“Your presence here today means the world—not only to your granddaughters, but to the whole Gwynedd community.” – Colleen Belz Frascatore ’89, Director of Advancement
This past Friday, the Class of 2029 experienced the beloved Gwynedd tradition of Grandparents’ Day, a freshman-exclusive event dedicated to the grandparents and grandfriends of the Gwynedd community. After a reverent morning retreat, the freshmen enjoyed an afternoon of service and fun with their grand-guests, showing them what makes GMAHS so special.
The event opened at one o’clock in the Performing Arts Center with a program led by the administration, highlighting what sets Gwynedd apart from other high schools. GMAHS President Denise Marbach ’72 welcomed the visitors before Lily Campbell ’29 led the assembly in prayer. “You’ve been cheerleaders, advisors, storytellers,” said Marbach as she acknowledged the positive impact these grandpeople have had on the Class of 2029—even before they walked through the red and gold hallways.
Speaking of those hallways, grand-guests had the opportunity to explore them with their Gwynedd student as a personal tour guide! Students showed their guests classrooms and even introduced them to some of their teachers. In addition, grand-guests saw features that represent Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School and its mission, such as the Heritage Wall and the Core Values and Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. Students and their visitors were also welcomed into the gym, where refreshments—including hot chocolate, coffee, pretzels, and cookies—were served. A variety of fun activities were available, such as quizzes where students and their grand-friends compared high school experiences, a service project, and even a free photo booth complete with vibrant hats and silly glasses.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Gwynedd Mercy event without giving back to the community. Attendees prepared hygiene bags for the people served by Face-to-Face, a human services organization in Germantown, Philadelphia.
The event concluded at 3:00 p.m.—a pleasant and heartwarming start to the weekend.
