Keeping up with 2008 LASE Alumna Lindsey Hawkins is no easy task. This young woman keeps busy with work, sports, volunteer activities and speaking engagements for a very full schedule of activities.

Shortly after graduating from the LASE Learning Center at Lutheran High, St. Charles, Lindsey started work as a hostess at 026 Pub N Biergarten in Fenton and has worked there ever since. As a hostess three days per week, this friendly and outgoing woman has the opportunity to greet guests to the restaurant and make them feel welcome.

When Lindsey is not working, she can be found volunteering at the Down Syndrome Association one day per week or doing a speaking engagement for Special Olympics. Lindsey visits 10-15 schools each year, sharing with students how Special Olympics has positively impacted her life and encouraging others to get involved. As a two-time featured speaker at the Shop N Save Golf Tournament, Lindsey has shared with her audiences the joys of participating in Special Olympics.

Lindsey is actively involved in sports through Special Olympics. She competes in six different sports throughout the year including the year round sport of bowling. Last year she was one of 100 athletes on the USA Team for Special Olympics as they traveled to New Jersey for competition. Lindsey came home with three third place medals. Congratulations to Lindsey for being an active member in your community and for all of your successes!

Enthusiastic, proactive, committed. These are just a few adjectives that Word of Life Lutheran School Principal Alicia Klug uses to describe Kindergarten teacher Jill Moormann. Jill is the recipient of the Third Annual LASE Jeremiah Award. This award is given annually to a general education teacher who is outstanding in his/her work with students with disabilities and special needs. Mrs. Moormann was presented the Jeremiah Award in a special ceremony in front of the entire school on February 18, 2015.

Jill embraces students with special needs. She is willing to adjust her strategies to fit the needs of her students and not afraid of a challenge. Principal Klug says that Jill is in constant communication with LASE teachers to find methods and strategies that will help students with both learning and behavior needs. She is always open for suggestions and ideas that will help. Mrs. Moormann is well loved by ALL of her past and present students. She truly makes a difference in the lives of children!

Allison is a competitive gymnast whose favorite events are bars and floor activities. This friendly Green Park Lutheran School 7^th grader also loves to walk her dog, Hershey, and ride her bike. Allison’s mom, Stephanie, says that Allison is able to handle the work at Green Park because of help from LASE Resource Teacher, Mrs. Sandi Loduca. Stephanie believes Mrs. Loduca does awesome work with her daughter with the personal kind of attention that she feels she would not get if Allison was in public school. Allison works with Mrs. Loduca for Language Arts in a small group setting which helps keep her focused. She thinks Mrs. Loduca makes the subject easier to understand and is a fun teacher. Mrs. Loduca observes that Allison has grown in her independence and ability to advocate for herself over the past five years. Her reading and math have improved as see by her report card that is now filled with A’s and B’s. Way to go Allison!