St. Mary Homecoming: A Celebration for Future Crusaders
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School’s Homecoming on Friday was a vibrant day of community, pride, and connection, welcoming Future Crusaders—Grade 8 students from feeder schools—to experience the spirit and warmth of the St. Mary family. The event offered these students a glimpse into life at St. Mary, highlighting both its academic opportunities and its inclusive, welcoming environment.
The Grade 8 students from Dundas’ St. Bernadette and St. Augustine, Hamilton’s Canadian Martyrs and St. Joseph, and Waterdown’s Guardian Angels, St. Thomas, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel schools were greeted with a unique experience as they got off their buses: the St. Mary Health Action Team (HAT) had organized a positive messaging sidewalk chalk activity, where the entire school community participated in writing encouraging and inspiring messages. These chalk-written words of kindness lined the sidewalks, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
The visiting students were then invited to explore St. Mary’s academic offerings through an SHSM/OYAP-sponsored event, where they toured the technical education classrooms, guided by St. Mary Prefects, and learned about the opportunities available to them in high school. The pep rally that followed brought the energy up as students cheered for the junior and senior football teams, with both teams receiving tremendous support.
Afterward, the Grade 8s enjoyed a pizza lunch, distributed by Prefects, followed by activities led by the student council, including a Crusader Tech Zone photo booth sponsored by OYAP/SHSM. These moments of interaction gave the visiting students the chance to feel part of the school community and connect with their future high school peers.
One Grade 8 student reflected on the day, saying, “The whole day made me feel like I was already a part of the St. Mary family. Exploring the tech rooms and seeing how the students cheered at the football game really showed me what it’s like to be a Crusader. I can’t wait to be here next year!”
The Prefects, led by Raphael Serrao, were equally enthusiastic about welcoming their future classmates. Raphael shared, “It’s exciting to show the Grade 8s what St. Mary has to offer. We’ve been in their shoes before, and it feels great to give them a warm welcome to our Crusader family.”
The day’s highlight was the senior football game, where St. Mary’s senior football team claimed a 24-7 victory over St. Jean de Brébeuf . The victory gave the Grade 8s a firsthand look at the school’s athletic spirit and pride, solidifying their introduction to Crusader culture.
Reflecting on the importance of the event, David Pados, Student Success Teacher at St. Mary, said: “Events like these are crucial for our transitioning Grade 8s. As a staff, we’ve always done a tremendous job welcoming future students and fostering ties with our St. Mary community. It’s not just about introducing them to high school; it’s about making them feel they already belong.”
St. Mary’s Homecoming truly captured the school’s motto, Live, Love, Learn. From the academic exploration to the school-wide activities and the celebration of athletic achievement, the Future Crusaders were introduced to the values that define St. Mary’s community: living in faith, loving one another, and learning together as a united school family.
