Immaculate Conception School Alumni Hosts Reunion

On Saturday, April 28, graduates from the 1940’s attended a reunion hosted by the Alumni Association of Immaculate Conception School in Astoria.  The reunion luncheon, held at Trattoria L’Incontro was well attended.  Graduates, who came from many areas of the tri-state region, including one from Texas, averaged in age from 80 to 85 years old.  They were all happy to be once again reunited with their graduating classes after being away from Astoria for so long.

Seated: Tom Mackin, Catherine Harding Vopelak, Rosaleen and Thomas O’Connor Top Row: Leo Danze, Rosemarie Prager, Maureen Bartels, Clement Bele, Maureen Sullivan, John Spellman, Jean Spellman, Sr. Jeanne Stegmann

Leo Danze, class of 1946, traveled from Austin, Texas with his son, Philip from Dallas, Texas.  Mr. Danze, a retired architect, reminisced about Immaculate Conception School back in the 1940’s.  He said back then, the tuition was a mere $2.50, per semester, $5.00 per year and it was optional.   He also spoke about the number of nuns that were teaching at Immaculate Conception School, compared to the present day.  He went on to talk about the neighborhood and the changes he has seen since being a child in Astoria.  He recalled the opening day of the Triboro Bridge, the parts of Astoria that were farmland and the construction of the then new homes.

Sr. Jeanne Stegmann, class of 1948 and retired principal of Immaculate Conception School, attended the reunion and was delighted to be included in such a wonderful luncheon.  Rev. Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese and Ms. Eileen Harnischfeger, current principal of Immaculate Conception School, greeted the alumni and thanked them all for attending.

All of the attendees were given CD’s of Immaculate Conception School, as well as Immac Sacks with the school logo on them.

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Visit the Immaculate Conception Alumni Association website at www.icsastoriaalumni.org.

For questions or more information, or to join, email icsastoriaalumni@gmail.com.

If you are an alumnus and would like to be informed of any upcoming events, you may call the school and give them your current contact information.  Or you can email your information to icsastoriaalumni@gmail.com.

Mike Cleary '54, Mike Brassil '54 and Sister Kathleen Gibney (Sr. John Alicia) This picture was sent in by Mike Brassil. Please share your reunion pictures with us via email or mail them to the Alumni Association at Immac and they will be posted on the website.

Read the article Astoria Characters: The Born Baker published on the Huffington Post website, about ICS alum Rosario Notaro.
View a video and article from our 85th Anniversary:

In November 2010, Immaculate Conception School celebrated its 85th Anniversary. Immaculate Conception School – as well as the parish – was founded in 1924. It’s been an institution in Astoria since then. Students and teachers from throughout the school’s history came to this celebration. If this latest gathering is any indication, the school and the parish show no signs of slowing down.