Saint Mary’s Academy – Junior & Sophomore Classes 1944
Saint Mary’s Academy opened its doors on Chartres Street in New Orleans, under the leadership of Mother Josephine Charles on December 2, 1867. The first graduate was Victoria Jourdain on June 2, 1878. Saint Mary’s moved from Chartres Street to the famed Orleans Ballroom at 717 Orleans Avenue in 1881. It was the first secondary school for girls of color in Louisiana. Another Catholic secondary school, Xavier University Preparatory School, opened in 1915, which impacted the attendance at St. Mary’s.
In 1930, Mother Elizabeth appointed a new faculty of Sisters who were certified teachers and adopted the state course of studies. Enrollment doubled after the school became state accredited. The Maris Stella yearbook began in 1933. In 1947, St. Mary’s became accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In 1965, the school moved to an expansive new campus at 6905 Chef Menteur Highway. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and caused mass destruction to the entire campus. By January 2, 2006, St. Mary’s joined forces with St. Augustine and Xavier Prep to form the MAX School on Xavier Prep’s campus on Magazine Street. Another short stay on Gentilly Blvd. enalbled them to add Pre K-4th-5th grades with 600 students. Finally, 0n October 2, 2007 they returned to Chef Menteur Hwy. and continue today.
Juniors
First row (left to right): Alice Trevigne, Ione Beck, Bobbie Mae Jackson, Louis Mike, Eva Domino, Doris Aaron, Geraldine Marcelin, Emma Walton, Rhoda Dean. Second row: Betty Savarre, Estelle McKenna, Dorothy Joseph, Louise Gonzalez, Audrey Taylor, Octavia Graham, Clayona Charles, Marion Wright, Inez Starck, Marion LaPorte, Third row: Thomasena Mack, Emily Miles, Shirley Lee, Adnisia Reed, Martinez Conange, Magdalen Green, Ella Mae Wilson, Mozell Wilson, Aurelia Soupenne, Mary E. Holmes. Fourth row: Elizabeth Lujan, Mathilda Alexander, Catherine Bell, Verdell Pendleton, Juanita Turnball, Vera Powers, Mary Louise McGraff, Wilhelmina Peters, Dollie Jefferson, Annette Bordenave, Ramona Felton.
Sophomores
First row: Elaine Romain, Rita Joseph, Leatrice Delpit, Barbara Jones, Roberta Hobgood, Marie Ann Coco, Maxine Edwards, Ruby Russel. Second row: Wilhelmina Ricard, Marion Lett, Gloria Le Beauve, Theyona Doucette, Dororthy Carlin, Erna de Fuentes, Exaltus Smith, Shirley Lawrence, Genevieve Ellsworth, Janet Laurent. Third row: Audrey Gravois, Oneida Ruffin, Rosemary Schonburg, Joyce Breaux, Jane Davis, Ouida Holmes, Elvera Barnes, Katherine Spooner, Theresa Sorapuru, Grace Thomas. Fourth row: Lucille Farrar, Mildred Moore, Helen Wells, Wanda Wiltz, Gloria Righteous, Theresa Lawrence, Theresa Roberteaux, Margie Montgomery, Vivian Brown.
Sources: Maris Stella 1944 (St. Mary’s Academy yearbook).
Lolita Villavasso Cherrie
Thanks for your input on this
Mrs. Lolita, I thoroughly enjoy the very interesting historic postings that are made by your CREOLE GEN site. Merci beaucoup, Muchos Gracias, Danke Schoen, Gratia!
Thank you for hard work and sharing of information.
Ione Beck was my great grandmas cousin (Ione is actually still alive!) She lived in the same house with the great grandma and also went to the same school with her! (I can’t find her in this photo tho.)
Ione Beck is in the Junior Class first row Second female.
Amazing history