This book of memories is dedicated to the spirit of St. Mary's, which has been a part of so many lives for the past one hundred years.

The stained glass window of Our Lady on the cover is from the window that graced the halls of the "old" St. Mary's Academy, and after the devastating fire of 1965, was reinstalled to grace the halls of the "new" St. Mary's High School. It represents the continuity of that spirit and purpose which has always been at the heart of St. Mary's Schools.

The following tribute to St. Mary's Academy, on the occasion of Monsignor Cassidy's Golden Jubilee in 1928, was written by Anna O' Donnell. She was a member of the very first class to graduate from St. Mary's in 1903. The sentiments expressed are a reflection of the values of St. Mary's which are as alive today as they were those many years ago.

Saint Mary's Academy

A bleak hill - a waste - without promise and without beauty - such was the site of St. Mary's Academy and such was the picture twenty-seven years ago. Today the bleak hill is adorned with a half million dollar structure and the waste is a beauty spot of gay flowers, velvet lawns and lovely trees.

Twenty-seven years have gone into this miracle - years of stern resolution, dauntless courage, unlimited faith and never-ending toil. The Sisters of St. Francis have worked long, hard and well to build Saint Mary's and the results show they have built better than they knew. Hundreds of children have learned the teaching of the Savior and the lessons of the world from their lips, have learned the beauty of charity from their unselfish lives, and three hundred forty-one graduates have gone forth from their influence educated in the highest ideals of home, country and God. Other hundreds will continue to receive this ennobling instruction and the atmosphere of Saint Mary's will ever be a benediction.

The bleak hill has become a haven - the waste, a fruitful growth - and promise and beauty will always be distinguishing features of Saint Mary's.

A.O.'D.