Thousands of students have attended Kearns-St. Ann School, and dozens of Catholic sisters and others have served at the school.
But teachers and administrators haven't lost their ability to touch the lives of students and their families, said Carol Moyar, a Salt Lake County woman who was a member of the first graduating class that went all the way through the school.Moyar, who completed eighth grade in 1964 and is endeavoring to form an organization of students who attended the school from its beginnings to the present, says she fondly remembers nuns and others affiliated with the school, which now has about 300 students.
"They (the nuns) were very concerned about and cared for the students, and students have always cared for each other. That's why I decided to continue the Catholic education tradition with my daughter, Nicole, 121/2, who is a seventh-grader this fall," Moyar said.
Her sister, Debra Dyer, also has her sons, James and Ben, enrolled at the school.
Sister Alice Buckley is in her fourth year as principal.
"I enjoy my work. It is always a challenge and exciting but a joy to work with children and a wonderful staff" at the school, she said.
Years ago a number of Catholic nuns worked at the school, but today the school has only one, Sister Ignatius, who teaches mathematics to seventh- and eighth-graders and is the home-room teacher for eighth-graders.
The Rev. Richard Blenner, who teachers science to seventh- and eighth-graders, and Sister Ignatius are among 16 full- and part-time teachers at the school. Three, Ann Jefferies, Kay Hood and Rosemarie Graham, are graduates of the school.
"Kearns-St. Ann School has a rich history. It stands for excellence. We are very committed to quality education, self-discipline and parental involvement," Sister Alice said.