Holy Names Academy anticipates its 100th year at 21st Avenue East in Seattle, Washington in August, 2008.
The chronicles of the Academy record on August 29, 1908 the following: "Tonight all the Sisters assembled in the south wing corridor and offered up prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and petition, intermingled with hymns to the Sacred Heart, to the Blessed Virgin and to dear St. Joseph, for blessings of the past, the present and the future. Then tired out from the labors of the day we went to rest trusting in God, and the night watchmen for protection, since there are neither panels in our front doors, nor locks on them. Fully two-thirds of the windows in the building are not yet in owing to a delay in receiving a car load of glass."
Since the foundation of Holy Names Academy on November 9, 1880, the school has been at two historic locations, one at Second and Seneca and one at Seventh and Jackson. Thousands of seniors have graduated over the 127 year history of the school, most recently with 158 in 2007. In the Class of 2007 there were 17 valedictorians, 15 salutatorians, 2 Washington Scholars, and 23 National Merit Scholars. These most recent graduates are attending 62 universities and two international institutions.
When Father Stephen Rowan, Chair of Archdiocesan Fulcrum Foundation, delivered his homily in the Academy chapel at the Liturgy of Thanksgiving on October 8, 2005, he said, "In 1880-one hundred twenty-five years ago-four Sisters of the Holy Names came to Seattle with a mission: Very simply, to prepare young women for lives of leadership and loving service through education and the formation of character." The Academy is the oldest continually operating school in the State of Washington.
The school's mission statement captures the animating force that continues the legacy of Mother Marie-Rose Durocher: "Instructed in an atmosphere that fosters the formation of a conscious ethical stance, young women who graduate from the Academy will discover the power that is theirs to direct their lives in peace, justice, and mercy, a manner befitting those whose faith inspires others." Students, faculty, and alumnae demonstrate their fidelity to Gospel values through their service in the Northwest; Jonestown, Mississippi; Uganda; Latin America; and Vietnam. Holy Names Academy hosts Peace and Justice day every year bringing the world to the students and the students to global solidarity.
In 2006 the HNA swim team took the State AAA title and earned Metro championships in cross country, softball, swimming, and track. HNA's varisty-4+ boat earned a silver medal at the crew nationals. HNA's Advanced Placement Program continues to expand with additional courses and more exams being proctored with outstanding results for young women.
Recently, the Le Sorelle Music Center was completed with state-of-the-art recording equipment and enhanced performance space. In 2006 the almost 100 year old building was re-roofed and exterior cornices were upgraded. In addition several new endowments have been established to make it possible for qualified applicants who cannot afford the tuition to be able to become a student at Holy Names Academy in the spirit of the mission statement: "We pledge ourselves to preserve the lasting values of our tradition while we design the Academy of the future."
