My memories of St. Mary's are not really memories yet. When my class sits down and recalls a teacher or trip, they are probably still at the school or the class is still taking that trip. The best part is knowing that I am graduating with the biggest class St. Mary's has seen in many years, and we are just a class of 29.

In working with the centennial yearbook this year, I have learned many things of what has happened in the past and what to expect in the future. The neatest thing I would have to say would be that I am the fourth generation of Shoemaker's to be graduating from St. Mary's. I think that statement right there shows the faith and loyalty of the alumni.

My memories would have to start as early as second grade with Fr. Owen Korte sitting in Mrs. Maureen Balk's room sharing our report cards with us. Or the first day of art class as a first grader with Mr. Tom Balk sitting in front of the classroom on a chair saying, "Draw me, without lifting your pencil from your paper and your eyes closed." You can just hear us all gasping as we came up with some pretty squiggly lines.

Fourth grade brought us projects that we were not use to. Drawing human bodies with Mrs. Peg Wettlaufer and putting together presentations on the 50 states with Mrs. Micki Heitz in the fifth grade.I don't think that anyone in my class will ever forget sixth grade with Mrs. Nancy Berg giving us her famous "God's Time" speech.

High school brought many changes for our class. We met new people, were involved in many more activities and widened our "social" circles. We were met with challenges early on with the loss of two of our classmates' fathers, that taught us to rely on each other and to take care of each other. Over the next three years, we became close friends as we embarked on a new adventure and new challenge everyday. Each day we have learned something new.

We sit now and plan graduation and senior trip and we are reminded of the apple computers in grade school with the green screens and the "hot water heaters" as drinking fountains in the high school. We remember many people that have gone through the school that have touched our lives. Art Holz who would give us candy and have nicknames for everyone of us. Mrs. Ruth McCarville and Mr. Steve Bahrij who taught us so much, but we didn't realize it until after our classes with them were over. Then there were always those other teachers who could make us laugh like Mr. Mark Schroeder or Mr. Dan Wolken. Through the last few years, we recall the successful athletic teams and drama department that has always been a big part of St. Mary's.

As for the future of St. Mary's, I don't see too many drastic changes, other than the current tuition free grade school for next year. For I think that if St. Mary's was to change drastically, then we wouldn't be able to call it St. Mary's anymore. It is nice to know that I can come back to something everyday that hasn't changed on me over night.