What Makes Miege So Different Starts with Formation, Leadership, and Community
According to our seniors who met with Archbishop Emeritus Naumann, what makes Miege so different is that students don’t just attend school here. They belong here, and that belonging shapes who they become.
What makes Miege so different expands beyond our academics. Students feel they belong, and that connection shapes their growth.
When Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Naumann joined us for Adoration, a group of seniors had the chance to ask him questions about faith and leadership. Then he asked them something in return: What do you most appreciate about being a Stag?
Their answers were candid and consistent. They described something deeper than academics or activities. They described belonging.
The Miege difference: Faith that grows with you
For many students, that belonging begins with faith.
“Miege has guided us in our faith, helping us know God and with others as a community, but also helping us to have a better world view and taking that into whatever we do.” – Brady Beaver
But not every student arrives knowing what that looks like.
“Before I came to Miege, I didn’t know what an altar was. I didn’t know what an Archbishop was. I didn’t know what Theology class was. I remember someone told me I had to take that, and I thought, ‘I don’t know what that is.’ Just the difference between senior year and freshman year, being able to actually engage into the faith. I’m not Catholic, but love being able to engage with your faith with Father Strobl and Father Mersmann. Both of them have helped me out immensely. That wasn’t my goal when coming to this school. My goal was to meet new people and have a new place for me, and now I can say that I can take faith into my college life and my post-college life.” – Devyn Davis
And it happens because of the people walking with them.
“The individual care of teachers and administration is the best I’ve ever seen. My mind will always go to Mr. Anderson, and Mrs. Reynolds is a great example, and Mr. Peterie. Yes, you’re in their classes, but they care about you and what you want to do, and they’re trying to help you get there.” – Pierce Butler
Devyn Davis and Brady Beaver, both of the Class of 2026, share how their time at Miege has shaped their faith and world views.
What makes Miege so different: Leadership you actually practice
Students also pointed to leadership as part of what makes Miege so different.
“I would say leadership. Students get more leadership roles as they go through Miege, and we have the chance to see people go before us showing what it takes to be a good leader. We have great principals and teachers to really be great models as adult leaders as well. I’d say student leadership helps us stand out.” – Luke Nelson
Leadership here is not theoretical. It is practiced. Students are trusted with responsibility. They are asked to lead prayer. To speak publicly. To mentor younger students. That trust builds confidence that lasts.
“I think the public speaking roles that Miege provides for students are crucial for what we’re going to be doing in the future. As Execs and Captains, we have the chance to speak in front of classes or in front of the school at times, and I think that really just helps us strengthen our speech overall.” – Mateo Gajewski
Leadership also shows up in the opportunities students are given and the way they are encouraged to step into more than one thing.
“I think of all the the opportunities here at Miege. I think of the stuff that I’m involved in, like yearbook and choir and theatre. I look at other schools, and I don’t think I would get that opportunity. Especially in yearbook, there’s so much support we have from outside, and it’s just really shown me even when I want to do in the future. Being able to get those skills of leadership and design, it’s something that I don’t think I would get anywhere else. I’m very grateful. But I think there’s those opportunities everywhere, whether it’s sports or arts or your classes. I just think we have a really good way of getting people involved here at Miege in more than one thing.” – Annie McGuire
Archbishop Emeritus Naumann joined us for Adoration. Afterward, he sat down with a group of seniors, asking what they’re most grateful for as they prepare to graduate.
Belonging that shows up when you need it
For others, what makes Miege so different is the support system.
“Our counselors are amazing. I had no idea where I wanted to go or anything, and so Mrs. Schmidtberger took it upon herself to help me out with my entire college situation. She’s done all my recommendation letters and everything, and she’s also just been there for me to talk to, and it’s been really, really helpful.” – Bebe Preu
Belonging isn’t just about support from adults. It’s something the students create for one another.
“Everybody here is just like super nice. Recently, we had a new transfer student. She shared that everybody’s just been very nice to her, and she’s told me that she feels really welcome, even though she didn’t really know anybody coming in. She’s already made a ton of friends.” – Jack Gelhaus
Beyond welcoming new students, Miege’s community gives everyone a chance to see the richness of each other’s experiences.
“The diversity here is just super cool to see and just how involved everyone is. Everyone is so welcoming, and they’re all here for each other. Especially, we get those opportunities on Kairos to really grow closer to each other, and you gain that perspective of what people have been through, and you have no idea, and you walk past them in the hallways every day.” – Abby Baniewicz
And sometimes that sense of belonging grows in unexpected ways through connections that might not have been obvious at first.
“I definitely say the community because as a class we all really came together senior year. Just seeing everyone grow individually and having conversations with people I would never have talked to, it’s really empowering and I can grow myself by applying it to my life by seeing faith and love in other people.” – Joseph Charles
Joseph Charles, who served at All-School Adoration, later shared with Archbishop Emeritus Naumann that the support of his class has had a lasting impact.
Supporting each other, wherever it counts
Belonging also shows up in the way students support programs and peers beyond their usual circles.
I’ve never been in a theatre production, like that’s not my thing. I usually play sports, but I feel like I’m connected to that program and so many others. In other schools, you’re kind of limited to what people perceive, like, ‘Oh, he’s on baseball team, so I’m cool with him,’ but I feel like I’m so close and still friends with everybody in choir and theatre and other options that maybe I’m not as interested in. There’s so many opportunities to come together outside of those activities and still become really close with each other.” – Luke Nelson
That spirit of belonging doesn’t stop at friendships or shared classes. It extends to cheering each other on, no matter the activity.
“In football season, everyone’s favorite part is going out and playing a game or anything like that. But my favorite part was always getting out of Thursday practice after eating, and we would always go to the volleyball games still in our practice gear. To be able to see us going to support them on Thursday night and them coming to support us Friday. Also, we support our teachers. One of my favorite teachers, the Theatre Director Mrs. Fitzsimmons, she just had a baby, and I feel like we were so excited to support her at the musical this year. At ‘Mamma Mia!’ there were more kids there than parents, which was cool to see.” – Devyn Davis
When Archbishop Emeritus Naumann asked our seniors what they value most, they described people and feeling known.
That is the Miege difference.
Students do not simply pass through these halls. They are formed here. They are challenged here. They belong here.