In 1962, America was launching its space race, dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis, watching the classic “West Side Story” and dancing to Doo-Wop. That same year in Somerset County, a growing Catholic population and a visionary parish community met the goal of expanding Catholic education in the area. Immaculata High School, the county’s first Catholic secondary school, opened.
Now, 60 years and nearly 10,000 graduates later, Immaculata (IHS) and its sister school, Immaculate Conception (ICS), are flourishing. A testament to these schools’ impactful legacy is the number of alumni who chose to send their children to their alma maters. Dubbed First and Second Generation Spartans, these graduates and their children top nearly 1,000 individuals over the school’s history.
Joe and Jill (Wotanis) Sanford (Class of 1994) of Bridgewater, are two such graduates, with son, Connor, a sophomore at IHS and daughter, Annie, a fourth-grader at ICS. “We both had such positive experiences, why wouldn’t we want that for our children?”
Connor, who plays lacrosse and football, decided to enroll at IHS after his Spartan for a Day visit. “Something clicked for him that day, and we were thrilled,” said his mother. “Connor has since become more involved in Campus Ministry and Model UN.” Joe Sanford noted, “Right before our eyes, we see Annie building a foundation of academics and faith. She joined the band and chorus this year and just loves school.”
Laura Parisi Ariyan 91 and her husband, Leon, of Martinsville, sent their daughter, Rose, a junior, to IHS based on her own positive experience, along with their belief that the morals and values, emphasized at home, would be reinforced.
“We believe in Catholic education. We see how the teachers and coaches lead by example to foster kindness and goodness,” said Laura Ariyan. “Rose is thriving because of the smaller class sizes, approachable teachers and lots of involvement in sports and campus ministry.”
Since this area is rich in academically strong public schools, parents often look beyond those schools’ academic offerings and extracurriculars. Patrick Torpey 84 and his wife, Nicole, of Readington, sent their son, Liam, a junior, to IHS, because of its smaller size and feeling of community. They were grateful that, unlike many public schools, IHS had significantly less remote instruction last year.
“I told Liam that high school is the place where best friends are developed. I have such close ties with my classmates over 35 years.I hope he experiences the same.”
A special connection to Immaculata that Liam enjoys is that the home football games are played at Somerville’s Torpey Field, named after his late grandfather.
Laura Bristol Oram 89 and her husband, Todd, of Hillsborough. also wrestled with the local public high school’s overwhelming size when deciding on a path for their children, Kait and Tyler, who are at IHS. “What has impressed us is that values, service, and faith are emphasized every day in the classrooms. That translates into creating a student body, who are ‘kinder and gentler.’ Peers are encouraging to one another and teachers reinforce that, striving to know every student as a person.”
Both the Zielinski and Kowalski families have a long history of ICS-IHS connections. “In our experience, the two schools are rooted in faith and teach the students structure, routine, and organization, keys to professional success,” said Karen Zielinski Kowalski 92 of Bridgewater. Karen and her husband, Stephen 92, are parents to Jack, a sophomore, and Katie, a seventh-grader. For them, one of the highlights for Jack is his involvement in the Signature Music Program and his commitment to Campus Ministry service.
Marissa Lembo Watson (92) and her husband, Greg, who has worked at IHS for 18 years, have twins, Nicholas and Victoria, who are sophomores. “Their dad is the sports trainer, so my children have been at Spartan events for years,” said Marisa Watson. “This feels like home to them. They are very involved in sports and Campus Ministry and we are especially pleased with Victoria’s experience in the new Health and Science Signature Program. It has been a joy to see them flourish here.”
Alaina Wozniak DeWitt (01) and her husband, Matt, (01) of Peapack feel the same way about their freshman son Jack’s experience. “Walking into the building, we feel the warmth, the personal connection that we remembered. He has a great group of friends, we find the teachers so much more communicative, and his guidance counselor has been a great support to him and us. We could not be happier.”
Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish and director of both schools, noted, “Catholic Schools Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate our parish and its commitment to the mission of Catholic education for decades. We honor our pastors, who provided faith-filled and often sacrificial leadership to the parish and its schools, the dedication of the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who served here for many decades, the lay faculty, and our parents, who also sacrificed much because they believed in the values that only a Catholic education can provide. We also thank Bishop James Checchio and the Diocese of Metuchen, celebrating its 40-year milestone anniversary, for their prayerful guidance and commitment to Catholic education.
“Our goal is to serve all young people in our area, by providing a first-rate Catholic education from pre-K to 12, and we are grateful for all those who make that great work happen.”