200 Years: WRA's Bicentennial Celebration
Kicking Off With the Total Solar Eclipse
Our celebration has only just begun. Today we are gathered in the spirit of community to celebrate two special occasions, a rare solar eclipse seen in its totality, and the nearing 200th birthday of Western Reserve Academy. The convergence of these two impactful events may be coincidental but their synergy and meaning are undeniably entwined.
- Head of School Suzanne Walker Buck
April 8th, 2024 | Eclipse Day
On Monday, April 8, on the turf of the WRA Stadium, the Western Reserve Academy community took in the extraordinary celestial spectacle of a Total Solar Eclipse. It is a rare thing to live in the path of totality — just as it is rare, and special, for a high school to turn 200 years old. What a perfect event to begin our Bicentennial celebrations. Read the full event recap here.
More On the Horizon
Our Eclipse Day celebration was only the beginning! As we approach our 200th year in 2026, we have big plans and programming ahead. Below we've highlighted some of the upcoming initiatives and Bicentennial events, with a comprehensive timeline and events calendar to come.
A Bicentennial only comes around once. Don't miss this chance to join the celebration and stay tuned for more!
Bicentennial News
![WRA Ushers in the First in Our Bicentennial Alumni Event Series — Reunion Weekend 2024!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717604872/westernreserve/h2zcnyovghejqdjtvtgx/2024-06-05_reunionthumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717604872/westernreserve/h2zcnyovghejqdjtvtgx/2024-06-05_reunionthumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717604872/westernreserve/h2zcnyovghejqdjtvtgx/2024-06-05_reunionthumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1717604872/westernreserve/h2zcnyovghejqdjtvtgx/2024-06-05_reunionthumbnail.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1717604872/westernreserve/h2zcnyovghejqdjtvtgx/2024-06-05_reunionthumbnail.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1717604872/westernreserve/h2zcnyovghejqdjtvtgx/2024-06-05_reunionthumbnail.jpg","width":2200}])
Bicentennials and birthdays were celebrated in style, with a bright spotlight shone on this year’s theme, Innovation.
![The Keigo Hirakawa Quartet kicks off Bicentennial Recital Series]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715004643/westernreserve/dsmlni5alaat0iqyfpa4/2024-05-06_KiegoHirakawa.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1715004643/westernreserve/dsmlni5alaat0iqyfpa4/2024-05-06_KiegoHirakawa.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1715004643/westernreserve/dsmlni5alaat0iqyfpa4/2024-05-06_KiegoHirakawa.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1715004643/westernreserve/dsmlni5alaat0iqyfpa4/2024-05-06_KiegoHirakawa.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715004643/westernreserve/dsmlni5alaat0iqyfpa4/2024-05-06_KiegoHirakawa.png","width":1367}])
Hirakawa ’96 and collaborators enlivened the Chapel with a dazzling jazz performance.
![Dr. Menna Demessie ’98 returns to WRA as Waring Prize Speaker and second luminary in the Bicentennial Speaker Series]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1714567297/westernreserve/q6r2rv4m0jl0dnrbhjd8/2024-05-01_menna.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1714567297/westernreserve/q6r2rv4m0jl0dnrbhjd8/2024-05-01_menna.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1714567297/westernreserve/q6r2rv4m0jl0dnrbhjd8/2024-05-01_menna.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1714567297/westernreserve/q6r2rv4m0jl0dnrbhjd8/2024-05-01_menna.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1714567297/westernreserve/q6r2rv4m0jl0dnrbhjd8/2024-05-01_menna.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1714567297/westernreserve/q6r2rv4m0jl0dnrbhjd8/2024-05-01_menna.png","width":2200}])
Dr. Demessie, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Universal Music Group’s global Task Force for Meaningful Change, spoke to the Reserve community about the incredible coalescence of artistry, culture and impact.
![EDWINS Founder & CEO Brandon Chrostowski named 2024 Commencement Speaker]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1713531354/westernreserve/hxzipino4xwmmovblqgz/2024-04-19_CommencementSpeaker.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1713531354/westernreserve/hxzipino4xwmmovblqgz/2024-04-19_CommencementSpeaker.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1713531354/westernreserve/hxzipino4xwmmovblqgz/2024-04-19_CommencementSpeaker.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1713531354/westernreserve/hxzipino4xwmmovblqgz/2024-04-19_CommencementSpeaker.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1713531354/westernreserve/hxzipino4xwmmovblqgz/2024-04-19_CommencementSpeaker.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1713531354/westernreserve/hxzipino4xwmmovblqgz/2024-04-19_CommencementSpeaker.png","width":2200}])
As the WRA Center for Food Innovation, Sustainability and Service prepares to launch, Cleveland restaurateur and social entrepreneur will give Pioneers an inspiring send off.
![PBS Journalist John Yang ’75 shares stories at WRA]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712949212/westernreserve/wlgyfrl8mzrq55lrluzv/2024-04-12_yang.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712949212/westernreserve/wlgyfrl8mzrq55lrluzv/2024-04-12_yang.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1712949212/westernreserve/wlgyfrl8mzrq55lrluzv/2024-04-12_yang.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1712949212/westernreserve/wlgyfrl8mzrq55lrluzv/2024-04-12_yang.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1712949212/westernreserve/wlgyfrl8mzrq55lrluzv/2024-04-12_yang.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1712949212/westernreserve/wlgyfrl8mzrq55lrluzv/2024-04-12_yang.png","width":2200}])
Yang is this year’s Knight Fellow and inaugural speaker in the Bicentennial Speakers Series