One hundred years and 8,500 graduates (and counting) have established Immaculate Heart High School as a prime example of tradition, dedication and survival --- all at the same original site. The buildings have changed and the cows grazing in the pasture are long gone, but the Immaculate Heart spirit prevails as it has for a century through tumultuous times and incredible changes.

The school's centennial celebration began last September, when Our Lady of the Angels Region Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark initiated the historic year by blessing the new centennial fountain, candle and alumnae book of names. Next weekend, the celebration continues as Cardinal Roger Mahony presides at the traditional Mary's Day liturgy (May 5), and Msgr. Royale Vadakin, archdiocesan Vicar General, presides at the alumnae Mass (May 7).

Famous alums have already visited the campus to share in the festivities --- Lucie Arnaz, Terry Van Vliet, Gigi Perreau and Mary Tyler Moore, to name a few.

In the beginning, it was Mother Magdalen Murphy who viewed the 15-acre plot of land in the Hollywood Hills at the extreme end of Western Avenue as an ideal spot for a motherhouse, novitiate, high school and future college. Her dream was realized when Bishop Thomas Conaty, newly appointed head of the Monterey-Los Angeles Diocese, purchased the land in October of 1903 for $10,000, a debt later repaid by the sisters.

At the 1905 groundbreaking and laying of the cornerstone for the impressive buildings to come, Bishop Conaty declared: "The ceremony of this day is a most important step in the onward march of educational effort of this diocese…and emphasizes the importance of the higher development of womanhood."

Although originally called Immaculate Heart College when the first class graduated in 1906, the five graduates received high school diplomas --- Helen Chambers, Anna McDermott, Julia Smith, Pearl Thompson and Alice Twohy. Bishop Conaty exhorted the young women to follow the motto of the school: "Ex Virtute Fit Nobilitas" (Nobility comes from virtue).

The Immaculate Heart Sisters, who came originally from Spain in 1871, opened the first elementary parochial school for the fast growing city of Los Angeles in 1886, at the rear of St. Vibiana's Cathedral. Immaculate Heart Academy on Pico Heights started in 1890 and several students from there transferred to the Western and Franklin high school when it opened in 1906. The Academy later became Catholic Girls High School on Pico Boulevard in 1923.

By 1910 Immaculate Heart was attracting students from San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and from out of state --- Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Mexico. For many years, in fact, the school was noted as an elite boarding school and girls attended from several different countries, before local students eventually outnumbered boarders.

Immaculate Heart College was chartered to confer degrees in 1916 and eventually the separation of the two titles and schools was confirmed by 1931. Early high school graduations were held in the study hall, then the convent chapel, the Pilgrimage Bowl, the Greek Theater and, beginning in 1957, at the Hollywood Bowl where it has been a tradition ever since (except in 2004 for Bowl renovation).

Among the women religious principals were Sister Redempta, Sister Eucharia, Sister Nepomucen and Sister M. Eulalia, a graduate of the class of 1913 and a faculty member for 50 years. Starting in the late 1960s, IHM community members have administered the school with Kathleen Lucitt and Ruth Anne Murray, the principal for more than 22 years and now president of Immaculate Heart High School. During her tenure, the old gray convent building was demolished and the new media center and science buildings were completed.

Virginia Hurst is the current principal of the high school that has an enrollment of more than 500 students. In 1975 the middle school opened and now has classes for grades 6, 7 and 8 with an enrollment of 200.

When Immaculate Heart High celebrated its 80th birthday in 1986, Archbishop Mahony, in breaking ground for the new school chapel, said: "I will be here for your 100th anniversary." True to his word, Cardinal Mahony will preside at the liturgy for students and guests for the 100th celebration.