St. Irenaeus students, parents, alumni, parishioners, and friends gathered together recently to honor Darlene Hembreiker on her upcoming retirement. After a school Mass in her honor, Hembreiker was accompanied by her daughters Linda and Nicole through an Honor Guard made up of students, parents, and guests. The Honor Guard guided her on a path from the church to the hall where testimonials, presentations, and gifts were given. Cypress City Councilman and St. Irenaeus parishioner, Rob Johnson, presented a proclamation from the city recognizing Hembreiker’s 25 years of service to the school. Other gifts included a memory book and a slide show of her years at St. Irenaeus.
Hembreiker is the school’s 8th principal since it opened in 1963. She has been principal since September of 1999. In the years before she was the vice vrincipal, and classroom teacher in grades 2, 3, and 5. Her service to St. Irenaeus began in the 1988-89 school year and under her leadership the school has continued to provide students with the best Catholic education possible.