Dan Rozier (center) with Valle Catholic High Juniors and Seniors
"Your Future is Completely Malleable"
The Valle Catholic Schools Foundation was proud to host 2006 alumni Dan Rozier at the November 22, Lunch & Learn in the DuBourg Centre. Dan currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and is employed by Laundry Services, a New York City high end advertising agency focused on sports and culture. As their Creative Art Director, Dan has had the opportunity to work with top named sports legends, several major league franchises and numerous athletic companies to conceptualize and design the visuals of their advertising campaigns. He is most proud of his work with Nike which has allowed his team full creativity, access to several sports celebrities and various locations in the United States for video & photography. Dan was also instrumental in the recent Major League Baseball ad "Let the Kids Play". To view this ad click on the following link: https://www.mlb.com/video/let-the-kids-play-2-0?t=most-popular.
Dan's openness to sharing his vulnerabilities immediately engaged the junior and senior students with stories of being unsure of where to go to college or what major to pursue. With the encouragement and support of his parents, he graduated from Xavier University in Ohio with a degree in English. Leaving college in a down economy found Dan back home in Ste. Genevieve working odd jobs and searching for his purpose and career. He made the decision to return to Ohio and began driving senior citizens on errands and appointments while submitting resumes to local advertising agencies. When a volunteer opportunity arose at an ad agency Dan jumped at it. Eventually he was hired as a full-time member of the team a few months later. After gaining valuable experience and many successes in the local advertising market he once again took a big step, facing his fear, and moved to New York City to join the big leagues in advertising. When describing his work, Dan smiles and says, "Fun Chaos". He is blessed to work with so many imaginative and creative people in an industry that is ever changing. He explained there are other areas of advertising for students to consider beside Creative Art. Strategy which focuses on our culture today and identifies the market for a product and Design which is the technical side that works with the audio/visual and software programs. Leaving the students with a few thoughts, Dan says:
Dan is married and as a young father he loves living and working in New York City. It is where 90% of all advertising is headquartered and it feels like home. He is appreciative of his early life in Ste. Genevieve and says there is no other town like it. It is a community outside of urban sprawl with beautiful and historic French architecture and it gives you an experience and "story" no one else can tell. Thank you Dan!! You are True Valle Blue!!
With every eligible purchase, AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the proceeds back to the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation. Below you will find the link to sign up with AmazonSmile. Then just select your charity of choice from the list: Valle Schools Foundation Inc. It's simple and it's a gift that keeps giving for generations!
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Every item available for purchase on Amazon is also available on AmazonSmile ( http://smile.amazon.com/ ) at the same price! You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile Donation" on their product detail pages. For more information on the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.
Johnathan Len mesmerized the near capacity crowd at the DuBourg Centre on Saturday October 26, 2019. Songs from the 1950's, 60's and more were performed as Johnathan brought laughter and the memories of his childhood into the show. The evening began with a delicious dinner prepared by Audubon's Restaurant offering main choices of chicken marsala in mushroom sauce and roast beef au jus along with salad, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and cherry cobbler. Johnathan then kicked off the evening's entertainment with energetic opening songs and humorous stories from his childhood of listening to his mother's records while singing with a hairbrush or strumming a tennis racket. As a young child Johnathan struggled to overcome his shyness and stage fright. His aunt found that a bribe of Little Debbie Cakes worked miracles in getting Johnathan in front of an audience. Those early days spent listening to the music of the 1950's planted a seed for Johnathan and his love of those days gone by. He ventured to Southern Illinois University as a college student and joined an a capella group called Blend. That is where he truly lost his fear of being on stage and learned how to sing. He began his rise in the music industry as the group traveled the Midwest region. They performed in Branson, MO where they had the opportunity to sing with country music singer Ronnie McDowell. Several years later Johnathan and Ronnie crossed paths again and have now developed a close personal and professional relationship. Ronnie and his partners Steve Geppi and Barbara Hart had written a new song "You Will Never Leave My Mind" and asked Johnathan if he would be interested in recording it. He accepted the offer and it is now one of his most beloved recordings. The song was written about George Klein who was a close friend of Elvis Presley and passed away this year from complications with dementia. Johnathan introduced his new song and reflected on the number of persons in his own life who had struggled with Alzheimer's Disease. His soulful voice and the transcending lyrics touched everyone in the DuBourg audience. You can follow Johnathan on the internet at http://johnathanlen.com/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnathanLenMusic/.
