The Crusader
Upcoming Events
- 08/03/2026
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Student Life Committee
08/03/2026 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
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- 08/11/2026
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Council Meeting
08/11/2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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- 08/26/2026
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Open House - Grade School
08/26/2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
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High School Open House and Cookout
08/26/2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Holy Name High School - A Chesterton Academy, 2203 7th Ave S, Escanaba, MI 49829, USA
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Brief Viau
hnc-admin2026-07-09T22:35:47-04:00July 9th, 2026|
A Few “Brief” Notes from the Principal
Hello Crusader Families!
I hope that you are enjoying your summer! While school may not be in session, there is a lot going on inside as we are preparing for the 26-27 school year. I’m very excited to announce that we have hired Mr. Phil Niswonger as the 7th-12th Grade Math teacher! Mr. Niswonger has a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in Mathematics. He has taught at the college level as well as the last three years as the 7th-12th Grade Math teacher at Mid-Pen. Mr. Niswonger currently lives in Gladstone with his wife and they have four children. Please watch for a Facebook post later today with more information on Mr. Niswonger, and please join us in welcoming him to our Holy Name Family!
As previously announced, Mr. Derkos will be teaching Middle School Math, but he will only be teaching 6th Grade Math. However, Mr. Derkos will also be teaching PE at the High School and still working hard as our amazing Athletic Director. Please help in congratulating him on these new endeavors. We also have a 5th Grade teacher that I am very anxious to announce, but I can’t make that announcement until all the paperwork is official, so please stay tuned as we have another great addition to our Holy Name Family.
As if the excitement of new teachers wasn’t enough, The Knights of Columbus are doing a fabulous job on the locker room renovation! We are so blessed to have their wisdom and expertise, but they need YOUR help! In order to get everything completed by the beginning of school, they need more hands on deck. If you’re able to donate any amount of your time and muscles, we would appreciate it. You can sign up to help by using this link, https://www.holynamecrusaders.com/athletics-remodel-project/, or calling the school office. You can also watch the progress unfold through pictures posted on Facebook and on our website. Thank you in advance for your donations of time, money, and effort.
Our Summer Academy has officially kicked off this week and there is already a lot of fun, learning, and giggles coming from the Elementary wing. While it’s too late to sign up for Summer Academy, it’s not too late to register for the 26-27 school year! If you haven’t already registered, please do so by using this link, https://www.holynamecrusaders.com/admission/. You can also use that link to apply for tuition assistance. The deadline for tuition assistance is August 1st, so please don’t delay!
Mrs. Viau and I recently attended the Chesterton Schools Network Conference where we learned a lot of new and exciting features of a Chesterton Academy. We’ve already started using some of the things we learned as we’re preparing for a new school year. We were also able to connect with other Principals, Headmasters, and Teachers and formed a growing network for ourselves and our teachers. We are very excited to share all that we learned with the High School teachers, students, and families. However, with that being said, Mrs. Viau and I will be trying to enjoy a little bit of vacation time with our own families this July. We’ll still be checking email and stopping by the schools at least once a week, but if you need assistance more promptly, please reach out to Mrs. Lynch, Administrative Assistant, during summer office hours at 906-786-7550 or via email at office@holynamecrusaders.com.
I pray that you continue to have a fun, safe summer!
God bless,
Mrs. Brief 😀
A “Viau” from the Headmaster
Hello Crusader Families!
I hope you’re all enjoying your summer and getting in some good time with your family and friends. Just a few things happening on my end to tell you about. Mrs. Brief and I attended the Chesterton Schools Network Summit at the end of June and it was FANTASTIC. I learned so much and am grateful for the opportunity to attend.
You all should have received an email from me last week about uniforms. Please be sure to get those ordered ASAP because they take so long to arrive.
Mark your calendars for August 26 at 5:30 for our Open House Cookout at the high school. Watch your emails for more information about this at the end of July.
I’m technically not working in my office during the month of July. However, I will be checking email periodically and will have a couple of days in the office the remainder of the month. If you need me, please email me but allow for time to get a response.
Thanks so much everyone and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Erin Viau
Headmaster
News
Principal for the Day
hnc-admin2026-04-29T09:03:33-04:00April 28th, 2026|
Mr. Walksnice did a great job as Principal for the Day! He started out with a donut with Mrs. Brief as they planned their day. Mr. Walksnice led Convo and visited all the classrooms at the Grade School & High School! He even gave orders for some classes to run laps! His class enjoyed a pizza party lunch & extra recess, all thanks to him. He even declared a NUT Day & No Homework for ALL Crusaders! Thanks for a special day, Mr. Walksnice!
Choir Pictures
hnc-admin2026-04-30T11:29:50-04:00April 28th, 2026|
Check out these pictures of the Holy Name High School Choir preparing for their spring concert! All grades in 1st -12th grade have been working hard to bring you beautiful music for their concerts!
The Spring concert for 1st-4th grade will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. and the 5-12th grade concert will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. Both concerts will take place in the gymnasium at the elementary school. We hope to see you there!
Mental Health Awareness Month!
hnc-admin2026-04-29T09:06:28-04:00April 25th, 2026|
Help Us Celebrate May Mental Health Awareness Month!! Check out this informational flyer from our Delta-Schoolcraft ISD!

