Sacred Hearts Academy - Aymerian Yearbook (Fall River, MA)

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Town Cgfmrough the years Yes, down through the years many things have taken place at S.H.A., and many nuns have come to make their abode here at the Academy. We wish to recall many of the notable -incidents which have made S.H.A. what it is today and which has endeared it to everyone. In 1908, a small group of nuns, headed by Mother Beatrix, laid the foundation for one of the finest schools for girls. With a small gray house, the Howland House, and two boarders the Academy started endless work. When enrollment at the Academy began to increase by leaps and bounds, Mother Beatrix realized that the Howland House, 'which still stands, could no longer provide for all their needs. On January 1, 1911, the bishop blessed the cornerstone of the new school and gradually S.H.A. began to expand. Reverend Mother Madeleine Emilie, successor to Mother Beatrix, remained at the Academy for six years, during which time she planned to landscape the campus and had our lovely and inspiring grotto, a replica of the one at Lourdes, erected at the far end of the playground. Then in 1924 the Academy received Reverend Mother Jeanne Micheline as its supervisor. She had the large brick building, housing our dormitories, classrooms, and dining halls, constructed. The Tudor- Gothic chapel, where peace always reigns and where prayer is inces- sant, was also built at this time. Next to officiate at the Academy was Reverend Mother Jeanne Madeleine, who excavated our south-side playground and had the beautiful encircling walls erected around it. At the same time she had the marvelous statue of the Sacred Heart enthroned there to watch over our sports and play. The fifth superior to preside over the destinies of our beloved Alma Mater was Reverend Mother Marie Jeanne. She provided our playgrounds with slides, swings, and other recreational equipment, be- sides executing many interior improvements until she was recalled to Europe in 1946. Since then Reverend Mother Mary Brigid has been administering to her flock of two hundred and fifty girls. We love her dearly and are extremely grateful for her unceasing efforts to make S.H.A. a better and more modern school for girls. It is to her that we owe thanks for the recent landscaping which has improved our campus immensely, making it the admiration of passersby. One of the most picturesque spots on the campus is the new rock garden which shines forth with radiance during the garden months. Another asset to the Academy is the spacious athletic field which Reverend Mother had completed this fall. She has also originated courses in dancing and extended our gym and glee activities in order to expand the field of our education. Not only are we most appreciative for these and other beneficial improvements, but also of the fact that Reverend Mother Mary Brigid is ever-ready with kind advice and encouragement, she always has a minute to spare to listen to our problems. She is ex- tremely interested in our yearbook and, being an intellectual herself, follows our scholastic progress with the keenest eye. This is the story of how a small group of nuns brought about the growth of our present modern, up-to-date Academy, the finest in these New England States. May it continue to prepare many young girls for their respective vocations in life. iilZZ!WilZ Q, AYMERIAN 1 oso Nwkwxmxxxwmwsmwx

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