An educational tradition - Notre Dame marks 75 years

Notre Dame Regional High School has seen many changes over the years, but its family atmosphere and student successes have remained constants, says its principal, David Anthony Migliorino.

"To see Catholic education in this part of the country be so alive and well is a wonderful testimony to the faithful heritage and family commitment to the institution," said Migliorino, who is known as Brother David to students and faculty.

On Saturday, as many as 1,000 alumni from across the country are expected to mingle with old friends, former teachers and classmates as the parochial school celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Throughout the day, beginning at noon, visitors may tour the school and peruse 15 tables decorated with memorabilia from every decade in the school's history. Mass will begin at 2 p.m. in the school gymnasium, and a reception will follow in the cafeteria.

Students like senior Liesl Schoenberger are excited to take part in the celebration, which includes a 7 p.m. grand ball with dinner and dancing at the Osage Centre.

"It's an honor to be a representative of the excellence that Notre Dame has come to stand for over 75 years," Schoenberger said. "People always say kids from Notre Dame stand higher. It's important to celebrate and keep that tradition going."

Unforgettable family

Migliorino tells people when they come to Notre Dame they become a part of an unforgettable family that gets bigger and stronger every year. It's a family feeling that has been felt over the generations by students and parents alike, he said.

Maureen Mullarney has two children attending Notre Dame: Colleen, a senior, and Conor, a freshman. At the end of the year the family will move to Kentucky because Mullarney's husband is being transferred. She wishes they could stay.

"This has been the nicest, most Christian school we have ever been a part of," said Mullarney, whose children have been in four different school systems. "We're not from here, but this feels like home. This is a family."

Carolyn Bohnert of the class of 1960 has had three children attend Notre Dame. Even though they all have graduated, she is still passionate enough about the school to be a volunteer every week.

"The family feeling just keeps alumni coming back to give their time," she said.

Bonhert has seen a lot of changes, and she is looking forward to sharing memories with old friends at Saturday's celebration. She plans to reminisce about times when chewing gum was not allowed and nuns taught classes.

But the school offers more than fond memories, Bohnert said. "This school has become the Harvard of this region of the country," she said.

This year more than half of the graduating class received academic scholarships that totaled more than $1.5 million. Students also have excelled outside the classroom in athletics, choir, clubs and ministry.

School's history

Notre Dame began as St. Mary High School at William and Sprigg streets Sept. 1, 1925, with grades seven through nine. The first class of eight students graduated June 9, 1929.

The school continued to grow throughout the Depression and World War II. By 1948, with the building deteriorating and enrollment rising, plans for a larger high school began.

On Sept. 13, 1954, the new Cape Girardeau Catholic High School opened on 15 acres north of Broadway on Ritter Drive. It was built to accommodate 350 to 400 students.

Six years later the school was accepted as a member of the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, and its name changed to Notre Dame High School.

For almost 35 years the school remained in the center of town before increasing enrollment and a need for more advanced technology forced administrators to look into a new building that could meet growing needs.

In 1998, the school moved to a new building on Route K, again with a new name -- Notre Dame Regional High School, to reflect the widespread student base. Today the school serves students from the Cape Girardeau area to Villa Ridge, Ill.

Working to excel academically as well as spiritually is what makes going to Notre Dame so special for students like junior Cory Bussink.

"It's really important to be able to go to a school where they combine religious faith and education," Bussink said. "I feel privileged and honored to be able to be a part of this school."

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

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