Our annual May Crowning Mass honors Mary and our seniors, for whom this is the last All School Mass at Pius X!

In this episode of We Are Pius, we highlight the quiet but powerful work of Ali Hernandez, translator, para educator, mentor, and bridge‑builder at Pius X High School. If you’ve attended a parent‑teacher conference, a school Mass, or a community event and heard a calm, confident voice helping families navigate language barriers with grace—you’ve experienced Ali’s impact.

Ali shares her journey into education, how her own family’s experiences shaped her passion for service, and the meaningful ways she supports Spanish‑speaking students and families so they feel welcomed, understood, and fully at home in the Thunderbolt community. Rooted in faith, humility, and a deep desire to serve, this conversation beautifully captures how presence, compassion, and connection strengthen the heart of a Catholic school.

In this episode of We Are Pius, we celebrate a historic season for the Pius X Dance Team, culminating in an unforgettable trip to national competition in Florida. Under the leadership of coaches Aja King and Niki Schnabel, and guided by student leaders MariElena Brown and Mary Ellerbee, the Thunderbolts brought passion, discipline, and faith to one of the biggest stages in high school dance.

Listeners will hear what it took to transform months of summer preparation into powerful national‑level performances, how the team built trust and sisterhood through adversity, and why prayer and faith grounded every step of their journey. This conversation highlights not just elite performance—but purpose, unity, and what it truly means to “show up” for one another.

In this episode of We Are Pius, we celebrate an extraordinary season for the Pius X Cheer Squad, a season defined by discipline, trust, and Thunderbolt pride. The squad earned a fourth‑place finish at the Nebraska State Cheer Competition with a zero‑deduction routine, took third place at the Heartland Conference, and was honored with the Academic Excellence Award, showcasing excellence both on the mat and in the classroom.

Head coach Caycee Hays is joined by senior Caylee Schlautman and junior Leah Christline to reflect on the preparation, pressure, and teamwork that made this season unforgettable. From navigating adversity—including an unexpected overnight stay after state—to grounding every performance in faith and prayer, this conversation highlights what it truly means to represent Pius with integrity, resilience, and spirit.

This episode of We Are Pius takes you inside one of the most electrifying seasons in Pius X bowling history. The Thunderbolt girls claimed the 2026 district championship and punched their ticket to the state semifinals, while the boys team surged all the way from the district championship to the Class B state championship match, finishing as state runners‑up.

Standout bowling seniors Frannie Nebel and Sam Aschwege join the show to unpack the precision, pressure, team chemistry, and competitive fire that fueled their remarkable postseason run. From mastering mental routines to bowling in high‑energy atmospheres packed with fans, and from celebrating incredible coaching to reflecting on perseverance and faith, this episode highlights what makes Pius Bowling—and these athletes—so special.

We dive “under the sea” with the stars of the Pius X Spring Musical, The Little Mermaid! Cast members Samuel Brandl (Sebastian), Maggie Carpenter (Ariel), and Nolan Wemhoff (Prince Eric) share how they’re bringing Disney’s beloved characters to life—despite rehearsing in tight spaces, navigating a construction‑year performance shift to Lincoln North Star, and building a vibrant underwater world with the help of an extraordinary crew.

They discuss character development, favorite moments, the power of ensemble unity, and the deep faith and prayer life that ground Pius Players. Listeners will get a joyful, heartfelt look at what makes this production—and this program—so special.

Tickets on sale now for March 12-15 at PiusX.net/musical.

Principal Jennifer Tran and pediatrician Dr. Phil Boucher join Jeremy Ekeler to tackle one of the most urgent challenges facing families and schools today: kids, technology, and screens.

Together, they explore how smartphones and personalized digital content have reshaped childhood, why parents were unprepared for the rapid technological shift, and how screen overuse impacts mental health, resilience, social development, and family relationships. They discuss Pius X’s new phone‑free school policy, how it has transformed the hallways, and practical strategies for parents who want to regain control at home without shame or fear.

Rooted in research, lived experience, and a deep love for students’ wellbeing, this episode offers encouragement, clarity, and concrete steps for raising healthy, resilient kids in a digital world.

Senior Erica Horne shared a powerful testimony at RESTORE about moving from doubt and despair to a renewed relationship with Christ. After losing loved ones and feeling spiritually empty, she finally accepted an invitation to RESTORE, where adoration and confession transformed her outlook. She discovered authentic joy and a sense of identity rooted in God’s love. Erica encouraged students to let their faith shine so others can find hope through them. (Erica is pictured in the middle with two friends.)

This RESTORE talk was recorded by junior Isaac Baehr, and edited and produced by sophomore Eli Siebert, a student in the Digital Media I class.

Meet Coach Abby (Burt) Fox, the newly named head volleyball coach at Pius X High School. A proud alum, former state champion, and lifelong lover of the game, Coach Fox shares her journey from growing up in a big Catholic sports family to discovering volleyball as her passion and purpose. She opens up about the mentors who shaped her, her disciplined yet relationship‑centered coaching philosophy, and her vision for building a culture rooted in faith, accountability, confidence, and joy.

Listeners will hear why returning “home” to Pius means so much to her, what she hopes to build for this new era of Thunderbolt volleyball, and how she plans to form young women both on and off the court. Inspiring, grounded, and mission‑driven—this is a can’t‑miss introduction to one of the newest leaders in our community.

Meet Coach Michael Grindey, the newly named head football coach at Pius X High School. Coach Grindey shares his journey from growing up in a sports‑centered, faith‑filled family to discovering a coaching philosophy rooted in surrender, transformation, and the love of Christ. He opens up about the mentors who shaped him—including his father, his college coaches, and Monsignor Tucker—and the pivotal moments that deepened his faith.

Listeners will hear how Coach Grindey plans to build a program grounded in discipline, identity, and spiritual formation while uniting the Lincoln Catholic community on Friday nights. His passion, humility, and desire to lead young men to Christ through football make this an episode Thunderbolt Nation won’t want to miss.