Where Does Spring Fling Money Go?
hnc-admin2026-04-24T09:20:05-04:00April 23rd, 2026|
— Jane Arts / Alumni & Advancement
Where Does Spring Fling Money Go? Students were asking me this last week as they helped move chairs, set tables, and haul bins up and down the stairs. The simple answer is: Spring Fling helps keep tuition more affordable for your family.
But what does that really mean? Where does it fit into the budget?
Spring Fling proceeds go into the General Fund. The General Fund isn’t flashy or tied to a single project like a locker room campaign or a tuition assistance drive. Instead, it quietly supports the everyday needs that keep the school running—things like utilities, supplies, staffing, and all the behind-the-scenes essentials that make everything else possible.
So, while it may not feel glamorous to raise money for the electric bill or an extra ream of copy paper, it is the steady, dependable fund that keeps the school running strong every single day.
And that’s exactly why your support matters. Because of Spring Fling, the doors stay open, the lights stay on, and our students have a place to learn, grow, and thrive. It may not be flashy, but it is essential, and it – and you – made a real difference.
Thank you for a successful Spring Fling 2026! 💚💙💚

From the Home and School Association
hnc-admin2026-04-23T22:11:20-04:00April 23rd, 2026|
It’s that time of year again—elections for open positions on the Home & School Board will be held at our next meeting on May 13 at 5:30 PM in the library conference room.
The positions up for election this year include:
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Parent Representative #2
These roles are currently held by Jessica Nolde, Shannon Dutkavich, and Megan Haas, and each position carries a two-year term.
If you are interested in being considered for any of these positions, please reach out to Jacquelyn Trask-Rahn at jacquelyn.rahn@gmail.com or via text at 906-399-6640.
If you’d like to learn more about Home & School or what these roles involve, we encourage you to connect as well. We would love to see more parents get involved—whether that means running for a position or simply shadowing a role to learn more.
With several current board members having children moving on to high school in the next 1–2 years, this is a great opportunity to get involved and help support a smooth transition for the future of the organization.
FREE Sports Physicals!
hnc-admin2026-04-23T22:13:57-04:00April 21st, 2026|
The Center for Youth Health & Wellness will again be offering FREE sports physicals this year for area youth!
Parents can call The Center at (906) 786-1672 to schedule an appointment.

FREE GSRP for 4 Year Olds!
hnc-admin2026-04-23T22:20:35-04:00April 19th, 2026|

Spring Fling is Happening Now!
hnc-admin2026-04-17T02:21:21-04:00April 17th, 2026|
Spring Fling 2026 is LIVE!
Our Online Silent Auction is live and bidding is active now. Check out all the amazing items here… https://holynamespringfling.maxgiving.bid/items
There is a Special Opportunity to Purchase one(1) of only ten(10) tickets to a ‘Day on the Ranch’ with Mrs. Webber… available here… https://holynamespringfling.maxgiving.bid/itemsalesDetail/12929
If you already have your tickets purchased for Saturday, watch for a Text Message or Email with Instructions to PreRegister and then you’ll be able to bid on Auction Items, and it will make Check-In faster tomorrow. Contact Jane if you haven’t received your Pre-Registration Invite.
Check out Facebook for a Sneak-Peek at how the gym has been transformed, and to see the enormous amount of prizes available!












