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!
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.
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.
Amidst the sadness and suffering from the effects of recent natural disasters, one can always find a sign of hope.
Valle Catholic tried to be that ray of hope for a Houston school. The Warriors adopted a classroom at the KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys. This is an all-boys school for underprivileged youth which was hit heavily by the flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Pictured are Valle 2nd and 5th graders with some of the supplies they collected.
School supplies, cleaning products, art supplies, and prayers are being sent to our Houston friends.
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.
Valle Catholic kicked off another school year on August 16, 2017. The day began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Edward Nemeth, pastor of Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church and Head of Valle Catholic Schools.
Here are some first day photos of the big & little Warriors.