Darlene Luebbert ‘02 is shining example for today's Helias students

During a recent Helias mission trip, students were blessed to  work with Darlene Luebbert ‘02 at St. Cecilia Catholic School and Academy in St. Louis. Luebbert has selflessly volunteered to serve the poor for many years. She embodies the spirit of Christian service which Helias works to instill in today's students.

While at Helias, Luebbert (pictured at left), enjoyed Coach Ray Hentges' Christian Service class, where she worked at the Vitae Caring Foundation's office helping promote the Pro-Life movement. 

After graduating from Helias, Luebbert furthered her studies and grew in her faith at the University of Notre Dame. She sang in an a cappella group called the Unchained Melodies and researched volunteer Catholic service organizations to join while there. After graduating from Notre Dame with a political science degree, she joined Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC).  JVC is a national and international program in which volunteers make a year-long commitment "to serve where the need is greatest."

JVC placed Luebbert at St. Cecilia's where she served for a year before becoming their music teacher. Now in her third year, Luebbert not only teaches music but helps in the Resource Room, coordinating other tutors.  Luebbert reflected on her  service, saying, "I think one of my proudest moments here [St. Cecilia's] has been this year, when I started a violin program after school, teaching six middle school students how to play the violin. We were able to get donated violins through St. Louis Symphony and the parish auction.  It has been wonderful seeing the students take so much pride in learning an instrument and giving them an opportunity they wouldn't have had otherwise."

There is no doubt that at St. Cecilia's, music is important. The school is named after the patron saint of music and the principal is said to know over 600 songs. Original songs and some songs of the 70's is what Principal Jim Ford and his friend Steve Galati's band Harmony, recorded recently on their latest album Shelter From the Storm, which, couldn't have been completed without the help of Luebbert playing keyboard and violin.

Currently Luebbert is taking evening classes at Webster University for a master's in Education, specializing in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. Luebbert said that her favorite Catholic role model is Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker movement and one who could find splendor in areas of sadness. However, the Helias missionaries who went to St. Louis said Darlene Luebbert is one of theirs.

Helias Foundation's Mother-Daughter Fashion Show

By Mallory O'Donnell ‘12

Stressing out, traveling, spending money, trying on clothes over and over again, and occasionally getting upset are just some ofthe obstacles a young lady goes through when trying to find the perfect prom dress. It sounds like picking out a prom dress may not be a fun thing to do.  Most of the time it is, but sometimes, certain things get in the way and make it a hassle instead. If a girl travels to Kansas City, Saint Louis, or even Columbia because they have realized that Jefferson City does not have as much of a selection as these other cities, maybe they should think again.

On Sunday, February 14, 2010, a mother-daughter brunch and prom fashion show was sponsored by the Helias Foundation in the Helias High School Commons. The dresses in the fashion show were provided by Victoria's Bridal. Many vendors displayed their goods which ranged from dresses and suits to corsages and jewelry. These vendors included Victoria's Bridal, The Bead Shoppe, Samuel's Tuxedos and Gifts, Marshall and Company Hair Design Studio, Superhair, Busch's Florist, and many more. If one attended the fashion show, they could get some great deals from many of these vendors like Marshall and Company and the Bead Shoppe for their special prom night.

Many of the models for Victoria's Bridal were from Helias High School, Jefferson City High School, Eugene High School, and Blair Oaks High School. There were even male models looking great wearing tuxedos from Samuel's Tuxedos. Helias High School had many amazing and gorgeous girls modeling for Victoria's Bridal including Keya Allred, Ashton Dudenhoeffer, Brittany Fifer, Natalie Gallatin, Gabrielle Heckman, Maggie Hughes, Shelby LeCuru, Sarah Lepage, Cydney Lucio, Bailey Mariea, Becky Martin, Jenny Martin, Elaine Merciel, Shannon Merciel, Brooke Micke, Maryssa Rehagen, Jordan Ruprecht, Danica Shimkus, Austen Suchanek, Sarah Versules, and Kaitlin Viebrock. Modeling for Samuel's Tuxedos were Stefan Balcer, Andrew Crocker, Darius Schnieders, Brad Wilson, and Stephen Wisch. The girls' hair was prepared by Superhair. All of the models looked gorgeous and stunning.

To have their date look handsome, one should their male date go to Samuel's Tuxedos. The colors there for their date's ties range from the classic black or red to a glittery silver or gold. Also, at Samuel's Tuxedos, they have some very classic black and white saddle shoes that would make your date look distinguished, classic, and very stunning. Maybe one could even add to their date's look by having him wear a hat as well with those saddle shoes.

Sometimes girls have trouble finding the right color jewelry to match their dress, but at The Bead Shoppe you can design your own jewelry with whatever color beads you choose, making sure it will match your dress. Sometimes girls want something unique to stand out for prom, so if they want a new style of corsage, they should go to Busch's Florist. They have a new style of wrist corsage consisting of a wire bracelet that spirals up your forearm which really adds a special touch and is quite eye catching!

