Alumni News

Gladys is a Saint Anthony Alum and Parent of Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral Students

Bob is an Alum of Saint Cecilia School and the Executive Chairman and Founder of PJW Restaurant Group

Osvaldo entered Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral school as a 4th grade student. His mother and father moved to Camden in the early 80s and were educated at the 3rd grade and GED levels. While they had not completed much schooling, they understood the importance of a quality education and especially one that was rooted in faith.

Saint Cecilia School Alum, Ms. Stephanie Aldana, heads to basic training to serve our country as a soldier in the US Army.

Jo’s story with Saint Cecilia school begins when she entered Kindergarten in September of 1952. At the time, the “new” church was in the process of being built and a new wing of the school was in the works. Jo remembers vividly the classrooms being full to capacity, yet the students learned how to be respectful of their teachers and classmates, making it easy for them to learn in large groups.

While she attended Saint Cecilia’s with her siblings and cousins - a few of whom were in the same grade - Jo always remembers the school feeling like a family. Her classmates were tight knit and many would remain lifelong friends. There were also many teachers whom Jo considered family, in particular Mrs. Mangano (pictured), who she continued to stay in touch with until she passed away a few years ago. School bazaars, cleaning the convent, and making sacraments were some of Jo’s fondest adolescent memories.

Ting’s story begins in 2001 when she immigrated to Camden from China to join her parents who had started to live out the “American Dream” of owning a business, a take-out Chinese restaurant just a few blocks from Sacred Heart School.

Starting out at Sacred Heart in March of 2001 as an 8 year old non-English speaking student, Ting was recommended to begin her schooling as a 1st grader. She remembers feeling scared and overwhelmed but quickly learned that her peers and teachers at Sacred Heart were kind, accepting, and wanted to help her assimilate into the school and the American culture. Ting made friends and worked hard to learn English but the language barrier inevitably led to Ting repeating the 1st grade.

Milsy’s CPS story began in 1998 when she and her brother entered Holy Name School as Kindergarten students. Their parents had separated a few years prior and their mother who was working two jobs was desperately seeking a safe, loving environment for her children. After doing her research, she ultimately decided that Holy Name was the place she would feel most comfortable having her children attend while she was working long hours.

Wendy’s family moved to Camden from New York in the summer of 1989 and sought out a Catholic church to worship and a school which was rooted in faith. After some exploring, her parents decided on Holy Name!  

Wendy entered Holy Name School in September of that year and remained through 8th grade.  Her earliest memories include Sr. Dorothy’s kindness and patience as she taught her students to color within the lines - the beginning of what would be the discipline and nurturing behavior of what made her school so special.

Denise’s story begins when she entered the doors of Holy Name School in September of 1989.  From that moment, she felt connected to something very special - a community in which she considered family.  Every teacher at Holy Name had a profound impact on Denise as she can remember each one vividly as an adult.  Her connections to many teachers continued through her highschool years and a few to this day.   

The teachers at Holy Name expanded her mind and soul through field trips to art museums, Holy Cross High School and an introduction to a Holocust survivor while she was in 5th grade.  This is a story she went on to tell her children as it continues to have an impact on her life decades later. All of these experiences would help shape her into the person she is today.  While academics were always at the forefront, she still feels excitement thinking about Christmas concerts, school plays and games which made her time at Holy Name not only academically challenging, but a lot of fun!