An E-publication of the Helias
Foundation
December 2007
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Welcome to E-Sader Issue #4
Merry Christmas and welcome to a special Christmas issue of the E-Sader. As in every issue, your 'links' to Helias are on the right. Click on them to see the full story. |
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Helias Students' Average on AP exams Higher than Worldwide Average By Brandon Martin '98
When Helias students learn about long-term memory in Psychology, handle historical warfare in United States History, predict their phenomena in Physics, discover derivatives in Calculus, or appreciate adventures in English Literature, their teachers are happy knowing their instruction prepares these students for advanced college classes. Last year's graduating seniors received their results for the College Board's Advanced Placement exam(s) which they took in May; most discovered that they received college credit for their dedication in these challenging classes. In September the teachers of these classes received their AP Instructional Planning Report for last year's class and were able to determine which students had excelled on it. The report indicated the percent of students who earned a 3, 4, or 5 (5 is the highest) and thereby earning college credit; it also showed which students didn't earn the credit because they had only earned a score of 1 or 2. The report compiled the Helias students' scores and then gave an average score; it also compiled scores from around the world and averaged them into one score. The results of that comparison broken into academic areas are as follows:
For most colleges, a score of 3 will earn a student college credit. With the numbers Helias is putting up, it seems that many students will start college anticipating a shorter duration toward getting their degree and those students will have a solid educational foundation. Pleased with the results, Helias teachers hope to repeat the numbers this year-and build on them. When asked how he felt knowing that his students will move on to advanced classes in college because of his strong instruction, Joe Schaefer, Calculus teacher, said, "You always feel good when you give people a good opportunity. I say opportunity because I present the material but the students had to do the actual work in high school and in college." When Matt Zeitz, Physics teacher, was asked the same question, he said, "[It is] always exciting to see the alumni come back and tell me about the success they're having in Math, Physics, and Engineering courses. It's very satisfying to know that all the hard work that both myself and the current students are putting into being successful pays such tremendous dividends down the road." |
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By Brandon Martin '98 The Helias concert choir singing in perfect harmony is humbling to audiences. It is relief to Choir Directors Eric Veile and Sue Logston, who have worked countless hours prepping choir members for concerts this Christmas.One instrument that has helped the choir synchronize their sound and raise their level of performance is a new piano given as a donation. An anonymous donor has given not just any new piano but a top of the line brand name and model. On November 9, the band room received a new Boston, Steinway and Sons upright piano. The new piano is finished in a honey oak satin and brings more light and creates more energy in the band room than the old Kimball upright. And its sound! The distinction of notes, the depth of each note, and the assurance of holding notes is incomparable. The past piano is twenty years old and doesn't hold its tune. Veile said, "When your piano is in tune, it makes it easier for the choir to stay in tune. If you practice with a piano that's out of tune and then you perform with one that's in tune-you're thrown off. It's not a huge difference but a little difference. An analogy I make is to practicing basketball on a nine-and-a-half-foot goal and then playing games on a ten foot goal." In addition to keeping in tune, the impact the new piano has had is that students want to raise their level to stay balanced with the piano. "They don't want to sound bad by the new piano," Veile noted. The choir has grown twenty-five percent in two years and now has 60 members. A piano was an item on Veile's wish list for the 2007-2008 school year, which he was surprised he received. Though the new piano is mostly used by the choir, it is also used by the band, and everyone who directly or indirectly comes into contact with it at Helias would like to tell the anonymous donor, "Thank you!" |
Anonymous Donor Provides Piano
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Helias High School Alumni Association get-together
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Nothing formal--just come out and share some laughs with other
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By Brandon Martin '98