The first year for the Mother-Daughter Prom Fashion Show was a big hit, and one could definitely find some unique and stunning dresses at Victoria's Bridal here in Jefferson City.  There's no need to travel all the way to Columbia, Kansas City, or Saint Louis. Plus, one would not have to cancel any important plans for their weekends.  All they would need to do is make enough time to go to Victoria's Bridal to find the perfect dress!

It's not too late!! 
The drawing for
Free Tuition at Helias 

will be this Saturday May 1 at the Kentucky Derby Party.  (The voucher is good for up to $4,000 and will be valid for one school year between 2010 and 2018.) 
Stop by at 1106 Swifts Hwy to be entered in the drawing.  
Chances may also be purchased at the
Kentucky Derby party.
  Contact Marti Dupuis or Mike Bruns with questions.

Class Reunion On the Horizon??? 

Check the Helias Foundation website for news on reunion news and updates...such as...

The class of 1971 will meet May 10 at Sandra Lueckenhoff Boeckman's office - 722 E Capitol Ave at 5:30pm.    Contact Sandra with questions or to RSVP at 573 634-2914.

Click below to link to our Corporate Crusader:

Sarah Michel LeRoy Selected for
State Academic Honor

Sarah Michel LeRoy '10 has been selected for the 2010 Missouri Scholars 100, a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouri's top academic students in the graduating class of 2010. The announcement was made by Principal Sister Jean Dietrich. LeRoy will be recognized at a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO, on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

Missouri Scholars 100 is a program sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. The selection is based primarily on a formula using the student's grade point average and ACT or SAT score. Each student nominated had to first meet criteria of an "Academic Decathlon," which included ten "events" designed to assure the academic strength of the student. To meet the decathlon requirements, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1,900, be ranked in the upper ten percent of the class, and have taken upper level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language.

Reflecting on this accomplishment, LeRoy said, "It made me feel proud of myself to accomplish this feat. I'm looking forward to the luncheon for some good food!"

Click below to link to our Silver Level Corporate Crusader:
 

Helias Exchange Student Program

Five students from Colegio Regis spent all or part of the school year studying at Helias this year.  Receiving these students has been a great cultural exchange for our Helias students and families.  They have helped to make Helias just a little better and have contributed much to our programs.  Like Helias, Regis is a Catholic school in the tradition of the Lasalle Christian Brothers.  Needless to say, we are Brother schools.

The exchange student experience was an excellent opportunity for the Regis students as well.  They had the opportunity to be a part of one of the best schools in Mid-Missouri and to experience life in America.  They will take with them not only a better grasp of English but also our work ethic and sense of responsibility.  It was a great opportunity for us to share our culture.

For the next school year, eleven (six male and five female) students from Colegio Regis are interested in attending Helias.  These students have been through a screening process put together by the teachers and administrators at Regis.  Many were turned away because of the high standards set in the screening process.  For those selected, their fate now depends on finding host families here at Helias.

As the school year comes to a quick end and the students prepare to return to their homes in Hermosillo, we are already planning for the 2010-11 Exchange Student Program.  So, we are once again looking for host families for our exchange student program with Colegio Regis in Hermosillo, Mexico.  The host families for the five students this current school year have all been Helias families.

In the current program, the students stayed with one family throughout his/her entire stay.  Next year, we hope to follow a model for host families a little more like what the Rotary exchange program uses.  The Rotary uses three different families to host one student.  Every three months or so, the student moves in with another family.  If possible, we would like to use two families to host each student.  Half way through their stay (for either half-year or full-year exchange students), the student will move in with another family.  We feel that if more host families can be involved, it would be easier for all parties involved.

Part of the fee assessed the exchange student includes a small monthly stipend to the host family to help off-set cost.  Hosting an exchange student involves work and time but also provides the opportunity for a great cultural exchange for the families and life-long relationship across borders.

Tuition and fees are paid by the families of the exchange students directly to Helias.  All exchange students are required to take out an international medical insurance policy arranged by Colegio Regis.  They must also have all immunizations required by the State of Missouri before being admitted to Helias.  Helias also takes care of the student visas and paperwork involved.  After our first year of the Helias Exchange Student Program, we have learned much and plan to put what we have learned into practice to make the experience better for all parties involved.

The host family is responsible for room, board, and transportation to and from Helias and activities.  As stated before there will be a monthly stipend to help off-set cost.

If you are interested in hosting an exchange student from Colegio Regis or have questions, please contact me at daur@heliashs.com or 573-635-6139.  I have met all of the exchange student candidates and their families.  They each presented me with a photo album of themselves which are in my office if you are interested.

Thank you for considering being a part of this worthwhile exchange.

God bless you,

Didier Aur, President
Helias Catholic High School

Live Jesus in our hearts...Forever!