Our Lady of the Lake University Ministry would like to welcome the OLLU community to begin the Lent season with a mass and distribution of ashes.
University Ministry will hold Ash Wednesday Mass and services in Sacred Heart Chapel at 12:30pm, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The distribution of ashes will be held twice, first at 10:00am, and again at 5:00pm on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
For those looking for quiet reflection and spiritual conversation this Lent season, Sr. Dianne Heinrich would like to extend two opportunities to all members of the OLLU community to engage in quiet reflection and spiritual conversation in support of the upcoming Lent season.
Beginning on February 23, join a guided prayer experience in Scripture (Lectio Divina) every Monday during Lent, from 12:30–1:00 p.m. in the Constantineau Chapel, located directly under the Sacred Heart Chapel, for the chance to pause, pray, and reflect at the beginning of the week.
Additionally, on select Thursdays during Lent from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Sr. Dianne is available for 15 or 30-minute conversations for support and space to reflect in the Elliott House. To sign up, please consult the PDF for a complete list of dates, and email Sr. Dianne Heinrich at dheinrich@cdptexas.org with your preferred date and time— or feel free to drop in to see what times are available.
For any questions, please contact University Ministry at ministry@ollusa.edu
Our Lady of the Lake earned a statement 66–65 overtime victory over North American, showcasing composure, toughness, and execution when it mattered most.
The Saints weathered a physical, back-and-forth battle through regulation, refusing to break despite consistent pressure from North American. OLLU stayed within striking distance behind strong interior play and timely stops, forcing overtime in a game where every possession was contested.
In the extra period, the Saints delivered the defining plays. With the game tied in the final minute, Shayla Dede attacked the lane and finished a decisive layup to give Our Lady of the Lake the lead. OLLU followed with disciplined defense down the stretch, closing out the game and securing the one-point win.
Dede led the Saints with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while also setting the tone with her late-game poise. Alexandra Westerdijk Martin matched her with 18 points and dominated the paint, pulling down 15 rebounds and shooting efficiently throughout the night. Macie Moss added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Isabella Jaramillo logged 43 minutes, contributing nine points and steady leadership in overtime.
Our Lady of the Lake’s advantage at the free-throw line proved critical, as the Saints converted 14 of 20 attempts. OLLU also matched North American’s physicality on the boards and delivered timely defensive stops when the game hung in the balance.
The overtime win reflected the Saints resilience and belief, highlighted by Dede’s clutch basket and a complete team effort that lifted Our Lady of the Lake past North American in a tightly contested finish. OLLU will be back in action Saturday against Xavier University at 1:00 PM CDT at home.
Our Lady of the Lake University men’s basketball earned a hard-fought 72–68 victory over Southwest, using balanced scoring and timely defensive stops to pull out the win.
The Saints shot 47.5 percent from the field and placed multiple players in double figures, allowing them to withstand several Southwest runs throughout the game. Jermey Irwin led OLLU with 14 points, adding six rebounds and three assists while converting 4-of-5 attempts from the free-throw line. Barack Holland matched Irwin with 14 points off the bench, providing a key scoring lift in extended minutes.
Jaydin Morin-Bishop contributed 11 points on efficient shooting, while Santiago Ochoa recorded a strong all-around performance with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. OLLU controlled the glass with a 33–25 rebounding advantage, helping limit second-chance opportunities and maintain possession in critical stretches.
Defensively, the Saints forced 12 Southwest turnovers and held firm late despite strong individual performances from the opposition. Southwest was led by Jalen Williams, who scored 20 points, and EJay Scroggins, who added 17 points along with four assists and four blocks. However, missed free throws and OLLU’s defensive discipline down the stretch prevented Southwest from completing a comeback.
With steady contributions across the lineup and composure in closing moments, Our Lady of the Lake secured the four-point win and extended their win streak to three. The Saints will be back in action on Thursday night against North American at home.
