The folklore about Catholic nuns and brothers beating the children was just that in my experience. From my earliest years through Catholic school and college, I never saw a nun or brother hit anyone... except once... which was remarkable given the hellions I went grew up with.
Mike Lacopo came close once. Mike was a lay instructor at our high school. His glasses made him look like Clark Kent. Under his sports coat we were sure he wore a superman uniform. He was a former Marine, had made a perfect score on the challenging Marine physical fitness test, and was the JV football coach. Mike was pretty mild mannered and liked to read us poetry in English class. But one day Andy Vaughn one of the most hellacious hellions finally got under his skin. Andy made a wisecrack. Mike turned red, dropped the chalk he was using to write on the blackboard, turned and leaped at Andy. Chairs and students flew in every direction as Mike flew at the terrified Andy who was sitting in the middle of class. Mike grabbed Andy by the throat, cocked his free arm back to strike... and just before he delivered the coup de grace ... regained control ... gently placed Andy back in his seat ... straightened his own tie and said: "Andrew please see me after class and I will write you a grey slip for detention." Most of us didn't like Andy and were disappointed by the outcome.
We didn't like Dennis Dunn, either. And were not at all disappointed the day in 7th grade when he decided to punch Sister Mary Angelica. Dunn never knew what hit him. There was a flash of whirling robes like a black tornado ... the cheering spectators jumped to their feet ... and a barrage of hand strikes left Dunn lying on the floor. Out for the count. Who knew they taught nuns karate in basic training.
