Special to the Register by Father Kenneth Borowiak
WAVERLY (SNR) - It has been a trying four months for students and staff at Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children in Waverly.
In mid-March, the coronavirus sent the students home for the remainder of the school year. And June 15, the school’s founder, Msgr. James Dawson, died.
The combination of events left students and staff grieving. Villa Marie, begun in 1964, is more than a school. It is a home where children with intellectual needs can establish and nurture true friendships and receive a quality education.
In anticipation of the resumption of school in mid-August, the Knights of Columbus of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln agreed to paint the dormitories for the students, as a means of freshening up the place where many of these children spend much of their time.
Dan Widhalm, who taught industrial technology, physical education, and was athletic director at Pound Middle School for 37 years, headed up the project. For many years during the summer, Widhalm painted houses and other facilities.
“I am so grateful to the Lord for the type of school that Villa Marie is,” he said. “I myself have a special needs brother so I truly understand the mission of Villa Marie and the incredible work that the Marian Sisters and staff do for the children here. It also allows me a way to give back for the many ways that the Lord has been good to me.”
Eight members of the St. Michael Knights council and seminarians Joe Allen and Christian Schwenka took part in the project. They painted the students’ four dorm rooms. It was the third time in 10 years that some of the Knights had participated in a painting project at Villa Marie. The school and home consists of dormitory rooms, classrooms, a chapel, kitchen and dining room, and a playground.
Paul Stara, a member of St. Michael who will be a senior at Pius X High School in Lincoln this fall, joined his father Loran in the project. 
“This is a good way for me to become involved in the life of the Church because I believe in the mission of Villa Marie,” Paul said. His father Loran is an instructor in the buildings trades and assisted in minor repairs.
The St. Michael Knights funded the resources for the project. Knights of Columbus councils from across Nebraska are supportive of the mission of Villa Marie. The state Knights assist the school through their intellectual disabilities outreach. Knights bring the children new winter coats; in December take the children to see Christmas lights; treat the children to a movie on the big screen during Catholic Schools Week and sponsor a picnic for them at the end of the year. They also sponsor Villa Marie’s annual field trip to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch.
Each fall, Knights of Columbus bring all the paper products Villa Marie needs for an entire year. The items include paper towels, tissues, napkins, copy paper and even bath tissue. Some of the products are shared with the students’ families.
Nineteen students were enrolled in Villa Marie this past academic year. Currently, 20 students are enrolled, and the school has had as many as 24 students, which includes day students. The students range in age from 6 to 18.
Former Principal Sister Loretta Happe said COVID-19 really turned the lives of Villa Marie students and staff members upside down. In mid-March, Villa Marie had to send their students home, just like any other educational facility, and transition to distance learning. During the closure Villa Marie was still able to provide meals for students and their siblings who came weekly to pick up a week’s worth of lunch meals. Some families came from many miles away because the meals received might be the only ones they would get that week.
When the families came to pick up the meals, the Sisters and staff had lesson plans and homework for the children, so that they could continue their schooling at home as best they could. Many of the students continued their learning digitally through online programs such as IXL. Loaner computers were provided to some families through the Diocesan Educational Technology Office.
Many students come to Villa Marie after their families or public school systems realize that they need additional resources or more personalized help. Sister Loretta said one student arrived recently at Villa Marie who had not spoken a word in his life.
After years of work, the child surprisingly said to one of the sisters, “this is the first time I have made progress.” He is now speaking on a regular basis, smiling, making eye contact, and even initiating conversations.
Another girl arrived at Villa Marie at age 14 and could not read a word. By the time she left at age 18, she was able to read at a fourth-grade level.
Sister Loretta said that Villa Marie is accepting more autistic children than ever before. Some students have a myriad of needs including sensory needs. Sister Loretta praised the Waverly Public Schools, who have trained the staff in the Intensive Teaching of Verbal Behavior in which several students have made great strides in learning and retaining new skills. Waverly also provides assistance to the students in the areas of behavior strategies and occupational therapy.
Villa Marie also teaches vocational skills that help students be productive members in society and have jobs in the community after they leave. Some of the students are able to get gainful employment upon completion at Villa Marie.
“We want to help our students get as far as they can, academically and socially,” Sister Loretta said. She noted that children who come to Villa Marie often have not had good experiences in other schools. “One of our students was absolutely thrilled to be a part of a Villa Marie student’s birthday party because he had never been invited to a birthday party before,” she said. “When he learned to read he asked what the word ‘stupid’ meant because that is what students in his previous school called him,” she said.
If readers wish to assist Villa Marie and its mission of teaching special needs children you may contact them at: Villa Marie School and Home for Special Needs Children, 7205 N. 112th St., Waverly, NE 68462 or 402-786-3625.
