Marie Koechl ('10)

I attended OLSWA for one year, and then entered a ten-month hair dressing program at a recognized institute for hair design.  It was similar to OLSWA in that, you were with the same few students for the whole school year, however it was much different in what the students sought after.  At the institute you were judged on how you looked every day, and who went out with the hottest guy the night before. I was belittled for doing my work quickly and efficiently.  And every so often, there were negative comments made about the Catholic Church.  It was a whole new world-the world of sex, booze, and drugs.  Things got so bad, that I even began to struggle with depression.  Being at OLSWA for one year, prior to attending the institute was very helpful for me to deal with all these things.

I attended OLSWA for the 2009-2010 school year.  I chose to go there for a year because I wanted to meet good Catholic, life-long friends.  I also wanted to get a good grounding in my faith through the studies, in order to better prepare myself for the secular world.  When moral issues came up at the hairdressing school, I was more prepared and knowledgeable on these issues, so I could better defend my faith.

My year at OLSWA was the best year of my life.  I studied great things, met great people, and above all I became closer to God.  OLSWA allowed me to grow as a person and as a result I was able to learn more about myself and see my own personal limits, in a safe Catholic environment.  All these things helped prepare me for the secular world.

Going to the Academy before attending the institute for hair design helped me cope with the many worldly hardships and temptations I was faced within a school of fashion.  At OLSWA I met Catholic friends who were always there to listen and encourage me through many of the trials I faced at the institute.  The solid foundation in my faith, the knowledge, and the great life-long friendships that I got from OLSWA were all very beneficial and were key aspects to the success of my endeavors in the secular world.

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