Dawn Hoeke Named New Principal at O’Gorman High School

Dawn Hoeke, formerly of Milbank, has been selected as the new principal at O’Gorman HIgh School in Sioux Falls. O’Gorman, a Catholic high school with approximately 700 students in grades 9-12, is part of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools. Hoeke’s appointment will begin at the onset of the 2026-27 school year. She will succeed Joan Mahoney, who is retiring after 36 years.

Hoeke says, “I am most looking forward to working more closely with students in an environment where faith and learning are integrated. Working in a school family that is united by shared Gospel values will allow me to be an open witness of my faith. Supporting teens in a positive, values-based environment and helping them grow as whole persons is something I feel called to and eager to make part of my daily life.”

Along with her strong faith, Hoeke will bring with her 30 years of experience in education. She spent 12 years as a school administrator – seven years as a principal and five years as a superintendent. She also worked 18 years as a classroom instructor. 

Her career began when she secured a teaching position in Bennet, Colorado, for one year. She then moved back to South Dakota, where she taught at the St. Thomas More, Rapid City, and Watertown high schools. She was employed as a teacher at Oakes High School and Lisbon Middle School in North Dakota until she moved into school administration in the Oakes and Gwinner (North Sargent) districts. She also served in administration at Sisseton and currently holds the position of superintendent at Oldham-Ramona-Rutland.

One of the most obvious changes that will come with her new title she says will be making decisions that are focused on mission and faith rather than politics or trends.

 “Another major focus shift will be in the role I will take on as not only an academic and instructional leader, but also as a spiritual leader.” She will be able to guide and share in daily prayer and weekly mass with staff and students. “Openly helping staff and students grow in their relationship with God is not something I can do as a public school administrator,” she says.

Her job as the principal at O’Gorman will be surprisingly similar to what she does now, “In a small school, the role of a superintendent is not always so different from that of a principal,” she says. “I still have hands-on opportunities with students.” 

However, the total enrollment in the Oldham-Romona-Rutland School District is just over 300 children. “Getting to know each student and staff person in a school with a much larger student body will take more time and effort.” O’Gorman will be offering more programs and a wider range of academic and cultural activities. She says, “All of which I will need to understand and support effectively.”

Hoeke also recognizes the necessity of successfully communicating with a larger and more varied group of stakeholders, but she says, “While I recognize the challenges, I don’t fear them. I have always been up for a challenge!”

Overcoming adversity is a concept that came up in the hiring process, too. Hoeke explains: “During my interviews, I openly shared some of the challenges I have faced throughout my lifetime and how my faith gives me the strength to overcome life’s difficulties. I admit I am not perfect. I even hinted to the Bishop that I wonder if I am worthy of such an important job.”  

“Bishop DeGrood reminded me that God does not always call those who are fully equipped; He equips those He calls. I knew then that this role would be the next step in my journey, and with God’s grace, I will successfully navigate the changes and meet the challenges.”

Academics and faith are key components of obtaining an education at O’Gorman, but athletics is an important aspect. Earlier in her career, Hoeke says she coached girls basketball and she is still a fan. She was cheering on the Lady Knights last weekend when they took home the Class AA trophy from the state tournament for the third consecutive year. 

Looking back on three decades in education and looking forward to a new chapter in her life, Hoeke says the best advice she has received in her career is to remember that  a child is a parent’s most precious gift. “That thought has always helped me to understand the passion parents sometimes bring to situations.”

Hoeke is equally fervent  about her own family. She was happy to share that she and her husband, Scott, now have five grandchildren. Their daughter Faith lives in Parkston, where her husband, Joseph, is the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church. Mikaela is still teaching and looking forward to taking on a new teaching role next year. Hope and her husband and their two children live in West Fargo. Jaden lives in Belle Fourche and is engaged to be married in late August. Justus lives in Brookings, and he and his fiancée have a wedding planned for early September. Kellen is employed by Valley Queen in Milbank.