On October 22, 2019 Seth Mueller, Valle Catholic High School class of 2016, was awarded a scholarship at the annual Scholarship Program of the College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at Mizzou. This scholarship was initiated by Emily Kertz Lampkin in honor of her father Dr. Alois Kertz and is annually supported by gifts of her three siblings and her father. This past year, a CAFNR Dean and other Mizzou alumni staff held a program at the DuBourg Centre in Ste. Genevieve to publicize this scholarship which gives preference to Valle Catholic High School graduates majoring in Animal Science or CAFNR. Congratulations to Seth! And thank you to the Kertz family! You are True Valle Blue!
Seth Mueller and Dr. Alois Kertz
The Valle Catholic Schools Foundation hosted the Valle reunion classes of 1959, 1964, & 1969 at the DuBourg Centre. The 60, 55, and 50 year reunion classes enjoyed an evening of fellowship as the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation showed their appreciation for the reunion classes' MANY years of supporting Valle Catholic Schools. The three classes enjoyed a reception, dinner and welcome remarks from Valle Catholic Schools Foundation President Cindy Loida, Fr. Nemeth, & Valle class of '69 Alum Elizabeth Roth.
The Valle Catholic Schools Foundation would like to thank the classes of 1964 & 1959 for their generous gifts of $2500 & $2000, respectively. These are gifts that will keep on giving for generations to come by granting the opportunity of a Catholic education for all children in our community. You Are True Valle Blue!!
Donna Kertz (left) & Dorothy Fallert (right) present
Fr. Nemeth with a $2500 check.
Dianne Basler (center) presents
President Cindy Loida & Fr. Nemeth with a $2000 check.
Father Edward Nemeth was presented a check of $40,000 by the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation President, Cindy Loida, at the Valle Catholic High School homecoming football game. Thanks to the financial support of alumni and friends of the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation, we have been able to donate over $5,000,000.00 to Valle Catholic Schools. We are grateful for each and every financial gift to help further our mission to sustain quality Catholic education for today and future generations.
Valle Catholic Schools Foundation President Cindy Loida and Fr. Edward Nemeth
Valle Catholic Schools Foundation sponsored another in its series of Lunch & Learn, for the Valle Catholic High School students. The speaker was Mr. Matthew Brummund, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigations. Mr. Brummund started his career as an attorney in 1995, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, holding positions as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Michigan. He became an FBI agent in 2002. He is currently stationed in St. Louis raising a family of six children. Mr. Brummund spoke to students about his career path through many varied positions in the FBI. He emphasized to the students to major in what they love in college, that there are many different paths to become an FBI agent, or other similar Federal Law Enforcement organizations such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Homeland Security Agent, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and many others in which you can serve your country and communities.
Mr. Brummund spoke about his experiences in Human Intelligence, Investigations, and a Crisis Management Coordinator during incidents such as Ferguson, kidnapping cases and Civil Rights investigations. His experiences are extensive and varied. “This type of exposure is fantastic for our high school students, from freshman to seniors, who are discerning what majors or careers paths to pursue”, Cindy Loida, Valle Catholic Schools Foundation President. “Valle Catholic is grateful to the Foundation for hosting our students in a professional Lunch & Learn series, we are so very fortunate to give them these experiences”. Fr. Edward Nemeth, Head of Valle Catholic Schools. The series continues this year and into next school year.
Mr. Matthew Brummund
STE. GENEVIEVE, MO, April 9, 2019 -- Representatives from the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) celebrated Dr. Alois (Al) Kertz and his family for their generosity in Ste. Genevieve on Saturday, April 6th at the DuBourg Centre. The Kertz family has a scholarship named in honor of their father, Al, that provides funds to support a student studying Animal Sciences or Food Sciences, preferably to students graduating from Valle Catholic High School or Ste. Genevieve High School.
Family, friends and community members from Ste. Genevieve joined faculty and staff from the University of Missouri last weekend to celebrate the Kertz award. Dr. Kertz had a unique education experience. One of seven, his parents took on a significant financial burden to send all of their children to Valle Catholic High School. His education at Valle Catholic served as a spark that encouraged him to continue on, completing two degrees at the University: a BS in Agriculture focused on Dairy Husbandry in 1967 and a Master of Science studying Dairy Cattle Nutrition in 1968. After serving several years in the military, he attended Cornell University where he completed his Ph.D., focusing his work on animal nutrition. In 2018, he received a Citation of Merit Award from the CAFNR Alumni Association, recognizing his career and research.
Professionally, Dr. Kertz has had a significant impact in his field, traveling extensively both inside and outside the US to consult on the nutrition, feeding, and management of dairy cattle. He worked for many years for Ralston Purina/Purina Mills and is currently the Founder and Principal of Andhil LLC Consulting Services. Personally, Dr. Kertz has four children, three of whom are MU graduates, and nine grandchildren.
