Spalding
Institute and
the Academy of
Our Lady are
pillars in the
history of
Peoria. More
than academic
strongholds,
these two
schools helped
form the morals,
values and faith
of generations
of students and
left a lasting
impact on
Central
Illinois.
Spalding and AOL
alumni share
memories and
discuss the
lasting
influences from
their school
years in
Growing in
Wisdom and Grace,
a new local
production from
WTVP
premiering
Monday, November
30 at 7:00 p.m.
Former students
from "both sides
of the street"
share stories
that speak a
fierce loyalty
to their
schools. Former
Peoria Mayor Jim
Maloof reflects
on the strong
sense of service
to the community
instilled by the
schools. Sister
Roberta, who
returned to AOL
as nun and
teacher,
reflects on the
nurturing sense
of family
created by the
teachers. Maury
Joseph
reminisces on
the value of the
strict
discipline and
code of conduct
demanded by the
schools. Tim
Irwin, now a
teacher at Notre
Dame High
School,
shares
insights on the
schools’
excellence in
academics and
the arts as well
as tales of
Principal Ron
Haley, Peoria’s
first black
teacher, and
Archbishop
Fulton J. Sheen,
Spalding’s most
celebrated son.
Coach Ed Bradle,
Robert Manning,
Rita Haas, Karen
Schwegel and
others also
share memories
that run the
gamut from the
very real
personal and
family
sacrifices
required to make
a private
education
possible, to
funny tales of
challenging
dress codes and
the firm
segregation of
the boys and the
girls.
Growing in
Wisdom and Grace
is a
testament to
"Irish Pride"
and the profound
and lasting
effects the
schools had on
their students,
staff and
community.
####
For further information contact Linda Miller, WTVP Vice President of
Programming,
at (309) 495-0591 or linda.miller@wtvp.org
New Local Program - Growing in Wisdom and Grace
shares
insights on the
schools’
excellence in
academics and
the arts as well
as tales of
Principal Ron
Haley, Peoria’s
first black
teacher, and
Archbishop
Fulton J. Sheen,
Spalding’s most
celebrated son.