Message from the Principal
Dear Saints,
What a year!! Academically, our seniors performed superbly. They were accepted at the best colleges and universities in the country, including Harvard and Brown just to name a few, and are the recipients of more than $30 million dollars in college scholarships and awards (4-year total). The school was recognized as the “School of the Year” by the RIIL Athletic Directors’, and our student-athletes brought home an amazing 8 state championships. Our thespians earned multiple awards from PPAC for their Fall musical (Mary Poppins) performance and the Spring One-Act play earned the SRA Drama program a berth in the New England Drama Festival.
All of this doesn’t happen without the support of our wonderful alumni. Your kindness and generosity have a positive impact on our student’s lives every day on Walcott Street. On behalf of the student body, thank you for everything you do to support the mission of Saint Raphael Academy. I hope all of you have a blessed and enjoyable summer.
In Peace,
Dan Richard
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Jayla Grimes '25
What year are you in at Saints?
I just completed my sophomore year. Class of 2025.
What is your favorite class here in Saints and why?
Art is my favorite class because I enjoy drawing. It gives me chance to express myself. Mrs. Larned makes me like this class even more because she is a caring individual who enjoys seeing people’s art style. In art, it is a great time to unwind. When I had a stressful day in class, art class calms me down.
What activities are you involved in here at Saints?
I am part of the school’s track team. I run indoor and outdoor track. My freshman year I played basketball, and I ran outdoor track. I realized I did not have a passion for basketball. This made me start indoor track my sophomore year. Like art, I enjoy track because it is comforting. If I am having a stressful day, I unwind at practice. I hope to continue with track.
What is your favorite part of being a student at Saints? My favorite part of being a student at Saints is being part of the community. When I got the acceptance letter, I was very excited. I enjoy that here at Saints, they care a lot about education, which I think is very important. Since they are on top of the grades, it influences people to try harder. I also created good bonds at Saints.
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Nicholas Pires '26
What year are you in at Saints?
I just completed my freshmen year. Class of 2026.
What is your favorite class here at Saints and why? My favorite class at Saints is Biology with Ms. Spinello because she makes the class interesting and fun.
What activities are you involved in here at Saints? I play for the JV and Varsity soccer team, lacrosse, and I run the lights and construct the sets for the drama program.
What is your favorite part of being a student at Saints? My favorite part of being a student at Saints is the community and how close everyone is like a family.
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Sara Costanzo
What year and how long have you been a teacher here at Saints and what’s the best part of being a teacher at Saints? I started in the Fall of 2000. 22 years ago! The best part of being a teacher at Saints is the Community. We are a Saints Family.
What classes do you teach?
I currently teach Forensics, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, and the Semester Anatomy class.
Are there any after school programs or activities you’re involved with?
I am one of the Directors of the Drama Club and I moderate the National Honor Society.
What message do you have for your students?
Take advantage of all the opportunities and support at Saints! Get involved!
I understand you’re the STEAM coordinator at Saints, can you tell us a little about the STEAM program?
STEAM is an incredible program that encourages the integration of the Arts into curriculum and also cross-curriculum projects. It allows students to be creative and learn how different subject areas connect. STEAM is Science and Technology driven, like STEM, but with the incorporation of the Arts we are allowed to have far more diverse projects. STEAM provides for more opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and use their talents creating unforgettable learning experiences.
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Lauren Gaj '13
What year and how long have you been a teacher here at Saints and what’s the best part of being a teacher at Saints?
I became a teacher at Saints this school year after making an unexpected but welcome career change. The best part about being a teacher at Saints is getting to work with our students every day. They challenge me and teach me, just as much as I hope to challenge and teach them. They are creative, funny, and wonderful young adults that I have the honor to spend time with each day. It is so wonderful to once again be part of the Saints family on a daily basis.
What classes do you teach? Are there any after school programs or activities you’re involved with?
I currently teach Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. I am an assistant girls’ basketball coach, as well as a junior class moderator.
What is it like being an alumnus and a teacher to future alumni?
