St. Mary’s Dominican High School alumnae returned to their alma mater for the 64th Homecoming Mass and Luncheon on Saturday, April 11h to celebrate class anniversaries and recognize the 2026 Alumna of the Year Sally Ann Russo, Class of 2004. The honoree was saluted for offering her time, talents, and leadership wherever they are needed. Her dedication to Dominican is particularly inspiring. Sally has invested countless hours strengthening the school’s alumnae community through sustained and impactful leadership. She served two years as Vice President of the Alumnae Advisory Council, followed by two years as President of the Alumnae Association. Since August 2022, she has also served Dominican as a member of the Board of Directors, offering thoughtful guidance and an unwavering commitment to advancing Dominican’s mission. Her love for the school is evident in her generosity, involvement, and steadfast support of its students, alumnae, and future.

In her professional life, Sally has built a distinguished career in human resources at Ochsner Health where she is Assistant Vice President of Human Resources Compliance and Employee Relations. Early in her career, one of Sally’s leaders saw that she had what it took to excel — sound judgment, discretion, candor, and a commitment to her own excellence and to supporting others’ excellence. These qualities have helped Sally guide leaders in the organization through the most sensitive of challenges, particularly in her roles leading employee relations and compliance. She approaches her work not simply as a job, but as a calling to ensure fairness, dignity, and integrity in every environment she touches.

Beyond her professional and alumnae leadership, Sally was saluted for living Dominican values in every aspect of her life, serving her community with dedication and working actively for justice, always mindful of the dignity of every person. In her personal life, she devotes herself wholeheartedly to service. She is an active volunteer with Hogs for the Cause, contributing her talents to a team that raises critical funds to assist families with children who are battling brain cancer. She brings the same commitment and heart to this work as she does to her career, always seeking ways to serve others with humility and compassion while also having fun.

​Following the Homecoming Mass that was celebrated by Fr. Patrick Carr, Pastor of St. Rita Church, the Class of 1976 announced its $60,000 donation for the Sr. Dominic Savio Endowed Scholarship. Sr. Savio’s distinguished tenure included faculty, administrative, and leadership positions: President (1994-1997); Assistant Principal (1973-1976); Administrative Assistant in the Attendance Office (2010-2020); English Department Chairperson; teacher of English, Religion, and Yearbook Lab Moderator for Clubs, Yearbook, Mothers’ Club Parents’ Club, and Dominican College Alumnae Board. As one whose life is part of Dominican’s history, Sr. Savio wrote the history of St. Mary’s Dominican High School.

​Homecoming recognition of milestone anniversaries were the Class of 1976 that marked its 50th anniversary and the Class of 2001 that observed its 25th anniversary. Other saluted class years were 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. Alumnae Lee Pittman ’51 was recognized as the wisest and Lauren Guidroz ’15 was the youngest alum present.

​There also were acknowledgments to Anna Maria Mitchell ’45 for her donation of the Alumna of the Year Award which was given in memory of her parents Rose and Guy D’Antonio and grandparents Angelina and Joseph Caruso. Alumnae received rosaries designed by Rebecca “Becky” Bellows Crawford ’86 and made by Peggy Delarosa ’69.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Alumna of the Year Sally Russo ’04 (center) with President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas (left) and Alumnae Director Celeste Shelsey Anding ’82.

Holding the enlarged $60,000 check from the Class of 1976 to start the Sr. Dominic Savio Endowed Scholarship, are (from left), St. Mary’s Dominican High School Vice President of Advancement Jamie Gaubert Lassere ’87, President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas, Rosemary Wheelahan Tunstall ’76, and Alumnae Director Celeste Shelsey Anding ’82.

At St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s 64th Annual Homecoming, members of the Class of 1976 gather for a group photo with their $60,000 check for the Sr. Dominic Savio Endowed Scholarship.

PHOTO GALLERY