South Bend Catholic High School - Victorian Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

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Chester Lisck, Vice-President: Miss Cornelia H. Krsnierek, Secretary, Mr. B. P. Minczewski, Trea- surerg Mr. Edward Kowalski, Mr. Peter A. Beczkie- wiez, Mrs. Cecilia Szulczyk, Mr. Bert Pejza, Mrs. Helen Slominski, M:'. Ladislaus Jaroszewski, Mrs. Helen Zwierzynski, Mr. Leo J. Chlebowski, and Mr. XVojciech Wiatrowski. The Board arranged for drives, campaigns, and various activities throughout the city. The united efforts and mutual determina- tion not only made the existence of the school pos- sible, but also helped its general progress. The Summer of 1937 brought a change of the teaching staff. The Sisters of the Congregation of Holy Cross were succeeded by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Resurrection who assumed all some good news was relayed .... there was a pos- sibility of acquiring the Laurel or Pulaski School. The acting Committee headed by the Rev. S. Jan- kowski had taken things in hand and shortly after, the prospect of leasing the building became a reality on August 15, the least of Our Lady. The South Bend Tribune of August 16, 1938, had the following mention regarding this transaction: The Pulaski lL aurelb Public School was leased by the School Board for a fifty year period as new qiarters for St. Hedwig High School. The official ,ormality of presenting the building to the Board of Directors was connected with the de- dication ceremonies. A senior student, Miss Loretta Ruszkowski, records these events in the Victorian of 1939, as follows: The Dedication of the New High School .... An enthusiastic and triumphant group The Laurel School which was converted to South Bend Catholic High duties at St. I-IedWig's. The first High School staff of this congregation consisted of: Sister Pauline Agnes, C.R., Superior and Principal, Sister Stanis- laus, Sister Theresa, Sister M. Catherine and Sister Dorothea. Classes were resumed in September. The scho- lastic and the athletic programs remained much. the same as in the preceeding years. Due to the increased enrollment, a new problem arose . . . a need for more classrooms and better ac- commodations. A general interest was awakened and inquiries were made. Within a few weeks, of two thousand individuals assembled before the former Pulaski Girls' Prevocational School on Sun- day, September 11, 1938, to witness the official pre- sentation of the school to the Polish American Cen- tr..l Civic Committee and take part in the dedication preceeded by a street parade which marked the opening of the day's ceremonies .,.. It was a day of which every student dreamed and talked, but far was it from the students' expectations that the dream would be so soon materialized. Thus, it was joyous faces that Mr. Allen, Superintendent of South Bend Public Schools saw when he placed with sin- cerest wishes the building in custody of the Centra- la, and expresed his belief that soon the Poles would purchase this structure, now leased for fifty years . . . . The Very Rev. 'Msgr. Osadnik blessed the in- Page Fifteen

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To Sister M. Severina, C.S.C., during these four struggling years as principal and teacher, is due much of the success. It is her untiring energy, keeness of foresight and great zeal, with which she undertook her duties in the High School, that steer- ed the sm .ll institution through the first four years of its existence. In September, 1932, Mr. Cesare Janisheske be- came coach of the Football team, through his ef- In-F mimi .3'... Reverend Reverend F. X. Luzny, C.S.C. B. J. Szturzko, C.S.C. forts the team was led to success and prominence resulting in the winning of the city championship that year. He also taught classes, others who helped teaching during these first years were: Mrs. John Paczesny, in charge of the Domestic Sci- ence Departmentg Mr. Anthony Kuharich, in- structor in English, Draniatics and Orchestra, anal later Mr. Wm Paege, also director of orchestra. Mrs. Helen Slominski, Mr. Louis WVoodka and Miss Marie Buczkowski had also given much of their time and talent directing and teaching the students Music and Dramatics. The parishioners of St. Hed- wig 'and their friends always welcomed vocal and musical programs for in these talent and much abili- ty were displayed. Oratorical contests we1'e arranged at certain in- tervals by the student organizations: Platonian Club, Sh. kespearcan Club, Conrad Club, Reymont Club, Mickiewicz Club-the students were thus given an opportunity for public speaking -and cultural advancement. In 1934, Father Gruza was transfered. In part- ing, he expressed his deep appreciation to all who helped to make the High School a reality. He en- treated that they keep up this great work for God's greater honor and glory. Father Gruza was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Francis X. Luzny, C.S.C., who Paage Fourteen Llc: his predecessor loved youth and gave himself unsparingly to the advancement of their education. At this time, Father Witucki was given a new assignment. His zealous work in organizing -and e- quipping the school, and later in conducting classes and directing athletics entitle him to .much credit for the success of the school. Father Witucki was succeeded by the Rev. S. Jankowski, C.S.C., who took over his duties with the usual earnestness of his apostolic soul. The general financial depression of the next few years was felt keenly by most institutions. It was felt more so, by our school whose material upkeep has always been a special concern of all its direc- tors. With the growth of enrollment, there was also the growth of activities and this meant in- creased expenditures. It was obvious that the fi- nancial maintenance of the school could no longer de- pend upon the donations and resources of one parish only. Yet, be wh-at may, there was the popular de- mand that St. Hedwig High continue its work for the good of our youth. The matter was referred to the Polish American Civic Committee composed of fifty-eight Polish organizations of South Bend and Mishawaka. Here it was decided that the four lo- cal parishes share in this responsibility of financial- ly maintaining the school. It was at this time that the South Bend Catholic High School Board of Trustees was formed with the following members Reverend Reverend C. J. Witucki, C.S.C. S. A. Jankowski, C.S.C. as directors: Rev. F. X. Luzny, C.S.C., Pastor of St. Hedwig, School Director, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Osadnik, Pastor of St. Adalbert Parishg Rev. S. J. Gorka, C.S.C., Pastor of St. Casimir Parish, Rev. Stanislaus Kuszynski, C.S.C., Pastor of Stanis- laus Parish, Mr. J. S. Buczkowski, Presidentg Mr.

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