“Every ending has a new and beautiful beginning”: with these encouraging words, on 2nd March, 2022, the staff and students of Auxilium Convent High School, Lonavla, officially bid farewell to the students of STD X (2021-22).
During the morning assembly, the students animated a meaningful and blessing-filled prayer service, invoking blessings and prosperity on all the 10th standard students. Through creatively integrated speeches and a fun-filled skit, the students were led down memory lane of the beautiful, sweet-sour memories they had in school, most of which began 12 years ago in kindergarten. Some of the students of STD X also reciprocated by expressing their mixed emotions on the occasion, some fond memories and even revealed some of their hidden mischief used in school, which they would cherish all their life.
Sr. Caroline Menezes, the animator, gave a wisdom-filled message to the students to carry home for life. She presented to them the anecdote of the selfish city, whose people never understood the importance of their own individual contribution in the building of their own land. Each of our contribution matters in building the world and our nation. She exhorted them to give the world the best and assured them that the best would come back to them. Using another phrase- “Smile, and another person smiles and soon there will be miles and miles of smiles”, she challenged them to be the protagonists of positive change in the world through their unique contributions.
Sr. Sheela Furtado, the Headmistress, also added her bit of advice to the students, asking them to take everything in life as a gift and a blessing- because, it could have been worse. She made them realize that unlike some, they have been blessed with this day and the unique opportunity of receiving the blessings of their teachers before leaving Auxilium’s portals. She told them to be contented with whatever they get, for there are those who don’t get even that.
The students received a memento from Sr. Sheela Furtado after which they were led towards the game zone. After much fun and cheer in the time spent running, falling, dancing, losing and winning, the students then pledged themselves to be part of the Past Pupils Association of Auxilium for life. The ceremony was led by a group of teachers who are part of the Association themselves, Tr. Unita Patrao being its President.
The Past Pupils carry the values they learnt at Auxilium in the different ladders of society, they reach out and collaborate with their Alma Mater in loving service. The students promised to uphold the statutes of the Association and to live the values and lend their service to the Institute; to carry their badge as a token of gratitude for all that they have received. They then received their unique Identity Cards as members of the Past Pupils Association.
Once an Auxilian, always an Auxilian. We pray that all the students passing on into the world form the portals of Auxilium may keep the flag of the school flying high always.