Traditions at Marianapolis

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ORIENTATION Late August

Student Orientation at Marianapolis is a week-long program designed to help new students acclimate to campus life and allow returning student leaders to introduce themselves to peers. Activities include everything from bonding exercises on site to group trips off campus.

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CLASS PICNICS Early September

In early September, one family from each class hosts the entire grade at their home for a cookout and party. The afternoon can feature wiffle ball, volleyball, games, and even swimming! Grade-level advisors also participate in these wonderful annual kick-off events.

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Marianapolis welcomes an annual visit from comedian/ hypnotist Jim Spinnato, whose participation-based stage shows are always hysterical. Students volunteer to undergo 90 minutes of hypnosis, during which time they sing, dance, and entertain for a packed audience of their peers.

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Early September

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HYPNOTIST

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BOOK SIGNING September

Each year, students and faculty add their signatures to the Marianapolis Book of Names. Included in this record of school history are the cities and countries from which members of the Marianapolis community hail. Ceremonies are held for each class to join decades of Marianapolis alumni and teachers.

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An October tradition at Marianapolis is the junior class Ring Day. This annual ceremony celebrates members of the junior class and their maturation into college-bound upperclassmen. Class rings are given a blessing by most reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, CT, and then bestowed upon the students.

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October

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RING DAY

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PARENT & FAMILY WEEKEND October

Usually held during Columbus Day Weekend, Parent & Family Weekend is a time for school spirit. Each fall athletic teams hosts a game, alumni come back to visit, and other favorite activities include Break the Code for the Cause and the Alumni & Community Soccer Game.

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Marianapolis teams up with Finally Lisa’s Hair Salon in Southbridge, MA, during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During Parent & Family Weekend, Finally Lisa’s outfits Marianapolis students, faculty, and staff with pink hair extensions, and dye. Participants are allowed to break the school’s dress code with these accessories to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research.

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October

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BREAKING THE CODE FOR THE CAUSE

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ALUMNI & COMMUNITY SOCCER GAME October

Played during Parent & Family Weekend in October, the match pits faculty, alumni, and students against one another in a good-spirited game of soccer.

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Halloween at Marianapolis is an all-day affair! The day begins with a parade of costumes in the Marianapolis Athletic Complex. Prizes are awarded for individual, group, scary, and creative costumes. Kids and adults proceed to class in full Halloween dress.

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October

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HALLOWEEN

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RAKE DAY November

Every autumn, students at Marianapolis are excused from a day of classes to participate in Rake Day. Students and advisors attack the terrain with rakes, bags, and tarps, collecting all of the fallen leaves from the trees surrounding the school. As they migrate from place to place, students can stop for hot chocolate to stay warm.

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Flag Football is played in late fall at Marianapolis. Teams brave enough to form and compete against one another face off in a daylong tournament in front of a large crowd. Teams can be single sex or co-ed; even the faculty form a squad.

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November

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FLAG FOOTBALL

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TURKEY DIP November

Each year, nearly 30 Marianapolis students, faculty and alumni brave 38 degree waters of Quaddick Lake in Thompson.

Their dash into the water on Thanksgiving morning helps to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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A Very Marianapolis Christmas is a holiday program started in 2011. During December, students have access to holiday celebrations, traditions, projects, or performances.

Highlights include Caroling through the Knight, cookie decorating, movies in the Irwin Blackbox Theatre, and tree lightings. Folded into this overarching theme are the classic Marianapolis programs Breakfast with Santa, and Christmas in New York.

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December

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A VERY MARIANAPOLIS CHRISTMAS

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SPIRIT WEEK February

Spirit week is a true celebration of Golden Knights enthusiasm, held in late February each year. The program is organized and run by the Marianapolis student council.

Each day of Spirit Week has a different theme, such as Marianapolis Monday and Western Wednesday.

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May

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COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

Every year, each student at Marianapolis participates in a day of community service. Each grade level helps out somewhere different, from reading to local elementary school students, to planting flowers at nursing homes, and even visiting animal shelters. Marianapolis students help to make a big difference in the local community.

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S.P.A.M. May

S.P.A.M. or Students Performing at Marianapolis, is the chance for all students and faculty to show off their talents.

Whether its singing, dancing, or a hidden talent, S.P.A.M. always draws a big crowd and is a favorite tradition of Marianapolis students.

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May

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TRASH FASHION

Held in between acts during S.P.A.M., Trash Fashion is another way for Marianapolis students to showcase their creativity. Students create orignial outfits out of recycled materials, and then model them for the school.

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PROM May

Prom is the quintessential high school tradition, and the Marianapolis prom is no small affair. Juniors and seniors are invited to attend the event which is held off campus.

Marianapolis students always stun in their gorgeous dresses and dapper tuxedos.

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Late May

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SPORTS DAY

Sports Day is a highlight during the last week of classes.

Students participate in a variety of events and competitions across campus - everything from ultimate Frisbee to soccer and relay races to touch football. Students are broken up by advisories and grade level colors.

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INTERNATIONAL SENIOR DINNER May

The International Senior Dinner is a way for the Marianapolis community to celebrate the international seniors before they graduate. The international seniors are asked to invite a faculty member or other community member who has had an impact on their time at Marianapolis. The evening is full of laughs, good food, and good company.

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The rock signing is a final rite of passage before the seniors officially become alumni. On the last day of school, the senior class signs their names to the rock, which then stays until the following year when a new class of seniors signs it.

It is a way for the seniors to make their mark before graduation.

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May

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ROCK SIGNING