GPS students in their May Day finery.
Senior Mackenzie Hobbs reigned as May Queen over GPS’s May Day on Thursday as family, friends, student body, and faculty enjoyed the celebratory air provided by the presentation of the 2015 senior class, Broadway-themed dances, and the traditional winding of the May Pole.
The sixth grade class, “rats” to their senior “cats,” began a noon festival with a dance presentation, which was followed by an array of lunchtime choices offered for sale by clubs and organizations. The crowd grew as extended family and friends arrived, and soon, retiring Upper School principal Jessica Good stood before the microphone one last time to introduce the members of the Class of 2015.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Good reflected on the significance of May Day to the graduating seniors. The ritual, she said, “is an event that has become a constant in their ever-changing lives.” May Day, she said, “symbolizes an ending, a different kind of graduation, and they are thankful to look forward to the next stage of their journey.” And, she added, it’s “a day that is simply fun!”
The seniors, in brightly colored long dresses, were presented in the Smith Courtyard of the school, followed by the introduction of the May Day Committee, the Queen, and her court: Lindsay Rufolo, Maid of Honor; Angela Bonds, Abby Jansen, Nia Sanders and Katherine Ward.
Following the senior presentation, the audience enjoyed student-choreographed class dances set to the songs of Broadway musicals Grease, Newsies, Mamma Mia, Annie and The Lion King. The traditional winding of the blue, yellow, and pink May Poles by members of the sophomore class and the singing of the school’s Alma Mater concluded the event.
For the first time, a plein air artist set up her easel at the corner of the Smith Courtyard and painted a canvas of May Day as it was happening. Her painting will be auctioned off at a later date.
When the first May Day was celebrated by GPS students in 1914, the queen was chosen because she had the longest hair; today’s queen and court are chosen by the following criteria: members of the court are representative in the “highest sense” of the ideals of the school, and they are chosen in part because of the positive contributions they make in all areas of school life.
A plein air artist set up her easel and painted a canvas of May Day as it was happening.