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!
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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
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
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.
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!
Valle Catholic 4th-8th Graders recently competed in math competitions sponsored by the MO Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Those advancing to regionals are: Lauren Wolk (4th Gr), Gavyn Joggerst (6th), Alissa Grass (6th) and Cannon Wolk (6th).
Special recognition to 7th Graders Peter Roth for placing 3rd overall and also advancing to State, and Clayton Drury for placing 5th overall.
Students were prepared for the competitions by Math teachers, Mrs. Michelle Basler and Ms. Natalie Grass.
Congratulations to all the students who participated!