Remembering Rita (Hall, ’55) Cloud

August 31, 2026

St. Teresa’s Academy remembers Rita (Hall, ‘55) Cloud, who recently passed away. Rita was the first Black student to attend the Academy, arriving as a junior in 1953. Before she enrolled, Rita was told that she might not be comfortable at STA. She remembers thinking, “Well, they all wear uniforms, so how do they dress differently than I would?” Once she arrived, Rita quickly made friends and became part of the STA community.

Rita’s confidence and sense of humor remained with her throughout her life. Decades after graduation, when she was contacted and asked if she knew she had been STA’s first Black student, she responded with her characteristic wit: “Well, honey. You didn’t need to tell ME that!” She returned to campus in 2021 for Alumnae Reunion weekend and was a special guest at STA’s first Black Alumnae Reunion, which brought nearly 90 Black alumnae together. During that visit, Rita also spent time with students and proudly purchased a red STA blazer from the Star Shop, which she wore around campus.

Rita continued to stay connected to the Academy, attending alumnae gatherings in California and joining the 2026 Connecting the Stars event in San Diego. Rita’s place in the Academy’s history extends beyond being its first Black student. She was a trailblazer who built friendships, embraced her experience at STA and remained connected to the school and its students throughout her life.

In Rita’s memory, her family has established the Rita Cloud Memorial Scholarship at St. Teresa’s Academy. The scholarship will carry her legacy forward by supporting future generations of young women.

Read her full obituary here.