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January 20, 2026On Dec. 9, the Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School staff and students gathered in the gym for what they assumed would be a normal pep rally. But they would be proven wrong.
“Alright, before we go, will Rocket join me in the center of the court?” Elle Muzny asked enthusiastically into the microphone.
The student body fell into a confused hush. They thought the winter sports pep rally was over. After all, they had done the games, court announcement, and chants. What else was there to do?
Muzny made her way to the center of the court with Rocket right behind her. All eyes were on them and what would be happening next.
“And would Ms. Strah join us please?” Muzny asked, looking around the gym for her.
All eyes turned towards the door where Strah stood. Everyone was still confused but some had the right idea of what was happening: a proposal.
Since February 2024, history teacher Alexander Weishan and sophomore English teacher Emily Strah had been dating. Unbeknownst to Strah, Weishan had been planning a proposal since the end of September 2025. Over fall break, Weishan told Strah that he was helping a teacher with a paper, but he secretly drove to Stillwater to ask her parents for permission to marry her. And now, the moment had come.
Strah made her way to the center of the basketball court to join Muzny and Rocket. She was as confused as everyone else. Rocket took his helmet off and under it wasn’t a student; it was Weishan.
The gym erupted in the loudest cheers ever heard at a pep rally this school year. Muzny handed Weishan the ring and he knelt. Somehow, the students got even louder. Kids screamed, some clapped, a few cried. No one could hear what Weishan said to Strah. After his short speech, Strah said yes.
They embraced each other as the students and staff continued to produce ear-ringing cheers. From the sidelines came Strah and Weishan’s families. After lots of hugs and tears, the most exciting pep rally came to an end.
“I was very anxious.” Weishan said as he recalled the moment, “It was hard to be Rocket and have spirit when I was ready for it to be over with, but it was so rewarding. It was the happiest moment of my life.”
Strah said, “I was very surprised. But I was also very excited and happy. I couldn’t stop shaking until maybe an hour after. It was quite the surprise.”
Weishan spent most of November and early December planning this surprise proposal.
“Mrs. Muzny was the real MVP in helping me pull this off,” Weishan said. “I tried to propose ideas that would get her to the court without it being suspicious."
“It was a little suspicious,” Strah replied.
When asked about their future together, they said they’re excited to just spend life together.
“It will be nice to have all our family at one place for the wedding,” Strah said.
Weishan is a Notre Dame alum and said he needs to take Strah there since he’s been to her alma mater, Oklahoma State University.
“Advice I would give to young couples is to just be honest with each other. It’s the most important part of any relationship, regardless of if it’s with a romantic partner or family,” Weishan said.
“I would say my advice would be to remember that you’re worthy of being loved,” Strah said. “And it’s important to know that in regard to God as well. Just know that you are loved and deserve the best so don’t settle for any less.”
Their happy moment has been posted to the Mount Saint Mary Instagram.
Teacher spotlight: Bryan Kohout
Bryan KohoutBryan Kohout, who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in December 2025, is the newest addition to the Mount Saint Mary community as a history teacher.
What drew you to The Mount?
“I’ve been a Catholic my whole life,” Kohout said. “I had heard great things about the Mount, but had never visited it. Once I had graduated and heard that there was an open position here, I leapt at the opportunity to apply.”
What do you look forward to this semester?
“I look forward to joining the Mount community. I’m a very community-oriented person, so I’m excited to immerse myself in the strong community here.”
Why did you choose to teach history?
“It’s basically just storytelling. It connects everything and makes learning interesting.”
What advice would you give to your students this semester?
“I would tell them to learn from the past. I like to say that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it runs.”
History teacher Alexander Weishan proposed to English teacher Emily Strah on Dec. 9, 2025, after a pep rally at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. Photos Kaylyn Henderson.