The school is celebrating its sisterhood, scholastics, service and spirituality.
St. Hubert High School opened in 1941, and the Bambies have been celebrating their big anniversary since the start of the school year.
“The 75th has just been wonderful,” said Lizanne Pando, the school president.
The celebration started with a Mass. Other highlights have included a gala at Vie, a career day/Hall of Fame inductee recognition and a St. Hubert feast day luncheon that welcomed back former principals and presidents.
As part of the annual luncheon, alumnae carried the flags representing all 75 graduating classes.
“It’s a great tradition,” said Trish Decker, director of institutional advancement and a 1981 St. Hubert graduate.
The celebrating is not over.
Upcoming activities include Wednesday afternoon’s senior class ring Mass at St. Bernard, Friday’s golf outing and next Tuesday’s Phillies game, where the chorus will sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game.
On May 11, a drone will fly over Russo Park, across from the school, commemorating the 75th anniversary.
On May 12, City Councilman Bobby Henon will honor the school during a Council session. State Sen. John Sabatina Jr. will welcome staff and students to Harrisburg next month.
Fresh off a trip to New York’s Garment District and Fashion Institute of Technology, the girls are coordinating a May 16 pop-up fashion show in City Hall courtyard.
The culmination will be on Sunday, May 21, when alumnae, staff and friends are invited to Mass and an open house.
The celebrant for the 11 a.m. Mass will be Monsignor Philip Cribben, the popular former principal from the 1970s and the last priest to serve as principal.
The open house will run from noon to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the bookstore will be open with new gear. Also available for purchase is a 176-page book, created by members of the school’s National Honor Society, that chronicles the last 75 years.
“Everybody’s welcome,” Decker said. “The doors will be open. It’s kind of a thank-you event. It’s a fun day.”
As part of the day, Pando will hold a president’s reception in the convent courtyard, where she’ll outline plans for the 2017–18 school year.
“We’re really excited about the open house,” she said. “We anticipate a nice crowd. We have a lot of exciting things going on.”
St. Hubert, at Torresdale and Cottman avenues, is one of 17 high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It draws girls from 54 elementary schools.
The school adheres to the tenets of sisterhood, scholastics, service and spirituality.
St. Hubert is doing well, administrators said.
Councilman Henon funded improvements for a refurbished fitness center.
“The girls love the fitness center,” Decker said.
The bowling and cheerleading teams have enjoyed championship seasons, and the softball team is in contention, having faced some tough competition during a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And there are 47 members of the track team, some of whom competed last weekend at the Penn Relays.
A new Athletes Helping Athletes chapter pairs students with special-needs young people, who serve as co-captains on game days.
“Forty-four girls signed up the first day,” Pando said.
The school offers accredited college courses from Holy Family, Cabrini, Neumann, Chestnut Hill and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
There are 600 students, and the senior class has earned some 500 college scholarships worth $16.5 million.
“”The seniors are doing an extraordinary job,” Pando said.
The school president likes her veteran faculty.
“The teachers here are fantastic,” she said.
The St. Hubert Alumnae Association is a big player, recently holding a Coach bingo event with more than 300 participants. The group also organizes Bob Pantano dance parties and an annual alumni summer outing at Maggie’s on the Waterfront.
“This is a very, very special place and very beloved,” Pando said. “St. Hubert is so beloved. You feel that love wherever you go.” ••
For more information on the May 21 Mass and open house, call 215–624–6840 or visit huberts.org/celebration.
