2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, but especially so for high schoolers and their families. 2020 was even more difficult for the families of Quigley Catholic High School as the school unfortunately closed at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Renee Price, former Director of Admissions at Quigley, and her children have experienced these challenges first-hand this year, but have been grateful for the opportunity to find a second home at OLSH.
Before working at Quigley, Renee graduated from John Carroll University with a double major in Sociology and Psychology, intending to be a counselor. She then worked for Abbott Pharmaceuticals as a Medical Center Representative for UPMC Hospitals for 15 years, and then became a stay-at-home mom when her oldest child, Emily, was born. She began working full-time at Quigley when Emily was in 7th grade.
After the announcement of Quigley closing at the end of the school year, Renee wanted to continue her career of promoting Catholic education, now through an independent Catholic organization. Renee started at OLSH in August 2020 as the Enrollment and Events Manager, bringing her 7 years of experience from Quigley to the OLSH team.
People have been extremely welcoming here at OLSH, even more than I even expected,” Renee said. “It feels like I have worked here forever and it has only been 5 months!”
Renee’s success and experience at Quigley has been an asset to the OLSH team. She is especially dedicated to ensuring that any transfer students and freshman feel welcomed and comfortable here.
Renee works most closely with Jessica Sellman on all admissions and enrollment activities from the “Charger for A Day” program, to Open House and personal tours, to working with the Student Ambassadors for Junior Achievement.
“I just love working with Jess and the Advancement team. I couldn’t have asked for a better counterpart in Jess,” Renee said. “The people here are so great to work with and we have a lot of fun here.”
Between Covid-19 and the closure of two diocesan high schools this year, student enrollment and retention has been a major area of focus for OLSH’s Advancement Department.
“We have worked hard to plan fun events so kids can get to know each other better and feel more comfortable at OLSH,” Renee said.
As someone passionate about seeing the success of Catholic education, Renee especially enjoys leading Grade School Visits at local Catholic elementary schools in her role at OLSH. This year she has been working with local CCD programs to introduce the school to more public school students, as well.
Having their four children attend Catholic school has always been a priority for Renee and her husband of 24 years, Larry. Emily is currently a sophomore at Duquesne University, Jacob and Nicholas, are seniors at OLSH, and Matthew is a freshman at OLSH this year.
“It has been such a gift to send our kids to Catholic school from Kindergarten through 12th grade. My husband and I always knew this was a priority for us as our faith is at the center of our lives,” Renee said. “Even though this whole trial of a year, we knew that God would get us through it.”
Family is clearly at the center of Renee’s life. As part of an avid sports family, Renee enjoys attending her children’s soccer, basketball, and baseball games as well as Pittsburgh sports like Steelers and Pirates games. Larry and Renee’s “5th child” is their yellow lab Molly who they often take running and hiking with them. When they want to slow down from their active lifestyle, the Price family loves to relax on vacation at the beach or at Disney World.
Thankful for her family at home, Renee is also thankful for the community she has found at OLSH and the opportunity to continue working at her children’s high school.
“The best gift from Quigley and now OLSH is working where my kids attend school. It is so great to see them grow up and be right there for it all,” Renee said. “The closure was heartbreaking for all of us, but we are so glad to be where we are now at OLSH.”