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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
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011918 st leoWINSTON-SALEM — St. Leo School recently held its first Alumni Homecoming.

Father Brian Cook, pastor, (pictured with the school’s mascot) and Joanne Brown, principal, as well as current and past teachers, welcomed students from the classes of 1956 to 2017 to the homecoming event, held in the school’s gymnasium. Alumni were encouraged to visit the classrooms and tour the school to see how the campus has evolved since they graduated. St. Leo School has experienced tremendous growth since it welcomed its first class in 1953, including the building of a middle school addition.

Jean Anne Semke and Kathy Murray organized the event after being inspired by Father Cook.

“We wanted to invite all of our alumni back home and create an event that instilled that family feeling and enabled past students and teachers to take a trip down Lion Lane,” Semke said. “It was such a wonderful evening, with so many of our St. Leo Catholic School family in attendance. Alumni traveled in from places like New Orleans, Houston and Chicago.”

Father Cook welcomed alumni and teachers home and thanked attendees “for making room in their schedules during a very busy time to reconnect with their friends and teachers.”

He in turn was honored by attendees with a plaque for “his steadfast leadership and unwavering support.”

The event was a resounding success with alumni reconnecting with old friends as well as connecting with current students. Alumni left notes on the classroom white boards for students to see when they returned from their holiday break. Additionally, alumni had the opportunity to “leave words of wisdom for current Lions” by placing notes in the Middle School Suggestion box. Notes left ranged from “Thank your teachers, one day you will realize how much they impacted you!” to “Be positive, and give thanks to God for all you have!” to “Have so much fun every moment and learn lots!”
— Melissa Kinsley