When Buddy Ulrich walks across the stage to get his high school diploma this summer, it will be the culminating moment of a 22 year era. He is the eighth and final child of Don and Theresa Ulrich to graduate from Bethlehem.
That’s eight graduation ceremonies, 16 proms, 32 first days of school, 128 report cards, 224 classes, and 5,600 school lunches.
All of the eight children also attended St. Catharine of Alexandria Academy in New Haven and when it came time to choose a high school, Don and Theresa knew they wanted a small school community for their children where spiritual and moral values were taught. There were times when their children had other ideas and asked to go with their friends to public schools. Theresa said, “The answer was always, ‘No, you don’t get to choose’, but every child thanked us in the end. We wanted our children to learn that you have to work hard to feel good about your accomplishments.”
And the Ulrichs are quite accomplished. Theresa attributes some of that success to “Bethlehem’s wonderful teachers and coaches.”
Matt, 2002, has a Master’s in Structural Engineering and is married with four children.
Josh, 2004, earned an associate degree and works as a Diesel Mechanic Manager. He’s married, and has a daughter.
Brian, 2006, served four years of active duty with the marines, earned an associate degree in applied science, works as a Millwright Journeyman and is engaged to be married this August.
Neal, 2009, earned an associate degree and is a Plumber Journeyman. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Jessica Wampler, and they have three sons.
Sarah, 2012, is working in a hospital, pursuing a nursing degree and is engaged to her high school sweetheart, Trent Kramer.
Olivia, 2015, graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in philosophy. She is working on her Master’s of Theology and wants to teach at a Catholic high school.
Becca, 2018, is attending Bellarmine on the Mary Agnes Dugan Clayton Scholarship, is studying nursing, and is on the Dean’s List.
Buddy plans to follow his brother Brian’s footsteps and enroll in an apprenticeship with the Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights.
The Ulrichs’ favorite school traditions are the Baccalaureate Mass, graduation at the Amphitheatre, class retreats (especially senior retreat), and the opportunity to go to Mass and confession.
Connie McDowell had the chance to teach each Ulrich sibling in at least one science course. “Every single one of them was cooperative and pleasant. They just brought positive energy into the classroom; they were bright lights.”
Art teacher Mara Huston also taught all of the Ulrichs and was amazed that they all had artistic talent. Coming from a family of nine herself, Huston found it fascinating to watch each of the Ulrich lives unfold. “They were all gifted artists, and some of them are still creating art.”
Although each child followed the path of the one before, they also found opportunities to let their individual personalities shine at Bethlehem. Collectively, they participated in just about every sport and club offered. Matt ran cross country and track, Josh played baseball. Brian competed in speech, Sarah sang in the choir, Olivia and Becca were both very involved in campus ministry trips and clubs. Don enjoyed being boat captain of Buddy’s bass fishing team, and they were especially proud of Neal for taking on the role of raising and lowering the school’s flag each day.
“Our kids received so much more than just a preparatory education, but we could not have had that without the generosity of others including the Archdiocese of Louisville, Bethlehem, and the Newcomb Family Trust.”
Unfortunately, the Ulrichs long-awaited last graduation celebration will have to wait a little longer due to social distancing precautions. The May ceremony has been postponed until July 19th, but Don and Theresa will sit in the audience proudly, knowing they did as they were called.
“God has blessed us with so much, but we do have to earn our way into heaven. We do that by sacrifice and by what we teach and instill in our children. It’s important to give our children what they need to get to heaven too.”
-Written by Mary Ann Downs, Dean of Academics