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With the decision to close St. Casimir’s School during the spring of 2025, St. Casimir Church celebrated the graduation of the final sixth grade class at the Sunday Mass on June 3.

In recognizing the contribution that the school has made to the parish and community, school Administrator Jinger Woodring shared the following, “Our parish and community have been greatly blessed to have had the honor of graduating almost 1,700 students over the past 110 years. At times when other public or parochial schools have had to either close their doors or consolidate with other schools to remain viable, the leadership and members of St. Casimir Church have remained stalwart in their belief that a Catholic education for all is not only a gift, but a necessity. This in itself is amazing. To have continued this effort for 110 years is almost miraculous, and for this we are truly grateful.”

Woodring acknowledged the support from several families within the school community who have not only been members of St. Casimir’s School themselves, but whose successive generations have also studied within the walls of the school.

Calling forward representatives of the Jerome Dulas family (three St. Casimir’s generations), Leon Chirpich (four generations), Lorna Stevermer Feist (four generations) and Ira Bushlack (five generations), certificates of honor were presented to all four families who had at least one child attending the school this year.

“Our appreciation and congratulations go to these four families for their continuous, unbroken support of St. Casimir’s School, it’s philosophy and blessings,” Woodring said.

During this same celebration Mass, several of the St. Casimir’s graduating class members received special awards. Receiving the President’s Award for Educational Achievement for showing tremendous growth, improvement, commitment and intellectual development for learning in academics was Zoey Elg. Earning the President’s Award for Educational Excellence by earning a grade point average of 90% or higher were four of the students, Clara Bushlack, Abigail Chirpich, Calvin Jewison and Gemma Woodring. The final student award was the announcement of the recipient of the American Citizenship Award. Woodring shared, “This award recognizes America’s youth for making positive contributions to the school or community by consistently possessing the strength of character to do what is right and exhibiting the behaviors of respect and positive attitude while displaying leadership qualities amongst their peers. I am pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the American Citizenship award is Abigail Chirpich.”

In speaking directly to the graduates, Woodring said, “Today, we celebrate not just the end of a school year, but the closing of a chapter in our school’s history. You are the final class to graduate from St. Casimir’s School, and your place in its history is important. You’ve spent this year learning what it means to become a saint — to be living examples of Christ’s light in the world, to see the beauty and divine image of God in one another, and to walk humbly with him. Though our building may now be permanently quiet and void of your exuberant energy, the spirit of this school will live on in you — in the choices you make, the love you share and in the light you carry into the world. Congratulations, St. Casimir’s class of 2025. You were — and always will be — something truly special and very good. May God bless you now and always.”

Upon the school’s closure, the St. Casimir’s School students will be attending several local facilities including United South Central School, Alden-Conger School and St. Theodore Catholic School. A few students will be homeschooled.