Three days of festivities mark Bellingham school’s birthday
BELLINGHAMBy Armando Machado
Assumption School is marking its 100th anniversary with a proclamation by Bellingham’s mayor and three days of festivities that include a Sept. 21 Mass celebrated by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain.
“We have to thank many past pastors, priests, and especially the Dominican sisters who started this school — and the lay faculty that continue with this great institution,” Principal Monica Des Jarlais said Sept. 3 during a special Mass on the first day of school.
Reaching a 100th anniversary is a significant achievement for any institution, “but for our parish and school it marks an important milestone,” said Father Scott Connolly, pastor of Assumption Parish. “We have been serving the Catholic population for almost 125 years as a parish, and 100 years as a school; what a blessing to all of us here in Whatcom County.”
Assumption School opened its doors Sept. 2, 1913, with 132 students in grades 1-12; the high school lasted until 1931. Dominican sisters, who came from Tacoma, taught at the school until 1972; the last religious teacher left Assumption in 1983, according to the proclamation signed by Mayor Kelli Linville, whose husband, Will Roehl, is an Assumption alum.
In 2000, the original three-story brick school building on Cornwall Avenue was expanded to house a library, preschool and computer lab. Today, Assumption has 232 students in preschool through eighth grade.
John and Lynda Purdie have sent their three daughters to Assumption, including 13-year-old Marina, who is in eighth grade this year. The school helped their daughters excel academically and “reinforce the faith,” and the staff have “meant a lot to our family,” said Lynda Purdie, who is treasurer of the school’s parent/teacher club.
The centennial events on Sept. 20-22 will celebrate 100 years of “excellence in mind, body and spirit; we are so proud of this accomplishment,” Des Jarlais said, alluding to the school’s motto.
As its second century begins, Assumption School will build on the success of the past while moving forward with hope into the future, Father Connolly said. “We need to continue to improve our information technology as well as our curriculum with regard to the development of a dual-language school,” the pastor said. “It would be great if every student were able to graduate from Assumption with a second pastorally useful language,” he said, to better assist the culturally diverse Catholic Church.
CENTENNIAL FESTIVITIES Sept. 20: Reception for alumni and friends, 7-9 p.m., Assumption gym.Sept. 21: “Back-to-School & Barbecue,” 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., school/parish campus; Mass at 4 p.m. celebrated by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain. Gala dinner/dance, 6 p.m., Silver Reef Event Center.Sept. 22: Pancake breakfast, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Assumption gym.
September 18, 2013