Courtesy photo Principal of Holy Name Catholic School Joseph Carlson (pre-K through 8th grade) welcomes and lead the new students into the new Holy Name High School - A Chesterton Academy on Mon., Aug. 30. Students have been in the classroom at the school for a few weeks now, but the historical significance of being the first class to attend the school since it shut down 50 years ago has not been lost on the students or the community members that support them.

ESCANABA — The first day of high school: Just the thought of it can be enough to bring back the jitters for many – making new friends, learning new subjects, getting to know new teachers… The list goes on. The new students at Holy Name High School – A Chesterton Academy, had not only that; they were pioneers.

On Monday, Aug. 30, 13 students from across the U.P. became the first students to walk through the doors of the newly reopened HNHS and now have the privilege to say that they were the first students in the Escanaba area to have attended a Catholic high school in 50 years.

While this might sound like a lot to deal with at just 14 or 15 years old, the graduates who went before them–even though their first day was decades ago–wanted them to know they are praying for them and understand what they are going through. The school reopened with freshmen and sophomore classes, with plans to add a junior, then senior class over the next two years.

HNHS graduates were among the hundreds of attendees at the first day of school reception.

“I remember my first day at Holy Name High School. I came from Flat Rock to attend Holy Name after eighth grade, so I was meeting a whole new group of people, which, at the time, was really difficult. I remember being apprehensive before I went,” said Bonnie Pepin, a graduate of the HNHS Class of 1965.

One thing’s for sure: The new HNHS students have a huge support system.

“We are all here to support them–the alumni, the administration, and their parents,” Pepin added. “If I could tell the students one thing, it’s to be patient and to pray. We will be praying for them.”

It’s not just HNHS graduates that are praying for the new students and the success of the school, which is now in its fourth week of operation.

“I’ve been praying for this since after the kids graduated from eighth grade,” said Tricia Pendergraft, mother of HNHS students, Brooklyn and Noah. “This is God’s will, and the fact that Holy Name has partnered with Gladstone High School for athletics and extra-curricular activities makes it even better.”

While most of the students were a bit nervous to start their new classes at their new school, one student summed up her feelings on her first day.

“I’m excited,” said sophomore Katelyn Rexford. “I’m just really excited.”

“I don’t think they (the students) realize right now how momentous it is to be re-opening Holy Name High School,” Pendergraft said. “I think ultimately, though, it’s going to strengthen their character. Doing hard things — and doing them successfully — makes it easier to face life’s challenges.”

HNHS first opened in Escanaba in 1954. One of the members of the first class to attend HNHS for all four years, Bob Bink, said he has faith that the new students will have a great experience, as he did.

“I know it’s going to be a tremendous opportunity for the students,” said Bink, who graduated in 1958. “I would like to tell the new students that they’re starting a new school just like we did, and it will be a unique experience for them. You will have the opportunity to have an intimate education in the sense that you will get one-on-one assistance from great teachers.”

“I think that this school is wonderful for this community,” Bink added, “and I’m confident that God will continue the growth of Holy Name High School.”

The new HNHS students starts every day with Mass. The opening day Mass was celebrated by Father Fran DeGroot, and concelebrated by Fathers Rick Courier and Timothy Ferguson, and assisted by Deacon Terry Saunders. After Mass, the Delta County Ambassadors celebrated the re-opening on HNHS with a ribbon cutting by Father Courier, followed by a reception in the St. Anne’s Parish Hall.

For more information on Holy Name High School, visit www.highschool.holynamecrusaders.com, e-mail Headmaster Mark Surrell at msurrell@holynamecrusaders.com or call Michelle Bink, Holy Name’s alumni/development director, at 906-786-7550, ext. 20.

The school is located at 2203 7th Ave. South, in Escanaba.