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Sister Annunciata Sohl (1926-33) Sister Annunciata served the Academy as directress from September 1926 to June 1933. The Annuals of these years bear testimony to continual progress and successful achievements in all phases of student life at the Academy. The four-year Academic course and the two and three-year Business courses continued to be offered; also courses in Music, Art, and Home Economics were taught. Several new members joined the staff, among these Mr. Joseph Rauterkus and Miss Hilda Schuster, both of Duquesne University ; the former become director of the orchestra; the latter, instructor in eurythmics. In 1928, a commercial post-graduate course was added to the program of studies. This afforded those graduating from the Academic course an opportunity to prepare themselves for the business world. Mission Activities continued to be an absorbing interest to the students; in fact, the Academy unit of the Catholic Students Mission Crusade was one of the most active in the diocese. Monthly "mission" meetings, days, sales, skits, and debates all formed parts of the " Mission " program. Among the outstanding events was participation in the diocesan pageant, "God Wills It." In 1926 , when the new Motherhouse of the Sisters had been completed at Providence Heights the Academy was transferred to Mount Immaculate . Both the student body and the Alumnae welcomed this change and enjoyed the new memories the move created.
The year 1930 ushered in the Silver Jubilee of the founding of the Academy. A fitting pageant of six scenes depicted the circumstances that led to the American foundation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in the New World; the establishment of the Academy as St. Joseph's Industrial Institute under the immediate direction of Mother Lucy the achievements of her years of service; and the untiring zeal of Sister Immaculate, who served as directress until 1926. In 1932, as a fitting climax to this period, a Constitutional Committee of the Alumnae revised the 1924 Alumnae Constitutions and By-Laws. At the following annual Alumnae meeting, these were voted upon, and have since been the working basis of Divine Providence Alumnae Association. Sister Gertrude Mary Soentgen (1933-34) Sister Gertrude was appointed Directress of the Academy in 1933 and she held the office until 1936. Those were "depression years" and the enrollment of new students was low, however, it will always be to the credit of the faculty and the students, that the traditions of the school were honorably maintained. The Alumnae stood by its Alma Mater and because of this loyalty there was an even closer bond between Academy and Alumnae. No matter what the occasion - bazaar, recital, class plays, I.F.C.A. meetings, conventions - there were always "old faithfuls" who could be counted on to lend either their moral or financial support.
Sister Irenaea Slyke (1934-44) Sister Irenaea Slyke taught the English classes at the Academy, had a literary interest and a special talent in the field of drama. Sister inaugurated a Drama Club and membership was offered to all students. The first productions of the club were on a very simple scale. As class plays suitable for each succeeding group of seniors became more and more difficult to find, Sister decided to write an original play for as many students as might be in each class. Everyone was delighted by this arrangement. "Lure of Song" and "In Old Vermont" were among the first of a long line of plays to be penned by Sister Irenaea. St. Walburga's auditorium, because of its large stage and proximity to the school, was selected for the performances. The financial profit on plays, bazaars, etc... was always used to improve the school. In September 1936, Sister Irenaea became Directress. This was a critical time for the Academy because the superiors were convinced that it was impossible to maintain two high schools in a limited area with low enrollment in both. The decision was made to join the schools and the original location on Larimer Avenue was chosen. Preparation for the move were started after Easter in the year 1937. Since the class of '37 had asked to have graduation exercises at the Mount Parents ' Day and Commencement were planned for the same day. Graduation always has a sad tone to it, but that year it was an occasion of farewell, not just for the graduates, but for the entire student body and the faculty. The school at Larimer Avenue had to be completely renovated. A hall divided two of the large rooms know to the "old girls" as Sister Annunciata's classroom and Sister Berchmann's sewing room. The dormitories on the second floor became a laboratory, a sewing room, and a library. The school continued to house resident students and rooms for sixteen girls were arranged. The former "big rectory" now became the assembly room where the usual tradition programs were presented. The Alumnae once again aided the school by sponsoring two week-end bazaars. All profits went to rebuilding the school. Soon after the Alumnae offered financial aid in the form of a scholarship awarded to the winner of a competitive examination. Mary Lou Ransil (Sister Michele) from St. Norbert's, Overbrook, was the winner. About this time (1940) the Mothers' Club was founded at the Academy. This gave the mothers an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with the school, and from its earliest beginnings the Academy had an enthusiastic group of women eager to further the interests of the school. The effects of WWII were universally felt, and so at the academy there were courses in first aid, home nursing and military training. Many former D.P.A. graduates joined the WACS, the WAVES, or the Nursing Corps. Many of these women's records show outstanding achievements that brought credit to the Academy as well as the women themselves.
Sister Irenaea's election to the provincial council of the Sisters of Divine Providence, in August 1944, necessitated the appointment of a new directress. Sister De la Salle was appointed and the aims and traditions of the school remained unchanged. The depression and the war years had naturally curtailed activities that could now, because of increased enrollment and better financial circumstances, be resumed on a larger scale.
With the organization of the Diocesan Federation of Catholic High Schools, various honor societies were introduced and DPA actively participated in all of them. Among these were the Forensic, Math, Science, History, and Business societies. Through the years, many of the graduates won college scholarships through participation in competitive examinations.
More and more businesses became interested in DPA because of the fine work done by the graduates, and more calls for help were received than could be filled. Applications for enrollment were likewise far in excess of the number that could be excepted. In the effort to give the girls every spiritual, cultural, and educational advantage, the Third Order of Saint Francis was organized under the direction of Father Bertin Roll, O.F.M.Cap., and the first investiture was held with Sister Joan Marie Lauth as moderator. God blessed the school with religious vocations, and in 1950 there were nine D.P.A. girls in the Novitiate at Providence Heights at the same time. Seven were novices and two were postulants. Each season had its outstanding events: the Popularity Contest, Christmas Musical, May Crowning, and the Operetta. Among the projects made possible through financial returns were the redecorating of the After the memorable graduation exercises of 1945, which were held in the assembly room, permission was obtained to have the graduation exercises at the Stephen Foster memorial in Oakland , a tradition that continued for eight years. In 1949 Divine Providence Alumnae Association Celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. Sister Agneta, was appointed in Directress in 1953. The school offered a full program of studies, extra-curricular activities, honor societies, a debate society, a glee club, a monthly paper, and other various school clubs.
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Among these is Mother Aloysius Bansbach's intense interest in Academy and Alumnae activities, the annual retreats, the renovation of the Academy chapel, and the Silver Jubilee pageant of 1930.
chapel, installation of new lights and gas furnaces, redecoration of the reception room, and new floors in the classrooms. A new cloak room and washroom was added on the first floor and a variety of other supplies were purchased.
