The 3:15 dismissal bell may signal the end of class, but activities continue on campus from sports practice in the quad to club meetings.
Among those activities, members of Laudare gather for song every Thursday afternoon on the second floor of the Gayle and Tom Benson Science and Technology Complex in the Holy Family Foyer that features a 7’ x 9’ giclee print reproduction of the original Holy Family painting by Belgian artist Joseph Paelinck, circa 1820. Laudare, formerly called the Liturgical Music Ministers, changed its name to the Latin word “to praise” – inspired by the Dominican crest with the motto, Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare – To Praise, To Bless, To Preach. During their afternoon sessions, the group of eight musicians, with co-moderators Miss Lauren Bordelon directing and Mr. Kenneth Lannes accompanying on guitar, continue learning Mass music and honing their harmonies throughout the school year.
In the Robotics Laboratory, around the corner from the Holy Family Foyer, clicking of laptop keys blends with students’ discussions of design and mechanical adjustments to robots under construction as programmers and builders prepare for upcoming competitions. The FIRST ® Tech Challenge (FTC) Qualifier is scheduled for February 27th, followed by the March 20 FTC Championship. Due to COVID restrictions, the competitions will be virtual events on the campus of each school’s team. “Both of our teams decided to buy new chassis from different companies and have just finished putting them together. They are now designing the arms that will pick up the rings and deliver them to the goals,” said Mrs. Crissy Giacona, Robotics coach and moderator, adding, “Everyone’s creativity and productivity has not been slowed down by the pandemic.”
