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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret’s Dedicates New Building
(l. to r.) SMS Chaplain Ann Reeder Riggs, Headmistress Margaret Broad, and Campaign Co-Chair Margaret S. Ray, at the dedication of The Community/Technology Center, Friday, October 8, 1999.
Perhaps the biggest surprise on Friday evening, October 9, at the dedication of St. Margaret’s new state-of-the-art science facility, The Community/Technology Center, was the honorary naming of the building’s dining facility. In honor of St. Margaret’s Head of School Margaret Broad, the dining area was officially named the Margaret Robinson Broad Dining Room. The special dedication was made possible by a joint gift to The Campaign for St. Margaret’s School - Educating Young Women for Life in a New Century by Campaign Co-Chair, Margaret S. Ray, of Virginia Beach, and Ray’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Ray 3rd.
Located directly above two science labs/classrooms, faculty offices, and a computer lab on the ground floor, the spacious dining area is the centerpiece of the building’s main floor. "It’s a good thing I have a lot of practice giving speeches trying not to cry in public," laughed Margaret Broad who was humbled by the evening’s surprise. "What a special moment to be publicly recognized in this way and to have this magnificent dining facility named in my honor. Those of you who know me well, know I look forward to family-style meals with good conversation...and cooking is one of my first loves, so how fitting. I send a spirited ‘thank you’ to Margaret [Ray], Janie [Whitt Sellers], and Sarah Belle [Parrott], and everyone else who made this possible."
A crowd upwards of 350 persons gathered around The Community/Technology Center’s front entrance as Susie Saltz, of Richmond, played bagpipe. Led by SMS music director Beverly Gordon, St. Margaret’s Treble Choir and Ensemble opened the dedication ceremony with a heart-warming rendition of Gloria Patri by G.P. Palestina. The Reverend Ann Reeder Riggs gave the invocation and introduced SMS Board of Governors’ Chair Sarah Belle Eason Parrott, of Roanoke, who spoke on behalf of the school’s Board.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our ties with the community and to recognize the ever increasing and important role technology plays in our lives," Parrott said. "This wonderful facility will serve not only the one-hundred and fifty young girls who study at St. Margaret’s, but the faculty, staff, and local community as well."
St. Margaret's Headmistress, Margaret R. Broad, greets people as they head inside for dessert and a tour of St. Margaret's newest building.
Headmistress Broad closed the evening by furthering the school’s thanks to the extended community of St. Margaret’s School. "Tonight I stand on these steps as the very proud Headmistress of St. Margaret’s School at a significant moment in her history, but I am really here to represent all of you for you are the people who made this possible," Broad said. "The community center gives tangible form to our mission. It also provides us a place to give up-to-date instruction, to meet together formally and informally, and to welcome our neighbors, community organizations, and extended families to enjoy this magnificent site. Here is Tappahannock at its best, and we are proud to share this space with you."
Broad asked for a moment of silence to recognize two individuals, the late James Moore who died last week, and Dennis Sheehan, who died earlier this year. Their tireless effort and steadfast dedication to the community will last forever in our memory, said Broad. Moore served on the school’s Community Relations Committee and was instrumental in the planning of The Community/Technology Center and The Campaign for St. Margaret’s School; Sheehan served on the Foundation Board and gave three tennis courts to the school.
Following the dedication all moved inside for dessert and a tour of the new building. "Welcome to the new St. Margaret’s School," announced Broad.