It is surreal to be back on Walcott Street and teaching future Saints alumni. I am proud to be an alumna, and I hope that I can create the same environment for the current students as so many great faculty and staff did for me when I was in high school. I know what it was like to walk down Walcott Street each day, and it is really cool to see today’s students experience the same thing and create their own Saints memories.
What message do you have for your students?
My biggest message to my students is to be proud of themselves and to believe that they can do difficult things. I want them to be willing to embrace challenges and find strength in themselves. I hope that I encourage them to work hard in whatever they are doing and to set their mind towards their goals, whatever they may be.
Based on the courses you teach, how are your classes integrated with the STEAM program?
In Science, we use STEAM all of the time! We love integrating fun and creative activities into our lessons that make students apply what we have been learning in the classroom. The Egg Drop activity is a great example of this in Physics!
The Great Egg Drop: Students were tasked at creating a contraption that protected their egg when dropped from the 3rd floor of east. Each group was given the same exact materials (things like balloons, straws, coffee filters, elastics, etc.). They had to construct their contraption using these materials. This was a STEAM activity as it involved engineering their own contraption based on the mathematical principles we have been learning in class. It was a great creative way to put our concepts into action. This lab was part of our Momentum Unit. In particular, this relates to the Impulse-Momentum Theorem, where students had to think about increasing the time of the force during the collision with the ground, thus reducing the force and impulse on the egg. Many did this by cushioning or building around their egg. They also could decrease the change in momentum by decreasing the velocity as the object fell, such as through creating a parachute. They had to be careful as to not create contraptions with too much mass, as this would also increase their velocity. During the Great Egg Drop of 2023, we had a 50% success rate!
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Kyle Gamache '02
What years did you attend Saints? 1998-2002.
Can you share one of your favorite stories about your time here at Saints? One of my favorite memories of my time at Saints is the Winter Concert we had our Senior year just before Winter Break. We had the usual, wonderful holiday themed acts and songs, and ended with a brilliant lyrical masterpiece from Kevin Lubrano and Matt Silva. Really fantastic.
However, my favorite memory is Senior year when Roger Mulcahy sang to Kim (Violante) Mulcahy, al la Scream 2. They’re still together and happily married with two children today!
What have you been up to since you left Saints? I continued my education focusing on Psychology. I am a mental health counselor working for the State of Rhode Island and I am a adjunct professor of Psychology. Still live in RI, with my wife and 3 kids. We are avid runners.
How did your Saints education prepare you for life after graduation? The skills I learned at Saints were a huge advantage to me during my college career and later professional work. My experiences at Saints helped shape my perspectives as well as develop compassion and empathy.
Can you share a little about your favorite hobby & your recent success? (RI Brewer’s Guild). I got into homebrewing about ten years ago and have really jumped into the hobby full force. I make beer, wine, and mead (honey wine) constantly, and have had some success at state homebrew competitions. Two of our meads have placed in their divisions (2nd place and 4th place) and we are excited for future competitions. I am currently working on a unique mead and was able to purchase the honey from another Saints alum!
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Juan & Jessica Bedoya '12
What years did you attend Saints?
We both started at Saints as freshmen in 2008 and graduated as part of the class of 2012.
Can you share one of your favorite stories about your time here at Saints?
Juan: One of my favorite stories from my time at Saints was representing SRA at the New England Drama Festival with all of my friends.
Jessica: My favorite story/memory from my time at Saints was participating in the Saints Olympics every year. I loved dressing up for each different spirit day leading up to the ceremony and competing in different events against other classes.
What have you been up to since you left Saints?
Juan: Since graduating from Saints, I attended Harvard University where I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. I then taught English in Japan for a year, before attending NYU for law school. I now work as a lawyer in Boston.
Jessica: After graduating from Saints, I attended the University of Rhode Island where I received my bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I now work as a speech-language pathologist in a skilled nursing home in Rhode Island.
Both: The best part of our post-Saints journey occurred when we got married in 2022 after meeting during our freshmen year and being together since. We recently adopted a kitten that we named Beso. He is the light of our lives. We spend most of our free time playing with him.
