On Friday, July 21, a record number of over 250 Alumni and guests from 1947 to 2012 gathered on the Villa Maria Academy back patio to enjoy Reunion Weekend Celebrations! Guests began their evening reminiscing over their time at VMA by looking through a variety of memorabilia set up in the VMA Conference room. The memorabilia included old school uniforms, Villa Notes, yearbooks, photos of the school and a slide show featuring students over the years. The weather that evening was perfect and the Villa’s back patio was transformed from a gathering place for students over the years into a high-class venue including tables adorned with white table cloths, daisy bouquets, and sparkling lights on the trees that lined the patio. Tables were labeled with class years for Alumni to easily find one another and enjoy their meal. As the evening continued, the Alumni enjoyed music from the 60’s through 2000’s that was played by DJ and Prep Alumnus, Austin Smith `09. The largest group gathered that evening, with over 50 classmates and guests, was from the Class of 1967 who came out in force to celebrate their “50th reunion!”
The classes held a wide variety of individual activities on Saturday, including an evening at the new Marriott on the Bayfront, an evening at Presque Isle Lighthouse, a gathering at Beer on the Bay, and drinks at the Public House. Many who attended these events commented that it was a great way to reconnect with their Villa sisters and brothers from years past, and they were very glad they attended.
An Open House featuring a Mass and brunch were held Sunday, July 23rd, at the Villa Maria Academy Auditorium and Cafeteria. Fr. Scott Jabo and Villa’s Campus Minister, Fr. Mike DeMartines, concelebrated mass and welcomed our Alumni thanking them and their families for returning home to Villa for Reunion Weekend. Villa’s Show Choir Director and Music teacher, Mr. Andrew Alesso, and his wife Mrs. Jessica Alesso, also a VMA faculty member in the MVP Department, provided the music to make for a beautiful service. Alumnae Sr. Nancy Fischer `67 and Marcia Jobes Welsh `67 contributed to the Mass celebration as readers. After Mass, a brunch was held at the VMA Cafeteria. The school was open for tours throughout the Open House, and the Villa Victor Spirit Store was open for all interested in taking home a VMA souvenir. Alumni were pleasantly surprised at the recently updated Dance Studio, Science Labs, Fitness Center, Chapel, and Villa Café. Many came with their families and talked of the wonderful days spent at VMA. The special bond held by those who graduated from VMA was strongly felt by all who attended.