Scholarships in CAFNR are an essential part of the recruitment and retention strategy for the college. Thanks to generous donors like the Kertz family, CAFNR is able to offer $1.5 million in scholarships each year; 83% of eligible continuing students who applied received a CAFNR scholarship. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources is home to 12 undergraduate degree programs, 12 graduate degree programs, and many research opportunities and real-world laboratory experiences.
Dr. Al Kertz with his grandson, Andrew, his wife Molly, and daughter Emily
Dr. Al Kertz with his daughter, Emily.
Dr. Al Kertz speaking at the DuBourg Centre
Valle Catholic Schools Foundation hosted Julie Murphy Finn in their 2nd spring "Lunch & Learn Speaker Series". This is a program supported by Valle Schools Foundation to promote and encourage their student body to dream big and to better understand all the diverse opportunities that are possible in a changing world. " The greater exposure we are able to provide the students at Valle Catholic, the more open and prepared they will be to make the important decisions that await them after their education at Valle. We continue to send exceptional students out into the world who have the skills to do well, but also the moral compass to do good", commented Cindy Loida, President of Valle Catholic Schools Foundation.
Julie Murphy Finn is a 1989 proud graduate of Valle Catholic and St. Louis University. Julie currently works for Kit Bond Strategies where she is the Director of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs. Julie was able to capture the attention of the Valle students by explaining her individual journey growing up in Ste. Genevieve and how Valle was a cornerstone of encouragement and support that helped her understand the importance of hard work, finding your passion, and dreaming big. Julie told the students that when you dream big, sometimes it is intimidating and you will be afraid, but stay true to your dream and persevere.
"You will find that being a graduate of Valle Catholic Schools means that you will have a wonderful support group of other Valle Catholic graduates around the world who will always be there for you. Throughout my professional career and personal life, being part of "The Valle Family" has meant so much to me and my family. Be faithful, believe in yourself, and wake up every morning remembering the values you learned while a student at Valle Catholic. I hope that if you remember any thing today, you remember this message".
Some of the children of the Class of 1989 Valle graduates.
Julie Murphy Finn
The Valle Catholic Schools Foundation is proud to sponsor a concert featuring Christine Westhoff, accompanied by organist, Timothy Allen, Friday, December 21, 2018 at 7pm in the Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church. Following the concert, attendees are invited to The DuBourg Centre for refreshments.
Ms. Westhoff, a St Louis born soprano, has sung throughout the USA and Europe and her recordings have been heard and broadcast all over the world. She is known for her imaginative programming and an engaging platform presence. Her program will feature sacred Christmas favorites interspersed with seasonal organ music played by Timothy Allen.
Biographies
Classically trained as a lyric operatic soprano, Christine Westhoff is a leading American artist in the area of oratorio and sacred music, bringing the beauty of sacred music all over the world. Christine’s recordings are being heard in literally every continent.
Considered a prodigy by many of her early voice teachers, Christine began her vocal training at the age of 9 and, by the age of 11 was studying and training with various university professors. Since then, Christine has devoted herself to perfecting her art and to breathing new life into the sacred texts of bygone centuries.
The 2011 release of her first recording, Ora Pro Nobis, was, for many, an introduction to the beauty of sacred music and Christine is committed deeply to the introduction and reintroduction of these sacred texts to a world that has all but forgotten many of them.
Christine’s Christmas album, Hark! became an international success. It has sold online the world over and was listed as a top seller in Independent Music sales charts. It is featured as part of the playlist for the Irish Republic’s Classical Music Station, Lyric FM.
In 2017 Christine released her patriotic recording, Glory Hallelujah! A celebration of America in well loved songs and hymns. This collection has been streamed online from coast to coast and is continuing to make an impact on the music scene.
Christine is in demand as a concert singer and recording artist. She has sung all over the world in some of the most sacred and spectacular venues. She has given concerts in Italy, England, Ireland, France, and Canada. She was a featured artist for the Arkansas Symphony and future engagements include a concert with The Priests in November 2018, a series of Cathedral recitals in the United Kingdom in June 2019, as well as the release of new recordings in Fall 2018.
Christine is represented by the Concert Artist Co-operative
Timothy Allen has worked in Cathedrals and Universities on both sides of the Atlantic. He studied Music as an Organ Scholar at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University where he studied with Nicolas Kynaston.
In 1986 Tim became Assistant Organist at Chelmsford Cathedral before his appointment, in 1991, as Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry, N. Ireland. In a busy ten years he revived the choir of men and boys and founded a major cross-community Music Festival with his colleague from Derry’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Donal Doherty.
Tim moved to the USA in 2001 to take up a position in St Louis. In 2006 he became the Organist at Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock, moving in 2012 to his current position at St Mark’s Episcopal Church also in Little Rock. He directs a growing choral and instrumental program. He is also College Organist at Hendrix College, Conway. He is represented by the Concert Artists Co-operative.