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/.
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 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.
Valle Catholic Schools Foundation recognizes Award Winning Valle Catholic Schools. Last week the administration of Valle Catholic Schools was notified that they are being recognized, and presented the St. Louis regional award of "Do The Right Thing". This special school award is presented to Valle Catholic Schools because of their commitment and recognizing those students who make positive choices, and For The Right Thing. Valle Catholic embodies the true meaning of a Catholic School that strives to give their students the educational tools to do well in the world, but also has as a primary focus to prepare their students to do good for others. Pictured receiving the bouquet of balloons from the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation are Mrs. Jill Metzger, Director of Admissions, Fr. Edward Nemeth, Head of Schools, Mrs. Elaine Blair, Grade School Principal, and the Do The Right Thing student recipients. Back row: Trey Metzger, David Tague, Natalie Kist. Middle row: Brice Prunea, Cecilia Meyer, Cameryn Hobbs, Colton Kutz, Triston Peterson. Front row: Rhea Meyer, Colton Lipp.
We would like to cordially invite you to become a founding member of our newly formed "Legacy Society" and hope you will join us at the inaugural Legacy Society Gala on Saturday, October 7th.
We're welcoming committed alumni and friends like you to join us for an evening of great companionship and a shared mission of continued quality Catholic Education at Valle Catholic Schools.
There will be a celebration mass at 5:00 pm at Ste. Genevieve Catholic church, followed by dinner, cocktails, music and fellowship at the DuBourg Centre. We will be giving a Special Recognition award to Nancy Fischer for her many years of outstanding service and meaningful work at Valle. And we are excited to announce that Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ will be our guest speaker for the evening. Father Mike, is an extremely accomplished Jesuit priest who has spoken around the world and just so happens to also be a Valle alumnus! He will be presenting Coach Fischer with the Special Recognition award and will be talking to us about the significance of Catholic education.
Nancy Fischer celebrating with young Valle scientists in the lab.
We're asking for a $250 (or more) donation per person to attend the Gala and become a member of the Legacy Society. Former and current Valle teachers are welcome to attend for a $50 donation. All proceeds will go to the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation. Cocktail attire is suggested, so let's have a fun evening supporting this school and legacy that we are all so proud to be a part of!
You can make your reservation now by calling (573) 883-7496 or emailing admin@valleschoolsfoundation.org. You can also stop by and see Deann Huck at the Parish Center or Dawn Basler at the Valle High School for tickets.
I was recently in Denver in a hotel breakfast area when a man tapped me on the shoulder and said pointing at my Valle t-shirt, "Valle Catholic, you're from Ste Gen?"
"Yes I am," I said smiling. He said he was from Kansas City but was very familiar with our school and our sports programs.
How often has that happened to you? I can say it has happened to me more than once while visiting another state. Valle Catholic is not just your average school. It has roots that run deep here in the community, exposure that runs wide across the Midwest and graduates and supporters worldwide—people like you—who care deeply about its success.
Did you know The Valle Catholic Schools Foundation has been in existence for over 20 years? Through purposeful investments the Foundation has been able to contribute every year to the annual operating budget of the school, and we hope to expand those contributions to help keep tuition affordable for the children of Ste. Genevieve who desire a Catholic education.
The Foundation invests donations in long term investments currently managed by HSB Advisors here locally in Ste. Genevieve which has allowed us to give more to the school over time. We believe smart investments can help us better serve Valle, and we owe it to our generous donors to get the most mileage out of donations.
We've also launched this new website, in an effort to rally everyone around this school that we love so much. We've built it for those of you that live in our community and live True Valle Blue every day and for those of you that live out of our area who still care deeply about Valle and the Ste. Genevieve community.
We need your participation. Show your love for Valle by signing up for the Foundation (it's free!), filling out your profile and asking your friends and families to do the same. We plan to use this platform to connect all of you—near and far—to each other and to build up a community of people who believe in True Valle Blue.
We'll share great news and updates from Valle Catholic Schools with you, and we hope to provide recent and future graduates with a network of Valle supporters who can help connect them with potential employers or even just provide advice for future careers. Let's build a foundation community that can make a difference and show what it means to be True Valle Blue!