August 17, 2025 • 19 mins
Discover the heart and soul of Rockhurst High School through our brand-new podcast, Rock Talk! In this premiere episode, meet your hosts Beth Van Dyke and Steve Redmond from the Admissions and Marketing team as they share their personal connections to "The Rock" and set the stage for what promises to be an enlightening journey into Jesuit education and excellence.
Steve, a proud Rockhurst alumnus from the Class of 2004, brings his perspective as both a former student and current Director of Admissions and Marketing. Beth shares her remarkable family legacy spanning four generations of Hawklets—from her grandfather who attended in the 1940s to her nephew who represents the future Class of 2030. Their combined experiences offer a unique window into why families continue choosing Rockhurst for generations.
The conversation delves into what truly distinguishes Rockhurst from other educational institutions. Beth highlights the transformative power of service immersion trips and the lifelong brotherhood that extends decades beyond graduation, while Steve reflects on the profound impact of teachers and mentors who prioritize developing young men of character over simply teaching subjects. "Accountability and love go hand in hand," Steve notes, capturing the essence of the Rockhurst approach.
Looking ahead, Beth and Steve reveal exciting plans to enhance how they share the Rockhurst story through expanded digital content, student-led initiatives, and authentic storytelling across multiple platforms. They recognize that the most powerful testament to Rockhurst's impact comes from the students themselves—young men who are genuinely excited to be part of this community.
Whether you're a prospective family exploring educational options, a current community member, or an alumnus wanting to stay connected, Rock Talk invites you to experience the brotherhood, excellence, and transformative mission that continues to define Rockhurst High School. Subscribe now and join us next week when we welcome senior student government leaders to discuss what brotherhood means to today's Hawklets!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Rock Talk, the official podcast of
Rockhurst High School in KansasCity, missouri, where we explore
the voices, values and vibrantlife of our Jesuit college prep
community, hosted by theadmissions and marketing team.
Each episode featuresconversations with students,
faculty alumni and specialguests as we share stories of
academic excellence, faithformation, brotherhood and
(00:22):
service.
Whether you're a prospectivefamily, a proud alumnus or
simply curious about what makesRockers unique, this is your
inside look at life at the Rock.
Hello, good afternoon.
We're excited for our firstrendition of Rock Talk with
(00:43):
myself, beth Van Dyke and SteveRedman, my counterpart in the
Office of Admissions andMarketing.
Today we just want to give youa little background on what this
podcast is all about, what youcan kind of expect from us over
the coming year, and hopefullyget you excited to be our
listeners and contributors.
To start off, I thought we'dintroduce ourselves, steve, if
(01:04):
that works for you, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
I think that's a great idea.
For sure you want me to gofirst.
Sure, I'll go first.
Welcome everybody, I'm gladyou're here and if you're
listening to this, it'sobviously going to be a blessing
to you, hopefully.
But I'm Steve Redman.
I am a Rockhurst High Schoolalumni in the class of 2004, the
(01:26):
great class of 2004.
There's a lot of people whocould say that, but recently
hired on as the director ofadmissions and marketing and I'm
excited to be back.
I think over the course of thenext several episodes we can
kind of highlight some otherthings, but just an alumni
looking to get involved with thecommunity and keep the
(01:48):
Rockhurst greatness going.
So what about you?
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I'm Beth Van Dyke.
This is my seventh year atRockhurst in the Admissions and
Marketing Office Recently waspromoted to Director of
Admissions alongside Steve, soI'm excited to work with Steve
and bring some new, fresh ideas,including this podcast Delight
to really offer our prospectivefamilies the best view we
possibly can and most holisticview we possibly can of
(02:14):
Rockhurst High School.
I worked for about 10 years inthe Diocese of Kansas City, st
Joseph, before making my way tothe Rock and, quite frankly,
what brought me here was thestudents, faculty and staff of
this school.
I was really impressed witheverything that they had going
on and kind of the fullformation of young men that I
see going on on this campus, andit was something I wanted to be
(02:36):
a part of.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
So let me ask you this, beth, because I know you
have a longstanding history atthe school and I would love for
you to explain how your familyhas been involved with Rockhurst
over the years.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Absolutely so.
Like Steve said, I come from along line of hawklets, my
grandfather being the first inour family to attend Rockhurst
back in the 1940s.
He lived actually just twodoors down from the Jesuit
residence at Rockhurst back inthe 1940s.
