Trinity School - Gate Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

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work? Vivid memories of tiny classrooms, small lockers and Ubi est Roma? still linger from those earlier days. The stay at St. PauI's was longer than expected. Another building could not be found and through the kindness of the parishioners we were allowed to stay for the entire school year. In the spring of 1982 architects had begun to plan the renovation of the Roma as the future site of Trinity School. In the meantime, the Bendix estate at the corner I I Ah, that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaph- ysical speculations has very little ref- erence at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them. 7 7 - Lady Bracknell The importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde of Jefferson and Greenlawn had been put on the market and had been suggested as a location for the school. An offer was made, but refused. The frustrated faculty looked back once again to the Floma. The architects had finished their work and just as signa- tures were to be put to contracts ordering the renova- tion, a friend of the People of Praise encouraged the community to make another offer, and he pledged a sizable contribution towards the purchase. The offer was accepted. Trinity School had suddenly become Trinity School at Greenlawn. Greenlawn was a dream come true. The campus was beautiful and the buildings large enough to accommo- date a growing school. Since then many improvements have been made. The curriculum has undergone some changes too, mostly to accomodate the advancing up perclassmen. Mr. Finke likened the senior class to first rr' Civ 'V 7 4

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This yearbook marks a milestone in the development of Trinity School at Greenlawn: It is the yearbook of the first class of graduating seniors. Four years ago, Trinity School opened its doors, not on Greenlawn, but on Scott Street. In the intervening four years Trinity School changed locations, fine-tuned its curriculum, and began to build a national reputation for educational excellence. I I Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 7 7 fHeb. 11:11 would be, the coordinators set about carrying out the great ambition as quickly as they could. ln February of 1981 it was announced that the school would open in the Fall of 1981. The rush was on! ln only six months the curriculum had to be written, a faculty assembled, and a suitable building had to be found. Meanwhile, Dr. Kollerand Mr. Finke, the founding head- master of Trinity School, worked on the details of the curriculum. In June, Mr. Schmitt returned to South Bend and conducted a workshop for the skilled, dedicated and eager group of new faculty members. Securing a building remained the biggest hurdle. The two most obvious buildings, since they were owned by the People of Praise, were the LaSalle Building and the It was late in 1977 when the coordinators of the People of Praise community began to research the possibility of starting their own school. Schools in Indiana and in different states were visited and a large number of edu- cators were interviewed. As expected, the reports were not rosy: the regulations were many and the cost was high. However, the primary issue concerned the general philosophy of the school and its related curriculum. The trouble and expense of starting a new school would be worth it only if the proposed school was, in fact, superior to those already available locally. ln the fall of 1980, Mr. John Schmitt, a college professor and founder of liberal arts high schools was consulted. He came to South Bend and spent a week with the leaders of the People of Praise. Mr. Schmitt shared his convictions about the nature ofthe intellectual life, of the liberal arts and sciences, and of Christian commitment. His testimony convinced the People of Praise that their high ideal of Christian education was feasible and im- portant. Having settled the issue of what kind of school Trinity V.. I I Nothing quite new is perfect. 7 7 - Cicero old Roma restaurant. A serious investigation about the suitability of either as a school building was initiated. lt tumed out, however, that major renovation of the LaSalle would have to take place in order to satisfy the fire regulations for schools. The Roma was completely empty and would need a full-fledged architectural study. As of August 1981, two weeks before the projected opening of school, a building has not yet been found. At the last minute, the generous pastor and parishioners of St. Paul's Lutheran Church came forward and offered space in their church complex to Trinity School. The area was very small, but it was a beginning. And so Trinity School moved in. Classes began, and on that first day, those of us who were the pioneers experienced a combination of fear, horror, and curiosity about this new school. Would it

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If said to be the passing of the gate. 7 7 - Marcus Terentius Vasso The longest part of the journey is born children - the ones who are experimented on . From the point of view of the upperclassmen being a guinea pig was not easy, but they knew it was neces- sary. An extraordinary educational system cannot be built in the imagination, it has to evolve in space and time to meet the needs of real students. This first graduating class was a group of such real students. Each one has grown personally in character and has in many ways grown up in the process of forming and being formed by this new school environ- ment. The academic curriculum of future students will be even greater because of the testing and experi- mentation which this class weathered. The relationship they forged among themselves may remain deep and lasting because of their shared participation in this great venture. In 1985 this first class began to realize more and more their place and responsibility as the seniors, They had always been the senior students, now it was recogniz- able and acknowledged. School spirit may increase with the years, but each individual in this class was devoted to the sports program, the drama productions, the prom, and all the traditions of the school which were founded at this time. They gave their all. Impressions will remain. Freshman yearwas marked by ' 'He who binds ro himself a Joy Doth the winged life destroy, But he who Kisses the Joy as it flies Lives in Eternity's sun-rise 7 7 - William Blake insecurity. lThe building was, alter all only rented.l The uniforms, bermuda bags, and mopeds will always evoke stories and memories. Sophomore year was one of stablization. The location, the frienships, and the attempts at serious learning all took on new per- manence. Junior year marked the first year in which the school was open to students from outside the founding community. With them came a new appreciation, admiration, and acceptance of life at Trinity. The Humane Letters Semi- nar introduced Junior year began to manifest the unique ideals of the school. The focus was not at all on grades, and real thinking was encouraged. Rumor has it that there were times when brains would literally hurt in 8 N S ., . .. . K .. 1 Tx- . NE . it