St. Aloysius Shield
CRIMSON SHIELD
THE ONLINE MAGAZINE OF BROTHER MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL
St. Aloysius Shield
March 2014
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History of St. Aloysius - VII

Part VI
We can glean a view of student life at St. Aloysius Academy in the 1890s through the infrequent articles in the local newspapers.

June 12, 1895

St. Aloysius' Youths
The St. Aloysius Academy will give a picnic to its members and those of the St. Alphonsus boys' choir today at Bay St. Louis. They hope to have a fine time. ...
The St. Alphonsus baseball club will play a match with the St. Stanislaus College team, and hopes to carry off the laurels for the occasion. ...
[SSC won 12-2.] There will also be a swimming match between the schools. ... the members of the party ... will go on the train at 7:55.
September 22, 1896

A Silver Jubilee Celebrated by Brother Charles of St. Aloysius
Yesterday was a gala day at St. Aloysius Com­mercial Institute, the occasion being the cele­bration of the silver jubilee of its president, Bro­ther Charles.
The students of the Institution assembled in their hall, presented him with a beautifully-prepared address, which was followed by the rendition of several appropriate songs. The enthusiasm mani­fested by the pupils, the many kind remembran­ces in the form of jubilee souvenirs from the pa­rents, are evidences of the growing popularity of Brother Charles.
In a few well-chosen words, the president replied to the address of the boys, thanking them for their kindness, assuring them of increased good will on his part and ended by giving the boys a holiday.
At the banquet given in honor of the jubilarian were the assembled faculty of St. Aloysius and the invited guests, presided over by Rev. Bro­ther Athanasius, superior of the order of the brothers of the Sacred Heart. During the banquet telegrams of congratulations from all parts of the country were read. ... The provincial of the order, Rev. Brother Athana­sius, paid a glowing tribute to the untiring zeal and faithful work done by Brother Charles during the past quarter of a century. He was very happy in his remarks, and his words were the more effective, as he had received Brother Charles into the order. ...
Brother Charles was the recipient of many beautiful presents, both from friends in the city and elsewhere.

Brother Charles Roach, S.C.
Brother Charles Roach, S.C. (1855-1917)
Born in Mobile, Brother Charles entered the community from the orphanage there in 1871. A superb teacher who knew how to form charac­ter, he understood well the problems of youth and trained them for leadership. While serving at St. Aloysius from 1895-99, he started the Alumni Association and Catholic Young Man's Club. Everywhere he was stationed, he became actively involved in the civil and political life of the locale and made a host of lifelong friends.

A man of vision, Brother Charles was a capable and energetic administrator in New Orleans, Natchez, Vicksburg, and Baton Rouge. Endow­ed with many natural gifts and talents, he was a born leader, unselfish and totally dedicated to the community. A charming conversationalist, he had a passion for learning, with a love for life, centered in and motivated by a strong faith.

June 26, 1897

Last night the pupils of St. Aloysius College gave a musical and dramatic entertainment at the Grand Opera House. The audience, which filled the opera house, was an appreciative one and listened with marked attention to the various numbers. The students in turn acquitted themselves with skill and elegance. St. Aloysius College enjoys a most enviable reputation ... The programme consisted of comedies, vocal and instrumental selec­tions and a drama, entitled "Malediction," the plot of which was laid in Spain during the Mohammedan war. ...
There were two declamation contests - one among the seniors and the other among the juniors. ...
The diplomas were awarded by Prof. J. H. Rapp, principal of Rugby School. ...
The singing was directed by Miss Amelie Maureau, aided by the or­chestra.

During this period, school enrollment remained stationary. To quote Bro­ther Macarius in A Century of Service for the Sacred Heart in the United States: The old patrons were faithful, but few others were attracted to the school. It was about this time that the public schools became very popular because of their more sumptuous buildings, better equipment, and more accentuation on athletics and ... a chance for social advantages which [parents] thought could not be received in Catholic schools.