Though her classroom is long gone, the first teacher of Bellarmine-Jefferson High School in Burbank was on hand to speak at this year's baccalaureate liturgy June 3 as part of the school's 60th anniversary festivities.

Sister of Charity Mary Julia Clare Greene, 90, returned to Burbank from Chicago for the first time since 1945 when she completed her year of mission service teaching 26 students five subjects: algebra, English, history, religion and Latin.

Former student Mary (McQuaid) Korth Curran, 73, was one of 10 charter class members who attended the anniversary celebrations, which also included an alumni luncheon June 4 with current school faculty.

"Sister Mary Julia Clare was an unsung hero that needed tribute," said Curran, a Connecticut resident who has kept in touch with sister though the years. Contacted by school alumni director John Flynn to write her memories of Sister Greene and that first year, Curran said sister was a "remarkable woman" who made freshman year one "I will never forget."

"She was challenging and stimulating in all the subjects she taught," said Curran. Under sister's direction, the students produced a school newspaper and yearbook and participated in social activities like class picnics. "I felt I was as educated that year as any freshman, and I had as much school spirit as any freshman in any high school."

Speaking at the conclusion of the baccalaureate Mass, Sister Greene said it was gratifying to have her students remember her contribution. She recalled her former classroom with its spare furnishings of desks, a Blessed Mother statue, a crucifix and a flag.

"When we had a lecture, we arranged the desks to make an auditorium seating," she reminisced. "It was a challenge to the teacher, and I am sure that it was a challenge to the students as well.

"In this one room with one teacher, we conjugated Latin verbs, solved algebra problems, diagrammed sentences, took Hannibal over the Alps and Alexander the Great on his conquering trail, analyzed Portia's quality of mercy speech and found our place in God's plan for us."

She declared that the 2004 graduates were the beneficiaries of 60 years of progress. "The challenge is yours now to help carry on as alumni of this great school," she exhorted.

Bellarmine-Jefferson is the second-oldest Catholic high school in the San Fernando Valley, after Holy Family High School in Glendale. For its first two years, it was housed in a renovated church at Fifth Street and Orange Grove Avenue until the new brick school was built at its present location across the street. St. Frances Cabrini is believed to have visited the former school site when it served as the original parish church.