He lived actually just twodoors down from the Jesuit
residence at RockhurstUniversity and so the Jesuits
have been a huge part of ourfamily's lives, Just a support
(03:13):
system, kind of a shepherdinggrace.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I guess you would call them.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
for many generations Following my grandfather, both
my father and my uncle attendedRockers High School and another
one of my uncles also attended.
That is married to my aunt.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
My dad and my uncle are both proud alumni of the
year, so they've both beengraced with that honor from the
alumni committee.
So very active in the school.
Both my brothers attended myolder brother, Joe, graduating
in 99.
My younger brother, Jimmy,graduating in 06.
And then I'm really excitedbecause our newest Hocklett of
(03:55):
the bunch so he will be ourfourth generation Hocklett
Actually, our second fourthgeneration Hocklett my nephew Bo
, is in the prospective class of2030.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Hocklett, my nephew, bo, is in the prospective class
of 2030.
Love it, I love it, and thatwas one thing.
Just a little caveat that I'vealways been super impressed with
, or I just thought was a reallycool thing, is when you have
such a significant like there'sso many guys that come through
here and they're like the 10thmale in their family, whether
it's a brother or cousin orwhatever.
(04:25):
Um, so you know, that was a Ireally enjoy.
That about you is like you.
You, you're connected to thisschool in a way that is, um, I
think, pretty, you know, prettydeep, you know, cause there's
obviously something about thisplace that a family would send
just about every male, if noteach one uh through this
(04:46):
institution.
Uh, I was fortunate, my I wasthe first and, uh, my brother
Benjamin came through in 2013and it's just me and him, so
that's all we got, and I haveall girls and my sister has a
niece, but that's pretty coolfor sure.
Um, I.
That leads me to this questionwhat is your favorite thing
(05:12):
about Rockhurst, given thatyou've been able to, um, know
guys that went here?
You, you know, I mean and not Imean not just friends, but like
your family has been here.
What is one of the one of thefavorite things about this
institution?
Speaker 1 (05:28):
There's a couple of things I think.
Actually, one of our firsttopics that we're going to talk
about in next week's episode isthe idea of brotherhood, and I
think that that is one thingthat strikes me as unique about
this school.
Both my brothers, my dad, arevery close to their classmates
at Rock.
Still to this day, my dad hasWednesday night dinners, now
(05:50):
that he and his buddies aremostly retired from their
careers, where they get togetherand have dinner together, catch
up on life, support each otherthrough difficult times.
So I've really seen this ideaof a lifelong brotherhood that
carries throughout.
My favorite thing as a facultymember myself, faculty and staff
is really the experiences thatI've had going on our Total
(06:14):
Ignition experience trips, whichare service immersion trips
with boys in situations and incountries in which the service
we're providing really makes ahuge difference in families'
lives and seeing how eye-openingthat is for our students who,
no matter where they've comefrom in the Kansas City Metro,
(06:37):
may have never truly experiencedpoverty at the level that we
have on these trips, and so Ithink seeing how that impacts
them, seeing how it reiterateshow fortunate we all are in our
country and in this school tohave access to an education, to
have access to everything weneed in life, is really kind of
(06:58):
a neat experience, and watchingthem kind of transform during
that process is really cool.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
For sure.
The transformative process isamazing here.
And when I think about One ofmy favorite things about
Rockhurst High School, I look atit kind of a two pronged way
that overlap at the same time asa student when I was here, and
not to be cheesy, but the lovethat I was shown here as a
(07:41):
student, as a young man, andthat love I think accountability
and love go hand in hand.
I think expectation and love gohand in hand.
So this is just thisoverarching love that the
leaders of this school wereshowing me, that they were
willing to show.
And as a man, one of myfavorite things is that last
(08:06):
part, which is the leaders ofthis school.
The depth at which they operateis so challenging to articulate
because you know they'resigning up for that, not just
here to teach math, I'm not justhere to teach PE, I am signing
(08:27):
up to lead and help young mengrow.
And the older I get, the more Iappreciate, um, that I was able
to be a part of, uh, of thisinstitution.
So, um, cool, cool, cool, cool.
Let's, um, let's talk aboutthis.
Beth, we are both directors,which is uh, which is a fun
(08:48):
experience.
I I'm very grateful for you, umand and, just to help and
you've shown me being new inthis seat, but I also am very
appreciative of the likemindedness we have around
marketing and where we can gowith.
