Faith will Keep Ursuline Alive

An emotional night Wednesday, for a Ursline Academys Vigil. This comes a week after they found out their school is closing for good. Hundreds of families and alumni showed their support to save the school. At least three hundred candles lit the faces of alumni, parents, students and could be future student. Their prayers are giving them hope they can carry on the 150 year Catholic tradition. There was some false hope when some scathing letters between the the owners president at Springfield College Illinois and Ursulines principle ... But many tonight say theres still a fighting chance. But SCI says the money isnt there to stay open. But one third generation graduate says she has faith her three daughters will continue the catholic tradition. "Being a strong knit community and its that way for the people that went here before me and I know its still that way for the kids that go there today. And I think just that close knit community, were just coming back together in support of Ursuline in hopes that it will keep going on." Said Rachel Tohme, Third Generation Graduate. And recent graduate says at least someone is stepping up, "Its good to know that they are doing something about it and theyre not just letting them say were closed and they are still going to fight to try to get it to open." Said Hannah Ketchum, 2005 Graduate. Urusuline has had its money trouble for years. But fundraising and tuition incentives helped the academy stay alive. SCI says as of now there are no plans to demolish the academy. Wednesday, hundreds of parents collected a survey on Uruslines future. Many just have faith but theortercially some are looking for a new school building. But the principle says they dont have all summer only weeks to come up with a plan to save Ursuline Academy or they need to start planning for the next school year.