Sister Mary Chapman, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township, receives a check for $11,000 for tuition assistance from Robert Oberosler, president of the Our Lady of Lourdes Advisory Board, and Dr. Martin DeFrancesco, President of the Class of 1975. The check presentation was made during the Class of 1975’s 50th reunion.Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School’s Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion in a four-day extravaganza late last month.
Dr. Martin DeFrancesco, the class president, touted the reunion marathon as he welcomed approximately 110 classmates and their guests to a September 26 dinner at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville.
“This 50th reunion program has been planned to be the grandest of all parties, unlike any other high school reunion in Lourdes history,” he said. “In my opinion, it is consistent with the expectations and nature of the greatest graduation class in OLOL history.”
The class – the second largest in OLOL history – graduated 198 and brought home the school’s only Eastern Conference football title in 1974.
The reunion theme: Too much of everything is just about right.
The September 25-28 celebration included a cookout at a cottage along Roaring Creek, golf at Indian Hills, a tour of Lourdes school, the Pine Barn dinner, a picnic at Ralpho Township Fish and Game, Mass at Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont, dancing in the street at the Covered Bridge Brewhaus, a class photo at Knoebel’s and a send-off brunch at Nickel Plate Bar & Grill.
There was also serious business.
Robert Oberosler, the 1974-75 Student Council president and newly appointed president of the Our Lady of Lourdes Advisory Board, joined DeFrancesco in handing a check for $11,000 to Sister Mary Chapman, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes. The money will provide tuition assistance for students in need.
Oberosler also urged his classmates to participate in the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which allows Pennsylvanians to direct up to 90 percent of their state tax payments to Lourdes. He also asked them to encourage their families and friends to contribute. The money will provide much-needed tuition assistance, as 75 percent of Lourdes’ student body requires financial aid in order to attend.
The Class of 1975 honored four of its members with the inaugural Madonna awards, featuring an alabaster statuette of the school’s patron.The class honored four of its own members for their work on behalf of Lourdes and the Catholic Church with what DeFrancesco called “the first annual Madonna awards.” Each winner received an alabaster statuette of the school’s patron. “She is our perfect role model,” he said.
The honorees were Anthony “Tony” J. Varano, a successful entrepreneur who jumpstarted the EITC effort at Lourdes and whose own businesses contributed more than $1.5 million to the school; Oberosler, a retired business executive who is now leading what DeFrancesco called a “transformational initiative” to boost Lourdes’ finances and classroom technology; William J. Gilger, who has devoted 44 years to his alma mater as a teacher, coach and mentor; and the late Rev. John Kemper for his work boosting the education of seminarians.
“We are truly a blessed class and proud of all classmates who have shared their time, talents and treasure with others,” DeFranceso said.
The program included a memorial for 22 classmates who have died.
“Let us live the fourth quarter of our lives with thankfulness and grace. Always be gentle and kind,” DeFrancesco said as the program ended. “May the Lord bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand. Until we meet again.”
Learn more about Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School at https://www.lourdesregional.com/.
(Photos and article courtesy of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.)
Special to The Witness
