Celebrating 70 Years

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In September of 1954, sixty-four students entered St. Anthony’s school building as the pioneer class of Padua Academy. Padua’s first class graduated in 1958, and since then over 8,000 alumnae have been part of 70 years of scholarship and sisterhood.

These seventy years have taught us how important each student, parent, volunteer, donor and staff member is to our “school with a soul.” As we celebrate Padua, its 70 years, and the many individuals who make it what it is, we invite you into a full year of anniversary celebrations.

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All Alumnae Events

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Alumnae Happy Hour: April 12

We look forward to once again celebrating our annual Alumnae Happy Hour on Friday, April 12, 2024. Information for registration is up on Padua's social media, and was emailed to alumnae. Reach out to alumnae@paduaacademy.org if you have questions.
Screening of A Man for Others: June 13

Join us to celebrate the life and contributions of Father Roberto Balducelli: priest, war hero, builder and miracle worker. This 90 minute documentary on Father Roberto’s life is directed by Nina Juliano Rudloff, a Padua alumna. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, and attendees can head over to the Italian Festival at the conclusion of the screening!

Screening will begin at 5:00pm in Padua's Cafetorium and will include an opportunity for Q&A with the director. We ask for guest to get their FREE ticket here so they can plan appropriately for seating and snacks.
Blue Rocks Padua Night: June 18

Join us for Padua Night at the Wilmington Blue Rocks Stadium on June 18th at 6:35 PM!

Get ready for an evening of fun and baseball as Padua Academy takes over the stadium! Purchase your tickets online at bluerocks.com/group-portal using Group Passcode: Padua24. Tickets are only $10 for Upper Box seats! Plus, all Padua Academy Students and Staff get in FREE with their student ID card at the box office.

This event is open to Padua families, students, staff, parents, alumnae, and friends. Make sure to grab your tickets by 6 PM on Monday, June 17th. Let's cheer on our team and make some unforgettable memories together! See you at the game!

For more information visit our Padua Blue Rocks Night Page
Welcome Back Weekend: Sept. 5 - 8
From September 5 through 8, we want to welcome you back to your Padua home! We have a weekend’s worth of different activities – come to as many as you’d like.
September 5, Thursday
- Padua Home Volleyball game. Link to purchase tickets will be updated closer to the date.
September 6, Friday
- Happy Hour at Kelly's Logan House from 6-8pm
September 7, Saturday
- 5K: Location is Rockford Tower. Registration begins at 9am and race starts at 10am. More details and registration info HERE.
- Padua Home Field Hockey game and Tailgate. Link to purchase tickets will be updated closer to the date. Registration link will be available soon for the tailgate.
September 8, Sunday
- Sunday Mass at St. Anthony's Church at 5pm.
- Spaghetti Dinner in Padua’s Cafetorium from 4pm - 8pm. Tickets will be available for purchase online.
Dedication of Gym Floor: Dec. 7

Join us in dedicating the gym floor in honor of Brother Michael Rosenello & Mrs. Lucille Smith on Saturday, December 7th at our home varsity basketball game vs. Caesar Rodney.

This dedication will honor the first head coaches of Padua's basketball team.
Sip & Shop: December

While the date is still being finalized, we plan to hold our Sip ’n Shop event again in December of 2024. Keep your eyes peeled for more information in the fall of 2024 if you’d like to be involved as a vendor or as a shopper!

Decade Specific Events

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20's Decade Celebration: December 18th at 2pm

Join other alumnae from the Classes of 2020 through2024 to celebrate Padua's "Twenty-Twenties" history on December 18th at 2pm at the University and Whist Club (right across 9th Street from Padua). Padua will provide light refreshments, and some of our teaching staff will stop by to say hello. Please use THIS LINK to RSVP and let us know you're coming -- it is a huge help to have an accurate sense of count going into the event. We are looking forward to celebrating with you!
10's Decade Celebration: November 14th at 6pm

