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The Prep Pulse

Jesuit Reflection

Ignatian Reflection

A new year. A new semester. A natural time to consider our choices and commitments, and a good opportunity to also reflect on God’s desires for us.

Like many, I have looked back at the highlights and struggles of 2024. I see some growth. I recognize some incredible blessings. I wince at some regretful words or actions. Happily, I also see God’s presence in many of the events of last year. The well-known Ignatian dictum to “find God in all things” provides encouragement to look at the ordinary and day-to-day occurrences and to see the divine fingerprints in a daughter’s accomplishments, in many wonderful close friendships, in my son’s commitment to a lovely woman in marriage, etc.

  • Looking back over the past year, where do you see blessings, God’s faithfulness to you and growth in wisdom?

Looking forward in this dark and cold time of the year, some of us can feel overwhelmed, exhausted and lacking in energy to embrace 2025 boldly and gratefully. We see the challenges in ourselves – perhaps bad habits, which can seem firmly entrenched, a lack of patience or waning courage. We see the brokenness in others and in our larger world – natural disasters, financial struggles, seemingly deepening divisions in our communities. This is just the point at which the Ignatian tradition encourages us to reframe our perspective.  

  • What is God inviting me to? What resonates in my heart and soul? 
  • What do my desires (sometimes reflected as frustrations and struggles) offer for me to prayerfully consider?
  • Where does greater love call me?

This is the rich soil of our lives where God works.

Perhaps the invitation this year is for a less busy schedule and more time for reflection. Perhaps I am called to take action and get involved more deeply. Perhaps there are relationships I need to invest in. Or maybe I need to get out of my comfort zone in some way. What excites me to consider?

To me, this question of “What is God inviting me to?” is pivotal in my prayer. Personally, the answer I have been sitting with as 2025 begins is kindness. Noticing it. Practicing it. Offering it to myself. Growing in it.

  • How do you answer the question of “What is God inviting me to?” in 2025?

Kathy O’Keefe
Creighton Prep

School News

Robotics Teams Shine in FTC Competition at SAC Museum

Congratulations to all six of the Prep First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics teams on their excellent performances in last Saturday’s FTC Robotics at the Museum competition held at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

Highlights included another championship by Team 20077 The Indubitables, part of the winning alliance with Team 18139 Rebel Robotics from Norfolk. The Indubitables remain undefeated this season and finished second in the Inspire Award. 

In addition, Team 24122 Space Blankets and their alliance teammate from Prep, Team 24121 Shadow Wizard Money Gang, took third place. Space Blankets also won the Think Award for engineering and Team 22131 Traffic Cones won the Design Award. Also competing well were Team 17111 Untitled Robotics Team, which finished 10th, and Team 16010 Crashouts, which was 13th.

The FTC Robotics at the Museum competition was the first qualifier for state. The next state qualifier will be at Prep on Saturday, February 1 in the Sullivan Center, then the state competition will be held on Saturday, March 1 at the Fort Omaha campus of Metropolitan Community College (5300 N. 30th Street).

Winter Sports Teams Excel Toward Midseason

Congratulations to all the coaches and student-athletes in basketball, bowling, hockey, powerlifting, swimming & diving and wrestling who are doing so well as they move toward midseason in their respective sports.

The basketball team is 10-3, and Head Coach Josh Luedtke ’90 noted that key wins to date have included victories over other top area teams such as Westview, Bellevue West and Lincoln Northeast. The squad's next contest is a 7 p.m. away game at Westview (15800 Summit Plz in Bennington, Nebraska) this Friday, January 17.

The bowling team led by Head Coach Amber Emanuel continues to build off its district championship last season with lots of new bowlers in the program, and the group has performed well in close matches against talented rivals such as Millard South, Burke and Westside. The state bowling championships take place in Lincoln on Wednesday and Thursday, February 12 and 13.

Head Coach Jerry Hill of the hockey team reported that the squad is playing outstanding right now, has a record of 12-1-2 and is ranked second in the state. They look forward to the start of playoffs on Saturday, February 15 and to defending their state title from a year ago.

