Field Day on Monday for our 1 – 8th Class children was equaled with just as beautiful a day for our PP and Primary Field Day, yesterday. I join you all as we continue to linger with deep gratitude over these delightful days.
On Tuesday, we held our traditional Eighth Class Dinner. Mr. Kevin Tollefson was an eloquent emcee for the evening while the students were endearing, fun, funny and adult-like as they socialized with their parents and teachers. Most importantly, Eighth Class students used the evening as an opportunity to thank their parents for the gift of this education. It is a huge sacrifice for most people to send their children to this Academy. The full effect of the enormity of this gift is not experienced by our children until they are on the verge of their departure. (And for some, the depth of this discovery comes later).
Today, as I write this, we anticipate yet another of our most treasured traditions: our May Crowning Liturgy and Ceremony. Whether we crown Mary’s statue in Rauch Memorial Gym or in our beautiful outdoor grotto (depending on the weather) we take time to honor the mother of the person who was for us the perfect human revelation of God. The interior beauty of this woman who was able to nurture the development of Jesus as a baby, growing boy and emerging young man, inspires us to want to not only honor and emulate her virtues, but to ask her to intercede for us with her Son, as we pray for God’s Graces to help us to lead similarly virtuous lives.
Two other happenings today: our Maypole Dance, which was introduced in the first half of the 20th century, inspires our children to beauty, grace and elegance. The other is a tradition we began today – an inauguration for our Eighth Class boys into the spiritually courageous life of St. John Francis Regis, Philippine Duchesne’s favorite saint and after whom our Regis Hall is named. It is a tradition we hope to continue with our emerging young men of the Sacred Heart.
Finally, tomorrow we have what is one of the most special and formal days in our school year – our Eighth Class Prize Day. Every Eighth Class student comes forward to receive a gift from the school, each one receives a special personalized merit, and special prizes are distributed for various virtues, character traits, the living of our Goals and Criteria, and for demonstrated excellence in academic classes. The first Prize Day ceremony occurred on this campus in the summer of 1819. Continuing this, one of our oldest traditions, is our way of honoring the journey of each child into the fullness of who they are meant to be.
These days are special and treasured. They are so, MOST OF ALL, becausethrough them we form, honor and hopefully continue to transform the lives of all of our students, who, through the living of their lives, will CONTINUE to give Honor and Glory to God!
United in God’s All Embracing Love,
Maureen Glavin, rscj
Eight girls from the Class of 2013 participated in the Academy’s second annual Ability Awareness Camp this week. They volunteered as junior counselors for children with special needs at Camp We Can Du, a day camp at Babler State Park sponsored by the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA). The ASH counselors spent off-hours at the Academy—sleeping, eating and reflecting on their days at camp. This experience exemplifies the living of Goal III of Sacred Heart Education, A Social Awareness Which Impels to Action.
