by Hailey Hodge
Special to The Leaven
ROELAND PARK — This school year, nine Bishop Miege High School students here were welcomed into the Catholic Church, some through baptism and some by completing their other sacraments of initiation. But all of them arrived at the same destination by remarkably different roads.
For senior Nancy Ivana Baca, the journey began with her freshman brother, Dariel. Watching him enter the church stirred something in her she couldn’t ignore.
“From the moment he got baptized, I knew that I wanted to be baptized as well,” Ivana said.
Her sister Rita, a junior, came along for the ride, though the process wasn’t always easy.
“There were moments of frustration where I didn’t even know if I was going to do this anymore,” Rita said.
Patience, she learned, was part of the formation.
“We just have to be patient,” Rita said. “This is God’s timing, and he knows what is best for us.”
What carried her through was the community — and one teacher in particular.
“I love Mrs. [Kayla] Calvert’s authenticity and strong faith,” Rita said. “As you slowly get involved and give people a chance, the more you learn, the more people will surprise you.”
Community played a role for junior Chase Allenbrand as well. Coming from Mill Valley with no religious background, he didn’t expect faith to become part of his life.
“I came to Miege, and I met a lot of friends who were all Catholics,” Allenbrand said. “I went to Mass with them and felt really inspired.”
He spent a year in OCIA at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee before entering the church.
“You gain so much more knowledge than you’d expect, and it is very hands-on work,” Allenbrand said.
Many students found support through a Tuesday lunch program led by Father Andrew Strobl, who offered preparation classes for any student exploring baptism, confirmation, or the faith.
“Once the Holy Spirit knocks on your heart, you have to answer in some way,” Father Strobl said. “It was just beautiful to see our students open up with such joy and inquisitiveness.”
For junior Teschner Clardy, the journey began with a quiet crisis in 2023.
“I felt empty inside, not knowing what my true purpose as a person was,” Clardy said.
A video online sparked curiosity, which grew into conviction. He asked his family to return to Mass and enrolled in preparation at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, bringing his brothers with him.
“Neither me nor my other brothers were baptized at birth,” Clardy said. “So that was a key factor for us.”
The yearlong process surprised him.
“Since many people here were baptized as babies, they don’t know everything that goes into it,” Clardy said. “People go through many lessons, Lent preparation with a pastor, and extensive prayer.”
Senior Addison Bolte went through preparation with her younger sister, guided by their grandparents, who served as sponsors. She said Miege’s junior retreat was a turning point.
“That’s what really connected me to the Lord,” Bolte said.
Her grandmother’s example — attendance at weekly Mass, volunteering at the food kitchen and serving in the funeral ministry — became a model for her own faith.
“I really admire her relationship with the Lord; it truly inspires me,” Bolte said.
Since Holy Saturday, one theme has echoed through the newly initiated students: gratitude.
Ivana said a phrase from her baptism stuck with her: “How do you measure your gratitude?” And it has shaped her daily life.
Rita has begun writing down her daily intentions, holding onto something campus ministry director Bill Creach told her: “If you’re not willing to be grateful for the little things, you won’t be grateful for the bigger picture.”
Their advice for anyone considering the journey?
“There’s not just one right way,” Rita said. “Trust your gut, and find someone to confide in.”
Hailey Hodge is a senior at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park.
