Some of Eileen Antill’s ’51 earliest memories involve St. Agnes Academy, where she has spent more than half her life as a student, teacher and staff member. Eileen, formerly Sister Laetitia, remembers as a child of pre-school age coming to St. Agnes with her mother, who taught piano and violin at the Academy. "That was the beginning of my devotion to the Academy," she says.
Eileen was student body president her senior year at the Academy and remembers her days on Fannin Street fondly. "St. Agnes was like a second home to me. Our ball games were all played on the school courts after school. Many of us enjoyed spending time 'helping’ the Sisters who lived on campus. As it turns out though, they were the ones doing the helping by taking time to talk and listen to us when they probably longed for a little peace and quiet."
Eileen went on to receive bachelor and master degrees in education. She was a grade school teacher for four years before teaching at Houston’s St. Pius X High School and St. Paul’s Archdiocesan High School in California. In 1967, she joined the St. Agnes faculty as a math teacher.
Eileen taught the first calculus class on the Academy campus. "In order to fit the class in their schedule, the girls came to class at 7:30 a.m. and stayed until the bell rang for first period," Eileen remembered. "They were a math teacher’s dream - dedicated, self-motivated, eager to learn and fun to teach. We had a great time!"
Eileen’s teaching philosophy, in her calculus, algebra, trigonometry, geometry and religion classes, was motivated by a desire to be as fair as possible without sacrificing principle. "I tried to be respectful of my students’ opinions and their ways of thinking," she said. "I tried to be as pleasant as I could, but I also had expectations for them to learn."
She feels blessed to have worked with so many kind, considerate, hard working and cooperative young women through the years. Her students were excited about learning, passionate young leaders and definitely had great senses of humor. "They were fun to be with, could make us laugh. One funny occasion that I specifically remember occurred during the time that Sisters changed from habits to street clothes. We donated our 'nun shoes’ to the St. Agnes Garage Sale only to notice the next day several students were wearing them, showing off their stylish shoes throughout the halls."
Eileen ceased classroom teaching in 1987 and joined the Academy’s Office of Advancement. She became the school’s development director, director of alumnae, newsletter (the forerunner of our Veritas magazine) designer, writer, and editor, and now serves as the gift records specialist. She also served as part-time registrar in the early years.
Eileen tried to retire seven years ago, but didn’t get away from St. Agnes that easy. "I never fully retired. I worked part-time for a few years, but they reeled me back in," she laughed. "I can definitely see the hand of God keeping me at St. Agnes and am very grateful for the opportunity to still be working. Someday when I’m no longer young, ha, I will fully retire and perhaps volunteer as a math tutor. In looking back on life at St. Agnes, there are many happy memories to cherish. People that I have known and worked with through the years: the Sisters, schoolmates, administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents, alumnae, all share a part in these. Many are faithful friends and are like a second family. God bless them and St. Agnes Academy."
