Holyoke Catholic High School marks its 50th anniversary
Date: 12/6/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE – There have been some rocky patches along the way to its 50th anniversary, but Holyoke Catholic High School has survived and thrived despite the challenges.
“We found our resiliency,” the school principal Theresa Kitchell told
Reminder Publications. “We were Holyoke Catholic no matter where they put us.”
Founded in 1963, Holyoke Catholic was the merging of four Catholic high schools in the city of Holyoke, she explained. In 2002, the buildings used by the school at 91 Chestnut St. in Holyoke were closed and the school found a new and temporary facility at the former St. Hyacinth’s Seminary in Granby.
The school moved into its present location on Springfield Street six years ago. The building was the former school for the Assumption Church parish and underwent considerable renovations.
“The facility is up to date with state of the art technology,” Kitchell said. “The science labs are tremendous.
According to information on the school’s website, in 2012, Holyoke Catholic had a college placement rate of 100 percent with 71 graduates receiving over $1 million in scholarships. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredit the school. The average class size is 16 with a 12 to 1 student/teacher ratio and the school offers honors and Advanced Placement (AP) programs in English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Language with the AP track beginning in the tenth grade.
The current enrollment is at 275 students and Kitchell said enrollment has remained around 300 for the past five years.
“I think the education draws people to us but the other components keep them here,” she said. The school has a wide selection of activities as well includes spiritual development.
One of the features that has helped attract students has been the program with the Elms College that allows juniors and seniors to earn up to 12 college credits as they finish high school, Kitchell said. Although other high schools across the country have similar arrangements with a college, she noted one advantage Holyoke Catholic has is being just a two-block walk away from the Elms campus.
Although the school is definitely Catholic, it has attracted a wide range of students, Kitchell said. Protestants, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish students attend the school, as well as international students from China who have no religious affiliation.
The students also come from more than just Holyoke and Chicopee. The student body includes young people from Greenfield to Enfield, Conn., Kitchell said.
The school size is also an attraction, she believes. “Everyone know you here. You don’t get lost in the crowd.”
Although Holyoke Catholic and Cathedral High School were once rivals, especially on the athletic field, Kitchell said, “There is a place for everybody in Catholic education. It behooves us for everyone to be successful.”
She also expressed “great understanding” for Cathedral’s current situation – being in a temporary location until plans are finalized for a new school – as she knows what being without a permanent campus is like.
One positive side effect the school has had for Chicopee has been the economic development aspect in the city’s downtown.
“We bring almost 300 families in and out of Chicopee center every day,” she said.
Kitchell said that in return the city has been “very generous” with the school in helping its find suitable athletic grounds.
Holyoke Catholic’s internship program has places it students in businesses and organizations in the city center and Kitchell said that has been “real plus.”
“Definitely the city knows out students,” she said.
Kitchell said that as Holyoke catholic alumni have visited the new campus they have observed, “It’s remarkable. The spirit is still here.”
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Honored at the school’s gala on Nov. 21 were the following people receiving the school’s 2013 Awards of Distinction: Michael F. Beauchemin, Martin D. Berneche, Michael and Carol Bligh, Jason C. Bonci, Andrew and Susan Boraski, Margaret M. Boyle, George E. Cartier, George Cauley, Eileen F. Collins, Dr. Frank M. Croke, Estelle Czarnecki, Paul and Christine Duval, Sr. Patricia Feeley, SSJ, Frank A. Friguglietti, Paul and Clare Goddu, Paul E. Goddu, Jay R. Green, Rev. Eugene D. Honan, Francis M. Kane, Joan M. Konefal, John Krzeminski and Joan Partyka, Francis LaFond, Daniel Lengieza, Vincent G. Lingley, Bishop Joseph F. Maguire, Rev. John J. Mara, Joseph D. Matte, Maureen F. McDonald, Sr. Marlene Mucha, SSJ, Rev. Richard A. Riendeau, Sr. Cornelia Roy, SSJ, Sr. Elaine Scanlon, SSJ, Joan Sobon, Harvey, Eva, Brianna and Sam Stockhamer, Sr. Louise Thomas, SSJ, Jeffrey A. Trask, Raymond J. Tremblay and Theresa Zaborowski.
