Helias Catholic High School's Class of 2019 celebrated Baccalaureate Mass on Monday, and the graduates were offered more than $2.7 million in scholarships, according to a news release from Helias.
"If you follow the Lord in your lives, you will find a joy and blessing that cannot be found anywhere else," Bishop Shawn McKnight of the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City told the 158 seniors of the class of 2019 on Monday afternoon in Rackers Fieldhouse.
"The world is a place in need of Jesus and his gospel. We as Christians have the mission to go into the dark corners with the light of Christ," McKnight added.
"This class started at Helias the same year I did," Principal Kenya Fuemmeler said. "We have both gained an extraordinary amount of knowledge in the last four years, and I feel a special bond and sense of pride with these students whom I have seen through from Frosh Camp Mass to Baccalaureate Mass."
"The class of 2019 includes five students committed to service to our country; 14 students with 4.0 (grade point averages); seven students who each completed more than 500 hours of community service; 11 Bright Flight scholars; one student with a perfect 36 ACT score who is also a top 100 Missouri scholar; and a combined total of 14,900 service hours from this class over their four years, along with many other accomplishments. Ninety-five percent of the graduating class is pursuing post-secondary education," according to Helias' news release.
The $2.7 million offered in scholarships to the class of 2019 included more than $250,000 in A+ Program Scholarships.
Several students received awards that were presented during the Mass.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Award went to Grace Stiefermann and Josh Kliethermes. The award is given to a senior boy and girl selected by faculty based on citizenship, scholarship and attendance.
The American Legion Citation was awarded to Daniel Rhea and Maya Heckart. The award is given to a senior boy and girl selected by faculty based upon leadership, scholarship and service.
The Father Helias Award went to Benjamin Stumpe and Ellie Rockers. The award is given to a senior boy and girl chosen based upon their contribution to Helias during their four years of attendance.
The Helias Class of 2019's graduation ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Crusader Athletic Complex.