Sunday a reception was held at St. Peter School in Reserve to celebrate its 80th anniversary.

Jeanne and I are both graduates of the school and decided to attend. We had a great time meeting old friends, reminiscing and seeing a video of Monsignor Eyraud’s dream of establishing a Catholic school in Reserve.

It’s estimated that the school was built for approximately $70,000. The Archdiocese loan of $30,000 along with the contributions of local contractors and parishioners completed the construction.

The first classes of St. Peter School began September 1, 1930. I didn’t realize until Sunday at the reception that when I started school in 1940, the school was only 10 years old.

We lived less than 100 yards from the school. I remember that the tuition was only 50 cents a month for those who could pay. The student enrollment at the time was over 500.

We were taught by the Dominican nuns. If my memory serves

me right, we were blessed to have

14 nuns every year and one lay teacher (Miss Evelyn Montz). I’ve always cherished my days at St. Peter’s.

During the war, we had paper drives and saved our dimes to

buy war bonds to support our troops. The nuns were strict, taught us discipline and shared Jesus

more than most churches

today.

At that time, the population of Reserve was larger than LaPlace.

Over the years, the school needed repairs, and the people responded.

Today, the enrollment is holding

at about 150 students. A few short years ago, the school was about

to close its doors until some faith–

ful graduates rallied to keep it

open.

On Sunday the St. Peter School Alumni Association announced a campaign to raise $300,000 for much needed repairs to the school. With over 4,000 men and women who graduated from the school, I’m sure the goal will be reached, and the school will not only survive but get new life!

$300,000 sounds like a lot of money, and it is, but it would take only 300 people to donate $1,000.

To make a contribution, please mail a check to: SPS Rams Club, Inc., Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 34, Reserve, LA 70084.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.