This submission to the Academy Archives highlights the life of Irene Cahill, a 1928 graduate of Notre Dame Academy. Irene never married, and after her passing, her neighbors discovered a memory book she had kept during her four years at NDA. This treasure, filled with her reflections and descriptions of life as a student in the 1920s, offers a unique and fascinating window into the NDA experience nearly a century ago. Through her words, we gain insight into the friendships, traditions, and daily routines that shaped her time at NDA.
Born on March 16, 1910, Irene Mae Cahill grew up in Demossville, KY, which is located in Pendleton County, about 35 miles south of Cincinnati along Route 27.
By the early 1920s Notre Dame Academy had firmly established itself as the premier school for young women wishing to achieve a quality well-rounded education. Thus, after completing her primary school requirements, the Cahills decided that Irene would move to Covington to attend Notre Dame Academy High School, even though that would mean moving away from the family for four years. And so, from 1925-1928, Irene found new friends and “family” as a boarding student at NDA.
Madge Greer and Irene on side steps leading into NDA (1927) Irene and the senior boarding students (1928)
During her four years at NDA, Irene was introduced to a wide array of new topics for study and embraced the semi-independence as a young woman living away from home. Although the “house” rules for boarders provided safety and protection for the students, living in the city also provided opportunities to explore cultural educational opportunities not available in the small farming town of her childhood. From our archival records we know that Irene was a above-average student, often achieving academic honors in her core classes of English and Religion. She was very interested in Latin and French; not so much her junior course in Chemistry. During her junior and senior years, Irene was drawn to two electives (Stenography and Typewriting) which provided the basis for her future endeavors in the business world.
Outside of her academic studies, Irene enjoyed music, singing and writing. She was a four-year member of the school orchestra and was featured as the first violin chair in the yearly school concert at Christmas and in the end-of year musical. She was also a reporter for The Gavel, editor of the Notre Dame Locals (news for grade school students).
During her senior year, Irene joined her classmates in their three-day senior trip to Louisville aboard the “Cincinnati” (paddlewheel boat). She also participated in the senior class as a cast member in “Seeking a Servant”. And, as the month of June drew near, Irene and her classmates began to celebrate and reminisce the four years spent together. On Monday, June 11 the entire school gathered to honor the high school seniors. Beginning with Mass at Mother of God church, the student body gathered for a celebratory breakfast in the school auditorium, during which the seniors were entertained by the undergraduates. Concluding the activities fortunes were read for every girl. Irene’s said “In the next cup I saw a picture of Irene, our Irish representative, teaching Logic to a large class in Demossville. Now, That’s real perseverance on Irene’s part.” Also, part of the class day activities was to present to the rest of the student body, the “Last Will and Testament” of the Class of 1928. As part of this tradition, seniors would bequeath items of “personal property” to members of the junior class. Item XI stated that “Irene Cahill gives and bequeaths to Margaret Baker, her occupation as Senior boarder.”
Irene Cahill and her classmates pose for a class picture after the Class Day celebrations on Monday, June 11, 1928. (Irene is standing, second from the right)
And then on Tuesday, June 12, 1928, Irene joined her 15 classmates as graduates of Notre Dame Academy High School. Thirty-five young women graduated, including 16 high school and 19 commercial school. Reverend John Oldergeering delivered the address, while Monsignor Tappert gave the diplomas. Louise Nuxoll and Angela Oldergeering gave two orations on “The Girl of Yesterday and Today” and “Deeds nor Words”.
(left) Class poem written for the class of 1928. (below) Graduation announcement listing the class members of 1928.
During her four years at Notre Dame Academy, Irene kept a Memory Book, in which she recorded her thoughts on classes, her classmates, and the activities happening during her four years at school. Her descriptions give us an insightful look at daily life of a student in the late 1920s.
Excerpts from Irene Cahill ’28 diary
Favorite Studies: Latin, French, Shorthand and Typing
Latin, I took the first two years. Sr. Mary Agnetis was our teacher. As a freshman, to enter into the terrible vocabularies and jaw-breaking declensions seemed awfully boresome, very often impossible. But with the kind teaching and encouragement of Sr, Mary Agnetis we soon found ourselves reconciled and it was a useful and important course. I was so fond of Latin, that at the end of my sophomore year, I was wanting to finish my study of it, but due to the situation, I had to finish with my study of Latin. Never a day though have I regretted my time spent in studying Latin.
