Immaculate Conception School celebrates birthday and honors HOF inductees

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

There were birthday balloons and, of course, cake.

Then there was some basketball to top it off — teachers versus students.

Now that’s icing on the cake.

Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Charles City celebrated its birthday on Friday to cap off National Catholic Schools Week.

Students, alumni and teachers took part in the festivities. Charles City Mayor Dean Andrews also read a proclamation honoring IC during the national week of recognition.

“This is biggest day because this is the one the kids look forward to,” said IC Principal Laurie Field.

IC did not hold classes Monday through Thursday because of the frigid temperatures that enveloped much of Iowa. Classes on Friday gave the student body and staff one final day to cap the week off right.

“This day never changes because this is the birthday party and the basketball games,” said Field.

IC has celebrated many birthday parties over the year – well over 100. The school opened its doors on Sept. 14, 1895.

One reason those doors have been able to remain open is through the work of volunteers.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have volunteers,” Field said. “The kids wouldn’t have the activities they get to do. We wouldn’t be able to have the little community if we didn’t have the support.”

For the second year, IC honored people who make a difference by adding two more members to its I.C. Wildcat Hall of Fame. Last year’s inaugural recipient of the award was Kristy Shultz.

This year Chuck and Angie Staudt were recognized for all they have done for the school. Chuck was on the IC School Board from 2009-2013 and was later president. Angie served eight years on the development board and led the IC SCRIP program from 2009-2015.

“Chuck and Angie have volunteered countless hours in a variety of roles that promote our school, Catholic education and inspire others to give of themselves,” said Lisa Anderson.

The Staudts have three children who have all graduated from IC: Drew, Lydia and Lauren.

“It just made that much of a difference in my life and we knew we wanted to raise our kids here,” said Chuck.

Chuck also attended IC and recalled all the positive memories he was able to experience growing up.

“I think everybody can remember their elementary days. There’s always something neat about it. For me it was the staff. I remember every teacher I had as a grade school student,” said Chuck.

Charles City High School seniors Olivia Wolfe, Blake Frascht and Guinevere Calpito were the guest speakers who talked to the IC students during the ceremony.

Wolfe said her great grandmother went to school at IC in 1905.

“What you get to experience here at IC is something literally that you will never forget. Each one of you will always have a home here and family here at this church and at this school,” said Wolfe.

Field stressed the importance of giving back and recognizing pivotal leaders who can shape students for future success.

“That’s part of our Catholic identity — teaching kids how to be stewards of faith and give back to the community,” Field said. “We thought recognizing people that have done that would give them that face of that person to look up to.”