St. Augustine Catholic HS has its first graduation today

Twenty-five seniors are about to become the school's first graduating class, an honor they've been waiting for since their first days as freshmen.

"It seems like we've waited for this day for longer than four years, though I'm a little sad it's actually here," said Sandy Crusa, who said she came to the school to be a part of the first senior class.

The day will most likely be a joyous one, though students and faculty say moments of sadness will inevitably take over the proceedings.

In 2004, two principals died of cancer, including Sister Lauren Moss, the school's first principal. Her replacement, Pat DiPasquale, passed away a few months later.

"That shook a lot of people's confidence," said Teresa Baker, the school's director of development. "But the kids who are graduating are the crusaders. They picked up the gauntlet and persevered to see it through."

The sudden deaths also created a strong sense of family among the 25 students who remained of the original 60 to arrive at the school four years ago.

"We've learned to support one another and get through things together," said senior Hope Tapia.

Moss was the guiding force for many of the students. Robert Leyba said he came from Mexico speaking little English and felt alienated in a public middle school. But he said Moss encouraged him to continue his studies and boost his confidence.

"She made me feel like I belonged here," said Leyba, who will attend Pima Community College in the fall. "She said it would be a good chance for me to reconnect with my faith, which I hadn't been doing."

Tapia, who will go to St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, said Moss convinced her that the school's smaller environment would be a better fit for her.

"She convinced me I could be something special here," she said.

St. Augustine Catholic High School took over the 44 acres at 8300 E. 22nd St. four years ago. In 1955, Regina Cleri Seminary, a five-year high school/college blend for aspiring priests, opened on the campus. When the seminary closed in the late 1970s after the shake-up of Vatican II, the grounds were used for spiritual retreats, conferences and a Montessori preschool.

Growing interest in an East Side Catholic school led to the school's opening in 2003. The student body grew from 60 students to 117, and could reach 150 in the fall.

"Now that we've been here a while, we're starting to market ourselves better, get our name out there, and take advantage of the huge growth out here in east Tucson," said Principal Velma Castañeda-Titone.

The school population is expected to grow to 250 students in three years, Castañeda-Titone said, which she said is the ideal capacity for the school, even though it's big enough for 800 students.

The seniors are aware they are leaving behind a legacy. And they are adamant that they will contribute to the school's progress long after graduation.

"We all wanted to make the school as best it could be because that's what the underclassmen will get from us," Tapia said.

If you go

The first graduating class of St. Augustine Catholic High School will participate in a Mass at 4 p.m. today at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, 1800 S. Kolb Road. Commencement exercises will begin at 6 p.m. at St. Augustine Catholic High School, 8300 E. 22nd St.

The keynote speaker will be Greg Boyle, founder of the Los Angeles Homeboy Industries program, which works to take at-risk youth out of the environment of drugs and gangs into meaningful jobs.