Alumni Spotlight

Dr. Jude Cauwenbergh, '86

By Brandon Martin '98

The 80's at Helias were years of big hair for girls, big championships for boys, and big fun for all. Some current teachers and staff believe that those were the "glory years."

The third in our series of alumni to be spotlighted is Dr. Jude Cauwenbergh, a student in those years and currently Chief of Pediatrics at Ashtabula County Medical Center in Ashtabula, Ohio. When asked "Why did you specialize in pediatrics?" he said, "Life can't get any better than making kids feel good."

Raised in a large family with many younger siblings, he learned to take care of children. He was also inspired by his mother--a nurse--to become a pediatrician. "She was kind-hearted and showed me how to care for others; she was a mentor who helped me stay in the medical field," Cauwenbergh acknowledged.

With his mother's support, Cauwenbergh attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) before graduating medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (now A.T. Still University) in Kirksville.

Having now practiced medicine for nine-and-a-half years, Cauwenbergh partially credits his success to one Helias coach. "Coach Ray Hentges inspired me to strive for perfection and be the best I could be." He also credits Helias's atmosphere, "Helias has a great social environment and is a welcoming place to learn; this background has helped me with personal interactions and families. It also provided a strong foundation for my future studies in medicine."

Cauwenbergh said one family bestowed a greatest honor upon him: "A newborn was having critical breathing problems. I stabilized and helped the child survive after delivery. A couple days later I received a thank-you card from the parents. It said that they had given the child my name as a middle name!"

For fun these days Cauwenbergh spends time with his six-year old son Ian (pictured with him) and plays sports.

In the 80's Dr. Jude Cauwenbergh walked the halls of Helias as a student, today he walks the halls of a hospital as a doctor, and forever he'll walk as a Crusader.

Helias Pendants now available - check these out! 

The Marketplace in Jefferson City has Helias art glass pendants for sale.

Cheri Willett, owner and Terri Plank, one of the vendors at The Marketplace would love to have some Helias students come in and give their opinion on these.  The long skinny one (pictured below) is actually one pendant. It has ‘HHS' is on one side and ‘Saders' on the reverse, with a Crusader charm dangle. Design possibilities are endless.

The price for the round bubble is $9.95 and the price for the long skinny one with charm is $14.95. The ball chains that they use with them are $4.95. Terri will donate $1.00 for each Helias pendant, bubble or chain sold with a Helias pendant to Helias. 

Don't forget, these can all be purchased at The Marketplace, 3004 West Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City. Call (573) 893-6097 for further information or to place an order.

Thanks Cheri and Terri!

 Christmas Lunch with the Class of '07 

By Brandon Martin '98

What did it take to get the Class of 2007 back to Helias? Free food and drink that's all! And well, reuniting with classmates, teachers, and staff.

On December 19, 2007, Helias' administration, faculty, and staff invited students who had just graduated in May, back for a "Christmas Luncheon" in the Crusader Commons.

As our youngest alumni finished devouring salad, pizza, and chicken fingers, Coach Chris Wyrick and Coach Phil Pitts drew tickets from a tank and called out the names of our newest alumni for raffle prizes, which included Helias t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and mugs.

After the raffle, Helias President Didier Aur welcomed the group and introduced Helias Foundation Director Marti Dupuis. Dupuis gave an informative speech about the new lines of communications Helias has created to keep in contact with them, like the E-Sader, plans for an Alumni Association, and the role of the Foundation in helping with future class reunions. She also spoke about the need to elect 'Chief Communicators' for their class and the importance of keeping connected with their alma mater.

After the speech, the only other business was to take a group picture in the Crusader Courtyard. 

Thank you Class of '07 for enjoying Helias again.

 Catholic Schools Light the Way 

 By Brandon Martin '98

During the week of January 28-February 1, 2008, lighted candles drawn on card-sized yellow paper hovered all around Helias; and students searched to find the one with their name on it. Taped to just about anything inside Helias...walls, lockers, fans-whatever they'd stick to-the lighted candles stuck as symbols of this year's theme for the week, "Catholic Schools Light the Way."

Based off this theme, teachers were asked to assign one of their classes the responsibility of decorating their classroom door for a "Door Decorating Contest." Ms. Leslie Verslues' second hour Business Calculus class won and as a reward for their victory received pizza, soda, and a day off class.

