Alumni Focus - Katie (Longendyke) Tweit ('92)

As our new school year begins with the theme ‘Unshakable Peace,’ Katie (Longendyke) Tweit (’92) shares the importance of her SCLA education and the strong faith that helps her keep a steadfast mind as she trusts in the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26:3-4) while battling Stage IV cancer. 

How were you and your family impacted by your education at St. Croix?

Academically, my education at St. Croix was top-notch, and I transitioned into college courses rather smoothly.

Spiritually, my faith was nourished and strengthened daily, not just in chapel but in all my courses. God was made real. In science and classes, His wondrous and intricate creation was on display; in history and social studies classes, we uncovered evidence of “His Story”, and in religion classes, we delved deeper into His Word and learned how to defend our faith and put it into practice.

During my senior year, my mother, Sue Longendyke, who was working in the library at St. Croix, was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer. The faculty and staff rallied around her and our family, supporting us with their prayers and encouragement. I saw firsthand the power of prayer.

Can you tell us about a challenge you have faced after high school and how your values or education have helped you get through it?

In 2014, while living in Madison, Wisconsin, I received my first diagnosis of breast cancer. I knew this was not something I could face alone and turned to God to help me. I was blessed with an incredible medical team to help me battle this beast on many fronts. I also reached out to my family, friends, and church family and asked them to be my Prayer Warriors. I saw firsthand the evidence of His grace and mercy in my life, and again I saw the power of prayer. I was not alone. Jesus was with me the whole time.

Jesus is still with me. In November 2022, my husband, Bernt, and I moved back to Minnesota after he accepted the Call to be a Pastor at King of Grace Lutheran in Golden Valley. Shortly after that, I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. The beast had returned and spread silently throughout my body and was now incurable. Bernt and I were devastated but we turned to God, trusting that He would be with us as we faced this storm as He had been with us in the last one. I reached out again to my army of Prayer Warriors, which has since grown exponentially. It is deeply surreal and humbling to realize I literally have hundreds of people praying for me. I am extraordinarily blessed. I firmly believe I am still here because of their many prayers and because, apparently, God is not done with me yet. 

There have been periods of grief, but each time, God has moved a Prayer Warrior (or 2 or 3!) to reach out to me and provide encouragement in a myriad of ways. So, I soldier on, clinging to the One who redeemed me and leaning on the beautiful souls who keep me focused on the end goal. No matter what happens, I know heaven awaits me, and I trust God will continue to provide me with all I need on my journey there. I’m grateful for the faith that was instilled in me at my baptism, and for the sacrifices my parents made to ensure I had a Christian education that nurtured that faith every day.

Were there any teachers or staff who had a big impact on you?

Mr. Jack Oldfield pushed me to be a better writer. I still critique everything I write through his lens.

Mr. Tom Hansen cast me in theater roles that pushed me out of my introvert comfort zone, and I gained self-confidence under his direction.

As my volleyball coach, Miss Ellen Pieper, stressed the importance of working as a team and not doing anything mediocre.

What advice would you give your high school self or to current students as they face challenges?

Trust that God is using these challenges to prepare you for life. Know that He is there with you in the low spots, but also recognize and be thankful for the high moments He blesses you with. Talk to Him every day. Seek Him in His Word. Sometimes He will say “No” to your prayer requests, but trust that it’s probably because He has something better in mind for you. Finally, open your eyes to see that you are not the only one facing challenges. Everyone has their own battles to face. Be gracious and help them through their struggles, and also allow them to help you with yours.

What are some favorite memories from your time at St. Croix?

Our class went all out for our junior prom. We transformed the gym at St. Croix’s previous location into “An Evening in Paris,” complete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower that soared to the rafters and also the Arc de Triomphe that you could walk under. There were backdrops of storefronts and bistros and a bridge. It took weeks and many man-hours to put it all together, but the result was phenomenal.

Were you involved in any extracurriculars or activities that helped shape who you are today?

Participating in drama productions was a blast and expanded my friend group because I got to hang out with people from multiple grades. 

In my senior year, I gave up my study hall so I could assist the Athletic Director, Jack Oldfield, with projects. I designed and laid out the programs for all the sporting events. It literally involved cutting and pasting actual “clip art” and text boxes on sheets of paper backlit by a graphed lightboard to create the proof for each program. I ended up majoring in technical communication and learned editing and graphic design. Technology allows me to do this today with a few clicks of the mouse, but I gained a lot of experience in understanding how layout and design can help or hinder communication.