Join other alumnae from the Classes of 2010 through 2020 to celebrate Padua's "Twenty-Tens" history on November 14th at 6pm at the University and Whist Club (right across 9th Street from Padua). Padua will provide light refreshments, and there will be a cash bar. Please use THIS LINK to RSVP and let us know you're coming -- it is a huge help to have an accurate sense of count going into the event. We are looking forward to celebrating with you!
00's Decade Celebration: October 16th at 6pm

Join other alumnae from the Classes of 2000 through 2009 to celebrate Padua's early 2000s history on October 16th at 6pm at the University and Whist Club (right across 9th Street from Padua). Padua will provide light refreshments, and there will be a cash bar. Please use THIS LINK to RSVP and let us know you're coming -- it is a huge help to have an accurate sense of count going into the event. We are looking forward to celebrating with you!
90's Decade Celebration: September 19th at 6pm

Join other alumnae from the Classes of 1990 through 1999 to celebrate Padua's "nineties" history on September 19th at 6pm at the University and Whist Club (right across 9th Street from Padua). Padua will provide light refreshments, and there will be a cash bar. Please use THIS LINK to RSVP and let us know you're coming -- it is a huge help to have an accurate sense of count going into the event. We are looking forward to celebrating with you!
80's Decade Celebration: See Recap

On May 14, 2024, members of Padua's Classes of 1980 through 1989 came together to celebrate Padua's "eighties" history! The event was held at the University and Whist Club, with alumnae from all ten classes making use of the opportunity to reconnect. Even though it was a rainy evening, it didn't deter our amazing alumnae! The event included light refreshments and a cash bar. A full photo album of the event is posted to the Alumnae Facebook page.
70's Decade Celebration: See Recap

On April 23, 2024, members of Padua's Classes of 1970 through 1979 came together to celebrate Padua’s “seventies” history! The event was held at the University and Whist Club, with attendees thoroughly enjoying time together to reconnect and reminisce. The event offered light refreshments and a cash bar. Padua's a cappella group, the Broom Street Belles, joined the gathering to share a few of their songs. There's no question that these alumnae loved being together, and the Class of 1979 gets a special shout out for having the largest showing! A few alumnae even extended their evening with a visit after the event to Padua's Evening of the Arts where they enjoyed the artwork of our current students. A full photo album from the event is posted to the Alumnae Facebook page.
60's Decade Celebration: See Recap

On March 27, 2024, members of Padua's Classes of 1960 through 1969 came together to celebrate Padua’s “sixties” history! There were even a few alumnae from the Class of 1970 who wanted to see their friends who graduated ahead of them! The afternoon tea was held at the University and Whist Club, with attendees enjoying time together to reconnect and reminisce. Some alumnae even came early to join our students for Stations of the Cross before walking over to the event.

A current student shared with our alumnae guests: "I love Padua for many reasons, one reason being because it allows me to express who I am and teaches me the skills to become the person I hope to be one day...I am very fortunate to say I have had so many opportunities to learn through clubs and sports. In the classroom and on the court, I have been able to grow as a person and grow in leadership. I have also encountered true sisterhood in all of the classes, clubs, and sports I participate in....I have truly found such a family on [the dance] team and it is the place I call home in this school. From me and the rest of the Padua pandas, thank you so much for your role in the history of this school that we love and appreciate so much."
50's Decade Celebration: See Recap

On February 27, 2024, members of Padua's Classes of 1958 and 1959 came together to celebrate Padua’s “fifties” history! The brunch event was held at the University and Whist Club, with attendees enjoying time together to reconnect and reminisce. A current student shared with our alumnae guests: "As a member of Padua’s Class of 2025, I am excited to share this celebration with you. Even so early in our 70th year, it’s clear that Padua is what it is today thanks to the foundation laid by you and so many others. I am grateful to have inherited the Padua tradition you began. It is the tradition of an academic community deeply impacted by faith and service. One of the things I appreciate about Padua is the culture fostered and the community of students and faculty who strive to create a more inclusive, welcoming environment for each person who walks through Padua’s doors." Photos from the event are posted here.