Nearly 500 past and present students, parents, teachers and administration officials gathered at Providence High School in Burbank Nov. 5 for a 50th Jubilee Mass and reception celebrating a half-century of achievements that include rebounding from near-closure in the late '80s.

"We are touched to have so many people present today who have been an integral part at helping Providence High School reach this significant milestone of our 50th year," said Michele Schulte, who took over as principal this year following Providence Sister Lucille's Dean retirement after 18 years in the position.

Sister Dean was among three former principals and 13 Sisters of Providence attending the Eucharistic celebration presided over by San Fernando Region Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson. Other dignitaries included Dennis Zine, Los Angeles city councilman; Todd Campbell, Burbank vice-mayor; Marsha Ramos, Burbank city councilwoman; Michael Madden, CEO of Providence Health System, Southern California Region; and Ken Skinner, Fritz B. Burns Foundation representative.

Acknowledging in his homily the Providence Sisters' "gifts of labor, sacrifice and complete and total dedication and vision that has brought us to this day," Bishop Wilkerson declared, "We are challenged by this day to be for the future what these so many wonderful people have been for the past.

"We have to become better disciples. We have to be willing to challenge the culture. We have to be willing to say that Catholic education is an advantage for life in every sense of life. That's our call… We must be credible witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world today."

Former Providence algebra teacher and 1998 alumna, Michelle Godinez, currently a pharmacology student at USC, said attending the school helped her in her college career. "I think it's a very unique education. When I went on to college I felt like I had an advantage over many people because of the rigorous academics. I was taught how to manage my time and learned great study habits," said Godinez.

Debbi Bennett, a 1971 Providence graduate, said she greatly valued the education she received at the then all-girls high school. "It was very personable," said Bennett. " I loved it for that reason."

Carmen Ferrante, a parent of three Providence graduates, had tears in her eyes recounting the efforts of staff and parents from 1989-1990 to save the school from closing due to low enrollment. "I was not going to have my son not graduate from this school," said Ferrante, who spearheaded a recruitment campaign involving 20 parent committees, which successfully increased enrollment.

Currently, Providence High School has a capacity enrollment of 580 students. "We provide a value-based education with a strong curriculum," said principal Schulte. "We're a family here."