It's a year-long celebration that kicked off on Friday, with alumni, former teachers, and administrators of Santa Barbara Catholic School returning home to honor 75 years of catholic education in Guam.

From its humble beginnings in a small parish setting, SBCS has grown into a vibrant campus rooted in gospel values and a goal to inspire lifelong learners and future leaders.

Principal Sister Maria Rosario Gaite shares her excitement for this milestone anniversary.

“The 75th is really a milestone for the school, our rich history, the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, and all of those who have come before us,” said Sister Gaite.  “As I look back at our humble beginnings I am just so grateful to God for all the blessings. When you see SBCS now it’s a thriving, vibrant community with our students, faculty, and staff really living out the charism of the Sisters of Mercy in their daily interactions with one another, in their service to the community.”

“There’s so much to celebrate! I’m just very joyful and very happy that we are here today,” said Gaite. 

Today’s activities also included the reopening of the school’s museum, closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Mawar. 

Sister Gaite calls the delay a blessing in disguise, giving them more time to gather the artifacts of the school’s enduring story.

“The museum will showcase the rich history of our Santa Barbara family. We have a timeline that we’re excited to present, a lot of artifacts, photos, wonderful memories, achievements, and awards that are all displayed in the museum,” said Gaite. 

Looking forward to the next 75 years, she says their mission is to remain rooted in faith, to nurture hope, and to continue spreading God's love.

“I hope that our community, our students will remain rooted in their faith,” said Gaite. “To be rooted in our Catholic faith because really, that is the bedrock of our identity as a Catholic school. And at the same time, continue to grow in hope. With everything that’s happening in the world, the horrific realities that are happening around us, I would like to see that our students will grow in hope and continue to hang on to that hope that there is better life for them in the future…To continue spreading God’s love to the world.”

The museum may hold the memories, but the true legacy of Santa Barbara Catholic School is alive in its students today. 

At 75 years strong, the school’s mission isn’t just history, it’s a living tradition, carried on by every new generation that walks through its doors.