Violin instructor Melissa Gillette works with her students at St. Thomas Aquinas School. The students are, in the front row, from left, Lily Hanus, Finley Williams, Elora Brown and Aaliyah Clark. Violinists in the back row, from left, are Brendan English, Brooklynn Vandemark and Paxton Allen.

In Webster City, a private school continues to nurture the future of its students, providing another educational choice for residents and their children.

St. Thomas Aquinas School is situated in the heart of town, across the street from the Webster City Middle School, and across another street from Kendall Young Library.

The school at 624 Dubuque Street is innovating and spiritual, according to Heidi Tesdahl, development director, for both the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish & School.

“Beyond achieving academic excellence and embracing a faith-based education, the students of St. Thomas Aquinas are exemplifying the spirit of service and community engagement inspired by their faith,” she said.

“In the words of the Bible, ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'(Mark 10:45).”

She said that since early December, “St. Thomas Aquinas students, under the guidance of volunteer Jeanne Hill, have embarked on a weekly journey of compassion with Meals on Wheels. Every Tuesday, two students join Hill to personally deliver meals to residents in Webster City.

“This commitment to service will continue until late spring or the end of the school year,” Tesdahl said.

Locally, Meals on Wheels provides nearly 1,000 meals in a month, according to Kathy Josten, the group’s volunteer secretary/treasurer. According to her, 951 meals were delivered in one month this fall — the highest number ever recorded.

Tesdahl said the students are learning a root philanthropy lesson through their volunteer commitments that St. Thomas encourages.

“In the spirit of giving back, students collect items for local food pantries, emphasizing the importance of supporting those in need. These collections are part of the school’s dedication to service and are held at least twice during the year,” she said. “Families are also encouraged to join hands in supporting the Food Bank of Iowa, located at St. Thomas on a rotating basis.”

This accent on community services extends to the most elementary of needs.

“The fifth- and sixth-graders engage in a unique form of service by contributing to the cleanliness of their church during Advent and Lent. Collaborating with Kathy Josten and Jeanne Hill, students partake in a thorough cleaning of the church proper before the Christmas and Easter celebrations,” Tesdahl said.

And their good work continues in other ways.

“As the Lenten season approaches, the students are gearing up for a shoe drive with a noble purpose. The collected shoes will be sent to Ghana, and funds raised from an upcoming school dance will aid in covering the shipping costs,” she said. “This initiative not only reflects the commitment to service but also showcases the creativity of students in making a global impact.”

Educationally, “new this year — in addition to their regular music class — third- and fourth-grade St. Thomas students have the opportunity to take violin and viola lessons from teacher Mrs. (Melissa) Gillette,” Tesdahl said.

She added, “St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School continues to instill in its students the values of compassion, empathy, and selflessness, shaping not only academic achievers but also individuals committed to serving their community.”

A little history

“Prior to the establishment of St. Thomas Aquinas School, students attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catechetical School which began in 1940 in a frame house on the corner of Bank and Willson streets,” according to the school’s website. “Sister Mary Sienna Freilinger and Sister Mary Calista Loosbrock, Dubuque Franciscans, taught religion to about 80 children of the parish who were released during school time from the public elementary and secondary schools of Webster City. Other children of the parish, who were enrolled in schools in outlying districts, came for religious instructions on Saturdays and Sundays.

“During the first years of its existence, a number of non-Catholics also attended religion classes. Parents often visited the instruction periods, and weekly adult classes were held for interested Catholics and non-Catholics.

“In 1950, a building committee, comprised of George Shanley, Donald Frakes, James McCormick, Al Shipman, and Louis Brown, was appointed by Father Daniel A. Gorman to start planning a four-class-room, kindergarten through eighth grade school and an adjoining convent. Estimated cost of the new one-story building was set at $140,000. Architect’s plans, drawn by Flinn and Saipo, Waterloo, showed the building to be a one-story modern brick design with an abundance of glass in the classrooms.

“Building plans were released on March 17, 1952, when the contracts were awarded to Zitterell-Mills, Inc., Ermels Plumbing and Defiance Electric Company. The school section included four classrooms and an assembly room. The convent had 11 rooms and a chapel. …

“The school year opened on September 15, 1952, with ninety-nine pupils attending classes in the church basement and other available space. On November 11, 1952, the pupils were able to occupy the new building. The school was actually completed during the Christmas vacation when the final coats of paint were applied. At that time, approximately 165 students were receiving instruction in religion at St. Thomas Aquinas Catechetical School.”