Musicals and Plays
A Broadway musical and a play are
produced each year and presented to the community. These
are open to all students at Saint Gertrude and Benedictine
who are interested in learning theater techniques, singing,
choreography, lighting, and backstage work. Rehearsals
are outside of school time. Past musicals include Hello
Dolly, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, and
Meet Me in St. Louis. Past plays include The Miracle
Worker, Steel Magnolias, and Twelfth
Night.
Career Day
The school holds a career day each year
to expose the students to careers that they may wish
to pursue in their futures. Many of the speakers are
Saint Gertrude graduates willing to share information
about their chosen careers with the students.
Retreats
The Theology Department sponsors retreats
for each grade. Based on community-building themes, each
retreat attempts to unite the class spiritually with
prayer, reflection, and activities.
Song Contest
Song Contest is an intramural musical
event held annually in March. Each class creates an eight-minute
performance of familiar songs with lyrics about life
at Saint Gertrude. Their performances are judged on music,
lyrics, spirit, motions, and leadership. The classes,
led by elected leaders, practice after school for over
a month blending song and movement into a polished performance
attended by hundreds of family and friends.
May Day
May Day is an annual spring event honoring
Mary, our Blessed Mother, and a May Queen, nominated
by seniors and elected by the whole student body. The
May Queen, a senior selected for her loving and caring
nature, is surrounded by a May Court, which includes
the top academic representatives from each class. Each
class gives a performance and gift dedicated to the queen.
The seniors present the annual May Pole dance.
Senior Class Trip
Every year the seniors take a class
trip for three days and two nights. New York City is
a popular destination for the seniors. The seniors and
the appointed moderators go to the Empire State Building,
China Town, Greenwich, NBC Studios, see a Broadway Show
and, of course, SHOP! You may even catch a glimpse of
our seniors on "The Today Show"! Funds from
the class treasury help supplement the cost of this trip.
Choral Concerts
The Christmas Choral Concert includes
seasonal music, sacred and secular, presented free of
charge to the public by all five choral groups at Saint
Gertrude. The Spring Choral Concert and Art Show is a
free concert of sacred, secular and popular music combined
with a showcase of student art work. Ensembles also perform
smaller concerts around the Richmond area for community
and church groups.
Grandparents Day
Every October our students honor their
grandparents with a box lunch and a show by our chorus
groups. The grandparents get to have lunch and visit
with their granddaughter on this day. This is one of
our biggest and most popular events.
Father-Daughter Banquet
Each February, a Sunday evening is set
aside for our students and their fathers. They have a
wonderful dinner; and afterwards, a dance complete with
a DJ and professional pictures. It is great to see our
young women dancing the night away with their dads or
stand-in dads!
Mother-Daughter Banquet
One special Sunday of March is set aside
for students and their mothers. The banquet includes
lunch and a fashion show. Saint Gertrude students and
mothers are runway models for the latest spring and prom
fashions from local retail stores.
Junior/Senior Banquet and Prom
The Juniors host the Banquet and Prom
for the Seniors. At the Banquet, the seniors are honored
with a nice dinner. At this event, the Seniors give their
Last Will and Testament to the Junior members. The Prom
committee announces the theme and place for the Prom,
which occurs in May.
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