A grand day at Sacred Heart

Steve Twenter looks on as his grandson Jaxon Twenter concentrates on his game of pumpkin bingo at Grandparents Day at Sacred Heart School Friday morning. Jaxon’s great-grandmother, his grandfather and father have all graduated from Sacred Heart. Steve Twenter said he was grateful for the education his family had received from the school and was pleased his grandson could continue the family tradition.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_tsd102415shsgrandparents1.jpg Steve Twenter looks on as his grandson Jaxon Twenter concentrates on his game of pumpkin bingo at Grandparents Day at Sacred Heart School Friday morning. Jaxon’s great-grandmother, his grandfather and father have all graduated from Sacred Heart. Steve Twenter said he was grateful for the education his family had received from the school and was pleased his grandson could continue the family tradition.

Carson Bench plays with his marker blocks during a round of pumpkin bingo at Sacred Heart Friday morning. In celebration of Grandparents Day, the elementary students and their grandparents and guests attended an early morning mass and then returned to their classrooms for breakfast and to spend time together.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_tsd102415shsgrandparents2.jpg Carson Bench plays with his marker blocks during a round of pumpkin bingo at Sacred Heart Friday morning. In celebration of Grandparents Day, the elementary students and their grandparents and guests attended an early morning mass and then returned to their classrooms for breakfast and to spend time together.

Martin Valtos enjoys his milk and looks on as Birkli Martin plays a game on her grandmother’s phone before they recite a poem for their grandparents and visitors at Sacred Heart Friday morning. The kindergartners spent the morning in the cafeteria before returning to their classrooms to spend time with their grandparents.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_tsd102415shsgrandparents3.jpg Martin Valtos enjoys his milk and looks on as Birkli Martin plays a game on her grandmother’s phone before they recite a poem for their grandparents and visitors at Sacred Heart Friday morning. The kindergartners spent the morning in the cafeteria before returning to their classrooms to spend time with their grandparents.

When you are 5 years old and in kindergarten, you may not have had the opportunity to establish many traditions you remember.

Sacred Heart School provided a chance today for all its elementary students to build a very special memory with their loved ones as they celebrated Grandparents Day.

“I have 11 students in my class this year,” kindergarten teacher Kay Keele said. “We had 25 special visitors who came to spend the morning with us.”

The day started with a mass at 8:30 a.m. followed by a morning snack and games as well as a musical presentation for the invited guests.

For two students in the class, the day had a special meaning as their grandparents and parents were students at Sacred Heart.

“I wouldn’t miss this day for the world,” Jim Bench said. “Our children and grandchildren are the focal point of our lives and they mean everything to us.”

Bench, the paternal grandfather of Carson Bench, also had a reason to be proud, as Carson Bench’s mother, Jill Bench, is a second grade teacher at SHS this year.

Bench’s maternal grandmother, Judy Pabst Staus, is a 1966 graduate of Sacred Heart.

“All of our children attended this school and now our grandchildren are,” Staus said. “It is special to have that and to have our daughter teach here.

“Things have changed and evolved over the years,” Staus said. “But my husband and I are proud of the outstanding Christian education we feel that they receive here.”

One of the best aspects of being a grandparent is the hugs and kisses a grandchild can bring, Staus said.

“I just light up when I see them,” Staus added. “The fact that they are a part of the family is what is important.”

Being a part of the extended Sacred Heart family has special meaning for Steve Twenter and his family too.

“My family has such a strong heritage to the school,” Twenter said. “We wanted our grandchildren to attend this school because it is where we have all gone.”

Twenter is referring to the fact that his grandson Jaxon Twenter, his son and daughter, six sisters and three brothers, and his mother, Marvella Butler Twenter, all are graduates of the school.

“I think they provide so much personal attention to the students,” Twenter said. “They provided a lot of opportunities for the children.”

“I think all little ones are just so sweet and discerning about things,” Merley Staus said. “They can cheer you up even if you are having a rough day.

“You just love them and you want to see them develop into good people and feel you had a part in it.”