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February 27, 2014
St. Joseph School in Alice will celebrate their 75th anniversary next year, but plans for the monumental occasion are already underway.
Kindergarten students in Mary V. Gonzalez’s class at St. Joseph School in Alice stop to pray before heading outside to line up for lunch.
Photo by Rebecca Esparza for the South Texas Catholic
“We’re working on some amazing special events to commemorate the founding of our school 75 years ago by the Sisters of Divine Providence,” said Mary Sandoval, principal at St. Joseph. “Two years later, the Dominican Sisters took over and they operated the school, up until 2012.”
The main event will be an alumni celebration, where past graduates will be invited to celebrate along with former teachers, parents and pastors.
“I met a gentleman the other day who attended kindergarten here back in 1940,” Sandoval said. “It was wonderful catching up with him and listening to his stories. Although he lives in New Mexico now, he is planning to attend the celebration next year.”
Sandoval, who is in her ninth year as principal for the school, was a teacher in public schools for 25 years before joining St. Joseph and added the experience has been like no other.
“It’s the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had,” she said. “Nothing can ever replace faith-based learning. And our parents are the best. They truly understand the importance of our faith in their children’s educational foundation.”
Children from Terry Garcia’s third grade class and Deacon Ernest Gutierrez’s fourth grade class enjoy indoor athletics at St. Joseph School in Alice recently. The children were exercising inside to escape freezing temperatures. Coaches Esmeralda Gutierrez and Angie Abrego led the children in their workout.
Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic
Sylvia Garcia, a teacher at St. Joseph whose two children attend the school, said they enjoy their varied opportunities for prayer throughout the day in addition to the sense of community with their fellow students.
“I believe while academics is important in becoming successful, having a sense of how God fits into your life grounds a person and helps in the decision making process we face everyday,” she said.
Father Pete Elizardo, recently assigned as pastor at St. Joseph Church, said the dedication the school receives from its alumni is amazing.
“It is a presence the entire community of Alice is aware of, but also a presence that is greatly admired and supported. I have come to realize the great blessing the school is for the community,” he said. “As more time passes by, I learn more and more from those dedicated to the school.”
With an enrollment of 166 students in grades pre-k 3 through 7th grade, Sandoval acknowledges that there are obstacles at the school. But the challenges are not insurmountable.
“Our facilities are older, but we work well with what we have,” she said. “And we take special care to keep up with technology. The students are very aware of the different gadgets that exist today. We have a new computer lab and the students use hand-held tablets in the classroom everyday.”
Sandoval added the legacy of the Dominican sisters lives on at the school to this day.
Children in teacher Martha Leo’s first grade class work on grammar, with the assistance of paraprofessional Luby Tellez.
Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic
“Many people here remember them quite fondly. They were a great presence here at the school and they will always be remembered for their dedication and devotion to the children,” she said with a broad smile.
Their influence of service to others lives on through the students today. Sandoval explained the school recently held a “sock-hop” benefiting Mother Teresa Day Shelter in Corpus Christi.
“Admission to the dance was a pair of socks, which were donated to the shelter. We always teach the children the importance of service to others and those in need around them.”
The staff of St. Joseph School in Alice is currently seeking former students, teachers, parents or anyone with a prior connection to the school for their 75th anniversary celebration next year. Call (361) 664-4642 for more information.