Class of 1970 turns forty

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“We always had to tell people what Cistercian was,” explained Pritchett ’70. “No one had ever heard of it. I even got rejected by UT on my initial application because they didn’t think the school was accredited.”

“Cistercian was pretty hokey when we were there, especially compared to what it is today,” Tim Johnson opined. “It’s a real prep school now.”

“The football facilities, the festive atmosphere of the Homecoming, and the crowd were really fun to see,” emphasized Kevin Johnston. “We did not have home games. The football field was for practice only.”

Still, members of the charter class never had the feeling that the school, their school could fail. (Note: It could have.)

“Cistercian’s succeeding was a given,” said Kevin Johnston. “The commitment of the Cistercian monks, parents, and lay teachers created an atmosphere of success.”

“Never had a doubt about its success,” agreed Sullivan.

For those who had not returned in many years, their brief visit confirmed all that they had heard about the school’s excellence.

“It is a very impressive institution today,” said Sullivan. “I’m happy for the priests and the community that have put so much effort into making the school such a gem.”

“I’m very proud of the school,” Pritchett remarked. “I’ve had three nephews graduate from Cistercian, and I have watched the school grow in stature from afar. I no longer have to tell anyone what Cistercian is.”

“I never really bought the pioneer label,” Sullivan suggested. “We were just the lucky first inhabitants of the many lucky inhabitants who have come since.”