From May 3-5, the St. Paul’s School community welcomed back over 500 former students to the Millville grounds. Members of forms from 1949 to 2019 made the trip as part of the annual Anniversary weekend.
This year’s Anniversary Weekend was filled with exciting activities. On Friday, alumni were welcomed to the school with an Archival Photo Project in Ohrstrom Library, an Art Exhibition at Crumpacker Gallery, an SPS Ballet Company Rehearsal, an Astronomy Open House and a set of Reunion Dinners. On Saturday, alumni took part in a Boat Row, Yoga Session, 5 km Fun Run, Choir Rehearsal and Chapel Service in the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul, Luncheon, and Panel Discussion in Raffini with Rector Giles. Director of Alumni Relations Stephen Donovan shares that one of his highlights of the weekend was the Alumni Parade on Saturday, with the Sixth Form walking at the end of the parade as faculty, staff and other students cheered on the soon-to-be alumni.
In the months leading up to Anniversary, the Advancement Office made important decisions to put together a successful weekend. “Planning for the next year’s reunion begins as soon as the previous one ends,” Donovan explains. “This year’s Anniversary was intentionally scheduled earlier than in recent years to allow alumni to experience SPS while School is in full session.
Donovan says leaders from each form play an instrumental role in ensuring that the event remains meaningful and relevant, connecting alumni with campus and their formmates. This connection is not limited to within forms. “The enthusiastic response of the student body in welcoming alumni back to the school wouldn't have been possible without Advancement Ambassadors,” Donovan says.
These student leaders dedicate their time to helping with various outreach events. “Anniversary Weekend was a very successful culmination in the efforts of Advancement Ambassadors throughout the year and I’m so pleased to have been a part of this amazing work,” said Advancement Ambassador Holland Goss ‘24.
Anniversary encourages alumni to support the advancement of the school. “This event provides the opportunity for alumni to give back to SPS philanthropically as those celebrating their reunions typically make ‘stretch gifts’ to celebrate the occasion and support students and faculty,” says Donovan.
Although SPS continues to change many aspects of the school to remain at the forefront of education, many beloved traditions also have stayed the same, keeping the SPS community close to our roots. “Reunions are an important opportunity for alumni to come back to the School they love and to connect with old friends, and make new ones,” says Donovan.