| More 1970's Memories... |
| Mrs. Kotrany's 4th grade class, Mrs. Gregory's 6th grade class, Field Days Field Day tryouts--the breathless anticipation of waiting to be called down to the field to compete in jump rope, three-legged race, broad jump, 50-yard dash. When I die and go to heaven, I want to live next door to Fr. Monaldi. I always thought that this is what the Olympics might be like. It felt so...important. I actually liked tryouts more than the actual field day because you got to miss class to compete. I also loved my 6th grade year with Mrs. Gregory. After five years of feeling sick with dread every Sunday night because I knew I could not get through the week without the heat of a ruler on my hands or sting of a stick on my legs lay before me, I actually looked forward to Monday morning just to be near this vibrant, tolerant, creative woman. I felt whole and worthy for the first time in my school career. She didn't hold hell over our heads every time we did something wrong. I loved Sam Shelby. He fascinated me--he seemed so exotic. And those stogies he always smoked... I loved Fr. Monaldi and the way he played the organ at church--wildly exuberant. But then everything about him screamed joy. He once made Fr. Henry "what-a-waste" Drozd (the movie star of priests) laugh so hard on the altar that he couldn't continue the Mass. The harder he laughed, the harder all the kids laughed, until we were all bent over, roaring, wiping our eyes. Dodge ball, Red Rover-Red Rover Sunday football games, field days, cheerleading, Friday Masses. Jonathan Philips wanted to see what the nuns hair looked like under their habits. He took Sister Patricia's off and she chased him all around the football field. That was funny. Tiger football. 8th Grade Graduation parties. Father Minaldi singing as he walked around the school yard during classes. Just how much a character some of those nuns were. Sister Lourdes for example! 8th grade quiz bowl Skipping Mass with Teresa Barber in second grade. Field Day trying to run the 3 legged race with Renee Nevitt. Kneeling on the floor to have your skirt length measured and then being sent home if it was more than two inches from the floor. Mrs. Breeding's play "Who's Hue" and the cast party afterwards. Being picked to "run" the lunch count down to the cafeteria first thing after school started everyday. Eighth grade trip to Six Flags. The choir concerts with Mrs. Cardinale. My friends and playing softball. 5th grade in Sister Mary's class. It provided me with great stories. Scouting, Sister Patricia, Father Priest, Making a tree fort out of the extra Christmas trees, playing pick up football games on the old football field. Loved being "angel of the day" in kinder - you got to wear a wooden angel and be first in line for cookies and milk. Sr. Attracta (Principal) and Ms. Jennings (school secretary). Sr. Attracta always visited the classrooms and would ask students about current affairs. She was always fair, but strict when necessary. Ms. Jennings was always busy typing away and handling school business, but always had time to chat for a moment and share a laugh. I also have fond memories of my first teacher, Sr. Carthage (4th grade). She became a very close dear family friend. We still remember her dearly. I remember all of my teachers fondly. My mother would always make tamales and give several dozen to the priests in the rectory and to all the sisters at the convent. Everyone was just one big family. Matt Orth in the 7th - 8th? grade and my role in a play "The Hired Hand" - I forgot the night of the play and suddenly remembered 10 min before curtain as I was lounging, watching one of my favorite TV shows - I ran up the hill to the parish hall - just in time to jump into my costume and get shoved out on stage as the curtain opened. Winded and out of breath, I forgot almost every other line of my 2 minute soliloquy - I was prompted off stage by a cool and collected Mrs. Orth and embarrassingly got through the play ending with a kiss to my stage wife. I love this memory even though it was so traumatic at the time and probably had the reverse effect that Rita Orth intended for many years to come. It did in some weird way strengthen my inner resolve and more important, it dissuaded me from ever wanting to become an actor. Playing marbles at recess. When talking about where the devil lived, Sr. Mary Lourdes would point down because she didn't want to say "that word". The "protest" in 8th grade when we walked out of class and sang "Give Peace a Chance". The great friends! I will never forget them and treasure the memories made through those years at St. Pius!! I remember Ms. Gregory being the best teacher ever! She made learning fun. I also remember our class putting up the "faux" stained glass appliqués on Ms. Gregory's classroom windows - which I believe are still there! Pam Paradowski's hair catching on fire cause she stood too close to a candle. I remember thinking we were cool when we moved to the "Jr. High 7th/8th grade building" which is now the building for the 1st and 2nd graders. Sr. Lourdes always threatening to give Rusty Markel, David Hemmi, and some other boys "a good swift kick!" Our class staging a protest "sit in" for something that was important to a 7th/8th grader at the time. Sr. Lourdes making us memorize and recite poetry - the long classics - Ugh! Going on a field trip to see "The Cross and the Switchblade" and then coming back to the school yard and staging a rumble! Actually watching football games being played on the SPX field! The carnivals were a blast! The 8th grade dances and Sr. Lourdes telling us to stay at arms length when dancing slow. Our 8th grade trip to Six Flags - it rained all day, but it was fun! So many memories...