Family History Revealed During Return to Saint Joseph Academy

In May 2022, Emily, along with Nancy and Mona, visited Saint Joseph Academy to look through yearbooks and share memories of their time at the Academy. It was during this time, Emily discovered that her grandmother, Shema, was not pictured in her class yearbook.

 

Nancy then shared a story that further showed the importance of staying connected to Saint Joseph Academy.

 

Receiving your diploma at Commencement is a special moment for a graduating senior. For Nancy this moment was extra special as her mother, Shema received her diploma the same day.

 

The family story unfolds when in April 1971 Shema left Cleveland for overseas to meet her future husband’s family and get married. Therefore, she was unable to attend her Commencement. 

 

Fast forward to Shema’s daughter Nancy’s senior year at Saint Joseph Academy. In the spring of 1995, Principal Mrs. Jacquie Kasprowski was checking for alumnae connections of the graduating seniors in preparation for Commencement. As Mrs. Kasprowski was verifying Shema’s connection to Nancy, she discovered that although Shema had met the required numbers of hours for graduation, she was not listed in the Commencement program. Mrs. Kasprowski investigated further into Shema’s school file to look for answers. She was surprised to find Shema’s unawarded diploma was in her file.  

 

Before Nancy’s 1995 Commencement, Mrs. Kasprowski asked her to stop into her office. She showed Nancy her mother’s diploma and shared her intention to present Shema with her diploma after Commencement. After the 1995 Commencement, a small ceremony was held for Shema where she received her diploma.  

 

“It was of course very emotional for my mom as all those years she thought she didn’t graduate high school and having that diploma meant everything to her,” Nancy said.