The powerlifters won the Early Bird Meet in the Heider Center in December, and Head Coach Br. Pat Douglas, SJ ’94 said the guys are looking forward to the state meet, once again in the Heider Center, on Saturday January 25 then the Prep Invitational on Saturday, February 15.

The swimmers & divers have also started strong this season. Highlights for Head Coach Tom Beck ‘84’s squad have included wins at the Burke Invitational and a second place finish at the Maroon and Gold Invitational in Minnesota. Twelve team members have already qualified for state (which begins Thursday, February 27), and their next big meet is a triangular at UNO with Westside and Lincoln Southwest on Friday, January 24.

Finally, after big wins at the KC Stampede in Kansas City last month and the Rumble on the Red in Fargo, North Dakota this month, the wrestling team is at the top of Class A. They hosted fellow wrestling powerhouse Skutt Catholic in a dual last Thursday, January 9 in front of a large crowd and a packed Bird Cage. Watch for this team at state beginning Thursday, February 20.

To get the latest information on Prep athletics, download the Go Prep app, which is available on Google Play and on the App Store, and stay tuned to the Creighton Prep Sports Network channel on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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Shop the Jay Mart for Winter Teams Apparel

Show your support for our basketball, bowling, swimming & diving and wrestling teams with team-specific apparel from the Jay Mart! Consider items such as the following, which are pictured with this post:

Nike, Royal Blue Prep Basketball Hoodie

Gildan Hoodie, Black, Prep Basketball

Gildan, White Prep Basketball T-shirt

Nike Blue Basketball Hat

Gildan Hoodie, Royal Blue, Prep Bowling, Billy

Gildan Royal Blue PREP Bowling T-shirt

Gildan, Black PREP Swim & Dive T-shirt

Nike Blue Prep Wrestling Hoodie

Nike Blue Prep Wrestling Long Sleeve Tee, Dri Fit

Nike Black Wrestling Hat

The Jay Mart in the Smith Atrium at Prep is open from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on regular school days and 24/7 online at cpjaymart.com! Pay with a credit card, Apple Pay® or Google Pay™, and enjoy free shipping on orders over $100!

For the latest from the Jay Mart, stay tuned to cpjaymart.com and the store's Facebook and/or Instagram pages.

Upcoming Events

Creighton Prep in Phoenix - Thursday, January 30

Father Matthew Spotts, SJ, president of Creighton Prep, cordially invites you to a reception in Phoenix for Prep alumni and friends. Please join us for an evening of fellowship with the Prep family and learn about the exciting things happening at our school.

Among those also attending from Prep is Father Timothy Lannon, SJ, superior of the Omaha Jesuit Community and former Creighton Prep president who is assisting in the advancement office on a part-time basis.

Hosted by Mary Jo and Mike Dahir ‘66

  • Thursday, January 30, 2025
  • Gainey Ranch Golf Club
    • 7600 East Gainey Club Drive in Scottsdale
  • 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Hosted drinks and hors d’oeuvres
  • Prep or business casual attire

Please register at CreightonPrep.org/Phoenix by Friday, January 24. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Brandis Adams at (402) 548-3804.

Creighton Prep in Palm Desert - Saturday, February 22

Father Matthew Spotts, SJ, president of Creighton Prep, cordially invites you to a reception in Palm Desert for Prep alumni and friends. Please join us for an afternoon of fellowship with the Prep family, and learn about the exciting things happening at our school.

Hosted by Julie and Pete Maschka '78

  • Saturday, February 22, 2025
  • La Quinta Resort & Club
    • 49-499 Eisenhower Drive in La Quinta
  • 3:30-6:00 p.m. PT
  • Hosted drinks and hors d’oeuvres
  • Business casual attire

Please register at CreightonPrep.org/PalmDesert by Friday, February 14. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Hannah Pray at (402) 548-3881.

CP Trivia Night - Friday, February 28

CP Trivia Night 2025 is scheduled for Friday, February 28, and we want you to be there!

We are excited to have Mr. Mike Monday serve as our host once again. Mike is a graduate parent that hosts many entertaining trivia nights around town, and this year's event will live up to the same billing!

