Every year, around the middle of March, St. Roch’s School holds a special event. Before this gala activity there is much preparation. Each class enters at least one booth. The booths are then designed and put on a floor plan. Following this, details are ironed out and special preparations are made for specific booths. Not only were faculty members and students involved, but many mothers baked items or even came to help out at the booths.
Getting back to the morning of the huge festival, you must compare it to the 1849 Gold Rush. Students from all grade levels dash into the gym and “stake out claims” with chairs.
Chosen students and their teachers proceed in setting up their booths while those who were not chosen remain in their respective classrooms and play cards or other pastimes.
“R-r-r-r-ring!” screams the bell at eleven o’clock, signaling the start of the festivities. The students answer the bell by dashing into the gym from all directions.
“Hey! Come on and try our Hockey Shoot!” asks a voice.
“You there! Please buy a raffle ticket. We’re raffling a big chocolate bunny!” pleads another.
“Do you want something to eat? Well, try the cake booth!” begs the next.
What fun it is to stuff your mouth with goodies and lick the morsels off your cheeks. Or buy back the white elephant you donated.
It is definitely a fun time, but there is something much, much more.
There is something deeper and more meaningful. There is a certain spirit that seems to knock out the grudges between people. Sure you might be upset because someone knocked over your goldfish bowl, or you could be a bit angry because your ticket to the “Vaudeville Show” was torn up and you’re out a quarter.
You have a certain sense of pride and thankfulness in knowing that you and your fellow students are able to get along with each other, for the most part.
“B-i-i-i–ng” clamors the bells. Amidst the joyous crowds, a hush comes. “Aw, darn it, and we were just having fun,” sobs a voice. But the All Saints bus is here and they have to go.
While some are carrying tables back to the lunch room and claiming their belongings, like the angels of the Lord comes the sweeping brigade. That’s what you call work, especially mopping up the dried-up peanut butter and jelly.
Soon everything is back to normal except Sister Leo Ann’s nerves. Sister is in her office and when you leave you know she’ll be there for some time, counting and putting in rolls the mounds of coins. You guessed it, mostly pennies.
St. Roch’s day is long over and Sister Leo Ann has regained her composure. The basketball court is waxed and shined and everyone wears a grin when they remember the gusto shared by everyone who participated in St. Roch’s Day. Everything is over but the spirit which is most apparent at the annual celebration, St. Roch’s Day.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1973.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1973_05.pdf, printed page(s) 6.
