Nearly a century of faith, scholarship and leadership took center stage Saturday night as All Saints Cathedral School hosted its 2026 Annual Gala, “Viking Vanguards: Honoring Our Legacy, Charting the Future,” at My Brother’s Workshop Event Hall.
“98 years — isn’t that great?” host Mary Rhymer told the crowd, drawing applause for a school that has shaped generations of Virgin Islanders. She described the Viking community as one built on faith, compassion and a shared commitment to nurturing the whole child — mind, body and spirit. A gala like this, she said, is more than a celebration. It is a moment to pause and reflect on the impact All Saints has had on children, families and the wider community — and to rally around sustaining that mission for the years ahead.
Head of School Carla Sarauw and Board Chair Jimez Ashby Jr., a 2013 graduate, welcomed supporters and underscored that the evening’s fundraising efforts directly support academic programs, teachers and campus improvements. Sarauw said tuition alone does not cover the true cost of educating a student, noting that the school bridges a financial gap each year to ensure access. She added that fundraising helps prevent families from being priced out while maintaining strong academic standards. Professional development for teachers also remains a priority, she added, along with ensuring students learn to use emerging tools like artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively.
The evening also honored two women whose lives reflect the school’s values in action.
Lillian Garfield received the 2026 Steward of Service Award in recognition of decades of public service, church leadership and community advocacy. A lifelong Virgin Islander, Garfield spent 35 years with the Government of the Virgin Islands in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s Division of Banking and Insurance and served as a shop steward for Local 8249 of the United Steelworkers. Her service extends well beyond government — from leadership roles at Cathedral Church of All Saints to the Charlotte Amalie High School Band Boosters, United Way and neighborhood associations. Known affectionately around campus as “Miss Carnival,” she continues to support cultural initiatives across the territory.
Accepting the award, Garfield reflected on what the institution has meant to the community. “I take pride in this award, of service above self,” she said, looking out over the audience. “This institution has been in this community for 98 years. Much has been given and much has been received.” She spoke of the generations of graduates who now serve as nurses, doctors, attorneys, judges, ministers and educators. “You know what All Saints means to this community and the world,” she said. “The service in education — these students have a great purpose.”
Also honored was alumna Gabrielle Querrard, recipient of the Viking Legacy Award. A correspondent with the Virgin Islands Source, Querrard has built a digital platform reaching more than 60,000 followers through content centered on Caribbean culture and history and co-hosts the Caribbean Mystics Podcast, which has surpassed 80,000 downloads. She has worked in creative direction with Mango Media Marketing, contributed to a Roc Nation artist shoot and co-hosted Season 3 of Tempo Networks’ “Hot Ones Caribbean.” Still, she credits All Saints with laying the foundation long before those opportunities emerged.
“I think one of the special parts about All Saints is that it focuses on the whole child,” Querrard said. “It’s not just about academic excellence, but moral fiber.” She described how daily prayer and the school’s connection to the church shaped her sense of discipline and discernment. “All Saints prepared me for the world that I would meet,” she said — a world that demands punctuality, integrity and vigilance. “It’s almost impossible to walk away from an upbringing like that and not carry prayer and God and miracles with you for the rest of your life.”
The celebration also carried its share of lively moments. Live auctioneer George Silcott Jr. stirred the crowd, igniting a bidding war over a “staycation” package featuring a stay at At Home in the Tropics and dinner at Café Amalia. The highest live auction bid of the night came from All Saints Athletic Director Joseph Limeburner, who won a six-person poolside cabana day for the school’s volunteer coaches. “They do so much for our young athletes,” he said. “I hope they’ll enjoy it.”
As the school approaches its centennial, Sarauw said the school’s focus remains steady: strengthening academic programs, continuing meaningful professional development and drawing alumni back into the life of the school. “We built you,” she said of graduates who live within the community. “Come back. Give your ideas. Help us continue the work.”
