I
t was more than 50 years in the making, but on Oct. 11, St. Nicholas School in Kinsley celebrated its first ever all-alumni reunion.From recent graduates, to those looking around wondrously at a school they long since left, nearly 200 graduates attended the Mass, dinner and musical celebration, some coming from as far away as Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, and Illinois.
After a Mass celebrated by Father Nicanor Ferangco, the former students – many with children and/or grandchildren attending St. Nicholas – enjoyed a roast beef dinner in the school gymnasium.
Before St. Nicholas School students filled the gymnasium with music, Marcella Heit shared some of the history of the school.
Catholic classes were first taught in Kinsley in 1912, when the construction of a new Catholic church allowed the old frame church to become a one-room parish school. Lay teachers taught until 1920, when Sisters Adorers began what became a 72-year mission in the parish. In 1921, an addition was constructed and high school courses were added (and then discontinued in 1924).
On August 8, 1955, Bishop John B. Franz dedicated a newly constructed school, the one that still stands today. In 1960, Bishop Marion F. Forst dedicated the new gymnasium.
Today the school instructs grades 1-8, and has an enrollment of 49 students.
After the musical presentation, 8
th grader Ben Burghart shared his civic oration speech. The afternoon also included a concert by the St. Nicholas School & Alumni Band.The success of the day was largely due to the volunteer help of numerous committees and individuals, including school students and staff, the Kinsley Food Pride, the Daughters of Isabella, the K of C, DJ Nathan Haskell, the Activity Committee, the school’s cheerleaders, Father Ferangco, the All Reunion Committee, and others.