Oakwood High School Newsletter
July 28, 2023
I am excited for the opportunity to work with Oakwood High School students, staff and the community. I am beginning my 20th year in education, and this is my second principalship. Prior to becoming an administrator, I taught mathematics at the middle school, high school and college level. I was the Iroquois West High School Principal for 3 years prior to starting at Oakwood High School this July. I have two children ages 15 and 13. We enjoy boating, fishing, and spending time as a family. I am a huge Purdue Boilermaker fan! I'm excited for the start of football season. BOILER UP!
There have been a lot of exciting things happening in high school this summer. The OHS gym has a new gym floor that was opened up for use this month. The custodians have been hard at work refinishing the floors and cleaning up classrooms. I have spent a lot of time in July meeting with staff and getting to know several members of the Oakwood Community. We have also had many student athletes in the building for open gyms, weight lifting, and camps. It’s been great to meet some of the students.
New for this year: The students will not be able to carry backpacks in between classes. They are welcome to bring them to and from school but the backpacks will need to be stored in the lockers during the school day.
We will go over the handbook and expectations on the first day of school in our All School Assembly. The OHS staff is excited to see all of our students back in the high school and we can’t wait to get started.
If you need to reach me, please send me an email at smithe@oakwood76.org
GO COMETS!
My name is Zach Steele, your new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. This will be my 17th year in education but my first year as an administrator. I have spent my first month here in the building getting to know the staff, coaches, and faculty who I come into contact with. I am already learning a lot in my new position, and I promise to continue to learn and work hard for the Oakwood School Community. I am excited to meet all of you and the students and get things going! My email is steelez@oakwood76.org if you have any questions.
As an Athletic Director, I want to bring you up to speed with our Fall Sports teams and what they have been up to:
Football-Coach Lee has been holding workouts in the weight room and out on the practice field this summer. Coach and his staff are having their team camp this week, and hosted a youth camp the week before, which had a great turnout! We look forward to having the Fithian Men’s Club sponsor the Gatorade Game on Friday, August 18th. We look forward to their first game at Momence on Friday, August 25th. We hope to see you out supporting our Football team this fall!
Volleyball-Coach Anderson has had her girls working hard in the weight room and on the court. For the majority of the summer, Coach and the girls have been practicing at the Oakwood Grade School, but have just moved practice back into our high school gym, with our brand new floor! The volleyball team is hosting their team camp this week, along with a youth camp in the afternoons. Our Lady Comets will have a scrimmage on the night of the Gatorade Game on August 18th, and will begin their season on Monday, August 21st at Leroy. We hope to see our staff and students come out this season and cheer them on!
Soccer-Coach Fenton has been conducting summer practices at their home field for this season at Oakwood Grade School. The OSF soccer team is coming off a great season, and plans on building onto last year’s conference title. They have had scrimmages with some area teams, and also recently had their alumni match. Coach Fenton and the Comets will open up at home on Monday, August 21st, against St. Joseph. Be sure to come on out and watch them in action this season!
Cross Country-Coach Mills and Coach Wells have been conducting summer runs and practices throughout the summer. OSF cross country is working hard to build a successful season. The Comets will open up on Saturday, August 26th at the Saber Corn Classic at St. Thomas More. OSF XC will host two home meets this year at Kickapoo State Park, including the Oakwood Invite on Saturday, September 30th.If you can make it to a meet to watch them compete, I know the program would appreciate it!
Cheer-Coach Lee and Coach Gayler have been working hard in the weight room and in the gymnasium, in preparation for the upcoming season. They attended a camp this season in Effingham. Be sure to catch them cheering on our Comets this season, beginning with the Football team this fall!
Golf-The OHS golf squad has a new coach this season, alumni Lukas Houshauer. He will lead the Comets in his first season, as they have a jam packed schedule. The Comets have several home matches this season at Harrison Park in Danville. They will be hosting 17 other teams in their first match at the “Bring 5 Scramble” on Thursday, Aug 10, 2023.
Bass Fishing-There will be a Bass Fishing Squad this season. Coach Wright and Coach Stewart are working on a schedule that will benefit the fall and spring season. I will have more information soon!
Comettes - Coach Jade Lee is in her first year as varsity dance head coach. Their team went to a summer camp at ISU. They’ll be performing throughout the year in both football and basketball. Come out and watch them perform!
Hey everyone! My name is Stephanie Marsh, and I am the new School Counselor. I'm sure most of you know me from being the face of the front office for the past 9 years, but I am excited to transition into my new role here at OHS. For those of you that don't know me, I am an Oakwood Alum, Class of 2008. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart, Cody, and we have 3 beautiful children together, Carson 7, Levi 5, and Mia 2. I am also the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach.
You can email me with any questions or concerns you may have at marshs@oakwood76.org.
SENIORS - Scholarship Opportunity
The Vivek Ramaswamy American Identity Scholarship is a $25,000 scholarship that will be given to 10 students who best answer the question “what does it mean to be an American?” in a two-minute video.
The 10 winners will be selected by a panel of judges to each receive a $25,000 scholarship for post-secondary education (college or technical/vocational school), entrepreneurial endeavors, or their commitment to serve in the military or law enforcement.
Students (9th - 12th) can submit their two-minutes video here: https://woobox.com/pgw4uc
Deadline is Friday, August 18 at 9PM Eastern
Winners will be announced in late-September 2023 (shortly after the start of the new school year).
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Getting ready for the
2024 Coke Scholars application!
As summer breaks begin to draw to a close, we write to remind you that the 2024 application for the Coca-Cola Scholarship (open to high school students who will graduate during the 2023-2024 academic year) will be available from our website August 1 through October 2, 2023. Note that we have an earlier deadline this year! Please plan to share this opportunity with your graduating students who are having a significant positive impact in your school and community through their leadership and service.
Click here to view program details and a listing of the 2023 Coke Scholars.
LuAnn McMasters
I have been married for almost 23 years and have 2 wonderful sons. I am a homebody who loves to read and spend time with my family. I was the secretary at OJHS for 4 years but am excited to continue my journey as one of the new OHS secretaries!
If you need to reach me, my email address is mcmastersl@oakwood76.org
Tiffany Bruens
I live in the country here in Oakwood with my husband, Chad and our 4 kids Madisyn, Makynzie, Keatyn and Jorie. I enjoy spending time with my family and stay busy watching my kids in sports. In my free time I enjoy baking and decorating cakes and doing crafts. I am excited to start at OHS and get to know everyone!
If you need to reach me, my email address is bruenst@oakwood76.org
