Villa De Chantal High School - Crescent Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

Page 7 text:

J' 'QP J winfm cene On flue campus xi X Hisfokti of Uiua be Gltanfal On this fair day in Spring as we the class of 1952 look at the Villa in all its June beauty, sur- rounded by the spacious grounds with their colorful flowers and gracious trees, it scarcely seems possible that fifty-two years ago this landscaped area was only a cow pasture. In 1899 when Sister Mary Agnes and Mother Francis Borgia came to Rock Island with the intention of founding an academy for young ladies, Rev. Thomas Mackin, pastor at St. Joseph's church, took the Sisters on a tour to find a suitable location for the school. On the very highest part of one of the hills overlooking the tri-cities and the Mississippi River Father spoke, with pride, to the two Sisters, Here, Sisters, is where you will erect your throne . In 1900 the first brown dirt from the top of this very high hill was tossed aside to make room for the west wing of the new academy. Almost to the very day, six years later, a second spadeful of earth prepared the way for the main bui1ding's foundation. The beautiful chapel was dedicated on June 10, 1908, with Archbishop Spalding present. Twenty years of continued success followed, but it soon became apparent that more space was needed. As a result of the Sisters' fervent prayers plus the donations from the Alumnae, Villa Guild members and friends rounded out the check of 350,000 of Mr. Frank Lewis of Chicago and Lewis Hall was begun on July 26, 1929. Dedication exercises took place on June 10, and on Septem- ber 9, 1930, regular classes were begun in the modern, well-equipped structure. 1930 marked the end of the building program for a time. At present we cherish fond dreams of a Fine Arts building to be erected in the not-too-distant future. The Villa has been a member of the North Central Association since 1919. It is accredited by the University of Illinois and listed on the States' list of recognized high schools in Illinois. It has always maintained the highest standards of education in Religious training as well as in curricular and extra-curricular activities. The aim of the Sisters of the Visitation of Villa de Chantal has always been to send forth grad- uates with well-rounded characters, capable of meeting the requirements of life. To do this the school tries to develop in its students noble principles and a cultural appreciation of all that is true, good and beautiful. One has only to look at the outstanding records made by its graduates to realize how fully the Sisters have accomplished their purpose. We, the class of 1952 wish to thank the Sisters for all the memories that the Villa holds for us, memories that we should cherish all our lives. We thank the Sisters for implanting in us the rudiments of faith and courage. We pray that God will reward them out of the riches of his love.

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3 o Our Parents Our yearbook IS ded1 cated to our Mothers and that as txme marches on we w1l1 discover 11fe to be a mxxture of rxght and wrong good and had v1ctory and defeai that rxght w111 even tually trxumph It 15 to our parents that we g1ve our deepest love and devotxon for then' affectlon mol al guldance and under standmg Wh1Ch have bmght ened our 11ves 16552 , j g 5 'E l I2 l I l 10 . 2 9 5 8 7 4 , 6 b T VI Fathers who have taught us

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