You know, I don't want to saylow hanging fruit, but just some
(09:09):
ideas that we've thrown on theboard.
So let's talk a little bitabout some of the marketing
changes and the things that wegot coming down the pipe to tune
the listeners into.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Well, Steve, to start off, I already have our first
corrections corner here.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
My brother.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Jimmy graduated in 2005, not 2006.
Clearly really great on thespot.
But in relationship tomarketing, that actually ties
really directly to, I think,what we're aiming to do here and
(09:58):
that is to give people out inthe Kansas City community a true
and see an accurate depictionof what it means to be a
rocker's young man, what itmeans to work in this
environment to support theseyoung men.
You know there's constant fun.
I know you've kind of.
Steve came in during the summerand so he's seen some of the
fun.
But you know, starting nextweek he's going to get to see it
(10:20):
in full gear and full actionwith our orientation kicking off
on Monday.
But there's a lot of fun thatgoes on on this campus and one
of the things that I think wehave potential to grow in is to
showcase um, this amazing stuffthat our students are up to.
And I say stuff that is a verygeneral term for some pretty
(10:42):
excellent things that they'redoing.
So I think having a forum,having a place where families
can go and seek informationabout rockers uh, seek to
experience rockers- in some way.
Um is really important.
So, um, I know one thing likeyou said, we're very like-minded
in that way.
Um, steve has brought a reallygreat perspective on looking at
(11:05):
different formats, differentplatforms, like this podcast.
Um, that we could better tellthe story of rockers.
And so, steve, do you want totalk a little bit about some of
our ideas around?
Some YouTube programming, someoriginal content generated by
our students, things like that.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah, and I don't want to give too many of the
secrets away, but definitelywant to just make you all aware
that the big reason that we'reeven taking these steps is
because there is so much thathappens at Rockhurst High School
, that's connected to RockhurstHigh School, and there's so many
(11:43):
great people that make thisplace go.
It's hard to put that in apamphlet, it's hard to put that
on a mailer that you send out,and being able to create content
that communicates that storywell, um, articulate some of our
messaging well, on whyRockhurst is the choice for your
(12:04):
son, um, why Rockhurst has thislong standing tradition of
excellence and greatness.
And you know, just work in thecommunity.
It's going to require moreavenues.
This podcast is going to be agreat one where we can just, you
know, peek behind the curtainof what some of our young men
are doing.
(12:24):
You know some of the YouTubecontent that I want us to be
able to put out that trulyarticulates, maybe, just as an
example, a message to parentsfrom other parents about stuff
that me and you we might noteven think about saying.
Right, I have all daughters.
Right, I know what it was liketo go here, but what does that
(12:47):
parent need to hear that onlyanother parent could communicate
.
We have the ability to put thatout there.
So, when people are trying tomake this decision an informed
decision you know, I know that'swhat you and I both care about
I want you to make an informeddecision about where you educate
your son and here's the waysthat we're presenting and
communicating our message towhere, when you look at us
(13:08):
externally because that's what alot of people do you can
confidently say that's what Iwant for my son.
I want my son to go to RockhurstHigh School and I have been
able to get as much informationas I can in the formal way and
in the informal way to make thatdecision.
It's going to be an excitingtime because it's needed, in my
(13:31):
opinion.
Um, as I said you'll hear mesay this a million times this is
one of the experiences I stilltalk about to this day to other
parents, other young men.
Uh, my wife is probably sick todeath of it, but that that's
how impactful this place is, andif there's another way for me
(13:53):
to help a family or a young manexperience what I experienced,
um, you know, this marketingeffort is going to be the
biggest show of it.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
So yeah, absolutely, and so some of that will look
like a bit of a remodel, adusting off of our YouTube
channel um and looking at otheravenues to really engage
students in um, having thatlearn, like that learning
experience that's hands-on right.
So much of what we do atRockhurst is prepare students
(14:21):
for a life, a future, in whichthey're out in the workforce,
out doing great things,promoting just causes all of
that good stuff.
So one of the things we reallywant to give is a platform for
our students to have thathands-on learning experience um,
and so this year we're excitedto have some interns joining us
(14:42):
um to be determined at thispoint but, you've got a son in
advanced movie making oradvanced graphic design that
wants some hands-on real lifeexperience, we welcome them as
admissions interns.
So we're really looking forwardto that and creating some more
student-generated content forour families, Because really I
say this to parents all the timeour boys are the biggest
(15:04):
walking billboard for our school.
