Cretin-Derham Hall

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New Alumni Board President

Courtney Marek Rankin ‘05, Research Strategist at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Attended: University of Notre Dame, English and Art History

What have you been doing since high school?
I attended the University of Notre Dame, which helped me build a career in development and strategic planning for national nonprofits. After doing some city-hopping for work, I returned to Saint Paul where I live with my husband and two young daughters.

How has your high school experience impacted your life?
Attending CDH was the foundation of my understanding of how to be a good neighbor, a compassionate leader, a critical thinker, and a global citizen.

What advice would you give to a current CDH student?
Cultivate your interests and passions, but try something new, too. If trying new things scares you, you're doing it right. Related: trying, and failing, is okay!

What does being a graduate of Cretin, Derham Hall or CDH mean to you?
Having a built-in community of support rooted in faith, no matter what road life may take you down.

What is your favorite memory from high school?
Going on Senior retreat with my cohort from Janet Watson's Philosophy and Theology class! Also, days when they served soup in a bread bowl in the cafeteria.

What is your favorite CDH event?
Taste of CDH or the annual rivalry football game against Saint Thomas Academy

As a member of the CDH Alumni Board, why is it important to you to support our school?
I want to ensure that CDH is around to provide an outstanding education and high school experience for my daughters, and for their children someday.

New Alumni Board Vice President

Nick Niewinski '06, Account Manager at Venture Solutions

Attended: University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Journalism

What have you been doing since high school?
Earned my undergraduate and MBA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, have held multiple leadership roles within Toastmasters International, currently serve as the Speech Coach at Cretin-Derham Hall.

How has your high school experience impacted your life?
My high school career set me up for both short term and long term success within the Catholic community.

What advice would you give to a current CDH student?
Make the most of the opportunities that you currently have available to you. Participate in multiple co-curricular activities. Diversifying your interests now will benefit you in the long run.

What does being a graduate of Cretin, Derham Hall or CDH mean to you?
It means that I'm part of a life-long community that offers many avenues of success to its participants.

What is your favorite memory from high school?
Multiple performances at the Lillian Theater.

What is your favorite CDH event?
Taste of CDH.

As a member of the CDH Alumni Board, why is it important to you to support our school?
I received a lot of great opportunities as a result of attending high school here. This is a great chance for me to pay those opportunities forward to current students.