News

Pulaski Catholic school graduates reunite

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

The school building was torn down shortly after their graduation, but the fond memories of St. Mary's School in Pulaski remain for the Class of 1956.

Fifteen members of the class gathered last week for a reunion at Assumption BVM School. The gathering opened with morning Mass. The group then toured the school with Deanne Wilinski, principal at Assumption.

Assumption BVM School was built in 1957, so the Class of 1956 was the last at the old St. Mary's School, which was built in 1901. The history of Assumption BVM Parish dates back to 1877.

John Humecki still remembers the old stone and brick structure.

"It was an old building alright," he said. "I just remember how old everything was, but it was a nice school. It's hard to believe it's been 51 years."

St. Mary's School, which featured grades 1-8, was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Stevens Point. Frs. Alexis Lukasik, OFM, and Salvator Mika, OFM, assistants at the parish, served as religion teachers. Where the school once stood, across the street from Assumption BVM School, is now a parking lot. The former convent next door to the old school was sold, and is now a private home.

Pat Gwidt and Janice (Van Lannen) Robaidek organized the reunion. The Class of 1956 had 34 students. Six are deceased. They were able to locate all living classmates except one.

"The majority of us graduated from high school together," said Gwidt, who lives in Keshena and volunteers at St. Michael Parish. "This is our first grade school reunion. We've always talked about it. I've been on some of our high school reunion committees and John (Humecki) said we should do it for the grade school, but we always put it on the shelf. Last fall, Janice and I got together and said 'we are going to do it,' and we did it."

Several classmates still live in the area. Sandy (Bieda) Lex traveled the greatest distance, from California, to visit her parents and attend the reunion. Robaidek said the class plans to have future gatherings.

While touring Assumption BVM School, the alumni were impressed by the class sizes.

"I remember my eighth grade teacher had seventh and eighth grade combined," said Gwidt. "There were 60 students in the classroom."

A breakfast buffet followed the tour. Reflecting on the day, Gwidt said the Mass was a special way to start the reunion.

"I cried a couple times in church," she said. "I was thinking about when we were in school and how girls weren't able to serve at Mass. Then I was watching the young children and the choir and thinking about how wonderful those young voices were. I also thought about our parents and the sacrifices they made to haul us daily because we were not bused. We all car pooled to school here. You could have three families in a car. The sentimental part came out a couple times. Mass was wonderful."

Members of the Class of 1956 who attended the reunion included Delores (Banaszynski) Styczynski, Sandy (Bieda) Lex, John Humecki, Audrey (Charniak) Blasczyk, James Kryger, Pat Gwidt, James La Rock, Judy Laskowski, Diane (Majewski) Sprager, Darlene (Bogacz) Puzen, Carol (Robaidek) Van Lannen, Janice (Van Lannen) Robaidek, Sandra (Wroblewski) Kropp, Sr. Sally Ann Brickner, OSF, and James Wielgus.