Flag Raising Ceremony

Flag Raising at Santa Catalina Marks Official Opening of Lower School

Lower School students were excited Friday, August 31, 2007, to participate in the annual flag-raising ceremony marking the official opening of school. Continuing a tradition that signals new opportunities and expectations, the ceremony began with the procession of Grades PreK through 8 into a semi-circle around the Lower School flagpole.
 
Mrs. Margaret Lotz, instructor of History in Grades 6-8, began the flag raising approximately 15 years ago to provide additional leadership opportunities for the middle school. “The flag raising ceremony,” she remarked, “starts the Student Council on their road to leadership and allows the whole of school to participate in a very meaningful experience.”

 Student Council President Nick Halamandaris welcomed the group, including parents, teachers, and school administrators, with a prayer asking for God’s blessing on this school year. The Fleet Numeric Naval Color Guard (provided by Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Cross) then “presented the colors.” Esteban Sanchez played a beautiful trumpet solo of our national anthem, during which the Santa Catalina Lower School flags were raised. Brief speeches from Student Council Vice President Sean Murphy, Treasurer Gwen Humble, and Secretary Tatiana Briggs welcomed new teachers and explained both the importance of the event and the importance of the Grade 8 Flag Committee (Kelsey Hand, Kevin Tang, and Arjun Sidhu), responsible for the daily raising and lowering of the flags.

Mrs. Linda Mutty, Division Head Grades 6–8, then spoke to the idea of leadership. “…Leaders possess strength of character, a positive outlook, a willingness to reach desired goals, and compassion for others. We do not need to look back into history to find these role models, however. They are among us today: your parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, and most importantly, you. You are the future, and with that knowledge, you have the awesome responsibility to be a model citizen who stands proudly when you salute our country’s flag. You understand that you are privileged to be a citizen of this great county, of your neighborhood community, of your Santa Catalina community, and of your own family.” 

Mrs. Pollacci, Division Head PreK–Grade 5 and Director of Lower School Admission, also spoke to the group. “…I love the beginning of school because it is filled with hope and dreams to be realized…Today I ask you to remember how lucky we are to be here. You have the good fortune to attend Santa Catalina with these teachers, these classmates, and these phenomenal resources. And so, you have an obligation to be the very best you can be. Take chances, don’t give up, be flexible, and remember, no one is perfect. If you fall, get up and try again. Accept responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes. Reach out to each other, give back, and before you go to bed at night, look in the mirror and ask yourself, ‘Do you like who you see? Are you proud of the things you did today? Were you compassionate and kind to your friends?’ Boys and girls, it is your character that defines you. Be the best person you can be.”

To conclude the ceremony, the group joined together in a joyful rendition of the national anthem and God Bless America.