Around the archdiocese: Student honored for pro-life art; second building phase begins at Duchesne

Sarah Fernandes, a seventh-grader at St. Stephen the Martyr School in Omaha, should be getting used to the accolades.

She is an accomplished pianist and speller, having played the piano in international competitions and at Carnegie Hall and twice making it to the final rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Most recently, though, Sarah can add award-winning drawing artist to her titles.

Her pro-life artwork won a statewide Knights of Columbus Culture of Life Art Contest and will be featured on the organization’s One Rose One Life prayer cards beginning in January.

The St. Stephen the Martyr Knights of Columbus Council #10160 surprised Sarah and her school with a special ceremony on Sept. 6 before an all-school Mass.

There, Sarah was presented with a $200 check, and St. Stephen the Martyr School with a $500 check from the state Knights organization.

Mike Macholan, from the St. Stephen the Martyr Knights of Columbus Council, presents checks to pro-life art contest winner Sarah Fernandes and St. Stephen the Martyr principal Julie Perrault. From left are Macholan, Perrault, Sarah and her mother, Sharmila Braganza. SUSAN SZALEWSKI/STAFF

Her drawing was chosen from thousands of submissions from more than 300 parishes across the state.

St. Stephen the Martyr parishioners will be able to purchase T-shirts with the artwork to raise money for parish pro-life efforts.

Construction begins on athletic complex at Duchesne

COURTESY PHOTO

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha broke ground Sept. 5 on a new athletic complex and commons area that will also serve as a cafeteria.

The $31 million project is part of a second phase of the school’s Campus Master Plan.

The first phase, completed in 2023, restored the academy’s chapel and renovated its theater.

The second phase will include a student commons area, installation of a geothermal system and the state-of-the-art athletic complex, the high school said in a press release.

“With more than 75% of Duchesne students playing at least one sport, this will positively impact future generations of Duchesne students,” the school said.

“This is a dream come true for the Duchesne community,” said Meg Brudney, head of school.

The athletic complex will seat up to 1,200 fans, and includes a turf field, indoor track, expanded weight room, locker rooms and other amenities.

The geothermal system will help Duchesne’s goal of zero carbon emissions by 2045 and is expected to last up to 50 years.

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