The Hidden Treasure, Villa Marie

Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children is a Catholic boarding school near
Waverly which serves special-needs children from ages 7 to 18. Sister Jeanette Rerucha, M.S.,
principal of Villa Marie, calls it a hidden treasure because many people are unaware of its
existence. Villa Marie was founded in 1964 by Monsignor Dawson.
The school is approved by the State of Nebraska, and all of the teachers are certified in special
education. Monsignor Perkinton is the director of Villa Marie, and the school is staffed by the
Marian Sisters, as well as several lay staff members.
The students really thrive here because they are loved and theyre accepted for who they are,
Sister Jeanette said. Its kind of like a family. They experience love and acceptance from the
sisters and the staff and from each other, too.
Sister Jeanette said how beautiful it is to see the older students helping the younger ones. The
children like to compete for the Monsignor Dawson award, which is given to the student who
exemplifies the service that Monsignor Dawson had.
A lot of them, if they see a need theyll just do something good without being told to do so, and
theyll be helping others out. They want that award, and theyll try to go the extra mile to be of
service.
At Villa Marie, students take classes in reading, math, religion, science, social studies, cooking,
art, music, computer skills, and PE. Villa Marie provides a well-rounded education in order to
form the students spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
We try to get them as far as we can in reading and math, and we give them a lot of
individualized instruction, Sister Jeanette said. Each child is on an IEP, Individualized
Education Plan, and so we try to gear the instruction to the goals stated on their IEP. Its
amazing to see the progress the students make, and we celebrate every little achievement. We
call them baby steps.
Mass is also a very important part of the childrens day at Villa Marie. Many priests from the
diocese volunteer to come out to the school and say Mass, and just recently the children had a
visit from Bishop Conley.
Sister Jeanette said, The students sing very well at Mass, and their prayers, when they offer
intentions, are just from the heart and I know God hears their prayers.
Students also learn job skills by doing chores after lunch, such as dishes, trash, vacuuming, or
laundry. If students are boarders, they take turns setting the dinner table and cleaning up after
dinner, as well. Sister Jeanette said the students also learn to give back to their community.
Every year, they do a trash pick-up along the roadsides, and they also serve a meal at Matt Talbot
kitchen.
Villa Marie has many different visitors who come to play and pray with the children. Some
students participate in sports through Special Olympics, and last year, the Waverly girls
basketball team invited them out to practice with them. They also invited the Villa Marie
students to their basketball game. God-Teens groups, Varsity Catholic, Knights of Columbus,
Aquinas basketball, and many other groups and individuals visit the students often, including the
novices and postulants of the Marian Sisters.
While Villa Marie is a boarding school, students get to go home over the weekends, during
vacations, and many go home several nights a week to be with their families. Some students live
at home and attend Villa Marie during the day. Through the love and encouragement of their
families and those at Villa Marie, students go on to be successful even after their days at Villa
Marie are over.
Most of the students go on to the 18-21 program at public schools, and LPS has a VOICE
program, which is on-site vocational training, Sister Jeanette said. Weve heard from the
people in charge of the VOICE program that our Villa Marie students are very well prepared for
that because of the education they receive at Villa Marie, so thats always nice to hear. Some of
them have gone on to have regular jobs and some of them have gotten drivers licenses, so it just
depends on their abilities. Some of our graduates have held the same job for over thirty years,
and have been very successful. It was nice to see many former Villa Marie students at our 50th
Anniversary celebration two years ago. We just try to help each student reach his or her full
potential and become the best person that God intended them to be.
Villa Marie is not affiliated with any particular parish like other Catholic schools are, so they
depend on benefactors for support. Their annual dance fundraiser is coming up on Friday,
January 29 at Pla Mor Ballroom in Lincoln. The dance will be held from 7-11 pm, and all are
welcome to join. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for college students, and $10 for school
children, and can be purchased at the door or by contacting Villa Marie. Children under 6 are
free. There will also be a raffle and a silent auction. This years theme is, God Bless America,
and concessions will include good American food like hot dogs, chips, and apple pie.
Sister Jeanette said the dance is one of the highlights of the year for the students.
Its just a fun opportunity to get together, she said. The kids get to dress up, and its their
night. They talk about it all year long and have a great time there. Its really about the kids.