How did your Saints education prepare you for life after graduation?
Juan: It prepared me for life after graduation by instilling in me a strong work ethic and showing me that I can achieve what I set my mind to.
Jessica: My Saints education prepared me for life after graduation by giving me the tools necessary to be successful at the next stage of my education. I felt like I had the skills to succeed in college, which ultimately helped me to get started in a lifelong career doing something that I love.
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The Novel Eye - Anthony Rebello '02
Anthony Rebello '02, his wife of 13 Years (dating since high school!), Kristen and their 11-year-old daughter, Mackenna, officially opened The Novel Eye in July of 2022. The Novel Eye is an Independent Eyewear Studio located in Historic Wickford Village that focuses its’ collection on Handcrafted, Unique in Design and Colorful eyewear from smaller Independent Eyewear labels! Most Optometrists and big box optical retailers do not carry the lines they offer, and it is their hope that what you find are higher quality and unique eyeglasses and sunglasses, whether for a prescription or not!
Anthony began working as an Optical Lab Technician at LensCrafters while at Rhode Island College studying for his undergrad in Communications. After graduating in 2007, Anthony continued working PT at LensCrafters and began writing for The Sun Chronicle in SE MA as a beat reporter for the Town of Rehoboth. However, a full-time opportunity came at LC and Anthony eventually went back to school to study for his A.A.S in Ophthalmic Studies and became a RI Licensed Optician in 2011!
Anthony moved on from LC in 2014 as a Licensed Retail Manager to a multi-unit management role as a consultant for Vision Associates, a Dispensary Management company who services 200+ Ophthalmology accounts across the US. After many years of travel, and a pandemic, Anthony took a step down and became a Licensed Area Leader for Warby Parker from 10/2020-6/2022, when he and Kristen opened The Novel Eye!
Anthony and his wife attribute much of their blessings to the work ethic and love from their parents, encouragement and support from their siblings and extended family, but mostly to their strong faith in Christ. Saints’ foundation of faith and excellence in both studies and service proved immensely beneficial to Anthony, both professionally and personally, and will carry through as The Novel Eye works to provide the gifts of Style and Sight to the community it serves!
Forwards, Backwards and Forever, much love to SRA and the Class of 2002!
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Saints International Program
Saints is fortunate to welcome international students from Spain, Brazil & China in addition to our domestic students for the 2023-2024 school year. We hope you will consider opening your hearts and homes to host an international student for a semester or complete year. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a student to life in the United States while your family learns about another culture. We have many opportunities coming up this year and in the near future!
Families who are interested in hosting should contact Bethany Couto, International Student Coordinator, at [email protected].
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The Saint Raphael Academy Alumni Board is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Saints Alumni & Friends 5k Run/Walk at Slater Park in Pawtucket, on Sunday, October 15th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Join us, along with your fellow alum, members of your former running teams, students, families, and friends for this exciting, closed course, 5k through picturesque Slater Park. There will be Rhode Runner gift certificates for the top three male and female runners overall and medals for the top male and female finishers in age groups starting 12 and under right up to 70 years old and above so everyone has a chance to claim your top spot. Tech tee shirts will be provided to the first 200 entrants and with just under 200 runners and walkers joining us last year for our inaugural event, we are expecting an even bigger turnout this year. Register early before prices increase and secure your tee shirt.
There are also many levels of sponsorship opportunities available to help support this wonderful Saints event. All proceeds from the event will go directly to helping our current and future students. Stay tuned for more information on the race and to learn more about the upcoming Class Challenge to sponsor your on-course race sign and challenge other classes to do the same. Compete for bragging rights to see which class can raise the most money and qualify for some awesome prizes. More details to follow on this and other great ways to get involved and help our Saints students.
You can use the following link to join our list of generous donors, purchase a spot on our race shirt for your business or click on the register button to take you directly into the Run Signup registration site.
Do not delay, Sprint to the Finish Line to register and save your spot today before prices increase!