- Playing soccer in the halls in the morning until Sam, the maintenance man, would warn us the nuns were coming. Receiving dumb, but funny notes from Theresa. Having fun with all the guys and, of course, The Sisters of the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate. Well, once I got tripped down the stairs by my friend, Sherry Farley. It may not be my favorite, but it was funny! When I think of St. Pius, I feel the bond (belongingness) that I wish all children could feel. The St. Pius X memory is a happy place. Believe it or not, but I used to go in to school on Saturdays and "oil" the chalkboards with lemon oil. I still can't smell lemon oil without thinking of SPX School. April fools joke on Sister Christina - we hid her desk in the boys bathroom in the 8th grade! Going to Diane's "Michael Jackson STREAKING" Birthday Party. Any of the fun times spent with John Edwards, Richard Wayne, and Howard Chreene. Also, my first crush...Joan Donnelly. Everything that involved Father Henry any time we got to go inside the convent (I don't know why) ...the perfumes that Miss Dorothy and Miss Travis wore as kindergarten teachers... ...Miss Loretta knowing I didn't understand adding and subtracting and re-explaining it to me in 1st grade... Too many to list, but I will say I had the absolute best time growing up in Dallas in the sixties...except of course for the ruler across my knuckles...ouch Placing chalk in the eraser in 4th grade of Sister Barnabas' class Helping with the kindergarten classes during lunch period Not getting to go see the Freedom Train in 8th grade because I was forced to stay in the storage room next to Sister Gabriel's office. Something about being in trouble, which was rare for me. So, even though I was always in trouble, I went on to become an attorney. If I only knew then what I know now. Kathleen McGann putting the desk bell in Mrs. Kelly's purse during math. Chasing the boys...one in particular, field day, the dreaded ruler, Sr. Attracta's knocks on the head with her knuckle, how I "loved" wearing beanies, sitting in the office waiting on my mom to come because my skirt was too short, Sr. Patricia's hugs, hamburgers and chicken fried steak in the cafeteria, reciting poetry to Sr. Lourdes and most of all my friends and how sad I was to leave St. Pius in the 7th grade. Field Day!!! The races, three legged race. I did not like the spankings!!! I had plenty. We all said prayers and they counted up everyone's prayers and offered them at the offering at Mass. Favorite teacher, Miss Lynch - had a very happy year. Miss Kotrany influenced my in my life as a teacher. Miss Dorothy and Miss Dryer for kindergarten made it such a positive start in my life. They had you wear and angel if you were good. We always tried to get an angel. 8th grade with Sr. Christina, upon graduation she wrote me the kindest note that I have kept to this day. She knew my potential, and it still inspires me to this day. I have so many good memories for example; Sister Mary making us throw "Can't" out the window, crazy 6th graders writing book reports based on make believe books, and Sister Christina's kindness. We all were like family and I feel lucky to have attended. Coming in the morning and putting my head down to become angel for the day. 3rd grade Sr. Philomena's class and Fr. Henry giving us bubble gum (to chew after we got out of school!) Being a cheerleader in 8th grade and cheering Jerry Hebert on as quarterback The nuns as our teachers Sister Mary of the Infant Jesus - what a great name for a 1st grade teacher. Beating West Jr. High in their new stadium. Science lab in 8th grade with Sister Christina Being taught religion by Sister Patricia, Sister Katrina, Sister Mary. Our 8th grade class was the first to ride in the new St. Pius Bus! Msgr. took us one beautiful spring morning. We rode to Lake Ray Hubbard and came back. Also, Msgr.'s dogs - Princess and her puppies. Being the girl angel of the week in Ms. Dorothy's kindergarten class. The nuns keeping tissues up their sleeves. Helping Sr. Philomena in the convent (got to see how those nuns really lived). Sr. Lourdes punishing me by making me sit with the boys. Loved the field days. Mrs. Gregory's 6th grade class, Sister Christina. Quiz Bowl Championship 1974. Sister Philomena Goretti in 3rd grade. Jack and Tom switching places under the divider between Sister Lourdes' and Sister Mary's classroom. Father Henry giving us bubblegum. Good food - especially pigs in a blanket and hamburger day. Our procession and flowers to honor Mary. 7th grade with Sister Christina. She was a strong inspiration to me so the whole year was a great memory. Our yearly carnival day! I would bring home several 1st place and 2nd place ribbons in the various activities we played. Sister Mary of the Infant Jesus said she kept all of us in her heart - she just kept pushing us all in and making room for more! Pulling up my knee-hi white socks. Running track under "coach" Ruiz. When Father Monaldi would walk past the class rooms singing - you would hear him coming from way off, coming and going. 7-8th grade talent show. Attending Bishop Tscheope's service to become Bishop of Dallas and participating on the Quiz Bowl team that won the city championship. I still love the smell of fresh brewed coffee. It reminds me of the nuns' convent when I would go in early mornings for piano lessons. Sam, the janitor. |
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