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 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.
Thank you, Ste. Genevieve, for making our Warrior Auction such a huge success. We raised $220,000 for Valle Catholic Schools—wow! Hear thanks from our kids in the video below!
To mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, Valle Catholic students and staff participated in a local March for Life in Ste. Genevieve. This was to coincide with the Washington DC March for Life attended by Valle seniors and juniors. The Valle silent march was held on Friday afternoon, January 19th.
This trip, made each year by juniors, seniors and parents is a wonderful opportunity to participate in what St. Pope John Paul wrote in The Gospel of Life: "It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop." This year's pilgrimage was organized by Mrs. Jan Weiler, Mrs. Patty Shuh, and Mrs. Pam Basler.
Aside from standing up for the unborn, the group had an opportunity to visit the sites in and around our capital city. A special moment occurred as students placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Watch a video of the ceremony below.
The final stop before leaving Washington was a visit to the Pentagon Memorial, a permanent outdoor memorial to the 184 people who died as victims in the building and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the September 11 attacks.
The mission of the March for Life held each year in Washington DC, is to provide all Americans with a place to testify to the beauty of life and the dignity of each human person. The March unites and strategizes around a common message, and communicates a message to the government, the media and the nation in a way that is powerful and life-affirming.
Preparing for the Christmas season is a very busy time for most folks. During Advent the preparations are everywhere. Busy moms are cooking and baking, sales clerks are working late and letter carriers are swamped. Churches are getting ready to move from purple vestments to white. Preparations at Valle Catholic are the same.
Advent/Christmas activities at Valle Catholic included:
Despite the busy season, Valle students, teachers, and their families still make time to give back to the community. Keeping in the spirit of the season, students at Valle Catholic took part in several different service projects as Christmas approached.
Valle Catholic held a pet blessing on October 4th, feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis devoted his life to the poor and had a special connection to animals. Parents and grandparents were invited to bring family pets to the Valle Desert, where Father Edward Nemeth, pastor of Ste. Genevieve Church, led a prayer and blessing.
First grade teachers Mary Joggerst and Donna Herzog spearheaded a collection of pet items to be donated to our local pet shelter. First grade's virtue is compassion and all our students work to show love to God's creatures.
In conjunction with the Blessing of the Pets, Officer Barton from the Ste. Genevieve Sheriff's Office also came to visit the Valle First Graders.
He collected the items for the animal shelter that the Valle students donated. He also talked to the students about his job and how even six year olds can take care of God's creatures. We look forward to Barton's visits every year and love how he speaks from his heart about his job or "calling" from God to keep animals safe.
May God Bless you, Officer Barton, and all of those who work daily to keep us and animals safe.
If you are interested in adopting a pet or donating to the shelter, please contact office Barton at the Sheriff's Department via the non-emergency number, (573) 883-5820. He wants all of you to know you are welcome to visit the shelter, just call to set up an appointment with him.
During my years in Catholic education, especially in the past few years working in Advancement at St. Pius X, it became clear that in order for Catholic schools to survive in the future, we must approach funding and fundraising in a strategic manner. The days of high-labor, low-return fundraisers are over if we want to have Catholic schools that don’t just survive, but truly thrive. The days of “nickel and diming” our parents and supporters just to fund the necessities are over. It is time that we embrace a new vision of Catholic school advancement that is respectful of our supporters and demonstrates good stewardship of our resources.
I am very grateful that in our parish and school we have the Valle Schools Foundation as strategic partners in securing long-term financial vitality for our historic school. The Valle Schools Foundation has contributed over $250,000 to Valle Catholic in the past year alone, adding to nearly $5,000,000 in financial support during the life of the Foundation. Nationwide, organizations like the Valle Schools Foundation are major players in the financial future of our schools. By supporting the Foundation through future fundraising events or by remembering the Foundation in your estate planning, YOU play a major role in securing a bright future for all of our families in Catholic education.
I would like to add my personal invitation for you to consider attending the Valle Schools Foundation Legacy Gala on Saturday October 7th. Your donation of $250 will go a long way in building a legacy of excellence at Valle Catholic. By attending the Legacy Gala you will be able to join with other individuals who are passionate about the mission of Catholic education at Valle Catholic. If your personal economy makes this donation amount difficult, I invite you to prayerfully consider joining the Foundation by clicking here. Membership is free and it will keep you up-to-date with the good things happening at Valle Catholic.
I truly believe that we are poised for greatness in our Valle Catholic Schools. Through the commitment and passion of our donors and volunteers, we will together build a foundation that will support Valle Catholic as it enters its second century of educational excellence.
Help us create a great Member Directory by creating an awesome Member Profile for yourself! It's easy to do. Just use the tips below!
First you need to Signup to create a Member Profile. Signing up to join the Foundation is free and easy to do. If you haven't already done so click here to get started.
We're all visual these days - uploading a photo to your profile to makes it easier for others to browse the Member Directory, and will help us put a face to the name. : )
Your answers don't have to be long and cumbersome, just answer from the heart and keep it simple. Look at Kate Keeley's profile for a great example of how to answer the questions. We want to hear from you, too! And remember any answer is better than no answer.
Help us spread the reach of our Foundation, by sharing a link to your profile via email or social media. Ask your friends and family that love Valle to create a profile, too!
Our vision for this website is that it will be a voice and a needed platform for everyone who cares about Valle Catholic Schools. Our vision for the Member Directory is that it can serve as a networking tool to connect alumni, students and community members. Current students can use it as a way to get in touch with alumni that inspire them. It also gives us a place to show our Valle pride. Let's build this together!