The Ridgway Legacy at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
For more than a century, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School has been a place where faith, family, and education meet. Few families embody that legacy as beautifully as the Ridgway family and Julie Ridgway Christ smiles when she talks about OLMC. Her connection to the school runs deep, spanning four generations. Her grandparents attended OLMC, followed by her mother, then Julie herself, and now her children. It’s a tradition woven into the fabric of their family story. “When I was born, that’s where I was going,” Julie says with a laugh. “There was never a question.”
After spending several years in St. Louis, Julie and her husband made the decision to return to Herrin. At the time, their children were enrolled in a prestigious private academy in Missouri. The move brought change, and for Julie, a leap of faith. “We knew they were going to go to OLMC,” she recalls. “And we were so happy with the experience. We couldn’t have been more impressed. The teachers, the personal attention, the preparation for high school, it all exceeded our expectations.” Her children entered OLMC in fifth and eighth grade, quickly finding their place in a close-knit environment where classmates felt like family.
That sense of belonging made all the difference. For Julie, OLMC provided more than academics. The small class sizes, individual attention, and active parental involvement created a rich learning environment. “No one gets lost in the shuffle,” she explains. “Every child is known. Teachers invest in their students, not just in their education, but in their character.”
Faith is woven naturally into daily life at OLMC. Weekly Mass, religion classes, and values-based learning instill kindness, respect, and integrity. Julie believes this moral foundation helps OLMC graduates enter high school confident, grounded, and ready to lead.
“It’s about more than religion,” she says. “It’s about being a good person, making good choices, and being part of a community that supports those values.”
Julie’s own OLMC memories are filled with favorite teachers, friends, and moments that shaped her life. One in particular stands out, her beloved teacher, Mrs. Laura Atchison, who taught Julie in both third grade and junior high. “She had a way of making learning fun. She saw things in me I didn’t see in myself. She became a family friend, my confirmation sponsor, and is still a part of my life to this day.”
Her children have built similar connections. Even years later, they still keep in touch with teachers and classmates from OLMC. Those relationships, Julie says, are one of the school’s greatest gifts. Julie describes OLMC as a true “village,” where families look out for one another and children grow up surrounded by positive influences. “The friendships my kids made here are lasting. The parents are involved, the community is strong, and the values are shared. It’s the kind of environment where everyone wants the best for each other’s children.”
For families considering OLMC, Julie’s advice is simple: “If you value smaller classes, personal attention, strong academics, and a community that supports your child’s growth both academically and personally, this is where you want to be. OLMC has given my family so much, and I’m grateful to be part of its legacy.”
From her grandparents’ days in the classroom to watching her own children thrive, Julie’s story is one of faith, connection, and love for a school that continues to shape lives in Herrin and beyond. “It’s more than a school,” she says. “It’s home.”
