Catholic school celebrates 75 years of learning

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by DARWIN WEIGEL Principal Sister Rosella Summe poses in front of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School and church in Solomons. The school has been in operation for 75 years. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Photo submitted by Our Lady Star of the Sea Sister Mary Raphael, Sister Joseph Mary, Sister Louise Joseph and Sister Mary Hilda in 1938.

This tuition cost was a reality 75 years ago when Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons opened its doors in the basement of the church in 1933.

This year, Our Lady Star of the Sea School celebrates its 75 years as an established Catholic school this year. While the tuition has increased 880 times what it used to be, the family atmosphere and focus on faith and education remain intact.

Sister Mary Rosella Summe has been principal of the school for 15 years. In that time she has seen many members of particular families come through the hallways of Our Lady.

‘‘It seems like some stay a long time,” she said.

Even those who have moved away keep in touch with the school via letters, e-mails, visits and photographs, she said.

Looking to her left in her office, Sister Summe pointed to a collage of photographs from former students. Without hesitation, Summe named each and every student. Sister Summe even pulled out an old gradebook from 1995 and updated a reporter with the whereabouts of many of those former eighth-graders.

When she sees former students or hears of updates, she said, ‘‘I feel very proud that I know them ... It’s gratifying to hear success stories,” she said.

As a principal, Sister Summe has learned a great deal from her students, like the importance of being ‘‘firm, but kind,” and always following through with what is said to a student.

Sister Summe said what makes Our Lady Star of the Sea a success is the dedicated parents, enthusiastic teachers, parishioners and staff.

Sister Summe also acknowledged the continued support of the parish priests, including the current Father Richard Gardiner.

According to Sister Summe, Our Lady was the first Catholic school in Calvert County, and for nearly 60 years, it remained the only Catholic school before the opening of Cardinal Hickey Academy in 1997.

Back in the early years of the school, the entire school was run by Sisters of the Divine Providence of Melbourne, Ky. Today, only three staff at the school are Sisters; Sister Barbara Rohe, Sister Summe and Sister Carolyn Marie Betsch.

According to school literature, the school is now staffed with ‘‘religious and lay teachers who are dedicated to the profession of teaching.”

Sister Summe said the majority of the school in the early days was local families from the Solomons area but now, with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station close by, Sister Summe said there are many new names and faces in the school.

Last year, there were 179 students enrolled at Our Lady and the school community continues to grow as much as space will provide. In the past 75 years, there have been several additions to the school including all-day-Kindergarten in 1989, the addition of three new classrooms, an administrative area and additional restroom facilities and an after school program in the early 1990s

The school also became part of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

According to Sister Summe, the school participates with the public school system in the science fairs, oratorical contests, the National Spelling Bee, the National Geography Bee and more.

According to Sister Summe, over the years, the school has grown remarkably both inside and out.

To celebrate 75 years, the school has various activities planned throughout the year and has dedicated a bulletin board so that each month, the school can display 10 years worth of historical information.