After 100 years, ‘there is still a simplicity here’
Catholic Schools Week was doubly special for St. Mary Star of the Sea School (SMSS), Hampton – Friday, Feb. 3 was also the 100th school day in the school’s 100th jubilee year. Not only the week, but the entire school year has been focused on gratitude. After a century, the school principal, Dominican Sister Mary Cecilia Goodrum, said “there is still a simplicity here.”
The centennial has a “different focus for the kids,” she said. “It’s not just a big party, but a time for the students to focus outward, on others – not inward.”
Activities were planned throughout the day for the students and staff. Most noticeable was that everyone was encouraged to wear 1920s-inspired clothes, since the school opened in 1923. Throughout the school campus, students and staff of all ages showed up for class in glitzy, glamorous fashions. The gals were seen wearing sequin- and fringe-covered dresses and fancy headbands; the gents sported suits, vests and fedoras.
Chalk it up to good Catholic teaching
The 100th day was a cold one, made even colder by the wind coming off the Hampton River/ Mill Creek at the waterfront school. Still, teachers and students spent recess outside, decorating sidewalks around the campus with chalk to show why they are grateful to be part of St. Mary Star of the Sea.
Most of the chalk art read, in no particular order: “family,” “friends,” “food,” “teachers” and “God.” Many students wrote, simply, that they are grateful for “SMSS.”
Sister Mary Aquinas joined her eighth graders, kneeling on the sidewalk, and wrote, “wonderful students” and “Jesus is with us.”
100 was the number of the day
Each class in the school, from Pre-K3 to eighth grade, marked the day with special centennial activities. Amanda Ward and her 3-year-old students colored centennial pictures and made a snack mix to share. Ward explained that the mix is filled with various ingredients to show how people are all different – but can still go together.
Raucous laughter filled another classroom as Andrea Dygert showed her 4-year-old students photos of themselves that had been manipulated to show what they might look like when they had aged to 100 years.
Michelle Ross, in a festive black and gold flapper outfit, led her kindergartners around the school on a scavenger hunt to find sticky notes labeled with each number from one to 100. Michelle Jenkins’ entire first grade class scored perfect 100s on their spelling tests on this 100th day of the 100th year.
Michelle Territo’s third graders called out enthusiastic answers when asked why they’re grateful for their school. “Being in a Catholic school,” getting to “be taught about God,” “going to Mass in the gym,” and “receiving Jesus,” they said. Territo then tired out the students by having them do activities for 100 seconds, including jumping jacks, then hopping on one foot. She was teaching them 100 seconds is longer than it sounds – so 100 years for a school is truly an accomplishment.
The school day culminated in a school-wide Charleston dance competition in the gym. P.E. and music teacher Theresa Marino has a degree in dance and was a former dance instructor. Marino choreographed the dance, then Melanie Wolcott, mother of second grader Bowen, taught the students the Charleston moves while she was the substitute P.E. teacher the last two weeks. Wolcott also has a ballet, tap and jazz background. One by one, each class performed the same dance, getting scored on their unity, participation and fun. The fourth graders and eighth graders tied for first place after a dance-off.
School has a special charism
Four members of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation can be seen walking the halls in their long white habits. In addition to the principal, they are second grade teacher Sister Imelda, fifth grade teacher Sister Mary Augustine, and 8th grade teacher Sister Mary Aquinas.
They are commonly called the Nashville Dominicans because the congregation is based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1923, St. Mary Star of the Sea was the first school opened by the Nashville Dominicans outside of Tennessee.
“The Dominican charism has not changed at this school in 100 years,” said Sister Mary Cecilia. “A parent recently said to me, ‘This place is like a step back in time.’”
A charism is the spirit of a religious community. For the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia that charism is living in a spirit of joy, simplicity and prayer. When asked about the next 100 years at the school, Sister Mary Cecilia had a pensive look on her face as she said, “I want to keep the charism that’s here – change what needs to be changed, but keep the goodness in this place.”
The school has an enrollment of 178 students. Sister Mary Cecilia said classes were so full this year they had to waitlist students in four grades. Nine students and two parents will also be baptized this year, the principal added.
“I really feel this jubilee is helping people to know the Lord in a different way,” she said.
Editor’s note: Find out how Saint Mary Star of the Sea School kicked off its centennial year in the Sept. 5, 2022, issue.