Posted at: 08/27/2012 6:36 PM
By: Brittany Lewis

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Many First Lasts for Lourdes Students

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Monday was the first day of classes for Rochester Catholic Schools.

For Lourdes High School, it's their last, first day at their current address.  The school will be moving to a new building after this year.

"There is much history here, we've been here since 1940 so sadness with joy at the same time," said Principal Suzanne Lagerwaard. Monday was her first day as principal at Lourdes High School. It is also the first day of school for students. But along with these firsts, marks the start, of many lasts.

"All through this year, we're gonna be celebrating lasts. Our last homecoming, our last Christmas here. Our last graduation here," said Lagerwaard. 

At the end of May, the freshman, sophomore, and juniors, will help the staff pack up their current building and move across town to their new one.

So for seniors Kimberly Rink and Rene Stiller, their last, first day of high school, is even more bittersweet.

"I'm really excited to see everyone, all my classmates and take new classes, but also it's kinda sad cause it's the last, the last first day in this building. There's just so many memories here, it'll be sad to leave it all behind," said Rink.

"It just feels so weird, I can't really understand that it's true," added Stiller.

But with the sadness, comes much excitement for the school's future.

"Look at all the possibilities that we are moving to,"said Lagerwaard.

Groundbreaking for the new location took place last October and much of the cost has been covered by donors and volunteers-$13.5 million has been raised so far.

"We are all moving together as a community," said Lagerwaard.

But until that move, the halls of Lourdes High School will be full of life, for 175 more days, when they turn the lights off in this building that has provided many memories.

After this school year, the current building, will belong to Mayo. They have purchased the property for future development, but have no specific plans at this time.