Sunday we participated in an annual foot race/fun run with some friends along with a group from Young One's school. Needless to say, habit-wearing Italian nuns donning bright yellow baseball caps garner a bit of attention, even in this town where this particular group is rather well known.
The schools are invited to compete for participation-based awards in the form of athletic equipment for physical education programs. Our teachers like a good competition as much as any lay person, I assure you.
This year the event attracted nearly 8000 participants, from serious runners to the stroller crowd, who wandered through the historic streets of Vicenza. The school earned the fourth place award, which amounts to 250 Euro of free PE stuff . . . WooHoo! Did I mention that it was a glorious day? (Finally.)
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By the way, the giant flag is from the celebration of 150 years of unification of this country; it's made of panels created by local middle and high school students. Just yesterday one of my students shared with me that he was involved in a similar project with the stars and stripes in Georgia after 9/11. Some of our days here are so entirely different than they would be in the States; and then, there are days like this, which could take place in practically any city across the USofA.
Congrats to your school! Sounds like a fun event and your nuns look like they know how to have a good time :) The caps would definitely get my attention!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning prize money for school equipment. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteDana,
ReplyDeleteDo you know what order the Nuns are from?...I went to Catholic school all 12 of my school years, and was taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame...they were all quite amazing, and I am still very close to one of them. At this time she lives in the SSND's International Convent in Rome. Was just wondering?
And it looks like you all had a wonderful time walking with the sisters...
These are the "Teaching Sisters of St. Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Heart." It is a group founded here in Vicenza in the 1800's. Their primary mission is, of course, education. The school is held in high regard in this city; I found it (and a spot in it for my girl) only because I have a friend who once taught there. It's only the first year, but, so far, we are all very much pleased.
ReplyDeleteD
PS. I, too, went to many years of Catholic school. Can you believe that I never had a nun as a teacher?
Dana,
ReplyDeleteI hope that Young One will be blessed attending her school. I know I was...I feel so fortunate to have had the Sisters all 12 of my school years. The nun that I am so close to is from New Orleans. I love to hear her talk, the accent is so adorable.
It is amazing that you were never taught by any nuns.. I feel so fortunate to have been taught by them. They were all so sweet and loving, the total opposite of the horror stories you often hear about them. I only remember one being the sterotypical staunch, mean nun, and she was the principal. It was probably just in our heads.