Dear Oak Grove family and friends,
Having been at Oak Grove since I was four years old in Pre-K, describing our community in a single page feels nearly impossible. What truly makes Oak Grove a community are the teachers, staff, and fellow students who fill it with life, support, and laughter.
One of my favorite examples of that spirit is Camp Invention, held each June at the South Campus. For one week, elementary students from Oak Grove and other schools come together to bring their ideas to life using recyclable materials. As a volunteer Leadership Intern, I’ve had the chance to reconnect with my former kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers, now camp directors and every year, we catch up and share memories. I mean, who gets to follow up annually with the people who helped shape their childhood? On top of this, these teachers welcome not just Oak Grove students, but kids from all over and they’ve trained past participants like me to grow into leadership roles, while creating a safe and inclusive space where creativity blossoms.
More recently, construction at the North Campus called for a new level of teamwork. Students partnered with staff to move everything out of the old Benson Hall to prepare for renovations. We expected it to take all day but thanks to teamwork and determination, we finished in less than half that time. Our school of “little acorns” truly became “mighty oaks,” united in purpose and community.
Over my 14 years at Oak Grove I’ve built close bonds with the staff so close, in fact, that I sometimes slip and call them by their first names. This year, I’ve had the chance to work in the office with Mrs. Vogel as her student aide. She’s the glue that keeps everything running, with her incredible knowledge and leadership. Despite being a superhero she does have a weakness: ice cubes. She strongly dislikes the texture and feeling of ice and thus won’t touch it. She also has some plants in the back of her office that get watered once a week. One plant gets a cup of water while the other must be “fed an ice cube.” After spending all year together with Mrs. Vogel, we have become quite good friends or “colleagues” (although I’m not on the payroll yet, nor have I seen any contributions to my 401k). One day, during the weekly ice cube feeding I decided to lunge towards Mrs. Vogel with her kryptonite, to which she shrieked “AH DON’T DO THAT YOU!” I received a playful shoulder smack and a bright smile.
Oak Grove isn’t just a school—it’s the people who fill its halls, give it heart, and leave lasting impressions. If I could include every impressionable moment in this paper I would, but these stories reflect how faith, friendship, and shared purpose bring us together. After all, what other community lets you chase your boss with a deadly ice cube?
Cole Ohnstad
Class of 2025
Cole highlighted the strength of the Oak Grove community and the richness it brought to their lives. If you are interested in making your family a part of the Oak Grove community, request a tour to see what life on our campus is like!
Additionally, through the generosity of an Oak Grove family, your gifts honoring this year’s graduating class will double! This is the Oak Grove community in action, offering their gifts to support our Oak Grove students. We encourage you to make a gift today, as we honor our seniors and all of the Oak Grove community.
