An E-publication of the Helias
Foundation
November 2007
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Welcome new readers to E-Sader Issue #3
As in last issue, your 'links' to Helias are on the right. Click on them to see the full story. Also in this issue is the new Crusader Times feature which |
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Girls Basketball '72-'77
By Brandon Martin '98
Today, the female students of Helias have many activities to choose from, and have had a lot of success. In 1970 however, Helias girls had two extracurricular activities--track and Pepettes--and the boys had seven or more. Mrs. Pat Pollock said, "I thought girls should have sports and equality." Pictured from left to right, are players, Becky Haskamp '75, Diane Shimmens Wildhaber '76, Joan Rackers Vanderfeltz ‘76, and coaches Pat Pollock and Judy Boessen Schneider ‘68. Pollock had been teaching basketball to girls in physical education classes. And some girls had learned the game from shooting around with neighborhood boys. Tired of being pestered by parents and girls, Pollock pioneered the first "Lady Crusader" basketball team in 1972. First year player Becky Haskamp said, "We loved sports and would have loved playing any sport...watching it or playing it--basketball to Pepettes!" Diane Shimmens Wildhaber added, "We'd have played football if they had let us." Playing girls sports was not necessarily regarded as the "in" thing. Joan Rackers Vanderfeltz said, "Back then, it wasn't feminine to play sports. Today you can be feminine and athletic and fit in." Neither fitting into the female athlete role nor fitting into the one team practicing in the gym at a time policy was easy. Girls had to practice at six in the morning, wear old, boys uniforms, and use the boys basketballs. Practice after school would be in the basement of the now Shikles Auditorium. Pollock noted that she would often have to push water off of the cement floor, pick up trash, and end practice before dark because of lack of lighting. Despite the damp and dark practices, the season of 1972-73, marked the first "Lady Crusader" basketball season at Helias. The team played two games and went 0-2, with the stands occupied with only a few parents. The second season moved on to six games. In the third season, Helias fielded twelve games and went on to win seven and made conference play. Uniforms for the third season were "new" polyester double-knit, tight fitting, navy shirts with white trim, shorts to match and donated by the Mother's Club. Judy Boessen Schneider, who took over as coach that year, communicated that the uniforms "were hot...literally." In spite of the new uniforms, Helias stopped girls basketball after only two more seasons, 1975-76 and 1976-77, due to the arrival of volleyball in the grade schools. Basketball for the "Lady Crusaders" did not return until the late 80's. "Lady Crusader" basketball may not be at Helias today had it not been for the first team. Judy Boessen Schneider said, "It changed the whole complexion of Helias." Diane Shimmens Wildhaber said, "Being part of the first team and seeing Leslie Verslues (referring to the state championship in '95) lose by a point was just a heartbreaker. Seeing twelve spectators at a game to seeing a full Hearnes Center...is awesome." The history of "Lady Crusader" basketball is rich and important for us today...and the future looks bright. Leslie Verslues, current head coach, says, "It looks to be an exciting year, so head out to support the Lady Crusaders!" |
Crusader Times
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Helias High School women faculty and staff, along with two babies and a dog, participated in the Helias Invitational Fun Run/Walk on October 6. The women walked the 1.5 mile course and stayed to watch and show support for the student cross country runners as they competed. The Helias Cross Country teams finished their events well, with some in the top five overall in both boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams. To end their seasons, the boys finished eighth at state while the girls had some qualifiers. Coach Mary Haskamp had this to say about their seasons, "This boy's varsity team is probably the most improved of any team I have coached in my 20 years at Helias. The ladies teams struggled with injuries and illnesses this season, but I'm proud that three individuals qualified to run in the state meet." Pictured just after crossing the finish line and receiving their ribbons are (Helias faculty): Paula Zeitz, Theresa Buhr, Dog Pippin, Shelley Swoyer, Christina Bockwinkel-Baker, Baby Anthony, JoAnn Scheidt, Margaret Shimkus, Pat Seifert, Jackie Crider, Leslie Verslues, and Baby Lauren.
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Cross Country Invitational and Fun Run
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Helias High School Alumni Association update
Plans for next year's Homecoming events were part of the discussion held recently at an organizational meeting for the newly forming Helias Alumni Association.
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By Brandon Martin '98 Simply put, reading is rewarding. Whether you read for enjoyment, education, or to keep up with the conversations around the water cooler, reading can provide personal incentives, new concepts on old material, or an easy way to keep your mind sharp. At Helias, Ron Dunn, Sports Medicine and Religion Teacher, started a new program last year called "Reading Rewards." The program is designed to make reading fun by teaching students new ways to read and rewarding students with prizes for reading. Students are given food for rewards from local restaurants. Helias students meet with Mr. Dunn once a week before school, and go over what they're reading and he teaches them methods for reading quicker, retaining more information, and reading in public. One method for reading faster is called "chunking," where you group three words together instead of reading word-for-word. The theory is that this will enable a person to read three times as fast. Along with teaching students new reading methods, there are guest speakers from the faculty and community that come to speak on techniques to improve reading and writing skills. Dunn also goes through reading comprehension practices with the students. "I started this program to help students develop an interest in reading so they can improve their school work and help them in life after school," Dunn said. Purely another prize for our students and our Helias community, "Reading Rewards!" |
Reading Rewards
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Helias High School Hall of Fame 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.
