The DREAM team poses with Faustino, a fair trade cacao farmer.
Yo valgo mucho!
Beth Finn, a religion teacher at Immaculata and Catherine O’Shea, a Grey sister, coordinated a week-long experience for 19 students that focused on exposure, awareness and service in Consuelo, a municipality in the province of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.
The students immersed themselves in the local culture by living with their host families. Part of their service component was prepping, cleaning and painting a bedroom for Teresa, a grandmother caring for four children, all under the age of four.
Not only did the students renovate a bedroom, they used part of the money they raised to purchase beds for two families who had substandard beds or no beds at all.
As well, students created and performed a play, Yo valgo mucho! or I am a valuable person! Its key message was the very present danger of human trafficking and how to fight against it.
“This particular group of students was outstanding in terms of generosity of spirit, eagerness to serve, openness to the experience and depth of insight,” said Leah Daly, school chaplain.
The Dominican Republic Experience at Mac or D.R.E.A.M. team has partnered with the Grey Sisters for more than 15 years.
It is now the responsibility of these Immaculata students to share with others what they learned while in Consuelo. DREAM team is preparing to share their stories of joy and struggle with fellow students from Grades Seven to 10 and their parents at Rockcliffe Manor and local parishes.
PO-UH-TREE
Spoken word poets, Nathanael Larochette and Ian Keteku, inspired and taught Grade Nine and 11 English students during a week-long poetry workshop. The compelling performances of these two talented artists mesmerized the students, who learned how to use simile, metaphor, puns and juxtaposition through a series of innovative lessons. On Mango Monday they started by planting the seed of inspiration for a “po-uh-tree” and by Fruit Salad Friday, students had successfully written and performed their own poems.
NATIONAL CAPITAL WIN
Ms. Pickering, coach and math department head, is filled with pride and enthusiasm when she talks about the boys’ basketball team.
“They should be a junior team with four starters in Grade 10 and only one in Grade 11, but their sheer determination not only got them an undefeated regular season, it resulted in their National Capital win,” Pickering said.
The Senior Boys’ Basketball Team, posing for their National Capital Win. Photo by Franky Quang
13: A MUSICAL
Please keep Thursday, May 9 or Friday, May 10, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., free so you can catch a performance of Immaculata’s musical, 13. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
The musical is about a 12- year-old boy named Evan Goldman, who moves from New York City to small town Indiana. He struggles to be with the in-crowd as he prepares to turn 13 and become a man.
“13 is a coming-of-age story that will resonate with students from Grades Seven to 12,” said Ms. Veryard, artistic director.
Grade Seven and Eight students will be treated to a preview of the play on Wednesday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
