A Star is Born!

A Star is Born! 

The last week of October, Cristo Rey students and staff celebrated our first Homecoming Week with competitions, games, a potluck, and a harvest-themed dance. Monday morning’s Kick-off Assembly led by Campus Minister Samuel Carlson got students off their seats and dancing, while the Monty Python-inspired hype video had students and faculty laughing heartily.  

Spirit Week featured lip sync battles at lunchtime, pitting homerooms against each other to bring R&B anthems and Banda classics to life through dance. Tuesday afternoon, the Student Leadership Council ran a Pep Rally highlighting our Magis programs, which culminated in a student v. staff volleyball game. Raucous cheers peppered the outdoor court as Team Staff just barely eked out the victory. On Wednesday and Thursday, students twinned and dressed as Minions.  

On Friday, we joined St. Paul parishioners for morning Mass celebrated by Father Mike Bayard, SJ, to celebrate the Feast of All Saints. That afternoon, the same students strutted, pedaled, and pushed their stuff down the main hallway, showing off Anything-But-A-Backpack. (A piñata was this writer’s favorite.)  

Rain didn’t keep Mr. Grady and his crew of staff, parents and student helpers from preparing an impressive cookout. Roast chicken, brisket, and bratwurst accompanied mouth-watering sides and tempting desserts prepared by our families, which made for what the Jesuits call a “first class feast!" 

In the evening, students returned for A Star Is Born: Homecoming Harvest Dance. Awed gasps were heard as students entered Romans Hall, transformed by Student Council and parents into an autumnal oasis. Overfilled candy bowls, harvest games, and not one, but two balloon arches, framed the well-used dance floor. By the time the lights came up at the end of the evening, it was far too soon. A Star Is Born indeed.