After ten years of anticipation, the Cathedral Catholic community commemorates University of San Diego High School’s move to Del Mar. The current 2014-2015 academic year marks Cathedral Catholic High School’s celebration of the first school-year held at Uni’s new campus, Cathedral.

With over a month into the 2014-2015 school-year, the administration has been working with the president, Mr. Stevan Laaperi, to coordinate plans regarding the anniversary. “For a lot of people it’s like a shock that we’re already here,” said Mr. Michael Deely, principal. Coordination is half of the job, so the Cathedral Catholic community, as well as Uni alumni, will be reminded about the event throughout the year to show the community how far our school has come. Additionaly, Alumni President Ms. Ann­­e Pickard will communicate to the community through the Dons magazine.

Events through the alumni foster the ten-year celebration. When the class of 2005 celebrates their reunion next year, “it will be the culmination that closes off the ten years and gets us ready for twenty years,” said Mr. Deely.

The Uni alumni and teachers lay the foundations for future generations at Cathedral. Instead of losing the connection to the past, Uni’s presence remains at Cathedral through the new students. “All the new people coming in make Cathedral what it is- it’s special seeing that,” said Mr. Deely. Cathedral has not moved on from Uni; rather, Cathedral is celebrating the past in an amalgamation of Uni’s history with the new generation of learners at Cathedral. “The anniversary says a ‘thank you’ to everybody who is a part of Uni and Cathedral, while sending a message to the new people coming in that they’re a part of something amazing,” said Mr. Deely.

As Uni alumni remember the history and sadness left behind at the old campus, the anniversary provides the community with an opportunity to reflect on the positives brought over to Cathedral. “It’s amazing to see what we’ve been able to accomplish so quickly here. We now have a national reputation for academics and athletics, and the overall quality of our education. That’s really neat to have,” said Mr. Deely.

In celebrating Cathedral’s ten-year anniversary, the community is reminded of how the Dons’ spirit unites Uni and Cathedral. “There’s a lot of pride in what we do. Whether it was Uni or Cathedral, I am proud to be a part of both,” said Mr. Deely. The same Dons’ spirit present at Uni extends into Cathedral’s community naturally through the amount of Uni grads entering their children into Cathedral, continuing the Uni legacy.

As Cathedral alumni, staff, teachers, students, and families remember Cathedral’s ten-year anniversary, the community reflects upon what it truly means to be a Don. “The real connection is not as much the location or the name, but it is the symbol of Catholic education adapting to serve its people,” said Mr. Deely.