FACTS ABOUT CHICAGO HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY
Year opened:
1887
Year 4-yr high school opened: 1902
New building opened: 1927
Boarding stopped:
1945
End of grade school students: 1964
Closed for good:
1988
School colors:
Blue & Gold
School nickname: the
"Angels"
School song:
"We're Loyal to You HFA"
Courtesy of Loretta Josefowski--sung to the tune of "We're Loyal to You, Illinois"
Alma Mater (courtesy of Mary Yager, class of 1970)
We'll cheer and faithful stay
To our own H.F.A.
And as our colors fly
Above them all on high
Let ring the echo loud
With heart so loyal bowed.
(Chorus)
We'll always boosters be Alma Mater we cheer
In
act, in word and song, ever now and long,
While cheering, leading ever
strongly, thus succeeding more and more,
We will do our mighty best,
and we will meet the hardest test.
Ever now and long, while cheering,
leading ever strongly, thus succeeding more and more,
We will do our
mighty best, and we will meet the hardest test.
(additional verse)
And always giving aid,
Ours are the best that ever played,
Our are
the strongest over all
So mighty towering tall.
So let us cheer our own
In universal tone. (back
to chorus)
ATHLETICS AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
It is possible that Holy Family could have offered interscholastic activities to its young ladies, especially
when the IHSA began offering state tournaments in a number of sports during the early and mid-1970's. We would like to find
out more about the athletic and extra-curricular activities that the school could have offered while its' doors were open.
Please contact us at the addresses below.
**From Kathleen:
"I graduated from HFA in 1961. There was an intra-mural basketball competiton with an academy in Momence,
Illinois during the 4 years I attended."
MEMORIES
**From Soltrini Ramirez:
"The school mascot was the Angel. I also know the words to the school
song. I have fondest memory of my high school. Holy Family Academy
years were the best years of my life!"
**From an Anonymous Alum:
"I will always remember Sr. Gamma,
my Geometry teacher at Holy Family Academy 1960-1964. She was my inspiration for majoring in Mathematics and Computer
Science and making my science-based career choices in my later years. Thank you, Sr. Gamma!"
From Madelyn Malinowski (1949-1957)
"I attended HFA Grade School from first-eighth
grade. It was a wonderful experience. I remember so many wonderful events.
"In first grade I recall being honored
to be a leader for the First Communicants and later receiving my First Communion in that wonderful chapel. I also remember
making visits in the Little Chapel where there was a small statue of Jesus with resplendent clothes.
"I studied dance with Miss Layla in addition
to learning how to do the Krakowiak for the Christmas program. The sisters who taught me were wonderful people. They encouraged
us to stretch and be creative. The students made substantial accomplishments for their age groups.
"My favorite remembrance is when the
weather would get nicer that we would have gym class in the swimming pool. What a treat! I still remember the sign on the
door to the pool --Natatorium.
"What a great school that grounded me
in my life. Thank you for keeping
the memeories of HFA alive."
**From Denise Moran:
"Attached (below) is a picture of the dance card my mother used during the Holy
Family Academy Senior Promenade at the Crystal Ballroom at the Shoreland Hotel
in Chicago in 1949."