Author Pauline Higgins, once known as Sister Louis, accomplished her childhood dream of coming north in 1962 when her religious order sent her to teach at Monroe High School in Fairbanks. During the next 15 years, she also worked in several villages. Most of this new book concerns the history of the order's educational work in Fairbanks, although Nome and Anchorage are also included. The author thoroughly covers the founding and development of Fairbanks' two Catholic schools, Immaculate Conception Elementary, established in 1946, and Monroe High School, started in 1957. The careful and precise recitation of information and statistics make this a useful document for local historians and for the Catholic community.
Many familiar names are present.
Charming details of daily life also pepper the straightforward compilation. In 1967, Sister Lahde entered the Equinox Marathon. However, it must be added, both she and Sister Byrne won Equinox patches the following year. One of the hallmarks of the two private schools was the meshing of academics with a social life revolving around religious principles. In the elementary school's first year, for example, the youngsters celebrated Halloween by wearing costumes of their namesake saints.