NDA, We Honor Thee

“NDA, we honor thee!

With our voices, our hearts, our songs.

NDA, we sing to thee!

In a melody clear and strong.

NDA, we’re all for thee!

Through the years as they roll along.

Alma Mater, glory today, forever! NDA!”

In 1975, This was a familiar site!

The second to last day of school before graduation, Mary Jo Schwartz and I were talking to Sister Mary Bernadette when Sister offered to take us up to the FORBIDDEN FOURTH FLOOR!!!!

She snuck us down the hall to her room, and then we all tip toed back out! (True story! Ask Mary Jo!)

Math 4 with Mr. Larry Lobo:

(First day of class Senior year)

Mr. Lobo, speaking with his Indian accent, "OK, now how many of you girls have had sex?"

(Complete silence. .........You could hear a pin drop)

Mr. Logo, louder, " SEX,......SEX.......How many of you girls have had sex?"

Awkward silence continues.

"SEX", he repeats as he writes on the board in large letters

S.....E....T....S

Now hands go up!

I loved being a part of the Choral club. Every time we had a concert I was a nervous wreck. Not because of performing, but because Sr. Mary Barbara Rose would always stand on the very edge of the stage, with her toes on the ground and her heels hanging over the edge. She would bounce around directing us and I was always afraid she was going to fall off the edge!

Remember the Marathon practices before the choral concerts? Sister Mary Barbara Rose would chastise us for not knowing the words, not coming in on cue etc. She would threaten to cancel the concert because we were so bad.....Then after a break....we would come back together and everything would fall in place!

Remember when a student won a car at the annual raffle?

I don't remember who won the Maverick, but I remember that Choral Club sang a little jingle at the pep rally in the gym the day tickets were released ....."You deserve a break today, So get out and sell away, for the Maverick.....The ma..a..a..a...vri .. i .. i ...ick!" (LOL)

I remember the night of our “Ring Ceremony”. April 4, 1974; the night of the tornadoes. We didn’t get our rings till we got back to school. The night stands out because I had a niece born that evening. My brother drove his wife to the hospital, with my sister, a nurse, who rode with them in case they couldn’t make it to the hospital.

Forever a classmate

I have lots of good memories of working on the Gavel. Some of us on the staff got to attend a summer journalism workshop at Ball State University. I was glad to have that experience, meeting other kids from all over the country, as well as getting to know others on the Gavel a bit better.

Some of my memories of the Gavel have stuck with me, like getting in a bit of trouble for suggesting, in an editorial, that we should have a designated smoking room. (That was a current thing at the time in other schools.)
Also got a talking to for reporting that some of the girls in the class ahead of us were upset that the school ring design was changed from the traditional one they always had in the past. I didn't think that was controversial, but just actual reporting of the facts.

But overall I enjoyed being part of the Gavel staff and I even majored in journalism in college. Great memories.

I remember we went on a field trip to Shakertown and I was in the last carload of students and teachers to leave driving back to school. We were in a wreck on the way home. A woman’s car hit us when her brakes went out as we were going around a big curve in a somewhat mountainous area. Sr Edwinita suffered several broken ribs. The rest of us were ok but it took a long time to get back home that night as another car had to come get us.

During the early 1970s, the uniform code was revised to allow for a few choices within the basic uniform offerings. The light grey skirts were offered in two different styles: one with a fully pleated skirt and another which was straighter with 2 kick pleats in front. However, as noted in the student handbook, “A rolled skirt is NOT uniform. The skirt must be a reasonable length at all time.” (NDA Student Handbook, 1973-74) The blouse could be any button-down style, long or short sleeve, as long as it had a collar and was tucked into the skirt waist band at all times. No assembly blouses were required. Restrictions were also lifted on the type of sweater allowed: “Any solid colored white, blue or grey sweater, any style, may be worn. A blouse must be worn under the sweater. Sweatshirts and jackets are not acceptable.” (NDA Student Handbook, 1973-74).

Neutral colored hose or solid navy, grey or white knee socks were still required. Any type of shoes were permitted except Keds, track or tennis shoes. From many alumnae comments it is evident that most students adhered to the dress code policy during school hours, but once the school day ended, skirts were rolled up, blouses were pulled out and knee socks were rolled down.


In the Fall of 1973, a poll was taken of NDA students to get their opinion on various aspects of student life at Notre Dame Academy. The first question concerned the possible changes in uniforms in the next ten years. Jenny Daniels, junior, predicted that the “length will go down as prices go up”. Tara Sommerkamp, junior, thought that “we will be able to wear whatever we want”. Lisa Foltz, sophomore, was also optimistic. “The uniforms in the future will probably be pant suits or a different style of skirt.” (The Gavel, November,1973)

Starting with the 1974-75 academic year, due to a shortage in the uniform skirt materials, a new plaid skirt was introduced for all incoming freshmen and new students. Current students could opt to stay with the grey skirts or purchase a new plaid skirt.

I loved Humanities. Do you remember when we made family trees. learned to play the recorder, learned to use a calligraphy pen, had a Medieval Christmas at the Manor (I brought the yule log), took a field trip to see the Cathedral, and (for some end of unit project or other) I made a replica of the Globe theater?