Oakcrest School blesses newly acquired Anna Diederich Field

The morning began with Mass in the Oakcrest Chapel, celebrated by Oakcrest Chaplain Fr. John Agnew, followed by the blessing of the field with the student body in attendance. Head of School Christie Keuchel offered words of gratitude and celebration, reflecting on the extraordinary generosity of the Oakcrest community and the enduring legacy of Anna Diederich ’17.

Anna’s family—her parents, grandparents, and siblings—were present for the celebration, joining alumnae, faculty, staff, and community members for a reception following the blessing. The gathering brought together generations of Oakcrest women and friends to celebrate this remarkable milestone while honoring Anna’s life and the mission she embodied so beautifully.

Anna graduated from Oakcrest in 2017. After earning a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, she returned to Oakcrest to teach math, coach cross country, and serve as a class dean—roles in which she poured herself wholeheartedly into the lives of her students. Anna passed away on Monday, October 9, after beginning medical school at the University of Virginia.

Earlier this fall, the Oakcrest community came together in an extraordinary way, raising $1.2 million in less than 30 days to purchase the 2.2 acres of land adjacent to the school’s soccer and lacrosse fields. Naming the field in Anna’s honor ensures that her example of faith, service, and joyful commitment to others will continue to inspire Oakcrest students for generations to come.