Happy Father’s Day
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Making their mark High school and pre-school students tossed their caps and made history at two local commencement ceremonies Friday. By Amanda L. Snyder R e v i e w S ta f f W r i t e r
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our years ago, 119 students entered the building at 1100 Catharine St., where they were the leaders from day one even as freshman. “I remember students that had eyes wide open, that weren’t really sure about coming into a building that they were the only students here,” The Academy at Palumbo Principal Dr. Adrienne Wallace Chew said on the school’s 2006-’07 inaugural school year. “There was a lot of apprehension and maybe a little bit of fear, but also there was some excitement.” See GRADUATION DAY page 12
Sports
A mix of frowns and smiles was unavoidable Friday, as Stella Maris School closed after 56 years of providing Catholic education to thousands of fortunate youngsters. p h o t o b y n ata l i e k e l l e m
Stellar example
A local catholic school closed for its final year with a bittersweet dismissal Friday.
Birthday twirl
A Neumann-Goretti pitcher, who recently turned 18, caps her four-year run with a program-first playoff berth. By Joseph Myers................Page 41
By Joseph Myers r e v i e w s ta f f w r i t e r
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sign displaying “Thanks for the Memories” adorned the school yard at 814 Bigler St., as gold and blue balloons seemed to sway in time with the children’s voices as they sang the school song. After 56 years of educating thousands of South Philadelphia’s children, Stella Maris School disbanded its final flock
Friday. A simultaneously somber and grateful gathering of students, teachers and parents honored the school’s legacy with songs and prayers in the school yard before parting to face the reality of a subdued summer. Filing through halls bearing “Jesus Loves You” signs, the students, many of whom will go to either St. Monica, 1720 Ritner St., or Epiphany of Our Lord, 1248 Jackson St., eagerly shared affection. Diane Toto’s third-graders staged a
group hug before greeting the sunshine. “Bye, Stella Maris. We’re going to miss you,” they said in unison. Principal Sister Lawrence Elizabeth of the Sisters of St. Joseph led the brief tribute with a concluding prayer for the children and their second home. “This is a time filled with graces and challenges, with joys and sorrows,” the principal since 1991 said. “Bless us, O, See STELLA MARIS page 9