Last Year's 175th Anniversary & Reunion Weekend Recap

We are delighted to share highlights from an unforgettable 175th Anniversary Gala and Reunion Weekend. The weekend was filled with meaningful moments, from Friday evening gatherings that reconnected lifelong friends, to the Saturday evening gala honoring 175 years of San Domenico. The weekend also included a meaningful Mass and Awe Walk, a Reunion Luncheon, and the standout All-Star Concert and Art Show. It was a true celebration of people, stories, and traditions that continue to make San Domenico so special.

Friday Night Class Gatherings
In preparation for the larger events scheduled for the weekend, class groups were encouraged to first meet together in whatever way felt the most meaningful for their peers. We heard from some alumni that they chose to have dinner at a restaurant or meet for cocktails at a local alum’s home. However you chose to celebrate, we loved hearing how those smaller gatherings enabled classmates to reconnect. Should you have any pictures you’d like to share, we’d love to see where you gathered and with whom!

Gala
This year’s Anniversary Gala was one for the record books! After months of preparation, and countless hours of volunteer support for the many decor installation components, a huge event tent was assembled on Kesterson Field. Over 400 attendees enjoyed familiar faces from our SD community and an incredible walk-back-through-time archival installation of the history of the school from 1850 to present day. Guests were treated to elevated dining and drinks as they celebrated the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Class of 1966, a special guest speaker, alum Josh Espulgar Rowe who reflected on his time as a student and the impact such opportunity had on his career path, and the musical talents of Radio Gatsby with our very own Natalie John taking the mic as a lead vocalist. The gala was an opportunity to not only come together and celebrate all that has been achieved over the many years of education, but allowed for an introduction to the purpose of the 1850 Opportunity Fund.

Awe Walk
Pre-luncheon options allowed alumni to select from a long-standing tradition or a relatively new addition to campus life! The Awe Walk was led by our Director of Sustainability Shelley Flint. Guests followed a path on the outskirts of the main campus area that is lined by signage directing one to pause and reflect on the beauty of our natural landscape. For those participating in the mass, services were held in the former chapel overlooking Kesterson Field and led by Father Jack Lau, in partnership with the Sisters. This contemplative start to the day enabled alumni to pay their respects to the memory of those we have recently lost, while also finding comfort and strength in the deep traditions of ritual and reflection.

Luncheon
Honoring this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, the entire Class of 1966, enabled luncheon guests to hear pioneer memories from Muffie Pennisi Fendler and Sandy Fly Wong. Alumni were invited to sit at tables with their peers, and it was wonderful to see the wide representation of different class years assembled to share their experiences with each other and catch up on the years between contact. Scattered throughout were photos from their school days, as well as a keepsake booklet of treasured wishes from beloved members of the SD faculty and staff throughout the years for each of the attendees.

All Star Concert & Art Show in the Lobby

Audience members were treated to a performance featuring more than 30 alumni artists who shared their talents, alongside current students and staff, in fine and performing arts. The concert contained pieces from Mozart to the Miami Sound Machine, and the art show presented everything from photography and paintings to altered books. To see so many of our alumni return for this extraordinary weekend serves as a reminder that this campus, this educational institution, this home has served so many for 175 years, and we look forward to finding ways to continue to welcome you back home again during the next 175. Happy anniversary, San Domenico!