IWA's Second Annual Homecoming Reunion Weekend marks 101 years of alumni

IWA is looking forward to seeing over 100 alumni on its campus this week for the school's Second annual Alumni Homecoming Reunion Weekend, which begins on Thursday Nov. 20 and will end with an All Class Reunion Mass on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Alumni are invited to attend the school's homecoming festivities, which include a pep rally, food, music, Burning of the "A" ceremony today beginning at 4 p.m. Tomorrow, alumni are invited to the IWA basketball homecoming games, as well as alumni-specific events.

These events include an Alumni vs. Alumni Basketball Game being held this evening and the inaugural Casper Wenzel Golf Classic and Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner and Dance being held on Saturday. The alumni will also enjoy a Mass and campus tours to see the changes on campus that have taken place. For additional details on these events, please visit www.iwacc.org/alumniweekend.
In 1871, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament opened IWA in Corpus Christi. It would be 43 years before an alumnae program would be put into place. Over a hundred years ago, Katie Dunn graduated from Incarnate Word Academy. She was the only student in the class of 1913.

Katie remained the sole alumna until she was joined by the two graduates of the class of 1915. By 1923, there were an additional 16 graduates of IWA, bringing the total number of alumnae to 19. At this time, IWA was an all-girls school.

Fast forward to 1926-1928. During these years there were eight boys who graduated from Incarnate Word Academy. In 1928, male students began attending high school at Corpus Christi College Academy (CCCA), which opened Sept. 11, 1928 with the Benedictine Fathers from Subiaco, Arkansas. It would not be until 1977 that the second group of male students would graduate from IWA.

When CCCA played football, IWA supplied the cheer squad. When there was a dance to be had, it was hosted by both schools. They rode the bus together, celebrated homecoming together, attended academic events, took part in service projects, celebrated sacraments and enjoyed leisure activities - together. CCCA educated the boys and IWA educated the girls. Many were brothers and sisters from the same family.

From the moment CCCA was founded, the academies were a blended family. Over the years, the interaction between CCCA and IWA students tells the story of Catholic education in the Corpus Christi community. It is a unique heritage shared between the two schools. This fascinating and special relationship is documented in photos, scrap books, writings, newspaper articles, magazines, marriage certificates, baptisms, and death certificates.

When CCCA closed in 1972, IWA officially adopted all of its alumni to form a historical Catholic institution.

Today, the IWA alumni program is comprised of over 4,300 members.

Although Katie Dunn has long passed, she is still referred to today as an Incarnate Word Academy alumna. She is no different than today's alumni. Each graduate represents a piece of the history of Catholic education in our community. One hundred years ago, Katie paved the way for our alumni. Now our alumni walk in her footsteps, and will forever be a part of IWA.

For more information about IWA's Alumni Reunion Weekend, visit www.iwacc.org/alumniweekend.

IWA Alumni Homecoming Reunion Weekend events

Thursday, Nov. 20

• Homecoming Pep Rally: 3:05 p.m. High School Level's at Mother Patricia Gunning Gymnasium
• Food, Music, Face Painting, Caricaturist, and Activities: 4- 6 p.m. IWA's Kenedy at Center for Math and Science Center Courtyard
• Burning of the "A" Ceremony: 6-7 p.m. at IWA's Austin Street Athletic Complex
• Alumni vs. Alumni Basketball Game: 7-8 p.m. at High School Level's Mother Patricia Gunning Gymnasium

Friday, Nov. 21

• Homecoming Games: 6 p.m. (IWA Girls vs. Carroll High School); 7:30 p.m. (IWA Boys vs. Carroll High School); High School Level's Mother Patricia Gunning Gymnasium

Saturday, Nov. 22

• Inaugural Casper Wenzel Golf Classic: 7:30 a.m.: Registration and Breakfast; Tee-Off at 9 a.m. at NorthShore Country Club, Portland
• IWA Distinguished Alumni Awards: 6 -11 p.m. at Corpus Christi Country Club

Sunday, Nov. 23

• All Class Reunion Mass: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Convent Chapel

Incarnate Word Academy, established in Corpus Christi in 1871, is owned and operated by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. IWA provides education to nearly 820 students throughout the Corpus Christi community and surrounding areas starting at 3 years of age to grade 12.