Page 16 - Priorities 6

in the Priory Library’s Rare Book Room, which is named in their honor.
1960
Father Pius Horvath arrived on June 9. The old green Cadillac which was sent to the airport to pick him up brokedown on the way home and Father Pius had to push it.
1961
The first graduating class of nine boys held commencement exercises on the tennis courts in front of the farmhouse-cum-administration building. Of the nine, six were from the mid-Peninsula, one from Marin County and two from Southern California.
1962
The first annual Spring Ball and Champagne Supper, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., held at the Los Altos Hills Country Club, included a midnight candlelight supper. A newspaper article said, “The highlight of the evening will be the auctioning of a purebred Aberdeen Angus steer.” Proceeds were to be used to decorate and furnish the new cafeteria and multi-purpose building then under construction.
The Landscaping and Gardening Committee held the first Christmas Fantasy, a fund-raising bazaar that would become a holiday tradition for neighbors as well as Priory families for 20 years. (See the Headmaster’s Letter for their story.)
In what today would be a major publicity blitz, San Francisco Archbishop McGucken consecrated the new Refectory.Theranchhousebecamethe administrative offices and the bookstore.
1963
A very young Brother Maurus (later Father) came as an affiliate to the monastery. He enrolled in St. John’s University inMinnesotaandbeganteachingatthe
Priory in the 1968-9 school year.
1964
The Emerald Ball was born, a n annual event until 1992 (and
which continues in spirit today as the Auction and the Parent Association appreciation party for faculty and staff). Through contacts in Colombia, parents acquired a diamond-and-emerald-studded cross and a ring designed with tiny diamonds surrounding a perfect emerald gem. Each year they were raffled at the Ball. Each winner could keep them for a year – “to wear, to display or to cherish.”
1965
In the spring, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges visiting committee awarded the maximum 5-year accreditation. The former Social Committee Chair for the Class of ’65, visiting the campus this year, said what he remembers best are the exchange dances with the local girls’ schools.
1966
Neighbors were invited in to tour the school and enjoy sports and band music at the first Community DayandHistorySymposium. St.Mary’sChinese Girls School provided the concert; athletic events included soccer against Robert Louis Stevenson and Pebble Beach Schools. Outstanding students of American history from San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties presented papers and held panel discussions with leading history professors from Bay Area colleges and universities.
The new WPS Foundation announced a $1,000,000 development campaign – a major and comprehensive effort that grew from discussions with parents and friends looking to the future. Over the next decade, this foundation would successfully complete its building projects and retire its loans.
The Christmas card this year noted that 25 percent of 88 graduates had earned National Merit finalist or recommended student recognition.
By the end of the first decade, the monks and friends had added three additional classrooms
( 1 9 5 9 ) , a temporary Chapel (1960) a science lab, (1961), refectory
building (1962), a second dormitory
Remember?
Surrounded by orchards, it would take a strong character for a boy never to give in to
temptation. Apparently, a few boys did and the Priory’s friend and neighbor caught them at it. The next morning, every apple on the man’s tree had
a bite missing.
The American connection:
The first monks from St. Anselmís in 1975.
Father Martin
Brother Daniel (now Father)