Building a class of spiritual leaders, one small group at a time

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

High school is a time to start defining yourself. New opportunities, more competitive sports, high academic expectations and new friends can make the experience overwhelming.

The Campus Ministry department at O’Gorman High School, led by former FOCUS missionary Brian Stai, recognized how valuable student-led Bible study groups can be.

“I had a deeper conversion in my own faith life my junior year of college at South Dakota State. Small groups and Bible studies were a big part of the Newman Center community I was involved in. I saw how powerful it could be to learn and share together in small groups,” Stai said.

Seniors at O’Gorman were given the opportunity to lead small groups and were excited to mentor underclassmen. Many of the current student leaders participated as underclassmen in student-led groups and recognized the value those leaders had on their life. They desired to be held accountable through a leadership position, to inspire others and to grow closer to friends they may not have otherwise known.

Maeve Boetel, class of 2023, is a captain of the O’G gymnastics team, a member of Knights for a Cure, a track athlete, student ambassador and a member of the Environmental Awareness Club.

“I wanted to lead a small group because freshman year I was in a small group, and I had a very positive experience that helped me to grow in my faith, and I wanted to be a mentor like my small-group leader was to me,” she said.

Like many of the small groups, Boetel’s meets once a week during the lunch period. “I think my small group is special because it is my sister and her friends,” she said. “This gives us a foundation that allows us to go deep in our discussion about God and other things going on in their lives.”  

Audrey Meyer has led multiple small groups and enjoys the opportunity the groups give her to be a leader and be accountable.

“Having a leadership role in my faith life holds me accountable. In order to be teaching younger girls, it is important to set a good example and live out the life that I am proclaiming to them,” she said. “Even though I am a leader, I constantly find myself learning from the younger girls in my group. We help each other live faith-filled lives, and I am forever grateful for that.”

Meyer is a captain of the O’G gymnastics and track sprint teams, a member of the dance team and participates in a variety of other clubs. 

As an underclassman, Madelyn Friedman was inspired by her small-group leaders to become a leader when the time was right.

“I was in a small group during my sophomore year, but I wasn’t in the leadership position. The leaders in that group were upperclassmen and very inspiring young women of faith,” she said. “I saw the joy and confidence they had while speaking about their faith and relationship with the Lord. As a result, I had a desire to also share the faith with other girls and encourage them to live a life directed towards Christ.” 

Now, she co-leads a group and hopes to show others that true happiness is found when you find freedom in the Lord.

“My main goal is for people to look at me and think ‘she has so much joy’ and then hopefully come to the conclusion that the joy comes from the Lord,” Friedman said.

Kyle Konechne has led a small group of underclassmen boys as well as a small group for other leaders. He recognized during a Campus Ministry retreat the value leadership can have.

“I looked up to the leaders there as being a positive role model to strive to be like,” he said.

He noticed the positive impact being a leader had on his relationship with God and how the role allowed him to see changes in other people’s faith lives. Being a witness to others’ experiences and faith transformation has led him to desire continuing a similar role this fall in college.

Through the process of establishing the small groups, Stai has seen each student grow in his or her leadership.

“To see how they desire to help their peers and younger students grow in their faith journeys is amazing. These students not only represent O’Gorman but also represent Christ to their peers,” he said.

Leadership skills are developed every day through interactions. The small-group program at O’Gorman High School is here to stay, Stai added.

“I see a continuation of student-led and staff-led small groups. We have heard a lot of positive feedback from students in these groups, and I think some of the most powerful witnesses to the students are their peers,” he said. “Each year, we have turnover with seniors graduating, but it is always encouraging to see new students rise up to the call of discipleship and want to be a witness to their classmates. We love giving opportunities for students to lead at The Well, on retreats, on service outings and, of course, in small groups!”

Culture in the classroom and beyond attracts teachers to Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools