The last Tuesday before Thanksgiving, CCHS hosted our annual Grandparents’ Day. Beginning at around 11:30 am, the gym in the Claver center was full of our student’s beloved elderly folks. Alive with chatter and warm welcomes between grandparents and grandchildren, the Don’s gym grew quiet when the Thanksgiving mass began with the beautiful singing of the Schola Choir.

After the reading and reflection of the gospel, the choir sang America (My Country ‘Tis Of Thee). The song inspired a standing ovation to the choir and to our country that was truly tear-jerking. After the ending of the Mass, there was a swarm of students getting their grandparents lunches containing sandwiches and salads. Back and forth the students traveled like working bees getting everything they needed for their grandparents to have a successful lunch.

Roughly twenty minutes had passed when Mr Laaperi, Cathedral’s President, began his speech for the grandparents. He welcomed the grandparents visiting from outside the state and city. “Welcome to a winter day in San Diego,” said Mr. Laaperi. His joke was followed by many light hearted chuckles from the grandparents and students.

Junior Kylie Freitas, one of the students who attended, said “It’s great to be able to laugh and spend time with your grandparents, especially if you don’t see them every day!”

Following Mr. Laaperi’s address, the Junior Varsity and Varsity Dance team entertained the grandparents with two separate performances. Continuing along the showcase of Cathedral’s performers, two students from the Cathedral Catholic Drama department serenaded the grandparents as they finished their meals. Senior Justin Haupt sang “Dancing Through Life” from Wicked and freshman Emily Smedley sang “Not for the Life of Me” from Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Emily Smedley’s grandmother, Mrs. Elnor Smedley, has attended Grandparents Day four times in the past and feels that Grandparents Day provides grandparents and grandchildren with quality bonding time to make memories.

“I think its wonderful to spend time with my grandkids because they’re the most precious blessings in my life,” said Mrs. Smedley

ASB President and student speaker, Marika Vigo, summed up the theme of Grandparents’ Day by reminding students to thank their a grandparents for teaching them “trust, faith, and love.”