St Marys Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hoosick Falls, NY)

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History of Saint Mary s Academy With the new high school building rapidly progressing towards completion, it might be well to re - fleet for a few moments on the history of our school. Established in 1891 by the Augustinian Fathers of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Mary's, represented by Reverend Patrick J. O'Connell, O.S.A., welcomed eleven Sisters of Saint Joseph in April of that year. The sisters were requested as teachers in the school by Reverend James D. Waldron, O.S.A., who planned the school and purchased the property for it. Six hundred pupils were enrolled on September 8, 1891. The first commencement exercises were held on June 28, 1894. Diplomas were presented to stu- dents who had completed a three year Academic Course. The following year a four year course was in- augurated, and in 1899, the name of the school was changed from Saint Mary's Academic School to Saint Mary's Academy. Financial problems forced Father Daniel Regan, O.S.A., to make a house to house canvas for funds to keep the school in operation in 1895. The Walter A. Wood Company, Hoosick Falls' largest corpora- tion, was no longer the prosperous enterprise it had once been and this turn in economic conditions had caused a population decrease which affected the school. The people proved their generosity, as they did during the pledge campaign in 1959, but so many had moved away that serious financial difficulties faced the parish. The remaining villagers rallied to the call of their pastor and the school remained in operation. Through the years the Academy has turned out pupils who have been a credit to the teaching of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Saint Mary's is the Alma Mater of many business and professional men and women. God has blessed our school with many vocations to the religious life, and a number of the sons and daughters of Saint Mary's are serving God well as priests and sisters. At the present time, the Academy building is not adequate to fit the needs of the student body. The new building higher on the hill, which is expected to be ready for occupancy in September, will satisfy the demand for space and more adequate facilities. We, the class of 1960, sincerely hope that with better equipment. Saint Mary's will produce an even greater number of fine Catholic citizens. Page 5

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His Excellency, William A. Scully, prepares to lay the cornerstone of the new building on September 12, 1959. MCOSICK falls, n.y, Elton JL MORROW, tit ARCHITECT, AL9AI i- By January our new school is rapidly nearing completion.