favorite Movie
Repo Man
If I Were a Superhero, My Superpower Would Be
The ability to stop time for everyone but me!
My Favorite Place I Have Traveled To
Brugge in Belgium.
What Do You Look Forward to the Most About Working at Gross Catholic?
I’ve been either a student or a teacher in an all-boys school most of my life, so I’m looking forward to a coed environment. After three decades of teaching world literature, I’m also excited to be teaching American literature.
New Faculty: Mrs. Emily Dorcey – Theology/Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Emily Dorcey is thrilled to be a part of the Cougar family as a new faculty member! She was born and raised in Tampa, FL and moved to Omaha in 2019, where her husband is originally from. She and her husband have an almost two year old daughter. Mrs. Dorcey is entering into her fifth year as an educator, previously teaching high school Theology and middle school religion.
She cannot wait for the school year to begin and journeying with Christ through all that He has is store. A big Cougar Family welcome to new faculty member, Mrs. Lizzie Mason!
The Most Important Thing I Learned in High School
How to be resilient in the face of adversity.
My Favorite Movie
The Longest Ride
If I Were a Superhero, My Superpower Would Be
Definitely teleportation!
My Favorite Place I Have Traveled To
Haiti, when I went on a mission trip after college.
What Do You Look Forward to the Most About Working at Gross Catholic?
Meeting all of the Cougar families and building relationships in the community as well as seeing students grow in their relationship with Christ.
New Faculty: Mrs. Lizzie Mason – Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Lizzie Mason will be starting her fourth year teaching this year. She attended Mercy High school and then Wayne State College where she graduated in 2019 with a degree in Social Studies Education.
Mrs. Mason spends her free time listening to podcasts, crafting, and traveling with her husband. She is also an avid board gamer player and collector. Mrs. Mason is looking forward to what this school year holds and joining the Gross Catholic community. Welcome to new faculty member, Mrs. Lizzie Mason!
The Most Important Thing I Learned in High School
That I am capable of doing difficult things when I bring my tools, give it time, and try my best.
My Favorite Movie
The Dark Knight
If I Were a Superhero, My Superpower Would Be
Super speed, so I can give myself more time to do the things I love by completing all of the mundane tasks quickly.
My Favorite Place I Have Traveled To
Galena, Illinois.
What Do You Look Forward to the Most About Working at Gross Catholic?
I am looking forward to sharing my passion with high schoolers in a Catholic Community.
New Faculty: Ms. Paloma Power ‘15 – Theatre Director
Ms. Paloma Power holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University and moved to New York City shortly after graduating in 2018 where she performed as well as booked contracts across the United States. She is also the Dance Director and choreographer for The Broadway Advantage with Broadway performer, Kelli James and composer, Steven Applegate. She works as a professional actress across the country and is the Midwest Representative for Brian Clowdus Experiences.
Ms. Power’s most recent regional theatre credits include playing Katrina in the award winning national production of The Sleepy Hollow Experience and Belle in The Christmas Carol Experience. She feels blessed to have worked and performed with Broadway stars: Steven Applegate, Kelli James, and Anthony Crivello in Home for the Holidays. She has choreographed countless productions across the Midwest in both high school and university settings. Come October, Ms. Power will be reprising her role of Katrina in Granbury, Texas in the award winning Sleepy Hollow Experience!
She is working on obtaining her Masters in Teaching as well as looking forward to marrying Ryan Aversman in November. Ms. Power is a 2015 alumna of Gross Catholic High school and is very excited to mentor students in their performance skills!
The Most Important Thing I Learned in High School
To be a leader and speak up for myself because I am my greatest advocate. If I have a question; I should ask it. And lastly, to look at situations from every perspective before making a decision or judgment.
My Favorite Movie
We’re The Millers
If I Were a Superhero, My Superpower Would Be
To read people’s minds.
My Favorite Place I Have Traveled To
Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
What Do You Look Forward to the Most About Working at Gross Catholic?
