Your Life

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

Hooray for OLA! set for Nov. 7

Myrt Haas is someone who is making a difference for Catholic education. At the age of 75, this mother of six is still a cheerleader, encourager, challenger and example to her children and everyone she meets.

Our Lady Academy has chosen to honor Haas at its fourth annual Hooray for OLA! fundraiser on Nov. 7 at Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, beginning at 6 p.m.

“Myrt leads by example and through her words and actions. She is the essence of what OLA stands for — creating and molding dynamic, Christian women to be the future leaders of our community,” said Sister Jackie Howard, president of Our Lady Academy.

“She has been such an integral part of our OLA family, and now we want to honor her and thank her for her support of Catholic education on the Coast,” Howard said.

Haas was a stay-at-home mom, dedicating her life to raising her children and serving as a mentor to other children in the community who needed help and guidance. She was one of the founders of Our Lady Academy and has been an avid supporter of OLA since it was established nearly 40 years ago.

Her husband, the late Michael D. Haas, and the then-pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf, the late Monsignor Gregory J. Johnson, along with Brother Lee Barker of St. Stanislaus College, spearheaded the drive to establish a Catholic school for girls. The doors opened in 1971.

“We planted flowers on the grounds, painted and hosted many meetings at our home to get OLA off and running,” said Haas, who also penned the alma mater for OLA 25 years ago

OLA, the only all-female Catholic school in Mississippi, serves young women in grades from seven to 12. Located on the beach in Bay St. Louis, the school has more than 1,000 alumnae.

The Hooray for OLA! event raises money for Catholic education scholarships and academic support.

Details or tickets: Regina Gleber at 467-7048 or www.ourladyacademy.com.

To donate to the silent auction, call Jennifer Jung at 228-216-5026.