Marianapolis Celebrates Parent & Family Weekend

By Katherine LeBlanc '18
Media Team

Many alumni, families, and current students came out for Parent and Family Weekend to attend the games and participate in all of the events. The Marianapolis community spirit was evident around campus throughout the week, and many came to campus to support the Golden Knights.

The College Fair on Thursday was the first major event of the weekend, bringing over 70 college representatives to the Marianapolis campus. It was a highlight of the weekend, boasting a large attendance, and encouraging many students to begin their college process.

Friday morning, the junior class participated in the annual Ring Day ceremony. On this morning, many parents and family members arrived to campus to see their children get their class rings, after being blessed by Fr. Tim Roth MIC in a preceding mass.

Friday afternoon, many alumni stepped back onto campus for the Alumni & Community Soccer Game. They faced the boys’ varsity, JV, and IIIrds soccer teams, and ultimately lost a hard fought game, 5-4.

Later that evening, the Senior Class Council hosted the Fall Fling Dance. Students of all grade levels came and danced through the night. Vice President of the Senior Class, Kaitlyn Dodos, reflected on the night saying, “Everyone said they had a great time, and all the class officers are so happy with the final outcome. Thanks so much to all who attended!”

Saturday saw a host of athletic games on campus. In between the games was a cookout provided by Sage Dining, and enjoyed by many families. While the majority of sports teams won their games throughout the day, the girls’ varsity soccer team got their ultimate win over Class-A Worcester Academy. While falling to them previously in the season, in a 0-3 shutout, they came back swinging to defeat them 4-2.

Throughout the day, Finally Lisa’s Hair Salon from Southbridge, MA was on site to run the annual And Down Goes Cancer event. This is when students, parents, alumni and faculty get their hair streaked pink to raise money for breast cancer awareness. This year, Finally Lisa’s looked to surpass the school’s previous goal of just under 400 people pinked.

While Parent and Family Weekend was primarily over by Saturday evening, many students returned to campus later that night to participate in the Marianapolis Homelessness Awareness Night. Students slept on the Thompson Green in cardboard boxes in order the raise money for homelessness. It was a humid, rainy night, but the students braved the elements and ended up raising nearly $900, all of which will be donated to TEEG.