During the 2014 school year, a small group of young Padua alumnae approached Mrs. Vavala, Padua’s Campus Ministry Director, questioning her about coming back to Padua to attend a Mass. The idea was communicated to Padua’s Lead of school, Mrs. Mann, who concluded that a Mass should be held in 2015 for all Padua alumnae, in celebration of Padua’s 60th anniversary. Padua’s 50th anniversary was celebrated with a Mass and a small reception, but never before had all of the school’s alumnae been contacted to attend one large celebratory event.

The event was immediately promoted on Padua’s Facebook and Twitter pages after details were set. In addition to social media promotion, every Padua aluma  in the database also received a personal paper invitation by mail. “Initially, we only expected about 150 people to come, which was going to be an okay turn out,” said Mrs. Lewandowski, one of the event’s head coordinators. “We were flooded with registrations during Christmas break though, and they didn’t stop coming in until about an hour before the event.” Between the number of registrations, as well as people coming without registering prior, there were about 425 people in attendance of the event in total. The event grew so large that the opening Mass actually had to be moved from Roberto Hall, Padua’s auditorium, to Padua’s gym, which ended up being beneficial because of the bright lighting and space the gym had to offer.

Alumnae from generations back to before Padua’s current building was even built began arriving in Padua’s gym prior to the Mass to say hellos and begin rekindling old friendships. Mass went from 4:00 to 5:00 and was run solely by Padua students, old and new. “I think that the best thing about the Mass is that alumnae were incorporated into it,” said Mrs. Lewandowski. In order to have every Padua generation represented, Mrs. Vavala contacted alumnae from 1958 to 2014 prior to the event, asking them to participate in the Mass by doing the readings and bringing up the gifts. Music ministry alumnae also participated by being integrated into Padua’s current music ministry and cantering Mass.

After the singing of Padua’s alma mater concluded the Liturgy, everyone transferred from Padua’s gym into the cafe for a wine and cheese reception. During the reception, alumnae had the chance to tour Padua to see its latest renovations, visit the school store to purchase merchandise and spirit wear, and reconnect with old friends and faculty over finger foods and drinks. “People were so impressed with the building and everything that has changed throughout the years, especially people that haven’t even stepped foot in it before,” said Mrs. Lewandowski. Almost everything has been remodeled since the 70’s when it was initially built, giving the whole building a much fresher feel. “It was really nice to have people come back and walk through the building, and see what students experience everyday now,” said Mrs. Lewandowski. One perfect example of Padua’s history being brought together is the Armstrong sisters, Diana and Stacia. “They said that although they went to Padua at different times, they had never both been together in the building before,” said Mrs. Manelski, Padua’s Dean of Students and an attendee of the event. “Their father, Mr. John Armstrong was also a very successful varsity basketball coach here in the 1990’s.  The team won a state championship in 1996, defeating Ursuline at the Bob Carpenter Center.”

When the reception came to an end at about 7:30 pm, all of it’s coordinators couldn’t have been more satisfied with its outcome. “The event far exceeded our expectations,” said Mrs. Lewandowski. “There was a sense of true, honest sisterhood at all times, and it was more like a family reunion as to people just coming to Mass and the reception and having a nice time.” The event went so smoothly that Padua’s principal, Mrs. Mann, plans on doing a similar event in about 5 years, rather than waiting  another 10. Mrs. Lewandowski said, “There was a buzz about this event that makes us think we won’t have trouble reaching a goal of 600 people for the next one!”

As a whole, Padua alumnae are, and will always be, very important to the school. They bridge the school’s past and present, and maintain its all of its history and traditions. Padua alumnae love being kept engaged with what presently happens at Padua, and they are definitely some of the school’s biggest supporters. Check back in with Padua in 2020 for details on a 65th Anniversary celebration that will potentially be even bigger and better than this one!

See pictures from the event here:
http://www.paduaacademy.org/news/media-gallery/nggallery/all/60th-anniversary-celebration-11015/