Denver Catholic

9 DENVER CATHOLIC | MAY 16-22, 2015 Presentation looks back on 91-year legacy I n its 91-year history, Presentation of Our Lady School has provided a Catholic education for thousands of children. Alumni, former and cur- rent staŸ , students, parents and anyone involved with the school is invited to a reunion May 30 to look back on the legacy of the west Denver school before it closes in June. "It was fun, like one big family," Joan Pfenning, 81, told the Denver Catholic. "Everybody knows everybody." Pfenning has been a member of Pre- sentation of Our Lady Parish for 52 years and served as the school's secretary for 20 years. She's looking forward to the reunion and seeing old friends like "Mrs. Schnur," who managed the school cafeteria for 27 years; Jeanette Vahling Wacholtz, who attended Presentation herself then had a family member there every year for 63 years straight, and "Andy," who once babysat one of school's alumni, Father Ron Cattany, soon-to-be-installed pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immacu- late Conception. Closure of the school, founded in 1924, was announced by 10-year pastor Father Edward Poehlmann last November follow- ing consultation with the parish fi nance and pastoral councils and the Archdiocese of Denver. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the space will be leased to Escuela de Guadalupe, an independent Catholic school with a dual-language pro- gram, founded in north Denver in 1999. "We're very grateful for the alumni," Father Poehlmann said. "The last 10 years have been di§ cult for the school and they 've been very helpful and supportive." At its height in the 1960s, Presentation served nearly 500 students in the Barnum neighborhood. In the last decade, more than $3.6 million was invested by Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust, The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado and the archdiocese. A plan was developed by the O§ ce of Catholic Schools to facilitate the tran- sition of Presentation students and teachers. Of 97 students, more than 60 plan to go to other archdiocesan schools, primarily St. Francis de Sales and St. Bernadette, according to Father Poe- hlmann. The Presentation community has pledged to help the students with the transition fi nancially, including con- tinuing their annual golf tournament fundraiser, which will be held Aug. 18 at Inverness Golf Course in Englewood. Father Poehlmann also said that all of the teachers have jobs for next year. The reunion will begin with 4:30 p.m. Mass in the church at 695 Julian St., cel- ebrated by Father Poehlmann, followed by a reception in the school gym at 660 Julian St. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the event, though there will be an opportunity to purchase ra² e tickets to raise funds for students. "We're so anxious to keep the kids leav- ing Presentation in Catholic schools," Pfenning said. "Presentation of Our Lady School has served the community of west Denver well for 90 years, thanks in no small part to the sacrifi ce and hard work of the Sis- ters of Mercy," Archbishop Samuel Aquila wrote in a statement last November when the closure was announced. "The school has struggled in the past few years … but this in no way diminishes the great work it has accomplished in the lives of gener- ations of students." Guests are encouraged to show their panther pride at the reunion by wearing shirts with the school mascot. 2.49% APR * Limited Time Offer for DC Readers Call: 303.424.5037 Click: www.nufcu.com or Come by one of our convenient locations today! Bringing Catholic Values to Financial Services *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. See website for details. Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency NCUA Simplify the car buying process with our Automotive Partners. Visit www.nufcu.com for more info. Pre-Approved Auto Loan Rates as low as Alumni to celebrate panther pride PRESENTATION REUNION May 30 Joan Pfenning 303-936-5934 Bill Uebelher mbu11@q.com i Ronald Cattany, second from left, now a priest of the archdiocese, is honored at the school's science fair for his eighth-grade project on the atom by teacher Mr. Keenan and Sister of Mercy Mary Amy, along with other students. Alumni and friends of the school will gather for a reunion May 30. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JULIE FILBY 303-715-3123 julie.fi lby@archden.org www.twitter.com/DenverCatholic Presentation of Our Lady School, 1961

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