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CLASS OF 1968
PREPARES TO CELEBRATE
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY REUNION
As the Class of 1968 finalizes plans to celebrate the 50th
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Tracing Illinois' roots with a replica of a Sioux tepee
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anniversary of their graduation from Saints Peter and Paul School on August 11.
As they prepare to return to campus for this celebration, members of the reunion committee were invited to share some thoughts about what they remember about what life was like growing up in the 1960's and what memories they have of their alma mater.
Growing up in 1968....
- Stamps were 6¢
- Gas was 34¢ per gallon
- A new Chevy Impala sold for $3,500
- Median income was $7,743
- A new home cost $26,600
- Rowan and Martin's Laugh In was the number one television show
- In the Heat of the Night brought home the Oscar for the best movie.
- Apollo 8 astronauts Will Anders, Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell were Time Magazine's Men of the Year
- Hey Jude by the Beatles was the number one song
- McDonald's rolled out the Big Mac which sold for 49¢
- 60 Minutes debuted on CBS
- Hot Wheels was one of the most sought after Christmas presents
- The Packers beat the Raiders in Super Bowl II
- Naperville had approximately 20,000 residents
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Sesquicentennial celebration rendition of Fort Dearborn
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In many ways, however, 1968 was better known for tragic events. Among them were the assignations of both Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, our involvement in the Viet Nam war intensified and worse yet, China and France developed nuclear weapons. Tensions were so high in the world that a Nike Missile site was built in the area of Mill and Diehl roads.
Just as society and our culture has evolved and changed, so has our school. Here's a look at how Saints Peter and Paul School was different five decades ago,
Saints Peter and Paul School in 1968....
- They didn't wear uniforms
- Basketball was the only sport offered students
- Spanish and French were foreign language electives
- Students went to Mass daily
- Those old enough to receive Communion ate breakfast at their desk after Mass
- They were Confirmed in 5th grade
- Due to overcrowding in church, Sunday Mass was also offered in what is now known as Zuker Hall in the Jr. High
- Until 8th grade you could only fulfill your weekly obligation by attending Mass on Sunday
- You were never allowed to ever eat meat on Friday, not just during Lent
- Tuition was not charged
- There was no School Board
- There was no kindergarten
- There were no Religious Education classes for public school students
- They always had a School Sister of St. Francis who served as principal
- Mass was only celebrated in Latin until fifth grade
- There were 117 students in their graduating class
Favorite memories of their school experience....
- Class picnics at local classmates' farms
- The playground on the corner of Ellsworth and Benton had a Jungle Gym and Merry-Go-Round
- Annual corn boil on playground
- Franklin St. went through to Brainard
- Square dances
- School supply store
- Donating money to save pagan babies
- Spelling bees
- Installing a church altar that faced the people
- Science Fair
- Going to Al's Market for candy
- Candy Day
- Doing projects in conjunction with Illinois' sesquicentennial
- Family Life with Monsignor Stenger
- May Crowning
- Being a member of the Safety Patrol
The reunion will conclude with the graduates attending the 8:00 am Mass on Sunday, as that is the liturgy at which many of their fathers served as ushers.
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Volume 5, No. 36
June 21, 2018
Start planning for the
30th Annual
SSPP Golf Outing
scheduled for Thursday,
September 13,
at the
Cress Creek Golf Course.
Registration information will be forthcoming.
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We have an open position on our Advancement Board we would like to fill with a graduate
of our school.
If you are interested in helping your alma mater and would like to be considered for a
three year term,
please call our
Advancement Director,
at 630-718-2134.
SAD NEWS
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