Our Lady of the Lake University women’s basketball delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor, defeating Southwest 81–56 behind efficient shooting and strong rebounding.
The Saints established control early and maintained it throughout the contest, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and knocking down 10 three-pointers. OLLU’s balanced offensive attack featured four players scoring in double figures, led by Alexandra Westerdijk Martin, who finished with a game-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting. She also dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, providing a steady interior presence on both ends.
Shayla Dede added 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists while playing 36 minutes, consistently creating opportunities for herself and her teammates. Macie Moss contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, and Evangeline Hernandez provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including three made three-pointers. Samantha Fields was perfect from beyond the arc, going 3-for-3 on her way to nine points.
OLLU controlled the rebounding battle 44–20, limiting Southwest to just six offensive rebounds and few second-chance opportunities. The Saints also shared the ball effectively, recording 17 assists, with Isabella Jaramillo leading the way with six assists to go along with six rebounds.
Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake held Southwest to 22.7 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. Southwest was led by Karinna Ortiz, who scored 22 points, and Seniya Wilson, who added 16, largely from the free-throw line. However, consistent defensive pressure and disciplined team defense prevented Southwest from building any sustained momentum. Our Lady of the Lake secured a convincing victory and continued to show depth and balance across the lineup. The Saints now have won four in a row and look to extend that streak as they will go up against North American on Thursday at 5:30 PM CDT at home.
From January 30 to February 1, two OLLU TExAS FAST scholars travelled to Arizona State University to participate in the 2nd Annual Model USDA with the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems!
All participants were assigned a role and scenario! Karis Alcoser took on the role of Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Agriculture in deciding whether to finalize proposed guidelines for new FSIS labels in meat and poultry. Mia Curiel acted as President of Public Land Council, voicing her opinion on how to best educate the public about prescribed burns.
Karis and Mia met nearly 200 like-minded peers from 31 universities around the world and participated in a Q&A with two former US Secretaries of Agriculture. They also toured ASU, which is home to one of the largest sustainability programs in North America! We hope this trip inspired both students to continue their journey in Environmental Science and Sustainability!
The Our Lady of the Lake Saints earned national recognition from Perfect Game with a 25* ranking, a nod that reflects both the results of the 2025 season and the growing respect for the program’s trajectory. Finishing 30–23 overall and fourth in the Red River Athletic Conference, OLLU continued a steady rise that has now produced two 30-win seasons in the last three years. What once felt like an under-the-radar climb is beginning to look more like a foundation for sustained success, with the Saints positioning themselves as an emerging force within the conference.
“This recognition is exciting for our program, young men, and our department. It’s the student-athletes that earn things like this with how they play and how they operate. Our focus, however, will continue to be on the next thing in front of us.”
The 2025 campaign showcased an offense that developed into one of the league’s most dangerous units and returns largely intact. Joshua Milton emerged as a late-season catalyst, leading the team with a .433 batting average after carving out a regular role. Jack Kalisky anchored the lineup as the Saints most complete hitter, batting .379 while leading the team in nearly every major offensive category, including 15 home runs. Carlos Gusman provided consistency and production at third base with a .353 average, Drew Saucedo brought speed and energy to the top of the order with a .321 average, 16 stolen bases, and 12 extra-base hits, and Benjamyn Hovda added depth and balance in the corner outfield after a solid .297 season. Together, that nucleus gives OLLU length, versatility, and the ability to pressure opponents throughout the lineup.
While the offense set the tone, the next step for the Saints lies on the mound. Donovan Gamez returns as the unquestioned ace after an 11–3 season with a 3.77 ERA, striking out 91 batters across 86 innings while allowing just 71 hits. His performance, followed by a dominant summer as a closer in the Western Canadian Baseball League, established him as one of the program’s most reliable arms. Behind him, the development of depth will be pivotal. Matthew Sanchez showed promise out of the bullpen, Christian Perez and Kalisky flashed swing-and-miss stuff, and transfer Noah Ferraro arrives from Dallas College Brookhaven with a proven track record, highlighted by a 2.06 ERA over 52⅓ innings. Additional transfers, Max Benton and Omar Rodriguez, further bolster competition and options within the staff.