The way they conduct themselves, the way they interact with
people, the way they show carefor people, the way that they
are excited to be at school, tocome to school.
They don't run out at 2.45,they hang around, and I think
that that really is more of atelling sign than anything else.
(15:25):
All of us who deal with youthor have our own children know
that getting a kid excited tocome to school is a difficult
task at times, even at thebeginning of the school year
sometimes.
So having boys that are excitedto be here every day, excited
to engage on campus and variousdifferent activities, I think is
something that is incrediblyvaluable, and I'm just really
(15:47):
excited that we're going to beable to offer them their own
chance and their own voice toreally um exhibit some of those
things that are involved in 100%, 100%.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
So, with that said and you know we didn't want this
first episode to be too longJust wanted to give you guys, um
, some awareness around the factthat there's going to be some
things changing and you need tobe able to have your radars up
for it and keep your eyes outfor it.
What, um?
Have your radars up for it andkeep your eyes out for it.
What does our next episode looklike, beth?
Speaker 1 (16:15):
I'm really excited about our next episode.
Actually, Today was the firstday we got to see some of our
students back on campus,including our Student Government
Association, so our SGA.
They are our governing force ofstudents on campus that
represent the needs, the wants,the desires of our student body.
So we are really excited towelcome Brendan Ortballs, who is
(16:39):
our current student bodypresident, and Jack McShane, who
is our current senior classpresident, both of the class of
2025.
2025?
Speaker 2 (16:49):
2026?
Yeah, it's 2026.
2026.
2026, sorry.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
So this is the fun of being in admissions when you're
dealing with many years and Ithink that might be my name from
now on is the girl that can'tremember what year it is.
But, yes, our class of 2026.
So they're both members of oursenior class.
We're super excited to see whatthey have planned.
I did get a little bit of apreview.
I listened in a little bit onsome exciting things that our
(17:15):
SGA are up to, but really whatwe're welcoming them to do is to
come in and talk not just aboutwhat student government has as
far as activities planned fornext year, but really to talk on
this idea of brotherhood andwhat brotherhood means to them,
and also to look at some advicemaybe they wish that someone had
given them as they enteredRockhurst, and so if you have a
(17:39):
prospective Hawklet, if you havean incoming freshman, I really
highly recommend you listen in,and if you're a current parent,
I mean great content from thesetwo guys that are really leading
the charge here at Rockhursttoday.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Cool, cool, cool, cool.
Well, gang, that's all we havefor you.
We're excited about thisjourney we're going on.
Obviously, you know we'repassionate about what we do here
at Rockhurst and we're justtrying to bring that to you all
in a different way that helpsyou understand who we are, what
we're about, and you know why wekeep ringing the bell that you
(18:08):
know.
If you've got a young man thatis looking to grow, not just
academically, not just, you know, in a co-curricular standpoint,
but just as a whole person, youneed to give us a check.
You need to come, reach out tous and see what we're all about.
So this is Steve, this is Beth,this is Rock Talk episode one,
(18:29):
and we'll talk soon.
Welcome to Rock Talk, the official podcast of
Rockhurst High School in KansasCity, missouri, where we explore
the voices, values and vibrantlife of our Jesuit college prep
community, hosted by theadmissions and marketing team.
Each episode featuresconversations with students,
faculty alumni and specialguests as we share stories of
academic excellence, faithformation, brotherhood and
(00:22):
service.
Whether you're a prospectivefamily, a proud alumnus or
simply curious about what makesRockers unique, this is your
inside look at life at the Rock.
Hello, good afternoon.
We're excited for our firstrendition of Rock Talk with
(00:43):
myself, beth Van Dyke and SteveRedman, my counterpart in the
Office of Admissions andMarketing.
Today we just want to give youa little background on what this
podcast is all about, what youcan kind of expect from us over
the coming year, and hopefullyget you excited to be our
listeners and contributors.
To start off, I thought we'dintroduce ourselves, steve, if
(01:04):
that works for you, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
I think that's a great idea.
For sure you want me to gofirst.
Sure, I'll go first.
Welcome everybody, I'm gladyou're here and if you're
listening to this, it'sobviously going to be a blessing
to you, hopefully.
But I'm Steve Redman.
I am a Rockhurst High Schoolalumni in the class of 2004, the
(01:26):
great class of 2004.
There's a lot of people whocould say that, but recently
hired on as the director ofadmissions and marketing and I'm
excited to be back.
