School Landmarks

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Brother Raphael Conference Room

To honor the school’s first principal, Brother Raphael Bodin, FSC, school administrators approved naming Archbishop Rummel’s primary conference room after Brother Raphael.  Following a two-year term as principal that began in 1962, Brother Raphael was named provincial by the Superior General of Brothers of Christian Schools.  After he finished his term as Visitor among the Brothers, he was named principal at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe, NM, before he returned to Metairie in 1977 as a mathematics teacher.In 1981, the Brothers elected him provincial again.  At the conclusion of his term, he volunteered to work with the Brothers’ missionary work in Ondo, Nigeria.  On June 13, 1997, he was murdered in Africa by bandits who broke into his room at night and suffocated him to death.  Brother Raphael is buried in Africa.

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Chapel Doors

The doors of the Chapel of St. Joseph on campus were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Wilson in memory of their son, Darryl Joseph Wilson, ’82.  After his untimely death in 1999, the Wilson family wanted to honor Darryl’s memory.  When Ms. Lynda Grass, admissions secretary in 2003, told her cousin, Darryl’s mother, that students were having trouble identifying the location of the chapel, the Wilsons knew chapel doors would be a suitable memorial to their son.

The family contracted renowned artists Mr. Edward Goldman, Jr., who designed the doors, and Mr. Claude Lipps, glass craftsman who also crafted the original glass windows in the chapel.

The Wilson family dedicated the chapel doors in May 2003, in memory of their son Darryl, an honor student, drum major, and young man strong in his faith, with love and loyalty for his alma mater.

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Raider Room Cross

By 1994 the Raider Room was used by students daily, so the school determined that a large cross was needed in the area to assist students in focusing on faith and purpose.  The large crucifix and a plan were established by the Student Council to fund it through a collection from students during Spirit Week and presented on Rummel Day.  The fund was supplemented by Student Council.

The large cross hangs in the Raider Room between pictures of Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel, the school’s founder, and St. John Baptist de la Salle, Christian Brother founder.  Through the efforts of then German teacher, Ms. Christine Struppeck, contact was made with Ms. Marge Ward, a local nationally renowned sculptor.  There were several meetings with the artist to establish the type of cross envisioned.

The cross is cast bronze with a dark patina, hanging on a wooden cross.  Jesus is cast in a pose of the Resurrection.  The background wood of the cross is framed in narrow, decorative wood.  Each of the four ends of the cross has one of the symbols from the school crest:  the hunting horn is from Archbishop Rummel’s crest, the book of knowledge, the star of the Christian Brothers, and the pelican feeding its young is from the Louisiana State seal.  Each of the four symbols is cast bronze with a dark patina to match the Risen Christ.

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Senior Candle

Proposed by Archbishop Rummel’s Chaplain, Father Wayne Roca, SJ, the tradition of the senior candle began with the class of 1995.  Following his request, student council moderator Ms. Mary Ann Robarts secured the candle and stand.  These were presented to the senior class at the end of the ring ceremony.  Fr. Roca’s original blessing of the senior candle has been passed down through the years.

The senior class officers took on the responsibility of hanging and lighting the senior candle.  The class president is responsible for keeping the candle lit throughout the year.  The idea behind the senior candle went along with the class of 1995’s theme – “Let us be the Light” – and serves as a reminder to each senior class to be that guiding light for the rest of the school.  The tradition remains steadfast, and the senior candle can always be found on display in the senior wing, guiding each school year.

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Statue of St. LaSalle

In 1982 when Brother Louis Welker, FSC, was appointed the school’s Campus Minister by Brother Brendan Hayden, FSC, principal, Brother Louis approached the Brothers’ Retirement Community in Lafayette, LA, asking if they would lend a statue of St. LaSalle to Archbishop Rummel High School.  The community agreed, so Brother Louis Welker and then chaplain Fr. Randy Roux drove to Lafayette in a school van and brought the statue back to school.

Mr. Elward Whitfield, AFSC, maintenance craftsman, built the stand where the statue rests.  The statue is located at the main entrance on the school campus across from the receptionist desk.

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