On Monday, an all-school Mass kicked off the week. Father Brendan Doyle (pictured on right) presided over the Mass and during the homily he asked the students how they light the way. At the end of Mass, some teachers and students were awarded for how they light the way. While a slide-show of past runners and trophy teams was projected on the gymnasium wall, Tom Emmel, science teacher, delivered an eloquent speech about Ms. Mary Haskamp's success and leadership, and then presented her a Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association "Hall of Fame" plaque.

Ms. Christina Baker, Campus Minister, extended a thank-you from Helias to Coach Dan Campbell (pictured on left), Civics teacher and softball coach, for his continued service in the Army National Guard. Softball players represented the school when they gave him a new laptop for his use, and a Web-cam for his family's, so that they can communicate while he is serving this year in Kosovo. St. Christopher medals were also given to him to protect him in battle.

Next, the American Legion Post 5, thanked Mark Friggle, art teacher, and his students for painting the mural on the exterior wall of the Post 5 building. Friggle was then awarded a $500 check for the Helias Art Department.

To finish the award presentation, students and teachers going on mission trips to Memphis and Mexico were handed St. Christopher medals and given a special blessing.

On Tuesday, the teachers were spoiled with a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast hosted by the student council students, and a Teacher Appreciation Dinner hosted by and held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jefferson City.

On Wednesday the students gathered in the gymnasium again and were treated to a special performance by MU Steel, a percussion ensemble from the University of Missouri's School of Music. Consisting mainly of steel barrels converted to drums, the band played for an hour and educated the audience on the history of the drums and the culture from where they came-Trinidad.

On Thursday, the threat of heavy snow gave a welcoming one o'clock dismissal to students and staff.

Student Appreciation Day was on Friday; students were allowed to dress down and were dismissed at one o'clock. With or without finding their candle, the students departed with another week's bright education. 

For those Helias teachers who planned and developed Catholic Schools Week at Helias: Ron Vossen, Mary Haskamp, Kathy Jarman, Pat Seifert, Christina Baker, Denise Noonan, and Jackie Crider-Thank you!

Panera Bread of Central Missouri recently named the Helias Foundation as one of their Operation Dough-Nation partners for 2008

How it works:  Each partner is given a period of six months to receive monetary funds from collection containers displayed in the bakery-café.  All monies collected during this six-month period will be counted, matched 100% by the bakery-café and given to the partner.  (Helias Foundation's months are January-June.)  In addition to monetary funds, partners are provided product and gift certificates for certain special events, programs and services throughout the year.  To date, Panera has supplied Helias with certificates as prizes for the Academic Team's Trivia Night, as well as bagels and cream cheese for Helias faculty and staff during Catholic Schools Week. 

"Operation Dough-Nation is an on-going program that enables our bakery-cafe to give back to the communities we serve," said Greg Anderson, owner of Panera Bread of Jefferson City.  "It was important for us to choose foundations the entire community supports.  With the assistance of customers and patrons, we'll have the opportunity to aid these foundations financially, and give them the exposure they need to be successful."

The Helias Foundation is scheduled to receive monetary funds from collection containers in the Jefferson City location from January through June.  Look for the collection container near the registers.  Each donation is matched 100% by Panera.

If you would like more information on this program, please contact Amy Monteer, Panera Neighborhood Marketing Coordinator, at 573-480-2346 or Marti Dupuis, Helias Foundation Director at 573-635-6139

Alumni Updates Needed

Look for your Helias Crusader newsletter in Mid-March.  Pictured at left is the cover of the most recent (Fall) newsletter that you should have received in early December.   

The upcoming edition will include the announcement of the 9 Helias Hall of Fame Inductees, (Hall of Fame dinner will be at Helias on April 20, 2008 - mark your calendar now!), information on the Annual Fund Drive, and much more.  What we need from you are announcements for the Alumni Update feature. 

Do you have a wedding, birth, or anniversary announcement? 

Do you have a son or daughter in the Armed Forces that you can give an update about? 

Have you recently graduated, begun a new career, or have other news you would like to share?

Your former classmates want to hear about you!!  Send your updates to Marti Dupuis in the Foundation Office ASAP to be included in the Spring edition of the Foundation newsletter.  Watch your mailbox for it!

 Don't forget to show your LOVE for Helias!!! 

Now is a great time to remember the Helias Foundation in your will or estate planning.  Contact Marti Dupuis at the Foundation Office 573-635-6139 to get more information.