I think over the course of thenext several episodes we can
kind of highlight some otherthings, but just an alumni
looking to get involved with thecommunity and keep the
(01:48):
Rockhurst greatness going.
So what about you?
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I'm Beth Van Dyke.
This is my seventh year atRockhurst in the Admissions and
Marketing Office Recently waspromoted to Director of
Admissions alongside Steve, soI'm excited to work with Steve
and bring some new, fresh ideas,including this podcast Delight
to really offer our prospectivefamilies the best view we
possibly can and most holisticview we possibly can of
(02:14):
Rockhurst High School.
I worked for about 10 years inthe Diocese of Kansas City, st
Joseph, before making my way tothe Rock and, quite frankly,
what brought me here was thestudents, faculty and staff of
this school.
I was really impressed witheverything that they had going
on and kind of the fullformation of young men that I
see going on on this campus, andit was something I wanted to be
(02:36):
a part of.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
So let me ask you this, beth, because I know you
have a longstanding history atthe school and I would love for
you to explain how your familyhas been involved with Rockhurst
over the years.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Absolutely so.
Like Steve said, I come from along line of hawklets, my
grandfather being the first inour family to attend Rockhurst
back in the 1940s.
He lived actually just twodoors down from the Jesuit
residence at Rockhurst back inthe 1940s.
He lived actually just twodoors down from the Jesuit
residence at RockhurstUniversity and so the Jesuits
have been a huge part of ourfamily's lives, Just a support
(03:13):
system, kind of a shepherdinggrace.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I guess you would call them.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
for many generations Following my grandfather, both
my father and my uncle attendedRockers High School and another
one of my uncles also attended.
That is married to my aunt.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
My dad and my uncle are both proud alumni of the
year, so they've both beengraced with that honor from the
alumni committee.
So very active in the school.
Both my brothers attended myolder brother, Joe, graduating
in 99.
My younger brother, Jimmy,graduating in 06.
And then I'm really excitedbecause our newest Hocklett of
(03:55):
the bunch so he will be ourfourth generation Hocklett
Actually, our second fourthgeneration Hocklett my nephew Bo
, is in the prospective class of2030.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Hocklett, my nephew, bo, is in the prospective class
of 2030.
Love it, I love it, and thatwas one thing.
Just a little caveat that I'vealways been super impressed with
, or I just thought was a reallycool thing, is when you have
such a significant like there'sso many guys that come through
here and they're like the 10thmale in their family, whether
it's a brother or cousin orwhatever.
(04:25):
Um, so you know, that was a Ireally enjoy.
That about you is like you.
You, you're connected to thisschool in a way that is, um, I
think, pretty, you know, prettydeep, you know, cause there's
obviously something about thisplace that a family would send
just about every male, if noteach one uh through this
(04:46):
institution.
Uh, I was fortunate, my I wasthe first and, uh, my brother
Benjamin came through in 2013and it's just me and him, so
that's all we got, and I haveall girls and my sister has a
niece, but that's pretty coolfor sure.
Um, I.
That leads me to this questionwhat is your favorite thing
(05:12):
about Rockhurst, given thatyou've been able to, um, know
guys that went here?
You, you know, I mean and not Imean not just friends, but like
your family has been here.
What is one of the one of thefavorite things about this
institution?
Speaker 1 (05:28):
There's a couple of things I think.
Actually, one of our firsttopics that we're going to talk
about in next week's episode isthe idea of brotherhood, and I
think that that is one thingthat strikes me as unique about
this school.
Both my brothers, my dad, arevery close to their classmates
at Rock.
Still to this day, my dad hasWednesday night dinners, now
(05:50):
that he and his buddies aremostly retired from their
careers, where they get togetherand have dinner together, catch
up on life, support each otherthrough difficult times.
So I've really seen this ideaof a lifelong brotherhood that
carries throughout.
My favorite thing as a facultymember myself, faculty and staff
is really the experiences thatI've had going on our Total
(06:14):
Ignition experience trips, whichare service immersion trips
with boys in situations and incountries in which the service
we're providing really makes ahuge difference in families'
lives and seeing how eye-openingthat is for our students who,
no matter where they've comefrom in the Kansas City Metro,
(06:37):
may have never truly experiencedpoverty at the level that we
have on these trips, and so Ithink seeing how that impacts
them, seeing how it reiterateshow fortunate we all are in our
country and in this school tohave access to an education, to
have access to everything weneed in life, is really kind of
(06:58):
a neat experience, and watchingthem kind of transform during
that process is really cool.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
For sure.
