"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart."
-Helen Keller
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Mid 1800s - Early 1900s Deaf and Blind Schools Begin to Open in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh becomes a thriving city with the growth of the iron and steel industry. As a result of the city’s growing population and crowded neighborhoods, an increase in additional educational needs among children arises. Various schools throughout the Pittsburgh area that service children who are deaf or hard of hearing begin to open. _____ Photo…
Mid 1800s - Early 1900s -
Early 1900s Sisters of Charity Enroll in Higher Deaf Education Course
Bishop John F. Regis Canevin of the Diocese of Pittsburgh recognized a need for a Catholic institution in the state of Pennsylvania to serve both the educational and spiritual needs of children who were deaf or hard of hearing. He approached the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill with his idea. In turn, the Sisters…
Early 1900s -
1907 Bishop Canevin Leases Temporary Location
Bishop Canevin leased a three-story house in Troy Hill as a temporary location for what would soon become “The Pittsburgh School for the Deaf.” There, he and the Sisters discussed the methodology they learned and developed their program. _____ Photo of the Troy Hill Lappe Mansion – first location of the school.
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1908 Sisters of Charity Begin Training
The Sisters of Charity soon began their training in order to best serve and teach the children in the hard of hearing and deaf community. They traveled all over the country in search of the best methods to teach their students. Their preparations included training at the Boston School for the Deaf in Massachusetts as…
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September 7, 1908 School Opens
On this date, the school officially opened with one student. Word of mouth spread amongst the diocese. Enrollment totals reached between 23 – 25 students by the end of the school’s first year. _____ Photo of the early days of DePaul
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1908-1911 The School Gets Named “The DePaul Institute”
Enrollment at the school continues to grow, as does the need to serve children who are deaf or hard of hearing in all aspects of life. Gradually, a curriculum of various subjects for the students began to develop as the scope of the school widened. In addition to the communication, language, and oral speech skills…
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1911 New Facility Built in Mt. Lebanon
Because of the school’s growing population and services, the Diocese of Pittsburgh purchased land in Mt. Lebanon and built a new educational and residential facility in 1911. Students could now live at The DePaul Institute and work on their listening and speaking during all waking hours. _____ Photo of DePaul Students in the years 1915-1916…
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Mid 1920s Father Coakley – DePaul’s First Superintendent
It was during this time that the school’s first superintendent, Fr. Coakley, played a pivotal role in the future learning advancements of DePaul. After his service in Europe as a World War I U.S. Army Chaplain, he committed himself to the various needs of the school. In an effort to provide the students of DePaul…
1920s -
1925 New Chapel Built on Campus
Bishop Hugh C. Boyle dedicated the new Saint Ann Chapel built on campus. The addition of a new chapel allowed for structural rearrangements in the classroom and with the curriculum. The Sisters and lay teachers began to utilize musical activities such as choral groups, folk songs, singing games, and rhythm bands to further the students’…
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1936 Harmonica Band was Organized
In 1936, the Harmonica Band was organized and grew out of the Rhythm Band organized by Fr. Doherty. The band received much recognition over the years as they participated in the 1936 Music Festival at Forbes Field, traveled to New York per the request of Robert Ripley from “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” show, performed…
1930s -
1940 Sister Teresa Vincent Formed Operational Clinic Service
In an effort to service the present community needs in the Pittsburgh area and find new ways to reach children in need of the DePaul Institute’s services, Sister Teresa Vincent formed a Saturday operational clinic service to help distinguish the differences between hearing loss and developmental delays among younger children. This was just one early…
1940s -
1945 Saturday Speech Classes Offered
In 1945, the school began to see a growing language need for students and began to offer Saturday Speech classes. This was in an effort to serve the continuing needs of students and children in need of additional support. _____ Photo of child lip reading with Sister Justina
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1948 The Blind and Sight Conservation Classes Developed
