Lourdes principal climbs roof after kids raise money

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| Thursday, May 26, 2005 3:10 AM CDT | () comments

Mary Louise Speer

Barbara Herter experienced a new high in her life last week while lounging on the rooftop at Lourdes Catholic School. Her ascent was motivated by the efforts of students who raised money for Camp Hand-in-Hand.

Herter came prepared for a several-hour stay with a deck chair, cooler stocked with survival supplies, cell phone and a basket filled with paperwork. She wore a lei in honor of the school's celebration of Hawaiian Day. On the ground below, parents and kitchen staff prepared a special cookout for students.

"This is children helping children. Community service is in our building all year long, but we take on some big projects such as this one," she said. "I know why principals go up. It's peaceful and I'm getting some stuff done, which is wonderful."

Climbing up on the roof was easy, she said. However, "getting down is the big deal. You may have to call the fire department," she said with a laugh.

Herter has risen to the occasion before after fulfilling a promise to students at her former school in Pennsylvania. The school had a pie-throwing contest, and she was a recipient.

Members of the school's student council raised more than $2,250 for the camp by collecting donations for sending Herter to the roof and from selling leis. Camp Hand-in-Hand opens new horizons for children who are medically fragile, have mobility challenges or live with autism or Down Syndrome.

The camp is "allows them to do fun activities that regular kids get to do," eighth-grader Sarah Dooley said. "This is the biggest thing student council has done."

Hand-in-Hand fulfills a vision set by Mark and Vinnie Smith and Dave and Joanie Steil. Both couples are parents of special-needs children. The Steils' daughter died in May 1999. The program provides age- and ability-appropriate activities to special-needs people up to 21 years old.

Herter waved as students spilled out of class to eat their lunch on the lawn below. Many spread out beach towels, and a few wore grass skirts and leis in honor of the occasion.

Kids had mixed reactions to seeing their principal on the roof. "She's kind of crazy," kindergartner Sammy McGee said.

Emily Houston, also in kindergarten, shivered in the cool winds. She thought it would be fun to be up on the roof as well, and she liked the change of pace for lunch. "They cooked stuff healthy," she said pointing to her hot dog and fresh carrots.

"It's a good thing it didn't rain," eighth-grader Katie Dilley said. "I'm very excited that we raised all the money. We raised more than we thought we would."

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