LHS Community,
It’s been a busy and blessed fall at Lutheran High School, and as I look back on these first months of the school year, the words of Psalm 126:3 keep coming to mind: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Whether you’re a future parent, an alumnus, a grandparent, a current parent, or a friend who has cheered for the Cougars for years, you are part of this story. This past weekend, our community gathered at Old Hickory for “A Night for Blue and White,” and the generosity in that room was nothing short of remarkable.
I am thrilled to share that because of that generosity, and because of the careful planning and work we have done over the last couple of years, we will be replacing our HVAC system. That may not sound glamorous, but it means a healthier, more comfortable campus where students can learn, worship, and grow for years to come. Every gift that night was an investment in our mission to help young people Grow and Serve in Christ. There is much more good news to share, from a huge turnout of future freshmen to real progress on our campus plans. Thank you for being part of what God is doing here!
A Full House for Future Freshman Day
Three weeks ago, more than 150 eighth graders and their families filled our campus for Future Freshman Day. They came from over 15 schools and communities across St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Lincoln County, and beyond. From the moment they walked into the Commons, you could feel the excitement. Our current students led them through classrooms, introduced them to teachers, and showed them what it means to be part of the Cougar family.
The question I heard most that day was some version of, “When will the new building be finished?” I lost count somewhere around 20. Parents and students had seen the renderings in the Commons Lobby and heard about The Vondy from friends and from our own students. They weren’t asking because they were worried. They were asking because they could already picture themselves in it. One student lit up at the Roboteers demonstration, a future Sapphire asked about practice space, and a young baseball player couldn’t wait to hear about the new field and indoor batting cage.
That excitement hasn’t faded. Applications for the fall of 2027 are already coming in at a strong pace, and next year’s freshman class is on track to be our largest in the last three years. These families are choosing LHS because of who we are and where we’re headed. That is a gift, and it’s also a responsibility we take seriously.
Working Alongside the City of St. Peters
For the last 18 months, we’ve been working closely with the City of St. Peters on every part of our campus plans, including site planning, stormwater, drainage, and the details that come with building well. That relationship has been a blessing, and the City has been a great neighbor throughout the process.
As part of that work, we are purchasing a strip of land from the City behind our baseball field. This will extend the field and give us a larger field of play, and it sets up our campus for the next generation of Cougar athletes. Once this is completed and we have a right-of-way easement with the City, we will begin grading. This literal groundwork has taken a lot of time, but we want to get it right.
Moving Dirt on Our Ball Fields
Our next step is grading for the new baseball and softball complex. The fields and The Vondy are being designed as one connected campus with shared pathways, lighting, and sidewalks, not as two separate projects. Our engineers continue working through the final site plans and construction documents with the City so we’re ready to move when the time is right.
Pastor Ron Millard (also our baseball coach!) and Butch Powley are leading a focused effort to raise support for the fields so we can begin that work. If you’ve ever cheered from the bleachers on a spring afternoon, played on that field yourself, or simply love watching our kids compete, they would be glad to hear from you.
Pastor Ron Millard – millard@lhssc.org and (636) 866-1874
Butch Powley – powley@lhssc.org and (314) 368-2758
The Vision for The Vondy
The Vondy, or our multipurpose building, will give room to programs that have outgrown the space we have. Our Roboteers build world-class robots in a shared STEM classroom, working off rolling carts and extension cords. Our volleyball teams share courts and cut workouts short, and our basketball teams practice as late as 8:30 or 9 pm. Our cheerleaders haul mats out of storage before every practice, and our Sapphires rehearse in whatever corner of the gym or hallway is open.
What strikes me every time is that our students aren’t complaining. They’re doing what LHS kids do: making it work with what they have and building something they’re proud of. The Vondy is about giving the next student who walks through our doors the space to do even more. A recent Facility Conditions Assessment also confirmed that our campus is structurally sound and well maintained, so we can focus on growth with confidence.
Hear It From Our Students
Our students are telling this story better than I ever could. If you haven’t seen these short videos yet, take a few minutes to watch. If you have, they’re worth a second look.
Girls Volleyball: Hear what a second court in The Vondy would mean for our six volleyball teams (and current Girls District Champions) and every player who comes after them.
Roboteers: See our award-winning robotics program and what a permanent home in the Dave Zilz Practice Area would make possible.
Sapphires: Our State Champion dance team shares what dedicated practice and performance space would mean for them.
Cheer: Our perennial strong program, placing in state EVERY year, shares how this helps them prepare for their competition season, as well as sideline cheer for our sporting contests.
Four different programs share one message: we are ready to grow!
Pressing Forward on Our Mission
Buildings and fields matter, but they aren’t the point. They serve our mission to help students Grow and Serve in Christ. Every classroom, court, and field is a place where students learn, compete, lead, and grow in faith alongside teachers and coaches who care about them. We’re moving forward carefully and faithfully, checking every detail and trusting God to provide in His time.
If you’d like to be part of this work, there are many ways to help. You could make a three-year pledge, which turns a larger gift into manageable annual amounts. You could support a specific part of the ball field project, or check whether your employer will match your gift. Every gift at every level moves us closer.
Come See for Yourself
I’d love to sit down with you, give you a personal tour, introduce you to some of our students, and walk you through the plans. Just reply to this email or call me at (314) 497-3014.
Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support of our students, faculty, and staff. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Grow & Serve in Christ
Doug