  • Check-in and social hour begin in the commons at 6 p.m.
  • The trivia contest begins at 7 p.m.
  • Topics are created by the event host.
  • The event concludes and winners are announced at 10 p.m.

The entry fee is $240/table and is purchased at the time of registration. Each table will be allowed a roster of up to eight players but may play with less than eight. The per table cost, however, is not prorated for tables that choose to participate with fewer than eight players. Additional details include:

  • Participants must be 21.
  • Seating is limited to the first 50 registered tables, and the deadline to register is Friday, February 21.
  • Table rosters may be changed prior to the event by the table captain upon check-in.
  • Festive tables and costumes are HIGHLY encouraged, but not required. A prize will be given to the best themed and decorated table, so be creative, but please no decorations extending beyond the sides of the table or obscuring views of the podium.
  • You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages (BYOB). Prep will have a modest bar with beverages available for cash purchase.
  • Raffle prizes, “Heads & Tails” and other games will be offered throughout the night. Thank you for your support of these extra moments!

Register your table today at CreightonPrep.org/Trivia. If you have questions about the event or would like to support it with a sponsorship, please email Director of Alumni Relations Mike Beacom '85.

We can't wait to see you on February 28!

Save the Date for BASH 2025 - Saturday, April 26

Mark your calendars now to join us in April for BASH 2025!

On Monday, April 21 the online auction opens where you can browse and bid on a wide variety of great auction items!

On Saturday, April 26 we will gather as a community in the Heider Center for a wonderful evening of celebration that will include a gourmet dinner, a raffle drawing, auction and raise-the-paddle.

Our annual BASH (Building A Scholastic Heritage) campaign plays a vital role in Prep’s ongoing commitments to educational excellence for 1,000 young men, helping to keep their tuition affordable. This year, we provided $4.5 million in financial assistance to over half of our students and families. Bottom line, ALL FUNDS raised through BASH go to support financial assistance for our students!

At this time, we are asking for auction donations. If you have an item to donate to the online and/or live auction, please fill out the form HERE. Popular items include gift certificates to local area restaurants, tickets to sporting events, themed gift baskets, vacation homes and more!

Watch for more details on BASH 2025 in the weeks and months ahead, including volunteer and additional donation opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Events Amy Knight at aknight@creightonprep.org or (402) 548-3858.

The BASH 2025 executive committee chairs are Amber and Brian Fahey ‘94, Brady and Ryan Gibson ‘93, Abbie Raikes Gouttierre and Adam Gouttierre ‘89, Kara and Tom Kelley ‘94, Beth and Ed McGill ‘85, Lisa and Mike Meridith, and Elen and Justin Shanahan ‘97.

Gift Acknowledgments

Gift Acknowledgments

Alumni Notes

Please Remember
Alumni, Your Help is Needed on PrepConnects

Help Creighton Prep identify the people, events, and dates in Prep photos from the past. Using the “Photos” navigation feature on the PrepConnects platform, open “Archive” albums containing those photos. New albums are created each week. 

Don’t have a PrepConnects account? Simply click here to create a profile and get started. On behalf of the archives team, we appreciate your help!

Episode 3: Jaywalking With Mike Beacom ‘85

See the latest episode of the new video series called “Jaywalking With Mike Beacom ‘85,” featuring Director of Alumni Relations Mike Beacom ‘85 interviewing alumnus Matt Mason from the class of 1986, who recently served for five years as the Nebraska State Poet. 

The next episode of “Jaywalking With Mike Beacom ‘85” is scheduled to be published this Friday, January 17. It will feature an interview with Alex Tietjen from the class of 2024.

Stay tuned to PrepConnects, future Prep Pulse emails and our YouTube channel for more of these fun videos.

Keep up to date on Creighton Prep

To follow us on social media, visit the sites listed just below:

To get the latest information on athletic and student events, download the Go Prep app, which is available on Google Play and on the App Store.

Prep alumni, remember to join PrepConnects to network with your classmates, post a job, promote your business and more on the private social media platform exclusively for you.

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