Meet Pat O'Keefe, class of 1988. After graduating from Central Catholic, Pat attended Purdue University studying Art History and Art Education. Feeling called to be a teacher, Pat started working at Central Catholic in 2004 and has worked there for 13 years. He is currently the head of the Fine Arts Department and teaches high school Fine Arts (Drawing, Painting, Intro to Design) and Computer Graphics (Digital Design and Visual Communications). He has also coached Junior High Football and Wrestling for 13 years and Varsity Wrestling for 4 years.
How did your education at LCSS prepare you for college and your career?
My high school art teacher, Jill Baker, inspired me to become an art teacher. She brought out the best in me artistically and I enjoyed her teaching style. She taught me that our talents are a gift from God. I try to get that message across to my students so that they will use their talents (artistic and otherwise) and not waste them.
Going to Catholic schools my whole life, first St. Mary, then St. Boniface, and finally Central Catholic gave me a good grounding for my spiritual and educational life. The classes were tough, but the teachers really worked with students and pushed us to achieve. I think the high expectations at LCSS helped me adjust and excel in my college courses. When I had the opportunity to return to LCSS, I jumped at it, knowing that I had a chance to impact students the way that my teachers had impacted my life.
What did you like most about your experience at LCSS?
I grew up surrounded by the LCSS community - my four brothers and sister also all went through the system. I remember serving with friends at weekly Masses, the talent shows at St. Boniface, painting signs for spirit week, working at the Feast of the Hunters Moon, Mrs. Anthrop’s cemetery project, and Friday nights playing on LaRocca field.
What is your favorite memory from your years at LCSS?
Some of my favorite memories are being with my teammates at football and wrestling practices, games, and bus rides. As the years go by, I think we look back with fonder memories than we may have had at the time, but I believe I am blessed to have been able to attend LCSS and am happy I have the opportunity to give back to the LCSS community as a member of the CC faculty.
