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Helping others defines Leding’s school years

Deacon Roy Goetz inspired Altus teen to show compassion

Published: June 6, 2017   

By Dwain Hebda
Arkansas Catholic

Braxton Leding (right) receives Subiaco Academy’s Instrumental Music Award from Abbot Leonard Wangler May 13.

Braxton Leding (right) receives Subiaco Academy’s Instrumental Music Award from Abbot Leonard Wangler May 13.

Braxton Leding had no reason to attend Subiaco Academy. None of his three older brothers did and had it not been for the persistence of his parish priest, Father David Bellinghausen, he probably wouldn’t have given the boarding school a second thought.

“(Father Bellinghausen) just kind of hinted about it, wanted me to take a tour and stuff like that,” Leding remembers. “So finally, after putting it off for so long, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll try it.’

“Then I came here, and this was over the summer so there was no students there, but as soon as I stepped on the grounds it was like a feeling of ‘Hey, this is home.’ So we started the process and then I ended up there.”

Leding, son of Albert and Janet Leding, was a perfect match for the school. Growing up in nearby Altus, he was an active member of St. Mary Church there as an altar server and as a volunteer with the local Knights of Columbus’ projects.

He was also a budding musician and was drawn to Subiaco’s famed Jazz Band like a magnet. During his four years at the school, he’d stand out not only for his musicianship, but his willingness to help out behind the scenes. Asked to identify his passion, the answer is simple.

“At Subiaco it was always music,” he said. “I was a basketball manager, the water boy. Other than that, it was mostly music.”

Leding, 17, also distinguished himself in the areas of service to others. School officials point to his willingness to help young students, whether it be in the band or as a tutor. He said he developed this servant’s spirit early on, but it was nurtured into full bloom during his high school years.

“Deacon Roy Goetz, the jazz band director, always showed a lot of compassion and stuff and always helped people out, including me,” he said. “I think his example inspired me. You see other people do something and you want to strive to be like those people. They did it for you, so it makes you want to do that for other people.”

Leding’s experience was capped when he was recognized with not one but two of the school’s highest awards, a rare accomplishment. He received the Instrumental Music Award for his musicianship in the Jazz Ensemble. He also received the Pereyra Award for Unselfishness, one of the school’s most coveted.

As he moves on to the next chapter — University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, with plans to attend medical school after that — he leaves with the laurel of brotherhood and the legacy of the fellow students he’s helped.

“Subiaco lived up to all of my expectations,” he said. “The brotherhood that I made here had a big impression on me; all those guys will still be there to talk to in 10 or 20 years or so.

“This school pushes you to be the best you can be. I feel excited that I made it. I was able to push through and get to the end. Now I’m ready to see what life has in store.”  

Click for the Catholic Graduates 2017 index 

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