The family atmosphere and returning to my alma mater. I am excited to mentor students in the theatre department from a professional perspective.
New Staff: Ms. Brandi Holys – Vice President of Advancement
Most recently, Ms.Brandi Holys was the Director of Development and Communications for Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha. She has a record of accomplishment securing six-figure grants from national, regional, and local foundations, as well as competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
Also, Ms. Holys also has experience with capital campaigns as a consultant to diocesan campaigns and with the Nebraska Humane Society. She is an alumna of St. Patrick’s High School in North Platte and since 2005 has called the Omaha area her home. With 20 years of experience as a fundraiser and director, Ms. Holys expertise and passion is helping organizations and causes generate financial resources to do great work and make a difference.
The Most Important Thing I Learned in High School
Raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.
My Favorite Movie
The Devil Wears Prada
If I Were a Superhero, My Superpower Would Be
Grant Writing!
My Favorite Place I Have Traveled To
Kauai
What Do You Look Forward to the Most About Working at Gross Catholic?
I look forward to getting to know everyone and serving the Gross community by securing the financial resources to provide the best education for our future leaders.
New Staff: Mr. John Kopecky – Director of Finance
For the last three years Mr. John Kopecky was CFO/COO of LimeBank in Missouri and prior to that served as CFO for several banks working on mergers and acquisitions among multiple other projects. In the late 1990s, as Russia was moving into a democratic economy, he was hand-chosen by the Federal Reserve to teach in Moscow and St. Petersburg on free market banking best practices.
Mr. Kopecky shares that one of his most rewarding positions was as an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Avila University teaching International Finance. At Avila, John made classes even more practical for international students by integrating whatever financial system their country had into the curriculum.
Mr. Kopecky and his wife Cindy both grew up on farms in Butler County. Their son and family live in Elkhorn, Nebraska. They also have a daughter who lives and works in Omaha. He is an alumnus of Aquinas High School in David City and he is excited to be back at in Catholic high school where his career began. Mr. Kopecky said “The education I received there gave me a good foundation for my career both academically and with a strong moral compass. In fact, one of my math teachers, Sister Edmina, gave me a love for math which has helped me in my career as a CPA.”
The Most Important Thing I Learned in High School
That your actions matter and how with one act you can have an impact on the rest of your life.
My Favorite Movie
The Paper Chase
If I Were a Superhero, My Superpower Would Be
Make people tell the truth. (I did an extensive amount of forensic accounting and was surprised how often people lied to me).
My Favorite Place I Have Traveled To
Prague, Czech Republic
What Do You Look Forward to the Most About Working at Gross Catholic?
Connecting with people who share the same values as I do.
What You May Have Missed
- New Board Members Added
- Kosse Awarded Kaipust Memorial Scholarship
- Thank You to Our Retiring Teachers, Mrs. Carson and Mr. Connelly!
- The State of Gross Catholic High School
- Lights for the Baseball Field
- Gaby Gandara Awarded Full Ride to Princeton
- Top 5 Reasons Families Choose Gross Catholic
- Choosing Gross Catholic After Public School
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About Gross Catholic
Gross Catholic, a co-educational, college preparatory high school, began its proud heritage of academic excellence rooted in the Marianist tradition in 1968. We consider ourselves one of the best Catholic schools in Omaha, Bellevue, and Papillion. The school motto Dux Esto (“Be a Leader”) is at the core of its extraordinary mission, innovative spirit, and fundamental values. The school offers a challenging environment and outstanding quality of life, both in academics and co-curricular activities, with a strong focus on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education. The spirit of Christian service and giving back is part of everything the school does. Gross Catholic’s top-tier status is reflected in its talented faculty, staff, and coaches who take great pride in seeing virtually every graduate head to college, often to the most prestigious domestic and international universities and service academies. Together with families and alumni, Gross Catholic forges relationships for a lifetime, helping to ready the next generation to be exemplary, principled leaders of the world.
To discover the Gross Catholic difference, contact us at 402.734.2000 or visit our Admissions page.