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Planned Giving
During the past decade, the Academy has grown in so many wonderful ways. We built a beautiful new theater, remodeled both academic buildings, updated two wonderful cafeterias, built a new student center, and purchased a new building (193 Walcott Street, the former Christian Brothers’ residence). Additionally, we just concluded the most successful capital campaign in the history of SRA. A large portion of the campaign will be used to start a multi-million-dollar endowment to insure the future economic viability of the school. The SRA alumni made these dreams into a reality. I have been overwhelmed with the support the Academy has received from the SRA alumni! It could not have happened without you. Today, there is a very special group of SRA alumni I would like to acknowledge and highlight.
The Academy is very excited to announce the formation of The Saint Raphael Society. This Society celebrates alumni, parents, and friends who wish to support Saint Raphael Academy through an estate provision, beneficiary designation, or life income gift. There is no minimum requirement. Through your gift, you become part of a distinguished group of individuals dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of education at Saints. Today’s Saint Raphael Society members have a passion for the Academy and are willing to make commitments today that will benefit Saints for many generations to come and create their own legacy at Saint Raphael Academy. We are grateful for all our alumni and want to honor and recognize the following individuals who have made us aware of their planned giving intentions and, as a result, are now members of The Saint Raphael Society.
Donald Champagne ’60 | Kevin Donahue ’71 | William Farley ’60 | Ron Harrison ’72
David Hopkinson ’64 | Jim Leahy ’44 | James MacDougald ’46
Joseph and Rose McHale ’62 | Lawrence Miniati ’59 | Peter Miniati Jr. ’51
Peter Miniati, Esq. ’80 | James Noonan ’54 | Jack Partridge ’57 | Charles Walker ‘64
If you would like more information about The Saint Raphael Society, or the types of gifts that you can designate to Saints, please visit the Planned Giving page from the Give section of the school website, (www.saintrays.org/give). You can also contact Ron Dalton at 401-723-8100 x120, [email protected], or Dan Richard at 401-723-8100 x113, [email protected] for more information.
If you have already designated Saint Raphael Academy as a beneficiary in your future giving plans and would like to be included in the Saint Raphael Society, please click on the Donor Information button from the Planned Giving page and provide your information. No detail on the size of the gift is required but will be accepted. We ask for your information to ensure that we understand the intention and use of your gift and designate it as planned.
As we look forward to our centennial celebration of our first 100 years at Saints in 2024, your legacy gift will help ensure the future remains bright on Walcott Street for many decades to come. Thank you for all you do for Saint Raphael Academy and most importantly, for our students.
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United Way
Did you know that you can designate Saint Raphael Academy as the beneficiary of your United Way gifts? United Way brings people together to build strong, equitable communities where everyone can thrive. As one of the world's largest privately funded charities, United Way serves 95% of U.S. communities and 37 countries and territories -- making life better for 48 million people every year. Through United Way, communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic mobility, and health resources. Your support empowers people across the world to succeed in school, get on solid financial ground and live healthier lives. United Way is the mission of choice for 1.5 million volunteers, 6.8 million donors, and 45,000 corporate partners in more than 1,100 communities worldwide.
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Class Reunions
The alumni office is excited to work with classes on planning upcoming reunions. To talk details, please send an email to [email protected]
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Yearbook Collection
We are trying to complete our yearbook collection and are missing a few years.
If you or someone you know has yearbooks between the years
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School Store New Spring Arrivals & New Alumni Hoodie!
You can use the link below to shop and have your purchase shipped directly to you or make arrangements to pick up in store. Whether shopping for yourself, former or current students, the Purple and Gold Zone has you covered.
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Alumni, Update Your Information!
Have you updated your information lately? We are missing so many wonderful alumni current addresses and emails and would love to keep you informed on all the great happenings at Saint Rays! Click this link to update your info today!
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Saint Raphael Academy
123 Walcott Street
Pawtucket, R.I. 02860
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We're an accredited, co-educational high school where students are welcomed, inspired and challenged. | | | | |
