The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t get in the way of Delta Secondary celebrating the 125th edition of the Ladner May Days.
Typically, the fairgrounds at the adjacent Memorial Park would be buzzing this weekend with activity and DSS students would be actively involved, enjoying the festivities, especially the graduating class.
“Our grade 12s haven't had the opportunity to experience a lot of events that typically happen in the past and this year's grad council has been working hard to find ‘new activities’ and ‘grad honouring events’ to recognize the graduating class while continuing to build school spirit and community,” explained DSS principal John Pavao. “Every year, we put a float in the May Days parade and generate a lot of school spirit celebrating being from Ladner and the history of the event.”
It was just before the winter break when the 2021 DSS grad council organized a holiday event where each learning cohort came down as a group for cookies, hot chocolate and photos with Santa.
“It was a great COVID friendly school event that helped provide a sense of community for each learning group,” said Pavao.
This time the grad council came up with May Days themed activities. Besides creating a video float submission for the May Days Virtual Parade this weekend, additional mini-floats were added where learning cohorts were invited to receive Pacer sunglasses and a treat, while a lucky winner from each cohort got to participate in a pie-in the face contest.
“We’re bringing a little of May Days and fair type atmosphere into our school,” Pavao added. “(Vice-principal) Mike Annandale and I are taking turns in the ‘hot seat’ at our ‘Pies for Principals’ booth. We are also doing a decades’ spirit week, encouraging staff and students to dress up in the assigned decade day. The first week of June we will be doing a Grad Spirit Week with a special celebration for our graduating students on June 4.”
