Thursday, September 11, 2008 St. Mary's School celebrates 22nd Foundation Day
LAST September 7-9, St. Mary's School marks its 22nd year of establishment, signifying its contribution to community service, quality education and holistic formation.
The activities alone were proofs that St. Mary's School indeed painstakingly prepared for the event. For the past month or so, teachers, parents and students alike were busy planning for their booths, making dance moves and steps, creating chords for the musical performances, and of course, sweating it all out in barn dance practices and field demonstrations.
The three-day occasion consisted of the traditional line up of activities, and of course exciting new activities. Kicking off with a motorcade on the 7th of September, the St. Mary's community went around and toured the streets of CdeO. In an array of vehicles, the whole family wore jovial faces and waved colorful flags and bright balloons. This was followed by a lively afternoon of Family Bingo Jamboree with exciting awards awaiting everyone, held in the very new and functional High School Lobby.
Day 2, on the 8th of September, began with a mass as a tribute to Mother Mary, the school's patron saint. After the mass was the ribbon cutting followed by the opening ceremonies. Then, the real fun began with the opening of the various stalls and booths. People, young and old, streamed the campus, buying knick-knacks, checking out trinkets, and of course, trying out tasty food and assorted snacks. In the afternoon, a delightful Field Demonstration by the Pre-School Department took place, followed by the much-awaited Battle of the Bands, wherein the high school students showcased their talents in composing and singing in a contest of musical aptitude and skill. In the evening, a razzle-dazzle of performances were staged, which was the product of much preparation - the Variety Show.
A Field Demonstration of the Grade School Department started the ball rolling on the 3rd day of the celebrations on the 9th of September, with dance and Martial Art numbers that surely wowed everyone. About 10 in the morning, an invitational basketball game was held in the Covered Court, and at 11, a Parents-Teachers-Administrators Table Tennis Fellowship took place in the airy High School Lobby. In the evening, dressed up in Western fashion and Cowboy wear, the St. Mary's Family, together with the alumni, square-danced the night away to the beat of Western songs and good old country music. As has been the tradition of St. Mary's, the students performed awe-inspiring barn dance numbers that surely knocked everyone's socks off. Every year, the atmosphere of the Barn dance transports everyone to a Western countryside world of cowboy boots, funky cowboy hats, and heel-and-toe dancing. (Press release)
