( 3
DeCember 23 1994 The Message -- for Catholics of Southwestern Indiana
High school students get into spirit of Christmas giving
By MARY ANN HUGHES
Message staff writer
As they prepared for Christ-
year, students in the
high schools in
Diocese. of Evansvdle" have
time to adopt needy
arailies, carol at nursing
.=s, gather canned goods
and collect
homeless shelter.
past seven years,
at Memorial High
Evansville, have
lies at Christmas.
year, students were given
of adopting families,
and items for
Family Shelter, or
items for the Mental
Christ-
avenue the stu-
to take, the main
t:Was to "Sacrifice," ex-
Nimnicht,
math teacher and
advisor. "We
to make sacri-
]."
the 12 home-
opted to adopted
clothing and
for their
mily members.
Nimnicht said the students are
encouraged to deliver the do-
nated items to the families "be-
cause it's good for the kids to
see what the need is." She said
these families are "ordinary
people in tough situations."
Students in seven Memorial
homerooms collected over 300
items for the Mental Health
Association's Gift Lift. These
items, which included under-
clothes, socks, pajamas and
gloves, were donated to pa-
tients at the Evansville State
Hospital and at the Children's
Psychiatric Center.
Seven homerooms provided
250 cans, 50 to 60 personal
care items and $273 for the
Ozanam Family Shelter•
Memorial students also col-
lected 19 bags of "good used
clothing" for the St. Vincent de
Paul Store, Nimnicht said.
Suzanne Webb, a religion
teacher at Washington
Catholic High School, Wash-
ington, said students have
spent their time preparing for
Christmas by working in the
local food bank, Feed My
Sheep, and they have pur-
chased over 75 Christmas pre-
sents for needy families in
Daviess County. They also col-
00FII00TLER MOVING-
& STORAGE
1lie's First Family of Movers
I'vansville, Indiana
h Sheet Metal Inc.
al & Commercial Heating & Cooling
Sales & Service
422-9242 I
Patricia Koch 15 S. Third Avenue, Evansville
AUTO TOPS. SEAT COVERS. BOAT COVERS
STEREO SALES & NSTALLATONS
254-3943
HWY 50 EAST, BEHIND UPS CENTER
EUGENE WELP, OWNER
& MILLER
"Funeral Pro-Planning
Since 1940".
424-9274
9 Chr/stmas
ERSTEIN TRUCKING
COMPANY
West Princeton
385-8971
E • FAI00
" SERVICES
SINCE 1913
DENNIS K. FELDHAUS
Students at Memorial High School, Evansville, adopted families, collected money and
items for the Ozanam Family Shelter, and collected items for the Mental Health Asmia-
tion's Christmas Gift Lift. Above, Memorial seniors in Judy Rode's homeroom wrap pre-
sents.
-- Message photo by Mary Ann Hughes
It
lected items during a canned
food drive.
Washington Catholic stu-
dents also have adopted resi-
dents at a local nursing home.
In a year-long project, the stu-
dents try to visit their resident
at least once a month and they
prepare a meal for their resi-
dent and their families for
each holiday.
Webb said the students are
"very enthusiastic about this
and sometimes they go to the
nursing home when it's not
even their turn." She added,
"It's such a small school, and
everyone pitches in."
Father Mark Kurzendoerfer,
a religion teacher at Mater Dei
High School, Evansville, said
about 15 Evansville families
have been adopted for Christ-
mas this year.
He said needy families are
invited to make a wish list and
then, under the direction of the
Student Council, the home-
rooms gather money and toys.
The gifts are then wrapped
and delivered to the families.
Father Kurzendoerfer said
the response from the Mater
Dei students "has been good,
Students in Mater Dei's Ser-
vice Club provided cookies and
caroling to residents at
Gertha's Nursing Center in
Evansville, according to Gina
Uloth, a Mater Dei English
teacher.
Mai'ian Heights Academy
students have been collecting
pennies for the past two years,
according to Richard Mathena,
academy principal. Half of the
pennies are deposited in the
student scholarship fund, and
the other half goes to the
needy. This Christmas,
academy students and staff
members also purchased gifts
for needy families.
Siater Jenny Schmitt a roll,
glen teacher at the academy,
said toys and clothes were also
donated to the Huntingburg
Neighborhood Health Clinic
and funds were also donated to
the Native American Society.
Sister Becky Keller, a reli-
gion teacher at Rivet High
School, Vincennes, said a
group of eighth graders has
adopted residents at a local
nursing home.
Coloring contest winners announced
By MARY ANN HUGHES -- Alex Wolf, St. Theresa Benedict School, Evansville,
Message staff writer School, Evansville, third prize, second prize;
First grade -- Kevin Hall, St. Philip
Over• 1,200 entries from stu- -- Kane Schmitt, St. Wendel School, St. Philip, third prize.
dents in Catholic schools and School, St. Wendel, grand Fourth grade
religious education programs prize;
throughout the Diocese of -- Nicholas Farny, Resur- -- Clint Keller, St. Joseph
Evansville were submitted in rection School, Evansville, first School, Vanderburgh County,
the annual Message coloring prize; grand prize;
contest, which was open to stu- -- Anthony Palmenter, Holy -- Karly Kempf, St. Philip
dents in grades kindergarten Rosary School, Evansville, sec- School, St. Philip first prize;
through four. ond prize; -- Jaclyn Riffert, St. Bene-
This year's design was pro- Joseph J0chim, dict School, Evansville, second
vided by Amy Housman, execu- Owensville Community School. prize;
tive assistant at the Message, Owensville, third prize. Michelle Johnson, Holy
and a 1988 graduate of Memo- Second grade Rosary School, Evansville.
rial High School, Evansville. Jill Boeglin, Mary Help of
Winners of the contest are: Christians Church, Mariah third prize.
Kindergarten Hill, grand prize;
-- Ian CoIIignon, Holy Re- -- Allison Danesi, Holy Four prizes were awarded in
deemer School, Evansville, Rosary School, Evansqlle, first each of five categories: Kinder-
grand prize; prize; garten, Grade One, Grade Two,
-- Nikki Kozan, St. Philip Haley Austin, Resurrec- Grade Three and Grade Four.
School, St. Philip, first prize; tion School, Evansville, second The grand prize in each cate-
Brandon Schoettlin, St. prize; gory is a $15 gift certificate
Philip School, St. Philip, sec- Matt Marx, St. James from G.D• Ritzy's. and the first
ond prize; School, St. James, third prize.
Third grade prize is a large pizza from
Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Place.
Amanda Montgomery,
HAUBSTADT' Sts. Peter and Paul School, The second place prize is an ice
Haubstadt cream cake from Lic's Ice
ELECTRIC
grand
prize;
• Lnsed.Bonded. Insured Kristen Plahn, Flaget El- Cream and Sandwich Shoppes.
InduslnaLCommercandReseat ementary School, Vincennes, The third place prize is as-
P0 Box 405
TONY NAZARIO Haubstedt, iN 47639 first prize; sorted chocolates from Stephen
812-768-5207 I800"766"2787 Nicholas Trenkamp, St. Libs Finer Chocolates,
ii ii i , i i ii i