The Aggie Archives - School Website

Class of 2013
was also an integral part of the concert
band and the concert chorale, where she
performed with the Madrigal Singers. In
each of these activities, sports, and fine arts
programs, Julia was a well-respected leader.
Julia received special recognition at the
Academic Convocation, where in addition
to earning department honors for Band and
History, she was recognized with a special
award from the United States Marine
Corps Youth Foundation; the Semper Fidelis
award, given to one graduating senior for
musical excellence. In her Valedictory
address, Julia gave the following guidance
to her peers: “Be yourself. By that I mean
remain the person that Saint Agnes School
taught you to be. That is, a person who goes
out into the world bearing witness to our
Catholic Christian faith.” She continued
to comment on the many challenges that
will face our graduates such as secularism
and the prominence of moral relativism in
our society. Recalling how her now Alma
Mater has taught her to persevere through
struggles, she commented: “Some of us
were here in 2007 as sixth graders when
the school was about to close, but through
the hard work of many who believed in the
mission of Saint Agnes, the school was saved.
And exactly five years later Saint Agnes was
named one of the Top Fifty Catholic schools
in the nation.”
Julia continues a family tradition of
being at the top of her class; her mother,
Julianne (Ewald) Knapp, an Aggie alumna
and Salutatorian of the Class of 1983, was
recognized for her academic success thirty
years ago this spring. In her commencement
speech, Julia quipped, “I beat you, Mom!”
Julia belongs to the Church of Saint
Agnes with her four siblings and parents,
Chuck and Julianne.
Mary Jacinta Kimlinger,
Salutatorian
Mary Kimlinger will attend
the University of Minnesota
where she plans to study
Biology with a
pre-medicine
focus. Mary was
President of both
the National
Honor Society and
the Saint Agnes
Pro-Life Club
and her scholastic
achievements were
matched by few.
In fact, having taken several honors-level
courses at Saint Agnes, Mary was named
an AP Scholar by the College Board for
her consistently high scores on Advanced
Placement exams.
Mere test scores alone, however, do not
paint the full picture of this accomplished
young woman. Mary is beloved by all of
her classmates for her friendly demeanor,
heart for service, love of her Catholic
faith, and reliable character. Her teacher
Mr. Fred Blonigen said, “I still remember
vividly the first day I had Mary in Theology
class. What struck me at the time was the
wonderful intellectual inquisitiveness that
she demonstrated. I never had a freshman
student who asked such probing and
thoughtful questions about her Catholic
faith on the first day of high school. I am
happy to say that her intellectual curiosity
has not waned over these past four
years. Mary is still asking those thoughtprovoking
questions.”
Mary received particular
acknowledgement at this year’s Academic
Convocation, where she earned
department awards in Spanish, History,
and Theology. Mary was also chosen to
represent Saint Agnes in the Catholic
Spirit’s special “Salute to Graduates” issue
this spring, answering questions such as
these:
What is the most meaningful way you
have helped another student in your
school
I have been a member of the Pro-
Life Club at Saint Agnes during all four
years of high school and I love having
the opportunity to help others become
involved in the pro-life movement. By
organizing events to raise awareness,
educating my friends on human life
issues or simply having conversations
with others, I hope to encourage others to
become active in the cause.
Describe the most significant faith
experience you have had during high
school.
This past fall, I was able to participate in
the Vocations Pilgrimage to Italy. Apart
Kimlinger receives recognition at the
Academic Convocation along with
her classmates (L-R) Peter Foley, Julia
Knapp, and Daija Deitz
from my busy schedule and the distraction
of technology, this pilgrimage allowed me
to take extra time to pray and reflect on
how God is calling me to live my life.
What book did you read in high
school that most changed the way you
think
“He Leadeth Me” by Father Walter
Ciszek, S.J. Father Ciszek was captured
by the Russian army and spent 23 years
in Soviet prisons and the labor camps in
Siberia. During these years of struggle, he
learned to surrender himself completely to
God’s will and to see suffering as a way to
grow closer to God.
Mary is one of eleven children and
attends the Church of Saint Agnes with her
parents, 1978 alumni Mark and Denise.
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Keeping you connected | summer 2013