A video of events from the K-8 school’s history entertained those who watched.
Kathleen Stechschulte, a graduate in 1977, Julie Taylor, communication team, and Sara Schwager, who works in St. Albert’s involvement office, planned the event, the first official alumni gathering for the school.
Edward Breen was in the seventh and eighth grades at St. Albert in the 1970s and remembers Sister Mary, one of the many nuns of the Sisters of Charity who taught there in its early years. They resided in a convent on the site. Today, that building, called the Spirit Center, is used for meetings and retreats.
“My son, Jim, and his friends, Garrett Galen and Michelle Klimaski, helped to set up the green and gold tables for this party,” Breen said. “They all graduated in 2004 from here. Now they’re in college.”
John Brockman attended kindergarten and graduated in 1960. He remembered the nuns who taught then. He and his wife, Molly, drove from Christianburg, Ohio, for the reunion.
Ann Kneiss, of Miamisburg, a 1975 graduate, came alone. Someone tapped her on the shoulder and there were “Oh, hi. I haven’t seen you in years.”
Jay Smith was in the second graduating class in 1951. Across the table was his friend, Leo Lauterbach, a 1952 graduate. They both attended Chaminade High School and then Ohio State University. “We played baseball and football at St. Albert,” Smith said.
Ron Brun, class of 1969, remembers Sister Cecelia Ann and a few of the nuns who were teaching when he was a student. He came to the party with his wife, Rita.
Father Chris Wittmann, a Mariainist priest, remembers his grade school days at St. Albert. He graduated in 1975 went on to college and the seminary.
Ellen Wager, a 1979 graduate, remembers playing softball as a student.
“There was one nun teacher back then,” she recalled. Her parents, Bill and Shelia Wager, graduated in 1955 and in 1956. They were neighbors, too. “I played basketball. That’s my picture up there,” Bill said with a laugh.
Regina Seubert and Mary Catherine Evans were in the first graduating class in 1950, then attended Julienne High School. They remembered how the nuns could have 50 students in one area of the auditorium and 50 more in another area and control the whole scene.
“They were born educators,” said Seubert, who was as a grade school teacher and principal. “I’m retired now, but I still substitute once in awhile. I enjoy children, and I miss them.”
Stechschulte and Taylor said they look forward to the 70th anniversary. “Since this reunion and party were such a success, maybe we’ll try it again in another decade,” Taylor said.
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