'Ladywoodians' reminisce as Livonia school faces sunset after 68 years

LIVONIA — Tracey Mocon wanted commencement to be a joyous occasion.

Fifty-four young women walked across the sanctuary at St. Colette Parish in Livonia on May 24 to receive their diplomas from head of school Mocon and a certificate from Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan, CSSF, dean of ministry and mission, for the final time as Ladywood High School graduates.

These young women will be the final class of Ladywood Blazers to graduate from the Felician-run all-girl high school, which the Felician Sisters of North America announced in December 2017 would close after 68 years of operation.

But during commencement, and over the final weeks of the school’s existence, Mocon wanted the focus to be on the young women who will begin a new chapter of their lives, as well as the 108 underclassmen who will forever be “Ladywoodians.”

“I’m a graduate of Ladywood (class of 1993), a teacher and now administrator of the school, and these past few weeks and months have been an opportunity to reflect on my gratitude for the Felician Sisters and their investment in Catholic education for all these years,” Mocon told The Michigan Catholic.

News of Ladywood’s closing follows a 60 percent drop in enrollment since 2005, a trend prevalent in many schools, public and private, in western Wayne County.

The Felician Sisters have pledged $500 in tuition support per year for Ladywood underclassmen who choose to attend another Catholic high school in Michigan. To date, 95 students have committed to attend either Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, Divine Child in Dearborn, Fr. Gabriel Richard in Ann Arbor, Marian in Bloomfield Hills, Mercy in Farmington Hills, Notre Dame Preparatory in Pontiac, Powers Catholic in Flint, Regina in Warren or St. Catherine of Siena in Wixom, totaling $83,000 in tuition assistance.

Sr. Madigan added Ladywood would present all students with certificates acknowledging their time at the school.

“Our mission and core values is what we’re all about, making sure we are promoting the dignity of the human person, transformation of the spirit, peace and justice, solidarity with the poor and compassion,” Sr. Madigan said. “We wanted to acknowledge all the students who walked through the doors at Ladywood, and we hope they carry on the mission of our founder, Sr. Angela (Truszkowska), and what she stood for in living these core values.”

Sr. Madigan added the Felicians will still have a presence on their Livonia campus, including at Angela Hospice, Madonna University, the Montessori School and volunteers at St. Mary Mercy Hospital.  During commencement, Mocon entrusted the class of 2018 with carrying out the mission of Ladywood as women of faith who show compassion for others, stand up for justice and shine as a beacon of Christ in the world.



“They have been role models, faithful servants in their time at Ladywood,” Mocon said. “They are now called to go forth into a new community and be women of strong character wherever they go, sharing those gifts and talents with the community.”

Alina Amori, a 2018 graduate, reflected after commencement on the impact of her education at Ladywood.

“I think being an alumnus represents how Ladywood will always be part of me and represent who I am, whether it’s in college or in a career,” Amori said. “(Fellow Ladywood students) are like a good friend you had, and you’ll always be there for them once they need you. You’ll never lose touch, even though you may get distant from them.”

In addition to the school’s academic rigor, Amori said Ladywood prepared her to make a difference in the world.

“Ladywood has made the world a better place because of all the girls who have come out of it,” Amori said. “Everyone here learns how to be their own woman, learning different traits and qualities. I feel accomplished, but excited to learn more in the future.”

On June 2, the Felician Sisters and Ladywood students, staff and alumni will meet at the Felician Sisters’ Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent Chapel for the school’s closing Mass at 11 a.m.

Following Mass, all are invited to walk through the school and reminisce about old times.

“We are all disappointed, saddened by the news, but we are all coming together and celebrating as a group to talk about our memories and sharing stories,” said Chantale Stevenson, Ladywood class of 1978 and director of human resources for the Archdiocese of Detroit. “Recently, I visited the school and couldn’t believe how the school has changed tremendously. I was excited to see the types of classes being offered that weren’t offered when I was there.”

Despite the changes in the classes offered, the size of the school, and the uniforms — Stevenson recounts wearing heavy wool navy blue blazers and skirts that made for uncomfortable bus rides in May — the character and values instilled in the young women remain the same.

“The essence of empowerment of the young ladies I met when I visited reminded me of the empowerment that was engrained in us,” Stevenson said. “We were taught to be strong ladies, but very respectful, ethical and innovative, to maintain a religious life and make sure Christ is with us, making sure he guides us.” Through 2018 might be the last Ladywood class, it’s not the end of Ladywood, Stevenson said. The school will live on in its graduates and the surrounding community who continue to live by the Ladywood creed.

“To be a ‘Ladywoodian’ is a culmination of all our experiences there,” Stevenson said. “How we carried on our religion from home to school, having the ability to be proud of who we are. Many of us have children now, and what we gained through our Christian faith we try to engrain in our children today.

“I’m going to miss Ladywood very much — we all will — but Ladywood will continue in the hearts of those who went there and hold true to its values,” Stevenson said. “We will always be Ladywood.”

 

Ladywood Closing Mass and Legacy Celebration

Ladywood students, alumni and staff are invited to attend a closing Mass celebrated by Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Battersby at the Felician Sisters’ Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent Chapel on Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m. Following Mass, all are invited to walk through the school.