Hall of Fame nomination forms are in the Foundation fall newsletter, the Foundation office, and are online. Contact Marti Dupuis at 573-635-6139 for more information and remember to save the date for April 20, 2008. (The date was incorrectly listed in the last E-Sader issue as April 13. Our apologies for the mix-up.) |
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Christmas News ATTENTION HELIAS CLASS OF 2007 In an effort to keep recent graduates connected to Helias, the school is hosting a lunch for you. All members of the Class of 2007 are cordially invited to a Christmas Luncheon on Wednesday, December 19th at 11:30 in the Crusader Commons. Every 2007 alumnus attending will be eligible for drawings for Helias hats, shirts, and other memorabilia!
Please RSVP to 573-635-6139 or by email. See you December 19! CHRISTMAS CONCERT
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The Helias Christmas Concert will be held December 9 at 1:00pm. Check the
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THE BEATING OF STUDENTS NOW ALLOWED AT HELIAS Many people think of November 10 as the opening day of deer season. That weekend alone 100,448 deer were killed in Missouri. That, however, pales in comparison to the slaughter that took place on the evening of Saturday, November 10, at the Racker's Fieldhouse. On that evening, Helias held its First Annual Varsity Challenge Volleyball Tournament, sponsored by Jim Neuner of Insurance Solutions of Missouri. The tournament pitted four teams (Senior Boys, Junior Boys, Faculty and the Varsity Parents) against each other for the privilege of challenging the Varsity squad. The faculty, led by Coach Bryndyn Crutcher, mauled its competition and went undefeated during the round robin event. Teams were at their mercy while the faculty barely broke a sweat, waltzing past their opponents and into the match against the 32-4 Varsity Girls. That's when the competition got tougher. The faculty defeated the Varsity Girls in the first game but lost the second. In the interest of sportsmanship, everyone decided to end the evening tied rather than playing a tie breaker as scheduled. Afterwards, of course, both teams claimed the other was afraid to play the tiebreaking game. Other results were: Senior Boys 2-1, Varsity Parents 1-2, and Junior Boys 0-3. (Good luck next year.) The tournament raised approximately $250 and more than 200 canned goods for the Samaritan Center, a local food bank. Thanks Mr. Neuner for sponsoring and organizing this worthwhile 'beating!' |
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On November 10, two Helias teams competed at the Hancock High School 28-team varsity tournament in St. Louis. The A-team moved on to afternoon rounds but narrowly missed qualifying for quarterfinal play. Kaitlin Fisher was high scorer for the Helias-B team. A-team players, Chris Kemp and Anthony Verslues, both medaled in the tournament. The varsity team will play next at UMR on December 1.
Library Squad In December the Library Squad is planning a poetry slam. Students are invited to compete in this three-round event by reading either original work or poetry by an author they like. All students are welcome to attend, eat munchies provided by Library Squad, and enjoy the lively entertainment.
Math Team On the junior team - Will LePage placed 7th individually in a field of 109 juniors.
Speech Team Other finalists were AJ Feather, Cassie Smith, Brad Berhorst, Ryan Coleman, Blair Oxenhandler, Molly Hayes, Courtney Killday and Kelsey Glascock, who placed in two different events. Parents who helped out with transportation were Sandy Coleman, Jean Feather, Dr. Colette Mann and Sally Oxenhandler. Taking over the Helias judging slots to allow Mr. Hoffman time to coach his team were Jean Feather and Dr. Mann.
Racquetball All games are played at the local Firley YMCA (at no charge to Helias.) Fr. Doyle provides the league ‘bracket'. Older students are responsible for scheduling time to play the game vs. the younger student. If the game doesn't get played or at least scheduled, it is forfeited and the younger student wins.
The fall league has ended and the winter league is underway. Congratulations to the fall league winners:
1st Tommy Greene And thanks for coordinating, Fr. Doyle!!!
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'Sader Standouts 
The math team had its best finish ever at the St. Louis Excellence in Mathematics competition--taking 1st place in the senior division. Mike LeRoy, 3rd place; Bobby Rauch, 4th place; Lucan Mann, 6th place; and David Hillstrom comprised the top four scores for Helias. These individuals competed against a total of 100 St. Louis math students. Helias as a team placed ahead of 20 other schools beating some impressive public and private schools such as: Ladue, Visitation Academy, Country Day, Clayton, and John Burroughs.
At their first speech competition of the year the Helias Speech Team had great success and won a Sweepstakes.
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Class Reunion Coming Up?
Let the Foundation office know so we can help you with your planning! Contact Marti mdupuis@heliashs.com or Kay kmorton@heliashs. We'll give you data on your classmates (names, addresses, etc) and help get your info on the Helias website. |
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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 will be mailed by December 5--watch for it!) |
Your Links to Helias:
All District Football: Crusaders capture 12 spots on Class 4 team
Crusaders fall to Knights in Blue Division final
Boys Basketball: Helias frosh win opener
Backcourt development key for Crusaders this season
Titans blank Helias to end Crusaders' playoff bid
Sundermeyer signs with William Woods
All-region volleyball teams picked
Van Loo tops Helias finishers in Class 3 championships
Lack of insurance costs Crusaders
Lady Jays, Helias advance teams to state meet
Helias puts up valiant effort but comes up short in quarterfinals
Helias Band to play at Gator Bowl
Former Helias Crusader named Player of the Year
Boys Soccer: Borgia 1, Helias 0
Lady Crusaders make history at state golf