As the school continued to expand and evolve, the Sisters realized there was a growing necessity to service students with additional needs. Sister Francis Louise Honeychuck and Sister Justina Dreistadt developed The Blind and Sight Conservation Classes at DePaul Institute. The classes used Braille textbooks and lessons to assist students at the DePaul Institute who…
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1949 Our Lady of Victory Hall Was Built
The DePaul Institute campus grows and expands. The Our Lady of Victory Hall was built and becomes the location of the new Blind and Sight Conservation Classes created by Sister Francis Louise. _____ Photo of Sister Francis Louise with a Blind Student
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1949 Time Capsule Created
With the addition of a new building, the idea of a time capsule for future generations to unravel was created and placed inside a cornerstone brick. Inside were letters, photos, coins, religious medals, and more. 70 years later, this time capsule would be opened with various alumni and staff members present! These items from the…
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1950 Mobile Clinic Created
A “Mobile Clinic” from DePaul was created and traveled around the Diocesan counties to provide hearing tests and referrals for families and children. This endeavor was developed due to the success of Sister Teresa Vincent’s clinic services around that time. _____ Photo of Sisters meeting with parents about school services
1950s -
Early 1970s “Share-A-Home” Program Created
The DePaul Institute closed its residential program under the leadership of Sister Philomena Mannion and became a day school. During this time, a “Share-A-Home” program was created to host residential DePaul students during this transition. This allowed students who lived too far away for a daily commute to continue their education at DePaul School when…
1970s -
1973 DePaul Becomes an “Approved Private School”
The Sisters of Charity have always had a mindset of service for any students or families that walked through DePaul’s doors and never wanted to charge for services. However, as additional funds were needed with technological advancements increasing, The DePaul Institute undergoes the process to become an “Approved Private School” and becomes approved to receive…
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2002-2003 DePaul Moves to New Location
With the introduction of IDEA and ADA as well as the need for greater building repairs, The Bishop of Pittsburgh decided to move the DePaul Insititute to a new location. The programs grew and prospered on the Brookline site until the summer of 2002, when DePaul moved to its current location in the former Sacred…
2000s -
2004 DePaul Changes Its Name
The DePaul Institute changes its name to DePaul School for Hearing and Speech.
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May 19, 2014 DePaul School for Hearing and Speech Day
On May 19, 2014, a Pittsburgh City Council Proclamation declared that May 19th would be known as “DePaul School for Hearing and Speech Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. _____ Scanned image of the Pittsburgh City Council Proclamation
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September 16, 2020 Time Capsule Opened
The time capsule concealed in the Our Lady of Victory Hall cornerstone from 1949 is opened and several artifacts are discovered within. Watch the story unfold in the video link!
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Present Day DePaul School Today
DePaul School for Hearing and Speech is one of just 41 schools in the U.S. that teaches Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) education to hard of hearing or deaf children. DePaul School for Hearing and Speech is the only LSL school in the West Virginia tri-state area and Western Pennsylvania, Ohio. Additionally, DePaul School for…
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Arlene Miller
Class of 1963
*Click on the image to read more about Arlene.
Margie Parker
Class of 1957
Margie Parker --- Class of 1957
“My experience with DePaul goes back to 1952, so almost seventy years [ago]! I started at DePaul when I was three and some of my earliest memories are of the school. It was DePaul Institute then, and the school specialized in both deaf and blind children. My hearing loss was not profound but, [instead,] high frequency hearing loss, which impacted my ability to learn to speak clearly. I stayed at DePaul for five years then transitioned to fourth grade at my local school.
I was so young and it was quite a while ago, but here’s what I remember the most. I loved school and the nuns (Sisters of Charity) patiently worked with all of us with various degrees of hearing and sight loss. Socializing and lunchtime required learning unique communication skills when some of your friends couldn’t hear and some couldn’t see. Somehow we talked and laughed and I got to play intermediary. The kids that were blind walked the halls and the steps without help. We were taught when to help and when to let them learn to navigate the world on their own. A great life lesson.
I didn’t like that I couldn’t talk to my deaf friends on the phone when school wasn’t in session. There was no technology then that facilitated that kind of communication.