The transformative process isamazing here.
And when I think about One ofmy favorite things about
Rockhurst High School, I look atit kind of a two pronged way
that overlap at the same time asa student when I was here, and
not to be cheesy, but the lovethat I was shown here as a
(07:41):
student, as a young man, andthat love I think accountability
and love go hand in hand.
I think expectation and love gohand in hand.
So this is just thisoverarching love that the
leaders of this school wereshowing me, that they were
willing to show.
And as a man, one of myfavorite things is that last
(08:06):
part, which is the leaders ofthis school.
The depth at which they operateis so challenging to articulate
because you know they'resigning up for that, not just
here to teach math, I'm not justhere to teach PE, I am signing
(08:27):
up to lead and help young mengrow.
And the older I get, the more Iappreciate, um, that I was able
to be a part of, uh, of thisinstitution.
So, um, cool, cool, cool, cool.
Let's, um, let's talk aboutthis.
Beth, we are both directors,which is uh, which is a fun
(08:48):
experience.
I I'm very grateful for you, umand and, just to help and
you've shown me being new inthis seat, but I also am very
appreciative of the likemindedness we have around
marketing and where we can gowith.
You know, I don't want to saylow hanging fruit, but just some
(09:09):
ideas that we've thrown on theboard.
So let's talk a little bitabout some of the marketing
changes and the things that wegot coming down the pipe to tune
the listeners into.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Well, Steve, to start off, I already have our first
corrections corner here.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
My brother.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Jimmy graduated in 2005, not 2006.
Clearly really great on thespot.
But in relationship tomarketing, that actually ties
really directly to, I think,what we're aiming to do here and
(09:58):
that is to give people out inthe Kansas City community a true
and see an accurate depictionof what it means to be a
rocker's young man, what itmeans to work in this
environment to support theseyoung men.
You know there's constant fun.
I know you've kind of.
Steve came in during the summerand so he's seen some of the
fun.
But you know, starting nextweek he's going to get to see it
(10:20):
in full gear and full actionwith our orientation kicking off
on Monday.
But there's a lot of fun thatgoes on on this campus and one
of the things that I think wehave potential to grow in is to
showcase um, this amazing stuffthat our students are up to.
And I say stuff that is a verygeneral term for some pretty
(10:42):
excellent things that they'redoing.
So I think having a forum,having a place where families
can go and seek informationabout rockers uh, seek to
experience rockers- in some way.
Um is really important.
So, um, I know one thing likeyou said, we're very like-minded
in that way.
Um, steve has brought a reallygreat perspective on looking at
(11:05):
different formats, differentplatforms, like this podcast.
Um, that we could better tellthe story of rockers.
And so, steve, do you want totalk a little bit about some of
our ideas around?
Some YouTube programming, someoriginal content generated by
our students, things like that.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah, and I don't want to give too many of the
secrets away, but definitelywant to just make you all aware
that the big reason that we'reeven taking these steps is
because there is so much thathappens at Rockhurst High School
, that's connected to RockhurstHigh School, and there's so many
(11:43):
great people that make thisplace go.
It's hard to put that in apamphlet, it's hard to put that
on a mailer that you send out,and being able to create content
that communicates that storywell, um, articulate some of our
messaging well, on whyRockhurst is the choice for your
(12:04):
son, um, why Rockhurst has thislong standing tradition of
excellence and greatness.
And you know, just work in thecommunity.
It's going to require moreavenues.
This podcast is going to be agreat one where we can just, you
know, peek behind the curtainof what some of our young men
are doing.
(12:24):
You know some of the YouTubecontent that I want us to be
able to put out that trulyarticulates, maybe, just as an
example, a message to parentsfrom other parents about stuff
that me and you we might noteven think about saying.
Right, I have all daughters.
Right, I know what it was liketo go here, but what does that
(12:47):
parent need to hear that onlyanother parent could communicate
.
We have the ability to put thatout there.
So, when people are trying tomake this decision an informed
decision you know, I know that'swhat you and I both care about
I want you to make an informeddecision about where you educate
your son and here's the waysthat we're presenting and
communicating our message towhere, when you look at us
(13:08):
externally because that's what alot of people do you can
confidently say that's what Iwant for my son.
