School colors never go out of style, which was especially true at the Saint Raphael Academy 100th anniversary gala. The ballroom at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet was backlit in purple, and the floral arrangements that graced the purple-clothed tables were also in shades of lavender. Some guests reflected on the festive occasion by dressing in lilac, mauve and plum. One gentleman from the Class of 1963 had even worn a gold-colored tie and his Saint Raphael Academy letter jacket. In fact, it was some of the first students who attended SRA in 1924 who picked the colors purple and gold prior to the diocese even selecting the name of the new Catholic high school in Pawtucket.
Celebrants were delighted by the display of Saints memorabilia, including one of the first diplomas awarded and several aged silver trophies displayed on the piano during cocktail hour. Large banners displayed photos from the Academy archives from the last century.
It was an amazing night that was 100 years in the making. More than 300 Saint Raphael Academy alumni, families and friends gathered in celebration of the school’s centennial. The evening of festivities capped off a year of events, and two years of planning by a core committee.
Two Years of Planning
Terry Murray, a former faculty member of 43 years at Saint Raphael Academy and committee co-chair. Noted that the event committee worked diligently on numerous events throughout the year to make it a very special anniversary.
“It was an honor to be asked and a pleasure to serve as co-chair for the 100th Committee. Throughout the two years of preparations, it was exciting to give input and help implement all of the plans,” he said. “The team of people on the committee were dedicated, worked hard and collaborated well to make the gala such a successful event. It was the A-Team, for sure. SRA has been a part of me for over half my lifetime, and this gala was the culmination of my time there.”
Celebratory events included an opening mass in September to a women’s forum in March. The goal throughout was “celebrating the past and embracing the future.”
Opened in 1924 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers and under the direction of the Diocese of Providence, Saint Raphael Academy graduated more than 10,000 graduates, became a co-ed school and expanded its campus to include many buildings in the Quality Hill section of Walcott Street in Pawtucket.
Saints Supporting Saints
After cocktails, guests moved to the dining area for dinner and a featured program. Principal Dan Richard welcomed everyone, and then asked, first, that all alumni stand, then all parents and those related to an alum to stand, then current and former faculty and staff to stand. At that point, nearly everyone in the room was standing.
“Tonight is a celebration; it is only fitting we took a moment to honor the alumni, teachers, Christian Brothers, and Saints families of the past. All of these individuals set the standard for what it means to be part of the Saints family. During our 100-year history, our forebears built a legacy and charism of faith, service, and community. They also built a tradition of excellence.” said Mr. Richard.
Class of 2024 alum Sharbel Mikhail gave a short speech about what Saints meant to him and how it changed his life. Coming from a public charter school in Central Falls, a private education was almost unimaginable for him. A generous donor enabled Sharbel to attend and thrive at Saints.
“I went on to join numerous clubs, played football, served as class vice president, and graduated as valedictorian,” he said. “More than all these activities and accolades combined, I inherited something far more lasting: the fruits of a Lasallian education, one rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. An education that prepared me to meet the challenges of the world with conviction and compassion, nurturing within me what cannot be measured on a report card nor captured on a college application.”
That investment in his education continues to reverberate with him, as he will begin his sophomore year at Harvard University in the fall.
A Fund the Need fundraising auction ensued. Auction paddles were enthusiastically raised around the room for 15 minutes in a successful show of support for scholarships and facilities improvements that directly benefit Saint Rays students.
During dinner, a revolving slideshow presentation of photos from the Academy archives entertained guests, as music from ten decades brought attendees through dinner and into dancing at the end of the evening.
Dinner concluded with a toast from Mr. Murray and the group singing of “Happy Birthday”—complete with a birthday cake—to lead the Saints marching into its next 100 years.
