Merrie Market Moments

March 10, 2008

With so many of our Visitation families, I enjoyed immensely the’08 Merrie Market weekend. Kudos to the legions of volunteers who created this friend-raising and fund-raising opportunity for our school. Voyage a Annecy was truly wonderful.

There were so many special moments that when woven together, created a beautiful community tapestry. A few such moments come immediately to mind. For example, on Friday evening an alum parent who had not recently been to Visitation decided to drop by for Friday’s Family Night. She delighted in seeing the Sisters, was in awe of the magnificent and fun baskets, and loved the raffle to which students submitted their teacher’s name. So happy to reconnect, she promised that she would be back next year if not sooner.

Also on Friday, an alumna who is currently a senior in college talked to me about her double major and how she would love to teach at Visitation one day. She had not been to campus since she graduated but wanted to reconnect.

For Saturday’s Gala Dinner and Auction, the transformation of the Commers gymnasium to Annecy France was complete. What a setting and evening it was! Old friends reconnected while welcoming in those who are newer. Students, so crisp in their school uniforms, were gracious helpers and excellent sellers of raffle tickets. And even after a full evening of socializing, dining, and fund-raising, attendees lingered, a testimony to the wonderful spirit of the evening.

One long-time attendee, whose children graduated from Visitation many years ago, said that it was gratifying to see the cross-generational crowd so happily engaged with one another. All were there to support Visitation’s mission. “What better reason to dust off the tux?” he said. He came to reconnect. And he will no doubt be at Merrie Market again next year.