UPCOMING EVENTS

See what's happening this month.

PORTRAIT OF AN OAKCREST GRADUATE

Meet our alumnae

THEN AND NOW

A pictorial history of Oakcrest then and now

ALUMNIFIRE

Network with Oakcrest alumnae

ALUMNAE NEWS

Share your news and update your

contact information

ALUMNAE PRAYER INTENTIONS

Submit your prayer intentions

Greetings from

Maritere (Gramatges '91) Crum

Alumnae Relations Coordinator

Dear Oakies,

This month we have been mourning the loss of alumna, Anna Diederich '17. I have been so moved over the last few weeks as I have witnessed the outpouring of love, faith and friendship displayed by our community. Anna was a beautiful soul and touched so many lives (as was evident at her funeral with 1,500+ in attendance). We can all be inspired by her true devotion to her faith and her immense love of service in all aspects of her life. I truly thank Anna for having shared this gift with me. Let us continue to surround her parents,

Courtney and Alex Diederich, her brothers, John, Nicholas, Joseph, Justin and Thomas, and her sisters, Mary (Diederich '15) Hook and Lizzie '21, with our prayers.

Sincerely,

Maritere

Upcoming Events

Giving Tuesday

November 28

This year, Giving Tuesday will include a Green Team vs. White Team Challenge. The team with the most participants on Giving Tuesday will earn an additional 300 spirit points for the current students.

Take our poll to see who currently has the most spirit

Christmas Cookie Exchange

Saturday, December 2

10 AM - 12 PM

Calling all bakers! Bring along your 4 dozen cookies (or more, or less) and exchange them for an equal number of yummy cookies! Enjoy some hot chocolate, chat with fellow alumnae and make an ornament or two. All alumnae are invited. Daughters of alumnae also welcomed!

RSVP for the Cookie Exchange

Oakies in Action

In the historic Wadi Rum area of the Arabian Desert

Summer Study in Jordan

Eileen McCreery ’19 spent this past summer in Jordan, after graduating from The Catholic University of America. The main purpose of her trip was to attend the language institute in Amman, where she was able to continue her studies in Arabic (which she started at CUA) and to learn more about the culture and language through immersion. “Even though the classes kept us all very busy, I was able to travel a lot around Jordan and go to a ton of cool places such as the ancient cities of Madaba and Jerash, the baptism site of Jesus, the Dead Sea, the Dana Biosphere Reserve (which included more camping and hiking!), and Petra. This summer was one of the best experiences of my life!”

University of Dallas Oakies Spend the Semester Abroad

Current University of Dallas students and Class of 2022 Oakies, Jackie Friddle, Franny Barvick and Adele White, are studying abroad together this semester. Jackie shared that they are in Albano, Italy where they are staying at the University of Dallas' campus on a vineyard and traveling throughout Europe in their free time.

What a great experience!

Alumna Takes on Disney

Meredith Klote ’22 is excited to share that she was accepted into the Disney College Program in April 2023. She started her program this fall and will be working at Walt Disney World until January 2024. Congratulations, Meredith!

Does God Hear Our Prayers?

Class of 2013 alumna, Andrea Montealegre, recently made a video for the Arlington Diocese, where she poses the question: "Does God hear our prayers?" She uses her personal experience to give a beautiful and heartfelt answer. Watch the video to hear her response

In Memoriam

Anna Diederich '17

It is with deep sorrow that we share that our dear Anna Diederich, Class of 2017, passed away suddenly on October 9. Anna had recently started medical school at the University of Virginia after teaching math at Oakcrest for two years (2021-2023). Her big smile, sharp mind, and deep faith will be missed by each one of us.

Anna joined Oakcrest as an Acorn in 2010 and graduated as the Class of 2017 Salutatorian. She was an active member of the Mathematics Honor Society and the Virginia Mathematics League while a student at Oakcrest. Anna possessed a great love of learning and of sharing her knowledge with those around her. While a senior at the University of Notre Dame, Anna had to write her own obituary as part of a theology class project, where she noted her love of baking, knitting, and serving others. Anna graduated magna cum laude in chemical engineering before joyfully returning to Oakcrest to teach math and serve as a senior class dean. A natural teacher, she was beloved by her students who found in her a youthful, yet wise, mentor and friend.

The Diederichs have asked us to compile memories and photos. If you have any memories and/or photos that you would like to share of Anna as a teacher, classmate, or friend please submit here. We will gather all of the submissions and share with the family.

Anna loved the time she spent volunteering at Mary House in New York City. Please consider making a contribution in her name. Checks should be made payable to the Catholic Worker with "Mary House" in the memo and mailed to:

The Catholic Worker, 36 East 1st Street, New York, NY 10003

Additionally, you may join in praying for Anna and the family; Sign-up Genius for prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

Meet Our Alumnae

Ashley Schroder '22

When Ashley Schroder ’22 saw how nurses stepped up to serve in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, she found within herself the desire to do the same. “I saw the perseverance they had and the strong community they built together,” she remembers. “I had learned the power of a strong community during my time at Oakcrest and knew that wherever I went, I wanted to continue to cultivate and experience such an environment.”

Now a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ashley is studying nursing and in the process of applying to the school’s nursing program this semester.

“I love nursing because it provides me with a concrete and tangible way to help people and to make a real difference,” Ashley explains. “Over the course of my life I have experienced numerous medical issues and the kind, supportive, and often witty healthcare professionals have made a significant difference in my experience.

“I’ve also always liked biology because it fascinates me that God has not only created our

souls, but also our bodies. Learning about all of the intricacies of how we work has shown me how much care the Lord took in creating each and every one of us and He truly is the

Divine Physician.”

Read Ashley's complete profile here.

Did You Know?

Last year 12% of our total number of alumnae making donations were monthly donors. They contributed 18% of the total amount raised last year. This is an easy way to donate over time and let your alma mater know that we can count on your support. Consider becoming a monthly donor this Giving Tuesday!

Oakcrest Then and Now

Classrooms

From the one room schoolhouse on Idaho Avenue, to the small classrooms on Yuma Street, Oakcrest now has 18 classrooms, two instrumental/choir rooms, two science labs, an art studio, a media lab, and a beautiful library. Within each classroom is a Crucifix and an image of the Blessed Mother, a tradition seen even in photos of Oakcrest classrooms from the 1980s. The five newest classrooms were an addition that was part of the McGowan Family Athletic Center which opened in Spring 2023, allowing for other spaces that were used as makeshift classrooms to be used for other purposes.

Oakies on Campus

Fall Spirit Week

A big "thank you" to the Executive Student Council and all those who put together such a fun Fall Spirit Week! It was a fun week for students, faculty, and staff alike to celebrate all that it is to be an Oakie! Well done, ladies!