I remember the bus ride. I lived in the Knoxville section of the city. The school bus stop was 6-7 blocks away. For the first couple of years my mom walked with me. The last two years I took a streetcar by myself to the bus stop then got the school bus to Brookline. I felt very grown up and independent.
My final year at DePaul, I made my First Communion. The only pictures I have from my years at DePaul and of a few of my friends were from that Sunday. We all look very devout.
My memories are scattered but the overall feeling that I get when I think of DePaul is that I was very lucky to get my start there. I give them credit for preparing me to successfully move through life and I’ll always be grateful.”
*Click on the image to read more about Margie.
Robert Walker
Class of 1968
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Donna (Dawn) Chock
Class of 1960
Donna (Dawn) Chock --- Class of 1960
“I was born with a severe hearing loss, but my parents did not find out till I was in nursery school in San Jose, CA. My dad found out about DePaul Institute and drove me everyday to school from our home in Pleasant Hills. He was dedicated to my education as I have five younger sisters with no hearing loss.
I started DePaul at six years old and finished the equivalent of Fourth Grade before I was mainstreamed at St. Elizabeth Parish School. My fond memories are of Sister Justina, learning how to speech read, getting my first hearing aid, our Christmas plays and escorting a blind friend during our First Communion procession. While I was there, I was very reserved [and] my teachers joked [that] I was a troublemaker.
I spent most of my career in Information Systems, retired last December as a part time Silver Sneakers Instructor. I have lived in Rochester, NY for over 30 years with my husband Joe.”
*Click on the image to read more about Dawn.
Michael J. Prezioso
Class of 1984
Michael J. Prezioso --- Class of 1984
“The memories of my times at DePaul are still vivid and clear long after I graduated in 1984 to attend high school. I started going there early in 1972 when I was not yet 2 years of age. My mother made daily trips with two younger siblings in order to get me started to learn how to listen and speak after being diagnosed with a hearing loss at 20 months of age. Within a few weeks after starting at DePaul, I said my first word, 'ball.'
Fast forward to my early pre-teen years, I learned that I was the 4th generation student at DePaul. My paternal grandmother’s mother was one of the first pupils to attend DePaul back in 1908. The school was on the North Side then. I recall my great grandmother riding in the car with me some days when my grandfather would pick me up daily at DePaul after school since there was no regular public school transportation like we have today. She would beam with pride that I would be speaking to her about my day at school. She was part of a group of students that moved from the North Side to Mount Lebanon/Brookline location.
Not only does DePaul have a history on my father’s side, my maternal grandmother’s sister was a member of the Sisters of Charity and a teacher at DePaul for almost 20 years. During those years at DePaul, my mother as an infant and little girl would make many visits to DePaul to visit her aunt, not knowing that someday her child would attend DePaul.
I was fortunate enough to be one of the few alumni members to come back to DePaul to teach. There were several alumni members there as a staff while I was a student, one as a teacher and a few others working in various locations such as an aide, kitchen helper, building and grounds keeper. Those people were always happy to share their stories of their childhood at DePaul and I made sure I continued to share those happy days with my students when I started working there right after I graduated from college. I was fortunate enough to be part of both alumni and staff members to move from Mount Lebanon/Brookline location to the present location. Just like my great-grandmother was there to witness DePaul moving from one location to another about a century ago. The former campus is also where I first met my wife.
Most people that I encounter that have a connection or attended DePaul would always say that the school has a special place in their hearts and minds. There are many memories, both inside and outside the classroom that we share. There are many that I could share but for now I will provide two things that are still obvious many years after graduating from DePaul. First is lifelong friendship. To this day, I am still very close to my childhood friends that I made at DePaul. Second is acts of charity. Not only as a student learning at DePaul in the classrooms, my peers and I were encouraged to think and help others - both in thoughts and deeds. We would write cards to those in need, do volunteer work in various places, sing Christmas songs at nursing homes, plant trees and do things outside to keep the environment clean. After graduating from DePaul, I still came back to visit the teachers while I was in high school and to do volunteer work such as cleaning and maintaining the DePaul grounds as part of my Eagle Scout project. When I would finish my college semesters early in May, I would volunteer for a few weeks during the last weeks of school in May and June to help with end of year activities. Maintaining close relationships with friends and doing good deeds are some of the important things that remain in my heart and mind.”
