Sacred Heart School in Brawley Celebrates Final Eighth Grade Graduating Class of 2024
Since 1914, Sacred Heart School in Brawley has been a cornerstone and a safe haven for Catholic education in the Imperial Valley and the Brawley community.
Today, six eighth graders graduated from the school, the last students to ever graduate from Sacred Heart School. The school announced last month that it would be closing by the end of the school year, and today marks the final day, bringing an end to an institution that has been a significant part of the Imperial Valley community.
760 News Media asked Father Bernardo head pastor in Brawley about the possibility of the school re-opening in the future. He replied, “I think there’s always a possibility… miracles can happen, but it would be very hard to get the school open again.”
Regarding the future of the school building, the former principal of Sacred Heart School Annalisa Burgos told 760 News Media that it would most likely be used for catechism classes.
One notable family recognized at today’s awards assembly is the Dahm family, which has had five generations attend Sacred Heart School in Brawley, with the youngest being eighth-grade graduate Andrew Dahm. “My grandmother came here when the school first opened… she used to ride her pony to school. We’ve had five generations of our family attend Sacred Heart School,” said Douglas Dahm in an interview with KYMA News.
“It’s hard to see the school close after so many years… I went here my whole life even though I don’t go here no more it’s still hard” a former student at school said
As for the teachers, the former principal of Sacred Heart School, Miss Burgos, will become the principal of St. Mary’s Catholic School in El Centro, where many of the remaining students from Sacred Heart School will also be attending. Several other teachers from Sacred Heart are being hired at St. Mary’s Catholic School.
Additionally, Fortunato Ponce, the head groundskeeper and a dedicated staff member at Sacred Heart School, announced his retirement today after more than 30 years of service. His wife, Norma Ponce the daycare provider at sacred Heart school is also retiring.
Today is not just the end of an era; it’s the closing chapter of a cherished story in the hearts of many, leaving behind a legacy of faith, education, and community that will be remembered for generations to come.