West Bend, Wi – A longstanding tradition at Holy Angels School in West Bend, Wi, continues as the Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to Lindsey Vanderwielen.
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week each year, we pause to recognize past students with the National Catholic Educational Association’s Distinguished Graduate Award.  Our school’s mission statement begins with the words: “We belong to a Catholic community which gathers together to proclaim the gospel, serve others, and praise God.” We’d like to recognize this year’s distinguished graduate at this time.
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This year’s recipient has certainly embodied our mission statement by her service to others, especially our school and parish community. She has been a member of Holy Angels Parish for 34 years. You’ve probably seen her at the school or parish because she has worked at Holy Angels for the past 15 years, beginning as a cantor and then transitioning to Director of Parish Life and Communication and Co-Director of Music.
She directs Holy Angels choirs for the holidays, directed a stage reading and singing of Children of Eden, and even got the parish live streaming during Covid. This person steps in whenever needed, including filling in as the music teacher of Holy Angels School for one year.
She was the co-advisor of the HOPE club at our school, chaperoned field trips, and introduced Pause to Worship as a way to involve students and staff with adoration.  When staff and students were asked what they liked best about her, they stated, “Her voice is like listening to angels.” And, “She has a unique perspective on things with her music background and her work with the parish for so long.”
Our Distinguished Graduate is also active in our community. She has been a member of many local community theaters where she has been in over 30 performances. Most recently she started directing shows in the community, including “The Little Mermaid” for the West Bend High Schools.
Her favorite memories of her time as a student at Holy Angels School was the talent show where she took 3rd place and the time she played a choir directing angel in her 8th grade Christmas Concert. She also enjoyed participating in band and volleyball and remembers learning the 50 Nifty States song.
She says that Holy Angels set her on a solid moral footing for her future and helped prepare her for high school and college with good study habits. She believes Holy Angels helped give her the confidence to speak up when things are not right or when she has an idea of how to fix something. She states that she was never put down at Holy Angels, and it helped her to grow as a person.
As a member of the HA Class of 1999, she has made it clear (in her words) that: “Because she had such a great experience at HA and a Catholic College, she has been able to bring that into her work at the parish and can enthusiastically invite and support the people of Holy Angels.”
It is with much gratitude that I present our 2024Â NCEA Distinguished Graduate Award to Lindsey Vanderwielen.
Courtesy Michelle Spaeth
