CRESTLINE — Friday was a time for reflection, song and gratitude at Crestline St. Joseph’s School.
Teachers, students administrators and some alumni joined in a reception at the school as it celebrated its 150th anniversary.
“Our big focus was to have this during Catholic Schools Week, but the weather had other ideas,” said parish member Tressa Reith. “This is an amazing place. The spirit among the kids is very strong and there are a lot of happy parents involved here.”
Preschoolers began the presentation with a song, and the older grades joined in later. There were refreshments provided and keepsakes and reminders dotted the school’s gymnasium.
“For a lot of people, school is synonymous with the parish,” said the Rev. Chris Bohnsack, the parish priest. “The tradition here is very important to them.
“We spend a lot of time in the community with projects and the community realizes the importance of that relationship.”
As the ceremony wound down, Principal Dan Salvati asked all the former teachers to stand and be applauded, then all the alumni to stand. It was discovered that the oldest alumni representative on Friday was Tom Harley, who graduated from St. Joseph School in 1948. His children and grandchildren, one of whom was with him on Friday, attended also St. Joseph School.
Bohnsack noted the academic tradition of Crestline St. Joseph’s students. The school educates youngsters preschool to 8th grade, but takes great pride in producing valedictorians and class leaders as they finish their high school careers.
“It proves that we teach them well,” Bohnsack said.
Today the school has 51 students and five full-time teachers. They are building on a tradition that began in 1868, just after the Civil War ended, and includes the construction of the original building in 1908, the newer structure in 1979, and the convocation center in 1992.
A slide presentation brought those years to life, and the exuberant voices of the youngest students showed the attitude remains strong in the school.
