St. Mary’s School celebrates 90th
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St. Mary’s kindergartener Lily Manning shows off her fun run medal. (Photo courtesy Rick Mossotti, Syracuse Catholic Television)
St. Mary’s School in Cortland celebrated its 90th anniversary last week, marking the milestone with numerous community activities.
“The first thing that comes to mind when I think of St. Mary’s School is it’s a family,” Principal Denise Hall said. She has been principal of the school since 2010; she began as a teacher there in 2002. Her three children are also graduates of the school.
Marking 90 years for the school “means a lot,” Hall said. “We are very grateful to everyone who supports Catholic education.” She also noted St. Mary’s place in and contributions to the community: “We focus so much on putting others first, serving others. We see quite a bit of that from our alumni.”
St. Mary’s is currently home to nearly 150 students from preK to grade six. The students, families, and staff celebrated the school’s 90th with a week of activities: an outdoor movie showing; a fun run and 5K followed by a pancake breakfast; a buffet dinner; Sunday Mass presented by alumni; Mass on St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day (an important saint for the school, as Franciscan sisters were instructors at the school’s opening); and benediction followed by a chorus of “Happy Birthday” and cupcakes.