Shorthand and typing I also had for two years, but the last years, during my junior and senior career of High School. I very anxiously awaited the time when I could make the little curves and hooks and be able to read them and then take dictations-shorthand. Just as much was the anxiety to get to a typewriter and start pounding. This pleasure was soon fulfilled, when I entered my junior year. From the beginning I like stenography. In the second year, our dictations were rather difficult at times to master, but after a while they were found rather easy.
French, I studied for three years under the guidance and teaching of Sr. Mary Jean, during sophomore, junior and senior years. In the last two years, we made a study of the French Classics, which proved quite interesting although sometimes rather difficult. Le Cercle Francais Plaisance (The Merry French Group), was organized the second year of French and continued through our last two years. Meetings were held every two weeks. The officers of President, Secretary and Treasurer were elected. The secretary called the roll at each meeting and at the end of each meeting, the treasurer collected dues and then the meeting was adjourned. The sole purpose was to better our speech and study of French. Games were played in French and puzzles were worked out. Aside from the intellectual point of view, we had social activities of all sorts. In the first year, the Cercle Francais Plaisance invited the Latin Club on a tour to Williamstown, Kentucky we they cordially responded to. This trip was taken on Easter Monday and was very entertaining and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. During our senior year, we started a most interesting learning project – a French correspondence through our school paper, The Gavel. Each month we took great pleasure in receiving and answer to our letter. Each and everything that our French club proved a success in every way, besides the amusement and pleasure anticipated by everyone
Gym first taught in curriculum of Notre Dame in fall of 1928 by Anne Campbell. Miss Campbell’s course was most interesting and wonderful to the physique of the body, keeping it active and supple.
Clubs and Organizations
The Glee Club
The Glee Club was originally formed in 1925 but lasted only a year. It was again organized in 1928. In ’25 is sang “Kentucky Babe” and “The Treasure of the Red Corn” in Mother of God auditorium, under the direction of Sister Mary Erma and Estelle B. Whitney. In ’28 we entertained as various occasions, as the concert given as Notre Dame Auditorium, also at commencement.
The Dramatic Club
The Dramatics Club was organized in 1925 under the direction of Estelle B. Whitney. They performed the “Treasure of the Red Corn”, “Six Who Pass” and “While the Lentils Boil”. In the Spring of 1928, I took part in the senior class performances of “Sketches, Music and Dance” and played the role of “Bridget Flanagan, from Ireland”, in a skit entitled “Seeking a Servants”.
Eta Delta Kappa
The Debating Club was organized in sophomore year. The club only lost one debate, which was against the Senior Class, when sophomores.
Orchestra
The school orchestra was formed my first year at the school in 1925, under the direction of Sister Mary Erma. On several occasions we played, and soon great interest was taken in our club. We also took part in the Recitals given in our auditorium. At the beginning of our senior year we had a director, Mr. Rowell from Cincinnati, Ohio. Towards the end of the school year, a concert was given in which the orchestra took an active role, playing many beautiful selections.
Senior Club
Senior Club was organized during the first part of our last year. Meetings were held at the respective girls’ houses, furnishing entertaining features with refreshments likewise. This was an enjoyable and most congenial feature. Jolly times were always had. This activity is be carried on although we have graduated. It is a little means of getting all the classmates together once in a while and having a real good time.
Catholic Students Mission Crusade
CSMC was first organized in 1925. Many card parties and little activities were given, the proceeds for the benefit of the missions. A Field Mass took place in June 1927 at St. Xavier’s Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Notre Dame High School went in procession, wearing white dresses and capes, with a white felt hat and each carrying an N.D. pennant with Covington, Kentucky on it. Our school gave a good impression and made one of the best appearances. N.D. always figured prominently at the local conferences. Meetings were held monthly in our auditorium and business discussed, while at most meetings someone gave talks and certain classes would have some entertainment. An active part and good spirit always were shown in the Catholic Students Mission crusade.
The Class of 1928 of Notre Dame Academy High School
(all excerpts and pictures taken from the “School Friendship Book” recorded by Irene Cahill, 1928.This memory book was donated to Notre Dame Academy by Mrs. Colleen Crowley-Ames. The Crowley family were longtime friends of Irene Cahill from Campbell County. Pictured below are the William Crowley, his wife Clara, Irene and her neighbor, Daniel Fahey (date unknown). Irene passed away on December 16, 1992.
(Irene Cahill)