I want my son to go to RockhurstHigh School and I have been
able to get as much informationas I can in the formal way and
in the informal way to make thatdecision.
It's going to be an excitingtime because it's needed, in my
(13:31):
opinion.
Um, as I said you'll hear mesay this a million times this is
one of the experiences I stilltalk about to this day to other
parents, other young men.
Uh, my wife is probably sick todeath of it, but that that's
how impactful this place is, andif there's another way for me
(13:53):
to help a family or a young manexperience what I experienced,
um, you know, this marketingeffort is going to be the
biggest show of it.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
So yeah, absolutely, and so some of that will look
like a bit of a remodel, adusting off of our YouTube
channel um and looking at otheravenues to really engage
students in um, having thatlearn, like that learning
experience that's hands-on right.
So much of what we do atRockhurst is prepare students
(14:21):
for a life, a future, in whichthey're out in the workforce,
out doing great things,promoting just causes all of
that good stuff.
So one of the things we reallywant to give is a platform for
our students to have thathands-on learning experience um,
and so this year we're excitedto have some interns joining us
(14:42):
um to be determined at thispoint but, you've got a son in
advanced movie making oradvanced graphic design that
wants some hands-on real lifeexperience, we welcome them as
admissions interns.
So we're really looking forwardto that and creating some more
student-generated content forour families, Because really I
say this to parents all the timeour boys are the biggest
(15:04):
walking billboard for our school.
The way they conduct themselves, the way they interact with
people, the way they show carefor people, the way that they
are excited to be at school, tocome to school.
They don't run out at 2.45,they hang around, and I think
that that really is more of atelling sign than anything else.
(15:25):
All of us who deal with youthor have our own children know
that getting a kid excited tocome to school is a difficult
task at times, even at thebeginning of the school year
sometimes.
So having boys that are excitedto be here every day, excited
to engage on campus and variousdifferent activities, I think is
something that is incrediblyvaluable, and I'm just really
(15:47):
excited that we're going to beable to offer them their own
chance and their own voice toreally um exhibit some of those
things that are involved in 100%, 100%.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
So, with that said and you know we didn't want this
first episode to be too longJust wanted to give you guys, um
, some awareness around the factthat there's going to be some
things changing and you need tobe able to have your radars up
for it and keep your eyes outfor it.
What, um?
Have your radars up for it andkeep your eyes out for it.
What does our next episode looklike, beth?
Speaker 1 (16:15):
I'm really excited about our next episode.
Actually, Today was the firstday we got to see some of our
students back on campus,including our Student Government
Association, so our SGA.
They are our governing force ofstudents on campus that
represent the needs, the wants,the desires of our student body.
So we are really excited towelcome Brendan Ortballs, who is
(16:39):
our current student bodypresident, and Jack McShane, who
is our current senior classpresident, both of the class of
2025.
2025?
Speaker 2 (16:49):
2026?
Yeah, it's 2026.
2026.
2026, sorry.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
So this is the fun of being in admissions when you're
dealing with many years and Ithink that might be my name from
now on is the girl that can'tremember what year it is.
But, yes, our class of 2026.
So they're both members of oursenior class.
We're super excited to see whatthey have planned.
I did get a little bit of apreview.
I listened in a little bit onsome exciting things that our
(17:15):
SGA are up to, but really whatwe're welcoming them to do is to
come in and talk not just aboutwhat student government has as
far as activities planned fornext year, but really to talk on
this idea of brotherhood andwhat brotherhood means to them,
and also to look at some advicemaybe they wish that someone had
given them as they enteredRockhurst, and so if you have a
(17:39):
prospective Hawklet, if you havean incoming freshman, I really
highly recommend you listen in,and if you're a current parent,
I mean great content from thesetwo guys that are really leading
the charge here at Rockhursttoday.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Cool, cool, cool, cool.
Well, gang, that's all we havefor you.
We're excited about thisjourney we're going on.
Obviously, you know we'repassionate about what we do here
at Rockhurst and we're justtrying to bring that to you all
in a different way that helpsyou understand who we are, what
we're about, and you know why wekeep ringing the bell that you
(18:08):
know.
If you've got a young man thatis looking to grow, not just
academically, not just, you know, in a co-curricular standpoint,
but just as a whole person, youneed to give us a check.
You need to come, reach out tous and see what we're all about.
So this is Steve, this is Beth,this is Rock Talk episode one,
(18:29):
and we'll talk soon.
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