The 2015 Alumni Congé was a beautiful evening of friendship and recognition. Academy Classes of 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985 were represented and acknowledged as special “honor” classes. Academy Admissions Director Lisa Tebbe ’80—who has also shared her love of Sacred Heart with Villa Duchesne and AASH (the Associated Alumni/Alumnae of Sacred Heart)—was the recipient of the Rose Philippine Duchesne Award.
Coming from as far away as New Jersey and California, alums of honor years were treated to a weekend of plans by their host classmates who had planned brunches, evening dinners and mainly just opportunities for relaxed visits. Many took advantage of the new offerings this year dubbed “Classes for Congé.” A tour to St. Ferdinand’s Shrine in Florissant, a class on prayer, a beer tasting and photo seminar, and a visit to the archives all got rave reviews from their more-than-satisfied participants. A grateful nod goes to Sister Margaret Munch, Mary Jo Hippe, John Storjohann and Theresa Grass for leading these sessions.
While the 40-year class (eighth graders in 1975) had the largest attendance, the hands-down winner for above-and-beyond-the-call presence was their classmate Judie Jakle Beatty, who managed to zip over between her daughter’s afternoon wedding and the evening reception in order to appear in the group photo that was taken before mass.
With construction preventing vehicles from entrance onto the campus, all visitors were forced to park on the street or in a neighboring St. Charles Borromeo parking lot. However, a steady stream of “Congé Cabs” delivered passengers to and from the event in a 2015 version of doing things “the Philippine way.”
Special thanks to Alumni Director Jane Cannon and the Alumni Coordinating Council for once again orchestrating this wonderful event.
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Photos courtesy of Bill Slaughter
