Ruben Day, an immigrant and Billings Central graduate of 1954. During his elementary years, his family could not afford to send Ruben to Kate Fratt Memorial School. In attending St. Patrick’s church, Fr. Richard Hopkins took Ruben under his wing. Knowing of Ruben’s wish to attend a Catholic school, Fr. Hopkins paid the $25 tuition fee! Attending Billings Catholic Schools was a life changing formation for Ruben. In gratitude, he gave back to the schools: He helped to establish the Billings Area Catholic Education Trust, Mayfair, and the Search program. He was an active Rotarian. He mentored many young professionals in their careers! In furthering Ruben’s legacy, a humble man with a deep faith, his children established the Viva Cristo Rey Scholarship to provide for a student, in the same way Fr. Hopkins did for Ruben.
This endowed scholarship provides $4,000 to a St. Francis student, who could not otherwise afford Catholic schools, annually.
