SKANEATELES - Tyburn Academy will make the former St. Mary's School on Clymer Street in Auburn home beginning this fall.
The small Auburn high school drew a big crowd to a fundraiser at the home of Dr. John Ryan in Skaneateles where Tyburn officials made the announcement Friday.
“We needed a place where we could have potential growth, visibility and a productive environment for our students to learn,” Principal Jeanne Hogan said before unveiling the plan.
Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate, a grade 9 through 12 school teaching in the Catholic tradition, had humble beginnings. Just three students comprised the first class in a gymnasium on Columbus Street in Auburn.
At 47 students, the school that currently resides in the former Bona-Dent building on Wallace Avenue has reached maximum capacity, Hogan said.
“It's a culmination of many years of waiting for a facility that would support Tyburn for the future,” Hogan said. “We're very thankful to our benefactors.”
More than 300 were gathered at the fundraiser, an outdoor dinner dance, Friday night. The crowd gave hearty applause to St. Mary's Church pastor the Rev. Frank Lioi, who handed the key to the school over to Hogan.
Many described the move to 17 Clymer St. as a tribute to the Rev. Albert Shamon, the school's founder who died in 2003.
“It's something my uncle believed in. He was a very strong advocate for Catholic education,” said nephew George Shamon. “It's a wonderful legacy.”
The purchase will preserve some other legacies as well.
“This is a very emotional day for me because it seems that everything comes full circle,” Tyburn supporter George Cuthbert said to the crowd. “I know a number of us here remember walking into St. Mary's (growing up).”
St. Mary's closed in 2002 and has been used by the Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services in the meantime.
“We're very happy and proud that that facility will remain a school in that neighborhood,” board member Paul Fallon said.
Tyburn board President Bob Faiola said the location will widen the window of opportunity to offer an alternative high school in Auburn.
“It's a step,” Faiola said. “We wanted to get some better exposure, a little more curb appeal.
“It's a beautiful building,” he said.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
“We needed a place where we could have potential growth, visibility and a productive environment for our students to learn,” Principal Jeanne Hogan said before unveiling the plan.
Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate, a grade 9 through 12 school teaching in the Catholic tradition, had humble beginnings. Just three students comprised the first class in a gymnasium on Columbus Street in Auburn.
At 47 students, the school that currently resides in the former Bona-Dent building on Wallace Avenue has reached maximum capacity, Hogan said.
“It's a culmination of many years of waiting for a facility that would support Tyburn for the future,” Hogan said. “We're very thankful to our benefactors.”
More than 300 were gathered at the fundraiser, an outdoor dinner dance, Friday night. The crowd gave hearty applause to St. Mary's Church pastor the Rev. Frank Lioi, who handed the key to the school over to Hogan.
Many described the move to 17 Clymer St. as a tribute to the Rev. Albert Shamon, the school's founder who died in 2003.
“It's something my uncle believed in. He was a very strong advocate for Catholic education,” said nephew George Shamon. “It's a wonderful legacy.”
The purchase will preserve some other legacies as well.
“This is a very emotional day for me because it seems that everything comes full circle,” Tyburn supporter George Cuthbert said to the crowd. “I know a number of us here remember walking into St. Mary's (growing up).”
St. Mary's closed in 2002 and has been used by the Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services in the meantime.
“We're very happy and proud that that facility will remain a school in that neighborhood,” board member Paul Fallon said.
Tyburn board President Bob Faiola said the location will widen the window of opportunity to offer an alternative high school in Auburn.
“It's a step,” Faiola said. “We wanted to get some better exposure, a little more curb appeal.
“It's a beautiful building,” he said.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.