Sacred Heart Academy will celebrate “70 Years of Taking the Lead” during the 2019-20 school year. Originally opened with 58 students as the Mary Louis Academy Annex in 1949, Sacred Heart Academy has continued to flourish with 858 students, including a freshman class of 223, enrolled during this anniversary year.
Over 70 years, the Mission of the founding Sisters of St. Joseph to educate and empower young women has remained the same. The current students learn in interactive classroom spaces and state-of-the-art science research and business labs; they excel on the playing fields, consistently recognized among the top athletic teams on Long Island and in the nation, and they give back to the community with more than 10,000 hours of service each year. Sacred Heart boasts more than 11,000 strong and confident alumnae who are making a difference in their professions and communities.
“When I came to Sacred Heart we were celebrating our 25th Jubilee,” said math and computer teacher Barbara Carroll, who has taught at SHA for 45 years. “I stayed because Sacred Heart is a special place and that has not changed. I have watched the campus change and grow. Technology is everywhere, enhancing the education of our students and there are so many leadership opportunities in and out of the classroom. It seems, no matter what our students choose to do with their lives, they tend to do it well. I am proud that Sacred Heart plays a key part in that.”
In celebration of its history, success and mission, Sacred Heart embarked on a strategic planning process to plot a course to ensure a successful future. This strategic plan directs the school’s focus and resources and prepares SHA for new opportunities.
To recognize the 70th anniversary and to honor all members of the SHA community, past and present, Sacred Heart will host a 70th anniversary liturgy and reception on Sept. 22, beginning with a 10 a.m. mass and tours and reception/children’s activities and entertainment to follow at 11:30 a.m. SHA’s new replica sculpture of the Fearless Girl, which sits in the courtyard representing female empowerment and women in leadership, will be blessed in a ceremony at 1 p.m. Representatives of SHA’s history—alumnae from each decade, former and current faculty, staff and administrators, and current students and families will join together in celebration. The schedule for the day follows. All are welcome.
Sacred Heart Academy is located at 47 Cathedral Ave., Hempstead. Guests may register at www.sacredheartacademyli.org/SHA70.
—Submitted by Sacred Heart Academy
