Friends, parents, former students and teachers lined up inside the cafeteria at Notre Dame Regional High School Sunday afternoon to wish Sister Mary Ann Fischer a fond farewell.

Fischer is retiring after 11 years as principal of the Catholic high school. Although she's leaving Notre Dame, she isn't leaving the world of education.

During the summer Fischer plans to teach students at Catholic schools in Japan and Nepal before heading back to St. Louis to work with her order, the Sisters of Notre Dame. Eventually she will help direct religious education classes in parishes.

Many people in Southeast Missouri will miss her, and that includes her students, both past and present.

"I was always amazed that she knew my name as a freshman," said Tracie Seib.

But Sister Mary Ann, as she's commonly known, knew all her students and liked to visit with them. She often stopped in classrooms to see how the students were doing and what they were studying.

"She was always in the classrooms," said Liesl Schoenberger, now a sophomore at Notre Dame. "She was active and involved."

Students gave Fischer a standing ovation during the awards assembly Friday.

"It's been bittersweet," Fischer said. "I have a lot of fond memories, but I know that change is good. I won't forget these people."

Some who said their farewells shed tears while others enjoyed reminiscing.

Alena Fels hasn't had children at Notre Dame for nearly 20 years. She knew Sister Mary Ann from the convent where quilters from St. Mary's Church gather to sew.

"She's not a quilter but she comes to visit," Fels said. "We sure are going to miss those nuns."

Brad Wittenborn, who will be assistant principal next fall, said the school will certainly miss its principal.

"She'll be difficult to replace," he said.

Students applauded Fischer's contributions during graduation ceremonies Saturday. Eighty students graduated Saturday night in the first such ceremony at the school's new location along Route K west of Interstate 55.

Nearly 500 people packed the air-conditioned gym to see relatives and friends graduate, many of whom received college scholarships and awards.

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, was the graduation speaker. He told students not to use their new-found freedom as an excuse to sin but to prevail over the sin of the world by serving others in love.