Catholic Schools honor distinguished graduates

SCROLL THE ARROWS to see photos of more honorees.

Each year during Catholic Schools Week, Catholic schools throughout the country, in cooperation with the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), honor graduates that exemplify the schools’ values and ideals.

The Distinguished Graduate Award honors graduates of Catholic schools who have significantly contributed to American life or the Catholic Church.

Here are some of this year’s honorees from the Jefferson City diocese:

FREEBURG

Holy Family School honored Sara Henderson.

“Sara is an excellent role model for our students when it comes to being a good steward of the parish,” said Debbie Reinkemeyer, principal.

Mrs. Henderson gives her time and talent to the parish and school in so many ways.

“She is kind to all that she meets and always greets people with a smile,” Mrs. Reinkemeyer stated.

JEFFERSON CITY

Immaculate Conception School honored Leah Pickering of the Class of 1999.

“Mrs. Pickering is a great asset to our school and parish,” said Heather Schrimpf, principal. “We thank her for her faithful witness and continued support of Catholic education.”

“Mrs. Pickering is faithful in her service to Immaculate Conception School and Parish as a first-grade teacher, volunteering for many school activities, including being the Home and School co-chair, coaching for our athletic teams, and assisting with various activities of the parish,” said Heather Schrimpf, principal.

Mrs. Pickering is quick to offer a helping hand with the various fundraisers and school activities that happen during the school year.

She and her husband Jeff have three children who attend the school.

“Their love for Catholic education and the Catholic faith is evident,” said Mrs. Schrimpf.

St. Peter School honored Catherine and the late Jim Haake, “whose lives exemplify the values of faith, service and perseverance cherished at St. Peter.”

“Married in 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Haake built a multifaceted legacy through their dedication to family, faith and community,” stated Gayle Trachsel, principal.

Their work included operating beloved local businesses — the Haake Hobby Shop and the Big Dipper — and providing essential transportation and delivery services for children, individuals with special needs and community members.

They actively served St. Peter Parish, with Jim as an usher and Catherine as a devoted volunteer, including as a Eucharistic adorer.

Mrs. Haake remains an active presence in the parish and community, preparing meals for funeral services and supporting various outreach efforts.

Mr. Haake served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, worked as a Jefferson City firefighter, and was a dedicated public servant as a city councilman and Lions Club leader. Following his death, Catherine carried on his legacy, serving the community with kindness and resilience.

They sent their children to St. Peter School.

Mrs. Haake’s acts of kindness endure through meal deliveries, organizing luncheons, and providing support to family and friends in need.

“Jim and Catherine Haake’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, selfless service, and enduring love for their family, church, and community,” said Mrs. Trachsel.

St. Joseph Cathedral School honored Elisa (Rackers) Brenneke of the Class of 1994.

“Elisa has definitely lived out the Stewardship Way of Life in our parish,” said Gina Bailey, principal.

Mrs. Brenneke is currently a member of the parish finance council and is a past treasurer for the Home and School Association.

She also helps coach volleyball and track at the school.

Some of Mrs. Brenneke’s fondest memories of SJCS are of playing sports, which motivated her to volunteer to coach at the school.

“Watching students grow as players and gain confidence in themselves has been so rewarding,” Mrs. Brenneke stated.

The school was scrambling last year to find a track coach, and Mrs. Brenneke stepped up to the challenge and is planning to continue in that role again this year.

She holds a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Missouri.

She worked for Williams Keepers for 14 years, and then took a job as the CFO of Industrial Warehouse and Distribution group, where she has been for the past seven years.

She also serves on the YMCA finance committee and is a member of the Helias Catholic High School Advisory Council.

She and her husband Tony have two children: a sophomore at Helias Catholic and a seventh-grader at SJCS.

LINN

St. George School honored Tammy Tyree of the Class of 1984 and Brianna Monroe of the Class of 2000.

“Tammy and Brianna have made invaluable contributions to St. George School, exemplifying the values instilled in them through their Catholic education,” said Lisa Grellner, principal.

She cited Ms. Tyree’s dedication to the school’s program for 3-year-olds and Ms. Monroe’s unwavering commitment to the school community.

“St. George School congratulates both recipients on this well-deserved recognition, acknowledging their Christ-centered and faith-directed lives,” said Mrs. Grellner.

MEXICO

St. Brendan School honored Robert O. Slater Ph.D. of the Class of 1962.

Dr. Slater is currently professor and chairman of the Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Chicago, and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.

He has also been selected as a national Fulbright Scholar three different occasions: once to Greece, to Peru, and once to Bolivia, where he helped developed these countries educational systems.

A research author of over 60 publications and book chapters, he was senior research associate with the U.S. Dept of Education in Educational research and Improvement in Washington D.C.

Dr. Slater has also been recognized for his outstanding teaching excellence at LSU-Baton Rouge and at Texas A&M University, where he previously was taught.

He is an active member of Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lafayette.

He and his wife, Maria, who also teaches at LSU, have two sons.

RICH FOUNTAIN

Sacred Heart School honored Katie Neuner.

“Katie uses her gifts of creativity and enthusiasm to help the parish and school continue to grow and thrive,” said Debbie Reinkemeyer, principal.

“She’s always willing to help wherever there is a need,” Mrs. Reinkemeyer stated. “She is a true asset to our parish community.”

VIENNA

Visitation Inter-Parish School honored Janice (Wansing) Wieberg of the Class of 1964.

“Janice is truly the model of Christ-like service to others and the community,” said Maggie Rush, principal.

Mrs. Wieberg is the current volunteer school librarian at Visitation School.

She enjoys seeing the students each day and has built relationships with them throughout her time as librarian.

She cleans Visitation Church on a volunteer basis without expecting any praise or pay in return.

“She is the type of person who volunteers and serves the surrounding parishes and the community without any desire for thanks or praise,” said Mrs. Rush.

Mrs. Wieberg has been very involved in her parish, and has previously served as the parish secretary at St. Aloysius in Argyle.

She raised her children in the Catholic faith and has continued to be an example to her grandchildren and now great-grandchildren of what it means to be a devout Catholic and a servant to others and Christ.

“We could go on and on about the many wonderful things that Janice does!” said Mrs. Rush. “She is truly a light to the world.”

WESTPHALIA

St. Joseph School honored Megan Markway.

“She is our current eighth-grade teacher and has a very long list of valuable things that she does to keep our school running smoothly,” said Jeremy Horvath, principal.