Conwell-Egan students, employees await word on closing
Posted: Friday, February 24, 2012 5:00 pm | Updated: 5:20 pm, Fri Feb 24, 2012.
Conwell-Egan and three other Catholic high schools slated for closure by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are staying open.
Church officials said Friday that people have come forward with donations large and small to keep the endangered high schools open for several years. Conwell-Egan raised $3 million.
Tori Wilcox, a 16-year-old Conwell-Egan junior, was ecstatic knowing she'll get to finish her high school career at the school she calls home.
"I couldn't be happier," she said as students cheered behind her. "I get to do everything I wanted to do in my school as a senior next year. This is my family. I'm here more than I'm at home and I couldn't imagine graduating with anybody else but these kids.
"Nothing felt as at home as when I was here. Now that I know I get to stay here, it's the greatest feeling in the world."
School President Janet Dollard said the students are the greatest in the area and with their help and that of alumni and donors, they'll be able to move forward.
"They're the best students around and they're worth fighting for," she said while the teens chanted her name. "We're a staple in Lower Bucks and we're going to stay that way."
In addition to Conwell-Egan, Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls; Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School; and West Philadelphia Catholic High School will stay open.
Last month, church officials recommended the closures of the four high schools and 45 elementary schools in response to rising costs and declining enrollment. But last week archdiocesan officials granted appeals to 18 of the elementary schools on the closure list.
Students and staff at Conwell-Egan in Fairless Hills gathered to watch the archdiocese press conference in which they will learned the news officially.
School students were released at 2:06 p.m. but those who wanted to stay to watch the press conference with employees were being allowed to do so.
Various media were at the school to report the decision to keep the school open and reaction from parents, students and staff at the high school.
A blue ribbon commission of the Philadelphia Archdiocese had recommended closure. However, since then, the school has raised at least $3 million to cover any deficits over the next five years. As a result, the archdiocese has been reconsidering its decision.
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Conwell-Egan students, employees await word on closing