Due to the weather over the last couple of weeks, what many Mid-Missourians now imagine when they think of "tree" is power outage, damage to property, or an unwanted outdoor chore to be finished. The image that comes to mind for students at Helias is "Giving Tree." And what they envision is providing for the deprived families of the local community. The "Giving Tree" is a two-foot tall Christmas tree that stands by the railing of the top floor, overlooking the entrance of Helias. Decorated with lights and a gold star at the top, it bears a festive touch. But most importantly, it is decorated with paper ornaments that symbolize the true meaning of giving. Each ornament bears a number that coincides to a needy child, adult, or family and not necessarily what they want for Christmas but what they need. Led by Campus Minister - Christina Baker - and in conjunction with Linda Wegman of Immaculate Conception parish, Helias students and faculty combine collections in their second hour class and purchase Christmas gifts for the Samaritan Center. Students who have participated in the "Giving Tree" have given many pots and pans, watches, toys, clothes, etc. to over forty families this year. The seniors in Christian Service class then deliver and distribute the gifts. "I am astounded by the generosity of our students. It is heart-warming to them and me to be able to provide gifts for so many, especially when many are single-parent families and the jobless," Baker acknowledged. This Christmas, however, the needy of our community are not the only ones receiving gifts. For the first year, Helias has created a "Christmas Care Package" mission that is filling overnight postal packages with homemade baked goods, candy, games, and other necessities and sending them to soldiers overseas. These soldiers are our very own Helias alumni or have a connection to Helias. Starting the mission because her brother-in-law (a soldier) needed gifts, Baker said, "We pray for them everyday over announcements but to give them meaningful and useful items, gives them hope, love, care, and shows we have a concern for them." Books of Sudoku (a fun and challenging problem-solving game) is one such item the students are happy to be giving soldiers. "They believe that the game will challenge their minds, and the hope is that it gets their mind off the war and its stress," Baker noted. To those receiving gifts Helias would like to say, "Merry Christmas...wherever you are!" |
Christmas Care Arriving From Packages and a Giving Tree
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In an effort to recognize outstanding individuals whose lives have helped to establish Helias High School as the excellent educational institution that it is today, the Helias High School Hall of Fame is being created. The HHS Hall of Fame selection committee will elect up to ten new members, who will be inducted in ceremonies on the Helias campus on April 20, 2008. Candidates will be chosen on the basis of their personal accomplishments, civic and public contributions, and support of or involvement with activities of interest to the school. Some excellent nominations have already been received, but don't assume that the person you are thinking of is already nominated...please take the time NOW to submit your nomination! The Hall of Fame nomination forms are due in the Foundation office by January 15. The forms are online, in the fall newsletter, in the Foundation office. Contact Marti Dupuis at (573) 635-6139 for more information and remember to save the date for April 20, 2008. |
Helias High School Hall of Fame
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What motivates Helias students these days??? The Helias Mothers' Club extended a challenge to Helias students to increase poinsettia sales this year. The theme was "Sell three poinsettias--Earn three Rewards." The Poinsettia Sale is the largest fundraiser held by the Helias Mothers Club each year. This year the goal was to increase sales by 10% over last year. In an effort to motivate students to reach this goal, the Helias student body was challenged to sell a minimum of 3 poinsettias per family in order to receive 3 rewards. The first reward was to have the Administration dress up as Mrs. Claus (Sr. Jean), Elves (Mr. Ochsner and Fr. Doyle) and Santa (Mr. Aur) for a day to greet the students at the front door in the morning, and walk the halls throughout the day in costume. The second reward was a blue jean, uniform shirt and tennis shoe dress down privilege for exam days. The third was first, second, and third place prizes awarded to individual students with the top total sales. The challenge was met... Profit from sales this year was $11,101. Profit from sales last year was $8,000--the increase in profit was over $3,000--and all of the increase was due to student/family sales. Student winners were:
1st Place with $432 in sales was David Landwehr (Received $150 in prizes)
Mother's Club wants to thank our wonderful Poinsettia Committee: We had the best crop of poinsettias from Trinkleins--everyone was raving about the beautiful flowers this year! Congratulations! |
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Year end donations are a great way to help the Helias Foundation... During this Holiday Season and as the year comes to a close, take a moment to consider the impact a charitable gift can make. To learn about giving strategies that will allow you to make a meaningful charitable gift to Helias contact Marti Dupuis, Executive Director, Helias Foundation, Inc., 573-635-6139. (You can also use the envelope provided in your Foundation fall newsletter. The newsletter was mailed in early December--let the Foundation office know if you didn't receive one!) |
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Merry Christmas from the E-Sader staff and the entire Helias family! |
Your Links to Helias:
Heading into some time off, Crusaders stop Mustangs
Area players receive soccer honors
Helias rallies against Lady Jays
Open spots in lineup hinder Helias' wrestling effort
Helias hammers Sumner in tournament opener
Wrestling: Helias tops Hickman
2007 AP Class 4 All-State Teams Selected
Crusaders use early lead to their advantage
Lady Crusaders romp to a 62-33 win over Lady Jackets
Crusaders go through ups and downs in loss to Warrensburg
Lady Crusaders feature multitude of returning players