The 50th graduating class of St. Mary School marched down the aisle of the church to receive their diplomas and officially…
St. Mary’s Graduates 50th Class
The 50th graduating class of St. Mary School marched down the aisle of the church to receive their diplomas and officially be promoted onto their high schools last week.
Principal Mary Petelin said, “This is a truly special group of students who have made their mark on the school forever. I would like to lock the doors and never let them leave.”
Eighth-grade graduates will be leaving St. Mary School and heading to Chardon High School, NDCL, Lake Catholic and St. Ignatius next year.
St. Mary School Chardon graduated its first class back in 1965 when the school was only one wing facing North Street.
Mary Kerchelich, a graduate of one of the first classes, shared her memories with the graduates, “St. Mary’s School had to purchase two old city busses to transport students back and forth and the commute could take over an hour on some days. Our teacher, Sr. Mary Eugenius, was also the principal.” She encouraged the graduates to, “keep your faith and stay in contact with your classmates. They will become life-long friends.”
Many of the graduates started school as the first preschool class ever offered at St. Mary School and have spent the last 11 years together. They often refer to each other as family and have mixed emotions about moving on to different schools next year.
Graduate Andrew Passow said, “Family isn’t blood, it’s a group of people who love each other. This is a bond we will share until death.”
The school staff also shares a common belief that this group of students is one that does not come along often and they are widely respected as individuals and a group together.
Mrs. Linda Flynn started her preschool teaching career at St. Mary School with this group 11 years ago and continues to teach preschool at SMS to this day. Invited to speak at the ceremony, Mrs. Flynn said it best quoting Dr. Seuss, as she told the graduates, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
All graduates of this class will be greatly missed by the school community, but many are excited to see what they can go out and accomplish in the larger world.
