News
GPS Celebrates May Day 2018
The school's traditional May Day includes a presentation of seniors, dances, and the winding of the May Pole.
Girls Preparatory School celebrates the school’s tradition of May Day on Wednesday, April 25, with a presentation of the senior class, dances set to the day’s theme “Once Upon a Time,” and the popular winding of the May Poles by the sophomores. Classmates and family members enjoy a festival on the DeFoor Patio and watch special dances by the sixth-graders before the festivities begin.
The celebration on the Smith Courtyard gets underway as GPS Head of Upper School Jenise Gordon welcomes those in attendance and shares what the theme means to the 102 members of the Class of 2018. “‘Once upon a time’ is a phrase that takes us back to our childhood, when life was simpler and all stories ended happily,” says Gordon. “Stith Thompson, in The Folktale, describes a fairy tale or wonder tale as one that ‘... is filled with the marvelous. In this never-neverland, humble heroes kill adversaries, succeed to kingdoms, and marry princesses.’ (But) no child wanders lost in the woods here, and there is no damsel in distress trapped in the castle turret awaiting her knight in shining armor. These young women don their own chain mail of purpose and integrity each day to slay their own metaphorical dragons that arise in the form of challenging assessments, societal pressures to be perfect, college application deadlines, and that especially tricky villain known as time, who is the enemy of all.”
Gordon speaks of the special bond of sisterhood shared by the GPS Class of 2018. “They’ve argued, consoled, comforted, and competed with each other and, as a result, the relationships they’ve formed will last a lifetime. Soon they will ride off into the proverbial sunset to pursue their own dreams. We look forward to seeing what each girls’ version of ‘happily ever after’ looks like.”
One-by-one Gordon reads each girl’s name as she presents the senior class members, who take their places on the lawn. She then announces the members of the 2018 May Court: Meg Marshall, Crown Bearer; Libby Welborn, Scepter Bearer; Meher Memon, Lady of the Court; Hollis Gaffney, Maid of Honor;Margaret Lim, Right Train Bearer; Raegan Lamb, Left Train Bearer; and finally Phoebe Mills, May Queen.
One-by-one Gordon reads each girl’s name as she presents the senior class members, who take their places on the lawn. She then announces the members of the 2018 May Court: Meg Marshall, Crown Bearer; Libby Welborn, Scepter Bearer; Meher Memon, Lady of the Court; Hollis Gaffney, Maid of Honor;Margaret Lim, Right Train Bearer; Raegan Lamb, Left Train Bearer; and finally Phoebe Mills, May Queen.
Following the presentation of the court, the seniors are seated to watch the dances on the lawn and the wrapping of the May Poles. As the day’s last photos are snapped and final hugs are shared between the girls and their family members, we pause to reflect on why we still celebrate May Day.
“Every year the senior class nominates classmates who best reflect the ideals of GPS to comprise the May Court and Queen,” says Head of School Dr. Autumn A. Graves. “May Day goes beyond carrying out a long-standing, cherished tradition. It is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the goodness in others, to recognize our girls for their integrity and selflessness, and to invite our families to campus to share in this celebration.”
To view and download photos of May Day 2018 (or purchase prints for a small fee), please visit our SmugMug account. To read more about our 2018 May Day Court, please see our previous news story here.
