156 Helias Catholic H.S. graduates sent forth to be bold, loud about their faith, convictions
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A spectacle of blue and gold unfolded on the field of Ray Hentges Stadium, as Helias Catholic High School’s Class of 2026 accepted their diplomas and celebrated their accomplishments under a clear evening sky.
“It says here I’m supposed to tell you to hold your applause until everyone has received their diploma,” Assistant Principal Emma Williams told the parents, families and friends of this year’s 156 graduating seniors.
“But go ahead and cheer for them,” she said. “Celebrate with them. I think you’ve earned the right to do that.”
Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell and Erin Vader Ed.D., diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, joined Ron Vossen, president; Spencer Allen Ed.D., principal; Dwayne Clingman, assistant principal; and Mrs. Williams on the platform facing the soon-to-be graduates.
“At Helias Catholic, we are guided by our core values of faith, community and excellence,” Mr. Vossen told them.
“May you grow into the people God has called you to be, and may you always remain connected to your Crusader family as you move onward together,” he said.
Fr. Helias Award recipient Gavin B. Wilson led the Opening Prayer.
“Heavenly Father, we ask you to accompany us as we face new adventures and challenges,” he prayed. “May the paths we take always lead to you and to the eternal joy that is ours through your son.”
Members of the Helias Catholic Concert Choir, directed by Jenni Moorman, sang this year’s senior song, “Landslide,” by Stevie Nicks and Ed Lojeski.
Fr. Helias Award recipient Claire Morris proclaimed a passage from the Book of Sirach.
“Trust in God, and he will help you,” she read. “Make your ways straight and hope in him ... You that fear the Lord, trust in him, and your reward will not be lost. You that fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.”
A moment to share
Student Council President Liza Boyer called to mind what it felt like to be freshmen, “thinking we knew what we were doing, and realizing very quickly, we did not!”
“And now, here we are at our last official Helias event as seniors, still not entirely sure what we’re doing,” she stated, “but at least we’re doing it together.”
She said the past four years have been defined for her and her fellow graduating seniors by the time they spent together as a school community.
“Once a Crusader, always a Crusader,” she proclaimed.
That’s more than a saying, she reminded them; it’s a way of life.
“It’s in the friendships we’ve built, the teachers who have pushed us when we didn’t want to be pushed, and the moments big and small that have shaped who we are,” she said.
“It’s in the way we have shown up for each other, whether at games, in the classroom or just getting through a tough week together.”
The graduating seniors will head off in different directions, “but we share this moment, and we always will,” she stated.
Liza urged them to think of this time not as goodbye but as “see you later.”
“No matter where we go, we carry something with us,” she reminded them. “We carry our faith, we carry our roots and we carry a piece of Helias.”
Enthusiastic ambassadors
Dr. Vader and Dr. Allen distributed the diplomas Mrs. Williams announced the names.
Bishop O’Donnell and Mr. Vossen congratulated each graduate amid waves of cheers and applause.
Special honors included:
- the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award, recognizing citizenship, scholarship and good attendance: Max Borgmeyer and Alison Roling.
- the American Legion Citation, recognizing leadership, scholarship and service: Quade Edwards and Ruth Cassmeyer; and
- the Father Helias Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to Helias Catholic: Gavin B. Wilson and Claire Morris.
Owen David, Joseph McKinney and Ruby Rackers were lauded for embarking on service in the U.S. military.
Dr. Allen noted that Graduation Day for the Crusaders landed on the feastday of a fifth-century monk, St. John the Silent.
“In general, you are anything but a silent group of young people!” said Dr. Allen. “Many of you have proclaimed your faith loudly through your words and actions this year, such that our underclassmen know that discipleship is the norm at Helias Catholic.”
Dr. Allen urged the graduating seniors to find moments of quiet in order to be able to hear the small, still voice of God.
“But in all other things, continue to speak the essence of your mission loudly,” he said. “Go out and be bold disciples of faith.
“Represent yourselves as exemplars of excellence,” he advised them, “and in all things as alumni, serve as enthusiastic ambassadors of this community we are building up into saints and scholars for Christ.”
Bishop O’Donnell thanked the parents and families, congratulated the graduates and prayed a blessing over them.
“May they always know in times of difficulty your great care,” he prayed. “May they always know in times of achievement your great grace and love, and may they always know of your blessing.”
Students and families lingered on the field as Giuseppe Verdi’s regal Grand March from “Aida” played in the background.
Take it with you
In interviews, several seniors talked about what they’ll miss most about their time at Helias Catholic.
“Definitely the friendship and fellowship and being here with my friends,” said Joseph Jones Jr.
“Even when you’re having a bad day, there’s always someone having a good day who you can lean on,” he said.
Joseph said God changed him profoundly through his time at Helias Catholic — including stronger faith and deeper respect for the Eucharist.
“I 100-percent would not be where I am without Helias,” he said. “And I don’t say that lightly, because I plan to enter the seminary this fall.”
Ellayna Morasch said she went to Helias Catholic because her parents wanted to send her to a Catholic school.
She’s very grateful for that decision.
“I love it here so much,” she said. “It’s such a great faith community. I’ve grown so much over the years, especially in my faith life. I’ve learned a lot.”
She has also become more outgoing and eager to get involved in activities.
She’s set to major in business and communications at the University of Arkansas.
“I plan on taking my faith and incorporating it into each day there and leaning on my community,” she said.
She intends to remain Catholic.
“It’s honestly the most important part of my life,” she said. “My personal experience and the witness of other people have shown me that it’s the true faith.”
Never alone
Grayson Moore plans to attend the University of Mississippi this fall.
He said he’ll miss the friends he made at Helias Catholic and the opportunities to get together with them, especially at sporting events.
He doesn’t plan on leaving his faith behind.
“Always having Jesus with you,” he said. “It’s not easy being Catholic on your own.”
Clara Underwood plans to major in human physiology at the University of Iowa this fall and eventually go to medical school.
She also hopes to get involved in Catholic campus ministry at the local Newman Center.
“At the root of it, I’ll hold onto being Catholic — a Catholic from Jefferson City — and how important that community is to me, and being a Missourian, as well,” she said.
Taking theology classes and being active in peer ministry at Helias Catholic this year helped solidify her faith.
“Adoration, time in chapel and Mass, I want to keep going back to these things and keeping them at the core of who I am,” she said.
She wants to keep helping people find their way to God, especially by how she presents herself and welcomes them.
“Just being kind,” she said. “I think that’s maybe the easiest, simplest way we can all be better ministers of our faith.”
She’ll miss the community at Helias Catholic, especially her friends from the tennis team.
She’ll also miss living someplace where fellow Catholics are always nearby.
“I mean, you can’t drive down Missouri Boulevard without seeing a rosary in someone’s car,” she said. “That’s very comforting.
“So, it’s a little scary to be moving away,” she stated, “but I know so much good will come from it.”
