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Coleen Perilloux Landry | all galleries >> Galleries >> Holy Cross After Hurricane Katrina Gallery > Hallowed Halls
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20 May 2006 Coleen Perilloux Landry

Hallowed Halls

Holy Cross School in New Orleans

This isn't much in the way of great photography but I have wearied myself silly today with all my tears.
It has been the tradition at this school, Holy Cross School in New Orleans, for graduates to process through this hallway of the original building, stop at this site and ring the plantation bell, then march on to their Baccalaureate Mass. Following Katrina when the school had 8 feet of water in it, the EPA closed the buildings. Students who came back to school in January attended in portable classrooms on the parking lot.
However, this week the faculty opened this building and scrubbed the floors and walls of the ancient hallway to enable the tradition to go on. It was the last graduating class who will ever walk this way.
Next year the school will open somewhere on a new campus. This is the oldest boys' high school in New Orleans.
This was the building in which my father lived as a boarder in the early 1900's. My three sons walked this hallway, too, as did my grandson today.


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Greg Harp25-May-2006 05:38
Congratulations to the graduates. I feel both your elation and your pain. Wonderful history--and while the location may change the history and traditions, although changed will continue.
Guest 24-May-2006 16:58
congratulations to all
Jackdad21-May-2006 18:11
sorry to hear about the end of so many generations of family tradition at this school.
Guest 21-May-2006 15:00
Such a sad tradition to lose, but the memories for you and your family will last forever. Congratulation to your Grandson. I have to disagree with you, I think it is great photography, it gets my vote.
Guest 21-May-2006 14:50
A ver y touching moment! Memories are never lost in pictures!
Guest 21-May-2006 14:37
New campus after all these years and a graduation against the odds- - sure is emotional stuff.
Neal Nye21-May-2006 11:55
Sobering to think they will be the last. The darkened interior fits the mood. And new traditions will arise, just as meaningful to those who participate.
purpod21-May-2006 10:32
Congrats to your Grandson & hoooray for the faculty to take on the task before them so that the tradition could have one more life in the memory of this graduating class! Rest your tear-stained eyes, my Friend ~
Karen Stuebing21-May-2006 10:24
Congratulations to all who graduated, following a long tradition in this old school. I like the way you shot this with them both opposite the doorway.
laine8221-May-2006 08:49
What a day it's been for you, Coleen....Congratulations to all who made this day happen.
petesie21-May-2006 04:45
OK, Grandma, I was in tears just reading your comments. What a wonderful tradition and it has to be difficult for you to know it is the last time. Congratulations to you and your Grandson.
Dennis Hoyne21-May-2006 04:00
Sad to lose the tradition, I hope you got lots of wonderful photos.
royalld21-May-2006 03:55
Quite a proud history, Coleen.
Guest 21-May-2006 02:36
Coleen, you are a fine photographer, and this is a fine photo of a venerable tradition, Al Lee
Herb 21-May-2006 02:23
Great traditiom