Perfect Game’s 25* ranking underscores a season that was about more than wins and losses; it recognized a program building toward something bigger. With a productive offensive core, continuity on the coaching staff, and a pitching staff that has both a proven leader and growing depth, the Saints enter 2026 with momentum and belief. The pieces are in place for OLLU to turn national recognition into a true breakthrough and firmly establish itself as a contender in the Red River Athletic Conference.
Our Lady of the Lake University is excited to welcome back Saints alumni, friends, and family for a celebration of 131 years of community & tradition at Homecoming 2026.
This will be a weekend full of fun events kicking off on Friday, February 27th, and running through March 1st. While more details will be available soon, we’d like to invite you to explore our alumni resources in the meantime, and look forward to inviting you all back to campus.
For the latest updates on Homecoming 2026, visit the official Homecoming page on the OLLU website. Stay tuned! Wings up!
When Belle Ortiz (Class of 1971), known as the Godmother of Mariachi, returned to Our Lady of the Lake University over two decades ago, she contributed a gift that has since become a tradition.
Belle had a passion for educating young people on their culture and traditions. In 1970, she started the first high school mariachi program at Jefferson High School and after graduating from OLLU with a B.A. in Performance and Music Education, she extended her talents to other west side high schools, including her alma mater Lanier. Now, over 2,500 school districts, colleges and universities throughout the world offer their students mariachi education.
Belle San Miguel Ortiz of Mariachi Campanas de America accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Awards. Credit: Kathryn Boyd-Batstone / San Antonio Report
In 1978, she and co-founder Juan Ortiz renamed their mariachi group to Campanas de America. It was an act of love. Their name “Campanas” being a translation of Belle’s name. They married four years later.
Over twenty years ago, Belle brought the Campanas de America Valentine’s Day serenata to OLLU to help raise funds for scholarships. That tradition continues.
This year, Campanas de America will perform their Valentine’s Day Serenata on Saturday, February 7 at Thiry Auditorium. Tickets range from $25 to $35. Keeping it affordable so that people of all ages can share in Belle’s passion and commitment to education.
An important reminder for all OLLU employees who may have earned overtime pay in 2025 from the payroll department:
Starting with your 2025 Form W‑2, a few employees may notice a new entry in Box 14 labeled “Qual OT.” This entry will appear only for employees who received Qualified Overtime in 2025 under federal overtime rules.
This amount represents the premium portion of your overtime pay (the extra half‑time required under federal law) and is being provided to help you take advantage of a potential tax benefit created by recent federal legislation.
Key Points to Know
Not all employees will see this entry. Salaried employees who are exempt from overtime and hourly employees who did not earn any Qualified Overtime in 2025 will not have a “Qual OT” amount on their W‑2.
This amount does not affect your taxable wages or your paycheck.
It is provided for informational purposes only to assist you when filing your 2025 federal tax return.
You may use this figure when determining eligibility for the new overtime deduction on your federal return.
If you have questions about how this information may affect your tax filing, please consult a qualified tax professional or visit IRS.gov for more details.
Thank you for reviewing this update. We are committed to keeping you informed about changes that may benefit you.
In observance of Super Bowl Sunday, Mass at Our Lady of the Lake University will be celebrated at 3:00pm in order to allow members of our community to attend both Mass and Super Bowl gatherings.
Updated Mass Details:
Date: Sunday, February 8
Time:3:00 p.m.
Location: Sacred Heart Chapel
All students, faculty, staff, and community members are warmly invited to join us for this special afternoon Mass. We look forward to celebrating together before the evening’s festivities begin.
For questions or additional information, please contact University Ministry at ministry@ollusa.edu.
