March 25, 2011
‘Tri-State Idol Gala’ to benefit Marian Educational Outreach
Tri-State Idol contestants include Lucas Pickleheimer, Sarah Schnieder, Sarah Tuley, Jessica Duglaish, Joelle Knight and Kat Shrode. Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Editor’s note: Comments from parents in the following story were provided by Bev Williamson, executive director of Marian Educational Outreach.
The audience will focus for one night on the six finalists at the “MEO Tri-State Idol Gala” — but many of the people involved in the effort have given many days and nights to supporting the program.
The Marian Educational Outreach Tri-State Idol Gala will be start at 6 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 15, at the Clarion Inn (the former Holiday Inn) on U.S. Highway 41 at Lynch Road.
Six finalists will sing and compete for the top three winning positions at the Gala. They are Lucas Pickleheimer, Sarah Schneider, Sarah Tuley, Jessica Duglaish, Joelle Knight and Kat Shrode.
The winners will be determined by “pay to vote” ballots and the decision of the three Celebrity Judges — Gina Moore, Jack Schriber and Jama Williamson.
Mike Blake will emcee the event, and the Reitz Memorial band will provide entertainment during the social hour.
MEO is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that is 53 years old, according to Bev Williamson, executive director. It is a ministry of the Diocese of Evansville, “committed to providing opportunities for all students (including those with unique learning needs) to reach their highest potential while remaining in the Catholic school system.”
Williamson said MEO “provides funding to add special education teachers to faculties and to train all teachers to better serve a diverse population of students.”
“Marian Educational Outreach has been a Godsend for us,” said Sally Wedding, a parent of a child enrolled at Holy Spirit School in Evansville. “Our daughter was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and other learning needs when she was about two years old. After years of therapies and lots of hard work on her part and our entire family, we decided that Madison was ready for school.”
But, “early in the first grade, in a classroom of over 25 students, we realized that her needs could not be met with so many distractions and without teachers who were instructed to teach to Madison’s unique gifts.”
The Weddings chose home schooling as the best option for their daughter.
“Three years later, Madison’s need for social interaction drove us to resume our search for the perfect classroom and school,” Wedding said.
Madison’s home school teacher, Jean Carver, told the Weddings about Marian Educational Outreach.
“Within minutes of walking through the doors at Holy Spirit, I knew that God had lead us to a place that could finally educate our daughter. Madison was enrolled a few weeks later and has been making great strides educationally and socially in such a warm Christian environment.”
Wedding goes on to say, that in the three years that Madison has been attending Holy Spirit she has been a cheerleader for the basketball team, participated in numerous school camps, and developed friendships that have brought her tremendous happiness.
“Without the support and the initiation of this phenomenal program by the Marian Educational Outreach Program, we would still be homeschooling and searching today. As an educator within the schools for 10 years and a parent, I have seen things educationally that don’t just happen everyday in all schools.”
Wedding attributes the unique success at Holy Spirit to a number of things: “The diverse education training that those devoted teachers have passionately accepted and implemented, the Christian families that are enrolled there, and the acceptance of everyone’s uniqueness, strong or weak, by the entire Holy Spirit population.”
Another parent, Suzanne Mosbey of Evansville, concurs in describing the impact on her son, Michael.
“The Marian Educational Outreach program based at Holy Spirit School has far exceeded our expectations. Michael has specialized learning needs that are fulfilled there on a consistent basis.”
Before going to MEO, Mosbey said, “there was much frustration and tears and poor self-esteem.”
Now, “Michael has developed leadership skills and a healthy self-esteem. The teachers always make the necessary accommodations in order for Michael to keep up with his classmates and to feel successful.”
Nora Mitz, another parent, praises the “Holy Spirit Community” — “ Holy Spirit teachers, parish workers, parents and students teach my boys and are gifts to my children, just as Henry and John David teach everyone at Holy Spirit and are gifts to them.”
Mitz concludes that, “Without the support from the Marian Educational Organization a program like the one at Holy Spirit would not be possible. Children like Henry and John David would not have the opportunity to be part of a community like the one at Holy Spirit. “
For reservations or information, call 812-402-6700 ext. 312 or go online to www.meoforkids.com.