Announcing the 2008 Helias Hall of Fame presented for outstanding achievement and service to Helias High School.

Leon Vanderfeltz '50

Leon G. VanderFeltz was born in 1932 and attended St Peter's High School, graduating in 1950. In high school, Leon played football and served as team co-captain during his senior year. In 1951, Leon married his high-school sweetheart, Rita Mae DeBroeck. Their eight children are all graduates of Helias High School. Leon is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish.

In 1969, Leon and Rita moved to the farm and Leon became a well-known and highly respected dairy farmer, eventually being elected to the State Dairy Hall of Fame. He has served as the Missouri Holstein Association president and was actively involved in the coordination of the National Holstein Association Convention in 1984.

Leon has been a charter member of the Helias High School Boosters since its conception in 1950 and was named an Honorary Lifetime member in 1988. One project for Helias that he is very proud of is making the upper softball, baseball and football practice fields what they are today. With donations of over 600 truckloads of dirt, equipment & operators, this project was free. His dedication to Helias has earned him the well-deserved nicknames of Mr. Helias and Number 1 Fan. He supports all students at Helias by being involved with nearly every activity the school offers. He has attended marching band competitions and hundreds of athletic events, cheering on the athletes and leading the crowds in cheers. He has worked to help bring about improvements to the Helias facilities and community for academic, spiritual and athletic purposes. In 2000, the Christian Brothers honored Leon by inducting him as an "Affiliated Member of the Christian Brothers Schools."

"Ask Leon what Helias means to him, and you will get a big grin, and with pride in his heart and a tear in his eye, he will tell you that 'Helias means everything to me! Give me an H!'"