Concordia Alumni Connection

October 2023

From KCRO to OUInsider, Thune a Success

Broadcast journalism has been a passion of Parker Thune since high school when he hosted a weekly sports talk show on KCRO in Omaha. Following his 2017 graduation from Concordia, Thune headed south to Sooner Country, where he joined the broadcasting program and became involved with television. By the time he graduated, he had received 24 awards for his work as a student journalist at OU, where he earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and a master's in intercollegiate athletics administration. Omaha was not forgotten during his college experiences; Thune returned in 2019 for an internship at KETV. (pictured above)

Today, he covers his alma mater as a reporter and radio host providing coverage of OU football for the OUInsider and co-hosting several midday radio shows on Ref Sports Radio Network. Looking back to his time at KCRO in Omaha, Thune thanks Concordia for their part in supporting the radio show that launched his career.

Reminiscing about his time at Concordia, Thune has great memories of friendships, baseball games, and classes. He has immense respect for the teachers he had for religion classes and the discussions they brought about. Thune says, "Those classes helped me understand that you won't agree with all of the specific beliefs held by the person next to you." He recalls long discussions after school with Mr. Oswald, "we typically wouldn't come to an agreement, but there was always the knowledge that we believe in the same Creator, God, and risen Savior.

In Mr. Winter's first year at Concordia, he managed to leave a big impression on Thune when he joined forces with Mr. Oswald to convince Thune he should join their speech/debate team. "As much lighthearted fun as I had with those two teachers, I also vividly remember the day they prayed with me over my college decision in an empty classroom long after the bell rang," Thune recalls.

Recently married, Parker and his wife Rebekah both serve their church, The Well, in various ministries.

Alumni Giving Back

Concordia is once again blessed to have many alumni come back and help with teams, clubs, and even in the Admissions office. Can you spot the alumni coaches in the Jr. High football team photo?

This year we have the following Mustangs giving of their time and talents:

Bailey Larson '22 assists Mrs. Cooksey with social media posts and score updates.

Carley Schwarting '18 and Reagan Garvey '19 help coach Jr. High Track & Field.

Alli (Day) Hawk '11 is the Assistant Coach for the One Act team.

Joe Hawk '10 assists with the Mock Trial team.

Nick Asche '20 and Troy Eastman '23 are assisting with the wrestling program.

Tori Jones '17 is coaching 5th grade volleyball.

Ryan Salak '17 assisted with directing the band at the recent Oktoberfest!

Lizzy Holmes '12 will be coaching 6th grade girls' basketball.

Cody Thompson '17 and Grant Korte '18 served as assistant coaches with the Jr. High football team.

Peter Handke '19 and David Cook '19 are lead coaches for the 7th grade boys' basketball team.

Max Meier '19 will be serving as the Freshmen boys' basketball coach.

Go Stangs!!

Upcoming Events

CHECK OUT ALL CONCORDIA SR. HIGH ACTIVITIES HERE!

The 2023 One Act Home Show will be on Saturday, November 12th. There will be two showings; 5pm & 7pm. This year's play was written by our own Mr. Chase Winter!

Christmas Concert Schedule

Thursday December 14th- Jr. High @ 7pm

Friday, December 15th- Sr. High @ 7pm

Both nights will include a

Concordia Student Art Show at 6:30 pm!

New Staff 2023-2024

Danielle Cornell '06 is very excited to be back at Concordia, now in a staff role as the School Nurse. She was part of the second class to graduate from Concordia Jr.-Sr. High. Danielle then went to Clarkson College and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has been a practicing nurse for 12 years, with most of that time spent in oncology. Her husband, Stephen, is also a Concordia alum. They have three children, two of whom attend Concordia Academy.

Natasha Jensen is part of the Concordia team in the English Department. She graduated from Hastings College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a Master of Arts in Education. Natasha began her education career teaching Jr. - Sr. High in 2014 and, since moving to the Omaha area in 2015, has been focused on middle school English Language Arts.

Question of the Month... Results are in!

Last month we asked for votes on a name for the alumni newsletter and the results are in! Voting shows that you all like the current name so the name will remain... Concordia Alumni Connection!

Construction Update

While the West end of the building sees the progression of the new Worship Arts & Activities Center the former entrance is being transformed into what will become new classrooms. The new addition on the South side of the Main Gym will become the new Administration wing, housing the new main entrance and offices for the Jr. - Sr. High.

Keep Us in the Loop!

Update us on your special news and events!

Alumni Update Form

Friends of Concordia, parents, and grandparents,

make sure we have your contact info!

Contact Information Form

Alumni Updates

Congrats to Calie Jacobsen '11 who recently received a promotion to Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Core! Calie is an intermediate level task analyst at Training and Education Command supporting aviation maintenance as a subject matter expert.

Hannah (Meyer) Hamilton '11 and her husband, Hank, welcomed their third baby in July. Welcome to Hazel Alaina!!

Blessings to Madi (Hawkins) Roe '12 and her husband, Tanner, who welcomed their first baby, James Swede, in July.

Reid Doehling '17 started classes at the Kansas City Art Institute! Reid had several of his pieces in Omaha exhibitions including the recent Nebraska Biennial. Check out his work on Instagram: @rcdoehling

Kamon Mahoney '17 graduated from GCU in 2021 with a Bachelors in Sports Management. He is currently living in the Omaha area and working as a Sales Development Rep for Oxen Technology, and Core10.

Amy Day '18 recently stopped by campus to view all of the recent changes. She was happy to see the State banner still hanging from her time on the One Act team. Amy is living and working in the Omaha area as a florist at Lavish Floral Design.

Ciara Fortun '18 is extremely busy these days running her freelance art studio, Art in the Dark Studios! She has primarily focused on album cover art, merchandise design, and paintings. Ciara is also involved with a citywide ministry team that hosts the Within Reach event. She attends Lifegate church where she volunteers with youth and prayer.

Sara (Braga) Kroft '19 graduated from UNO with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Sara is now working for Scoular, in Omaha, as an Associate Systems Analyst.

Congrats to Kalynn Doehling '20 who received her white coat in August as she began pharmacy classes at UNMC in Omaha.

Way to go Taryn Hamill '21!! Taryn is a photographer for the University of Nebraska Lincoln's Athletics Communications Team. Taryn shot her first football game recently!

Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha

15656 Fort St.

Omaha, NE 68116

office: 402-445-4000

CONCORDIAOMAHA.ORG