I loved the school plays and was in the chorus of Carnival. I was an usherette for My Fair Lady. I also was an exchange student to St. Theresa's Academy and was appalled that they had a smoking area and could smoke cigarettes. They were always considered the "wild school". I have the album that was made in 1967, Carols for Christmas, my sister Sue participated as part of the chorus.
I remember girls using paper for cuffs under their sweaters to fake out the nuns during uniform check and having to kneel on the floor to make sure the skirts were long enough.
I remember Father Arnold, who was very good looking and we all had a crush on him. I remember Father Middleton giving us a talk about sex and how red faced he was during the whole lecture. I remember them tearing down Visitation Hall and how sad that was. The strip mines could not have been that bad since there are buildings built there today. I remember typing to Web footed friend, we were supposed to type to the beat, and how noisy the typing room was. We sold World Finest Chocolate bars, for 50 cents a piece. I became quite a good salesman early on since I sold them for my sister Joyce who graduated in 1962 from AND. I also remember school assemblies singing the Notre Dame song, "the blue for hope the white for purity" and putting away the folding chairs after the assembly was over. Yes it was our School so Dear.
Lyn Huelsman Johnson Ernst Class of '68 So many memories.....Sister Jane Marie addressing us by our last name first, then saying comma and then our first name. She was my favorite teacher/nun of all. And the day we stood and watched the wrecking ball hit Visitation Hall. It was heartbreaking. So glad I attended AND.
Lyn shared more memories on 1/15/11
Name Marilyn (Lyn) Huelsman Ernst (maiden and current)
Graduating class of: 1968
Parish (if applicable): Blessed Sacrament, Junior year moved to Queen of Peace
 | Who was your favorite teacher and why? Sister Jane Marie, she was funny, nice and always smiling. |
| What subject did you excel in? None to my knowledge, hated school, except the social of it. |
| What subject did you hate? Why? Anything that dealt with dates and remembering them. |
| What was your school musical? Did you try out? What do you remember most about taking part in the musicals? My Fair Lady, I was assigned by Sister Jane Marie head of the make-up dept. A fellow student told her I was involved in a make-up line, so she thought I would be great. I said she was funny. |
| Tell me about Mission Day, Junior/Senior picnic, Father/Daughter Breakfast, Ring day, May Day, Dandelion Queen, Mary ND, Hootenannies, Senior Prom, Assembly Programs etc. Be as specific with memories as you can. I lived with my aunt and uncle. My uncle took me to the Father/daughter banquet and my aunt told me years later how he was so proud to be there with me. |
| Where did you eat lunch? What did you have to eat? Regina Hall, can't recall the menu. |
| Describe the chapel. Small, but very nice. |
| Were you there the day they announced that the Academy was closing? What was said...how did you and your classmates react? I was there the day they announced they were tearing down Visitation Hall. Myself and others fellow seniors stood and watched as the wrecking ball took it's first hit to the building. It was a sad moment for all. |
| Describe your uniform and your gym suit. Blue one piece bloomers with an overskirt, hideous. The fear for those who wore that style, a fire drill alarm would sound during our gym period and we would be forced to file out to main street for all those passing by to see. |
| Did you ever go into the nuns' quarters? No, but always wanted to, just to be nosey |
| What did the nuns wear while you were there---describe their habits. Beginning, was the habits with the huge collar in which they could hardly turn their heads. The end the more straight down veil style. Looked much more comfortable. |
| What was the biggest change that happened while you were at the Academy? Other then our uniforms my sophomore year, nothing much. |
| Did you play any tricks on anyone while at the Academy? We were at the Kings House for a weekend which was more like a huge slumber party. One of the girls called her boyfriend to bring us pizza. She met him up at the end of the drive and brought them back to us. We had a blast. |
| Did you ever get into trouble wearing something "inappropriate?" Come on...fess up. I wore blue knee socks with white décor running down the outside of them, rather then solid white or solid blue. Was told not to wear them again. They were so uptight about the least little thing sometimes. |
| On First Fridays, we were allowed to come to school late to go to church. What did you do with those extra hours? I guess I stayed home or came to school early because I don't recall that at all. |
| How did you get to school? Bus? What do you remember about that? Did a friend take you to school - what memories do you have of that? First my brother drove me. Then, when we moved, 2 girls who lived behind me. Their dad drove them to school. |
| Did you have to endure any non-school "initiation" ceremonies? What were they? Yes, for a short time, the sorority group that pledged girls their freshman year. After about 3 weeks of it, I decided it was not for me. At one of the first meetings a member had me sit on the wall and then forgot about me. My upper thighs were so sore the next day I could hardly walk up and down the steps throughout the school building. Was horrid. Guess I was a quitter. |
| What was going on in the world while you were at the Academy - Vatican II? Cardinals win the series? astronauts in space? war? Did any outside news impact the Academy? My junior year the cards were in the series. we were off school the day of the final game. Watched at home. The next year they were in it again and I was working my first job so close to the stadium I could see it out the office window. Was looking forward to the gaiety that would go on after it was over, and that year they lost. I was so disappointed. Vietnam War was in full swing during my days at Notre Dame. Some my friends boyfriends were drafted. Unbeknown to me my first husband was drafted into the army during my days at Notre Dame. |
Taree Mcgee Class of '68. I remember my alma mater fondly. Best story I have is being in Miss Clark's homeroom freshmen year--we moved to A1 in the new gym. Several of us were drawing on the board when someone suggested I write the acronym for "so happy it's Thurs." on the board. Just as I was complying...Miss Clark walked in ...and said, "McGee!" Opps. As a teacher at Belleville East we have S.H.I.T. days once a week. AND forever.
