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The SMA we knew is now the Marian Center for Nonprofits, a rental complex which is committed to assisting others whose goals and mission are compatible with the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis. The majority of current Marian Center tenants are service organizations or those involved in education and include Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee, the Civic Music Association, and the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, Inc. The goal is for the Marian Center to be a resource for creating quality of life in the community through the services of its resident agencies and organizations. While there didn't seem to be much we could do to keep our beloved school from closing, we can help take care of the building by contributing to restoration projects. Please read more about this below. As you'll see in the photos, much about our school has remained the same. And the changes that have occurred will only make our memories of what was that much more sweet. Though the building no longer houses young women or operates as a school, St. Mary's Academy lives on in our hearts.
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The more things change....
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...the more things stay the same! (You were beyond lucky if you had a first floor locker!)
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Here's third floor of the old building. Anyone ready for French class?
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Our great auditorium, site of so many fascinating American History lectures, plays, and concerts, is now available to groups sponsoring lectures, concerts, or other programs open to the public. The Miss Milwaukee scholarship program has also been held here.
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The chapel still invites people to pray and is as lovely as ever...
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...as is the statue of St. Mary.
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Fifth floor has changed quite a bit. Room 513, a former art room, is now a party room.
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How fast could you make it down these five flights of steps??
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The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc., renovated the former cafeteria and the annex for offices, classrooms, and a training apartment to help persons with this double disability. However, our cafeteria furniture is still floating around outside Shack (which is now used as a storage room for organ pipes for Gesu Church Music Ministry)!
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In 1980 (our graduation year!), the Landmarks Committee of the Milwaukee County Historical Society honored St. Mary's Academy together with St. Francis Convent, the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, as an official landmark. The State Historical Society verified that the Academy property is a qualified historic building for purposes of the Wisconsin Historic Building Code in September 1996.
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The funky light fixtures are still hanging around. Do you remember where this one is?
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Here's a big change on the fifth floor. Who'd have thought??
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The grounds haven't changed a great deal. Remember learning to play field hockey? And running that extra lap when Coach caught you trying to cut corners?
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Many SMA alumni feel it's important to preserve the buildings and grounds of our former high school. Please consider making a monetary gift to help with restoration projects. Based on the input we get from the poll on the Welcome page, we will direct monies from the Class of 1980 to either landscaping or stairwell repairs. Be sure to answer the poll question and consider including a gift with your reunion celebration check. Perhaps you would like to share a gift in memory of a family member or one of our lost classmates. It would be great if each of us could give $50, but feel free to give more or less as you are able.
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