Long before she ever stepped into a Beaumont classroom, Sister Cheryl Mentkowski, OSU had already lived
a full and accomplished life – serving in Brazil, building a career, and creating a life of independence and success.
But it was in the stillness of early morning Mass, day after day, that something unexpected began to take root.
What followed was not just a change in direction, but a calling that would lead her to 41 years of presence,
purpose, and profound impact at Beaumont.
As she prepares to retire after more than four decades, Sr. Cheryl has been a steady presence in the halls of
Beaumont as a teacher, mentor, musician, steward of the mission, and a quiet force of compassion. Through her
vocation she has helped shape the lives of countless young women who learned from her what it means to lead,
to serve, and to share the gifts they’ve been given.
We asked Sister Cheryl about her life and her experience at Beaumont.
What is your vocation story and what drew you to the Ursulines?
At 34 years old, I had the car, the condo, the promotions, and the financial freedom, but it still felt like something was missing. After serving in the Peace Corps in Brazil and returning to work at
the Navy Finance Center, I found myself reconnecting with my faith when my sister asked me to be the godmother of her daughter. During Lent, I challenged myself to attend daily Mass, and through
that commitment, I became deeply involved in my parish community. At St. Basil, where several Ursulines served, Sr. Joan Peterson once asked me directly, “Do you have something against being a nun?” That question stayed with me. Every reason I gave for why I couldn’t become an Ursuline seemed to dissolve, and I realized God was calling me in a different direction. So, at age 34, I entered the Ursulines.
How has Beaumont formed and shaped you as an Ursuline sister?
Being a part of a community of women, teaching a community of women, has focused my attention on St. Angela’s message to women. She reminds us that we are capable, we are here for a purpose, and we have gifts to offer. There are moments in all of our lives when we are called to share those gifts, and we are able to do so.
What did you want students to feel when they walked into your classroom?
I tried to create a classroom environment that allowed all types of students to succeed. If a student struggled with note-taking or test-taking, I worked to find an approach that helped them feel confident and supported. I was straightforward about expectations and wanted students to know they were capable of success. I also worked hard to build trust and rapport with students. I was organized and prepared, but I also wanted the classroom to feel human and welcoming. I often began class with a joke or funny story because learning did not always have to feel so serious. Most importantly, I wanted students to see my humanity. When my father died, I cried while telling my students and said to them, “Tears are a gift. He deserved my grief.” Later, one student shared those same words to comfort her own family through a loss. Moments like that reminded me that teaching is about much more than academics.
Tell us about your first years at Beaumont. What do you remember most?
When I entered the Ursulines, I originally thought I would do parish ministry, but throughout my formation I kept being placed in high schools, and I realized God had something different in mind. When I arrived at Beaumont in 1985, I was one of 13 Ursuline sisters here. I quickly discovered I had inherited every responsibility from the sister before me: theology teacher (despite majoring in history), senior class moderator, prom coordinator, and fundraiser chair. I remember being told, “Just stay a chapter ahead in theology and you’ll be fine.” Sr. Beverly Anne and Roseanne Plent truly saved me that first year, generously sharing lessons and guidance. Eventually I moved into the history department, where I remained for the rest of my teaching career, teaching courses like U.S. History, Government, Sociology, and Comparative Politics. Over the years, I was continually asked to take on new roles from music ministry and Mass accompaniment to NHS moderator for 20 years. My answer was almost always, “Yes.”
How have you seen the spirit of St. Angela alive in the halls of Beaumont?
I probably see St. Angela at least 10 times a day. She’s in the student carrying a classmate’s belongings when she’s on crutches, in the “I love you’s” and embraces in the hallways, and in the simple “I can
do that for you.” I see her in students signing up to serve, teachers taking on clubs because students care about them, and classmates sharing lunches, supplies, or whatever someone else needs that day. Angela reminds us that here is Jesus: have compassion, build community. Beaumont is a place where many people care for many people, and to me, that is St. Angela alive in our halls.
What qualities have always defined a Beaumont woman, and how do you see her today?
Beaumont women today have not changed from the past, but the opportunities available to them have expanded. Beaumont has always been a college preparatory school, but today our young women are leaders in their fields, running for office, and pursuing any path they can imagine. What has remained constant is their ability to recognize what is needed in their communities and professions, and to use their gifts to meet those needs.
As you look to the future, what do you hope remains at the heart of Beaumont?
Beaumont’s legacy will always be St. Angela, service, and compassion. My hope for Beaumont women is that they recognize the impact of their lives, not only by what they have done, but who they have been and how they have encouraged others. The legacy of the Ursulines, and my own, endures when that message resonates deeply in the hearts of those we meet. It lives on when we continue to respond to the needs of our community and share the gifts we have been given. Those gifts, lived out in action and love, will carry the Ursuline legacy forward. I also hope Beaumont always values being together. That we continue to pray together in times of joy and in times of difficulty, and that we never lose the instinct to come together when life is hard, whether during the stress of junior year, the loss of a community member, or any moment when we simply need one another.
When you reflect on the counsels, which line do you return to most often?
“Build community wherever you go. Long for it. Search for it.” This line calls us to actively create community and reminds us of the importance of coming together and celebrating one another. It is, to me, the greatest rationale for Beaumont Day. I also love, “Let your first refuge be at the foot of Jesus.” It is a reminder to lead with compassion rather than authority alone, to be a peacemaker and a reconciler. And finally, a simple but powerful idea: if you need to change, change. It speaks to the importance of being open, adaptable, and rooted in communal discernment.
Who has supported you along your journey at Beaumont?
There have been so many supports at Beaumont: Sr. Beverly Anne, Mrs. Plent, Sr. Laura, and Sr. Joan Peine, among many others. Beaumont has always been a community moving in the same direction, toward a clearer vision of God. My colleagues have helped me navigate what can sometimes block that vision by helping me see a new way forward, sometimes by encouraging me to approach things differently, and often simply by walking with me along the journey.
What are you most proud of in your career at Beaumont?
I found a way to use my gifts. During COVID, when so many felt isolated, I shared daily morning prayers so our community could begin each day together in faith. I am proud that itbecame a source of connection and grounding for us. I also support the community through writing songs, parodies, and prayers. I am also proud of my work with the National Honor Society. Over time, it became a meaningful part of a young woman’s experience at Beaumont, something students aspired to join and a group that contributed real service and good work to our community.
As you retire, how do you hope to continue living out the mission of the Ursulines and St. Angela?
I have been a parishioner at St. Dominic Church for several years, and I am looking forward to becoming more actively involved through volunteering and service.
As Sr. Cheryl prepares to retire after 41 years of service, Beaumont extends deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment, creativity, and care for generations of students. Her presence has shaped not only classrooms, but the spirit of the community itself. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her continued joy and peace in the next chapter of her life and ministry.