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Experience O'Dowd: Past, Present and Future
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Dedication of Mary statue 1955.
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Come one, come all!
Our 60th Celebration is for everyone - students, parents, teachers, alumni!  Mark your calendar! Sunday, March 25, 2012 - 11 a.m. - Mass in large gymnasium celebrated by Bishop John S. Cummins, Fr. Jay Matthews, and former O'Dowd principals.
- 12 p.m to 3 p.m. - Lunch and opportunities to reconnect with fellow alumni, past and current faculty and staff, and past and current O'Dowd families. Performances, campus tours and memorabilia displays will be featured.
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Memories wanted!
Over the next few weeks we are going to highlight the many memories of the students and faculty of Bishop O'Dowd High School. Do you have a picture, report card, or essay from your time at Bishop O'Dowd High School that you'd like to share? We would love to have your memories at this very special celebration. Contact Lisa Coffey Mahoney '76. |
Guess Who?
We have the photo but not the names. Can you help us identify this group from your decade?
 Help us out! Click here and e-mail us. |
Memories from 1956
Fond memories and great times are remembered by Frank McNamara '56 and Jean Hudson McNamara '56. Though they were classmates, Frank and Jean each had their own circle of friends and didn't become acquainted until the last half of senior year. Dating began after graduation and they married 2 1/2 years later. They have been major planners of most of their class reunions and were active with the formation of the first O'Dowd Alumni Council.
Jean's Recollections Jean remembers that some of her favorite times were outside the classroom - working with the yearbook committee, helping with the paper drive, the days and hours involved in  turning the gym into special themes for junior prom and senior ball, as well as designing bids. Other memories include:
- School dances were simple, including the junior prom and senior ball, which were held in the gym. Jean recalls the drama that went with what to wear on free dress days - not many each school year, but oh so important.
- Riding the chartered buses to school picnics, basketball games and federations helped build the camaraderie that is still a meaningful part of their lives.
- The new principal in the new school, Father Mark Hurley, told students at an early assembly that there were no school rules and that they would make them. What a surprise to get a list of rules within days!!
- No talking in the halls between classes was one of the many new rules.
- Nuns and priests, but mostly nuns for the girls in the early years, had a great impact - a bit strict, but all in all Jean says she had the best possible education and grew up in the best of times.
Frank's Recollections
 I've told many people over the years, including our kids and grandkids, that my four years at Bishop O'Dowd High school were some of the best of my life. Not everyone feels that way, but I truly do. In the words of the time, it was a blast!
Part of that may have been the '50s thing in general. After all, we did have great music, duck tail haircuts, 501 Levi's, The Bop, Jerry's and Gordon's drive-ins, and, of course, the very coolest cars that we modified and wrenched on incessantly and, with great pride, driven to school.
- On many a Friday and Saturday night, we would "cruise" the strip on E. 14th St., between 150th Ave. and Lewelling Blvd., always keeping in mind Father Hurley's dictum to not dishonor the school - and we didn't. Our teachers were unbelievably dedicated.
- Take Sister Loretta Marie for instance. As a sophomore, I hit a wall in geometry about half way through the course. Sister took me aside after school and worked with me one on one until one day everything seemed to make sense again. I went from a solid "D" to an "A" due almost entirely to her caring and dedication.
It is heartwarming to see that O'Dowd has kept the high academic standards that were set early in its history. Some statistics we have seen indicate that those standards are probably even higher now! Life's experiences tell us that this is due to the hard work and dedication of the teachers and administration. The students follow and respond in kind. Look for O'Dowd to be around for many years to come. |
Snapshots in time...
Here's a fun look back at how the ride to school has changed.
1950s Ride to School 
1970s Parking Lot  2012 Ride to School Have a piece of history to contribute? Contact Lisa Coffey Mahoney '76. |
Trivia
Here's a fun look at some trivia about Bishop O'Dowd High School.  Q What order of sisters taught at O'Dowd from 1951-1992? Q Who was the first principal of O'Dowd? Q What was the last year girls were required to wear uniforms? Answers in the next 1950s newsletter in two weeks!
Did you know?
- No student was allowed through the main school entrance.
- 1950s boys and girls had separate entrances.
- Girls had to wear uniforms, but the boys only had a dress code.
- Football wasn't a sport at BOD until 1970.
Have a piece of history or trivia to contribute? Contact Lisa Coffey Mahoney '76. |
Bishop O'Dowd High School's first Mother's Club, 1952-1953
Back row: Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Heeg, Mrs. De Valle
Front row: Sister Alisia - moderator, Mrs. Gallagher - President, Mrs. Gunderson - Vice President,
Mrs. Watters - Secretary
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