Maureen’s Message: Student Formation at Bishop Miege
“We understand that success is not simply about what a student accomplishes, but about who they become and how they use their gifts for others. This is why the mission of Bishop Miege matters so deeply. We want Miege to be a place where students encounter Jesus Christ as a living person who knows them, loves them, and calls them to become more than they ever imagined they could be.”
By: Principal Maureen Engen
Student formation at Bishop Miege: What students carry beyond the classroom
Lately, I have set myself up in the third-floor hallway at Bishop Miege with a question for our students. I have discovered that one of the best ways to hear what students really think is to catch them as they are walking down the hallway.
There is no time to prepare the “right” answer or think too long about what they should say. They are a little on the spot, and that is exactly what makes their responses so authentic.
So, I stopped students between classes, asked them a question, and listened.
The question was simple:
“Beyond what you have learned in the classroom, what has Bishop Miege taught you that you believe will stay with you and shape the person you become?”
Let’s dive into what a few of them said.
Student formation at Bishop Miege happens every day
Georgia: “There will always be people around you, and you don’t have to go through anything alone, no matter how different you are from others.”
Addi: “This is a community of people who support you. It doesn’t matter if you are a senior or a freshman; you can still be friends. There are no dividing lines between grades. We take care of each other.”
Rosemary: “Mr. Koesterer inquires about your life beyond school, as do many other teachers. It makes me feel safe in this community. This is a practice I will use in my future endeavors.”
Layla: “You can find something in common with anyone at school. I have found that I am more open to talking to people I don’t know. It has become part of my belief system that I can find common ground with others.”
Vinny: “Miege has taught me the essence of hard work, especially through football practices and completing homework. I have learned that what I am able to achieve is beyond what I thought I could.”
Eli: “Going to teachers for help makes a difference, and it has helped me with my social skills.”
Carlos: “With smaller classes, there is a tight community. I will always put an emphasis on getting to know more people.”
Eddie: “I have learned how to be more of a leader, especially through the Herd System. I have learned to grow as a leader and take advantage of leadership opportunities.”
Kip: “Always be involved in as much as you can and broaden your interests. I will take this concept with me into life after Miege.”
Megan: “Don’t be afraid to try new things because the experiences that come from them are worthwhile.”
When I finished these conversations, I was struck by what our students didn’t talk about. They didn’t mention a test score, a GPA, an award, or a grade. They talked about community, relationships, hard work, courage, leadership, belonging, and becoming more open to others.
That is formation.
The heart of our mission: Forming faith and character
We understand that success is not simply about what a student accomplishes, but about who they become and how they use their gifts for others.
This is why the mission of Bishop Miege matters so deeply. We want Miege to be a place where students encounter Jesus Christ as a living person who knows them, loves them, and calls them to become more than they ever imagined they could be.
Our faculty and staff are committed to walking alongside our students: believing in them, challenging them to grow, and helping form the faith and character they will carry with them long after they leave Bishop Miege.
And perhaps that is what I loved most about these simple hallway conversations. Our students reminded me that formation is happening every day, often in ways we cannot measure and in moments we may never see. It happens in classrooms and hallways, on fields and stages, through friendships and conversations with teachers, and in those quiet moments when a young person begins to discover who God is calling them to be.
Thank you for entrusting your student to us. It is a tremendous privilege to walk alongside them, to believe in them, and to help them become the young people God created them to be. That is our mission, and there is no greater work we could be called to do.