*Click on the image to read more about Michael.
Charmaine Lydon-Betjemann
Class of 1980
*Click on the image to read more about Charmaine.
Tyler Stack
Class of 2013
Tyler Stack --- Class of 2013
We are so proud of our school alumnus Tyler Stack! Tyler, who is profoundly deaf and has two cochlear implants, started preschool at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech when he was three years old. With the help of the teachers, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists at DePaul School, he transitioned to Saint Margaret of Scotland in Greentree when he was 13 years old. After leaving DePaul School, he played alongside his hearing peers in various sports including soccer, basketball and dek hockey. However, soccer soon became Tyler’s main passion.
As Tyler started high school at Seton LaSalle, his soccer career took off. He quickly advanced to the varsity squad and became team captain, scoring points left and right as the team’s striker. His talent and versatility shined through whether Tyler played offensive or defensive positions.
His incredible defensive performances at Seton LaSalle launched Tyler onto the soccer team at the University of Mount Union where he is currently pursuing a major in exercise science and a minor in sport business. One of his teammates urged Tyler to try out for the USA Deaf Men’s National Soccer Team. He played in the Deaf Team USA Camp last July and tried out for the 2022 USA Deaf Men’s National Soccer Team. He was announced as one of the starting defenders and will travel with the team to Caxias do Dul, Brazil to compete in the Deaflympics this May!
There will be 20 countries represented in the 2021/2022 Summer Deaflympics: Argentina. Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Korea, Mali, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Senegal, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, and Uzbekistan. Opening Ceremonies are May 1, 2022, and the Gold Medal Game is Sunday, May 15. We will be cheering Tyler and his teammates on as they hopefully win the gold!
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*Click on the image to read more about Tyler.
Heidi A. Kobulnicky
Class of 2001
*Click on the image to read more about Heidi.
John Paczan
Class of 1953
John Paczan --- Class of 1953
“Although it has been over 70 years since I first attended DePaul, I still hold many fond memories of my time at DePaul from the fifth through the ninth grade. I had a speech impediment of not pronouncing my words correctly and a stutter.
The Sisters of Charity corrected my word pronunciation and improved my stutter [occasionally]. The Sisters were very kind and patient, improving my speech by reading out loud, and going over the proper sounds of letters, syllables, and words while teaching the normal academic studies.
I remember Sister John Agnus’ classes where she placed a tissue on her cheek and my hand on the tissue so I could feel the vibrations.
Later in Sister Mary Linus’ class, in addition to the curriculum, she taught me appreciation for architecture, music, and fine art.
My ninth grade teacher, Sister Rose Xavier was also responsible for organizing a Boy Scout troop. On my first camp out it rained all weekend and everything was mud.
In addition to the studies, there was wood shop, basketball, plays and ninth grade dances; and the end of the year field day picnic at South Park.
DePaul had a beautiful chapel and on [the] first Friday of each month was Mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I was an altar boy and spent time praying at the altar. In those days you fasted before communion, so after Mass you were treated to a snack of hot cocoa and apple butter sandwiches. You were also served a delicious [homemade] hot lunch every day.
Some students who lived too far away stayed at DePaul during the week. Each day I traveled from Kennedy Township by bus to downtown and then by street car to Brookline. I feel that my experience at DePaul gave me the confidence and education which I used throughout my life, marriage, family and work career.
Thank you DePaul, I’ll always remember the times.”
John Paczan
Class of 1953
*Click on the image to read more about John.
Caitlin Baird
Class of 2002
*Click on the image to read more about Caitlin.