LIVONIA, Mich. – An era ended Thursday night as the final class to graduate from Ladywood High School received their diplomas.
The all-girls Catholic school opened in 1950. After declining enrollment, the Felician Sisters made the decision to close Ladywood and announced the closure in December 2017 based on declining enrollment and demographic factors.
The 54 teens in the final class join 68 years of women who have walked the school's halls.
"Ladywood has been my foundation and there's also a sisterhood that comes along, and we do have a bond that can't be broken," said Denise Dunn, who graduated in 1991.
Dunn's daughter, Sophia, is a member of Ladywood's last graduating class.
"It's kind of cool being the last class but at the same time, you feel bad for the underclassmen," Sophia Dunn said.
The Felician Sisters of North America offered each student a $500 tuition grant for each year they transfer to and remain at another area Catholic high school. The school said it is pleased that 95 girls have committed to attend one of nine area Catholic high schools in the fall.
The Archdiocese of Detroit said it was not involved in the decision to close Ladywood.