Scecina Memorial High School
Encyclopedia
Scecina Memorial High School a Roman Catholic, co-educational high school
located on the East Side of Indianapolis, Indiana
. It is named in honor of Father Thomas Scecina, a priest
from Indianapolis who was killed in action while ministering
to United States
military
personnel during the Second World War
with the 57th Infantry Division, Fort McKinley
, Luzon
, Philippines
.
The dedication of the school to Father Thomas Scecina, the only archdiocesan priest to give his life for his country in World War II, took place on October 18, 1953. The first graduating class of 219 students graduated in June 1957, and within a decade, SMHS grew to a school of 1400 students.
After Father Hoover retired in 1969, Father Joseph McGinley succeeded him. Mr. William Kuntz was assigned the post in 1972, and Sister Hortense Fougerousse was principal for the 1973-74 school year. Mr. Raymond Riley was appointed principal in 1974 and held the position until June 1986, when Mr. Larry Neidlinger took the reins. Mr. Neidlinger retired in 1995, a few months short of his death, and Mr. Stephen Papesh became principal from 1995-2000. During the 1999-2000 school year, SMHS hired Mr. Keith Marsh as its first President. The school’s second President, Dr. Kevin Caspersen, took over the reins in July 2004. Mrs. Maribeth Ransel became President in February 2007. In October 2008, Mr. Joseph Therber was named as President replacing Mrs. Ransel, who had been acting in an interim capacity. Mr. Rick J. Ruhl joined the SMHS family as principal during the 2000-2001 school year. In July 2005, Mr. Tom Davis became principal.
In August 2003, SMHS proudly opened its doors for its 50th anniversary year. SMHS is the first archdiocesan high school in Indianapolis to reach this historic milestone. In October 2003, many of the Franciscan Sisters who first staffed the school, along with other former teachers, administrators, and alumni were invited to a very special all-school Mass. Nearly 80 of Father Thomas Scecina’s surviving relatives attended that Mass and held a family reunion on the SMHS campus. Throughout its first 50 years, SMHS has continued its tradition “to give that little extra”. With great gratitude and reverence for its past, SMHS looks forward to another 50 years of changing lives in its crucial ministry of educating spirit, mind, and body.
Taken prisoner by Japanese military forces in April 1942, Scecina was forced to participate in the Bataan Death March
and was interned as a prisoner of war at O'Donnell and Cabanatuan camps. In fall 1944, the Japanese made preparations to transfer all prisoners of war to mainland Japan against the Geneva War Convention. Scecina was placed on the Arisan Maru and went through two weeks of torture before the transport was torpedoed by an American submarine. 1,792 military prisoners aboard were killed, including Father Scecina, who had volunteered to be transported to continue to provide the Word of God to his men. Eight POWs survived to tell of Father Scecina's last hours.
Subsequently, for acts of heroism above and beyond the call of duty, Father Thomas Scecina was posthumously awarded many military honors, among them the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star
. He was also awarded the Purple Heart
for being wounded in service to his country.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located on the East Side of Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. It is named in honor of Father Thomas Scecina, a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
from Indianapolis who was killed in action while ministering
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
personnel during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with the 57th Infantry Division, Fort McKinley
Fort McKinley
Several places have been named Fort McKinley* Fort William McKinley * Fort McKinley, Maine* Fort McKinley, Ohio--------------------------------------------------------------------------------...
, Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
History
In 1952, there was sufficient need and desire for a Catholic coeducational high school on the east side of Indianapolis. A plot of land at 5000 Nowland was purchased in conjunction with a successful 1 million dollar fund drive, and on August 21, 1952, ground was broken, with the cornerstone being laid on December 21, 1952. On September 21, 1953, regular classes began for 128 freshman girls and 127 freshman boys under Fr. Harry Hoover, who as founding principal had overseen the construction of the school.The dedication of the school to Father Thomas Scecina, the only archdiocesan priest to give his life for his country in World War II, took place on October 18, 1953. The first graduating class of 219 students graduated in June 1957, and within a decade, SMHS grew to a school of 1400 students.
After Father Hoover retired in 1969, Father Joseph McGinley succeeded him. Mr. William Kuntz was assigned the post in 1972, and Sister Hortense Fougerousse was principal for the 1973-74 school year. Mr. Raymond Riley was appointed principal in 1974 and held the position until June 1986, when Mr. Larry Neidlinger took the reins. Mr. Neidlinger retired in 1995, a few months short of his death, and Mr. Stephen Papesh became principal from 1995-2000. During the 1999-2000 school year, SMHS hired Mr. Keith Marsh as its first President. The school’s second President, Dr. Kevin Caspersen, took over the reins in July 2004. Mrs. Maribeth Ransel became President in February 2007. In October 2008, Mr. Joseph Therber was named as President replacing Mrs. Ransel, who had been acting in an interim capacity. Mr. Rick J. Ruhl joined the SMHS family as principal during the 2000-2001 school year. In July 2005, Mr. Tom Davis became principal.
In August 2003, SMHS proudly opened its doors for its 50th anniversary year. SMHS is the first archdiocesan high school in Indianapolis to reach this historic milestone. In October 2003, many of the Franciscan Sisters who first staffed the school, along with other former teachers, administrators, and alumni were invited to a very special all-school Mass. Nearly 80 of Father Thomas Scecina’s surviving relatives attended that Mass and held a family reunion on the SMHS campus. Throughout its first 50 years, SMHS has continued its tradition “to give that little extra”. With great gratitude and reverence for its past, SMHS looks forward to another 50 years of changing lives in its crucial ministry of educating spirit, mind, and body.
Father Thomas Scecina
The namesake of the first diocesan Roman Catholic high school in Indianapolis was born in Vicksburg, Indiana, on September 16, 1910. He graduated from St. Meinrad Seminary in 1935 and enlisted in the Army Chaplain's Reserve Corps on 5 October 1939. Father Scecina had previously been posted at Holy Trinity and St. John's parishes in Indianapolis.Taken prisoner by Japanese military forces in April 1942, Scecina was forced to participate in the Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
and was interned as a prisoner of war at O'Donnell and Cabanatuan camps. In fall 1944, the Japanese made preparations to transfer all prisoners of war to mainland Japan against the Geneva War Convention. Scecina was placed on the Arisan Maru and went through two weeks of torture before the transport was torpedoed by an American submarine. 1,792 military prisoners aboard were killed, including Father Scecina, who had volunteered to be transported to continue to provide the Word of God to his men. Eight POWs survived to tell of Father Scecina's last hours.
Subsequently, for acts of heroism above and beyond the call of duty, Father Thomas Scecina was posthumously awarded many military honors, among them the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
. He was also awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for being wounded in service to his country.